The young Sith had been under the tutelage of Darth Nalokk for just under a year. The first few months had seen the human perform menial tasks of labor and study. More physical tasks against other would be acolytes his Master had sent to dispose of. On more than one occasion he was almost beaten and replaced but he managed to survive with only the scars to remind him of failures.
His Master had recently trained him in the lightsaber form Shii Cho. However most of his focus was centered on the manipulation of the Darkside to call forth afflictions and life draining abilities to weaken opponents while he unleashed Force Lightning at them. Antaulo was a long way from mastering these abilities but he had just enough power that Darth Nalokk felt he was ready for his first of many Trials to become a true Lord of the Sith. Force powers were one tool for the Inquisitor…there were other ways to learn one’s enemies secrets…
The wind howled like pack of razor cats attacking a herd of paralopes. Even in the near frozen darkness of night Antaulo felt in the Force the constant life and death struggle of the creatures that came out to feed or be victims of the many predators that lurked in the shadows. Lok was a barren planet that rivaled Tatooine. On the rocky surface one would find pools of sulfur and rivers that harbored only barely contained water. Here only one settlement could be considered partially civilized and even that was a stretch. After finding his landing area in orbit he brought his craft down just outside a canyon crevasse that was surrounded by a rocky desert one could never transverse on without the aid of a speeder. Here Antaulo would set out on foot to find his quarry. The Sith’s trial required him to create a suitable poison to present to the Inquisition. He had spent hours reviewing different texts at his Master Nalokk's stronghold. He had tried to pinpoint a powerful and effective poison that would cause its victim enough pain to submit to any questioning but also one that didn’t eliminate the prisoner at the same time and would keep them alive for even more questioning.
Most of his research found that planets like Dromund Kaas, Belsavis, Nal Hutta and Yavin had zones on their surfaces that had a wealth of venomous plants and animals that could easily be used in any concoction he wished to produce. However he was determined to show his unique abilities to his Master and worth to the Empire. The Sith apprentice decided to seek a more exotic creation on worlds seldom visited or considered. He had read of creatures on Outer Rim planets like Tatooine harbor creatures that could provide just what he was looking for. Sadly after some investigation the planet yielded nothing that fit into his category of desired poison. Almost as a passing glance he read through the smaller planet of Lok. Highly active volcanoes made most of the planet unlivable. There still was life there. And where this life existed he knew only the strongest of predators could be found. It didn’t take long for him to find a creature he could investigate personally. The Vesp was a poisonous lizard that hunted in pairs or packs, depending on the area’s food supply. The poison itself was contained inside the vesp’s saliva and spiked tail. The effects of the poison on the sparse settler’s reports were precisely what Antaulo sought.
Antaulo looked up to the three moons that gave the only light. He could hear the rustling of creatures in the canyon scurrying about as they sensed a new predator among them. He reached out with the Force, sensing their fear, the pain some were feeling as they had already fallen victim to one predator or another. “Now to find my new pets…” he whispered to himself. He wore not the robes of an apprentice but a tight fitting black jacket and grey utility pants with knee high brown leather boots. His belt had multiple clips to hold his newly constructed lightsaber, comm link and multi-tool kit. In his pack he had an array of collection materials and flasks. Antaulo had scaled the side of a large rock outcropping and taken position over a small area which had a small pool of water, eventually it would lead prey or predator to it. It took only about an hour or so when he saw a pair of vesps emerge from a well-hidden den just outside the pool’s perimeter. They were just over a meter in length each. Strong and well fed, their dark green scales shun in the light of the moons. “Clever.” He whispered. As quiet as possible he began his way down from his position, dirt and rocks scraping his body as he descended slowly. He reached out with the Force to sense what the vesps felt. They were alert but not aware of his presence yet. Pulling his lightsaber free he eyed closely the pair of lizards as they made their way to the pool to drink. It was now or never.
Leaping in a somersault with the Force he ignites his red lightsaber with a snap-hiss. Holding it defensively in front of him in the basic Shii-cho form Antaulo kept his eyes locked with the two vesps. Both had growled as the crimson blade revealed razor sharp teeth and incisors. The pair had begun to approach and split his attention. Smashing their tails against rocks for more effect the Sith reached out with the Force and took a grip on the rocks the vesps had broken up and with a flick of the wrist he successfully threw them back towards the lizards. Hissing and charging the two came at Antaulo ready to bite. The young Sith managed to pivot away from the attack and was able to take a careful swing at the leading vest, male by the looks of its size. The blade’s tip just barely singeing the torso as it turned to attack again. The other vesp quickly came from the opposite side, Antaulo barely dodging this attack but having more success with his blade. A horizontal slice took off its right left foot. Its agonized cry echoing slightly, it’s eyes looked as if in a frenzy. “Good…let the pain drive you to madness…all the better for your poison.” Antaulo said preparing to make a charge of his own. Planting his right foot back he leaped forward towards the wounded vesp, extending his arm ahead he filled himself with anger touching to the dirt in front of him he pushed a small mix of gritty dirt and small pebbles towards the wounded lizard. Filling it’s eyes with grime he again delicately struck with his blade at the left hind leg, easily separating it from the now motionless but heavily angered vesp. Turning to see what damage he had done he was nearly knocked off his feet by the male. The large vesp had swung its tail high barely missing the Sith’s thigh. Off balance Antaulo leaped backwards a meter or so, landing roughly on one knee. “Come on then…”he taunted the vesp. It had stopped next to the other protecting it and seemingly wanting to end the fight. With a grin Antaulo reached out towards the wounded vesp, feeling its pain, fear and anger, he drank it all in and started to pull it towards him to the surprise of the male. “Could it be its mate?” he thought as he suddenly felt fear coming from the male. Fear and anger as the other was dragged roughly over the ground to its attacker.
“Yes…come save your friend…” Antaulo beckoned bringing his lightsaber up across his chest ready to pounce. The wounded vesp coughed out a green-brown excrement from its mouth, too thick for it to be blood. Antaulo knew this was the saliva he sought. Letting it go only a couple feet from him Antaulo stood up and took a step forward. Watching the male hiss loudly and lift its tail, protesting the Sith. “Alright then…you require more encouragement.” Filling himself with the fear that surrounded them Antaulo takes hold of the broken rocks around them, lifting them into the air he reaches back his arm and in a throwing motion that ends with him opening his hands flings them all towards the male and the wounded vesp. Crippled and with no way to move the wounded vesp takes hit after hit over its tough skin, crying out in pain the male charges once more towards the Sith, also taking strong hits to its body. Now Antaulo prepares himself for the attack that comes in the form of another lunge and swing of the tail. Sidestepping with great speed and balance he turns his grip over on the hilt and swings the blade down in an arc over the swinging tail, taking it off with a crispy sound of energy meeting flesh. A puff of acrid smoke coming off the cut tail that curls wildly in the dirt. “Now then…what will you do next?” he taunts the male that now too shows that green-brown liquid coming out of its mouth and teeth.
In a blind rage the vesp bore his fangs and charges the Sith in a last desperate attempt to fend him off. “Predictable.” Antaulo said bracing and setting himself in the dirt. His saber at the ready he feels the Darkside around him, giving him strength and focus. Just inches from a successful counter Antaulo merely takes a step forward and sticks his lightsaber out in front of him low. The tip of the crimson blade was extended and it enters the vesp’s head right between the eyes which glass over immediately in death. Shutting the blade down the fallen lizard grunts as it slides before Antaulo’s feet. “I only needed one of you to succeed…” With that he walked over towards the wounded vesp, who he felt in the Force to be exactly how he wanted it, barely alive. He looked down on it and thought for a moment out loud. “Like this you will serve me well and for longer than I could have hoped for…perhaps I can bring you back to my Master on Dromund Kaas like this…yes…” his thoughts were halted as he felt something in the Force. The wind was picking up again and the silence that had briefly taken hold since the death of the male was broken by a high pitched whistle. Stretching out he sensed that that he was still not alone. Turning towards the den he lit his lightsaber once more. Again the high pitched whistle echoed and he determined it was coming from the den. Making his way to the den’s entrance he brushed aside the dried out foliage and caked mud that provided cover. To his surprise what he discovered brought a wide smile to his face. There huddled together in a nest were three smaller vesps, recently hatched by the looks of the egg shells still present. The wounded mother behind him let out a mournful cry and Antaulo chuckled. “Now this is indeed a bountiful surprise…come little ones…I will have a home for you and your mother now…”
FIN
Most of his research found that planets like Dromund Kaas, Belsavis, Nal Hutta and Yavin had zones on their surfaces that had a wealth of venomous plants and animals that could easily be used in any concoction he wished to produce. However he was determined to show his unique abilities to his Master and worth to the Empire. The Sith apprentice decided to seek a more exotic creation on worlds seldom visited or considered. He had read of creatures on Outer Rim planets like Tatooine harbor creatures that could provide just what he was looking for. Sadly after some investigation the planet yielded nothing that fit into his category of desired poison. Almost as a passing glance he read through the smaller planet of Lok. Highly active volcanoes made most of the planet unlivable. There still was life there. And where this life existed he knew only the strongest of predators could be found. It didn’t take long for him to find a creature he could investigate personally. The Vesp was a poisonous lizard that hunted in pairs or packs, depending on the area’s food supply. The poison itself was contained inside the vesp’s saliva and spiked tail. The effects of the poison on the sparse settler’s reports were precisely what Antaulo sought.
Antaulo looked up to the three moons that gave the only light. He could hear the rustling of creatures in the canyon scurrying about as they sensed a new predator among them. He reached out with the Force, sensing their fear, the pain some were feeling as they had already fallen victim to one predator or another. “Now to find my new pets…” he whispered to himself. He wore not the robes of an apprentice but a tight fitting black jacket and grey utility pants with knee high brown leather boots. His belt had multiple clips to hold his newly constructed lightsaber, comm link and multi-tool kit. In his pack he had an array of collection materials and flasks. Antaulo had scaled the side of a large rock outcropping and taken position over a small area which had a small pool of water, eventually it would lead prey or predator to it. It took only about an hour or so when he saw a pair of vesps emerge from a well-hidden den just outside the pool’s perimeter. They were just over a meter in length each. Strong and well fed, their dark green scales shun in the light of the moons. “Clever.” He whispered. As quiet as possible he began his way down from his position, dirt and rocks scraping his body as he descended slowly. He reached out with the Force to sense what the vesps felt. They were alert but not aware of his presence yet. Pulling his lightsaber free he eyed closely the pair of lizards as they made their way to the pool to drink. It was now or never.
Leaping in a somersault with the Force he ignites his red lightsaber with a snap-hiss. Holding it defensively in front of him in the basic Shii-cho form Antaulo kept his eyes locked with the two vesps. Both had growled as the crimson blade revealed razor sharp teeth and incisors. The pair had begun to approach and split his attention. Smashing their tails against rocks for more effect the Sith reached out with the Force and took a grip on the rocks the vesps had broken up and with a flick of the wrist he successfully threw them back towards the lizards. Hissing and charging the two came at Antaulo ready to bite. The young Sith managed to pivot away from the attack and was able to take a careful swing at the leading vest, male by the looks of its size. The blade’s tip just barely singeing the torso as it turned to attack again. The other vesp quickly came from the opposite side, Antaulo barely dodging this attack but having more success with his blade. A horizontal slice took off its right left foot. Its agonized cry echoing slightly, it’s eyes looked as if in a frenzy. “Good…let the pain drive you to madness…all the better for your poison.” Antaulo said preparing to make a charge of his own. Planting his right foot back he leaped forward towards the wounded vesp, extending his arm ahead he filled himself with anger touching to the dirt in front of him he pushed a small mix of gritty dirt and small pebbles towards the wounded lizard. Filling it’s eyes with grime he again delicately struck with his blade at the left hind leg, easily separating it from the now motionless but heavily angered vesp. Turning to see what damage he had done he was nearly knocked off his feet by the male. The large vesp had swung its tail high barely missing the Sith’s thigh. Off balance Antaulo leaped backwards a meter or so, landing roughly on one knee. “Come on then…”he taunted the vesp. It had stopped next to the other protecting it and seemingly wanting to end the fight. With a grin Antaulo reached out towards the wounded vesp, feeling its pain, fear and anger, he drank it all in and started to pull it towards him to the surprise of the male. “Could it be its mate?” he thought as he suddenly felt fear coming from the male. Fear and anger as the other was dragged roughly over the ground to its attacker.
“Yes…come save your friend…” Antaulo beckoned bringing his lightsaber up across his chest ready to pounce. The wounded vesp coughed out a green-brown excrement from its mouth, too thick for it to be blood. Antaulo knew this was the saliva he sought. Letting it go only a couple feet from him Antaulo stood up and took a step forward. Watching the male hiss loudly and lift its tail, protesting the Sith. “Alright then…you require more encouragement.” Filling himself with the fear that surrounded them Antaulo takes hold of the broken rocks around them, lifting them into the air he reaches back his arm and in a throwing motion that ends with him opening his hands flings them all towards the male and the wounded vesp. Crippled and with no way to move the wounded vesp takes hit after hit over its tough skin, crying out in pain the male charges once more towards the Sith, also taking strong hits to its body. Now Antaulo prepares himself for the attack that comes in the form of another lunge and swing of the tail. Sidestepping with great speed and balance he turns his grip over on the hilt and swings the blade down in an arc over the swinging tail, taking it off with a crispy sound of energy meeting flesh. A puff of acrid smoke coming off the cut tail that curls wildly in the dirt. “Now then…what will you do next?” he taunts the male that now too shows that green-brown liquid coming out of its mouth and teeth.
In a blind rage the vesp bore his fangs and charges the Sith in a last desperate attempt to fend him off. “Predictable.” Antaulo said bracing and setting himself in the dirt. His saber at the ready he feels the Darkside around him, giving him strength and focus. Just inches from a successful counter Antaulo merely takes a step forward and sticks his lightsaber out in front of him low. The tip of the crimson blade was extended and it enters the vesp’s head right between the eyes which glass over immediately in death. Shutting the blade down the fallen lizard grunts as it slides before Antaulo’s feet. “I only needed one of you to succeed…” With that he walked over towards the wounded vesp, who he felt in the Force to be exactly how he wanted it, barely alive. He looked down on it and thought for a moment out loud. “Like this you will serve me well and for longer than I could have hoped for…perhaps I can bring you back to my Master on Dromund Kaas like this…yes…” his thoughts were halted as he felt something in the Force. The wind was picking up again and the silence that had briefly taken hold since the death of the male was broken by a high pitched whistle. Stretching out he sensed that that he was still not alone. Turning towards the den he lit his lightsaber once more. Again the high pitched whistle echoed and he determined it was coming from the den. Making his way to the den’s entrance he brushed aside the dried out foliage and caked mud that provided cover. To his surprise what he discovered brought a wide smile to his face. There huddled together in a nest were three smaller vesps, recently hatched by the looks of the egg shells still present. The wounded mother behind him let out a mournful cry and Antaulo chuckled. “Now this is indeed a bountiful surprise…come little ones…I will have a home for you and your mother now…”
FIN