Ascension into the order of the Dark Lords of Sith was often found at the most peculiar places and times. It was assumed that great strikes of lightning and multitudes of attending sycophants would usher in the coming of a new Sith Lord; however, more often than not the ascension of a Sith Lord was found under less than flattering circumstances.

This was one of those times.

The Dark Lord of the Sith stood silently before the glass encased form of Muz Ashen. Machines chirped and whirred as bubbles floated silently to the surface of the cylindrical bacta tank. The translucent blue fluid mended the Deputy Grand Master’s body as well as could be expected. The shredded remains of his left arm would never heal, but prosthetics would provide him with a more than adequate replacement.

But Muz’s health was not the focus of the Dark Lord’s thoughts.

The Dark Lord could feel it. It was as if the air in the medical bay had become charged with an electrical current. Taking a deep breath the Dark Lord inhaled the cool clarity of the Dark Side as it gave birth to revelation. Muz Ashen was a Sith Lord. The ancient order did not have a prescribed method of indoctrination and each Lord’s ascension was vastly different from his predecessors, but there was no mistaking the signs when it occurred. The Deputy Grand Master’s trials over the course of the Great Jedi War had become his ultimate test of worthiness before the Dark Side. He had passed. Darth Ashen had finally ascended.

The irony of the moment was not lost on the Dark Lord.

“You were not so concerned with the others,” a guttural voice from behind the Dark Lord observed.

Without looking over his shoulder the Dark Lord replied with icy coolness. “The virtue of culling the weak is something we are both intimately familiar with.”

Out of Character like: I have posted this small fiction because of my appreciation of the outstanding work that Muz put forth during the Great Jedi War. Running a competition of this magnitude is a difficult task that only very few of us have ever experienced. I think it is easy for us to take for granted the time, effort, and patience that Muz has put forth while maintaining a game for us to enjoy.

Unfortunately Muz was promoted to Dark Jedi Master just one month ago and he just so happens to possess every major merit award save for the Ruby Scepter and Golden Lightsaber. This has made the selection of his GJW award a difficult task for me and the Dark Council.

With a great deal of appreciation and an even greater deal of personal thanks, I have decided to award Muz the title of Sith Lord. This title can only be awarded by the Grand Master and it is only awarded to DGM’s who have served with distinction. Muz’s patience and willingness to run this GJW can only be defined as “with distinction.”

Muz, thanks for all you have done and thanks for running the best competition that I have been involved with.