Star Wars: Shadowbound Chapter 11 - The Disturbance, Flagship, Reunion & New Feature

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Jedi Temple, Coruscant 

Obi-Wan spent more time at the Jedi Temple than before. His duties had increased; he was not just a Jedi Knight but also a Master to his new Padawan, Anakin Skywalker. However, his arrangement with Anakin was different from that of most Masters and Padawans. 

Anakin, while already his Padawan, still had to go through youngling training and other classes at the Temple. At the same time, he was to teach the boy and oversee his growth. Yet, he often wondered if he was doing things right. 

"Focus, Anakin."

Obi-Wan often struggled to make Anakin meditate. And that day, too, he guided his young Padawan. 

He sat on the round, elevated meditation pad, legs crossed, eyes closed while facing Anakin. He could feel him in the Force. Powerful and filled with curiosity as well as agitation. Anakin wanted to rush and become a Jedi. 

I must guide him better.

He meditated as well, clearing his thoughts as he tried to guide Anakin. “Meditation is about seeing and feeling our connection to the Force. You open yourself to it through calm, and by finding peace within yourself.” 

Obi-Wan did that. He had done it countless times before. In time, he began to experience the Force. 

"The Force doesn't feel the same to everyone. For some Jedi, it may feel like music; to another, a river, the wind, perhaps even a familiar scent. The possibilities are endless. What matters is the Jedi's focus." 

Obi-Wan sank deeper into meditation, opening himself to the living Force. Mysterious as it was, the Force still guided him. It stripped away the isolation that came with ego and pride, letting him see the world as something fluid rather than fixed. Perhaps that was why Jedi were so often calm. Irritatingly calm, at times. 

But it was necessary. At times, it could even trigger visions and other mysterious things during the trance-like state. Obi-Wan had experienced that more than once in the past. Back then, though, Master Jinn had been with him. 

His thoughts dwelled on Anakin. How was he supposed to train the Chosen One? The first known vergence in the Force centered around a person. The sheer raw potential Anakin had was hard to imagine. 

I must grow with him. If I don't, I've no right to call myself his Master. 

As minutes passed, he calmly meditated, reflecting on himself. 

Arenval? 

But suddenly, he felt the currents change, and the Force reflected it. It was like a sudden surge from a particular direction in the galaxy. It was distant, yet evident, like a glowing beacon. He felt it through his connection to the Force. A violent but contained surge of the Dark Side gathered around a single being. If he didn't know who, he couldn't have guessed. 

But that darkness didn't last long, and slowly, it turned into a storm-like presence in the Force. Dark, yet not evil. Dark, yet not violent. Countless lives perished, but they didn't seem sentient. The Force did not mourn the loss. 

And then came a rough, growling shriek. It vibrated through the Force, and he was sure every Force wielder, even with the starkest of connections, felt it. It was painful, but filled with jubilation, as if something was freed at last. 

The Force sent a shockwave. Obi-Wan felt a jolt, and his focus broke. His meditative state vanished, but the last moment remained with him. It felt like the Force wanted to declare an arrival.

Obi-Wan's eyes opened, brows creased with concern. 

What have you done, Aren?

But he didn't dwell on it long, as he noticed Anakin still in meditation, his eyes squeezed shut, and his nose bleeding just the slightest. 

"Anakin." Obi-Wan gently voiced, trying not to shock him. He didn't know what caused this phenomenon in the Force. He could guess it must have come as far more intense to someone like Anakin with an innate, deeper connection to the Force.   

"Master… What was that?"

Obi-Wan helped his Padawan settle. "I felt it too. There was a disturbance in the Force." 

"A disturbance?"

Obi-Wan explained what he meant by that since the Force was new to Anakin. Of course, Anakin had been wielding it without realising for a while now. But the finer details were new. 

This time, he noticed how focused Anakin was. He made use of the chance and turned it into a simple lecture on the Force. What it was, its nature, and how to connect with it with the help of meditation. 

However, almost an hour into that lecture, he felt the small, palm-sized Jedi Temple's standard-issue Holotab in his pocket vibrate. He had to give it to Arenval; it was an ingenious invention. 

He took it out and read the small message flashing on the dimly lit screen, adapted to the meditation room's light. 

"It would seem I've been summoned by the High Council. Anakin, go have your nose checked at the infirmary. I'll find you when the meeting's over." 

"Is it because of the disturbance?" Anakin asked curiously. 

"I'd say so. Every Force wielder in the galaxy must have felt it." 

With that, Obi-Wan first led Anakin out of the meditation chamber, and then left for the tall spire that housed the Jedi High Council. It took him a while to traverse the massive complex, and he eventually arrived right as Master Windu was entering the chamber. 

He waited outside, however, waiting for the summons while thinking about what Arenval might have gotten himself into to cause such a shockwave. He couldn't remember if he had ever felt something like this before.  

And he could imagine how the Council must be reacting to it. Troubled, possibly alarmed by the source, Arenval. 

Soon, the Council Chamber's doors opened for him, and he marched inside. He truly didn't know why he was being summoned, however. Wiser Masters sat in the Council, after all. 

He calmly entered and bowed his head in a silent greeting. He could feel the air; it was tense.

"Feel it, you did?" Grand Master Yoda spoke first.

"I did, Grand Master."

"Know the source of the disturbance, do you?" 

Obi-Wan nodded. There was no denying the source. "It was Arenval."

The members of the Council all nodded to his reply. 

"You are correct, Knight Kenobi," Mace Windu said. "We all felt the disturbance. The Green Jedi reached out to us for answers. But we understand little more than they do, except that its source is former Jedi Padawan Tython." 

Obi-Wan just nodded, waiting for them to get to the point. 

"We need you to investigate this disturbance, Knight Kenobi," said Master Ki-Adi Mundi.  

"With respect, Masters. My friendship with Arenval doesn't extend much beyond our sparring sessions. Master Billaba and Padawan Orbe Tokasta may have better luck reaching him, given Tokasta's closer friendship." To Obi-Wan, it seemed the obvious choice. He didn't know Arenval nearly as well as several others in the Order. 

But Grand Master Yoda shook his head. “Through Master Jinn, a deeper connection with Arenval you share. Similar in ideology to Master Jinn, he is.” 

Obi-Wan thought about it, rubbing his chin, a habit formed over a great many sessions of pondering. 

"Am I to take my Padawan with me?"

"Skywalker is not ready for the field. He will remain here while you investigate Tython," Master Windu stated. "Proceed cautiously. We do not know what happened, and someone outside the Order may attempt to contact him." 

"You mean the Sith Lord in hiding?" Obi-Wan asked casually. 

"It is a possibility." Master Ti nodded. 

Given how the Council painted this mission, Obi-Wan found himself agreeing to it. Every Force wielder in the galaxy must have felt Arenval's raw power. It was only natural for a Dark Lord needing a new apprentice to reach out. 

"I understand. I'll investigate it, with due caution." 

"Know where Arenval Tython is, we do not," Grand Master Yoda said. "Find him first, you must." 

Obi-Wan's shoulders loosened at the news. He had a feeling finding the Jedi Order's first problem child would be anything but easy. 

####

Office of the Chancellor, Coruscant

It took everything not to react when Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine felt the Dark, euphoric disturbance in the Force. He steeled his expression in front of the Financial Appropriations Committee and led the meeting without a hint of a reaction. 

Yet, inside, he was elated. 

Yes, yes, Arenval Tython. Let darkness consume the galaxy. Your service will not remain unrewarded. Soon, I will show you the true path of the Sith, and the destiny that awaits you. 

Palpatine had plans for the Chosen One. However, Arenval Tython was already an adult, immensely strong in the Force, locked together with the Dark Side. How could he not be tempted to keep him? 

Let those fools on the Council witness the might of the Dark Side. 

He had more reasons to be happy, however. Arenval's actions were bound to attract the High Council's attention away from even mistakenly looking his way. It meant more freedom for him to make his moves. 

####

Artus Five, Kwymar Sector, Outer Rim Territories,

"Are you sure about this, Aren?" 

"Fifty-Fifty!" 

"Let's stop!"

"No, keep going. It should be somewhere around here." 

That was Arenval Tython, on a gas-giant planet, hanging by an extremely long tether on the edge of the planet's atmosphere. He wore a protective spacesuit, but the landscape around was scary. The gas giant was called a giant for a reason, and if he fell, not even the Force would save him. 

But he had to do it. He now had mouths to feed, and a whole sect to move around with. He needed a worthy capital ship. He could have gone with the Lucrehulk, but he wanted something old, something with taste. And when he saw a name appear on the SSS-Assistant's shop, he immediately bought it. 

Sadly, it only revealed the location. It didn't magically summon the ancient ship to him. But he was positive it was somewhere hiding on that gas giant. The atmosphere was such that it didn't allow any type of corrosion. So if there was a ship, it would be just as it was left behind. 

Of course, he couldn't tell Aayla where his confidence came from. He could only force her to fly the Scimitar at a slow speed while he dangled, trying to feel the old ship in the Force, considering the previous Sith owner of it. He was sure he'd feel that Dark Side residue. 

"My friend, the sensors show a positive signal north of here."

Right then, a thick, masculine voice came inside his helmet. It belonged to the same Beldorion he had defeated ten days ago, but the voice now lacked the raw anger it once had. Now, the former Jedi Hutt had reverted to his pre-fall persona.

Beldorion loathed the name 'Beldorion the Splendid' he had taken up on Nam Chorios. The old Hutt was remorseful, but once Arenval helped him catch up to everything that had happened in the galaxy and the Jedi Temple, the Hutt chose to follow his plan against the Hutt cartel.

Arenval didn't trust Beldorion fully. The muscular Hutt with a lightsaber would have to earn it, he reckoned. 

"Let's hope it's there, Bel. You make my little ships feel even smaller." Arenval joked, something he was only beginning to try. Unfortunately, his humor rarely landed. 

"My apologies."

"..."

He sighed. Beldorion was indoctrinated by the Jedi Order, but also liberated by his fall to the Dark Side. But in both his experiences, humor was never involved. That made Beldorion constantly serious and humble. 

"I was just joking, Knight Beldorion."

It did make him feel strange, however. Beldorion was a Jedi Knight, while he was a former Padawan. 

Is this jealousy? 

Arenval focused on the direction the ship started to travel. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, trying to feel it in the Force. He could feel Aayla and Beldorion in the ship above him. Below was just empty gas. The planet didn't have surging storms, at least, and was relatively stable. Just a cloud of gas with extreme gravity. 

He tried to feel the Dark Side, as the ship in question was used during the Sith Empire by a Dark Lord with considerable power. But that was over three thousand years old, as old as T7. He just hoped it was still in workable condition. 

Is that it?

He felt a faint tug with his senses. It was the Dark Side, but it was so faint. If it weren’t for his higher compatibility with the Dark Side, he would have missed it. It felt welcoming, as if calling him. 

That was, however, the first sign of alarm. If some ancient Dark Lord had left behind a ship there, then it was expected to be filled with Sith magic traps and Sith alchemical poisons. 

"Keep going, we're close. It's difficult to see ahead, so use the ship's computers. Send out the Dark Eye probe droids." 

Soon, two round droids started flying in front of him so he and the Scimitar wouldn't hit the hidden capital ship. 

Pang!

"Stop!"

Arenval heard the droids hit something ahead. The sound came from his earpiece connected to the droids. One of them was nonfunctional already, severed from the connection. 

"Move slowly, like grazing bantha." 

However, Aayla still moved too fast. 

"I said grazing! Not a bantha in heat!"

He heard laughter on the comms. He didn't mind; at least the joke landed this time. Besides, Aayla had a cute laugh. 

Ah, I should focus. 

Letting emotions free wasn’t easy. It distracts him too easily nowadays. 

He kept his arms stretched towards the direction the droids disappeared. It was dense, dark red gas all around him, and visibility was zero. He still used the Force to feel what was ahead of him, just in case he needed to push himself away. 

"I feel it!" he announced. "I think this is it. Aayla, call in the Lucrehulk to pull it up. How it's floating is beyond me, so be careful." 

He heard an affirmative, and the tether connected to him began to pull him back up towards the Scimitar. It took a long time, almost half an hour, for him to reach the ship. He really was dangling low, too close to the edge of the atmosphere. 

Surprisingly, he wasn’t afraid. It was thrilling. 

"Welcome, my friend."

Arenval gave the massive Hutt a nod. For reasons unknown, the humbled Hutt Jedi had chosen the word 'friend' to address him in most situations. And Beldorion was fully on board with the plan of taking over the Hutt cartel, taking the path of lesser evil, and running the crime syndicate, but with a blanket ban on slavery. 

"Looking dashing, Bel." Arenval patted the Hutt's hulking, thick forearm. The creature was dressed in High Republic Jedi attire now: sandy-gold robes and a brown belt. No pants, of course. 

Since Beldorion couldn't fit inside the Scimitar's cockpit, he had to remain in the cargo hold, working with the sensor screens. 

Arenval went up and reached Aayla in the cockpit. He leaned beside the center console, eyeing the dense gas below as they watched Lucrehulk arrive and droids go down to attach bigger magnetic tethers to the ancient capital ship. 

"Do you trust him?"

He looked at Aayla. "Bel?"

She nodded. "He's a Hutt. He fell to the Dark Side. Now he's acting all friendly, warm, and kind... forgive me if I find that strange. He was the complete opposite on Nam Chorios." 

Arenval sighed and turned, leaning his back against the ship's console beside Aayla's chair. He slid down to sit. Gently, he put an elbow on Aayla's leg and looked up at her. 

"Being a Hutt was one of the reasons he fell. What you feel now is much the same as what most at the Jedi Temple felt. It left him craving strength, wanting to prove himself worthy of their respect. I've spoken to him. He's ashamed of himself, and of the slavery he committed." 

"Do you trust him?" She asked again. 

Arenval shook his head. "I don't. Not because he's a Hutt, but because he fell once already. I treat Komari the same way. Dark Jedi are dark for a reason. They live close to the edge, where one hard push can cost them everything, even their sanity. I want to help them stand firm enough that no push can take them there again." 

"What about you, then? You actually use the Dark Side. I wouldn't call you a Dark Jedi. You're closer to being a Sith." 

"I doubt it. Being a Sith is much like being a Jedi. You have to actually belong to the organisation. Not every Dark Sider is Sith, but every Sith is certainly a Dark Sider. These days, it's usually two at a time. The Old Republic had thousands. I think I'll change that. Call myself Sith anyway, then warn the galaxy about the other ones." 

"You can do that?" Aayla asked, her hand softly landing on his head, her fingers combing through his dirty-blonde hair. 

"Well, I'm about as deep into the Dark Side as one can get. In time, I'll learn what the Sith know as well. Eventually, the only difference between us will be intent. They probably want the galaxy. I want freedom from the Dark Side's constant seduction, and an end to slavery." 

"Don't worry," Aayla whispered, tugging his hair from the front until his head tilted up. "I plan to master the Force Light completely. If you ever fall one day, I'll drive that darkness out and pull you back." 

He chuckled, loving the freedom of expressing what he felt. He leaned his head against her knee, enjoying the slow massage of her fingers. "Just what I'd expect from my pretty apprentice."

"I'm still angry about the Komari thing." Aayla giggled, gripping his hair tightly for a moment. "But I meditated, thought about it, and finally realized I was jealous. And yes, I know that was wrong." 

"Being upset is not wrong," he said. 

"I agree. But dwelling on it is. I nearly fell in those caves if not for you. I still have a lot to learn, Aren. I want to be useful beside you, not just another burden." 

Arenval felt a little guilty. He looked up and took her hand. "Then let's train more. Together, all four of us. Meditation, Force abilities, and sparring. We have an entire sect of Force wielders now." 

Aayla bobbed her head. "By the way, I have been getting messages from the Jedi Order. They're trying to reach you. I reached Master Vos, and he said it's about the disturbance in the Force."

Arenval sighed, scratching his head. "Let them keep searching. I'd rather not be questioned yet. Not until we're ready to announce Bel's return to the galaxy as Zoraster Sector's crime lord." 

Beep!

Right then, T7 whistled behind them. 

"Aren = Need focus // Sith Ship = Coming out"

Quickly, Arenval got up and looked out of the Scimitar's viewport. There, the massive Lucrehulk pulled the old ship out little by little. At first, only the bridge at the rear of the ship was visible, higher than the rest of the body. Slowly, more of it appeared, massive in size, wide, but longer. 

Soon, its design became visible. A wedge-shaped ship, split down the middle for a quarter of the length, forming two prongs. Between the two prongs was one of the large hangar bays. 

"What is this ship?" Aayla exclaimed. 

"A Harrower-class dreadnought, once flown by the Sith Empire three thousand years ago. This one’s the Dominator, flagship of Darth Jadus. A little shorter than most Harrowers. Still, we’ll need droids to man it." 

"It's huge. Are you sure we can use it? I don't think the Republic allows ships this big. And this one looks armed."

"It’s armed. And no, the Republic won't approve, standard six hundred meters or not. We'll have to make adjustments. Hide the guns, maybe add droid-manned fighters for protection. Officially, it'll be a charitable medical aid ship." 

Aayla shook her head, gawking as the full ship appeared. Somehow, it had survived on that gas giant, and as she noticed the ship's hull, she understood. It seemed the gas giant's atmosphere had solidified components in it as the gas particles clumped together due to gravity. The dense material stopped the ship from falling. 

"I still don't think the Republic will allow it."

“I don’t plan on taking this coreward. Ever. It stays in the Outer Rim, perhaps the Mid Rim, but no farther. We need it as a mobile base of operations, Aayla.” 

Aayla sighed. "I still don't think that will be enough."

"I know. But think of how many slaves we could free with this." 

"..."

####

Dodz, Zoraster Sector,
One Month Later, 

Pew!

"How could you possibly do this, Anakin?" 

"But Master, you said I should let the Force guide me." 

"And that somehow guided you to sneak aboard my ship?" 

"It did!" Anakin exclaimed, hurrying after his Master. "I swear. It felt like if I didn't follow you, I would regret it." 

"We'll speak of this later, my Padawan. For now, we need to find Arenval somewhere in this mess. It seems we've arrived in the middle of a civil war." 

Woosh!

Blaster bolts went past them here and there. Anakin made sure to keep his head low and follow right behind his Master, who often deflected those bolts. It was a strange, rocky world, and the city wasn't that large either.

Pew!

"Keep your head down, Anakin."

"I'm doing that." Anakin held onto his Master's brown cloak while keeping his feet moving. "Where are we going?"

"To Arenval, wherever he is."

Anakin tried to look around. They were in a large, open area that looked like a town square. A few stone pillars stood here and there, behind which people hid and used blasters to shoot at a few droids coming out of the large building ahead. 

But right then, he noticed something. An amber lightsaber, just the tip of it behind a broken pillar, only its base left. 

"Master! Look over there, I think that's him." 

"It seems to be him. Keep your head low, Anakin."

Anakin felt out of breath after so much running. He followed Master Kenobi, jumped over crates and other objects, took cover, waited for the droids to stop, then ran some more towards that amber lightsaber. 

Woosh!

Finally, he followed behind his Master and made a forward dive, sliding on the rough, dusty floor. With that, they arrived behind that same broken pillar. Anakin vividly remembered Arenval Tython; he could tell Arenval was strong. He felt it in the Force. But there was something more, something mysterious. 

He had no friends at the Jedi Temple, but he had ears, and he often heard rumors about Arenval Tython. He often asked his Master about it, but never received an answer. So, he was excited to meet him again. 

"What?" 

Anakin heard his Master exclaim in confusion. Honestly, he felt the same. He expected Arenval to be hiding there, maybe wounded, or tense, waiting for a chance to strike. However, what he saw was a dark-robed man, sitting cross-legged, with a lightsaber in one hand, and the other being used to eat something he recognised. A pocket of dough filled with meat and vegetables. 

"Arenval, what are you doing here?"

"Obi-Wan! Impeccable timing. I knew you'd be looking for me. Quick, duck." 

"That doesn't answer my questi—"

Pew!

Right then, a blaster bolt brushed past his Master's head. 

"Duck it is." 

Anakin chuckled, seeing this side of Master Kenobi. But then he realised Arenval's eyes were focused on him. He tried to look strong and grown-up, wiping the smile off his face. But then, the rumored Dark Side demon Arenval Tython smiled back at him. 

"We meet again, Anakin Skywalker. Here, eat some; they're delicious." 

Anakin dumbly looked at the hand giving him that meat pocket. Honestly, after so much running, he really was hungry, so he took it without much thought and gave it a bite. 

"Whoa! It tastes... just like my mom's!" 

But then Anakin realised Master Kenobi was giving him a disappointed look. His shoulders sank, and he looked down. But he didn't stop eating; it was delicious and reminded him of home. 

"You can have one, Obi-Wan."

"Thank you, but no. I've been searching for you for over a month, Aren. Do you have any idea how intense the mood at the High Council is?" 

"When is it not intense?" 

Anakin silently listened, already on his second meat pocket. He nodded, though; the High Council was really intense, although he'd been there only once. 

“You’re actually smiling? What’s happened to you, Aren? You seem… different.”

“Because I am. I realized I’d been deceiving myself my whole life, convincing my mind that every feeling was somehow positive. Pain, hurt, heartbreak, all of it became delight. Then I learned it would eventually explode, and I won’t be able to contain it. So I let the cork loose.” 

Anakin didn't know what they were talking about. Why did Arenval have to deceive himself? What cork? 

"Well, I'm glad to see the change, my friend. But can you tell me what you're doing here? In the middle of a civil war?" 

"Huh? Civil war?" Arenval's face went blank. "Kenobi, I started this war. The planet's being terrorised by a man called Governor Kugg. He's no governor; he just likes the title. I helped the people arm themselves. Now I'm helping them defeat the tyrant." 

Anakin nodded approvingly. He would have done the same if he had Arenval's training. In fact, he already wanted to do this after becoming a proper Jedi. Help liberate planets from tyrants. 

"But you're sitting here eating. I don't see you helping," Master Kenobi asked. 

"That's because I'm waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Anakin asked without realising. 

Crack!

Boom!

"That!" 

Anakin poked his head out and looked. The large building from where the droids were coming had its entire gates torn open. A giant battle droid walked out, armed and shooting.

"Just watch," Arenval added. 

Anakin did just that and watched. The giant droid was wreaking havoc all over. The people who were rushing forward moments ago were now retreating. 

"Look!" Anakin exclaimed, eyes on a massive ship that appeared in the sky and rapidly descended. 

Boom!

The giant ships started shooting at smaller droids here and there. Meanwhile, a shuttle came out of the ship and landed nearby. 

Anakin rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. A giant, muscular Hutt in Jedi robes, a purple lightsaber in one hand, came out of the shuttle. Immediately, the Hutt attacked the largest battle droid. 

"Leave these people alone! This tyranny ends now!" 

Anakin frowned in disbelief. Since when did the Hutt become the guardians of peace? No, since when did the Jedi Order have a Hutt? He'd never heard of it, not from anyone. 

"Arenval." Master Kenobi's voice came. "Do you know that Hutt?"

"Of course I do. Beldorion's a good friend. He was a Jedi Knight four centuries ago, until a world that heightened Force sensitivity helped push him to the Dark Side. He was trapped there and ruled like a crime lord. I recently brought him back from the darkness. Now look at him, champion of the destitute." 

"I have not heard of a Hutt Jedi before."

"Master Yoda probably does. Watch now, you might learn a thing or two about a different style of lightsaber technique. Bel fights strangely; he nearly killed me when I faced him."

They watched as the large Hutt in the distance rolled sideways, moving at a speed that didn't fit a being of that size. The tail whips were strong enough to throw the large battle droid on the ground. And of course, the lightsaber soon followed and sliced it. 

"Let's go, Obi-Wan." Arenval moved. "We should help them."

Anakin was ready and jumped. 

"You stay here, my Padawan. Your training has only just begun, and you don't even have a lightsaber yet. Remain here. We'll take care of the rest of the droids." 

Anakin didn't like that one bit. But it was true; he had nothing to fight with. So, he stayed back and mostly watched Arenval. The way the dark-robed Jedi moved was different from any Jedi he'd seen at the Temple. 

Arenval fought with brutal strength, never wasting any movement. And there were Force abilities involved now and then. But one thing he enjoyed the most was Arenval smashing the droids with his lightsaber like it was a hammer—just uninterrupted, powerful, slamming strikes. 

He tried to remember which Form this was, hoping to learn it later. 

In no time, all the droids were defeated. The largest one was defeated by the Hutt Jedi. After that, the citizens came cheering and arrested Governor Kugg. 

####

Ting!

Arenval heard that chime, but T7 wasn't nearby for him to check what it was. He had just helped Beldorion become a hero for the people of Dodz. This was pure charity, as he truly didn't want anything from the planet. 

What he wanted was for Dodz to fall under Beldorion’s protection from now on. That was impossible without dealing with Kugg.

As for the home base in Zoraster sector, Arenval had decided to set it up on the mineral-rich desert planet of Altor 14. From what he remembered, Altor 14 was an undiscovered planet at the moment. 

It had two native species; one was willing to open its mines, and the other was against it. Arenval only wanted to set up a base first, and the mines came later. Although it wasn't Tatooine, it had a Tatooine-like feel since it had two suns and a harsh desert landscape. 

So, while prefabricated habitats were being set up on Altor 14, Arenval with his entire crew arrived on Dodz to liberate it and help Beldorion gain some fame and name. The plan was to declare it his territory, and then kill any slaver who dared to cross into that sector. The goal was to stir trouble and earn notoriety. 

“Form a line!” Arenval called from atop a tall container beside the lowered ramp of the landed Dominator-class Harrower dreadnought. “There’s enough for everyone. Sick and children first!” 

The battle was over. Now was the time to hand out food and medical aid. The ship didn't have enough sentient crew, and Arenval preferred that. So, countless droids currently run it. They were all checked by him personally to ensure there was no spying happening. 

The forty-two Theran Listeners were helpful, however. They were experts in healing.

"I had no idea the situation was quite this bad." Obi-Wan stood beside him. 

"It's always this bad, or worse, in the Outer Rim, Obi-Wan." Arenval watched Aayla, Anakin, and Beldorion manage the lines, while Alfred led the droids to distribute food, water, and clothing. 

"You could have informed the Republic, Aren. There was no need to go quite this far. Justice should not rest on the pleasure of a single man." 

Arenval frowned in displeasure and looked at Obi-Wan. "Go to the Republic? To do what? Wait? Look at them, Kenobi. Why must they suffer even a single second more simply in the hope the arrogant Republic comes and saves them someday? We're at the edge of the galaxy; the Republic does not exist here. These people want freedom; they want it now, and I will give it to them."

Obi-Wan was quiet for a moment, studying his face. “You’ve changed a lot. I don’t remember you ever being this expressive.” 

"It's an improvement," Arenval replied, leaving it at that. He sat down on the edge of the large container. "Go on, ask your questions. I know you want to." 

"What caused that disturbance in the Force? Every Force-sensitive in the galaxy felt it." 

"I found sentient crystals you can communicate with through Force Listening. On that world, there was a parasite…" 

Arenval went on to explain what had happened on Nam Chorios, his fight with Beldorion, and then his fall into the pit filled with drochs. He revealed the devastating, plague-like effects of the drochs, and what the Tsil wanted from him. He didn't go into too many details about how he did it. But he explained the source of the disturbance. 

"You clearly had quite the adventure. Connecting with a crystal-like, Force-sensitive species across an entire planet would certainly explain the disturbance." 

"What of you?" Arenval asked, motioning toward Anakin as the boy hurried about the line, guiding the elderly forward. Most of the crowd was non-human. "How fares the Chosen One's training, Master Kenobi?" 

Obi-Wan rubbed his chin, glancing at Anakin. "I try my best. Still, I often wonder what Master Jinn would have done differently. He won't listen, he hates meditation, and now he's sneaked onto my ship and followed me here. Rules seem more like suggestions to him. I don't know where I'm going wrong." 

Arenval looked at the Jedi Knight and poked him in the chest. "You're looking at this backwards. Don't ask what you're doing wrong. Ask whether you're doing right by him. Tell me, does Anakin have friends? Do the other younglings play with him? Have you seen him sit among them?" 

A frown marred Obi-Wan's face. 

"You already have your answer. Anakin’s gift with the Force makes training easier for him, so you’re not doing badly there. But outside of that, you treat him like a project. He needs a friend, a brother. 

“You see the Chosen One. I see a kid who’s already lived through slavery and seen worse. Don't be so hard on him that he starts to see temple life a chore. So guide him, don’t force him into a shape. Because the tighter you hold, the more he’ll resist." 

"Like you did?"

Arenval nodded. "I suppose so. Still, I regret nothing. I've finally broken the leash." 

Obi-Wan sighed. "Then the Order failed you if all you saw was a leash. Still, I can see the change, and I can't say I dislike it. Minus the surprising Hutt Jedi and a warship." 

“It’s an ancient ship I found. Repaired it myself. Soon I’ll strip off some of the heavier weapons. I need it for humanitarian runs across the Outer Rim. Places like this.” 

"I can't say the Republic will be eager to accept it. Still, I'll explain your situation to the High Council as best I can. What you're doing isn't wrong, exactly, but... it is extrajudicial." 

“Out here, there is no law, Obi-Wan. Tyranny is common, slaves are bought like provisions, and crime is a way of life. The Ruusan Reformation was a mistake. The Jedi dissolved the Army of Light, the military followed, and poorer systems were left to fend for themselves.” Arenval noticed an old freighter approaching and stood. “Still, it wasn’t all bad.” 

Soon, the freighter landed nearby, and its ramp lowered. First, Komari Vosa exited, dressed in her usual minimal attire, carrying a small box with her, with who knows what. The woman walked straight towards Aayla. 

Moments later, after the ship cut off power, Shmi exited, dressed like an engineer. A forever smile plastered on her face. She liked this work, helping people. 

"Mom!"

As expected, it didn't take long for Anakin to notice his mother and dash towards her. The next moment, the boy leapt into his mother's arms. 

"What do you see, Obi-Wan?" Arenval asked. 

Obi-Wan pondered for a moment. "Innocence?"

"Failiure." He corrected the older Knight. "The great guardians of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic couldn't be bothered to free the mother of the Chosen One. Left to rot in sand and heat."

"Tatooine's outside the Republic. And Jedi aren't exactly meant to have attachments." 

“For a moment, forget the Jedi. It’s easy for you and me to preach. We don’t remember who bore us, who our parents are, or where they might be. Neither does Aayla nor Komari. But Anakin isn’t us. You can’t simply erase an attachment that already exists. As I said, you’re not teaching him. You’re trying to shape him into what you and the Order want.” 

Obi-Wan fell into deep thought. 

Arenval didn't wait and jumped off the container and walked towards Shmi. She looked even better smiling like that. She clearly missed her boy. 

Palpatine won't let her live. 

Still, he tried not to worry about that for now. 

"How did you free her?" Obi-Wan's voice came from behind him. 

"I did what Master Jinn did. I gambled." He reached the mother and son. "How was Altor 14?" 

"Master Aren! Thank you! Thank you so much!" Anakin chirped.

Woosh!

Like a Loth-cat, Anakin jumped at him without warning and hugged him. 

Master? 

Arenval smiled, choosing not to correct the boy. It did feel fulfilling when called master by someone earnestly. And not to tease him as Aayla did, and Komari, who did it just out of her perceived hierarchy. 

He patted Anakin's back and lowered him to the ground. "Shmi, why don't you give Anakin a tour of the Dominator? I'm sure he wants to see inside the big ship."

"Yes!" 

Laughing, Shmi held Anakin's hand and led him away. Surprisingly, Obi-Wan didn't object. 

"You... feel completely different, Aren," Obi-Wan said for the third time. "Your temperament, your attitude... they seem closer to a Master's than a Padawan's." 

"Nearly dying has a way of doing that. So does not locking every emotion away. You should try it sometime. Maybe take a trip to Mandalore now and then to relax." 

"Hm? And where did that come from?" Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes, folding his arms. 

"What's with that reaction, Obi-Wan? You're acting like you've got some secret sweetheart tucked away there." 

Obi-Wan coughed suddenly. 

“I assure you, Aren, I have no such secrets.” 

"Of course. Imagine the scandal otherwise." Arenval gave Obi-Wan a knowing smirk, then walked over to Aayla. "Have a look around. I'll go repair some droids." 

"..."

####

That night, while the people of Dodz slept freely, Arenval locked himself inside his large quarters onboard the Dominator. He didn't bother changing the ship's name; it was already good enough. After a month-long repair, it was in a far better condition than he found it in. 

But that didn't matter. He sat cross-legged, T7 right beside him, activating that red shield that formed a dome around him and contained his connection to the Dark Side while he trained the new abilities. There were quite a few. 

Force Barrier was an easy one. It was an offshoot of telekinesis and was a neutral ability. Since he only ever mastered neutral ones, it came easily. After that, he learned Force Wind, a proper Dark Side power to manipulate and channel air currents to create violent tornadoes. This, too, came easy since the Dark Side came easily to him. 

He limited himself to tiny, foot-tall tornadoes to train, however. He was only learning the abilities, not mastering them, as that was something that took years. 

After that, he learned Force Scream. This one was hard for him to learn, since it was involuntary Force exertion. Of course, it could be used on command as well. But Arenval, who had lived suppressing emotions like rage and grief, found it troublesome. The emotion had to be negative to use it. But he found no reason to do it. 

After wasting half a month just on Force Scream, he set it aside and finally entered the fourth Holocron, the most exciting one, to learn Tutaminis, the ability to absorb energy. Once mastered, it would let him dissipate blaster bolts, even lightsabers. He could also encase himself in an energy field and save himself from heat, electrical attacks, any kinetic attack, or energy-based attacks. 

Though Arenval still wanted to learn how to deflect blaster bolts with his bare hands. It was interesting, and he felt it would look epic. Besides, if he mastered it, he could teach it to Aayla, Komari, and even Beldorion if he wanted. 

So, he closed his eyes and reached into the Holocron. 

"We meet again, Arenval Tython."

A hologram appeared. It was the Father, once again. In fact, every single Holocron he received from SSS-Assistant had Father in it. Even Aayla had met the entity. Even now, the Father had no idea how he appeared in those holocrons. And by now, it was often dismissed as simply the Force doing Force things.

"We do, Elder." Arenval had never cared to call him Father, so ‘Elder’ had become the compromise. "I couldn't learn Force Scream. I wasn't able to draw on the negative emotions it requires." 

The Father smiled. "It is rare for a man claiming to be a Sith to struggle projecting their dark emotions."

"Well, it's all emotion for me. These days, I just let it come as it will. Can't say I'm complaining. I want to start with Tutaminis now." 

"Then let us begin," the Father said. 

Arenval had spoken with the being so many times by now that the Father no longer tried to test him. They would just talk and begin the training right away. It was the will of the Force, the Father would say. 

From there, for hours, he learned the theory and the technique behind Tutaminis first. Tutaminis was an umbrella term, not a single ability. So, if Arenval wanted to master it, he needed to understand its core. 

And that meant understanding energies. 

He knew this ability would be slow to learn, but a guarantee still. So, he went on for five hours in one sitting, channeling the Force to meditate at times as well. He could feel others on that ship. Obi-Wan, Shmi with Anakin's behemoth presence beside her. Aayla in her bed. Komari meditating alone. Beldorion… the Hutt seemed to be playing a friendly game of Dejarik with the locals. 

By the sixth hour, Arenval gently opened his eyes. He had sensed someone approaching from the sky. A Jedi for sure, a female. But he couldn't recognise her in the Force. 

"Back to work, Teeseven. We've got a Hutt to kill."

"Aren = Need rest."

“I know, but let’s meet this guest first. Wait, was there a notification earlier? I’m sure I heard a bell.” 

T7 whistled for a while and projected the red screens. 

[Freed Slaves - 3,776
Slavepoints Earned - 188,800]

"That's great." 

He took a look at the total number of SP. He had already purchased the plans for Rakata Terraformer and the location of the Dominator. In total, it had cost him 25,000 Slavepoints. 

[Slavepoints = 262,900]

"That's a lot. Let's see what we can get to make us stronger later."

"T7 = Always Ready // Another Notification = New Update!"

Arenval interacted with the red screen and changed the Slavepoints page. He glanced at the main log and noticed a new option. 

[Sector Favorability Meter - Zoraster Sector
Current Favorability - 66.8%]

"That's… very interesting."