Darth Nox: The Master of the Force

Chapter 32: Leaders of the Groups

The rebuilt Kaas City spread out below Darth Nox as he ascended the tower to the top floor of the new central administration building. The large doors hissed open, and he entered a spacious meeting room with vast windows that framed the sky, letting in the subdued light of the planet. Nox took a moment to glance around the room. At its center stood a large circular table, around which the leaders of the various factions on the planet had gathered. They all stood, watching him with a mix of reverence and unease as he entered.

For these people, Nox was more than just a ruler—he was legend. A figure from the ancient past brought to life, a Dark Lord whose very name carried with it the weight of untold power and history. Stories of the feats of the Sith had circulated through the remnants of the Sith Empire for generations, passed down like whispers of gods that could reshape entire worlds with their will alone.

As he stepped into the room, the tension was palpable. Each leader, representing different groups, bowed low, their heads lowered in silent deference. The fear was unmistakable, as was their awe. Nox knew what they thought of him, and he let them steep in it for a few moments longer before walking to his seat at the head of the table.

He stood before them, silent, his eyes scanning the room with the weight of a thousand untold secrets. His presence filled the chamber like a force unto itself, oppressive and vast. Each of them felt it—an undercurrent of fear mixed with deep respect, the sensation of being in the presence of something far greater than themselves. In the shadow of Darth Nox, the frailties of their mortal existence seemed all too clear. He could destroy any one of them with a thought, and they knew it.

But instead, he spoke.

"Rise."

His voice, strong and commanding, broke the silence, and the gathered leaders straightened, none daring to meet his gaze directly. They stood like statues, waiting for him to continue.

His gaze drifted to the large window that dominated the far side of the room, looking out over Kaas City and beyond. In the distance, he could see the newly rebuilt Citadel of the Sith, its towering spires reaching toward the sky. It was not the same Citadel that had once stood here—destroyed in the chaos of war—but something different, something new. It was designed not only as a monument to the Dark Side but as a symbol of balance, a reflection of Nox's vision for the future of Dromund Kaas.

Turning back to the gathered leaders, Nox began the meeting.

"Tell me," he said, his voice smooth but edged with an authority that brooked no delay. "How are the people settling into Kaas City? It has been some time since any significant population resided here. Are there any... issues of note?"

The leader of the group he already meet, a stout man with a grizzled beard and the weathered skin of someone who had spent most of his life toiling outdoors, stepped forward hesitantly. His name was Roldan, and though he was no stranger to hard labor or leadership, standing before Darth Nox clearly made him uncomfortable.

"My Lord," Roldan began, his voice steady despite the nerves. "The people are adjusting, though slowly. Many of them haven't lived in such a structured environment before. But now that Kaas City has been rebuilt, there's a sense of... renewal. They're working together as their ancestors did, though it'll take time for the old ways to be fully embraced."

He paused, his eyes flickering briefly to Nox's face, searching for any sign of approval or displeasure. Nox remained silent, his expression unreadable, so Roldan continued.

"There have been minor disputes—old rivalries between families that have festered over the years, small complaints about living arrangements, resources, and the distribution of food. But nothing significant. The people understand that this is a new beginning, and most are willing to put aside their differences for the greater good."

Nox nodded slowly, his mind already processing the information. This was expected. After thousands of years of division and decline, the remnants of the Sith Empire had scattered across the planet. Some had clung to their old ways, while others had adapted to new lives. Bringing them together once more under a single banner, in a single city, was not going to be without its difficulties.

"And what of the infrastructure?" Nox asked, his gaze shifting to a tall, thin woman with sharp features—Cevira, the head of one of the engineering teams that had overseen the city's reconstruction. "Scorpio's resources have allowed us to rebuild quickly, but is there anything we lack?"

Cevira took a step forward, her voice crisp and efficient. "My Lord, the city's infrastructure is stable. We have power, water, and food supplies sufficient for the current population. The systems Scorpio provided are far beyond anything we could have hoped for—automated repairs, environmental controls, and defense mechanisms are all functioning at optimal levels. However, there are still some gaps. We need more specialized labor to maintain certain parts of the technology, and while the automated systems are efficient, they can't replace the need for a trained workforce."

Nox listened carefully, his mind already calculating the steps that would need to be taken. Scorpio had indeed provided the tools, but long-term sustainability would require more than machines. It would require people—skilled workers, engineers, and scientists who could ensure that Kaas City not only survived but thrived. The delicate balance between technology and the planet's natural state would also need careful oversight, particularly given the shifts in the Force that he had initiated.

As the meeting continued, Nox kept one eye on the discussions, and another on the distant Citadel. His thoughts wandered back to the ritual he had performed in the Dark Temple, the moment when he had countered Vitiate's ancient corruption with the Light. The changes on Dromund Kaas were subtle, but undeniable. The storms that had once raged endlessly across the planet had lessened, and the oppressive darkness that had clung to the city for millennia had lifted. There was now a balance on this world—a balance between Light and Dark that Nox had never imagined possible.

His thoughts returned to the room as Roldan and Cevira finished their reports. The leaders of the former military groups were next, providing updates on security, patrols, and the general defense of the city. With Nox's fleet in orbit, there were no immediate threats to Kaas City, but the galaxy was a chaotic place, and Nox knew that their isolation wouldn't last forever.

As the meeting wound down, Nox allowed himself a moment to reflect on the state of the planet. Dromund Kaas was not what it once was—it was not the capital of a vast, sprawling empire, nor was it the heart of Sith power. But it was something new, something more.

Finally, Nox stood from his seat, his movement commanding the attention of every person in the room. His voice, though quiet, carried the weight of his authority.

"Dromund Kaas is not merely a city, not merely a planet. It is a symbol," he began, his eyes sweeping over the gathered leaders. "A symbol of what was, and what can be. We are not the Sith Empire of old, nor are we beholden to its failures. But we are the inheritors of its legacy. And with that legacy comes the responsibility to shape the future. Kaas City will stand, not as a monument to a fallen empire, but as the heart of something new. A place of balance. A place of power."

The leaders remained silent, their eyes wide as they listened to his every word. Nox let the silence linger for a moment before continuing.

"We are no longer bound by the past. We will not repeat the mistakes of those who came before us. This city will be the beacon by which we guide our people, and through it, we will rise again."

As he finished, he turned toward the window, his gaze once again drawn to the Citadel in the distance. The weight of history, of power, and of the future lay heavy on his shoulders. But Nox was not afraid of it. He would carry that weight, just as he had carried the knowledge and the spirits of the ancient Sith for so long.

The meeting adjourned shortly after, with the leaders leaving the room one by one, each of them still in awe of the Dark Lord's presence. Nox remained behind, alone for a moment, staring out over the city.