Lightside Sith 024

“One hour until we break from hyperspace.” Durge's baritone declared over the Odachi's comms. 

Kaine made note of it, and in that moment of distraction, barely blocked an oncoming training saber. Defending himself with the minimum amount of effort whilst covering all possible angles of attack, he was sturdy like a turtle.

Across from him within his cramped quarters was the training droid gifted to him by the Jedi Order in exchange for some sensitive CIS secrets. The droid was white with blue stripes. Equipped with treads, a blaster on one hand, and a double bladed lightsaber in the other, it came up to his navel. Although it was relatively short, the droid was programmed in the traditional seven forms of combat up to the level of a formal Jedi Knight. Additionally, its blaster targeting system was rather advanced, pushing Kaine to the limit within this cramped room. 

Parrying aside another swipe, he deactivated it with the swipe of a hand. Touching the on/off button with the Force, he floated a nearby towel over to himself, and wiped his face clean of any sweat. 

A day and a half had passed since his departure from Serenno, and Vinsoth was in sight. During that time, he had religiously trained himself in Form III, aka, Soresu. Considered the ultimate defensive lightsaber form, Kaine had picked it to survive against the upcoming war. 

Clone troopers were notoriously dangerous against low level Force Adepts, especially when it came to killing Padawans and Younglings. As such, he didn't want to get caught out because all he knew was Form II. Makashi was great against melee opponents, but any more than a squad of 12 clones would surely kill him without much of a struggle. 

“Next time, shift your left leg forward a half inch. Your current posture invites calamity against more than 20 opponents.” Qui-Gon Jinn's ghastly blue ghost idly commented from the side. 

Kaine nodded his thanks, and reactivating the droid, set it to blaster mode. “Droid, simulate a high intensity rate of fire.” 

“Affirmative.” The droid said in a standard robotic voice. 

Following the Jedi Master’s advice, he adjusted his balance, and blocked several low energy blaster bolts. Having been struck once before, he knew from experience that it felt like getting hit by a paint ball. He still had a bruise under his ribs to prove it. 

“Focus. Distractions are the enemy. Do not become overly reliant on [Precognition].” Qui-Gon sternly lectured. 

Kaine inwardly grumbled as he effortlessly engaged Tier III of Soresu. His innate ability to advance any learnt skill up to his current level gave him plenty of confidence. However, this one on one mentorship with the Jedi gave him new insights that some System never could. 

Blocking a high speed spray of green bolts one after another, he twirled his blade until the droid's blaster began to overheat. As it was cooling down, and venting steam, it lunged at him with its dual bladed lightsaber. Meeting it with a defensive stance, Kaine worked on his endurance. 

“Good, maintain your central line. Do not slip into Makashi. Avoid that stab, wait for it…” Qui-Gon said, continuing to comment. 

Meanwhile, Kaine was feeling impatient. If he were wielding Makashi, he already would have lunged forth and ended this fight. However, Form III was all about wearing the enemy down. In a way, this was a good lesson for him, one that taught perseverance. 

“Do not let the opportunity pass.” Qui-Gon urgently commanded. 

Kaine-who had almost lost himself to boredom-suddenly snapped out of his seeming inaction, and narrowly dodged an incoming slice headed for his shoulder, then touched the tip of his blade against the droid's wrist. A robotic sound pinged from the droid, and it automatically shut down after his victory. 

“You are a fast study, young Renstar. I haven't seen someone learn as fast as you since Master Ti.” Qui-Gon said with a rare hint of praise. 

Kaine raised an eyebrow in surprise, eliciting a small laugh from the Jedi Master. Stroking his beard, the ghost regarded him. 

“You did not think yourself uniquely capable, hm, Renstar? The galaxy is vast, and full of legends. Perhaps you might become a name on that storied list, but today is not that day.” Qui-Gon said in a mirthful, yet not unkind tone. 

Kaine bowed his head, accepting this wisdom. He knew better than any in this galaxy how people like Anakin, Bastila, Revan, Windu or Vitiate had come to astonishing power in their early 20's. What he had accomplished was remarkable, but was pitiful when compared to those true geniuses. 

“Hmph, a humble Sith? Perhaps you are teachable.” Qui-Gon said as he slowly began to fade away back to invisibility. 

“Thank you for your guidance, Master Jinn.” Kaine maintained his bow for a minute, and when he looked up, the ghost was gone. 

Swiping his red blade in one final Form III kata, he now had some confidence that he wouldn't be overwhelmed. Deactivating his blade, he took a glance at his status screen to take stock of his gains. 

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

Rank: Tier III (Acolyte high) 

2,340/5,000 until (Sith Lord low)

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

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

Credits: 1,083,987

Lightside Points: 2,340]

Before entering the junkyard on Ord Mantell, he had farmed 1,102LP. The ensuing triumphs over the Rancor, and other encounters boosted that number by a few hundred. However, it was only when he met with Ventress, that he gained a +700~ rating. That ball of toxic rage was a never ending LP generator! Truth be told, he was tempted to interact with more Sith-and future Sith like Anakin-if it wasn't so bad for his health! Gaslighting them seemed more worthwhile than anyone else he'd met thus far! 

Now, a little less than halfway to Sith Lord (low), he was hoping to gain at least another 1,000LP or more during this mission. Using his credentials, he perused a CIS database to learn more about Vinsoth. 

Besides sitting on a nexus of trading routes, and a Separatist planet, it was also an incredibly important agri-world. Ruled by a boar-humanoid pig people who enslaved a grey skinned near-human race, it certainly fit the category endemic across CIS holdings. That is: ugly evil slaving alien overlord ruling over peace loving good looking near-humans. It was kind of depressing how comically evil most Separatist worlds were. 

Fortunately, this looked like the prime opportunity for a Lightside Sith to make his move! The generically evil boar people, the Chevin were a nomadic species. Despite all the technology they traded for, they roamed the grassy plains of Vinsoth with impunity. With seven major cities, and seven dictators, it was a somewhat interesting if not disgusting hunter gatherer culture. 

Meanwhile, the grey skinned Chev-a very original name for a different species-were much more numerous by an order of billions, worked the fields, and were educated to run all of the essential systems. 

It also just so happened that amongst those rich people at Jabba's party that tried to connect with him, was one of the seven leaders of Vinsoth. Havk'z was a Chevin whom Kaine had briefly interacted with, and hinted that he wouldn't mind using Kaine's skills to remove a rival. 

To Kaine, this looked like a prime opportunity to frame the Chevin as opportunistic traitors, and supplant them with a leader from the enslaved population. To a Lightside Sith, there would be no greater irony or enjoyment than to see the lowest caste of a society beat down upon their oppressors. This had the added benefit of one upping the Jedi in a game of morality. 

When that Republic fleet arrived above Vinsoth-something scheduled to occur sometime within the next 24hrs-there was a decent chance a Jedi General would come with it. Between him and Ventress, they could probably kill an average Jedi Knight. If Durge felt like moving his tentacle ass, then maybe they could fight a weak Master. But most Masters would be able to trounce them, that was just the truth. 

Knowing how a Jedi operated, Kaine wagered he could use a revolution of the oppressed to make the Republic forces stay their hand, or at the very least, stall things out long enough for the CIS relief fleet to arrive. 

Although Dooku's orders were to infiltrate the Republic fleet, the truth was, all Kaine had to do was hold the line, and prevent Vinsoth from falling into Republic hands. A General's orders were distant, whilst reality was in the present. If he followed the old man's decree to the letter every time he went out on a mission, that'd be a fast pass ticket straight to an early grave. 

With a little less than a day before the clones arrived, Kaine had little time to get things ready. 

Shaking as it entered real space, the Odachi smoothly skimmed into Vinsoth's upper atmosphere. 

Stepping out of his quarters, he met the gaze of a scowling Ventress who had also left her room. Ignoring her, he made for the cockpit. 

+1LP. 

A small satisfied smirk spread across his face during his short stroll. Once inside the cramped cockpit-an area about as large as the Millennium Falcon’s-he nodded at Durge. 

“Stealth drive nominal. Where to, Renstar?” Durge asked. 

“Take us down to Umalor, an old acquaintance is awaiting our arrival.” Kaine succinctly stated, then strapped himself into the copilot's chair. 

“Our mission was to infiltrate the Republic fleet.” Ventress said with a scowl. 

“My dear Dathomiri demoness, why don't you check the scanners, and say that again?” 

+1LP +1LP +1LP. 

Ventress silently stewed to herself, whilst Durge was listening to some punk-type of music full of guitar and loud alien screaming. 

“Don't act so glum, Ventress. The slaughter will start soon enough.” Kaine said, rolling his eyes as he was well aware of how murderhappy this psychotic girl truly was. 

Feeling how happy Durge was at those words, he could only sigh. Clad in his own ‘murderhobo’ Sith attire, were all of his companions destined to be so edgy? 

Shaking his head, he searched through his saved contacts, and then started a call. After a minute went by, the hologram of a thick skinned boar-man came into view. 

“Renstar, I didn't expect you to be our reinforcements.” Havk'z snorted like a pig at the trough as he spoke. His small beady black eyes narrowed, yet his oinks were full of excitement. “This is a perfect opportunity to cement my rule. The other leaders are gathering to discuss Vinsoth's defense. Kill them for me, and my promises to you shall stand.” 

Kaine slightly bowed. “Your ascension is nigh, my friend. It shall be as you say, by the end of the day, your rivals shall lie in a pool of their own blood.” 

“Oink, good, good! I look forward to seeing the look of surprise on their faces.” Havk'z beamed a tusk-filled smile, then cut the call. 

“Hahaha, as do I. As. Do. I.” Kaine chuckled to himself in a cold tone. 

“You plan on killing him too, don't you…why?” Ventress asked, cocking her head in confusion. 

“Because he is Sith.” Durge answered for him. 

Ventress bristled at this, unknowingly having her sore spot poked at, yet she grit her teeth, and stared at him, demanding further explanation. 

“Are you aware that there are two native populations on Vinsoth?” Kaine replied with a question of his own. 

“You don't mean to tell me you intend to free those wretched slaves, do you? During the cusp of a Republic invasion no less…this is suicide.” Ventress shook her head, and looked at him as if he were the most disgusting refuse at the bottom of a garbage pail.

Kaine replied with a small smile. Explaining that a moral victory against a Jedi was a viable path to victory wouldn't fly with this narrow-minded woman. So, he might as well double down on his faux outward persona as a cruel Sith. 

“Burgeoning with gratitude for granting their freedom, the grey skinned Chiv will willingly fight for our cause. Where before, their lives were to be tossed into the meat grinders of war, they shall become the most fearsome volunteers. Who better than a Sith shall teach these poor souls how to break their chains, to set themselves free?” 

“...” Ventress bowed her head in silence. 

For once, there was no hot retort, grinding of teeth, or swift gain of LP. Eventually, she raised her head, and spoke to him in a resolute tone. 

“Let's go butcher those pigs.” 

“I think I'm beginning to like this one, Renstar.” Durge remarked. 

Kaine met her blue eyes, and saw that beneath the veneer of an edge lord Sith wannabe was a girl yearning to do something meaningful with her life, someone confused, and searching for her way. 

Nodding his head, he gave her a genuine smile. 

“Durge, take us in.”

~~~~~~

AN: Ventress may be an emo brat with anger issues, but all she needs is a little character development, and a little love from the Big Red Machine.