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Aurora hid behind a wall of crates with several others. She peeked out over the top and fired a shot at a Gameroon, hitting him in the heart. Again she fired hitting another thug in the head.

The Echani only cocked his head mysteriously at the Mercenary, and smiled nder his scarf at the comment he made.

Archaras fired the Concussion rifle in mid air, his significant strength allowing him to fire the massive weapon with one hand, the butt braced against the meat of the trigger. The blast of Ionized oxygen slammed into the thugs, turning five of them into a consistency similar to multiicolored paste.

He hit the ground with a thump, dove into a roll, and came u with the rifle braced against his shoulder, both arms holding it this time, and fired another area effect blast, ending more of the criminals. Then using one hand once more fired twice, using the recoil from the first shot to carry his arm in arc, to which he added another round, clearing a chunk of his flank. He continued firing with the close range fire, becoming lioterally a tempest in the midst of the onrushing enemies.

He continued firing until the ammo warning began beeping, indicating he only had enough energy for a single shot remaining. Then he saw a particularly burly Nikto carrying a Missile Launcher draw a bead on the Jedi. Archaras turned immediately determining that the being was out of range of the are effect blast of his own weapon.

So he imporvised.

He squeezed the alternate trigger.

The blast had a much longer range, and a much greater potency against a single being. The Nikto simply ceased to be, a mulched missile launcher plopping to the ground next to his smoking boots.

Archaras grinned, then looked and then hurled his rifle at an onrushing Klatoonian, cracking his skull and dropping him. In the same instant Archaras drew both his Transcendent Reapers and began lay waste to the remaining thugs...

The chambers of Krayt had changed very little since Ferno last took a gaze at it. But he never expected much change from the man who ruled the galaxy. Ferno himself led the way inside, taking note of those present. Other sith littered the nooks of the room, possibly to make sure Ferno made no move at all. Maladi took attendance, from the rear of Krayt, as a spectator.

"These reports I keep recieving are somewhat annoying, Ferno. They do not concern me much, however. These bids for mining crews, funds, weapons, researchers, and everything else is worrying me. What are you trying to build? What is your sudden fetish of spending resources that are not yours?" Krayt demanded.

"It is very simple, mi'lord. The plans for project coldspear demand a crystal, and enough materials to build a station worthy of utilizing the weaponry. The plague on Sullust cost us greatly, but they are no threat anymore, and with it dwindling down, we can pull our health officers off that volcanic rock. The V Soldiers take time to develop consciousness and still maintain a working compatabiity, and we have yet to find a balance to them." HM reported.

"Superweapons, supersoldiers, and a plague. That's all you can report? Maladi has a Jedi Master to torture, caught by the mere apprentice of Wryylok. You haven't brought us any closer to our goals since Bespin. What can you show for this?"

"Well, mi'lord, I delievered the means to Bestine, as promised. Sullust fell as planned. Sure, the assassinations have dwindled, but considering the time spent on finding supplies, it is not completely fruitless. Bespin's head official has bit the dust, creating economic uncertainty for quite some time, and most importantly, while Wryylok has a Jedi Master in custody, Lord Ferno has destroyed Master Hiko. That should more than compensate your duties imposed," HM snapped back.

Krayt raised a single eyebrow, as Maladi found even herself choking on words. Neither seemed entirely impressed in some fashion, Krayt due to underappreciation of the situation, Maladi from her hatred of Ferno. HM did not waste the silence given.

"On top of it, we seem to have picked up an apprentice along the way. It appears that Lady Maladi's ways are somewhat detrimental to a student's life expectancy, sending one sith straight from the academy to arrest the entire crew of a Palleaon Star Destroyer commanded by her direct inferior officer."

Maladi had almost felt confident that Ferno dug himself into a hole. He didn't seem to make any comments which had really improved his standing.

"The weak must be filtered out, Ferno. While her methods may be unconventional, you haven't really done much yourself. You've only displayed you can work things on your own agenda. Completing vendettas, spending large sums of cash which hasn't fruited yet, and even capturing that beast of yours. What good will that do? New equiptment, troop happiness, we cannot simply throw this cash away. Start making headway, or don't spend another penny. Your apprentice will be yours alone, which is the most worthy reason why I'm even letting you live. Train your replacement, and hopefully you may improve your standing."

Krayt dismissed Ferno, before reaching over to Maladi, and demanding "We need to talk."

Ferno left the chambers of the emperor, heading for his own private section and room of the building.

Ferno gave no reply, only turning his gaze towards HM. Quitting this action, Ferno entered his chambers. HM turned towards the apprentice, giving him a stern glare.

"If you want to impress the master, I suggest passing my own tests." HM rebuked.

"Never underestimate the power of an opponent, apprentice. You may find yourself dead because of them. Droid or meatbag. Until you learn the basics, how are you to master the advanced?" HM replied.

He led the way inside, revealing a room small enough to be little more than a training ring. Ferno was already standing in the room staring at the pupil.

"If my tests are so weak then, meatbag, you should have no trouble passing them."

He glared at the droid, "You know, when I become a sith knight, I will turn you into scrap metal," he said. The sith appretnices eyes were in a furry, they were bright yellow, his face more pale and vainy then usual, as he threw his cloak to the side and awaited the test.

Walking calmly through the halls, Link knew it was only a matter of time before someone set upon him.
"Hey, you!"
There it was.
Link peered out from under the bill of his SPacer's cap, his expression feigning puzzlement as he saw a JANR operative aiming a blaster Carbine at him.
"Yes?" He asked.
"How the hell'd you get in here?! Who are you?"
Link slowly held his hands up as he fixed his eyes upon the JANR Operative.
"I'm Scruffy. The Janitor."
"The Janitor?!"
"Yep."
The man was perplexed a moment, then began grasping at his throat. He dropped his gun to the floor as he tried screaming for help, but not a sound escaped as he clawed at some invisible force that seemed to be clenching around his neck.
His eyed rolled to the back up his head and he slumped to the floor.
Link glanced around and stole over to the unconcious man, taking his gun and hispersonal gear, then dragging his limp form over to a storage closet...