Darth Reliyk's personal speeder was waiting for them outside Headquarters, its driver shifting uneasily under the watchful eyes of two Intelligence Operatives. He seemed relieved when his master climbed into the vehicle, and almost drove off without the apprentice in his hurry to get away.

Reliyk liked the simple luxuries of power, and his private speeder came equipped with an indulgent array of comforts. It boasted Terrantatek-leather seats, carefully padded and upholstered to its occupant's personal specifications, complete with recliners and cushions. Its holonet-enabled stereo could access any station in the Empire, and quite a few in the Republic. Listening to Republic broadcasts was technically treason, but since the last person to tell Darth Reliyk that had spent the next two weeks in intensive care, it rarely came up in conversation.

It also featured a coffee machine, and Loka eagerly helped herself to one as the speeder left the Citadel behind and began to move towards Kaas City. The young Pureblood watched her master inquisitively, her yellow eyes glinting with mild interest. "Keeper didn't seem too pleased at the thought of you singing his praises to Darth Jadus."

Reliyk chuckled softly. "I'm not surprised. Have you ever met Jadus?"

Loka shook her head. Reliyk smiled, and leaned back into his chair. "Well, let me tell you, the man is a monster. A complete sociopath, with enough power to take on a small battalion. You can just feel the simmering hatred of anything and everything stewing behind that mask of his. He's a zealot, and a fanatical one at that; I would be very surprised if his ambitions ended with the Dark Council. Poor Keeper has to deal with him every day."

Loka digested this in silence as the speeder entered the city centre and began to head for the outskirts. Reliyk sipped his own coffee and eyed his apprentice over the rim. "I noticed you were quite engaged with that Intelligence boy. Handsome, was he?"

"Hmm?" Loka pulled herself out of her reverie. "I suppose so. Why do you ask, master?"

The Dark Lord resisted rolling his eyes. Loka's mind ran on a whole different track than his, and he supposed that he should have known better than to drop any insinuations, however blatant. "What were you talking about?"

"We were discussing whether a tuk'ata could beat a vine cat in a fight to the death. It's proving surprisingly vexing."

Of course she was. That would be just like her. "The tuk'ata would win, surely?"

Loka laughed. "You'd think so, wouldn't you? But Watcher Eleven made a very passionate argument for the Vine Cat. Apparently their skin is very loose fitting, so even if the tuk'ata got a good grip on it, they would still be able to twist around and keep fighting."

"Has he convinced you?"

"Not quite, I don't think. Even with that advantage, the tuk'ata is still much more intelligent, and their fangs would have no trouble piercing a vine cat's skin." Loka shrugged. "I guess we'll never know. You couldn't have a tuk'ata imported from Korriban, could you, master? Then we'd be able to lay the matter to rest once and for all, and Watcher Eleven can pay me those thirty credits he promised."

"I make no promises, so I break none," said Reliyk. "We have plenty of work to do, and I'll need you focused if we are to succeed. Those artefacts must be retrieved before my enemies get wind of them. I've already left myself vulnerable by opening up to Jadus' Intelligence lackies, so we have no time for distractions."

Loka's mood, always in flux, became serious. "Of course, master. You can rely on me."

"Good." Reliyk lapsed into brooding silence as he communed briefly with the Dark Side. Presently, his eyes flickered open, and their amber gaze fell once more on his apprentice. "Are you coming back with me to the Labyrinth?"

Loka shook her head. "Thank you, master, but I have business to attend to in Kaas City. If I may?"

Reliyk signed to his chauffeur to pull over. The speeder came to a stop on the edge of the Expansion District and Loka climbed out. Reliyk eyed her sternly. "Be back by evening, apprentice. We have much to discuss."

The low hum of the engines gradually faded away into the distance as the speeder disappeared over the jungle skyline, on its way back to the Labyrinth far away on the coast. Loka watched it go, then pulled the hood of her robe up to hide her face. Yellow eyes glowed in the shadows. The apprentice turned on her heel, heading into the city. Behind her, a shadow detached itself from the rooftops and followed.