Nar Shaddaa - Rebel Alliance Headquarters

[Tobias Vos]

Stepping off the transport and onto the deck of the spaceport- a chill ran up his spine as the Force entities mixed and mingled. The planet and the man’s own. It welcomed him as if they were old friends- the bond swirled in and mixed- the planets aura and the Jedi Masters’ Aura. Old friend they were, too. Most of his early life was on this planet- as a slave. A Hutt Errand boy. Shaking that out of his mind, he followed the Zabrak Jedi that had talked him into coming along to fight. Since there were no other pressing duties for him, Vos did tag along. All the while knowing that he would probably not be welcome. 

 

Leaning heavily on his cane with his right hand, he hobbled forward to follow in the man’s path through the crowds. Soon they would arrive at their destination- the base where the plans were being made for the next round of campaigns against the Sith and Black Sun. 

 

Silent as a scream in the vacuum of space Tobias took in his surroundings. Some people locked their gaze on him and the Zabrak. It looked as if the Zabrak, Arri, was escorting a crippled man through the streets. His left arm in a sling, the branding around his face and exposed eyes, the gray hair, the cane- it all went to sell the appearance that he was weak and injured- to which he was, but he was a Jedi Master- if it came to violence in the streets he had already lost.

 

The security guards around the complex eyeballed him and Arri as they made their way to them- and after the typical amount of time both of them were admitted into the main concourse. There, the pair split up- Arri had to go report for duty and since Vos didn’t have any order, and was a Master, it was implied he had more leeway to operate in, and so he did. He followed the familiar pull of Adenna and Sandy and noted which building they were in but didn’t want to even enter the building. He had remained silent for so long, a month in fact, he didn’t want to dive into it- and the last time he had seen them was on bad terms. Best to remain silent for a little while longer and not be intrusive. 

 

Through the grace of the Force, there was a training yard nearby and therefor he had space to sit and meditate. Centering himself on what would happen through the next few hours- if he would be allowed to join in on the campaign or if he was to be pushed aside once again. Either way- he would cherish seeing Adenna again, even Sandy. He was happy to feel Sandy in the Force, of all those he cared for and had formed attachments to- her’s was one of the most important- despite anything and everything… He didn’t hide his presence in the Force, but he also didn’t broadcast it; patience would be the best approach at this point. Besides, he wanted to settle his mind before anything else. In an unobtrusive corner of the training yard, he sat- staff laid across his crossed legs and he took a deep breath.

[Tobias Vos]

As the booming voice of the Grandmaster echoed through the complex, he was warned by the voice of the woman he was madly in love with. He had followed the crowd gathering into a bigger and bigger crowd until they amassed into a giant crowd. There at the head of the congregation of troops stood the two women most important to him. Adenna and Sandy. 

 

His body flinched in pain in reaction to the memory of his last encounter with Sandy. In another part of his mind he wondered what happened on the mission he had to bail out of. Across his body the Force Brands that had been burned into his flesh briefly flared along with the memory. A quick trace through his datapad showed that his ship was docked nearby- now he was curious about the particulars- of the missions end results. Had she found the EV? Where was it? In a dark corner of his mind that he was trying to shine light onto he hoped it was at the middle of a singularity inside a black hole. 

 

Thats foolish. Thought to himself. He knew he should banish those... unproductive thoughts.

 

Wary of his social status, he avoided the general push to greet Sandy. He was a black sheep, and so he wouldn’t make the situation worse than what it already was. His fingernails dug into the smooth skin on his chin, he regretted ever shaving because now he didnt have a beard to twirl, he decided to make the Scratching his chin, he regretted shaving his beard, he melted back through the crowd; contemplating what to do next. 

 

Limping his way from the gathering, he wandered through the compound. Waiting for his summons- or orders to report somewhere. This was an odd switch of how he used to be- brazenly walking into rooms and meetings, speaking his mind. His actions were always misunderstood so now he wouldn’t take any action for the time being, just meander through the compound. Looking over certain shops and departments. It wasn’t his place to oversee everything here, but a lot of what was occurring now was possible because of the actions he had taken years ago. There was a sort of pride he felt with how he had laid the groundwork for the Jedi to be supplied in such a fashion. Jedi were not supposed to take pride in their action for fear of the slippery slope that was the dark side. The moment was brief, but left Vos day dreaming about what could have been- but that was pushed aside as well. Such thoughts were nothing more than distractions. Why keep bringing the thought up and reopening those wounds?  

 

Looking down at his hands through his semi-blinded eyes, he sighed as he examined his brands. Then continued to walk around the grounds. As he walked around the corner he saw a doorway- and a flood of memories came back to him. Again, his muscles stiffened, and he walked towards the doorway. 

 

His mind raced, waking in this fog- he remembered this doorway, it was his access to the Hutt he was enslaved to. As his cane clacked against the paved lane- he knew they were just memories and the scars were long gone but the leather whip against his flesh sent a cold spark of pain through his body. 

 

In the back of his mind he knew that he was over analyzing everything and letting things resonate with his new body, well a different body than the one he had originally been born in… through the Force he tried to pull himself away from it all- and back to reality. When he finally did; he was a little shocked that he saw the dining hall through the door frame. There were several people there. And Kel, and… Adenna. He froze, not realizing how he got there in the first place. In hindsight it was obvious: he had walked there in a daze of long ago memories. Coupled with that and the Force… He rested the cane against his leg and tightened his hair atop his head, then tightened the cloth around his eyes. At the moment he was seeing through the Force anyways so what did that matter? With his left arm in a sling, he gripped the top of his cane with his right hand and stepped forward. 

 

There he was- in Jedi Master Robes- cleaned and without any blaster holes or other tears in the garment, hair that was tinted with grey, no facial hair, but there were the brands across his exposed skin. 

 

Calmly and confidently, Vos stepped into the meeting area- the swirls within the Force emanating from the others in the room that he could feel were quite… organic. The blues and green hues bounced off or maneuvered around the purples and yellows. Time to focus on the physical realm...

 

The cane subtly announced his presence as he walked towards the table. One of the guests clipped their saber to their belt, judging by the sound of metal on metal, and they continued to speak. Inwardly, he sighed as he heard the subject of piracy. Time to be bombastic, he thought. 

 

Tobias bowed and greeted Adenna, “Grandmaster.”

 

Turning his head in the direction of the guests she was hosting “Good day, Gentlebeings, I am Master Tobias Vos.” He said and bowed as a greeting, and took a seat with a slight sigh as he stretched out his left leg. Since he was close enough to overhear their conversation, he chose not to provide any input on the topic. He hoped he was doing the right thing here... something told him to be here, who was he to resist?

[Tobias Vos]

Nodding in acknowledgment to the guests, the Jedi Master remained silent. But he did deduce that they were still planning some sort of hit and fade attack. Despite his eyes covered by the cloth, Tobias still looked at his Grandmaster, then back to the visitors. He did have input, but he remained silent. His mouth and opinions were the source of him getting into trouble- and he was not about to voice his outside-the-box thinking. If the Grandmaster wanted to hear his thoughts, he would give them. Until that time came to be, he would remain silent. 
 

Deep down, he wished the Imperials had built him that Interdictor he had paid for... for the Jedi, of course. He kept his stoic expression in place. 

[Tobias Vos]

While he had tried to leave as soon as the guests had left- Adenna took a moment to speak with him. Or at least that was her intent. Tobias remained seated as she mumbled to herself and spoke in half started sentences. This was most unusual, especially for her. Had their time apart cause some unseen reactions? Probably. In order to bridge the gap though, a conversation was needed. One that might never happen, as Adenna told Vos to get better and then she left. 

 

As she left, he was sure she felt a spike of outrage from Tobias. However, he reeled the emotion back in, dusted off his immaculate Jedi Robes, leaned onto his cane and made his way outside once again. Had she blinded herself to him? Could she not feel it? Her remarks made him a little nervous about his own assessment of himself.

 

Frustrated and bored, he hobbled back to the training yard-about to do something stupid and reckless. Maybe he was feeling normal once again...

[Tobias Vos]

And there were the two Jensaarai. Fantastic. They noticed him and therefor it was now rude to just walk away from them. Might as well make some new friends. 

 

"Defenders." He chuckled, warmly. "Hmm, my journey is forever evolving."

 

The two addressed one another briefly and then back to Vos. 

 

Shrugging, he smirked and looked at the Jensaarai. "Doubtful anyone can help me with my quest. Unless you can put me in front of the Dark Lord?" His expression, despite being hidden behind the cloth wrapped around his eyes, was humorous- but serious. "Or behind him... as long as I am not a prisoner of theirs."

 

He shrugged in a way that expressed a 'But hey, what can you do' as sort of a manner. 

 

"I haven't been given any direction as to what your crew is planning, nor have been instructed to assist you. I am a leaf upon the wind... as it were." Vos chuckled again. His warm and friendly aura suggested he was part of the happy-go-lucky crowd. 

 

 

 

 

[Tobias Vos]

Vos nodded in farewell at the new allies. He had wished they would have invited him along, but he knew how fragile he looked. As they left, Vos took his place in the sparring ring and called his old yellow blade to him, Slowly he went through the poses for Form I and II of basic lightsaber combat, modified to accommodate his left arm and right leg. As he maneuvered his mind separated and fell into a meditative trance as he practiced. Thoughts swirled around like a tornado. From his Dark Lords plan to his Adenna plans and every where in-between, but at last it focused on a topic; the Force. Naturally. How everyone must feel it, how the interpretations of it were so different, but still so similar. 

[Tobias Vos]

Night had fallen across Nar Shaddaa, and thousands of beings had departed for the next campaign against the Sith. Vos lay atop a roof on the outskirts of the complex. The covering across his eyes was removed and he could see the stars through the light pollution. He had watched the fleets depart, wishing he was on one of the ships belonging to one. 

 

Within his mind he played out several combat scenarios. His favorite was where he and the Dark Lord killed one another- and he could relax. That was the only future that he could see to be honest. There was no happy ending for him, no child with Adenna, no place for him anywhere. No Dahar, Kirlocca, Sarah and his two other friends- Sandy and Frond were lost to him. Sure, the former was here- but something happened to him on Gala. He had exorcised the place. A jedis life was about sacrifice, and he had sacrificed quite a bit. Something had to give out soon. 

 

The brands on his skin were still something to get used to, the new way he was interfacing with the Force was raw. He was a conduit for the Force, and channel it he would. While he didn’t want to think about the differences between himself and the rest of the Jedi Order his mind still lingered on the philosophical challenges he still faces. He sighed and looked down to his Jedi robes. 

 

They felt comfortable on his skin, he no longer had the allergic skin reaction he once had. And for the first time since Dahar names him a Jedi Master, he had called himself such. Then he was actually able to wear the blasted robes. 

 

He scoffed and rolled his eyes at the whole affair. He felt the call of the stars again. Also, the call of sleep, and he passed out right on the roof. 

 

~~~

 

In the morning he decided to wander the city, since he was so close to the border that divided the military complex from the civilian section, he might as well… 

 

It wasn’t like he had anywhere else to be today. Where the day would take him was left up in the wind. Several thoughts tried to infect his mind. From the direction of his life, or actually just his existence.

 

Mind wandering, he found himself in a civilian bazaar. Walking through the booths he wove his way through the dozens of beings. That was until he was bumped from behind by a little girl running from...someone. Whether or not she warranted such a pursuit was beyond him. His right leg jutted forward and his cane whipped up- but he maintained his balance through the use of the Force. Several people turned to see the commotion going on: A crippled, blind Jedi Master falling backwards as a girl no older than an early teen sprawled on the ground. His limbs pinwheeling- he froze himself in the air, bringing his balance back under his control- and his foot came back down and he shifted to face behind him- where the girl had run from. A human male flew forward as Vos used the Force to pull him forward. Just as the boy came within his grasp, the girl tried to run. Vos tugged her ankle down so she remained on the ground. The boys jacket came within grasping distance and Tobias swept his legs out from him- and brought the boy hard to the ground in front of the girl. 

 

“Why are you chasing this girl?” Vos growled as he held the boy down with the same fist that caught him. 

 

Vos knew perfectly well- it was all there in the auras flowing around the youths spoke volumes to him. He just wanted to see if the boy would lie to him. Sadly, the boy did. Tobias sighed and whispered something to the boy and his whole demeanor changed. Looking as if he accidentally stepped on a pets tail- and he wasn’t an evil person, the boy when white as a sheet and then slowly nodded his head. Letting him get up, the boy walked off in a seemingly random direction and the crowded bazaar started to turn their attention back to their business. Standing, he offered his hand to the girl- “You alright there?” He asked, helping her up. 

 

He knew her face was showing how shocked she was that this all had just transpired- and that a blind man had helped her to her feet. As the young girl- a Zabrak female- steadied herself on her own feet, Tobias smiled and dusted off her shoulder. “Yes, then?” 

 

She chuckled- and responded to him. “Yes, Master Jedi. Sorry, Master Jedi. I didn’t mean to bump into you, I’m sorry.”

 

“Quite alright, my dear. You won’t need to run from guys playing back-alley dice- when they think you cheat.”

 

Her jaw dropped and she tried to speak- she stammered. He chuckled.

 

“Can I let you in on a little secret?” He asked. “I’ve cheated in dice before, well, I used my abilities to influence the outcome of the game but there were never any signs or regulations restricting Force powers at the tables… so is that cheating? Anyways- don’t do it if you cannot deal with the consequences.”

 

The girl chuckled again, flabbergasted. 

 

“When you get back into base, come see me- I’ll show you a few tricks other than reading minds and pushing dice. That is, if you don’t get into any more trouble.” Flashing a grin, he left the incognito Jedi youngling behind at the bazaar. For the rest of the day he shopped for two small gems, a leather working kit, and then welding goggles- that last one got him some weird looks as he was already blind. 

 

The next day he awoke to the usual- checking his datapad first he looked up the security report- nothing of a Zabrak apprentice sneaking out or back in. Pim had presented herself to him early the next morning- and her training had begun. She had been with the Jedi since she was five years old. Her favorite class was telekinesis. Her clan was on rotation to come and work in support roles at the Rebel HQ, she had been sneaking out for about five weeks and had won over seven hundred credits from her spare change of fifteen credits. The boy was tired of losing to her and he had enough because she made a rude joke. After she told it to him, he couldn’t help but laugh and then chide her for her linguistic choices. 

 

More and more he taught her different ways to work with the Force and then he asked her if she wanted to formally become his padawan. She agreed; That had been two weeks ago.

 

Now that she said goodbye to her friends within the clan, they had spent three days working all day at some of her skills and her Force stamina. Finally, he felt she would benefit from leaving the planet- and so they did. Tobias was happy to have the Prism back, and the droids- even though they didn’t talk of the mission after Tobias stayed back in the medbay. They had lifted off and he was just reconfirming the destination with the droids as he walked back to the common room as they shot to hyperspace.

[Tobias Vos]

Her master was troubled, that much she knew from the way he walked. As always he was closed to her within the Force- at least to her capabilities. Starting to worry about what was going on he had told her the day before and apologized for leaving her without much instruction. He was pleased that she did continue her sphere exercises as well as meditating. 

 

She was in the common room, cross legged and meditating on the floor- three spheres tracing different paths through the air when she heard her master call over the intercom. She collected her materials and steadied herself. The dream she had just had was… unnerving. After her master dealt with whatever was the issue was on Nar Shaddaa, she would tell him. Then she felt the vibration through the deck and knew they had returned to normal space. By the time she got to the cockpit, they were descending into the atmosphere for landing. 

 

Arching one eyebrow- she started to get a little more nervous as her senses became more attune to the ebb and flow of the Force around the planet. A sense of anxiety and dread; she wondered what happened.

 

After she went back to her cabin and collected her things, she met her master at the boarding ramp and departed the ship. In stoic good grace, Tobias marched towards his objective, taking a detour to the training yard. There he left Pim to resume training using the first form of lightsaber combat. Slowly and methodically she worked her way through the forms, transitioning from one pose to another. After a few minutes of the warm up, she sprang. Her masters ship wasn’t small, or uncomfortable- there wasn’t enough room to practice the full range of her acrobatics. So she “Stretched her legs” and began to move a little faster, all the while moving the small metal sphere through the air.

 

~~~ 

 

He had been rude, he knew he shouldn’t have been. The tendrils of force energy were spinning a worrisome pattern. Tobias knew he needed to remain collected to deal with the situation at hand. Making his way through the quarters area he checked in with the temple manager and visited his quarter just to drop a few things off. 

 

Part of the trail he was on had traces leading off to another wing of the quarters area. A momentary frown and he returned to the path guiding him to this disturbance. In the time that took him to get to the medical wing- he tried to prepare himself for whatever he was about to see...

[Tobias Vos]

There she was- broken, but alive and comatose. 

 

He stood there, looking at her in the bacta tank. Part of him wanted to break the glass and embrace her. Another part wanted to find the wretch that did this and cut them like a porcine beast. As always the Jedi and Sith sides fought against one another in his mind. That was internal- externally he stood in front of her holding a stoic watch. After twenty minutes the medical staff gave him a chair to sit in.

 

Thanking them, he asked if the lights could be turned off for fifteen minutes and for some privacy. The obliged him, and after the latch clicked- he sunk into the Force. 

 

It was a familiar setting; one he had shown the Inquisitor moron. Tobias reached to Adenna's mind and wove it gently in a dreamscape that she would ultimately be able to control- once she was strong enough. This would just give her some rest and relaxation- mentally. There was a cabin, a serene lake to the north, and a pine forest surrounding them on the other sides. There was just he and Adenna in this dream. Then, once he saw her- a little piece of him broke more and he wished he could stay. Sadly, this was not where he was to stay and would have to trick her a bit. So, he made a doppelgänger and let his partners mind pick up the illusion there. 

 

As he separated the image of himself and his actual presence- a pang of sadness permeated every part of the Kiffar- but he gently pulled his presence away from the woman that- 

 

He cut his train of thought off, going deeper down that path of thinking would only make it harder if she were to become one with the Force. As he regained consciousness and awareness, his face was moist and he quickly brushed his face dry once again. Then, the lights came back up and the staff reentered the room. Thanking them, he departed for the time being- just requesting that the chair remain, as he would be back. Often. 

[Tobias Vos]

 Pim raced through the hallways- she learned just a moment ago at the mess hall that her master had changed his aura. He was distracted, and in need. If she was reading that right, she was worried. If she was reading it wrong, well she should know in a moment. In her mad dash, she cut a corner too sharply- her senses were distracted so she didn't feel the two beings until it was too late. Leaping, and twisting in the air- she planted a foot on the wall and fell into a tumbling summersault then back onto her feet. A trando and human? It didnt matter, she spun to run backwards while facing the pair "Sorry! My fault!!!" 

 

A look of shock came across her face- the spheres! The small spheres she was supposed to always levitate with her- one had gotten stuck in the trandosians' robe and with a flick of her wrist, the small glass sphere removed itself, gently, from his robes and rejoined the other three small spheres gliding through the air- and she shouted her apologies again. She was going to look like a fool if there wasn't the need for the rush. She probably already looked like a fool... "C'Mon Tasha!" Pim hissed, barely audible from the distance she had managed to get to. The young Zabrak female looked incredibly embarrassed. The small glass sphere that was small than a fist zoomed after the young girl who was heading towards one of the observable training rooms. 

 

"Sorry, again!!" Pim shouted and bolted down the hallway. 

 

On the floor, there were two spheres that had fallen out of her pocket the obvious Jedi hadn't noticed falling out of her pocket. One was pure black stone, polished to remarkable shine. The other was a rose quartz sphere, also reflecting the light but also smooth to the touch. 

[Tobias Vos]

Pim jumped at the sound of the door opening to the observation wing- it was dark and no one knew she was here. The figure looked familiar; and she tried to place him in her mind. However, it was just a silhouette of the figure. “Who?! Get in here, close the door! Shh!”

 

She was clearly trying to cover her presence here. Innocently, of course. Pim gestured to the figure, pulling him with the force and slamming the door. The dark room was situated above the training yard- one where the acrobatics course was set up, a lounging pit to rest and relax between bouts and where they could watch their compatriots, there were stock droids one could fight against, targeting range, a melee course to focus on hand to hand combat, and armed combat. And there were other bays to behold as well, but it was in a section Pim was looking at.. This room was meant for observation from a higher vantage point. From here she saw that her Master was below, in a room on the side that housed the segregated training rooms for more private appointments. 

 

Sneaking over to a spot, she looked down at the scene inside the private training room. There was a man; his long woven hair sitting atop his head, a cloth wrap around his eyes, standard Jedi Master robes, his skin had a pattern that wasn’t clear from this far away what it was exactly, his left arm was in a sling and he rested heavily on the cane in his right hand- in a stance that suggested he was leaning on it to support an injured leg. 

 

Motioning to the dark figure that had walked in on her, she waved him over- there was just enough light to make out motion in the darkened room. “You’re new here, come watch this… this is going to be awesome.” She whispered and pointed towards the figure below. In the dark however, the four spheres floated in a slow rotation around her forearm as if it were a planet and the spheres were moons in perfect orbit. 

 

The figure moved forward and followed her direction to look at the man- now surrounded by training droids. The room was 30 feet by 30 feet- plenty of room for gymnastics and the like- but also close enough to where melee combat was feasible. 

 

 

As soon as the door closed to the room and the last droid took up positioning, nearly a dozen accounted for- the figure below nodded and took one step forward, relying on the cane to hold him up. 

 

If it had been any lighter, they would have seen him smirk. But all the rogue pair saw was an absolute stillness that could be mistaken as a still frame image or a painting. 

 

Then the man nodded and the scene broke. 

 

Blaster bolts erupted from the droids- all aimed at the man in the middle. In a single flash, the bolts collided at the center- and even though they were stun bolts, five was a lot. The energy Dissipated at once- against each other! The combatant had crouched and on his one good leg, he balanced his left arm was tucked into his body in the sling and his right was straight out, the staff laid back across his arm to his left side, a sphere attached at the end of the cane for its base. 

 

The droids took aim and did not hesitate, blaster bolts rang out, the man kept dodging on one leg- bouncing around the arena, flipping and spinning. The man moves faster and faster, until he was at the arm of a blaster droid. As he kept and sprung at the automaton and with a forceful undercut blow that bent the metal and plastoid; so the man spun away and fell upon the next obstacle- it was Rendered inert in moments.

 

Never once did he get shot or struck, but moved fluidly about the room. The other droids were trying to chase him down, the ones with practice sabers. It was a terrific display of acrobatics and subtle control of the Force, Pim knew. She caught herself staring slack jawed at her master and how, while two limbs were injured, he was crushing the droids one after another. 

 

The man finally took a blow and his staff was knocked out of his hand and it clattered across the room. Apparently the figure went with the blow and rolled across the ground and came up with a right handed punch from a crouch and the droid which was advancing on the combatant- rocked back on its heels, arms pinwheeling to catch its balance. The man opened up his fist to a palm and the droid fell over with a loud clang. 

 

The exercise was over, no more movement from the droids but the man’s shoulders heaved in the darkness for a few more moments. Slowly, he rose to his feet using his one good hand, and then tilted his head to exactly where Pim and the other person was standing. As the cane flew back into his right hand- he leapt up to the observation deck and landed in front of Pim. 

 

A sly smile appeared on his face as the lights came back up with another wave of his hand. “Why do you hide, Pim? And who is your new friend?” 

 

As he spoke, Tobias turned his head and covered eyes to the other being in the room. A trandosian. 

 

Here, Tobias froze- a Trandosian. Flashbacks ran through his mind's eye from his time as a slave, the campaign on Kashyyyk, and a dozen other fights and such. Calming himself, he smiled at the Trando and looked at him through the Force. 

 

Male, honorable, worried about his people. A curious thing, his people. Was he a leader? Why was he here on Nar Shaddaa? Why was he in the observation room with Pim? He was Force Sensitive, but had never had proper training- that much Tobias could tell from the colors and swirls the Force left around the being. This was an interesting character to be sure. Why was he here though? 

 

“Welcome to Nar Shaddaa, my new Trandosian Friend, I am Jedi Master Tobias Vos. This is my apprentice, Pim.” His voice was warm and inviting, that of a friend. Inside, Pim knew he was broken. 

 

[Tobias Vos]

A message chime buzzed from Vos's chest pocket where the datapad was kept. He waited to check it though as the Trandosian spoke in his native tongue- and he produced two orbs. Pim let loose a silent gasp as she realized what had brought the Trando here. She reached out her hand to call them back to her. "Thank you for returning these, I'm sorry about before- you see why I was in a hurry, but that's no excuse. These are my training spheres..." As her hand extended forward, the spheres glided through the air the others she had, of various colors and textures, spun around her forearm slowly and under control. There were six there at the moment, and she added the two others. 

 

She tilted her head to Vos, he knew she was embarrassed to lose some spheres. 

 

Then, as the awkward moment set in the door opened with the usual swishing noise. A blue skinned, red eyed humanoid stepped in, surveying the scene before him in a calm and collect manner. The man, a Jedi Master, surveyed the Trandosian carefully and then the Zabrak female before turning his attention to Vos- "You got the message too, I assume, but you can't read it. Let's go. Masters meeting now, no padawans." 

 

Vos was looking at the Jedi Master, well, he was facing him. There was a ripple of unease within Vos, and he nodded then let his head hang down for a moment, concentrating. 

 

"Alright. Pim, help our new visitor around the temple, should he need it. Spend some time in here sparring if you wish- I will find you in a bit." Vos turned to face the Trandosian, probing the aliens mind for name to come to the surface of his thoughts. Another warm chuckle and the blind man addressed the alien by name, and in his own tongue. "Vox, is it? I'm afraid I have to cut this short- but if you need anything, Pim here will give you my comm codes. I would like to speak with you later if that is acceptable. I'm sorry for this interruption."

 

With that, Vos hobbled his way across the room to the blue skinned Jedi Master, and the pair left. 

 

Pim watched them go, then slowly and awkwardly turned to face the Trandosian. "So..." was all the further she got with her sentence...  "That was pretty cool, right?! I can't wait until I am skilled as my master. Anyways, you're new here- are you trying to become a Jedi too?" She asked the only other being in the room. "Want to spar?"

 

~~~

 

"You picked up a new apprentice, and maybe a second?" Tomin’titu’quis, the Chiss Jedi Master asked of Tobias as they walked down the hallway.

 

Tobias responded in cheun, and the two conversed until they reached the rotunda- then he reached out to Kirlocca, questioning if he had gotten the message as well and hoping to see him at this meeting. Tense conversation continued in the Chiss language, touching on what happened on Corellia, what had been happening since the Black Sun Station and Tobias's exile, supply chains, Corusant, and general filling in of gaps. Then Tom asked about the scars and subsequent blindness- Tobias waved him off as they got to the briefing room. Tobias was glad to see that the Nautolan Jedi Master Tut Maris was here as well, injured but well enough. The two exchanged a greeting, and they sat down, There were a few other Masters here, and a few Knights. Knowing he was going to see Sandy in a moment too brought a smile to his face, but only for a second. 

 

 

 

[Tobias Vos]

Tut and Tom chatted together, relaying the events of the past month. The pair even chuckled for a brief moment. Tobias smiled to himself, he was seated behind them and resting his right hand on his staff. The Kiffar wondered about what the circumstances were that was bringing them all together- and just the galaxy in general. Why was it always in turmoil and why were the supposed good guys always back peddling and stalling like a malfunctioning actuator? What could he do to- The thought paused before it finished. He had tried- and he had been shunned by the leadership twice. Deep down he knew he should feel frustration both at himself and the leadership, but the Jedi Order kept changing leaders left and right, and now with Adenna in the state she was currently in- that was what this meeting was going to be about. Sighing, he adjusted the cloth wrapping around his eyes. There was nothing more he wanted than to be back on the front lines and even the little sparring match he had just went through proved he could fight, even while maintaining the ruses. 

 

His right hand moved to scratch the stubble growing on his chin, and then he rested his head in his hand. From there, his mind wandered and questions came in and out of his mind in such a rapid pace he was caught up in the mental hurricane, he almost didn't feel when Tut tapped his knee. If half his face wasn't covered up, his eyes would have blinked rapidly and it would appear as if he dozed off , right here in the briefing room. But since he was blind at the moment, he was spared all that. Stretching his back, he leaned forward to whisper with Tut and Tom- and about old plots and schemes. It seems they were feeling rambunctious as well- and with Tut still injured...

 

~~~

 

Pim winced with the Trandosian words. She realized that her master was helping her pull the essence of the words from Vox's mind, despite being in another language. She played over what he said in his mind and the attitude behind the words. Face value, she understood. He was an experienced warrior it seemed and would probably obliterate her in any sparing match. 

 

"Perhaps not physical combat... you would out class me in a heartbeat." She explained, hesitantly. Then her eyes brightened as sudden realization came over her. Then with an excited tone- "Do you want to learn how to do this?" Her Zabrak smile spread across her face as she held up her hand and the spheres swirled around her hand. With her other hand, she held out a black rubber sphere. "If you want..." she added, as her confidence faltered for a moment. 

[Tobias Vos]

The conversation took a turn as a furry Jedi Master entered the room. Kirlocca made his way across the room and to Tobias. Only as the @Wookiee Jedi closed in did Tobias turn to face the Former Grandmaster. It wouldn't take any sort of Force aptitude to see that he was beyond delighted to be in the presence of the wookiee once again. The man had taken great pains to figure out what had happened since they last saw each other, on Carida, just before he was murdered. Then their conversation on Rhen Var,,, Tobias cataloged how much had happened since those events... He had figured out who had dealt the death blow against the furry alien, found his holocron, led Adenna to purge the last of the darkness inside her then becoming Grandmaster, the Kashyyyk Battle, Dark Sun Station Battle, his temporary exile from the Jedi after that, the exorcism Tobias inflicted upon himself and the subsequent healing of the Force Scar on Gala... and now here they were. The Kiffar felt... tired. That and a bit of the pain from the Force scars that were branded into his skin.

 

Holding his staff in place with his left hand, he reached to his friend and gripped his shoulder with a firm but gentle grip. "It is great to have you back with us, my friend." Tobias released his grip on the shoulder and retrieved his cane. "Indeed- but this is a new direction the Force has been bent to take. This new path is troubling. There is something out there maliciously bending the Force to this new path. Adennas... state is most troubling. It's as if a bratty child was allowed into a forge and ruins a blade simply because of its ignorance of the proper process of creating something useful." Vos chuckled and shrugged, "Metaphorically speaking. At any rate, we are here now and must figure out what to do... again. It seems every few months we have to find a new Grandmaster to lead us. I'd roll my eyes, but the effect is lost with this bandage..." Vos chuckled once again, at his own expense. 

 

"How are you feeling? Healthy, tangible, corporeal, connected, sane?" A sly smile indicated he was trying to joke around about a serious topic, in typical Tobias fashion 

 

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias listened, and chuckled twice. “Who can even say we are sane? But that’s another deep conversation for another time. Since you mentioned it, I’ve been feeling quite rambunctious lately and I want to be back out there making a difference... But I...”

 

He paused, tripping over the words catching in his throat. It was as if some emotion or thought bubbles up to the surface and interrupted him. A tad uncomfortable, Tobias resettled himself and picked up where he left off, “But... I need to be here for Adenna. She’s... sleeping, peacefully, at the moment...”

 

His voice drifted off, lost in the emotions of being attached to someone who is seriously injured and being unable to help them in a significant way. “When this meeting is done, I was going to check in on her. You could come with me if you wanted...” 

 

The man shrugged and let the offer hang out there. “But, no pressure of course.” He brought his right hand up to press his new masters robes down in an unconscious movement.

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias followed behind his wookiee friend, letting him enter the ward first from their pair. As soon as he felt Adenna there, he tightened his grip on his cane. There was still a heart beat within her- she was still alive. Even to think about her passing was not within Tobias to do. Such things could just break him, mentally. He was already at the precipice of change- he would either stay on the path and climb up- or he would take a step off the hillside to plummet into the darkness and his doom. As both of them stood by her side- Tobias set his cane aside and reached into a pocket in his robes. He pulled out a black metallic rope, inlaid with different colors of gems and crystals- no less than three were kyber crystals. The prominent three were a gentle hue; two of green and one of blue, he wove the cord around her hand that wasn't connected to anything medical related. The gift was done without any ceremony, which was counter to what Tobias had intended. Adenna wasn't one for anything flashy, and her role as a Jedi Grandmaster would not allow her to be gaudy with her appearance- so he had hand-made this specifically for her. Only Kirlocca might have seen, as he was standing right there but Tobias didn't feel nervous about exposing his feeling for Adenna in front of him. Tobias loved her with all his being and just wanted her to wake up. 

 

There was some conversation going on behind them, but Tobias didn't pay much attention to it for the moment. With his free hand he moved his blindfold back and wiped the tears away with a swipe of his fingers. His eyes still closed, he reached down to wipe the tears over the necklace and her wrist. There had just been a Force Spell he had done, one that if she awoke would leave a little vision for her, it would explain the necklace- and she would know where it was if it was removed from her person. 

 

Then, he opened his eyes for the first time in months- and the light filtered in through his retinas. Using the Force to dull the pain and acclimate to the light, he looked with his altered vision upon his best friend, his lover, his teacher. How he wished he would have pressed the point after the Black Sun Station and he could have been there, with her at the fight that placed her here. His vision was starting to cause a migraine- so he closed his eyelids over his scared eyes and once again he relied upon his senses and the Force to paint his surroundings in just as good of detail as his real eyes used to, with the bonus of watching the flow of the Force and all the colors it provided- even behind the wrapping around his face. Which he pulled down and adjusted it so that it was comfortable on his face once again. "She is, Kirlocca, she has not passed. She is strong and brash. Although, you would have been proud of how... mindful she has been since becoming Grandmaster..." Tobias whispered so only he could hear, and then heard Sandy speak to the group behind him- and his stomach fluttered. He could repair that bridge- but why should he when- his mind hit a roadblock as the discussion behind him and Kirlocca replayed in his minds eye quickly. He slammed mental barriers down all around him, closing his mind to the Force. If he wasn't careful, he'd lose his temper and that was the very last thing any of them needed. Instead, he oriented himself to the conversation and listened. Mentally making a side note that Kyrie was here, maybe she could enlighten him on what had happened on Gala... but that would be for later. 

 

Then he really settled in for yet another being to take the Grandmaster role. If he had his datapad he'd have made a note to see if this one made it for more than a few months... or would the fates line up against Armenia as well? It was as if the Grandmasters role was cursed... he ground his teeth as he contemplated what was happening in the other realm- what lazerbrain was making up the rules and plan should be dealt with. Well, at least Armenia was upfront about seizing power this way, that he did have to give her props for. That was all in his mind, though, yet outwardly, he displayed an act of stoicism. 

[Tobias Vos]

Pim tilted her head to the side as she tried register the alien language. She narrowed her eyes as she was concentrating on the words. As it was short and sweet, she got the gist quickly enough and motioned for him to follow her to a more relaxed area of the training room they were in. Finding her way onto a padded mat, she sat down and invited her pupil to sit across from her. 

 

Giddy with the chance to teach someone, she placed an orb in front of @Vox. "You will just want to breath first. The Force is around us all- it is what binds the galaxy together. Those that can touch this presence become Force Users." She extended her arm and let the orbs float around her arm in a particular pattern before returning to her lap. "That allows us to have certain abilities that you must practice. My Master says we all have our own skills and our own things we cannot do. I'm skilled with telekenisis- the practice of moving and levitating objects. I'm not that great at the whole fighting thing... at least yet. But we all must start somewhere. To start you should close your eyes and try to feel my presence within the Force- or try to sense the others nearby. And above all else- be calm and patient. I've been doing this for a few years and am still learning new things every day. So, trust me- just breath and reach out with your mind- don't worry about anything else."

 

She was starting to ramble she noticed, so she decided to be quiet and let this newcomer begin his lesson. 

 

~~~

 

After the hot reaction he had, a moment of solace settled into the Jedi Masters' mind and knew he would be more attuned to the meeting now that the brief flare was over. He pondered about what would happen next- the over all plan and his own plan...

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias remained there for a moment, still as a statue. Then Kirlocca touched him and brought him back to the present. Vos nodded, "Of course, my friend." And both Jedi turned to attend to what Kirlocca had planned. Before crossing the threshold out of the room, Vos paused and looked towards where Adenna lay- and with a sigh, he walked out. Kirlocca, the tall alien he was was a few steps ahead so Vos scooted to catch up. In a low conspiratorial voice, "I'll plan the welcome back party for you. I haven't got anything scheduled so I have time..." There was a layer of humor in the statement. Vos had felt a very brief moment of disappointment from the wookiee before he rationalized the feeling away.  If the wookiee looked behind him, they're be a sly smile on the Kiffar's face. Kirlocca's disappointment was much like Vos's, when no one had asked about his scars or what had happened to his eyes. However, maybe that was for the better... no one called special attention to it so it wasn't like it was directly pointed out. so that was alright he supposed. In the back of his mind he wondered if he should throw a party for the wookiee. A few steps later Vos decided if there was a party there would not be confetti. It'd take years to get all the glitter and everything out of the fur. 

 

 

~~~

 

Pim held back a smirk 'Thats it?' the alien had asked. Confident he couldn't sense her, she giggled internally. Then she replied in her head- "Oh, you have no idea..." in a mischievous tone only she could hear. Then after a few moments- she felt him sink into the flow of the Force. After what seemed like an hour, but in actuality was only a few moments, he was connected! Even she was excited for him. In a calm yet distracted tone she replied to him... "Everyone is a little different- and their use of the Force is different. Some people cannot use telekenisis, others cannot run or leap as far as others- you must be cautious as you figure out where your weakness lay. You don't want to fall into a pit trap with overconfidence..." Pim warned. 

 

"Now, keep your breathing the same and open your eyes slowly. See the sphere? Reach out to it and since this is your first time- imagine invisible tendrils of energy coming from your hand and wrapping around the sphere and lifting it into the air. Not far, and not fast. You're doing terrific." 

 

As she said this, she demonstrated as the sphere in front of her floated up and held there. 

 

[Tobias Vos]

Both beings turned to look back to the new Grandmaster. Tobias let the cane he held immobile on the floor as his hand left it to dig into his sling- he handed the lightsaber stashed away to Kirlocca. As there was already a lightsaber attached to Tobias's belt, actually two, he wasn't stressed about giving out one of the hobby-blades he had, especially to a friend about to go into battle. 

 

Tobias felt Kirlocca's mind wander to a familiar thread of thought- "Your thoughts betray you, Master Jedi. I miss him every single day... but... I don't think I ever told you. I found Dahar on Taris. My former companions- Sarah and... DuVos took him Beyond the Veil- and Dahar is doing some good work there. He's at peace and content there so rest your mind and know that he is okay now." Tobias smiled warmly to him then moved onto a different topic....

 

"Here, take this. I... " Tobias seemed a little embarrassed but it was only in his whispered words to Kirlocca... "I make sabers to help ease my mind when it races and as you can see- I have a few extra... heh. Maybe the Master Draygo wants to spar with us as well- she did call out when you mentioned that after all. Hehe." Tobias ended with a small chuckle and gave the wookiee a lightsaber. It wasn't top tier quality- and there were a few unique features to the hilt. There seemed to be two different power cells and a switch from active mode to training mode. This was also something Tobias had been working on since Kirlocca's funeral on Kashyyyk. Then, he turned back to wait for the new Grandmaster to approach, trying to remember when he had seen her last... He picked up his cane and placed it in front of him with his hands resting atop the device. 

 

 

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias handed her the secondary blade, the double hilt. It was a shorter hilt than most with three small grooves carved in a subtle helix fashion spiraled around the hilt. 

 

"Splendid." A white toothed grin spread across his face. He had a joke for this... and almost said it before the mental filter caught it. He walked a few feet away from the pair. "Best be sure you're on the training setting. Theres a small switch and then you get a more glossy setting."

 

Setting the cane down in a corner, Tobias stretched his right leg out as he walked back to the other two in the room. Casually, he activated the single hilt and a waved it like a scythe in front of him, loosening up his right shoulder. Practicing a transition of Form Five, he settled into a hybrid of Form One; then waited for the others to make the first move. Kirlocca, he'd put money on making the first move- but Draygo seemed like she wanted to take both of them off guard... this was going to be most interesting.

[Tobias Vos]

Alas, the quick duel and Kirlocca was out. Tobias held the pose as the wookiee walked out of the room. A glance at his departing friend and Tobias blew him a quick kiss, hopefully that dismissed the seriousness of the situation but spoke volumes all the same. As the door closed, Tobias swung the hilt in one his one hand. 

 

"I was looking forward to a free-for-all, would have been quite instructive." With a shrug and a smirk, he refocused on the duel at hand. 

 

He swung the blade in a reverse circle, and bent his knees slightly. Settling into a quick overhead defensive guard position, and waited. Lacking vision, he reached out with the Force, feeling the room. 

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias felt her move- and he jerked his head back just as she was delivering a overhead blow to start things off. His body snapped and he moved backwards, just enough to dodge her attack. While there was a low murmur from the spectators, the Kiffar did not acknowledge the noise. Instead, he planned out a series of strikes and the transitions to each. Mind racing he focused on one thing and one thing alone- peace. He knew that if he started to think over this new Grandmaster he'd lose his temper. That same thing had almost just happened a few minutes ago... Wishing Kirlocca would have stuck around, he was a a bit of a grounding rod for Tobias, a calming presence, instead of just his mind telling him to be calm. That and a thousand other things. 

 

He paused here, responding to her statement, opening with a snort "I make life miserable for everyone, unfortunately, not just the Sith."

 

There was no room for pity in the statement, it was a dig at everyone else not understanding how he did things- and a dig against himself for the same exact thing. There was no backlash of emotion or anything from the man, just peace. He came at her with a low-high-high-low-low move that caused a few folks to goggle at what they were seeing. It was on this last blow, he flipped up and over Master Draygo and landed opposite of the corner where he started, facing Draygo. He landed on his good leg, and gently set his right leg down on the mat with ease. Holding this orange blade in his hand, he leveled his arm and dashed at her with only two steps- sweeping the blade in and engaging in another fury of blows. It was great to exercise and cross blades with another Jedi with skill, he relished it- but kept his mind and aura at peace. After a brief minute he let the momentum of a parry move from Armenia carry him backwards a few steps and he heaved a deep sigh and he adjusted his left arm- still in a sling- so that it was more comfortable around his neck. All the while holding the blade ready for the next move from her. If someone looked closely enough- they'd see a smirk on the Jedi's face. 

[Tobias Vos]

However, they could be muzzled- but this was a thought that even Vos wouldn't want to bring to the forefront of his mind and let the evil idea out. He knew of three specific ways to sever someone's connection to the Force forever- and one to make the individuals intelligence drop to a that of a space slug. There had only ever been two being he had ever seen that were holstered in such a way. Banishing the though from his mind he reacted to her last statement- he threw his lightsaber. The Orange blade whisking through the air- at first straight at the Grandmaster- then it deactivated before making a clattering against the floor behind Draygo.

 

In the second before he deactivated the blade with the Force, Tobias started to sprint towards his opponent. About two thirds of the way there, he reached his hand back out to the Grandmaster- and pulled on the whole area around her. There was the a snap-hiss as a blade reactivated behind her. The reactivated blade was still a few maters behind her. But his cane spun and knee-level from directly behind her from against the wall where he had left it. Trying to distract her with the flashing blade and the sound of the reactivating weapon to hide the fact there was a silent instrument. Part of what he pulled on was Draygo herself, but just barely tugging at her, as the lightsaber and cane were his primary concern. 

[Tobias Vos]

Vos smiled, it was a bold move that his opponent rushed him in return. The saber and cane wouldn't reach Vos in time and while being blind, he couldn't use his other Force power to summon his hilt back into his hand. What he did though was collapse onto his right leg as he let the momentum carry him forward on the floor and he slid under Draygo. Letting the Force guide his actions, his hand shot up and connected with the hilt before it went past him. Knowing this was the moment the duel climaxed- he rotated back to Draygo- saber at the ready. 

 

She had known as well, and was in perfect position to line her blade up with his chest. His, was just slightly out of proper placement. Deactivating the blades, both Jedi Masters bowed to one another. As the betters settled their winnings and losses, Tobias nodded to his opponent. "That was a brilliant move, Master Draygo. Well fought." The man chuckled, and in one motion, he clipped the saber to his belt, called his cane over - which he had knocked out of the way when he caught the single hilt in his hand, and leaned on the cane. 

 

"While I fundamentally disagree that Force Users can be holstered- once you open that box there is no putting the contents back in the box. I do not wish to see my fellow Jedi..." He trailed off, chuckling at the realization of what he had just said. Both the seeing and the Jedi part. The smile turned serious as he continued, "...go down that path. People like you are useful, however people like me are dangerous. So, what task did you have in mind that would require our skills?" Tobias turned a touch more serious, wanting to get down to business. 

 

 

~~~

 

Pim just looked down from the room they were in. "Whoa. That was wicked." She voiced her thoughts. "Too short though... Oh well." A sly smile spread across her face as she looked at the trandosian next to her. "Well, what do you think @Vox?" She asked him. 

 

[Tobias Vos]

"Heh, I am a little handicapped." Vos replied to Draygo's first comment, tapping his cane on the floor and tilting his head towards his left arm. "But, I will request a rematch sometime soon. Keep the blade, I have plenty." He tried to wave the saber away so she would keep it. It was a little important that she did keep that particular blade. 

  

She barked at the gathered crowd, and Vos was unsettled by it. It was another abrasive outburst by the Jedi- his mind flooding with memories of his space station and the workers on it- the treatment they had afterwards. He cleared his thoughts as his former sparring partner took an unexpected step closer. What was she doing? Instinctively, he brought his mental guard up- then remembered he was a jedi, she was a jedi. However difficult, he relaxed. 

 

Sensing they were about to discuss at length her plans, he motioned for Pim and Vox to leave the observation room and to go eat. Doing this with just two simple hand gestures, he returned most of his attention to Draygo. He needed to sit down, so he motioned for them to walk up a nearby staircase into the training wing’s observation lounge. Exactly where Pim and Vox had been a few moments earlier. He motioned for Draygo to have a seat and join him.

 

Sitting in a plush chair, he rested the cane against its side, and sat forward. Tobias unwrapped the cloth around his eyes and rolled it up tucking it into a satchel he kept near him. The wrapping had collected sweat from the recent sparring match, it was obviously irritating the skin on his face ergo him taking it off. With another wave, he lowered the brightness of the lights in the room from his seat. It was then he finally opened his eyes a crack and looked over to Draygo, who was talking this entire time.

 

The light didn’t hurt, much, so he opened them up the rest of the way. It was the first time in over two months he had opened his eyes. While he was blind in a sense, he hadn’t exercised his eyes that much so he blinked a few times and then looked right at and into the new Grandmaster, seconds after she confided in him.

 

With everything that was just confessed, it felt like he had just been taken out at the knees in a surprise attack. Gritting his teeth and playing other conversations back in his mind, he clenched his fist for a moment in frustration and pinched the bridge of his nose. With a sharp sigh and a sharp gesture as if cutting the air with his hand, he locked his scared eyes onto Armeia. 

 

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Vos stated through clenched teeth, and almost as a whisper. He had a long retort for the new Grandmaster, giving her a piece of his mind and frustration. Namely how since Dahar, Kirloca, whats-his-face, Adenna, and now… he’d been forced to shut down his spy network, his shipping networks, the security companies, his space station, and a dozen other wrongs. 

 

“There’s several problems, to be honest, Master Draygo. So, please, hear me out.”  The Kiffar collected his thoughts and checked his frustrations. It wasn’t Armenia, it was the entire situation, over the last few years. 

 

“We are in this mess because of the actions of your predecessors, namely… whats-his-face? Grandmaster Pretty Boy.... He basically forced me out of the role you’re implying you’d like me to fulfill, the Spymaster or Shadow. I’ve had both roles before, and I have the networks for both- if you’re asking me to reboot them- I’m going to need certain… understanding from you. Namely, you’re not going to like some things I will do- and if you want to go to Borleias you need to be okay with those small instances. "

 

“And if we’re going to Borleias, you have to promise me a few things- One is that if you’re in danger- you need to leave me behind. The Jedi can’t go through another leadership transition. You also have to explicitly state the goals for this mission. What of my two apprentices? I’m hesitant to bring them along on a covert mission. I may have a few ideas for them if they need a different assignment.”

 

He took a breath, and brushed imaginary dirt from his knee but pressed on; “There also needs to be a level of trust between us, and as we have never worked with one another- and you took the first step with that admission, I’ll tell you one of mine.” He gestured at his dark Jedi Master Robes. “This is the first time I’ve been able to wear Jedi Robes. I’ve never been able to before- then the Dark Sun Station mission, then my shunning, then I went to Gala- there I received these…” He held up his hand, and even gestured to his scars all over. “I finally considered myself a Jedi...After years of helping you all try to get to this point and further… But Gala is healed from it’s Force Scar. I won’t jeopardize my new state- but you still won’t like some things I will do or say. I don’t want to go through another round of transitioning to a new boss, to shunning, to doing the distasteful missions, shunning, and round and round the process goes.”

 

“So, with that all said- I still don’t fully trust you especially the council you named, you gave a spot to Master Eleison- who is an Imperial Knight! Granted she was a Jedi- but NOW she is an Imperial Knight, the leader of that sect. Our two Orders are similar, but we still have different stance on the Force. Kriff, even I have vastly different views of the Force than you and the rest of the Jedi Order...Sarna who has less than a year as a Master…and has some strong Imperial leanings. Kil, I haven’t even heard of until today, but I think she’s a good pick. I think that giving the Imperial Knights any sort of influence to you and your roll is an awful idea. Their insight is valuable, but most of them would cull half the Jedi Order based on their actions and mistakes. I just worry about our apprentices and soldiers with their philosophy- they wouldn’t consider out-of-the-box thinking that could provide better results in some situations… Make sense? Or am I just speaking nonsense at this point? We are the Jedi Order, not the Imperial Knights. You should have Jedi advising you.” He shrugged with both shoulders, but one hand raised up in a hey what are ya gunna do gesture. 

 

Tobias smiled, glad to get all that out, and sat back in his chosen seat. Hopefully venting a few frustrations, he wouldn’t suffer any repercussions. “Just speaking my mind, Grandmaster. But as far as Borleias… what are your thoughts?”

 

 

~~~

 

Pim motioned for @Vox to follow her. Clearly her master wanted to chat with the other Jedi in private. "I'm hungry, want to go to the mess hall?" She questioned him, but lead the way there regardless of the Trandosians answer. "So, what is your background? Why'd you come to Nar Shaddaa?"

 

[Tobias Vos]

Heaving a slow and silent sigh, Vos nodded in acknowledgement of Armenia's points. When she finished up, he gave her a warm smile and relaxed a bit. 

 

"I just needed to express my concerns was all. As far as Borleias... you just want to set up a listening post and a small base of operations? So you want me to be part of a hit-and-run squad? And if we need some actors, I think these two, well just the one at the moment but..." He waved the thought aside as if blowing smoke away from ones own face. "They might be up to the challenge. When would we need to leave?"

 

~~~

 

Pim turned into the cafe and looked around at the various beings and species of the room, looking for something like soup. Today was a good day for soup, no doubt. As she made the rounds, she continued the conversation. "You want back into the action, eh? You don't like the ol' fashion rest and relaxation routine?" it was a gentle dig, a playful move on her end and she hoped he might realize its good to take a breather. 

 

She collected her selected food and went over to a table and waited for Vox to join her. stirring the soup with an idle hand Pims eyes got a thousand-yard stare for a brief moment, and she was back to her usual self. "It's good to pace yourself, to practice patience and vigilance. Life is like a journey up a mountain, you take a step up to get to your destination, but occasionally its good to take a moment, look back on what is behind you and where you are now then taking a moment to consider where you were to where you are." Pim smiled again, shrugging "Or I'm just over thinking it..." And she took a sip of her soup. 

 

"But, now you know you're Force Sensitive... so, whats your game plan now? Stay here at the temple for some training, become a padawan under a master, or return to your people?" Pim's tone was polite as always, but she had only really every known fellow Jedi, so she was curious about non-Jedi folks and their decision making processes.

[Tobias Vos]

Vos and Pim had returned to The Prism to do some prepping for the upcoming mission, While there had been a few hiccups, Pim was diligently working on several different aspects of the mission- and trying to calm her own fears and worries. Vos was busy reactivating his old contact line on the planet, a Deveronian named Sharv. Refreshing himself on the key phrases and code words, he diligently made sure the ship was in top condition, from the inside. On the outside of the ship, there was some carefully placed markings that would help sell their back story and be able to slip right back through whatever security checkpoints awaited them. 

 

One of the things Vos made sure of was the operational status of the fire suppression system. All checks were 'green,' and so he decided he would also rework his cane, so there was a bit of time devoted to obtaining scrap metal and various components. After that was the clothing issues. They certainly could NOT go planet side with just their Jedi Robes. While Vos had plenty of scoundrel's clothing, and Jedi attire was lacking... the others posed a different issue. He began work on that as well.  

[Tobias Vos]

There was a moment within all the preparation that was called for. While accustomed to his heart beating faster while training and in combat, Tobias found his heart and mind racing at the prospect of leaving Adenna here, without someone he could trust. Sure they Jedi were trustworthy enough- but that was just on the surface. He'd been betrayed by too many over the years- Adenna included, but that was more of the political situation they found themselves in these days. Rebel Alliance, again. Since his eyes were damaged, he refrained from rolling them again- wouldn't want to injure them any more than they already were. The Alliance to restore the old way? Why was it the old way always seemed to be on the end of a beating and then held up on a pedestal. Why couldn't the old way ever stand up and win? Overall winning, not the silly battle by battle winning?

 

His love had made some progress in that realm, and then this happened... now... Armenia was calling the shots. He'd back her up of course, but his mind wandered. 

 

Sitting on the edge of his bed, hunched over with his hands crossed in front of him, he looked over his scars- with the Force of course. Again, he sighed, resigned to his fate and the path his decisions would take him. A good faith mission with Pim, Vox, and the Grandmaster. Into a project he'd been ordered to shut down. Part of him wanted to stay with Adenna, another part knew he couldn't, another said he shouldn't anyways, a fourth part wanted her to just wake up and get back into it, a fifth wanted her to wake and run away with her to the scene he often fantasized about. The one where he showed that inquisitor. That imperial knight. That rebel alliance imperial knight. At his, he rolled his eyes. It was that or vomit out of how nauseating the actual term was. How quickly the Jedi had left and put the blinders on. 

 

In the middle of his musings, he heard a loud whump followed by an exclamation of pain from a tiny voice from outside his door and down the hall. He rose to investigate. Finding Pim on the floor, holding the back of her head and sucking air through her teeth, she had obviously fallen and hit her head... but where had she fallen from. Apparently his question was on his face- and she responded without Tobias saying a word. 

 

"Something new I am trying... it works, but I'm just not strong enough with my control of the Force yet, Master." Pim said, standing up. "I made it half way around the ship, but I obviously need to work on it better."

 

Vos nodded, smiling. He had noticed odd tendrils of Force essence floating around the ship recently. "When you perfect it, you will have to clue me in on what you're doing."

 

Pim nodded back, smiling. "Yes, Master. I.. well..." she went on to explain what she was doing, and the thought process that was leading her to try this out. Tobias was amused- he hadn't thought of something like that, or at least not seriously. The way she looked at the Force was same but different than how he did- and he encouraged her to think outside the box. Her most recent idea, if it worked, would be a remarkable asset in the future. Leaving her to it, he returned back inside his cabin and started back in on his work. 

Edited February 20, 2021 by Tobias Vos
oopsie

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias shrugged as if Armenia's point about the vest wasn't anything to worry about; to him it wasn't. He smiled without meeting her gaze and took the vest off. It was similar to his scoundrel days and he missed the feel of the regular clothing. Despite belonging to the same order, preferences varied greatly. "You're not wrong, but if you go anticipating combat the more likely it is going to find you. I usually wear a combat sleeve under everything I wear anyways. Besides- to reactivate the connection there I will have to act a certain part- and that requires looking a certain part as well." 

 

He sighed, and sat down on the bench by the table. "Helps us remain incognito too, for the most part. A lot of this was from a few years ago under Kirlocca and... " His mood grew dark and he stumbled over the next word out of his mouth. Regret, sadness, and a certain longing spiced his Force Aura and he moved his hand to his nose and sniffed as if pulling back a tear. "...Dahar. so most of this stuff has hidden pockets for saber components or if bulky enough- full hilt sabers."

 

"But anyways, what's on your mind? My apprentice is out trying to find out trandosian friend, so we have a moment to discuss things if you wish. Or there is ale in the cooler." His arm extended to the little kitchenette across the way. His blind eyes not locking onto the little nook, but his former chipper mood was returning.

[Tobias Vos]

Vos nodded at Armenia's reply, and after a moment of silence, he openly philosophized. "Funny, isn't it? Jedi are supposed to go all over the Galaxy- yet not form any attachments. We do anyways- family, friends..." He snorted with amusement and gestured with his good arm around the common room. "...things. We grow passionate about these items- and use that passion to fuel our decisions and actions. Something the Sith do. But we do say it is good to care about these things, be passionate to fight for it even. When is the last time we fought for something that is right- that we have no connection to?" 

 

Another chuckle and smirk and he waved the same arm in a gesture of 'I'm ranting again, ignore me.' 

 

"So you were there... at Corusant..." Vos, his eyes already blind, still drifted off as if he was seeing back into the past. Idly he wondered where Tom's old friend had ended up, she had devoted a number of ships and resources on her own credits to the evacuation. "I've only been catching up recently... but... it doesn't make sense that the planet is still livable, or whatever it is. I haven't been back in... years. Has the moons orbit stabilized? Or is it a rogue planetoid now? Is there a plan for the Jedi to go return to Corusant? Is that why we're scouting Boreleias?"