Written by dngn4774 and Rayvnsland. All issues can be found at the Phantom Lords library.

Keeping Enemies Closer Several Days Ago; On Korriban

Darth Verudan, the Phantom Lord, walked into the very heart of the Empire, the Dark Council Chambers. Here sat eleven of the most notorious Sith in the Empire. Prior to this meeting the council had twelve members. The latest vacancy had been directly attributed to the findings of Verudan's own investigation into last week's incursion. The phantom had displayed evidence which linked Darth Zhorrid with the Galactic Republic's strike team. Rather than defend the alleged treason, she evaded arrest and fled Imperial space as a fugitive.

Upon Verudan's arrival at the center of the chamber the surrounding Sith rose from their thrones and those who where not present appeared in holoform. Verudan bowed, as visitors were accustomed to do, in honor of their presence.

"Rise." Darth Marr ordered. The Phantom Lord obeyed, springing from one knee. "On behalf of the council we congratulate your efforts on the recent investigation."

"Were it not for your keen perception Zhorrid's treachery would have gone unnoticed." Darth Arkous interjected. He quickly silenced himself in fear of infuriating Marr.

"The child was a fool that never should have been appointed. She was far too unworthy to be trusted with such a title." Darth Vowrawn added.

Darth Howl cackled menacingly on the other side of the room. "Trust you say...among Sith?" He scoffed. "Now that's a joke in itself old man."

"As if you would know anything about being a true Sith!" Ravage flared. He was known for his temper and was provoked with ease.

"I know that if a Sith's power was directly proportion to his aptitude for kissing ass, you'd be Emperor!" Howl retorted.

"Insolent beast!" Ravage roared, unsheathing his lightsaber.

"ENOUGH!" Darth Nox shouted, causing the room quaked with force energy. "If either of hasn't noticed there is a war going on outside of this room, one which we are losing." He hissed.

"Nox is correct." Marr noted. "Such petty squabbles will only result in our imminent destruction. We must unified in our resolve, it is the only way for us to survive." Marr extended an arm at Ravage, signaling him to cease the hostility.

Ravage's eyes were burning red, but they gradually cooled down as he retracted his blade. He snarled a Nox and Darth Howl.

Marr continued. We have chosen you, Darth Verudan, to take Zhorrid's seat on the council, as the new head of Sith Intelligence."

Verudan bowed, grinning at the floor before arising with a stern expression. His plan was falling into place perfectly. "I will not fail the Empire." He swore to his new brethren.

A few minutes elapsed before the council session had ended. Regardless of Marr's lecture on unity, tension between the Dark Lords made further attempts at discussion futile. Despite being the newest member, Verudan could identify the splitting factions within his council. Darth Howl was muttering across the room with Darth Mathias, Acina, and Arkous; he had a knack for playing on the greed of new and ambitious Sith. Vowrawn, Ravage, Mortis, and Marr conspired nearby. They were remnants of the old status quo, now forced to limit the damage to their reputations swiftly. For decades, Marr had been universally feared throughout the Empire, but Howl could sense that opportunities were approaching for new leadership to emerge.

The others were either too indecisive or not concerned enough to choose their side. They worried more about the war looming outside than the battles being waged behind their backs.

After most of the present Sith had left, the new head of Sith Intelligence approached Darth Marr's group. Marr glared beneath his helmet at Darth Howl and Darth Mathias. "Those two seem chummy." Verudan jested.

"I should have killed him months ago." Marr grumbled. For a moment it was unclear which nemesis he was referring to, before he clarified. "You told me you could control that alien."

"I can." Verudan assuaged. "Mathias is a skilled tactician but insipidly predictable. Howl on the other hand, has proven to be abnormally capricious. An alliance between the two makes it impossible for Howl to deceive you without betraying Mathias, and doing so would not only destroy the alliance, it would turn Mathias against Howl. Eventually, they will become victims to their own natures, they just haven't realized it yet."

Marr scoffed. "I have underestimated you, profoundly. You'll make a powerful ally when the Empire faces the troubled times to come. Somehow I doubt you came only to discuss Howl. Tell me, what is the true purpose of this discussion?" He inquired.

"Nothing eludes you, Darth Marr." The newest Dark Councilor complimented. "I have a few requests pertaining to my new role. It would entail dismantling the current network of spies to create a new vision for what Sith Intelligence could be. To reform this agency I require half of the acolytes on Korriban to be moved to a base of my choosing."

"Is that all?" Darth Vowrawn asked sarcastically. He and the other Sith had cringed from contemplating the logistics such a request would entail.

Verudan shook his head. "There's also one more request. I would like to release Darth Euthalmal. I have use for her as a mentor for my acolytes."

"Absolutely not!" Mortis protested. His duty as being head of Laws and Justice compelled him to dissent. "Doing so would defy our ethical codes. She is an abomination to the force! A menace to the Empire! A-"

"Very well." Marr interrupted. Ravage and Mortis both looked in shock of their colleague's approval. "Know that you will be held accountable if anything were to go wrong. Do not make me regret this." He said to Verudan before leaving the chambers.

Even Darth Verudan was slightly astonished by the outcome. The recruits were a tall order in itself, but the release of Euthalmal proved one adamant fact: Marr was willing to go towards any lengths to silence his opposition. Ruthlessness has always been a desirable trait amongst the Sith, as desperation has always been condemned. Members of the Dark Council have famously blurred this line on occasion but few have possessed the will to cross it. Regardless of which path the Council chooses, all roads would ultimately end at the hands of phantoms.

Present Day; Tomb of Ajunta Pall; Ziost

The Phantom Lord waited in the depths of the temple for any response. This was where he was told to meet the Sith who had contacted him. Ziost was one of the oldest worlds in the Sith Empire, and disputed as the initial homeworld of the first Sith. Like the Jedi world of Tython, Ziost's landscapes embodied the force users it sheltered. Jagged, icy rocks, and twisted, dark forests shrouded the planet in shadows. Within he planet's horror lied its true beauty. Aside from a few tombs, the planet was barely affected by intelligent life.

The sound of footsteps could be heard, advancing through a side corridor.

Tap...Tap...Tap...Tap

The steps grew louder until a Nautolan approached the entrance to the chamber.

"Darth Angier I presume?" Verudan guessed. Hand of Jadus scowled, but was otherwise silent. The servant dropped a small holocommunicator on the floor between them. A blue hologram flickered on presenting, Darth Jadus. As a wanted enemy of the Empire, it was impossible for Jadus to make a personal appearance so close to an Imperial world, so a hologram would have to suffice.

"Greetings Darth Verudan! My sources confirm that you've been awarded my old seat on the council."

"Yes. It's a shame that Darth Zhorrid, was proven a traitor to the Empire. She could have had a promising career...if I hadn't framed her."

"My daughter shall be forced back to my side. She has nowhere else to turn. Allow me to reward you for your efforts." Jadus stated. Angier passed over a black holocron to Verudan.

The Sith Lord briefly examined it before pocketing it. "What could be in here?" Verudan mused.

"An archive that shall prove to be most lucrative to your new career." Jadus reassured. "Several weeks ago my agents discovered a top secret facility headed by the RSF (Republic Special Forces) on Tatooine. Apparently, they are conducting illegal research in these facilities without the Republic's consent. With each day the RSF grows closer in their development of superweapons. However, if a Sith where to expose these facilities to the public, it could undermine the Republic's entire war effort and present the Empire with an opportunity to claim the spoils of war."

"You have my attention."

"Good. The black holocron contains the locations for each of these RSF black sites across the galaxy. The key to unlock this holocron can be found on Tatooine. I've sent the coordinates of the black site to your ship. I trust that your men can take care of all of the rest."

"Just one question; what do you win from assisting me?" Darth Verudan asked.

Jadus chose his words carefully. "It's not about what I win, it's about what I stand to lose. One day I shall return to the Empire, but if the war continues at its current pace, there may not be an Empire to return to." He concluded. "Ironic, is it not? I am preserving an Empire that I loathe only so that I may one day annihilate it myself. I won't contact you again."

After the transmission cut off Darth Angier left with the communicator, leaving Verudan alone with his thoughts. Verudan began to meditate in the tomb. New plans would need to be constructed.

To be continued...