A/N: This a shorter chapter but I felt this should be a stand alone.

Chapter 12

Location: unknown

Dryden Vos returned to his gorgeous First Light yacht. Pleased with himself, he had seized control of a particularly lucrative spice route before the Pike syndicate could swoop in. Crimson dawn was fast becoming more formidable and finally earning some respect amongst the crime lords. They chided him at first only because Maul was in charge prior. Once Maul was out of the picture he had to maintain his status. Not only did he do that but he gained auspicious investments. A seized shipment of coaxium insured him of proper funds to invest in firepower and mercenaries to help safeguard his burgeoning assets, further expanding his empire. Great conquests awaited him as he set his sights on the Black Suns first. They were the most arrogant and easiest to overtake because of their overconfidence. Then he'll take over the different crime families one by one, with the Hutt clans being the most formidable and therefore the last. Soon he'll recapture Maul's former glory over all the crime syndicates but this time for himself.

A shiver ran through him as he entered his expansive and extravagantly furnished office. It was freezing. For a moment, he thought the blasted droids had caused another malfunction while they performed their routine maintenance. Somehow something would go wrong whenever these standard inspections occurred, which in itself, shouldn't be happening routinely. He'll probably have to throw the accursed droid out into space and find a replacement. Good help is so hard to find.

Before he reached his desk to signal Qi'ra to take care of the incompetent droid he noticed his chair turned facing away from him. It's not how he had left it. He growled to himself for a split second, outraged with how someone could be so bold to sit in his seat and believe to live afterwards. Within that split second he also realized the coldness in the room wasn't due to the climate but imbued with darkness, the chilling coldness of the shadows. It froze him to the bone. It only happened in the presence of….

He immediately dropped down to one leg and bowed, "Lord Maul! What a s…surprise. I thought you were…"

The perilous shadow seated facing away from Dryden responded unamused, "locked up in that dreadful prison on Coruscant?" A gloved hand casually revealed itself from the chair. Two fingers squeezed together.

Dryden Vos quivered uncontrollably. Trying to suppress the rising fear in him and failing. He didn't dare look up from the spot on the floor in front of him. His breathing was ragged then switched to not being able to breathe at all. He felt an invisible pressure closing on his windpipe. Blinking hard, he instantly brought his hands up to his neck clawing in an attempt to break the pressure. Helplessly, he felt his body lifted into the air.

"You left me to die in that prison while you run MY EMPIRE?" The chair turned around and the zabrak's face-a deep crimson red that could be mistaken for blood running down against the pitch black canvas of his skin. Menacing yellow eyes burned with controlled hate.

"N…no. That's not what I meant." Dryden attempted to speak as his vision started to fade out. He had to think quick or this would be his last breath, "I knew they couldn't keep you in there. I was holding your empire for you until you returned." A feeble excuse, he knew, but he had hoped it was enough. He felt the pressure on his windpipe lightened slightly.

"You expect me to believe such a pathetic excuse?" Snarled the zabrak. He feasted on the fear radiating off Dryden. It fueled the dark side and in turn his power. He enjoyed toying with this small, insignificant human.

"It's the truth, my Lord! The Black Suns, the Hutts, the Pikes…They all split and tried to take what's rightfully yours. I held my ground and even gained new territory awaiting your return." His neck straining from the intense, pulsating pain from being held up in the air with his throat clenched tightly. He blinked hard as he felt himself losing consciousness.

Maul rose arrogantly from his chair, his two fingers still held together in front of him. He surveyed the dangling creature in front of him, satisfied. The human's fear of him was real and deep enough that he wouldn't dare cross him in the near future. Dryden Vos would still be of use. Releasing him, Dryden dropped unceremoniously onto the ground with a loud thud. As he heard the human gasping for air, Maul turned his back to him with his hands behind his back, looking out the window.

"I will accept your answer, for now. Do make sure not to cross me or I will guarantee you a fate worse than death. Dryden Vos." Maul slowly and intentionally stated his name with promised pain.

"Yes, my Lord. Thank you for showing me mercy. I promise you. I will not fail you!"

"See to it you don't!" He snapped around to face the human, "I have a mission for you. There's someone who appears to be missing me and desperately trying to find me. I want you to lay a trap for them."

Rubbing his throat, Dryden Vos got up. He swallowed hard trying to regain control of his voice. "Who is it, my Lord?"

"The only person that has ever mattered to me. Kenobi….."

A/N: KENOBI! *In Sam Witwer's voice* Sorry, I couldn't help myself. The next updates will take longer as I will to do my best to do Obi Wan, Ahsoka, and Anakin's interactions justice. Stay tune! The 3 former Jedi will finally be reunited! This is where the fun begins….