Delth Ardin

Delth Ardin, also codenamed Red Viper

Born to his parents on Chandrila at the height of the galactic Empire, Delth was the younger of two brothers, five years junior to James. Both their parents successful business people they grew up in a solid middle class home, given the education on Chandrila, and on Coruscant. Delth never got along with his father despite his effort, and relative success. Delth, nor James could put a finger on why the two struggled so much but later on that reason would become quite, quite clear. At times their struggles even came to blows.

James, his father’s favorite was a model child and after university chose to become an officer in the Imperial Navy. Delth followed suit upon his graduation, but unlike his brother Delth chose the army as his service. Shortly after joining the army, Delth found his strength in reflex situation, primarily hand to hand contract. He served as a non-commissioned officer for a few years, winning numerous tournaments with the vibroblade and completely unarmed. He served with distinction in many engagements, mostly quelling local rebellions brewing on outer rim worlds.

The turning point of Delth’s career, foreshadowing his future, was a starfighter accident suffered by his brother. After being shot down in an engagement, his brother suffered slight nerve damage when his instrument panel let out a small electroshock. With his reflexes compromised he was forced out of the fighter corps, and into the career as an officer on capital ships. Visiting his brother in the hospital, Delth was approached by an Imperial officer of a different kind. It was the first time he would meet the man that would perhaps effect him as much as his brother, an Intel officer named Damascus.

Damascus would take Delth from the army and place him into the ISS, the Imperial Special Services division. He would receive special training and complete many covert missions for the Empire, including theft, kidnapping and assassination, whatever was deemed necessary by Damascus and ISS command. Delth became a fanatical loyalist to the Emperor and the Imperial cause. It is at this time that he became estranged from many of his former friends who were not such ardent supporters of the regime, such as Nichalus Dreadstar.

After a series of missions, Damascus would assign Delth to another special training assignment. He was sent to a small moon near the secret Imperial world Byss where skills hid for his entire life would be unveiled. The Institute would unveil the potential Damascus saw in Delth when he decided to send him there. He trained there for three years in secret under Damascus and his assistant Boros Slynt. During that time his brother James was promoted to Captain of his own ship, the Imperial Star Destroyer Vengeance. Upon release he was one of the most lethal force wielding assassins the school had produced since Mara Jade, and Jade Dofmara. He was given a code-name Red Viper and presented before the Emperor by Damascus shortly after the Battle of Yavin. There, Palpatine had a surprise for his own student, Damascus.

It appeared Damascus had broken a special rule put forth by the Empire. He had reproduced. Delth was his son, born of a rape of his mother, which Damascus had removed from her mind. Upon presenting the Emperor his new weapon, Palpatine informed Damascus of his knowledge. He unleashed Lord Vader on the Intel director, the punishment fitting the crime. Needless to say, Damascus would not have another son. The reason for the rule was simple. Any descendants of a man like Damascus might someday grow strong enough to challenge his power and rule. And while at the time he could squash young Delth like a bug, allowing him to ferment his power might become dangerous someday.

So while Damascus received his punishment Delth was given one of his own. The Emperor locked away the majority of his newfound power leaving only the most rudimentary ability with the force, enhancing his instincts. Also with his power the Emperor removed Delth’s memory of the entire training at the academy. Palpatine returned Damascus to the academy and placed Delth into the care of his brother, who witnessed the entire event and was slowly becoming a favorite of the Emperor.

Delth retained his lightsaber and became an independent agent of the Empire, not part of any organization or ranking system. He was stationed on the Vengeance with his brother and took part in many of the ship’s overt and covert operations. Most notably, he was involved in the capture and holding of the RSA’s leader Talon Karde, keeping the Empire together during the civil war between Croft and Bansari, the hunt for Black Plague and the capture of a rebel Calamari cruiser. James and Delth grew extremely close during this time, and became inseparable.

When James Ardin became Regent of the Empire, Delth’s role was a little more limited. Fearful of his life in a very tumultuous political climate he had Delth with him at all times as a guard and enforcer. He had his own special security detail but Delth was in charge of it and in public appearances the two were always seen together. It made the circumstances around James’ retreat all the more difficult to understand.

During the height of his regentship and power in the galaxy and within the Empire itself Regent James Ardin took his fleet and his most loyal men and disappeared into the outer rim. He did not take Delth with him. When questioned by his brother, the Regent would only simply answer that he was following orders, including not taking Delth along, He would never elaborate though the mystery was clear… as Imperial Regent who could possibly give him orders. Also, before leaving he did something else that he had refused to do since he became Regent. He claimed the rank of Grand Admiral.

After James and his fleet left, Delth worked under both Captain Banner Ton, and James’ second in command Kyle Marion. But he also spent much of the time taking some much needed R&R taking part in many tournaments. During this time, as could be expected, the galaxy fell into a measure of turmoil. Various independent organizations, both private and government, legal and terrorist filled voids of power left by the weaker hand of Kyle Marion. Delth assisted as best he could in those battles but struggled without the leadership of his brother.

Shortly before his brother returned Delth took part in one of the largest galaxy wide fighting tournaments. In the semifinals he defeated his opponent, but before he received an official victory he blacked out. His dreams were nightmares, plagued by dark currents of the force suddenly reawakened by an unknown power. The nightmares were of his brother, returned from the unknown regions and in serious jeopardy. Finally awakened, Delth could feel a new power in him, one he had no hope to control. His training and memory from the academy had returned. But in Delth’s mind there was no time to do anything about it. He sought out his brother.

And found him on the Cleansing, returned from the unknown regions with a prize, a chained and captured terrorist, Tainer. Delth was traveling a long distance and when he arrived the trial had already began with representatives from every galactic power in attendance, including the New Republic and Corellia the two great enemies of the Empire. The trial was interrupted numerous times, the most significant when a rogue imperial Sylkud Brainiard attacked during the proceedings.

Delth’s nightmares were not unfounded. He arrived shortly after an assassination attempt on his brother and the entire Imperial High Command. Delth arrived just in time to see his brother mortally wounded, Tainer gunne down, two of his guards killed and other members of the Imperial Navy seriously wounded. James was dead, and Delth lost control. His anger fermented and raged inside with him, and took over command of the Cleansing amidst the chaos. He took captive Tainer’s woman, and began on his rampage.

Indulging in the dark side in its purest uncontrolled form Delth craved power and absolute control. He ravaged bases, both Imperial and otherwise, tortured Tainer’s pregnant woman and sunk further and further towards the dark side. The crew of the Cleansing, though following willingly at first now did so only out of fear. Their commander was a monster. His final act was moving on Mon Calamari, creating a black hole in the system. A wounded Captain Ton and long time friend Commander Walter Sames finally confronted Delth. Risking their lives, Delth finally recognized what was wrong with him and he fled.

He arrived in Loris, at Jadofmara’s Jedi academy. There she taught him some measure of control, and Delth left with a new mission, find who was responsible for his brother’s death. Receiving information from Damascus that implicated Coret Trobane and his men in the murder, Delth made his way towards Corellia. There he met two important people, the Huntress, Melody Hunt and her then boyfriend Jaster Marael. Before finding Trobane, he died in a naval engagement over Thyferra. But that did not stop Delth who found his wife and forced her into a public apology and admittance to her husband’s crime.

Chased from the planet Delth regrouped. Traveling through the galaxy he received a transmission from an old friend informing him of some disturbing news. It appeared that while Trobane’s agents were behind the actual shooting of James Ardin, Damascus arranged security to allow it to occur. Delth now had a new target, Damascus.

He goes to Coruscant with a special strike team, Walter Sames with him trying to infiltrate and take down the Emperor. Along the way he met up with his old friend Nichalus Dreadstar, now changed somehow. They get to Damascsus’ council chambers and succeed but along the way the familiar surroundings prompt Delth’s memory to fully return. He remembers everything from Damascus’ maiming to the removal of his memory by the Emperor. He confronts Damascus with Nichalus and Jaster and all three are soundly defeated. Delth and Melody are taken captive by Damascus and begin to learn under him.

They remain there until the epic battle over Corellia. When Delth’s brother makes a miraculous return from the dead. In a showdown on the bridge of the Cleansing, with Jaster and James serving as distractions Delth is able to break hold of Damascus’ mental control over him and kill the Emperor. James dies as well in the battle.

Afterwards, Delth is given a roving command under now Regent Grand Admiral Thrawn and hi first assignment is to destroy the dark side training facility near Byss and rescue the Lorisian Princess Rini. He succeeded in the rescue but left on difficult terms with the Crofts. He has delivered the Princess to Loris and is now charged with preventing a war between the two governments.