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// Interlude - Scent of Blood 
// Story: Harmony in Force 
// by Khandnalie 
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        The datapad powered down and the room went dark. Save for a few blinking lights announcing the functional state of their respective pieces of equipment, the room was completely drenched in shadow. Commander Cath leaned back in her chair and gave a small sigh. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy her job. To the contrary, she adored it. Learning secrets from across the galaxy was always fun, and her position carried the pride of helping the Empire on its glorious march towards a brighter future. For the Emperor and all that. It was the people that drove her insane. Always some Sith to appease, always an admiral breathing down your neck, and Emperor save us all if the Dark Council was ever in any way involved. She rubbed the bridge of her nose to help calm herself as she ceased her mental diatribe. There would be plenty of time to rant about bureaucracy and oversight at the bar later. For right now, she had unpleasant business to attend to. 
        Her fingers danced over the terminal in front of her, prompting it to emit a pale blue glow. A few swipes and presses, and she had in front of her the connection she needed. The holoterminal beside her started to glow as it awaited a return signal, and soon a robed figure appeared floating in the air before her. It greeted her with a surly growl and an expectant glare. Cath fought down the combative response her brain had lined up for the rude noise and straightened in her chair. She cleared her throat, answering the ambiguous greeting “Lord Gorod, we have received word from our agent aboard the Bondar Thane. They are currently dead in space, without hyperdrive.”
        The robed figure looked at her for a few moments eyes boring holes into her even over the holocommunicator. His voice was a sour rumble when he spoke “If that is the extent of your news, Commander, then a severe punishment awaits you upon my return to Dromund Kaas.” 
        Cath gritted her teeth in annoyance at the threat, choosing to ignore it and continue with her report. “Our agent has determined that they will not be able to move for several days - weeks even, if efforts are made towards sabotage. And... he has determined that the crystal is aboard the vessel.” 
        Lord Gorod leaned forward intently, savage hunger visible in his eyes. “You have my undivided attention. Tell me - where is the Bondar Thane?”