Nathrrya Therin-Palatine - Darth Avarice / The Empire's Wrath

Dark Council Chamber - The Imperial Citadel, Kaas City, Dromund Kaas, Dromund System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"

07:05:15 ATC - 09:00

Nathrrya leaned against a wall waiting for the meeting to start. She as the Empire's Wrath had been urgently recalled to the Empire's capitol world. The war with the Republic had not been kind to the Sith Empire, half of the Dark Council had been killed so far. Nathrrya had always thought the war was a waste and seeing six empty council seats just reinforced the point.

As she looked around the large chamber she silently named each surviving council member and what they were responsible for. Darth Mortis: Laws and Justice, Darth Marr: Defence of the Empire, Darth Vowrawn: Logistics and Production, Darth Ravage: Diplomacy and Expansion, Darth Nox: Ancient Knowledge, and lastly Darth Acina: Technology. Also present was her friend Lana Beniko who was now head of Sith Intelligence.

"So they dragged you here too, did they?" Nathrrya asked the blonde. "Any idea what all the fuss is about?"

"If I told you, Nat I'd have to kill you." Lana replied with a wicked smile.

The redhead just rolled her eyes "In other words more of your cloak and dagger stuff."

"Something like that." Lana said "Looks like they're about to start."

"Why did you call this meeting Ravage?" Nox asked.

"It seems the Republic may have a new ally in the war but what they hope to gain with a planet so backwards is at this point a total mystery to me." Ravage said.

"Backwards in what way?" Acina asked.

"In just about every way." Ravage replied "They barely have what passes for space flight, their military use slug throwers. They don't even have a united planetary government. About the only positive thing is that the population is entirely human."

"And just how did you come by this, Ravage?" Marr demanded.

"Through Sith Intelligence, my lord." Lana said as she stepped forward. "Unknown to the Republic diplomatic party that recently made contact with Earth, one of its members is in fact a member of the Imperial Army. It was felt for this operation that a member of the military was more suited than a Cipher agent."

"How delightfully diabolical, Lord Beniko." Vowrawn purred. "It's a shame we'll never know the Republic ambassador's reaction. I do so like humiliating them."

Lana smiled at the Sith pureblood "I do have something to show... it's interesting." as she spoke the blonde-haired Sith inserted a holo-disc into the room's projector.

An image soon appeared showing the Republic's Cathar ambassador surrounded by about a dozen men in black suits trying to keep away a large group of the most colourfully dressed humans anyone had ever seen. Many of the humans held aloft signs that read 'Welcome to Earth' and 'Peace not War' and other similar slogans. More than a few of the colourfully dressed humans seemed to be impaired in some way; whether through alcohol or drugs none of the observing Sith knew for certain.

"Living Force I can't believe the Republic has been so dumb." Nathrrya broke the silence "If Earth has been as isolated as it seems to be then sending an alien ambassador was just about the worst thing they could have done. The man could have been shot on sight for all the Republic knew." While Nathrrya herself had no problem with non-humans, to her sending a non-human ambassador to a planet full of humans who had no idea the galaxy was teaming with life wasn't going to end well. She hoped she'd be proven wrong but...

"I'm inclined to agree with Lord Avarice." Lana said "The move could backfire spectacularly. So far it hasn't but it wouldn't take much for it to turn sour. Fortunately the rest of the Republic diplomatic party is entirely human."

The six Dark Councillors were silent as they absorbed the information finally Darth Marr looked to where Nathrrya was standing "Wrath, I want you to travel to the system where Earth is located, scout it out for any Republic forces that might be stationed there and if the opportunity presents itself, sour relations between Earth and the Republic."

"As you wish, Darth Marr." Nathrrya sounded anything but happy about her latest mission. Scouting a star system? That was the easy part. Nathrrya hated politics with a passion and here she was getting drawn into yet another intergalactic political minefield.

Nathrrya was almost out of the Sith Citadel when Lana caught up to her.

"Nat. Wait a moment." The blonde said "I need to tell you about the Imperial in the Republic party, just in case things go sideways and you need to pull her out of there."

Nathrrya eyed her friend carefully "Lana? Something's bothering you. What is it?"

"It's my operative, I know her personally for we grew up together before I got shipped off for Sith training but from the most recent reports she's sent... she's in a romantic relationship with one of the Earthlings." The worry was clear in Lana's voice.

Nathrrya winced "That's why you want me to know isn't it? If your friend is discovered... Alright who is she, if things get hot I'll get her out of there I promise you Lana."

Lana smiled "Thanks. I knew you wouldn't let me down." The blonde then produced a small holo of the Imperial infiltrator "Sara Kelrein, Sergeant, Sniper and Imperial Commando, currently posing as a member of Republic SpecForce. Has quite a temper towards those who are overly cruel to others, so you should both get along well enough." Both Sith disliked being cruel for the sake of it. "Parents were killed by a terrorist group under the direction of the Eagle. No known living relatives. Apart from me I suppose as Sara considers me like a sister."

Nathrrya nodded. "Okay. I'll keep an eye on Sara for you and if things go sideways I'll pull her out of there. Best get back to the ship and tell everyone what we're up to this time."