Sixteen
Korriban Orbital Station
14 ATC
Nox strolled down the station corridor, heading for the docking tube where her ship waited. A'tro walked beside her, arms folded across her chest.
"You'll be in the history books for this, you know," A'tro was saying. "No one member of the Dark Council has ever held two spheres before. Not ever."
Nox gave her a sidelong glance. "As long as the Emperor doesn't object…"
"I didn't follow you over here to execute you, if that's what you're worried about."
Nox pretended to relax. She still kept her guard up, of course. "Just checking."
"I'd be more concerned about the rest of the Council, were I you."
"They all agreed to it. You were there."
"I was. I still find it difficult to believe."
"Regretting your decision to support me?" Nox asked lightly.
A'tro shook her head. "I stand by what I said about consolidating power. I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact that you pulled this off."
"Our fellow Council members, while occasionally irritating to work with, are not stupid," Nox said. "They know when something is in their best interests. And I can be quite persuasive."
A'tro mirrored her earlier sidelong glance. "You slept with each and every one of them, didn't you?"
Nox snorted. "If that was all it took to get my way around here, I would have accomplished this ages ago."
"You've tried, then?"
"Certainly not," Nox sneered. "Our colleagues may be powerful, but the dark side has not been kind to most of them. I'm not going to bother when I know it won't get me anything."
"'Most' of them?" A'tro inquired.
"Well, they say the last time Marr took off his mask, eleven people died, but that doesn't mean he's hideous. And there's you, of course."
A'tro made a soft sound that might have been a snicker. "Why, Nox, I didn't realize I was your type."
"Not in that sense, no, but I do admire the whole 'majestic warrior goddess' aesthetic you have going on."
"I'm flattered."
"I prefer the 'mysterious Sith enchantress' look, myself," Nox continued blithely. "I find it rather effective."
"You've certainly acquired something of a…reputation," A'tro said delicately.
"I am well aware of my considerable sex appeal, and not using it would be a criminal waste. Speaking of which—how's your personal life?"
A'tro gave a start at the abrupt change of topic, then scowled. "Personal."
"Sounds lovely," Nox said, unfazed. "Congratulations, by the way."
"Do I want to know what for?"
"You know perfectly well what for." Nox smiled. "Word of advice: if you want your relationship to stay a secret, don't let official records show that you've gotten married. People can look at that. People like me."
A'tro looked torn between incredulity and wanting to murder Nox where she stood. "You looked at the records? Are you stalking me?"
"I keep tabs on all the Council members. It's how I keep ahead in our little political game."
"If you try anything—" A'tro started.
Nox held up her hands in a placating gesture. "No need to threaten me. I know quite well what you're capable of."
"I am not threatening you, Nox. I am warning you not to do anything with this information that you will regret."
"That's the same thing as a threat, isn't it? But that's beside the point," Nox added hastily, sensing A'tro was in no mood to debate semantics. "I promise, I won't lay so much as a finger on your precious officer." As much as I would like to, and not for killing, either. Lucky woman, A'tro.
"See that you don't," A'tro said grimly, and left it at that.
Nox decided a change of subject was in order. "So, who do you think killed Vowrawn?"
The frown that had started to abate from A'tro's face swiftly returned. "I'm not sure."
"The prevailing theory seems to be the Republic, but I'm not certain I buy that," Nox said thoughtfully. "I've seen what the Jedi Shadows can do, but getting in and out of Dromund Kaas without anyone noticing is no easy feat. Not without inside help, anyway."
"Are you suggesting there's a traitor in our midst?"
"There are always traitors in everyone's midst. That's how war works." Nox came to a halt in front of the turbolift to the docking tube. "The question is, who are they? And how highly placed?"
"I've been deceived by a Jedi spy before," A'tro murmured. "They hide themselves well."
"They do," Nox agreed. "Now that Intelligence is under my control, I intend to investigate as best as I can."
"Good."
The turbolift arrived. Nox stepped into it and turned around to face A'tro. "Until next time, Wrath."
A'tro inclined her head silently.
The turbolift doors closed, and the lift moved quickly upward. Nox exited a few moments later and made her way down the length of the airlock. A hulking alien figure waited in front of the hatch of her ship, bowing respectfully as she approached.
"Afternoon, Khem," Nox said cheerily. "Anyone come by?"
[There were no assassins today, my mistress,] Khem Val answered. [There was a small droid, however. It left this.] He held out one massive clawed hand, revealing a holocommunicator.
Nox eyed it warily. The Force held no whisper of danger, so she took it from Khem and examined it. "Looks like someone wants to talk to me."
[So it would appear.]
"I don't suppose you managed to apprehend the droid that delivered it?"
[It dropped the device and escaped before I could catch it.] Khem sounded embarrassed.
Nox had sudden visions of the Dashade running in circles after a mouse droid, and had to suppress a giggle. "It doesn't matter," she said. "I'll take a look at this once we're on our way."
She boarded the ship, Khem following close behind, and had them away from the orbital station and in hyperspace heading for Dromund Kaas a few minutes later. With navigation settled and nothing to do but wait, Nox left the bridge and went into the ship's main room. There, she took out the holocommunicator and activated it. Khem Val watched from a few meters away.
A minute passed, and another, and then the holocommunicator lit up. No image appeared, but a voice spoke, so distorted by audio filters and scramblers that it sounded like a droid with a faulty vocoder.
"Darth Nox," the voice said. "I was hoping I would get your attention."
Nox maintained her usual half-smile. She couldn't see the speaker, but they could probably see her. "Many people want my attention. What makes you any different from the rest?"
"I have information."
"And here I thought you were calling to invite me to tea."
"This information is of vital importance to the fate of the Empire."
Nox pretended to yawn. "Is that all? I get messages like this every day."
"I know who killed Darth Vowrawn."
Nox was careful not to react, but she was instantly intrigued. Vowrawn's death was far too recent for most people to know about it. This just might be real. "Do tell," she said.
"I can't disclose the information over holo," the voice said. "Someone could be listening in."
"What desolate but private location are you proposing for a meeting, then?" Nox drawled. "I assume that's where you're going with this."
"The details will be delivered to you on Dromund Kaas."
"Excellent." Nox chuckled. "It's like a spy holo. How very amusing."
"I implore you to take this seriously, my lord," the voice said. "There is one more thing."
"If you're going to tell me to wear something sexy to the meeting, this whole thing is off," Nox warned.
"I don't—what? Never mind." Even as modulated as it was, the voice managed to sound confused. "If you do choose to meet with me, you cannot come alone. No one will believe you if you're the only one who knows the truth."
"Sort of like how I don't believe you right now?"
"I know this is suspicious, but I urge you to listen to me. The fate of the Empire—"
"Yes, yes, I got that part." Nox reached forward and switched the holocommunicator off.
Matters had just become exceedingly more complicated.
