Well, he already thinks I talk behind his back...

I quite like this planet.

There are so many archaeological dig sites that are, for whatever reason, avoided or ignored by the Voss but open to anyone who can get the Gormak (or the Republic) out of the way.

I have no issues with getting those things out of my way.

The history here is amazing, though some of it seems to be a bit damning to the Empire’s chances on this planet; I should destroy it or take it to someone, but they’d likely destroy it.

I can’t seem to bring myself to do that, so I leave it where it is.

Some idiot claiming to be an Agent with Imperial Intelligence tried to bark orders at me in Voss-Ka. He didn’t take it kindly when I reminded him that neither he nor the Empire were the authority here and that it was the Voss who were in charge of the city, including both enclaves.

He then threatened to arrest me, to which I laughed.

Then came the threat of being shot. 

He backed down when I reminded him that acting so foolishly in Voss-Ka could, in effect, sway the Voss to side with the Republic and that he would likely be arrested and executed by the authority he claimed to represent if that were to happen—and even if it weren’t to happen, he has literally no authority either over a Sith or anyone in Voss-Ka.

I do not take orders from Imperial Intelligence (on Voss or otherwise) unless they come from one of my superiors or one of the Voss directly, and even then, I require proof beyond, “I said so.”

Eventually, he gave up and, seemingly upset that I wasn’t intimidated by him, stomped off complaining loudly about Sith ‘elitists’.

Tholgeth is excellent at reminding me as to why I dislike spending time around him.

He’s arrogant, stupid, and rude.

The only redeeming feature I see in him is that he makes an excellent—the term I heard used for his type on Nar Shaddaa—meat shield.

He can take a hit, and my own skill with the Force makes it effortless to keep him alive and generally not bleeding.

Jude has, evidently, re-defected back to the Republic.
Not surprising.
I can’t say that it bothers me; it took every ounce of self control to even be civil to  him. No idea what Dytelo ever saw in him aside from the fact that, perhaps, he was a ‘sure thing’, so to speak.

Speaking of which—Dytelo, not ‘sure things’—I haven’t spoken to Dytelo in some time.  I should probably do that; it never hurts to stay on good terms with another Darth’s power base.

My own Master is aware of it and has passively approved.
I get the feeling that he enjoys being overlooked and ignored as a non-issue. 

I’m not entirely sure what happened between my Master and Tholgeth, but my Master showed up to the ship in one hell of a state. I’ve never seen him limp before. Says that was just from kicking Tholgeth’s armor in a small fit of pique.

Seems like a stupid thing to do, considering the type of boots that he wears, but—

His voice was off. Harsher than it usually is. Didn’t have to ask about that; when he lowered his hood there were clearly marks left by Force. I’ve seen people choked with it before, I know what it leave behind. The way he was moving gave the distinct impression that he was quite injured in general.

Evidently, he thought me too weak to bother to take a strike against him.

He’s only half correct. I could have killed him easily in that state, but that would have been quite stupid of me.

It’s one thing to handle a half-crippled Darth, but it’s quite another to deal with Tholgeth. I know I can’t beat Tholgeth, and I know that my Master is likely the one thing keeping Tholgeth from turning me into a bloody stain on a remote pathway somewhere.

It’s in my best interests to become indispensable to Bi’ev.

So, I healed him.

Well, as best as I could. He wasn’t exactly willing, but not entirely in a place to fight back with any real effort either.

On that topic, Esk—that Mando Rattataki—not the brightest woman I’ve met. She was going on and on over a public comm channel about wanting Dytelo and Jude to leave her in peace; figured I’d offer a subtle hand as a ‘tip’ for the information she’d been giving me and told them both to back off and let her be.

…and she turned right around and told them where she was, then invited them to come and meet with her.

Despite how it may seem outwardly, I genuinely dislike being made to look stupid and, when it’s not a Sith who outranks me, I’m not inclined to take it quietly.

Oh, brilliant.

Some of these backwater planets need to be hooked up to the INN. It might have been nice to know that there was a plague on before taking a shuttle back to the Fleet. It’s just as well, I figured something was up when every medical droid I spoke with suddenly had a “Rakghoul Vaccine” in inventory.

I’m used to seeing cures for womp rat fever, even off of Tatooine, but I’d not seen a Rakghoul vaccine before.

For a change, acting on a twinge of paranoia and doubt paid off. Some idiot(s) managed to skirt the quarantine and seemed to be delighting in spreading the plague. One of them dribbled green—I don’t know what—all over my robes. Granted, they  hadn’t been in pristine condition to begin with, nothing is after a week or so on Belsavis and Quesh, but honestly, it’s just not good manners to drool on other people.

I know, I know, “Sith with manners?” That’s one of the stupidest rhetorical questions I’ve ever heard. Sith are highly regimented in terms of how you’re treated based on your position and title. Those who step out of line and try to be ‘edgy’ are typically silenced. 

Swiftly.

Really, it’s not much different from the life of a slave. Stay in line, mind your place, and you’re generally fine. Step out of line, and you’d better be prepared to do so quickly and violently.

Speaking of which, my Master actually contacted Darth Ishavi; that was unexpected. I didn’t figure he’d bother. Says they’re still working out details. I do hope it goes well, I wouldn’t mind receiving extra instruction from her on the ways of Force manipulation.

It’s been an exceptional night. 

First, I met the kid (probably shouldn’t call him a kid, I don’t think he’s that much younger than I am) who posted that disturbing hoload; turns out it was just a very odd coincidence. He was looking for, essentially, the same Twi’lek slave he’d had growing up. I just happen to be very similar to him in terms of looks. We spoke on an open channel for a bit, and he was met with some degree of hostility from others. Others being other Twi’lek, a Chiss and another Pureblood.

I don’t think—Dytelo, his name was—I don’t think Dytelo was necessarily intending to come off as rude or arrogant. After meeting him, I’m certain my feeling on him was correct: He’s quite young, quite sheltered, has never been out on his own and has never had to address what he considers an ‘alien’ as an equal before.  I strongly suspect that there was no ill intent behind some of what he said, and he seemed genuinely confused as to why anyone would take offense.

We spoke for awhile, but when we met up with a few others from the open channel, they were less than willing to give the kid much of a chance, and he left with his tail tucked between his legs. I did explain to them my thoughts on the matter, but what’s done is done.

Dytelo gave me his personal comm chip before he left.

Quite honestly, I felt a bit bad for him; it’s not the same thing, of course, but he reminded me a bit of how badly I failed at interacting with anyone when I first was sent to Korriban. Entirely different world and social structure than I was used to.

Moving on, I got to speak with other Twi’lek tonight!

Proper ones, not cantina employees or slaves—well—one of them was a slave/apprentice sort of deal to one of the Lords. She’d been purchased as a gift and was being trained. In the force, I mean, she was already well trained as a slave. Quiet, nice to look at, and didn’t speak unless spoken to.

The other was a Lord, I believe. His name was Threx. He looked Lethan, though the light was dim and I couldn’t tell for certain—at any rate, he was a proper Sith as well, and held rank! Most of the conversation revolved around things relating to Twi’lek, which I’m sure bored the pants off of the Chiss man and the Pureblood woman, but they were polite.
They didn’t laugh when I told them what happened with my lekku and the lightsaber; instead, all three of the Twi’lek cringed. One even grabbed her own lekku reflexively. It’s the first time I’ve told that story that someone hasn’t found it hilarious. Threx was more curious as to whether or not I could still move it and how damaged it was. 

It’s not damaged at all, really, aside from the deep scar and it being a little stiff to move now. It still moves. Some gestures just require more effort than they used to due to the scar tissue.

We talked via lekku as well! I haven’t done that in years, not properly anyway. Shooting silent insults at that other apprentice doesn’t count. I’ve missed it terribly.

It was the Darth, though…Ishavi.

She said she was impressed by me! Actually impressed. She said it verbatim, and offered to help any way she could in terms of my training with the Force, since my own Master is more skilled with lightsabers. She also said if there was anything she could do to help me advance in rank, that all I had to do was ask.

…and she gave me her personal comm chip! A Darth! A TWI’LEK Darth!

I gave her mine as well.

I’m toying with the idea of not telling Master Bi’ev. On the other hand, if he finds out and thus finds out that I was keeping it from him—I may not be in any position soon to eliminate him, but, I imagine I could convince him to raise me to a Lord if I get a little extra help on the side.

I know it sounds ridiculous but, for the first time in a long time, I felt like an actual person again and not someone’s servant,  project, or assigned irritation.