Begeren. Once a prosperous Sith world, it has been the site of numerous battles throughout the millennia. Grand halls and monuments were torn down and re-purposed by looting Republic forces thousands of years ago, before they were driven from the planet. Isolated settlements still dot the planet's surface, but the inhospitable, craggy, and desert-like terrain, along with the beasts common to many desert and Sith worlds, have kept most humanoids from colonizing. Occasional skirmishes have left debris scattered throughout the desert, and battles were fought here as recently as the Galactic Civil War. The planet is now under the control of the One Sith and is rumored to be full of all manner of priceless, ancient Sith artifacts.

The Dark Council has pushed forth to Begeren and the Grand Master, on his quest for ever more powerful items, has decreed the Clans and Houses seize anything of value. The unity shown by the Brotherhood during the beginning of this Crusade is fracturing, with the Clans and Houses growing tired and frustrated with the seemingly endless succession of battles. Tempers are flaring between former allies, with outright aggression no longer uncommon. Despite this, you have responded to the Grand Master's call—though whether it's to actually seize the items for the Brotherhood, destroy them, or use them for your own purposes, only you know.

You have followed the call of the Force to a stretch of desert wasteland, seemingly unremarkable save for the various rock outcroppings that dot the landscape. These outcroppings, though, hide a subterranean cave network, known to be a den of wraids. Though the entrances to the caverns are typically narrow and dark, these tunnels quickly widen. Below the surface, bioluminescent plants and lichen provide limited light.

You know that, despite reaching this place first, you won’t be alone for long, as an ancient Sith tomb is located deep within the caves the wraids now call home. Exactly what you’ll find in that tomb, you’re not sure—but it is something of great power, that much you can sense. You know it is your duty to find it, whatever it is, before any others can locate it. What you do with it when you find it… that is up to you.

As you near one of the entrances to the caves, you think you hear the sounds of footsteps, or maybe skittering, down below—and above ground, you hear the distant crunch of rock underfoot as someone else has found a different rocky cave entrance as well.

Begeren's secrets were hidden beneath sand as numerous as the stars. The power within, seeping up from the grave. Quejo, could hear the screams of the dead. He felt the confusion of those trapped by the sleeping darkness which yearned to be found. Sent by the Elders, Quejo seeks to unveil many hidden truths.

The scent of desperation was thick in the air. Quejo's nostrils flared as he picked up on traces of fecal matter, urine, and rotting meat. As he approached the mouth of the cave it only got stronger. But it was more than a cave. It was a den—a dwelling of great beasts. The energy became more intense as he stepped inside, all the while wondering who or what was below him. Whatever it was had a tamed patience, very different from whatever was inside.

Quejo's black cape kicked up behind him as he worked his way down one of the two narrow tunnels which forked in different directions almost immediately after entering. His awareness kept him tapped into his surroundings, and the lurking presence peaked his interest.

The sound of rock striking rock echoed from further along the tunnels; something or someone was on the move. As he made his way down into the planet, Quejo rounded a sharp corner and froze. His reptilian eyes locked onto the core of what he could now identify as a Wraid. A creature he had come across in the past. He learned how to tame them on Tatooine and was actually fond of the species: wraids had an insatiable hunger which matched his own.

<Little Hunter,> he snarled, slowly leveling his left hand out in front of him. He hoped to fracture its fragile mind, to rewire its instincts. He could feel its heart-beat thumping in his fingertips, the pulse of blood pumping throughout its body as the lids of his eyes slid shut. Knowledge of the wraid flooded his mind, the Force feeding him defining strengths and weaknesses. The wraid shook as a tremor washed over it. Its muscles, once tense, now relaxed as it laid down and snapped its jaws in content.

<You belong to me,> Quejo added in his native tongue. His growing confidence caused him to move close enough to touch it. <Let's go,> he ordered by waving his hand and clicking his tongue, venturing further into the cave.

As they progressed the cave opened up into a giant chasm. Stalactites clung to the ceiling and the flora lit sleeping faces filled with teeth. A pack of wraids, maybe five, nestled amongst bones adorned with leftover meat.

It was at that moment his infrared vision caught movement coming from the Stalactites above.

<You think the shadow gives you an advantage?> Quejo growled as he saw a rock levitate before his very eyes. His adversary was trying to make life difficult as he then sent it streaming towards one of the wraids. Quejo snarled as it caught one of the creatures between the eyes, stirring the rest as it let out a sharp yelp.

Growls filled the chamber as the pack pushed themselves up with their muscular legs. Their full attention now on what they hoped would be dinner. Refusing to go out by any beast, Quejo flicked his wrist, calling for his vertebral Lightsaber. A hiss signified pleasure as it met with his calloused embrace. The first beast lunged as Quejo activated his weapon, introducing a sanguine blade which hummed a tune of ill intent. The melody of destruction was pleasing to his ears as he feinted to the left and angled his blade downward, rendering the threat into two heaping masses of smoldering flesh.

<Kz'set...> Quejo shuddered, feeling the distinct characteristics of a 'bug' needing to be squashed. <This one knows your scent,> He added, flicking his forked tongue and redirecting his slice to the left. Before making contact, Quejo rolled his wrist, transitioning it into a stab. This lead to the instant death of the second wraid as his blade melted into its skull.

<Points,> Hissed Quejo. <More,> he continued, the hunt turning into obsession. Another wraid lunged but Quejo's companion intercepted it, sinking its powerful jaws into its throat. This caused Quejo to sneer as blood stained the fabric of his armor, his companion thrashing as the fourth beast attacked. With two behemoth front legs it crashed down, cracking the spine of his ally. This was the Alpha male and its pawns were destroyed.

Quejo roared in anger as he watched his companion get crippled by a dominant being. The outcome of this battle would be no different. It was at that moment, when Quejo was distracted, he heard the thud of a gunshot. Kz'set was resorting to cheap tricks, true acts of cowardice. But Quejo was not discouraged or afraid, he was stimulated by the thrill of the hunt. Retreat not an option as his predatory instincts forced him to stand his ground. Kz’set grumbled to himself as the shot fell short but was even more displeased by the immovable object before him. Quejo stood firm and remained patient, his blade ready as the Alpha male charged. With powerful legs it closed the gap, mouth agape as it lunged. Reaching out through the Force, Quejo could feel a heavy mass materialize in his left hand. As the beast went airborne, Quejo wildly swung, catching the wraid in the skull with an invisible mallet. Blood sprayed from the wraid’s head as it caved in from the force of the blow, its nerves still causing its legs to twitch as it rolled into the glowing vegetation.

<Is that all you’ve got, scum?>

While the Trandoshan dealt with the last of the wraids, Kz'set noticed the bauble, an amulet of ancient make, in the area of the cave where the creatures had been nesting. S/he figured that Quejo would be too occupied with fighting off the beasts to notice it and that would give hir a chance to acquire it first. All had gone as the Verpine had desired thus far. Picking up the object as Quejo issued his challenge, Kz'set turned to face him, shatter pistol still in hand.

"So concerned with scoring points that you forgot what the actual object of the hunt was." Kz'set said with a buzzing satisfaction as s/he started to examine the amulet.

Quejo snarled in disdain at the Verpine and pointed his blade at hir. "The hunt continues, insect. You've just become my new prey."

“You’re not interested at all in why this was here? Did you not observe the creatures’ behavior?” Kz’set clicked as he studied the amulet. “I find it quite fascinating that they seemed to be protecting this, particularly the big one.”

Quejo grumbled in reply, lowering his blade slightly. “I’m no scholar, insect. But I know some that would be quite interested in this. Hand it over.”

“No” Kz’set chirped in reply as he tucked the amulet into a pouch on his belt.

“Then prepare to die.” As Quejo raised his blade and readied to charge, Kz’set sensed this through the Force and took the initiative. S/he started a rapid advance, firing wildly at the Trandoshan as s/he did. While none of the shots found their target, the barrage did serve to deter Quejo from charging hir. Right when s/he was about to enter Quejo’s reach, Kz’set called to the Force to drive out what little light there was in that portion of the cave. Kz’set then saw with the Force to find the cave’s exit during the couple of seconds that the keen Trandoshan was distracted. Making a quick sidestep around the reptilian, Kz’set bolted for the exit, cloaking himself with the Force in the process.

While s/he’d made it past hir opponent, Kz’set didn’t have much respite. It didn’t take long for hir to hear the clacking of claws against the rock coupled with snarling and what must have been curses in Dosh. Kz'set whipped around to see Quejo closing with blinding speed, the Force fueling his rage towards the Verpine, lightsaber snapping to life as he caught sight of Kz'set. S/he quickly drew hir pistol and fired off a trio of hasty shots. Even though one of the bullets caught him in the right thigh and the others only barely missed, Quejo was undeterred. S/he barely had time to drop the gun, grab hir saber, and ignite the orange blade before the Trandoshan was in range to strike.

The Trandoshan's first slash was aimed high, just barely missing Kz'set's antennae. Kz'set backpedaled slightly as s/he readied for the next slash, which was directed at the Verpine's torso. Kz'set managed to parry it, but didn't have a chance to get in a proper riposte before more furious slashes and thrusts. Kz'set focused on defense at first, trying to outlast his opponent's rage and taking the occasional chance to probe the Trandoshan's defenses. They were both quite skilled with their blades and seemed to follow similar forms. Quejo had clear advantages in height and raw strength. Further, because of his natural endurance and skill in the Force, the wound in his leg didn't seem to be slowing him down much. Kz'set took in all this information as s/he fought off Quejo's assault.

Weathering the barrage of strikes was beginning to tax Kz'set and s/he needed to act quickly. Though s/he noticed that Quejo was beginning to waver after twenty or so swings, Kz'set was also beginning to tire. Needing to buy hirself a moment, Kz'set summoned the Force just as s/he noticed Quejo momentarily stumble from an overreaching swing. The wave of telekinetic energy slammed into the Trandoshan just as he began another slash. Though the reptilian was hurled back down the tunnel, Kz'set hadn't emerged unscathed. The tip of Quejo’s blade had managed to connect with the Verpine's torso just below the left armpit, tearing through his robe and scorching his carapace.

Quejo looked Kz'set in the eye as he collected himself. "You fight well, bug."

Despite the Force deadening the pain, Kz'set was still noticeably wincing from hir own wound. S/he held hir arm against the wound as s/he replied. "You, too, and you're far more fun than those I used to fight. However, I really must be getting back with this."

Quejo hissed with both delight and disdain. "The hunt is far from over, Verpine."

Leathery lips curled back to form what could best be described as a 'Trandoshan smile'

Kz'set's antennae twitched as hir head cocked to the left. The tension was thick, as was the ever growing presence of the darkside. Key characteristics to any Sith were there in the cave, in the form of two warriors plotting for supremacy, for greater power, and for victory.

But as the tension couldn't possibly get any thicker, Kz'set began to pivot, hir long legs wildly propelling hir as s/he tried to scurry out of the cave.

<Going somewhere?> Spat the Trandoshan, reaching out with the Force as Kz'set looked on, unsure of what hir attacker was even saying. Quejo darted forward, weaving the ethereal Force into a firm grip. Within seconds, the Verpine's forward momentum was halted as s/he could undoubtedly feel the mass of energy tugging at the back of his tunic.

A high pitched chirp erupted from Kz'set as s/he struggled forward, the Force manipulating it's way up hir carapace. It nearly reached hir throat before slowly starting to dissipate.

"Your command of the Force is lacking," Kz'set chirped in laughter as the Trandoshan continued his charge. However, while his attempt to subdue the Verpine had failed, his plan to distract for better positioning had come to fruition. With one Force charged leap, Quejo closed the gap, creating a red smear of light as his blade streaked through the dim cave. The fatigue he had been feeling since losing control of his anger was pushed aside as the force willingly flowed through him.

Kz'set turned hir head and instinctively raised hir Lightsaber but the blade was batted away with a force so great it sent her spinning away from the blow. Quejo’s blade hissed and screeched as it collided with Kz’set’s, easily knocking away the Verpine's quickest form of counter-attack. The Trandoshan roared as his weapon fell heavyily to his left side. His Hunter's spirit drove him to seize the 'kill' as he shifted his hip forward and with his clawed right foot lashed out. Kz'set released what oxygen was in hir body as s/he was sent crashing into a stalagmite.

Quejo's head began to reel back from exhaustion, but he stopped himself. His emotion and state of awareness rarely shown in battle. His razor sharp, interlocking teeth separated as he sucked air into his lungs.

<We end this,> the Trandoshan commanded. <The Sith trinket belongs to me.>

With the claw of one of his fingers, Quejo flicked the buckles of his armor and shed the weight of his pauldrons. The black cloth and Sith metal collected at his heels in a neat pile.

Kz'set shook hir head, trying desperately to regain hir composure. Hir antennae flicked atop hir head, hir senses jarred.

Taking up a dominant Makashi stance, Quejo moved forward, anticipating a quick kill. However, Kz'set threw hir right hand straight out, calling hir Lightsaber back to hir stick like fingers. The eyes of Quejo grew wide as the blade of Kz'set burned it's way through his thick-skinned midriff. The attack, not nearly as severe as it could've been as it glanced off of Quejo's crimson blade. Shock and awe sank in as Quejo jumped back, his green blood seeping from the wound. The cauterization was not complete as he looked down, his eyes dancing from side to side as if the substance which trickled down from his smoldering hide was something foreign to him.

Anger swelled from within as Kz'set pushed hirself up and lashed out with a series of attacks aimed for the Trandoshan's legs. Quejo bounced back and angled his blade down, parrying the attacks as if the force whispered "Move." Orange and red fluorescents painted the innards of the cave as the two were locked in an epic struggle of wills.

With energy only mustered through the Force, Kz'set's speed increased. Quejo could sense the force feeding this unworthy creature. It swirled around the green carapace of the Plagueis Quaestor, like a whirlwind hidden from sight. Kz'et seemingly focused hir attention on the blade of the Taldryanite. S/He kept it at bay, undoubtedly trying to think multiple steps ahead of Quejo. But Quejo also had intelligence. He was not the mindless beast that many misconceived him to be. He was a Hunter and a Sith. Cunning and skill his mantra. But this battle had been long and Quejo hoped to end it as he gripped his knife. With one smooth slice, he released it from it's sheath and aimed to guide it through the head of Kz'set. However, Kz'set immediately capitalized. With but a flick of hir blade s/he removed the left arm of the Trandoshan, searing vertically through skin and bone.

Quejo roared in pain and fell to one knee. The pain was intense but only briefly as the stinging of his nerve endings slowly faded.

"Winner.." Quejo hissed with poor basic and disengaged his Lightsaber. Yet, with the Force, he manipulated the knife still clenched in the grip of his severed arm. The Force spun the tip towards the Verpine. He could sense the concentration which weighed down upon him and needed to act quickly as Kz'set's blade bared down on him. But Kz’set’s arms went limp as Quejo flicked his eyes and snarled, sinking the tip of his obsidian knife into the Verpine's flexible carapace.

Kz'set stumbled forward as his hilt rattled upon the stone, the light in his beady eyes dimming as the hulking Trandoshan pushed himself up. As he got to his feet, he reached out and wrapped his meaty fingers around Kz'set's scrawny neck, rotating his hand with great force. With a pop and a tearing sound Quejo tore the head from his prey's shoulders and tossed it to the ground.

<My arm will return. Your life will not.>

In the second or two it took Quejo to reorient himself after being thrown back, Kz’set quickly examined hir options. The Verpine rapidly concluded that in a straight lightsaber fight, given the skill of hir opponent and their respective wounds, s/he would likely lose. S/he glanced briefly to where hir pistol had landed and realized it was lying practically at the Trandoshan’s feet. Quejo noticed Kz’set’s eyes move to the weapon and he instantly realized what his quarry was thinking. Both Sith simultaneously reached for the weapon, Kz’set with the Force and Quejo with his free hand. As Kz’set started to pull at the weapon, Quejo firmly grasped it, preventing the pistol from flying back to its owner. The Verpine buzzed angrily at the reptilian before advancing, though somewhat gingerly.

“Give it up, Verpine.” The Trandoshan hissed as he parried Kz’set’s first attack with his still ignited lightsaber. “I might even consider letting you live.”

Kz’set shook hir head as s/he slashed towards Quejo’s knees, a blow that was promptly parried. “We both know this only ends with one or both of us dead. There is no other way.”

“You’re right, of course.” Quejo replied with a grin as his riposte narrowly missed Kz’set’s chest.

The Sith continued to exchange saber swings, sending red and orange sparks raining throughout the cavern. The speed and fury wasn't what it was in their prior exchange, but both were determined. Knowing s/he couldn't keep this up much longer, Kz’set started backpedaling down the tunnel, looking for a route to the surface or something else s/he could exploit. Even the Force couldn't completely deaden the pain from hir wound and it was keeping hir from maintaining the focus s/he needed to face down this opponent. Seeing no other choices, Kz’set made a bold move in an attempt to escape. Conjuring whatever power from the Force s/he could, the Verpine sent a blast of telekinetic energy at Quejo. It was enough to slow his advance, and Kz’set took the chance to turn and run.

Kz’set pushed hir body as hard as s/he could, putting all hir remaining energy into a desperate attempt to escape. Quejo quickly pursued, not wanting to let his quarry escape. Though unfamiliar with the weapon, the Trandoshan hurriedly popped off a couple shots from the pistol he’d taken. The shots were wild, clanging off the walls and floor of the tunnel. Quejo growled in frustration, though he was closing the gap. Off in the distance, light could be seen from the end of the long tunnel. Quejo, not knowing what could be lurking outside, be it more wraids or an ambush, he figured that he had to do something quickly to end this pursuit. Reaching out with the Force, he focused on the Verpine’s knees, locking them in place. Hir momentum suddenly stopped, Kz’set flew face first into the rocky floor, hir lightsaber flying out of her spindly fingers, landing a distance away and deactivating.

The fall knocked the wind out of the Verpine, but that was only the start of it. While hir carapace prevented the injuries from being worse, s/he instantly could tell hir right shoulder was dislocated from colliding with the rocks. As s/he rolled over, hir knees released and s/he could move properly again. The first thing Kz’set saw as s/he rolled over were the red eyes of the Trandoshan staring down at hir.

“Ready to die, bug?” The Trandoshan hissed, a toothy grin on his face. Kz’set could sense hir life was nearing its end. Calculations ran in hir mind, equations being solved, and no matter what variables were altered only one outcome resulted. It was the ultimate outcome, the fate of all living beings. It was the meaning of life according to some, its end. Despite the high probability of hir end coming soon, s/he decided not to resign hirself to that fate quite yet.

Making one last desperate attempt to stave off that outcome, Kz’set reached out for his lightsaber. Quejo had anticipated this and quickly stabbed down with his own blade, running the sheath of hot, sanguine plasma through Kz’set’s elbow. Hir arm flopped lifelessly on the rocks and the smell of burnt chitin filled her nostrils. Quejo gave one more toothy smirk as he brought Kz’set’s pistol to bear straight between the Verpine’s eyes.

“Points,” he said as he pulled the trigger, bringing the ultimate outcome at last.