A small fleet of ships sits in orbit, their systems offline: even life support has been powered down. Comparing with Diabolus' requisitions, it seems that the remaining fleet is rather smaller than the one he set out with.

The computers report a significant number of life signs from one of the more habitable portions of the planet's surface. 

Well, well. If Diabolus himself has not survived, it seems something of his legacy may have. Time for a closer look at those life signs. How are they organized? Is there any infrastructure? Has her arrival been noticed?

There is a single town-sized outpost, which seems to have been built around a salvaged hypermatter reactor of significant size: however, the rest of the power sources on the planet are quite small. Electricity, yes. Small arms, yes. Heavy artillery? Highly unlikely. 

That said, the buildings are ferrocrete, and laid out in a sensible design that allows easy transport. This doesn't look like a ragtag, haphazard settlement of survivors: someone laid out streets and roads. Someone organized power transmission. Someone tore a hypermatter reactor out of the core of a ship and transported it safely to the planet's surface.

In short, someone is in charge. 

Quite. Occlus will circle the town once, then set down on the edge.

She steps out of the ship to see who comes to greet her.

Sure enough, there is a welcome party. They wear Imperial armor and insignia: though the issue is clearly out-of-date and retrofits have been done, nothing looks ill-maintained or mismatched. 

Their apparent leader wears the same body armor, which bulks her otherwise tall and thin body: she looks twenty, perhaps thirty. She would not have been born when Darth Diabolus set out on his mission. 

Scarlet hair frames her severe face, and she carries both a lightsaber and a blaster. To Occlus' studied senses, she clearly has potential in the Force. Unrefined potential, perhaps - but potential. 

She salutes in Imperial style. 

"Welcome to Upsilon Colony."

Occlus is impassive.

"Where is your master, girl?"

"The Sleepless One will receive you in her personal quarters. I am to escort you. You may bring a small honour-guard if you so desire."

"They will stay with the ship. Lead on."

Their leader's home is a remarkably short walk away - but then, that would make sense. After all, the seat of power here would have been naturally established close to the best landing site for evacuation from the fleet. 

The house itself doesn't look like much - just another ferrocrete building, save perhaps a bit better guarded and reinforced than the rest. Through double doors, up a flight of stairs. Hallway, third door on the right. 

A child waits for her in the room. She might be twelve. Barely.

When Occlus was twelve, she murdered two seventeen-year-olds with a wooden practice saber.

She waits for her host to speak.

"Welcome, Sith Lord. Though there are undoubtably many things I will want to ask you for in future, I should begin with the point. What can I do for you?" 

This child... does not seem to have much strength in the Force.

Yet - her posture. Her unchildlike composure. The lightsaber at her hip.

Something more is going on here, clearly. Occlus is confident that she will be able to handle any surprises.

"I am Darth Occlus, of the Dark Council. I have come to discover the fate of Darth Diabolus, and his expedition."

"Darth Diabolus is seventy-some years dead. I am his successor, Darth Vincoria. His expedition was successful. Briefly."

"I see. Is the machine nearby, then? I would like to examine it."

"I did say 'briefly.' Unfortunately, when Darth Diabolus attempted to use the machine, the ancient device malfunctioned. Both he and the machine were destroyed: only I remain as evidence of its existence."

"That is indeed... unfortunate."

Ominous pause.

Head tilt. "What have you been doing since?"

"Attempting to replicate the device. There are as of yet memories and schematics remaining: the issue is to reproduce the technology and the understanding of the Force that allowed its function. While I may have all the time in the world, my apprentice does not."

"Whatever else one may say about them, the ancient Rakata had a remarkable grasp of the ways in which the Force and technology can work together." Her lips quirk in a small smile. "I doubt you will succeed here before your apprentice dies."

"I have certain advantages others do not, regarding this task. I would not advise you to disregard my efforts so quickly."

"As you wish. If you do succeed, I should be interested to hear about it. I will leave you my holofrequency."

Occlus turns to leave.

There is a sudden pressure against her sternum.

"It would be unwise for you to abandon this colony." 

"Aren't we an interesting little girl? I have not come across this particular application before. What, exactly, is it you want before I go?"

Occlus is remarkably calm for someone with a psychic sword pressed to her chest. This may have something to do with the brief flares of purple energy flickering across her body.

"I would like a ship with a working hyperdrive. After all, I have no desire to be confined to this rock for the rest of my life."

Despite Occlus' obvious stength in the Force, Vincoria has equally little fear in her voice.

"I am not prepared to give up mine. I have room to take you and perhaps your apprentice with me when I leave. We'll have to make another trip if you wish to transplant the rest of the colony."

"This is acceptable. In return, I am willing to demonstrate the effects that the immortality technology has had on me."