Into a Galaxy at War (Sith Warrior Edition)

Spike took a speeder taxi towards the Tomb of Marka Ragnos, and noticed a lot of men going crazy. He walked up to a panicking soldier and asked, "What the fuck is happening here!?"

The soldier yelped and cowered before seeing who Spike was, "Oh, it's just an acolyte. Sorry about that. All the men who were sent into the tomb have gone mad! It doesn't seem to affect the acolytes, but every soldier that goes anywhere near the tombs goes insane!"

Spike sighed, "Don't you idiots know that the Tomb of Marka Ragnos is protected by strong Dark side rituals? Only those who are strong in the Force can withstand such dark energy. I'll go in and see if I can rescue any of the soldiers that haven't gone mad." Unfortunately, there were no soldiers that were still sane, so Spike went into the tomb. When he got there, he saw the chamber that he needed to go in. When Spike sat in between the two blue touches, he meditated until he heard a rumbling sound.

Out of the wall behind him emerged a massive beast. "Have at you demon!" before jumping at it with his warblade. The beast smacked him away as he jumped, but Spike focused the Dark side into his sword and tried again. The beast seemed confused, looking around as if it couldn't see Spike. Spike took this advantage and slashed the monster's eyes, so it really couldn't see. The beast thrashed around in pain and confusion before the ceiling crashed down on it. Spike jumped out of the way as the ceiling collapsed on the beast, and then cut it's neck open when it was covered in rubble. "Mission accomplished. I should head back to Tremel now."

Before Spike could get to Tremel's office, Dolgus stopped him, "Hey there, remember me?"

Spike growled, "Of course, Vemrin's little pet Kowakian monkey-lizard."

Dolgus growled back, "Well, at least you remember me, it's good to know the face of your killer. Notice anything? No witnesses. No witnesses means no rules. No more warnings, no more shortcuts, you're just going to be another dead failure on Korriban."

Before Dolgus could attack, Spike held out his hand, choking the life out of Dolgus. "You pitiful excuse for an acolyte. I could just as easily break your neck. But my blade needs some fresh blood." when he let go of the weakened Dolgus, he slashed his blade against his chest, killing him.

When Spike arrived in his office, Tremel quickly told him, "There's not much time acolyte. I may have made a slight miscalculation. The Beast of Marka Ragnos was a source of dark energy here on Korriban. When it was slayed, there was a tremor in the Force. Darth Baras felt that tremor, and has become aware of you. He demands an audience."

Spike gulped, "Tell me what to expect overseer."

Tremel warned him, "Baras is a serious man, but a master of deception. Everything he says and does is calculated. He will try to trip you up, get to the heart of who you are. Always take everything he says seriously, and I mean always. Go, meet Darth Baras in his chamber, and hurry, he won't take kind to waiting."

When Spike arrived at Baras's office, some other acolytes were waiting, "One of them said, "Hey, are you the one who's been summoned by Darth Baras?"

Spike nodded, "Yes, and you are?"

The girl said, "Tino! Pardon my over-eager friend, it's just we've heard so much about you."

Tino continued, "And we want to get in good with you."

The girl sighed, "Sorry about him. But yes, we'd like to acquaint ourselves with you. If you need anyone, say, dealt with, we'd like you to consider us."

"She's talking about Vemrin, we'll kill him for you."

Spike smirked, "Well, I wouldn't be upset if Vemrin turned up dead while I have an alibi. It's a deal.. As they left, Spike saw Baras giving instructions to other acolytes.

As the acolytes left, one of them said, "Look here Vemrin, I see the upstart, but no sign of Dolgus."

Baras dismissed them once more, and Vemrin sneered at Spike, "I underestimated you sending Dolgus, it will not happen again."

Baras asked Spike, "Are you having problems with Acolyte Vemrin supplicant?"

Spike shook his head, "No my lord."

"He's very capable of backing up his threats. Vemrin has paid his dues, he's fought against a deck to get here, you on the other hand. Let me see." Baras looked over Spike and nodded, "Overseer Tremel has done you and the Sith Academy a great disservice. Your warblade came early, prisoners flown in for your convenience, even a beast here on Korriban instead of off world in the wild. The first months of training should be dedicated to philosophy, conceptual tactics and understanding of the Sith code. Recite the Sith code for me, and explain its meaning in battle, war, and politics."

Spike growled, "The only code I need is kill or be killed."

Baras sighed, "Your ability is undeniable, but your understanding of the way of the Sith is lacking. I am your master now. Tremel was becoming a liability before you ever showed up. He refuses to adapt to the evolution of the Empire. These are the actions of a traitor, and traitors are executed. Return to his chambers and kill him. Bring me his hand as proof."

"Yes my lord." Spike agreed before bowing and heading back to Tremel

When Tremel saw Spike, he asked, "I didn't expect to see you back so soon. Has Baras returned you to me?"

Spike sighed, "Unfortunately, he wants you to die."

"Then I have been outplayed. Baras has the authority, but I never expected this. Either I die, or he forces me to kill you and destroy my own plan. Very well, you have your orders. Know that this hurts me more than it hurts you." Spike attacked first, choking Tremel until he broke free and attacked. In a matter of five minutes, Tremel was on his knees. "No, I'm amazed. I knew you were strong in the Force, but not like this. You're more than ready. I die knowing my success."

Spike shook his head, "All I need is your hand"

Tremel was confused, but quickly understood, "Baras wants my hand? Proof of my death? I don't want your pity acolyte, just kill me, don't disobey orders, especially ones that come from a Dark Lord of the Sith."

Spike sighed, "I will not kill you, I want you to be my ally later down the line."

Tremel smiled lightly and said, "Very well, here." before wincing in pain as he cut off his own hand. "For now, I work from the shadows. Good luck acolyte. The purity of the Sith, lies with you."

When Spike returned with Tremel's hand, Baras said, "Ah, the supplicant returns, and with a bloodied weapon. I assume this means Tremel is no more. Give me his hand." When Spike gave Baras the overseer's hand, he took a ring off it and gave it to Spike, "Here, take this one ring as a momentum. Reminding one's self of victory can enhance the spirit and bolster the body. I'm surprised you had the courage to destroy him, he thought of you like family. How did it feel?"

"I did what was needed." Spike replied plainly.

Baras chuckled, "You hide your emotions well, as long as you don't bottle them up too much. By destroying Tremel, you have taken your first step into understanding the Sith Code. Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, we gain strength. Through strength, we gain power. Through power, we gain victory. And through victory, our chains our broken. The Force shall set us free. By embracing the code you have broken out of Tremel's shackles and escaped his fate."

"It is a pleasure to be free of Tremel my lord."

Baras continued, "Now, onto your next task. In the Tomb of Tulak Hord, there are shards of ancient texts. Bring me these shards to continue your training. If you fail, you will die. Vemrin and my other acolytes have already gone to the tombs, and there are no rules as to how they obtain the shards. You are dismissed."

"As you say my lord." Spike said before going out of the academy and towards the Tomb of Tulak Hord