Scoff. "What Republic defections? He's starting a new Empire, not a Republic, in case you misheard."

"Really," says Callida, retrieving her datapad and looking at some figures. "So Malgus's assistance from the 451st company, the 94th engineering division, and your 822 and 921st airborne divisions, along with help from esteemed commanders Major Kando, Colonel Ardmore, and Captain Chi'thiac were... what?" She blinks and smiles politely. "Sanctioned republic assistance for the new Empire? I didn't know you were so supportive. Your men even switched uniforms. Was there a sale on fabric?"

Oh noooooo she's doing the thing again

keep it together, Ana

"...Fine. The question of trust stands. The last time the Empire called a truce, you sacked Coruscant."

"This is a temporary, localized ceasefire, I have no concern for the larger war, so long as we are able to contain Malgus."

"Very focused."

"The war is not my primary area of responsibility. I wish to be done with this, so that the others may resume their duties. I will offer you this: that when Malgus is defeated, Imperial forces will leave this world."

"It's that easy?"

"Nothing ever is. But if it achieves my objectives, I will see it done."

"All right Sith, you've got a deal. You pull your forces back and I'll tell my men to stand down, and we'll both concentrate on the New Imps."

Occlus nods. "So be it."

"If we're going to be working together we should have more established lines of communication than open comm channels," points out Revan.

"True. Given Malgus's access to Imperial protocols, that will be difficult to arrange."

"Perhaps not, if we don't mind losing holo transmission. We can generate one-time pads here and be secure enough, albeit constrained to text."

"Smart plan. All right."

Code sheets are generated and distributed, and the conference ends with as few formalities as it began.

"So. Having seen this Revan in person, did he fit your remembrance?"

"He was a bit more - cheeky this time, but I'm not sure if that's the result of time giving him confidence or of putting on a show for you. Otherwise, yes. The Jedi with him was his companion, as well. Which is why I was giving her that look back there."

"I think she fears you."

"At the very least, I definitely unnerve her," agrees Callida, sounding faintly smug.

She hasn't even done anything! This is a fear from a powerful Jedi that she's earned through charisma alone! This is the sort of thing that makes normal Sith want to cackle maniacally. She resists this urge, because it is beneath her.

"Her presence at the conference implies a degree of responsibility and trust. Revan's trust at the least, if no one else's. If a joint operation is planned, it is likely that you will be put in a position where working with her is required. Do you think that will be a problem?"

Callida considers.

"... No. Revan asked her to stay her hand before, and she listened. Clearly he trusts her enough to bring her along, so I don't think she's stopped. She might not be comfortable around me, but I don't think she's the type to suddenly turn on me because I scare her a little. Not when she knows her ally wouldn't appreciate it. And if she's not actively trying to kill me, everything else is relatively simple."

"Good. I confess myself somewhat intrigued by her. Not the sort of person I would have expected to survive killing the Emperor."

"No. Strange indeed." She hums, thoughtfully. "... This is conjecture, so I might be wrong, but I think part of the reason I frighten her is that I'm not... easy to sort. If I loomed and spouted out monologues and broke things, I think she wouldn't find me quite as scary. She'd know what to do with me. Instead, I don't fit into her idea of the galaxy, and that's terrifying. Because I'm comparatively unpredictable, and because what if that means she was wrong?"

"She must have been very assured of her self to successfully battle the Emperor. He could dominate lesser minds as easily as breathing. Perhaps she used such an inflexible worldview as a grounding, a deeply-rooted post to cling to in the face of the gale wind. To have it challenged after such a success... It may be we are fortunate you and she did not meet earlier."

"It does follow that such a technique would have downsides. Yes, we might be fortunate indeed. What an odd way to arrange oneself."