Recovery

“You are a foolish child that disobeyed orders!” growled Overseer Harkun. Harkun was not happy to hear that Wes had not only snuck into a tomb but then proceeded to awaken a Sith Force Ghost and finished it off by blowing up the tomb, along with any Sith artifacts that may have been in there.

“What’s life without a little excitement?” Wes said with a little laugh, which he immediately regretted as a sharp pain made its way across his chest. Wes was happy all he had was a few internal bruises. Lord Oswall was currently in a bacta tank to recover from his wounds while, somehow, Rusel had walked away the least injured. I am really starting to hate that walking waste of the Force. Wes thought to himself as he tuned out the Overseer’s harsh criticism of him and continued to think about what had happened.

To think I met a Force Ghost of a Sith Lord and survived! Most people who aren’t themselves a Sith Lord or Jedi Knight tend to die a rather horrific death. Wes made sure to say a few “Yes, sir,” “Of course, my Lord,” to make Harkun think he had Wes’ full attention. But to think I’d meet Darth Malak, from the Jedi Civil War! The Emperor himself turned Revan and Malak to the dark side. His power is truly great. Although them making their own Sith Empire wasn’t part of the plan I heard. They were strong Jedi before, so perhaps their previous ideals were able to cancel out some of the Emperor’s brainwashing? To think they were still that powerful after all the Emperor did to them. The Force truly was strong with them... As Wes finished his thoughts, so too, did Harkun finish his lecture on discipline.

“I look forward to seeing you for your punishments, acolyte. You and Rusel will both learn your place by the time I’m done!” laughed the sadistic Sith Overseer as he left Wes’ room.

“Well, now I’m rather happy I can’t use the bacta tank to heal yet,” Wes said aloud to himself as he let out a sigh.

“So you’re happy Lord Oswall is in there fighting for his life?” came a voice from the doorway.

“Of course not, Tal! Lord Oswall has taught me a lot about being a Sith Lord than many others have before,” Wes said to his visitor as she made her way over to his bedside.

“True. He’s not your average power hungry Sith Lord. He knows he couldn’t keep up with the others so he used his unique skills to find a niche where he could do as he pleased with minimal chance to anger any powerful Sith Lord,” she explained, to which Wes nodded in agreement.

“Exactly! In an empire where there are thousands of Sith all vying for prestige and power, he found a way to get that in an unorthodox way! While I doubt he’ll become a Darth unless he finds some sort of amazing ancient Sith artifact, he’s still one of the foremost Sith historians around. Even the II comes to him if they stumble upon something they need identified. He’s an example that you don’t have to be on the front lines to make your name known!” Wes finished his impromptu praise speech to Tal with heavy breathing to refill his lungs. Tal’s face was covered with a huge smile she had as she listend to Wes praise her superior.

“Exactly! He truly is a great Sith and superior. I feel honored to work for him. Although, I do know the more...aggressive… Sith Lords are also needed for the security of our great empire. But sometimes they can do more harm than good,” Tal said without thinking.

“Watch who you tell that last part to, Tal. Not all Sith are as understanding as I am,” he pointed out to her.

“Oh! I didn’t even realize! I apologize!” she said as she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. Wes put his other hand on top of hers and gave it a squeeze.

“It’s ok, I understand. They just need Sith general to rally around. I hear one of the Sith that took back Korriban is being eyed for such a position. But only time will tell how he turns out,” Wes said with a smile on his face.

“Either way, the Republic will fall and we will once again rule the galaxy!” Tal said with patriotism oozing out of every word she said. Wes could tell she truly loved the Empire and would do anything to secure it. It was at that moment he decided that she would be a great ally to have once he finally became a Sith Lord. Plus, having someone in the Imperial Reclamation Service could potentially come in handy if the young Sith came across any ancient artifacts of Sith or Jedi origins.

“Tal, I was thinking. Once I finish my training here and gain an apprenticeship, what do you think about staying in touch? I bet my master will have me out on the front lines and who knows what crazy artifacts I may find. It could help your career if I send them to you for analysis!” Wes suggested, hoping she would take the bait and agree. The young woman took a moment to think over his proposition. She knew that, for the most part, members of the IRS only got sent to worlds months after the battling was done, normally at the cost of countless ruins and artifacts being destroyed or stolen by both sides of the war. But this, this was a chance for her to get a supply of artifacts from the front lines, things that she and perhaps Lord Oswall could examine and make a name for themselves.

“Yes, I accept! You seem to be one of the more temperate Sith I’ve met in a long while and, I must admit, your offer of artifacts from the front lines is very tempting. By the time the IRS gets there, the more brutish members of the military have either destroyed them with their damned bombs or “confiscated” them for their private collections. So, if you can get them to me before those scoundrels get it, then of course I’ll stay in touch with you!” she said with a smile. “O-of course, I’d still stay in touch with you without this offer...” she said, her cheeks a hint of red on them.

“I’m...happy to hear that...” Wes said with a smile, his own cheeks a slight shade of red.