Star Wars: Episode VII: Twilight of the Light Force

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Barriss Offee

Jedi Temple

Barriss sensed it a moment before Ahsoka did and immediately threw herself in front of Ahsoka, arms stretched out as she reached out with the Force and attempted to shield them from the explosion.

She was still thrown back by it, of course.

Ahsoka drew a shield around them too, which meant rather than being crushed against the wall of their room, they went through it, into the corridor and central plaza. The Togruta blinked, coughing in the dust, and checking Barriss with the Force. "Are you okay?"

Barriss coughed as well as she looked around her.

"No broken bones, at least," she admitted. "But w-what happened?"

"A bomb," Ahsoka said with certainty. She brushed aside dust from Barriss' shoulders, and helped her up.

There was a sound of clattering, and trooping from the lower levels of the Temple, but through the cracked glass of the windows, they could see that the High Council's tower was tumbling away from them -

"What in the Force -"

Barriss winced, but not from her injuries. She could feel it in the Force.

Pain.

People were dying.

"We need to go help," she told Ahsoka.

The clattering resolved into footsteps - many of them. Rounding the corner can a rush of Super Battle Droids. Ahsoka ignited her own weapons. "What in the -"

They began firing -

Barriss's lightsaber leapt into her hand and she ignited its blue blade. After deflecting the fire back at the enemy, she reached out with the Force and targeted the droids, pushing them back.

The droids clattered back, into each other, tripping some, and then more rounded the corner -

Ahsoka deflected bolts into some of the droids, but they were bulky, and they needed to close the distance -

"Me or you?" Ahsoka said. Which one would cover, and which one would close?

The Force merely spoke of danger - there was so much surrounding them.

"I cover, you close," Barriss said as she reached out with the Force again, this time lifting the droids into the air, throwing off their aim. She couldn't keep this up for too long, but she could do it long enough to give Ahsoka the chance to close that distance.

Ahsoka used the Force to touch speed to her feet and was suddenly besides the droid -

A blade slashed through the armor -

And cut-out -

Ahsoka was surprised, and in that moment she managed to get her blade up to deflect a near-point blank shot, but a droid fist crashed into her chin and sent her flying into the air -

The eight Super Battle Droids paused as they got back to their feet, targeting her as one -

Barriss responded by reaching out with the Force, throwing the Super Battle Droids back before they could fire on Ahsoka. Then she targeted the ceiling, making bits of it crack and fall... right on top of the droids, burying them.

After they were dealt with, Barriss rushed over to Ahsoka, helping her up. "Are you okay?"

Ahsoka had a massive welt on her face, but looked fine. "Our blades don't work on them."

She looked around, a little dazed. "Didn't know you had a twin, hun."

"Fortunately for us, a Jedi does not only need to rely on their blade," Barriss said as she tended to her girlfriend, touching her face gently.

"We need to keep moving."

Ahsoka let Barriss help her, deactivating her blades.

"We need to... check the younglings - or the Council - the Jensaarai were visiting..." She was slurring her words. A concussion? "The Hapans, the Mandalorians... the election -"

"Stay with me, Ahsoka," Barriss said. She knew she couldn't leave Ahsoka alone. Not like this. "Let's find the younglings..."

They made their way to the younglings quarters, and there was a trail of debris and droid parts. Apparently cutting right through the middle of the droid body meant there was a seam where the material which shorted out lightsabers wasn't evident; several Super Battle Droids were in half.

The quarters were quiet, the doors sealed, as if a trap was poised.

Barriss paused and decided to reach out with the Force, trying to determine if the younglings were in the room or not.

They were, but at reaching, she would feel the person who had guided them to be quiet.

Luminara stepped from the shadows, and gave Barriss a smile. "Apprentice."

Barriss paused. "Master?" she asked, a bit cautious.

"Sorry, I found it easier to protect the children if I made it look like the area was abandoned, setting up a trap." Luminara stepped forward to Ahsoka. "Master Tano, are you alright?"

Ahsoka lapsed into unconsciousness.

"Barriss?" Luminara said, looking concerned.

"Ahsoka?" Barriss asked, looking at her girlfriend in fear. She didn't think that her injury had been that bad. "Ahsoka?!"

She turned to Luminara. "We need to find somewhere to put her down. Now."

"The medbay has already been hit, the medic had to flee," Luminara said, looking concerned. "You were a healer, Barriss, remember the ways and paths." A series of clanks. Luminara stepped between them and the incoming. "I will defend you."

Barriss shook her head. "No, we need to get out of the open," she told her master. "We need to hide."

She paused.

"There are alternatives to fighting."

Luminara smiled. "I happen to agree."

At that, they swept into the same room as the children, all under ten, all with only practice blades. Luminara indicated the rear of the room. "With two of us, we can cut swiftly."

Barriss followed Luminara while carrying Ahsoka. She looked over the children.

"Understood," she told her former master.

And so they did, as the clanking - the clankers - grew closer. The children remained calm, as Jedi younglings were trained to, and they kept watch over Ahsoka. The circle would shortly complete between Master and Apprentice, former, yes, but forever tied together.

"So your connection remains unfettered with Master Tano," she said, quietly, neutral in tone.

"I'm... not sure what you mean, Master," Barriss said, her tone also quiet and neutral as she tried to listen to the sound of clanking.

"Your emotions are everywhere, to someone who knows you," Luminara said good-naturedly. "I appreciate the Council has yet to rule on this, but do be a bit more subtle for your old Master."

"Noted," Barriss said, frowning. "Can we talk about this later? I'd rather focus on not being murdered by droids right now."

The cut was completed, mercifully, and Luminara smiled. "Of course."

They were outside the Temple now, and they could escape. "Come, children," Luminara soothed. "We can get to safety now."

-

IC: Ren and Marinda

Rattatak

Out of all the backwater worlds in the galaxy, Rattatak was probably Ren's favorite. It was an isolated world, its history determined by never ending battles between its species. It was a world ruled by its warlords and its gladiator games. Its population was mainly those who had been driven out of the Unknown Regions by the Croke Hive Mind... which included the Knights of Ren.

Yes, Ren loved Rattatak. Why wouldn't he? It was a world perfect for someone with his philosophy. People who took whatever they wanted, lived however they wanted, and did whatever they needed to prevail. His kind of people.

Sometimes he would watch the gladiator games, looking for anyone with the Shadow. Other times he would join the games himself if he was bored enough. They were never too challenging, but they were still amusing on occasion. Though this was a planet of killers, there was only one who really interested Ren.

Ventress.

Decades ago, a "warlock" fell from the sky, claiming to be an emissary of the Galactic Republic. The native population being what it was, they attempted to kill the warlock on sight. He survived and found a young girl named Asajj Ventress. This warlock, a Jedi named Ky Narec, took Ventress as his Padawan and began training her in the ways of the Force. Together they united armies and brought peace to the planet. This caused the other warlords to work together to try and kill the pair. But the only killed the master and an enraged Ventress gave into the Shadow, killing those responsible for her master's death and establishing a totalitarian regime over the planet.

That was decades ago. To this day, she continued to rule over the planet. She was also an ally of the Knights, giving them a place to crash in. But she was another reason why Ren liked this planet...

"You're thinking about it again, aren't you?" his second, Marinda, asked as they dueled in their base, her energy batons clashing against his red-bladed lightsaber. The rest of the Knights were watching. "You and Ventress?"

"She's an impressive woman," Ren said, smirking behind her mask. "Sure, she's on the older side... but that's not a problem for me."

"You really think a woman like that would lower herself to you?" Marinda asked, her tone almost mocking.

"Plenty of women like to get low," Ren said, causing Marinda to shake her head.

"Gross," she said. "You know that one of you would probably end up dead, right?"

Ren considered it. "Yeah," he acknowledged. "Probably best to keep it strictly business. More opportunity there, anyway."

The two ended their duel and turned to their fellow Knights.

The twins, Maul and Savage, were chewing over the HoloNet updates. They didn't like Rattatak, comparatively, and they didn't like Ventress, at all. Not that they'd said why. Savage prodded the display.

"It's all going down on Coruscant."

"We should be there," Maul added, almost snakily.

"It's a bit too hot on Coruscant, isn't it?" Ren pointed out as he walked over to the Zabrak brothers. "I mean, that's the Core. And I mean no offense, but how many of you have actually killed a Jedi?"

Marinda stayed quiet. Like Ventress, she had Jedi training. She was the only Knight with Jedi training. And while that certainly helped her become Ren's second-in-command, Marinda sometimes worried that it alienated the other Knights to have a former Jedi trainee amongst them. Not that she ever let her worry show.

And Marinda knew that Ren knew more than he was letting on as well. She knew that Ren had been contacted prior by an unknown source who offered a huge sums of money for the Knights of Ren to be on Coruscant. But Ren didn't like the fact that he didn't know who was sending the money and what their game was. He didn't want the Knights of Ren to be their pawns.

After all, pawns were meant to be sacrificed.

Instead, Ren wanted to see how this played out first.

"But when the heat dies down... there could be opportunity," Ren suggested.

Maul and Savage silenced up. Their joint voices gave them weight in discussion, but Ren usually spoke sense, and sense listened to sense. But like siblings inevitably are, the eldest has thoughts and the youngest follows. Maul spoke up. "So that's the plan? To wait out the chaos?"

The other Knights were reticent. They had no stake either way. Someone would die, one way or another.

A chime.

It was their mysterious benefactor.

Behind his mask, Ren smiled when he heard the chime.

"Perhaps not, depending on what our benefactor wants," he said. He pulled out his comm and answered it in front of his fellow Knights. He saw no reason to keep secrets from them. "Hey, this is Ren."

"You're not here," she said, and the voice was clearly female, behind a cloak, whereas before the voice had been male, or made to sound so. "I was expecting the fabled Knights of Ren to leap at the opportunity to slay Jedi."

"Yeah, well, sorry to disappoint you," Ren said. "But there are a few things. First, I don't know you. And I don't know who I was talking to earlier. And I don't know what your endgame is."

He looked back at Marinda and the other Knights. "These are my people. I call the shots and I'm not going to risk their lives on a potential bad job where we don't even know who we're working for. We may be legendary, but we're not idiots."

Well, some of them weren't idiots.

"If you want our services, you're gonna have to do more than offer credits and promise the deaths of Jedi. Because that's usually only the beginning, isn't it?"

Ren was certainly interested in credits and the glory of killing Jedi, of course. But he knew there was more in this galaxy as well.

She paused. "My name is Darth Traya. The fourth of my name, if it matters to you."

A dry chuckle. "But my Master was the one who contacted you, and I am now managing his affairs while he attends to other matters."

Her robes were black, and baggy, concealing her, revealing only a human chin to them.

"I promise you glory, and the power to do as you please. Carte blanche authority in the new Empire to come." A smile. "Each as Lords of the Sith."

Beneath his mask, Ren smiled.

The Sith? Now this was interesting...

The Sith had been believed extinct for a thousand years, survived only by their relics. Ren's knowledge of the Sith was limited, but he knew more than the average galactic citizen. He knew a thing or two about their history and their philosophy. And he would not be taken as a fool.

"Forgive me for my ignorance, but I thought there could only be two Sith Lords at a time," Ren pointed out. "A master and an apprentice. So how exactly can you promise to make us Lords of the Sith?"

While he spoke, Marinda shuffled uncomfortably. She remembered hearing stories of the Sith during her Jedi training. She believed that the Sith were now nothing but ghosts.

And yet here was one of these ghosts, talking to Ren right now.

She allowed conceit to form in her voice. "Once we are victorious, there will be no need for two Sith. We will have destroyed the Jedi, and their Republic, and risen a great Empire in it's place. Even now, the Jedi Temple burns, and Senators are dying." A smugness. "But not those aligned with the Grand Design."

Ah. There it was.

A subtle threat.

Ren nodded. "I understand," he said. "And what role do you wish the Knights of Ren to play in your 'Grand Design'?"

"Jedi need to die. We need to thin the herd, precipitate a lack of faith in the Order, and then the militarization of the galaxy." She crowed. "War will be our very weapon, Ren."

Ren was starting to put it together.

"So we're, what, your scapegoat?" he asked. "You want war. You want militarization. For what purpose, I can't be certain. But to create a war, you need to give the Republic an enemy."

He crossed his arms. "Which is why you're hiring out others to attack the Jedi instead of doing it yourself. You need others who can take the fall."

Behind his mask, he glared at Traya. "How do we know you're not just trying to get rid of us, potential rivals, by sending us against the Jedi and hoping that we destroy each other?"

Traya smiled. "What's to stop me handing you over to the Jedi now, or indeed, you going to them with the information that a Sith Lord is pulling the strings of their latest crisis?"

Ren smiled as well, even if his smile was hidden. "I suppose that leaves us at an impasse. Is now when, what's that phrase... oh right, negotiations. Is now when negotiations begin?"

Marinda watched Ren in awe. Though Ren sometimes pretended to be nothing more than a glorified thug, she knew better. She knew that Ren was smart. And he was certainly bold as well, talking to a Sith like this.

She just hoped that he indeed knew what he was doing.

A chuckle. "So, negotiate. What do you want?"

"A sweeter offer," Ren said. "I want to know more about the plan and our part in it. I want to know what we're getting from it."

He paused.

"A little trust goes a long way, after all."

"A star system for each of you? Or a whole sector?" She said, glibly.

"Hmm, how about we... think it over?" Ren suggested.

"Fine," she said drily. "I have Jedi to kill. Let me know when the Knights of Ren want to do some killing."

Cutting the line abruptly, there was a sudden moment of silence which the Nightbrother twins looked at Ren pointedly.

Ren was silent for a moment before he removed his mask and turned to the Nightbrothers and the rest of the Knights.

"Well?" he asked. "Don't stay silent. Let me know what you're thinking."

Maul sounded as precise as ever. "It strikes me that we should be looking to do the maximum damage we can."

"And to who?" Ren asked. "The Jedi... or the Sith?"

He shook his head. "Betrayal is the way of the Sith. Mystery lady there was named Darth Traya." He turned to Marinda. "Does that name sound familiar to you at all?"

Marinda gave a small nod. "Yeah," she admitted, remembering one of the ghost stories she heard from the Jedi. "Darth Traya. The Lord of Betrayal."

Ren turned back to the other Knights. "I don't know about you, but I don't think I trust someone who names themselves after the 'Lord of Betrayal'."

"Jedi are not to be trusted," came a silky voice. "And as many Sith are former Jedi, they, too, should not be trusted."



Ventress had joined them; the Dark Queen of Rattatak.

Ren turned to Ventress, grinning. "Ah, and there's our hostess!" he declared with a small bow. "Sounds like you were overhearing our conversation with Traya, Asajj."

"Rattatak is my world," she reminded him, lightly, stepping forward and placing a hand on his chest with a seductive if sarcastic expression. "I like to know who is contacting it."

"Darth Traya, you say? The Lord of Betrayal. I suppose she gets points at least for honesty."

Ren chuckled. "I mean, have you heard some Sith names? Darth Desolous? Darth Ruin? Darth Phobos? The Sith were not exactly known for their subtlety."

Of course, he did have two members of his group named Maul and Savage. So perhaps he was not one to talk.

"So, Asajj, what do you suggest we do about our Sith friends?"

"Use them, of course," she said drily. "Jedi need to die, their hegemony of hypocrisy needs to be broken. The Sith will do that, but you must not lose more than you can afford to."

The two Nightbrothers are uncharacteristically quiet, but that was no surprise; Ventress was a Nightsister by blood.

"So you think we should take them up on their offer?" Ren asked. "Play along... for now, at least?"

Later was a different story.

"I have had separate contact from the Sith," she said, drily. "They don't seem to realize we are in contact. I intend to do as they ask for now - I have been noticed, and I need not have their attention here. My domain will remain loyal and fear my return." A smile. "And I haven't killed a Jedi for years."

Ren nodded and turned to the rest of the Knights. "Alright, it's decided then," he told the others. "We're gonna kill ourselves some Jedi."

"And then, when we need to, kill the Sith?" Asajj said, darkly.

Ren just smiled. "Of course. Kill Jedi. Kill Sith. Become legends."

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett, The Armorer, Trilla Suduri
Courscant

Madelyn felt a sense of danger before the explosion; and only just managed to keep herself steady as the explosion rocked the ship. Heck no. She looked out the window as one of the pillars where the Jedi Council met was okay and heard the armorer swore as their ship was grabbed and started pulling them in.

Madelyn looked at Trilla; letting out a sharp breath as she moved not to the guns but to a nearby seat and put on a headset. She had to tell them it wasn't them. Didn't they know she was leaving on a mission?

"Can someone explain to me why your pulling me in?" Madelyn asked as she flicked on the comm. "I had nothing to do with that do you understand? Why the hell are you pulling in two Jedi and sending fighters after us? Let go." She ordered firmly not only with her voice but with the force; trying to reach out to let any Jedi know they had the wrong people.

The Armorer glowered at Madelyn beneath her helmet.

Captain Needa appeared on the hologram. "Your ship is departing the site of a terrorist attack. Please surrender control of your ship or be considered a suspect." His tone was incredibly firm in response. V-wings approached.

"Sorry but we've been cleared by the Grandmaster for this mission. There's no enemies aboard this ship. If you have an issue with that you can take it up with him and the Lady Duchess Satine. Who also sanctioned this mission." Madelyn held up a finger in her lap out of site "wait".

"You know very well it wasn't us captain so you can cut this out. I know you have your procedures but I also have mine. As much as I would love to stay and help solve this awful attack; you need to pay attention to what's happening around you instead of targeting two Jedi trying to prevent a war. Do you understand me sir? You need to let us go." She pushed the force into the last sentence; wanting to convince him.

Needa stiffened. "You will hold position until I have orders to release you."

He cut the line.

The Armorer spoke up. "I can fire on the tractor beam generator."

Trilla looked concerned. "Why can't we just wait? What's the harm?"

"If you do that they will believe we definitely did it." Madelyn sounded amused at the armorer proposal. "He will do what we ask. The captain is stupid but he's not that much of an idiot."

She looked at Trilla. "I imagine waiting too long will compromise the mission. But sometimes patience is key. We don't need to make anything worse." Madelyn added; "We are not the enemy."

Trilla looked pointedly at the Armorer, who replied. "Two Mandalorians are in True Republic custody. You are even now pinned in place by a tractor beam." She pulled up a sensor image. "Lysander is falling to the depths. This is how auretiise treat friends?!"

Madelyn frowned and then sighed. She knew the armorer was right deep down. "Can you blast that tractor beam without hurting anyone?." She asked her and then added, "Lysander should be able to right his ship. I don't know if we can get close enough to stop it from falling."

She looked at Trilla. "I would get buckled in if I were you."

"His ship is beskar, it will be fine," the Armorer said, gruffly. "I can shoot the tractor beam without damaging anything else."

Trilla cleared her throat. "Wouldn't the Force be more accurate, Maddie?"

The Armorer snorted.

Madelyn gave Trilla unsure look. She always had more faith in her abilities then anyone else. "I mean yes maybe?" She admitted. She moved to the guns and started them. Swallowed hard.

"Okay just give me one second." She powered up the guns and turned on the comm. "I'm really sorry but you need to let us go." She felt the cool feeling of the force go through her as she turned the targeting computer off. Took a deep breath as she centered herself and fired at the tractor beam holding them.

The beam cut off, and the Armorer ramped up their speed, bringing them as close to the Mas Ramdar as possible, skirting the hull to avoid another tractor beam and appearing beneath the engines. The V-wings scattered and tried to regroup, a few taking opportunistic shots the beskar hull handed. But even then, there was a slight pang inside Madelyn with each hit.

Then they were pushing for empty space, as fast as possible.

Trilla was working the navicomputer. "We have a jump solution."

"Engaging," the Armorer said gruffly, and they burst into hyperspace. As soon as they did, the Armorer looked to Madelyn. She was still annoyed at the Republic, and Madelyn by extension, but took a deep breath. "Good shot."

Madelyn looked at the armorer and sensed she was a little annoyed. Taking a deep breath; Madelyn gave her a small smile. "Thank you Lady Armorer." She felt anxious; and wondered if that had been the right thing to do. Act first and ask questions later wasn't normally the Jedi way. "Nice flying." She complimented. And then added, "I know we didn't have a lot of time and we probably did make the right decision, but I'm pretty good at talking my way out of things."

"I am concerned about Lysander," the Armorer said, flatly.

"I'm concerned about the Temple," Trilla replied evenly.

The Armorer turned a slow look to the Jedi Padawan. "Auretiise concerns are not my own."

Madelyn sighed and put a hand on her head."I can reach out with the force and see how things are if you would both prefer." She looked between them. "But at the moment there's nothing we can do for either of those situations." She added gently. "And insulting each other doesn't help either. Do you understand?."

"And when we reach Gargon, then what?" The Armorer said.

"Then we figure out a plan together to get everyone home safe." Madelyn crossed her arms. Gargon sounded familiar to her. She looked at Trilla. "We need as much information as we can get. I don't want to go in blind when we start rescuing everyone."

"You'd be out best source of information on Gargon," the Armorer said, sniffing. "I've never been there."

Trilla looked confused.

Madelyn gave her an odd look. "What do you mean Lady Armorer?." She asked politely. "I've never been there either."

The Armorer tilted her head. “I heard you misinterpreted Jango Fett’s instructions that you Mando up and hit Bo-Katan Kryze.” A pause. “But I suppose you were only young. Perhaps you forgot.”

There was a vague memory that flashed through her mind, and Madelyn sat slowly in her chair. Embarrassed. "Oh no. Please tell me I didn't actually do that?" She looked at Trilla nervously. "I'm going to get arrested."

Trilla actually laughed. “You hit Duchess Satine’s sister?”

"I am so dead." Madelyn groaned. "Please tell me she doesn't remember me?"

“I’m sure she will,” the Armorer said. “But she respects such things. When we get to Gargon we can finally get a handle on this disaster.”

Madelyn felt her face burn. "Well I guess I should be greatful she isn't mad." She looked thoughtful. "is there anything else I should know? How should I address her?"

“I believe she was on Coruscant,” Trilla said. “Wasn’t there a larger Mandalorian contingent before all this went down - to acknowledge the Hapan membership application?”

“Assuming such a thing is even happening now, in the middle of a terror attack and an election…” the Armorer scoffed. “Lysander will be directing the Mandalorian’s back to Gargon… going to Mandalore will be too obvious after all, and it’s been mostly devastated for the last seven hundred and fifty years.”

“The Excision?” Trilla said, wincing.

“Lovely, you know our history,” the Armorer said, holding her arms.

“I mean, two hundred and fifty years ago, you did genocide the Ithullan’s too,” said Trilla, somewhat sharply. “It’s probably a good thing the Jedi disbanded the Old Mandalorian government.”

Madelyn frowned. "The Jedi and Mandalorians of the past do not reflect who we are today, nor how we move forward." She looked thoughtful. "I hope we can avoid a war. For all of our sakes." Madelyn added softly, wondering if more memories from gargon would come to her.

“Good luck with that,” the Armorer sniffed. “I don’t think you realise how close you came to a war twenty years ago. The Separatists were ready to ally with the trade cartels. Bail talked down Dooku, and Dooku talked them down, and the trade cartels were broken up. But without Bail as Chancellor, nothing happens.”

Trilla swallowed. “Will to really come to war?”

Madelyn moved over to Trilla and wrapped an arm around her. "If it does then we'll stop it. But for now we have to do everything we can to prevent it." She looked at the Armorer. "Senator Organa is an amazing man. I wish he were still chancellor."

“He cannot solve all your problems,” the Armorer said with a sniff. “But for now, we shall collect back the family and put our heads together to solve this.” She gestured at them to go. “Rest. I shall attend to flight.”

Trilla was beginning to shake, she was so worried…

Madelyn bowed her head to the Armorer and then turned to Trilla. She pulled her closer. "Let us know when we arrive Lady Armorer." Madelyn guided Trilla out of the room before she started talking to her. "I don't know why your so scared. You've always been braver then me." Madelyn pointed out, teasing her a bit and trying to distract her. She was nervous too, but swallowed hard to push it away. "I don't think it will come to war."

Trilla smiled weakly. “Can’t you feel it? The Force, it’s darkening. We’ve lost friends today.”

Madelyn shut her eyes, and nodded. There was a darkness there, lingering. A sense of loss. She opened them again and looked into Trilla's eyes as she stopped outside one of the rooms. "I can feel it. But that doesn't mean we're going to lose each other." She reassured her. Madelyn hugged Trilla and rested her head on top only her shoulder. "So just worry about the here and now until we can figure everything else out."

Trilla held her, and, overwhelmed, began to cry.

Madelyn put a hand up and tangled it in Trilla's hair, holding her as she began to cry. "It's okay. I'm here with you okay." She whispered in her ear.

Trilla leaned into her, and pressed their cheeks against hers.

"Thank you."

She was overwrought, emotionally drained by this all.

"You're welcome." Madelyn sighed softly. She loved being so close to Trilla. "Shall we go and get some sleep then?" Madelyn asked, she moved her hand to Trilla's neck and rubbed small circles there.

Trilla rubbed her eyes, pushing aside her tears. "Sorry, Mads, I'm just... overwhelmed. So much is going wrong, so quickly."

"Sleep would be nice, but I don't even know if I'll sleep. I'm just too stressed." Her eyes unfocused as she thought more about everything that had happened today.

Madelyn nodded, understanding. She kept her hand rubbing circles on the back of her neck, pressing the door behind them to open and gently guiding her inside. The door shut behind them as the lights turned on, low and soft.

"You usually manage to sleep when your next to me." Madelyn teased her softly. She realised quickly in the light that Trilla was still a bit taller then her, and frowned. "Things might be going wrong out there, but at least for now we have a moment of peace Trilla." She shifted, blushing. "Um..." She let out a slow breath, before tilting her head up just enough to kiss Trilla gently.

Trilla was surprised, but only for a moment - her shoulders dropped, the tension vanishing, and then energy rose within her -

She grabbed Madelyn and pulled her back -

Madelyn let out a squeak of surprise when Trilla grabbed her and pulled her back, wrapping her arms around Trilla to steady herself. She melted into her kiss, not wanting to let go-

It was as if fireworks filled the Force - and them -

Madelyn pulled away for a second, just long enough to pull Trilla back with her so Madelyn was able to sit on the bed, and the resumed kissing her-

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Lysander Ordo

The ship lurched violently at the sound of the explosion and then the impact. He swore loudly as alarms blared and the ship started moving towards the ground as he wrestled for control.

"What the heck was that?" Lysander called out. He gripped the controls and pulled hard; trying to bring the ship back up. He breathed hard and ordered his mandalorians. "Don't just stand there; help me!."

There were two Mandalorians aboard. One of Clan Cadera, and one of Clan Rook. Lysander would not have learned their names, not yet - they had kept their distance respectfully as they travelled to Coruscant, but they served at his command. The woman, from Rook, moved to the other controls, diverting power to repulsorlifts, and also from sensors, which were down -

The engines proper were damaged too, thus the lurch, and Cadera promptly shut down the functioning engine so as to stop the spin. The turning continued, for now, and Rook boosted power to the inertial dampeners to push back the nausea that would rise up with them, and also manage the G-forces.

Silent but efficient.

But they clanged loudly off one of the other Jedi Temple towers, and more alarms echoed out -

Lysander flinched as they bounced off a temple tower. "Good work. See what you can do to get things up and running so we can get out of here. I don't know who would have the gall to attack the Jedi but this isn't the Mandalorian wars."

He moved close to them. "Quickly now. We must leave as fast as we can. My grandsons life friends on it"

"Looks like the Armorer's ship is locked in a tractor beam," Cadera commented as Rook slapped off the alarms.

For her part, Rook sounded irritated. "Who do these auretiise think they are?"

Then the Armorer's ship took a shot and took out the tractor beam on an orbiting Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser, and V-wings were in hot pursuit. From their vantage point weaving between towers and trying to shed speed and take back full control, it was a mess.

Lysander laughed out loud at Rook's response. "Well two of them are Jedi. At least the one that took that shot was. The accuracy is impressive." He muttered; lost in thought. Wondering if it was Madelyn. "We need to get out of here. Take us through that mess quickly; I want to get into hyperspace before I reach out to anyone. We need to be out of the republics range before we start another mandalorian war."

The debris was hammering the depths, and the sensors confirmed three new signals approaching the Jedi Temple.

Droid starfighters, rushing the falling Jedi Temple tower.

There was a clang on the hull.

"We're hit -"

"No," Rook disagreed. "Something is on the ship -"

"On?"

"Holding on -"

A cam of the outer hull was showed. A Jedi Master, Depa Billaba,was evident -

Lysander scrambled to the comm. "Please get off my ship. This is Senator Lysander Ordo. Whatever you may believe I trust you would know I would not attack the Temple. I'm not an idiot Master Jedi. What do I have to gain from this."

“Senator Ordo?” Depa said over the wind. “I don’t really believe anyone Mandalorian was behind anything. If you’d kindly let me inside so we can catch my colleagues in the Jedi Council, we can go after the true threat.”

Lysander sighed and nodded. "Open the doors please." He ordered firmly. "She's not wrong and I trust her." He added. "please board quickly Master Jedi."

Depa swung aboard, and the sensors screamed - a droid fighter was chasing them now. “Where did that come from?” Rook shouted -

"I don't know but take evasive maneuvers." Lysander ordered. He turned to Depa. "Welcome aboard Master Jedi. I apologize. Things are going to get a little rough."

“It’s a Separatist attack,” snapped Rook.

“Or it’s setup to appear to be one,” Depa said, calmly. “We cannot allow our emotions to sway our decisions.”

“Screw that,” Rook bit back. “My emotions are swaying this ship right now. Away from droids.”

“I’m gonna shoot back,” said the second Mandalorian. “Permission granted, Lysander?”

Depa shrugged. “It is up to you.” She was eyeing the V-wings on their way, with a cruiser not far behind. “I will be speaking to Captain Needa. Hopefully he had not caused a diplomatic incident.”

Rook spoke across their helmet comms. “We should ditch her, go and save our people from Hapan and the Republic, and head to Gargon. The Republic is falling apart, this chaos isp perfect.”

Lysander sighed. "Yes but be mindful of your fire. Don't hurt any civilians." He paused and looked at them and then at Depa. "We're rescuing as many people as we can. Jedi *and* Mandalorian. And I'll be bringing you all back with me to my home." He decided softly. He looked sternly at Rook.

"That is an order. Lysander pointed out. "The Jedi saved my granddaughter Madelyn from pirates after they kidnapped her. I owe them a debt that can never be repaid."

They began to fire, circumspect, yes, but taking out the droid fighters carefully.

Rook shrugged, otherwise, and Depa bowed. "Thank you, sir." She began to speak on comms. "Captain Needa, I order you to render aid to the Jedi and Mandalorians. We are all ensnared in a plot."

"I'm sorry, Master Billaba," he replied, "but a Mandalorian ship already resisted arrest and fled the Jedi Temple. They even fired upon us, and the Defense Force as ordered all Mandalorians to be grounded. You are aboard Lysander Ordo's ship, yes?"

Lysander smiled at Depa before answering the captain. "You attempted to capture Jedi who had nothing to do with the attack. If you value your job Captain I would suggest you follow what I say next very carefully." Lysanders voice took a cold tone. "That ship only fired upon the tractor beam, not civilians. Not Jedi. The explosion happened after we left the temple. And the cameras show is all in the same room together. No one left. So can you please explain to me, since you seem to know exactly what happened. How they are responsible for the attack?" Lysander quickly added. "And you would do well to remember I am a senator and good friends with the former chancellor."

"We will be aiding both Jedi and Mandalorians. And you can either help us or face an investigation when we are done. Tell me Captain, is your inept perception worth more then feeding your family,?"

Needa swallowed. "I am under orders from Admiral Motti, ma'am, sir, I can only apologise. He'll... he'll have me court-martialed."

Depa scowled and cut the line. "Lysander, my sincere apologies for this, but can I ask you to evade capture? The military is over-reacting, and it will take some time to figure out the correct response it seems."

"Evade?" Rook said, voice lightening.

"Without killing anyone," Depa said firmly.

"V-wings incoming," said the other Mandalorian. Two of them, moving to intercept their position.

"Two is the absolute minimum that Needa could send..." Depa confirmed. "He's trying to both help us and do his job. Smart man."

The V-wings began firing, maximum range, targeting the engines -

"shields up and evade capture." Lysander ordered quickly. He looked at Depa. "We will save all the people we can and then leave courscant. But I do need to ask you a favor master Jedi." He paused, and looked at Depa honestly and sincerely. "We need to rescue lady Bo katan. Our manda'lor. If we help you rescue the Jedi, will you help us rescue her? And then we can all figure out what to do together."

Depa nodded. "You have my word, we shall do this."

Lysander bowed, and gave the orders. "Grab who we can. We're not leaving until we rescue as many people as we can."

There was a pause as the comm. crackled to life again, and bo's came across asking for aide. Lysander replied almost immediately. "This is Lysander. We will make our way to you. Keep who can safe mand'alor. We won't be long." He nodded at the others. "Let's get moving. Grab who we can. No one is going to be left alone in this chaos if I can help it."

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: Another fun combo post

IC: Prince Isolder’s gathering, Tarkin, Jori, Zurros Myrthic
Prince’s Table, aboard the Star Home

The gathering had gone on, slightly more congenially before Lady Galney entered the room. Her face spoke volumes to Tarkin, his own face becoming more and more flat of expression as he heard the conversation between her and Prince Isolder. At Borsk’s statement he was reaching for his com to call his wife.

Before he’d been able to open a channel to her it was already open. ”Yes, we do, the Jedi and High Command appear to have created chaos.” There were other ways he would have put it but the gathering here had ears that he was sure would label him in a poor light if he didn’t speak carefully.

The Falleen Senator observed the simultaneous rising of tension around the table with a keen eye, even as his outward expression remained jovial at worst. Something tragic had happened, or was happening currently, such would be obvious to even a layman, if one had managed to get themselves a seat of course. He was no such person.

He sat in watch, silent as a church mouse as various aides of the gathered party began rushing too and fro, all giving the same telltale signs of barely restrained panic. Even if he hadn't been able to pick up on a whispered word here or there, their panic was proof enough. The galaxy was in crisis once more.

Fabulous. He thought with a sigh, his gaze casually drifting to his datapad. Zurros' eyes narrowed as he watched dozens of news reports flood across his screen, all being sent in real time via his Arkannian aide, One.

Zurros' concern hadn't been alleviated when both Lady Galney and Tarkin seemed to confirm what he was reading. Most of it..

"There's also unconfirmed reports of active assailants in the Opera House.." He mentioned offhandedly, his attention now fully locked upon his datapad. "Possible fatalities.. Probable fatalities.."

He glanced up from his datapad to study the reactions of the other members of the table, his expression painfully dour. "Start making calls. The Chancellor's location and status needs to be confirmed." He rose quickly from his seat. "Prince," Zurros offered a shallow bow of his head, "I'm afraid duty calls. I'll not have it be known that a son of Falleen sat idly by politicking when he still had a good sword arm. I'm heading to the Opera House to assist with triage and, spirits forgive, cleanup. If you'll forgive me?"

Jori was holding her datapad when the call came. "That was fast." she said bemused. She had not yet read the news and frowned at what her husband was saying "What do you mean?" she asked carefully then with one hand she turned on the pad and saw the headlines "Oh..." she needed time to process things. Her last meeting and then this. It seems events were picking up speed. "I think I should start making calls, once you are free come by the office." Jori said carefully "We should consider how to help stabilize the situation before anything unfortunate happens." she tried to be as vague as possible, who knows who might listen, especially in light of her earlier meeting.

Tarkin had been listening, half listening, to the conversations around him as he waited for his wife to reply. The half smile had returned to his face as he heard the Falleen speak, the nuance being that he’d appear to be heroic, at least in the eyes of the people and the Net if he swooped in to assist. Such appearance was not a minor thing, especially in the wake of recent events.

Those thoughts were running through his mind when Jori appeared. The fractional smile twitched as he nodded to her. ”It would, perhaps, be prudent for all of us to retire and consider what was discussed here as we consolidate and respond to this attack.” His reply was as much for her benefit as it was for the Prince and the Falleen.

Turning, he nodded respectfully to Prince Isolder, ”Your hospitality has been appreciated and we can discuss what we’ve decided once this attack is put down. I will retire to join my wife and we will offer Eriaduan and Kuati resources to turn the tide.” he told the Hapan before turning towards the exit of the dining room.

Zurros shot the aging human Tarkin a warm, if not slightly sarcastic look as he moved quickly towards the exit. "If I were fifty years older, I might have taken your advice to heart, Senator. But alas, I spoke the truth. These will not be the first scoundrels to face summary justice by my hand." He motioned towards his aide, who he was pleased to see was already rising from her seat. "..And I doubt these'll be the last. Good day."

The Prince was already dealing with his own political problems. He turned aside, and Borsk stepped over to Count Dooku. “I would travel with you, if I may.”

The decidedly drunk man snorted. “Come on then, you furry snake.”

Borsk’s fur stood up but he kept his expression clear. “And you, Serennian swine.” He tried to sound good natured but didn’t succeed, nonetheless Dooku guffawed.

Isolder was ferried out of the room, but his comm details were left with them each. However, the news continued; a bomb at the Jedi Temple, sightings of battle droids in Galactic City, Mandalorians said to be caught up in it, blaster sounds inside the Senage building -

And no Chancellor to be seen.

The walk back to his shuttle took Tarkin longer than he’d anticipated, the corridors seemed busier than usual on the Hapan ship. When he boarded it, the pilots were already prepared to lift and, by the time he was in the main area of the shuttle it was already exiting the hangar. He set the portable holo of his wife on the lip of the holo table. ”It is chaos and no one is responding in any way that will unite us to end this attack.” he told his wife.

Turning on the main holo table, using codes that many Senators had to cut into the chaos of the feed, he straightened his tunic. With a stern gaze he peered into the holo pickup. ”Peoples of the Republic, it is with great regret that I must inform you that, within hours of the Chancellor declaring that he is stepping down, the capital of Coruscant has come under assault. Not only the Opera House where many of our dignitaries were located but also the Jedi Temple has been attacked.”

If anything, his visage became almost statue-like as he went on. ”There are reports of these assaults as well as those of infighting among various groups of the Republic already occurring. Have we not spent the last decades working in harmony to keep our Republic stable? Is the exit of one man from power enough to destabilize all we built. These divisions must be set aside. We must work for the good of the Republic to end this attack on our polity. Once that is accomplished we may come together and hammer out a new peace. Otherwise we shall all fall, piecemeal, to a foe who knows where to hit us the hardest. Until such time as a Chancellor is elected I volunteer to guide whoever asks for aide in reuniting our disparate peoples.”

Zurros departed the room quickly, his aide, One, following in his wake as the pair half walked/half ran back to the hangar bay. Any thoughts of continued politicking had been pushed aside inside his mind. The citizens of the republic were in danger. That's all that mattered to him.

Their shuttle rocketed out of the hangar bay the moment their bottoms touched seat. It didn't feel fast enough. Zurros was immediately back on his feet, shifting his balance to remain standing as the shuttle swayed to and fro around incoming traffic. The inevitable fines that would come out of such reckless driving would be irrelevant if it meant at least one person survived the assault on the opera house. And so he paced, back and forth, over and over again.

One, his aide, wasn't doing anything to soothe his frazzled nerves. Instead, glued to her datapad, she simply read aloud whatever snippets of raw data she could find that she deemed useful. It was impossible to determine what was truly going on within the Opera House. Some sources stated that hostages had been taken. Others postulated that the attacker, singular now, was simply killing as many sentients as they could before being taken down themselves. One particularly infamous tabloid was reporting that the Jedi as a whole had seemingly gone rogue and were trying to overthrow the Republic..

No one knew anything. Everyone was panicking. Bedlam itself.

A low, predatory snarl rippled through Zurros' throat. His blood felt as if it were boiling. With a bark, he ordered his driver to speed up. Through the viewscreen, he could see the Opera House's promenade rapidly approaching.

"Two is in route with your sword, Senator." One reported in her typical monotone. "Also, you should know that the good Senator Tarkin appears to be taking the lead publicly in calling for galactic unity.."

Zurros huffed derisively, bouncing on the balls of his feet as the shuttle finally began to make its descent. "Good, someone better be. Have Two meet me inside. One, coordinate with local law enforcement. Set up a perimeter. Only myself and the local constabulary are to be permitted entrance. Let me know immediately if the Chancellor is located." The door opened abruptly and he was gone, in a dead sprint towards the exterior doors of the Opera House on the far side of the promenade..

Tags: @Sinrebirth , @darthbernael , @TheAdmiral

 

IC: Jango Fett

The Mandalorian didn't engage with Madelyn any more than he needed to.

Gargon was inside the Mandalorian Sector, but off the beaten path, it supplied phobium, which made it important, but not as valuable as the beskar from Mandalore. Without that, Gargon might have been the capital, but as it was, it was an underappreciated and underdeveloped world.

Which made it perfect for armoured Mandalorians to come and go.

"We're here," Jango grumbled.

Madelyn swallowed hard. She had kept her head down; not engaging much as they traveled. She knew she was an outsider among them and a Jedi one at that. She moved next to Jango as he announced they had arrived. And hesitated.

That was her home?

She let out a sharp breath and looked worried.

The planet was mottled, with a purplish hue to the green and blue, but there it was.

When she closed Jango, however, she would sense more of that slight resonance that she'd experienced besides Satine.

Madelyn looked up at him curiously and then back down at the planet. "It looks beautiful." She admitted; and smiled at him. She added, "Were you born on Kamino like Boba was sir?."

Boba turned his head abruptly, sharply, angrily, even.

"No," he said gruffly. "Concord Dawn. Frontier Mandalorian world. Very rustic."

Madelyn looked at Boba evenly and turned back to Jango. "Do you miss it?." She added nervously. "It's just I don't know what to expect. I can't remember ever being here. I'm scared I'm going to say the wrong thing."

"Mandalorians aren't prissy Core Worlders. Say what you mean, and you'll be fine," Jango sniffed. "If someone takes issue with what you say, punch them. It's not complicated."

Madelyn frowned a little bit nodded. "I don't know if I could do much damage sir. But I'll try. At least I might startle them into shutting up." She said firmly. She watched as the planet got closer. It looks amazing. Wonder what would have happened if I grew up here.

The Slave I was ominous in its appearance, and he was given rights to land without an issue.

There was a small crowd of the Mandalorians present, and Jango growled. "Welcoming committee."

"Remember what I said, Madelyn," he said, firmly. "I'm not liked in these parts. Some think bounty hunting is a dirt profession."

Boba looked as if he wanted to disagree, but with what wasn't clear. He replaced his helmet, and turned to one of the storage lockers. "Suit up, we don't want you in Jedi gear." The locker had beskar in it. It was Boba sized, which was Madelyn sized, thankfully.

Madelyn looked at them and nodded, determined. "It's okay sir. I'll do my best to fit in. But I really don't mind that your a bounty hunter. I know they think differently." She shrugged and looked at Boba; before moving towards the gear and feeling a rush of warmth and cold through the force as she grabbed it and moved to a nearby fresher to change.

When she came out; dressed in beskar. Madelyn felt shy and overwhelmed all at once. Like she was doing something wrong. I'm still a Jedi. I'm just surviving right now. I hope I can be forgiven for this.

She swallowed hard and looked at them, feeling very small. "Do I look mandalorian now?"

"You'll do," Boba said gruffly beneath his green-blue beskar.

They began heading down the ramp as the Slave I reoriented internally.

Jango in his shining purple-lite armour was standing, arms folded, staring.

"Those three are trouble."

A tall woman, with blue-white on her helmet in an ornate pattern, preceded a pair of others. One, in a hard green armour, and another, in a similar purple to Jango.

"Remember what I said, Madelyn," he repeated.

Madelyn nodded. Feeling a little better as she followed them down the ramp and were approached by three mandalorians. Madelyn wanted to shy away; but instead she was drawn into the woman in the middle.

They were all trouble? She glanced at Jango and nodded. If she had to she would defend herself. She tilted her head down and frowned slightly. Trying to look tougher then she was.

The woman stepped forward, eying up Madelyn. "Auretiise in beskar clothing? You can literally see the outsider in her."

Jango turned his head slowly towards the woman, threateningly slow -

Boba stepped forward to his father, placing a hand on his wrist.

Madelyn flushed, embarrassed as the woman stepped forward. "I'm Mandalorian." She manager to get out, before she drew her fist back and and stuck the older woman across the face.

Her hand stung and she stumbled back, before realising what she had done Madelyn swallowed hard, suddenly scared.

The Mandalorian was so surprised by her impertinence, that she didn’t even notice the youth taking the swing. Jango didn’t, either, and Boba actively placed his hands over his faceplate.

The other two besides the woman went silent as she turned her head slowly towards Madelyn.

Jango whispered beneath his breath. “Any Mandalorian but her, Madelyn… she’s the Mand’alor, ruler of the sector and our people.”

The woman held out a hand, her body language betraying nothing. “I’m Bo-Katan of Clan Kryze, House Vizsla. And who might you be.”

Madelyn looked at Jango, nervous. "What do you mean she's Mand'alor? You told me to defend myself." She muttered at him before looking up at Bo Katan curiously.

She straightened herself out and put her hand in Bo's, feeling rather small. "I am Madelyn Linnett. I've come to pay my respects to my dying grandmother." Madelyn added, looking Bo in the eyes. "Please don't called me an outsider again."

“I told you to stand your ground,” Jango reminded her. “I didn’t tell you to hit the Mand’alor.”

Bo squeezed the hand and the second later Madelyn was thrown over her shoulder to the ground. Mirth rung in her voice. “Now we’re even.” However, she held out her hand to help her back up. “But I won’t call you that again. Only a true Mando wouldn’t care about a title; hit first, ask questions later. Very Mandalorian, Madelyn Linnett.”

Madelyn hit the ground hard, ears ringing a bit as she let out a sharp breath. Ouch. She thought to herself, pushing through the pain. Madelyn looked up at Bo as she held up her hand and even though she had been thrown over her shoulder, she put her hand back in hers to be helped up, smiling a little because it felt like she won.

"I guess I'm just one of a kind." Madelyn joked a bit, amused. "Thank you." She added, "But uh what do I call you exactly? I mean what would you prefer?"

“Call me Bo,” she said, amused, and she took off her helmet. “You’re a funny one. Let me see you, and we shall both go to your grandmother.”

Madelyn tipped off her helmet and held it in her arms; looking up at Bo and realising how much taller she was. "It's nice to meet you Bo." She smiled at her, relaxing. She tilted her head in greeting, and glanced at Jango and Boba. Wondering if they were going to come with them.

“Jango, you’re collecting strays now?”

“Just because she’s a spoonbender doesn’t mean she’s not a Mandalorian,” he replied, keeping his helmet on.

“A Jetiise?” one of the two others said.

“She stopped us taking out Queen Amidala,” Boba explained.

“Just her?”

“I think we were setup to fail,” Jango replied, looking at Boba sharply. “By the client.”

“So you want to go back and kill him,” Bo said softly.

“Yes,” Jango said simply. “I’ve a reputation to protect.”

“And so do I,” Bo said sharply. “You’re not to leave until I’ve given Madelyn here opprrunity to say good bye to her Grand-Buir.”

Jango shrugged. “My family is all dead. I’m not coming.”

“Didn’t say you had to,” she said, drily. “Come on Madelyn, the head of Clan Linnett is a friend, and I should see them anyway.”

“Can I come?” Boba asked. He was looking at his father.

“Suit yourself,” Jango said. He turned away and plodded back to his ship. Boba took off his helmet and before Madelyn or Bo could comment, pointed at Madelyn.

“She’s wearing my spare armour. I just want to make sure I get it back.”

Bo laughed.

Madelyn blushed and dropped her head. She knew the mandalorians and Jedi had a turbulent history, but Jango didn't need to tell them. She looked up at Bo greatful for her words, and wondered why she was being so protective when they had only just met.

She watched as Boba asked to stay and smiled at him when he said it was because of his armor. "You worry too much. Why would I want to keep your armor Boba." Madelyn told him gently. "Besides I'll be gone in a few days anyway." She shrugged at him. "So I won't mess it up too much".

“You already punched Mandalore, and sabotaged our bounty. You’ve done plenty in two days,” Boba said drily.

Bo chuckled, gestured to her guards, who undid their jet packs and passed them to Boba and Madelyn. “Come on, let’s fly”

Madelyn looked down at the jetpack and shook her head. "No thank you. Jedi don't fly." She stepped back nervously. "I don't want to use this."

"You're Mando today," Bo said, testily. "It's the quickest way there - you do want to get there quickly, no?"

Madelyn blushed and ducked her head, embarrassed. "Y-yes Bo. But I'm scared of heights." She admitted quietly so only she would hear.

"Don't be," Bo said, drily. Boba set the jetpack to her back, and sighed.

"You're Jetiise, right? So just use the Force, or whatever"

Madelyn flushed and felt her eyes sting. It wasn't that easy. She let Boba put the jetpack on her, and frowned at him.

"That's not how the force works." She muttered. "if I crash and die it's your fault."

"Sure, sure," Boba said, drily.

They took off, and to be fair to Madelyn, she adapted to the jetpack quicker than she did the heights.

But at least she had a helmet.

Well, it protected her from the wind and bugs, but she'd be throwing up in it -

Bo and Boba paid her no heed.

Would her nausea win?

Madelyn tried to calm herself as she flew next to them. It wasn't hard to control, and she tried to focus on what was ahead of her. Rather then what was down below.

Please let this be over soon.

It was, thankfully, and a small hovel in the city greeted her.

Bo took off her helmet, ditto Boba, signifying respect.

He looked to Madelyn to ensure she did the same, but Bo was already pushing up the curtain covering the doorway -.

Madelyn landed a little hard but managed to keep herself upright. She followed their example and took off her helmet as Boba waited for her and looked nervously towards the door Bo disappeared into. She frowned, and then followed suit, hoping to copy Bo and Boba and do what was expected of her.

As the curtains were pushed aside, there she was - her grandmother.

Madelyn ducked her head respectfully, but she could sense it. The sickness in the room. She stepped closer to Boba, but didn't take her eyes off her grandmother.

The woman had her eyes covered by a flannel, doused in painkillers. "Who is it?"

Madelyn swallowed hard and approached. "My name is Madelyn. I'm your granddaughter."

"Madelyn... really?" She peeked an eye from under the cloth. "Are you truly here? How? Why? I thought the spoonbenders took you."

Bo smirked at that. Boba was impassive again.

Madelyn knelt down by the side of her grandmother's bed. "They saved me from pirates, and I've been raised in the Jedi Temple." She carefully explained. "I uh...might have stopped an assassination and gotten myself taken here." She swallowed hard. "...I'm sorry your not doing well grandmother "

Madelyn ducked her head, and quickly added. "I'm sorry I wasn't around."

"Your parents gave you away, my dear, what else could you do?" She spread her arms, reaching for her granddaughter to hold and hug.

Madelyn hesitated only a moment before allowing herself to move forward and be wrapped in her grandmother's arms. She didn't say anything for a moment, and then quietly added, "I'm glad I'm here with you grandmother."

“Better late than never,” she said wryly. “Tell me, are you here to join the Manda? Or are you wanting to return to the a Jetiise?”

Boba tensed, but Bo shook her head at him.

Madelyn pulled away to look at her and she paused. "...I'm a Padawan at the Jedi temple. My master Luminaria is a mother to me. It wouldn't be good of me to leave her. And I do enjoy learning how to become a Jedi grandmother." She gave her a smile. "but I can stay for a bit. I wanted to see you."

She smiled, a sage, old, tired expression. "Well then. Just don't forget who you are, at heart." She prodded Madelyn's chest, lightly. "A Mandalorian. You can become a Jetiise, yes, but know that it will always be an armour worn, like beskar, but invisible."

Boba was in full-blown pout mode, but Bo had relaxed. A Jedi dispute during peace time would be unnecessary.

"I am merely sad you see me like this, and not when I was Mand'alor." A dry chuckle, and then a hacking cough.

"Like Tarre Vizsla." Madelyn brightened for a moment. "I've been reading about him. And I've read about the mandalorian wars." She told her excited. She gave her grandmother a wry grin. "I promise I won't forget who I am." She glanced back at Boba. "Why are you pouting? Do you want me to stay Boba?" She asked gently.

She hadn't missed what her grandmother said about being Mand'alor and turned back to her. "You were Mand'alor grandmother?" She furrowed her brow, curious.

"Nah," Boba said. "I just am getting bored of all the talking."

A chuckle. "Mandalore the Hammerborn," she said, softly. "So many years ago now." She coughed again, and a little blood dribbled from her lips. A touch of a handkerchief concealed it. "I lost the crown to the Mandalore who succeeded me, and he lost it to Jaster Mereel, and then it becomes the Mandalorian Civil Wars, and it's harder to keep track."

Another chuckle. Bo scolded her slightly. "I think that's enough talking for today."

Madelyn smiled at Boba, before turning and nodded her head in agreement after her grandmother finished talking. "I agree with Bo grandmother. You need to rest." She leaned down and kissed the back of her hands out of respect. Her grandmother had been Mand'alor. She pulled back and looked at her softly. "Would you like me to stay until you fall asleep?"

"Please," she said, smiling. "Oh I wish I had met you before now." And at that, she fell asleep.

But then, with a smile still on her lips, she shuddered, and her breath left her... and the Force discharged with that elemental aspect that told Madelyn her grandmother had died.

Happy, besides her.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett, Yoda
Courscant, Many Years Ago

It was a quiet day for the Council.

Yoda was there on his own, a Council of One.

Sometimes, that was simply the quorum. They were at peace, and Obi-Wan Kenobi was the Grandmaster now, doing all the running around. Yoda wondered if he should retire, but absently, he did not like the quiet. He needed to be kept busy, otherwise he felt his age.

However, often he felt his age simply by looking at those brought to him.

Not necessarily the older human here now, but definitely the young girl besides him.

"And who might this be, Master Codova?"

He knew it was a new Padawan hopeful, of course.

Master Cordova smiled at Yoda, his hair was starting to grey, but he was as youthful as ever as he bowed to him. The young girl beside him, about four, copied his example, nervous about this place where the force was everywhere.

"Her name is Madelyn Linnett Master Yoda. She was rescued from a group of pirates who hoped to use this Mandalorian child for ransom." He looked down at her fondly, and placed a hand on her head for a moment. "She understands basic, but I believe she only speaks Mando'a."

Madelyn gave Master Yoda a cautious look, but her curiosity was evident in the force. It had all happened so fast. She couldn't really remember how she got here. Just that Master Cordova had rescued her.

Yoda wrinkled his face and spoke in fluent Mando'a. [So what happened to you, little one?]

[I was with my family on Gorgon and these bad people came and took me.] Madelyn said, greatful he was speaking Mando's and excited at the same time because someone finally understood her. She looked up at Master Cordova before stepped forward and holding out her arms. Showing Master Yoda the markings around her wrists. [They used something on my hands. I couldn't use the force.] She made a face, feeling unsure and afraid.

[Did this to you, do you know who?] Yoda gently took her hands in his, softly spoken.

[I think they were pirates. But I didn't get any names. Master Cordova saved me."] Madelyn looked back at Master Cordova gratefully and he tilted his head with a gentle smile. [I'll be safe here, won't I?]

[Safest place in the galaxy, this is,] Master Yoda said, smiling warmly. [Master Cordova, one of the best Jedi here.]

His eyes peaked slightly. [Know what a Jedi is, Mandalorian?]

Madelyn smiled back at his words, and looked thoughtful. [My name is Madelyn.] She corrected Master Yoda. [A Jedi is what defeated us during the Mandalorian Wars. Revan did I mean. They have laser swords and they bring peace to the galaxy]

[Peace, yes. Revan did end the Mandalorian Wars, many years ago, but we have been friends often since, against the Sith.] He paused. [Do you know what the Sith are?]

[Sith are bad people.] Madelyn looked scared. [I don't think I'd ever like to see one.] She swallowed hard. [They don't help people like Jedi do.]

[No they do not], Yoda said, beaming. His eyes slid to the Master. [Do you think you can teach Mando'a to someone, hmmmm?]

[I think so. Do you want me to teach master Cordova?] Madelyn asked. She smiled at Master Cordova who smiled back.

"She is very strong in the force Master Yoda. She is a bit afraid right now, but I believe we found her for a reason." Master Cordova spoke up. "She will make a good Jedi. She has the right temperament for it"

“Do you have the right temperament for her, I wonder?” He poked him with his cane. “You were impulsive.”

Master Cordova winched at the cane. "Madelyn was in a dangerous situation. I did what was necessary. If those pirates didn't get their credits, they would have killed her. Or even if they did get credits." He said calmly. "I only did what the force willed for me too. I wasn't even supposed to be in that sector. But I was pulled from hyperdrive early." He paused. "She is meant to be a Jedi Master Yoda. I know this to be true."

"My own counsel, I will keep, on who will become a Master." His eyes turned from Cordova to her. They seemed to see through her. "A Master, with you, she will not become. With Master Unduli, I see great things for this little one."

Madelyn didn't understand, and she frowned, a little confused. Master Cordova bowed his head to Master Yoda.

"Should I bring her to master unduli now? She needs to look at Madelyn's wrists." He explained, agreeing with Master Yoda on who her Master should be.

"To the medic first with her," Yoda said, nodding. "Then, we'll have her meet her new master-to-be there, hmmm?"

"Off with you, little Mandalorian. Master Cordova, your responsibility to guide her there, yes?" The Jedi Master, human, rolled his eyes but smiled, matching Yoda's.

Madelyn looked between Master Yoda and Cordova, and she shifted closer to the latter; taking a handful of Master Cordova's robe in her hand and holding it tightly.

"Everything is okay." He told her gently. He bowed his head at Master Yoda. "I'll make sure Madelyn gets there safely. Thank you Master." He smiled at him, and gently led Madelyn out of the room as she waved goodbye to Master Yoda.

"Now let's see if we can't find you some ice cream to have after you get fixed up." Master Cordova gently led her down the hallway. "Then maybe we can introduce you to some other younglings later tonight. I'm sure Master Unduli can help us with that."

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Croke
Explume Minor - To Galaxies at Large

Darth Plagueis was dead. His body consumed by Lugubraa acting on instincts were Crokes guiding will had failed. A murder of distress and hunger.

Despite trying to absorb and consume the mind and spirit of the Sith, the whom of his Apprentice was yet a mystery. So the line would continue, with blanks beyond knowing that even he had not approved of whom he had at the time of his death. So something to watch for, contemplate the holocrons of others and others timelines to see whom else the man had entertained or tried before Sidious arose as here there was no Sidious nor Sheev.

Croke had worked with Plagueis to reach heights of the Force reserved for Ones, and in his distraction, struck him down for the offense of trying to steel the power of Croke for his own ends without consultation. Perhaps a death of hubris was better apt for the death that had befallen the Sith. All the more fitting, although the many points of view for it all seemed to bear the marks of justification or irony.

But that energy from that attack, that thief, that schism of power, it had gone somewhere. To a womb, he was sure. Someone was pregnant with the Chosen One.

They had entered a point in this timeline, diverged thirty years ago, where even he, with his infinite knowledge of the old Timeline, and other Timelines, would simply not know what was happening. It was delightful and kept life fresh, but as with any pleasure the price invariably came due.

Where was Shmi Skywalker, in all this - the vessel for the Chosen One a timeline away? Slave and murdered on Tatooine a timeline away. A small set of teams of Crokes mindful joiners would descend on Tatooine and every Hutt ruled world to search for her, for the womb of the chosen that would bear the child without tampering of a father. Every producer of medical droids would find an update sent for all their models. A patch that would increase efficiency in neonatal care and procedures, also with a notice that would let them know of any possible anomalous pregnancies for them to follow up on.

They of course would inspect the candidates that they been preparing for the Sith. Perhaps one of them had been chosen naturally? If so they would raise them with greatest care.

They would look for who was, and who may be in the largest bustling centers and the remotest backwoods. They were not limited by the mind of one, the body of one, nor two - no, they were the many plus the one. They were Croke, and they already had their hooks throughout the galaxy - it merely was time to be slightly more active.

And what of the Apprentice? The Sith's ship would be deconstructed, piece by piece, and every mote of data, and every atom inspected until there was nothing left. Perhaps there were clues of the where's and when's. For now a Croke was chosen to impersonate the man's public persona. Might that draw out the apprentice? They would watch carefully.

Others would be sent to find a library on Sojourn which he had mentioned. Another wearing that man's face would go there. 11-4D needed found and deconstructed to the last binary note of its programming. All paths must be followed carefully, and ruthlessly. Down to the smallest detail. They would twitch on Dathomir and speak with the witches and nightsisters, they would check on Maul, they would check on Dooku and all his ties, and they would follow any new leads whilst observing the old.

Where should Croke go next?

Everywhere. They would quietly be the galaxies medical auditors and watch for the signs. The sparks. The centers. They had been used, and they would not be made to fall for the actions of the Sith.

TAG: @Sinrebirth (single completed)

 

IC: Jori Atreus
Coruscant

The two Joris reached the Eriadu-Kuati embassy and were watching events unfold on the HoloNet. Both had their datapads in their hands receiving data that the public will not get. Sources, spies, friends. It was quite an intriguing turn of events.

The elder Jori received Tarkin's messages and frowned. "Your grandfather still wants to play soldier." she grimaced and gave a humorless chuckle. Her granddaughter looked concerned, but the elder one stopped her from saying anything. "He knows what he is doing and he is not alone." she gave her a warm smile. "Now, pack your things, you will be going back to Kuat for the time being."

There was a short argument but the younger one knew best that she could not win against her grandmother.

The elder one picked her datapad and sent a message "Sending our granddaughter back home, I am staying here." she did not want to send any more in case their communications were being monitored.

Jori gestured to the protocol droid to bring her a cup of tea. She was going to wait and see what the next phase of this comedy will be.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael

 

IC: Zurros Myrthic
Opera House Perimeter

Within the first moments of arriving on scene, Zurros was dismayed at the chaotic and disorganized response of local law enforcement. There were too many agencies involved, all acting separately, all with different goals and tactics, and all without a clear chain of command. Frankly, the situation was an unmitigated disaster. Scowling, Zurros decided that he needed to step in and take charge.

Moving quickly, Zurros moved about the external perimeter, wrangling several different mid-level sergeants and lieutenants into a haphazard chain of command under him. His first priority had been strengthening the outer cordon. Officers, Senate Guards, and Clone Troopers had been stationed in mixed units along each of the Opera House’s many points of entry. In the immediate moment, no one was allowed to enter or leave, not until every station was manned properly.

His second priority was triage. A ramshackle series of medical tents had already been set up in a cluster within the Opera House’s central courtyard. Zurros disapproved, instead ordering them to move back a further 300 meters, using a nearby building as concealment from the Opera House’s many windows. It was a longer trip for the medical teams, but it protected them from the possibility of addtional hostile fire from any active shooters still inside the Opera House.

Thirdly, and most importantly, was hostage rescue. Without knowing how many attackers there were, without the specifics of their goals or methods, the response would have to be slow and deliberate. Breaching the building recklessly would only get more of the potential survivors killed in the crossfire.

Having gathered up and assigned squad leaders from the various factions of first responders, Zurros stood before them all, his hands clasped behind his back as he briefed them on his plan. His Arkanian aide, Two, stood just off to his right, a holoprojector in his palm displaying a rough blueprint of the building as the senator spoke.

“All assigned squads will enter the Opera House from the north and west sides, sweeping and clearing every room in a line towards the south and west entrances. Until the building is secured and the hostiles are confirmed dead or detained, officers cannot evacuate survivors from the building. When found, they must remain where they are. Secondary squads will follow when available to assist with triage and evacuation..” Zurros looked to each squad lead in turn, a grim look in his eyes. “We don’t know what your people will be walking into. Expect bodies. While I’d love the opportunity to capture one of these schuttas alive for questioning.. Frankly we just don’t have the time. Shoot to kill.”

Zurros paused, looking around the room for any questions. Seeing none, he gave a firm nod before checking his chrono. “Gather your teams, we breach in..-”

There was a cry from the cordon.

"Break out!"

Suddenly a Sun Guard burst free, shooting four clones in half a second -

A Senate Guard rushed him, swinging a Force pike, which the Guard ducked, and a blade appeared from a gauntlet to take down the man -

A rookie CSF detective fired, the handgun shooting aside the blaster rifle, and the youngster suddenly sprouted a knife from the forehead; thrown -

The Sun Guard was barrelling towards him.

Towards Zurros.

Zurros swore, turning and drawing his sweeping vibroblade from its sheath in a single motion. “Take him down!” He yelled to nearby officers, knowing that no one else was close to enough to do anything before the Sun Guard reached him. Planting his feet, the Falleen senator braced before turning and slashing his blade diagonally across the rapidly approaching Sun Guard’s torso.

The armour took the hit, spidering cracks but not giving away - however Zurros had applied such force with his braced motion that the Sun Guard went flying off to the side. He rolled, came up with a vibroblade of his own, and rushed to get back to the Senator, nimbly dodging a blaster bolt fired at him by a guard -

Others had realised bringing a blaster to a blade fight was pointless, and were rushing themselves to cross the gap, but that left Zurros alone for the moment with the murderer. The Sun Guard lunged low, slashing for his thigh - for where kidneys would be on a human; a disabling blow, in-essence.

He's fast! Zurros thought, grimacing as he began to backpedal. Holding his vibroblade in a high grip, he angled the blade downward at the last moment, barely managing to bat aside the Sun Guard's weapon. Turning on his heel, the Falleen Senator closed the gap in an effort to smash the pommel of his hilt atop the Sun Guard's visor.

He was out of practice admittedly, thankfully never having to use his sword in live combat before. It had just been a hobby really, one that had been much derided by Zurros' more pacifistic associates within the Senate.

Back when the thought of the Republic at war was a nightmare from the distant past..

Zurros snarled. "Surrender! You're surrounded!"

The visor shattered, and the Sun Guard staggered back, stunned -

And a blaster shot hit him, in the space that Zurros had opened.

And another -

And another.

The Sun Guard dropped, and a moment of stillness came into existence.

A man in a cape of all things blew smoke from the end of his blaster and stepped forward. "You're quite welcome, Senator."



Zurros watched his attacker crumple to the floor with suspicion, eyeing the thin wisps of smoke rising up from within the Sun Guards faceplate wearily. A moment passed, and then a second, before he finally sheathed his vibroblade, satisfied that the suspect was truly dead.

He looked to a nearby Sergeant. "This body is evidence, understood? Call the techs over and cordon all this off. As for the rest of you," Zurros called out, "Enough gawking! There's still hostages inside, get moving!"

As the collection of officers began to spread out to carry his orders, Zurros released a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. To his unexpected ally, he extended a relieved smile. "Good shot." He admitted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That was a little too close for my liking."

Behind them, officers began breaching the Opera House.

Zurros regarded the human male with curiosity. His face felt familiar somehow, but try as he might, he couldn't attach a name to it. "Tell me, who do I have the honor of thanking?"

"Too close," the man said, gallantly.

He bowed, overhand, grinning rakishly.

"Captain Lando Balthazar Calrissian, out of Bespin, the Cloud City Tibanna Gas Mines Administrator."

Everyone was in movement, and the cordon was secure, and CSF guards began to work their way inwards.

Zurros smirked, an eyebrow raised from the man's elaborate presentation, but finding it otherwise harmless. "A pleasure to meet you." He said, keeping an eye on the officers working in the distance. "However, I must cut this meeting short and in fact ask you to join the rest of the public behind the outer perimeter. This is still an active operation."

To his left, Zurros' Arkannian aide appeared, ready to escort the man away with a deescalating smile.

"Please, give your information to my aide here though. I'll not have it be said that I tarnished the generosity of someone who possibly saved my life." The Fallen Senator nodded in farewell, before turning to leave.

And then the Opera House roof fell in, releasing a wave of dust and debris -

Lando stepped in-front of the Senator and used his cape to protect Zurros -

A long list of expletives in his native tongue exploded from Zurros' lips as he ducked behind Lando's cape, shielding his eyes from the incoming wave of dust that enveloped them not a moment later.

"Push the perimeter back! 200 meters!" He yelled into the howling dust storm. "Keep the civilians back! I want rescue crews leading the way, start clearing rubble!"

He ignored his own orders. The moment the worst of the cacophony of noise from shifting rubble abated, he himself was on the move, sprinting towards the collapsed Opera House.

Lando slapped the shoulder of Zurros with another smile and dove into the morass of civilians. There was chaos, but it was controlled, smoothed over, and calmed. The HoloNet droids were a gaggle, and reporters fixated on Zurros.

He had raised his political cachet immensely today.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Croke, Renn, & Feral - Combo with Bernael and Sinrebirth
Opera House Proper - Coruscant

There were many dead. Those that Croke had decided to be concerned about were not. But four of the Sun Guard were already dead. Two were left. A seventh was burning down patrons in the casino at the base of the Opera House.

The two Sun Guard had pulled back towards the center of the Opera House abruptly, triggering jet-boots to do so. As Feral approached Croke's booth, wanting to assist, an explosion ripped through the lower levels, and dropped the higher levels down upon the rest -

Dust rose up, they were upended, the floor gave way, and the booth that Croke was in crushed beneath layers of debris - as was as far as second Croke's position by Feral.

Croke the Senator had done the simple thing. Using the Force to subtly manipulate the debris as it came down to create a barely large enough survival pocket of cross braced rubble to survive in. From this position they used the Force to see where the oily position were and began lobbing pebble missiles with the Force at where they estimated their feet would be.

Croke the Aide had opted to form a sharp relief Force Barrier around himself like a teepee. After the rubble had stopped falling he simply had Force pushed it away. Looking around he visually took in the efforts of Senator Croke and provided visual adjustments to aim before beginning to look for a way to rejoin Feral.

Time seemed to slow as the upper levels of the Opera House collapsed. A thought occurred to Feral in that hyperextended moment, that he’d have to thank his paranoid for his safety wife Delta later, if he survived. She’d demanded that all his dress clothes be made with lightweight armorcloth. He tucked into a ball amid the debris, covering his head to keep it safe. The moment passed and he gave a grunting cry as he hit the lower floor, debris raining down upon him.

The impact of the floor and the debris landing on him knocked him out for a few moments. When he came to, it took effort to push himself out of the debris; doing so slowly as he was not convinced all of the foes that had caused the destruction were gone. He was close enough to where the Croke’s booth had been to see it was crushed but he doubted that would kill the ancient being. Using the weapon he’d retrieved, that was banged up but at least still minimally functioning, he aimed at various weak points of the debris, trying to shift the rubble to assist the Croke in getting free.

His comm beeped as he fired, a message coming in that Tiber had gotten free of the system but that the Republic had declared him an Enemy of the State. Shaking his head in disgust, wondering why he was helping here when it was obvious his own people needed him and the Republic had shredded their alliance, he only knew he should assist the Croke because it was a personal respect issue.

Elsewhere, the rubble shifted over a much larger form. A very angry, much larger form. The eddies of the Force swirled around the Neti as Renn woke from the momentary unconsciousness that he’d fallen into when the Opera House collapsed. As one hand touched the bark of his chest, feeling the second, slower heartbeat within, his burning eyes fixed on the Sun Guard trooper that approached.

”Three you say?” he asked in a low and harsh voice. ”No…there will be none of you to report success or failure of your attempt here. But my people thank you for identifying our new foes.”

The Neti surged out of the rubble, twisting as the trooper fired to take the shots fired at him as glancing blows. His upper limbs shot out, almost tentacles, wrapping around the limbs of the trooper, even as the man continued to fire. Wrenching them outward, hearing the screeching sound of armor under stress, he pulled the man closer to him, a darkly humored expression on his face as the blaster fell out of the man’s nerveless hands.

”Your people took the one I love. I will end you…all…” he said before hardening the bark of his head to an irontree hardness. Pulling the man swiftly towards him, his head slammed forward. A satisfying crunch came as his much larger head hit with the power of the movement, a touch of the Force giving it extra power. Straightening, he casually ripped the arms off the now lifeless and headless torso. ”Oops, I guess you’re not letting your friends know that.” he murmured as the body fell.

His head swiveled back and forth, seeking out the remaining two Sun Guard troops. He didn’t see them immediately but did see a man firing at the remains of a booth. Approaching, knowing that had been the Croke’s booth, he was prepared to end that man as well until he noticed the way the aimed fire was attempting to remove the rubble. ”That’s a waste.” he ground out.

His limbs lashed out once again, grasping chunks of the rubble and, using the Force, hurling them away from the collapsed booth. He had thought of throwing them towards the spots that still sounded as though there was firing but he didn’t want to miss the last two and accidentally hit other guests.

”Excuse me for not being a Force using massive tree.” Feral said with a touch of wry humor. ”All I can use are the tools at my disposal.”

Feral didn’t know or sense the efforts the Croke had put in to keep itself safe but Renn could feel that that being was safe within the rubble and they only had to remove rubble that covered it so the trio could be united.

There was suddenly a staccato of blaster fire as a high-calibre blaster rifle began to fire upon their position -

One of the Sun Guard was responsible. He separately had in his hand a remote -

A detonation, and part of the roof came tumbling down!

They had thoroughly prepared for this attack!

There were suddenly whizzing discs everywhere, razor sharp, as if thrown with murderous intent -

Croke the Aide raised his hands, one maintaining the Barrier protecting himself and the others. Reflecting the blaster rifles shots around the crumbling scene. The other swatting at the discs attempting to fling them into a collection against a far wall away from them.

Croke the Senator created a tube channel that would appear as a large fist thick of wood growth to establish a path free through the debris that the allies were shooting. This minor shell was nothing truly, but their focus turned skyward as the pebble throwing to try and disable the enemy flyers was proving not to be effective. Sending something up would be hard to achieve as they could and would likely avoid whatever they threw up of significant size. Then they had to go and supply them with material. The falling ceiling chunks. Catching them with the Force Croke collected the mass and hurled it at the Sun Guards, aiming to hit the two targets with the debri and using it as cups to gather them and then slam them together before bringing them to ground. Where they could then crack one of their heads open to drain the very mind and soul of these attackers after removing their amulets.

Both the man and the Neti felt a wave of relief wash over them as the Croke in the debris assisted them, that that one hadn’t been destroyed. The relief was short lived as the two remaining Sun Guard went onto the offensive again, one firing his blaster at high speed, a detonation telling that another section of the Opera House was about to fall on and around them.

To add to that Feral grunted and fell to one knee as one of the discs hit his shoulder with a glancing blow. Thankfully the armorweave held, just barely, although the fabric looked ragged as the disc rebounded away.

Renn wasn’t quite as fortunate, sinking to one knee as one of the discs embedded in the back of the other thigh. Growling, another appendage growing to reach down and pluck the disc from where sap was already coagulating, his eyes burned in anger as he whipped it back towards the one he suspected had thrown it.

Sensing that the Croke was deflecting and redirecting both the debris and the discs, he turned to work with that being, to keep their position covered. ”Hey human…put that blaster to use and rid us of these idiots.” his grating voice ground out.

Coming back to his feet, turning and raising the blaster, Feral nodded. The barrel twitched as he sent round after round back at the Sun Guard, firing a pair of shots at one before firing again at the other, swaying to avoid the incoming fire otherwise.

The Sun Guard shot the disc out of the air, but then took a drill of a shot from Feral to the neck.

That left one.

Firing as he did, he thumbed a grenade, and charged, not throwing the weapon yet -

The Opera House debris was held up by Croke(s), but the sheer volume meant that the hurled chunks were being caught by falling chunks. He would have minimal spare energy for offense as more and more of the ceiling fell inwards -

With a grunt as the one trooper went down from his shot, Feral turned and snapped off a shot at the grenade, hoping to hit it while it was still in midair. As soon as he had, he ducked down among the already fallen rubble, attempting to use it for cover, should his shot have missed.

Renn could tell that the Croke was doing all the heavy lifting, literally doing so, which meant he could focus on attack or defense. His eyes caught the shot that Feral made, waving a hand towards the grenade, sending out a wave of a Force Push behind the shot, to push the grenade away if the shot missed. His glowing eyes narrowed as he saw the last trooper darting towards them.

A massive bellowing roar escaped the Neti and he darted at an oblique angle from the grenade’s path as he counter charged. His anger swelled and he raced at the trooper, shielding the precious cargo inside him but otherwise ready to rip the last foe limb from limb.

Croke Senator and Aid, both localized conduits simply maintained defense. Letting their impromptu allies attacks lead the offensive side of things. They had hoped for one of the aggressors to be taken alive that they might consume their mind, but currently that chance was looking less and less likely.

Feral's shot hit the grenade and the eruption threw flame upon Neti and the Sun Guard survivor.

He tumbled into the well of the massive Opera House, screaming.

But he wasn't dead.

Not yet.

Many had died, but not them, and not that enemy.

The Chancellor's Box seemed to drip blood down into the depths.

Pat, pat, pat.

One would think that when a battle was all but done an eerie silence would descend over the field of battle. But that was hardly ever the case. There was the crackle of fires, the thudding sounds of debris still falling or settling into place after having fallen, groans, screams, cries of pain. And above that noise was the screaming of the Sun Guard, hit by the explosion of his own grenade. Not that Feral heard much of it. He’d ducked down which had saved his vision from the brilliant flash of the grenade but didn’t save his hearing. As he shook his head he could hear dull sounds which told him he’d not permanently lost his hearing but that didn’t mean he could hear whatever the massive tree being was trying to tell him.

The wash of flame over his form had caused Renn a moment of annoyance, the outermost layer of bark charring slightly at the fire but, thanks to him having hardened to an irontree like consistency, that was the extent. He didn’t have ears in the traditional sense and he’d closed his eyes when he saw the human firing at the grenade. When he reopened them he heard the screaming, saw that their foe had disappeared but that the screaming was coming from that direction.

What truly caught his attention though, were the streams, the drips of blood coming from the Chancellor’s box. He called out to the human, called out again when the man didn’t respond. Finally, he put a large hand on the man’s shoulder, turning the man towards him. Speaking again, it took a moment to see that the man wasn’t hearing him, the gesture at Feral’s ears with a shake of the man’s head told him his assumption of that was correct. His free hand pointed at the Chancellor’s box then mimed a slice across his neck, sure that whoever was in that box was quite dead.

Turning to face the Croke they’d both come to assist, ”These…terrorists…wanted to kill everyone here, including you. They may have succeeded with Bail, though, whose voice would have settled this chaos.” he told the Croke in a harsh tone, his hand gently rubbing where his wife was secured within him. ”They have done more than enough damage already.”

Croke the Senator came out of his cavern of debris as a wooden snake, slithering forward before shifting his shell into that of a two meter large spider that leapt at the remaining Sun Guard body. Aiming to pin it by every extremity and even the head, as well as remove the talisman, and then feast upon that one's mind before it had a chance to burn away. They wanted, needed, to know who was behind this!

Croke the Aide stood there with blood trickling down from his ears, absently smiling as the Neti spoke harshly. Although honestly it was more lip reading than listening with this damaged shell. Nodding it turned and leapt up to the indicated box. Where it see about rendering life saving aide with the Force if there were any embers left of whomever was in there.

There was one.

When they reached the booth, they would find Mon Mothma, her life draining away.

Besides her were the bodies of Garm Bel Iblis, Padme Amidala, and other Loyalists.

Bail Organa was missing.

Being not a Croke but the Croke came with some benefits. Namely the fact that they were a hive minded multi-species, multi-bodied race at this point meant that the body of the Croke Aide was able to be in the box, checking on and then rendering Force Healing. Utilizing the Jedi forms to calm and sooth her mind and body, spending a bit of life force from one of their bodies to renew and revive hers. Mending flesh and bone in ways that would otherwise take months to heal naturally, to instead mend like a time lapsed photo in seconds. Not raising any call or saying anything about whom they were healing this body focused on this task, although it did softly mutter "Not Bail." What the other two would make of this was up to them.

Croke Senator body meanwhile was wearing the multi-limbed spider themed body to be to pin and rummage through the Sun Guards belongings whilst keeping him pinned on autopilot while mentally stripping everything from the guard to take and subsume them.

Feral opened his mouth, forcing a yawn to try to settle the temporary deafness. He could already hear dull sounds but, overall, there was little that he could hear at the moment. Seeing the last attacker being assaulted by the spiderlike form of one Croke he shrugged. Without the Force there was little he could do to assist there.

Renn’s eyes hooded at the sight of the Chancellor’s box. The dead Mon Mothma boded ill for the continuation of the Republic. As did the others that were hanging onto life by a thread. But what truly boded ill was that the newly retired Chancellor was not even present. They wouldn’t know, though, whether he’d ever been there or what had happened to him if they didn’t heal the ones who still lived. He felt as the Croke he’d been discussing things with earlier start to heal them and he bent close, adding his own healing energies to the process.

Turning back to the Chancellor’s box, Feral could see that the two Force users were already doing all they could. He pulled out his comm, hoping he could get a message out. He sent the same to both Zara and Delta. ’The Opera House has been attacked. Not yet aware what else has. Lexrul and Bakura now on a war footing. Deny all war vessels that enter either system, no matter the source.’ he sent. Still hoping it went through, he bent over one of the Sun Guard troops bodies, hoping they had a health pack, that he could find bacta patches in so he could assist the other two.

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @darthbernael

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Ren and Marinda

Rattatak

Ren removed his helmet as he watched the chaos going on over the HoloNet. He had to give the Sith credit, they knew how to create drama. He almost wished he could be on Coruscant himself to see it all going down in person.

Behind him, Marinda was watching, her helmet on. She still wasn't sure about the Knights of Ren getting involved in this, since it was clearly more than just an attack on the Jedi. What she saw over the HoloNet was chaos fanning the flames of war.

As Ren looked over the HoloNet, he spotted a name and he pointed at it, smiling. "Hey, look at that, Marinda," he told his second-in-command. "The Jedi Temple on Devaron was put on alert. Doesn't that bring back memories?"

Marinda just huffed, but that was enough for Ren to get an idea.

"Hey, Ventress, what if we struck at the Temple on Devaron?" he suggested. "Sure, they're on alert, but they're probably expecting droids. Not to mention-" He gestured to Marinda. "I have someone who has been in the Temple and knows their way around."

Ventress shrugged. "Works for me. We knock out the Temples, one by one, and cut down any strays we find. Delicious, even."

Maul and Savage nodded in agreement. They wanted to kill Jedi. Now.

Ren nodded and turned back to Marinda. "And do you have any problems with this?" he asked his fellow Knight.

Marinda shook her head. "None at all," she said as she walked toward Ren and Ventress. "I'm many things, but sentimental is not one of them."

Ren smiled at this and turned to Ventress. "We shouldn't delay then, should we?"

"Good, I'll meet you in at your ship. I'm coming along with you."

"The more the merrier," Maul commented.

Ren turned to his Knights and nodded. "Come on," he told them. "Let's go burn something to the ground."

Devaron was protected by a single Jedi Master, as a rule, and however many students remained.

Today, it was the aged Roonan named Halsey.



Next to the Temple of Eedit, there was a lake. Below the waterline, there was an opening cut into the rock. A cave. In this cave, there was a stone staircase that led into the Temple.

Thanks to Marinda's insider knowledge, the Knights of Ren knew about this cave. This was their way in.

Ren surfaced from the water, climbing up the staircase. Marinda was next and the other Knights of Ren came out of the water after them. Ren looked around at the temple and smiled behind his mask.

"Nice place," he said as they moved further into the temple.

The steps had taken them around the outskirts, avoiding the clone trooper patrollers, and giving them access to the inner sanctum.

There was very little there, as Jedi structures were want to be, they were sparse, to allow for meditation, and if anything the Temple was cavernous, more than anything.

That being said, from an unknown crevice, a voice echoed to their left, above. "Can I help?"

Ventress looked up, scowling.

Ren and Marinda looked up as well.

Marinda had actually taken off her helmet. She had to admit that it felt... strange being back here. She wasn't sure what the feeling she had was. Nostalgia? Anger? Bitterness?

There was no-one there.

The Jedi Master had thrown his voice.

"Not there," it came from another direction.

Maul hissed; Savage looked worried and began to back away.

Ventress simply closed her eyes.

A rock dislodged and smacked into Savage's face -

Ren pulled out his lightsaber, igniting its red blade.

But while the other Knights were rearing in fear and anger... Marinda was calm. She realized what the Jedi's trick was and being back here in this temple brought back her memories of her earliest lessons. One of them stood out in particular.

Marinda closed her eyes and put her helmet back on, remembering the words of her Jedi teacher all those years ago.

Your eyes can deceive you, don't trust them.

Instead, Marinda opened herself up the Force and took in her surroundings. She let the Force guide her actions as she dislodged her own rock and threw it opposite of the direction the voice had come from...

A noise of pain, and the Jedi Master rolled from a wall into the middle area.

Savage reared up, roaring, and stabbed down -

A Force push sent him flying, and he leapt to his feet, turning straight into Ren's path -

And Ren swung his lightsaber at the Jedi Master, aiming at the Jedi Master's middle in an attempt to cut him into two very neat pieces.

The Jedi Master managed to block, but his blade was knocked out of line -

He thrust out his hand, hurled Maul away -

But he was exposed to Ren, and was already backing away -

Ren swung again, this time anticipating the Jedi Master being able to block his attack... because Marinda tossed one of her energy batons to Ren, which he caught in his other hand... and slammed into the Jedi Master's chest.

Was it a dirty move? Absolutely.

But the Knights of Ren did not play fair.

The Roonan Jedi staggered as Marinda intervened, and tumbled backwards, his lightsaber falling from his hand and clattering to the floor. He was already fumbling for his comlink as he tried to move away on his back. "This is Master Halsey-"

With a swing of Ren's blade, Halsey's hand fell away from his body while clutching the comlink.

The next swing went for Halsey's head.

He backed away, but the tip got him, got his throat. He stagged back, holding at the wound, gasping.

Ventress stepped up, and squeezed her fist, and he held his neck in more way than one. "All too easy."

"Come, come, Ren. Finish with your food."

Ren smirked behind his helmet, but did as he was told, finishing the Jedi Master off with a stab to the heart.

"Will you look at that?" he asked while looking down at Halsey. "My first Jedi kill."

He chuckled.

"The first of many, I hope."

Ventress regarded the Temple, and was peering at something. "Ah, there it is."

She strode up to the central plinth holoprojector. "All those in favor of our calling Coruscant?"

"And do what?" Ren asked as he followed Ventress. "Tell them that their starships are running and they better go catch them?"

"Antagonize them, of course. They sent a team, we kill the team, they send a bigger team, and we are already somewhere else."

A slight smile. "I can address them alone, if you're scared."

Ren chuckled. "Not at all," he said. "Let's go ahead and call them."

Marinda didn't seem to approve of the idea, but she kept silent.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @Mitth_Fisto and @TheSilentInfluence

IC: Barriss, Jeisel, Lysander, Maranda

Jedi Temple

Barriss Offee was at a loss of words.

Master Yoda... dying? It seemed unthinkable. Yes, he was almost nine hundred years old, but like many Jedi her age, Barriss had just assumed that Yoda would live forever.

After a moment, Barriss found her words. "I-I'm a healer!" she shouted as she came forward, rushing over to the Jensaarai that was healing Yoda. "I can help!"

She had to help save him. There had to be a way. He couldn't really die... could he?

Lysander stood quietly, watching the scene unfold before him. He wasn't sure how he could help, he had no powers like a Jedi. But perhaps, he thought, he could offer something else.

"If you can stabilize him Master Jedi." Lysander told Barriss, "I will offer everyone refuge on Gargon. We have a good medical facility there and plenty of room for everyone." He offered, folding his hands in front of him.

Mika'sai'Jeisel had followed the landing beacon and when they come to a stop the Jedi healer had rushed forward out of the vessel. Turning to make sure to gather what goods they had taken from the Jedi Health Care wards she followed as she felt her Master the Master of Jensaarai at the center of the pain and danger. There should be healing crystals in the gathered supplies and she rushed forward laying out all they had at the head of Jedi Master Yoda. "I have supplies." quickly she started sorting through them trying to make sure what was most needed was quickly at hand.

”Shut…up…you old…fool…” Marana hissed between clenched teeth, pouring energy and Healing into the old Master. She, distantly, heard the various noises of people moving and gathering, of ships landing, of others speaking but the fact that only one of those present initially approached drew a dark smile to her face.

When she heard Mika call out that she had supplies a curt nod came from her. ”Bacta patches…open wounds.” she ordered her companion, not wasting words as she had to concentrate. Her eyes flicked to Mirialan, another curt nod, and her eyes directed the younger being where she could focus. Otherwise, all of her focus and energy returned to keeping Yoda from dying, stabilizing him, and healing his wounds as she could.

Barriss stepped forward and took her spot next to Marana, placing her hands over the area that they had indicated as Barriss attempted to help, pouring her own energy and Force healing into Master Yoda. Despite her fear for losing the old master, Barriss managed to calm herself and her breathing, which helped her focus as she, much like Marana, did everything she could to keep Yoda alive.

There were many Jedi here, and many powerful in the Force. Kenobi lead them in lending power to Marana, to Barriss, to any healer there was. They all came together, in one, truly, incredible vergence.

And Master Yoda's eyes fluttered open.

Pained, his expression was, and he regarded them each, even Lysander, with some scrutiny.

"All this attention, on little old me, hmmm?"

His voice was reedy, weak, even.

"When eight hundred and ninety six years old, you reach - look so good, none of you will."

But he was alive.

As Yoda’s eyes opened and she felt him no longer clinging to life but alive, even if weakened, Marana sat back, more weary than she’d like to admit. Not that she ever would to the Jedi. ”Don’t do that again, I won’t be here next time to do this.” she scolded, but in a lighter tone.

With the press of the Council around them, she shifted, getting to her feet. Moving over to Mika, she told her companion, in a low tone, ”We should return home, prepare the Jen’saarai. The galaxy is changing again and I will not have our people subsumed in the flood.” She was being metaphorical but she was a fierce defender of her people and she would keep them united and alive even if it cost her her life.

Mika'sai'Jeisel slowly stood from her kneeling position. Glad that what they had tried to do had worked. Although whether she thought the Jedi truly deserved such care and generosity after seeing how a Padawan had died in an unfulfilled state, was something no one should ask her anytime soon. "Yes." was all Jeisel replied as she stretched and moved to follow the Saarai-kar.

Lysander breathed a sigh of relief as Master Yoda opened his eyes. "Thank the force." He said quietly and then straightened up. "I know these are turbulent times, but Gargon is open to anyone who seeks refuge. Provided you behave yourselves." He added a little more sternly.

Barriss also let out a sigh of relief before she looked around at all of the other Jedi around them.

"What... what do we do now?" she asked, her tone uncertain.

We get to the bottom of this," Mace confirmed.

"Swiftly," Kenobi agreed. He turned to the Jensaarai, and looked to the Mandalorians. "You have been a great service to the Republic, the Jedi, and personally I am grateful to you. Are you not happy to stay and help us resolve this conflict before it spirals?"

A gesture towards Barriss and Ahsoka. "These are two of my most open-minded and innovative Masters. They can help us solve this peacefully. The Republic has been attacked at its most vulnerable - a transition of power. We must stand fast - together."

Marana stiffened slightly at the words from Kenobi, turning to face him as she was sure he’d overheard at least a portion of what she’d said to Mika. "The Jensaarai were one organization that was key to the rise of the Republic. We desire the Republic to be sustained but will also always ensure our people are not lost to a war."

She glanced at the two indicated Jedi, smiling slightly behind her mask. "I would prefer working with either of them than Master Vos perhaps, he’s a little too rigid in his beliefs."

Turning back to Mika, ”As long as the ways aren’t jammed, make sure a message is sent home, that they are prepared. You may join me in assisting Master Kenobi or return to assist our people, as you know my mind on what is needed.”

Mika'sai'Jeisel twisted her helmeted head slightly looking between the speaking and indicated Jedi. Making sure to take note of faces and names where they were given for future reference. The question from the Saarai-kar caused her to pause and dip her head, thinking.

To know that her own opinion and choice in this matter was even being considered was an honor and she was warmed by the care of her leader for her people. Still, she was the leader of their people, and as she had come to protect and be an aide to her. . ."Now more than ever I am here to serve and protect. I will send the messages or even a ship by droid pilot if needed, but I cannot leave your side at this time. Our people have been well nurtured by your guidance Saarai-kar, I am sure we might even be the second news they hear of it - they will be preparing either way." She added with what she hoped was a reassuring tone and nod of respect.

Barriss nodded at her fellow Jedi. She had nothing much to add, except for her willingness to do anything to get to the bottom of this.

She could still feel her heart racing from how they had almost lost Yoda.

Just... how could something like this have happened? And why?

Lysander sighed. "I would love to stay and help, but I believe it would be better use to everyone if I could provide a safe haven. Anyone who wishes to come to gargon with me is welcome. Jedi included." He looked around. "I can look into things from a distance as well and relay the information to you. I have plenty of contacts."

"Gargon?" Kenobi said, carefully.

"A safe haven?" Mace snorted. "We cannot simply abandon Coruscant because of an ambush -"

There was a set of noises, and a clatter of Judicial and Coruscant Security Officers. A blue armored Senate Guard saluted the Council. "Sirs, there has been an attack on the Galaxies' Opera House. We believe there are many Senator casualties... and most of the Loyalist Committee."

The Jedi promptly ignored the Jensaarai and Mandalorians, and the Council closed ranks, bringing Ahsoka and Barriss into the circle. A barricade of the Force kept anyone from the outside hearing.

"We need to do something, and promptly," Master Windu argued.

"Time to recover, we need," Yoda stated.

Obi-Wan looked to Ahsoka. "Gargon is going to become a problem. Can we ask you two to go?"

"What about the Jensaarai?" Quinlan Vos. "Shall I go with them, too?"

"Yes," Mace said firmly. "If they are a threat, we need to know. Them or Gargon. It's all too suspicious that all this has happened. Someone, be it them, or the Hapans, must be behind it. Perhaps even Separatists."

"Likely," Vos added. "Droid army, and all that."

"What about the younglings?" Barriss asked. She turned to Mace. "We don't have to abandon Coruscant, but we need to make sure that the children are safe and the Temple is compromised. In addition to getting to the bottom of this, shouldn't that be one of our priorities?"

Hearing the news from the Senate Guard caused Marana to furrow her brow within her helmet. The attack had not just been upon the Jedi but seemed to be a concerted effort to remove, at least, the Force using support of the Republic as well as its political power. Just as she turned to say something to Mace her eyes narrowed, the Jedi having pulled away. She could feel the way they had muted the space around them and that made her suspicious.

Turning back to Mika, ’Look to our supposed allies. As soon as that news arrived they cut us out.’ she thought to her companion. Glancing at the Jedi again, ’I would be willing to bet a tall pile of credits that we have suddenly become a potential source of these attacks to them. Be prepared for their suspicion and us being saddled with the worst possible Jedi to accompany us.’

This turn of events only soured her opinion of the Jedi once more. She’d poured so much of her own energy into healing Yoda and why would she have even tried if the Jensaarai were those responsible for this major attack. Whoever had planned this was already succeeding by sowing discord and distrust. She would not allow the Jedi to walk all over her or her people but would return whatever respect was given.

Mika'sai'Jeisel nodded wearily. Replying in kind as best able - 'No deal. Jedi who talked of leaving the order to join us attacked me on reflex as soon as the attack started. I don't think we have a good one.' She replied. Stepping forward loosely she waited to see what would happen.

Lysander waited patiently as they discussed in private. He didn't know if they would blame Mandalorians for this, but he hoped they would see that he was genuinely trying to help them.

He sighed, wanting to return to gargon as soon as possible.

Kenobi shook his head. "We won't be abandoning Coruscant. But we may need to send the younglings somewhere more safe."

Mace looked on stonily. "Coruscant is safe."

"Not very," Vos sniped, and turned to leave the conversation, waving at the Jensaarai. "Yo. I'm coming with you. I think we all realize that we're going to have some, um, communication issues going forward, and I'm happy to, well, be a hostage if you want some reassurances."

"Quinlan, the Council did not-" Kenobi said.

Mace interrupted. "We would be grateful if you would accept Master Vos as a gesture of our desire to wider peace."

Depa nodded. "And I will be returning with the Mandalorians to wherever they wish. Blindfolded, if they so wish. The Jedi have a responsibility to the Mandalorians who helped us so." She nodded to Lysander.

"We were about to send Masters Tano and Offee -"

Mace again interrupted. "They should take the younglings. Find them somewhere safe to be." Ahsoka didn't look overly pleased to be babysitting, but the children were important.

Kenobi glowered, but Yoda sighed. "Divided, we can keep the whole together. Masters Windu and Kenobi must remain here, as heads of the Council. We shall get to the bottom of the mystery of our attackers, and deal with the fallout in the Senate and military."

A nod to those all present. "Only together can we keep the peace, my friends."

Unlike her partner, Barriss didn't mind watching the younglings and she rose up to the occasion.

"I will be happy to watch over and protect the younglings, Master Windu," she said.

Lysander nodded back. "That would be fine with me Master Jedi. I have no quarrel with the Jedi, nor the Republic. I only wish to have a safe haven until all of this passes."

Hearing Quinlan Vos speak up and direct his remarks to her and Mika, a wry smile crossed Marana’s face. ’I would have won the bet, it seems.’ she thought to her felinoid companion. Giving a shallow nod to Vos, one hand flicked in a gesture for the man to join the pair of them.

Her gaze turned and met Kenobi’s for a moment, the pair of them the senior most of their respective orders. "Mace, we will accept Vos as the Jedi representative to the Jensaarai. Perhaps…" Without her gaze wavering from Kenobi’s, the wry smile taking on a more humored tone, "he may see we are not the villains that has been a perception of some of the younger Jedi. After all, the peace and stability of the Republic is our goal as well."

Mika'sai'Jeisel stood impassively safe inside her armor. It took all her self control not to scoff audibly at the situation or give away emotions with her body language. This wasn't her place or position to say or do anything. The leader of the Jensaarai had spoken, and was to her to do her best to support that decision to it's best outcome. Winning a bet by default was not winning, although she bit her tongue on that notion as well.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @TheSilentInfluence @Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett
Gargon, Mandalorian Space

Madelyn swallowed hard as they approached the planet, standing closer to Trilla then usual, a feeling of uncertainty pooling in her stomach. She couldn't remember this place and yet the force sang to her that she had been here before.

She just wished she could remember.

As the news came in from Courscant, Madelyn tried to keep her right hand from shaking. Trilla had been right, it was overwhelming. Especially the news about Master Yoda. She remembered when he had welcomed her to the temple. Madelyn dipped her head and shut her eyes. She just wanted everyone to get out of there safely.

Trilla was already crying.

The Armorer regarded them stonily for the moment.

Madelyn turned to Trilla and wrapped her in her arms, looking at the Armorer over Trilla's shoulder. "We feel things more deeply in the force Lady Armorer. I hope you'll understand." Her voice is gentle, but firm. "What should we expect upon landing at Gargon?"

"Mando world, Mando rules," the Armorer said, drily. "We show weakness, they take it." A shrug. "That being said, everyone knows about you, what with how you spoke to Bo Katan years ago..."

Trilla frowned around her tears. "Maddie?"

Madelyn hesitated. "What? You mean when I punched her? I was just a kid. I'm not even Mandalorian anymore." She told the armorer, she pulled back to look at Trilla. "Trilla is a better fighter then me. She always has been." She glanced back at the Armorer, worried.

"I am still baffled you thought that was a good idea."

There was a quaver in the Force.

It felt... familiar.

Boba Fett?

He had been injured. Badly. She would recognise his beskar was wounded, singing to her across space.

Madelyn kissed Trilla on the cheek in response before she felt the quiver in the force and winched,pulling away from Trilla for a moment to put a hand on her chest.

Boba? What are you doing?

There was something else in the force she realised, closing her eyes as she took in a sharp breath, almost like she was in pain. The armor was...singing? She couldn't make out the words, but something was there.

Madelyn felt pale, and she reached for Trilla blindly. "Boba is in trouble." She breathed out sharply. "I...I don't know what's going on. It's like...his armor told me." She shook her head. "But that's stupid. Armor can't talk?" Madelyn sounded unsure.

“Talk?” The Armorer froze. “You can hear the beskar?”

Madelyn grimaced like she was in pain. "It's telling me Boba is hurt. Can we help him?"

And then realizing how silly that sounded, Madelyn blushed, feeling her ears burn. "...how can I hear armor?"

The Armorer was silent for a moment. "It was said that the Jedi-Mandalorians could. But that was myth. Tarre Viszla, a millennium ago, could do so..." She turned to the console and began booting up the story.

"I presume the Jedi teach you about him and the Darksaber?"

Madelyn swallowed hard. "Yes they taught me about him. He was Mand'alor a long time ago. He united the Mandalorians right?" She shifted nervously. She didn't want to be compared to him.

"After attacking the Jedi Temple, yes," Trilla said. "He helped the Sith sack Coruscant - but didn't join the Sith, he went back to Mandalore and reunified his kin."

Madelyn frowned a bit. "So he left the order but wasn't a Sith." She paused." And he could hear beskar. Was that the first time any mandalorian was able to do that?"

"There were other Mandalorians who were said to, but the first, well, that was Mandalore the Great, who named Mandalore the planet, and found the beskar." The Armorer continued. "Legend has it."

"I never knew that," Trilla said. "I know the Mandalorians originated on Roon, as the Taung, and conquered across the Rim during the Hundred Years Darkness seven thousand years ago -"

She blushed and paused. "What? You're a Mandalorian? I did my research so I had stuff to talk about, Maddie."

Madelyn looked at Trilla, her eyes soft and full of love. "You did it to impress me." She teased Trilla, and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm very impressed. And it makes me feel very loved." She whispered so only Trilla could hear.

She pulled away and looked at the Armorer. "So what does this mean for me Lady Armorer? I'm only Madelyn. I don't want to be a Mand'alor or a conquer." She said. "I want to help people, and I want to keep everyone safe."

"We need to regroup, and decide," the Armorer said. "Lysander, he is of the old guard. Mandalore the Destroyer, she was of your heritage, successor to Mandalore the Hammerborn... you may not want to rule, but people will listen to you."

Trilla hesitated. "Jedi aren't allowed to rule, anyway."

Madelyn felt unsure. "I didn't know that." A pause. "Jedi can rule under special circumstances I think. If their decended from royalty and they have no heirs. Didn't think that would happen to me."

She paused. "What was Mand'alor the destroyer like? Is Lysander related to her?" Madelyn asked.

The Armorer shrugged. "I never met her. She was your grand-buir, not mine."

Trilla pulled a little face at that. "You're strangely unhelpful."

At that the Mandalorian turned her helmet to Trilla and was clearly smiling behind the beskar. "This is the way."

"Very funny."

"Gargon is where we should call them all. All the dispossessed facing this tyranny of a Republic. A new Separatist Crisis may be upon us... and we shall need Mandalore to have a face separate from that of Satine, lover of the Jedi Grandmaster Kenobi." Her voice was firm on that.

Trilla looked worried. "We'll be fighting the Jedi?"

"That's for the Jedi to decide," the Armorer cut in before Madelyn could reply.

Madelyn let out a sigh. "Well I hope we can help as many people as we can. I don't want war either or to fight the Jedi. Even if we go to war against the separatists."

She frowned a bit and looked at the Armorer. "Do you really think people will listen to me?"

"Mandalore can't stand alone, we may have to pick a side," the Armorer said, carefully. "They'll listen to you, you know the Jedi, and have the lineage. Many lineages."

"I'm not very good at speeches. I can barely hold a conversation with people I don't know." Madelyn admitted. "I'll do my best Lady Armorer."

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Lex, Tiber, Wyrock, Han, Chewbacca, Atin
Millennium Falcon

Lex was greatful they had all managed to board safely, although he knew they weren't quite out of danger yet. He kept close to Chewbacca, and he looked up at the cookie thankful, even after they had rescued Bo.

He just hoped everyone else was okay. Lex tugged on Chewbaccas hand, and smiled up at him, "Thank you." He said with a grin. He looked over at Bo before realizing he should be by her side, and quickly slipped next to her,looking up at her as if expecting orders.

"Ready for whatever items next Mand'alor."

When their Arquitens decanted from hyper, Tiber let out a sigh of relief as the Millennium Falcon came into view. It was a recognizable ship and his relief was slightly more palpable when he received word that Laylee Wyrock was aboard.

He’d been uncomfortable when she’d been taken as a hostage by the Hapans. Lexrullans didn’t leave their people behind and her being present meant that his major worry was his uncle, who had yet to comm again or arrive here, at Lexrul, or at Bakura. Which meant…he snorted at the news coming from the Republic that they’d all been declared Enemies of the Republic, as though they’d had anything to do with the attack.

He saw the flicker of other craft entering the system, wondering who else was to be part of this rendezvous. As he headed towards the hangar, to take a small shuttle to go meet the Falcon, he mused as to whether these arrivals were also on that list.

Once aboard the Falcon, he nodded in respect to Han and Chewbacca, walking over to Wyrock to greet her.

Flicking her nic stick, Laylee grinned at him, ”Boss, I told you nothing could hold me.” She could see the concern in his eyes, ”Nothing from the boss?” she asked, keeping it vague so he could reply about Feral, his wife, or Delta.

Atin-Kot was still brooding over the death of Traer and how easily the Jedi were convinced it had been his fault for it occurring. He’d left the body in stasis and, now that he saw the Lexrullans present, he felt guilty over the death once again. Nodding respectfully to his Mand’alor he paced over to Tiber, stopping a short distance away.

”I apologize for your loss, Admiral Ordwgal. Traer was in my arms when he died. I have brought him here so that he may be turned back over to your people.” the Taung said respectfully.

Han stepped into frame. "And we saved everyone we could. That strikes me that we deserve a bonus!"

Chewbacca roared in agreement.

Tiber nodded with respect to the armored Taung before him, ignoring the smuggler for a moment. ”Thank you, I appreciate it.”

”He was a right git but didn’t deserve to die.” Wyrock muttered.

Tiber’s comm began chiming, over and over. Lifting it to glance, he sighed at seeing dozens of messages, some from Lexrul and some from Bakura. One stood out from Lexrul, ”Getting you a reward from my people might take a moment, Han.” he said, swiveling to look at the man and the Wookiee. ”as the Republic have sent a SD to Lexrul, I’m sure to demand my head.”

Returning to the other Mandalorians Atin-Kot growled. He’d thought it odd that he’d been setup in Traer’s death but it now seemed the Republic was fracturing, only hours after the Chancellor had said he was stepping down. His helmet turned, glancing at Bo, ”Mand’alor…we need to secure our people, I fear a civil war is coming.”

Lex spoke up next. "Grandfather wouldn't mind if you came to Gargon. I'm sure he would give you a reward." He looked at Han and Chewbacca and then back up at Bo. "It'll be safer there, we can prepare for whatever comes next."

"Gargon sounds like a good call. No Star Destroyers?" Han said, pensively.

”Sadly that is better than trying to go home right now, not with the Republic waiting for an excuse, which would be us arriving, to try to end Lexrullan independence.” Tiber muttered darkly.

”Doubt your Aunt would let that happen, boss. She’d kick them out with their tails between their legs before she allowed it.” Wyrock said with a grin. She and Delta might not get along that well, that often, but she did respect the strength of the woman.

Atin-Kot shook his head, things seemed to be falling apart extremely quickly. That or someone, a group even, had been anticipating this very moment and had set their plans into motion as soon as the Chancellor had stepped down. Glancing again at Bo, ”Gargon is a god starting point, I’d believe.” he suggested.

Lex smiled. "Great! We should probably contact my grandfather and let him know we're on the way. But there's no star destroyers. I promise."

"All good," Han said, good-naturedly. "We're in. Be nice to hide out somewhere semi-legit for once."

”One would think a now formerly allied polity would be legitimate but, it seems whoever is now leading things has their own beliefs on that.” Tiber said in a dry tone. Shaking his head, ”I may have to inform my wife in some way. Otherwise she might send out a fleet to find me and bring me home.”

”You’re wrong, boss. She’d lead that fleet and your kids would be flying her wings.” Wyrock managed to get out after a coughing fit of laughter.

Atin-Kot himself had nothing else to add to the discussion, he’d advised Bo and now awaited his Mand’alor’s decision as to what the Mandalorians themselves would do. But, since it was a Mandalorian making the suggestion he was sure they would support and attend at Gargon.

Lex straightened out. "It'll be a safe haven. Besides, my grandfather will be there soon. And probably my sister too." He pointed out and looked up at Bo. "Is it true she hit you once?"

"Once," Bo said, drily, with some amusement. "It was a memorable start."

Looking around all those gathered, she regarded them each briefly. "We should reinforce Mandalore. The Republic will strike hard and fast where we are exposed. Gargon will be unknown, for a time, so if we make it secure, we can and should. Any contacts you have, we need to reach out to them."

That meant their ties to other Mandalorian worlds, systems aligned with Lexrul, or even Jedi and other Force Users who might agree with the stance they were taken.

A pause. "We should also look to leverage more allies. I suggest one of us go to Hapes too."

Atin-Kot stood beside Bo, thinking about what was possible. ”If you desire, my Mand’alor, I can assist at Mandalore, if you are going to Gargon. I will bring back as many of our people as I can, while ensuring our home is secure.” he offered, tone polite and respectful.

Tiber nodded, thinking about what could be done. ”If it is possible, I can send Wyrock back to Lexrul and I can head to Bakura so both major worlds of our polity can prepare forces to aid us all.” he added to the discussion. He’d decided that going back to Lexrul itself would be a poor choice as he was sure that would be the first place those who had declared him an Enemy of the State would look for him.

Lex smiled and waited until everyone was finished speaking before he spoke up again. "Should we contact my grandfather and my sister?" He asked. He wouldn't mind going to Mandalore, but Gargon would be a good place to gather everyone.

Bo nodded. "Absolutely. We need to get everyone to Gargon, declare ourselves loudly neutral, and make sure nobody looks at us the wrong way. Kenobi won't let the Jedi do anything against us, but the Senate? I don't trust it, not now the True Republic is over."

A sniff.

Tiber had to put a hand on Wyrock’s shoulder to still the raucous laughter that came from the woman. Still though, there was a wry smile on his face. ”When a polity tries to frame the senior officer of a separate polity for their own failings…I would tend to agree, the Republic has fallen.” He glanced around the room again, thinking about the disparate group that seemed to be the core of whatever might rise from the ashes of this.

Atin-Kot nodded somberly at Bo’s words. ”Someone set up the Jedi as well. There should have been no way that man died when I attempted to read his mind. He was primed as a bomb.”

Tag: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @Adalia-Durron

 

IC: Croke Senator & Croke Aide
Opera House

Croke Senator in his multilimbed glory and spidery centaur form stripped and was now delving into the barren Sun Guards mind. Using every trick, lure, and poison to peal back that mind layer by layer. It didn't matter if it came out in a jumbled mess, they had more than enough minds that worked that way that were apart of them that putting together a single human lifespan would be child's play.

Croke the Aide in the Senators box was intensely focused on healing Senator Mothma. Feeling the support of the tree and the other, they pushed on to save this life. To disrupt whatever dark plan this was by making it miss it's mark.

The Senator took several hoarse breaths.

She was struggling.

Very badly, but she was alive. A blade had just about caught her heart but not skewered it, but she had lost a lot of blood.

"Croke?" she managed, her eyes fluttering open.

In the Sun Guard's mind a single interaction of note. A Muun, issuing orders, and an apprentice, smaller, lithe, cloaked, standing besides him.

Croke the Aide smiled softly as they continued the healing energies to mend the broken form of Mon Mothma. "Please no motions. You're in a fragile state. Outside they are reporting your death even now, best not to give them the satisfaction of being correct by undoing our small work here."

Croke the Senator continued draining the Sun Guards mind, they would taking everything. Every glance, every smell, every sound, and faintest taste. Perhaps there would be more to glean about the apparent apprentice that the Sith had lied about not having, one which likely was going to be a sacrificial tool if Croke had been given missions by Plagueis. A new apprentice against an old, only now it was a new that had already killed the master against an old surviving apprentice.

Mon released a breath, blood dribbling from her mouth briefly, and then nodded, pained. "I understand. The Chancellor, is he okay? What about Padme? And Bail?"

The Sun Guard's mind broke, but not before revealing that the apprentice had a human chin -

Croke tilted his head, focusing on the healing for a moment as well as the information coming from the Sun Guard, before nodding. "Chancellor is missing. You are the only one with a spark of life at the moment we could rescue. Padme is passed. We had high hopes for her, if this is her. Hard to tell with her handmaidens." Croke the Aide replied with sorrowed eyes. "We will contact her Handmaidens now. They should hear it from someone here no matter where they are."

Croke the Senator looked at the Sun Guard, his mind broken he was a husk that given all that he could. At least that is what others would think. Croke pressed into that mind, compressing, subsuming and binding. Adding another consciousness unto his own. Once complete the Senator Croke would hug onto the man and weave a shell around the two Croke-Mind bodies, weaving a form of an Gundark about them both before moving to check on the Lexrullian and the tree.

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @darthbernael