Tython

[Kyrie Eleison]

In battle, the Exorcist must not give into the promises of power that the darkness gives. Remember that your strength comes from the light... From justice and the pursuit of peace. Our style of fighting lies the closest to the Dark Side than the rest of our brethren. Many of us use Vapaad and its aggressive variants, simply because we have no thought of disarming or allowing our opponents surrender or sanctuary. We know not mercy, for we know it will not be given in return. Any Sith that are allowed to escape us, will cause the deaths of millions. That is why so many of us fall... Remember your path and oath.

 

Kyrie walked slowly upon the garden path, following her master, deep in thought, feeling the moist garden soil underneath her boots. Her black-bound, pale hand rested casually upon the vibrosword that hung from her side, partially hidden by her robes. As she walked, her mind continued to prepare for the coming battle, analyzing the smaller Jedi for patterns and strengths, whilst Kyrie's nail-bitten fingertips played along the length of the leather-bound handle. She turned her head and smiled at the young girl, Ineira, as she took a seat upon a metallic bench as they entered a clearing.

 

Kyrie's emerald eyes moved swiftly as she surveyed the beautiful garden clearing, which would soon become a battlefield. She knelt to the ground and placed her pale hand against the warm, moist soil, running her fingers through the dirt, feeling the life beneath, the compactness of the soil and its depth, as she had done side-by-side with Gavi hundreds of times in the arena. Beneath the soil, spirits of long-dead Jedi stirred, awakened by the battle to come. She glanced up at her master as the auburn-haired Jedi removed her outer green robes and smiled as the Jedi spoke.

 

"I assume that vibrosword of yours is cortosis woven?"

 

Kyrie's mind was too involved in the coming battle to form words, so she simply nodded. The music within her mind began to build.

 

"Good, that will make this somewhat more of a balanced fight than I thought."

 

Kyrie stood slowly, finished with her rituals, and shrugged off her blackened robe. As the cloth fell softly to the garden's soil, it left behind revelation. The apprentice's arms were bare, showing the scars of Sith torture upon the pale skin, and the slim form of lithe muscles working beneath the scarred alabaster surface. Beneath the robe, Kyrie was wearing but a simple blackened tunic and leggings, with an ebon belt, to which her vibrosword's sheath was bound, and her three smaller knives hung. Her leggings were tucked into her blackened boots, which shone in the morning light, made from polished, soft, studded leather. She bowed in reverence.

 

With a pale hand, Kyrie brushed a fallen braid from her eyes, before drawing her longsword in one smooth, swift motion. Within her mind, the music of the dance of battle began to increase in beat and strength. She took a small step backwards, letting her body settle into the stance of Vom Tag, her feet and body aligned at a slight angle, balanced equally, facing towards her master. She brought her blade up above her head, grasping the battle-worn handle with both hands, angling the blade at a forty-five degree angle towards the sky, angled behind.

 

She smiled at her master as the Jedi fell into a similar, yet varied stance, holding the jade blade at an angle downwards. She would have to avoid the green blade at all costs, knowing that the blade could dissect a body easily. It was not much different from a vibroblade in such respects, and she had avoided them for years. She sighed and settled herself, her muscles ready for the battle to come, her heart flowing with adrenaline, her mind ready to join the dance. She heard her master's voice as the Jedi spoke

 

"Kyrie, I am ready when you are. Let us begin."

 

The music intertwined with her mind, and Kyrie's voice joined it, coming forth soft and haunting, the song joining with her body. Her fingers played across the handle as she stepped forward swiftly, the cheers of the crowd simulated by her mind, as the pattern of the duelist took hold. With a dive to her right, Kyrie brought her blade swiftly for the older Jedi's chest, compensating for the Knight's smaller stature, but not at full strength, lest the Jedi miss the block and be dissected. At the same moment as the strike, she rotated her body backwards, so that she would land a meter or so away from the Jedi, one hand to her belt. The first blow was never as good as those that followed it, and Kyrie deliberately made her blow seem to be sloppy, a deception that worked all too well with the cocky fighters of the ring. If the blow to the chest missed, when Kyrie landed she would release one of her dull stiletto knives, to fly straight and true at the Jedi's head where it might bounce painfully off. In the off chance the Jedi jumped over her blow, the knife would land in her chest. The song rose in chorus and the dance was fully joined.

 

((1))

[Xae-Lin Ardel]

Before her Padawan launched her attack, Xae watched the girl's ritual noting her attunement ritual with her battle field, as well as the scars that latticed her young body, evidence of the abuse that she'd felt at the Sith's hands years before. In a way, it reminded the Jedi Knight that she too should have some similar scars from her past, but as this was a cloned body, albeit about 4 years old at this point, none of the same scars from her childhood had been transferred. Xae preferred it that way, and had found it a remarkable way to leave her past behind.

 

The girl's haunting melody returned her focus back to the task at hand as the the duelist launched a seemingly sloppy strike at Xae's chest, the Jedi whipping the blade around her and across to her left easily deflecting the blow as she spun to face Kyrie, who'd slipped behind her. As the girl landed, the Force warned Xae a half-second before the Padawan released one of her stilettos straight at her head. She could almost sense her student holding back, though in truth she herself was doing the same by not using her own Force abilities. She would show Kyrie what a powerful ally the Force could be.

 

She released her lightsaber with her left hand and quickly formed a shield block with the Force, halting the stiletto's advance through the air, sending it into the dirt. "Don't hold back, the Force is strong with me, and I doubt that you'll do anything that's beyond the healing capabilities of some of the Jedi here. No fear, for it is a path to darkness, no worry because it holds you back. Free yourself and fight me."

 

She launched herself at the duelist, peppering her with a quick array of strikes and parries, putting Kyrie on the defensive, before she broke off the attack, allowing herself to come more into the Force. She knew that if her blade contacted Kyrie's pale skin, it wouldn't do more than cause some numbness and stinging, but she was also testing the young woman's strength in the Force and hopefully helping her to call upon it, if unwittingly during this battle. This girl was a survivor, Xae could see that plainly. In a fight like this, use of the Force was the only way that Kyrie would be able to really hold her own at this point in her training against the Jedi Knight.

 

She gave Kyrie a bit of a breather to consider her next actions, but that time was over quickly and Xae came in again, single grip on her blade high and rotating her wrist, left and right maneuvering Kyrie around the ring before ducking low and kicking out at her Padawan, attempting to send her back towards the center, something of a plan coming together for the Jedi as she readied herself for Kyrie's next attack.

 

((For the record, the yellow writing doesn't work so well on the Hoth setting that I've got Xae on...Darker colors, or something not yellow or cyan...lol))

 

((1, though since this isn't really modded, I don't know that we really need to number, especially since I haven't decided on 3 or 5 yet. Depends on how things play out.))

[Roene Givrah]

Roene's strengthened gaze stretched over the plains upon the strings of the morning light that danced upon the horizon. The grace of the morn pronounced itself through the heralds of birdsong and the crystalline beads upon the grass that glint gold under the sun.

 

Roene's thoughts did not stir, but his eyes opened. He took a breath and swept the cold morning air into his weary lungs, parting their fatigue and embracing the wake of the morning light.

 

Upon his consciousness, the Cerean's skin felt moist to the touch and his eyes consumed with the energy of early luminescence. He was an observer; he was a watcher; he was the guardian; and he was the protector.

 

Roene's head bowed instinctively to the golden ball in acquiescence of a silent pact and without so much as a pause for breath, Roene got to his feet and left the roof. He took a short stone path off the precipice of the temple and into a large corridor that stretched with the rule of each callused foot. After all, the Cerean's gait was carried upon the will of his feet, but Roene's gaze left further still. His presence lingered onward, but he could still feel the stale air of the temple swirl around him, clinging to his robes, continually trying to constrict the vibrancy of morning breath from his lungs. However, their attempts were for not. The depths of the chamber, in its avarice laden depravity, were nothing to the outside world. Even stones, once of the earth, still reeked of manipulation and manifestation.

 

There was nothing as true as nature itself; a model for all things.

 

Roene scaled staircase after staircase, breezing past younglings and elder Jedi of all types as they practiced. He could see swarms of men lured to levy their wakeful needs, but none following his steps. His head swam with murmured thoughts and mumbled speech, with human need and human sense, but his eyes pierced through the perceptible fog and claimed the natural splendor of the Tython forest for his own.

 

It wasn't long before his path brought him to the floor level and within sight of the world outside. He could see the threshold with his eyes and his mind. He could feel the freedom of the light as it danced upon the walls and the warmth of the star as it rose above the hills.

 

As he grew closer his feet longed for the grass. His bare feet upon the cold stone longed for the feel of the grass beneath them. They longed for peace and frivolity; for unbridled potential and incomprehensible sensation”¦ They longed to return; their return to the whole of nature's bosom.

 

Roene's procession gathered speed until it met the thin veneer threshold that many Jedi passed on their way into or out of the temple; a veneer that stood the test for those who would call themselves Jedi and embraced all who passed. It was there that Roene paused for a moment and took one more look; it was there that Roene's mind found the hearts of his students where they dwelt. He could feel them resting and knew it was not him to disturb them where they lay.

 

He could see both halves of his life now from one angle. He stared at the stoic and stalwart identity that was held within the temple and the wild heart of the world beyond. He looked deep into the history of each structure both of which he called home and waited with the tempered patience of a morning fog as it crept across the plain.

 

His next steps were mediated, but hardly wasted as he chanced the cold morning air and stepped onto the temple grounds and out into the world”¦

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca was for the most part just simply tired. He could feel the fatigue hit him once Brad, Moon, Kailen and himself were in the atmosphere of Gala. He had been moving nonstop for a while now, and it was beginning to catch up with him. But as soon as he got his rest from Gala to Tython, he felt slightly more ready to go then before. He also helped that he received a comm from Fett. He hadn't seen his good friend since their operation on Coruscant with the fight against the Empire. It seemed now that him and Mirdala could use his help on a few things on Coruscant regarding Kitt, or at least they believed it to be Kitt. Kirlocca held his own opinion separately, as what was described didn't sound like his friend. But none the less, he would go and aide them if he could. But for now, he had to meet up with Darex and discuss some very important issues regarding what to do about the Order itself. As the crew landed, Kirlocca gave some marching orders to Kailen to go and get some rest and explore the Temple and then made his way towards Darex, whom he could feel within the Force.

[Kailen Aeli]

((To avoid double posting and alias stacking, the parts of both Kailen and Roene will be played by Kailen.))

Kailen was able to get a small nap before the ship landed on, what she could only guess, was their destination. The guess was rather easy to make, considering the landing vectors, landing gear preparation and the actual deactivation of the ship's thrusters. Most would even consider it an idle observation not worth note, but Kailen could almost feel it happen, as if she were some part of the ship.

 

She wasn't particularly cognizant of her ability, because it was unconsciously triggered through her sleep, but the faint echo of potential flitted through her body like the smooth current of an electrical current moving through her body as she woke.

 

When she left the ship however and followed Kirlocca, she began to feel dependent and awkward. She wanted technology and the further that Kailen walked with the large Wookiee toward the green of Tython, the more Kailen wanted to get off the planet.

 

She felt comfortable on Naboo as a girl, because she hadn't yet developed an obvious attachment, nor had she been so completely absent from technology. There were no broadcast waves here though and no tell tale signs of technological use or manifestation. There were only faint wisps of signals from the capital and what might have been the temple they were going to. She could almost hear her datapad crying for data to process and felt a similar urge in her own body, but stifled the impulse to keep some sort of composure.

 

It was childish to protest and she couldn't afford to annoy her master with constant protestation, especially when it was immature and a Jedi's nature was to stay calm. Still, the feeling was enough to irritate her to no end.

 

When she was asked to go on a tour throughout the temple, she managed to find something vaguely resembling a technological function within the unique way the temple was powered, but even the cold stone held no mechanical cores open to her. There was no comfort and she was on edge the entire time.

 

_____________________________________________________

 

 

Roene sat quietly upon the forest floor, his eyes closed and his thoughts focused. He whispered gently to himself and used the channel, that his mind was making to the world around him, to raise the beads of dew from the grass around him and form them together into one blob.

 

It was fairly difficult, considering the meticulousness through which he had to perform to get all of the water droplets within a certain range in one try, but Roene was diligent and managed to get it all together with some effort.

 

However, the Cerean's focus was interrupted and the practice halted with the entry of a familiar energy into the forest. It was accompanied by a number of unfamiliar energies, but Roene could recognize the Wookiee's energy signature from miles away...

 

Kirlocca. What are you doing here my old friend?

 

Immediately Roene prepped his things and made sure everything was gathered, before he started racing through the woods at breakneck speed.

 

This was his wood, these were his trees. This entire area served as Roene's home and work place for several years and by now, Roene could sprint through the area blindfolded with little effort. So, it was of no particular surprise to Roene, that he caught up to the Wookiee's party before they reached the temple.

 

The Cerean decided to approach on foot to seem less suspicious and because he didn't want to spook what appeared to be the younger members of the party.

 

He walked up to the group and bowed low, with a very pleasant smile that covered his face from cheek to cheek. His attention was focused on Kirlocca, even though he did take note of the other members of his group.

 

"Hello Master Kirlocca, what brings you to Tython?"

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca could feel Kailen's presence, almost an awe of the forest, but rather something else... not quite good either. He personally enjoyed any form of trees, ones that covered large portions as well. He had to keep in mind that not everyone felt the same way he did about things. Almost as soon as the thought left his mind, he could feel Roene and then saw him shortly there after. Smiling back, he offered a bow to the Jedi Knight.

 

<< Roene, it is good to see you. I am here to talk with Darex, as well as bring Brad Warren to see him as well. >>

 

Kirlocca didn't bother with Roene as he didn't with Brad to explain the full details of which he needed to speak with Darex over, as it wasn't their place to know yet. Hopefully, it wasn't such a big deal to either Jedi.

[Darex Trevelian]

Darla wiped a last remaining tear from her eye, then punched Darex in the shoulder. "Don't make me worry about you like that again, or I'll...I'll..."

 

Darex grinned roguishly at her. "I promise." He was just stretching out with the Force to caress his unborn children as Skye had suggested when he felt Master Kirlocca and several others approaching. Kirlocca's intention to speak with him was clear, and Darex didn't intend to make his fellow council member wait.

 

Darla was already chatting away with Skye, so Darex smiled warmly. "I'll let you two catch up for a few minutes. I'm sure there is all kinds of girl stuff you want to talk about." He rolled his eyes in mock horror. He was clearly in a very good mood and while he couldn't wait to spend time with Darla alone, he also knew the value of her relationship with Skye, and didn't want to ever get in the way of that.

 

So he winked at Darla and Skye, a wink that told them he would be back in a moment, and stepped outside the door to their quarters. It was simple enough to find Kirlocca, and as the Wookiee came into view, Darex recognized the other Jedi with him--Roene Giv'rah, a Jedi he didn't know, and Brad Warren.

 

Darex grinned broadly. "Master Kirlocca, Knight Giv'rah, good to see you both. Brad," he stepped forward to clasp the man on the back, "it's been a long time." He turned to the other member of the group who was tagging along behind. "And this is?"

 

He gave them all the traditional Jedi bow. "How can I help you?"

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca returned his bow to Darex and took a step to the side of the group. He wasn't sure what the need was for Brad to see Darex, nor was he entirely sure he brought good news. He pondered for a moment and wondered just how much work was going to be involved with the Council stepping up in Kitt's absence, and it was indeed something that needed to be done. His own thoughts were slightly halted when he heard Darex speak up asking a question. realizing he was asking for whom was traveling with them, he spoke up and lifting his paw in either direction.

 

<< This is Kailen Aeli, my apprentice. And this is Jedi Knight Moon. She has been more or less a Watchman for the Order. >>

[Cas Holloway]

A message arrives for the Jedi Order from CoreSec. The holo of an older Arkanian appears and speaks.

 

Honorable Jedi,

 

This is CoreSec Commissioner Cas Holloway. My partner and I have been investigating the terrorist attacks on Naboo that happened recently. We have discovered that the perpetrator was the Sith Master Ar-Pharazon. We are duty-bound to track down this Sith. However, if any of your illustrious Order would like to be involved, we would welcome their help. If you wish to help us apprehend Ar-Pharazon, contact me on this frequency or call our Coruscant headquarters.

 

May the Force be with you.

 

End transmission.

[Nitestrike]

The Ebon Blade's oversized hyperdrive sped the party quickly along to Tython, giving Brad enough time to take a short nap. Among the present company, he didn't have much to say, finding it best to feign fatigue. There were things he could have discussed with Kirlocca he was sure, he was someone Brad was familiar with and somewhat trusted. The Padawan and mysterious Moon character, on the other hand, were wild cards, but he didn't feel the need to exclude them on such a small ship. The journey was over before it became a problem, however, and the ship landed safely on Tython within a few hours.

 

As Kirlocca and the others left the ship, Brad soon fell in line behind them, following them through the Temple. He could sense the unease in the Padawan, as he too felt some unease being on the overly peaceful and quiet planet. There were planets all along the Outer Rim that were busier than this Jedi hideaway, and Brad hoped he would be back to civilization shortly. What was stranger to him, however, was what he could sense about the Wookiee. He didn't discover why Kirlocca needed to come to the planet, and he feared his business was shadier than he imagined. Nevertheless, he knew it wasn't the time or place to question the Jedi Master's business, and he had come to Tython with a purpose, which he intended to see through.

 

To do that, he needed to find Darex, but that task proved to be easy enough as Darex soon found them instead. Sensing it best that he get his business done and out of the way, Brad started off their meeting after the customary greetings.

 

”œIt's been too long Darex, far too long. I hope everything is well, and I'm not being sent off to some random act of mischief on the Jedi's account. You contacted me about a job, hopefully through one of my aliases, although it wouldn't surprise me if you found a hole in my cover. I came to find out what it was all about, and possibly more.”

[Kyrie Eleison]

To alter the force's natural balance... To bend it to your will... Is of the Dark Side. To let it flow around you, like water around a stone, to let it use you for its will, is of the light. If you are to use the force, Kyrie, let it flow through you like a channel, never bend it to your will like a smith does to metal, to turn it into a weapon... True the force can have uses in battle... But its true form does not flow through the chaos of battle. It is balance.

 

Kyrie's emerald eyes flashed in the shadows of the courtyard, her mouth forming the words of the song that flowed like a brook from her mind. The force was a great river, through which she was able to access through concentration and song. Her pale hand grasped the handle of the vibroblade as she pivoted her feet to intercept the first of her master's strikes, the two blades locking for an instant of sparking glory. Kyrie skipped backwards, letting her legs go limp, and folding backwards letting the Jedi's blade pass over her, turning her head to let the burning blade pass with a few inches to spare. Placing a bound hand behind her body on the floor, she turned her collapse into a flip, twisting her body in the air, avoiding the next strike from her master out of pure instinct.

 

Kyrie's soft, blackened boots landed easily upon the dusty ring, her momentum carrying her almost a meter, skidding upon the dirt. A smile lit up her pale face, as her master paused for a few seconds. She closed her eyes and began to focus upon the power growing within her mind, the call of the song. She would need everything to compare with a Jedi. A calming essence flowed over her body, cleansing it of the residual anger, and she felt its true power pass over her like a cloud over a mountainside. The songs increased its beat, fading from her lips, hanging like a ghost within the force, clear for any force user to hear in its haunting power.

 

She opened her eyes, letting the power flow through her body as it had a hundred times before, raw and unrefined, but peaceful and calming. So often in the ring had she used this to end a duel in but seconds, letting her instincts guide her blade faster than any eye could see, to slay and dissect. Now she would use it to survive a duel with her own master. A calm smile formed on her lips and with one bound hand; she brushed the jet-black braids from her eyes, as her master charged. Tactics had always been a strong power for Kyrie in the ring, and she knew better than to stand toe-to-toe with any Jedi in a fight. She fell back under her master's assault, letting her body twist and contort out of the path of the blade of burning energy, ever giving ground, her eyes taking in the surroundings, to find an advantage.

 

With a push of her strength, she flew backwards, gathering all her mental power, and let it flow into the ground beneath her, forming with the partials of earth and rock, as she had in the forest, while battling the technobeasts of old. It was hard to concentrate on such small things, yet she knew that was all the power she had to bend. As she flew through the air, she pointed her hand at her master, palm up, and lifted, both mentally and through the force, focusing the raw power of the song into one movement. As she did, a few words flew out through the force.

 

...Alea iacta est...

 

The dust exploded up around her master, and rushed inwards like a bitter storm, concentrating on Xae's eyes, nose, and mouth, like waves of fine ash, to smother and obscure. Kyrie landed upon the ground a few meters away, and winced in pain. A small trickle of crimson blood flowed from her left eye and nose, for her body was unused to channeling the powers of the force elseware than her physical self. She let the pain flow from her body, channeling it back into the song. She flicked her blade downwards into another defensive stance, and waited for her master's charge.

[SithAcolyte]

When Darex was gone Darla sat down at the table in the kitchenette. It was clear to Skye that despite the way she had responded to Darex's return, she was not alright with it at all.

 

"Skye... He died didn't he?" Her face was pale and ashen. "That was a cloned body. I mean, I know it's still him. I know that it's Darex's soul still in that body. But the one thing that I was worried would happen, happened. He died on that mission. What if the clone hadn't worked, what if he hadn't found his way back to it? Or what if whoever killed him, hadn't killed him? What if they'd tortured him, crippled him, imprisoned him?"

 

Darla was sobbing again.

 

"Jedi aren't indestructible and we can't just keep on being cloned. I just can't believe that he would leave me at a time like this, go on such a dangerous mission and get himself killed?! Then come right in here acting like nothing had happened.

 

"I just didn't know what to say to him when I saw him. I was utterly shocked. He seemed so happy to be back here and I didn't want to be mad at him. But I'm terrified. What if he doesnt come back next time? It won't just be me that he's leaving behind... And... And... These little guys... What if something happens to them? Skye, I'm so scared. I used to feel like I had nothing to loose, now I have so much to loose. I'm so confused. I thought that I was ok with everything but knowing that Darex died out there I guess it just brought all those old worries back, made them real.

 

"I was always worried that if it came down to it he'd choose the Jedi over me. I can't help but feel like that's what he's done. He didn't have to go on that mission. He didn't have to go get himself killed. I'm terrified of having to do this alone."

 

Realising that she had just said an awful lot Darla became quiet. She searched her friends face hoping that Skye could offer her some calming words.

[Xae-Lin Ardel]

As the dust sprung up around Xae she used a Force Shield to protect her eyes, nose and mouth, but still found herself unable to see through the thick cloud of dust that now swirled in storm around her. The Force was her ally though, and she didn't need her eyes to see. Knowing that through the screen of dust, her jade-bladed lightsaber would mark her as a target she deactivated the blade.

 

The fact that this girl had managed to tap into the Force so well made Xae wonder if there was something that Kyrie had not yet shared with her. It felt old, ancient, almost as haunting as the song that the girl had been singing which now seemed to echo within the Force around them. Xae'd been told by her original Master, Kyp Durron, of certain artifacts that would sometimes possess Force Users, many of these being dark side in nature. This concerned the Jedi Knight, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it as soon as this fight was over.

 

She sensed that Kyrie had been pained by the exertion, but also noticed instead of harnessing the pain to gain strength as a dark user would, she released it to the Force and seemed to be regaining her balance. Definitely one of the most promising Padawans that Xae had had the opportunity to work with in a long time. Knowing how powerful this one was in the Force made it all the more imperative to Xae to guide her properly in the the path of Light.

 

She used the cloud for cover as she pushed it back towards Kyrie, engulfing them both and giving it another kick with the Force as she slipped silently behind her Padawan and swept low, knocking Kyrie's feet from under her and then spinning as she activated her lightsaber, the tip stopping just mere inches from Kyrie's throat. With a wave of her hand Xae dispersed the dust cloud, and glanced down at the young woman.

 

"You fight well Kyrie, tell me, where did you pick up that particular trick?" She didn't bother to hide the genuine interest from her voice as she posed the question, and extended a hand to help her student up as she deactivated the lightsaber blade.

[Darex Trevelian]

After the introductions were made, it was Brad who spoke up first. At first the Jedi's words puzzled Darex, but then he realized that Brad was referring to the general list of available jobs that he had sent about about a standard month back.

 

"Well, Brad, there is one job in particular that I believe needs to be done with some delicacy. It's not a glamorous job by any means, but it could help out the Order significantly."

 

When he saw that Brad was listening, he continued. "For some time, we have been ignoring one of our assets. The Eternal Vigilance. While it is an old base, the fact that it is a mobile base means that it's location has never been truly compromised." Darex had a soft spot for the EV; it had always been his favorite of all the Jedi bases, and he had saved it from Faust several times. "I believe I am one of the only beings in the universe who know it's general location. After a recent skirmish, I sent it into deep space. I'd like you to find it, retrieve it, bring it here, and fix it up. It shouldn't be in too bad condition, but it has been neglected these past several years."

 

He scratched the coordinates of the EV's last known location on a scrap of flimsy and handed it to Brad. "Are you up for this task? You're free to bring someone along with you if you want to as well."

[Kyrie Eleison]

We were the youngest and the brightest of the order. So fiery and eager for battle were we, that we never saw our own doom... So concentrated upon destroying the threat to our galaxy... That our view of the future was clouded in the coming darkness, the light dimmed by the smoke from our own burning hearts. We never saw in that future, so clouded by our own hate, the tragedy of Malachor V until it was beyond our own control. Those who died there still lie in the hate that entombed them...

 

Kyrie smiled as she heard a whisper of footsteps behind her, as silent as the steps of a ranat, yet enough to throw Kyrie into another tactic, one that had worked all too often in the arena, when the pit bosses decided that visibility made fighting all too easy. She let her muscles loosen, falling into the depth of the battle's song, letting its verse guide her movements. Several of the jet-black braids fell unnoticed before her closed eyes, letting all her concentration flow from her vision and into her other senses.

 

Her pale skin felt cool as the whirling wind swept away the perspiration, and her ears filled with the sounds of each footstep landing almost silently upon the garden's soft earth. Kyrie's grip tightened upon the long-bladed vibrosword's battle-worn handle as she let herself fall to the earth, giving in to her master's strike, flowing with the song, its instruction, and her own highly formed instincts. As Kyrie fell, she rolled slightly, letting herself fall softly upon the soft dirt, and flicked the blade upwards. As she did so, she pulled the song's power about the blade, like a cloak about a fleeing robber, to conceal and baffle.

 

Her smile widened and she opened her eyes, one of her eyebrows rising slightly at the blade of humming energy hovering mere inches from her throat. The tip of her own vibroblade lay hidden within the folds of neck of the Jedi's tunic, deactivated so it did not slit the skin and lay bare the lifeblood. They were at an impasse, but knowing the Jedi's resilience, a bisection of the throat would hardly stop one. She had been beaten, but not badly, and the Jedi did not yet seem to notice the cold steel's bite. With a flick of her wrist, Kyrie removed the tip of her blade from her master's tunic and took the extended hand. As Kyrie rose easily to her feet, her master spoke.

 

"You fight well Kyrie, tell me, where did you pick up that particular trick?"

 

She sheathed her blade in a fluid movement and bowed, placing a hand upon the rosary about her neck. She mulled over the question for a few moments before rising and taking the hand of her master. With the other, she removed the rosary, heavy and cold, radiating a calming power. Kyrie spoke slowly, grasping at the words of basic, as she did when she was of a nervous or apprehensive spirit.

 

”œWithin the forests of the world lie areas... Of strong power, resonating with the chaos of battles long forgo-”

[Onderin Starlisk]

With a flicker of pseudomotion, Onderin Starlisk's personal ship arrived above Tython. It had been a long hyperspace jump from Thalassia, which was way out in the outer rim, so he'd gotten the chance to rest and sanisteam after the long battle that had taken place against the slavers of that world. He'd reflected upon the battle in that time, but he'd spent even more time thinking about the conversation with Jedi Alluyen that had followed. It made him wonder if everything was as it should have been in the Jedi Order, to have such a strong and troublingly violent viewpoint accompanying a Jedi Knight in the field as Alluyen had.

 

Now the Jedi Master brought his ship down in Ashla and disembarked for the walk through the forest to the Temple. He submerged himself in the Force, using the walk to meditate on what he should do next. One thing that had somewhat bothered him during his time as Admiral was how the Order seemed to do nothing but sit around and propagate by training padawans when there was a war to be fought. It had always been his stance to be making a difference in the galaxy, fighting on the front lines instead of sitting in some Temple to train a Jedi that would in turn do nothing but train others. A field of study need not exist if the sole purpose of learning about it was to pass it on with no practical application.

 

And yet now he saw that the Jedi needed reliable teachers, armed with real field experience instead of just a bunch of theory. The very stance that he'd taken, the stance that had led him to train successful Jedi like Kirana Sunrider, Sabian Devanus, and Aira Cadan made him a good candidate to train again. He could feel the Force pulling him in that direction and knew that it would be his next task.

 

But he would infuse his teachings with life experience, and indeed the padawan, whoever it would be, would have to learn from application rather than simply dwelling on what a Master taught. This was the only way a padawan could properly experience the Force and become a Jedi Knight equipped to deal with the huge spectrum of moral gray area that was frequent in battle zones and negotiations across the galaxy.

 

As Onderin walked, he put his trust in the Force, asking it for guidance in choosing his student when he arrived and providing them with the instruction they needed to follow the will of the Force as it was revealed to them, not as they interpreted it after running it through their own flawed filters.

[Xae-Lin Ardel]

”œWithin the forests of the world lie areas... Of strong power, resonating with the chaos of battles long forgo-”

[Mirdala Ad'Goran]

Lights of the beings around her danced in their comings and goings, enmeshing with the impressions and eddies that the buildings her and the buildings seemed to go on forever, even occasionally seeming to mesh with some of the life of the brighter beings. It was all so big, especially to a set of three-year-old eyes, she hadn't even noticed that she'd gotten separated from her parents.

 

Someone approached her, picking her up and taking her away from where she'd last seen her parents. Even now, she was still not able to even picture their faces, let alone how they appeared when they were fraught with worry over what had happened to their little girl.

 

The unconscious Miraluka's vitals started to spike, causing the medical droid to come over to check, but the girl remained still, though there was a slight increase inactivity the teen's prefrontal cortex.

 

She was alone, scared, and couldn't remember how she'd gotten here or what had happened to her parents. Tears fell from behind the simple black band that she still had tied tightly to shield where most beings kept their eyes, but the Miraluka had none. People came and went all around her, and there was the occasional scream of protest that quickly fell silent.

 

It was then she felt herself lifted up, meeting the curious eyes of a middle-aged human as he held her small form out at arms-length.

”œI've heard of them, but I've never actually seen one before,”

[Onderin Starlisk]

At the expected time, the Corellian Jedi arrived at the Temple. He'd completed the walk through the forest several times now, and could do it practically without thinking. This was good, because it allowed him to meditate, and now as he arrived, he was certain that the Force was telling him to take another apprentice. He had no idea just who that apprentice would be, and he had not been granted a vision as he had been with Sabian, but he was confident that he would know when he looked into his or her eyes.

 

Reaching out to that energy field, Onderin allowed himself to wander. He could feel several familiar presences at the Temple, including that of Master Trevelian, back among the living due to the remarkable use of cloning technology. He made a mental note to return to Darex the lightsaber he had lost on Corellia. But presently he was being drawn in a different direction, and he hadn't gotten where he was today by ignoring those eddies.

 

And so he began to wander toward the medical bay, not sure as to the purpose but quite willing to find out.

[Mirdala Ad'Goran]

She'd managed to take a couple of unaided steps, her feet finally beginning to find sureness as her muscles worked to remember how to walk upright after being inactive for so long. ”œHow long have I been here?”

[Onderin Starlisk]

As Onderin caught the girl, he felt the Force tugging at him. When she turned to face him, he noticed with a slight start that she wore a bandage across her eyes, which either meant that she had suffered some horrible disfigurement that bacta couldn't heal... or she was a Miraluka. The Jedi Master's thoughts immediately went to Roxas Jarek, the boy of the same species that he had once taken under his wing. Roxas hadn't proven to be dedicated enough for the life of a Jedi, and had left his training still early on rather than make the commitment. Now, as he looked at the frail girl that was now apologizing, he wondered whether she would have what Roxas had lacked.

 

"No forgiveness is required, for you have done nothing wrong," he said calmly. Onderin's voice was often very calm and somewhat fatherly, something that came with age and wisdom. Of course, on the battlefield it could command the respect of all that were listening. But if he was certain about what the Force was telling him, it was time to make a good first impression.

 

Incidentally, it was telling him more than anything that she was hungry and weak. Her clothing suggested that she wasn't an apprentice or an active hopeful, and how feeble she currently was suggested she'd just been through an ordeal. "You look like you need a good meal. Want some help getting to the cafeteria?" he offered. "I'm Master Onderin Starlisk. What's your name?"

[Mirdala Ad'Goran]

His voice was kind, like Aryian's had been. True kindness was something that she hadn't really encountered in her young life until she'd been delivered by mistake to the Jedi. The last thing that she currently remembered was arriving with Arlan on Phu, everything after that, including how she got here, though she still wasn't quite sure where "here" was relative to the precious little she knew of the galaxy at large.

 

Her stomach grumbled again in answer before she could give her name, and again she flushed, her voice still quiet. "Elnia...Nexma," she hesitated for a moment, her mind struggling to confirm what she'd just said. "I think." Hadn't that been her name from long before she'd been bought by her human master? A gentle nudge in the Force told her that her intuitions were correct, though the name still sounded strange to her ears. "Thank you for your help, but I don't want to be too much trouble."

 

He was still helping her stand. For one of the few times in her short life, she felt brave enough to make a request, though she was sure that it didn't count because he'd offered. "I would...like some help though...but only if you have the time."

[Onderin Starlisk]

She was very hesitant, this girl. She had almost no self-confidence at all, which was somewhat unusual for most Jedi hopefuls. He could feel how strong the Force was with her, and he suspected that she'd had a little bit of training, probably general hopeful training with Kirlocca. Usually that led young men and women to be overconfident, even to the point of arrogance. But this Miraluka was different, and Onderin suspected the key lay somewhere in her past. In an odd sort of way, she reminded him of Sabian when he'd first found the boy on Coruscant.

 

Now, Sabian Devanus was the Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance. He'd been transformed immeasurably by his Jedi training and what had come after it. Like Onderin's other apprentices, he'd become a part of the war during his training, and when he'd finished, he'd gone into administration. That's where the seeds had been sown, Onderin could now see.

 

At any rate, the Jedi Master would do what he could to bring this girl through a similar transition. "Well, Elnia," he said, "I'm happy to help." He steadied her on her feet, putting his hands on her shoulders, then started to guide her toward the cafeteria, ready to steady her again if she should stumble. "You're remarkably strong in the Force. Have you had any formal training?"

[Kyrie Eleison]

What was struck at Malachor... It blew out the light that had guided us. It left us in darkness eternal. We saved the galaxy that day... If we had not stood with Revan, the threat would have grown too much for us to bear alone. But the question still burns within my troubled mind, even in death. At what cost? Were the millions of lives saved through that destruction worth our immortal souls?

Kyrie's emerald eyes glittered in the light cast from the fires of the Jedi temple. Underneath the gleaming sea of green, churned the currents of the Force, the haunting song hanging about like the spirits of the dead. A small smile drifted across her pale face as she witnessed the Sith approach, shielding her mind from her memories of torture and abuse at the hands of darkness, a weakness they, in their power, would be sure to exploit. She had been waiting six years for this opportunity.

 

She let out a sigh as they made their charge, letting her revenge flow out of her mind, so it would not be clouded for the battle to come. With one fluid movement, long practiced, she withdrew her vibrosword and took a step backwards, in a reverse of her master, to draw the Sith from Xae's back. For but a moment, her mind flashed back to the dueling rings of Nar Shadda, and her smile grew larger as she took another step back, letting her vibrosword's blackened tip draw a line before herself upon the blood-stained cobblestones, in a shower of sparks. These Sith would not advance beyond her guard.

 

The two Sith that followed at their leader's heel broke from their attack upon her master and rushed at her, happy to fight against a common padawan, their crimson blades sending the shadows deeper upon the ground. With hands black-bound, Kyrie danced forward to the line she had drawn, setting her will upon her own mind, building a wall to defend herself, and to protect her memories from their invasion, the smile upon her pale face suddenly terrifying. Neither Sith gave heed to the warning. The vibrosword's battle-warn handle vibrated under Kyrie's hand as from her pale lips spilled forth the lingering song of battle.

 

The larger of the two Sith, armed with two devilish lightsabers started forward with a flurry, while the smaller stunted to the right, for a flanking maneuver. As the large Sith's crimson blade's crashed down, they met no resistance, Kyrie flowing around his attack, and placing a kick into his armored gut. The powers of the song came with the blow, staggering the masked Sith, sending him back a few steps. While he was recovering, Kyrie concentrated on the smaller Sith, whom she recognized to be male, despite the mask. The Sith warrior had anticipated her being occupied by his ally for longer and was ill-prepared to take her head-on. As his foot came to the line, her blackened blade created an impenetrable web of steel before his eyes, sending the Sith scurrying backwards to his ally's side.

 

Kyrie heard a bellow of rage and she felt the song's urge to jump, and she followed, leaping over a focused blast of force-enweaved sonic, blasted from the larger Sith. She was astonished at the power of the blast, her cowl tearing free from her body under its power. Kyrie shook her head at the two Sith as they charged once more, blinded by their hate. She could feel the power of it roiling from them like a wave from the sea.

 

She landed before them, bending backwards to send a kick into the larger Sith's kneecap, snapping it straight, before the power behind her blow shattered the bone and cartilage, sending fragments flying forth from the back of his leg. His bellow of rage turned into a shriek of pain and he toppled over. She crossed blades with the smaller Sith and sent him sprawling backwards with a shove, before turning her attention to the falling, screaming man. In a bound, she was behind him her right hand spinning her vibrosword above her head, her left pulling free a stiletto. There would be no mercy.

 

She brought the vibrosword down into the chink in his armor between his neck and shoulder, and ripped off his mask. Blood bubbled from his mouth as his scream intensified. With a flip of her left hand, she brought the stiletto to the Sith's neck and leaned forward, her voice halting from the song and falling into a sad whisper.

 

Ecce Dei manu celeri...

 

With a swift tug of her hands, she brought free her vibrosword from his chest, cutting through the bone and dragged the ragged stiletto across the Sith's throat. The man's scream faltered into a gurgle as his lifeblood flew from the slit in his throat, as his own heart pumped away his blood. Kyrie took a step backwards and let the man crumple to the cobblestones, his blood joining with that already upon the ground. There was a surge through the Force as the Sith's power, burning hate no longer guided, charred the man to ash. Kyrie smiled and glanced to the other Sith who took a step backwards, her voice flowing over the ashes, stirring them across the ground.

 

De pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris...

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca wondered for a moment if he would be holding back Kailen in her training if he did end up going along with Brad, but quickly decided he wouldn't go on the mission for other reasons. He still needed to get things sorted out with Darex, and the pure fact that Fett did call for his aid would mean that his friend couldn't handle whatever was before him. And dealing with that alone would help Kailen grow stronger and present more opportunities to teach and learn the ways of the Force. Knowing that Brad would undoubtedly take the mission at hand, he stepped forward directly towards Darex.

 

<< We do need to sit down and talk about the Order. With Kitt's suddenly no longer with us, leadership is needed to step up. As the Council, we are responsible to find such said leadership. >>

[Darex Trevelian]

It didn't appear that Brad had any questions about the mission. It was rather straightforward. Besides, Darex knew that if he did have any questions, he would not hesitate to comm.

 

Kirlocca began to rumble after a moment, and Darex attuned his mind to the Force for understanding. He had never quite mastered Shirriwook. At his fellow master's words, he nodded. "You're right, we do need to speak about it. Let's go someplace more quiet and discuss it." The middle of a hallway was hardly the place to have a conversation of this import.

 

The tall, blonde-haired Jedi led the way to a small round meeting room. Once inside, he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall near a window. "What do you think should be done, Master Kirlocca? Who do you think is most qualified for the position of Grandmaster?"

 

This was not something Darex wanted to take lightly. Whoever they chose would need to be a strong leader, and in his opinion, it would need to be someone who would lead the Jedi into an age of more action. The galaxy was still struggling, and the Jedi had abandoned their duties for far too long.

[Skye Organa]

"Shhh Darla. I want you to take a deep breath in... hold it for a few seconds and then let it out again. I need for you to calm yourself or the twins will respond to your distress." The Healer placed her hands upon her friends shoulders in a comforting gesture, sending a soothing tendril of the Force to her friend as she did so.

 

When she felt that Darla was calm enough, Skye answered, pulling around a chair as she did so. "Yes, Darex had to be cloned after that last mission. I checked him over before he left the medbay. No matter what happens he will find a way back to you and your children Darla. He loves you very, very much."

 

"And you will not have to do this alone. I'm here for you. Darla, you're my best friend." Skye knew that it wouldn't be long before the twins would be born and she hoped that Darex would return before Darla went into labour.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca honestly didn't hold an answer when he heard the Darex ask the question. He had put some thought into it, but he never actually ran them through others to see what their opinion was of his ideas. truth be told, he was sure that a lot of the Order would love to see him step up into the role, but he never liked being in positions of leadership. As it was, Kitt begged him to take his current role on the Council. Temptation on his own part was to have Darex himself step up, but something told him that the man before him may not fully want such a burden. As it was, he could feel stress in him through the Force. Something stirred him up recently.

 

<< I'm hesitant to throw in any names, as most have been through much and may not be able to handle the full weight and responsibility that comes with the position. It may be a good idea to have the Council step up as a group and lead without an actual head. That or have two members take the role. >>

 

In Kirlocca's mind, two opposites such as Darex and himself could easily lead from a stand point to help benefit the Order, as there was no member of the Order to handle the full scope. And having two also gave the Order a benefit that it may desperately need.

[Nitestrike]

"I'll get it done," Brad replied. With a quick nod as a farewell, he turned and went back the way he had come. There was no reason to idle on Tython, especially now that he had something productive to do. If everything went according to plan, he would be back in a few weeks. Based on what he could feel in the Force, that was a good thing. Something was brewing, although he couldn't quite figure out what it was. All he knew was that there was a role for him to play in it, and he needed to make sure he would be back in time for the show.

 

Once back inside the cockpit of The Ebon Blade, Brad took whatever information the Temple's database had on the Eternal Vigilance. It would give him something to read on his journey. Soon after, the ship was taking off and launching forward into hyperspace.

[Darex Trevelian]

It seemed that Kirlocca had no more answers than Darex himself had. His suggestion of the Council leading more directly was an interesting one, however. Darex mulled it over before responding. "My only hesitation with the Council as a whole leading without a Grandmaster comes in terms of galactic morale and perspective. However," he grimaced, "it comes to the same point as what you suggested about two members taking the role. Kitt has passed on, and last I heard, Scorp is also dead. You and I are the only remaining Council members."

 

He paused again. "It is true that you and I balance each other fairly well. If we both stepped up as grandmaster, and appointed some other masters to the Council..."

 

He trailed off as he realized what he was saying. Did he really just suggest himself for grandmaster? Did he even want that position? Most importantly, was it the will of the Force? The answer to the latter question seemed to be yes, surprisingly. That startled Darex. He had never aspired to be grandmaster, but if it was the will of the Force and Kirlocca agreed, he would take up the burden. He was never one to ignore his duty.

 

He shook his head. "What do you think, Master? Are you interested in being Grandmaster? And if we both take the role, should we distinguish between ourselves in terms of our title?" He let out a breath. "I don't think there has been a Jedi diumverate in the history of the Order."