Through Passion I gain Strength

[Erlind]

A Republic ship hiding in the asteroid field might have been overlooked by any other Star Destroyer, but this one was different. A new Sith Lord had recently taken control and retrofitted his ship to focus on sensors and tactical superiority rather than raw speed or firepower. Whatever mission they were attending would soon be over and act as justification for the strange tactics of the Sith Lord commanding this ship, if handled properly. A young viscous looking female officer was giving her brief on her attack plan now.

“We’ll disable the ship and tractor beam them in. I’ll lead the contingent of men on the boarding party with another unit on standby. It will be more than enough to overwhelm whatever few troops are on the ship. Whoever we capture will be tortured and interrogated until we know what they were doing out here.” She was young and eager to prove herself to a new master that had given her a chance.

“No,” responded the tall dark haired man to whom she was reporting. “I will lead the boarding party.”

“Sire, with all due respect that seems …”

“You aren’t equipped to deal with the Jedi on board.”

“How could you possibly know that? Can you sense him?”

“What? No, don’t be foolish. A Republic ship this deep in Empire space. Nobody but a Jedi would be foolish enough to run whatever errand they are on. Proceed with your plans, but I will lead the attack force, not you. I may not have the harsh leanings of my predecessor, but continuing to question me may not be healthy. Tread carefully.”

“Yes, Darth Rimeheart.”

She left the Sith on the bridge still staring at the ship on the view screen. He stood silhouetted against the system’s red sun. A small scar near his right eye was the only thing marring otherwise chiseled and handsome features. Unlike his fellow Lords he’d taken great pains not to replace his body with robotics. He felt being human was part of what made him strong. Darth Rimeheart had short black hair and focused dark eyes, with a slight smirk to keep him from looking fearsome.

“Let’s see who is on this ship,” he muttered to no one in particular before putting on his helmet and heading down to the docking bay. He hoped he could subdue this Jedi without killing them. Unlike many of his new brethren, Rimeheart held no hate for the Jedi Order. He just felt they failed to understand and had lost their way from what the force truly was in a real and primal way. He would just have to show this one.

 

[zydrate]

since I'm Wasting Your Time

 

[Erlind]

Darth Rimeheart met the contingents of troops that his second had arranged. He took his time entering the ship. It was has been easy enough to plasma torch through the door, but he had a security tech look at it instead. His rise to power was recent and the Sith Lord had no intention of damaging potential resources before he’d used them to their fullest. A captured Republic ship could prove useful after all.

The airlock released with a hiss and both doors slide open. Empire troops stormed through and took up fighting positions, but at my orders no shots would be fired unless the Republic started it. Again, Rimeheart would not waste potential resources unless absolutely necessary. Entry secured, He stepped forward. He grinned inside his helmet as he stepped inside and the opposing troops shuddered almost imperceptibly at his arrival. That was good, they understood.

“The Jedi,” announced Darth Rimeheart, “bring me the Jedi.”

It was then that the Sith became annoyed. His second appeared despite being ordered to stay behind. She was impetuous and wanted too much for things like glory and prestige. He’d hoped he’d taught her the importance of following his orders. It seemed he was wrong.

“Make sure we leave at least one alive. Intelligence values them for questioning. Don’t hesitate to…,” but his dark haired subordinate wasn’t allowed to finish her sentence. Suddenly she grasped at her throat struggled for breath as Rimeheart stared her down. With a flick of his hand she sank violently to her knees. Rimeheart heard the door open and another join them, but they could be acknowledged when he was finished here.

“This is not an execution, Commander Ayla. You understood my orders and have violated them anyway.” Her voice was starting to turn red, standing out vividly against her dark hair and uniform. “There will be serious consequences in private later. Say another word to me today and those consequences will be now, in front of your troops and the enemy. Understand?” With some struggle the woman nodded and Darth Rimeheart released her, allowing her to collapse to the floor.

The Sith Lord turned his attention the rest of the room. A tense standoff between opposing troops and at the center of it, a lovely young woman, a Jedi. He was glad his combat helmet hid his smile. There was no need for her to think she was in less danger than she was.

“I am Darth Rimeheart. I command this star destroyer. You have been discovered hiding deep in Imperial space. I would like you to understand that many others would have simply destroyed your ship the second they found it. Tell me Jedi, why are we having this conversation right now? What explanation can you offer a Lord of the Sith?” The Imperial troops were tense their fingers on the triggers of their blasters, but Rimeheart couldn’t be happier with the outcome. She truly did have him curious.

 

[zydrate]

since I'm Wasting Your Time

 

[Erlind]

Boring lies and negotiations. Rimeheart was not surprised to find the Republic hiding behind the façade of a mission of peace. The Sith did not have the patience for this kind of nonsense and would not have acted diplomatically given the chance. Fortunately, he wasn’t given the chance. A Republic troop got nervous and fired a shot, and the room erupted into blaster fire. Several men on both sides went down quickly, but Darth Rimeheart did not hesitate to wade into the fray. He ignited his lightsaber and almost immediately the torrent of crimson energy was deflecting blaster bolts back towards their owners. The soldiers had become child’s play to him. He sought another challenge.

Rimeheart stepped forward to begin the dance. Fear, excitement, anticipation, and desire all flowed through the Sith like electricity, lending him power. She had wanted peace, but now Rimeheart had his excuse, and so the elegant dance began. He began with a swift decisive strike. He’d known it would be blocked, but he’d been seeking the force of her holding him back and the crackle of their weapons meeting more than anything else.

“You look young for a Jedi,” he remarked almost idly through the muffling effect of the respirator built into his helmet. With the flash of lightsabers brought against each other, the rest of the battle seemed to fade away in favor of a more interesting battle.