The Greatest Sith... That Never Lived
Posted by: Darth Danno 02.28.07 12:01am
Previously:

• CHAPTER I: MEDITATION and REFLECTION
• CHAPTER II: SEEKING THE SITH
• CHAPTER III: THE PLOT THICKENS (Part I)
• CHAPTER III: THE PLOT THICKENS (Part II)
• CHAPTER IV: THE LEGEND OF THE MASTER
• CHAPTER V: A PADAWAN FLEES
• CHAPTER VI: DEBACLE IN THE DOCKING BAY (Part I)
• CHAPTER VI: DEBACLE IN THE DOCKING BAY (Part II)
• CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part I)
• CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part II)
• CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part III)
• CHAPTER VIII: THE PRODIGAL RETURNS (Part I)
• CHAPTER VIII: THE PRODIGAL RETURNS (Part II)
• CHAPTER VIII: THE PRODIGAL RETURNS (Part III)
• CHAPTER IX: ENTER THE APPRENTICE

CHAPTER X: AN UNEASY ALLIANCE BEGINS

Darth Contagion alerted Lord Ruin the moment the craft re-appeared on their radar screens. Ruin instructed him to have Lord Rage meet Danno in the docking bay. When questioned as to why it would be Darth Rage alone, without an accompaniment of well armed soldiers, the reply was that the Sith must start showing some semblance of trust, be it false or otherwise. It was finally decided to have some troops stationed just outside the bay doors, in case something went awry.

"Upon exiting the craft, Lord Danno is to immediately hand over the holocron." Ruin ordered. "Which will then be turned over to Darth Vikuru, who will analyze it. In the meantime, Danno and his apprentice will remain in their quarters under the watchful eye of Darth Rage until Lord Vikuru determines the Holocrons veracity.

"How long do you think that will take?" Lord Contagion asked.

"As long as necessary." Darth Ruin replied. "I'm not going to take any chances in the name of expediency."

"Are you sure Darth Rage is...the right Sith for this? Contagion questioned.

"I need to determine Danno's weaknesses. Weaknesses that may be exploited." Ruin continued, "Lord Rage excels in that area. Not to mention being an excellent fighter, well skilled in the Dark Side. However, if you think otherwise, have our Trandoshan Dark Lord watch them both."

"As you see fit." Contagion nodded, and exited the room.

The craft flew into the base, commenced its landing procedures, and came to rest in the same spot it had occupied hours before. Danno gazed out the front viewport at their Sith welcoming committee, smiled, and turned to his apprentice. "I'm going to make sure our...cargo is secure. Grab the Holocron and go out to say hello to our companions."

Mortis nodded, walked into the back of the ship, out the hatch, and down the ramp to where Lord Rage was waiting. Both Sith had their hoods up, so neither could make out any facial features of the other.

"The Holocron...Now!" Rage ordered.

Mortis aquiesced with a slight nod and handed her a small satchel. Rage opened it, looked inside, then barked an order into her comm. A moment later, a soldier hurried into the bay to stand beside her. "Take this to Lord Vikuru at once!" The trooper nodded his reply and hurried off. Rage then returned all attention to Mortis

"And you are?" Rage questioned.

"Darth Mortis." He said with a slight bow.

"Where is Lord Danno?" Rage asked.

"Securing things in the hold." Mortis replied, "He shall join us momentarily."

"We shall wait, then." Darth Rage said, and reached up to remove the hood, allowing her flowing blond hair to drape over her shoulders and down her back.

"A...woman!" Mortis said, his body reacting with a visible hint of surprise.

"I see you were not expecting that." Rage retorted. "You will come to find that I hold many...surprises."

"I do so enjoy surprises." Mortis snidely replied.

"Might I inquire as to what species you are?" Rage asked with a wry smile.

"Always happy to oblige one of the fairer sex, and in your case, I most certainly mean...fair." Then proceeded to remove his own hood. Needless to say, if this were a contest, the look of surprise on her face far exceeded his own moments earlier.

Not quite an hour later, Lord Vikuru was busy in the lab, working on deciphering the Holocron, when the door chimed.

"Enter." was all he said, not even bothering to look up from his work until he heard his guest speak.

"Well...?" Was all Lord Ruin asked.

The shock almost made Vikuru drop the artifact. "Lord Ruin! I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting you. I've just begun to examine the..."

"Do so with utmost haste." Ruin interrupted. "I do not want Danno and his apprentice here a moment longer if this turns out to be an elaborate fake."

"Yes, my Lord." Vikuru replied. "I'll let you know the moment I find out anything definitive."

"See that you do." Ruin Commanded, then turned to exit, but whirled to face Vikuru once more. "Anything you discover I want brought to myself first, understood? If anyone asks, they may take up all inquiries with me."

"Understood, Lord Ruin." With that Ruin turned and left.

"Hours later, Lord Vikuru stood at the entrance to Lord Ruin's chambers. Upon entering, he informed him that the Holocron was indeed genuine, but it would take quite some time to extract all the information it contained.

"Take all the time you need." Lord Ruin replied. "Overlook nothing."

Vikuru nodded, bowed, and exited. After he was gone, Ruin activated the comm in his chair.

"Have Darth Rage bring Lord Mortis before me. It is time we met."

Darth Danno