The Dark Academy on Korriban

She was headed to the office of Darth Baras when she decided to take a brief detour to have a simple message sent to Rona Thaine.

"You failed on Yavin," was all it said, in text.

With that done, she resumed her course and went to the office of the man who was now supposed to officially be her master.

“My apprentice,” Darth Baras says.

“Are you prepared to leave the petty squabbles of this Academy behind and serve at my side, as my sword?”

"I am," she said. "If that is your will."

“My Will is far larger than you can comprehend my apprentice, but for now I will have you report to Dromund Kaas, you will have an apartment and minimal servants but I would not get comfortable. You will be deployed to Ziost to eliminate Harn Tremmel. He will be your first but not the last in eliminating threats to my power base. When you have dealt with Harn report to me and I will have your next task,” Darth Baras says calmly.

She'd expected this; being sent around the galaxy to kill people. It wasn't exactly what she wanted to be doing, not anymore, but it was at least simple and straightforward.

"What do I need to know about this Tremmel?"

“He is a threat and a capable duelist, I expect you will succeed. You will have plenty of time to review your target from the Hidden Blade, an Imperial frigate that will serve as your mobile platform. You will have minimal crew and resources. Once on Dromund Kaas take a few days to familiarize yourself with the city then once prepared utilize the Hidden Blade,” Darth Baras replies.

“I trust this should be sufficient.”

"I'm sure I'll manage," she said. "Any other instructions?"

“Do not fail me,” he says calmly.

"That goes without saying," she replied, before putting her hands behind her back. "Incidentally, I may have some news that you may or may not already be aware of. Concerning Thaine, Torsin, and possibly Vowrawn. You are aware that Thaine is defecting to your rival?"

“She’s on your list, yes. As for Vowrawn that fop enjoys meddling in affairs that are not his,” Darth Baras replies.

"Are you also aware that Torsin has had proof for some time that she was selling your secrets to someone I believe is Vowrawn?"

Darth Baras is silent for a long moment and says, “Some believe that I do not see everything that transpires around me. I allow them the fiction of believe tat they have bested me. It makes the moment of my victory as I step on their throats all the sweeter, my young apprentice.”

“When you finally deliver my vengeance to Thaine, remember that it was I that allowed you that moment of satisfaction… and that nothing obfuscates my sight.”

Words that could mean either that Baras knew the full extent of Layne's dealings with Thaine, or that he was merely trying to intimidate her like he would anyone else. Either way, she wasn't going to falter because of it.

"Of course, master." It was the first time she'd actually used that term to refer to someone. The first time in a long time, that was.

“You are dismissed my apprentice, the force is strong with you. Bring death to our enemies and savor your victories,” Darth Baras commands placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I will," she said; trying to ignore the creepiness of the hand on her shoulder; life and the sith had made her paranoid enough to consider that to be more than just a hand on a shoulder.

Darth Baras turns and looks out the window, watching the new students begin their training.

At which point, unless he'd comment on something or another, she would turn and depart.