DROMUND KAAS

Darth Marr sat in the high straight backed chair in his chambers, silent and still as if he were not alive, merely a part of the room itself. The imposing figure the Lord of the Sith made in his armour was not lost on Daneb Khass as the man entered and bowed low to his better.

"Speak." The hollow, filtered voice broke the still of the room as Marr's attention fixed on the man.

Daneb could feel the weight of the Dark Lord's eyes on him even through that helmet. Beads of sweat had already formed long before he had even entered the chamber, and he was all too aware of the ones running down the back of his neck. Most would not have wanted his job. It was well known few had lived long enough to be known as someone Darth Marr relied upon. Most got carried out and forgotten. Not that anyone ever remembers a lowly servant, Daneb reminded himself.

"My Lord," Daneb said, hurrying forward and dropping to one knee at the base of the short set of steps that lead to the raised dais where Darth Marr sat waiting. "I bring troubling news."

Darth Marr's fingers drummed on the arm of his chair, and Daneb Khass swallowed hard. The collar of his imperial uniform seemed to shrink and tighten about his neck all on its own, though he knew it was merely a trick of his mind. Daneb reminded himself to be straight forward, wasting Lord Marr's time or being dramatic was apt to get him killed. This was a man of action. Darth Marr did not mince words and did not suffer fools, let alone failure. If he did not tread carefully he knew he was very likely to be force choked for real.

Daneb had served long enough to know Darth Marr lived by the creed, life is our enemy, and death is our solace. Few would challenge the man he was that skilled a warrior. He also was not one to get caught up in the power plays of his fellow sith, staying above such and acting as protector and defender of the Empire. One did not jest or vex the man.

"My Lord, the missing codex from Imperial Intelligence, it contained a file that is tied to the work of Lord Mekhis."

Marr's helmeted head rose slightly at the mention of the missing Dark Lord of the Sith. He had made sure once she had gone missing, any mention of even the slightest reference was brought to his attention. The woman had been useful when it came to battle, but she had also been corrupt. For as much good as she did for the Empire, she undermined it as well. Marr was not about to let anything he had been up to slip by to be used against the Empire, be it from someone within, or someone in the Republic. Especially now, given the war raged on and was not going as the Empire would have liked. The longer the war had gone, the more power plays had occurred. Malgus's attempt to usurp the Emperor's throne and power base had been just the latest in a string of foolish moves. Marr had seen many council changes. Baras killed, Malgus killed, Thanaton defeated. He himself had appointed Thanaton's killer to his place in fact. It had been a calculated risk, but Darth Nox was rarely seen, leaving that seat empty and one less fool for him to worry about.

"What was in the codex?" Darth Marr demanded.

"It references one of Mekhis's projects, the Darkstar Legacy, my Lord." Daneb said, keeping his eyes on the carpet, head down. When Marr did not say anything, the man continued and elaborated.

"Former Imperial operative, Cipher-Nine was last known to be in possession of the codex, but we have been unable to locate her since and she is presumed dead."

"I know this well enough already." Marr snapped, rising from his chair to stand and stare at the man kneeling before and below him. "Do I know she is dead? We trained her to not be seen! Unless you walk in here bringing me her head, Cipher-Nine is out there."

"As you say, my lord." Daneb agreed, cringing and waiting for death to claim him.

"You are to speak of this to no one else and ensure all information is destroyed. I want no trace of any of this left. After that you will get me the hunters. It is time to clean up Mekhis's mess."

"As you wish, my lord." Daneb said rising and backing away before turning and making to leave. Darth Marr's voice made him stop in mid step.

"Daneb, I want no loose ends. Wipe them out, all of them."

"Yes, my lord. So you say, so shall it be."

Darth Marr watched the man go and had his face not been concealed by his helmet, Daneb would have seen the deep set scowl and frown. The news was grave, and what he had to do even worse. There was no other way left to him now. With the codex gone, and potential damaging information in the open, all he could do was act to protect the Empire.

I need be swift and decisive, Marr thought before reminding himself he need to be very careful. The Emperor had been too long silent and gone, but even so, Marr was not going to be careless in crossing him. Those tied to Mekhis's work would be killed, but that held great peril for him as well in acting on such. One of those he would now silence and remove from the galaxy had earned himself the position as the Emperor's Wrath. Baras's former apprentice, a man Marr had watched rise to his station. Truth be told, Marr admired the pure blooded sith and what he had overcome and achieved. It mattered not however when it came to the good of the Empire itself.

"Necrolis Darkstar must die." Marr muttered to himself as he once more settled in his seat. "They all must die."