Gunray bowed his head. "That, too, Lord Sidious."

"Then the stage is set for the next act."

"May I ask what that will entail?" "I will inform you at the appropriate time. Until then, there are other matters I will see to, to secure the power base of the Trade Federation and to strengthen your personal position."

"We are not deserving of your attention."

"Then strive to make yourself deserving, Viceroy, so that our partnership will continue to prosper."

Gunray gulped loudly. "I will do little else, Lord Sidious."

In his lair on Coruscant, Darth Sidious deactivated the holoprojector and turned to face Darth Maul.

"Do you find them any more trustworthy than before?"

"More frightened, Master," Maul said from his cross-legged posture on the floor, "which may achieve the same end result."

Sidious made an affirmative sound. "We are not through with them yetnot for some time to come."

"I begin to understand, Master." Sidious's mouth approximated a grin of approval. "You did not disappoint me at Dorvalla, Darth Maul."

"My Master," Maul said, slightly bowing his head.

Sidious studied him for a moment. "I sense that you enjoyed being out on your own."

Maul lifted his face. "My thoughts are open to you, Master."

"I see," Sidious said slowly. "Temper your enthusiasm, my young apprentice. Soon I will have another task for you to discharge." Maul waited.

"Familiarize yourself with the workings of the criminal organization known as Black Sun. And while you're doing that, return to your warrior training. Your lightsaber may very well come in handy for what I require next."

About the Author.

JAMES LUCENO is the New York Times bestselling author of two Star Wars: The New Jedi Order novelsAgents of Chaos: Hero's Trial and Agents of Chaos: Jedi Eclipse. He also coauth.o.r.ed the popular ROBOTECH series with his close friend the late Brian Daley, and wrote the film adaptations for The Shadow and The Mask of Zorro. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife and children.

Want more Darth Maul? Don't miss Star Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves, the full-length print novel available right now wherever books are sold.

And be sure to look for Star Wars: Cloak of Deception by James Luceno, a full-length print novel of intrigue set in the time just before Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, on sale June 2001.

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