The Dark Academy on Korriban

“I admire your enthusiasm and optimism, but I will focus on just doing my studies,” he said warmly.

“Hard work and diligence will see me through.”

"I wish you the best of luck with that," she nodded. "Just don't forget to have some fun during all that hard work and diligence."

Gerald nodded and said, “I’ll try but I don’t think I will be taking a speeder to go crash any shyrak nests, maybe just a simple hike or maybe see if I can get access to some of the archives. I bet there are some great texts in there.”

Boring.

"Hm, haven't tried disturbing a shyrak nest yet..." she placed a finger to her chin, smiling as ideas formed in her head.

He stumbled through his words and said, “That wasn’t like a suggestion. Shyracks have razor sharp talons! You could get killed!”

"A Sith doesn't fear danger, acolyte," Shaisha spoke with an excited grin. "You should try some high-risk adventure sometime... get the blood pumping, acting on reflexes and quick thinking, feel alive."

“Yeah, you are right,” he then blinked and pulled out his communicator and saw he had a message he played it aloud:

Out came Jo’ren’s voice: "Do try not to get yourself killed Gerry, it would be a waste of potential."

“I guess someone was worried about me,” he said sheepishly.

"Jo'ren must've taken a liking to you, Gerry. Best not disappoint him." That teasing smile seemed to be an often-seen feature on her face.

"Captain Harad," she spoke suddenly. Just loud enough to grab the Captain's attention. Not pulling him away immediately but respectfully making her intentions clear while allowing him to finish.

Turning from the bodies she awaited the Captains attention. Whatever thoughts she had been having were through. There was a soldiers discipline in the way she held herself. Even if he hadn't read up on every student it would be clear she wasn't merely raised by a military family but in a proper military manner. That she became Sith was merely a coincidental blessing.

“This is so much pressure,” he said aloud.

Captain Harad approached and said, “My lord, is there something I can do for you?”

"I am aware you are responsible for Security here," she informed him of her knowledge. Leading into the next statement with an even pace.

"Given the time that will be spent here I feel it proper to introduce myself to the man in your position. Especially one with your service record. My father would be disappointed if I did not take the time to ensure my introduction was personal."

Kristal gave a slight pause before, "I am Kristal Serasai."

“Serasai,” he said the name and then added, “I am the Head of the Security detail assigned to the Academy. It is my honor to serve the Sith in this capacity.”

“is this your first time on Korriban, my lord?”

"Not the first, but as I would hope it will be the last for some time to come," she spoke honestly.

“I wish you luck then my lord, we could use more Sith with a thorough understanding of the Imperial Military,” he added sternly.

Kristal inclined her head in thanks for the wish of luck. "It will be a boon for the Empire."

"That was all I wished of you Captain. I will not remove you from your duties a moment longer than I require. You may return to them as you wish."

“As you say, my lord,” he was respectful and then returned to his duties.

Introduced personally to the Head of Security, check. That was a rather coincidental boon as she thought of it. Certainly previous trips here have placed her in vicinity to him. However, that she was now here for hopefully the last stretch in a long endeavor to make her Sith it was best to personally know the man responsible for the relative safety of the Academy. Allowing her the opportunity to not be killed in her sleep. Whether that he knew she was a Serasai was a good or bad thing was to be seen as well, of course. Good and she could turn it away, bad and it was just one more trial she could overcome on reaching her goal.

A goal she had decidedly left vague for herself. For now, she would simply take it a step at a time. For now she would simply become Sith.

With that rather useless moment of self-reflection out of the way, she looked toward Shaisha whom she saw in the bar earlier. Giving her little reason to interrupt what appeared a rather pleasant conversation to her with a boy who perhaps had potential. However, in truth, that made Kristal wary. The boy Shaisha was with appeared... fragile. That was either an act or it was the truth and in either situation that was going to lead to something bad. It donned on the young Serasai in that moment that she's seen a flaw in mostly every other acolyte she has met thus far...

This was probably why she didn't have many friends.

It also probably played a part in the fact she was still alive.

Zeno strolled up to the gathering, covered in dust and looking pretty unhappy. There were a few signs that he had seen a bit of fighting but not much. Mostly a few small blemishes on his clothing, but otherwise seemed in perfectly good health.

Shaisha laughed teasingly at Gerald's worry about the pressure of not getting himself killed.

Noticing the Deathwright's return, she gave a wave in his direction. "Good to see you didn't return here as a corpse, acolye Deathwright. I think I might've been a little sad if I had seen you here amongst them."

Captain Harad mentally checked off another student, it was a minor relief that the boy was alive. His face though was stoic.

"I took a small detour. I had to visit the tomb of Lord Hazzan's apprentice after Lord Zash mentioned him." He replies with a return wave.

"Ran into some creature and a trio of droids. If not for that I may not have gotten a workout."

Gerald said, "Who is Lord Hazzan?"

"A very old sith lord. Not sure just how old but the memory cores of the droids I destroyed may she'd light on a more specific time frame. Though they need some repair."

Gerald smiled and tapped his datapad as he spoke, “You got actual droid cores from a tomb? I could… I mean if you wanted some help not that you need it, being so fearsome and all, but like if you wanted assistance I know a thing or two about droids.”

“I used to maintain the agri-droids back home. Even customized their operating parameters.”