Dakkon gestured for Kaslinkov to come over.

"Dimitri? Go arrange for transport for our units. I think three large speeders should be enough."

Dakkon turned back to Fearson's as Dimitri left the inn.

"Master? May i ask why Arai left us on her own? I must admit i currently have doubts in her abilities. Shall we follow soon?"

The emperor turned a delightful laugh onto his apprentice, while only paying half attention to him. Something else had interested him, it was Arai's quick finding of the tomb. She was there alright...and so far it seemed nothing had happened...yet.

"Go get the PeFauna and storm troopers' gear, meet me out by the front gate, we are off to see Arai now, and do not question my judgement again," he ordered, rising from his seat and offering his due credits on the bar.

He watched as the admiral nodded, rose, bowed, and made out with the four soldiers of the Rogue Empire. With that, Fearsons slapped his gloved hands together, and made out for the front gate of the city.

The night had fully eloped the sky by now, he noticed as the door to the tavern swung open for him. The persons on the street were limited, perhaps only a few salesmen or drunkards stumbling home.

Reaching one hand against his lightsaber, he followed the warm feeling of his apprentice through the Force, watching her press the door of the tomb.

Go no further, Arai he ordered to her mentally, which she could no doubt feel as well as hear. We shall be there soon, thank you, for nearly passing the test of faith.

The emperor then caught the familiar sight of his admiral coming up with the entourage of soldiers. Three speeders and plenty of ammunition and weapons to go around were all well suited for the Rogue Imperial task force.

"Well then," the Jedi said with a familiar excitement. "Shall we go?"



********************************************************



When the speeder's roaring repulsors had come to a final halt, the emperor was the first to leave the vehicle, and stare wildly at the long forgotten tomb. For centuries people had just looked at it, and damned it out to be a Sith temple of sorts.

But when looking closely, one could faintly tell of its true origins. Holding the great statue of Miltkar, one of the most powerful Shadow Jedi in history, and the founder of the Old Order Prophecies. A great, lightsaber mimicking stone was welded into the gigantic figure's hands. To the left of the collapsed statue was the pyramid-temple that acted as a tomb.

"Holy emperor's black bones!" Fearsons proclaimed in excitement. "We've found the tomb!"

The storm troopers quickly crowded around the door, while the PeFauna took no time whatsoever to take a defensive position next to their leader, the emperor. If he were harmed...the entire temple would be destroyed by only those two in reprisal.

One of the storm troopers reached forward to try and open the door, pressing on what looked like a button. However, in response to his sensative touch, a firey acid sprayed out, and quickly tore through the armor and flesh of the soldier.

The staves of the PeFauna were promtpy activated, and weapons were armed by two of the storm troopers, the third dropping to his knees and attempting frantically to fix the fatal wounds. There was no success.

Arai stepped back and nearly shrieked, as the emperor's scarlet eyes became extremely visible with their ever widening.

"Its booby trapped," one of the PeFauna remarked, after the tensions had died down, as had the soldier. "I say we leave this tomb now!"

Fearsons did not pay heed to his guardsman, and rather focused on the door. Narrowing back his eyes, he watched intently, feeling a focus on the Force. The strange heiroglyphic letterings around the door suddenly read with an unforeseen clarity.

Burning clarity shall cure the blind.

It took a moment for the emperor to understand, but then he remember...glass was made of burned sand. Burned sand made primitive focals, or glasses. Glasses helped cure the blind. He quickly rummaged through the area until he found a small pile of sand.

With a grin and undying confidence, he grabbed the sand, and before the PeFauna could interject, he rammed the sand into the button...and the door opened widely.

"Well there we go," he said with his typical smile. "Arai would you like to go first?"

A Test of faith??

Arai’s hand hovered just above the stone surface of what looked like an entrance when the Emperor’s voice had spoken to her in her mind. He had the gall to test her devotion to him? After serving him unwaveringly for two years he still doubted her?

The uneasy fear she had felt when she first approached the tomb vanished in an instant, only to be replaced with a indignant rage.

Time and again in the two years she had served him she had proven herself and her loyalty to him, and only him. It was not the Empire, or his Jedi ways she served, but him. She followed him without question, answering every beck and call without hesitation, and still he treated her like a child.

Her hand balled into a fist and she turned her back to the tomb. Practically shaking in anger she walked back to the speeder and waited. He had ordered her to check it out, and report. But with his spying he hadn’t even allowed her to do a complete survey of the area.

He didn’t trust her.

Waiting for the others had been enough to calm her down significantly, though when the Emperor didn’t even acknowledge her presence she felt the anger rising again. With a few deep, calming breaths, she left the speeder and followed the others back to the tomb.

The look on Fearsons’ face and in his eyes was like that of a child , eliminating any lingering anger she felt. For now, seeing him happy was worth everything.

But that exuberance did not last long. A stormtrooper unthinkingly activated one of the tombs deadly traps, his scream tearing through the night and chilling Arai’s nerves. Every ounce of fear she had felt before had returned with a vengeance as she took in the sight of the acid burned trooper. The bile rose in her throat, still she could not take her eyes from the slowly dissolving corpse.

After a moment she finally looked away just in time to see Fearsons’ successfully open the door.

"Well there we go," He turned to face her, his excitement evident once again on his face - as though the gruesome death of one of his men meant nothing. "Arai would you like to go first?"

" Yes, My Lord." Not too keen on the idea, she stepped past the Emperor and into the blackness that was the inside of the tomb.

The tomb had done wonders to the emperor's foul mood, and it seemed as though it were a wonderland, or a fantasyland to the century old man. Everywhere he stepped was a new exciting sound that he ahd obviously heard a thousand times, but never before in this beautiful dimension.

His eyes seemed to emit like little stars in the darkness of the temple tomb. He was indeed like a little child, excited beyond recognition at the sight bestowed before him.

"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" he said, looking and obviously seeing something the rest could not.

"With all due respect my lord," Arai said behind gritted and annoyed teeth. "I can't see anything, its too dark."

That was when it came to the emperor that Arai had not the night vision of his glowing eyes, or the infra gear of his soldiers. He held out his hand and emitted a small glow from it while he looked to his storm troopers.

"Don't one of you have a glowrod?" he demanded, and immediately the smaller soldier stepped forward, handing out a small baton with a glowing end. When Fearsons gripped around it, he let the glow of his hand decipate, and then saw Arai's eyes shine with wonder as she recognized all on the walls.

There were writings, and gems, and jewels beyond all foreseen beauty. However, the further down they got, the more they realized what they were looking at...some were stories...and teachings. One such was a story...a story of a system known as Empress Teta.

The images assaulted her mind almost the same instant the light touched the pictures depicted on the wall before her. Real life faces and memories flashed over the carved pictures. Though she could not read the ancient glyphs written in the stone, it’s story was burned into her heart.

Her breath caught in her throat and with a trembling hand she reached out for the images portrayed by the gems. The tips of her fingers brushed against the etched stone, tracing the lines of an image of a blue man in a dark robe standing over a child.

"So sad that I had to kill such a sweet angel."

Her vision blurred and she began to hyperventilate. In the back of her mind she registered the Emperor ordering the others back, and felt his hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it off, taking a few steps ahead of the group before falling to her knees and vomiting.

" Whoa!" Fearsons knelt beside her, his hand gently on her back. " Easy Arai, take a deep breath. That’s it, it’s alright."

She listened to his voice, squeezing her eyes shut to the torrent of images. She did not hear a word he said, but after another minute the memories stopped and her breathing slowed into a normal rhythm. Shakily she started to rise to her feet, the Emperor assisting her.

Suddenly embarrassed, Arai brushed his hands aside. " I’m fine"

He reached for her when she stepped away from him. " Arai-"

" We should continue, My Lord." Scooping up the glowrod that he had dropped beside her, she moved further into the tomb, pointedly keeping her eyes off the walls on either side of her.

An eye traced across the room and watched Arai, and he felt a sigh beckon his body. He shook his head and quickly fell in step behind her.

They followed what looked like more glyphs for a good fifty or sixty feet, every now and again they would stop and admire the glyphs, or scoop up a scroll that was illegible, yet only at the time.

But once they reached the end of the gaping tunnel, they saw something simply exquisite. Deep in the bowels of this tomb-temple, was infact what they were looking for.

Reading the glyphs on the wall, the emperor's eyes went wide merrily.

"This is the tomb of Master Miltkar the Prophet!" the emperor wasted no time in running excitedly in the tomb.

"Come in here Arai, look, look!"

Inside were wonders beyond all wonders. Jewels, robes, weapons, everywhere it was the most marvelous of sights. The sarcophagus in the center however seemed to attract the most attention of Emperor Fearsons.

He ran up to it quickly, almost absurdly while the PeFauna moved around the room, collecting the scrolls and such around them.

As they were walking further into the tomb, Dakkon sensed Arai's outrage. Her clarity and calm was essential to this mission, and simple outrage would never be excusable for failure. He opened a mind link with her.

"Arai? Do not worry. It is simple for one to be tested. Chadd has tested myself in all my command and force abilities. It is a simple progression. Think of it as it showing you closer and closer to your goal."

Dakkon turned as they entered the chamber, hoping he had soothed her. Suddenly he was greeted with a magnificent sight. Treasures beyond avarice assaulted his senses.

"Dimitri? Get those other treasures. SOP on booby traps though."

Suddenly, Dakkons attention was drawn to a chest. It was broken open, but the contents could not be seen. Looking inside he saw what he believed to be the most valuable thing in the temple. About 8 light sabres, forged perfectly and inlaid with gems and sigils of power. Calling Master Fearsons over, Dakkon laid claim to a double ended weapon with silver blades. But as he swung them, they seemed to change colour... Strange.


OOC: Mood ring light sabres! LOL

The emperor was just about to congratulate the younger apprentice when he heard a roaring rumble behind him, and he knew it was what he had feared the whole time. Biting his bottom lip, his hand immediately lunged for his lightsaber, and he pricked it off his belt.

"Dak, Arai, get down!" he screamed, activating both ends of it without hesitency. When both dropped behind him, the PeFauna took up position next to him, and this time, he was grateful for them.

The three remaining storm troopers too took up measures on either side of the sarcophagus, arming their blasters to full and preparing for whatever it was the emperor sensed.

Rippling through the Force, Fearsons could plainly sense the body of Pultear Piltear, the slain Guardian of Miltkar. He readied his feet and prepared himself, just as the great figure came forth, standing as tall as the seventeen foot ceiling, wielding twin lightsabers, and holding a gaseous form.

"PeFauna, take the flanks, storm troopers fire!" the emperor yelled, taking no time in wisting the initiative.

He had known all along the ghosts of the tomb would not tolerate defilement, no matter whom it was. This is just a test he told himself, balancing out his fear. I must defend Arai...

One of the lightsabers, the red one, was brought down directly on the emperor, and he blocked with the ebony glow on the top half of his twin saber. A loud crackling crash emitted as the two blade of force clashed, and the emperor, feeling his legs waver, gritted his teeth under the pressure.

His feet nearly lost their footing, and he both heard and saw the other SWOOSH as it came down for him. However this was blocked quickly and efficiently by the PeFauna, who need not think of his actions before doing so.

The other royal guardsmen too activated his staff, and began hacking efficiently on the ghost's arm, sending an unrivaled pain throughout the Force that caused the emperor to collapse in pressure, crying out in pain.

While the vicious battle raged on, the storm troopers wasted no time in unloading their canisters on the ghost, smashing into its sides and somehow seemingly causing damage.

The PeFauna that was originally guarding did a quick twirl, and brought the laser end of his staff down on the wrist of the gigantic Shadow Jedi manifestation.

His hands soiled through the sand on the ground, Fearsons tried despereately to get up through his aching bones, rising painfully, casting his gaze upon the battle raging on.

Arai...

His eyes then befell his young apprentice, gritting her teeth and using all her resistance to stay back. He then saw her lunge forward, and with thus Fearsons threw her back with the Force.

"Stay back Arai!"

He then rose, gripping his lightsaber in his hands once again, and charging with a ferocious thrust.

Dakkon watched as the Guards assaulted the apperition. Re-igniting the dual sabres, Dakkon felt the pain of his Master. A mix of anger and peace flowed through him. Anger at the cowardly assault, and peace in the knowledge of what he had to do. At the same time the emotions came, Dakkon's sabres changed to a serene light blue, and the other to a blazing red.

Leaping forward, Dakkon plunged the red blade into the back of the spirit...

Wiping sweat and blood from his forehead, the emperor rose to quivering knees, gripping his double bladed lightsaber indignantly. Sullied scarlet eyes narrowed at the beast as rage built up inside of him. His apprentice had lept forward and struck quite the blow at the beast, but still to no preliminal affect.

His swelling rage had forced him to take a new course of action. Gripping the double-sized hilt, he switched the seperation button, and took the now two blades in his hands excitedely. Twirling them around to get their bearings, the emperor then charged once again into battle.

He could not see Arai's actions at the time, and later he would regret that, as she moved swiftly to one of the many pillars in the room. Meanwhile Fearsons made an expertly aimed slash at the spiritish, yet flesh consumed creature.

The blade connected, and tore open some seering flesh, releasing a fetid auroma. He twisted his body, and gashed a backward thrust, scoring a vicious blow in its side.

Meanwhile Arai had used one of the single sided, ancient lightsabers she had stolen from the crate, and was hacking away intently on the nearest pillar to the monster.

Her frustration and lack of patience had likewise affected Fearsons, and he could feel it raying off of her. He spared her a quick glance, and his scarlet eyes became fully visible as they widened in fear.

"Arai you'll be crushed!" Fearsons screamed in all franticity. A loud thunderous crash followed by a series of creakings were emitted from the cracking pillar, and he sought worriedly in the Force for Arai.

When he finally found her warmth in the Force, he dictated her mediclorians, and threw her off to the side, and unfortunately smacking her against the sarcophagus, but it was preferable to being smashed under neath a fifty foot pillar.

Using the Force one more time, the emperor concentrated on the pillar, forcing it down directly on the zombie-spirit like figure and it appeared to smash it underneath its weight.

The hand around the emperor went limp, and he fell to the floor, tumbling and grabbing for his weapons once again. Peering around the room, he gulped slightly and made a brief check, everyone was still alive, and Dak was slowly creeping out, coughing as the glow on his saber turned slightly orangish yellow.

"Well," he said, turning around with satisfaction and discharging his lightsabers, clipping them to his belt. "We did it."

Yet he had spoken only a matter of seconds too soon, seeing as the monster rose like a rancor would for its prey, and snatched Fearsons up like a fly. His eyes went wide again and he summoned one of the weapons from the box, activating it and spinning, cutting into the ghost's wrist.

It let out a painful roar and smashed him into the wall, showing him the dawning morning. With the glowing red blade he had just "borrowed" he hacked further and deeper, throwing up fetid flesh and bone as he did so.

He could hear the faint voices of his apprentices and men screaming for him as the monster moved to slam his already aching body into the ground. Fearsons let out a painful cry as loud as he could, but felt the grip the monster had loosen, and he used all the power he could to force himself out of the reeking palm.

Reaching for that blazing, elongated lightsaber once again, the ghost brought it down on Fearsons, whom again blocked, and this time returned with a riposte, scoring more oozing flesh off of the beast.

It brought up one knee, which gouged its foe's chest, driving the wind from his body. His knees quivered and ached, and he bit his bottom lip to try to ease out the pain. Returning the swing wildly, Fearsons managed to rip out a large section of the kneecap.

By now the populace of the small town had come out of their homes, and though far off, they were able to see the great beast take a hit every now and again, with its excrutiatingly large lightsaber swinging back at something unseen.

After two to three minutes of exchanging blows and launching flesh about, the emperor finally made his move. After the beast swung low, and he used the Force to lift himself from the ground, he lunged forward to the only spot he had not tried...the heart.

Driving deeper and deeper, he pushed the blade in until the undead creature reeled, and finally went limp, collapsing backward and turning into nothing more than steaming composte.

The emperor, now bloodied and drenched in his own sweat, stood over the vicious kill, panting for breath and feeling his anger slowly die down. It had taken a lot out of him to defeat the beast, but in the end, he had done so.

It was just then then PeFauna charged and caught up with him, the storm troopers carrying a horde of treasure, including swords, weapons, lightsabers, clothes, and all forms of other ancient relics.

The PeFauna seemed to have a scroll that cought the emperor's interest immediately. Reading down it, it said:




When the emperor had secured the tomb, and sealed it off to all potential tomb raiders. A new Shadow Jedi Guardian was instated to defend the Tomb of Miltkar, and it appeared that the one whom they originally sought, was not there at all.

After reading the prophecy and scroll offered to them, Emperor Fearsons quickly took control of the planet, yet not through force. After explaining the dilemna and the quality of the tomb, the people were quick to offer themselves to the Order of the Shadow Jedi.

With Rogue Imperial defense and Jedi soverignty, the Order of the Shadow Jedi offered a pixylating truth and peace to Emperor Fearsons, and with thus, he promised the planet would never be defiled with shipyards or construction yards as long as he lived, to keep it clean and pure for the Shadow Jedi. But with thus, construction of a great space station was planned.