The Godless Matron is home to many, resembling a micro-society for those who wish to live outside the typical rule of the galaxy. The Lucrehulk-class battleship's massive hangers have been converted into dwellings as a result. Chute Town is the most notable of these makeshift towns. Many shops and storefronts have been constructed to take advantage of the higher volume of foot traffic. In addition, many ships and crews arrive into Chute Town to sell their "well-earned" commodities, weapons, or artifacts. It is commonplace to find the best and the worst gear the galaxy has to offer, it is only a matter of how big your pocketbook is. The streets are patrolled regularly by the crew of the Matron itself, leaving would-be miscreants to be more wary, lest they find themselves on the receiving end of a pirate's sense of justice.

It is built mostly out of spare durasteel panels from derelict ships, dismantled machinery, or any other source or material the pirates could scavenge. It spans the length of the massive portside hangar of the Matron, reaching from its heavily protected reactor — hidden behind triple-reinforced blast doors and a guard retinue — all the way to the hangar entrance where the many incoming ships unload their cargo. It is more than a mile long, over five hundred feet wide and up to three stories tall, covering most of the floor. Chute Town's streets are a miniature maze, weaving in between buildings on several levels. Verticality is key for the masses of shops and bars to operate without interfering with one another. The main street is nicknamed Murder alley, mostly because all the weapon shops are prominently opened there.

Illumination banks are staggered along the walkways and buildings to provide enough light for the society to function. Still, the streets are left dim with a low hanging fog built up from the collective humidity of so many people in one space. For those calling it their home, there is no such thing as off hours. A large crowd bustles along at all hours, an exotic assortment of individuals from countless planets and the warring gangs that divvy up the territory within. It's the perfect place for those looking to disappear in the crowd.

Location: Unknown Space, Godless Matron, Chute Town Date: 36 ABY

From within a large hangar, now turned shanty town, of the Lucrehulk-class battleship, the Godless Matron, roared a numberless litany of thoughts from the minds of all the non-Force Sensitive humans and aliens. This seemed to overstimulate Xuner, still recuperating from the events on Nar Shaddaa. Yet he calmly walked across the deteriorating and ramshackle walkways of the Godless Matron’s most infamous street, Murder Alley, with his usual hastened pace. But what troubled more than this decaying vessel was the fact was that his master’s disappearance left him without ample means of access to the holorecords within the Dark Brotherhood’s Shadow Academy. Without that, Holst wouldn’t have the ability to study Sith Alchemy.

The reason for his visit was to purchase a datapad that would, in theory, allow Holst hack into the Shadow Academy’s repository on Sith Alchemy. Understanding the risk of purchasing items that have been in too many hands, Holst was nonetheless out of options. He cautiously approached the stall with his head angled low. Before he could walk up to the merchant, a random arm reached out and tightly gripped Holst, stopping him.

Xuner let out a loud sigh of irritation, not even bothering to look at the stranger. Xuner felt a very strong grip and had half expected some muscle-head trying to build his street credit.

“Can I help you?” He asked as he pulled his arm out of the stranger’s grasp.

“No, but I can help you gain access the Shadow Academy’s records.”

Xuner lifted his head in a slight sign of shock.

How did he know? He thought to himself. Because I can easily read your mind. It’s a bit too crowded here. Let’s go somewhere else. The voice of this stranger echoed clearly inside of Holst’s mind.

“Fine.”

The two walked off towards an alleyway. Can you still read my thoughts? Xuner thought to himself as he walked slightly behind the humanoid.

Yes. He responded.

Good. Care to explain to me what you are doing here, Morax ? Holst emphasized the name as to suggest his already having discerned the stranger’s identity.

“I heard you needed access to the Archives … and a new master. I can offer both.”

Holst couldn’t waste too much time, so he quickly relented to Darkblade’s offer. “Fine. What do you want?”

“Simple. I help you; you help me.”

“Is anything truly that simple?”

“No.” Darkblade replied.

“I thought so.” Holst spoke his words as he drew out a DX-13 Blaster pistol and his lightsaber. Darkblade drew his lightsaber out as well.

Both Sith rushed towards at the other. Holst kept his blaster close to his person as he fired three bolts at Darkblade. The Anzat easily twirled to the left around the first shot as he brought his saber up to deflect the second bolt and ricocheted the final round back towards Holst. The Knight instinctively dodged to the right. Darkblade quickly tucked his arm in, having mustered up a ball of Force energy and pushed it out. Holst was caught in the path of the energy and was tossed into the wall.

The Seer felt at ease in the current situation. During their brief encounter Darkblade had easily gauged his opponents strength and came to the quick realization that Holst was not adept at lightsaber combat. As their blades clashed the resounding melody met the Seer's ears and edged him onward. With a shove, Darkblade broke the lightsaber lock and forced the seemingly young human back a few steps.

"Your previous Master must have trained you in different aspects of the Force, for your talent with the lightsaber is average... at best," the Anzat spoke slowly. His brows turned downwards into a displeased state, scowling at the Sith before him.

"That's the reason I came to you, my former Master was an Apprentice of yours," Holst shot back as he steadied himself and eyed the Seer carefully.

I must not fail today, I can't fail, the human thought to himself.

Darkblade chuckled as he felt the determination rise in the figure before him. Perhaps this would be a worthy Apprentice, only time could tell with the proper training.

The Anzat stood his ground as the human charged forwards, a primal howl erupted from his lips as Holst lurched forwards and begun his attack. The determined and unfocused attacks were once again easily parried as the Seer fell into basic movement, muscle memory taking over and allowing the Anzat to analyze the person before him. Darkblade parried an attack aimed for his torso, counterattacking by swatting the blade away and slashing upwards to dismember his opponents hands. A hint of metal caught the Anzat's eye and he realized Holst sported a cybernetic arm, though it seemed covered in synthetic flesh. The Knight jumped away in time, the hissing blade missing by a hair before Holst resumed his ferocious attack.

Darkblade had never fought anyone using this form before, and was surprised at how long it took him to identify the form Holst was using. What he had mistaken for chaotic strikes were part of the form known as Juyo, or the ferocity form. A smile crept onto the Anzat's face, rewarding his opponent with satisfaction and praise.

As they danced around the streets of the Chute Town, twirling, parrying and shoving each other in an attempt to overpower one another, a level of destruction was left in their wake as Holst spared nothing in his swift and unpredictable movements. The combat was taking its toll on him however, a slight feeling of fatigue rushing over him as he realized he was no where close to beating the Anzat this way.

Stopping suddenly, Holst raised his head to the sky and spoke in hushed tones as he relaxed his body and lifted his arms to meet the sky above him.

"By the Gods, may Vesh consume me and full me with the knowledge and desire to rip apart anyone who stands before me."

Darkblade stood puzzled and snorted, "Nobody here to save you, your Gods are non existent in this universe. Only you or I can decide our fate tonight."

Holst lowered his head from the sky and looked directly at Darkblade. A flash of uncertainty crossed the Seer's face before Holst spoke.

"Oh, my dear friend. Holst is not here at the moment, call me Xuner, for I am of a single minded purpose to defeat you and prove what Holst could not," the Sith spoke eagerly before him.

Morax Darkblade had never felt so confused in his life before.