Chapter 22: Seeds of Ambition

The dark, metallic corridors of The Obsidian Spear thrummed with the sound of distant engines, creating an almost calming atmosphere as Zorin sat at the center of his meditation chamber. The holocron floated before him, its crimson light flickering like a heartbeat, pulsing with ancient knowledge. But Zorin's mind was not focused on the relic today. His thoughts drifted toward the future—toward the empire he was quietly, but methodically, building in the shadows.

He had made progress on Nar Shaddaa, securing Captain Dravok and his mercenaries. But one victory wasn't enough. Zorin knew the Sith Empire was filled with those just as hungry for power as he was, and while his strength had grown considerably, he was still only an apprentice in the eyes of the Empire. That would have to change.

Zorin's focus shifted to the next phase of his plan: expanding his influence beyond the underworld. Mercenaries and bounty hunters were useful, but he needed more than hired guns. He needed resources, contacts, and most importantly, he needed to control the flow of information. Power was not just about physical strength—it was about knowing what others did not.

He rose to his feet, his black robes flowing behind him as he left the meditation chamber. His boots echoed through the hallway as he walked toward the ship's command center, where Darth Malios waited for him. His master had summoned him for their next mission—one Zorin had been anticipating.

As he entered the command center, the dimly lit room revealed a holographic map of the galaxy spread out before Darth Malios. His master stood tall, arms crossed, with the unmistakable aura of someone who wielded immense power. Malios's yellow eyes locked onto Zorin as he approached, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You've been busy, Zorin," Malios said, his voice a deep, gravelly tone that held both amusement and menace. "Your dealings on Nar Shaddaa have not gone unnoticed. I see you are taking to the ways of the Sith quite well."

Zorin inclined his head respectfully. "Only following your teachings, my lord."

Malios's smile grew, but there was a glint of caution in his eyes. He was testing Zorin, as always, waiting for the moment when Zorin might overstep his bounds. It was the nature of the Sith—always watching, always plotting, ready to strike when the time was right.

"Our next target is of particular interest to me," Malios said, gesturing toward the holographic map. "A key Republic supply depot located on a barren moon in the Vaylorn system. It's a small facility, but it holds valuable resources, weapons, and something more. Intelligence reports indicate that a rogue Jedi Knight has been hiding there, using the depot as a base of operations."

Zorin's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the Jedi. "A Jedi? Alone?"

Malios nodded. "For now. This Jedi has gone rogue, turning her back on the Republic and the Jedi Order. She is no longer a threat to the Sith, but she possesses information—information I want. You will go to the Vaylorn system, infiltrate the depot, and bring her to me."

Zorin felt a surge of excitement. A rogue Jedi was a rare prize, and extracting information from one would not only serve Malios's interests but also give Zorin an opportunity to showcase his growing power. It would be another step in his climb toward domination.

"And the depot?" Zorin asked.

"Destroy it," Malios said, his voice cold and decisive. "Leave no trace of the Republic's presence. But the Jedi is mine. She holds secrets that may prove useful in our larger war effort."

Zorin nodded. "Consider it done, my lord."

As he turned to leave, Malios's voice stopped him. "Zorin."

He paused, glancing back at his master.

"Do not let your ambitions blind you," Malios warned, his eyes narrowing. "I see the path you are walking, and while it is commendable, remember that I am the one who raised you from nothing. If you cross me, apprentice, there will be no escape."

Zorin met Malios's gaze, feeling the weight of the threat. But beneath his calm demeanor, a fire burned. He bowed his head once more, keeping his voice measured. "I would never betray you, my lord. I serve the Empire and your will."

Malios said nothing, but the air between them was thick with unspoken tension. Zorin turned and left the command center, his thoughts swirling with plans of his own.

Aboard his personal shuttle, Zorin prepared for the mission. His ship cut through the cold void of space, making its way toward the Vaylorn system, but his mind was elsewhere. The rogue Jedi would no doubt be difficult to break, but Zorin had learned much from the ancient Sith teachings. Torture and pain were tools, but so was manipulation. If he could find a way to exploit the Jedi's fall from grace, she might give him everything he needed.

Zorin stared out the viewport, watching the stars blur by, his hand absently tracing the hilt of his lightsaber. The holocron's lessons echoed in his mind—power through domination, control through fear. And yet, the holocron had also spoken of alliances forged in secrecy, bonds made not through loyalty, but through shared interest.

Perhaps the Jedi could serve more than one purpose. If she truly had turned her back on the Republic, she might be swayed, used as a pawn in Zorin's growing power base. After all, who would suspect a fallen Jedi as his ally? She could provide him with access to Republic secrets, weakening their forces from within while Zorin continued to strengthen his influence in the Empire.

But first, he would need to find her.

The Vaylorn system was a desolate place, the barren moon where the Republic depot was hidden shrouded in perpetual twilight. Zorin's shuttle landed quietly in a canyon not far from the facility, its sensors picking up minimal resistance—just a handful of guards and automated defenses. The real challenge would be locating the Jedi before destroying the depot.

Zorin stepped off the shuttle, his dark robes billowing around him as he moved silently through the canyon. The dark side flowed through him, enhancing his senses, sharpening his perception. He could feel the presence of the Jedi faintly, a flicker of light amidst the darkness of the depot. She was here, somewhere, hiding.

Using the Force, Zorin disabled the security perimeter, slipping inside the facility undetected. The guards were few, and he dispatched them quickly and efficiently, their bodies crumpling to the ground before they even had time to raise an alarm.

As he moved deeper into the depot, he felt the Jedi's presence grow stronger. She was close.

Zorin entered a large storage chamber, filled with crates of weapons and supplies. In the center of the room stood a figure, cloaked in tattered brown robes, her lightsaber already ignited—a green blade that cast a faint glow in the dimly lit space.

"So, the Sith finally send someone to finish me," the Jedi said, her voice tired but defiant.

Zorin said nothing, merely igniting his own crimson blade and stepping forward, his eyes locked on hers. He could sense her fear, her desperation. She had been running for a long time.

"You're not here for the Republic," she continued, her voice hardening. "You're here for me. What do you want, Sith?"

Zorin circled her slowly, his lightsaber humming in the air. "Information. Secrets you've been hiding from both the Republic and the Sith. You will give them to me willingly… or I will take them by force."

The Jedi's grip tightened on her weapon, but Zorin could see the doubt in her eyes. She was powerful, but she was alone, and she knew it.

"Whatever you think you can get from me, Sith," she said, her voice steady, "you won't find it. I'll die before I betray what little honor I have left."

Zorin smiled coldly. "You won't die. Not yet."

And with that, he lunged forward, his lightsaber slashing through the air in a deadly arc, the first blow in what would become a brutal, methodical interrogation.

By the time the depot was in flames, Zorin stood over the broken form of the Jedi, her body crumpled at his feet. She had given him what he wanted—information on Republic supply routes, key military outposts, and the names of Jedi operatives working behind enemy lines.

But more importantly, she had revealed something else—a weakness in the Republic's defense systems, one that Zorin could exploit in the coming war. It was a valuable prize, one that would please Darth Malios.

Zorin stared down at the fallen Jedi, considering for a moment whether to end her life. But something stopped him. There was still use in her, he realized. Broken and defeated, she could be molded, reshaped. She could become part of his growing power base, a tool to be used in the greater game.

Kneeling beside her, Zorin whispered, "You will serve me now. Whether you realize it or not."

The Jedi didn't respond, unconscious from the torment she had endured. But Zorin knew she would soon awaken, and when she did, she would see that her only path forward was to fall further into the darkness.

Zorin's power was growing. Soon, even Darth Malios would not be able to contain him.