Stage Two
She paced through the bridge, her patience was running thin. She wanted to assault the Republic now—but she knew that Deus had completed her second stage. The Republic would soon declare war or disband. Either way, she would have gained a victory and then begin to launch her final stage.
Atris looked out at Utapau once more. She found herself growing irate at the planet. Somehow it reeked of life—and needed to be purified. But no matter how many times she tried to order its destruction, she found herself in complete awe. The Force was strong in this planet, but somehow, it just continued to live, serving as a reminder of everything she had lost during those 5 miserable years after the war.
"No one had made the decisions for myself, other than myself. I have no one to blame but myself," she whispered, recounting the words of her predecessor. She sighed as she heard the footsteps of none other than the assassin, Lotus.
Atris found it particularly interesting how skilled this woman was, as it was exceptionally hard to detect her through the Force. But then again, another lesson came to mind: there are techniques in the Force against which there is no defence. Lotus outmatched even Atris' specially bred assassins, which only led Atris to more curiosity. How could someone have beaten her? She sighed, then again, I was defeated.
"Hatching more devious plots?" Lotus asked, undoubtedly smiling behind Atris' back.
"No, just looking at the planet below," Atris replied.
"First time for everything," she shrugged. "Your pet has come back," Lotus said after a moment of silence passed between them.
"So he has."
"It was a success."
"I know."
Lotus found herself growing slightly annoyed that Atris seemed far removed from the conversation. "Does it bother you that you lost all of those Dark Jedi?"
"Not at all," Atris admitted. She turned around, curious at Lotus' direction, as a smile played across her lips. "Does it bother you?"
Lotus shrugged. "Not really—just that when the time comes, you'll be low on manpower."
"It hardly matters. Manpower, droidpower, it all doesn't matter. The Galaxy will find itself in embers once I have finished what I have started."
This caused Lotus' eyes to narrow in close scrutiny as she folded her arms across her chest. "You have no intention of allowing the Sith Remnant to survive—or even take over the Galaxy, do you?"
Atris eyed Lotus suspiciously. "What does it matter to you? All you want is the Ravenmoon Jedi and nothing more."
Lotus could only smile. "I see you've done your research."
"I was a historian," she admitted. It seemed odd to her that their relationship had evolved to the point they could talk easily with one another. I thought Sith were supposed to keep secrets and treat everyone—including their apprentice—as a threat?
"To each his own," the assassin shrugged.
At that point, Deus walked into the throne room, kneeling in front of the two.
"Ah," Atris began, "what news do you bring, Deus?"
"The mission was a success, Mistress," the dark, synthesized voice answered.
"Good," she replied, pacing around her throne as Lotus stood away, beside Horn and Torn. "I trust that our allies are still alive?"
"Yes, Mistress."
"Good. You will go back to the Galactic Capital, with two-thirds of the Dark Jedi compliment we have in the fleet. Lord Cain and his apprentice will go to the planet with you. You will wait until I inform you of your next instructions."
"Yes, Mistress," the figure replied as he rose, leaving towards the turbolift.
"What do you have in store now, I wonder?" Lotus asked the older woman, who merely smiled.
"I have something of particular interest to you, Lotus," Atris began.
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"I've located your quarry."
This caused Lotus to unfold her arms and look at the older woman in surprise. "You have? How?"
"Simple—he's en route to Corellia. He intends to pay Tamar a visit."
"What do you want?"
"Kill Tamar and inform Scrimshaw to carry out a bombardment on the facility. You can do whatever you like with your Ravenmoon."
Lotus couldn't help but smile, until a sudden thought occurred to her. "What about the growing soldiers?"
"They are of no use to us anymore. The Jedi will find out about them—and they will stop it before the rest are ready for combat. We have all that we need—thanks to Deus and the assault against the Senate."
"Very well, my Lady," Lotus said, bowing.
"Whatever you choose to do at this point is of no concern to me."
"You shall always have my loyalty, Mistress Traya."
Atris could only smile as she watched Lotus leave. The woman would never live long enough to ascend to Empress of the Galaxy. Lotus would die along with the Jedi she sought.
She turned to a panel as a hologram displayed a female clad in elegant robes. Her greying hair was pulled elegantly back and she had aged gracefully. Atris has seen this woman before: it was Forn Dodonna, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic.
"Fellow delegates and people of the Republic, the horrific acts that have occurred in the Senate have opened my eyes to the realization that the Republic is once more in peril. After many meetings and after much strenuous thought, I have decided that the Republic will no longer be a central government. Intelligence reports have indicated that certain elements within the Republic have been responsible for the recent acts of subterfuge within the government. Several influential Senators have also informed me that the Republic must declare itself in a state of war or face collapse. Effective immediately, the Republic is no more—the Senators and Governors will maintain control over their respected regions. It is with much regret and with a heavy heart that I have come to this decision—if the Republic is to survive, it must fall. The funding for the planet restoration projects have been allocated and fixed to those responsible for the projects. Those planets will be rebuilt. And as my final act as Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, a fixed amount from all systems not affected by the war will continue to fund the relief efforts. Thank you."
Atris allowed herself to smile once more. "And so it comes to an end," she said to no one in particular. "Thank you Forn Dodonna, now the Republic is gone. Now there will be nothing to stop the Sith from unleashing waves of destruction against the Galaxy." She looked at Horn and Torn and ordered, "go to Coruscant—to our cooperative Senators. Kill them."
Both of them bowed, turned and left. Once more, Atris was left alone—ready to plot Stage Three.
