Note: Sorry progress has been slow. Life gets in the way sometimes. Updates should be more frequent for the foreseeable future.
Thirty-Nine
Kaas City, Dromund Kaas
17 ATC
Ravage couldn't quite figure out what exactly it was, but there was something aggressively likeable about Elaedrin Myn.
When she walked into his audience chamber, she bowed low, then straightened and looked him calmly in the eye. Respectful without groveling. That was one point in her favor; Ravage hated groveling.
"I'm happy to report that my mission on Alderaan was a success, my lord," Elaedrin said.
Ravage's mood improved considerably. She got results every time, which was more than he could say for most of the other people who served him. "And?"
"Well, I did some digging. A lot of digging, actually." Elaedrin clasped her hands together in front of her. "I found my way into the Organa estate where Countess Leraine used to live and made a few inquiries."
"How did you manage that?"
"Oh, I dug out my old Jedi robes and strolled right in. No one thought anything of it." She smiled smugly.
She had the proper attitude, she was consistently competent, and she was young, blonde, and pretty. The perfect apprentice. Ravage reflected that he really ought to make her a Lord, and soon. "Tell me what you learned, then."
"Very well, my lord. This Katilya Mavess woman you wanted me to investigate started working for the Organas about six months before the countess' death, and she disappeared immediately after."
"I knew that much already."
"Ah, but there's more. You see, Leraine was found dead on the ground under a balcony several stories up, and I found a former member of the household staff who swears that he saw Katilya follow Leraine onto that very balcony just a few minutes before. And nobody saw Katilya again after that."
Ravage frowned, wheels starting to turn in his head. "Are you certain this testimony is accurate?"
"The man was adamant, and I didn't sense any deception from him."
"So Katilya Mavess murdered Leraine Organa," Ravage mused. "But why?"
"Well, with Leraine dead, her husband took over her estates. He was big on Alderaanian independence, apparently, and he refused to allow the Republic to move troops across his land. Very inconvenient for them—but advantageous for the Empire. That made me start to wonder."
"You suspect the Empire had a hand in this?"
"I do, my lord. I think Katilya was hired by the Empire to assassinate Leraine. After that, it seems she just disappeared." Elaedrin shrugged. "Maybe the Empire had her killed, too. Loose ends and all that."
"Perhaps," Ravage said to maintain appearances. His mind raced. Katilya didn't die; she became Darth Nox. He was certain of it. But how? There were still pieces missing. "I don't suppose you found any evidence to support this theory of Imperial involvement."
"Oh, I did." Elaedrin smirked. "I found plenty."
Ravage scowled when she paused dramatically. "Don't waste my time with theatrics."
"Sorry, my lord." Elaedrin ducked her head. "Uh, right to the point then. Yes. After I made those inquiries about Katilya, I got a holocall. No image, voice disguised, but they claimed to be an Imperial who'd been involved with the assassination. Said for enough credits, they'd tell me more. I set up a meeting here in Kaas City for…let's see, that would be three days from now."
"Very interesting," Ravage murmured. "You've performed outstandingly, Elaedrin. I am most pleased."
"Happy to do my part," she said smoothly. "I should have more information after I meet with—well, whoever it turns out to be."
"Yes, about that." Ravage considered for a moment, then made a quick decision. "I have more important matters for you to attend to during that time. Give me the details of this meeting, and I'll arrange something."
He was close to the truth. He could feel it. This was no longer a matter that could be trusted to apprentices, even ones as capable as Elaedrin. This was something he had to deal with himself.
And once he found out the truth about Nox's past, then he would have power over her…
Dark Council Chamber, Korriban
17 ATC
Darth Pherebus had never expected to stand in the chamber of the Dark Council and be told that one of the twelve great seats lining either side of the room was now hers.
She was a researcher, not a warrior. An academic with no interest in politics. And she was an alien, a Zabrak whose family had served the Empire for generations. Always of their own accord, not as slaves, but that made little difference to the conservative sensibilities of the Imperial elite. She had ambition—she had fought and schemed her way to a Darth title, after all—but the Dark Council had never been within her sights. That highest of heights to which a Sith could rise had always seemed beyond her reach.
Yet there she stood.
"My lords," Pherebus said, "I am honored that you have chosen to bestow this position upon me. I shall do my best to live up to the example of the Dark Lords who have gone before me."
She paused, looking around the chamber. No one seemed to be paying much attention.
Darth Marr's mask was turned towards Darth Ravage, who was frowning thoughtfully at the floor. Darth Acina looked bored by the proceedings, but her eyes were darting from one Sith Lord to the next. Darth Mortis had the air of a man who had just stepped in a sleen trap. Darth Rictus sat apart from the others, watching.
Pherebus' stomach tightened with unease. She knew her history. To have so many members of the Dark Council gathered together in person could mean a number of things, but none of them were good. Most were violent.
If she were about to witness one of the Council's notorious upheavals, she certainly didn't want to do it from the center floor. She inclined her head respectfully, trying to include the whole room in the gesture, and hastily moved to take her seat.
The moment she sat down, Darth Mortis stood. "I assume we're finished here?"
"Sit down, Mortis," Marr said coolly. "We have another matter to discuss."
Mortis remained on his feet. "I was unaware of anything on the agenda besides the appointment of our newest member."
"You seem very eager to leave," Ravage noted. "Is there something you're not telling us?"
Mortis frowned. "There is a war on, in case you've forgotten. I have a great many things to attend to, and I do not care to have my time wasted here."
"Don't worry," Ravage said softly. "This won't take long."
As if on cue, the door to the Council chamber opened.
"Oh," said Darth Nox. "It seems I'm late. My apologies."
Pherebus sucked in a breath.
Nox glided forward, her feet invisible beneath the floor-length hem of her red shimmersilk dress. Her hair was done up behind her head in an elaborate braided coil, leaving her neck and shoulders bare above her dress' low neckline. Watching her, Pherebus did her best to suppress the corrosive envy that surged in her chest. Not so much because of Nox's sophisticated appearance, though it did make her feel quite plain by comparison, but because of what Nox represented: power.
Pherebus could have done so much with the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge. The libraries, the artifacts, the whole Reclamation Service at her disposal…imagining all those resources made her giddy. But Ancient Knowledge was firmly within Nox's grasp, and Pherebus had to be content with the Sphere of Sith Philosophy.
"What kept you?" Ravage demanded.
Nox smiled languidly. "I couldn't decide what to wear."
"If she dressed like a proper Sith…" Acina's whisper was clearly meant to carry.
"And you look lovely today, Acina," Nox said sweetly, strolling across the floor to take her seat beside Darth Marr. "Have you done something different with your hair? It's quite flattering."
"You're too kind," Acina said through gritted teeth.
With so many forceful personalities mixed together, Pherebus thought, it's a wonder the Council gets anything done.
"I know, darling. I know." Nox folded her hands in her lap. "Shall we, then?"
Mortis slowly sat back down. "Yes, I'm interested to know the nature of this secret business."
"It is simple," Marr said. "Elements within the Republic Senate have reached out to us to ask for a ceasefire. We have agreed."
Pherebus' eyes widened. The war had dragged on for many years with no real progress on either side. It was no wonder that the Republic was growing tired of it. She would never have expected the Empire to agree, however.
Acina stiffened. "The Council was not informed of this."
Looking around the room, Pherebus saw similar expressions of surprise on Rictus and Mortis. Nox was as unruffled as always, and Ravage wore a small, grim smile.
They must have planned it, then. Nox, Ravage, and Marr working together, an unexpected triumvirate given Ravage and Marr's well-known dislike for one another. Going behind the Council's back to make a move that would affect the future of the entire galaxy.
"You have a great deal of nerve, Marr," Rictus said. "And you overestimate your influence. I, for one, do not agree to this."
"I know my influence well enough," Marr retorted. "And I know this Council. The agreement was made without your knowledge because you insist upon bickering and fighting amongst yourselves while Imperial worlds burn."
"So superior," Acina sneered. "So self-righteous. Do you think us children who cannot be trusted with our own power? Every one of us has fought for this. We have earned this. I am a Dark Lord of the Sith, and I will not be bullied into submission to make peace with our enemies."
"It's only a ceasefire," Nox drawled. "We're hardly inviting Saresh and Shan over for tea."
Acina turned to glare at her. "And I suppose you support this nonsense, do you?"
"Of course," Nox said loftily. "It's the only sensible thing to do."
"As if you'd know anything about sense," Acina scoffed.
Rictus cut in. "Ravage, you've been awfully quiet."
Ravage shrugged. "I've been enjoying the show."
"You don't seriously support this," Rictus said incredulously. "A ceasefire."
"If it's ceasefire or defeat, I daresay I know which I'm choosing." Ravage crossed his arms. "The Treaty of Coruscant gave us an opportunity to gather our strength, gain the advantage—an advantage that we spectacularly squandered on each other. I suggest we do better this time."
"See? Even Ravage agrees this is the right thing to do." Nox chuckled. "So, we have three for and two against. Not that it matters, given that the agreement's already been made, but I do love playing at democracy. Mortis, your vote?"
Mortis shook his head. "I cannot condone this course of action."
"Tsk, tsk, and here I thought you had some sense." Nox sighed dramatically. "That's three and three. It seems the balance will be tipped by our newest colleague. Pherebus?"
Pherebus stiffened as everyone turned to look at her. Was this why she'd been appointed? To give a sham of a consensus?
There was only one logical choice to make, for the sake of both the Empire and her own continued survival. She had only just joined the Dark Council, and she would be damned if she picked the wrong side now.
"I agree with the ceasefire," she said. "The advantages far outweigh the shortcomings."
Nox's smile turned predatory. "It seems the rest of you have been outvoted. Such a shame."
Acina shook her head. "This is lunacy. You say you wish to avoid dividing the Empire, but that is precisely what you have just done. Or do you think that we will simply roll over and do your bidding like trained tuk'ata?"
"The Treaty of Coruscant was made in accordance with the Emperor's wishes," Mortis said. "I cannot help but notice that his Wrath is conspicuously absent."
"I suspect she has better things to do than bandy words with fools," Ravage said acidly.
"Besides," Nox said, "if the Emperor didn't trust us to do what's best for his Empire, we would hardly be here, now would we?"
A tense silence fell.
Pherebus watched the other Sith and found herself wondering if she could get away with discreetly taking a few notes. Recorded data was the most reliable data, and there was so much to analyze.
Mortis was the first to break the silence. "Very well. If the Empire has already been set upon this course, then it would be foolish to oppose it."
"My thoughts as well," Rictus said.
Marr nodded once. "Acina?"
Acina hesitated for a long moment, tapping her fingertips against the arm of her chair. At last, she said, "Fine."
"Then there is nothing more to discuss," Marr said. "The details of our next course of action will be discussed next time we meet."
Acina was the first to leave, stalking over to the door with indignation apparent in every step. Mortis and Rictus followed, engaged in conversation too quiet for anyone else to hear.
"And to think, we didn't even have to kill any of them," Nox murmured.
"I'm a little disappointed, honestly," Ravage said. He frowned at Nox. "Where were you? You almost missed everything."
"Like I said: choosing an outfit." Nox smoothed her skirt. "I like this red one, but then I thought it seemed a bit too flashy for such a serious occasion. So then I was looking through my black dresses, but I only wear black when I'm planning on killing someone and that wasn't really the ideal outcome here…"
Marr left the chamber. Pherebus fidgeted, trying to determine how long would be prudent to wait before doing the same.
"…and then once I finally decided on the red dress, I had to do my hair," Nox continued with no sign of stopping. "I mean, it looks so lovely down, especially with the neckline on this dress, but I thought maybe I should put it out of my face just in case I did end up having to fight, and it takes ever so long to braid it and pin it up like thi—"
"Nox," Ravage interrupted exasperatedly.
She tittered. "Am I boring you, dear?"
Pherebus decided that she'd been there long enough. Filing away her mental notes, she rose and quickly left the chamber.
"Never mind that," Ravage said as Pherebus walked out. "Where is the Wrath? I thought she was going to be here."
All humor left Nox's voice as she spoke. "Some sort of business for the Emperor, I think. I doubt we want to know."
In spite of herself, Pherebus shivered.
