Everyone had boarded the shuttle. Ishara looked over everyone and then gazed briefly at the pilot. With a nod, it notified the pilot to begin their trip to Korriban.

With the spell of Mind Touch, Ishara briefly connected to Lupercus...


"We will serve you well my Shadow Lord."


Glancing over her fellow sisters, a dark smile crossed Ishara's face. Korriban would be a staging point where the Nightsister existence would most likely become known. things were different for the sisterhood this time as they had a powerful ally in Lupercus. Together they would achieve great things and their ambitions could have no end.

For now, it was time to focus upon Korriban. Looking across, Ishara caught Allysha's eyes. Allysha simply nodded, a sign she was prepared to follow Ishara's lead. Nodding back, Ishara knew Allysha's loyalty to her was not in question. She would need it when they arrived to put their plans into motion.


Dark plans...


Deadly plans...


A smirk crossed Ishara's face as she began to think of what was to come.

No sooner had they entered hyperspace that Marek stood from his seat in the cockpit of the freighter, with his back to the light show of blue and white streaks. Once upright, he moved towards the entry point of the main corridor that led to the vessels cargo hold. Before stepping out, he spoke.

"Friends, I don't know what to expect once we reach our destination, however, I'm not one for blindly rushing into things, nor for showing up unprepared. So in the off-chance that danger awaits us at the end of this path, I'm going to make darn sure that I'm fully prepared to meet that head on."

At this point, Marek had angled his body to face the other two men.

"If you wish to follow suit, I suggest you meet me in the cargo hold, otherwise, may the force be with you."

He hoped his prudent approach would inspire the other two to actually consider the entire scope of what could possibly happen if they were to fall into a trap. Even if Mira hadn't expected Ben to follow her, his possible appearance at her next destination could result in a very nasty mess and if there were more who shared her ideology; as Ben had explained earlier in the trip, the entire operation would no doubt be nothing less than disastrous.

"Good morning, Darth Skygge." His scorn at the other Apprentice's title hadn't completely faded out of his voice as Ithron walked into the cockpit. Nevertheless, he took the second seat in the cockpit.

Before leaving his quarters, Ithron had been sure to be ready for landing. For all of his attitude earlier, he wasn't going to land on Korriban expecting an easy time. The belt with the 9mm pistol slugthrower and the vibroknife was around his waist. To it was attached his lightsabre and what Ithron hoped would be enough ammunition for the various weapons. He had made a strap out of a strip of material to sling the carbine over his shoulder or back. At the moment, a black cloak covered his body.

As he called the computer panel in front of him to life and began running checks of critical system he did wonder how much use the conventional weapons would be. Having only had a small amount of experience with firearms, he didn't fancy his chances of hitting anything if it counted. He reassured himself with the thought that his abilities with a lightsabre were more potent.

The checks gave clear results.

"If you're ready, Darth, what do you say we get down to the surface and start ou-" Ithron was interrupted by a readout from the sensor systems. "What the hell? Another ship has just entered the system - but this is odd...."

The readout was telling Ithron the location of the other ship - and it was different to the location that a standard nav-computer would bring the ship out of hyperspace. To his side, he could see Mira looking at the same information.

"That means they're not Imperial or Coalition... unless they just didn't plot their course by computer!" Ithron smiled at the thought but Mira looked thoughtful.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea to let anyone know we're here. It'll only cause problems. Do you think they've detected us?" she said. If she had any insight into the nature of the other ship, she wasn't saying.

"I don't think so." said Ithron, checking his readings. "We just entered a polar orbit to scan for a landing site. At the moment we're passing the magnetic pole of the planet so I doubt we'd be distinguishable with standard sensors."

He didn't add the possibilities that the other ship could be a high-tech military vessel or that the other pilot could just get lucky. He didn't need to.

"I'll take us down now. Keep scanning for a landing site. When you find one, let me know. You know the planet better than me," he looked sidelong at her. "So pick somewhere good."

As Marek turned, Ben stood and started to follow him. "I think it is a very good idea. I could use as much practice as possible. Before we all got disbanded, I never got a chance to practice lightsaber fighting."

From his past experience, Ben knew Mira was better fighter than him and with others possibly being there, he would have to be at his best. While his best at the moment was not that much better, practicing would hopefully let him last better against her than last time.

As he moved down into the cargo hold, Ben decided the only way he could win would be to use strategy and combine his fighting with using the force.

Skygge quickly pulled up the known maps of the planet on the ship's computer. They weren't very extensive. Apparently the planet hadn't been mapped in some time. So she would have to rely on her memories.

After a moment's thought, she replied, "Head for the abandoned settlement of Dreshdae. There was a spaceport there at one time. If I remember correctly, it was still standing about a year ago. Don't know if it is now, but it's our best bet, unless we want to land in the Valley of the Dark Lords. Which we don't want to do unless we want to be assaulted immediately. If we go into Dreshdae, we might be able to slip in unnoticed."

Ithron began angling the descent towards the planet while Skygge sat back. Against her will, her mind replayed her first moments on the planet.

She stepped out of the ship as the ramp lowered, howitzer by her side, loaded and cocked. She had no idea what to expect on this strange planet, deserted and barren as it was. It seemed that no life could survive here. With the strength of the Dark Side all around her, she knew that whatever did live must be tainted by it and would therefore be harder to kill.

She found out with her first step into the Korriban dust just how right she was, for her first step disturbed a spot where bones had rested centuries, if not millennia, before. These bones had apparently been those of a Sith, or one associated with them, for before she had taken another step, three hssiss beasts appeared.

The hssiss were strange creatures, originally believed to have originated on Stennis. They could apparently cloak their presence in the Force from both perception and sight, and these were apparently slaved to the bones of this Sith. They were easy to kill, but one sweep of their claws imbedded a lethal poison into the victim that could only be removed by Jedi techniques.

Of course, none of this was known to Mynenial. All she knew was that three strange beasts had appeared, and none of them seemed too friendly. Oh, and that they were large, had big teeth and sharp claws. So she fired, emptying both barrels of her howitzer into one's head. It dropped like a rock.

Her Dathomir training kicked in, and she rolled forward as the claws of another swept over her head. Her hand flew to the blaster on her hip; she drew it as she came out of the roll and fired four times into the second, dropping it as well. The third beast charged. She fired again, putting two shots through its eye.

Less than a minute on Korriban and she'd already been attacked. If that was any indication of the rest of her time there, she wasn't sure she wanted to continue. If she had known that it would only get worse, she might have left then.

But she hadn't left. Shaking her head, she focused back on the planet through the shuttle viewport. "There," she said, pointing out a darker spot on the planet's surface. "That's Dreshdae. Spaceport should be near the center of the ruins."

Tossing his robe to the side, Marek positioned himself roughly six meters from Ben and faced him.

"Ben, I was there on Telos when you fought with Mira," he revealed, unclipping his saber from his belt.

Though as startling as the revelation was, Ben maintained his composure and remained trained on the other Jedi.

"I watched your duel with her and I must confess, you were lucky to have survived the ordeal." Marek didn't want to come off as preachy considering his own saber skills were mediocre at best, but he thought it was in Ben's best interest to understand where he stood in the wake of things.

"Don't be discouraged, the fact that you did survive, does count for something. But you'll have to be ready if you are to match blades with her again."

"What do you suggest then?" Ben questioned

"Well, to begin with, you need to understand your opponent. Those who weld the power of the dark side, as she does, are governed by their passion. They need it, they feed off of it. They exist under the thumbnail of its will" Marek’s voice began to rise in volume "and it just so happens to be their biggest weakness!" Marek was regurgitating the information he had so diligently sought out during his earlier days in the Jedi Temple. "They'll risk their footing for a killing strike and if your patient and persistent enough, you can capitalize on it."

Ben nodded as Marek lectured on, no doubt awaiting the point that they'd actually spar.

"Skill with a light saber is one thing, but if your smarter than the person your fighting," as he spoke he tapped his forehead with the index finger of his free hand, which just happened to be his left,” no skill level in the galaxy is going to defeat you. But and this is a big BUT, the instance you lose your focus, your done for." Marek inwardly hoped he'd be able to take his own words to heart.

"Ignite your Saber and attack me," the old pirate commanded, "I'll show you what I mean."

Ben did exactly that, surprisingly enough, alot faster than Marek had anticipated. Darting straight ahead at incredible speed, Marek met Ben's advancing saber just in the nick of time and parried the blow. Ben followed with a swing that Marek batted away and countered with a swing of his own. Narrowly escaping it, Ben ducked as the saber nearly buzzed the top of his head. Following up from a crouched position, Ben then tried to thrust his saber, only to have it met by yet another block from Marek. This type of activity continued for several minutes as the younger slashed at the elder and as it continued, the clashing of their green blades became almost rhythmic as if it were set to its own cosmic beat.

"You’re doing well Ben, keep focusing on my movements, and observe how I seem to match your advances without exerting as much energy, as you are attacking with." Marek complimented the other man. It was obvious that fatigue was beginning to set in already, as Ben continued his assault, while Marek gave the appearance of only just started the battle. "That’s what will happen, if you’re mindful of your opponent’s advances, you can continue on, long after they've tired themselves out. Your smarter than they are, remember that."

Though as noble as his efforts were, Ben was becoming sloppy with his strikes and in one such case, Marek was able to disarm him before the other knew what had happened.

"So a good defense is the best offense? Is that what you’re saying?" Ben questioned over-top heavy breathing, now kneeling before Marek. Not that he was humbling himself, the guy was just trying to catch his breath and collect his bearings.

"More or less," the other answered. "At least for now anyways. I'm still working at it myself. But it appears to work quite nicely wouldn't you agree?"

Ben nodded once more.

"Catch your breath, and we'll go again. I'm sure we still have some time before we reach our destination."

The fight had lasted only a few moments, but to Ben it seemed longer. As he stood there, breathing hard and sweat running down his back, he knew he needed more lightsaber training. Marek seemed to be just as fresh as when the fight started, but Ben was the opposite and that would have to be remedied over time. If would do him no good to over exert himself in the beginning and have nothing left for when the fight laster longer.

He listen to Marek give him tips on how to fight better and took them all the heart. While the other spoke Ben opened himself to the force, letting the current wash over him and take away his fatigue. Within seconds Ben felt stronger and reinvigorated. He stood up straighter and looked upon Marek, feeling the jedi through the force as Marek existed there before him.

A small smile moved across Ben's face as his blade reactivated. "I believe I am ready for another round."

With that said Ben thrust towards Marek's side, a thrust that was quickly countered, but Ben was not trying to win yet. As Marek had told him, strategy was important and he was testing the other's defenses. Over and over Ben slashed and jabbed, much more controlled this time.

He swung at Marek's leg and felt the other commit to a counter. Ben realized he was still calling on the force it was actually giving him information of some of the other's actions. It was the same as had happened on Telos, but this time Ben was actually calling on it and was aware.

He focused back on the fight as Marek pushed his blade away from the leg and back up between them. Ben looked up into Marek's eyes as their blades strained against each other, giving off a distinctive scrapping sound that filled the entire cargo hold. Marek was more powerful and Ben felt his hands giving slowly, moving the sabers move towards his chest.

The tactic came out of no where and Ben simply reacted. His saber shut down and he side stepped away as Marek's hands, now resisted by nothing shot out ahead of him. When Ben's saber reactivated, it was already inside the other's protective circle and paused centimeters away from Marek's neck.

With a slight grin of satisfaction, Ben once more turned off his blade and bowed slowly at Marek. "Thank you for the lesson Marek. I really learned a lot. Maybe after all this we can train more? However, for now, I think we need to get some rest. It would do us no good to be tired on the other side."

They both exchanged good byes for the moment and left to their respective cabins. Ben took a warm shower in the refresher and instantly felt better. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

His eyes opened to an alarm blaring into his ear. Ben let out a small curse before getting out of bed and throwing the robe around himself on his way towards the cockpit. As he got seated, the others entered.

"We're here." Ben stated, still somewhat sleepy. "Coming out of hyperspace in three...two...one..."

One the count of one Ben pulled back the lever and instantly the tunnel of hyperspace disappeared, dropped them out into darkness. Before them all rotated a dark planet, or rather they had all emerged on its night side. As the sublights kicked in and pushed them towards the planet, a single reading registered on the freighter's sensor screen, before vanishing.

Ben needed to make sure, since they could not leave anything to chance at this moment. He keyed up the sensor package and requested an ion trail check. While the sensor's were not that sophisticated, their arrival had been so close to the other ship's, that the ion trail was still fresh and heavy.

"I think we have something guys. Looks like an ion trail leading towards the planet's pole. It could be them, lets go check it out." With that said, Ben punched the engines and accelerated towards the other ship's direction.

[font=Tahoma]"Thessalia, take your sisters and lead them this day. Allow that hunger within you to rise to the fore and you shall do well." The words resonated in her mind with a dark rhapsody, accompanied by a brief sensation that was so sinister, the hateful spirit within her could not help but delight with the new feeling, however brief it was.[/font]

[font=Tahoma]And the Nightsister followed suit with her own spirit, letting the vengeful bliss wash over her as she made her way into the ship. Even with the feelings gone from her mind, the after-effect of their presence still coursed through her soul, and the memory behind the feelings she had experienced was enough to help her recapture them, and let them permeate every last part of her being. The sensations, though restricted to psychological effects, were fantastic.[/font]
[font=Tahoma][/font]
[font=Tahoma]As the ship entered hyperspace, Thessalia took some time to enter another meditative trance, focusing on the feeling that she had so briefly been given. The dark desires that Lupercus had shown her were magnified in her 'dreams', reaching new heights of destruction, chaos, and power.[/font]
[font=Tahoma][/font]
[font=Tahoma]Yes...That was the secret. Tapping into that power...harnessing it...that was what she had to do, if she wanted to reach her full potential within the Force. The coming journey promised the chance to do just that; and as the young woman entered the Dark Side's embrace, she felt its strength nourish those very thoughts.[/font]

"Maintain some distance between us and them, Ben, we don't need to cause anymore alarm than we might already have," Marek cautioned.

Firestar on the contrary, was fully aware of that possibility and was already taking steps to ensure their presence was as low key as possible.

"Don't worry Marek, I know what I'm doing," Ben responded.

Zolar tended to forget from time to time that there actually were other pilots in the galaxy just as accomplished if not more so than he was, his present company included. So in recognizing that, he turned his focus towards other pressing concerns, mainly the fact that they were orbiting a planet that according to the most updated star-maps wasn't suppose to exist.

"Is either one of you familiar with these spacing lanes?" Marek asked the other two Jedi, "Because this planetoid isn't showing up on any of the charts."

As he awaited their responses, Marek began to feel an overwhelming sense of despair ripple through the force, an emotion that seemed to emanate directly from the planet before them.

Something wasn't right with it...something dark, something...evil.

Thin trails of yellow light shimmered against the polished mahogany surface of Taja’s desk as her protégé, Vasuki, trained the lamp to focus on the many files and folders scattered across the table. The man heaved a quiet sigh to himself as he surveyed the countless accounts he still needed to finish settling before daybreak, which, judging by the gradually diminishing blackness draping the outside of the windows, probably wasn’t very far off. It was a duty that was normally allotted for the Sith Master herself, since she preferred to resolve all matters pertaining to the drug operation known as Severe on her own, but the woman had been suffering from troubled sleep for several consecutive nights and had thus temporarily appointed the task to Vasuki instead, as her most trusted member of staff. He rubbed his temples to clear them of the barrage of numbers they had been assaulted with, and, with another hefty groan, cracked his knuckles in preparation. Alright, here goes …

Just then, what sounded to be a muffled plea for help filtered through the cracks in the door adjoining the study to Taja’s bedroom. Vasuki snapped to attention, having grown accustomed to his employer’s restless bouts during slumber, but the sight that greeted him on this particular night did not resemble anything he had encountered before, and his eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he regained his composure enough to rush to her bedside. There, Taja lay contorted in a heap of limbs that had twisted in manners not naturally possible by any human being, and this was made all the more sickening by the fact that they kept bending and curling in various different directions as the woman lay caught in an epileptic fit. Pulling her upright, Vasuki shook her by the shoulders a few times until she awoke, and as soon as she had escaped the madness consuming her mind and her body, she burst into a spasm of tearless sobs.

“They’re getting worse, Yuki,” she exhaled finally, a trembling shudder rippling down the contours of her spine as she clawed her nails through the folds of the young man’s shirt, her eyes large and fearful and seemingly incapable of blinking. Her breaths were shallow and came one after another in increasingly rapid succession, until all at once, her grip tightened, and at that same moment she whipped her neck sideways to fix her unwavering and terrifyingly frenzied stare upon Vasuki’s visage, her face a mere few inches apart from his. Lines of desperation were etched across each facet of her expression, bleeding forth from every pore of her ethereally alabaster skin as she pressed her lips against her protégé’s ear.

“I can’t stop them anymore,” she whispered. Vasuki gasped sharply as he felt the tips of her fingers rip through his clothing and rake painfully against his chest, as if seeking to gain some sort of leverage with the aid of his flesh. “He won’t let me !” The blood vessels in Taja’s eyes had dilated to an abnormal degree, making them appear almost wholly crimson, and as the last of their whites disappeared, the Sith unleashed a horrific banshee screech that reverberated through the Force, powerful enough to shatter the mental defenses of any and all weaker entities within many miles of the apartment. Before Vasuki could react, an abrupt blast of energy emanating from his master’s palms exploded point blank against his body, sending him reeling backwards to collide against the far side of the room.

As quickly as it had begun, Taja’s screams subsided, and she fell limply to her knees on the bed, her head hung low. When next Vasuki looked up from where he had fallen, however, the Sith Master had already returned to her feet and was wordlessly preoccupied with gathering her essentials.

“Master Loraan, where –”

“Relax, Yuki. I’m just going outside for a little walk,” she interrupted, her tone suddenly and unusually tranquil; calm to the extent of being daunting, almost. Her fingers idly clasped around the collar of an ankle-length coat she had laid strewn across her dressing table the previous night and, slipping her feet into a pair of high boots, she pulled the jacket over the thin material of her nightslip and reached for the door. Just then, Vasuki’s voice called out again from behind her as the man vied frantically to recover from the immense shock he had suffered only minutes before.

“Master Loraan, you shouldn’t be venturing outside at this hour,” he attempted again meekly, using a chair leg to steady his balance. “It’s not a good –”

At that instant, Vasuki felt a cold, formless hand push down over his mouth to quieten his speech, concurrently with his employer’s swift motion of lifting a finger to her lips as a gesture of silence. The man sat there, entirely disoriented and forcibly mute, as Taja canted her head back over her shoulder to offer him a smile tinged with saccharine sweetness before turning on her heels to exit the apartment in favor of Coruscant City’s lightless streets.