Collect Your Dead

It was time, Malgus contacted Raivo directly, he didn't utilize his agent Avalon. Malgus tended to enjoy face to face interactions so he actually sent for Raivo to appear in his chambers. Raivo obliged quickly of course, he looked pristine in his best set of robes a dark black with burgundy red undertones. He stepped across the ebony black floors that reminded Raivo of his knife. He strolled briskly through the corridors of the temple, his robes bellowing behind him.

Malgus wore a quiet expression of anger, his eyes constantly burning with Sith intensity. Raivo didn't even display the Sith intensity all the time the way Malgus seemed to. His expression changed from somber to slightly amused as Raivo knelt before him, "Rise Lord Raivo, I have a mission for you." Raivo smiled as he stood, "I thought you might." Malgus proceeded to elaborate a very technical mission involving the infiltration of Coruscant, the subsequent infiltration of a high level Republic building, retrieving files of the whereabouts of a high level prisoner of war, and then extracting said prisoner from wherever they are in the galaxy. Raivo soaked in all the information on the mission, this would be a tough one. Raivo enjoyed a little bit of stealth, he planned on killing as many people in the process of this mission as he could.

Malgus finished elaborating the specifics, and then Malgus laughed, "I'm sure you're anxious to get underway, go and don't fail me BOY!" His voice boomed with dark side energy. Raivo smiled, "Of course, I think you'll be satisfied." Raivo turned and strolled away, he would need help on this, he went and contacted Avalon summoning her to meet him at his ship. She did as she was instructed and was waiting on board as Raivo reached the hangar. He sensed her presence questioning, calculating.... cold. He liked that about her, she was a cold woman, yet he also sensed a flicker of fire when she saw him. Her face didn't change a bit, a result of years of mental conditioning, controlled torture, to turn her into a tool for the Empire.

Raivo smiled, "We have a fun trip ahead of us Avalon, we're going to Coruscant." Avalon now showed what she felt, she looked genuinely shocked. "I suppose they've decided you've served your purpose?" Raivo smirked, "Oh what do you mean?" Avalon paused, she felt as though she needed to tread softly, and frankly she did. "Well I've heard stories of them sending Sith into the core worlds on suicide missions when they become too troublesome." Raivo laughed, "Well I won't lie to you the thought has crossed my mind, but to return from a suicide mission unscathed is to effectively shut the mouths of anyone who would oppose you, and that is exactly what we are going to do."

Avalon nodded curtly, she understood the game better than most, still though she didn't expect to walk away from this, but Raivo didn't intend to allow her to die, he liked her, maybe even had feelings for her. He would complete his mission first and foremost, but he would keep her around for as long as possible. Raivo piloted the ship with Avalon in the seat next to him. He plotted the hyperspace coordinates that would take him to the belly of the beast. The ship lurched forward into hyperspace leaving the darkness of Drommund Kaas behind.

Repercussions

Raivo was out among the commoners, at least what the Sith referred to as commoners, he referred to them as citizens of the Empire. They chose to serve the stronger side, that warranted appreciation according to Raivo. He often spent his time doing hard labor among the people.

He was a popular Sith in the eyes of the Empire, maybe not within the walls of the Sith temple but among the citizens he was a hero. He liked that, Raivo, the dark knight of the Empire, Wrath of the Emperor, caretaker of the masses. He also did this to keep his physical form strong, his kind was resistant to the detrimental effects of prolonged dark side use, but working out and staying fit boosted this ability. He would live naturally for over 200 years without aid of arcane Force techniques. Raivo intended to live forever though. He had a lot to do after all, one day he would be the Emperor.

Raivo didn't care much for politics, but he knew he wanted to be in charge that much was certain, and when he was the people would celebrate, he would hold planet wide parties that spanned for days, and conquer not only the core worlds, but he would explore unknown space and take down other civilizations he hadn't even dreamed of yet!

Raivo had lost himself in his ruminations, and thus started working faster, the farmers he was working with looked at him with puzzled faces as he tossed heavy loads of grain aside like they were nothing, he'd also failed to notice a young Sith emissary coming to summon him. Raivo stood and flexed his muscles to the fullest, he wasn't as tall as some of the bigger brutes, but he was an imposing figure when he wasn't wearing a tunic.

The emissary made the mistake of hurling a farmer aside with the Force breaking the farmer's leg. Probably disabling him for the rest of the season, Raivo wouldn't stand for this blatant disregard for a citizen that provided the Sith with their food. This pompous nobody wouldn't work the fields himself nor would he lift a finger to even unload one of the cargo ships bringing in the valuable commodity. Raivo would teach him a lesson.

The emissary grinned at Raivo thinking Raivo appreciated his idiotic show of force. "Lord Malgus requests an audience with you Lord Raivo." He sneered, sounding as pathetic as he looked to Raivo. Raivo responded, "Of course I will be there as soon as I am presentable." The emissary nodded and turned to walk away, Raivo stopped him, "Tell me, who do you report to?" The emissary turned, "Why I report to Lord Malgus of course." Raivo smiled "Excellent, would you say he treats you well?" The emissary looked puzzled, "Why yes I suppose."

Raivo continued, "Has he ever struck you or disciplined you?" The emissary looked even more puzzled, "Of course he's done so when I deserved it." Raivo smiled the emissary walked perfectly into his next thought. "Did this farmer you injured do anything warranting your anger?" The emissary froze unsure what to say, "He was in my way, the pathetic pig should have known to move aside." Raivo's eyes narrowed, "Does this man have access to the Force? Can he sense your presence, he is blind to the ways you and I see things, and so forth he deserves to be notified just as you would notify a blind man of your presence." Raivo's voice was threaded with dark energy, "I have never seen you lift a finger to provide food for the Sith, nor have I ever seen you do an ounce of work except that you go and fetch for your master like a dog."

The emissary looked incredulous, "If you kill me my master will not be pleased." Raivo cut him off before he could continue, "I will not kill you just as you didn't kill this injured man, since you took him from his work I will take you from your work. Raivo snapped his fingers and the emissary's femur snapped the bone ripping through his flesh. He cried out in pain, Raivo continued, "and since you also use your mouth for communicating I'll take that ability from you as well." Raivo snapped again and the poor Sith's jaw shattered at the hinges. Raivo made sure to keep the young man awake for he was not done with this lesson. "You cannot walk, and you cannot speak, also you will not be able to partake of solid food until you heal, since you took this man away from his work and lively hood you are not worthy of eating the fruits of his labor."

Raivo turned to walk away, "Oh and emissary... You had better make it to your master before I do or there will be further consequences." Raivo grabbed his tunic and strolled towards the temple quickly for his meeting with Malgus. The dark lord would not want to be kept waiting, and Raivo wasn't stupid. This was either something really good, or really bad, so he prepared for the worst. Hopefully Malgus didn't want to challenge Raivo, this would not be an encounter he would survive... yet.

Raivo reached his quarters quickly, bathed clothed in his finest shimmersilk robes hooked his lightsaber and ebony knife on his belt and headed to Malgus' daytime quarters where he conducted business. Raivo knelt before Malgus giving the Sith the respect he deserved, "Yes master I have been told you request my presence." Raivo said in his most charming tone. "Malgus smiled, "Rise boy rise, have a seat next to me, we have business to discuss." Raivo was still on guard, but the invitation to sit was an oddly informal one. Raivo did as he was told and sat next to Malgus.

Malgus continued, "Your exploits and escapades are fast becoming the talk of the temple. First you kill your master who was about to bestow the title of Sith upon your shoulders, then you mutilate poor Vesvious and Ulah. They've both asked that your head be delivered to them." Raivo was unsettled, did he call him here to reprimand him or to praise him? The doors to Malgus' chamber slowly creaked open, the emissary crawled through the entrance and dragged himself across the floor like a worm. Fire rose up in Malgus' eyes, "What happened to you! Who did this?" Raivo choked back a chuckle, his tone was neutral. "I'm afraid he can't speak master, I shattered his jawbone."

Before Raivo could react he was flying across the room, he slammed into the wall cracking it where he slumped to the floor. Or he would have had Malgus not been pinning him to the wall. The emissary would have smiled had his jaw not been scraping painfully across the floor. Malgus stormed towards Raivo demanding explanation. Raivo obliged, "Master he injured a farmer for no reason, he deserved to be taught a lesson." Malgus was incredulous,"What!?!! You injured a Sith for a mere commoner?" Raivo smiled through his mild pain, "Yes, that commoner provides food for this temple, he is property of the Sith, why mistreat property. You don't beat livestock unless they've warranted it, and you don't break a tool when it works perfectly. The young Sith in question needed to learn this lesson I didn't kill him or do anything to him that won't make him a stronger Sith. I warned him that he should make it to you before I get here."

Malgus was intrigued, "Very well, I must say I like your reasoning." Malgus released hold on Raivo, who dropped to his feet. Malgus turned and walked towards his underling. "I'm afraid if you can't stand up and defend yourself you may find yourself at a disadvantage." The young fool looked up with eyes that did all the pleading they needed too. Malgus turned, "Raivo, if you respect me and wish to serve me then kill this man." Raivo stood, "How would you like him killed?" Raivo didn't care for killing helpless things, but if Malgus wished this useless garbage dead he would not protest.

Malgus smiled through his respirator, "Hmm interesting question, I like it. I think something entertaining is in order." Raivo smiled, "Right away." Raivo approached the pathetic heap of nothing that lay before him. "Stand up, I will not have you die on your belly like a worm." The young boy looked at him with the eyes of fear and despair, he moved himself to the wall and painfully brought himself to stand on his good leg. Raivo snarled, "Now activate your lightsaber!" The boy did as he was commanded and activated his lightsaber.

Raivo moved towards him and ignited his own blade, he swung at about 40 percent of his full strength and allowed the young boy to block. "Good, you will not die a coward's death." Raivo spat at him as tears ran down the boys face. Raivo swung again but this time cleaved the boy's lightsaber in half. "Nevermind, I guess you will die a coward's death." Raivo grabbed the boy with the Force and hurled him across the room sending his trademark lighting chasing after him. The boy hit the wall hard and fell to the ground. Raivo was already on top of him by the time he hit the wall, he grabbed him and jumped high into the air. Raivo Force pushed the boy through the obsidian flooring and into the permacrete below. He fell on top of him while drawing his knife, as he did he landed right on top of the foolish young Sith plunging his knife into the man's chest.

Raivo removed his knife sheathed it, hooked his lightsaber on his belt and reported to Malgus. "It is done Malgus." Raivo said, using Malgus' name, something that would have gotten most killed. Malgus laughed, "well you certainly don't disappoint boy!" Raivo grinned genuinely thrilled to have the approval of a Sith such as Malgus. Malgus continued, "Anyways, what I'm proposing is that you go on a few missions for me, I'm not asking for an apprentice or an underling, I just need someone who can operate where I'm more... Known." Raivo understood what Malgus meant by this, and was honored to be able to do what the Force always intended for him to do... Kill. Raivo was lost in the thrill of what lay ahead when Malgus chimed in. "I'll take that as a yes then." Raivo grinned, "Of course master, all my resources are at your disposal." Malgus laughed, "No boy, all my resources are at your disposal." Raivo couldn't be happier, he went back to his quarters once he was dismissed, and in the solitude of his quarters began to think.

He wondered if Malgus was just trying to get Raivo out of the temple to keep him from killing more Sith. If he was, was that such a bad thing? Raivo didn't like being deceived but at the same time he was getting exactly what he wanted. A chance to kill outside the parameters of the treaty. He liked that enough to ignore Malgus' intentions. He would serve the Emperor well, at least until his moment came.

Glory is a Poison

Raivo finished the debrief with Avalon, this was his first time seeing her in person, and he had to say the holoprojectors didn't do her justice. She was quite stunning physically fit, with soft features that seemed to be unable to harden up with her field experience. She had noticed him scrutinizing her, but she ignored it with the professionalism expected of one her status. He admired that in her, but he also detested it.

"What's the point of going through life if you don't allow yourself the pleasures of this world?" Raivo thought to himself as he strolled back to his new lavish quarters on Drommund Kaas. He passed by a couple of Sith Lords who were watching him as he walked by. He only knew them by name; Lord Caelus, a Kiffar Sith who's hunting skills were that of legend, and Darth Lyrius whom Raivo knew little of except Lyrius was considered crazy even among Sith.

They nodded to him, and Raivo sensed a twinge of approval from both of the Sith, they had clearly learned of how Raivo dealt with his master, and they were among the rather few Sith who approved. Raivo could care less, but it was nice to know he had potential allies should the need for them arise. Raivo's quarters were right there, he had arranged for a small party to be held in his quarters since they were large enough to accommodate such celebrations.

The party had already started, and Raivo moved through the crowd to his private chambers to change, he put on some white robes that he enjoyed wearing because of the stark contrast it gave. Raivo enjoyed being at odds with whoever he was around, and it made him smile to see other Sith unsettled by his presence. This particular group didn't seem to care much as most of them were already merry with the effects of the many drinks Raivo had available.

A young Sith woman approached Raivo with a coy smile "Hello you look like you could use a break, my name is Ulah." Raivo smiled back, "Well Ulah what did you have in mind?" She looked Raivo in the eyes, a gesture few below him lived through. "Follow me." She said as she turned and sprinted. Raivo gave chase and followed her to an open terrace revealing the Drommund Kaas night sky. It was a beautiful sight to behold, and Raivo was with another beautiful woman.

Something was off here but Raivo wasn't too worried, he knew his heightened senses would be aware if her intentions were to kill him so he ignored the feeling as she kissed him deeply. His danger sense flickered right before she drove a very small dagger into his back.

Enraged Raivo grabbed her by the throat and tossed her off the terrace. Her reflexes were good enough to save her as she grabbed the ledge and pulled herself back up. Raivo ripped the dagger from his back with the Force a trail of crimson lightning following the blade as he hurled it at her. The supersonic speeds at which the dagger traveled were no match for the young Sith woman's reflexes she batted it aside with her lightsaber.

There was something off here, Raivo could sense that her mission was not to kill him, but something else. Right then he felt it a slow trickle throughout his blood... "POISON!" Raivo yelled in his mind, he didn't let the realization slip in the Force however, he allowed himself to become enraged about the betrayal while slowly using the Force to purge the poison from his body.

His outward expression was one of a sinister calm. "We could have had a lovely night, and you went and ruined it." Raivo said with what appeared to be a sad smile. "My master wishes you dead." She snarled somehow losing the charm she had held in her voice moments earlier. Raivo smiled again, "A pity, I wonder how he'll take to the loss of his pretty young apprentice."

She charged at him with the full power of the dark side engulfing her every action. Raivo didn't bother igniting his lightsaber, she was young, impetuous, and weak. Her strategy was to delay him so that the poison could weaken him before his confrontation with her master. He would allow her to think she had completed this task for now.

He waited for her to be right on top of him before he moved her lightsaber crashing down atop his head. He sidestepped and grabbed her arm using the Force to dissolve the flesh on her forearm and hand like acid. She stood horrified as her lightsaber hit the ground and all she had to stare at was the skeletal remains of her arm.

Raivo leaned in and whispered to her "The poison you stabbed me with only works well on full humans, you would do well to research your target more in the future." He left her standing there in shock still staring at the bony hand where flesh used to be. Too in pain to scream but too horrified to collapse, she was frozen in agony. Raivo had taught her an important lesson tonight, but now he would kill her master.

Raivo could feel her master calling him out, and Raivo intended to meet him with great force. Raivo picked up speed and anger as he moved through the temple, few were dumb enough to remain in his path but those that did were knocked aside by the sheer pressure Raivo had before him in the Force.

The training room of all places, Raivo sent the door from it's sealed position to the opposing wall as he came into the large chamber. The Sith master dodged the door but was clearly surprised the poison hadn't weakened him.

"I take it you got my message?" The master replied, Raivo growled "I don't care who you are or what your status is, you will beg me for death before this night ends." The master laughed "A bold statement, I think you will find I'm not as forgiving as your former master, you do not deserve the title of Sith yet, your master gave the title to you out of love, he was too soft on you."

Raivo was intrigued, "Oh? I was not aware that my stripping him of the mantle was a weakness on my part." The master laughed again, "Let me introduce myself, I am Darth Vesvious and I knew your master well, he could speak no wrong of you, and often considered you a son... Simply put he let you win."

Raivo gathered his anger, "Well I suppose there's one way to settle this then." Vesvious smiled, "Yes, you swear yourself to me, become my apprentice, and relearn all the things he couldn't teach you."

Raivo didn't blink, "No I think I like the option where I make you beg for death." Vesvious looked genuinely shocked, "So be it, a pity you won't be reasonable." Raivo ignited his crimson blade at the same moment Vesvious did. Raivo could sense the immense dark energy from this master, but he didn't care.

Vesvious obviously had prepared for combat, but he hadn't prepared for killing, and advantage Raivo intended to exploit. He came in quick feinting the impulsive recklessness of one his age so Vesvious would assume Raivo was an idiot. Vesvious toyed with Raivo parrying and riposting, but not delivering killing blows. Raivo had the information he needed. He unleashed the full power he had been holding back relying on his knowledge of Juyo and the power of the dark side to fuel him.

Vesvious while surprised didn't give much ground, he was a full dark lord of the Sith, and he was in armor, Raivo was bare foot and in light almost see through white robes. Raivo could imagine the picturesque battle in his head and he relished the idea using it to power his rage.

Vesvious released a telekinetic push that sent Raivo flying into one of the columns. Raivo brushed it off and used the time to unleash his own barrage of Force energy. The red lightning cackled about in a brilliant display burning the robes that Vesvious did have in between his armor spaces, but it didn't do any physical harm.

Vesvious laughed and attacked again utilizing Makashi to bat Raivo's powerful blows aside and manipulate his defense. Raivo had enough playing games he pulled out the dark ebony colored knife he carried and began using it in tandem with his lightsaber.

When Vesvious was too far away Raivo threw the knife cutting skin only but still frustrating Vesvious to no end, when Vesvious moved in to attack Raivo would bring him in and slash the knife at the straps holding Vesvious' armor on. Raivo had to be careful though he already had several burns where Vesvious' attacks had come too close for comfort. Raivo relished the pain, accepted it and used it to focus it back against this man who defied his right to the title of Sith.

Raivo finally saw his moment, Vesvious stepped in to attack lightsaber over his head when Raivo sent a telekinetic wave rolling towards Vesvious. He braced himself for the attack and he didn't move an inch, but the same could not be said for his armor. The armor flew off of him smashing into the wall behind him. The shock was obvious on Vesvious' face and in the split second it took for Vesvious to regain his composure Raivo had already unleashed his signature lighting on Vesvious' bare unprotected body.

Vesvious' skin bubbled where the lightning was concentrated which was right in the center of his chest. It was precise low energy lightning meant to maim not to kill. Raivo held the lightning there until Vesvious' lightsaber fell from his hands. Raivo tugged the lightsaber to him with the Force and hooked it on his belt.

He walked slowly towards Vesvious who was trying to use the dark side to fuel his body to get up and fight. He lifted his finger which lifted Vesvious up to eye level with Raivo. He took his knife and buried it deep in Vesvious gut ensuring not to hit any vital organs. Raivo held the blood and entrails in so the pain would last longer.

He took out his lightsaber and pinned Vesvious to the wall holding him just so the lightsaber wouldn't cleave through his shoulder but was always searing new flesh. Vesvious screamed in pain, Raivo didn't think less of him for this. Raivo pulled the lightsaber from him dropping him to the floor. He then cleaved off a hand ensuring after each cut Vesvious was fully conscious.

Raivo then used his exceptionally sharp knife to remove Vesvious' other hand. Cauterization was painful, but Raivo figured Vesvious would appreciate watching himself bleed out. Raivo leaned in and whispered in Vesvious' ear, "You know how to end this, don't you?" A tear rolled down Vesvius' face, Vesvious had spent so much time planning to take Raivo as his apprentice, he did little to prepare for the fight. Such was true of many Sith Lords these days they used their intimidation as masters to get what they wanted. There were many masters who didn't have the prowess to kill anymore. Raivo wouldn't stand for this kind of blatant complacency.

Vesvius' now raspy voice struggled, "End it, go ahead you win. I underestimated you." Raivo smiled, "No, you will live with the disgrace that happened here tonight, as will your apprentice." Raivo then turned and walked away from the master who defied him. Upon returning to his quarters the Sith still there were now paying attention, Raivo was wounded badly sustaining a deep gash in his rib cage from a lightsaber blow dealt by Vesvious, Raivo's white robes were now red from both his blood and Vesvious'. Raivo ordered everyone out as he retired to his chambers and climbed into a nice tank of kolto that had been prepared for him by Avalon. Raivo smiled, "How long before you place a dagger in my back?" He slipped into a deep sleep allowing the kolto to heal his wounds.