Sebastian Volonthrope was not generally prone to meditation but had taken to it generously during his trip aboard the small freighter en route to the [i]Hask[/i] he was coming into the veritable lair of the Krayt Dragon. Darth Nyiss was an intriguing figure known for operating on her own with her own pet projects. At the same time those projects were often shrouded in secrecy due the nature of the projects being rather inhuman in nature. Within the circles he travelled she was well known as being a mad scientist. The lack of trust to the Dark Council from her and the little trust reciprocated would have doomed many a Darth to being reigned in earlier or even killed off due to their actions but not Nyiss. Her greatest saving grace was a simple one, she got results and Vole knew that was what made her most dangerous of all. She was intelligent, skilled, competent, and surrounded herself with loyal minions and only acknowledged those who made the grade she required of them.

He had to focus his core with his meditations, grasp his emotions and control them. The fear he felt at failure, the fear of what would happen to him. His anticipation of success, his pride in his skills. Everything that was him had to be pulled together to make ready for his arrival. He could feel it through the ship that the time was nearing. He could feel throughout the ship the 5 other living beings in the ship with him. His attache Missandra and the 4 bodyguards he had brought with him. He did not feel the need to have bodyguards really they were rather there more for show than anything else and if there came a time where violence was called for they would be meaningless anyway. The four men were to appear to be elite infantry of the Imperial Army though in truth they were a few men he had picked up along his travels in order to make them more loyal to him over any others, Mandalorians each one but once the ship docked he expected them to be quartered and never seen for the rest of his stay. 

He was starting to probe at their minds when the communication device in his room went off. Markus, one of his bodyguards, could be heard speaking but Vole already knew what he was going to say. Reading into the man's mind and pulling images from there he saw his objective at last, the [i]Hask[/i] was rapidly filling the view screen as it orbited the dustball of a planet. He spoke into the comm device in return to Markus, "Make ready to dock within the ship and send the appropriate codes." Standing up and slowly stretching out the taut muscles of his body Vole ran through everything he had been briefed on, the first danger had passed now. If Nyiss had planned to kill him it would not be while he was under her protection as no matter what that would reflect poorly on her but rather before coming to meet her or after he left. 

Reaching out with the force once more he touched the mind of his attache Missandra and gave her an imperative to see him. Almost on auto-pilot she left her own berthing to come to his. She arrived just as he was putting on his tunic entered without knocking. "You summoned me?" He could not help but smile a bit, she had caught on quickly to his methods but long service with him had left a distinct impression upon her mind by him she would never be able to shake. 

"We are almost there, prepare yourself and everything you may need I doubt we will be using the ship for quite some time." Wordlessly she bowed her head and left. He could have given her such an imperative mentally but wanted to see how she reacted to his figure now. All jobs were diplomacy and diplomacy required certain appearances. He cut one of a warrior he was not, lean and fit, lethal with a dangerous look. He looked like a Sith, like a representative of the Dark Council.

[b]Aboard the [i]hask[/i][/b]

The small freighter slowly settled on the deck of the docking bay, the ramp lowering almost instantly and down it strode 6 humans. At the lead was Vole his black tunic tied tight across his torso. He generally eschewed the robes favored by many in both orders preferring a simple black tunic bereft of any insignia with loose black pants and dark gloves. The only indication of who he might be was the burnished silver lightsaber at his hip. The only weapon visible among the whole group in fact. Next to him one pace to his right and two behind was his attache holding a data slate and observing everything around her while her master looked only for Nyiss. Behind him strode the four Mandalorions in the dress uniforms of the Imperial Army. They walked crisply with him each step in unison, heels striking loud and solidly at the same time.

Darth Nyiss was not happy. The Dark Council, over the past few months, had largely had the respect to leave her alone, to not interfere with her important works. Now, it seemed, they had decided to change that stance. She’d known they would eventually get tired of her going over their heads but she’d hoped she would at least have reached Korriban before they started working their fingers into the project. She’d decided to meet this ‘representative’ they’d sent in person as he landed. He needed to know that despite his connections, on this ship she was in charge.

She was alone in greeting the man, only the deck crew and droids to accompany her. She’d changed out of her armoured robes, and wore plain, unassuming, shape concealing black robes. Apparently, the Council had seen fit to accompany him with several Imperial army lackeys. She wondered if some might be Imperial Intelligence, but that seemed unlikely given the presence of Minder sixty-two. Of course they probably had an undercover agent as well but that was only to be expected. Nyiss couldn’t help but admit that the Sith representative at least looked quite pleasant on the eyes…

She snapped her mind back to the task at hand as the six people formed up before her. She put on a smile as she addressed them, walking slowly around the group, taking in every little detail. “Welcome to my ship Sebastian. I trust you had a… pleasant journey?” She didn’t expect him to answer and kept speaking. “Of course I appreciate any assistance the Dark Council can provide… I do wonder why you think you need guards though. This ship is quite safe, despite its cargo. You can send your entourage and your ship to the Asha. You wont be needing them here. Then I shall escort you to your quarters.” She finished her circuit of the group right as she finished speaking, standing once more in front of them, waiting for the inevitable protest at having the escorts all sent away.

As he was addressed Vole bowed his head slightly breaking eye contact for the merest of moments only to look up and see that Nyiss had begun to circle him, he felt he would appear stupid to spin in place as she went around so instead as she went behind him focused on looking ahead casually trying to get a reading from Nyiss through the force. Naturally there was not a great deal as she was a Darth afterall and quite skilled at controlling herself. Initially he had some odd inflections from her though chalked that up to amusement at the game that had now begun. 

He almost lost his composure for a moment when she began to come back around and informed him of the fate of his ship and crew. He could not protest though, not over something so trivial with a Darth. So instead he merely bowed his head slightly though this time did not break eye contact with Nyiss keeping them locked on her. His stare was meant to be intense but not threatening. "It is as you wish Darth Nyiss. I come on behalf of the Dark Council but am here at your leisure," He raised his arms slightly out to his sides palms towards her in a posture of openness as well as to indicate the area around them, "This is your realm and I shall do as you ask. I only wish that my attache stay with me for now she is a simple menial who I enjoy keeping around for tasks in which she helps me at times with my duties. Working for the Dark Council generates so very much paperwork after all as they always wish to be kept informed of everything." 

There was a slight inflection on the last few words as he spoke to Nyiss though he did not give Nyiss an opportunity to say anything which may regard it as he then began speaking to his bodyguards though he never turned his head away from Nyiss, "Markus, take the ship over to the Asha I am sure you will be given billets there and await any further orders from me. Even as his men turned crisply and marched back into the vessel Vole now strode forward his hands now clasped behind his back towards Nyiss, "I suppose there is much now I must learn here Darth Nyiss, I would very much like to see the progress you have made. I have no doubt we have much to discuss."

“Do we just?” Nyiss’ immediate response made it quite clear exactly how much she intended on telling this interloper. She was skeptical of allowing Sebastian his attache, but one was at least much easier to manage than five. Or perhaps the woman was merely a pet for him, a toy. She looked the non-force sensitive woman up and down once before making up her mind. “Very well Sebastian. you may keep this woman for doing your… paperwork.” She turned on her heel then and started walking towards the Turbolift. she expected the younger Sith to follow immediately, and kept speaking as she walked. “Of course I’d be happy to hear what you know of the esteemed Councils dealings, but I think you’ll find they already know about my little project here. I did, after all, work with them in the sacking of Coruscant.”

Vole was surprised at even how Nyiss clearly contemplated not allowing him to keep Missandra with him. What was she doing here that she had so much to fear from the Dark Council. Removing his vessel from the ship had wrong footed him and now it was clear she was ready to deliver another blow to his mission. He knew she was competent but now he wondered how paranoid she may be. 

As she turned to walk away Vole quickened his pace to catch up to her and Missandra followed in step several paces behind him. "Yes, the sacking of Coruscant was a victory above and beyond realistic expectations everyone involved can be thanked for such a tremendous victory. It gave us the negotiating room to seize worlds all along the border and now we bolster ourselves further in all areas, "Vole tried to gauge Nyiss as he walked and talked, he could not quite get a handle on the emotions which emanated off of her she was very complex, "The Council was very appreciative of your efforts involved and would like you to keep them appraised of anything noteworthy you come across and would be more than willing to work with you again on a similar operation in the future." He chose his wording carefully as he neared the turbolift if he could score an early opening on what kind of ideas she held then it would greatly aid him in future endeavors.

“Yes I’m quite sure the Council would appreciate me working for them in the future.” She looked at Sebastian as they entered the turbolift, waiting for the doors to close before continuing. “Imperial Intelligence should be keeping them appraised of everything that we learn here. That means you are here either because the Council are unhappy with their work, or they want you to investigate me. It’s not the first time you know. I didn’t expect them to be quite so overt though.” Her tone was half serious, half playful. Her words might not be those of the perfect manipulator but her tone and the feelings she allowed to bubble to the surface were confusing at best for onlookers. She gazed at the taller Sith. He was certainly handsome. And he obviously had secrets. She looked forward to their relationship quite a lot.

Vole was momentarily thrown off by her directness as they entered the turbolift but this was a tactic he was familiar with and easily recovered from it before any reaction escaped him. He quickly thought through her potential reasons for this and decided she was likely fishing, she wanted to know how much the Dark Council already knew of her of the book endeavors he figured. As he began to speak he drew more on the force to try and get a better reading from Nyiss, she seemed to be expecting his actions though as once more was getting mixed signals from her again though of a different flavor. She certainly did not seem to be emanating any hostility which meant she certainly had more long term plans for his involvement here and he could feel that he was in her emotions somehow though that was to be expected naturally, "It is in part your nature of being so far out from the center of Imperial space. Your experiments are also rather unique and while everything you find may be reported back some wonder if everything you do is not. It is also simple politics and distribution of power. I am sure you understand this given your position," Vole felt things were starting to drift a bit away from him overall and needed to reassert the official mission parameters, "As I am sure you are aware though my mission here is not to report on you but rather to aid you. I know the workings of a Jedi's mind better than most and I can help a great deal in breaking them and turning them to our side so that they may better help the Sith."

“In one sentence you manage to both accuse me of carrying out secret missions and deny that you have any of your own.” Nyiss said, amusement evident in her voice. “You really ought to improve the delivery of that line.” She added with a second thought, reaching up to touch the side of his face gently. She looked into the taller Siths eyes for a moment, a slight smile on her face, before bringing her hand back to her side and turning to face the turbolifts doors as they opened. “On one thing we can agree. You will be quite useful in converting these Jedi. Perhaps, with your history, you will be able to reach some of the more stubborn ones and show them the truth. Every Jedi who falls is a dual blow against the Republic, they lose an ally and gain an enemy. Make no mistake Sebastian, this war is far from over and we need every warrior we can get.”

Smiling as he listened to Nyiss he could not help but find something intriguing about her and she took him by surprise when she reached out and touched his face. Even after she took it away it was though he could still feel her touch for a moment. She was certainly rather unique it seemed. This more and more seemed to be an even more complex assignment than expected. With the smile still on his lips he responded with a certain light heartedness in his voice, "Oh, I am not accusing you of having secrets Darth Nyiss, we all have secrets, everyone in the galaxy has secrets. That is perhaps why I so often find someone willing to spend much time with me for you see my skills are well known. I am very good at finding secrets."

As he followed her out of the turbolift he continued to speak, "Of course currently I am tasked with finding the secrets of these Jedi and turning their own secrets against them. We will need them in the coming months for as you said this war is not over. In fact I feel it has only just now truly begun. I am sure the Dark Council will become increasingly distracted as time passes and you turning Jedi to join our order will most certainly reflect well on your efforts here." He kept his voice neutral as he spoke now but could not help but feel the creep of a smile on his lips as he continued to try and read Darth Nyiss through the force. He continued to try to provoke responses but she continued to divert him.

Nyiss ignored both the bragging and the attempts to provoke more responses from her. She’d been playing this game for a long time, and she wasn’t about to give away anything. Instead she focused on the task at hand, namely informing the new arrival of the rules on her ship and showing him to his quarters. “While you stay aboard this ship, you will of course have to abide by the rules I have laid out, Dark Council or no. You must follow usual Sith law - it is wasteful to kill a fellow Sith.” She wanted to mention that she wouldn’t mind so much if someone killed the Lizard, but telling the Dark Council representative that she might not always follow Sith law to the letter was a foolish plan indeed. “You aren’t to injure the Jedi in any way that will cripple their ability to function as Sith. Remember at all times [i]why[/i] we are here. This is not a forum for your own personal vengeance. I doubt I’ll have problems with you in this matter, but you may need to remind some of the others from time to time. Killing a Jedi without my express permission will be punished severely. Other than that, you are free to use whatever other methods you like to turn them, but I expect results before we arrive at Korriban.”

She paused as they stepped into the turbolift that led to the prison deck, waiting for the doors to close before continuing. “Imperial Intelligence believes that one of the Jedi possesses an affinity for machines, as well as some information about several key Republic defenses and installations. Acquiring that information is secondary to turning the Jedi, as he will likely just tell us once he has seen the truth.” She turned to look at him then, putting on the most pleasant expression she could as she prepared to place figurative shackles on him. “One more thing, much of the crew is unaware of our little plan, so you’ll be largely confined to the Prison deck along with the Jedi. The turbolift is locked out from that deck, so the only way you’ll be able to snoop is if you have my permission.” She handed him a datapad then, an innocent smile still on her face. On it was all the rules and facilities available in written form as well as a map of the prison deck marking the location of his quarters. “Do try to enjoy your stay.”

Taking the pad there was a genuine smile on his face, there was certainly something interesting about Nyiss and looking down at the datapad he took the chance to glance over her form entirely again though this time with a different eye. Before coming here he had looked over most of the female members of Darth Nyiss’s staff and found several interesting candidates for his preferred methods of getting close to someone but something about the way Nyiss was talking to him and as he thought of the way she had touched him earlier a thought popped into his mind. He had dismissed her at first as such a partner but as his eyes travelled upwards subtly his mind changed on that and was certainly an avenue he was not going to pass up if such an opportunity came about. Holding the datapad out to her for a moment he asked, “In the event I wish to, discuss things with you in a more private setting, I do not suppose you would show me how to get to your suite?”

Darth Nyiss was amused at the question, mostly because of the quick look he snuck in beforehand. Still, her quarters did have a few sensitive materials within, and there was no way she was going to just let this agent of the Dark council just wander into them. She kept her voice neutral as she addressed him this time. “If you need to see me privately, contact me on the comms system and maybe I’ll tell you how to get to my quarters. For now, you have Jedi to turn.” As she finished speaking, she stepped back into the elevator and pressed the button that would take her back to the rest of the ship and lock the new arrival on the prison deck. The doors quickly slipped shut, leaving her to her own company. She had far more important things to do.

Standing beside his attache still Vole found was rather amused as Darth Nyiss left him to his own devices. With a probing of his mind into hers his attache presented him a datapad that had a list of female Jedi on them an known information about them. It was time to pick out his first target.