Return of the Sith

[Kuhblam]

Virgil listened to the tale as told by Doviculous, all the while studying the ever silent vigil being displayed by the Noghri. Both deep yellow eyes stared at the pig-nosed alien and connected him with the story being relayed to his ears.

And then he laughed under his breath, a few solid chuckles occupying the breath from his lungs as he spoke again to Doviculous.

"Killed the inner beast? So the swine has mastered his desire for food is what you are telling me..."

The tale was partly laughable and partly interesting. On one hand, there was the Noghri who had been unable to handle the strains of the Sith Order. He had left, tried to make it out on his own, before he had realized that the hunger within him was insatiable and that the only way to resolve it was by returning to the Sith. Korriban had a way of doing that to people; it drew them back in once they departed from its red sand valleys, lured former tenants with dreams of glory and knowledge and power. At the same time, he also laughed at him not just because he had been unable to stay away from his perspective, but because he had been exiled from the Sith Temple. And by Darth Renata? The Dark Lady was as elusive as a live Jedi in the Inner Sanctum, or as common as an albino gundark living amongst the concrete jungle that was Coruscant. This was a tale he would need to hear in fullness for his own amusement.

However, at the same time, his interest peaked. Here was a being, none the less a putrid alien who would amount to little more than nerf manure, who had found the courage and humility to admit his wrongs and return under threat of death. Whether it was stupidity or bravado to be applauded, he had no idea. However, it was worthy of commendation as he would not have pulled the same stunt. Living on one's own with knowledge of the Temple's location usually signaled the arrival of an assassin at one's doorstep. To make such a decision and then return without blessing was death incarnate, and he wished no part in it. For an alien in an Empire where humans were the dominant species, and rightly so, the odds were less than favorable if not downright horrible. In any rate, this Cho Wroth had Virgil's thoughts on both sides of the coin. For the moment, however, he was preoccupied simply taking in the matter of the situation.

He turned his attention back towards Doviculous, who was asking him why he was present in the crowd. Arms still crossed, he remained standing next to his would-be ally as he spoke. His eyes continued to lock with Cho in between the weave of other figures in eyesight.

"I saw the crowd gathering in the distance and it intrigued me. There was nothing for me to sense as this entire Temple reeks of dark energy."

This time, he spoke to Cho at full volume as opposed to the hushed speaking he had used before.

"Do you simply not care about what happens to you? Or did you return out of foolishness, thinking the Lords would grant you asylum? You are about to stare down a pale horse and you don't even realize it."

[Meira]

Thin fingers tapped against the smooth wood of the desk as ice blue eyes watched the holoscreen. The screen had come to life with a soft ping, ping, indicating the possibility of a situation that would need attending to. That situation was the unauthorized landing of a ship. Security cameras caught the whole spectacle. Lips pursed when the noghri stepped from the ship.

Were it not for her deep dislike for the creature, Renata might have found Cho's display amusing. Others certainly did. Nieraan soon appeared with his customary banter. She'd not had much contact with Nieraan, but she'd heard he was skilled. Skill was useful, even if his mouth wasn't. Others soon arrived to see what was going on. Renata was pleased to see Zarene was already on the scene. Perhaps she would not need to make an appearance then.

Then, in typical form, Cho made an unnecessarily long speech that essentially amounted to the fact that he was back and was apparently brand new. Renata knew there was some truth in the statement. She had ensured that the little Dominion group had been watched. She knew that Cho's... outbursts had all but disappeared. But she also knew he'd left the Shard's service. This was suspicious.

But now he was back, where he could be watched more closely. He was certainly more of a liability out on his own than he was running around with Shard. This return might save her the trouble of having to send someone to kill him.

Renata sighed, leaning back in her chair. Cho's expulsion from the temple had been fore safety. She couldn't have such a loose cannon prancing around, liable to blow up at any moment. She'd never dismissed him from the Order, on that she had been clear. So then, if the threat was no longer an issue, the only reason she would continue his ban would be because she enjoyed the smell of the temple more without him in it. But sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. Renata could not run this temple on her personal preferences. That wasn't what their great work was about. Their work was about the destruction of the Jedi. And if there was one thing Renata knew about Cho, it was that he was prepared to serve the Sith to that end.

Another alert sounded, and the holoscreen zoomed in to show some kind of droid at a terminal. A readout started to scroll across the screen, detailing what the droid was attempting to do. Security measures were activated immediately and all the droid had done was undone as it walked away. Renata shook her head as she stood. She was going to have to deal with this sooner or later. Might as well get it over with.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

She approached the scene quietly. She did not hide herself, or her presence within the force, but simply did not draw attention to herself. She stood between two pillars off to the side, not far from the one Nieraan was perched on. She was not certain of what the conversation had turned to, nor did she really care. For now, she simply observed until she was noticed.

[Foxfire]

Cho listened to the conversations that the wind did not steal from his ears. When he heard words directed at him about reasoning and thinking Cho had to respond.

My life is for the 'Will's' doing. Having been gone from the temple and Shard questions as to direction arose. As to whether I live or die a true warrior fear not, only the wasting of ones skill and power.

He sighed a deep breath and a familuar set of female pharimones came to Cho. The time was near he would either rejoin the temple or leave, either way had great events awaiting him. In the force he echoed the welcome of Lady Renata and openly invited her words. He also turned to the droids with him and had them move a bit of a way away.

[sparrow]

As Zarene and Cho confronted each other, a small beep from her comlink alerted her of a message coming in through her earpiece. It was from one of the dock managers.

Zarene nodded. "Acknowledged," she said curtly after the man had finished his report. She looked back down at Cho and his droids who had just decided to join them. The message certainly had been interesting. Things had just changed in an unexpected direction. "I am beginning to think that sparing his life by not having the defense towers shoot him down was a bad idea," she muttered.

She move down a few steps towards Cho. Nieraan Onin stood a few steps behind her to the right, leaning against one of the pillars. Kajir Arjun was a few steps below, to her left. They were an interesting pair, but both men had proven in the past to be relatively dependable.

She could feel Renata nearby. Their bond of master and apprentice meant that she could often feel her presence even when others could not. She was no doubt watching, and would intervene if necessary.

"Wroth, you have a... spectacular talent... for squandering chances that are given to you."

For an Initiate to attack Order facilities, whether it was through blaster, saber, or through a crude attempt to upload malignant programs on Order computer systems, not matter how incompetent or unsuccessful the attempt,... there was only one word for it. Treason.

She looked towards Nieraan, and then to Kajir. "Onin, Arjun, you two have been training. How are your saber arms feeling today?" Her gaze went back towards Cho.

"You've squandered many chances in the past. The fact that you were not shot down as you attempted to land means you have been given another one. Convince me that you have not just managed to squander this one. Do it quickly."

[Foxfire]

Cho looked back over his shoulder to the droids. He chuckled at them and what could only think was them trying to help.

Taym did you try to help your brotheren. I warned you these are not the same as the Jedi. We are smaller in size, and thus the tech is watched much closer. Even if you have a progam within the lax Jedi temple computers helping me here and now may get you dismembered.

Cho looked back and spoke,....To what would you have me do? A duel with your chosen to prove my worth, is this right. Then so be it, I shall abide by your wishes.

[sparrow]

Zarene could not help but roll her eyes as Cho spoke. Truly the noghri's ignorance knew no bounds. "Wroth, you attempted to leave the Sith Order by faking your death. You accepted and executed contracts from parties with interests adverse to our Order. You attempted to pollute our computer networks with inferior programs while slaving them to your control. How in the world is you fighting a duel going to show that you are not guilty of treason?"

"You want to abide by my wishes? Then draw your saber and plunge it into yourself to wash away your dishonor. But this isn't about what I wish. No. Instead, you will surrender your weapon. You will kneel and be bound, to await the judgment of the Inner Sanctum."

[Foxfire]

Cho looked at Lady Renata's tin solider and snorted.

My sabers to a machine? You must jest, I will give them to either the Inner members or to the temple guardians, the sith hounds, but never to a machine. Brainless or other wise may they be.

With those last words Cho looked back to the droids. Ryver tilted their head to one side. At those words their presonce was no longer needed.

Be that your opinion or not fleshie, we have our own mind. We came here to join in the new cause, but flesh is all the same. They care about their mortial bodies and nothing else.

Ryver turned and left the area with .925 in tow heading back to their ship.

Cho looked back and removed his sabers and held them out before himself. Yet instead he floated them over to where Lady Renata was standing all the while staring at the accusing sith before him.

Only two things I bend my knee to: one the Will of the force, two the Sith Lords and Ladies. Are you one of either of the two, I think not.

With that Cho moved toward Lady Renata and knelt to her.

[Rugs]

Nieraan had been watching the others arrive with varying degrees of interest. Some other man arrived, who got little more than a casual glance from the him. Cho--and whatever crazy thing he might do next--was the focus.

Until Renata arrived.

She came quietly, but the silence that surrounded her spoke as loudly as any of the others that had gathered to watch. She spoke to no one, but she took no steps to hide herself. It was a statement all its own. He turned over his shoulder to look at her for a moment, then returned his attention to the matter at hand.

The man that arrived spoke, and Cho gave some nonsensical answer that Nieraan snorted quiet laughter at. He tries to sound so wise...

He heard a beep from Zarene, glanced over at her and then went back to watching Cho as she walked down to speak to him again. His brows rose a bit at the way she spoke. Someone's not happy.

"Onin, Arjun, you two have been training. How are your saber arms feeling today?"

"For something like this?" A dark, malevolent little grin touched Nieraan's face. He stood a bit taller, rolled he shoulders and flexed his fingers as if loosening up. "Only need to give the word, Yin." Now this was a role he was more used to playing. He'd done the same for over a decade in the underworld, working as an enforcer for gang bosses. It was one of the few things that he'd gladly take an order on.

He glanced over to Kajir briefly. He didn't like the short human, and would love nothing more than to make a public embarrassment of him. But they worked well together, for better or for worse. At least they had on Naboo. Eventually.

But what'll you do, Wroth? He turned his gaze back to Cho. Will you make us kill you? No one would miss you.

The conversation swung back and forth a few more times. Cho gave another answer, seeming to miss the point, and Zarene retorted. And then back to Cho again...

"Oh ho!" Nieraan said under his breath, voice colored by amusement. He wasn't sure on the matter himself, but he'd heard rumors, quiet whisperings that it wasn't wise to mock Zarene on her implants. Perhaps there was truth to them, perhaps not. It wasn't the only thing that he found funny.

"Brainless," he mused aloud, for all to hear, "the idiot that gets cast away and comes back babbling nonsense calls someone brainless." He chuckled lowly. "Looks like the dog thinks it can bite, when it pulls its lips far enough away from Shard's ass to speak."

With a snort, he shook his head. Energy crackled around his hands for a moment, an idle display of a mix of boredom and his desire for something to happen. Cho was trouble. Not that there was much room for Nieraan to make accusations there, but Cho...

Nieraan just shook his head. Anyone that submitted to that fool was a few parts short of a lightsaber.

Still, if Cho was going to scrape and bow before Renata, he could feel free. There was another matter to deal with still, one that might be more entertaining.

"The droid," he muttered to Zarene. "What did it do when it connected to that console?" He didn't say anything more, but there was a question riding even that question.

She needed only to say the word.

[kozeph]

Kajir remained vigil as the course of events occurred. The assassin didn't relaxed in the slightest, his hand position just so it would take a second to draw and one step to behead the Noghri. Kajir the lone assassin pay'ed no attention to the conversations around him, he cared not for the crowd of vultures that gathered around Cho, hoping to get a moment of a spotlight in a futile attempt to gain some recognition from the masters or simply to feed their hunger for violence and a let out for the idleness in the temple.

Kajir cared not for those power hungry fools, masochist and avengers of some lost cause. To Kajir only mattered one thing, and that thing was his dream. Kajir had decided to give his whole self to the Sith order, in hopes that they could achieve it, Kajir hoped for a better future, a flickled and childish dream but contrary to what others thought Kajir had no ambition to be in his dream, no he was the kind of shadows that he sought to extinguish, the Sith also were to a certain extent, they are but a means to an end. Kajir would give his whole self, his life just so the Sith could fulfil Kajir the fools dream.

Like Cho, Kajir had dedicated his life to a cause, he respected the Noghri even if his nature was not akin to that of the Human assassin. Kajir also shared his time in the Dominion with Cho, it was common knowledge that Kajir was, or actually had been part of Shard's dominion. Not because he believed in the Miraluka's ambitions and dreams, but merely for the fact that Lord Memmon had asked Kajir to work for him, and the assassin was only a blade to be wielded by the masters of the order. Kajir's master didn't matter, he would serve any master who required him, all for the sake of advancing the Sith.

Zerene Yin soon spoke again, Renata's apprentice and the only Sith Kajir had met that he could actually tolerate, unlike Nieraan or Renata's other apprentice that damnable Echani. Cho had tried something, or the droid that accompanied the Noghri had done something. Zerene took control of the situation and soon declared the Noghri a traitor once more, she even addressed Kajir and Nieraan about executing Cho for his behaviour. The assassin remained

Before Kajir could formulate a response, Cho spoke and the she-borg bounced back an answer. The assassin remained silent through the whole exchange, and well after Nieraan's useless comments.

"While I commend you for taking charge of the situation, lady Zerene, this goes beyond your authority. You do well as one of the apprentices of the Darths, but I will not move unless a master tells me to".

Kajir was not seeking to demean the Cyborgs authority as an apprentice, but this situation required in Kajir's mind a verdict from someone higher ranking. The assassin was just a blade for the higher ups, not something that would be wielded by an apprentice unless he was told to, once Zerene was named a knight or a master then Kajir would gladly serve her, she was competent she was someone Kajir could like and serve without remorse or doubt, but she was still no knight or master.

"However, Cho if you move a finger against any of the present people. I will fulfil my promise and eliminate you, as we swore at that time".

Kajir unhooked his lightsaber, simple of design and with a wooden shaft full of scratched marks, all of them were part of Kajir's incomplete revenge.

"I will even fight along him, if am told to do so," Kajir said tilting his head at the direction of the other Sith, the one that was more excited by the prospect of killing the Noghri than Kajir was.

[Kuhblam]

A rift occurred in the pillars that the group was centered around. It was very strong, a sheer nexus of dark energy. It was only until a few moments later that he realized the Dark Lady had decided to investigate herself. An eyebrow raised slightly; this had just gotten a lot more interesting. With the presence of the Inner Sanctum, the matter had just become much more serious although it was still filled with empty threats and insults that were not going to be backed up for the moment. Granted her arrival, he still looked onward, soaking in the conversation and action taking place.

It all sort of flowed together; the elusive Darth Renata appeared amongst the columns, Zarene made a fool of Cho, Cho bit back at Zarene and did the whole pathetic chivalry thing and gave up his sabers to the Dark Lady, this Nieraan fellow opened up his mouth again, and then Kajir proclaimed he would not follow Zarene's commands but the highest bidder's. A frown played upon his face; usual pre-fight banter, and here he was, arms folded, watching it all unfold before his very eyes. Of course, he wasn't too particularly eager to waste energy on such an amusing occasion. And so he remained, standing, watching and waiting.

He had to admit, it was promising to Cho's case that he hadn't bowed to Zarene's wishes. Bowing to anyone other than a member of the Inner Sanctum would have been pathetic; bowing in general was already a negative to someone's reputation. Apprentice or not, he would have denied her that pleasure as well. For an alien, he was handling the jeering quite well and was keeping his composure in an equally skilled manner. Perhaps some of that inner beast they had been talking about earlier had indeed died when he had been exiled from Korriban and the Sith Temple. Regardless, the spectacle continued to remain interesting. However, it was also making him hungry and restless. Despite acknowledging to himself that it was better not to get involved, his sword arm was starting to itch beneath the black robes he wore. Talk of adrenaline and taking sides in the issue was beginning to get inside his mind; Virgil could imagine drawing a purple blade and either cutting down or defending the Noghri.

Resist the urge.

He ultimately decided to remain silent and not butt in. It was better anyhow that he gauge the skill of what he considered would be possible acquaintances in the future. The only body movement he portrayed was a shift in where he was placing his weight and the dropping of his thick arms, where one hand came to rest on the pommel of his electrum-plated lightsaber hilt. A surge in the tempo and energy of the surroundings told him sabers were about to be drawn very soon. His words turned to Doviculous although his head did not and both eyes kept watching the ongoing conversation.

"I'd be disappointed if they don't follow through. Twenty credits says this Cho gets the kriff kicked out of him, Devaronian."

[Othorious]

Doviculous chuckled deeply, Your on Virgil, I'll raise it to forty credits if Cho gets out of this with minor injuries He removed a small pouch from his trenchcoat and jingled it. It held forty credits, winner keeps his money and gets the pouch, so it's a good bet. He turned back towards the scene in front of him, Darth Reneta had arrived, which proved things would become rather interesting, and it seemed Cho was about to duke it out with the near humans, or at least one of them anyways. Dov still wondered about Cho, how will he get himself out of this, he already relinquished his sabers to Reneta, and his droids walked away from the scene, things looked a bit grim for Cho Wroth. I'll also throw in twenty more if Reneta joins in this, either attacking or saving Cho He smiled, the human couldn't decline this bet, it was some good money, not alot, but some good money. And in the end, money is money.

(Short post, slow day, don't judge me)

[Meira]

Renata was proud of Zarene. She was always so good at keeping her composure, even in the face of such adverse conditions. She watched with a satisfied smile as Zarene took command of the scene. She made use of others who were present, and did so in such a way that it was not a command, but an invitation. Few could appreciate the difference. It seemed Kajir did not. Her eyes flitted over Virgil and Doviculous. They stood silent, for the time being. She wondered what they would do should the scene turn violent.

Renata was not surprised that Cho misunderstood Zarene's words as an invitation to prove his worth through combat. Zarene's response made the Dark Lady chuckle slightly under her breath. But when Cho retorted, insulting Zarene, her anger flared. It always rested, just below the surface, waiting to be called forth. But she held it back. Cho spoke from ignorance. He knew nothing of Zarene, or just how helpful her cybernetics were. Renata had the pleasure of knowing more. She'd witnessed what a boon Zarene's mechanical features could be. The insult did, however, bring a moment of curiosity as to how Zarene would handle such words.

That moment was lost, however, when Renata found a pair of lightsabers dangling in the air before her. Tilting her head slightly, Renata held out a hand below the hilts, taking them up with her own manipulation of the force. She studied them as Cho approached and knelt. When he'd finished his words, she lowered the lightsabers and then took them, one in each hand.

She lowered her eyes, then, to the bowing noghri. She still couldn't stand the sight of him, and now with him close enough, she was reminded of his stench. Her nose curled up and she turned her head away to breathe.

"Onin, Arjun," she said, her voice sweet. She smiled at the two, her whole being emitting an air of compliance. "You may rest. I will not have need of your skills this time."

Her eyes moved to connect with her apprentice's. "Zarene." she said, beckoning the woman. She held out one of Cho's lightsabers to Zarene, then turned back to the noghri. This time, when she spoke, a power and authority filled her voice.

"Though your actions and words, both in the past and today, have damned you, your return to this Temple has saved your life. Had you continued on your treasonous path, there would have been no other option than to eliminate you. But... here you are." She couldn't keep the disdain from the words, much as she tried.

"It has come to my attention that the original reasons for your expulsion from this Temple are no longer an issue. But your behavior makes granting reentry difficult. Remove your shirt."

As the noghri complied, Renata turned to Zarene, lowering her voice so that only she could hear. "Lower the setting of the blade. I want it to burn, not kill. I believe you've seen me give this mark before, yes? To a guard?" She turned back to Cho once he was ready.

"This mark is the mercy of the Inner Sanctum. It is rare and it is a great shame. You will receive the mark as you pledge an oath. If that oath is broken, your life is forfeit." She signaled Zarene to make the first line, a diagonal gash across the center of the noghri's chest.

"Cho Wroth, traitor, you will swear to serve none but the leaders of the Sith Order for the course of your lifetime." The second line would be diagonal in the opposite direction, making an "X" in the center of the chest.

"You will submit to and carry out any and every order issued to you, absolving any failure with the sacrifice of your life." She could smell the searing flesh. Were the sight not so satisfying, the smell might have made her sick. As Zarene began the final part of the brand, the circle that would enclose the middle of the X, Renata lowered her voice slightly.

"You will never disrespect my chosen again." Then she finished the oath.

"Your life and what shreds of honor remain to you are bound to this oath, from this day until your last." When Zarene finished, Renata took the lightsaber and held it with the other in one hand. "These will remain in my possession until a time that I see fit to return them to you. Until that time, you are confined to the Temple where you can be properly monitored."

She didn't wait for the noghri to respond. She turned on her heels and motioned for Zarene to follow. When they were out of earshot from the others, she spoke her instructions.

"He is to be monitored at all times. Pick a reliable man for the job. Those droids are not to be allowed anywhere near the Temple again." She fell silent for a few moments as she relaxed. She was done with it, though she doubted the business was over. Their footsteps echoed through the hall as they moved, until her voice once again filled the air.

"You did well." she said, turning to Zarene as she stopped in front of a lift. Reaching her hand out to call the lift to their floor, she smiled as the doors opened. Stepping inside, she turned once more to face her apprentice. "Arjun has given me something to think about." she said as the doors closed.

[Foxfire]

Cho listened to Renata's words and removed his shirt. Her words were simular to the oath of a life debt or the honor oath to the noghri guards who were in charge of protecting the Maitrakh. To him this moment was not a moment of dishonor but a time for showing a renewed dedication to the Sith and to the force in general. He had many scars and his back proved that. Removing his shirt his back was filled with them, like a street map of Corascant. Those scars were of dishonor but this scar on his chest was a mark of dedication.

Taking the pain into himself and letting it flow not away but into an through all the other scars till they flushed white with color. This moment he knew would be a turning point. Questions gone... direction found. Cho would be allowed to rebuild both in the force and honor. He would not allow the weakness to hinder him again. Bowing his head he said...

Thank you, Maitrakh. Honor to the force.

Getting back up Cho walked to the steps again leaving his shirt where it was. Either it was his presonce or his primal force sig, but a few Sith hounds were silently watching from a far looking at the renewed Cho Wroth and waiting for him to return to them soon.

[sparrow]

"Machine? I'll show you bloody machine," Zarene growled, teeth clenched. She raised her right arm, pointing it towards Cho. The top panels on her forearm unfolded outwards with the sound of metal sliding on metal, and the noghri soon found himself staring down the barrel of an explosive rocket launcher. Actions have consequences. You were warned.

She heard Renata's voice say her name, and she quickly spun around to face her master, dropping to one knee, head bowed. Biting her lower lip, she forced her rage to subside. With a series of metallic clicks, the plates of her arm folded back into place.

Moving to her master's side, she took the saber from her, dialing the setting down as instructed. She did not understand what Renata intended to accomplish. Why burn when they could kill? Why delay the problem instead of solving it permanently?

Renata instructed her to apply the mark, and she did so. The noghri's smell combined with that of burning flesh made her want to empty the contents of her stomach, but she forced herself to keep her face composed as she carved one line, and then the other. She deactivated the saber and stepped back. It was done.

Following Renata back up the stairs and away from the others, they waited until they were out of earshot to speak. "We should have simply killed him," Zarene muttered. "He is a liability outside the Temple, and a burden inside it. Why not be rid of him?" But while she still had questions, she would follow her orders. "Onin, perhaps?" she mused, rubbed a finger her chin. "No, no good. He'll talk. Arjun might be able... need to find out exactly where he stands first..."

Renata called down a lift. She stepped inside, the doors closed, and she was gone, but not before leaving Zarene with three words. "You did well."

Standing in the now empty hallway, Zarene sighed. It had been a frustrating day. But then she smiled. She had done well. She started walking, moving at a brisk pace. The day was still young, and there was much work to be done.

[Kuhblam]

Virgil watched as Darth Renata commanded him to remove his shirt and instructed Zarene to ignite Cho's lightsabers.

The searing of the flesh was almost wonderful, even pleasant to him. He enjoyed the presence of the pain of others in many ways, reveled in it even. Some tended to call him hedonistic; perhaps sadistic was a better word for it. Seeing the alien attempt to ignore the pain being caused by his own weapons was laughable. For one to gain the mark of the Inner Sanctum was already a great shame, but for it to happen with one's own weapons was humiliating, almost degrading. To display that mark was a dishonor unlike any other among the Sith Order because it meant one had essentially become the plaything of the Darths for being weak. This, Virgil took pleasure in as the branding continued. He wondered what Renata's apprentice was thinking right now; after that explosive threat with her cripple weapon, he had thought there really would have been a fight. She surely had to be taking as much pleasure in this as he was.

However, he was not unsatisfied that the Noghri seemed to be taking it in stride. If anything, he was seeing it in the wrong way. It did not mean he was redeemed in any sense of the word, and a spike of anger surfaced in Virgil's mind that he should slap this buffoon for such arrogance. Better yet, he should strike him down where he was. A quick flash of his blade and the head of the snake would no longer strike at the Temple's heel. Once again he restrained himself, however. The other thing he couldn't contemplate why Renata had shown such compassion. Why was it warranted? Mercy was for the weak. If all they were going to do every time they saw a traitor was brand him and let him walk to do as he pleased, this was not the Sith Order that he had come to join. He just couldn't fathom why. It was strange to him, honestly. If this had occurred to him while he had been ruling Roderick's space station, a beheading would have ended the case hours ago.

As the judgement ended and the Dark Lady left with her cyborg puppet in tow, he shook his head as Cho walked off shirtless towards the sounds of the Tuk'ata wailing in the distance. Probation and a cauterized brand, however serious it was, was hardly a way to back up the will of the Sith Order. However, he wasn't about to going arguing his displeasure. No, that would have be as foolish as Cho's decision to come back to the Temple. A gloved hand reached into the inner folds of his tunic and fished out a credit chit worth twenty regular Imperial credits.

"That one has made a name for himself today, be it as bad as it is. Pathetic... that mark will not easily be forgotten. He has not learned anything if he intends to wear it around like a badge."

Looking at it with a frown, he manipulated the Force to float the chit towards Doviculous. A sigh elicited itself from his breath.

"A bet's a bet, no matter how short lived it is. My word is solid."

With that, he began to head off in the direction he had come from, his field boots crunching the red sand that continued to blow over the stone and durasteel of the Temple outskirts. This had proved an interesting occurrence. He couldn't fathom why, but his understanding of the Sith Order had increased despite all the confusion caused by the mercy shown to Cho Wroth the traitor. His hand plucked his lightsaber from his utility belt. It was a beautiful weapon, forged from electrum metal and as beautiful as Korriban's twin suns. The desire to use it had not diminished with leaving the scene, and he still had much training to do as the time was in it's infancy. Silent, he made his way back into the Temple halls alone.

[Rugs]

"Onin, Arjun."

"Hm?" Nieraan looked at Renata with an eyebrow slightly raised. What did she want with him?

"You may rest. I will not have need of your skills this time."

Nieraan's lips pressed into a thin line. So for one of the few times he was willing to take an order gladly, it wouldn't be needed of him. How boring...

He didn't nod, didn't give any affirmation or acknowledgement of what she said. He just watched. She better have something up her sleeve, he groused, folding his arms over his chest, or I'll handle the idiot myself. Command or no. It wasn't as though Nieraan was unused to disobeying orders. Or acting without them. The Inner Sanctum was well aware of his tendencies.

But there wasn't a need to act and kick the hornet's nest himself. Not yet. So he watched.

And then he smirked. Barely.

Brand him, eh? He shifted his weight from one his left leg to the right and leaned again on the pillar behind him. Guess it's better than nothing. Not as immediately satisfying as what he might have been thinking of--or what Zarene nearly did--but the punishment might be fitting.

Reputation was important. Nieraan knew that fact well from his years in the criminal underworld. He didn't obsess over his reputation here, but he knew what people thought of him. Most thought he was uppity, a loose cannon, and that was true, more or less. But he also let it be known that he was good at what he did, and he wouldn't let anyone walk over him. Those that didn't know or didn't believe it found out when they tried.

The way the other Sith looked at him had served its purposes. And as Cho stood up, acting like Renata had given him a gift, Nieraan smirked. With the spectacle over, he headed back into the Temple and wandered toward one of the upper balconies, where he could think.

Maybe Renata's punishment wouldn't be so bad, after all. Not for a source of entertainment, anyway. Cho had already helped himself blacken his own reputation, even before his exile. Affiliation with Shard, the apparent lack of control...

But now he'd been branded as a fool who was only still alive because the Inner Sanctum could use him as a pet. That was another black mark.

If more words could be spread, rumors and even falsehoods, then maybe he could be lowered even further in the eyes of the other members of the Order. In a place filled with people like the Sith, that could be dangerous.

Maybe.

Worth considering, he mulled. Maybe he'd have a talk with Yin sometime and she what she thought.

[kozeph]

Kajir raised his head and looked up the steps once he heard his name being mentioned by another female voice, looking up he noticed Lady Renata standing there. The order to stand down allowed the Sith assassin to relax on the inside, while he was ready to engage Cho, he knew taking down the Noghri would be a hard thing, specially if he decided to fight back, Kajir had been witness to his raw destructive nature.

Kajir, standing on the steps of the temple was unable to properly kneel to show his respect for the Darth, so he went for the second best thing. The Sith assassin clipped back his lightsaber and placed his right hand over his heart, he lowered his head and remained quiet.

Kajir kept his head down through the whole veredict, only rising his head once he heard the hiss of a lightsaber being turned on.
The assassin dared not take his eyes from the back of the Noghri, he would witness the whole encounter.

Then as quickly as Renata had declared Cho's fate, so did she left with Lady Yin behind her. Cho stood up and swore and oath, he did like giving his word to causes.

Kajir walked up next to the Noghri and watched him for a second, he nodded and continued walking up the slope of stairs. Kajir didn't bothered with anyone else, he continued walking and went through one of the many corridors, he had to fill the report on the success of his mission.

[Cirith An'Gol]

From Dark Brotherhood

Xerron looked up from his perch on the redish barren ground of Korriban, for months he and his Wookiee companion Zaaltarr had been training in their seperate weaknesses, helping each other to grow stronger. His Wookiee companion had been teaching him the art of unarmed combat, and he in turn was helping him smooth out his movements in using a lightsaber. His Wookiee companion even brought out a treasure that would help them to grow in the Force, a Holocron.

Xerron had always known about the Holocron but, Zaaltarr wasn't so trusting as to leave Xerron alone with it, which was no suprise really. The fact that his friend owned a Holocron and that he was allowing him to learn from it now, was a pleasant change of pace. With the aid of the Holocron, the Human assassin had begun to work on increasing in his Force Protection skills, there was jewel in the Sith Artifact that he was burning to learn. Ray. A force technique that allowed one to manipulate energy from anything from blaster bolts to Lightsaber blades but, the skill was dangerous, even a small mistake could end up flash frying the manipulator, and only skilled and experienced Force users could effectively use it in combat.

It would be years still until Xerron was at a point to where he could begin using even the barest beginning stages of the technique but, he was determined to master it nonetheless, thus the reason for his concentration on his Protection techniques over the past months. The human looked up into the sky as a ship descended toward the temple, he could sense it’s sole occupant inside.

Cho Wroth had returned to Korriban.

The last time Xerron recalled having any interaction with Wroth, Shard had been ripping the mental blocks away that were caging the reasoning and sane parts of the Noghri's mind. Xerron had done all he could to mend the tears in Cho's mind without causing too much of a disturbance to Shard, apparently it had worked. After that Cho had simply disappeared into the galaxy. As Xerron went through the temple to find sustenance like he did every day, he heard some in the temple speak of a bounty hunter that had risen up, one who's actions and mannerisms were similar to Wroth's, but, when Xerron had pressed them on the source of their information, they'd simply shut down, so he dismissed the rumors entirely, leaving it up to the Initiates vast imaginations. Whether he truly did take on the role of a Bounty Hunter, didn't truly matter anyway, unless there was a breach in his silence about the number of Sith that inhabited Korriban, and Xerron doubted that the Noghri was that stupid.

If that was the case, returning to those he would've betrayed would have been utter suicide, and based upon his brief encounters with the alien, suicide was not in any way of interest to him. Seeing this as an opportunity to welcome a fellow Sith back into the fold, and to see if Shard work had any lasting effects on the little alien, Xerron stood quickly and gathered his war beaten cloak to himself with a pull of Force assisted telekinesis. He knew that Cho had been exiled from the temple for his uncontrollable power and the safety of those in the temple but, now that some time had passed, and Cho most likely could control his power, there really was no reason for the Noghri to not join the ranks of the Sith once again. He only hoped Lady Renata saw that, if Cho did indeed have control of his mind.

Cho was powerful, that fact had been proven and denying it was foolish but, he was also a weapon, like Xerron himself, and to not make use of a weapon like Wroth would be foolish indeed. Xerron thought to himself as he approached the Sith Temple by way of the valley behind it.

Soon the statues of ancient Sith Lords and Masters rose up to greet his return, Xerron grinned beneath his mask, he hoped to one day be among those that had been carved in stone and take his place in the history of the Sith and by way, the Galaxy. Xerron cloaked himself, calling upon the techniques of Force Cloak and Concealment, it was always interesting what people said and did when they thought they were alone, and it always revealed some worthy intelligence on his fellow brothers and sisters abilities or attitudes. He stretched out with the Force and let it guide him to where Cho Wroth was, it wasn't hard, the crowd around the Noghri was positively a beacon. He climbed the face of the cliff wall that overlooked the Valley of the Sith Lords and steadily made his way up, only when he was two meters from the top of the cliff did he use the Force to launch himself the rest of the way up in a Force Jump.

Xerron landed in a crouch and stood, he looked around for a second before making his way to the temple where the ship had "landed". As he drew closer he noted that Zaaltarr was already cloaked among the crowd, the link between them letting him know the Wookiee's position. He gave him a little nod and preceeded onward, closer to where Cho stood. As he approached, he heard people clamoring about the Noghri's decision to come back to the temple, apparently it was a very big thing, Xerron just snorted in derision. Xerron didn't see what the big deal was, another had decided to return after gaining control of his mind. The Sith had another weapon up their sleeve. It was as simple as that in his mind.

Xerron crept past his associates, barely moving the red dust around him and came to a spot that was near the center of the commotion, close enough to hear the Noghri as he argued with another Sith, a girl by the name of Zarene and apparently, she was the apprentice of Lady Renata. The Human assassin searched his mind but, could not remember her, either he'd never come across her before, which was possible or, he'd simply forgotten her, which was also possible.

He found her arguments and threats amusing, in the wake of Cho Wroth's presence, she felt like a Sith Hound pup barking at a Rancor. That didn't mean he could just write her off though, even Sith Hound pups had parents, and mother was never too far behind. Xerron searched the crowd and grinned and there she is, the little mutt's mother. Funny that I didn't notice her until now he thought as he spotted Lady Renata watching over the preceedings.

For the moment, he stayed cloaked, letting the others say what they will, as he tried to remained unnoticed by all. He watched as Zarene and Cho Wroth bickered with one another, until Renata's apprentice asked for Wroth's lightsabers, then Wroth called her a brainless machine for the demand, just before floating his two lightsabers over to Lady Renata for her take. He chuckled at Cho's words to Zarene "Only two things I bend my knee to: one, the Will of the force, two, the Sith Lords and Ladies. Are you one of either of the two, I think not."

That was when things started to get heated, he saw Zarene raise her right mechanical arm and a panel on the wrist sliding open to reveal the barrel of a wrist mounted rocket launcher. So, she has some suprises of her own. Good. I hate seeing a pointless slaughter, she may yet prove interesting. I wonder what other surprises she has up her her cyborgnetic parts Xerron's eyes widened a little at taking in the explosive weapon, then he chuckled as two Sith that he wasn't familiar with stiffened at Zarene's command.

One of which she called refused to get involved with whatever was going to happen next, which also proved amusing to the invisible human. He trained his senses on the one called "Kajir" and was impressed slightly, he would've put up a better fight with the force atleast than Zarene herself, judging by the feel of his signature. As Lady Renata spoke and broke up the confrontation, he trained his senses on Zarene's other companion, the one called "Onin", again he was impressed with the stregnth of his signature. Xerron was slightly disappointed that Renata had broken up what was clearly going to be a fight, he'd wanted to see what would have happened.

So, the little mutt has a small following of her own. Good to know he thought as Renata began to speak to Cho and demand an oath of loyalty from him as he knelt respectfully in front of her, one that if he strayed from would be punished. Then watched as Renata tossed one of Cho's ligtsabers to her apprentice who activated it. Renata then leaned over to her apprentice and told her something, Xerron assumed it was to tell her apprentice not to strike before she told her to. Then as she began talking to Cho again. As Zarene carved an "X" into his chest, an X that had a circle enclosing the middle and with that the symbol was finished, he heard Lady Renata say that, that symbol was the icon for the Inner Sanctum.

Renata continued to outline the oath Wroth was to abide by, Xerron found it all incredibly dull. The stench of burning flesh rose to his nostrils, making him want to vomit because of such a close proximity. He backed away a few more steps and the nausea lightened a little. Then Renata finished the oath, she lowered her voice a little but, Xerron was close enough that he could still hear her. "You will never disrespect my chosen again" she said finishing the oath Cho was to swear to.

"Thank you, Maitrakh. Honor to the force." Cho said after he had regained his breath, his efforts to fight the pain was impressive Xerron had to admit. The assassin looked to Zarene as she stood waiting for her master's call. Then Zarene and Lady Renata left, heading back into the temple. The little punk was barely registering on his senses and she acted like she was god's gift to mankind in dealing with the Noghri, she was too arrogant for her own good. Some day it would get her killed if she wasn't careful. He supposed that she could have been deliberately hiding the strength of her Force signature but, he didn't think so. He watched as Cho got up to leave, though Xerron could still see that Wroth was fighting the pain.

Xerron slowly walked over to where Wroth seemed to be heading and decloaked himself as he passed people, letting his force signature up fully as well, as he appeared from nothingness. As Cho Wroth approached, Xerron crossed his arms and said one thing to him as he moved past.

"Welcome Home"