Star Wars Darth Bane book 1 Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn Karpyshyn
############################################################################### PROLOGU !n the "ast ays of the O" Repub"ic$ the Sith%fo""owers of the &orce's ark sie an ancient ene(ies of the )ei orer%nu(bere on"y two* one +aster an one apprentice, -et it was not a"ways so, . thousan years before the Repub"ic's co""apse an (peror Pa"patine's rise to power$ the Sith were "e/ion , , , Lor Kaan$ Sith +aster an founer of the Brotherhoo of Darkness$ stroe throu/h throu/h the /ore of the batt"efie"$ a ta"" shaow shaow in the ni/ht's /"oo(, /"oo(, 0housans 0housans of Repub"ic Repub"ic troops an near"y near"y a hunre hunre )ei ha /ien their "ies tryin/ to efen this wor" a/ainst his ar(y%an they ha "ost, 2e re"ishe
their sufferin/ an espair3 een now he cou" sense it risin/ up "ike the stench fro( the broken corpses scattere about the a""ey, !n the istance a stor( was brewin/, .s each f"ash of "i/htnin/ i""u(inate the sky$ Korriban's Korriban's /reat Sith te(p"e was (o(entari"y isib"e in the istance$ a stark si"houette towerin/ oer the barren hori4on, . pair of fi/ures waite in the center of the s"au/hter$ one hu(an an the other 0wi'"ek, 2e reco/ni4e the( espite the arkness* 5oris an Kopec4$ two of the (ore powerfu" Sith Lors, Once they ha been bitter ria"s$ but now they sere to/ether in Kaan's Brotherhoo, Brotherhoo, 2e approache the( 6uick"y$ s(i"in/, 5oris$ ta"" an so "ean as to appear a"(ost ske"eta"$ s(i"e back, 70his is a /reat ictory$ ictory$ Lor Kaan, !t has been far too "on/ since the Sith hae ha an acae(y on Korriban,7 7! sense you are ea/er to be/in trainin/ the new apprentices here$7 Kaan rep"ie, 7! e8pect you wi"" proie (e with (any (any (ore powerfu"%an powerfu"%an "oya"%Sith "oya"%Sith aepts an +asters +asters in the co(in/ co(in/ years,7 7Proie you97 Kopec4 aske pointe"y, pointe"y, 7Don't you (ean proie us9 .re we not a"" part of the Brotherhoo of Darkness97 2is 6uestion was (et with an easy "au/h, 7Of course$ Kopec4, . (ere s"ip of the ton/ue9' 7Kopec4 refuses to ce"ebrate in our triu(ph$7 5oris note, 72e has been "ike this a"" ni/ht,7 Kaan c"aspe a han on the hefty 0wi'"ek's shou"er, 70his is a /reat ictory for us$7 he sai, 7Korriban is (ore than :ust another wor"* it is a sy(bo", 0he birthp"ace of the Sith, 0his ictory sens a (essa/e to the Repub"ic an the )ei, ;ow they wi"" tru"y know an fear the Brotherhoo,7 Kopec4 shru//e free of Kaan's han an turne away with a f"ick of the tips of the "on/ "ekku woun aroun his neck, 7
pounin/ re"ent"ess"y re"ent"ess"y away at a ein$ ein$ chippin/ the cortosis cortosis free bit bit by bit,
0heir harass(ents ha ene short"y after Des's father ie of a (assie heart attack, !t wasn't because the (iners (iners fe"t sorry for the orphane orphane youn/ (an$ (an$ thou/h, By the the ti(e 2urst ie$ the ta""$ skinny teena/er they "oe to bu""y ha beco(e a (ountain of (usc"e with heay hans an a fierce te(per, te(per, +inin/ was a tou/h :ob3 it was the c"osest thin/ to har "abor outsie a Repub"ic prison co"ony, co"ony, Whoeer worke worke the (ines on on .patros /ot bi/%an bi/%an Des :ust happene happene to beco(e beco(e the bi//est of the( a"", a"", 2a"f a o4en b"ack b"ack eyes$ count"ess count"ess b"ooy noses$ noses$ an one broken :aw in the space of a (onth was a"" it took for 2urst's o" friens to ecie they' be happier if they "eft Des a"one, -et it was a"(ost as if they b"a(e hi( for 2urst's eath$ an eery few (onths one of the( trie a/ain, Ger ha a"ways been s(art enou/h to keep his istance%unti" now, now, 7! on't see any of your friens here with you$ o" (an$7 Des sai, 7So back off (y c"ai($ an noboy /ets hurt,7 Ger spat on the /roun at Des's feet, 7-ou on't een know what ay it is$ o you$ boy9 Kriffin/ is/race is what you are=7 0hey were stanin/ c"ose enou/h to each other that Des cou" s(e"" the sour
7! on't hae ti(e for this$7 he (uttere, 7!'e /ot work to o,7 With one han he /rabbe the hyrau"ic :ack fro( Ger's /rasp, 2e put the other han on Ger's shou"er an shoe hi( away, Stu(b"in/ back$ the inebriate (an cau/ht his hee" on a rock an fe"" rou/h"y to the /roun, 2e stoo up with a snar"$ his hans ba""in/ into fists, 7Guess your ay's been /one too "on/$ boy, -ou nee so(eone to beat the sense back into you=7 Ger was runk$ but he was no foo"$ Des rea"i4e, Des was bi//er$ stron/er$ youn/er ,,, but he' spent the "ast si8 hours workin/ a hyrau"ic :ack, 2e was coere in /ri(e an the sweat was rippin/ off his face, 2is shirt was renche, Ger's unifor($ on the other han$ was sti"" re"atie"y c"ean* no ust$ no sweat stains, 2e (ust hae been p"annin/ this a"" ay$ takin/ it easy an sittin/ back whi"e Des wore hi(se"f out, But Des wasn't about to back own fro( a fi/ht, 0hrowin/ Ger's :ack to the /roun$ he roppe into a crouch$ feet wie an ar(s he" out in front of hi(, Ger char/e forwar$ swin/in/ his ri/ht fist in a icious uppercut, Des reache out an cau/ht the punch with the open pa"( of his "eft han$ absorbin/ the force of the b"ow, 2is ri/ht han snappe forwar an /rabbe the unersie of Ger's ri/ht wrist3 as he pu""e the o"er (an forwar$ Des ucke own an turne$ riin/ his shou"er into Ger's chest, Usin/ his opponent's own (o(entu( a/ainst hi($ Des strai/htene up an yanke har on Ger's wrist$ f"ippin/ hi( up an oer so that he crashe to the /roun on his back, 0he fi/ht shou" hae ene ri/ht then3 Des ha a sp"it secon where he cou" hae roppe his knee onto his opponent$ riin/ the breath fro( his "un/s an pinnin/ hi( to the /roun whi"e he poune Ger with his fists, But it in't happen, 2is back$ e8hauste fro( hours of heftin/ the thirty%ki"o :ack$ spas(e, 0he pain was a/oni4in/3 instinctie"y Des strai/htene up$ c"utchin/ at the knotte "u(bar (usc"es, !t /ae Ger a chance to ro"" out of the way an /et back to his feet, So(ehow Des (ana/e to rop into his fi/htin/ crouch a/ain, 2is back how"e in protest$ an he /ri(ace as re%hot a//ers of pain shot throu/h his boy, Ger saw the /ri(ace an "au/he, 7
oer onto his back$ but his weary boy betraye hi(, 2is "i(bs were heay an soft3 he cou"n't /et the "eera/e he neee, !nstea it was Ger who was ab"e to twist an turn$ wrenchin/ one of his hans free whi"e sti"" keepin/ his face presse ti/ht a/ainst Des's chest so it wou"n't be e8pose, Des wasn't so "ucky ,,, his face was open an u"nerab"e, Ger struck a b"ow with his free han$ but he in't hit with a c"ose fist, !nstea "ie roe his thu(b har into Des's cheek$ on"y a few centi(eters fro( his rea" tar/et, 2e struck a/ain with the thu(b$ "ookin/ to /ou/e out one of his opponent's eyes an "eae hi( b"in an writhin/ in pain, !t took Des a secon to rea"i4e what was happenin/3 his tire (in ha beco(e as s"ow an c"u(sy as his boy, 2e turne his face away :ust as the secon b"ow "ane$ the thu(b :a((in/ painfu""y into the carti"a/e of his upper ear, Dark ra/e e8p"oe insie Des* a burst of fiery passion that burne away the e8haustion an fati/ue, Suen"y his (in was c"ear$ an his boy fe"t stron/ an re:uenate, 2e knew what he was /oin/ to o ne8t, +ore i(portant"y$ he knew with abso"ute certainty what Ger wou" o ne8t$ too, 2e cou"n't e8p"ain how he knew3 so(eti(es he cou" :ust anticipate an opponent's ne8t (oe, !nstinct$ so(e (i/ht hae sai, Des fe"t it was so(ethin/ (ore, !t was too etai"e%too specific%to be si(p"e instinct, !t was (ore "ike a ision$ a brief /"i(pse into the future, .n wheneer it happene$ Des a"ways knew what to o$ as if so(ethin/ was /uiin/ an irectin/ his actions, When the ne8t b"ow ca(e$ Des was (ore than reay for it, 2e cou" picture it perfect"y in his (in, 2e knew e8act"y when it was co(in/ an precise"y where it wou" strike, 0his ti(e he turne his hea in the opposite irection$ e8posin/ his face to the inco(in/ b"ow%an openin/ his (outh, 2e bit own har$ his ti(in/ perfect$ an his teeth sank eep into the irty f"esh of Ger's probin/ thu(b, Ger screa(e as Des c"a(pe his :aw shut$ seerin/ the tenons an strikin/ bone, 2e wonere if he cou" bite c"ean throu/h an then%as if the ery thou/ht (ae it happen%he seere Ger's thu(b, 0he screa(s beca(e shrieks as Ger re"ease his /rasp an ro""e away$ c"aspin/ his (ai(e han with his who"e one,
what ha happene so so(eone cou" co(e ten to Ger's in:ury, 2e wasn't worrie about the conse6uences, 0he (eics cou" reattach Ger's thu(b$ so at worst Des wou" be fine a ay or two's wa/es, 0he corporation in't rea""y care what its e(p"oyees i$ as "on/ as they kept co(in/ back to (ine the cortosis, &i/hts were co((on a(on/ the (iners$ an ORO a"(ost a"ways turne a b"in eye$ thou/h this particu"ar fi/ht ha been (ore icious than (ost%saa/e an short$ with a bruta" en, )ust "ike "ife on .patros, Sittin/ in the back of the "an cruiser use to transport (iners between .patros's on"y co"ony an the (ines$ Des fe"t e8hauste, ."" he wante was to /et back to his bunk in the barracks an s"eep, 0he arena"ine ha raine out of hi($ "eain/ hi( hyperaware of the stiffness an soreness of his boy, 2e s"u(pe own in his seat an /a4e aroun the interior of the cruiser, ;or(a""y$ there wou" hae been twenty other (iners cra((e into the speeer with hi($ but this one was e(pty e8cept for hi( an the pi"ot, .fter the fi/ht with Ger$ the fore(an ha suspene Des without pay$ effectie i((eiate"y$ an ha orere the transport to take hi( back to the co"ony, 70his kin of thin/ is /ettin/ o"$ Des$7 the fore(an ha sai with a frown, 7We'e /ot to (ake an e8a(p"e of you this ti(e, -ou can't work the (ines unti" Ger is hea"e up an back on the :ob,7 What he rea""y (eant was$ -ou can't earn any creits unti" Ger co(es back, 2e' sti"" be char/e roo( an boar$ of course, ery ay that he sat aroun oin/ nothin/ wou" /o onto his tab$ ain/ to the ebt he was workin/ so esperate"y to pay off, Des fi/ure it wou" be four or fie ays unti" Ger was ab"e to han"e a hyrau"ic :ack a/ain, 0he on%site (eic ha reattache the seere thu(b usin/ a ibrosca"pe" an synthf"esh, . few ays of ko"to in:ections an so(e cheap (es to u"" the pain$ an Ger wou" be back at it, Bacta therapy cou" hae hi( back in a ay3 but bacta was e8pensie$ an ORO wou"n't sprin/ for it un"ess Ger ha (iner's insurance ,,, which Des hi/h"y oubte, +ost (iners neer bothere with the co(pany%sponsore insurance pro/ra(, !t was e8pensie$ for one thin/, What with roo($ boar$ an the fees coerin/ the cost of transport to an fro( the (ines$ (ost thou/ht they /ae ORO (ore than enou/h of their har%earne pay without ain/ insurance pre(iu(s onto the stack, !t wasn't :ust the cost$ thou/h, !t was a"(ost as if the (en an wo(en who worke the cortosis (ines were in enia"$ refusin/ to a(it the potentia" an/ers an ha4ars they encountere eery ay, Gettin/ insurance wou" force the( to take a "ook at the co"$ har facts, &ew (iners eer reache their /o"en years, 0he tunne"s c"ai(e (any$ buryin/ boies in cae%ins or incineratin/ the( when so(eboy tappe into a pocket of e8p"osie /ases trappe in the rock, en those who (ae it out of the (ines tene not to surie "on/ into their retire(ent, 0he (ines took their to"", Si8ty%year%o" (en were "eft with boies that "ooke an fe"t "ike they were ninety$ broken she""s worn own by ecaes of har physica" "abor an e8posure to airborne conta(inants that s"ippe throu/h the substanar ORO fi"ters, When Des's father ie%with no insurance$ of course%a"" Des /ot out of it was the prii"e/e of takin/
on his father's accu(u"ate ebt, 2urst ha spent (ore ti(e rinkin/ an /a(b"in/ than (inin/, 0o pay for his (onth"y roo( an boar he' often ha to borrow creits fro( ORO at an interest rate that wou" be cri(ina" anywhere but in the Outer Ri(, 0he ebt kept pi"in/ up$ (onth to (onth an year to year$ but 2urst in't see( to care, 2e was a sin/"e parent with a son he resente$ trappe in a bruta" :ob he espise3 he ha /ien up any hope of escapin/ .patros "on/ before the heart attack c"ai(e hi(, 0he 2utt spawn probab"y wou" hae been /"a to know his son ha /otten stuck with his bi"", 0he transport spe aboe the barren rocks of the s(a"" p"anet's f"at"ans with no soun but the en"ess rone of the en/ines, 0he feature"ess wastes f"ew by in a b"ur$ unti" the iew out the winow was nothin/ but a curtain of shape"ess /ray, 0he effect was hypnotic* Des cou" fee" his tire (in an boy ea/er to rift into eep an rea("ess s"eep, 0his was how they /ot you, Work you to e8haustion$ u"" your senses$ nu(b your wi"" into sub(ission , , , unti" you accepte your "ot an waste your entire "ife in the /rit an /ri(e of the cortosis (ines, ."" in the re"ent"ess serice of the Outer Ri( Oreworks
crew%officers an en"iste so"iers a"ike%wou" hae nothin/ to o but wait, &ro( past e8perience$ Des knew that wheneer Repub"ic so"iers ha a few hours to ki"" they "ike to p"ay cars, .n whereer peop"e p"aye cars$ there was (oney to be (ae, Lowerin/ hi(se"f back onto his seat at the rear of the speeer$ Des ecie that (aybe he wasn't 6uite reay to hit his bunk after a"", By the ti(e the transport stoppe on the e/es of the co"ony$ Des's boy was tin/"in/ with anticipation, 2e hoppe out an sauntere towar his barracks at a "eisure"y pace$ fi/htin/ his own ea/erness an the ur/e to run, en now$ he i(a/ine$ the Repub"ic so"iers an their creits wou" be sittin/ at the /a(in/ tab"es in the co"ony's on"y cantina, Sti""$ there was no point in rushin/ oer there, !t was "ate afternoon$ the sun :ust be/innin/ its escent beyon the hori4on to the north, By now (ost of the (iners fro( the ni/ht shift wou" be awake, +any of the( wou" a"reay be at the cantina$ whi"in/ away the ti(e unti" they ha to (ake the :ourney out to the (ines to start their shift, &or the ne8t two hours Des knew he' be "ucky to fin a p"ace to sit own in the cantina$ neer (in finin/ an e(pty seat at a pa4aak or sabacc tab"e, +eanwhi"e$ it wou" be another few hours before the (en workin/ the ay shift c"i(be onto the waitin/ transports to hea back to their ho(es3 he' /et to the cantina "on/ before any of the(, Back at his barracks$ he strippe off his /ri(e%staine coera""s an c"i(be into the eserte co((una" showers$ scourin/ the sweat an fine rock ust fro( his boy, 0hen he chan/e into so(e c"ean c"othes an sauntere out into the street$ (akin/ his way s"ow"y towar the cantina on the far sie of town, 0he cantina in't hae a na(e3 it in't nee one, ;oboy eer ha any troub"e finin/ it, .patros was a s(a"" wor"$ bare"y (ore than a (oon with an at(osphere an so(e ini/enous p"ant "ife, 0here were precious few p"aces to /o* the (ines$ the co"ony$ or the barren wastes in between, 0he (ines were a (assie co(p"e8 enco(passin/ the caes an tunne"s u/ by ORO$ as we"" as the refinin/ an processin/ branches of ORO's operations, 0he spaceports were "ocate there$ too, &rei/hters "eft ai"y with ship(ents of cortosis boun for so(e wea"thier wor" c"oser to
0he entire co"ony was "ess than a ki"o(eter on each s6uare sie$ (akin/ it possib"e to wa"k fro( any /ien bui"in/ to any of the other ientica" structures in "ess than twenty stanar (inutes, Despite the unre"entin/ si(i"arity of the architecture$ nai/atin/ the co"ony was easy, 0he barracks ha been p"ace in strai/ht rows an co"u(ns$ for(in/ a /ri of uti"itarian streets between the unifor("y space o(ici"es, 0he streets cou"n't e8act"y be ca""e c"ean$ thou/h they were har"y festerin/ with /arba/e, ORO c"eare trash an refuse :ust often enou/h to keep conitions sanitary$ since an outbreak of iseases bre by fi"th wou" aerse"y affect the (ine's prouction, 2oweer$ the co(pany in't see( to (in the c"uttere :unk that ineitab"y accu(u"ate throu/hout the town, Broken%own /enerators$ ruste%out (achinery$ corroe scraps of (eta"$ an iscare$ worn%out too"s crowe the narrow streets between the barracks, 0here were on"y two structures in the co"ony that were in any way istin/uishe fro( the rest, One was the ORO (arket$ the on"y store on%wor", !t ha once been a barracks$ but the bunks ha been rep"ace with she"es$ an the co((una" shower area was now a secure stora/e roo(, . s(a"" b"ack%an%white si/n ha been fastene to the wa"" outsie$ "istin/ the hours of operation, 0here were no isp"ays to "ure shoppers in$ an no aertisin/, 0he (arket stocke on"y the (ost basic ite(s$ a"" at scane"ous (arkups,
surprise to notice a Roian$ too, .pparent"y the ni/ht crew were (ore to"erant of other species than the ay shift, 0here were no waitresses$ serers$ or ancers3 the on"y e(p"oyee in the cantina was Groshik hi(se"f, .nyone who wante a rink ha to co(e up to the "ar/e bar bui"t into the back wa"" an orer it, Des pushe his way throu/h the crow, Groshik saw hi( co(in/ an (o(entari"y ippe out of si/ht behin the bar$ reappearin/ with a (u/ of Gi4er a"e :ust as Des reache the counter, 7-ou're here ear"y toay$7 Groshik sai as he set the rink own with a heay thu, 2is "ow$ /rae""y oice was ifficu"t to hear aboe the in of the crow, 2is wors a"ways ha a /uttura" 6ua"ity$ as if he were speakin/ fro( the ery back of his throat, 0he ;ei(oiian "ike hi($ thou/h Des wasn't sure why, +aybe it was because he' watche Des /row up fro( a youn/ ki to a (an3 (aybe he :ust fe"t sorry Des ha been stuck with such a rankwee for a father, Whateer the reason$ there was a stanin/ arran/e(ent between the two* Des neer ha to pay for a rink if it was poure without bein/ aske for, Des /ratefu""y accepte the /ift an owne it in one "on/ raft$ then s"a((e the e(pty (u/ back own onto the tab"e, 7Ran into a bit of troub"e with Ger$7 he rep"ie$ wipin/ his (outh, 7! bit his thu(b off$ so they "et (e /o ho(e ear"y,7 Groshik ti"te his hea to one sie an fi8e his enor(ous re eyes on Des, 0he sour e8pression on his a(phibian%"ike face in't chan/e$ but his boy shook eer so s"i/ht"y, Des knew hi( we"" enou/h to rea"i4e the ;ei(oiian was "au/hin/, 7See(s "ike a fair trae$7 Groshik croake$ refi""in/ the (u/, Des in't /u44"e the secon rink as he ha the first, Groshik rare"y /ae hi( (ore than one on the house$ an he in't want to abuse the bartener's /enerosity, 2e turne his attention to the crow, 0he Repub"ic isitors were easy to spot, &our hu(ans%two (en$ two wo(en%an a (a"e !thorian in crisp nay unifor(s, !t wasn't :ust their c"othes that (ae the( stan out$ thou/h, 0hey a"" stoo strai/ht an ta""$ whereas (ost of the (iners tene to hunch forwar$ as if carryin/ a /reat wei/ht on their backs, On one sie of the (ain roo($ a s(a""er section was rope off fro( the rest of the cantina, !t was the on"y part of the p"ace Groshik ha nothin/ to o with, 0he ORO
0he war a/ainst the Sith%officia""y nothin/ (ore than a series of protracte (i"itary en/a/e(ents$ een thou/h the who"e /a"a8y knew it was a war%re6uire a steay strea( of youn/ an ea/er caets for the front "ines, .n for so(e reason the Repub"ic a"ways e8pecte the citi4ens on the Outer Ri( wor"s to :u(p at the chance to :oin the(, Wheneer a Repub"ic (i"itary crew passe throu/h .patros$ the officers trie to roun up new recruits, 0hey' buy a roun of rinks$ then use it as an e8cuse to start up a conersation$ usua""y about the /"orious an heroic "ife of bein/ a so"ier, So(eti(es they' p"ay up the bruta"ity of the Sith, Other ti(es they' spin pro(ises of a better "ife in the Repub"ic (i"itary%a"" the whi"e pretenin/ to be frien"y an sy(pathetic to the "oca"s$ hopin/ a few wou" :oin their cause, Des suspecte they receie so(e kin of bonus for any new recruit they conne into si/nin/ up, Unfortunate"y for the($ they weren't /oin/ to fin too (any takers on .patros, 0he Repub"ic wasn't too popu"ar on the Ri(3 peop"e here$ inc"uin/ Des$ knew the
0he /a(e on .patros fo""owe a (oifie ersion of the Bespin Stanar ru"es, 0he basics of the /a(e were si(p"e* (ake a han as c"ose to twenty%three as possib"e without /oin/ oer, ach roun$ a p"ayer ha to either bet to stay in the han$ or fo", .ny p"ayer who chose to stay in cou" raw a new car$ iscar a car$ or p"ace a car into the interference fie" to "ock in its a"ue, .t the en of any roun a p"ayer cou" co(e up$ reea"in/ his or her han an forcin/ a"" other p"ayers to show their cars$ as we"", Best han at the tab"e won the han pot, .ny score oer twenty%three$ or be"ow ne/atie twenty%three$ was a bo(b%out that re6uire the p"ayer to pay a pena"ty, .n if a p"ayer ha a han that tota"e e8act"y twenty%three%a pure sabacc%he or she won the sabacc pot as a bonus, But what with rano( shifts that cou" une8pecte"y chan/e the a"ue of cars fro( roun to roun$ an other p"ayers co(in/ up ear"y$ a pure sabacc was a "ot harer to achiee than it soune, Sabacc was (ore than a /a(e of "uck, !t was about strate/y an sty"e$ knowin/ when to b"uff an when to back own$ knowin/ how to aapt to the eer%chan/in/ cars, So(e p"ayers were too cautious$ neer bettin/ (ore than the (ini(u( raise een when they ha a /oo han, Others were too a//ressie$ tryin/ to bu""y the rest of the tab"e with outra/eous bets een when they ha nothin/, . p"ayer's natura" tenencies showe throu/h if you knew what to "ook for, 0he ensi/n$ for e8a(p"e$ was c"ear"y new to the /a(e, 2e kept stayin/ in with weak hans instea of fo"in/ his cars, 2e was a chaser$ not satisfie with cars /oo enou/h to co""ect the han pot, 2e was a"ways "ookin/ for the perfect han$ hopin/ to win bi/ an co""ect the sabacc pot that kept on /rowin/ unti" it was won, .s a resu"t$ he kept /ettin/ cau/ht with bo(b%out hans an hain/ to pay a pena"ty, !t in't see( to s"ow his bettin/$ thou/h, 2e was one of those p"ayers with (ore creits than sense$ which suite Des :ust fine, 0o be an e8pert sabacc p"ayer$ you ha to know how to contro" the tab"e, !t in't take Des (any hans to rea"i4e the Repub"ic co((aner was oin/ :ust that, 2e knew how to bet bi/ an (ake other p"ayers fo" winnin/ hans, 2e knew when to bet s(a"" to "ure others into p"ayin/ hans they shou" hae fo"e, 2e in't worry (uch about his own cars3 he knew that the secret to sabacc was fi/urin/ out what eeryone e"se was ho"in/ ,,, an then "ettin/ the( think they knew what cars he was ho"in/, !t was on"y when a"" the hans were reea"e an he was rakin/ in the chips that his opponents wou" rea"i4e how wron/ they' been, 2e was /oo$ Des ha to a(it, Better than (ost of the Repub"ic p"ayers who passe throu/h, Despite his p"easant appearance$ he was ruth"ess in scoopin/ up pot after pot, But Des ha a /oo fee"in/3 so(eti(es he :ust knew he cou"n't "ose, 2e was /oin/ to win toni/ht , , , an win bi/, 0here was a /roan fro( one of the (iners at the tab"e, 7.nother roun an that sabacc pot was (ine=7 he sai$ shakin/ his hea, 7-ou're "ucky you ca(e up when you i$7 he ae$ speakin/ to the co((aner, Des knew it wasn't "uck, 0he (iner ha been so e8cite$ he was twitchin/ in his seat, .nyone with ha"f a brain cou" see he was workin/ towar a powerfu" han, 0he co((aner ha seen it an (ae his (oe$ cuttin/ the han short an choppin/ the other /a(b"er's hopes off at the knees, 70hat's it$7 the (iner sai$ pushin/ away fro( the tab"e, 7!'( tappe out,7 7Looks "ike now's your chance$7 Groshik whispere uner his breath as he swept past to pour another rink, 7Goo "uck,7 ! on't nee "uck toni/ht$ Des thou/ht, 2e crosse the f"oor of the cantina an steppe oer the
nanosi"k rope into the ORO%contro""e /a(in/ roo(,
(ines,7 7Workin/ the (ines9 ! on't /et it,7 70he fi"ters on't re(oe a"" the i(purities fro( the air, -ou work ten%hour shifts ay in an ay out$ an the conta(inants bui" up in your syste($7 2e spoke in a f"at$ neutra" oice, 0here was no bitterness3 for hi( an the rest of the (iners it was :ust a fact of "ife, 7!t has sie effects, We /et sick a "ot3 our hair fa""s out, We're suppose to take a few ays off now an a/ain$ but eer since ORO si/ne those Repub"ic (i"itary contracts the (ines neer shut own, Basica""y$ we're bein/ s"ow"y poisone to (ake sure your car/o ho"'s fu"" when you "eae,7 0hat was enou/h to ki"" any other atte(pts at conersation$ an they continue the hans in re"atie si"ence, .fter ha"f an hour Des was about een for the ni/ht$ but he was :ust /ettin/ war(e up, 2e pushe in his ante an the ORO cut$ as i the other seen p"ayers at the tab"e, 0he ea"er f"ippe two cars out to each of the($ an another han be/an, 0he first two p"ayers peeke at their cars an fo"e, 0he Repub"ic ensi/n /"ance at his cars an threw in enou/h chips to stay in the han, Des wasn't surprise%he har"y eer fo"e his cars$ een when he ha nothin/, 0he ensi/n 6uick"y pushe one of his cars into the interference fie", ach turn$ a p"ayer cou" (oe one of the e"ectronic chip%cars into the interference fie"$ "ockin/ in its a"ue to protect it fro( chan/in/ if there was a shift at the en of the roun, Des shook his hea, Lockin/ in cars was a foo"'s p"ay, -ou cou"n't iscar a "ocke%in car3 Des usua""y preferre to keep a"" his options open, 0he ensi/n$ howeer$ was thinkin/ in the short ter($ not p"annin/ ahea, 0hat probab"y e8p"aine why he was own seera" hunre creits on the ni/ht, G"ancin/ at his own han$ Des chose to stay in, ."" the rest of the p"ayers roppe$ "eain/ :ust the two of the(, 0he
rep"ace by a seen, 2e was sittin/ at twenty%one, ;ot a sabacc$ but a so"i han, Before the ne8t roun cou" be/in$ Des f"ippe his cars oer$ e8posin/ his han to the tab"e, 7
wasn't the first ti(e he' been ca""e a cheat, 2e was aware that his preco/nition /ae hi( an aanta/e oer the other p"ayers, +aybe it was an unfair aanta/e$ but he in't consier it cheatin/, !t wasn't as if he knew what was /oin/ to happen on eery han3 he cou"n't contro" it, 2e was :ust s(art enou/h to (ake the (ost of it when it happene, 0he
such a powerfu" weapon$ why was this war takin/ so "on/9 70he iea of answerin/ to a )ei +aster oesn't rea""y appea" to (et' he sai, 7!'e hear so(e stran/e thin/s about what they be"iee in* no passion$ no e(otion, Souns "ike they want to turn us a"" into rois,7 .nother roun of cars was ea"t out to the re(ainin/ p"ayers, 70he )ei are /uie by wiso($7 the co((aner e8p"aine, 70hey on't "et thin/s "ike esire or an/er c"ou their :u/(ent,7 7.n/er has its uses$7 Des pointe out, 7!t's /otten (e out of so(e nasty spots,7 7! think the trick is not to /et into those spots in the first p"ace$7 the "ieutenant countere in her /ent"e oice, 0he han ene a few turns "ater, 0he youn/ wo(an who ha bou/ht the ensi/n his rink ca(e up on twenty%not a /reat han$ but not a ba one$ either, She "ooke oer at the co((aner as he f"ippe up his cars$ an s(i"e when he ha on"y nineteen, 2er s(i"e fae when the runken ensi/n showe his twenty%one, When he scoope up the pot$ she cut his "au/h short with a frien"y e"bow to his ribs, eryone ante an the ea"er f"icke out another pair of cars to each p"ayer, 70he )ei are the efeners of the Repub"ic$7 the "ieutenant went on earnest"y, 70heir ways can see( stran/e to orinary citi4ens$ but they're on our sie, ."" they want is peace,7 7Rea""y97 Des sai$ /"ancin/ at his cars an pushin/ in his chips, 7! thou/ht they wante to wipe out the Sith,7 70he Sith are an i""e/a" or/ani4ation$7 the "ieutenant e8p"aine, She fo"e her cars after a (o(ent of carefu" e"iberation, 70he Senate passe a bi"" out"awin/ the( near"y three thousan years a/o$ short"y after Rean an +a"ak brou/ht estruction to the entire /a"a8y,7 7! a"ways hear Rean sae the Repub"ic$7 he sai, 0he co((aner :u(pe back into the conersation, 7Rean's story is co(p"icate$7 he sai, 7But the fact re(ains$ the Sith an their teachin/s were banne by the Senate, 0heir ery e8istence is a io"ation of Repub"ic "aw%an with /oo reason, 0he )ei unerstan the threat the Sith represent, 0hat's why they'e :oine the f"eet, &or the /oo of the /a"a8y$ the Sith (ust be wipe out once an for a"",7 0he runken ensi/n won the han a/ain$ his secon in a row, So(eti(es it was better to be "ucky than /oo, 7So the Repub"ic says the Sith (ust be wipe out$7 Des sai as he ante up for the ne8t han, 7!f the Sith were the ones in char/e$ ! bet they' say the sa(e thin/ about the )ei,7 7-ou wou"n't say that if you knew what the Sith were rea""y "ike$7 one of the other so"iers sai, 7!'e fou/ht a/ainst the(* they're b"oothirsty ki""ers=7 Des "au/he, 7-eah$ how are they try to ki"" you in the (i"e of a war9 Don't they know you're
busy tryin/ to ki"" the(9 2ow rue=7 7-ou b"ooy Kath%(utt=7 the so"ier snappe$ risin/ up fro( his seat, 7Sit own$ eck(an=7 the co((aner barke, 0he so"ier i as he was to"$ but Des cou" fee" the tension in the air, eryone e"se at the tab"e%with the possib"e e8ception of the two officers%was /"arin/ at hi(, Goo, 0he "ast thin/ on their (ins now was cars, .n/ry peop"e in't (ake /oo sabacc p"ayers, 0he co((aner sense thin/s were ba$ too, 2e i his best to efuse the situation, 70he Sith fo""ow the teachin/s of the ark sie$ son$7 he sai to Des, 7!f you saw the kins of thin/s they'e one urin/ this war , , , an not :ust to other so"iers, 0hey on't care if innocent cii"ians suffer,7 On"y ha"f "istenin/$ Des /"ance at his cars an p"ace a wa/er, 7!'( not stupi$
natura" orer of the /a"a8y is for the weak to sere the stron/,7 7Souns pretty /oo if you're one of the stron/,7 Des f"ippe his cars up$ then scoope up the pot$ re"ishin/ the /ru(b"in/ an curses (uttere uner the breath of the "osers, Des f"ashe a nasty /rin aroun the tab"e, 7&or the sake of the Repub"ic$ ! hope you /uys are better so"iers than you are sabacc p"ayers,7 7-ou (ucrutch$ rankwee cowar=7 the ensi/n shoute$ :u(pin/ up an spi""in/ his rink onto the f"oor, 7!f it wasn't for us$ the Sith wou" be a"" oer this pit of a wor"=7 .nother (iner wou" hae taken a swin/ at Des$ but the ensi/n%een (ore than s"i/ht"y runk%ha enou/h (i"itary iscip"ine to keep his fists at his sies, . stern /"are fro( the co((aner (ae hi( sit own an (u(b"e an apo"o/y, Des was i(presse, .n a "itt"e isappointe, 7We a"" know why the Repub"ic cares about .patros$7 he sai$ stackin/ his chips an tryin/ to appear noncha"ant, !n fact$ he was scannin/ the tab"e to see if anyone e"se was /ettin/ reay to (ake a (oe on hi(, 7-ou use cortosis in the hu""s of your ships$ you use it in your weapons casin/s$ you een use it in your boy ar(or, Without us$ you wou"n't stan a chance in this war, So on't preten you're oin/ any faors here* you nee us as (uch as we nee you,7 ;oboy ha ante yet3 a"" eyes were rawn to the ra(a unfo"in/ a(on/ the p"ayers, 0he
70hat works for (e$7 Des sai, 7;o har fee"in/s97 7;o har fee"in/s$7 the co((aner sai$ forcin/ a s(i"e, . few of the other so"iers (ur(ure assent$ but Des knew the har fee"in/s were sti"" there, 2e' one eerythin/ he cou" to (ake sure they ran eep,
ahea, But the "ast few hours ha raine his chips, Workin/ to protect the sabacc pot was cripp"in/ hi(* he' /one throu/h a"" his profits an ha to re%buy%in twice, 2e' fa""en into the c"assic /a(b"er's trap$ beco(in/ so obsesse with winnin/ the bi/ pot that he' "ost si/ht of how (uch he was "osin/, 2e' "et the /a(e /et persona", 2is shirt was hot an sticky with sweat, 2is "e/s were nu(b fro( sittin/ so "on/$ an his back was achin/ fro( hunchin/ forwar e8pectant"y to stuy his cars, 2e was own a"(ost a thousan creits on the ni/ht$ but none of the other p"ayers ha been ab"e to cash in on his (isfortune, With the Sabacc pot cappe a"" the antes an pena"ties went strai/ht to ORO, 2e' hae to work a (onth of /rue"in/ shifts in the (ines if he eer wante to see any of those creits a/ain, But it was too "ate to turn back now, 2is on"y conso"ation was that the Repub"ic ensi/n was own at "east twice as (uch as he was, -et each ti(e the (an ran out of chips$ he' :ust reach into his pocket an pu"" out another stack of creits$ as if he ha un"i(ite funs, Or as if he :ust in't care, 0he
Des opene with the .ce an two of sabers, 2e was at seenteen$ a an/erous han, Lots of potentia" to /o too hi/h on his ne8t car an bo(b out, 2e hesitate$ knowin/ that the s(art (oe was to fo", 72ain/ secon thou/hts97 the ensi/n chie, .ctin/ on an i(pu"se he cou"n't een e8p"ain$ Des (oe his two into the interference fie"$ then pushe his chips into the pot, 2e was "ettin/ his e(otions /uie hi($ but he no "on/er care, .n when the ne8t car ca(e up as a three$ he knew what he ha to o, 2e shoe his three into the interference fie" besie the two that was a"reay there, 0hen he bet the (a8i(u( wa/er an waite for the switch, 0here were actua""y two ways to win the sabacc pot, One was to /et a han that tota"e twenty%three e8act"y$ a pure sabacc, But there was an een better han* the iiot's array, !n (oifie Bespin ru"es$ if you ha a han of two an three in the sa(e suit an rew the face car known as the !iot$ which ha no a"ue at a""$ you ha an iiot's array ,,, >A in the "itera" sense, !t was the rarest han possib"e$ an it was worth (ore than een a pure sabacc, Des was two%thirs of the way there, ."" he neee now was a switch to take his ten an rep"ace it with the !iot, Of course$ that (eant there ha to be a switch, .n een then he' hae to raw the !iot off it ,,, an there were on"y two !iots in the entire seenty%si8%car eck, !t was a riicu"ous"y "on/ shot, 0he (arker ca(e up re3 the cars shifte, Des in't een hae to "ook at his han* he knew, 2e stare ri/ht into the ensi/n's eyes, 7
hans of e6ua" a"ue, 0he han wi"" be eter(ine by a suen e(ise,7 0he ensi/n in't react with the sa(e kin of ca"(, 7-ou stupi (u%crutch=7 he spat out$ his oice stran/"e with ra/e, 7;ow noboy's /oin/ to /et that sabacc pot=7 2is eyes bu"/e out wi""y3 a ein was pu"sin/ on his forehea, One of his fe""ow so"iers ha p"ace a han on his shou"er$ as if afrai his frien (i/ht "eap across the tab"e to try to choke the "ife out of the (iner on the other sie, 0he ensi/n was ri/ht* neither of the( wou" be co""ectin/ the sabacc pot on this han, !n a suen e(ise each p"ayer was ea"t one (ore car$ an the a"ue of the hans was reca"cu"ate, !f you ha the better han$ you' win ,,, but you wou"n't /et the sabacc pot un"ess you score twenty%three e8act"y, 0hat$ howeer$ see(e i(possib"e* there were no (ore !iots to ea" out to presere an iiot's array$ an no sin/"e car ha a a"ue hi/her than the .ce's fifteen, ;ot that Des care, !t was enou/h to hae estroye his opponent's wi""3 to hae crushe his hopes an robbe hi( of his ictory, 2e cou" fee" the ensi/n's hate$ an he respone to it, !t was "ike a "iin/ bein/ , an entity he cou" raw stren/th fro($ fue"in/ his own ra/in/ inferno, But Des in't put his e(otions out on isp"ay for the rest of the crow to see, 0he hate burnin/ in hi( was his own priate store$ a power ra/in/ insie hi( so fierce he fe"t it cou" crack the wor" if he "et it escape, 0he ea"er f"icke out two cars faceup for eeryone to see, 0hey were both nines, Before anyone een ha ti(e to react the roi ha reca"cu"ate the han$ eter(ine that the two p"ayers were sti"" tie$ an fire out another car to each of the(, 0he ensi/n took an ei/ht$ but Des /ot another nine, !iot$ two$ three$ nine$ nine ,,, twenty%three= 2e reache out s"ow"y an tappe his cars$ whisperin/ a sin/"e wor to his opponent* 7Sabacc,7 0he so"ier went ba""istic, 2e "eapt up$ /rabbe the unersie of the tab"e with both hans$ an /ae a (i/hty heae, On"y the wei/ht of the tab"e an the bui"t%in stabi"i4ers kept it fro( f"ippin/ oer$ thou/h it rocke an s"a((e back into the /roun with a eafenin/ crash, ."" the rinks on it spi""e oer3 a"e an "u( washe across the e"ectronic cars$ causin/ the( to spark an short out, 7Sir$ p"ease on't touch the tab"e$7 the
were a "ot of ba fee"in/s towar the Repub"ic on .patros, .n if he in't watch his (outh$ so(eboy was /oin/ to show hi( :ust how stron/ those fee"in/s were, 7We /ie our "ies to protect you$ but you on't /ie a wobber= .ny chance to hu(i"iate us$ you take it=7 2is friens ha /rabbe hi( a/ain$ tryin/ to wrest"e hi( out the oor, But there was no way they cou" /et throu/h the crow now, &ro( the "ooks on their faces$ the so"iers were terrifie, With /oo reason$ Des thou/ht, ;one of the( was ar(e3 their b"asters were back on their ship, ;ow they were trappe in the center of a hosti"e crush of heai"y (usc"e (iners who' been rinkin/ a"" ni/ht, .n their frien wou"n't shut up, 7-ou shou" /et own on your knees an thank us each an eery ti(e we "an on this ba"" of bantha sweat you ca"" a p"anet= But you're too stupi to know how "ucky you are to hae us on your sie= -ou're nothin/ but a bunch of fi"thy$ i""iterate%7 . "u( bott"e hur"e anony(ous"y fro( the crow struck hi( har in the sie of his hea$ cuttin/ his wors short, 2e roppe to the f"oor$ ra//in/ his friens own with hi(, Des stoo (otion"ess as a (ass of an/ry (iners sur/e, 0he soun of a b"aster cause eeryone to free4e, Groshik ha c"i(be up onto the top of the bar$ his stunner a"reay char/in/ up to fire a/ain, But eeryboy knew the ne8t shot wou"n't be ai(e at the cei"in/, 7We're c"ose$7 he croake as "ou as his raspy oice cou" (ana/e, 7eryboy /et out of (y cantina=7 0he (iners be/an to back off$ an the so"iers stoo up wari"y, 0he ensi/n swaye$ the cut on his forehea b"eein/ into his eye, 7-ou three first$7 the ;ei(oiian sai to the ensi/n an the so"iers who supporte hi(, 2e wae the barre" of his weapon (enacin/"y aroun the roo(, 7<"ear a path, Get the( out of here,7 eryone but the so"iers re(aine fro4en, 0his wasn't the first ti(e Groshik ha whippe out the stunner, 0he B"as0ech
(a, 0hey (i/ht be waitin/ for you on the wa"k ho(e,7 Des s(i"e, 7! in't fi/ure you were (a at (e$7 he sai, Groshik snorte, 7Oh$ !'( (a at you, 0hat's why you're /oin/ to he"p (e c"ean up this (ess,7 Des si/he an shook his hea in (ock e8asperation, 7-ou saw what happene$ Groshik, ! was :ust an innocent bystaner,7 Groshik wasn't in any (oo to hear it, 7)ust start pickin/ up the chairs$7 he (uttere, With the he"p of the
ea"t97 7!t was (ore than the cars$ Des$7 Groshik sai$ his /rae""y oice roppin/ so "ow that Des ha to "ean in c"ose to hear, 7-ou were an/ry$ Des, +ore an/ry than !'e eer seen you before, ! cou" fee" it fro( a"" the way across the roo($ "ike so(ethin/ in the air, We cou" a"" fee" it, 70he crow turne u/"y in a hurry$ Des, !t was "ike they were feein/ off your ra/e an your hate, -ou were pro:ectin/ waes of e(otion$ a stor( of an/er an fury, eryone e"se :ust kin of /ot swept up in it* the crow$ that so"ier , , , eeryboy, en (e, !t was a"" ! cou" o to ai( that first shot fro( (y b"aster at the cei"in/, ery instinct in (y boy was te""in/ (e to fire it into the crow, ! wante to take the( a"" own an "eae the( writhin/ in pain,7 Des cou"n't be"iee his ears, 7Listen to what you're sayin/$ Groshik, !t's cra4y, -ou know ! wou"n't o that, ! cou"n't o that, ;oboy cou",7 Groshik reache up a "on/ $ thin han an patte Des on the shou"er, 7! know you' neer o it on purpose$ Des, .n ! know how cra4y it souns, But there was so(ethin/ ifferent about you toni/ht, -ou /ae in to your e(otions$ an it un"eashe so(ethin/ , , , stran/e, So(ethin/ an/erous,7 Groshik tosse his hea back an raine the "ast of his corty/$ shuerin/ as it went own, 7)ust watch yourse"f$ Des, P"ease, !'e /ot a ba fee"in/,7 7Be carefu"$ Groshik$7 Des rep"ie with another "au/h, 7;ei(oiians aren't known for re" yin/ on their fee"in/s, !t's not /oo for business,7 Groshik stuie hi( carefu""y for a (o(ent$ then noe weari"y, 70rue, +aybe !'( :ust tire, ! shou" /et so(e s"eep, .n so shou" you,7 0hey shook hans$ an Des "eft the cantina,
was s"ow"y stanin/ up3 the other two stoo wary an reay, 2e in't hae to see their faces to know who they were* the ensi/n an the two so"iers who' ha"f carrie the (an fro( the cantina, Des cou" s(e"" the reek of
on foot before aybreak$ an there was nowhere on the open wastes he cou" hie once the sun ca(e up, 0here was on"y one option$ one hope, entua""y they' /o "ookin/ for hi( there$ too, But he ha nowhere e"se to /o, Groshik (ust hae sti"" been awake$ because he answere the oor on"y secons after Des be/an pounin/ on it, 0he ;ei(oiian took one "ook at the b"oo on the youn/ (an's hans an shirt an /rabbe hi( by the s"eee, 7Get in here=7 he croake$ yankin/ Des throu/h the oor an s"a((in/ it shut behin hi(, 7.re you hurt97 Des shook his hea, 7! on't think so, 0he b"oo isn't (ine,7 0akin/ a step back$ the ;ei(oiian "ooke hi( up an own, 70here's a "ot of it, 0oo (uch, S(e""s hu(an,7 When Des in't rep"y$ Groshik enture a /uess, 7Ger's97 .nother shake of the hea, 70he ensi/n$7 Des sai, Groshik roppe his hea an swore uner his breath, 7Who knows9 .re the authorities after you97 7;ot yet, Soon,7 0hen$ as if tryin/ to :ustify his actions$ he ae$ 70here were three of the($ Groshik, On"y one's ea,7 2is o" frien noe sy(pathetica""y, 7!'( sure he ha it co(in/, )ust "ike Ger, But that oesn't chan/e the facts, . Repub"ic so"ier is ea ,,, an you're the one who's /oin/ to take the b"a(e,7 0he cantina owner "e Des oer to the bar an brou/ht own the bott"e of corty/ brany, Without sayin/ a wor$ he poure the( each a rink, 0his ti(e he in't stop at ha"f /"asses, 7!'( sorry ! ca(e here$7 Des sai$ esperate to break the unco(fortab"e si"ence, 7! in't (ean to /et you (i8e up in this,7 7Gettin/ (i8e up in thin/s oesn't bother (e$7 Groshik reassure hi( with a co(fortin/ pat on his ar(, 7!'( :ust tryin/ to fi/ure a way to /et us out of this now, Let (e think,7 0hey owne their /"asses, !t was a"" Des cou" o to keep fro( panickin/3 with each passin/ secon he e8pecte a o4en (en in ORO boy ar(or to crash own the cantina's oor, .fter what see(e "ike hours$ but was probab"y on"y a (inute or two$ Groshik be/an to ta"k, 2e spoke soft"y$ an Des wasn't sure if the ;ei(oiian was aressin/ hi( or (ere"y ta"kin/ out "ou to he"p hi(se"f think, 7-ou can't stay here, ORO can't affor to "ose their Repub"ic contracts, 0hey'"" turn the who"e co"ony upsie own to fin you, We hae to /et you offwor",7 2e pause, 7But by (ornin/$ your picture wi"" be on eery iscreen in Repub"ic space,
it9 Di you rea""y (ean it97 7! on't know, ! /uess so,7 0here was another "on/ pause$ as if the bartener was /atherin/ hi(se"f, 72ow wou" you fee" about :oinin/ the Sith97 he suen"y b"urte out, Des was cau/ht co(p"ete"y off /uar, 7What97 7! know , , , peop"e, ! can /et you offwor", 0oni/ht, But these peop"e aren't "ookin/ for passen/ers* the Sith nee so"iers, 0hey're a"ways recruitin/$ :ust "ike those Repub"ic officers toni/ht,7 Des shook his hea, 7! on't be"iee this, -ou work for the Sith9 -ou a"ways sai neer to take sies=7 7! on't work for the Sith$7 Groshik snappe, 7! :ust know peop"e who o, ! know peop"e who work for the Repub"ic$ too, But they're not /oin/ to be (uch he"p in this situation, So ! nee to know$ Des, !s this so(ethin/ you want97 7! on't hae a "ot of other options$7 Des (u(b"e in rep"y, 7+aybe$ (aybe not, !f you stay here$ the ORO authorities are sure to fin you, 0his wasn't a co"% b"ooe (urer, 0he :uiciary probab"y won't "et you /et off by p"eain/ se"f%efense$ but they'"" hae to a(it there were e8tenuatin/ circu(stances, -ou'"" sere ti(e on one of the pena" co"onies% fie$ (aybe si8 years%an then you're a free (an,7 7Or ! :oin the Sith,7 Groshik noe, 7Or you :oin the Sith, But if !'( /oin/ to he"p you o this$ ! want to be sure you know what you're /ettin/ into,7 Des thou/ht about it$ but not for "on/, 7!'e spent (y entire "ife tryin/ to /et off this hunk of rock$7 he sai s"ow"y, 7!f ! /o to a prison wor"$ !'( train/ one barren$ b"aste p"anet for another, ;o ifferent than stayin/ ri/ht here, 7!f ! :oin the Sith$ at "east !'( out fro( uner ORO's thu(b, .n you hear what that Repub"ic co((aner sai about the(, 0he Sith respect stren/th, ! think !'"" be ab"e to ho" (y own,7 7! on't oubt that$7 Groshik concee, 7But on't is(iss eerythin/ e"se that co((aner sai, 2e was ri/ht about the Brotherhoo of Darkness, 0hey can be ruth"ess an crue", 0hey brin/ out the worst in so(e peop"e, ! on't want you to fa"" into that trap,7 7&irst you te"" (e to :oin the Sith$7 Des sai$ 7now you're warnin/ (e a/ainst :oinin/ the(, What's /oin/ on97 0he ;ei(oiian /ae a "on/$ /ur/"in/ si/h, 7-ou're ri/ht$ Des, 0he ecision is (ae, Gri( fate an i"" fortune hae conspire a/ainst you, !t's not "ike sabacc3 you can't fo" a ba han, !n "ife you :ust p"ay the cars you're ea"t,7 2e turne away$ heain/ for the s(a"" stairs at the back of the cantina, 7
Des reache out across the bar an /rabbe Groshik's shou"er, Groshik turne to face hi($ an Des c"aspe the ;ei(oiian's "on/$ s"ener forear(, 70hank you$ o" frien, ! won't for/et this,7 7! know you won't$ Des,7 0hou/h the wors were kin$ there was an un(istakab"e sorrow in the /rae""y oice, Des re"ease his /rip$ fee"in/ awkwar$ asha(e$ scare$ /ratefu"$ an e8cite a"" at the sa(e ti(e, 2e fe"t "ike he neee to say so(ethin/ e"se$ so he ae$ 7!'"" (ake this up to you so(ehow, 0he ne8t ti(e we (eet%7 7-our "ife here is oer$ Des$7 Groshik sai$ cuttin/ hi( off, 70here won't be a ne8t ti(e, ;ot for us,7 0he ;ei(oiian shook his hea, 7! on't know what's ahea of you$ but ! /et the fee"in/ it isn't /oin/ to be easy, Don't count on others for he"p, !n the en each of us is in this a"one, 0he suriors are those who know how to "ook out for the(se"es,7 With that he turne away$ his feet shuff"in/ brisk"y across the cantina's f"oor as he heae to the back e8it, Des hesitate a (o(ent$ Groshik's wors burnin/ into his (in$ then rushe off to fo""ow, 2u"e in the ho" of the ship$ Des trie to /et co(fortab"e, 2e' been cra((e into the s(a"" s(u//"er's hatch for near"y an hour, !t was a ti/ht fit for a (an of his si4e, 0wenty (inutes ear"ier he ha hear an ORO patro" co(e to inspect the ship, 0hey ha (ae a cursory search3 not finin/ the fu/itie they were seekin/$ they ha "eft, . few secons "ater the captain$ a Roian pi"ot$ ha rappe har on the pane" keepin/ Des hien, 7-ou stay unti" en/ines /o$7 he ha ca""e in passab"e /a"actic Basic, 7We take off$ you co(e out, ;ot before,7 Des han't reco/ni4e hi( when he' c"i(be aboar3 he ha "ooke "ike any other Roian he' eer seen, )ust another inepenent frei/hter captain pickin/ up a "oa of cortosis$ hopin/ to se"" it on so(e other wor" for enou/h profit to keep his ship f"yin/ another few (onths, !f ORO ha offere a rewar for Des's capture$ the captain probab"y wou" hae so" hi( out, 0hat (eant the ORO (ana/ers han't put a price on his hea, 0hey were (ore worrie about payin/ out a bounty than "ettin/ a fu/itie escape Repub"ic :ustice, !t wasn't i(portant that they foun hi($ as "on/ as they cou" show the Repub"ic they ha trie, Groshik (ust hae rea"i4e a"" this when he (ae the arran/e(ents to s(u//"e Des aboar, 0he hi/h%pitche whine of the en/ines powerin/ up cause Des to brace hi(se"f a/ainst the wa""s of his c"ose 6uarters, . few secons "ater the whine beca(e a eafenin/ roar$ an the ship "urche beneath hi(, 0he repu"sors fire$ counterba"ancin/ the esse"$ an Des fe"t the press of the /'s as the ship took to the sky, 2e kicke at the pane" once$ knockin/ it free$ an untan/"e hi(se"f fro( the hiey%ho"e, 0he captain an crew weren't aroun3 they wou" a"" be at their stations for "iftoff, Des in't know their estination, ."" he knew was that at the en of the trip a hu(an wo(an was waitin/ to si/n hi( up for the Sith ar(y, .s before$ the thou/ht fi""e hi( with a (i8 of e(otions,
&ear an e8cite(ent o(inate a"" the others, 0here was a s"i/ht :ost"in/ of the ship as it broke at(osphere an be/an to spee away fro( the tiny (inin/ wor", . few secons "ater Des fe"t an unfa(i"iar but un(istakab"e sur/e as they :u(pe to hyperspace, . suen sense of "iberation fi""e his spirit, 2e was free, &or the first ti(e in his "ife$ he was beyon the /raspin/ reach of ORO an its cortosis (ines, Groshik ha sai that /ri( fate an i"" fortune were conspirin/ a/ainst hi($ but Des wasn't so sure now, 0hin/s han't worke out 6uite the way he' p"anne%he was a fu/itie with the b"oo of a Repub"ic so"ier on his hans%but he ha fina""y escape .patros, +aybe the cars he' been ea"t weren't so ba$ after a"", !n the en he' /otten the one thin/ he wante (ost, .n when you ca(e ri/ht own to it$ wasn't that the on"y thin/ that rea""y (attere9 > b"aster rif"e to pass the ti(e, 0he power pack was fu""y char/e$ /oo for fifty shots, 2is backup power pack checke out$ too, 0he ai( was off :ust s"i/ht"y$ a co((on prob"e( with a"" 0< (oe"s, 0hey ha /oo ran/e an power$ but oer ti(e their scopes cou" "ose precise ca"ibration, . 6uick a:ust(ent brou/ht it back into "ine, 2is hans (oe with a 6uick confience born of a thousan repetitions, Oer the past twe"e (onths he' /one throu/h the routine so (any ti(es he bare"y een ha to think about it any(ore, . pre%batt"e weapons check wasn't stanar practice in the Sith (i"itia$ but it was a habit he' /otten into%one that ha sae his "ife on seera" occasions, 0he Sith ar(y was /rowin/ so fast that supp"y cou"n't keep up with e(an, 0he best e6uip(ent was resere for eterans an officers$ whi"e new recruits were force to (ake o with whateer was aai"ab"e, ;ow that he was a ser/eant he cou" hae re6ueste a better (oe"$ but the 0<%>> was the first weapon he' "earne to fire an he' beco(e pretty /oo with it, Des fi/ure a "itt"e routine (aintenance was a better option than "earnin/ to (aster the subt"e nuances of another weapon, 2is b"aster pisto"$ howeer$ was top of the "ine, ;ot a"" Sith troopers were /ien pisto"s* for (ost so"iers a (eiu(%ran/e$ se(i%repeatin/ rif"e was weapon enou/h, 0hey' probab"y be ea "on/ before they eer /ot c"ose enou/h to their ene(y to use a pisto", But in the past year Des ha proen a o4en ti(es oer that he was (ore than :ust turret foer, So"iers /oo enou/h to surie the initia" rush an /et in ti/ht to the ene(y ranks neee a weapon (ore suite to c"ose%6uarters fi/htin/, &or Des that weapon was the GS!%>1D* the finest isruptor pisto" (anufacture by Ga"actic So"utions !nustries, Opti(u( ran/e was on"y twenty (eters$ but within that istance it was capab"e of isinte/ratin/ ar(or$ f"esh$ an roi p"atin/ with e6ua" efficiency, 0he >1D was i""e/a" in (ost Repub"ic%contro""e sectors of the /a"a8y$ a testa(ent to its aweso(e estructie potentia", 0he isruptor's power pack carrie on"y enou/h char/e for a o4en shots$ but when he was eye%to% eye with an opponent it rare"y took (ore than one, 2e s"i the pisto" into the ho"ster c"ippe to his be"t3 checke the ibrob"ae in his boot$ an turne his attention to his troops, ."" aroun hi( the (en an wo(en of his unit were fo""owin/ his "ea$ (akin/ si(i"ar inspections of their own e6uip(ent as they waite for the orers, 2e cou"n't he"p
but s(i"e3 he' traine the( we"", 2e' :oine the Sith ar(ies as a way to escape both prison an .patros itse"f, But it han't taken hi( "on/ to actua""y /row fon of the so"ier's "ife, 0here was a ca(araerie a(on/ the (en an wo(en who fou/ht at his sie$ a bon that 6uick"y e8tene to inc"ue Des hi(se"f, 2e' neer fe"t any connection to the (iners on .patros an inee ha a"ways consiere hi(se"f so(ethin/ of a "oner, But in the (i"itary he' foun his true p"ace, 2e be"on/e here with the troops, 2is troops, Senior 0rooper .anar notice his /a4e an respone by thu(pin/ a c"ose fist "i/ht"y a/ainst his chest twice$ :ust oer his heart, !t was a /esture known on"y to (e(bers of the unit* a priate si/n for "oya"ty an fie"ity$ a sy(bo" of the bon they a"" share, Des returne the /esture, 2e an .anar ha been in the sa(e unit since ay one of their (i"itary careers, 0he recruiter ha si/ne the( up to/ether an assi/ne the( both to the G"oo( Wa"kers$ Lieutenant U"abore's unit, .anar picke up his rif"e an sauntere oer to where his frien was sittin/, 7-ou fi/ure we're /oin/ to nee that isruptor pisto" of yours anyti(e soon$ Sar/e97 7;o har( in bein/ prepare$7 Des rep"ie$ whippin/ out the isruptor an /iin/ it a spinnin/ f"ourish before returnin/ it to its ho"ster, 7! wish they' /ie us the /o%ahea a"reay$7 .anar /ru(b"e, 7We'e been in position for two ays now, 2ow "on/ are they /oin/ to wait97 Des shru//e, 7We can't /o unti" they're reay to (oe in with the (ain force, We /o too ear"y an the p"an fa""s apart,7 0he G"oo( Wa"kers ha earne 6uite a reputation oer the past year, 0hey' been in scores of batt"es on ha"f a o4en wor"s$ an they' taste far (ore than their share of ictories, 0hey' /one fro( bein/ one of a thousan e8penab"e front%"ine units to e"ite troops resere for critica" (issions, Ri/ht now they were the key to capturin/ the (anufacturin/ wor" of Phaseera%if so(eone wou" :ust /ie the( the orer to /o, Unti" then they were stuck in this :un/"e ca(p an hour's (arch away fro( their ob:ectie, 0hey' been here on"y a coup"e of ays$ but it was a"reay be/innin/ to take its to"", .anar be/an to pace, Des sat ca"("y in the shae$ watchin/ hi( (arch back an forth, 7Don't wear yourse"f out$7 he sai after a (inute, 7We're not /oin/ anywhere unti" ni/htfa"" at the ear"iest, -ou (i/ht as we"" /et co(fortab"e,7 .anar stoppe pacin/$ but he in't sit own, 7Lieutenant says this is /oin/ to be easy as a spicerun$7 he sai$ tryin/ to keep his oice casua", 7-ou fi/ure he's ri/ht97 Lieutenant U"abore ha receie (any acco"aes for the success of his troops$ but eeryone in the unit knew who was rea""y in char/e when the b"aster bo"ts starte f"yin/, 0hat fact ha beco(e painfu""y c"ear near"y a year before back on Kashyyyk$ where Des an .anar ha seen their first action, 0he Brotherhoo of Darkness ha trie to secure a footho" in the +i Ri( by inain/ the syste($ senin/ in wae after wae of troops to capture the resource%rich ho(ewor" of the Wookiees, But the p"anet was a Repub"ic stron/ho" an they weren't about to retreat$ no (atter how ba"y outnu(bere,
When the Sith f"eet first "ane$ their ene(ies si(p"y anishe into the forest, 0he inasion turne into a war of attrition$ a "on/$ rawn%out ca(pai/n fou/ht a(on/ the branches of the wroshyr trees hi/h aboe the p"anet's surface, 0he Sith troopers weren't use to fi/htin/ in the treetops$ an the thick fo"ia/e an kshyy ines of the forest canopy proie perfect coer for the Repub"ic so"iers an their Wookiee /uies to "aunch a(bushes an /uerri""a rais, 0housans upon thousans of the inaers were wipe out$ (ost yin/ without een seein/ the opponent who ha fire the fata" shot ,,, but the Sith +asters :ust kept senin/ (ore troops in, 0he G"oo( Wa"kers were part of the secon wae of reinforce(ents, Durin/ their first batt"e they were separate fro( the (ain "ines$ cut off fro( the rest of the ar(y, ."one an surroune by ene(ies$ Lieutenant U"abore panicke, Without irect orers$ he ha no iea what to o to keep his unit a"ie, &ortunate"y$ Des was there to step in an sae their hies, &or starters$ he cou" sense the ene(y een when he cou"n't see the(, So(ehow he :ust knew where they were, 2e cou"n't e8p"ain it$ but he' stoppe tryin/ to e8p"ain his uni6ue ta"ents "on/ a/o, ;ow he :ust trie to use the( to his best aanta/e, With Des as their /uie$ the G"oo( Wa"kers were ab"e to aoi the traps an a(bushes as they s"ow"y worke their way back to re:oin the (ain force, !t took three ays an ni/hts$ count"ess brief but ea"y batt"es$ an a see(in/"y en"ess (arch throu/h ene(y territory$ but they (ae it, 0hrou/h a"" the fi/htin/$ the unit "ost on"y a hanfu" of so"iers$ an the troops who (ae it back knew they owe their "ies to Des, 0he story of the G"oo( Wa"kers beca(e a ra""yin/ point for the rest of the Sith ar(y$ raisin/ (ora"e that ha beco(e an/erous"y "ow, !f a sin/"e unit cou" surie for three ays on its own$ they reasone$ then sure"y a thousan units cou" win the war, !n the en it took a"(ost two thousan units$ but Kashyyyk fina""y fe"", .s "eaer of the heroic G"oo( Wa"kers$ Lieutenant U"abore was /ien a specia" co((enation, 2e neer bothere to (ention that Des was rea""y the one responsib"e, Sti""$ he' been s(art enou/h to pro(ote Des to ser/eant, .n he knew enou/h to stay out of the way when thin/s /ot hot, 7So97 .anar repeate, 7What's the wor$ Des9 When they fina""y /ie us the /o$ is this (ission /oin/ to be a spicerun97 70he "ieutenant's :ust sayin/ what he thinks we a"" want to hear,7 7! know that$ Des, 0hat's why !'( ta"kin/ to you, ! want to know what we're rea""y in for,7 Des thou/ht about it for a few (o(ents, 0hey were ho"e up in the :un/"e on the e/e of a narrow a""ey%the on"y route into Phaseera's capita" city$ where the Repub"ic ar(y ha set up its base ca(p, On a nearby hi"" oer"ookin/ the a""ey was a Repub"ic outpost, !f the Sith trie to (oe troops throu/h the a""ey$ een at ni/ht$ the outpost was sure to spot the(, 0hey' si/na" ahea to the base ca(p so their efenses wou" be up an fu""y operationa" "on/ before the ene(y eer reache the(, 0he G"oo( Wa"kers' (ission was si(p"e* e"i(inate the outpost so the rest of the ar(y cou" "aunch a surprise attack on the Repub"ic base ca(p, 0hey ha interference bo8es%short%ran/e :a((in/ e6uip(ent they cou" use to keep the outpost fro( trans(ittin/ a si/na" to warn the (ain ca(p%but they' hae to hit the( fast, 0he outpost reporte each ay at awn$ an if the G"oo( Wa"kers struck too soon$ the Repub"ic wou" rea"i4e so(ethin/ was wron/ when the ai"y report in't co(e in, 0he ti(in/ was critica", 0hey' hae to take the( out :ust before the (ain force entere the area,
0hat wou" "eae a few hours to cross the a""ey an catch the base ca(p unprepare, !t was oab"e$ but on"y if eerythin/ was coorinate perfect"y, 0he G"oo( Wa"kers were in p"ace$ but the (ain force wasn't reay to (ake its (oe yet ,,, an so they waite, 7!'( worrie$7 Des fina""y concee, 70akin/ that outpost won't be easy, Once we /et the /o%ahea there's no (ar/in for error, We hae to be perfect, !f they'e /ot any surprises waitin/ for us$ we cou" be in troub"e,7 .anar spit on the /roun, 7! knew it= -ou'e /ot a ba fee"in/$ on't you9 0his is 2sskhor a"" oer a/ain=7 2sskhor ha been a isaster, .fter Kashyyyk fe""$ the suriin/ Repub"ic so"iers f"e to the nei/hborin/ wor" of 0ranosha, 0wenty units of Sith troopers$ inc"uin/ the G"oo( Wa"kers$ were sent in pursuit, 0hey cau/ht up to the Repub"ic suriors on the esert p"ains outsie the city of 2sskhor, . ay of saa/e fi/htin/ "eft (any ea on both sies$ but no efinitie ictor, Des ha been uneasy throu/hout the batt"e$ thou/h at the ti(e he han't been ab"e to say why, 2is unease ha /rown as ni/ht fe"" an both sies retreate to opposite ens of the batt"efie" to re/roup, 0he 0ranoshans ha struck a few hours "ater, 0he pitch%b"ack ni/ht wasn't a prob"e( for the repti"ian 0ranoshans* they cou" see into the infrare spectru(, 0hey see(e to co(e out of nowhere$ (ateria"i4in/ fro( the arkness "ike a ni/ht(are /ien substance, Un"ike the Wookiees$ the 0ranoshans weren't a""ie with either sie in the /a"actic cii" war, 0he bounty hunters an (ercenaries of 2sskhor cut a swath of estruction throu/h the ranks of Repub"ic an Sith a"ike$ not carin/ who( they fou/ht :ust as "on/ as they ca(e away with trophies fro( their ki""s, Detai"s of the (assacre were neer officia""y re"ease, Des ha been at the ery center of the carna/e$ an een he cou" bare"y piece to/ether what ha happene, 0he attack cau/ht the G"oo( Wa"kers$ "ike eery other unit$ co(p"ete"y off /uar, By the ti(e the sun rose near"y ha"f the Sith troops ha been cut own, Des "ost a "ot of friens in the s"au/hter ,,, friens he (i/ht hae sae if he ha pai (ore attention to the ark pre(onition he' fe"t when he first set foot on that forsaken esert wor", .n he owe he' neer "et the G"oo( Wa"kers /et cau/ht in a s"au/hter "ike that a/ain, !n the en 2sskhor pai a heay price for the a(bush, Reinforce(ents were sent in fro( Kashyyyk to oerwhe"( both the Repub"ic forces an the 0ranoshans, !t took "ess than a week for the Sith to c"ai( ictory$ an the once prou city was sacke an ra4e to the /roun, +any of the 0ranoshans si(p"y /ae up the fi/ht to efen their ho(es an offere their serices to their con6uerors, 0hey were bounty hunters an (ercenaries by trae$ an hunters by nature, 0hey in't care who( they were workin/ for$ as "on/ as there was a chance to o so(e (ore ki""in/, ;ee"ess to say$ the Sith ha we"co(e the( with open ar(s, 70his isn't /oin/ to be a repeat of 2sskhor$7 Des assure his nerous co(panion, !t was true he ha an uneasy fee"in/ once a/ain, But this ti(e it was ifferent, So(ethin/ bi/ was /oin/ to happen$ but Des cou"n't say for sure whether it wou" be /oo or ba, 7
7.n te"" hi( what97 .anar threw his hans up in e8asperation, 7! on't know= 0e"" hi( about your ba fee"in/, +ake hi( /et on the co(( to 25 an te"" the( to pu"" us back, Or conince the( to sen us in= )ust on't "eae us sittin/ out here "ike a bunch of ea wo(p rats rottin/ in the sun=7 Before Des cou" answer$ one of the :unior troopers$ a youn/ wo(an na(e Lucia$ ran up an snappe off a crisp sa"ute, 7Ser/eant= Lieutenant U"abore wants you to asse(b"e the troops by his tent, 2e'"" aress the( in thirty (inutes$7 she sai$ her oice earnest an e8cite, Des f"ashe a s(i"e at his frien, 7! think we'e fina""y /ot our orers,7 0he so"iers stoo at attention as the "ieutenant an Des reiewe the troops, .s it a"ways i$ the inspection consiste of U"abore (oin/ up an own the ranks$ noin/ an /iin/ ha"f%(uttere approa"s, !t was (ost"y for show$ a chance for U"abore to fee" as if he ha so(ethin/ to o with the success of a (ission, Once they were one$ the "ieutenant (arche to the front of the co"u(n an turne to face the troops, Des stoo a"one in front of the unit$ his back to the( so he cou" be face%to%face with his superior officer, 7eryone here is fa(i"iar with our (ission ob:ectie$7 U"abore be/an$ his oice unusua""y hi/h% pitche an "ou, Des /uesse he was tryin/ to soun authoritatie$ but it ca(e across as shri"", 7!'"" "eae the specifics of the (ission to the ser/eant here$7 he continue, 7Our task is not an easy one$ but the ays of the G"oo( Wa"kers /ettin/ easy :obs are "on/ /one, 7! on't hae (uch e"se to say3 ! know you're a"" as ea/er as ! a( to en this point"ess waitin/, 0hat's why !'( happy to infor( you that we'e been /ien the orer to (oe out, We hit the Repub"ic outpost in one hour=7 2orrifie /asps an "ou whispers of isbe"ief rose up fro( the ranks, U"abore steppe back as if he' been s"appe, 2e' obious"y been e8pectin/ cheers an e8u"tation$ an was ratt"e by the suen an/er an "ack of iscip"ine, 7G"oo( Wa"kers$ ho"=7 Des barke, 2e steppe up to the "ieutenant an "owere his oice, 7Sir$ are you certain those were the orers9 +oe in one hour9 .re you certain they in't (ean one hour after ni/htfa""97 7.re you 6uestionin/ (e$ Ser/eant97 U"abore snappe$ (akin/ no atte(pt to keep his own oice own, 7;o$ sir, !t's :ust that if we "eae in one hour it'"" sti"" be "i/ht out, 0hey'"" see us co(in/,7 7By the ti(e they see us we'"" a"reay be c"ose enou/h to :a( their trans(itters$7 the "ieutenant countere, 70hey won't be ab"e to si/na" back to the base ca(p,7 7!t's not that$ sir, !t's the /unships, 0hey'e /ot three repu"sorcraft e6uippe with heay%repeatin/ f"ash cannons, !f we try to take the outpost urin/ the ay$ those thin/s wi"" (ow us own fro( the sky,7 7!t's a suicie (ission=7 so(eone shoute out fro( the ranks,
U"abore's eyes beca(e narrow s"its$ an his face turne re, 70he (ain ar(y is (oin/ out at usk$ Ser/eant$7 he sai throu/h ti/ht"y c"enche teeth, 70hey want to cross the a""ey in arkness an hit the Repub"ic base ca(p at first "i/ht,7 70hen there's no reason for us to (oe so soon$7 Des rep"ie$ stru//"in/ to re(ain ca"(, 7!f they start at usk$ it's /oin/ to take at "east three hours before they reach the a""ey fro( their current position, 0hat /ies us p"enty of ti(e to take the outpost own before they /et here$ een if we wait unti" after ark*' 7!t's obious you on't unerstan what's rea""y /oin/ on$ Ser/eant,7 U"abore spoke as if ar/uin/ with a stubborn chi", 70he (ain force isn't /oin/ to start (oin/ unti" after we report our (ission is co(p"ete, 0hat's why we hae to (oe now,7 !t (ae sense* the /enera"s wou"n't want to risk the (ain force unti" they knew for certain the a""ey was secure, But senin/ the( in urin/ the "i/ht of ay /uarantee that the G"oo( Wa"kers' casua"ty rate wou" increase fiefo", 7-ou hae to co(( back to 25 an e8p"ain the situation to the($7 Des sai, 7We can't take on those /unships in the air, We hae to wait ti"" they /roun the( for the ni/ht, -ou hae to (ake the( unerstan what we're up a/ainst,7 0he "ieutenant acte as if he han't een hear hi(, 70he /enera"s /ie the orers to (e$ an ! /ie the( to you$7 he snappe, 7;ot the other way aroun= 0he ar(y is (oin/ out at usk$ an that's not /oin/ to chan/e to fit your scheu"e$ Ser/eant=7 70hey won't hae to chan/e their p"ans$7 Des insiste, 7!f we "eae as soon as it /ets ark$ we'"" sti"" hae that outpost own by the ti(e they reach the a""ey, But senin/ us in now is :ust%7 7nou/h=7 the "ieutenant snappe, 75uit brayin/ "ike a bantha cut off fro( its her= -ou hae your orers$ now fo""ow the(= Or o you want to see what happens to so"iers who efy their superior officers97 Suen"y it was c"ear to Des what was rea""y /oin/ on, U"abore knew the orer was a (istake$ but he was too scare to o anythin/ about it, 0he orer (ust hae co(e irect"y fro( one of the Dark Lors, U"abore wou" rather "ea his troops into a s"au/hter than face the wrath of a Sith +aster, But Des wasn't about to "et hi( rie the G"oo( Wa"kers to their oo(, 0his wasn't /oin/ to beco(e a repeat of 2sskhor, 2e hesitate for on"y a secon before s"a((in/ his fist into his "ieutenant's chin$ knockin/ hi( co", 0here was stunne si"ence fro( the rest of the troops as U"abore s"u(pe to the /roun, Des 6uick"y took away the fa""en officer's weapons$ then turne an pointe at a pair of the newest recruits, 7-ou two$ keep an eye on the "ieutenant, +ake sure he's co(fortab"e if he wakes up$ but on't "et hi( anywhere near the co((,7 0o the co((unications officer he sai$ 7)ust before usk sen a (essa/e back to 25 te""in/ the( our (ission is co(p"ete so they can start (oin/ the (ain force into the a""ey, 0hat wi"" /ie us two hours to achiee our ob:ectie before they /et here,7 0urnin/ to aress the rest of the troops$ he pause to "et the /raity of his ne8t wors sink in,
7What !'e one here is (utiny$7 he sai s"ow"y, 70here's a chance anyone who fo""ows (e fro( here on in wi"" face a court%(artia" when this is oer, !f any of you fee" you can't fo""ow (y orers after what !'e one here toay$ speak up now an !'"" surrener co((an to Senior 0rooper .anar for the rest of the (ission,7 2e /a4e out across the so"iers, &or a secon noboy spoke3 then as one they a"" raise their fists an /ae two "i/ht raps on their chest$ :ust aboe the heart, Oerwhe"(e with prie$ Des ha to swa""ow har before he cou" /ie his fina" orer to the troops , , , his troops, 7G"oo( Wa"kers$ is(isse=7 0he ranks isperse in /roups of twos an threes$ the so"iers whisperin/ 6uiet"y to one another, .anar broke away fro( the rest an ca(e up to Des, 7U"abore's not /oin/ to for/et this$7 he sai 6uiet"y, 7What are you /oin/ to o about hi(97 7.fter we take that outpost they'"" want to pin a (ea" on our co((anin/ officer$7 Des rep"ie, 7!'( bettin/ he' rather shut up an accept it than "et anyone know what rea""y happene,7 .anar /runte, 7Guess you /ot it a"" worke out,7 7;ot 6uite$7 Des a(itte, 7!'( sti"" not sure how we're /oin/ to take own that outpost,7
they' char/e the outpost, 0he G"oo( Wa"kers were outnu(bere near"y two to one3 they' nee the aanta/e of surprise to een out the os, But those /unships were a prob"e( Des han't anticipate, 0he c"earin/ was surroune by bri/ht "i/hts that i""u(inate eerythin/ within a hunre (eters of the outpost itse"f, .n een thou/h the repu"sorcraft were /roune$ there was a so"ier statione in the open f"atbe at the rear of each ehic"e$ operatin/ the turrets, 0he ar(ore wa""s of the f"atbe rose to waist hei/ht to /ie the /unner so(e coer$ an the turret itse"f was heai"y shie"e to protect it fro( ene(y fire, &ro( the "anin/ pa on the roof$ the /unners ha a c"ear iew of the surrounin/ area, !f he fire that first shot$ the other units wou" char/e out into the c"earin/ an ri/ht into a stor( of heay% repeatin/ b"asterfire, 0hey' be torn apart "ike 4ucca tosse into a rancor pit, 7What's the (atter$ Sar/e97 one of the so"iers in his s6ua aske, !t was Lucia$ the :unior trooper who' e"iere U"abore's orers to hi( ear"ier, 7What are we waitin/ for97 !t was too "ate to ca"" off the (ission, 0he (ain ar(y was a"reay on the (oe3 by the ti(e Des /ot back to ca(p to warn the($ they' be ha"fway throu/h the a""ey, 2e /"ance own at the youn/ recruit an notice the scope on her weapon, Lucia was carryin/ a 0<%1F "on/%ran/e b"aster rif"e, 2er knuck"es were white fro( /rippin/ her weapon too ti/ht"y in fear an anticipation, She' seen on"y (inor co(bat uty before bein/ assi/ne to the G"oo( Wa"kers$ but Des knew she was one of the best shots in the unit, 0he 0<%1F was on"y /oo for a o4en shots before the power ce"" ha to be switche out$ but it ha a ran/e we"" oer three hunre (eters, ach of the four s6uas ha a sniper assi/ne to it, When the fi/htin/ be/an$ their :ob was to watch the peri(eter of the batt"e an (ake sure none of the Repub"ic so"iers escape to warn their (ain ca(p, 7See those so"iers stanin/ in the rear of the /unships9 0he ones workin/ the f"ash cannons97 he aske her, She noe, 7!f we on't /et ri of the( so(ehow$ they're /oin/ to turn our s6uas into turret foer about ten secons after this batt"e be/ins,7 She noe a/ain$ her eyes wie an scare, Des trie to keep his oice een an professiona" to ca"( her own, 7! want you to think about this ery carefu""y now$ trooper, 2ow fast o you think you cou" take the( out fro( here97 She hesitate, 7! ,,, ! on't een know if ! cou"$ Sar/e, ;ot a"" of the(, ;ot fro( this an/"e, ! cou" /et a "ine on the first one$ but as soon as he /oes own$ ! oubt the others wi"" stan sti"" "on/ enou/h for (e to take ai(, 0hey'"" probab"y uck own in the f"atbe for coer, .n een if ! take the /unners out$ there's ha"f a o4en (ore so"iers on that roof who wou" :u(p in to take their p"aces, ! can't rop nine tar/ets that fast by (yse"f$ Sar/e, ;oboy can,7 Des bit his "ip an trie to fi/ure out an answer to the prob"e(, 0here were on"y three /unships, !f
he cou" so(ehow /et a (essa/e to the sniper in each s6ua an hae the( fire at e8act"y the sa(e ti(e$ they (i/ht be ab"e to take out the unsuspectin/ /unners ,,, thou/h they' sti"" hae to stop the other si8 so"iers fro( rep"acin/ the(, 2e cut off his own "ine of thou/ht with a si"ent curse, !t wou" neer work, Because of the i%bo8es there was no way to /et a (essa/e to the other s6uas in ti(e, 0akin/ the sniper rif"e fro( Lucia's hans$ he brou/ht the weapon up an set his eye to the scope to /et a better "ook at the situation, 2e scanne the roof 6uick"y fro( sie to sie$ notin/ the position of eery Repub"ic so"ier, With the (a/nification of the scope he cou" (ake out their features c"ear enou/h to see their "ips (oin/ as they spoke, 0he situation was practica""y hope"ess, 0he outpost was the key to takin/ Phaseera$ an the turrets on the roof were the key to takin/ the outpost, But Des was out of options an a"(ost out of ti(e, 2e fe"t the fear stron/er than eer an took a eep breath to focus his(in, .rena"ine be/an to pu(p throu/h his eins as he reirecte the fear to /ie hi( stren/th an power, 2e "ine the b"aster's scope up on one of the /unners$ an a re ei" fe"" across his ision, .n then he fire, 2e acte on instinct$ (oin/ too 6uick"y to "et his conscious thou/hts /et in the way, 2e in't een see the first so"ier rop3 the scope was a"reay (oin/ to his ne8t tar/et, 0he secon /unner ha :ust enou/h ti(e to open his eyes wie in surprise before Des fire an (oe on to the thir, But she' seen the first /unner /o own an ha a"reay roppe own behin the ar(ore wa""s of the /unship's f"atbe for coer, Des resiste the i(pu"se to fire wi""y an (oe the scope in a ti/ht circ"e$ "ookin/ in ain for a c"ean shot, 0he soun of b"asterfire e8p"oe in the ni/ht$ a"on/ with shouts an pounin/ feet as the G"oo( Wa"kers burst fro( their coer an rushe the outpost, 0hey' fo""owe their orers to the "etter$ char/in/ out at the soun of the first shot, Des knew he ha on"y a few secons before the turrets opene up on the( an turne the c"earin/ into a ki""in/ fie"$ but he cou"n't see the shot to take out the thir /unner, 2e whippe the rif"e aroun in esperation$ "ookin/ for a new tar/et on the roof, 2e set his si/hts on a so"ier crouche own "ow besie a s(a"" canister, 0he so"ier wasn't (oin/$ an he' coere his face with his hans as if shie"in/ his ision, 0he b"ast fro( Des's weapon hit hi( s6uare in the chest :ust as the eice at the so"ier's feet etonate, 7&"ash canister=7 Lucia screa(e$ but her warnin/ ca(e too "ate, 0he iew throu/h the scope anishe in a bri""iant white f"are$ te(porari"y b"inin/ Des, But with his ision /one$ he cou" suen"y see eerythin/ c"ear"y, 2e knew the position of eery so"ier een as they a"" scra(b"e for coer3 he cou" track e8act"y where they were an where they were /oin/, 0he so"ier in the thir turret was trainin/ the cannons on the inco(in/ wae of troopers, !n the e8cite(ent she' poppe her hea up :ust s"i/ht"y aboe the wa""s of the f"atbe$ "eain/ the s(a""est of tar/ets e8pose, Des took her with a sin/"e shot$ the bo"t /oin/ in c"ean"y throu/h one ear ho"e on her he"(et an out the other, !t was as if ti(e ha s"owe own, +oin/ with a ca"( an ea"y precision$ he traine his rif"e on the ne8t tar/et$ takin/ her throu/h the heart3 bare"y a (o(ent "ater he /ot the so"ier besie her ri/ht between his co" b"ue eyes, Des took one (an in the back as he ran for the nearest /unship,
.nother was ha"fway up one of the f"atbe's "aers when a bo"t s"ice throu/h his thi/h$ knockin/ hi( off ba"ance, 2e fe"" fro( the "aer$ an Des put another shot throu/h his chest before he hit the /roun, !t ha taken "ess than three secons to wipe out ei/ht of the nine so"iers, 0he "ast one (ae a run for the e/e$ hopin/ to escape by iin/ off the roof on the far sie of the bui"in/, Des "et hi( run, 2e cou" fee" the terror co(in/ in waes off his oo(e prey3 he saore it for as "on/ as he cou", 0he so"ier "eapt fro( the rooftop an see(e to han/ in (iair for a secon3 Des fire his "ast three shots into his boy$ rainin/ the weapon's power ce"", 2e hane the weapon back to Lucia$ b"inkin/ rapi"y at the tears we""in/ up as his eyes trie to soothe their a(a/e retinas, 0he effects of the f"ash canister were on"y te(porary3 his ision was a"reay be/innin/ to return, .n the (iracu"ous secon si/ht he' e8perience was s"ippin/ away, Rubbin/ his eyes$ he knew now was not the ti(e to think about what ha :ust happene, 2e' e"i(inate the /unners$ but his troops were sti"" outnu(bere, 0hey neee hi( own in the hot 4one$ not here on the e/es of the batt"e, 7Keep an eye on that roof$7 he orere Lucia, 7!f any of those Repub"ic (ucrutches appear on top$ take the( out before they /et to the /unships,7 She in't rep"y3 her (outh was han/in/ open in a(a4e(ent at what she' :ust witnesse, Des /rabbe her by the shou"er an /ae her a rou/h shake, 7Snap out of it$ trooper= -ou'e /ot a :ob to o=7 She shook her hea to /ather her senses an noe$ then "oae another ener/y ce"" into her weapon, Satisfie$ Des pu""e out the >1D an char/e across the c"earin/$ ea/er to :oin in the batt"e, 0hree hours "ater it was a"" oer, 0he (ission ha been a co(p"ete success* the outpost was theirs$ an the Repub"ic ha no iea that thousans of Sith troopers were (archin/ throu/h the a""ey to attack the( at first "i/ht, 0he batt"e itse"f ha been short but b"ooy* forty%si8 Repub"ic so"iers ea$ an nine of Des's own, ery ti(e a G"oo( Wa"ker went own$ part of Des fe"t he' fai"e so(ehow$ but /ien the nature of their (ission$ keepin/ the casua"ties uner oub"e i/its was (ore than he cou" hae reasonab"y hope for, Once their ob:ectie was secure he' "eft .anar an a s(a"" contin/ent to ho" the outpost, With Des in the "ea$ the rest of the unit (arche back to its base ca(p, ."on/ the way he trie to i/nore the hushe whispers an furtie "ooks the rest of the co(pany was /iin/ hi(, Lucia ha sprea the wor of his a(a4in/ shootin/$ an it was the ta"k of the unit, ;one of the( was brae enou/h to say anythin/ to his face$ but he cou" hear snippets of conersation fro( the ranks behin hi(, 2onest"y$ he cou"n't b"a(e the(, Lookin/ back$ een he wasn't sure what ha happene, Des was a /oo (arks(an$ but he was no sniper, -et so(ehow he' (ana/e to pu"" off a o4en i(possib"e shots with a weapon he' neer fire before ,,, (ost of the( after bein/ b"ine by a f"ash canister, !t was beyon unbe"ieab"e, !t was as if$ when he' "ost his ision$ so(e (ysterious power ha taken oer an /uie his actions, !t was e8hi"aratin/$ but at the sa(e ti(e it was terrifyin/, Where ha this power co(e fro(9 .n why cou"n't he contro" it9
2e was so wrappe up in his thou/hts that at first he in't een notice the stran/ers waitin/ at their base ca(p, !t was on"y after they steppe up an s"appe the stun cuffs on his wrists that he rea"i4e what was /oin/ on, 7We"co(e back$ Ser/eant,7 U"abore's oice was fi""e with bi"e, Des /"ance aroun, . o4en enforcers%the (i"itary security of the Sith ar(y%were stanin/ with weapons rawn, U"abore stoo behin the($ a eep bruise on his face where Des ha struck hi(, !n the back/roun Des cou" see the two :unior recruits he' "eft in char/e of U"abore, 0hey were starin/ own at the /roun$ e(barrasse an asha(e, 7Di you rea""y think those raw recruits wou" keep their co((anin/ officer trusse up "ike so(e kin of prisoner97 U"abore taunte hi( fro( behin the protectie wa"" of ar(e /uars, 7Di you rea""y be"iee they wou" fo""ow you in your (aness97 70hat (aness sae our "ies=7 Lucia shoute, Des he" up his shack"e hans to si"ence her* this situation cou" /et out of han far too easi"y, When nothin/ e"se happene$ the "ieutenant see(e to /ain so(e coura/e, 2e steppe out fro( behin the protectie wa"" of enforcers an oer to Des, 7! warne you about isobeyin/ orers$7 he sneere, 7;ow you /et to see firsthan how the Brotherhoo of Darkness ea"s with (utinous so"iers=7 . few of the G"oo( Wa"kers be/an to reach s"ow"y for their weapons$ but Des shook his hea an they fro4e, 0he enforcers a"reay ha their b"asters rawn an weren't afrai to use the(, 0he troopers wou"n't (ana/e to /et off een a sin/"e shot, 7What's the (atter$ Ser/eant97 U"abore presse$ rawin/ c"oser to his efeate ene(y, 0oo c"ose, 7;othin/ to say97 Des knew he cou" ki"" the "ieutenant with one 6uick (oe, 0he enforcers wou" take hi( out$ but at "east U"abore wou" /o with hi(, ery fiber of his bein/ wante to "ash out an en both their "ies in an or/y of b"oo an b"asterfire, But he (ana/e to fi/ht the i(pu"se, 0here was no point in throwin/ his "ife away, . court%(artia" wou" "ike"y en in a eath sentence$ but at "east if he went to tria" he' hae a chance, U"abore steppe up an s"appe hi( once across the face$ then spit on his boots an steppe back, 70ake hi( away$7 he sai to the enforcers$ turnin/ his back on Des, .s Des was taken away he cou"n't he"p but see the "ook in the eyes of Lucia an the troopers whose "ies he' sae on"y hours a/o, 2e ha a fee"in/ the ne8t ti(e the unit went into co(bat$ U"abore wou" suffer an unfortunate%an fata"%accient, 0hat rea"i4ation brou/ht the hint of a s(i"e to his "ips, 0he enforcers (arche hi( throu/h the :un/"e for hours$ weapons rawn an traine on hi( the entire ti(e, 0hey on"y "owere the( when they reache the sentries on the peri(eter of the (ain Sith ca(p, 7Prisoner for a court%(artia"$7 one of the enforcers sai f"at"y, 7Go te"" Lor Kopec4,7 One of the sentries sa"ute an ran off,
0hey (arche Des throu/h the ca(p towar the bri/, 2e saw reco/nition in the eyes of (any of the so"iers, With his hei/ht an ba" hea he was an i(posin/ fi/ure$ an (any of the troops ha hear of his e8p"oits, Seein/ a for(er"y iea" so"ier bein/ brou/ht before a court%(artia" was sure to "eae an i(pression, 0hey reache the ca(p's (akeshift prison$ a s(a"" contain(ent fie" oer a three%by%three%by%three% (eter pit that sere as a ho"in/ area for capture spies an POWs, 0he enforcers ha re"iee hi( of his weapons when they first took hi( into custoy3 now they i a (ore thorou/h search an strippe hi( of a"" other persona" effects, 0hen they shut own the contain(ent fie" an rou/h"y tosse hi( in$ not een botherin/ to re"ease his cuffs, 2e "ane awkwar"y on the har /roun at the botto( of the ho"e, .s he stru//"e to his feet he hear an un(istakab"e hu( as the fie" was actiate once a/ain$ sea"in/ hi( in, 0he pit was e(pty$ other than Des hi(se"f, 0he Sith in't ten to keep prisoners aroun for "on/, 2e be/an to woner if he' (ae a serious (istake, 2e' hope his past serice (i/ht buy hi( so(e "eniency at his tria"$ but now he rea"i4e his reputation (i/ht actua""y work a/ainst hi(, 0he Sith +asters weren't known for their to"erance or their (ercy, 2e' efie a irect orer* there was a /oo chance they' ecie to (ake a harsh e8a(p"e of hi(, 2e cou"n't say how "on/ they' "eft hi( at the botto( of the pit, .fter a whi"e he fe"" as"eep$ e8hauste by the batt"e an the force (arch, 2e s"ippe in an out of consciousness3 at one point it was "i/ht outsie his prison an he knew ay (ust hae co(e, 0he ne8t ti(e he ca(e to it was ark a/ain, 0hey han't fe hi( yet3 his sto(ach was /row"in/ in protest as it /nawe away at itse"f, 2is throat was parche an ry3 his ton/ue fe"t as if it ha swo""en up "ar/e enou/h to choke hi(, Despite this$ there was a s"ow"y increasin/ pressure on his b"aer$ but he in't want to re"iee hi(se"f, 0he pit stank enou/h a"reay, +aybe they were :ust /oin/ to "eae hi( here to ie a s"ow an "one"y eath, Gien the ru(ors he' hear of Sith torture$ he a"(ost hope that was the case, But he han't /ien up, ;ot yet, When he hear the soun of approachin/ footsteps he scra(b"e to his feet an stoo strai/ht an ta""$ een thou/h his hans were sti"" cuffe in front of hi(, 0hrou/h the contain(ent fie" he cou" :ust (ake out the b"urre for(s of seera" /uars stanin/ on the e/e of the pit$ a"on/ with another fi/ure wearin/ a heay$ ark c"oak, 70ake hi( to (y ship$7 the c"oake fi/ure sai in a eep$ raspin/ oice, 7! wi"" ea" with this one on Korriban,7
city on the ark an forbiin/ wor", !nstea the ship "ane at a starport bui"t atop an ancient te(p"e oer"ookin/ a eso"ate a""ey, . chi"" win b"ew across the "anin/ pa as he ise(barke$ but it in't bother Des, .fter the sta"e air of the pit$ any bree4e fe"t /oo, 2e fe"t a shier /o own his spine as his foot touche Korriban's surface, 2e' hear that this ha once been a p"ace of /reat power$ thou/h now on"y the (erest shaows re(aine, 0here was an unercurrent of (a"ice here3 he' fe"t it as soon as the transport ha entere the b"eak p"anet's at(osphere, &ro( this anta/e point he cou" (ake out other te(p"es scattere across the wor"'s esert surface, en at this istance he cou" perceie the eroe rock an cru(b"in/ stone of the once /ran entrances, Beyon the a""ey$ the city of Dreshae was a (ere speck on the hori4on, 2e was (et on the "anin/ pa by a hooe fi/ure, 2e cou" te"" ri/ht away this wasn't the sa(e one who ha co(e to hi( in the pit, 0his person ha neither the si4e nor the i(pressie bearin/ of his "iberator3 een throu/h the contain(ent fie" Des ha been ab"e to sense his co((anin/ presence, 0his fi/ure$ which Des now thou/ht to be fe(a"e$ (otione for hi( to fo""ow, Si"ent"y she "e hi( own a f"i/ht of stone steps an into the te(p"e itse"f, 0hey crosse a "anin/ an escene another set of stairs$ then repeate the pattern$ workin/ their way "ee" by "ee" own fro( the te(p"e's ape8 to the /roun be"ow, 0here were oors an passa/es "eain/ off fro( each "anin/$ an Des cou" hear snippets of soun an conersation echoin/ fro( the($ thou/h he cou" neer 6uite te"" what was bein/ sai, She in't speak$ an Des knew better than to break the si"ence hi(se"f, 0echnica""y$ he was sti"" a prisoner, &or a"" he knew$ she was "eain/ hi( to his court%(artia", 2e wasn't about to (ake thin/s worse by askin/ foo"ish 6uestions, When they reache the botto( of the bui"in/$ she "e hi( to a stone archway with yet another f"i/ht of stairs, 0hese were ifferent$ howeer* they were narrow an ark$ an woun their way own unti" they anishe fro( si/ht eep in the bowe"s of the /roun, Without a wor his /uie hane hi( a torch she ha taken fro( a bracket on the wa"" an then steppe asie, Wonerin/ what was /oin/ on$ Des (ae his way carefu""y own the steep staircase, 2e cou"n't say how (uch eeper he went3 it was ifficu"t to (aintain any perspectie in the narrow confines of the stairwe"", .fter seera" (inutes he reache the botto($ on"y to fin a "on/ ha""way stretchin/ out before hi(, .t the en of the ha""way he encountere a sin/"e roo(, 0he roo( was ark an fi""e with shaow, On"y a few torches sputtere on the stone wa""$ their yin/ f"a(es bare"y ab"e to pierce the /"oo(, Des pause at the thresho"$ "ettin/ his eyes a:ust, 2e cou" :ust (ake out a i( fi/ure insie, !t beckone to hi(, 7
, thou/h not 6uite as "ar/e as Des hi(se"f, 2is "ekku woun own his broa chest an wrappe back up aroun his (uscu"ar neck an shou"ers3 his eyes /"owe oran/e beneath his brow$ (irrorin/ the f"ickerin/ torches, 2e s(i"e$ reea"in/ the sharp$ pointe teeth co((on to his species, 7! a( Lor Kopec4 of the Sith$7 he sai, .t that (o(ent$ Des knew without a oubt this was the c"oake one who ha co(e to hi( in the pit$ an he /ae a s"i/ht bow of his hea in acknow"e/(ent, 7! a( to be your in6uisitor$7 Lor Kopec4 e8p"aine$ his oice showin/ no e(otion, 7! a"one wi" " eter(ine your fate, Rest assure (y :u/(ent wi"" be fina",7 Des noe a/ain, 0he 0wi'"ek fi8e his burnin/ oran/e eyes on Des, 7-ou are no frien of the )ei or their Repub"ic,7 !t wasn't a 6uestion$ but Des fe"t co(pe""e to answer anyway, anyway, 7What hae they eer one for (e97 78act"y$7 78act"y$7 Kopec4 sai with a crue" s(i"e, 7! unerstan you hae fou/ht (any batt"es a/ainst the Repub"ic forces, -our fe""ow troopers speak hi/h"y of you, 0he Sith hae nee of (en "ike you if we are to win this war,7 2e pause, 7-ou were a (oe" so"ier ,,, unti" you isobeye a irect orer,7 70he orer was a (istake$7 Des sai, 2is throat ha /rown so ry an ti/ht that he ha troub"e /ettin/ the wors out, 7Why i you refuse to attack the outpost urin/ the ay9 .re .re you a cowar97 7. cowar wou"n't hae co(p"ete the (ission$7 Des rep"ie sharp"y$ stun/ by the accusation, Kopec4 ti"te his hea to the sie an waite, 7.ttackin/ in the ay"i/ht was a tactica" (istake$7 Des continue$ tryin/ to press his point, 7U"abore shou" hae re"aye that infor(ation back to co((an$ but he was too scare, U"abore was the cowar$ not (e, 2e wou" rather risk eath at the hans of the Repub"ic than face the Brotherhoo of Darkness, ! prefer not to throw (y "ife away nee"ess"y,7 7! can see that fro( your serice recor$7 Kopec4 sai, 7Kashyyyk$ 0ranosha$ 0ranosha$ Phaseera ,,, if these reports are accurate$ you hae perfor(e increib"e feats urin/ your ti(e with the G"oo( Wa"kers, Wa"kers, &eats so(e wou" c"ai( to be i(possib"e,7 Des brist"e at the i(p"ication, 70he reports are accurate$7 he rep"ie, 7! hae no oubt that they are,7 Kopec4 either han't notice or in't care about the tone of Des's rep"y, 7Do you know why ! brou/ht you to Korriban97 Des was be/innin/ to rea"i4e that this wasn't rea""y a court%(artia" after a"", !t was so(e kin of test$ thou/h for what he sti"" wasn't sure, 7! fee" !'e been chosen for so(ethin/,7 Kopec4 /ae hi( another sinister s(i"e, 7Goo, -our (in works 6uick"y, What o you know of
the &orce97 7;ot (uch$7 Des a(itte with a shru/, 7!t's so(ethin/ the )ei be"iee in* so(e /reat power that's suppose to be :ust f"oatin/ out there in the unierse so(ewhere,7 7.n what o you know of the )ei97 7! know they be"iee the(se"es to be /uarians of the Repub"ic$7 Des rep"ie$ (akin/ no atte(pt to hie his conte(pt, 7! know they wie" /reat inf"uence in the Senate, ! know (any be"iee they hae (ystica" powers,7 7.n the Brotherhoo of Darkness97 Des consiere his wors (ore carefu""y this ti(e, 7-ou are the "eaers of our ar(y an the sworn ene(y of the )ei, +any be"iee that you$ "ike the($ hae unnatura" abi"ities=' 7But you o not97 Des hesitate$ stru//"in/ to co(e up with the answer he thou/ht Kopec4 wante to hear, hear, !n the en he cou"n't fi/ure out what his in6uisitor was "ookin/ for$ so he si(p"y to" the truth, 7! be"iee (ost of the stories are /reat"y e8a//erate,7 e8a//erate,7 Kopec4 noe, 7. co((on enou/h be"ief, 0hose who o not unerstan the ways of the &orce re/ar such ta"es as (yth or "e/en, But the &orce is rea"$ an those who wie" it hae power you can't een i(a/ine, 7-ou hae seen (any batt"es but you hae not e8perience the rea" war, Whi"e troops ie for contro" of wor"s an (oons$ the )ei an Sith +asters seek to estroy each other, We are bein/ rien towar an ineitab"e an fina" confrontation, 0he faction that suries$ Sith or )ei$ wi"" eter(ine the fate of the /a"a8y for the ne8t thousan years, 70rue ictory in this war wi"" not co(e throu/h ar(ies$ but throu/h the Brotherhoo Brotherhoo of Darkness, Our /reatest weapon is the &orce$ an those iniiua"s who hae the power to co((an it, !niiua"s "ike you, 2e pause to "et his wors sink in before continuin/, 7-ou are specia"$ Des, -ou hae (any re(arkab"e ta"ents, 0hese ta"ents are (anifestations of the &orce$ an they hae sere you we"" as a so"ier, so"ier, But you hae on"y scratche the surface of your /ift, 0he &orce is rea"3 it e8ists a"" aroun us, -ou can fee" the power of it in this roo(,
hae touche the &orce in the past$ but your abi"ities are an insi/nificant speck besie the power of a true Sith +aster$7 +aster$7 he fina""y sai, 70here is /reat potentia" in you, !f you stay here on Korriban$ we can teach you to un"eash it,7 Des was speech"ess, 7-ou wou" no "on/er be a trooper on the front "ines$7 Kopec4 continue, 7!f you accept (y offer$ that part of your "ife is oer, -ou wi"" be traine in the ways of the ark sie, -ou wi"" beco(e one of the Brotherhoo of Darkness, .n you wi"" not return to the G"oo( Wa"kers,7 Des fe"t his heart pounin/$ his hea swi((in/, .s "on/ as he cou" re(e(ber$ he' known he was specia" because of his uni6ue ta"ents, .n now he was bein/ to" that his abi"ities were nothin/ co(pare with what he cou" rea""y acco(p"ish, Sti""$ part of hi( ba"ke at the iea of "eain/ his unit without een hain/ a chance to say /oo% bye, 2e consiere consiere .anar$ .anar$ Lucia$ an the others others as (ore than :ust fe""ow so"iers3 so"iers3 they were his his friens,
0he fear wou" not stop hi(3 he wou" sei4e the fear$ transfor( it$ an (ake it his own, 2e wou" take what ha once (ae hi( weak an use it to (ake hi(se"f stron/, 7+y na(e is Bane, Bane of the Sith,7 Lor 5oris$ e8a"te +aster of the Sith .cae(y on Korriban$ scratche /ent"y at his chin with "on/$ ta"on%"ike fin/ers, 70his stuent you hae brou/ht (e%this Bane%has neer been traine in the ways of the &orce97 Kopec4 shook his hea an twitche his "ekku eer so s"i/ht"y in annoyance, 7.s ! to" you before$ 5oris$ he /rew up on .patros$ a wor" contro""e by the ORO
7Before he can c"ai( that tit"e$7 5oris sai with a cunnin/ s(i"e$ 7he'"" hae to surie his trainin/,7 P.R0 0WO
7;o$7 5oris correcte, 7;ot "ike this one, !t is true we hae other trainin/ faci"ities sprea across our eer%/rowin/ e(pire$ p"aces where iniiua"s with pro(ise are tau/ht to contro" an use their power, But each faci"ity is uni6ue$ an where iniiua" stuents are sent epens on how (uch potentia" we see in the(, 70hose with a noticeab"e but "i(ite abi"ity are sent to 2ono/hr$ Gentes$ or Ga(orr to beco(e Sith Warriors or +arauers, 0here they are tau/ht to channe" their e(otions into (in"ess ra/e an batt"e fury, 0he power of the ark sie transfor(s the( into raa/in/ beasts of eath an estruction to be un"eashe a/ainst our ene(ies,7 0hrou/h passion ! /ain stren/th$ Bane thou/ht, But when he spoke he sai$ 7Brute stren/th a"one is not enou/h to brin/ own the Repub"ic,7 70rue$7 5oris a/ree, &ro( the tone of his oice Bane knew he ha sai what his +aster wante to hear, 70hose with /reater abi"ity are sent to wor"s that hae a""ie with our cause to estroy the Repub"ic* Ry"oth$ U(bara$ ;ar Shaaa, 0hese stuents beco(e creatures of shaow$ "earnin/ to use the ark sie for secrecy$ eception$ an (anipu"ation, 0hose who surie the trainin/ beca(e unstoppab"e assassins$ capab"e of rawin/ on the ark sie to ki"" their tar/ets without eer (oin/ a (usc"e,7 7-et een they are no (atch for the )ei$7 Bane ae$ thinkin/ he unerstoo the irection the "esson was takin/, 7Precise"y$7 his +aster a/ree, 70he acae(ies on Datho(ir an !rionia are (ost si(i"ar to the one here, 0here apprentices stuy uner Sith +asters, 0hose who succee in their trainin/ beco(e the aepts an aco"ytes who swe"" the ranks of our ar(ies, 0hey are the counterparts to the )ei Kni/hts who stan in the way of our u"ti(ate con6uest, 7But een as the )ei Kni/hts (ust answer to the )ei +asters$ so (ust the aepts an aco"ytes answer to the Sith Lors, .n those with the potentia" to beco(e Sith Lors%an on"y those with such potentia"%are traine here on Korriban,7 Bane fe"t a shier of e8cite(ent, 0hrou/h stren/th ! /ain power, 7Korriban was the ancestra" ho(e of the Sith$7 5oris e8p"aine, 70his p"anet is a p"ace of /reat power3 the ark sie "ies an breathes in the ery core of this wor",7 2e pause an s"ow"y e8tene his ske"eta" han$ pa"( upwar, !t a"(ost see(e as if he was cra"in/ so(ethin/ unseen%so(ethin/ precious an ina"uab"e%in his c"aw%"ike fin/ers, 70his te(p"e we stan in was bui"t (any thousans of years a/o to co""ect an focus that power, 2ere you can fee" the ark sie at its stron/est9' 2e c"ose his fist so ti/ht"y that his "on/ fin/ernai"s cut into his pa"($ rawin/ b"oo, 7-ou hae been chosen because you hae /reat potentia"$7 he whispere, 7Great thin/s are e8pecte of the apprentices here on Korriban, 0he trainin/ is ifficu"t$ but the rewars are /reat for those who succee,7 0hrou/h power ! /ain ictory, 5oris reache out an p"ace his woune pa"( on the crown of Bane's bare sca"p$ anointin/ hi(
with the b"oo of a Sith Lor, Bane ha seen p"enty of b"oo as a so"ier$ yet for so(e reason this cere(onia" act of se"f%(uti"ation reo"te hi( (ore than any batt"efie" /ore, !t was a"" he cou" o not to pu"" away, 7-ou hae the potentia" to beco(e one of us%one of the Brotherhoo of Darkness, 0o/ether we can cast off the shack"es of the Repub"ic,7 0hrou/h ictory (y chains are broken, 7But een those with potentia" can fai"$7 5oris finishe, 7! trust you wi"" not isappoint us,7 Bane ha no intention of oin/ that, 0he ne8t few weeks passe 6uick"y as Bane threw hi(se"f into his stuies, 0o his surprise$ he iscoere that his ine8perience with the &orce was the e8ception rather than the ru"e, +any of the stuents ha traine for (onths or years before they ha been accepte at the .cae(y on Korriban, .t first Bane foun this troub"in/, 2e ha :ust starte his trainin/ an he was a"reay behin, !n such a co(petitie$ ruth"ess eniron(ent he wou" be an easy tar/et for eery other stuent, But as he (u""e it oer$ he be/an to rea"i4e he (i/ht not be as u"nerab"e as he' thou/ht, 2e a"one$ of a"" the apprentices at the .cae(y$ ha been ab"e to (anifest the power of the ark sie without any trainin/ at a"", 2e' use it so often he' co(e to take it for /rante, !t ha /ien hi( aanta/es oer his opponents in cars an braw"in/, !n war it ha warne hi( of an/er an brou/ht hi( ictory in otherwise i(possib"e circu(stances, .n he' one it a"" on instinct$ with no trainin/$ without een any conscious iea of what he was oin/, ;ow$ for the first ti(e$ he was bein/ tau/ht to tru"y use his abi"ities, 2e in't hae to worry about any of the other stuents ,,, if anythin/$ they shou" be worryin/ about hi(, When he co(p"ete his trainin/$ none of the others wou" be his e6ua", +ost of his "earnin/ ca(e at the feet of 5oris an the other +asters* Kas'i($ Ori""tha$ Shenaya/$ 2e44oran$ an Borthis, 0here were /roup trainin/ sessions at the .cae(y$ but they were few an far between, 0he weak an the s"ow cou" not be a""owe to ho" back the stron/ an a(bitious, Stuents "earne at their own pace$ rien by their esire an hun/er for power, 0here were$ howeer$ near"y si8 stuents for eery +aster$ an the apprentices ha to proe their worth before one of the instructors wou" spen a"uab"e ti(e teachin/ the( the secrets of the Sith, 0hou/h he was a neophyte$ Bane foun it easy to /arner the attention of the Sith Lors$ particu"ar"y 5oris, 2e knew the e8tra attention wou" ineitab"y bree ani(osity in the other stuents$ but he force hi(se"f not to think about that, !n ti(e the aitiona" instruction he /ot fro( the +asters wou" a""ow hi( to catch up to an pass the other apprentices$ an once he i he wou"n't nee to worry about their petty :ea"ousies, Unti" then he was carefu" to stay out of the way an not raw attention to hi(se"f, When he wasn't "earnin/ fro( the +asters$ he was in the "ibrary stuyin/ the ancient recors, .s the )ei kept their archies at their 0e(p"e on
the ark sie, ."" known Sith 2o"ocrons ha been either estroye or spirite away to the )ei 0e(p"e on
0he Dark Lor$ howeer$ neer een /"ance at the screens, 2is perception e8tene far beyon the (eitation sphere$ far beyon the ata spit out by the e"ectronic reaouts, 2e knew the "ocation of each esse" en/a/e in the conf"ict* his own an those of the ene(y, 2e cou" sense eery o""ey fire$ eery easie turn an ro""$ eery (oe an counter(oe (ae by eery ship, Often he cou" sense the( een before they happene, 2is brow was knotte in intense concentration3 his breath ca(e in "on/$ ra//e /asps, Beas of perspiration ro""e own his tre(b"in/ boy, 0he strain was enor(ous$ yet with the ai of the (eitation sphere he (aintaine his (enta" focus$ rawin/ on the ark sie of the &orce to inf"uence the outco(e of the conf"ict espite his physica" e8haustion, 0he art of batt"e (eitation%a weapon passe own fro( the ancient Sith sorcerers%threw the ene(y ranks into chaos$ feein/ their fear an hope"essness$ crushin/ their hearts an spirits with b"eak espair, ery fa"se (oe by the opponent was (a/nifie$ eery hesitation was transfor(e into a cascae of errors an (istakes that oerwhe"(e een the (ost iscip"ine troops, 0he batt"e ha on"y :ust be/un$ an it was a"reay a"" but oer, 0he Repub"ic f"eet was in co(p"ete isarray, 0wo of its four 2a((erhea%c"ass capita" ships ha "ost pri(ary shie"s in the first strafin/ run of the Bu44ars, ;ow the Sith Dreanau/hts were (oin/ in$ tar/etin/ the suen"y u"nerab"e 2a((erheas with their eastatin/ forwar%(ounte "aser cannons, On the er/e of bein/ cripp"e an "eft utter"y he"p"ess$ they were :ust now (ana/in/ to scra(b"e their own fi/hters to war off the rapi"y c"osin/ ene(y cruisers, 0he other two capita" ships were bein/ raa/e by Ra/e an &ury$ the Sith batt"eships, 0he ponerous Repub"ic 2a((erheas re"ie on support ships to estab"ish a efensie "ine to ho" off ene(y attackers whi"e they positione the(se"es to brin/ their heay /uns to bear, Without these efensie "ines they were a"" but he"p"ess a/ainst the (uch 6uicker an (ore ni(b"e corsairs, Ra/e an &ury cut in a"on/ a ector that (ini(i4e the nu(ber of cannons the 2a((erheas cou" tar/et the( with$ then swept across their bows$ firin/ a"" /uns, When the 2a((erheas trie to chan/e irection to brin/ (ore /uns to bear$ the corsairs wou" piot an oub"e back for another pass a"on/ a ifferent ector$ inf"ictin/ een (ore a(a/e, 0he saa/e (aneuer was known as s"ashin/ the eck$ an without the support of fi/hters or batt"eships of their own$ the capita" ships cou"n't withstan it for "on/, .i fro( the Repub"ic batt"eships$ howeer$ was not "ike"y to co(e, 0he one on point patro" was a"reay a charre an "ife"ess hu""$ ob"iterate in the first secons of the attack by a irect hit fro( ;i/htfa""'s /uns before it cou" raise its shie"s, 0he other two were bein/ swar(e by interceptors an poune by ;i/htfa""'s broasie "aser arti""ery$ an in't fi/ure to "ast (uch "on/er than the first, Kaan cou" fee" it* panic ha set in a(on/ the Repub"ic troops an co((aners, 2is attack was pure offense3 his strate/y (a8i(i4e a(a/e but "eft his own ships e8pose an u"nerab"e to a we""%or/ani4e counterattack, But no such response was forthco(in/, 0he Repub"ic captains were unab"e to coorinate their efforts$ unab"e to estab"ish their "ines of efense, 0hey cou"n't een or/ani4e a proper retreat , , , escape was i(possib"e, ictory was his= .n then suen"y &ury was /one$ snuffe out by an e8p"osion that rippe the corsair apart, !t ha happene so 6uick"y that Kaan%een with the preco/nitie awareness of his batt"e (eitation%han't sense it co(in/, 0he two 2a((erheas ha turne at tan/entia" an/"es$ both so(ehow "ockin/ in on &ury's path si(u"taneous"y, One ha opene up with its forwar cannons to take own &ury's shie"s$ whi"e the other ha un"eashe a barra/e of "aserfire at the e8act sa(e spot$ causin/ a
(assie etonation that estroye the batt"eship in the b"ink of an eye, !t was a bri""iant (aneuer* two ifferent ships perfect"y coorinatin/ their efforts whi"e uner re"ent"ess assau"t to wipe out a co((on foe, !t was a"so i(possib"e, Kaan orere Ra/e into easie action3 the corsair pee"e off its attack run :ust as the 2a((erheas opene fire$ narrow"y aoiin/ the fate of its sister ship, 0he Dreanau/hts c"osin/ in on the cripp"e 2a((erheas were a"so force to break off their attack run as four fu"" s6uas of Repub"ic fi/hters burst forth fro( the car/o bays of their suppose"y efense"ess prey, en uner iea" conitions it wou" hae been har to scra(b"e the fi/hters so 6uick"y3 in this situation it was unthinkab"e, -et Kaan cou" fee" the(* near"y fifty .urek fi/hters f"yin/ in ti/ht for(ation$ pressin/ the attack on the Dreanau/hts whi"e a"" four 2a((erheas pu""e back, 0hey were estab"ishin/ a efensie "ine= Drawin/ on the power of the ark sie$ Lor Kaan pushe out with his wi"" to touch the (ins of the ene(y, 0hey were /ri($ but not esperate, So(e were afrai$ but none panicke, ."" he fe"t was iscip"ine$ purpose$ an reso"e, .n then he fe"t so(ethin/ e"se, .nother presence in the batt"e, !t was subt"e$ but he was certain it han't been there at a"" in the first few (inutes of the attack, So(eone was usin/ the &orce to bo"ster the (ora"e of the Repub"ic troops, So(eone was usin/ the "i/ht sie to counter the effects of Kaan's batt"e (eitation an turn the tie, On"y a )ei +aster wou" hae the stren/th to oppose the wi"" of a Sith Lor, Kopec4 fe"t it$ too, Strappe into the seat of his interceptor$ he was spinnin/ an swerin/ throu/h the 2a((erhea's barra/e of antifi/hter turret b"asts when the presence of the )ei +aster crashe oer hi( "ike a wae, !t cau/ht hi( off /uar$ causin/ hi( to "ose his focus for a sp"it secon, &or any other pi"ot$ that wou" hae been enou/h to en his "ife$ but Kopec4 was no orinary pi"ot, Reactin/ with a 6uickness born of instinct$ hone by trainin/$ an bo"stere by the power of the ark sie$ he s"a((e the thrott"e back an pushe har on the stick, 0he interceptor "urche own an forwar into a sharp ie$ narrow"y uckin/ beneath three successie b"asts of the 2a((erhea's ion cannons, Pu""in/ out of the ie$ he banke into a wie ro"" an circ"e back towar the "ar/est of the four Repub"ic cruisers, 0he )ei was there, 2e cou" sense hi(* the &orce was e(anatin/ fro( the ship "ike a beacon, ;ow Kopec4 was /oin/ to ki"" hi(, Back on ;i/htfa""$ Kaan was a"so "ocke in (orta" co(bat with the )ei +aster$ thou/h theirs was a batt"e wa/e throu/h the ships an pi"ots of their respectie f"eets, 0he Repub"ic ha (ore ships with /reater firepower3 Kaan ha been re"yin/ on the e"e(ent of surprise$ an his batt"e (eitation to /ie the Sith the aanta/e, ;ow$ howeer$ both of those aanta/es ha been nu""ifie, Despite his stren/th$ the Dark Lor was no e8pert in the rare art of batt"e (eitation, !t was one of (any ta"ents$ an he ha worke to ee"op the( a"" e6ua""y, 0he opposin/ )ei$ howeer$ ha "ike"y been traine fro( birth for :ust such a confrontation, 0he tie of the batt"e was s"ow"y turnin/$ an the Dark Lor was beco(in/ esperate, 2e /athere his wi"" an "ashe out with a suen sur/e of ark sie power$ a esperate /a(bit to swin/ the en/a/e(ent back uner his contro", Spurre on by arena"ine$ b"oo"ust$ an the irresistib"e co(pu"sion of their "eaer$ a pair of bu44ar pi"ots trie to ra( their ships into the nearest .urek s6uaron$ eter(ine to break their for(ation with a suicie attack, But the Repub"ic pi"ots in't panic or break ranks tryin/ to aoi his reck"ess char/e, !nstea they (et the assau"t hea%on$ firin/ their weapons an apori4in/ the ene(y before any har( cou" be one, On the other sie of the batt"e$ Kopec4's interceptor knife throu/h the efensie peri(eter estab"ishe aroun the capita" ship an its precious )ei car/o$ too 6uick an ni(b"e for either the
.urek fi/hters or the turrets to /et a "ock, Penetratin/ the Repub"ic "ines$ Kopec4 f"ew his ship into the heart of the (ain han/ar3 the b"ast oors c"ose a fraction of a secon too "ate, 2e opene fire as his ship spun an skie across the ockin/ bay's f"oor$ wipin/ out (ost of the so"iers unfortunate enou/h to be cau/ht insie, .s the ship s"owe to a ha"t$ he poppe open the hatch an f"ippe out of his seat, ;i(b"y "anin/ on his feet$ he rew an i/nite his "i/htsaber in one s(ooth (otion, 0he first sweepin/ arc of the cri(son b"ae cau/ht the b"asterfire of the two troopers who ha surie the initia" assau"t$ ef"ectin/ it har("ess"y away, .nother f"ip c"ose the si8%(eter istance between the 0wi'"ek an his attackers3 another arc of the b"ae ene their "ies, Kopec4 pause to assess the situation, +an/"e boies an shattere (achinery were a"" that re(aine of the crew an e6uip(ent that (aintaine the Repub"ic fi/hters, S(i"in/$ he crosse oer to the hatch "eain/ into the interior of the capita" ship, 2e stroe 6uick"y an confient"y throu/h the ha""s$ /uie by the power e(anatin/ fro( the )ei +aster "ike a tuk'ata rawn by the scent of a s6ue""bu/, . security tea( intercepte hi( in one of the ha""ways, 0he re ba/es on their s"eees (arke the( as an e"ite s6ua of specia""y traine so"iers* the best boy/uars the Repub"ic (i"itary ha to offer, Kopec4 knew they (ust hae been /oo , , , one actua""y (ana/e to fire her weapon twice before the entire unit fe"" to his "i/htsaber, 2e entere a "ar/e cha(ber with a sin/"e oor at the back, 2is prey was beyon that oor$ but in the center of the roo( a pair of Se"kath %% a(phibious bein/s fro( the wor" of +anaan%barre his way with "i/htsabers rawn, 0hese were (ere Paawans$ howeer$ serants of the )ei +aster, Kopec4 in't een bother en/a/in/ the( in "i/htsaber co(bat* it wou" hae been beneath hi(, !nstea he thrust a (eaty fist forwar an use the &orce to hur" the( across the roo(, 0he first Paawan was stunne by the i(pact, By the ti(e he stru//"e uncertain"y to his feet$ his co(panion was a"reay ea$ the "ife choke out of her by the power of the ark sie, 0he suriin/ Paawan retreate as Kopec4 s"ow"y aance3 the Sith Lor crosse the roo( with (easure stries as he /athere his power, 2e un"eashe it in a stor( of e"ectricity$ bo"ts of b"ue% io"et "i/htnin/ rippin/ throu/h the f"esh of his unfortunate icti(, 0he Se"kath's boy ance in conu"sions of a/ony unti" his s(okin/ corpse fina""y co""apse to the f"oor, Reachin/ the oor at the rear of the roo($ Kopec4 opene it an steppe into the s(a"" (eitation cha(ber beyon, .n e"er"y
weak%wi""e were "eft so esponent$ they cou" on"y hope for a 6uick an (ercifu" eath, 0he for(er in't /et what they wante$ but the "atter i, Strappe into the hatch of his interceptor$ Lor Kopec4 "aunche his craft fro( the han/ar (ere secons before the capita" ship was estroye in a /"orious an catac"ys(ic e8p"osion, 0he Sith "osses that ay were heaier than e8pecte$ but their ictory was abso"ute, ;ot a sin/"e Repub"ic ship$ pi"ot$ or so"ier escape the &irst Batt"e of Ruusan a"ie,
an tota" physica" (astery cou" use the weapon effectie"y ,,, or so Bane an the others ha been tau/ht, &ew of the stuents actua""y possesse "i/htsabers yet3 they sti"" ha to proe the(se"es worthy in the eyes of 5oris an the others, -et that in't keep Lor Kas'i($ the 0wi'"ek B"ae(aster$ fro( instructin/ the( in the sty"es an techni6ues they wou" use once they ha fina""y earne their weapons, ach (ornin/ the apprentices wou" /ather on the wie$ open roof of the te(p"e to practice their ri""s an routines uner his watchfu" eye$ stru//"in/ to "earn the e8otic (aneuers that wou" brin/ the( ictory on the batt"efie", Perspiration was a"reay runnin/ own the crown of Bane's hea an into his eyes as he put his boy throu/h its paces, 2e b"inke away the stin/in/ sweat an reoub"e his e8ertions$ carin/ the air before hi( a/ain an a/ain an a/ain with his trainin/ saber, ."" aroun hi( other apprentices were oin/ the sa(e3 each was stru//"in/ to con6uer his or her own physica" "i(itations an beco(e (ore than :ust a warrior with a weapon, 0he /oa" was to beco(e an e8tension of the ark sie itse"f, Bane ha be/un by "earnin/ the basic techni6ues co((on to a"" seen traitiona" "i/htsaber for(s, 2is first weeks ha been spent in en"ess repetitions of efensie postures$ oerhan strikes$ parries$ an counter%strikes, By obserin/ the natura" tenencies of his stuents as they "earne the basics$ Lor Kas'i( eter(ine which for( wou" best (atch their sty"e, &or Bane he chose D:e( So$ &or( , 0he fifth for( e(phasi4e stren/th an power$ a""owin/ Bane to use his si4e an (usc"es to his best aanta/e, On"y after he was ab"e to perfor( each of the (oes of D:e( So to the satisfaction of Kas'i( was he a""owe to be/in the rea" trainin/, ;ow$ a"on/ with the other stuents at the .cae(y$ he spent the better part of an hour each (ornin/ practicin/ his techni6ues with his trainin/ saber uner the B"ae(aster's watchfu" eye, +ae of urastee" with b"unte e/es$ the trainin/ sabers were crafte specifica""y so that their ba"ance an heft (i(icke the ener/y bea(s pro:ecte by rea" "i/ht%sabers, . so"i b"ow cou" inf"ict serious a(a/e$ but since a "i/htsaber i not work that way$ each trainin/ b"ae was a"so coere with (i""ions of to8in%fi""e barbs too s(a"" to see$ fashione fro( the (icroscopic ri/e spines of the ea"y pe"ko bu/%a rare insect foun on"y eep beneath the esert sans of the a""ey of the Dark Lors on Korriban itse"f, With a irect hit$ the (inuscu"e barbs cou" pierce the weae of any fabric3 the pe"ko eno( wou" cause the f"esh i((eiate"y to burn an b"ister, 0e(porary para"ysis set in instant"y at the point of infection$ "eain/ any "i(b struck a"" but use"ess, 0his proie an e8ce""ent way to (i(ic the effects of "osin/ a han$ ar($ or "e/ to a "i/htsaber b"ae, 0he (ornin/ was fi""e with the /runts of the apprentices an the swish%swish%swish as their b"aes s"ice the air, !n so(e ways it re(ine Bane of his (i"itary trainin/* a /roup of so"iers unite in the repetition of ri""s unti" the (oes beca(e instinctie, But there was no sense of ca(araerie at the .cae(y, 0he apprentices were ria"s$ p"ain an si(p"e, !n (any ways it wasn't that ifferent fro( his ays on .patros, ;ow$ howeer$ the iso"ation was worth it, 2ere they were teachin/ hi( the secrets of the ark sie, 7Wron/=7 Kas'i( suen"y barke, 2e ha been wa"kin/ up an own the ranks of apprentices as they traine$ but ha now stoppe ri/ht besie Bane, 7Strike with (a"ice an precision=7 2e reache out an sei4e Bane's wrist$ turnin/ it rou/h"y an chan/in/ the an/"e of the trainin/ b"ae, 7-ou're co(in/ in too hi/h=7 he snappe, 70here is no roo( for error=7 2e staye at Bane's sie for seera" secons$ watchin/ to ensure the "esson ha been proper"y "earne, .fter seera" har thrusts by Bane with the a"tere /rip$ the B"ae(aster noe in
approa" an continue his rouns, Bane repeate the sin/"e (oe oer an oer$ carefu" to (aintain the hei/ht an an/"e of the b"ae e8act"y as Kas'i( ha shown hi($ teachin/ his (usc"es throu/h count"ess repetitions unti" they cou" rep"icate it f"aw"ess"y each an eery ti(e, On"y then wou" he (oe on to incorporatin/ it into (ore co(p"icate (aneuers, Soon he was breathin/ heai"y fro( his e8ertions, Physica""y Kas'i('s trainin/ sessions cou"n't (easure up to ha((erin/ a cortosis ein with a hyrau"ic :ack for hours at a ti(e, But they were far (ore e8haustin/ in other ways, 0hey e(ane intense (enta" focus$ an attention to etai" that went far beyon what was isib"e to the nake eye, 0rue (astery of the b"ae re6uire a co(bination of both boy an (in, When two +asters en/a/e in "i/htsaber co(bat$ the action happene too 6uick"y for the eye to see or the (in to react, erythin/ ha to be one on instinct3 the boy ha to be traine to (oe an respon without conscious thou/ht, 0o acco(p"ish this$ Kas'i( (ae his stuents practice se6uences$ carefu""y choreo/raphe series of (u"tip"e strikes an parries rawn fro( their chosen sty"e, 0he se6uences were esi/ne by the B"ae(aster hi(se"f so that each (aneuer f"owe s(ooth"y into the ne8t$ (a8i(i4in/ attack efficiency whi"e (ini(i4in/ efensie e8posure, Usin/ a se6uence in co(bat a""owe the stuents to free their (ins fro( thou/ht as their boies auto(atica""y continue throu/h the (oes, Usin/ se6uences was (ore efficient an (uch 6uicker than consierin/ an initiatin/ each strike or b"ock on its own$ proiin/ an enor(ous aanta/e oer an opponent unfa(i"iar with the techni6ue, 2oweer$ in/rainin/ a new se6uence so it cou" be proper"y e8ecute was a "on/ an "aborious process, &or (any it wou" take two to three weeks of trainin/ an ri""s%"on/er if the se6uence was erie fro( a sty"e the stuent was sti"" stru//"in/ to (aster, .n een the tiniest (istake in the s(a""est of (oes cou" rener the entire se6uence worth"ess, Kas'i( ha spotte a potentia""y fata" f"aw in Bane's techni6ue, ;ow Bane was eter(ine to fi8 it$ een if it (eant hours of practice on his own ti(e, Bane was re"ent"ess in his pursuit of perfection% not :ust in his co(bat trainin/$ but in a"" his stuies, 2e was a (an on a (ission, 7nou/h$7 Kas'i('s oice ca""e out, .t that sin/"e co((an a"" the stuents stoppe what they were oin/ an turne their attention to the B"ae(aster, 2e was stanin/ at the hea of the asse(b"a/e$ facin/ the(, 7-ou (ay rest for ten (inutes$7 he to" the(, 70hen the cha""en/es wi"" be/in,7 Bane$ a"on/ with (ost of the others$ "owere hi(se"f into a (eitatie position$ "e/s crosse an fo"e beneath hi(, Layin/ his trainin/ saber on the /roun besie hi($ he c"ose his eyes an s"ippe into a "i/ht trance$ rawin/ on the ark sie to re:uenate his achin/ (usc"es an refresh his tire (in, 2e "et the power f"ow throu/h hi($ "et his (in rift, .s it often i$ it rifte back to the first ti(e he' touche the ark sie, ;ot the fu(b"in/ brushes he' ha back on .patros or urin/ his ays as a so"ier$ but a true reco/nition of the &orce, !t ha been his thir ay here at the .cae(y, 2e' been app"yin/ the (eitation techni6ues he' "earne the ay before when suen"y he fe"t it, !t was "ike the burstin/ of a a($ a ra/in/ rier f"ooin/ throu/h hi($ sweepin/ away a"" his fai"in/s* his weakness$ his fear$ his se"f%oubt, !n that
instant he' unerstoo why he was here, .t that (o(ent his transfor(ation fro( Des to Bane$ fro( (ere (orta" to one of the Sith$ ha tru"y be/un, 0hrou/h power$ ! /ain ictory, 0hrou/h ictory (y chains are broken, Bane knew a"" about chains, So(e were obious* an abusie$ uncarin/ father3 /rue"in/ shifts in the (ines3 ebts owe to a face"ess$ ruth"ess corporation, Others were (ore subt"e* the Repub"ic an its iea"istic pro(ises of a better "ife that neer (ateria"i4e3 the )ei an their ow to ri the /a"a8y of in:ustice, en his friens in the G"oo( Wa"kers ha been a kin of chain, 2e' care for the($ been responsib"e for the(, -et in the en$ what use ha they been when he' neee the( (ost9 2e unerstoo now that persona" attach(ents cou" on"y ho" hi( back, &riens were a buren, 2e ha to re"y on hi(se"f, 2e ha to ee"op his own potentia", 2is own power, !n the en$ that was what it rea""y ca(e own to, Power, .n$ aboe a"" e"se$ the ark sie pro(ise power, 2e hear the souns of (oe(ent aroun hi(3 the soft shuff"e of robes as the other apprentices rose fro( their (eitations an (ae their way towar the cha""en/e rin/, 2e /rabbe his trainin/ saber with one han an spran/ to his feet to :oin the(, .t the en of each session the c"ass wou" /ather in a wie$ irre/u"ar circ"e at the top of the te(p"e, .ny stuent cou" step into the circ"e an issue a cha""en/e to another, Kas'i( wou" obsere the ue"s c"ose"y$ an once it was oer he wou" ana"y4e the action for the c"ass, 0hose who won wou" be praise for their perfor(ance$ an their status in the infor(a" hierarchy of the .cae(y wou" rise, 0hose who "ost wou" be chastise for their fai"in/s$ as we"" as sufferin/ a b"ow to their presti/e, When Bane ha first be/un his trainin/$ (any of the stuents ha ea/er"y ca""e hi( out, 0hey knew he was a neophyte in the &orce an they were ea/er to take own the heai"y (usc"e /iant in front of their c"ass(ates, .t first he ha ec"ine the cha""en/es, 2e knew they were the 6uickest way to /ain presti/e at the .cae(y$ but he wasn't foo"ish enou/h to be rawn into a batt"e he was /uarantee to "ose, !n the past (onths$ howeer$ he ha worke har to "earn his sty"e an refine his techni6ue, 2e "earne new se6uences 6uick"y$ an when Kas'i( hi(se"f ha co((ente on his pro/ress$ Bane ha fe"t confient enou/h to be/in acceptin/ the cha""en/es, 2e wasn't ictorious eery ti(e$ but he was winnin/ far (ore ue"s than he was "osin/$ s"ow"y c"i(bin/ his way to the top of the "aer, 0oay he fe"t reay to take another step, 0he apprentices were stanin/ three rows eep$ for(in/ a rin/ of boies aroun a c"earin/ in the center rou/h"y ten (eters in ia(eter, Kas'i( steppe into the (i"e, 2e in't speak$ but (ere"y ti"te his hea%a si/n that it was ti(e for the cha""en/es to be/in, Bane steppe into the center before anyone e"se cou" (ake a (oe, 7! cha""en/e &ohar/h$7 he announce in rin/in/ tones, 7! accept7 ca(e the rep"y fro( so(ewhere in the crow on the opposite sie, 0he apprentices parte to "et the one cha""en/e pass, Kas'i( /ae a s"i/ht bow to each co(batant an steppe to the c"earin/'s e/e to /ie the( roo(, &ohar/h was a +akurth, !n (any ways he re(ine Bane of the 0ranoshans he ha fou/ht in his
ays with the G"oo( Wa"kers, Both species were bipea" saurians%"i4ar"ike hu(anois coere in "eathery /reen sca"es%but the +akurths ha four cure horns /rowin/ fro( the top of their heas, ar"y in Bane's trainin/$ he ha fou/ht &ohar/h%an he ha "ost, Ba"y, 0he +akurth was nocturna" by nature, Like the (iners of the ni/ht shift on .patros$ howeer$ he ha /rown accusto(e to an unnatura" scheu"e in orer to train with the rest of the apprentices at the .cae(y, Durin/ their first ue" Bane ha uneresti(ate &ohar/h$ e8pectin/ hi( to be s"u//ish an s"ow urin/ the ay"i/ht hours, 2e wou"n't (ake that (istake twice, .s Kas'i( an the apprentices watche in si"ence$ the two co(batants circ"e each other in the rin/$ trainin/ sabers he" out before the( in stanar reay stances, 0he +akurth's breath ca(e in /runts an /row"s fro( his f"arin/ nostri"s as he trie to inti(iate his hu(an opponent, &ro( ti(e to ti(e he' /ie a short be""ow an shake his four%horne "i4ar's hea whi"e f"ashin/ his saa/e teeth, 0he "ast ti(e he' face the /reen%sca"e$ snortin/ e(on of an apprentice$ Bane ha been inti(iate by &ohar/h's act, ;ow he si(p"y i/nore the posturin/, Bane "un/e out with a si(p"e oerhan strike$ but &ohar/h respone with a 6uick parry to ef"ect the b"ow to the sie, !nstea of the crack"e an hu( of b"aes of pure ener/y crossin/$ there was a "ou c"an/ as the weapons c"ashe, !((eiate"y the co(batants spun away fro( each other an resu(e their reay positions, Bane rushe forwar$ his b"ae ascenin/ ia/ona""y fro( ri/ht to "eft in a "on/$ swift arc, &ohar/h (ana/e to reirect the i(pact with his own weapon$ but "ost his ba"ance an stu(b"e back, Bane trie to press his aanta/e$ his trainin/ saber arcin/ up fro( "eft to ri/ht, 2is opponent spun out of har('s way$ backpea"in/ 6uick"y to create space, Bane broke off the ha"f%co(p"ete se6uence an sett"e back into the reay position, Back on .patros his "atent abi"ities in the &orce ha a""owe hi( to anticipate an react to the (oes of his foe, 2ere$ howeer$ eery opponent en:oye the sa(e aanta/e, .s a resu"t$ ictory re6uire a co(bination of the &orce an physica" ski"", Bane ha worke on ac6uirin/ that physica" ski"" oer the past (onths, .s this abi"ity /rew$ he was ab"e to eote "ess an "ess of his (enta" ener/y to the physica" actions of thrust$ parry$ an counterthrust, 0his a""owe hi( to keep his (in focuse so he cou" use the &orce to anticipate his opponent's (oes$ whi"e at the sa(e ti(e obscurin/ an confusin/ his ene(y's own preco/nitie senses, 0he "ast ti(e he an &ohar/h ha fou/ht$ Bane ha sti"" been a noice, 2e ha on"y "earne a hanfu" of se6uences, ;ow he knew a"(ost a hunre$ an he was ab"e to transition s(ooth"y fro( the en of one se6uence into the be/innin/ of another$ openin/ up a wier ran/e of attack%an% efense co(binations, .n (ore options (ae it (ore ifficu"t for a foe to use the &orce to anticipate his actions, &ohar/h$ espite his terrifyin/ appearance$ was s(a""er an "i/hter than his hu(an opponent, Physica""y out(atche by the brute force of Bane's &or( $ he was force to re"y on the efensie sty"e of &or( !!! to keep his "ar/er opponent's oerpowerin/ attacks at bay, Spinnin/ his trainin/ saber in a 6uick f"ourish$ Bane "eapt hi/h in the air an ca(e crashin/ own fro( aboe, &ohar/h parrie the attack but was knocke to the /roun, 2e ro""e onto his back an bare"y (ana/e to /et his saber up in ti(e to b"ock Bane's ne8t s"ashin/ attack, . chorus of (eta" on (eta" ran/ out as Bane's b"ows escene "ike rain, 0he +akurth kept hi( fro( "anin/ a irect
hit with a (asterfu" efensie f"urry$ then swept Bane off his feet with a "e/%whip$ "eain/ the( both supine, 0hey f"ippe to their feet si(u"taneous"y$ (irror i(a/es$ an their sabers (et with another resounin/ crash before they isen/a/e once a/ain, 0here were so(e whispers an (utters fro( the asse(b"e crow$ but Bane i his best to tune the( out, 0hey ha thou/ht the batt"e was oer ,,, as ha Bane hi(se"f, 2e was isappointe that he han't been ab"e to finish off his fa""en opponent$ but he knew ictory was near, &ohar/h's suria" ha e8tracte a heay to""* he was breathin/ in ra//e /asps now$ his shou"ers s"u(pin/, Bane rushe &ohar/h a/ain, 0his ti(e$ howeer$ the +akurth in't back away, 2e steppe forwar with a 6uick thrust$ switchin/ fro( &or( !!! to the (ore precise an a//ressie &or( !!, Bane was cau/ht off /uar by the une8pecte (aneuer an was a (icrosecon s"ow in reco/ni4in/ the chan/e, 2is parry atte(pt knocke the tip of the b"ae away fro( his chest$ on"y to hae it s"ice across his ri/ht shou"er, 0he crow /aspe$ &ohar/h how"e in ictory$ an Bane screa(e in pain as the saber s"ippe to the /roun fro( his suen"y nere"ess fin/ers, +in"ess"y$ Bane use his other han to shoe his opponent in the chest, &ohar/h ree"e backwar$ an Bane ro""e away to safety, Scra(b"in/ to his feet$ Bane e8tene his "eft han to the trainin/ saber "yin/ on the /roun three (eters away, !t spran/ up an into his pa"($ an he once a/ain assu(e the reay position$ his ri/ht ar( an/"in/ use"ess"y at his sie, So(e Sith "earne to fi/ht with either han$ but Bane han't yet reache that aance sta/e, 0he weapon fe"t awkwar an c"u(sy as he he" it, Left%hane$ he was no (atch for &ohar/h, 0he fi/ht was oer, 2is opponent sense it$ as we"", 7Defeat is bitter$ hu(an$7 he /row"e in Basic$ his oice eep an (enacin/, 7! hae beste you3 you hae "ost,7 2e wasn't askin/ Bane to yie"3 surrener was neer an option, 2e was si(p"y tauntin/ hi($ pub"ic"y hu(i"iatin/ hi( in front of the other stuents, 7-ou traine for weeks to cha""en/e (e$7 &ohar/h continue$ rawin/ out his (ockery, 7-ou fai"e, ictory is (ine a/ain,7 70hen co(e finish (e=7 Bane snappe back, 0here wasn't (uch e"se he cou" say, erythin/ his ene(y sai in his heai"y accente Basic was true$ an the wors cut far eeper than the b"unte trainin/ saber's e/e possib"y cou", 70his ens when ! choose$7 the +akurth rep"ie$ refusin/ to be baite, 0he eyes of the other apprentices burne into Bane3 he cou" fee" the( rinkin/ in his sufferin/ as they stare at hi(, 0hey resente hi($ resente the e8tra attention he ha been receiin/ fro( the +asters, ;ow they ree"e in his fai"ure, 7-ou are weak$7 &ohar/h e8p"aine$ casua""y twir"in/ his own saber in a co(p"e8 an intricate pattern, 7-ou are preictab"e,7 Stop it= Bane wante to screa(, n this= &inish (e= But espite the e(otion bui"in/ up insie hi($ he refuse to /ie his opponent the satisfaction of sayin/ another wor, !nstea he "et the a""% but%use"ess saber fa"" once (ore to the /roun, !n the back/roun he cou" see the B"ae(aster watchin/ intent"y$ curious to see how the confrontation wou" reach its ineitab"e en,
70he +asters cosset you, 0hey /ie you e8tra ti(e an attention, +ore than the others, +ore than (e,7 Bane bare"y een hear the wors any(ore, 2is heart was pounin/ so "ou he cou" hear the b"oo coursin/ throu/h his eins, Litera""y 6uakin/ with i(potent ra/e$ he "owere his hea an roppe to one knee$ e8posin/ his bare neck, 7Despite this$ you are sti"" (y inferior ,,, Bane of the Sith,7 Bane, So(ethin/ in the way &ohar/h sai it cause Bane to /"ance up, !t was the sa(e way his father use to say the wor, 70hat na(e is (ine$7 Bane whispere$ his oice "ow an threatenin/, 7;oboy uses it a/ainst (e,7 &ohar/h either in't hear hi( or in't care, 2e took a "eisure"y step forwar, 7Bane, Worth"ess, .n insi/nificant nothin/, 0he +asters waste their ti(e on you, 0i(e better spent on other stuents, -ou are we"" na(e$ for you tru"y are this .cae(y's bane=7 7;o=7 Bane screa(e$ thrustin/ his /oo han out pa"(%forwar een as &ohar/h "eapt in to finish hi( off, Dark sie ener/y erupte fro( his open pa"( to catch his opponent in (iair$ hur"in/ hi( back to the e/e of the crow where he "ane at Kas'i('s feet, 0he +aster watche with an intri/ue but wary e8pression, Bane s"ow"y c"enche his fist an rose to his feet, On the /roun before hi($ &ohar/h was writhin/ in a/ony$ c"utchin/ at his throat an /aspin/ for breath, Un"ike the +akurth$ Bane ha nothin/ to say to his he"p"ess opponent, 2e s6uee4e his fist harer$ fee"in/ the &orce rushin/ throu/h hi( "ike a iine win as he crushe the "ife out of his foe, &ohar/h's hee"s poune out a staccato rhyth( on the te(p"e's stone roof as his boy conu"se, 2e be/an to /ur/"e$ an pink froth we""e up fro( between his "ips, 7nou/h$ Bane$7 Kas'i( sai in a co"$ een oice, 0hou/h he stoo on"y centi(eters away fro( the eath throes of his stuent$ his eyes were fi8e on the one sti"" stanin/, . fina" sur/e of power roare up in the core of Bane's bein/ an e8p"oe out into the wor", !n response$ &ohar/h's boy went stiff an his eyes ro""e back in his hea, Bane re"ease his ho" on the &orce an his fa""en ene(y$ an the +akurth's boy went "i(p as the "ast esti/es of "ife ebbe away, 7;ow it's enou/h$7 Bane sai$ turnin/ his back on the corpse an wa"kin/ towar the stairs that "e back insie the te(p"e, 0he circ"e of stuents 6uick"y opene a path for hi( to pass, 2e in't nee to "ook back to know that Kas'i( was watchin/ hi( with /reat interest, Bane fe"t the presence of so(eone fo""owin/ hi( own the stairs fro( the te(p"e roof "on/ before he hear the footsteps, 2e in't chan/e his pace$ but he i stop at the first "anin/ an turn to face whoeer it was, 2e ha"f e8pecte to see Lor Kas'i($ but instea of the B"ae(aster he foun hi(se"f starin/ into the oran/e eyes of Sirak$ another apprentice at the .cae(y, Or rather$ the top apprentice at the .cae(y, Sirak was a Habrak$ one of three apprenticin/ here on Korriban, Habrak tene to be a(bitious$ rien$ an arro/ant%perhaps it was these traits that (ae the &orce%sensities of the race so stron/
in the ways of the ark sie%an Sirak was the perfect e(boi(ent of those characteristics, 2e was far an away the stron/est of the three, Whereer Sirak went$ the other two usua""y fo""owe$ trai"in/ at his hee" "ike obeient serants, 0hey (ae a co"orfu" trio* re%skinne L"okay an -era$ an pa"e ye""ow Sirak, But ri/ht now the other two were conspicuous"y absent, 0here were ru(ors that Sirak ha be/un stuyin/ the ways of the ark sie uner Lor 5oris near"y twenty years a/o$ "on/ before the .cae(y at Korriban ha been resurrecte, Bane in't know if the ru(ors were true$ an he han't thou/ht it wise to ask about it, 0he !rionian Habrak was both powerfu" an an/erous, So far Bane ha one his best to aoi rawin/ the attention of the .cae(y's (ost aance stuent, .pparent"y$ that strate/y was no "on/er an option, 0he rush of arena"ine he' fe"t as he' ene &ohar/h's "ife was fain/$ a"on/ with the confience an sense of inincibi"ity that ha "e to his ra(atic e8it, Bane wasn't e8act"y afrai as the Habrak approache hi($ but he was wary, !n the i( torch"i/ht of the te(p"e$ Sirak's pa"e ye""ow skin ha taken on a sick"y$ wa8en hue, Unbien$ it brou/ht back (e(ories of Bane's first year workin/ the (ines on .patros, . crew of fie%three (en an two wo(en%ha been trappe in a cae%in, 0hey ha surie the co""apsin/ tunne" by escapin/ into a reinforce safety cha(ber u/ out of the rock$ but no8ious fu(es re"ease in the co""apse ha seepe into their haen an ki""e the( a"" before rescue tea(s cou" i/ the( out, 0he co(p"e8ion of their b"oate corpses was the e8act sa(e co"or as Sirak's* the co"or of a s"ow$ a/oni4in/ eath, Bane shook his hea$ pushin/ the (e(ory away, 0hat "ife be"on/e to Des$ an Des was /one, 7What o you want97 he aske$ tryin/ to keep his oice ca"(, 7-ou know why ! a( here7 was the icy response, 7&ohar/h,7 7Was he a frien of yours97 Bane was /enuine"y confuse, With the e8ception of his fe""ow Habrak$ Sirak rare"y (in/"e with the other stuents, !n fact$ (any of the accusations &ohar/h ha "ee"e at Bane%such as preferentia" treat(ent fro( the +asters%cou" easi"y be app"ie to Sirak$ as we"", 70he +akurth was neither frien nor ene(y7 was the hau/hty rep"y, 72e was beneath (y notice$ as were you, Unti" now,7 Bane's on"y rep"y was a steay$ unb"inkin/ stare, 0he f"ickerin/ torch"i/ht ref"ectin/ off the Habrak's pupi"s (ae it see( as if hun/ry f"a(es "icke away at the insie of his sku"", 7-ou are an intri/uin/ opponent$7 Sirak whispere$ takin/ a step c"oser, 7&or(iab"e , , , at "east co(pare with the other so%ca""e apprentices here, ! a( watchin/ you now, ! a( waitin/,7 2e reache out s"ow"y an presse his fin/er into Bane's chest, Bane ha to fi/ht the ur/e to take a step back, 7! o not issue cha""en/es$7 the Habrak continue, 7! hae no nee to test (yse"f a/ainst a "esser opponent,7 &"ashin/ a crue" s(i"e$ he "owere his fin/er an took a step back, 72oweer$ when you foo" yourse"f into be"iein/ you are reay$ you wi"" ineitab"y cha""en/e (e, ! sha"" be "ookin/ forwar to it,7 With that he brushe past Bane on the narrow "anin/$ bu(pin/ hi( s"i/ht"y with his shou"er as if unaware of hi($ then continuin/ on own the stairs to the "ee" be"ow,
0he (essa/e of that s"i/ht bu(p was not "ost on Bane, 2e knew Sirak was tryin/ to inti (iate hi( , , , an to /oa hi( into a confrontation Bane wasn't reay for, 2e wasn't about to fa"" for the trap, !nstea he stoo (otion"ess at the top of the "anin/$ refusin/ to turn an watch Sirak epart, On"y when he hear the souns of the rest of the c"ass escenin/ fro( the roof i he (oe a/ain$ spinnin/ on his hee" an continuin/ own the stairs to the "ower "ee"s an the priacy of his own roo(,
2e was a"reay puttin/ to/ether his ar/u(ents, ar/u(ents, &ohar/h ha been weak, Bane han't :ust ki""e hi(* he' e8pose hi(, 5oris an the other +asters encoura/e ria"ry an issension a(on/ their char/es, char/es, 0hey unerstoo the a"ue of cha""en/e an co(petition, 0hose who showe pro(ise%the iniiua"s who e"eate the(se"es aboe the others%were reware, reware, 0hey receie one%on%one instruction with the +asters to reach their fu"" potentia", 0hose who cou" not keep up were "eft behin, 0hat 0hat was the way of the ark sie, &ohar/h's eath was no (ore than a natura" e8tension of the ark sie phi"osophy, 2is eath was the u"ti(ate fai"ure%his own fai"ure, Why shou" Bane be b"a(e for another's weakness9 2is pace 6uickene an he c"enche his teeth in an/ry frustration, ;o woner his e(otions were so conf"icte, 0he teachin/s of the .cae(y were se"f%contraictory, 0he ark sie a""owe for no (ercy$ no for/ieness, -et the apprentices were e8pecte to pu"" back once they ha beste their opponents in the ue"in/ rin/, !t was unnatura", 2e ha reache the thresho" of 5oris's oor, 2e hesitate$ brief"y waerin/ between fear of what his punish(ent wou" be an an/er at the i(possib"e situation he an a"" the other apprentices were put in eery ay, ay, .n/er$ .n/er$ he fina""y ecie$ wou" sere hi( best, 2e knocke sharp"y at the oor$ then opene it when the co((an to enter ca(e fro( within, 5oris was knee"in/ in the center of the cha(ber$ eep in (eitation, Bane ha been in this roo( before$ but he he cou"n't he"p but (are" at the e8traa/ance e8traa/ance,, 0he wa""s were were aorne with e8pensie e8pensie tapestries an han/in/s, Go"en bra4iers an censers burnin/ heay incense were scattere hapha4ar"y about to proie a i( /"ow in the ha4y air, !n one corner was a "ar/e$ "u8uriant be, !n another was an intricate"y care tab"e of obsiian$ a s(a"" chest atop it, 0he "i of the chest was open$ reea"in/ the :ewe"ry insie* neck"aces an chains of precious (eta"s$ rin/s of /o" an p"atinu( encruste with ostentatious /e(stones, 5oris took /reat pains to surroun hi(se"f with (ateria" /oos an the trappin/s of wea"th$ an he took /reater pains to (ake sure others notice his opu"ence, On so(e "ee"$ Bane suspecte$ the Sith Lor erie p"easure% an power%fro( the coetous esire an /ree his possessions inspire in others, 0he trinkets he" "itt"e interest for Bane$ howeer, howeer, 2e was (ore i(presse with the (anuscripts an to(es that "ine the bookshe"es a"on/ the wa""$ each a (a/nificent o"u(e c"a in "eather e(bosse with /o" "eaf, +any of the o"u(es were thousans of years o"$ an he knew they containe the secrets of the ancient Sith, .t "ast Lor 5oris rose to his feet$ stanin/ ta"" an strai/ht so he cou" "ook own on his stuent with his /ray$ sunken eyes, 7Kas'i( to" (e what happene yesteray yesteray (ornin/$7 he sai, 72e te""s (e you are responsib"e for &ohar/h's &ohar/h's eath,7 0he tone of his oice /ae Bane no c"ues as to his e(otiona" state, 7! a( not responsib"e for his eath$7 Bane answere ca"("y, 2e was an/ry$ but he wasn't stupi, 2e chose his ne8t wors ery carefu""y3 he wante to conince Lor 5oris$ not enra/e hi(, 7&ohar/h was the one who "et his /uar own, 2e "eft hi(se"f u"nerab"e in the rin/, !t wou" hae shown weakness not to take aanta/e of it,7 2is state(ent wasn't entire"y factua"$ but it was c"ose enou/h to the truth, One of the first "essons Kas'i( tau/ht stuents was how to bui" a protectie shie" aroun the(se"es in co(bat to preent
an ene(y fro( usin/ the &orce a/ainst the(, . &orce%ta"ente &orce%ta"ente opponent cou" yank away your "i/htsaber$ "i/htsaber$ knock you off ba"ance$ or een e8tin/uish your "i/htsaber's b"ae without the touch of a han or weapon, . &orce%shie" was the (ost basic%an (ost necessary%protection there was, !t ha beco(e instinctie for a"" the apprentices$ a"(ost secon nature, .s .s soon as the b"ae was rawn$ the protectie ei" went up, Guarin/ a/ainst the &orce powers of the ene(y an obscurin/ your own intentions re6uire as (uch concentration an ener/y as au/(entin/ your physica" prowess or anticipatin/ anticipatin/ the (oes of your foe, foe, !t was that unseen unseen part of co(bat$ co(bat$ the inisib"e batt"e batt"e of wi""s$ not the obious interaction of boies an b"aes$ that (ore often than not ecie the fate of a ue", 7Kas'i( says &ohar/h i not "ower his /uar$7 5oris countere, 72e says you si(p"y rippe throu/h it, 2is efenses cou" not stan before your power,7 7+aster$ 7+aster$ are you sayin/ ! shou" ho" back if (y opponent is weak97 !t was a "oae 6uestion$ of course, One 5oris in't een bother to answer, 7!t is one thin/ to efeat an opponent in the rin/, But een once he was own$ you continue to attack hi(, 2e was beaten "on/ before you ki""e hi(, What you i was no ifferent fro( strikin/ with the b"ae a/ainst a fa""en an unconscious foe , , , so(ethin/ that is not per(itte in the trainin/ rin/,7 0he wors struck too c"ose to ho(e$ re/in/ up the /ui"t Bane ha trie to bury een as he ha (ae his way to this (eetin/, 5oris was si"ent$ waitin/ for Bane's reaction, Bane ha to (ake so(e type of rep"y, But the on"y answer he cou" co(e up with was a 6uestion he ha wrest"e with in the twi"i/ht hours before awn, 7Kas'i( knew what was happenin/, 2e cou" see what ! was oin/, Why in't he stop (e97 7Why not$ inee97 5oris rep"ie s(ooth"y, 7Lor Kas'i( wante to see what wou" happen, 2e wante to see how you wou" act in that situation, 2e wante to see if you wou" be (ercifu" , , , or if you wou" be stron/,7 .n suen"y Bane rea"i4e he han't been ca""e into the +aster's roo( to be punishe, 7! ,,, ! on't unerstan, ! thou/ht it was forbien to (urer another apprentice,7 5oris noe, 7We 7We cannot hae the stuents attackin/ each other in the ha""s3 we want your hatre to be irecte a/ainst the )ei$ not one another,7 0he wors echoe the ar/u(ent ar/u(ent Bane ha been hain/ with hi(se"f on"y (inutes ear"ier, But what ca(e ne8t was so(ethin/ he han't anticipate, 7Despite this$ &ohar/h's &ohar/h's eath (ay turn out to be a (inor "oss if it he"ps you to achiee your fu"" potentia", 8ceptions 8ceptions can be (ae for those who are stron/ in the the ark sie,7 7Like Sirak97 Bane aske$ the wors out of his (outh before he een rea"i4e what he was sayin/, &ortunate"y$ the 6uestion see(e to a(use Lor 5oris rather than offen hi(, 7Sirak unerstans the power of the ark sie$7 he sai with a s(i"e, 7Passion fue"s the ark sie,7 7Peace is a "ie$ there is on"y passion,7 Bane (uttere out of habit, 70hrou/h passion$ ! /ain stren/th,7 78act"y,7 78act"y,7 5oris see(e p"ease$ thou/h with hi(se"f or his stuent it was har to te"", 70hrou/h stren/th$ ! /ain power3 throu/h power$ ! /ain ictory9'
70hrou/h ictory (y chains are broken$7 Bane utifu""y recite, 7Unerstan this%tru"y unerstan unerstan it%an your potentia" is "i(it"ess=7 5oris /ae a is(issie wae of his han$ then sett"e back onto his (eitation (at as Bane turne to /o, .t the oor of the roo($ thou/h$ the youn/ (an pause an turne back, 7What is the Sith'ari97 he b"urte out, 5oris ti"te his hea to the sie, 7Where i you hear that wor97 2is oice was /rae, 7! ,,, !'e hear so(e of the other stuents use it, .bout Sirak, 0hey say he cou" be the Sith'ari,7 7So(e of the o" te8ts speak of the Sith'ari$7 5oris answere s"ow"y$ /esturin/ with a rin/%"aen c"aw at the books scattere about the roo(, 70hey say the Sith wi"" one ay be "e by a perfect bein/$ one who e(boies the ark ark sie an a"" a"" we stan for,7 for,7 7Sirak is this perfect bein/97 5oris shru//e, 7Sirak is the stron/est stuent at the .cae(y, &or now, Perhaps in ti(e he wi"" surpass Kas'i( an (e an a"" the other Sith Lors, Perhaps not,7 2e pause, 7+any of the +asters o not be"iee in the "e/en of the Sith'ari$7 he continue after a (o(ent, 7Lor Kaan iscounts it$ for one, !t /oes a/ainst the phi"osophy uner"yin/ the Brotherhoo Brotherhoo of Darkness,7 7What about you$ +aster9 Do you be"iee in the "e/en97 Bane waite whi"e 5oris consiere his rep"y, !t fe"t "ike foreer, 70hese are an/erous 6uestions to ask$7 the Dark Lor fina""y sai, 7But if the Sith'ari is (ore than a "e/en$ he wi"" not si(p"y be born as the e8e(p"ar of a"" our teachin/s, 2e%or she%(ust be for/e in the crucib"es of tria" an batt"e to attain such perfection, So(e (i/ht ar/ue such trainin/ is the purpose of this .cae(y .cae(y,, But ! wou" counter counter by insistin/ that that we train our apprentices apprentices to :oin the ranks of the Sith Lors so they (ay stan a"on/sie Kaan an the rest of the Brotherhoo,7 Brotherhoo,7 Rea"i4in/ that was as /oo an answer as he was /oin/ to /et$ Bane noe an "eft, 2e ha been abso"e of his cri(e$ /ien a paron because of his power an potentia", 2e shou" hae been e8u"tant$ triu(phant, But for so(e reason a"" he cou" think about as he heae up to the roof to :oin the other stuents stuents was the sticky /ur/"es of of &ohar/h's &ohar/h's yin/ breaths, breaths, 0hat ni/ht$ in the priacy of his roo($ Bane stru//"e to (ake sense of what ha happene, 2e sou/ht the eeper wiso( behin the +aster's wors, 5oris ha sai that his e(otions%his an/er% ha "et hi( su((on up the stren/th to efeat &ohar/h, 2e sai passion fue"e the ark sie, Bane ha fe"t this enou/h ti(es to know it was true, But he cou"n't shake the fee"in/ that there was (ore to it than that, 2e in't consier hi(se"f a crue" person, 2e in't be"iee he was ruth"ess or saistic, -et -et how e"se to e8p"ain what he ha one to the he"p"ess +akurth9 !t ha been (urer$ or e8ecution ,,, an Bane was hain/ troub"e acceptin/ it, 2e ha a "ot " ot of b"oo on his hans* he' ki""e hunres$ (aybe een thousans$ of Repub"ic so"iers, But that ha been war, war, .n the ensi/n he' ki""e on .patros ha been a case of se"f%
efense, 0hose were a"" cases of ki"" or be ki""e$ an he ha no re/rets about what he' one, Un"ike yesteray, ;o (atter how he trie$ he cou"n't cou"n't fin a way to :ustify :ustify what ha happene happene in the rin/, rin/, &ohar/h ha taunte hi($ feein/ his ra/e an "etha" fury, -et he cou"n't een use the e8cuse that he' been swept up in the heat of the (o(ent, ;ot if he was bein/ honest with hi(se"f, 2e' fe"t his e(otions ra/in/ throu/h hi( as he' rawn on the ark sie$ but the act itse"f ha been co" an e"iberate,
Without "ookin/ up fro( his p"ate Des (uttere$ 7! work :ust as (any shifts as you o,7 7What97 2urst sai$ his oice roppin/ own to a (enacin/ whisper, 7What i you :ust say97 !nstea of bitin/ his "ip$ Des "ooke up fro( his p"ate an ri/ht into his father's re$ b"eary eyes, 7! sai ! work as (any shifts as you o, .n !'( on"y ei/hteen,7 2urst pushe his chair away fro( the tab"e an rose, 7i/hteen$ an sti"" too u(b to know when to keep your (outh shut,7 2e shook his hea fro( sie to sie in e8a//erate isappoint(ent, 7B"ooy bane of (y e8istence is what you are,7 0hrowin/ his fork own on his p"ate$ Des pushe his own chair back fro( the tab"e an stoo up to his fu"" hei/ht, 2e was ta""er than his father now$ an his fra(e was be/innin/ to fi"" out with (usc"es earne in the tunne"s, 7.re you /oin/ to beat (e now97 he snar"e at his father, 7Goin/ to teach (e a "esson97 2urst's :aw roppe open, 7What the bri8 is wron/ with you$ boy97 7!'( sick of this$7 Des snappe, 7-ou b"a(e a"" your prob"e(s on (e$ but you're the one who's rinkin/ away a"" our creits, +aybe if you sobere up we cou" /et off this stinkin/ wor"=7 7-ou s(art%(outhe$ (ucrutch whe"p=7 2urst roare$ f"ippin/ the tab"e so it crashe a/ainst the wa"", 2e "eapt across the now e(pty space between the( an /rabbe Des by his wrists in a /rip as unbreakab"e as a pair of urastee" biners, 0he youn/ (an trie to wrench free$ but his father outwei/he hi( by twenty%so(e ki"os$ a"(ost ha"f of which was (usc"e, Knowin/ it was hope"ess$ Des stoppe stru//"in/ after a few secons, But he wasn't /oin/ to cower an cry, ;ot this ti(e, 7!f you're /oin/ to beat (e toni/ht$7 he sai$ 7re(e(ber that it (i/ht be the "ast ti(e$ o" (an, -ou better (ake it a /oo one,7 2urst i, 2e "it into his son with the saa/e fury of a bitter$ hope"ess (an, 2e broke his nose3 he b"ackene both his eyes, 2e knocke out two of his teeth$ sp"it his "ip$ an cracke his ribs, But throu/hout it a"" Des neer sai a wor$ an he in't she a sin/"e tear, 0hat ni/ht$ as Des "ay in his be too bruise an swo""en to s"eep$ a sin/"e thou/ht kept runnin/ throu/h his (in$ rownin/ out the "ou runken snores of 2urst passe out in the corner, ! hope you ie, ! hope you ie, ! hope you ie, 2e' neer hate his father as (uch as he i at that (o(ent, 2e enisione a /iant han s6uee4in/ his father's crue" heart, ! hope you ie, ! hope you ie, ! hope you ie, 0he wors ro""e oer an oer$ an en"ess (antra$ as if he cou" (ake the( co(e true throu/h sheer force of wi"", ! hope you ie, ! hope you ie, ! hope you ie, 0he tears he' he" back urin/ the bruta" thrashin/ fina""y ca(e$ hot rops strea(in/ own his
purp"e$ swo""en face, ! hope you ie, ! hope you ie, ! hope you % Bane woke with a start$ his heart pounin/ an his boy bathe in terror sweat as he thrashe a/ainst the coers tan/"e aroun his "e/s, &or a brief secon he thou/ht he was back on .patros in the cra(pe roo( fi""e with 2urst an the oerwhe"(in/ stench of boo4e, 0hen he rea"i4e where he was$ an the ni/ht(are be/an to fae, . horrib"e rea"i4ation swept in to take its p"ace, 2urst ha ie that ni/ht, 0he authorities ha ru"e it a natura" eath, . heart attack$ brou/ht on by a co(bination of too (uch a"coho"$ a "ife workin/ the (ines$ an the oere8ertion of near"y beatin/ his own son to eath with his bare hans, 0hey neer suspecte the rea" cause, ;either ha Bane, ;ot unti" now, 0re(b"in/ s"i/ht"y3 he ro""e oer$ e8hauste but knowin/ s"eep wou"n't co(e a/ain this ni/ht, &ohar/h wasn't the first person he ha (urere with the &orce, 2e probab"y wou"n't be the "ast, Bane was s(art enou/h to unerstan that, 2e shook his hea to c"ear away the (e(ory of 2urst's eath, 0he (an ha esere neither pity nor (ercy, 0he weak wou" a"ways be crushe by the stron/, !f Bane wante to surie$ he ha to beco(e one of the stron/, 0hat was why he was here at the .cae(y, 0hat was his (ission, 0hat was the way of the ark sie, But the rea"i4ation i nothin/ to 6ue"" the 6ueasy fee"in/ in his sto(ach$ an when he c"ose his eyes he cou" sti"" see father's face, 7;o=7 Kas'i( barke$ isainfu""y s"appin/ Bane's trainin/ saber asie with his own weapon, 7Wron/= -ou're too s"ow on the first transition, -ou're "eain/ your "eft sie wie open for a 6uick counter,7 0he B"ae(aster was teachin/ hi( a new se6uence3 he' been teachin/ it to hi( for (ore than a week, But for so(e reason Bane cou"n't see( to /rasp the intricacies of the (oe(ents, 2is b"ae fe"t c"u(sy an awkwar in his han, 2e steppe back an resu(e the reay position, Kas'i( stuie hi( brief"y$ then roppe into a efensie stance in front of hi(, Bane took a eep breath to focus his (in before "ettin/ his boy tri//er the se6uence once a/ain, 2is (usc"es (oe instinctie"y$ e8p"oin/ into action, 0here was a hiss as the ownstroke of his b"ae care throu/h the air in the first (oe$ a b"ur of (otion ,,, but far too s"ow, Kas'i( respone by s"ippin/ to the sie an brin/in/ his own oub"e%b"ae weapon aroun in a "on/$ swift arc that struck Bane har in the ribs, 0he breath whooshe out of hi( an he fe"t the searin/ pain of the pe"ko barbs$ fo""owe by the a""% too%fa(i"iar nu(bness spreain/ up throu/h the "eft sie of his torso, 2e sta//ere back$ he"p"ess$ as Kas'i( watche si"ent"y, Bane stru//"e to stay upri/ht an fai"e$ co""apsin/ awkwar"y to the f"oor, 0he B"ae(aster shook his hea in isappoint(ent, Bane ra//e hi(se"f to his feet$ tryin/ not to "et his frustration show, !t ha been near"y three
weeks since he ha beaten &ohar/h in the rin/$ an since that ti(e he ha been trainin/ with Kas'i( in iniiua" sessions to i(proe his "i/htsaber co(bat, But for so(e reason he wasn't (akin/ any pro/ress, 7!'( sorry$ +aster, ! wi"" /o practice the ri""s a/ain$7 he sai throu/h /ritte teeth, 7Dri""s97 the 0wi'"ek repeate$ his oice crue" an (ockin/, 7What /oo wi"" that o97 7! ,,, ! (ust "earn the se6uence better, 0o beco(e faster,7 Kas'i( spat on the /roun, 7!f you tru"y be"iee that$ then you're a foo",7 Bane in't know how to respon$ so he kept si"ent, 0he B"ae(aster steppe forwar an /ae hi( a sharp cuff on his ear, !t was (eant not to hurt$ but to hu(i"iate, 7&ohar/h was better traine than you$7 he snappe, 72e knew (ore se6uences$ he knew (ore for(s, But they cou"n't sae hi(, 70he se6uences are :ust too"s, 0hey he"p you free your (in so you can raw upon the &orce, 0hat is where you wi"" fin the key to ictory, ;ot in the (usc"es of your ar(s or the 6uickness of your b"ae, -ou (ust ca"" upon the ark sie to estroy your ene(ies=7 <"enchin/ his :aw fro( the burnin/ pain now spreain/ throu/h the entire "eft sie of his boy$ Bane cou" on"y no, 7-ou're ho"in/ back$7 the +aster went on, 7-ou aren't usin/ the &orce, Without it$ your (oes are s"ow an preictab"e,7 7! ,,, !'"" try harer$ +aster,7 70ry97 Kas'i( turne away in is/ust, 7-ou'e "ost your wi"" to fi/ht, 0his "esson is oer,7 Rea"i4in/ he ha been is(isse$ Bane s"ow"y (ae his way to the stairs "eain/ own fro( the te(p"e roof, .s he reache the($ Kas'i( ca""e out one "ast piece of aice, 7Return when you are reay to e(brace the ark sie instea of pu""in/ away fro( it,7 Bane in't turn to "ook back* the pain an nu(bness of his "eft sie (ae that i(possib"e, But as he hobb"e own the stairs$ Lor Kas'i('s wors echoe in his ears with the rin/ of truth, 0his wasn't the first trainin/ session he ha fai"e in, .n his fai"ures weren't "i(ite to Kas'i( an the "i/htsaber, Bane ha /aine in both reputation an presti/e when he efeate &ohar/h3 seera" of the +asters ha shown a suen wi""in/ness to /ie hi( iniiua"$ one%on%one trainin/, -et espite the e8tra attention$ Bane's ski""s han't pro/resse at a"", !f anythin/$ he' actua""y taken seera" steps back, 2e (ae his way throu/h the ha""s to his roo($ then "ay own /in/er"y on his be, 0here wasn't anythin/ he cou" o whi"e he was te(porari"y cripp"e by the pe"ko eno( e8cept rest an (eitate, !t was obious so(ethin/ was wron/$ but he cou"n't say e8act"y what, 2e no "on/er fe"t sharp, 2e no "on/er fe"t a"ie, When he ha first beco(e conscious of the &orce f"owin/ throu/h hi($ his senses ha beco(e hyperaware* the wor" ha see(e (ore ibrant an (ore rea", ;ow eerythin/
was (ute an istant, 2e wa"ke throu/h the ha""s of the .cae(y as if he was in so(e kin of trance, 2e wasn't s"eepin/ we""3 he kept hain/ ni/ht(ares, So(eti(es he rea(e of his father an the ni/ht he ie, Other ti(es he rea(e of his fi/ht with &ohar/h, So(eti(es the rea(s b"ene to/ether$ (er/in/ into one terrib"e ision* the +akurth beatin/ hi( in the apart(ent on .patros$ his father "yin/ ea in the ue"in/ rin/ atop the te(p"e on Korriban, .n each ti(e Bane wou" wake chokin/ back a screa($ shierin/ een thou/h his boy was bathe in sweat, But it was (ore than :ust "ack of s"eep that "eft hi( in a a4e stupor, 0he passion that ha rien hi( was /one, 0he ra/in/ fire insie hi( ha anishe$ rep"ace by a co" e(ptiness, .n without his passion$ he was unab"e to su((on the power of the ark sie, !t was beco(in/ harer an harer to co((an the &orce, 0he chan/es were subt"e$ bare"y noticeab"e at first, But oer ti(e s(a"" chan/es bui"t up, ;ow (oin/ een s(a"" ob:ects "eft hi( e8hauste, 2e was s"ow an c"u(sy with the trainin/ saber, 2e cou" no "on/er anticipate what his opponents wou" o3 he cou" on"y react after the fact, 2e cou"n't eny it any "on/er* he was re/ressin/, .pprentices he ha surpasse "on/ a/o ha cau/ht up to hi( a/ain, 2e cou" te"" he was fa""in/ behin :ust by watchin/ the other stuents urin/ their stuies ,,, which (eant they cou" probab"y te""$ too, 2e thou/ht back on what the 0wi'"ek +aster ha to" hi(, -ou'e "ost your wi"" to fi/ht, Kas'i( was ri/ht, Bane ha fe"t it s"ippin/ away since his first rea( of his father, Unfortunate"y$ he ha no iea how to rec"ai( the an/er an co(petitie fire that ha fue"e his (eteoric rise throu/h the hierarchy of Sith apprentices, Return when you are reay to e(brace the ark sie instea of pu""in/ away fro( it, So(ethin/ was ho"in/ hi( back, So(e part of hi( recoi"e fro( what he ha beco(e, 2e wou" (eitate for hours each ay$ concentratin/ his (in in search of the swir"in/$ pu"sin/ fury of the ark sie "ocke away within hi(, -et he searche in ain, . co" ei" ha fa""en across the core of his bein/$ an try as he (i/ht he cou"n't tear it asie to sei4e the power that "ay beneath, .n he was runnin/ out of ti(e, So far noboy ha are to cha""en/e hi( in the ue"in/ rin/%not since &ohar/h's eath, 0he +akurth's /rueso(e en sti"" inspire enou/h fear in the other stuents for the( to steer c"ear of hi(, But Bane knew they wou"n't keep their istance (uch "on/er, 2is confience an abi"ities were wanin/$ an his fai"ures were beco(in/ (ore pub"ic, Soon it wou" be as obious to the other stuents as it was to hi(, !n those first ays after &ohar/h's eath his on"y true ria" ha been Sirak, ;ow eery apprentice on Korriban was a potentia" threat, 0he hope"essness of the situation tore away at his /uts, !t (ae hi( want to screa( an c"aw at the stone wa""s in i(potent ra/e, -et for a"" his frustrations$ he was unab"e to su((on the passion that fe the ark sie, Soon a cha""en/er wou" step forwar in the ue"in/ rin/$ ea/er to take hi( own, .n there was nothin/ he cou" o to stop that (o(ent fro( co(in/, Lor Kaan pace rest"ess"y on the bri/e of ;i/htfa"" as it orbite the inustria" wor" of Brentaa" !, 0he Sith f"eet occupie the Bor(ea sector$ the re/ion of space where the Per"e(ian 0rae Route an the 2yian Way intersecte, 0he Brotherhoo of Darkness now contro""e two of the (ost
i(portant hyperspace "anes serin/ the
7!t wasn't the Repub"ic$7 Kopec4 rep"ie, 7!t was the )ei, 2unres of the(, 0housans, )ei +asters$ )ei Kni/hts$ )ei Paawans* an entire ar(y of )ei,7 Kopec4 curse "ou"y, ;one of the crew so (uch as /"ance in his irection$ a testa(ent to their trainin/ an their fear of their co((aner, 7Lor 2oth rea"i4e that the stren/th of the )ei orer was sprea too thin tryin/ to efen the Repub"ic$7 Kopec4 continue, 72e's /athere the( a"" into a sin/"e host with on"y one /oa"* estroy the users of the ark sie, 0hey on't care about our so"iers an f"eets any(ore, ."" they want to o is wipe us out* the apprentices$ the aco"ytes$ the Sith +asters ,,, an especia""y the Dark Lors, Lor 2oth hi(se"f is "eain/ the($7 the 0wi'"ek ae$ thou/h Kaan ha a"reay /uesse this for hi(se"f, 70hey ca"" the(se"es the .r(y of Li/ht,7 Kopec4 pause to "et the news sink in, Kaan took seera" eep breaths$ si"ent"y recitin/ the
Sith%one capab"e of estroyin/ 2oth an his .r(y of Li/ht=7 7.n what of the .cae(y on Korriban97 Kopec4 aske, 70hey wi"" :oin the Brotherhoo$ but on"y after they hae co(p"ete their trainin/ uner 5oris,7 7We cou" use the( a/ainst the )ei$7 Kopec4 presse, 7Korriban is ho(e to the stron/est of our apprentices,7 70hat is precise"y why it is too an/erous to brin/ the( into this conf"ict$7 Kaan e8p"aine, 7With stren/th co(e a(bition an ria"ry, !n the heat of batt"e their e(otions wi"" take oer their (ins3 they wi"" turn a/ainst each other, 0hey wi"" iie our ranks with infi/htin/ whi"e the )ei re(ain unite,7 2e pause, 7!t has happene to the Sith too (any ti(es in the past3 ! wi"" not a""ow it to happen a/ain, 0hey wi"" stay with 5oris an co(p"ete their trainin/, 2e wi"" teach the( iscip"ine an "oya"ty to the Brotherhoo, On"y then wi"" they :oin us on the fie" of batt"e,7 7!s that what you be"iee$7 Kopec4 aske$ 7or what 5oris has been te""in/ you97 7Don't "et your (istrust of 5oris b"in you to what we are tryin/ to acco(p"ish$7 Kaan chie, 72is pupi"s are the future of the Brotherhoo, 0he future of the Sith, ! wi"" not e8pose the( to this war unti" they are reay,7 2is tone c"ear"y brooke no further ar/u(ent, 70he apprentices at Korriban wi"" :oin the Brotherhoo in ue ti(e, But that ti(e is not now,7 7We""$ it better be soon$7 Kopec4 (uttere$ on"y partia""y (o""ifie, 7! on't think we can beat 2oth without the(,7 Kaan reache out an /raspe the 0wi'"ek's (eaty shou"er in a fir( /rip, 7;eer fear$ (y frien$7 he sai with a s(i"e, 70he )ei wi"" be no (atch for us, We wi"" s"au/hter the( at Ruusan an wipe the( fro( the face of the /a"a8y, 0he apprentices (ay be the future of the Brotherhoo$ but the present be"on/s to us=7 +uch to Kaan's re"ief$ Kopec4 returne his s(i"e, 0he "eaer of the Brotherhoo wou" hae been "ess p"ease if he ha known that (uch of the 0wi'"ek's satisfaction ca(e fro( the know"e/e that 5oris wou" (iss out on the /"ory of the co(in/ ictory, Lor Kas'i( entere the opu"ent"y ecorate cha(ber an /ae a no in the irection of his fe""ow +aster, 7-ou wante to see (e97 7;ews fro( the front$7 5oris sai$ risin/ s"ow"y fro( his (eitation (at, 70he )ei hae (asse to/ether uner a sin/"e banner on Ruusan, Genera" 2oth is "eain/ the(, Lor Kaan has /athere his own ar(y, en now they are heae there to en/a/e the )ei,7 7.re we /oin/ to :oin the(97 Kas'i( aske$ his oice ea/er$ his "ekku twitchin/ at the thou/ht of pittin/ his ski""s a/ainst the /reatest warriors of the )ei orer, 5oris shook his hea, 7;ot us, ;one of the +asters, .n none of the stuents$ un"ess you fee" one of the apprentices is reay,7 7;o$7 Kas'i( rep"ie after a (o(ent's consieration, 7Sirak$ perhaps, 2e is stron/ enou/h, But his prie is too /reat$ an he sti"" has (uch to "earn,7 7What about Bane9 2e showe /reat pro(ise in isposin/ of &ohar/h,7
Kas'i( shru//e, 70hat was a (onth a/o, Since then he has (ae a"(ost no pro/ress, So(ethin/ is ho"in/ hi( back, &ear$ ! think,7 7&ear9 Of the other stuents9 Of Sirak97 7;o, ;othin/ "ike that, 2e's fina""y seen what he is tru"y capab"e of3 he's seen the fu"" power of the ark sie, ! think he's afrai to face it,7 70hen he is of no further use to us$7 5oris state f"at"y, 7&ocus on the other stuents, Don't waste your ti(e on hi(,7 0he B"ae(aster was (o(entari"y taken aback, 2e was surprise that 5oris wou" be so 6uick to /ie up on a stuent with such uneniab"e potentia", 7! think he :ust nees (ore ti(e$7 he su//este, 7+ost of our apprentices hae been stuyin/ the ways of the Sith for (any years, er since they were chi"ren, Bane in't be/in his trainin/ with us unti" he was a fu""%/rown au"t,7 7!'( we"" aware of the circu(stances surrounin/ his arria" at this .cae(y=7 5oris snappe$ an Kas'i( suen"y rea"i4e what was rea""y /oin/ on, Bane ha been brou/ht to Korriban by Lor Kopec4$ an there was precious "itt"e "oe "ost between Kopec4 an the "eaer of the .cae(y, Bane's fai"ure wou" u"ti(ate"y beco(e a poor ref"ection on 5oris's (ost bitter ria", 70he ne8t ti(e Bane approaches you$ turn hi( away$7 the Dark Lor to" hi($ his tone "eain/ no oubt that his wors were a co((an an not a re6uest, 7+ake sure a"" the +asters unerstan that he is no "on/er worthy of our teachin/s,7 Kas'i( noe his unerstanin/, 2e wou" o as orere, !t wasn't fair to Bane$ of course, But noboy eer c"ai(e the Sith were fair,
Seera" of the apprentices were sti"" (i""in/ about$ tryin/ to fin a p"ace where they wou" be ab"e to c"ear"y obsere the (ornin/'s action, !t was custo(ary to wait unti" eeryone was in p"ace before issuin/ a cha""en/e$ but Bane knew that the "on/er he waite$ the harer his task wou" be, 2e steppe bo""y into the center of the circ"e$ rawin/ curious stares fro( the other stuents, Kas'i( fi8e hi( with a isapproin/ /a4e$ but he trie to put it out of his (in, 7! hae a cha""en/e$7 he proc"ai(e, 7! ca"" out Sirak,7 0here was an e8cite bu44 a(on/ the stuents$ but Bane cou" bare"y hear it aboe the pounin/ of his own heart, Sirak rare"y fou/ht in actua" co(bat3 Bane ha neer een seen hi( in action, But he' hear other stuents ta"k of Sirak's prowess in the ue"in/ rin/$ te""in/ wi" ta"es of his unbeatab"e ski""s, er since the Habrak ha approache hi( on the stairs$ Bane ha watche his opponent urin/ trainin/ sessions in preparation for this confrontation, .n fro( what he' seen$ the see(in/"y e8a//erate accounts of his prowess were a"" too accurate, Un"ike (ost of the stuents$ Sirak preferre the oub"e%b"ae trainin/ saber to the (ore traitiona" sin/"e b"ae, .part fro( Kas'i( hi(se"f$ Sirak was the on"y one Bane ha eer seen wie" the e8otic weapon with any si/ns of ski"", 2is techni6ue see(e a"(ost perfect to Bane's ine8pert eye, 2e a"ways see(e in co(p"ete contro"3 he was a"ways on the attack, en in si(p"e ri""s his superiority oer his opponents was obious, Where (ost stuents took two to three weeks to "earn a new se6uence$ Sirak was ab"e to (aster one in a (atter of ays, .n now Bane was about to face hi( in the ue"in/ rin/, 0he Habrak steppe out fro( the crow$ (oin/ s"ow"y but /racefu""y as he respone to the cha""en/e, en wa"kin/ to the center of the rin/ he e8ue an air of (enace, 2e casua""y f"ourishe his weapon as he approache$ the twin urastee" b"aes carin/ "on/$ "an/ui arcs throu/h the air, Bane watche hi( co(e$ fee"in/ his heart an breathin/ 6uicken as his boy re"ease arena"ine into his syste($ instinctie"y reayin/ itse"f for the co(in/ batt"e, !n contrast with his physica" boy$ howeer$ Bane fe"t no si/nificant chan/e in his e(otiona" state, 2e ha e8pecte to fee" a sur/e of fear an an/er as Sirak approache$ e(otions he cou" fee off to rip throu/h the "ife"ess ei" an un"eash the ark sie, But the "ethar/ic stupor sti"" ene"ope hi( "ike a u""$ /ray shrou, 7! wish you ha cha""en/e (e ear"ier$7 Sirak whispere$ his oice :ust "ou enou/h for Bane to hear, 7!n the first week after &ohar/h's eath (any thou/ht you were (y e6ua", ! wou" hae /aine /reat presti/e in efeatin/ you, 0hat is no "on/er the case,7 Sirak ha stoppe his aance an was stanin/ seera" (eters away, 2is oub"e%b"ae trainin/ saber sti"" ance s"ow"y throu/h the air, !t (oe as if it were a"ie$ a creature anticipatin/ the hunt$ too e8cite to re(ain (otion"ess, 70here wi"" be "itt"e /"ory in efeatin/ you now$7 he repeate, 7But ! wi"" take /reat p"easure in your sufferin/,7 Behin Sirak$ Bane saw L"okay an -era$ the other Habrak apprentices$ push their way to the front of the crow to /et a better iew of their cha(pion, 0he brother wore a crue" /rin3 the sister$ an e8pression of hun/ry anticipation, Bane i his best to tune out the ea/erness on their re faces$ "ettin/ the( b"en into the uni(portant back/roun scenery of the spectators, ."" his concentration was focuse on the f"ui (oe(ents of the unfa(i"iar weapon in Sirak's hans, 2e ha trie to (e(ori4e the se6uences Sirak worke on urin/ the ri""s, ;ow he was
"ookin/ for c"ues that wou" tip his opponent's han%that (i/ht reea" which se6uence he p"anne to use to be/in the batt"e, !f Bane /uesse ri/ht$ he cou" counterattack an possib"y en the batt"e in the first pass, !t was his best chance at ictory$ but without bein/ ab"e to raw on the &orce$ his os of correct"y /uessin/ which se6uence his foe wou" choose were ery$ ery s"i(, Sirak raise the oub"e%b"ae saber up aboe his hea$ spinnin/ it so fast it was nothin/ but a b"ur$ then "un/e forwar, One en ca(e own in a saa/e oerhea strike that Bane easi"y parrie, But the (oe was on"y a feint$ settin/ up a s"ashin/ attack at the waist fro( the opposite b"ae, Reco/ni4in/ the (aneuer at the "ast secon$ Bane cou" o nothin/ (ore than throw hi(se"f into a backwar ro""$ narrow"y escapin/ in:ury, 2is foe was on hi( een before he /ot to his feet$ the twin b"aes s"icin/ own in an a"ternatin/ rhyth( of attacks* "eft%ri/ht%"eft%ri/ht, Bane b"ocke$ ro""e$ twiste$ an b"ocke a/ain$ turnin/ back the f"urry, 2e trie a "e/%sweep$ but Sirak anticipate the (oe an ni(b"y "eapt c"ear$ /iin/ Bane :ust enou/h ti(e to scra(b"e to his feet, 0he ne8t roun of attacks kept Bane in fu"" retreat$ but he was ab"e to preent Sirak fro( /ainin/ an aanta/e by /iin/ /roun an reertin/ to basic efensie se6uences, 2e was sti"" esperate"y tryin/ to /ain so(e aanta/e by watchin/ his opponent's (oes, .t one (o(ent Sirak see(e to be usin/ the :abs an thrusts of aapa$ the (ost a//ressie an irect of the seen traitiona" for(s, But in the (i"e of a se6uence he wou" suen"y shift to the power attacks of D:e( So$ /eneratin/ such force that een a b"ocke strike cause Bane to sta//er back, . 6uick turn or rotation of the weapon an one of the twin b"aes was suen"y swin/in/ in a/ain at an awkwar an/"e$ causin/ Bane to ree" off ba"ance as he knocke it asie, 0here was a brief "u"" in the action as the two co(batants pause to reea"uate their strate/ies$ each breathin/ heai"y, Sirak twir"e his weapon in a 6uick$ co(p"e8 se6uence that brou/ht the saber uner his ri/ht ar($ aroun behin his back$ oer his "eft shou"er$ an aroun to the front, 0hen he s(i"e an i it in reerse, Bane watche the e8traa/ant f"ourish with a sinkin/ fee"in/, Sirak ha been toyin/ with hi( in the first few passes$ ra//in/ the fi/ht out so his ictory wou" see( (ore i(pressie, ;ow he was showin/ his true ski""$ usin/ se6uences that b"ene seera" for(s at once$ switchin/ rapi"y a(on/ ifferent sty"es in co(p"e8 patterns Bane ha neer seen before, !t was :ust one (ore si/n of the Habrak's superiority, !f Bane trie to co(bine ifferent sty"es into a sin/"e se6uence$ he' probab"y /ou/e out an eye or s(ack hi(se"f in the back of the hea, !t was c"ear he was oer(atche3 his on"y hope was that his ene(y wou" /et care"ess an (ake a (istake, Sirak (oe in a/ain$ his trainin/ saber (oin/ so 6uick"y that Bane cou" hear the si44"e as it sp"it the air, Bane "eapt forwar to (eet the cha""en/e$ tryin/ to ca"" up the power of the ark sie to anticipate an b"ock the ua" b"aes (oin/ too fast for his eyes to see, 2e fe"t the &orce f"owin/ throu/h hi($ but it see(e istant an ho""ow* the ei" was sti"" there, 2e was ab"e to keep the para"y4in/ e/es of Sirak's saber at bay$ but it re6uire hi( to concentrate a"" his attention on contro""in/ his own b"ae , , , "eain/ hi( u"nerab"e to the rea" purpose of the attack bein/ un"eashe a/ainst hi(, Bane's sku"" e8p"oe as Sirak's forehea s"a((e into his face, Pain turne his ision into a fie" of si"er stars, 0he carti"a/e of his nose /ae way with a sickenin/ crunch$ a /eyser of b"oo /ushin/ forth, B"in an a4e$ he was ab"e to parry the ne8t strike on"y by instinct /uie by the faintest whisper of the &orce, But Sirak spun as his saber was turne away an e"iere a back
rounhouse kick that shattere Bane's kneecap, Screa(in/$ Bane co""apse$ his free han s"a((in/ into the /roun as he brace his fa"", Sirak crushe the fin/ers uner his boot$ /rinin/ the( into the unyie"in/ stone of the te(p"e roof, . knee ca(e up$ fracturin/ his cheek an :awbone with a thunerous crack, With a "ast$ esperate burst Bane trie to hur" his opponent backwar with the ark sie, Sirak brushe the i(pact asie$ easi"y ef"ectin/ it with the &orce%shie" he ha wrappe hi(se"f in at the start of the ue", 0hen he (oe in c"ose to finish the :ob with his b"aes, 0he first b"ow hit with the i(pact of a "anspeeer s"a((in/ into an ira8$ breakin/ Bane's ri/ht wrist, 0he trainin/ saber roppe fro( his suen"y nere"ess /rasp, 0he ne8t strike took hi( hi/her up on the sa(e ar($ is"ocatin/ his e"bow, . si(p"e kick to the face sent :a//e bits of tooth shootin/ out of his (outh an bo"ts of pain shootin/ throu/h his broken :aw, 2e s"u(pe forwar$ bare"y conscious$ as Sirak steppe back an "owere his saber$ reachin/ out with a free han to /rab Bane aroun the throat with the crushin/ /rip of the &orce, 2e raise his ar($ "iftin/ the (uscu"ar Bane as if he were a chi"$ then hur"e hi( across the rin/, Bane fe"t another bone snap as he crashe to the /roun$ but his boy ha passe into a state of shock an there was no "on/er any pain, 2e "ay (otion"ess in a cru(p"e$ twiste heap, B"oo fro( his nose an (outh c"o//e his throat, . cou/hin/ fit racke his boy$ an he hear rather than fe"t the /rinin/ of his broken ribs, erythin/ be/an to /o i(, 2e cau/ht a /"i(pse of a pair of b"oo%f"ecke boots striin/ towar hi($ an then Bane surrenere hi(se"f to the (ercifu" arkness, Kopec4 shook his hea as he stuie the batt"e p"an Kaan ha "ai out on a (akeshift tab"e in the (i"e of his tent, 0he ho"o(ap of Ruusan's terrain showe the positions of the Sith forces as /"owin/ re trian/"es f"oatin/ aboe the (ap, 0he )ei positions were represente by /reen s6uares, Despite this hi/h%tech aance(ent$ the rest of the (ap was a si(p"e two%i(ensiona" representation of the surrounin/ area's topo/raphy, !t i nothin/ to coney the /ri( eastation that ha "eft Ruusan a irtua" waste"an$ raa/e by war, 0hree /reat f"eet batt"es ha taken p"ace hi/h aboe the wor" in the past year$ scatterin/ ebris fro( the "osin/ sie across the sparse"y popu"ate wor" each ti(e, Scorche an twiste hu""s that ha once been ships ha crashe into the "ush forests$ i/nitin/ wi"fires that ha reuce (uch of the s(a"" wor"'s surface to ash an barren soi", Ruusan$ espite its (ea/er si4e$ ha beco(e a wor" of (a:or i(portance to both the Repub"ic an the Sith, Strate/ica""y "ocate on the e/es of the !nner Ri($ it a"so stoo at what (ost consiere the borer between the Repub"ic's an/erous frontier an its safe an secure
0he thir batt"e in the skies aboe Ruusan (arke the e(er/ence of the .r(y of Li/ht, !nstea of Repub"ic cruisers an fi/hters$ the Sith foun the(se"es facin/ a f"eet (ae up pri(ari"y of one% an two%crew fi/hters pi"ote e8c"usie"y by )ei, 0he co((on so"iers who ha :oine Kaan's ar(y were no (atch for the &orce$ an Ruusan was sae ,,, for a ti(e, 0he Sith ha respone to the .r(y of Li/ht by a(assin/ the fu"" nu(bers of the Brotherhoo of Darkness into a sin/"e ar(y$ then un"eashin/ it on Ruusan, 0he war that ha raa/e the wor" fro( on hi/h (oe own to the surface$ with far (ore eastatin/ conse6uences,
"eaer$ an he was nor(a""y a bri""iant (i"itary tactician, But this p"an was (aness, Suicie, Un"ike the rest of the rabb"e$ Kopec4 wasn't about to fo""ow their "eaer into certain eath, 7-ou uneresti(ate (e$ Kopec4$7 Kaan reassure hi($ his oice ca"( an confient$ as if he ha anticipate this 6uestion a"" a"on/ an ha an answer prepare, Perhaps he i, 7We won't strike unti" we know e8act"y where they are (ost u"nerab"e$7 the Dark Lor e8p"aine, 7By the ti(e we attack$ we'"" know the precise nu(ber an co(position of eery unit an patro" a"on/ their peri(eter,7 72ow97 Kopec4 e(ane, 7en our U(baran shaow spies can't proie us with that kin of etai", ;ot 6uick"y enou/h to use it in p"annin/ our attack, We hae no way of /ettin/ the infor(ation we' nee,7 Kaan "au/he, 7Of course we o, One of the )ei wi"" /ie it to us,7 0he f"aps coerin/ the entrance of the "on/ tent serin/ as the Sith war roo( parte as if on cue$ an a youn/ hu(an wo(an c"a in the robes of the )ei orer steppe throu/h, She was of aera/e hei/ht$ but that was the on"y thin/ about her that cou" eer be ca""e aera/e, She ha thick$ raen hair that tu(b"e own past her shou"ers, 2er face an fi/ure were perfect e8a(p"es of the hu(an fe(a"e for(3 her tricopper%hue skin was set off by /reen eyes s(o"erin/ with a heat that was both a warnin/ an an initation, She (oe with the "ithe /race of a 0wi'"ek ancer as she wa"ke the "en/th of the asse(b"e Dark Lors$ a coy s(i"e on her "ips as she pretene not to hear their whispers of surprise, Kopec4 ha seen (any strikin/ fe(a"es in his ti(e, Seera" of the fe(a"e Dark Lors /athere in the tent were /or/eous$ renowne as (uch for their increib"e beauty as their eastatin/ power, But as the youn/ )ei rew c"oser$ he foun he was unab"e to take his eyes off her, 0here was so(ethin/ (a/netic about her$ so(ethin/ that transcene (ere physica" attractieness, She carrie her hea hi/h$ her prou features issuin/ an unspoken cha""en/e as she approache, .n Kopec4 saw so(ethin/ e"se* nake a(bition$ raw an hun/ry, .t his sie Kaan whispere$ 7Re(arkab"e$ isn't she97 She reache the front of the tent an ippe s(ooth"y to one knee$ bowin/ her hea eer so s"i/ht"y in eference to Lor Kaan, 7We"co(e$ Githany$7 he sai$ (otionin/ for her to rise, 7We'e been waitin/ for you,7 7!t's (y p"easure$ Lor Kaan$7 she purre, Kopec4 fe"t his knees /o (o(entari"y weak at her sensua" oice$ then snappe to ri/i attention, 2e was too o" an too wise to "et hi(se"f be b"ine by this wo(an's char(s, 2e care on"y about what she cou" offer the( a/ainst the )ei, 7-ou hae infor(ation for us97 he aske abrupt"y, She ti"te her hea to one sie an /ae hi( a curious /"ance$ tryin/ to fin the reason for his co" reception, .fter a (o(ent's pause she answere$ 7! can te"" you e8act"y where to strike at their "ines$ an when, Lor 2oth put a )ei na(e Kie"
She /ae hi( a s"y /rin, 7Kie" an ! were , , , c"ose, We share (any thin/s, 2e ha no iea ! wou" co(e to you with the infor(ation,7 Kopec4 narrowe his eyes, 7! thou/ht the )ei isapproe of that sort of thin/,7 2er s(i"e beca(e a sneer, 70he )ei isapproe of a "ot of thin/s, 0hat's why !'e co(e to you,7 Kaan steppe forwar before he cou" ask any (ore 6uestions$ p"acin/ a fa(i"iar han on her hip an turnin/ her away fro( Kopec4, 7We on't hae ti(e for this$ Githany$7 he sai, 7-ou (ust /ie us your report an return to the )ei ca(p before anyone notices you're (issin/,7 She f"ashe a a44"in/ s(i"e at Kaan an noe, 7Of course, We hae to hurry,7 2e /ent"y ushere her oer to the ho"o(ap$ an a knot of strate/ists c"ose in$ shie"in/ her fro( iew as she /ae the( the etai"s of the )ei /uar, . few secons "ater Kaan e(er/e fro( the crow an wa"ke back oer to stan besie Kopec4, 7.(bition$ betraya"%the ark sie is stron/ in her$7 the 0wi'"ek whispere, 7!'( surprise the )ei eer took her in,7 70hey probab"y be"iee they cou" turn her to the "i/ht$7 Kaan rep"ie$ speakin/ :ust as soft"y, 7But Githany was born to the ark sie, Like (e, Like you, !t was ineitab"e she wou" :oin the Sith so(eay,7 70he ti(in/ is fortunate$7 Kopec4 note, 7+aybe a "itt"e too fortunate, !t (ay be a trap, .re you sure we can trust her9 ! think she's an/erous,7 Kaan is(isse the warnin/ with a soft "au/h, 7So are you$ Lor Kopec4, 0hat's what (akes you so usefu" to the Brotherhoo,7 Bane was f"oatin/$ wei/ht"ess$ surroune by arkness an si"ence, !t see(e he was arift in the b"ack oi of eath itse"f, 0hen consciousness be/an to return, 2is boy$ :erke fro( b"issfu" unawareness$ thrashe in the ark /reen f"ui of the bacta tank$ creatin/ a strea( of bubb"es that rose si"ent"y to the surface, 2is heart be/an to poun3 he cou" hear the b"oo rushin/ throu/h his eins, 2is eyes poppe open in ti(e to see a (e roi co(e oer to a:ust so(e of the settin/s on his tank, Within secons his heart rate s"owe an the ino"untary thrashin/ of his bruise an broken "i(bs sett"e, But thou/h his boy was ca"(e by the tran6ui"i4er$ Bane's (in was now fu""y a"ert an aware, +e(ories of (otion an pain f"ickere across his (in, 0he si/hts$ souns$ an s(e""s of co(bat, 2e re(e(bere the approach of b"oostaine boots* his b"oo, Kas'i( (ust hae steppe in after he' b"acke out an kept Sirak fro( ki""in/ hi(, 0hey (ust hae brou/ht hi( here to hea", .t first he was surprise that they wou" bother to he"p hi( recoer, 0hen he rea"i4e that he$ "ike a"" the stuents at the .cae(y$ was too a"uab"e to the Brotherhoo to si(p"y throw away, So he wou" surie ,, , but his "ife was essentia""y oer,
Since co(in/ to the .cae(y he ha worke towar one c"ear /oa", ."" his stuyin/$ a"" his trainin/ ha been for one sin/"e purpose* to unerstan an co((an the power of the ark sie of the &orce, 0he ark sie wou" brin/ hi( power, G"ory, Stren/th, &reeo(, ;ow he wou" be a pariah at the .cae(y, 2e wou" be a""owe to "isten in on the /roup "essons$ to practice his ski""s in Kas'i('s trainin/ sessions$ but that wou" be a"", .ny hope he (i/ht hae ha of /ettin/ one%on%one trainin/ with any of the +asters ha been crushe in his hu(i"iatin/ efeat, .n without that specia"i4in/ /uiance$ his potentia" wou" wither an ie, !n theory a"" in the Brotherhoo were e6ua"$ but Bane was s(art enou/h to see the rea" truth, !n practice the Sith neee "eaers$ +asters "ike Kaan$ or Lor 5oris here at the .cae(y, 0he stron/ a"ways steppe forwar3 the weak ha no choice but to fo""ow, ;ow Bane was oo(e to be one of the fo""owers, . "ife of subserience an obeience, 0hrou/h ictory (y chains are broken, But Bane ha not foun ictory$ an he unerstoo a"" too we"" the chains of seritue that wou" bin hi( foreer(ore, 2e was estroye, Part of hi( wishe Sirak ha :ust finishe the :ob,
. pair of "au/hin/ apprentices approache$ re/a"in/ each other with suppose"y factua" accounts of the Sith ictory on Ruusan, 0heir conersation stoppe as they neare the so"itary fi/ure, Bane ucke his hea to aoi (eetin/ their eyes as they passe, One whispere so(ethin/ uninte""i/ib"e$ but the conte(pt in her tone was un(istakab"e, Bane in't react, 2e was ea"in/ with the e(otiona" pain in the on"y way he knew how, 0he sa(e way he' ea"t with it as a chi", 2e withrew into hi(se"f$ trie to (ake hi(se"f inisib"e to aoi the scorn an erision of others, 2is efeat%so pub"ic an so co(p"ete%ha estroye his a"reay suspect reputation with both the stuents an the +asters, en before the ue" (any ha sense that his power ha "eft hi(, ;ow their suspicions ha been confir(e, Bane ha beco(e an outcast at the .cae(y$ shunne by the other stuents an isre/are by the +asters, en Sirak i/nore hi(, 2e ha beaten his ria" into sub(ission3 Bane was no "on/er worthy of his notice, 0he Habrak's attention$ "ike the attention of near"y a"" the apprentices$ ha turne to the youn/ hu(an fe(a"e who ha co(e to :oin the( short"y after the batt"e on Ruusan, 2er na(e was Githany, Bane ha hear that she ha once been a )ei Paawan but ha re:ecte the "i/ht in faor of the ark sie ,,, a co((on enou/h story at the .cae(y, Githany$ howeer$ was anythin/ but co((on, She ha p"aye an inte/ra" ro"e in the Sith ictory on Ruusan$ an ha arrie at Korriban with the fanfare of a con6uerin/ hero, Bane han't been stron/ enou/h to atten the ictory feast where 5oris ha introuce the new arria" to the rest of the stuents$ but he ha seen her seera" ti(es at the .cae(y since then, She was stunnin/"y beautifu"3 it was obious that (any of the (a"e stuents "uste after her, !t was :ust as obious that seera" of the fe(a"e stuents were :ea"ous of her$ thou/h they kept their resent(ent we"" hien for their own sake, Githany was as arro/ant an crue" as she was physica""y beco(in/$ an the &orce was e8ceptiona""y stron/ in her, !n on"y a few weeks she' a"reay ee"ope a reputation for crushin/ those who /ot in her way, !t was no surprise she ha 6uick"y beca(e a faorite of 5oris an the other Dark Lors, ;one of this rea""y (attere to Bane$ howeer, 2e tru/e on throu/h the ha""s$ hea own$ (akin/ his way to the "ibrary "ocate in the epths of the .cae(y, Stuyin/ the archies ha see(e the best way to supp"e(ent the teachin/s of the +asters in the ear"y sta/es of his ee"op(ent, ;ow the co"$ 6uiet roo( far beneath the 0e(p"e's (ain f"oors offere hi( his on"y p"ace of refu/e, ;ot surprisin/"y$ the (assie roo( was e(pty sae for the rows of she"es stacke with (anuscripts hapha4ar"y arran/e an then for/otten, &ew stuents bothere to co(e here, Why waste ti(e conte(p"atin/ the wiso( of the ancients when you cou" stuy at the feet of an actua" Dark Lor9 en Bane ca(e here on"y as a "ast resort3 the +asters wou"n't waste their ti(e on hi( any(ore, But as he peruse the ancient te8ts$ a part of hi( he' thou/ht ea be/an to reawaken, 0he inner fire%the burnin/ ra/e that ha a"ways been his secret resere%was /one, Sti""$ een if on"y faint"y$ the ark sie ca""e to hi($ an Bane rea"i4e that he wasn't reay to /ie up on hi(se"f, .n so he /ae hi(se"f up to stuyin/, !t wasn't per(issib"e for stuents to re(oe recors fro( the archie roo($ so Bane i a"" his reain/ there, -esteray he ha fina""y co(p"ete a rather "on/ an etai"e treatise by an ancient
Sith Lor na(e ;a/a Saow on the uses of a"che(y an poisons, en in that he ha foun s(a"" kerne"s of eeper wiso( he ha c"ai(e for his own, Bit by bit his know"e/e was /rowin/, 2e wa"ke s"ow"y up an own the rows$ /"ancin/ at tit"es an authors$ hopin/ to fin so(ethin/ usefu", 2e was so intent on his search that he fai"e to notice the ark$ hooe fi/ure that entere the archies an stoo si"ent"y in the oorway$ watchin/ hi(, Githany in't say a wor as the ta""$ broa%shou"ere (an wanere throu/h the archies, 2e was physica""y i(posin/3 een uner his "oose%fittin/ robes his (usc"es were obious,
2er state(ent cau/ht hi( by surprise, 7Lookin/ for (e9 Why97 She p"ace a han on his forear(, 7! nee you, ! nee your he"p a/ainst Sirak,7 2er c"oseness$ the brief contact with his ar($ an her a""urin/ fra/rance sent his hea spinnin/, !t took hi( seera" (o(ents to fi/ure out what she (eant$ but once he i her suen interest in hi( beca(e obious, ;ews of his hu(i"iation at the Habrak's hans ha reache her ears, She ha co(e to see hi( in person$ hopin/ she (i/ht "earn so(ethin/ that wou" keep her fro( fa""in/ icti( to a si(i"ar fai"ure, 7! can't he"p you with Sirak$7 he sai$ turnin/ away fro( her an buryin/ his face in his book, 0he han on his forear( /ent"y s6uee4e$ an he "ooke up a/ain, She ha "eane in c"oser$ an he foun hi(se"f starin/ ri/ht into her e(era" eyes, 7P"ease$ Bane, )ust "isten to what ! hae to say,7 2e noe$ not sure if he' een be ab"e to speak whi"e she was presse so c"ose a/ainst hi(, 2e c"ose the book an turne s"i/ht"y in his chair to better face her, Githany /ae a /ratefu" si/h an "eane back s"i/ht"y, 2e fe"t a s(a"" f"icker of isappoint(ent as her han s"ippe fro( his ar(, 7! know what happene to you in the ue"in/ rin/$7 she be/an, 7! know eeryone be"iees Sirak estroye you3 that so(ehow the efeat robbe you of your power, ! can see you be"iee it$ too,7 2er face ha taken on an e8pression of sorrow, ;ot pity$ thankfu""y, Bane in't want that fro( anyone%especia""y not her, But she showe /enuine re/ret as she spoke, When he in't rep"y she took a eep breath an continue, 70hey're wron/$ Bane, -ou can't :ust "ose your abi"ity to co((an the &orce, ;one of us can, 0he &orce is part of us3 it's part of our bein/, 7! hear accounts of what you i to that +akurth, 0hat showe what you were capab"e of, !t reea"e your true potentia"3 it proe you were b"esse with a (i/hty /ift,7 She pause, 2er /a4e was intense, 7-ou (ay be"iee you'e s6uanere that /ift$ or "ost it, But ! know better, ! can sense the power insie you, ! can fee" it, !t's sti"" there,7 Bane shook his hea, 70he power (ay be there$ but (y abi"ity to contro" it is /one, !'( not what ! use to be,7 70hat's not possib"e$7 she sai$ her oice /ent"e, 72ow can you be"iee that97 0hou/h he knew the answer$ he hesitate before rep"yin/, !t was a 6uestion he ha aske hi(se"f count"ess ti(es whi"e f"oatin/ in the wei/ht"ess f"ui of the bacta tank, .fter his efeat he' ha p"enty of opportunity to stru//"e with his fai"ure$ an he' eentua""y co(e to rea"i4e what ha /one wron/ ,,, thou/h not how to fi8 it, 2e wasn't sure he wante to share his persona" ree"ation with a irtua" stran/er, But who e"se was he /oin/ to te""9 ;ot the other stuents3 certain"y not the +asters, .n een thou/h he har"y knew Githany$ she ha reache out to hi(, She was the on"y one to o so, 8posin/ persona" weakness was so(ethin/ on"y a foo" or an iiot wou" risk here at the .cae(y,
-et the har truth was that Bane ha nothin/ "eft to "ose, 7."" (y "ife !'e been rien by (y an/er$7 he e8p"aine, 2e spoke s"ow"y$ starin/ own at the surface of the tab"e$ unab"e to "ook her in the eye, 7+y an/er (ae (e stron/, !t was (y connection to the &orce an the ark sie, When &ohar/h ie%when ! ki""e hi(%! rea"i4e ! was responsib"e for (y father's eath, ! ki""e hi( throu/h the power of the ark sie,7 7.n you fe"t /ui"ty97 she aske$ once a/ain p"acin/ a soft han on his ar(, 7;o, +aybe, ! on't know,7 2er han was war(3 he cou" fee" the heat raiatin/ throu/h the fabric of his s"eee to his skin unerneath, 7."" ! know is that the rea"i4ation chan/e (e, 0he an/er that roe (e was /one, ."" that was "eft behin was ,,, we"" ,,, nothin/,7 7Gie (e your han,7 2er oice was stern$ an Bane hesitate on"y an instant before reachin/ out, She c"aspe his pa"( with both her hans, 7<"ose your eyes$7 she orere$ een as she shut her own, !n the arkness he beca(e acute"y aware of how ti/ht"y she ha c"enche his han* s6uee4in/ the f"esh so har he cou" fee" the beatin/ of her heart throu/h her pa"(s, !t was 6uick an ur/ent$ an his a"reay racin/ heart acce"erate in response, 2e fe"t a tin/"in/ in his fin/ers$ so(ethin/ beyon (ere physica" contact, She was reachin/ out with the &orce, 7
Bane noe$ re(ainin/ ferent"y si"ent so she cou" continue, 7-our an/er is sti"" there, .s is the &orce, ;ow you (ust break throu/h the wa""s you'e bui"t aroun it, -ou hae to /o back to the be/innin/ an "earn how to connect with the &orce once (ore,7 72ow o ! o that97 70rainin/97 Githany answere$ as if it was obious, 72ow e"se oes one "earn to use the &orce97 0he faint hope her ree"ation ha kin"e insie hi( ie, 70he +asters won't train (e any(ore$7 he (u(b"e, 75oris has forbien it,7 7! wi"" train you*' Githany sai coy"y, 7! can share with you eerythin/ ! "earne fro( the )ei about the &orce, .n whateer ! "earn about the ark sie fro( the +asters ! can teach to you$ as we"",7 Bane hesitate, Githany was no +aster$ yet she ha traine as a )ei for (any years, She probab"y knew (uch about the &orce that wou" be new to hi(, .t the ery "east he' "earn (ore with her he"p than without it, .n yet so(ethin/ bothere hi( about her offer, 7Why are you oin/ this97 he aske, She /ae hi( a s"y s(i"e, 7Sti"" on't trust (e9 Goo, -ou shou"n't, !'( on"y in this for (yse"f, ! can't efeat Sirak on (y own, 2e's too stron/9' 70hey say he's the Sith'ari$7 Bane (uttere, 7! on't be"iee in prophecies$7 she countere, 7But he has powerfu" a""ies, .n the other Habrak apprentices here are co(p"ete"y "oya" to hi(, !f !'( eer /oin/ to cha""en/e hi($ ! nee so(eboy on (y sie, So(eboy stron/ in the &orce, So(eboy "ike you,7 2er reasons (ae sense$ but there was sti"" so(ethin/ botherin/ hi(, 7Lor 5oris an the other +asters wou"n't approe of this$7 he warne her, 7-ou're takin/ an awfu" risk,7 7Risks are the on"y way to c"ai( the rewars$7 she rep"ie, 7Besies$ ! on't care what the +asters think, !n the en those who surie are the ones who "ook after the(se"es,7 !t took Bane a secon to rea"i4e why her wors soune so fa(i"iar, 0hen he re(e(bere the "ast thin/ Groshik ha sai to hi( before he "eft .patros, !n the en each of us is in this a"one, 0he suriors are those who know how to "ook out for the(se"es, 7-ou he"p (e re/ain the &orce$ an !'"" he"p you a/ainst Sirak$7 he sai$ e8tenin/ his ar(, She c"aspe it in her own$ then stoo up to "eae, Bane he" his /rip$ forcin/ her to sit back own, 0here was a an/erous /"int in her eye$ but he in't "et /o, 7Why i you "eae the )ei97 he aske, 2er e8pression softene$ an she shook her hea, She e8tene her free han an p"ace it /ent"y on his cheek, 7! on't think !'( 6uite reay to share that with you,7
2e noe, 2e in't nee to push her now$ an he knew he han't earne the ri/ht yet, 0he han on his cheek fe"" away$ an he "et /o of her ar(, She /ae hi( one "ast appraisin/ /"ance$ then rose an wa"ke away with brisk$ purposefu" stries, She neer /"ance back$ but Bane was content to fo""ow her swayin/ hips unti" she was out of si/ht, Githany knew he was watchin/ her (ake her e8it, +en a"ways watche her3 she was use to it, ."" in a"" she fe"t the (eetin/ ha /one we"", &or a sp"it secon at the en%when he' refuse to "et /o of her ar(%she ha wonere if she' uneresti(ate hi(, 2is efiance ha cau/ht her off /uar3 she' e8pecte so(eone weak an subserient, But once she' "ooke into his eyes she' rea"i4e he was c"in/in/ to her out of esperation an fear, One sin/"e (eetin/ an he a"reay cou"n't bear to "et her /o, en thou/h she' been with the Sith on"y a short ti(e$ the ways of the ark sie ca(e natura""y to her, She fe"t no pity or sorrow for hi(3 his u"nerabi"ity on"y (ae hi( easier to contro", .n un"ike the )ei$ the Brotherhoo of Darkness reware a(bition, ach ria" she brou/ht "ow proe her worth an e"eate her status within the Sith, Bane wou" (ake the perfect too" to brin/ her ria"s own$ she thou/ht, 2e was increib"y stron/ in the &orce, en stron/er than she' first rea"i4e, She' been a(a4e at the power she' fe"t insie hi(, .n now he was co(p"ete"y wrappe aroun her fin/er, She :ust ha to (ake sure he staye that way, She' brin/ hi( a"on/ s"ow"y$ a"ways keepin/ hi( :ust behin her own abi"ities, !t was a an/erous /a(e$ but one she knew she cou" p"ay we"", Know"e/e was power$ an she a"one contro""e what know"e/e he wou" /ain, She' teach hi(, Strin/ hi( a"on/$ twist hi( to her wi""$ then use hi( to crush Sirak, .n then$ if she fe"t Bane was /rowin/ too powerfu"$ she' estroy hi($ too, ;i/ht ha fa""en oer Korriban3 sputterin/ torches cast eerie shaows in the ha""s of the .cae(y, Bane (ae his way throu/h those ha""s wrappe in a b"ack c"oak$ "itt"e (ore than a shaow hi(se"f, !t was forbien for apprentices to "eae their roo(s after curfew%one of the steps 5oris ha taken to reuce the 7une8p"aine7 eaths that see(e to be a"" too co((on in acae(ies popu"ate by ria" stuents of the ark sie, Bane knew that if he was cau/ht$ the punish(ent wou" be seere, But this was the on"y ti(e he cou" act without fear of bein/ seen by the other stuents, 2e woun his way throu/h the or(itory f"oor that house the stuents unti" he reache the stairway "eain/ to the upper "ee"s an the +asters' 6uarters, 2e /"ance 6uick"y fro( sie to sie$ peerin/ into the f"ickerin/ shaows cast on the stone wa""s, 2e pause$ "istenin/ for the soun of anyone who (i/ht catch hi( in the ha""s, 2e ha (e(ori4e the routes of the ni/ht sentries who patro""e the corriors after ark3 he knew it wou" be a"(ost an hour before they returne to this f"oor of the te(p"e, But there were (any other uner"in/s%kitchen staff$ c"eanin/ staff$ /rounskeepers%who sere the nees of the .cae(y an (i/ht be wanerin/ about, 2earin/ on"y si"ence$ he proceee up the stairs, 2e (ae his way 6uick"y past the persona" 6uarters of 5oris$ so(ewhat re"iee to see that een the Sith +aster fe"t the nee to c"ose an "ock his oor at ni/ht, 2e continue on past another ha"f a o4en oors$ pausin/ on"y when he reache the entrance to the B"ae(aster's roo(, 2e knocke once soft"y$ carefu" not to wake the others, Before he cou" knock a secon ti(e$ the oor swun/ open to reea" the 0wi'"ek, &or a sp"it secon Bane thou/ht he (ust hae been stanin/
on the other sie waitin/ for hi(, But that was i(possib"e$ of course, +ore "ike"y the B"ae(aster's hi/h"y tune ref"e8es ha reacte to the first knock so 6uick"y that he ha a"reay crosse the roo( an opene the oor by the ti(e the secon rap ca(e, 2e was c"a in a pair of pants$ but his torso was bare$ showin/ his scarre an tattooe chest, 2is confuse e8pression confir(e Bane's assu(ption that the B"ae(aster han't known he was co(in/$ an the spee with which he reache out to /rab Bane an hau" hi( insie the roo( confir(e his suspicions about his e8traorinary ref"e8es, Before Bane een rea"i4e what was happenin/$ the oor was c"ose an "ocke behin hi($ sea"in/ the two of the( to/ether in the s(a""$ ark roo(, 2is host "it a s(a"" /"ow ro on a stan by the be an turne to /"are at his uninite /uest, 7What are you oin/ here97 he hisse$ keepin/ his oice "ow, Bane hesitate$ uncertain how (uch to te"" hi(, 2e ha been thinkin/ about Githany's offer$ an what she ha sai to hi(, 2e ha ecie she was ri/ht* he ha to "ook out for hi(se"f if he was to surie, 0hat (eant he ha to be the one to brin/ Sirak own$ not her, 7! want you to train (e a/ain*7 Bane whispere, 7! want you to teach (e a"" you know about the art of "i/htsaber co(bat,7 Kas'i( shook his hea in response$ but Bane thou/ht he sense a brief hesitation before he i so, 75oris wi"" neer a""ow it, 2e has (ae it ery c"ear that none of the +asters is to waste any (ore ti(e on you,7 7! in't think you answere to 5oris$7 Bane countere, 7.ren't a"" the +asters e6ua" in the Brotherhoo of Darkness97 !t was a b"atant appea" to the B"ae(aster's prie$ an the 0wi'"ek easi"y reco/ni4e it for what it was, 2e s(i"e$ a(use at Bane's bo"ness, 70rue enou/h$7 he a(itte, 7But here on Korriban the other Lors efer to 5oris, !t aois ,,, co(p"ications,7 75oris oesn't hae to know$7 Bane pointe out$ takin/ heart in the fact that Kas'i( han't f"at%out refuse hi( yet, 70rain (e in secret, We can (eet at ni/ht on the te(p"e roof,7 7Why shou" ! o this97 the 0wi'"ek aske$ crossin/ his (uscu"ar ar(s, 7-ou ask for the teachin/s of a Sith Lor$ but what are you offerin/ (e in return97 7-ou know (y potentia"$7 Bane presse, 75oris has cast (e asie, !f ! succee now$ he cannot take the creit, !f ! beco(e an e8pert warrior for the Brotherhoo$ Lor Kaan wi"" know you were the one who traine (e, .n if ! fai"$ no one wi"" eer suspect your part in this, -ou hae nothin/ to "ose,7 7;othin/ but (y ti(e$7 the other rep"ie$ scratchin/ his chin, 7-ou'e "ost your wi"" to fi/ht, -ou proe that a/ainst Sirak,7 2is "ekku were 6uierin/ eer so s"i/ht"y$ an Bane took it as a si/n that$ espite his wors$ he was serious"y consierin/ the offer, ./ain$ Bane hesitate, 2ow (uch i he are to reea"9 2e sti"" p"anne to "et Githany teach hi( about the &orce an the ways of the ark sie, But he ha rea"i4e that if she was his on"y teacher$ he wou" foreer be beneath her in power, !f he wante to be the one to take out Sirak$ he' nee
Kas'i( to he"p hi( , , , an he' nee to keep her fro( finin/ out, 7+y wi"" to fi/ht is back$7 he fina""y sai$ eciin/ not to reea" Githany's ino"e(ent in his suen resurrection, 7!'( reay to e(brace the power of the ark sie,7 Kas'i( noe, 7Why are you oin/ this97 Bane knew this was the fina" test, Kas'i( was a Dark Lor of the Sith, 2is ta"ent an ski"" were resere for those who wou" one ay rise up an :oin the +asters in the Brotherhoo of Darkness, 2e wante (ore than proof that Bane was tru"y reay for this, 2e wante proof that Bane was worthy, 7! want reen/e$7 Bane rep"ie after carefu" consieration, 7! want to estroy Sirak, ! want to crush hi( "ike an insect beneath the hee" of (y boot,7 0he B"ae(aster s(i"e in /ri( satisfaction at his answer, 7We wi"" be/in to(orrow,7
5oris or one of the other +asters (i/ht hae been ab"e to pierce the fa"se front he pro:ecte an sense his true power$ were they not b"ine by their own arro/ance, 0hey ha is(isse hi( as a fai"ure3 now he was beneath their notice, &ortunate"y$ this anony(ity suite Bane :ust fine, 2e har"y s"ept at a"" any(ore, !t see(e his boy no "on/er neee s"eep3 it fe on his /rowin/ co((an of the ark sie, .n hour or two of (eitation each ay was enou/h to keep his boy ener/i4e an his (in ini/orate, 2e consu(e know"e/e with the appetite of a starin/ rancor$ eourin/ eerythin/ he /ot fro( his secret (entors an a"ways hun/erin/ for (ore, 0he B"ae(aster was a(a4e at his pro/ress$ an een Githany%espite her years of stuy with the )ei% was har%presse to keep ahea of hi(, erythin/ he "earne fro( the( he supp"e(ente with the wiso( of the ancients, On his first arria" he ha sense the a"ue of the archies$ on"y to turn his back on the( as he ha been rawn into the ai"y routine an intense "essons of the .cae(y, ;ow he unerstoo that his initia" instincts ha been ri/ht after a""* the know"e/e containe in the ye""owe parch(ents an "eather%boun (anuscripts was ti(e"ess, 0he &orce was eterna"$ an thou/h the +asters at the .cae(y now wa"ke a ifferent path than their Sith forebears ha$ they a"" sou/ht answers in the ark sie, 2e s(i"e at the irony of this "ife, 2e was the outcast$ the stuent 5oris ha wante "eft behin, -et with Githany$ Kas'i($ an his own stuy of the archies$ he was receiin/ far (ore eucation than any other apprentice on Korriban, 0he truth wou" be reea"e soon enou/h, When the ti(e was ri/ht$ Sirak wou" iscoer that he ha uneresti(ate Bane, 0hey a"" wou", 78ce""ent=7 Kas'i( sai as Bane b"ocke the Dark Lor's f"urry an countere with one of his own, 2e in't actua""y score a irect hit$ but he i force the B"ae(aster to take a fu"" step back uner the fury of his assau"t, Suen"y the 0wi'"ek "eapt hi/h in the air$ spinnin/ an twistin/ so he cou" "ash own at Bane as he f"ippe oer the top of hi(, Bane was reay$ switchin/ fro( offense to efense so s(ooth"y it a"" see(e to be a sin/"e action, 2e parrie both b"aes of Kas'i('s weapon een as he ucke out of the way an ro""e c"ear to safety, 2e spun to face his foe$ on"y to see that Kas'i( ha "owere his weapon$ si/nifyin/ the en of the "esson, 7ery /oo$ Bane$7 the 0wi'"ek sai$ /iin/ hi( a s"i/ht bow, 7! thou/ht you (i/ht be cau/ht off /uar by that (oe$ but you were ab"e to anticipate an efen it with near%perfect for(,7 Bane baske in his +aster's praise$ but he was sorry to know the session was oer, 2e was breathin/ har$ his (usc"es /"istenin/ with sweat an twitchin/ with arena"ine$ yet he fe"t as if he cou" hae continue fi/htin/ for hours, Sparrin/ an ri""s ha beco(e (uch (ore than (ere physica" e8ertion for hi( now, ach (oe(ent$ eery strike an thrust$ ha beco(e an e8tension of the &orce actin/ throu/h the corporea" she"" of his f"esh%an%bone boy, 2e "on/e to en/a/e another opponent in the ue"in/ rin/, 2e hun/ere for the cha""en/e of testin/ hi(se"f a/ainst the other apprentices, But it wasn't ti(e, ;ot yet, 2e sti"" wasn't /oo enou/h to efeat Sirak$ an unti" he cou" take the Habrak own he ha to keep his rapi"y ee"opin/ ta"ent hien, Kas'i( tosse hi( a towe", Bane was p"ease to see that the 0wi'"ek was sweatin/$ too%thou/h
nowhere near as profuse"y as he was, 7Do you hae anythin/ you want (e to work on for to(orrow97 Bane aske ea/er"y, 7. new se6uence9 . new for(9 .nythin/97 7-ou'e (oe far beyon se6uences an for(s$7 the +aster to" hi(, 7!n that "ast pass you broke off your attack in the (i"e of one se6uence an ca(e at (e fro( a co(p"ete"y ifferent an une8pecte an/"e,7 7! i97 Bane was surprise, 7! ,,, ! in't rea""y (ean to,7 70hat's what (ae it such a potentia""y eastatin/ (oe$7 Kas'i( e8p"aine, 7-ou're "ettin/ the &orce /uie your b"ae now, -ou act without thou/ht or reason, -ou're rien by passion* fury$ an/er , , , een hate, -our saber has beco(e an e8tension of the ark sie,7 Bane cou"n't he"p s(i"in/$ but then his brow furrowe in consternation, 7! sti"" cou"n't /et past your efenses$7 he sai$ tryin/ to re%create the batt"e in his (in, ;o (atter what he ha trie to o$ it see(e one sie of the 0wi'"ek's twin%b"ae weapon was a"ways there to parry his attack, . see of oubt crept into his (in as he reca""e that Sirak use a si(i"ar sty"e of weapon, 7Does the oub"e%b"ae "i/htsaber /ie you an aanta/e97 he aske, 7!t oes$ but not in the way you be"iee$7 Kas'i( rep"ie, Bane was si"ent$ waitin/ patient"y for further e8p"anation, .fter a few secons his +aster ob"i/e hi(, 7.s you a"reay know$ the &orce is the rea" key to ictory in any confrontation, 2oweer$ the e6uation is not so si(p"e, So(eone we"" traine in "i/htsaber co(bat can efeat an opponent who is stron/er in the &orce, 0he &orce a""ows you to anticipate your opponent's (oes an counter the( with your own, But the (ore options your foe has aai"ab"e$ the (ore ifficu"t it is to preict which wi"" be chosen,7 Bane thou/ht he unerstoo, 7So the oub"e%b"ae weapon /ies you (ore options97 7;o$7 Kas'i( rep"ie, 7But you think it oes$ so the effect is the sa(e,7 &or seera" secons Bane thou/ht about the B"ae(aster's stran/e wors$ tryin/ to ecipher the(, !n the en he ha to a(it efeat, 7! sti"" on't unerstan$ +aster,7 7-ou know the sin/"e%b"ae "i/htsaber we""3 you use it yourse"f an you'e seen (ost of the other apprentices use it$ as we"", +y oub"e%b"ae weapon see(s stran/e to you, Unfa(i"iar, -ou on't fu""y unerstan what it can an cannot o,7 &ro( the "ack of i(patience or e8asperation in the 0wi"ek's tone$ Bane cou" te"" this was so(ethin/ he han't been e8pecte to /rasp on his own, 7!n co(bat$ your (in tries to keep track of each b"ae separate"y$ effectie"y oub"in/ the nu(ber of possibi"ities, But the two b"aes are connecte* by knowin/ the "ocation of one$ you are auto(atica""y aware of the "ocation of the other, !n actua" practice$ the oub"e%b"ae "i/htsaber is (ore "i(ite than the traitiona" "i/htsaber, !t can o (ore a(a/e$ but it is "ess precise, !t re6uires "on/er$ sweepin/ (oe(ents that on't transition we"" into a 6uick stab or thrust, Because the weapon is ifficu"t to (aster$ howeer$ few a(on/ the )ei%or een the Sith%unerstan it, 0hey on't know how to attack or efen effectie"y a/ainst it, 0hat /ies those of us who use it an aanta/e oer (ost of our opponents,7
7Like Githany's whip=7 Bane e8c"ai(e, Githany eschewe traitiona" weaponry in faor of the ery rare ener/y whip* :ust one of the (any traits that (ae her stan out fro( the other apprentices, !t operate on the sa(e basic princip"es as a "i/htsaber$ but instea of a steay bea($ the ener/y of the crysta"s was pro:ecte in a f"e8ib"e ribbon that wou" twist$ turn$ an snap in response to both Githany's physica" (otions an her use of the &orce, 78act"y, 0he ener/y whip is far "ess efficient than any of the "i/htsaber b"aes, 2oweer$ noboy eer practices a/ainst the whip, Githany knows that her ene(ies' confusion at bein/ confronte with the whip /ies her an e/e,7 7By te""in/ (e this secret$ you'e /ien up your aanta/e$7 Bane note$ s(i"in/ as he pointe to Kas'i('s oub"e saber, 7On"y to a ery s(a"" e/ree$7 the 0wi'"ek sai, 7-ou now unerstan why an e8otic weapon or unfa(i"iar sty"e wi"" be (ore ifficu"t to efen a/ainst$ but unti" you beco(e an e8pert in a particu"ar sty"e$ in the heat of co(bat your (in wi"" sti"" stru//"e to /rasp its "i(itations,7 Bane kept pressin/$ ea/er to turn this new insi/ht into so(ethin/ practica" he cou" use, 7So by stuyin/ ifferent sty"es$ ! cou" ne/ate that aanta/e97 7!n theory, But ti(e spent stuyin/ other sty"es is ti(e away fro( (asterin/ your own for(, -our best pro/ress wi"" co(e fro( focusin/ (ore on yourse"f an "ess on your opponent,7 70hen why een bother te""in/ (e a"" this97 Bane b"urte out$ frustrate, 7Know"e/e is power$ Bane, +y purpose is to /ie you that know"e/e, !t is up to you to fi/ure out how best to use it,7 With those wors the B"ae(aster "eft hi($ heain/ own the te(p"e stairs to stea" a few hours of s"eep before the (ornin/ sun rose, Bane re(aine behin$ wrest"in/ with the "esson unti" it was ti(e to (eet Githany in the archies, 0he s(e"" of burnin/ o4one wafte throu/h the archies$ fi""in/ Githany's nostri"s as she watche Bane practicin/ his "atest e8ercise, 0he roo( crack"e an hisse as he channe"e the ener/y of the &orce an f"un/ it about the roo( in /reat arcin/ bo"ts of b"ue%io"et "i/htnin/, Githany stoo with Bane at the center of a (ae"stro(, . fierce win swir"e aroun the($ tearin/ at her hair an the fo"s of her robe, !t rocke an shook the bookshe"es$ knockin/ (anuscripts to the f"oor an rif"in/ their pa/es, 0he air itse"f was char/e with e"ectricity$ causin/ her skin to itch, !n the (ist of it a""$ Bane "au/he$ then raise his ar(s in triu(ph an "aunche another b"ast to ricochet off the far wa"", ach ti(e the "i/htnin/ f"are$ the intensity of the f"ash burne Githany's retinas$ causin/ her to shie" her eyes, She notice that Bane in't "ook away* his eyes were wie an wi" with the rush of power, 0he thuner was a"(ost eafenin/$ an the stor( was sti"" bui"in/, !f Bane wasn't carefu"$ the echoes wou" reach the "ee"s aboe the archies$ reea"in/ their secret trainin/ /roun to the rest of the .cae(y, +oin/ carefu""y$ Githany reache out an touche his ar(, 2e snappe his hea aroun to face her$ an the (aness in his eyes a"(ost (ae her recoi", !nstea she s(i"e,
7ery /oo$ Bane=7 she shoute$ tryin/ to (ake her oice hear aboe the in, 70hat's enou/h for toay=7 She he" her breath in anticipation unti" he noe an "owere his ar(s, !nstant"y she fe"t the power of the stor( abatin/, Within a few secons it was /one3 on"y the (ess it ha (ae re(aine, 7!'e%!'e neer fe"t anythin/ "ike that before$7 Bane /aspe$ his face sti"" showin/ his e8hi"aration, Githany noe, 7!t's a re(arkab"e sensation$7 she a/ree, 7But you (ust be carefu" not to "ose yourse"f in it,7 She was parrotin/ the wors of +aster 5oris$ who ha tau/ht her how to su((on &orce "i/htnin/ on"y a few ays ear"ier, 2oweer$ she ha neer con:ure anythin/ een approachin/ the (a:esty of what Bane ha :ust un"eashe, 7-ou (ust (aintain contro"$ or you cou" fin yourse"f swept up in the stor( a"on/ with your ene(ies$7 she to" hi($ tryin/ to (i(ic the ca"($ s"i/ht"y conescenin/ tone the +asters use with their apprentices, She cou"n't "et hi( know that he ha a"reay surpasse her in this new ta"ent, She cou"n't "et hi( know that she ha fe"t the co" /rip of fear c"utchin/ at her urin/ his perfor(ance, 2e "ooke aroun at the topp"e she"es$ takin/ in the books an scro""s strewn about the roo(, 7We' better c"ean this up before so(eboy sees it an woners what happene in here,7 She noe a/ain$ an the two of the( set to restorin/ the archies to their preious state, .s they worke$ Githany cou"n't he"p but woner if she ha (ae a (istake in a""yin/ herse"f with Bane, On"y the top apprentices ha been present when 5oris ha tau/ht the( to use the ark sie to corrupt the &orce into a ea"y stor(, ;one of the(%not een Sirak%ha been ab"e to create (uch (ore than a few :o"ts of ener/y that first ay, -et on"y an hour after bein/ tau/ht the techni6ue by Githany$ Bane ha su((one enou/h ener/y to rip apart an entire roo(, 0his wasn't the first ti(e Bane ha taken a "esson she ha tau/ht hi( an e8ceee her achiee(ents on his first atte(pt, 2e was far stron/er in the &orce than she ha rea"i4e$ an he see(e to be /rowin/ (ore so each ay, She worrie that she (i/ht "ose her contro" oer hi(, She was carefu"$ of course, She wasn't foo"ish enou/h to te"" hi( eerythin/ she "earne fro( the Sith +asters, -et that in't see( to be /iin/ her an aanta/e oer her pupi" any(ore, So(eti(es she wonere if a"" his stuy of the ancient te8ts was actua""y /iin/ hi( an aanta/e oer her, Learnin/ at the feet of a true +aster shou" be (ore beneficia" than reain/ theoretica" works written thousans of years ear"ier ,,, un"ess the current%ay Sith were so(ehow f"awe, Unfortunate"y$ she in't know how she cou" test her theory, !f she suen"y starte spenin/ hours each ay in the archies$ Bane wou" woner what she was up to, 2e (i/ht ecie that her teachin/s weren't as a"uab"e as what he cou" "earn on his own, 2e (i/ht ecie she was e8penab"e, .n if it ca(e own to a confrontation$ she was no "on/er sure she cou" efeat hi(, But Githany prie herse"f on her aaptabi"ity, 2er initia" p"an of keepin/ hi( as a subserient apprentice was no "on/er iab"e, She sti"" wante Bane on her sie$ thou/h3 he cou" proe to be a powerfu" a""y%be/innin/ with his ki""in/ Sirak, 0hey worke in si"ence for the ne8t hour$ /atherin/ up the books an strai/htenin/ the she"es, By the ti(e the roo( was restore to so(e se(b"ance of orer$ Githany's back ache fro( the constant
benin/$ "iftin/$ an reachin/, She co""apse into one of the chairs$ /iin/ Bane a tire s(i"e, 7!'( e8hauste$7 she sai with an e8a//erate si/h, 2e (ae his way oer an steppe behin her$ p"acin/ his "ar/e hans on her shou"ers$ :ust at the base of her "on/ neck, 2e be/an to (assa/e the (usc"es$ his caress surprisin/"y /ent"e for a (an so "ar/e, 7+(( , , , that fee"s nice$7 she a(itte, 7Where i you "earn to o this97 7Workin/ the cortosis (ines teaches you a "ot about aches an pains$7 he rep"ie$ workin/ his thu(bs eep into her shou"er b"aes, She /aspe an arche her back$ then went s"ow"y "i(p as her (usc"es (e"te beneath his touch, 2e rare"y spoke of his past "ife$ thou/h oer their ti(e to/ether she ha piece (ost of it to/ether, !n contrast$ she ha a"ways been (uch (ore /uare with what she reea"e about herse"f, 7-ou aske (e once why ! "eft the )ei$7 she (u(b"e$ fee"in/ herse"f riftin/ away on the rhyth(ic pressure of his fin/ers on her neck, 7! neer to" you$ i !97 7We a"" hae thin/s in our past we wou" rather not reise he rep"ie without stoppin/, 7! knew you wou" te"" (e when you were reay,7 She c"ose her eyes an "et her hea fa"" back as he continue to knea her shou"ers, 7+y +aster was a
7Were you rea""y attracte to hi($ or :ust to the iea of isobeyin/ your +aster97 She thou/ht about it for a "on/ ti(e, 7. bit of both$ perhaps$7 she sai fina""y, 72e was hanso(e enou/h, Stron/ in the &orce, 0here was an uneniab"e attraction,7 Bane on"y /runte in response, 2is hans ha stoppe (assa/in/$ an were now restin/ on her neck, 7Once we beca(e "oers it in't take "on/ for +aster 2ana to fin out, Despite a"" his preachin/ about contro""in/ e(otion$ ! cou" te"" he was furious, 2e co((ane us to set our fee"in/s asie an forbae us fro( continuin/ our re"ationship,7 Bane snorte his conte(pt, 7Di he rea""y think it wou" be that si(p"e97 70he )ei see e(otion as part of our bestia" nature, 0hey be"iee we (ust transcen our baser instincts, But ! know passion is what (akes us stron/, 0he )ei on"y fear it because it (akes their Paawans unpreictab"e an ifficu"t to contro", 7+aster 2ana's reaction (ae (e rea"i4e the truth, erythin/ the )ei be"iee about the &orce was a perersion of rea"ity$ a "ie, ! fina""y unerstoo ! wou" neer reach (y fu"" potentia" uner +aster 2ana, 0hat was the (o(ent ! turne (y back on the orer an be/an p"annin/ (y efection to the Sith,7 7What about Kie"
7! opene up a painfu" part of (y past$ Bane$7 she sai wari"y, 7!t's not so(ethin/ ! want to (ake "i/ht of,7 7-ou're ri/ht$7 he sai, 7! ,,, !'"" /o,7 She stuie hi( as he turne an (ae his way out of the archies, 2e see(e /enuine"y sorry for what he' sai$ as if he re/rette hurtin/ her, 0he perfect situation to /ie her the e(otiona" "eera/e she ha been "ookin/ for ,,, if on"y she han't seen that f"icker of so(ethin/ e"se, Once he was /one she shook her hea$ tryin/ to (ake sense of the situation, Bane "ooke "ike a /reat$ hu"kin/ brute of a (an$ but there was wiso( an cunnin/ beneath his heay brow an ba" sku"", She thou/ht back on the "ast twenty (inutes$ tryin/ to eter(ine when she ha "ost contro" of the situation, 0here ha been sparks between the($ :ust as she ha intene, Bane ha one nothin/ to hie his esire for her3 she' sense the heat as he caresse her neck, Sti""$ so(ethin/ ha /one wron/ with her carefu""y p"anne seuction, Was it possib"e she actua""y fe"t so(ethin/ for hi(9 Githany unconscious"y bit her "ower "ip, Bane was powerfu"$ inte""i/ent$ an bo", She neee hi( if she was /oin/ to e"i(inate Sirak, But he ha a knack for surprisin/ her, 2e kept cha""en/in/ an efyin/ her e8pectations, She ha to a(it she foun hi( intri/uin/ in spite of this, Or perhaps because of it, Bane was eerythin/ Kie" han't been* a(bitious$ i(pu"sie$ unpreictab"e, Despite her best intentions$ so(e s(a"" part of her was rawn to hi(, .n that$ (ore than anythin/ e"se$ (ae hi( a ery an/erous a""y,
0he two co(batants face each other once a/ain$ (otion"ess sae for their eyes$ which f"icke an arte in search of any si/n they cou" use to /ain so(e s"i/ht aanta/e, Oer the past (onth their trainin/ sessions ha beco(e "ess fre6uent but far (ore intense, Part of Bane be"iee Kas'i( actua""y foun a"ue in sparrin/ a/ainst hi(* the B"ae(aster ha to /row bore crossin/ b"aes with apprentices an stuents so far beneath his own "ee", Of course$ Bane ha yet to "an a te""in/ b"ow a/ainst his +aster, But each ti(e they sparre he fe"t as if he was /ettin/ c"oser an c"oser to a ictory, Kas'i('s for( an techni6ue were f"aw"ess$ but Bane was aware that the s"i/htest (iscue was a"" the openin/ he neee, Both fi/hters were breathin/ har3 the session ha /one far "on/er than any before it, 0heir batt"es typica""y ene when the 0wi'"ek "ane a scorin/ b"ow$ isab"in/ one of his stuent's "i(bs with the burnin/ pe"ko eno(, On this ni/ht$ howeer$ Kas'i( ha yet to "an such a b"ow, Kas'i( char/e forwar$ an the c"an/ an c"ash of their weapons ran/ out oer the rooftop in a sharp staccato rhyth(, 0hey stoo toe%to%toe$ ha((erin/ away at each other$ neither /iin/ /roun or 6uarter, U"ti(ate"y Bane was force to isen/a/e$ breakin/ off the (e"ee before the B"ae(aster's superior ski"" broke own his efenses, 0his ti(e it was Bane who initiate the char/e, Once a/ain their trainin/ sabers raine own$ an once a/ain they broke apart with both co(batants unscathe, 0his ti(e$ howeer$ the outco(e of the batt"e was no "on/er in oubt, Bane hun/ his hea an "owere his b"ae in an a(ission of efeat, 0he "ast pass he ha he" Kas'i( off$ but with each swin/ of his saber he ha /rown a (icrosecon s"ower, &ati/ue was settin/ in, en the &orce cou"n't keep his (usc"es fresh foreer$ an the see(in/"y en"ess ue" ha fina""y taken too /reat a to"", 0he B"ae(aster$ on the other han$ ha "ost a"(ost none of his spee an sharpness, Bane oubte he wou" /et throu/h the ne8t pass$ an een if he i$ the one after that wou" brin/ certain efeat, !t was ineitab"e$ so there was no point in pressin/ to the point that he actua""y suffere the pain of /ettin/ hit, Kas'i( see(e (o(entari"y surprise at the concession$ then noe in acceptance of the ictory, 7-ou were s(art to reco/ni4e that the batt"e was oer$ but ! e8pecte you to fi/ht on unti" the en, 0here is "itt"e honor in surrener,7 72onor is a foo"'s pri4e$7 Bane rep"ie$ recitin/ a passa/e fro( one of the o"u(es he ha recent"y rea in the archies, 7G"ory is of no use to the ea,7 .fter ponerin/ his wors for a (o(ent$ the B"ae(aster noe, 7We"" sai$ (y youn/ apprentice,7 Bane wasn't surprise that Kas'i( in't reco/ni4e the 6uote, 0he wors ha been written by Darth Rean near"y three (i""ennia ear"ier, 0he +asters were as "a8 as the stuents when it ca(e to stuyin/ the ancient writin/s, !t see(e the .cae(y ha turne its back on the past cha(pions of the ark sie, 0rue$ Rean ha eentua""y /one back oer to the )ei an the "i/ht after bein/ betraye by Darth +a"ak, Sti""$ Rean an +a"ak ha co(e within a hairsbreath of wipin/ out the Repub"ic, !t was foo"ish to iscount a"" they acco(p"ishe$ an een (ore foo"ish to i/nore the "essons that cou" be
"earne fro( the(, -et 5oris an the other +asters stubborn"y refuse to spen any ti(e stuyin/ the history of the Sith orer, &ortunate"y for Bane$ it was a trait they passe a"on/ to their stuents, !t ha /ien hi( an uneniab"e aanta/e oer the other apprentices, !f nothin/ e"se$ it ha shown hi( the true potentia" of the ark sie, 0he archies were fi""e with accounts of increib"e feats of power* cities "ai waste$ wor"s brou/ht "ow$ entire star syste(s swa""owe up when a Dark Lor cause the sun to /o noa, So(e of these ta"es were "ike"y e8a//erations$ (yths that ha /rown with each rete""in/ before bein/ set own on parch(ent, -et they ha their roots in truth$ an that truth ha inspire Bane to push hi(se"f farther an faster than he otherwise wou" hae are, 0hinkin/ of Rean an the Sith Lors of the past brou/ht to (in another 6uestion that ha been troub"in/ hi( for so(e ti(e, 7+aster$ why on't the Sith use the Darth tit"e any(ore97 7!t was Lor Kaan's ecision$7 the 0wi'"ek to" hi( as he towe"e off, 70he Darth traition is a re"ic of the past, !t represents what the Sith once were$ not what we are now,7 Bane shook his hea$ issatisfie with the answer, 70here has to be (ore to it than that9' he sai$ stoopin/ to retriee the robe he ha cast off at the start of their ue", 7Lor Kaan wou"n't throw out the ancient traitions without :ustification,7 7! see you won't be satisfie with the easy answer$7 Kas'i( sai with a si/h$ pu""in/ on his own robe, 7ery we"", 0o unerstan why the tit"e is no "on/er use$ you (ust unerstan what it tru"y represents, 0he Darth tit"e was (ore than :ust a sy(bo" of power3 it was a c"ai( of supre(acy, !t was use by those Dark Lors who hae sou/ht to enforce their wi"" on the other +asters, !t was a cha""en/e%a warnin/ to bow own or be estroye,7 Bane a"reay knew this fro( his stuies$ but he in't think it was wise to interrupt, !nstea he crosse his "e/s an "owere hi(se"f into a sittin/ position$ "ookin/ up at his +aster an :ust "istenin/, 7Of course$ few of the Dark Lors wou" eer sub(it to another's wi"" for "on/$7 Kas'i( continue, 7Whereer one of our orer took up the Darth tit"e$ eception an betraya" were a"ways c"ose at han to snatch it away, 0here can be no peace for a +aster who ares to use the Darth na(e,7 7Peace is a "ie$7 Bane rep"ie, 70here is on"y passion9' Kas'i( raise an eyebrow in e8asperation, 7Peace was a poor choice of wors, What ! (eant was stabi"ity, 0hose +asters who chose the Darth tit"e spent as (uch ti(e /uarin/ a/ainst their suppose a""ies as they i batt"in/ the )ei, Kaan wante to put an en to such wastefu"ness,7 &ro( where he sat$ it see(e to Bane as if the B"ae(aster was tryin/ to conince hi(se"f as (uch as his stuent, 7Kaan wants us to focus a"" our resources on our true ene(y instea of one another97 Kas'i( asserte, 70hat is why we are a"" e6ua"s in the Brotherhoo of Darkness,7 76ua"ity is a (yth to protect the weak$7 Bane ar/ue, 7So(e of us are stron/ in the &orce$ others are not, On"y a foo" be"iees otherwise,7 70here are other reasons the Darth tit"e was abanone97 Kas'i( insiste with :ust a hint of frustration, 7!t attracte the attention of the )ei$ for one, !t reea"e our "eaers to the ene(y3 it /ae the( easy tar/ets to e"i(inate,7
Bane sti"" wasn't conince, 0he )ei knew who the rea" "eaers of the Sith were3 whether they ca""e the(se"es Darth or Lor or +aster (ae no ifference, But he cou" te"" the 0wi'"ek was unco(fortab"e with the iscussion$ an he knew enou/h to "et the (atter rop, 7&or/ie (e$ Lor Kas'i($7 he sai$ bowin/ his hea, 7! (eant no offense, ! on"y sou/ht to raw upon your wiso( to e8p"ain that which ! cou" not unerstan (yse"f,7 Kas'i( "ooke own at hi( with the sa(e e8pression he ha use when Bane ha abrupt"y ene their ue" a few (o(ents ear"ier, entua""y$ he aske$ 7So now you see the wiso( behin Lor Kaan's ecision to en the traition97 7Of course$7 Bane "ie, 72e is actin/ for the /oo of us a"",7 .s he rose to his feet he thou/ht$ Kaan's actin/ "ike one of the )ei, Worryin/ about the /reater /oo, Seekin/ to brin/ har(ony an cooperation to our orer, 0he ark sie withers an ies uner those conitions= Kas'i( stare at Bane as if he wante to say (ore, !n the en$ howeer$ he "et it rop, 70hat's enou/h for toay$7 he sai, !n the istance the sky ha turne the faint /ray of first "i/ht3 awn was on"y an hour away, 70he other stuents wi"" be arriin/ for their trainin/ soon,7 Bane bowe once (ore before takin/ his "eae, .s he (ae his way own the te(p"e steps he rea"i4e that Kas'i($ for a"" his ski"" with the "i/htsaber$ cou"n't teach hi( what he rea""y neee to know, 0he 0wi'"ek ha turne his back on the past3 he ha abanone the iniiua"istic roots of the Sith in faor of Kaan's Brotherhoo, 0he (ysteries of the ark sie's true potentia" were beyon his reach%an "ike"y beyon the reach of eery +aster at the .cae(y, Githany cou" sense that so(ethin/ was troub"in/ Bane, 2e was bare"y payin/ attention as she share what she ha "earne fro( the Sith +asters in her (ost recent "essons, She in't know what was botherin/ hi(, !n truth$ she in't care, Un"ess it interfere with her own p"ans, 7So(ethin/'s on your (in$ Bane$7 she whispere, Lost in his thou/hts$ he took a (o(ent to react, 7!'( , , , !'( sorry$ Githany,7 7What's wron/97 she presse$ tryin/ to soun /enuine"y concerne, 7What are you thinkin/ about97 2e in't answer at first3 he see(e to be wei/hin/ his wors carefu""y before speakin/, 7Do you be"iee in the power of the ark sie97 he aske, 7Of course,7 7.n is it what you enisione9 Does the .cae(y "ie up to your e8pectations97 7&ew thin/s eer o$7 she rep"ie with a hint of a s(i"e, 7But !'e "earne a "ot fro( 5oris an the others since !'e co(e here, 0hin/s the )ei cou" neer hae tau/ht (e,7 Bane /ae a erisie snort, 7+ost of what !'e "earne has co(e fro( these books,7 2e wae a han at the she"es,
She wasn't sure what to say ne8t$ so she sai nothin/, 7-ou once to" (e the +asters in't know eerythin/$7 Bane continue, 7-ou (eant the )ei +asters at the ti(e$ but !'( startin/ to be"iee it app"ies to the Sith$ as we"",7 70hey were wron/ to turn their backs on you$7 she sai$ seein/ the opportunity she ha "on/ been waitin/ for, 7But you hae to p"ace your b"a(e where it be"on/s, We both know who is responsib"e for oin/ this to you,7 7Sirak$7 he sai$ spittin/ out the na(e as if it were poison, 72e (ust pay for what he i to you$ Bane, We'e waite "on/ enou/h, !t's ti(e,7 70i(e for what97 Githany a""owe the hint of a tre(or into her oice, 70o(orrow (ornin/ !'( /oin/ to cha""en/e hi( in the ue"in/ rin/,7 7What97 Bane shook his hea, 7Don't be stupi$ Githany= 2e'"" estroy you=7 Perfect$ she thou/ht, 7! hae no choice$ Bane$7 she sai /rae"y, 7!'e a"reay to" you ! on't be"iee in the "e/en of the Sith'ari, Sirak (ay be the top stuent in the schoo"$ but he's not inincib"e,7 72e (ay not be the Sith'ari$ but he's sti"" too stron/ for you, -ou can't face hi( in the ue"in/ rin/$ Githany, !'e stuie hi(3 ! know how /oo he is, -ou can't beat hi(,7 She "et his wors han/ in the air for a "on/ ti(e before roppin/ her hea in efeat, 7What other choice is there9 We hae to estroy hi($ an the on"y way is by facin/ hi( in the ue"in/ rin/,7 Bane in't rep"y ri/ht away3 she knew he was (u""in/ oer another so"ution, 0hey both knew there was on"y one possib"e course of action$ one answer he wou" ineitab"y co(e to, 0hey' hae to ki"" Sirak outsie the rin/, .ssassinate hi(, !t was a b"atant io"ation of the .cae(y's ru"es$ an the conse6uences wou" be seere if they were cau/ht, 0hat's why it ha to be Bane who ca(e up with the iea, Once it was out there$ Githany was confient she cou" (aneuer hi( into perfor(in/ the actua" ee by hi(se"f, !t was the perfect p"an* /et ri of Sirak an hae Bane assu(e a"" the risk, Later she cou" 7accienta""y7 tip off the +asters about Bane's ino"e(ent ,,, if she neee to, She wasn't so sure about that part of her p"an any(ore$ thou/h, She wasn't conince she wante to betray Bane, But she in't (in (anipu"atin/ hi(, 2e rew in a "on/ breath$ /atherin/ hi(se"f to speak, She prepare herse"f to /ie a ery conincin/%an ery contrie%e8c"a(ation of surprise, 7-ou can't face Sirak in the rin/$ but ! can$7 he sai, 7What97 Githany's surprise was co(p"ete"y /enuine, 72e near"y beat you to eath "ast ti(e= 2e'"" ki"" you for sure this ti(e=7
70his ti(e ! inten to win,7 0he way he spoke (ae Githany rea"i4e she was (issin/ so(ethin/, 7What's /oin/ on$ Bane97 she e(ane, 2e hesitate a (o(ent before a(ittin/$ 7!'e been trainin/ with Lor Kas'i( in secret,7 0hat (ae sense$ she saw, !n fact$ she shou" hae fi/ure it out on her own, +aybe you wou" hae if$ if you han't "et Bane /et to you$ she chie herse"f, -ou knew you were startin/ to hae fee"in/s for hi(3 you "et the( c"ou your :u/(ent, Out "ou she sai$ 7! on't "ike bein/ p"aye for a foo"$ Bane,7 7;either o !$7 he sai, 7!'( not stupi$ Githany, ! know what you wante fro( (e, ! know what you e8pecte (e to say, ! wi"" /et (y reen/e on Sirak, But !'( takin/ (y own path,7 Without een rea"i4in/ it she ha be/un chewin/ on her "ower "ip, 7When97 70o(orrow (ornin/, )ust as you sai you were /oin/ to,7 7But you know ! wasn't serious,7 7.n you know ! a(,7 Unbien$ Githany's fin/er be/an to twine itse"f in a "ock of her hair, She pu""e her ar( own sharp"y as soon as she rea"i4e what she was oin/, Bane reache out a han an "et it rest /ent"y on her shou"er, 7-ou on't hae to worry$7 he reassure her, 7;oboy wi"" know you were ino"e,7 70hat's not what !'( worrie about$7 she whispere, 2e ti"te his hea to one sie$ stuyin/ her c"ose"y to see if she was bein/ honest with hi(, +uch to her own surprise$ she actua""y was, Bane (ust hae sense her sincerity$ because he "eane in c"ose an kisse her soft"y on the "ips, 2e rew back s"ow"y$ "ettin/ his han s"ip fro( her shou"er, Without another wor$ he rose to his feet an (ae his way towar the oor "eain/ out of the archies, She watche hi( /o in si"ence$ then at the "ast secon ca""e out$ 7Goo "uck$ Bane, Be carefu",7 2e stoppe as if he' taken a b"aster bo"t in the throat$ his boy ri/i, 7 ! wi""$7 he rep"ie without "ookin/ back, .n then he was /one, +o(ents "ater Githany fe"t her face burnin/, She absent"y brushe away a tear coi"in/ own her cheek$ then brou/ht her han up s"ow"y$ starin/ in isbe"ief at the (oisture s(eare across her pa"(, Dis/uste at her own weakness$ she wipe the tear away on the fo"s of her c"oak, She stoo up fro( the chair an threw her shou"ers back$ bracin/ her spine an ho"in/ her hea hi/h an prou,
So what if thin/s han't 6uite /one accorin/ to p"an9 !f Bane ki""e Sirak in the rin/$ her ria" wou" sti"" be ea, .n if Bane fai"e$ she cou" a"ways fin so(eone e"se to assassinate the Habrak, !t wou" a"" work out the sa(e in the en, But as she (arche s(art"y fro( the roo($ part of her knew that wasn't true, ;o (atter how this p"aye out$ thin/s were /oin/ to be ery ifferent fro( anythin/ she ha i(a/ine, 0he (ornin/ sky was ark with stor( c"ous, &ar in the istance thuner cou" be hear ru(b"in/ across the e(pty p"ains that separate the te(p"e fro( the a""ey of the Dark Lors, Bane han't s"ept that ni/ht, .fter his confrontation with Githany$ he ha returne to his roo( to (eitate, en that ha proe ifficu"t3 his (in was churnin/ with too (any thou/hts to proper"y focus, +e(ories of the /rueso(e beatin/ he ha suffere kept forcin/ the(se"es to the fore$ ra//in/ oubt an the fear of fai"ure behin the(, So far he' (ana/e to resist the whispers that threatene his reso"e$ an he' staye fir( in his ori/ina" p"an, 0he apprentices were /atherin/$ so(e castin/ sour /"ances at the c"ous oerhea, 0he te(p"e roof was co(p"ete"y e8pose to the e"e(ents$ but no (atter how wet$ co"$ an (iserab"e the stuents /ot$ they knew the ri""s an cha""en/es wou" not be cance"e, . "itt"e rain was nothin/ to a Sith$ Kas'i( was fon of sayin/, Bane foun his p"ace a(i the thron/ in preparation for the /roup ri""s, 0he apprentices aroun hi( stuious"y i/nore his presence, !t ha been this way eer since his "oss to Sirak* he was shunne3 he ha beco(e anathe(a to the other stuents, 0hou/h he traine with the( in a"" the /roup sessions$ it was as if he in't rea""y e8ist, 2e was a si"ent shaow "urkin/ on the frin/es$ e8c"ue in spirit if not in actua" physica" presence, 2e scanne the crow for Githany$ but when he cau/ht her eye she 6uick"y "ooke away, Sti""$ he foun her presence reassurin/, 2e be"iee she wante hi( to succee$ or at "east part of her i, 2e be"iee that so(e of what they fe"t for each other was (ore than :ust part of the /a(e they ha both been p"ayin/, .s the ri""s be/an he (ae a point not to "ook oer at Sirak, 2e ha stuie the Habrak in e8cruciatin/ etai" oer the past (onths3 anythin/ he happene to notice now wou" on"y cause hi( to secon%/uess hi(se"f, !nstea he focuse on his own techni6ue, !n the past he ha purposefu""y worke errors an (istakes into his routines urin/ the ri""s in orer to keep his /rowin/ ta"ent hien fro( any stuent who (i/ht happen to cast a /"ance in his irection, ;ow$ howeer$ the ti(e for secrecy was /one, .fter the cha""en/es toay eeryone wou" know what he was capab"e of%or he wou" be ea an for/otten foreer, 0he rain be/an to co(e own, S"ow"y at first3 fat$ heay rops space enou/h apart that he cou" (ake out the soun as each one "ane, But then the c"ous opene up an the rain ca(e in a steay$ pounin/ rhyth(, Bane bare"y een notice, 2e' escape insie hi(se"f$ i//in/ own eep to confront his fear, .s his boy went throu/h the (otions of basic attack an efense stances a"on/ with the rest of the c"ass$ he s"ow"y transfor(e the fear into an/er, !t was i(possib"e for Bane to say how "on/ the trainin/ session "aste* it see(e to /o on foreer$ but in actua" fact Kas'i( probab"y kept it brief in "i/ht of the steay ownpour soakin/ his char/es, By the ti(e it ene an the apprentices ha /athere into the fa(i"iar circ"e aroun the ue"in/
rin/$ the youn/ (an ha turne his seethin/ an/er into white%hot hate, .s he ha one the "ast ti(e he cha""en/e Sirak$ he entere the rin/ before anyone e"se ha a chance to act$ pushin/ his way throu/h the crow fro( his position on the outer(ost e/e, 0here was a (ur(ur of surprise when the others reco/ni4e who ha steppe forwar, 2e cou" fee" the ark sie churnin/ insie hi($ a stor( far fiercer than the one pe"tin/ own on hi( fro( the sky, !t was ti(e for his hate to set hi( free, 7Sirak=7 he shoute$ his oice carryin/ oer the risin/ win, 7! cha""en/e you=7
!n response to the ineitab"e counterattack$ Bane "et hi(se"f sta//er back into a stu(b"in/ retreat, &or a brief instant he saw his opponent oere8ten$ "eain/ his ri/ht ar( u"nerab"e to a strike that wou" hae ene the contest ri/ht then an there, &i/htin/ his own fine"y hone instincts$ Bane he" back, 2e' worke too "on/ an too har to c"ai( ictory with a si(p"e b"ow to the ar(, 0he batt"e continue in the fa(i"iar rhyth( of co(bat$ the ebb an f"ow of attack an efense, Bane (ae sure his attacks were effectie yet crue$ tryin/ to conince his ene(y that he was a an/erous but u"ti(ate"y inferior opponent, ach ti(e he ware off one of Sirak's char/es he e(be""ishe his efensie (aneuers$ transfor(in/ 6uick parries into "on/$ c"u(sy swipes that see(e to keep the oub"e%b"ae saber at bay as (uch throu/h b"in "uck as intention, With the sur/e an swe"" of each e8chan/e Bane /ent"y proe with the &orce$ testin/ an searchin/ for a weakness he cou" e8p"oit, !t took on"y a few (inutes unti" he reco/ni4e it, Despite his trainin/$ the Habrak ha no rea" e8perience in "on/$ rawn%out batt"es%none of his opponents ha eer "aste "on/ enou/h to tru"y push hi(, !(perceptib"y$ the strikes of his foe beca(e "ess crisp$ the counters "ess precise$ an the transitions "ess e"e/ant as Sirak /raua""y wore own, 0he fo/ of e8haustion was s"ow"y c"ouin/ his (in$ an Bane knew it was on"y a (atter of ti(e unti" he (ae a crucia"%an fata"%(isca"cu"ation, -et een thou/h he was batt"in/ the Habrak$ Bane's rea" stru//"e was with hi(se"f, 0i(e an a/ain he ha to pu"" back to keep fro( "un/in/ throu/h an openin/ presente by his ene(y's increasin/"y esperate assau"t, 2e unerstoo that the crushin/ ictory he sou/ht wou" on"y co(e throu/h patience%a irtue not nor(a""y encoura/e in fo""owers of the ark sie, !n the en his patience was reware, Sirak beca(e (ore an (ore frustrate as he continua""y trie an fai"e to brin/ his bu(b"in/$ stu(b"in/ opponent own, .s the pro"on/e physica" e8ertion be/an to take its to""$ his swin/s beca(e wi" an reck"ess$ unti" he abanone a"" pretense of efense in an effort to en the ue" he sense was s"ippin/ away fro( hi(, When the Habrak's esperation turne to hope"essness$ eery i(pu"se in Bane screa(e with the esire to take the initiatie an en the fi/ht, !nstea he "et the tanta"i4in/ c"oseness of Sirak's efeat fee his appetite for en/eance, 0he hun/er /rew with each passin/ secon unti" it beca(e a physica" pain tearin/ away at his insies* the ark sie fi""e hi( an he fe"t it on the er/e of rippin/ hi( apart$ sp"ittin/ his skin an /ushin/ out "ike a fountain of b"ack b"oo, 2e waite unti" the "ast possib"e secon before un"eashin/ the ener/y bott"e up insie hi( in a tre(enous rush of power, 2e channe"e it throu/h his (usc"es an "i(bs$ (oin/ so fast it see(e as if ti(e ha stoppe for the rest of the wor", !n the b"ink of an eye he knocke the saber fro( Sirak's han$ s"ice own to shatter his forear($ then spun throu/h an brou/ht his saber crashin/ into his opponent's "ower "e/, !t sp"intere uner the i(pact an Sirak screa(e as a shar of /"ea(in/ white bone s"ice throu/h (usc"e$ sinew$ an fina""y skin, &or an instant none of the spectators was een aware of what ha happene3 it took their (ins a (o(ent to catch up an re/ister the b"ur of action that ha occurre so (uch 6uicker than their eyes cou" see, Sirak "ay cru(p"e on the /roun$ writhin/ in a/ony an c"utchin/ with his one /oo han at the chunk of bone protruin/ fro( his shin, Bane hesitate a sp"it secon before (oin/ in to finish hi( off$ saorin/ the (o(ent ,,, an /iin/ Kas'i( the opportunity to interene, 7nou/h=7 the B"ae(aster shoute$ an the apprentice obeye$ free4in/ his saber een in the act of choppin/ it own on his he"p"ess foe, 7!t's oer$ Bane,7
S"ow"y$ Bane "owere his saber an steppe away, 0he fury an focus that ha turne hi( into a conuit of the ark sie's unstoppab"e power was /one$ rep"ace by a hyperconscious awareness of his physica" surrounin/s, 2e was stanin/ atop the te(p"e roof in the (i"e of a ra/in/ stor($ renche in co" rain$ his boy ha"f fro4en, 2e be/an to shier as he cast about the /roun for his iscare c"oak, 2e picke it up but$ finin/ it soake co(p"ete"y throu/h$ in't bother to put it on, Kas'i( steppe fro( the crow$ s(ooth"y p"acin/ hi(se"f between Bane an the he"p"ess Habrak, 7-ou hae witnesse an a(a4in/ ictory toay$7 he to" the asse(b"e thron/$ shoutin/ to be hear aboe the pounin/ rain, 7Bane's triu(ph was as (uch a resu"t of his bri""iant strate/y as his superior ski"",7 Bane was bare"y "istenin/ to the wors, 2e (ere"y stoo in the center of the rin/$ si"ent sae for the chatterin/ of his teeth, 72e was patient an carefu", 2e in't :ust want to efeat his opponent ,,, he wante to estroy hi(= 2e achiee un (oth%not because he was better than Sirak$ but because he was s(arter,7 0he B"ae(aster reache out a han an p"ace it on Bane's bare shou"er, 7Let this be a "esson to you a""$7 he conc"ue, 7Secrecy can be your /reatest weapon, Keep your true stren/th hien unti" you are reay to un"eash the ki""in/ b"ow,7 2e "et /o of Bane's shou"er an whispere$ 7-ou shou" /o insie before you catch a chi"",7 0hen he turne to aress the stunne Habrak sib"in/s stanin/ at the e/e of the circ"e stuents, 70ake Sirak own to the (ecenter,7 .s they (oe forwar to carry their (oanin/ an bare"y conscious cha(pion away$ Bane turne towar the stairs, Kas'i( was ri/ht* he ha to /et out of the rain, &ee"in/ stran/e"y surrea"$ he wa"ke stiff"y towar the stairs that "e into the war(th an she"ter of the roo(s be"ow, 0he crow parte 6uick"y to "et hi( throu/h, +ost of the other apprentices were starin/ at hi( with e8pressions of fear an open woner$ yet he bare"y notice, 2e escene the steps to the te(p"e's (ain f"oor$ wa"kin/ in a stupor that was broken on"y when he hear Githany ca"" his na(e, 7Bane=7 she shoute$ an he turne to see her hurryin/ own the stairs after hi(, 2er renche hair was p"astere hapha4ar"y to her face an forehea, 2er soake c"othes c"un/ ti/ht"y to her boy$ accentuatin/ eery cure of her shape"y for(, She was breathin/ har$ thou/h whether fro( e8cite(ent or the e8ertion of catchin/ up to hi( he cou"n't say, 2e waite at the base of the stairs as she approache, She ran own the steps towar hi($ an for a (o(ent he thou/ht she wou" continue on into his ar(s, .t the "ast secon she stoppe$ howeer$ an stoo (ere centi(eters fro( hi(, Githany took a secon to catch her breath before she spoke, When she i$ her wors were harsh$ thou/h her oice was "ow, 7What happene up there9 Why in't you ki"" hi(97 Part of hi( ha been e8pectin/ this reaction$ thou/h another part of hi( was hopin/ she ha co(e
to con/ratu"ate hi( on his ictory, 2e cou"n't he"p but fee" isappointe, 72e sent (e to the bacta tank in our first ue", ;ow !'e one the sa(e to hi($7 he rep"ie, 70hat's en/eance,7 70hat's foo"ish=7 she shot back, 7-ou think Sirak's /oin/ to :ust for/et about this9 2e'"" co(e after you a/ain$ Bane, )ust "ike you ca(e after hi(, 0hat's the way this works, -ou (isse your chance to put a per(anent en to this feu$ an ! want to know why,7 7+y b"ae was raise for the ki""in/ b"ow$7 Bane re(ine her, 7Lor Kas'i( steppe in before ! cou" finish Sirak off, 0he +asters on't want one of their top stuents to en up ea,7 7;o$7 she sai$ shakin/ her hea, 7-our b"ae was raise$ but Kas'i( in't stop you, -ou hesitate, So(ethin/ he" you back,7 Bane knew she was ri/ht, 2e ha hesitate, 2e :ust wasn't sure why, 2e trie to e8p"ain it , , , to Githany an hi(se"f, 7!'e a"reay ki""e one foe in the rin/, 5oris chastise (e for &ohar/h's eath, 2e warne (e not to "et it happen a/ain, ! /uess , , , ! /uess ! was worrie about what the +asters wou" o to (e if ! ki""e another apprentice,7 Githany's eyes narrowe in an/er, 7! thou/ht we' fina""y stoppe "yin/ to each other$ Bane,7 !t wasn't a "ie, ;ot e8act"y, But it wasn't entire"y accurate$ either, 2e shifte unco(fortab"y$ fee"in/ /ui"ty beneath her furious /"are, 7-ou cou"n't o it$7 she sai$ reachin/ out an :abbin/ hi( har in the chest with her fin/er, 7-ou fe"t the ark sie swa""owin/ you up$ an you pu""e back,7 ;ow it was Bane's turn to /et an/ry, 7-ou're wron/$7 he snappe$ swipin/ her accusin/ han away, 7! retreate fro( the ark sie after ! ki""e &ohar/h, ! know how that fe"t, 0his is ifferent,7 2is wors carrie the ri/hteous wei/ht of truth, Last ti(e he' fe"t ho""ow insie$ as if so(ethin/ ha been taken fro( hi(, 0his ti(e he cou" sti"" fee" the &orce f"owin/ throu/h hi( in a"" i ts saa/e /"ory$ fi""in/ hi( with its heat an power, 0his ti(e the ark sie re(aine his to co((an, Githany wasn't conince, 7-ou sti"" aren't wi""in/ to /ie yourse"f fu""y to the ark sie$7 she sai, 7Sirak showe weakness$ an you showe hi( (ercy, 0hat's not the way of the Sith,7 7What o you know of the ways of the Sith97 he shoute, 7!'( the one who's rea the ancient te8ts$ not you= -ou're stuck "earnin/ fro( +asters who'e for/otten their past,7 7Where in the ancient te8ts oes it say to show co(passion to a fa""en ene(y97 she aske$ her oice rippin/ with scorn, Stun/ by the wors$ Bane shoe her sharp"y backwar an turne away, She took a 6uick step to ba"ance herse"f$ but kept her istance, 7-ou're :ust an/ry because your p"an fe"" apart$7 he (uttere$ suen"y unwi""in/ to face her, 2e wante to say (ore$ but he knew the rest of the stuents wou" be own soon, 2e in't want anyone to see the( ta"kin/ to/ether$ so he si(p"y wa"ke away an "eft her stanin/ there a"one, Githany fo""owe hi( with co"$ ca"cu"atin/ eyes, She' been i(presse watchin/ hi( toy with
Sirak in the rin/3 he' see(e inincib"e, But when he' fai"e to ki"" the he"p"ess Habrak$ she was 6uick to reco/ni4e an ientify what ha happene, !t was a f"aw in Bane's character$ a weakness he refuse to reco/ni4e, -et it was there nonethe"ess, Once the passion of the (o(ent ha fae%once he was no "on/er rien by the ark sie%his seethin/ b"oo"ust ha coo"e, 2e han't een been ab"e to ki"" his (ost hate ene(y without proocation, Which (eant he probab"y wou"n't be ab"e to ki"" Githany if it eer ca(e own to it, Knowin/ this chan/e the nature of their re"ationship once a/ain, Recent"y she' be/un to fear Bane$ afrai that if he eer turne on her$ she wou"n't be stron/ enou/h to stan a/ainst hi(, ;ow she knew that this wou" neer happen, 2e si(p"y wasn't capab"e of ki""in/ an a""y without :ustification, &ortunate"y$ she in't hae the sa(e "i(itations, Bane was sti"" thinkin/ about what Githany ha sai "ater that ni/ht as he "ay in be$ unab"e to s"eep, Why han't he been ab"e to ki"" Sirak9 Was she ri/ht9 2a he pu""e back out of so(e (is/uie sense of co(passion9 2e wante to be"iee he ha e(brace the ark sie$ but if he ha$ he wou" hae cut Sirak own without a secon thou/ht%no (atter what the conse6uences, 2oweer$ it was (ore than this that was botherin/ hi(, 2e was frustrate by how he' "eft thin/s with Githany, 2e was uneniab"y rawn to her3 she was hypnotic an co(pe""in/, ach ti(e she brushe up a/ainst hi( he fe"t chi""s own his spine, en when they were apart he often thou/ht of her$ (e(ories "in/erin/ "ike the scent of her into8icatin/ perfu(e, .t ni/ht her "on/ b"ack hair an an/erous eyes haunte his rea(s, .n he honest"y be"iee she fe"t so(ethin/ for hi($ too ,,, thou/h he oubte she wou" eer a(it it, -et as c"ose as they' beco(e urin/ their secret "essons to/ether they' neer consu((ate their yearnin/, !t :ust see(e wron/ whi"e Sirak was sti"" the top apprentice at the acae(y, Defeatin/ hi( ha been the uner"yin/ /oa" for each of the(3 neither one ha wante any istractions fro( that /oa", 2e was a co((on foe that unite the( to a sin/"e cause$ but in (any ways he ha a"so been a wa"" keepin/ the( apart, 0akin/ Sirak own shou" hae "ee"e that wa"" into rubb"e, But Bane ha seen the isappoint(ent in Githany's face after the batt"e, 2e' pro(ise to ki"" their ene(y$ an she' be"iee in hi(, -et in the en his actions ha proe he wasn't up to her e8pectations$ an the wa"" between the( ha suen"y /rown (uch$ (uch stron/er, So(eone knocke soft"y at the oor of his cha(ber, !t was we"" after curfew3 none of the apprentices ha any reason to be in the ha""s, 2e cou" think of on"y one person who (i/ht be wanerin/ the ha""s at this hour, Leapin/ fro( his be he crosse the f"oor in one 6uick strie an yanke open the oor, 2e 6uick"y (aske his isappoint(ent at seein/ Lor Kas'i( stanin/ beyon the thresho", 0he B"ae(aster steppe throu/h the open oor without waitin/ for an initation3 he /ae Bane a no that to" hi( to c"ose it once he was insie, Bane i as he was bien$ wonerin/ at the purpose of the unannounce "ate%ni/ht isit, 7! hae so(ethin/ for you$7 the 0wi'"ek sai$ brushin/ away the fo"s of his c"oak an reachin/ for his "i/htsaber on his be"t, ;o$ Bane rea"i4e, ;ot his "i/htsaber, 0he han"e of Kas'i('s weapon was noticeab"y "on/er than (ost$ a""owin/ it to house two crysta"s$ one to power each b"ae, 0his hi"t
was s(a""er$ an it was fashione with a stran/e cure$ /iin/ it a hooke appearance, 0he B"ae(aster i/nite the "i/htsaber* its sin/"e b"ae burne a ark re, 70his was the weapon of (y +aster$7 he to" Bane, 7.s a youn/ chi" ! wou" watch for hours as (y +aster perfor(e his ri""s, +y ear"iest (e(ories are of ancin/ ruby "i/hts (oin/ throu/h the se6uences of batt"e,7 7-ou on't re(e(ber your parents97 Bane aske$ surprise, Kas'i( shook his hea, 7+y parents were so" in the s"ae (arkets of ;a" 2utta, 0hat's where +aster ;a'a4 foun (e, 2e notice (y fa(i"y on the auction b"ocks3 perhaps he was rawn to the( because we were 0wi'"eks "ike hi(se"f, en thou/h ! was bare"y o" enou/h to stan$ +aster ;a'a4 cou" sense the &orce in (e, 2e purchase (e an took (e back to Ry"oth$ to raise (e as his apprentice a(on/ our own peop"e,7 7What happene to your parents97 7! on't know$7 Kas'i( rep"ie with an inifferent shru/, 70hey ha no specia" connection to the &orce$ so (y +aster saw no reason to purchase the(, 0hey were weak$ an so they were "eft behin,7 2e spoke casua""y$ as if the know"e/e that his parents ha "ie an probab"y ie as s"aes in the serice of the 2utts ha no effect on hi( whatsoeer, !n a way his apathy was unerstanab"e, 2e' neer known his parents$ so he ha no e(otiona" ties to the($ /oo or ba, Bane brief"y wonere how his own "ife (i/ht hae been ifferent if he ha been raise by so(eone e"se, !f 2urst ha been ki""e in the cortosis (ines when he was :ust an infant$ wou" he sti"" hae ene up here at the .cae(y on Korriban9 7+y +aster was a /reat Sith Lor$7 Kas'i( continue, 72e was particu"ar"y aept in the arts of "i/htsaber co(bat%a ski"" he passe on to (e, 2e tau/ht (e how to use the oub"e%b"ae "i/htsaber$ thou/h as you can see he preferre a (ore traitiona" esi/n for hi(se"f, 8cept for the han"e$ of course,7 0he b"ae f"ickere out of e8istence as he shut off the weapon an tosse it to Bane$ who cau/ht it easi"y$ wrappin/ his han aroun the hooke han"e, 7!t fee"s stran/e$7 he (uttere, 7!t re6uires a (inor ariation in your /rip$7 Kas'i( e8p"aine, 72o" it (ore in the pa"($ farther away fro( the fin/ertips,7 Bane i as instructe$ "ettin/ his boy /row accusto(e to the o heft an ba"ance, ."reay his (in was be/innin/ to run throu/h the i(p"ications of the new /rip, !t wou" /ie the wie"er (ore power on his oerhan strikes$ an it wou" chan/e the an/"e of the attacks by the (erest fraction of a e/ree, )ust enou/h to confuse an isorient an unsuspectin/ opponent, 7So(e (oes are (ore ifficu"t with this particu"ar weapon$7 Kas'i( warne, 7But (any others are far (ore effectie, !n the en ! think you'"" fin this "i/htsaber wi"" suit your persona" sty"e 6uite we"",7 7-ou're /iin/ this to (e97 Bane aske increu"ous"y, 70oay you proe you were worthy of it,7 0here was :ust a hint of prie in the B"ae(aster's
oice, Bane i/nite it$ "istenin/ to the sweet hu( of the power pack an the crack"in/ hiss of the ener/y b"ae, 2e perfor(e a few si(p"e f"ourishes$ then abrupt"y shut it off, 7Does 5oris approe97 70he ecision is (ine$ not his$7 Kas'i( state, 2e a"(ost soune offene, 7! haen't he" on to this b"ae for ten years :ust so 5oris can ecie who ! /ie it to,7 Bane answere with a respectfu" bow$ fu""y aware of the /reat honor that Kas'i( ha :ust bestowe upon hi(, 0o fi"" the unco(fortab"e si"ence that fo""owe he aske$ 7-our +aster /ae you this when he ie97 7! took it when ! ki""e hi(,7 Bane was so stunne that he cou"n't coer his reaction, 0he B"ae(aster saw it an s(i"e s"i/ht"y, 7! ha "earne eerythin/ ! cou" fro( +aster ;a'a4, .s stron/ as he was in the ark sie$ ! was stron/er, .s ski""e as he was with the "i/htsaber$ ! beca(e better,7 7But why ki"" hi(97 Bane aske, 7. test, 0o see if ! was as stron/ as ! be"iee, 0his was before Lor Kaan rose to power3 we were sti"" trappe in the o" ways, Sith ersus Sith$ +aster ersus apprentice, &oo"ish"y pittin/ ourse"es a/ainst one another to proe our o(inance, &ortunate"y$ the Brotherhoo of Darkness put an en to a"" that,7 7;ot co(p"ete"y$7 Bane (uttere$ thinkin/ of &ohar/h an Sirak, 70he weak sti"" fa"" to the stron/, !t is ineitab"e,7 Kas'i( ti"te his hea to the sie$ tryin/ to /au/e the (eanin/ behin his wors, 7Don't a""ow yourse"f to be b"ine by this honor$7 he warne, 7-ou are not reay to cha""en/e (e$ youn/ apprentice, ! hae tau/ht you eerythin/ you know$ but ! haen't tau/ht you eerythin/ ! know,7 Bane cou"n't he"p but s(i"e, 0he notion of facin/ Kas'i( in a rea" fi/ht was preposterous, 2e knew he was no (atch for the B"ae(aster, ;ot yet, 7! wi"" keep that in (in$ +aster,7 Satisfie$ Kas'i( turne to /o, )ust before Bane c"ose the oor behin hi( he ae$ 7Lor 5oris wants to see you first thin/ in the (ornin/, Go to his cha(bers before the (ornin/ ri""s,7 en the soberin/ prospect of (eetin/ with the .cae(y's /ri( oerseer cou"n't a(pen Bane's e"ate spirit, .s soon as he was a"one in his roo( he rei/nite the "i/htsaber an be/an practicin/ his se6uences, !t was (any hours before he fina""y put the weapon away an craw"e weari"y into be$ a"" thou/hts of Githany "on/ banishe fro( his (in, 0he (ornin/'s first "i/ht foun Bane at the oor "eain/ into the priate 6uarters of Lor 5oris, !t ha been (any (onths since he ha "ast been here, .t that ti(e he ha been chastise for ki""in/ &ohar/h, 0his ti(e he ha seere"y in:ure one of the top stuents of the .cae(y%one of 5oris's persona" faorites, 2e wonere what was in store for hi(, Su((onin/ his coura/e$ he knocke once,
7nter$7 ca(e the oice fro( within, 0ryin/ to i/nore a fee"in/ of trepiation$ Bane i as he was to", Lor 5oris was in the center of the roo( knee"in/ on his (eitation (at, !t was a"(ost as if he han't (oe* his position was e8act"y the sa(e as it ha been at their "ast (eetin/, 7+aster$7 Bane sai$ (akin/ a "ow bow, 5oris in't bother to rise, 7! see you hae a "i/htsaber on your be"t,7 7Lor Kas'i( /ae it to (e, 2e fe"t ! earne it with (y "atest ictory in the rin/,7 Bane suen"y fe"t ery efensie$ as if he was uner attack, 7! hae no wish to contraict the B"ae(aster$7 5oris rep"ie$ thou/h his tone su//este the opposite, 72oweer$ thou/h you now carry a "i/htsaber$ o not for/et that you are sti"" an apprentice, -ou sti"" owe your obeience an a""e/iance to the +asters here at the .cae(y,7 7Of course$ Lor 5oris,7 70he way in which you efeate Sirak has "eft 6uite an i(pression on the other stuents$7 5oris continue, 70hey wi"" "ook to e(u"ate you now, -ou (ust set an e8a(p"e for the(,7 7! wi"" o (y best$ +aster,7 70hat (eans your priate sessions with Githany (ust en,7 . chi"" washe oer Bane, 7-ou knew97 7! a( a Sith Lor$ an +aster of this .cae(y, ! a( not a foo"$ an ! a( not b"in to what is happenin/ within the wa""s of the te(p"e, ! to"erate such behaior when you were an outcast because it i no har( to the other apprentices, ;ow$ howeer$ (any of the stuents wi"" be watchin/ you c"ose"y, ! o not want the( fo""owin/ your path an tryin/ to train one another in a (is/uie atte(pt to up"icate your success9' 7What wi"" happen to Githany9 Wi"" she be punishe97 7! wi"" speak with her :ust as ! a( speakin/ with you, !t (ust be c"ear to the rest of the apprentices that the two of you are not trainin/ to/ether in priate, 0hat (eans you cannot see her any(ore, -ou (ust aoi a"" contact e8cept in the /roup "essons, !f you both obey (e in this$ there wi"" be no further conse6uences,7 Bane unerstoo Lor 5oris's concerns$ but he fe"t the so"ution went too far, 0here was no nee to cut hi( off fro( Githany so co(p"ete"y, 2e wonere if the +asters knew of his attraction to her, Di they fear she wou" be a istraction9 ;o$ he rea"i4e$ that wasn't it, 0his was si(p"y about contro", Bane ha efie Lor 5oris3 he ha succeee espite bein/ shunne by the rest of the .cae(y, ;ow 5oris wante to c"ai( ownership of Bane's acco(p"ish(ents, 70hat is not a""97 5oris continue$ interruptin/ Bane's thou/hts, 7-ou (ust a"so put an en to your stuy of the archies,7
7Why97 Bane burst out$ surprise an an/ry, 70he (anuscripts contain the wiso( of the ancient Sith, ! hae "earne (uch about the ways of the ark sie fro( the(,7 70he archies are re"ics of the past$7 5oris countere sharp"y, 70hey are fro( a ti(e that has "on/ since anishe, 0he orer has chan/e, We hae eo"e beyon what you "earne in those (usty scro""s an to(es, -ou wou" unerstan this if you ha been stuyin/ with the +asters instea of rushin/ off on your own path,7 -ou're the one who force (e own that path$ Bane thou/ht, 70he Sith (ay hae chan/e$ but we can sti"" bui" on the know"e/e of those who ca(e before us, Sure"y you unerstan that$ +aster, Why e"se wou" you hae rebui"t the .cae(y on Korriban97 0here was a f"ash of an/er in the Dark Lor's eyes, 2e obious"y in't "ike bein/ cha""en/e by one of his stuents, When he spoke$ his oice was co" an (enacin/, 70he ark sie is stron/ on this wor", 0hat is the on"y reason we chose to co(e here,7 Bane knew he shou" "et the (atter rop$ but he wasn't reay to back own, 0his was too i(portant, 7But what about the a""ey of the Dark Lors9 What about the to(bs of a"" the ark +asters burie on Korriban$ an the secrets hien insie the(97 7!s that what you seek97 5oris sneere, 70he secrets of the ea9 0he )ei pi""a/e the to(bs when Korriban fe"" to the( three thousan years a/o, ;othin/ of a"ue re(ains,7 70he )ei are serants of the "i/ht$7 Bane proteste, 70he ark sie has secrets they wi"" neer unerstan, 0here (ay be so(ethin/ they (isse,7 5oris "au/he$ a harsh an scornfu" bark, 7.re you rea""y so naIe97 70he spirits of powerfu" Sith +asters are sai to "in/er in their to(bs$7 Bane insiste$ stubborn"y refusin/ to be cowe, 70hey appear on"y to those who are worthy, 0hey wou" not hae reea"e the(se"es to the )ei,7 7Do you rea""y be"iee /hosts an spirits sti"" "in/er in their /raes$ waitin/ to pass on the /reat (ysteries of the ark sie to those who seek the( out97 Bane's thou/hts turne back to his stuies, 0here were too (any such accounts ocu(ente in the archies to be (ere "e/en, 0here ha to be so(e truth to it, 7-es$7 he answere$ thou/h he knew it wou" infuriate 5oris een (ore, 7! be"iee ! can "earn (ore fro( the /hosts in the a""ey of the Dark Lors than the "iin/ +asters here at the .cae(y,7 5oris "eapt to his feet an s"appe Bane har across the face$ his ta"on%"ike fin/ernai"s rawin/ b"oo, Bane he" his /roun3 he in't een f"inch, 7-ou are an i(puent foo"=7 his +aster shoute, 7-ou worship those who are ea an /one, -ou think they ho" so(e /reat power$ but they are nothin/ but ust an bone=7 7-ou're wron/$7 Bane sai, 2e cou" fee" the b"oo we""in/ up in the scratches on his face$ but he in't reach up to wipe it away, 2e si(p"y stoo sti"" as stone in front of his seethin/ +aster, en thou/h Bane in't (oe$ 5oris took ha"f a step back, When he spoke$ his oice was (ore
co(pose$ thou/h it sti"" rippe with an/er, 7Get out$7 he sai$ e8tenin/ a "on/$ bony fin/er towar the oor, 7!f you a"ue the wiso( of the ea so (uch$ then /o, Leae the te(p"e, Go to the a""ey of the Dark Lors, &in your answers in their to(bs,7 Bane hesitate, 2e knew this was a test, !f he apo"o/i4e now%if he /roe"e an be//e the for/ieness of his +aster%5oris wou" probab"y "et hi( stay, But he knew 5oris was wron/, 0he ancient Sith were ea$ but their "e/acy re(aine, 0his was his chance to c"ai( it as his own, 2e turne his back on Lor 5oris an (arche fro( the roo( without a wor, 0here was no point in continuin/ the ar/u(ent, 0he on"y way he cou" win was by finin/ proof, .n he wasn't /oin/ to fin it stanin/ here,
that ha precee it, Suen"y he wonere if (aybe the (eetin/ han't /one e8act"y as p"anne, Perhaps 5oris ha trie to (anipu"ate Bane an fai"e, !t wou"n't be the first ti(e they' uneresti(ate their unusua" apprentice, ;ow Kas'i( fe"t (ore curious than an/ry, 70e"" (e what happene$ 5oris, Where is Bane now97 5oris si/he$ a"(ost re/retfu", 72e's /one into the waste"ans, 2e's heain/ for the a""ey of the Dark Lors,7 7What9 Why wou" he o that97 7! to" you* he's obsesse with the past, 2e be"iees there are secrets out there that wi"" be reea"e to hi(, Secrets of the ark sie,7 7Di you warn hi( of the an/ers9 0he pe"ko swar(s9 0he tuk'ata97 72e neer /ae (e a chance, 2e wou"n't hae "istene anyway,7 0hat (uch$ at "east$ Kas'i( be"iee, -et he wasn't sure if he truste the rest of 5oris's story, 0he +aster of the .cae(y was subt"e$ crafty, !t wou" be :ust "ike hi( to trick so(eone into enturin/ throu/h the ea"y a""ey of the Dark Lors, !f he wante to e"i(inate Bane without bein/ he" accountab"e$ this wou" be one of the ways to o it%e8cept for one s(a"" thin/, 72e's /oin/ to surie$7 Kas'i( state, 72e's stron/er than you know,7 7!f he suries$7 5oris rep"ie$ turnin/ back to the tapestry$ 7he wi"" "earn the truth, 0here are no secrets in the a""ey, ;ot any(ore, erythin/ of a"ue has been taken* strippe away first by Sith seekin/ to presere our orer$ an "ater by )ei seekin/ to wipe it out, 0here is nothin/ "eft in the to(bs but ho""ow cha(bers an (ouns of ust, Once he sees this for hi(se"f$ he wi"" /ie up his foo"ish iea"i4ation of the ancient Sith, On"y then wi"" he be reay to :oin the Brotherhoo of Darkness,7 0he conersation was oer3 that (uch was c"ear, 5oris's wors (ae sense$ if this was a"" part of a "ar/er "esson to (ake Bane fina""y abanon the o" ways an accept the new Sith orer an Kaan's Brotherhoo, -et as he turne an "eft the roo($ Kas'i( cou"n't shake the fee"in/ that 5oris was rationa"i4in/ eents after the fact, 5oris wante others to be"iee he ha been in contro" the who"e ti(e$ but the haunte "ook the B"ae(aster ha /"i(pse /ae eience to the rea" truth* 5oris ha been scare by so(ethin/ Bane ha one or sai, 0hat thou/ht brou/ht a s(i"e to the 0wi'"ek's "ips, 2e ha eery confience Bane wou" surie his :ourney into the a""ey of the Dark Lors, .n he was ery intereste to see what wou" happen when the youn/ (an returne, Sirak was (oin/ /in/er"y, 2e' spent the past thirty%si8 hours in a bacta tank$ an thou/h his in:uries were co(p"ete"y hea"e$ his boy sti"" instinctie"y reacte to the (e(ories of the wouns inf"icte by Bane's saber, S"ow"y$ he /athere up his persona" effects$ an8ious to return to the fa(i"iar surrounin/s of his own roo( an "eae the so"itue of the (ecenter behin, One of the (e rois f"oate in$ brin/in/ hi( a pair of pants$ a shirt$ an a ark apprentice's robe, 0he c"othes s(e""e of isinfectant3 it was co((on practice to steri"i4e eerythin/ before brin/in/
it into the (ecenter, 0he /ar(ents fit$ but he knew as soon as he put the( on that they ha neer been worn before, 2e han't seen a sin/"e bein/ other than the (e rois since bein/ carrie unconscious fro( the ue"in/ rin/, ;oboy ha co(e to checkup on hi( whi"e he' f"oate in the hea"in/ f"ui* not 5oris$ not Kas'i($ not een L"okay or -era, 2e in't b"a(e the(, 0he Sith espise weakness an fai"ure, Wheneer apprentices "ost in the ue"in/ rin/$ they were "eft a"one with the sha(e of their efeat unti" stron/ enou/h to resu(e their stuies, !t happene to eeryone sooner or "ater ,,, e8cept it ha neer before happene to Sirak, 2e ha been inincib"e$ untouchab"e%the top apprentice in eery iscip"ine, 2e' hear the ru(ors an the whispers, 0hey ca""e hi( the Sith'ari$ the perfect bein/, On"y they wou"n't be ca""in/ hi( the Sith'ari now, ;ot after what Bane ha one to hi(, 2e turne to the oor an foun Githany stanin/ there$ watchin/ hi(, 7What o you want97 he aske wari"y, 2e knew who she was$ thou/h he' neer actua""y spoken to her, On the ay of her arria" he' ientifie her as a potentia" threat, 2e' watche her$ an he' seen her watchin/ hi($ each (easurin/ an /au/in/ the other$ tryin/ to eter(ine who ha the upper han, Sirak was wary of a"" potentia" cha""en/ers$ or so he ha thou/ht%unti" the one stuent he' feare the "east ha brou/ht hi( own, 7! ca(e to speak to you$7 she answere, 7.bout Bane,7 2e twitche ino"untari"y at the na(e$ then curse hi(se"f for his reaction, !f Githany ha notice$ she /ae no inication, 7What about hi(97 he aske curt"y, 7!'( curious as to what your p"ans are now, 2ow are you /oin/ to han"e this situation97 !t was a stru//"e to su((on up his o" arro/ance$ yet so(ehow he (ana/e a satisfactory sneer, 7+y p"ans are (y own,7 7.re you /oin/ to seek reen/e97 she presse, 7!n ti(e$ perhaps$7 he fina""y a(itte, 7! can he"p you,7 She took a step farther into the roo(, en in that sin/"e step Sirak cou" see that she (oe with the sensua" /race of a He"tron ei" ancer, 2e narrowe his eyes suspicious"y, 7Why97 7! he"pe Bane efeat you$7 she sai, 7! reco/ni4e his potentia" fro( the (o(ent ! first saw hi(, When 5oris an the other +asters turne their backs on hi($ ! secret"y tau/ht hi( their "essons in the &orce, ! knew the ark sie was stron/ in hi(, Stron/er than in (e, Stron/er than in you, +aybe een stron/er than in the +asters the(se"es,7 Sirak cou"n't see the point of her story, 7-ou sti"" haen't answere (y 6uestion, -ou /ot what you wante out of Bane, Why he"p (e now97
She shook her hea sa"y, 7! was wron/ about Bane, ! thou/ht if he"pe hi( /row stron/er$ he wou" e(brace the ark sie, 0hen ! cou" "earn fro( hi( an /ain power of (y own, But he is incapab"e of e(bracin/ the ark sie, eryone e"se be"iees his triu(ph oer you was a /reat ictory, On"y ! reco/ni4e it as a fai"ure,7 She was toyin/ with hi(, +ockin/ hi(, .n he in't "ike it, 7;o one eer beat (e in the ue"in/ rin/ before Bane=7 he snappe, 72ow can you ca"" hi( a fai"ure97 7-ou're sti"" a"ie$7 she sai si(p"y, 7When the (o(ent ca(e to strike you own an en your "ife$ he hesitate, 2e cou"n't brin/ hi(se"f to o it, 2e was weak,7 !ntri/ue$ Sirak in't respon ri/ht away, !nstea he waite for her to e"aborate, 72e p"otte an p"anne for (onths to take his reen/e on you$7 she continue, 72is hate /ae hi( the stren/th to surpass you ,,, an at the "ast instant he showe (ercy an "et you "ie,7 7! "eft hi( a"ie at the en of our first ue"$7 Sirak re(ine her, 70hat was no act of (ercy%it was an act of conte(pt, -ou thou/ht you ha utter"y estroye hi(, !f you knew he wou" rise up to one ay cha""en/e you a/ain$ you wou" hae taken his "ife re/ar"ess of the ru"es of the .cae(y, 7-ou uneresti(ate hi(, . (istake ! know you won't (ake a/ain, But Bane oes not uneresti(ate you, 2e knows you are powerfu" enou/h to represent a true threat, -et sti"" he "eft you a"ie$ knowin/ you wou" one ay seek reen/e a/ainst hi(, 2e is either a weak"in/ or a foo"$7 she conc"ue$ 7an ! want no part of either,7 0here was so(e truth in what she sai$ but Sirak sti"" wasn't conince, 7-ou chan/e a""e/iances too 6uick"y$ Githany, en for a Sith,7 She was si"ent for a "on/ ti(e$ tryin/ to fi/ure out how to answer hi(, 0hen suen"y she "ooke own at the f"oor$ an when she "ooke up her eyes were fi""e with sha(e an hu(i"iation, 7!t was Bane who ene this a""iance$ not (e$7 she a(itte$ near"y chokin/ on the wors, 72e abanone (e$7 she continue$ (akin/ no atte(pt to hie her bitterness, 72e "eft the .cae(y, 2e neer to" (e why, 2e neer een sai /oo%bye,7 Suen"y eerythin/ fe"" into p"ace, Sirak unerstoo her suen esire to :oin with hi( in a partnership a/ainst her for(er a""y, Githany was use to bein/ in contro", She was use to bein/ in char/e, She was use to bein/ the one who ene thin/s, .n she in't "ike bein/ on the other sie, !t was "ike the o"
70hen we wi"" be reay$7 Sirak pro(ise, 7When he co(es back$ we wi"" estroy hi(,7 .s Bane (arche across the scorche san of Korriban's waste"ans$ he notice the sun sinkin/ 6uick"y be"ow the hori4on, 2e' been wa"kin/ for hours beneath its heat3 the s(a"" city of Dreshae an the te(p"e that towere oer it were far behin hi(, 0hey ha been reuce to (ere specks on the hori4on3 if he was to "ook back$ he wou" hae :ust been ab"e to (ake the( out in the fain/ "i/ht, 2e in't "ook back, 2e (arche o//e"y onwar, 0he b"a4in/ heat han't s"owe hi(3 neither wou" te(peratures that were about to rop to near free4in/ with the settin/ of the sun, Physica" isco(fort%co"$ heat$ thirst$ hun/er$ fati/ue%ha no si/nificant effect on hi($ sustaine as he was by the power of the &orce, Sti""$ he was troub"e, 2e re(e(bere the first ti(e he' set foot on Korriban, 2e' sense the power of the wor"* Korriban was a"ie with the ark sie, -et the fee"in/ ha been faint an istant, Durin/ his ti(e at the .cae(y he' /rown so accusto(e to the a"(ost subconscious hu( that he bare"y een notice it any(ore, When he' "eft the te(p"e an the starport behin$ he' e8pecte that fee"in/ to /row stron/er, With each step rawin/ hi( c"oser to the a""ey of the Dark Lors he thou/ht he' fee" the ark sie /rowin/ in its intensity, !nstea he' fe"t nothin/, ;o noticeab"e chan/e at a"", 2e was on"y a few ki"o(eters away fro( the a""ey's entrance3 he cou" see the shae out"ines of the nearest to(bs care fro( the stone wa""s, .n sti"" the ark sie was no stron/er than a ho""ow echo$ no (ore than the "in/erin/ (e(ory of istant wors spoken in the istant past, Pushin/ his oubts an reserations asie$ he reoub"e his pace, 2e wante to reach the a""ey before co(p"ete arkness, 2e ha /rabbe a hanfu" of /"ow ros before "eain/ the .cae(y3 he cou" use the( to fin his way if necessary, Unfortunate"y$ their "i/ht wou" act "ike a beacon in the arkness$ si/na"in/ his "ocation to anyone%or anythin/, With his new "i/htsaber at his sie he was confient he cou" surie a"(ost any encounter$ but there were thin/s that "urke near the to(bs whose attention he wou" rather not attract, 0he "ast few rays of "i/ht sti"" hun/ in the air when he fina""y reache his estination, 0he a""ey of the Dark Lors "ay spraw"e out before hi($ hien beneath the coer of twi"i/ht's /"oo(, 2e brief"y consiere stoppin/ for the ni/ht an (akin/ ca(p unti" awn$ then re:ecte the iea, Day or ni/ht wou" (ake no ifference once he was insie the to(bs* he' hae to use the /"ow ros no (atter what ti(e it was, .n now that he was fina""y here he was too ea/er to see what he cou" fin to put it off any "on/er, 2e chose the nearest te(p"e$ the on"y one he cou" actua""y (ake out in the i( "i/ht, Like a"" the to(bs$ this one ha been u/ out fro( the hi/h stone c"iffs that bo8e in the a""ey on either sie, 0he /ran archway at the entrance ha been bui"t out fro( the c"iff face$ but the cha(bers that house the re(ains of the Dark Lor interre within woun their way eep into the rock, .s he /ot c"oser$ he cou" (ake out intricate esi/ns care into the archway, So(ethin/ was written across the top in "etters he in't reco/ni4e, 2e /uesse that the crafts(anship wou" hae been awe inspirin/ at one ti(e$ but eons of esert wins ha worn away (ost of the etai", 2e pause on the thresho"$ takin/ in the air of forbien (ystery that surroune the entrance to the to(b, 2e sti"" sense no chan/e in the &orce$ howeer, Steppin/ up to the entrance$ he was
shocke to see that the /reat stone s"ab of a oor ha been sp"it asuner, 2e ran his fin/ers a"on/ the e/es of the fissure, S(ooth, Worn, Whoeer ha broken the oor ha one it "on/ a/o, Bane stoo up strai/ht an (arche bo""y throu/h the shattere porta", 2e (ae his way own the "on/ entrance tunne"$ (oin/ s"ow"y throu/h the /"oo(, 2a"f a o4en (eters in$ the arkness beca(e abso"ute$ so he pu""e out a /"ow ro an actiate it, .n eerie b"ue "i/ht fi""e the tunne"$ senin/ a s(a"" swar( of ea"y pe"ko bu/s scurryin/ for refu/e beyon the i( circ"e of i""u(ination, 0hey ha been sta"kin/ hi($ c"osin/ in fro( a"" sies, 2e cou" sti"" sense the( there$ "urkin/ in the shaows a"" aroun hi($ but he wasn't afrai, .fter a""$ it wasn't the "i/ht keepin/ the( at bay, Pe"ko bu/s$ "ike (any of the creatures ini/enous to Korriban$ were attune to the &orce, 0hey wou" hae sense Bane's arria" een before he entere the to(b3 his power wou" ineitab"y raw the( in, -et it a"so kept the( an their para"y4in/ spines at a safe istance, !nstinctie"y$ the pe"ko bu/s cou" sense the sheer scope of his power3 they were wary of hi(, 0hey wou"n't co(e c"ose enou/h to actua""y attack hi($ (akin/ the( nothin/ (ore than a nuisance, Lar/er preators$ "ike the tu'kata$ (i/ht pose a rea" threat, But he' ea" with the( if an when the ti(e ca(e, Ri/ht now he was (ore concerne with the potentia" an/ers the bui"ers of the to(b (i/ht hae "eft behin, Sith (auso"eu(s were notorious for their fienish"y "etha" traps, Bane reache out with the &orce$ carefu""y probin/ the wa""s$ /roun$ an cei"in/ in front of hi( for anythin/ out of the orinary, 2e was re"iee%an s"i/ht"y isappointe%to iscoer nothin/, Part of hi( ha hope he wou" stu(b"e across an uniscoere cha(ber$ so(ethin/ the )ei ha (isse, 2e continue own the tunne"$ winin/ his way past arious cha(bers where the wea"th an treasures wou" hae been burie with the ecease Dark Lor%a"on/ with his sti" "%"iin/ "esser serants, 0he roo(s he" no interest for hi(3 he wasn't a /rae robber, !nstea he continue eeper an eeper unti" he reache the buria" cha(ber itse"f, 0he pe"ko bu/s (atche his pro/ress$ en"ess"y circ"in/ :ust beyon the b"ue i""u(ination cast by his /"ow ro, 2e cou" hear the hi/h%pitche c"ickin/%skreek skreek skreek%of the frustrate swar(* power"ess to assai" their prey$ yet irresistib"y cau/ht up in the wake of his passin/, 0he buria" cha(ber was easi"y ientifiab"e by the enor(ous stone sarcopha/us in the center of the roo($ restin/ atop a s(a"" stone peesta", !t was "itt"e (ore than a b"ocky shaow on the frin/es of the /"ow ro's "i/ht$ but it fi""e hi( with a sense of both fear an awe, Sti"" usin/ the &orce to scan for traps$ he cautious"y approache the to(b$ his trepiation /rowin/ as the b"ue "i/ht washe oer it to reea" (ore an (ore etai"s, 0he stone was care with sy(bo"s si(i"ar to those on the crypt's entrance$ but these han't suffere unto" centuries of erosion, 0hey stoo out stark"y$ bruta" an sharp, 2e cou"n't rea the unfa(i"iar "an/ua/e or ientify the Dark Lor fro( the crest$ yet he knew this was the restin/ p"ace of an ancient an (i/hty bein/, 2e reache the p"atfor(3 it stoo a "itt"e hi/her than his knee, 2e put one foot on it$ then reache out to /rip a protruin/ e/e of one of the care sy(bo"s on the sie of the sarcopha/us itse"f, 2e ha"f e8pecte to receie a sharp :o"t or shock$ but a"" he fe"t was co" stone beneath his pa"(, Usin/ his ho" to (aintain his ba"ance$ he hau"e hi(se"f up so that he was stanin/ with both feet on the p"atfor($ "ookin/ own at the top of the to(b, 0o his horror$ he cou" now see that the stone s"ab sea"in/ the sarcopha/us ha been irtua""y estroye, Whateer ha been insie was /one$ rep"ace by rubb"e$ ust$ an a few bits of broken bone that (i/ht once hae been the fin/ers or
toes of the Dark Lor's ske"eta" re(ains, 2e steppe own fro( the p"atfor($ frustrate but sti"" not wi""in/ to /ie up, S"ow"y$ he turne in a /reat circ"e$ as if he e8pecte to fin the sto"en re(ains "yin/ in a corner of the buria" cha(ber, 0here was nothin/* the to(b ha been robbe an efi"e, Bane han't been sure what he e8pecte to fin$ but it wasn't this, 0he spirits of the ancient Dark Lors were bein/s of pure ark sie ener/y3 they were as eterna" as the &orce itse"f, 0he spirit wou" "in/er for centuries%(i""ennia$ een%unti" a worthy successor ca(e a"on/, Or so the te8ts in the archie ha "e hi( to be"iee, -et the harsh eience before hi( was uneniab"e, 0he ancient (anuscripts ha fai"e hi(, 2e ha /a(b"e eerythin/ on the truth of their wors%een efyin/ 5oris hi(se"f%an he ha "ost, !n esperation he cast his hea back an threw his ar(s to the uneen rock of the cei"in/ aboe, 7!'( here$ +aster=7 he crie, 7!'e co(e to "earn your secrets=7 2e pause$ "istenin/ for a response, 2earin/ nothin/$ he shoute$ 7Show yourse"f= By a"" the power of the ark sie$ show yourse"f=7 2is wors reerberate off the wa""s$ sounin/ e(pty an ho""ow, 2e roppe to his knees$ his ar(s fa""in/ to his sies an his hea s"u(pin/ forwar, .s the echo ie away$ the on"y soun was the shri"" c"ickin/ of the pe"ko bu/s, Kopec4 spit on the /roun as he sureye the ca(p, 2e was surroune by an ar(y$ but it was an ar(y of inferiors, erywhere he "ooke he saw the (inions of the Sith* batt"e ra/ers$ assassins$ an apprentices, But there were precious few Sith +asters, 0he see(in/"y en"ess war a/ainst the )ei on the batt"efie"s of Ruusan was takin/ a heay to"" on Kaan's Brotherhoo of Darkness, Without reinforce(ents they wou" be force to retreat%or be wipe out by Genera" 2oth an his hate .r(y of Li/ht, 0he heayset 0wi'"ek rose to his feet$ spurre to action by the rea"i4ation that so(ethin/ ha to be one, 2e (ae his way throu/h scattere pockets of so"iers$ noticin/ how (any were in:ure$ e8hauste$ or si(p"y efeate, By the ti(e he reache the entrance to Lor Kaan's tent the conte(pt he fe"t for his so%ca""e Brothers ha reache a boi"in/ point, When Kopec4 entere$ Lor Kaan took one "ook at hi( an is(isse his other aisers with a sharp wae of his han, 0hey fi"e out$ none of the( arin/ to co(e too c"ose, 7What is it$ (y o" frien97 Kaan aske, 2is oice was char(in/ as eer$ but his eyes were wie an wi"$ "ike a hunte beast, 72ae you seen what passes for our ar(y out there97 Kopec4 snar"e$ pokin/ a thu(b oer his shou"er as he wa"ke s"ow"y forwar, 7!f this is a"" we hae to stan a/ainst Lor 2oth$ we (ay as was we"" burn our b"ack robes an start practicin/ the )ei
of constant"y batt"in/ the )ei ha "eft hi( fra44"e, Kopec4 shook his hea in is/ust, 7!'( not one of your sycophantic aisers$7 he sai$ his oice risin/, 7! won't /roe" an scrape before you$ Lor Kaan, ! won't heap praise on your foo" hea when ! can see with (y own eyes that you are "eain/ us to our estruction=7 7Keep your oice own=7 Kaan snappe, 7-ou wi"" estroy the (ora"e of our troops=7 70hey hae no (ora"e "eft to estroy$7 Kopec4 shot back$ thou/h he i "ower his o"u(e, 7We can't efeat )ei with orinary so"iers, 0here are too (any of the( an not enou/h of us,7 7By us you (ean those worthy of :oinin/ the ranks of the Dark Lors$7 Kaan rep"ie, 2e si/he an stare own at the ho"o(ap sprea out on the tab"e before hi(, 7-ou know what you hae to e Kopec4 to" hi($ his oice "osin/ so(e of the an/er, 2e ha chosen to fo""ow Kaan3 he wou"n't abanon hi( now, But he wasn't about to sit i"y by an face certain efeat, 7We face an ar(y of )ei Kni/hts an +asters, We can't stan a/ainst the( without our own +asters fro( the .cae(y, 0he stuents$ too, ."" of the(,7 70hey are (ere apprentices$7 Kaan proteste, 70hey are the stron/est of our orer$7 Kopec4 re(ine hi(, 7We both know een the "ow"iest stuents on Korriban are stron/er than ha"f the so%ca""e Dark Lors here on Ruusan,7 75oris's work is not yet co(p"ete, 0he stuents there sti"" hae so (uch to "earn$7 Kaan insiste$ thou/h without (uch force, 7So (uch untappe potentia", 0he .cae(y represents the future of the Sith,7 7!f we cannot efeat the )ei here on Ruusan$ then we hae no future=7 Kopec4 insiste, Lor Kaan c"utche his hea with his hans$ as if a /reat pain threatene to burst his sku"" in two, 2e be/an to tre(b"e in the /rip of so(e terrib"e pa"sy, Kopec4 ino"untari"y steppe back, !t on"y took a few secons for Kaan to re/ain his co(posure an "ower his hans, 0he haunte "ook in his eyes was /one$ rep"ace by the ca"( se"f%assurance that ha rawn so (any to the Brotherhoo in the first p"ace, 7-ou're ri/ht$ o" frien$7 he sai, 0he wors were s(ooth an easy3 he spoke as if a /reat wei/ht ha been "ifte fro( hi(, 2e raiate confience an stren/th, 2e see(e to /"ow with a io"et aura$ as if he were the ery e(boi(ent of the ark sie, .n suen"y$ ine8p"icab"y$ Kopec4 was reassure, 7! wi"" sen wor to 5oris$7 Kaan continue$ the &orce e(anatin/ fro( hi( in pa"pab"e waes, 7-ou are ri/ht, !t is ti(e for those at the .cae(y on Korriban to tru"y :oin the ranks of the Sith,7
fro( nothin/, !t cou" war off staration for a ti(e$ but not foreer, 0wice he' been set on by packs of tuk'ata$ the /uarian houns that prow"e the crypts of their for(er +asters, 0he first ti(e he' rien the( away with the &orce$ sei4in/ the boy of the a"pha (a"e an hur"in/ it into the rest of the pack$ in:urin/ seera" of the beasts, 0hey' scurrie away with hi/h%pitche how"s that ha sent shiers own his spine, 0he secon attack ha been far b"ooier, Whi"e e8p"orin/ one of the (ost recent to(bs he' foun hi(se"f surroune by a o4en tuk'ata* a pack twice the si4e of the first, 2e' un"eashe his "i/htsaber on the($ s"icin/ throu/h f"esh an bone, When the pack fina""y broke an f"e$ on"y four of the twe"e tuk'ata sti"" "ie, .fter that the tuk'ata "eft hi( a"one$ which was a /oo thin/$ because he was no "on/er sure he' be ab"e to ho" the( off if they attacke a/ain, 0o fue" his (usc"es for the on/oin/ search throu/h to(b after to(b$ he' oerta8e his boy's reseres$ "itera""y eourin/ hi(se"f fro( the insie out, ;ow he was payin/ the price, 2e cou" hae ease his sufferin/ by s"ippin/ into a (eitatie trance$ s"owin/ his heartbeat an ita" functions to presere his ener/y, -et in the en that wou" acco(p"ish nothin/, ;oboy wou" co(e to fin hi($ an eentua""y een a state of hibernation wou" en in a s"ow$ if re"atie"y pain"ess$ eath, Death was not an option he was reay to consier, ;ot yet, Despite his futi"e search$ espite the crushin/ isappoint(ent$ he wasn't reay for that, ;ot if it (eant that the truth he ha iscoere wou" ie with hi(, So he enure the pain$ an wi""e his rapi"y fai"in/ f"esh to take hi( back, Back to the .cae(y, !t ha taken hi( on"y a ay to wa"k to the a""ey at the be/innin/ of his 6uest, 2e was now on the thir ay of his trip back, 2e ha been stron/ an fresh when he' first set out3 now he was fa(ishe an weak, But there was (ore to his s"owe pace than (ere physica" wantin/, Before he ha been buoye by e8pectation, ;ow he was wei/he own by the buren of fai"ure, 5oris ha been ri/ht* the ancient Dark Lors of Korriban were /one, ;ear"y three thousan years ha passe between the ti(e the Sith ha been rien fro( Korriban by Rean$ an the ay Kaan's Brotherhoo of Darkness officia""y rec"ai(e this wor" for the orer, !n that ti(e the "e/acy of the ori/ina" Sith ha been co(p"ete"y wipe away, 2e' /one into the esert seekin/ en"i/hten(ent$ but foun on"y isi""usion(ent, Korriban was no "on/er the cra"e of arkness3 it was a husk$ a withere$ esiccate corpse that ha been picke c"ean by scaen/ers, 5oris ha been ri/ht , , , yet Bane now unerstoo that he was a"so ery$ ery wron/, Bane han't foun what he was "ookin/ for in the to(bs, But in the "on/ trek back across the esert his (in ha fina""y beco(e c"ear, 2un/er$ thirst$ e8haustion* the physica" sufferin/ c"eanse his thou/hts, !t strippe away a"" his i""usions an e8pose the "ies of 5oris an the .cae(y, 0he spirits of the Sith were /one fro( Korriban foreer, But it was Lor Kaan's Brotherhoo of Darkness%not the )ei%who were to b"a(e, 0hey ha twiste an pererte the ancient orer of the Sith, 0he .cae(y's teachin/s f"ew in the face of eerythin/ Bane ha "earne in the archies about the ways of the ark sie, Kaan ha cast asie the true power of the iniiua" an rep"ace it with the fa"se /"ory of se"f%sacrifice in the na(e of a worthy cause, 2e sou/ht to estroy the )ei throu/h (i/ht of ar(s$ rather than cunnin/, Worst of a""$ he proc"ai(e that a"" were e6ua" in the Brotherhoo of the Sith, But Bane knew e6ua"ity was a (yth, 0he stron/ were (eant to ru"e3 the weak$ to sere,
0he Brotherhoo of Darkness stoo for eerythin/ that was wron/ with the (oern Sith, 0hey ha fa""en fro( the true path, 0heir fai"ure was the reason the spirits of the Dark Lors ha anishe, ;one on Korriban%%not +aster$ not apprentice%ha been worthy of their wiso(3 none worthy of their power, 0hey ha si(p"y fae away$ scattere "ike a hanfu" of ust cast across the esert san, Bane cou" see the truth so c"ear"y now, -et 5oris an the others were foreer b"in, 0hey fo""owe Kaan as if he ha boun the( up with so(e secret spe"", . faint /ust of win brou/ht the soun of istant oices to his ears, G"ancin/ up$ he was surprise to see the te(p"e of the .cae(y "oo(in/ ahea of hi($ "ess than a ki"o(eter away,
the batt"e a/ainst the )ei, 0he apprentices were a"" to be presente with "i/htsabers an /ien seats in the Brotherhoo of Darkness$ e"eatin/ the( to the ranks of the Dark Lors of the Sith, !t wou"n't o to show up with one of his (ost powerfu" stuents bein/ as efiant as Bane ha been at their "ast (eetin/, !t wou" be een worse if Bane spurne the offer an went off on his own$ isobeyin/ the co((an to /o to Ruusan, Lor Kaan ha (ana/e to keep the Brotherhoo to/ether$ but it was an a""iance that was a"ways on the er/e of isinte/ratin/, !n the face of their repeate fai"ure to rie the )ei fro( Ruusan$ the refusa" of one pro(inent Sith to fa"" into "ine (i/ht be a"" it took to (ake eerythin/ unrae", One efection cou" "ea to others$ an thin/s wou" return to a state of chaos* Sith fi/htin/ Sith as the arious Dark Lors sou/ht to o(inate an estroy their ria"s, 0he )ei wou" surie an rebui" their orer$ a"" the whi"e "au/hin/ at the foo"ishness of their (orta" ene(ies, !f on"y Bane ha perishe out in the wastes of Korriban= Unfortunate"y$ he ha returne$ an 5oris cou"n't o anythin/ to e"i(inate hi( now, ;ot after Kaan's irectie, 0hey ha nee of eery "i/htsaber an eery Sith$ especia""y one as stron/ as Bane, &or the sake of the Brotherhoo%for the sake of Lor Kaan's /"orious ision%5oris wou" hae to fin so(e way to (ake a(ens, ;ews that Bane ha returne sprea 6uick"y throu/h the .cae(y, Sirak wasn't surprise, !f anythin/$ he was re"iee, When +aster 5oris ha infor(e the stuents they wou" soon be shippin/ out to Ruusan$ he' feare they wou" "eae before Bane returne$ enyin/ hi( his en/eance, !nstea fortune ha s(i"e on hi(, 2e' hae to act 6uick"y$ thou/h, Once they "eft Korriban it wou" be too "ate, Lor Kaan wou" hae a"" the apprentices swear ows of "oya"ty an fea"ty to each other when they :oine the Brotherhoo, Ki""in/ his ene(y after that wou" be an act of betraya" punishab"e by eath, 2e wante reen/e$ but not at the cost of his own "ife, 2e knew -era an L"okay wou" he"p hi($ but he' nee (ore than the( to estroy an ene(y as stron/ as Bane, 2e neee Githany, Knockin/ on the oor to her roo($ he waite for her to ca"" 7nter7 before /oin/ in, She was "yin/ on her be$ "ookin/ casua" an re"a8e, !n contrast$ Sirak fe"t taut as a wire stretche beyon its "i(it, 72e's back7 was a"" he sai, 7When97 She in't nee to ask who he was ta"kin/ about, 72e sta//ere in an hour a/o, +aybe "ess, 2e went strai/ht to the kitchens,7 70he kitchens97 She see(e surprise, Or offene, ;o oubt she' e8pecte hi( to co(e to her first, 72e's u"nerab"e$7 Sirak pointe out$ his han roppin/ to the hi"t of his new"y ac6uire "i/htsaber, 72a"f stare, 8hauste, We shou" /o after hi( now,7 7Don't be stupi$7 she snappe, 7What wou" the +asters o to us if we choppe hi( own in the kitchens97
She was ri/ht, 7Do you hae a p"an97 She noe, 70oni/ht, Wait in the archies, !'"" brin/ hi( to you there,7 7!'"" brin/ -era an L"okay,7 . sour /ri(ace puckere up her face, 7! suppose we'"" nee the($7 she concee$ (akin/ no effort to hie her istaste, Sirak's (outh twiste into a crue" /rin, 7! on"y ask one (ore thin/, Let (e be the one who ea"s the ki""in/ b"ow,7 Bane co""apse into his be$ his be""y fu"" to burstin/, 2e' /or/e hi(se"f in the kitchen$ tearin/ into the foo with the (anners of a Ga(orrean so"ier at the barracks trou/h, 2e' stuffe hi(se"f with eerythin/ in si/ht unti" his raenous hun/er was sate, !t was on"y then that he re(e(bere he han't actua""y s"ept in near"y two weeks, 2un/er ha /ien way to e8haustion$ an he' wanere fro( the kitchen to his roo( in a a4e, Within secons he ha roppe into a eep$ rea("ess s"eep, 2e woke seera" hours "ater to a knockin/ at his oor, Sti"" /ro//y$ he force hi(se"f to his feet$ "it a /"ow ro$ an opene the oor, 5oris was stanin/ in the ha"", 2e bar/e in without waitin/ for an initation$ c"osin/ the oor behin hi(, Bane was too busy tryin/ to shake off the "ast esti/es of s"eep to protest, 7'We"co(e back$ Bane$7 the +aster sai, 7! trust your :ourney was , , , eucationa",7 Pu44"e at 5oris's coria" tone$ Bane on"y noe, 7! hope you unerstan now why ! "et you /o$7 5oris sai, Because you were too (uch of a cowar to try an stop (e$ Bane thou/ht$ but in't say anythin/ a"ou, 70his was the fina" phase of your trainin/$7 the +aster continue, 7-ou ha to unerstan why we hae abanone the o" ways, 0his is a new a/e$ an you cou" unerstan that on"y once you reco/ni4e the o" a/e was tru"y /one,7 Bane (aintaine his stoic si"ence$ not a/reein/ with 5oris but unwi""in/ to ar/ue the point, 7;ow that you hae "earne your fina" "esson$ the .cae(y has nothin/ "eft to teach you,7 On that point$ at "east$ they were in co(p"ete a/ree(ent, 7-ou are no "on/er an apprentice$ Bane, -ou are now fit to :oin the ranks of the +asters, -ou are now a Dark Lor of the Sith,7 2e pause$ as if e8pectin/ so(e kin of reaction, Bane stoo sti"" as the stone statues he' seen /uarin/ the to(bs of the ancient Sith in so(e of the o"er crypts, 5oris c"eare his throat$ breakin/ the unco(fortab"e si"ence, 7! know Lor Kas'i( has a"reay /ien you a "i/htsaber, !$ too$ hae a /ift for you,7 2e he" out his han$ a "i/htsaber crysta" in his pa"(,
When Bane hesitate$ 5oris spoke a/ain, 70ake it$ Lor Bane,7 2e put a specia" e(phasis on the new tit"e, !t soune sour in Bane's ears* an e(pty honor bestowe by a foo" who be"iee hi(se"f a +aster, But he sai nothin/ as the other continue speakin/, 70his synthetic crysta" is stron/er than the one powerin/ your "i/htsaber now$7 5oris assure hi(, 7.n it is (uch$ (uch stron/er than the natura" crysta"s the )ei use in their own weapons,7 +oin/ s"ow"y$ Bane reache out an took it in his han, !t was co" to the touch at first$ but as he /rippe it the si8%sie stone 6uick"y /rew war(, 70he ti(in/ of your return fro( the wastes cou"n't hae been better$7 5oris continue, 7We are (akin/ preparations to "eae Korriban, Lor Kaan has nee of us on Ruusan, ."" the Sith (ust be unite in the Brotherhoo of Darkness if we are to efeat the )ei,7 70he Brotherhoo wi"" fai"$7 Bane state$ bo""y ec"arin/ what he knew to be true on"y because he knew the other wou"n't be"iee, 7Kaan oes not unerstan the ark sie, 2e is "eain/ you own the path of ruin,7 5oris rew in a sharp breath$ then spat it out in an an/ry hiss, 7So(e (i/ht consier that ta"k to be treason$ Lor Bane, -ou wou" o we"" to keep such ieas to yourse"f in the future,7 2e whee"e away an stroe an/ri"y to the oor$ wrenchin/ it open, 2is reaction was e8act"y as Bane ha e8pecte, 0he ta"" +aster spun back to face Bane one (ore ti(e, 7-ou (ay be a Dark Lor now$ Bane, But there is sti"" (uch about the ark sie you o not unerstan, )oin the Brotherhoo an we can teach you what we know, Re:ect us$ an you wi"" neer fin what you seek,7 0he +aster sta"ke out3 Bane watche si"ent"y as the oor swun/ shut behin hi(, 5oris was wron/ about the Brotherhoo$ but he was ri/ht about one thin/* there was sti"" (uch about the ark sie Bane neee to unerstan, .n there was on"y one p"ace in the /a"a8y he cou" /o to "earn it, ? Bane craw"e back into be after 5oris "eft, 2e thou/ht about /oin/ to see Githany$ but he was sti"" e8hauste, 0o(orrow$ he thou/ht as he rifte off to s"eep, Seera" hours "ater he was a/ain isturbe by a knock on his oor, 0his ti(e he fe"t (ore refreshe when he woke, 2e sat up 6uick"y an "it a /"ow ro$ castin/ the roo( in soft "i/ht, 0here were no winows in his cha(ber$ but he /uesse it (ust be c"ose to (ini/ht* we"" past curfew, 2e rose to his feet an went to /reet his secon uninite isitor, 0his ti(e he was not isappointe when he opene the oor, 7
7Why i you "eae97 she respone, 7!t's ,,, it's har to e8p"ain, -ou were ri/ht about what happene with Sirak, ! shou" hae finishe hi($ but ! in't, ! was foo"ish an weak, ! in't want to a(it that to you,7 7-ou "eft the .cae(y so you wou"n't hae to face (e97 0he wors soune co(passionate$ as if she were seekin/ to unerstan hi(, But Bane cou" sense the conte(pt beneath the(, 7;o$7 he e8p"aine, 7! in't "eae because of you, ! "eft because you were the on"y one who reco/ni4e (y fai"in/, eryone e"se con/ratu"ate (e for (y /reat ictory* Kas'i($ 5oris ,,, eeryone, 0hey were b"in to the true nature of the ark sie, .s b"in as ! ha been unti" you opene (y eyes, 7! "eft because the .cae(y ha nothin/ (ore to offer (e, ! went to the a""ey of the Dark Lors hopin/ to fin the answers ! cou"n't fin here,7 7.n you neer thou/ht to co(e te"" (e a"" this97 2er oice ha chan/e3 the ei" of fa"se co(passion was /one, ;ow she :ust soune an/ry, .n/ry an hurt, Bane was re"iee that she sti"" fe"t stron/"y enou/h about hi( to reea" so(e /enuine e(otion, 7! shou" hae co(e to you$7 he a(itte, 7! acte rash"y, ! "et (y an/er at 5oris rie (e away,7 She noe* passion an reck"ess actions were so(ethin/ he knew Githany cou" re"ate to, 7!'e answere your 6uestion$7 he sai, 7;ow you answer (ine, Why are you here97 She hesitate$ her teeth bitin/ own soft"y on her "ower "ip, Bane reco/ni4e the unconscious /esture3 it (eant she was "ost in thou/ht$ tryin/ to sort so(ethin/ out, 7;ot here$7 she sai at "ast$ risin/ stiff"y fro( the be, 7! hae so(ethin/ to show you, !n the archies,7 Without "ookin/ back to see if he was fo""owin/$ she (ae her way fro( his roo( an into the i( ha"" beyon$ (oin/ 6uick"y, Bane scra(b"e to his feet an trotte after her$ breakin/ into a :o/ to keep up, She stare strai/ht ahea$ her boots (akin/ crisp snaps as they struck the stone f"oor with each brisk strie, 0he sharp soun echoe in the e(pty ha""s$ but Githany appeare not to care, Bane cou" te"" that so(ethin/ was botherin/ her$ but he ha no iea what it cou" be, 0hey foun the oor to the archies open, Githany in't see( surprise3 she passe ri/ht throu/h without s"owin/ own, Bane pause for on"y an instant before fo""owin/ her, .t the far sie of the roo($ beyon the rows of she"es$ she stoppe an turne to face hi(, 0here was an e8pression he cou"n't 6uite ecipher on her hau/hty but beautifu" features, 2e crosse to the (i"e of the roo( then stoppe short when she he" up her han$ pa"( e8tene, 7Githany$7 he sai$ perp"e8e$ 7what's /oin/%7 2is wors were cut off by the ho""ow boo( of the archie oor s"a((in/ shut behin hi(, 2e whir"e aroun to see Sirak$ f"anke by -era an L"okay, 0he Habrak's pa"e ye""ow "ips were
pu""e back in a crue" s(i"e so wie it /ae hi( the appearance of a /rinnin/ sku"", Bane cou"n't he"p but notice the "i/htsaber han"es an/"in/ fro( the be"ts of a"" three, When Githany spoke fro( behin hi( he ha to resist the ur/e to turn an face her, !t wou"n't he wise to e8pose his back to the Habrak trio, 7Why i you fo""ow (e$ Bane97 she aske$ her oice a (i8ture of an/er$ is/ust$ an re/ret, 72ow cou" you be so stupi9 Din't you rea"i4e you were wa"kin/ into a trap97 Githany ha betraye hi(, 0he conersation in his roo( ha been a test%one that he' fai"e, 2e knew her we"" enou/h to e8pect so(ethin/ "ike this, 2e shou" hae been wary of a trap, !nstea he' been a b"in an obeient foo", 2e knew he' brou/ht this on hi(se"f, ;ow he ha to iscern a way out, 7!s this what you want$ Githany97 he aske$ tryin/ to sta"" for ti(e, 7She wants what a"" Sith want$7 Sirak answere for her, 7Power, ictory, She knows to sie with the stron/,7 7!'( stron/er than he is$7 Bane to" Githany, 7! proe that in the ue"in/ rin/,7 70here's (ore to stren/th than physica" prowess$7 Sirak rep"ie$ i/nitin/ his "i/htsaber, !t was the oub"e%b"ae ariety, Bane's eyes were focuse s6uare"y on the bri/ht re b"aes$ but he hear the hiss as the other two Habrak fo""owe suit, Githany$ howeer$ sti"" han't fire up her whip, 7Stren/th (eans (ore than :ust the abi"ity to use the &orce$7 Sirak continue$ startin/ to aance, 7!t (eans inte""i/ence,
e8tenin/ his han an usin/ the &orce to /uie the hi"t into his /rasp, 0he weapon f"are to "ife an he turne :ust in ti(e to b"ock Sirak's char/e, -era an L"okay were a few (eters behin$ rushin/ forwar to :oin the fray, Bane counterattacke$ s"ashin/ own at Sirak's "e/s, 0he Habrak parrie the b"ow$ an their b"aes co""ie with a burnin/ hu(, On the e/e of his awareness Bane hear the soun of Githany's whip i/nitin/, . 6uick f"urry cause Sirak to retreat, Bane feinte as if he was /oin/ to press forwar$ then took a step back$ openin/ a fu"" (eter of space between the(, !t /ae hi( :ust enou/h ti(e to cast out his ar( in the irection of the unsuspectin/ -era,
e/es of the cauteri4e stu(p where the hea ha once been attache sti"" s(okin/, 0hen it topp"e forwar, Starin/ own at it$ Bane fe"t on"y one thin/* freeo(, 0he /ui"t$ the sha(e$ the wei/ht of responsibi"ity ha a"" anishe in that sin/"e$ ecisie act, 2e ha opene hi(se"f to the ark sie co(p"ete"y, !t sur/e throu/h hi($ fi""in/ hi( with confience an power, 0hrou/h power$ ! /ain ictory, 0hrou/h ictory (y chains are broken, 2e turne to see Githany s(i"in/$ her eyes fi""e with hun/er, 7! of a"" peop"e shou" hae known better than to uneresti(ate you$7 she sai, 7-ou saw (e take your "i/htsaber= 0hat's why you fo""owe (e,7 7;o$7 Bane rep"ie$ sti"" heay fro( the rush of ki""in/ his ene(y, 7! in't see anythin/, ! was :ust /uessin/9' &or a brief (o(ent her e8pression arkene3 then she burst out with a "au/h, 7-ou neer cease to a(a4e (e$ Lor Bane,7 7Don't ca"" (e that$7 he sai, 7Why not97 she aske, 75oris has /ien a"" the stuents the rank of Dark Lor of the Sith,7 Seein/ hi( wince$ she steppe forwar an wrappe her ar(s aroun his neck$ "ookin/ up into his face, 7Bane$7 she breathe$ 7we're /oin/ to fi/ht the )ei= We're /oin/ to :oin Lor Kaan's Brotherhoo of Darkness=7 2e reache up an /raspe her e"icate hans in his own (assie ones$ then /ent"y unwoun her ar(s fro( aroun his neck, Pu44"e$ she offere no resistance as he brou/ht his hans to/ether at his chest$ her own c"aspe between the(, 2ow cou" he (ake her unerstan9 2e was of the ark sie now3 Sirak's e8ecution ha been the fina" step, 2e ha crosse the thresho"3 there was no /oin/ back, 2e wou" neer hesitate a/ain, ;eer oubt a/ain, 0he transfor(ation he ha be/un when he' first co(e to the .cae(y was co(p"ete* he was Sith, ;ow$ (ore than eer$ he unerstoo the fai"in/s of the Brotherhoo, 7Kaan is a foo"$ Githany$7 he sai$ starin/ intent"y into her eyes to rea her e8pression, She recoi"e s"i/ht"y an trie to pu"" her hans away, 2e he" the( ti/ht, 7-ou'e neer een (et Lor Kaan$7 she sai efensie"y, 7! hae, 2e's a /reat (an$ Bane, . (an of ision,7 72e's b"in as an Orke""ian cae s"u/$7 Bane insiste, 70he Brotherhoo of Darkness$ this .cae(y$ eerythin/ the Sith hae beco(e is a (onu(ent to his i/norance=7 2e c"aspe her hans een (ore ti/ht"y, 7
70hen /o=7 Bane spat, 7)oin the others on Ruusan, Be unite with the( in their efeat,7 2e turne an stor(e an/ri"y away as she ca""e out 7Wait$ Bane, Wait=7 !f she ha (ae any (oe to fo""ow hi($ he (i/ht hae, Bane kicke open the oor to 5oris's cha(ber3 it s"a((e a/ainst the wa"" with a crash that reerberate own the ha"", 0he .cae(y's +aster ha been awake an a"reay resse$ (eitatin/ on the (at in the center of his roo(, ;ow he "eapt to his feet$ an/er arkenin/ his face, 7What is the (eanin/ of this97 7Di you sen Sirak to ki"" (e97 Bane b"urte out, 0he ti(e for subt"ety was /one, 7What9 ! ,,, i so(ethin/ happen to Sirak97 7! ki""e hi(, -era an L"okay$ too, 0heir boies are in the archies,7 0he shock an horror of his reaction (ae it c"ear that 5oris ha known nothin/ about the attack, 7-ou i this on the ee of our eparture for Ruusan97 he aske$ his oice risin/ shri""y, . few of the other +asters ha /athere in the corrior outsie$ rawn by Bane's "ou arria", . hanfu" of the stuents$ as we"", Bane in't care, 7-ou can /o to Ruusan$7 Bane snappe, 7! wi"" hae nothin/ to o with the Brotherhoo of Darkness,7 7-ou are a stuent of this .cae(y$7 5oris re(ine hi(, 7-ou wi"" o as you are to"=7 7! a( a Dark Lor of the Sith$7 Bane countere, 7! sere no one but (yse"f,7 G"ancin/ oer Bane's shou"er at the /atherin/ crow of curious on"ookers$ 5oris roppe his oice to a threatenin/ whisper, 7We "eae for Ruusan to(orrow$ Lor Bane, -ou wi"" be co(in/ with us, 0his is not a (atter for iscussion,7 7! a( "eain/ toni/ht$7 Bane rep"ie$ "owerin/ his oice to (atch an (ock the tone of 5oris's own, 7.n none of you here is stron/ enou/h to stop (e=' 2e turne his back on the hea of the .cae(y an wa"ke s"ow"y fro( the roo(, &or a brief secon he fe"t the spurne +aster /atherin/ the &orce$ an Bane brace hi(se"f for a confrontation, But a secon "ater he fe"t the power fain/ away, .t the thresho" he ha"te, When he spoke$ he was aressin/ the asse(b"e /awkers as (uch as 5oris, 7So(eone here once to" (e the Darth tit"e was no "on/er use because it pro(ote ria"ry a(on/ the Sith, !t /ae the )ei an easy tar/et, !t was easier :ust to abanon the custo(, 0o hae a"" the Sith +asters use the sa(e tit"e of Dark Lor,7 2e raise his oice s"i/ht"y$ speakin/ "ou enou/h for a"" to hear, 7But ! know the truth$ 5oris, ! know why none of you c"ai(s that na(e for yourse"f, &ear, -ou're cowars,7
2e ha"f turne an "ooke back at 5oris, 7;one of the Brotherhoo is worthy of the Darth tit"e, Least of a"" you,7 0here was a /asp fro( the asse(b"a/e, So(e of the stuents steppe back$ e8pectin/ so(e type of reaction, Of course there was none, Shakin/ his hea in is/ust$ Bane "eft the( there, .s he passe the other +asters$ Kas'i( steppe in front of hi($ p"acin/ a han on his chest, 7Don't /o$7 the B"ae(aster sai, 7Let's ta"k about this, !f you :ust (eet with Kaan you'"" unerstan, 0hat's a"" ! ask$ Bane,7 7!t's Darth Bane$7 he sai$ s"appin/ the 0wi'"ek's han away an pushin/ past hi(, ;oboy e"se trie to stop hi( as he (ae his way throu/h the te(p"e's ha""s, ;oboy trie to fo""ow hi( or een ca""e out as he (ounte the stairs to the s(a"" "anin/ pa on the roof, 0here was on"y a sin/"e ship at the starport* the a"cyn$ a 0%c"ass "on/%ran/e persona" cruiser, 0he b"ae%shape esse" was one of the finest in the Sith f"eet$ e6uippe with the "atest an (ost aance techno"o/y, !t ha arrie :ust the ay before* a /ift fro( Kaan to 5oris$ in reco/nition of his work with the apprentices at the .cae(y, Bane "owere the access hatch an c"i(be insie, Durin/ his stint in the (i"itary he' been /ien rui(entary trainin/ in the basics of pi"otin/ a stanar hyperrie esse", &ortunate"y$ the a"cyn's contro"s (atche a"" inter/a"actic stanars of operation an were esi/ne for ease of use, 2e sat hi(se"f own in the pi"ot's chair an fire up the thrusters$ punchin/ in the hyperspace coorinates of his estination een as he be/an the "iftoff se6uence, . (o(ent "ater the a"cyn rose up fro( the "anin/ pa's surface then shot off into the at(osphere$ "eain/ Korriban an the .cae(y behin, P.R0 02R 1 Lor 2oth$ )ei +aster an actin/ /enera" of the Repub"ic forces on Ruusan$ sat hu"e on a stu(p outsie his tent an stare up at the ark c"ous hoerin/ aboe the ca(p, 2e scow"e at the brooin/ sky as if he cou" banish the co(in/ stor( with the fierceness of his e8pression, 7!s so(ethin/ troub"in/ you$ Lor 2oth97 0he oice of +aster Pernicar$ his "on/ti(e frien an ri/ht han urin/ this neer%enin/ ca(pai/n$ snappe his attention back to where it be"on/e, 7What isn't troub"in/ (e$ Pernicar97 he aske with a heay si/h, 7We're "ow on foo an (epacs, Our in:ure outnu(ber our ha"e, 0he scouts report that reinforce(ents are on their way to assist Kaan an his Sith,7 2e s"appe his han own on one knee, 7."" we hae co(in/ to our ai are youths an chi"ren,7 7
7Perhaps it's how you ask the($7 a new oice sai fro( behin hi(, 2oth rubbe his te(p"es but in't turn to face the speaker, Lor a"enthyne &arfa""a ha been one of the first )ei +asters to :oin the .r(y of Li/ht on Ruusan, 2e ha fou/ht in near"y eery confrontation$ an the Sith ha co(e to know hi( we""* &arfa""a was har to (iss een in the chaos of batt"e, 2e ha "on/$ f"owin/ cur"s of /o"en hair that hun/ own past his shou"ers, 0he breastp"ate of his ar(or was a"so /o"$ buffe an po"ishe unti" it /"ea(e before eery batt"e, !t was tri((e with bri/ht re s"eees an aorne with rubies that (atche the co"or of his eyes an contraste with his pa"e skin, Lor 2oth foun hi( insufferab"e, &arfa""a was a "oya" serant of the "i/ht$ but he was a"so a ain an prancin/ foo" who spent (ore ti(e se"ectin/ his warrobe before each batt"e than he i p"annin/ strate/y, &arfa""a was the "ast person he wante to ea" with now, 7!f you showe (ore tact$ Lor 2oth$7 &arfa""a continue$ /"iin/ into iew$ 7you (i/ht hae ra""ie (ore )ei to your cause,7 7! shou"n't hae to persuae the(=7 2oth roare$ "eapin/ to his feet an wain/ his ar(s in e8asperation, &arfa""a hoppe ni(b"y out of the way, 7We're fi/htin/ the Sith= 0he ark sie (ust be estroye= We cou" o it if (ore )ei were here=7 70here are so(e who on't see it that way$7 Pernicar sai ca"("y, 2e ha beco(e use to 2oth's outbursts urin/ their ti(e on Ruusan$ an ha "earne to i/nore the($ for the (ost part, 70here are other Repub"ic wor"s besies this one that are uner attack$7 &arfa""a chi(e in, 7+any )ei are aiin/ the Repub"ic troops in other sectors$ he"pin/ the( a/ainst the Sith f"eets,7 2oth spat on the /roun an was p"ease to see &arfa""a's "ook of horrifie is/ust, 70hose f"eets (i/ht f"y the banner of the Sith$ but they're (ae up of orinary bein/s, 0he Repub"ic has the nu(bers to beat the( back, 0hey on't nee the he"p of the )ei to o it, ."" the rea" Sith%the Dark Lors%are here now, !f we efeat the Brotherhoo of Darkness$ the Sith rebe""ion wi"" co""apse, Don't they unerstan that97 0here was a "on/ si"ence as the other two e8chan/e uneasy "ooks, !t was Pernicar who fina""y foun the coura/e to answer, 7So(e of the )ei be"iee we shou"n't be here, 0hey fee" the on"y thin/ keepin/ the Brotherhoo to/ether is their hatre of the .r(y of Li/ht, 0hey c"ai( if we isban an surrener Ruusan$ then the Sith wi"" 6uick"y turn a/ainst each other$ an the Brotherhoo wi"" tear itse"f apart,7 2oth shook his hea in isbe"ief, 7Don't they see what a /reat opportunity we hae here9 We can wipe out the fo""owers of the ark sie once an for a""=7 7So(e (i/ht ar/ue that is not the purpose of our orer$7 &arfa""a su//este /ent"y, 70he )ei are efeners of the Repub"ic, 0hey fee" the .r(y of Li/ht is pro"on/in/ the rebe""ion b y stren/thenin/ the Sith reso"e, 0hey say you are actua""y causin/ har( to the Repub"ic you were sworn to efen,7 7!s that what you think97 2oth snar"e,
7Lor &arfa""a has been with us since the be/innin/$7 Pernicar re(ine hi(, 72e is on"y te""in/ you what others are sayin/%those )ei who hae not co(e to Ruusan,7 70he Sith are /ettin/ reinforce(ents fro( Korriban$7 2oth /ru(b"e, 7We bare"y hae enou/h nu(bers to ho" the( off as it is, !'"" :ust hae to (ake the( unerstan=7 7We wou" probab"y hae (ore success if so(eone e"se approache the($7 &arfa""a sai, 70here are so(e who be"iee this has beco(e a persona" enetta for you, 0hey o not see Ruusan as the u"ti(ate stru//"e between the "i/ht an the ark$ but rather as a feu between you an Lor Kaan,7 2oth sat back own weari"y, 70hen we are oo(e, Without reinforce(ents we wi"" be oerwhe"(e,7 &arfa""a crouche own besie hi($ "ayin/ a perfect"y (anicure$ heai"y perfu(e han on 2oth's brawny shou"er, !t took eery ounce of the /enera"'s )ei iscip"ine not to shru/ hi( off, 7Sen (e$ (y "or$7 &arfa""a sai earnest"y, 7! hae been here since the be/innin/3 ! be"iee in this cause as stron/"y as you,7 7Why shou" they "isten to you any (ore than (e97 &arfa""a /ae a hi/h$ twitterin/ "au/h that set 2oth's teeth on e/e, 7+y "or$ for a"" your ski"" in batt"e an a"" your stren/th in the &orce$ you are so(ewhat "ackin/ in the e"icate art of ip"o(acy, -ou are a bri""iant /enera"$ an your taciturn nature seres you we"" when /iin/ orers to your troops, Unfortunate"y$ it can set those who are not uner your co((an on e/e,7 7-ou are too b"unt$ (y "or$7 Pernicar c"arifie, 70hat's what ! :ust sai$7 &arfa""a insiste with :ust a hint of annoyance, 0hen he continue$ 7On the other han$ peop"e fin (e witty an char(in/, ! can be 6uite persuasie when necessary, Gie (e "eae to recruit others to our cause$ an ! wi"" return with a hunre%no$ three hunre=%)ei reay to :oin the .r(y of Li/ht,7 2oth roppe his hea into his hans a/ain, 2is te(p"es were throbbin/* &arfa""a a"ways see(e to hae that effect on hi(, 7Go$7 he (uttere without "ookin/ up, 7!f you're so certain you can brin/ (e reinforce(ents$ then brin/ the(,7 &arfa""a /ae an e8traa/ant bow$ then turne with a f"ourish an "eft$ his /o"en "ocks strea(in/ out behin hi( in the risin/ win of the co(in/ stor(, .s soon as he was out of earshot$ Pernicar spoke a/ain, 7!s that wise$ (y "or9 Our nu(bers are a"reay thin, 2ow "on/ o you think we can surie without hi(97 0he rain be/an to fa"" in /reat$ heay rops$ an an iea spran/ into 2oth's (in, 70he Sith can't efeat us if we on't stan an fi/ht$7 he sai, 7We won't /ie the( a chance, 0he wet season is here3 the rains wi"" (ake it i(possib"e for their trackers to fin us, We'"" hie in the forest$ harryin/ the( with 6uick attacks an a(bushes before we anish back into the trees,7 70hat strate/y won't work once the ry season co(es$7 Pernicar warne,
7!f &arfa""a hasn't brou/ht (e (y reinforce(ents by then$ it won't (atter$7 2oth rep"ie, 0he fie !nter"opers%s(a""$ (iran/e (u"titroop transport ships use by the Sith%swept in "ow oer Ruusan's hori4on, ach esse" carrie a crew of ten$ co(prise entire"y of for(er stuents an +asters fro( Korriban's .cae(y, !n the "ea ship Githany worke the contro"s with the ca"( precision of a hi/h"y traine pi"ot, She' actua""y "earne to f"y on a Repub"ic esse"$ but the basics were the sa(e, 0he !nter"opers were "i/hter an 6uicker than the Biouac transports preferre by the Repub"ic, 0he !nter"opers ha "ess ar(or p"atin/$ sacrificin/ the safety of the occupants insie in e8chan/e for /reater ran/e an (aneuerabi"ity, .s if to proe the point$ she banke her esse" own an har to port$ brin/in/ it so c"ose to the p"anet's surface that the "eaes on the trees of Ruusan's /reat forest tre(b"e in the wake of the ion rie, 0he other esse"s fo""owe her "ea$ neer breakin/ for(ation, Linke to Githany throu/h the &orce$ the other pi"ots reacte in perfect unison to her eery (oe, !f she (ae a (istake$ the entire conoy wou" /o own, But Githany in't (ake (istakes, 7!t (i/ht be safer to c"i(b hi/her aboe the tree "ine$7 Lor 5oris obsere fro( his seat at Githany's sie in the cockpit, 7! on't want the )ei pickin/ anythin/ up on their scanners$7 she e8p"aine$ her attention focuse on keepin/ the ship fro( s(ashin/ into the ocean of woo (ere (eters be"ow the hu"", 70he Brotherhoo hasn't secure this re/ion, !f a s6ua of seekers "ocks on to us$ these transports aren't e6uippe with enou/h firepower to ho" the( off,7 &ar in the istance ha"f a o4en s(a"" fi/hters ca(e into iew$ their tra:ectory brin/in/ the( on a irect "ine to intercept the !nter"opers' path, 5oris swore$ an Githany brace herse"f to be/in easie (aneuers, . secon "ater she reco/ni4e the istinctie out"ine of the Sith Bu44ars an breathe a si/h of re"ief, 7Our escort's here$7 she sai, 0hey' be at the Sith base ca(p in a few (inutes$ an with the Bu44ars there to pick off any inco(in/ )ei fi/hters there was no nee to f"y so an/erous"y c"ose to the treetops any(ore, She cou" hae ease back on the stick to brin/ the ship up to a safer a"titue, !nstea she he" her course, She en:oye the thri"" of bein/ one tiny (iscue fro( an instantaneous an fiery en, &ro( his ri/i posture in the copi"ot's chair$ it was c"ear 5oris in't share her opinion, Once they c"eare the forest she thrott"e back their spee$ then brou/ht the ship own /racefu""y in the "anin/ fie" at the e/e of Lor Kaan's enca(p(ent, . s(a"" co""ection of Sith +asters$ Kaan stanin/ at their hea$ waite to /reet the reinforce(ents as they ise(barke, 0hey (i/ht hae been on"y fifty in nu(ber$ but each one of the( was a Sith Lor* (ore powerfu" than an entire iision of so"iers, .s she (ae her way own the ship's e8it ra(p$ Githany was 6uick to unerstan why their presence ha been so ur/ent"y re6ueste, Beyon the asse(b"a/e of Dark Lors the rest of the ca(p
sprea out to the "i(its of her ision$ an a"" she cou" see was a picture of /ri( espair, Ra//e$ ra(shack"e tents arran/e in ti/ht rin/s of fie house the bu"k of the ar(y* c"oth o(ici"es staine an torn by win an rain, Scattere a(on/ the( were repu"sorcraft$ heay turrets$ an other instru(ents of war, 0he e6uip(ent was cake with rie (u an spots of rust$ as if efforts to keep it proper"y (aintaine ha been abanone, 0he troops were sprea out in s(a"" pockets$ hu"e aroun cook fires bui"t in the circ"es of tents, 0heir unifor(s were coere in ust an /ri(e3 (any wore irty bana/es oer wouns they ha /ien up a"" hope of keepin/ c"ean or steri"e, 0heir faces were a"" scarre by the bitter taste of far too (any efeats at the hans of their ene(y$ an it was the hope"essness of their e8pressions that (ae the /reatest i(pression, Lor 5oris see(e si(i"ar"y taken aback at the is(a" scene$ an he /ri(ace as Lor Kaan approache, Kaan appeare thin$ his face rawn an etche with "ines of worry, 2is hair was bera//"e an unke(pt, . ay's worth of stubb"e shaowe his chin$ (akin/ hi( "ook o" an weary, 2e see(e physica""y s(a""er than Githany re(e(bere hi(, Di(inishe, Less co((anin/, 0he spark she ha foun so co(pe""in/ when she' first (et hi( was no "on/er there, 2is eyes ha once burne with the fire of a (an abso"ute"y confient of his i((inent success, ;ow they burne with so(ethin/ e"se, Desperation, +aness$ perhaps, She cou"n't he"p but woner if Bane ha been ri/ht, 7We"co(e$ Lor 5oris*7 Kaan sai$ /raspin/ the newco(er's ar( in /reetin/, 2e re"ease his /rip an turne to aress the rest of the(, 7We"co(e$ a"" of you$ to Ruusan,7 7! in't e8pect to see your ar(y in such sorry shape*' 5oris (u(b"e, . "ook that (i/ht hae been an/er f"ickere across Kaan's features, 0hen it was /one$ rep"ace by the bea(in/ confience Githany re(e(bere, 2e threw his shou"ers back an stoo a "it t"e strai/hter, 7-ou can't :u/e the ictor of a war without seein/ the conition of both sies*' he sai crisp"y, 70he )ei are in far worse shape, +y inte""i/ence reports that their casua"ties are far /reater than ours, 0heir supp"ies are runnin/ "ow3 their nu(bers are win"in/, We hae (epacs$ foo$ an /reater nu(bers, .n they o not hae fresh reinforce(ents,7 2e "ifte his oice so that it carrie throu/hout the ca(p$ his wors boo(in/ across the tente "anscape, 7;ow that you are here$ the Brotherhoo of Darkness is at "ast who"e=7 0he troops in ca(p pause an "ooke up at hi(, . few rose e8pectant"y to their feet, 0here was fire in that sin/"e bo" state(ent3 it rekin"e hope fro( the a(p ashes of their fati/ue an espair, 70he fu"" power of the Sith Lors is now unite here on Ruusan$7 he continue$ pro:ectin/ his wors to een the (ost istant of his fo""owers, Reachin/ out to the( with the uneniab"e power of the &orce$ he fe the($ re:uenate the($ an fi""e their ho""ow spirits, 7We are stron/, Stron/er than the )ei, We are the cha(pions of the ark sie$ an we wi"" crush Lor 2oth an his serants of "i/ht=7 . /reat shout roare up fro( his troops, 0hose who were seate "eapt to their feet, 0hose who were stanin/ thrust their fists up in the air, 0he echo of their cheers shook the ca(p "ike a /roun6uake,
Githany fe"t it as sure"y as the rest of the troops, !t was (ore than :ust the wors, !t was the way he sai the(, ."" her oubts an fears si(p"y anishe$ crushe by the wei/ht of that sin/"e brief speech, !t was as if she ha been co(pe""e to obey by a power /reater than herse"f, 0hey (ae their way throu/h the ca(p$ ree"in/ in the newfoun opti(is( of the troops as Lor Kaan "e the( to the /reat tent where he conene his war sessions, . thickset 0wi'"ek fe"" into step besie Lor 5oris :ust ahea of Githany, Swept up in the (o(ent$ it took her seera" secons to re(e(ber hi(* Lor Kopec4, 7Where's Bane97 he aske 5oris$ his oice so "ow that on"y 5oris an Githany "ike"y hear hi(, 7Bane is /one$7 5oris rep"ie, Kopec4 /runte, 7What happene9 Di you ki"" hi(97 2e (ae "itt"e atte(pt to hie his conte(pt, 72e sti"" "ies, But he has turne his back on the Brotherhoo of Darkness,7 7We nee hi($7 Kopec4 insiste, 72e's too stron/ for you to :ust "et hi( /o,7 7!t was his choice$ not (ine=7 5oris snappe, 0hey continue in without speakin/, Kopec4 at "ast broke the si"ence$ si/hin/ as he aske$ 7Do you at "east know where he went97 7;o$7 5oris sai, 7;oboy knows,7 Bane roppe the a"cyn out of hyperspace on the farthest e/e of the re(ote syste($ then kicke in the ion ries an continue s"ow"y towar the on"y habitab"e p"anet* a s(a"" wor" "ocke in orbit aroun a pa"e ye""ow star, 0he p"anet's officia" na(e was Lehon%the sa(e as the so"ar syste(%but it was (ore co((on"y referre to as the Unknown Wor", ;ear"y three thousan years before$ in this insi/nificant syste( "ocate beyon the farthest e/es of e8p"ore space$ Darth Rean an Darth +a"ak ha iscoere the Rakata* an ancient species of &orce%users that ha ru"e the /a"a8y "on/ before the birth of the Repub"ic, 0hey ha a"so iscoere the Star &or/e$ an increib"e orbitin/ space station an factory ,,, an a (onu(ent to the power of the ark sie, . /reat batt"e ha been fou/ht here between the Repub"ic$ "e by the reee(e )ei +aster Rean$ an Darth +a"ak's Sith, +a"ak ha fa""en$ the Sith were route$ an the Star &or/e ha been estroye$ thou/h at /reat cost to the Repub"ic, en now the re(nants of that titanic batt"e re(aine, Ships fro( both f"eets ha been en/u"fe in the catac"ys(ic e8p"osion that ha estroye the Star &or/e, .nythin/ cau/ht up in the shock waes of the etonation$ inc"uin/ the (assie factory itse"f$ ha been warpe an shree by the concussie force$ then fuse to/ether by the heat of the b"ast into unreco/ni4ab"e chunks of (o"ten (eta", +uch of the wrecka/e ha coa"esce into a wie ban that encirc"e the s(a"" p"anet of Lehon "ike the rin/s co((on to (any of the /as /iants across the /a"a8y, 0he rest of the ebris was scattere throu/hout the syste($ orbitin/ the sun "ike a ast asteroi fie" that (ae nai/ation ifficu"t$ if not i(possib"e,
Bane switche the contro"s to (anua" an took oer, Usin/ the &orce$ he (aneuere his ship carefu""y throu/h the treacherous obstac"e course, !t took near"y an hour to reach his estination$ an by the ti(e he fina""y passe beyon the rin/ an into the re"atie safety of the Unknown Wor"'s at(osphere$ he was sweatin/ fro( the intense concentration, 0here was no other ship traffic to conten with$ of course, ;oboy hai"e hi( as he roppe fro( the sky towar the p"anet's surface$ "ookin/ for a p"ace to "an, 0he Rakata ha been a yin/ species on the er/e of e8tinction when Rean an +a"ak iscoere the(, irtua""y a"" eience of their e8istence beyon their tiny ho(ewor" ha been wipe out3 they ha been pur/e fro( /a"actic (e(ory, ;othin/ ha si/nificant"y chan/e after the Batt"e of the Star &or/e to a"ter that fact, Repub"ic officia"s ha been aware of the($ of course$ but their e8istence ha neer been officia""y reco/ni4e beyon the c"assifie reports of the conf"ict, !t was be"iee that the /enera" popu"ation wou"n't hae reacte we"" to the suen ree(er/ence of an ancient species that ha once ens"ae (ost of the known /a"a8y, 0he few suriin/ Rakata ha ec"ine to "eae their ancestra" ho(e$ an their nu(bers ha been insufficient to (aintain a iab"e /ene poo", Within a few (ore /enerations the "on/$ s"ow e8tinction of their species was fina""y co(p"ete, Keepin/ secret the e8istence of the Rakata ha proen to be a surprisin/"y si(p"e task, 0he syste( ha neer attracte (uch attention after the batt"e, ."thou/h there was a ast a(ount of starship (ateria" "eft oer fro( the estruction of the Star &or/e$ no atte(pts were (ae to sa"a/e any of it, Rather than esecratin/ the f"oatin/ /raes of its so"iers$ the Repub"ic chose to honor the (e(ory of its ea by esi/natin/ Lehon a protecte historica" site, 0hat (ae it technica""y i""e/a" for any ship to enter the syste( without officia" authori4ation, ;oboy eer bothere to seek such per(ission, 0he syste( ha no inherent a"ue or resources$ other than the protecte starship ebris, !t was "ocate we"" beyon any of the estab"ishe hyperspace "anes an trae routes%so far out that not een s(u//"ers bothere with it, . s(a"" notation of its "ocation was ae to the officia" Repub"ic recors$ an it be/an to show up as an insi/nificant speck on the frin/es of so(e of the (ore etai"e star charts, Beyon that$ it (i/ht as we"" hae not een e8iste, Bane unerstoo that it wasn't 6uite as si(p"e as that, 0he Unknown Wor" was a p"ace stron/ in the &orce, !t (ay een hae been the birthp"ace of the first serants of the ark sie* the Rakata "eaers who roe their peop"e to con6uer an ens"ae hunres of wor"s ten thousan years before the rest of the /a"a8y een iscoere hyperrie techno"o/y, 0hat power ha been concentrate an focuse in the Star &or/e$ an wou" hae been re"ease with its estruction, 0he )ei unerstoo this$ an they feare what ei" (i/ht bree in such a p"ace, 0he Repub"ic officia"s ha acte on their instruction$ iso"atin/ the entire syste($ effectie"y 6uarantinin/ it fro( the rest of the /a"a8y, !n the ensuin/ centuries the )ei ha worke to keep its secrets hien, 0he story of Rean an +a"ak "ie on$ as i ru(ors an specu"ation re/arin/ the Rakata$ but the true nature of the Unknown Wor" was burie beneath a shrou of secrets an "ies of o(ission, !n the .cae(y archies Bane ha co(e across bits an pieces that hinte at the truth, .t first he han't een rea"i4e the i(p"ications of what he was seein/, . s(a"" (ention of the wor" here, .n a""usion to it there, Unerstanin/ ha co(e s"ow"y as he' unrae"e the (ysteries of the ark sie, .s his know"e/e /rew$ he ha co(e c"oser an c"oser to asse(b"in/ the entire pu44"e, 2e' thou/ht to co(p"ete it in the a""ey of the Dark Lors but ha fai"e, ;ow he ha co(e here to c"ai( the fina" piece,
Be"ow hi( the wor" was a patchwork of s(a"" tropica" is"ans separate by bri/ht b"ue ocean, 2e use the a"cyn's sensors to ientify the "ar/est "an(ass$ then swoope in "ookin/ for a p"ace to touch own, 0he is"an was a"(ost co(p"ete"y coere by thick$ "ush :un/"e$ an there were no c"earin/s "ar/e enou/h for his ship, &ina""y$ he pu""e the thrott"e back an be/an a s"ow escent$ "anin/ the a"cyn on the crysta" san beach on the is"an's e/e, .s soon as Bane's feet touche the Unknown Wor"'s surface he fe"t it* a eep thru((in/$ si(i"ar to what he' first fe"t on Korriban but (uch$ (uch stron/er, en the air fe"t ifferent* heay with ancient history an secrets "on/ for/otten, Stanin/ with his back to the ocean$ starin/ into the irtua""y i(penetrab"e wa"" of forest that coere the is"an's interior$ he sense so(ethin/ e"se$ as we""* a presence3 a "ife%force of i((ense si4e an stren/th, !t was (oin/ towar hi(, 5uick"y, . few secons "ater he cou" hear it crashin/ throu/h the uner/rowth, !t (ust hae been rawn by the ship's "anin/ on the beach$ an enor(ous hunter "ookin/ for fresh prey, 0he rancor burst forth fro( the trees an be/an "opin/ across the san$ be""owin/ its terrib"e cry, Bane he" his /roun$ watchin/ it co(e$ (are"in/ at the spee with which the (assie beast (oe, When it ha c"ose the istance between the( to "ess than fifty (eters$ he ca"("y he" up a han an reache out with the &orce to touch the (in of the char/in/ (onster, .t his unspoken co((an it stu(b"e to a ha"t an stoo in p"ace$ pantin/,
> !t took near"y an hour before Bane reache his estination, 0he e/etation aroun hi( was tee(in/ with "ife$ but as he was carrie a"on/ throu/h the :un/"e he saw nothin/ "ar/er than insects or s(a"" birs, +ost creatures scattere before the rancor's aance$ anishin/ "on/ before Bane eer cane c"ose enou/h to catch een a /"i(pse of the(, -et thou/h they sca(pere away$ the rancor's keen sense of s(e"" often picke up their trai"$ an (ore than once Bane ha to rein in the beast's huntin/ instincts to keep it on course, .s ifficu"t as it was to keep the beast fro( racin/ off in pursuit of its ne8t (ea"$ it beca(e een (ore ifficu"t to rie it forwar as they neare the te(p"e, ery few steps it wou" try to eer to the sie or suen"y shy away fro( its course, Once it een trie to rear up an is"o/e hi( fro( its shou"ers, Bane cou"n't see (ore than a few (eters ahea throu/h the thick e/etation$ but he knew they were c"ose now, 2e cou" sense the power of the 0e(p"e$ ca""in/ to hi( fro( behin the i(penetrab"e curtain of tan/"e ines an twiste branches, <"a(pin/ own with the ark sie$ he crushe the "ast of the (i/hty rancor's wi"" to resist an ur/e it forwar, Suen"y they broke throu/h into a c"earin/$ a circ"e near"y one hunre (eters across, !n the ery center stoo the Rakatan 0e(p"e, 0he structure rose near"y twenty (eters to the sky$ a (onu(ent of care rock an stone, 0he on"y entrance was a broa archway at the peak of an enor(ous staircase care into an outsie wa"" of the 0e(p"e itse"f, !ts surface was pristine* stark an pure$ unsu""ie by c"in/in/ (oss or c"i(bin/ iy, 0he /rouns surrounin/ it were barren but for a carpet of short$ soft /rass, !t was as if the :un/"e feare to creep forwar an rec"ai( the tainte stone, Bane "eapt own fro( his (ount$ a"" his attention focuse on the structure towerin/ before hi(, &ree fro( his power$ the rancor turne an f"e back into the uner/rowth, 0he terrib"e crashin/ cacophony of its escape was oer"ai with its torture how"s$ but Bane notice neither soun, 2e ha no (ore use for the rancor3 he ha foun what he was searchin/ for, 2e took a tre(b"in/ step forwar before stoppin/ short, 2e shook his hea to c"ear it, 0he ark sie was stron/ here$ so stron/ it (ae hi( fee" "i/ht%heae, 0hat (eant this was a p"ace of an/er3 he cou"n't affor to be wanerin/ aroun in a stupor, .ccorin/ to the accounts he' rea in the archies$ the 0e(p"e ha once been protecte by a powerfu" ener/y shie"$ one that re6uire an entire Rakatan tribe%of which each iniiua" ha been a powerfu" &orce%user%to brin/ it own, 2e in't sense any such barrier$ but on"y a foo" wou" procee without caution, .s he ha one in the to(bs on Korriban$ he be/an to probe the area aroun hi( with the &orce, 2e fe"t the echoes of the safe/uars that ha once protecte the 0e(p"e$ but they were so weak as to be a"(ost none8istent, 2e wasn't surprise, 0he shie"s aroun the 0e(p"e ha been fue"e by the power of the orbitin/ Star &or/e, With its estruction$ the shie"s ha fai"e%a"on/ with a"" the other efenses that ha (ae the Unknown Wor" a /raeyar of ships, Wonerin/ what e"se ha been "ost in the Star &or/e's io"ent en$ he crosse the surrounin/ courtyar an (ounte the 0e(p"e steps, 0he staircase was steep but wie$ an the stone was neither worn nor cracke espite its a/e, !t ene at a s(a"" "anin/ "eain/ to the stone archway of the entrance$ three%6uarters of the way up, 2e pause at the thresho"$ then passe throu/h, 2e ha a brief sensation of what it (ust hae fe"t "ike for those who ca(e before hi(* the anticipation$ the
thri"" of iscoery, Once insie$ howeer$ it on"y took a few (inutes of e8p"oration for his e8cite(ent to fae, Like Korriban$ the 0e(p"e ha been strippe of anythin/ of a"ue, 2e searche for hours$ be/innin/ with the top f"oor where he ha first co(e in an proceein/ eeper an eeper unti" he reache the botto( "ee"$ co(bin/ eery centi(eter of the e(pty ha""s an eserte roo(s, -et een thou/h his search was proin/ futi"e$ he in't espair, 0he crypts in the a""ey of the Dark Lors ha fe"t raine%use up an sucke ry, 0he Unknown Wor" fe"t ifferent, 0here was sti"" power here, 0here ha to be so(ethin/ here for hi( to fin, 2e was certain of it, 2e refuse to accept another fai"ure, !t was in the "owest "ee" of the 0e(p"e$ far be"ow the p"anet's surface$ that his obsessie 6uest fina""y ene, When he first stu(b"e into the roo( his attention was i((eiate"y rawn by the re(ains of a (assie co(puter$ but it was c"ear"y beyon any hope of repair, .n then he notice so(ethin/ on the stone wa"" behin the co(puter, 0he surface was etche with a nu(ber of arcane sy(bo"s* the "an/ua/e of the Rakata$ perhaps, 0hey (eant nothin/ to hi($ an he wou" hae is(isse the( without a secon /"ance, 8cept that one of the( was /"owin/, 2e a"(ost han't notice it at first, !t was subt"e* a faint io"et hue tracin/ the e/es of one of the unusua" shapes, !t was a"(ost perfect"y "ee" with his eye, .s he stare at it$ the /"ow /rew stron/er, 2e steppe forwar an reache out tentatie"y with his han, 0he "i/ht winke out$ start"in/ hi( into takin/ a step back, 2e reache out a/ain$ but this ti(e$ instea of usin/ his han$ he reache out with the &orce, 0he stone character f"are to "ife, Stru//"in/ to contain his ea/erness$ he a/ain e8tene his han an presse har a/ainst the /"owin/ sy(bo", 0here was the soun of turnin/ /ears$ an the /rinin/ of stone on stone, 0he sea(s of a s(a"" s6uare%"ess than ha"f a (eter on each sie%took shape in the wa"" as a section of stone pushe out, Bane steppe back as the chunk topp"e own fro( the wa"" an shattere on the /roun at his feet$ reea"in/ a s(a"" cubbyho"e behin it, With no hesitation$ he thrust his ar( into the arkness to sei4e whateer was insie, 2is fin/ers wrappe aroun so(ethin/ co" an heay, 2e rew it out an stare in woner at the artifact in his han, S"i/ht"y "ar/er than his fist$ it ha the shape of a four%sie pyra(i%a tiny rep"ica of the 0e(p"e in which he stoo, Bane instant"y reco/ni4e his pri4e for what it was* a Sith 2o"ocron$ a repository of forbien know"e/e :ust waitin/ to be un"ocke, 0he art of constructin/ 2o"ocrons ha been "ost for count"ess (i""ennia$ but fro( his stuies Bane knew so(ethin/ of the basic theory behin their esi/n, 0he infor(ation they containe was store within an interwoen$ se"f%encrypte i/ita" (atri8, . 2o"ocron's protection syste(s cou"n't be circu(ente or broken3 the infor(ation cou"n't be s"ice or copie, 0here was on"y one way to access the know"e/e capture within, ach 2o"ocron was i(printe with the persona"ity of one or (ore +asters to sere as /uarians, When accesse by one capab"e of unerstanin/ its secrets$ the 2o"ocron wou" pro:ect tiny$ crue
ho"o/ra((ic i(a/es of the arious /uarians, 0hrou/h interaction with the stuent$ the pro/ra((e si(u"acra wou" teach an instruct in (uch the sa(e way as wou" a f"esh%an%b"oo (entor, 2oweer$ a"" accounts of Sith 2o"ocrons ha (ae (ention of the ancient sy(bo"s aornin/ the four%sie pyra(i, 0he 2o"ocron he he" in his han was a"(ost co(p"ete"y b"ank,
She shiere$ the perspiration coo"in/ her skin in the chi"" ni/ht air, She ro""e out of be an pu""e her heay c"oak on oer her thin bec"othes, She ha to speak to Kaan about this, !t cou"n't wait unti" (ornin/, 0he ni/ht was ark* the (oon an stars were b"ocke out by the brooin/ stor( c"ous that ha fi""e the sky eer since she an the others fro( Korriban ha arrie, . "i/ht (ist fe"" fro( the sky$ a s"i/ht i(proe(ent fro( the steay ri44"e that ha been fa""in/ when she' craw"e weari"y into be, . hanfu" of other Sith were wanerin/ the ca(p, . few (u(b"e uninte""i/ib"e /reetin/s as they passe$ but (ost kept their heas own an their feet p"oin/ steai"y throu/h the (u, 0he aror Kaan ha inspire when the reinforce(ents ha arrie ha been u""e by the see(in/"y en"ess strea( of /ray$ wet ays, !t wou" be seera" (ore weeks before the rains abate an /ae way to the swe"terin/ heat of Ruusan's "on/ su((er, Unti" then Kaan's fo""owers wou" continue to suffer fro( the a(p an co", Githany pai no attention, &ocuse on her (ission$ she s"owe on"y when she reache the entrance to the /reat tent that Kaan ha (ae his persona" 6uarters, 0here was a "i/ht burnin/ insie3 Lor Kaan was awake, She entere tentatie"y, What she ha to say was for his ears on"y, &ortunate"y$ she foun hi( a"one, But she stoppe in the entry$ starin/ in (orbi fascination at the apparition before her, !n the i( /"ow of the "antern that sere as the tent's on"y source of i""u(ination$ Kaan "ooke "ike a (an /one (a, 2e was pacin/ 6uick"y up an own the "en/th of the tent$ his steps uneen an erratic, 2e was hunche oer near"y oub"e$ (utterin/ to hi(se"f an shakin/ his hea, 2is "eft han constant"y straye up to tu/ on a stran of his hair$ then 6uick"y :erke own as if it ha been cau/ht in so(e forbien act, She cou" har"y be"iee that this cra4e bein/ was the (an she ha chosen to fo""ow, Was it possib"e Bane ha been ri/ht a"" a"on/9 She was on the er/e of s"ippin/ back out into the soen ni/ht when Kaan turne an fina""y notice her, &or a brief (o(ent his eyes showe wi" panic* they burne with the fear an esperation of a ca/e ani(a", 0hen suen"y he snappe to his fu"" hei/ht$ stanin/ strai/ht an ta"", 0he "ook of terror "eft his eyes$ rep"ace by one of co" an/er, 7Githany$7 he sai$ his we"co(e as co" as his icy e8pression, 7! was not e8pectin/ isitors,7 ;ow it was she who fe"t fear, Lor Kaan raiate power* he cou" crush her as easi"y as she crushe the s(a"" beet"es that so(eti(es scutt"e across the f"oor of her tent, 0he (e(ory of the craen$ broken (an was /one$ b"aste fro( her (in by the oerwhe"(in/ aura of Kaan's authority, 7&or/ie (e$ Lor Kaan$7 she sai with a s"i/ht bow of her hea, 7! nee to speak with you,7 2is an/er see(e to soften$ thou/h he sti"" (aintaine his uneniab"y co((anin/ presence, 7Of course$ Githany, ! a"ways hae ti(e for you,7 0he wors were (ore than coria" for(a"ity3 there was so(ethin/ eeper beneath the(, Githany was an attractie wo(an3 she was use to bein/ the ob:ect of innueno an (en's bare"y hien esire, Usua""y it eoke "itt"e (ore than reu"sion$ but in Kaan's case it brou/ht a war( f"ush to
her cheeks, 2e was the founer of the Brotherhoo of Darkness$ a (an of ision an estiny, 2ow cou" she not be f"attere by his attentions9 7!'e ha a pre(onition$7 she e8p"aine, 7! saw , , , ! saw Darth Bane, 2e was co(in/ to Ruusan to estroy us,7 75oris has (ae (e we"" aware of Bane's iews$7 he sai$ noin/, 70his is not une8pecte,7 72e oesn't see the /"ory of our cause$7 Githany sai$ apo"o/i4in/ for Bane, 72e's neer (et you in person, 2is on"y unerstanin/ of the Brotherhoo co(es throu/h 5oris an the other +asters%the ones who turne their backs on hi(,7 Kaan /ae her a pu44"e stare, 7-ou ca(e to warn (e that Bane is p"annin/ to estroy us, ;ow it see(s you are tryin/ to :ustify his actions,7 70he &orce shows us what (ay be$ not necessari"y what wi"" be$7 she re(ine hi(, 7"f we can conince Bane to :oin us$ he cou" be a a"uab"e a""y a/ainst the )ei,7 7! see$7 Kaan sai, 7-ou fee" that if we brin/ hi( into the fo" of the Brotherhoo$ then your pre(onition wi"" not co(e true,7 0here was a "on/ pause$ an then he aske$ 7.re you certain your persona" fee"in/s for hi( are not c"ouin/ your :u/(ent in this (atter97 (barrasse$ Githany cou"n't (eet his eyes, 7!'( not the on"y one who fee"s this way$7 she (u(b"e$ starin/ own at the /roun, 7+any of the others fro( Korriban are troub"e by his absence$ as we"", 0hey'e fe"t his stren/th, 0hey woner why one so stron/ in the ark sie wou" re:ect the Brotherhoo,7 She raise her hea when Kaan p"ace a co(fortin/ han on her shou"er, 7-ou (i/ht be ri/ht$ Githany, But ! cannot act on your su//estion, ;oboy een knows where Bane is,7 7! o, 0here is a , , , a bon between us, ! can te"" you where Bane has /one,7 Kaan reache out to take her chin in his cuppe pa"(, 2e ti"te her hea back eer so s"i/ht"y, 70hen ! wi"" sen so(eone to hi($7 he pro(ise, 7-ou i the ri/ht thin/ by co(in/ to (e$ Githany$7 he ae$ /ent"y re"easin/ her an /iin/ her a reassurin/ s(i"e, Githany$ bea(in/ with prie$ s(i"e back, She "eft a few (inutes "ater$ after e8p"ainin/ where Bane ha /one an why, Kaan watche her /o$ her wors troub"in/ hi( thou/h he was carefu" not to "et it show, 2e ha a""aye her fears an he was confient she wou" re(ain "oya" to the Brotherhoo espite her obious attraction to Bane, Githany i(a/ine herse"f the ob:ect of eery (an's esire$ but Kaan cou" see a si(i"ar esire burnin/ bri/ht"y within her* she hun/ere for power an /"ory, .n he was a"" too wi""in/ to fee her prie an a(bition with his f"irtin/$ praise$ an pro(ises, Sti""$ he wasn't sure what to (ake of her ision, 0hou/h he was stron/ in the &orce$ his ta"ents "ay e"sewhere, 2e cou" chan/e the course of a war with his batt"e (eitation, 2e cou" inspire "oya"ty in the other Lors throu/h subt"e (anipu"ations of their e(otions, But he ha neer e8perience a pre(onition "ike the one that ha brou/ht her to his tent in the (i"e of the ark ni/ht, 2is first inc"ination was to is(iss it as base"ess worry brou/ht on by "ow (ora"e, 0he reinforce(ents fro( Korriban ha brou/ht e8pectations of a 6uick en to Ruusan's "on/ war, But
Genera" 2oth was too c"eer to "et his .r(y of Li/ht be crushe by the superior Sith (i/ht, 2e ha switche tactics$ conuctin/ a war of hit%an%run skir(ishes$ sta""in/ for ti(e as he trie to (arsha" (ore support for his own forces, ;ow the Sith were /rowin/ i(patient an rest"ess, 0he /"orious ictory Kaan ha pro(ise the( weeks ear"ier ha not (ateria"i4e, !nstea they tru/e throu/h (u an neer%enin/ rain$ tryin/ to efeat an ene(y that wou"n't een stan an fi/ht, Githany's isit han't surprise hi(, 0he on"y rea" surprise was that (ore of the Dark Lors han't co(e to oice their issatisfaction, But that on"y (ae Githany's warnin/s (ore an/erous, Bane ha re:ecte the Brotherhoo in a ery pub"ic spectac"e3 a"" the recruits fro( Korriban c"ai(e to hae seen it in person, 0he story ha sprea throu/h the ca(p "ike a p"a/ue, .t first they ha scoffe at his arro/ance an stubbornness3 he ha chosen to wa"k a"one$ an he wou" not share in the triu(ph of the Brotherhoo, !n the absence of that triu(ph$ howeer$ so(e of the recruits ha be/un to woner if Bane was ri/ht, Lor Kaan ha his spies a(on/ the Dark Lors, 0he whispers ha reache his ears, 0he Lors were not reay to act on their oubts$ but their reso"e was weakenin/%a"on/ with their a""e/iance, 2e ha for/e a coa"ition of ene(ies an bitter ria"s, 0hou/h the Brotherhoo of Darkness appeare stron/ as urastee"$ one fir( oice of issent cou" fracture it into a thousan fra/i"e pieces, 2e /rabbe the "antern fro( his tent an heae out into the ni/ht's ri44"e$ his "on/ strie prope""in/ hi( 6uick"y throu/h the ca(p, 2e wou" ea" with Bane$ :ust as he ha pro(ise Githany, !f the reca"citrant youn/ (an cou" not be conince to :oin the($ he wou" hae to be e"i(inate, Within a few (inutes Kaan ha reache his estination, 2e pause at the oor$ re(e(berin/ his an/er at Githany's une8pecte entrance into his own tent, ;ot wishin/ to anta/oni4e the (an he ha co(e to see$ he ca""e out$ 7Kas'i(97 7
7! (ust sen you far fro( Ruusan, 0o the ens of the /a"a8y, -ou hae to /o to Lehon,7 70he Unknown Wor"97 the B"ae(aster aske$ pu44"e, 70here is nothin/ there but the /raeyar of our orer's /reatest efeat,7 7Bane is there$7 Kaan e8p"aine, 7-ou (ust /o to hi( as (y enoy, 8p"ain that he (ust :oin the rest of the Sith here on Ruusan, 0e"" hi( that those who o not stan with the Brotherhoo stan a/ainst it,7 Kas'i( shook his hea, 7! oubt it wi"" (ake a ifference, Once his (in is set he can be ,,, stubborn,7 70he ark sie cannot be unite in the Brotherhoo if he stans a"one$7 Kaan e8p"aine, .s he spoke$ he reache out with the &orce$ pushin/ eer so /ent"y at the 0wi'"ek's woune sense of prie, 7! know he re:ecte you an the other +asters on Korriban, But you (ust (ake this offer once (ore,7 7.n when he refuses97 Kas'i('s wors were 6uick an sharp, !nwar"y$ Kaan s(i"e at the B"ae(aster's /rowin/ an/er een as he pushe :ust a "itt"e (ore, 70hen you (ust ki"" hi(,7 A 70hose who use the ark sie are a"so boun to sere it, 0o unerstan this is to unerstan the uner"yin/ phi"osophy of the Sith,7 Bane sat (otion"ess$ eyes riete on the aatar of a Dark Lor three thousan years ea an /one, Rean's pro:ecte i(a/e winke out of e8istence$ then s"ow"y f"ickere back into iew, 0he 2o"ocron was fai"in/, Dyin/, 0he (ateria" use to construct it%the crysta" that channe"e the ener/y of the &orce to /ie the artifact "ife%was f"awe, 0he (ore Bane use it$ the "ess stab"e it beca(e, -et he cou"n't set it asie$ een for a sin/"e ay, 2e ha beco(e obsesse with tappin/ a"" the know"e/e trappe within$ an he spent hours on en rinkin/ in Rean's wors with the sa(e sin/"e%(ine eter(ination he ha use when (inin/ cortosis back on .patros, 70he ark sie offers power for power's sake, -ou (ust crae it,
fro( .patros when he ha taken his Sith na(e$ so ha he cast asie the stu(b"in/$ uncertain apprentice when he ha c"ai(e the Darth tit"e for hi(se"f, When he' re:ecte 5oris an the Brotherhoo$ he ha be/un the transfor(ation Rean spoke of$ an with the 2o"ocron's he"p he was at "ast on the er/e of co(p"etin/ it, 70hose who accept the power of the ark sie (ust a"so accept the cha""en/e of ho"in/ on to it$7 Rean continue, 7By its ery nature$ the ark sie inites ria"ry an strife, 0his is the /reatest stren/th of the Sith* it cu""s the weak fro( our orer, -et this ria"ry can a"so be our /reatest weakness, 0he stron/ (ust be carefu" "est they be oerwhe"(e by the a(bitions of those beneath the( workin/ in concert, .ny +aster who instructs (ore than one apprentice in the ways of the ark sie is a foo", !n ti(e the apprentices wi"" unite their stren/th an oerthrow the +aster, !t is ineitab"e, .8io(atic, 0hat is why each +aster (ust hae on"y one stuent,7 Bane in't respon$ but his "ip instinctie"y cur"e up in is/ust as he re(e(bere his instruction at the .cae(y, 5oris an the others ha passe the apprentices aroun fro( c"ass to c"ass$ as if they were chi"ren in schoo" instea of heirs to the "e/acy of the Sith, Was it any woner he ha stru//"e to reach his fu"" potentia" in such a f"awe syste(9 70his is a"so the reason there can be on"y one Dark Lor, 0he Sith (ust be ru"e by a sin/"e "eaer* the ery e(boi(ent of the stren/th an power of the ark sie, !f the "eaer /rows weak$ another (ust rise to sei4e the (ant"e, 0he stron/ ru"e3 the weak are (eant to sere, 0his is the way it (ust be,7 0he i(a/e f"ickere an :u(pe$ an then the tiny rep"ica of Darth Rean bowe its hea$ rawin/ its hoo up to hie its features once (ore, 7+y ti(e here is ene, 0ake what ! hae tau/ht you an use it we"",7 .n then Rean was /one, 0he /"ow e(anatin/ fro( the 2o"ocron fae away to nothin/, Bane retriee the s(a"" crysta" pyra(i fro( the f"oor$ but it was co" an "ife"ess in his hans, 2e fe"t no trace of the &orce insie it, 0he artifact was of no (ore use to hi(, .s Rean ha tau/ht hi($ it (ust therefore be iscare, 2e "et it rop to the f"oor, 0hen$ ery s"ow"y an e"iberate"y$ he crushe it with the power of the &orce unti" on"y ust re(aine, 0he Sith Bu44ar broke into Lehon's at(osphere an p"u((ete own throu/h the c"ear b"ue sky, .t the contro"s Kas'i( (ae s"i/ht a"terations to keep his esse" on its course$ a irect "ine for the ho(in/ beacon of the a"cyn, 2e' ha"f e8pecte Bane to hae isab"e the beacon$ or at "east chan/e its fre6uency, But espite bein/ aware of it%the beacon was stanar on irtua""y a"" craft%he ha "eft it a"one, ."(ost as if he wasn't afrai of anyone co(in/ after hi(, .s if he we"co(e it, Within a few (inutes Kas'i( /ot a isua" on his tar/et, 0he ship that ha once%brief"y%be"on/e to 5oris before Bane ha taken it for his own was restin/ on a beach of white san$ the a4ure waters of the Unknown Wor"'s ast oceans on one sie an the i(penetrab"e :un/"e on the other, Scans showe no si/ns of "ife in the i((eiate icinity$ but Kas'i( was wary as he brou/ht his own craft in to touch own besie it, 2e powere own the Bu44ar an c"i(be out of the hatch, 2e fe"t the ener/y of the wor"$ an the un(istakab"e presence of Darth Bane$ see(in/"y e(anatin/ fro( the :un/"e's ark heart, Leapin/ to the /roun$ he "ane with a u"" thu on the soft%packe san$ his feet sinkin/ in eer
so s"i/ht"y, . cursory e8a(ination of the a"cyn confir(e what he' a"reay suspecte* his prey wasn't here, .ny tracks Bane (i/ht hae "eft in the san ha been washe away by the ties or carrie away on the bree4e, -et he knew where he was /oin/, Before hi($ the :un/"e "oo(e "ush an ibrant$ thick an forbiin/* an a"(ost i(penetrab"e wa"" of e/etation$ e8cept for a wie swath care throu/h it, So(eone or so(ethin/ of (assie si4e an stren/th ha torn that path throu/h the trees an uner/rowth, ."reay the :un/"e was tryin/ to rec"ai( it, +oss /rew thick across the /roun$ an a ast network of creepin/ ines woun their way oer the surface, But it was c"ear enou/h for the 0wi'"ek to fo""ow, 2ien eyes were watchin/ hi( fro( the :un/"e* een without the &orce he wou" hae fe"t their /a4e stuyin/ hi($ ea"uatin/ hi($ fo""owin/ his eery (oe in an effort to eter(ine if this newco(er to the ecosyste( was hunter or prey, 0o he"p c"arify his ro"e$ he rew out his /reat oub"e "i/htsaber an i/nite the twin b"aes$ then be/an to :o/ s"ow"y own the path, .s he ran$ he probe the surrounin/ fo"ia/e with the &orce, +ost of the creatures he sense pose "itt"e threat, Sti""$ he was wary, So(ethin/ ha b"a4e the trai" he was fo""owin/, So(ethin/ bi/, ."(ost ten ki"o(eters in%he' been :o//in/ for near"y an hour%the B"ae(aster fina""y encountere his first rancor, 0he trai" took a sharp turn to the east$ an as he woun aroun the corner the creature burst fro( the surrounin/ trees$ snar"in/ an how"in/, Kas'i( wasn't surprise in the "east by the a(bush, 2e' sense the rancor's presence fro( seera" hunre (eters away$ :ust as it ha sure"y cau/ht his scent an sta"ke hi( fro( so(e /reat istance, 2e (et the creature's char/e with ca"($ ruth"ess efficiency, Duckin/ uner the first swipin/ c"aw$ he care a eep /ash a"on/ the beast's "eft fore"e/, When it reare back to be""ow in pain$ he s"ice another eep /rooe in its soft unerbe""y, 0he rancor in't fa"" ri/ht away3 it was far too (assie to be fe""e by a pair of wouns fro( a "i/htsaber, !nstea the pain roe it into a berserk ra/e, !t f"ai"e about with its teeth an ta"ons$ spinnin/$ snappin/$ an s"ashin/ at eerythin/ aroun it, Kas'i( twiste an o/e$ "eapin/ oer one attack$ then roppin/ to the /roun to ro"" beneath another, 2e (oe so fast he wou" hae been nothin/ but a b"ur ha the rancor not been b"ine by ra/e, .n with each easion he struck another b"ow$ whitt"in/ away at the (ountain of sinew an f"esh "ike a (aster scu"ptor workin/ a "u(p of "o((ite, 0he rancor f"ounere$ "u(berin/ an stu(b"in/ as if it were perfor(in/ so(e runken spacer's ance, !n contrast$ Kas'i( was 6uick an precise, With each passin/ secon his opponent s"owe$ its stren/th ebbin/ away, .t "ast$ with a for"orn /roan$ the beast topp"e forwar an "ay (otion"ess, Leain/ the beast where it ha co""apse$ Kas'i( presse on with a newfoun ur/ency to his pace, 0he batt"e$ short an si(p"e as it ha proe$ was the first ti(e he' been teste in a true "ife%or% eath stru//"e since he' a/ree to he"p 5oris train the stuents at the .cae(y, 2e was p"ease to see that his ski""s ha not been i(inishe by the "on/ "ayoff, Kas'i( ha a fee"in/ he was /oin/ to nee those ski""s a/ain before the ay was throu/h, Bane was sittin/ cross%"e//e on the stone f"oor of the centra" cha(ber on the Rakatan 0e(p"e's
upper(ost f"oor, 2e was (eitatin/ on Rean's wors as he ha often one between the 2o"ocron's "essons, ;ow that the artifact was /one$ it was een (ore i(portant to conte(p"ate what he ha "earne about the nature of the ark sie , , , an the path it wou" "ea hi( own, By its ery nature$ the ark sie inites ria"ry an strife, 0his is the /reatest stren/th of the Sith* it cu""s the weak fro( our orer, 0he constant batt"in/ of the Sith since the be/innin/ of recore history sere a necessary purpose* it kept the power of the ark sie concentrate in a few powerfu" iniiua"s, 0he Brotherhoo ha chan/e a"" that, 0here were now a hunre or (ore Dark Lors fo""owin/ Kaan$ but (ost were weak an inferior, 0he Sith nu(bers were /reater than they ha eer been$ yet they were sti"" "osin/ the war a/ainst the )ei, 0he power of the ark sie cannot be isperse a(on/ the (asses, !t (ust be concentrate in the few who are worthy of the honor, 0he stren/th of nu(bers was a trap , , , one that ha snare a"" the /reat Sith Lors who ha co(e before, ;a/a Saow$ 8ar Kun$ Darth Rean* each ha been powerfu", ach ha rawn iscip"es in$ teachin/ the( the ways of the ark sie, ach ha asse(b"e an ar(y of fo""owers an un"eashe the( a/ainst the )ei, -et in each an eery case the serants of "i/ht ha preai"e, 0he )ei wou" a"ways re(ain unite in their cause, 0he Sith wou" a"ways be brou/ht "ow by infi/htin/ an betraya"s, 0he ery traits that roe the( to iniiua" /reatness an /"ory%the unre"entin/ a(bition$ the insatiab"e hun/er for power%wou" u"ti(ate"y oo( the( as a who"e, 0his was the inescapab"e parao8 of the Sith, Kaan ha trie to so"e the prob"e( by (akin/ eeryone e6ua" in the Brotherhoo, But his so"ution was f"awe, !t showe no unerstanin/ of the rea" prob"e(, ;o unerstanin/ of the true nature of the ark sie, 0he Sith (ust be ru"e by a sin/"e "eaer* the ery e(boi(ent of the stren/th an power of the ark sie, !f a"" are e6ua"$ then none is stron/, -et whoeer rose fro( the swo""en an b"oate ranks of the Sith to c"ai( the (ant"e of Dark Lor wou" neer be ab"e to ho" it, !n ti(e the apprentices wi"" unite their stren/th an oerthrow the +aster, !t is ineitab"e, 0o/ether the weak wou" oerwhe"( the stron/ in a /ross perersion of the natura" orer, But there was another so"ution, . way to break the en"ess cyc"e ra//in/ the Sith own, Bane unerstoo that now, .t first he ha thou/ht the answer (i/ht be to rep"ace the orer of the Sith with a sin/"e$ a""%powerfu" Dark Lor, ;o other +asters, ;o apprentices, )ust one esse" to contain a"" the know"e/e an power of the ark sie, But he ha 6uick"y is(isse the iea, entua""y een a Dark Lor wou" wither an ie3 a"" the know"e/e of the Sith wou" be "ost, !f the "eaer /rows weak$ another (ust rise to sei4e the (ant"e, One a"one wou" neer work, But if the Sith nu(bere e8act"y two , , +inions an serants cou" be rawn in to the serice of the ark sie by the te(ptation of power, 0hey cou" be /ien s(a"" tastes of what it offere$ as an owner (i/ht share (orse"s fro( the tab"e with his faithfu" curs, !n the en$ howeer$ there cou" be on"y one true Sith +aster, .n to sere this +aster$ there cou" be on"y one true apprentice, 0wo there shou" be3 no (ore$ no "ess, One to e(boy the power$ the other to crae it, 0he Ru"e of 0wo,
0his was the know"e/e that wou" "ea the ark sie into a new a/e, . ree"ation that wou" brin/ an en to the infi/htin/ that ha efine the orer for a thousan /enerations, 0he Sith wou" be reborn$ the new ways wou" be swept away%an Bane wou" be the one to o it, But first he wou" hae to estroy the Brotherhoo, Kaan$ 5oris%a"" who ha stuie with hi( on Korriban$ a"" the +asters on Ruusan%ha to be pur/e unti" he a"one re(aine, Darth Bane$ Lor of the Sith, 0he tit"e was his by ri/ht3 there was no other stron/ enou/h in the ark sie to cha""en/e hi(, 0he on"y 6uestion that re(aine was who was worthy of bein/ his apprentice, .n how he wou" e"i(inate the others, 7Bane=7 Kas'i('s oice cut off his thou/hts (istrea(, 7! co(e with an initation fro( Lor Kaan,7 Bane "eapt to his feet$ whippin/ out his "i/htsaber$ enra/e at bein/ isturbe on the cusp of en"i/hten(ent, 2e /"are at Kas'i($ as an/ry at hi(se"f for bein/ too en/rosse in his own thou/hts to sense the 0wi'"ek's presence as he was at the interruption, 72ow i you fin (e97 he aske$ castin/ out with his (in to see who e"se (i/ht hae inae the Rakatan 0e(p"e an its inner sanctu(, 2e fe"t a (i8ture of re"ief an isappoint(ent when he rea"i4e Kas'i( was a"one, 2e ha been hopin/ for one (ore ,,, but she (ust hae chosen not to co(e, 7Lor Kaan to" (e you ha co(e to this wor", Once ! entere the at(osphere$ ! si(p"y fo""owe the a"cyn's beacon$7 the B"ae(aster rep"ie, 72ow Lor Kaan knew you wou" be here ! cou"n't say,7 Bane suspecte Githany (ust hae to" hi($ but he in't bother te""in/ that to the 0wi'"ek, !nstea he aske$ 7Di Kaan sen you to ki"" (e97 Kas'i( /ae a s"i/ht no, 7!f you wi"" not :oin the Brotherhoo$ ! wi"" "eae your corpse on this barren an for/otten wor",7 7Barren97 Bane echoe$ increu"ous, 72ow can you say that9 0he ark sie is stron/ here, &ar stron/er than it eer was on Korriban, 0his is where we wi"" fin the power to estroy the )ei%not in Kaan's Brotherhoo=7 7Korriban was once a p"ace of /reat power$ too$7 his for(er instructor countere, 7Oer the centuries thousans of Sith hae e8p"ore its secrets$ an none of the( iscoere any /reat strate/y to efeat our ene(y,7 0he 0wi'"ek i/nite his oub"e%b"ae "i/htsaber before continuin/, 7!t is ti(e to en this foo"ish 6uest$ Bane, 0he o" ways hae fai"e, 0he )ei efeate those who fo""owe the(* 8ar Kun$ Darth Rean , , , they a"" "ost= We hae to fin a new phi"osophy if we want to efeat the(,7 &or a brief (o(ent Bane fe"t the faint f"icker of e8cite(ent, Kas'i('s wors echoe his own thou/hts, Was it possib"e the B"ae(aster was the apprentice he sou/ht9 Kas'i('s ne8t wors brou/ht Bane's hopes crashin/ own, 7Kaan unerstans this, 0hat is why he create the Brotherhoo, 0he Brotherhoo is the future of the ark sie,7 Bane shook his hea, 0he B"ae(aster was as b"in as a"" the others, &or that he ha to ie, 7Kaan is wron/, ! wi"" neer fo""ow hi(, ! wi"" neer :oin the Brotherhoo,7
Kas'i( si/he, 70hen your "ife ens here,7 .n be "eapt in$ his weapon (oin/ with far (ore spee than he ha eer shown urin/ their practice sessions, Parryin/ the first se6uence Bane rea"i4e his for(er +aster ha a"ways been ho"in/ so(ethin/ in resere , , , :ust as Bane hi(se"f ha one in the ear"y sta/es of his batt"e a/ainst Sirak, On"y now was he seein/ Kas'i('s true abi"ity$ an he was bare"y ab"e to efen hi(se"f, Bare"y$ but sti"" ab"e, 2is opponent /runte in surprise when Bane ware hi( off$ then steppe back to re/roup, 2e' co(e in har an fast$ e8pectin/ to en their batt"e 6uick"y, ;ow he ha to reea"uate his strate/y, 7-ou're better than you were when we "ast fou/ht$7 he sai$ c"ear"y i(presse an (akin/ no atte(pt to hie it, 7So are you$7 Bane respone, Kas'i( "un/e in a/ain$ an the roo( was fi""e with the hiss an hu( of "i/htsabers strikin/ each other ha"f a o4en ti(es in the space of two heartbeats, Bane wou" hae been care to ribbons ha he trie to react to each (oe iniiua""y, !nstea he si(p"y ca""e upon the &orce$ "ettin/ it f"ow throu/h hi( an /uie his han, 2e /ae hi(se"f oer to the ark sie co(p"ete"y$ without reseration, 2is weapon beca(e an e8tension of the &orce$ an he respone to the 0wi"ek's unstoppab"e attack with an i(penetrab"e efense, 0hen he went on the attack, !n the past he ha a"ways been afrai to surrener his wi"" to the raw e(otions that fue"e the ark sie, ;ow he ha no such "i(itations3 for the first ti(e he was ca""in/ on his fu"" potentia", 2e roe Kas'i( back with furious s"ashes$ forcin/ his o" (entor into a backpea"in/ retreat across the f"oor of the cha(ber, Kas'i( f"ippe back an out throu/h the oor into the ha"" beyon$ but Bane was re"ent"ess in his pursuit$ "eapin/ forwar an co(in/ within a centi(eter of "anin/ a cripp"in/ b"ow to the 0wi"ek's "e/, 2is strike was turne asie at the "ast secon$ but he 6uick"y fo""owe it up with another series of powerfu" thrusts an stabs, 0he B"ae(aster continue to /ie /roun$ pushe ine8orab"y back by the ra/in/ stor( of Bane's ons"au/ht, ach ti(e he trie to chan/e tactics or switch for(s$ Bane anticipate$ reacte$ an sei4e the aanta/e, 0he outco(e was ineitab"e, Bane was si(p"y too stron/ in the &orce, On"y so(e une8pecte (aneuer cou" sae Kas'i($ but they ha fou/ht too (any ti(es in the past for hi( to surprise Bane now, Oer the course of his trainin/ Bane ha seen eery possib"e se6uence$ series$ (oe$ an trick with the oub"e%b"ae "i/htsaber$ an he knew how to counter an nu""ify the( a"", 0he B"ae(aster beca(e esperate, Leapin/$ spinnin/$ uckin/$ ro""in/* he was wi" an reck"ess in his retreat$ seekin/ now on"y to escape with his "ife, But he in't know the 0e(p"e "ike Bane i, Bane kept the routes to the outsie cut off$ s"ow"y herin/ his opponent into a ea%en ha""way, Reco/ni4in/ what was happenin/$ Kas'i( b"ew open the heay oor of a sie roo( with the &orce an ie insie, Bane knew there was no other e8it$ an he pause at the thresho" of the roo( to saor his ictory, 0he 0wi'"ek stoo in the center of the e(pty cha(ber$ pantin/ heai"y$ stoope eer so s"i/ht"y$ his hea bowe, 2e "ooke up when Bane steppe throu/h the oorway, But when his /a4e (et Bane's$
there was no hint of efeat in his eyes, 7-ou shou" hae finishe (e when you ha the chance$7 he sai, 0here was "ess than fie (eters between the($ but but it was :ust enou/h space for Kas'i( Kas'i( to /ie the hi"t of his "i/htsaber a 6uick twist, 0he "on/ han"e separate in the (i"e$ an suen"y he was ar(e not with one oub"e%b"ae "i/htsaber$ "i/htsaber$ but with a pair of sin/"e b"aes$ one in each han, Bane hesitate, &ew of the stuents at the .cae(y ha een atte(pte to use two sabers at once, 0he B"ae(aster ha a"ways iscoura/e the( fro( this ariation of the fourth for($ sayin/ it was inherent"y f"awe, ;ow$ as he saw the crue" an cunnin/ e8pression on his ene(y's face$ Bane unerstoo the rea" truth, 0he batt"e was re:oine$ but now it was Bane who was in fu"" retreat, Without Without proper trainin/$ een his enor(ous co((an of the &orce was unab"e to anticipate the unfa(i"iar se6uences of the two% hane fi/htin/ sty"e, 2is (in was f"ooe with a (i""ion options of what his opponent (i/ht atte(pt$ an he ha no e8perience to raw on to e"i(inate any of the(, Oerwhe"(e$ he sta//ere back$ f"ounerin/ f"ounerin/ with the esperation esperation of a rownin/ rownin/ (an, Within the first few passes Bane knew he cou"n't win, Kas'i( ha traine his entire "ife for this (o(ent, .fter years of stuy$ he' (astere a"" seen for(s of the "i/htsaber, 0hen he' hone his ski"" for ecaes$ perfectin/ eery (oe an se6uence unti" he ha beco(e the perfect weapon an the /reatest "iin/ swors(an in the /a"a8y, +aybe the /reatest swors(an eer, Bane was no (atch for hi(, 0he B"ae(aster was unre"entin/ in his pressure, 2e see(e to wie" si8 b"aes rather than two* he attacke with a pecu"iar rhyth( esi/ne to keep his foe off ba"ance$ co(in/ in with one b"ae hi/h an the other "ow at the sa(e ti(e$ strikin/ fro( opposite sies at o an opposin/ an/"es, Bane ha no option but to fa"" back ,,, an back ,,, an back, 2e was fi/htin/ now with a sin/"e purpose* so(ehow escapin/ with his "ife, One hope /ae hi( the stren/th to perseere in the face of oerwhe"(in/ os3 one aanta/e the B"ae(aster ha "acke urin/ his own retreat, 2e knew the "ayout of the 0e(p"e$ 0e(p"e$ an he was ab"e to work hi(se"f s"ow"y towar the e8it, Batt"in/ throu/h the ha""s an corriors$ the co(batants roune a corner to brin/ the( in si/ht of the Rakatan 0e(p"e's 0e(p"e's on"y entrance* the wie archway an the s(a"" "anin/ beyon$ with the wie staircase "eain/ back own to the /roun near"y twenty (eters be"ow, be"ow, !n the instant it took Kas'i( to reco/ni4e where they were an rea"i4e that his opponent (i/ht sti"" escape$ Bane thrust out with the &orce, 2e knocke the 0wi'"ek off ba"ance for a brief secon$ then backf"ippe out throu/h the archway an onto the "anin/, 2e roppe into a crouch$ sti"" facin/ his opponent, But in his haste Bane ha "eapt too far3 he was ba"ance precarious"y on the precipice of the upper(ost stair$ the steps fa""in/ sharp"y away behin hi(, Kas'i( respone by usin/ the &orce to knock Bane backwar$ senin/ hi( tu(b"in/ own the /reat stone staircase$ away fro( the B"ae(aster, B"ae(aster, 0he fa"" wou" hae broken his neck%or at "east fracture an ar( or a "e/%if Bane han't cocoone hi(se"f in the &orce, en so he reache the botto( bruise$ battere$ battere$ an (o(entari"y (o(entari"y stunne, stunne, On the "anin/ hi/h aboe Kas'i( stoo beneath the (assie arch of the 0e(p"e entrance$ entrance$ starin/ own at hi(, 7! wi"" fo""ow you whereer you run$7 he sai, 7Whereer you /o ! wi"" eentua""y fin you an ki"" you, Don't "ie your "ife in fear$ Bane, Better to en it now,7 now,7
7! a/ree$7 Bane rep"ie$ hur"in/ out the wae of &orce ener/y he ha been /atherin/ urin/ the B"ae(aster's speech, 0here was nothin/ subt"e about Bane's attack* the (assie shock wae shook the ery founations of the /reat Rakatan 0e(p"e, 0he concussie b"ast ha enou/h power to shatter eery bone in Kas'i('s boy an pu"eri4e his f"esh into a (ass of pu"py "i6ui, But at the "ast possib"e instant he threw up a shie" to protect hi(se"f fro( the attack, Unfortunate"y$ he cou"n't shie" the 0e(p"e aroun hi(, 0he wa""s e8p"oe into /reat chunks of rubb"e, 0he archway co""apse in a shower of stone$ buryin/ Kas'i( beneath tons of rock an (ortar, . secon "ater the rest of the roof cae in$ rownin/ out the 0wi'"ek's yin/ screa(s with a eafenin/ ru(b"e, Bane watche the spectac"e of the 0e(p"e's 0e(p"e's i(p"osion fro( the safety of the /roun at the foot of the stairs, Bi""owin/ c"ous of ust ro""e out fro( the wrecka/e an own the stairs towar hi(, 8hauste by the "on/ "i/htsaber batt"e an raine by the suen un"eashin/ of the &orce$ he si(p"y "ay there unti" he was coere in a "ayer of fine white power, entua""y he stru//"e weari"y to his feet, Reachin/ out with the &orce$ he sou/ht so(e si/n that Kas'i( (i/ht sti"" be a"ie beneath the (ountain of stone, 2e fe"t nothin/, Kas'i(%his (entor$ the on"y instructor at the .cae(y who ha eer actua""y he"pe hi(%was ea, Darth Bane$ Dark Lor of the Sith$ turne his back an wa"ke away, C 0here was neither ti(e nor reason to (ourn Kas'i('s eath, &or a"" his use in the past$ he ha beco(e si(p"y an an obstac"e in Bane's Bane's path, .n obstac"e that was was now /one, -et his arria" on Lehon ha pro(pte Bane to action, &or too "on/ he ha separate hi(se"f fro( the eents of the /a"a8y$ /a"a8y$ seekin/ wiso($ unerstanin/$ an power, With the 0e(p"e's estruction there was no reason for hi( to re(ain on the Unknown Wor", Wor", .n so he be/an the "on/ trek throu/h the :un/"e on foot$ fo""owin/ the sa(e path Kas'i( ha taken on"y hours before, 2e cou" hae use the &orce to su((on another rancor to spee hi( a"on/$ but he wante ti(e to think about what ha happene ,,, an how he wou" ea" with the Brotherhoo, Kaan ha pererte the entire Sith orer$ transfor(in/ it into a sick"y asse(b"a/e of (ew"in/ sycophants, 2e ha tricke the( a"" into be"iein/ they cou" achiee ictory oer the )ei throu/h (artia" (i/ht$ but Bane knew better, 0he )ei were (any$ an they /aine stren/th when unite a/ainst a co((on foe* that was the nature of the "i/ht sie, 0he key to efeatin/ the( wasn't f"eets or ar(ies, Secrecy an eception were the weapons to brin/ the( own, ictory ictory cou" on"y co(e throu/h subt"ety an cunnin/, Subt"ety was so(ethin/ Kaan "acke, !f he ha been s(art$ he wou" hae sent Kas'i( to Lehon in the /uise of a is/runt"e fo""ower, fo""ower, 0he B"ae(aster cou" hae arrie with a ta"e of how he ha turne his back on the Brotherhoo, Bane wou" hae accepte hi( as an a""y, 2e wou" hae been suspicious$ of course$ but oer ti(e his i/i"ance wou" hae wane, Sooner or "ater he wou" hae "et his /uar own$ an Kas'i( cou" hae ki""e hi(, .ssassination was 6uick$ c"ean$ an effectie, !nstea$ Kas'i( ha co(e an issue an open cha""en/e$ fo""owin/ the ru"es of so(e foo"ish coe of honor, 0here was no honor in his en3 there was no such thin/ as a nob"e eath, 2onor was a "ie$ a chain that wrappe itse"f aroun those foo"ish enou/h to accept it an ra//e the( own to efeat,
0hrou/h ictory (y chains are broken, Bane fo""owe the rancor's trai" throu/h the trees without incient3 the eni4ens of the :un/"e steere we"" c"ear of hi(, 2e cau/ht a brief /"i(pse of a pack of si8%"e//e fe"ines scaen/in/ the corpse of a rancor a"on/ the path$ but they scattere at his approach, approach, 0hey waite a "on/ ti(e after he was /one before s"inkin/ back to continue their (ea", By the ti(e he arrie at the beach he ha eise his p"an, Kas'i('s ship was sittin/ on the san besie his own$ an he 6uick"y strippe strippe it of supp"ies$ supp"ies$ inc"uin/ the (essa/e (essa/e rones, rones, 2e "u//e the( oer to his own esse"$ then (ae a 6uick inspection of the a"cyn, a"cyn, &inin/ a"" syste(s in workin/ orer$ he boare, Before "iftoff$ he pro/ra((e a course into the (essa/e rone usin/ coorinates he ha own"oae fro( Kas'i('s ship, . few (inutes "ater$ the a"cyn "aunche fro( the Unknown Wor"'s Wor"'s surface$ c"i(bin/ hi/her an hi/her unti" it broke throu/h the at(osphere into the b"ack oi of space, Bane punche in the hyperspace coorinates of his estination$ then ischar/e the (essa/e rone, 0he rone wou" reach Ruusan within a few ays$ offerin/ Kaan a truce an e"ierin/ a /ift%a /ift he suspecte Kaan wou" be too foo"ish an ain to reco/ni4e for what it rea""y was, 0he Brotherhoo wou" neer efeat the )ei, .n as "on/ as they e8iste$ the Sith wou" be tainte$ befou"e "ike a we"" poisone at the source, Bane ha to estroy the(, ."" of the(, 0o 0o o that$ he' hae to use the weapons Kaan ha been too prou or too b"in to use a/ainst hi(* eception an betraya", 0he weapons of the ark sie, 7! on't "ike sp"ittin/ our s6uas "ike this$7 Pernicar whispere$ fo""owin/ c"ose"y at Lor 2oth's hee", 0he /enera" "ooke back a"on/ the ra/ta/ "ine of so"iers tru/in/ throu/h the forest, Less than a score in tota"$ ha"f stare$ (ost woune an i"" e6uippe$ they "ooke (ore "ike refu/ees than warriors in the .r(y of Li/ht, 0hey were carryin/ supp"ies fro( the rop point back to the ca(p$ as were two other caraans takin/ ifferent routes, 7!t's too an/erous to trae" in one "ar/e /roup$7 2oth insiste, 7We 7We nee these supp"ies, Sp"ittin/ us into three caraans /ies us a better chance that at "east so(e of the( wi"" (ake it back to ca(p,7 2oth /"ance back a"on/ the path they ha co(e$ wary of si/ns of pursuit, 0he rains ha stoppe near"y a week ear"ier$ but the /roun was sti"" soft, 0he passin/ of his troops "eft eep i(pressions in the "oa(y /roun, 7en a b"in Ga(orrean cou" track us now$7 now$7 he /ru(b"e, Si"ent"y he wishe for a return of the concea"in/ rains he ha so often curse these past few (onths whi"e sittin/ hu"e an shierin/ beneath inae6uate inae6uate she"ters fashione fashione fro( "eaes "eaes an fa""en fa""en branches, -et he knew it wasn't trackers they ha to worry about, 2e cast out with the &orce$ tryin/ to sense hien ene(ies "yin/ in wait in the trees ahea, ;othin/, Of course if there were any Sith$ they wou" he pro:ectin/ fa"se i(a/es to concea" the(se"es for their%% 7.(bush=7 one of the points screa(e$ an then the Sith were upon the(, 0hey ca(e fro( eerywhere* warriors wie"in/ "i/htsabers$ so"iers ar(e with b"asters an ibrob"aes, 0he c"ash of urastee" an the hiss of crossin/ ener/y ener/y b"aes (in/"e with the screa(s of the "iin/ an the yin/* screa(s of ra/e an triu(ph3 of a/ony an espair, . o""ey of b"asterfire rippe throu/h his "ines$ takin/ own those Paawans too ine8perience to ef"ect the shots, . secon secon o""ey tore throu/h the (e"ee, 0he bo"ts ricochete wi""y as Sith an
)ei a"ike batte the( asie$ oin/ "itt"e rea" har( but ain/ to the chaos, Lor 2oth stoo in the thickest of the fi/htin/$ hewin/ own foes foo"ish enou/h to co(e in ran/e of his fierce weapon, 2is nostri"s were fi""e with the /reasy%sweet /reasy%sweet stench of charre f"esh$ an a wa"" of boies was (ountin/ aroun hi(, .n sti"" they kept co(in/$ swar(in/ oer hi( "ike carrion beet"es on a fresh ki""$ seekin/ to ra/ hi( own by sheer nu(bers, Pernicar anishe beneath the sea of ene(ies$ an 2oth reoub"e his efforts to reach his fa""en frien, 2e was unstoppab"e in his fury$ fury$ "ike the eastatin/ stor(s of the +aw itse"f, When he reache hi($ Pernicar was a"reay ea, )ust as the rest of the( soon wou" be, .n e8p"osion on the e/e of the batt"e brief"y rew his attention skywar, One ea/er (inion of the Sith "un/e forwar$ seekin/ /"ory beyon her wi"est e8pectations by tryin/ to ki"" the (i/hty /enera" whi"e he was istracte, 2oth neer een turne his /a4e$ but (ere"y cast out with the &orce$ i(prisonin/ her in a stasis fie", She stoo he"p"ess$ fro4en in p"ace unti" struck own by the care"ess fo""ow%throu/h fo""ow%throu/h fro( a ibrob"ae wie"e by one of her own sie, 2er eath bare"y een re/istere in 2oth's conscious thou/hts, 2e was focuse on the four swoopbikes barre"in/ own on the batt"e$ their heay /uns pounin/ into the ene(y "ines, 0he Sith a(bush scattere$ unab"e or unwi""in/ to stan a/ainst heay air support, !t took a"" of 2oth's )ei trainin/ not to chase after the( an hack the( own fro( behin as they f"e into the safety of the trees, . (o(ent "ater the swoops "ane to cheers fro( the o4en or so )ei sti"" stanin/, Lor a"enthyne &arfa""a$ "ookin/ as fastiious"y proper as eer$ is(ounte an bowe "ow before his /enera", 7! hear you were brin/in/ supp"ies$ (y "or$7 he sai$ risin/ with a"" the affecte e"e/ance of a
7Pernicar was (y frien$ too$7 he sai$ his tone softer now, 72is eath pains (e as (uch as it oes you$ Genera",7 7! oubt that$7 2oth (uttere an/ri"y, 7-ou weren't een here to see it,7 7Do not "et your /rief consu(e you$7 &arfa""a warne$ the ice back in his oice, 70hat path "eas to the ark sie,7 7Don't you are speak to (e of the ark sie=7 2oth shoute$ :abbin/ an an/ry fin/er in &arfa""a's face, 7!'( the one who's been here batt"in/ Kaan's Brotherhoo= Brotherhoo= ! know its ways better than anyone= !'e seen the pain an sufferin/ it brin/s, .n ! know what it i t wi"" take to efeat it, ! nee so"iers, Supp"ies, ! nee )ei wi""in/ to fi/ht the ene(y with the sa(e hatre they fee" for us,7 2e "et his fin/er rop an turne away, away, 7What ! on't nee is so(e prancin/ any "ecturin/ (e on the an/ers of the ark sie,7 7Pernicar's eath is not your fau"t$7 &arfa""a sai$ co(in/ forwar to p"ace a co(fortin/ han on 2oth's shou"er, shou"er, 7Let /o of your /ui"t, 0here is no e(otion, 0here is peace,7 2oth whee"e aroun an s"appe his han away, 7Get away fro( (e= 0ake your b"aste reinforce(ents an run back to
0he .r(y of Li/ht was fracture, 0heir nu(bers on Ruusan were win"in/, a"enthyne &arfa""a was orbitin/ the wor" with reinforce(ents$ reinforce(ents$ but Kaan's spies reporte a rift between 2oth an Lor &arfa""a that kept the newco(ers fro( :oinin/ the fray, fray, Without +aster Pernicar to b"unt their sharp ani(osity$ ani(osity$ the two )ei +asters' (utua" antipathy was cripp"in/ the )ei war effort, 0he irony of the situation was not "ost on Kaan, &or a chan/e it was the )ei who were sp"it by infi/htin/ an ria"ries$ whi"e the Brotherhoo of Darkness re(aine unite an stron/, Part of hi( foun the stran/e reersa" troub"in/, !n the "on/ ni/hts when he cou"n't s"eep$ he' often wa"k the f"oor of his tent wrest"in/ with the see(in/ parao8, 2a the ar(ies on Ruusan crosse a "ine where "i/ht an arkness (eet9 2a the en"ess conf"ict between the .r(y of Li/ht an an the Brotherhoo Brotherhoo of Darkness Darkness rawn the( both into a oi where where the ieo"o/ies beca(e hope"ess"y intertwine9 Were they a"" now &orce%users of the 0wi"i/ht$ cau/ht between the two sies sies an be"on/in/ be"on/in/ to neither9 2oweer$ 2oweer$ the arria" of the (ornin/ sun wou" ineitab"y banish such thou/hts with news of yet another Sith ictory in the fie", .n on"y a foo" 6uestione his (ethos when he was winnin/, Which was why he wasn't sure what to (ake of the (essa/e he ha recent"y receie fro( Darth Bane, 7Kas'i( is ea$7 he to" Githany$ Githany$ /ettin/ irect"y to the (atter at han, 7Dea97 2er shocke reaction affir(e Kaan's ecision ecision not to share this news with the t he rest of the Brotherhoo, Brotherhoo, 2e ha been carefu" to keep the purpose of the B"ae(aster's B"ae(aster's eparture secret unti" he knew the outco(e of the confrontation, 7Was it the )ei97 she aske, 7;o$7 2e a(itte$ choosin/ his wors carefu""y, carefu""y, 7! sent hi( to par"ay with Lor Bane, Kas'i( thou/ht he cou" conince hi( to :oin us, !nstea$ Bane ki""e hi(,7 Githany's eyes narrowe, 7! warne you about hi(,7 Kaan noe, 7-ou know hi( better than any of us, -ou unerstan hi(, 0hat is why ! nee you now, Bane sent (e a (essa/e,7 2e reache oer an f"icke on the (essa/e rone sittin/ on the tab"e, . tiny ho"o/ra( of the heai"y (usc"e Dark Lor (ateria"i4e before the(, en thou/h the etai"s of his e8pression were ifficu"t to (ake out at that si4e$ it was c"ear he was troub"e, 7Kas'i( is ea, ! , , , ! ki""e hi(, But !'e been thinkin/ about what he sai before ,,, before he ie,7 Githany /ae Kaan a curious "ook, 2e shru//e an ti"te his hea towar the ho"o/ra( as it continue to speak, 7! ca(e here searchin/ for so(ethin/, so(ethin/, !'( ,,, !'( not een sure what it was, But ! in't fin it, )ust "ike ! in't fin it in the a""ey of the Dark Lors on Korriban, .n now Kas'i( is ea an !, , , ! on't know what to o ,,,7 0he pro:ection bowe its hea* "ost$ confuse$ an a"one, Kaan cou" c"ear"y see the scorn in Githany's e8pression as she watche the spectac"e before her, her, .t "ast the fi/ure see(e to co(pose itse"f$ an it "ooke up once (ore,
7! on't want Kas'i('s eath to be in ain$7 Bane sai e(phatica""y, e(phatica""y, 7! shou" hae "istene to hi( in the first p"ace, ! , , , ! want to :oin the Brotherhoo,7 Kaan reache out an f"icke the rone off a/ain, 7We""97 he aske Githany, 7!s he serious9 Or is this :ust a trap97 She chewe at her "ower "ip, 7! think he's sincere$7 she fina""y sai, 7&or a"" his power$ Bane is sti"" weak, 2e can't surrener hi(se"f hi(se"f fu""y to the ark sie, 2e sti"" fee"s /ui"t when he uses the &orce to ki"",7 75oris (entione so(ethin/ si(i"ar$7 si(i"ar$7 Kaan sai, 72e to" (e Bane ha a chance to ki"" a bitter ria" in the ue"in/ rin/ at the .cae(y$ .cae(y$ but he pu""e back at the "ast (o(ent,7 Githany noe, 7Sirak, 2e :ust cou"n't brin/ hi(se"f to o it, .n Kas'i( was his (entor, (entor, !f Bane was force to ki"" hi($ it wou" hae been een harer for hi( to ea" with it,7 7So ! shou" sen an e(issary to (eet with hi(97 She shook her hea, 7Bane is (ore troub"e than he's worth, 2e's u"nerab"e now$ but as his confience returns he'"" beco(e as heastron/ as eer, eer, 2e'"" brin/ issension to the ranks, Besies$7 she ae$ 7we on't nee hi( any(ore, We're winnin/,7 7So how o you propose we ea" with hi(9 .ssassins97 She "au/he, 7!f he cou" han"e Kas'i($ then ! oubt anyone e"se wi"" stan a chance a/ainst hi(, .nyone but (e,7 7-ou97 Githany s(i"e, 7Bane "ikes (e, ! wou"n't say he trusts (e$ e8act"y ,,, but he wants to trust (e, Let (e /o to hi(,7 7.n what wi"" you o when you fin hi(97 70e"" 70e"" hi( ! (iss hi(, 8p"ain that we'e consiere his offer$ offer$ an we want hi( to :oin the Brotherhoo, Brotherhoo, 0hen$ when his /uar is own$ !'"" ki"" hi(,7 hi (,7 Kaan raise his eyebrows, 7-ou (ake it soun so si(p"e,7 7Un"ike Kas'i($ ! know how to han"e hi($7 she assure hi(, 7Betraya" is a far (ore effectie weapon than the "i/htsaber,7 She "eft the tent a few (o(ents "ater$ takin/ the (essa/e rone an the coorinates Bane ha sent a"on/ for the (eetin/, Kaan ha eery confience she' /et the :ob one, .n he saw no reason to share with her the s(a"" packa/e that ha arrie in the (essa/e rone's stora/e co(part(ent, Bane ha sent it to Lor Kaan as a peace offerin/3 offerin/3 a way to atone for Kas'i('s eath, !t wasn't (uch to "ook at* te8t written on seera" sheets of f"i(si$ the writin/ cra(pe an hurrie hurrie as if it ha been recore whi"e "istenin/ to so(eone e"se speak, -et -et within its pa/es it containe a etai"e escription of one of the (ost fearso(e creations creations of the ancient Sith* the thou/ht bo(b,
.n ancient ritua" that re6uire the co(bine wi"" of (any powerfu" Sith Lors$ the thou/ht bo(b un"eashe the pure estructie ener/y of the ark sie, 0here were risks ino"e$ of course, 0hat (uch power was hi/h"y o"ati"e$ (akin/ it ifficu"t to contro" een for those who ha the stren/th to su((on it, !t was possib"e the b"ast cou" annihi"ate the entire Brotherhoo a"on/ with 2oth's .r(y of Li/ht, 0he acuu( at the center of the b"ast cou" suck in the ise(boie spirits of Sith an )ei a"ike$ trappin/ the( sie by sie for a"" eternity in an unbreakab"e state of e6ui"ibriu( at the heart of a fro4en sphere of pure ener/y, Kaan oubte he' actua""y hae nee of such a weapon to finish off the )ei here on Ruusan, .fter a""$ he was winnin/ the war, Sti""$ as he be/an his pacin/ for another "on/ an s"eep"ess ni/ht$ he cou"n't he"p stuyin/ the ritua" of the thou/ht bo(b oer an oer a/ain, E &ro( a istance$ .(bria "ooke beautifu", .n oran/e wor" with strikin/ io"et rin/s$ it was easi"y the "ar/est habitab"e p"anet in the Stenness syste(, -et -et anyone "anin/ on the wor" wou" 6uick"y rea"i4e that the beauty fae soon after enterin/ the at(osphere, +any centuries ear"ier$ ear"ier$ the fai"e ritua"s of a powerfu" Sith sorceress ha inaertent"y inaertent"y un"eashe a catac"ys(ic wae of ark sie ener/y across the surface of the wor", 0he sorceress ha been estroye$ a"on/ with a"(ost a"" other "ife on .(bria, What surie was "itt"e (ore than barren rock$ an een now p"ots of ferti"e /roun were few an far between, 0here were no rea" cities on .(bria3 on"y a few hary sett"ers we""e on its surface$ scattere so far apart they (i/ht as we"" hae been "iin/ on the p"anet a"one, 0he )ei ha once trie to c"eanse .(bria .(bria of its fou" taint$ but the power of the ark sie ha per(anent"y scarre scarre the wor", wor", Unab"e to purify it$ they succeee succeee on"y in concentratin/ concentratin/ an confinin/ the ark sie in a sin/"e source* Lake ;atth, 0he ho(esteaers brae enou/h to enure .(bria's eso"ate enirons /ae the "ake an its poisone waters a wie$ wie berth, Of course Bane ha (ae his ca(p ri/ht on its shores, .(bria was "ocate on the frin/es of the 8pansion Re/ion$ on"y a 6uick hyperspace :u(p away fro( Ruusan itse"f, 0he eience of seera" s(a"" batt"es that ha been fou/ht here between Repub"ic an Sith troops urin/ the (ost recent ca(pai/n was eerywhere, &a""en weapons an ar(or "ittere the stark "anscape3 burne%out ehic"es an a(a/e swoops were isib"e fro( ki"o(eters away on the har$ co" p"ains, .part fro( a few of the "oca" sett"ers scaen/in/ for parts$ noboy ha bothere to c"ean up the re(ains, 0he rin/e p"anet was an insi/nificant wor"* too few resources an too few peop"e for the Repub"ic f"eets that now contro""e the sector to worry about, Bane ha hear that a hea"er of so(e ski""%a (an na(e
a ship co(in/ in to "an fro( seera" ki"o(eters away, .n if they ca(e to hi( in a /roun ehic"e% "ike the "an craw"er sittin/ on the e/e of his ca(p%he' hear the /rinin/ of its en/ines or fee" the un(istakab"e ibrations of its heay treas as they churne their way oer the uneen terrain, !nstea a"" he hear was the /ent"e "appin/ of Lake ;atth's ark waters a/ainst the shore not fie (eters fro( where he sat, .n a"" the whi"e$ his (in wrest"e with the on"y 6uestion he sti"" ha no answer for, 0wo there shou" be3 no (ore$ no "ess, One to e(boy the power$ the other to crae it, Once he ha ri the /a"a8y of the Brotherhoo of Darkness$ where wou" he fin a worthy apprentice9 0he whine of a Bu44ar's en/ines pu""e hi( away fro( his thou/hts, 2e rose to his feet as the ship roppe fro( the sky an circ"e his ca(p once before touchin/ own a short istance away, When the "anin/ ra(p "owere an he saw who ca(e own$ he cou"n't he"p but s(i"e, 7Githany$7 he sai$ risin/ to /reet her once she ha crosse the istance between the(, 7! was hopin/ Lor Kaan wou" sen you,7 72e in't sen (e$7 she rep"ie, 7! aske to co(e,7 Bane's heart be/an to beat a "itt"e 6uicker, 2e was /"a to see her3 her presence awakene a hun/er insie hi( he ha a"(ost for/otten e8iste, -et he was troub"e$ too, !f anyone cou" see throu/h his ruse$ it was her, 7Di you see the (essa/e97 he aske$ stuyin/ her carefu""y to /au/e her reaction, 7! thou/ht you were oer this$ Bane, Se"f%pity an re/ret are for the weak,7 Re"iee$ he bowe his hea to continue his charae, 7-ou're ri/ht$7 he (u(b"e, She steppe in c"oser to hi(, 7-ou can't foo" (e$ Bane$7 she whispere$ an his (usc"es tense in anticipation of what she wou" o ne8t, 7! think you're here for so(ethin/ e"se,7 2e he" his /roun as she "eane in s"ow"y$ poise to react at the first hint of threat or an/er, 2e "et his /uar own on"y when she brushe her "ips soft"y a/ainst his, !nstinctie"y his hans ca(e up an sei4e her shou"ers$ pu""in/ her in c"oser$ pressin/ her "ips an boy har up a/ainst his own as he rank her in, She wrappe her ar(s aroun his broa shou"ers an neck$ returnin/ his insistence with her own ur/ency, 2er heat ene"ope the(, 0he kiss see(e to "ast for a"" eternity3 her scent wrappe aroun their entwine f"esh unti" he fe"t he was rownin/ in it, When she at "ast broke away he cou" see the fierce ea/erness in her eyes an sti"" taste the sweet fire of her "ips, 2e cou" taste so(ethin/ e"se$ too, Poison= Bea44"e by her kiss$ it took hi( a secon to rea"i4e what ha happene, Whether Githany be"iee hi( or not han't (attere, She' aske Kaan to "et her co(e here so she cou" ki"" hi(, &or a brief secon he was worrie , , , unti" he reco/ni4e the faint tricopper taste of rock worrt eno(,
2e "au/he$ /aspin/ s"i/ht"y for air, 7+a/nificent$7 he breathe, Secrecy, Gui"e, Betraya", Githany (ay hae been corrupte by the Brotherhoo's inf"uence$ but she sti"" unerstoo what (ae the ark sie stron/, Was it possib"e she cou" be his one true apprentice$ espite her a""e/iance to the Brotherhoo9 She s(i"e coy"y at his co(p"i(ent, 70hrou/h passion we /ain stren/th,7 Bane cou" fee" the poison workin/ its way throu/h his syste(, 0he effects were subt"e, 2a his /rowin/ stren/th in the ark sie not (ae his senses hyperaware$ he probab"y wou"n't een hae notice its presence for seera" hours, -et once a/ain$ Githany ha uneresti(ate hi(, Rock worrt eno( was powerfu" enou/h to ki"" a bantha$ but there were far (ore rare%an "etha"% to8ins she cou" hae chosen, 0he ark sie f"owe throu/h hi($ thick as the b"oo in his eins, 2e was Darth Bane now$ a true Dark Lor, 2e ha nothin/ to fear fro( her poison, 0he fact that she ha thou/ht he wou"n't etect it on her "ips%the fact that she thou/ht it wou" een har( hi(%(eant that she (ust hae be"iee his perfor(ance, She suspecte he ha fa""en away fro( the ark sie a/ain3 she thou/ht he was weak, 2e was /"a* it (ae her ecision to sie with Kaan (ore for/iab"e, +aybe there was sti"" hope for her after a"", But he ha to be sure, 7!'( sorry for abanonin/ you$7 he sai soft"y, 7! was b"ine by rea(s of past /"ory, ;a/a Saow$ 8ar Kun$ Darth Rean%! "uste after the power of the /reat Dark Lors of the past,7 7We a"" crae power$7 she rep"ie, 70hat is the nature of the ark sie, But there is power in the Brotherhoo, Kaan is on the er/e of succeein/ where a"" those before hi( hae fai"e, We are winnin/ on Ruusan$ Bane,7 Bane shook his hea$ isappointe, 2ow cou" she sti"" be so b"in9 7Kaan (ay be winnin/ on Ruusan$ but his fo""owers are "osin/ eerywhere e"se, 2is /reat Sith ar(y has cru(b"e without its "eaers, 0he Repub"ic has rien the( back an rec"ai(e (ost of the wor"s we con6uere, !n a few (ore (onths the rebe""ion wi"" be crushe,7 7;one of that (atters if we can wipe out the )ei$7 she e8p"aine ea/er"y$ her eyes b"a4in/, 70he war has taken a heay to"" on the Repub"ic, Once the )ei are /one$ we can easi"y ra""y our troops an turn the tie of war, ."" we hae to o is wipe the( out$ an the u"ti(ate ictory wi"" be ours= ."" we hae to o is win on Ruusan=7 70here are other )ei besies those on Ruusan$7 he rep"ie, 7. few$ but they are scattere in ones an twos across the /a"a8y, !f the .r(y of Li/ht is estroye$ we can hunt the( own at our "eisure,7 7Do you rea""y be"iee Kaan wi"" win9 2e has c"ai(e i((inent ictory before$ then fai"e to e"ier on his pro(ise,7 7&or one who c"ai(s to want to :oin the Brotherhoo$7 she note with so(e suspicion$ 7you on't see( particu"ar"y eote to the cause,7 Bane's ar( shot out an /rabbe her by the waist$ pu""in/ her in c"ose for another saa/e kiss, She /aspe in surprise$ then c"ose her eyes an /ae in to the physica" p"easure of the (o(ent, 0his ti(e it was she who fina""y pu""e back with a faint si/h,
7-ou were ri/ht when you sai ! ca(e back for so(ethin/ e"se$7 he sai$ sti"" ho"in/ her c"ose, 0he treacherous poison on her "ips taste :ust as sweet the secon ti(e, 70he Brotherhoo cannot fai"$7 she pro(ise, 70he )ei are on the run$ cowerin/ an hiin/ in the forests,7 2e "et her /o an steppe away$ turnin/ his back to her, 2e esperate"y wante to be"iee she was capab"e of beco(in/ his apprentice once he' estroye Kaan an the Brotherhoo, But he sti"" wasn't sure, !f she tru"y be"iee in what the Brotherhoo stoo for$ then there was no hope, 7! :ust can't accept what Lor Kaan preaches$7 he confesse, 72e says we are a"" e6ua"s$ but if a"" are e6ua"$ then none can be stron/,7 She steppe up behin hi( an p"ace her hans on his shou"ers$ app"yin/ /ent"e pressure unti" he turne to face her once a/ain, 2er e8pression was one of a(use(ent, 7Do not be"iee eerythin/ Kaan says$7 she warne$ an he cou" hear the nake a(bition in her oice, One to e(boy the power$ the other to crae it, 7Once the )ei are estroye$ (any of his fo""owers wi"" iscoer that so(e of us are (ore e6ua" than others,7 2e swept Githany up in his (i/hty ar(s with a :oyfu" roar$ spinnin/ her aroun an aroun as he /ae her another "on/$ har kiss, 0his was what he wante to hear= When he fina""y set her own she stu(b"e back ha"f a step$ unsteay after his une8pecte outburst, She re/aine her ba"ance an /ae a start"e "au/h, 7! /uess you accept$7 she sai with a s"y s(i"e on her poison%s"icke "ips, 7-ou pack up your ca(p, !'"" /o ahea to "et Kaan know you're coinin/,7 7! can't wait to see the "ook on his face when you te"" hi( about this (eetin/$7 he rep"ie$ sti"" pretenin/ he was unaware of the poison ra/in/ unchecke throu/h his b"oo, 7;either can !$7 she rep"ie$ her oice /iin/ nothin/ away, 7;either can !,7 .s the surface of .(bria fe"" away beneath her an the /"orious rin/s ca(e into iew$ Githany cou"n't he"p but fee" a twin/e of re/ret, 0he passion she' awakene in Bane ha /ien hi( a suen$ surprisin/ stren/th3 she' fe"t it in each of his kisses, But it was c"ear Bane was intereste in her$ not in :oinin/ the Brotherhoo of Darkness, She punche in the coorinates for the :u(p back to Ruusan an "eane back in her seat, 2er hea was spinnin/ fro( the poison that ha coate her "ips, ;ot the rock wont eno(3 that was on"y there to "u"" Bane into a fa"se sense of security, But the syno8 she ha (i8e in with it%the co"or"ess$ oor"ess$ taste"ess to8in faore by the infa(ous assassins of the Geno2araan%was hain/ an effect espite the antiote she ha taken, She ha no oubt Bane wou" soon be fee"in/ (uch$ (uch worse than she i, . sin/"e kiss wou" hae been enou/h to ki"" hi($ an he ha receie a trip"e ose, She was /oin/ to (iss Bane$ she rea"i4e, But he was a threat to eerythin/ Lor Kaan was workin/ for, She ha to sie with one or the other$ so natura""y she ha chosen the one with an entire ar(y of Sith at his co((an, !t was$ after a""$ the nature of the ark sie, Bane watche the Bu44ar unti" it isappeare in the sky before turnin/ his attention to /atherin/ up
his ca(p, 2e wou" hae to act carefu""y now, Githany wou" te"" Kaan she' trie to poison hi(, When he showe up at the ca(p sti"" a"ie thin/s cou" beco(e , , , ifficu"t, 2e cou" si(p"y stay away an "et eents run their course, 0he )ei on Ruusan wou" ra""y$ turnin/ the tie of the batt"e once a/ain, !t was a /ien3 Bane was countin/ on it, Desperate$ Kaan wou" then turn to the /ift Bane ha sent hi(, 2e wou" un"eash the thou/ht bo(b$ unaware of its true nature, .n then eery &orce%user on Ruusan%Sith an )ei a"ike%wou" be estroye, 0his was the (ost "ike"y scenario, But Bane ha co(e too far to "eae the en of the Brotherhoo of Darkness to chance, When Kaan's ar(y fa"tere this ti(e$ there were those in his ca(p%"ike Githany%who (i/ht turn a/ainst hi(, 0hey cou" f"ee Ruusan$ scatterin/ before the )ei, .n then Bane wou" hae to ea" with each of his ria"s separate"y before he cou" beco(e the uncha""en/e "eaer of the Sith, Better to be on han$ /uiin/ the eents to the outco(e he esire, 0hat$ howeer$ (eant he' hae to co(e up with a p"ausib"e story to e8p"ain his esire to :oin the Brotherhoo een after a fai"e assassination, 2e thou/ht about it for near"y an hour$ consierin/ an iscarin/ a nu(ber of ieas, !n the en there was on"y one reason any of the( wou" be"iee that he ha co(e back, 2e ha to (ake the( a"" think he wante to oerthrow Kaan an beco(e the new "eaer of the Brotherhoo, Bane s(i"e at the subt"e beauty of the p"an, Kaan wou" be suspicious$ of course, But a"" his effort an attention wou" be focuse on ho"in/ on to his position, 2e wou"n't rea"i4e his ria"'s true purpose* to e8ter(inate the Brotherhoo co(p"ete"y3 to estroy eery "ast Sith on Ruusan, P"us$ there was the ae aanta/e of hain/ another opportunity to conince Githany to :oin hi(, Once she unerstoo what he ha tru"y beco(e%an how he ha (anipu"ate Kaan an the other so% ca""e Dark Lors%she (i/ht actua""y accept his offer to beco(e his apprentice, .t the ery "east he wou" /et a chance to see her face once she rea"i4e her poison ha fai"e to%% 7Un/h=7 Bane "et out a /runt an oub"e oer as a icious pain rippe throu/h his sto(ach, 2e trie to strai/hten up$ but his boy was suen"y racke with a pro"on/e cou/hin/ fit, 2e raise his han to coer his (outh$ an when he "et it fa"" it was coere in frothy re f"ecks of b"oo, !(possib"e$ he thou/ht$ een as another stabbin/ pain throu/h his /uts roppe hi( to his knees, Rean ha shown hi( how to use the &orce to war off poison an isease, ;o si(p"e to8in shou" be ab"e to affect anyone stron/ enou/h in the ark sie to be a Lor of the Sith, .nother cou/hin/ fit para"y4e hi( unti" it passe, 2e reache up to wipe the sweat ro""in/ own his face an fe"t so(ethin/ war( an sticky on his cheek, . thin trick"e of cri(son tears was "eakin/ fro( the corner of his eye, 2e rose shaki"y to his feet$ turnin/ his focus inwar, 0he poison was sti"" there, !t ha sprea throu/hout his entire boy$ po""utin/ an corruptin/ his syste( an a(a/in/ his ita" or/ans, 2e was he(orrha/in/ interna""y$ b"eein/ fro( his eyes an nose, Githany= 2e wou" hae "au/he if he han't been in such unbearab"e a/ony, 2e ha been so confient$ so arro/ant, So conince she was uneresti(atin/ hi(, !nstea he ha uneresti(ate her, . (istake he owe neer to (ake a/ain ,,, if he surie, 2e ha rea enou/h about syno8 to reco/ni4e the sy(pto(s, !f he ha etecte it i((eiate"y$ he
wou" hae been ab"e to c"eanse it fro( his syste($ :ust as he ha one with the rock worrt eno( that ha concea"e its presence, But syno8 was the subt"est of poisons3 the insiious to8in ha sappe his stren/th as it ha sprea unnotice throu/hout his boy, Su((onin/ a"" his resources$ he trie to pur/e the poison fro( his boy$ burnin/ it away with the co" fire of the ark sie, 0he poison was too stron/ ,,, or rather$ he was too weak, 0he a(a/e was a"reay one, 0he syno8 ha cripp"e hi($ "eain/ his power a (ere shaow of what it ha been on"y hours ear"ier, 2e cou" u"" its effects$ s"ow its pro/ress$ an te(porari"y ho" the (ost "etha" sy(pto(s at bay, But he cou"n't cure hi(se"f, ;ot now$ weakene as he was, 0here was power in Lake ;atth$ but it was power he cou"n't raw on, 0he ancient )ei ha been carefu" to "ock the ark sie safe"y away within its epths, 0he b"ack$ sta/nant waters were the on"y eience of the power that "ay foreer trappe beneath its surface, Desperate to fin so(e other way to surie$ he sta//ere oer to the "an craw"er on the e/e of his ca(p, !/norin/ the protests of his suen"y weary "i(bs$ he c"a(bere in behin the whee" an be/an to rie, 2e neee a hea"er, !f the one ca""e
istance$ but the effort to raise his hea was too (uch, 8hauste$ his wor" went b"ack, 0he heay whu(p%whu(p%whu(p of a "an craw"er's treas stirre hi( back to consciousness, 0he other ehic"e was here, 2e oubte they wou" een see hi(* his boy ha fa""en behin his tippe% oer craw"er an they ha approache fro( the other sie, en if they i$ there was nothin/ they cou" o to sae hi( now, -et there was so(ethin/ he cou" o to sae hi(se"f, 0he en/ines cut out an he hear the soun of oices* chi"ren's oices, 0hree youn/ boys sca(pere own fro( the back of the "an craw"er an be/an to hunt ea/er"y throu/h the wrecka/e, 7+ikki=7 ca(e the oice of their father$ ca""in/ after one of his sons, 7Don't /o too far,7 7Look=7 one of the boys shoute, 7Look what ! foun=7 0he weak (ust sere the stron/, 0hat is the way of the ark sie, 7Wow= !s it rea"9
0he father c"utche the corpse to his breast$ his torture "a(ents echoin/ across the e(pty batt"efie", 7Why9 Why i you hae to ki"" the(97 Bane feaste on his an/uish$ /or/in/ hi(se"f$ fee"in/ the ark sie /rowin/ stron/er in hi(, 0he sy(pto(s of the poison recee enou/h so that he cou" raise his ar( without the (usc"es tre(b"in/, 0he "i/htsaber spran/ to his han, 0he father cowere before hi(, 7Why i you (ake (e watch9 Why i you%7 One 6uick swipe of the "i/htsaber cut hi( off$ senin/ the father to the sa(e tra/ic fate as his sons, Lor 2oth tosse an turne$ unab"e to s"eep, 0he creakin/ of his cot :oine the whinin/ bu44 of the b"oosuckin/ insect swar(s that fo""owe his ar(y whereer they (ae ca(p, 0he noise was co(poune by the whirrin/ hu( of s(a""%win/e ni/ht birs swoopin/ in to feast on the insects that feaste on his so"iers, 0he resu"t was a shri""$ (aenin/ cacophony that hoere on the e/es of hearin/, But it wasn't the noises that were keepin/ hi( awake$ or the unre"entin/ heat that "eft hi( with a constant sheen of sweat on his brow$ een at ni/ht, !t wasn't the (i"itary strate/ies an batt"e p"ans constant"y runnin/ throu/h his (in, !t wasn't any one of these thin/s$ but rather the su( of a"" of the( to/ether%an the fact that there see(e to be no en in si/ht to this b"aste$ curse war, +inor annoyances that ha been to"erab"e urin/ the first (onths on Ruusan ha been (a/nifie by frustration an futi"ity into unbearab"e tor(ents, With an an/ry /row" he cast asie the thin b"anket he s"ept uner$ tossin/ it into the far corner of his tent, 2e swun/ his "e/s oer the sie an sat up on the e/e of the cot$ "eanin/ forwar with his e"bows on his knees an his hea c"aspe between his hans, &or two stanar years he ha wa/e his ca(pai/n a/ainst the Brotherhoo of Darkness here on Ruusan, !n the be/innin/ (any )ei ha ra""ie to his sie, .n (any )ei ha ie%too (any, Uner Lor 2oth's co((an they ha sacrifice the(se"es$ offerin/ up their own "ies for the sake of a /reater cause, -et now$ after si8 (a:or batt"es%not to (ention count"ess skir(ishes$ rais$ (inor c"ashes$ an inecisie en/a/e(ents%nothin/ ha been ecie, 0he b"oo of thousans staine his hans$ yet he was no c"oser to his /oa", &rustration was be/innin/ to /ie way to espair, +ora"e was the "owest it ha eer been, +any of the so"iers /ru(b"e that &arfa""a was ri/ht* the /enera" ha "et Ruusan beco(e his (a obsession an was "eain/ the( to their oo(, 2oth no "on/er een ha the stren/th to ar/ue with the(, So(eti(es he fe"t as if he ha for/otten the reasons he ha co(e here in the first p"ace, Once there (ay hae been irtue in this war$ but such nobi"ity ha "on/ since been strippe away, ;ow he fou/ht for reen/e in the na(e of those )ei who ha fa""en, 2e fou/ht out of hatre of the ark sie an what it stoo for, 2e fou/ht out of prie an a refusa" to a(it efeat, But (ost of a""$ he fou/ht si(p"y because he no "on/er knew anythin/ e"se, -et if he /ae up now$ wou" it (ake any ifference9 !f he orere his troops to retreat$ to eacuate the p"anet in &arfa""a's ships$ wou" anythin/ chan/e9 !f he steppe asie an "eft the buren of batt"in/ the Sith%here on Ruusan or e"sewhere in the /a"a8y%to another$ wou" he fina""y fin peace9 Or wou" he si(p"y be betrayin/ a"" those who ha be"iee in hi(9
0o isban the .r(y of Li/ht now$ whi"e the Brotherhoo of Darkness sti"" e8iste$ ishonore the (e(ory of a"" those who ha perishe in the conf"ict, 0o press on (eant (any (ore wou" sure"y ie%an he hi(se"f (i/ht be "ost to the "i/ht foreer, 2e "ay back own an c"ose his eyes a/ain, But s"eep wou" not co(e, 7When a"" the options are wron/$7 he (uttere to hi(se"f in the arkness$ 7what oes it (atter which one ! choose97 7When the way before you is not c"ear$7 an etherea" oice answere$ 7"et your actions be /uie by the wiso( of the &orce,7 2oth snappe his hea up to peer throu/h the arkness of the tent, . fi/ure was :ust bare"y isib"e in the shaows$ stanin/ on the other sie, 7Pernicar=7 he e8c"ai(e$ then suen"y aske$ 7!s this rea"9 Or a( ! actua""y soun as"eep in (y cot$ an a"" this nothin/ but a rea(97 7. rea( is on"y another kin of rea"ity$7 Pernicar sai with an a(use shake of his hea, 2e crosse the tent s"ow"y$ (oin/ c"oser, .s he approache$ 2oth rea"i4e he cou" actua""y see throu/h hi(, 0he apparition sett"e itse"f on the cot, 0he sprin/s in't creak3 it was as if he ha no wei/ht or substance at a"", 0his ha to be a rea($ 2oth rea"i4e, But he in't want to wake, !nstea he c"un/ esperate"y to the chance to see his o" frien a/ain$ een if it was :ust an i""usion con:ure up by his own (in, 7!'e (isse you$7 he sai, 7-our counse"$ your wiso(, ! nee the( now (ore than eer,7 7-ou were not so ea/er to "isten to (e when ! was a"ie$7 the Pernicar of his rea( rep"ie$ strikin/ at the (ost secret /ui"t an re/rets burie eep in 2oth's subconscious, 70here was (uch you cou" hae "earne fro( (e,7 . funny thou/ht struck the /enera", 7Was ! your Paawan a"" this ti(e$ +aster Pernicar9 So youn/ an foo"ish that ! in't een know you were tryin/ to instruct (e in the ways of the &orce97 Pernicar "au/he "i/ht"y, 7;o$ Genera", ;either one of us is youn/%thou/h we both hae ha (ore than our share of foo"ish (o(ents,7 2oth noe so(ber"y, &or a (o(ent he sai nothin/$ :ust en:oyin/ Pernicar's presence once a/ain$ een if he was on"y here in spirit, 0hen$ knowin/ there (ust be so(e purpose to this e"aborate charae his subconscious ha create for hi($ he aske$ 7Why hae you co(e97 70he .r(y of Li/ht is an instru(ent of /oo an :ustice$7 Pernicar to" hi(, 7-ou fear you (ay hae "ost your way$ but "ook to the &orce an you wi"" know what you (ust o to fin it a/ain,7 7-ou (ake it soun so si(p"e$7 2oth sai with a s"i/ht shake of his hea, 72ae ! rea""y fa""en so far that ! cannot een re(e(ber the (ost basic teachin/s of our orer97 70here is no sha(e in fa""in/$7 Pernicar sai$ stanin/ up, 70here is on"y sha(e if you refuse to rise once a/ain,7 2oth si/he heai"y, 7! know what ! (ust o$ but ! "ack the too"s to o it, +y troops are on the
er/e of co""apse* e8hauste an outnu(bere, .n the other )ei no "on/er be"iee in our cause,7 7&arfa""a sti"" oes$7 Pernicar note, 70hou/h you ha your ifferences$ he was a"ways "oya",7 7! think !'e rien &arfa""a away for /oo$7 2oth a(itte, 72e wants nothin/ (ore to o with the .r(y of Li/ht,7 70hen why are his ships sti"" in orbit97 Pernicar countere, 7-ou roe hi( away with your an/er$ an he fears you (ay hae fa""en to the ark sie, Show hi( this is not so an he wi"" fo""ow you a/ain,7 Pernicar took a step back, 2oth cou" sense hi(se"f be/innin/ the s"ow c"i(b to consciousness a/ain, 2e cou" hae fou/ht a/ainst it, 2e cou" hae stru//"e to stay in the rea( wor", But there was work to be one, 7Goo%bye$ o" frien$7 he whispere, S"ow"y$ his eyes opene$ reea"in/ the wakin/ wor" an the e(pty arkness of his tent, 7Goo%bye,7 S"eep i not return to hi( that ni/ht, !nstea he thou/ht "on/ an har about what Pernicar ha sai to hi( in his rea(, Pernicar ha a"ways been the one he' turne to in ti(es of confusion an troub"e, !t (ae sense that his (in wou" con:ure up the i(a/e of his earest frien to set hi( on the proper path a/ain, 2e knew what he ha to o, 2e wou" swa""ow his prie an ask &arfa""a's for/ieness, 0hey ha to set asie their persona" ifferences for the sake of the )ei, &irst thin/ in the (ornin/ he e(er/e fro( his tent$ eter(ine to sen an enoy to &arfa""a, But to his surprise he foun that one of &arfa""a's peop"e ha co(e to speak with hi(, 7! wonere if ! ha (ae this trip in ain$7 the (essen/er a(itte once Lor 2oth ha we"co(e her into his tent, 7! was afrai you wou" refuse to een see (e,7 72a you co(e a ay ear"ier you probab"y wou" hae been ri/ht$7 he confesse, 7Last ni/ht ! ha a ,,, ree"ation that chan/e thin/s,7 7! /uess we're "ucky ! ca(e toay$ then$7 she rep"ie with a coria" ti"t of her hea, 7-es$ "ucky$7 he (uttere$ thou/h part of hi( be"iee the ti(in/ of the rea( ha nothin/ to o with "uck at a"", 0ru"y$ the &orce was a powerfu" an (ysterious a""y, Bane cou" sti"" fee" the poison in his syste( as he roe the "an craw"er across .(bria's ast an e(pty p"ains, 0he ru(b"e of the en/ine cou"n't 6uite rown out the ratt"e an c"ank of the :unk pi"e in the back, 0he c"atter kept hi( fro( pushin/ the (e(ories of the ehic"e's preious owners co(p"ete"y fro( his (in$ but he fe"t no re(orse oer their eaths, 2e' "eft their boies "yin/ where they' fa""en%in the (ist of the batt"efie" where they' /athere their pri4es, 0heir eaths ha /ien hi( the stren/th to press on$ but a"reay the sur/e of power he ha fe"t was fain/, 2e ha the stren/th to keep the syno8 at bay for a few (ore hours$ but he neee to fin a per(anent cure, 2e neee to fin
!t was on"y a (atter of ti(e unti" his boy succu(be to the para"ysis an his (in was swa""owe by the feere (aness brou/ht on by the to8in, &or now$ thou/h$ his an/er a""owe hi( to keep his thou/hts c"ear, 2e wasn't an/ry at Githany, She ha on"y acte as a serant of the ark sie shou", 2is ra/e was irecte inwar%towar his own weakness an (isp"ace arro/ance, 2e shou" hae anticipate the true epth of her cunnin/, !nstea he ha "et her poison hi(, .n if he ie now$ his /reat ree"ation%the Ru"e of 0wo$ the sa"ation of the Sith%wou" en with hi(,
wante it, 2e care nothin/ for their war or what either sie a"ue, !n fact$ there was on"y one thin/ he care about in a"" the /a"a8y, .n this perfor(ance was his on"y hope of protectin/ it fro( the (onster stanin/ aboe hi(, 0he i(p"acab"e (an before hi( pu44"e Bane, 2is on"y hope for suria" ha :ust been enie hi($ an he wasn't sure what he cou" o about it, 2e cou" sense the power in this (an$ but it wasn't the power of either the ark sie or the "i/ht, !t wasn't een the power of the &orce in any nor(a" sense of the wor, 2e rew his stren/th fro( /roun an stone3 (ountain an forest3 the "an an the sky, Despite this ifference$ Bane cou" sense that the (an's power was for(iab"e in its own way, Bane foun its stran/eness isturbin/$ unsett"in/, Was it possib"e he was actua""y /oin/ to "ose this batt"e of wi""s9 Was it possib"e this si(p"e (an%a (an with on"y the faintest f"icker of the &orce insie hi(%was actua""y ab"e to efy a Dark Lor of the Sith9 2a the hea"er's (in been weak Bane cou" hae si(p"y co(pe""e hi( to o his biin/$ but his wi"" was as unyie"in/ as the b"ack iron of the pot he ha p"un/e his han into, 2e ha e(onstrate that pain an threat of eath wou" be ineffectie too"s in conincin/ hi( to chan/e his (in$ as we"", en now Bane cou" sense his (in bui"in/ up wa""s to b"ock out the pain3 buryin/ it so eep it a"(ost see(e to isappear, .n there was so(ethin/ e"se he was buryin/ as we"", So(ethin/ he was esperate"y tryin/ to keep Bane fro( uncoerin/, Bane's eyes narrowe as he reco/ni4e what it was, 2e was tryin/ to hie the presence of another$ shie"in/ whoeer it was fro( the Dark Lor's ha4y$ feere perceptions, 2e turne his attention to the hea"er's s(a""$ ra(shack"e hut, 0he (an (ae no (oe to stop hi(, !n fact$ he ha no reaction at a"", 0he oor was b"ocke by nothin/ but a "on/ curtain that f"owe /ent"y in the bree4e, Bane steppe forwar an f"ippe it asie to reea" a s(a""$ ra(shack"e roo(, . youn/ /ir"$ her eyes wie with terror$ hu"e si"ent"y a/ainst the far wa"", . /ri( s(i"e of re"ief touche the corners of Bane's "ips as he rea"i4e the truth,
Bane returne to his ca(p an packe up, . few hours "ater he was reay to "ift off an "eae .(bria behin, .fter the co(p"etion of the hea"in/ ritua" he ha brief"y consiere s"ayin/ both father an au/hter for the cri(e of seein/ hi( in his (o(ent of weakness, But those were the thou/hts of a (an b"ine by his own arro/ance, 2is recent encounter with Githany ha shown hi( the an/ers of that path, ;either F When the a"cyn arrie at Ruusan$ Bane was surprise to fin both Sith an )ei f"eets in the syste(, 0he Sith ha for(e a b"ockae aroun the p"anet$ obious"y tryin/ to preent the )ei fro( brin/in/ reinforce(ents to their fe""ows on the surface, -et to Bane's eye it appeare that the )ei were (akin/ no effort to run the b"ockae, 0heir ships see(e content to wait$ "urkin/ :ust beyon the ran/e of ene(y fire, .n the Sith cou"n't attack without breakin/ for(ation an e8posin/ their "ines, 0he resu"t was a tense sta"e(ate$ with neither sie wi""in/ to (ake the first (oe, Despite the b"ockae$ Bane was ab"e to "an his ship on Ruusan without rawin/ the attention of either f"eet, 0he )ei weren't concerne with ships /oin/ to the p"anet$ an the Sith were patro""in/ in patterns esi/ne to /uar a/ainst "ar/e%sca"e incursions, 0he b"ockae was (eant to stop troop transports$ supp"y ships$ an their escorts3 it was a"" but use"ess a/ainst a sin/"e scout esse" or fi/hter, 2is sensors picke up the Sith enca(p(ent soon after he breache the at(osphere$ an he brou/ht the a"cyn in on the far sie of the wor", 0he b"ockae patro"s han't spotte hi($ an he' isab"e the ship's beacon before "eain/ Lehon, ;oboy knew he was here, 2e p"anne to keep it that way for a whi"e "on/er, 2e set the ship own in the coer of a s(a"" ran/e of foothi""s seera" ki"o(eters fro( the enca(p(ent, 2e wou" raw "ess attention approachin/ on foot$ an he wante to keep the a"cyn's "ocation secret in case he neee it to (ake a 6uick escape, 2e ise(barke an be/an the "on/ hike to (eet up with Kaan an his fe""ow Sith, 0he fee" of this p"anet was far ifferent fro( any of the others he ha been on, 0his was a tire wor"$ weary an spent with the en"ess wars bein/ wa/e across its surface, 0here was a (a"aise in the air$ "ike so(e infectious isease of (in an spirit, 0he &orce was stron/ on Ruusan ineitab"e /ien the ast nu(bers of Sith an )ei there, -et he sense it was in tur(oi"$ a (ae"stro( of confusion an conf"ict, ;either the ark nor "i/ht he" sway, !nstea they co""ie an fuse$ beco(in/ an obscene$ inecisie /ray, &ar to the east he cou" see the e/es of Ruusan's /reat forests, 2e cou" sense the )ei hiin/ eep
within the($ thou/h they use the "i/ht sie to (ask their e8act "ocation, 0he Sith enca(p(ent was to the west$ seera" ki"o(eters away fro( the forest's borers, Between the( stretche a ast panora(a of /ent"y ro""in/ hi""s an p"ains* the site of a"" the (a:or batt"es that ha been fou/ht on Ruusan so far, 0he constant fi/htin/ ha been punctuate by si8 fu""%sca"e en/a/e(ents$ batt"es where each sie ha brou/ht its fu"" stren/th to bear in an effort to wipe out the ene(y%or at "east rie the( fro( the wor", 0hree ti(es 2oth an the .r(y of Li/ht ha sei4e the upper han3 the other three ha /one to Kaan an his Brotherhoo, -et none of the ictories ha been ecisie enou/h to brin/ an en to the war, &ro( the pun/ent s(e"" of eath Bane suspecte so(e s(a""er confrontation ha been recent"y fou/ht oer this territory$ as we"", 2is suspicions were confir(e when he creste a rise an ca(e across a scene of s"au/hter, !t was har to te"" who ha won* boies c"a in the /arb of each sie were eerywhere$ inter(in/"e as if the co(batants ha re(aine "ocke to/ether in hatre "on/ after they ha a"" been s"ain, +ost of the ea were "ike"y to be fo""owers of the )ei or (inions of the Sith$ rather than actua" )ei Kni/hts or (e(bers of the Brotherhoo$ thou/h he notice ark Sith robes on a hanfu" of the boies, 2oerin/ aboe the ki""in/ fie" were the bouncers$ a uni6ue species natie to Ruusan, 0here were at "east ha"f a o4en$ spherica" in shape an of arious si4es$ with (ost bein/ between one an two (eters across, 0heir roun boies were coere with thick /reen fur$ as were the fin"ike appena/es protruin/ fro( their sies an the "on/ ribbon"ike tai"s that strea(e out behin the(, 0hey ha no isib"e facia" features other than ark$ "i"ess eyes, Reports inicate they were sentient$ yet to Bane they "ooke "ike ani(a"s scaen/in/ the re(ains of the batt"e, .s he approache he rea"i4e they were co((unicatin/$ thou/h they possesse no (ouths, So(ehow they were pro:ectin/ (enta" i(a/es of succor an co(fort$ as if they sou/ht to hea" the wouns of the scarre "an beneath the(, 0hey scattere at Bane's approach$ whiskin/ the(se"es away "ike a bi4arre schoo" of fish capab"e of swi((in/ throu/h the skies, .s he rew nearer$ he rea"i4e they ha been con/re/atin/ oer one of the fa""en, 0he hu(an (an was not 6uite ea$ thou/h the /apin/ woun in his /ut /ae stark eience that he wou"n't "ie to see the ni/ht, 2e wore the robes of the Sith$ an the shattere re(ains of a "i/htsaber's hi"t "ay near his outstretche han, Bane reco/ni4e hi( as one of the "esser stuents fro( the .cae(y on Korriban* so weak in the ark sie$ it wasn't een worth the bother of "earnin/ his na(e, -et he knew Bane, With a /roan the (an ro""e onto his back an hau"e hi(se"f up to a sittin/ position$ "eanin/ his hea an shou"ers a/ainst a nearby stone, 2is eyes%/"a4e an i"ate%c"eare (o(entari"y an ca(e into focus, 7Lor Bane ,,, $7 he /aspe, 7Kaan to" us ,,, you were ea,7 0here was no point in rep"yin/$ so Bane sai nothin/, 7-ou (isse the fi/ht ,,, $7 the (an (u(b"e$ the wors har to hear throu/h the chokin/ bubb"es of b"oo we""in/ up in his throat, . cou/hin/ fit cut off what he was /oin/ to say ne8t, 2e was too weak to een brin/ up his han to coer his (outh as he spewe re spots oer Bane's ark boots, 70he batt"e was /"orious$7 he fina""y croake out, 7!t's an honor to ,, , fa"" in such a sp"eni batt"e,7
Bane "au/he "ou"y$ the on"y appropriate response to such riicu"ous stupiity, 7G"ory (eans nothin/ for the ea$7 he sai$ thou/h it wasn't c"ear if the (an cou" een hear hi( in his feere state, 2e turne to /o$ then pause when he fe"t a feeb"e tu/ on his hee", 72e"p (e$ Lor Bane,7 Liftin/ his boot free of the c"utchin/ han$ Bane answere$ 7+y na(e is Darth Bane,7 0here was a sickenin/ crunch as his boot s"a((e own$ /rinin/ the (an's sku"" into the rocks proppin/ hi( up, 2is boy conu"se once then "ay sti"", 0he pur/in/ of the Sith ha be/un, Lor Kaan "ay on his back on the s(a"" cot in his tent$ eyes c"ose$ /ent"y (assa/in/ his te(p"es, 0he strain of keepin/ his fo""owers unite in a co((on cause was takin/ a heay to""$ an his hea constant"y pu"se with a u"" an re"ent"ess ache, Despite their success in recent batt"es with the )ei on Ruusan$ the (oo in the Sith ca(p was tense, 0hey ha been on Ruusan too "on/%far too "on/%an reports kept fi"terin/ in of Repub"ic ictories in istant syste(s, en with his abi"ity to (anipu"ate an inf"uence the (ins of the other Dark Lors$ it was beco(in/ (ore an (ore ifficu"t to keep the Brotherhoo focuse on their batt"e a/ainst the .r(y of Li/ht, 2e knew there was one sure way to en the war$ an en it 6uick"y, 0he thou/ht bo(b, 2e ha spent (any ni/hts wonerin/ if he are to use it, !f they "ure the )ei in an un"eashe the thou/ht bo(b$ its b"ast wou" co(p"ete"y ob"iterate their ene(ies, But wou" the co(bine wi"" of the Brotherhoo be stron/ enou/h to surie such power9 Or wou" the y /et swept up in the back"ash of the e8p"osion9 0i(e an a/ain he ha is(isse it as too an/erous$ a weapon so terrib"e that een he%a Dark Lor of the Sith%was afrai to use it, -et each ti(e he consiere it for a few (o(ents "on/er before backin/ away fro( the abyss, . soun outsie the tent cause hi( to open his eyes an sit up sharp"y, . secon "ater Githany$ now seen by (any as his ri/ht han$ poke her hea in, 70hey're reay for you$ Lor Kaan,7 2e noe an rose to his feet$ takin/ a secon to ca"( an co(pose hi(se"f, !f he showe any weakness$ the others (i/ht turn a/ainst hi(, 2e cou"n't "et that happen, ;ot now$ when they were so c"ose to u"ti(ate ictory, 0hat was why he ha su((one the other Dark Lors* one fina" /atherin/ to stren/then their reso"e an assure their continue "oya"ty, Githany "e the way throu/h the ca(p$ an he fo""owe her to the "ar/e tent where the other Sith Lors were waitin/ for hi(, 2e entere with coniction an purpose$ pro:ectin/ an aura of confience an authority, .s was custo(ary wheneer he entere a roo($ those in the asse(b"a/e rose to their feet as a si/n of respect, 0here was one$ howeer$ who re(aine seate$ ar(s fo"e across his thick chest, 7.re you too heay to rise$ Lor Kopec497 Githany aske pointe"y, 7! thou/ht we were a"" e6ua"s in the Brotherhoo$7 the 0wi'"ek snar"e back$ speakin/ (ore to Kaan than to her,
Kaan knew he ha to trea carefu""y, 0his was not the first ti(e Kopec4 ha been the oice of issent$ an (any of the others took their cues fro( hi(, Unfortunate"y$ he was a"so one of the (ost ifficu"t to inf"uence an contro", 76ua"s, 5uite ri/ht$ Lor Kopec4$7 he sai with a weary s(i"e, 7Re(ain seate, ."" of you, We hae no nee of these point"ess for(a"ities,7 0he rest of the /roup i as he bae an foun their seats once (ore$ thou/h it was c"ear eeryone sti"" fe"t the tension between the two of the(, 2e "et a wae of soothin/ reassurance ripp"e out across the roo( as he crosse oer to the strate/y tab"e, 70he war a/ainst the )ei is a"(ost won$7 he ec"are, 70hey are on the er/e of co""apse, 0hey hae retreate into the forests$ but they are runnin/ out of p"aces to hie,7 Kopec4 snorte erisie"y, 7We'e hear that refrain one too (any ti(es,7 !t took tre(enous effort to (aintain his co(posure$ but so(ehow Lor Kaan (ana/e to rep"y in a ca"($ een oice, 7.nyone who has oubts about our strate/y here on Ruusan is free to speak$7 he offere, 7.s has a"reay been pointe out in this (eetin/$ we are a"" e6ua"s in the Brotherhoo of Darkness,7 7!t's not :ust Ruusan !'( worrie about$7 Kopec4 rep"ie$ acceptin/ the bait an risin/ to his feet, 7We'e "ost /roun eerywhere e"se in the /a"a8y, We ha the Repub"ic ree"in/, But instea of finishin/ the( off$ we "et the( re/roup=7 7+ost of our ear"y ictories ca(e before the )ei :oine their cause$7 Kaan re(ine hi(, 70he point of attackin/ the Repub"ic in the first p"ace was to raw the )ei out, We wante to force the( into a batt"e of our choosin/* this batt"e$ here on Ruusan, 7;ow we are on the er/e of wipin/ the( out, .n with the )ei /one$ we can easi"y rec"ai( the wor"s that hae s"ippe back uner the Repub"ic's contro"%an (any (ore besies,7 0hou/h Kopec4 was si"ent$ there were (ur(urs of a/ree(ent fro( the other Sith Lors, Kaan presse his point een farther, 7Once we wipe out the ene(y here on Ruusan our ar(ies wi"" sweep across the /a"a8y irtua""y unoppose,
tattere re(nants of the Orer at our "eisure,7 Kopec4$ (o""ifie$ sat own with one fina" co((ent, 70hen "et's finish 2oth off 6uick"y an /et off this b"aste rock,7 70hat's e8act"y the point of this strate/y conference$7 Kaan sai with a s(i"e$ knowin/ he ha once a/ain aerte a potentia" schis( in the Brotherhoo, 7We (ay hae "ost a few skir(ishes here an there$ but we are about to win the war=7 Githany steppe up an hane hi( a ho"o(ap with the "atest ata fro( their reconnaissance rones, 2e /ae her a no of thanks an unfur"e it on the tab"e$ then bent own for a c"oser "ook, 7Our spies inicate 2oth's (ain ca(p is "ocate here$7 he sai$ :abbin/ a fin/er at a heai"y wooe section of the (ap, 7!f we can f"ush the( out of the forest we (i/ht be ab"e to%7 2e stoppe short as a ark shaow fe"" across the (ap, 7What now97 he e(ane$ pounin/ his fist on the tab"e an snappin/ his hea up to fin the cause of this "atest interruption, .n enor(ous (ountain of a (an stoo in the oorway$ b"ockin/ the "i/ht strea(in/ in fro( outsie, 2e was ta"" an co(p"ete"y ba"$ with a heay brow an har$ unfor/iin/ features, 2e wore the b"ack ar(or an robes of the Sith$ an a hook%han"e "i/htsaber hun/ at his sie, 0hou/h he ha neer (et the (an before$ Lor Kaan ha hear enou/h about hi( to know e8act"y who he was, 7Darth Bane=7 he e8c"ai(e, 2e cast a 6uick /"ance in Githany's irection$ wonerin/ if she ha betraye hi(, &ro( the e8pression on her face$ it was obious she was :ust as surprise as he was to see their isitor a"ie an we"", 7We , , , we thou/ht you were ea$7 he be/an uncertain"y, 72ow i%7 7!'( tire$7 Bane interrupte, 7Do you (in if ! sit97 7Of course$7 Kaan 6uick"y a/ree, 7.nythin/ for a Brother,7 0he bi/ (an sneere as he sett"e into one of the nearby chairs, 70hank you$ Brother,7 0here was so(ethin/ in his tone that put Kaan's /uar up, What was he oin/ here9 Di he know that Githany ha trie to poison hi(9 Di he know Kaan ha sent her9 7P"ease continue with your strate/y$7 Bane ur/e with a casua" wae of his han, Kaan's hack"es rose, !t was as if he was bein/ /ien per(ission to continue3 as if Bane was the one in char/e, Grittin/ his teeth$ he "ooke own at the (ap a/ain an resu(e where he ha "eft off, 7.s ! was sayin/$ the )ei are hiin/ in the forests, We can f"ush the( out if we sp"it our nu(bers, !f we ep"oy our f"iers$ we can f"ank their southern "ines%7 7Bah=7 Bane spat out$ s"appin/ his open pa"( own har on the tab"e, 7Dep"oyin/ f"iers an f"ankin/ ar(ies$7 he (ocke$ risin/ to his feet an thrustin/ an accusin/ fin/er at Kaan, 7-ou're thinkin/ "ike a irt /enera"$ not a Sith Lor=7 . heay si"ence ha fa""en across the roo(3 een Kaan was "eft speech"ess, 2e cou" fee" a"" eyes on hi($ watchin/ intent"y to see what wou" happen ne8t, Bane steppe in c"ose$ his face :ust centi(eters fro( Kaan's own,
72ow i you eer fin the /uts to poison (e97 he aske in a "ow$ (enacin/ whisper, 7! ,,, that wasn't (e=7 Kaan sta((ere as Bane turne his back on hi(, 7Don't apo"o/i4e for usin/ cunnin/ an trickery$7 the bi/ (an a(onishe$ (oin/ oer to the strate/y tab"e, 7! a(ire you for it, We are Sith* the serants of the ark sie$7 he continue$ benin/ own to stuy the troop positions an tactica" "ayouts sprea out before hi(, 7;ow "ook at this (ap an think "ike a Sith, Don't :ust fi/ht in the forest ,,, estroy the forest=7 !t was Githany who fina""y broke the ensuin/ si"ence$ askin/ the 6uestion on eeryone's (in, 7.n :ust how o you propose we o that97 Bane turne back to the( with an ei" /rin, 7! can show you,7 ;i/ht ha fa""en$ but in the "i/hts of the b"a4in/ ca(pfires Bane cou" see the others scurryin/ to an fro$ (akin/ the preparations as he ha instructe, When he sense Githany approachin/ fro( behin hi($ he turne, She was ho"in/ a bow" of stea(in/ soup an wore a cautious$ uncertain e8pression, 7!t wi"" be another hour before they are reay to be/in this ritua" of yours$7 she sai by way of /reetin/, When he in't rep"y she ae$ 7-ou "ook tire, ! brou/ht you so(ethin/ to restore your stren/th,7 2e took the bow" fro( her but in't raise it to his "ips, 2e ha iscoere the ritua" she spoke of whi"e stuyin/ Rean's 2o"ocron* a way to unite the (ins an spirits of the Sith throu/h a sin/"e esse" so their stren/th cou" be un"eashe upon the physica" wor", !n (any ways the process was si(i"ar to the one use to fashion a thou/ht bo(b fro( the &orce$ thou/h this was "ess powerfu" than the ritua" he ha sent as a peace offerin/ to Kaan%an far "ess an/erous, 2e rea"i4e Githany was sti"" stuyin/ hi( c"ose"y$ so he ti"te his hea towar the soup, 7
7! can show you the true power of the ark sie$ Githany, Power beyon what any of these others can een i(a/ine$7 he sai, 70each (e$7 she breathe, 7! want to "earn, -ou can show (e eerythin/ , , , after you'e taken Kaan's p"ace as "eaer of the Brotherhoo=7 2e cou"n't he"p but woner if she was sti"" tryin/ to (anipu"ate hi(, Di she want to p"ay hi( an Kaan a/ainst each other9 Or was she "ookin/ for hi( to usurp Kaan as proof of his newfoun stren/th9 ;o$ he a(itte, She sti"" oesn't unerstan that the entire Sith orer (ust be torn apart an rebui"t fro( scratch, +aybe she won't eer unerstan, 70e"" (e so(ethin/$7 he sai, 7Was it your iea to poison (e9 Or Kaan's97 With a s"i/ht "au/h$ she ucke beneath his ar( ho"in/ the bow" of soup an ca(e up c"ose a/ainst his chest$ "ookin/ ri/ht up into his eyes, 7!t was (y iea$7 she confesse$ 7but ! was carefu" to (ake sure Kaan thou/ht it was his,7 0here (i/ht be hope for her yet$ Bane thou/ht, 7! know ! (ae a (istake before$7 she continue$ (oin/ away fro( hi(, 7! shou" hae /one with you when you "eft Korriban, ! in't rea"i4e what you were after3 ! in't unerstan the secrets you were seekin/, But ! unerstan the( now, -ou are the true "eaer of the Sith$ Bane, !'"" fo""ow you fro( now on, .n so wi"" the rest of the Brotherhoo$ after we use your ritua" to estroy the )ei,7 7-es$7 he a/ree$ keepin/ his oice carefu""y neutra" an takin/ a sip of the stea(in/ soup, 7.fter we'e estroye the )ei,7 Bane knew they cou"n't rea""y estroy the )ei, ;ot here on Ruusan, ;ot "ike this, So(ehow the )ei wou" surie, ;o orinary war cou" co(p"ete"y e"i(inate the serants of the "i/ht, On"y the too"s of the ark sie%cunnin/$ secrecy$ treachery$ betraya"%cou" o that, 0he sa(e too"s he wou" use to wipe out the entire Brotherhoo of Darkness ,,, be/innin/ with the ritua" toni/ht, @ Kaan$ Githany$ an the rest of the Dark Lors ha /athere atop a barren p"ateau oer"ookin/ the ast forests where 2oth an his ar(y were hiin/, 0hey ha co(e on their f"iers* short%ran/e$ sin/"e%person$ airborne ehic"es front%(ounte with heay b"aster /uns, 0he f"iers were parke at the e/e of the p"ateau$ fifty (eters away fro( where the Sith sat in a "oose circ"e, 0he ritua" ha be/un, 0hey were co((unin/ with the &orce$ a"" of the( s"ippin/ into a (eitatie trance as one, 0heir (ins rifte eeper an eeper into the we"" of power containe within each iniiua"$ rawin/ on their stren/th an co(binin/ it throu/h a sin/"e conuit, Bane stoo in the center of the circ"e$ ur/in/ the( on, 70ouch the ark sie, 0he ark sie is one, !niisib"e,7 0he ni/ht sky fi""e with ark c"ous an a fierce win swir"e across the p"ateau$ tearin/ at the
c"oaks an capes of the Sith, 0he air shook with the thuner an crack"e of a (ountin/ e"ectrica" stor(, Bo"ts of b"ue%white "i/htnin/ arce throu/h the air$ an the te(perature suen"y roppe, 7Gie yourse"f oer to the ark sie, Let it surroun you, n/u"f you, Deour you,7 0he Brotherhoo s"ippe eeper into the co""ectie trance$ bare"y een aware of the stor( now ra/in/ about their physica" se"es, Bane stoo at the eye of the stor($ rawin/ the bo"ts of "i/htnin/ into hi(se"f$ feein/ on the(, 2e fe"t his stren/th sur/e as he channe"e an focuse the ark sie fro( the others, 0his is how it shou" be= ."" the power of the Brotherhoo in one boy= 0he on"y way to un"eash the fu"" potentia" of the ark sie= 7Do you fee" inincib"e9 !nu"nerab"e9 !((orta"97 2e ha to shout to be hear aboe the how"in/ win an thuner, . web of "i/htnin/ spira"e out fro( his boy$ connectin/ hi( to each of the other Sith, 2e shiere then suen"y went stiff$ ar(s sprea out at his sies, S"ow"y$ his ri/i boy be/an to rise into the air, 7
he cou" see the wor" before hi($ swa""owe up in re an oran/e an reuce in secons to ash an e(bers by the unchaine fury of the ark sie, !t was /"orious, .n then suen"y it was /one, 0here was a :arrin/ thu(p as his boy roppe fro( where it ha been hoerin/ fie (eters aboe the /roun, &or seera" secons he was co(p"ete"y isoriente$ unab"e to fi/ure out what happene, 0hen he unerstoo* the connection ha been broken, 2e rose to his feet s"ow"y$ uncertain of his ba"ance, ."" aroun hi( were the for(s of the Sith$ no "on/er knee"in/ in (eitation but co""apse or ro""in/ on the /roun$ their (ins ree"in/ fro( the suen en to the :oinin/ ritua", One by one they a"so re/aine their co(posure an stoo$ (ost "ookin/ as confuse as Bane ha been on"y secons before, 0hen he notice Lor Kaan stanin/ off to the sie$ oer by the f"iers, 7What happene97 Bane e(ane an/ri"y, 7Why i you stop97 7-our p"an worke$7 Kaan rep"ie curt"y, 70he forest is estroye$ the )ei hae f"e to open /roun, 0hey are e8pose$ u"nerab"e, ;ow we /o to finish the( off,7 Kaan ha broken the connection$ an so(ehow he ha (ana/e to ra/ the others out a"on/ with hi($ as if he ha so(e ho" oer their (ins, Perhaps he oes$ Bane thou/ht, &urther proof that they a"" ha to be estroye if the Sith were to be c"eanse, .s the others re/aine their senses$ Kaan was shoutin/ out orers an batt"e p"ans, 70he fire f"ushe the )ei out into the open, We can (ow the( own fro( the sky, 2urry=7 0hey :u(pe at his co((an$ rushin/ to their waitin/ ehic"es an takin/ to the sky with batt"e cries an shouts of triu(ph, 7
70he power of the ark sie is stron/est if it is concentrate in one esse"$7 Bane rep"ie, 7;ot sprea out a(on/ (any, ! i it for the sake of the ark sie,7 Kopec4 shook his hea an c"i(be onto his f"ier, 7We""$ we know you weren't oin/ it for us,7 Bane watche hi( soar off, 0hen he c"i(be onto his own f"ier$ but instea of fo""owin/ Kaan to the batt"e he set a course back to the Sith ca(p, 0he first phase of his p"an to estroy the Brotherhoo was co(p"ete, When he arrie back at the ca(p twenty (inutes "ater$ he wasn't surprise to fin it co(p"ete"y eserte, ."" the Dark Lors ha been on the p"ateau for the ritua"$ an they ha a"" f"own off in Kaan's wake to face the suen"y u"nerab"e )ei, 0he so"iers$ serants$ an fo""owers who (ae up the bu"k of the Sith ar(y ha ori/ina""y been "eft behin at the ca(p$ but they ha since receie co((e orers fro( Kaan an the others to :oin the( at the batt"efie", Bane brou/ht his f"ier in for a "anin/ in the heart of the ca(p$ ri/ht besie Lor Kaan's tent, 2e ki""e the en/ine an was surprise to hear the istant whine of another f"ier approachin/, 2e "ooke up$ curious, When it swoope in "ow$ he reco/ni4e the rier, 0he ehic"e was bearin/ own on hi( in a irect "ine, Bane "et his han rop to his "i/htsaber$ reay to unc"ip it at a (o(ent's notice, 0he &orce we""e up within hi($ prepare to throw up a protectie shie" if the f"ier's front%(ounte b"asters shou" open fire, But the f"ier in't attack, !nstea it swoope a few (eters oer his hea$ banke sharp"y$ then ca(e in for a "anin/ besie his own, 7-ou hae no nee of your weapon$7 5oris sai as he is(ounte, 7!'e co(e with an offer,7 Rea"i4in/ there was no i((eiate threat$ Bane "et his han rop back to his sie, 7.n offer9 What cou" you possib"y hae to offer (e97 7+y a""e/iance$7 5oris sai$ roppin/ to one knee, Bane stare own at hi($ his e8pression a (i8ture of horror$ a(use(ent$ an conte(pt, 7Why wou" you /ie your a""e/iance to (e97 he aske, 7.n why shou" ! een want it97 5oris rose s"ow"y to his feet$ a cunnin/ s(i"e on his "ips, 7! a( not b"in$ Lor Bane, ! see you speakin/ with Githany, ! see how you are uner(inin/ Kaan, ! know the rea" reason you hae co(e to Ruusan,7 Perp"e8e$ Bane wonere if it was possib"e that 5oris%the founer of the .cae(y on Korriban$ the (ost arent proponent of a"" that was wron/ with the Sith%ha fina""y seen the truth, 7What e8act"y are you proposin/97 he aske throu/h c"enche teeth, 7! know what happene to Kas'i(, 2e sie with Kaan a/ainst you, 2e pai for that ecision with his "ife, ! a( not so foo"ish, ! know you're here to take oer the Brotherhoo$7 he ec"are, 7! be"iee you wi"" succee, .n ! want to he"p you,7 7-ou want to he"p (e take oer the Brotherhoo97 Bane "au/he3 5oris was as b"in an (is/uie as the rest of the(, 7Rep"ace one "eaer with another$ an you an the rest of the Brotherhoo continue on as before9 0hat's your bri""iant p"an97
7! can proe 6uite usefu" to you$ Lor Bane 5oris insiste, 7+any of the Brotherhoo are for(er stuents of (y .cae(y, 0hey sti"" "ook to (e for wiso( an /uiance,7 7.n therein "ies the prob"e(,7 Bane "ashe out with the ark sie$ sei4in/ 5oris in an i((obi"i4in/$ crushin/ /rip, 2is opponent trie to protect hi(se"f$ throwin/ up a fie" to ef"ect the inco(in/ assau"t$ but Bane's attack tore throu/h the pitifu" efense$ wipin/ it away as if it han't een been there, 0here was a stran/"e cry of pain fro( 5oris as the &orce ti/htene aroun hi( an "ifte hi( up fro( the /roun, 7-our wiso( has estroye our orer$7 Bane e8p"aine casua""y$ watchin/ as 5oris stru//"e he"p"ess"y aboe hi(, 7-ou hae po""ute the (ins of your fo""owers3 you an Kaan hae "e the( own the path of ruin,7 7!%! on't unerstan$7 5oris /aspe$ bare"y ab"e to speak as the breath was s6uee4e ine8orab"y fro( his "un/s, 70hat has a"ways been the prob"e($7 Bane rep"ie, 70he Brotherhoo (ust be pur/e, 0he Sith (ust be estroye an rebui"t, -ou$ Kaan$ an a"" the others (ust be wipe fro( the face of the /a"a8y, 0hat is why ! hae returne,7 Dawnin/ horror sprea across 5oris's "on/$ rawn features, 7P"ease he /roane$ 7not ,,, "ike this, Re"ease (e, Let (e ,,, raw (y "i/htsaber, Let us fi/ht ,,, "ike Sith,7 Bane ti"te his hea to the sie, 7Sure"y you know ! cou" ki"" you :ust as easi"y with (y "i/htsaber as ! cou" with the &orce,7 7! , , , know,7 5oris's skin was turnin/ re$ an his boy was tre(b"in/ as the pressure (ounte, ach wor he spoke took tre(enous effort$ yet so(ehow the yin/ (an foun the stren/th to (ake his fina" p"ea, 7+ore ,,, honor ,,, in ,,, eath ,,, by ,,, co(bat9' Bane /ae an inifferent shru/, 72onor is for the "iin/, Dea is ea,7 . fina" push with his (in ti/htene the inisib"e ise, 5oris "et out a fina" screa($ but with no air in his "un/s it ca(e out on"y as a ratt"in/ /asp that was "ost beneath the snappin/ an crack"in/ of his bones, 2a Bane sti"" been capab"e of such e(otions he (i/ht actua""y hae pitie the (an, .s it was$ he si(p"y "et the corpse fa"" to the /roun then wanere into Kaan's tent an the co((unications e6uip(ent insie, !t was ti(e to enact the secon phase of his p"an, On the eck of ;i/htfa""$ /reat f"a/ship of the Sith f"eet$ actin/ co((aner .(ira" .rianna ;yras respone to the hai"in/ fre6uency co(in/ fro( the priate co("ink on her wrist, 70his is .(ira" ;yras$7 she sai into it, 7! await your orers$ Lor Kaan,7 7Lor Kaan is not here$7 an unfa(i"iar oice rep"ie, 70his is Lor Bane,7 She hesitate for on"y a secon before answerin/, Kaan rare"y "et anyone e"se use his persona" transceier$ but on occasion it i happen, .n with the security encryption on the e6uip(ent$ it
was irtua""y i(possib"e for anyone e"se to tap into the fre6uency, 0he (essa/e ha to be co(in/ fro( the Sith ca(p$ which (eant she rea""y was speakin/ to one of the Dark Lors, 7&or/ie (e$ Lor Bane$7 she apo"o/i4e, 7What are your orers97 7Status report,7 7Unchan/e$7 she rep"ie$ her oice sharp with (i"itary precision an efficiency, 70he b"ockae is intact, 0he )ei f"eet sti"" hoers :ust beyon our ran/e,7 7n/a/e,7 7Paron97 she aske$ so surprise that she (o(entari"y for/ot who( she was speakin/ to, 7-ou hear (e$ .(ira"$7 the oice on the other en snappe, 7n/a/e the )ei f"eet,7 0he orer (ae no sense, 0he "ast ti(e Kaan ha spoken to her$ he ha orere her to ho" their position at a"" costs, .s "on/ as they (aintaine "ocation in orbit$ their b"ockae was irtua""y i(penetrab"e, !f they broke for(ation an attacke the )ei f"eet$ howeer$ they wou"n't be ab"e to stop rop ships fro( "anin/ reinforce(ents on the surface, Sti""$ she ha been /ien stran/e orers before urin/ her serice with the Sith, 0here were ru(ors that Kaan ha so(e (ystic power$ so(e way to inf"uence the outco(e of a batt"e throu/h the power of the &orce that cou" (ake traitiona" strate/ies fa"" by the waysie, .n if a Dark Lor was /iin/ her a irect orer$ usin/ the persona" co((unications e6uip(ent in Lor Kaan's tent$ she wasn't about to run the risk of refusin/ to obey, 7.s you co((an$ Lor Bane$7 she answere, 7We wi"" en/a/e the )ei,7 0he fire roe Genera" 2oth an his ar(y fro( the she"terin/ confines of the forest, Leain/ (ost of their supp"ies an e6uip(ent behin$ his troops ran throu/h the trees$ a (a scra(b"e to escape the searin/ heat an f"a(es, 0hose who stu(b"e or fe"" were instant"y swa""owe up by the conf"a/ration, So(ehow (ost (ana/e to stay ahea of the ea"y fires$ eentua""y burstin/ out of the woos an into the rocky p"ains where so (any batt"es ha a"reay been fou/ht, 0he Sith were there waitin/ for the(, 0he first wae of 2oth's fo""owers to e(er/e fro( the forest were (owe own by b"asterfire, 0hose :ust behin were ab"e to raw their "i/htsabers an ef"ect (any of the ea"y bo"ts as they race out onto the p"ains$ on"y to be swa""owe up by the thron/s of Sith so"iers rushin/ forwar to en/a/e the(, 0hou/h outnu(bere$ the )ei (ore than he" their own, 0hey roe the Sith ranks back$ breakin/ their "ines an throwin/ the( into chaos an isarray, But 2oth knew that the rea" trap ha yet to be sprun/, 2ewin/ own any foe foo"ish enou/h to co(e in ran/e of his "i/ht%saber$ the /enera" cou" sense these were not the true Sith, 0he Dark Lors were not a(on/ the(* these were the face"ess hores$ nothin/ (ore than a istraction, Where are they9 What is Kaan up to9
0he answer ca(e an instant "ater when a batta"ion of f"iers swoope in oer the hori4on$ un"eashin/ a ea"y barra/e across the batt"efie", Guie by the power of the ark sie$ the heay /uns were ea"y in their accuracy$ eci(atin/ 2oth's troops an turnin/ the tie of the batt"e back in faor of the Sith, 2oth ha face i(possib"e os before an triu(phe, -et he knew this batt"e was fate to be his "ast, But ! wi"" (ake a "ast stan worthy of story an son/$ he thou/ht efiant"y$ een thou/h there won't be anyboy "eft to sin/ it, 0he wor" isso"e into the nu(bin/ fo/ of war, Screa(s an the souns of batt"e beca(e a u""$ inistin/uishab"e roar, 0he spray of irt an stone fro( the b"aster bo"ts e8p"oin/ into the /roun showere own on hi( fro( aboe$ (in/"in/ with the sweat an b"oo of both frien an foe, 2e swun/ each b"ow as if it (i/ht be his "ast$ knowin/ that sooner or "ater one of the f"iers wou" "ock in on hi( an swoop own to finish hi( off, Lor Kaan's f"ier care a path back an forth aboe the (i""in/ so"iers on the batt"efie" be"ow$ soarin/ oer the chaos "ike a /ri( bir of prey, &ro( his anta/e point it was c"ear the batt"e was theirs, -et een thou/h they were i"" e6uippe$ outnu(bere$ an ba"y out/unne$ the )ei fou/ht brae"y to the bitter en, 0here was no hint of retreat$ no breakin/ of their ranks, 2e cou"n't he"p but a(ire such coura/e an such eotion to a cause een in the face of certain eath, !f his own troops ha been so steafast in their "oya"ty an purpose$ he wou" hae won this war "on/ a/o, !t wasn't that they "acke iscip"ine* the Sith ar(ies were :ust as we"" traine as those of the )ei or the Repub"ic, 0hey si(p"y "acke coniction, 0oo often their (ora"e ha been he" to/ether on"y by the sheer force of Kaan's wi""$ his batt"e (eitation stren/thenin/ their reso"e wheneer the situation see(e /ri( or esperate, But his batt"e (eitation cou" on"y o so (uch, ./ainst an entire ar(y of )ei on /uar a/ainst the &orce powers of the Sith$ it cou" o "itt"e (ore than insti"" a a/ue sense of unease, . s(a"" aanta/e$ but one easi"y oerco(e, 2ere on the surface of this wretche wor"$ the Brotherhoo of Darkness an its (inions ha been force to fi/ht on their own (erits$ without his interention, .n far too (any ti(es they ha co(e up short, 0here ha been occasions when he' 6uestione the abi"ity of his fo""owers to succee on their own, 0here were instances when he wonere if the Sith troops ha beco(e so re"iant on the enor(ous aanta/e of his batt"e (eitation that they ha for/otten how to fi/ht effectie"y without it, But now$ at "ast$ the u"ti(ate ictory ha been achiee, 0he )ei were (akin/ a "ast$ esperate stan% one /"orious to beho"%yet the outco(e was ineitab"e, 0here was :ust one thin/ "eft for Lor Kaan to o before the fi/htin/ ene, 2e continue to weae back an forth$ firin/ sporaica""y at the ene(y be"ow as he searche for his rea" prey, 0hen at "ast he saw hi(* Genera" 2oth$ stanin/ in the ery center of the fray$ surroune by a bu"wark of a"iant a""ies an a re"ent"ess sea of Sith foes that broke a/ainst the( a/ain an a/ain an a/ain, Lockin/ his f"ier's /uns on his tar/et he swoope in$ intent on takin/ his ria"'s "ife in a spectacu"ar strafin/ run, But a (ere secon before he fire$ a (assie e8p"osion rocke his f"ier$ causin/ it to eer to the "eft, 2is shots care a eep furrow in the /roun seera" (eters to the "eft of the /enera"$ "eain/ hi( (iracu"ous"y unhar(e, 2oth continue fi/htin/ as if he han't een notice$ but Kaan banke his ehic"e aroun sharp"y to
see what ha happene, Before he co(p"ete the turn$ another e8p"osion shook the sky besie hi($ an he saw one of the other f"iers careen out of contro" an crash into the /roun, 2e "ooke up$ rea"i4in/ they were uner attack fro( aboe, . pair of (assie /unships were escenin/ on the batt"e$ their batteries b"astin/ the Sith f"iers fro( the sky one by one, On the unersie of each ship$ the co"ors of )ei +aster a"enthyne &arfa""a were c"ear"y isib"e, !(possib"e= Kaan curse si"ent"y, 0here is no way they cou" hae broken throu/h the b"ockae= ;ot with ships "ike this= -et so(ehow they ha, .nother series of b"asts took out three (ore of the s(a"" f"iers$ an Kaan rea"i4e it was his ar(y that was now suen"y oer(atche, 0he f"iers were 6uicker an (ore (aneuerab"e than the )ei /unships$ but their b"asters wou"n't een (ake a ent in the "ar/er esse"s' heai"y ar(ore hu""s, &or a brief secon he thou/ht he (i/ht be ab"e to ra""y the other Dark Lors, !f they concentrate their attacks$ they (i/ht be ab"e to brin/ the /unships own%thou/h their own "osses wou" be heay, But he is(isse that iea as 6uick"y as it ha co(e, 2e wasn't the on"y one who ha notice the arria" of the )ei reinforce(ents, &ace with oerwhe"(in/ os$ the Dark Lors uner his co((an ha reacte in the on"y (anner they unerstoo* se"f%preseration throu/h f"i/ht, ."reay (ost of the other f"iers ha broken off their strafin/ runs an were e8ecutin/ easie (aneuers$ intent on"y on escapin/ the batt"efie" a"ie, .n with their Lors an +asters f"eein/ the en/a/e(ent$ the hores of Sith so"iers on the /roun wou" be 6uick to fo""ow, !((inent ictory was about to beco(e isastrous efeat, Swearin/ i"e oaths a/ainst both the )ei an his own peop"e$ Lor Kaan knew there was on"y one option "eft, Weain/ an artin/ to aoi a pair of bo"ts intene to b"ow hi( fro( the sky$ he :oine the retreat, Genera" 2oth cou"n't he"p but offer the ra//e hint of a s(i"e espite the ea an woune that "ay scattere across the batt"efie", 0he Sith ha sprun/ their trap$ an so(ehow the .r(y of Li/ht ha surie, 2e reco/ni4e &arfa""a's co"ors on the /unships that were now circ"in/ the fie"$ keepin/ the Sith stra//"ers pinne own uner whateer coer they cou" fin unti" the troops on the /roun cou" surroun the( an e(an their surrener, +ost were 6uick to co(p"y, eryone knew the )ei preferre takin/ prisoners oer ki""in/ their ene(ies$ :ust as eeryone knew the )ei treate their prisoners hu(ane"y, 0he sa(e cou" not be sai for the Sith$ of course, . s(a"" conoy of persona" f"iers was e(er/in/ fro( the /unships$ f"yin/ own to :oin the suriors on the /roun, 0he /enera" reco/ni4e &arfa""a aboar the "ea f"ier$ een as &arfa""a cau/ht si/ht of hi( an ca(e in to "an, 0he youn/er )ei steppe off his f"ier$ not speakin/ but e8tenin/ his han by way of cautious /reetin/, 2e was resse in c"othes as bri/ht an out"anish as eer$ but for so(e reason it in't bother 2oth as it once ha, 2oth steppe oer to hi( an c"aspe hi( in a fir( e(brace$ causin/ &arfa""a to "au/h in surprise, 2oth on"y re"ease hi( fro( the fierce hu/ when &arfa""a be/an to cou/h an sputter, 7Greetin/s$ Lor 2oth$7 &arfa""a sai once he was re"ease$ (akin/ a eep bow an a f"ourish,
Stanin/ up$ he /a4e out across the batt"efie"$ an his e8pression beca(e (ore serious, 7+y on"y re/ret is we cou"n't /et here sooner,7 7!t's a (irac"e you're here at a""$ &arfa""a$7 2oth rep"ie, 7!'( afrai to een ask how you (ana/e to run the b"ockae$ in case this a"" turns out to be nothin/ (ore than the feere rea( of a oo(e an yin/ (an,7 7Rest assure$ Genera"$ ! a( 6uite rea", .s to how we arrie$ that is easy enou/h to e8p"ain* the Sith broke the ranks of their b"ockae to en/a/e our f"eet, With our capita" ships rawin/ the focus of their cruisers an Dreanau/hts$ we were ab"e to sen seera" /unships own to your ai,7 7What about the rest of our f"eet97 2oth aske in concern, 70he Sith ha near"y oub"e the nu(bers of your ships,7 70hey he" their own "on/ enou/h for us to /et throu/h the b"ockae$ then isen/a/e an retreate with surprisin/"y few casua"ties,7 7Goo,7 0he /enera" noe, 0hen he frowne, 7But ! sti"" on't unerstan why they wou" en/a/e your f"eet at a"", !t (akes no sense=7 7! can on"y assu(e that they receie orers to o so fro( so(eone here on the surface,7 7Kaan was on the er/e of wipin/ us out$7 2oth insiste, 70he "ast thin/ he wou" o is /ie the orer to en/a/e,7 Both )ei were si"ent for a (o(ent$ ponerin/ the i(p"ications of what ha happene, &ina""y &arfa""a aske$ 7!s it possib"e we hae an unknown a""y a(on/ the Brotherhoo of Darkness97 2oth shook his hea, 7! oubt it, +ore "ike"y the Sith are fina""y be/innin/ to turn on each other, !t was ineitab"e,7 +aster &arfa""a noe his a/ree(ent, 7!t is the way of the ark sie$ after a"",7 Kaan was fu(in/ as his f"ier touche own back at the Sith ca(p, 2ow cou" eerythin/ hae /one so terrib"y wron/ in such a short ti(e9 0hey ha been on the cusp of ictory$ an now suen"y they were on the knife's e/e of efeat, 2e stor(e across the ca(p towar his tent$ i/norin/ the 6uestionin/ "ooks of Githany an the others, 0hey wante an e8p"anation$ but he in't hae one to /ie, ;ot yet, ;ot unti" he /ot a status report fro( .(ira" ;yras, 2ow i &arfa""a break throu/h the kriffin/ b"ockae9 2is an/er was so /reat that he in't notice 5oris's f"ier parke near his tent$ or the rop"ets of b"oo scattere on the /roun nearby, !f he ha$ he (i/ht hae searche the area an foun the boy stashe in the nearby uner/rowth, But a"" of Kaan's focus was concentrate on reachin/ his tent an the co((unications e6uip(ent insie, 2e foun Bane there waitin/ for hi($ stanin/ sti"" as stone, 7Back so soon$ Kaan97 he aske, 7What happene to your /"orious batt"e97 7Reinforce(ents$7 Kaan snar"e, 7So(ehow &arfa""a foun a way to break throu/h our b"ockae,7
7! to" your f"eet to en/a/e the )ei$7 Bane sai$ his wors as casua" as if he ha been iscussin/ the weather, Kaan's :aw roppe, 2e ha suspecte treachery$ but he wasn't prepare for the traitor to open"y a(it it= 7But ,,, why97 7! wante a"" the )ei here on Ruusan at the sa(e ti(e$7 Bane rep"ie, 7-ou b"aste foo"=7 Kaan shoute$ wain/ his ar(s (a"y as if they were /rippe by uncontro""ab"e spas(s, 7ictory was ours= We ha 2oth beaten=7 70hat is your /oa"$ not (ine, !'( after a pri4e far /reater than the eath of Genera" 2oth, 2e is but one (an,7 Kaan barke out a harsh "au/h, 7We a"" know what pri4e you seek$ Darth Bane, -ou're here to take oer the Brotherhoo,7 Bane shru//e inifferent"y$ as if it in't (atter one way or the other to hi(, 2e see(e so ca"($ so certain of what he was oin/, !t was a"" Kaan cou" o to keep hi(se"f fro( "eapin/ at the "ar/er (an's throat, Din't he unerstan what he ha one9
of persuasion on his sie, 7Do you rea""y be"iee the others wi"" fo""ow you97 he aske$ pushin/ out with the &orce to p"ant the first sees of oubt in his ria"'s (in, 70hey are sti"" wary of you after your "ast ritua",7 . f"icker of uncertainty passe across Bane's har features, Kaan increase the pressure of his inisib"e co(pu"sions an continue to speak, 70he Brotherhoo is about e6ua"ity$ not seritue, .skin/ the others to bow own before you wi"" on"y rie the( away%or turn the( a/ainst you,7 2e rose fro( his chair as Bane nerous"y stroke his chin$ wei/hin/ the ar/u(ents, 72ow o you think the others wi"" react when ! te"" the( how you orchestrate the arria" of the )ei reinforce(ents97 Bane's ark eyes f"ashe an/ri"y$ an his han roppe to the hi"t of his "i/htsaber, 7Ki""in/ (e won't keep your secret$7 Kaan warne hi(, 70he others know you weren't at the batt"e when &arfa""a's ships arrie, +ore than a few of the( probab"y a"reay suspect you of betrayin/ the(,7 Kaan pushe een harer with the &orce$ tryin/ to twist an warp Bane's ery thou/hts, 7-ou (ay be the stron/est a(on/ us$ but you can't efeat us a"", ;ot by yourse"f$ Bane,7 0he bi/ (an sta//ere an c"utche at his hea, 2e stu(b"e oer to the chair an co""apse in it$ the woo /roanin/ uner his (assie fra(e, 2e hunche forwar$ hans pressin/ har on his te(p"es, 7-ou're ri/ht$7 he sai throu/h ti/ht"y c"enche teeth, 7-ou're ri/ht,7 70here's sti"" hope$ thou/h$7 Kaan sai$ steppin/ oer an p"acin/ a reassurin/ han on Bane's broa shou"er, 7&o""ow (e an ! wi"" keep the others fro( turnin/ a/ainst you, )oin us in the Brotherhoo=7 Bane noe s"ow"y$ then turne his hea to stare up at Kaan with a esperate$ hope"ess e8pression in his eyes, 7What about the )ei9 What about their /unships97 Kaan stoo$ s"ow"y re"easin/ his (enta" ho" oer the other (an, 7We can nu""ify their air superiority by retreatin/ into the caes$7 he sai, 7! know Genera" 2oth3 he wi"" fo""ow us, .n there we wi"" un"eash the thou/ht bo(b a/ainst the(,7 Bane "eapt to his feet ea/er"y, Kaan was p"ease to see that his powers of &orce persuasion were as stron/ as eer, en Bane was not i((une to his (anipu"ations, 7! wi"" o as you say$ Lor Kaan=7 he e8c"ai(e, 70o/ether we wi"" estroy the )ei=7 7Peace$ Bane$7 Kaan ur/e$ e8tenin/ tenri"s of soothin/ ca"(, 2e ha nu""ifie the threat to his position that Bane represente$ but he knew the effect was on"y te(porary, !n ti(e Bane's hosti"ity wou" return$ as wou" his rea(s of usurpin/ the (ant"e of "eaership, Kaan neee to fin a (ore per(anent so"ution, 7Unfortunate"y$7 he sai$ 7there are sti"" ,,, co(p"ications,7 7
7! can conince the rest of the Brotherhoo to for/ie your treasonous acts$ but on"y after the )ei are estroye, Unti" then$ you wi"" hae to re(ain hien fro( the others,7 0he confuse an hurt e8pression on Bane's face was pitifu"$ but Kaan was use to e"icitin/ such nake e(otion in those he (anipu"ate, 7! wi"" "ea the Brotherhoo to the caes$7 he e8p"aine, 7! a( stron/ enou/h to :oin their (ins an un"eash the power of the thou/ht bo(b without your he"p, -ou stay here in the tent unti" ni/htfa""$ then sneak out of the ca(p, Stay safe"y out of iew unti" the ee is one,7 7.n once the )ei are estroye you wi"" return for (e97 7-es$7 Kaan pro(ise$ his oice so"e(n, 7Once the )ei are /one$ ! wi"" return for you with the fu"" stren/th of the Brotherhoo=' 0hat (uch$ at "east$ was truth, 2e wou" "eae nothin/ to chance3 he wou"n't uneresti(ate his opponent any(ore, Bane ha a"reay surie one assassination atte(pt, 0his ti(e he wou" un"eash the fu"" nu(bers of his fo""owers a/ainst his foe, 7! wi"" o as you co((an$ Lor Kaan$7 Bane rep"ie$ roppin/ to one knee an bowin/ his hea, Kaan turne an (arche out into the ca(p$ heain/ for his own tent where the pa/es containin/ the ritua" of the thou/ht bo(b were hien away, Bane staye in the position of supp"ication unti" the Dark Lor was we"" out of si/ht$ then stoo up an brushe the irt fro( his knees with a /ri( scow", 2e ha fe"t Kaan's efforts to o(inate his (in$ but they ha ha no (ore effect than a ruste knife scrapin/ a/ainst the hie p"ates of a 2a"urian ice%boar, -et he ha sei4e on the opportunity an e"iere a perfor(ance worthy of the /reatest ra(atist on ."eraan, Kaan was conince the thou/ht bo(b was the key to Sith ictory$ an he was about to ensnare the rest of the Brotherhoo in his web of (aness, 0he secon phase of Bane's p"an was set in (otion, By ni/htfa"" the ne8t ay it wou" a"" be oer, On the peri(eters of the )ei ca(p$ patro"s circ"e en"ess"y throu/hout the ni/ht$ eer i/i"ant an watchfu", !t wasn't :ust attacks fro( the Sith they stoo /uar a/ainst$ but a"so the inasions of the f"oatin/$ fur%coere bouncers, 0he preious"y peacefu" an oci"e natie creatures of Ruusan ha been rien (a by the catac"ys( that ha swept throu/h the forest, Before$ they ha been a fa(i"iar an we"co(e si/ht* /atherin/ in /roups oer the sick an woune to pro:ect i(a/es of co(fort an hea"in/, ;ow they e(er/e fro( the ni/ht's /"oo( in terrib"e packs$ inf"ictin/ twiste ni/ht(ares that brou/ht sufferin/$ terror$ an panic to a"" in the icinity, 0here was nothin/ the patro"s cou" o but shoot the tor(ente creatures on si/ht$ before they sprea their (aness a(on/ the )ei, . /ri( task$ but necessary%as so (any other thin/s here on Ruusan ha been, &ortunate"y$ the patro"s ha (ana/e to keep the bouncers at bay$ an the (oo within the confines of the )ei ca(p itse"f was one of cautious opti(is(, .fter the hope"ess espair of the past (onths their subue enthusias( a"(ost fe"t "ike :ubi"ant ree"ry to Genera" 2oth, 0hey were no "on/er the hunte$ cowerin/ in the epths of the forest$ suriin/ on"y as "on/ as they re(aine hien, 0he )ei ha /aine the upper han* their new ca(p ha been set up on the open p"ains a"on/ the e/es of the ery batt"efie" where the war ha turne, .n now it was the Sith
who ha /one into hiin/, 0he /enera"$ thou/h sti"" e8hauste by the esperate escape fro( the f"a(es an the fi/htin/ that fo""owe$ refuse to s"eep, 0here were too (any etai"s to see to$ too (any thin/s that neee his attention, !n aition to or/ani4in/ the patro"s to protect a/ainst the bouncers$ he a"so ha to oersee the istribution of fresh supp"ies, &arfa""a's ships ha e"iere esperate"y neee foo$ (epacs$ an fresh power ce""s for b"asters an persona" shie"s, With (ost of their other stores "ost to the unnatura" wi"fire that ha eastate the forests$ the /enera" wante to (ake sure a"" his troops were proper"y ree6uippe an tene to before he /rante hi(se"f the "u8ury of rest, 2e woe his way throu/h o4ens of yin/ ca(pfires an scores of snorin/ boies, 0hey were sti"" short on tents for the troops$ but those without were (ore than content to spen the war( ni/hts sp"aye out on the /roun s"eepin/ beneath the open sky, 7Genera"=7 a oice ca""e out$ surprisin/"y "ou in the otherwise sti"" ni/ht, 2oth turne to see &arfa""a runnin/ towar hi($ sure%foote espite the arkness as he "eapt ni(b"y oer the s"u(berin/ so"iers in his way, Pausin/ to "et hi( catch up$ 2oth returne his now custo(ary%yet sti"" e8traa/ant%bow with a courteous no, 7Do you hae news$ +aster &arfa""a97 0he youn/er (an noe e8cite"y, 7Our scouts hae spotte the Sith on the (oe, Kaan is "eain/ the( east$ towar the foothi""s,7 7Probab"y heain/ into the caes an tunne" syste(s$7 2oth /uesse, 70ryin/ to take away our aanta/e in the air,7 &arfa""a s(i"e, 7&ortunate"y$ we'e a"reay one so(e reconnaissance on the area, We know (ost of the (a:or access points to an fro( the surface, Once they /o into the tunne"s we can surroun the e8its, 0hey'"" be trappe=7 72((( ,,,7 2oth stroke his heay bear, 7!t isn't "ike Kaan to (ake such an obious tactica" (istake$7 he (uttere, 72e's up to so(ethin/,7 7! cou" instruct so(e of the scouts to fo""ow the( into the tunne"s an keep an eye on the($7 &arfa""a su//este, 7;o$7 2oth sai fir("y after on"y a (o(ent's consieration, 7Kaan wi"" be watchin/ for spies, ! won't e"ier any of our peop"e into his hans for interro/ation,7 7+aybe we cou" stare the( out$7 &arfa""a offere, 7&orce the( to surrener without any (ore b"ooshe,7 70hat wou" be the best so"ution$7 the /enera" a(itte, 7Unfortunate"y$ ! on't think we can affor that kin of ti(e,7 2e /ae a eep si/h an a weary shake of his hea, 7! on't know why Kaan's heain/ into the caes ,,, ! :ust know we hae to o so(ethin/ to stop hi(,7 Reso"e harene his face, 7Soun the reei""e an asse(b"e the troops, We'"" /o in after hi(,7 7;ot to 6uestion your orers$ Genera"$7 &arfa""a be/an$ as tactfu""y as he cou"$ 7but is it possib"e Kaan is "urin/ you into a trap97
7!'( a"(ost certain of it$7 2oth concee, 7But it's a trap he's /oin/ to sprin/ sooner or "ater anyway, !' rather not /ie hi( ti(e to prepare, !f we're "ucky we can catch hi( before he's reay,7 7.s you co((an$ Genera"$7 &arfa""a sai with another of his /raniose bows, 0hen he ae$ 7-ou$ howeer$ shou" /et so(e s"eep, -ou "ook as pa"e an rawn as one of the Sith yourse"f,7 7! can't s"eep now$ (y frien$7 2oth answere$ p"acin/ a heay han on &arfa""a's e"icate shou"er, 7! was here at the start of this war, ! was the one who "e the .r(y of Li/ht here to Ruusan to face Kaan's Brotherhoo of Darkness, ! (ust see this out to the en,7 7But how (uch "on/er can you /o without s"eep$ Genera"97 7Lon/ enou/h, ! /et the fee"in/ this wi"" a"" be oer by to(orrow's en%one way or another,7
2e ha pro(ise the( ictory$ as he ha one so (any ti(es before, .n$ as they ha a"ways one in the past$ the Brotherhoo ha fo""owe hi( once a/ain, &o""owe hi( here to this cae$ thou/h Githany wasn't sure if it was (ore accurate to say they ha been "e%or "ure, She ha fo""owe hi( a"on/ with eeryone e"se$ co(pe""e by the passion of his wors an the sheer (a/nitue of his persona"ity an presence, ."" thou/hts that he (i/ht be unstab"e or unfit to "ea the( ha been for/otten in the heay pi"/ri(a/e throu/h the ni/ht to the she"ter of this cae, Once they reache their estination$ thou/h$ the e8hi"aratin/ rush ha fae away$ rep"ace by a stark an uneniab"e c"arity, .n she ha fina""y seen the truth reea"e in the i""u(ination of the /"ow ros ref"ecte in the crysta"s of the caern wa""s, Kaan's appearance an /arb weren't unusua"$ apart fro( the ust$ /ri(e$ an b"oo of the recent batt"e, But now Githany cou" see a cra4e "ook in his eyes3 they were wie an wi" an shone with a fierce intensity$ spark"in/ as bri/ht"y as the crysta" shars a"" aroun the(, 0hose eyes brou/ht back (e(ories of the ni/ht she ha surprise Kaan in his tent, 0he ni/ht she ha seen her ision of Bane's return, 2e ha "ooke ishee"e an frantic$ "ost an confuse, &or a brief (o(ent she ha /"i(pse hi( as he tru"y was* a fa"se prophet$ unab"e to see past his own e"usions, .n then the f"ickerin/ ision ha isappeare$ for/otten unti" this instant, ;ow$ howeer$ the (e(ory ca(e f"ooin/ back$ an Githany knew she was fo""owin/ a (a(an, 0he arria" of the )ei reinforce(ents an the shockin/ efeat ha cause so(ethin/ insie hi( to snap, Kaan was "eain/ the( to their oo($ an none of the others cou" sense it, She in't are to speak out a/ainst hi(, ;ot here in this cae$ surroune by his once a/ain fanatica""y "oya" fo""owers, She wante to sneak away$ s"ip 6uiet"y off into the arkness beyon the raiance of the /"ow ros$ an escape this horrib"e fate, But she was cau/ht up by the crush of boies that sur/e forwar at Kaan's co((an, 7Gather in, <"oser, &or( a circ"e3 a rin/ of power,7 She fe"t his han /rab her ti/ht"y by the wrist an pu"" her in so that her boy presse up a/ainst his, en in the chi"" of the cae$ his touch was free4in/, 7Stan besie (e$ Githany$7 he whispere, 7We wi"" share in this (o(ent of e8a"tation,7 Lou"y he shoute$ 7)oin your hans as we (ust :oin our (ins,7 0he fin/ers of his ri/ht han wrappe aroun her "eft$ sei4in/ it in a /rip co" as ice an unyie"in/ as urastee", One of the other Sith Lors took her other han$ an she knew a"" hope of escape was /one, Besie her$ Kaan be/an to chant, Githany was not the on"y one who sense so(ethin/ wron/ with Lor Kaan, Like a"" the others$ Lor Kopec4 ha been swept up in the e8cite(ent of the thou/ht bo(b, 2e ha cheere with a"" the rest when Kaan escribe how it wou" ob"iterate the )ei an i(prison their spirits, .n he ha ea/er"y :oine in the thron/ that ha fo""owe hi( to the cae, ;ow$ howeer$ his 4ea" ha fae, 2e was thinkin/ rationa""y a/ain$ an he rea"i4e the p"an was utter insanity, 0hey were at /roun 4ero of the thou/ht bo(b's etonation, .ny weapon powerfu" enou/h to estroy the )ei wou" estroy the($ too,
Kaan ha pro(ise the( that the stren/th of their co(bine wi"" wou" a""ow the( to surie the b"ast$ but now Kopec4 ha his oubts, 0he pro(ise stank of wishfu" thinkin/ birthe fro( a esperate (in that refuse to a(it efeat, !f Kaan ha ha this thou/ht bo(b a"" a"on/$ why han't he use it before9 0he on"y "o/ica" answer was that he was afrai of the conse6uences, .n thou/h Kaan$ in his (aness$ (ay hae "et /o of that fear$ Kopec4 was sti"" sane enou/h to c"in/ to his, 0he rest of the Sith presse forwar in response to Kaan's co((an$ but Kopec4 fou/ht a/ainst the (o(entu( of the crow an (oe in the opposite irection, ;one of the others see(e to notice, . wa"" of boies surroune Kaan$ b"ockin/ (uch of the "i/ht fro( the /"ow ros, !n the shaows the 0wi'"ek (oe carefu""y towar the caern's (ain e8it$ surprisin/"y si"ent for such a "ar/e bein/, 2e in't turn or "ook back as he entere the tunne" to the surface$ an picke up his pace on"y once he hear the Brotherhoo be/in a s"ow$ rhyth(ic chant, scape was i(possib"e$ of course, By now the )ei wou" a"reay hae the entire tunne" co(p"e8 surroune, Soon they wou" en/a/e the Sith troops out on the surface$ tryin/ to break throu/h their barricae to co(e after Kaan an en the "ast /reat batt"e of Ruusan, Kopec4 in't know if they wou" (ake it in ti(e, Part of hi( actua""y hope they wou", !n the en$ thou/h$ he wante to (ake sure it in't (atter to hi(, 2e' :oin the efeners on the surface in one "ast stan a/ainst the )ei, Death was ineitab"e3 he was wi""in/ to accept that fact, But he a"so knew he' rather ie fro( a "i/htsaber or a b"aster shot than be cau/ht by the thou/ht bo(b's etonation, 0he chant was si(p"e$ an after repeatin/ it on"y once Kaan was :oine by the rest of the Brotherhoo, 0hey recite the unfa(i"iar catechis( in a steay$ constant rhyth(, 0heir oices bounce off the caern wa""s$ the ancient wors (i8in/ an (in/"in/ in counterpoint as they echoe throu/hout the cae, Githany cou" fee" the power be/innin/ to /ather in the center of the rin/$ "ike a fierce whir"poo" spinnin/ faster an faster, She fe"t the pu"" on her conscious thou/hts as they were ra//e own$ her awareness$ her (in$ an een her ientity swa""owe up in the orte8, 0he coo" a(pness of the cae fae$ as i the reerberation of their oices, She cou" no "on/er s(e"" the (i"ew an fun/us /rowin/ in the hien corners$ or fee" the pressure of the hans that /rippe her own, &ina""y$ the shi((erin/ of the ref"ectie crysta"s an the pa"e "i/ht fro( the /"ow ros (e"te away, We are one, 0he oice was Kaan's$ yet it was hers$ as we"", We are the ark sie, 0he ark sie is us, 0hou/h she cou" no "on/er hear the soun of their chantin/ she cou" sense it$ een as her (in s"ippe eeper an eeper into the center, Rea"i4in/ she wou" soon "ose both the abi"ity an the esire to free herse"f fro( Kaan's ritua"$ she trie to fi/ht a/ainst what was happenin/ to her, !t was "ike swi((in/ a/ainst the re"ent"ess unertow of an ocean's heart, She fe"t the wors of their recurrin/ (antra takin/ physica" shape, 0hey wrappe aroun their co""ectie wi""$ trappin/ it$ shapin/ it$ an binin/ it into a rapi"y coa"escin/ for(, &ee" the power of the ark sie, Surrener to it, Surrener to the unifie who"e, Let us beco(e one, &ro( eep within herse"f Githany su((one her "ast reseres of resistance, So(ehow they were
enou/h$ an she was ab"e to wrench her (in free fro( the unho"y conc"ae, She sta//ere back with a /asp$ her sense crashin/ oer her "ike f"oowaters burstin/ throu/h a retainin/ wa"", Si/ht$ soun$ s(e""$ an touch returne a"" at once$ oerwhe"(in/ her frantic (in, 0he "i/ht fro( the /"ow ros ha /rown faint an i($ as if it$ too$ was bein/ swa""owe by the ritua", 0he chant continue$ so "ou now it actua""y hurt her ears, 0he te(perature ha roppe so sharp"y that she was ab"e to see her breath$ an tiny crysta"s of frost ha be/un to for( on the sta"actites an a"on/ the e/es of the tiny pu"es an poo"s, Suen"y she rea"i4e that neither Kaan nor anyone e"se ha a /rip on her hans, 0hey were a"" stanin/ in the rin/$ ar(s raise towar its center$ ob"iious to the wor" aroun the(, .t first it "ooke as if they were /raspin/ at nothin/$ but as her eyes a:uste to the /"oo( she cau/ht si/ht of a stran/e istortion in the air, Githany cou"n't bear to "ook at it for (ore than a (o(ent, 0here was so(ethin/ terrib"e an unnatura" about the waerin/ fabric of rea"ity$ an she turne away in horror, Bane was ri/ht$ she rea"i4e, Kaan has brou/ht us to ruin= 0here was a faint tu/ on her (in, . /ent"e pu"" that was 6uick"y /rowin/ stron/er$ threatenin/ to raw her in with the others, She stu(b"e away fro( the profane cere(ony an its oo(e ce"ebrants$ s6uintin/ to see her way a"on/ the uneen footin/, Bane trie to warn (e$ but ! wou"n't "isten, 2er thou/hts were a chaotic :u(b"e of re/ret$ esperation$ an fear, en as one part of her brain chastise her for her (istake$ another was forcin/ her to back away fro( the abo(ination bein/ birthe by the Brotherhoo, 2er retreat brou/ht her to one of the caern wa""s an she fo""owe a"on/ it$ "ookin/ for a way out, 0he co(pu"sion of the ritua" was /rowin/ stron/er, She cou" fee" it ca""in/ to her$ initin/ her to :oin the others an share their fate, She ha no p"an$ no sense of where she was /oin/, She si(p"y ha to escape$ f"ee$ /et out, Get away fro( here before she was sucke in once a/ain, . s(a"" space opene in the stone* a narrow tunne" entrance :ust wie enou/h for her to sneak throu/h, She s6uee4e her boy into the creice$ the :a//e stone s"icin/ throu/h c"oth an skin, 0he pain was nothin/ to her, 0he physica" wor" was s"ippin/ away a/ain, Desperate"y$ Githany (ana/e to throw herse"f forwar$ crashin/ to the /roun$ then craw"e frantica""y on her hans an knees own the tunne", .way, She ha to /et away, .way fro( the ritua", .way fro( Kaan, .way fro( the thou/ht bo(b before it was too "ate, 0he Sith so"iers /uarin/ the entrance to the subterranean tunne"s were stron/ in nu(ber but weak in spirit, 0hey offere on"y token resistance to &arfa""a an the rest of the )ei aance units who ca(e a/ainst the(, 0he "ast batt"e of Ruusan 6uick"y transfor(e into a (ass surrener$ with the ene(y throwin/ own their weapons an be//in/ for their "ies, &arfa""a wa"ke a(on/ his troops$ sureyin/ the scene, Genera" 2oth was c"ose behin with the bu"k of the ar(y, 2e' be surprise to fin the war a"reay oer when he arrie, 72ow /oes it97 &arfa""a aske one of the unit co((aners,
70he Sith troops hae us outnu(bere three to one$7 the co((aner answere /ruff"y, 7.n they're a"" tryin/ to surrener at the sa(e ti(e, 0his is /oin/ to take awhi"e,7 &arfa""a /ae hi( a hearty "au/h an s"appe hi( on the shou"er, 7We"" sai$7 he a/ree, 7So(eti(es ! think peop"e on"y fo""ow the Sith because they know we wi"" take the( a"ie if they "ose,7 7Don't you are take (e a"ie$ &arfa""a$7 a oice /ur/"e, 0urnin/ his hea sharp"y$ he saw a heayset 0wi'"ek "yin/ woune on the /roun, 0he in:ure 0wi'"ek stru//"e to his feet$ an &arfa""a was surprise to see that he wore the robes of a Sith Lor, 2is face was so coere in b"oo an /ore$ (ost of it his own$ that it took the )ei a (o(ent to reco/ni4e hi(, 7Kopec4$7 he sai at "ast$ re(e(berin/ hi( fro( ays "on/ /one$ back when Kopec4 ha been a )ei, 7-ou are hurt$7 &arfa""a continue$ e8tenin/ his han in an offer of frienship, 7Lay own your weapons an we can he"p you,7 0he 0wi'"ek's (eaty han "ashe out to s"ap hi( away, 7! chose (y sie "on/ a/o$7 he spat, 7Pro(ise (e eath$ )ei$ an ! wi"" /ie you a warnin/, ! wi"" te"" you Kaan's p"an,7 One "ook at the Dark Lor's wouns to" &arfa""a his ene(y in't hae "on/ to "ie in any case, 7What o you know97 Kopec4 cou/he$ chokin/ on the b"oo we""in/ up in his throat, 7Pro(ise (e$ first$7 he whee4e, 7! wi"" /rant you eath$ if that is what you tru"y seek, ! swear it,7 0he 0wi'"ek "au/he$ pink froth bubb"in/ up on his "ips, 7Goo, Death is an o" frien, What Kaan has p"anne is far worse,7 .n he to" &arfa""a about the thou/ht bo(b$ his wors senin/ a chi"" own the )ei +aster's spine, When Kopec4 ha finishe he bowe his hea an took a eep breath to /ather his stren/th$ then actiate his "i/htsaber, 7-ou pro(ise (e eath$7 he sai, 7! wish to fa"" in co(bat, !f you ho" back at a""$ you wi"" be the one who ies here toay, Do you unerstan97 +aster &arfa""a noe /ri("y$ i/nitin/ his own weapon, Lor Kopec4 fou/ht a"iant"y espite his wouns$ thou/h he was no (atch for a fresh an unin:ure )ei +aster, !n the en$ &arfa""a fu"fi""e his pro(ise,
other )ei a"" aroun hi(, .s he sureye the after(ath of the "ast batt"e of Ruusan$ his own face broke into a s(i"e, 0here were on"y a hanfu" of ea$ an fro( their ress it was c"ear that few of the( ha sere in the .r(y of Li/ht, +ost of the ene(y ha been taken prisoner* they were sittin/ ca"("y on the /roun in "ar/e /roups$ surroune by ar(e )ei, -et een thou/h the )ei were keepin/ c"ose watch on their capture foes$ they were "au/hin/ an :okin/ with one another, 2e reache out with the &orce$ an he fe"t wae after wae of re"ief an :oy washin/ out fro( &arfa""a's troops, 0he so"iers uner his co((an were 6uick to fee" it$ too, Seein/ the obious ictory$ they broke ranks an ran cheerin/ an "au/hin/ own to :oin their fe""ows in ce"ebration, 2oth resiste the ur/e to shout out a co((an to re/roup an si(p"y "et the( /o, 0he en"ess war was oer= But as he wa"ke throu/h the (i""in/ thron/s$ acceptin/ the sa"utes an con/ratu"ations of his fo""owers$ he rea"i4e so(ethin/ was wron/, 0he batt"efie" was fu"" of p"aci$ unar(e Sith ,,, but he saw not a sin/"e Dark Lor a(on/ their nu(bers, 0he si/ht of +aster &arfa""a runnin/ at fu"" spee towar hi( fro( the far sie of the fie" i "itt"e to soothe his unease, 7Genera"$7 &arfa""a sai$ s"iin/ to a stop an /aspin/ for breath, 2e snappe off a 6uick sa"ute, 0he "ack of his typica" oer%the%top bow further fue"e 2oth's (ountin/ concern, 7! (ust hae taken "on/er to asse(b"e (y forces than ! thou/ht$7 the /enera" :oke$ hopin/ his is6uiet was si(p"y (isp"ace paranoia, 7!t see(s you'e a"reay won the war,7 &arfa""a shook his hea, 70he war isn't oer, ;ot yet, Kaan an the Brotherhoo%the true Sith%hae taken refu/e in the caes, 0hey're /oin/ to un"eash so(e kin of Sith weapon, So(ethin/ ca""e a thou/ht bo(b,7 . thou/ht bo(b9 2oth ha hear (ention of such a weapon "on/ a/o$ stuyin/ at the feet of his +aster back at the )ei 0e(p"e on
&arfa""a roppe to one knee, 70hen ! wi"" /o by your sie$ Genera", .s wi"" a"" who fo""ow (e,7 Reachin/ out with his stron/$ weathere hans$ Genera" 2oth took &arfa""a by the shou"ers an hau"e hi( to his feet, 7;o$ (y frien$7 he sai with a si/h$ 7you cannot wa"k this :ourney with (e,7 When the other starte to protest he he" up a han for si"ence an continue, 7When Kaan un"eashes his weapon$ a"" within that cae wi"" ie, 0he Sith wi"" be wipe out$ but ! won't "et that happen to our entire orer, 0he /a"a8y wi"" hae nee of )ei to rebui" once this war is oer, -ou an the other +asters (ust "ie so that you (ay /uie the( an efen the Repub"ic as we hae one since its founation,7 0here was no rea" ar/u(ent a/ainst the wiso( of his wors$ an after a (o(ent's e"iberation +aster &arfa""a roppe his hea in (ute acceptance, When he "ooke up a/ain there were tears in his eyes, 7Sure"y you're not /oin/ in a"one97 he proteste, 7! wish ! cou"$7 2oth rep"ie, 7But if ! o the Dark Lors wi"" si(p"y take (e own with their "i/htsabers, 0hat wou" so"e nothin/, Kaan has to see that his on"y choice is to surrener or , ,,7 2e "eft the thou/ht unspoken, 7-ou'"" nee enou/h )ei to conince the Brotherhoo that a physica" batt"e wou" be hope"ess, .t "east a hunre, .ny "ess an he won't etonate the thou/ht bo(b,7 2oth noe, 7;oboy wi"" be orere to /o in with (e, .sk for o"unteers, .n (ake sure they unerstan none of us wi"" eer be co(in/ out,7 Despite the an/er$ irtua""y eery sin/"e (e(ber of the .r(y of Li/ht o"unteere for the (ission, Genera" 2oth rea"i4e that he shou"n't hae been surprise, .fter a""$ these were )ei$ wi""in/ to sacrifice eerythin/%een their "ies%for the /reater /oo, !n the en he i what he knew he wou" hae to o a"" a"on/* he hi(se"f chose who wou" acco(pany hi( to certain eath, 2e se"ecte e8act"y ninety%nine others to /o with hi(, 0he ecision was a/oni4in/"y ifficu"t, !f he took "ess$ the Sith (i/ht be ab"e to fi/ht their way out of the cae an escape$ on"y to etonate their thou/ht bo(b so(ewhere e"se, But the (ore he took$ the (ore )ei "ies he (i/ht be nee"ess"y throwin/ away,
hope they were beyon the ran/e of Kaan's thou/ht bo(b, .s the first rops of rain be/an to fa""$ he rea"i4e he cou" wait no "on/er$ an he /ae the co((an to aance, 0hey (arche in an orer"y fashion into the tunne"$ own into the caerns far beneath the p"anet's surface, 0he first thin/ 2oth notice as they escene was how co" the tunne" 6uick"y beca(e$ as if a"" the heat ha been sucke away, 0he ne8t thin/ he fe"t was the tension in the air, !t actua""y pu"se with ast$ uni(a/inab"e power :ust bare"y he" in check3 the power of the ark sie, 2e in't a""ow hi(se"f to think about what wou" happen when that power was re"ease, 0hey aance s"ow"y$ wary of traps or an a(bush, 0hey foun none, !n fact$ they saw no si/n of the Sith at a"" unti" they reache the "ar/e centra" caern at the heart of the tunne" syste(, Genera" 2oth "e the way$ a /"ow ro in one han an his rawn "i/htsaber in the other, .s he steppe into the caern$ his /"ow ro suen"y f"ickere an went ery i(, en the i""u(ination fro( his "i/htsaber see(e to ie$ beco(in/ the thinnest s"ier of incanescence, .s his eyes /rew accusto(e to the heay shaows he was ab"e to pick out the shapes of the Sith Lors$ stanin/ in a circ"e on the far sie of the cae, 0hey face inwar$ their hans raise to its center, 0hey stoo without (oin/$ their (ouths han/in/ open$ their features s"ack$ their eyes b"ank,
c"ous of ust, 0he ru(b"in/ echo of the b"ast ro""e own eery tunne"$ creice$ an fissure "eain/ out of the caern as the estructie wae of ener/y be/an to sprea, Githany was trappe in the "abyrinth of subterranean passa/es, !n f"eein/ Kaan's ritua" she ha "ost her bearin/s$ an now she wanere ai("ess"y own ki"o(eter after ki"o(eter of natura" tunne"s as she searche in ain for an e8it to the surface, !n the i( "i/ht of her /"ow ro she saw a s(a"" openin/ on her "eft an fo""owe it for (any (eters before it ca(e to a ea en, Shoutin/ out a curse$ she turne an (ae her way back a/ain, She was furious, &urious at Kaan for brin/in/ the Brotherhoo to the brink of estruction, &urious at herse"f for fo""owin/ hi( there, .n furious at Bane, 0here was no oubt in her (in that he ha so(ehow orchestrate a"" this, 2e ha (anipu"ate Kaan an the rest of the Brotherhoo$ riin/ the( towar their own estruction, -et that betraya" wasn't what enra/e her, Bane ha abanone her, 2e' cast her asie with the others$ "eain/ her to ie whi"e he went off to rebui" the Sith, .hea of her the tunne" branche in two irections, She pause$ rawin/ on the &orce to hei/hten her senses in the hope she (i/ht fin so(e hint as to which path to take, .t first there was nothin/, 0hen she cau/ht the faintest whisper of a bree4e co(in/ fro( the tunne" on the "eft, 0he air s(e""e fresh an c"ean* it "e to the surface= .s she race up the passa/e$ her frustration an ra/e fe"" away, She was /oin/ to surie= 0he uneen /roun be/an to s"ope sharp"y upwar$ an she cou" see a hint of natura" "i/ht far in the istance, She reoub"e her efforts$ an her thou/hts turne to how she wou" e8act her reen/e, She wou" hae to be subt"e an cunnin/, She ha uneresti(ate Bane too (any ti(es in the past, 0his ti(e she wou" be patient$ not strikin/ unti" she was certain the (o(ent was ri/ht, 0he first step was to fin hi( an offer to be his apprentice, 0here was no oubt in her (in he wou" accept, 2e neee so(eone to sere hi(3 it was the way of the ark sie, She wou" "earn at his feet$ sub:u/atin/ herse"f to his wi"", !t (i/ht take years$ (aybe ecaes$ but in ti(e he wou" teach her eerythin/ he knew, On"y then$ after a"" his secrets were hers$ wou" she turn on hi(, She wou" beco(e the +aster an take an apprentice of her own, scape was "ess than fifty (eters away when Githany fe"t the first effects of the thou/ht bo(b, !t be/an with a tre(b"in/ in the /roun, 2er initia" instinct was fear of a /roun6uake or cae%in that wou" bury her beneath tons of irt an stones within si/ht of the surface, But when she fe"t the power of the ark sie rushin/ up the passa/e towar her$ she rea"i4e she was about to suffer a far (ore horrib"e fate, 0hose at the epicenter of the b"ast ha been apori4e,
ha been, 0he spirits of the ea were boun for a"" eternity$ foreer fro4en in stasis, +aster a"enthyne &arfa""a$ now the "eaer of what re(aine of the .r(y of Li/ht$ fe"t the sorrow as eep"y as any of the(, But this was not the ti(e for /rief, With Genera" 2oth's passin/$ the buren of co((an was his to bear$ an there were thin/s that sti"" neee to be one, 7
Rain stirre in her s"eep$ yet in't wake, So(eone was ca""in/ to her$ but she in't want to answer, !n her rea(s she cou" i(a/ine she was sti"" back ho(e with her cousins$ en:oyin/ a si(p"e but happy "ife, !f she woke$ she knew she' hae to face the truth* that "ife was /one foreer, Wake$ Rain , , , !t ha anishe the (o(ent that the )ei%+aster 0orr$ his na(e ha been%ha recruite the( to :oin the .r(y of Li/ht, She han't een rea""y wante to :oin, But Bu/ an 0o(cat$ her cousins$ were both /oin/, 0hey were her on"y fa(i"y$ an she in't want to be "eft behin, She was youn/%on"y ten%but she was stron/ in the &orce, .n so +aster 0orr ha "et her co(e$ too, 2e ha to" the( he was takin/ the( to Ruusan$ where they wou" beco(e )ei, On"y that neer happene, 0heir shutt"e ha been attacke as soon as they entere the at(osphere, What occurre ne8t was :ust a b"ur$ but she re(e(bere an e8p"osion an screa(s, One win/ of the ship ha sheare away an suen"y she was fa""in/, 0he s(okin/ wrecka/e of the shutt"e beca(e a speck in the sky aboe her as it spira"e off out of contro" an she fe"" own$ own$ own unti" Rain$ wake= Laa= Laa ha sae her$ an it was Laa who was ca""in/ to her now, S"ow"y she opene her eyes an sat up$ sti"" /ro//y, Rain s"ept "on/, ;ow Rain (ust wake, 7!'( up$ Laa$7 she sai to the bouncer hoerin/ aboe her, Laa ha sae her fro( that fa""$ catchin/ her as she p"u((ete fro( hunres of (eters aboe Ruusan's surface, Ba rea(s$ Rain, 7;o$7 she rep"ie, 7;ot ba rea(s$ Laa, ! rea(e ! was back ho(e,7 Laa neer actua""y spoke to her3 she on"y hear the wors insie her hea, 0hey co((unicate throu/h the power of the &orce$ Laa ha once e8p"aine to her, But wheneer Rain answere$ she a"ways oice the wors a"ou, Ba rea(s co(in/, Rain frowne$ tryin/ to fi/ure out e8act"y what Laa was tryin/ to te"" her, So(eti(es when the bouncers ta"ke about rea(s they actua""y (eant so(ethin/ e"se, So(eti(es it was as if the bouncers ha isions of the future, She re(e(bere what Laa ha sai :ust before the entire forest ha e8p"oe in f"a(es* Ba rea(s$ Rain, Death rea(s, 0he fires ha ki""e (ost of the other bouncers, 0he suriors ha a"" /one (a, ."" e8cept Laa, So(ehow Rain ha sae her, She' use the &orce$ shie"in/ the( both fro( the burnin/ eath an estruction$ thou/h she wasn't 6uite sure how she' one it, !t ha :ust sort of ,, , happene, ;ow she an Laa ha noboy "eft but each other, Ba rea(s co(in/$ the bouncer repeate, . few hours ear"ier she ha fe"t so(ethin/ stran/e* the /roun ru(b"in/ beneath her feet as if so(ethin/ ha e8p"oe far$ far away, Was this what Laa was ta"kin/ about9 Was this the ba rea(9 Or was her frien tryin/ to warn her about so(ethin/ that han't happene yet9
7! on't unerstan$7 she sai$ "ookin/ aroun at the bushes surrounin/ the c"earin/ where she ha "ain own to s"eep, She in't see anythin/ out of the orinary, ;ot yet$ anyway, Goo%bye$ Rain, 0here was an achin/ sorrow in Laa's wors that stabbe throu/h Rain's heart "ike a knife$ but she sti"" in't know what the bouncer was ta"kin/ about, Before she cou" ask$ there was a soun fro( the bushes, She spun aroun to see two (en co(e crashin/ into the c"earin/, She cou" te"" ri/ht away they were )ei* they wore the sa(e brown robes as +aster 0orr$ an she saw "i/htsabers an/"in/ fro( their be"ts, ach one a"so carrie a "ar/e b"aster rif"e, 7Bouncer=7 one shoute, 7Look out=7 0hey reacte so 6uick"y their (otions were nothin/ but a b"ur as they opene fire, By the ti(e the screa( "eft Rain's "ips$ her frien was a"reay ea, She was sti"" screa(in/ when the first )ei ran up to her, 7.re you okay$ "itt"e one97 he aske$ reachin/ own, !nstinctie"y$ she "ashe out at hi(, She in't know how she i it3 it wasn't een a conscious thou/ht, She on"y knew he ha shot her frien, 2e ha ki""e Laa= 7What's the (at%7 2is oice was cut short as she snappe his neck with the &orce, 0he eyes of his co(panion went wie in horror$ but before he cou" o anythin/ e"se she ha broken his neck$ too, On"y then i Rain stop screa(in/, !nstea she be/an to cry$ /reat heain/ sobs that racke her boy as she craw"e oer to press herse"f a/ainst the soft /reen fur of Laa's sti""%war( boy where it ha fa""en to the /roun, Bane foun her there* a youn/ hu(an chi" weepin/ oer the re(ains of one of Ruusan's natie bouncers, 0he corpses of two youn/ )ei "ay nearby$ their heas twiste at obscene an/"es to their boies, !t took hi( on"y an instant to piece to/ether what (ust hae happene, 0he /ir" "ooke up at hi( as he approache$ her eyes puffy an re, 2e /uesse she was nine$ (aybe ten at the (ost, 2e cou" fee" the power of the &orce burnin/ in her$ fue"e by /rief an ra/e an hatre, en if he han't sense it$ the broken )ei at her feet /ae (ute testa(ent to her abi"ities, 2e in't speak$ but stoo si"ent"y, 0he /ir"'s sobbin/ stoppe, She sniff"e an wipe her nose with the back of her han, 0hen she rose to her feet an took a tentatie step towar hi(, 7Who are you97 he e(ane$ his oice eep an threatenin/, She in't retreat or f"ee$ thou/h her rep"y was hesitant, 7+y na(e is Rain ,,, ! (ean Hannah, +y cousins use to ca"" (e Rain$ but they're ea now, Hannah's (y rea" na(e,7 Bane noe$ unerstanin/ co(p"ete"y, Rain* a nickna(e$ a na(e of chi"hoo an innocence, .n innocence now "ost, 7Do you know who ! a(97 he aske,
