STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Runaway

"Like I would forget it."

"Have you thought about it at all?"

"My answer remains the same," Xavier mentions in an unflinching tone.

Friste laughs.

"You are a fool, Xavier! I can see that you already descend from your vaunted pedastal. You would not be without Master Cabas if the Council had supported the bid to hunt me. You defy their decisions, do you? So have I. Come, Xavier, join me! Combine your power with mine! The Republic is corrupt and failing, a democracy ruled by wallets rather than minds. It is foolish to let it continue. Help me destroy it and we can build a new government in our image, under our rule."

A vile voice laughs in the back of Xavier's mind and it isn't Friste's.

Destroy the Republic, and bring everything down. Now that could be a challenge, wouldn't it?

"Shut up," Xavier says to himself.

He makes a valid point mister logical. You have turned your back to the counsel's wishes, Master Cabas' wishes as well. What say you?

Xavier remains quiet.

Friste thinks that your comment is directed at him.

"I spare your life and bring you aboard my ship to heal and this is the gratitude you show for it? Where are your manners, Xavier? Or your intelligence? You show such ignorance of the power the Dark Side could bring you. None could contest your mastery with a blade... not even your mentor."

Surpass Master Cabas, wouldn't that be grand

"Master Cabas is my teacher, he has made me as good as I am now"

"His time is done," Friste says. "There is no more he can teach you. Not after I removed his arm..."

Xavier body tenses at the thought of Friste taking his Master's arm. The lack of respect in his voice is what got him.

He did take Cabas' arm didn't he? I'm starting to think I would much prefer his head to a billion weaklings'. I know what you are thinking though. Not right now. every time we have fought him it has been one his terms. Perhaps it is time to get him on ours. Let's lure him in by pretending we want his offer. Then when he can not force us into a bad position we strike. Then we kill him in a fair fight. His glory be ours!

Xavier ponders for a moment, "So you can help me become a better swordsman?"

Friste.

"That and more. Have you reconsidered?"

"Yes it appears that what I want lends me to joining you," Xavier.

"To be an unparalleled warrior of the stars?" Friste asks. "You would break all your ties to the Order for this?"

Xavier's eyes never unfocus, but his jaw tightens. The words that escape are not his own.

"Yes, Glory be ours."

"Let me assure you, Xavier, that if I see any treachery from you, that you will die a most painful death. Do you ever wonder what it is like to have your soul drained from your body?"

"No I haven't," Xavier says calmly.

"No? Well, you might wish to consider it."

Friste reaches into his coat and produces a dark metal object. At first glance, you might say it was a lightsaber. However, you think it may have only been made from lightsaber parts. At one end, there are teeth like those of a key, oddly shaped and covered in a combination of runes and circuitry. The other end has an awkward keygrip and... a trigger?

"That is what the Key of Mortez is capable of," Friste says.

Oh, forgot to attache it...

That looks sweet!!!!

And

"So it can take souls?"

"It can. It can transfer them, too. Crafted from the lightsaber of a Sith Lord and subjected to their alchemists. Fascinating, really... and do not think that I will not subject you to its wrath if you cross me again, Xavier."

"I have no doubt that you will," Xavier says.