Chapter Text
Lana stood in the now empty Coalition Command Centre, following the attack on Revans stronghold and his subsequent defeat only she and Theron remained. Lana had been instructed by Darth Marr to ensure that everything the Empire had put into the computers and other hardware was wiped to prevent the Republic from getting their hands on the anything, she looked up from her work and saw Theron, he was doing the same under the instructions of the Jedi Grand Master. She preferred the silence that now overtook this place as opposed to the rushed plans and untrusting whispers that filled it prior.
“To think, we’re going back to shooting at each other again after we’ve just proven that we can put our differences aside” the spy said to her breaking the silence Lana so enjoyed, but she still chose to dignify him with a response.
“It does seem somewhat excessive,” Lana agreed before she let herself fall silent again. Her concentration focused once more on her work.
“You’re never much of a talker are you? Always short simple answers”
Lana did not reply. Her attention now focused elsewhere. She looked up and past Theron now that she could feel the Light side of the Force emanating from nearby, her yellow eyes then fell on Sathyan, the Mirialen had her blond hair flowing freely, which was unusual as she usually wore it in a loose ponytail.
The Jedi had sat on the cold stone just inside the Command Centre directly in front of where Lana currently stood and had begun to meditate as she often did, especially so after a fight, Lana had grown accustomed to the presence of the Light when it emanated from Sathyan.
Only from Sathyan, It had become somewhat unbearable in the presence of the Grand Master and so many other Jedi, Sathyan was muted by their very presence and that didn’t sit well with Lana Beniko one bit. Therefore, she adjusted her focus, focusing instead on the Darkness deep inside the Jedi that was slowly tainting all it touched; she felt the tug of her lips as they tried to curve into a small smile. She sensed the heat radiating from the Jedi, the Darkness within waiting to be nurtured, to be released.
Lana had felt the darkness in her Jedi friend during their first encounter on Manaan, she had also seen it first hand when Revan had thrown Lana herself into a wall when they had encountered him in his Temple deep in the jungle. Once the moan of pain had left Lana’s lips, she felt the surge as her Jedi dug down deep into the Force, as she had looked up she saw the Jedi bring forth a torrent lightning with such power that was unrivalled in that moment, further proof of why this Jedi had been marked by the Emperor. It had gone as quickly as it had appeared, but there was no denying the presence of the Darkness within a Jedi. They who saw themselves as the champions of the Light, Lana did allow herself a brief smile at that thought.
Lana set her programs going again and left them to work, Theron looked up and watched as she walked past, he did not speak until she was leaning against the former conference table and observed the Jedi.
“You get almost predatory when you look at her” Theron said humour in his voice.
“She interests me,” Lana said, she sighed internally knowing that her tone gave away more than she intended it to do.
“Wait” Theron laughed.
Even though Lana had said little, she knew at the same time that it was too much.
“You like her” Theron said with a grin.
“No” Lana replied sternly.
“This is priceless” he laughed “A Sith falling for a Jedi” Lana sent him a death glare and he looked as if he was about to tease her more. However, he quickly stopped trying and failing to disguise his laughter as coughing as something happened behind her. She turned back towards the entrance and saw that he had attracted the attention of Darth Marr when the Sith had entered the Command Centre.
The Sith Lord stalked towards them in armour, all leather and metal, which seemingly caught no light despite the polished aspects of its appearance. Instead, it seemed to drink in the shadow. Marr stopped before them glancing at them both one by one with his masked and therefore eyeless gaze, or glare which was more appropriate when Lana thought about it. As usual, his stance revealed nothing; he did not even seem to be breathing. A moment later, the masked glare focused purely on Theron.
“What pray tell, do you find humorous Agent Shan” Marrs tone was devoid of warmth, it was cultivated over the years to be as it was and used to manipulate the minds of those not directly associated with him.
Lana knew that only she and those on the Dark Council had adapted to such a tone, perhaps the Wrath shared their ability to look past it, with almost everyone else, it instilled fear and fear was power. Lana smiled when she saw Theron swallow.
“Nothing” he replied and Marr tilted his head slightly.
“I did not hear you, perhaps you would care to repeat it” Marr replied thinly.
“Nothing of note, My Lord” Theron said.
“Better” Marr said his attention falling on Lana seemingly about to speak but Theron spoke up.
“Well, I did have a question actually” Theron said and Marr turned in an instant and folded his arms. “My Lord” Theron added weakly.
“You would be wise not to raise my ire” Marr said simply “Speak”
“I was just saying to Lana that we proved we can set our differences aside yet here we are going back to war”
“You had your uses” Marr said “This war is not over Shan, you will be required again and when the time comes you will answer the call, until that point appearances must be kept”
“Why? Why ignore what happened?” Theron began but Marr moved his hands to his side with one getting distinctly close to his Lightsaber.
“You have wasted enough of my time.” Marr said his voice dropping to a hiss “The Empire is at war with the Republic and that will not change with a few choice words. Not while your government pushes at our fronts” Marr leaned forward so that he was ‘looking’ Theron in the eye “We are the ones on the defensive. You are the aggressors now. Think about that Agent Shan” Marr then adjusted his stance again and turned to Lana leaving Theron stunned to silence.
“Go back to your Republic” Marr added with a wave of his hand now clearly disinterested not evening giving Theron another glance. The Agent glowered before grabbing his things and leaving. Lana saw him walk past Sathyan who opened her eyes as he neared and looked somewhat perplexed, the Jedi stood and followed him.
Lana looked at Darth Marr and the Sith Lord craned his neck before placing his hands on the workstation that Lana was working at and glanced at the screen and those nearby.
“I trust our intelligence is secure or in the process of being secured” he asked.
“Yes, My Lord”
“Excellent. I have a task for you once you are through here.” Marr looked at her and straightened his posture so that he stood at his full height looking down at her, he folded his arms, and Lana felt like an Acolyte back at the Academy on Korriban being chastised by an Overseer.
“The Jedi” Marr said simply.
Lana looked at him and her mind followed his words, or did it. She assumed he meant Jedi as in the Order, however the way he said it. He meant singular. Lana knew which Jedi he meant.
“Sathyan?” Lana asked already knowing the answer, but she wished Marr to continue.
“She has survived three encounters with Vitiate, whereas the vast majority of those in the past have died, or been driven to madness” Marrs voice was full of hatred for their former Emperor. “We need to know why he has a fixation on one Jedi!”
“What do you propose?” Lana asked fearing what Marr would say. She wished Sathyan no harm.
“You will lure her towards the Imperial Landing Zone,” Marr said, “From there my agents will incapacitate her and she will be transported to Korriban”
“Korriban?” Lana asked in shock.
“She is a weapon I will not allow the Jedi to squander a moment longer nor will I forfeit her to Vitiate” Marr spoke as though he admired her “You have sensed it as well as I. She is strong in the Dark side. She clearly fears it. However that does not change the facts, she still bares that connection. Because of this she has been shunned by the very order she serves and the Sith will make so such mistake. You will help turn her to the Dark side Lord Beniko, or die trying” Lana could not speak, she dare not to. Marr turned and left her to her thoughts she knew his last words were a veiled threat on her life, if she failed her life was forfeit. She did not notice the beeping that signalled her programs had finished.