A Rare Sith Lord

Posted on Tue Apr 16th, 2013 @ 2:14am by Thane & Bomoor Thort & Morgo Le'Shaad
Edited on on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 1:15am

4,448 words; about a 22 minute read

Chapter: Chapter III: Relics
Location: Medbay, Red Raptor
Timeline: Day Twelve, After "Odd Woman Out"

OLD

While still rather disturbed by the value placed upon Sev's Jedi kill count, Bomoor too let his gaze drift back towards the holocron, "I cannot say that Krayt will be pleased to see me but I do not think it is wise that you continue to speak to these data ghosts alone. I'm not sure what, if anything, I wish to learn from Darth Krayt, but I am willing to listen and learn. Surely he can have no quarrel with that."

"It's a rare Sith Lord, I fear," Thane responded, "that listens to such plain logic, although it seems Bane has been willing to hear a few such points, and given what little I know of One Sith mantra, Krayt... might consider such a point." Another of his half-grins, again with slight mischief, tugged at his mouth. "But then again, one can learn a lot through doing, so what the devil are we waiting for?"

NEW

With a wave of his hand, once more Thane summoned forth the gatekeeper of the holocron - the remnants of the being that was the final holder of the title Galactic Emperor, and amongst the last to hold the title of Dark Lord of the Sith, as well as arguably being amongst the final few even worthy of even being named 'Sith'.

Again, the living present were greeted by the grim and eternally disappointed visage of the red and shadowy figure of Darth Krayt's chosen form for his gatekeeper and snippet of essence he had imbued within the ivory-esque holocron. Just as Darth Bane presented his gatekeeper in the orbalisk armour he had adorned for a time in his true life, Krayt was now before them in the Yuuzhan Vong armour that typified his image during his tenure as dominator of the galaxy.

Whilst engulfed by the red hue, Krayt's eyes could nevertheless be seen to be mismatched, yet he remained an imposing and grand figure, albeit not entirely as Thane had perhaps expected him to be, although he remained awed by the sheer history and presence of this great - either for good or ill - figure that was now before them, even if just a shard of something once greater.

Giving each of the three a lengthy glare in turn, but not one that was as full as malice as one might expect, Darth Krayt was examining them in almost reserved manner, before finally speaking in a low and slightly menacing voice. "Only the three of you this time," he mused darkly. "You have decided on what you wish to do with me - the conflicted loyalist, the disillusioned visionary and-" Krayt paused as he examined Morgo, his eyes narrowing and lip curling, although one could not tell for what reason. "And the empty one... yes?"

Morgo ‘s pale eyes flickered up from where she was typing away on her datapad, silently surprised. She’d been writing a transcript for all that had been said during the proceedings of the Krayt holocron as she recording the entire meeting with a small holocam set on the lab counter. After all, she hadn’t wanted to miss a single word Krayt said. A non- Force sensitive hardly ever (if ever) got the chance to be a fly on the wall during the illicit meetings of Sith Lords and rogue Jedi. This one was for the history books.

Yet when Darth Krayt acknowledged her, Morgo had expected to be brushed off in a suitably haughty fashion, or berated for her presence—or even condemned for being a void in the Force. After all, Morgo was not ignorant of the fact that she probably felt much like the Yuuzhan Vong did to Darth Krayt, and his history of with that violent species was not a pleasant one, to say the least.

“My, what a surprise.” Morgo said, genuinely pleased, “A Sith Lord with manners. So courteous of you not to call me names, Darth Krayt. I’ll be sure to draw little ink hearts around your name when I transfer this to paper.”

Morgo stared upon the familiar face of Darth Krayt, oft seen in a book she kept under her bed as a child for night reading, noting his mismatched eyes, which if she recalled correctly, was a consequence of his captivity with the Yuuzhan Vong rather than the result of the fascinating genetic mutation known as heterochromia. Pity. Genetics were delightful.

"I am not what you were expecting?" Krayt responded, interested but still seeming to hold the superior position in the conversation. "It stands to reason: I am not the true Darth Krayt. I am not the Darth Krayt that became so self-obsessed with self-preservation; I am not the Darth Krayt who died but was reborn a self-defeating psychopath; I am not the Darth Krayt who failed himself, his One Sith, his galaxy and his ideology. No, I am from before... and from after. I know of what became of the galaxy when my progenitor gave in to the vices of the Sith of old and misanthropy, of how he let the grand Galactic Empire he forged to renew the galaxy as a place of order and strength crumble about him - and I know that he was a failure."

As the gatekeeper spoke, a certainly different avatar altogether from Bane's holocron (who so clearly thought of himself as effectively being the ever-right Darth Bane), the malice and scorn in his voice was clear, but his tones suggested that the days of self-pity of such things were long past, that the millennium had perhaps taught this Sith data echo humility, and led to a revised attitude. Naturally, of course, the arrogance and self-assurance existed, as only it could from someone who had admitted defeat and believed they had come back stronger.

"The galaxy has once again slipped into chaos, into a ruin so despicably ruled through lying bureaucrats and selfish power-mongers with no further interest in the galaxy beyond the doors of their own estates." Krayt looked to Bomoor. "The Jedi, again, have failed the galaxy and its peoples. Weakness is not just forgiven but rewarded, chaos spreads through the disease of 'acceptance' and you have plagued your fellow beings with these vices of 'equality' and false hope. The failures of the true Krayt taught me much, and once more the galaxy can be born anew as something greater, fulfilling my vision and giving the galaxy what it truly needs... One devoted entirely to a common goal and not to the individual, as the true Krayt feel victim to, but that only goes to show how easily one so powerful and become corrupted, even when they are the one who foresaw such an existence."

Krayt's mouth sealed shut and upturned, looking older and more grim than before (an achievement), as his oration stepped down a level, becoming more self-reflective. "But that's the problem, isn't it? Setting unreachable and unobtainable goals, just like the Jedi have and do; not living by what you preach; not being pure and true to the cause. So, tell me - do you seek simple knowledge from a failed dead man..." He looked to Thane, one eye narrowing oddly. "...Or true power?"

Regarding the deceased Sith Lord, Thane considered once more how different this one was to Bane, but he recognised how this was not as a result of having been an entirely different sort of person, but because this one had clearly tasted defeat and failure and fully recognised its inability to do anything about it in its current state, bar speaking to those who access it. The Caanan, looking past this, had already found a new fascination sparked within him. Bane was powerful and had his own mantras, but this echo of Darth Krayt - by the admission he continued to reference - had seen failure of one grand plan, but had seemingly improvised and recovered some shred of dignity, whilst realising his true place in the new galaxy, yet still spoke of untold powers and a clear understanding of at least him and Bomoor, just from being activated two times in their presence.

Drawn to and agreeing to a good deal of what Krayt had already said, Thane nevertheless tried to push the notions of learning these potential powers and thoughts from the long-dead Dread Lord and instead said, "We are hunting a man and his followers: the Cult of Axion. A group of Dark Jedi, interested only in self-empowerment and riches, restlessly hunting the Kaiburr crystal shards. They have killed many undeserving in their quest, and we seek kno-"

"Knowledge that would get you to them faster?" Krayt posed. "I may know of places... myths... I spent many years collating what I could of Sith lore, but much of it is tainted by past failures and corrupt ideologies - Banite ideologies and those of the megalomaniac, Palpatine, and 'Kaiburr' was a name we came across many times. But is it just to stop them from their rampage that you seek them?" He posed. "It is often the case that we stoop to the level of the ones we hate in our fight against them, strip ourselves of the ethics that define us before to better beat an otherwise unfair opponent. Is that what you are doing, Jedi?"

In response, Thane's own eyes narrowed, yet he remained keenly aware of Bomoor and Morgo's presence with them, as well as the fact he was not sure if Krayt was acting a particular way because they were there, and whether or not he would speak differently in seclusion. "Axion is a mockery of the Force and the power: his purpose is only to abuse others to make him feel better about himself, not even slightly thinking beyond his own power games. I seek power to make myself better, so I can then better do what is right. One man and his fists cannot defend a village from the raiders... but a man with a gun might."

If Krayt was pleased or displeased with the answer, he did not specify. "Or a man with an army will." Not addressing Thane again properly or continuing the conversation, Krayt now looked to Bomoor. "And what of you? Do you hunt Axion because the Jedi command it or because your own petty morality deems it necessary," and then looked to Morgo, "or because it is a means to an end?"

The Ithorian shuffled slightly and drew himself up to face the echo that addressed him, "I have witnessed the rampant carnage that Axion leaves in his wake. He is a menace to the living Force. Had the Jedi council subsequently decided not to allow me on this mission, it would not have affected my feelings on the matter. If I am driven by some force of morality, it is only a duty to protect the living essence that Axion threatens with his ways. Tell me, if you are capable of anything but criticism and abstract self-pity, as a powerful Force-Sensitive yourself, would you not wish to protect that which empowers you? That which made you what you are?"

"That which made me what I am?" Krayt echoed. "Do you mean as a mighty Sith Lord and founder of the One Sith, or as an echo, now a gatekeeper of an ageing holocron? It matters not which you meant. The Force may touch us, but for me... I took what I desired! The Force serves me and my wishes, just as it should you and all those who can use it, but only if they use it for the order of the galaxy. Simply having the Force is the first step to a greater power and enlightenment, and so whilst I condone this Axion's search to empower himself - to take what he wants - I condemn his true goals. He has no true vision! A man unworthy of the power and majesty of the dark side."

Krayt's mismatched eyes were certainly focused keenly on Bomoor now, as Thane looked on in thoughtful silence. "So, young Jedi, you would devote your life to protecting the existence of the Force, of ensuring its continued existence? An admirable goal, Ithorian, but never forget: the Force cannot be destroyed. You speak of this Living Force, of it existing in all manner of things... I know the teaching well, of how the Force is in all things, created and sustained by living beings even if they cannot touch it."

The fallen Sith paused for a moment. "My own masters spouted such things, but the only way to truly destroy the Force would be to destroy all life in the galaxy." He looked to Morgo briefly before turning to Bomoor once again. "Voids may exist, but voids - just like black holes - are tolerated by existence; they are worked around, ignored or simply avoided. Destroy Axion, Jedi, but not for the protection of the Force. It does not need your protection." His eyes washed over Thane for a moment as he made the final comment.

Had Morgo been alone, she would have snorted.

Bomoor was not comfortable being the focus of Krayt's attention. He hardly liked anyone's attention, let alone that of a Sith Lord. At the temple, to talk of the Living Force and the sanctity it holds would be the cue for mumbles of agreement but this journey continued to challenge the beliefs he had built up over years of studying with the Jedi. He may have encapsulated his views in the Jedi's teachings but, even before his time with the Jedi, he had believed in a greater natural entity (as had many of his ancestors before him). He had chosen to call it the Force and learn the Jedi ways of tapping into this living energy, but he never believed without question. He had always looked to that energy itself to instruct his beliefs.

"The Force will never die," Bomoor stated, "But that does not mean it does not respond like a living thing. It can become sick and twisted, just as we can. It responds to delicate changes in ourselves and these manifest in the powers it bestows upon us. On Tython, it was clear that the presence of the dark Force Users guarding your holocron were the source of the terrifying force storms around that temple. The Force was not well in that place and it corrupted the very landscape. The Force doesn't need us to protect it, just to keep it pure."

"Well said, Ithorian... but you fail to define 'pure'," Krayt said, but it sounded as though his interest in Bomoor and this topic was beginning to wane. "If Tython is a true judge of of the Force's purity, then you yourself are impure, as you too would cause disruption to the delicate balance of that infernal and pointless tomb of a planet. Only someone who walks to grey line of unimportant and unimpressive contemplation could hope to survive there, but I could just as easily judge the merits of a particular side of the Force based on other locations; Korriban, for example... or some place imbued with the light side of the Force, so few and far between that they may be. If you truly wish to discuss such philosophies, first have more of a basis for me to examine, rather than simply assuming."

At that, Krayt now turned his attention back towards the group at large. "There is potential with you, that much is obvious," he declared, "and I may be willing to share what information is stored within my holocron, but on a need to know basis. Surely you could not believe simply asking me something would be quite so straightforward? Little power remains me beyond my words and whatever weight they may carry - I would have you listen, have us debate, and I will impart knowledge of these shards to you. There have many years in between the times I have been brought forth from the holocron, and I'm sure you will not be surprised to hear that those fools proclaiming to be the last of my One Sith did not make for enlightening conversations." His mismatched eyes once again settled upon Thane for a brief moment. "I trust you all will be far more interesting." And with those final words, the gatekeeper shimmered out of existence.

Thane stood for a few moments with the pair in silence as he contemplated all that Darth Krayt had said and suggested, although his mind seemed to focus heavily on the offer of Sith teachings and insurmountable potential for learning more Force lore, he was aware that Krayt would have his own plans for Thane, of potentially using him to his own ends, just as he knew Bane felt he could. Whilst entirely aware of these factors, the former Jedi still did not deny there was much he could still learn from them. Just as they sought to use him, he sought to use them. It was an ironic form of justice, really.

Stepping forward, Thane clasped the holocron firmly in his hand, examining it for a couple of seconds, still marvelling at the amount of data and Force power that was actually stored within such devices. The very fact this had belonged to a once great Sith Lord carried much weight, and he wondered how much of the holocron's worth was simply what he was emotionally attributing to it.

"A compelling offer and one that's probably too good to be true," Thane said, now looking up from the holocron to the other two. "He no doubt wants to see what sort of angle he can get on us and then perhaps the galaxy - failed plans or not, such a being is unlikely to give up on such dreams of galactic dominance, even if his existence is restricted to a data sprite." An amusing image of a cackling miniature-sized Sith Lord came to his mind briefly, and he tried but failed to push it to one side. He truly wondered, though, how much of the original Krayt's dedication to Sith dominance and ideals remained in the gatekeeper.

Bomoor hummed with contemplation, "Curious, though, how he professes independence from the Sith Lord that created him. I guess it just shows how experiences shape one's person. Nevertheless, if he holds knowledge of the Kaiburr Shards, we must access that information somehow. I cannot see us forcing it out of him so we may have to indulge his dreams of grandeur if we hope to get anywhere."

The Ithorian motioned for Thane to hand him the device. He was aware that his reluctance to examine the holocrons had almost completely vanished. They now held a great sense of curiosity to him. The Jedi would have had him believe the likes of Bane and Krayt to be maniacal Dark-Siders who's ideas were irrational and psychopathic. Not someone you could ever hold a firm conversation with before they stuck a blade through you. Yet this was not the case. It was true that their demeanour and manner may be no more than an alluring trick, yet this alone showed some form of intelligence to their schemes, which was something he had never even considered until this point.

As the device rubbed against his outstretched palm, a pulse of energy flowed through him and gripped him with an exciting sensation. He knew it was the pull of the Dark side from the device and he did his best to pacify the sensation as he examined the intricate markings on the rim. It seemed clear that Sith holocrons were more than just fountains of knowledge, they contained a legacy intended to give some level of immortality to its creator.

"Still," Bomoor continued, "We should all exercise caution. As you say, we do not want to get drawn into some scheme. We have enough on our plates already without fulfilling the legacy of Darth Krayt."

Morgo’s face remained neutral as her eyes flitted from Thane, to Bomoor, and finally to the holocron itself. While she really did prefer that Bomoor and Thane get their Dark side hard-ons from thinking/touching the relic somewhere else other than her Med bay, listening in on the musings of Bomoor and Thane had its uses. As Morgo typed the lines describing the way Krayt had left them, Morgo began to review his words in her mind. She would not presume to say she could recognize the subtle manipulations of one she had never faced head on in Dromachean court, but she couldn’t help but wonder whether Krayt’s machinations had already begun. What seeds he had already planted in his short time with them. Whether he even had an agenda beyond converting two Jedi to the Dark Side. Morgo blinked slowly as she finished the last lines of her transcript, dark lashes fanning softly on her cheeks as she contemplated the dark twistings of Darth Krayt’s mind, as she often had as a child.

Setting her datapad aside, Morgo slid from her seat and stood, her eyes falling on the Ithorian, who still held the holocron with a hint of unease—as if he were unsure whether such dark power was his to delve into, to feel…to relish. Speaking, Morgo’s voice was conversational as tilted her head at the Ithorian.

“You speak of resisting whatever agenda Krayt has in mind, but with this quid pro quo arrangement he’s set down, we won’t have a choice when his schemes unfold. We’ll give him something he wants, and at best he’ll give us a hint or a location of a Kaiburr shard. It’s that or nothing, and he isn’t the one with anything to lose by not speaking.” Morgo paused, her smile turning wicked as she lifted an elegant brow, “’Krayt could ask for a naked dance and one of you would have to put out. If, you know, his nefarious plans involved seeing you naked.”

Bomoor looked up and slowly placed the holocron down where it had stood on the table, "You know, for someone so refined, you certainly have an ill-mannered way of putting things. I meant only to let him speak his piece, not to put anything he suggests into action. Besides, I'm not really built for dancing. At least not in any regular sense of the word."

"It certainly says more about your way of thinking than anything else," Thane agreed, before adding with some humour, "But he does boast an impressive naked form." The Human eyed the holocron for a few more moments. "Whilst there's bound to be some ulterior motive - and I don't even think he is trying to hide that fact from us - all he can do is offer us information and dialogue, and how react to that is entirely down to us. After all, his points may even make some sense, but if he hopes to seduce through typical Sith means, then we'd have to be pretty weak-minded to give simply obey his will."

Once more, he clasped Krayt's heirloom, turned it in his hands a couple of times, before holding it at his side and looking to Morgo. "Well, dear Duchess, many thanks for entertaining our presence and sacrificing much of your precious time. I'm sure my honourable friend is as keen as I am to leave your presence before you have one of your terrible allergic reactions, as much fun as I'm sure that would be to watch." He gave an exaggerated bow to Morgo before heading towards the door.

Bomoor gave a more reserved bow of his elongated neck, "Thank you for your efforts, Lady Le'Shaad. Good luck in your research."

As they headed down the corridor alongside one another to their respective rooms, Thane held up the Sith holocron and offered it to Bomoor. "I don't particularly trust the others to look after this appropriately, and I already have one holocron to keep an eye on. Two might make it easier for Mandalore the Krifftastic to do some damage, and you might be able to glean something from Krayt in the meantime."

Holding the holocron and away from Morgo, Thane was becoming once more aware of the aura surrounding it, noting again how similar yet dissimilar it was to that of Bane's; it carried with it the dark side potency of the latter's, yet was so infused with something quite different. Neither was necessarily more dark than the other, but the remnant of the One Sith's Dread Lord carried an air of dark yet powerful and refined foreboding. Bane's was more a swirling inferno, thick and mighty, but the arrogance and self-assuredness was common to both.

In truth, whilst he typical level of resistance to most figures of power and authority was clearly present, his yearning for the knowledge within - both in terms of power and philosophy - was tangible, but he knew he could never name either as 'Master'. After all, they were still, ultimately, failures. But why make your own mistakes, when you can learn from others?

The Ithorian accepted the holocron from Thane's outstretched palm, "I suppose that would be a wise move," Bomoor agreed, touching the device and once again feeling its heated life force, "I am not sure if Krayt was particularly fond of me but perhaps that is for the best. Better a quiet Sith Lord than a raging one."

He bid Thane goodbye and began towards his own room. He would have to place the device somewhere secure. Perhaps he could fit it into the storage below his bed, but he did not feel entirely comfortable sleeping above it and it was a fairly obvious place to search. He had noticed some loose floor grates that he could take up. Perhaps those would do the trick.

A thought struck him as he held the ancient Sith box. He was still responsible for Thane on this mission and here he was aiding in the concealment of forbidden artefacts. But he did not feel he was doing evil and neither was Thane. Not really. What they had seen on Tython was pure, irrational evil. An endless hunger that could not be satisfied. That was the dark side - fear, misery, manipulation. But somehow it just blurred the lines between that madness and the coherency that Krayt imbued when he spoke to them. But there he was, with the council was awaiting his report.

They might just have to wait a bit longer.

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