The light sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway of the academy. Even to the white haired Miraluka woman who sat idle in the room, the footsteps invaded upon her silence. Peacefulness was not common on Korriban, and it seemed that her brief moment of peace and quiet was to be interrupted as the footsteps grew louder and louder. No matter, she was expecting visitors though she remained seated on the cold floor, her eyeless face angled downwards.
"You're late", she said quietly yet in an audible volume as the footsteps stopped. Her tone was empty, devoid of any feeling which left a cold sensation in the visitor's spine. It was a young woman, with black hair, dressed in black and purple robes.
"Forgive me, Master, but Darth Retic kept my attention for longer than anticipated", the young woman replied.
"Darth Retic, huh?", the Miraluka spat the words with a subtle venom. It was a name that she didn't want to hear, "I have the luck of serving a racist Master who would love to see me dead. This is a constant lesson I teach you, apprentice. Stack the deck in your favour from the shadows and you minimise the risk to yourself. It's a lesson that will get you far".
"Of course, Master. I have the report you wanted on the artifact that was unearthed on Tatooine", the young woman responded, walking over to the Miraluka and handing her datapad downwards. The Miraluka took the datapad and placed it on the ground to her left, taking out her own datapad from her robes. It was heavily modified, and to most looked incredibly complicated, but she used it with ease, transferring the file over to her own datapad and placing it on the floor to her right. She then gave the datapad back to the young woman.
"I need you on Dromund Kaas. I have reason to believe that one of my rivals plans to kill me. You are to watch and compile another report, nothing more", she said as she handed the datapad back to the young woman.
"But Master... The other apprentices... When will I get a combat assignment? I want to ki-...".
"You're lucky to have a teacher with patience, Meiri, are you sure you wish to finish that sentence?", the Miraluka snapped quietly, her tone completely neutral. There was no aggression or malice behind her voice, but Meiri knew better when it came to her Master.
"No... Master. I understand, and I will observe", Meiri resigned, taking a deep breath, "Was there anything else, Master?".
"No, you are free to go. I have uploaded the relevant information to your datapad, now me to my meditations and don't fail me in your task".
"Yes, Master...", Meiri bowed before walking out of the room and back down the hallway. She was angry. "Another observation? This is the nail in your coffin, Master", she muttered as she took a detour towards the valley where acolytes trained. Deep in the tomb of Naga Sadow she walked and immediately as she entered a certain chamber, she was approached by a group of acolytes. They were all different shapes and sizes, a melting pot of races. All of them had failed their trials as acolytes, but Meiri had taken them in, hidden them for this one purpose.
"How did it go?", a large-built male acolyte asked. Meiri smiled.
"The time to act is upon us, my loyal subjects, and that means it is time for your second chance. I have made arrangements already for us to travel to Dromund Kaas. Miralle will soon move on Taris to meet her pathetic excuse of a sister and we will follow. In the wastes we will kill her, I will assume her position as a Sith Lord, and one of you will become my apprentice", she paused, looking amongst the group, they were weak, but they would serve their purpose. "Now follow me. Remember, only one of you will become my apprentice, but if you don't work together, my Master, weak as she may be, will strike you all down. This is your first test, my dear acolytes".
"We will follow you, Master", a male Twi'lek said as the group mumbled in agreement.
"Excellent, then let us move", Meiri said with a sly grin, turning and making her way back towards the shuttle, acolytes following close behind.
'Of course, none of you will survive the encounter, but desperation makes you stupid and blind', Meiri thought to herself as they walked. Her plans were in motion.