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GETTING THE SITH’S ATTENTION

"Ah, apprentice," Baras spoke in a pleased tone. "I've seen you've landed on Nar Shaddaa. It is, I'm afraid, the armpit of the galaxy."

"Why do you say that?" The apprentice asked, crossing her arms at the presence of her Master. Quinn stood beside her as they listened to the Dark Lord carefully, Vette on the other hand, remained on the side as she watched.

"Nar Shaddaa is a planet of frivolity and distraction. Gambling, spice, rampant black market and gang territory disputes. But you are there to eliminate my spy, Agent Dellocon. Normally, it would be a thrilling task, but Dellecon has acquired a powerful ally."

"Surely this person wouldn't dream of defying you." Oh, the lies. If the timing was perfect, she would have already had his head as she promised herself back on Korriban.

"He seems to relish it." If the apprentice were in his shoes, she would also relish it. "Agent Dellecon's new benefactor is a young Sith Lord named Rathari, an upstart who openly disrespects my methods. Rathari prefers a more blunt approach. The Dark Council has granted him dominion over Sith's interests on Nar Shaddaa."

"What possessed the council to do such a thing?"

"Rathari has been effective at ingratiating himself to the council, you could say that Darth Occlus has vouched for this young Sith Lord, and Agent Dellecon knows much about my organization. I cannot have Rathari in possession of such resources or pass it to Occlus. Burn Rathari to the ground. Destroy everything he's working for, and kill Agent Dellecon."

"I'm sure Darth Occlus is still mourning for her dear, departed boy." Leena had to dance with death with a Dark Council member or her own Master. She knew very well that deep down inside, she was still mourning for him. Regardless of what they had was love or pity for one another – the apprentice was sure of one thing: Arrun was more of a mentor to her that Baras ever was.

"Ever since Lord Zaine was disposed of, Occlus has been off-world for the past few weeks. No one knows where she is and the Dark Council hasn't acknowledged this as a disappearance yet. Somehow, she still has this grappling control and power, but that isn't our concern as of yet." Baras had it all assured.

"And remember, apprentice, this kind of defiance cannot be tolerated. Halidrell Setsyn runs my slave operation on Nar Shaddaa. She has been a valued operative for many years. She's ready to receive you and can fill you on Rathari's movements and interests. That is all."

Leena could finally breathe when Baras turned off their communication. Her eyes landed on Vette who gave her a smile and a quiet shrug, Quinn, on the other hand, was already going through the mission details that were sent for his Lord. Coordinates, who she's with, what she would be dealing it – anything that could be found on the database.

"Vette, I'm pretty sure this is your territory." Leena turned to the Twi'lek who had a smug look on her face. "What do you know?"

Vette didn't hesitate on giving an answer, after all, she's been here a couple of times before she went to Korriban. "Your boss is right about all of those things; this is neutral space. So, both the Empire and the Republic have their own people here. Not to mention the massive amount of criminal activity happening every day on this moon. Everyone makes bets how long you last, and because this is neutral territory -- everyone tries to cheat. Make you die closest to the time they pick and they win a lot of credits. If you're going out there, you need to be very careful – it's not impossible to find Jedi lurking around."

Leena closed her eyes for a bit, inhaling as she could feel the moon to be so alive with the Force, yet so dead to it. The odd contrast is like a blade to her. When she opened her eyes, she then turned to her Captain. "Quinn."

"Nar Shaddaa is also known as the smuggler's moon, my Lord. Best known for one thing: anything can be bought here if the price is right. Criminal organizations and legitimate enterprises operate side-by-side, regulated only by the Hutt's whims. Although no other world offers Nar Shaddaa's unique services, the city has a notorious murder and disappearance rate. Gangsters, pirates, slavers. The Republic and the Imperial representatives compete for influence with the local powers." Seems like the Captain did his fair share of homework.

Vette twitched a bit. "Show-off." She then turned to the apprentice. "So… who are you taking with you?"

Leena didn't hesitate on choosing at all. "I'm sure 2V can handle the ship alone while all of us are away."

"My Lord, is it wise to bring two companions along with you?" Asked the Captain. Normally Sith didn't want people getting in their way, then again this is Leena Sern, he understood well that she is not a typical Sith. And then there's Vette – who knew exactly what Leena used to be back on Dromand Kaas. When she needs help, she will ask for it.

"We're not a large group Captain," the Sith addressed with a small smile. The idea of excitement came to her, although she wasn't expecting much on this mission– there was something for her. She could feel it. "Vette knows her way around the planet and you said you were a deadly shot. So, I will see what your words are worth, Captain."

With a smirk on her lips, the Sith proceeded to wear her helmet as she climbed off the ship. Vette followed with a smile. "Hurry up Captain-tighty pants!"

Quinn couldn't help but shook his head slowly, as he followed the two women out of the ship. He wasn't so sure how his Lord functions, even though he knew that she was an efficient Sith – he couldn't help but feel that no matter how much he calculates, it will never be on par with her current performance. The more he tries to compute, the faster her numbers go up.

"Good luck on your mission Master! Please do come back alive!" 2V waved his metallic hands as if he was letting his children go out on their first day of daycare.

"That droid needs a raise, Leena," Vette commented cheerfully.

"He's a droid. He has my love."

The Captain made sure the coordinates were correct, although the helmet does give it away – the Sith Lord was slowly gaining attention from those around them. At the same time, no one was clearly foolish enough to even go against them. Gambling their lives on a Sith would make them wish that they would just jump off the building instead.

When the trio went inside, they found a couple of Exchange thugs harassing their liaison. "Sweet talk me all day, darlin', the Exchange is movin' in on this operation of yours. No mount of sugar gonna change that."

"Believe me, you're going to prefer the sugar to the spice. Take one step closer, and there will be two dozen Sith surrounding you." The redhead woman, Leena can only assume her to be the contact Baras seems to trust so much.

"Two dozen? That's a dead giveaway, darlin'. You got none."

"What's the situation here?" The masked Sith asked, showing herself to the Exchange men. They didn't seem to be pleased with all, especially when the apprentice arrived to ruin their fun.

"These, ahem, gentlemen say they're taking over Darth Baras's slave operations." The woman informed.

"So, you do get a Sith up your sleeve." The Exchanged Captain sounded impressed for a short while, but Leena could feel that he was about to say and do something stupid. "Well, we've been trained to take out Sith. Time to flex our muscles."

"Muscles don't flex when they've been flayed off the bone." As much as the Sith wasn't so pleased with the situation, Vette making sure she got Leena's six, and Quinn not appreciating threats – they all knew the floor will have some blood in the end.

"Let's see if you can back up that threat. Kill the Sith and her pet Imp. Oh! And take her pretty slave."

"Can I shoot first?" Vette asked her friend, feeling irritated as she took out her blasters. Quinn was ready as well; he was just waiting for the command of his Lord.

Even Leena couldn't help but sigh. "I normally prefer not to kill… but its for a good cause." Leena didn't even draw out a lightsaber, all she did was raise her hand and had the Force do all the work for her. Vette placed back her blasters as they watched the Exchange thugs being slowly lifted off the floor, and the sound of their necks snapping was nothing to be happy about.

When the Sith lowered her hand, she sighed once more, but unknowingly to her companions she had a smirk behind the mask. "Idiots… it always works."

"You have a flair for dramatic entrances. I probably could have handled that, but I'm grateful for your timing." Halidrell said with a smile on her lips. "You're the apprentice Darth Baras prepped for me, yes?"

"You figured it out." Said the apprentice. "But what exactly did he tell you about me?"

"Baras told me why you're here and how I can help. The obvious is my specialty. That's why I keep petitioning the Darth for a raise."

"Our Master's introductions are as thin as his patience." Leena pointed out, and for a decade – she has already witnessed that. With Tremel as the first example and Arrun as the last for now.

"The Darth is rather stunted when it comes to interpersonal relations. Halidrell Setsyn. So, you're here to take out Lord Rathari. Won't be easy, he usually just appears, devastates then disappears. You'll have to draw him out. He's been making some major power plays, and disrupting then will get his attention."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Baras trusts me for a reason." She gave out a smirk. "First, Rathari's been strong-arming the Hutt Cartel. From what I hear, they're close to signing over some important territories to him. He and his apprentice Girik are in conference with the Hutts at Cartel Headquarters. If you burst in…"

"I'd be facing a lot of firepowers but Rathari doesn't sound like the type to negotiate."

"Well, yeah. If you just went in there, lightsaber blazing. And you're right, he doesn't like talk, but he knows how to apply political pressure. The Cartel is an Imperial ally, Rathari can't just beat on them, he has to play diplomat. Unfortunately, the same applies to you. If things turn violent between you and the Hutts, better if there's no one left to identify you."

"I'll do my best to keep the peace with our allies." Both companions approve. It was for her own best interest and the interest of the Empire after all.

"The other possibility won't carry as many restrains."

"I'm not Darth Occlus, I don't like to stop and smell the blood." Leena's words caught the attention of the Twi'lek. What happened to Arrun was horrifying. What Leena experienced under Baras was kept behind closed doors. But Vette could never forget the cold dead silence Leena would give whenever she came home. She could never forget the sight of those lifeless grey eyes. But now, her eyes were filled with anger – her eyes were filled with vengeance.

Halidrel turned to the Twi'lek. "Hey, Twi'lek. Is she always like this?"

"She's… well… she has really high standards in the killing, you know." Vette nodded at her own statement. Being with Leena for years, it would be embarrassing if she didn't know how the Sith Lord can be at times.

"I've got a shipment of slaves to send out, but I'll be here if you need me. Good luck, my Lord." With the leave of the Sith, her two companions followed quietly without uttering another word. Quinn was pinpointing the coordinates onto where the meeting is being held.

Vette observed the Captain, she had an idea that he was following Imperial protocol, they're with a Sith Lord after all. Quinn was still new to their crew, but he isn't aware of how Leena does things. Sure, he marveled at her achievements on Balmorra, but he has yet to witness her in a fight – nevertheless, even Vette wasn't aware of the extreme measures the Sith will be taking.

But both of them wondered: Would she become a monster like the other Sith Lords in the Empire, or would she become a leader? It was two sides of the same coin. Sith Lords who would let their pure emotions take the course and proceed with damage and unnecessary sacrifices, and those who would take strategic roads for the survival and benefit of their Empire and Emperor.

The mysteries of the Force are an enigma to them – but they could see what the dark side could do to those who were once pure-hearted. Corrupting them to the core until they are trapped in their own hatred. It was the final cruelty of the Sith. It was the old ways.

The Twi'lek's sight landed on the Sith who remained quiet as well. Somewhere inside, the Leena she knew is still there. But at the same time, she felt the fading strings attached to the Sith. She heard stories on what grief does to a Force-sensitive – Leena's eyes were proof of what Arrun's death did to her. The Sith didn't speak about Arrun much, nor did she say anything about what happened that day. All she knew was that Leena wanted Baras dead and she would do it in her own hands if she had to.

What bothered Vette during their small trip, was the sight of another lightsaber strapped onto the Sith's belt. She had three in total, one of them was left on the ship. But what she had was something that even Vette couldn't question. Arrun Zaine's lightsaber was all Leena had of him.

He remained a reminder for her, a reminder of her greatest failure. She chose to be a symbol and embrace the fear that Arrun would reject. It is such a quiet thing, to fall.

In which peace is a lie.

"You would be wise to bend to the great Lord Rathari's will. Sign over the specified territories before he loses his patience." Rathari's apprentice spoke to the Hutts as the trio entered the domain. Leena Sern remained silent even though he sensed her enter.

"Your master is a hard man, Girik. It's not easy to trap a Hutt, let alone the entire Cartel. It seems we have no other choice." One of the Hutt's took this offer into consideration.

"I knew Hutts were spineless, but who knew they were gutless to? Apparently, I am your other choice." Spoke the Sith as she caught the attention of Rathari's boy and the other two Hutts. The usual cliché entrance of a Sith with a helmet to conceal her face.

"This is a closed session. Who are you?"

"I'll tell you who this is." The apprentice volunteered in despise. "This is the apprentice of an over-the-hill Sith named Darth Baras. Yes, that's right, my Master and I anticipated your arrival."

"Have you also anticipated your doom?" Leena didn't have time to deal with someone like him.

"I am Girik, apprentice to Lord Rathari and… the death of you." Girik pointed arrogantly at the other apprentice.

"True Sith lets his lightsaber do the talking, and I don't respond well to idiots with big egos." Vette was trying to hold her laughter, while Quinn on the other hand, continued to watch this conversation in silence.

"Oh hoho. It seems another Sith suitor appears. Tell us your purpose dark one." One of the Hutts suddenly had a keen interest in this one. Something that could entertain them at the very least.

"I'm here to make sure the Cartel doesn't become Rathari's pawn." Though there was truth in her words, all she wanted to do at the moment is making her job easier and just kill Rathari when he shows up. But Sith Lords often just make their apprentices do all the work – Leena Sern herself is an example to that.

"There are proper channels to seek our audience, Sith." The other Hutt answered.

"You stack the odds further against yourself by angering us. Not very smart."

"If you're stupid enough to stand against me, then you will die today." The girl's patience is wearing thin on this conversation. After all, she knew how to play the game.

"We do not look kindly on threats, Sith. We have seen Rathari's strength firsthand. We know nothing of yours."

The other Hutt intervened. "Fight Girik, let us see who is superior. If you survive, we will consider delaying our treaty with Rathari."

"What odds will you give me on the intruder, Ybann?"

"Two to one. I'll take all bets that Girik survives the day." With the Hutts betting to see which Sith survives, Quinn turned to Vette who was smiling. "I told you so."

"You act as if you don't know how easily I could kill you."

"Battle lines are drawn, Sith. Girik will not stop until one of you is dead."

"Yes, a most glorious spectacle. I expect I'll be very entertained – and richer, when you die, Sith." Ybann the Hutt doesn't seem to know how this one trained under Baras for years.

The apprentice sighed. "I have no plans on dying today, Hutt."

"The intruder is very serious, Ybann. I think I'll be taking your credits."

"Then the bet is doubled."

"Are they serious about this?" Quinn asked as he was still standing beside Vette who seemed amused at the scene. The Twi'lek answered. "This is Nar Shaddaa, let's just hope none of them cheats."

"Fine, I'll unburden us of this intruder – but then you'd better sign on the dotted line, and our alliance begins with the death of Baras's slave!" Girik spoke as he ignited his lightsaber.

"Uh, Leena—" Vette called her but the Sith raised her hand, silencing her two companions at the same time wanting to do this alone.

"We can do this the easy way Girik." She warned, giving him a chance to put down his lightsaber and surrender, but he's Sith. Victory or death. "Or we can do it the way it hurts..." She ignited Naga Sadow's lightsaber as she paused. "A. Lot."

Calling her a slave was not the wisest choice.

Girik did the privilege of giving the first swing, Leena held herself on the defensive as she was taking all of his blows.

Vette crossed her arms as she and Quinn were watching from the sidelines. Violence is not always the answer for her but, once she puts her mind to something nothing in the galaxy could stop her.

Leena held herself well as she kept on blocking Girik's attack until Leena placed her hand in front of her and pushed him with the Force. Girik was slammed against the wall with his lightsaber flying away from him. He wasn't much of a fighter, Leena could only assume that he wasn't trained well with a lightsaber, nor was he even fast enough to even touch her. She even wondered if he knew how to use his brain if he wasn't so consumed by frustration.

"Im-impossible!" He was in denial. "Lord Rathari… will still be you and your Master's downfall…"

"A true Sith thanks her foe for providing an outlet for her rage. I would like to thank you before I kill you. And not to worry about your Master, he will be as dead as you soon enough." She reached out her hand, as she pulled Girik towards her with the Force and stabbed him with her lightsaber.

"Great spot for us. Rathari's Sith self-destructed!" The Hutt began to laugh in amusement. She had the urge to kill them, but she promised her liaison that she would try and keep the peace with these allies of theirs.

"Defeating Girik is one thing, Sith. Lord Rathari will be another. We've never seen a more vicious animal."

"A chance is all I ask."

"You've earned at least that." The Hutt applauds. "We would not be upset if we didn't have to deal with Rathari anymore. Trust that we will not agree to Lord Rathari's terms unless you fail. We will be watching for word of the results. Goodbye."

When the trio returned to Halidrell, Leena wanted to just lay down on a bed. She doesn't find the atmosphere of Nar Shaddaa pleasing. And that was only one task – sure Balmorra took her only a couple of days but, she was going to beat a Sith Lord on this one. Baras couldn't do it himself so he ordered her to do it – nevertheless, all she could do was follow orders and return to a rather pleased Halidrell.

"Word's spread through the streets that Rathari's conference with the Hutts was invaded and his apprentice killed. Seems like you missed your calling as a diplomat. The Hutts are in a holding pattern to see what comes of your challenge." But she sighed, placing her hands onto her hips. "It's too bad Rathari wasn't in attendance. But man, I bet he's fuming."

"I'm sure our message as heard loud and clear." The apprentice assured.

"Rathari's also on a verge of taking over the Republic's base of operations in the upper industrial sites." Halidrell began to inform her. "With his work with the Cartel dashed, he's sure to pour himself into squashing the Republic garrison."

"Should we be worried?" The Captain asked. Formulating a plan in his mind.

"I heard these are the Republic's finest, an elite. I will advise you to take time if you plan on taking them on."

"I'm not going to take on the Republic." Leena pointed out as it caught the full attention of Vette and her Captain. "With a heavy heart, I have to order these Imperial soldiers to stand down. A Sith's game is not a very fun one for those out of the interests of a Dark Lord of the Sith."

"Even if Rathari isn't there when his operations are all thwarted. I know he'll come to you. A confrontation will be inevitable."

"Captain, give me an estimation." The Sith apprentice spoke in a commanding voice.

"Soldiers like them would often last weeks or even months on the front line. If you wish to strike my Lord, I will quickly make an analysis on the situation—"

"There's no point in rushing things. If we just go in to shatter and destroy, it won't be good for the Empire or even for us. To fight and conquer all battles will not lead to supreme excellence. The supreme excellence is breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." Leena spoke as she turned back to Halidrell. "You said these were the Republic's elite, what do you know of them?"

"They're called Havoc Squad, an elite Republic Special Forces squad of troopers in the army of the Republic."

"Captain, what do you know about Havoc Squad?"

Quinn nodded and proceeded to invest information from the datapad on his hands. "The squad saw action in many Cold War warzones, including the civil war on Ord Mantell and the Battle of Alderaan. Under the command of Harron Tavus, he and most of his men defected to the Empire."

"Wait, if the Republic has Havoc on the lines and… this Tavus guy defected then – I'm confused." Vette admitted openly as the Sith gave Quinn the signal to continue.

He nodded in approval. "The last remaining member under Tavus was a sergeant during their defection, thus—"

"This soldier was unaware of their plans for defection. What's the name?" Leena didn't hesitate to ask for more information. In her case, it could be useful.

Quinn quickly scanned his datapad. "Yantte Frasmi. Rank: Captain."

"Any plans against Havoc, my Lord?" Halidrell asked the Sith. Leena didn't say anything, giving the room a kind of silence where anyone could hear the sound of a pin dropping.

"My orders were to kill Agent Dellacon," she spoke firmly. "I don't need to kill Havoc, in fact, I might receive benefits on what I'm about to do."

Never waste resources.

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