Private The Shadows That Follow

[Dax Perl]

The Verdict floated aimlessly through space. The aged former ORC war vessel may as well have been derelict. A behemoth, listing aimlessly through space these last few standard days. But onboard, a skeleton quietly, grimly, worked at their assignments. The once fully manned battlecruiser's numbers had dwindled over time. Their mission was a mystery, the light at the end of the tunnel nowhere in sight. And their captain did not attempt to assuage them. Nor did he hunt down deserters. Only a handful of people on-board knew what the captain's goals were. And only a fraction of them chose to stay after their captain told them.

Dax wondered why, as he looked out through the viewport at the glittering dark canvas before him. He'd be eternally grateful to those who'd stayed. Somehow, he'd repay them, and ensure they were kept safe.

"Are you sure about this, Grand Marshal?" Brill's voice came from behind Dax. "You're never gonna stop calling me that, are you?" the man said looking back over his shoulder at the woman. She'd been at his side since he and Bryce had founded the Judges. She was dedicated, and even after the ORC dissolved, she'd helped keep the Judges running until eventually they too fell apart. A thousand places she could have gone, but the Force had seen fit to bring them together again in some seedy bar on Kabal.

"Yes, I'm sure," Dax reaffirmed to the only one left onboard who knew of his plans. The rest, former soldiers and Judges, why they stayed was a mystery. Maybe it was just the adventure. Or that they remembered the man who'd once fought for their freedom and safety those decades ago.

"If I can't dissuade you then..." Brill stepped up beside Dax and handed him a datapad. "Here's the full list of locations. Best place to start is-" Dax waved the pad away. "Thanks Brill but," the dark-haired man took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. "I'll find him on my own."

And Dax cast his consciousness through the galaxy.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum stood aboard the Ragathor and looked out towards the blue tunnel which they currently were encircled, hyperspace travel was a wonderful thing, and it was rare they were able to appreciate it. The wonder which allowed them to traverse the known galaxy, as immense, as giant, as it was, in mere weeks, the wonder which brought such different planes from the galactic core, to the galactic rim, connecting through the hyperlanes as strange worlds as the city world of Coruscant, to the sands of Tatooine, or the jungles of Kashyyk, and all other worlds which existed within their galaxy.

The Alvaria would join them at their destination, and from there, more ships would join them as they continued their journey.

Their destination?

The Expansion Region.

For all his disagreements with Admiral Michael Hightower at the Sith Imperial War Council, he had spoken words that held weight and accuracy. Though for now, focus was directed towards the so-called Empire of the Lost out in the galactic east, the main Sith forces would still be advancing towards the hyperlanes towards the Core.

And to set up that advance...

...Well it was his duty, was it not?

After all, especially after the... betrayal? Of Alicia Drey , on board, the Malsheem, suspicion towards him, having thus far been fended off after the Ouroboros Crisis was mounting.

And Malum was always of the opinion to kill multiple birds with one stone.

He would take Admiral Hightower's suggestions on board, another directed privateering effort across the Expansion Region, a test of the Alliance's forces, most certainly focused around Coruscant for the oncoming siege, yet it was not as if foothills to Fondor would be unguarded.

And after victory found itself, another feather to his cap, his loyalty would be ever secured by his success.

As he mounted the largest privateering expedition he had ever undertaken, he had learned from Kril'Dor, that simply a cruiser and corvette would not do.

While of course star destroyers were far too big.

So why not multiple cruisers and corvettes?

It would be his latest experiment.

Yet, strangely.

Gazing out into the simu-tunnel.

He felt... something was off.

Yet what exactly that was.

He could not be quite sure.

Simply knowing... it was vaguely familiar.

Dax Perl

 

[Dax Perl]

"There you are..."

The edge of a smile quirked the aging man's lips as he turned his head ever so slightly towards the right. Towards that sublime shadow parsecs away. "Navigator, set course for the Expansion Regions."
"Coordinates?" Dax paused a moment, eyes distractedly flitting about before they settled once more and the man recited a series of numbers, and moments later the stars burst into cerulean streamers passing them by.

He was closer than Dax had expected. All the better, they might even manage to beat him to his destination.

And indeed, when the Verdict dropped out of hyperspace, the black void was empty of any of ships. And again, the Verdict quietly listed through space, her engines dead, only the lights left on in the bridge indicating any sign of life on board the cruiser. "Clear the bridge," Dax commanded, and quickly beings began to filter out. Except too. "You too, Brill," Dax said with a slight smile as he looked over his shoulder at the former-Judge. Brill hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but decided against it, and turned and walked off the bridge, the doors sliding shut behind her.

Alone now, Dax took a deep breath as he stepped up close to the viewport. Close enough that he could feel the void's perfect chill just beyond it. It wouldn't be much longer. Dax counted down the seconds. Felt the growing darkness across the stars.

He was here. The corvette dropped from hyperspace, appearing with little fanfare before the behemoth of the cruiser that Dax looked out at the corvette from. Dax wondered if the man in that little corvette could feel his presence, had any idea who Dax was, or what he was about to ask of him. Well, there was only one way to find out.

Dax took several steps back, gesturing with his hand as he did so, hailing the corvette. "Darth Malum," Dax said greeted as soon as the other ship answered, "Of House Marr." Dax's typical lazy smile spread across his markedly unmarred face, quite the improvement over the sunburned, sandblasted, rock-scraped face the Sith would have last seen. It was the most genuine smile he'd worn in quite a long time. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

That feeling did not leave him, even as the Ragathor shot out of hyperspace, at the metaphorical speed of a missile it struck forth, only to almost paradoxically be brought to a gentle, cruising speed, a metaphorical halt, for no doubt the ship remained going at a greater speed than anything else in existence.

Yet nothing could compare to hyperspace.

He did not have any further opportunity to muse on that topic, as his eyes narrowed and a chill went up his spine.

In the blackness of space.

They were not alone.

A behemoth of guns faced him.

A titan of visage.

A frame of a ship most familiar.

But certainly not of this era.

"Imperator, Darr Itah-class Battle Cruiser identified," A giant of another age, a symbol of the grand admirals and lords of the One Sith, some of them, even as old as they were still likely served among the Sith.

Yet they were a rarity.

And one should not be here.

And that sense of familiarity, beyond just the ship that he had read histories of remained, an itch that refused to be scratched, as he stood solitary gazing forward.

Its guns had not been deployed or aimed his way, yet why else be here not to confront him? His Tsis'Kaar would not have failed him, the traitors purged long ago, and if someone had leaked his path, one would have thought it would have been an Alliance fleet confronting him here, not a single battlecruiser, that despite all its strength.

Could certainly be brought down, if enough of his vessels arrived.

That very eventuality presented itself, as seconds later the Alvaria arrived out of hyperspace, no doubt caught as off-guard as he was with what waited for them both.

Yet his mind had no time to be surprised, drafting a makeshift battle plan.

A cruiser and a carrier had little chance to take on a battlecruiser head-on, that much he knew. Yet, there were few advantages, the ship ahead of them was alone, and his carrier held the offensive potential to knock it out, if it had only minimal screens.

And to his fortune, the giant had not yet laid its batteries bare against him.

Still, there was no guarantee that would remain the case.

"Advance the Ragathor forward, in front of the Alvaria, all power to the shields, have the Alvaria deploy fighters and bombers, call upon all vessels of the expedition to rally here and prepare for battle." He could only hope that there had not been other confrontations, but by the fact that it seemed their comms were still active and he had heard nothing, seemed to imply that their last advantage still held.

If they could hold here.

Reinforcements would be soon on the way.

"As you command, Imperator," That title was still one that bothered him, yet at this moment, there was no time to consider it further. No doubt Custos would already be following his orders upon the Alvaria, all the while gazing back, despite seeing through the mask he wore, Venerandus remained as ever his rock.

They might survive this yet.

Before a voice transmitted upon his vessel.

A voice familiar.

And as Malum turned his head to gaze at whence it came from.

He discovered it came from a face most familiar as well.

Though he had only seen him once.

It was an encounter difficult to forget.

If it was possible, the ruby eyes of the aristocratic, aquiline face of the heir of the great Darth Marr narrowed even further.

If he needed any more confirmation that this once One Sith vessel did not belong to a friend.

The face of man he had battled on Korriban, upon its bridge, was enough.

"I would rather think an encounter like this is far from pleasurable... though if you considered my defeat of you the last time a pleasure, I shan't judge you too harshly," He needed to buy time, every second that passed, more and more of his ships inched closer and closer here, still it was intriguing.

The man knew his name.

"Yet you seem to have me at a disadvantage," In more ways then one, "You know my name, yet I do not know yours."

And considering the man commanded a One Sith battlecruiser, Malum was certainly very interested on who exactly he was.

Well as interested as one that did not wish to be blown up could be.

Dax Perl

 

[Dax Perl]

Beyond the viewport, another Sith vessel had dropped out of hyperspace. A corvette and a cruiser. If the Verdict had boasted its full complement of crew members, armed to the teeth and armored as she was, the Dar-Itah class battle-cruiser could have reduced the two vessels into little more than wreckage, fresh for the pickings of pirates and scavengers. But fewer than thirty souls still manned the ship, and guns had been quiet for nearly two decades.

No, today, Sith would win if he went searching for a fight. Thankfully, the corvette, Malum's vessel, moved to cover the carrier, taking a defensive posture, perhaps to hold out until whatever other ships they waited up arrived. Why else would a carrier ship have arrived just after Dax's most esteemed guest.

He would have to make this quick.

"Confident, are we?" Dax couldn't help but smirk as the Sith finally received the Grand Marshal's hail. And practically boasted about his past and future victory. "I hate to disappoint you, there is no fight to be had today. Just a mere offer." One that might be most intriguing to the Sith, based on what Dax's connections had revealed to him. "My name is Dax Fyre. God-King of Won Shasot and Consort to the late Empress of Akarui." Worlds and titles that likely meant little to the Sith. "A learned man such as yourself, however, might recognize me as the once-upon-a-time leader of the Outer Rim Coalition, and the Grand Marshal of the Outer Rim Judges."

Dax paused, examining whatever the Sith would give away. Painfully little, in all likelihood.

"But who I am matters little. What I offer you, is knowledge, and opportunity. You search for something that would validate your House's claim to lineage." Dax reached into his jacket, and produced a long, cylinder, made of some silvery metal, wrapped in black leather and fashioned with a long bayonet. A lightsaber. It began to float and rotate slowly above Dax's hand as he held his hand out towards the distant corvette, as if in offer to the dark lord. "Do you know what this is?" Dax questioned, before answering before Malum could reply. "Your ancestor once found it, carried and wielded it. The lightsaber of Tulak Hord." Dax's hand closed fast around the saber, and hid it within his coat. "While, I'm sure you'd like to verify its authenticity, allow me to assure you, while it may not affirm your house's claims, I have the utmost faith it may very well show you the path to do so. If not, at the very least, it would serve as a powerful weapon. Or a pretty wall-hanger. It's yours. If you're willing to come and take it."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"Should I not be? You are the one that fled the field of battle," Perhaps if he wished to delay the last thing he wanted to do was antagonise him, at the same time, if he was as prideful as Malum imagined, poking him, throwing sand upon wounds as it were, to force him to remain in conversation if only out of defence of himself, may indeed be the best way to keep him here, to delay him.

Still, it seemed it mattered little, if Malum took him at his word, which he did not, out of the corner of his eye, he already spotted the soon arrival of two more cruisers, that still did not make their odds that much better against the behemoth they faced.

But it would certainly narrow them.

Still, if he did take the man at his word, he had no intention to fight today, which whether Malum liked it or not, was seemingly enough to reduce the tension in his spine and shoulders, as he considered the rest of his words.

At worst it meant that Malum could bring his own forces to bear.

Still, what his words revealed was...

...It was hard to believe.

Malum had defeated the famous Dax Fyre? Most of his titles meant little, he had never heard of an Empress Akarui, while what he did know of Won Shasot was of it as a border world of the empire, soon to fall, but the other titles, the man was right, far more intriguing.

Leader of the Outer Rim Coalition, and the Grand Marshal of the Outer Rim Judges.

He had failed evidently, by the fact that neither organisation existed, long replaced by the Rimward Trade League and their own Force Order, but the fact he failed did not take away entirely from his own accomplishments.

Malum was shocked he had not recognised him.

It was so... evident now.

And Malum had defeated such a man?

He stood perhaps a little taller.

"...And so why is such a man flying an old decrypt, One Sith Battlecruiser?" Malum spoke quickly, realising he had revealed far more than he was comfortable, yet, even that attempt faded away quickly, caught off-guard, his eyes widened before he could settle them to a single raised brow.

Such was not strictly necessary, he had proven his lineage to all those that mattered.

But that did not mean his initial quest had ever been concluded.

And there were doubters ever still.

And what he offered.

Malum might have wanted it even before the mention that it once belonged to his great and famous ancestor.

Tulak Hord's lightsabre...

...It could not remain in the hands of one of the Light.

"...And what exactly do you demand of me in exchange for such a thing?" Malum narrowed his eyes, knowing by now his interest was painted in stone, there would be little chance to bluff in regards to a lack of care.

All the while, two more Shikkar Corvettes came out of hyperspace at the flank of the Battlecruiser, Venerandus in the background quick to patch them to hold position.

Yet Malum's eyes never shifted away from the holographical representation of the great man before him.

Dax Perl

 

[Dax Perl]

"Should I not be? You are the one that fled the field of battle."

The corner of Dax's lips couldn't help but quirk upwards in a bemused smile at the Sith's words. So bold. So proud. And all of it built upon assumptions. Of course, this Malum had indeed defeated Dax in combat, there was no shame in admitting that. It was because of this Dax had chosen him to begin with. And Dax was not afraid of retreat or as the Sith had so eloquently put it, 'fleeing the field of battle'. Despite what Malum might've thought, his apparent disappearance from their battle had been beyond his control. Besides, there was a time and place for retreat. Some battles were not worth fighting, any commander worth his salt knew this. And though one might've thought all these excuses Dax had never been a coward.

Nor was he the kind to allow himself to be distracted or baited. Brown eyes flicked away from the hologram for just a moment to watch two more Sith vessels appear. Soon more would come, and an ambitious Lord of the Sith would certainly attempt to take advantage. Dax had to make this quick.

"The Coalition made good use of 'decrepit' vessels such as this one for many years before choosing to dissolve itself," Dax answered, marking the slight change in posture in Malum. Even if he had not noticed the way the Sith had subtly relaxed upon hearing that Dax was not seeking violence today, there was no mistaking the puffed chest of a man suddenly quite pleased with himself. "What you see as worthless junk, I see as treasure."

Of course, the thing that made Malum's eyes widen with interest, before he'd managed to school himself into a more dignified expression, was a treasure to them both. Its (albeit great) monetary value was nothing compared to its historical significance. And its significance paled when compared to the strength it promised to grant its wielder. Even now, the faint tendrils of unnaturally black smoke wound their way around Dax's fingers, curling down his arm.

Moreth's saber sang in its presence, the keening of some base instinct, pleased at the presence of another like itself. Like called to like, they said. And Dax hoped the same applied to people. That Malum was indeed like his forbearer.

Strong.

Ambitious.

But most importantly, a man of his own mind and vision.

A man unafraid to chase his own dream, condemned though it may be by his own peers.

Even if he wasn't, Dax's goal would be achieved by the end of all this.

"I would have you do exactly what you did in that cave on Korriban," Fight me, the smirk he wore said, darkly. Kill me. "Except this time, you'll come to me."

Two more vessels appeared. It was time to make an exit.

"Not now, mind you," Dax said, looking away from the hologram and raising an arm to the side, waving it briefly. The Verdict came alive. Engines roared and though no one manned the guns, the red glow from their cannons indicated that they were very much operational. "There are preparations to be made first. Arrangements, circumstances. But do not worry. I have the utmost faith in you."

A data package would make its way to Malum's ship, containing a transcript of an old text, origins unknown. From the strange wording and grammar errors, it was obvious to anyone who grew up speaking Basic, the original document must've been written in another language originally, and then translated. Whether Malum viewed it now or later did not matter. Only that he read it's contents. Instructions on how to locate a vector through the Force, a transient, shifting point where one could pierce through hyperspace, past the galaxy, and back...if the vector didn't close or drift away before then.

A final footnote in the text, clearly added by the translator, denoted a possible vector's cycle.

"Anyways, it was a pleasure, Malum of House Marr," Dax bowed deeply, and though his voice hinted at bemusement and mischief, the bow was deeply respectful. "We'll see each other soon."

The holo cut out, and a moment later, the Verdict was gone.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

If there was one kind of person he so disliked, as ironic as it was, it was the arrogantly aloof, even schooling his features back under the mask which they were trained to be held to, now no doubt the glimmer in his eyes painted enough of a visage to let the man know of the distaste that exuded out of the Sith Lord's form.

Unfortunately, much happened far too quickly for Malum to even truly respond.

The man spoke quickly, that much he would grant him.

Or perhaps Malum's eyes had been too trained on the promise of the lightsabre whose presence even with the immense distance between them, he could feel as if it was gripped around his fingers even now. There was much afforded to him by his birthright, his name, his nobility, his eyes, and his force sensitivity, he was the heir to the great Darth Marr, Dark Lord of the Sith, Dark Councillor of the Sith Empire, and the defender of his people, fulfilling his duty, to the very end.

It had been thousands of years since he had drawn breath.

But as Malum, felt the amulet around his neck burn hotly against his chest, in some way, though the ashes of what once were, through the blood that flowed through his veins, the great Darth Marr still lived.

And for having such a great forefather, there was little confusion in why so many doubted if these thousands of years later, his House, his family, truly held his blood. Few doubted now, after all, he had brought his family to new heights, rising further and further so quickly, that none his age could possibly share.

Yet beneath their subservience.

Beneath their scorn.

Beneath their curiosity.

Beneath their fear.

Doubt remained.

He held the Holocron of his forefather, still, it had been so long inert, his family held a ruined mask, broken and burned, it was not enough, there were always voices, paupers, forgers... how it still so galled him even now.

But in front of him now, was the evidence he needed, a feather in his cap which the great Darth Marr had accomplished in his own era, if he could take it...

...Where would the doubt be then?

He said nothing in the face of words, red meeting brown only to communicate what was unspoken. Fight, kill, and for that, he would gain a prize more worthwhile than any other.

He had killed for less.

Even as he tensed as the battlecruiser's weapons warmed, as his own ship's hardpoints prepared to answer. There was nothing, as his helmsmen alerted him to the arrival of the data package, he knew, whether trap or not, he would have to pursue, if the man wished to kill him with the gunnery advantage then he would have already taken the opportunity... no, his demise would not be upon the ship, but through what he wanted.

A fight, much like upon Korriban.

The Battlecruiser hyperspaced away, "Indeed we will, Lord Fyre, indeed we will" Malum turned towards an ever-confused crew, "Order all ships of the fleet apart from the Alvaria and Ragathor to return to Alvaria, we will be putting this incursion on hold," Even confused, even perhaps slight disappointment, there was no hesitation in the carrying out of their Imperator's orders.

Malum himself, looked ahead, as the contents of the data package were examined.

A Vector in the Force.

Even if the bounty which he sought was not there, this might have altogether been too tempting to ignore.

A lightsabre to be his.

A battlecruiser to be liberated.

A spell in the Force to be examined.

Malum smirked, as his ships turned.

And as their engines powered, they travelled into the depths of what awaited them.

Dax Perl