Sith Machinations Part 1

While in his ship Darth Cadnus continued to meditate on the Darkside of the force, using his mind's eye to peer into the corridors of the Kaminoan facility, all the while making sure not to make his presence known to the Jedi Master stationed there. While searching through the force he found the surveillance room with seven clone troopers staring into monitors, one of which showed a view of the landing pad. To the troopers' horror, they were lifted off of the ground by an invisible force, instinctively grasping their necks for air. A loud snapping sound was made before their lifeless bodies fell back down on the floor.

After about ten minutes of focused meditation, Cadnus got up, walked over to the ships armory locker and strapped onto his waist: his lightsaber, his shield generator, and a stealth generator. Cadnus hated using stealth generators, as he felt that hiding one's presence was cowardly and unbecoming of a Sith warrior, however, at the same time, he couldn't deny its usefulness. Upon activating the stealth generator the large crimson-clad warrior appeared to vanish into thin air.

A door appeared to open from the sky as Darth Cadnus walked out of his ship. Ordinarily such a sight would have caused alarm; however, there was no one left in the surveillance room to observe the phenomena. There were no troopers stationed at the landing pad either. This was primarily due to the Republic's over confidence in protecting their facility with a blockade of ships, a pride which made the Kaminoan cloning facility unprepared for Cadnus. He proceeded to enter the facility unimpeded, moving like a predator stalking its prey.

Once inside, Darth Cadnus stealthily made his way to the communication center of the complex, having had years of prior combat experience he knew that this was the first target he needed to hit. From the perspective of the five clone troopers stationed in the communication room, the door appeared to open and close on its own. The atmosphere felt heavy as a large warrior in red immediately appeared before them, lightsaber ignited. The clone troopers were cut down in an instant, their bodies hitting the floor before they could even make a sound. Darth Cadnus looked at the fallen bodies with disappointment, as he had hoped that they would put up more of a fight. With lightsaber ignited he began to destroy all of the controls and equipment in the room, ensuring that no one would be able to communicate with the fleet. After deactivating his saber he reactivated his stealth generator, becoming a shadow once again.

Meanwhile, in the training center of the facility, Jedi Master Shaak Ti was overseeing the training of new clone troopers. Her observance of the clones' training was interrupted by a security lockdown and the ping of her holo-communicator, upon answering a miniaturized blue visage of clone commander CC-2187 appeared.

CC-2187: General, we have a problem. Roughly five minutes ago we lost communication with the fleet when I entered the communication room to investigate I found that the equipment was destroyed and my brethren were slain by a lightsaber. I ordered a security lockdown immediately and contacted you as soon as I could.

Master Shaak Ti was silent for a moment, taking all this information in, her mind racing to figure out how a Sith lord was able to get passed the Republic fleet and reach the communication room unnoticed.

Master Shaak Ti: You did well to order the lockdown and notify me as soon as possible. Send reinforcements to guard the data, training, and control center. Meet me at the data center. I have a feeling that this will be our Sith Lord's next target.

CC-2187: Yes general, right away sir.

Meanwhile on the capital ship orbiting Kamino

Communications officer CT-1957: Fleet admiral Yakovich, we have a problem. Roughly five minutes ago we have lost communication with Kamino. I've checked our systems and confirmed that the problem isn't on our end.

Admiral Yakovich thought for a moment before answering, on one hand, this sudden loss of communication could mean nothing or it could mean everything.

Admiral Yakovich: Send a small unit of troopers and technicians to investigate and assist in any repairs.

CT-1957: Right away sir.

Back on the Surface

Master Shaak Ti's battle intuition was accurate, for at this very moment Darth Cadnus reached the data center of the facility. The door was locked due to the security lockdown ordered by Shaak Ti; however, a locked door was of little concern to Darth Cadnus, who bypassed the security lock by manipulating the circuits of the door with the force.

What he found in the data center surprised him, standing before him was a gray skinned Rattataki woman, who appeared to be very seductive and athletic. Darth Cadnus easily recognized this woman as a Sith, he also observed that in her hands was a data chip. There was little doubt in his mind that the data chip contained the information that he sought for, information which would enable one to duplicate the Kaminoan cloning process. Darth Cadnus deactivated his stealth generator and ignited his lightsaber.

From the perspective of Asajj Ventress the door appeared to open and close on its own regardless of the recent security lockdown. This strange phenomenon made Asajj reach for her two iconic curved hilt lightsabers in suspicion. She jumped back and ignited her lightsabers in surprise when a crimson-clad Sith warrior appeared before her, crimson blade ignited at his side.

Asajj Ventress: I do not recognize you Sith. Who are you and who do you serve?

The masked stranger only responded morosely by saying.

Darth Cadnus: Who I am and who I serve is unimportant to someone who is about to be dead.

As soon as Darth Cadnus finished saying his sentence Asajj launched an all-out attack, the speed and dexterity of which caught Darth Cadnus off guard and put him on the defensive. Darth Cadnus was blocking Ventress' only escape, making her fight as desperately as a cornered animal. The Darth's eyes glowed red as his focus in the Darkside strengthened. He quickly regained his composure and utilized his mastery of Soresu to deflect the multiple attacks from different angles. Seconds felt like minutes as the two Sith dueled, in that time Darth Cadnus was able to observe his opponents fighting style closely. Cadnus was able to recognize her technique as Makashi, a rare lightsaber style practiced by few Sith and Jedi, a style which Darth Cadnus only had a basic understanding of himself. Her unique style was not without its flaws, however. Darth Cadnus observed that her strikes, while fast and precise, lacked the necessary strength to overcome his defenses, she was over-reliant on her two blades in combat, and her force and blade defenses were largely lacking. It was obvious to Cadnus that this Sith needed a proper master, one who can fix her weaknesses and forge her into a powerful weapon.

After familiarizing himself with her style, Cadnus was able to easily turn the fight against Ventress. He first opened her defenses with heavy Djem So cleaves and pressed on with an attack of his own incorporating Ataru and Juyo. The strength, speed, power, and accuracy of which knocked a lightsaber blade out of her hand. Using all of her focus to protect herself with one blade Ventress left her force defenses completely open, enabling Cadnus to claim the victory by force pushing her against a wall and holding her in stasis with the force.

Darth Cadnus: You are strong but you can be stronger. I am going to give you a choice. You can die here as an insignificant apprentice to a Sith lord who will also be defeated by my hand or you can swear your allegiance to me and become part of a glorious undertaking. I will show you the path to true power, a power which will make you unstoppable.

The choice before Ventress was obvious; she had everything to lose by refusing and everything to gain by accepting. Darth Cadnus released the Sith from stasis to give her response. She bowed before him saying.

Asajj Ventress: From this day forth I swear my allegiance to you, master.

Darth Cadnus: Very well. As your new master, it is only fitting that you should know my name and my purpose. My full title is Darth Cadnus Malevolen, I am a Sith lord from the Old Republic Era, my master and I have traveled to this time to re-establish the Sith Empire and conquer the galaxy. What is your name apprentice and who did you serve before me?

Asajj Ventress: I am Asajj Ventress, my lord, before you I served under Count Dooku, named Darth Tyrannous, of the Separatist Alliance, but from this day on I am yours to command. I also understand that you were looking for this.

Asajj Ventress handed Darth Cadnus the data chip containing all the information needed to duplicate the Kaminoan cloning technology and techniques. Darth Cadnus placed the chip in his utility belt and appeared to be deep in thought.

There was something about taking on Asajj Ventress as an apprentice which reminded the Darth about Jaesa Wilsaam, his former apprentice and wife from the Old Republic Era who died when the Republic attacked Darth Nox's throne room. He remembered the fond memories he had with her as well as the guilt, pain, and anger which followed from her death. As much as he hated the Republic, he also blamed himself for Jaesa's death, as he tended to ease up on her training when they married, seeing her as his wife more than his apprentice. As he looked at Asajj Ventress he realized that this was his second chance to make things right with Jaesa, to give his new apprentice the proper training that he should have given her. He quickly regained his focus as the reality of their current situation hit him.

Darth Cadnus: Apprentice, I wish to destroy this facility. I was originally planning on using my cybernetic implants to hack into the systems from the control center and activate the self-destruct sequence, but that may be difficult with a Jedi Master and half the facility looking for me. Can you activate the self-destruct sequence if you were able to reach the control center?

Asajj Ventress: I am very familiar with this facility and its' systems my lord. If I can make it to the bridge I should be able to get passed their computer security as I did here and initiate a self-destruct sequence.

Darth Cadnus: We must act quickly, as squads of Republic soldiers will be here any moment. Take my stealth generator and use it to sneak into the command center of this base. Destroy any opposition you find there and set a five-minute self-destruct timer. Once you have done this head immediately for the main landing pad, I have a cloaked ship there waiting for us. You will not need to worry about the Jedi Master stationed here I will keep her occupied.

Asajj Ventress: I understand master.

Upon activating the stealth generator Ventress became as transparent as the wind.

As Darth Cadnus left the data center he encountered a squad of ten Republic clone troopers followed by a Togruta Jedi master. The troopers lined up side by side forming a wall of rapid fire assault cannons pointed directly at the Sith lord.

Master Shaak Ti: You must be one of the three Sith who attacked the Jedi temple on Coruscant, you are foolish to think that you can escape this facility. Surrender, there is nowhere for you to run and you cannot defeat us.

Darth Cadnus' eyes began glowing red with killing intent and power, a sight which began to instill fear upon all who looked upon it.

Darth Cadnus: You are the one who is foolish Jedi, foolish to believe that you can survive an encounter with a Sith like me.

Darth Cadnus gave an ear shattering roar as he charged the troopers and the Jedi Master with inhuman levels of speed and primal savagery. A total of twelve hundred blaster bolts were fired by the clone troopers during the one second it took Cadnus to reach their position, not one blaster bolt hit him as he expertly dodged, deflected, and absorbed every shot through his shields, armor, or tutaminis. It took but an instant to strike the elite commandos down before the dark lord continued his charge at Jedi Master Shaak Ti.

Shaak Ti's mind was racing with thoughts of dout and despair the instant before the Sith engaged her in combat.

Shaak Ti's thoughts: To handle so many blaster bolts at once, I'm not even sure if Battlemaster Cin Drallig, Master Mace Windu or Grandmaster Yoda would be capable of such a feat. Is this the power of the ancient Jedi and Sith? Is this what the force is truly capable of?

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by Darth Cadnus' ferocious Ataru and Juyo attacks. There was no time for her to think about her next move or to even perceive her blade clashing with his. At this speed, there was only the force to guide her moves. Never before did she face such a powerful opponent, an opponent who tested the limits of her skill and connection with the force. As powerful as her opponent was she sensed that he was still holding back, studying her technique before completely unleashing his full potential.

Darth Cadnus was surprised that the Jedi Master was surviving as long as she was, most of the time Jedi and Sith he faced would fall quickly to his superior speed, strength, and skill. His focus shifted from offense to defense as he began observing his opponent's technique, it was a blend of Makashi and Ataru, a blend which enabled his opponent to dodge his strikes and counter with unique Makashi angles. In many ways this Jedi Master's technique was a more developed version of Asajj Ventress'; however, this also meant that Darth Cadnus knew how to overcome her style. After regaining control of the fight through his mastery of Djem So he started another devastating assault with Juyo and Ataru, this time the Jedi Master was overcome by the strength and speed of his blows and was quickly defeated. As he watched the Jedi's body fall to the floor he thought to himself.

Darth Cadnus' thoughts: This fight shouldn't have been that difficult. It looks like I still need to master Makashi to become truly formidable.

Darth Cadnus' thoughts were interrupted by the announcement that the facilities self-destruct sequence was initiated, giving the Sith five minutes to make it to his ship and leave Kamino.

Outside of the facility, the Republic reinforcements had just arrived, when their ship tried to land they encountered a most peculiar phenomenon. Instead of landing on the pad they somehow managed to land on 'thin air', the collision of metal on metal gave the phenomenon away as a cloaked vessel. The Republic drop ship reported back to the fleet before destroying the peculiar vessel and landing in its place. The Republic reinforcements then reached the main entrance which had a durasteel barrier; a standard protocol during the lockdown to prevent intruders from leaving with important information, unfortunately, this lockdown also kept reinforcements out, a dire situation when the self-destruct sequence is activated and an emergency evacuation is a precedent.

CT-1959: Is there any way we can bust through it this barrier sir? I have charges here.

CC-1994: Are you kidding? The only thing that can get passed these blast doors is a lightsaber.

Almost on cue, a red lightsaber blade punctured through the blast doors of the facility, alerting the twenty trooper reinforcements of the Sith's presence.

CC-1994: Ready your weapons men. We are about to have company.

A heavy piece of durasteel flew past the troopers as the crimson lightsaber finished cutting a rudimentary doorway. Standing before them was a Juggernaut of the force, eyes glowing red and broadcasting their doom. Rather than cutting the troopers down in an instant Darth Cadnus chose to leisurely walk toward the Republic ship, essentially playing with them until his newly minted apprentice arrives. The troopers fired their weapons at the foreboding entity, only to have their blasts returned back to them with fatal accuracy. CT-1959 and CC-1994 threw grenades at him only to watch the grenades stop in mid air and fly back to their casters. There was no weapon or action that the troopers could perform which would slow or stop his advance. It was as though the Sith was the embodiment of death itself, his pace had the regularity of time and his saber was his scythe. Just when Cadnus was about to strike down the last of the troopers, two red lightsaber blades appeared from thin air and cut the soldier in half.

Asajj Ventress: Mind if I cut in?

Darth Cadnus looked at the fallen man disappointed, as he was hoping to have the final kill. He glared at Asajj Ventress in a half serious half joking manner and said.

Darth Cadnus: Apprentice, you stole my kill!

Asajj Ventress: There will always be more. Shall we get going?

Master and apprentice boarded the Republic drop ship, taking off and exiting the planet's atmosphere before the facility below exploded. Asajj Ventress looked at her new master, his body language indicating that there was something wrong.

Asajj Ventress: Is there something wrong my lord?

Darth Cadnus: I'm just angry that those troopers destroyed my ship and you stole my kill. A Republic drop ship is hardly becoming of a Sith Lord.

Ventress gestured to the capital ship of the Republic dreadnaught fleet guarding Kamino.

Asajj Ventress: I think I found something that might cheer you up my lord.

Darth Cadnus: Apprentice, you don't mean?

Asajj Ventress: Yes.

The Darth's body language changed to reveal a sense of pleasure.

Darth Cadnus: Apprentice, you're a genius.

Asajj Ventress: I know.

The Sith's conversation was rudely interrupted by a transmission ping from the capital ship.

Darth Cadnus: I'll answer it; just need to remove my helmet so I may speak in a more natural voice.

Asajj Ventress was in anticipation to see her master's face for the first time. Questions began rushing through her head, is he young, old, handsome, or ugly?

When Darth Cadnus removed his helmet she saw that her master was a 30-year-old man who had a powerful jawline which was reinforced and decorated by cybernetic implants. His right eye was cybernetic and glowed red in a mechanical fashion and his biological left eye glowed red with the dark side of the force. His ears also had implants in them to enhance his hearing. He had a large claw mark on the left side of his face and his skin was an olive brown, his hair was a dark brown and combed back in a smooth manner. Altogether the Sith lord was a curious mix of handsome and intimidating, man and machine.

As Darth Cadnus opened the channel he was greeted by communications officer CT-1957.

CT-1957: This is Republic dreadnaught Andromodas to Republic drop ship Esseles. What happened down there? Last we heard you encountered a cloaked ship in the landing bay and now the entire Republic has just been informed that the Kaminoan cloning facility has been destroyed.

Darth Cadnus' cybernetic implants analyzed the voice pattern of the clone trooper and enabled him to change his voice to sound like a perfect copy. This surprised Asajj Ventress who was initially concerned that the Republic would recognize his unique Sith like voice.

Darth Cadnus: This is Republic drop ship reporting in sir. It was awful, both a security lockdown and the self-destruct sequence was initiated. We were helpless to help our fellow men as a Sith saboteur destroyed the facility from the inside. Shortly after landing the Sith began cutting his way past the durasteel barrier, we barely had enough time to escape the Sith and the subsequent destruction.

A moment of silence passed as the communication officer heard the terrible news.

CT-1957: Drop ship Esseles you are cleared to land in docking bay five, be advised that when you land we will soon be accompanying heavy cruiser Aventador back to Coruscant while Cruiser Narvana will search the wreckage for any survivors.

Darth Cadnus: Understood sir. I'll see you back on the ship.

Darth Cadnus then closed the channel.

Asajj Ventress: Aren't you just full of surprises. I must admit that I am impressed by those cybernetic enhancements of yours. Tell me, do they allow you to duplicate anyone's voice?

Darth Cadnus decided to respond with his apprentice's voice which created a cognitive dissonance between his voice and his body.

Darth Cadnus (Asajj's voice): What do you think?

Asajj Ventress: I think I liked your voice the other way, hearing my voice twice makes me think there is an echo.

Both master and apprentice let out a laugh as they flew closer to the capital ship.

Darth Cadnus: It won't be too long until we land so we might as well get ready now. My plan is straightforward; you will activate your stealth generator and sneak into the command deck, once there you will take over the bridge. I, on the other hand, will create a distraction for you as I single-handedly dismember the rest of the crew.

Asajj Ventress: In the little time I've come to know you master I've found your plans to be anything but complicated.

Darth Cadnus let out a low growl at his apprentice's comment.

Darth Cadnus: Have you always been so smart mouthed with your masters?

Asajj Ventress: I'm afraid I have my enemies Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Knight Anakin Skywalker to thank for that my lord. I have been exchanging verbal jabs with them ever since we crossed blades. I also feel more comfortable with you master, you are the only Sith that I've encountered that can take a joke and crack a smile, and while you protest my teasing you don't threaten to kill or torture me for it.

Darth Cadnus: I do not kill or torture apprentices that tease me in private; if I did I wouldn't have married my last apprentice or kept my Twi'lek slave. My current master, Darth Nox, also has a habit of teasing me, I guess over time I just got used to it. Just keep in mind that for every playful jab you throw at me ten more will be returned to you and if teasing isn't enough to satisfy my thirst for vengeance I will have to take my anger out on you through your training.

A sarcastic gulp fell down Ventress' throat at the thought of her master's 'vengeance' being enacted upon her.

Darth Cadnus: This little master-apprentice conversation will have to continue at another time, we are just entering starship Andromodas' landing bay.

Darth Cadnus put on his helmet and Ventress activated her stealth belt as the ship landed. In the landing bay, an escort of five clone troopers came to meet the occupants of the ship. What the troopers found as the shuttle doors opened surprised them, in place of their fellow brothers in arms stood a menacing Sith Lord with a crimson lightsaber ignited at his side. The escort observing this sight had no time to react, as the blade flew out and struck down the five troopers at a distance before returning to its master. A security alert was initiated immediately by another trooper in the landing bay, the doors shut immediately, trapping Darth Cadnus.

On the bridge, Admiral Yakovich was listening to a clone trooper's frantic report that a Sith had infiltrated the landing bay. Screams of pain and fear threatened to drown out the young trooper's words as his fellow men were being ruthlessly slaughtered over the com. It was not long until his voice as well was among the many that were silenced.

Admiral Yakovich: We must stop this Sith from taking over the ship! Open the airlock doors to landing bay five have our visitor get sucked into space.

The ship rocked a little from the power of the force as a loud noise of twisting metal could be heard from landing bay five all the way to the bridge of the ship.

Admiral Yakovich: What was that?

The ship security commander received a notification on the ship's readout.

CC-6967: Sir, it was the security doors to landing bay five, they, they've been torn apart, sir.

Admiral Yakovich: What? How could that be, those doors were made of solid durasteel, not even a rancor could burst through them, and yet this Sith was able to bend the metal back like a curtain!? Send the order to abandon ship; we can't fight against a monster like that. Computer, initiate a five-minute self-destruct sequence, authorization code pattern omega…

Asajj Ventress (while stealthed): I wouldn't do that Admiral.

Admiral Yakovich: Ventress, what kind of Sith sorcery is this? I can hear your voice but I can't see you.

Ventress immediately struck down the stunned admiral before he could utter another word. Other bridge officers tried to escape only to find the door automatically close on its own trapping them in. The unarmed officers were frantic as they were quickly struck down by Ventress' superior speed and skill. "I've aided in the destruction of the Kamino cloning facility and now I am assisting my master in conquering a battleship, I'm on a role today." Ventress walked over to the navigation center of the ship and set coordinates for the Separatists Alliance capital world before engaging the hyper-drive. Confusion followed from the commanders of the other Republic warships as their capital ship immediately jumped to hyperspace without notice.

Commander Yamahara of the Aventador: Communications, notify the Republic that on this infamous day of losing Kamino we have also lost one of our prize flagships, the Andromodas, to the Separatist Alliance.

It didn't take long for Darth Cadnus to secure the ship from all Republic hostiles, the Andromodas was theirs.

On Coruscant, Darth Nox was meditating privately in her quarters. Simultaneously strengthening her connection to the Darkside through the Sith spirits residing in her while strengthening her ability to hide her true nature from surrounding Jedi. Her meditation had become so convincing that younger Jedi would often ask for tips on meditation as they felt 'a strong connection to the Lightside' while being around her. She often used these opportunities to warp the young impressionable minds, stating that it was her emotions and passions which enabled her to reach deeper in the force and find greater strength.

A light started flickering on her communication console; the message was encrypted and made secure, leaving little doubt in her mind that it was her Wrath. She put on a black cloak and masked her face with it before answering, standard procedure for ominous Sith lords.

Darth Nox: Hello my Wrath. It's been several weeks since we last spoke. I missed you; I trust that you have good news to report?

Nox's tone was almost motherly, not at all what one would expect from a Sith empress and her enforcer. Darth Cadnus hated it when his master acted in such an informal manner, as it completely ruined the mood of being Sith and made it difficult to anticipate her next action. Nox, on the other hand, loved to tease and manipulate Darth Cadnus in this way, as it made her seem more sensitive and caring to her minions.

Darth Cadnus: I bring excellent news master; I've stolen the Kaminoan cloning data, destroyed the cloning facility, taken on a new apprentice, and stole a Republic warship. I plan to use all of this to win the Separatists' favor master.

Darth Nox: I see, perhaps you should tell me again in more detail about your mission.

Darth Cadnus retold Darth Nox the details of his attack from the beginning, while Nox listened closely until he was finished with his story.

Darth Nox: You have been busy Wrath; I am most impressed that you were able to accomplish so much in so little time. However, (Darth Nox began choking her Wrath through the force); you failed to report your plans to me sooner, jeopardizing everything that we have been working for. You are fortunate that you were so successful with your mission, otherwise, I would have killed you right here. While valuable to me, you are not irreplaceable, fail me again in this way and I will be looking for a new Wrath, do I make myself clear!?

The rapid change of her tone from motherly to menacing was unsettling, even for the seemingly invincible and fearless Wrath. Darth Cadnus let out a few coughs before answering.

Darth Cadnus: Yes my Lord, I promise it won't happen again.

Darth Cadnus could feel Nox's anger lift from him as her tone flipped to motherly again.

Darth Nox: I'm glad to hear it. Now that that dreadful business is out of the way why don't we talk about this new apprentice of yours? I would like to meet her.

Darth Cadnus called for Asajj Ventress who appeared before Nox through holo-call.

The image of Darth Nox wasn't at all what she expected; even with the majority of her face hidden by a cloak Ventress could tell that the thirty-year-old woman before her was beautiful. A surprising contrast to the typical Darkside corruption evident in most powerful Sith lords. Complementing the Sith lord's face rested a smile which seemed pleasant and inviting.

Asajj Ventress: Greetings Empress Nox of the Sith, my master has told me much about you.

Darth Nox raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Darth Nox: Really? Good things I hope.

Asajj Ventress: He tells me that you and I share a common passion for teasing him.

Ventress' response made Nox laugh, making Ventress uncertain how to proceed. Darth Nox didn't seem to be anything like Darth Sidious, while unquestionably cunning and evil she also seemed strangely sweet, charming, and comfortable. Ventress realized that Darth Nox was a true artist, with words and emotions being her medium of choice. Regardless of this revelation, Ventress was hooked, she grew to like Nox in the short time of meeting her, and found that she would gladly pledge her life and service to this cunning and powerful Sith. Ventress' feelings for Nox left her marveling at how easily this Sith lord was able to charm and manipulate her compatriots.

Darth Nox had just finished laughing when she said.

Darth Nox: An apprentice after my own heart. Like always, you've picked a good one Wrath. On a more serious note, do you swear your allegiance to Darth Cadnus and by extension to me?

Asajj Ventress: Yes my lord.

Darth Nox: Then from this day forth your two fates are connected. You are responsible for your master's actions and your master is responsible for yours. Punishment applied by me would be inflicted to both. Do I make myself clear?

Asajj Ventress: Yes my lord.

Darth Nox's tone shifted to that of a motherly figure as she addressed Ventress again.

Darth Nox: Just between us, you don't know what you're getting yourself into. My Wrath while being very powerful tends to be impulsive, look after him for me, would you?

Asajj Ventress: I will try my best my lord, I only hope that you haven't given me an impossible mission.

Darth Nox: As do I. It will probably be several weeks before we establish contact again so here are my instructions. If you haven't already, copy the data you stole from Kamino and transmit the data to me, I may be able to find a use for it. Continue on your course for the Separatist Alliance and garner their support. Darth Cadnus, do not leave until they make you a general of their forces and use you as a genetic template for their clone army. Asajj Ventress, I want you to return to Count Dooku, you will serve as our spy. If he asks questions about what happened on Kamino tell him that the facility was destroyed by a third party before you arrived. Continue to keep me informed about any significant plans you are going to enact and I will give you further instructions, until later.

Darth Nox closed her private holo-channel and put away her black robe, she regretted having to hide her darker nature, literally becoming a closet Sith. With nothing else to do the disguised Sith lord decided to continue her meditation of the force, only to have her efforts interrupted a minute later by her door bell.

The Sith lord grumbled a little before answering the door.

Darth Nox: Oh, what is it now? Can't a 'Jedi' get some meditation in?

She opened the door to her quarters to find Master Mace Windu.

Master Mace Windu: Master Yodette, your presence is needed on the Jedi Council, a terrible incident has occurred on Kamino.

Darth Nox privately thought to herself as she walked with Mace Windu to the Jedi Council room.

Darth Nox's thoughts: It was fortunate that I was appointed as a member of the Jedi Council when Masters Kit Fisto and Plo Koon were 'tragically' killed. Between the war and additional Sith involved in this conflict, these Jedi have become desperate enough to trust anyone, a weakness which I will continue to exploit to my fullest advantage.

Darth Nox's thoughts came to a close as they entered the council room of the temple, it appeared that 'Master Yodette' was among the last to enter the conference room.

Yoda: Master Yodette, a pleasure it is to see you again. A shame, it is, that we are meeting under such dire circumstances, please take a seat.

'Master Yodette' took a seat in Master Kit Fisto's place and the meeting officially started. Excluding the recently departed Master Shaak Ti there were eleven of the twelve council members present. In place of Jedi Master Plo Koon sat Master Luminara Unduli, a Mirialian Jedi who proved herself worthy of the council during her valiant effort against 'Darth Nox'. Darth Nox typically found these Jedi meetings boring but today she was fully engaged. All that the Republic knew was that a Sith used a stealth ship to fly past the blockade and managed to infiltrate the Kaminoan cloning facility. Communications with the fleet was cut off alerting the guarding fleet that there was something wrong. A security lockdown was initiated when the Sith's presence was discovered and the Sith somehow managed to initiate the self-destruct sequence before escaping in the Republic drop ship that was sent for reinforcements. After landing in the Andromodas landing bay the Sith then slaughtered the onboard crew, took over the ship, and engaged the hyperdrive. It appeared that her Wrath was more talented than she originally thought, as there was very little evidence to indicate who attacked the facility, a most surprising outcome given her Wrath's brutal and often excessive methods.

A mental dialogue started in Nox's mind between her sense of Sith duty and feelings of sentiment.

Darth Nox's sentiment: Hearing the report of the attack from the perspective of the Republic has given me some new found respect for my Wrath, I hope I wasn't too harsh on him.

Darth Nox's sense of Sith duty: What am I talking about? I am his empress and he is my Wrath, it is unbecoming of a Sith lord to show such sentimental weakness. He is my tool to use as I see fit, punishing him served him right for making me worry about him, for endangering the plans that I have set in motion. Do not grow attached to your subordinates Nox! Attachments lead to disappointments, remember how you felt regarding your failed Jedi turned Apprentice Ashara Zavros?

Darth Nox's sentiment: Ashara Zavros was a useful idiot, a means to the end of corrupting the Jedi of my era. What I hadn't counted on was her unwillingness to fully embrace the Darkside of the force. In the end, she was a failed experiment, a quasi-Jedi and Sith. Darth Cadnus is different; I already have his un-denying loyalty and he is far more powerful than that Jedi Padawan ever was. It's true I was worried about him but why? Is it because I am his Master or is there something more? Am I developing feelings for my Wrath? What if the motherly persona that I've been using to manipulate his emotions has been manipulating mine instead? If I care nothing for my Wrath, why am I even having this mental debate?

Nox's thoughts ultimately came to the conclusion that she does care for the well-being of her Wrath, both as his Sith master and friend.

Mace Windu: Master Yodette, is there something on your mind?

Darth Nox had to think of something quick to tell the council whose eyes and ears were all focused on her.

Darth Nox: I have been thinking about whom this Sith attacker might be. To my knowledge, neither the Republic nor Separatists have rediscovered the secret of making a ship invisible, this logically leaves only one group of Sith that would have the means to pull off such a devastating attack, Darth Nox, her apprentice, and Wrath.

Master Ki Adi Mundi: That is the most likely possibility.

Master Mace Windu: This is most troublesome; we had originally chosen to keep the presence of these new Sith lords a secret until we had successfully captured them. We even kept your presence a secret, Master Yodette, to avoid any questions. When news about this incident reaches the public, it will start a panic.

Darth Nox: I suggest that we claim ignorance with regard to these new Sith. Telling the public that we willfully hid information from them will only cause division among the Republic.

Master Mace Windu: An unfortunate action, however, I fear it is a necessary one. We must defend the peace and hold the Republic together, what are your thoughts on this Master Yoda?

Master Yoda: A dark time this is when keepers of truth need to lie to maintain peace. Dictated by our fear, our actions must not be. Much fear I sense in this council, fear that we will lose the Republic, fear that we will lose this war, and fear that the Jedi Order will be destroyed. Remind you, I should not, that fear is the path to the Darkside. Certain we should be, that the actions we take are actions which we feel are right. Sacrificed the trust of the people we did, when we decided to choose safety and peace of mind over truth. Repeat the same mistake, I will not.

Darth Nox's thoughts: Why must this Jedi troll always continue to interfere with my plans? Corrupting these Jedi would have been far easier for me without this sage grandmaster keeping the council on the straight and narrow.

Darth Nox: Perhaps we should take this decision to a vote.

Fortunately for Darth Nox, the council's judgment remained unmoved by Grandmaster Yoda's words as the majority voted in favor of feigning ignorance of the new Sith, all in the name of protecting the best interests of the Republic.

The meeting came to a close with an announcement that key members of the Jedi Council, which included 'Master Yodette', would be meeting Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in an hour to discuss the current war situation.

Darth Nox took the time to rest in her quarters before heading out again to meet the Chancellor. While talented with words, Nox disliked the general boredom of sitting in chairs and talking for great amounts of time.

Darth Nox started to laugh at her own circumstance.

Darth Nox's thoughts: For someone who hates sitting I certainly have been put in positions which require much of it, first I sat as a member of the Dark Council, then as an Empress in her own throne room, and now as a member of the Jedi Council. I can honestly say that I haven't pictured myself sitting among the Jedi like I am now, though. I am a little envious of my Wrath; he gets to see all of the action while I'm stuck in this stuffy temple, even a prison would have more excitement.

Meanwhile on the Republic battleship Andromodas:

Asajj Ventress: Master, I've been meaning to ask you. What do you think of Darth Nox? I found her to be strangely pleasant for a Sith lord.

Darth Cadnus: I know what you mean; I myself have also found it difficult to resist her charm. I would caution you as I do myself to not be so easily fooled by her pleasant exterior. If you look beyond the façade that she creates you will find a powerful, cunning, and ruthless Sith lord, a Sith lord who commands our respect, admiration, and loyalty.

Asajj Ventress: What is your relationship to Darth Nox and why do you serve her?

Darth Cadnus: My relationship with Darth Nox is like that of a sword and its wielder. I am a Warrior, fighting is what I do best, I live for the fight and will one day die on the battlefield. Sith like myself have no other ambition but war, without a master to focus and wield my power I become like a weapon without an owner, meaningless. My former master, Darth Baras, was the first to harness my power and ascended to the ranks of the Dark Council as a result. However, he turned against his blade and was soon struck down by it as I became too powerful for him to wield. Emperor Vitiate saw my great power and claimed me as his Wrath; however, he betrayed the Empire that he built and by extension betrayed me. Then one day I met Darth Nox, a loyal and powerful master who is able to wield my strength and command my respect. I will remain as Empress Nox's Wrath until she dies or proves herself unworthy.

Asajj Ventress: It sounds like you have a unique relationship, one built on mutual need and respect. A most peculiar thing to find among the ranks of Sith, my relationship to my former masters Count Dooku and Darth Sidious was built exclusively on my fear of being punished and my desire to kill them.

Darth Cadnus: Fear and anger are useful emotions of the Sith but they should not be used excessively, otherwise their use would be cheapened and their potency would be diminished. Excessive use of these emotions can drive an apprentice away just as easily as it could make one swear their loyalty. Your masters sound foolish for not realizing this. Masters and apprentices need to share a common dream and goal, a passion which drives them both and ensures each other's loyalty. Darth Nox has the vision of conquering the galaxy and re-establishing the Sith Empire, a passion that I share with her. It is through these shared passions that we draw strength, through strength power, through power victory, and through victory our chains are broken, the force shall free us. What is your passion apprentice? What is your dream?

Asajj Ventress: I wish to destroy my enemies: Darth Sidious, Count Dooku, and the Jedi.

Darth Cadnus: And we shall my apprentice, together.