Chapter Two.
Tall, slim and deadly. Clothed in flowing Sith robes and his face hidden behind a mirrored mask, Sith Lord Dondinas looked exactly what a Dark Lord of the Sith should look like. At his side attached to a broad belt hung a double bladed lightsaber. Janos Zoaller doubted that many foes ever got close enough to see the weapon ignited. The Sith assassin liked to kill with the Force Lightning, who knew what else were in the Sith arsenal. Best not to ask for a demonstration, the Sith were not known for either their patience or their sense of humour. In fact he really did not want to know what made a Sith Lord laugh.
Lord Dondinas continued to stare at Janos, he in turn waited for the Sith Lord to speak first. Etiquette and knowing ones place were key to having a future when dealing with the Sith. Speak when spoken too, don't push your luck, well not to far, and lastly and most importantly the Sith were always no matter what in the right.
"I have looked at the recording from your rifles scope. I concur, Republic Astromech Droid, and yes, they do tend to indicate the presence of a Jedi Knight. This could complicate things some what." The mask gave Dondinas's voice a slightly metallic quality, apart from that is was the usual clipped Imperial of Dromund Kaas. As part of Janos's Imperial Intelligence training he had been given elocution lessons until he spoke like a native to Dromund Kass, so his industrial slang and accent did not offend the delicate ears of the Imperial Hierarchy.
"You are aware, I assume, of the currant situation with the native Evocii ?"
"My Lord, my mission brief was to observe any movement within the location of the cave entrance. With special instruction to inform you of any Republic presence immediately. After that I am to follow you orders until you release me back to Imperial Intelligence. Apart from that all I know is that the native slave work force, this Evocii that my Lord mentioned, are disrupting normal work with sabotage and sit in protests. I have no other information my Lord."
"The alien with you, a Rattataki I believe, is she also to do as instructed ?"
"Kaliyo D'jannis is on an open attachment to my command my Lord, which in turn means she will follow all orders given by you through me. She will cause no problems my Lord, I will vouch for her."
"Very well, on your head be it, and remember, it will be your head."
Dondinas turned his back to the sniper and faced a large map of the area hung on the wall. On it Janos could see marked the cave entrance, a mining complex, a few native settlements and their present location, a small Imperial garrison.
"The Emipre requires that the unrest be settled. Peacefully. My preference would be to destroy the entire population, one can always find more slave labour. The Dark Council have decided that this should not be the case though. The Hutts who seem to run this planet are quite happy to sit on their behinds,or whatever those disgusting slugs sit on, and let the Empire sort the situation out. Your evidence may point to a larger predicament. The presence of the Republic may well point to some sort of uprising leading to the Evocii talking over the complete planet and then asking for Republic help with the promise of joining the Republic. Do you follow ? Do you understand ?"
"Yes my Lord, I am keeping up."
Dondinas spun to look at the sniper. Oops, may have gone a bit too far there. He had been taught a lesson in manners by a Sith Lord before, the pain of blue Force Lightning coursing through his body was not something he would ever forget.
"Global politics is not really something I understand my Lord."
"Yes, I can understand how such things may confuse the more simple minded."
He spun back to face to map
"The Empire is to send a delegation of negotiators to this collection of mud huts the slaves call a village."
Dondinas tapped the map with a long gloved finger.
"You will position yourself so you may observe without being observed. I wish to know all who enter and leave. You will also give me a full and live commentary of the meeting between the Imperial delegation and these savages. You will inform me of any Republic presence immediately. Understand ?"
"Yes my Lord, will there be any friendly assets in the area ?"
"Presume not. You may leave now."
With the dismissal still in his ears Janos saluted, did an about turn and left the office that Dondinas had taken as his own. No doubt the Garrison Commander had taken over his second in commands, and so on down. As he left Dondinas had turned back to the map, Janos didn't want to know what dark thoughts Dondinas was contemplating, best to stay as far away as possible from Sith plans. Friendly casualties were not on the list of things that Sith worried about.
As Janos made his way to the Garrison Cantina he was thinking how best to tell Kaliyo about their new tasking, she was more of an action type, and while she excelled at covert activities, it was the action she craved.
"Truth plain and simple." He muttered to himself. As he approached the Cantina entrance he stooped and looked to his left, a sign on a small low level building indicated that this was the home of the Garrison Imperial Medical Services Orderly, with his collection of Med Droids, MedProbes, Medpacks and vaccines. Oh, and insect repellant. A cruel smile spread across his lips at the thought of the talk he would have with the Imperial Medic later. He was feeling better already.
