A Warm Reception

[Jenno]

It was a hot day. It was nothing but hot days on Korriban. Even within the walls of the Sith Temple Iniquitous was not completely safe from the oppressive heat. At times he wondered if it was the heat, the sand and dust which made this planet valuable to the Sith. It seemed like the very nature of the planet was there to irritate and drive one to anger, a home upon which the Sith could eternally fuel their anger.

But perhaps too many weeks of seclusion, locked away in his own private area of the temple, was the reason he felt particularly irritated today. He was tired of this planet, of these halls, even the initiates were able to leave this world and yet Iniquitous had almost completely confined himself to this planet. Perhaps he had become too obsessed with keeping his identity hidden from the Republic; after all they were quite incompetent. It would not be long until he would have to put his theories and studies into practice. He would need to experiment in earnest, away from this planet.

But for now, there was some social interaction to be had. He had spent part of the morning making sure he could actually remember how to verbally form sentences. He sat in his office; the place had gathered some dust recently. Of course, he had been keeping up with galactic events and the Order’s activities. Renata and Eurachis would send him domestic and military reports. He was pleased that his involvement wasn’t entirely necessary, it was proof that he had built something which was truly sturdy, it did not hinge entirely upon him but was instead a tool he could use for his own devices.

Recently he had felt a familiar presence through the Force. Darth Novus had reported to him for some time, in truth Iniquitous had been curious in her disappearance, as of that of her master Darth Paxis. Parts of his mind speculated that there was a greater meaning behind their vanishing, that in keeping with the nature of the Sith they had planned and plotted against him, that her return was the trigger of a blaster aimed at his head. Reflecting upon these thoughts allowed him to see just how much the Sith had corrupted his mind, it was strange to realise. It was a problem he would have to deal with.

For now he would have to meet with Novus, welcome her back in person. She had already begun to resume her contribution to the Order, and after events had unfolded upon Muunilinst, a debriefing would be a good way for them to contact one another. They could spend their time catching up, in the way that Sith do.

Iniquitous simply sat at his desk waiting. He wore his helmet as usual; it felt almost like a second skin now. He could feel Novus approaching, the doors opened and in she walked. “Please, take a seat,” he gestured to the chair opposite him, “welcome home Darth Novus. I hope you’ve been well.”

[Neology]

Her shuttle had been in Korriban local space for a little less than half an hour; about the same length of time since she'd received that message from Iniquitous. He wanted her to deliver her report, in person, on the very heels of the failed mission to Muunilinst. Quite intimidating, that, but nothing unreasonable to expect from one's direct superior. What made it strange was the fact that, as far as she knew, the Dark Overlord hadn't bothered to speak to anyone at all in months. Why now? Why make an exception for her?

Novus stood in front of the refresher mirror, applying a touch of lip color with a thin brush. The droid could land the ship. There was something very relaxing, very certain, in seeing to all the tiny details of personal presentation. She practiced a small smile on her reflection as she pinned her long hair back with a pair of enameled wooden combs. The smile faded gradually – she'd found it wasn't particularly convincing. She straightened the cuffs on her swallow-tailed blouse, all fine black silk and silver embroidery, tailored exactly to her fit. Silver piping on the trousers and shiny black boots lent the ensemble a vague military air.

Not that all that effort would gain her any ground with Iniquitous. Dressing up for a blind man - there was a certain amount of irony in that.

A soft vibration traveled through the ship as it touched down. Novus vented a sigh and strode through the shuttle, down the loading ramp, and into the temple proper. She'd never been to the Dark Overlord's chambers, though she knew well enough where they were. Near the heart. A few minutes brisk walk and she was there. The doors opened for her, and she stepped within.

His voice was strange, diffused by that helmet of his, but the words were surprisingly warm. She sketched a proper bow, right hand across the abdomen, left held away from her body.

“Thank you, my lord. I am indeed well. Your interest both honors and humbles me.” She sat in the chair indicated and resisted all impulses to shift uncomfortably or fiddle with her hair. “This is about Mr. Lucas Farazen?”

Well, there was no use making excuses or putting it off.

“Mr. Farazen made his escape while I was occupied with his Jedi guardians. However, he will be stepping into his new life entirely penniless. Imperial Intelligence has seized approximately eight-point-four billion credits in private banking accounts, real estate, and manufacturing equipment.” A short pause. “Also, his son is in local custody, back on Muunilinst. I gather that his relationship with his father is somewhat … Lacking, however.”

[Jenno]

Iniquitous sat in silence and listened. His tendency to do so unnerved a number of people in the temple, in those moments it was hard for them to tell what he was thinking, how he would react. It served particularly well with instilling both fear and, to some extent, respect within the minds of the temple’s younger members. At times he wondered if there were old members of the Order, more acquainted with him, who would feel the same.

In truth he knew of the outcome of Novus’ mission, after all what was the point of the Sith Agency of Intelligence if they did not keep him informed of such things.

“Mr. Farazen’s escape is… disappointing. On this occasion we were fortunate that the defector lacked any information about the Order, or who really pulls the strings. I trust that if a similar situation arises in the future, the Jedi will not stop you. Meanwhile, his assets will make a nice contribution to the war effort and the boy put under observation, just in case Mr. Farazen suddenly begins to feel paternal.”

The Sith Overlord shifted in his seat as he pondered how to broach the next topic. It did not take him long to settle on the simple, direct approach.

“You’ve been away from us for some time Darth Novus. I’m curious if, during your absence, you had been in contact with Darth Paxis?”

Corrupted paranoia aside, the fact of the matter was that the Sith Lord, co-founder of the Order, and its supposed co-leader, had been missing for some time. If anyone was likely to have heard from him it would be one of his former apprentices.

[Neology]

“My abject pardon.” This, addressed with a bob of her head and a return to approximate eye contact. One could not be sure, with that mask.

Iniquitous had put an end to his seclusion to do what, exactly? Bring her to heel for this one slight? That didn't seem right, yet she set her teeth for a harsher reprimand. Force lightning, perhaps, or some bit of careful telekinesis to break her bones, as Paxis had favored. Her old master had not been a sadist, not exactly, but he had punished failure harshly. Refusal even more so. How different could Iniquitous be? They must have agreed on much, to found the Order together.

Nothing happened, save that he fidgeted slightly in his chair; an idle movement very at odds with the mask's blank countenance. Uncomfortable seating, hardly the great equalizer. 'And at the last, we are all … ?' The thought trailed off, in light of his next question.

Paxis. Of course. She could follow that line of thought all the way along, down to it's grim terminus. Novus drew breath through her teeth, fingers tightening on the carved armrest of her chair. Cracks in her composure. Twin serpents of hatred and fear coiled tight in her chest, brought to life by that name spoken aloud. A most misplaced surge of emotion, as her life likely depended on whether the man in front of her believed what she had to say. Distrust killed more Sith than any Jedi's shining blade.

“No, my lord. I have not spoken to Darth Paxis since the day that I took up this name.”

[Jenno]

“Hmm, that is worrying.” He responded almost immediately. It was quite unlike him; usually he sat and churned a thought around in his mind before responding. Reactionary comments were not typically his style. But on this occasion his mind had made an exception.

The truth was it was worrying. No matter any conceivable explanation that appealed to Iniquitous’ mind, it did not bode well for him. If his fellow Overlord was dead or captured by some force then he was without a powerful ally. But if, like the darkness whispered, Paxis was seeking to rule alone, that was perhaps even more worrying.

But why would the man have worked with him in the first place? Iniquitous was trying to reason with himself, but after so long of observing the Sith that wandered these halls, witnessing the acts they performed under the influence of the Dark Side, it seemed plausible that Paxis would go to such lengths simply because he felt like it. Truthfully their alliance was not as strong as may have been perceived, they scarcely knew each other and they had not gotten to a point at which their ideals had clashed. At least, not that Iniquitous was aware of.

His mind had almost become a battlefield with two sides clamouring against each other. Was his suspicion justified or had he underestimated the effects of experimenting with Sith Magic?

For now Iniquitous would cast aside his suspicion and believe in Paxis, and that this recently returned Darth was not playing some part in plotting his demise. “Yes, worrying indeed. I’ve not received word from Darth Paxis in some time. I had hoped your return might shed some light on the situation. I fear that some in the Order may not even know his name. Though in your own absence Darth Novus, it’s possible some may have forgotten yours as well.”

Again the darkness whispered. Perhaps it was a sign, perhaps he was meant to take control of the Sith as its only leader, was it not that way already? No.

“It may be time to pour more resources into locating him. His continued absence has me concerned.”

[Neology]

He spoke. No violent reprimand came. Novus listened, inclining her head slightly in acknowledgment. It was disturbing news that Iniquitous had lost track of the sickly human as well … And yet, she had never known Paxis to be subtle. He hadn't needed to be, with her.

Perhaps something had gone terribly wrong. Perhaps Kenneth's disease had finally caught up with him, wasted lungs failing that brilliant mind, no matter his mastery of the Force. A slow, gasping death. Painful. It seemed appropriate, in her mind. She folded her hands in her lap, the fingers of her right tracing the memory of old breaks on the left.

'I could build a world on 'perhaps.'' She thought bitterly, reminding herself that there was no evidence to support her imaginings. More likely that Paxis was out there still, studying some obscure aspect of the Force or enacting some new scheme. 'A threat to the Order, I wonder?' It was a distinct possibly, following along the line of her earlier fears. From what she know of Iniquitous, he would not interrupt his studies for anything so trivial as fondness for his old partner.

“That would not surprise me at all, my lord. The Sith name attracts many, but few who were ever very good with history.” A wry smile turned up the corner of her lips. “I have already spoken to Renata and Eurachis. You have, of course, received my reports. I will see that the others remember who I am, as needed.” A short pause. “Unless secrecy would serve the Order better.” The tense fear vanished from her posture as she spoke, leaving the woman thoughtful and alert. One hand found it's way back to the armrest while the other drummed long fingers against her thigh.

“If my master has truly gone to ground, I can think of a few places to begin looking. Any of the Force Adept groups he studied with might have taken him in. In addition, he maintained half a dozen safe houses during my apprenticeship. His illness requires constant care, so he wont be alone, or on any undeveloped world.”