***The Great Jungle, Northern Expanse***
Despite the sedentary attitudes of the locals, it was neither difficult nor taxing to land on Varonat unmolested. The world was not without its pirates and low-lifes, but there was little to steal in this quadrant of the Greater Javin. Unfortunately for Sa’ato, that also meant his usual sources for information were greatly limited. Even with Kressara’s enthusiastic social interventions, the pacifistic Morodin had not even a morsel of intel to offer. In fairness, the professor didn’t blame them: one typically tries to avoid the monsters from stories whose sole purpose is to inspire fear in children. The Dark Side duo, in turn, did not have that luxury.
Thankfully for the both of them however, a pod of Krish hunters had arrived at the very tavern the Neti was in the process of probing. The professor immediately singled out the wizened elder of the bunch, but knew he would not be reached without significant schmoozing. Still, the Krish were nothing if not easily entertained. After two dozen contests of strength, wit, and alcoholic endurance, the Neti and his associate succeeded in placating each and every one of the youths, before finally gaining access to their learned senior. And, much to the satisfaction of the academic's hypothesis, the oldest of the stone-faced bipeds did indeed have something to offer.
The hunting band had once visited a patch of particularly dense and inhospitable jungle in the north: once, and only once. They had lost half their number to the terror their encountered there, and so horrific was the fullness of their slaughter that the old man could not bring himself to go into great detail. Sa’ato did not press him for such. The two now had their coordinates, and their next destination. After two days of hiking, the Neti walked quite literally into the hallmarks of humanoid craftsmanship, and a short time later, the obscured sheen of a large metal door glinted in the distance.
Glancing at the blond firebrand in his company, the professor offered a rare, earnest shrug, and began to coil his sinuous digits into a tightly-balled fist. Releasing a harsh puff of oxygen, Sa’ato called on the Force to empower his upper body, and heaved his arm straight ahead. Proceeding to “knock” thrice as loudly as possible, the Neti dented the sealed door with each harsh impact, and then listened to droning echoes that followed. The incumbent Dark Lord had shown his affection for violent, direct action. The professor, in contrast, required the aid of someone with more situational tact: a living legend, and one that was known for their flexible perspective.
So far as Sa’ato could tell, this hidden Sith was motivated by neither wealth nor power, or even the allure of forbidden knowledge. But, the documents of his exploits that survived assured the academic that his query was not devoid of motivation, or opposed to negotiation. And thus the retired teacher and his part-time pupil had descended on this insufferable swamp to field a discussion. They meant to propose a campaign that, with this individual’s contribution, was certain to bear ripe fruits. Now, all that remained was to survive that crucial, first encounter. Survive, and barter like no tomorrow…
