Lightside Sith 011

AN: Travel time is serious in this ch! Even with a class 1 hyperdrive (the second fastest next to a 0.5) it takes forever~ to go from one end of the galaxy to the next~ but I'd rather keep to these grounded rules. Otherwise, instant arrival would make lightspeed waay too overpowered. 

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The flight to Serenno from Naboo was about 15 to 20 days based upon the stability of the hyperlanes. For reference, Naboo was in the Galactic South, whilst Serenno was in the Galactic North hanging out ‘near’ to Yavin 4. 

Kaine was hoping Dooku would cool off by the time he arrived, and wondered why he had summoned him, instead of sending him to other fronts near Naboo. Putting that worry aside, he had decided to put those two weeks+ of travel to good use. 

Today was day 17, and he would be emerging from hyperspace soon. Glancing at his System UI one more time, he went over his gains. 

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

Rank: Tier II (Acolyte mid) (1,250/2,500 until (Acolyte high)

Skills: Tier II: [Speed] [Inflict Pain] [Sense] [Hide Presence] [Precognition] [Form II] [Ghost Summoning] [Telekenesis] [Nightmare] [Blood Etching] 

Inventory: Lightsaber, Sith attire, sonic grenade x2, macrobinoculars, misc food x5, misc clothing x 20, blaster pistol, shock prod x1, art piece x3

Credits: 58,987

Lightside Points: 1250]

Since his departure from Naboo, there wasn't much for him to do onboard his tiny ship. Throwing shit around with his mind, or performing katas with his lightsaber seemed like a good way to puncture a hole in his hull, and die in the vacuum of space. So instead, he had dedicated his free time to some minor research on the holonet, and a whole ton of studying. The ancient book full of spells he had inherited was full of dangerous abilities. 

Most of them required the sacrifice of others, damage to oneself, or some form of conquest to enact. For example, if he ever wanted to learn how to read the thoughts of the dead, all he had to do was eat the brain of a powerful conquered foe, and chant the proper words. Or, if he wanted to shoot red lasers out of his eyes, all he had to do was pluck out his own eyes, and replace it with a kyber crystal! If he wanted to bring down a flood-like rain, all he had to do was sacrifice a dozen sheep-tier animals, paint a pentagram-like shape, then do a little dance. 

In short, the spells were strange and varied widely. During this time, he had learnt [Nightmare] & [Blood Etching]. 

[Nightmare] had pretty simple prerequisites. Burn the hair of the person you wish to influence, and perform a little chant. This spell could be used to kill someone through fear, induce a false prophecy in a Jedi, or even serve as a means of communication. It just so happened that before the peace summit had begun, Kaine had collected some scraps of hair from Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padmé with the intention of possibly crafting a voodoo doll. If he had known Palpatine was going to attend he would've been on the lookout for his sparse hairs too. 

Ultimately, [Nightmare] was a useful utility ability, and he could see himself sending Skywalker & Kenobi false prophecies. It was also useful to use on himself. He often placed himself under [Nightmare] to practice escaping illusions, or forming realistic scenarios for future victims. 

Next was [Blood Etching]. Using the blood of a Force Sensitive, and boiling it, he could etch Sith runes onto objects. Unfortunately, the only access to blood he had was his own. Fortunately, however, the Odachi came with both a syringe, and medical supplies such as bacta. Although he had become slightly anemic due to his practicing, it had become worth it. So far, he could draw three runes: Hate, Chain, Malice. 

[Hate] amplified his connection to the Darkside, and enhanced his strength like a berserker. However, like a berserker, it was much easier to lose his mind or train of thought whilst under the influence of this rune. He had etched the symbol of Hate onto the right gauntlet of his Sith uniform. It had a slight passive effect, but was much stronger as an active. 

[Chain] was a brand used upon servants. Ironic, for a people who waxed lyrical about personal freedom, the Sith were all about imposing their will upon others. This rune was better used as a tattoo, but could also be used on an article of clothing. It bound lesser wills to oneself. Kaine didn't foresee himself using this one all too often, but there could be some niche uses in the pursuit of LP. He had etched this rune on a couple of goofy masks & a pair of socks he had stolen from Naboo's bazaar. Who knew, perhaps one day, to make a getaway, he could have some temporary servants cause mischief elsewhere. 

Different from the raw hot blooded power of hatred, [Malice] had a psychological effect. Often times, the Darkside was described as a terrifyingly cold existence, one that carried with it an air that made it difficult to breath. In short, [Malice] took the Darkside aura of an individual, place or thing, and made it appear more potent. Basically, this rune helped when dealing with cannon fodder/crowds. But most importantly, it helped somewhat mitigate the Force abilities of others. Kaine had etched this rune onto his other gauntlet. 

Although he was lowkey pissed off that he wasn't farming any LP this entire time, learning sorcery was a fruitful exercise, and was kind of OP. In the long term, this magic gig would see him pulling off awesome feats, like manifesting Qui-Gon into a tangible being, and forcing that troublesome ghost to do the dishes! 

“I applaud your optimism despite current events, but must you default to a smirk after every thought experiment?” Qui-Gon sighed from the side. 

“Are you nervous?” Kaine asked, ignoring Qui-Gon's lip. “He loved you a great deal, you know. His fall to the Darkside was partially due to your death.” 

“...Master does not need to know about me. I fear revealing such knowledge would not bode well for you, young Sith.” Qui-Gon slowly said, and cautioned Kaine. 

“Noted. Do you have any suggestions to avoid his punishment? Although I believe I performed well, you can never tell with that old man.” Kaine said with a frown. 

“I gather he's changed a great deal since I saw him last, however, if I know Master…then I'd say he might appreciate one of the paintings you stole.” Qui-Gon said with the ghost of a smile. 

Kaine rolled his eyes at the pale blue apparition, and painfully withdrew three separate art pieces. Snatching them during his first day on Naboo, he had intended to find a house someday, and wanted to decorate it with something. Like any good gamer, Kaine had had the brilliant idea to acquire some exotic items native to each locale, and bring them back home. That way, he could have fun reminiscing about his adventures, to prove to himself that he had left a mark upon this new galaxy he called home. 

With a weary sigh, he reluctantly withdrew two of the other paintings into his inventory, and retained one to give to the snob of Serenno. 

“Is there any message you wish me to pass on?” Kaine asked in a perfunctory tone, expecting the ghost to act the same as he had with Obi-Wan. 

Qui-Gon hesitated for a moment, and stared at him with a pensive look.

“Is that a yes?” Kaine asked, arching his eyebrow. 

“Will you lend me your body?” Qui-Gon solemnly asked, stroking his beard. 

Kaine rolled his eyes, knowing the well-balanced Jedi didn't mean anything sexual, but still, this was an unexpected question. 

“What are you going to do, possess me?” Kaine asked in a curious tone. “I didn't think you Lightside ghosts could do that.” 

“Ordinarily, you would be correct. However, due to the ritual you held, young Renstar, we are closer bound than you might think. Should you open yourself to me, I feel as if I could temporarily pilot your body…I wish to leave my Master a note in my own hand.” Qui-Gon said in a quiet voice. 

Kaine thought about it, and didn't seem to have any problem with this. Qui-Gon wasn't the type to try & permanently possess him, and this could lead to some unexpected benefits. At the very least, this cooperation would bring them closer together. Perhaps Qui-Gon Jinn would be teaching him some skills in the not too distant future. 

But of course, he wasn't just going to do this for free~ Going two weeks+ without any LP gain was just disgusting. How could Kaine resist when a Jedi was practically throwing himself at him? 

“So, Qui-Gon Jinn the Wise wishes to possess a lowly Sith. Oh, how the Jedi have fallen.” Kaine said in a biting, overly dramatic tone. 

“I'm afraid I'll smell of sulphur after this.” Qui-Gon offhandedly remarked, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulders. “Besides, it was this lowly Sith who asked if he could help a Jedi. One wonders what his ancestors must be thinking.” 

Kaine's lower eyelid twitched. It had been just like this for the past 17 days. Qui-Gon Jinn-that damned nerf herder-was practically unfarmable! The Jedi Master was quick witted, eerily calm, never got flustered, and was sharp with his tongue! God knows Kaine was thankful he couldn't garner negative LP, because with everything Jinn had said, Kaine should be in the red by now! 

Concealing his gnashed teeth at yet another failed scheme, Kaine plastered a fake smile on his face, like the kind a used car salesman might employ. 

“Very well. I suppose I am such a noble soul, aiding this lost spirit in his hour of need.” Kaine nodded, adopting a lofty air about himself. 

Qui-Gon's small smirk all but screamed: you're not fooling anyone. But the Jedi Master had enough grace not to call him out on his bantha shit. 

Folding his hands into his robe, Qui-Gon performed a light bow. “Your magnanimity knows no bounds.” He said in a flat tone. 

Kaine rolled his eyes at the hypocritical Jedi, and had had enough with this charade. 

“So are we going to do this, or what?” Kaine said in an impatient tone, knowing that his opportunity to farm LP had gone up in smoke. 

“Patience, young Renstar. Clear your mind. Feel upon the link between us. Open yourself to me as if you were embracing a long lost family member.” Qui-Gon instructed in a gentle, soothing tone. 

Kaine sat down in a meditative pose, and opened himself up in the Force. For a moment, he recalled the time he had reunited with his estranged older brother during Christmas, and how they had buried the hatchet, loving one another as they had in the past. Tears subconsciously flowed down his cheek as the Force thrummed with approval. The Darkside thrived on powerful emotions, and a cold aura swelled out from him. Then, the blue Light of Qui-Gon shone down upon him, dispelling this bone chilling cold for a warm embrace. 

Seconds later, Kaine experienced an out of body phenomenon. He had become a transparent blue-red ghost, and was hovering behind himself. There was a barely visible tether between his spectral form, and his body. Like the tether connecting a boat to a harbor, or an umbilical cord to a baby's mother, he felt that his body was a safe harbor, that he could return to it, and take control at any time. 

Before he could explore this newfound state of being, Qui-Gon had already written what he wanted to say on a scroll, and then left his body. As his body slumped, Kaine felt a suction force pull him back inside. 

The ghost of a whispered-thank you-met his ears, then he knew no more as he passed out due to the unexpected draw upon his energy. 

Sometime later, he woke up within a large palace room, with his lightsabers on top of a small desk to his side. Heart rate increasing, this scene was eerily similar to when Ventress was abducted by Dooku, and then fought him for Palpatine’s pleasure. 

Narrowing his eyes, he figured Qui-Gon had either piloted the ship here, or the auto-pilot had guided him. Either way, this was not how he intended to arrive upon Serenno! 

Just as he was starting to calm his breathing, he caught sight of an old man with his back turned to him. In his hand was a piece of paper that he was holding with great care. 

Rousing himself from bed, Kaine knew how ‘proper’ this old man liked to act, and begrudgingly got down on one knee. 

“My apologies, Master. I have failed the mission you entrusted me with.”

After several silent minutes passed, Dooku-without turning to face him-finally addressed him. 

“No matter. I have a new mission for you. Meet me over breakfast once you have composed yourself.” Dooku said in his typical deep, melodic tone before departing the chamber without saying another word. 

Kaine sighed in relief, and nodded his head towards his invisible companion. He didn't know what Qui-Gon had written, but whatever it was, it had saved his ass. 

Even though he hadn’t farmed any LP from the Jedi Master…he wasn't half bad. 

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AN: Dooku redemption arc inbound?