"Likely. But did you wish organizational details, or further philosophical musings?"

"The former, since they seem to inform the latter. Although apparently physics details also inform the latter."

"The Sith are organized in a single branching hierarchy. At the apex stands the Emperor. Beneath him are the twelve members of the Dark Council, each responsible for a separate aspect of the Sith Empire's functioning. Subordinate to each Councilor are their Darths, and those may command other Darths and Lords. Individually, any Darth or Lord may take an apprentice. The apprentice generally fits just below their master on the hierarchy, though some exceptions may apply. Any Darth may elevate a Lord of the Sith. Promotions to Darth are nominated to or ratified by the Dark Council."

"How are responsibilities divided between Councilors and Darths?"

"It varies. Councilors are responsible for ensuring the overall goals of their Sphere are met, so that the entire assembly continues running smoothly. Some delegate heavily, others do not. The Twelve Spheres are Ancient Knowledge, Mysteries, Philosophy, Laws and Justice, Technology, Biotic Science, Production and Logistics, Intelligence, Expansion and Diplomacy, Military Strategy, Military Offense, and Defense of the Empire."

"And this is sufficient to cover multiple planets?"

"Multiple systems. A significant portion of the galaxy."

"What ranks are lower than Darth?"

"For Sith, the ascension path is acolyte, apprentice, Lord, Darth."

"I suppose your policy for ruling planets is very hands-off."

"There are non-Sith officials as well."

Nod. 

"They, naturally, are subordinate to the Sith, but they do have their place."

"Are they as inclined to solve their problems with violence, not themselves being Force users?"

"Not to the same extent, but the culture is pervasive,"

"I suppose they don't necessarily have the same ... resources ... available for producing it."

"A term of military service is required to gain citizenship."

Hohenheim thinks that their government would like Amestris. Not that he'll ever imply anything to that effect out loud, lest Occlus decide she gets along with Homunculus.

"How long?"

"Thirty months."

Nod. 

They continue towards Bharat, to the south. The roads were carved through the mountains with Xingese alchemy and there is subtle evidence of this in tunnels, where strips of material are visible in the rock, slightly too uniform to have been naturally made.

Occlus does in fact catch this, and points it out.

"Shoddy work." Hohenheim frowns. "Or too fast, or made with too simple an array. We should be wary of structural problems in the road ahead."

"Cave-ins are troublesome," she agrees. "It is a pity I did not have my scanning equipment on my person when I traveled between worlds."

"There are chi techniques that would help with determining the location of faults, but you have not been studying long enough to perform them."

"My premonitions are more reliable in regards to direct physical danger. I do not think we have much to fear from this tunnel."