"Did you get robbed?" Kaliyo asked, walking into the agent's apartment.

"I'm a minimalist," the Twi'lek woman replied. Tall, dark blue and athletic, her movements were as minimal and precise as her decor.

"This isn't minimalist," Kaliyo said. "This is empty-ist. I've seen prison cells with more furniture."

"I focus on work, not trivialities," the agent replied. She deposited her luggage in a corner of her living room. The remainder of the room contained two chairs, a small table, a holocommunicator, and some exercise equipment.

"I usually like that about you." She opened a tinted glass door and walked onto the balcony. "Where's my place again?"

"You don't have one yet," the agent replied. "But, independent contractors are there, in the Mercenaries Tower. Show them the identification, and they will find you a place."

"Which one is the Intelligence Tower?"

"That one," she said, joining Kaliyo on the balcony. "That's the Sith Tower, and that's the Mandalorian Tower."

"Right next to the mercenaries," Kaliyo said. "I like being close to hunky bounty hunters."

"I'm glad you found a way to keep busy."

Kaliyo smiled in a knowing way. "I'm not tired yet. Let's find a couple of bounty hunters that'll last the night."

"I have some work to do," the agent replied, leaving the balcony.

"Are you sure? I wanted to see some of those agent seduction skills."

"Not tonight. Sorry."

Kaliyo shrugged. "More for me, I guess. See you tomorrow."

The Rattataki left, and the agent waited until she heard the elevators open and close.

"Show yourself," she said.

"Impressive," said a voice in the darkness. "Most Sith can't detect me."

"Sith rely too much on Mind Trick for stealth. We're trained to resist it. You need to practice your mundane skills." She looked towards the shadows that concealed the speaker and reached for her vibroknife. "Who are you?"

The assassin stepped into the light. "Have I really changed so much?"

The agent gasped. "Yes. You have. Why are you here?"

"I had a vision," the assassin said. "And, I need your help."

The agent's eyes widened. "You have changed. What do you need?"

"I need you to train a Twi'lek girl, in your off hours."

The agent tilted her head, watching the assassin carefully. "What Twi'lek girl?"

"Her name is Vette."

"That's not a Twi'lek name."

"She's a former slave," the assassin continued. "And a street thief from Nar Shaddaa."

"What is she to you?" the agent asked.

The assassin took a breath and let it out. "She's working with Mau'te."

The agent exhaled through clenched teeth. "You expect me to help him?"

The assassin glared at the agent. "This is no time for your personal issues."

"That personal issue is my sister!"

"And you have a job to do."

"Sorry," the agent said with a sneer. "I forgot who I was talking to."

"I'm not asking you to work with Mau'te. Just train the girl."

"Fine. How?"

"Combat, stealth, slicing, anything else you can think of," the assassin told her. "I want her ready. I want her to survive."

"Tell me why." The agent stared hard at the assassin.

"She's good for him," the assassin said.

"Why would I care?"

"You know what he is."

The agent laughed, bitter and painful. "Of course. He's the center of your vision."

"He's half of it," the assassin said.

"Right. How could I forget?"

"You'll probably like her," the assassin said. "If that helps."

"It doesn't."

"Well, you'll like her anyway."

The agent looked toward the Sith Tower. "How strong is he now?"

"I doubt killing both of us would count as a challenge."

"I thought you would get stronger."

"I did," the assassin said. "He got much stronger much faster."

"Of course he did."

"Who's your friend?" the assassin asked.

"Kaliyo," the agent said. "Independent contractor. Loyal to the most money or the most entertaining. I'm both at the moment."

"Is she hiding anything?"

"I don't know. She might get upset if I looked."

"I'll look for you," the assassin said. "But, I won't tell you unless it's serious."

"That'll work."

"I trust you, you know," the assassin told her.

"That doesn't help either," the agent replied. "If you'll excuse me, I need to punch things."

The assassin shrugged. "I'll let myself out."