Morning Still Comes

[Neology]

Darth Novus waited at a small table, watching the sun rise over Kaas city from the vantage of her suite's balcony. Newly unveiled, selectively populated … How many of those lights belonged to real people and how many were for show? Perhaps this Torrik fellow would know, if she cared to ask. She stifled a yawn into the sleeve of her robe.

Her thoughts continued to wander, idle. The security measures here were the best, supposedly. She could barely perceive the low hum of the force screen. Of course, that wasn't the only indication of its presence. The air was still on this side, save for the efforts of a powerful central cooling system, while real wind swept at the trees and clouds beyond. She couldn't help thinking that it would be entirely useless if someone cut the power.

The table before her was set for two. Novus held a warm cup of fragrant black tea between her hands. Spread before her was her datapad and an array of print outs, updates on various departments as they set up and moved personnel to Dromund Kaas. Many were still in a scramble to do so. Renata's business, so far as Novus was concerned. She was more interested in the jungles, the dangerous beasts and dark secrets concealed within. Yet all of that would have to come later, sadly. No time to prowl about the woods on this visit.

… Would Rase like to see this place, she wondered? He was often so dismissive of the Force, despite all that he'd seen on Mygeeto. Novus shook her head and sipped at her tea. It didn't matter. She wouldn't risk bringing him anywhere near other Sith.

Footsteps. Boots on marble tile. She straightened up in her chair as a young soldier stepped onto the balcony and sketched a bow.

“My Lady, your guest has arrived.”

“Excellent. Show Moff Torrik in, please.”

[CaptainBonkers]

The invitation had come as a slight surprise but receiving an invitation from a Sith Lord was nothing Havlen wasn't used to. Usually he rescheduled those to oblivion but when the invitation was made by a member of the Inner Sanctum it was bad form to reschedule without a pressing issue. And seeing how he currently lacked a situation so serious enough as to demand his full attention, here he was. Ready to have breakfast with a Dark Lady of the Sith.

A lesser man might have been nervous to meet such an illustrious person at her own residence but Havlen was as calm as ever. A meeting like this was only marginally different from a meeting with a Grand Moff and Havlen played Sabbacc with three on a regular basis. The only differences were that Sith Lords had an access to an assortment of mystical powers through their connection to the Force and held no official authority over him.

Still, Havlen couldn't help but to wonder what it was that Novus wished to achieve with an informal meeting like this. He knew she had connections to the Intelligence community so could this be her trying to branch out into the Security as well? The invitation had somewhat vague on the reason for this meeting other than that Novus wished to speak with him. 

Havlen stepped out of the lift exactly on time, flanked by his bodyguard for the day. He would have preferred to leave agent Livvik on the first floor but protocol dictated he stand out the room Havlen was in. While Livvik took position outside of the door, Havlen was led to the balcony of the suite by some young soldier. It was a shame how the military let the Order walk all over them but although Havlen was wary of their growing influence in the military, he couldn't deny their value to the war effort. The cold and cruel fact was that for now the Empire needed the Sith Order to counteract the Jedi of the Republic.

He walked over to the table and nodded politely to the Sith Lady. "Lady Novus. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." 

    

[Neology]

“Likewise. Welcome to the temple.” Novus smiled and inclined her head, making no move to get up. She studied the Moff through the smokey veil of her eyelashes. He was precisely put together, very much the professional. Perhaps a touch younger than she'd expected for his hair had not all gone to gray. Most notably he was distinctly Not Pleased to be here - but then so very few would be. She offered the chair across from her, pushing it out for him with a gentle application of the Force.

“We're all here together now. So, how are you finding Kaas City?” On the surface, it was a perfectly neutral question. The Dark Lady daintily sipped her tea. The Moff could serve himself, were he so inclined. Anyone aware of her reputation would have cause to reject any food or drink she'd touched.

“I've read your file. You've been very, very busy these last few years.” She set her teacup down and lifted the cloth cover on a woven basket and selected a rolled, crescent shaped pastry at random.

“I've invited you here to ascertain two things. One, do you intend to involve yourself with the affairs of my Order?” Selecting a small spoon, Novus added a dollop of blood red jam to her plate.

“And two, if you do, can I expect you work with me?” No need to spell out what could happen if the answer to that was no. Open threats were beneath her. This Torrik had a family – presumably he understood protecting what was yours.

[CaptainBonkers]

Ah, the standard Sith intimidation technique number one: using the Force to complete some completely insignificant physical task in hopes of reminding the guest of the mystical powers at their disposal. Fascinating, sure but Havlen had it seen it used a few times already and as such the trick had lost a great deal of its initial luster. However as shows of force went it at least was a subtle one.

He took a seat and poured himself a cup of tea from the teakettle on the table separating him and Novus. She didn't look like your typical garden variety Sith Lord, although Havlen knew that most of her fancy lady act was just an act. He had read her file and heard about her from his connections in the Intelligence community. She had a reputation there.

“We're all here together now. So, how are you finding Kaas City?” 

Havlen took a sip from his cup before answering. The tea was good. Not the best he had had but certainly not some swill from a chain store. Novus apparently had at least a passing interest towards the finer things in life, despite being known for pragmatism.

"It is a formidable sight, though moving the departmental HQ here in the middle of a war has been something of an inconvenience." It had been rather annoying having to make the move in wartime. Havlen would have preferred to move the HQ after the war, when things were less critical.

Novus didn't seem to be interested in exchanging pointless small talk and proceeded to the point of this visit, which suited Havlen fine. He could hold a pointless conversation if he wanted but generally preferred to talk business, not waste time exchanging pointless words. 

"Unless your Order intends to become a threat to the national security of the Empire, master Sith, I don't see why I should involve my department in the internal affairs of the Sith Order beyond providing you with background information on the imperial subjects applying for membership." 

He kept a pause and calmly took another sip from his cup. Havlen knew how to give a politicians answer and had no intention of making any promises beyond generic and vague assurance of cooperation if the need arose. And even then it wasn't going to be with Novus specifically but rather with the whole of Inner Sanctum. If she wanted special treatment she would have give Havlen a good reason for providing it.  

"And should I due to extraordinary circumstances be forced to involve myself and my department in the affairs of the Order beyond aforesaid parameters, you can rest assured that I will inform the Inner Sanctum of the situation and cooperate to the best of my ability."