The concept of time was skewed in her new master's compound. There were no windows to the outside world, only screens that displayed whatever was desired. Day, night, blizzard conditions or a tropical paradise were all at her fingertips. Sleep patterns were difficult to maintain without strict adherence to a time table.

This type of scheduling was impractical for them since they worked outside of norms. Patterns were a thing to be avoided in her situation. Anything to make it harder to pinpoint their location was the name of the game. In the weeks since her exile, she had heard all kinds of rumors about herself. She was in the core worlds, dead, out on the rim and planning an insurrection against the Empire. Her favorite one so far was that she was pregnant with Degriro’s child and in hiding to protect the product of their illicit love.

The thought simultaneously amused her, while inducing some dry heaves. Must be morning sickness she jokingly thought to herself. She had never made any bones about her sheer hatred of the pig since she got back from her Trial of Insight. Lord Kuriren had heard far more than her fair share of tirades about how she was going to kill him.

None of it mattered as long as no one found out about her real location, or status. The three who did know about her new situation were not opening their mouths. It wasn’t in their best interest to say anything now. At first it was the threat of Asmenys making their betrayal a fatal decision, but now it was just as fatal to be found having withheld information of her whereabouts.

Degriro was not a stupid man. He knew he was being mocked behind his back. His anger was compounded daily by their jibes and laughter, and her continued existence. He had spent a great deal of time making it clear that Talo’Ra was to be brought to him immediately when found. He had aggressively questioned anyone who was even rumored to have known her.

Lord Kuriren, Ruqua and Ganlaan were harassed frequently and followed in secret by spies in his employ. The only result was more frustration and humiliation when a member of the Dark Council that Kuriren was sleeping with publicly admonished Degriro for his actions. Seeking revenge was one thing. This was being childish and unbecoming a Darth, or the Blade Master of the Empire.

Talo’Ra would have paid good money to see that exchange. She still would if she could get a holo-recording of it. Even though he normally wore a mask in public, his body language would have given the show away. She laughed until she cried just upon hearing of it, seeing it might well kill her and it would be worth every credit.

Ukodi seemed to have avoided notice in the whole incident. This was normal seeing as how he made a practice of being a ghost when in public. Out of sight, out of mind as the saying goes. He used that ability to its fullest degree and even his master forgot he was around half of the time. She took this unintended lesson to heart when practicing her own cloaking skill.

Asmenys had spent most of the last week away on some business or other. He never said where he was going or why, but he certainly kept busy with something. The week before, they had some sparring with practice blades to feel each other out. She was better with the blade than he was, however his ability in the Force balanced the scales between them.

While he was there, she practiced using her cloaking skills in a practical manner. He would give her a task to disappear, and then make her way to another part of the room without him seeing her. Sometimes it was to a different room in the complex. Her job was to sneak into the room and appear by him like before. The latter task was complicated by closed, and in most cases, locked doors. She had to think carefully, keep her temper in check and be patient. These last two she was not known for.

While she had been busy with her cloaking skill, he had been busy as well. He had the tech droids install some new equipment in one of the outer rooms. The terminal was a replica of those used in an older orbital station, including the security features on a server it was connected to. Her new task, while he was gone, was to try her hand at hacking into the server.

A tech droid with a special subroutine of hacking was assigned to teach her as much as it could about this skill. First she was shown the basics without a data spike, then with one should this fail. The spikes could be detected far more easily than going by hand, but they were much faster in breaking security. It was up to her judgment whether it required speed or finesse as they each carried their own dangers.

The Darth returned from his absence to assess her progress. Satisfied, he finally told her what she had been training for. “The assignment I have for you has long been in the making. It will get me one step closer to controlling the factions on Thyferra.”

It took a moment for the name to register in her mind. Talo’Ra said, “Isn’t that where they produce Bacta?” At his nod she continued, “We started using it some in the med-bay. It’s effectiveness seems to be greater than that of Kolto, but it is still hard to get right now. The whole galaxy wants it, but supply is inconsistent at best. It hasn’t been a huge priority at the academy since Kolto is so readily available.”

“Exactly. That is why you will be my instrument in taking control of the factions there.” She stared blankly at him and he sighed. “Are you really that obtuse? Honestly girl, I don’t know how you expected to survive in the Sith with the cunning of a dish cloth.”

Talo’Ra’s anger flared with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. “Master, I don’t understand why we should take such an action. What will it gain us, unless you mean to destroy the industry?”

Asmenys closed his eye and shook his head. “You have a lot to learn, my apprentice. You need to learn how to take the galactic view of things. Not everything is a direct benefit to us as individuals. Aiding the Empire is also one of our goals. It is a symbiosis: We are nothing without the might of the Empire behind us, while the empire is nothing without us to make up and command that might.”

He stalked towards a wall to watch the projected scenery. “What do you think would happen if all the Lords of the Sith only thought of themselves? Individual power is a fine thing, but without the threat of backup from other Sith, or the strength of the Empire, what happens?” He didn’t turn to look at her but paused, clearly awaiting an answer.

The answer was obvious so she voiced it. “The Empire would not hold. The Republic would roll over our holdings, and probably execute all of us. All their vaunted mercy and would commit the very crimes they accuse us of doing.” This last she said with contempt.

“Indeed. Likewise, what we do is not only for us, but for the Empire. Just think of what it would mean if we were to bring the entirety of that under Sith control! We’ll force them to coordinate their production and give priority to the Empire. Our forces will have better emergency care for injuries incurred in battle.” Still not looking at her, he said, “I can feel the questions in your mind. ‘The troopers are disposable. Why should we care if they have better treatments?’ I will tell you my young apprentice.”

Finally he turned towards her, walking around and gesturing with his arms. “If they know that they have a better chance of surviving an engagement with better medical care, they will be willing to take more risks. You said you served in the legion as part of your training.” She nodded and he said, “Then you have to know that bold movement can often make the difference between victory and defeat. Or worse still, stalemate. Extra resources wasted in pointless battle.”

She reflected on these words. The apprentice had been in many battles where the outcome came down to a narrow margin based on desperate maneuvers. She herself had been the catalyst in one such scenario. “Yes, I can agree to that. It is a morale booster to know that good medical care is only moments away...and with Bacta being even more effective...” She trailed off.

“Yes. Now you see. But this isn’t just an altruistic move. We attach our names to this deed and it will bring much acclaim. Power and prestige enough for you to come out of hiding should you wish. The council will extend a certain amount of protection over the ones who bring them such a prize. Your old master would not be able to interfere with that. You won’t be safe by any means, but there will be less support in hurting you.”

Power. That’s what it was all about. Power, respect and fear. These thoughts ran through her head and he knew that the hook had been set. Now it was time to reel her in. Her desperation and youth made her easy to manipulate still. Once she had more training, would she be able to replace him eventually? Or would he still need to find a worthy successor? Time would tell.

He had circled around her twice before coming to a stop in front of her. “This is what I have been talking to you about for these past weeks, apprentice. Planning and patience are just as valuable as strength and ferocity, often with greater rewards. Such as the enormous wealth we will gain from selling the Bacta not earmarked for the Empire.” Her head whipped around to stare sharply at him. “Did I forget to mention that?”

She licked her lips as her Sith yellow eyes studied his face. “What is it that we have to do, my master?”

He smiled.