Star Wars_ Darth Bane 02_ Rule of Two - Drew Karpyshyn [83]
“Do you know the name of Belia Darzu?” he asked her. Zannah shook her head. “She was a Dark Lord of the Sith who reigned over two centuries ago. She was a student of Sith alchemy; it was said she learned the secrets of mechu-deru, the ability to transform the flesh of living beings into metal and machinery. She used this power to create an army of technobeasts: organic-droid hybrids bound to her will.”
Zannah vaguely recalled a passing mention of technobeasts from her studies, though the name Belia Darzu still didn’t sound familiar.
“Many also believe that before her death she discovered the secret of creating Sith Holocrons,” Hetton added, and Zannah’s thoughts flashed back to Bane and his failed attempts to do the same.
“Ultimately, Belia was betrayed and murdered by her own followers,” Hetton continued. “A familiar occurrence in the histories I have read. When she fell all her secrets were lost, though there is speculation that much of what she discovered is still stored in the archives of her stronghold on Tython.”
“Tython?” Zannah exclaimed, recognizing the name. “Isn’t that one of the Deep Core worlds?”
The Deep Core was a small cluster of densely packed stars centered on a black hole in the very heart of the galaxy. The worlds of the Deep Core—planets like Tython—typically appeared only in myths and legends, or in the wild tales of half-mad explorers who claimed to have visited them. Unstable solar masses, large pockets of antimatter, and gravity wells powerful enough to warp the space-time continuum made it virtually impossible to chart safe hyperspace routes into the region.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Hetton said. “I was skeptical myself at first. But the more I learned about Belia, the more evidence I found to support the theory that her stronghold was on Tython.”
“Even if it’s true,” Zannah protested, “nobody knows how to get to Tython.”
“I do,” Hetton said with a sly smile. “In my research I discovered the coordinates for a long-forgotten hyperspace lane into the Deep Core. But I never dared to make the trip. I feared the defenses of Belia’s stronghold would be impenetrable. And then I met you.”
“I don’t see what this has to do with me,” Zannah said.
“For many years I have studied the dark side, but my power has plateaued. I will learn nothing further on my own. I need a new Master—one with the power to penetrate the defenses of Belia’s stronghold and lay claim to her secrets.”
“You want to become my apprentice?” Zannah asked, her voice rising in disbelief.
“Everything I know about Belia Darzu, including the hyperspace route to Tython, can be found on that datacard,” Hetton said, speaking quickly. “I am presenting it to you as a gift, a sign of respect and admiration and proof of the seriousness of my offer.”
“You’re at least twice my age!” Zannah exclaimed, still unable to wrap her mind around the bizarre turn of events.
“Age has little relevance in matters of the Force,” Hetton assured her. “Your power is far greater than mine. I am asking you to teach me the ways of the dark side. In exchange, I offer you access to all the knowledge I have collected over the past thirty years.”
“I am only an apprentice myself,” Zannah admitted. “And my Master would kill us both before he accepted your offer. For the Sith to survive, there must only be one Master and one apprentice.”
“Then how does the Sith line continue?” Hetton asked, puzzled.
“When I surpass my Master, I will kill him and take his place,” Zannah explained, relaying the beliefs that Bane had drilled into her over the past decade without even thinking. “Then I will find my own apprentice to carry on the legacy of the dark side.”
Hetton was silent for a moment, considering what she had said. “Perhaps that time is now,” he said softly. “Together, we could end your Master’s reign.”
Zannah actually laughed at the suggestion. Hetton’s eyes narrowed momentarily, stung by her reaction.
“I have more resources at my disposal than you might imagine,” he said, raising his hand and snapping his fingers.
Two of his