Sith Hunt

It's been a while since the night I ended Governor Drak's life. The memory of that night still haunted me, but my mother had taken it upon herself to harden me, to mold me into a true killer. 

'Wait, no, my mom didn't make me hard; I made me hard with her help, ' I corrected my thoughts.

She began assigning me bounties, each more challenging than the last. I had become a weapon, a tool for rooting out enemies of the Empire. Each time I killed, a part of me twitched, but the guilt was starting to fade. My mother's ruthless training was working; I was beginning to feel nothing.

'Why, when I kill, do I feel like god?'

A stray voice pops through my mind. Ignore it.

Today, I had a new mission. For the first time, I was to hunt a fellow Sith. A traitor, wanted for conspiring against the Empress. This would be my first official fight with a Force user since the Jedi months ago. My heart pounded with anticipation and anxiety. I had spent the morning in meditation, trying to center myself for the battle ahead. I notice I meditate better when I'm on Space 4chan though. I sigh. 

My ship, now named "The Predator," at my mother's insistence, hummed with life as I prepared for takeoff. She had found my original name, "Sleepy Cosby," less than iconic, and while I had a soft spot for the original name, I had to admit "The Predator" was kinda funny too.

Chris Hansen's voice rings in my head. 'Take a seat.'

As I adjusted the controls, I marveled at how natural flying felt, like I had been doing it my entire life. Perhaps it was the Smuggler's soul within me that melded perfectly with this ship, Or maybe it was the dog in me.

'awoooooo!'

The Predator lifted off smoothly, its engines howling, just like me, as I guided it into the sky. The target was located in a remote part of Ares II, far from the bustling cities and the watchful eyes of the Empire's loyalists. This Sith, known only as Lord Atra, had been hiding in the shadows.

The landscape below blurred into a patchwork of colors as I sped toward my destination. The Predator's sensors beeped, signaling the approach of my target's alleged hideout. 

'My mother's information network seems vast and far-reaching.'

I slowed the ship, bringing it down to a smooth landing in a clearing near a dense forest. The air was thick with tension as I stepped out, my senses alert for any sign of danger.

The hideout was an old, abandoned fortress, its walls crumbling and overgrown with vegetation. I moved cautiously, using the Force to cloak my presence as I approached. The entrance was unguarded, which seemed suspicious. I kept my hand on my lightsaber, ready to ignite it at a moment's notice.

Inside, the fortress was dark and musty, the air filled with the scent of decay. 

'This is truly the perfect goon cave.'

I could feel Lord Atra's presence, a cold and malevolent force that seemed to permeate the very walls. I followed the sensation, my steps silent as I made my way deeper into the structure.

Finally, I reached a large chamber, dimly lit by flickering torches. Lord Atra stood in the center, his back to me. He was tall and imposing, his dark robes flowing around him like shadows. He turned slowly, his eyes looking towards me. He could sense my presence. I'm not very good at hiding that if at all yet.

'I am a work in progress.'

"Darth Relic," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "I've been expecting you."

I stepped forward, my lightsaber igniting with a snap-hiss. "I bet you have been, pervert."

He looked confused and then chuckled, a low, sinister sound that sent chills down my spine. "Your petty attempts to confuse me will not work."

excitement flared within me, and I took a step closer, my blade held ready. "You're wrong. I bet you're looking at me like I'm some sort of snack. Well you can look but can't touch because I don't swing that way!"

Lord Atra's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold determination. He ignited his own lightsaber, its crimson blade casting an eerie glow. "You are a vile boy!"

With a roar, he lunged at me, his lightsaber slicing through the air. I blocked his strike, the Force of the impact sending vibrations up my arm. The battle had begun.

Our blades clashed again and again, sparks flying as we traded blows. Atra was powerful, his attacks relentless. But I was faster and more agile. I drew upon the strength of my multiple Force-sensitive souls, channeling their power into my movements. Each strike, each parry, felt instinctual, a dance of death that I had practiced countless times in my mind.

"Aww, you poor little Sith, I'm not even using ten percent of my strength." 

I smirked, saying some cringe-ass line I'd always dreamt about. I'm in my Frieza era.

Atra's eyes widened as he realized he was outmatched. He snarled, summoning a blast of Force lightning and sending it hurtling towards me. I caught the energy in my lightsaber, and I used my own Force of lightning to subdue him. He screamed in pain, his body convulsing as the lightning coursed through him.

I pressed my advantage, launching a flurry of attacks that forced him to retreat. His movements grew sluggish, his defenses weakening. I could see the fear in his eyes, the realization that he was going to die. With a final, powerful strike, I disarmed him, his lightsaber clattering to the ground.

Atra fell to his knees, breathing heavily. "Please," he gasped, his voice trembling. "Spare me. I was only trying to—"

"Save it," I snarled, my anger boiling over. "You chose your path. Now you'll pay the price."

With a swift motion, I brought my lightsaber down, severing his head from his body. The chamber fell silent. The only sound was my own ragged breathing. I deactivated my lightsaber and stepped back.

'I feel nothing.'

This was my life now. Killing, hunting, rooting out traitors. Each mission made me stronger, more ruthless. But it also chipped away at my humanity, leaving me hollow inside. I don't even remember what my goal is anymore? Protect my family? Edging?

"Why the fuck am I turning into a killing machine? I just wanted freedom."

As I left the fortress and returned to The Predator, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. My mother's plans for me seemingly changed me to my core. 

I climbed aboard The Predator and took off, the landscape blurring beneath me as I headed back to the city. The mission was complete, but the battle within me was far from over. I had to find a way to reconcile my actions with my conscience, to balance the darkness with the light.

Back at the castle's auxiliary docking stations, my mother was waiting for me. She stood in the exit, her expression one of pride and satisfaction. As I landed and stepped out of the ship, she approached, her eyes shining with approval.

"You did well, Vex," she said, her voice warm. "Another traitor eliminated. The Empire is safer because of you."

I nodded, unable to meet her gaze. 

'I have to tell her I can't do this anymore.

"Thanks, Mom," they spoke out as if not in control.

She placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip firm. 

"I know this isn't easy for you. But you're doing what needs to be done. Remember that."

'I'm doing your bidding because I'm afraid you'll throw me away like my last mother.' A distant voice rings in my ear.

I nodded again, feeling the weight of her words. "I will, Mother."

She smiled, a rare expression of genuine affection. "Good. Now go rest. You've earned it."

'I have to get the fuck away from her; I need the plan to get off this world asap.'

"Oh honey, by the way, your sister and Sol are coming home in a few days. Their school year just ended. Take the vacation with them, and we can get back to this when they leave." She gave me a warm, loving smile. She really does love.

'Does she know what she's doing to me?'

As I made my way to my room, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Each mission, each kill, was a step further into the darkness. But with Zenna and Sole, at least I'll have a brief reprieve. 

Suddenly, my mouth curled into a grinchlike smile. An idea hatched.

'Sola is the daughter of the Duke of Korriban. Maybe she can get me enrolled a year early? Then I could just coast there and not have to feel guilty for avoiding my mother. Let's kick that can far down the road and let future Vex deal with it.'