To say that the Master was suprised would have been an understatement. Almost immediately, the Jedi Master keyed in a command to the communications relay three levels down to begin probing and tracing the call; though inevitably the call would be traced to somewhere in the Outer Rim, and be a dead end. Nonetheless, his mind registered almost to faintly what the Darksider had spoken, instead preoccupied with the sudden very evident anxiety of a new Sith Empire.

"Say you that you wish to civilize your followers; but hard am I finding it to believe. I know of the Sith, and of the dark ways. Pray tell me you, how do you intend to bring your followers under Republic control, when the very institutions of being a Sith make you incapable of accepting democracy?"

His eyes did not linger towards Jedi Master Raztlain, though he did indeed communicate with the other master; sending the impressions of his anxiety through the force to the other master. Such a threat as this could not be condoned. Surely all Jedi would agree?

"Agreed, we will be in contact..." The transmission ended, and Malius let his head finally turn towards the only other Master present in the room with so many in hiatus. "This is becoming bothersome old friend," there was no need for formalities, "I will dispatch word to the Chief of State immediately, and see if he can bring together some fragments of the diplomatic core to join me..." He let the words linger, for Raztlain would understand full what he meant. Malius Ky-Nomi intended to travel to Druckenwell

Well, that had certainly gone over better than he'd expected. Jericho Novak, once called Dalath Jeram, a name likely unknown to nearly any in this day and age, relaxed within the comfort of his quarters on the Venator. Seeing how the Jedi had already informed the Senate, as shown by Fitzgerald's reaction, Novak had little to worry about. He'd fully expected the Jedi to inform the Senate. Better for them to bring it up than leave him to do it. The anti-Sith sentiment was still quite high. That was quite understandable of course. Sipping on a small glass of Corellian brandy, Novak examined the possibilities.

There was next to no chance that the Jedi would come alone. If they did send one representative, or even two, there was too much a chance they might well just do away with him or attempt a capture. Of course, they didn't know about Rajek yet; his ace in the hole. It seemed more likely that they would send representatives from the New Republic alongside the Jedi; an entire team of diplomats and researchers and the like. Ryuun would be informed long before they arrived, thankfully. Oddly enough, Novak was starting to enjoy the company of the planetary governor. He also hadn't yet told the man he was Sith. That was bound to create some problems, of course. Perhaps he should have waited on announcing himself to the Jedi... alas, what was done was done.

What he didn't necessarily want was the Jedi and New Republic poking about his vessels. Two Acclamator vessels stuffed full of battle droids and artillery pieces used by the C.I.S. were bound to raise a few eyebrows. No, it wouldn't do to have his army yanked out from under him. It had its merits, contributing to the New Republic, but Novak was hardly about to turn over all the forces that he viewed as 'his' in the name of democracy. He had earned those ships and troops by being willing to command them against the former Republic and then being betrayed by Sidious.

So the Jedi would come. And, as always, he would be waiting.

Added (12 Apr 2009, 8:55 Am)
---------------------------------------------

"They don't like me, Rajek."

"Perhaps it is because of the Jedi you killed."

"No, Rajek, it is deeper than that. They refuse to see me as a person. All they see is the title of Sith. They are blind, my friend. They cannot see beyond their paltry fears and weaknesses. At the merest mention of Sith, they clam up and flee and hide behind events of the past, never considering what the future could hold. I am tempted... sorely tempted..."

"Temptation does not make one wise."

"Yes, yes. I know. It would be so easy to gather as many darksiders as I could find and sweep down upon their vaunted cities and worlds... and yet it would solve nothing. It would never raise the Sith from what they have become: a twisted, damaged grouping of Force-users who do not know their limits."

Novak sighed and settled down into the command chair on the rather silent bridge. Fitzgerald was difficult. The man had his points and he had his flaws in the argument, but he was wrong as well. So perhaps Novak had persuaded a few minds here and there to gain his high rank with Druckenwell. It didn't mean he wasn't going to do well by the people. One thing was for sure: without him, Druckenwell was not likely to side with the New Republic. His own seeds were planted and sprouting.

"Go, Rajek. I need time to think before the Jedi arrive."