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<blockquote data-quote="Angcuru" data-source="post: 3430833" data-attributes="member: 10948"><p><strong>Ch. 22 - Odd Suprises</strong></p><p></p><p>Just as suddenly as the maslith had knocked over and begun chewing upon Arlee, it lost interest in his non-fleshy limbs and bolted towards the battlefield. </p><p></p><p>Aasan, being only mildly interested in the strange talk of old acquaintances who should be dead showing up at very inopportune times, was the only one near the ships to notice the strange attack. He quickly raised his carbine, aimed the unfriendly end towards the crazed canine that was barreling down on his position, and fired a bolt of energy right past Kia’s ear. This of course drew Kia’s attention most thoroughly. Before the redhead could demand the cause for his sudden discharging of weaponry in close proximity to her face, Kal leapt past her with lightsaber in hand and cut the legs out from under the wounded Maslith that was poised to pounce on her unprotected back with a swing that almost singed her hair. Adrial reflexively followed suit with a slice that took the beast’s head, leaving pile of dead flesh at Kia’s feet.</p><p></p><p>“Master, I think it’s time we left.” Jorran said anxiously. Kia looked from Kal to Aasan to Adrial, unsure of whether to thank them or start shaking them furiously. She was spared the decision as she realized that the field of bodies was quickly being swarmed over by the revolting creatures. For now they were distracted by the carrion that was the slain Stormtroopers, but she know firsthand that they were just a scouting pack in a big horde of smelly, nasty beasts.</p><p></p><p>“I think you’re right Kal.” Aasan added, already backing up the <em>Dawnsprinter</em>’s ramp.</p><p></p><p>“Jaess, have your droid follow us in your shuttle. There are people who need to come with us and we could use the extra space.” Miera told the rebel operative in passing as she and Kal hurried onto the <em>Dawnsprinter</em>. “Go with Arais on the Imperial ship, he’ll have need of you there.”</p><p></p><p>Jaess was given no time to argue, and quickly followed Arais and Adrial onto the captured assault shuttle. Jorran guarded the ramp until it sealed shut, holding his saber at the ready should any of the masliths turn on them. </p><p></p><p>“I assume you had the good sense to leave the surviving pilot conscious?” Arais asked her. She nodded, having bound the fellow to his seat rather firmly. “Good, go rouse him and instruct him to have this shuttle follow the <em>Dawnsprinter</em>.” He strode off without further words.</p><p></p><p>The young rebel rushed towards the cockpit and yanked the gag from the pilot’s mouth.</p><p></p><p>“Listen to me, you waste of life.” She growled threateningly, pressing a blackened knife underneath his chin. “The only reason you’re still alive is because I need you to pilot this ship, understand?” The poor fellow tried to nod, but the motion drew blood and he gave a muffled ‘uh-huh’. “Good. Get this ship off the ground and follow the Corellian ship. If you even think of trying to warn the other Imperials, I’ll make you wish you had been roasted alive. Do you understand me?” She pushed the knife in a bit harder for emphasis.</p><p></p><p>The man nodded speechlessly and soon the shuttle was airborne. Jaess wiped the tip of her blade on the pilot’s hat to add a little extra ‘oomph’ to her bluff.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">***</p><p></p><p>Jorran helped Adrial toss the dead copilot out of the ship. Amazingly, several of the beasts leapt up to catch the body in mid-air.</p><p></p><p>“Disgusting.” Adrial spat.</p><p></p><p>“Is that necessary? Throwing his body to those creatures, I mean.” Jorran asked the short woman.</p><p></p><p>“Do you find it unsettling, Jorran?” Arais spoke from behind them, causing him to jump slightly.</p><p></p><p>“I know we have to get rid of the corpse, but just tossing him out there to be eaten, it doesn’t feel right.” Jorran shrugged.</p><p></p><p>“If we hadn’t dealt with them, it would be innocent civilians down there serving as fresh carrion, Jorran, not soldiers.” His new teacher said flatly.</p><p></p><p>“Still, it seems almost barbaric the way we just slaughtered them, and now they’re being <em>eaten</em>.”</p><p></p><p>“Barbaric?” Arias questioned. “I can point to several corpses down there that can attest to your own handiwork in the matter.”</p><p></p><p>“I was defending myself.” Jorran said defensively.</p><p></p><p>“And that’s why you hesitated.” Arais said accusingly. “You hesitated and missed your opportunity to take advantage of their surprise. You might have killed a few of them before they could react, and that could have prevented Kal’s wound. He’ll carry that scar for the rest of his life, and he should be proud of it, but it could have been avoided.”</p><p></p><p>“Master Arias, I-” Jorran tried to respond but was interrupted.</p><p></p><p>“You what? You thought to yourself, ‘These are people, just like me.’, so you’d rather not kill them. The fact of the matter is, Jorran,” Arais stepped closer, coming face to face with Jorran. “none of it matters. You must always be ready, and <em>willing</em> to kill whenever it is necessary. If you are not, you hesitate, and your friends are hurt or killed.”</p><p></p><p>Jorran stiffened, wanting to tell Arais off. He fortunately decided against it. “I understand, master.”</p><p></p><p>“Good. The essence of battle is killing, and if you are hesitant to do so, you will find yourself amongst the slain. Once you enter battle, your opponent’s life means nothing. Living with the consequences of their demise is far better than them living with the weight of your own.” Arais had one of his lightsabers ignited and the blade held dangerously close to Jorran’s throat before he could blink. “I expect that the next time you are in combat, you will remember that.” Arais said coldly before walking off, lightsaber still lit.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">***</p><p></p><p>“We need to lead them to where we hid the villagers, Kia. Do you recall the way?” Miera asked politely.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, I can have us there in one quarter of an hour, easy.” The redhead replied, checking the readout from the chronometer. </p><p></p><p>“Good, do you have your ship in autopilot, Kia?” Miera enquired.</p><p></p><p>After a few commands were given, Kia replied, “I am now, why do you ask?”</p><p></p><p>“I would like to give you something.” Miera produced a flawless spherical white diamond the size of a man’s eye, and dropped it right into Kia’s open hand.</p><p></p><p>“I. Um… Wow.” Kia held it up to a bright LED and quickly appraised it, having some familiarity with this sort of thing. Perfect. Easily worth enough credits to give the <em>Dawnsprinter</em> a complete overhaul and have enough left over to purchase the average capital-class warship. “Huh. Thanks.”</p><p></p><p>“I give you this as a sign of friendship, Kia. This gem serves as the focusing crystal of a lightsaber, the kind of which every Sethi carries.” She indicated her own lightsaber. “However, it can only be used by one who is balanced in the Force. Too much hate, or too little, an excess of love, the absence of anger, and it is simply a gem for the one carrying it.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m really flattered by this, Miera.” Kia said very, <em>very</em> honestly. “But I have no intention of joining your Order.”</p><p></p><p>“I would be glad if you were to do so, but I am not asking such a decision of you.” Miera replied. “There is a good chance that in the events that are the come, we may not see one another for quite some time. In that event, I would like you to keep this as a reminder of us. Try and focus on it, if you will. Try and make it glow.”</p><p></p><p>Kia looked at Miera for a moment, slightly suspicious, but she did focus. It was like trying to stand upright on a rolling log whilst covered in frictionless lubricant in the middle of a hurricane. Miera did not look the slightest bit amused when Kia looked startled. Nor did she look <em>not amused</em>, such an odd woman.</p><p></p><p>“It is quite a shock at first, of course.” Miera commented on Kia’s surprise. “With a little practice, you can begin to use it as an aid for meditation. I don’t suppose you’ve ever meditated, have you?”</p><p></p><p>“Can’t say that I have.” Kia said, still focused on the gem. Wow. <em>I’m rich.</em> “Well, not lately, anyway. Every now and again I seem to realize what it means to be Force Sensitive and give it a try, but it never goes anywhere. I get all relaxed and spaced out or whatever it is you have to do, but then I get restless and give up.” She held the diamond up to light again. Wow.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, it can be as such when one is not in regular practice. You may grow to be quite formidable, should you choose to.”</p><p></p><p>“Coming from you, that’s quite a compliment.” Kia replied. “I heard that Skywalker had trouble moving his X-Wing while Yoda was training him, and then I <em>saw</em> you fling this transport around like a deck of cards. That’s saying something.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, he <em>is</em> his father’s son, now isn’t he? When his father was training, he often did not have the focus for such tasks. I myself sparred with him regularly, when he didn’t want to be embarrassed by Arias.”</p><p></p><p>“Embarrassed?” Kia felt a bit shocked. She clearly remembered worrying specifically that Darth Vader liked to do some very horrible nasty things to Force Sensitives, if his thugs didn’t kill you first. She new that Arais was good, but to <em>embarrass</em> such a feared figure in armed combat was just a little bit hard to figure. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, of course. Anakin was quite the swordsman, one of the best I’ve ever seen. Arais on the other hand, is a born warrior.” The older woman gripped her lightsaber in emphasis. “No one had ever bested him in single combat. There have of course been moments when he was at a supreme disadvantage, as we all have been, and been forced to hold our attack, as he did. But in simple terms of ability to kill, he is unmatched. His skill is unnatural.”</p><p></p><p>“So I’ve seen.” Kia clearly remembered the way he cut down those Stormtroopers without a care.</p><p></p><p>“Anyway, accept this gem as a gift. Even if you cannot use it in your lightsaber now, perhaps you may be able to in the future. If not, you might keep it as a reminder that while you strain to balance yourself to be able to use it, we Sethi use them without thought. Or you might put it up as collateral for a healthy loan and buy a nice getaway somewhere, I care not. Either way, you will remember the gift.” Miera said quietly. “All that I request from you as part of this friendship is that you keep our secrets safe. You have some firsthand knowledge of us, which others might covet. It is due to this that we desire to remain unknown to you as far as they may know, for our sake and your own.”</p><p></p><p>Kia nodded respectfully, and cautiously. It would not be the first time she had been bribed. Or threatened. “Thanks, I’ll go put this someplace safe.” She got up and headed for the captain’s quarters. Fortunately, a few smuggling jobs several months back lead her to install a small safe under the floor of her room which would be the perfect place to stash the gem.</p><p></p><p>“So she actually gave it to you, eh?” Kia looked up as she entered the common room and saw Kal hunched over a small holo-table playing opposite Aasan in a friendly war-game. Aasan looked up when Kal spoke, his head drawing back in surprise when he saw the diamond.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, she gave it to me, Kal. Why, did you have some reason to suspect she wouldn’t?” Kia found herself still holding the gem, though she had meant to keep it out of sight.</p><p></p><p>“You look at that gem in your hand and tell me you weren’t shocked to receive it. We Sethi don’t have many of those in our possession. I expected Miera to reserve our crystals for future members of our order, not give them away as gifts.” Kal said absentmindedly as he moved a Rancor towards Aasan’s squad of Ewoks. “Still, she must have her reasons for doing so.”</p><p></p><p>“She must have <em>very</em> good reasons.” Aasan commented, eyeing the crystalline diamond. “A diamond that size would be enough to buy a Hutt’s silence.”</p><p></p><p>“A Hutt?” Kal asked.</p><p></p><p>“They’re big slimy slug creatures that run lots of organized crime rings. Very nasty, very greedy.” The Kel Dor replied.</p><p></p><p>“Slugs, eh?” Kal chuckled, and immediately wished he hadn’t. He ran a finger along the thin scar on his chest, wincing as he did so. “Well, I hope you don’t waste it on something like that.”</p><p></p><p>“What <em>do</em> you plan on doing with it, Kia?” Aasan asked politely.</p><p></p><p>“I’m not quite sure.” She answered, examining the gem in her hand. “I’m really not sure at all.” With that said, the redhead wandered off towards her quarters.</p><p></p><p>“I’m surprised,” Aasan said to Kal while moving his own Rancor to face the other. “You didn’t make one pass at her this time.”</p><p></p><p>“Pfft.” Kal muttered, moving around some troops of his own. “It’s not for lack of interest, if that’s what you’re thinking. She’s very easy on the eyes, but this searing pain in my chest is a bit distracting.”</p><p></p><p>“Distracting, indeed. Your move, Kal.” Aasan activated a pit trap that swallowed up the young man’s holographic rancor.</p><p></p><p>“Aw, Sithspit.”</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">***</p><p></p><p>Arlee hurriedly righted himself once the hostile organic ceased chewing on his legs. Fortunately there was no permanent damage aside from a few paint scratches.</p><p></p><p>From Agent Talori’s end of the comm: “Arlee, you need to get back in the air <em>right now</em>. There’s a huge pack of some crazed dogs all over the place!” </p><p></p><p>“I’ve noticed.” The droid replied simply, as a half dozen of the mangy beasts rushed past the shuttle. “Agent Talori, what is the situation with the <em>Dawnsprinter</em> and her crew?” Arlee enquired as he hurriedly strode up the rising entry ramp.</p><p></p><p>“It’s complicated,” came Jaess’ reply, “from what I’ve gathered so far the <em>Dawnsprinter</em> is the least important discovery here. It seems the ship’s unusual trek was a freak accident which incidentally destroyed the ship’s hyperdrive.”</p><p></p><p>“In that case we must abort our mission and report this to our superiors, unless your other findings necessitate our continued presence.” The patina-stained droid took a seat at the ship’s helm and began rapidly composing a report on the mission’s occurrences thus far whilst the engines warmed up. </p><p></p><p>“I’m <em>pretty</em> sure that finding these Sethi, as they call themselves, is important enough, Arlee.”</p><p></p><p>“Of course Commander Skywalker will be pleased to learn of their discovery.” Arlee simultaneously recorded the current conversation as well as several extrapolations of possible mission-impacting information. Thank the Code he didn’t have to compensate for an organic’s inability to competently multitask.</p><p></p><p>“Well, that’s the interesting thing. When I referred to them as Jedi, their leaders seemed rather put off. I’m guessing there’s some tension there that might prove difficult.”</p><p></p><p>“Naturally, it is to be expected. To a droid, the difference between you organics are minimal at best, yet you consistently take noticeably insult when referred to as a member of a group to which you to not consider yourself to belong to.” Presently the <em>Deepscan</em> rose and began following the imperial assault shuttle and the battered Corellian transport. According to geographical surveys taken by the ship’s sophisticated equipment, their most likely destination would be a small lake several hundred kilometers away from the walled village.</p><p></p><p>“<em>Minimal?</em> Well, I suppose you are right about that, we do tend to overemphasize our differences. But that doesn’t matter right now. I need you to look up some information that might be in the databases you absconded from the T.R.A.P. I need anything you can find on Jedi named Arias and Miera, I don’t know their surnames.”</p><p></p><p>“These would be the two organics leading these Sethi, would they not?” Another annotation to Arlee’s report.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, they look in their mid-30’s but Jedi have been known to live long lives, depending on how strong their affinity with the Force is. If my guess is right, they’re <em>really</em> powerful.”</p><p></p><p>“Would you surmise that they are powerful enough to be considered a threat to the Alliance?” An inquiry into the deceptive T.R.A.P.’s stored filed yielded two considerable files. “I believe I have found the information you seek, Agent Talori?”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, well spit it out!”</p><p></p><p>Spit? Organics used the oddest expressions sometimes. “If this information is accurate, they could possibly be two esteemed Jedi Knights, Arias Falm and Miera Panaar. It seems they were taken into the Jedi Order as infants, orphans raised by one Torm Tabano. A subheading indicates an investigation into whether this might be Lord Tabano, possible current head of the Empire. The investigation was halted upon discovery that Torm Tabano was most definitely killed shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars.” Arlee relayed the information to Jaess.</p><p></p><p>“Most definitely?”</p><p></p><p>“Apparently there was an incident involving the collapse and detonation of a remote Sith Temple on Korriban. The blast is noted as having incinerated vegetation several kilometers from the point of origin.” Impressive.</p><p></p><p>“Well, that explains why they think he’s not their old Master. What else did you find?”</p><p></p><p>“They were the youngest Jedi Knights in recorded history, but appear to have gone into hermitage immediately after having been raised. Approximately ten months after their disappearance they returned to the Order and began making remarkable achievements in the destruction of several corrupt regimes within the Republic membership. Interesting. It seems they were never raised to the rank of Jedi Master, yet they were granted control of one of the largest armadas fielded during the Clone Wars, a position for which the title of Master is an unwritten prerequisite.”</p><p></p><p>“Well there’s some good news! If we can get them on our side, we’ll have an extra edge against the Empire.” Jaess replied cheerfully.</p><p></p><p>“It is also noted,” Arlee replied with emphasis, “that shortly after securing the Hoth system they were killed in action. No bodies were recovered. Arias is reported as having developed increasingly strained relations with the Jedi Council. Apparently they faked their own deaths for some odd purpose.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s odd, what would they be running from? They couldn’t have been able to anticipate the Purge, and even if they could, they would have acted to prevent it.” Jaess replied quizzically.</p><p></p><p>“Agent Talori, recall that these individuals were never raised to the position of Master and were increasingly argumentative with the Jedi Council. Perhaps they held no affections for the Jedi despite being named amongst them.” Thank the Code he was not hampered by Organic forgetfulness, either.</p><p></p><p>“Hmm, that is a possibility. Is there anything else after that I should keep in mind?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, under no circumstances should you allow yourself or the Alliance to come into open conflict with these Sethi.” Arlee instructed.</p><p></p><p>“Well, of course I won’t start a fight, but why do you suggest this?”</p><p></p><p>“There is mention of a Republic rout of Seperatist forces shortly before the end of the Clone Wars. A battle was fought in the of the taking of Hoth from the Seperatists, a battle in which no less then five thousand remotely controlled super battle droids were eliminated to the last. Credit for their defeat is given to Arias Falm.” Arlee emphasized ‘eliminated’.</p><p></p><p>“Wow, I guess he’s pretty good at commanding ground forces, eh?” Jaess chuckled.</p><p></p><p>“He destroyed them single-handedly.” Arlee stated.</p><p></p><p>“Oh. Well… That’s…a different thingy.” Jaess stammered.</p><p></p><p>“So don’t start anything.” The droid instructed.</p><p></p><p>“Gotcha boss.” The young woman quickly replied.</p><p></p><p>Arlee nodded to himself before switching off the comm. Boss, he liked the sound of that. Wait. Liked the sound of words? Nodding to himself? The droid immediately ran a self-diagnostic to ensure the integrity of his Code. Being around Organics all day could mess up one’s circuits something awful.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Angcuru, post: 3430833, member: 10948"] [b]Ch. 22 - Odd Suprises[/b] Just as suddenly as the maslith had knocked over and begun chewing upon Arlee, it lost interest in his non-fleshy limbs and bolted towards the battlefield. Aasan, being only mildly interested in the strange talk of old acquaintances who should be dead showing up at very inopportune times, was the only one near the ships to notice the strange attack. He quickly raised his carbine, aimed the unfriendly end towards the crazed canine that was barreling down on his position, and fired a bolt of energy right past Kia’s ear. This of course drew Kia’s attention most thoroughly. Before the redhead could demand the cause for his sudden discharging of weaponry in close proximity to her face, Kal leapt past her with lightsaber in hand and cut the legs out from under the wounded Maslith that was poised to pounce on her unprotected back with a swing that almost singed her hair. Adrial reflexively followed suit with a slice that took the beast’s head, leaving pile of dead flesh at Kia’s feet. “Master, I think it’s time we left.” Jorran said anxiously. Kia looked from Kal to Aasan to Adrial, unsure of whether to thank them or start shaking them furiously. She was spared the decision as she realized that the field of bodies was quickly being swarmed over by the revolting creatures. For now they were distracted by the carrion that was the slain Stormtroopers, but she know firsthand that they were just a scouting pack in a big horde of smelly, nasty beasts. “I think you’re right Kal.” Aasan added, already backing up the [i]Dawnsprinter[/i]’s ramp. “Jaess, have your droid follow us in your shuttle. There are people who need to come with us and we could use the extra space.” Miera told the rebel operative in passing as she and Kal hurried onto the [i]Dawnsprinter[/i]. “Go with Arais on the Imperial ship, he’ll have need of you there.” Jaess was given no time to argue, and quickly followed Arais and Adrial onto the captured assault shuttle. Jorran guarded the ramp until it sealed shut, holding his saber at the ready should any of the masliths turn on them. “I assume you had the good sense to leave the surviving pilot conscious?” Arais asked her. She nodded, having bound the fellow to his seat rather firmly. “Good, go rouse him and instruct him to have this shuttle follow the [i]Dawnsprinter[/i].” He strode off without further words. The young rebel rushed towards the cockpit and yanked the gag from the pilot’s mouth. “Listen to me, you waste of life.” She growled threateningly, pressing a blackened knife underneath his chin. “The only reason you’re still alive is because I need you to pilot this ship, understand?” The poor fellow tried to nod, but the motion drew blood and he gave a muffled ‘uh-huh’. “Good. Get this ship off the ground and follow the Corellian ship. If you even think of trying to warn the other Imperials, I’ll make you wish you had been roasted alive. Do you understand me?” She pushed the knife in a bit harder for emphasis. The man nodded speechlessly and soon the shuttle was airborne. Jaess wiped the tip of her blade on the pilot’s hat to add a little extra ‘oomph’ to her bluff. [center]***[/center] Jorran helped Adrial toss the dead copilot out of the ship. Amazingly, several of the beasts leapt up to catch the body in mid-air. “Disgusting.” Adrial spat. “Is that necessary? Throwing his body to those creatures, I mean.” Jorran asked the short woman. “Do you find it unsettling, Jorran?” Arais spoke from behind them, causing him to jump slightly. “I know we have to get rid of the corpse, but just tossing him out there to be eaten, it doesn’t feel right.” Jorran shrugged. “If we hadn’t dealt with them, it would be innocent civilians down there serving as fresh carrion, Jorran, not soldiers.” His new teacher said flatly. “Still, it seems almost barbaric the way we just slaughtered them, and now they’re being [i]eaten[/i].” “Barbaric?” Arias questioned. “I can point to several corpses down there that can attest to your own handiwork in the matter.” “I was defending myself.” Jorran said defensively. “And that’s why you hesitated.” Arais said accusingly. “You hesitated and missed your opportunity to take advantage of their surprise. You might have killed a few of them before they could react, and that could have prevented Kal’s wound. He’ll carry that scar for the rest of his life, and he should be proud of it, but it could have been avoided.” “Master Arias, I-” Jorran tried to respond but was interrupted. “You what? You thought to yourself, ‘These are people, just like me.’, so you’d rather not kill them. The fact of the matter is, Jorran,” Arais stepped closer, coming face to face with Jorran. “none of it matters. You must always be ready, and [i]willing[/i] to kill whenever it is necessary. If you are not, you hesitate, and your friends are hurt or killed.” Jorran stiffened, wanting to tell Arais off. He fortunately decided against it. “I understand, master.” “Good. The essence of battle is killing, and if you are hesitant to do so, you will find yourself amongst the slain. Once you enter battle, your opponent’s life means nothing. Living with the consequences of their demise is far better than them living with the weight of your own.” Arais had one of his lightsabers ignited and the blade held dangerously close to Jorran’s throat before he could blink. “I expect that the next time you are in combat, you will remember that.” Arais said coldly before walking off, lightsaber still lit. [center]***[/center] “We need to lead them to where we hid the villagers, Kia. Do you recall the way?” Miera asked politely. “Yeah, I can have us there in one quarter of an hour, easy.” The redhead replied, checking the readout from the chronometer. “Good, do you have your ship in autopilot, Kia?” Miera enquired. After a few commands were given, Kia replied, “I am now, why do you ask?” “I would like to give you something.” Miera produced a flawless spherical white diamond the size of a man’s eye, and dropped it right into Kia’s open hand. “I. Um… Wow.” Kia held it up to a bright LED and quickly appraised it, having some familiarity with this sort of thing. Perfect. Easily worth enough credits to give the [i]Dawnsprinter[/i] a complete overhaul and have enough left over to purchase the average capital-class warship. “Huh. Thanks.” “I give you this as a sign of friendship, Kia. This gem serves as the focusing crystal of a lightsaber, the kind of which every Sethi carries.” She indicated her own lightsaber. “However, it can only be used by one who is balanced in the Force. Too much hate, or too little, an excess of love, the absence of anger, and it is simply a gem for the one carrying it.” “I’m really flattered by this, Miera.” Kia said very, [i]very[/i] honestly. “But I have no intention of joining your Order.” “I would be glad if you were to do so, but I am not asking such a decision of you.” Miera replied. “There is a good chance that in the events that are the come, we may not see one another for quite some time. In that event, I would like you to keep this as a reminder of us. Try and focus on it, if you will. Try and make it glow.” Kia looked at Miera for a moment, slightly suspicious, but she did focus. It was like trying to stand upright on a rolling log whilst covered in frictionless lubricant in the middle of a hurricane. Miera did not look the slightest bit amused when Kia looked startled. Nor did she look [i]not amused[/i], such an odd woman. “It is quite a shock at first, of course.” Miera commented on Kia’s surprise. “With a little practice, you can begin to use it as an aid for meditation. I don’t suppose you’ve ever meditated, have you?” “Can’t say that I have.” Kia said, still focused on the gem. Wow. [i]I’m rich.[/i] “Well, not lately, anyway. Every now and again I seem to realize what it means to be Force Sensitive and give it a try, but it never goes anywhere. I get all relaxed and spaced out or whatever it is you have to do, but then I get restless and give up.” She held the diamond up to light again. Wow. “Yes, it can be as such when one is not in regular practice. You may grow to be quite formidable, should you choose to.” “Coming from you, that’s quite a compliment.” Kia replied. “I heard that Skywalker had trouble moving his X-Wing while Yoda was training him, and then I [i]saw[/i] you fling this transport around like a deck of cards. That’s saying something.” “Well, he [i]is[/i] his father’s son, now isn’t he? When his father was training, he often did not have the focus for such tasks. I myself sparred with him regularly, when he didn’t want to be embarrassed by Arias.” “Embarrassed?” Kia felt a bit shocked. She clearly remembered worrying specifically that Darth Vader liked to do some very horrible nasty things to Force Sensitives, if his thugs didn’t kill you first. She new that Arais was good, but to [i]embarrass[/i] such a feared figure in armed combat was just a little bit hard to figure. “Oh, of course. Anakin was quite the swordsman, one of the best I’ve ever seen. Arais on the other hand, is a born warrior.” The older woman gripped her lightsaber in emphasis. “No one had ever bested him in single combat. There have of course been moments when he was at a supreme disadvantage, as we all have been, and been forced to hold our attack, as he did. But in simple terms of ability to kill, he is unmatched. His skill is unnatural.” “So I’ve seen.” Kia clearly remembered the way he cut down those Stormtroopers without a care. “Anyway, accept this gem as a gift. Even if you cannot use it in your lightsaber now, perhaps you may be able to in the future. If not, you might keep it as a reminder that while you strain to balance yourself to be able to use it, we Sethi use them without thought. Or you might put it up as collateral for a healthy loan and buy a nice getaway somewhere, I care not. Either way, you will remember the gift.” Miera said quietly. “All that I request from you as part of this friendship is that you keep our secrets safe. You have some firsthand knowledge of us, which others might covet. It is due to this that we desire to remain unknown to you as far as they may know, for our sake and your own.” Kia nodded respectfully, and cautiously. It would not be the first time she had been bribed. Or threatened. “Thanks, I’ll go put this someplace safe.” She got up and headed for the captain’s quarters. Fortunately, a few smuggling jobs several months back lead her to install a small safe under the floor of her room which would be the perfect place to stash the gem. “So she actually gave it to you, eh?” Kia looked up as she entered the common room and saw Kal hunched over a small holo-table playing opposite Aasan in a friendly war-game. Aasan looked up when Kal spoke, his head drawing back in surprise when he saw the diamond. “Yes, she gave it to me, Kal. Why, did you have some reason to suspect she wouldn’t?” Kia found herself still holding the gem, though she had meant to keep it out of sight. “You look at that gem in your hand and tell me you weren’t shocked to receive it. We Sethi don’t have many of those in our possession. I expected Miera to reserve our crystals for future members of our order, not give them away as gifts.” Kal said absentmindedly as he moved a Rancor towards Aasan’s squad of Ewoks. “Still, she must have her reasons for doing so.” “She must have [i]very[/i] good reasons.” Aasan commented, eyeing the crystalline diamond. “A diamond that size would be enough to buy a Hutt’s silence.” “A Hutt?” Kal asked. “They’re big slimy slug creatures that run lots of organized crime rings. Very nasty, very greedy.” The Kel Dor replied. “Slugs, eh?” Kal chuckled, and immediately wished he hadn’t. He ran a finger along the thin scar on his chest, wincing as he did so. “Well, I hope you don’t waste it on something like that.” “What [i]do[/i] you plan on doing with it, Kia?” Aasan asked politely. “I’m not quite sure.” She answered, examining the gem in her hand. “I’m really not sure at all.” With that said, the redhead wandered off towards her quarters. “I’m surprised,” Aasan said to Kal while moving his own Rancor to face the other. “You didn’t make one pass at her this time.” “Pfft.” Kal muttered, moving around some troops of his own. “It’s not for lack of interest, if that’s what you’re thinking. She’s very easy on the eyes, but this searing pain in my chest is a bit distracting.” “Distracting, indeed. Your move, Kal.” Aasan activated a pit trap that swallowed up the young man’s holographic rancor. “Aw, Sithspit.” [center]***[/center] Arlee hurriedly righted himself once the hostile organic ceased chewing on his legs. Fortunately there was no permanent damage aside from a few paint scratches. From Agent Talori’s end of the comm: “Arlee, you need to get back in the air [i]right now[/i]. There’s a huge pack of some crazed dogs all over the place!” “I’ve noticed.” The droid replied simply, as a half dozen of the mangy beasts rushed past the shuttle. “Agent Talori, what is the situation with the [i]Dawnsprinter[/i] and her crew?” Arlee enquired as he hurriedly strode up the rising entry ramp. “It’s complicated,” came Jaess’ reply, “from what I’ve gathered so far the [i]Dawnsprinter[/i] is the least important discovery here. It seems the ship’s unusual trek was a freak accident which incidentally destroyed the ship’s hyperdrive.” “In that case we must abort our mission and report this to our superiors, unless your other findings necessitate our continued presence.” The patina-stained droid took a seat at the ship’s helm and began rapidly composing a report on the mission’s occurrences thus far whilst the engines warmed up. “I’m [i]pretty[/i] sure that finding these Sethi, as they call themselves, is important enough, Arlee.” “Of course Commander Skywalker will be pleased to learn of their discovery.” Arlee simultaneously recorded the current conversation as well as several extrapolations of possible mission-impacting information. Thank the Code he didn’t have to compensate for an organic’s inability to competently multitask. “Well, that’s the interesting thing. When I referred to them as Jedi, their leaders seemed rather put off. I’m guessing there’s some tension there that might prove difficult.” “Naturally, it is to be expected. To a droid, the difference between you organics are minimal at best, yet you consistently take noticeably insult when referred to as a member of a group to which you to not consider yourself to belong to.” Presently the [i]Deepscan[/i] rose and began following the imperial assault shuttle and the battered Corellian transport. According to geographical surveys taken by the ship’s sophisticated equipment, their most likely destination would be a small lake several hundred kilometers away from the walled village. “[i]Minimal?[/i] Well, I suppose you are right about that, we do tend to overemphasize our differences. But that doesn’t matter right now. I need you to look up some information that might be in the databases you absconded from the T.R.A.P. I need anything you can find on Jedi named Arias and Miera, I don’t know their surnames.” “These would be the two organics leading these Sethi, would they not?” Another annotation to Arlee’s report. “Yeah, they look in their mid-30’s but Jedi have been known to live long lives, depending on how strong their affinity with the Force is. If my guess is right, they’re [i]really[/i] powerful.” “Would you surmise that they are powerful enough to be considered a threat to the Alliance?” An inquiry into the deceptive T.R.A.P.’s stored filed yielded two considerable files. “I believe I have found the information you seek, Agent Talori?” “Yeah, well spit it out!” Spit? Organics used the oddest expressions sometimes. “If this information is accurate, they could possibly be two esteemed Jedi Knights, Arias Falm and Miera Panaar. It seems they were taken into the Jedi Order as infants, orphans raised by one Torm Tabano. A subheading indicates an investigation into whether this might be Lord Tabano, possible current head of the Empire. The investigation was halted upon discovery that Torm Tabano was most definitely killed shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars.” Arlee relayed the information to Jaess. “Most definitely?” “Apparently there was an incident involving the collapse and detonation of a remote Sith Temple on Korriban. The blast is noted as having incinerated vegetation several kilometers from the point of origin.” Impressive. “Well, that explains why they think he’s not their old Master. What else did you find?” “They were the youngest Jedi Knights in recorded history, but appear to have gone into hermitage immediately after having been raised. Approximately ten months after their disappearance they returned to the Order and began making remarkable achievements in the destruction of several corrupt regimes within the Republic membership. Interesting. It seems they were never raised to the rank of Jedi Master, yet they were granted control of one of the largest armadas fielded during the Clone Wars, a position for which the title of Master is an unwritten prerequisite.” “Well there’s some good news! If we can get them on our side, we’ll have an extra edge against the Empire.” Jaess replied cheerfully. “It is also noted,” Arlee replied with emphasis, “that shortly after securing the Hoth system they were killed in action. No bodies were recovered. Arias is reported as having developed increasingly strained relations with the Jedi Council. Apparently they faked their own deaths for some odd purpose.” “That’s odd, what would they be running from? They couldn’t have been able to anticipate the Purge, and even if they could, they would have acted to prevent it.” Jaess replied quizzically. “Agent Talori, recall that these individuals were never raised to the position of Master and were increasingly argumentative with the Jedi Council. Perhaps they held no affections for the Jedi despite being named amongst them.” Thank the Code he was not hampered by Organic forgetfulness, either. “Hmm, that is a possibility. Is there anything else after that I should keep in mind?” “Yes, under no circumstances should you allow yourself or the Alliance to come into open conflict with these Sethi.” Arlee instructed. “Well, of course I won’t start a fight, but why do you suggest this?” “There is mention of a Republic rout of Seperatist forces shortly before the end of the Clone Wars. A battle was fought in the of the taking of Hoth from the Seperatists, a battle in which no less then five thousand remotely controlled super battle droids were eliminated to the last. Credit for their defeat is given to Arias Falm.” Arlee emphasized ‘eliminated’. “Wow, I guess he’s pretty good at commanding ground forces, eh?” Jaess chuckled. “He destroyed them single-handedly.” Arlee stated. “Oh. Well… That’s…a different thingy.” Jaess stammered. “So don’t start anything.” The droid instructed. “Gotcha boss.” The young woman quickly replied. Arlee nodded to himself before switching off the comm. Boss, he liked the sound of that. Wait. Liked the sound of words? Nodding to himself? The droid immediately ran a self-diagnostic to ensure the integrity of his Code. Being around Organics all day could mess up one’s circuits something awful. [/QUOTE]
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