Author: dave rosenberg

Down with the Summit
Nestor Drake was recently assigned to the Dark Jedi Brotherhoods royal house of Scholae Palatinae. Upon arriving to the house he quickly moved up the ranks via his studies at he Shadow Academy. The former manadalorian turned Sith dove in head on when it came to the pursuit of knowledge, his thirst for wisdom rivalled that of any member of the krath order. Nestor's main area of study was that of the philosophy of the force, he was fascinated with learning how to gain more control and mastering the powers of the living force.
He read ancient manuscripts relating to meditation, alchemy and force crystals. Nestor then begins reading up on Sith lore and eliefs of the Sith'ari, who believed a chosen one would arrive and slay all the sith in order to make the Sith stronger. This particular piece of ancient lore holds great interest with the young protector, the Sith'ari believed that as an apprentice slays his or her master, the apprentice would become stronger and absorb all the midi-Chlorians that the fallen master may have had. In a sense this was force cannibalism and it truly intrigued Nestor.
A quick way to gain more power via murder was not a moral issue at all for Nestor Drake, in fact it was just way too easy for him. Nestor eyed his first victim, it would be a dark jedi knight from the krath order who had been elevated nearly a year ago who went by the name of Cello. In Nestor’s mind this would be a great opportunity to put what he had read about to the test, but he had to plan the attack out and figure out a way to defeat this Krath knight who wields a lightsaber while he did not. As a former Mandalorian, Nestor had defeated and killed his share of both Sith and Jedi, so he was confident that he would best Cello in a head on confrontation.
As a Krath, Cello, also held a great interest in gaining knowledge. In fact it is what the Krath order is well known for, so when not practicing his meditations or combat, Cello, was mostly at the Shadow Academy libraries reading up on the lore of the dark side of the force. Nestor being fascinated and borderline obsessed with gaining of the knowledge of the dark side of the force, knew all too well the normal routine that Cello followed. Nestor’s plan was a simple one that would prove effective. He would approach the Krath and just pick a fight, something that was not uncommon to happen between a Sith and A Krath. At approximately 0600 hours, Cello walked in to the Krath wing of the Shadow Academy library, Nestor promptly followed. He watched the Krath dark jedi knight from a distance as he read some ancient krath scrolls. Other members of the krath order where also reading up on their studies, but Cello was the only Equite present. The other Krath were all Journeymen like Nestor. In the Shadow Academy, only equites are allowed to bring in weapons, journeymen are not permitted to enter armed because of their inability of self-control and their lack of discipline. So Nestor had to improvise. The walls of the Krath wing of the Shadow Academy library was decorated with all sorts of Krath art and weapory. The Shadow Academy coat of arms was two cortosis swords crossing a shield and it was there for the taking.

Nestor picked up an ancient Krath tome and moved under the Shadow Academy coat of arms, which was directly behind where dark jedi knight Cello was studying, with the use of the force he threw the heavy ancient Krath tome towards Cello’s head. Just before the tome made its impact, with lightning speed Cello dipped his body sideways towards the left as he grasped for his lightsaber that was on the hilt of his robes on his right side. The tome never narrowly hitting Cello crashed into a holostation causing much damage. At this point Nestor grabbed both swords that were across the shield of the Shadow Academy coat of arms and charged towards the dark jedi knight skillfully swinging both swords. 

The other Krath Journeymen scattered as the Shadow Academy security squad were notified.

Cello ignited his lightsaber and promptly attempted to deflect Nestor’s strikes, but the cortosis swords caused Cello’s lightsaber to short out. Cello dropped his saber as he dodged Nestor’s attack and managed to grab the protector’s wrists, but Nestor kneed him in the groin and followed with a head butt that broke the dark jedi knight’s nose, causing Cello to drop to the ground. Nestor placed both swords on Cello’s neck. Cello, facing the possibility of death, attempted to plea to Nestor; “Why? We are even in the same battle team!”.
Nestor replied in an eerie soft spoken voice; “Nothing personal ner’vod, just seeking more power”. 

At this point the Shadow Academy security team arrived at the Krath wing of the library with E-11 Carbine blasters at hand. “Drop the swords at once!” the commander of the security team demanded.

Nestor realizing that there was a flaw in his plan, he did not consider the fact that the Shadow Academy security team would react so promptly. Decides to take Cello hostage and attempt to escape, but the Krath wing of the library only had one entrance which was also the exit. So Nestor told Cello to get up, the Krath knight did. Nestor placed himself behind Cello with his left sword against the krath’s neck and his right sword pressing against the kraths lower spine.

“Please sir, part ways and let us by” Nestor politely requested to the security team commander with a friendly smile on his face as if the situation and dilemma was not happening.
“One false move and Cello here will butchered like a freshly killed eopi” Nestor added.

At that point the Shadow Academy’s Head Master and the Quaestor of Scholae arrived.

“Protector Nestor Drake, you shall stand down NOW!” Quaestor and Sith War Lord Xen’Mordin Vismorsus shouted at Nestor.

“Apologies my lord, but I must refuse, taking in account the situation” Nestor politely replied.
The Head Master ordered the security team to surround Nestor and Cello E-11 carbines at full blast and ready for use. Nestor backed up against the wall as he dragged his hostage with him. 
Xen’Mordin assured the Head Master that he knew how to subdue Nestor and free Cello without any bloodshed, the Head Master agreed to allow the Sith War Lord to proceed with his plan.

“Surely a Dark Jedi Knight is not much of a challenge for a Mandalorian? Especially one that is from the Krath order.” Xen’Mordin said to Nestor. “A real Mandalorian warrior would not even bother with such an easy foe, there is no honor or glory to be rendered” The Sih Warlord added.

“What are you suggesting?” Nestor asked in an angry tone.

“I suggest you take me on in a one on one battle, you win, you leave with the glory of taking down a Sith Warlord, but if I win you die a glorious death battling a worthy adversary” Xen’Morden explained to Nestor.

“Give me a saber and you have a deal” Nestor replied with great interest.

“No! No sabers” Xen’Morden shouted as he handed his lightsaber to the Head Master.

“We shall fight with swords” Xen’Morden added as he paced towards Nestor.

Nestor released Cello, who immediately ran out f the Krath wing of the library. Nestor tossed his left sword to Xen’Morden as he took his melee stance.
And no sooner did Xen’Morden take his sword stance, Nestor leaped up towards the Sith Warlord. And that is where the security team fired the force nets at Nestor, wrapping tightly rendering him immobile.

Xen’Morden smile at the struggling Protector who’s muffled up shouting could not be understood.

“This why I do not approve of Mandalorian’s joining our ranks” Xen’Morden said to the Head Master as Nestor was being dragged away by the Shadow Academy security team.

“Indeed” the Head Master replied.

The End-