The Dark Academy on Korriban

On one level he felt it was a minor miracle that he hadn't ignited his saber and rammed it into Zash's belly in the museum earlier. On another he was able to see that the path he was on now did not allow for throwing his life away like that. Perhaps before Yavin he might have chanced it, but he was changed even more since then.

Closing his door he pulled out his communicator and dialed in the code for his master. They had a few things to discuss before he left on his mission. He was half expecting a message from @darthjerkface, but was content to know she was out there for the moment.

Vengean appears, seated on his battle cruiser. He speaks, “My apprentice, you bring news. Speak.”

Jo'ren bowed before raising himself up again to speak. "Yes my master. You wished to know more about Darth Baras' apprentices, but I have also been told of a force vision that concerns us. I'll begin there."

He thought back to that meeting today and related what Sinea had told him. "The Seer, Sinea Okatesh, came to me this morning and asked me two questions: what was I going to do on Yavin IV and what is 'Magpie'. I had not mentioned to anyone at that time that I would be returning aside from the Queen.

The vision showed her the Empire's forces coming to Yavin IV, in time the massassi are uplifted and slowly integrated into the Empire proper. She saw the Queen meeting with a powerful Sith… It must have been you my master because she also saw me there, and she sensed a dark figure unseen plotting.

Whe she came back from the vision she saw a raven feasting on an eyeball, which looked at her and said “Magpie.” before flying off. You should know that this was the same seer who saw the Massassi attack at the temple days before it happened."

He watched for Vengean's reaction.

“This vision seems to imply that someone is plotting against me, I am of the Dark Council, I would be insulted if it were otherwise. I do not know this Magpie or the significance of the name and I would turn to Baras to glean the truth but we must proceed carefully.”

“My apprentice has grown powerful, and in turn made me more powerful still. There is one final lesson all Sith must endure, the lesson of betrayal. I do not believe Baras has the courage or strength yet, he knows my power is too great,” Vengean.

A second Sith enters the holo, one Jo’ren has seen before at Vengean’s side wearing blood red robes and facial tattoos. Vengean introduces him, “This is Draahg, my apprentice but not your rival. I will have him look into this matter of Magpie, you continue with your task. I want the massassi to be mine.”

“I have deployed Terror Star to Korriban, it is an Imperial freighter used by my best. It is yours now, you will need mobility in my service. It has a droid crew, trustworthy and loyal. Draahg will keep you informed of any developments,” Vengean finishes.

Jo'ren bowed deeply. "Yes my master. The Massassi will be yours to command." He nodded to Draahg. "I shall transfer to Terror Star as soon as it arrives. I look forward to enforcing your will."

That is a fine name for a ship.

"You wished for a report on Darth Baras' new apprentices. Layne Hoshin is an attack dog. At least, that is the appearance she cultivates. She is quick to anger, and seems to hate everything, particularly Baras' other new apprentice. But she carries an ancient black lightsaber, and somehow performed a ritual to heal a wound in the force."

"We shall have to nurse that hatred, my apprentice," Vengean says.

"I do not think that will be a challenge my master." He nodded. "Which brings us to Sylvain Torsin, son of the former Minister of War. An adept negotiator, he is skilled at persuading people to do what he wants. Yet, he can't seem to decide what that is. His primary weakness is his puppy love for a woman he grew up with, Kristal Serasai. She is Darth Marr's new apprentice. Torsin plays the clever manipulator, but acts like a child when it comes to her."

“Then we have a knife to turn to keep Torsin in line. Such an obvious weakness is unbecoming Baras, be mindful my apprentice. This could be an elaborate trap,” Vengean says.

Jo'ren nodded. "Indeed it could be my master. Or perhaps Darth Baras intends to use the same weakness himself."

“Then we have to make sure that he does not out maneuver us. For now you have your task, that will be your focus,” Vengean replies.

"Understood. I will keep you informed of my progress with the massassi my master. If you need anything else of me you need but ask." He bowed once more and waited to see if Vengean had anything else for him or simply a dismissal. In truth he was looking forward to the journey, it would give him time to think, and to work on his side projects.

Vengean closes the line, his commands were issued.

Jo'ren blew out a long breath. The Terror Star was a fine name for a ship, and droids would make things easier. It gave him a secure place from which to pour over the data from the Falcon-3 and figure out how to fix that holocron.

He wondered what this Draahg would manage to dig up on 'Magpie', and how long it would take before Baras became a serious problem for his master, and by extension himself. For now he had a mission, and time to work on improving himself. His destiny awaited.

Jo'ren continued to pack up his things and then lay down on his bunk to check his messages.