Nar Shaddaa

Jedi Master Garrick Lorne stood by the entrance of the compound, his head lowered in contemplation. However, it was clear that he was constantly aware of his surroundings. Any person that passed by earned a cursory glance before he returned to his vigil...

This time, Arali hears of her master's arrival in advance, and goes to meet her, Jedi robes mostly concealing the lightsaber on her back, though it does leave a rather conspicuous gap on her belt, where it usually sits among her tools.

"Master Lorne," she bows, "Welcome back to Nar Shaddaa."

"Arali," he announced, without even facing her. His voice was warm with a tinge of relief. He then looked up to her and took a deep breath. "I want a full report of this facility's operations," he ordered, back to his usual demeanor, "What I have heard thus far is disturbing. I trust you and your insight on these matters."

"Unfortunately, many of my usual sources of information have gone to ground; the gathering of forces here is sowing chaos, and a lot of the locals have gone into hiding until both sides leave. As such, my information of the events is... patchwork, at best."

She takes a breath, and sorts out the myriad disasters in her mind.

"On the matter of the kidnappings; they were traced back to a cult. A strike team dismantled them, but their leader's body was not recovered. Vatou has left the moon along with several children liberated by padawan Ashla." More like bullet points, given all that's going on.

"More immediate, a highly vocal anti-Hutt terrorist group has grown increasingly active. Normally, this would be deemed a Hutt internal matter. However, yesterday, during the wedding of two high-ranking members of a cartel, to which many members of the Republic and Imperial delegations were invited, the group attacked. They were organized, swift, efficient, and spectacular. They pumped in toxic gas and sealed the blast doors and struck in force. Their resources are clearly considerable; their leadership clearly has military experience, if not black ops experience, and their personnel are highly trained. Extensive information network suspected. Whoever they are, they are entrenched and organized. Significant casualties for all parties, to include a senator acting without regard for life in order to break siege, involving high-end slicing gear, directly resulting in the deaths of multiple hostages, and when called out by an imperial, she punched her. The altercation got heated, and a padawan was dragged into the political mess, trying to break it up. Dango the Hutt ultimately broke up the altercation, and her organization collected the evidence. That altercation is on course to be arbitrated under Hutt law, and I expect the Hutt response to the terrorist organization to be... extreme."

"I depart for three days and all this has happened. If there is one moment I am glad for, it is that Vatou was able to extract safely. I will have to read the reports on the terrorist attack more deeply."

Master Lorne took another breath and began to walk to a more secluded area of the compound. "I heard of what happened to Alysele. How she was defeated once more in combat and grievously injured again." He stopped and turned to her. "I told her that it was her destiny. I had faith that she would overcome her enemy and become stronger for it. But now all my feelings tell me that I have made an egregious error."

His mechanical fist began to tighten harder, the pistons working furiously to support the grip he was searching for. "My judgement was flawed. I should not have left the Jedi here to fend for themselves."

Arali shakes her head. "This is Nar Shaddaa, Master," she points out. "Such goings-on are not uncommon here. They are simply larger in scope lately, due to the high-profile goings-on and you're more aware of them because of the increased Republic presence. For the most part, the Nar Shaddaa Enclave does not get involved in Hutt internal affairs."

"As for Alysele... that was... unexpected. I placed too much faith in her skill, without accounting for her inexperience. I will keep a closer eye on her."

"I could have ended the threat decisively. I could have kept her from being hurt. I could have protected her." His arm began to beep, the signal for system strain. He looked back down at it and then to her. "Her inexperience? You do not have the place to judge that, Arali."

Master Lorne sighed and then held his head up relatively high. "I can still protect you. If the Enclave's involvement is temporary, then I see it fit to see you transferred elsewhere until the danger settles down."

The glare Lorne gets could raze an entire planet.

"Master, I have lived on Nar Shaddaa for nearly a decade. This is always a dangerous place. And when someone needs to stand for the Enclave, just who do you think that is? Do not think I've just been idling along in the gardens doing paperwork. I have, thus far during this summit, held back in a support capacity. That has not worked. Now, it is time for me to take the field; that is my duty, as it has been many times before."

"It is not your duty to take the field, Arali. I, of any Jedi, know your capabilities as a warrior. I will not see you end up in a hospital too... or worse." Master Lorne held out his hand. "Hand over your lightsaber. I do not trust you to obey my orders."

"You won't see..." Arali sputters. "I shoved your bowels back in your body before I was a teenager!"

The world goes red, and Arali has to shake her vision clear.

"It has been nearly ten years since you've seen me fight. Do you even know what form I use?"

"You chose that yourself, Arali. The Republic medics could have attended to that."

He scoffed. "I taught you Soresu so you could be defend yourself properly, so you could be safe."

"And if I hadn't, you would have lost several internal organs from the wait," she reminds him.

"Most of my apprenticeship was spent putting you back together. And I haven't favored soresu as my primary fighting style in over eight years. Your information is out of date. You do not know what I've learned since you set me aside."

"There is no shame in your aptitude, Arali. Picking up a few new tricks does not mean you are ready to take the field of battle."

Arali's glare turns to ice. "If you believe all I have learned in ten years are tricks, then face me. We're long overdue for a sparring match."

"Very well. I will be sure to teach you then." Master Lorne shook his head. "I cannot imagine what you learned dealing with the thugs of this moon."

"Very well. Then if there is nothing else, we can continue this conversation in the enclave dojo tomorrow morning."

"Very well." He flexed the fingers and artificial muscles of his mechanical arm. "I will be attending to the mess here."

"As will I, Master Lorne. Good day." With that, Arali bows stiffly, then turns and departs.