Loyalty Above All Else

[Clovis Torcularis]

I returned to First Order held space, arriving to one of the many facilities on the capital world, after spending some time with the One Sith. Upon disembarking from my own personal craft, which I must say is a relief to have, one of the deck officers in the hanger jogged up to me holding a datapad in his hand. "Welcome home, Disciple. This is for you," he said handing me the device, then abruptly departed before I could drop a round of questions at his feet.

I looked at the datapad, intrigued what context was hidden inside. I turned it over in my hands trying to see if there was some sign of who sent this to me. I noticed that some of the Sith Lords and Knights like to adopt their own personal symbols, letting those that receive a datapad that it is coming directly from them. This datapad was absent of any special symbols for the exception of the First Order's emblem burned onto it.

I left the hanger bay, making my way to a secluded area. Unsure what the message could pertain, I wasn't about to let other ears hear it. I sat down in the grove outside the Knights of Ren's main training facility, the Citadel, quickly tapping in my personal code to unlock it. At first there was nothing. Then before my eyes, an image of one of the Masters of Ren appeared. He was a dark skinned gentleman, whom I never met personally but seen plenty of times observing the training of us Disciples.

The holoimage spoke only a few words, but I got the message. I was to meet this Master near the hills where it and the creeping forest met. The image's features never changed, but the sounding voice was enough to make me feel that I had done something wrong. Putting the datapad away, I leaned back against one of the trees trying to contemplate what that was. Then it hit me. I'm a member of the First Order and Knights of Ren, yet I had been spending to much time with the One Sith. Granted they were our allies, but the question that I got from this Master was "Whose loyalty do you owe."


[member="Cameron Centurion"]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

A lone figure stepped out of the shadows as [member="Clovis Torcularis"] arrived. Brilliant silver-green eyes were the only thing visible against the veil of darkness that had consumed most of his facial features beneath the hood of his dark blue and gray cloak. For several moments, the large Master of Ren was silent, allowing the Force to whisper to him softly about the Disciple before him.

After a number of long minutes, Cameron gave air to his deep voice. "You are foolish, Disciple. You execute your personal affairs with the carelessness of a child."

A pause.

"Were you already a Knight of Ren, you would be dead. Take no comfort in the reality of your current state of health. I do not suffer fools or children among the Disciples of the Beyond, either. I give you this one opportunity to explain your actions as a kindness. Respect it as the rare treasure it is."

 

[Clovis Torcularis]

I mentally whispered to myself. I was in trouble and rightfully so. I could understand where the others might view my loyalty as something along the lines of sketchy at best. I knew, just as this Master of Ren knew, that I had spent way to much time among the One Sith. But in my defense, there were no signs visable or otherwise that I had been corrupted by them. Well, there was the quest for knowledge, not power.

Picking my words carefully, and laying my weapon on the ground to show my respect for this Master, I said, "I will not make excuses or apologies for my actions. I spent time among the Sith to better understand the nature of the Sith. I'm no Dark Jedi nor would I ever allow myself to be labeled as such. But it was all for knowledge. I want to be a complete Darksider, not one who only learns one half of the truth, but if I offended you and the Order, for that I apologize and will accept any punishment forthcoming."

With my left foot, I gently nudged my weapon toward the dark-skinned Master quickly adding, "And to clear the air of concern for everyone, I'm no spy or traitor. If accusations of that are tied to me, then I will fight to the death to clear my self of those accusations. It was the First Order that saved me, trained me, and gave me a second chance at life. For that, there is nothing in the galaxy that could ever make me turn my back on you, or them."

[member="Cameron Centurion"]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron offered [member="Clovis Torcularis"] little more than a derisive snort. If the young Disciple had actually upheld his declaration not to offer excuse or apology, Cameron might have accepted it. However, Clovis clearly intended to make all kinds of statements that sounded an awful lot like a combination of both.

The Master of Ren detested the inability to stay true to one's word.

"The air of concern? You truly think that myself, the Knights of Ren, or the First Order were concerned about your loyalties?" A deep, rumbling laughter erupted from the very core of Cameron's being. "I see your time among the One Sith has not seen you truly returning with any increased knowledge or skill. No, my very young Disciple. The issue at hand is not your loyalty...of course we have that, it is what we take from you in exchange for your continued life."

Stepping slightly past Clovis, Cameron shook his head slightly. "The concern was the moronic method in which you executed your affairs. However, now that I've spoken to you, I can honestly say your actions pale in idiocy to your motivations." Abruptly, Cameron turned to regard the Disciple, silver-green eyes gazing intently downward. "What do you know of the truth of the dark side or the Force for that matter? Are you a skilled practitioner masquerading as a novice? Have you designed any element of the training offered to those seeking to become a Knight of Ren? Your casual free time among the Sith will grant you nothing. To walk the road of the Ancient Sith, to learn the secrets of their arcane magic is a life-long pursuit. It is not one that can be executed part-time with some vague belief you are making yourself more...complete. Trust me." Cameron could guarantee that he knew more about it than Clovis could ever hope to learn, but that wasn't the point. By the young man's actions, he'd demonstrated himself to be a student that Lord Ashmedai would never undertake.

Clasping his hands behind his back, Cameron inhaled deeply. "You are a mere Disciple. It is not yet your choice or place to make determinations as to what is and is not important for you to learn. Should you survive to become a Knight of Ren, then we can discuss your...expansion to other sects of the Force. Who have you learned from among the Sith?" If Cameron knew not of them, they were undoubtedly worthless.