The Dark Lord of the Sith, now known as Maim, took his first step onto the planet of Vjun with great pleasure. It had been some time since he first learned of this place and visited, however, it had been almost daily that he had thought of returning. A, seemingly, deserted planet it held a certain power over the Dark Lord's soul. It called to him, beckoned to be inhabited by the minions of the Dark Lord. Bast Castle... indeed, Bast Castle is the place which called him with the most urgency.

The Dark Lord's shrouded form moved silently from his ship and towards the castle proper. It was a gigantic looming structure, indeed fitting of the Dark Lord of the Sith. Certainly he would not be the first Dark Lord to inhabit this stronghold. Lord Vader had built this place as his own private retreat, and it had later been used by the reborn Emperor and his Dark Jedi. Their dark presence seemed to radiate from every rock, every piece of building stone, and everything else around him. He fed off the dark power surrounding this place. Indeed, he had come home.. again.

Followed closely by his regime of Imperial Royal Guards, the Dark Lord made his way into the stronghold, all security and other defensives having been neutralized by his most trusted student and advisor, Vost Tyne. Tyne himself had been to Vjun many times in the past, and had no trouble disabling and recoding the security grids. Now, however, another problem would present itself, which the Dark Lord had assured Tyne would not be a problem at all.

Noghri.

It was not long before the Noghri had descended upon them, surrounding them silently. All in the party could easily sense them, however, none moved. Instead, the Dark Lord spoke, his voice booming throughout the area.

"Noghri warriors of clan Baitu'gla, I am the Dark Lord of the Sith, Lord Maim. Your debt to the Empire and the former Dark Lord is now to me. Now come, show yourselves."

Silently, the warriors began to show themselves, not all at once.. of course. Many stayed hidden, and the clan leader approached Maim, warily.

He spoke in the Noghri tongue, Maim easily understood.

"Ahh, you require proof."

Turning, he called Tyne to him.

"Take this man's scent. You know him as a servant of the Lord Vader, and I am sure you will recall him. As you can surmise, he now serves me. So as you see, what I say is true."

The Noghri leader did, indeed, take Tyne's scent. Recognizing it, he dropped to his knees before the Dark Lord.

"Excellent." the Dark Lord replied.

"Rise, my friends... we have much to discuss."

After his extended council session with the Noghri and his men, the Dark Lord began to wonder the extensive labyrinth of halls of Bast Castle. He came to a halt and silently took in the large statue of the Dark Lord Vader.

"Indeed, you were powerful.. but your feelings for your son destroyed you in the end."

Turning to one of his guardsmen, he stated coldly.

"Remove this abomination."

The Dark Lord's mind raced a moment as he was mentally contacted via the Dark Force.

~Lord Maim, the Ysalamiri have arrived.~

Responding with a grin, he sent to the others mind.

~Good. Have them transplanted, as ordered. Encircle the entire complex so that any force user who is not welcome will be no match for the automated defenses we have installed.~

~Yes, my Lord.~

With that said, the Dark Lord continued his trek through the halls of Bast Castle. This would, indeed, make a fitting place to call home. A fitting stronghold from which to launch is attacks against the enemies of the Empire. A sanctuary within the vastness of space, Vjun would serve the Dark Lord's will well.

Some time later, the Dark Lord settle upon a set of personal quarters. In years past, it had served as both the Dark Lord Vader's sanctuary, as well as the reborn emperor's. It was designed to focus the Dark Force and would aid in his meditative trances. As had quickly become the standard, his Noghri bodyguards took up silent posts, watching stealthily for any sign of aggression against their new Lord and Master.

The Dark Lord sat silently, within his new throne, contemplating the structure which had now become his stronghold. A place of power and authority which suited him nicely. A place in which he could contemplate, meditate, and control the universe around him.

The Dark Lord recieved contact once more, from a student of his.

~Yes, I have the time.. ready your mind. I shall move the knowledge into you through a mind link.~

With that said, he tested the link.. satisfied it was working properly, he began to dump force power knowledge into the man's brain.

~Study these well, and when you are ready.. I shall begin to teach them to you.~

Turning back to his meditation, the Dark Lord silently sunk into a mild trance.

The Dark Lord rose silently from his trance.

"It is done. I sense the transplantation of the Ysalamiri is complete, and the castle defenses are now completely under our control, as is the rest of the planet."

No sooner had he said such, than did the guardsmen confirm such over his comm-link.

The Dark Lord sat silent, reviewing the status of his group.

Carnor Jax: Cloned from and imperial royal guard by the same name. The original Carnor Jax was a member of the same training class as Kir Kanos. Jax often beat Kir Kanos in the training battles fought in The Squall, and defeated Alum Frost in a fight to the death on Yinchorr. The battle was staged by Emperor Palpatine himself, meant to determine the more loyal warrior. In the wake of Palpatine's death at Endor, Jax began to envision himself as a new Dark Lord and ruler of the Empire. He established a power base, and bribed one of Palpatine's primary clone scientists into creating defective clones for the Emperor. Jax then began wearing a suit of armor which was a modified version of the Royal Guards' armor, with a black faceplate and cloak. When Palpatine's clones were destroyed at Byss, he made his bid for control of the Empire by creating the Imperial Interim Ruling Council and assuming its leadership. He also set out to exterminate the remaining Royal Imperial Guards, but Kir Kanos managed to escape and took with him the secret of Jax's treason. Jax learned of Kanos' survival, and knew that he would have to eliminate the threat he posed. When Kanos was discovered on Phaeda, Jax ordered Colonel Shev to stand down and let his own forces deal with Kanos, but Shev ignored the orders. In the end, Kanos was able to escape to the planet Yinchorr. Jax pursued him, but was unable to stop General Wessel from falling for another of Kanos' tricks. Jax fled the Emperor's Revenge with Blim and a squadron of hand-picked, black-armored stormtroopers, landing on Yinchorr to hunt down Kanos. The entire squadron of troopers was eliminated by Kanos, leaving Jax to face him in one-on-one combat. They met in The Squall, where Jax had defeated Kanos during their training. Jax made sure he had all of Kanos' escapes covered, including the placement of Blim in a nearby position to shoot Kanos if the other man got an advantage. After Blim was eliminated by Mirith Sinn and Sish Sadeet, Jax nearly defeated Kir Kanos. However, the other man was too strong for Jax. In a short duel, Kanos drove the blade of his staff through Jax's breastplate, piercing his heart and killing him instantly.

Those were the official imperial records.. now, however, since his 'rebirth' he had served the Dark Lord Maim as both leader of the Royal Guards and a personal assassin.


Kir Kanos: Another cloned Imperial Royal Guard. The original Kir Kanos was at one time an elite stormtrooper for the Empire. Recognized as one of the most loyal and able warriors of the Empire, he was given a chance to train at the Royal Guard facility on Yinchorr. His chief rival during the training was Carnor Jax, who defeated Alum Frost in combat for the Emperor. Kir also survived the training, after being forced to fight a battle to the death with his friend, Lemmet Tauk. His reward was to be defeated by Darth Vader and the Dark Side of the Force, which earned him a lightsaber scar across his face. He was promoted to serve as one of Emperor Palpatine's Royal Imperial Guards, and he served faithfully until Palpatine was killed at Endor. Like many of the Royal Guard, he remained loyal to the remnants of the Empire, and tried to return to Palpatine's side when his clones were activated on Byss. However, after the clones were killed, Kanos returned to Yinchorr with the other Guards to discuss their next moves. All but Kanos were wiped out by the treacherous Carnor Jax, including Kile Hannad. Kanos suddenly found himself loyal to an Empire with no leader. Worse, he learned that Carnor Jax had assumed control of a portion of the Empire, proclaiming to be a Dark Lord. Kanor went into hiding on Phaeda, and joined the New Republic cell led by Mirith Sinn in order to defeat their common enemies. When Colonel Shev ordered his forces to invade the Republic stronghold and capture Kanos, Sinn's forces were unable to stop the assault. However, Kanos took matters into his own hands and eliminated Shev's troops, then fled to Yinchorr. He was followed by Jax, Blim, and a squadron of specially-trained, black-armored stormtroopers which he quickly dispatched. He then faced Carnor Jax, alone in The Squall. Kanos was able to gain the upper hand, and when Mirith Sinn and Sish Sadeet dispatched Blim, Kanos was able to breach Jax's defense and drive the blade of his staff through Jax's breastplate. Jax was killed instantly, despite the fact that Mirith wanted him alive for questioning. Sadeet was angry at the loss of Jax, and tried to kill Kanos. Kanos, however, anticipated Sadeet's attack and killed the Trandoshan with a jab of his staff. He then left Yinchorr and went into hiding. He reappeared as the bounty hunter Kenix Kil, and infiltrated Grappa the Hutt's organization. When Mirith was given over to the Zanibar and taken to Xo, Kanos followed them. He hoped to rescue Mirith, and asked for Kennede's son's help. However, Kanos was captured by the Zanibar and brought to Genon by Zzzanmxl, who hoped to collect the Imperial bounty on Kanos' head. Mirith managed to free him, along with Feena D'Asta, and they returned to Ord Cantrell to find the Baron D'Asta. In the wake of Xandel Carivus' treacherous schemes, Kanos hunted the self-proclaimed Emperor down and executed him as a traitor to the Empire. Kanos then left them all on Ord Cantrell, to follow his own ideal of the Empire depsite his affection for Mirith.

Again this clone has served the Dark Lord since his 'rebirth' and well, protecting him from serveral attacks already.


Kile Hannad: This clone was also created from a former Imperial Royal Guard. The original Kile Hannad was one of Emperor Palpatine's Royal Imperial Guards, and was one of the few that survived the death of his clones on Byss. When the Guards returned to Yinchorr to meet with the Guard to discuss their future, they were exterminated by Carnor Jax. Hannad and Kir Kanos remained alive after the assault, but knew that one of them had to escape to exact revenge on Jax. They flipped a coin, and Hannad's fate was sealed. He held off Jax's troops long enough for Kanos to escape, but was eventually overwhelmed by the opposition and was killed.

Since this clones 'rebirth' he has worked extensively with the Dark Lord creating new technologies for the Empire.

(Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia, http://www.theforce.net/swenc/ , used as Imperial Record Databanks. Information regarding the pasts of Carnor Jax, Kile Hannad, and Kir Kanos taken from there and edited slightly for use in this storyline.)

Vost Tyne: This Imperial Navy Admiral retired from active duty shortly before the Battle of Yavin, having commanded a Star Destroyer for the Emperor. Tyne was also a student of the Dark Side of the Force under Darth Vader himself, and many believe it was Vader who talked Tyne into retiring. After retiring, Tyne returned to serve the Empire when he killed Arviz Linden, the director of the hyperbaride plant on Marca, and took control himself. Tyne reported directly to Aaz'del Hutrick during this time, and increased the plant's production immensely. Using the Dark Side of the Force, Tyne discovered that the Sertim sisters had decided to assist the Alliance, and had made contact with a team which had crash-landed on Marca. He laid a trap for them, capturing Darci Sertim and using her as a hostage while placing Marci in prison. The sisters were rescued by the Alliance team shortly before the hyperbaride plant exploded. It was unknown whether or not Tyne survived the explosion. However, Vost Tyne did indeed survive and was eventually led by the Dark Side of the Force to the new Dark Lord of the Sith whom he now serves loyally. Tyne serves as commander of the Dark Lord's personal vessel.


Burr Danid: This clone of an imperial royal guard was orignally a student of the Royal Imperial Guard training facility on Yinchorr, in his first life, at the same time as Kir Kanos and Carnor Jax. He was considered one of the best students in training at the time. When Emperor Palpatine visitied the facility with Darth Vader, Danid was chosen to battle the Dark Lord in one-on-one combat. Although his technique was flawless, Vader easily defeated Danid. He cut off Danid's right forearm, then kicked him over the edge of The Squall's raised platform. The cloned Danid's technique is equally flawless and serves his Dark Lord well.


Jeng Droga: This man was a Dark Side adept and was one of Emperor Palpatine's students, and was the pilot of the Emperor's personal yacht, the Emperor's Shadow. Droga was known as a somber man whose loyalty to Palpatine ran extremely deep. It was rumored that Droga and Palpatine shared a psychic bond, which was the reason he was promoted to command the Emperor's Shadow. It was believed that Droga went insane and vanished, along with the Emperor's Shadow, shortly after the Emperor's death at the Battle of Endor. Further investigation revealed that Droga had fled Endor for the planet Kaal, where he went insane, killing the bridge crew and crashing the ship into the ocean in an effort to join Palpatine in death. Droga did not die, though, as Palaptine's Dark Side spirit found Droga's dying body when it fled the destruction of the second Death Star. Sate Pestage later recovered Droga's body, and used Sith magic to extract Palpatine's essence. Droga was allowed to live on, and later blamed himself for not protecting Palaptine when the Emperor was finally dispatched on Byss. Droga returned to Kaal, hoping to find a way to resurrect Palpatine yet again. He emerged during the Third Battle of Yavin, and went irrevocably insane upon learning that four former Royal Imperial Guards had pretended to be the Emperor. Finding himself healed once more, upon a chance meeting with the current Dark Lord of the Sith, he now is charged with ensuring the new batch of Royal Guards does not follow in suit with the old.


Grodin Tierce: The original Tierce was a former Imperial stromtrooper and Royal Guard served under Moff Disra. Tierce managed to survive the destruction of the second Death Satr by the simple fact that he was not there, having been rotated out of active duty as Guardsman at the time. He later served as one of Grand Admiral Thrawn's stromtroopers aboard the Chimaera, but didn't count on Rukh actually killing Thrawn. Tierce's unit, upon hearing of Thrawn's death, intercepted and executed Rukh. A cold, calculating man, Tierce was drawn into Disra own plans for the remnants of the Empire as he was furthering his own schemes. Serving as a Naval Major, Tierce tried to remain a minor aide to Disra, but felt that the old man was getting in his way. He took control of the military aspects of their plans after Disra introduced Flim as a reborn Thrawn. Tierce recognized the short-comings of Flim's performance, and had Thrawn's genetic records altered to match Flim's. He then cut off Disra's supply of clones to Zothip and the Cavrilhu Pirates, making it clear to Disra that the Empire would need them more than the pirates. He claimed that he was only trying to avenge the death of Palpatine. He also learned that Thrawn had set up a number of sleeper cells on Republic worlds, and worked to activate them in an effort to garner more troops. Tierce also hired the Vengeance group to begin a series of ritos which, on the surface, were the result of the Caamas Incident. His work with Disra dn Flim was cut short when Admiral Pellaeon discovered that Tierce was, in fact, a clone of the original Grodin Tierce. The history files in the Imperial Records Library noted that Tierce died in the assault on Generis while serving under the original Thrawn, ten years before the Caamas Incident. Thrawn created the clone himself, using Tierce's fierce loyalty and soldier acumen and merging it with much of Thrawn's own intellect and cunning. The hipe was that this new regime of clones would supplant the Imperial warlords and take control of the Empire. Pellaeon discovered that Tierce was created just two months prior to Thrawn's death, but the experiement was cut short when Thrawn realized that he had not created a leader, just a tactically brilliant stormtrooper. Tierce was the first - and last - of his line. Upon hearing of this, Shada D'ukal - who had accompanied Pellaeon - killed Tierce with one of her zenji needles. Some years later the current Dark Lord discovered the project and re-opened it, cloning Tierce once again. Currently Tierce serves as tactical advisor to the Dark Lord Maim.



(Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia, http://www.theforce.net/swenc/ , used as Imperial Record Databanks. Information regarding the pasts of Vost Tyne, Burr Danid, Jeng Droga, and Grodin Tierce taken from there and edited slightly for use in this storyline.)

Loki Somir: A Sith Lord, turned Imperial Royal Guard, he is the blood son of the Dark Lord of the Sith. Training under him since birth, Loki has shown extreme skill in using the Dark Side of the Force and has proven himself extremely loyal to the Dark Lord. Currently Loki heads the Dark Lord's personal extermination squads.


Meschi: This clone of a former Sith Lord, also turned Imperial Royal Guard, serves as an assassin to the Dark Lord when a message is needed. Known for gruesome displays, Meschi is only released when an enemy deserves far worse than a common killing.


Donavin Styx: Sith Lord, turned Imperial Royal Guard, Styx is the adopted son of the Dark Lord. Born of Maim's brother's wife, Styx has also been trained by the Dark Lord since birth and has excelled in the areas of Force seeing and sensing. He serves as the Dark Lord's primary intelligence agent.


And now, now also the Noghri warriors would be added to the list, though thus far, the Dark Lord knew little about them. Indeed, it was a fine group, small, but extremely talented.

Carnor Jax had served the Dark Lord since the time of his creation. It was an honor and pleasure to serve, and he did his job well. In fact, he was the best of the best. Hence the reason he was assigned as leader of the Royal Guardsmen.

The task of taking over an, almost, uninhabited planet was an easy one. Simple for those as skilled as he and his guardsmen. However, just because a task was simple does not mean they did it with any less vigor or effort. The guardsmen had performed admirably, as always. Now it was time for them to train once again. Perhaps it was almost time to raise the ranks of a few of them. They had all performed excellently, however, some had excelled above others.

The Dark Lord of the Sith sat silent, thinking upon his enemies.. thinking upon his wife.. thinking upon the time Fearson's daughter had come to him. Indeed, Fearson had now become an enemy.. and in time, he would be dealt with.

____________________________________________________


It felt wrong.

Standing in this place - her sandy-brown curls resting on her shoulders, chocolate brown eyes glancing around apprehensively - felt wrong.

Her heart was pounding inside her chest, her arms rubbing against her bare arms as she tried to rid her skin of the nervous goose-bumps. Unconsciously her fingers stopped on a spot on her upper arm, her hand covering the tatto that marred her flesh.

She should leave, Arai knew that. She didn't even know what she was doing here! And yet here she stood.

Waiting.

The Lady Athena stood within the shadows. She watched the child stand and move nervously. With out moving a voice rang outwards.

" Welcome here, child. I am Athena. Mind if I ask why brought you to us? "

Then like nothingness her small figure walked from within the shadows and into the dim light.

Her long blond hair fell around her shoulders. The softness in her skin gleamed from the lights.

The Sith Lord looked at the girl...


There was no stopping the startled squeak that passed her lips as the voice sounded from the nothingness. Arai stood dumbfounded as the woman stepped from the shadows and toward her. With the question she was asking herself was finally placed before her, she composed herself and bowed to the Sith.

" Mistress Athena, I -"

She fought for the words for a brief second.

" I have come seeking knowledge, and a Master. My Master - My former Master will no longer teach me. He will not speak it, but I know he fears the darkness within me. "

She lifts her head to meet the eyes of the Lady Sith.

" And your last Master was who? " Athena spoke.

Her voice rang outwards once more. She looked at the lady before her.

" And tell me what all do you wish to learn? "

" My master was Emperor Chadd Fearsons of the Order of Shadow Jedi."

She shook her head, her hair bouncing lightly against her shoulders.

" He claimed he would teach me to use the powers the Force has granted me, but he has taught me nothing but meditation. For weeks he has degrated me and humiliated me in front of the other Apprentices. I wish to learn everything that is out there, so I can prove to him once and for all that I am not a little girl anymore in need of his protection."

A deep rage flared beneath her dark eyes.

" I want to see him on his knees at my feet and hear him beg for mercy."

The Dark Lord looked down from his vaulted throne, eyes seeming to burn with blazing hellfire.

"He shall be on his knees before me, first. Proclaiming me as master, or begging for mercy."

Arai glanced up at the Dark Lord, the look in his eyes mirrored in her own.

" I would swear my life to you and the Ancient Sith Empire for the chance to see him grovelling at your feet--"

She lowered her eyes away from him and deeply bowed.

"-- My Lord."

"Indeed..." the Dark Lord repliled.

Athena stood there. She said nothing. For when her Master and Husband spoke it was not her place interfear.

Looking at both the Dark Lord and the new comer.

Athena pulled her cloak around her shoulders. Her ice cold violet eyes gleamed as the Dark Lord spoke. She pulled the hood over her head. Hidding her face and eyes from view.

" Shall she be trained my Lord? "


Arai held her place, and her breath, awaiting the verdict of the man that held her future in his hands.


"You will train her." Maim stated.


Athena nodded her head and looked at Arai.

" Follow me, you start now. "


____________________________________________________

The girl's training had been brief, but had been long enough to encite the desired response from Fearsons.

____________________________________________________


The Sith Lord walked with her new apprentice behind her towards the Squall.

Once reaching the training area she stopped and looked at Arai.

" I know you seek power Arai. Now tell me what power do you wish? "

She waited, then once understand what all Arai needed she could start.

She felt a moment's panic as the Sith Lord - her new Master - looked at her with those piercing eyes that seemed to be able to see right through her. But when her Master asked what she wished to learn, the panic passed and she knew without a doubt she was where she was meant to be.

" All of it. The power to hold a life in my hand and know that with a single thought I can extinguish that life; the power to control and bring those of the light to their knees before the Empire.

I want it all."


The Sith Lord looked down at her aprentice.

" we can learn in the force, sabers, hand to hand, and then after that I shall refine your skills. What do you wish to start with? "

The young woman thought for a moment before settling on a choice.

" The Sabers."

She motioned to her empty belt.

" I was not even permitted to own one, but I would like to learn.

Athena gripped her twin saber hilts and tossed one over to her new apprenice.

" Use mine, later we shall make you one. "

Athena ignited the hilt and with a snap hiss a violet blade erupted to life.

Now seeing she had the violet one she knew the saber Aria had was her blood red one. She had taken the violet one from a Jedi Master when The Dark Lord became her master, the red one was from her father.

" Dont hurt it. "

Athena stood in a defencive stance awaiting the attack.

Arai ignited the saber in her hand, the red glow lighting up her face as she brought the blade up in a salute to her Master. As she lowered the weapon, she turned it a few times in her hand to get a feel of the weight and grip on the pommel.

Gripping it in both hands, she moved toward the Sith Lord, the saber whistling through the air in a strike toward Athena's head.

With an easy sidestep Athena watched as Arai moved past her.
A swift and well place kick sent the child forward.

" dont do something one can move from so fast Arai. Attempt attacks that will challange your foe. "

Retruning to her stance the Sith Lord waited.

Arai nodded.

" Yes Master."

Taking the hilt of the weapon in both hands again, she comes in with an overhead stike. Intentionally, she lets the attack fall short, and as the blade is brought down, Arai steps into a crouching position, twisting the blade and bringing it around in a swiping motion aimed at Athena's knees.


A sweep to the knees it could be a deadly attack if unseen. But Athena was going to make sure Aria saw everything anyone ever did. With little more then a flip over the blade and one of her boots hitting Aria in the face as the flip was manovered. Athena landed.

" Better but keep trying. Soon I will show you some of my moves. Each hard in there own right, but all created to kill. "


Arai stumbled back a few paces, her face stinging momentarily from the blow. She stretched out her jaw, relieving some of the pain, and nodded once.

Shifting her hold on the saber, her fist tightening around the pommel, she came at her Master with a series of criss-cross swipes of the saber. The Lady Athena easily avoided Arai’s borrowed saber. But on a downward swipe of the glowing blade she stepped into the attack, her elbow bending upward as she guided the weapon down. Her momentum changed direction and her elbow came smashing up toward the other woman.

____________________________________________________


The training had basically ended there, but the damage was done. Indeed, she had turned fully to the Dark Force, and in turn, sealed her own father's fate. Soon Fearsons would pay for his insolence.. his lack of vision.

The Dark Lord gathered reports from all sectors... everything was in order. Now it was time to contact central command. Standing, he moves swiftly to the command station. Passing through long winding corridors, he came upon his, newly constructed, private communications room. Standing upon the image pad, he activated the long range communications capability to contact the headquarters of the New Order.

"Commanders of the New order, this, as I am sure you already know, is the Dark Lord Maim, Procurator of Justice. I have subjugated the planet of Vjun to our will and it has been prepared for your arrival and occupation. As I am sure you recall, Bast Castle and the area surrounding it are to be left entirely alone.. to me. However, the balance of the planet and any yards you choose to build are ripe for the taking and building."

The Dark Lord paused a moment, considering his next statement.

"Also, any Noghri you encounter should be left entirely alone. They are also now under my control. Bast Castle itself is now under heavy security so do not attempt to approach without first contacting me through a comm channel. I await your arrival with great anticipation."

With that, the Dark Lord cut the transmission and returned to his private meditation chambers.