Dark Lord Tarna took a deep breath and pressed a small button on his desk. "Access communication database." A hologram popped up with endless amounts of comm station locations.
"Kuat." The list shortened.
"Church of the Dark Side." The list shrunk again, and a small red box opened with a message.
"Secure Code 2699J." The red box vanished.
"High Prophet Aequitas." The second name on the list was highlighted. "Contact."
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas sighed and put the book on a shelf. It was the end of a long day. With the Supreme Prophet away on business as the Grand Vizer, he had left Aequitas to deal with the Church. Just today infact, he had overseen 5 experiments and viewed 25 visions. He stiffled a yawn. As he walked to his lamp to turn it off, he heard a beeping on his desk. Oh for the love of Shadow, he thought to himself, what now? Walking quickly to his seat he sat down and pressed a button. A screen poked out of the desk before shooting up. Just then, a visual of the Shadow Protector appeared. Aequitas was surprised.
"Shadow Protector, how are you? Odd for you to contact me, what is it you need", Aequitas enquired. As Lord Tarna and Lord Praxeum were age old friends, the High Prophet treated the Dark Lord Tarna as Praxeum would.
Sovereign Defender Tarna
"High Prophet, I've contacted you to speak about your superior. It seems that some inside the Empire are concerned about his actions of late. Since I have arguably known him the longest and best, they told me. Since you spend the most time with him, I'm contacting you."
Tarna continued, "Have you noticed anything odd with Dark Lord Praxeum's behavior?"
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas' face darkened. It seems that he was not the only one who was worried about Praxeum.
"Well, my lord, it's odd that you mention it. He has been distant. Locking his doors when he normally doesn't, muttering to himself, leaving Kuat often and, even more peculiar, putting off church duties. I have to admit, I've never seen him like this before."
Aequitas stopped. Praxeum was his friend andhe hated speaking about him. "However, he may just be insanely busy. Or, he could be slightly depressed about something. I confess, I've confronted him about it but....he reacter badly. I feared for my life. Perhaps it is the Sith way. Would it be presumtive or rude to ask where you heard such whispers?"
Sovereign Defender Tarna
"Presumptive or rude? No. But I shall keep my source to myself." Tarna ran his hand through his hair. When he looked down at his hand, a few strands had fallen out. He stared at them with deep concentration, and then snapped back into the present. He looked at the High Prophet and said, "Can you think of any reason why he would be hiding something?"
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas sighed before pressing some buttons on his desk. "My Lord, I am sending you the Church financial records. On it are considerable sus of money being sent for refurbishments and rennovations to the various Churchs across the galaxy. Normal, you may think. However, it says, as you can read, that the Naboo Chapter has recently requested money for refurbishments. Now, you were in the Church for a time, you know that the Prophet 1st Class who stewards each of the Churchs has to request the money. There are two Churchs who do not have a Prophet 1st Class as a steward. They are the Naboo and Corellia Chapters, manned by myself and the Supreme Prophet respectively. I have never requested money"
Aequitas stopped, "You may also notice a request from the Bastion Chapter. Although a small Church, it has requested quite alot. As you may also see the request says the the Moff of Bastion wholly agrees with the idea of expanding the Church. If you excuse me lord, did you agree? I know Praxeum is hiding something, although that sounds rather mean. You have known him longer than I, is he capable of this?"
Aequitas sank back into his chair. He knew deep down that if Praxeum was hiding something sinister and was caught out, he, one of Praxeum's closest friends, would have to try him. He knew the Empire would demand death.
