Lightside Sith 003

AN: Lightside Points will occasionally be shortened to LP going forward.

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After standing behind Wat Tambor as some kind of boogeyman during the negotiations, Kaine had returned to his quarters aboard the CIS flagship, and happily went over his gains. 

[Lightside Sith System: Act like a Lightside Sith, and be rewarded. 

Rank: Tier II (Acolyte mid) (0/2,500 until (Acolyte high)

Skills: Tier II: [Speed] [Inflict Pain] [Sense] [Hide Presence] [Precognition] [Form II]

Inventory: Lightsaber, Sith attire, sonic grenade x2, macrobinoculars, misc food x5, blaster pistol, shock prod x1

Credits: 345

Lightside Points: 0]

His panel was short, and to the point. Reaching the LP threshold for promotion, Kaine had directly upgraded into the next tier. As an Acolyte (mid), he felt like he could pull upon the Force to amp his physical attributes just a bit more than before. This led to faster reaction times, thoughts, and enhanced strength/agility. 

Likewise, each of his skills had automatically improved by a tier, which was a godsend. He couldn't imagine the pain in the ass it would be to have to improve each skill individually. Or how long it would take to train them up manually. Unfortunately, there was no bank of skills he could learn from some system shop, or list. It appeared that he'd have to get started on his own. What was worse, is that if he wanted to learn more, he'd have to go to Dooku…is what he ordinarily would say. 

Pulling out a book from his nightstand, he ran a gloved hand over the worn leather cover. Flipping a page open, he was met with ancient hieroglyphics. Inside were the techniques for several sorceries. 

Sighing to himself, Kaine lifted his mask off, and stared into a nearby mirror within his room. What met him was a handsome-almost aristocratic-looking red face. The identity he had assumed during transmigration was that of a Pureblood Sith. Commonly thought extinct by the galaxy at large, there was actually a colony that survived in Legends. Occupying the remote planet of Tund in the Outer Rim. They served as a footnote in Legends history as a Darkside Order of sorcerers. Betrayed and genocided by one of their own in 5BBY, most Star Wars nerds couldn't be blamed if they never heard about the Sorcerers of Tund. 

And yet, that was Kaine Renstar's origin story. 

Underneath this generic Sith garb was a true biological Sith. If any Jedi recognized him-and why wouldn't they as they all studied history-he would certainly be public enemy number one. Considering the Jedi had genocided the Sith on Korriban, and the Sith species were thought extinct, Kaine really wasn't liking the idea of defecting to the Republic. With that thought in mind, he figured he might as well improve himself to the best of his abilities, aim for a CIS victory, and become a deciding voice in the Confederacy.

Opening the old book, Kaine started to study like a man possessed. Unlike traditional Force powers, Sith Sorcery-at least at the lower levels-involved either chanting, or using a medium to cast the spell. 

Many of the spells had prerequisite requirements that were quite obscene. Like bathing in the blood of an enemy, or deflowering 1,000 virgins. For Kaine, these were not something he would actively seek out. But there was one thing he was tempted to make, and that was a focus to help channel Sith Magick. It was like comparing a wizard without his wand or staff to just reciting the words, the power with a focus was just that much better. 

For this particular ritual to create a focus, the easiest one to accomplish was to acquire the bones of the enemy. Fortunately? When he had collected the blaster pistol into his inventory, he had also accidentally collected the green Twi'lek councilor's fingers. It was pretty gross, but anyone who's played a videogame has collected things like that into their inventory at some point.

Although it was quite creepy handling these fingers, Kaine ignored his discomfort, and tossed them into a bowl. Tossing a match on top of them, he began to chant in a deep, guttural, alien sounding language. The flame turned blue, and the flesh melted away, revealing a set of bones. Reaching into the bowl, a psychic Force-based pain pressed down upon him. Crushing the bones together, Kaine roared, and lifted his fist above his head. His triumph over this defeated foe caused a small ripple in the Force, and the bones remolded themselves into a shape of his choosing. 

Creating an amulet the size of a large coin, an ouroboros took shape. Pulling out a thin cord, he looped it through the medallion, then hung it around his neck. The focus was warm to the touch, and would help him cast Sith Sorceries moving forward. 

Taking a deep breath, Kaine slumped into a nearby wall, and sat on his ass with an exhausted exhale. Today had been crazy, but he refused to wallow in despair like some coward. Although he was sad at all that he had lost on Earth, he was excited to see what this new universe had to offer. 

The second he was about to close his eyes, and get some much needed rest, the holoprojector in his room was forcefully activated. 

Emerging from the wall, a lifesized blue hologram of Count Dooku materialized. The old man was stylishly dressed, and his white hair/beard were immaculately combed. 

Knowing how pedantic this charismatic, asshole of an old man was, and how much he cared about formalities, Kaine was quick to hide his surprise at the sudden call, and slowly rose to bow. 

“Sit my friend. You have earned your moment of rest after your victory.” The old man's deep, melodic voice was friendly, yet carried with it the aura of unquestioning command & control. 

As Dooku spoke the word ‘victory’ his eyes gleamed, and he knowingly glanced at the bowl sitting in front of Kaine. 

Although he couldn't sense anything in the Force, that brief, predatory look set Kaine on edge. 

“Master.” Kaine rose from his seat anyway, and kneeled. 

“Wat Tambor highly praised your efficiency. You are being reassigned.” Dooku succinctly stated with little fanfare, getting straight to the point. 

Kaine didn't like the sound of that. Ryloth would be a hotbed for insurgency, farming LP would be free! 

“As you command.” Kaine spoke in a low tone, bowing his head further so that he didn't give anything away. 

“You should celebrate, young Renstar. The task you are to be entrusted with is one that shall earn my Master's favor.” Dooku spoke in amusement, clearly having seen through Kaine's displeasure, yet choosing not to comment upon it.

Kaine's eyes went wide, as he guessed just who he was being sent to kill. No, it's too early, I don't want to get Skywalker'd! 

Mind racing, he replied with something that he hoped would save his ass. 

“I wish only to serve you, Master. Regarding Ryloth…Emir Tambor is overly optimistic. A rebellion is sure to take place before long. Please, my Lord, allow me to snuff it out before it has a chance to take root.” Kaine kept his head bowed, and requested with perfect sincerity. 

“Oh? Indeed, what a loyal disciple. It is settled then.” Dooku nodded his head, the hint of a sly smile spread to the corner of his lips. 

Kaine sighed in relief, yet the old man's next words were precisely what he dreaded most. 

“Senator Padmé Amidalla shall be attending a peace summit on Naboo in 5 days. You are to eliminate her.” Dooku's genial voice dropped several octaves for a brief second, and then the hologram winked out without another word. 

Kaine ran a hand over his head. This was patently ridiculous. Padmé had the devil's luck, and could escape from virtually anything. Seriously, Palpatine had sent dozens of assassins at that girl, and they all met tragic fates. Why would Kaine think he could do any better with his current power level when the Force was clearly protecting her. 

Even if he did succeed in killing her, he'd have a pissed off Chosen One breathing down his neck. Personally, Kaine speculated that Palpatine wanted Anakin to take even more emotional damage. Skywalker had just lost his mom not too long ago to the Tusken Raiders, lost his hand in a duel, and if he lost his lover, he'd be easy pluckings for that greasy old Sith. Come to think about it, old Palps probably wanted to test Anakin as well. He must be pissed that his prized ‘possession’ lost an arm, and wanted to test Anakin's combat effectiveness.

…Ahem, as if Kaine would be so crass as to attack a handicapped person. Besides! He was a Lightside Sith! Murdering a peace oriented Senator went against his moral compass! Kaine nodded self-righteously to himself, determined to fail this mission in a way that wouldn't have him facing lightning hands when he came back. 

But uh, what do? 

Flipping through the ancient sorcery book for inspiration, he felt like it was hopeless. He could make voodoo dolls, send nightmares, or even induce impotence given the proper reagents, but none of this helped him get out of this situation. 

Damnit! 

He was sure to get zapped for failing. Pounding the floor, a subtle wind seemed to flip the page, landing on one that allowed the caster to commune with ghosts. 

Kaine rolled his eyes, dismissing it as useless, but then he was inspired. What if he spoke with Qui-Gon Jinn? What if he truthfully reported to Count Dooku that this long lost student was watching over Anakin, and asked him not to kill Padmé?! 

“Fuck! I'm a genius!” Kaine jumped up from his slump, and jumped around the room a couple times like a monkey. “Oh!” He quickly dodged around the old tattered book, barely preventing himself from smashing it with his boots. 

Wiping some sweat from his forehead, Kaine took a quick shower, gathered his things, and then made haste to the Odachi. With his Class-1 hyperdrive, Naboo was only 3 days away from Ryloth. In that time, he needed to study the spell, and then upon arrival, travel to the site of Qui-Gon's death. A cursory glance at the spell told him that to summon a ghost, the best ways were to have their ashes/bones/lightsaber or to go to their place of death. 

Kaine didn't particularly want to summon the ghost of Qui-Gon, but Dooku was a duplicitous politician, and had caught onto his emotional state half a galaxy away via hologram. Lying to that melodramatic, intelligent old bastard was a bad idea. Therefore, he really had to go through with this summoning. 

Running past a pair of confused B-1's, he made it into the hangar, and then took the Odachi into hyperspace. 

Running a hand through his hair, Kaine was full of nervous excitement. He couldn't wait to spread the good word of the Lightside to the people of Naboo! 

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AN: Guess who's going to mess the spell up, and be permanently haunted by a ghost companion?