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Taris


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*** Ten Rotations Later ***

 

Kota moved quietly through the streets as he glanced from market stand to market stand. Stealing had become very easy for him over the past few days. The need to eat without having any credits made motivation to become better a reality that few could understand. Over the past few days, Kota became far more motivated to move into stealing things that would provide better security of the two Togrutas, as opposed to the beginning of him stealing elements of things that wouldn't be missed. While he enjoyed building things from his own bare hands, the idea of taking larger things was a help to cut time down from being away from his sister Haatta.

 

Even on days like today, whispers and talk circled around wannabe bounty hunters who were taking up their own chances to build a name for themselves. What made things worse was the talk of what the bounties were worth. The Zygerrians really didn't care as much about him as they did his sister. They were only offering up 1500 credits for him, dead or alive. Haatta on the other hand, they wanted her only alive, 15000 credits. It was almost insulting to him, yet he understood that dangers of letting such a thought remain within his mind. His sole responsibility now was to protect her with his life.

 

Moving very quietly in between the crowds of people, Kota picked up what he thought the two would need. Fruit that could fit within his pouch that was slung around his shoulder. Some standard rations that just happened to be sitting out on a market stand. He also managed to grab a starport visa. Carefully, he moved himself back out of the crowded space and began to head towards the less busy access street that connected two apartment buildings. Upon entering, he made sure no one was looking and then jumped up to a ledge of an open window that one of the apartments had open. From there, he slowly began to climb.

 

As he climbed, he could hear some movement within one of the apartments that he was scaling up the outside walls of. He took a moment to stop and listen in to what they were saying. The words were quiet and soft, yet distinct enough for Kota to get an idea of what they were saying. "... Hidden out at the old... She doesn't seem to leave... He's been spotted a few times near... Rumor has it... They're going to make a move tonight... Those credits would be worth a..." That was about all that he needed to hear. He had to move and get Haatta out of the apartment tonight. If he was lucky, he could easily steal a ship near the lower level docking hangar near the old racing district. There was always plenty of pilots that came in and out of those ports looking to move big and small items.

 

It took him about twenty minutes to get into the old abandoned apartment. He found Haatta sitting at a desk that was recently wiped clean on dust and she was looking at a deck of pazaak cards that Kota had recently stolen. He dropped some fruit on the table and gave her a sympathetic glance.

 

"We need to leave within the hour. Eat and pack your things. We are headed for the lower levels."

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  • 2 weeks later...

*** Six Hours Later ***

 

Kota kept Haatta close by the entire time as the two of them slowly climbed down the fire escapes of the apartment complex that they had found their way inside of ten days ago. The climb down wasn't as bad as perhaps the climb up would have been, mainly because Kota had gotten really good at both elements of it after ten days of doing it. As the two climbed down, he found himself wondering what sort of mess he had gotten them into. They were not on their home planet, away from their parents, and to make matters worse, had a bounty on both their heads. As of right now, he needed to get them both far away from Taris as possible. Although he had to admit, it was going to be tough. Even if he could get them past the security at the docks, stealing a ship would be almost impossible to accomplish. Not without a massive amount of luck could he do this.

 

As the two of them moved quietly through the streets in a very discreet way, dodging and weaving throughout the crowds of people-which wasn't too much as it was late at night. Kota had to strategically move them so that they would stay in the more crowded areas, or else they could be found easily. It was a bit tricky at times, but otherwise he found the best way to the lower level starport docks. From his limited view, he could tell that at least three ships occupied a pad, and a few ships were either coming or going-he was unable to fully tell. This is going to be a bit difficult

 

With some slow movement towards the outer office at the starport dock, Kota could see that there were indeed three ships docked at a landing pad, although it looked like one was being loaded up with supplies, one seemed cold as if it had been resting there for a few hours already. And the final one looked as if the crew was still disembarking. With some luck, that ship will be the easiest to take. And from what I hear, Lambda-class T-4a shuttles are fairly easy to pilot… It would still take a lot, as the security seemed to have picked up as the docks since their arrival almost eleven rotations ago. He would need a distraction.

 

"Kota… I have a bad feeling about this…" Kota turned to look at Haatta. She herself was also taking a look to see what sort of trouble the two of them could fall into. She held a point. Even he could feel something deep within him warning him of an impending doom that was about occur if they stayed on their path. Yet what choice did he have? The hideout he had found for the two of them had become compromised. Bounty Hunters were looking for them on the planet now. If they didn't leave within the next two hours, both would most likely become just a recent trophy in the career of a rookie bounty hunter looking to make a name for themselves.

 

"We don't have a choice anymore. We have to succeed, not matter what. - Let's go." Kota stood up and began to move alongside crates full of supplies that had been unloaded and were scheduled to be moved sometime tomorrow. They needed to find something to use as a distraction to help lure the guards away from the docks. It was something that he knew he had to find in order to give both him and Haatta a chance to get off the planet.

 

Making a few stops and runs behind crates that helped shield him and Haatta from unfriendly eyes, along with allowing for him to pick up words from the conversations happening around the dock. It was very useful to hear that the pickup of security was due to supplies needing to be taken to the Galactic Alliance. Some ship named Aero Prancer apparently was expected to make touchdown on Triple Zero sometime within five rotations. That could easily work to his advantage if he could figure out which ship was the Aero Prancer. But what would help him the most would be a distraction to draw people away…

 

It was then that something caught Kota's eye. A glimmer from armor of a man who was walking upon a ramp about four levels up near the starport dock. If only there was a way to get him to fall or trip and fall down… He stared at the man, wishing heavily for him to fall, when suddenly-he did. He fell over by a speeder racing too fast and close to where he was walking and the man fell over the ledge, landing near the main office of dock authority. Upon him landing, all of the officers and extra crew of other ships quickly ran towards the man who had fallen over. "Now's our chance, run towards that ship!"

 

Quickly him and Haatta stood up and began to run towards the ship that Kota had pointed to. With everyone else extremely distracted by the man falling, the practically had a clear run to the shi-. No. Two men in armor jumped out of nowhere, fully armed with blasters pointed at the two of them. So much for a clear shot. Haatta stopped as fast as she could and threw herself behind something for cover. Kota kept charging, sliding low as he pulled out his staff and swung it to knock down the two men. As he continued his slide and spun around to stand up to see what sort of offensive he would need to do in order to let his sister get past them. Much to his own surprise, they were both knocked down on the floor. The six guys who had snuck up behind them however, were still standing.

 

"The Zygerrians are offering a lot of credits for you two… well, more like just her. I think you're as worth as much to us dead as you could ever be. Kill him." Almost as soon as the wannabe bounty hunter spoke the order, he grabbed Haatta forcefully by the arm and began to pull her backwards away from the fray. Kota had a moment to think before he had to react. Blaster fire had begun to ensue, causing massive mayhem and drawing the attention of the dock authority officers, who were now trying to return to settle things down. As Kota moved to get away from blaster fire, the two men whom he had knocked down began to arise again. Kota spun where he was at and delivered a few focused strikes to one of them, while keeping himself in a position of where the other hunter would have to risk being hit by a stray blaster bolt or have the other stop for a moment.

 

The focused strikes were enough to put one of the hunters into a daze as he knocked him unconscious. Using a nearby pole as momentum, Kota ran up part of it and spun around to kick the other attacker who was close to him in the chest, providing temporary cover as he knocked him back towards the other five men who were shooting at him. He quickly found himself hiding behind a crate for cover as blaster fire resumed after the very short pause. He struggled to look around to see what angle he could gain to help take out the rest of his assailants and get his sister back.

But it was then he saw it, from the corner of his hiding spot, the bounty hunter dragging his now stunned sister by her head-tails up a ramp and into his ship. There was suddenly a great emotion that was overflowing within himself. It was a very hot white anger. It was a strong sense of disappointment. It was grief. It was somehow all three at the same time. It encouraged him to act, yet it paralyzed him with fear. For the first time since he decided to smuggle him and his sister off of Shili, he didn't know what to do. But he had to do something. With nothing but a second of a thought, he acted.

 

The white-hot rage overtook him as he watched the shuttle that held his sister began to pull away from the landing pad. He stood up and with a loud shout, he lifted his hands and pointed them with force at the men shooting at him. He wanted them to feel his anger, his pain. He wanted them to know that he was hurt deeply. Kota himself didn't even understand why he decided to use such an action to display his emotions, but he did. And for some reason, he was rewarded. There was a loud sound that came like a hurricane blowing strong wind that knocked and pushed all seven men backwards a good fifty feet. The action itself put the young Togruta into shock for a second. But it could only last a second, as he had to act. He quickly had to turn and run. He wasn't going to get a second chance at this.

 

With a burst of energy and adrenaline, he ran towards the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle and quickly boarded it and got it off the ground before the dock authority could put a lock on the ship. Using the momentum he had, he had the ship blast off towards space and with some luck, a chance to find and rescue his sister…

 

 

Meanwhile on the dock, the main port authority officer quickly rounded up the bounty hunters and placed them under arrest for the disruption they helped cause at the docks. Turning towards his men, he spoke. "Send word to the GA and CoreSec. A runaway Togruta male, responsible for killing three men on a Lambda-class shuttle. He's their problem now."

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  • 4 weeks later...

Sarah piloted the ship down to the surface. Slowly- about the minimum speed allowed for planetary decent. Both her and her apprentice could feel the place they needed to go to. It was like a beacon in the Force- and it was sick. They landed, going through the standard docking procedure. Taking a deep breath- they headed out to the outskirts of town. They could have hired a landspeeder or shuttle- but then the task would be over quickly, and neither of them wanted to even begin with this mission. While Sarah's whole reason for existing was this mission- she wasn't going to like what they found, and wasn't going to enjoy this. It would be nice to return though, maybe take DuVos with her... Tobias had been great- and this was literally a clone of the former Sith.

 

As a hut came into view they both slowed to a halt and pulled their hoods up as it began to rain. Sarah sighed heavily, fingered her lightsaber for a moment then started towards the hut. There was a flickering light coming from the one window, and it seemed as if it was from a candle and not a lamp. The path was dirt, the hut was wooden and small- big enough where six adults might be able to stand around- but only two could sleep comfortably. It was obvious the trail was once worn down and maintained but had since returned to its unruly state. DuVos dropped behind as the brush closed in on them. They were closing in, about forty feet away when it all started to die away. Cascading in death towards the hut. Both of them had seen this before. Another deep breath and the two entered the hut- it was as bad as she feared. There was only one thing to do now so she pressed her commlink to send a message to Tobias.

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  • 1 month later...

As the Prism entered back into real space, Tobias was sitting down in the common room of the YT-2000. When he and Sarah had been sent back- along with a squad of long dead friends and colleagues for the Irak Glan Orb, it seemed like such a daunting task, and there was such a rush to get it. The memories of that final battle between him and his former master Sabatin played over in his mind the fierce determination behind those yellow eyes. His former master of the Seekers who elevated and trained him so well, had died at Tobias's own hands- after the senior Seeker killed everyone in the task force... The war that was raging Beyond the Veil was hard to wrap a mortal mind around the scale and depth of the actions taken by both sides. It wasn't a mortal realm after-all. The High Council had two sides pretty much, the Seers- who foresaw events unfolding and could often shape the very future that impacted this plane of existence- specifically relics and artifacts. Then there were the Seekers the ones who actually went after the relics- and took care of issues within the realm. The Seers had wanted to halt all meddling after the last big catastrophe, and took steps to stop the mission the Seekers had been assigned. After all that- the two that made it back... that lived... had not even found the object of their quest. It was severely disappointing, what would he say in front of the Council of Knowledge? Would he be stripped of his holdings and charges along the western front? Was that even important to him? Was going back important to him? Or was he just trying to hold onto the associated and implied status of that?

 

He sighed- there was only one thing that was important to him now. At least, since the Orb was found. She was in the refresher, still getting herself cleaned up after the blood and gore on Kashyyyk. Adenna... oh how he treasured her. He had tried to explain what this all meant to the galaxy. If the Sith had found the relic- they would have had such a tap of power. So far though, the ball was entirely in the Jedi's court. Something Dahar had wanted to ensure- based on the conversations they had on Tython. But... he hoped she would not despise him because of where he had been, versus now. He truly had tried, but some of his mental pathways did get a little curvy. Sadly, there was the fact this never really got communicated to Dahar... Somehow... he found his own answers. The Force always finds a way, though.

 

Dahar...

 

A cold ripple flowed down his back- and he felt Sarah- and his headache returning. DuVos was close. So was Dahar. With being a tracker and the Force- he could pinpoint almost anyone or anything if they were familiar to him, or he could connect in some way. Basically like a bloodhound, or even a vornskr. Then, he felt the prensence of a titanic darkness. His back did not warm up despite the shiver already leaving his body.

 

Ni called back to him- asking if he wanted to talk to Taris Space Control. Tobias answered affirmatively and took the call over his own headset- he had long since shed the combat suit he wore on Kashyyyk. A black eye, bruised neck, budges in his shirt that held bandages and his left hand was wrapped in bandages- but he was still an imposing figure. His right forefinger touched the side of his ear, which housed the headset. Taking a steadying breath, he addressed the Controller on the other line and asked for special permission to drop two passengers off at a specific location, then hover to pick them back up if they were done within the hour. Control took a few moments, but after Tobias used his influence as a Jedi Master- something he knew he shouldn't have done but decided to anyways- to get his way. A few moments later- Adenna was at his side as their ship settled down, did a fly-by over the edge of their destination and lowered the boarding ramp to leap down.

 

As their boots impacted the ground and Tobias's headache got worse- he made sure to examine his surroundings. There was the hut, a little more ramshackle from disrepair and no upkeep. The grass was up to his chest- it was also neglected. The tree that had once been glowing with life- was naked of leaves. In front of them was a small dirt path that the grass was trying to reclaim. Even the air seemed to be stale- as if it had not moved in ages. It reminded him of Gala... Even the light around the hovel seemed to be tinged with an ashen overcast, despite the sunny day that had accompanied them down to the surface. Even the air seemed cold. As the washout from the departing vessel settled, a breeze came in to shake the vegetation gently. Tobias let his gaze drift to the ground- kicked at a small stone and carved a line in the dirt with the toe of his boot- it was clearly a stalling tactic, but stalling wouldn't help them- nor would rushing through this next bit.

 

Clearing his throat- he glanced to Adenna, nodded, and started to lead the way to the hut. Explaining this was where he had come back and had met up with Dahar- it was walking back down memory lane. A hermit who had healed half of Taris... a lost Jedi Master- a very odd and interesting thing that the Force had manipulated into happening, especially since Sarah had stayed behind- the portal had closed back to this realm and she had still arrived about a month before Tobias. It was as short walk and the grasses were encroaching on them- but not slowing them down. Sullenly, Tobias looked up to the hut after pushing another stone out of tripping range. As if that was a real concern. As they got within twenty feet of the structure- a figure emerged from the doorway- quietly opening, then turning to shut the door. Like a statue, it hung there- waiting for the two Jedi to approach. The figure wasn't a stranger- it was the person who had sent the message. It was Sarah, her vibrant red hair now a burgundy under the overcast weather. Vos was vexed- something in the back of his mind wished to see the hair as he always remembered it. The same thought also was trying to tell him that this was going to be the last time he was going to see it- but he wasn't aware of that thought just yet.

 

Closing the gap the two stood there, looking at one another- determined not to be the first that broke. After several moments Tobias sighed- and Sarah nodded. "Tobias, Jedi Alluyen.... It's bad. Dahar... is... well, he's already dead, his mind and body just haven't accepted it yet. He hasn't passed. His willpower is keeping him here. He know you, Tobias- he won't give up the Orb to anyone else. I told you we needed to reevaluate the situation and contact someone back home- but you wouldn't listen." She snapped the last sentence- and it almost sounded like a growl at the end.

 

Tilting his head, trying to identify her anger- he found it. Sarah hated feeling useless- standing around- it wasn't her style. "Sarah, we both know this wasn't going to go according to plan. I am surprised Dahar found it- do you know where he found it?"

 

Sarah hung her head and shook it in a brooding manner. "No, he just keeps calling for you, Adenna, Kirlocca, and a few others that are unintelligible. It's bad, Vos. We need to get the Orb, and get back to the High Council..."

 

Vos nodded agreement, looked back to Adenna and tried to give her a smile. Communicating that he was here for her if she needed it- and that he was sorry it had come down to this. His whole aura in the Force was stricken with worry and shame.

 

"Very well." Was all he said- and Sarah opened the door for both of them to enter. DuVos was removing a damp cloth from Dahar's head. As the clone looked up- he nodded and stepped back to the corner of the room where a small water basin and sink was set up. Tobias remembered that as the kitchen, and there was the table he and Dahar had chatted about leaving Taris and seeing what was out in the Galaxy, there was this that and other other of your typical hut. Interior designing was not why he was here- he was here for the center piece. Dahar.

 

Dahar...

 

Tobias took a step forward and caused a tremor. Immediately they all, save for Dahar, looked around, slightly unnerved. Tobias stepped again- another tremor. There was another five steps to Dahar's side. Tobias just leveled his gaze and opened his mouth to speak before Dahar interrupted him.

 

"Heh, heh.... gotchya again." He wheezed- his eyes affixed to the ceiling. Dahar's eyes were whited out- there was no color in them at all- so he must be sensing Tobias through the Force- or even the feelings Tobias was having with this whole thing. Tobias was clearing his throat then Dahar interrupted again- holding up a hand that was wilting away. "Let me have my fun, Tobias. I didn't even get to cash in my retirement."

 

Another raspy chuckle came from Dahar- and a coughing fit. Tobias snorted and chuckled as well. It was poor taste to say an inside joke with three observers in the room- but Tobias was willing to let it go. "Dahar... how-why-"

 

As Tobias closed the distance between them- Dahar, clearly bed-ridden, held up a hand with his index finger extended- asking for a moment. "Tobias, it was in this very room, we met again- and you asked the same kriffing question. Now that I am dying-" Dahar's raspy voice was terrible, and it sounded like his windpipe was simultaneously scratchy and on the brink of collapsing. "- let's not cover the same ground." he managed to get out.

 

Taking a knee to Dahar's right, Vos knelt. "Fine- where did you find the Orb? Where did you go after Catnip Station?"

 

For the first time since entering, Dahar closed his eyes, smiled and shook his head almost imperceptibly. "It doesn’t matter. Do you want the Orb? Have it-"

 

With a swirl of wind inside the hut- Dahar's eyes came back with full color- his skin seemed to reverse its desiccation in three quick bounds. His voice- everything about him seemed to heal- as a ball of liquid black rose out of his chest as if it weren't even tangible- it just arose like an illusion out of Dahar's chest. Tobias heard Sarah gasp- DuVos even took a step back. It was the Orb alright, and it wasn't an illusion. It was as if the Force itself had reached out and clutched Tobias's heart and held it in place as it tried desperately to beat.

 

Dahar's hands lifted with the Orb as if he were holding it inbetween his hands, suspended in midair. It was a massive black... thing that rose out of his chest. His eyes were locked on the artifact which pulsed and melted then evaporated all at once- outward then tried to escape and come back in on itself like pillars of liquid smoke arose and came back in on itself. Kind of like if there was a long section of pipe that had been mangled together and smoke was pumped in at a tremendous speed- then the pipe vanished but the smoke was still boiling around. At least- that's what his mortal mind saw- and how it tried to rationalize what he was witnessing.

 

Sarah had gasped, while stepping forward. "Tobias, you know what we have to do."

Tobias hung his head- his heart still feeling pressured. "Yes..." He directed his eyes back to Dahar, but still spoke to Sarah- "Sadly enough...." His voice changed to a gentler undertone- he was now addressing Dahar- "Dahar Raikanda, Jedi Master, Former Grandmaster. My foe turned ally turned friend. You have shown me so much, and I am sorry I have not returned the favor. Allow me to correct that error, I am going to take you to a place where you will obtain such knowledge as I have found. Let me show you... but first, I need to let Adenna say her peace. Sarah, help me with this." Tobias nodded to the Orb. The two cohorts moved to either side of the bed and reached their hands out to surround the black mass from Dahar’s immediate vicinity. As long as one was paying attention to the Orb it wasn’t a danger, or so the research had mentioned. Tobias communicated this to DuVos and let him take over as the original went back to Dahar’s side.

 

As Tobias placed his right hand on his friends left shoulder, a slight nod was given between the two of them and then Vos injected his own memories into Dahar- and even getting him to take the first step of the path to becoming a Seeker. Feeling the fellow Master urn for what lay beyond- it was right call. Slowly the two started to walk in the mental image of the path to the High Council- the simplistic way of living, there was a proper duty, and you were still a shadow of your mortal self. Or something like that. As the two ventured through the first step- it was here their secrets were laid bare. Tobias apologized and forgave as much as Dahar did. There was unspoken intentions there. Dahar had wanted to fight back against the Sith- before they became a problem. He was sad to see that Kilocca had passed, and that Kashyyyk had fallen. Both of them regretted that they were correct. There was part of Dahar that wanted to go back- to fight and continue on fighting for the light side. Tobias silently held his friend, a hand finding Dahar’s shoulder. Sorrow filled his eyes and Tobias shook his head. "No, my friend, you're set on a different path now. I will continue on with my side of things, you must embark on a new path." Vos said, gently as they worked their way through the process to walk Beyond Shadows.

 

As they slowly counted their way up to number seven, Tobias could feel the group leaving their bodies and starting their journey beyond. Sarah had contained the Orb with the instructions they had been given almost a year ago, and now they were all there. There was the doorway, and Dahar was on his feet looking healthy again. A slight echo could be heard and colors were noticeably duller. Much to his dismay, Tobias noticed three figures standing there waiting for them in the field that matched the one outside Dahar’s hut on Taris.

 

They shook their heads at Tobias, as they beckoned everyone else forward. “Farewell, you three. I will see you again.”

 

Dahar looked hurt, DuVos looked nervous, Sarah looked confident- which was to be expected as she had called this realm her home for the past 1,200 years. Silently, they all nodded- and Tobias let his mind and spirit sink back to his body. Alas, he did so against his own selfish wishes. He wanted to linger, see the vast expanses of libraries and laboratories that the Seers and Seekers maintained here, to see what had happened in the last year of violence. Obviously though, he was not welcome back just yet.

 

As he returned to his body- his hand was still where Dahar’s would have been, and upon a glance around Sarah and DuVos had gone as well. The air inside the hut was…. Warm again… colors were brighter and the breeze was inviting. Tobias sighed, his hand rubbing where Dahar’s body had been. Tilting his head in surprise- his headache was gone. So it was DuVos that was causing that disturbance…

 

Getting back to his feet, he rubbed Adenna’s arm in a comforting gesture and then led the way out of the hut and ultimately back to the ship. How many of his friends had passed in the last few hours? How many Jedi had just died? His mind was heavy, he wanted a vast quantity of Hull Striper or Dragonjuice but nothing beat that blue Kashyyyk Wine he had had after Kirlocca's funeral. Something to take his mind off all this death and loss he had experienced recently. And yet, Adenna was still there at his side... something he would forever be grateful for. She beside him, and he beside her.

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  • 2 months later...

It was within Lemnos Industries' most lately christened factory upon Taris that Haphaestus now did find himself toiling, for he found it bore his presence with the most grace. Though frequent were his journeys back to Nubia, Kuat, and other worlds where his company flourished, always in those systems he required with great care to hide his affiliation with the Sith Order that did persecute those governments and those with whom they allied. Upon neutral Taris he had not only access to clientele and the resources to ply his trade, but concerns of distant politics did not visit upon his mind, which was upon more worthy topics entirely focused.

 

His forge there was eternally hot; since the first spark had lit a flame therein, never had the embers ceased to glow. And from it emerged creatures of metal, in forms of homunculi or beasts or of men-at-arms, any two of which were seldom alike but each bearing in common some aspect of the image of its maker. These myriad creations roamed the halls of Lemnos, the streets of Taris, and across the expanse galactic as wealthy patronage queued to purchase designs found nowhere else.

 

Little interrupted Haphaestus' work, but when a message arrived that bore the proverbial seal of the Dark Lord, he lay aside his tools to receive it and Lord Exodus' commands. Upon completing the task, he addressed his attendant, no more living than the raw materials out of which it had emerged and yet in function much higher than crude biologicals. "Prepare my ship. Fill its hold with ores, and spare not the reserve of darkmetal."

 

Darkmetal. That which could by no process be synthesized nor by any machine extracted from the caves of Almas where solely it could be found. With great care Haphaestus rationed it for such pursuits worthy of its splendor and utility. Among such pursuits was the task now set before him.

 

When completed were his instructions, the great Sith departed Taris for some destination that in no other he had confided.

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  • 5 months later...

Zalis rubbed her temples as the Obsidian Phoenix shock itself somewhat violently out of hyperspace. For some reason, Raven pissed her off to the point that she had a lingering headache that she couldn't shake. Putting one hand down, she glanced out at the planet before her that had once been covered in city lights from space, now only had about half the planet in those lights. A green color seemed to overtake the rest of it. Looking towards the Droid, she raised an eyebrow as she kept one hand still rubbing her forehead.

 

"Czerka has a few people here who might try to oppose the contract signed. The last thing that they want is to have a new flag be raised over their territory. This could become... Fun by Delta's standards."

She finally lowered her hand as she leaned forward to really take the planet in. Feeling confident that Taris would be the first of many planets to have no choice but allow for the banner of Black Sun to be raised, she suddenly realized that she didn't officially know what the droid's number was. She turned slightly to look at the droid and gave it a look that may have suggested she felt bad.

 

"If you're going to work closely with me, I'm going to need your name officially..."

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Taris laid before them, a sight that made the small astromech droid tremble with slight fear as his gaze sat upon its visage after exiting hyperspace. He had been here before, been here during his time under that Hutt. And even as she mentioned Czerka, he knew it only held a small presence upon the planet compared to the one who truly ruled it from behind the shadows, a hidden flag that forever flew. Whether or not this being would show himself or his reach, he held no clue. Only that he frightened him so.

 

Remo's small mechanical arms reached up briefly, tugging at the sleeve of her uniform in a motion to turn around, answering her question as best as he could in binary, its chirp echoing vaguely "Re-Mo, Re-Mo" as he ached for her to heed his fear. But even then, Remo held a strong feeling that it was lost upon translation. No matter, for a comm soon began to chim. Only, before either could answer it, it came up upon own.

 

----------

 

Before the two sat the visage of a crimson haired fellow close to his late twenties, properly dressed in a white dress shirt and a long pipe in his hand as he drew upon its tip, his devilish blue eyes gazing first at the woman and then at Remo. He smirked briefly before speaking.

 

"Hello R3-M0, or should I say Remo now? And a welcoming hello to you as well, Zalis Krales. You've been making quite a name for yourself lately, mi'lady. Please join me for a chat, if you will, at my estate. Coordinates are being transmitted now and clearance is being given."

 

And with that, the visage disappeared as the smirk left his youthful face, coordinates being recieved by the ship's computer that would lead to a lavish mansion upon a cliffside overlooking the vast sea. When they landed, the man would be waiting their arrival, a small escort of only two personal guards clad in grotesque armor, all unarmed of course. Only Zalis would end up going alone as Remo would not accompany her for his own reasons.

 

((Hope you dont mind the twist. Seeing as we were coming here, I felt we'd reintroduce an old character and have a little fun.))

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Zalis smiled at the droid as it made its attempt to speak its name. She was able to pick up some of what it was trying to say, but her own follow up question was blocked by an incoming transmission from the planet. There was no chance for either to answer it, as it flooded to life on its own. Before Zalis was suddenly a man of red hair himself. His blue eyes pierced through sharply as he looked over the droid first, calling it by name; Remo. He then addressed her and spoke rather quickly of her own reputation and made an invite followed quickly by the transmission cutting off. Zalis suddenly sat back in the pilot’s chair and spoke out loud to Remo.

 

“He’s quite an Kriffing gentleman isn’t he?...”

 

Zalis looked over at Remo, but could tell that the droid seemed nervous. Clearly there was some sort of history there, but she decided it was best to not press him for the story. She would most likely get it later. For now, she would visit this man and find out who he was and if he was an ally, an asset, or a threat and deal with him appropriately. She couldn’t afford to waste too much time with him though, as she needed to get Czerka under her thumb quickly.

 

As the ship landed, she was met and escorted by two men clad in armor of their own. Ugly armor to be sure, but still armor. She did take notice that neither of them was armed, which was a good sign. Zalis herself was armed, but only with her up close and personal assassination weapons of choice. She never let those weapons not be on her, as she never knew when she might need them. She herself was dressed in a white dress the was free flowing, but had a black coat like cape that covered up the majority of the white dress. Upon entering the main area where the guards escorted her, she immediately plopped herself down on a couch, crossing her legs and stretching her arms out over the top of the couch to make herself comfortable. It was just a part of who she was to make herself comfortable.

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"Please, do make yourself at home, Ms. Krales." The man spoke, waving his hand as to offer her the couch before his desk. His crimson hair held little to the palate of the Lavender Senatorial Robes he was now draped in, his hand grasping the long stemmed pipe he inhaled from as he patted the bowl's wooden rim and heated the tobacco within. As he exhaled into the recycler beside him, his gazed firmed. "I regret to inform you that your trip here to deal with the Czerka Corporation will be invain."

 

Just as he spoke, Arthureo and Erygll both wondered into the room, the twin boys now reaching their perspective teenage years, draped in the rebellious outfits of the Tarisian underbelly, both moaning about how life... and their Father.... wasn't fair. Thinking quietly to himself at how he missed Katlynn and her reasonability with the two boys, his gaze shot toward them with a firm and almost despising glare. "Boys. I've told you both that once you've blown through your allowances, that there would be no more for the month. Shall I let you spend a few months in the underbelly with nothing but those ridiculous clothes upon your backs? No? Good. Now go do something productive."

 

The twins huffed and trotted out of the room, a sense of despair washing over Celteo as he watched them exit before turning his gaze back toward Zalis. "Forgive the interruption. Those two insist that the wealth I've built up is theirs to blow on the latest fashions and high tech gear. Suppose I spoiled them too much. I only wish they had been like their sister and taken after me." Celteo shook his head, rubbing his temples and forehead with his singular outstretched right hand, thumb to the right temple and forefinger and middle to the left. Realizing his mistake, he jumped. "Forgive my manners as well. I am Senator Celteo O' Maoilsheachlainn, and the reason I said your trip has in been in vain is because Czerka no longer has a presence on Taris outside of name alone. The Tarisian Branch is merely a front for my company, Lachlan Incorporated."

 

And his words were true. Lachlan Incorporated, operating under the guise of a Medical Corporation, had completely taken over Taris. Not only had it reached into the pockets of fellow Senators, but ran most of the nefarious workings of the underbelly and its many criminal organizations. But that was a deep as Celteo had managed to reach. Even with the backing of the now missing Sith Lord Ason Antilles, this was as far as he managed to grasp. Looking at Zalis, he saw a new opportunity, and he wasn't about to pass it up. Nodding toward the two guards that had escorted the woman in, they removed their helms as his gaze stared at the woman before him, his fingers now intertwined. What laid beneath the helms were even more grotesque than the helms themselves, revealing the Nekghoul that they were, a species he had worked to restore. "I am, however, not opposed to a proposition, should you have one."

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Zalis looked the man in the eyes after he finished for a good five seconds before she even flinched a muscle. She was a bit annoyed at the fact that the man even knew her purpose in coming, let alone that he would tell her that her time coming was a waste. But if what he said was true, it meant that she had far more work to do.

 

But as she was beginning to think of what her next move should be, the man who introduced himself as Celteo O' Maoilsheachlainn spoke up about a proposition that he was half expecting from her. His posture informed her that he was serious and was now waiting for what she had to offer. It was amusing and brought her to a point of actual laughter.

 

“Oh, son… I can tell you’re slightly new to this.”

 

She now stood up off the couch and threw off her black coat and straitened her dress in one motion. She began to walk towards the desk that Celteo sat at in a very somewhat methodical and slow motion.

 

“You see, if you wanted a deal that favored you, you would have allowed for me to offer up the idea of a proposition first. Because you brought it up first, it means you’ve hit a problem. Most people like you means either one of three things. First, you ran out of credit backing. Second, you’ve hit a limit in your reach. Or perhaps my personal favorite, you don’t have any reach to begin with and being seen next to someone like me would bring more attention that you want.”

 

Her last word she emphasized with her raising both eyebrows before turning around to sit with her back towards him on the desk. She only now began to fully take in the room that Celteo brought her to. It was grand and fitting for someone who belonged at the top of the food chain within the criminal world. Looking at the two guards that he had, who looked a warped version of an animal’s backside, she squinted her eyes slightly.

 

“Based from the look of your place I would say you fall into one of the first two categories.” Zalis now turned her head to look directly at the man. She had already decided to help him, as Taris would be good for business. But she couldn’t let him feel like he was superior to her in anyway, so she would play around with him for a bit. “What sort of arrangement crossed your mind that you think someone like me would be of a help for you? Clearly you have no interest in Czerka Corporation…”

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Celteo sat there with a simple grin upon his face as the Temptress walked about his office, typical of many Tarisian nobles. Fine furniture, luxurious mini-bar complete with an assortment of rare and well aged liquor, and statues forged out of legacy. But this had never been any of Celteo's desires. Money, power, fame... it was all a simple part of life for him, mundane and boring. Lachlan Inc was where his passions laid. Czerka had only been a means to an end.

"You see through me, mi'lady." celteo said with a chuckle, raising his pipe once again to take a draw from its top. "I see my choice in contacting you and inviting you here has proved more insightful than I had hoped for."

Placing the pipe upon a nearby holder, its aromatic smoke flowing upward from its warm bowl, Celteo took his turn to stand, moving around the desk and moving toward her front. "As you can see, money is not an option for me, my family having been Senators of Taris for a few millennia now. And it was my father whom ordered and funded Taris' reconstruction and return. So we are held in very high stature among both the common people as well as the elite."

He spun upon his boot heels, showing off what she had already ascertained, the crimson red Senatorial markings under his eyes only empahasizing the boredom in his life as his gaze returned to hers. "So as you can see, that leaves but one remaining option that you mentioned.... limited reach."

"During my time as a Senator, I have been able to reach outward off of Taris here and there, but nothing significant. And the Sith Lord Ason Antilles was a failure in my endeavor, and it cost me my biggest bargaining chip, the Muur Talisman. It wasn't until I heard whispers of your ventures, and eventually roars, that I felt a bit of hope once again. I knew it would only be a matter of time before you came to collect Czerka, so bid my time."

By now Celteo had slowly made his way toward her, his face more inches from her own as he placed the palms of his hands upon each side of her, his breath oddly refreshing despite the pipe he had been smoking on as his gaze stared into the depths of her own. "My proposition? A merger perhaps? Or at least a subsidiary agreement between us. I sign over the deed to Czerka and a partial ownership in Lachlan Incorporated, and together our companies grow."

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With a slight smile, Zalis turned herself around to walk slightly away from his face. As she moved, she walked slowly towards the large window that overlooked some of the only nicer parts that remained of the city that had rebuilt itself. Squinting her eyes slightly at a glare that came through, she turned her head back around to look at Celteo. She used the pauses to make it appear as if she was truly pondering the situation before she responded. 

“You don’t need to sign a deed over to me. Legally, since Shura Cohl’s death… the contract signed makes the company mine regardless. You only have leverage over the branch of Czerka out here. However, your position here does provide a very interesting leverage that intrigues me heavily…”

She instinctively raised her hand expecting to have someone put a drink in it, only to realize quickly that Celteo did not have such a staff always on hand. With a sigh, she put her hand back down and turned to fully face him. 

“The proposition that I give you is this. You remain here as my sector Vigo. You help increase the black market, increase slave trading, and create a culture of those who will do well within the organization…”

Zalis folded her arms in a way that allowed for Celteo to know that she was awaiting his response. She of course knew that he would have questions, along with a potential counter offer. Although she also knew that she wouldn’t accept anything less more than what she had offered up to him.  

Edited by Zalis Krales

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Lifting his arm up and letting her pass untouched, Celteo took the seat upon his desk that she had previously occupied, his gaze watching her as she contemplated his offer. Her own offer, however, wasn't offering much in return. Under his guidance, Czerka had attained much of what she requested. The Black Market in this sector of the Outer Rim has been booming over the last few years since Lachlan Incorporated had seized control of the branch, as much as the slave trade. As for the culture she spoke of, well, she had seen that with her own eyes briefly just moments ago. The twins may be a bit on the spoiled side, but their connections held a thriving den of mongrels which the likes that even Coruscant had ever seen. They were their Father's Sons after all.

"I see." Celteo spoke with a disheartened sigh. "My acquisition of Czerka wasn't as fool proof as I was led to believe and my leverage has failed."

Celteo moved toward the mini-bar, opening the seal on a new bottle of a hundred year old bottle of Tarisian Scotch, openly pouring himself and his guest a drink as to show no ill intent and turned toward her to offer her a taste. Swirling it within the glass, his lips touched the glass he held as he took a small draw of the liquid into his mouth and tisked behind it as he swallowed it before downing the rest. Another set back it would seem.

"No matter..." He spoke, setting the glass aside, his gaze shifting back toward her own. "As Czerka is your's legally, there is not much I can do about it. What your asking is already in place. I needed the underbelly of Taris as strong as it's ever been so that Lachlan Incorporated remained a beacon of hope for the citizens of our fair planet. And with the help of my sons, as well as the Nekghoul here, we have achieved that. It is as you wish it, but it doesn't bold well for my own company." Celteo chuckled. "I was hoping my leverage could prove beneficial in persuading you to aid me in reaching toward the Core Worlds."

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Zalis gave a slightly amused glance his way as Celteo expressed a desire for more. She walked up to the bar and picked up the glass, and with a rather quick movement, downed the drink offered to her. The very slight burn that echoed in her throat provided her time to put the glass down and leaned in towards the well dressed man to whisper into his ear.

"Who said you can't move towards the core? Chandrila, Anaxes, even Carida sits within your means. A sector Vigo is just that. You have full control over your area, and that area is yours to choose. You can take whatever liberties you want and need to advance Black Sun within your area. The only thing you'd be bound to uphold is that when I make the call for you,... You come."

She now took a step back away from him, allowing for him to regain his space. After a moment passed by, she lifted her hand towards him.

"Do we have an agreement, Vigo Celteo?"

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Celteo smiled at her words. She was more kind than he has suspected, her reputation proceeding her as ruthless and devilish as the Sith of old. But what he saw was much like himself, ruthless when the need arose, but gentle if there was no need for the other side to be shown. Either that, or perhaps she saw something of herself in him, perhaps a kindred spirit as Celteo was beginning to notice in her. If only he had met her a little over a decade ago, perhaps they could have been more than just partners.

"Indeed we do mi'lady." Celteo spoke with a chipper tone, graciously grasping her fingers as he kissed the top of her hand before returning to his desk and quickly grabbing his comm. As a young female voice responded, Celteo spoke but a few words. "Katelynn, Operation Muur is a go."

"Are you sure Father?" She questioned with hesitation, even the Nekghoul within the room motioning with perplexed looks upon their grotesque faces. He smiled. " Yes darling. It's time."

Placing the comm unit aside, Celteo shifted his gaze back toward Zalis with a grin, his fingers crossed as numerous ships left Taris's underbelly with destinations spread across the Outer Rim, all plotted with separate coordinates that would prevent their original placement being tracked back to Taris aside from the Rakghoul in which they carried. "Lady Zalis, it begins. Soon every planet in the Outer Rim will be plagued with the Rakghoul disease of Taris with no way of being traced back to us, and my company holds the only cure thanks to the synthetic antidote we rediscovered from the Muur Talisman I gave Ason Antilles. Lachlan Incorporated will become heroes, and all the while, Czerka grows richer as the foolish wish to rid themselves of the plague that has haunted us for centuries. Now it's their turn to know our plight."

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Zalis offered up a smile that was curled up in a sly devilish manner. She looked upon her new found Vigo as anyone who had just broken a cur. She poured herself another drink of the Tarisian Scotch that Celteo had given to her earlier, and she of course downed it in the same fashion as she did before - quickly and with authority. Having the glass slammed upon the bar-but not hard enough to make a super loud sound or breaking the glass. Using her arm to wipe her mouth dry, so moved away from the bar. 

"I leave that to you Vigo."

She went over to the couch and picked up her coat, and with a quick motion, put it back on as she stared at Celteo. 

"Expand as you wish. Black Sun HQ is now on Ord Mantell. I expect a report in person from you within a standard month's time."

She began to make her way towards the exit, but stopped short and turned around, clearly remembering to tell him something that she forgot.

"Also... Coruscant is... currently in turmoil. If the opportunity arises... offer the Mandalorians free resources from the Black Market. I'm sure that they will have no problems dealing with illegal goods..."

Letting her last few words hang for a moment, Zalis then turned and walked out of the luxury palace and towards her ship. Now that she had somewhat done what she intended for Taris, she would need to report back in to Ord Mantell and keep the local casino owners in line. Hopefully, Remo would have the ship ready for her departure from this planet.

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Celteo smiled as Zalis departed, taking a refill of his own glass into hand and drinking it upon it slowly, letting the spiced flavor and hint of wooden barrel dance upon his tastebuds. Everything was seemingly in motion and coming together. Shifting his gaze toward the Nekghoul, they dismissed themselves to parts unknown.

*******************

With Zalis' arrival aboard the ship, Remo took little time firing the ship up and getting as far as he could from this house, his memory of not a very fond one. Once they were into the upper atmosphere and entering space, the droid looked toward the red haired beauty inquisitively, wondering what transpired with Celteo and where she planned to go next.

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The Prism appeared in the appropriate shipping late, at an appropriate time, with no inappropriate red flags to Taris Flight Control. Completely inoffensive in every way. Unobtrusively, the YT freighter fell into a stable orbit and would stay there for an appropriate amount of time. 

 

Tobias had deactivated the personality subroutines on the PIT Droids- so they were finally behaving. If they, the collective they of all organic and the three droids on board, got in a fight he had a macroprogram to reactivate the droids personality. Ni was stationed in the cockpit, Tobias gathered @Kota Ni and @The Architect in the main hold on the YT as Apprentice Kel (@karyu128) flew in formation next to them.  Idly, Tobias wanted to get a bigger ship so that he could collect the Kel'Dor, but he had made this his home- this ship. To abandon it like his old N1 was unthinkable. Besides, with the Peregrine Cirlce starting back up, and the Order's increasing hostile stance on the Sith and Black Sun, with the Mandalorians on the rise- the communication capabilities of this craft would be invaluable. 

 

"Kota, I'd like for you to meditate for a moment- do you sense your sister here?" Tobias questioned his apprentice. "Clear your mind, and try to feel for something familiar."

 

While they all had come into the system with no remarkable maneuvers or eye catching classifications, Tobias would burn their way to the slavers that took youngling female Ni. 

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As they exited hyperspace above a planet that Aurora felt some semblance to, her gaze shifting out of the viewport in curiosity, she wondered upon the name of the planet they had came to and what it held for them. Those around her knew this Galaxy better than she did, and while she trusted their judgment, she couldn't help but still feel slightly out of place and lost in this new era she found herself in. And it was a constant thought she often battled with.

Yet, for now, she returned her attention toward the young Kota, his situation presently being more dire and pressing than her feeling of being lost. She was genuinely fearful for her fellow Padawan. As Tobias led them toward the ship's center, she kept up a smile, hoping to somewhat ease his worries and set some sample of ease for the Togruta's mind. But this was all she knew she could do, her gaze shifting toward Tobias in seeking more wisdom from the person leading them. His experience would be the guiding factor in their lives.

And like clock-work, he spoke, a sigh of relief fluttering in her chest as he instructed Kota.

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"Forgive me, my mortal kin, for I knew not what I did."

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  • 2 weeks later...

Kota did his best to maintain his own emotions as he reached out and tried to feel out his sister. But, all he could feel within the Force was tossing and turning. It felt like he fell in the midst of a hurricane of emotions. Waves after wave struck him, all having it's own thought and pattern of how it wanted to move, and none of it seemed to make sense to him. While trying to stay within the current of the Force, he spoke to Tobias, hoping that he would provide some wisdom on what he should do to help filter out what was not needed.  

"Tobias, please... I can't filter out the noise. It feels like a hurricane of emotions down there..."

It was about all that he could do to explain what he was feeling. The emotions were stirring and felt like he was asked to pick out a needle in a hay stack. Too many people with too many issues on the planet below.

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"Good." Tobias said, inclining his head. "Now, focus on parts of the hurricane- the debris floating in the torrent. The rain and hail. The cloud and lightning. Down to the swirling of the clouds. At this moment you can pull the pieces apart from one another- look to see if there is something familiar there. Your sisters scarf floating by, carried with the wind? A necklace she wore on the ground, hidden away from the winds that would pick it up? If you know one of the aspects- like rain, for example. That would be an emotion you don't need to worry about- ignore the rain. Ignore anything that wouldn't help you see your sisters scarf or necklace. Those things are there, you just have to push aside what will not help you for what you seek. Examine each part of the storm- and block out what would not be helpful."

 

Tobias hoped @Kota Ni would understand the metaphor. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

On their long flight, kel began meditating while R5 piloted the ship. he thought about his place in the galaxy and what he should do. hw thought to himself what his brother Frond would do were he in his place. what would master Sandy do for that matter? his thoughts drifted more and more on his master and out of curiosity decided he should reach out through the force to locate her.

he found the bright flame that was his master's presence in the force near Chandrila. He also sensed that a great conflict was happening in that part of the galaxy as well. Kel weighed the options before him. did he stay with master Vos and help his apprentice with his personal mission? or would he join master Sandy in battle and help those who were caught in the crossfire? Master Vos's advice about the big picture kept repeating itself in his mind. He realized that the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few. With a heavy heart, Kel contacted master Vos over the ship's radio and informed him that he would be returning to master Sandy. "I've thought long and hard about this master. I believe that right now the place I'm needed at most is Chandrila. At master Sandy's side. May the force be with you and your apprentices Master Vos." 

After leaving his message, Kel broke off from formation, input the coordinates of Chandrila and went into hyperspace.

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As the moments passed, Aurora grew even more worried about Kota. But she trusted in the young carnivore, and in her Master as well. And so she had spent the time in silence. But Kota had been quiet for too long, and this made her worry even more. She thought about lending him her aid, but felt that this was something he needed to do on his own. Possibly without Tobias' own intervention. 

Stepping next to Tobias, Aurora reached up and whispered into his ear. "Perhaps if we leave him to himself for a few moments, he may be able to channel and focus more?" While her words were more suggestive than anything, she still poised it as a question, leaving it to Tobias' own judgement.

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"Forgive me, my mortal kin, for I knew not what I did."

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Tobias had come to that conclusion a moment before Aurora had voiced it, she was picking up on social queues better now a days. The frozen being was learning how to read social body language. "Kota, call if you need anything, think on it for a bit. We'll resupply and check in with the Jedi Order." he quietly said, exiting. 

He nodded a 'good job' to Aurora and the pair turned to walk away in unison. The door to Kota's cabin slid silently shut behind them. In front of the pair was a PIT Droid, offering a datapad to Tobias. As the droid had its personality matrix shut off it didn't engage either of the organic beings in conversation, it just moved along to its next task. Tobias looked at the device to see that there had been a momentary black out of communications, but Kel had left to join Sandy on Chandrila. Precisely what Tobias was going to mention just before Kota had screamed out. The droids were currently working on getting the communications back up and running. 

 

As the pair started to walk down the hallway into the ships common room, Tobias looked down at his apprentice. "I should have turned their personalities off a long time ago, its much less stressful." Tobias chuckled. "Anyways, is there anything on your mind Aurora?"

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"Dont be too hard on yourself." Aurora spoke to Tobias in a jokingly tone as he mentioned the droids. "Outside of being shot at for a few crumbs and a wrapper, I kinda like the little guys."

Aurora went quiet for a moment as she pondered upon his question. To be honest, she hadn't really thought too much about herself recently, just placed most of her attention and worry upon her fellow Padawan, Kota.

"Nothing outside the usual for a thirty thousand year old woman." She jested in her usual deflective manner. "Kota's predicament worries me. I only hope he truly knows that he's not alone in this."

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"Forgive me, my mortal kin, for I knew not what I did."

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Vos nodded a reaction to Auroras' remark about the PIT Droids. "Yeah, the droids... *sigh* yeah... their programing had a flaw in it- I can't fix it and I think it will be better if the loop snarl they inadvertently got programmed with isn't engaged. So fair the personality deactivation seems to have worked. They were gift and designed to assist me with another project- but since that hasn't happened, their original programming hasn't changed. Something I should have been proactive with instead of brushing it aside all the time." 

 

Turning the corner into the common room, Tobias found his customary spot- and sat at the table. "Fair point. You've been keeping up remarkably well- with everything not just learning to utilize the Force. I wish I had a better structure for you, Kel and Kota to learn in. The only other trainee I've had was Sandy Sarna, who Adenna had already laid most of the foundation and structure. I just-" Tobias caught himself, as he remembered the bloody scene aboard his Space Station. Visibly, he shuttered. "-helped her through one of her last trials. and became a Knight." 

 

"To be blunt, I think Kota is feeling like any teenage- angry at the world, feeling alone, stressed. But I will, we will hopefully help him through some of that. I know I wasn't a great teenager, but... that was peculiar circumstances."

 

Scratching the side of his face- he let his eyes wander- off to the cooler. He held out his hand, wrist resting on the table- and imagined a Ithorian Ale in his hand. Remembering the weight, feel, and looks- he imagined it in his hand- and with a pop of displaced air, the cooler door bumping against itself- he was set. The cold glass resting in his hand with all twelve ounces of liquid in it still chill to the touch. Twisting off the cap, he took a drink. The rush of satisfaction at the first gulp was like a teetertotter. On one hand he was elated to have a drink, on the other side he knew he shouldn't have this drink.

 

Putting the drink back down on the table, motioned for Aurora to get something to drink as well while they chatted. He meant with the Force- as an exercise. He knew she would not be able to do the same trick as she did, but... actually... he didn't. He blurted out his question- "Tell me, what do you know of the Aing-Tii? Anything at all from your life before?"

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Kota felt like he was feeling pushed down and over weighted by so many decisions. Although, none of them were actual decisions, but rather just the feeling of something that he had to accomplish. He felt the pressure to find his sister. He felt pressure to perform well before his master. He felt pressure to filter things out. And all of that pressure felt like a great weight that was clogging up his own mind and locked him in a position of where he could no longer feel a direct feeling from one source or another. 

Trying his best to calm himself down, he reached back out into the Force in an attempt to feel, but all that came into his mind was chaos of emotions. It felt like an endless wave-an impossible task given to him. Almost as if he was asked to find a spark of light flashing within a sun. The sheer thought of him trying to find anything that could help them felt like he would fail outright. Trying to breathe in and out slowly allowed for him to find some form of focus. Letting each breathe reset his own emotions to reduce them into nothing. He felt like he had been sitting on the floor of the ship for a good few months almost before he opened his eyes. Instinctively, he reached out to Tobias through the Force. I... I think I found something...

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"I can help you with that..." Aurora spoke as the two neared the common room, her knowledge of the particular model not so great, but she did have some moderate skills when it came to droids. It was one of the skills she retained from her previous life under the Masters. "Programming, at its core is basic binary commands, a series of zeros and ones linguistically placed as a means of distinguishing protocol and personality. It wouldn't be hard to adapt it to what you need."

As the two entered the commons room, Aurora took her place across from Tobias and listened, seeing that he felt his training inadequate and mentioning the woman from before, Sandy, whom aided in her rescue. Aurora smirked as she reached her hand across the table and placed it upon his own, her eyes gazing at his as if telling him that herself, Kota, and Kel would be fine under his tutelage, and that he only needed to be more sure of himself. After all, he had spoken similar words to her own not too long ago. Removing her hand she sat back, her smile still adorned.

As she watched him retrieve his beverage, his skill in the Force well beyond her own, as it did as asked with little effort from his psyche. When his gaze fell to her to follow in suit, a hint a nervousness crept up inside her, but she brushed it aside as she remember his words and her own that she had only spoken to him through her contact just moments before. Calming herself, she chose a slightly different path as she instead reached out to the faucet and turned it on, letting the cool liquid pour into the basin and down the drain. Concentrating harder, she cupped a small amount within the Force as the molecules within binded together in an almost nearly circular sphere of liquid as she pulled it toward her before she let it drain into her mouth and down her throat, his next words catching her off guard and causing her to strangle slightly.

"Not much. I've only heard of them during my time under the Masters, and were considered gifted with the Mother's Bre.... The Force." She spoke as she coughed and cleared her throat. "My life was in servitude to the Masters and those they chose to call allies, including my own people. Besides my Masters and the Kwa, I only dealt with the few races I was assigned to oversee as an Architect. Why do you ask?"

Ky4xNb5.png

"Forgive me, my mortal kin, for I knew not what I did."

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Tobias nodded in acknowledgement of her offer to help fix the programming error within in the droids. Idly, he threw out a barrier, mentally wanting to protect the trio- or be possessive of them. Which, a moment later, he realized was silly and he should trust Aurora and her abilities. If she said she could do it- she could.  

 

If Tobias' face was anything to go by it would show how delighted he was with Auroras control of the Force- and the elements. He beamed with a ear-to-ear smile. As she hydrated and answered him a sense of pride could be felt from him to Aurora. "You're getting stronger with the Breath, The Force. Good Job, and nice choice of beverage." Tobias winked, and toasted Aurora with his own beverage. 

After another sip, he sighed as she answered about the Aing-Tii. "I suspected not, but I was just curious. A species typically doesn't shelter themselves away from others unless they are extremely xenophobic or trusting. Typically there is a moment in time where the species has learned from their error and retreated back to themselves. I spent a lot of time with the Aing-Tii in my journey Beyond the Veil... and I still know little about their history. Their ways of manipulating and interacting with the Force simply fascinates me, and I've been emulating them more and more- and even you are now by proxy. And speaking of proxy..." Tobias hung his head after another longer sip. He pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, pinching it. A expression of pain crossed his face as he rose up from his seat and walked out of the room. But he was still there- sitting across from Aurora.

 

Tilting his head to one side at an extreme angle, he kept his eyes closed and pressed the bottle to his lips again. "The Aing-Tii would be very impressed with your use of the Force just then. The trick I used to get this drink was a technique they taught me. Well, one, but that is another story. I was just hoping to learn more about them. Once you they trust you, they will let you learn from them. As long as they trust you, which doesn't happen often, and not as deeply as I have. There are different factions of dark and light side Force users, they view the Force as a rainbow- the path from light to dark is shaded by that of-" Tobias set his drink down on the table between him and his apprentice and lifted his hands with the palms up indicating their surroundings. "-a Prism." His hands returned to the drink and he winked at the young woman across from him. "Which makes all this... quite the unique experience as my views are more in line with the Aing-Tii 'Rainbow Theory' but we'll keep that between you and I for now." Tobias shrugged. 

 

~~~

 

Avatar Tobias--

 

Standing down from the common room, the avatar reached out to Kota. As it was a nearly identical copy of Tobias it was doubtful the young lad would detect it. Afterall, the doppelganger was link to Tobias, it was just easier to have two separate conversations like this. It reached out- "Yes, Kota?"

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