SW Sith Taskmaster

Sith Inquisitor Kozlov looked out at the starscape surrounding his star destroyer. His star destroyer. The corners of his mouth rose in pleasure at the sound of that. The Virulent was a monstrosity, it could easily take on the largest of the Republic's battleships or cruisers. However for this mission he required a far less imposing display of his burgeoning power. That was why the Virulent was here rendezvousing with the Mandalorian Warcruiser that hung in space besides it. The warcruiser was smaller than the star destroyer, but not by much. It was not the ship's size though which made it an imposing vessel in this case but rather the twin rail gun cannons hanging on the warcruiser's 'wings'. Inquisitor Kozlov had seen the damage those weapons could inflict and witnessed the brutal efficiency practiced by the owner of the warship. It was that man that Kozlov had need of now and the whole reason for this meeting.
“My lord?”
Kozlov acknowledged the interruption by his miraluka apprentice Anasi with an inclination of his head, though he did not look away from the viewport.
“General McCoy's shuttle has landed, shall I direct him to you?”
Kozlov nodded wordlessly and Anasi bowed respectfully as she backed out of the chamber. Several minutes later, Anasi had returned with General McCoy in tow. The Mandalorian eyed Kozlov from within his helmet as Anasi once more excited the chamber and left the two warlords alone.
“What do you want Sith?” General McCoy asked finally. “I'm a busy man.”
Kozlov sneered at the Mandalorian's reflection.
“Show respect mercenary, lest I decide the service to me should be your death.”
McCoy snorted. “You're welcome to try.”
Kozlov chuckled. “So brash and reckless, it is most imprudent of you. Especially when I am offering you such a rich reward.”
“Your message didn't mention details.” McCoy replied with apparent indifference. “It just mentioned a 'job'.”
Kozlov knew better than to trust the Mandalorian's apparent apathy. The mercenary general was interested, and that assured Kozlov that despite his noncommittal tone, he would would agree ultimately to what Kozlov had in mind.
“I intend to take the Jedi Praxeum station at  Rhen Var.”
McCoy's snort this time was even more derisive than the first. “I didn't know you had a death wish.”
“I assure you that this is no suicide,” Kozlov finally turned his pale features towards the Mandalorian, his long goatee creeping up his face alongside his vicious smile. “I will take the Praxeum, and then I will destroy it.”
“Why?”
Kozlov drew himself up. “Because the Jedi need to be taught a lesson they will not forget.”
“And you need my men for this?”
Kozlov's smile widened. “I require shock troops to bring down the station, you and your men I am told are the best.”
McCoy's pride was palpable as he replied.
“We are the best. What are the terms?”
“One-point-five million credits. With five hundred thousand given as a deposit now and the remaining sum to be delivered once the Praxeum station falls.”
McCoy stood there in consideration for a moment before nodding.
“You have your shock troops. What forces are we dealing with?”
“The station's defenses of course, along with the Jedi and Republic forces aboard her. The Virulent will swat aside any resistance we find in space.”
“My warcruiser will take care of the station defenses then. I assume you have your own men in on this as well?”
“Yes, I am bringing twenty-seven Sith in addition to infantry forces.”
“What sort of infantry?”
“Heavy and light infantry with battledroid elements.”
McCoy nodded. “Alright then, just keep your men out of my way.”
The Mandalorian General turned to leave, passing through the door as Anasi entered. Her face was hidden behind a helmet with a vizor-less faceplate. Her Force vision served her where her eyeless face could not as she gazed at Inquisitor Kozlov.
“He agreed my lord?”
Kozlov nodded. “Yes, ready our forces, we attack now.”

As it turned out, the Praxeum station proved better defended than Kozlov's intelligence had indicated, several Republic warships had hung in space around the station however they had not stood a chance against the combined firepower of the Virulent and her escorts alongside McCoy's warcruiser. The Sith task force had swatted aside the opposition before advancing towards the station itself which continued its futile resistance even now as transports and assault shuttles launched from the Sith force.
It was aboard one of the assault shuttles that Kozlov now stood with his fellow Sith, Anasi as ever at his side, standing in unassuming silence as the shuttle rocked under the fire of the station's weapons.
“We will be in the hangar in moments my lord.” Anasi said quietly.
Kozlov nodded, calling to the others as the shuttle came in for final approach.
“Kill everyone, take no prisoners save for any younglings you encounter. They will be taken back to Korriban for indoctrination. Slaughter the Jedi.”
No sooner had his commands been issued than the shuttle landed, the assault ramp dropping to permit access to the hangar beyond. Kozlov smiled as he raised his saber and ignited it, stepping off the ramp with Anasi at his side to face the Jedi before them as the sabers of his fellow Sith ignited all around him.

Anasi hacked her way through the Republic forces arrayed against her, her Force-sight giving her reads to which opponents to strike to cripple the rest as she fought her way through them. She had become isolated from her Master who was elsewhere accomplishing whatever it was he intended. He had not bothered to divulge his ultimate plans to her which suited her perfectly fine. She cared not for whatever they might be, just so long as they allowed for her continued survival. She had managed to gain a great deal of power in her apprenticeship to Kozlov and so long as that continued to be the case she did not intend to betray him. Her thoughts returned to the matter at hand as she finished killing the squad of troopers and found herself facing a Jedi with a double-bladed lightsaber. She smiled behind her helmet and raised her own weapon.
The pair closed on one another and began their deadly ballet. Parrying and striking at one another viciously as each sought an advantage over the other. Anasi nearly lost her head quite literally when the Jedi's blade extended, the lower blade apparently adding its length to the upper and extending it by a third. However the extended length made the weapon's reach unwieldy and it allowed Anasi to slip in beneath the Jedi's guard, driving her blade into the woman's chest. The Jedi staggered in surprise, looking down at the Sith saber imbedded in her breast before the life left her eyes and she sagged against Anasi who stepped aside and let the Jedi drop to the deck.
“MOM!”
Anasi turned to see a trio of boys hiding in an alcove. One of them stood before the others protectively while the other two clung to one another fearfully. She smiled as she advanced on them. She could feel their power, they were potent potentials certainly. She met the hateful glare of the boy protecting the other two, his brothers she realized as she saw the similarities in the trio's features, and held out her hand.
“Come with me, your new life begins now.”
He shook his head defiantly. “No. You're Sith.”
Her smile twisted wickedly as she grabbed his arm and yanked him forwards.
“Yes, and soon you will be as well.”
“Tre!” shouted one of the other boys, coming forwards and pounding on Anasi's armored thigh futilely. “Let him go!”
Anasi backhanded the impetuous child, sending him sprawling as the final boy came forwards and helped him to his feet.
“If you wish to die, remain here. However if you intend to live, you will come with me.”
She did not wait for their reply, simply turning and dragging the first boy with her. She felt the other two following sullenly in her wake and smiled to herself. Three new blades had just been added to the glory of the Sith Empire.

Inquisitor Kozlov strode into the Praxeum's library with an idle air, throwing a fatal current of lightning at the lone Jedi in the chamber without glancing towards the library's unfortunate defender. He had no time for the Jedi's meaningless resistance. He had more pressing things to see to. Walking towards the library vault, he raised his hands and wrenched the sealed blast door off its mounting through sheer brute strength, smiling at the sound of tearing metal. He strode through the opening and began his search, sifting through the shelves and drawers of artifacts. After several moments searching, he found what he was looking for. The obsidian reliquary opened at his touch and his eyes glittered wickedly as he examined its contents. Seven holocrons lay within the ancient container, steeped with knowledge that could prove vital to Kozlov's power within the Sith Empire.
His delight at the success of his mission was interrupted by the voice of General McCoy as the mercenary called over Inquisitor Kozlov's comlink.
“Kozlov, our charges are set. This station is rigged to make planetfall.”
Kozlov's face practically cracked with delight at the news. He had not only obtained his goal, but he would also see the destruction of one of the Jedi's hallowed Praxeums. It was indeed a glorious day.
“Very well, set your timer and withdraw General, our work here is done.”

General McCoy killed the link with the Sith and turned to his demolition team.
“Activate them and let's get out of here.” over his command channel he gave the order. “Prime charges and withdraw back to the shuttles, we're done here.”
He turned and walked towards the exit to the station's engineering core, raising his rifle casually and shooting a lone Republic trooper foolish enough to show his face. McCoy had no time for amateurs and did not suffer fools willingly.

Kozlov watched from his meditation chamber aboard the Virulent as the Praxeum station's orbit decayed and the massive structure dropped towards the planetary surface. When the Jedi and Republic heard of this blow they would wail in agony while the Sith Empire would sing his praise. Heads would roll for the failure to protect the Praxeum station, of that he was certain. However the defenders could not be blamed entirely. After all, who would think to attack Rhen Var? It wasn't near any major trade lanes nor was it near the Imperial-Republic border. It was supposedly safe from the predations of the war. That was why the Praxeum had been built here in the first place. He chuckled darkly. The Jedi fools had been proven fatally wrong and his own prestige would be greatly magnified by this victory.