James Luceno - Darth Maul - Saboteur

"Welcome, Lord Sidious," he said.

Though his eyes remained concealed by the cloak's raised hood, Sidious seemed to be gazing through Monchar at Gunray, who was perched atop his claw-footed mechno-chair a few meters away.

"Viceroy," Sidious rasped. "Dismiss your underling, so that we may speak in private about recent events on Dorvalla."

Monchar stared openly at Sidious, then whirled on Gunray. "But, Viceroy, I was the one who made contact with Lommite Limited. I deserve at least some of the credit for what has occurred."

"Viceroy," Sidious said, with a bit more menace, "advise your underling that his contributions in this matter were inconsequential."

Gunray glanced nervously at Monchar. "You had better leave."

"But"

"Nowbefore he gets angry."

Monchar's gut sack made a sickening growl as he hurried from the grotto.

Gunray slid off the mechno-chair and approached the holoprojector. He had a jutting lower jaw, and his thick lower lip was uncompanioned. A deep fissure separated his bulging forehead into two lateral lobes. His skin was kept a healthy gray-blue by means of frequent meals of the finest fungus. Red and orange robes of exquisite hand fell from his narrow shoulders, along with a round-collared brown surplice that reached his knees.

"I apologize for the indiscretion of my deputy," he said. "He is high-strung from too many rich foods."

Sidious's face betrayed nothing. "Apology accepted, Viceroy."

"Hath Monchar regards me much as I regard you, Lord Sidious: with a mix of awe and fear."

"You need fear me only if you fail me, Viceroy."

Gunray seemed to take the remark under advisement. "I have been anticipating your visit, Lord Sidious. Though I confess that I had no idea you were aware of events on Dorvallamuch less that the Trade Federation had an interest in the planet."

"You will find that there are few matters of which I am unaware, Viceroy. What's more, we have not seen the last of Dorvalla. There is something we will need to attend to in due course."

"But, Lord Sidious, the matter has been resolved. Lommite Limited and InterGalactic Ore have merged to become Dorvalla Mining, but the Trade Federation will transport the ore, and will now represent Dorvalla in the Galactic Senate."

"More important, you have a permanent place on the directorate."

Gunray bowed his head. "That, too, Lord Sidious."

"Then the stage is set for the next act."

"May I ask what that will entail?"

"I will inform you at the appropriate time. Until then, there are other matters I will see to, to secure the power base of the Trade Federation and to strengthen your personal position."

"We are not deserving of your attention."

"Then strive to make yourself deserving, Viceroy, so that our partnership will continue to prosper."

Gunray gulped loudly. "I will do little else, Lord Sidious."

***

In his lair on Coruscant, Darth Sidious deactivated the holoprojector and turned to face Darth Maul.

"Do you find them any more trustworthy than before?"

"More frightened, Master," Maul said from his cross-legged posture on the floor, "which may achieve the same end result."

Sidious made an affirmative sound. "We are not through with them yetnot for some time to come."

"I begin to understand, Master."

Sidious's mouth approximated a grin of approval. "You did not disappoint me at Dorvalla, Darth Maul."

"My Master," Maul said, slightly bowing his head.

Sidious studied him for a moment. "I sense that you enjoyed being out on your own."

Maul lifted his face. "My thoughts are open to you, Master."

"I see," Sidious said slowly. "Temper your enthusiasm, my young apprentice. Soon I will have another task for you to discharge."

Maul waited.

"Familiarize yourself with the workings of the criminal organization known as Black Sun. And while you're doing that, return to your warrior training. Your lightsaber may very well come in handy for what I require next."