Part 1: Star Wars

Standing on a Star Destroyer Malice, Darth Demus' mind was wrapped in a vision. The sights and sounds he saw in that moment was of a twi'lek Jedi named Aayla Secura. Something drew him to this alien female so different than him with her blue skin, which was so breathtaking. Lust, but also something deeper he did not like: it was warm and at the same time frightening, an unfamiliar emotion. Turning his mind to other things about her, he dismissed those emotions, focusing in the cold darkness of the Dark Side, and its invigorating strength. Her powers in the Force were exceptional, and could grow if properly nurtured. The added bonus that in hiding her, it had proven Darth Sidious' weakness only bolstered her worth to him. The man was not all seeing, and Demus realized quite overconfident.

Demus had enjoyed blocking his master's plans of destroying all the Jedi, by hiding her away on a small world far from the Emperor's grasp. Taking away any means of escape, he had left her there with only a few hidden sensors to monitor her just in case she tried to escape, or was found. The last thing he wanted was to tip his hand, and make his current master aware that he would soon be betrayed. Now with the death of Palpatine at his hands, Demus could now return without risk. It had taken great deal of effort to doctor the records, and convince the stormtroopers sent to carry out the order, that there was nothing on this world. Each of them had to have their memory wiped when they reported to him after the job was done as an added precaution. Still given those visions he had started to experience shortly after kneeling to pledge his obedience to his new master, the effort had been worth the risk he had taken.

"Is the shuttle ready captain?" Demus turned to the older man dressed in a pressed gray imperial uniform. Captain Talas was a career Imperial officer who had risen quickly through the ranks under Demus' patronage, a fact he would never forget thanks largely in part to the fact that the Sith Lord called on him from time to time, and Captain Talas had no other choice than to face his patron. Demus didn't really care about the man personally, but he had his uses. Right now Talas was merely here to transport him to this world and leave. The middle aged officer, with his scarecrow like form, and brown hair seemed eager to get rid of him, but tried not to show it. Demus hid a smile at the fear he sensed from him drifted off him in steady waves. While the captain was trying to keep his distance, Demus could still feel it: intense and intoxicating.

The Dark Side of the Force let it flow through him like a conduit powerful and filling. Demus enjoyed toying with the older man, and seeing how far he could push him, if only to provide himself with a bit of entertainment from time to time. Already he could see the man begin to sweat out of the corner of his eye.

"Yes Lord Demus. It awaits your command for departure whenever it pleases you." The captain said, his voice showing the tiniest bit of his fear that he was not able to hold back. Demus could sense the man's iron will beginning to dissolve. While fear had its uses, even a man like Talas: a career officer tempered under the fear of battle, who had done his duty without question, and an able mind that fear normally did not control.

"And you would prefer that would be sooner rather than later." Demus stated almost idly.

While he might not have voiced it as a question the captain took it as such.

"Of course not sir. I only wish to serve in whatever way I can." The captain answered, trying to sound convincing. He feared that Demus would see through his false sinceritym, which in fact he did. Had Demus been more cruel he might have toyed with him more. Never liking the Emperor, and his silly little Imperial Navy, the Dark Lord had looked on the captain as a fine scapegoat to vent himself on whenever he felt the urge.

Deciding enough was enough he released the invisible hold he had on the man's mind and said, "Very good captain. I will land on the planet, and you will patrol the star system to make sure I am not disturbed. If I have need of you, I will contact you, but for now I'm sure there are other duties that require your attention."

"As you wish my lord." The Captain saluted quickly hurrying away, relieved to be excused.

Making his way to the hangar and his transport Demus could feel a similar feeling of apprehension from the rest of the crew. Many had heard what he had done to the Emperor, since the royal guard had found his dead body. Demus had killed the two guards when they tried to avenge the old man in a matter of seconds, before shocked imperial officers who had also entered the room as the Emperor cried out with Demus' lightsaber had pierced his flesh. Afraid of being next, they quickly acknowledged him as the Emperor's rightful successor, pledging their loyalty to him as head of the new imperial order. Afterwards the rumors had soon spread, and Demus had let them, using it to his best advantage. Fearful enemies would be hesitant to attack: something Demus preferred because he didn't want to waste time, hunting them down and eliminating them. What was left of the Imperial fleet had fled, just as he did that day, seeking to escape with their lives, but none dared challenge his right to rule. In the months that followed he had managed to keep the imperial fleet alive and fighting, despite facing superior numbers. For a time the rebels were forced to consolidate their power in the core worlds, buying the imperials precious time.

Demus expected professionalism, and a strict adherence to duty. Failing to do that meant a "final apology", as it was called by all of those who were unfortunate to witness such an event. As he boarded his ship pilot and copilot went over their checks again, not wanting to arouse his displeasure if anything went wrong. They had learned that provoking it was not wise by any means. One crewmember had accidentally dropped a sparti cylinder used for cloning when he became careless, and Demus arriving after it was reported had broken his neck right in front of the rest of the unloading crew reaching out to attack him through the Force. The gesture had been effortless, and all had watched in shock as the man fell to the floor lifeless and limp.

"See to it that there are no more little accidents, or next time I assure you, the next death will be far more painful." Demus said coldly, striding away and leaving others to dispose of the body. At that moment all the crew realized that failure meant possible death no matter who you were in the grand scheme of things, and that only success kept their lives from being expendable. The crew member who died had been well connected, and despite a string of similar lapses in judgment, had managed to hold a position within the navy. Demus rewarded those who served him well, and just like that crewman, punished those who he considered a weak link as an example to others.

"The final check is finished Lord Demus. All systems check out." The pilot said waiting for his command.

"Proceed." Demus replied from the chair behind him.

Pressing the needed controls the shuttle took off under the pilot's and copilot's expert guidance. They were the best, and were determined to continue to be just that.

Both men had received upgrades in pay and position on the ship, due to being Lord Demus' personal shuttle crew, giving them a distinct pride not shared by all. In the past few months they had learned to anticipate him, understanding that he preferred efficiency and professionalism over an overabundance of style. Each movement the two men made had a purpose, and they always kept an eye out for any change in the sensors or controls, ready to make an immediate adjustment if needed. Landing smoothly on the planet they took off again once Demus was safely clear, heading back to the ship. Demus watched them go as he stood not far from an erected dwelling where the Jedi resided. Even now he could feel her hiding not far to the west behind some rocks. She no doubt thought that he had come to kill her and finish the job.

Approaching her position he felt her trying to disguise herself in the Force, but that would do little good. Only Demus and his father knew truly how to do that. Any other tricks could not compare to that level of skill and ability Demus knew.

"Greeting Aayla Secura. You needn't hide from me. If I wanted you dead, I would have left that to your clone troops on the planet I found you on last. I assure you they were quite adequate for the job." Demus said loudly, so he was sure she could hear him. Coming out from her hiding place Aayla came into view weaponless. She stood at near the bottom of a rock and grass covered hill, the boulders providing excellent cover for anyone who thought to hide behind them.

"What do you want?" Aayla asked remaining calm despite his unpleasant aura.

"I have come to give you a gift. You may recognize it." Demus said tossing an object to her which she caught easily.

Looking at it in her hand Aayla said, "One of my lightsabers. I did not expect to ever see any of them again. Why would you return this to me?"

"I imagine you have been itching to kill me, especially since I played a part in the attack on your order, and placed you here abandoned on this world alone and unarmed. I thought it best to get this little nuisance out of the way. That way we can move on to more important matters." Demus said unhooking his own lightsaber without taking up a defensive stance, "So whenever you're ready, by all means."

Igniting her lightsaber Aayla charged in quickly, hoping to take him by surprise. Slashing at him from the right, she watched as he deflected it with a one handed parry of his lightsaber, knocking her blade away with his off hand.

"You'll have to do better than that." Demus said turning to look at her.

Focusing herself farther into the Force, Aayla launched a flurry assaults at Demus, striking side to side, and high to low, trying to find a hole in his defenses. Each stroke he parried backing up to give himself room. Aayla soon realized that she was only wearing herself out as he was just keeping her at bay as she tired herself. Changing tactics she leapt onto a nearby rock and came at him from on high, leaping into the air. The attack had the advantage of being able to smash through his guard by providing more power than she could normally muster. Instead of standing there and blocking it or dodging aside as she expected, Demus' blade came up in a two handed upward slice at just the right moment.

As his blade met hers, it continued forward, knocking her blade that way. There was so much power in the stroke that Aayla almost lost her saber and barely held on. Removing one hand from the handle he sent a force push right into her mid-section knocking the wind out of her while she was still in mid air. Aayla was so dazed as Demus shifted his position in the space of a second, that Aayla could only watch helplessly as she flew forwards landing on her back hard. Opening her eyes and forcing away the jarring pain she found his lightsaber inches from her throat.

"How disappointing. I expected more even without your second saber, but I suppose it is only fair you have that too." Demus said backing away and tossing her the other lightsaber he had taken from her, which appeared from inside his robes. The saber hit the ground settling only inches from her finger tips.

"Now shall we try again?" Demus asked.

"You are toying with me." Aayla said even as picked it up and stood taking a fighting stance.

"Of course I am, but also I am judging your skills. Call it curiosity. I want to see what you can do." Demus said with a bemused smile. Igniting the second saber Aayla immediately gained her feet and attacked. Twirling her blades she tried to use her speed to defeat him. Demus matched each strike still smiling and keeping up easily.

"Much better Jedi. A far cry from what I saw earlier, but it shows your apparent lack of training. A true master would learn to fight with as many blades as they needed or lack thereof." Demus said in a tone much like one of her own teachers, when she herself had been learning to use a lightsaber.

"I don't need any lessons from you Sith Lord. I have more than enough to defeat you." Aayla said determined to do just that. She tried to keep calm, and was surprised at how his words were getting to her.

"Overconfidence is a weakness little Jedi..." Demus began as he blocked one stroke and spun to her left around another. As part of the spin his foot shot out making contact with the back of one of her knees sweeping the leg, even as his other foot made contact with the ground. Taken off her feet in one quick motion, Aayla lost both lightsabers as she fell flat on her back. Just like before she felt Demus' lightsaber poised to cut open her throat.

" ... as you can see." He finished.

Shutting off his lightsaber he walked away, leaving her to think of what had just happened. Even as she watched him go, Aayla knew he was her only way of this planet. Sitting alone in the sand just outside her dwelling, Demus meditated quietly with his eyes closed. His mind far away, he did not sense Aayla until she was at the base of the hill where the dwelling stood. Opening his eyes, he did not move as she continued her approach sitting down in front of him.

"What is your name Sith Lord? Surely you have a title." Aayla said.

"I have two names Jedi. One given to me after my awakening, and one my master gave to me." Demus replied returning his facial expression to their usual stoic manner.

"Awakening? Don't you mean birth?" Aayla asked suddenly confused.

"You were born, I was not. I was a copy of my master. He rescued me from my captors, and taught me the true nature of the Force." Demus said. Aayla's eyebrows rose as this meant he was a clone.

Steeling her face Aayla replied, "Did you kill him too just as you killed Darth Sidious; the one we have been hunting?"

"I have not killed my father yet." Demus answered the word showing only the slightest hint of emotion in him.

"Your father? The one you were cloned after?" Aayla said thinking of how a relationship like that could work. In all the stories of the Sith, they eventually turned on one another. Could it be that two could exist, and be father and son as well?

"Your thoughts betray you Jedi Secura. Of course such a thing can occur. To date it has been one of the things that has made us reluctant to kill each other, even though we are now mortal enemies. Now one of us is no longer a Sith, a decision I have become increasingly unhappy with. As Sith the bond we shared could have kept us from killing each other at least for many years, but now as clear enemies that is no longer the case." Demus said.

"So your father turned the light." Aayla commented.

"Returned would be a more accurate description. My father was raised a Jedi, before he as a young man was turned to the ways of the Sith later on. It would take too long to explain the details properly. The short story is that his past weakened him, holding him back from a glorious future." Demus said.

"Once you start down the dark path consume you it will as it has so many." Aayla quoted to him.

"Cute Jedi, but your dogmatic views have no bearing on me or my father. For us there is less danger than you think. For us the Dark Side gives its power freely to us for we were born to its power. It is part of who we are and exists in our very blood, as it will in all who follow us. I bare the mark of the Sith, just as he does marking my powerful heritage. I am a descendant of my namesake Naga Sadow. While my title is Darth Demus, the name of my "birth" will always mark my special place in this galaxy.

I like my father was made to be what I am, even if he chooses to no longer acknowledge it. All the power he now holds flows from its study, it even allowed him to crush the forces of my former master Emperor Palpatine; who you know as Darth Sidious. His defeat at my father's hands heralded his end at my own, and my rise to power. Even now I could have his whole empire and challenge my father for your reality, but that is not my goal. I want true power not its shell: the power to change my destiny and live forever, should I choose to. Palpatine sought something similar, but like he was in all things, he grew too proud and had to be brought low. The Sith do not belong as the open masters of the stars and many worlds. Our ways are secret. We attack from the shadows with surprise being our strongest ally. In the end one would overthrow any who seek to rule openly. It would be much better if I will ruled thousands of worlds from afar without anyone knowing. The enemy you can't see you can't fight." Darth Demus said.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Aayla asked.

"To give you one final chance to kill me." Demus said tossing her his lightsaber.

"I am unarmed. You could kill me in cold blood, and stop all that suffering. I will not defend myself. You have only to will yourself to do what must be done. Take my life Aayla and you can be the hero who saved all. They would rejoice you in the streets. "The Savior of the New Republic". A republic that will replace the old, better stronger, but not if I have anything to say about it. I will undermine everything in it, and when the moment is right I will attack where they least expect, tearing it apart and bringing about anarchy, and in that anarchy I will rule all. Worlds shall battle worlds, openly and in secret. Can you imagine such suffering Jedi, and easily stand by when you could have done something to stop it?" Demus said.