Ask First Impressions

[Alexander Xerxes]

Ghorman, a planet situated on the edge of New Republic Space. Little came from the world apart from crops and credits, it drew no attention to itself and was an easy planet for Alexander to reach without being tailed by the media or his own security detail. For all they both knew he was still on Hynestia enjoying some time with his newborn Nephew. Instead the Prince had snuck out of the planet with a private starship and made for the border planet.

Even now as he sat in the fields well outside the busy metropolis of the capital, Alexander was cautious. The ship had false documents, registered to Zeltros and modified drive signature. Even the man himself was under disguise, however not from the locals but the person he was due to meet. A full mask covered the Hynesitan’s face, armour more befitting a mercenary than a Senator or Sith sat heavy on his shoulders. It had been a long time since he had to wear such things and it chaffed and rubbed against his skin.

The vibroblade rested at his side, a signal to any passers by that he was not to be approached. He was clearly waiting for someone to arrive, that someone today being his new apprentice.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Ghorman was a planet located in the Colonies. Part of the New Republic, this world had barely any economical importance. However, it was the place of an event that preceded the Galactic Civil War. A group of citizens protesting against heavy taxes, were massacred by orders of Great Moff Tarkin. This sparked the formation of the Rebellion. Since it happened, this surname became hated by the population of Ghorman.

To avoid being targeted by offensive comments, Wilhelm used a fake surname when he came to Ghorman. While he didn’t have any shame of being identified as a Tarkin, the Acolyte knew that his visit there needed to not attract attention. The person that he was going to meet had specified that he wanted discretion.

Some months ago, he had made contact with a Champion. While he never told his name to him, Wilhelm was able to make him agree with the possibility of being the boy’s Master. The older Sith proposed a meeting with him at this planet, on the outskirts of Ghorman’s capital. Now, the Acolyte was walking toward the point that the man said that he would be.

While he walked out of the city, Wilhelm saw that the people seemed to be preparing for some type of festival. Not giving any importance to it, the Acolyte continued his path, soon reaching the fields outside of it. He soon saw a figure seated in the grass, with the armor that the Champion described that he would be wearing.

“Good morning, sir.” he said at the Champion, while giving a nod in greeting. “I hope that I wasn’t late.” the last thing that he wanted was to be late for their first meeting. After all, this man could be his Master. Now being able to see his armor close, Wilhelm was curious to know why he was using it. He also wondered if the man had chosen Ghorman as their meeting place on purpose.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Alexander pushed off from the small rock he was leaning against as Wilhelm came into view. The blade shifted from side to side as he straightened his armour. “Good Morning Wilhelm.” He replied, his voice modulated by the mask. The Hynestian stepped forward to get a closer look at the young man, he had the chiselled features known of his bloodline, the strong pointed jaw. He definitely looked like a Tarkin, Alexander couldn’t deny that half of his interest in taking the young man as his apprentice was because of the name and lineage behind it.

“I haven’t got a holo so you will have to let me know if you're late.” He said before turning away and began walking through the fields of grass. He didn’t like standing in one place and talking, he had to do enough of that in the Senate. When he was holding a lightsaber he wanted to be at least a little more active. “Tell me a little of what training you have gone through, what skills do you say are your best?”

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

When the Champion pushed off from the rock, Wilhelm could have a better vision of him. The armor that he was wearing reminded the Acolyte of what the marauders that plagued the Galaxy during the High Republic used to wear. It didn’t show that the man was a Sith.

While it was a good way to maintain his identity hidden, the boy wasn’t so sure if it would not attract attention. People wearing this type of armor wasn’t common in Ghorman. It was something that you would see in the more fringe worlds of the Outer Rim. Due to that, occasionally some individuals that passed near them would turn to stare at them.

Wilhelm would ignore them, being far more interested in what the Champion was saying. When the man said that he didn’t have a holo and the boy should tell him if he was late, the Acolyte opened his mouth before closing it quickly. He didn’t know what he should say. Was the man really wanting for him to tell it?

Knowing how important was for the future of his family that he convinced the Champion to become his Master, Wilhelm decided to tell the man if he was late or not. The Acolyte picked his Datapad and looked at the hours. He felt relieved when he saw that he arrived just on time. Then, he showed it to the other Sith. “No, I arrived in time for it.” he would have hated himself if he had arrived late. The armored man would think that he wasn’t someone reliable and compromised.

When the Champion started to walk, Wilhelm followed him. The Acolyte wasn’t surprised that the other Sith had made questions about his training. He was expecting exactly that. “I have passed through all the training offered at the Sith Academy of Dromund Kaas. From meditation to dueling, I was always one of the first in all my classes. I think that my best skills are in dueling and diplomacy.” he said it in a nearly robotic way, as if he had prepared this phrase for this moment. And he really did it, the boy needed to impress the Champion. His family needed his success.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Alexander looked up at the small clock showing on the inside of his visor, Wilhelm was truly on time. “Its good to see you don’t like to your potential Master.” He said tapping the side of his helmet to give him the hint that he did actually know what time it was. Wilhelm gave Alexander a brief overview of his training, Dronumnd Kaas was a good academy, he had gone through Korriban but the former was as well received as the later so he had no doubt the young man had been trained well.

Time to put it to the test however. Gripping hold of the hilt of the vibroblade he slowly pulled the weapon free, russiling nearby signalled that someone who was watching was starting to dart away at the sight of a drawn weapon. “Show me your skill then Tarkin.” He said before turning and launching a downward thrust across the chest of the Acolyte.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Wilhelm wasn’t surprised when the Champion revealed that he knew exactly what hour it was. The Acolyte had suspected that it was some type of test and decided to say the truth. If he didn’t arrive in time, the boy could have lied to the man. However, he wondered how the other Sith would have reacted to it. An apprentice shouldn’t lie to his Master.

He had barely finished talking about his time at the Sith Academy and his skills when the Champion suddenly pushed his vibroblade and moved against his chest. Without time to react, the Acolyte used the Force to push the man away from him. It would open a space between the two.

The Acolyte knew that he would need to defend himself, but he couldn’t use his lightsaber. This would attract the attention of those around him, even if some of them would be too afraid to do anything at the moment. Wilhelm didn’t want to end up having his face appearing on the Holonet.

Due to that, the Acolyte pulled his own vibroblade from his backpack. Then, he moved against the Champion, also targeting his chest. He was going to show to his possible Master how good he was using a blade.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Alexander felt The Force well within the body of Wilhelm, giving him a split second to brace for whatever was coming. The wave of concussive energy pushed him back through the grass, his feet carving deep rivets into the soft soil. A smile grew on his lips, at least the young man was not going to go down easily.

Wilhelm drew his own vibroblade from behind his back, the Acolyte was prepared that was good. They both knew pulling a lightsaber was going to attract a lot of attention, especially a bright red one. Twisting the blade in his wrists he waited for the Acolyte’s next move, it was quick and decisive, good. Alexander blocked Wilhelm’s initial attack, parrying the blade to one side before striking out with his left first, the armoured knuckles aimed at the side of the young man’s face.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Wilhelm wasn’t surprised that the Champion had easily blocked his vibroblade. When he moved against him, he didn’t expect to hit his target. Not only did he doubt that as an Acolyte he would be able to defeat the other Sith, but he also needed the man alive. The boy still needed a Master.

Although, if he would be able to hurt the Champion so easily, this would mean that he should find someone else to be his Master. Someone weak like that would not be worth to teach him. A Tarkin deserved only the best.

While their blades clashed, Wilhelm noticed the Champion move his left hand in a fist and aim it toward his face. Without much time to think, the boy would once again use the Force to open a space between the two. However, this time the push would be stronger than the one that he did early.

With this move, the Acolyte hoped that he would make the Champion lose his balance. If it was successful, Wilhelm would move his blade again, this targeting the man’s neck with a horizontal movement. Now, the boy was also testing the other Sith, wanting to see how he would react to different moves.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

As Alexander’s fist neared the face of the Acolyte, once again a well of energy erupted from Wilhelm sending him flying back with a wave of Force energy. This time however the Acolyte meant it, before he was only defending himself, now he was attacking. His feet skidded backwards in the soft soil, but the strength of the push was forcing him backwards on his heels nearly shifting him off balance.

Pulling The Force into himself, he felt the strength of its power overtake his body. Being in the public eye meant that he rarely had time to dabble in The powers of the Sith. Moving the power down into his legs Alexander propelled himself backwards as the Acolyte tried to swipe at his throat, his blade cutting through thin air.

Landing a few metres away, Alexander was grinning ear to ear. The power felt so good, it was like a drug flowing through his system and in that moment he forgot all about his intentions. He just wanted to feel that power, holding his arm out he pointed his fingers at the Acolyte and sent out a wave of Force Lightning towards the young man.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

A smile of satisfaction appeared on Wilhelm’s lips when he saw that his Force push had worked. The Champion was sent flying, enough for shift him off balance. With this opening, the Acolyte moved fast to strike against the other Sith. His target was his neck, the only part that the armor didn’t cover well enough.

Some would wonder why the Acolyte seemed to be wanting to kill his possible Master. The thing was that Wilhelm was also testing the Champion. He didn’t want to be the apprentice of someone weak. He was a Tarkin! Someone that was born to do great things! If he could so easily sever the head of the other Sith, then it would show that the man was weak and he was better dead.

Before his vibroblade could hit the skin, the Champion jumped out of the way. Wilhelm moved his blade, but there was nothing for it to cut. The Acolyte spun his body, in time to see the other Sith landing behind him. Now he needed to think about what he should do next. Perhaps another Force push could work.

However, before he could do it, the Champion stretched his hands toward the Acolyte and from the point of his fingers came out a powerful wave of Force lightning. There was no way that he could evade it and without his lightsaber, the boy couldn’t block it.

The jolts of energy collided against his body and Wilhelm felt what probably was one of the worst pains that he ever felt. His vibroblade slipped from his hands, falling on the ground next to him and his body soon followed it. While he moved in agony, the boy didn’t scream. He could be feeling great pain, but he also felt excited. He had found someone that seemed to be powerful and that perhaps could be a good Master for a Tarkin. Unless if he didn’t kill him here, of course.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

The power the sensation was flowing through him as lighting tortured the body of Wilhelm Tarkin. In that moment Alexander could with the euphoria of The Force cascading over him, he could have kept it up for ours. Slowly turning the body of the young man into a smouldering carcass. But as he contemplated the enjoyment, the pleasure it would bring his mind, body and soul to delve so deep into the Dark Side, something called to him from the black. A voice, distant at first but soon it grew into a scream. His conscious and common sense rising to the surface to pull him away from the Darkness of The Force and back to his senses.

His eyes truly locked in on the spasming body of Acolyte before him, shock, fear, anger at what was happening to the boy washed through him. Every ounce of euphoria from before flushed out of his system. Lowering his hand quickly the lightning ceased and Alexander ran across to the boy, his body still twitching beneath. Was he dead, no, there was light still in his eyes.

His mouth opened, but he was not sure what to say. Was he in the guise of a militant Sith like Tarkin expected, or should he be more himself, the man willing to twist the knife into the Side of the Empire if it furthered his own goals. Luckily the mask covered the conflicted look on the Hynestian’s face. “You handled yourself well for a moment.” He finally blurted out before reaching to his waist and pulling a small bacta patch out. “Use this on the worst of the burns.”

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

By what seemed to be an eternity, Wilhelm contorted with pain on the ground. The Force lightning crossed his body, making him feel pain from his head to his toes. However, the Acolyte still didn’t scream. His teeth grinded against each other and some grunts escaped his mouth, but nothing beyond that.

Then, the pain suddenly stopped. Wilhelm felt relieved that he was alive, but his body was still spasming and his legs were too weak for him to get up. The Acolyte took some deep breaths, trying to recover and then rise from the ground. He didn't want the Champion to think that he was weak. It was already a shame that he had dropped his guard and ended up being hit by the lightning.

Before he could get up, Wilhelm noticed that the Champion had approached him. With the strength that he still had, the boy turned to look at the armored man. His face was covered in a helmet that made him seem cold and distant, which were characteristics that always thought that a Master should have with their apprentice. He wondered if inside it, the older Sith was also looking at him this way.

When the Champion offered him the bacta patch, Wilhelm moved his hands to pick it. It took him much effort to not shake while doing it. His body was still in pain, but he wasn’t going to show weakness. "Thank you, sir." he said, before removing his shirt and starting to apply it on his body.

While he did it, the Acolyte waited for the Champion to say something. This small fight probably was a test to see if the boy was worth being an apprentice. The older Sith could have praised his performance, but Wilhelm still wondered if it had been enough for him to be accepted.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Alexander took a step back as Wilhelm began administering first aid to himself, he was paying attention in that class it seemed. The Hynesitan sheathed the vibroblade before crossing his arms and looking down upon the young man. He was still tied on what to say, part of him wanted to apologise for losing control for nearly killing the man. But that was not what Wilhelm was expecting of the armoured figure, he was expecting ruthless aggression. A proper Sith.

“You have good instincts, if we were just throwing blades and Force Pushes the fight would have lasted longer. But remember the longer a fight lasts the more time you have to lose.” Alexander held his hand out little sparks of lightning flickered between his fingers. “Make sure every fight is to your advantage, if you are one of these Sith who believe in honour and facing one's enemies head on. You should leave, that is not what I need in an apprentice.”

“I need an apprentice who will slip a blade between someone's ribs in the dead of the night. Can plant evidence to destroy an enemy's reputation or turn his own allies against himself. Can work both with and against his fellow Sith.” He paused, closing his fist the flashes of lightning disappearing from view. “Remember this is a game of who reaches the top first. Yes there is a hierarchy within our Empire, yes we ‘serve’ the will of the Empress, but that hierarchy only exists because Andruil and Raze took it from The Eternal and his stooges.”

“If that is not something you think you can do. You should walk back down that path and find a new master.”

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

While he applied bacta on his wounds, Wilhelm watched the Champion. He was wondering what was crossing his mind at this moment. The man could be evaluating if he was worthy of being his apprentice. The boy wondered if he had messed up his chances by not trying to avoid the Force lightning. If he at least had his lightsaber he could have reflected it.

When the Champion finally talked, Wilhelm prepared himself for what the other was going to say. Even if it was a refusal, the Acolyte would take it head on. Like a proper Tarkin. However, what the man said ended up being what he wanted his apprentice to be. The boy paid close attention to what was being said, because these were going to be rules that he would need to follow.

From the things that the Champion told to him, what impressed the Acolyte was the way that he talked about honor and the Empire. It was as if he didn’t have any respect for the Empress. Even with his body still hurting because of the Force lightning, Wilhelm was able to give the armored man a smile.

“I can do that, sir.” he was a Tarkin. His family didn’t become powerful in the past by following rules, many throats were slit for it. Mustering the strength that he still had, the boy got up from the floor, staying face to face with the Champion. “You have my loyalty, sir.” he said, before giving a brief bow.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

His eyes never left those of the Wilhelm as he struggled to his feet, muscles still unintentionally twitching as the last echoes of the lightning passed through his system. Alexander could see no deception with the eyes of the young man, either he was exceptionally talented at withholding his true feelings or he was as ruthless as his name sake and would not bat an eyelid at turning his back on a Sith if need be. It was a good and a bad trait to have in an apprentice, as he could one say turn on Alexander if he was not careful.

“Loyalty is just a word. Even if I take you as my apprentice, you will still need to earn my trust before I let you in on what I am really planning. And my trust is not easily gained.” Alexander glanced up at the time in the corner, they had perhaps only twenty minutes before some law enforcement would turn up to invistigate the fight they had. “Now Wilhelm tell me what you want. Both from me and from the galaxy.”

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Wilhelm wasn’t shocked with the Champion’s words regarding his loyalty. Indeed, the Acolyte could still betray him later. After all, they were Sith. Stabbing each other in the back was part of their lifestyle. Even an apprentice, given the necessity, would not think twice before betraying their own Master.

Rather than feeling offended by it, the Acolyte considered such thought as another good trait of the Champion. It showed that the man was someone clever and careful. Wilhelm preferred to have a Master that was this way rather than someone that was impulsive. Such action was dangerous for a Sith.

When the armored man asked what he wanted, Wilhelm didn’t need to think twice before answering. “I want to become powerful and restore my Family to the position that it once had when the Empire ruled the Galaxy.” he said in a nearly robotic way. It had been something that his family had put on his mind since he was identified as a Force sensitive. Perhaps the Champion could help him seek his own desires.

The sound of sirens could be heard in the distance, being a warning that police were approaching. Someone probably had warned the authorities about their fight.
“I think that is better if we leave this place.” he said to the Champion. The spasm on his body had diminished enough for him to walk away.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

It was a simple answer, one most people who thrived enough in Imperials Acadmies to reach Acoylte level gave. The sounds of sirens were picked up by the microphones around his helmet, they were coming from the direction of the nearby village, luckily Alexander’s ship was in the other direction. “You didn't answer my question fully.” He said as he lead the pair away from the sight of their confrontation.

“What do you want from me?” He hoped the young man would give him a more detailed answer than just power and knowledge. Wilhelm said he specialised in diplomacy lets see him use his words.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

With the sound of the sirens becoming louder at each second, Wilhelm followed the Champion. He had no idea where the other Sith were guiding him, but he believed that it would be a safe place where the two would be able to continue their conversation.

While he followed the other Sith, Wilhelm continued to apply the bacta on his body. The boy still could feel the pain in some parts of it when he walked. However, he controlled himself to not demonstrate what he was feeling. The last thing that he wanted was to give to the other Champion the impression that he was weak and couldn’t endure the pain.

When the armored man once again asked what the Acolyte wanted from him, Wilhelm moved his head to stare at him. He had already said what he wanted. The boy wanted power for him and his family. There wasn’t anything else beyond it. No, there were still things that he wanted and that weren’t related to what was good for his family.

“I want you to help me carve a path for me in the Galaxy. I want you to teach the secrets of the Dark side that would allow me to do that.” he had no idea if it was what the other Sith wanted to hear, but it was his will and not something that his parents had instructed him to say. “I want to be great and powerful, so people remember me not because I’m a Tarkin, but because I’m Wilhelm.”

It probably sounded childish, but it was what he wanted. Maybe during his training, the boy would develop new ambitions. However, at the moment these were the ones that he had at the moment. “Can you help me achieve them?”

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

As the Acoylte spoke about his desires Alexander couldn’t help but deny they aligned slightly with his own. Subconciosully he nodded along to the young man’s points as he stated that he wanted people to remember him. That was true power, legacy, it did not matter if you could move mountains or torch cities to the ground if your name did not last longer than the deed itself.

“You desire fame as well as power.” He said turning his head to look at Wilhelm. “They often come hand in hand, but normally the former faulters once the later fades. I can show you the pathes to create a legacy, but you are the one who must take the steps. If I do it for you, then that legacy becomes mine and not yours. Do you understand?”

“In terms of the Dark Side, remember that it is not the only trick of the Sith and often not even our most powerful. Do not fall into the trap of endlessly seeking out its deep and darkest depths, you can often get trapped within them.” The pair crested the rise of a small hill, beyond it lay the small craft Alexander had used to arrive on the planet.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Wilhelm waited patiently for the Champion's answer. He was unsure if what he said would be able to express his ambitions and desires. While all that he said were really things that he wanted the other Sith to help him accomplish, the boy believed that there could be other things that he could have ambition for. Maybe the armored man could help him discover them.

Then, the Champion answered him. Wilhelm agreed with what the other was saying, he wanted to be remembered by the path that he would carve. If he let others do it for him, no one would ever remember him. “I understand, sir.” the Acolyte needed to do it by himself, but he could use a guide to show him how to do it.

“Can you help me with it too? I want to find a way to become powerful without needing to lean too much on the Dark side.” the Acolyte knew that using the Darkness for too long could make someone develop madness and corrupt their appearance. It happened with Palpatine centuries ago. The boy didn’t want the same to happen with him.

The two would continue walking until they got to the top of a small hill. Beyond it, Wilhelm could see a ship. It was probably the one that the Champion had used to come here. “Are we going to start my training today?” he asked, ignoring the fact that the other still didn’t make it explicit that was taking him as an apprentice.

@Braden