Reflections of a Dark Lord [Day 0 - Terror Star]

[Jo'ren Rath]

Because the Yavin system was not conveniently placed near a hyperspace lane the jump from Yavin IV meant several days of solitude for Jo'ren Rath. He would spend them wisely. There were many secrets to be learned, and his training was not a thing that could be put on hold.

As usual his day began with a punishing workout that would have left lesser beings feeling crippled for hours. The handles be had installed in the roof enabled some truly ridiculous strength training exercises. Then some training with his saber. The inevitable two breakfasts were set out by 2V... There was something a bit odd about that droid since he had rescued it from the Academy, perhaps it was the freedom? Maybe it had secretly enjoyed the random beatings from irate acolytes? Anyway, Jo'ren always found he could eat, and the c meals were tasty enough.

Eventually he shooed the droid away and mentally prepared himself for what was often the best part of the day. Removing the Holocron from its mount he placed it in the centre of the floor and reached out with the force, tugging at the activation command with the dark side, and awaiting the arrival of the gatekeeper.

[Dapper Dog]

Darth Malak.jpg (28.42 KiB) Viewed 6260 times

The gatekeeper appears and the visage is stern and brooding. He folds his arms across his chest and the room seems to grow colder, darker. Shadows loom larger and a slight taste of blood tickles the tongue. The visage of Darth Malak glares in silence waiting for the young Sith to speak.

[Jo'ren Rath]

A respectful bow of the head was offered to the legendary Sith Lord. "My Lord. I have begun the training you recommended when we last spoke. It proceeds well."

He took a moment to admire the sheer presence of the man, despite that he was so long dead. It was not the same as his meeting with Exar Kun, but it was impressive nonetheless.

"We will soon be arriving in the Y'toub system. Many years have passed since you were last there my Lord, but it occurs to me that you may have knowledge of things that have managed to remain hidden."

[Dapper Dog]

“Nar Shaddaa,” Malak says grimly.

“I spent time here with my Master… there were things he kept from me, things I had to learn on my own. Now you think you are worthy of secrets I earned? We shall see if your boldness is stupidity or courage.”

He shifts his arms behind him and straightens looking at Jo’ren. He says, through his modulated voice piece, “Why should I part with my knowledge?”

[Jo'ren Rath]

A fair question. "Because you value courage and boldness, my Lord. They are traits for which you are still admired after 300 years. Traits we share."

The sith took a few steps towards the image of Malak, admiring the sheer strength of will that could be felt even in this pale reflection of the man.

"You are dead, yet through me your​ knowledge, your will, can still change the fate of the galaxy." His hands had clenched into fists. "The force led me to you. I found you in the wreckage of a Jedi master's ship. I repaired you. You have a voice in the galaxy again because of me, my will."

He stood taller, proud.

"When I succeed, you succeed."

[Dapper Dog]

Darth Malak is quiet for a long moment and then says, “The Smuggler’s Moon was not my most favorite location but if you wish for us both to succeed then I would reveal that Darth Revan left a secret here for us to return to one day. Early in our crusade, left with caretakers that may have since long died.”

“The Hutts, wretched creatures that they are do have a redeeming quality of long life. Revan left a map with Nem’ro the Hutt, though he does not know it, an ancient vase.”

The holocron image creates an image of the vase, and it adds, “Unfortunately, what you need is inside. Not even I know Revan hid inside this relic.”

[Jo'ren Rath]

"A map..." Jo'ren nodded as he pondered what it could possibly lead to. Then again, if Malak did not know then he had little chance of getting from this small piece of information. He committed the vase to memory.

"Thank you my Lord. This is most intriguing." Moving to the table he activated the computer and called up some information. "It says here that Nemro the Hutt has a palace on Nal Hutta beside the Jigunna space port. I shall begin there."

He returned to stand before the image of Malak. "Since Hutts live so long perhaps they do not change so much. Can you recall anything of this creature that might prove a useful bargaining chip? Aside from its natural greed and pride of course. I will make my own investigations of course, but perhaps it has a weakness you recall that I might exploit?"

[Dapper Dog]

"I recall something of a feud with a rival hutt on Nal Hutta, could be something worth exploiting if this hutt also lives," Malak replies after a moment of thought.

[Jo'ren Rath]

Jo'ren nodded, pleased by this turn of events.

"Excellent, that gives me a useful starting point." A map to lost secrets...it was enticing. He was careful not to get too distracted by the thoughts of what they might be. First he had to deal with a Hutt. "When I arrive in the Y'toub system I will begin to unravel this mystery."

There seemed little point pursuing that fragment any further, it was up to him to take them to the next piece of the puzzle. So he switched topics.

"My Lord, we have not spoken of this: do you have any memory of a Jedi attempting to speak with you? Or indeed, any memories of those who have spoken with you before me?"

[Dapper Dog]

"It has been centuries I have passed through a few hands, why?" he asks sternly.

[Jo'ren Rath]

"I'm simply curious as to how you ended up on the Falcon-3 with a dead Jedi Master. Perhaps it was the force's way of guiding you to a place where I could find you." He shrugged.

[Dapper Dog]

"I do not know, I never gave much credence to luck or fate. Things simply happen. The Force allows for greater probability of some actions to occur but it is all simply random chance. I do not bend to the will of some unseen strand of fate," Malak scoffs.

[Jo'ren Rath]

"In general I agree with you my Lord. I have made my own luck, forged my own path. Things happen, and we take advantage, or miss the opportunity. But in this case things happened for... Reasons."

A slight smile rose in one corner of his mouth, but did not last long. The joke would be lost on Malak.

"Anyway, the excuse of peace talks between the Empire and the Republic offers me the chance to follow this lead you have presented. I have not dealt with Hutts before but I understand they are wily creatures."

[Dapper Dog]

"Sith have much to learn about deception when it comes to the Hutts. Believe nothing they say, even if it is true," he says.

[Jo'ren Rath]

"I see... I will keep that in mind my Lord. Hopefully I can minimise my dealings with them. But this is their world." He shrugged. "Anyway, I have a mission now. I look forward to showing you what Darth Revan hid all those years ago."

[Dapper Dog]

"Then crush those that defy you and find victory," Malak says before the holocron goes inert.

[Jo'ren Rath]

A wicked smile crossed his face once the image had disappeared. "Yes, my Lord." This was going to be quite the trip.

Raising his voice he called out: "Hey too-vee, call up anything we've got on Nemro the Hutt." Turning back towards the desk he replaced the Holocron and steepled his fingers.

The secrets that Darth Revan had left behind would soon be his. He was starting to think that maybe these peace talks might serve a purpose after all...

[Dapper Dog]

2V says, "Of course master."

The droid puts down a plate of light vegetable snacks, "I calculate that this should complete your daily regimen of vitamins, my lord."

Then the droid goes off to his duties

/scene