Private Be my friend, and I'll be yours

[Darth Solipsis]

Fear. Ah yes, he could sense it, feel it's warmth as his incorporeal connection hunted his enemy, his prey. He could only image the intoxicating substance that it provided Beltran, the rejuvenation and empowerment that came from consuming the negative emotions that now saturated the area. The shadow of the 'thing that lurked in the dark' moved in flight manically, seeking shelter, seeking safety. He mentally followed, not allowing his quarry anytime to elude his grasp. The chamber around them, yes yes he felt it as everything came together, the Force manifested a vision before his eyes. A servant, a slave, bound to this chamber out of a lie foretold. He could see the flesh sear from the arcs of red lightning flash over him, the thing in the dark, the lone acolyte left to guard this place in perpetual darkness. For all eternity.

He dug into the mind of the wretched shade and performed the Memory Walk, condemning the spirit to endure the feeling of it all again and again. The former acolyte would relieve this moment repeatedly, even as it pleaded to him to end the pain. "Mercy? There is no mercy." His disembodied voice echoed through the chamber, reverberating from the very walls as he began cackling himself in mimicry of the Sith Master who condemned him to darkness. In utter amusement and sadistic joy, he laughed as it suffered, it's illusion of predatory power stripped away and the truth revealed. The hunted had become the hunters, woe to the conquered.

Laevus could feel the untapped power building, collecting, and storing itself in Beltran. The louder the twisted spectre cried out in agony, the stronger the emotions released and the most power harvested by the Lorrdian. He was learning well, such promise he had only seen in one other, his intuition had been proved right with this one. His consciousness returned to him as his eyes opened to his physical body, his mortal shell, they scanned the chamber from which they stood and the Antarian Ranger himself. He studied him, the same way he studied the chamber before them as the cries of the shadow filled the air around them. Music.

He stepped back to briefly bask in it all, his eyes flickering to the Lorrdian as he finished. His mind remained vigilant and on high alert.

"Tell me, how do you feel?"


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

"Tell me, how do you feel?"

Beltran fixed his eyes on Darth Solipsis , feeling more than seeing where the Elder was. With each cry and scream, each unheeded plea for it to end, Beltran felt himself grow stronger. His hunger continued however, never truly sated and always looking for more to consume. That, he imagined, was the trap of the Dark Side. The eternal wanting of more. That was what consumed the Sith and turned them into monsters.

While Beltran continued to feed, feeling no sympathy for the spirit of a being who had once delighted in the pain of others, he moderated himself. He deliberately took less than was available. He still grew in power, but he ached with hunger. He used the ache to center himself, to bring his mind back to itself.

Reaching out with his hand, he began to divert some of the energy into a ball of Force Lightening. Slowly, he allowed more of the energy to go into it causing it to grow and filling the pitch black chamber with a increasingly bright pale light. Even as he began to see his surroundings, he reached out with his feeling as well.

"There are objects of power here," He told the other being, ignoring his question. "One of them tethers the spirit to this place." Beltran's voice radiated power, seeming to fill the cavernous chamber without effort. "Tell me!" He shouted out into the darkness. "Where is the Emperor's treasure! Tell me and I will end your suffering!"

In his mind's eye, Beltran saw the twisted consciousness writhing under the pain inflicted on it. It was far beyond the ability to speak, but Beltran caught a flash of something. A door, with ancient runes on it. Behind it, treasures and dangers untold. As the ball of lightening grew, Beltran found that he could now see the door-an ancient looking thing made of black wood and detailed with crimson runes.

"There!" He told Laevus, pointing. "There is the power."

He then released the ball of lightening, throwing it toward the door. When it impacted, it shattered the ancient wood sending obsidian splinters flying. Once more in the darkness, Beltran began to walk toward it. He left the old man to his torture. Let the being have his fun. Perhaps when he was done, Beltran might grant this spirit mercy.

If he felt like it.

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

The Elder relished in the scene unfolding before him, he stood in the midst of the spectral anguish of the long forgotten acolyte bound to this prison and the predatory feeding of the Antarian Ranger. It was not from sick perversion that he drew delight, but the simple matter of the growing sickness that was festering around them. They were leaving an echo in the Force, one that would linger and grow, infecting all that touched upon it. Such was the nature of echoes, they expanded like a bloated tick and created new echoes of their own as they latched onto new beings that crossed their path. This echo, It was of the Dark Side and it's influence was intoxicating.

His eyes glanced over to the Lorrdian as Beltran spoke to the tethered, disembodied spectre. Laevus watched and waited, studying the scene that came to unfold even as the screams and unrelenting anguish continued to wreck havoc to the psyche of the spirit. His voice bellowed and filled the chamber, he offered freedom to the acolyte, of course at the cost of the Emperor's treasure. Such a bold lie.

Laevus had already judged the spirit, silently making his decision to himself in the midst of the torture inflicted upon it. There would be no freedom for this wretched soul, no it would remain here or serve some other purpose if there was one to be seen. At best, the spirit could remain here to guard the Observatory as was intended by the Emperor. One day a use might be made for this place, for him. Until that time it would remain pest-free and empty, save one pathetic, broken soul. He chuckled softly.

It was in the following moment that his attention drifted as Beltran pointed the way to the Emperor's treasure. His sulfuric eyes fixated on the source of the Antarian Ranger's aim. A scowl crept across his face as his upper lip curled, his eyes casting a dread glare on Beltran as unleashed the lightning in his grasp toward the wooden door, shattering it into splinters. The Elder watched as the Lorrdian descended into the darkness once more, his gaze averted momentarily to the tortured beings as it relived memory after painful memory. Releasing his grasp over the spirit he focused intently, shoving his commands into the nearly shattered psyche of the acolyte. "Remain here until I return. Act against me and suffer once more. There are things far worse than death, you have only begun to experience this.." His voice bellowed and gradually roared, distorting into the voice of a monster,

The mental pressure vanished, receding from his mind as the Elder turned and vanished into the darkness, following in the wake of Beltran. He paused only ever so briefly to read the markings on the doorway. Ur-Kittât, the runic language of the Sith, he knew this language all too well. He silently read the warning left behind on the doorway, his eyes widened as he did so. It spoke of danger that lied in the heart of the Sith Temple, only two could enter, a master and an apprentice. No more, no less. They would have to work together to reach it's heart. Palpatine was no fool, it appeared he had built his Observatory atop an ancient Sith Temple.

A wicked smile formed along his face from the revelation, he proceeded into the darkness, he proceeded with Beltran to find the heart of Palpatine's treasure.


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

With the removal of the mental pressure, Beltran let out a slow breath. The power that he'd absorbed had mostly been expelled with his use of the powerful bolt of Sith lightning, and without the spirit's pain to draw on the remained quickly dissipated. The Lorrdian felt a little drained, as if using the Dark power had taken some of his reserve energy in toll.

Everything has a price. He thought to himself as he followed Darth Solipsis into chamber that had been opened. Beyond the shattered door, the chamber grew smaller. Closing his eyes, Beltran felt outward with the Force. In his mind's eye, Beltran felt that he could see a single raised dais at the center of the room. To him, it gave the impression of being made of finally polished obsidian, with more runes carved into it.

For a moment, he imagined that the runes were beginning to glow. Then as he saw a dim red hue beyond his eyelids, he realized that he was not imagining it. Opening his eyes, he saw that indeed the runes were now glowing, filling the room with crimson light. There was a sense of real power in this place, and real danger.

At the center of the dais, a small hole appeared and up through rose a pyramid shaped artifact. It was cast in gold and pitch and it closed an even brighter red than the dais. Beltran knew what he was seeing, having seen several of the Jedi versions himself.

It was a holocron.

"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?" A voice spoke out, seeming to come from the holocron itself. The voice was somewhat raspy, full of arrogant confidence and clipped in an archaic almost Coruscanti accent.

Beltran looked around, trying to determine what they were dealing with. It didn't feel like a spirit exactly. It spoke out loud, not through their minds. A recording perhaps? Designed to play when someone finally entered the vault?

"Darth Plagueis," The voice continued after a beat. "Was a Dark Lord of the Sith so powerful and so wise, he could use the Force to influence the Midi-Chlorians to create life. He had such a knowledge of the Dark Side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying... He became so powerful that the only thing he was afraid was: losing his power. Which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew and then his apprentice killed him in his sleep.

There were awkward pauses throughout, as if they were being treated to only one side of a conversation. The other side, whoever it might have been and whatever they might have said, remained a mystery. When finally it finished, the two were left alone with the floating pyramid. Beltran watched his would-be mentor for a long moment, waiting to see what the elder man would do.

Then there was the sound of rock sliding on rock followed by a powerful boom! Whirling around, Beltran saw that the way they had come in was now blocked, by a giant stone slab that looked to weight several tonnes. Before Beltran could speak, or do anything really. The voice spoke out again, addressing them.

"I see that you met my former acolyte," The voice said, its tone full of malice. "A pitiful creature, isn't he? Do not worry , my young friends. Your next test will be far more exciting."

From each of the four walls, there came the sound of rock sliding against rock as smaller slabs were lifted upward by some unseen mechanism. Behind each, Beltran could see an ancient looking stasis tube. Obviously centuries old, somehow they were still functional. Inside each of the transparent cylinders, was what Beltran could only describe as a red beast.

"The hunger we felt," Beltran said after a moment of realization. "That wasn't the acolyte. At least not entirely. It was them."

From the holocron, came only the sound of laughter as the stasis tubes began to deactivate and the creatures came to life once more, looking to sate a hunger that was eight hundred years in the making.

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

Into the beyond, past the threshold and into the darkness they strived. Taking heed mentally of the warnings engraved onto the doorway, Laevus took lead and entered the chamber with Beltran in tow. His senses soared, his focus laser sharp, and his gaze on high alert upon entry, his eyes briefly gazing back at the Lorrdian as he exhaled slowly. Cloaked in shadow, his sulfuric eyes were the only illumination cast from his form, like the eyes of a wild cat as they set upon the Antarian Ranger before drifting back toward the front. His gaze shifted to the form of a raised pedestal, a dais sitting before them as they neared. As his fellow treasure seeker reached out through the Force, he watched as runes on the dais began to light up and soon enough runes around the room lit up as well casting a deep red glow in the background around them.

The Elder watched and waited, mentally centered for whatever was to come as the room illuminated around them. He scowled as his eyes were drawn to the dais, a small hole had opened and slowly an object rose from the inside to the top of the pedestal. Cast in gold, and adorned in red lattice with a glow more powerful than the runes below, a small pyramid object emerged from the shaft. Laevus's eyes opened wide, surprised by the sudden discovery of object before their eyes. A Sith Holocron.

"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?"

How very interesting.

The holocron spoke out, although he cocked his head slightly as his eyes scanned for the gatekeeper of the object to no avail. He remained cautious, knowing full well the dangers many gatekeepers liked to unleash on those who would try to collect their knowledge. Laevus approached, slowly, filled with caution, awed by the presence of the teaching device and filled with excitement. What secrets lied within his grasp? What did Palpatine the Great put on this holocron, and who was he speaking to? As he closed in on the floating holocron with the utmost caution, he reached out with the Force in an attempt to feel the echoes around this device and 'feel' anything latched on to it. Traps and angry spirits were not things he would fall victim to, he would stretch out his feelings and try to ascertain the truth behind this prize before claiming it as it's new rightful owner. He closed his eyes and continued to focus with his great mental prowess as the voice spoke, finishing shortly before he opened his eyes.

Tbe sound of rock sliding on rock and the powerful boom was enough to open his eyes as he spun around and glared at the doorway that had been their way in. The way was shut, a large slab of stone now lied in their path blocking the way back. His eyes returned to dais and holocron in sight before the voice returned, this time before either of them could act. "I see that you met my former acolyte."

"Indeed."

The Elder answered back, as it spoke next of a test for them followed by the sounds of rock sliding against rock once more. Slabs along the backdrop lifted, revealing tubes of glass holding red creatures barely visible in the darkness. His eyes squinted and his lips curled. Beltran shared his revelation to him, stating how the hunger hadn't ever been from the acolyte but the beasts before them, ready to be unleashed. The bloodcurling sound of laughter filled the chamber as the holding cells/ stasis tubes deactivated, bringing with them life anew to their occupants. He let his anger build upon itself, he visualized his prey and focused. Laevus raised his hands to each of his respective shoulders and removed his cloak, letting it fall to the floor as he revealed himself.

The Elder's form was sickly, his body was pale, covered in ritualistic scars with strange boney growths around his collar bones. His eyes burned like the fires of Mustafar, his fingers shaped and twisted into nearly talons ready to rend flesh from bone. Still adorning his talisman that he brandished over his robes before, it hovered over his chest and around his neck as he reached into his sash around his waist. Laevus's right hand hovered strange runic carvings into his flesh around his waist as he grasped hold and drew out a strange cylinder object from his sash made of yorik coral resembling a lightsaber. He did not ignite it, merely keeping it drawn as a precaution in case of necessity. Very seldomly had the Elder needed to brandish his weapon, often relying on his mastery over the Force to overwhelm his enemies whether force sensitive or not.

To his surprise, once the creatures sprung to life, he recognized the forms of the creatures from the old tales and the various attempts at perfect recreation by the One Sith in the past.

"Massassi."

He was surprised, such fearsome foes were no idle threat past or present. They would have to be fast and effective as a team to take these foes down. The Elder hissed, letting his voice drift off into the currents of the Force carried by his mental prowess into the thought space of Beltran Rarr. "Remember what I taught you with lessons of the mind. Draw upon those breadcrumbs, now with only their hunger to guide you like a vacuum cold and distant, attempting to draw you in. Follow the trail, and force yourself in. The mind is a fickle thing, so fragile, even for a monster."

Beltran Rarr

​

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Beltran had his fingers gripped on his hand-cannon, prepared to draw it and make a conventional war upon these new creatures when Darth Solipsis ' voice stopped him.

"Remember what I taught you with lessons of the mind. Draw upon those breadcrumbs, now with only their hunger to guide you like a vacuum cold and distant, attempting to draw you in. Follow the trail, and force yourself in. The mind is a fickle thing, so fragile, even for a monster."

He could feel the power that radiated from this would-be mentor. His sickly look just one more deception, designed to lull those into a false sense of security. At this point, Beltran trusted what he felt far more than what he saw. Laevus wasn't just a Sith-lord wannabe. He was as true master of the Dark as Carnifex of Prazutis.

In another time, at another place, Beltran knew that he may well find himself called upon to kill this being. But that time wasn't now, and this place wasn't it. For now, Beltran needed to learn what Laevus knew. He needed to make himself a master of these abilities. To grant his side an advantage that the Jedi were too weak and fearful to utilize.

Removing his hand from the grip of his weapon, Beltran turned to face the red beasts. Massassi, Laevus had called them. He thought he recognized the word. Perhaps from his studies of Jedi history. At the moment it didn't matter. He focused his mind on the hunger he felt emanating from them. They wanted to feast on his flesh, to tear him apart. The thought should have instilled even a small bit of fear in the Lorrdian, but it didn't. Hunger was wanting and wanting was weakness.

Closing his eyes, he felt their hunger. He imagined that it was a road, a path that he could travel upon. And travel he did. Several times, he imagined an obstacle in his path, an attempt to keep him out of their minds, but obstacles were nothing compared to the power of the Force. He smashed through their barriers, taking a kind of delight as he felt them roil at his intrusion. Though his eyes were closed, he could see each of them stop their advance, jerking as if they'd been hit. With each violation, they jerked again and again. Their hunger was turning into something else, fear.

"Delicious fear," He murmured, his voice rich once more in the power of the Dark Side. He used the technique Laevus had taught him to feed of it, to grow more powerful and to force himself deeper into their minds. "You will know pain." He told one, and it screeched out-falling to it's knees. "And you, you will know despair." And another let out a long, deep moan of sadness. It also sank to it's knees, slower than he first and howling with primal hurt, like a mother Vornskyr whose cubs had all been killed.

"And you, you will know silence and the dark." The third stopped advancing, blinking it's eyes and reaching out around it, as if it could no longer see or hear. "And you," He said, singling out the last with his finger. "You will know death." This creature reached up at itself, digging with it's clawed fingers into the soft flesh of its own neck. Blood spurted from its self-inflicted wounds and it fell to the ground a moment later, dead.

While the other three continued to suffer, Beltran turned to face Laevus, pointing at him now. "And what will you know?" He asked, his voice dripping with menace. He pushed himself at Laevus' mind, high on the power of the Massassi's sufferings and also curious. He wanted to know what the old man feared. What had hurt him and what he truly hated. "What pain can I cause you?"

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

Ah yes, he could feel it begin even before they froze in place, halting their attack. Oh yes, the moment Beltran forced his will upon their psyche and broke through their psychic barriers, that was when he felt it. Fear. The Massassi began to feel fear, their minds falling under assault by the Lorrdian through the mental link he learned to establish to track his prey. Now he would use this same method as a means of entry, a means of attack.

The Elder studied the situation, his right hand wrapped around his lightsaber with a firm grip, ready to act if his would-be student failed. His eyes looked over his foes as they jerked and thrashed, suffering under the weight of Beltran's psychic assault. A wicked smile came over his face, utter amusement and a slight sense of pride in the Antarian Ranger. "Good. You learn quickly."

One by one, the Massassi suffered, prey to the whims of their attacker who fed from their fear and in doing so grew stronger. Yes, he was a model student. If he could bring him to a place harsh enough, a place with a nexus, he could be made into a very powerful asset. His eyes fell upon the form of one of their enemies as the red beast reached up and clawed at itself in an act of self harm, ripping the flesh from it's throat. It followed the command of the Lorrdian as he issued final judgment. The other three suffered as well, one cried out in utter agony from the mental pain. Another suffered the woes of crushing despair, wallowing to itself uncontrollably. Finally, the last had been judged to wander without sight or sound, stumbling in the self imposed darkness it could not control.

The Elder found great amusement at their suffering, chuckling aloud as he basked in their pain, anguish, and fear. It was in that moment, Beltran turned his gaze to Laevus and pointed forth. "And what will you know?" He pressed forth against the mind of the old master and dug deep. The Elder scowled, his left hand raising to his temple as he cast a dread gaze upon the Antarian Ranger. Laevus's sulfuric eyes illuminated in the dark as the Lorrdian pushed forth into the mind of the Elder, slowly his form drifted away into the backdrop as darkness reigned in.

The world went black, the walls faded away and the Massassi no longer existed. Only Beltran stood alone in the depths of a great void, empty and infinite. He suddenly began to fall, the air pressing against his skin as he fell with incredible speeds down onto a scenic outcrop below. Miraculously, he would land onto his feet unharmed before a mighty temple amidst the backdrop of cityscape and glistening spires. A young man stood in awe before him, staring off at the grandiose pyramid which captured the light from the rising sun in a heavenly glow.

A voice called out, the young man turned and responded, revealing himself to be a Jedi. The temple began to break apart into dust as the scene shifted around them, the young man was older now scarred from battle and stranded on a forest moon. His eyes sunk in as his voice distorted monstrously, "I believe I've humored you long enough." The forest stretched onward unnaturally, the ground trailed off quickly as Beltran and the stranger zoomed off toward destinations unknown. The earth broke apart, pieces of shattered moon and debris crushed against each other as the scene violently unfolded. The sounds of Laevus's laughter filled the surroundings as the background reconstituted into One Sith occupied Coruscant. The duo landed feet first onto the streets of some underground level, unnatural growths filled the area from Vong exploitation as buildings shifted and their surroundings sturdied from the shifting tides of reality.

Street lights bent supernaturally toward the center of the street, revealing a torture device known by the Vong as the 'Embrace of Pain'. The lights illuminated the biological torture device and their surroundings darkened as a single figure emerged from behind the organic shape. Laevus stepped forward, his eyes glowing in the dark like a predator as he turned his gaze to Beltran. "Pain is power. To know pain is to purge weakness from the body. From the mind. From the soul." He took a step forward towards the Antarian Ranger and vanished appearing beside him with his hand falling onto the Lorrdian's shoulder.

"How much pain can you endure in order to purge your weakness? What pain do you hide within your skull?"



Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Beltran couldn't tell the exact moment when he realized his mistake. The power that he had felt, that he can consumed from the suffering Massassi had made him feel untouchable. But as he descended into the mind of Darth Solipsis , he began to feel something different. Perhaps he had thought that the Sith would keep him out. Perhaps he actually believed that he could hurt the elder being. What he had not expected was to be brought in, consumed in a way just like the fear and hunger of the Sith-made beasts.

The Lorrdian had the presence of mind, at least, not to fight the sudden change in circumstances. Laevus had him, plain and simple. This would not be a match of strength, nor understanding of the Force. The Elder had more of both than the he could truly fathom. No, whatever this was, it would have to come down to sheer will. The will to endure.

He followed, flying through the fragments of memory, perhaps? Beltran thought it might be memories of Laevus' life. But then again, it could just as easily be a fabrication. An illusion that the Elder wanted him to see. He saw the Forest moon. The Sith occupied Coruscant and finally, the alien torture device. Beltran met Laevus' gaze as he came out from behind the monstrous thing.

"Pain is power. To know pain is to purge weakness from the body. From the mind. From the soul."

To Beltran's credit, he did not flinch when Laevus materialized next to him. He did not shiver when the other being, calling him a man didn't seem quite right, touched his shoulder. His gaze remained fixed on the Embrace.

"How much pain can you endure in order to purge your weakness? What pain do you hide within your skull?"

Slowly, Beltran stepped away from Laevus and moved toward the device. He opened his arms to it as he approached, a gesture of acceptance. It seemed to recognize him and it opened to him, taking him inside of it. It splayed his arms and legs at unnatural angles as it's tendrils crawled all over him. It raised him up, turning his now bound form upside down.

As Laevus came into view once more, Beltran's green eyes shone with something. Not quite defiance. Not quite malice. Determination. His voice was still thick with the power of the Force when he finally spoke. "Let us find out." As the white hot pain filled him, its intensity far beyond anything Beltran could imagine, he opened his mouth to scream. It was a shrill, unadulterated thing, primal.

He struggled to remember any semblance of himself, even his name or where he was. That's how intense the pain was. Tears fell from his eyes and he gasped in futile attempts to breathe. It seemed an eternity that he was in the Embrace. Every time he felt on the verge of growing used to it, it found a new way to hurt him. It was like he was a twig caught in a tsunami. It was a current so strong that it could not be held back.

But Beltran had never intended to hold it back. No, he'd had quite a different idea altogether. If one could feed off the pain of others, could not one feed off their own pain as well? If pain was a rushing current that could not be held back, could it perhaps be diverted? In a moment of both remembrance and epiphany his eyes suddenly shot open. They glowed, not hot yellow, but cold green. Frozen jade. They bored into Laevus and in his own mind, the Elder would hear Beltran's voice say: "Feel."

And in the moment, Beltran would force the entirety of his agony onto the other being.

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

The Elder watched as the Lorrdian broke from his grasp, merely observing Beltran as he approached the Embrace of Pain. Intrigued, he mused over the fact that the man had displayed little to no fear, even when confronted with events beyond his control. Coupled with the fact of his willingness to turn on his would-be tutor only further inspired Laevus. He did not blame him for attempting to turn on the one who taught him, no. Ambition was something to be rewarded for, it was only natural to prod for weakness in others. As individuals we must be continually tested and tempered lest we grow complacent which is folly. Apathy is death.

He set aside his musings as the Antarian Ranger entered the biological device, his attention peaked as he watched on in anticipation. His bound form hung upside down as the Embrace turned and suspended him above the street below. The Elder studied the facial expression of the Lorrdian as he spoke out with iron clad determination, then came the primal scream. The white hot pain, the unrelenting agony, they were real. Pulled straight from the memory and dreadful experience he himself had suffered long ago. There was a lesson among the unimaginable pain, he just had to dig for it.

"Yesss." Laevus approached the Embrace closer as if he was feeding on Beltran's pain, his agony. His eyes closed as he listened to the sweet melody of suffering, he opened himself up to it and basked in the symphony of anguish. His eyes opened as he looked upon the form of a man not afraid. A man with the crushing will of stars, his eyes donning a cold jade as he stared back into the abyss, stared back in defiance of the Elder.

"Feel."

The sulfuric eyes of the Sith Master opened wide as his head snapped back, a bright white came crashing in, drowning everything in it's brilliant light. There was no sound, no background, nothing, just a white void. Only the static emitting in the background faintly touched Beltran's ear, all else was empty and infinite. Slowly, it the cries of the Massassi returned and within moments a rapidly approaching image came to. Reality snapped back to the Lorrdian as he returned to his body, the Elder standing before him gripping his forehead. There was a image of pain in him, inflicted by the Lorddian, and a sense of surprise as if no one had done such a thing before. "You are full of surprises. Well done, it will never happen again."

Laevus slowly removed his hand from his temple and straightened his posture. Standing tall, he gazed upon the Lorrdian and outstretched his arm, opening his palm in invitation. "You have talent, raw potential, and a mindset that could fashion destinies around it. Fate itself will one day look to you for answers like I. You cannot squander such a gift. The Sith, the Jedi, and everything in between. Look to them as teachers but flawed, there is but one truth one design."

He cast a wicked smile, grinning from ear to ear as his sinister eyes gazed over him, "The design you choose. Such is the way of the 'true Sith'. One day I will call upon you, offering you a choice to true freedom, true power that can be yours to shape the galaxy into a better place. Until that time, I will be watching you and offer the occasional hand of guidance. If you take my offer in this far future, you will be my apprentice, my student, my heir. You will learn all I have to teach and then.. strike me down to assume my place." His hand drifted in a dismissive manner, "If you deny my call, you will remain as you are or degenerate into something akin to the Dark Jedi, perhaps worse but not a shaper of fate. You will be a tool."

His dreaded glare locked with Beltran's own, his lip curled into a snarl, "From this point forward, you will address me as Solipsis. Darth Solipsis."


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

The sudden rush back to reality caught Beltran off guard. His legs went out from under him and he fell to one knee in front of Darth Solipsis . As he struggled to reclaim his control, Beltran reached forward to the ground to steady himself.

"You are full of surprises. Well done, it will never happen again."

Beltran looked up at the man, the fury in his eyes still evident but fading as his icy sense of control returned. Had he any power left, he might have struck out at the Sith in that moment, but he didn't. Instead, he got back to his feet. He drew upon the cries of the surviving Massassi, letting their pain replenish him. When he felt strong once more, he took his Hand-Cannon out of its holster and dispatched each of them with a powerful shot from the weapon. They were no longer useful to him, and their suffering was growing dull.

Turning, Beltran holstered his weapon and listened as Laevus spoke. The Sith spoke the words Beltran wanted to hear and the Lorrdian knew that it was by design. Every word that Laevus spoke was intended to gain something on him. To entice him to the Sith's way of thinking, to manipulate and twist. Beltran just accepted that. When Laevus was finished outlining his offer, Beltran spoke.

"That is a dangerous thing you are offering me," He told the Sith. "Not just for me, but for you. If I accept your offer. If I will listen to your guidance, I will incorporate your teachings and master your skills. And yes, one day when I have learned all I care to from you, I will kill you. And with your death, all of your ambitions will end. All hopes of turning me into a Sith will be dashed, because I will not fall. I will remain the protector of the innocent. I will become the bane of the predator. I will slaughter those who seek to slaughter others. I will dominate those who would take power from the people and when the Sith are finally exterminated, I will not climb upon a throne of my own making. I will simply leave. I will have mastered all of your abilities, I will have learned of all your desires for me, and I will turn away from them. And you, you will be nothing more than a forgotten, rotting corpse in an unmarked grave on a world of no note. Nobody will remember you. Nobody will know your name, Darth Solipsis."

This last part, Beltran said with a malicious smile the likes of which he very rarely showed anyone. "If you would turn away from this path," He told the man. "Then you should kill me now, while you still can. Much sooner than you think, that ability will be beyond you. But, if as I suspect, you still believe that you will be able to corrupt me, then I will accept your offer. Teach me to break you."

 

[Darth Solipsis]

The Elder could feel the anger rolling off of the Lorrdian, even as it lessened he could see the facial expression which gave away his true desire. He did not blame the Antarian Ranger for his thoughts, it was human nature. His startling sense of control washing over him, now that was something not many shared. Such a gift would need honed and tested if not tempered by acts many would call cruel. In this way, he would truly master his abilities and embrace the Dark Side of the Force. In this way, he would play master over the Force itself instead of a tool or slave as the Jedi would have him to it's maniacal whims.

His head throbbed and ached, to imagine one such as he had managed to free himself and inflict pain was surprising. He had been mentally unprepared for such a quick turnabout, Beltran's ability to pick up on his teachings so quickly and use his innate sense of the Force was quite frankly impressive. Where many struggled, he succeeded, where many faltered he advanced unflinching to meet adversity head on. He would make a most excellent apprentice.

Laevus in reality a being known as Darth Solipsis, listened as Beltran accepted his offer but with warning. The Sith Lord couldn't help but smile as he followed along the venom-laced words that promised his failure to turn him, to make him Sith, to twist his ideals to Solipsis's, and finally his utter demise into obscurity. His sinister grin spread wide under the deep glow of his fiery eyes.

The Sith Master cooed harshly, his voice bellowing and distorting as he continued.

Solipsis stretched his arm outward, opening his palm as the holocron sprang forth from it's pedestal into his grasp. His dark eyes glanced over it in awe before his terrible gaze shifted back to the Lorrdian. "To be called Sith is a title, one that can be easily imitated. To practice the techniques, learn it's ways and carve out your own destiny through it's code and meaning. Well, that is what it means to be Sith, something you will never escape. I will teach you, but it is you who will break, my friend."

The Elder turned away from his newfound apprentice and scanned the chamber, he made a mental note to secure a sample of the Massassi for later use in his experiments. His eyes drifted around the room in search of further traps and potential danger before setting on a humanoid figure covered in dust and debris in the corner. Stashing the holocron away he reached out with the Force to prob the mind of the obscured figure to no avail. "Curious, a droid perhaps?"


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Beltran listened quietly, neither his face nor his force presence betraying any emotion as Laevus told him that he'd already fallen. It was exactly the response Beltran had expected, and if the one who called himself Darth Solipsis truly believed it? That was good. It would serve Beltran's purposes nicely. Let the Sith believe he had the upper hand. Let him believe that right up until Beltran killed him.

Beltran watched as the holocron flew into Darth Solipsis ' hand. Part of him questioned allowing the Sith to secure such a powerful artifact, but the truth was there wasn't much Beltran could do to stop him. Darth Solipsis' mental exercise had shown Beltran that he was indeed vastly outclassed by the old being's abilities. And now that the being had learned not to underestimate the Lorrdian, Beltran highly doubted that he would be able to catch him unguarded again.

No, the holocron was Laevus' prize and Beltran would not spend his life foolishly trying to deny it to him.

"Curious, a droid perhaps?"

Beltran's gaze followed that of Laevus' to the cloaked figure. It stood unmoving. Beltran approached it, watching for any sign of movement. When he stood in front of it, he opened the red close and saw that his would-be mentor was correct. "It appears so." Beltran answered. Slowly the droid seemed to power up. Perhaps it was designed to activate when it sensed motion, or perhaps Beltran had inadvertently triggered some kind of activation switch. Red LED lights sprung to life, bordering it's black blank face.

"Sentinel activated. Searching for suitable input source."

It stepped forward, not seeming to notice Beltran or Laevus for a moment. Beltran gave it some room, his hand returning to the grip of his hand-cannon. But the droid did not attack, it simply focused a scanning beam first on Laevus and then on Beltran. "Suitable input source found. Human, male, early forties. Evidence of extensive past injury and cybernetic enhancement." It said as it turned to face Beltran. "Suitably well armed and in excellent physical shape. Most likely candidate to be a Hand to the Emperor. Sentinel will obey your commands."

Beltran blinked and looked back to Laevus. He held the older Sith's gaze for a moment and then simply shrugged. "We still have those insects to deal with," He said. "We'll see whether this thing is worth taking based on how it handles itself as we leave."

Beltran wondered what use he could find for the droid, if indeed it was proven to be useful. Another pilot for the Imperialis perhaps? A bodyguard to protect the ship when he wasn't on board? A companion for DO-7, his astromech? Looking past the droid, Beltran's gaze fell upon something else. It appeared to be a cloak of some kind, hung up on a stand. Beltran approached it and ran his hands over the course material.

"The Shroud of Shadows," The droid said. "Also known as a Shadow Shroud. Fashioned by the Emperor for his Hands to wear. It protects against attacks using the Force, lightsabers and energy bolts. It allows the wearer to hide one's true nature in the Force. It is for you, Hand of the Emperor. Use it to do his bidding."

Beltran took the shroud off of the stand and put it on. It was heavy, almost feeling like a piece of armor despite appearing to be nothing more than a cloak. Immediately, Beltran's presence in the Force would dim to nearly undetectable levels. He could feel waves of Dark Side energy roiling off of it as he pulled the cloak's hood over his face obscuring his features from the Sith.

Looking to Laevus, Beltran stepped forward his black figure barely visible in the red light emanating from the holocron in the Sith's grip. "It will not do for you to call me by my name either," He said, his voice seeming to come as whispers from all directions except the one he was coming from. "None can know that I am your apprentice. Not until we are ready. Until that time, call me Nox. Nox Intemptesta, the dead of night."

 

[Darth Solipsis]

"It appears so."

His eyes followed the form of the Lorrdian as he approached the dust covered droid left behind in the wreckage of the old world, a relic of a bygone era. As Beltran closed in the droid slowly returned to life, powering up and flashing a red LED as it began to speak. Stepping forward it seemed to ignore the two of them curiously for a moment, the Elder studied it as Beltran stepped aside to give it some room to observe it's surroundings. Within mere minutes of activation it began a scan of Laevus and Beltran alike before issuing a statement once more as it deactivated it's scanner,

"Suitable input source found. Human, male, early forties. Evidence of extensive past injury and cybernetic enhancement." It said as it turned to face Beltran. "Suitably well armed and in excellent physical shape. Most likely candidate to be a Hand to the Emperor. Sentinel will obey your commands."

The piercing hot gaze of Solipsis washed over the droid and moved onto the Antarian Ranger as he held his gaze for a moment before shrugging. The Elder nodded in agreement, "Indeed. Although I have a hunch it has more worth with what it knows than what it can do." He approached the droid with an inquisitive look about him, studying it's features to determine it's true value.

"The Shroud of Shadows," Solipsis rose his head to match the faceless visor that stared blankly, his eyes glanced upon the reflection in the visor which gave off the image of Beltran picking up a cloak of some form. "Also known as a Shadow Shroud. Fashioned by the Emperor for his Hands to wear. It protects against attacks using the Force, lightsabers and energy bolts. It allows the wearer to hide one's true nature in the Force. It is for you, Hand of the Emperor. Use it to do his bidding."

"Impressive. It is not often that one comes across an artifact made by the Emperor for his Hands. It will serve you well in the times to come, especially under the training I will be preparing for you.." He let his words hang as he moved his attention away once more back to the droid before him. He would continue to investigate the droid until mere moments later he felt the presence of the Antarian Ranger nearly vanish completely from his powerful senses. The fiery eyes of Solipsis ignited as he snapped his head to the location Beltran last stood as he approached, dimly illuminated under the glow of the holocron to his side. The Elder folded his arms and listened as his newfound apprentice spoke,

"It will not do for you to call me by my name either," He said, his voice seeming to come as whispers from all directions except the one he was coming from. "None can know that I am your apprentice. Not until we are ready. Until that time, call me Nox. Nox Intemptesta, the dead of night."

Solipsis nodded his head, his arms unfolding as his hands clasped together. "Well met, Lord Intemptesa. I shall not forget it for it will become a truer name than the one you were born with. It is the one you choose with this, the beginning of your new existence. Pray you stay worthy of it's meaning." Pointing to the droid, he formulated an idea, "Ah, I believe I will be leaving a few messages for and a way to contact myself but first as you said.. there are many more up top. We should begin our trek to the surface, once we return to the ships we can discuss the rest."

With that said, the Sith Master moved to the crumbled bodies of the Massassi and began to forcibly extract a sample of tissue from the dead Massassi with a sinister smile on his face. "Such a waste of good specimens. To be used in such a primitive manner, disappointing." Rising from his slumped position over the dead bodies to this feet, the Elder scanned the chamber one final time for anything of value before moving toward the way they came.



Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

"Well met, Lord Intemptesa. I shall not forget it for it will become a truer name than the one you were born with. It is the one you choose with this, the beginning of your new existence. Pray you stay worthy of it's meaning."

Nox's lips curled in a slight smirk at his mentor's words and the threat they implied. It was almost laughable how completely Darth Solipsis had been duped. And by the pure unadulterated truth no less.

The Sith truly believed that he had won and Nox would allow him to maintain that delusion, for the time being. There was more to learn, after all. Much more to understand and perfect. And he would. He would pass the elder Sith's tests. He would pretend to struggle in the places where it made sense for him to struggle. He would hide the true extent of his power until the moment he chose to show it. Then Solipsis would have a choice.

Bend the knee, or die like the rest.

Nox watched as his mentor bent over the corpses of the Massassi. An old man and his trinkets, Nox thought to himself. Perhaps the samples that Solipsis collected would have use, but most likely they would lead only to more flawed creations. When it was time to return to the surface, Nox led the way. He used the Force to guide him, switching off his HUD. He swept through the chambers they had discovered and made his way back to the lift.

As they stood in silence, the lift rose-bringing them back to the level they had entered. Nox's mind stretched out around him, the residual power from the pain of the Massassi extending his awareness.

"The creatures have penetrated the entrance," He told his mentor. From his waist, Nox pulled his father's lightsaber and activated it. Without ever having met the man, Nox knew that Solan Rarr would have disagreed with his chosen course. That didn't matter. His father's choices had led to the man's untimely death. What, truly, could the fallen Jedi offer to Nox now?

Nothing.

No, Nox would be the master of his own destiny. He would right the wrongs that the Jedi were too weak to right.

As the doors of the lift opened, Nox strode confidently into the large chamber. Dozens of the insects buzzed through a hole they had managed to create in the massive set of doors. Reaching up with his hand, Nox sent a stream of crimson lightening at them. Several went down immediately, writhing in pain and then dying. It was a far more rudimentary kind of pain than that of the Massassi, but it sufficed enough to allow Nox to feed off of it.

He then leapt into the epicenter of the warm, swinging his saber and taking several of the creatures apart with each strike. Beltran Rarr had been a talented student of the Schii-Cho style, but in the hands of Nox Intemptesta, the style was truly devastating.

The Sentinel joined the battle in its own manner, picking up rocks and other pieces of debris and hurling them at the insects, crushing several against the wall. It was a meager contribution in the face of Nox's slaughter, but it would suffice. As the swarm broke and reformed, moving away instinctively from him, Nox's voice came from all around them-it's sickly dark whispers seeming to bounce from ancient wall to wall.

"Shall I keep some alive for you, Lord Solipsis?"

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

So it was the two left the bowels of the Observatory from the path of whence they came, the hidden chamber once apart of a greater Sith Temple left behind as they took their tokens and made way for the surface. The Sith Master followed his newfound student into the darkness before them, his steps were quiet and soft, his senses soared as he extended his awareness beyond his physical shell into their surroundings. Closing his eyes, the Elder mimicked the same trick he had prior, opening his eyes to the Force itself in a similar manner to how the Miraluka saw the galaxy. Where once he was blind, now he could see.

Beltran had done well leading them back to the lift, utilizing the Force as his guide. Entering the lift, Solipsis shifted his dark gaze upward as he stood alongside the Lorrdian as they began to ascend toward the storehouse above. Each of them stood in silence, the Elder focusing on matters unknown in an almost blantantly distant facial expression as if he was honed in on something far away. HIs shifted back to the present as Beltran reached out sensing the squirming pests on the otherside of the doorway to the lift, the Antarian Ranger shared this to the Sith Lord as his eyes washed over the Lorrdian with a sense of disinterest. "So they have. Foul insects, let us be rid of them."

The Elder gripped his yorik coral hilted lightsaber loosely within his right hand, his sulfuric eyes stared out toward the doorway with a bland look of annoyance. As the doors opened forth, lifting to reveal their insect enemies pouring into the compound through a hole in the blast doors. His eyes studied their surroundings and the situation at hand, even as the Lorrdian strode into the chamber confidently. Solipsis followed suit curious of what his apprentice would do as Nox unleashed a steady stream of crimson lightning into the horde of bugs. His movements were quick, decisive, deadly. Utilizing Form I with great effect, the Sith Master studied his movements even as the masses closed in around them.

The Sentinel did what it could, smashing insect with rock and any debris it could find as it's master plunged into the heart of the swarm with his lightsaber in hand. HIs blade faded in and out in an impressive flurry of cuts, the horde broke apart and reformed in an attempt to gather once more at a distance from the bladesman. Nox's voice came in a sickening whisper from every corner, forcing the insects to move further back as if they somehow instinctually knew fear. "Shall I keep some alive for you, Lord Solipsis?"

The Sith Lord chuckled, his left hand extending outward momentarily before closing into a fist as a nearby insect splattered into a violent stream of goop and broken shell. With a quick snap of his wrists, he extended his arms, opening his palms as he reached out toward his enemies. His dreadful eyes cast a shadow over the pitiful bugs before him as he snapped his arms back to his chest just under an inch above his body. Like puppets pulled along strings, the closest pests fell prey to his power as several insects were dragged to him within mere seconds. Clear, transparent streams of energy outlined in a faint white glow pulsated forth from every insect within range of the Sith Lord into the body of Solipsis himself. He drained forth their lifeforce to feed his own in a terrible, controlled Death Field that drained the very essence of the creatures, turning them into dry husks as they crumbled onto the floor.

His breath escaped his closed form as he took a moment to collect himself before extending his arms back out in a shockwave which sent the corpses of the insects flying back into the swarm. Solipsis's eyes fell onto his hand as he felt the rejuvenating power of their lifeforce strengthen his old bones worn away by the corrupting power of the Dark Side of the Force. He took a moment to call upon it's power to further fortify his aged body to aid him in the coming moments as he closed his eyes and activated his crimson lightsaber with a sharp hiss of it's blade. Opening his eyes the Sith Lord roared outward with a inhuman battle cry, his body twirling as he leapt into battle alongside his newfound student Nox with a spin of his contorting body. Swinging at the nearest insect, he bisected the first wretched creature in his path before moving onto the next utilizing the highly aggressive Form VII Juyo.



Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Nox took his mentor's powerful assault on the bug creatures as leave to continue the slaughter. He leapt forward, somersaulting through the air. As he flew, he struck several down before landing on his feet in the epicenter of the swarm. With his free hand, he conquered up a powerful wave of Sith lightning which struck out against the insects on all sides.

Hundreds of them perished between the two warriors in a matter of moments. Had their enemy any semblance of intelligence, or any knowledge of the fear of death, they likely would have broke from them and fled. But they didn't. Instead their base instincts brought them together each time the swarm scattered too far. They bunched up, allowing for the Force users to dispatch them quickly in groups while picking off numerous strays with their lightsabers.

It wasn't long before only Solipsis, Nox and the Sentinel remained standing amid a field of broken insect carcasses.

"Your form is excellent, Lord Solipsis." Nox said of the elder man's lightsaber techniques. He recognized the basic Juyo strikes from his preliminary studies of the Jedi version called Vapaad. Extinguishing his blade, Nox re-attached the hilt to his waist. He turn motioned toward the edge of the valley where his ship, the Imperialis, had landed. "My vessel is atop that ridge. Are you landed nearby? Perhaps in your frailty, you would prefer that I walk you back to your ship? To ensure that you do not fall, of course."

There was a hint of humor behind Nox's jibe. Especially considering the display that Darth Solipsis had just put on. But, like the rest of their conversation it was also a test. It was an attempt to see if the ego of the elder Sith could be goaded by making light of his age. He doubted that the older man would fall for so obvious an attempt, but knowledge of his so-called mentor had to begin somewhere.

 

[Darth Solipsis]

Blades of plasma danced between the two warriors and their quarry as flickers of crimson lightning scattered amidst the frenzy. Those who were not outright cut down were either crushed or scorched from the powerful lightning conjured forth. It was ironic really, the greatest strength these pitiful insects had was numbers and within mere moments the tables had turned. Their greatest strength had become their folly as they bunched up allowing the Force-users to dispatch them quickly.

Once the flurry of sabers had died down Solipsis scanned his surroundings with a hint of approval. His prior training had done him well and would continue to serve him in the future under the old man's direction. The promise this student had was remarkable, his lack of empathy and pain tolerance made him the ideal prospect to carry on his teachings. He was giddy with the thought of the long game that had begun, the idea of molding him to his design as he fought back, striking against him with his own plays, his own moves. There was no question what would happen to him once he walked too far on this path, it was only a matter of time in the eyes of the Sith Lord. He had no doubt that this one would make due on his promise to end his life, and that brought a wicked smile to his face.

"Your form is excellent, Lord Solipsis."

A sharp hiss of his blade followed his student's own as it retracted back into the hilt of the lightsaber. "You have a good eye, Lord Nox. That will serve you well, you can learn many things from studying the techniques of another. With time, and practice, you may even learn to use their own abilities against them. Seldom do we build defenses around our greatest strengths." His eyes shifted to follow the gaze of the Lorrdian. "My vessel is atop that ridge. Are you landed nearby? Perhaps in your frailty, you would prefer that I walk you back to your ship? To ensure that you do not fall, of course."

A rare chuckle escaped his lips, a sense of humor surfacing beyond the cruel demeanor he normally carried. This fleeting moment was quickly drowned out and smoothed under the weight of seemingly emotionless disinterest. "The day my old bones fail me in frailty is the day I expect to be long dead and stricken down. I believe I will accompany you to your vessel, there is something I wish to see on your Droid companion. I assume you have a workshop?"



Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

"You have a good eye, Lord Nox. That will serve you well, you can learn many things from studying the techniques of another. With time, and practice, you may even learn to use their own abilities against them.

Nox inclined his head slowly, a gesture of respect to his mentor's wisdom. That was, in fact, the plan. He would watch Lord Solipsis carefully from here on out. He would absorb the elder Sith's lessons and thoughts, and then bend them to his own will. Eventually, he would become powerful enough that he would kill the Sith and turn his abilities into a swath of devastation against the rest of the Sith, the Bryn'adul, and any other threat to life and freedom that presented themselves.

"The day my old bones fail me in frailty is the day I expect to be long dead and stricken down. I believe I will accompany you to your vessel, there is something I wish to see on your Droid companion. I assume you have a workshop?"

Nox spoke. "Of course, Lord Solipsis." He would not call Darth Solipsis master. That would never happen. But he would show his respect by using the Sith's adopted name, just as the Sith had taken easily to using Nox's adopted moniker. He would lead the Sith back to where he had landed The Imperialis. As he lead the Sith and the Sentinel onto the luxurious yacht, Nox was greeted by D-07, or Dot, who served as the ship's pilot and mechanic. She tootled an uncertain greeting, to which Nox replied. "Return to the cockpit and recharge."

The droid warbled a little, lingering as Nox led the party passed and then leaving toward the cockpit to do as she was told. Beltran knew that he would hear about speaking to her like that later, but right now Nox needed to show strength in front of his mentor. He led the Sith into his personal armory where there was a work bench and several differing types of tookits. Suits of armor hung on stands throughout the room and dozens of weapons of varying types hung from the walls.

One in particular, a sword, he had purchased many years ago in a market on a distant world, called out in the Dark Side. It hungered for blood, having not been wielded in battle for a long time. Perhaps, Nox called out silently to the sword. I will use you when the time to kill Solipsis has come.

To his mentor, Nox simply gestured. "My tools are at your disposal, Lord Solipsis."

He too was interested to see what information was held on the Sentinel Droid.

 

[Darth Solipsis]

"Good."

The Sith Master followed as his new student led the party to his vessel, another spoil of Palpatine's vaults. The yacht was beautiful and well maintained despite it's age. Of course the Sith Lord had no idea of where the Lorrdian had picked up the starship or who it originally belonged to, yet there was a familiarity to it's design he felt he had seen before. "Impressive."

As they entered the vessel the party was greeted by an astromech droid of design he had yet to see, a fascinating design to be sure. His attention drifted as Nox ordered his droid back to it's place in the cockpit, he felt a murmur in the Force, a dark presence that longed for battle.

As Nox moved, the Sith Lord followed, into the armory where his eyes laid upon the object that had captured his attention in the Force. His eyes drifted over to the apprentice beside him, his own attention diverted to the sword as well. The Sith Master smirked for but a moment before moving away to the workbench itself for the task at hand before Nox gestured to him, offering his tools. "This is more than adequate to suit our needs for the moment."

The Elder turned his dark gaze to the newfound droid companion as it hovered beside the Lorrdian. He rose his decrepit hand slowly, sparks of crimson electricity leapt between his fingers for but a moment as he stared intently at the Sentinel. In a flash of light, a small bolt of electricity spat out from the fingertips of Solipsis, leaping into the chasis of the droid. The messenger droid fell limp momentarily as the Sith Lord formed a wicked smile, "Your companion will be quite fine. I've merely disabled it for the time being. Who knows what safeguards could have been in play to prevent it's capture?"

He moved to the droid and pressed it against the workbench where he could open it up and begin inspecting it's hardware. While he was never a mechanic, the dark individual had learned quite a bit in the inner workings of a droid and how to repair mechanical devices over the many years out of necessity. He was a bit rusty, but with time a partial message began to play over the facial screen of the droid. "..rebellion, defiance. These are concepts with must not be allowed to continue. You are but one of many tools by which these concepts shall be burned away. Heed my messenger.." Solipsis jumbled around further, the droid reactivated sprouting out numbers, "77-0034 X. 663309-1 Y. Unknown Regions, Planet 09376. Delta Route, avoid Gryssk quarantine."


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Nox hadn't been worried about the loss of the droid. It appeared to be capable enough, and he certainly would find a use for it assuming it survived whatever it was that Lord Solipsis had in store for it. But if it didn't, Nox would not be incensed. More important than the knowledge that the droid held, to Nox, was the knowledge that Solipsis held. Giving up a relatively minor piece in favor of more leverage on a powerful piece was a classic Dejarik tactic.

Nox simply crossed his arms underneath his cloak and watched as his mentor work. The first set of the droid's words meant little to him. A primer of basic megalomania perhaps? Probably. Palpatine knew all about that. Then after some retooling, something of interest did emerge from the Sentinel.

"77-0034 X. 663309-1 Y. Unknown Regions, Planet 09376. Delta Route, avoid Gryssk quarantine."

Solpsis had mentioned spending a great deal of time in the Unknown Regions. "Does this world mean anything to you?" Nox asked, his hooded head turning direction to look at Darth Solipsis . He didn't expect the elder Sith to answer honestly, so now he watched him closely. Nox...Beltran was a Lorrdian and as such had an uncanny ability to read the body language of others. Solipsis had powerful mental abilities, that was sure. But Nox wondered whether those abilities extended to the minute body movements and physiological changes that happened to most beings when they lied.

Each test of Solipsis' abilities, regardless of outcome gave Nox one more piece of information to use against him in the future.