Aaric walked down the corridor towards the Overseer's office. He managed to gain a few hours rest, but kept himself aware of his surroundings. His room was not much to look at; spartan and consisting of a bunk bed and study table. Showers in the academy were shared between both genders, so the female acolytes had to either live with having men leering at them as they bathed, or resort to quick showers to avoid their gazes.
Thankfully, assault of any kind, even sexual assault against members of the opposite sex were not tolerated on any level. Aaric took what he could get though, and leered extensively at any female who were in the showers as well. Additionally, each bunk was equipped with a programmable lock to avoid having all the students in the academy wiped out in one night by a stealthy acolyte, as it once happened a few years ago.
The doors slid open and Aaric happened upon another acolyte conversing with Tremel. "Is this everything?" He grunted.
"Everything Lord Renning was able to obtain, yes." Said acolyte replied.
"Then run back to your master in the beast pens, before I cut you in half." Tremel growled. Sensing obvious danger, the acolyte turned and hurried away, almost knocking into Aaric. The weathered overseer sighed exasperatedly and stood up to address his charge. "Sorry to make you wait, acolyte. These interruptions are incredibly annoying."
It was not exactly an apology per se. Simply Tremel expressing his frustrations. So Aaric kept quiet.
"On to the business at hand; your test in the jails." Tremel straightened. "First, the Nemoidian forger, Brehg. You assigned him to Imperial Intelligence to forge identities for us instead of the republic. I commend you, that was excellent thinking. Never waste a potential resource"
"Thank you, Overseer. I'm glad you approve." Aaric beamed with pride.
"What's more important is that Darth Baras would approve." Aaric now let a smirk light up his expression. Now, he was getting somewhere. "Now. Devotek. The former warrior. He wanted combat, but you struck him down. Perfect. The man was utterly useless."
"I like to do things efficiently, Overseer. I do not ever choose to waste my time." Aaric rolled his eyes at the recent event.
"Once something is used up, it should be eradicated." Tremel agreed. "However, it seems you made an unprecedented show of skill. One that may already be making waves across the academy. You used Force Drain; a powerful technique, to acquire Devotek's memories and knowledge. Tell me, did your order teach you this? Last I heard, this technique requires great power and skill to use. Too little focus, and you won't glean a thing. Stretch yourself too much and you can take in more than your mind can handle."
"You are correct in your theories, overseer." Aaric replied. "I've been trained extensively in interrogation techniques with a plethora of test subjects. Force Drain is one that I use only when necessary. I can sift and sieve through minds and only take what I need. Safe to say, I have learnt much during my rest."
Tremel narrowed his eyes a tad, but quickly returned to his stoic expression. If Aaric could use the technique with such efficacy, it would only be a matter of time before he became more powerful if he continued sucking his enemies dry of their knowledge. Such potential, such menace!
"I see." Tremel quipped. "Just be sure not to use this technique too much in front of others. Showing off can be a double-edged sword if not applied correctly. Already, I hear whispers in the halls of a powerful acolyte brimming with force power and skilled with a blade. You do not want to show your hand too quickly, acolyte."
"I understand overseer. I will be more careful"
"Good. Finally, the mercenary assassin, Solentz. She attempted to kill and Imperial spy but was unaware of her client's affiliation." Tremel continued. "Again, you were noted to have used Force Drain on her, but did not relate your findings; thus sending her to the slave pens to be used as entertainment. Tell me, what did you find out in the end?"
"That she was telling the truth. She was a mercenary assassin trying to follow in the steps of her father. She was foolish and made a mistake even a rookie mercenary wouldn't. She is irrelevant now however, given the state of mind she is in now."
"I see. No matter, she will be useful in entertaining the soldiers and staff here in her current state of mind." Tremel drifted, then went into a thinking pose. "Hmm. each time, each prisoner, you made the best possible decision. You may yet be able to challenge Vemrin for Darth Baras' attention. To celebrate: a small reward."
Pressing a button at the side of his table, a hidden wardrobe slid open; revealing a red suit within.
"It is the first armor that I wore when I completed my first task on my road to becoming Sith, long ago. It holds some sentimental value to me, and I still keep it in good condition."
It was not much, but it was better than what he was currently wearing. The fabric was thick and stretchy, yet still cooling. The duraplast lames adorned the suit from the abdomen up to the torso and wrapped around the shoulders and raised to protect the sides and back of the neck; a welcome boost in protection yet still leaving space for his arms to flex. Perfect for his smooth and agile style of fighting.
"Thank you very much overseer." Aaric bowed.
"Thank yourself, acolyte. It's performances like this that might just beat the extreme odds we're facing." Tremel acknowledged. He grew stern, however. "Because I forced you into the academy ahead of schedule, Darth Baras will be predisposed to judging you severely. And by severely, I mean fatally." He let the remark sink in before continuing. "Now, we must hurry to your next trial. Every moment that passes we risk discovery before we're ready. In the tomb of Marka Ragnos is the beast he left to guard his legacy. Go there, sit amongst the flames, and wait for the beast to come for you."
"Beast?" Aaric questioned, "And you think that's enough information? How about you tell me more about this beast?"
Tremel shook his head. "I wish I can give you more, acolyte. But I do not know any more than you do now. All you need to know is that it's ferocious and blood thirsty, and in no way is it a trial for a normal acolyte. It's not the first time someone sent a seemingly promising acolyte, never to be heard from again. Now, return to the Valley of the Dark Lords and find the tomb of Marka Ragnos. I'll see you when the beast is slain. Good luck."
The tone left no room for discussion. Though frustrated at the lack of information, there was nothing Aaric could do but soldier on. So he turned heel and strode out with his gift. Planning on how he was going to kill an unknown Sith beast belonging to none other than Marka Ragnos.
-----------------------------------------
Aaric freshened himself up, changed into his new armored top and had some food and drink at the cantina before setting off. All the while he thought about how he was going to accomplish his task, but without knowing the name or species of creature he was going to face, he decided that he would have to improvise on the fly once he came face to face with it.
Making his way to the imperial taxi station, he hopped into an empty vehicle and punched in the coordinates of the station nearest to the tombs; the laboratory research station. As the speeder lifted off and began its journey, his holocommunicator bleeped. Accepting the call, he was slightly surprised when it produced a hologram of Overseer Tremel.
"Acolyte, I believe you're on your way to Marka Ragnos' tomb?"
"Yes, Overseer. I'm on a speeder and currently en route to the wilds laboratory station, nearest to the tombs."
"Good, good. Unfortunately, I have another task that I would like you to complete besides the one I gave you if you have the time. The laboratory research station is where Lord Renning currently conducts his experiments. One of his prized pets have gone loose and went into one of the tombs nearby. He requested that one of my stronger acolytes, in this case meaning you, be lent to him to retrieve it."
"And what if I choose not to follow up with the task?"
"Well, Lord Renning would definitely not be pleased. However, making an impression on those higher than your station would definitely help you on your road to power. With your strength, I'm positive you can accomplish both tasks without fail."
"I'll see if the mood strikes me, then."
"Do not dally too long, acolyte. Report to Lord Renning, then proceed at your disposition. Good luck, Acolyte."
The holographic projection blipped off and Aaric continued his journey, silently gazed at the magnificence of the Valley of the Dark Lords as the tombs and monuments erected in reverence to them flew past him. The speeder then turned sharply and gradually descended onto the platform of his destination. He could see the laboratory which was set up next to the landing pads.
And to his delight: black-haired and womanly figure approach him as he stepped out of the speeder. As the two Sith approached each other, both seemed to size each other up; scanning their counterpart's bodies as discreetly as possible. Aaric noted she was wore a Sith bodysuit without anything else other than gloves and belt around her waist of which a lightsaber was clipped on. Most notably, were her seductively voluptuous assets which seemed to be attempting to burst from her uniform.
"It seems like Lord Renning appreciates my assistance if he sends such a beautiful woman to escort me," Aaric purred with a grin. The Sith woman returned his grin with a smirk.
"I'm sure he appreciates more of your strength rather than your flattering, if what Overseer Tremel says is true." She said, taking a step closer and admiring his chiseled torso. "But I guess feeling appreciated as a woman instead of a mere tool is nice as well. My name is Malora, and I am Lord Renning's apprentice and lab assistant in this barren wasteland."
