The next few days the news covered no villains. And no Titans. Just regular old news from weather to a convenience store robbery (the police caught him soon after) to a stolen car (which was found the next day) just boring days.

Slade passed the time packing enough supplies for his trip and making notes of what he knew. He had programmed his ship with the information he received from the hacked database from the Titans. He would get there faster than the Titans had, with his upgraded ship. And he also knew they had encountered resistance, so his ship had upgraded defenses. No. he wouldn't die in the cold of space. He also knew that Starfire apparently had a sibling she did not like, to the point of hatred. This was nothing new. Sibling rivalry was common enough on Earth. With these few facts he was ready to set out to learn more. This was a small enough price to pay to separate her from his apprentice, and probably separate their whole team. Also, there is always the temptation of new technologies and information.

While the Titans relaxed in their tower, Slade finished packing, downloaded a copy of his computer's mainframe personality into the ship and got ready for take off. It was a quiet launch staying low until he was out of America's radar and reaching orbit over the pacific ocean.

Slade relaxed himself by watching videos of the titans during the trip, watching for weaknesses, disagreements, noting attitudes. He took stock of Raven's dour attitude, and at times how Cyborg was also very negative about his current cybernetic state. Also how Beastboy was at odds with his teammates often enough and noting how often some of the Titans did not like being ordered around by Robin. Slade noted the alien's positive attitude during almost all of these situations. Yes, removing her may indeed be the key to dissolving the Titans and getting him his apprentice. With this conclusion fresh in his head he slept until he reached the outer orbit of Tamaran.

Slade was awoke by the computer alarming him that they had reached the planet. He was greeted by the face of a Tamaranian man who asked his business. He said he was a mere traveler and needed to land for supplies. The man on the other end gave him directions to a smaller spaceport commonly used for such things. Then, as if on an afterthought he asked where this traveler was from. Slade had no reason to lie, so said he was from Earth. Slade was surprised when the man changed his earlier direction insisting he land at a spaceport in the main city.

These changed directions made Slade cautious. They had no reason to doubt his intentions. His name was barely known by the general populace in the United States, much less on an interplanetary level. No, he reasoned, there is no threat for me here.

But, Slade would be cautious nonetheless.

Once on the ground Slade hid a couple weapons on his suit (he always had some weapons, he just grabbed a few more) and with these in place he opened the door to the ship to see a few Tamaranian gaurds standing outside. A man walked past the guards and greeted him. Slade donned an earplug connected wirelessly to a translater with a speaker. He did not wish for them to learn English from him the way Starfire had from Robin."

Man: "welcome to the finest city on the planet Tamaran. I was told you are from the planet Earth is it?"

Slade: " Yes, I am from Earth"

Man: "has fate brought you to our fine planet today or have you traveled here before?"

Slade: "I have never been off the Earth, but I have dealt with one of your kind on my planet." he kept his relationship with Starfire a mystery not knowing her status as either a criminal or citizen. He hoped the mention of one of their kind of Earth may bring forth some information about her, since she is the only of her kind there. As far as he knew.

Man: "You know of a Tamaranian on Earth?"

Slade: "Yes, I have dealt with her, I think Starfire was her name"

"You mean Empress Starfire" a loud voice boomed from the nearby doorway. The guards instantly went to attention. The largest man Slade had seen for a long time walked through the doorway and very cheerfully greeted Slade.

Slade sounding surprised: "Empress Starfire?"

Emperor Galfore pulled Slade close, obviously assuming Slade as a friend of the Empress, why else would one travel so far from his homeworld to hers? "I know they call me Emperor here, but I am merely the custodian of the planet until our beloved empress comes home" he said with a voice that sounded like he wished that day was today.

Slade still soaking it in: "Empress Starfire is in charge of this city?"

Galfore boasted: "Empress Starfire rules over the planet Tamaran. She won the crown in a duel with her sister. A fine battle it was. I have never seen one better."

Slade's mind was ablaze. All he had to do to be rid of the alien girl was to have some emergency on the plane she ruled. This should be easy.

Galfore: "Come in my lad, any friend of Empress Starfire is a welcome guest indeed. Come, have you seen her battle with her sister? It was quite a show. Worthy of a fight for the crown"

Slade was not one to be social. He didn't speak but he did go in to see the fight. It's best to not upset the person who rules the planet you are currently on. Strike that. He didn't rule the planet, Starfire did.

Slade ate their disgusting food and watched the videos of the fight between Starfire and her sister very intently. The security cameras in the palace were more advanced than anything on earth, so every detail of every moment was captured with sound. He could clearly see Blackfire was using some device to increase her powers and saw the heart with which Starfire fought against a seeming unbeatable foe. Her fighting prowess may not be refined, but her spirit more than made up for her opponents advantage.

Slade was impressed with the young girl's fighting spirit and was starting to think as he was given a tour of the palace. Why get an apprentice who can help you start to take over the world, when you can have an apprentice who already has already accomplished it?

Galfore: "You are silent, Earthling. You must be tired. Let me show you to one of the guest rooms in the palace so you can rest. Although I am a busy man, any friend of the Empress deserves my hospitality"

Slade: "You have already told me more than enough." As Galfore lead him to his room they passed a room filled with books. Slade paused for a moment looking in.

Galfore: "ahh, the Imperial Library. Our planet's culture and history lives in these books. Everything from our customs, laws to our favorite recipes are here. Feel free to browse the library, but take care. Some of these books are irreplaceable"

Slade "Your culture and laws are of interest, but I don't have time to read volumes of books"

Galfore: "The books are mostly for show, Earthling. We long ago digitized our entire libraries." He held out a small disc which Slade took. "Ahh. Here's your room" and Slade went in and sat down. This had been a very productive day indeed he thought staring at the disc.

Slade spent that night and the following day reviewing Tamaranian customs and laws trying to find something, anything which would let him coerce the girl/empress. After another day Slade was coming up short. She seemed to be less swayed by logic than Robin is, and believed in her friends more than he would. He couldn't threaten the Titans because she would believe in their ability to persevere. After another day of reading laws Slade was starting to give up. The video of Starfire's fight with her sister was playing again in a window on the computer screen while he read the laws on a different window. Slade was just about to give up for the day when Starfire's words came from the screen. "What's best for Tamaran". Slade stopped reading and rewound the scene. "What's best for Tamaran".

Slade's laughter could be heard outside the door of his chamber while those words played out over and over.