A loud roar awakened Maul. He coughed as he inhaled hot, acrid fumes, and his eyes stung as he opened them. He saw darkness overhead, and for a moment, he thought he was in a cave. But then he noticed the darkness was moving and alive with dancing bright red stars. And he suddenly knew what he was really looking at.
Dark clouds. And drifting, burning ashes.
He pushed himself up. He was on a broad slab of rock on Mustafar’s surface. The loud roaring sound came from a nearby rocky vent that was spewing lava. He didn’t know how long he’d been outside or even how far he was from Sidious’s facility. But he knew he had not arrived at this place on his own.
He looked around. He saw no sign of TD-D9 or Sidious, or of any kind of shelter. Although they had not taken away the clothes and bandages he was wearing, they had not left him with any provisions. But he did have something to his advantage. He had his training.
Maul was not scared. He felt free. He could live or perish on this hostile world without anyone to tell him what to do. And then he realized he was not in any way eager to die. He became resolved to survive. He would do anything and everything necessary to stay alive.
He saw a dark shape move past the lava vent. Crouching low to the ground, ignoring the pain from his ribs and left arm, he watched with wonder as a tall, masked Mustafarian rode by on a massive six-legged lava flea. Two more flea-mounted Mustafarians followed.
Maul had no idea where the Mustafarians were headed, whether they were going to a mining camp or back to their remote village. He would track them, find their food, and steal it. If it became necessary to kill them to ensure his own survival, he would gather rocks to strike them dead or strangle them with his own bandages and broken bones. And then he would find his way back to Sidious and prove that he was indeed a strong boy. He would prove that he feared nothing.
He would earn the respect of his Master.
The three Mustafarians moved off. Maul followed them.
“Ah, you have returned,” Sidious said to Maul, who stood before him in the tapestry-decorated chamber in the Mustafar facility. Sidious was holding a small container of food pellets, which he had been gently pushing into the hovering watery orb to feed the fish. Maul’s head was covered with soot and dirt, and his torso was adorned with ill-fitting, bloodstained Mustafarian armor. Looking at the armor, Sidious smiled. “I see you kept busy during your little outing.”
The spider-legged droid TD-D9 stood a short distance behind Maul. The droid’s right front leg was missing, and one of its left legs was mangled. “I found him outside, Master Sidious,” TD-D9 said, “not far from the landing pad. He’d set a trap. I walked right into it.” Raising one of its pincer arms, the droid held out the shattered remains of its front right leg. “Maul could have destroyed me.”
Sidious set aside the fish food and looked at Maul skeptically. “Is this true? You could have destroyed the droid?”
“Yes, Master Sidious,” Maul replied.
“Then why didn’t you?”
Maul tilted his chin toward the droid. “Because I wanted to bring this thing back to you in pieces.”
Sidious smiled again. “Maul, do you know how long you were running around on Mustafar’s surface?”
Maul grimaced. “I’m not certain, Master Sidious. I fell asleep twice while I was outside.”
“Well, I’ll tell you, then. You survived outside for seventeen standard days. I doubt very much that many boys your age—and that includes young Mustafarians—could accomplish such a thing without a wealth of provisions and emergency equipment. I commend you.”
Maul bowed, holding his left arm away from his side as he did so.
Sidious noticed the angle of Maul’s arm. “You didn’t heal properly. Your arm must be broken again and reset. Is it painful?”
“Yes, Master Sidious,” Maul said flatly, his tone not even slightly betraying his extreme discomfort. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied the red and black striped fish with yellow eyes swimming near the larger gray fish at the bottom of the nearby orb that was suspended above the circular dining table. The yellow-eyed fish appeared to have grown bigger again.
Sidious looked to TD-D9 and said, “Take Maul to the training room. Attend to his arm. Clean him up. And then bring him back to me.”
“Yes, Master Sidious,” the droid said, then added, “Afterward, do you wish for me to repair my own legs?”
“Yes, of course,” Sidious said.
Leaving Sidious, TD-D9 hobbled after Maul to the training room. Neither spoke once, not even while the droid reset Maul’s broken arm. Thirty minutes later, they returned to Sidious’s chamber. Maul was wearing fresh clothes. His left arm was wrapped in a bacta splint.
Sidious was seated at the dining table beneath the watery orb. Fine cutlery, dinner plates, and drinking goblets were on the table. Facing TD-D9, Sidious said, “You may repair yourself after you bring us dinner.”
“Yes, Master Sidious,” said the droid, hobbling out of the chamber again.
Sidious looked at Maul as he gestured for the youth to sit in the chair across from his own. Maul was surprised. His Master had never before invited him to dine in the chamber. And because he was extremely hungry, he also felt grateful. Maul bowed to his Master before he sat down. The fish swimming in the watery orb overhead made shimmering shadows across the table’s surface.
“This is a momentous occasion,” Sidious said solemnly as he dragged his finger around the rim of his goblet. “Because my presence is increasingly required on other worlds, I have arranged for you to attend the Academy on the planet Orsis. It is an institution for training paramilitaries for planetary governments. They also train intelligence agents, mercenaries, and assassins, as well as supplying professional combatants for the gladiatorial arenas. It’s a very exclusive school. To be an Orsis cadet is considered quite an honor.”
Maul was astonished. The prospect of leaving Mustafar and attending a school with other students was almost overwhelming.
“The director of the Academy,” Sidious continued, “is a Falleen named Trezza. He’s a bit short and almost two hundred years old, but do not let that fool you. He is as tough as they come, and mind tricks will not work on him. But there are a few minor challenges. Trezza does not know my name and he never will. And to protect my identity, I shall wear a disguise. Understood?”
“Yes, Master,” Maul said, although he could only imagine why his Master wanted to protect his identity.
“You may use your own name, but there is one catch, and this is very important. You are not allowed to use your Force powers on Orsis unless you are alone with me, and unless I grant you permission. When time allows, I will continue to train you in the ways of the Force while you are on Orsis, but you must never use your powers against any other students or faculty members under any circumstances. You must never even talk about your powers to anyone else on Orsis. If you disobey this command, the consequences will be most dire. Understood?”
“Yes, Master.” He knew what dire meant.
Sidious poured a dull-colored liquid into the goblet set before Maul and then his own. Raising his goblet to Maul, Sidious said, “To future endeavors.”
As Sidious and Maul drank, TD-D9 hobbled back into the chamber carrying a tray that held plates covered by domed lids. The droid set the covered plates before the seated figures, then said, “Are you finished with me, Master Sidious?”
“Most definitely,” Sidious said. Keeping his eyes on Maul, Sidious waved at the droid. TD-D9 lifted off the floor, flew across the chamber, and smashed into the wall. The impact was so great that Maul noticed small shock waves ripple across the suspended orb. The droid’s photoreceptors went dead as its ruined body collapsed in a loud crash.
Maul didn’t flinch. He thought of all the time he’d shared with the droid, how it had reared him and punished him, and how he’d never expected his Master to destroy it. He wouldn’t have the chance to say goodbye, or to destroy the droid himself. All these thoughts raced through
his mind, but he didn’t flinch.
Smoke began rising from the droid’s shattered head. Sidious grinned. “Not the most efficient way to eliminate an old droid we don’t need anymore, but that did feel good. Now, let’s see what’s for dinner.” Ignoring the smoldering droid across the chamber, Sidious lifted the lid off his plate and revealed there was nothing on it. He sighed. “Oh, well, I wasn’t very hungry anyway. How about you, Maul? What’s on your plate?”
Maul had no idea what kind of game his Master was playing. He hoped he would find food on his plate but braced himself for disappointment. He removed the lid from his plate to reveal the red and black striped fish he’d watched grow over the past four years. Lying on its side, the fish stared back at him through one eye. Maul saw the fish’s gills flex and realized it was still alive.
Maul didn’t flinch.
The fish’s eye shifted to look at its former home, the orb above the table, where other fish continued to swim. Maul doubted that Sidious expected him to pick up the fish and insert it back into the orb.
“Go on,” Sidious said. “Dig in.”
Maul obeyed. He tore into the fish, starting with the head. As he ate, Sidious said, “We will leave for Orsis tonight. Do you have any questions?”
“Yes, Master,” Maul said between mouthfuls. “What will be your disguise on Orsis?”
“Naturally,” Sidious said, “I shall present myself as a man with a lack of vision.”
“Welcome to Orsis Academy,” hissed the short male Falleen, a reptilian humanoid with green skin, as he stepped away from the massive desk in his office to greet the two people, a man and a boy, who had just entered. “I am Trezza, the Academy’s director.”
“Thank you for receiving us,” said the man, who wore a bulky old set of cybernetic goggles, a sensor-laden metal bracket that completely concealed his eyes and most of his forehead. He clutched a walking stick in one hand and had his other hand placed on the shoulder of his young companion, who wore loose-fitting black clothes. “Allow me to introduce you to Maul.”
Trezza had already noted the boy’s horns and tattooed visage, and assumed he was a Zabrak. Trezza bowed slightly and said, “Greetings, Maul. You may call me Master Trezza.”
Maul bowed deeply. “I am honored, Master Trezza.”
Returning his attention to the sensor-goggled man, Trezza said, “And how shall I address you, sir?”
Sidious sighed. “With all due respect, I prefer to remain nameless. For practical purposes.”
“Very well,” Trezza replied with a smooth smile, making it evident that he was no stranger to clients who valued privacy above all else. “So, you came here to discuss…?”
Sidious smiled. “As I mentioned in the holomessage that I sent, I am a modest businessman. But I anticipate my business will expand greatly in years to come and that competition will increase. I shall require a very dedicated bodyguard. One with a good set of eyes. You may have noticed I am somewhat ocularly challenged.” Sidious lifted his walking stick and tapped its handle twice against the side of his sensor goggles. “Maul’s vision is exceptionally good, and his loyalty is beyond question.”
Trezza glanced at Maul again, then returned his attention to the goggled man. “Do you have a certain time frame for when you expect Maul to be…sufficiently grown for such a job?”
Sidious chuckled. “My mind is quite made up about Maul. I can afford to wait. I trust you have received the credits I sent for his registration and tuition?”
“Yes,” Trezza hissed. He picked up a datapad and examined a readout. “Your payment is in order. However, Maul does have to take a standard physical examination. Also, his age was not indicated on the registration. Our administration would like to know that and some other data for placement purposes and general record keeping.”
“For confidentiality reasons,” Sidious said smoothly, “I would prefer not to divulge Maul’s age. I also request that he not be prodded by any medical droids unless he receives injuries that require immediate attention. I have already made a contribution in addition to the other fees, but I am quite willing to pay more to ensure…privacy.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Trezza said. “Your contribution was exceedingly generous, and very much appreciated. If it is your wish that we keep no records of the boy’s enrollment, I personally guarantee that there shall be no records. However, there is one thing we must address. Even though we’re a long way from Coruscant, the Jedi Order forbids Orsis Academy from training Force users.”
Neither Sidious nor Maul flinched. Sidious smiled and replied, “You are most perceptive, Master Trezza.”
Trezza tapped the side of his nose. “My nose and I have been around a long time, and we’ve met all types. I can smell Force users. I suspect you’re aware of the Jedi Order’s rules and regulations, that they expect me to report any Force-sensitive applicants, but here’s another fact for you. I really don’t care much for the Jedi. The way I see things, if a cadet is Force-sensitive, that’s the cadet’s business. Just don’t make it my business.” He looked at Maul. “I don’t know what kind of powers you have, son, but while you’re on my property, no use of the Force. If you can’t handle that, you will be expelled. Am I clear?”
Maul bowed. “Yes, Master Trezza.”
“You are most accommodating,” Sidious said with a polite nod.
“We shall take excellent care of Maul.”
Sidious grimaced. “I wouldn’t want you to show him any favoritism.”
“Of course not,” Trezza said. “I meant only that he will receive the very best education in the arts of combat.” Trezza redirected his gaze to Maul. “Would you like to have a look around the school?”
“Yes, Master Trezza.”
Sidious smiled as he patted Maul’s shoulder. “I believe I’ll join you.” As they exited Trezza’s office, Sidious moved his walking stick back and forth, tapping at the floor in front of him.
Orsis Academy was a sprawling compound. Bordered by a tall wall that was topped by security sensors and automated weapons placements, the school consisted of nine interconnected buildings, three large open courts, and an open field beside a starship landing pad. Sidious’s cruiser rested on the pad next to a drop ship that had just arrived from the aptly named Orsis Orbital Station, the large space station that traveled in a geosynchronous orbit with the planet. In broad daylight, the station was visible as a point of light in a fixed position in the sky.
As Trezza guided Maul and Sidious to a wide walkway that spanned two buildings, Maul spotted a stairway that led down to a beach along the seashore. He felt a pang of excitement as he took in the view. He was still having a hard time believing that his Master had brought him to Orsis, that his years of isolation on Mustafar might actually be behind him.
Maul glanced at his Master. Sidious had explained that the sensor goggles were a necessary disguise because he did not want to be recognized on Orsis. Maul wondered, Why would anyone here recognize Master Sidious?
Trezza led Maul and Sidious across the walkway, which overlooked one of the open courts. Trezza said, “We place as much importance on computer skills as we do on poison production and assassination techniques. And Orsis offers many opportunities for training programs beyond the walls of the Academy. As cadets mature and progress, they learn to fight and survive in the mountains, forests, deserts, and seas. We have hunting grounds and…”
A loud clattering sounded from the court below. Sidious stopped short with Maul and said, “What’s that racket?”
“Some of our younger cadets are exercising with combat staffs,” Trezza explained. “If you step closer to the rail, you can see them…” Remembering his guest’s sensor goggles, he added, “Oh, please forgive me.”
“That’s quite all right,” Sidious said, his mouth twitching into his smile as he reached up to adjust his goggles. “I can usually see shapes well enough, just not much detail.”
Trezza motioned for Maul to guide Sidious closer to the railing. M
aul looked down and saw several dozen cadets, mostly humanoid adolescents, swinging wooden combat staffs at each other. Thanks to his studies on Mustafar, he could identify each cadet’s species. A pair of bug-eyed Rodian boys seemed to be the noisiest with their weapons. Both Rodians were testing their staffs against a Nautolan girl, an amphibian with tentaclelike tresses extending from her head. The Nautolan moved quickly and appeared to be very capable of defending herself.
“Right now,” Trezza said, “we have just over five hundred cadets. As you know, we offer programs for ages eight years old and up. Most have enrolled for four- or eight-year programs. We also have a good number of ‘floaters,’ temporary students who come here to refine their skills. Graduates also come back from time to time for the same reason.”
Sidious said, “Bounty hunters?”
“Occasionally. Do you object?”
“Not at all. On the contrary, I’ve met a few very accomplished bounty hunters in my time.” Sidious stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I’ve heard your instructors include a Mandalorian who once fought Jedi. I believe his name was Krakko. Meltch Krakko. Is it true he’s the best?”
Trezza stared quizzically at Sidious’s goggles, then looked back at the cadets below. “He’s still among the best, but I regret to inform you that your information is dated. Commander Krakko left us some time ago, returned to his clan. As you may be aware, the Mandalorians are engaged in a civil war.”
“Oh, now that is unfortunate,” Sidious said as he patted Maul’s shoulder. “I really had hoped the boy might receive training from a Mandalorian. You see, Maul has been in a few fights, but…well, he can be a bit wild. He lacks finesse. He needs to learn how to make each move count. I don’t suppose you have another Mandalorian about?”
Maul was surprised and embarrassed by his Master’s description of him, but he kept his expression neutral. He almost missed the irritation in Trezza’s voice as the Falleen replied, “Commander Krakko was our only Mandalorian instructor. But I’m confident that we can still teach young Maul here some things that he can’t learn anywhere else.” Trezza looked at Maul. “I’ve already agreed to forgo the standard physical examination for you, Maul. But now that I’m aware you’ve ‘been in a few fights,’ I would appreciate a demonstration of your abilities.”
Lives & Adventures Page 33
