Chapter 26: Holocron

That familiar feeling of weightlessness. I wonder, can one develop an allergy to bacta tanks with frequent use? I’ve asked myself that several times now, yet never bothered to look for an answer.

Through the bluish haze, oddly distorted, I saw a pale face with deep shadows under the eyes and red streaks branching downward.

"So, we meet again, Fifth Son."

The voice, warped by a vocoder, broke into my still-drowsy consciousness.

"Greetings, Grand Inquisitor."

I didn't know if he could hear me, but it was best to be polite with the Master. My reverence for him might have vanished, but we could still be useful to one another. Only the Force knew what they’d do to me if they found out his mental suggestion had broken.

"The Emperor is satisfied with your progress..."

He can shove his satisfaction up a Hutt’s backside! A wave of irritation rolled through my body like molten heat. I nearly died back there, and he’s merely "satisfied." Whew. Easy. This was to be expected. Perhaps I can now see that the Emperor isn't as benevolent as he once seemed, but I have to admit, his selection methods are effective.

"As promised, you will remain under my direct supervision for the coming month. You will also receive your earned prize. It is already waiting in your quarters."

I shrugged mentally. Truthfully, right now I’d rather be back in my locked room at the training station, deep underground, just to sort through my own head. During these... how much time has passed? Let’s say three weeks. Strong changes have taken place within me, and I need to fully process them. First and foremost: my relationship with the Grand Inquisitor. Yes, he can be useful, but in what specific way, and how to avoid falling under his influence again, are questions I don't have answers for yet.

I had to admit, it was a beautiful gambit. Give me motivation, provide a replacement in case of failure, and reward me if I succeeded. Bravo.

"We have one day remaining in transit. You may rest and recover today, but once we arrive on the planet Nur, you will have no free time. Do not fail me; the Emperor has given clear instructions regarding your training, and you must meet them."

Great. Fantastic. Though, fine, training is never a waste.

"The med-droid recommended another two hours in the bacta for full recovery. I am giving you three; after that, I expect you in my quarters."

Fine by me. Meditation is a wonderful way to pass the time. Especially now.

Time lost its usual flow. My consciousness drifted in an infinite void. It was everything and it was nothing. At some point, I managed to feel... it.

A cruel, menacing Darkness enveloped my entire being, but that was only the outer layer. Through it, something else was visible. No, not light. A blackness, but a different kind, calmer, more controlled, more inviting. Like walking through a forest at pre-dawn. Twilight. That was likely the best word to describe my current state.

Simultaneously, through the gaps in the veil, scarlet bolts of lightning flickered here and there. They radiated the very pain and rage I’d been forced to endure throughout my life. They seemed to be trying to knit the shroud of Darkness back together, desperate to prevent whatever was hidden deep inside me from breaking out.

It was strange to feel how one part of me was utterly convinced that the outer layer was the "true" self, that I had to strengthen it at all costs to keep the alien, unknown entity in the depths from surfacing. Yet the other side rejected the Darkness, reaching for that which had slept peacefully within me until now, but had suddenly awakened and was demanding its place in the world.

I’ll need to think on this properly. I felt that the choice I would eventually have to make would be the decisive moment of my destiny.

At the edge of my awareness, I sensed the hum of motors draining the bacta.

I returned to reality.

The med-droid’s hands blurred over the control panel. A second later, I was gently lifted from the emptied tank. The sterile scent of the medbay hit my nose, grounding me fully.

Fresh clothes were already waiting by the exit. Strange, besides the usual tunic, trousers, and belt, there was a set of light black armor protecting the chest and parts of the legs. Very interesting. The fact that they fit like a second skin didn't even surprise me anymore, despite the fact that I’d definitely grown over these three weeks.

Moving felt a bit heavier now. That familiar lightness, as if I could move without touching the floor, had vanished. But I knew it was just a matter of habit and training. My body would adapt to the new weight soon enough. What’s an extra couple of kilograms to me?

Metallic footsteps distracted me from inspecting my new gear.

"The Lord Inquisitor requested I inform you that all maps of the ship and the Fortress Inquisitorius have been uploaded to your device."

"Yeah, on the bracer. Thanks, tin can."

"Precisely. And my designation is 2-1B. I am a medical droid, performing—"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Tell me, do they install a 'tedious personality' chip in you guys by default?"

"I do not possess that information."

"I don't doubt it. Goodbye, tin can. Hope I don't see you again anytime soon."

Ignoring me, the droid turned and went back to its business. Man, they are dull. I wonder if it’s truly a coincidence that they're all like that? If not, the developer had a hell of a sense of humor.

Walking toward the waypoint marked on the map, I looked around with interest. I hadn't been on a Star Destroyer before. I was picked up on a Venator, and after that, I wasn't ferried around on these giants, usually just small shuttles.

I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. Reading about these ships in the archives and hearing about them in class, they were presented as the pinnacle of engineering, a masterpiece the likes of which hadn't been seen for centuries. I expected the interior to look special.

It didn't. The harsh hand of Imperial order and uniformity had reached here, too. The interior decor differed little from my "Academy." On the bright side, I felt right at home.

The same metallic corridors, identical airlocks, cabin doors that looked exactly like one another. The only striking difference was the number of sentients on board. Though "humans" would be more accurate—I didn't see a single alien during my entire walk across half the ship.

Stormtroopers encased in white plate paced the corridors, patrolling their posts. Officers in uniforms, slightly modified from the patterns I knew, practically scurried about on errands for their superiors. Protocol didn't allow them to run, so they were forced into a brisk power-walk that made some of them look quite ridiculous.

Puffed up with pride and self-importance, yet scurrying like rats to fulfill an order as fast as possible.

The Stormtroopers paid me almost no mind. I felt a flicker of surprise through the Force from a few, but most were indifferent. Likely, the scanners and sensors in their helmets identified me as someone best left alone.

The officers, however, kept casting surprised glances my way. A couple of particularly "important" and fat-faced ones even tried to stop me to ask who and what I was. However, the sensation of invisible fingers beginning to tighten around their throats in a death grip quickly killed their desire for further inquiry.

The doors slid open before I even reached for the controls. Oh, the nostalgia. The very training hall where the Grand Inquisitor used to hammer the basics of Force manipulation and lightsaber combat into me. I wonder, does he custom-build one of these on every ship, or is this a standard layout for Inquisitors?

"You are late."

The Master sat opposite the entrance with his eyes closed, seemingly in meditation.

"My apologies."

Better not to provoke him. Even though I’ve grown stronger, I’m still a long way from the level where I can openly snap back at the Grand Inquisitor. Though, I think I could hold my own in a confrontation with the newer members of the Inquisitorius now. Not saying I’d win, but I’d certainly give them a headache.

"Listen and remember. I will not repeat myself. We have one month. In that time, you must prepare for a duel with a Jedi."

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was barely fourteen. I might have become the strongest in my class, but that didn't mean I was ready to hunt a fully-fledged Jedi. Tracking down a Padawan? That sounded realistic.

Then again, who knows, an apprentice could be stronger than some Jedi in the archives, especially if they were a prodigy like those famous during the Clone Wars. I certainly didn't want to cross blades with someone like Ahsoka Tano right now, assuming she survived the Purge. But even if it was a "weak" Jedi, wasn't it a bit early?

"A Jedi? Are you certain that—"

I was slammed into the floor by the Force. What an unpleasant sense of déjà vu. My body was forced down, but just as I was about to be fully bowed before the Master, I held. The Force locked me in place.

Not an inch lower, not a millimeter higher. It was a stalemate, but the fact that an acolyte could resist an Inquisitor even this much was a success. My self-assessment hadn't been overly inflated.

"You have grown stronger." There was a hint of grim satisfaction in his voice. "But if you dare interrupt me again, you won't get off so easily. Understood?"

"Yes, Grand Inquisitor."

"Excellent. Let us continue. Yes, a Jedi, but he is there with his Padawan. Intelligence reports they were on a mission in the Outer Rim and only recently returned. We are watching them closely. The Emperor was merciful enough to allow you, as the best of the acolytes, to test your strength in real combat. A battle against a true opponent will be beneficial. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Master."

A true opponent. And what were the others before this? Harmless little children with toothpicks?! These phrasings were starting to grate on my nerves. Quiet. Rage won't help me right now.

"We will not go alone. Purge Troopers will accompany us. You know what they are?"

"Soldiers specifically trained to hunt Jedi, currently composed primarily of clones. We studied the Imperial branches of service and primary equipment."

"Good. Over this month, I will prepare you for the encounter. And now, the final matter."

The Grand Inquisitor extended his hand, and a strange object flew into his palm. A small red pyramid, glowing faintly from within, rimmed with black metal. A very familiar Darkness radiated from the object.

"Do you know what this is?"

"An artifact from the temple."

"Correct. It is a Sith Holocron. The Emperor has bestowed it upon you; likely, you will find knowledge within to help you grow stronger. Few are granted such generosity. Now, to the next matter."

I felt my hilt fly from my belt. A second later, it was hovering in front of the Master’s face.

"How do you explain the fact that you neglected the Emperor’s gift and essentially rejected the lightsaber, one of the primary symbols of the Inquisitors?"

Steady, steady. Keep your face neutral. I had thought about this and prepared an answer; the key was not to say too much.

For years, the Sith had grown their own crystals for their weapons or corrupted the hearts of Jedi blades through specific rituals. Theoretically, I should have done the same. If things went south, they would likely take away the blade that had already become a part of me.

"According to the Emperor’s decree, Inquisitors may select their equipment based on preferred style, physiological traits, and other factors to maximize efficiency. Therefore, I decided that since I can feel this crystal, it would be better to use it for the benefit of the Empire and the Emperor than to pass it by."

"Very well." It was clear the Grand Inquisitor relaxed slightly. "That answer would satisfy the Lord. Personally, I do not care what weapon you use, so long as you remain useful to the Empire. Now go, my apprentice. You have a few hours before we arrive in the Mustafar system. Your month of training begins soon."

Bowing, I left the hall and only then allowed myself a sigh of relief. The sharp edges of the small pyramid dug into my palm, but I hardly noticed. On one hand, I was bursting with curiosity to see what the holocron contained. On the other, I was a little afraid.

My knowledge on the subject wasn't deep; I never thought I’d have to deal with such things. All I knew was that both Jedi and Sith recorded lessons for their apprentices, personal experiments, and sometimes their very personalities within them.

If there was the persona of a Sith Lord in there, he might well try to possess my body. Yes, there were precedents where Great Dark Masters of the past transferred their consciousness into those who found their artifacts.

I didn't know which of these was contained in this small pyramid. The power of the Dark Side was no longer so overwhelming; it seemed that as soon as the object was removed from the temple, it lost much of its potency. Or perhaps something else had been the source of that Darkness? Possibly.

In any case, I could speculate all I wanted, but I wouldn't uncover the truth that way. And even if I found the answers, they were unlikely to be pleasant.

Ah, my quarters. Wasting no time, I began to slip into a light meditation as I walked.

The floor was unpleasantly cold against my feet through my trousers, but these were trifles my mind barely registered.

Through the Force, I felt the pyramid pulsing, as if something powerful was about to burst out of it. It felt as though a mighty genie was trapped inside a small lamp, waiting for a key to set it free.

My power slowly enveloped the holocron, searching for the necessary points to open it.

I didn't need eyes to see what was happening. All five corners of the pyramid slowly rotated, like an old, rusted mechanism being forced back into service.

It took considerable effort to force them into the correct alignment. It felt like stretching a stiff spring.

As if breaking through an invisible wall, I snapped the holocron open with a final surge of will.

"Well, finally. I thought I'd die of boredom in here. What took you so long, eh? Young alcoholics are usually much faster with their hands."

I nearly fell out of my meditative state from the sheer shock.

"Eeeh, open your eyes. It’s impolite to speak to your elders like that. And now that you’ve opened the holocron, it’ll only take a minimal effort to do it again."

Not believing my ears, I squinted, closed them, rubbed them with my hands, but the vision didn't vanish.

A miniature, familiar, short-statured figure stared back at me, hovering over the holocron as a small red hologram.

His lips pulled back into a snide grin, revealing sharp teeth.

"It can't be..."

"Oh, it can, it can. You owe me twice over, so it’s time to pay your debts, my young friend."