He stalked through Imperial corridors darkly, unescorted, a lightsaber swinging at each hip, bouncing off his legs silently with every step.

Palace guards and local officers found other paths around him. Even droids avoided him whenever possible. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings, and the giant black-scaled reptilian humanoid behind him. His glowing eyes locked to the path ahead, he trusted his other senses well enough. He reached out a hand and tossed a large, hinged door aside, stopped as his eyes met those of Palpatine.

The lizard man stopped beside him, and together they dropped to one knee and stared at the ground momentarily, the room full of awkward silence, then in unison the two black figures rose and stared expressionless at their emperor.

"You have done well in your tasks, mercenaries. You are worth your high prices," said the emperor.

Neither of them spoke.

"Our remaining mole has informed me that Skywalker and the princess will soon be joining us here on Coruscant." Palpatine looked casually to the lizard man. "Skak, you are to join my sentry ships in orbit and take care of them." Skak nodded humbly, while the emperor turned his stone gaze to the other mercenary, a smirk rising on his lips. "For you, Jedi Killer, I have a special task."