The imagines flashed trough Rhonin's mind as he rested. Images of the so called Darth Vader, as well as Emperor Palpatine. Images of battles as well as meetings. Images of ships as well as planets. The adapting was strainful, even to Rhonin, as he was adapting to a whole new era. A whole new time. Things had changed a lot while he was gone. The positive side was that the galaxy was lead by the Sith. It would be a simple task to overthrow the two and claim their forces as his own. The quantities of Jedi were remarkable low as well, reducing resistance to a minimum. Now all that was required was to reach their destination and do something about it.
Rhonin woke up then, after having adapted to all knowledge. He needed rest still, but a question haunted him. A question his victim did not hold the answer to. He clenched his fist in frustration and pressed a button on his throne, opening a communication link:
"LHOK!! Find out what you can about the Darth title! It keeps turning up wherever there are Sith Lords at recent times! What does it mean? Why do they use it?!"
"It will be done, m'lord. I will sweep the databases for answers"
* * *
"Endor? Pfft! That wasnt much. It's the past weeks that has been tough. This is the first time I can really deploy myself, relaxe and enjoy a nice glass of tea in weeks. Although tea aint the only thing I'm gonna enjoy"
She patted Daran's hand that he had placed on her shoulder and smiled at him, before watching the simulator screen with a grin. At last had the flying started, and that was one step closer for it to be over. Not that it mattered much, as she enjoyed watching Julius fly almost as much as she enjoyed watching him not fly. He couldnt see it, but she blew a kiss in the direction of the screen.
Nerx stepped back onto the bridge after a few hours rest, aquiring a fresh uniform, and the correct rank symbol. "Report!"
"All systems optimal, we are eighteen hours from target system."
"Right! Greetings lord Rhonin, I trust your rest was..." he searched for the correct words "...informing and educational." He smiled. "Any problems?"
Rhonin turned his head from where he sat, watching Nerx entering the bridge. He listened intently as they confirmed everything was going well and nodded in silence. As he was spoken to, he remained silent for a moment but nodded shortly after.
"Captain Nerx, what is the Darth title? The information I claimed was not sufficient enough to answer that question. I do not think it is a coincidence that Darth is shared among multiple Sith"
The Captain was taken by suprise. He bowed his head as he thought. "The Darth title, according to the database, stems back to Racatan (?) peroid. One of the first Force users to adopt the title Darth, was Darth Malek. Unfortunately thats all I know. I theroize that it is derived from darr and teh two words in their ancient language. It could also be derived from Dark lord of the Sith. To better understand you should consult the database." The captain looked at Rhonin.
((Works for Rhonin and me 😄 ))
Rhonin rested his elbow at the side of his throne, resting his head at the palm of his hand and listened as Nerx spoke. He remembered Darth Malak trough his newly gained knowledge from the deceased crewmembers. The Sith Lord who died roughly four thousand years ago. Which meant that he had been in stasis longer than that. It was one clue closer to knowing how long exactly. Yet, that was not where most of his curiosity manifested. The Darth title was still his focus point.
"Yes, Lhok is investigating the database as we speak"
He repeated the captain and started thinking. After having thought for a couple of minutes, he spoke again.
"Darth Rhonin. How does that sound, captain?"
"No, mi'lord, the title doesn't suit one as powerful as you, it is far too common. Perhaps you may wish to adopt the title but I would believe you to be greater than to lower yourself to the current Sith standards." The Captain looked directly at Rhonin, regarding him in equal light as if he was one of his own crew members, and ment no disrespect in that manner either. He rested a hand on his blaster holster at his hip. "I'm not entirely sure how I should address you, lord Rhonin."
Rhonin laughed maliciously, long and loud to the words of captain Nerx. His laughter made the metal surrounding his throne quake and lightning streamed like a sphere as if in a current around Rhonin as he laughed. Not sure how to interpret the laughter, the disciples of Rhonin in the room fell to their knees, lowered their heads and closed their eyes while waiting for the next move of Rhonin.
Rhonin on the other hand grinned widly beneath the mask of his, stroking his throne with his left hand and raised his head towards the captain. The laughter had gone from an average tone at first, developing loud and turning then even louder before he stopped suddenly.
"I fear I am developing a liking for you, captain Nerx. You are right. The galaxy will know the name of Rhonin and nothing more. I am no pretender and nor am I like any others. Address me as you see fit, I grant you that right"
He rose from his seat for a brief moment, looking around himself at the kneeling disciples. He looked then at Nerx again, eyeing the blaster.
"You seem fond in that blaster of yours, captain. Tell me, did you intend to blast me? By all means, I am quite the target. If shooting me will give you rest at heart, be my guest. Be it out of fear, anger, desire or pleasure, I asure you that you have my permission to shoot. I even dare you to try it out. After you have hit my armor, you will see that it is futile to reach for that gun if you ever do anger me, which I doubt you ever will. You seem to have the right words and attitude to remain on my good side"
Rhonin looked at Nerx, having no intentions of protecting himself if a blaster shot would be sent at him. His armor had the durability capability to disrupt lightsabers upon impact, absorb force lighting and much more. A laser shot would dissolve upon impact. Rhonin believed that emotions, urges and impulses created strength. If shooting him gave captain Nerx pleasure, Rhonin was approving it fully.
"Very well, captain. I must say that you are quite the remarkable man. Your mentality is a pleasant change over them disciples, even though their devotion is one I find utmost pleasure in. By the way, this planet we have set course to, I have never heard of it. What sort of planet is it?"
Rhonin looked around as the disciples rose and turned back to work. If Nerx kept Rhonin in his current mood, Lhok would soon become third in command. Indeed did Rhonin find pleasure in the dedication and worshipping that Lhok acted out for Rhonin, but captain Nerx had the type of attitude that Rhonin respect.
Hetar quickly released a torpedo with a proximity setting and threw his fighter into a corkscrew while bringing his speed up to combat standard, looping underneath the droid fighter, reversing straight at the torpedo. "Strike one." Hetar brought the X-wing about.
***
Nerx smiled. "Dersaan V is a little know planet out of the way of the Empire but busy enought to start our search for what ever it is you are looking for. We should also be able to update our database at the local Imperial shipyards at Sluis Van." He smiled. ((I have an interesting senario for that))
(( I'm not forgiving you 🙄 Looking forward to your scenario, whenever it'll take place 😊 ))
"Excellent. We'll get everything we need to know from there. Consider it a checkpoint before our journey truly begins, captain Nerx. After that, we'll go hunting for the pretender to be Sith. Darth Vader. No man may match Rhonin"
Rhonin walked trough the bridge, having a look around as he did. He walked past the various desciples as well as captain Nerx and his crew. He kept an eye on his surrounding, and as he walked did the floor beneath him quiver by his heavy steps. He stopped by the front window, staring out into hyperspace with his hands behind his back. His visor flashed bright blue as it always had, and he kept his head high. Soon would the galaxy once again kneel to Rhonin.
((I decided on Sovereign-class Star Dreadnaught. It'll act as future flagship after likely expandings. Our dear "Q'Anilia" is down with a fever. She did make a post you never responded to though, so the blame is on you both for her lack of activity 😉 😛))
"The day I beat him will be a day to remember, but hasnt happened yet. Not that I consider it a competition, but I believe myself to not be far behind. He's a whole lot better at keeping focus than me, however, so he'll certainly outlive me"
Tyri smiled and looked over at Julius big screen, before proudly turning back to face Daran.
* * *
Rhonin nodded to Nerx as he said 'everything'. He stared out into space as his throne buzzed, and the transmission of Lhok was patched trough on speakers. Rhonin turned his head to listen.
"Master Rhonin, the databank has not been updated in years, but I have obtained certain pieces of knowledge revolving the Darth title. It is a title of honor, it appears. Supposed to signify power and leadership"
"I am aware of what it represent, Lhok. What else have you found?"
"It appears that a Rule of Two has become a tradition among Sith. That each master is to have an apprentice to spread the word further"
"Tradition? Rule? Rule of Two? Sharing?"
"No, m'lord. More like teaching and inspiring. It mentioned that Sith is supposed to always only be two. One master and one apprentice. One to embody power, one to crave it. Past and legacy"
"Interesting, but I play by no rules"
"Of course not, m'lord. But an apprentice would not be a bad idea. Spread the word of Rhonin. After all, you wont live forever"
Rhonin turned silent. His fists clenched tightly with a smash, almost as if two iron gates closed heavily, and sparks came out of Rhonin's clenched fists. As he spoke, his voice thundered and even though they were inside a ship, it seemed as if his cape had caught wind:
"Wont live forever? Disciple Lhok! Make your way to the bridge! NOW!"