Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 5

Satal Keto, the head of the Krath, feels threatened by the arrival of Ulic Qel-Droma, and as a result, has him tortured deep within the Iron Citadel of Cinnagar, falsely accusing him of being a Jedi spy. Aleema, his cousin, holds a different view, thinking that Ulic possesses valuable knowledge to share and that having a Jedi defector on their side could be advantageous. Satal concedes but insists that Ulic's betrayal of the Jedi will occur on his terms.

Within the dungeons, Ulic is subjected to torture by an torture droid. He asserts to Satal that he has abandoned the Jedi Order and seeks to learn the ways of the dark side. Disbelieving Ulic, Satal injects him with a Sith poison, causing Ulic intense agony and enabling him to break free from the torture droid. Aleema, captivated by Ulic, attends to his serious wounds, with the intention of converting him into an ally of the Krath. Satal approves of his sister's request.

On the planet Yavin, Exar Kun, the newly appointed Sith Lord, directs his Massassi followers to construct Sith temples that will function as central points for dark side energies. Deep beneath the Great Temple, Kun discovers that the guardian creature was guarding something located far below the temple. This turns out to be Naga Sadow's ancient battleship and a concealed Sith alchemy laboratory.

Nomi Sunrider, entrusting her daughter Vima Sunrider to the care of Master Thon, journeys to Koros Major alongside fellow Jedi Cay Qel-Droma and Tott Doneeta. Nomi's objective is to make contact with Ulic to confirm that he is still alive. While her Jedi companions remain in orbit aboard the Nebulon Ranger, Vima enters Cinnagar via an escape pod.

Nomi intentionally allows herself to be captured by Krath warriors by openly displaying her lightsaber. Simultaneously, Ulic advises Satal, Aleema, and the other Krath leaders to enhance their firepower to extend their influence beyond the Empress Teta system. To assess Ulic's loyalty, Satal instructs him to handle the captured Jedi intruder, Nomi, who has been brought before the Ketos' court.

In an effort to rescue Nomi, Ulic suggests that she be confined to the dungeons for interrogation. However, Satal insists on her execution. Aware that Satal and Aleema can perceive his thoughts through the Force, Ulic successfully demonstrates his allegiance to the Krath by declaring that he will carry out the execution at dawn the following day.

Meanwhile, Exar Kun utilizes Sith alchemy and a device within the Great Temple to transform the Massassi Priest Zythmnr into a monstrous being.

Back in Cinnagar, Ulic programs a servant droid to deliver a message to Nomi, instructing her to return to Ossus and inform the Jedi Masters that he has acquired significant knowledge about the Krath but requires more time. He also includes that Satal and Aleema Keto are responsible for the death of Master Arca Jeth. Convinced that Ulic has proven his loyalty to the Krath, Aleema attempts to seduce him.

Concurrently, Satal and one of his guards Norgor intercept Ulic's servant droid. Upon discovering Ulic's holoprojector message, Satal destroys the droid and commands Norgor to dispatch twenty men to bring him Nomi for execution. He also orders Norgor to assassinate Ulic. However, Nomi employs battle meditation to incite the Krath guards to fight and kill one another. Nomi then contacts Cay and Tott to facilitate her and Ulic's evacuation.

Meanwhile, Norgor attempts to assassinate Ulic but is killed by the Jedi. Aleema reveals that her cousin Satal ordered the attack on the Jedi assembly on Deneba. Elsewhere, Cay and Tott successfully land the Nebulon Ranger near the Iron Citadel and battle their way through the Krath guards. Before Satal can address the Jedi intruders, he is confronted by Ulic, who seeks to avenge his fallen Master Arca.

Ulic and Satal engage in a lightsaber duel. Succumbing to anger and the dark side, Ulic strikes down Satal with his lightsaber. In his dying moments, Satal informs him that the anger has activated the Sith poison he injected into Ulic's body. Cay and Tott attempt to persuade Ulic to join them, but he uses the Force to repel them.

Nomi, Cay, and Tott manage to escape on the Nebulon Ranger into hyperspace. The three Jedi are heartbroken about leaving Ulic behind. Nomi is shattered by Ulic's apparent betrayal and madness and believes that he is lost. Meanwhile, Ulic grapples with Freedon Nadd's prophecy that he is "on a path from which there is no return."

Meanwhile, Exar Kun raises Naga Sadow's Sith warship, which he claims as his own. Since Freedon Nadd had managed to warn others about him prior to his destruction, Kun is determined to destroy these dark side rivals.