(For all the Maul fans out there.)
Of Hatred and Confusion
"Why don't we just kill him brother? Together we have the strength to avenge you upon this Obi-Wan Kenobi, no matter how long he hides within his temple and..." Savage Opress's voice rumbled within the confines of the starship's rec room, its twin bunk beds and data terminal the sole decorations to the sparse metal plating lining the hallways which made up the vessel.
"Soon apprentice, soon. But this...this should be savored, prolonged,
drawn out till he understands the magnitude of what he has wrought." Maul's educated, cultured tone interrupted his sibling's questioning, transformed into little more than a guttural growl as he wrestled with his self control at the memory of that Jedi, the one whom cast him down and didn't even grant him a clean death.
"No Savage, Kenobi is not the average Jedi weakling. I grew arrogant once assuming so and paid for it. He might be blinded by his compassion and devotion to his flawed Jedi teachings, but he has some measure of skill. No, we need to...
unbalance him." Maul mused thoughtfully, as he made his way to the holonet access, inputting the search he required.
"But how brother? Kill his apprentice, this Skywalker that seems to be following him about?" Oppress inquired, his bloodlust leaking into the force. Maul simply responded with an amused chuckle.
"No my apprentice. That would force confrontation upon his terms, where he has allies to call upon. This requires cunning and foresight. Disturb his inner peace and he will be vulnerable to the true power of the Darkside. Prepare the ship for departure. I will join you shortly once i have decided upon our destination."
As the vessel slowly ascended into the atmosphere, Maul was left to his thoughts, his mind adrift in a sea of discarded plans and conflicting information. It appeared Kenobi had done very well for himself, rising through the ranks of his corrupt and ineffective order, most likely riding on the wave of his success against himself. The idea that his foe had gained so much from taking the opportunity to act in that split seconds inattention burned him. His Master would have punished him severely for that kind of laxness, that weakness. He should have done better, had done better. He'd slew a Jedi Master and he was so proud, uplifted and empowered by the Darkside, its magnitude channelling its power through him. He was unstoppable, undefeatable till, suddenly he was falling and broken, left abandoned and unwanted with the rest of the flawed creations of the galaxy. Unable to move, soon unable to even think with the pain coursing through him, his nerves on fire as he clung to anything to remain afloat, stripped of everything but his hatred, his need for vengeance. His wrath.
Kenobi would suffer for what he had made him endure. But first, he needed to identify where to strike. For despite their rules about no attachments, the Jedi lived a lie. They claimed to live in peace, yet the galaxy was at war. Admittedly, not the war he had expected, the rising tide of a new power, this CNS was not a part of his masters plans he'd been informed of. Perhaps it was a recent addition. Much had changed in the past decade. It stood to reason that plans could be adapted. Perhaps it was the New Order the Master had foreseen. Perhaps it was the work of whomever had replaced him, stealing his title of apprentice to the most powerful being in the galaxy. Though he expected Dooku to hold that title, the man was an ex-jedi after all. They were hardly difficult to fool. It would make sense for the Master to have the real apprentice elsewhere, preparing for the future whilst Dooku took the fall, the brunt of the Jedi's retribution.
But where were these attachments? His homeworld of Stewjon perhaps? A fateful homecoming to a world covered in the ash of his family, his parents held to account for their long lost child's decision?
No, it would fail to have the effect he wished. Jedi lost such connections young and besides, it would establish him as a threat long before he had the ability to fight against the larger players of the galactic power struggle. He wished the completion of his retribution, but not at the expense of his long term goals, his very destiny as a Sith. No, there would be other opportunities to make his mark upon Kenobi. He would simply need to be more precise in where he struck.
The Holonet was filled with speculation, after all, Master Kenobi having become quite the celebrity. Some was frankly disturbing, even by his standards. However eventually he managed to narrow his search down to a trio of candidates.
A Jedi, A Duchess and a Rival.
Each had their possibilities, but it was unlikely such beings would allow a challenger for his affections to exist in such close proximity to their desired mate. Regardless, one of these would achieve what he needed and besides, he could afford the time to be thorough.
