The Dark Academy on Korriban

His footsteps echoed down the hallways as he returned to his room. It had been a long strange day and now Gerry wasn't returning his calls. Maybe he'd finally met a girl.

There was one last thing he wanted to do tonight. It involved a certain broken saber, which he absently tapped in his hand as he walked.

Baesal was standing in the doorway of her room waving Layne good night.

''What a day...''

Jo'ren paused and gave her a funny look. "I was just thinking that. Guess that's what we get for still being up at whatever hour it is."

He looked at her a bit longer. "Now I remember. The museum. Lord Savas."

She gave a sigh before turning to the man

''You have no idea''

She raised an eyebrow as she was inspected by the big sith

''Yes?...I'm Baesal Zyn, who are you?''

"Jo'ren Rath, good to meet you Applicant Zyn." He looked her up and down in the manner of a professional fighter. "So what's your jam?"

''Mynelberry'' she says raising an eyebrow

''You?''

He laughed. "No. Your jam. You know, the reason you're here? How you wield the force, what your talents are. Your jam."

She gave a smile

''OH...that jam...''

Her sentence is interrupted by a yawn

''...I'm a computer specialist and a mechanic.''

She looks over Jo

''Aaaaand you are in charge of the ballet recitals I'd wager''

The big sith performed an unconvincing pirouette.

"Guess not." He shrugged. "Combat. Up close and personal. Physical jobs."

He tapped the lightsaber he had been holding this whole time.

"Been meaning to ask Gerald to help me fix this thing, but now I've remembered he isn't returning my calls."

------

Day 6 fluff coordination roll: 2eA+1eP+2eD 0 successes, 2 advantage

Baesal bit her lower lip

''I am afraid he won't be able to help you with that saber''

She nods to her room

''Come on in, I'll fix that for you.''

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

He gave her a quizzical look and followed her into her room.

"I mean, thanks for this, but Gerry's pretty good with lightsabers."

She began to work on it in silence, seemingly weaving a spell as blue and silver sparks gave a new life to the hilt.

fixing Jo's saber: 3eA+1eP+3eD+3eB 2 successes, 3 advantage


She turns and hand him the finished blade

''Gerald Hin is dead''

He watched in silence, amazed at her skills in manipulating the force in such a way. When she handed him the saber he was about to thank her but her follow up stopped him short.

"Uh. What?". His voice was flat.

''Gerald Hin trepassed 7 hours and 26 minutes ago''

She took a breath

''You have my condolences if such a thing is acceptable''

There was a flicker across the big sith's face. It became cold, steely. His words were crisp.

"How did it happen?"

''The official story you might hear soon is that he gave his life to secure Zash's research...''

Before continuing she did something odd...she muffled her comm-link by putting it under her mattress.

''...The real story, and one I am not telling you right now, is that he was 'devoured' by Zash in a Dark Side ritual...''

She looked around as if expecting something

''...do you have question about the topic I am not talking to you about?''

Jo'ren's expression darkened further. "You're telling me that Lord Zash murdered Gerry?" He stood impassively, mind racing. "There's clearly more to this than him being in the wrong place at the wrong time, would you mind telling me what's been going on?"

"The short story is: some of us were working with Lord Zash to find the legacy of the long dead Lord Hazzan. It happens that this legacy is a ritual that somehow rips the force out of someone, killing them and empowering the ritual user.''

She shivered, remembering the event

''Zash wanted to test it right when we found the cursed thing and she chose Gerald.''

And i bet no-one said a word."He wanted to serve the Empire, and she murdered him." He nodded slowly. "Thank you for telling me Baesal Zyn. If at some point you need some Brawn to go with those brains of yours, let me know."

He turned away, but then paused and looked back. "Who else was there, when he died?"

She gave a nod

''No problem, I am sure he would have wanted his friend to know the truth''

She cocked her head

''Why? Will you move against her?''

"Not yet. What power do I have?". He shrugged. "Do you think Gerald will be the last, because from what you've said I'm betting Zash will keep going now she knows this ritual."

Baesal nods

''She certainly will since the ritual is flawed: The accumulated dark side energy will ravage her body over time and she will need to consume even more as to not lose what she got.''

She hung back on her chair

''I hear some might want to plot something against her...I'll tell them that you might be interested. Is that allright with you?''

The big sith's eyes narrowed when he heard Baesal's explanation of the likely consequences of Zash's actions. He tried to focus on the force but it was elusive.

"Tell them you have another ally. I don't see a need to elaborate just yet, but yes...I am interested."


Day 6. LN. Sense: 1eF 1 Light Side

"Very well" she says calmly

"I would advise to keep the truth for yourself, Zash has eyes and ears everywhere... even more so around Zeno Deathwright. I wonder if he became Zash's lapdog out of his own volition or if he is controlled...not that it matters for now."

"I see. So Deathwright is Zash's lackey." He nodded to her. "I am glad I ran in to you this night Baesal Zyn. Call me if you need my assistance in future."

He gave her his details in case she wanted to contact him for any reason.

"Now I need to sleep."