Ulan

Gavin's voice rang clearly through the grove of trees carrying with it a vision of the Knight's face. Ulan's master and friend brought a sense of safety and warmness with him, but even from a distance Ulan could still sense a pecularity in Gavin. Time would tell the true damage of Bespin on both padawan and master, but for now Ulan was eager to resume his training. "Good day," he said to the bird that did not move, and rose to his feet, allowing them to carry him to the archives. He had not wandered far from Jedi library. It was a short walk to his master's side, and when there the green man nodded politely. "Discover anything new have you?" Ulan asked Gavin, knowing it was not his place, but not caring either. Old creatures have a way of not caring about formalities. "A peaceful rest I enjoyed, and ready to continue am I, as long as well with you things are."

Birds of all sizes and shape filled a quaint, tranquail garden near the temple. Ulan had made his way to this garden from the archives, and for days had rested in the foilage. Now he sat in a sheltered green hovel, covered by large bannana like leaves, warmed by the soft sun light penetrating the thin skin of his shelter. Among the many things passing through his mind, Wayland had been first and foremost. He had spent a hundred or more years living in the forest on the backwoods planet, and after months spent in concrete, mechanical environments, the aging padawan wanted nothing more than to simply relax in a familar place. "Hello," he said to a large, colorful bird that landed on the ground next to his leg. The bird stood nearly as tall as Ulan, and was black with many colorful stripes down its back and in its wings. The most striking feature, however, was the red, beady eyes that twitched back and forth, penetrating Ulan's own green globe like eyes. He stared back at the bird, both parties freezing in their movements. The life of the Force flowed majestically through the grove of trees, through the bird, into Ulan, and out into every other organism in the garden. Ulan could feel the bird's curiosity and smiled at its youthfulness. It was a fully mature bird, but anything to Ulan seemed young. "Understood one of my kind never before have you, hmmmm?" Ulan chuckled as the bird relaxed and pecked at things on the ground. Inside the grove Ulan could feel the tension building in the galaxy. He had known that over the past weeks many prominent decisions had been made by his order, and he knew that he was missing out on an important conflict, but life was not about conflict, and now was not the time in his life for action. He needed this rest and period of meditation. His body was in a state of rejuvination, and he was at peace.

Sitting alone, quietly studying in the halls of the archives, Ulan closed the screen he was looking at and took a walk through the stacks of memory files. Several hours had passed since Gavin and he had arrived in the archives and he had resumed his studies as a Jedi Padawan. Beyond those few hours were weeks of confusion that Ulan had yet to make sense of and that Gavin had offered little insight into. In fact, the Knight seemed as confused as the Padawan. Going back farther, it felt as if years had passed since Ulan had experienced average, typical training as a Jedi. Kakuto Ryu had turned his and Gavin's life into a war both inside and out, infesting each of them with the taint of the darkside, and reminding them that being a Jedi is and will always be the most difficult struggle of one's life. Through the stacks an arched doorway opened up to a small meditation garden that was enclosed in glass like a greenhouse. The room was mildly warm and so humid beads of condensation dripped from the glass panels creating a slow, sporadic rain. Ulan sat on the edge of a rock wall that blocked off a flower bed and thought about what he had been reading. He had discovered that the Jedi had not always been divided into classes which made it very difficult to search for naturalists, but he was able to narrow his search results into a a specific field of Jedi that had developed a strong affinity for the natural world. One that had expanded the field in particular, and that seemed to stick in Ulan's mind, was the Jedi Master Luscious Fanine. She had spent a great deal of her time with the order exploring numerous worlds cataloging life, embracing the growing properties of plants, and through the Force communicating with the natural animal species. Her work with the animal kingdom was particularly interesting. Across the galaxy, Fanine observed that cliche suvival of the fittest lifestyle that all animal life had to learn to live within. Her observations had made her question the natural order of things, realizing that the universe was a place where the ones willing to take were the ones who survived. Yet, in certain cases she found that the only the strong survive motif was not always true. The direction her work eventually went was the investigation of why beings that were seemingly strong enough to overthrow all other life would choose instead to live in symbosis. Why did the galaxy exist in a give and take reality? What made some vicious, hate mongers and others peaceful, yet powerful caretakers? These questions eventually led her to the powers she became famous for: the ability to speak with beasts and plants, calming their aggresive behaviors and teaching them to work with her rather than against. It was something he certainly hoped to apply to his own arsenal, but before he could continue in his thoughts, he was disrupted by a strong feeling. Gavin, here someone powerful is. ((Sorry for all the comma errors. I'm rushed and needed to post. I'm not gone, just really busy. Sorry))

The old freighter settled into the hangar bay emitting a cloud of black smoke mixed with white steam. The billowing smoke was still disapating as Ulan made his way down the ramp and into the temple. It felt like an eternity since he had last been on Gala. The last time he had interacted with the Jedi as a whole, their base of operations had been the ever changing Helix Station. That's where he and Gavin had left for Ilum, and that's where they had set out on their life changing journey. Ulan could feel his master's concern, and had tried to offer a few good words of wisdom, but part of him felt like a hypocrite. While Gavin dealt with his own troubles, Ulan still had his own wounds left over from Bespin. "A lot of Jedi are there here." Ulan said to Gavin, supressing his worries and noticing the presence of all the others now at Gala. "Felt this many Jedi in one place I have not for a long time."

"About that, worry do not. Waiver I did on Bespin, but brought me back you did. Likewise, stand by you will I." The nav computer falshed an alert, indicating they'd be exiting hyperspace soon. "Plus, on Gala help we may find." With those words the purple tube of hyperspace began disappearing and in its place stars flickered into existence.

Initially Ulan's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open with shock at his master's harsh words. "No," said Gavin, turning away to the darkness of Space. Ulan did not know what to think of his master. The padawan's stomach bubbled with nerves, and he didn't know if he should be angry at Gavin, afraid, or compassionate. Then Gavin retalliated with a short, but desperate, "Yes." How close are we? Telling me this should Gavin? Asked should I, thought Ulan. "I'm quick to anger and dismiss even those whose company I value most and I don't know why. I have thoughts about what I should do but in the end I've always gone with the quick and easy path and I can't figure out why." Ulan listened closely to his master. His big green eyes narrowed when the wisdom of his age seeped forth and realized the young man was opening doorways to the darkest parts of his soul. Older in the Force was Gavin, but Ulan's experience in life was unsurpassable. "A short time have we known each other," the green man said. "Like to think of myself as one whose company you value, but sure am I not. Regardless, friendship I can offer. Perfect perhaps you are not, but witnessed I have hard paths chosen by a young man. Dive into the mouth of that beast not anyone would have." Ulan chuckled trying to lighten the mood. He wanted to comfort his master, and to help him understand that he didn't have to be perfect. Perhaps Gavin was dealing with things outside the bounds of Ulan's comprehension and needed guidance from a more experienced person, but Ulan was the friend present at the moment Gavin needed a friend, and that friend Ulan was determined to try and be. "Place too much responsibility on yourself do you. What happened on Bespin your fault was not. Differently could you have reacted, yes. But, for Darla, Kakuto, and myself the same could be said. Chosen not to attack us on Ilum Kakuto could have. The thing to remember is without that decision his place in the Force fulfilled would he not." Ulan looked straight ahead, narrowing his eyes and scrunching up his wrinkled brow. Was he starting to ramble like the old man he was? Possibly so, but the last one to realize it would he have been, sadly Gavin would have been the first. "Reflect and mediatate on these things we must before casting blame, and criticizing our actions. I think something in the Jedi code there is about patience. Perhaps now is the time to recall that passage."

OOC: Great Post OK IC: Ulan settled into his chair next to Gavin with a strong sigh of relief. The site of exploding starfighters and laser blasts were not what he had wanted to see after escaping Bespin. His body and mind were tired, and Ulan felt starved for a few moments of peace and reflection. Besides, he thought, rest Gavin needs. He looked out of the corner of his eye at his master, a Jedi Knight, and sensed that Gavin was dealing with some unseen, possibly unfounded, confusion. Where had his sharp words come from? Ulan could not figure out why Gavin had been so firm in his less than idealistic belief that he and Ulan would have been useless at the battle. Perhaps he sensed Ulan's hesitation at the prospect of diving into another conflict, or maybe his greater attunement with the Force showed him more than Ulan could sense. Either way, Gavin's typical heroic, anything is possible attitude had disappeared on Bespin. Now that the quiet of space surrounded them, Ulan's old age wisdom kicked in, urging him to cut through the muck and get to the root of the uncomfortableness. "Something wrong is there?"

Ulan did not need the Force to sense the approaching danger. He could easily see several missles streaking through space towards Gavin and him. They had fled a battle for a war, and like their previous enagement, Ulan knew they would not be leaving until the enemy were dead or ready to let him and his master flee. "Not the wisest decision was this, perhaps," he said with his sarcastic wit that Gavin would probably view as inappropriate at the moment. "Switching all defensive power to forward deflectors." Meditation had calmed Ulan's concerns about all that he and Gavin had battled through, but he still felt uncomfortable around Gavin. The last time they had spoken Gavin had not seemed himself, and Ulan was still worried his master was not pleased with him. Now was not the time for petty squabbling however, several missels were bearing down upon them, and Ulan's natural defensive nerves began to throb waiting for the next step. It came from an unexpected locale. Missles began exploding in midflight, revealing A-wing starfighters in their place. The Republic had recieved Gavin's call and was apparently not out of the battle yet. "A good pilot I hope you are. Need our help they do, or the A-wings sent they would not." Ulan centered his emotions, calming and quieting his mind. He had a last-ditch plan in mind, but wanted to wait on his master's reaction before hastily acting. Although there was not an abundance, time for thought and patience did exist.

A swirling black cloud enveloped the small padawan, carrying his thoughts and feelings far beyond the metallic realm of the freighter. Visions of past, present, and future appeared to Ulan in blurry forms. Some were easily translated messages from the Force, while others remained cryptic as if the great energy liked keeping some things secret and hidden. Most notably, Ulan's feelings carried him to a reflection on the events at Bespin. What is good and evil, Ulan? It was a good question asked by the Dark Lord. I gave you a very specific task, but without answering the Dark one's question you will never fulfill your destiny. Awaken, find yourself rejuvinated, and go to your master. He will lead you down the right path even if it is not the same path as his. Ulan's body drifted down, out of the air, and when he opened his eyes, the padawan found himself sitting upright with legs crossed on a soft bed. Gavin, what is going on? He felt Gavin's anxiety surge at the same moment the ship's engines had settled out of hyperspace. Something was amiss, and with a new challenge the past had to be put in it's proper place. Ulan left his place of isolation and went to the cockpit to be near Gavin, walking into the ship's control room only moments later.

Gavin's odd behavior left Ulan slightly uncomfortable. Gavin did not seem angry with Ulan, and he felt completely forgiven by his master, but Ulan recognized something as being out of sorts. During their trip Ulan did not sit with his master in the cockpit. Instead, while hiding from a Jedi on a small freighter traveling through hyperspace, Ulan closed himself in a back cabin and meditated. There was a lot to think about, most notably Ulan's recent lapse to the darkside, but for the moment he studied his master's actions, hoping for the best.

A weak draw of air through Ulan's nose pulled some clear liquid back into his draining sinuses while a coarse piece of his shirt sleeve wiped his remaining tears off his cheek. It wasn't entirely appropriate for a 500 year old Jedi Padawan to cry, but the green man had been through a lot. "Of course..." Gavin had said, in response to Ulan's plead for forgiveness, but even through his slightly blurred, teary-eyed vision Ulan felt there was something odd about his master's response, and didn't know if he fully believed Gavin didn't hold him responsible. Failed that badly I have? Lost confidence in me as he? Ulan stepped back, allowing Gavin to rise while listening to his next, more reassuring words. "The Force has made it clear that I am still to train you. If I weren't, neither of us would be in this position at the moment. As hard as it is, it is time to let go of the past and look optimistically toward the future." Still worthy to finish the training he thinks I am. They turned and walked away from the crowd of men, disregarding their weapons and seeming desire to arrest the two Jedi. "Thank you, Gavin." Ulan knew he had succumb to the threats of the dark side, but was still confused about the ordeal that had just ended. How can me, he forgive? A traitor to his teachings have I been. Weak and foolish was I, and destruction my actions caused. The way of the Jedi is this? Is he? Ulan looked up at Gavin as they walked in pursuit of a hidden ship. Gavin's strong jaw line, thick flowing hair, and determined eyes were the idealic image of a strong, wise Jedi Knight. Ulan knew his master would serve him well even when Ulan failed to serve Gavin. There was no reason to mistrust his leader, and perhaps that moment of hesitancy on Gavin's part had been misunderstood by the confusion that had nearly laid waste to Ulan's life.

A thick pool of salty, clear water swelled at the bottom of Ulan's eyes, flirting with the notion of dripping onto Gavin's face. The water stretched toward the ground wanting desperately to heed gravity's command, but then retreated, stretched again, and bounced back not quite as far as before. "Ulan...what happened?" The words were the sweetest Ulan had heard in some time, easily cracking the humble old man's grumpy exterior and bringing on a downpour of tears that little by little washed the gook from Gavin's face. "Know I not," Ulan said, trying to suck up his emotions; they had led him into enough trouble on Bespin, but with only Gavin's deathdefying face to look upon he could not gain control of himself. There were too many questions, too many thoughts. It had all been too much, and yet even now, still so close to the event, none of it seemed real. There was only one thing Ulan could think to say. "Forgive me."

A thick blue ooze dripped from Ulan's clawed, green fingers as he sat trying to put the pieces of a very jumbled puzzle together in his mind. So many events had happened in such a short time. He felt as if someone's hand had been wrapped around his brain, controlling his thoughts and manipulating his actions. With the noise of sirens and screaming he hardly noticed Gavin's near lifeless body dangling in his hands, yet the pain his master was feeling seeped out and into Ulan. His ears popped and sound was let in, awakening his brain to the reality of the situation. "Gavin." He didn't know how to react or what to do. All he could see was Gavin's motionless face that seemed unscathed, but the Force told Ulan otherwise. "Keep your distance boys," said a local militia man. "He looks like the green puke that caused all the problems earlier before that mech showed up." "Gavin," said Ulan again, ignoring the onlookers and becoming more concerned about his master. Tears did not drop from his big eyes however, he knew the Knight was alive, but was too confused to be truly scared or sad. He needed guidance and direction.

"Trent," said the on the scene reporter McPhail Starkiller as he winced from the pain of a loud menace, "Over my shoulder you will notice the Sith Temple." McPhail yelled into the microphone like a reporter filming a story in the middle of a hurricane. "We're standing here approximately five miles away from the Temple, but I cannot hear my advisors due to the horrendous noise radiating from outside the Temple. All reports indicate that an unmarked ship flew overhead a few hours ago seeming to have dropped a piece of debris." McPhail jammed his free finger in his ear while trying to remain in the frame of the wobbling camera. "It is unclear what all of this is about, but rumor has it this is another terroist action initiated by the so called New Republic." "Uh? What was that?" McPhail said, unable to understand Trent. "This is unbearable. From the Sith Temple, McStarkiller out." The picture faded away and viewers were taken back to the news room and Trent, the average news anchor.

((Capture Shot Defense Post: Ulan)) ((Kill Shot Defense Post: Gavin)) ((Kill Shot Defense Post: Darla)) Gavin's purpose in relation to the whole was to bring balance to instability; peace to chaos. His self-sacrificing outlook on life brought order to anarchy, promoting life and existence. Without beings like Gavin the whole cannot function. Life in the universe cannot exist without those who watch over and protect it. Likewise, without a being such as Kakuto Ryu, those like Gavin cannot fulfill their purpose. Ryu's purpose was to put the existence of life in danger, thus providing a need for a protector such as Gavin. Dark and light must, therefore, exist together. Without Dark, Light has no purpose. Without one, the whole cannot exist. --------------------------------------Enlightenment------------------------------------- Ulan! Ulan, I'm coming for you! Hold on just a little bit longer! Gavin's words hung in Ulan's mind, ripping through the cloud of confusion that was hovering around the padawan. Like rays of light illuminating a darkend room, Ulan could see clearly all that the Force wanted to show him. No longer did the black taint of Uriel's subconcious corrupt Ulan's perception, but instead the padawan could see everything; through the Force, Ulan could feel the entire universe while at the same time see the purpose of its individual parts. From the powerful sith, Kakuto Ryu, to insignificant microbes floating in Bespin's atmosphere, every life contributed to the continuation of existence, and through a dark and desperate trial Ulan had come to an enlightened understanding of the Jedi teachings. It was a concept that had elluded him for centuries, but finally he understood the balance between light and dark; life and death; peace and chaos. While attacking his master with Uriel's sword, Ulan had wondered about Gavin's purpose within the universe: Matter does he?, thought the green alien. However, the knight's message of hope was enough to supplant the Dark Lord's teachings. With his leap into Uriel's mouth, Gavin had fulfilled his role by being the catalyst that brought Ulan back to the light. Gavin's desperate leap reminded Ulan of his own charge, the task laid upon him by the Force. It urged Ulan's mind out of Ryu's labyrinth of dark thoughts, and reminded him of his place and a purpose within the whole. Lead me here for a purpose, the Force has, he thought, peace and life is my charge. Balance is my goal. ----------------------------------Defending Balance---------------------------------- A ray of light penetrated Uriel's hull tickling Ulan's green eyes and coaxing them open. At first, Ulan was surprised to find himself inside an artificial, amniotic sac floating in a fluid that he could apparently draw oxygen from. A warped world is this, he thought looking around quickly. Focusing his weak eyes, Ulan could see shadowy figures spinning wildly through the streams of light. Then, a crimson liquid spread throughout the skin of the cocoon, creeping slowly into vein-like pockets until quickly seeping through the walls of the sac. Ulan knew the worst was yet to come. A Force signature, once strong and powerful, had gone faint at the moment that the light had shown through Uriel's terrifying mouth. Ulan could both feel his master's pain and see his mangled, trapped body. The gruesome pain of ripped flesh, broken bones, and severed nerves pulled on Ulan's mind and soul, physically crippling him. Within the sac his knees buckled, his ears turned downwards, and his upper lip twisted with shock, but his new found enlightenment saved his mind from the horror. Embracing his master's pain, Ulan sent out waves of comforting energy to Gavin, enveloping the knight's life Force with a familiar signature, trusting in the Force to aid Gavin in his time of need. Remain a short while you must, Ulan ordered, need you the Force does. Then, added on for encouragement, As well as I. The events leading up to these moments had asked a great deal of Ulan and his untried knowledge of the Force. He had been brought face to face with one of the most dangerous men to ever live, challenged by a power far superior to his own, suffered mental and physical torture, and was now watching his master die because of his own actions. The instigator of these events had, however, led Ulan to the means for undoing them. -----------------------------------------------------The Jedi Code--------------------------------------------------- There is no chaos; there is harmony. Enlightened by a connection with Ryu's mech, Ulan now possessed the knowledge to control his emotions. There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. Gavin's death, if immeninet, would be in the fulfillment of Gavin's purpose within the whole. His sacrifice had reminded Ulan of what must be done, and what he now had the power to achieve. There is no death; there is the Force. Despite the pain and torment, regardless of the taste of blood circulating within his mouth, Ulan focused his feelings and turned his power on the mech's artificial mind. Uriel had taken the first steps in connecting with Ulan's mind, allowing the padawan access to the mech's tremendous power. Now that Ulan had control over his own mind it was time to use the established connection to his advantage. There is no emotion; there is peace. Uriel crashed through toxic gas and frozen machinery, driven by the most powerful, manipulative being Ulan would probably ever have contact with. Ulan could see Ryu's distraction, however. Darex, a true master of the Force, was in the midst of his own battle with the Sith, having the same realization as Ulan. Dark and Light were mere parts of a whole, and while they were opposed to one another, without both the whole would collapse. Using this knowledge, Ulan dug his consciousness into the mech's brainwaves as Darex turned his full power on Ryu. Like a plant spreading its roots into the foundation of a building, Ulan stretched his mind out into the machine's workings, crippling Uriel's defenses. With the master of the beast distracted, Ulan's spirit had room to grow within the metallic shell providing the padawan with control over Uriel's operations. --------------------------------------------------Love--------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging from the rabbit hole revealed whirling pipes hissing around a group of warriors. Protected by the mech's strong hull, Ulan marched into the fray, wrapping Uriel's massive hands around the deadly vibrosword. It was a desperate situation calling for desperate measures, and in the midst of a lovers' quarrel Ulan was not precisely sure of his next course of action, but in the midst of the chaotic scene there was no other way. ”œ...I... didn't... want... this...”