Nineteen

The Citadel, Dromund Kaas

14 ATC

After some deliberation, Nox decided to take the direct approach. Sneaking around might give the wrong impression. So she made her way to a particular corner of the Citadel where she had never expected to go—at least, not in broad daylight without the intent to kill.

She was nearly to her destination when she heard voices coming from around the nearest corner. Instinct took over, and she flattened herself against the wall, hiding her presence in the Force, before taking a quick look.

Darth Ravage was walking down the corridor, accompanied by a human woman in the red uniform of the Imperial Diplomatic Service. Nox didn't recognize her, but that wasn't surprising. She had never had much to do with that particular organization.

"I don't care what you have to do," Ravage was saying. "Make the governor agree, and make it happen soon. We need that system intact."

"Of course. I won't fail you, my lord."

"You haven't yet, which is more than can be said for your superior. That will be all."

A moment later, the diplomat rounded the corner. She saw Nox and bowed silently, then continued down the corridor at a markedly faster pace.

Nox chuckled inwardly, then made her way around the corner herself. Ravage was walking away with his back to her. She crept up behind him, then unmasked her Force presence.

"Diplomacy problems?" she asked lightly.

Ravage turned around and drew his lightsaber so quickly she barely saw him move.

"Ah," Nox said, staring down the length of the scarlet blade that had suddenly appeared at her eye level. "This is awkward."

"Six more inches and I burn a hole straight through that empty head of yours," Ravage said coolly. "I find myself very tempted."

"If you were really going to do it, you would have already," Nox pointed out. Probably. "So how about we move past the posturing and have a nice, civil chat?"

Ravage didn't move. "You'll understand if I'm reluctant to trust your motives."

"Of course. But if I were trying to get you to lower your guard so I could kill you, I promise I wouldn't be this obvious about it." Nox smiled.

Ravage's pale blue eyes narrowed. Nox kept smiling.

Enough time passed that she started to wonder if she had miscalculated. Then Ravage slowly lowered his lightsaber to his side, the blade dwindling away with a sharp hiss.

"All right," he said reluctantly. "Talk."

Nox gestured to the lightsaber hilt still in his hand. "Are you going to put that away, or…?"

"I'm staying ready in case I change my mind about killing you."

"Oh, please," Nox scoffed. "As if it would be that easy. Haven't you heard about what happened when Thanaton killed me that one time?"

That might have been stretching the truth a little, but Ravage didn't need to know that. Besides, she did have a rather impressive regiment of ghosts at her disposal. Anything was possible.

"Thanaton was a delusional, self-important fool stuck so firmly in the past it's remarkable he was able to stop fawning over the ancients long enough to make it onto the Council in the first place," Ravage said scathingly. "I'm sure he would have fallen for any number of your tricks."

"And you won't?"

"Unlike most people, I am well-versed in the repertoire of Sith witches." One corner of his mouth twitched upwards. "The key is to get in close."

Nox clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "We're getting off topic."

"Ah, yes. You were going to explain what you're doing here." Ravage shook his head. "This will be good."

Nox pointedly looked around the hallway. "This is a rather public location."

"Yes, it is."

She sighed. "The information I wanted to discuss is of a sensitive nature."

"How convenient."

"How is that convenient?"

"It gives you an excuse to lure me somewhere secluded so you can try to murder me."

"A minute ago, you seemed rather confident in your ability to take me on."

Ravage shrugged. "I only said you would try."

"Would it be better if you thought of it as somewhere secluded where you could murder me? Not that I'd let you, but if it puts your mind at ease…"

"You'll talk here, or not at all."

Nox put her hands on her hips. "I don't think I care for your tone."

"I don't care for anything about you, Nox, yet here I am. Listening. Not even trying to put you out of my misery." Ravage chuckled to himself. "And to think, Marr calls me unreasonable."

"It's not as if I'm suggesting we go to some hidden cave out in the jungle," Nox grumbled. "Your chambers are right down the hall."

Ravage only looked at her.

"Fine, fine," Nox sighed. "Someone sent me an anonymous message asking me to meet with them on Tatooine so they can give me information vital to the fate of the Empire, but I have to bring someone with me to verify that I'm not lying about the information when I presumably share it with the Council."

That sounded less dubious in my head.

Ravage looked as though he were trying very hard not to laugh. "I have to admit," he said with clear amusement, "Of all the absurdities I've come to expect from you, this is really something else. You expect me to believe any of that?"

"Not really, no. But it's the truth."

"I'm sure." Ravage finally put his lightsaber back on his belt and crossed his arms. "So. Let me get this straight."

Nox tried to look innocent. It was difficult.

"If any of this is actually true, and if I were to believe even a fraction of it…" Calm, confident smugness crept across his face, lighting up his eyes and culminating in a grim, but very satisfied smirk. "It seems that you, Darth Nox, are asking for my help."

"I wouldn't put it that way," she pouted. Inwardly, she exulted. He had taken the bait.

"Oh, but I would," Ravage murmured. "How desperate you must be that you would approach me, of all people. This must be more important than you're letting on."

Nox decided to match his smirk with one of her own. "Does this mean you're agreeing?"

"I haven't agreed to anything yet. We have to discuss terms."

She had expected as much. "What terms might those be?"

"Let's just say that you will owe me, and at some point in the future, I will collect. I prefer to keep my options open."

"Done," Nox said immediately. Whatever he decided he wanted, she could probably talk her way out of it if it compromised her power in any way.

Ravage's smug smirk faded to a pleased smile. "Excellent."

"You'll come with me to Tatooine, then," she said. She wasn't worried about him backing out of the deal; Ravage kept his word when it suited him, and this time, it definitely suited him.

"That seems a more than fair price to pay."

Nox was finding Ravage in a good mood to be more and more unsettling with each passing moment. "We should discuss logistics, then. Two members of the Dark Council traveling together will be highly suspicious…"