Chapter Three

On the outskirts of Laertes' capital city named after the planet, Maul had built a hut near the city in a cave where he could remain secluded from any unwanted attention. He bought supplies in town when he needed them but he made sure to keep it short and sweet while simultaneously keeping an eye on the King. Appointments with Laertes were very minimal but in gratitude for saving his life and for offering free services as a bodyguard to him, Laertes gave him permission to visit anytime he wished. During one such appointment, Laertes had asked him who he was and how he knew of him.

Maul had been reluctant to reveal anything and remained so over the course of several visits. However, he had eventually given in when Laertes demanded to know at the threat of revealing him to the Jedi with full knowledge that Maul would be their enemy. Maul had told him that he had once been an ally to Ophelia, helping her during the last days of her career as a Jedi, the last days of her life. He told him about how Claudius had violently murdered her at Heraklion Prime and was now spending time in Coruscant's maximum security prison for her death as well as violating the rules of the Science Guild which strictly forbade interdimensional travel and manipulation of alternative realities.

Laertes had left him alone on the matter after that, perhaps pondering the fate of his brother and sister. Maul had visited with infrequency after that, arriving only to gather any information he found from rebels he had spotted and tortured into confession. "What happened with each of them after you were done with him?" Laertes asked. "Like you needed to ask that," Maul answered.

Laertes knew what Maul had meant by that comment immediately and nodded to show his understanding. Knowing the Sith of ancient legend, Laertes knew Maul had more than likely worn out their usefulness then disposed of them when he had taken what he needed from them. He had done this to eleven known associates and sympathizers of the rebellion who were likely to have any information on rebel outposts and assassination targets. But then after a week of near-futile efforts and only a few minor hits prevented, Maul decided to take a different approach.

"Where can I find someone who will know how to get me inside a rebel base?" Maul asked. "Are you planning to infiltrate them, find out all their information then undo them from the inside out?" Laertes asked in reply. Maul nodded and added that it would get him a lot farther than torture sessions with select associates and sympathizers. "If there is anyone who could lead you to the whereabouts of a rebel post such as what you seek, it would be Archimedes," Laertes replied.

"How come I have never heard of him before?" Maul asked, curious. "All records of Archimedes in the Republic were purged due to his rebellious medical and engineering views that focused primarily on combining the two together in order to create a more perfect field. Unfortunately, he went over the budget with many of his projects and was unable to pay back in time to avoid going bankrupt. This was worsened when virtually all of his experiments failed and those that succeeded were pathetically lacking in sentience and usefulness to the Republic," Laertes explained.

When Maul said nothing, Laertes continued with Archimedes' sad story. "Since then, he has been working for the highest bidder in providing weapons of war that are somewhat crude but have proven quite effective. He's also created primitive types of super soldiers were almost as effective as the inanimate weapons he has created for both myself and the rebellion. Archimedes has no permanent ties to any one side but he is the most likely to know of any important rebel posts, it would be him since he despises not bringing his creations to the location they are to be delivered to if he can help it," he concluded.

"When are you expecting to see him again?" Maul asked. "You're in luck, I'm due to see him tomorrow. He has apparently created something I may be interested in and perhaps while discussing what he's brought, you can sneak on his ship and wait until you have him alone. Having him help you find a rebel outpost should not be difficult from that point due to the fact that a single threat usually makes him talk very easily," Laertes answered.

"You sound as though you aren't worried about my departure," Maul stated. "On the contrary, I'm actually somewhat ecstatic because despite how long it may take for you to report anything to me you will have more in-depth information than any of my best spies could possibly hope to achieve. Besides, a Jedi Knight named Darius Othone is coming to protect me in your stead if that does not somehow hinder your plans for the rebellion," Laertes replied. "No it does not hinder my plans in any way unless the Jedi decides to investigate the possibility you have an ear on the inside," Maul said.

"Then be ready to infiltrate Archimedes' ship tomorrow afternoon, it'll be then or never while we discuss what he has brought and any price he may have in mind for it," Laertes ordered. Maul nodded and asked for a room to have in the Palace so that he could stay close until Archimedes arrived. He even added that he had already torn down his portable hut and packed up all of his supplies for this. "I'll arrange for my maidens to prepare you with the accommodations you will need for your stay, I will even be generous and order nothing but the best from all who accommodate you tonight," Laertes said, accepting his humble request.

"One question though: when is the Jedi due to arrive?" Maul asked. Laertes' skin paled as he realized he had forgotten about that matter. "Unfortunately, I heard he was due to arrive within the hour. Would like me to send all food and other services into your room so you don't risk revealing yourself?" Laertes asked.

Maul nodded violently and Laertes stepped on making the arrangements needed to accommodate Maul during his stay in the Palace. The bother was double for Laertes as he would also need to accommodate the Jedi Master while he stayed on Nyx for the duration of his stay in Laertes' domain. A room was immediately spared for both Jedi and Sith with Maul's being one room above where Darius would be staying while on Nyx. Laertes was only calmed when Maul settled in and he had everything ready before going to meet Darius in person as was customary on his planet.

When Darius arrived on planet Nyx, he immediately sensed something strange about Laertes. Whether it was a paranoid fear born out of the attempts on his life or something else was beyond him but the old man had been alive long enough to know that sometimes, it was best not to inquire as to the reasons for someone's fear. That or accept that perhaps it was his first time meeting a Jedi personally and he was just overwhelmed by the idea of a Master staying in his home. "Greeting Master Othone, it is an honor to receive a prestigious Jedi Master into our humble keeping," Laertes greeted.

"It is an honor to serve and protect you until the source of the rebellion has been found and stopped. Have necessary accommodations been made for my stay?" Othone asked. "Yes, we prepared a room for you and forgive me if some of it seems sloppy. We forgot we were expecting you until just an hour ago when one of my servants reminded me," Laertes answered.

"I will take anything over having to sit another moment on the seats of a Republic cruiser for as long as possible," Othone replied. Laertes smiled and guided the Jedi to his destination where Othone would immediately make himself at home. "Oh Master Othone, I have a business transaction to make tomorrow and the man I'm dealing with is known to have dealt with rebels before. Would you care to provide me with some protection in case he has soldiers with him?" Laertes requested.

Othone nodded, knowing it would give him a chance to start his quest in investigating the cause of the rebellion. When guided to his room, Othone figured he could start his meditations early so that he could be up in time to meet with Laertes for this business of his. Immediately, he sensed a dark void in the room above him that reminded him immediately of the carnage on Heraklion. Could this be a sign of the presence of Ozymandias' murderer but if so, why would he or she be here at any rate? He would have to go up to the room and see for himself if that was even remotely possible. Maybe this one would also know about the fate of Ophelia

Maul had sensed the overwhelming presence of the Light side of the Force and immediately deduced that Darius Othone had arrived. He really wished his master had taught him how to shield his presence from the Jedi but he would have to improvise without the knowledge to aid him. Curious, Othone decided to investigate and see if he could track down the assassin before he could do any more harm than he had already done. It could be possible that he could put an end to his investigation before he even had to begin it.

Maul sensed the presence of Othone as he moved toward him and knew that unless he did something, he would soon be discovered. He decided to settle for moving into the ventilation system and hope that the Jedi would think he was mislead in his sensing of Maul's aura. Climbing quickly, he saw that he had made that move just in time for Othone knock on his door and ask if anyone resided in his room. Maul did not respond and knew that if he remained hidden (much as he hated doing that) would not risk compromising the mission.

He had to remind himself that he was only here to protect Laertes until Sidious recalled him and he reported the truth behind the rumors of Coriolanus' survival. Good thing was that Maul had seen fit to request a comlink from Laertes so that they could communicate during his undercover operations in the rebellion. However, that was going to prove a hindrance should Laertes decide to call him while he was hiding from Othone. His heart was pumping and he truly hoped that Laertes didn't decide to bother him now and reveal him to the Jedi but luckily, he did not have to worry about that since Darius left after a few knocks on the door.

"Can I help you, Master Jedi?" Laertes asked politely. "I thought I sensed a life-form up here, does anyone occupy this space in your Palace?" Darius replied. "Oh no, no one's been in there for years, not since the days of my father," Laertes said. Not until Maul arrived that is, it used to be my mother's room whenever father was away in battle or negotiating a truce with a rival Laertes said to himself but not out loud.

"Something troubles you, what is it?" Darius inquired. "That used to be my deceased mother's room whenever my father was away from home," Laertes explained out of necessity. "I am so sorry, I have not known what it was like to have a family since I was less than ten years old and now I am seventy-six years old as of last month," Darius replied sympathetically. Laertes led him away, thanked him for his words, but could not shake off the feeling that the Jedi was still suspicious of Maul's presence in his Palace.

"Who is the man you spoke of about the business you had?" Darius Othone asked. "I don't think you want to know just yet," Laertes answered. Othone insisted and Laertes revealed he was associating with Doctor Archimedes himself. "Because he is associated with you, I will let him get away with the crimes that have made him a fugitive for now but finish this business and make sure he understands that the next time he contacts you, he will be brought back to trial on Coruscant," Darius warned.

"Believe me, I intend to be done with him after this. As it is, I have very few associations with him," Laertes replied calmly. That was one point where for once, he could agree with the Jedi without worrying for Maul. After all, if he could get into their base, Maul may be Laertes' only chance of undoing them Sith Lord or not.