But Adraas, anticipating Malgus’s attack, bounded to his feet, activated his own lightsaber, and parried the blow. The two men pressed their blades against the other before Angral’s desk, energy sizzling, sparks flying.

Malgus tested Adraas’s strength.

“You have been hiding your power,” he said.

“No,” Adraas answered. “You are just too blind to see the things before your eyes.”

Malgus summoned a reserve of strength and pushed Adraas back a stride. They regarded each other with hate in their eyes.

“That will be all,” Angral said, standing.

Neither Malgus nor Adraas took his eyes from the other and neither deactivated his blade.

“That will be all,” Angral said.

As one, both men backed off another step. Adraas deactivated his lightsaber, then Malgus.

“You should have sent her to my ship for care,” Malgus said, aiming the comment at Adraas, but intending it for both of them.

Angral looked disappointed. “After all of this you still say such things? Very well, Malgus. The woman is in a Republic medical facility near here. I will have the information sent to your pilot.”

Malgus inclined his head in grudging thanks.

“As for you, Lord Adraas,” Angral said, “I accept your report of the battle.”

“Thank you, Darth Angral.”

Angral drew himself up to his full height. “You will, both of you, follow my commands without question or hesitation. I will deal harshly with any deviation from that order. Do you understand?”

Angral had directed the rebuke at both of them, but Malgus understood it to be intended for him.

“Yes, Darth Angral,” they said in unison.

“You are servants of the Empire.”

Malgus, stewing, said nothing.

“Both of you leave me, now,” Angral said.

Still seething, Malgus walked for the door. Adraas fell in a stride behind him.

“Darth Malgus,” Angral called.

Malgus stopped, turned. Adraas stopped as well, keeping some space between them.

“I know you believe that conflict perfects one’s understanding of the Force.” He made Malgus wait a beat before adding, “I will be curious to see if events validate your view.”

“What events?” Malgus asked, and then understood. Angral would let Adraas make his play for Malgus’s role in the hierarchy. He entended to see who would prevail in a conflict between Malgus and Adraas, a conflict conducted in the shadows, by proxy, according to all the ridiculous political rules of the Sith.

Subtle, backhanded conflict was not Malgus’s strength. He glared at Adraas, who glared back.

“That will be all, then,” Angral said, and Malgus walked toward the doors.

“Adraas, remain a moment,” Angral said, and Adraas lingered.

Malgus looked over his shoulder to see Adraas watching him.

Malgus walked out of the office alone, the same way he had walked in. He had been made a fool and was being played for Angral’s amusement.