10.
Darth Rasur studied the image of the Emperor before a beeping from his chair interrupted him. Turning the holocron off, he pressed a switch, and the image of the Emperor was replaced by Krell.
The soldier stood holding his helmet, the fire in his eyes all too visible, even in the hologram. "We're leaving now. All troops ready for the assault."
"Two days ahead of our schedule," Rasur said as he watched him.
Krell's eyes narrowed. "Don't worry, Lord Rasur. I've been waiting a long time for this, and I don't intend to fail."
Rasur noticed immediately that Krell didn't end his sentence with, 'you.' The mission was much more than simply an assignment he was ordered to perform. "Just make sure you focus on your objective."
"Oh, I'm focusing on my objective," Krell said with contempt in his voice. "I've been focusing on it for the past few years, and I'll be focusing on my objective when I drop a great big bomb on its ugly head."
"Good," Rasur replied. "The troops you sent me are also ready. With the Senate and Jedi crushed, the rest will think twice about their alliance, so be ready." This time it was Rasur who narrowed his eyes. "I don't want that treaty signed."
"It won't be," Krell promised, "not over my dead body. I've been waiting a long time for this."
Deactivating Krell's image, Darth Rasur turned his chair to look at the trophies he collected over the years, his eyes stopping on the lightwhip and the Bryar pistol displayed on the wall.
"We both have."