A Permanent Lesson

[Professor Mors]

***Prakith System, Deep Core, Grid Coordinates K-10***
***Citadel Inquisitorius***

High Inquisitor Caesar marched with purpose towards the blastdoor that led out onto the military complex' lone landing platform. Struggling to keep pace beside him, a lone naval official had only recently finished communicating the veteran warrior's agenda to the rest of the facility, which was acutely anxious for High Inquisitor Grendam's return. Tiphen had sent a holovid ahead explaining the nature of Prazutis' wayward mission, as well as the mixed outcome of his confrontation with an unforeseen Jedi interloper. A good sum of time would be necessary to properly quarantine and interrogate Brutus' masked associate, but for now, medical treatment was the foremost priority. If he expired mid-transit, there was little to be done: however, if he persisted and reached the Citadel, all would be well.

Flanking Brutus and his unwitting assistant were two of robed combat droids unique to the Inquisitorius project. Modeled after the old Imperial sentinels by the Grand Inquisitor herself, the automatons were a force to be reckoned with all on their own, and were certain to dissuade any misguided intruders. Even at that moment, their lidless photoreceptors buzzed with a unflinching crimson fire, a display that only continued to undermine the Lieutenant's wavering nerves. Nonetheless, whatever stamina he possessed after receiving Brutus' dictation, the commissioned officer would endeavor to stand firm until the matter had been laid to rest. It had not been easy to acquire a posting at a site like this, and the young Imperial wasn't about to bungle their golden opportunity.

[Neive Undant]

“I’m... fine.”
Prazutis had always been a stubborn one. From his days under Tormentous, to his battles with Inferno, to now in his days in the inquisitorial ranks. Although his was bruised and battered, most likely with a few bones snapping from the fall he had endured, Prazutis refused the treatment offered. The way he saw it, he was weak. He wasn’t strong enough to defeat the Jedi. That was his own undoing, and as such, this pain was well deserved on his part.
He didn’t fight the examinations but voiced protest over removing his body from the armor. Ever since his skin had melded to the armor, he had never been able to remove it himself. Removing it now would cause more damage than good for him, he thought. So, grabbing his helmet and donning it again, he sat with his head low as the ship returned to the citadel, droids examining him for internal bleeding and broken bones as they approached. How shameful, he thought... how humiliating, he thought...
And those thoughts would forever push him to become more powerful, and someday be the undoing of that Verpine that had defeated him.
Prazutis felt the ship leave hyperspace, closing his eyes as the droids around him continued their check. 2 fractured ribs, bruised muscles, a fractured left humerus, and a missing arm, though that was obvious and already mitigated as much as it could be.
“I don’t care what happened to me. I’ll. Be. Fine.”
He didn’t face the high inquisitor through the flight. He wasn’t sure what the Empire would think about the holocron, but he knew most likely they wouldn’t allow him to go through with what he needed. But at least for him, it would be something that would change everything. No more Imperial resources wasted to feed him, to stay hydrated, no more bodily limitations... he could become as powerful as the Empire needed him to be. No less... and no more.
But, before that could ever happen, he had to put the Imperial policy first. They most likely wouldn’t know much if anything about this relic, and would probably want to figure out Prazutis’ motives and such before anything. They would see him as a loose cannon... but if given a chance, he knew the end would justify the means. But, the Inquisitorious may not think the same way.
As the ship sat down, Prazutis slowly stood, fighting off the pain within him as he had always done. This day, he refused to be treated like a prisoner. He was no hero to the Empire... but he was also no traitor.

[Zuno Drallac]

~Thump thump thump~

A pounding vibration echoed through the Force to a rhythm that High Inquisitor Grendam could only compare to a heart beat. He stood, his head aching from the reverberations, watching Prazutis through a one way mirror. The younger inquisitors equipment lay across a table next to Grendam, all but his armor which apparently was seared to the Zabraks flesh. He’d demanded the medical team cut it from him and provide the necessary medical assistance but Prazutis had pushed them off for the duration of the trip. While Grendam would usually get involved personally his mind was to distracted by the dark side aura that he believed was causing the thumping.

By this point he’d found the object in question, a small holocron device, clearly made using Sith sorcery. Grendam had little knowledge on how to handle Sith artifacts, that was more up High Inquisitor Caeser alley. He took a deep soothing breath to try and focus past the beating in the Force.

“Sir, we have exited hyperspace and a shuttle is ready to take you down to the Citadel.” A voice from behind him broke into his thoughts.

Turning to face the Imperial officer Grendam gave him a nod of recognition. “Have Inquisitor Prazutis escorted to the shuttle, I will join you momentarily.”

The officer saluted, turned, and marched off to retrieve Praz from the adjacent room. Grendam returned his focus to the gear laid out on the table and began to place it all in a small container. The last thing he reached for was the holocron and as his fingered touched it his vision went black and an unfamiliar voice rang through his mind.

“Consume.”

A white and red mask flashed in Grendam’s vision breaking the momentary blindness. The High Inquisitor’s hand retreated from the device as he regained his composure. His body had gone cold from the momentary contact and the vibrations in the Force had become more intense.

“What in the Empress’s name did you bring back with you Prazutis,” he muttered to himself. Grendam retrieved a secondary container and with the aid of the Force lifted the holocron and placed it safely inside. He took both containers and made his way down to the shuttle bay.

~thump thump thump~

The same officer from before stood at attention waiting for the High Inquisitor and as he approached the officer stepped forward.

“Sir, do you assistance?” He asked motioning towards the two container units Grendam held, clearly seeing exhaustion in the Inquisitors eyes.

Grendam passed the unit that held Praz’s basic gear to the officer but continued to hold the one containing the holocron. “No one touches this one except myself and the other Inquisitors.

“Yes sir,” the officer replied as he took the container offered to him.

High Inquisitor Grendam marched into the Lambda shuttle and entered into the main hold. His eyes fell directly on Inquisitor Prazutis, who was flanked by two Stormtroopers. Without a single word he sat directly across from his horned colleague. A moment later the ship launched out of the bay and down toward the citadel where Prazutis would have a lot to explain.

[Professor Mors]

"I said file GY-7789!", High Inquisitor Yprene screeched at a flustered databank technician. The victimized officer nearly lost his footing as a stack of holobooks were shoved into their midsection courtesy of the Force. Indeed, it was a minor miracle that the inexperienced youth didn't drop all three volumes outright. At last, they recomposed themselves, and presented a pained salute before scuttling off to amend their earlier mistake. With a sigh, the High Inquisitor rolled her eyes, and set about to complete the task herself. One just couldn't find good help these days. Whilst Brutus handled the security detail for the errant Prazutis, Sefla had been hard at work compiling information in regards to Tiphen's brief report.

While the Oversight Board had been keen to apply censors to the Emperor's original Dark Side texts, a plethora of other manuscripts and manuals were at the Inquisitors' fingertips, having been collecting from every conceivable nook and cranny across the Galaxy. At that moment, the elder matriarch of the Yprene Household was busily searching for files detailing the original archaeological digs on Yavin 4, in hopes of finding some frame of reference to the enigmatic creator of the newly-rediscovered holocron. Prior to her library-dive, Sefla had gone ahead and informed the office of program advancement and special projects of the startling development, with that hopes that a liaison could be present for the upcoming talks. Surely, it was an occasion one particular Line Captain wouldn't dare miss.

[Neive Undant]

Prazutis said nothing as he walked, holding back his pace for the stormtroopers with him. He wasn’t binded or shackled, but even so, he still felt as if they saw him more as a prisoner than a member of their own ranks. It irritated him more than anything, to be seen as a threat when his only motive was to help the people who now seemed... not cautious, as one would think... but in a sense, fearful. This fear was something he expected would come with the things he did, but he had forgotten what most did when they see something they feared.

They either try to control it... or get rid of it.

But, seeing as he was being taken to the citadel, the latter wasn’t currently on his mind. For the moment, he thought as he sat across from another inquisitor, the same man who had pulled him from Cato Neimoida, he said nothing, letting himself roam in his thoughts.

“You...”

Prazutis looked up at Grendam a moment, seeing he had said nothing.

“You hunger... as I do.”

Prazutis looked down a moment. He must have the holocron, Prazutis Thought. And from the strained attempts at basic, Prazutis understood... while he couldn’t reply to the ancient voice, he could still listen.

“[Your hunger grows, yet you are able to keep it in check. Such is impressive... but to obtain the power you need, your physical body must be... disposed of. It holds you back.]”

The voice spoke in Sith, Prazutis only able to pick up bits and pieces, not sure what he was fully trying to convey. But he knew what he needed to do, nonetheless... but first, he needed the Empire to support his mission.

As he shuttle approached the citadel, Prazutis kept calm and made sure not to move in any way suspicious. He had nothing to fight for but the Empire... but he needed to show them that before they would believe anything he said.

[Zuno Drallac]

As the shuttle descended on the Citadel Grendam momentarily felt an increase in the vibrations in the Force. His eyes narrowed as he looked across at the young Prazutis, he felt some sort of link between him and the holocron and the High Inquisitor wasn’t sure if he liked it.

The shuttle ride was short and before anyone could even get comfortable the Lambda was touching down. The ramp lowered and two stormtroopers marched down and took up positions on either side of the ramp. Following them was High Inquisitor Grendam and the Imperial Officer flanking to his right. Lastly Prazutis would be escorted down with two Stormtroopers taking up his rear. Grendam was quick to close the distance between himself and the welcoming committee.

“High Inquisitor Caesar,” Grendam spoke, giving a bow of respect for the fellow Inquisitor. “I retrieved Inquisitor Prazutis as requested and I have something else that needs to be handled with the utmost care.” He lifted he small box with the holocron enclose.

“I’m sure you can feel it in the Force,” Grendam spoke softly, looking Brutus in the eyes, deep rooted concern evident in his own. “There is much we need to discuss in less open company.”

[Professor Mors]

Brutus narrowed his eyes at the magseal container, and looked up at his colleague, "Yes, there can be no mistaking that aura. Inquisitor Yprene and the program directors have already gathered in the main conference chamber: let us not keep them waiting". Inquisitor Caesar regarded Prazutis with silence, and turned about to lead the procession back into the confines of the Citadel. It did not take the party long to arrive at the main lift, off of which the chief meeting hall was conveniently located. Just as Brutus had explained, Sefla was already seated with an aide situated at her side, in case of any additionally references. Across from her sat the visibly anxious Teica Ludofus, an older Commodore with the nerves to show for it.

His syncopated finger taps upon the onyx table only increased as Prazutis himself was brought before the oversight board. As the other interested parties all took their respect chairs, four individuals remained standing. One was, of course, the errant Zabrak himself, still flanked by the two looming droid sentinels. The last man, and indeed, the co-instigator of the talks, was Captain Vassyl, whose likeness had been holoprojected from the center of the table. Hovering effortlessly above the rest, he looked down at Prazutis with a quizzical glance. Without shifting his gaze, Doren called out to his naval counterpart, "With your permission Commodore, I think we'd best begin". Teica nodded rapidly, and spared no words on his contemporary. "Excellent", Vassyl continued, "Now, Inquisitor, tell us of your assignment: spare no detail".

[Neive Undant]

Prazutis said not a word as he was brought forth, only strategizing his words as he was brought to the lift, and then in front of his superiors. He awaited them to ask their question before he took a simple breath, pausing to observe them all for just a moment, and beginning his explanation.
“19 years before the battle of Yavin. The galaxy was at war, the clone wars, and was just winding down with the death of a Sith Lord, Darth Tyranus. Events soon after this led to the founding of the Galactic Empire, under the authority of Sheev Palpatine and his agent, known only as Lord Vader. 20 years passed without the Empire losing its grip on the galaxy. The reason that our grip held firm? The security of the Imperial Military, and the interjection of Lord Vader into matters that could not be handled by soldiers alone. Vader has only the Empire to fight for. He had no other purpose but to dispose of anyone who dared to oppose the Empire. However, after the Battle of Yavin, he found a purpose, in the form of his son.”
Prazutis took a breath, looking back at the superiors in front of him.
“I do not have any purpose but the Empire. I have no living family, because of the destruction of Dathomir. All my ties with Neive Undant, the member of the galactic Alliance, have been severed. I only have the Empire. But there is something that Lord Vader had that I do not.”
He looked at the holocron’s container for only a second.

“Power.”

He crossed his hands in front of him, continuing.

“My assignment on Tattooine was one of my personal accord, but one that could spell out the return of the Empire to what it was before the Battle of Yavin. A United Empire that tolerates no kind of insurgency. One that stretched its authority to the entire galaxy. But in order to do this, there must be a figure of fear. A symbol of power within the Empire. This assignment... was for me to become that symbol of fear, that strikes the hearts of all Pirates, Alliance members, and insurgent scum alike. But in order to do this, I have to move past my own physical limitations. Which brings me to the item that sits in the room before us.”

Prazutis gestured to the item, not making a move for it but simply guiding the attention of those around him to it.
“Neive Undant heard a story long ago, a story about a Sith Lord who was deemed the Lord of Hunger. He was able to move past his physical limitations, but he let his immense power consume him. His name...”

Prazutis closed his eyes.

“Darth Nihilus.”

He opened them once again as he continued.

“He struck fear into the hearts of Jedi, he consumed planets in order to feed his ever growing hunger... but during this story, Neive always asked one question. What would have happened if he had been able to control his hunger? What if he could harness it and target the people he wanted gone? Moving past your physical limitations in order to grow your power... he encased his spirit within his armor. If I was able to do the same thing... I could harness my power as I always have, regulate it, only increase my limits in moderation to keep it from consuming me... and I could focus my power on the enemies of the Empire. Only attack who the Empire needs dead. I could become the weapon that the Empire has lacked. This is my assignment.”

Prazutis eyes each of the inquisitors before he continued.

“I request permission to complete my goal. To use the holocron to contact Darth Nihilus on Moraband, learn how to encase my spirit in my armor, release my own physical limits... and become the Empire’s own Agent of the Dark Side.”

Prazutis looked down, unsure of how the inquisitorious would take this assignment, or this request. They knew the power of the dark side, they knew that it came with risk... but they also knew the power that it bestowed, and how dangerous he could be. But if he had the willpower to harness that power, and only use it to serve the Empire rather than his own agendas... they knew he would be a force to be reckoned with.

“If you deny me this request, I shall honor your wishes... but I ask you this. What will amount to the Empire if we allow this ‘Alliance’ to continue? It must be stopped, and it must be stopped now. They’ve fended off our latest offensive, and they’ve taken the most densely populated planet in the known galaxy. With the Jedi supporting them, do you think that the current state of the Empire can bring back what it once had?”

[Zuno Drallac]

There was an very audible scoff that came from High Inquisitor Grendam as Praz gave his speech. He rose to his feet in a fury, slamming his armored hands on the table. “And what makes you think you have any right to take the place of Lord Vader over anyone else at this table!” Grendam’s outburst began. “You have not earned such a position of power within the Empire!”

He took a breath to calm himself momentarily to collect some of his thoughts. “And you come here proposing following in some Sith monstrosities footsteps?! You want to practice some sort of Sith sorcery and we are to sit here and hope it doesn’t consume you, that you have a willpower to resist such temptation!” The Inquisitor looked around at everyone else at the table. “Fellow inquisitors I’m sure you can feel the vibrations through the Force that this damned holocron is giving off. I know I do and I’ve heard a voice try to commune with me from it, a voice of a hungry beast.” His eyes darted back to Prazutis.

“You’ve heard it too, tell me you aren’t influenced by the voice, that it’s not trying to get you to go commune with it deeper! This thing will consume you and we’ll be no closer to defeating our enemies!?” As he prepared to continue his tirade Grendam felt a wave of energy from the holocron that caused him to pause long enough for someone to cut him off if they so chose.

[Professor Mors]

All were silent in the wake of the holocron's stirring. Commodore Ludofus felt not urge to speak up, as the shock on his colleagues' faces only heightened his anxiety. Doren, for his part, noted the shift in atmosphere amongst the Inquisitors, but said nothing, his eyes merely darting between those who seemed physically affected by the artifact. Ultimately, Yprene was the first to weigh in, "For once, I agree with Grendam, in so far that one floating armored husk does not a Vader make". Sefla paused, scraping the nails of her thumb and forefinger against one another, as one would sharpen a blade. "That said, as far as a candidate for experimentation with the artifact is concerned, I think Prazutis is the obvious utilitarian answer".

"You know as well as I that the Grand Inquisitor has no tolerance of the Dark Side", Brutus interjected in a low growl, "And were she here now, our young friend would be in for a world of hurt!". "T-that's right!", Ludofus squeaked at last, "To invite Sith rituals under our banner will only result in disaster". "You all make honest and commendable points Comrades", Vassyl condescended from on high, "And though I too am pained by her absence, the Grand Inquisitor, as you so put Mister Caesar, is not here. Likewise Commodore, we have partitioned ourselves from the Sith, and not without good reason". The Captain then raised a rhetorical eyebrow, and added, "However, as the Lady Yprene so aptly suggested, we may yet learn something from this development".

"You can't be serious Sir", Brutus protested in vain, "There's no telling what could happen". "Which is why we must endeavor to learn more about this phenomena", Doren countered, earning a nod from Sefla, "And, in spite of Prazutis' humble rank, he defied the odds and risked his life to acquire this holocron such that it would not fall into enemy hands". The Captain sent an appreciable smile down at the Zabrak, and continued on, "If he were so desperate to save himself, or so self-absorbed as to seek this power for his own ends, he could have done so and disappeared without much issue, I'm sure". Vassyl's expression then soured into something between a grimace and a frown, "The Office of Special Projects is willing to hear his request, but some stipulations must be set in place".

"First and foremost", Doren elaborated, "Using the Sith homeworld as a test bed is utterly completely out of the question. I will not jeopardize our tenuous relationship with the Sith Patriarch for the sake of this one exercise, nor will I condone transporting the holocron to a region where security measures are questionable". Balancing his bearded chin under a gloved fist, Vassyl took a brief, meditative aside, before concluding, "For this reason, we shall conduct the experiment in the Byss System: though I know little of Force Nexuses, the first Emperor's most safeguarded fortress world ought to serve our purposes well enough". "This is madness Captain!", the Commodore quipped back, "Even if the Inquisitor is successful, w-who's to say he won't gobble up half the Deep Core by accident?".

Doren now leveled a friendly nod at his naval contemporary, and softly spoke, "A most reasonable and valid concern Commodore. No weapon is perfect, and whatever instrument Prazutis may become, you may rest easy with the knowledge that our scientist will take steps to neutralize any undesired outcomes in case of an emergency". Vassyl glanced over at the assembly of High Inquisitor, and drove his argument home, "Besides, our three finest practitioners will be standing by, ready to dispatch their fellow Inquisitor if so needed. Though we cannot promise our conquering hero the fame and prestige of his idols, if his plan holds up, he may yet become a fierce engine the likes of which our war machine hasn't seen for over three decades".