Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
	Drew Karpyshyn
	2006
	Approximately 1003-1000 Years Before The Battle of Yavin
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SPOILER ALERT: This Will Spoil The Plot of the Book!

After the Battle of Korriban, Lord Kaan, founder of the Brotherhood of Darkness, looks over the Sith victory.  Lord Qordis is eager to begin the Sith Academy, but Lord Kopecz isn’t sure the time for celebration is at hand.

Dessel has been working the cortosis mines on Apatros since his teenage years.  His deceased father, also a miner, was an abusive man that frequently referred to his son as the bane of his existence.  Des can sense things before they happen and on this day that serves him well in a fight with another miner.

After Des is suspended for the fight, he ventures into the lone cantina to play sabacc with several Republic officers who have dropped in to collect a new supply of cortosis.  During the game, the soldiers try to enlighten Des on the sides of the ongoing war and why the Republic is now winning thanks to General Hoth, a Jedi.  They explain that the Jedi are good and the Sith are evil, but Des isn’t impressed.  As the night grows late, Des and an antagonistic ensign are both going hard to win the now enormous sabacc pot.  Des is goading the man throughout and after he takes down the pot, the ensign erupts in rage and nearly causes a riot.  After the bartender, Des’s friend named Groshik, clears the room, he warns Des to watch his emotions as his anger seemed to infect the entire room.

On his way home, Des is attacked by several soldiers and despite the total darkness he can see his opponents and kills one of them.  Knowing he is deep trouble, he returns to Groshik who tells him he has Sith connections and can help him join their army instead of going to jail.  Knowing that he has little choice, he agrees and stows away on a ship and escapes.

After a year in the service, Des is now a sergeant in the Sith Army, earning his strips during the invasion of Kashyyyk by using his abilities to sense nearby enemies to lead his squad from harms way.  His current mission, however, is shrouded by bad feelings.  He receives an order that they all know is not only suicidal, but not productive.   Des takes matters into his own and knocks out the Lieutenant and decides to do things his way.

When they reach their target, a Republic Outpost, the situation is grim.   Somehow Des is able to sense the location of all the enemies and takes down at least a dozen with a sniper rifle he’s never even used before.  His amazing feat turns the battle their way and his troops are amazed by his actions.  When they return to camp, however, the Lieutenant is waiting and Des is arrested.  After spending several hours in containment, he is removed and flown strangely to Korriban.

On Korriban, Des is taken before Lord Kopecz who tells him of the dark side of the Force and that Des has only scratched the surface of his true power.  He invites Des to become a member of the Brotherhood of Darkness.  Des is shocked by this, but accepts the offer and is reborn as Bane of the Sith.

Lord Qordis is suspicious of Kopecz’s new trainee, but Kopecz insists that Bane will become a great master and perhaps even the Sith’ari!

Bane is introduced to the Sith Code and Lord Qordis tells him he is on Korriban because it is the Sith Academy that is reserved for those who can someday be Sith Lords.

Bane is already behind most of the students, but his abilities allow him to progress quickly and he dedicates himself to studying the Sith archives.  He knows he can rely on no one but himself in this endeavor.