Sluis Van, Sluis Van Shipyards
2 weeks before the Battle of Ithor
The shipyard of Sluis Van was one of the most impressive sights Veles had seen in his journeys through the Galaxy. It encompassed the entire planet, bustling with activity at all times, cargo ships coming and going while heavy machinery welded together hulls and the brightest engineers in the Galaxy were hard at work within the various buildings and satellites, scheming out designs for craft that would later be built here. It was considered the best shipyard in the Outer Rim, and on good merit, because it looked to be an absolute powerhouse. This dwarfs Sullust every day of the week.
He soured as he recalled his trip to Sullust, irritated by his naivety in ever thinking that a world like that would ever consider willingly joining the Empire. It had been foolish to take the invitation, and even more foolish to go when the Empress mentioned the impossibility of the mission, but that was just a consequence of his ambition. Veles would hit walls now and again, but the important thing was to get back up and learn from his mistakes. He'd killed the bounty hunters that worked with the Sullustan governing body and set the entire building on fire, covering his tracks perfectly and ensuring no one will ever know he'd been there. He knew there was no chance that the politicians would speak of the failure, because there was no point in jeopardizing their careers to complain about a Sith Lord defending himself in the face of an attack planned by the corrupt diplomats hand in hand with actual criminals.
Sluis Van would be different, he'd told himself, and already could feel the optimism build within. Sluis Van had been loyal to the Empire even after its fall. They had refused to participate in anything the New Republic asked them to, though they were forced to eventually join the fold. Now they did not plead allegiance to any faction, but that was bound to change very soon. If they would not do it out of loyalty for the successor of Sidious' Empire, they would certainly do it for the massive economic growth that such an opportunity presented. Veles knew just the angles to play, the perfect words to say to persuade them.
As their shuttle neared the dock, he turned to his companion. Darth Draugr. The Zabrak had risen to power during the brief absence Veles had taken to meditate, and they had not interacted much with each other. This would be his first opportunity to size up one of the other prominent Sith Lords, and he certainly looked forward to it. He knew Draugr could fight--that he had seen with his own eyes--but he did not know whether the man's brain was equally sharpened. Nevertheless, the presence of not one but two Sith Lords would show the Sluissi that the Empire meant business.
"5 minutes to landing, my Lords," the pilot announced through the comms.
"This shouldn't be too difficult," he assured the Zabrak. "Lord Draugr, I appreciate your presence here today, especially considering your other commitments." Veles knew to be diplomatic, and hoped that Draugr was not the rash and headstrong kind of Sith Lord that would seek to overshadow him any chance he got. Embarrassing him in such a way--particularly on a mission that the Empress herself had approved of--and stealing credit from him for a mission he had planned would be a surefire way of making a very powerful enemy. But it won't come to that. You need to stop acting like your equals are out to get you. Still, the nagging thought remained at the back of his mind as he had no doubt it did for the other Sith Lords as well. It was a tumultuous time for the Empire, especially in the aftermath of the largest purge in its history. The last thing they needed was more inner conflict.
Their ship landed and the door hissed open. A figure stood alone on the dock awaiting their arrival, and he bowed at the two Sith Lords as they came into view.
"Lord Veles, Lord Draugr," the man greeted. "I am President Jaks Kyuss of Sluis Van. Please allow me to humbly welcome to our shipyard."
The Sluissi's President had greeted them, which was already a sharp contrast when compared to the delegation with armed guards on Sullust
The wisdom of the Empress is not to be doubted, I suppose.
@Scoobert