“…and thus, I return following the destruction of Vicirus of Sith and the retreat of the Palestar. It was my responsibility to maintain and keep my late master’s personal tomes, which I seek to request the council allow me to place in our library.”

Following the weeks after the attack on the planet Xa Fel, the Aing-Tii monk known as Phenrik had made the journey back to his homeworld, some months earlier. The species’ fleet had arrived above the Sith world, as promised, present to offer aid against the enemies invading, but had instead been reduced to nothing more than a glorified transport home for the nomadic monk. He had then started his homecoming pilgrimage to the peak of Sha’Tary, where he had been required to fast and purge his body of the taint of the outside galaxy; on the fourth month, he had been deemed able to return to the Aing-Tii community.

Now, standing in the council chamber, Phenrik glanced to his right, his large eyes blinking as a soft finger reached out to touch his arm, invoking a soothing sense over his presence, accompanied by meaning behind the stroke.

You are home now, Phenrik’as’Eraf, you need not speak the galactic language now. We had believed you would have removed the device by now, but it matters little.

The head of Council, Cari’Sana, intoned through her touch, the words understood even though they weren’t spoken directly. The caress continued, accompanied by a quick flick of Cari’Sana’s tongue across Phenrik’s shoulder. The council understands you need to hold true to your word, but we do not seek to foul our library with the musings of a human… you will be rid of the books, and we shall never speak of them again.

Phenrik bowed, twisting his arm so that his finger traced down the length of Cari’Sana’s own, eventually resulting in their index digits touching tip to tip.

As the council deems, honorable ones, The once-wayward monk replied, the Aing-Tii language familiar to him again. As it was, the species couldn’t communicate through standard means, they were incapable of making sound, and thus relied on taste, touch and smell to ‘speak’ with one another. I shall return to my brood, for I am certain they have missed my presence. I shall also remove the primitive human device that allowed me to communicate in their tongue.

With a curt bow, Phenrik excused himself from the council chamber and began the trek through the beautiful city of his people, with organic structures that blended with the very face of the planet around. Harmony, nature and an understanding of both had brought the Aing-Tii to their current state of social development and they believed in the Force – though not in any manner comparable to the Jedi or Sith – along with its guiding the events of the galaxy.

In some ways, it had been against Phenrik’s personal beliefs to serve the will of the Sith; especially given their nature to try and control the power they had, to shape the events transpiring around them to their benefit. But, in the process, the Aing-Tii monk had learned some valuable lessons about the species that sought to travel down the path of the Sith, and he could safely surmise that theirs was a flawed mentality…

As he passed by familiar hovels of those he knew, moving through the busy markets that bristled with all kinds of arm, tail and tongue movement, Phenrik began to feel at odds with himself. He had left the planet of the Aing-Tii in an attempt to learn, to educate himself of the species beyond the Kathol Rift; but instead he had discovered a mild sense of discomfort upon returning to his world, a feeling of not belonging, of being thrust back into a society at complete peace with going with the flow, as it were.

Perhaps the Sith’s search for control had rubbed off on the monk, or perhaps he had gained more of a sense of individualism from their ways than he had first believed? It mattered little, really. Phenrik was now home, and he would surely fall back into his life as though he had never left.



My love, you truly are returned to us,

Shas’Ara’s touch was filled with excitement, her fingers eagerly caressing her mate’s face and neck. Likewise Phenrik embraced his life partner, the one Aing-Tii he would spend his living years with – it was good to see her again, especially after so many years.

How is our child, Shas’Ara? Does she fare well? Phenrik asked, peering beyond the small, rounded doorway of the hovel, into the room beyond. He caught sight of a smaller Aing-Tii whom sat in the middle of the room, absently playing with a collection of rocks painted in specific ways that allowed for piecing together a puzzle of sorts.

Shas’Ara hesitated, glancing back over her shoulder at the child. She fares well, yes… The female began, before turning back to look at her mate, flicking her tongue across his mouth. She has been having trouble adapting to… well, she might not take to you right away, is what I want to say; she requires time, as you understand.

Of course, Phenrik nodded, giving the Aing-Tii equivalent of a smile. And she shall have it, for I seek only to remain here for a long while, Shas’Ara.

Tentatively, the young Aing-Tii, Pen’Isa, looked up at the voices, staring at the recent arrival. She knew him, yes, had known him in the past, but it all seemed so new. He had been gone for a long time, Pen knew, but she understood that he was her father… so, without another thought, Pen pushed to her feet and ran over to her parents. She put her arm across Phenrik’s arm, rubbing gently in warm greeting.

My child, it is good to see you, too, Phenrik returned the gesture, before he sighed inwardly – a very human mannerism. All seems unchanged, it would seem… for this I am glad. I truly am home.

Following the conversation of what he had done in the past years, Phenrik eventually managed to retire so that he might settle from his travels. He reached up to his neck, flicking a small latch with his claw, before removing an external vocal modulator; the metallic device having allowed him to vibrate his neck muscles to produce sound, thus speaking in basic as would any normal being. It felt good to have the collar away from his exterior plating.

I am home… truly home.



…and what of this human that managed to find its way here? What should we do with it? Asked the slightly angered council member, his hand movements jagged and forceful, clearly displaying his agitation. Surely we cannot allow outsiders to invade our world, especially not under these circumstances!

Cari’Sana watched the proceedings with her own sense of well-placed anxiety. Following the return of the wayward monk, there had been a considerable commotion raised about his having returned with a human in tow; it seemed that Phenrik, despite his honorable standing within Aing-Tii society, had finally overstepped his bounds and had ruffled the back plates of more than one influential council member.

We should destroy the human, just as we have all others that have been brought or stumbled upon our commune, The enraged councilman continued, jutting his finger into the opposing council members chest. So it has been done in the past, and so it should continue.

I am not saying it holds dangers for us, The opposition retorted, a more open minded individual by the name of Ola’Fes, flicking his tongue at his rival. But to throw away the human without taking the time to learn, to study, would be a waste of potential insight, should more come seeking it!

Finally, Cari’Sana had had enough. She stamped her clawed foot loudly, bringing the council chamber to attention – despite no sound actually having been present – and the rapid hand motions slowed, eventually coming to a stop as all eyes regarded the head council member.

The issue has been addressed, and both sides have been viewed, Cari’Sana motioned, her hands translating her words in the air for all to see. We shall keep the human, if only for a while, so that we might learn more… and when it has served it’s purpose, we shall destroy it.

Both the council members crossed their arms, clearly not pleased but willing to concede the decision to the superior member. At least both had managed to gain some element of their preference on the subject, but in the end it would result in just another human being killed, as it had always been…

…so, Ola’Fes just had to make sure the human didn’t run out of usefulness.

Now, Cari’Sana continued, each member of the council returning to his or her respective seats. On to the business regarding Phenrik’as’Eraf, and his request to continue his experiment…



Within a darkened cell, bound by naturally living vines that held in place, a hunched figure listened to the distant drip-dripping of water. So far the human had remained calm, had kept to himself and not simply escaped from his situation – he had made that promise to the one who had brought him here, Phenrik.

But the human’s patience was beginning to grow thin.

Looking up at the sound of the round doorway unlocking, a Aing-Tii stepped through before closing the cell in his wake.

“I do hope you my people have not mistreated you,” Phenrik said, the vocal modulator resonating in the deathly silence. He had felt the need to use it with the human before him, if only to make communication simpler. “It was not my intention to keep you bound and housed as such, of this you can be certain…”

Phenrik allowed himself a small, human-like smile.

“…so, for the discomfort, I do apologize, Master Xykarn of the Sith.”

"About time you arrived, monk," The Sith Apprentice sneered, looking up from the living shackles that held him. He maintained that he remained in his prison by choice, out of need to assist Phenrik in the Aing-Tii's mission, but the truth was that Xykarn was becoming impatient, angered. "If I have to put up with one more interrogation by your people, I'll kill them. Do you understand?"

The stooped Aing-Tii nodded, chuckling inwardly. He promised to play the subordinate in this instance, even though the boy before him had no idea as to the real danger he was in. Already young Xykarn was being groomed, being changed in subtle ways to better allow his brash mind to become complacent and controlled; and when the Aing-Tii were able to shape the Sith to their will, only then would the boy's true purpose appear.

"I do apologize, Master Xykarn," Phenrik soothed, bowing low. He was aware of the disgusted gazes coming from the guards in the hallway, but found he did not care - each had his place, even if it wasn't immediately apparent. "I can assure you the meetings shall stop, as you have requested."

The Sith seemed pleased, as he calmed visibly and moved to rest against the wall. In truth, the council had already gleaned that which they sought and had finished their immediate uses for the child, so it was a promise easily kept by the plotting Aing-Tii monk... and as it was, Xykarn had yet to display the ability to read the minds of the species that held him.

Few could.

"I came to your world without question, because you assured me I would be helping the Sith," Xykarn continued, his voice almost a growl as he thought back to the brief conversation between the two currently in the room on Xa Fel. It had been moments before the Force Storm had vanished, pulling Darth Vicirus into the void. "But being locked up here makes it hard to see how this could aid anything, or anyone..."

"Indeed, I agree," Phenrik returned without missing a beat. "I can also understand your eagerness to begin your path to destiny. It has been almost five standard months since your arrival, but your progress with learning our culture has taught you much."

Xykarn smirked, thinking of the 'training sessions' he had been put through so far. Almost every day he had been taken into a room further down the hall, placed into a sentient womb, one could say, where the Aing-Tii passed information to the Sith Apprentice via a series of telepathic prompts. From what he had heard, Xykarn knew the plant that acted as a education cocoon as simply that: a cocoon.

Thus far he had become familiar with the Aing-Tii's ability to sense the space around them, had become familiar with their history and also had a limited understanding of their complex language. Yet, he could not see how these lessons aided the Sith Order in any way, shape or form... aside from establishing the Apprentice as a mediator of sorts between the two, the Sith and Aing-Tii.

"If you are prepared, we might continue your lessons now, Master Xykarn?"

Phenrik wanted to complete the procedure, to bring the Sith under the Aing-Tii and to create a willing, and most useful subject. But so far the human had displayed a high degree of natural protection from the cerebral wiping plant; but as the others had in the past, so too would the boy eventually succumb to the cocoon and its persuasiveness... they all did.

Xykarn nodded, moving to his feet with an effort. "Very well," He began, even as the vines around his wrists uncurled and released him.

With a bow, Phenrik motioned for the Sith to pass and continue down the hallway...



Shas'Ara couldn't contain her fear any longer. She tried to calm the Aing-Tii youngling, caressing Pen'Isa soothingly but firmly, attempting to cause the child to stop writhing. The parent had woken to the crash of something in the child's room, before rushing in to find Pen'Isa convulsing and foaming at the mouth.

Be still, young one, Shas'Ara soothed, stroking the face of the child held tightly against her front. Be still...

In all honesty, despite Phenrik's insistence, Shas'Ara found it increasingly difficult to control their daughter. She was different, something wasn't right in her mind, and it made her a simple creature that was prone to suffering attacks of the body. Already the community were talking, interest gaining about the outcast child and its right to be in the Aing-Tii society - and every time Pen'Isa's place had fallen under question, both parents had stood by their daughter.

...but not for much longer, at least not Shas'Ara.

Hush, child, The Aing-Tii cooed, knowing that council guards were already on the way. They had warned of hearing about such an attack again, and had given no delusions about their taking Pen'Isa away should she cause another scene. Hush or you will be taken...

There was a bang on the door, followed by a flash of colour across the organic surface. A silent doorbell, of sorts, often used by the Aing-Tii to ensure they knew of a presence outside. It mattered little, really, given the guards broke down the door and herded into the small home.

Grab it, One of the guards motioned, keeping a wary eye out for the master of the house. There shall be no more time wasted on this... this creature. She is not one of us, will never be one of us, and the Council have deemed Pen'Isa to be put to death!

The guard's hand movements became more violent toward the end, indicating seriousness - or even a version of a human shout.

Shas'Ara stepped away from the youngling, easing the head down onto the ground, where the small form continued to spasm. She had tried, really she had, but Phenrik was wrong - they could not keep the child, not anymore, no matter how hard they tried to control her. Pen'Isa would never fit into Aing-Tii society.

The parent was left standing in her empty home moments later, absently rubbing her claws over her arms, trying to calm her nerves. She hated how the child had been taken, but what more could she do? Phenrik hadn't been home to intervene, being out with his little toy, and the council had taken advantage of that.

He would be most displeased.

Most displeased, indeed...



Phenrik watched with a smile on his lipless mouth as the cocoon did its work. The Sith writhed in the translucent womb, the telepathic commands filtering through to fill his mind to breaking point; and it was to the Aing-Tii's advantage that the boy would never admit he had had enough, given his Sith training and stubbornness...

A sudden commotion at the door caused the monk to turn, concerned. Very rarely would his sessions be interrupted, not unless something very important had occurred without his knowledge. And so it was a surprise when a lowly Aing-Tii entered the chamber, bowing lowly as he made his way directly for Phenrik.

They have taken Pen'Isa, The creature motioned, his large eyes still looking toward the floor. Just now... they have taken her.

Phenrik shook with anger, before he looked to Xykarn, turned his back and rushed from the room. He had more pressing matters, it seemed, than simply turning an infant into the Aing-Tii's puppet - and the council would not take his daughter from him, no matter how troubled she was!



The guards had almost made it to the council building when Phenrik rushed into view. The three that had been holding the youngling had found the task much harder than they had thought, and their slow progress had been thanks to the outcast's thrashing and kicking - it was strong for one so small.

"Halt!" Shouted Phenrik, the sound coming from the vocal communicator still connected to his neck. The sound was a shock, causing the general populace watching to rear back in surprise. They would surely speak of the event in the future, even claiming revulsion at the use of sound so profoundly mysterious to the culture. "Put that child down and stop this immediately..."

Under orders of their own, the guards continued to struggle, but not making much in terms of speed. They were not surprised when Phenrik was next upon them, blocking their path with his arms held outward.

Move aside, One of the guards motioned, trying his best to keep hold of the kicking alien. We have our commands from the honored council, and you shall not--

The guard's hand movements were silenced, as a blue blade of energy severed his head from his neck in one clean swipe. The lightsaber was held firmly in Phenrik's hands, clutched awkwardly but still able to be used simply enough.

"Take Pen'Isa to the cocoon chamber," Phenrik ordered, lowering the weapon of his former master, Vicirus of Sith, threateningly. "You shall do as I say and take him there, now!"

The guards obeyed, but not without cautious glances to one another...



Phenrik led the procession. He had gained knowledge of how to swing a lightsaber, how to protect himself against opponents of low skill at least - it had been one of his previous master's wishes, should Vicirus be caught off-guard during meditation.

Now, it seemed, those same lessons would serve as the catalyst that would cause the council to rebuke Phenrik's place in Aing-Tii society... and all because of his need to experiment and gain control of the Sith's power. How his time with their evil sect had changed him; how it had made him crave the dark side like no other.

"The Sith," Phenrik shouted, pointing the lightsaber at the closest Aing-Tii standing in the hallway. "Take him back to his cell, and restrain him. He need not see this."

The guard nodded, disappearing into the room, before reappearing moments later dragging Xykarn along the ground. The Aing-Tii and human soon rounded the far corner of the hallway, the boy seeming to still be dazed at his sudden removal from the cocoon.

Good.

"Put Pen'Isa into the womb," Phenrik ordered, threatening with the weapon in his hands. The guards dragging the now sedate being did so. With an effort, they managed to place the outcast inside without damaging her in any serious manner - the same could not be said for one of the guard's, who had been kicked quite hard in the chest plate, which caused a slight green bruise to form.

Phenrik stepped close, looking into the womb, watching as the plant began to close its translucent embryo around the form within. He felt a great sense of relief, knowing he had managed to avert a disaster by allowing the spasms and effects of the cocoon to wear off on his daughter.

"W-What are...?" Came a voice from behind the group of Aing-Tii. As one they turned, seeing a staggering Xykarn stepping into the chamber. His eyes were beyond Phenrik, looking into the womb with wide eyes. "What are you doing?!"

Rushing forward, Xykarn used the Force to knock the first guard that tried to stop him aside, before grasping the second with the invisible power, tossing him against the far wall. As he turned to attack Phenrik, the Sith Apprentice knew he was too late - and barely a second after the thought, a white-hot pain shot through his stomach, followed by a sizzling of flesh and burning ozone.

"What has to be done, you fool," Phenrik muttered, standing with his arms extended, the lightsaber through the boy's mid-section. "You should have known your place, known that there were works in play far more important than yourself... but such is the pity. Goodbye, Xykarn, master of none."

The Sith Apprentice seethed with rage, reaching out to grasp the handle of Darth Vicirus' lightsaber. And with all of the strength he could call upon, Xykarn unleashed a powerful wave of energy. The force push ripped through the chamber, shattering the organic walls of the structure and tearing the cocoon asunder, while the womb wall was skewered, releasing the prisoner from within.

Phenrik, who had held on to the weapon embedded in the Sith Apprentice's stomach with all of his Aing-Tii strength, let out a cry of anger and kept his grip. But the damage had been done, even as the monk twisted the lightsaber hilt and snapped the boy's wrists; even as the monk levered the blade upward, slicing easily through the chest and shoulder of one of his personal experiments; even as the monk heard a groan from the womb behind...

The damage had been done...

"...Phenrik?"

The voice of the being in the cocoon croaked, like gravel on durasteel due to disuse. The Aing-Tii slowly stood straight, the lightsaber in his hand still humming with energy, casting a blue hue over the scene of chaos. Suddenly the monk felt very vulnerable, especially given the corpse at his feet, and the return of the one who had once been that corpse's master.

"Master Vicirus of Sith," Phenrik intoned, bowing lowly. Inwardly the Aing-Tii struggled to conceal his rage, the festering hatred he felt for plans and opportunities lost. "I am pleased that you have returned to us..."

Stepping from the insides of the limp plant, the Sith heaved for breath as he nearly stumbled. "Vicirus?" He echoed, looking down at the dead form of one of his former pupils, blue eyes slowly losing the glaze of confusion. "No... not Vicirus. That title is dead, it served no purpose other than to attempt to bring change to something that did not require it."

"As you say, master," Phenrik bowed briefly again, before standing. He wondered how long it would take for the council to rouse the guard, to bring them to the prison cells. If the Sith Master managed to gather his thoughts completely before the other Aing-Tii arrived, then Phenrik would be in a potentially deadly situation...

"Where am I?" The Sith asked, touching at his left shoulder, the limb feeling dislocated. He had a strange sense of deja vu, as though he had been to this place before, but the fog in his mind caused the exact memory to elude him. His blue eyes narrowed. "And what happened to the boy...?"

"You were saved from the maw over Xa Fel, Master Vicirus--" Phenrik began, before being corrected.

"Vance."

"As you say, Master Vance of Sith," The monk continued, realizing he was slowly running out of time. "As I said, you were saved from the maw over Xa Fel, ripped from the clutches of the force storm you created by my use of the Force. I teleported you away, with me, aboard your craft."

Vance stared at the alien before him, listening carefully, while trying to think back to the events Phenrik spoke of.

"You had suffered injury and I evoked a healing trance on you, so that you would survive, Master Vance. Once on your ship, we joined my fellow monks that had arrived days after the battle. From there, we jumped back to my homeworld, where we are now, and you were put into a state of stasis to completely heal..."

Outside the building there could be heard the approaching rush of many feet, as the council guard rallied to handle the unknown danger in their midst. This was both a relief and a concern for Phenrik, who now saw his true place as being somewhere in the middle of the inevitable confrontation - especially given he had already started lying to the man before him, and had disobeyed the council so openly in public.

The monk would need to think and act fast.

"And of Xykarn?" Vance prompted, raising an eyebrow as he took a step forward, looking down at the severed torso. The Sith Master also glanced to the lightsaber held in Phenrik's hand, his mind beginning to catch up with the present...

"He sought to destroy you in your moment of weakness, Master Vance," Phenrik said simply, bowing as he instinctively gripped the lightsaber tighter. He knew he should return the weapon to the rightful owner, but at the same time didn't want to be rid of the one item that could protect him. "I stepped in on his attempting to kill you, and struck him down where he stood before your chamber."

With a nod, Vance looked over his shoulder at the obscure plant that had seemingly been his home for... how long? Days? Weeks? None the less, the Sith Master had finally recalled the events of Xa Fel, though his memories were also filled with a strange series of visions - as though he had experienced life through the eyes of another, interacting with the Aing-Tii beyond simply being in a bubble.

It was an interesting sensation, one that led to more than a handful of questions.

"I see," Vance replied, his voice low. "How fortunate that you were so ready to protect me. I also feel we are about to have company, and I would expect your inclinations should remain along the same lines as they were against the Apprentice, yes?"

Phenrik hesitated before he turned as the guards rushed into the room. They all brandished long staffs, adorned in armor over their natural plating. For a moment they seemed ready to attack the renegade Aing-Tii monk, but they also paused, taking into account the other being standing in the room. Clearly they were confused about how they should proceed, and this caused Vance to put a few more pieces of the puzzle together.

They know me... The Sith thought, his eyes moving from one guard to the next. They know me as though... as though I've been one of them?

Turning to Phenrik, Vance's lip curled into a sneer as he realized the truth. The vague sense of being something other than himself came full circle, impacting on his mind like a freighter out of control against the ground: It seemed that Phenrik, good dear Phenrik, had decided to aspire to heights of his own... and had willingly used his former master as his puppet.

"Pen'Isa..." Vance uttered the word, unsure of its meaning.

The guards and Phenrik all turned, looking at the human.

"Then you remember?" The monk standing in the middle asked, before he faced the Sith and casually brought the lightsaber around for protection. "You recall our making you one of us?"

Vance smiled, looking beyond Phenrik at the guards. "No precisely," He said, lifting his good arm and grasping the first three guards with the Force. He closed his fingers, the movement focusing as an extension of Vance's will, causing the guards to slam against one another and their bodies to begin to crush like paper. "But I shall, very soon, once I have dealt with the unwanted company..."

Phenrik launched forward, stabbing forward with the azure lightsaber. His attack was far less effective as it had been previously, and the monk was sidestepped by the more combat hardened Sith. With a kick, Vance sent the traitor sprawling against the wall nearby, stunning the Aing-Tii and giving him a few moments to deal with the guards already in his grasp. With a thought, the Sith sent the helpless, already dead aliens backward, causing them to topple into their comrades behind who had been trying to enter through the narrow doorway.

Twisting his hand, Vance reached for his lightsaber through the Force, calling on his weapon. There was a sudden movement to his left, and a quick glance saw Phenrik holding onto the handle tightly, almost being dragged along the ground - though the monk stopped his momentum by planting his powerful legs against the floor.

With a growl, Vance redoubled his efforts, violently pulling the lightsaber to him; to which the hilt fell into his awaiting palm, though with Phenrik's clawed hand and forearm still attached. Flicking the limb from the weapon, Vance couldn't help but feel satisfaction as he heard the monk scream out in pain, the vocal communicator distorting due to the high pitch.

Looking back to the doorway, the Sith's face became passive, even as he took a step toward his enemies and landed the first strike with his blade...



"...we then placed you into the cocoon, in an attempt to wipe your mind and shape you to our desire. I created the illusion that you were my... my daughter, so that your real mind wouldn't readily put your life together before our wiping was complete," Phenrik stammered, his voice strained from pain. The monk was being held upside down, pinned roughly against the wall, as Vance stood before him listening patiently. "We have done the same to other beings in the past, but never to someone capable of using the Force. I wanted to learn, to control and to unseat the council!"

The Sith silently processed the information. He had been told of the Aing-Tii's collective agreement to permit the initial experiments on him, and their being ordered by the council to play along, so to speak. He even looked at his minimal clothing, nothing more than a loincloth, already determined to get his robes and armor back.

"When you started relapsing from the treatments, the council began to doubt my attempts and they changed their minds. I tried to show them the merit in keeping with the wiping, but your episodes and spasms began to grow, as your mind rejected the false reality I tried to implant onto it..."

Vance crossed his arms, still feeling the discomfort of the swollen shoulder he had put back into place. It was a minor annoyance compared to the boiling anger he was beginning to feel - pride put aside, the fact he had allowed one so devious to get so close proved Vance had been traversing the wrong path leading up to the attack on Xa Fel.

It would be a mistake he would correct.

"And Xykarn sought to free me." The Sith said. It was not a question. "But you could not allow it..."

Phenrik nodded, an odd movement given his being upside down. "Yes, yes. He stumbled on you in the cocoon and wanted to free you... but I slew him, but then you woke."

"You still sound disappointed, Phenrik," Vance said, smirking. "I assume you still have my personal effects?"

Again the Aing-Tii nodded, though held his tongue.

"Very well," Vance said after a moment of thought, even as he let the alien fall back to the ground carelessly. "Take me to my tomes, my clothing and then my ship. It is time I left this place, once and for all..."



Vance stood in the entry way to his Sith Infiltrator, looking down at the hunched form of Phenrik, now one-armed and humbled. The alien had done as he had been asked, returning every item the Sith Master owned, which included his clothing, his sith armor, his second lightsaber and a handful of library tomes - including Vance's personal journal.

Now, as the pair looked at one another, the Sith knew what he had to do next.

"Be wary if you see me again, Phenrik," Vance said pointedly, his eyes narrowed as he looked beyond the Aing-Tii to the community that watched at a 'safe' distance, hundreds of the aliens curious as to what would happen following the appearance of the human, instead of Pen'Isa. "Your actions were..."

Vance trailed off, not really finishing the sentence. He had become tired of talking, and he didn't want to waste another second of his life on the Aing-Tii's hole of a planet for the present. The council had been dealt with, all killed so that any thoughts of revenge at their humiliation were quelled. The Sith had also intimidated the Aing-Tii enough to make them understand he would not tolerate contact with their species again, unless he summoned them... and just to make sure they wouldn't change their minds, Vance had appointed a new council, hand picked by himself.

If any knew of what the Sith Master was capable of, it would be them now.

"Be mindful," Vance soothed, smirking as he turned to board his craft. "Do not let your corruption take your species to extinction, because I'll be watching..."

Stopping, the Sith Master turned around and inclined his head.

"On second thought," He said, reaching out and using the Force to grasp Phenrik's thin neck. "You deserve nothing more than death."

Another moment and Phenrik's lifeless body fell to the ground. Without another word, the ramp way to the craft closed, and within minutes Vance was making for atmosphere. He was aware of the dangers of the Kathol Rift, and how hard it was to navigate through the black holes that littered the space around the Aing-Tii planet; but thanks to his time with the aliens, and their forcefully implanting memories into his mind, Vance had walked away with a far greater understanding of their culture and knowledge than they had his own... it was quite ironic, given the Aing-Tii's need to crave understanding. An irony that would cost them their lives, should they cross him again.

Now, however, the Sith Master sought one path: to establish his ties with the past, before bringing death to those who had betrayed him...