54: The Black Rose.

This was the part she hated—endless waiting for Darth Marr to finish with his Dark Council meeting so she could figure out just what exactly was in store for her now. A seat on the Council? It had been the last thing on her mind though as she browsed her datapad and read up on the Sphere, she couldn't help but feel somewhat intrigued too. Now all she had to do was stay alive and avoid failure.

"I thought we'd never get out of there." Me'ghan laughed.

She, Darth Vowrawn and Darth Marr entered Marr's chambers with Lord Scourge in tow and Eliza quickly got up from the seat she'd been lazing in this entire time.

"I see you're not in cuffs so I take it you've been accepted back into the fold?" Eliza gave Lord Scourge a hopeful look and he nodded.

"He has." Vowrawn confirmed as well and gave a chuckle "Better yet, some believe he was on our side all along and it was the Emperor who purposely sent him with you as a spy."

Darth Marr checked his communications for any messages and motioned for everyone to take a seat "We will present the truth at a later time. For now we can't be certain just how much loyalty the Emperor still has within our Council and a divide would serve no one."

"Ignorance is bliss, for now." Me'ghan concurred.

"There's at least four of us who know the truth, five if we include Beniko. Acina is still rather new but I do believe her to be pragmatic of mind and not bound by the old ways. Hopefully Lord Dionys and Lord Eran will take a similar approach to their role once they're approved for Ancient Knowledge and Biotic Science."

"Which leaves Rictus, Mortis, Aruk and Ravage." Vowrawn concluded "And I know Rictus and Mortis have been growing impatient with the Emperor's absence, they're losing faith in him. Ravage can be a temperamental fool but he has little love for the Emperor so that only leaves Aruk."

"Hmm. I'll meet with him in the coming weeks to ascertain where he stands."

"Is that why you want me on the Council, my Lord? To have an additional voice on your side?" Eliza spoke up as she'd quietly followed their conversation.

"There were no other candidates and you have the right amount of experience for Military Offense, a position far more suited to your capabilities than your grandfather's Sphere ever would be. Furthermore, by keeping you away from Philosophy, you'll pose no direct threat to Aruk and if we can avoid losing yet another member of the Council, I'm all for it." Darth Marr explained to her.

"It would be helpful to have you on our side Eliza," Me'ghan smiled her way "sadly enough, you and Lord Scourge know more about the Emperor than most of us do. Save for Vowrawn, perhaps."

"And personally, I'm thrilled to have another charming and beautiful face present during these dreadful meetings. Between yourself and Me'ghan, I suddenly find myself far more incentivized to attend."

A scowl formed on Lord Scourge's face as he glared in Vowrawn's direction while Eliza ignored his comment entirely.

"So how will this work exactly?" she asked Darth Marr.

"You'll be at my side during the next set of meetings to take notes and observe. I'll educate you on the finer workings of Military Offense and once I deem you to be ready, the Council will take a vote. Majority rules."

"And my trial? Me'ghan mentioned something about every Sith having to pass some sort of test."

"They do though rather than send you to Korriban to explore ancient tombs, I'd like you to study the origin of your grandfather's holocron instead and see if you can access its contents."

Suddenly she felt like an idiot. With everything they'd gone through on Rishi and Yavin, she'd completely forgotten about the holocron's existence.

"You do have it, correct?" Darth Marr tried to confirm when he caught the frown on her face.

"I do, yes. I'll get right on that."

"There's no rush. Celebrate tonight, tomorrow we'll get to work."

"Hey" Quinn jumped up from the sofa as soon as Me'ghan, Lord Scourge and Eliza walked in the door and he turned on the holovision "check this out."

'Doola the Hutt, who runs a highly exclusive casino on Nar Shaddaa, has promised twenty million credits for the safe return of his private dancers while vowing to wage war on whoever is responsible for their disappearance.'

'In other news, it would appear that rumors surrounding the Hero of Tython's defection to the Empire were finally verified earlier this evening when one of our reporters spotted her exiting the Citadel in Kaas City. Dressed in traditional black Sith attire, she was accompanied by two Dark Council members who seemed rather friendly with her. Details concerning her sudden change of allegiance still elude us but this is a big blow for the Republic. We reached out to Supreme Chancellor Saresh who had the following to say;'

"She was never a true hero of our Republic but rather a figurehead for our campaigns against the Empire. Much of the accomplishments she was credited with over the years were actually the achievements of her former Padawan, now Master Jedi Kira Carsen, and the endless support our military provided her with. Arielle will not be missed and I feel it important to let you all know the Republic remains as strong and victorious as ever."

'Neither Grandmaster Satele Shan nor Master Kira Carsen could be reached for comments but we'll keep you up to date as this story develops. A false hero, we're as shocked as you are.'

"Ugh." Eliza groaned and turned the holovision off again "Well I suppose that beats 'we're a bunch of lying '. I wonder if Kira's aware of that statement and if she okayed it."

"I doubt it but don't let it bother you. Just be glad you got out of there and you're free of their manipulation." Lord Scourge pointed out.

"Someone should have put a bullet in that deranged woman long ago." Quinn muttered.

"Get in line." Eliza chuckled "Ravage will be so disappointed. He was so sure I'm a puppet. Of course, he may elect not to believe a word of that report or assume it's staged."

"Ah forget him." Me'ghan grinned "Eliza do you have a second? In the kitchen?" she asked next and excused herself again.

Me'ghan shut the door tight behind Eliza and spun around once they were alone "I'm so sorry about that news report, that's not what I expected them to say." she confessed immediately.

"Huh?" a frown formed on Eliza's face "What do you mean?"

"I may have tipped them off about you being here hoping that if they snapped a picture or some footage, Theron would end up seeing it and he'd know you're okay without you having to break your promise to Scourge but I didn't think they—"

Eliza cut her off as she flung her arms around Me'ghan and quietly squealed with joy "Thank you! I would have never thought of that."

"So you're not upset by this?"

"No, it's perfect and I'm sure he'll see it too and then he'll know." a warm feeling settled in her heart and Eliza smiled to herself.

"But him knowing you're okay doesn't put him from your mind, does it?" Me'ghan noticed the look in her eyes.

"No, but I'm sure I'll be able to give it a place now and move on you know?"

Me'ghan nodded with a faint smile but she didn't feel all that convinced "Let's go see if our men would be willing to treat us to dinner at The Black Rose shall we? I'm starving."

"The Black Rose?"

"It's a restaurant with an after-dark club on the top level. The ambiance is a little, risque but the food is the best you'll ever have."

"And you think it's wise to help your friend with this? If he has any sense at all he'll move on because this situation doesn't sound like it's going to end well."

Jonas snaked his arm around the sandy blonde's shoulders "I know Theron, he won't move on while he still has options…" his voice trailed off while he waved a familiar face over "here he is now and don't stress, you can trust him."

"Theron!"

"Hey." Theron sat himself down at their table "Did you see the news? I mean what a load of bantha but at least she's alive."

"That's Saresh for you." Jonas shrugged and then pointed at the woman to his side "This is Charlie, also known as Legate within the SIS and Cipher Nine within Intelligence."

"For now. Beniko's chipping away at the department hardcore, I may be out of a job soon. Nice to meet you Theron." Charlie smiled and extended her hand.

"Ah I forgot she's the Minister of Intelligence now, good to meet you too. So you're the spy who's been providing us with intel for the past few years? I've seen your name on records before."

"Guilty as charged."

Theron nodded "How did that happen and please tell me it's a one way street."

"Oh definitely" Charlie waved his concerns off "Intelligence sent me on a mission years ago to deal with Ardun Kothe but things… well didn't quite go according to plan and when all was said and done, I agreed to start working for Kothe instead and turn the spy game around on the Empire."

She took a sip from her beer and narrowed her eyes on Theron "Now I'm only telling you this because Jonas vouched for you but breathe a word of it to anyone else and I'll slit his throat the next time he invites me into his bed."

Jonas swallowed hard and gave a nervous chuckle.

"Love your taste in women Jonas" Theron shook his head "but you've got it, I won't say a thing. Now why did you both ask me here?"

"I told you I had a contact who might be able to help you reach out to Eliza and though we now know she's fine, I thought you still might want to send word. Foolish as that would be." Jonas explained.

"Yeah though I have to ask, why didn't you just contact Lana Beniko?" Charlie wondered "Obviously you know each other."

"Know yes, but I have little reason to trust her given our history."

"Well what do you have in mind then? And please don't ask me to deliver chocolates and a dozen Malreaux roses to her." Charlie grinned while beneath the table she ran a hand up Jonas' thigh "I like a good love story as much as the next girl but that type of sappy is a step too far for me. Give me something exciting."

The Black Rose was one of the finest and most prestigious establishments right in the heart of Kaas City, a place for anyone who was noteworthy to be seen. The building itself was lit up with golden marquees and lettering while inside one would find a fully black interior with red and golden accents along both the walls and the furnishings. Several chandeliers hung off the ceiling while the walls were lit up by similar looking sconces. Waitresses in black mini dresses, sheer stockings and wearing laced masks that covered their faces from the forehead down to the tip of their noses paraded around the restaurant while a similarly dressed hostess escorted Eliza, Lord Scourge, Me'ghan and Quinn to a table in the VIP section.

"You weren't kidding about this place…" Eliza whispered to Me'ghan and then kindly thanked the waitress for the menu she was given "Is it always like this?"

Through the beaded curtain that separated their section from the more common area of the restaurant, she could see dozens of tables hosting couples both young and old while at the bar several singles engaged in conversation, no doubt with the hope of leaving in the company of a suitable match at the end of the night.

"Usually yes."

"Mmm. Nerf steak with gravy, potatoes and kibla greens." Quinn decided not even bothering to read the menu "And a bottle of Alderaanian Red."

"I'll have the same." Lord Scourge told the waitress.

"I will too and I'd like a carafe of water please." Me'ghan added and looked Eliza's way "And you?"

"Huh? Oh sorry, I got lost in the desserts section… yeah I'll have what everyone else is having, thanks." she smiled at the brunette and handed her menu back.

"Sweet tooth huh?" Me'ghan teased.

"Yeah forgive me. I've lived on ration bars, bread and the occasional berries most of my life. Come to think about, I've missed out on a lot being Jedi. I mean the type of fabrics I wear now? Highly frowned upon. A Jedi is not supposed to be about possession, riches, luxury, romance, passions… well you know the drill."

Eliza took Lord Scourge's hand and smiled softly "Guess you were right all along when you said I was missing out and saying no to things I didn't understand."

"And now you've got your own mansion, more credits than you'll ever be able to spend and I'm sure if Meg gets a say in it, a wardrobe so large it'll need its own room." Quinn laughed.

Lord Scourge didn't. He couldn't quite place it but the words she'd just spoken felt like an indication of something he hadn't considered before.

"Is it wrong that I'm kind of enjoying it?" Eliza gave them a grin.

She'd meant to say more but a sudden commotion near the bar begged for her attention and that of every other patron within The Black Rose as Ravage, Vowrawn and several Imperial officers exchanged words with the bartender before pushing their way towards the back office for a visit with the owner.

"Guess Lord Rowe is in trouble." Me'ghan curiously watched the scene unfold.

"What do you suppose is going on?" Eliza asked.

"My guess? Some kind of scheme to help Vowrawn acquire this place. He's had his eye on it for months but Lord Rowe's always remained untouchable, until today it seems…"

Me'ghan turned to Eliza "I told you he likes his games."

"Hmm."

It wasn't until far past dessert and several bottles of wine that Vowrawn and Ravage finally re-emerged from their visit with several alien and scantily clad dancers in tow, guarded by the Imperial officers who also escorted a paled and horrified looking man in black robes. Vowrawn exchanged a few words with one of the officers and appeared to be thanking them. He took a bottle of champagne from behind the bar and approached their table next.

"Am I right assuming that Lord Rowe no longer owns this establishment?" Me'ghan raised a brow as he toasted to his own success.

"Mm yes. It turns out a few of Lord Rowe's newly acquired dancers are actually the property of Doola the Hutt, can you believe that? It's a good thing they were discovered on time, our relationship with the Hutts is precarious enough as it is without members of our Empire offending the Hutts even further. Doola was ready to declare war." Vowrawn exclaimed dramatically and laughed.

Ravage sauntered over to their table as well and took a glass of champagne for himself "Rescuing and returning his slaves should help further my negotiations with the Hutts." his eye fell on Eliza "After all I'm still having to do damage control after the deal the Republic made with the Cartel following the incidents on Makeb."

She glanced his way and gave him half a smile "If you really want to undermine the deal they have with the Republic, it might help you to know the finer details of their agreement first…"

"So you are responsible for that as well."

"Actually, I'm not. My former Padawan took care of that situation as I was, preoccupied… but she told me everything afterwards."

He scoffed and sat down "Well I don't need your help, Seraphine." he added with a hint of disdain.

"Obviously. I mean, what a lucky coincidence for both of you that those missing dancers turned out to be right here under your noses." Me'ghan smirked sarcastically realizing fully well that Vowrawn had likely planted them with Lord Rowe himself.

"A fortunate turn of events." Vowrawn agreed and bared his teeth in a grin.

"Well whatever you do, please don't fire the chef. This is my favorite place to dine."

"As you wish Meg." he winked "Now can I interest any of you in a tour of the club upstairs?"

"Hm, what is an after-dark club anyways?" Eliza wondered out loud and Ravage snorted.

"Something your innocent Jedi senses couldn't handle."

Lord Scourge slammed his glass down as he felt his anger flare. Ravage might have been unsuccessful in getting the better of Eliza so far but Lord Scourge was irritated enough for the both of them, especially after he'd heard about Ravage's reaction to her during the Council meeting.

Eliza took his hand and squeezed it gently "Don't, he's not worth it." she hissed quietly so only he would hear while she kept a smile on her face and got up.

"Come, let's go check it out." she decided and turned to Vowrawn "Lead the way my Lord."