The Journals of Etorre Agnusdei, M.D. - Volume VII

[Doctor Agnusdei]

I have realized that while I possess toxins that can kill in minutes and tools that allow me greater freedom in most aspects possible, I still find shortcomings in some... areas. I have deterrents, yes, but nothing physical... Nothing material... With which to properly defend myself.

With this rather sobering though in my mind, I have begun researching methods and materials with which to properly defend my person from the more... powerful attacks known. I have not the dexterity needed to deflect blaster bolts, at least not with any degree of consistency. However, melee attacks are a form of assault that I can cope with most adequately, though when it comes to the more... specialized weapons, such as the lightsabers Sith and Jedi carry, very few things can withstand them.

I shall request information from my contacts in the Underworld on such things. I shall also, perhaps, inquire some of the more... open minded Sith here in the complex. Perhaps there is a method that they possess that will aid me...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

My contacts were not as helpful as I deemed them to be in this line off inquiry. It is not, I suppose, their own fault for this shortcoming. It is a rather obscure and unknown topic of discussion. Most sent profuse apologies claiming no knowledge of such a thing. Others sent information on shield generators, which I already possess, that can stop lightsabers and similar weapons. A select few have sent information on various metals that are rumored or reported to withstand a blow from a lightsaber.

Of these metals the most prominent is the strange ferrous metal from Mandalore. I have heard of its seemingly magical and indestructible qualities, but I also know of its sheer rarity and the price the Mandalorians place upon the material. Paltry credits I have a-plenty, but it seems of late that the Mandalorians are rather... selective of who they sell their metal to. This, coupled with the utmost difficulty inherent in working the metal along with the need for a Mandalorian metalsmith, leads me to believe that this metal would be more trouble than it is worth to obtain...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Another material found in my studies is the metal, Phrik. It seems that this material is far lighter and more easily worked than the Mandalorian Iron recommended. In fact, at first I nearly opted to use the material almost exclusively. However, while the material is lightsaber resistant and easily worked, I know of no corporation that sells the material readily. This, coupled with the need to extract the ore and have the metal smelted and worked, makes the metal less... viable as a an option for myself.

I shall continue my research for a proper material for now. I shall also await word from the Sith about alternative methods...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

My Sith contacts have returned to me with news. The Jedi use something called "force imbuement" with certain blades or melee weapons they possess as an alternative to lightsabers. I was also informed that the Sith also use a variant of this imbuement that they call Sith Alchemy.

I know of many alchemists here, though I will freely admit I thought them nothing more than charlatans. Individuals claiming such a name and attempting the foolish pursuit to creating gold from lead or some such nonsense. I have heard of the Sithspawn they create from time to time, but such things are trivial and petty to my pursuits. It seems they hold far more... useful abilities applicable to my research and experiments.

I shall visit them soon...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

It seems my information is correct. The use of Sith Alchemy creates weapons that are both nigh indestructible, but also able to cut with ease. The ability to deflect lightsabers used by both Sith and Jedi is... quite desired, if I were to be frank and honest.

I have negotiated with the resident alchemists on the creation of what I require. They desire slaves to sacrifice to continue their work and creating more of their... things. I desire a weapon to defend myself, perhaps even a small series to arm myself and my dopplegangers.

I have no slaves, but I do have test subjects. I had wished to use them for my experiments, but more can be found, as always. I have a few hundred and the Alchemists desire only a few score of them. In the end, the price is a pittance compared to my own life and my own work.

It shall be paid in full.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

The test subjects were sent and the payment made in full. Most of the beings I paid with seemed resigned to their fate. One or two panicked and tried to flee. I must admit, it is a bit... different this way. These beings would have most likely met a grisly end through my experiments or, at the very least, left crippled by them. Giving them as payment to the Alchemists would not have changed their fate, but it does make it more... definitive. More... final. As if I held their lives and fates in my hands more so in that moment than I ever could have by experimenting upon them.

I find this feeling to be... invigorating...

The payment was made in full, my requests will be met. Of this, I have no doubt. They have enough materials to create what I desire and in a large enough amount that, if I am careful, I shan't want for more for a good long while.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

The weapons have been delivered just now. A few crates of them were made, thankfully. They only number two or three score, but there are enough for my purposes. Perhaps more than I can use. It is no matter.

The weapons are simple, elegant, and fitting to my... wishes. They are simple swordsticks, something most don't expect. All of the weapons are alchemized and lightsaber resistant. Even the canes that hold and hide the swords within is such. They are made from wroshyr wood, a type of material I have, admittedly, grown fond of. The blade itself is made of simple alusteel, though it seems that both cane and sword are far heavier than they should be. The Alchemists tell me this is normal and natural to the alchemical process, though had I known I would have taken steps to adjust the design to compensate.

Aside from the weight, however, there are few problems that I can find. The craftsmanship of the canes is... exquisite, if I am to be honest. It seems that one of the more thoughtful craftsmen thought to portray a certain... taste to the aesthetics.

The canes are pitch black where the wood is seen, though it looks as if the artisan crafted an intricate series of inlays in various patterns into the wood itself. Upon inspection, the inlay looks to be human bone, something that is both surprising and... fitting. The handle is made of premium silver and is equally as well crafted as the cane itself. The metal feels warm to the touch, something that is unusual, I believe. I asked the alchemists about the phenomenon but their only response was to 'wait and see'.

Intriguing.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

I tested the blade itself today. The blade is a simple, unadorned thing with a narrow channel down the flat metal on either side. This is apparently a 'blood channel' that allows the blood from victims wounded or killed by the blade to funnel away from the handle and down the blade so as not to impair the wielder's grip. The curious thing is that, normally, there are no openings directly connected to the channel on the blade's handle. Most interesting. Perhaps this feature is part of what the alchemists referred to earlier.

The blade itself possesses the cutting ability greater than the sharpest blade I can imagine. In all tests the blade cut through most test materials of a certain thickness. Exceedingly thick materials it had trouble carving through, though managed to gash the test materials quite nicely. Both the blade, handle, and cane itself are lightsaber resistant, as promised. The blade is balanced perfectly, with or without the cane. I'm not quite sure how they managed such a thing, but the appreciation is felt greatly. The only issue I can truly find with the weapon is the weight, but I suppose it cannot be helped.

I believe I have finally found the weapon I require...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

I took the liberty of equipping the Dopplegangers with the canes. Their programming should compensate for the weapon as the customized programming is designed to handle such a thing.

The few tests I've run with the Dopplegangers is quite... interesting. The droids attack with the edges of the blades on occasion, but prefer to stab or thrust with the weapon's tip. This intrigues me immensely as I only tested the blade's edge, not the point. I shall use this as an ad hoc test of sorts.

The blade point is capable of penetrating deeper into the test materials than a simple slash, chop, or cut. The only issue is that the denser materials are harder to withdraw the blade after striking. I would be concerned about snapping the blade in such instances, but with alchemized materials, this is no longer an issue. The weight of the blade aids in attacks, though it is admittedly a tad unwieldy in some situations. All in all, conclusive tests show that thrusts and stabs with the blade are far more effective.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

I've discovered what the heat phenomenon was for in the cane's handle. It is directly tied with the strange opening above the blood channel on the blade itself.

I have taken to carrying the cane with me at all times. During an experiment, a test subject broke free of his restraints before testing began and rushed me. I quickly drew the cane and ran him through immediately. In the process, I watched as the blood from the test subject coursed down the channel and into the small openings at their ends. Intrigued, I allowed my assistants and staff to clean up the mess and resume testing as I left to investigate.

Under far more intense scrutiny, I found a small, hidden button tucked away on the handle of the cane. Upon activation, the cap of the handle hinged upwards, revealing a small, small machine and an equally small vial. Inside the vial could be seen the blood of the test subject I had just aided into oblivion. The machine, however, intrigued me.

After many days of testing and research, I believe I have discovered what the machine is designed to do. The vial and blood channels are simple enough. One funnels the blood into the other for storage. However, the machine is attached to the vial and accesses the contents through the container.

My research and studies point me to the belief that the tiny machine somehow traps or holds the life essence of those killed with the blade. Not in the sense of a soul, I believe. Merely... life energy. I have no word for it readily available, but such a phrase will suffice.

I know not what use this will have in my future studies, but it is most intriguing. I have organized another full payment of test subjects to the alchemist. A bonus, if you will.