Star Wars The Shadow War - Times End - Two new factions opened up! - Legacy: War spoilers!

IC: Voj Velkin
The Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

It wasn’t difficult to inform all the current Temple residence that the group from the Ruins were returning as they all had conveniently gathered in one of the Mess Halls. After passing along the news he excused himself from the group. As they headed for the landing bay he made his way up to the TCC to speak with the Major Pythos. “Major patch me through to all Journeymen units and only the Journeymen units,” Once the old soldier indicated that his order had been carried out Voj spoke clearly into the open comms, “Effective immediately all Journeymen assets within the Temple are to gather in Hanger Bay 6. All transports are to off load their Guardians and then report to bay 6 for immediate reload and redeployment to the Defender. Once all has been secured on the Defender start preparations to depart the system. This is Ba’cabur’alor.”

He raised his eyes and observed the shocked look on Pythos’s face. Before the Major could ask a question, Voj simply said, “You have your orders Major.” Voj then turned around and headed down to Hanger Bay 8 to oversee the return from the Ruins. He arrived just as the first transport touched down. He made sure that he gave the appearance that he was there out of concern for those who were returning from the mission, which was on his mind, but his primary concern was to check with each Journeyman crew to ensure they carried out his orders.

As he searched the sea of faces he could not seem to find Dovey, but he felt her familiar presence stirring in the Force. She’s an excellent stalker. I’ll have to keep that in mind. While he continued to look about for her, his eyes fell upon Josch and he thought about going over to talk with him. However the old Erphaean looked extremely worn out, so when they both caught each other’s eyes they gave one another a knowing nod as if to say “We’ll talk later.” As the final transport touched down his comlink chirped to life.

“Colonel, the transports are just about finished up with the unloading. Sure you don’t want to leave the Security troops in place?”

Voj unclipped his comlink from his belt with his left hand and raised it to his mouth. With his right hand he subtly reached out and took Dovey’s hand, as she had just appeared at his side. His fingers naturally wrapped around her as if they were meant to go together. He slightly turned his head towards her and gave her a quick wink as he responded to Taab, “I am certain Major. I have my reasons and we can discuss those at a later date. For now, I leave the matter of setting up security details to you and the Grand Masters, I have some personal matters to attend too. Velkin out.”

He then turned off his comlink and turned his attention to Dovey, “So, Ms Lahana, where were we? You have my complete and undivided attention until the morning.”

TAG: BlueHeron & Bardan_Jusik

----- ----- ----- ----- -----
IC:Josch Decinchi
The Next Day

Josch had just stepped out of his private meditation chamber and turned towards his room when found his daughter walking towards him. The words almost sounded strange in his mind, his daughter. It had been such a long time since he contemplated that part of his past, that it seemed like it was almost out of a dream. He felt a pang of guilt, at first he thought it was coming from him, but then he realized that it was actually coming from Keira. She gave him a smile and a hug.

“Morning pa, I have a feeling I know what this is about. How are you feeling this morning?”

He returned her smile and before letting her go he gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Your dad isn’t as young as he used to be and he needs to remember that.” He put his arm around her shoulder and escorted her down to his room. As the door closed behind them he offered her a seat on the coach. “So, what has your insight told you we need to talk about?”

TAG: JediFalcon

 

IC: Keira Colias-Decinchi
Grandmasters chambers

“So, what has your insight told you we need to talk about?”

Keira smiled as she reached for her dad's hand as she looked him in the eyes. "You found someone haven't you?" She questioned gently. "Kasha mentioned you and her talked with mom. She said it sounded like you were looking for closure with the marriage," she paused for a second and glanced up at him. "As long as your happy, I'm happy you found someone. When do I get to meet her?"

CPL_Macja

 

IC: Gaan Be’orar – Medbay – Temple of Light – Saridona Prime

"Give it time. Your memories may yet come back. If not...just take it one step at a time. After all, you were all strangers to me not too long ago. Well, most of you still are."

The slight smirk that appeared on Gaan’s face at his words vanished instantly when she felt another’s presence. Only half aware of the greeting being exchanged between Alec and the newcomer as she made the initial attempt to calm herself, she discovered that the more she attempted to bring her body and mind under her control, the more that control slipped away. After only a few moments of continued effort, she began to feel a rage building in the back of her mind at its ineffectiveness, and immediately ceased attempting to control anything more than the outward display of her distress.

Shifting her focus to the conversation as a means of distracting herself, she heard Alec introduce himself as Padawan Alec Vandel, of the Jedi Order. The last part was distinctly uninteresting to her, but Padawan? Fortunately, it helped to bring her attention more fully to the others, and the rage, at least, slipped away completely as she pondered what she remembered of her dealings with him. She didn’t remember ever actually knowing his rank, but had assumed, based on his skill and knowledge, that it was at least equal to hers. Apparently, it wasn’t, and she wondered if she should have known that already.

At that point in the conversation, Alec acknowledged a second person. "Master Lahana." Gaan went completely rigid on hearing the familiarity and respect in his voice. She had instantly assumed two things from his greeting: one, that this new person was of a much higher rank than any of those currently in the room, including herself; and two, that he or she was someone she should have known, and someone who knew her. That, combined with the fact that she was already on edge from the first intrusion, left her with a desire to be alone so strong she felt it could drive her to violence. The emotion transferred physically as nothing more than clenching fists, but she knew that, if the others in the room weren’t just ignoring her at this point, they would notice.

Gaan almost jumped as Alec extended a book to her, but quickly took it, not wanting to draw more attention to herself by questioning it. She realized she must have missed something, because Alec was saying, "I got it from the Library upon first arriving and should probably have it returned."

She looked up to meet his glance, momentarily broken out of her shell by the fact that his actions had required a response from her. However, she was still a bit slow on the uptake, and it took her a moment to realize he was trying to make it easier for her to leave. A smile that looked much more like a twitch of the lips crossed her face, but she remained seated. At this point, it would require much more mental effort to walk through and past the others in the room, knowing they were watching her and thinking something – she always assumed it was negative – about her, than it did to remain were she was.

Despite her appreciation of his efforts, or perhaps because of it, it felt like a slap to the face when, almost without pause, Alec continued his conversation with the others. Gaan knew it had nothing whatsoever to do with her, but it didn’t really help. Still, she forced herself to, for the first time since they had entered the room, turn and actually look at the two newcomers. One was an older human male, who she knew by the voice was the one who had entered first, and the other a young-looking Firrerreon woman, to whom she attached the name and title Master Lahana.

It was the woman who brought up the only thing she knew anything about. Addressing Alec, “I was wondering if you could tell me your thoughts on what happened in the Ruins? Grand Master Decinchi was so exhausted that he went straight to bed.”

That’s why he hasn’t checked in on me. Not that I’m at the top of his to-do list, but he seemed concerned before everything that happened at the Ruins. With her mind now slightly more at ease concerning the opinions of others about her, Gaan let out an imperceptible sigh of relief. Only her breathing changed for the better, but knowing that she had chosen to stay made her feel at least a little more in control than before.

TAG: Sarge221, BultarSwan, Tim Battershell

 

Alec Vandel
Saridona Prime, Temple of Light, Medbay

Despite the opportunity that Alec had given her to excuse herself if she desperately wished to, Gaan remained seated at his bedside, the book now in her hands but not making a move to retreat from the medbay. He actually questioned if, perhaps, she didn't understand but he waved that thought off. She definitely did.

While he had half-hoped that she would remain and perhaps attempt to speak up to either Battershell or Master Lahana as a first step in an effort to regain her identity, he quickly started questioning the merits of it at this time. He had kept an eye on Gaan after the appearance of Master Lahana, wondering how she would react with another addition to the room. She didn't take it well. By the time he had offered her an escape route, her fists had been clenched tight, her posture absolutely rigid, betraying her lack of control and, what startled Alec the most, an underlying build-up of rage. It made him a bit apprehensive - especially as the situation was starting to become very similar to that of a ticking time bomb having been planted in the medbay - but his control was much more superior to Gaan's and he hid any signs of it. However, it shook his confidence in Gaan's fortitude just a bit.

She turned to the two new arrivals nonetheless and Alec took this as a sign to refocus his attention back to Master Lahana. Especially as she was currently giving him his current health status.

“Mmm, we do have good medical droids. If they say you can go then by all means. Just take it easy, rest and… drink plenty of water.”

Alec grunted at the last though the tone hinted that he was a bit cheered by the aspect. Out of the medbay and back into the Temple where...

...he wasn't sure yet. He had previously promised himself that he would continue his training with the materials that the Guardians possessed within their Temple but he wondered about the trap he could find himself in; specifically the kind of trap that would let Guardian teachings start to influence his own sworn oaths to the Jedi Order. He dismissed it and perhaps too quickly. His allegiance was to the Jedi Order first and foremost and it was going to take more then just spending time with a rogue, Force-sensitive organization for him to even consider about joining them. Besides, as could be seen from his previous reading choice, the Guardians did have, at the very least, some texts that could supplement his Jedi training and training droids were training droids no matter who owned them. Unfortunately he may have to hold off on the latter unless he wanted to risk the possibility of his condition to make a sudden resurgence. He may spend time in the Library then until he felt himself ready physically or, perhaps, if Master Zey had chosen a course of action that he would have to follow.

“I was wondering if you could tell me your thoughts on what happened in the Ruins? Grand Master Decinchi was so exhausted that he went straight to bed.”

Any plans that would take advantage of his freedom, however, would have to be put temporarily on hold. Alec looked up at Master Lahana, a note of surprise on his face as he assumed that Master Decinchi would've at least informed the other Guardian Grand Master about what occurred as soon as he returned to the Temple. Apparently he didn't.

Seeing no reason to deny the Grand Master knowledge that she rightfully deserved, Alec sat where he was, silent, his gaze slightly unfocused as he thought back to the previous day's events. Finding a good starting point, Alec nodded slowly before looking up at Master Lahana.

"It goes without saying that you know about the Force Event that occurred," Alec spoke. That was probably the last that Master Lahana had heard concerning not only the investigation team but the other Guardians in the Temple: the strange Force Event that had knocked the lot of them momentarily unconscious while others suffered more severe side effects. Gaan's memory loss being one but it was only now that Alec remembered that Dovey had been struck with a nasty side effect of her own: blindness. He'll have to make sure to inquire about her health, see if it improved. If anything it may give them an idea of Gaan possibly getting better if Dovey's blindness had been cured.

But that could be for later. Continuing, Alec said, "Once Master Decinchi arrived with reinforcements and the disabled Guardians were sent back to the Temple, we resumed our search within the Ruins. Upon entering, we were confronted by a hologram of a Rakata. Apparently there was a small group of Rakata that had turned the Ruins into a makeshift laboratory for an experiment concerning some kind of dark side crystal that they apparently created using the blood of a Sith. How they had done so I have no idea but the crystal itself had possessed not only an intelligence but a severe degree of mental manipulation."

Remembering that Miria had previously been a captive of the Rakata, Alec focused solely on her, his expression serious. "From what I can tell, the Rakata had lured and captured not only Guardians but other Force-sensitives to use as test subjects, exposing them to the crystal so that it may brainwash them. I'm assuming that with such a power and a small army of Force-users on its side, the Rakata had planned to use the crystal to reestablish their lost Empire and sway everyone under its control for absolute obedience. We had been separated in the middle of our investigation so I don't know what Master Decinchi may've discovered, but we managed to free Cambria Secura from imprisonment and from what I can tell, she had been in the presence of the crystal long enough to be almost be completely controlled by it. I could only guess that you would not have faired much better had Decinchi not found your in time, Master Lahana."

Course, that was the key word in that second to last sentence: almost. "However, when we regrouped and discovered the leader of the Rakata - B'lak -, Cambria managed to come to her senses and kill him. His death seemed to be the catalyst that broke down whatever network the crystal had established; I can only assume that B'lak himself had managed to establish his own immunity to his own creation and was a key player to the network that enthralled the other Force-sensitives as they also returned to normal upon his death. When the rest of the Rakata attacked, we engaged and killed them. Destroying the crystal proved to be a bit..." he motioned his head to his current predicament, "...difficult. Fortunately, Master Decinchi and I managed to destroy it though the destruction it caused destroyed the Ruins and, possibly, any and all traces of the work that B'lak achieved. After that, the Temple sent in transports to take everyone back and...here we are."

Alec was far from content with the situation though. The experiments that B'lak had managed to accomplish were - while horrible - also an amazing feat at the same time. Nodding to Master Lahana, Alec added, "Though I am in no position to order it, I would advise that another search party be sent to the site sometime in the near future; to be sure that all traces of the experiments and any data was to be erased. In fact, you should be keeping an extra watch on Saridona Prime itself; B'lak could have accomplices and this latest experiment of his may not have been his last. Who knows what has been going on, on this planet during the absence of the Guardians."

That was really all he knew and all he could say; if there was anything else he was missing then Master Lahana could surely ask Master Decinchi to fill in any blanks Alec may've unintentionally left. He had no idea what the Grand Master discovered and it could be clues that there might be some other threat of B'lak's legacy hidden on Saridona Prime somewhere. For now though, Alec brought up the question that he had been meaning to ask before. "How's Dovey? The Force Event had left her blind and I hope her condition has improved once she had been brought under medical care. As well as any other Guardians that may've been effected worse then others."

TAG: BultarSwan, The_Zeltron, Tim Battershell

 

IC: Tim Battershell
Medbay - Temple of Light

Tim waited as Grand Master Lahana (so she was also a healer, it seemed!) advised Alec Vandel (Padawan - New Jedi Order; now wasn't he an interesting person to find among a faction that, according to the Archives, had separated itself from the Jedi 'mainstream' over the Ossus Project issue!) on his condition. Then a free gift for Tim's curiosity and his information-hungry brain!

"I was wondering if you could tell me your thoughts on what happened in the Ruins?" The very subject Tim had hoped to learn about! "Grand Master Decinchi was so exhausted that he went straight to bed."

Tim listened with fascination to Alec Vandel's account. Live Rakata in this day and age! His advice was sound, too, and matched Tim's own thinking. But, and it was a big but, no one had reported contact with surviving Rakata, or sighting them, since Revan's day. Not the main Galaxy, not the Chiss, nobody. Very little chance of confusing Rakata with some other species, either, they were too distinctive for that. Acedemia (particularly those parts of it that studied the Infinite Empire period) would have lit up like a nova had that been the case. The University of Agamar would have been certain to get the word, somehow or other (there was a great deal of information exchange between academics working in the same field - whether their governments wanted to keep things quiet or not).

Adopting a calm and almost 'thinking-aloud' tone. he said;

"Hope you don't take this the wrong way, Mr Vandel; I'm not doubting your veracity, just - possibly - some of your interpretations. I come from Agamar, formerly a part of the Rakatan Infinite Empire. We have a University there, perhaps best known in the field of Xenoarchaeology and they have a couple of large vaults full of Rakatan Artifacts; there were more, but Palpatine's minions grabbed the best of them, everything that wasn't corroded and useless junk. The University did, however manage to hide copies of what the minions were really after, Jedi-related information and Jedi-related historical works.

Naturally, the University people studying the Infinite Empire would be overjoyed to hear of survivors; but the records of the debriefing of Revan and his team made it pretty clear that the population on the Rakatan homeworld of Lehon had dwindled too much to be genetically viable. He'd also found out that the Imperial Rakata had been hit by a plague a short time before the Empire collapsed. Those it didn't kill, it deprived of the ability to control their technology. My guess, and I'm probably in a minority of one, is that the plague was a targeted bio-weapon loosed on the Rakata by the remnants of the Gree or the Kwa, or possibly by the Celestials, if they actually existed. Revan's visit to Lehon was around four thousand years ago, and no Rakata has been as much as seen since. The Chiss and the Empire of the Hand opened up a lot of the Unknown Regions between them, and Zonama Sekot is somewhere out there too, so signs of Rakata would have almost certainly been reported to somebody!

On the other hand, we know of one Rakatan Prison Planet, Belsavis, so it's not beyond belief that some of their 'disliked' ended up in their peculiar stasis chambers somewhere on this planet. It'd only take one chamber to fail for the occupants of others to be liberated. Did this 'B'lak', or any of them, do anything to indicate they had Force abilities, by any chance? That might help with putting a date to them.

Turning to Grand Master Lahana, (and keeping the same tone) he continued;

"If I recall my history, Grand Master, Luke and his first group of students also got blindsided by a nasty surprise or two on Yavin 4. Perhaps you and Grand Master Decinchi could talk those two battlewagons upstairs into tasking some ships to conduct a thorough planetary sensor survey; see if there's anything else out there that looks at all suspicious.

Same, inside and out, for this Temple. The fabric has an ancient feel to it, like the structure's been standing for far longer than the records indicate the Guardians have existed; and if the earliest set of Guardians didn't build it all themselves, whoever did could have incorporated hidden chambers and/or secret passages. I've heard the Coruscant Temple had several and the ancient fortress Thrawn made over into his 'Empire of the Hand' base on Nirauan had at least one. Secret passages that remain inside the Temple precincts aren't a problem, could be useful to us, in fact; but any that go beyond the walls could be used as ready-made infiltration routes.

The most common dodges are extra-thick walls or walls that look properly aligned to the eye, but aren't. I somehow don't think Taab would take kindly to people pushing Lightsabers through walls hoping to hit a void, so there'd need to be accurate, centimetre scale, measurements taken of the entire building. If that's to be done in a reasonably short time, a large number of personnel would have to be involved. Then, if anything is found along those lines, it's a question of finding the doorways and how to operate them from the outside. My knowledge of Illusionists' techniques might come in handy there."


TAG: BultarSwan , Sarge221, The_Zeltron.

 

IC: General Hector Zey
Corridor outside of Hanger Bay 8, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

"I know how old she is and it shouldn't matter what the others think when I'm older. I love her and the children. I can't see being without her in my life. And I don't want the children to have a heavy burden to bare because I fell to the dark side over this. Thanks."

Zey smiled a hearty smile back to Anakin as the younger Jedi seemed to take his advice to heart. He was a lucky man. Zey had no issues with the Jedi's policy regarding love and marriage, but he had never found the time for either. It was not something he regretted though, he believed the Force had simply set him along a different path. Anakin left him now, and Zey decided not to pursue, he and his wife needed some private time, uninterrupted by an old fossil such as himself. Instead Zey headed in another direction, opening himself up to the Force.

He had received no tour of the Temple of course, nor a map to even know where he was going, but with the Force guiding him he knew he would end up where he needed to be. Wandering the halls he found himself surrounded by force presences, no surprise in a Jedi Temple. Many seemed to be congregating, others (like himself) were alone. Many probably wanted to be alone after the ordeal they had been through. Yet, for a reason he couldn't explain, he decided to seek one of these out. Finally he arrived at what turned out to be the temple library. He could still sense only the one being inside, so he entered quietly so as to not startle...her.

It was indeed a woman, studying at one of the terminals. She appeared to be an Arkanian. Thin with short hair and sharp feature she was certainly a force sensitive, and Zey could sense an inner strength about her as well. He cleared his throat softly, though she probably already knew he was here. "Forgive the intrusion, I am General...Master... Hector Zey."

TAG: Rebecca_Daniels

---

IC: Beskaryc Taab
Hanger Bay 8, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

“I am certain Major. I have my reasons and we can discuss those at a later date. For now, I leave the matter of setting up security details to you and the Grand Masters, I have some personal matters to attend too. Velkin out.”

Taab took the closed comm channel in stride but muttered a low "Roger that." to himself. Personal business? Taab shook his armored head, it was best not to worry about such things. He looked around the nearly empty hanger bay now, most of the incoming Jedi had been registered in the rolls and moved out to where they needed to be, though he was sure there would be stragglers who would just wander the Temple at will. He shook his head again, his T-Visor hiding the scowl on his face. These Jedi would be better off if they had more organization, squads, platoons, even up to the company level and beyond given their current numbers. Then again, maybe their looseness was the key to their continued survival. Taab mentally shrugged to himself. The minds of the spoonbenders were truly mysterious things, thankfully he wasn't being paid to understand them, just protect them.

Turning around now he saw one of those wayward Jedi still hanging about the hanger bay, pressed up against the wall the boy nearly went unnoticed. Twitchy (Ian Thrace), of course. The lazy chakaar (corpse robber) was just standing there, doing nothing. Taab approached him, boots clanging against the hard permacrete floors of the hanger bay. "You have somewhere to be Twitchy? Because if not, I'm sure I can think up something for you to do."

TAG: Gotab

 

IC: Eira Dryn
Library

The problem with such an incredible set of archives like those the Guardians had was that Eira found herself constantly distracted by notes suggesting she read another section or a link to information related to what she was already reading. She stumbled upon one of those suggestions when she found the notes about the Death Watch in the archive pertaining to the Clone Wars. So much history that she had never learned, and most of it circling around the Jedi. But this, this was about something she was slightly more familiar with, and would rather learn about Mandalorians this way than annoying the temple's security force.

There was a lot of information, but what she skimmed left an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. It seemed that the Mandalorians spent most of their history warring with the Jedi, yet they were trusted here? Surely whoever hired them knew about this, but the feeling of safety that settled around her over the past day was shaken off. Sure, she had trusted one of them but Eira was not a Jedi, that was different.

As engrossed as she was in this discovery, she did notice the arrival of another, an older human male that she hadn't yet seen. "Forgive the intrusion, I am General...Master... Hector Zey."

A Jedi Master! Even she could feel the power around him, though she didn't know why he introduced himself as a General. Perhaps he had fought the Sith, or some other great war that she knew nothing about; whatever his reasons, he was probably a great warrior. She didn't know if there was some protocol with addressing Jedi or Jedi Masters and hoped she wouldn't do something that would get her kicked out of the temple.

"Eira Dryn," she said without thinking, then reminded herself that the human - Master Zey - was a Jedi and probably trustworthy. "It's no intrusion, I was just... reading," she explained; of course, what else would she be doing in a library? Eira switched the terminal back to an entry she'd accessed earlier on lightsaber crystals; Master Zey could probably tell her more than the entry could but asking about his lightsaber might be considered rude.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Lenea Sandstrider
ACS Redemption(-II), Saridona Prime, Orbit

Danny was unusually quiet as the Spirit angled for its mothership, Lenea noticed. And the bags under his eyes were very noticeable. Maybe she had been a bit...overzealous...when she slapped him. But that was what he got for worrying her so much. Danny was supposed to be the calm one, not the one who wigged out and started to go dark. So Lenea had to slap some sense into him.

"Spirit requesting docking clearance," Danny said as they approached the ship, his voice dull and emotionless.



"You are clear to land Daniel. Are you okay?" Arrica's voice came over the comm systems.

Lenea glanced over at her brother, noticing he wasn't in a hurry to reply...almost mechanically flying the freighter towards the (relatively) small dock on the Redemption. If nothing else had worried her before, that most certainly did. It was like he had shut down all his emotions, trying to recover from whatever had happened at those ruins. All she knew was the brief flashes from the bond, revolving around Ra of all things. But...she hadn't managed to gather enough to know what had truly happened. And if it had messed with Danny this much, she likely wouldn't know more any time soon.

As the Spirit came to a halt and extended its ramp, Lenea saw Arrica come running towards it. For his part, Daniel got to his feet and mechanically walked to the exit. Lenea warily followed, keeping a close eye on her brother. As the pair descended the ramp, Arrica came to an unsteady halt. A worried look crossed her face, looking between the siblings. Daniel still looked emotionless, while Lenea shared the worried look (to a certain extent).

"Daniel?" and the worry transferred into Arrica's words too, "What happened?"

Daniel turned his eyes on his wife, a haunted look coming back into them. Arrica backed up, the look of worry on her face growing by the second. Lenea sighed in the background. She had figured it would end up this way.

"Something happened in the ruins down on the planet. I'm not sure what but I don't think Danny is eager to talk about it just yet. He probably needs the rest more than anything."

Daniel turned a thankful look on his sister, before walking forward and grabbing Arrica's arm. The woman stared at her sister-in-law, sharing at a glance what both were thinking. They needed to figure out exactly what had happened, and soon. For Daniel's sake. While Arrica could try and get the elder Sandstrider sibling to open up, there wasn't much Lenea could do on the ship. She would just get in the way if she tried to talk to Danny. And while her brother had an extensive holo-library aboard the Nebula...it was doubtful it had anything on the Saridonan Ruins. After all, if he had read something about that subject, it might not have hit him so hard.

So Lenea sighed and walked over to a fighter parked in the corner.



Her own personal creation, the AF-01 Starstreak. It may resemble an old T-65 X-Wing, but it was a far different beast. Faster, stronger, all around better. It wasn't quite a match for the most modern fighters like the Twin-Tail, but it was certainly the best Abydos had yet to produce. Lenea hopped into the cockpit, powering up the fighters four engines. If they didn't have the information on the ship then maybe they did on Saridona herself.

"This is Lenea, I'm headin' back down to the surface."

After getting her launch clearance, Lenea sped out of the hangar and back down to the green planet below. She vaguely remembered the layout of the temple from her time there earlier, so she landed at the hangar nearest to the library. Hopping back out of her fighter, she set off for the library. Navigating the still mostly empty halls, the younger Sandstrider heard voices as she neared her destination.

"Forgive the intrusion, I am General...Master... Hector Zey." an older sounding man said.

"Eira Dryn," a female voice responded, "It's no intrusion, I was just... reading,"

Reaching the library, Lenea saw the older man and a near-human woman standing in the expansive library.

"I'm interrupting something aren't I?"

TAG: Bardan_Jusik , Rebecca_Daniels




(OOC: While hardly twins, Lenea and Danny do look enough alike that Zey may be able to pick her out as part of Danny's family, provided he actually noticed Danny during the Ruins fiasco. I'll leave that up to Bardan )

 

IC Ian Thrace
Temple of Light Hangar Bay

NO! Ian practically screamed to himself as Taab sauntered over to him. He had hoped to have gone unnoticed by the security officer and his band of Mandalorian thugs, but his hopes had gone unfulfilled. The green armored man paused in front of him, almost as if sizing him up. "You have somewhere to be Twitchy? Because if not, I'm sure I can think up something for you to do."

"I ummmm" Ian began, not quite sure how to respond. He didn't really have anywhere to be. His masters had left without giving him specific instructions, but he didn't want to tell Taab that. Who knew what kind of "tasks" the bully could think up for him. "I have..." he started and then trailed off. He had intended to lie his way out of this, to tell Taab he had work in the library or the meditation gardens. Places he was sure that Taab wouldn't follow him, but he stopped short of that. He was scared of the walking tank, but as a Jedi shouldn't he tell the truth? Shouldn't he face his fear instead of running away from it like he always seemed to do?

He steeled himself, puffing out his chest slightly. He would tell him the truth, and then go about his own business. "No, uhhhh Major," he said, at first unsure of how to address Taab. "I have no current assignment. The Grandmasters are busy and I..." He trailed off again, losing confidence as he spoke. He hung his head now, unwilling to look Major Taab in the "eye". He surrendered to his fear. "What... what did you have for me to do?"

Tag Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Miria Lahana
Med Bay

Miria took in that there had been some sort of dark side crystal. She idly wondered as Alec continued speaking if it had been destroyed or not. “Cam is here?” At this she permitted herself a small smile. It was wonderful to have another of her friends back. She continued to listen as Alec finished his story, trying to imagine the scene with the dark crystal and the Rakata. She had seen images of them, but never had she met one as they were thought to have been extinct.

Alec informed Miria of his suggestions and she nodded, agreeing that a further party would have to be sent to the ruins to erase all traces of what had been going on there, as well as having extra guard around the planet in case of further attack. “We will immediately be doing just that. The ruins must be eliminated safely and we will make sure there are extra measures to maintain this planet’s safety should any outside sinister parties show up.”

Once Alec had finished talking about the Ruins and what happened there from his perspective he asked about her sister, Dovey’s eyes. “Her sight, thankfully, has returned. She is completely better. Thank-you for asking.” Miria smiled warmly for a moment before turning her head as Tim began.

When Tim spoke up, Miria turned towards him. He started in about temple security. She listened to all he had to say, and as he talked about the possibility of secret passages, she nodded once. “This is sound advice and as we’ve been attacked, though not here, I will discuss this with Master Decinchi once I see him.”


Tag: Sarge221 , Tim Battershell , The_Zeltron

 

IC: General Hector Zey
Library, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

Zey looked the woman in the eyes and stepped farther into the room as she introduced herself. No rank, no indication that she was a Jedi at all, save for the touch of the Force he could feel from her. He nodded, taling another step forward towards her when they were interrupted.

"I'm interrupting something aren't I?"

Zey turned slowly, and was greeted by the sight of another young woman he had not yet met. She too was touched by the Force, though Zey doubted she had seen much training. He smiled to her, showing off a row of perfect white teeth. "No my dear, not interrupting us at all. I was just introducing my self to Eira here." He gestured to the woman who still sat at the terminal.

Looking back to the "intruder" he introduced himself to her as well. "I am Master Hector Zey, of the New Jedi Order, it seems I have not been myself for much of the past decade. I have your Grandmaster to thank for rescuing me." He took a step back now, looking about the library slowly, filled with it's ancient tomes, and modern computer records. He was given to wonder if any holocrons were also stored here, or if the Guardians of Light kept them elsewhere. "Am I to assume that you are both Guardians?"

TAG: Rebecca_Daniels, Skywalker_T-65

---

IC: Beskaryc Taab
Hanger Bay 8, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

"What... what did you have for me to do?"

Taab considered the young Jedi for a moment, tilting his head to one side slightly. Yes, the boy was still frightened of him. He would be less than useless in a fight. Taab hoped that Spoonbender (Josch) would be able to train the cowardice out of him soon. With the departure of at least a majority of the new security forces, Taab needed for every Jedi to be able to handle themselves if things went all osikla, as they were sure to do.

Taab didn't have the time, nor the spoonbending abilities to train Twitchy (Ian). Nor did he have the inclination to babysit him either, but he might be useful in some other way. "I want to know what happened out there. To your Grandmaster and the others. I want to know who all these newcomers are, and I want to know if the threat has been completely neutralized." He looked away, out towards the nearly empty hanger bay now, before looking back to Twitchy. "And you're going to help me."

TAG: Gotab

 

Alec Vandel
Saridona Prime, Temple of Light, Medbay

"Did this 'B'lak', or any of them, do anything to indicate they had Force abilities, by any chance? That might help with putting a date to them."

Alec already knew the answer to Battershell's question but he nonetheless reviewed what he remembered about their encounter with the Rakata down in the Ruins to try and remember anything that might've indicated that they had been able to use the Force. Despite Battershell's lesson - an unnecessarily long one, Alec thought, but he supposed it was needed in case Master Lahana or Gaan needed a refresher -, Alec already knew that the Rakata ended up being stripped of the Force which led to the demise of their Empire.

After an extra minute of thought, Alec finally shook his head. "No. None of them possessed any capability to use the Force." In fact, they were pretty vulnerable to it as he remembered the ones that had been sent flying with blasts of Force energy from not only Alec but the other Guardians. However, he quickly added, "But that didn't stop them from manipulating it in other ways. Just the fact that they managed to not only create but control the crystal was puzzling and even before then they had been able to block our use of the Force to a limited area."

That could've easily been explained away with the possible use of ysalamiri but Alec held some reservations about that; specifically about why you would keep such creatures around when their experiment with the crystal was all about the Force? Considering the Rakata's history, it wouldn't surprise him if they had devised a way to indirectly control the Force. Or the crystal had a hand in that too, he didn't know. He hoped he never would because it meant that B'lak and his research had been completely destroyed. Only planetary scans and search teams, such as what was being proposed, will let them know.

With the subject of the Rakata out of the way for now, Alec listened intently when Master Lahana updated him on Dovey's condition. To hear that her sight had recovered caused him to visibly express relief. "That's good to hear. Hopefully anyone else who had experienced side effects from the Force Event will recover as well." Obviously that meant Gaan as well.

It was at that time that one of the medical droids came in, its mechanical arms carrying a folded bundle of tan and brown cloth. Alec recognized them immediately: his Jedi robes, apparently cleaned and repaired. After muttering a quick thank you to the droid, Alec took the clothing in his hands.

"Excuse me," Alec spoke to the others before sliding off his bed. There was a screen in the corner of the recovery room meant to offer some privacy to swap clothes. Alec made his way to it, making sure he was completely behind it before stripping off the white medical gown and immediately throwing his cloak and robes over his form to replace it. Even as he changed though, he would still be able to hear Master Lahana and the others and could still speak with them if needed.

TAG: The_Zeltron, BultarSwan, @Tim_Battershell

 

IC: Tim Battershell
Medbay - Temple of Light

Tim noted the Grand Master's nod and gave her a respectful bow after she said she'd raise the matter with Grand Master Decinchi. He was curious about her "as we've been attacked, but not here" phrasing, but elected not to pursue it further. Unless any of the other Guardians had a background in Illusionists' techniques, he'd probably be given further information if and when the time came to survey the Temple.

He certainly wasn't going to go searching on his own, the 'killing apartment' he and Prestorious had been coerced into clearing of its lethal traps had taught him how dangerous such work could be; both of them had had narrow escapes, only coming out alive because they were working as a team and covering each other's moves. The being the apartment had been set up to ensnare (and two that had entered individually much later) hadn't.

He'd just finished accessing that memory when the young Jedi replied; "No. None of them possessed any capability to use the Force.... But that didn't stop them from manipulating it in other ways. Just the fact that they managed to not only create but control the crystal was puzzling and even before then they had been able to block our use of the Force to a limited area."

"Interesting information, particularly the last portion of it"; Tim thought, as the young man took delivery of a set of robes from a Droid, excused himself, and went behind a screen to dress. "Unfortunate that they can't be dated, but that probably doesn't matter, except to an academic. But if there's even the possibility of more Rakata running around, I'd better find out just how good, or poorly, my swordsmanship ranks on the Jedi scale, and quickly!"

Alec Vandel's need to take things easy for a while ruled him out as a potential sparring partner and while he'd noticed the other woman in the room, who (although seated) gave the impression of being a warrior, probably a highly skilled one, he'd also noticed subtle movements that hinted at her being none too comfortable either with his presence or with that of Grand Master Lahana or both, so he didn't address her directly.

Also there was the factor that no one had yet commented on his Tapani-style one-handed Lightsaber or its unusual horizontal rig. Could it be that they hadn't recognised it for what it was yet? Had the circular handguard and its locking collar (both of Lightsaber-resistant phrik, and both screwed onto the actual emitter) put them off? Directing his attention back to Grand Master Lahana, but actually addressing everyone in the room, he said;

"Is there anyone available who can judge how well I handle this thing, Grand Master?"; tapping the weapon to draw attention to it.


TAG: BultarSwan, Sarge221, The_Zeltron.

 

IC: Eira Dryn
Library

Master Zey was somewhat unsettling, perhaps because she hadn't met someone with such power he had in a very long time. Perhaps she never had. Whatever the cause, it was leaving her unsure of what to say, and Eira was grateful when she heard another voice.

"I'm interrupting something aren't I?"

A human woman, another one, one she hadn't seen or didn't remember seeing down in the cafeteria or in the hangar, had entered. Master Zey took over the introductions and, belatedly, Eira stood and closed her terminal. It had been awhile since she had to observe social niceties, this would take some getting used to.

"No my dear, not interrupting us at all. I was just introducing my self to Eira here." She nodded at the human woman but said nothing.

"I am Master Hector Zey, of the New Jedi Order, it seems I have not been myself for much of the past decade. I have your Grandmaster to thank for rescuing me."

Rescuing? It still wasn't clear to her what had happened to cause so many Jedi to return to the temple all at once, especially not so many children. The temple had been starting to seem like a safe place but that was maybe a false impression. Eira needed to find out more, which was difficult when, beyond the Grand Master, she had no idea who was in charge or who to ask such things.

"Am I to assume that you are both Guardians?"

Eira glanced at the other woman, but answered first when the woman didn't start. "No, definitely not. I've only been here a couple days, and I'm not here to join them." She crossed her arms. "I doubt they'd want me anyway, only ever learned one trick." Not entirely true, but the things she'd learned as a kid and since forgotten didn't really count in her mind. Maybe later she could tell them, but not yet.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik Skywalker_T-65

 

IC: Lenea Sandstrider
Temple of Light, Library

"No my dear, not interrupting us at all. I was just introducing my self to Eira here." He gestured to the woman who still sat at the terminal.

Lenea nodded slightly, as the man continued, "I am Master Hector Zey, of the New Jedi Order, it seems I have not been myself for much of the past decade. I have your Grandmaster to thank for rescuing me."

Rescue? Was he in the ruins too? Maybe he can tell me what happened there...

As Lenea thought that, Zey finished his talk with a simple question, "Am I to assume that you are both Guardians?"

Before Lenea could answer, she noticed the other woman (Eira?) open her mouth to talk. So Lenea shut her own moth, and let the near-human woman have her say first. If nothing else, Danny had managed to get at least some politeness knocked into her head.

"No, definitely not. I've only been here a couple days, and I'm not here to join them." She crossed her arms. "I doubt they'd want me anyway, only ever learned one trick."

Seeing that it was her turn to speak, Lenea turned to the Jedi Master and grinned, "Nope. Not technically anyway. I have some minor training that my brother Danny managed to beat into my head, but I've never been one for the whole Jedi thing. He's the resident Guardian of the family."

Reaching down to her robe's belt, Lenea pulled off her black lightsaber, "I know how to use this and a few Force tricks, but that's about it."

TAG: Bardan_Jusik , Rebecca_Daniels

 

IC Ian Thrace
Temple of Light Hangar Bay

Ian started to shake visibly at Taab's words. He didn't like this, no he didn't like it one bit. He didn't want to spy on his masters, on his fellow Jedi all to satisfy the Mandalorian's curiosity. He had already done so much for them to look down upon, and yet he was still here. He couldn't betray them, not now, not ever.

But he was afraid to tell Taab that. Afraid that Taab might snap and beat him, like his underling Kor'le had done. Ian was sick and tired of being weak and helpless. He just wanted to be left alone and be allowed to keep to his studies. If he became a true Jedi, then he would learn to defend himself and be truly safe. But he wasn't a Jedi yet, certainly not one that could take on the bounty hunter before him.

Ian looked deep inside himself. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before responding, every finer of his being feared the words that came out of his mouth. "No."

He repeated himself. "No, I won't do your bidding and betray my friends". He realized that calling the other Jedi his friends might be stretching things, no one seemed to like him at all. But he didn't know what he was saying at the moment, the words just seemed to flow from his mouth. "You want to know what happened out there? Then you are going to have to find out yourself."

TAG Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Beskaryc Taab
Hanger Bay 8, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

"You want to know what happened out there? Then you are going to have to find out yourself."

Taab was taken aback momentarily, he hadn't expected Twitchy (Ian) to stand up for himself, ever. He smiled behind his T-Visor, doing his best to keep the amusement out of his voice. "So Twitchy, looks like you have some gett'se after all." He moved in closer, leaning forward so his buy'ce (helmet) was only inches from the the padawan's face. Then he started to chuckle, "About shabla time." He moved back away and straightened up, letting loose a full belly laugh that echoed off the walls of the nearly empty hanger bay.

"Go on Twitchy, go find something to do with yourself."

TAG: Gotab

---

IC: General Hector Zey
Library, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

"No, definitely not. I've only been here a couple days, and I'm not here to join them." She crossed her arms, a subtle cue from Eira that she wanted to be left alone, or an innocent force of habit? "I doubt they'd want me anyway, only ever learned one trick."

Zey stroked his beard thoughtfully at Eira's declaration. She certainly seemed to be the loner type, and very guarded. The years during the war had been tough for force users, specifically Jedi. But the war was over now, and had been for some time. What had happened to her to give her such feelings? The answer to that would have to wait as the other woman spoke.

"Nope. Not technically anyway. I have some minor training that my brother Danny managed to beat into my head, but I've never been one for the whole Jedi thing. He's the resident Guardian of the family." Reaching down to her robe's belt, she pulled off her black lightsaber, "I know how to use this and a few Force tricks, but that's about it."

Zey smiled again. She had given her brother's name but not her own. How curious. Did she define herself by that role as her brother's sister, or was it simple oversight? He responded to them both.

"So neither of you are currently Jedi and yet you have both found your way here. I do not subscribe to mere chance or coincidence. The Force has brought you to this Temple, to this very library, just as it has brought me. There is a reason to it I am sure. One that we may be able to discern through focus, discipline and meditation."

He turned to Eira. "You say you have no intention of joining the Guardians, and yet here you sit. Surely that is for some purpose, though what it is is something only you can know." He paused now, thinking on what he had just said. The force also had brought him away from the NJO to this Temple. Perhaps it was the will of the Force for him to also join this break away sect of Jedi. He pushed the thought from his mind. It was something he would need to speak to the Grandmaster about when he was able. Until then he would have to be patient.

"If you desire more guidance in this, you may call upon me." He inclined his head towards her before turning his attention to the other woman, thus far unnamed.

"And you my dear. Simply showing some ability with a blade is not enough. Perhaps all three of us need to speak with the Grandmaster and his council when time allows." He winked to her now, "But before we do that, could you do an old man a favor and tell me your name?"

TAG: Rebecca_Daniels, Skywalker_T-65

 

IC: Lenea Sandstrider
Temple of Light, Library

"And you my dear. Simply showing some ability with a blade is not enough. Perhaps all three of us need to speak with the Grandmaster and his council when time allows." He winked to her now, "But before we do that, could you do an old man a favor and tell me your name?"

Even as Zey finished his sentence, Lenea realized her mistake. She was too used to talking to people who knew her name in some way or another...and a faint blush came up as she fully realized she hadn't named herself. At least Danny was occupied and not mentally laughing at her...

"Sorry about that...I'm so used to everyone on the ship and back home knowing me I forgot to say my name..." she scratched the back of her head in embarrassment, "I'm Lenea...Lenea Sandstrider."


TAG: Bardan_Jusik , Rebecca_Daniels

 

IC: Alisha Tano
Location: Temple of Light, Library

Alisha decided to show the Journeyman the vast library first in the tour she agreed to give. It had taken a bit longer to get there than she had planned; thanks to the time she spent not moving in the Med Bay, her legs were a bit weak.

Jaxon did look concerned at first, but she was walking normally again before long, and the two reached the entrance of the library. Noticing several different auras inside, she almost paused at the entrance. But of course, she couldn't just stop; at some point she'd have to learn the names of all these new people.

She didn't speak, but decided to show Jaxon around in the aisles of books, so those inside could speak to her if they wanted.

TAG: Anyone in the library, if they want to talk?

 

Alec Vandel
Saridona Prime, Temple of Light, Medbay

There seemed to be little other conversation going on even as Alec finished changing into his formal Jedi robes. After sticking his feet into his boots, the young Jedi finished his attire by grasping and placing his cloak over his form. He left his hood down though.

By the time he had stepped around the curtain, clipping his lightsaber to his belt as he did so, Alec was just in time for Tim Battershell to draw attention to his own weapon. Obviously, with his condition Alec couldn't do any physical training, but it didn't stop him from looking at the odd weapon with narrowed eyes. When he had been allowed to finally construct his own lightsaber, Alec had researched through the many various lightsaber variants that had been witnessed and recorded throughout the galaxy. Although he had eventually chosen a simple, green-bladed lightsaber with plans to construct it into a double-blade, he had gained knowledge about other, knockoff versions of the lightsaber. This included the Tapani lightfoil.

It was becoming increasingly obvious that Battershell was not a fighter so Alec's first thought was that the man had selected poorly when he had chosen a weapon that highly favored a one-handed, dueling technique. It would be tricky to master and at Battershell's current caliber, potentially a waste at attempting. Especially when compared to a regular lightsaber. That was where Alec had his next set of problems when it came to a lightfoil. The standard construction of a lightsaber was one of generalization. With slight differences and inputs that the constructor may be willing to administer on their weapon during construction, a lightsaber can be used for a variety of purposes which could extend from dueling to blaster deflection. The lightfoil, being one to fully embrace the dueling ways, would fair poorly if put to use in ways other then dueling. In Alec's opinion, one should just go with the standard modification of lightsaber to better fit with the dueling style: that being the curved hilt.

Of course, then there was the history behind the lightfoil and its darkside origins. Although to be fair, Alec's previous double-blade held its own ties to the dark side before it would come to the hands of the Jedi. However, the difference between the double-blade and the lightfoil was that one was proven to be able to be properly suited for the Jedi Order. The latter was not.

Keeping his objections to himself though, Alec passed the crowded individuals and made his way out of the medbay. Over his shoulder he spoke, "It does seem that we are done here for now until Master Decinchi can give his input on the situation. I'll be heading to the library then if anyone needs me."

The library was the only place in the Temple that currently interested Alec and, more importantly, was really the only place he could do anything. Lightsaber practice and refining his control of the Force were both Jedi-related activities that were banned from him until he recovered fully. So...library. Of course, there was the fact that Alec actually liked libraries. Books had been one of the few commodities he was allowed as, obviously, lightsabers and Force training was going to be a lot harder to keep from the public eye. When he had been given asylum in the Jedi Order's Hidden Temple, Alec had been given access to a vault of Jedi knowledge in the form of holobooks and other, more antiquated paperbacks and hard covers.

He supposed the brief feeling of excitement he felt before he smothered it at the idea of seeing what the Guardians held was similar to how he felt back then.

Having been to the library before, it didn't take long for Alec to locate it from the medbay. Expecting some nice peace and quiet where he could read, Alec was surprised when he noticed that the library was apparently populated with a variety of guests. He walked in just in time to see a young, female Togruta and what had to be one of the Mandalorians - Journeyman Knight or otherwise - disappear within the shelves of book. Off to the side he saw a trio gathered around: a human woman he didn't recognize and another, younger woman although her hair color and skin tone marked her as a near-human. Neither of them wore any armor that would mark them as Mandalorians. Guardians then?

As for the third...

"Master Zey!" Unable to help himself, a smile appeared on Alec's face upon spotting one of the Masters of his own Order. Approaching the older man, Alec gave him a respectful bow before nodding his head in greeting to the two women that were in his company. The smile still on his face, clearly displaying relief at seeing Master Zey well and apparently with no lasting injuries from the Ruins, Alec spoke again, "I see that you are already exploring. I hadn't seen you in the MedBay so I assumed you were either in perfect health or were meeting with the Grand Masters. I just left Master Lahana in the MedBay after giving my report on what happened in the Ruins."

TAG: Bardan_Jusik, Rebecca_Daniels, Lenea_Sandstrider, CPL_Macja, Padawan4687, The_Zeltron, BultarSwan, Tim Battershell

 

IC: Eira Dryn
Library

Lenea - as she eventually introduced herself - said she had a Jedi brother, which was interesting, but she didn't sound all that more advanced than Eira herself. Good to know that even those exposed to Jedi teachings didn't always pick them up, though that lightsaber was something she was itching to try out; it would probably be too weird, since there wouldn't be any weight to the blade, but bladed weapons, if slightly esoteric, were her passion.

"So neither of you are currently Jedi and yet you have both found your way here. I do not subscribe to mere chance or coincidence. The Force has brought you to this Temple, to this very library, just as it has brought me. There is a reason to it I am sure. One that we may be able to discern through focus, discipline and meditation."

He turned to Eira. "You say you have no intention of joining the Guardians, and yet here you sit. Surely that is for some purpose, though what it is is something only you can know."

The Jedi Master was sure something. Eira didn't know if it was Jedi intuition or if he was just guessing but he was more right than wrong. For a moment, she considered asking him what he knew of tracking down beings through the Force, but he continued speaking before she could work up the resolve - and the words - to express her needs.

"If you desire more guidance in this, you may call upon me." Master Zey then turned his attention to Lenea, and Eira felt her window of opportunity close. There was still time, she reasoned, and if she could get an audience with the Grand Master then everything might work out. Still, getting to know a Jedi couldn't hurt.

A young Togruta entered with a young man in tow, and they wandered the shelves; more Jedi? She hadn't realised the library would be such a popular spot. With such an audience of unknowns, of Force sensitives, she didn't know what to say; her survival skills were honed for cities, for back alleys and bars, for places where every unknown was assumed to be dangerous. The same wasn't true here, and it made her feel all the more lost.

"Master Zey!"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of yet another Jedi - this one definitely identifiable by his robes. His appearance was more surprising than that, however: were all Jedi so handsome? She banished the thought as soon as it arrived, focusing instead on what he said to the Jedi master he had greeted.

"I see that you are already exploring. I hadn't seen you in the MedBay so I assumed you were either in perfect health or were meeting with the Grand Masters. I just left Master Lahana in the MedBay after giving my report on what happened in the Ruins."

More talk of something happening in the ruins, whatever those were. Eira had to almost literally bite her tongue to keep the questions from bursting out, but she resisted the urge. If she was patient, she'd probably get her questions answered anyway, and she wouldn't even have to ask.

Keeping her attention on the two Jedi and Lenea, Eira slid out of the conversation and towards the bookshelves, where she picked up a book at random and opened it to a random place, pretending to read.

TAG: Skywalker_T-65, Bardan_Jusik, Sarge221, Padawan4687

 

IC: Tim Battershell
MedBay - Temple of Light

Alec Vandel emerged from behind the privacy screen just as Tim tapped his Lightsaber and immediately left the room, tossing a remark, about waiting for Grand Master Decinchi's input, back over his shoulder as he did so. Tim was rather shocked at such a abrupt (virtually rude) exit, not as regards himself - he was nobody special in this environment - but at the disrespect it showed to Grand Master Lahana's rank, and her person; as well as towards the other lady in the room, who still hadn't spoken. Respect cost almost nothing to show, just the time taken to make two or three bows, or even one collective bow; neither was there the poor excuse of going stir-crazy to account for Vandel's behaviour, he simply hadn't (assuming he'd come back to the Temple at more-or-less the same time as the others) been under a restriction of enforced inactivity for long enough!

Nor, in Vandel's haste, had he thought to recover the book he'd placed on the silent lady's lap, saying it needed to be returned to the Library.... and it was the Library he was heading for, or so he'd just said! So, not only disrespectful, but also liable to make extra work for others! Didn't the current leadership of the New Jedi Order even try to instil some vestige of the social graces in its trainees, nowadays? It would be of a piece with K'Kruhk and his fellow Old Republic Jedi leaving Luke Skywalker to accomplish the Herculean task of rebuilding the Jedi Order entirely on his own, not even offering advice and assistance; and then moving in and taking over after Luke had done all the hard work and was safely out of the picture. And to cap it all, those products of a failed Order had gone and let themselves be blindsided by Sith yet again!

Vandel's reaction to getting a clear look at Tim's Lightsaber hadn't been missed either. Disdain, mixed with a touch of disgust, had shown clearly in the involuntary movements of his lips; even though he hadn't commented verbally or let anything leak into the Force. As usual when he utilised Prestorious' teachings, Tim said a silent, mental, 'Thank You' to his late mentor for having equipped him with such a valuable skill-set.

It was possible that Vandel thought it to be a genuine Tapani Lightfoil, of course, instead of being (as it had been) constructed from blueprints provided by Luke and assembled with a great deal of guidance from the one of the holo-recordings made by Corran Horn into a Tapani-style hilt (a Jedi blade in Tapani clothing, so to speak). Or perhaps he just didn't think that weapons designed for use in one hand were any good in combat - which ignored much of the history of bladed weapons through the ages!

Or perhaps he was an inveterate 'hack and slash' man, a type rather disparagingly referred to by most of the University's blades-masters as a 'TBB' (Taught By Butcher) and quite prone, according to those same blades-masters, to taking a penetrating wound in the 'Shiak' from a quick, well-timed, thrust during a backswing or wind-up!

Of course he needed a sample size of more than one to establish if the presumed underestimation of his weapon's capabilities was widely shared among the Jedi; but if the Jedi mistook it, then so might the Sith! Nothing like an overconfident opponent!

Turning again to the Grand Master he said;"Please carry on thinking about someone to assess my swordsmanship, Grand Master; but if I may now excuse myself? I have some recent thoughts to meditate on, but I'll be contactable via comlink if you need me."

With a deep bow to both women (plus a "Ma'am" preceding the one directed at the silent warrior) Tim left MedBay, heading for Hangar 2.


TAG: BultarSwan, The_Zeltron, (indirectly Sarge221).

 

IC:Josch Decinchi
Grand Masters’ Quarters, Temple of Light

“You found someone haven’t you? Kasha mentioned you and her talked with mom. She said it sounded like you were looking for closure with the marriage. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy you found someone. When do I get to meet her?”

In amazement, Josch slowly shook his head while a small grin curled the corner of his lips. “Your mom did that to me all the time before you were born. She always seemed to have most of the info before I had a chance to share it with her.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze and then let go of them. He wandered behind her towards his caf maker, “But, like your mom, you only have part of the story.” He pulls two mugs out of one of the overhead cabinets and starts pouring the dark, hot liquid into them. “It is true that I have fallen in love and it is a relief to know that I have your support.” He walks back over with the two steaming mugs. He places one on the table in front of Keira. Into the other he pours a liberal amount of the contents of his hip flask. “As far as meeting her, you probably have already. But I have also asked her to join us,[color]” looks up the wall chronometer, “and she should be arriving shortly.”

The old Jedi took a slow sip off of his mug, “I am planning on asking her to marry me and wanted to know your thoughts?”

TAG: Falcon BultarSwan (indirectly)[/b]

 

IC: Miria Lahana
Med Bay; her quarters

Miria pondered what Tim had asked after he had left. It was one more thing to add to the list of things that needed to get done around the temple. For a moment she let it swirl in her head before taking a deep breath, allowing herself to set it all aside and make her way out of the med bay and to her room. She knew she could check on all the different individuals and groups of people along the way but she’d already kept Josch waiting.

Once she arrived at the door, out of politeness, she knocked.


TAG: CPL_Macja ; Falcon

 

IC: Dovey Lahana
Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

Dovey had yet to meet Voj’s eyes and she planned on keeping it that way, for a while at least. Instead she looked at their hands, flexing her fingers once, twice before relaxing them. “That picture you showed me. You said that was your grandmother but you both looked to be about the same age. How is that possible?”


TAG: CPL_Macja