[IC] Hirak's Holo Diary

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, February 2018))

Entry 41: The Kalkoran Wedding

*Hirak walked into the frame of the holoprojector and brought with him a chair. His mask was missing and he looked tired almost, rubbing his face with his hands the Sith Lord peered into the lens with a sort of sincerity before he leant back, his hands rubbing over the top of his hairless bald head and down his neck closing his eyes in the meantime. The hands stopped only due to the outfit he wore, which was his regular jet black, armoured spaulder Lordly outfit with a long cape that draped down towards the ground. The cape was seemingly missing as if Hirak had taken it off. The two eyes sprung open after a few moments and he regained his eye connection with the camera.*

“One story they won't tell you in the annals of the history of the new Kalkoran House Annals is that an alien set the current patriarch with his current wife. But alas, my ego can abide for today is the celebration of the continuing of a pure line. Whilst the Jedi abstain from their passions and desires the Sith wildly enjoy them. Marriage is not forbidden if it furthers the lines of force sensitives that fight for the Empire.

I digress. Today, Trakaton got married to Aregra Nyash now Kalkoran. It was amusing really, as I was on security detail. I have no interest in these affairs - my own people's rituals take little to no time. But there was something strangely nostalgic as I regarded my colleague in his attire. I almost begun to have visions as I stood there watching. The Sith Lord there but stood next to him the long haired acolyte I once knew and loathed. That one gave a dirty, bemused smirk as he stared towards his bride to be as if imagining her without her clothes on. I almost chuckled. We were very different then the both of us, before they tried to kill us. Before Stygian and Begeren. Before Zarrious interfered.”

*Hirak’s hand came up to his chin and rubbed it slightly before he smiled with a genuine expression strewn across his facial features. He appeared happy, almost nostalgic at the thought.*

“Different indeed. However I have ruined the chronology of this story. As I was saying I was put on security detail which meant that I spent the early hours of the day placing marines around the Kalkoran Gardens. Positions for marines, sniper lookouts among others and ensuring the shield would hold. Aljo offered her services so I offered her a stealth field generator and told her to patrol the grounds for assassins with orders to kill anyone unwarranted. I in turn took the apprentices of the powerbase and gave them lightsabers for the time period that they were on guard duty, except my own apprentice who had his own lightsaber. There was no need to pretend there.

I took the new apprentices of the powerbase, Zhephra Aeros, Vaenra Horuset and Cerberus of the Black Hair and placed them around the edge of the ceremony site. I too had Zutauha Ronith in there as well, as a shining example against the muck. My own apprentice took part, protecting the family of the Kalkoran. He might lack the diplomatic grace of some but he follows orders without question. Now, with their positions locked in place, I made Zhephra and Zutauha as the purest among them meet the guests and ferry them in to their seats. Some of these distinguished guests were allies of mine and Trakaton’s including out close mentor Darth Archayon and the incredulous Darth Vossen whose age has never crushed her wit. On the other side, some of the Nyash joined including Aregra’s brother Iraxius and some of the leading lords like Moric and Lord Ashaan.

With everything in place and even my master present to watch the proceedings, Lord Said took the forefront next to the blood pool and began as she offered some speech. The pair were invited up and some sort of words were said. For the sake of recording the event so that I can recollect it at a later date I'll describe how they looked. Aregra was clad in an elegant gown that I had never seen before. She arrayed herself with beautiful items that made her supposedly look affable for her race. On the other hand, Trakaton wore something that was way too tight on him with some strange webbing that protruded from his shoulder. I queried the choice but perhaps that is some part of his culture.

I honestly zoned out, apart from the blood drinking slash worship part. It is one thing our people share in common so I allowed myself to engorge on the details. I started to think about saber theory to pass the time, and what training scheme I was going to put Raseri through the following day. In what felt like seconds it was over and I let out a sigh of relief. Of course, my keen senses were prepared for the worse.”

*Hirak wafts a hand aimlessly towards the camera. His frown re-emerged as his smile disappeared behind a wall of ego and malice.*

“I honestly couldn't care less about the service, only that it went perfectly. Once things were done, Trakaton and Aregra stepped before the pool and accepted gifts. Many stood up to present something so I strode forward with my own present.

This was a second one as an aside. I took Trakaton to the Sanguinis Ruined Temple to give him his first present: a blood oath promise to defend his progeny until I die. This second gift was something more personal, one that Trakaton I -knew- would appreciate. It was a bound copy of ‘A Brief History of Rattatak, the Rattataki and their Wikkjaz by Hirak and Izasi’  which detailed some of the finer points of my people’s history usually passed down by word of mouth. Either way that ended and I invited everyone who was willing to join us inside at the Kalkoran Estate.

Among those who joined us was Moric who I took around the estate for a little tour. It was pleasing as he and I see eye to eye on a lot of matters. I was most proud of being able to show the majesty of my bestiary. Whilst it's progress has been slow due to the rate at which I can capture and bind creatures under my will making them loyal servants of the dark side, the power which the room exuberates keeps wandering guests mindful. Yet before this he offered the most amusing response to Soyut Vipion, probably one of the leading apprentices of his generation. The young Sith asked the Lord for a spar, to which Moric replied saying that he only fights those capable of posing a challenge. Whilst Soyut has far to go, he has proven himself a strong combatant. Later that evening he did go on to crush a Lord Dijomatsa in combat. I'm surprised he didn't just go ahead and usurp his title. A terrible, terrible loss for this Sith Lord. Either way the whole after party was a good way to inspect the other practices of the Sith present. I was even approached by an apprentice called Agara. She asked me to train her. I said no, unless she could prove herself like all those before her. Initiative is the key to all victories. We are not Sith if we sit reactive; we must plan and prepare, be proactive in our pursuit of power.

And so the first Kalkoran wedding in many years came to an abrupt end. A joyous event for my colleague no doubt. I'm sure I will remember it for many years to come. I just won't bring it up much ever.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waved a gloved hand at the camera to signal for it to stop filming. As it did so the holoprojector’s blue light dimmed and retreated back into the device before the machine shut down with a low hum that turned into silence.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, March 2018))

Entry 42: Lessons for the Fifth Generation

*Hirak strode into the frame carrying a datapad. He leant forward and activated what looked like the holorecorder before finishing something on the datapad. Unmasked, Hirak frowned as his pained expression looked down at the information. In a moment of contemplated anger, he frowned and then seemingly centralised.*

“It has come to my attention that the current rank and file of the acolytes are less than perfect. In fact, this Fifth generation of acolytes are a rabble, troublesome and lacking in any real mirth or merit. I have noticed how they talk as if they were already Sith, how they can get away with most things or how easily they can get past the apprentices. I do not know whether this is down to the fact that the apprentices have grown soft since the Third War on Heresy and thus allowed acolytes to be so brazen in their attempts to woo them or extol their egos. It’s gotten to the point where I am sick and tired of it all. If one of the many Sith Lords who consider the great House of Horuset a bastion of true Sith mentality came to visit and saw this behaviour, we would be laughed at. So I have decided that enough is enough.

As a test, I called them all into a singular room. Although only four were not away with tasks on Th’Asidra, I noted them all the same. The four that arrived were Sovernus, Zena Vici, Khirus and Leive. Now, my thoughts on each of them:

Sovernus is an arkanian. He is not the first I’ve met nor will he be the last. He remains quiet and understands his place. He has not stepped out of line yet but I have decided that this seeming ‘peace of mind’ is out of place among the acolytes. Either way, I care little for him. Zena Vici on the other hand is the complete opposite. Very open, brazen and forgetful of her manners. She does not understand the hierarchy of the Sith. If anything, she belongs with the Jedi who are characterised by their smart-arse padawans, giving the Sith another reason to laugh at their pathetic order. Khirus is a pureblood, he too remains quiet and content. He does as he’s told and presents the fairly standard level that a Pureblood should adhere to. He has yet to step out of line in my eyes. Finally, Leive. An alien. A twi’lek who I have noted cleaning the floors on multiple occasions. Only fitting for her to do so as I have yet to see any potential in the girl. Of course, I have introduce Valkara into the mix of this generation. Though she understands the standards set if not only due to the severe torture I put her through first to understand her place among the Sith. I have my doubts she truly took it on board…”

*Hirak’s right hand came up to his chin and scratched it softly in thought before he shook it thoroughly, returning himself to his original train of thought.*

“...either way, Zena turned up late and I questioned why she had done so. She said that Apprentice Tashha had need of her. So I reassured her why a Sith Lord takes priority over an apprentice with streams of force lightning to the point that she keeled over and toppled backwards unconscious. The pain she will never forget, and neither will she forget my words. I doubt I’ll have trouble from her again. Either way, my apprentice Siors walked in at a timely occasion so I made the remaining acolytes spar with him three and then two on one. He needs to learn how to deal with multiple opponents in battle, even if they are simply weaker than him.

A few days later and I hosted a lesson on Animal bond. A fair few of the new acolytes joined, some that I have yet to see again after the lesson and others that frequent the halls. Most of their names elude me because I simply do not care about them.

As for the lesson, I brought in some Gizka for the acolytes to try. The creatures themselves are very baseline. Their mental processes mostly revolve around eating and fornication. They exist simply as a pest so breaking their minds and forcing your way in should be easy for a seasoned acolyte to accomplish as long as they dig deep into their emotions to unleash the dark side of the force. Some did manage to do this first time, my apprentice for example. However, others like the Pureblood Avestia struggle after a few attempts. I clocked that despite their natural affinity for the Dark Side, not all Purebloods have the potential to do great things as acolytes. At the end of the lesson I presented them with a small conundrum. I asked all the acolytes to kill the creatures they were still mentally attached to. This process cuts the connection harshly, one that you can feel in the back of your mind. It is something to be aware of when you’re channelling animal bond into a creature during combat to give them direct orders. Of course, this is overcome by simply training the creature to attack with hand and voice commands. I allowed my apprentice to keep one of the Gizka to train with. Hopefully he makes a good use of it and furthers his efforts at understanding Animal Bond. It would be strange if my very first apprentice could not utilise the technique effectively.”

*Hirak nodded a few times before rest his arms underneath his pectorals, folding them neatly intertwined as he stood in silence as he was clearly in thought. After a further moment of silence the Sith Lord exhaled and then nodded before unfurling one of his arms as a demonstrative device to show that time has elapsed.*

“Shortly after this, and rather interestingly, Apprentice Soyut and myself did a lesson on Sith ettiquette. It was a long, boring process but we explained to the fifth generation and some of the neophytes/apprentices that the hierarchy exists for a reason. I was harsh, especially to Neophyte Aregra, because with her now marriage to Trakaton she has standards to uphold that I refuse to see slip. I realised that our berating speech concerning their behaviour and what we expect of them was in fact exceptionally dull because I have heard it multiple times, I did notice that the reaction was straight to the point among the acolytes. They seemed to understand the process as we asked questions concerning how one should act, and the fact that each of them were rivals to one another. I hope that they manage to fix this should the Dark Lord ever come to visit the training. I suppose the one matter that we did discover from this lesson is that Apprentice Soyut and I share similar feelings concerning the state of the acolyte generation. I do hope that when I am absent on my tasks, he can break them into submission as well.

Either way, I tired of talking about acolytes.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waved a hand in front of himself with a tired exhale, exasperated and very clearly annoyed. As he does so, the blue light from the holorecorder begins to shudder until it finally shoots back down into the machine core ending the recording.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, March 2018))

Entry 43: Emergency on the Bridge

*Hirak walked into shot with his mask off, revealing his entire Rattataki features. He has a deep frown on his face, the hairless brows contorting into a sea of pale skin. His deep crimson eyes almost snarling as he regarded the holorecorder. He was dressed in his battle gear, armour made of duranium that covered his entire body at vital spots whilst still giving him the access to freely move his arms and legs for the ultimate use of his lightsaber form. He sighed loudly and then spoke.*

“It appears that we have been infiltrated again. It was alerted to myself and Lord Saud that one of our stations out in the jungles of Kaas had lost all communications except for a distress signal that went out. It was a disturbing message. Regardless, we jumped into action and summoned at least some of the apprentices to venture into the jungle with us along with Major Koren and some of the Imperials.

Boarding a shuttle we ventured from Th’Asidra down onto the surface nearby our camp. After trekking for a little while we came upon the compound quietly and approaching it from one of the rear entrances. It was a standard imperial outpost, a few buildings and a two part wall that surrounded the eastern and western flank. The North and the South both had wide entrances for the numerous vehicles that went to and from on their way to the Kaas spaceport and back towards the City. Yet, as we came close I sensed a rather large crowd ahead looking towards a rather large man. As I got closer, I could see that there was clearly a leader amongst a throng of what looked like slaves. They were all jeering and I could almost feel the rage that emanated from them, the kind that you get after bloodlust sets in. From there it was a simple exercise of purge and keep one prisoner. Being the smart one between myself and Lord Saud, I decided to go for the main leader. At first, I attempted to Force Subjugate him. On non-force sensitives this usually gives me the ability to completely control their actions hence the naming of the term. However, on force sensitives it allows me to drain their willpower, making them eventually give up any desire to resist. Strangely, I could not get through some sort of mental block that stopped me from ravaging his mind in this way. A most peculiar matter. Perhaps he had been trained by a more powerful individual then I had anticipated. Either way, I then decided to drag him to me via telekinesis, ripping him up into the air whilst the Imperials lay covering fire. Up from the platform he soared before crashing down to the ground below me. He recovered and threw some sort of axe at me, which narrowly missed due to my intervention. It was then that Lord Saud subdued him with her own quick thinking. Either way, the rest of the slaves were massacred as they should’ve been for their insurrection.

With their leader bound, it provided us sometime to inspect the entire compound for any evidence. Lord Saud offered to take him back which gave me some well needed respite from her. Even though we find a working relationship, her shrill voice will always remind me of my time as an acolyte; the barking of orders and the smug way she lectured us on sith politics. Good lessons but not one I need repeating.

So instead I traversed the compound around the north exit point. It was there that I discovered a whole dark grave of imperials and slaves as if a battled had happened and they’d all been shoved into one burial site. It was a disgusting mess. Yet, the Dark Side feeds of this and it permeated the area like a foul stench. I would label it glorious if it wasn’t such a waste of good imperial minds. Regardless, I called the Major over who sent is Sergeant and Captain to investigate. With the complete area secured we had nothing left to do except set up a watch before heading back to the Flagship.”

*Hirak paused and raised a hand up to his chin, stroking it softly in a moment of contemplation. The humming of the holorecorder's machinery was the only solace offered during this time of silence from the Sith Lord*

“Lord Saud showed me some information concerning a group of rebels who hated the Old Ways and sought to destroy House Horuset. It was all transferred to my datapad and now stored on there for safekeeping should it need to be revisited. It is a peculiar situation… one that I hope does not repeat. If it does then we will find ourselves at a serious disadvantage because we have learned next to nothing of what has occurred. It will require some serious thinking and I am sadly out of the loop. Perhaps in time I will learn more. For now, I will focus on my own business until I am needed once more to decimate the enemies of my master’s house. Such is my legacy and such is the reason I exist.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waved a hand towards the holorecorder and it eventually shut down completely. The blue light version of him shuddered before disappearing inside the mechanical insides of the machine, stopping the constant humming sound that accompanied the imagery.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, April 2018))

Entry 44: Twin Suns, One Remains

*Hirak crept in frame once more with his full duranium battle armour on. He sighed very robotically before moving a hand up to the mask, pressing a button on the neck side that caused the metallic carapace to peel away from his face before disappearing inside the small button that remained on the left side of his neck barely visible. His features were almost smirking in some sadistic glee but also there was a slight empathetic stare that lingered upon his face. It quickly turned to annoyance when Hirak turned himself fully towards the camera of the holorecorder fully facing it with a terrifying stare. His hairless brows narrowed into a contorting crevasse before he began to speak, his hands folding in front of his chest to cause a metallic clatter as duranium met duranium.*

“The prisoner I last spoke about is dead. It turns out that he was killed before he could be fully questioned by our imperials. Someone infiltrated our flagship and killed him in his cell before somehow managing to get away. Sadly we realised this too late but I’ll do my best to piece together what I know.

It is strange that in my previous recording I mentioned that I hoped nothing further arose of the attack on the compound. It turns out that my hopes were dashed against the dead skull of our prisoner as more leads have turned up more curious cases. If anything, this harkens back to the first iterance when I learned that someone was out to kill myself and the other Lords of the House. Dead purebloods were found with our lord names written in high sith as scars across their bodies. I cared little for the dead, only that someone wants me to go the same way. But that was a long time ago and now this is starting to present a security issue. When the body was taken to the morgue, written over him was a riddle. This riddle I never go to see myself but it insinuated that someone had already gotten on the inside.

So, we started to work on this puzzle. Lord Kalkoran and I took point in the investigation. Involved were a number of the acolytes including many of the more well known apprentices like Soyut and Jen’kaar Vipion, Vaenra Horuset, Siors and Apprentice Aljo. I will admit I spent most of the time inside my own head trying to understand how our security could become so lax that we are infiltrated so easily. I put it down to the simple fact that Darth Horuset was no longer in charge and with the various Sith factions in the powerbase vying for some piece of the pie we’d allowed ourselves to become complacent with the Hourset’s true security measures. Although I do put this down mostly to Lord Tokiai and Lord Saud’s lack of cohesion, I cannot exclude mine and Trakaton’s own negligence simply due to ego. Either way, this needs to change.

After series of clean sweeps through Th’Asidra we found ourselves suddenly very curious. At the end of our search we came across a suspicious Imperial who had been in charge of watching the prisoner. An interrogation followed and we discovered that the imperial had dog tags on him from Republic Special Forces. Alongside this… riddle we were able to determine that whoever had attacked our target had fled to the base of the Vaporators. Now, the Vaporators were a gang that an acolyte generation were once sent to deal with. They were once republic special forces but had decided enough was enough and turned to banditry.

So we dispatched all of our units into shuttles and sent them down to the surface of the Vaporators base. Annoyingly some of the mines were still active so we had to be careful at our approach. Trakaton and I took point, making sure we directed the sith that followed carefully across the sandy fields of the planet’s surface. As we came to the edge of the base, I fully saw what it was for the first time. A large bowl had been cut into the surface, protected by a wide wall around it. Buildings sat on top of one edge of the crag, providing a guard tower whilst within the wall’s interior were buildings that cut into the outcrop to provide an inside home. Motioning swiftly for our people to drop down, the Sith who could augmented themselves and landed with a thud whilst the Imperials scaled down the wall.”

*Hirak paused and scratched his head softly before folding his arms in front of his chest, allowing a silence to hang  as he collected his thoughts for the next part of the holorecording.*

“Shortly after we ventured into the remains of the outpost there was a call from one of the other rooms. It seemed like one of the apprentices had found something. So I strode forward into the dim room to find an interesting sight. The form of Ayinon Vipion strung up on what seemed like a crucifix with stab wounds all over. On the brink of death her dim yellow eyes displayed immense pain and suffering. The feeling in the room aided this. The dark side could be felt stained into the walls like someone had splatter invisible blood up them. Moments later she died. I grinned behind the mask; one less useless Vipion to cause problems.

Trakaton and I ushered the apprentices out before Soyut came in. After all, the corpse was his twin sister. No doubt the pain and suffering on her face will haunt his nightmares and spurn him to make use of the power and time granted to him. Trakaton had some reassuring words to say, I simply reminded Soyut that this will only feed his power. Whilst unfortunate for him, it will make him grow to understand that family means nothing.

So we returned outside to give the apprentice some time with his dead kin. I had to extend my will upon the rest outside as they started bickering like rats over a rotten apple. The threat of death whilst within an aura of such a reality does stir their undisciplined minds. Once we had secured the footing and all the rooms been completely searched , Soyut took the body and we departed.

Either way it was a strange set of events that left an almost air of failure hang in the air. Each victory we seem to take a step forward only to find that we’ve been walking backwards this whole time. I will seek to change this as time progresses.

End transmission.”

*With a swift wave of his hand, the form of Lord Sanguinis disappeared from its blue ethereal form deep into the crevasse of the holorecorder. The machine spun its mechanics for a few seconds longer before it wound down signally that it had been turned off and the holorecording finished.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, May 2018))

Entry 45: A Promising Student

*Hirak stepped into frame in his sparring outfit. It seemed to be slightly dusty and Hirak himself noticed this, brushing off the dust that had collected on him from wherever he had been. He stared straight into the lens of the holorecorder’s camera and then wafted a hand at it to signal he was about to begin speaking.*

“Not long ago, I was approached by a Sith apprentice by the name of Agara. She was part of Malacor’s sith powerbase, and apprentice to his apprentice. In a way, she is like Siors or Zutauha, the apprentice to a Sith Lord who is an apprentice to a Darth. There is some prestige in this as the Sith do not tend to shy away from nepotism. Such nepotism is what allows creatures like Saud to flourish and believe that they are capable. Either way I digress from what i truly wished to speak about.

I arranged for Agara to meet me in a secluded location on Korriban. The homeworld of the Sith has many stowed away locations of merit that provide an excellent backdrop for one to test the bounds of a Sith. The Dark Side exuberates, flowing and pulsating around the planet, offering us to be fighting at our full potential with all our passions flowing considerably outwards. I wanted to see if this girl could bring the fight to me as I would hope Siors would to another. I wanted her to demonstrate to me that her master had not slacked in her training and that she was fit to strike hard.

My first thoughts on her form when she finally arrived was that she reminded me of the Lorekeeper Jadie. Small and petite of sorts, I instantly wondered if she had been trained in Ataru to ameliorate that frame in battle. I was thankfully proven correct when she opened up with her stance and we begun the fight.

It was a blur of combat, the strikes came in fast and her movement put her full body into the orbits and sequences that she had trained. She leaped and flung herself with speed and precision. Now, in Ataru versus Ataru, it often becomes a blur of speed where one attempts to dodge or parry or even block the other to provide a stop to the sequence. Whoever struck first out of that or managed to get around their limited defenses would usually win. In this case, I attempted to go all out. Force Inertia provided me the slight edge on twisting my body out of her strike range only to slash back. I utilised the force in many occasions to test her ability to respond to sudden threats.

Overall, she was not a disappointment, I was almost impressed. And that I have only been a few times. Once the fighting had cooled down, I spoke some words and instructed her that I will contact her again for training in the art of capturing a beast.”

*Hirak paused for a moment and then cracked his knuckles, the sound distorted by the recording but easily recognisable.*

“Her martial skill was above average but we shall see how willing she is to learn my way. Many have tried and many have simply fallen to the wayside. Perhaps she will gleam the knowledge that I offer and transform it into something she can use to benefit the empire as a whole. But it makes me curious as to why she wants to learn to control the creatures of the universe? What is her motive? Something to ponder as I meditate on the Dark Side.

End transmission.”

*Hirak wafted a hand towards the holorecorder, allowing a few seconds before it started to churn in it’s inner workings before the blue light of the Sith Lord shuddered, simmering down into the machine’s base. A few more switches and noises reverberated from it’s mechanics before it switched off completely.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, May 2018))

Entry 46: Blood and Smoke

*Hirak entered in his lordly attire. This time without his mask. He moved a hand to his chin and rubbed it slightly, standing up straight with a slight smirk on his features. His eyes shone with a sort of twisted glee that was almost a strange change from the usual features that one would note from previous incarnations of Hirak’s visage during his holodiary. The Rattataki almost beamed with a sort of smug look on his face.*

“To say that my old master and I rarely speak is to over exaggerate how often we do interact with one another. Over time, the hatred that defined our relationship has simply abated to the idea that we give one another a wide berth so as to stop the possibility of me ripping his throat out. Yet sometimes in circumstances like my master leaving for his own business I am unable to avoid the interaction. In fact the meeting itself has made me consider all the times when I have not spoken to him, and all the times I have suffered under his scrutiny for just existing.

It brings me back to a Makashi lesson as an apprentice to Darth Horuset where Tokiai was overseeing the training. The Lorekeeper was there and I ended up beating Occularis’ face in once more during the session. He forced me to take off the clothing I was wearing before we even went for training, making me wear some sort of strange cloth that I did not like, only because he thought it was too similar to the clothing he usually wears. Petty, is the word I like to use. This is just an example of those times, where berating me was what made Tokiai live another day. Yet, here we are at the same rank politically in the Empire. The last vestiges of that power lies with his position on the council, within the Horuset powerbase he has the ability to determine my actions for now.

Regardless, with new information concerning a strange droid uprising occurring in the galaxy alongside co-operation between the Empire and the Republic, everything was turned upside down. I received these reports from the extensive spy network I've managed to craft over the many months of searching outside of the powerbase for assets to be placed under my control. I had to relay this to those in charge so that just in case these traitorous Sith decided their lot should be placed alongside us that we knew what they were willing to do.

I approached Tokiai who had taken up residence in Saud’s old office. She never used it so I can understand why he easily set up shop. As I entered he motioned me forward and I sat. Immediately he refused the seat until I asked properly. He was once my master, and he understood the ego that comes with successful Sith. It ground my gears but bit back at the urge to offer a retort and instead complied. Now sat he queried the reason for me being here as he was busy. Of that I had no doubt but I've always spoken bluntly so I got on with my task.

I regaled the whole situation: entropy working alongside the Republic, sith speaking to the Jedi like they were friends and the General failure to organise themselves enough to beat a few droids. All this news made the room linger with some amusement that it lightened the mood. A slight bonding moment occurred over spilling Saud’s prized wine, which my old master did without a second thought, but was swiftly soured by a debate concerning the evolution of power.

It is not unknown to many that from our emnity he denies to acknowledge me as a Sith Lord, does not use the word ‘Lord’ only my Lord name and my title of Beastmaster. Amusing that he still refers to me as ‘Sanguinis’ despite the word being synonymous to my ascension. Either way I confronted him with an amusing thought. I would not have been worthy of being his best apprentice if I had not been able to compete like the Sith of old and politically outmanoeuvre him. Instead, he referred to an idea that held an interesting point, one that I disagree with. He stated that power can be divided: if one Darth falls to two Sith Lords, they split the power and it becomes weaker, their apprentices them. That through my combination with Trakaton I weakened the powerbase.

This is a folly, of course, such an idea holds no factual weight. I have only accelerated since taking the decision to disregard Tokiai’s thirst for revenge. Instead I have become so much stronger to the point where one day I will overtake him and nothing shall stop me from taking my rightful place as the strongest among the Horusets. Not even the Dark Lord will be able to hold back my wrath…”

*Hirak paused to take some consideration of his words, it was clear there was much on his mind and the realisation was sinking hard and fast. After what may have felt like minutes for him but was merely a couple of seconds he shook his head and snapped out of the trance.*

“Food for continued thought at a later date. For now, I have an apprentice that is in dire need of training.

End transmission.”

*The Sith Lord waves a metallic like hand towards the holorecorder and disappeared out of sight. The blue light flickered until the twisting and turning of the machinery stopped, grinding to a halt as the light shot back down within the recorder. A slow humming noise that evaporated in sound indicates that the entry had ended.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, May 2018))

Entry 47: The Pretender

*Hirak’s lordly form burst into fruition from the blue light of the holorecorder. Standing tall with a high collar, shoulder pads and a long cape that clung down his form, he stared towards the viewer of the recording with little remorse. A mask covered his face, fashioned in the shape of a beast’s maw. He slowly moved his hands underneath his pectorals to fold them to offer a thoughtful resolution.*

“My workings in the house have never ended well for those that cross me. I named myself Lord Sanguinis because I feast off the blood of my enemies, their death throes and mewing cries give me power beyond measure. The anticipation of such release is what drives me to thrust my crimson blade into their soon-to-be corpses. This feeling is only truly released in the heat of battle with an enemy, for I have no use in a dead ally. It is what drove me to take the padawan Valkara from my hated enemy Jedi Master Eetu to make him suffer.

But I have deliberated on this. To cause her fall I put her through stress, however, I had not anticipated the possibility of there being other kind hearted Sith among the ranks of acolytes. These acolytes have been observed as caring, loving almost for their brethren. The drive to overcome them does not exist. Even for myself and Trakaton there is a rivalry, both he and I wish to overtake one another in strength and it is that mutual competition that drives her to succeed. I have noticed that whilst she might ‘act’ like a Sith acolyte, her ties to others are like a Jedi. How long this will remain unnoticed by others is unforeseen. However, I have decided to make an example.

One acolyte I've noticed that has caught her attention is one known as Aethean, and another Utahis. Both are Pure, which makes it all the Lore disgusting that they lack the sheer drive to be true Sith. In fact, it gives me all the more reason to consider myself part of an apex species on par with the Sith of Old.

So whilst Aethean was stuck in the med bayI approached them both whilst she was there to remind her that I owned her very life and that her purpose was the serve my will. I watched as fear lit up in her eyes and it made me gleeful. Such rich emotion I could almost smell it. I grinned behind the mask, avid for a further taste. Confronting her on the principles of being Sith, I tricked her into admitting he was her friend and so reminded her what the attachment would do. My left hand began to choke the life out of it physically, until she pleaded for me to stop. His eyes blew up with the pain, his own fear as the purity of his nature could not stop me from almost taking his life should I have wished to. I would not oblige of course, only when she admitted the truth about being Sith did I let go. Reluctantly, she agreed to only have allies and not friends. So I let go.”

*Hirak chuckled with a most amused robotic laugh, it almost reverberated around the room. His hands opened in almost fake acceptance of applause.*

“To deal with acolytes is child's play, but the consistency of a Sith’s life is easy enough to drill in. I doubt this will be the only time I'll have to interject to groom Valkara into a willing apprentice, but hopefully the idea of Allies will keep her alive in the trials. Perhaps my sheer presence will force her to fine those who accept her so she learns what she could lose and give me more leverage. We will find out very soon indeed. For all she is currently is a pretender until I can find the opportunity to break that bond…

End transmission.”

*Hirak wafted a blackened gauntlet at the holorecorder to signal for the end of the recording. Slowly the machine shuddered as the light flashes, disappearing after a further moment back into the machine. A slow humming of the machinery indicated that it was turning off before silence then ensued.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, June 2018))

Entry 48: Training in the Kalkoran Gardens

*Hirak enters the frame of the holorecording dressed in his sparring outfit. It is noted as a smart and tight fitting attire. Flexing over his lithe muscular form, the Rattataki Sith Lord rolled his right shoulder and took off his mask, pressing a button on the left hand side of his neck to instigate the process of it’s removal from his face. He offered a churlish smirk which eventually brimmed into the full grin of a fanatic psychopath. His voice, lacking distortion, offered the soothing deep resonance that one had come to expect from his people but coloured with the influence of the imperial accent that made it so hard to distinguish his true origins.*

“I have fought against many different adversaries in my life: from the beginning my own people, at a tender age I killed two adults in a struggle when the force awoke in me and further on as a slave mining in the pits for the Empire’s resources. Eventually, as an acolyte, I fought monsters like Massassi, other acolytes, apprentices, creatures of the Dark Side and republic soldiers. As an apprentice, I fought Sith Lords and Darths alike, eventually killing the likes of Lord Stygian who threatened my master’s life. In my current state, I have battled some of the most renowned fighters in the Empire and offered them little quarter. Such is the way I would have it continue, for there is no other way in life for a Sith than strife. I will blot out entire star systems with the blood of my enemies and the corpses of Republic and Jedi alike.

But certainly, in current times, it has grown boring - the same affairs keep happening. Lesson upon lesson, watching the acolytes struggle and the apprentices grow more hungry. It does bore me. So to provide entertainment, myself and Lord Kalkoran decided to test our apprentices with a little training in the gardens. We assembled Cerberus, Vaenra, Siors, Aregra and Zhephra to perform a five way duel. To increase the odds, we’d step in now and then to just annoy them, to remove some of the edges the more senior apprentices may have in the performance of their combat.

It is from this duel that I have noticed something rather lacking with our apprentices, something that neither myself nor Trakaton lacked. This drive to be intelligent and to exert their will upon others. They are too cautious, too wary of loss. It is as if they do not understand that being beaten into a pulp does not make you weak, it makes you stronger. Yes, you suffer a hit to your pride, but the next time you fight them you will be that much more the wiser - your powers strengthened by your resolve to win. It is how I eventually overcame Trakaton. I lost to him -every- time as an acolyte. Yet as my experience grew, I was able to defeat him in a spar. This of course is largely down to our focuses. Trakaton is a strategist, he is suited to leading battles in space and dictating the large number of forces in how to win a battle. I on the other hand represent the strongest piece on the board, able to cut through the swarm through sheer ability during a battle. This clear distinction between us is what makes our combination work so well, due to that experience I am able to offer insight that is invaluable to him because I do not lack the cunning to understand vision. This however, I feel, is lacking amongst our apprentices. It is not something that we can teach, it is not something that can be sat down and explained as I have learned trying to do so with Siors. It is a skill that is inherent or learned through experience, and so far none have done so.”

*Hirak paused and took a deep breath in. His previous excited expression dulls slightly as if he realised something important.*

“I have digressed though and shall return to the topic I actually wished to speak of. The training exercise itself went vaguely well. Most engaged during the time limit, including likes of Cerberus and Vaenra, or Aregra and Zhephra. I noted, however, that my own apprentice was trying to be calculating from the side and had in fact missed most of the combat. An error on his part, but not the first. He’ll have to learn to determine his surroundings more quickly if he wishes to survive later on. So during the absolute boredom I felt at the beginning whilst they all ran from one another, I decided to play with Cerberus a little. Summoning the force through me in the form of lightning, I performed a skill taught to me by the now AWOL Lord Venom. Surging through the ground via the matter there, it struck upwards through my channeling towards the black haired apprentice, causing him no amount of pain whilst Zhephra harassed him from a tree. I recall not being able to hold back my laughter, though undoubtedly no one could hear me whilst fighting ensued.

The rest sadly I have blotted out of my mind, mostly due to the fact that it was most unremarkable and honestly I was very bored by it all. Of course, this is not something I will publicly admit nor openly show. I must show disappointment so that they will learn, despite the fact that I hope they do not for the simple reason that the mockery they provide is often quite amusing. I am of the mind that apprentices should be shown the way through your own actions and if they do not adhere to them that is their failings not yours. Let us hope some of them learn eventually.

End transmission.”

*Hirak wafted a hand towards the holorecorder device. The blue light showing his form began to shudder before eventually the mechanical inner working of the machine shut down abruptly. With little to no further use of it, the whirring stopped and the blue light cut out completely signally the end of the entry.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, June 2018))

Entry 49: The Lighter

*Hirak steps into the blue light of the holorecording. Dressed in his lordly attire, the black cape flows off the back of his shoulders down onto the ground. Shoulder guards protect his upper body and weigh heavy on his form. Masked with the ferocious looking beast-maw carapace that covers his body, only the red eyes can be seen. His voice is accentuated both by the vocal emitter and the static of the holorecording. Both hands find the small of his back and he appears to be composed for this entry.*

“The ex-padawan known as Valkara. I have spoken about her before. It is not often that one with raw talent in the force is put into the acolyte roster, and with some promise, but I suppose that was to be expected of one groomed to be an asset like her. She is rebellious, certainly, and I sometimes doubt that she truly has forgotten the ways of the light side. Though, I do blame her ‘loving’ friendship group for that. They remind her of what it was like to be a Jedi; there isn’t the loneliness of being an acolyte nor the struggle. Perhaps if she had been an alien… no. I will not let these ridiculous thoughts enter my mind. I have decided to test her with other means.

It is not unknown to those who have seen me rise from acolyte onwards that I have a penchant for odd shaped lighters. With a galaxy so vast as ours, it is no surprise that many different races have tried to influence the design of such a nifty little device as the lighter, which can light a deathstick or start a fire. The opulence and richness of its craft has determined the rank and status of many people, from ugly thug to rich noble. So, I gave one to Valkara, who was blissfully unaware of its importance. Moments later as I walked out I sent a public holocall throughout the powerbase that any acolyte who wished to gain my favour must only steal it from her and bring it back. The one who gave it to me at the end of seven days will gain such favour.

An impressive display of simple cunning and deviousness will win. It is a skill that is often lacking amongst the acolytes of this generation, as they offer little tact. Though, in hindsight, neither did I. The difference being that I had raw talent and a majority of these ingrates have none. So from here I waited.

Eventually, seven days passed and I made the call through the public holo network that I was expecting my lighter back. If no one brought it back, I would have no doubt carved my way through them until I found it. Yet, the Zabrak called Nedhorroc returned to me with a lighter. I took it in my hand and noticed that it was some ordinary, base metal looking lighter. Nothing alike the one I gave to Valkara. So in reprimand, I pinned him up against a wall and called him a fool. It was during this time that Valkara and Sovernus appeared, the former eventually presenting me with the lighter that I sought. I took it and sent Nedhorroc away.

Admittedly, I was curious. The Zabrak actually -thought- that this was the lighter. So he must have had some interaction with the girl. Naturally, I asked them both the story of how Nedhorroc had come to be such a fool. Whilst Valkara explained the situation, I was watching the Arkanian called Sovernus. There was something strange about him. Something that intrigued me. He had an eye for detail, and a talent for strategy. He reminded me of an alien Trakaton. I suppose that is a complement, quite unlike me. But I knew the girl had only a small part to play with the deception. Usually my senses are on point. Though no doubt she had the sense to hide it like she told me, Valkara did not have the greater acumen for strategy like her counterpart.

Regardless, my favour was earned. I shall have to watch this Sovernus from now on. I am intrigued to see how he progresses.

End transmission.”

*Hirak wafts another hand towards the holorecorder whilst offering a deep, long drawn out sight. It was as if curiosity had almost bested him at this point and he had become tired from it’s drawn out process. Eventually, the machine that displayed the entry shuddered to a halt, diminishing the blue light back into it with a swish and a flash.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, December 2018))

Entry 50: Incident on Kaas

*Hirak was dressed in his full duranium armour as he stepped into the frame. It was clear that he was not in the presence of his own home as he held the holorecorder out in front in his right hand that allowed the entire scenery behind him to be seen. In the background, a large imperial like structure was present, it seemed to be some sort of outpost. However, the blue shading of it’s image made it appear distorted. The main focus was clearly on the masked Sith Lord who now began to speak, performing a monologue into the small device in his usual robotic gait.*

“I am stood outside one of the Horuset outposts on Dromund Kaas. More than a couple of hours ago, Lord Saud and myself were alerted to an attack that had taken place on a convoy en route to its usual supply depot deep in the jungles of the Sith Capital. This is mostly usual with regards to the creatures that thrive in the fury of the Dark Side that inhabits the world… however, there were reports of entire teams going dark alongside zero response from the outpost itself.

I naturally was the first to respond to the threat. These convoys are important to keeping the steady flow of the Imperial Capital’s resources heading out to our greater outposts on the Outer Rim as well as into the Capital Factories. So it was my intent to solve this by sending a more suited elite force into the jungles lead by Lord Saud. Now, I had initially not expected the heavily pregnant Sith Lord to even offer to want to join but she decided to go anyways. Her own apprentices joined her alongside Apprentice Occularis, Apprentice Vaenra and some of the lesser known acolytes seeking to prove themselves.

From the reports, it was easy to deduce that they had started quickly and eventually found the first wreckage and due to the loud noise their ‘elite team’ made in the search, it drew out the beast. This creature was a Jurgoran, one of Dromund Kaas’ most powerful untamed animals. As of yet I have not seen one face to face but I could tell from the description in the debrief. Combat then ensued, one that was supposedly difficult. The Jurgoran was dispatched but not without great strain put on Lord Saud who is said to have performed notable acrobatic techniques during the fight… one I would advise any whoever might hear of this tale not to do whilst burdened with a child. Unless of course you wish to terminate it in a most violent way.

Yet, the strain of this and further scouting techniques force Lord Saud into labour. Most of the stronger apprentices stayed behind with their master whilst other acolytes ventured out into the jungle to search for further clues. Eventually, all focus was consumed by Lord Saud whose child could be in great danger with the threat of another Jurgoran still present.

I eventually handled the situation personally by sending another team down to kill the rest of the Jurgoran nest that had settled itself in the perfect place to ambush our convoys. Their deaths will serve as a reminder to any and all who seek to get in the way of the Empire’s production efforts, be it docile pet to rampant creature, Sith or Jedi, they will simply be purged by my hand.”

*Hirak raised a hand to his mask’s chin and rubbed the metallic frame softly. A light scoff murmured from the vocal emitter.*

“Though I have come to learn in the short time after the event that Lord Saud’s child is called Kromus. Kromus Horuset. An intriguing name when I researched it's roots. My first impression is that he disrupted his mother’s attempts at successfully leading an important mission. Perhaps this child will continue to hinder all her efforts and I will see eye to eye with it. Or perhaps it won’t and I will have to cave it’s skull in when it becomes a nuisance. Either way, my master’s efforts will not be destabilised by anything or anyone.

End transmission.”

*The Sith Lord waves a hand across the screen of the holorecorder, causing the machine to whirr to a stop. The noise it had been making shit down slowly before the blue light disappeared back into the machine. The diary entry was over as Hirak disappeared from view.*