The Pit

The ship dove into the planet's atmosphere, indicators displayed a breathable atmosphere but the environment was extremely arid.

He flew close to the ground and over a crack that seemed to run the length of the planet. From space, they could see this crack lead towards an area full of deep pits. He found a large enough area of solid ground to land the ship.

"How can people live in a place like this? The surface doesn't have any plant life at all, I can barely sense any animals." Belia opened her eyes and looked at him with worry.

Her connection to the living force was strong from growing up on a jungle planet. Coming to a place like this was a first for her.

"Life always has a way. Just because we can't see anything on the surface doesn't mean there's nothing underneath." He tapped her forehead and rose from his seat.

She rubbed her head and felt deeper underground, and as Khan said, she felt life. Her head turned to see that Khan had already left the cockpit. "Ah, wait for me."

When she caught up, Khan was already giving instructions to the droids. "You stay here and protect the ship, I don't want to come back and find my new toy damaged." He gestured towards the six assault droids.

"The rest come with me." He led the two mercenary and assassin droids down the ramp and stepped on the rock and pebble-covered ground.

"How are we going to get down, this trench looks deep?" Belia ran next to Khan and gazed at the dark depths below.

"We jump." Khan jumped off the side, his body twisted in the air and stuck to the rock face with his hand and feet.

His body slid along the side of the crevice and plunged towards the ground. His speed slowed by the friction. When he reached a rocky protrusion, he pushed off with his feet and leaped through the air.

He cleared the gap and arrived at the other side, clinging to the walls and continued his slide.

Belia watched him reach the ground without trouble. Before she could take it all in, the droids next to her moved.

The mercenary droids took off their hats and jumped on them, the top lit up and activated the repulsorlift. They rode down without a problem.

The assassin droid's body seemed to defy gravity as it ran down the side like it was nothing.

Belia took a deep breath and jumped. Her armor wasn't as heavily plated and she didn't have the technology to ease her fall.

Instead, she used the force ability she's practiced more than any other. She surrounded her body with telekinesis and slowed her fall.

Khan watched as she landed safely on the ground. "Let's go."

Belia huffed when she saw he wasn't even impressed. She turned back when she felt eyes watching her, but feeling Khan walking further away she followed after him.

"Didn't you feel the people behind us?"

"So what? Can you beat five assault droids using form four and a heavy turbo cannon?" Khan dismissed her worries with a wave.

"Can you?" Her eyes rolled, turning his jab back at him.

"Of course, I can turn them off with the force. Did you forget they're all affected by Mechu-deru?"

Belia gnashed her teeth at his shamelessness. "I thought we're talking about lightsaber combat."

"Don't always focus on lightsaber combat Belia, you're far more talented with the force."

"Droids also have limitations due to ion weapons. One EMP can take them out."

"Then why do you want to utilize them so much?"

He glanced at her curious face. "People don't just carry EMP grenades around."

Her mouth opened, unable to refute his statement.

After walking for a while they started hearing a loud cheer. A bit further and the ground began sloping underground. In front of the entrance stood two hulking gray creatures with shark-like faces. Their sharp teeth protruded out of their mouths like savages.

They wore crude leather armor and held melee axes with rough workmanship. When they saw Khan and his group approach they looked apprehensive.

"¥÷|×|°¢®¢℅¢{ ¢°÷¢÷¢^`™¢=¢!!!" The creature grunted at them and brandished its weapon.

"Is this the Rattataki language? This place really does seem forgotten." Belia looked at the two new creatures with sparkling eyes. Seeming as though she can't wait to rush up and ask them questions.

"The only record of this place is a Sith Lord coming here to take fighters. I only remembered its location for a special reason." He can't tell her it was a playable race in a game.

Seeing the group ignoring them, the two Vollick began yelling and stepping forward. They brandished their weapons in the attack position, ready to make their move.

"It really is a planet of fighters, they're ready to attack just because we didn't answer them. Fascinating, how long does it take for a culture to evolve like this? What makes them different from other species?" A madness flashed in his eyes as he held up his hand.

He clenched his fist and the two Vollick stopped in their tracks. Their weapons dropped and they grabbed at their throat.

Khan raised his hand higher and lifted them from the ground. Their feet kicked as they clawed at their throats, trying to get some air.

"More people are coming." Belia's eyes turned towards the cavern entrance. Seven more pale-skinned Vollick rushed out with their weapons.

"÷×=^€|`€°∆×√^ |^¥÷√¥¥√!!!"

Khan flicked his hand and threw the two towards the crowd. This stopped their charge forward as they helped up their comrades.

"How interesting, your bodies are tough. That was enough force to break the necks of most beasts." His right hand thrust forward and nine red tendrils drilled out. They sunk into their heads and attacked their mind.

"Raaaaaa ahhhhh!!" They all dropped to their knees and started to yell in fear. Some rolled on the ground while clutching their heads in pain.

"Even as a warrior species you still feel such intense fear? How much can you take before you go insane?" The tendrils seemed to increase in intensity. He fed off their fear and that further improved his power.

Belia watched as the force was twisted and malformed around his body. Bending it his will to inflict untold torment against the minds of these helpless Vollick. Any other light side practitioner would have tried to strike him down, but for her, Khan's actions are the will of the force.

His greatness had already filled every corner of her mind.

"More are coming, time to end this experiment here." Khan twisted his hand, the tendrils connecting to their minds shifted. No longer did they install fear but dominated their psyche to calm them down.

He searched their minds without pause, uncaring if it left them imbeciles. Their language and knowledge of this place poured into his mind.

His hand dropped and even more Vollick ran out of the tunnel and completely filled this ditch with people.

Their eyes looked at their brethren on the ground before turning to Khan. "Who are you?! Are you with Clan Yemitus?"

"No, tell your Warlord Crik Rikil I wish to be his new champion." Khan spoke their language fluidly.

"You want to challenge Garo?" The Vollick looked stunned for a moment. He glanced at the men on the ground and saw they weren't dead. Finally, his eyes returned to Khan.

An ugly smile formed on his face and he rubbed his hands together. "Why didn't you say you want to fight?!? Anyone can challenge the champion if they go through the wringer! Come, come follow me!!"

The Vollick behind him went to check the others while he motioned for Khan to follow. He led them down the tunnel and they arrived at a large cavern.

The cheers from the crowd became louder and people can be seen rushing around this circular tunnel. What looked like vendors were selling strange moss and some kind of paste.

"What did you say? Where are they leading us?" Belia moved closer so Khan could hear over the cheers of the crowd.

"I asked to compete in the tournament. I want to see if there are any people here with potential. In a few days, they will hold a grand gladiatorial match with the neighboring Rattataki clans. The loser has to give up a lot of land."

"What's the point? Why not have an open war?" She looked at him with confusion.

"Silly girl, look at the conditions of this place. The environment is bad and resources are scarce. If they turn killing into a game, the people are entertained and the population is still reduced." Khan shook his head.

Soon they arrived in what looked like a holding area. A dozen people in a room were waiting for their turn to fight. "When the gate opens someone has to go out and fight. If you can survive ten rounds in a row you can challenge the champion." The Vollick gave a sly smile to Khan.

"Good luck." When he turned and left the other gladiators in the room looked at their group.

Unlike the guards, their bodies are covered in some sort of plant fiber and their weapons were made of bone.

"Clean them up." Khan waved his hand.

The two mercenary droids raised their arms in sync and fired their wrist crossbow. The arrows flew, immediately stabbing two in the neck.

They drew their machetes like lighting and rushed forward. A downward slash and a fountain of blood erupted from their bodies.

In but a flash, four were already dead. The remaining eight rose to their feet to charge forward, but before they took a single step a series of blaster fire mowed them down.

The assassin droid attached the rifle to its back again, acting like nothing happened.

When the mercenary droids retrieved their arrows, the door leading to the arena opened.

"Be careful." Khan walked through the doors to the cheer of the crowd.

Belia looked at the droids and pondered what he meant. Her eyes flashed when she remembered what Khan had said before. "Always expect the worst."