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Post by Eliana Shan on Jun 19, 2013 17:52:22 GMT -8
:: I don't know, I-.. Wait, Kierra-Solo? ::
There was another pause, though this one was much shorter and less poignant than the previous one.
:: Didn't know And'ru had any family... But I don't know what's happened to the pilot of this ship. ::
The pause that followed that sentence was thick, the comm signal itself seeming to be charged with tension. It was also obvious that the woman had something more to say, and that Dav was not to be the one to break the silence. Finally, after a few long seconds, she spoke again.
:: Is my brother down there? Is he... :: Her voice broke, the words catching in her throat; it was the first genuine emotion that she had expressed during the admittedly short conversation. :: Is he still alive? ::
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Dav Man'Sell
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Post by Dav Man'Sell on Jun 20, 2013 2:54:35 GMT -8
And'ru. Oh yes, And'ru.
Dav glanced over his shoulder at the security feeds. It was a pointless exercise, as far away as he was from them, even his eye wouldn't be able to pick out Caoimhin from the mass of shapes that filled most screens. But he knew that Cao was there somewhere.
"Can't get rid of him, it seems. He's doing alright, Elly. Regaining his Jedi path, re-centring himself. I won't lie to you and say he's had it easy..." -Your, apparently not-real, death can be blamed for that - "But he's here, and he's alright."
The Jedi Master turned back to the comm-board.
"Elly, what do the Mandalorian's want with the fighter? Why have they asked you to break in to it?"~~He nodded respectfully to the wily veteran, smiling as he gestured back towards the turbolift, drawing a flash of pain and a wince as he stretched his wounds with the movement."The other Owains. I just left your brother in the hangar bay." *It was likely that the Major knew where his brother was but in times as dire as these Chalco assumed it would be nice to know that ones family were safe and well the last time they had been seen. Alex and Ni'kor Owains were typical of the good men and women that defended Yavin IV. The unassuming heroes that put their lives on the line alongside their Jedi peers, every bit as important to the well being of their charges as their saber-wielding allies."I don't understand the Gands jokes like your brother does but they seemed to be in good spirits when I left them." *His eyes moved to Dav, noting that the Jedi Battlemaster was frowning as he spoke into the headset, his aura in the Force spiking with surprise.*"What's going on?" *He addressed the question to Majos Owains but spoke loud enough for Dav to hear and note his presence. Not that Chalco thought for one second his arrival had escaped the enigmatic Jedi's meticulous awareness...*
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"Not sure. We've picked up a transmission from orbit; Dragon Squadron encryption, apparently. Dav's speaking to... whoever it is now. Someone called 'Eliana' or something. Apparently, this person's meant to be dead."
He shot a glance at the Falleen.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"I don't know if that means anything to you..."
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Post by Eliana Shan on Jun 20, 2013 8:13:05 GMT -8
:: Good. ::
There was an audible sigh, one tinged with regret. :: I wish I could've told him... but we couldn't mess with established events. Wibbly-wobbly... :: A sudden rustling came through the comm channel, as if she was shaking her head to clear her thoughts. :: I don't know what they want with it, but Plug locked them out of the fighter. Violently so, it seems. And their general doesn't like being kept from what he thinks is his. ::
She chuckled softly.
:: Personally, I can understand his frustration.. ::
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Chalco
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Post by Chalco on Jun 22, 2013 12:04:30 GMT -8
*Either the Falleen had the best sabacc face ever or he genuinely didn't know who Dav was talking to. After all it was likely something from before his time, him having only been here a year or so. He shrugged his shoulders in response to Major Owains glance, wincing as the pain flared in his shoulder once again, the burns tightening the flesh uncomfortably as the bacta patches sought to do heir job. He kept his attention on Dav, awaiting the outcome of the comm conversation, while he occasionally checked over the various displays for progress and updates.*
"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, son..."
*He smiled slightly but the expression seemed forced and certainly didn't carry to his eyes.*
"Its been a strange few days and I'm not about to start predicting Master Man'Sell."
*He looked around to locate the sensor displays of orbit, narrowing his eyes as he squinted at the scene depicted.*
"Any updates on the station or the situation in orbit?"
He looked around again but could spot the appropriate display.*
"Where are our fighters?"
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Dav Man'Sell
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Post by Dav Man'Sell on Jul 2, 2013 13:40:49 GMT -8
Dav arched an eyebrow, though Elly couldn't see it.
"Mmm, well, he better get used to it. We're intending to be as frustrating as we possibly can for the foreseeable future."
He frowned, thoughtful. The fighter wouldn't do the Mandaorians much good - the hardware was all custom designed, so it wouldn't be compatible with anything they flew. And though it was very precisely built, to an incredibly high standard, a lot of the equipment was still essentially standard tech.
The shipboard computer, too, contained very little of use to them. X-Wings, even X-Wings as advanced as the Dragon Squadron's XJ9Ds, were limited in the amount of data they could contain. Dav supposed that the General in question was, most likely, after shield access codes and comm encryption frequencies. It was the most obvious explanation. But Joshua had been off of Yavin for a little while now, and the codes his Astromech and Fighter held had been one cycle out of date even before, post-battle, Dav had ordered new encryptions and codes distributed.
I wouldn't waste this much time on it though. Any competent commander would get the codes changed at the first opportunity under these circumstances. An old set of codes is just as useless as no codes at all.
Maybe there was more too it. He guessed he'd find out in time.
"So, what's the plan, Elly?"
~~
Ni'kor turned slightly away from Dav, back towards the central display, in response to Chalco's question.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"Well, residual interference from the storms and the battle debris makes it difficult to say for sure, but the Mandalorians seem to be adopting a blockade formation. Station still seems to be off-line, whatever Master Dav did up there with the Jay-tech guys must have worked."
He took a deep breath in, stepping forward and picking up a datapad.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"As for fighters... we're still getting precise numbers together, but we've got three squadrons at half strength or greater, plus some smaller groupings. With a little re-assignment, and if we can find some pilots to fill a few of the spare flightseats, we can probably get up to five, maybe even six full strength squadrons. It's hard to say - there are spare starfighters, and some tee-forty-sevens, laying around, but not enough people to fly them. Though I suppose that means we've at least got spares."
He smiled tightly, and somewhat grimly.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"Just about the only thing we have any spares of, actually."
The Major's eyes dropped to the datapad, and he tapped at the screen, bringing up the assignment lists, scanning them over.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"The, ah, the Bohemians came out of the battle best off. Only three casualties, though they need a few more replacement craft. They're resting up now, and then some of them will be on patrol this afternoon. At the minute, we've got a couple of fighters up from Antilles and Darklighter Squad taking charge over the flight patrols. They didn't do so well... Antilles is down to four, Darklighter six." He glanced at the Falleen Jedi. "It's not ideal. Especially when you consider that the Starfighters make up the best of our defensive options. But it could be worse."
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Chalco
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Post by Chalco on Jul 4, 2013 12:59:51 GMT -8
Chalco winced. The reaction was partly due to the pain in his shoulder but mainly due to the losses they had suffered. He silently added the fighter pilots to his growing list of dead, bowing his head for a moment in mourning. His green eyes came up to flicker over Dav, sweep around the room, then finally return to Majos Owains.
"Indeed it could Major..."
His mind flashed briefly over how close the Mandalorians had been to discovering the hidden shield generator when they had pursued them back from the jungle. His eyes closed for a moment, a slow blink, as he attempted to sort out his chaotic thoughts. Calm was becoming hard to harness for him as the strain of war began to tell on them all. The pain and suffering alone was enough to drive them to distraction, adding the worries for those under their care only served to heighten his frustrations. His gaze drifted again to Dav. Was he also feeling the pressure? As Chalco looked at the man he thought he could see a tightness around the eyes, a heavy droop to his shoulders, perhaps a sigh waiting to be exhaled. The Falleen smiled to himself as he realised how foolish he was being. While all that may be true he was focusing on the negative. There was nothing submissive about Dav Man'Sell even here and now. The pain was there for sure but the defiant gleam still maintained its constant vigil in those dark brown eyes, challenging any that should attempt to invade his bastion of peace. His shoulders may have felt heavy but they were straight and firm in the face of the odds stacked against them, holding up under the pressure of Mando aggression. His sense in the Force too was solid; avoiding wavering from one extreme to the other, not registering in the deep depths of sorrow or despair, nor subscribing to the anger and rage that floated heavy on the air. While Gannor was sure he felt all these emotions and more Dav tempered them with the iron will of one used to strife. One used to dealing with it and having discovered a working method that required no loss of desire or soul inn what he did. This was no Jedi robot but a man at ease with himself and what he must do to further the goal of the Jedi, to carry the light in this darkest of times.
Gannor nodded his head in silent praise at the man, his own resolve hardening as he looked back to the Major. He was concerned as to the situation in orbit. With the Jedi fleets scattered only the ion cannons were stopping the Mando warships from directly assaulting the Praxeum. While the shield defended them there was little to stop the Mando's from burning them out by setting ablaze the jungles around them. Even in the wet season enough concentrated fire to reduce the surrounding area into a burning inferno and smoke them out from under the shield.
"Do we still have guards in place around the shield generator and the ion cannons?"
His lips formed into a thin, grim line.
"Its only a matter of time before they strike at them..."
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Post by Eliana Shan on Jul 8, 2013 22:18:59 GMT -8
:: Honestly? Keep them busy enough to not notice that I'm not actually doing anything. I can make them think that I'm hacking into things. But at some point, the X-Wing isn't going to be enough.. I may have to actually take down something of value. Station defenses, Praxeum defenses... Or somehow gain access to fighter deployment or something. Just to prove myself. ::
By the end of that, she was starting to sound a bit nervous. She and Dav both knew that doing so would be highly detrimental to the Jedi cause, if not outright treason. But the simple fact remained: she was stuck on the Concordian flagship, with no way out, and she had to provide some reason for the Mandalorians to keep her alive. That was the cold, hard truth of it.
:: I don't like it any more than you do, Dav, but-.. Kriff, they're coming back. ::
Now, Dav could hear other voices approaching, all speaking Mando'a...
:: Gar buircan jii, ner tat. Me'vaar ti gar olaror'ade, ad'ika? ::{Your responsibility now, brother. How are you coming along, kid?}
:: Veman iviin'yc, jii. Te beskar'ad gaa'tayli. Ni'liniba jurkadir kyash sol'yc. Ni kar'tayli tion jorhaa'ir at beskar'ade... Tion gar burc'ya? ::{Pretty fast, now. The droid helped. I had to threaten him first. I know how to talk to droids... Who's your friend?}
:: Val'ade ori'jate can'gale... Mhi slanar dayn jii bah vaabir teh vercopa be Teh Naast... Bid rejorhaa'ir ni... Tionir gar gotal'ur ibic Jetii kebis borarir par mhi? ::{They're excellent starfighters... We go forth now to do the will of the Destroyer... So tell me... How can you make this Jedi toy work for us?}
:: Gar rejorhaa'i ni meg gar copaani, bal ven'bana. Ibic jetii can'gal. Jetii can'gal, ti jetii daditase. Gana umaane ti jetii aranove? Mhi gaa'tayli dirycir val. ... Dral kebi. Vor'e. ::{You tell me what you want, and I'll make it happen. This is a Jedi fighter, with Jedi codes. Having trouble with Jedi defenses? We can help bring them down. ... Strong stuff. Thanks.}
After this exchange, a countdown of clicks sounded through the comm unit, one every second for five seconds, before the comm channel finally closed..
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Dav Man'Sell
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Post by Dav Man'Sell on Jul 11, 2013 8:33:14 GMT -8
"Alright, Elly, leave it with me. If you can, get in touch tomorrow, about this time, and I'll see if I can come up with something to help you keep your cover."
He could hear the shouting in the background, the familiar and brutish sounds of the Mandalorian's own language. Dav only caught a handful of words he knew, his Mando'a not being particularly strong, but it was enough for Dav to realise that their conversation was over. He made one last final comment;
"Stay safe."
With that, he leant back, pensive, letting the comm call come to it's own end.
Eliana Shan. Eliana Shan, on board the Mandalorian command ship. Eliana Shan, on board the Mandalorian command ship, in something approaching a position of trust.
This could prove useful.
The Jedi Master sat there for a moment, unmoving, pondering his options. Behind him, Dav was vaguely aware of Ni'kor and Chalco talking behind him, discussing the defensive situation, though he didn't pay it much heed.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"Defensive formations still in place at the shield generator and at the ion cannons. The Mandalorians don't seem to have any idea where they are yet, which is probably a good sign. Still, we're looking at further defensive options, and the fighter patrols include fly-bys of the approaches. Just in case."
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Lita Trykk
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Post by Lita Trykk on Jul 13, 2013 7:42:04 GMT -8
*At some point during the quiet, though intense discussions, the door to the War Room had hissed open, and Lita had slipped in without announcing herself. A fine sheen of sweat still glossed her metallic-hued skin, the electric scent of ionic discharge clinging to her from her recently discharged lightsaber blades.
She had arrived late. Or, arrived entirely uninvited, dependent upon one's point of view. However, having spent the entirety of the night and morning out in the jungles of Yavin IV tracking, hunting, and killing in cold blood under the constant threat of larger numbers and wider-range weapons, the non-resident Zabrak had been isolated from all communications to the temple out of sheer necessity, that is until her return just minutes ago, when she was directed to the strategy centre.
She was gratified to see the structure, both in the physical sense and in the militant, en tact and functioning. It restored a sense of purpose and order to what had been, during those first nightmarish hours, utter chaos. She would return shortly to doing what she knew best: Black operations, stealth hit-and-run tactics, finding the exposed nerves deep within the enemy force and striking where it hurt. But in order to be effective, she had to know where all of the game pieces were. Foes, and allies alike.
Her eyes shifted towards the tall human with the markings of Major ranking on his uniform as he made mention of their shortage of pilots. Her brows lifted. How many pilots had they lost? Which Jedi among them had fallen...? Her twin hearts stuttered painfully in her chest, causing her to flinch, until she forced her mind to relax. Jago could not be among the casualties. They were bonded. She would have felt it.
The conversation shifted.*=Major Ni'kor Owains="Defensive formations still in place at the shield generator and at the ion cannons. The Mandalorians don't seem to have any idea where they are yet, which is probably a good sign. Still, we're looking at further defensive options, and the fighter patrols include fly-bys of the approaches. Just in case."
*Her horned head dipped slightly.*
"If you'll forgive my intrusion."
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Dav Man'Sell
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Post by Dav Man'Sell on Jul 13, 2013 8:42:39 GMT -8
The Major looked to the Zabrak, slightly surprised at the new voice in the conversation, but the expression quickly switched to one thoughtful and impressed. He nodded, looking back down at the display.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"It's a simple enough plan, and should be effective. We do have the advantage that our forces have trained in this exact terrain, with the defence of these exact locations in mind. We'll know hiding spots and paths that you can only really find if you know they're there."
There was a sudden movement from the comm boards, drawing the Major's attentions from the display, as Dav stood from the chair and turned to join them, looking down at the display himself. He appeared to be focused on what they were discussing now, any thoughts from his conversation seemingly set aside for now.
"What we really need to do is look into Fallanassi techniques. My knowledge of them is extremely limited, but one of the Jedi in the Praxeum might have the ability to apply them. If we can find someone able to use them, we'll be able to conceal the ion cannons and shield generator using the Force in a way that the Mandalorians will have nothing to counter. There's no way to guarantee it's effectiveness one hundred percent, of course, but if the Mandalorians do penetrate the immersion, it'll be more by luck than judgement."
The Jedi Master seemed pensive for a moment, his thoughts now drawn to Joshua. Josh had shown some talent in the Fallanassi techniques, and probably would have been able to do what they needed. He wondered where his one time Padawan was, if he was alright, and when they would cross paths again. Alexis too, now coming to his mind. She'd headed off to Osarian last he had spoken to her. That felt like a life time ago, though it was in fact only a few short days. He felt a small smile on his lips at the reminder of his pride in her, when she had crossed the finish line and proven herself ready to become a Dragon Squadron pilot.
Dav's reverie wasn't to last, though, as he was interrupted by Ni'kor.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"So, how does this technique work?"
The Jedi Master looked up at the soldier, before taking a deep, inward breath, and frowning thoughtfully.
"Well... it involves... immersing something within an aspect of the Force known as the 'white current'. Within the Force, living beings, actions, events, even just the passing of time, creates ripples and waves. Most Force techniques are about using the Force itself, creating new ripples and waves, but the Fallanassi focus on the ripples themselves, and by setting something - a person, or an object - within those ripples, they're able to conceal it in the flow of the Force."
Ni'kor stared blankly at the Jedi Master, prompting a deeper frown from Dav.
"Well, the end result is that anything immersed in the white current is, for the most part, only detectable by someone who knows how to search that part of the Force. Sensors, touch, eyesight, even Force sensitivity in and of itself, the immersion is hidden from them. Luke Skywalker used it pretty effectively to hide Yavin IV from the Yuuzhan Vong for the first year of the war. Strong will power and knowing where precisely to look can overcome the technique, but it's a one in a thousand chance even if you have all the right factors in your favour."
He tapped the controls for the display, bringing up a focused view on the region around the shield generator.
"In theory, if we were able to apply this technique to the shield generators and Ion cannons..."
The Jedi Master's eyes lifted to Lita now, offering a small smile.
"They could remain concealed within a few feet of the Mandalorian's noses."
The use of the same words as Lita had used was deliberate. It was, after all, her words which had inspired the idea in the first place.
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Chalco
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Post by Chalco on Jul 15, 2013 12:11:26 GMT -8
Chalco had dipped his head in return to the Zabrak female, also impressed with her assessment of the situation. His own expression thoughtful throughout the diatribe he nodded his head slowly as Dav joined them and outlined his idea. is own knowledge wasn't likely any more extensive than Dav's, at least in application, but he voiced what he knew anyway.
"The Fallanassi were very adept at smoothing those ripples to ease their passing. I also believe that their extensive ability at the immersion technique meant that they had little affinity for any other Force powers..."
He nodded at Dav's reference to Luke Skywalker, having also researched the great Masters actions of that time.
"Skywalker was considered a rare example of a Jedi being so proficient int he skill, many having tried and failed to employ the technique to the levels that the Fallanassi women were able."
His emerald eyes took on a distant look for a moment as he recalled what he could of the quasi-religious order.
"There was little in the archives about its application when I researched it but I would assume it is not much different than the use of Force Illusion in theory, probably closer to the Force Concealment. Burying oneself in the Force. I would also hazard a guess that the caster would need to exert considerable concentration to achieve ends such as we're suggesting."
He shrugged apologetically, eyes tight from the pain that flared in his injured shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I know little more and even less about actually practicing the art."
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Dav Man'Sell
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Post by Dav Man'Sell on Jul 18, 2013 3:42:17 GMT -8
Dav offered a small frown, as his attention, drawn to Chalco, now dropped once more to the display before them. His mind raced, sifting through his exhaustive - though not quite encyclopaedic - knowledge of the staff and students of Yavin IV, searching for anyone that he remembered as demonstrating familiarity with the Fallanassi technique.
Aside from Joshua, he came up blank.
"Well, Chalco, if you could start a few... quiet enquiries, see if anyone on the moon has experience with it... in the meantime, we'll have to apply more conventional means."
He lifted his head to the Major, about to talk to him, when one of the operational controllers, looking a little agitated, was suddenly upon him.
=Operations Controller=
"Sorry, sir, but... there's something I need you to check."
Dav arched an eyebrow, and was about to object, but he could sense the man's urgency, practically pouring over into the Force. Worry, too, and a little bit of a sense of humiliation, though that seemed fast to be subsiding to the other emotions. He pressed his lips together, and gave a small nod, turning to the others.
"I'll be back in a second."
He turned, gesturing for the controller to lead on, and followed, crossing the room to the rows of comms desks that, fully manned for the first time in some four or five years, were co-ordinating all of the efforts to defend the Temple.
"What have you found?"
With a nervous glance at his comm-desk, the man turned to Dav.
=Operations Controller=
"One of the hangar cataloguing teams, uh..." The man glanced at his screen. "... Corporals Owains and P'nhal from the Marine first squad, have found... well, I'm not an expert, sir, but it looks like Mandalorian armour. Inside one of the ships, the 'Cat's Paw'."
A small part of Dav was intrigued and amused that Alex Owains, Ni'kor's younger brother, whom they had been discussing not fifteen minutes earlier, had come up again. But as the words 'Mandalorian armour' were uttered, the intrigue vanished, and suddenly Dav understood the urgency. His face immediately darkened in a frown.
"...What?" The Jedi Master needed to confirm it for himself, because the implications could potentially have been huge. Mandalorians. Inside the Temple."Show me."
The controller obliged, tapping at the controls, and instantly, a holo-recording from a Yavin soldier's helmet camera popped up, playing over the unmistakable T-shaped visor of a Mandalorian helmet. Dav lifted his jaw.
"Yes. That's Mando alright."
Despite the fact that he had been planning strategy with Ni'kor, Chalco, and Lita, his first instinct was to get to the Hangar, get to that ship, and find out precisely what was going on. He took half a step, but only a half, before other thoughts caught up. One in particular came to him in the voice of Tebana.
'You can't be everywhere at once, Dav. You can't fight every battle.'
'You're on the High Council, now. You need to start delegating some of those duties to other Jedi.'
Dav's lips pursed, and he, instead of racing from the Strategy Centre and charging to the hangar, considered his options, cataloguing where he knew their senior Jedi to be. Settling on one of them, he lifted his left wrist close to his face. His right hand tapped at the small touch-screen on the wrist-comp attached to the his wrist.
Zuli, it's Dav. Corporal Owains and Corporal P'nhal have found some Mandalorian equipment aboard a ship called the 'Cat's Paw' in the main hangar. Could you go have a look, see if you can find out where it's come from?
Though calmly stated, Dav knew that the significance of the find would not be lost on the venerable Shi'ido Jedi Master - Zuli would respond promptly, he didn't doubt.
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Zuli Madoon
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Post by Zuli Madoon on Jul 18, 2013 11:14:38 GMT -8
After a few fleeting moments, a response came through over the Comm..
Roger that Dav, I'll head down there now..
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Lita Trykk
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Post by Lita Trykk on Jul 27, 2013 12:32:41 GMT -8
*There was a bare dip of her chin, just a flicker of her eyes, really, that was returning Dav's faint smile with with something that ran deeper than the subtle acknowledgment suggested. She had not spoken to the Jedi Master much since she had forced the bond between them, and he had offered her a glimpse of not just what was, but what could be. One day, perhaps, she would know what words to use to express her gratitude.
One day. Not today.
Her attention shifted to the Falleen, his scent immediately aggreeable to the heightened olfactory senses of her kind. Dark Side help her if one of his kind ever consciously attempted to manipulate her. She knew she would fall. T hank the stars she was fighting on the same side as this one. For this war.
Her mouth tensed around the corners at the mention of the Fallanassi techniques. She knew very little of the pacifist Order, their way of life having very little to hold the interest of an Iridionian. But this Force Immersion that the Master was describing intrigued her. Another form of stealth, applied through a completely different technique than through the cloaking means she herself applied. Lita lifted the weapon in her hand, focusing on the stygium crystals within the corded staff. ...Then again, how different could it be from burying her presence in the Force, or altering it, as she had during her first several days on Yavin IV, allowing the cloak to ebb little by little until the students and other Jedi around her grew familiar and accustomed to her dark presence so as not to cause a stir? This was just...immersing the physical as well as the metaphysical.
She lifted her gaze back to the one called 'Chalco,' a slight heat to her usually cold and dismissive eyes.*
"If you are able to find an artisan of this...'white current'...I would like to be there, offer what little assistance and experience in concealment that I have. The confusion it would create among our attackers-"
*Her eyes flickered towards Dav as he was pulled away abruptly from the discussion, and she brushed a thumbnail thoughtfully across her lower lip as her brows lowered. The tension and stress within the war room increased, causing the Zabrak to itch between her shoulderblades. Her fingers tightened around her favored weapon of choice before she turned back to the Falleen and the Major.*
"I was not intending on staying so long, only collecting status updates and what intel the temple has. Unless you have further use of me, I will return to the perimeter."
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Chalco
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Post by Chalco on Aug 14, 2013 7:44:48 GMT -8
With a nod to Dav as the other Jedi turned away to deal with the matter that was brought to his attention Chalco turned his emerald gaze on the Irdonian female as she voiced her desire to assist. He didn't know her but was already impressed by her firm determination and poise. This was one at home in the theater of combat, he thought. She would be needed in the coming trials.
"Of course..."
His words were soft and sibilant, possessing the mesmerising quality common for his kind.
"Perhaps we can achieve our ends with an adept of the white current, one who has the skill but lacks the power. Others can then assist to fuel such an undertaking..."
He was theorising with this as he had no idea whether such a feat would be possible. He would have to seek an adept of the Falanassi technique out and that would be difficult given the limited nature of his possible investigations. With a quick glance at Dav, looking concerned again with some of the news he had received, Chalco finally recalled his manners and returned his attention to the woman.
"Forgive me, miss..."
Offering a deep bow of introduction he straightened and flashed her a tired smile, his wounds screaming at him to seek some rest.
"I am Chalco, a teacher here."
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Lita Trykk
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Post by Lita Trykk on Oct 24, 2013 16:29:43 GMT -8
"Chalco."
*The smile he offered was not returned, but there was a lengthy pause, and consideration in her stare. This Jedi put her on edge more than most, perhaps because he was so pleasant, all polish and decorum in his speech and manner even in war, or perhaps it was that some primal part of her instinctively knew she was particularly vulnerable to his kind. Falleen were not frequently met by her in the past.*
"...A teacher. Yes, that is fitting."
*She did not clarify what she meant by that, but her tone had a distant quality to it, as though her mind were somewhere else. Her eyes regained their focus.*
"Lita Trykk, just passing through Yavin..." *Her gaze shifted meaningfully to the holoscreen denoting primary defenses and locations critically hit.* "Or at least, I was. I will be available to assist with the shield generator, and whatever other capacity I can, here. We're running silent on comms out there, but..."
*She almost grimaced at the memory of half-carrying Jago to the medical center.*
"...Manster Man'Sell seems to have a talent for locating me at precise moments."
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Chalco
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Post by Chalco on Oct 25, 2013 16:32:26 GMT -8
Just passing through...
"Yes, Dav possesses many such talents..."
His eyes held hers for a moment, his urbane smile holding steady despite some misgivings. She was obviously designed for war and conflict. He poise and demeanor fairly yelled it to the calm and serene Falleen. His own distaste at war and strife flushed his skin slightly, pheromones reacting slightly to his distress, momentarily escaping the rigid control with which they were usually regulated. His eyes dropped for a second, a tiny moment, before returning to her face. He hoped that any reaction was hidden, or at least vague enough not to give the impression he disapproved. That was certainly not the case. It was war he disliked not the warriors who fought it, no matter what their reason. Even his enemies he felt compassion, their misguided path to destruction one of the worst curses a being could bear. To ruin all before you before being laid to waste yourself...
His hand drifted to his injured side, a wince marring his features for a moment. He inhaled, feeling the warm flow of the Force enter, its calming nature washing over him and drowning out the sense of conflict that thundered all around them. Some would thrive of such chaos, the more forceful of their order gaining strength from a righteous enacting of justice. Not him. He sought that beautiful inner peace, that core of serenity, that tranquil oasis that could never, would never, be touched by the disharmony around him.
"Forgive me," His smile widened despite the pain, a whimsical expression hiding nothing of the shrewd appraisal he was giving her."I am not looking my best."
Just passing through...
Something about the way she had said it stirred something in the Force, a nebulous feeling, tenuous even. Conflict and mistrust surrounded her yet she stood firm within the uncertainty. Unsure of her path perhaps but willing to walk it anyway, trying out a new way no matter how uncomfortable it may be at first.
Just passing through.
He words to him had also contributed to his smile even if he did not quite understand their meaning. He made her uncomfortable too, it seemed. Perhaps for the same reason. Perhaps not. That she was here and willing to help was all that mattered to the wizened Jedi, a seasoned fighter would be a boon in the grim days ahead...
"Glad to have you with us, Lita Trykk. The Force guides us strangely at times but guide us it does."
His eyes also too on a distant look, a faraway gaze all the more disconcerting in his Reptilian eyes.
"Guide us it will..."
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Dav Man'Sell
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Post by Dav Man'Sell on Oct 28, 2013 8:56:33 GMT -8
The Jedi Master returned from the other side of the room, a small frown furrowed on his brow. Ordinarily, the presence of Mandalorian armour, or any artefact belonging to an enemy of the Jedi, would not be enough to lead to an arrest - even in the cases where knowingly possessing the item, and not surrendering them freely and at the first opportunity to the Jedi, was illegal, as was the case with certain ancient Sith artefacts.
But the timing of all this... the Mandalorians come at us with the biggest force they've amassed in the better part of a century, and then a suit of their armour shows up inside a ship conveniently parked up in our hangar. There's no way I can't view that as suspicious.
He shook his head, and resolved to wait until he'd heard from Zuli. In the meantime, he had other concerns to address. He looked up as he reached the table, looking to Ni'kor, Chalco, and Lita. On the one hand, their situation was supremely complicated, with numerous nuances, dangers, and problems to consider.
On the other, however, it was simple. He was a General again, a full and proper General in the midst of a warzone, for what looked like the foreseeable future. The title he had cast off at the end of the Clone Wars had returned to him.
"Well, team. It looks like we've got a lot more work cut out for us."
He turned to Ni'kor again.
"Major, let's look at our patrol routes."
The Major nodded, and brought up the requisite maps. Dav studied them, and set into the task of discussing with the three before him the task of protecting their home.
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Dav Man'Sell
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Post by Dav Man'Sell on Oct 28, 2013 9:15:13 GMT -8
THE SIEGE
Day Two The doors opened to admit the Jedi Master, as another rumble shook the temple through the shield protecting them. He crossed to the central display, around which he found himself spending an inordinate amount of time lately, taking in the data there without looking to the men operating it.
"Talk to me, Major, do we have a location for the gun yet?"
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"Your droid's repairs have been effective, sir, but the sensors have needed recalibrating. It'll be another couple of barrages before they can triangulate the point of origin."
The Jedi Master frowned, looking up at the Major. Not the best news.
"What about Starfighter patrols?"
A small shake of the Major's head followed the question.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"Master Pulastra has been chasing down Mandalorian Bes'uliik for the past couple of hours. They've not had much time to transmit telemetry. We have had intel from them that there appears to be some kind of activity along the river-front, but they haven't closed enough to detail exactly what that might be. It's on the to-do list."
Dav frowned, glancing at the chronometer on the wall. He'd been keeping track of the Siege gun's shots - they were getting more regular, and more accurate. He reckoned another round of fire would come at them in five minutes. If the rate of accuracy and increase continued, the repositioned segment of shield would need reinforcing within the hour. Any subsequent reinforcement would mean reducing the overall bubble of coverage, which was tantamount to loosing ground and putting several of the anti-air cannons in position for orbital strike or high-altitude bombing runs.
The cannon needed dealing with soon.
"Alright, Siege Gun is target alpha for now. I doubt they'd miss the opportunity to strike along another arm, so we should probably assume that the activity down by the river is gearing up for some form of larger strike, or at least an advancement towards the Praxeum. We need to start formulating responses for both, and get some intel on what is going on down there."
The Jedi Battlemaster tapped at the controls, bringing up a slightly different view of the battlefield, one focused on the stretch of the river. The Blueleaf Temple sat on one edge of the display, which, the Jedi were fairly sure, was serving as the Mandalorian forward base.
"Do we have any Viper Droids on base that we can send out?"
Owains nodded.
=Major Ni'kor Owains=
"A few. I'll have some prepared. Should be able to --"
=Comm Officer=
"Master Man'Sell, sir!"
The sudden interjection from the comms stations had been proceeded by a spike in emotion, a sense of urgency in the Force that had drawn Dav's attention a moment or two before the officer, a junior non-com, had called out. He turned to look at the man, indicating hs attentiveness.
=Comm Officer=
"Incoming transmission. From the Mandalorian commander on Yavin Station." |
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Corr
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Post by Corr on Nov 5, 2013 18:52:33 GMT -8
The comm crackled ominously with the opening of a channel to the strategy center, a voice growling out in a foreign language. It was an incomprehensible drawl at first, snarling and snapping, before resolving into a growling voice speaking in heavily accented basic.
Attention Jedi Temple...
His voice was diffident, almost cloying in its introspective tone and reserved connotation of the opening word. He stood straight, hands joining behind his back as his gaze drifted from the console to stare out of the viewports at the front of the bridge. The Ori floated in sight, reaffirming his resolves with its reassuring presence.
This is aliit'or Corr Vhett of the Concordian forces in orbit around your world. I bring greetings and glad tidings. No longer must you wallow and stagnate in the incestuous pit of apathetic misery in which you live your pathetic lives. You can be heroes to those that look to you for saviors. Benevolent parents to those that seek guidance. You can fulfill your goal of giving your lives for those you claim to serve...
His voice rose slightly, dramatically, rolling with thunder as he laid down the law to those on the other end of the line. Like a boss of course.
Your fleet is crushed. Your world is isolated. Your forces outnumbered. We move towards you with a fury and vengeance unmatched even by your enemies, the Sith. There is only one outcome. I offer you this one chance to spare the people who serve you, look up to you for salvation, follow you blindly in your endeavors...
He knew it unlikely any of this would be implemented or even taken seriously. The Jedi were not fools after all. His diatribe was not really an attempt to draw complicity from them, more like an attempt to annoy and distract. Even now Ashrah was advancing through the jungle, eyes locked hungrily on the Temple, while Corr sought to draw the Jedi leaders into a conversation with very little purpose.
Perhaps they would bear fruit, perhaps not. Only time would tell.
Lower your shield and surrender to our forces. Your personnel and non-Jedi combatants will be spared and allowed to leave the system. You will be taken into custody and I give you my word that you would be... "dealt with" fairly.
He couldn't say the last without his visor twisting up into a horrid parody of a smile. |
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Corr Vhett - puts the "Laughter" in "Manslaughter".....