Badesh focussed to keep his force signature as unfeeling as possible. The idea of implanting a single command into their minds had been Vette's in order to counteract any mind-trick the Emperor might pull. Force-users could alter the free will of an individual, but if said free will was subjugated to a conditioned order it couldn't be manipulated anymore – or at least that was the theory they had come up with. The problem had been of course the time frame; the remaining time had been just enough to use a newly developed brainwash serum based on Quell toxin to condition Vette and Quinn with the command to kill the Emperor.
"Yes, that was my condition if they wanted to stay in my services," replied Badesh. "It seems that this particular safety precaution paid off."
If any of the other Dark Council members recognized the lie they didn't say it. Badesh reached out through the force to Vette and Quinn; it seemed that they were unharmed.
"He would have devoured us as well as Dromund Kaas," said Marr, "it was fortunate that we or rather Darth Tenebra killed him. However, the question remains that we will tell the public."
Nuresh crossed her arms. "Every dignitary on Dromund Kaas has heard his words – we have to announce that the Emperor is dead."
"My Lords… if I may?" Grand Moff Kilran stepped to them.
"You speak out of turn, Grand Moff," hissed Darth Morris.
"He does not," interjected Badesh. "Kilran was essential for my plans and he is a cunning tactician – say your piece, Grand Moff."
"Thank you, Darth Tenebra. Might I suggest that we inform the public that the Emperor simply wanted to test the resolve of the Dark Council? Over the coming months we simply spread that he has gone into seclusion to meditate. Our Emperor hasn't been active in the past decades – nobody will notice the difference."
"You want to deny Darth Tenebra the credit he is due?" asked Morris incredulously.
"My Lord… the common imperial citizen idolises the Emperor and thinks that he is immortal. How can we explain that he had to be put down like a rabid akk-dog?" replied Kilran with his usual sarcastic intonation.
"The Grand Moff is right – we gain nothing by admitting that the Emperor is dead. I suggest that we claim that one of us has been declared the 'voice of the Emperor'. This way we can use the Emperors authority to our ends," proposed Darth Nuresh.
"I agree and I think that there is an obvious candidate for the 'Voice'," concurred Nox while clapping with his hands in an almost giddy way.
"It certainly seems the rational thing to do," said Vowran. "But I only agree when the Voice is primus inter pares – first among equals."
Badesh nodded. "For the Empire it's certainly the best."
"Is that really enough for you? You surprise me, Darth Tenebra…" Marr stared at him.
"It is; I have come to the conviction that we are but caretakers of an infinite Empire – I am well aware that this isn't the Sith way, but instead of wasting resources on my personal fights I wish for the Empire to thrive." Badesh pointed on the dead body of the Emperor. "He was a fossil from another time, still wallowing in barbaric rituals, we should move forward. As Sith we know that the new will kill the old – like our apprentices will kill us someday and take our places." He looked from one Dark Council member to another. "I hereby propose that we take another step forward and enable all slaves to join the imperial navy to escape their caste – given that they meet the requirements of course. Because we are not afraid of change and because we can crush the Republic with the best soldiers the galaxy has ever seen!"
Badesh wasn't surprised that his little speech was met with silence. His colleagues probably thought about the risks this new course posed for them. Finally Nox cleared his throat.
"I support Darth Tenebra's motion."
Marr nodded. "I second to that."
Slowly every one of them agreed to Badesh's proposal. He felt something akin to the same satisfaction when he maimed somebody when he realised that he had done something to change a whole Empire – thanks to him and his companions billions of new alien soldiers and force-sensitives would tip the balance in favour of the Empire and destroy finally destroy the weak Republic! For a short moment he pictured himself slowly strangling Satele Shan to death – she would regret every word she had dared to mutter in his direction! It would be glorious!
ooOOoo
When Quinn, Vette and Badesh returned to their penthouse it was almost sunrise. Badesh reached out through the force to touch the minds of his companions; they were tired but also content.
"We will eradicate every trance of the IX serum as fast as possible," announced Badesh and pulled his mask off. "It was disgusting to put you through that treatment in the first place and I have no wish to let this filth poison your minds."
"Of course, I will arrange everything with Imperial Intelligence – I recommend that you oversee our treatment personally, Badesh. It is highly possible that a rival might try to implant a new command while we are unguarded," replied Quinn outright.
"Yeah, the sooner the better – it was quite disturbing how we were absolutely powerless against the mind-trick as well as against the brainwashing. It was so… easy…" added Vette and let herself fall on a couch and put her feet on the coffee table.
"Do you think that anybody bought my lie about forcing you to this conditioning?" asked Badesh calmly. He knew that the close bond he shared with his lovers was well known among the Dark Council, and this put Vette and Quinn at risk.
"I doubt it," Quinn sat down next to Vette and gave her a peck on the mouth. "The way Darth Nox conveniently supported your lie indicates that at least he doesn't believe it. And concerning the other Darths…"
Vette leaned over to Quinn and kissed him on the mouth so that the rest of the sentence was muffled. She continued in his stead: "… they will believe it; I think they are simply not capable of even picturing trusting somebody like you trust us. They will always believe that everything has to be a ruse in one way or another."
Badesh smiled at them. Seeing Vette and Quinn alive and well made him happy.
Vette beamed at him. "Come here, boss – I still have to kiss you for giving slaves across the Empire a chance to escape their fate – even when their choices are still limited."
Badesh joined them on the couch and sat down next to Vette who gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Mal… don't you want to contradict me? 'Joining the imperial navy is an honour' and so on?" asked Vette archly.
"It is – but even I must admit that their choices are indeed limited," retorted Quinn and opened the topmost button of his jacket before leaning back. "I inquired about Cipher Nine and Agent Hyllus – it seems that they will pull through. Keeper informed me that they need to stay in the kolto tanks for two weeks though."
"I knew that Nine was too stubborn to die," Vette joked, but even Badesh saw that she was really relieved to hear that they were going to be alright.
The sun begun slowly to rise, the sky above Kaas City was covered in dark cloud as always, but the slight change of light showed that a new day had dawned. A new beginning… Badesh felt tired and let his thought wander to the coming challenges; he glanced at Vette and Quinn who had solemn, even grave expressions on their faces – he guessed that they mused on the tasks to come as well. But whatever the galaxy threw at them, they could best it! The glory and might of the Empire had to…
"So, who is up for pancakes?" asked Vette.
"I was just about to suggest the same thing," replied Quinn dryly.
Badesh chuckled. "I was thinking about breakfast too."
"And since we not only saved the Empire but the whole galaxy I move that we use real maple syrup from Alderaan!" exclaimed Vette and jumped on her feet.
"I concur, I would like to add that it would be necessary to complement the pancakes with fresh berries in order to optimize the flavour," Quinn said as stuck-up as ever, but a smile played about his lips.
"Alright, but don't forget the cream," said Badesh. "Now go forth and do my bidding, minions!"
He watched how Vette and Quinn disappeared in the dining room and got up. Badesh walked to the large window in the lounge and looked at the citadel in the middle of Kaas City. Rain was battering on the glass, the rhythmic sound was quite hypnotic. Soon he had to travel to Korriban to choose a new apprentice, Badesh wished that he could wait longer – but of course that was wishful thinking. He just had to make sure that the apprentice understood how they worked. At least until had to kill him or her…
"Everything is set up," called Vette, "stop your brooding and eat some delicious pancakes, boss!"
Badesh turned away from the window and strode into the dining room.
ooOOoo
Korriban was as inhospitable as always. A hot wind blew red sand across the way to the Sith academy. Badesh walked up front, followed by Vette and Quinn. Today he would choose a new apprentice, Badesh was curious how many had passed through the trials. Back when he was an acolyte it had only been him and Vemrin. How strange to think that it had only been two years since he had left Korriban with Vette.
Badesh ignored the acolytes who bowed before him as he briskly walked past them. At the entrance of the academy stood an overseer who greeted Badesh and led him into the training halls. A year ago there had been about 20 acolytes, but today there were only four left. Badesh assumed that the rest of them had been killed one way or another.
Badesh let his gaze glide over the candidates for the apprenticeship: Two pure-blooded Sith, a human and a Nautolan. He remembered the nautolan woman, it was the one they had saved from Kaon – Zinna.
"I am surprised to see that so many acolytes passed the tests," remarked Badesh and turned to the overseer, a dark-skinned human male.
"It is unusual, but since Lord Razer we changed the tests to include intelligence tests as well. After all it would be unfortunate to promote candidates who lack the necessary cognitive skills to gasp the full extent of their tasks," the overseer replied.
"That is certainly wise," retorted Badesh.
"Thank you, my Lord. These two," the overseer pointed at one of the pure-bloods and the human, "are the strongest acolytes in terms of raw fighting power, whereas these two, "he gestured towards Zinna and the other pure-blood, "received top marks in all cognitive tests."
"I wish to see an example of the battle prowess – the nautolan shall fight against the stronger pure-blood, whereas the human and the other pure-blood battle against each other."
"Of course, my Lord – to the death?" asked the overseer calmly.
"No, I merely wish to see their capabilities," answered Badesh.
The overseer bowed and gestured the acolytes to draw their training blades. Badesh crossed his arms and reached out through the force, he was curious about the force signatures of the candidates. But before he focused on them he allowed himself to touch Vette's and Quinn's. It made him content to feel them.
The battles begun and Badesh scanned the acolytes and their fighting style: It was no surprise that the physical stronger candidates gained quickly the upper hand in the fights. Zinna fought admirably, she used her limited fighting skills very effectively considered that it wasn't her strong suit. At one point she even managed to shot lighting at her opponent, quite a feat for an acolyte, but the male pure-blood simply dodged the attack and hit her with the hilt of his training sword. Zinna fell on the ground and received two kicks in her stomach before the overseer ended the fight.
The other fight was less one-sided: the human male and the pure-blooded woman fought as equals. Badesh was surprised how agile the pure-blood was – she was supposed to be the scholarly type and yet she fought with grace. When the human tripped she even waited for him to get up before she continued the fight. In the end the pure-blood managed to knock the weapon out of her opponents hand and the overseer ended the fight.
All four stepped in front of Badesh and bowed.
"A fine selection, overseer – all four show great potential," said Badesh and started to pace back and forth. "I will ask each of you a question, and I expect an honest answer."
"Yes, my Lord," the four of them said in unison.
Badesh stopped in front of the human. "Why did you lose against someone who was presumably weaker than you?"
The man looked Badesh straight in the eye. "I underestimated her – it won't happen again."
"And you – why did you win against someone who was supposed to be stronger than you?"
The pure-blood woman bowed. "I learned during my studies that being underestimated is the key to victory. So I held back during the trainings to appear weaker than I am in order to succeed today."