Deep burns that attacked every nerve brought Erin to a knee, ragged breaths escaping him as he attempted to numb the pain. Precise cuts, none close to anything vital, lined his arms and legs, his new robes a far cry from the pristine condition it’d been in barely an hour prior.
“Impressive work, acolyte. It takes skill I’ve seldom seen in these halls to rely on none of the forms yet make use of all of their techniques.” Overseer Tremel praised, bloodied training blade lowered. The fight hadn’t been one sided the way Erin’s had been with Eskella, but the lack of wounds on the older man represented a stark difference in skill and experience. “While a lesser warrior would struggle to keep up, the freedom of choice that makes you unpredictable also slows you. Your surface level knowledge of each form also leaves you open to their more intricate maneuvers.”
“Forms two and three are my specialty. I will hammer the specifics of those two into you myself. I will find suitable teachers and holocrons to handle the others. This first month will be dedicated to improving your saber skills and little else. Once I am satisfied with your progress we will move on. I trust you have no complaints, acolyte?”
Erin forced himself to a stand, giving the man a sincere nod of respect. “I look forward to the opportunity.”
“Good.” Overseer Tremel tossed something from the pouch around his waist. A black stick lined with gold coloring; a credit chip. “Take a moment to treat yourself to something from the mess hall. Afterwards, check your datapad for assignments.”
“Assignments?”
“Power is the most important thing a Sith can have. A reputation will feed into that power whether it be in politics or on the battlefield.” Tremel explained, headed towards the room’s exit. “I will direct requests from Imperial forces spread across the planet to your datapad. You will use them to hone your skills and build your reputation in a way that doesn’t attract unnecessary attention. Failure in these tasks will not be tolerated.”
Tremel departed on that ominous note, Erin left to lick his wounds and prepare for a day full of work rather than rest.
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A hot gust hit at just the right angle, bits of sand slipping beneath Erin’s hood and into the sockets of his mask, getting into his eyes. He ignored the irritating burn, descending the ramp of the Academy’s entrance.
He fucking hated sand.
Erin squashed the distraction, turning the moment he made it down the ramp. Set up beside the academy were various stalls, manned entirely by Empire troopers and overseen by a single officer. The officer greeted him, straight backed and fully staring into the shadows that hid his eyes.
“Greetings, my lord. Is there anything we can provide you with?” The man said, voice steady and gaze unwavering. Erin respected it. None-Force Sensitives wouldn’t be able to pick up on the fear just beneath the surface.
“Rations.” Erin requested, holding out the credit chip Tremel provided.
“Of course.” The officer took the chip, plugging it into the small terminal near him. “How many packs are you in need of?”
“As many as that chip will allow.”
The officer turned to him eyes widened. “I don’t mean to question you, my lord, but the credits loaded onto this chip could afford you several of the far more desirable meals served in the mess hall. As useful as rations are I fear they may not be up to your standards in terms of taste.”
“And that food will not last nearly as long. Your concern is appreciated, but I understand what I’m asking for, Ensign.” Erin was briefly surprised by the rank displayed on the man’s chest, but didn’t allow it to seep into his voice. That wasn’t a high rank in the Sith Empire, but for one of that position to be placed in charge of requisitions out here under the blazing sun of Korriban? He must have angered someone higher up the food chain.
“Of course, my apologies.” The officer headed off to one of the lower rank troops set up beside the stands the two of them quickly brought over a couple dozen packages of rations. Looked like Tremel had been more generous than Erin expected. None the less, he stored the slim packages into his empty satchel; the blasters left in his room.
Tremel wanted him to build a respectable reputation. Departing from the norm and being known as the acolyte who relied on blasters would get in the way of that plan.
“I’m looking for a group headed by Sergeant Cormun. Do you know where I can find them?”
“Sergeant Cormun? That would be…the Fifth Infantry company. Ah, yes, I did have one of his troopers came by requesting rations. If they haven’t moved, they should be just outside the tomb of Ajunta Pall.”
“Thank you.” Erin said.
“O-Of course, sir.” Instead of fear being the thing to cause the man to trip up, it was pure surprise. Considering that Sith in any form outranked solider and officers, it must have been a shock to receive any sort of respect for such a minor thing.
Erin headed off, treading a familiar path away from the academy and across a metal bridge. The people he was in search of stood out like sore thumbs.
Grouped up beside the tomb’s entrance and well out of the way of passing acolytes, a group of troopers were on standby in their dark armor. Only one forgone the temperature regulated protection of their armor, helmet held underarm as he watched the distant entrance of the academy.
“Sergeant Corum, I presume?” Erin questioned as he approached.
“Yes, sir.” The soldier broke out into an instinctive salute, the six other troopers following suit. “Are you the acolyte that will be lending us aid?”
“Indeed. According to what I’ve been told, our object is to exterminate the K’lor’slugs infesting this tomb, correct?”
“Correct, sir. We’ll be conducting hard target operations on the various nests scattered throughout the tomb. The horrid creatures reproduce far too quickly for any conventional method to wipe them out entirely, so we’ll be targeting their eggs and planting bombs in the chambers that house them.”
Erin nodded. Tremel had the right idea. Clearing a slug infestation wouldn’t garner the attention of up top Sith Lords but those closely involved with the everyday operations on Korriban might hear of it.
Erin looked amongst the handful of troopers. “I was told you were in command of a company. This looks more like a fireteam.”
Corum’s mouth inched downwards. “I lost a vast majority of my men only days ago. We were charged with guarding the tomb; preventing the looters inside from leaving and keeping the infestation under control. During an attack from the K’lor’slugs, the hoarders attacked and we were pushed out.”
“Why not put in a request for actual reinforcements?”
“We have sir but the requests, they’ve been denied. I think-“ The man paused and Erin felt fear rear it’s ugly head.
“Speak freely, Sergeant. I won’t lend you my aid if I don’t have the full picture.” Erin reassured him.
“I-I think the overseers believe the K’lor’slugs present a way to weed out those they have no interest in teaching. An unusual number of acolytes have been sent down here since the infestation first started. It’s not my place to speak ill of those above me but it all seems unnecessarily cruel to me. The looters that have made their base deeper in were already giving your peers enough trouble.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Of course. Erin couldn’t say he was surprised, he’d come to similar conclusions himself after all. Still, this was a horrendous allocation of the Empire’s resources. Why assign troopers such a task if they weren’t expected to get the job done?
“Rally your men, Sergeant. I’ll make sure we get this operation done.” Erin declared.
“Of course, sir. Do you have any specific orders for us?”
“You’re the one in charge of this operation and you know better than I what your troopers are capable of. Hand out the orders and I’ll see them fulfilled.” The man appeared to be absolutely floored by his word. So much so that Erin allowed himself to release a small chuckle. “Something wrong Sergeant?”
“N-No sir!” Wiping the god smacked looked off his face with surprising speed, the soldier gave another salute and turned to the other troopers. “All of you form up on me for another assault.”
The group burst into action, all but one of the troopers following the order without question.
“With all due respect sir, we don’t even know what this acolyte is capable of or if he’s trained to handle these sorts of situations. What if he abandons us in the middle of the operation?” The masked trooper that didn’t move pointed out. A valid concern but Erin could tell that it didn’t stem from a logical standpoint. Unshackled hatred for the Sith filled the trooper. A hate he only voiced due to Erin's seemingly amicable disposition.
That wouldn’t do.
“I assure you trooper-” Erin raised an gloved hand and the trooper found themselves suspended in the air, their blaster dropped into hot sands as they clawed at the unseen force coiling around their neck. He closed his hand ever so slightly, not quite enough to crack anything but more than enough to cut off the air supply of the soldier. “-I am nothing like the ramble that you may have met during your time here. I suggest you fall in line and follow the example set by your commanding officer.” He released his hold on them and the gasping trooper fell beside their weapon.
“Am I understood?” Erin said, looking amongst the other troopers, specifically those who harbored similar emotions to their comrade. They nodded in unison. Their helmets might be in the way, but he felt them avoid his gaze.
That was better. He would not have his lack of the unneeded aggression Sith always threw around taken as a sign of weakness.
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With his support the group made quick work of the K’lor’slugs. It was child’s play to command the primitive minds of the creatures and have them throw themselves at his warblade. The few that escaped his influence were mowed down by the troopers, some of who he saved more than once with a push of the Force. In record time several of the egg-filled chambers on the upper level were taken care, reduced to crumbling hellscapes.
“We’ll take a break here.” Sergeant Corum announced as they came upon a stairway leading into the depths of the tomb. His troopers spread out, two taking up guard while the others rested. They'd rotate without any input from the Sergeant.
This group ran like a well oiled machine.
Corum came over to the wall Erin propped himself against, saluting. “Acolyte, may I speak with you?”
“As I said Sergeant, you’re in charge of the operation. So long as it is relevant feel free to order me around like any other member of your company.” Erin said.
“I’m not quite sure I’m comfortable doing such a thing.” Despite his words, Corum visibly relaxed, salute dropped. “I fear the lower levels will not be so easy to handle.”
“Because of the looters?”
“Yes. While they are not a threat to someone of your caliber, we troopers were given express orders to avoid contact with them. As long as they don’t attack us, the only time we are authorized to fire upon them are when they attempt to leave the planet or obtain any significant artifacts. Otherwise, they’re left to the acolytes.” Corum explained. “We lack the manpower to ensure victory through a direct assault should they attack us during this operation, but even if that weren’t the case, wiping them out is likely to put us at odds with those in charge of the academy.”
Stuck between a rock and a hard place. This sort of thing must be why battle orientated Sith hated politics and logistics bleeding over into their assignments. Violence would’ve been the simplest solution if it weren’t for those extra circumstances.
“I assume you have a plan?”
“Negotiation. They’ve been down here for a long time. Scavenging the odd ration from a lost trooper or acolyte can only keep them fed for long and the acidic nature of K’lor’slugs prevent them from being used as a source of food.” Corum said. “They’ll benefit from us wiping out the slugs as well. All we need to do is convince them that they stand to gain more by leaving us be rather than attacking the moment the operation is wrapped up.”
“I will handle negotiations.” Erin temporarily took the reins of the operation, headed towards the stairway. If the troopers showed up in such a small group, they were likely to be gunned down without getting a word out due to their lesser numbers. “Remain here until I return. You have my frequency. Contact me through my wristlink if anything changes up here.”
“Yes, sir!” Corum saluted and relayed the plan to his team as Erin descended into the lower levels.
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Armed with the map data from the datapad pillaged from the looters he killed when he first navigated the ancient stone structure, Erin had no problem making his way to one of their scattered camps.
Their set up wasn’t anything special. Emptied metal crates were stacked around a wide entrance to a large chamber, acting as a makeshift gate and walls. Two people were posted beyond it, blasters in hand while there was one more behind the crates, standing on something to look over their defenses.
Fear, desperation, and hate hung in the air.
Erin retreated behind the pillar he’d been peeking out from and raised wrist to mask. “I’m approaching one of their camps now. I’ll keep you posted on the negotiations.”
“Understood, sir. We will await word of your success.” Corum’s voice crackled through. Old as this tomb was the thick walls held strong and hampered most long-range signals.
Erin headed out, careful not to show any aggression, but ready to use the force to strengthen himself and cut down those who attacked. The guards took notice of him, blasters held up as they yelled out. They had enough sense not to fire immediately.
“What do you want Sith?” A voice yelled out from behind the barrier of crates.
“I am here to make a trade.”
“Let me guess, we hand over some old artifact one of your masters sent you after and you don’t kill us? We know how you people do things.” The person on the other side said with a bitter laugh. “Why shouldn’t we take our chances and kill you where you stand?”
“I’m sure you already know the answer to that question. We wouldn’t be having this conversation otherwise.” Erin said. He unhooked his satchel and tossed it to the ground between him and the gate guards, rations spilling out. “I’ll be leading a group of troopers down here to deal with the slugs. Have all your camps stay out of it and I’ll have more of the same delivered to you.”
The two guards exchanged looks then one took cautious steps forward, quickly snatching up the satchel and backing away. “They’re genuine, boss. There’s enough in this bag to go around.” The guard said after ripping a package open.
The crates parted and a green skinned man stepped out. A togruta. Scawny and pale, the tall brown montrails around his head were the only thing that stood out about him. Any of the others looked far more suited for the title of leader.
The togruta glanced at the fallen bag, purple eyes narrowed as they turned upon Erin.
“How did you get that bag?”
“I killed a group of your people on a previous trip through here.” Erin said. “I imagine the K’lor’slugs made a meal out of them if you didn’t recover the bodies. I suggest you take my deal, least you all suffer the same fate.”
“Damn bastard. Only you people would call a threat a deal.” The togruta growled. He looked amongst his people, all of whom were desperate and well on their way to starving just as he was. “We’ll leave you bastards be but if you don’t hold up your end of the deal-“
“Pray that I do.” Erin said already turning on his heel and heading back the way he came. “There’s nothing else you people can do.” Hate and anger saturated the area around the togruta, but the desperation of his group kept it leashed. How ever he felt, the man knew better than to try anything.
That ultimatum was the only hope they had for something beyond starvation.
“Prepare your men, Sergeant. Negotiations have been a success.” Erin said into his wristlink.
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“Fine work, Sergeant. You lead your men well.” Erin complimented as stepped out of the tomb of Ajunta Pall. The K’lor’slugs might not have been much trouble for him, but the sheer size of the structure had kept them in their for the better part of the day. Darkness fell over the valley and brought with it a chill far more preferable to the heat of a blazing sun.
Sergeant Corum saluted. “Thank you, sir, but without you this wouldn’t have been possible.” He dropped the salute, a mournful look taking over. “We lost too many good troopers to call this a victory, but this should enable us to be take out any stranglers on our own and ensure another infestation doesn’t occur. It was an honor to fight alongside you. I have no doubt that you will make waves throughout the Empire once you finish your training here.”
One of the troopers stepped forward, saluting. The one who had spoken up at the start of the operation. “Permission to speak, sir?”
“I am not your commanding officer.” Erin said, not bothering to hide his amusement. Sergeant Corum fixed the trooper with s stoney look that said plenty before giving them the approval they sought.
“Thanks to you we can say the rest of our company gave their lives for something.” The trooper bowed his head. The rest of the all but destroyed company followed suit. “I apologize for my prior disrespect. I hope we get the chance to work together again.”
“Be sure not to make the same mistake and we’ll have no problems should that opportunity come along.” Erin assured the trooper.
“If I may, can we have your name?” The Sergeant added.
“Erin.” He said. “Make your reports then get some rest. You’ve all earned it.”
Here in this academy, it was the only part of his name that he could and would use. He’d become known not by the accomplishments of his father and ancient family history, but through his own contributions to the Empire.
And that all began at the ground level, among those with their boots on the ground.