Test of Graphodus
CDR/LT Boris/1st Lancer Squadron/TU Athena/TF Crusader
(blackmesa2001@yahoo.com)

Graphodus walked down the neat, organised and sterile corridors of the Carrack Cruiser Emperors Revenge. He could feel the power of the dark side flowing through him following there defeat of the Republic arms convoy. Though he was only an Acolyte, fresh out of the Shadow Academy Sith CORE, he had been given the honour of flying alongside Sith Warrior Billada as the flight leader of two flight in a squadron composed of TIE Corps pilots. He had looked down on their flying skills as simple and by the book. They too were new out of their training and did exactly what had been taught to them. At one point they had looked unable to pull of what was considered a basic Sith flight tactic. Still, the weak defended convoy was destroyed easily. Its lack of defence was its undoing.

Graphodus had wished for a chance to prove himself to someone every since he had joined the Dark Brotherhood. Maybe Billada would recommend him for an award or maybe even a promotion. When he reached the rank of Guardian he would enrol in the Sith Academy and complete a series of courses there. If he managed that he would be taken seriously as a Dark Jedi and would, perhaps, be given his own squadron.

As he reached the bridge he could hear many voices. In fact, it sounded almost as loud as the ship bar that the Imperial officers loved so much. Graphodus had never seen the point of allowing crew essential to the ship's operation to become drunk, rowdy and disorderly. Now he could see Sith Warrior Billada and Jedi Hunter Narph of the Krath order who had been running the attack from the ship. He saw the to talk for a while before they turned to the captain and started to speak to him. All Graphodus heard was the captain saying something like "Its been an honour to serve with you, sir". As Graphodus approached the two Dark Jedi looked at him. Graphodus bowed towards them both as a matter of respect and said his motto "To die for the Sith is the ultimate reward". The two others also bowed but didn't say their mottoes, possibly because Graphodus was lower in rank then they were, he still didn't fully understand the system of respect in the Brotherhood. Billada began to speak in h!
is low, powerful voice "We will be leaving in a matter of minutes to deal with some business concerning Clan Satal Keto, I am leaving you in charge of the Emperors Revenge until you are ordered to return. May the Dark Side fuel your strength". "And may it yours also" replied Graphodus in a much less booming voice.

As Billada and Narph walked to the hangar bay to board their shuttle and when they were out of Graphodus' range of hearing Narph said to Billada "He has much anger and is able to inflict pain without any remorse. He could still serve the brotherhood well as a Dark Jedi". In response Billada said "He could indeed go far but he has failed the test and soul is not dark enough for the masters liking".

Graphodus watched as the shuttle departed and entered hyperspace. Now he was in control. He wondered what he would do with this new found power. He thought that he could attack some Republic convoys and ships to weaken the Empire most deadly of enemies. Just as he worked out how that could work the tactical officer called out "Incoming Imperial craft, Two Frigates and three corvettes". "Hail them," said Graphodus. "They not replying" shouted the communication officer; his voice sounding a little concerned.. "They're arming their weapons and they are deploying starfighters" said someone who Graphodus guessed was the tactical officer. Then he watched as the frigates launched a series of small objects into space. They weren't recognisable to the normal eye from this distance but Graphodus knew they were torpedoes. All doubt about what they were was removed when alarms started ringing and people started shouting, "torpedo" and ducked for cover as if it would do any good. The torped!
oes hit taking out the shields and the missile launchers. They had been systematically launched. So they weren't pirates using imperial's ships and ID but they were really the empire. But why, then it hit him. This had all been a test, an elaborate set up designed to test his skills as a Dark Jedi but he had failed. And now he would pay the price. As the crew scrambled for cover just before the second wave of torpedoes hit Graphodus just stood. Waiting for death, the Sith's

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