Seated within the Glorious Jewel of the Hutts, the Winter Palace is situated on a remote island near the planet’s equator. Although blanketed with the pollution from Hutt industry, its location makes the climate hot and humid. Surrounded with trees and vines, it could be considered to be a paradise, even among the barren wasteland of Nal Hutta. Outside of the Winter Palace, a network of sewer pipes transfer the waste from the palace to wherever seems far enough to dump into the oceans surrounding the island. Flora and fauna that have adapted to the Hutt’s environmental changes thrive in the polluted forests surrounding the Winter Palace.

Stepping through its gilded gates, the lavish interior greets your presence with the main audience chamber. Once belonging to the wealth of Jiliac Desilijic Tiron, the gleaming stone of the main aisle leads up to a Hutt’s dais lined with an expensive carpet. Beautiful tapestries line the high walls, telling of the sordid histories of those who woven them, awaiting execution in Jiliac’s dungeons.

Finally, the antechamber to the throne room is illuminated from above with high-skylighted ceilings. Constructed from lightly colored stone, the antechamber might have been where the late Hutt entertained his guests before an audience with spice and exotic dancers. In the hands of the Hutt Kajidics, however, these traditions have continued as the Winter Palace now serves as a front for criminal and business ventures.

Andrelious stalked through the palace’s almost maze-like passageways with a sense of purpose. He had been informed that one of Odan-Urr’s Jedi was attempting to arrange safe asylum with the Hutts. As one of Pravus’ Grand Inquisitors, he was immediately despatched to Nal Hutta to deal with the Jedi. His clan, Taldryan, were largely opposed to what they saw as overreach by the Grand Master, so Andrelious had orders from them that the Jedi was not to be harmed, and instead brought back to the Karufr system for their own safety.

The heat of the equatorial region of Nal Hutta filled the corridor with thick, humid air that Andrelious, who much preferred colder climates, found quite uncomfortable. As he approached the throne room’s antechamber, the calm, serene aura of a Jedi began to overtake the sweltering heat.

Time to do this, the Warlord thought, gently pushing through the door into the antechamber. Inside, a number of people of varying species were hard at work at computer consoles and datapads. A pair of Gamorrean guards noticed Andrelious, but made no attempt to approach.

“Can I help you?” asked a male Twi’lek.

“I’m going to make this simple for you. I have reason to believe that there is a Jedi in this building. Tell me where he is and you and your operations here will not be harmed,” Andrelious responded, his right hand already placed over the hilt of his lightsaber.

The Twi’lek looked unimpressed. “We don’t want any part of your politics. The galaxy’s been doing just fine without you Jedi types for years now. First we get some Pau’an claiming a lightsaber makes him a Jedi, and then-”

“What did you just say? Where’s this Pau’an now?” Andrelious hissed, taking a step towards the Twi’lek. The guards spotted the Warlord’s movement and readied themselves for action.

“Leave everybody in this room alone. You have come for me, and me only,” a voice declared.

Andrelious looked around to find where it had come from. Sure enough, a Pau’an, dressed in light brown, had entered the room from the far side. Though the Taldryanite could sense the Force flowing through the alien, the lightsaber attached to his side identified him to all as one who could touch the Force.

“So, you’ve chosen to show yourself, Jedi. You going to tell me who you are, or do I have to prise it out myself?” Andrelious questioned.

“My name is Korroth. And you’re Andrelious. I’ve been warned all about you,” the Jedi replied, glaring at the Warlord.

“So once again my reputation precedes me. I’ll guess that I have Sorenn to thank for you knowing who I am. Not that it matters,” the Sith growled. As he activated his lightsaber, a few of the assembled crowd began to move rapidly for one of the room’s exits. When Korroth mirrored the action, the rest began to file out, too.

“Shame. Looks like you’ll have to focus on me, Sith. I’m sure you were looking forward to the slaughter,” Korroth spat.

“The only slaughter I’m interested in is that of you and the rest of your narrow minded, passionless kind. Taking your head to the Grand Master will be its own reward,” Andrelious answered. The Sith remained where he was - he knew so little of Korroth that he did not want to show his own cards so early.

The Pau’an moved his head around the room, as if to check that he and Andrelious were the only two remaining. Once he was satisfied that the room was indeed clear of innocents, Korroth charged forward with a snarl, focusing only on his opponent. A crimson blade was raised, and Sith blocked Jedi, brute strength sapping the attack of its speed in an instant.

Andrelious didn’t take the time to steady himself. Instead, he went onto the offensive, trying to steer his blade past the Jedi’s own defences. He attempted to use powerful blows to knock Korroth’s lightsaber out of the way, but the Arcanist ducked and dodged out of the way, whilst offering the occasional counter that forced the Warlord to think twice about becoming overly aggressive.

“I can feel the hatred, Jedi. You despise me. Channel that feeling! Strike!” Andrelious taunted as he tried to force his enemy into a saber lock. Korroth wasn’t having any of it. He already knew that he’d never win a battle of strength. Instead, the Odanite continued to manoeuvre around at high speed, looking for an opening in Andrelious’ slower defences.

As he focused with the Force, Korroth’s movements became even lighter. Bypassing an almost clumsy looking lunge from his opponent, the Jedi’s lightsaber came within an inch of searing flesh, but Andrelious, apparently acting on instinct alone, stepped back at the key moment.

“Nice try, Jedi!” Mimosa-Inahj snarled.

The Warlord did not wallow in his accomplishment; seeing the Pau’an overextended from his failed attack, he bent his knees and pushed forward, levelling a downward cut on Korroth. The red blade slid down on the green; the Jedi managed to divert the attack and step out of its way, but his position was out of balance. Andrelious swung again and collided with full force on Korroth’s blade, pushing the Pau’an into a narrow aisle between data consoles.

The Jedi was deprived of any room to sidestep and deflect; he was forced to backtrack sharply before the Warlord’s heavy strikes. He ducked and the Warlord’s saber crashed into a console screen; sparks fountained between the two combatants and in front of Korroth’s face. Andrelious moved straight through and continued his battering assault. The Pau’an smelled charred plasteel and saw purple blotches dance in his vision, but when a bright flash of red hove into his field of view it was clear he had to backpedal.

The clumsy withdrawal carried the long-limbed Pau’an out of the aisle, but his heels struck a low table and he went sprawling to the floor. Through the dissipating after-image of the sparks Korroth saw an oblong shape on top of the table, and then the shadow of the approaching Imperial. Korroth pushed himself to his knee and in the same motion extended his left hand to the object on the table. He whipped his arm forward, and the object, a hookah pipe full of a green fluid, flew towards the Human, propelled by the Force.

Andrelious raised his lightsaber against the projectile. The ampule shattered on the blade and soaked the Imperial in lukewarm liquid, but the heating bowl also spewed its contents. Glowing charcoals spattered across his neck and shoulder, hissing over exposed skin. He growled in pain and lashed out with his saber, batting aside the Jedi’s raised weapon. The Sith channeled his anger into his left hand; blue-violet sparks discharged from his fingers — and connected with Korroth’s exposed flank.

The Pau’an’s back arched, his lips retracted over his teeth and a rattling moan issued from his throat. His right arm jerked forward, catching some of the electricity on the green blade, but it was the Warlord who suddenly ended Korroth’s torment. Andrelious’s left hand closed into a fist and the lightning stopped.

Korroth scuttled away to a safe distance. His lightsaber was raised, but his left hand clutched his upper right arm, and his breath rasped through gritted teeth. The Pau’an palpated the painful limb. As it was, his hand trembled from the strain of holding up the lightsaber. It was agony to move the arm any further, the jolts of electricity must have caused a muscle to pull. The two combatants stood about three saber lengths apart now. Andrelious was cupping the side of his neck, his eyes vacant as the Force flowed into red seared skin.

“Why did you hold back, Mimosa-Inahj?” Korroth said in a faintly wheezing voice. “If you will not do your duty by your nature as a Sith, why are you even here?” As he spoke he began directing Force energy from his left hand into his injured muscle. He felt the fibres stretch and rejoin below his skin.

“I don’t think in absolutes as you do, Jedi,” Andrelious replied, looking up. “Whether it is from death, torture or the slow decay of your own corruption, I gain equal pleasure from watching the downfall of your kind.”

“Just as long as I suck void at the end, eh?” Korroth felt the muscle knit itself back together; the arm still ached, but at least it was serviceable. “But won’t the Grand Master be ever so disappointed? Maybe there are others you must please first — Clan Arcona. No…” Korroth peered down at the red-black hilt still clipped to the Seeker’s belt. The emblem on its shaft was clear. “Taldryan! Either way you’re not getting what you came for.”

Either way, Korroth thought, I must defeat this Sith. the Jedi Consular felt the eyes of the Hutt palace focused on them. The Desilijic kajidic would find no profit in helping a Clan that could not help itself. If Odan-Urr were to stand a chance at negotiating asylum, Korroth had to dispatch this foe quickly and efficiently.

“We’ll see about that!” Andrelious moved forward with resolute, well-grounded steps, while the Arcanist advanced on lighter feet, ready to spring to the offense. The Warlord drew his arms above his head in preparation for a crushing overarm attack. Korroth bent low and slid forward with his leading foot, aiming for his opponent’s knees with his lightsaber.

The Force screamed out a warning to the advancing Warlord. Andrelious pulled out of his attack and leapt, tucking his legs in away from his opponent’s sweeping blade, which still got close enough to singe the Sith’s trousers. Korroth cursed under his breath.

“Good. Your hate drives you on. Don’t you feel the strength it gives you?” Andrelious teased, spinning around just in time to parry away his opponent’s latest attack.

“Unlike you, my emotions do not define me, Sith!” Korroth spat back.

The Taldryanite smirked. “That is why you will never realise your potential,” he hissed.

Andrelious slashed forwards, putting every ounce of strength he could muster into each and every strike. His blade, its crimson a perfect metaphor for the Sith’s anger, smashed time and time again into the patient, solid green one that belonged to his opponent. The Warlord’s eyes grew redder with each passing moment, as he reached deeper and deeper into his reserves to find a way past the stubborn Jedi’s defences.

Removing his left hand from its grip on his saber hilt, the Sith willed the Force to push Korroth away and fling him into a nearby table, but the Peacekeeper countered, shattering the wave of kinetic energy with a hand gesture of his own.

“What’s the matter, Sith? Afraid to fight properly?” Korroth snarled. Andrelious noticed a flicker of red in the Pau’an’s eyes.

With little more than a moment’s concentration, Korroth channeled the Force through his body, feeling his arms and legs lighten as though he were shedding heavy armour. His new found speed momentarily caught Andrelious off guard, allowing the Jedi to cut a long, shallow wound into the Warlord’s chest. His follow up, an attempt to remove the Sith’s right arm, was easily blocked as Andrelious adapted to his opponent’s extra agility.

Parrying another three blindingly fast slashes, Andrelious adjusted his stance slightly and went onto the counter. His chest wound hurt a little, as did the remains of the chemical burn he had suffered, but determination to win dulled overrode the discomfort and allowed the Taldryanite to continue with only a small amount of trouble. Korroth, meanwhile, was starting to slow down as the Force boost ran out. Sensing this, Andrelious tried to smash his way past the Jedi’s blade, but found its wielder as determined as ever to bar the Sith’s progress. As frustration at his failure to bring saber to flesh continued to build, the Warlord took a step back and again freed his left hand. Within a split-second, Mimosa-Inahj was directing another wave of Force Lightning directly at his opponent, who was forced to hold his lightsaber in a defensive position that allowed it to safely absorb the attack. Korroth watched as the green blade flickered under the load, but, to his relief, stayed active.

Andrelious resumed his attempts at battering his way past. His attacks were deliberate and well-aimed, but his enemy’s defensive movements were equal to each and every one. The red tinge in Korroth’s eyes had not gone away, and he even appeared to be allowing his hatred of the Sith to dictate his actions as his lightsaber moved in an unpredictable manner in search of an opening.

“Peace. Is. A. Lie!” Andrelious roared as pulled off a feint, finally managing to get his lightsaber past the Jedi’s defences. Its crimson blade chopped straight through Korroth’s abdomen, forcing the Pau’an to the ground. Though the Odanite was able to fight on through a higher level of pain than many, Andrelious’ lightsaber had almost completely destroyed his digestive system. Various fluids threatened to seep out from his body, even as he grasped the wound’s opening in a desperate attempt to have the Force fix everything.

Meanwhile, Andrelious had deactivated his lightsaber, and armed himself with his Sith Dagger. He allowed himself a wry smile as he watched his quarry trying to piece himself back together.

“I must admit. I’ve been one of Pravus’ Grand Inquisitors for nearly a year now, but I’ve not once used this dagger. Be honoured, Jedi. You’re going to be its first taste of death,” the Warlord stated, his tone surprisingly calm. The calmness was reflected too in his casual wandering over to Korroth.

There is no death. Only the Force. Korroth thought as the diminutive Sith plunged his dagger into the Odanite’s chest. Feeling the cold metal perforating his heart, the Pau’an closed his eyes.

Within moments, Korroth was far more at peace than Andrelious J. Mimosa-Inahj ever would be.

The Pau’an stretched forward, but the tip of his weapon faltered — a residual twinge from the right arm. Andrelious’s lightsaber arched down low with sudden augmented speed. It swept aside the Jedi’s blade and went back up for another strike, completing its 360 degree movement. Korroth retreated and deflected the attack; his saber went in for a riposte, initiating a rhythm of clashes and hisses between the two plasma beams.

The combatants gradually moved towards one of the openings of the antechamber, the march entirely driven by Andrelious. With each step, Korroth would attempt to infiltrate his blade into the Warlord’s wide, powerful cuts, but he could no longer rely on the limberness of his right arm. The muscle was still stiff, and fully extending the limb only brought back the piercing pain. Andrelious would bat aside the Jedi’s blade, advance another steady step and transfer the momentum into the next attack.

Neither combatant was breaking through, and judging by their steady movements and easy respiration they could keep it up for far longer than Korroth was willing to allow. The Pau’an once again thrust his lightsaber into Mimosa-Inahj’s broad swing. The red blade came down to connect with the green, but Korroth suddenly retracted his weapon. The abrupt change of direction brought another twinge of pain in the arm, but the maneuver had the desired effect. The Sith’s lightsaber hummed through the air and struck the floor, giving Korroth the chance to jump away out of range. He needed space to formulate another line of attack.

“Why don’t we pack this in, Jedi?” Andrelious spoke out. Apparently the two were of one mind on this issue. “We both know how it’s going to end,” and again the two rivals had the exact same thought: yes, with your death. “So let’s head on over to Karufr and get that little matter out of the way first.”

“What would you gain from that?” The Pau’an frowned. He began to circle his opponent. “I was under the impression you had far bloodier plans than that in mind.”

“Oh, but I still do, Jedi.” The Warlord maintained his position, only turning to keep the Odanite in front of his lightsaber. “It’s just that… you are far too distracted in this place. Both of us are. We are fighting with the orders of our superiors in our heads, trying to please our masters and our Clans. They are corrupting our battle, we should be fighting simply for the pleasure of killing each other.” Not quite how Korroth would have put it, but he let the Sith continue.

“We just need to get these confounding factors out of the way,” Andrelious stated. “So we go to Karufr, I complete my mission, you stop worrying about some greedy Hutt, and then — oh no! — you get free of your bonds and we can resume our fight in peace.”

The Jedi did not speak for a moment. There was some kernel of truth in what the Taldryanite was saying. Their confrontation was about more than their immediate objectives, it was about the struggle between Jedi and Sith. But the Pau’an shook his head. “Sorry, you’re not getting out of it that easy. Nor am I, I still have a job to do here.”

The duellists sprung at each other, sabers raised. Andrelious blocked the Arcanist’s attack, then he thrust his arms to one side for a broad sweep. Korroth went straight for the Seeker’s hands; Andrelious withdrew his arms and caught the emerald blade on his crimson one, but the defensive move curtailed his own attack. The exchange of blows brought the two closer and closer to the entrance of the corridor. The Jedi continued to strike for his opponent’s hands and wrists, so that each time Andrelious was forced to cut short his swing and bring his saber back to the centre.

Suddenly a deep voice blared out of the antechamber’s speakers, and a mechanical clank sounded above the corridor entrance. “Hasa da, hasa da! Shado!”

Korroth looked up. Neither of the two Force-wielders understood the words, but Andrelious was first to twig onto the situation. He deactivated his lightsaber and pushed out with both hands, projecting an impulse of Force energy that threw Korroth backwards and almost over a bench. The Warlord spun around and leapt towards the opening to the corridor, an amethyst kukri in his hand. He jammed the crystal blade into the groove of the doorway. The hatch came down, guillotine-like, and slammed onto the wedged kukri.

The Pau’an regained his footing and went for his opponent, but the Human had already rolled through the gap in the doorway. He tugged at his kukri once, twice, and it came free. The hatch groaned and crashed to the floor, leaving the Pau’an standing on the other side. Perhaps, the Seeker’s voice intruded in Korroth’s mind. I should remove the being that’s tying you to this place. Maybe then you’ll come? I wonder how long it takes to slice through all that Hutt blubber.

Korroth bared his teeth and growled, though it was futile from the other side of the hatch. He held his lightsaber horizontally and drove it into the metal surface. As he moved the blade down, he began hearing shouts from the other side, then the sounds of blaster shots. The glowing gash in the hatch now formed the shape of an arch. More muffled screams. The Jedi withdrew his lightsaber and kicked the cut section with his heel, but it barely budged. He placed a hand on it and propelled the Force across it; the piece of durasteel tipped over, clunking to the floor beyond. He ducked through and sprinted down the corridor.

The Jedi burst into the Desilijic throne room and saw Andrelious standing over three Gamorrean bodies, his back turned to Korroth. More guards, Twi’leks, Niktos and Weequays were scampering out of two side exits on the far side. In the middle of the far wall, his weight resting on an enormous pedestal, the Hutt crime lord was waving his arms and shouting in his throaty, slurred voice.

“Bata cotma, chuba wakama! Keepuna do Jeedai, keepuna hoohah… oh!” The Sith had holstered his lightsaber and was pulling out the E-11 blaster. “OH! Echuta!” The Hutt began punching a console at his side.

Andrelious raised the rifle. Korroth extended a hand behind him. The Warlord pressed down on the trigger, but the muzzle jerked up, pulled by the Force. The shot went wide, scoring a spot on the wall above the Hutt. A second later a blue translucent pane materialised all around the crime lord’s pedestal. “Ha! Noo ateema kungi!” The giant slug exclaimed.

Korroth advanced towards the Warlord. Andrelious turned around and fired at the Peacekeeper, stopping him dead in his tracks. All the Jedi’s focus went to deflecting the blaster shots. He immersed himself into the flow of the Force, allowing it to guide his blade into the path of the red plasma bolts. The shots were expertly aimed, taking the Consular’s lightsaber in its widest possible arc from one deflection to the next. It was perhaps because of this single-minded concentration that Korroth did not perceive the Sith’s growing anger and frustration.

Without preamble, the Warlord dropped the blaster and splayed out his fingers. His eyes were wide and the corners of his mouth twisted downwards. Blue lightning immediately projected from his hands and struck Korroth. The Pau’an had no time to interpose his lightsaber, the sparks struck him full in the chest and threw him to the floor. His muscles spasmed, his lightsaber deactivated but remained convulsively clutched in his hand. He thrashed on the ground until the Sith lowered his hands and the lightning ceased.

Andrelious strode to the prostrate Pau’an, unclipping his red and black-hilted lightsaber. The glowing blade sprang forth from the emitter; its point terminated a mere inch below Korroth’s chin. The Seeker hesitated; he prodded the inert Jedi with the tip of his boot. The Pau’an was still breathing, but unconscious.

“Should have listened.” Andrelious re-holstered his lightsaber and stooped to pick up the limp body. As he transferred the dead weight to his right shoulder, some metallic object clattered to the floor. Turing to see, the Taldryanite spotted the Jedi’s silver-black saber hilt on the floor. He shrugged his left shoulder and kicked the cylinder, so that it rolled to the Hutt lord’s pedestal.

“Here. Compensation for your trouble.”