Star Wars The New Empire

Yavin 4:

Hope nodded, smiling, and she turned around and dashed out of the room, leaving Jax alone to study.

Moraband:

Irluuk nodded, deep in thought. Just then, an overseer entered the room. All discussion between acolytes started at once. "Your trials begin now," the old overseer explained. "You are to prove yourself through however you deem necessary, to gain Lord Dren's approval. You are allowed anywhere in the Academy and on Academy grounds. If you have any questions, you may ask one of the Academy's overseers. You are not to disturb Lord Dren or his ... companions though. You are dismissed."

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

Jax began with the history of the Jedi in his study. The history was extensive and immersive. Fom Rajivari, to the Old republic erra, the New Republic, the creation of the first Galactic Empire and so on. Jax read an over view, then went back to the beging tonstudy more indepth accounts.


Moraband:

Aurelia looked up as the over seers walked in. She waisted no time. The moment they were finished speaking she went straight to the temple archives to study for the great threats of the planet. Surely by defeating a powerful beast she would gain prestige... perhaps if she found a beast in some old ruins she could come back with a Sith artifact as well to add to ber success.

As she suspected there were rumors of vicious force beasts in the Vally of the Dark Lords. The most dangerouse of which were suspected to live in and around the Moraband execution chamber, the place the ancient sith would sacrifice Jedi prisoners. Aurelia quickly errased her search history, assuring no one else would follow her tracks and steal her idea. Then, she was up and headed off to the execution chambers.

 

Yavin 4:

An old Jedi librarian entered the archives and saw Jax. He walked over to the Mandalorian. "You are interested in the Order's history? What brings you to our training grounds, Mandalorian? Are you not too old to begin learning our ways and walking the path of the Jedi?"

Moraband:

Irluuk knew that knowledge was power, so he spent some time in the Academy's libraries, archives, and museums. He memorized the Sith Code, memorized the layout of the Valley of the Dark Lords, researched the local wildlife, and read up on the history of previous Sith Orders. Moraband held many ancient, abandoned tombs that held the legacies of great Dark Lords. These tombs were very dangerous and few returned from them. But Irluuk knew that by retrieving Sith artifacts from the tombs he would prove his strength and his knowledge. And the tombs he would visit were far from the Academy, and few other acolytes would be brave enough to venture that far into the hazardous ruins of previous incarnations of the Order. But Irluuk knew he would have the advantage. His destiny awaited...

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

Jax rubbed his eyes, weary from all his research. He glanced up at the old Jedi who addressed him."Yes, Master... I may be older than usual. Even your Jedi history, however, shows that many my age and older have become Jedi. Under... unusual cercomstances sometimes. However, many of these people have become some of your greatest Jedi. All I seek is a chance to learn the ways of the Jedi."




Moraband:

Aurelia took what supplies she needed and headed out. Her time in the previous years had already taught her survival. She approached the execution chambers and a feeling of darkness hovered over her and seemed to seep into her very bones. This feeling was nearly as potent as Dren himself. She steadied herself and entered the chambers, lightsaber in hand but not ignited.

Aurelia could feel the beasts in the tombs, gnarled and twisted by the dark pressence that resided there. She passed by a few rooms where creatures seemed to be in a mindless stuper or some sort of dark meditative state. She snuck by quietely, not disturbing the beasts.

Making it down to a central chamber Aurelia seemed to be at a dead end... but she could feel something further. Deeper chambers existed. Then... the soft subtle sound of footsteps lead down the halls towards her. Aurelia slunk into a dark corner and leapt up atop a tall obelisk, awaiting whatever came her way.

 

Yavin 4:

The old Jedi librarian nods and his face betrays a smile for a few moments. "You are correct, Mandalorian. And if you choose to learn our ways, you would be the first of your first people to take on the sacred duties of the Jedi. Do you understand that?"

Moraband:

A group of men and women draped in cloaks and hoods walked down the hallways. Some of them were force-sensitive, a few of them weren't. They carried blasters and blades. Aurelia could hear them speaking to each other in whispers, but she only heard fragments.

"The Master ... Dren ... ceremony ... our time ... the plan ... forgotten ones ... Empire's return ... our cause ... trespassing ... ruins ... the beasts ... sacred."

Aurelia saw that they were escorting several prisoners with bags over their heads as they went deeper into the chamber.

-

Irluuk walked among what was left of an ancient Sith city. The air reeked with death. Finally, Irluuk found the tomb of a forgotten Sith Lord and entered the depths of the dangerous cavern, eager to prove himself.

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

"Yes... yes I do, Master." Jax gave a nod and stood up straight. "But for all things there must be a first. Perhaps by my example Mandalorians will realize that the Jedi are a respectable and honorable society, from which we could learn much."



Moraband:

Aureli held still and remained silent as the group of people came into view. She notted the prisoners amd could feel that something powerful was about to take place. She had no way to slip out unnoticed anyways. She stay and watched eagerly to see what might happen.

 

Yavin 4:

The old librarian nodded. "I will leave you to your studies then." The Jedi then turned and left Jax alone.

Moraband:

The cloaked and hooded men and women lead their prisoners to the main execution chamber and forced the prisoners on their knees, before removing the bags. The prisoners looked like other acolytes. "Begin the preparations for the ritual," the leader of the odd beings ordered as he pulled out a dagger from his robes. "And make sure that we will not be disturbed..."

-

Irluuk was the first person to have entered the tomb for hundreds of years. It had been left mostly undisturbed, and it seemed that even Moraband's beasts and grave robbers had dared not to trespass. As Irluuk ventured deeper into the tomb, he felt a dark presence going steadily stronger. Based on the architecture he guessed that the tomb dated back to the days of the Old Republic and of the reborn Sith Empire. He heard the whispers of damned souls, and he suddenly paused as he came before a huge ancient statue that was thousands of years old. The statue portrayed a masked Sith Lord that looked and felt very familiar. Irluuk could not believe it.

"Dren..."

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

"Thank you, Master Jedi," Jax said with a bow, turning back to his endless studies. Once more he read of the history, the creation of the Jedi code and the evolution of their order.



Moraband:

Aurelia gazed down with subtle surprise at the view of the other acolytes. Still... every acolyte less was one less that stood between her and becoming Sith. She watched and waited to see what would become of the happenings.

 

Yavin 4:

A few hours later, a female human in Jedi robes came to get Jax. "The High Council is ready to see you now, Mandalorian."

Moraband:

Several of the beings draped in hoods, cloaks, and robes revealed their tattooed faces and threatening gazes. One of them carried a torch and began lighting the chamber. Light illuminated the room and betrayed Aurelia's position. The leader of the beings saw her. "She has seen! She has heard! But she will not speak! Seize her!"

-

Irluuk tried to read the caption that was under the statue, but it was unreadable, so he ventured further into the tomb. Eventually he came into a room full of Sith artifacts. There were also murals decorating the walls, including one of a glowing crystal levitating above the ground with people worshipping it. Irluuk searched through the artifacts and found a Sith holocron. Irluuk picked it up and decided to take it back with him. Who knew what secrets it held...

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

Jax took a second to acknowledge the women, then jerked to a start. "Uh... yes, thank you." Jax stood to his feet and inclined his head respectfully. "Please, show me the way?"




Moraband:

Aurelia's heart pounded into survival mode as adrenaline rushed theough her body. Memories flooded her mind. She could not... she WOULD not allow herself to be a captive in some dark tomb again! With all her might she pushed against the wall, toppling the obelisk over and sending it crashing to the ground towards the strange group. While the obelisk fell Aurelia used fore speed and all the might she could musster to run for the hallway that lead to the exit.

 

Yavin 4:

The woman leads Jax to a large chamber. Jax steps inside and the door shuts behind him. The chamber is dimly lit and above him are twelve Jedi Masters situated around the room. They look down on Jax from their stands and masks hide their faces.

"You wish to learn our ways, Mandalorian?" one of the Jedi Masters asks in a loud deep commanding voice.

Moraband:

Irluuk returned to the Sith Academy with the holocron and he found an overseer.

"I recovered this from one of the tombs, overseer."

The overseer took the holocron from Irluuk and held it.

"Very good. It is in very good condition despite and it appears to be from the Old Republic era, during the Galactic War. It should contain many ancient secrets. We'll get working on it right away. You have done well."

Irluuk bowed and went to the training room to practice on some combat droids.

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

Jax bowed his head respectivey as the Master began to speak. "Yes, Master. I seek your guidance in my venture into the force. The guidance of the Jedi code and the Jedi ways."




Moraband:

Aurelia sighed as she reached the exit. It seemed she had escaped. She hurried back towards the academy but she knew she could not return empty handed. She used the force to run as fast as she could and on hard rock where she could not be tracked, she doubled back.

Whoever was in the execution chamber would no dpubt have followed her. They would likely be most concerned with stopping her from making it back to the accademy and as such would most likely leave minimal security back at the chamber. Once she had circled back to the chamber she anuck inside very carefuly to see how many were left inside.


CosmoHender

 

Yavin 4:

"This is unheard of. Why do you wish to learn our Order's ways? Why do you seek out such knowledge? And why should we accept you into our training programs?"

Moraband:

Irluuk was training with combat droids when the overseer came up to him. "The Headmaster wishes your presence."

Irluuk hid his surprise and followed the overseer.

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

"Our people have long conducted ourselves by a code of honor... but I fear our code has lacked certain chivalry in times past. I have become acquainted with a Jedi Knight by the name of Lisa Maverik. On one of her missions we shared a cell when we had both been captured by pirates. Together we escaped and through my experience with Jedi Knight Maverik I came to see the truth in the Jedi ways. True honor." Jax glanced back and forth between the Masters for a moment. "It's not entirely unheard of... there have been many who have been accepted for training at older ages, and many have gone on to be great Jedi. I don't seek greatness among you, only a chance to learn my path through the force. To do that I need guidance."



Moroband:

When Aurelia returned to the chamber she realized the imprisoned acolytes were only guarded by a single robed figure. Having caught the figure by surprise she easily knocked them unconcious. She rushed in and grabbed the chains of the imprissoned accolytes and a ceremonial staff that the strange group had brought to the chamber. She hastily exited the chamber, saying nothing to the acolytes. She wasn't there to rescue them, they were her prize... along with the strange cerimonial staff with which she stabbed the unconcious cloaked figure in the heart, killing him.

Aurelia was just about to turn and lead the captives out when the floor started shaking. The ceremony had been completed with the blood on the scepter a passage opened up in the floor. She knew she had to go, but she could not pass up learning what was beyond. She tied the prisoners to the fallen obelisk and rushed down the stairs into darkness where she found herself gazing on an ancient sith sword. The dark side was thick around the sword and ancient writings covered the blade. She could feel nothing more beyond that room but she could feel something very important about the sword. She had no time to investigate, though.

Aurelia grabbed the sword and rushed back up the stairs. She grabbed the imprisoned acolytes and lead them back lut, not removing their head coverings. When she finally made her way to the accademy those around gazed at her woth wide and wondering eyes. What was she doing, they wondered?! Imprisoned acolytes? A sith sword and a strange ceremonial staff with blood on it?

It seemed she had caught the attention of an overseer. As the overseer approached she explained to him the events that had transpired.


CosmoHender

 

Yavin 4:

"We have accepted those of older age, but unfortunately these are uneasy times. For now at least we will turn down your request for guidance. But in the near future you may be accepted and this matter will be brought up again. Unfortunately you have not chosen a good time to come to us."

Moraband:

The overseer listened to her tale. "If what you say is true, you have done well. We will send some Sith to the execution chamber to investigate at once. We will deal with the acolytes that were captured and the sword you found will be studied. You should also tell the Headmaster what you told me. I will take you to his chamber. Another student is also seeing him and will be there."

The overseer lead her to the door to the Headmaster's chamber. She could already feel Dren's presence. The overseer told her to wait and then left. Irluuk was surprisingly there as well, meditating.

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

Jax bowed his head, clear regret in his heart as to their decession but respectful acceptance. "I understand... may I, then request further time to study the archives? If you are unable to guide me at this time perhaps your teachings there can be a guide of sorts in themselves."





Moroband:

Aurelia nodded firmly and followed the overseer to the Headmaster chamber. "And the scepter, overseer?" She asked as they walked. She still held the ceremonial scepter in her hands after handing over the captured acolytes and the mysterious sword. "What of it?"

They stopped at the waiting room and she noticed Irluuk. She should have guessed he would be one of the top performers. She wondered who else might be there.

CosmoHender

 

Yavin 4:

"You are allowed to spend further time in our archives, but you are to eventually return to your people when the day ends. Until then you are our guest. That is all. Leave us."

Moraband:

The overseer took the scepter with him, leaving Aurelia and Irluuk alone in the waiting room. There was nobody else. Irluuk opened his eyes, stood up, and walked over to her. "I'm surprised to see you here."

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

Jax bowed and left the room. He had very little time, so he wasted no time doing anything else. He studied until days end, downloading any info to take with him they would allow. When the time came to leave he had to admit... he was quite disappointing. He knew this was a likely outcome, however. Lisa had told him as much. Speaking of Lisa, she was supposed to still be on Hab Abbadon and had requested he stop back by to see her if he wasn't starting training.

He got up from his studying and headed towards the spaceport, requesting a ticket back to Hab Abbadon.



Moroband:

Aurelia gave Irluuk a wary gaze. "Well, life is full of surprises, after all," she replied with an even tone to her voice. "I have a feeling I may be in for one here soon." She thought to herself. She looked towards the Headmaster's chambers. She wondered how long they would be waiting. In the meantime she decided to have a seat and concentrate on her mental exercises.

 

Yavin 4:

Unfortunately, Jax was told that all flights offworld had been canceled until further notice.

Moraband:

"So what have you been up to that got the Headmaster's attention?" Irluuk asked Aurelia, not expecting an answer.

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

"I was instructed to return as soon as the day ends," Jax explained to no avail. The man at the spaceport insisted, it seemed, that all flights were canceled and there were no exceptions. Jax sighed and rubbed his eyes. It had been a long and slightly disappointing day... this, he guessed, was a fitting way to end it. "Alright, alright... do you know when the flights will be back up and running?"



Moroband:

Aurelia opened her eyes and glanced over at Irluuk. "I guess I will find out when I see him," she replied. She was being mostly honest. She really didn't know exactly what had been going on with the strange ritual or why it would be so important, but it seemed it was.

 

Yavin 4:

"I'm afraid we don't know, sir," the man at the spaceport explained. "All flights have been grounded due to an emergency happening over at the Academy. Nobody knows what's going over there, but it seems to be pretty serious and the Jedi don't want anyone leaving the system until the emergency is over."

Moraband:

"I can feel his presence," Irluuk told Aurelia. "This is a rare occasion, him requesting the presence of two newly arrived acolytes. But I suppose these are unusual times. There are rumors, after all..."

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

Jax nodded. "Understood." Since it seemed like he would be there for a while Jax decided to go back towards the academy. He didn't figure the Jedi would want him there if the emergency was there, but he figured he could at least find a decent place to spend the night somewhere that he could at least maybe get an idea of keep an eye on what was happening.




Moroband:

"Rumors?" Aurelia asked. "I guess I've been a bit... out of the loop." She didn't specify why or for how long... but it had been quite some time since she been "in the loop" with most anything in the galaxy.

 

Yavin 4:

When Jax returned to the Academy it was more heavily guarded. A group of Jedi Knights stopped him. "What's your business here?" one of them asked.

Moraband:

Irluuk shrugged. "It's alright. They are just rumors after all."

At that moment the door to the Headmaster's chamber opened and the two acolytes knew they were expected. The two walked into the chamber, Dren's presence growing stronger. The walls were covered with paintings. A number of attractive female Tw'lek, Togruta, human, Zabrak, and other humanoid and near-human Sith occupied the chamber. And upon his throne sat Dren. His features were unreadable behind the mask as he looked down at the two young acolytes before him. His presence was astounding.

Jax Nova

 

Yavin 4:

"I was here visiting the accademy earlier and allowed to study the archives," Jax began to explain. "I was instucted to leave as soon as the day ended but when I tried I was informed that due to some emmergency all departing ships had been cancled. I was wondering if there is somewhere I could spend the nights until the ships are back on scheduel."



Moroband:

Aurelia was about to ask about the rumors when the doorway to the chambers opened. Aurelia gave a respectful bow of her head before Dren but seemed to pay little heed to the women in the chamber. She said nothing, waiting to be spoken to first.

 

Yavin 4:

"I could look into it, but it won't be our top priority," the Jedi told Jax.

Moraband:

Irluuk bowed respectively as well. A few moments of silence followed before Dren finally spoke. "I wish to speak to each of you alone.The one who found the holocron will speak with me first." Irluuk followed Dren into another room that displayed a star map, leaving Aurelia to wait in the throne room among Dren's female Sith companions.

Jax Nova