The Dark Academy on Korriban

"It is an alliance of convenience, lasting as long as our interests converge. I don't think any aspiring Sith should put too much stock in notions like friendship or loyalty."

There was a question mark in her gaze, as if it was a way to call him out.

"Impressing me is a process, Syl. If you held no appeal for me, I wouldn't be here tonight."

She smirked lightly, casting her tails to the back with a jerk of her head.

"So what have you learnt from today's experience?"

"That you're a person of wisdom and conviction. You assess what would be the most beneficial and make sure what you aim for comes to fruition." He replied.

"And we learned some important information about your potential enemy. And a bit of foresight into her plans."

She narrowed her eyes in thought, finally taking a seat next to him.

"In your opinion, what our next step should be?"

"When does the expedition Lord Zash is leading happen?" He asked.

"Soon, I guess. Maybe even tomorrow."

"Then your options are somewhat limited I would say. I could bring this up to my Master, but I don't know if he would be interested in getting involved in the same day he learned of it." He thought for a moment, "The only play I could see you make on such short notice would to get some type of preferential treatment in the coming days."

He had a look of disappointment on his face, "Seems to be a waste... but whatever you would do I would not have your associates be alone with her for longer than they need to. Disrupting the ritual would undoubtedly take more than one of you to accomplish that. From now on, alone time with Zash is a dangerous thing."

Moyr batted her lashes in agreement.

"What are you going to do with the holocron?"

"I plan on investigating it myself a bit more and then see what use it has to my master. Leverage over Zash may very well be something he is interested in the long term. I plan on seeing that you and your friends would receive some form of commendation for your work."

He smiled, "If they survive their next encounter with her."

He then asked, "What is it you would like if I could arrange it?"

"Make Zash know things have got out beyond her ability to silence all involved. I have my own insurance secured by letting a Darth know. Either she cooperates or we pull her down with us. Even if we bluff a bit, this bluff coming from you has more weight to it."

He smiled, "Drawn the attention of a Darth yourself have you? If I were to wager a guess it would be Jadus."

"What a bold supposition, Syl. Care to explain your thought process?"

She chuckled, but her gaze was serious.

"You haven't told me if you'll do it."

He smiled, "I plan on doing it, Ms. Overeager."

Then answered her first question, "Jadus is always in need of a woman of your ingenuity and creativity."

She smiled.

"And why would that be? He's in shortage of skilled operators?"

Then paused.

"Perhaps you're right. If he had them in abundance, maybe assassination of your father would not have happened."

Slyvain nodded, "Perhaps, but why dwell in the world of counterfactuals? He is dead either way."

He smiled warmly.

She assented with a nod and a movement of lekku.

"Do you know how his ties with the other Darths look like? And, perhaps more importantly, which of them supports Zash?"

"Jadus, by the nature of his position doesn't have many friends on the council. At least not ones that last."

He smiled, "As for Zash, she is an attendant to Darth Skotia, though she has many friends among those attached to the Dark Council."

"Darth Skotia is more like her enemy regardless of the formal status of their relationship. I'd like to know who on the Dark Council would step in if she started getting fried."

"Skotia's dislike for Zash does not cloud her judgement in seeing how useful she is. One can hate their pet for shitting on the floor, but if it keeps the Borrats away, you keep it around. Unless the mess it makes is no longer worth the hassle." Sylvain replied.

"Skotia ordered planting explosives on the freighters Zash asked as to bring to Korriban the other day. I had a boom in the load when I entered the atmosphere, was fortunate to crash-land without more than a scratch. A casual pat on the arm by Sith standards?"

"She's not dead." He replied. "Messing with her shipments doesn't hurt Skotia and keeps Zash in her place... those who die in the crossfire are unfortunate but most Sith don't give a damn about that."

"I see. Your newfound affiliation with Baras is going to work similarly?"

"I don't expect it to be puppy dogs and kisses, no." He said. "Not with the way I took my position. At least not in the near future."

"Well, it shields you as much as it puts you in jeopardy. Any particular plan to not go under the water?"

He smiled, "Mutually assured destruction... for now at least."

"Why the sudden interest in the Council?" He asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Because if I play in a game I like to know who I am playing against and what the rules are. So I can cheat better."

She smirked.

"I prefer to be mindful than awed."