The Dark Academy on Korriban

He nods, "Each Sith, and the abilities they bring with them, has a place in the greater purpose and service of the Empire. One cannot simply disregard one Sith's value for another, because you never know which one may be the most suited for any particular future task."

He shrugs, "Some are suited to war. Some are suited to control. Some are suited to books. Each, working together, makes the others and themselves even stronger, and as a result, the Empire as a whole."

Thorne scoffed and said, “Eradicate them and destroy those that support them. Then we purge the populace of those that harbor any thoughts of dissent. Purge the weakness. Break their will and our dominance will be assured.”

He glimpses at Thorne and inquires, "And when you leave that world for another to subjugate? What then? Eliminating dissent is impossible. Perhaps eliminating open dissent, but people will get smart and stop voicing dissent to simply wait until you head off to slaughter another world. It's hardly a long-term strategy."

She frowned and rolled her eyes as if the solution was obvious and said, “They will know better than to try and deceive me.”

He comments offhandedly, "People are idiots. And they will eventually try. You'll then have to go back to subjugate them again. And again. And again. A boring existence, re-subjugating the same world over and over, no?"

Patience, he said, Shaisha reminded herself, avoiding to roll her eyes or laugh. The woman expressed such lack of understanding of military, she could practically hear the Minister of War screaming internally through the vacuum of space.

She was at least thankful for the man having taught her the thousand-yard look, as she observed the conversation, but was fine for the moment of letting the two big ones do the debating.

Jo'ren watched his two distant cousins calmly, smirking inwardly as the Zabrak was drawn in. He had quickly learned to let others underestimate him. A big strapping lad like him: It was all too easy. As he listened he began his muscle-changing training exercise. It was all internal, there was nothing to see outwardly, but it amused him to train while the others "discussed" matters of import.

His eyes met Shaisha's, and for a moment there was a sparkle of intelligence and hint of humour behind the big Sith's eyes that had been hidden earlier in the conversation. Then his gaze returned to the verbal sparring, and the mask between his thoughts and actions slid effortlessly back into place.

That deepened her frown and she relented, “The weak should simply fall in line with the strong. The galaxy has gone far too long without proper order. I had not thought that they would be so foolish but you are right some would try to deceive me.”

She placed a hand on the reflective yet transparent surface and said with a twisted grin, “I look forward to correcting my enemies of that error.”

Meeting Jo'ren's gaze, the side of her mouth curled up ever so slightly, her eyes reflecting his own spark. Unlike Jo'ren, she didn't have the big bulky frame to hide her true nature, but perhaps it spoke much of such a small girl to have held her own this far... either being deceptfully stronger than she looked, or with some other trick up her sleeve.

The brief moment exchanged between the two was over as quickly as it lasted, as she looked back at Thorne and Khalim.

"There is never a lack of fools," she agreed with the Zabrak. Or people overestimating themselves.

With a wry smile he looked around the group. "Good job we've got the latest batch of elites to work with here then, right? Enough of the grand strategy for now. I hear there's a new Master of Arms."

He stretched his arms out a bit and twisted his next muscles lazily. "And I hear she's hot. I wonder what styles she knows." His eyes swept across the group. "You guys? I'm always looking for sparring partners."

How else was he going to become the ultimate fighter?

"I shall have to take you up on that offer some time then, Jo'ren," she smiled back at him. "Given that the new teacher hasn't given you too much of a hard time. Wouldn't want to wear you out completely before your graduation."

“I hear she is traitor filth,” Thorne replied tersely. “Maybe they expect us to execute her,” she added darkly. “

"Likewise, I shall take you up on the offer of a spar when we are planetside. Practice is the best way to hone one's abilities, after all."

He considers Thorne's words, "I doubt they would have expended the resources to replace the prior teacher with her if they simply meant for one of us to kill her. Seems a waste."

Shaisha nodded. "Seems an unlikely choice... Instructors and overseers at the Academy are vetted rather thoroughly, to ensure they won't dishonor the teachings of the Sith."

Thorne was not convinced and just said, “We shall see the truth soon enough.”

Please, do try.

"We shall," the female Sith nodded.

"As we are all soon to graduate, I take it some of you have given thoughts as to what sort of master you would want to serve with, rather than just duty? There are many rumors going about regarding Darths and Lords looking for new apprentices."

Jo'ren smirked and barked a laugh. "There are always rumours about that." He looked out at the planet. "Course, there's a high turnover so..."

Returning his gaze to the gathering he winked at Shaisha. "Someone who values martial skill and determination, and will help me become an even more powerful weapon."

"I am destined to be Sith, perhaps you can just serve me if you are worthy," she said to those gathered around her.

Thorne's boastful words earned a raised eyebrow from Shaisha.

Right. No.

"Time will tell," she shrugged, and looked at Khalim to see if he had anything to add.

Jo'ren held his breath for a few moments of silence in response to Thorne's comment. Slowly he raised a finger, pointing out of the window and made a low whistling sound. "Hey. Is that? Space tumbleweed?"

“There is nothing out there, except the void and distant stars,” Thorne said in a serious tone.

“I do not understand your levity, it matters not.”