Sreth Bones

Bones looked the Sarlaac up and down, memorizing his look. He wasn’t sure why, but he was not expecting a Duros. In his opinion, most Duro were just spacefarers. People who had no place to go. Still, he was a Jensaarai, and now his newest teacher. Still, Bones felt like he would’ve preferred Sun-Dragon over this person. Once on the bridge with Sarlaac and Svata, Bones took a moment to look around the area. This was certainly the most technologically advanced place he had ever been in his life. Usually Bones was used to the dirt encased machinery of back alleys, or the greasy gears and halls in the Pipes. This room was bustling with activity, but incredibly quiet. The people were active, but focused. And most of all, the area was slick and clean. Bones felt a little out of place in the room. When the Sarlaac whispered the name of their target location, Bones smiled on the inside. He recalled that brief vision he had right before meeting with the Saarai-Kaar. The molding and production of war droids. And while Mechis was a place only occasionally mentioned on the streets, every talk about it always included droids. At Sarlaac’s question, Bones spoke up, recalling what he had been told and heard. “Well, the Jedi were peacekeepers, but now days they are just, I don’t know, wandering warriors? I mean, I know that the Jedi and the Sith are both born of the Force…” Bones quoted the Saarai-Kaar’s words, hoping to get a few points with his new teacher. “...and they are faced with the same temptations. So, they are people who are one step away from darkness? And that’s what we are acting on, right? Jedi messed up and we are cleaning up the mess before something bad happens? Heh, my dad would be proud, taking up his line of work.” Bones chuckled at his own joke, thinking how his dad would actually be shaking his head disapprovingly. His parents wanted so much more for their children. “So we are breaking some droids, right? Awesome, I can’t wait for a fight, and clankers should be fun to break apart.”

Bones shrugged at the question. “Eh, I don’t really notice I guess. Don’t care really..” Bones had grown up on Coruscant, interacting with many being’s who felt ‘pain’ on a level that the Tognath never fully understood. What Bones considered a smack on the shoulder could be an arrestable offense on some planets. To Bones, so many other people were so delicate. He and his sister were told to act as if they lived in a world of glass when interacting with people. And those very subtle and gentle acts, such as displays of affection among humans, were just completely unknowable to Bones. Why kiss when you can hug with the vice grip of passion? Why not smack a person’s chest instead of a firm handshake? Maybe that’s why Bones liked Sun-Dragon. He wasn’t a ‘gentle’ person. When on the ship, Bones glanced around at the ship’s interior. It was to be expected for a scout ship as Bones theorized. Simple metal walls and floors. Bones sighed, already he was missing Raka Nwul. “Well, better then back home I guess…” Bones mutterred, thinking briefly about Coruscant. That place was inhospitable to say the least After a few minutes of searching, Bones found what he believed would be his room. A small empty chamber, no more then two yards wide. The only items inside included a platform for a bed, a folded blanket and pillow, a smaller platform as a table, a surprisingly wooden tote box for items and a sink with a mirror. The roof above the bed slanted upwards, and judging by the heat in the room, Bones figured he was near an engine. A boon to be certain, as hotter temperatures were more comfortable to the Tognath. Bones placed his staff and rifle next to the door, and stored whatever clothes he had with him in the tote. Not five minutes in, and Bones already had made himself as home as he could. To most people, this would’ve been quite sad. Not sure what to do, Bones sat on the bed and simply waited. Taking a moment, Bones pulled out his datapad and began to read. “The two easiest elements to understand are Plant and Metal. Plant is the element of life incarnate. All that grows, matures, and develops over time has Plant in it. From the smallest of reproductive germs to the largest of space dwelling monsters, you can find Plant. It is also the element of thought as well as freedom. It creates and digests information. All that thinks and has an active mind have connections to his element, and Plant allows people to connect with each other in various ways. “Metal on the other hand, is raw strength. It is the element that resists change by standing strong against all forces. It is what allows things to be done. It chooses destinies and alters the world in ways. Metal is the element of determination and willpower. Focus on a singular task, and being able to ignore distractions is a base trait of Metal. It is rigid and unforgiving, and allows one to make their own path. These two elements are the first ones a force user will discover because they are the easiest to connect with. Plant and Metal are everywhere, and are especially vital to a being’s body. A person who both thinks and moves with determination is able to feel and notice these elements easily, and those who are force-sensitive can use these elements to greater uses. A student once asked his master, ‘how can both Plant and Metal be in the same body? Do they not fight each other?’ To which the master replied ‘You read the texts, yes? And understood them? Then you have Plant in you. You held the book, yes? And walked up here without being blown away by the wind? Then you have Metal in you.’ The two elements may oppose each other, but they are both vital to the being. Without Plant, you become a slave to orders. Without Metal, you are blown away from task to task, unable to change the world.” Bones looked up. He heard a noise. Someone was outside his door. After pocketing his datapad, Bones stood up and punched a button, causing the door to swish open and reveal who was there.

Bones chuckled at the Ryn’s acceptance to fight some time. “Whatever you say ol’ Jawa.” Truthfully, Bones only took his words about breaking noses and pulling tales half-seriously. In a real fight, there weren’t rules like that. You used whatever you could use. A club, a handful of dirt, a wounded shoulder, all were fair game in a fight. Still, Bones would try to keep in mind. As the two walked through the ship towards where Svata had first came through, Bones took one last glancing around the ship. The dirt trodden floors, the potted plants, the simulated sunlight and the heat of a hot world were going to be missed. The sounds of small avian birds flying above and landing on the ground to snatch pieces of fallen food, as well as the mumbles and talkings of nearby individual’s filled the air. Bones studied every person he went by, from the Ithorians passing by, the marketplace visitors from the planet, and even a few Verpine peeking out from certain spots now that Bones was aware of them. A gardener, going from house to house tending to each plant he was assigned. An elderly merchant selling his children’s home-made pieces of furniture. A female human mechanic working on a malfunctioning door. This place. This ship. It was alive in its own way. Just as alive as any planet could be. In his short time here, Bones felt like he was making a home here. But at the same time… “Well, whatever we are doing, I can’t wait. I’m molting for some excitement.” Bones proclaimed as the two began to exit Raka Nwul, onto the surface of Artus Prime towards where the Sarlaac’s ship was hidden. Soon the two would be on board. And soon Bones would meet the Sarlaac.

Bones jumped a little, not aware that he was being watched. He found that his audience consisted of a singular being. Judging by the grey hair, the wrinkled skin, and the look of knowledge in his eyes, the being was quite old. “I don’t know about that…” Bones replied to the rumored story. “He’s one tough Tuskan-Eater, but last time he made me pick all the Lumas fruit. Course, it was a six day task done in five if that says anything”. With a few tugs, Bones un lodged the staff from the log and approached the being. “My name is Sreth, but I prefer Bones.” The tognath extended a hand to shake the smaller Svata. The yellow eyes, the rough palms and the shorter stature made Bones wonder. If Bones could smell, he probably would’ve had an answer. “What exactly are you? Some kind of uncloaked Jawa?” Bones stepped towards his gear and clothes and began to get dressed and put his gear back on. As he did, he began to ask every question that came to his head. “So what kind of person is Sarlaac? Can’t be any more harsh the Sun-Dragon. He’s not a slow, old teacher is he? I mean, he is named Sarlaac, but I don’t want to assume. But I don’t want to be as old as you before I advance either. Any idea what it is we are being sent to do?” Bones was redressed and reequipped with all of his belongings either on his back, on his belt, or in his pockets. Confidently, Bones stood in front of Svata and waited for him to lead the way. “Maybe some point we can have a friendly duel, just to see how much more I’ve got to learn?”

As the Saarai-Kaar talked about the history of the Jedi and the Sith and how they were related, Bones nodded in acknowledgement and handing over his newly made weapon when gestured to do so. As the talking continued, Bones focused his eyes on the saber in the hands of the Saarai-Kaar, thinking about how he was one of the few people in the galaxy with such a weapon. That made him excited. Bones snapped back to reality when the aged Weequay turned his words to Bones own experience. To which darkness was he referring to? The presence that Bones felt while crafting his blade? Or was he referring to that horrid moment on Coruscant when his sister died? Or worse, was he referring to the family he had killed? Bones wanted to ask, but he feared the answer would be the latter, and Bones did not feel like that was him resisting the darkness, even when he turned himself in. “Um, Thank you sir. Saarai-Kaar sir.” Bones stammered as the Saarai-Kaar finally handed back the blade and applauded the Tognath for his use of asking Aoi for help. Bones felt a smidge of pride rise in him at the words. But training with a new master? The Sarlaac? What a poor choice for a name. At least Sun-Dragon was named after something fearsome. Who would want to be named after a worm in the ground? Still, it sounded like the Sarlaac would be taking Bones out from Raka Nwul and into the galaxy. As much as he had grown accustomed to Sun-Dragon’s harsh training, he yearned for excitement beyond picking Lumas Fruits. As the Saarai-Kaar escorted Bones to the door, he spoke about standing against the darkness. He spoke about entrusting a task to Bones. As he did, Bones felt the pride in him rise further. It had been so long since someone entrusted something important to him. He had almost forgotten this feeling. If he had skin, Bones would’ve been smiling comm implant to comm implant. “Yes Saarai-Kaar. You can count on me, erm, us!” Bones gripped his lightsaber tightly as he vowed this to the being before him. We won’t fail!” And with that, Bones turned and dashed off. His home was nearby, so the run was quick. Breaking into his room, he found that all of his gear since he got here was waiting for him on his bed. On top was his worn-down Slugthrower rifle, polished pistol, and vibroknife. Bones paused at the sight of the rifle, and then picked it up. Its familiar weight and texture felt both correct in his hands as well as well as wrong. He looked down its sights, opened its chamber and inspected it for wear, tear, and rust, and then put it down again, studying it. Bones wasn’t sure what to do. Should he bring the rifle with him or not? He knew he was good with it. He was a good marksman. Slugthrower rifles were harder to handle then blasters, due to how the bullets were affected by outside forces such as gravity and wind. There was a particular kind of art with them, albeit a primitive one. However, Bones wasn’t sure if he was ready to pick up this damnable weapon again. It was the same rifle he had when he turned himself in. But it was also the same rifle he had when his sister died. There was history to this weapon. In the end, Bones slung it over his shoulder and equipped the knife and pistol at his sides as well as an ammo belt going from right shoulder to left hip. He had no idea what was going to be needed for whatever task he was to accomplish with the Sarlaac. He did make sure though that his lightsaber was at his left side. His instincts would draw that weapon first in an emergency. He would use Jho’s rods as a walking staff for now. Bones took one last glance around the quite empty room. He left nothing behind. He carried the data pad in his pocket, he had all of his weapons and gifts he had received so far. He was ready. As he opened the door and exited, he glanced over and to his surprise, found an interesting item on the plant pot. Sitting on top of the little sapling in the dirt was a muddied blue scarf, with gold embroidery. Bones snatched it up and looked around, trying to figure out where it came from. No one else was around. Did the bird that stole the scarf return it? Bones doubted that. Perhaps someone found it and recognized it as the Tognaths? But only two people here knew about the scarf, and only an Ithorian child had actually seen and studied it. Bones shook his head. He knew he didn’t need to keep this, according to Sun-Dragon. He shouldn't keep it. It was just a reminder of the past. But he couldn’t just leave it to the birds again. Bones quickly bent down and dug a bit into the dirt, balled up the scarf, stuffed it inside and then, covered it up. It would be here for him when he eventually returned. Bones left the area, and found himself at the place where Sun-Dragon had begun to teach the art of Arosymladd. No one else was around. Bones wasn’t sure where to go. The Saarai-Kaar had simply told him to be ready. With all of Bones’ personal possessions on his back, he was. A figure walked by. Bones thought it may have been Sun-Dragon, but quickly let that thought disappear. The armor the figure wore was much different. More metallic then Sun-Dragon’s, but just as fearsome. He was easily identifiable as a Jensaarai. “Hey! Excuse me!” Bones called out, beginning to chase after the person. It seemed he was in a rush. “I’m waiting for someone named….” Bones didn’t get to finish. In an instant, the person was far down the street, moving at a pace Bones would not be able to keep up with for long. Whatever the person’s mission was, it was more important then listening to a young Tognath. Bones, alone again, looked around, unsure what to do. He remembered how the Sun-Dragon had begun to train him here. Perhaps Bones could do a little more? Bones placed most of his equipment on the ground as well as some of his upper clothes, revealing his bare, rough, porous exoskeleton. Grabbing a nearby log, Bones planted it into the dirt firmly, making a makeshift dummy. Then, facing it, Bones grabbed his staff and got into a fighting position. One, two, one, two, Bones practiced striking the log again and again. Bark and wood chips flew off as Bones utilized his muscle to make strong, fast strikes. Bones chuckled to himself, feeling a little alive. He was getting a feeling for the staff. Bones tried a few tricks here and there. Spinning the staff once and bringing it in suddenly for a strike, sliding his hands down the metal frame so he could swing the whole thing like a club, and some piercing moves as well. A few times, Bones stopped and tried to focus on the Elements. He would recite the words over and over, though it was clear that he wasn’t feeling it quite the same as before. Practice was needed. Still, Bones did feel he was getting better with the staff. One, two, one, Bones struck, and then taking a step back and spinning around, Bones lunged forward. With all of his might, he plunged the staff into the log. Bones let go of the weapon. The staff wobbled a bit but remained embedded into the piece of wood. “Heh, pity Sun-Dragon didn’t see that” Bones said out loud, studying his work.

The Sacred Sites Plant: Ithor Deep in Ithor’s forests stands a massive tree that is completely unique to the galaxy. While the species has never been fully identified and is simply called “MotherRoot”, scientists speculate it is related to Lumas Trees, judging by the fact it is bioluminescent every five years. Standing over 80 meters tall, it is a sight to behold. The MotherRoot is incredibly sacred to the Ithorians. But instead of foreboding anyone from touching the tree, the Ithorians allow a small cult dedicated to the Motherjungle and the MotherRoot to care for the tree. Their tasks seem inane to many outsiders, but with a religious ferver the cult does everything in their power to care for the tree, building only the necessary housings to sustain themselves. Life at the MotherRoot is extremely rigid and focused. At the top of the tree the branches open up and stretch outwards as if holding some kind of orb. At the center of this is a column of lichen that only glows every five years. If a person can secure permission from the Ithorian government, a difficult task to say the least, they are able to take a specialized shuttle to the site and partake in one of the rituals performed inside the tree. The cult gather around the massive column of lichen to pray, dance, and worship the Motherjungle. During this time, practitioners of the Elements of the Force are able to perform their own meditations near the glowing lichen. The meditation can be so powerful that people who are focused enough can feel every single lifeform on Ithor, as well as hear every single thought that is occurring on the planet. If one is not properly trained, the process can be harmful. Fire: Mustafar Between two long stretches of obsidian mountain ranges, the Fire Shrine sits before a crack that supposedly leads all the way to Mustafar’s molten core. The heat that comes from this crack is enough to melt Mandalorian Iron to its basic components. Reports show that rare metals and minerals are within the crack itself, at temperatures too dangerous to traverse. This geological feature has led the native Mustafarians to consider the area as a sacred prayer site, and the shrine only adds to that belief. Between the shrine and the crack are two massive statues made of a solid Phrik alloy. The statues resemble cloaked Northern Mustafarian figures, each holding a bowl of fire that never extinguishes. Every so often, the Mustafarians report that the crack is widening slightly, and the rightmost statue is beginning to fall into the crack. If nothing is done, the statue will fall in a few more years. The shrine itself is made of mostly obsidian, stone, and a few rare metals. Standing at about 50 meters high, the entire tower-like structure is mostly solid. The two smoothed, carved entrances at the base of the shrine, covered in old writings, go in a few meters and make an abrupt turn to show a view of a rising flow of hot magma. This magma works its way up a specially carved tunnel that funnels the magma out the front of the shrine, creating a never-ending lavafall that oozes to the crack. If a being entered these tunnels without proper protection, they risk being immolated instantly during one of Mustafar’s magma surges. At the top of the shrine is a flat platform with a pillared archway facing away from the crack. At the center of a platform is a fire pit that burns with no signs of any fuel. This platform area, layered with a metal that burns to the touch due to the heat, is a sort of meditation area. At first glance, one might think the shrine is sith based, but the letters and runs on the pillars and the doorways at the base of the shrine are in an ancient Je'daii language. Meditation at this shrine is meant to be done sitting on the platform facing the crack with the everburning fire at the meditator’s back. The heat is extreme here, and only practiced and focused meditators are able to accomplish this feat. During meditation, the individual must focus on all of their feelings they have ever experienced. They must call them up, one by one, address them as stated by the Elements of the Force, and then put them down again without moving from the area. This entire process can take up to an hour at a time, with the user suffering horrible burns that surprisingly always heal rapidly once the user leaves the planet. Ground: Alderaan There are very few reports about what the shrine to Ground looked like. The best guess at where the shrine was is that it existed among the ancient hives of the Killiks on some mountain. Judging by the meditations set in the Elements of the Force, practitioners were supposed to balance on the old remains without falling down the mountain to severe injury. With the loss of Alderaan, practitioners of the Elements now must find their own sacred site. The requirements for a sacred site are as follows: 1) The site must be connected to dirt or mud in some way. 2) The site must be strongly connected with the Force in some way. It could be that the place is surrounded by life, or is some kind of foci for the Force. 3) It must be difficult to find for the ordinary eye. The meditations set for Ground state that the individual must go into a trance that will last an entire cycle without food, water or sleep. Planets that have been prime opportunities as a sacred site include Geonosis, Ryloth, Kessel, and Mandalore. Water: Naboo Deep near the core of Naboo is a series of caverns that twist and turn in a maze-like pattern. Worse, the Force here seems to scramble most modes of navigation and people are forced to navigate by their senses only, and the several large beasts that hunt this area do not help. Several heat vents from the planet make the water in the caverns continually cycle around and around. Only those who are properly equipped with breathing air and a calm mind connected to the Force can navigate these caverns to the Shrine. The shrine is a small circular chamber, about a meter radius, with clearly artificial carvings. Stairs, archways, and pillars dot this chamber, leading to a small alter at the center of the chamber. A light source of glowing sea urchins pierces the darkness here. Practitioners of the Elements of the Force are supposed to float above the alter, bathe in the light of the Sea Urchins, and reflect on how their clear mind was what led them to the shrine. Metal: Artus Prime Deep underground on Artus Prime, the shrine to Metal is a colosseum. From the size, it appears to seat about 500 total individual to watch whatever matches that were to occur at the center of the 50 meter wide stage. A light from above is actually a hole that leads all the way to the surface. The stage itself is made of Mandalorian Iron, and encased with a force field. Four doors that enter the stage lead to staircases that head straight to the surface, as well as secret tunnels imperceptible to the normal eye. The entrances to these staircases are half-buried by rubble and debris, but theoretically anyone could enter the shrine. There appears to be no entrance to the seating areas of the shrine. However, these seats are filled with rows and rows of robot bodies, most of them long beyond repair. While the chassis should be impossibly old, some people have reported at seeing droids from the modern era in the crowd. Attempts at scavenging from the shrine have turned less than profitable results. Early attempts revealed that the metal surrounding the area was useless and brittle, and while the metal walls of the stage as well as the knightly statues surrounding it are made of a Phrik and Cortosis Alloy, and not to mention the floor of the stage, they are much too heavy to machinery to excavate. The shrine to Metal is the only shrine that has a being that is designated at a caretaker. Wielding a robot chassis from the Old Republic, a shard named Fool claims to be the descendent of the creator of the shrine and that his descendents will care for the Shrine long after him. When people enter the stage, Fool locks the doors and sends in customized battle droids of his own making to battle the ‘challenger’. If the person is victorious, Fool lets the person leave the way they came with a very small chunk of Cortosis. If the person falls, he supposedly places the remains inside one of the dead droids in the crowd. According to the Elements, to meditate here one has to do a strict training that can border death. It appears that Fool has taken the responsibility to make sure that people who enter do fulfill that meditation by battling his droids.

Overview: While the teachings of Elements of the Force encourage finding a balance between all five elements, some people understand that they are made up of a single element over all others. People trained in the Elements of the Force, as well with a proper focus that comes from meditation, are able to call this element in their body in full. This ability is called ‘Bonding’, and can last from a few minutes to a maximum of an hour (with the exception of Ground), depending on how well trained the user is. The effects of this power varies from element to element, though there are a few consistent effects. First, the user’s physical body tends to reflect the element they are calling out. Second is that the force powers associated with the element are much easier to use while bonded. Third, force powers associated with other elements are more difficult to use, and force powers belonging to the opposite element are impossible to access while bonded. This power does not grant access to other Force powers beyond what the user already knows. Rather, it makes it easier to use the ones they already know. Before a user would be able to perform Water Kinesis while focused on water, they must learn it outside of the Elemental Bond power. That is not to say a person could develop their mastery of a certain force ability while bonded, but they would struggle to use that ability outside of being bonded. A person who learns Elemental Bond is unable to bond with more then one element. This reflects how they see themselves, and understand how one element is more present in their body then the others. Effects: Plant: The user’s body flows with life. Minor wounds like cuts and scrapes heal rapidly, and major wounds that would cause a person to bleed out quickly cauterize themselves. If practiced daily, a master of this power could regenerate an entire body limb over the course of a week at least. In addition, a person practicing this power passively can get insights into the thoughts of people nearby. Associated Powers: Force Healing, Mind Trick, Telepathy, Thought Shield, Force Illusion, Plant Surge, Fire: Emotions become a blazing furnace within the user. The skin grows hot to the touch. The more practiced the user is, the hotter the user becomes, with masters sometimes developing a flaming skin. Energy flows freely within and around the body. The user finds themself able to reduce, disperse and scatter energy blasts that strike them, turning a potential lethal shot into something less harmful. Associated Powers: Tutaminis, and Force Blinding. Ground: The user finds perfection within their body. Their body becomes slightly rippled with the area around them, as everything around the user becomes the same level. Like a chameleon, the user’s body matches the world around it. Practitioners of this learn how to balance themselves further and further, making the effects so great they are perfectly camouflaged in any environment. Unlike people who focus on other elements, masters of this technique are able to practice Elemental Bond up to a day’s length. Associated Powers: Art of the Small, Force Stealth, Force Cloak, Buried Presence, Cleanse Mind, Hibernation Trance, Phase, and Psychometry Water: When focused on Water, the user’s body is much more malleable. User’s find themselves able to absorb physical blows without much harm, and always perfectly calm in tense and dire situations. The user also tends to become much more perceptive of the world around them, able to absorb the most minute of details in an instant. Masters are able to use this to great effect, bending themselves in the right way to absorb the most devastating of hits and falls. Associated Powers: Force Sight and Listening, Battle Meditation,, Battle Precognition Metal: The user’s body becomes rigid and durable. Muscles are enhanced to a degree that, with mastery, can perform superhuman feats with ease. The skin becomes much harder to cut open, though blunt force can still affect the user. Speed is often a side effect of this technique, as well as a single-minded focus on one task. Associated Powers: Force Jump and Speed, Force Body, Force Weapon, and Telekinesis

Bones looked around at the near barren quarters as he entered. He did not know what he expected, but this sparse, simple look was not what he was expecting. Of course his eyes were instantly drawn to the armor, the most fantastical thing in the quarters, but still, Bones was surprised. Wouldn’t a leader have something more? Tactical tables and maps, or gifted treasures and tokens? “My saber?” Bones jumped from his studying of the armor and handed the Saarai-Kaar’s own blade. As he did, he also revealed his own, hoping to get a word of praise from the Saarai-Kaar. However, when he received none, he quietly put it down and listened, a little disappointed but still focused on what was being said. “If you desire to become a Jensaarai you must become one with us. All of us. The Sun-Dragon is an able teacher. He is often relegated the more . . . difficult . . . initiates that come to us. Like you, he had to overcome a dark past.” Does that mean I am a difficult initiate? Bones thought to himself, and easily recognised the silent, guilty answer as a resounding yes. How could an ex-criminal and murderer be easy to train? When the Jensaarai turned and asked about this histories of the Jedi and the Sith, Bones looked away in an answer of no. Truth be told, he had glanced at them, and then prompt skipped them over to learning more interesting, and more importantly, useful things. Who needed history when you had a sword? Who needed past relations when you had current affairs to review? Even then, who needed current affairs when you were supposed to be detached from the galaxy?

Bones had to stop to catch his breath. He was now in the central part of the ship, where all the houses and factories were. Bones even figured that his own dwelling place was a few blocks away. Was this intentional? Perhaps the Tognath was placed where he was so that way if he did something stupid or reckless, the Saarai-Kaar himself could race over and knock some sense into the young being. It didn't matter at the moment though. Bones straightened up and looked at the dwelling before him. It was different, but only in the most subtle ways. The texture of the walls was rougher then the other homes. The color was a slightly browner tint. Someone had taken great care to have a few desert-like plants grow around the front doorway, as well as on the roof. However, Bones could hear something from inside. It was muffled, but Bones could definitely hear something. It wasn’t chanting nor singing, but it was very rhythmic, and solid. The language was unfamiliar to Bones. It wasn’t like the smooth four-throated words of the Ithorians. It was more guttural, with a mixture of humming. It reminded Bones of the ship’s name: Raka Nwul. Perhaps the language coming from inside was the same as the Ship’s. Or perhaps it was the original language of the Saarai-Kaar. Bones took a deep breath and pressed at the door to open. It was locked. Bones cursed himself silently, realizing he had not gotten permission to enter. “It’s ok Bones. He is expecting you. The leader of the Jensaarai is expecting you.” Bones took another breath, trying to calm his own nerves. Bones looked at his newly crafted weapon. The lightsaber felt right in his hand. Inwardly Bones smiled. He wasn’t nervous. He was excited. He had made his own weapon, his Gift of the Hive, and was now going to present it to someone. Bones took another breath and, using the weapon, knocked three times at the metal door. The music inside went on for another minute, then stopped. Bones took a step back and, with his lightsaber between both his hands in front of him, waited.

History: According to older teachings known simply as the Elementals, the Force does not in fact come from life, but rather everything, including life, comes from the Force. All things, from the fiery supernovas to the smallest grains of sand, come from the Force. All things that exist have the force flowed into them, and in turn, when things die and are destroyed, they return to the Force. This teaching was absorbed and referenced several times by the Je’daii Order. In time, this teaching became a little less literal and more metaphorical. While the belief that these five elements do compose every single thing in the universe, people trained in the Force see that these elements represent certain aspects of the universe, such as sentient life, raw emotion, and peace of mind. This teaching was used to help prospective students of the Force to find a way to understand the Force as something more than an invisible field. This teaching also gave students an idea on how to control themselves, and provided a language that was easy to catch on. If a person was emotional and rash, people could say that the individual was filled with fire and needed to balance themselves with more water. A wise man would be considered one with the ground while a powerful warrior could be said to know the aspects of the metal in his body and how to use it correctly. However, when the Je’daii Order became the Jedi order, this method of teaching was mostly forgotten and pushed to the side to make room for more ‘civilized’ and ‘scientific’ methods of teaching. The fact that the Elementals discussed very little of the light and dark side of the Force made it especially unpopular. A few members of the Jedi did pass the knowledge to their pupils and made several holocrons of their teachings for researchers to study, but for the most part the teachings were forgotten. During the Republic Classic Era, a group of Jedi rediscovered the holocrons holding the Elemental Teachings, as they were renamed. These Jedi sought to make a resurgence with the Elemental Teachings, only to be blocked at every turn by the Order. They were told to hand over the holocrons and forget about these ancient ‘barbaric’ teachings. Instead, the group of eight Jedi left the order and set up a temple on Toydaria, a planet where people would not expect to find Jedi. The group died out about two centuries later, for unknown reasons. This temple remained hidden until the height of the Galactic Empire. The temple and its teachings inside were discovered by a Jensaarai warrior known as Bursa, who was trying to find a base for the Jensaarai to use. Overjoyed at his discovery, he presented his findings to the rest of the Jensaarai, who decided to incorporate it into their own teachings. They renamed the teachings as “Elements of the Force” and heavily edited them so they would be much easier to incorporate, even adding their own criticisms of other Force traditions and teachings as well as how some of the elements connect with certain Force abilities. Some sections from the Mireinio Ysbrydol are direct quotes from the Elements of the Force even. However, the Jensaarai also point out that the Elements of the Force are not necessary to understand the Force. Still, they are a useful tool in lessons about the Force, and for those who connect with the elements around them, the Elements is not to be discarded easily. The one criticism that the Elements of the Force still receives from outsiders is the entire lack of focus on the Light and Dark side of the Force. While it mentions Ashla and Bogun, it only uses those as examples on how the elements oppose each other. While modern versions of the teachings have criticism of the Jedi and the Sith, they do not explicitly state what is light or dark. However, many Jensaarai point out that by following the teachings and developing a strict code of honor, one will learn the difference between Light and Dark naturally. Whether one uses the elements to protect or to murder depends on the Tradition it is paired with, though the Jensaarai are very keen to direct its students towards protection and not aggression. Rankings: The Elements of the Force is considered a Sub-Tradition. That is to say, by itself it could be a tradition, but it works best when it is paired with another, more accepted tradition, such as the Jedi, the Sith, or the Jensaarai. Still, within the teachings of the Elements of the Force, there are rankings. These rankings have their own requirements, as well as include whatever requirement the Force Tradition these teachings are paired with. A person can’t become a Master in Elements of the Force if they have not attained the rank of Master in the Jedi or the rank of Dark Lord in the Sith or Defender in the Jensaarai. Initiate: A person who is being introduced to the Force as well as the very basics of the Elements of the Force. People at this rank know that the force exists as well the names of the five elements and vaguely understand what they represent. Disciple: A person becomes a Disciple of the Elements once they have mastered the basics. They can recite from memory what the elements represent, and have begun to practice all the forms of meditations the Elements include. They have learned at least one Force power that belongs to each element, and have a deep understanding of at least one of the elements. Most Disciples have begun to learn the Elemental Bond force power at this point. Master: A person becomes a Master once they have a deep understanding of all the elements. They have journeyed to the sacred sites of the Elements and practiced the appropriate form of meditation at those sights. In addition, they have made their own private sacred site dedicated to the Ground element (explained in the sacred sites). A Master will usually take up an initiate, usually in the form of an apprentice through the order the Elements are partnered with. Teachings: Below are the words from the Elements of the Force, as written. All things are made up of the Force. Life flows from and to the Force. When a creature is born, it is by will of the Force. And when a creature dies, its spirit and essence return to the Force. When you are knitted in the womb, the Force is building you. And when you are decaying in the ground, the Force is receiving you. As the Force creates everything, there are five basic elements the Force uses to build all things: Plant, Fire, Ground, Water, and Metal. Depending on how these elements are combined and composed gives everything its form. Because all things are made of these elements, the Force flows through everything. Consider the Force like a river. As it flows through the elements into you, it becomes diluted and weakened. There are those who are especially connected with the elements and are especially connected to the Force. As such, they can influence the elements and the Force around them, and allow the Force to flow more freely into them. From these elements the Force flows through into us, and in turn, we flow back into the Force. Recall how when a being dies, it goes through a series of changes. When their last breath is drawn, the element of Plant leaves them and returns to Plant. Water in the body turns back to Water as the body becomes dry. Fire turns back to Fire again as the body gets cold and still. Metal turns back to Metal so the body loses its strength. The corpse shrinks and does not function. After all this, whether cremated or buried or simply rotting down, the remains go back to the Ground. The bonds that connect the body will scatter and break apart. As the body returns to the elements, the elements return to the Force. Just like how the Force is both Ashla and Bogun and opposes itself, so too are the elements. Particular elements oppose each other. Fire, as Bogun, and Water, as Ashla, attempt to destroy each other, as do the Ashla Plant and the Bogun Metal. Only Ground is both Ashla and Bogun. That is not to say these elements are inherently good nor evil. Peace of mind can be used for mass slaughter by cunning generals, and emotions can give rise to courageous acts of martyrdom. Life can be both healthful as medicine, and as deadly as a virus. Good and evil must be determined by a strict code of honor, one that does not bend easily, nor changes from situation to situation. The Elements: PLANT: Plant is the element of life incarnate. All that grows, matures, and develops over time has Plant in it. From the smallest of reproductive germs to the largest of space dwelling monsters, you can find Plant. It is not restricted to just organic beings, for even beings like the Shards, the Tsils and the Vaathkree can draw from the Force. Plant is also the element of sentience and thought. To create ideas, to develop plans, and to be sentient is to draw from the element of Plant. Freedom comes directly from this element, and to restrain the Plant element in another being is to damage how the Force interacts with them. All light siders draw from this element. It is easiest to feel the effects of the Force from this element due to the fact that freedom and sentience come from it. Dark siders must grudgingly draw from Plant however, for to affect other beings, you must acknowledge how the force uniquely exists in all things. Many dark siders try to pervert this element, and as such, pervert the Force, while light sided users, such as the Jedi, wish to let Plant exist freely. Recall how the Sith Alchemists of Korriban used Plant to mutate prisoners into deadly, mindless Sithspawn. And how when Jedi Master Kaara rescued those prisoners and used Force Healing and medicines to bring them back to sanity. To meditate on Plant, place yourself where there is life. Whether it is a thick forest, a grassy plains, or even a busy street, as long as there is life around you. Feel the life around you. Connect with all that is around you. Be one not with just your thoughts, but with the thoughts of those around you. Start small, with feeling the blades of grass under your feet, and grow from there. Use this element to connect with other beings around you. Feel how their presence and yours are similar. You both think and have independent stories. You and everyone around you has Plant inside. You both live and draw from the Force, and will eventually return to it. This connection binds all living things together. Tricks such as telepathy, illusions, mind-affection and healing, are but the weakest uses of this element. You can use plant to harm and inflict damage. Darth Vishna discovered this when she utilized plant to drain the very life and thoughts out of Jedi Knight Arrauch on Coruscant in an attempt to save herself. Plant however can also be used in more passive and beneficial ways. Plant can be used to aid healing the flesh, or to trick the enemy into not seeing or remembering you. Recall how Jedi Master Jensho, running from a group of bounty hunters, created a vision of a rancor charging towards her pursuers to momentarily frighten them away. FIRE: Fire is the element of passion and emotion. All that you feel, from the joy of helping another being to the rage at being hurt, comes from the element of Fire. To be lost in rage or depression is to be consumed by Fire, and as such, it must be carefully controlled. However, it is not to be avoided. Happiness, joy, and excitement draw from Fire, and thus the Force, just as much as anger and sadness do. Fire is also the element of energy. From it, a person can draw enormous power and fuel for their bodies. Recall how an angry man can strike quickly and with more muscle then he could when he is calm. Fire enhances the other elements and can grant access to powers impossible without Fire. Lightning, combustion, and redirection can come from this element if properly trained. Defender Saava utilized all of these abilities while saving the Ithorians on the Green Hand from the starweird, able to feel the pain the Ithorians had suffered and channel her own righteous fury into energy to stun the monster. But with these uses, there must be careful application. There is a difference between burning down a fortress with enemy soldiers and burning a senator's home with innocent civilians. You do not kill with the stun settings of a weapon, but instead force your target to halt. The same is with Fire and your emotions. A moment of pain can clarify many things, as Defender Reek discovered when he used Fire from his body to stun and shock the nerves of his apprentice lost in a rage. Had Defender Reek gone a moment longer however, it wouldn’t have been about stunning his apprentice, but killing. Thankfully, his intent was benevolent and his own anger did not drive him further. To meditate on Fire, find a place where you can easily call up emotions without distraction, but also a place that is warm to the touch. A fireplace, an observation deck facing a star, or a smelting forge will do. Start by calling up happy times in your life. Laugh at the jokes that come to you, chuckle at the celebrations you have partook in. Then let this happiness die down to sadness. Concentrate on the losses you have experienced. Feel the injustices you have witnessed. Then let anger flow into you. Do not be ashamed of this feeling, nor do not let it overflow. Rather, follow where your anger flows, and understand that what it targets is something you must deal with in time. Call your anger back, and douse it with understanding. Repeat these steps until you can call up any emotion in an instant, as well as put it away without worry. Use this element to accomplish great deeds and to connect with others around you who are in pain. Draw power from Fire, but keep in mind how fire is a deadly element. Those who use fire to kill often call upon fire to create storms of lighting or pillars of fire to burn everything around them. If not controlled, it can consume the user, as many dark siders discover. Recall how many sith, consumed by anger, lose most of their bodies and have to implant more metal to replace what was lost. Fire must be restrained, used with careful consideration, such as by summing a flame to bring heat in the dead of cold, or to absorb an energy blast from hitting a friend. Fire is an element to not be feared, but respected. Without fire, one grows cold and apathetic to the world around them. GROUND: Ground is the element of balance. It is stable and comforting. It is both light and dark. At its core, it is the closest to what the Force actually is. Force users who often draw from this recognize that the force is much bigger than anything they can comprehend. They witness the majesty and pure power of the Force. When a person becomes connected to everything, they recognize this element easily if not by name. For this reason, Ground is the most important element to learn about. Through Ground will a wise man experience what the Force truly is with none of its illusions. Ground is also the element of reality. There are no falsehoods in Ground. There is only what is and isn’t. There is no future, nor past. There is only now. There are no what ifs. Only what can be done and what is truly impossible. There are facts and nothing else. Out of all the elements, those who focus on the Ground element are the most literal and blunt students, like Defender Mudhorn, who was never deceived by lies nor Force tricks, even when with the witches on Dathomir. The element of Ground also represents wisdom and knowledge. Unlike Plant, which represents thought, or water, which represents calmness, Ground is factual. It is said that people who are older and closer to death are often wiser because they are closer to the Ground. Meditate on the element of Ground by balancing yourself, both physically and mentally. Find a place where balance of body is difficult but not impossible. A stump, a narrow rod, or a shaky rooftop. Place yourself on it without falling and bend your mind to the realities of the world around you. Practice the stances of the other elements without falling, recognizing that despite how all the elements fight each other, they are all needed to bring balance. Use the element of Ground as a way to balance yourself, mentally and physically. Draw from it to recognize how truly great the Force is, and how many concepts of it are only fractions of the big picture. Realize how there is a reality that you are a part of, and use Ground to help recognize that reality. From Ground you can find ways to balance your pain with comfort. Your presence can be easily hidden when it is balanced with your environment. And due to its relation to reality, space itself folds to the element of Ground, if you can draw enough from it. Defender Glerg first realized this when, while gathering information, moved through solid durasteel to avoid notice by Hutt gangsters on Tatooine. WATER: Water is the element of peace and serenity. Even when moving, Water is at rest inside of itself. It is simultaneously in action while perfectly still. To draw from water is to draw from the calm. To allow your mind to be still, and to have no emotion troubling you allows you to draw from the element of Water. Water is also the element of vision, both outward and inward. It is the element that reveals your inner most desires and fears. When drawing from the element of water, you will see your own flaws as well as the state of others around you. When your mind is calm and still, you will often see things that can save your life. Many people who see the future, especially Jedi, often draw from this element. However, the most clever sith generals do not dismiss this element easily. A person who chooses not to learn from Water is often brash and unthinking. They do not plan ahead, nor learn from the past. However, to focus exclusively on this element will leave one cold, unable to bond with the world around them. Recall how at the height of the Jedi Order before the clone wars, they were unable to care about how the galaxy was shaping around them until war broke out. Meditating on Water requires patience and stillness. Find a secluded spot, one where the distractions will not be easily accessible. Hold several ounces of purified water in your hand as you let your mind go blank. If no water is available, find another liquid that you can hold in your hands without distraction. Listen to the stillness around you. Notice how when you move, the water shifts but ultimately is calm. Feel how the water tries to match your own temperature. Be like the water. Let your mind become blank and serene. Use Water to calm yourself, and to think ahead through all situations. Feel the water in you and how, even during chaos, it is still. Let that stillness spread to your eyes, and see perfectly. If you can draw enough from Water, you can even help others become still, whether by choice or not. Darth Leerak, once Jedi Knight Tal, first began his descent when he utilized Water to slow his prisoner’s body and cloud the mind to make escape impossible. Do not grow cold like Leerak. Be more like Defender Mynock, who when investigating an illegal mining operation, tricked the minds around him by making them think he was a simple worker. Remember how angry you felt when a wrong was done against you. Recall how it can feel to suffer under the Force. The end never justifies the means. METAL: Metal is the element of strength. It can be both raw or refined. Your muscles and bones draw from this element. Metal is powerful by itself and needs little to continue functioning. Warriors work on their bodies to constantly purify the metal in them, making themselves stronger and stronger. It is also the element of willpower and determination. Metal allows a person to restrain themself, and to hold back on their thoughts. Like a bar of durasteel, a person who draws from Metal is unflinching and determined. A person can focus on a task and power through, no matter what is happening around them. Both Jedi and Sith often draw from this element to make their movements quick and strong. It has a unique bond with the element of Fire, for together strength becomes liquid and adjustable. A person who is in rage can bend the metal in themself for greater purpose. However, focusing solely on Metal without regard to the other elements can be costly. Think about how a droid functions. It is determined and focused on its programming. It is strong and able to accomplish great feats. But without Plant, it is unthinking and non sentient, and doomed to follow orders forever. To focus on Metal, follow a strict structure of training. Whether it is practice of swords, blasters, or muscles, do training exercises that will not only exhaust you, but push you to your peak performance. During all this, feel the pain that courses through your body. Feel the adrenaline that flows through your veins. But most importantly, focus on the training regime before you, and do not break the rhythm you develop. Only then will your Metal be purified. When your metal is purified, it is much easier to use in times of trouble to accomplish astonishing feats. Abilities such as speed, strength, and telekinesis come from this element. Defender Tokin of Kalee was a master of Metal, training his muscles every day in strict rituals. This granted him abilities like Force Wave and Force Weapon to defend himself on his homeworld in an attempt to stop two warring tribes. However, he never allowed his thoughts to become too rigid and automatic, as he refused to develop the ability of choking his opponents with the Force, nor did he kill a single Kaleesh during the battle of Dragon's Tooth. Instead, he utilized Ymladd Heb Arfau and stunned each combatant.

As the Tognath held the weapon in his arms, a chill went throughout his body. He could feel the power waiting to be used in his hands. A kind of aura of authority. Or maybe it was just energy. Fire, and Metal perhaps? It was certainly big. Bones felt like he could wrap his hands around it four times. Perhaps it was a little large for his tastes “Will my weapon feel like this?” Bones wondered aloud. Bones nodded at the Saarai-Kaar’s command. Build his weapon. Prepare himself. Shouldn’t be too hard. Bones sat himself down on the ground after the, what he assumed was a Weequay, gave him a smile. That sort of encouragement was unique to Bones. This entire situation was just unique. Slowly, Bones spread the parts in front of him, as well as the two synthetic crystals. Bones breathed a whiff of sulfur and focused. The pieces were in front of him. The tools were ready to be used. All he had to do was to work with them. All he had to do was work with them. Bones reached and gripped his head in frustration. What was he supposed to do? “Alright, alright, calm down. Think this through. Use the Force, right? Right.” Bones breathed again. The elements. Plant. Fire. Ground. Water. Metal. The elements of the Force. “Gaaah! That’s not helping!” Bones groaned. He stood and walked a few circles around the parts. Think. Think. Focus. Let the Force flow, correct? Bones breathed again as he walked. Let the Force flow. Bones stopped and faced the dome. He could feel the life flowing from inside. It was breathing. It was pulsing. It was curious and knowledgeable. Bones took a few steps and felt the doorway. The purple glow from inside was something different. Something unique. It felt insidious. And hungry. "No no no...I'm not messing with that... I got a job to do" Bones stepped away suddenly and turned away. Bones needed something else. Knowledge. Bones smiled on the inside and reached up to his comm implants. “Hey... Aoi? Aoi can you hear me?” “Bones!” The tognath flinched a little bit, realizing he needed to adjust his comm system. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. What, you tried to find me again and got lost?” Bones chuckled and explained his situation. He knew he needed to build a lightsaber, but he was unsure how. He needed a little help, though he didn’t state that outright. He figured that Aoi was the best option, sense he wasn’t sure if the Jensaarai would approve of him asking for help. Something about them felt so independent and self-reliant. Rather then being frustrated or annoyed, Aoi was excited to help. She calmly explained her ideas how the lightsaber worked again, and gave descriptions on how to fit the parts together. As she did, Bones sat down on the ground and began to work. He would occasionally ask questions, but otherwise he would only confirm what she was saying. It almost felt like he was back on Coruscant in his repair shop, working on his next credit check. The talk also helped distract the Tognath as well. The presence he felt in the dome behind him became less noticeable. To Bones, there were the parts in front of him, the task, and his friend. However, there was one hiccup. “Aoi...one of the gems is cracked. Is that bad?” There was a pause of silence. Then… “How did you crack my gem so fast?" Aoi began to yell, forcing Bones to flinch. "Thats….I’ve had those for two years now!” Bones held up his hands in surrender, though the verpine couldn’t see it. “Hey, who said I cracked it?” “Well it certainly wasn’t cracked when I gave them to you. Seriously, how did you manage to do that? I mean, those are special!” Bones immediately felt bad. While he was confident he did not crack the gems, he did feel like he let down a friend. And in just the first day of meeting her. “Look..I’m…” Bones sighed. Sorry was what he wanted to say, but couldn't bring himself to say it. “Do you think the crack affect the blade? I feel like it might shoot off the energy in another direction.” Aoi sighed and buzzed in thought. “Ya, you are probably right. I suppose you could try to use that to your advantage, but I don’t see how...I would restart with the design, and focus on using just the one good gem. “ Bones looked at the half-complete weapon in his hands. He had gotten so much done it seemed. “Listen, Bones, the Hive Mother is wishing to speak with me. You think you have this?” Bones nodded. “Ya. I do. Thanks so much.” With that, Bones was alone again with his thoughts and the parts. A project he had to restart on. If there was one thing Bones hated, it was restarting on his own work. “Maybe...I don’t have to…” Bones muttered. An idea was forming. He could use the energy to his advantage. If he was right, a slight offshoot of energy could be useful, and unique! Bones got to work. He had to re-work some of the parts again, but not the entire blade. The power cell would still shoot energy into the primary focusing crystal, the first and uncracked crystal, and would move into the second. However, if Bones could angle the crystal correctly, some of the energy would come out of the crack at a slight angle as well as the usual straight line outwards. Then, with two separate series of blade channels.... Bones breath a whiff of Sulfur again as he tightened the last screw. It was done. A lightsaber, if it worked. Made up of scrap parts from around Raka Nwul, it looked like a piece of trash at first. However, the extra little jut that poked at about a 45 degree angle from the top did make it look different. Bones took a breath. He gripped the weapon in his hands, and turned it on. The weapon hissed to life. From its top a jet of flaming energy shot out. 56.5 centimeters exactly, as Bones predicted. A second later, a much shorter blade almost crawled out from the extra jut. A odd style crossguard Bones mused. Bones could feel the power coming from it. Energy from a old but polished power cell from a scrapped speeder. It was guided by energisers. And it was tamed by crystals. Gifts from the Hive. “That is what this is…” Bones said as he held the weapon, fascinated by it’s power. His very own lightsaber. “A Gift from the Hive.” Bones deactivated the lightsaber. He had to show Aoi his handiwork. But first, the community was depending on him for some sort of task. An important one, if the Saarai-Kaar believed Bones needed a weapon for it. Possibly something to do with those droids he had a vision of. Bones breathed heavier as he ran. Excitement was running through him faster then he could ever run.

Bones continued to whisper the elements to himself over and over. Plant, Fire, Ground, Water, and Metal. Each word he tried to taste it as if left his tongue. Each element he tried to focus on how it connected between him and the rest of the universe. Then he felt the other presence. For a brief moment, a powerful presence was there, like a fog of magic. Bones’ bones tingled slightly at it. It was so powerful, and huge, compared the small thing like he. Bones didn’t have time to fully comprehend the presence, as his own senses seemed to leave him. He felt his body leaving him. Or perhaps he was leaving his body? Either one, something was happening. His eyes no longer were in his head. His ears weren’t connected to his communication implants. He was no longer sitting on Raka Nwul. He was floating. That was the closest word Bones could use to describe it. Floating in a sea of mists. Before him, nothing. Behind nothing. But there was something. Light. And Darkness. Bones had no arms, but he reached forward. He tried to grasp what was there. As he did, the mists around him swirled violently. Places and times flowed past the Tognath. Bones tried to take it all in, but it was like grabbing an ocean. Finally he rested on just one vision: It was just a flash. A scene of metal and rock and fire. Of forges busy at work. Of molten metal pouring down heating furnaces into molds. Of people made of metal, overseeing the production. It was so formulaic. So strict and rigid. Everything moved with a singular purpose. Molten metal was rapidly cooled by being doused with hyper-chilled sodium-potassium. The metal was taken apart and put together with others. Screws were wound together. Gears were fitted and moved. Photoreceptors were being installed and turned on. Weapons were being forged. Bodies were made. “War Droids” Bones muttered. Then he was back on Raka Nwul. Bones shook awake at the sound of another being. He looked up and instantly recognised this person as the leader of the Jensaarai. He didn’t know if it was the style of the armor, the way he carried himself, or the presence Bones had felt earlier, but this...this was… “Master Saarai-Kaar” Bones greeted as he was helped up. He instantly bowed slightly once fully stood. He had little experience with figures of authority, but he knew he owed respect to the person who was practically giving him shelter. At the sound of being useful to the community, Bones nodded eagerly. “Yes sir. I have been wanting to get some action, though Sun-Dragon told me there was more than that to helping the galaxy. “ Bones then held out the datapad that Aoi had requested Bones to give in her place. “No sir, I have not built my um...laser sword” Bones chuckled at the common name he had learned. The Jensaarai were the first people he heard call the weapons lightsabers. “Sun-Dragon said he was going to show me, but first he wanted me to come here.”

Bones nodded and left at Sun-Dragon’s command. It seemed simple enough. Seeking out the verpine couldn’t be too difficult, especially since he had seen one earlier watching the training session. All he had to do was find that bug. However, it quickly became harder then he expected. Either he was really bad at searching or the verpine was just really quick, but Bones began to doubt his own skills at finding a single bug. Eventually, he had to start asking around. Anyone he came across Bones would ask if anyone had seen the verpine. He would get a few shaking of heads, a few negative responses, but nothing more. What’s more, the Ithorians seemed a little offended at the question even, for reasons that were at the moment unknown. Tired after an hour of searching, Bones sat down against a wall to rest on the warm durasteel floor. The sky was still quite bright, making the Tognath feel quite at ease at the moment. He had never been to his species homeworld, but he had heard that it was intense and full of fire and brimstone. A hot, deadly place full of trouble, which made an endurance to heat necessary for survival . His parents had left that place to live on Coruscant, where they could raise children in a place that would be more wholesome and opportunistic for the two. Bones sighed a deep sigh. His thoughts had been sucked into the past, where memories of his home before reigned. In all the time lately, Bones had very little time to think about his past. The home that he missed so much. The home where he would steal his parent’s speeder bikes with his sister, and go drag racing through the busy night life of the city-planet.. The home where the two trouble-makers would sneak into before their father and mother woke up to leave for their cleaning jobs. The home where the smell of boiling egg-rakata his mom had set to cook overnight would be waiting for them. Bones chuckled. The one time his sister knocked over a lightstand, and immediately tried to pretend how she had, in fact, been coming down from the bedroom to catch Bones in his escapades. She was never very good at lying and the tognath’s parents saw through the ruse immediately. “Oh, Muv…” Bones began to sob invisible tears. Their species retained as much water as possible and never wasted it on expressions. “Muv, Muv...Would you be proud? I...I don’t know… “Don’t know what?” Bones jerked up, caught off guard by the sudden feminine voice. Before him had walked up a lithe, chitonous body of an insectoid. “You! Your the person I’m looking for!” The verpine looked at the Tognath curiously, but chirped a few noises of embarrassment. With a metal prosthetic hand, she reached up and stroked her antenna, much like how a female human would brush her hair back. “Um, I didn’t realize I was so badly wanted. I saw your little, um...was that a duel? “ “What? Oh no no, it was just some training with Sun-Dragon.” Bones quickly stood up and shook the Verpine’s metal hand. “ My name is Bones, and I was told to talk to you.” “Me? Oh my...thank you, um, Mr Bones,” The female verpine looked almost shocked at hearing this as she clutched Bones exoskeleton hand, “but I fail to see why Sun-Dragon would suggest me to speak to…” Bones shrugged. “All he said was speak to the verpine and to do what they…” “Wait wait wait” the verpine interrupted, waving her hand over Bones’ rebreathing to stop his speaking. “He didn’t mention me by name? He said ‘the verpine’?” When Bones nodded, her attanna drooped down slowly. “Um...but I’m sure he meant you, since you had watched us train…” Bones stammered out, realizing how disappointed he made the verpine. “Um...miss…?” “Hmmm? Oh ya, I’m sure he did. Hmm...oh sorry, name is Aoi. Hanaha Aoi. I’m the...um...the representative of the Hive.” Bones turned his head in puzzlement. The lack of facial muscles and tear ducts meant that the species that to develop other ways to show emotion. “You...oh that makes so much sense now! Hehe! Yes, there is a hive. A while ago, the verpine, um, we sort of snuck aboard Raka Nwul. We made ourselves indispensable to the ship by becoming its engineers, and so the hive now lives in the Pipes. Inside the ship. We are everywhere down there. I think there’s about 680 of us down there...” Bones was genuinely surprised. In all of his time here, he hadn’t seen anything that would indicate an entire colony of insectoids on board. To be able to live on the ship without being seen was impressive to say the least. “So you all are engineers onboard?” Aoi shook her head, then nodded slightly in correction. “No no...well, Most of us are, yes. I do some work as an engineer, but I’m actually the designated representative of the Hive. If anyone has questions or problems, they usually find me.” “That must be interesting. Being the diplomat between two groups.” “Eh, not really. It’s mostly dealing with complaints about missing parts and blocked water valves. I unfortunately don’t get to see too many happy Ithorians.” Bones suddenly understood. He remembered hearing rumors of thieving individuals taking random items and returning them very altered. To the Ithorians, they liked hand making their tools. So when a technical minded verpine takes a tool and upgrades it without permission, that could be very annoying. “Anyways, enough about us. You said you needed to speak to us?” “Oh! Ya, sorry…” It was clear that Bones had almost forgotten his task. “I’m supposed to acquire parts for a lightsaber…” Aoi’s antenna perked up again. “That’s a new one. And it just so happens I know a bit about lightsabers. Not much mind you, our Hive mother doesn’t want me to go too much into investigating Jensaarai technology, but we have studied some of your laser swords. Even presented a few ideas to the Defenders…here, come with me…” Aoi led Bones down the street a ways, where, once at the center of a cross-section, tapped the floor with her metal foot a few times. To Bones’ surprise, the floor hissed and opened up a circular hole. Aoi fell down a little ways into a narrow, cramped, crawlspace. She indicated for Bones to follow, who did so. After a few moments of crawling at a downwards angle, Bones found himself in a chamber of crisscrossing pipes, circuitry, and hallways. Bones gazed in awe at what he was seeing. The entire mechanical parts of the ship were open to access from the area, he was sure of it. If he knew the layout of the ship better, he could find where all the ship’s power cores, water distillations, and much more. Bones instantly understood why the verpine called the interior of Raka Nwul ‘The Pipes’ There were also many more verpine down here. Bones lost count after 20, but could easily see how an entire Hive could exist inside the ship. Each Verpine that Bones witnessed was busy at work, whether it was by cutting and rewelding pipes with plasma torches, labeling areas and wires, or providing food to a coworker. Aoi led Bones around, showing him some of the Pipes while explaining what she was trying to find. She explained some of the concepts of the lightsaber, how it was simple in design yet also complex in style. She appeared genuinely surprised when Bones began to fill in some of her trains of thought when she explained certain parts. Bones’ work on Coruscant as a repair shop owner had given him many insights into how some pieces of technology worked. It was easy to tell that a bond of friendship was developing between the two. Finally, after acquiring enough parts, which was almost nothing more then two handfuls of metal junk, Aoi explained the concept of the crystal. “As far as I can tell, the Jensaarai, use crystals as well as the emitter matrix to force the focused plasma from the lenses into a blade of pure energy. The crystal, as i understand it, is the heart of the lightsaber.” “And where am I supposed to get those? Not exactly a mine around here. ” Aoi looked at Bones and buzzed a little in thought. Bones couldn’t help but notice her mandibles clicking in excitement. Eventually she reached into one of her many pockets and held out something clenched. “I’ll give you this on two conditions. One: you promise to make a delivery for me to the leader of the Jensaarai. The Saarai-Kaar. Two: You give me a radio-frequency for those…” Aoi gently tapped at the communication implants on Bones’ head. The Tognath was surprised. People usually didn’t ask for such a thing, at least not in Bones’ experiences. “Its so that way I can contact you again. You know, for professional reasons.” Bones had the distinct feeling that there was more going on, but he agreed. Having that, Aoi dropped two small red crystals into the Tognath’s open hand. They were just slightly smaller then Bones’ smallest finger. “These are gifts from the Hive-Mother. Apparently someone here knows how to make synthetic crystals, and the Hive-Mother only gives those to people she respects. So don’t go showing it to other Verpine, k? I don’t want her to think I’m disrespecting her.” Bones agreed and thanked Aoi for her generous gift. Along with that, she handed Bones a datapad, containing a map of Raka Nwul’s interior design, or at least its current one. Apparently it changed quite often. ___ Later, Bones nearly collapsed on his bed when there was a knock at the door. Opening it, Bones found Sun-Dragon, who relayed his next task to the Tognath. Go to Dome #8 and await instructions there. Bones bowed and agreed. With grabbing his items, including the lightsaber parts in a carrying case, the crystals in his pocket, and his metal rods on his back, he rushed off to the Botanical Domes. After some investigating, Bones found himself in front of two locked doors. The glass doors had been painted over to hide whatever was inside, and a large warning label pasted on the paint told how the Dome was off limits for everyone but trained personnel. This instantly made the Tognath curious. As far as he knew, there were not many places off limits. What could be inside here? Bones pressed his communication implant against the glass, trying to hear what was inside. It was quiet. Bones scratched a bit at the paint and peeled off a small chunk. From inside a slight purple glow was emitting. But beyond that, Bones couldn’t tell anything. Except something was alive inside. Bones could feel it. Maybe it was the Force, or something else, but Bones could tell there was something inside. Still, there wasn’t much to do but wait. So Bones sat down on the ground, cross-legged, and waited. Surely someone would be here. With any luck, Bones could deliver the map to the Saarai-Kaar even. After getting bored for a few minutes, Bones opened up his own datapad, and returned to the section on the elements of the Force. After a bit, Bones closed his eyes and repeated the elements over and over. It was something to do. And strangely, it felt right to do so. To just wait and focus on the elements of the Force.

Energy ws building in Bones. He could feel it in himself. The feeling of being connected to everything briefly. Combined with the fight, it was invigorating and thrilling. With each blow he tried to inflict that came from letting the Force flow through him, it was more and more stimulating. His exoskeleton felt like it was trying to sing. His breath felt smooth and hot. Each whiff of Sulfer felt like a fire inside of him. “Flow with the river, but remember, you are not a leaf to be pushed without influence. Do not block the river and seek to divert it. Roll yourself in the river, allowing the uniqueness that is you to be buffeted by the force and pushed in ways that are unique to you. Every branch is different, but they spring from the same tree. Do not resist; do not hold fast; but like a rudder, let who you are speak in the force. Together, a path will become apparent.” Momentarily distracted by trying to comprehend what was being said, Bones lost the feeling of being connected almost immediately. He didn't react well to the incoming blow. The flow had become disconnected. Bones tried to actively move out of the way of the blow, but he was too slow now. He could only witness it coming towards his face. The blow was hard and swift. Had he been a human, it might’ve been concussive. Bones tumbled backwards and fell onto his back and even exclaimed a curse. “Son of a nerf that actually hurt!” Bones took Sun-Dragon’s help and stood again. The small crowd who had gathered were now dispersing, their entertainment done. Bones rubbed his exterior skull, checking for cracks. “So what you are saying is I have to learn how to think while using the Force? I think I need more practice then. Ow..." Bones rubbed his skull more, an aching feeling beginning to develop. For a human, it definately would've been much to painful. Bones wondered if Sun-Dragon was using the Tognath's underdeveloped nervous system as an excuse to hold back less then other apprentices. "Still, I also need to let the force and me reflect each other, correct?” Bones seemed to unstand the lesson. Instincts could only go so far, as his sister used to say. He had become a good boxer and a decent speeder bike racer by practice, not by instict. He had nearly crashed his bike several times at first on Corescant, barely missing a pedestrian or a passing vehicle. And in the criminal world, he had won most of his early matches by luck and deteriminating until one of his ‘coworkers’ taught him how to hold himself and how to strike. “Sun-Dragon, a question…” Bones spoke up. “In the Mireinio Ysbrydol, I keep seeing the phrase ‘Ashla and Bogun” Bones pulled out his datapad and showed Sun-Dragon on the topic of the elements and the Force in the 'Knowledge of Nature' section. “The other stuff I get...kinda. Some of it I have to reread...a lot” Bones tone took on one of annoyance briefly, but then returned to questioning. “But it never fully explains what Ashla and Bogun is. Since it seems they are more closely related to the Force then the elements, I assume they are some kind of aspects of the Force?”

On the ground, a feeling of frustration grew within Bones. Similar to the annoyance he had when kept slipping from the branches trying to collect Lumas fruit, this feeling was a bit stronger, mostly because it was being done by another living thing and not Bones himself. “Focus not on your weapon. Focus on yourself. A Jensaarai is always seeking truth and is always ready to act. Your mind, body, and soul bonded together as one. The weapon should become nothing but an extension of your will and of your person. When you are centered, unhampered by the distractions about you, you will become one with your weapon.” Bones breathed a deep breath of sulfur dioxide and recited the words again. The elements came to his lips, as well as the words Ashra and Bogun. Bones moved to stand up, and felt his hand touch something. His rifle. Angrily, Bones shoved it away, unwilling to use such a weapon. He had made his bed. Now he was going to sleep in it. Bones stood up and faced the Defender, staff at the ready. “The skills of combat can be learned. To be a Jensaarai you must become master of the most difficult aspects of the galaxy, yourself. A Jensaarai feels emotions. He uses them. He controls them and makes them work for him. Otherwise they are as dangerous a distraction as an undefended plasma shot, a distracting onlooker, or the soft dark side whisper that promises the ease of victory but does not tell you the price.” ”Again! Let the force flow through you and bind to you as one.” Bones nodded and tried to focus. Again and again, he quoted the elements softly. “Plant, Fire, Ground, Metal, Water.... Plant, Fire, Ground, Metal...“ Bones began to admire and become fascinated by the swirling of the air around Sun Dragon’s staff. Realizing this, Bones shut his eyes momentarily and focused on his other senses. While feeling wasn’t something his species were known for, he could still hear and smell and taste. Taste. The taste of small amounts of water on his tongue, intermingling with the Sulfer Dioxide he breathed. The Water. The Water was in him, supporting his blood and organs. Bones gripped his staff tightly. His metal staff. Like the metal in his body. Metal was the element of strength. When a person died, the metal gave away and the body crumbled. Metal made him strong. He had metal in him. Slowly, his hands slid down the staff and met together at the staff’s center. Fire. Bones anger was like that of fire. Passionate, and capable of spreading and giving speed. It was in the air around him, in the oxygen and in the sulfer Bones breathed. It gave him energy. Bones breathed again and twisted both his wrists, separated the staff into the two rods they were originally part of. Plant. Plant was life incarnate. All organics had plant in them, as did nature around them. Including Sun Dragon. In his mind’s eye, Bones briefly saw Sun Dragon. He saw how both Bones and Sun-Dragon were the same, and how they related to each other. Bones dashed forward, bringing one rod to block Sun-Dragon’s staff. Ground. Land. The element that all things came from and all things will go to. Neither Ashra, nor Bogun, but both. Ground was balance. It centered the soul, and kept it going towards its rightful destination. All it needed was for Bones to listen to it. Through all these elements the Force flowed. And for the briefest moment, they flowed through Bones. Bones knew it wasn’t instincts that were driving him, nor was it his own mind. The Force was flowing through him. In that moment, Bones felt all of the elements within him, guiding him and granting strength and speed. Bones free hand moved rapidly now, trying to strike Sun-Dragon’s open side. Even as he did, his other hand, the first attacking hand, drew back and tried to strike again and again. It was wild, but not frantic or desperate. The Force was briefly flowing through the young Tognath.

“The Aros is a vital weapon of the Jensaarai. Even when others cannot find a weapon in their vicinity, a Jensaarai can. Learn the way of the Aros. It’s use is vital to the Jensaarai way of life. Even when we are in the fields, we must be prepared to stand side by side protecting our community at a moment’s notice.” Bones listened and nodded after recovering from his easily deflected blow. He listened while observing Sun-Dragon’s staff spin slowly around. The words the Sun-Dragon spoke rang true with him. Bones couldn’t explain it, but it felt like what he was saying resonated within him. When the Jensaarai called upon the force and made the air around him simmer, Bones felt himself tense up, as if his instincts were telling him something his senses were not picking up. His own blood suddenly went cold, and his exoskeleton seemed to vibrate ever so slightly, making all of his half-developed nervous tissues work perfectly. “Plant, Fire, Ground, Metal, and Water” Bones murmured in response. Acting with this newfound instinct, Bones jumped slightly at the low sweeping blow the Sun-Dragon intended. Bones felt like the ground was warning him, and the water in his legs were sensing the incoming blow. Bones had acted with their guidance. Landing on his feet, Bones chuckled as he put himself into a position with both hands separated along the staff. This wasn’t too bad. He had to listen to his instincts and his body. Listen to the elements. Like the Mireinio ysbrydol had said, he and the elements were connected through the Force. That was easy… “Whoo!” A synthesized voice cheered. Bones glanced over to the side and realized he had an audience. Two local Ithorians had taken seats against a wall of a house, while aVerpine with a metal hand and foot stood next to them. It seemed the insectoid was the one that cheered. “Heh…” Bones chuckled and looked back at Sun-Dragon. The feeling was lost. He was no longer focused, but the Tognath didn’t realize that. Pride was filling his movements. “Hiya!” Bones shouted as he charged forward and tried to boldly bring his staff down on Sun-Dragon's head.

Bones looked around him, wondering where Sun-Dragon was hiding. When he emerged from behind and spoke, Bones jumped. He had not heard the Jensaarai at all. His footsteps were so silent, and Bones had been busy searching with his eyes. It was obvious Bones needed practice listening and searching with more then eye-sight. He listened to Sun-Dragon’s words intently, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at the compliments. It had been so long since he heard one. The last time he heard one was on Coruscant. Ever since then, the closest thing he got to a compliment was a congratulatory at being so brutal as an enforcer. Bones wasn’t sure if either he or Sun-Dragon had poor humor, but he didn’t get the joke. Still, he listened and nodded, and when Sun-Dragon disappeared, he knew what to do. But how to get back? He was entirely lost in this dense forest line that Sun-Dragon called him into. Bones turned around and tried to get his bearing. He jumped from a branch to a branch. Maybe he could recognise the branches? “Thats...that impossible. Even a well-trained bounty hunter couldn’t do that…” Bones shook his head. “What am I going to do? I guess I could just walk in one direction and hope for the best. Then again…” Bones looked around at the foliage. Why the rush? This place was warm but comfortable. And there were certainly more animals out here. The chirping of Manolliums and flapping of wings, both feathered and leathery, were surprisingly a soothing sound at the moment. Bones took up a tree and sat on a branch, just to enjoy the peace here. It felt right in some way. True he was lost, but still, it was peaceful. He reached into his small pack and pulled out his datapad. Sun-Dragon recommended more reading, specifically the Mireinio ysbrydol. Here was a good spot to do so. “Concerning knowing yourself and nature...” Bones stated out loud to no one in particular. “one must know reality and the root of everything. The root of everything is the Force. It lives in us and beyond us. It has no shape and is emptiness, yet it contains all things. It cannot be held, but it is doubtlessly there. Unseen, yet around always. Even in the space between stars, it is there. Thus, to see the Force, unless your inner eye is opened, you will never see it. The wise know the principles of the Force, but the common people do not. "All things are made up of the Force. Within the Force, there is the Ashra and the Bogun. In and Yo. Consider the elements of the universe: Plant, Fire, Ground, Metal, and Water. Fire and Water oppose each other, as do Plant and Metal and so they fight each other, while ground remains alone. That is because like the Force, they too are In and Yo of each other. Fire and Plant are In, while Water and Metal are yo. Ground is both In and Yo. "The Force exists and gives life to these elements. While all beings have different amounts of the elements within them, they exist in there. Water found in the body turns back to water as the body becomes dry. Fire or heat turns back to fire again as the body gets cold. Metal turns back to metal so the body loses its strength. It shrinks and does not function. After that, whether cremated or buried or simply rotting down, it goes back to the Ground. The bonds that connect the body will scatter and break apart. As the body returns to the elements, the elements return to the In and the Yo. And in turn, the In and Yo return to the Force. "All beings eventually return to the elements, and in turn, to the Force. The Force is everywhere. Since the Force is in the elements, and the elements make up the universe, the Force makes up everything. As it exists within you, it binds you to everything. And being so bound, it connects you with everything in the universe.” Bones took a breath and put the datapad down. There was some more stuff on the pad, but a lot of it was starting to go over his head. This was enough for now. The Force. Bones vaguely remember hearing some stuff about it. About how the Jedi and the Sith used it, as well as the Jensaarai he recently discovered. He recalled in one of the other texts how the Jensaarai meditated to attune themselves to the Force. Perhaps that was what he needed to do here? “I’m certainly in a perfect place for it.” Bones chuckled. Bones slowly closed his eyes and focused himself. There on the branch, he stayed perfectly still, listening to everything around him. The cawing of the birds. The flapping of wings. The gentle movement of stimulated wind rustling the leaves. Bones focused on how they were connected. The trees were plants, which could burn with heat. The heat of the ship kept the trees comfortable. The trees drank water and stored it within their trunks. And they carried immense strength, or metal, to stay standing. So it was with Bones. He had Water in him, floating within his blood. His body generated heat, or Fire. His bones were hard and strong, like Metal. He was organic, like Plant. And eventually, he would die and return to the Ground. “Ashra...Bogun” Bones whispered, slowing his breathing. “Plant, Fire, Ground, Metal, and Water. Ashra...Bogun. Plant...Fire...Ground...Water.” For over an hour, Bones continued this, whispering to himself the In and Yo of the universe, as well as the elements. Something about these words comforted him. He thought about how he was connected to them, and in turn, connected to the things around him. It was a rejuvenating feeling. A wondrous feeling. A feeling of awe. Bones stopped and jumped down and began walking in a direction. He didn’t know why, but he felt like this was the way to go. Emerging from the trees, Bones made his way back to his home. He would bathe, rest and prepare himself. _____ Bones eventually arrived, carrying Jho’s metal rods in his hands. He stopped briefly when he saw Sun-Dragon and stared a bit in wonderment. He had never seen Sun-Dragon without his armor before. While not expecting something beautiful, the scarred and burned man before him almost horrified the Tognath. There was obviously much history to his man. “I have heard that you have fancied yourself a hunter and a warrior. It is time to refine those skills into something befitting the Jensaarai Order.” Bones nodded. “I mean, I guess. I’m pretty good at boxing and I can aim a gun.” “You may take what you wish, but remember the way of the Jensaarai.” Sun Dragon continued. “Keep your mind open, remain in the moment, seek knowledge always, control your emotions lest they control you, remember what you have learned and what you have read.” Bones looked at the gear now at the center of the dirt. He could see his rifle. There was a brief feeling of disgust at it, as the sight of it brought back the memory of killing a child and an innocent man. The crime that Bones regretted instantly. Was Sun-Dragon indicating for Bones to use it again? “I don’t think I should...I can use that” Bones shook his head and looked up at Sun-Dragon. “And we both know you can toss me aside like a gnat when I try to punch you. So i’m gonna beat you up with this instead…” Bones chuckled as he brought the rods together and twisted them. During his rest, he had looked over the rods and noticed how there were grooves inside of them. Jho had to be either one expert craftsman, or knew one. It seemed that all of his rods were made to screw together in case of some fruit being so far out of reach of the lifters. Clever Ithorian. Bones gripped his now formed quarterstaff with both hands and braced himself against Sun-Dragon. He knew there was no way he could beat this man, but he would try. He had already given away his best advantage, but he couldn’t use the rifle. That wasn’t right. Bones moved forward and kicked a loose rock at the Sun-Dragon, seeing if he would react. Then he moved forward and, with most of his effort, tried to swing the metal staff like a club at the man.

Bones almost flinched at the sound of Sun-Dragon. But it wasn’t a sound. It was a feeling. Not a sudden, instinctive gut feeling, but like a tingling of a sense. With no other choice, Bones obeyed. Pushing through the underbrush, Bones felt the heat even with his underdeveloped nervous system. Small skitterring animals darted away from the Tognath. The cawing of birds, the squeaking of rodents, and the chirping of bugs filled the area with life. Bones would’ve admired how much life was here compared to the jungle ecologies if he wasn’t so focused. The voice called to Bones. He grunted and pushed forward. Where was Sun-Dragon? Bones stopped at the Sun-Dragon’s words. Words about opening himself. Letting his soul be open. He closed his eyes and tried to think. He tried to remember what the words from his datapad had said. He recalled how Jho told him to be quiet and to observe while waiting for night to fall. He did the same here and took a few deep breaths. His breathing slowed and became normal. Something told him to climb. So he did. The trees were much slicker and smoother, but still doable for the Tognath. Once on a branch, Bones walked out and jumped to another. Then another. Then Bones jumped to the ground and ran a short distance. He had no idea where he was going, but it felt right. Bones stopped at Sun-Dragon’s question. He glanced around trying to find the source of the voice, but found none. “I...I” Bones stammered, struggling to find a good answer. “I learned the importance of waiting. And the beauty of peace.” Bones then chuckled to himself. “And the benefit of sour Lumas Fruit”

For the next two days, Bones worked hard. He would arrive early to the clearings, help modify and fix the loaders, prepare the baskets, and move the containers with the Suckler beetles. The Ithorians appreciated his technical prowess as well as his willingness to move heavier objects. Truth be told, it kept him busy. He didn’t like standing or sitting around waiting. He needed to be doing something. When he was in that house the Jensaarai let him live in, he would read whatever he could. Bones even began to pick up a few words and phrases from the Ithorians and some tidbits of information from Jho when he was around. The ship was called Raka Nwul. The Lumas fruit was highly nutritious and given to sick people. The term for crop was Ililithoga in Ithorese. Bark was Grauaka. And the nickname the Ithorians had begun to call Bones, Gra Gaelu, meant… “Flying Bug?!?” Bones exclaimed at Jho’s translation, who laughed heartily. “What kind of name is flying bug?” “A fitting one, given your first day here” Jho handed Bones another basket and an engraved metal rod. Bones was getting used to it. He felt like he could use it as a pretty useful club when needed. “Ya but, shouldn’t it be skeleton or bones or something? Like Flying Skeleton? My nickname is Bones!” “Doesn’t have the right ring to it.” Jho chuckled again at a joke. Bones sighed and heaved another basket full of heavy fruit down to Jho. At least they didn’t make that nickname based on how insectoid his last name sounded. Kikik? That was an invitation for ridicule. Especially since his race already had so many bug-like features. “Anyways, don’t worry over it. Once you finish this harvest in four more days, you probably won’t see us for a while. “Wait…” Bones stopped. “What do you mean four days? Sun-Dragon told me that I would have this done within five days, and that was two days ago.” Jho shook his head, his large hat swaying its usual sway. “Not unless everyone gets a lot faster. Our dragon probably thinks it will be done within your time frame, but he told me you were to stay till the harvest was finished. Would you like me to tell him it will take longer? I could cont-” “No...no..” Bones interjected, looking at his fruit. “That’s...fine. I’m sure he knows and...its fine…” It was not fine. Later during the day, Bones tossed and turned in his bed. He couldn’t sleep. Four days of work remained? How was he supposed to accomplish what Sun-Dragon told him to do? He couldn’t work during the day to get the fruit down. Bones got up and paced his dark room. He only took a break to insert a sulfate tablet into his rebreather. A few deep puffs of the stuff calmed him down a bit. He focused on breathing. It calmed him down further. On the table was a datapad. Not knowing what else to do, he opened it up and began to read. It was full of texts and files that he was told that Jensaarai Defenders held dear. A bunch of it went over Bones’ head. Philosophies on battle tactics, theories on how ‘the Force’ interacted with people, ideas on how civilizations and individuals functioned in life, and even a few select commentaries from Defenders their thoughts about the texts. Still, some tidbits popped out at the Tognath. “He will win who knows when to fight and when to not fight.” Bones began to read aloud, scrolling through the text, written long ago by some unnamed warrior. “He will win who knows how to handle superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks and is united. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. And he will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by others. Know your enemy, and know yourself” Below the text was a commentary from a Defender. One that Bones recognised. This applies to more than armies. This applies to yourself as well. Do not rely on whether or not the enemy approaches, but instead whether or not you can receive him. Know yourself. Know your enemy. Learn yourself. Learn your enemy. Then you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. -Sun Dragon. Bones studied the words carefully. Not just the text, but the commentary as well. Something about the words resonated with him. It spoke to him and sat with him. “Know yourself and know your enemy…” Bones turned off the datapad and got up. He knew himself. He knew what he was good at and what he could do. He knew a way to work faster in the night. He had an idea. Back in the jungle ecology, tired but eager. With a newfound energy, Bones climbed the nearest Lumas tree and began to balance again on the branch. Taking a breath, Bones calmed himself and tried walking across the branch. Time and time again, Bones fell. And time and time again Bones got back up to try again only to fall again. Even when he made it to an edge of a branch, he would begin to work his way back and fall in the process. He would be in pain after this, even with his underdeveloped nervous system. Still, he did it again and again. With each attempt, Bones got faster. His steps were more sure, but more delicate as well. He began to take larger strides on the branches. He even began to jump from one to another. Confident with his abilities, Bones this time climbed down instead of falling, and, exhausted, sat against the tree. A yawn and a closing of eyes and Bones fell asleep. When the other Ithorians came, they left the Tognath alone. Jho eventually woke the young being up, who quickly got to work without a word. His idea didn’t work at first. With the Suckler Beetles highlighting which fruits were ripe for picking, Bones figured he could jump from branch to branch and knock the fruit down, instead of using the slow-moving and burdensome lifters. However, Bones ran into a problem. He couldn’t reach the fruit. Multiple times the Tognath fell to the ground. This latest time Bones sat up, but didn't move much. He was losing hope. Jho rubbed his face and groaned slightly and took the Tognath to the side. “I see what you are doing, and honestly, I think it isn’t the smartest idea. However, you have your heart set on it and since you are so keen to keep the nickname the others gave you, here…” Jho pushed his metal rod into Bones hands. Bones looked at Jho curiously. “Use this as well as your own rod to balance yourself. Stretch yourself out as wide as you can with your arms.” As Jho talked, he took a few plucked fruits and tied them to Bones’ belt, making him slightly heavier. “My son dreams of being an acrobatic someday, and he uses a much longer rod to balance himself on a wire. And he carries weights to lower his center of gravity. Do the same up there, and when you are close enough…” Jho made a swinging motion. Bones nodded and took off. Jho watched as the young being climbed another tree. Taking a breath, the Tognath held the two rods out like he was told. Jho scratched his chin. Bones took a step forward. He shook much less then before. Jho could see confidence swell in the Tognath’s chest. Bones took another step. Then another. He was slower then before but his speed would return. Soon Bones was in a position where several fruits were covered with swarms of beetles. Rebalancing himself again, Bones prepared himself and swung the two rods in his hands. Five fruits, with bugs swarming away, fell to the ground like stones. Bones raised his arms in a cheer and made a whooping noise, before nearly stumbling off the branch again. Jho clapped his hands in praise and watched as the Tognath eagerly began to walk the branch back to find a new position to get more fruit. As the days passed, Bones got faster and faster. He was clearing a tree faster than a few Ithorians could. By the end of the fifth day, the harvest was completed, ahead of schedule. Even as the sun began to rise, Bones knocked down the last fruit, to the cheering of the other Ithorians. Bones thanked Jho greatly, to which Jho shook his head and instead thanked Bones for the good work. In a surprise. He told Bones to keep the rods. He was to present them to Sun-Dragon, as proof that Bones had done his work, and done it well. Bones thanked Jho again and took off. Through the Ecology and through Atrium, Bones ran until he found a speeder, which took him to the inner parts of the ship. Through the city Bones ran, only stopping at his home momentarily to grab his data pad. As he left, he poured some Lumas Fruit liquid in the pot next to his door. Inside he could see a small seed of something sprouting up. Bones was out of breath when he stopped at the entrance to the jungle line. He rested his hands on his legs as he breathed in and out through his rebreather. He was to meet Sun-Dragon. On his back were the two rods that Jho had given, each one engraved with the Ithorian’s name. Bones looked at the forested entrance before him. It was both so similar and yet so different from the Jungle Ecology he had worked days in. “Sun-Dragon? I did it! I finished the harvest!” Bones announced as he looked around for the Defender.

As Sun-Dragon left, Bones could clench his hands into fists for a few moments. His anger, while seething, was dying quickly. There was nothing more he could do except do as ordered. Still, he didn’t like this. It was like some kind of prison cell. Just better accommodations. Bones sighed and took a step in one direction, and then promptly realized he had no idea where to go. Where did the Lumas trees get harvested? Where did any of the plants get harvested? Was the ship self-sustainable or did the plants grow somewhere on the planet they resided on? Bones didn’t know which to believe. He never heard of a self-sustaining ship, but Artus Prime wasn’t exactly a nature preserve either. It took some time and a lot of asking strangers, but eventually Bones had an idea. Slowly he made his way to the edges of the ship. Originally he asked where the food was grown, and he was told that the botanical domes did most of that, except for what was grown on their original planet of Ithor. Some more questioning led Bones to believe that Lumas trees were native to Ithor and so instead he had to travel to the jungle ecologies on the edges of the ship. A short speeder trip by a local Ithorian dropped Bones off at an entrance to the Atrium. Even before entering, Bones was shocked at what he saw. Large doorway before him showed signs of wear and tear. The durasteel was stained and tarnished, and was now impossible to close as vines and weeds had grown to the point that the heavy doors could no longer move. And the floor was lightly covered with dirt, which only became more thick the further into the Atrium. Bones took a breath of his sulfate before stepping in. Once entered, the other side at first was a narrow hallway. Bright white lights above lit the overgrown path like the sun lighting a forest. Vines with bright green leaves in full bloom stretched across the walls from one doorway to another, as if seeking to find more places to enter. The dirt pathway had small mounds of grass growing in spots where people tended not to walk. Further in surprised Bones more. What was once a conglomerate of hallways meeting together in a large open space with a glass ceiling had become, to put it lightly, a village. Natural light streamed down through the glass onto green and brown vines, lush thick grass, small saplings barely sprouting leaves, and small pots of flowers. Amongst these plants was the dirt pathways, trampled by Ithorians who traveled between here and the rest of the ship. And each of these dirt paths led to houses. Metal walls stained brown stood in these halls. They didn’t connect with the ceiling, but instead had large vines bound together and layered across, with then another dirt layer over it. From this dirt, flowers of every color grew. Bones could only see the vines and how they were bound because they were wrapped around the corners of the houses and pulled downward, like some kind of tent flap. Amongst these paths, patches of grass, and houses, were some Ithroians. A few of the spouses or younglings of those who were working, they were busying themselves with all matter of tasks at hand. Some were tending to the houses, making sure the roofs and the flowers were properly cared for. Others were sitting around small pots with heaters underneath them to cure some kind of medicine or cook up a food. In the distance, Bones could see a small group of Ithorian younglings walking behind an Ithorian adult, reading from a datapad. A teacher and his class no doubt. “Not what you were expecting, no?” Bones jumped at the deep gurgle that came from beside him. He turned and faced a hammerhead slightly smaller then he. His clothes were simple brown robes bound tight against his skin and rounded belly, giving him a wide range of movement while dressed lightly. His smooth and pale green skin had small white lines painted in a criss-crossing style all over his head, with a small patch of black hair growing from where his head met his neck. On his head he wore a wide brim hat, made to block out any light from above. He was the embodiment of some kind of farmer. The Ithorian laughed at Bones' startlement. “Oooh, sorry, very sorry. Our dragon warned us you were coming, and I figured you may get lost so I wanted to escort you personally.” “Um...thanks, I think” Bones held out his hand and shook the Ithorians. It was rough and hardened from years of work. “I’m sorry, but isn’t this the Atrium? I figured it would be more of a...um, atrium I guess. Not...this” The Ithorian nodded understandingly at the Tognath’s confusion. “It wasn’t always like this. Come, our Dragon said you are to help us.” The Ithorian, who introduced himself as Jho, led Bones through the many halls, showing how there were many many more houses everywhere. He explained how the ship originally was a ship designed for transporting plants across the galaxy. However, due to a major incident in the ship’s history (Bones didn’t catch exactly what it was), the Great Atrium became a dwelling place for the Ithorians on board, instead of the upper levels of the ship. The Ithorians onboard preferred a lifestyle living next to the plants they cared for, and because the Jungle ecologies overgrew their enclosures into the Atrium, it became a natural choice for the Ithorians. Thus it was renamed the Overgrown, and became the housing district for the Ithorians. Bones listened closely to it all, while marveling at how such a place could exist on the ship. He felt like he was actually on a planet. If he had woken up here, he would have never believed he was on a star ship that could travel the galaxy. Jho eventually led Bones to the Jungle Ecologies. Where the Atrium was more like a lush grassland with houses, this was truly a jungle. Trees were packed densely into the area, blocking most of the light above. The shade however was not cool at all. Bones instantly noticed the temperature difference, and knew that most humans would begin sweating immediately in the humid air. Bones also immediately was able to identify which trees were Lumas trees. Their rough brown bark twisted around the trunks, with some of the bark growing over itself in places. The limbs stretched outwards, with smaller and smaller branches spreading out like a kind of spider web. These limbs had green lichen-like vines climbing all over them, working their way into the bark and occasionally wrapping themselves along the trunk. On the tips of some of the branches, the vines curled and wrapped up into a ball, and protruding from these balls… “Lumas fruit” Bones recognising the sour filled objects. The trees matched the ugliness of the seed. “So I assume I’ll need to pick those?” Jho nodded, but added “not yet. That comes tonight.” “Tonight? Why not now?” “You will see.” Bones sighed. Eventually the two came into a clearing, where eight Ithorians, both old and young, were working, as well as a pile of mechanical parts, four two legged vehicles, and several large metal containers that made a buzzing sound with the occasional ping of something hitting the inside. Jho introduced them as Bone’s coworkers. Since none of them spoke basic, Jho introduced Bones to the group in his native tongue. Jho then gave Bones his assignment. “It will be night in a few hours, and we need these loaders ready by then. You any good with tools? Then help them with the repairs and tuning. I’ll be back later.” With that, Jho left Bones, now alone in a group of strangers he couldn’t understand. However, Bones was able to make quick work with the loaders. He almost felt like he was back home on Coruscant. His experience with speeder bikes and fixing machines at his repair shop made him a natural at these loaders. While the others, despite not having a common language, had to point out a few things to Bones, he quickly caught on. Within 2 hours, all the machines were fixed and prepared. It seemed that they were ahead of schedule, since Jho hadn’t come back yet and the rest of the Ithorians had sat down talking to each other. Bones paced quietly, anxious to get started. Why were they waiting until tonight to pick the Lumas fruit? It was obvious that the machines would be used to reach the out of reach objects, but why wait until night, when it would be impossible to see the sour-filled objects? These Ithorians were stupid. This entire thing was stupid. Bones fumed slightly as he paced. An Ithorian chuckled at Bones and made a joke, to which the others laughed. Bones noticed and looked down, realizing he had tore up a bunch of grass with his pacing. No doubt the Ithorians were making a joke out of this. “That does it” Bones stomped the ground once. “I’m just going to get those fruits now myself!” With that, Bones went towards the nearest Lumas tree. Using the jagged, rough bark as handholds and footholds, Bones began to climb. The Ithorians stopped talking and watched, curious at what the Tognath was doing. The climb was a solid 28 feet up and the branches, while solid, were narrow. Still, Bones climbed. At the first branch, Bones hoisted and balanced himself. The Ithorians watched intently. With a breath, Bones took a step forward. As he fell downwards, the Tognath remembered his time riding speeder bikes in Coruscant. His sister had beaten into his head about the way to fall during an upcoming crash and forced him to practice it over and over again. Loosen body. Relax. Catch something if you can. Bones did just that. He smacked the ground like a stone and remained still for a bit. The Ithorians gathered around, concerned for the stranger, but quickly began to laugh when Bones picked himself back up. Bones was certainly an entertainment. Bones thanked his two skeletal systems and shoved an Ithorian out of the way. He knew what he did wrong. He slipped. He went too quickly. He would do better. Another climb. And again, another fall. The Ithorians laughed and cheered on Bones as he attempted again. This was funny for them. A skeletal man who didn’t know when to quit, and since he wasn’t feeling as much pain as anyone else, and the falls weren’t damaging, he would keep trying. With each attempt, Bones got better. He was learning how the branches were. And he was learning how to balance better and better. All while the Ithorians watched and cheered and laughed. “What is going on?!?” Jho shouted, running into the area. The others stopped and pointed up. Realizing what was about to be done, Jho facepalmed and observed with the others. Bones, now at a prime spot, reached out and grabbed as many branches as possible and began to shake. With three might shakes, the vines that held the seeds began to snap and fall. Like the rocks they looked like, Lumas fruit fell down onto the ground. Pride made Bones’ chest swell. He had accomplished what he attempted, and now could show everyone his cleverness. With a fall down and a soft landing and rolling into a fall, Bones picked himself up expecting cheering and clapping. Instead, the Ithorians were walking away back to the machines. Jho was shaking his head, his large hat swaying left and right. He wasn’t showing anger, or sadness. Just a smidge of annoyance with his movements, and a hint of amusement at his lips. “Our dragon did say you were rash. Couldn’t wait, eh?” “I just proved you don’t have to wait until nightfall to pick your fruits.” Bones clenched his fits. “And all without your machi-” “Indeed, without the lifters.” Jho sarcastically nodded. “You did that, while risking your body. Its certainly true we couldn’t have used machines during the day. Oh yes, very...eager of you. ” Bones said nothing. He was being talked down to and it was annoying him. “Can you do me a favor? You know how these fruit work, correct?” “Ya..” Bones shrugged, looking at the rock-like fruit around him. “You break them open and the sour stuff comes out." “Do that” Bones looked at Jho, wondering if he was serious. When Jho didn’t answer, Bones had no choice. Grabbing the nearest fruit, he bent down and smashed the fruit on the ground. With a loud crack, the fruit split and spilled its purple and white contents onto the ground. Bones held it out as if to prove a point. Jho shook his head. "Again. Another one." Bones grunted and rolled his eyes. He grabbed the next fruit. Over his head and downwards, Bones smashed the fruit into the ground. It didn’t split. Bones stared at it and swung it down again. A loud thud but no crack. Angrily, Bones brought it down again and again. Slowly the fruit began to crack, and eventually snapped, revealing not a hallowed out center, but a solid, purplish substance. “Whah?” Bones poked the substance, finding it spongy but firm. “See, you went for every fruit you could see, not knowing which ones are ready and which ones aren't. Lumas trees produce fruit all year round. We have a method for figuring out which ones are ripe.” “But...but…” “Ah to be young like you.” Jho chuckled “Come, I have a perfect spot for you.” The large round Ithorian led Bones back to the clearing, where the others were. Jho sat down and invited Tognath to join him. Bones did, and listened to the Ithorian. He talked slowly about random things. He asked Bones questions about his life and where he came from. Despite Bone trying to be closed off, the brief answers given allowed Jho to launch into obscure topics. Facts about where the ship came from. Ideas for robot models to help gather the fruit. The verpine ‘infestation’ of the ship. Soon, night began to fall. The ship had programmed its day/night cycle to match Ithor’s night cycle, but also adjusted it so that way its night cycle overlapped Artus Prime’s night cycle. As the simulated sunset occurred, and the shadows grew everywhere, Bones had his breath taken away. The lichen vines that grew from the Lumas trees began to emit shades of soft blue and purple light. As the vines wrapped around the trees, the color changed from a blue to a green. When the darkness grew more and more, the light became stronger and stronger. Even in the pitch blackness of night, each branch and path was well illuminated by the tree's glow. As Bones sat and admiring the sudden beauty, Jho stood up and shouted. “Release the bugs!” Five Ithorians went to the large buzzing containers and unscrewed their tops. Numerous small insects flew out, a swarm of beetle-like beings. Even as they flew out, Bones saw they also glowed. Small dots of yellow swarmed the air and slowly went upwards into the trees. “Suckler Beetles” Jho commented to the Bone’s wonderment. “Nocturnal bugs from Ithor. Powerful scent glands in them. They can smell nutritious material a mile away though a foot of solid durasteel. We collect them at the end of the night once they fall asleep. The don't bite much, but I don't think that'll bother you” Bones looked at Jho, unable to tell if he was exaggerating. But he could see what they were doing. The Sucklers flew amongst the trees and began to swarm and crawl over the lichen balls and the seeds they held. Large glowing yellow orbs amongst the blue and purple glowing vines. “Amazing. It’s like...like… well I don’t know but...wow!” Bones exclaimed. Jho chuckled and tapped Bone’s shoulder. “It is. Most newcomers never stay around long enough to see this. You have to be patient to see this. But our defenders...well, sometimes one or two come here to meditate.” “Now…” Jho pointed to one of the lifters and handed Bones a large basket as well as a metal rod. Bones felt the engraving of ‘Jho Jho’ on it. “Get to collecting. Stick is good for knocking the fruit loose. I want that back. I’ll be back soon.” With that, Jho turned and left to do whatever he needed to do. Bones nodded and got to work. This time not out of anger or wanting to prove something. This time, Bones was basking in the beauty of the glowing Lumas trees and their seeds.

Bones struggled against whatever was holding him down, blinded by action, not realizing the blade held against him. However, as much as he tried to move, something held him back. It wasn’t psychological. With every ounce, Bones was trying to fight whatever was holding him. His own grunts and growls proved that. But he was being restrained by something physical and he didn’t know what. Then he realized the blade. Bones finally froze and gazed up at Sun-Dragon. The armor Bones had struck protected him well. Bones only felt the thud of his exoskeleton crashing against the man’s armor and none of the pain, but he suspected that Sun-Dragon felt the same. As he listened to the Sun-Dragon’s words, Bones looked away, but listened. At last when the human was done, their was a brief pause of silence. “Fine” Bones said flatly. He would help with the cultivation of the Lumas trees and their sour fruit.

“Whoah, hey!” Bones exclaimed as the Sun-Dragon pulled him along. Bones had never seen the Jensaarai Defender get angry before, but he had a feeling he was about to, just for the comment about the fruit. Being thrown down into the dirt, Bones’ shook himself and growled something in his native tongue. He quickly got up and raised his fists to defend himself. He was about to ask what was the matter with Sun-Dragon, when the Defender began to scold him. “I haven’t held on to anything except my breath now. You guys have taken everything else already” Bones whined back as he prepared for a blow from the man. He was mad. And he was going to have his say. “I came here to redeem myself, not to pick sour fruit. You promised me redemption. I figured I’d be fighting bad guys and saving lives, not cooped up in just another prison.” With that, Bones moved forward and threw a wild right punch. He knew he left himself open, but he was fine with that. He had been in fights before, especially when he worked for that crime syndicate on Ord Mantell. He had found that being able to throw a punch with a skeletal fist and having little nerve tissue made him quite the boxer. He took on several opponents twice his size. But those were against random thugs. He had no idea about Sun-Dragon. And he was mad. Any professional could see that. He wasn’t thinking with his brain, he was thinking with his emotions.

Bones gripped his hands into a fist at the mention of proving he was responsible enough to carry a weapon. Of course he wasn’t responsible enough to carry a gun. Not anymore. One bad accident taught him that. That’s why he wasn’t asking for his weapons back. All he wanted was the scarf. It wasn’t for the birds. It was his. “It’s an unneeded sacrifice...” Bones grudgingly replied, softly through his rebreather. If he was a human, his face would have been in a glare. The Sun-Dragon probably heard him, but the tone said that he didn’t want a reply. It was clear he wasn’t going to get the cloth back right now. The bird, happy about its find, took off again, carrying the cloth further into the trees, out of sight. Bones breathed in a small breath of sulfate through his respirator and tried to calm down, but his mind was stuck on the cloth. The last piece of his sister was gone. He couldn’t get past Sun-Dragon, at least not yet. Maybe he could convince someone else. Or go hunting for it at night. For now he had to wait. “I don’t like tea…” Bones grumbled as he walked back towards his home, not knowing what tea even was. He hated how Sun-Dragon pushed him. He was like some scalding parent. One who wasn’t used to working with a Tognath, but a parent nonetheless. Something Bones didn’t like. The Tognath looked mostly at the ground as he walked. The durasteel, carved to appear like some kind of street, was cold and lifeless to him, despite being stained from dirt and dust from over the years of use. To be fair, the look was very well done. From what Bones had seen, which wasn’t much, the ship was well crafted. The Jensaarai, or whoever was in charge of how the ship looked, went to great lengths to make things look civil. It reminded him of Coruscant. Or at least that city planet before it’s moon had crashed into it. The two had walked into the city, back to where Bones home was. On the way, Bones looked up at the sound of beings speaking with each other and the announcing of prices. It was a marketplace, where Ithorians were selling fresh food and hand-made items. Numerous fruits, both sweet and sour, were stacked up in boxes for all to peruse. Large and small vegetables, expertly cared for, sat in separate stalls. It seemed that each seller focused on only one good, instead of growing a variety. Even the gourds were separated by color and the seeds only sold by the Ithorian selling the fully grown goods. Colored cloths, with various shades of green or yellow, extended from walls of buildings, not necessarily to provide any shade from the sun but only to identify that the stall beneath had goods for sale. The city’s visitors, especially those who worked the mines oneworld, were taking advantage of the fresh produce. Bones had to stop, seeing one stall selling a bunch of oblong grey rocks. The sour juice of the Lumas fruit still tainted his tongue, and the memory of those seeds disgusted him. “Where in the frak do they grow those things?” Bones asked, pointing to the stall. “I haven’t seen any gardens since I got here, and no one was rushing into that jungle back there.” The stall person, who noticed the two, waved them over. He seemed to recognise the Sun-dragon and offered two of the fruits out, inviting them to take a sample on the house. “And who in their right mind would eat those things?” Bones commented, not moving to nor from the stall.

As Bones crashed into the man, he almost didn’t stop in a near unconscious attempt to trample him over. Part of this was his desperation to get the scarf back, but part of this was also the fact that he was Tognath. Having a primitive development of nerve tissue made one have a tendency to ignore most problems. Whether this was in a healthy way or not depended on the situation. This was not a healthy situation. “Surely you have better things to do than galavant about with younglings do you not? We would rather not unteach the truths young minds are not prepared for.” Bones opened his mouth to complain how this was not his fault, but didn’t get a chance. The Sun-Dragon, the only name Bones knew him as, was a powerful presence and a glare from him was enough to send the child running away. After a moment, the tall, imposing warrior turned back to the ex-criminal. “I understand that you hold these things dear young one...” “You got that right…” Bones muttered under his breath. He didn’t fully hear the rest of what the man was saying. His eyes were darting behind the human. Specifically, up a rather large and twisting tree where the yellow-feathered bird was beginning to make a nest with his scarf. “Look, you already took my gun and my knife. Isn’t that enough? That scarf is important to me, it belonged…” Bones stopped himself. Belonged to my sister was what he was going to say. But years working as a thug taught him that showing such emotion was a way to get viewed as a wimp. And then he would be fighting all the time to try to establish himself as something besides that. Bones saw that the bird was starting to make a move to head further into the jungle line, towards the center of the ship. If he didn't hurry, he might lose the bird for a long time. “Here, how about I say sorry I distracted a kid from his chores, but I didn’t invite him. Frag, I can’t even speak his language. So let me just get my scarf and I’ll go back to the house and not bother him again.” As he said his, Bones made a step to get around the imposing man. Any fully grown adult would know what he was doing was foolish. But Bones was still young and growing. He saw nothing wrong with what he did.

Raka Nwul Somewhere along the vastness of Artus Prime, within the domed and grounded capital ship of Raka Nwul, a young Ithorian ran. Down the streets past other Ithorians quietly going on to their business, the young Ithorian ran. Some beings would turn and watch the child, chuckling about the errands of the youth, before going back to their workplaces. Occasionally the youngling bumped into another of his species, who in turn would uttur something harsh and how the youngling needed to slow down. Still, the child ignored them. Both of his mouths on his long neck opened and closed rapidly, drawing in as much oxygen as possible to keep his lungs working. In his right hand was a basket, tightly clutched between five soft fingers and his handmade clothes. Woven from the vines grown in the jungle ecologies by his own mother, the youngling knew how important it was to get this to its destination. His mom never hand-made anything unless it had a specific purpose, and this was made last night. He didn’t know what was inside it though. It felt heavy, and there were definitely several objects jumbling around inside. He had a few guesses what they may be but he couldn’t stop to check. The Ithorian child had to stop and rub his bare feet. His mother was right. He should have worn something to help his toes. These hard surfaces of the City were so different from the dirt floors back in the Overgrown. There the plants grew almost wild, with a careful eye by the residents. He could run wherever he wanted and as long as he wanted. Here it was hard and rough. He wasn’t used to the flat durasteel floor. Why other people preferred this was beyond him. But most of the outsiders who came to Raka Nwul seemed to prefer a cleaner (or as his dad would say, ‘professional’) floor, so that's how it was. After taking a moment to rub his aching feet, the youngling continued on his way. He was almost there now. He was in what the adults called the ‘outsider quarters’ or the ‘housing district’. In the distance above the houses was the jungle line. Thick, tall trees rose up, dangling their beautiful and lush green leaves. The youngling wondered if those trees grew fruit at all. He knew that inside that jungle line were many little critters that enjoyed the peaceful existence, so they had to feed on something. And further in was Bastion. The youngling stopped. This was the house. It didn’t look like much. Four discolored walls and a roof, with a window that was shut and a large . Someone had placed a garden pot next to the door, but nothing had blossomed yet out of it, though a small yellow feathered bird had begun making its nest in the pot, arranging various twigs and leaves to be some kind of nest. The youngling shooed the Manollium away, and took a moment to break the nest apart. While the bird cawed angrily at this destroyer, it left the child alone. If the bird continued what it was doing, the plants inside would never grow. With some care, some water and some nutrients, the plants inside would show progress in a day, and bear fruit within a week even. Course, they would only grow if the resident inside took care of the plant. The youngling breathed in, composed himself, and knocked on the door. He hoped the newcomer wouldn’t be too angry. ________ Bones jumped up, startled at the noise at his door. After pausing a moment to stop his breathing, he realized his right hand had instinctively grabbed the closest thing to a weapon: a simple carving knife. Setting it down on the table before him and next to the datapad he had been reading a few moments ago, and looked around him. The house, if he could call it that, was very bland, almost prisonlike. The bare walls barely showed their painted brown color in the dim blue light of the lamp on the table. The floor was dusty, with only a bright blue rug at the doorway to rub any dirt on. There were some stairs in one corner of the room that led to some basic toiletries, which included only a sink, a urinal, and a mirror. On the opposing side of the room was a cot, holding a blanket, and a small bag of clothes: Bones’ personal items. All of his other gear, like his rifle and his vibroknife, had been taken away from him, held somewhere else on the ship. All he had was his clothes, and his scarf around his neck. Bones sighed as he tugged at the scarf in force of habit, loosening it slightly. This place wasn’t prison, he reminded himself. He had been told multiple times he could leave the house anytime and explore the ship, with the exception of the hangar bays. He just didn’t feel like it was proper of him yet. Another knocking at the door, this time more frantic. Bones got up from his seat and strided over. As the door whizzed open, the Tognath thought that someone was playing a prank on him. There was no one there. A noise got his attention. Bones looked down and realized it wasn’t a prank. It was a youngling. Not even a mature one. “You’re not Moza…” Bones commented. The youngling shook its hammer-like head and rapidly made a bunch of chirps and clacks with its two mouths. “Whoah whoah, what? Um, don’t you speak common?” Another shake of the head. Bones sighed. He didn’t know how to speak the Ithorians native language, and this youngling appeared to either not understand basic or just hadn’t mastered speaking it. To be fair, they did have two mouths and four throats. Learning a new language had to be an experience for them. “Well, whatever, makes no difference I guess. That for me?” Bones asked as he pointed to the basket that the child carried. The child nodded and held it out. Taking it, Bones opened it up and studied it. He felt the youngling’s eyes on him. He knew how he probably looked. With no facial expressions due to his exoskeleton, Bones probably acted like a robot more than anything the child had seen. He couldn’t scowl, or grin, or anything like that. And with the language barrier... He reached in and pulled out what looked like an oblong grey rock and held it out. “What’s this? I don’t think I can eat this…” The child shook its head and held out its hands for the object. Taking it, he shook it once and knocked on it, showing how to identify something about it. Bones watched curiously and said nothing. Eventually the child then took the object and smashed it on the ground once. Bones nearly yelled, but the sound of the object cracking in half. Out from the object dribbled a colorful mixture of purple and grey juices, as well as a multitude of tiny white seeds. “Fruit! Thats fruit!” Bones exclaimed, to the child’s nodding. He held out one of the halves to Bones and proceeded to pretend to drink out of the other, though Bones knew these Ithorians ate mostly flies. Bones did the same, unhooking his rebreather for a moment to take a gulp. He nearly gagged on the juice. It was incredibly sour but thin. It washed around his mouth like water, but tasted like it should’ve been thick. The seeds also gave it a texture that was unpleasant. Bones attempted to swallow the stuff, only for the seeds to get caught at the back of his throat. He coughed a few times, breathing in some of the toxic oxygen, making the entire ordeal worse. Clumsily, he quickly re-equipped his rebreather. “That..” Bones began to cough out between breaths. “...was, ahem, different. You like this stuff?” The child shrugged and held out his own half, still containing the juice inside. “No, no thanks… What is this?” Bones asked. He pointed to the fruit and asked again, hoping to get his point across. The child gave an answer. “It’s...Lu...Lumas fruit? More like sour fruit. Blech…” Without a second thought, Bones tipped the rest of the sour juices into the potted plant next to him. Maybe the plants would like the stuff more then he. The child chipped and buzzed something and began pointing at the Tognath’s neck. “Huh?” Bones asked. The child pointed again. Bones grabbed his scarf. “This?” The child nodded. Bones gently untied it and bent down. This child brought him some fruit, he might as well satisfy its curiosity. Without letting the child touch it, Bones held the scarf gently, showing off the lovely blue silk and fine golden embroidery. Golden stars were stitched in all long the scarf’s length, and at the center, the golden outline of a flying, two handed creature. The child reached out to touch the scarf. At first Bones flinched away, but after a longing look from the child, he sighed and held it out again. The child’s fingers ran across the smooth silk, gently wrinkling it. He began to trace the animal and said something in Ithorese. “Ya...ya a mynock” Bones said, pretending to understand the child. At that moment, the small yellow-feathered Manollium swooped between the two, and grabbed the scarf with its claws. Before the two could react, the bird took off, carrying its newfound treasure away. “Hey!” Bones shouted. He was suddenly up and chasing after the bird, with a startled but excited youngling dashing after him. “Give that back!” The bird flew on, towards the jungle line. Bones knew that getting the bird was a fool’s choice, but he had to. That scarf was too important to him. He had to get it back. Without a moment of hesitation, he charged into the brush of the jungle line.