Nar Shaddaa

The panorama windows overlooking the cityscape of uptown were stained with the constant rain, and Shaisha found her mood reflecting the shitty weather. The Kaggath earlier today had been a great source of venting frustrations and allowing herself to unleash the rage she continously built up every day... but as the fires died down to embers again, so did her mind start to wander back to all the matters that were troubling her.

Nathema. The Emperor. Raven... or Magpie.

Waiting for Sylvain to come over, Shaisha leaned her forehead against the cool glass window, trying not to see the same vision of her mother in the rain.

Sylvain arrived at Shaisha's door that evening still dressed in his formal military attire. He rang the bell and announced himself to the security system as he waited for the door to open.

The sound of the bell was a welcome release from her own whirlpool of thoughts, and not many moments passed before Shaisha opened the door.

"Hey, come in." She looked like she had recovered rather well from the Huttball match last night, but now had some new bruises, cuts and scrapes instead.

He smirked, "You too? Getting involved in Malgus' fight?"

"Whatever beef they actually have doesn't really concern me... but it's a good way of building connections to powerful Lords and Darths, and keeping my skills honed," she said, returning the smirk in kind.

"So much time spent doing other kind of work, I need to make sure I don't allow myself to become lazy. Likewise, I trust you try to maintain your pitiful lightsaber skills somewhat?"

He chuckled, "Somewhat."

He found a spot on a comfortable couch and plopped himself down. "It's been a long day."

He let out a sigh.

"Don't doubt it. Need a drink before you tell me all about it?"

At times like these, she was very grateful for having her own private base of operations. From what she had seen of the Imperial Compound, it was cramped and didn't leave that much room for privacy... almost as bad as being back at the Academy.

"Already had a few earlier... With Layne, a Republic Bureaucrat, and Kris." He smiled.

"I'm probably good for now."

"Fair enough," Shaisha nodded and joined him on a nearby chair.

Drinks with Kris, huh? Wonder how it went.

"... So... your mother?" There really was no great way to ease into that conversation.

He chuckled, "Interesting lady, huh?"

"It says a lot about her skill and talent that she stayed undetected for this long." She on the other hand, did not chuckle. The thought that the woman who had raised them was this dangerous was a little unsettling... and what Sylvain was going to do was a bigger concern.

"How much have you talked to her since finding out?"

"I spoke with her yesterday. Discussed with her... her plans as they be." He replied.

"In short... she wishes to kill Baras and take his place as my master; having me eventually inherit all that Baras has built and more."

Shaisha's lips pursed as she considered it.

"And... is that something you want to accept?"

"I am considering it... Having been deeply rooted in his networks for the past year and having a knowledge of his plans for the Empire, if there was anyone who could step into Baras' shoes and reduce the potential risk of losing one of his power... it would be me. I could utilize his assets in far different ways that would be more beneficial to the Empire. And if my mother is strong enough to bring Baras' to justice for the treason he committed against the Empire... Then it may be an opportunity which does not arise again." He replied.

"She would be my guarantor of safety for the time being... because I am not nearly on the same level as many of the more powerful members of the Empire, but if she has the ability to slay him then she obviously would be. She has been trained by Baras, and could provide the same training to me that he could..."

He paused and let out a sigh, "I am tempted by this offer. It may be our best chance..."

"Hmmm..." Shaisha popped her neck, as she considered it.

Rising from her chair, she began to pace slowly.

"That means you will be putting your faith in the woman who lied to you for years, and is responsible for Kristal's mother disappearing off the radar. Not to mention the lives of people in Intelligence that might be on the line for failing to stop an assassination like that... unless, of course, you would wield enough power to see no harm come to the good men and women who work tirelessly for the Empire."

Yes, she was trying to cover the asses of her people, and she wouldn't deny it to Sylvain right now. He always spoke of efficiency and against the waste of resources, after all.

He tabulates that in his head for a while, "What Baras intends to do will cost more lives and compromise more Imperial assets in both the short and long term. I am not sure what you think will happen to those assets... but Sith are killed by Sith with regularity. If we can contain this fight to only Baras himself... it should minimize the responsibility and any fallout for these unrevealed operatives that you speak of."

"As long as it seems like the work of usual Sith powerplay, and not that of a rogue element, then it should be fine," she agreed with a small nod. "It also means you will have to be able to consolidate on it quickly. Traditionalistic idiots like Thanaton could potentially use the situation to unseat all of that powerbase for his own winning by claiming you broke some sort of tradition. So the less you seem involved in it, the better."

She paused and looked at her 'brother'. "And how do you think Kris will take this decision? You know I will support you, no matter what you choose, Syl... as long as it does not hurt those I lead."

"I intend to use any power I get to accomplish Kris' desires for both her family and the Empire." He replied.

"First to restore her father and mother's name in the eyes of the Empire by bringing to light Baras' actions. And secondly, to empower the military and the loyal members of the Empire who serve dutifully in those offices. Baras uses them as a means to his own end... The combination of Sith and Military lineage that she and I possess would draw great support from the military. We could affect the Empire for good in a serious way. Continue the work of our fathers and the countless numbers of men and women who have built this Empire from the swamps of Dromund Kaas." He replied.

Her expression was thoughtful as she took it all in.

"Quite grandiose plans. But not without possibility... I don't know why Vowrawn and Baras don't see eye to eye really, well apart from the fact that Baras is intolerable, but with that kind of attitude, you might find yourself with an ally with a Dark Council member. If you play your hand right. Most likely with Marr as well."

She was liking the idea of the Terrible Trio growing in power together, for the Empire - to gain victory.

"And what of Layne?"

"I spoke with her. She is potentially a threat to this plan... I think Baras' hooks are in her too deep at this point and her level of distrust for me is too great." He replied.

"I hope to be able to find some way to divert her attention... what happens after Baras' death, I do not know."

"Hmm... and when was it Baras would be showing up? If something could pull her attention away, hopefully even off this moon, then she would at least not be a possible hindrance to this attempt."

Her face was cool as she proceeded to work through the scenario.

"But that aside... if it fails, what then?"

"He arrives the day after tomorrow... but I have not heard from mother about the specifics of her plans."

He then answered the more important part, "And if she fails and it is revealed I was complicit... I die. Or flee." He replied.

"And where would you flee...? You seem certain that you'd suffer the fallout right away, when she's been a thorn in his plans the past months?"

"She intends to kill him Shaisha... immediately. I know Baras would not take lightly to such betrayal. He should not."

He then replied, "I have no plans for flight at this moment." He chuckled, "I doubt Kristal's mother would be kind enough to take me along with her if need be."

"Even if you were to make yourself seem non-complicit in the effort? Sounded to me like she might've been planning to kill him off regardless of what you might decide..." she rubbed her chin with a bemused smile.