Darkness float, Darkness drown, We, You, I, Darkness float, Darkness drown, We, You, I, Darkness float, Darkness drown, We, We, W- The last slap split Si's cheek, and he fell down, rolling to the ground, the pain of his hand and innumerous small wounds; the ache of old wounds he'd received at the hands of torture; the cut into his shin; the scar on his throat; the mass of burnt flesh that was his other hand; the broken hand that had healed wrong, so wrong, with little jutting pieces of bone enveloped by uneven clumps of skin and black scabs... He woke up. "Si. It´s the Xenly. The Dark Side. It attacks your mind. Your soul. I need you here, boy. I need your help!" The Professor desperately asked, almost crying. Si leaned on his elbows as he pushed up, feeling them, beside them, inside him. The cloaked man cackled, and then looked from them to him, eyes meeting his. Sae's eyes. Betrayal. Si blinked, at the harsh and terrible voice, and felt them recede, ever so slightly. And Si stood, hesitantly, placing his weight on his wounded leg, the pain pushing back them. He felt tears dribbling down his cheeks, mingling with the blood on his chip, and he took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, and jerked them open again - he could feel them even more in the Dark. He dare not close his eyes. Dare not. "Professor... Thank you." Si looked around, flexing dry skin on his burnt hand, thinking of Kira, and feeling a flicker of minds in his, wondering, exploring. What had happened? He'd read stories of Xenly taking minds all the time - how had he survived? Si looked at the Professor again. "It's time to go."
He looked up from his work and nodded. There was a sudden air about people when something bad had happened. It followed them and those they touched around until it was either resolved or just faded away. Kaya had that air about her. Leaving the communications room, Kaya led him to the commander's quarters. It had been a while since Lorj had talked to the Commander and he had been wondering how he was doing. In any case, there was business to handle now.
"No Sir." The salute was hard and fast, then Lorj turned and made his way back to his room. He turned on his direct link to Commander Keanne while he gathered the weapons he would bring. "Commander...Karideph...For Romar" "I have been told, sir. Seems like we're chasing Jedi and running from Sith these days." "Yes...Not this time...Expect fight." "Yes sir." He had collected is disruptor pistol, a vibroblade, and his rifle. These were the tools of his trade and had served him well, especially in the fight with the xenly. In a few minutes, he was aboard the Madine Shuttle with the troops and was checking his rifle. They were off within a minute and headin towards Karideph. There was no mental preparation. The mission was simple: Retrieve Jedi Romar.