Sullust

- 26 BBY - 

- Lotho Minor, Outer Rim -

*Pew Pew*

Slugs, fired from slugthrowers, shoot through the air towards Maul, aiming to kill him. The Zabrak, copying Neo, stops them from reaching him, forcing them to a complete stop. He doesn't move from his position and waits for the young men to attack. A grenade is thrown at him, which he uses the Force to stop from exploding, keeping it afloat, next to the slugs. Two vibroblades approach him from the back, and Mereel appears from the front holding his Z-10 rotary heavy cannon, a weapon that Maul improved drastically.

Maul ignites his lightsaber and uses his own version of Form III, deflecting the hundreds of blaster shots coming from Mereel and blocking the two vibroswords from behind occasionally. Maul performs Force Push and sends Ordo, one of the two attackers, flying through the air and deflects several blasts back to hit Mereel. But the Null clone is ready for it, and his brother Jaing appears, holding an energy shield, also one of Maul's creations, to block the reflected blasts. A'den, the second one with a vibrosword, is choked and lifted into the air, while Prudii fires a wave of fire from his flamethrower, obstructing Maul's view. 

Kom'rk, having waited for this chance, fires his rocket launcher at Maul. The Zabrak smiles, seeing their progress, and hurls A'den through the air, hitting the charging Ordo before he can come close. Maul reaches out and deflects the rocket, moving it around him and releasing it back at the clones.

"Oh, shi-"

*BOOOOM*

Mereel is back to firing before Maul can target his brothers again, trying to get his attention, while Jaing acts as a shield and additional attacker. A second later, Maul notices something and is unattentive, allowing the brothers to attack again. Maul is pulled back and slashes his lightsaber through the air, faster than before, blocking the blasters and using the Force to stop the slugs from hitting him. But the single moment of unattentiveness costs him, as Ordo has waited for such a moment, having his Verpine sniper rifle ready and firing at Maul. 

The Verpine sniper rifle is an expensive, top-of-the-line sniper rifle based on the Verpine shatter gun design. The weapons utilise gravity coils, based on magnetic fields similar to those of rail guns, to accelerate projectiles at extremely high velocities, allowing them to inflict heavy kinetic damage even on armoured targets. Maul was very interested in the design and used some of his time to create a lighter version of the sniper rifle, adding a second, smaller magnetic field to the chamber. This modification made the weapon longer but increased the damage by almost four times. It was now a truly dangerous weapon, and Maul could feel it. 

Feeling the massive danger through precognition, Maul takes his first step and uses all of the Force power he can muster to deflect the kinetic energy approaching him. 

*VROOM*

The shot pierces the wall. 

"YEAH! We did it!"

"Hahaha, let's go!"

The clones start to celebrate since they managed to make Maul move from his spot, which was the parameter for them to win. Maul chuckles seeing that, but a second later, he uses the Force to choke all of them at once and pull them towards him. Mereel reacts immediately, wanting to send a grenade to escape the hold, but is stopped. 

"You have done well. But remember that a real fight is not over until the target is truly dead," Maul says and lets them down. "Nevertheless, you have done well. Over the past nine months, you have made tremendous progress. It is time for your final test."

"Final? As in... you'll let us go if we pass?" A'den asks. 

"Indeed. Final as in you are free to go, IF you wish," Maul says. 

"Hmm, why should we trust a word you say?" Jaing asks. 

"I haven't lied to you yet. Why would I lie to my students?" Maul asks them. 

"So what's the test?" Ordo asks.

"Quite simple. The galactic underworld is shifting, and I am looking to undermine a... competitor, if you will. Additionally, it is a good place to start," Maul says. "The Kaldana Syndicate is your target. Make it submit, or destroy it. Either way, make sure to take what you can from them."

"Where?" Ordo asks. 

"Sullust."

.

- Sullust, Outer Rim - 

The Nulls have arrived on Sullust in secret, clad in Mandalorian gear and ready for their mission. Jaing, an "artist amongst data deceivers", could, along with his brother Kom'rk, "track a flitnat across the galaxy." His weapon of choice is the modified version of the Verpine shatter gun. It works similarly to the sniper rifle, which Ordo sometimes uses. 

Jaing and Kom'rk are observing a particular restaurant. 

"Are you seeing this?" Kom'rk asks. 

"Aye, sure do. I'll send it through," Jaing answers, putting the special goggles down. 

*Purrup purrup*

The strange sound is heard, and once again, the two cones can't help but roll their eyes at the ridiculous nature of it. Maul has refused to explain why it makes that sound when they call him, but it just does. 

[Yes?]

"We're at the high-end restaurant. We found Representative Kap Klyp of the SoroSuub Corporation as you asked. But he has some rather 'interesting' guests."

[A rather old, rich man?]

"Aye, Count Dooku is here and a furry Jedi. Should we tag him?"

[Hmm, we are early, it would seem. Don't keep a close watch on him. Instead, observe the Jedi. He is much less likely to notice you.]

"Understood. N-10 out," Jaing says and ends the transmission. 

"We staying here for a while?" Kom'rk asks. 

"Yup. You got the peeping device?" Jaing asks.

"Haa... yes. Haha, if I didn't know, I'd be certain it was A'den named it," Kom'rk says. 

"True. He is very jovial after all."

The peeping device, as Maul calls it, is a small 5x5x5 cm box which can be used for spying. Listening from large distances as well as recordings, there's not much it doesn't do for information gathering. 

'...Forming a new Order of Force users? Is that really what the rumours say?' Count Dooku asks.

'It is probably the most common among the Jedi, yes,' the Jedi Togorian answers. 

'I'm afraid the reality is far less interesting than that. I'm merely looking after my family's business interests on Serenno. Exactly the life I would have led had I never joined the Jedi.'

"Yeah, right. And he helps orphans and never kills," Kom'rk says sarcastically. 

'A life most suited to you, Count,' Kap Klyp says. 

'And what brings you so far into the Outer Rim, Jak'zin?' Dooku asks the Jedi. 

'Private business for the Council. You understand.'

'Of course.'

"He's fishing for information, did you hear? The fucker doesn't know why he's here either and wants to make sure it won't interfere with his business. You think he's the 'competitor' Maul mentioned?" Jaing asks. 

"Might be. Give me some of the sweets, I'm hungry."

.

Maul sits in the starship he built himself on Lotho Minor and watches the life feed Jaing and Kom'rk are sending. The 'Death Bite' is the first shuttle Maul created out of the junk he found on Lotho Minor during his first year of being there. 

It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't anything special, but it blended in and was largely invisible among other ships; that's all that mattered during this mission. It could get him and his students to Sullust, do their business and then back again. He looks at the screens and sees the dinner finally coming to an end. He increases the volume, interested in whether or not the moment was about to start and listens. 

[Jak'zin? Might I walk with you a bit?] Dooku asks the Jedi Knight. 

[Of course.]

[I could sense you were troubled at dinner.]

[I'm sorry. I'll admit my mission here has me a bit... distracted.]

[Pardon me for asking, but... is this mission of yours particularly dangerous?] Dooku asks. 

[I mean... they did send a Jedi for a reason, Count. Why do you ask?]

[You'll forgive an old man his sentiment. You said earlier that you knew my apprentice. Master Qui-Gon Jinn.]

Maul smiles, hearing those words, and then clenches his jaw lightly, remembering what came after. He chuckles at the thought, having made peace with what happened... haha, no, no, he hasn't. He is biding his time and growing his power. He is acting smartly, having his emotions under perfect control. 

[Of course, he was a great Jedi.]

[And a great friend. When I heard the news of his death, I couldn't help but wonder... had I remained with the Order, would he have still died?] Dooku asks. 

"Oh, the old man's good."

[You can't blame yourself.] Jak'zin says, wanting to console Dooku. 

[Perhaps. Even the company of his Padawan wasn't enough to save him. But maybe his master would have been able to.]

[...]

[I can't help but notice that whatever your mission, you face it alone. Forgive an old man for thinking that perhaps this time he could make a difference.]

[Well, you were a Jedi Master once...]

"He is really good. Marvellously done," Maul praises the performance of Dooku. 

[There is some sort of criminal group that has been making inroads here on Sullust. They call themselves the Kaldana Syndicate. Sorosuub has denied that they are a problem. However, enough reports have reached the Republic-]

[That the Republic asked the Jedi for help, and thus you were dispatched.] 

[Yes.]

[And that is why you were so hesitant to speak in front of the Sorosuub Representative at dinner. It's settled then. I will assist you with your investigation.] Dooku declares. 

[That's not-]

[My young Jedi, even if I weren't concerned for your safety... I do have a rather sizable financial investment on this world. Are you really going to turn down the help?]

"Alright. My turn," Maul says and exits the Death Bite. 

.

Inside a particular warehouse, the Kaldana Syndicate has just met the Nulls, and they aren't glad about it. The leader lies on his back with a Maul shatter gun and an advanced Maul slugthrower pointed at his face. 

"You will do as we say, or you will be turned into a sieve. Nod if you understand," Ordo says. 

The man nods. 

"Prudii, what of the guests?" he asks. 

"Not yet in sight. But Jaing called, they left the alley and are making their way through the city."

"What about the boss?" Mereel asks, throwing a candy that Maul has created into his mouth. 

"On his way," A'den says. 

Over the months, the young Null clones have started to get used to their situation and have increasingly forgotten that they were 'technically' prisoners. It wasn't their fault. No matter how strong they were mentally, Maul's Essence grounded their resistance to almost nothing. It was a disgustingly suitable part of Maul's power, considering who he is and what his plans are

"They're here," Prudii alerts the others. 

"Alright. Hey, you, stand up and be useful," Ordo says to the men on the ground. "Make sure to give your all, do you hear? Or you won't live to see tomorrow."

"Y-yes..."

"Good."

The Nulls retreated further back and waited for the Jedi Knight and Dooku to enter the building. The Jedi uses his lightsaber to cut a hole through the door and enters first. The criminals fire their blasters at the Jedi and Dooku, who reflect them. 

"Stay behind me," Jak'zin tells Dooku and blocks more blaster fire. 

"That does seem the best course of action," Dooku says. 

They move further in the room and see the crates filled with weapons. 

"Oh no..."

"What is it?" Dooku asks. 

"They're dealing in weapons."

Just then, the two are surrounded by Kaldana thugs, aiming their weapons at the two men. 

"Drop the lightsaber!" one of the thugs shouts. 

"...We're surrounded, aren't we?" Jak'zin says. 

"For the moment..." Dooku replies and takes his own lightsaber into his hand. 

*VWWOOOM*

"...But I don't believe the moment will last."

"What-"

"Kill them quickly!!"

They are fired upon, and the two men use their lightsabers and skills in the Force to efficiently deal with the Kaldana, reflecting their shots and cutting most of them down. Jak'zin turns to Dooku, keeping his lightsaber ready. The young Jedi Knight is unsure of what is happening. 

"That lightsaber. It's... where did you get that?" the Togorian asks. 

"I made it, of course," Dooku replies. 

Dooku uses the Force to fire a blaster from behind Jak'zin. 

*PEW*

"Pity," Dooku says, kicking the now-dead Jedi. 

"A pity indeed."

Dooku turns around to the new presence, holding his lightsaber ready. What he sees confuses him partially. What looks like a heavily advanced droid, or a man wearing advanced armour, approaches him from the dark and stops in front of him. He looks at the dead Jedi. Dooku narrows his eyes, feeling something about the man, which he can't quite place. 

"And who might you be?" Dooku asks. 

Then, something happens that he wasn't ready for. The man reaches out with his hand, and Jak'zin's lightsaber flies into his hand. 

"Competition."

*VWWOOOOM*

[Picture]