The Old Sith Trials

IC: D-3PO, Darth Feros, Reaper, Darth Kain 
En Route to Corbos

The droid seemed to avoid answering Corvar’s inquiry into any word from Kubjo, instead asking if he was hungry. It was an effective technique, reminding Corvar that he had not eaten for nearly twelve hours. But as the desolate planet of Corbos entered the viewport, both 3PO and he agreed that there was no time for a three-course meal.
“I'll grab a couple of nutrition bars from storage and snack a bit before we head down, don't you worry,” Corvar said with a confident grin. The last thing he needed was the droid chiding him over comms about his eating habits.
It wasn't long after that Feros entered the cockpit as well, having heard the protocol droid's message over the freighter's intercom.
“Seems we've arrived my friends,” Feros had said, looking at Corvar. "Corvar, you look as though you've been awake for weeks. Are you well?” he asked.
In the span of a thought’s breadth, Corvar could see Feros studying him, his Hapan eyes almost… worried? He must have been wondering what they were heading to Corbos for. After all, Corvar himself was not thrilled with the notion of traipsing around abandoned mines, looking for a sword that may or may not be there. But it seemed the better option, over trying to infiltrate a Jedi Temple.

It was then that he felt a warmth spread over his body, the threads of his mind vibrating like the web of a spider upon a fly landing so foolishly upon it. A voice echoed in his mind, one that he recognized from before.
You won't find what you want here. The Darkness you seek is on the other end of the galaxy.
Doubt began to swell within Corvar, the Miraluka’s message only deepening those doubts. Though he did have to wonder how she would know where the sword is, or that they were even looking for something in the first place. Then he realized the answer to the latter, silently cursing that it should be obvious that she could look into his thoughts if she could speak through them.
He elected not to speak back to her through their link, instead planning on doing so in person. With only minutes before landfall, they would have to get her out of that bacta tank and get her acclimatized.
Corvar stood from his seat and turned to Feros, his confident smile quickly fading to a firm visage of duty. “Just making the most out of my free time,” Corvar spoke, answering Feros’s original query of if he was well. “I thought of a plan to deal with our stowaways, though I'm not sure if you'll like it.”
Saying nothing else, Corvar ushered Feros to follow him, leading the Sith toward the ship’s medbay.

Feros followed Corvar down the dull gray hallways. The man seemed, different somehow. Sort of, off. He looked sullen, sunken in. Obviously malnourished and fatigued. But why? It had only been a couple of hours in hyperspace.
Feros decided to keep his pondering quiet. For now.
"So what's this plan? And while we're on the subject, why Corbos? There's power here obviously. But nothing like the power I've felt elsewhere."
Time to plant the seeds of doubt and let them grow.
"You know there are higher callings for a man like you than working for some overgrown worm? There's so much more power to be had Corvar. You're wasting your potential."
Feros would gauge his response to that before he kept going.

Corvar grinned once again, though this time it was due to his amusement by the Sith's questions. "My reasons for working with Kubjo go beyond the reasons of anyone else's on-board," he said, talking about Reaper whom was simply roped in by his role in helping destroy Kubjo's spider droid. "And those reasons align with your people more than you realize." He could not tell Feros what he explicitly meant. Not here. Not with Kubjo's protocol droid and Reaper so close. Perhaps if they reached a point where they could not be monitored, Corvar would let Feros in on his little secret. But until then, Feros would be kept in the dark just like the rest.
"As for your first two questions, well, let's start with the plan. I gave Reaper's new toy a sedative that'll keep her in a low-level coma anywhere from eight to twenty-four hours. Don't need her breaking free and stealing our only ticket off of this world. The Miraluka is going to be coming with us, too, since she's displayed the ability to mentally connect with both myself and the Twi'lek. If she stays here, I don't doubt that she'd force the Twi'lek awake and then work together to take the ship.
"And as for the second one, we're picking something up for Kubjo. He's a collector, as most beings in his position are. If we find what we're looking for, it'll help pay off Reaper's debt to him, and it'll help me further get into his good graces."
They then found themselves in the medbay, the cold grays of the hallway replaced with nigh-white walls and flooring, with the centerpiece of the room being the bacta tank that housed the Miraluka, whom was mostly nude, save for medical wraps around her chest and groin.

Feros squinted as they entered the med bay. The lights were a harsh change. Where the gray absorbed the light, the shining white here seemed to beam it back at him.
The Sith replied, "Alright. What exactly are we picking up then? I need to know the plan full tilt. It's my life and my mission on the line here, too. And I assure you if I fail mine, Kubjo wouldn't be able to have a shimmer stim nightmare bad enough to describe what my Master will do to all of us."
Feros noted that Corvar avoided the question. But he felt the small ripple in the Force when he mentioned it. It felt, knowing almost. Could Corvar have some knowledge of the Empire? Some insight into such a well-kept secret? It was possible. But highly unlikely. And if he did, Feros wanted to know how. And so would Maladi.

Corvar answered the first question quickly, “It's a sword. Ancient. Used by some ancient Jedi.” He paused for a moment. “Can't remember the name,” he lied.

Feros looked up at the Miraluka floating in the bacta, snapping him from his thoughts. She looked so serene for one who had come so close to death.
"Is she well enough to come with us? I don't want her slowing us down,” he asked.

Corvar then approached the bacta tank, taking a look into the Miraluka's hollow eye sockets before hovering his hand above the command console to release her. “The computer says she's stable physically. Mentally, well, we'll see.” He spoke the last two words with a nod, silently telling Feros to be ready for an attack in case she was frightened.

Feros instinctively threw up a Force Defense as Corvar pressed the button. He'd seen what the girl could do.
Now there was another issue to attend to quickly, lest the girl attack.
"You're lying,” he accused. “I'm attuned to the Force just like you, Corvar, and I'd venture I've had a bit more formal training in it. I want to know whose sword it is when we have the chance."

Corvar sighed, but there was no time to explain his lie. As long as Feros did not know who the sword belonged to yet, that was all that mattered. With two taps onto the bright screen, the bacta tank whirred to life. The gurgling sound of bacta being withdrawn from the tank filled the room, accompanied by the sight of said bacta lowering from atop the Miraluka’s head and eventually leaving her completely. She gently lowered to the floor of the tank before the transparisteel slid away.
With the Force, Corvar removed the breathing mask from the girl as well as the electrodes that monitored her heart rate. With nothing left to keep her attached to the tank, the Miraluka fell forward, nearly hitting the floor had Corvar not caught her.

The Miraluka made no effort to catch herself or slow her fall as she descended clumsily into Corvar’s arms. She was deceptively heavy for her size, and Corvar would be able to feel tightly corded muscle rippling beneath her smooth skin. Not only was she unnaturally strong in the Force, it seemed she had the physical training to rival a Mandalorian Supercommando. As Corvar caught her, the sockets that should have held eyes slowly opened, as if she were gazing up at his face. Her lips parted and she mumbled softly, “Cold.. it's very cold here.” Her head lolled to the side and her gaze appeared to center itself on Feros. “Cold and dead.” Feros would be able to feel her Sight penetrating him. There was a fire building in the girl. A surge of power welled up, ready to burst forth and tear the ship asunder. Just as quickly, her face shifted to look back up to Corvar and she giggled playfully.

Feros felt her gaze cutting through him. If you could call it a gaze without eyes. But that's certainly how it felt. It was not really frightening as much as it was unsettling.
"Well, you aren't talking about the planet itself. It's a desert. So what exactly does that mean?"
He doubted he'd get a real answer. The girl seemed a bit off as it was. Her recent trauma couldn't have done anything to help that situation. And she could have been talking about Corbos for all Feros knew. He didn't know much about the planet itself. Only that it had been the site of some great battle eons ago.
"Corvar, do you have any clue what it is she's talking about? I'm at a loss. I can feel the Force swirling around this place. It's ominous. But I can't see why. If you know something, now would be a pretty prudent time to tell me."

Corvar called a nearby blanket to him as Feros spoke, helping the girl to her feet and wrapping it around her shoulders. “Cold and dead could mean anything, Feros. She may be feeling the spirits of those who've died on Corbos. Maybe she's talking about your heart. Best to give her a minute.”

The girl graciously accepted the blanket offered to her and swaddled herself tightly in it. As she pressed herself closer to Corvar, her mumbling became even quieter. "The human body can be drained of blood in 8.6 seconds given adequate vacuuming systems." She shivered slightly, confirming that she herself was cold after leaving the warmth of the bacta tank.

The more she spoke, the more Corvar realized what she was. She may have seemed insane, and with all that had happened to her, it wasn't unlikely. But her lack of social graces, her raw power in the Force, her knowledge of such trivial information… could she be a savant?
“It'll be warmer once we leave the ship and get onto the surface,” Corvar assured her. “In the meantime, your belongings and clothes are in that locker over there.” His hand rose and pointed towards said locker, which was attached to the opposing wall and matched the metallic chik of the rest of the room.

Feros watched as Corvar cared for the girl. He had some sort of attachment here. That was obvious. But why? They'd only just picked the girl up.

Corvar continued, “Feros and I will leave you to get dressed. In the meantime, we have to find our other associate.” Corvar nodded to the Sith, silently asking him to follow once more as he left to find Reaper.

"She's off, but she's strong. That much is obvious." Feros said to Corvar as the two left the room for her to get dressed. "I'm not sure it's a good idea to leave her alone. Suppose we'll have to find out. Now about this sword. Whose was it?"
Feros could tell Corvar knew. And half of him was very focused on that fact. The other half couldn't shake this feeling that Maladi had sent him to bring the Miraluka specifically. Someone that powerful could be useful for a number of reasons. A focus point. A vessel. She would probably make a fine vessel, to be honest. Though Feros wouldn't fathom to guess for who.
"I know you know who owned it. May as well tell me."

“And how can I know for sure that once we find this sword, you won't attempt to steal it for your master?” Corvar demanded.

"Because my mission isn't to bring her a sword. My master doesn't care much for ancient trinkets. She and I both serve a higher purpose than that,” Feros shot back. "I don't care about your sword. I want to know what we're going to have to face to get it."

“Then I have your word, for whatever it's worth,” Corvar said, implying that he would hold Feros to it. He then sighed, “Kubjo said that it once belonged to a Jedi named Jen-Sin Caal.”

"Never heard of him,” spoke Feros. “But thank you for your honesty. Now I'll return the favor." Feros said as he looked around to be sure they were alone. He may as well show the tip of the iceberg. Not everything. But a bit.
"My master is very interested in the two of you,” referencing both Corvar and Reaper. “She's actually asked to meet both of you once we're done here." Feros knew she hadn't said so much as that, but she'd all but said so. And Feros wasn't just concerned with her. He was concerned for the Empire. If he could get them there, show them its splendor and power, he had no doubt they'd agree.
"I'm telling you this because I know you're the more level-headed of the two. When we're done here, I want you to come with me. I won't say where yet. And nothing in front of D-3PO. I don't trust him." Feros had said all of this in a low whisper close to Corvar to avoid any stray listening devices hearing. He wouldn't talk if confronted, but he'd rather avoid it if he could.

“I assumed as much,” Corvar chuckled. “Wouldn't be the first time I've met with a representative for the Empire.” Leaving it at that, Corvar decided that the first place to look for Reaper would be where K’win was kept. It was a short trek there, their conversation making it seem even shorter, and upon the durasteel door sliding away, it became quickly apparent that Corvar was right in his feeling. Standing above the unconscious Twi'lek was Reaper, who appeared to be confused as to how she was still asleep.

Reaper looked up from the Twi'lek and spotted Corvar in the doorway. He was frowning slightly, his mask and silken wrap removed, placed on a table nearby. He waved the two in and over. "Come in, come in,” he said. “I'm wondering how she's still asleep. Although I personally wouldn't have minded a bit more sleep, surely she can't be that tired!?” He seemed distraught over the lack of torturing he was allowed to try before their landing. “Oh well. I suppose you came here because we're arriving to Corbos soon, yes? Any information on it, friend?" he said reaching for his silken wrap and beginning to wrap it around his face.

Lying, though veiling it in a half-truth to conceal the fact, Corvar answered, “I'm not sure what kept her asleep on the ride, but I did just give her a sedative a couple of minutes ago, so she won't wake up while we're gone and attempt to steal the ship.” Corvar then entered the room, followed by Feros, the former’s eyes glancing at Reaper’s face and memorizing the details. It seemed like good information to have, what with Reaper normally being so sensitive about it. “As for Corbos, I know about as much as either of you do. Abandoned mining world, though abandoned for a reason, no doubt. Whatever caused everyone in the galaxy to decide that this world wasn't worth the trouble is enough reason for us to be wary. That and the fact that I hate being underground is probably going to keep me on edge the entire trip, fair warning.”

Feros walked in behind Corvar and listened to the two men talk.
I know about as much as either of you do. That got Feros's attention.
"Well, I can shed some small amount of light on the subject,” Feros began. “Corbos was, eons ago, the site of a great battle when the original Sith Lords reigned. I don't really know details, but there was great loss of life. And about a hundred or so years ago, there was some sort of disturbance here. Though I don't remeber what it was.” He then turned to Corvar and spoke to him directly. “And I understand the underground thing, Corvar. I'm Hapan. We don't see in the dark well. Luckily, I left when I was young and I've adapted. But my night vision is still not exactly Cathar-worthy. Plenty of glow rods and fuel cells should do the trick. I'd assume there's been some tectonic shifting, so I doubt any maps of the tunnels will help. I just hope this blasted sword is there. That way we can get it to Kubjo and be done with the Hutt slime. There are far greater things happening in the galaxy, and the Force tells me one day we will all have a part to play. Though what, I couldn't venture to guess."

After putting on the silk wrappings, Reaper put his face mask on and then locked it tightly, a mechanic hiss signalling that it was closed. He then looked at Corvar and nodded.
"That's best, her remaining locked up while we're gone as well as being sedated.
“As for the war, I'm guessing your master told you about it,” Reaper said to Feros. “There's bound to be a pull to the dark side on this planet due to it. Many Jedi must've been turned and many Sith must've died here. As for the tectonic movements and the map, it may not be useless after all. If we take all the maps of past excavations we can still use them. They just will be incomplete. But there might be one that opens up into an underground tomb which may lead to the sword."
He felt ignoring the past knowledge simply because it was slightly changed might be the bad choice in this case.
"As for the night, don't worry. It's simply a cave. There are worse things in life after all. There are creatures that digest you after eating you slowly and whole. There's some that are blind like that Miraluka and use their senses to find Force-users. As for what part in the galaxy we might have… some of us might be destined for the Force alone, if you know what I mean."
He meant death, obviously.

Corvar smirked. “As much as I'd like to make a plan based off of what we know, well, an old Twi'lek once told me that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth, so to speak. Use the maps as best we can, but trust in the Force more than anything.” Corvar quickly realized what he had just said, words he echoed from the words of Darth Gravid only an hour ago. A teaching of the light side of the Force. “Or, more importantly, trust your ability in the Force more than anything,” he said, correcting himself.

Feros almost couldn't believe what he had just heard. It sounded almost… Jedi.
"Yes,” he said. “We need to trust our power in the Force. It will get us through whatever we come to face. And I think your old Twi'lek friend was right. No point in planning something we don't know more about. We may as well get ready. Does the ship have any supplies or provisions? Anything that could be useful in the caves?"
Feros would keep an eye on Corvar, and if he had to, leave him in the caves on Corbos. He hoped it would not come to that.

Reaper nodded to each of them, then thought about it.
"Surely the slug would've left us something for these missions. But only D-3P0 would know for sure, as he knows what was moved onto here and what was on here. Explosives could be nice. If we're in a dire situation a thermal detonator is always useful. Might cause a cave-in but a cave-in in the right direction is a great way to separate us from things we have no knowledge of."

Corvar nodded to each of the men’s words and said, “Not sure about Kubjo leaving explosives lying around, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were some useful first aid items in the medbay. Plus nutrient bars and paste in case we get hungry.” At the mention of food, even at its lowest form, Corvar’s insides twisted upon themselves, resulting in a low growl and a reminder that Corvar was, indeed, hungry.
“I ought to grab a few nutrient bars myself, and the Miraluka should be done getting ready by now. Grab whatever you need, maybe see the droid so you can know all we have on-board, then meet us in the cargo hold in five minutes.” With that, Corvar spun on his heel, leaving his allies alone with the unconscious Twi'lek soundly sleeping nearby.

Feros nodded and went off to find D-3PO. He wanted to see if the droid knew anything about the planet, and get some sort of tally of the supplies they had. Some nutrient bars and bacta salve couldn't hurt to have around.
Just before he departed he had another thought.
"Corvar," he said over his shoulder, "see if she'll tell you her name."

“If she'd tell anyone, it'd be me,” Corvar chuckled, advancing down the hallway. With that, Corvar made his way back to the medbay after snagging a nutrient bar and beginning to chow down on it. It tasted like bantha poodoo smelled, and the texture was not making it any easier to swallow. But it was rich in the vitamins and nutrients that Corvar needed, and knowing that was enough to suffer through the flavor.
The door to the medbay slid away with a hiss, and Corvar stepped inside.

As Corvar entered, the Miraluka was just finishing pulling her floral dress to her knees. She had torn a strip from the hem of the dress and tied it around her head to obscure her empty eye sockets. It was obvious to Corvar that she knew he was there but he would be able to tell she was ignoring him for the moment.

The ship lurched heavily and the speakers crackled to life. “We have reached the gravity well of Corbos,” D-3PO all too happily reported. “Artificial gravity may receive some momentary interruptions as we descend through the atmosphere. I shall meet you all in the cargo bay momentarily.” More bumps rocked the ship and for the next few minutes the inertial dampners were competing with the planet’s pull. Then the ship was still. All of the occupants would hear the pneumatic hiss of airlocks being released as the life support systems began filtering in air from outside. The stench of methane and other natural gasses permeated the inside of the ship.

In the cargo bay, D-3PO stepped in excitedly. “As I'm sure you've figured out, we are now on Corbos! I have set the ship down in a canyon nearest one of the mining tunnels.” As he spoke, the droid lowered the boarding ramp, exposing the inhabitants further to the hot air outside of the ship. “I have contacted Mighty Kubjo, as per your instructions Mister Reaper, and he will be sending a secondary backup crew to assist you. They won't be arriving for a few days though, and Mighty Kubjo insists that if you have no need for their assistance, they are to be disposed of. He would consider removing a larger portion of your debt equal to the amount that he would have been forced to pay them.” D-3PO turned to Feros. “Mighty Kubjo will of course be willing to compensate you for your assistance as well, Mister Feros, provided you wish I tell him of your presence. I still have refrained from doing so in my reports, as per your wishes.” The protocol droid went back to addressing the whole crew. “I shall tend to the ship while you are all out. It shall be ready when you return from the mines!”

From outside the ship, each of the Force users would feel the pull of the Dark Side calling them deeper into the mines. For Feros, it was reminiscent of the tombs of Korriban and their unearthly wails. For Reaper, it was the call of a battle and the unmistakable satisfaction of watching an enemy die at one’s feet. For Corvar, however, it was less perceptible. He could feel himself being drawn deeper, as if a soothimg voice was speaking to him. It was as if he was being called home by a parent as the sun set in the streets. It was the invitation of a friend offering to share a game. It felt familiar, comforting and warm. They would all notice the tears leaking from the Miraluka’s eye coverings though. She whispered, choking back a cry of fear, “I can hear them. They don't want to be here. They're screaming.”

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