Chapter 7: The Council

"I regret to inform the council that our Vladium stores have been exhausted. Our supply has dwindled to nothing, and with the recent loss, we do not possess enough of the ore to complete the contract as expected. Also, recent issues with the local shipyards have led to us running dangerously low on hfredium, kammris, and dolovite."

The imperial major stood straighter, trying to maintain the discipline that was expected of an imperial officer.

Rain, standing behind her master's throne, did her best to hide her smile.

And here I thought today was going to be boring.

Her hand drifted to her belt, and her light pike, her master had not given the order, not yet, but she wouldn't be surprised if she did.

It was never a good thing to break bad news to your dark lord.

The rest of the dark council of Bantoon sat in their respective seats. Her master's eleven advisors, and, of course, Avaryss herself had remained silent during the man's report. This terrorist strike on the great temple, the damage it had caused, and the loss of buildings materials needed to complete the temple had come at a bad time…

…the major was likely about to find out just how bad a time it was.

Darth Avaryss leaned back in her chair, her hands steepled before her face.

Rain could only guess what she was thinking, she could feel her master's rage, but it was tempered by her self-control.

She recognized that she couldn't give into her temper surrounded by her fellow Sith, they expected more of her as their leader.

Still, Rain expected for the man to die.

Her master might control her temper, but that didn't mean that it wasn't there.

The dark lord glanced over to her left, the Sith sitting there was a blonde-haired human male with a twisted arm and jaw.

"Lord Ghull, do you have anything else to add to the Major's report? Have your intelligence people found anything of note?"

"We are still investigating, my lord," the man replied in a lisping voice, "We have identified the docking supervisor on duty when the sabotage was committed, he is currently missing, but we will soon find him.

Across the room another councilor laughed. This one a handsome older pure-blooded female, her red skin marked with Sith tattoos.

"Poor Ghull, have you reached the limits of your skills? Have your vaunted sources failed you?"

Darth Ghull hissed.

"I prefer to have solid information before I act, Lord Infami," he snarled, "What have you presented this council with lately? Has your supposed clairvoyance found Princess Bayla? Has the resistance to our rule on this world ceased? I have heard only rumors and half-truths."

Darth Infami, Avaryss' master of rituals, smiled.

"Rumors are the start of enlightenment," she replied, "My work has resulted in the deaths of six Paladina criminals and their families."

Her smile turned wicked.

"What have your spies brought us lately you twisted thing!"

"Enough," Avaryss hissed, "Snipe at each other later!"

Both Sith fell silent, as the council returned its attention the Imperial officer.

The man was starting to sweat now.

Rain didn't blame him.

Major Skrain was the dock foreman where all the freighters were birthed, the attack that had been carried out on the grand temple had been carried out under his watch, and now…he had brought his dark lord news that the metals they needed to finish the temple were no longer available.

Imperials had died for less.

To Avaryss' right sat Darth Agony, her longest and most loyal ally. Though she preferred to go by her given name Taya, she still held the title she had been given, and used it for these council sessions.

She held up her cup, and Avaryss' daughter, Blyss was there in seconds, refilling the councilor's drink.

She had been her mother's cup bearer for almost a year now, and also something of an apprentice to Lord Taya.

Rain didn't begrudge her that position, though she held power, Taya was far from the most respected member of this council

Taya was a bit of an oddity. Her blue eyes were sharp and clear, at least her good eye was. The other had been damaged by a light whip a few years back, resulting in Taya wearing an eyepatch most of time. Though a full Darth, she didn't really look the part, her skin, though pale, did still maintain a healthy glow. The robes she wore, were not of the Sith, but of the local Bann matriarchs.

Taya had come to embrace their new world far more than the other Sith had.

Some had said she had…gone native. Some here suggested that she should not be on this council.

Not in earshot of Avaryss though, no.

Few would question the master's wisdom openly.

"Are we certain this attack was carried out by the Paladina," she asked, "Forty workers were killed. The Paladina still follow the Jedi way. I can't imagine they would accept such losses."

An angry snort came from the seat across from her, in that seat sat the hologram of Lord Abominus, Darth Avaryss' pet monster, and commander of the Sith's ground forces.

"Who else would seek to attack the grand temple," the monster snarled, not bothering to use her human glamour for this meeting.

Abominus showed her sharp teeth.

"We will need to make examples of this Bann scum!"

"You are probably right, Nessie," Avaryss nodded, turning to the seat next to Darth Infami.

"Lady Tazia, as Lady confessor, are you prepared to handle this matter? I know you have suggested caution in the past."

Lady Tazia Dresco, Taya's mother pursed her lips.

"I find these…Paladina most disturbing, my lord. Though they practice the Jedi arts, they do not behave like Jedi…"

The confessor shook her head.

"All attempts to bring them over into the dark side have failed. Torture that would break and turn a Jedi Knight have little or no effect on them, even the padawans."

A Red skinned Zabrak sitting across from Avaryss sneered.

"Have you finally met a foe you could not break, Confessor? I must admit, I am surprised, given your reputation."

The marauder turned confessor glared at her.

"You doubt my talents, Alaria? Perhaps you would like to volunteer for one of my questioning sessions. I'm sure by the time I've finished, you will not be…dismissive of my methods."

Darth Alaria, former Overseer of Butcher's Clearing smiled.

"I do not doubt your skill, milady, but it is clear that these Paladina are more than you expected."

"More than any of us expected. I will achieve results. Lord Avaryss will see…"

"Breaking the Paladina is not what we are here to discuss, my friends," Avaryss said interrupting, "Dealing with the fallout of the attack on the Grand Temple is…"

Interesting, Rain thought, the Paladina would not break?

This was news to her, but then again, maybe it should not have been.

Jedi had the Force and their order, that was all they had, duty. The Paladina were different, they had their gods, and their families, clans that had lived in secret for generations before Jas Dar Bynn found and started training them.

The Jedi feared attachments, but the attachments that the Paladina cultivated seemed different, they were chains binding the members of the order to their world and people…

Such chains were dangerous, it made someone not just a follower of a way, but a fanatic!

These Paladina were a danger, she thought, both to the Sith and the Jedi! If their ways spread off of Bantoon…?

I need not worry about that, she realized.

Once Master Avaryss is done, there will be no Jedi or Paladina.

The Force would belong to the Sith.

Avaryss returned her attention the imperial Major, the man remained at attention, his back rod straight.

"Your report has been most…informative, Major Skrain. However, someone must answer for the outrage we suffered by this attack…"

The dark lord smiled wickedly.

"Give me one reason, why you should not be…relieved from your command?"

Rain again felt the quickening in her stomach.

Here it comes, she thought.

She was ready.

All her master had to do was give the word.

"My lord," the man began, trying to keep the quaver out of his voice, "members of the council, I have taken the liberty of locating several nearby systems, with stockpiles of Vladium, as well as the other ores we require. I've compiled a list of these systems, their political affiliation, and suspected strengths."

Darth Avaryss gave the man an arched look.

"Have you now? How intriguing…"

She held up her hand.

"Show me."

The man produced a data card from inside his jacket, Avaryss pulled it to her hand using the Force, plugging it into her chair, the holo of the information the man acquired appeared before her.

The dark lord examined this information closely, her brow furrowed slightly in thought.

She looked over Lord Ghull's shoulder, finding the eyes of Xen Loor, her executioner.

Avaryss shook her head slightly.

The fallen Jedi nodded, and smiled at the imperial.

"It seems this council does not wish for your…livelihood at this time, Major."

The man only just suppressed a sigh of relief.

"We do demand action, however," Avaryss added coldly, "Our dockside security was clearly not adequate enough to keep the terrorists out. You will meet with your supervisors, discuss a new security protocol, and plug any leaks that may exist. You have twenty-four hours to implement this new security plan, and submit it for this council's inspection."

The dark lord pinned the man with her empty gaze.

"Such an attack will NOT happen again, or next time…this council may decide it has no other option but to…relieve you."

"Yes, my lord," the man exclaimed bobbing his head excitedly, "You will not be disappointed."

"I better not be…"

She leaned back in her chair.

"Dismissed."

The imperial saluted, and made his way to the door, when he was gone. The council found itself going through another round of sniping at each other. The various members airing their grievances and showing their jealousies and ambitions.

Rain was tempted to tune it out, but forced herself to pay attention.

There was wisdom, and use, to be found even in the petty discussions of her master's council.

Rain glanced down at her master. She had returned to the palace in the hope of gaining her permission to begin the search for Temmin Tagge, but had instead been roped into attending this council meeting.

She had not yet had a chance to speak with Avaryss. She had barely had time to bathe and change into her court clothes.

Impatience burned in her breast, but she tried not to show it.

Her master would speak with her, it was only a matter of time.

For now, she was smart enough not to waste the opportunity before her.

A council meeting offered much if one was wise and patient enough to see it.

Three years ago, when the dark lord had first formed. Rain had been barely fifteen, and had spent that first year doing the job that Blyss was doing now, acting as her master's cupbearer at meetings.

She had been insulted by the position, at first. She had thought she had moved beyond being Avaryss' serving girl. A point that she had brought up to the dark lord after one of those early meetings, in private, of course.

Avaryss had merely smiled.

Cupbearer to your master is not the worst position an apprentice can endure, my dear," her master had said, "I myself was your age when I first attended Darth Feer in such a fashion, serving drinks at meals with his political allies."

"Were you not insulted, master?" Rain had asked, "You were an apprentice to a Darth. A graduate of Korriban!"

"I was," Avaryss had said with a nod, "Which was why my master made me cup bearer."

The dark lord smiled wickedly.

"Yes, I served him drinks, and was forced to listen to Feer tell everyone who would listen of how he manipulated me and won me to his allies. I was also privy to all his plans and schemes. I got to hear the positions and opinions of all his allies, and learn about their plots, and what they had needed Darth Feer's help with."

Rain's master had chuckled.

"This position may seem to degrading, and it is, sort of, but it is also a grand opportunity. You will attend all council meetings, and learn about the councilors, and how to manipulate them. You will stand with me, in the center of everything. You WILL serve, but this is how you begin your grooming, one day…you will be my successor."

Rain thought of that, her eyes widening.

"You wish to lead after me? Well, this is the first step. An Empress must understand her council, and know how best to use them. So, stand behind me, listen to what is discussed, and fill cups when they empty. In the end…you will be the one on the throne, and on that day, you will see that a bit of degradation was worth it."

Rain had done that, and she had listened. Avaryss had not been wrong, she had learned much about the councilors, their whims and ambitions.

Now Avaryss had Blyss fulfilling the role. Rain could not help but wonder what was going on with that?

Had her master decided her tank-born daughter had a political future in the empire? Was she grooming her for a higher place…?

Rain frowned.

She briefly considered that Avaryss might seek to replace her, but dismissed it quickly. Her battle meditation was too useful, her master would not toss her aside so quickly, not even for her own blood.

No, Rain's position was secure, but that didn't mean that she would not put her own people on the little girl, just to be safe.

As a Sith…one could never be too careful.

Avaryss eventually did manage to steer the conversation back to the matter of the loss Vladium shipment, and the stockpiles that would need to be acquired."

The council briefly discussed the cost of purchasing the stockpile. It would be high, Tazia reminded everyone, as lord Treasurer, her husband managed Avaryss' money, and handled the new empire's books.

"Why bother paying for anything," Xen suggested with a wicked smile.

"We have warships, and troops, why not use them?"

"We are not yet ready to reveal our true strength," Darth Necris answered, "The mining worlds we are looking at, have not picked a side yet in the fight between the Alliance and the Eternal Throne, that makes them vulnerable, but that also means that either side courting those worlds might decide to attack Avaryss if they thought it might bring wounded party to their side."

The dark lord agreed.

No. They could not simply deploy their army to take what was needed.

It was at that moment that Avaryss suggested using Thranton Rink, and his privateers.

The council had all thought that a good idea.

In the years since Avaryss' flight from the empire proper, she had dispatched her old ally Mister Rink to recruit from among the criminal fringe, and he had done well in that endeavor. Avaryss now had a reasonably large fleet of raiders, slavers, and pirates under her control.

These beings could hit one of the mining worlds, acquire the stockpiles their master needed, and do so in a way that drew little attention to Avaryss or Bantoon.

It seemed the most intelligent option.

Of the fifteen nearby systems the Major had suggested, two stood out. Staukhause, and Bavin III, both had rich stores of Vladium, and other metals that might prove useful.

Avaryss thought that Bavin might serve them best, and promised to speak with Mister Rink before the next meeting, from there, the council could plan the attack, and see it carried out with twenty-four hours of that meeting.

The decision finally made; the dark lord called an end to the session. The dark council rose, and made their way out of the chamber, all but Avaryss, and Lord Taya, who the dark lord asked to remain behind.

Lady Tazia glanced at her daughter, who merely shrugged.

She didn't know why her old friend wanted to speak with her privately.

Rain remained behind as well, she still had to speak with her master.

She still hoped to get authorization to pursue Temmin Tagge.

Once they were alone, and the doors to the chamber sealed, Avaryss turned to her student.

"Now apprentice," she began.

"What is so important that you left your duties on Shae?"

Rain spoke quickly, offering up all that she had learned since her discussion with Kubaz spy, the stories of the large half-blood serving with pirates on the outer rim, the one wielding a blue blade.

"You can't be sure that this is Temmin," Avaryss reminded her student.

"True," Rain admitted, "But it is the first real lead that I've heard in years, the first lead we have heard of any possible Survivor Squad members still active."

Rain smiled.

"If it is Temm, he might know where others of the group might be. He might even know where Master Fenn is."

Avaryss pursed her lips.

Rain could sense her master's desires, even as she tried to hide them.

She might not say it openly, but she still missed her Jedi bedwarmer.

She and Taya both.

"It might be worth checking out," Taya suggested, doing her best to hide her own desire to see the young man again.

After all, Master Avaryss had not been Fenn Shadowstone's only lover.

Rain had never understood that. The thought of sharing Temm with another.

No.

Even the thought of him being with another female.

I would rip her heart out, she thought darkly.

Avaryss was far more accepting than her student would have been.

"Perhaps," Avaryss said agreeing with Taya, turning her back on her apprentice, she paced back and forth.

Rain grinned.

"So I have your permission?"

Avaryss shook her head.

"I will have Ghull look into this matter. His spies will be more subtle than you, my dear."

Rain's eyes narrowed.

"Master…this is Temm!"

"I know."

"Then you know what this means to me. If this was Fenn, would you let anyone stand in your way of finding him?"

Avaryss stopped pacing, she turned and glared at her apprentice.

Rain's mouth snapped shut.

Her master's cold gaze suggested that she had scored a hit, but not necessarily a wise one.

The Sith apprentice lowered her gaze.

"I…I meant no offense, my lord."

"Nor have I taken offense, apprentice," the dark lord responded, "I just wanted to make sure that your feelings and motivations were clear on this matter, Lady Rain."

"They are clear, master."

The Dark Lord held her gaze for several more seconds before nodding and turning away.

"Ghull will investigate this lead. We are too close to it, any movement from either of us would draw unneeded attention. We made enemies when we destroyed Survivor Squad, apprentice, those enemies are still out there, and we dare not make a mistake, not when we are so close to absolute victory. The temple is nearly complete, apprentice, when it is done, the galaxy will be ours. Once the Zakuul, and alliance high command, have been exterminated, the galaxy will be in chaos, we can claim it at our leisure, and we will be free to pursue our personal interests."

Rain bowed her head, trying to hide her disappointment.

"As you say, my master."

Avaryss sneered.

"Oh don't pout, Rain. You will see your half-blood boy, again, I'm certain."

She chuckled.

"In the meantime, I have a mission for you. I'm sending you to Mrsst."

Rain gave her an arched look.

"Mrsst? What is on Mrsst?"

" A certain university, and a library," the dark lord answered, "You will be in disguise, of course, you will be taking the identity of a young student that was killed three years ago, when we took this world."

Rain nodded.

"As you wish, and my purpose?"

"You will acquire some information for me, download several books, that I wish to acquire. They were written here on Bantoon, but the physical copies were destroyed years ago, I require that information."

Rain chewed her lip thoughtfully.

"This must be important, otherwise you would have given this to Ghull's intelligence people."

"Ghull will learn about this in due time, as will the rest of the council."

Taya gave her old friend a sly look.

"What is in these books, Avy? Why the secrecy?"

"A small surprise for our Paladina friends," Avaryss responded, "I don't really want to go into the details right now, but suffice to say, they will find what I have in mind most…disturbing."

Rain flashed a savage grin.

Something so valuable to her master, might be equally useful in other arenas, she thought.

She would read these texts on her way back, maybe come up with her own use for them.

Everyday she learned more than her master wanted her too.

Everyday she grew closer to the day that she would rule.

It was a risk, but a minor one…

If her master didn't want her to see them, she would not be sending her for them.

Avaryss nodded, a pleased look on her face.

"We are so close now, my friends. Years of hard work and planning are about to bear fruit."

Taya gave her a cruel smirk.

"Do you wish me to send word to Rink? Inform him of the Bavin raid?"

"No need," Avaryss answered, she turned to one of the empty chairs.

"Abominus? Are you still online?"

The hologram of the monster reappeared; her communication had not broken after the meeting.

"I'm here, Farm Girl," she said in the insolent tone she only reserved for when they were alone.

"You have something else to tell us?"

"Get me, Rink," she ordered.

Abominus nodded, and rose from her chair, her image vanishing from the holo-field. A moment later, a dark-haired man appeared, he was in his late twenties, with shaggy black hair, and a loose-fitting Imperial uniform.

Thranton Rink.

"Hi'ya, Boss," he said with a lazy smile, "We ready to do this, or what?"

The Dark Lord smiled.

"Are you people, ready, Mister Rink?"

"Ready as ever, our pilots are in their fighters, and we are ready to make the final jump. All we await is your order."

"Consider it given," the dark lord said, " Remember, the Vladium above all, and all the industrial metal that you can get your hands on. All other plunder is secondary. Make sure that your people understand that."

"Got it, boss," Rink said with a salute, "We will be on Staukhause, loaded up and gone before they even have a chance to send a distress signal."

"See that you are, Mister Rink," Avaryss said with a nod, "Tell Abominus not to waste time with pointless executions, get what is needed and get out."

"As you say, boss."

"Excellent, Mister Rink. Good hunting, and May the Force Serve you well."

Rink nodded and vanished.

Avaryss grinned triumphantly as she turned to Rain and Taya.

The apprentice said nothing, she merely smirked.

Taya didn't seem to understand.

"Staukhause?" she said.

"Yes," the dark lord replied.

"But I thought you and the council had decided to hit Bavin?"

Avaryss chuckled.

"No, I suggested a raid on Bavin, but I had spoken with Skrain before this meeting, he offered up the list he gave us to me yesterday. Staukhause was too tempting a target to pass up, Abominus and Rink were on station three hours ago, awaiting my order."

Taya shook her head.

"I don't get it, Avy. Why deceive the council? We're YOUR council."

The Dark Lord shrugged.

"It wasn't a deception. The council serves as my advisors, I wanted their opinion. Make no mistake, I considered raiding Bavin, and listened to their opinions, but in the end, chose to proceed with the Staukhause attack."

Rain's expression turned sly.

There was more to it than that, she knew her master well enough to know that to be true.

"We have agents on Bavin, don't we?" she asked her master.

Avaryss nodded.

"That is true, I do have several sources on the world. Mining guild people that don't mind making a spare credit every now and then."

"I'm guessing they will be watching the official channels," Rain added, "Making sure that no intel reports come in, say about…a pirate raid?"

"Well done, apprentice," Avaryss said with a polite clap of her hands, "You understand."

Rain nodded, basking in her master's praise.

It didn't come often.

Taya shook her head.

She still didn't get it.

"You expect someone to call Bavin? Warn them? Why? The only people that know right now are Skrain and…"

Taya blinked.

"Oh!"

Avaryss nodded.

"Yes, Taya, you understand now, don't you?"

The blond Sith nodded.

"You think someone on the council might be…?"

Avaryss shrugged.

"I don't know, but I have given it a bit of thought. I don't entirely think the attack on the great temple was carried out by the Paladina alone. They had help. How high up that help is positioned, I don't know…but…"

Rain sneered.

Was it possible?

They were so close to victory. Why would someone on the council…?

For their own ambitions, of course, she realized, the councilors had been content to rule here while the temple was under construction, now that it was close to completion…

…maybe someone wanted to step up. They had let Avaryss do all the heavy lifting, she found the keys, acquired the world, and built the weapon, and now they wanted to claim the prize.

Treachery was the way of the Sith, and it was very effective.

Avaryss had proved that against Survivor Squad.

"What happens if someone on the council was involved?" she asked her master.

"We deal with them," the dark lord replied.

Rain and Taya nodded.

What else could they do?

Avaryss sighed.

"Things are progressing quickly now, my friends, but we must still be cautious. We can't allow ourselves to be tripped up so close to the finish line."

Rain's brow furrowed.

If they had been betrayed, it would likely fall to her to deal with it.

She was her master's apprentice after all.

She also thought about the Staukhause raid. Why had her master not contacted her about it? Her battle meditation could have been useful.

Of course, it would also have given Rain a chance to work directly with Rink's Raiders, a source she had not managed to build any allies among yet.

Did her master fear to let her start building relationships among Rink's people, it was possible?

Rain shook her head.

Plots and counterplots, schemes and deceptions…

…it was enough to make one's head hurt.

For now, she had to go back to her quarters, read up on a certain dead college student.

Her master would no doubt expect her to be off for Mrsst before nightfall.

She said as much, and her master dismissed her.

Rain left the council chamber with a new sense of determination.

Find the books, her master needed, bring them back here, sounded easy enough.

Then…she would be able to do what SHE wanted.

Temmin.

She smirked.

She wanted to search for him, yes, but that was not all she wanted to do.

Her body warmed.

They had never gotten a chance to be…intimate, three years ago, they had both been too shy, too young, and he too dedicated to his Jedi teachings.

Would that still be the case, she wondered.

She hoped not.

As she made her way down the hall, towards her quarters, she looked up and out one of the palace windows.

The galaxy spun on, as it always had.

Yet, her thoughts were only for a young man.

Temmin.

He would be eighteen now, a man grown…

Did he still think of her?

Did he blame her for what happened?

Would he forgive her?

Would he…join her?

She sighed.

So many questions…

…she was most eager to find the answers.

Hang on, Temm, she thought.

I'm coming.