CHAPTER EIGHT
"I hope our visit is not an inconvenience, admiral."
"Not at all, sir," Admiral Vin Borgas said as he allowed Moff Sorik and Senator Y'arn's party into his office. "How may I be of service?"
"Senator Y'arn and her Jedi accomplices seek for clarification on your encounter with the Sith dreadnaught in the Unknown Regions," the Chiss said. "Please, enlighten them."
With that, the Moff left, leaving the others alone with Borgas. The admiral cleared his throat as he sat down at his desk.
"So, what exactly do you need clarification on?"
"How exactly did you come upon the Sith ship and destroy it?" Jaden asked.
Borgas glanced at the closed doorway, which Sorik had just left though. At the same time, Jaden scanned with the Force and could not detect the Moff eavesdropping from outside. He nodded for the admiral to continue.
"We were venturing to the frozen moon of that system because of reports of an Imperial research base," Borgas said. "Since it was said to have been run by the late Grand Admiral Thrawn, formerly of the Chiss Ascendancy, the task was left to Moff Sorik's fleet, since he himself is a Chiss.
"When we arrived in the system, we found the Sith dreadnaught. I sent my troopers to capture the captain before destroying the ship. I interrogated the captain myself, but when he threatened to attack me, I was forced to execute him." He finished with a smirk. "Is that enough clarification for you?"
Jaden sensed that there was something the admiral wasn't telling him, but he decided not to press the matter further. "What did you do on the frozen moon after that?" he asked instead.
Borgas again glanced at the door before saying, "I sent my men down to the moon and they encountered seven clones. When these mad clones proved too much for them to handle, I sent down the Imperial Knights."
"Imperial Knights?" Taana Di asked.
Borgas smiled. "Yes. The Alliance already have the Jedi as their Force-wielding protectors. We needed our own."
Jaden raised an eyebrow. "So those two red-armored warriors...."
"Were Imperial Knights, yes. Anyway, we managed to detain the clones and have placed them at a prison facility on Prefsbelt Four. Meanwhile, we melted down the dreadnaught to use for parts. Does that clear up everything?"
"Yes," Y'arn said, although Jaden could tell that she, like him, was not entirely convinced by the admiral's story. "Thank you, Admiral Borgas. We shall be on our way."
"I very much doubt that."
It had not been Borgas who had spoken. The senator and Jedi turned to see a thin-haired man, clad in the red armor of an Imperial Knight. He was flanked by five stormtroopers, while Moff Sorik loomed behind them.
Borgas shot up from his seat. "Master Scorpius, what is the meaning of this?"
The Imperial Knight smirked. "You talk too much, admiral. Some things are better left unsaid."
"But... Moff Sorik told me--"
"I allowed you to tell them of our endeavors in the Unknown Regions," the Chiss Moff said coldly, "so that we would have an excuse for not letting them go: they know too much."
"That's a really stupid plan," Natia Dorn muttered as she activated her lightsaber.
"I beg to differ," Sorik said with the hint of a smile. "With you as our hostages, the Alliance will have to succumb to our demands."
"I will not tolerate this treason," Y'arn protested. "The Imperial Remnant is still under the control of the Galactic Alliance; you cannot do this!"
"Again, I beg your pardon," Sorik said while the Imperial Knight disarmed the senator's guards and the Jedi with a gesture of his hand. "The rules have changed, senator. The Remnant won't be with the Alliance for much longer."
As the stormtroopers moved in to cuff Jaden and the others, the Chiss' grin broadened. "In fact... I don't think it'll be a remnant for much longer."
* * *
Darish Vol, Grand Lord of the Lost Tribe, had to be at least a century old. Stooped with age, he looked like a bird-of-prey, from his beak-like nose to his clawed hands. While his body was fragile and his face gaunt, his sharp, yellow eyes pierced everyone they fell upon. For those features alone, Varon knew that this was a man not to be underestimated.
As he was brought before the Circle of Lords in the capitol building of Tahv, Varon took a mental note of the positions of the Sith Lords and guards around him in case, for whatever reason, he and Taral needed to make a quick escape. He also noted that the Circle of Lords did not give Taral the same bow of respect as Olaris Rhea's students had.
When Darish Vol finally spoke to Varon, his voice came out as a croak. "You claim to be of a Sith Order from off-world."
"Yes," Varon said. "I am of the Sith Order of Sedriss. What planet I hail from, I am not comfortable in divulging."
"It is fortunate then," said a lavender-skinned man, "that we do not care for your discomfort. Tell us."
Varon glared at him before saying, "Dromund Kaas, primarily, but we are scattered out on other worlds such as Jaguada, Rhelg... even non-Sith worlds."
"Intriguing," Darish said. "So explain to us, why have you come here?"
Varon quickly explained to them his discovery of Lignan ore, leaving out specific details such as the Harbinger, and telling them how he had met Taral. When he was finished, a mirthless smile crossed the Grand Lord's gaunt face.
"I'm afraid you won't be getting those Lignan crystals," he said. "We have already used them to power our lightsabers."
"Is that right?" Varon said. "Well, that's hardly a setback, for I now have a new initiative on coming here, with you all present."
"And what would that be?" asked Olaris Rhea.
"I propose an alliance between our two Sith Orders," Varon said. "Already I have a plan underway to restore the Sith's influence on the galaxy. An army of ancient soldiers are at my command... but I will need experienced Sith Lords to lead them."
"Does your own Sith Order not have such lords?" asked a dark-skinned man.
"Most of my Sith compatriots are busy with other matters," Varon said. "I would greatly appreciate someone to fill in for them."
Darish crossed his arms. "And what do we get out of it?"
"Galactic domination."
The Grand Lord raised a gray eyebrow and the gathered Sith Lords exchanged glances. Finally, Darish Vol said, "We would like to speak with the Dark Lord of your order to further negotiate an alliance."
Varon saw his opportunity and seized it.
"You are speaking with him," he said. "I am the Dark Lord of the Sith."
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