Years past now, what seem like many, the planet Byss was held by the late Master Palpatine. As a trusted advisor, and student of the, then, Emperor, Diete Somir, now known to most only as Dark Lord Maim, had been their many times. The planet's surface held lakes and landscapes of indescribable beauty. A beauty that was hidden to the galaxy not only by it's location in the deep core, but by the mass dark side illusion created by it's former holder.

Years before, when the Emperor was reborn upon this planet and created a stronghold for himself to launch his counter assaults on the rebellious scum who had usurped his Empire, many many people had been drawn to this planet under the false pretenses of a wonderful new life on a tranquil and beautiful world. The true reason was to feed Master Palpatine's power. A power already infinite, grew with each soul's life force brought to that planet.

The Emperor had grown in strength and felt ready to engage the New Republic once more. However, they were brutally beaten back at almost every turn. A few victories, but not enough. The fleet fell back to protect Byss, the last true Imperial stronghold. Master Palpatine, in his infinite wisdom, foresaw the impending disaster and knew it was a battle that he could not win.

That foresight, however, allowed him one more grand act before he was once more destroyed, a mass illusion created by the dark side of the Force. He knew the battle would not be one and, instead of handing over the secrets of his stronghold, he created the illusion of it's destruction. Clever indeed, though it cost the lives and souls of all those on the planet and many of those of the fleet.

The illusion won the day and the fleets, both Imperial and Republic, thought the planet destroyed. The blast radius of the dark side power which created the illusion destroyed many of the combating ships and, in the end, just as foreseen, the battle was indeed won by the New Republic. The war, however, was just beginning.

Now years later the Dark Lord of the Sith known as Maim had discovered the planet once again. He had followed the source of energy he had felt even across the galaxy. Now he would undo what was done and shatter the illusion once and for all. The planet Byss would awaken this dawn to a new master but the same Empire.

The Dark Lord stood upon the observation deck of the starliner which had carried him this deep into the core. His eyes closed, deep in a state of meditation. Any illusion had a weak point, this one was no different. The trouble was not in finding it, but in having the patience to do so. If there was one things years of Jedi training had taught the Dark Lord, it was patience.

Suddenly, and with a grin, he found it. A weak point in the illusion that could be used to shatter it completely and open the planet Byss to the galaxy once more. His hands raised before him, he called out through the Dark Force. His body raged with power, his aura flaring like a black sun.

The Dark Lord's hands met one another and began to tear at the air before him. Mimicking the actions that were being done on an infinitely larger scale before him. Slowly, the tear in the illusion began to grow and the Dark Lord's power tunneled through it.

Finally, after hours of effort, the illusion collapsed and the planet Byss was once more revealed to the galaxy. The Dark Lord fell to a knee, attempting to gather to him what strength he could. The illusion had, indeed, been a powerful one. Extremely hard to destroy.. but he had done it. Now all that remained was to take what was rightfully his and restore the Empire's flag to the planet below.

First, however, rest... much needed rest.

The Dark Lord had rested, and meditated. Now, it was time for action. It was time to reap the fruits of his Force endured labors. Silently, the Dark Lord of the Sith made his way from his meditation and towards his clothes, which hang upon the far wall. Slowly he dressed himself and placed his Princely Sith Robes about him. His Sith Armor and sword also lay upon him, the blade of his sword intertwined with both Mandalorian Iron and Cortosis ore.

His Sith Armor was likewise woven with Cortosis fibers. This armor had been passed down from generation to generation. It had been once held by his great ancestor, the former Dark Lord of the Sith, Naga Sadow. As where the Sith Amulets which lay upon the backs of his hands. In fact, most of what he was today was much like his ancestor before him. He had dropped the charade that he was human, no longer putting up the facade that his appearance had shown the world for so long. He was, after all, one of the few pure Sith left in the galaxy. His line had been preserved over these thousands of years.

The great Sith Empire which once was would have hailed him as a hero. They would have likely elected him Dark Lord of the Sith. It was, after all, his birth right. He had learned the ancient secrets, just as his ancestors before him. He had trained to become a Sith Priest, a Warrior, and a student of the Sith ways, just as those before him. Now, also, his children had trained in the same manners.

His eldest son, Diete the Third, had become the High Priest of the Sith. Something which was also his birth right. The men of his line had been powerful since the days of old. Each in their own time had been a leader of nations, but none to the extent of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Maim. He had risen faster and with more success than most any before him. He had reached heights of power that many thought were unachievable. He had become a God of his people.

His name itself, Somir, was translated from the ancient Sadow. It was translated to the language of the planet his ancestors had settled upon, a planet that is now dead. It was only recently that he had decided to drop the name Somir and retake his roots. His clan would be Sadow once more. He was, after all, proud of his long heiratige. He was proud of his family line and the power they held. The Dark Lord of the Sith had contemplated the past for many months. Would it repeat itself? Would the Sith continue to tear themselves apart?

Only time would answer those questions.

Now, however, he was reclaiming a planet which belonged to the Dark Side of the Force. He was reclaiming a planet which belonged to the Sith. He had already reclaimed Korriban in the name of his ancestors. Now, he claimed Byss in the name of the other Dark Lords of the Sith who had come before him. His former master, Lord Palpatine, had once made this planet home. Now, his work would be continued.

Some may have believed that Palpatine was not truly Sith. However, in many ways he was one of the most true Sith in thousands of years. Perhaps not in the way that Naga Sadow and Ludo Kressh were. However, he was Sith none the less. He had reached a level of galactic power that few before him had ever even hoped to achieve.

Palpatine had taught him many things, but it was not until he was refound by his family, the Somir or Sadow clan, that he learned the truth. He was destined to be great. He was destined to conquer worlds and lay waste to nations. He was destined to be the Dark Lord of the Sith, and one of the greatest ever at that.

In the Golden Age the Sith were united. A nation of warriors who stood together against the outside worlds. Now, however, they were split. They were segregated into classes, clans, nations apart from one another. It is doubtful at this point that they would ever again be united under a single banner. The Dark Lord of the Sith, Maim, had tried this once within the confines of his palace upon Vjun. Even through his vast power he could not bring them together under a single banner.

Perhaps it was his loyalty to the Galactic Empire, now called the New Order, that held back his advancement of the Sith Race. Perhaps it was his plans for galactic domination. At any rate it was doubtful his wish to unite the Sith would ever be one that would come true. It was doubtful because of the nature of his people.

Even now there were many, in fact most, who were not of the Sith Race. There were many in the galaxy who called themselves Sith but were truly Dark Jedi. They also used the Dark Side of the Force, however, they had no respect for what the word Sith meant. They did not respect the history of a proud race and religion. They did not realize fully what it even meant to be called Sith. They were, if nothing else, ignorant of what the believed.

There were a few true Sith left, even if they did not come from the proud race who fathered that name. There were a few in the galaxy who knew what it meant to be called Sith and strove daily to discover the history and secrets of a proud race and religion. However, more and more there were the usurpers. The pretenders who merely used the Sith name as a scapegoat to cover what they truly were.

The History of his people was a proud one. One full of struggles and turmoil but also one filled with victories and power. No other race could claim to have accomplished so much with so little. It was their deep routed history which set them apart from all others. Those who truly were Sith payed daily homage to those who came and died before them. They payed their respect to the Sith race and religion which had spawned all those many thousands of years ago.

The Dark Lord of the Sith was no different. He was powerful, of course that was true, none would likely ever deny that fact. However, he still was able to remember where that power came from. Where it still comes from. He is deep rooted in his race and religion's history. He was dedicated to the memory of fallen warriors and Lords who came before him. He was wholly dedicated to preserving the name of his people.

He was dedicated not only to the preservation of his people's name, but to furthering that name and glory to the rest of the galaxy. Perhaps where others had failed, he would prevail. He was, after all, one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. Perhaps even one of the most powerful men ever to live. Sure, this may have been conceited, but it may also be true.

Now the Dark Lord of the Sith stood within ancient Sith Armor. His ancient blade lay at his side, an ancient helm upon his head. Even his name was passed down to him from times long past. He was Sith, without doubt, he knew what it meant to be so and he did what was needed. He did what was in the best interest of his people as a whole. That is what made him a leader. That is what made him the Dark Lord of the Sith.

He was a God to his people, that much was true, but he was also a leader. He set an example, even to those who did not directly serve him. He set that example in the hopes that one day, perhaps soon, the Sith of the Galaxy would realize their error and return the glory to the Sith name. One day, perhaps, the Sith would be united once more.

One day, perhaps, the Golden Age would rise again.

The Dark Lord of the Sith, and his small group of comrades, moved now from the shuttle as it landed. The docking ramp fell into place and they all exited through venting gasses and steam. The Dark Lord of the Sith and his Sovereign Protectors, among which were a few well trained Sith Lords and or Masters. Each of the men with him had been trained, not only, in the arts of combat but also in the other finer arts which would aid them in their service of the Dark Lord.

The Sovereign Protectors had each been trained in the ways of their predicesors. Each of them had been either created from the ashes of the fallen before them, or selected from the finest of troopers and officers that the Crimson Empire had had to offer. From the legions of troops at the Dark Lord of the Sith's command he had selected a few to serve as Imperial Royal Guard Trainees. These men would train harder and more diligently than any others. They would train in the arts of warfare and command to be suited for the task they would be assigned.

Deep within the heart of the planet Yinchorr, they trained. Day in and day out for months, if not years, at a time. They were cut off from any family or friends they may have had. In many cases they were chosen because they had never had many. Only the most loyal of canidates ever made it this far.

After their months and years of intense training the groups would be paired off. Together with their 'twin' they would then train longer. Only the elite of the classes even made it to this stage of training. Months of training in pairs turned comrades into brothers. They were closer with these men, trusted them more, than they had anyone else in their lives. They had to. These were the men who were the guardians of their very lives.

After the bonds had cemented and the class of trainees turned into brothers, a final test would take place.

The Squall.

The squall was the name not only for an arena upon Yinchorr, but for the test itself. Each of the partners would face one another in mortal combat. Each of them would be forced to kill their brother in the name of their Lord, or would themselves be killed by the other. The battles would rage for days and weeks. In the end, half of the class, who were already the elite of the elite, only would remain.

True loyalty extends past killing your master's enemies, your enemies. True loyalty comes when you will even kill your own brother for nothing more than your master's request. This is why the Squall was the most important factor in the training of the Imperial Royal Guards.

Many of the Royal Guards who were now with the Dark Lord of the Sith upon the planet Byss were Sovereign Protectors. These men were beyond the elite of the elite. They were the best warriors in the galaxy, without question. They were more loyal than any droid, better than any assassin, more capable of killing than any bounty hunter. These men had reached the peak of perfection in their trade. They were, absolutely, the best of the very best.

He trusted these men with his life for he knew that none would ever betray him, even beyond death. He knew that these men had the heart of warriors and the will to serve only him. They were extremists, and that is what made them great. These men would fulfill any order, any command, or die trying. Even if that command took years or even decades to fulfill. These men's loyalty could never be strewn from their master.

Now, as they entered the first doors of the command structure on Byss, they were symbols of Imperial Power returning to Byss. Many of the Imperial Royal Guards who had served before them died in this place. Likely it is a memory that these men would never lose sight of. They would insure that the memories of those men, what they had died for, would live on for all time. In that respect, none of them would ever truly be dead.

A few of the elite warriors moved off into different passages, each having their own job to do. However, always there were at least two by thier master's side. They would insure that, were they not the first to find a way back to this place, any force who would appose them would need to go through them first. They would not fail, for they were the best of the absolute very best.

The Dark Lord of the Sith, and his loyal Sovereign Protectors, swiftly made work of searching the old buildings. They found only death and a stain of the Dark Force that would likely never be ereased. Palpatine had, when he vanished, drained all life on this planet and in the fleet in the same moment. It had created a hole, a tear, a stain in the fabric of the Force itself which was as punjant today as it had been those years ago when it had first happened. It is what drew the Dark Lord of the Sith here to begin with.

He could sense the ripples of it all the way upon his base planet. He could feel it, always, nagging at him. Finally he had opened the puzzle box, and the rewards for his persistance were a littered group of courpses. However, there was much technoligy which still remained. Much that was left from the Empire and it's master.

The cloning chambers, for one, though the Dark Lord already controlled several like it. Infact, he now controlled more of the remaining sparti cloning cylinders than anyone in the galaxy. Though, he rarely made effective use of them.

The Dark Lord stood, now, on a catwalk above the cloning cylinders themselves. He looked down upon the massive structure below in admiration for the work his former master had gone through to create it. It was a masterpiece of modern science, and a tool with which a twisted mind could live on and create for himself an army of loyal beings. An army of deception.

Visions of the future clouded the mind of the Dark Lord often, though as of late they were astonishingly vivid. His family would be torn, that much he could see, but he could not tell by who or for what reason. It was a mystery that likely only time would tell.

His family, what a long tale that has been.


------


Long ago the Somir family, as it is now known, were the Sadows of the Ancient Sith Empire. Their most highly noted clan member was Naga Sadow, former Dark Lord of the Sith. Since his disappearance, however, the Sadows have gathered strength secretly until the time when another would rise to power over the nations and rule as their ancestor did. There was a legend that a branch of the line would come, directly spawned from Naga himself, which would lead the family once more to a place of honor and glory.

It had begun with Dark Lord Maim's father, Diete Somir the First.

Beyond the outer rim, in parts of the galaxy that no one has charted, there the Sadow family grew powerful. Diete Somir, as the name had been translated to on the world which they now lived upon, grew powerful enough to create an Empire for himself. His fame grew through the regions of space which surrounded him and he soon became known as the Shadow Emperor, for none but those most trusted had ever seen him. He ruled this region for a long span, until his twin children, Diete the Second, and Artum Somir, were born.

These children marked another notch in the Sadow family line, one that would not soon be forgotten. As they grew the twins grew tired of hearing stories about the ancient times. They grew tired of being confined to live like rats in an empire which meant nothing in the grand scheme.

They grew tired of their father.

With their combined might, they destroyed the planets of the system, and their father, in one fateful attack. Together bringing an end to the Shadow Empire all together. Together they traveled, picking up a young boy along the way, who they named Meschi Somir, though it would come later to be known that he was, indeed, a decendant of the long dead Ludo Kressh, a rival family leader.

For a short time Diete was tempted by the light side of the Force. He was trained, though reluctantly, by Master Yoda himself, until he once more gave to the Darkside and betrayed the Order itself. Serving beneath palpatine, who had become Emperor, he reached a new height as Prince Regent of the Galactic Empire.

Along the line he fathered children of his own. His first born, now High Priest of the Sith, was also named Diete Somir. His second born, Nathaniel Somir, went on to become one of the great Jedi Masters of the era and was known as the Jedi Star, for he was the light that shown through the darkest of places. He was also trained by Yoda, many believe as redemption for his father's fall.

A few other less notable children would also follow, but Diete's path had not yet ended. Meschi, who remained ever loyal to Maim, followed him through time and space. Artum, however, betrayed Maim and met an early death at his brother's hands.

After the downfall of the Galactic Empire, Maim went out to gather his own power and influence. He eventually rose the Crimson Empire and aided a reforming Galactic Empire, now called the New Order, in their further climb to power. By this time he had become Dark Lord of the Sith, a testiment to his life and destiny.

His son, Diete the Third, now rules the Sith Religion as it's High Priest and devotes himself fully to that. There were rumors that the High Priest fathered a child by a Sith Princess, but they were never proved true.

The Somir, or Sadow, family had come a long way since the ancient times. However, the circle itself had just come around to the beginning. A Sadow as Dark Lord to another Sadow as Dark Lord.

Dark Lord Maim would be recognized as one of the greatest of the Dark Lords and have a temple built and waiting for his spirit in the valley of the Dark Lords on the sacred planet Korriban. So far five bodies, or vessels, rest in this sacred temple which once held the power and soul of Diete Somir the Second, Dark Lord of the Sith.

EDIT: My resolve to dispise Ezboards is ever more confirmed. To HELL with Ezwhore.

A memory flashed through the Dark Lord's mind, as they so often did these days. Reminding him of days and friends long gone.

---

"Your to slow Teq! Punch it up!"...Diete yelled as he raced across the barren wastelands of Dantooine. "You want speed?"...Teq slammed the throttle down, quickly catching Diete and passing him. He laughed out loud as Diete caught him once more...."How long are we going to keep up these games Diete?"...Teq questioned his friend..."Until we are old and grey as the masters I assume!"...Diete laughed also as they sped along. The two continued this game well into the evening, and as the sun began to set, they finally decided to head back to the hut.


The Master, as usual, was disappointed in them. They had once again been out far longer than was their normal time, and had missed meditation hours, a long with the evening meal. "You two had better have a better explanation this time."..the Master said as he seemed to appear in the doorway..."Master, it was I who broke the rules, Teq simply stayed to make sure I was not hurt, and several times tried to talk me into returning."...Diete said instantly....Teq looked at him quickly...."Is this true Teq?"...the Master said again, turning his glance to the boy..."..........Yes Master, it is true."..Teq felt he had no choice now but to agree with Diete's statement. "Then Diete, a day of isolation and meditation awaits you. It begins..now."...Diete looked to Teq, grinned once, then walked to his room to begin his meditation. The Master merely shook his head, feeling the conflict growing inside the boy, and hoping to force whatever anger was inside of him out and cleanse the boy.

The conflict within Diete did not die, however, it lay in wait like a predator, stalking, waiting for the right moment to strike, and some years later, it did just that.....

They years passed, as time has a way of doing. Many things changed with the two boys, many did not. They still remained the best of friends, even with Teq's promotion to Knight while Diete remained a padawan. The master did not feel him ready for the next step, and held him back when the time came. This fed the inner conflict of Diete, fueling his desire to learn at a faster pace, to keep up with his friend and remain at his side. As it is with most things, when placed under to much pressure, things tend to strain and eventually break. Diete was no different.....


Diete and Teq had finally been given a mission, alone. This is what they had trained so many years for. They where to meet a small group of people upon the violent surface of Aeten II and assist them in returning order and peace to the small groups which inhabit that planet. This was surely to be exciting, and could be dangerous.


The people upon the planet of Aeten II, what little of them there were, had been torn asunder by civil unrest. The small factions of natives were at war with one another, and this was why the Guardians of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy were sent, to end the dispute.

As the small craft landed near one of the major encampments, Diete and Teq made their way onto the volatile planet. After discussing the situation with the first of the major factions, Diete and Teq decided it would be best if they split up, and each spoke with one of the groups. Teq stayed with the first group, and Diete left on his own to speak with the other and attempt to end the dispute. All did not go as planned....

Two night passed upon the barren planet, while Diete and Teq each dealt with the problems of each group, trying to get at the heart of the matter. The night dragged on, and Diete began to become weary. He left the group, alone, and headed to the small station where he could bathe and eat his evening meal in peace. As he exited the small bathing quarters, he was attacked, the warriors wearing clothing that clearly identified them as members of the tribe Teq had been speaking with. He was left for dead, his right lung punctured, his face scarred, his leg half severed off. He fell to a state of unconsciousness.

As Diete slowly awoke, he found the people he had been with, caring for his wounds. Slowly his memory began to flash to him, practically reliving the carnage that was placed upon his form by the others. He came to learn slowly, the building he was in was set aflame, his clothing burned and himself barely pulled from the fire in time to save his life. He gratefully accepted the gift of clothing they offered him, though they be black, at this time he felt somehow at home in them. They had given him a breathing device, to aid with his punctured lung until he could have it fixed correctly. His hand raised to his scarred face, feeling his anger rage full for the first time in his life. As soon as was polite to do so, he calmly excused himself from the group, placing his belt and lightsaber about him once more, he headed towards the other encampment, Justice his only goal.....

The battle ensued shortly afterwards, his best friend and training partner new turned against him, his only friend left his hatred and rage. He turned quickly from the light which had betrayed him. The rules which had forced Teq not to interfere. He spat upon them with every breath, his mere existence a testament against them. He despised those and all like them. The weak who refuse to punish the guilty, he would no longer do so....

The Dark Lord of the Sith snapped out of his daydream as his loyal Sovereign Protectors reported in. The planet was, indeed, dead. All forms of intelligent life had been drained and none had yet returned. It was the perfect planet upon which to set up a secret base of operations. A base which none would ever discover. The planet itself was listed as destroyed, none would come looking for it, at least not for a long.. long time.

The Dark Lord of the Sith surveyed his new domain. His men had, as always, performed perfectly. They were the best of the absolute best. Trained warriors and protectors. In the time of the old Empire, they had been the same. Now, under his guidance, their skill only grew. In time the entire galaxy would fear them, each and every one of them. For now, however, they were a well guarded secret weapon of the Procurator of Justice. A tool with which to defeat even the most lethal of enemies. A tool with which to stretch his hand across the galaxy.

Soon his hand would spread as far and wide as his former master, Palpatine,'s hand had. He would dominate entire systems and rule on high as judge, jury, and executioner. He would, indeed, rule as a King of Nations and a God of Worlds.

He was the master of the Sith, leader of the Crimson Empire, and Procurator of Justice of the New Order.

He was unstoppable.