Hydrax Network

The **Hydrax Network** was a crime syndicate created within the Imperial ranks by the Sith Lord Nextor Sozen that dominated the trafficking markets for several years. As it was composed entirely of influential Imperials and Sith, Hydrax was able to operate inside the Empire without detection for nearly a decade.

In its prime, the Hydrax Network was engaged in a plethora of smuggling activities, running contraband ranging from spice to Imperial munitions. In addition, it provided protection services to other shady organizations seeking to conduct business within Imperial territory.

The Hydrax Network was effectively dismantled by Sith Intelligence when one of the syndicate's ranking members, Darth Vatran, struck a deal for immunity from his crimes. In exchange, Vatran handed over a ledger containing the identities of all Hydrax agents. Despite losing his criminal empire, Nextor himself escaped Imperial space and disappeared into the Outer Rim.

## Timeline of Events

### Legacy

> "*It appears your 'purge' of Nextor's crime ring from the Imperial ranks was not as thorough as you led me to believe.*"
> ― Darth Arctis to Darth Nostrem, regarding the latter's failure to fully eliminate the Hydrax Network
>
>

The actions of the Hydrax Network's members, coupled with their success in keeping their crimes a secret for so many years, constituted a profound embarrassment for both the Sith Order and Imperial military. Additionally, their alliance with the Exchange enabled the latter crime syndicate to make solid inroads into Imperial space. Many in the Empire still feel the sting of the organization's deeds; despite their defeat, the Hydrax Network still left their mark upon the Empire.

Darth Arctis would at one point reprimand Darth Nostrem for claiming to have crushed the Hydrax Network in its entirety, pointing out that Nextor himself was not captured and still at large.

## Known Members

### Nextor Sozen

Notorious for his turn from Sith Lord to common criminal, Nextor Sozen's fascination with ancient lore turned to an innate desire to further his personal wealth. As an apprentice, he inherited a sizable collection of holocrons, relics, and other Sith artifacts after the sudden demise of his master. Giving in to his greed, he secretly auctioned them on the black market, making him obscenely wealthy. Soon after, he allied himself with other Imperial and Sith officials of similar mindsets and formed the Hydrax Network.

*Status: Alive; Nextor managed to avoid capture after Darth Nostrem of Sith Intelligence exposed and destroyed the Hydrax Network. He is apparently still allied with the Exchange, but his current whereabouts are unknown.*

### Moff Kal Vanden

Kal Vanden is regarded as one of the most corrupt military officers in Imperial history. Having aided Nextor in the illegal sales of his deceased master's treasures as well as the creation of the Hydrax Network, he is considered the Sith Lord's first accomplice. Vanden functioned as Nextor's first lieutenant in the organization for the duration of its existence, and also masterminded their effort to recruit from the Imperial Military.

*Status: Deceased; Moff Vanden confessed to his guilt and was later executed.*

### Darth Vatran

Another of Nextor's earliest allies, Darth Vatran directed the efforts to prevent the Hydrax Network from coming up on the radar of Imperial authorities, exploiting his position in the Sphere of Laws and Justice to do so. He was reportedly one of the organization's most brutal members; many in the underworld who dealt with Hydrax through Vatran were murdered not long after their business concluded.

*Status: Alive; Darth Vatran struck a deal with Darth Nostrem of Sith Intelligence for immunity. As part of their arrangement, Nostrem kept Vatran's involvement with Hydrax a secret, as well as his status as an informant. Vatran was able to remain in power, while Nostrem was fully credited with the destruction of Hydrax.*

### Captain Anslo Kalast

Anslo Kalast was an upstart in the Hydrax Network; he was brought in to the organization by Moff Vanden, and quickly became one of Nextor's rising stars. He personally dismantled a slaving operation run by the Carida Corsairs, leaving their assets -- including a shipment of several hundred slaves -- to be absorbed by Hydrax, earning him a position among the organization's leadership. In the wake of Sith Intelligence's investigation into their operations, Kalast turned himself in but later escaped from captivity.

*Status: Alive; Kalast surrendered himself to Sith Intelligence, but managed to escape custody and fled Imperial territory alongside Nextor.*

### Lord Corvus

An ambitious Sith Lord whose avarice exceeded even that of Nextor himself, Lord Corvus was among the Sith brought into the Hydrax Network by her master, Darth Vatran. On his orders, Corvus acted as an enforcer, locating and neutralizing threats to the organization. When Hydrax was exposed and Sith Intelligence began dismantling their operations, Corvus became terrified of the fate she would face once the Dark Council learned of her and her master's crimes. In a desperate attempt to save herself, she prepared to bring evidence of Vatran's guilt to Darth Mortis. However, Vatran learned of his apprentice's intention and killed her before she could make contact with Mortis.

*Status: Deceased; Lord Corvus was executed by Darth Vatran after he learned of her plans to expose his crimes to the Dark Council.*

Of all individuals affiliated with the Hydrax Network, only Nextor and Kalast survived. All others were either captured or killed when the organization was purged by Sith Intelligence.