The Dark Academy on Korriban

Remmington passes by the observation deck as he explores the ship. There is not much terribly to do or see while jumping through hyperspace. Looking out the window only confirms this. He clicks his tongue.

"Really not much to look at around here."

A creature made of gloom passed through, staring daggers at her surroundings; at the other creatures contained within the hull of the ship. Her eyes were dangerous, murderous orbs locking onto people as they neared her. Mostly those in uniform, but others were not spared a look or two. Yet despite all that, and this ship carrying the allegiance that it did, she seemed somewhat out of place. Perhaps it was her clothes, which certainly weren't standard imperial or sith fare. Or maybe it was something else...

...whatever it might've been, she stood out like a sore thumb itching for revenge against the hammer that injured it.

Another student was looking out at the sea of black with the nearest star shining brightly. He was of average height for an Imperial human, dressed in clothing typical of a citizen from Dromund Kaas or other central Imperial world.

“Well the Horuset system is a bit atypical of many systems; Korriban is the only world around the star. I have never been there and was hoping to see it but I think we are a little far out to actually spot the planet,” he said with an honest chuckle.

“I wonder if you can see all seven moons from the surface?” he added scratching his chin.

Something said near her drew Layne's attention to the two, and she approached.

"You," she said whilst looking at Gerald, "where did you say this ship is heading?"

Her tone certainly wasn't very nice. Rather demanding actually; which given her accent and attire potentially marked her as some lowly piece of Outer Rim dreg, might cause one to take offense at the presumptiousness of it.

Gerald paused at the demand, he didn’t want to insult a possible Sith and she had the intimidating aura that he associated with the Sith. He gulped and said, “Korriban, my lord, ancient home of the Sith.”

“Well technically Korriban Station in orbit, if one was to be precise, my lord.” He hoped the response was sufficient for this stranger.

My lord?

She stared at him in silence for what was no doubt an uncomfortable length of time.

I have heard those names before...

Of course, she was no sith; as one might start to realize as time passed. For one, she didn't seem to have a lightsabre. She also didn't have any of those fancy robes they seem to like. Most importantly though, one would imagine that a sith, especially a sith lord, would not have to ask where the ship was going.

...the hell is going on.

Gerald waited in silence unsure if that was all the woman, ahem possible Sith required. In his experience it was best to be useful then not be useful. He kept his eyes on her as he started to actually look at her and a slow wave of realization that he might have been hasty in his assessment.

Still he wasn’t going to voice that opinion.

"I suppose there is not much to look at in hyperspace anyways."

He offers a military salute to the other two. Unsure with their ranks he left the aura of a Sith around at least one of them. So he goes with a more neutral greeting.

"Remmington Thalalas, I shall be attending the Sith Academy once we reach Korriban. I hope we can get along lord, citizen."

He addresses the woman first then the man.

Another man finds himself on the observation deck this morning, and approaches the small gathering by the window.

The man is dressed in the finest clothes of the most recent Imperial fashion, and a billowing, black cloak hangs from his shoulders to conceal his sides and back while still displaying the finery. As he approaches, his gait is clearly that of one who has had a noble upbringing. He moves without hesitation, and with all the practice of one who knows exactly what is his and who are his lesser. His skin and face quite clearly show the true and pure Sith blood that run through his veins.

Standing before the window, he moves his hands behind his back and clasps them together. His arms move the cloak a bit from his side, revealing the ornate hilt of a saber at his belt.

Peering pensively through the window, he murmurs one word, mostly to himself. "Home."

Her gazed moved over to Remmington upon his military style salute and introduction.

Academy?

It was all rather confusing to Layne, who until just an hour or so ago had been locked up in some dark hole of a holding cell. Now here she was, allowed to walk around freely, on her way to... some sort of academy. Bringing a hand up to her face in a contemplative gesture, her gaze turned away as she questioned why she was here.

Not an execution then...?

Fortunately for her, the act of pondering such questions only added to her silent aura of a brooding sith or sith-like individual.

Maybe these two idiots will volunteer some information...

Turning her gaze back to Remmington, she demanded answers. "And what exactly will you be doing at the academy?"

Gerald turned to look at the other student. Feeling that he had answered the question in a satisfactory manner he allowed the other student to speak plus it took the pressure off of him which gave him some relief. This gave him a moment to see the sith, well sith by blood which mean he was probably a real Sith too… maybe?

He had seen pictures and seen some from afar but they were not common in the Empire, or at least common where he lived in the Empire. He tried not to stare but it was difficult to not look at the man without some awe.

Noticing the human trying, and apparently failing, at not staring, Khalim turns his eyes directly toward the man. His eyes quickly scan the man from head to toe, as though appraising him for any value he may have. After a brief moment's contemplation, he nods to Gerald.

"I'm guessing this will be your first time on Korriban?"

“Yes, my lord, first time. I am a student, an aspirant hoping to become a Sith… I mean like you are a sith, but like a Sith in service to the Emperor… not that you don’t serve… yes.” He halted his speech before he dug anymore holes he could not dig himself out of.

“I have studied the world quite a bit, but have never been,” he added nervously.

The sith observes the human as he bumbles through his words, without a hint of expression as he does, which likely just makes it worse.

After he finishes, a small smile comes to the lips of the sith; the clearly practiced smile of a noble with little actual warmth.

"I am quite familiar with the difference between sith and Sith, I assure you. Not all sith become Sith, after all."

Perhaps amused by the man's demeanor or perhaps simply due to the protocols of decorum, he finally introduces himself. "I am Khalim Tsaikzu, son of Darth Alamta and heir of the Tsaikzu lineage. And you are?"

Son of a Darth that got his eyes open to wider and then he replied, “Gerald Hin, I was born on Dromund Kaas and um as far I know the first in a generation to show Force potential. I am guessing you are a student like me? Well not like me, my apologies for implying that. I just mean that you are an aspirant as well?”

He nods to the human, once again making no apparent notice or displeasure at the man's worried apologies.

"I am. For generations those of my lineage who have shown promise with the Force have attended the Academy for their formal training and preparation for the stations they would hold in later life. I am no exception from the rest of my line."

He considers the man again for a moment, and then continues, "the first in generations to show potential with the Force, are you? Well, perhaps you will seize the opportunity to improve your line's status within the Empire, then."

“That’s impressive.”

He nodded and said, “If I am found worthy I will be Sith and that should bring a great deal of prestige to my family. My parents are quite proud and I look forward to the opportunity to prove myself. Of course we… I have a long way to go.”

“I would not mind serving on Dromund Kaas or with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to safeguard the citizens against Republic tyranny.”

He nods approvingly, "A noble ideal, to use your newfound status for the betterment of the Empire. If you desire it badly enough, I suspect we shall see you break free from the path of those before you."

With the introductions under way and noticing the guard's attention on the woman, Remmington quickly re-evaluates the positions of the others. He offers a lower respective bow to Khalim than the others.

"It is an honour to meet one of the Tsaikzu lineage. I am Remmington Thalalas. I have been to Korriban a few times now." He decides to keep the mention of his House out as someone of such lineage probably would care little about remnants of a Fallen House.

Looking over to Gerald he nods. "You are pretty knowledge for someone new to the sensitivity of the Force. It shows how studious you are." He says with approval.

Not only was there now some alien getting the respect she was getting just a moment ago, but her question was being ignored. She half considered punching him, thinking that perhaps that's how it worked. Find someone mean-looking, then beat the crap out of them so the rest of the wannabe predators know who'se boss. Of course, that probably wouldn't go over well; and would ruin her plans to figure out what the hell was going on.

So instead she just listened and observed for a while. Forming opinions. And hoping they'd say something more useful than these fake attempts at pleasantries. Added bonus of being ignored; not having to introduce herself to people that seem to expect said fake pleasantries. What the hell would she even say?

Feeling the woman's stare at him he looks back to her and nods. "I will be learning and will be looking to graduate from the Sith Academy. I imagine that is why most of us are here. Is it not the same for you?"

“Thank for the kind words, I was a little nervous and still am, actually. I had never interacted with a Sith before, so I don’t have much to go on. They are the chosen of the Emperor and without them we could never eradicate the threat of the Republic and the… Jedi,” he said with bit of disgust. Not that Gerald knew of any Jedi but they were responsible for their exile and nearly exterminating the Sith.

So they were bad in his book, it was all historical fact.

He turned to the quiet woman who he was unsure if she was or was not Sith and added, “Did we answer your question, my Lord?”

"Sure," she said in response; to one or the other or both;

"Whatever."

Maybe?

"So you want to be a sith, huh?"

"You will need to set that nervousness aside, Mr. Hin, if you hope to succeed. Whatever you do and whatever you say, you will have to act with purpose. Do not second guess everything, as you seem to do."

He smiles somewhat, still a smile without much warmth, "You will learn quickly when you make a mistake, and you may receive some scars while you learn, but at the least nobody could then deny that you have the strength of will. Something to redeem any failures, at least."

He looks at her blankly for a moment at her nonchalant reply. "I wish to graduate, yes. May we know your name? Everyone else has already introduced themselves. That is if you even have one." He asks her.

Looking over to Gerald. "Be sure to study hard. You will need to do a lot of catching up if you wish to advance. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or concerns." He offers to the two obviously newer students.