Know Your Enemy
Barriss Offee walked briskly towards the meeting hall after receiving a message that the Sith Empress wanted to see her. Since Tel Angor had arrived on Dromuund Kaas, Barriss had become even more anxious when talking to Jaira. The ex-Jedi had to watch herself more closely otherwise she could end up being the Force Vampire's next meal. Barriss waited patiently outside the door while the servant entered to announce her arrival to the Sith Empress.
"Barriss Offee is here to see you, Empress," the servant announced as the doors swung open to admit the Mirilian.
"Ahh Barriss, I had some questions I wished to ask you," Jaira started and then glanced dangerously at the servant who scampered out of the meeting hall quickly upon seeing the look she was being given, "About a certain Jedi Knight by the name of Ashlyn Dubreas," she revealed.
Barriss swallowed a lump in her throat nervously, "What information would you like about her my lord?"
"As much as you can give me. What is her homeworld?" Jaira asked.
"Naboo," Barriss answered.
"How old is she?" Jaira inquired as she moved on to the next question quickly.
"She turns twenty-one years old this year," Barriss detailed as she quickly did the numbers in her head.
"Interesting," Jaira whispered softly as she looked off into empty space thoughtfully as she discovered that this Jedi Knight was born the same year as herself and her twin brother.
"Who was her Jedi Master?" Jaira asked swiftly.
"Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker," Barriss answered as she realised the past tense that the Sith Empress had used but before she could ask about it's use Jaira had asked the next question.
The intense questioning continued from there for a little under an hour until Jaira seemed satisfied with all the information she had managed to get about her brother's new partner.
"Is that all the information you need, Empress?" Barriss inquired nervously.
Jaira nodded her head slightly and waved her hand in a gesture of dismissal, "Yes that will be quite all I need for now Barriss," she said.
Barriss quickly exited the room as she got the message that she was dismissed but made sure to make it look like she wasn't in a rush to leave the meeting hall. Once outside the ex-Jedi went on about her duties as normal and ignored any questions that popped into her head regarding why the Sith Empress would be interested to know anything about Ashlyn Dubreas.
The next person to grace Jaira's audience in the throne room that day was Doctor Giles Thatch who had completed the construction of the other Infiltration droids that the Empress had requested. The Scientist entered at a brisk pace after being announced with servants following him in with the crates.
"Ahh Giles, I hope you have good news for me," Jaira greeted him pleasantly.
The older man swallowed slightly nervous when he saw the grin that had spread across the face of Zromkiar who was currently sitting at the feet of the Sith Empress. He never liked reporting with Jaira when the Sith Master was present as the young man always seemed to always be eagerly awaiting his next opportunity to execute someone.
"Empress, I have completed the task you set for me," Giles announced as the crates were opened and several Infiltration droids rose into the air. These models' heads were slightly larger than the first model and only had two arms but had the addition of a blaster. The Scientist had personally not understood why Jaira wanted these droids to be a slightly different model but it was not his job to ask questions, especially questions that would earn him his very own execution pass.
Jaira rose to her feet to walk down from the platform and inspected the droids closely, "Very good, I am very pleased with your work Giles," she congratulated as she turned and returned to sit on the throne.
"Where do you wish for me to store them, my Lord?" Giles asked as he wanted to wrap this audience up as soon as possible.
The Sith Empress thought momentarily before she answered, "Have them sent to the Imperial Intelligence Office, the Director is waiting for them to be delivered."
The Scientist nodded slightly in acknowledgement as the droids were put back in the crates and the party left the throne room swiftly.
"Oh and Giles?" Jaira called out and he turned back slightly, "Be sure to start constructing more of them," she ordered.
"Yes Empress," Giles answered as he left with the servants.
It only took the group a few minutes to reach the area of the Citadel that had been set up for the Imperial Intelligence Headquarters. The Scientist preferred to avoid this section as much as possible as Director Kallus would constantly try and convince him to join the Analysis Bureau. However, Giles worked for the Sith Empress directly and was in charge of the Department of Science for the Empire, plus he did not fancy having cybernetic implants which was a necessary requirement to join the Analysis Bureau. Upon entering the Headquarters, the group walked directly ahead to the elevator which went up to the spire as this was where the Director's office was located at the very top. They were greeted by a receptionist upon exiting the elevator who smiled warmly.
"How can I help?" the young lady asked in a strong Lothalian accent.
"The Empress requested that I deliver these Infiltration droids to the Director," Giles explained briefly.
"Of course, the Director is free at the moment so please allow me to just inform him of your arrival," she responded as the receptionist rose to her feet and opened the door briefly, "You may go in."
The group entered the office with the crates and Giles was met with a lavish office as well as Director Geoff Kallus sitting behind his desk.
"Doctor Thatch, it is so nice to see you here," Geoff greeted warmly.
"We won't be staying long, I just came to drop off this delivery," Giles responded blankly.
"Of course, I cannot wait to see these masterpieces in action," the Director said eagerly, "I am sure you have thought over my proposal?"
"The answer is still no," Giles stated in finality as turned to leave without the crates, "Have a nice day Director Kallus," he farewelled as the Scientist left the office briskly.
Later that day, Jaira was sitting in her throne room waiting for the call to be answered so that she could implement her new plan as soon as possible. She had dispatched Admiral Tarkin and a fleet of Star Destroyers to a specific planet as extra insurance to ensure that this treaty would go down without any problems.
Then the call was answered and the holo image of Senator Cyrinity Kallus appeared in front of her, who greeted simply, "Empress."
"Have you done what I asked?" Jaira demanded as she did not like to be kept waiting.
"Yes my Lord, the Senator is with me in my office," Cyrinity said as the holo image of another Senator appeared next to that of the young woman.
"Very good," Jaira approved softly.
"My colleague says that you have an interesting proposition for me," the newcomer started with as he looked at her with immense interest.
"Yes, I am offering you a deal that I am sure you will not be able to refuse. I am in need of some Ryll and I hear that you are the person to see about obtaining some," Jaira said simply.
"Well yes, it is one of my home worlds main exports but it is watched heavily by the Galactic Republic," the Senator responded sounding slightly anxious about the idea.
"Oh don't worry about the Republic. I will make sure they never find out about this deal but I do plan to pay you handsomely for the product," Jaira revealed and then she gestured for Cyrinity to hand him the datapad which she was holding. When the other Senator saw the offer amount he almost fainted from excitement.
"I'm sure I will be able to pull a few strings," the Senator said greedily.
"Very good I have several ships in orbit above your home world ready to pick the first shipment up," Jaira said, "Be sure to let me know as soon as they can go down to the surface and collect the product," she added as both Senators bowed their heads slightly and the holocall ended.
Then the Sith Empress called the fleet to inform Admiral Tarkin of their success in the deal going through and that she would be in touch shortly to tell him that it was all clear to collect the shipment.
A/N: First chapter of the new book. I am sure that you can all guess who the mystery Senator is. As always please review my story as I love to hear from me readers.
Ashlyn Dubreas.