Nar Shaddaa

Lana spends much of the afternoon on her first lightsaber, it is a labor of dedication but when she puts the final piece in place and then places the crimson crystal into the hilt it blazes to life with great intensity. The years of training and preparation were finally coming together.

She could see her destiny coming together. She holds the lightsaber over head with both hands, it is overly dramatic but she feels the moment calls for it.

OOC: She creates a standard Hilt with a Crossguard that is Two-Handed, adds Defensive 1 and Increases Damage by 1 and adds 2 Encum.

Lana Beniko Knowledge Lore - Hilt: 1eP+3eA+2eD 3 successes, 4 advantage

Having survived the Kaggath, expending a significant amount of energy on ensuring the battle went in the right direction, Jo'ren returned to the Imperial compound. He had been spending his time wisely but elsewhere.

Spotting the young Sith taking up a showy but iconic pose brought a smile to his lips. He didn't know her but decided to go and inspect her handiwork.

"Impressive work​. That's an interesting design you've got there."

Lana turns and turns off the lightsaber and says, “My lord, I apologize… it was uncalled for… for such a display. It was my first. I am Lana Beniko, simply an aspirant in service to Darth Xevious.”

She adds, “I… got a bit inspired I have been planning the design for months now. Do you really think it is interesting?”

Jo'ren waved the apology away. "I don't care, it's fine. Be proud of what you've made." He looked more closely.

"Yeah this crossguard is cool. You're splitting the beam. That could be painful for someone who doesn't expect it."

“I thought it would be a nice touch, it adds some greater defensive capability and I went with a more sturdy two hand grip. I prefer less flash and more efficiency, my lord,” she says proudly.

“I am not a master duelist, I am middling at best. I try to strive for any advantage I can muster if I need to engage an enemy.”

She places her lightsaber on her hip, “I presume as Darth Vengean’s apprentice you have faced many Jedi, what are they like? They are different than I expected. Much more varied, and not always as peaceful and serene as I expected.”

"Efficiency is commendable, whatever it takes to win." He nodded as she placed the weapon on her hip.

"You presume right. They're as unique as we are, but significantly more a annoying. Some are powerful warriors, some are clinging to the light as a safety blanket against the darkness they should just embrace. Others are confused and don't know where they belong."

He shrugged. "Some of them might seem quite reasonable, but never forget they tried to exterminate us. They are hypocrites and deserve our contempt, but they can be diverting for a time."

“I am certain they would say the same about us. I have had limited contact with them, but my observations have contrasted with what I have been taught. I find my academic knowledge challenged by my experiences,” she says honestly.

“They are more and less of what I expected.”

Jo'ren nodded amicably. "Academic knowledge should be tested. Frankly it would naive to expect all Jedi to behave the way we are led to expect. A Sith finds their own truth."

He looked her up and down. "More and less huh? They sure don't seem powerful enough to have exiled our ancestors. Tell me about your observations Aspirant Beniko."

“Well I observed one in combat; she was skilled but arrogant and aggressive. She was also very easy to manipulate but that is another story. She was very much focused on her own personal glory, in my assessment Alysele Cortess is a capable combatant that could be easily dealt with by appealing or manipulating her pride. She would fight simply to prove she was better, an easy recipe for destruction.”

She is thoughtful and says, “I have observed some in passing and they seem passive. Content to wait for things to happen, instead of going on the offensive. Also in many cases their general concern for the well being of others can be utilized to put them in compromising situations.”

“Yet for all these faults they enjoy a high rate of success against the Sith.”

"That's good to know, Alysele you say." He nodded. "Yeah, their concern for others can be a good tool. As for their success rates." Big shoulders shrugged. "We do tend to underestimate them. They often train hard and don't allow many distractions."

His eyes moved to meet hers. "What would you suggest we do Aspirant?"

Lana is quiet in thought and says, “I don’t think I have a suggestion yet, I would need more data to make a real suggestion, my lord. I believe first and foremost is that although conflict breeds strength, limiting our infighting would be a great benefit to defeating the Jedi and the Republic.”

“Perhaps that is simply my naïveté, and I should not speak of criticizing my betters until I have earned the right of being Sith.”

Jo'ren just smiled. "Limiting our infighting would certainly make things easier. Some Sith are better at dealing with their problems in private, others enjoy a good old war. It doesn't make defeating the Republic any easier, although some will tell you it's essential for removing weak links."

He shrugged. "Being Sith can be as much about learning who you can speak your mind to, and when is appropriate. In this case I asked for your opinion."

“I have seen that trap before,” she counters.

“But perhaps you genuinely mean it.”

He nodded. "In this case I do. I'm not one who has the patience or inclination to play those sorts of games Lana Beniko. That's why my master Darth Vengean and I get along so well."

Meeting her gaze he continued. "Now. You are Darth Xevious' apprentice, and he is leading these negotiations. Are there any threats I should be aware of that have not been widely discussed?"

"I am working a matter in conjunction with the Jedi, a sect of alien cultists that hunt Force Users. The Jedi I mentioned, Alysele survived an encounter with this killer, just barely. There is an independent contractor as well, a Force User as well, Durusay I believe was the name."

Lana adds respectfully, "I have taken the lead for investigating this matter on behalf of the Empire."

That got his attention.

"Then this is connected to the murder of that Sith a few days ago. Interesting that a Jedi and a contractor are also investigating." His eyes moved to her belt.

"Good. It will be a useful display of your worth. My skills lie elsewhere, but it occurs that you could use them. It is one thing to track down a killer like this, another to defeat it." He folded his large arms across his chest, awaiting her response.

"I have seen him in combat, I have no intention of facing him unless he is disabled and unable to fight back," she counters.

"I would be honored to have your assistance."

Jo'ren nodded. "Then you are wise, and I'm looking forward to working with you Aspirant." His arms unfolded and he offered her a large red hand.

"I think we'll make for quite the team."

She looks at his hand and then takes it, her hand much smaller. Lana says, “I am not Sith, my lord, the honor is mine.”

"Yeah, you're pretty lucky all things considered." He grinned and released her hand. "What's next for this investigation?"

He pulled out his communicator. "Here's my code so you can contact me directly."

"Make contact with Alysele, I have given her the task of investigating a bar in Shadow Town, Kintan Sunrise I believe it is called. She will most likely reject your aid, but this matter is far larger than her pride," she responds after a moment of thought.

Lands hands over contact info for Alysele Cortess.

"Working with a Jedi?" Stranger things had happened. "Very well. I'll track her down and let you know how this goes. I'm sure what you've told me will prove useful."

He put the number into his contacts. "If anything else comes up give me a call. In the meantime it's probably a good idea to get some more training in with your new saber."

She nods and says, “Of course my lord.”

“I should prepare you, if you encounter the nikto use caution his weapon can easily tear through armor and is strong enough to counter a lightsaber. Perhaps made of cortosis, is my early assessment. His armor as well did not seem to buckle under the weapon.”

“More importantly he is a very skilled fighter and I do not think he works alone, it is simply intuition but I believe he is not the only killer. May the Force make you strong. I suggest we do not inform the Jedi on this part for now, she may be foolish enough to seek out more than she can handle.”

“I would not mourn her death but she is a useful disposable asset for the moment.”

"Okay, that's all good to know. Thanks for the briefing. Anything else I should know? Like how the killer ended up going for this Jedi, or was that a coincidence?"

He doubted it greatly but it was possible.

"Have you looked into whether the group has a strong presence on Kintan? Or is this sect shunned out there. Might be we need to deal with it at the source."

“I am actually looking into the extent of the cult personally; I will be offworld on the morrow. I should have more information on my return.”

Lana then adds with her usual deadpan, “The pantoran contractor needed a Jedi to lure out the killer. I offered him a Jedi. I think he thought I would sacrifice a Sith, but I prefer authenticity. The Jedi was foolish enough to take the bait and we learned a great deal.”

“We also gained a disposable asset.”