Acting on the behalf of the Empire, the Emperor's Hand soon place a pair of loyal Sith to the position of Head of the Sphere of Military Strategy and Head of the Sphere of Technology, the two to sit on the Dark Council were non-other than Darth Nex and Darth Acina, respectively. In reaction to this, Darth Marr allied with Darth Nox and Darth Mortis, and prepared to see how the pieces would play out. Soon enough however, Marr and Nex would find themselves allied against a different threat, and Darth Marr would be surprised when he learned of the secret behind Nex's identity.