The time had come. Zash was ready to make her choice. Nalokk and Noshila had succeeded in gaining control of the Dashade. He had sensed that a critical moment was soon to come. He paced impatiently outside the hall where Overseer Harkun office was. Noshila and Nalokk had gotten separated inside the labyrinth that was the Tomb of Naga Sadow but he had already sensed her presence when she managed to break free from a cave collapse. He had already collected his lightsaber from his quarters. Having constructed it shortly before leaving Malestare, with a crystal Lord Aiizen had provided he gripped the double-blade with an almost reverent grip. “This weapon will forge your victory!” his Master had told him. Now he wondered if it would also now be used to kill Noshila and ascend him to apprentice with Zash.
Checking once more the long hilt was well concealed with the folds of his robes, he saw Noshila turn the corner and meet his gaze. She too carried a look of conflict on her face. Alliances among acolytes almost always ended with death, this time would be no different he assumed. It did not matter. If it came down to it he would do what was expected of him as a Sith. There was no place for loyalty now, for he was sure Noshila would strike without hesitation when the time came. She walked past him and turned only to address the obvious. “The Overseer awaits…” Nodding he followed her in, opening himself to the Darkside, allowing it to take control of his fear and anger and focus it to power. “Then we mustn’t keep the fool waiting.” He whispered.
Inside they saw both Harkun and Ffon in the middle of a heated conversation. Apparently Ffon had failed in his attempt to get the Star Map and Dashade slave. “I tell you what Zash wants is impossible!” Ffon shouted as Noshila and Nalokk stopped short of Harkun’s desk. “Well well…if it isn’t the alien slaves come back from their adventures in the tomb. I expect you both have failed miserably as well.” The smug Overseer said walking around from behind his desk and standing before both Twi’lek acolytes. It took all his self control to not draw his blade and slice the human in two, instead Noshila presented the Star Map fragment. Nolokk stood eyeing Ffon closely watching the Sith for any sudden moves. This unfortunately took his eyes from Harkun who snatched the fragment and handed it over to Ffon who smiled with content.
“Thank you slave…you have done exactly what you needed to do, now we shall contact Lord Zash and have Ffon take his rightful place as her apprentice and you two can remain here as fodder for the next batch of Acolytes. Harkun said triumphantly. Nalokk had enough, he drew his lightsaber and ignited it’s black double blade. Spinning it around once he was surprised slightly at Harkun’s own speed at meeting his crimson blade with his own. “Khem! Devour these two scum…slowly I want to hear their bones crunch as you chew!” Nalokk yelled and his newly acquired pet emerged from the shadows “What matter of creature…” Harkun exclaimed in horror. “It’s a Dashade!” Ffon said in disbelief, clutching the fragment tightly to his chest but cornered by Noshila who had also drawn her Vibro Sword. Khem had started making his way towards Harkun when a purple flash of lightning exploded in the room. “Enough of this!” Lord Zash had come out of nowhere, her voice booming over the hum of lightsabers and what appeared to be Ffon’s whimpers.
“Overseer Harkun, you will tell me now…what in the Emperor’s name is happening here!” she had her eyes locked solid with the now trembling Overseer. “Lord Zash! This was just…that is, I was about to summon you! The Star Map fragment has been found…look..Ffon…show it to her!” he stifled as he took a step back and turned off his lightsaber. Nalokk had already turned his off the second Zash had spoken, Noshila too had sheathed her blade. “So Ffon…you found the fragment?” she asked in a disturbingly soft tone. “Yes…yes Lord Zash…here it is.” He stumbled a bit as he handed her the fragment. “Why thank you so much…I am sure this was not an easy find.” She said smiling warmly. Nalokk was in shock at what he was seeing, he could not believe what was transpiring. “Lord Zash…” he began. “Silence! I will have words with you shortly!” she replied, in a voice that was the polar opposite of a few seconds ago. The room was silent for a few seconds, Khem’s growl broke it and Harkun found the courage to speak again. “It is decided then my Lord? Ffon is to be your apprentice?”
Zash took two steps forward and looked into Harkun’s eyes for a moment then said. “It has been decided that…” she turned to Nalokk and nodded towards the Dashade. “Khem…kill Ffon!” he said calmly. At the same time Zash unleashed a flurry of Force Lightning at Harkun. Ffon barely was able to get his hands up as the Dashade tore into him. Breaking bones and tearing flesh within seconds. It was such a gruesome scene even strong willed Noshila instead focused on Harkun. “Did you actually think you could fool a Dark Lord of the Sith?” Zash was scolding now with deadly intent. Harkun’s scream echoed and mixed with Ffon’s body being ripped apart made the melody of death sound sweet in Nalokk’s mind.
The Dark Lord ceased her punishment and looked down at the smoking body of Harkun. “Cross me again Overseer and I will not be so forgiving.” Coughing up blood and cradling himself against another assault he barely managed to croak out. “I understand…Lord Zash.” Zash composed herself and smiled, switching her persona yet again. “Excellent, now clean up this gore before it starts to reek like you do.” She turned to face the two stunned Acolytes . “I would speak with the two of you in my chambers at once. You have both proven yourselves worthy of becoming my apprentices. And the two of you I will take.” She said with a smile. “Lord Zash…you know that cannot be…” Another bolt of purple lightning ended Harkun’s weak protest. “Come my apprentices, we have much to discuss…”
Nalokk and Noshila both exchanged glances and said in unison. “As you command Master.” The trio left the office while the Dashade finished his meal, leaving nothing but a stain on the floor. The creature sensed this would be the first of many meals it would enjoy. Perhaps submitting to the little aliens was a wise choice….
Checking once more the long hilt was well concealed with the folds of his robes, he saw Noshila turn the corner and meet his gaze. She too carried a look of conflict on her face. Alliances among acolytes almost always ended with death, this time would be no different he assumed. It did not matter. If it came down to it he would do what was expected of him as a Sith. There was no place for loyalty now, for he was sure Noshila would strike without hesitation when the time came. She walked past him and turned only to address the obvious. “The Overseer awaits…” Nodding he followed her in, opening himself to the Darkside, allowing it to take control of his fear and anger and focus it to power. “Then we mustn’t keep the fool waiting.” He whispered.
Inside they saw both Harkun and Ffon in the middle of a heated conversation. Apparently Ffon had failed in his attempt to get the Star Map and Dashade slave. “I tell you what Zash wants is impossible!” Ffon shouted as Noshila and Nalokk stopped short of Harkun’s desk. “Well well…if it isn’t the alien slaves come back from their adventures in the tomb. I expect you both have failed miserably as well.” The smug Overseer said walking around from behind his desk and standing before both Twi’lek acolytes. It took all his self control to not draw his blade and slice the human in two, instead Noshila presented the Star Map fragment. Nolokk stood eyeing Ffon closely watching the Sith for any sudden moves. This unfortunately took his eyes from Harkun who snatched the fragment and handed it over to Ffon who smiled with content.
“Thank you slave…you have done exactly what you needed to do, now we shall contact Lord Zash and have Ffon take his rightful place as her apprentice and you two can remain here as fodder for the next batch of Acolytes. Harkun said triumphantly. Nalokk had enough, he drew his lightsaber and ignited it’s black double blade. Spinning it around once he was surprised slightly at Harkun’s own speed at meeting his crimson blade with his own. “Khem! Devour these two scum…slowly I want to hear their bones crunch as you chew!” Nalokk yelled and his newly acquired pet emerged from the shadows “What matter of creature…” Harkun exclaimed in horror. “It’s a Dashade!” Ffon said in disbelief, clutching the fragment tightly to his chest but cornered by Noshila who had also drawn her Vibro Sword. Khem had started making his way towards Harkun when a purple flash of lightning exploded in the room. “Enough of this!” Lord Zash had come out of nowhere, her voice booming over the hum of lightsabers and what appeared to be Ffon’s whimpers.
“Overseer Harkun, you will tell me now…what in the Emperor’s name is happening here!” she had her eyes locked solid with the now trembling Overseer. “Lord Zash! This was just…that is, I was about to summon you! The Star Map fragment has been found…look..Ffon…show it to her!” he stifled as he took a step back and turned off his lightsaber. Nalokk had already turned his off the second Zash had spoken, Noshila too had sheathed her blade. “So Ffon…you found the fragment?” she asked in a disturbingly soft tone. “Yes…yes Lord Zash…here it is.” He stumbled a bit as he handed her the fragment. “Why thank you so much…I am sure this was not an easy find.” She said smiling warmly. Nalokk was in shock at what he was seeing, he could not believe what was transpiring. “Lord Zash…” he began. “Silence! I will have words with you shortly!” she replied, in a voice that was the polar opposite of a few seconds ago. The room was silent for a few seconds, Khem’s growl broke it and Harkun found the courage to speak again. “It is decided then my Lord? Ffon is to be your apprentice?”
Zash took two steps forward and looked into Harkun’s eyes for a moment then said. “It has been decided that…” she turned to Nalokk and nodded towards the Dashade. “Khem…kill Ffon!” he said calmly. At the same time Zash unleashed a flurry of Force Lightning at Harkun. Ffon barely was able to get his hands up as the Dashade tore into him. Breaking bones and tearing flesh within seconds. It was such a gruesome scene even strong willed Noshila instead focused on Harkun. “Did you actually think you could fool a Dark Lord of the Sith?” Zash was scolding now with deadly intent. Harkun’s scream echoed and mixed with Ffon’s body being ripped apart made the melody of death sound sweet in Nalokk’s mind.
The Dark Lord ceased her punishment and looked down at the smoking body of Harkun. “Cross me again Overseer and I will not be so forgiving.” Coughing up blood and cradling himself against another assault he barely managed to croak out. “I understand…Lord Zash.” Zash composed herself and smiled, switching her persona yet again. “Excellent, now clean up this gore before it starts to reek like you do.” She turned to face the two stunned Acolytes . “I would speak with the two of you in my chambers at once. You have both proven yourselves worthy of becoming my apprentices. And the two of you I will take.” She said with a smile. “Lord Zash…you know that cannot be…” Another bolt of purple lightning ended Harkun’s weak protest. “Come my apprentices, we have much to discuss…”
Nalokk and Noshila both exchanged glances and said in unison. “As you command Master.” The trio left the office while the Dashade finished his meal, leaving nothing but a stain on the floor. The creature sensed this would be the first of many meals it would enjoy. Perhaps submitting to the little aliens was a wise choice….