Lightside Sith 025

Descending through Vinsoth's atmosphere, Kaine caught sight of countless plains full of tall grass, and an ever expanding farmland that seemed to go on for miles. Tens of thousands of grey-skinned near-human aliens were working the fields. 

In the Force, the Chev slaves felt extremely dull, or perhaps numb. As if their time spent in hard labor was all there was to their lives. Sitting just behind him, Ventress was tightly clenching her fists. For all her tall talk about being a true Sith, she was burning with rage at the sight below them. 

Up ahead was Umalor, one of only twelve permanent settlements on the entire planet. It was a shanty town looking place full of tall, dark wooden buildings. As they approached a spaceport full of grain transports constantly coming & going, he finally spotted some Chevin. 

The boar-people were full of dark bristles, long tusks, and thick snouts. They were short, but sturdy, about as thick as three men stacked on top of one another. Despite some fat, it was clear that these aliens were incredibly strong. Much like how the strongest men on Earth had some extra girth, these pigs were thick with muscle. Although they weren't close in strength to a Wookiee, Kaine figured they could go toe to toe with a Gamorrean. 

Once the Odachi landed, and they-Kaine, Durge & Ventress-stepped down the ramp, they were greeted by an honor guard of armed slaves. A dual use explosive/shock collar was fitted around each of their necks. Although they were kitted out with blasters, and colorful apparel, it was clear that armor or personal shields were lacking. 

Waiting for them at the end of the line was a Chevin sitting in a hover chair. His sharp bristles were poking into a female Chev who sat next to him. The girl was bleeding from several small needle-like pokes, but she didn't allow any pain or discomfort to show on her face as she brushed him down. 

“Renstar, my friend, you are just in time to plan Vinsoth's defense.” Havk'z oinked, and said in a dark, meaningful tone. “However, is it okay to go around with your chalk-skin unchained? I could give you a collar.” 

Ventress seemed like she was about to draw her lightsaber then and there, and Kaine was forced to embrace her from the side to stop her. She shot him a venomous look, but he shook his head, and whispered to her “soon.” 

“No need, mighty Havk'z! This one is already bound by me.” Kaine said, gesturing towards the cloth black neck piece she wore. 

+1LP 

“If you say so, Renstar. If you find yourself in need of any more pleasure companions, just say the word.” Havk'z said in a nonchalant tone, and gestured towards the honor guard. 

The men & women who he waved towards remained utterly stoic, not daring to retort, as if this were utterly normal. 

“The Republic forces are scheduled to arrive within the next 24hrs, whilst CIS reinforcements aren't projected for another 36 to 48. My apologies, but I am most eager to dispense with the pleasantries, and meet the other dictators of Vinsoth.” Kaine said with a pleasant, refreshing smile. 

“Oh yes, I too am eager to dispense with the pleasantries. I admire you Sith. Come then, Lord Renstar, I shall introduce you to them.” Havk'z then turned his hoverchair around, and began to float towards a giant domed building. 

Kaine eyed the filthy, dirt & mud pathed path, and sighed. Savages. With the income generated from selling agricultural products across the millennia, they'd rather live like illiterate Mongolians than Kings. The database even remarked that Chevin only wore clothes because no one else would trade with them if they appeared naked. At least they're better than Wookiee in that regard. 

“Why did you hold my hand?” Ventress angrily whispered. 

“Because I wanted to see how soft it was? I must ask, did no one educate you about lotion? Those calluses could grate a block of cheese.” Kaine said, shaking his head in disappointment as he followed after the pig. 

+1LP +1LP +1LP.

“You know what I mean, Renstar.” 

“Killing our way into that dome could be fun.” Durge added his own two cents. 

Kaine raised an eyebrow, and glanced back at the hulking armored Gen'Dai. 

“And kill these innocents?” Kaine asked, gesturing towards the honor guard. “Oh no, I have something much more fun in mind.” A deliciously evil smirk spread across his face, and he moved forward with a spring in his step. 

Ventress maintained her silence, whilst Durge crossed his arms in disappointment. 

Eventually reaching their destination, they entered a giant dome that formed a pit. It was sort of like a sports arena, except the ground floor was dug a little deep. At the bottom was a circular area covered in mud, sitting upon six thrones made out of this wet dirt were the Chevin that Kaine had decided to eliminate. At the center of this group was a circular holotable detailing troop positions, weapon platforms, and other logistics. 

Surrounding them on all sides was a hundred Chevin armed with heavy armor, powerful blasters, thick melee weapons, and personal shields. They were very clearly a step above the slave guards, and Kaine sensed a genuine threat of danger from them. 

“We must pack as many Chev as possible around the city's shields. Place the women and children at the front. Let the Republic show themselves to be the monsters that they are once they bombard Umalor.” A female Chevin oinked. 

“Yes, yes, record it, and spread it across the holonet.” A male Chevin bulging with muscles laughed. 

“Havk'z, why have you desecrated the sacred mudpit with a chalk-skin?” A grey furred boar questioned in a disgusted tone as he noticed their approach. 

“Brothers, and sisters, this is the champion who shall defend Vinsoth. Please, Lord Renstar, demonstrate your might.” Havk'z said in an excited tone. 

Ventress was quick to extend her crimson lightsaber, whilst Durge raised his blaster. 

“Deal with the guards first, then these seven shall be our playthings.” Kaine whispered to his companions, and then turned towards the council of dictators. “Greetings, piglets, you are in the presence of Lord Kaine Renstar. I command you to kneel.” 

The [Blood Etching] for [Malice] on his left gauntlet began to blaze a dark purple. This Sith rune which he rarely used was useful for resisting psychic attacks…but it also boosted his own Darkside aura! A potent cold stream filled the chamber. Those unaccustomed to such a thick Darkside presence felt their throats tighten, and their darkest fears, desires, and feelings amplified by 100. 

Although he didn't actually choke anyone, the sensation of cloying cold coated everyone like an ice water bath. Emotions artificially impacted, Havk'z was the first to lose his mind, and lunged at one of his fellow dictators with a vibroknife in hand. 

“Mine! Oink, mine! I am the King.” The burly boar-man declared as he stabbed his peer repeatedly. 

“You stole my mate, die!” A random guard drew his axe, and thwacked it deep into the skull of the guard standing next to him. 

Pandemonium broke out as the Chevin acted upon their greed, wrath, lust, pride, gluttony, and envy. Some of the more level headed Chevin resisted the influence, and tried to dd-escalate, but the damage had been done. Each dictator had brought 20 elite soldiers with them, and these soldiers were loyal only to their leader. With Havk'z leading the charge, everyone had started to turn on one another, and even if two or three dictators wanted to stop the fighting, it was simply impossible. 

Due to the high level of chaos, Kaine turned a potentially 3 vs 147 situation into a free for all madhouse. 

“You were right, Renstar, this is much more entertaining than storming the castle. This is why I chose to follow you.” Durge laughed in a murderous tone as he joined in on the fun. 

The large armored tentacle monster caught an axe with his hand, then lifted the offending mountain of fat & muscle up like he was a child. Then, using the Chevin's thick body as a shield, blocked several blaster bolts, and rammed him into several others. Breaking bones, ripping off tusks, and sticking the barrel of his shotgun slugthrower under one pig's chin, blowing its brains out. Remaining silent throughout the slaughter, the Gen'Dai's silver plate armor was coated in blood as he killed a dozen enemies in short succession. 

Ventress, meanwhile, shot Kaine a surprised look, then a strong competitive spirit gripped her heart, and she ran into the fray. Twin red lightsabers bursting into action, she beat down one energy shield after another. Dodging a stab, she diced an axe in half, then swept the Chevin's legs from under him, transforming the thick boar into a tree stump. 

Flipping over a stream of blaster bolts, she dove like a bird of prey, and slammed into a cluster of enemies. As soon as she landed, a shockwave pulsed out, knocking them over like bowling pins and disabling their shields. Twirling her twin blades, she chopped at more feet, creating an ever increasing pile of limbs, and howling Chevin. 

Kaine, meanwhile had ignited his singular lightsaber, and was calmly deflecting any laser that came his way. Instead of focusing on killing or maiming the enemy, he was looking to farm LP. Feeling upon the surface thoughts of the pig in front of him-something he could only really do, due to the Darkside pollution-he smirked. 

“Your impotence isn't why your wife left you, it was because your sister can provide her the love you cannot.” Kaine revealed the truth to one boar, casually parrying back blaster shots until its shield broke. Deflecting a blast into its knee, Kaine stood over the Chevin, and clicked his tongue. “You'll have to live with that dishonor.” 

As he turned away to find his next victim, a +5LP floated up in the corner of his eye. 

Approaching a pair of furiously dueling Chevin who were trying to kill one another, Kaine had a cup of tea in one hand, and using [Telekenesis], pried them apart. “You had best watch yourself, otherwise the ‘grey skin’ is going to turn you into a stump.” 

They snorted, eyed one another with hatred, then suddenly lunged at him. Taking a sip, he stared them down dispassionately, as if they were nothing more than fish on the chopping block. Seconds before they were about to close, Ventress swooped down, and removed their legs, forcing them to fall flat on their faces at his feet. 

“That's 24.” Ventress said with pride. 

“I'd offer you my applause, m'dear, but as you can see, I am rather, mm, occupied.” Kaine replied, taking a sip of his tea, he parried another blaster bolt from behind his head without looking back. “Besides, if one were to count truthfully, those were simply assists on your part.” 

Ventress began to breathe heavily, a hot retort was on the tip of her tongue, when a trio of jetpack wearing hogs bumrushed her at high speeds. 

“Die, chalk-skin!” The lead hog declared, and unleashed a barrage of missiles. 

She was about to wave her hand, but Kaine was a beat faster. Flicking his finger, the missiles reversed course, and were returned to the sender in a fiery explosion. Shields breaking upon impact, and armor slightly singed, they maintained their flight trajectory, rapidly closing the distance. 

“Stay out of my way!” Ventress scowled, turning to meet them. 

Kaine sipped his tea, then curled his pinky. The vent on one of the jetpacks bent, forcing the rocket hog to the left, colliding with his teammates. Locked together in a ball, and wailing like pigs, Kaine quick swapped out his tea for a blaster. Nailing the fuel line, he calmly watched on as the trio burst into flames. 

Covered in mud, soot and rolling backwards, Ventress glared at him with all her hatred. 

“Oh, don't mind me, I simply couldn't stand the insults directed your way. People call me Big Red Machine, whilst chalk-skin is so passé. Perhaps a nickname is in order?” Kaine suggested, his eyes hovering at her bald head. 

“Don't. You. Dare.” Ventress hissed. 

+5LP +5LP +5LP. 

“You're right. Mistress Murder is much too dark. Super V much too childish. Personally, I'm partial towards Witch Queen, but someone insists they're not partial towards magic.” Kaine said, tapping his chin in thought. 

During this ‘thought provoking’ conversation, he cut down a few more enemies, fighting side by side with Ventress, much to her disgust. Durge, meanwhile, had turned into a fleshy tentacle monster, and was having the time of his life stomping the boars out. 

“Fine.” She said in a quiet voice. “It's obvious you're interested in me. I'll indulge you just this once. Just don't regret it.” She said in a sultry, dangerous tone. 

“Oink, we did it, I'm now the king!” Havk'z declared, standing above the corpses of all the other dictators. 

Kaine took a snapshot of the pig-man's triumph, and slow-clapped. “Congratulations, now. How about you give me the codes to the slave collars. If I am to defend Vinsoth, I'll need to be able to execute the traitors, right?” 

“Right you are, Lord Renstar! I'll transfer the codes to you now.” Havk'z oinked excitedly as he rummaged through the bloody corpses of his former rivals. 

Tapping away, he sent the codes, and a second later, Kaine received them on his dataslate. Smiling to himself, he began to operate the central console. “Well, Your Majesty, how about we make an announcement to the world. I'd bet you're dying to get your message across.” Kaine said with a sinister smile. 

As the planet-wide call was about to connect, Kaine felt ecstatic. He was about to farm so much LP!