Theirs Not To Reason Why

[Darth Kraves]

During those moments walking through the station with the boy, Kraves felt the proximity between the two gradually increasing, reaching what seemed to be the beginning of a good friendship. Although the two had never seen each other before that day, it seemed that they already knew each other a lot more time.

Anyway, it was time to leave. They both boarded the ship after talking to the pilot. Kraves got into the ship, spoke to the pilot for a few minutes, and sat in the back as the pilot started the engines in the main cabin. He took his backpack off his back and opened it. From there, he removed respirators, masks, and some clothes, in addition to his helmet.

" I'm going to change and recommend that you get your things ready."

Kraves quickly shifted, removing those more casual clothes and returning with his black suit. Meanwhile the pilot was taking off with the ship, preparing to leave the station.

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

And so it was that they embarked, taking their first steps toward Belkadan.

At Kraves' instruction the boy set about gathering up what they would be needing, or more specifically what he would be needing, while the man changed and the pilot guided the transporter out of the space station. For his own part the boy had just a few things to tend to, mostly just donning the black robes which marked his position and carefully laying out the electroblade. No sense in wearing that until they were closer to their destination. Beside it he set down one of the respirators and masks.

He was a simple little thing, the boy who sat there afterward staring at the belongings, with barely anything to his name. Yet somehow he made it work.

Removing the sandwiches, drinks, and snacks from the bag, he divvied them up and made sure that the man got a little more than he did. After all he was older, and thus larger, which meant he required more sustenance. Then, and only then, he pulled out both the book he had been studying back on the station and his pocket-dictionary and began to read, glancing over to the latter whenever he was stuck on a particular word or phrase.

After all, with Kraves off getting changed there wasn't very much else to do.

[member="Darth Kraves"]

 

[Darth Kraves]

After getting ready to pick up his things, Kraves sat down to eat with the boy. The food was good and was enough. As the boy read and the ship headed for Belkadan, Kraves just sat down, closed his eyes and meditated.

During the journey he remained silent, just waiting for arrival at the destination, while connecting with the force. And again, for reasons he did not even understand, he saw potential in that boy.

The trip would not be long, and they should be arriving in Belkadan in no time. Kraves interrupted his meditation, stood up and adjusted his mask and respirator, preparing for the eminent arrival.

Besides the essentials, he did not carry many things with him. Only the basics were enough for him. From the cabin the pilot warned that they were near the end of the trip.

"So boy, are you ready?"

 

[Darth Kraves]

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

So engrossed was he in the book that he didn't notice that Kraves was finished and eating to begin with.

When he did notice, however, his stomach grumbled and betrayed his earlier statement about being able to last without. While he could, his body had become more adjusted to steady meals. Heartier meals. His Master was good to him, after all, and even if he hadn't been Odona seemed to want to circumvent him at all cost anyway. Constantly finding ways to sneak him a snack or a treat.

The sandwich was eaten in record time, the boy had always had to rush his meals due to how little time he'd be given to eat them during his days as a slave, and then his attention returned to the book while Kraves meditated. Perhaps Thesh should have done the same, but he figured that catching up on his education was a more productive use of his time right now. He could learn the more spiritual side of things another time.

He did not know how much time passed before he was forced to put down the book, but he had read it through entirely and was on his second read. Glancing up from the book, and closing it over his finger until he could refind the sheet of flimsiplast he usually used to mark his place, he gave a short nod in response to Kraves.

"Yessum, I'm ready."

Flimsiplast acquired, and books returned to their place either on the chair or in his robes, he finally reached down to pick up his electroblade and set it to his back. Then came the rebreather, which they'd no doubt be needing almost as soon as they touched ground.

While Belkadan's air wouldn't immediately damage you, it was still unpleasant and prolonged exposure? Well, that wasn't something Thesh ever wanted to experience again.

[member="Darth Kraves"]

 

[Darth Kraves]

Kraves told the pilot to wait for them to return. He put the backpack on, leaving only his helmet behind. After being ready they descended from the ship, where Kraves would have his first contact with Belkadan and his visibly unpleasant atmosphere, despite the rebreathers.

The ship's door slowly closed behind them, while Kraves stood to decide which direction to follow. Although it was his first time in Belkadan, his first impression of the place was not so good, although the spirit of adventure motivated him. After all, in the end Kraves was visibly anxious for what they could find there.

"It's my first time here boy, so could you give me the directions?"

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

"Where are we headed?" he asked, once they had disembarked the transporter and Kraves asked for him to lead the way.

Truth be told the little guy wasn't certain of their goal here. He knew they were hunting something, but what exactly that was the boy did not know. Nor where it was. When he'd last been on this planet they had been mostly kept within a compound and its grounds, used for experimentation purposes. Outside of that?

Well... Kraves' guess was as good as his.

"I have... This..." he said, pulling a small datapad from his pocket which was already rigged up with navigational capabilities, "If you know the general location, you can use it?"

He passed it across to the older Acolyte, as they began to venture away from the ship they'd arrived on.

With the rebreather in place he found it much easier to move and breathe than it had been last time, though the air still stank like sulfur and methane and that was extremely unpleasant.

[member="Darth Kraves"]

 

[Darth Kraves]

"The truth is, I got the information that I could find a sith holocron here. I could not get a lot of solid information, actually I knew that this holocron would be in a kind of construction. not much information but if you have no idea, maybe I can locate nodatapad. "

As he spoke to the boy, Kraves was looking at him, trying to locate himself better before taking a turn. Although he did not know the place, he had the little information given to him, the boy and the datapad to help guide him.

Kraves did not seem to be concerned about that. In the background he knew he would find the place soon, one way or another, but time could be an enemy. He did not know who else had gotten this information, or even if the holocron really existed. Deep down, he was guided only by the force and his confidence.

 

[Darth Kraves]

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

Maybe it was the compound, then. After all that was where the Sith had been centered on, and though he couldn't speak for the rest of the world it seemed like a larger hub not just for the beast of a man who had tormented them but also a larger network of darksiders too.

"One second," the boy mumbled, as he turned the datapad around and began to use it to locate the compound. He knew the coordinates like his given name, they were so ingrained within his mind, so after just a few moments the datapad began to flash and show the general direction they needed to head in.

"This way," he said, gesturing due north from their current location and setting off as though he knew what he was doing. It was odd for him to take the lead like that, but Kraves was correct in that the boy definitely knew more about the world between the two of them.

That and he was the one holding the datapad.

"If your holocron is going to be anywhere," he said, glancing back over his shoulder at the man, "it'll be there."

[member="Darth Kraves"]

 

[Darth Kraves]

"Well then, let's go in that direction then."

Kraves looked at the boy with approval. Once again he proved to be useful and showed potential. Now the two followed the directions of the datapad, searching for a possible treasure on that horrible planet .

"Go ahead with the datapad leading the way boy. Now let's go." Even with the rebreathers, some of the horrible smell in the air could be felt by Kraves. That was horrible. He wondered how anyone could live in that place.

As they walked, he paid close attention to his surroundings, curious, watching that place that for him was completely new, after all he had never been before. After all, he felt that focus would be needed now. They were behind something important, and despite the quiet journey so far, Kraves felt there was danger coming .

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

Leading the way with a slight skip in his step, the boy soon realized that he recognized their surroundings even without the datapad.

Without saying anything to Kraves about it, he simply pocketed the datapad and continued on without reference. His sense of direction was actually above average, nobody cared really if a slave was missing, nobody gave them fancy technology to navigate with when they were sent out on errands, no. They either found their way, or they perished amidst the wastes. And on a world such as this, being outside and away from the air conditioned facility was very much a death wish.

He recalled the one time he had truly gotten lost, back on Bastion, though that time had been his own stupid fault for not paying attention to anything more than the ground. Besides, it had worked out well enough in the end.

The two trekked without much in the way of conversation, and nothing hindered their approach. Soon enough the compound loomed in the distance though the mere sight of it had the boy stumble to a halt. He swallowed, and for the first time since meeting Kraves he showed the yellow-bellied craven side to himself.

It was clear he had emotional ties to this place.

Even though it lingered on the horizon, barely more than a blip in their eyes, he struggled to force his feet to move. One hand lifted, gesturing across to it, and then quite unexpectedly the boy shifted himself to stand behind Kraves. His heart rate was off the charts, skin clammy and pale though his cheeks were flushed.

"If it's anywhere," the boy managed to choke out, voice tense, "It's there..."

But there was the stuff of nightmares for the boy.

There had been where some of his darker days had been spent.

There was where his sensitivity had first been discovered, after weeks of torment, when the testing was shifted from the boy himself to those around him.

When he'd been forced to participate.

It hadn't struck him until that moment, until he saw it, that he'd have to walk back through the haunting compound. Thankfully the beast who had led the operation was dead, but did that necessarily mean the place was empty? Thesh did not know.

[member="Darth Kraves"]

 

[Darth Kraves]

Kraves saw the complex far away on the horizon and he was sure that was where he should go.The place seemed abandoned at first sight, but it was better to stay tuned there.

He noticed the boy's sudden nervousness. It was apparent that the boy had a past in that place and apparently his memories from there were not good.

Kraves knew that whatever it was, the boy should get over it. He could not let that upset his mission, but he cared about the boy, too. Kraves decided to stop for a few minutes to give the boy time to calm down.

"What happened to you there?"

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

Though he had not intended to hold up the mission, not truly, he was met with a few minutes of respite through which to clear his mind and put his fears back into containers in his mind. He kept Kraves between himself and his line of sight to the compound on the horizon, and when the man asked his question for a moment there he said nothing.

He simply stared at a spot on the man's armour.

Of course he could not stay silent for long. Not only was Kraves his superior in this situation, fellow Acolyte or not, he was also swift becoming someone the boy considered a friend. Whether that was reciprocated or not remained to be seen, but the fact that he gave him time to calm down spoke volumes.

"Experiments," the boy finally said, not daring to meet the man's gaze, "Horrid experiments. And, when they realized I was... Sensitive?" That was the term, right? "That I could use the Force, they made me join in."

It likely seemed like nothing to most Sith, who were used to treating those beneath them like very little, like objects in some cases, animals to use as they pleased, but for a boy who had grown up on the receiving end of that poor treatment? Well, it was harrowing to say the least.

"C-Come on," he stammered, before he was made to explain himself any further. Without waiting he pushed on, though he kept his head low to avoid looking at the structure. They'd be losing light soon, after all, and he'd rather not explore that place when night fell.

[member="Darth Kraves"]

 

[Darth Kraves]

Kraves remained silent. He just looked at the boy. In a way he could not understand it. Kraves never went through experiments or something, although his experience with other sith had not been the best.

Being a Sith was not easy for anyone, but that was the price to pay for power.

"This is the price of power and knowledge, boy, pain and suffering, it's good to get used to it if you want to be a true sith."

Kraves spoke with a serious tone and a certain coldness, nevertheless, spoke the truth. Kraves realized that the boy did not like to talk about it, so he did not ask any more questions. They both continued on their way to the complex, a little more in a hurry because they had little time for sunshine

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

______________________________________________________________​

​

Belkadan, The Outer Rim Territories // The Sith Compound​

Venturing Into The Compound // With [member="Darth Kraves"]​

♫ // Buried Underground​

But I'll Keep Coming​

______________________________________________________________​

​

​

Thesh decided that he had suffered enough for his position.

That one choice flicked a switch within his mind, and all at once his shoulders straightened and his head lifted. Just because a place held darkened memories did not mean that it was somewhere that could still oppress him. He'd done his time here, he'd survived it, surely that was something to keep in mind, to be proud of. He set his jaw, gave a sharp nod of his head... And then he pressed on.

As with before he took the lead, knowing the best path to take through their swampy surroundings in order to avoid sinking into marshland. He'd once watched a child disappear right beneath it, the whole process taking little more than a couple of seconds. It had been horrifying, and since that day he'd taken special note of the drier ground.

The sun was descending when they came upon those great gates which had been made to keep things in just as much as it had to keep them out. They were slightly ajar, and this added to the somewhat decrepit look of the place made him believe that it had been abandoned following the old Sith's demise.

"We shouldn't find anyone inside," the boy informed his companion, "Though droids may still roam the halls."

In fact, as they approached the main door, up a few steps, he could hear the whirring of metal constructs within, echoing through the otherwise silent halls.

Thesh drew his blade in anticipation, looking to his side where the man stood.

And then, without waiting to see if the man was ready, without voicing anything else, he stepped into the inky black abyss beyond.

 

[Darth Kraves]

Kraves noticed the confusion in the boy's mind, but he seemed to be trying to control his fears, which he should do, otherwise he would be threatening the mission.

"Fear can be a powerful ally of a sith. A sith uses the fear of others in the first place, and fear of death, if properly used, will give you strength. You must control and channel your fear. "

The boy got up and headed the way again. Kraves continued to follow the boy on the way to the complex. Thesh clearly knew the place well. The two continued advancing until they reached the entrance to the complex . Sounds of droids could be heard as the boy had already alerted.

Before Kraves did or said something, Thesh took his vibroblade and entered the dark place. Kraves was somewhat surprised. He knew that the boy had spent awful moments of his past there, but now, he seemed to be seeking to overcome his traumas and fears. That was certainly a good thing. Anyway, apparently they would have to go into combat now, which in a way inspired Kraves.

He was eager to see the boy in combat. Kraves, without saying a word, picked up and turned on his lightsaber, and then entered the place just behind Thesh, ready for combat.

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

______________________________________________________________​

​

Belkadan, The Outer Rim Territories // The Sith Compound​

Venturing Into The Compound // With [member="Darth Kraves"]​

♫ // Buried Underground​

But I'll Keep Coming​

______________________________________________________________​

​

​

That inky black void began to wane as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

In the distance the glimmer of photoreceptors cast the dimmest of lights; from where he was standing he could count only three droids, and reaching out with the Force he couldn't distinguish any extra in their immediate vicinity. He tried to recall how many had made their patrols back in the day, usually going in pairs.

That at least one was missing was odd. Perhaps a good sign for the two of them, however, as maybe some had gotten loose. It could also be a bad sign, of course, because it could mean that the prize Kraves sought was long gone.

"Three," he whispered under his breath, to the man who had caught up with him. The metal constructs stomped through the hall, currently oblivious to the two of them, one a pair the other solo. In the glowering light of Kraves' lightsaber, which had lit the place up in a ghastly red hue and marked the man's appearance in the room, he gestured to the droid who walked alone, set apart from the other two. They seemed to be making staggered loops.

No more words were said as the boy slowly crept forward, the pair of droids having disappeared around the corner while the solo one came back into view. Another gesture suggested that they make their move, and without waiting for Kraves the boy rushed forward, feet surprisingly quiet on the somewhat mossy-covered ground. He brandished his blade, and as he neared with the weapon humming, and Kraves' lightsaber glowing, the droid turned to face them and raised its arm which featured a built-in blaster.

At the last moment Thesh slid down, ducking low to avoid any potential blaster fire and opening the droid up to an attack from below. This also gave Kraves a more obvious opening, should he choose to take it, and as the one with the lightsaber he'd have the easier time deflecting the bolts.

If he knew how, of course.

 

[Darth Kraves]

Kraves and the boy entered the dark place, only to be illuminated by the light of Kraves saber. After sighting 3 droids the boy was smart and acted fast. They eventually attracted one of the droids alone, when the boy quickly set off into a very direct confrontation.

Kraves was somewhat impressed. The boy's speed of thought and action in that situation had been very good, all the more so considering the emotional charge that place brought him. Kraves grew more and more curious to watch him more in action.

The boy slid quickly to dodge possible shots fired by the droid while catching up on a lead. Kraves was right on the firing line, though he was prepared for any action from the droid. As expected, he opened fire and Kraves deflected each of his shots, one by one, with quick, precise, and somehow elegant movement, plus some ease. Kraves was adept of a not so much used style of combat, the Makashi, or Form 2 of combat, as it was also called mainly by the Jedi. His posture was precise and elegant, not wasting energy in unnecessary movements. A watchful eye could identify his fighting style, not only by his posture but also by the curved grip of his saber. With each deflected shot, he approached more of the droid until he was close enough to strike a direct blow with his saber. Quickly and accurately, Kraves struck a direct blow right into the middle of the droid, intending to disable it once and for all. Kraves struck quickly and elegantly, but with the rage and emotion of a sith, clear in his eyes.

"There are still two more"

[member="Thesh"]

 

[Lief]

______________________________________________________________​

​

Belkadan, The Outer Rim Territories // The Sith Compound​

Combating Droids // With [member="Darth Kraves"]​

♫ // Buried Underground​

But I'll Keep Coming​

______________________________________________________________​

​

​

Though they had managed to set up the first attack to be more of an ambush, which had admittedly gone much better than even Thesh had anticipated when he ran headlong into that fight, he knew that the same tactic could not work for the patrolling pair.

As Kraves redirected a couple of the blaster bolts, and moved close enough in range that he could strike the droid, the sound of heavy footsteps and old, whirring machinery rang through the hall. Sparks flew through the air as the droid crumpled under the blow of Kraves' blade, during which time the boy found his feet and fought to catch his breath.

He gave a nod to Kraves' statement, drawing back ever so slightly from the path of the droids in order to better assess the situation. One of the droids looked in better shape than the other, though both were rather run down. Water dripped from the ceiling, no doubt aiding in the rusting process of the cheaply purchased droids. Thesh knew the man who had run this place, no doubt he'd wanted to spare the expense in order to afford new toys to play with.

"Which do you want?" he mumbled, softly enough that Kraves could hear but hopefully the droids would not. Still they stomped closer, and closer, as they neared their fallen kin'.

This time he didn't simply rush in, one false move and he'd be toast, even if Kraves was able to stave off any attack centered on his own person.