The Tests

[Negative Blessing]

Grima stood in the thresh hold of the Froli Cave on Dathomir, letting her mind debate on what has been asked of her. So Crusader Ber'ong not only wished to learn from her but she was now seeking to become something more than just an Apprentice of sorts. Grima had no need for a bodyguard if that was what she was being asked but the more she thought about it, the appeal was growing, but not a bodyguard but something more deadlier. Perhaps this Crusader could be a use to her. Grima was busy of late with her experiments and quest for knowledge but the Order was always demanding her attention on this or that. Perhaps some sort of...assistant....could be useful. Yes, that's it. She will test Crusader Ber'ong on her loyalty and obedience and if the young Crusader survived a series of tests, then she would grant her a title of sorts.

Motioning for the Crusader to join her on the edge of the cave's entrance, she said, "On my home world you have proven your worth once to me but it is as you have said, you have lost your way. But I will help you Yr'il. You have grown stronger since our last lessons together and you will continue to grow under my tutelage. Though the concept of a bodyguard is...well, annoying to me I however found something I could use you for. My experiments and my quest for knowledge seems to take up most of my time and the Dark Council is always requesting my assistance in one form or another, I could use...lets say an assistant to deal with the more tedious requests of the Dark Council."

Grima turned to face the young Crusader then said, "You will obey me and do as I say...never questioning my wisdom. You will complete and succeed in every task I set before you and failure...will result in death. Through this arrangement I will train you as if you were my Apprentice and help you on your quest to achieve the rank of Sith Master. Once you have reached such title, you will no longer serve me. Before I am willing to accept this arrangement you will need to prove to me your loyalty....your obedience...and your desire to learn from me. I will put to you three separate tests."

Grima's left index finger began to tap on her lips as she thought about the first test. What would be fitting for the first test fro this eager Sith Crusader. Then it hit her. She had read reports of growing Jedi activity but there was one in particular the Dark Council was interested in.

"You will go to the planet Taris. There you will seek out a female human Jedi, who was once a promising Sith Acolyte but had changed her allegiance during the war. It is rumoured she has taken to hiding on the planet for fear of the repercussions for her betrayal since the side she chose as lost the war. Find her...kill her....and bring me her lightsaber hilt as proof. I will be waiting for you on the planet of Dattooine in a cantina called the Grubby Paw. Do not fail me Crusader Ber'ong."

With a dismissive gesture of her hand, she ended the conversation with the Crusader.

 

[LadyM]

Serpent's Breath struck home, his crimson tongue slipping through the warm flesh of the Jedi's chest cavity, emerging from out her back. I watched as she dropped her weapon, then her eyes began to shut, and finally her last breath she would ever take escaped her lips. I held her dead body up then in one quick move, I withdrew my lightsaber blade and kicked her body with my right foot knocking her through the hotel window. I stepped to the edge of the broken glass and looked down to see the dead and ruined body of the Jedi, once a Sith Acolyte turned traitor. I called her lightsaber to my hand and exited my rented room.

48 Hours Before....

Still not in possession of my own ship, I landed the "borrowed" ship inside one of the docking bays on the planet of Taris. Exiting the ship, I paid the docking fee and entered the upper city of Taris. It only took me one thought to realize that no Jedi in hiding would live in such lavish surroundings; this Jedi would opt to hide out amongst the scum and villainy in some attempt to blend in. So I headed to the lower level of Taris.

I didn't need the Force at my disposal to see or feel the desperation on this level but it was not my job to protect or even save the weak. I am Sith, my thoughts focus on more obtainable things such as power, knowledge, and the ability to survive at all costs. With no idea to really begin the search, I figured I would draw this Jedi out to me. I walked to the cantinas first, stirring trouble by manipulating the other patrons into frenzy fights. I figured if the Jedi was hiding out in the cantina, she would try to intervene and stop the brawls. I was wrong.

Leaving the cantinas, I headed for the run down apartments and began to oppress the sick, the weak, the poor, and the lame. Though they had no possessions I desired, I took from them what they cherished as far as material possessions went. I went through all six apartments and still no Jedi!

I spent enough time for one day trying to draw this cowardly Jedi out and failed. I returned to the top level and rented myself an apartment. I spent several hours meditating try to find this Jedi through the Force but it seemed she knew the ability to hide herself from the Force. I figured it was time I learned that ability soon myself.

8 Hours Before...

Returning to the lower level after spending the best part of day searching the upper level, I decided to seek the aid of the swoop bike gangs that ran the lower level of Taris. Though it didn't take much convincing or credits to sway them, they began to terrorize everyone that walked the streets of the lower level. I hid amongst the shadows waiting for the Jedi to show herself but as before, nothing.

I began to wonder if Master Volitu had been given false information or the Jedi in question had already fled Taris but when I returned to my room, I found that I had a visitor.

"How far does a Sith to lower themselves to prey on those unable to defend themselves I wonder," the Jedi said as I entered my rented room, "Well it seems you have gone through great lengths to find me, well Sith, here I am."

A small part of me wanted to laugh and another part of me wanted to hug this Jedi. She had brought herself to me and now I no longer needed to be concerned about failing the Sith Master, Grima Volitu. "Well traitor, I did not suspect that I would have to resort to dirty tricks to get a Jedi to act on behalf of the weak. Yet, you left me no choice. And now that you have come to me," I said unclasping Serpent's Breath from my waist sash and ignited him; I charged her just as she produced her weapon and charged me.

Dattooine

I entered the Grubby Paw, the cantina that Master Volitu had told me to meet her. I sensed her strong presence in the back eclipsed by shadows and surrounded by no other patrons. I moved to her table, took a seat in the empty chair, and dropped the lightsaber hilt on the table. "The Jedi wench is no more."

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima took one look at the hilt on the table then moved her eyes up to the face of the Crusader, sensing the eagerness in the white haired Sith. Leaning back in her chair Grima said, "You have done well Crusader Ber'ong but there is still two more tests to be completed. With that being said, your next test is here on this planet. There is an old proprietor who lives out on the plains who sells and buys and trades with artifacts, trinkets, weapons, and whatever he can get his little pudgy fingers on. It seems this old man has stumbled upon something very valuable and the Dark Council seeks to have it returned to the Order."

Leaning forward, Grima grasps her frosty mug and takes a sip of the local herbal drink, Jero Tea. Returning the mug to the table she leans back again studying the Crusader for a few passing moments then adds, "We are not interested in purchasing this artifact nor do we wish to indulge in trading for it. It belongs to the Sith and by all rights, it should be in our archives. Do whatever you must to obtain this artifact."

Grima rises to her feet, grabs her mug and downs the remaining contents before returning the mug to the table. She begins to take a step then halts. "Where are my manners? This proprietor is also in possession of two battle droids left over from the war...they act as his guardians so you may have to deal with them....depending what course of action you take. As for this artifact, it is born of the Dark Side so it will call to you and then you will know what you are seeking. I do not need to remind you of the penalty for failure do I? No, I thought as much. When you retrieve this artifact, you will meet me on Coruscant to receive your last test."

Grima headed for the cantina's exit and disappeared.

 

[LadyM]

I left the Grubby Paw and sought transportation from one of the local speeder rentals here in the is makeshift outpost. After paying for an overly priced landspeeder, I took the controls and headed out into the plains. I did not have much to go on other than this hermit lived out in the middle of nowhere and only those he is know to do business with really knew of his whereabouts. Luckily for me, I was able to convince a trader that it would be in his best interest to assist me and tell me where to find this old man.

I stopped a few hundred yards from the old man's trading post just as the sun made its final descent for the day, turning the world to darkness. I leaped from the landspeeder and began to do some recon on the surrounding area. From what I had saw on my initial approach, the only problem facing me were these two pesky droids and when I mean pesky, I mean dangerously annoying. I had faced some of these battle droids during the war and though they could pose some serious problems I, however, knew their weaknesses.

Not wanting to waste any time and with the blanket of night acting as a cover for me, I began to move across the plains at a high rate of speed toward the first droid. The droid's sensors picked up movement and just as it turned to address me, I equipped my weapon and cut through his chassis, sending sparks and parts through the air. I turned to see the other droid emerge from behind the outpost and without giving it a chance to unleash its firepower upon me, I used the Force, calling upon my power known as Force Flash. The energy wave smacked into the droid shutting it down by disrupting its circuitry and frying its metal organs.

With the two droids out of the way, I kicked open the door and stepped inside the outpost just as the old man emerged from the back. He was starring at me but I was to focused on something else. Just as Master Volitu had said, the artifact was born of the Dark Side and it was calling to me, screaming loudly through my mind. At once, my eyes fell on the ancient weapon sitting on a rack. I only read about these old Sith Swords but up until now, I never rested my eyes on an actual one.

The old man opened his mouth to protest my invasion and using the Force I flung him to the ground. Standing over him I said, "Old man, I am in a generous mood right now. So here is the deal, so pay attention! I'm going to take that Sith Sword over there since it belongs to us and in return for your asking price, I shall spare your life. This deal is nonnegotiable."

I stepped over to the rack and just as I reached out to take the weapon, the Force howled in alarm and I spun around producing my lighstaber in time to repel three blaster shots from the blaster pistol in the old man's hand. Now I was angry. I gripped the man through the Force and slammed him up against the wall, pinning him there as I moved across the outpost to stand in front of him. I pointed the tip of Serpent's Breath at the old man's throat and said, "I gave you a choice to live and you threw it in my face by trying to kill me. Now you have forfeited your life over an object."

Coruscant

I found Master Volitu standing in the newly erect Academy watching several Acolytes sparring with training blades. I produced the weapon and as she took it I said, "I must regret that I had to kill the old man but it was his choice and not of my own."

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima stroked the Sith Sword feeling the impressions on it through her ability of Psycometry then turning her attention to what the Crusader had said, she sighed. "Death is a necessary evil of the galaxy that assists in turning the wheels of life and you are Sith so you should never have regrets from your actions. The moment I sense this in you I will strike you down. Come, walk with me as I return this artifact to the Sith Archive freshly built as an addition to this Academy."

Grima led the Crusader from the prying ears of the other Sith in the Academy. When they were alone, Grima began. "There is a Sith teacher here that has been teaching his students that in order for them to survive, they must rebel against the Hierarchy in the Sith Order. Mainly, the Empress and her Dark Council. He states that this change is a must if the Sith Order is to thrive. Though it would be tragic to kill the four students, it is a must. They have been infected by this teacher's lecherous words and know the seeds of rebellion have been planted into their minds, where they have no doubt began to germinate."

Turning left heading toward the Archive chamber, Grima continues. "Your last and final test is to kill all four students as an example to others that such thoughts of rebellion will never be tolerated in the Order. Once you have killed them, you will kill this teacher and by his death, it will show that our Order is strong and in complete control. When you have completed this last test, return to my home on Dathomir."

 

[LadyM]

I stood in somewhat shock after Master Volitu gave me my final test. I had to kill not only four students but a Sith teacher as well. For one fleeting moment I wondered if she was setting me up but quickly I squashed all signs of doubt. I knew she was manipulative and I knew how she worked the scenes and if I was not worthy of these tests, she would have told me as much. So I moved through the Academy looking for the first of the Sith students. Thankfully, Grima had given me there their names and that of the Sith teacher.

Students 1 and 2

After inquiring about the first two students from the other Acolytes and Hopefuls, I found the two students in one of the training rooms, sparring one another. When I entered the training chamber, they lowered their training blades and addressed me properly, unaware that I was here to kill them. I told them to continue with their training that i was here seeking out an apprentice for myself, which was a lie.

As they began to spar and wear themselves down, I struck! The first student was cut down so quickly that he died on Serpent's Breath's blade before he knew what happened. The other student, a female species I was unsure of stood in confusion until I spoke, "Do you know the penalty for being a traitor?" The girl's eyes went wide with a mixture of shock and fright and I knew she knew why I was here.

I left the chamber with two dead bodies lying on the floor.

Students and 4

As before, I asked around for the last two students and with ease, found them lounging about in the domed courtyard alone and chatting away as if they had no concerns in the galaxy. How wrong they were! I approached them and produced my lightsaber, igniting the blade. The two students reacted quickly producing their two training weapons. To my surprise, they attacked me by trying to flank me and keep me off balance.

I would have applauded their style and the way they seemed to work together. In fact, i would have much enjoyed taking the male Twi'lek as an Apprentice. Unlike the other student, he showed promise with the saber. But alas, it was not to be. I cut them down leaving their bodies in the dome to be found by the cleaning droids.

Sith Teacher

"So you are the one that has killed my students," the Sith teacher said the moment I stepped out of the turbo lift and on to walkway that over looked the remains of the once and proud Galactic City, or whatever name it went by before it was razed to the ground. "You have allowed yourself to be blinded by the Empress' corruption, the Dark Council's greed and controlling hands, and by this Sith Master's manipulative ways that has sent you to kill me. Oh yes, I know of this Sith Master, this Togruta, this Sith Witch!"

I kept walking toward him keeping my eyes on his, and holding my hilt tight in my right hand. I had no doubts about Master Volitu's motives but this teacher who sought to open my eyes had betrayed his motives. "I have no care or desire to listen to your nonsense or your conspiracy theories. Yes I killed those students but it was you that brought their deaths upon them by your own political ideals and traitorous teachings."

I charged him and to my surprise, he moved his arms to his side allowing me access to plunge my weapon into his chest. He wanted to die a martyr but in the end, he died a coward.

Dathomir

I arrived at the residence of Master Volitu where I was greeted with a warm reception.

 

[Negative Blessing]

"It would seem you have not only done all i have tasked you with, but have successfully completes the tests. I feel you are worthy to stand with me Crusader Ber'ong. Kneel before me," the Sith Master says. Grima watches as the Crusader drops to one knee, her head hung low.

"From this day forward Crusader, your name is no longer Yr'il Ber'ong for that is your past life....the person you once where. From this day forward, you will be known as Gehenna and as long as you continue to serve me, you will hold the title of 'The Hand of Judgment.'" Grima places her hand over the Crusader's head hovering it there for a few passing moments.

Retracting her hand she then says, "Rise Gehenna, Hand of Judgement." Looking at the girl when she rises to her feet, Grima smiles adding, "We have much training to do you and I."