Seventeen
Sith Intelligence Headquarters, Dromund Kaas
14 ATC
The primary operations center appeared at first glance to be the same machine of intense, efficient activity that it had always been. People in uniform—black, rather than the standard gray—typed away at consoles, or watched monitors, or walked about with datapads, occasionally stopping to confer with one another. The soft hum of conversation mixed with the steady whirring of fans keeping the massive banks of computers cool and the deep rumbling of the environmental control systems counteracting Dromund Kaas' oppressive humidity. It was all very neat and precise, a model of Imperial efficiency and the heart of Imperial control.
The activity continued as it always had. The difference was the people.
There were far fewer than there had been three years ago. The sounds of voices giving reports or comparing data were all but drowned out by the mechanical noises. And those talking were quieter, more focused on hunching over their consoles, trying to seem as unobtrusive as they possibly could.
The atmosphere was so subdued that the Chiss woman standing at the head of the room stood out like a lone tree on a flooded plain with her straight, confident posture.
She was just under six feet tall, with powder blue skin and the softly glowing red eyes characteristic of her species. Her blue-black hair was pulled back into an elegant bun. Her face was highly symmetrical and would have been considered aesthetically pleasing by many species were it not for a certain unnerving quality to her features, like those of a doll.
Her black uniform bore no insignia, no indication of rank. She didn't need any.
She was the leader of Sith Intelligence, the Minister in fact if not in name, since the position had been officially dissolved along with the organization. To most, she was known by her codename, Seeker, though a few Intelligence personnel remembered her as Cipher Nine.
She had another title, too: the Hand of Darth Jadus.
It was a useful title, particularly when it came to dealing with the Sith. The evocation of Jadus' name was a reminder of his authority. Even absent, that authority was considerable, made weighty by justified fear. It had kept the Sith from intruding on her operations for two years, now, during which time she had done her best to rebuild Intelligence.
That time had come to an end.
Darth Nox's unconventional origins meant that there was almost no data on her. What little had been collected over the past two years gave no indication as to why she would suddenly show an interest in taking leadership of Intelligence. Clearly, she was not afraid of Jadus, so she was either overly confident, overly ambitious, or both.
The Chiss woman suppressed a sigh. She could only hope that Nox would not be too overbearing; Sith attempts at micromanagement had ruined more operations than she could count.
She had been trained as a covert operative, not a leader of people, and she had never wanted anywhere near the level of responsibility she currently held. But even though Intelligence had used her, betrayed her, and dumped their smoking ruins into her lap, she would never have dreamed of cutting loose. However she felt about it, this was her duty, and she would do it to the best of her abilities.
They called her Seeker, called her Hand of Jadus, but in her own mind, she wasn't any of those things. In her own mind, she was still an individual with her own core name: Thaera. Even after years of spy work, she still hadn't lost herself. That meant something.
If she hadn't been standing facing the door, she would never have noticed Darth Nox walk in. She cut a distinctive figure in her white dress, but she didn't possess the same aura of mental weight that followed some of the more powerful Sith. She stood on her own, with no Force tricks to bend the wills of those around her.
Nox paused near the entrance, looking around the room. Her eyes fell on Thaera, and she started towards her. As she moved across the room, everyone finally took notice of her, and silence fell.
"So, you're the one they call Seeker," Nox said as soon as she was close enough to address her without speaking overly loudly. "An interesting title."
Thaera gave a polite bow. "I prefer to take an active role in operations, my lord. The designation seemed fitting."
"So it is. I've kept my eye on this place for some time, now. You've done very well given what little you have to work with."
Nox was the image of politeness. Thaera wasn't sure what to make of it. "Thank you, my lord," she said cautiously. "I've done my best to ensure Intelligence serves the Empire as well as it always has."
"Indeed," Nox murmured. Her manner abruptly turned businesslike. "Now that I'm in charge, I will give you access to as many resources as I can. Credits, personnel, materiel; whatever you need, just ask."
Thaera had not been sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. "That's…very generous."
Nox smiled pleasantly. "I do what I can. Unlike my colleagues, I do not underestimate Intelligence's importance to the Empire's basic functioning, both in war and domestic matters."
Thaera was quickly starting to realize that Nox's reputation for mysterious and eccentric behavior was not unfounded.
"I am a very busy woman, Seeker," Nox said matter-of-factly. "I have little time to oversee affairs here. As such, your current role and responsibilities will not change. You will report to me, and I may occasionally take an interest in specific operations, but for the most part you will have autonomous authority over the workings of this organization. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly, my lord." Thaera understood what Nox meant—she was essentially giving Intelligence a free pass to do whatever they saw fit, while her overall control would keep other Sith at bay.
What she didn't understand was why. The opportunity to personally command Sith Intelligence was an opportunity for immense power. Why would Nox pass that up?
"There is something I would like for you to do for me now, however," Nox said. She held out a hand, revealing that she was holding what looked like a small holocommunicator. "Someone used this to anonymously contact me. Have your people run a full analysis and see if you can determine the source."
Thaera took the device. "I will see to it immediately."
"Excellent. Now, there is one last thing I wish to make clear." Nox stepped forward, stopping less than half a meter away, and met her gaze squarely. Unlike most humans, she seemed to have no difficulty knowing where Thaera was looking. "I leave you in command because you have proven that you are capable of doing your job well, and there is currently no one who could effectively replace you."
All traces of quiet amusement had vanished from Nox's face as she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. "Do not think I am unaware of how you abetted Darth Jadus in his scheme that resulted in the deaths of countless Imperial citizens. The rest of the Dark Council may have turned a blind eye to his megalomania, but I will not. Your master may be out of my reach, but you… The moment you cease to be useful to me, I will see to it that justice is carried out, as it should have been years ago."
Thaera looked into her eyes, the same cold gray as Csilla's perpetual winter sky, and saw death waiting there. She accepted this knowledge calmly, without fear, and said, "I understand, my lord."
Nox's charming smile returned as quickly as it had disappeared. "Excellent. That will be all, Seeker. As you were." She inclined her head, turned on her heel, and left.
Thaera watched her leave, turning the holocommunicator over in her hand, and decided that as of that moment, collecting more data on Nox would be her highest priority.
