Adi
Crew of the Wayward Son
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Post by Adi on Jun 30, 2013 19:25:58 GMT -8
Adi had grinned, and stood up as Alkor approached. Matango was just about to start speaking, when a very loud 'SHUT UP!!' blasted through the metallic control room...echoing slightly off the cold metal and glass. A snicker escaped Adi's lips. It was about the only thing he could do right now. He understood that Alkor was dealing with demons that none of them could even begin to fathom, let alone help him with them. Adi, too, had to go through this stage of his development into a lightsider....Into what he was now. It took a long time, to be sure, and there was -always- the call of the sirens on the darkside, trying to pull him back.
If it required a verbalization to get through it, so be it. Adi was not going to judge Alkor on his methods. Instead, Adi kept his grin, and wiped the droplet of spittle from his face, making it appear as he just ignored Alkor's outburt.
"Glad to see you are still as...personable....as ever, Watchman Centaris. Bad bit of business there on Ryloth, I know. Don't let it deter you. You acted to the best of your ability, and commanded your limited forces and allies with skill and honor. There is no shame in falling back. Put it out of your mind, there was nothing more you could have done."
Putting his hand on Alkor's shoulder, Adi moved for the exit hatch, he nodded as Steffo took off after whatever anomaly he had picked up. Shrugging, he continued to head out of the room
"C'mon. Got something to show you. Be back in a little bit folks, need some fresh air."
Leading Alkor ahead of him out of the hatchway, Adi followed, and they walked toward the Hangar. No sooner had they left the general vicinity of the Control Room, the gravity compensators lost their effect, again making Adi feel like he had just eaten WAYYYY too much. As they walked, Adi remained silent, hoping Alkor would say something. What the Arkanian had to say could wait til they got to the Hangar Bay, and he wanted to hear what the troubled warrior might have to say on the current matters.
It took about five minutes to get to the hangar, picking their way through half-collapsed corridors, and doors only opening partially. Gregory was doing the best he could, but a lot of the repairs would require the physical, hands-on touch of a physical being. Still, it was rather extraordinary how he was able to get THIS much working, as bad as this relic of a base was. Making his way over to the A-2 Dragon, Adi opened the rear hatch. Pulling out a small satchel, he retrieved a small, rectangular book from the bag. Opening it, there was a holopic of Ice, Lukas, E`yame, Adi, and a few others. They were all smiling, except for Lukas....he had just been told no for some reason or another, and being as stubborn as his mother, he didn't like it one bit. The little toddler's eyes were squinted shut, and his mouth was in a shape that as soon as one looked at it, you could tell he was a very unhappy child. He handed the picture to Alkor, along with a bottle he had retrieved from the bag as well. Pulling another one out for himself, he began to speak.
"That's my son, Lukas." Adi realized that he didn't have a corkscrew. Ever so gently, Adi pulled the cork from the bottle, and took a swig. Wiping his chin, he offered the bottle to Alkor. "Go on, you've more than earned it. Noghri make it...they call it wine, but I've had enough of it to know that it's more like a strong liquor. Anyway, he's a handful, I'll tell ya. Independent, headstrong, and stubborn...just like his mother. Makes sense though...I'm hardly ever home to see him. This picture? That was the first time I had held him in nearly three months. I've been out on this operation or that so much, I only get to see him grow through a holoscreen, or through pictures.
They grow up so fast, too. But, it's because of him that I fight so hard for what I believe in. Him, and countless others...whether I know them or not. It's who Ashla needs me to be, it's who I want to be. But it wasn't always like that. It took a VERY long time for me to realize what was important, and what wasn't."
Reaching into another small pouch inside the main compartment of the satchel, Matango pulled out a small box. Opening it, he pulled out a small container, and a pipe. Filling the pipe with the green contents of the container, Adi flicked the lighter that was inside, and inhaled deeply of the Endorian Endo smoke. Holding it for a few moment, he exhaled.
"I know I probably bore you...maybe even piss you off...with how I treat you. I know this. I push you harder because you have so much more potential than most of the council could ever hope to from their elevated positions up on high. Potential to do good, potential to show that no matter how steeped in darkness you may have been, you can still come back to the light. Jedi is but a title, one that Ashla does not ask you to take. She merely asks that you walk in her light, live your life for the betterment of others, not for your own personal gains. Protect the innocent, and you've shown that you can do this with how you conducted yourself on Ryloth. I just wanted you to know that."
Cocking his head to the side, a chuckle escaped Adi's lips.
"You really don't even see it yet. I daresay that you and I have more in common than you think. We may not have walked the exact same path, but we have both seen more death and destruction in our lives than any one individual should have. We made a lot of the same mistakes...were tripped up in the same places. I know that you must be feeling like you have failed for Ryloth. On the contrary, you exceeded all expectations, and I don't believe there is a single member of the Jedi Council that could have handled it better than you did. You should be proud of your performance.
You are a good man, Alkor. Ashla chose well."
Adi wanted that last statement to sink in. Most of the ones on Tython wanted to kill Alkor, eliminate the threat....but a handful of the Jedi had seen what Adi had...and had decided to see if the man was indeed what Matango believed him to be. Now, Alkor's actions were proving that it was confidence well-placed.
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Post by Alkor Centaris on Jun 30, 2013 22:11:44 GMT -8
Whatever voice had been haunting Alkor as he screamed out in the Arkanian's face had dissipated, leaving him in the uncomfortable silence of his own thoughts for the duration of the time it took Adi to finish his chuckle. The sour feeling twisted in Alkor's gut as the force around him twisted and coiled, and for a brief instant, seemed to scream out in agony and then slowly echo as it faded away. Like a missed opportunity, like had had forgotten something... dire.
Shaking off the sinking feeling, Alkor listened almost unhearingly to the man's words of praise, and as hollow as they felt, deftly raining down from a superior like honors given in consolation, he had to credit the man for at the very least making an attempt. Condolences, however, felt like so little when weighed against human (or, as loathe as he was to admit to their sentience, Twi'lek) lives. Frosty eyes glanced a world away from Adiemumus- he told him to put the past behind him, but that was where it had always been. Links in a long chain, shackled to his legs, dragging eternally along in his wake. He could drink so much booze, but the reality was, even if Adi assured him that it was alright to lay it to rest, Alkor could never forget.
Fresh air- gods, how good of an idea that sounded just now, sweat beading on his neck, eyes losing their focus. Had he ever been quite so complacent with regard to one of the Jedi's suggestions? Unnerving as that was, Alkor found himself following without question, and moments after they left the room, out of earshot of anyone else, Alkor finally spoke up. "I still remember the first time I killed a man." His words were blunt, without any edge of purpose, pain, or any other sentiment to poison what it truly was. Nothing more than a thought.
"I was six years old- mother started me out young, you see. At first, she used money from the men she brought home to keep the house up. I ate- well, I suppose you could call it eating- whatever was left when she was done gorging herself and indulging in excesses. She was a fickle woman, my mother." His voice betrayed no hint of passion at the mention of his mother, though something in his eyes burned hot, like abject hatred. "But by the time I was five, and could reason well enough to know getting caught meant not eating, she took me out into the slums, gave me a vibroshiv, and tossed me to the ground. I remember looking back up at her, looking like a child looks at it's mother for love, for guidance, and her words struck me as though they were her palm against my cheek. 'Take whatever you can,' she said, 'if you don't find your own meal, you don't eat.'"
He paused, not bothering to look up at the Jedi Master as they marched solemnly to their destination. "The night in question, I had gotten caught. He took my weapon, he took back my meal, and he scolded me. Like the kind man he was, he sought to teach me that what I was doing was wrong. But it was already too late- for both of us. I remember it clearly, he patted me on the head, and he told me to go home and tell my mother what I had done.
And I lost my mind." Alkor's lips set in a flat line and his eyes grew dark. As they came to the entrance of the hangar, he turned to consider Adi at last, sizing the man up with a quiet, humorless smile stretching his lips. "I came on him several hours later. I'd thought long about it, how much I hated him. How much I hated mother. How much I hated all of it, and how much I hated myself because I couldn't stop it. Not any of it.
I took his knees out from behind- his startled cry of panic muffled by a hand over his mouth. I'd already thought it through. If anyone heard him, I would have been beaten. Likely to death. He bit my hand- but I was used to pain by then. Mother used to take the whip to me; she would cut me when I sassed her, and if she were feeling especially loving, she would inject me with a small amount of her stimulants. I'd light up like the town for hours, screaming, crying, slamming my head against the wall, trying to get the voices out of my head. Until she drugged me, it was like I could barely hear them.
But anyway- the pain. Blood spilled down my hand, but I jerked his head back, and I looked down into his eyes. I think my heart broke in that moment- because, to be honest, I have no idea what heartbreak feels like if not like that- and the tears in his eyes begged me for mercy. But mother had taught me well enough. There was no room for mercy for pitiful things." His eyes were hardened on the floor now. "I cried when I cut his throat. I took the food, I went home, and I didn't eat. I didn't eat for days. Mother went on and on in the laborious task of telling me how useless I was, what a mistake I had been, and finally, I had no tears left to cry for this doggedly sick, pathetic thing called humanity."
When they got to the ship, just before Matango spoke, Alkor added. "But not to worry. I killed her too. Mother, I mean. Whore that she was."
Adieumus handed him something that looked like... a picture... and he looked down at it, his expression vacant. A family. A child. And Adi went on about how it was his child, and how he never got to see him, and how he fought for him and so many others. Alkor glanced up at the man quietly, then back down at the picture. "I have no family, nor have I children, and more than likely, I never will. But if I did, I would not sacrifice them on a damned fool crusade, for the light or any other cause." He smirked. "I suppose I don't have them for a reason, though."
The man handed him a hard drink, and Alkor accepted it with a grunt, swigging off the bottle as Adieumus explained roughly what it was. Noghri piss. Ah, well, it may not have been Corellian stock, but it would serve.
"You don't bore me, Matango. Nor do you piss me off any more than the next Jedi who comes around swinging his lightsaber like some badge of authority. What pisses me off is this damn war. Maybe I have a place in it, maybe I don't. I'm bloody well tired of wars. I should have died so many times, and now, men are dying all around me, and instead of causing it, I'm supposed to be keeping it from happening. Its just an irritating shift in paradigm, see?"
Alkor stopped short of drinking off the bottle again, finally getting around to matching the pupil-lacking gaze of the Arkanian with his own steady, ancient, tired gaze. "I railed against injustice all my life, only to become an agent of evil. Once, I even wanted to be a Jedi-" he laughed suddenly, as if something hilarious had been said, "-fuck irony, huh?"
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Nemo
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Post by Nemo on Jul 1, 2013 4:04:20 GMT -8
Tza had nodded to Master Matango as he mentioned the QRD and the "package". He had indeed picked them up on his way as per the Jedi's request, though he did not know what the package was until a few minutes ago. The Falleen exchanged worried glances with General Lightyear, the package was currently on it's way to the base on board one of his gunships. The pair tried not to look worried and stepped to the side of the room, knowing that they needed details about the up coming attack, especially any intel they had. The Admiral had not had time to dispatch any scouts to the area and was anxious to form a plan.
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Mike Frantz
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That Guy
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Affiliation: The Jedi Order
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Post by Mike Frantz on Jul 1, 2013 6:42:22 GMT -8
Jade hesitated only a second, he might not even notice it at that. Then she reached out and accepted the flask, taking a stiff drink. "Very nice, thanks. I have not seen you in quite some time now," she observed as she handed the flask back to him. She turned quickly as Alkor yelled "shut up!" in Matango's face. He seemed conflicted within himself, and she wondered why. But then, everyone had a darker side. She stood up, looking behind the screen she was messing with, then glanced back down at Mike. "Have you got any spare wires in your repair kit? Technical repair is not my particular trade, but I think this terminal has been set for failure since shortly after the fall of the Old Republic." She grimaced wryly. No, she wasn't a technician. There had always been underlings for that. Hmmmph. She blew out a breath, hoping the mess hall was in better condition than this control room. She purposely did not focus on Adi and Alkor at this point in time, instead asking a question that was more personal to her. "Have you seen Serrin lately?" Her old friend was perhaps one of the busiest senior members of the Corellian Academy, but even so, she asked after her.
A sad smile crosses my face as the other master asks after Serrin. Unfortunately you have probably seen her more recently that I have. She has her duties with the Council and I have my duties with I gesture all around us. this sort of thing. I laugh lightly before looking once again disappointed. Sadly our paths have not crossed much as of late. There had once been a time when all of the Masters of the Corellian order wouldn't go a day without seeing or at least talking to each other, but unfortunately that time had slowly slipped away from us as the order had grown more vast and our duties had all begin to move in different directions. |
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544 
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jul 1, 2013 13:42:05 GMT -8
Jade was not one to blindly accept drinks from just anyone. She knew of Mike at least, and he had drunk before her. So, unless he was building up an immunity to iocaine powder, she considered herself in no more danger than usual.
I caught the spool of green wire and painstakingly began replacing the wires that were most noticeably burnt. Normally this would be a technician's job, but I appreciated the busy work. It kept me from thinking of other things, particularly the fact that in forty-eight hours I would be en route to Manda'yaim, the homeworld of the Mando'ade. I have some mixed feelings about this planet, and its people, but I will complete this task regardless of personal conflict. There is no other choice. It has been years since I was invited to set foot upon this world, but this is the first time I will ever have actually done so.
Jade bit her lip, focusing on the task at hand. As she replaced the last wire, she straightened and thumped the display panel in front of her. Seconds later she was rewarded with a clear display.
I began reading, listening offhandedly to Mike Frantz while wondering why Matango had not called me out for referring to the Mandalorian planet as Manda’yaim instead of Mandalore in Galactic Basic. At the time, I hadn’t even thought about it. It was the natural thing to do. Easy. However, I knew it had not slipped his attention. He would probably speak to me about it later, though as a leader of this force, he’d likely attempt to do so alone instead of in front of the others.
She smiled. Then, she turned back to Mike. “It is sad how that works out sometimes. But, I am sure you will see her again. On the other hand, I---“ she broke off, not finishing aloud the thought that crossed her mind, I might not be coming back from this… However, she had no intention of dying just yet, thank you!
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Johun Starfield
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Post by Johun Starfield on Jul 1, 2013 14:29:17 GMT -8
Johun walked out of the Command Room and headed for the sleeping area. He had been traveling for a bit and needed a good rest. He found an unoccupied bed. It looked comfortable enough, for a basic cot type bed. Johun stepped out of his boots, setting then next to his bed. He removed his outer robes and hung them on the wall near his bed. He laid on the cot and tuck his saber hilt under his pillow. Soon, he was sleeping, but still aware of most things around him with the Force.
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Adi
Crew of the Wayward Son
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Post by Adi on Jul 1, 2013 19:22:48 GMT -8
"Once, I even wanted to be a Jedi...."
"Yea, me too." Adi spoke very quietly through his smile as if what was said about Alkor 'wanting' to be a Jedi was the funniest thing Matango had heard in a while, but the tone showed that the Arkanian well-understood the sentiment in Centaris' words. They were closer to home than Alkor could have ever known. There was a point in his life that Adi, too, had been training and wanting to be a Jedi with his family...and it had all been shattered in one fell swoop by The Extermination, along with Matango's memory. Not until Master Concordia found him again, years later, did he begin to truly realize that dream. At that point, Adi began the very same journey Alkor was undertaking now...wondering if it was worth it...wondering if his past would come back to haunt him... Not forgetting past indiscretions..
...Wondering if the pain would ever go away.
All of these things were obstacles that had be overcome, and there were pitfalls along the way. As it was with Adi, only Alkor himself could do it. It would come, in time, for sure. However, the darkness in Adi's past paled in comparison with what Alkor had said in the hallway on the way here. It was disturbing, to be sure, but it had been filed away, put in a safe place so that Adi could remember this day...
...to remember the day that a man so steeped in pain and darkness finally began a very tough journey back to the light. The first steps were always the hardest.
Surprisingly, Alkor was talking about the war being the thing that upset him, though. From a man that seemed to thrive on the chaos of war, this was something that Adi was not expecting to hear. War seemed to bring out the 'best' in Alkor. To hear that it was this war, or wars in general, that had him so sour? It was odd to say the least. Then again, Alkor had never ceased to raise Adi's curiosity, from the moment the man had been put in Matango's charge. He thought a moment as he took a pull off his pipe.
"I told a former student of mine something that may be applicable here." He took another puff on the small, intricately decorated glass pipe, and offered it to Alkor. "He had asked me what my take on what the force was...and I answered him with 'the Force doesn't choose sides. We do.' We aren't guided by the force so much as our own moral fiber..the parts of us that really make us tick. You made a choice...whether consciously, or subconsciously...to follow a path. That path has hit some real hiccups along the way...things I don't really need to know. Even with all of your past sins, your evil ways...you've put them aside for a greater cause. What I know is that the path you have chosen is to protect rather than destroy. This is what makes a true Jedi...not titles, or councils....your actions alone determine whether you are 'light' or 'dark'.
The force doesn't care either way, truthfully. It is there whether you are or not, or which side you choose. Your past means nothing. Your future, however, means everything. That is where you should look, not live in the past."
Adi sighed quietly, and cocked his head to the side. The smile had left his face for a moment or two, but returned nearly immediately.
"I guess what I'm saying is, you need to stop worrying about what you've -done-. It is what you do from here on out that determines where you go, and who you are. Where you've been? It means nothing now. Each and every one of us has things that we have done that we are most certainly not proud of...some more than others. Those deep, dark secrets will destroy you from the inside if you allow them. The only way to progress is forward.
You can't change what has already transpired. The past is untouchable...and that's the way of things. What you -can- change is the here and now, from this moment forward."
Realizing how long-winded he was getting, Matango turned back to the compartment in his fighter. Reaching to the back of it, he pulled out one of the two large jugs he had stored there. He had intended on giving Mike Frantz two of them, but Mike usually had his own supply anyway.
"Here, that Noghri 'wine' isn't for everyone's tastes. I know you have a thing for Corellian Ale, so enjoy." Once more, Adi put his hand on Alkor's shoulder. He looked the man in the eyes, and nodded. The not was not so much to say that Matango understood the pain, the anger...more to say that Alkor could and would get through it in one piece. "Enjoy that tonight. Your drinking ban is lifted...but I would much appreciate it if you would keep it limited to downtime only, ok? I need you sharp, and clear headed. We can't afford any more mistakes like the disaster at Yavin if we mean to keep this war from claiming any more innocent lives.
We start whipping these guys into shape at 0530. Be sobered up by then."
Leaning back against the fighter, Adi looked up at the ruined ceiling. Vines were sprouting through the roof, and small bits of sunlight were filtering down through into the hangar. A single beam was shining down on Alkor, as if to put him in a spotlight of sorts. It was as if the man had just taken the stage for a big solo act...
...The Universe would know soon enough if Jedi Watchman Alkor Centaris was able to handle the limelight...
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Post by Alkor Centaris on Jul 1, 2013 22:29:08 GMT -8
Alkor lifted up his arm to shield his eyes from the light above him after his gaze had adjusted, face contorting in obvious discomfort. It wasn't so much the ambient lighting of the room, of course, as the sudden surge of strangely gentle warmth that converged around them and sent a shiver down his spine as it caressed his body. He'd known a man once who'd called the light side- Ashla, or whatever it was Adi called it- a harlot. At the moment, the way unseen fingers probed almost lovingly at his skin, he almost agreed with that assessment.
It was the feeling in his chest- the strange swelling up of confidence, pride, abject positive emotions- that made him queasy in both mind and gut. "Maybe take it a bit more slowly with the whole Jedi Hero indoctrination deal- I think my blood pressure is running a tad high." He visibly flinched away from the concept of Adieumus calling him a Jedi at all- he was, in his own mind, a far cry from the level of any man here- Master, Knight or otherwise.
Graciously taking the ale and partaking of it with a smile of satisfaction, he slowly lowered the jug and glanced st it for a long while, letting Adi finish completely, thinking over his words. It was not so much, in Alkor's mind that he had done the things he had, or that he felt he needed to be forgiven, as much as he felt that he had a laundry list of things to do to turn back around and walk down the other direction on his path. Certainly- he wasn't slaughtering hapless civilians, nor was he performing profane rituals or damning the galaxy to eternal hell- but the former Dark Jedi couldn't just pick up a lightsaber, swing it about and call himself a bloody hero.
Nothing was that simple. He wasn't a leader- rather, he had no desire to be, and if he could help it, he never would be- or anything else special. He was just a warrior who bad been given a few extra years to ply the tools of his trade, and toil endlessly. An expert of matters on the battlefield, an artisan of warfare. In all the things he had lost, had given up, he had gained ability few men could boast, and not one would be proud of. But he had risen from the darkness that had taken him there- come from that level of depravity just before losing himself entirely- and retained his knowledge.
What he had never done, what he might never do, things he might never feel, Alkor made up for all of them with what he was. What he brought to the table. And so, with a slow blink of his eyes, those vast, clear blue orbs lit up like an entire universe had come to life in them, stars sparkling in their depths, swirling in an endless cycle. "Alright," he said, foregoing giving answer in earnest to Adieumus' probing at him, saying he needed to stop living in the past. Maybe that was true. Maybe it wasn't. But then, until now, Alkor had legitimately believed there was no future for him. Maybe, with those words, with his actions, Adi had finally dispelled that belief. Alkor would very likely never tell him as much. "You want me for your cause, Jedi, you've won me over. I hope you don't live to regret it."
Producing a small orb from within the confines of his robes, Alkor moved his thumb over the outer layer of metal delicatedly, and the images of battle schematics over Yavin, as well as several other locations of interest- fleet layouts, tactical readouts, schedules precise down to the second- blazed to life in a brilliant display before Adi's eyes. "I liberated a copy of these readings from Yavin command before we left the system. Databases for the Mandalorian troop constituent is being run by a program as we speak- some of the old Black Guard software still functions, and I liberated it before leaving Muunilnst for good. Matching the Dark Jedi database against the current Mandalorian leadership won't prove difficult. We know about Ashrah, their leader- but soon, we'll have names. Faces. Targets."
Alkor reached out and pressed the orb to Adi's chest, nodding his head as he did so. "This is what I know. I find my enemy. I learn everything about him. I find where he is most vunerable, and I rip out his heart." Taking a step back, Alkor stood in silence and waited for Matango's response.
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Jace Stealer
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Post by Jace Stealer on Jul 2, 2013 11:18:47 GMT -8
Vapor trails streamed off the tips of the Delta-7 as Jace dove through the atmosphere. He shot through the cumulonimbus clouds gathering at the foot of a mountain range, leaving a wispy exit wound as he dropped into the valley. The craft leveled out twenty meters over the rain-soaked forest and continued to shoot across the valley towards it's final destination. The excess condensation that formed a heavy mist built up on his windshield, streaking away once it had become large enough. Jace fiddled with the scanners as he glided through the terrain, noting that his intended vector was somewhere at the end of this valley. Which he thought was interesting, because he didn't see any form of civilization as he dropped into the atmosphere. In fact, the scanners hadn't come up with anything conclusive. This meeting must have been more secretive than he thought. That, or it was a trap....
Frack, he didn't even think of that.
But as he came around the last bend in the valley he saw his destination. A dilapidated facility resting among the trees which had encroached upon it's perimeter. He had to admit, it was a good spot for a discreet meeting. He brought the craft in slowly, keeping an eye on his scanners and waiting for that sense of dread that filled him when he was about to get ambushed. If it wasn't for the Force and it's peculiar ways, Jace would have been dead several times over by now. That prickly feeling he got in the back of his head had saved him many a time, and he hoped that it would continue to do so. But luckily it never came, and he was free to slip the craft in between several trees and into the awaiting hanger. Jace noticed several other fighters and transports littering the area, boxes of supplies and goods surrounding a few. He settled the starfighter gently on the dusty surface, slipping his headset into the side compartment while the craft powered down. He checked over the systems before opening the cockpit, watching the glass slide away as he stood up and stepped out.
Jace hopped off of the craft and landed with a solid 'thump'. He noticed the increased gravity upon entering the atmosphere, and had made sure to include that variable in the maneuvers coming down to the surface. Luckily for him he was trained as a soldier on several high-gravity worlds, allowing him to unconsciously adapt to such an environment while on foot. He glanced around the spacious hanger, spotting two individuals standing near an unfamiliar interceptor. He walked over towards the two, sizing them up and filing away details he noticed for later. He stopped before them, far enough that he wouldn't be intruding on the personal space of their conversation but close enough to get noticed. No need to be rude and step in to introduce himself just yet.
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Adi
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Post by Adi on Jul 2, 2013 19:44:27 GMT -8
"Then let's rip a few of 'em out together, shall we?"
A devious look crossed Adieumus' face as he took the orb from Alkor and examined it. He knew what it meant to have accurate information on your enemy, and he was holding a key piece in his hands. What they now had was the ability to find out who was who for sure, and set out against them.
Cut the head off the snake, it cannot survive. The same goes with the military structure of most any command...you incapacitate the ability of the leaders to do their job, you've won the war already. What had been just handed to Adi was invaluable to figuring out who to strike.
"We will see what we can do with this tomorrow. Until then, consider yourself off-duty, Watchman Centaris. Well-done."
About to head back to the control room as he gave Alkor the all-clear, a ship landed in the hangar. Hoping it was the one Adi needed to speak with first about the strike on the Oyu'baat, he was not disappointed. Jace Stealer was finally here....and not a moment too soon.
"Alkor Centaris, I would like to introduce you to Jace Stealer. He is a very old friend of mine, and he is going to be helping us out with some of the nastiness we have planned for the Mandalorians...
Good to see you, sir. Been a -very- long time."
Bowing to Jace, Adi righted himself, and extended his hand.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2013 19:56:39 GMT -8
The click of military boots echoed down the dilapidated halls of the ruin, their polished and glossy black surfaces a harsh contrast to the rubble and ruin that surrounded their wearer. Indeed, the expensive looking and well tailored clothing - the black zeyd cloth, the pressed double breasted tunic, the billowing cape - bore the marks of one with credits and heritage, and more importantly; wasn't afraid to show it. It's wearer was about two meters tall, with pale golden skin, golden animal eyes, pronounced canines, and two toned black and silver hair; harsh and sharp aristocratic features twisted the mans face into a perpetual scowl - something only further accentuated by the mans sharp nose, furrowed brow, and thin lips framed by a sharply cut goatee. In the mans right hand, the slim form a chromium plated cane was easily visible, at his left hip, a electrum and chromium target blaster - a ceremonial pistol typically used by politicians.
The mans shoulder length hair was styled harshly backward, revealing a black tattooed dot between his eyes; the mark of a chalactan adept, minus the gold implant due to Dante's gold allergy. A man of faith by mark, a man of the military by boot, and a man of the force - by force aura. This was Dante Deveaux Demici, coming from Serenno in official capacity...intent to show his support to the Jedi. Turning round the numerous corridors and halls of the facility, Dante eventually came to a stop just inside a doorway that led to what appeared to be the central meeting area / hangar of the Jedi; if the long trail of individuals leaving was any indication.
"Damn it. I knew I should have landed in the main hangar"
But Dante was a paranoid fellow...prone to over cautiousness. Sometimes to a detriment. Waiting silently, he surveyed the area...noting those Jedi that he saw - many he didnt know by name - a few he recognized, such as Alkor, Adi, and...
"I'll be damned. What's Jace doing here?"
Letting the question hang in the air, Dante simply waited...watching and observing.
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jul 3, 2013 12:37:24 GMT -8
The conversation between Mike Frantz and Jade died a natural death as the two of them were focused on different things. She tapped her keyboard absentmindedly then made a decision. She gracefully rose to her feet.
I quickly smoothed my uniform, more out of habit than anything else, and picked up my outer robe. Perhaps I should have wished Frantz a good night, but I had other things on my mind and I knew he could deal with the omission. With a snap! I shook my black outer robe open, squinting narrowly as a cloud of dust swirled about its proximity. Seconds later I was once again wrapped in its familiar black weight, hood pulled up veiling my face in shadow. I turned and left that dusty relic of a past era behind me.
Jade left the control and began looking for the sleeping quarters that Adi had referred to earlier. She didn’t look for long though, because there was an easier way to solve this dilemma: just feel for the Force auras of people at rest. And that was precisely what she did. A few minutes later she arrived at a long barracks-style room. Already Johun Starfield was occupying one of the cots.
I shrugged nonchalantly as I considered which cot to claim for the night. Years of familiarity with this style of accommodation welcomed me. However, I chose a bed in a corner of the room. This meant I had to walk quietly past Johun’s sleeping form, but I am not bothered by this.
Like a shadow she arrived at her chosen destination. She removed her outer cloak, and then sitting down, she pulled off her boots and placed them in perfect alignment with military precision beside her cot. She removed her belt and tunic as well, carefully folding it and creasing the sleeves. As she was petite, she placed them across the foot of her cot since she wouldn’t need that space anyway. Clad in her pants and a skin-hugging silver-grey undertunic she sat in the middle of her cot and crossed her legs, feet neatly tucked in underneath in a perfect lotus. Back straight, hands resting lightly on her knees, she looked directly ahead and then closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into meditation.
This used to be an easy discipline for me. In many ways it still was. Though necessity had forced me to learn it, meditation had become my solace. It allowed me to be truly free. Disappearing into the depths of my mind even provided me with escape should I ever need it. Yet, it has been many months since I engaged actively in meditating as a mental exercise to restore inner balance and peace. As I closed my eyes, I listened and focused on my surroundings, then began drawing my center of awareness closer to my body as I slowed my breathing pattern. I felt the unyielding hardness of the Spartan mattress underneath me, I listened to the myriad noises that signified the heartbeat of this place---asleep for so many years. I listened to myself breathe. I envisioned my mind, looked at the door outside it. In my mind’s eye I looked down at my hand and placed it upon the lock. The door slid back with a quiet snick! and I stepped inside. I decided to take my time---what is time when one is not aware of its passage?---and walked over to a large trunk in the attic of my mind. I knelt and opened it, and then began drawing forth memories lovingly from its depths, dusting them off, perusing them, enjoying them, and replacing them in precise order...
Suddenly, into the midst of my reminiscences comes something else. I frown. This does not belong to me. It is not my past. The realization dawns upon me that this is something else entirely. The ways of the Force are both mysterious and tantalizing. I enjoy challenges. Without them life would simply stagnate. And perhaps that knowledge is what drew me to Corellia and then to Carida in answer to a plea for help from someone I’d met once before on Honoghr. And now it draws my attention into the future? One possible future out of many? The Force is always in motion. There are so many different potential outcomes… I count to three, then look with my mind’s eye…and that Presence is still there. A man, cloaked in shadows, watching me… He is familiar. I know this, but I do not who he is. He has no face. But he is looking for me. And he knows my name. The first name that I laid aside for so many years, using in its place only ‘Jade’ to identify myself---
He knows my Name…
Unnoticed by me, a single tear starts in the corner of my left eye, grows, and slips down my cheek, leaving in its wake a salty trail that glistens in the ghostly dim blue lighting of this room.
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Johun Starfield
Member
Posts: 357
Affiliation: Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Johun Starfield on Jul 3, 2013 14:05:53 GMT -8
Sleep. Or what any Jedi could constitute as such. Johun never truly slept. His mind was always active, being kept in tune with Ashla or reflecting on the past, present or future. No a Jedi's mind never truly slept, even if the body did. Johun's mind reflect on Ryloth. He had both gained and lost so much there. Master Shin had turned dark and lost his life.Johun had also met Jessa there, his first Padawan. Then there was this business with the Mandalorians. Johun knew little of his actual role in this conflict, but he knew he would diligently carry out his duty. Johun opened his eyes, no, sleep would escape him again. He sat up on the cot, fully aware of the other Jedi in the room. Looking over at her, Johun noticed a tear on her cheek. He decided he wouldn't disturb her, as he would expect the same from her if he looked to be meditating. No, he would address her when he felt she wasn't occupied in her own thoughts. Sometimes thoughts and memories were all anyone had... Instead Johun walked over to the wall beside his cot. He placed both of his hands on the floor shoulder width apart and about a foot away from the wall. Leaning forward, Johun lifted his feet off of the floor and placed them against the wall in front of him. He began to do inverted push-ups. Physical fitness was a big thing to Johun, as evident by the defined arm muscles that were clearly visible from the sleeveless tunic he was wearing. He never missed an opportunity to in some way train, whether it be physically, mentally or with the Force...
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Jace Stealer
Member
Posts: 305
Affiliation: Unfair Advantage
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Post by Jace Stealer on Jul 3, 2013 21:26:34 GMT -8
Jace let Adieumus introduce him properly to this Alkor Centaris. He nodded to him in respect, acknowledging him as an equal for the moment, as he did with almost everybody he met. The best first impression was not to sell the other one short. Such introductions tended to make more allies in the end, which everybody could use in this Galaxy. "Mr. Centaris. A pleasure to meet you." However, before he could continue the pleasantries Adieumus dropped a respectful bow to him, which he returned in kind. He was never one for initiating a bow, but providing an equal grounds of respect was necessary. Besides, he felt much more at home when he grasped his comrades hand, providing the stern grip that his father had taught him. As he took his friend's hand and looked into his face, his thoughts brought him back to the first time they met.
It was fairly early on in the bloody battle of Ossus. The Mandalorians had teamed up with the Sith Lords to form a one-two punch: an elite team of Mandalorians to storm the defenses and wipe out the soldiers while the Sith moved in to distract the Jedi. A truly terrible duo to say the least. Adieumus had shown up early on in the battle and provided support to Jace's soldiers holding the battlefield. Unfortunately there wasn't anything that could save the temple at that point, as the Mandalorians had pushed too far forward and the Sith were proving too effective and numerous to withstand. Everybody retreated in their vessels, blowing the temple in their wake so that information wouldn't be leaked. But out of all the vessels taken out, Jace was one of the only ones to survive the initial impact back into the fields of Ossus.
He was captured by the cruel and unusual Lord Piteos and tortured for days.
The Jedi knew what had happened to him, as each one had found defense behind the lives of those he called friends and brothers. But who rescued him in the end? Admiral Zenos and his men. Those under his command, that remained loyal to him even after he put their lives on the line. The Council, and the rest of the Jedi that he helped protect never even considered a second thought about going out of their way to save him. It was something that Jace would never forget.
"Indeed my friend, it has been too long if you ask me." He released Adieumus' hand and studied his friend discreetly. How he has changed since he last saw him. Much more in-tune with the lightside since their first encounter. "So, I know we are going to put the hurt on the Mandalorians. Care to explain the details over a hot cup of stim?"
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Adi
Crew of the Wayward Son
Posts: 1,108
Affiliation: Crew of the Wayward Son
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Adi on Jul 4, 2013 10:30:29 GMT -8
"Sounds like a plan to me. Alkor, I'll see you bright and early. And yes, Jace, we are. Cmon guys...I'm hungry. Meet me in ten minutes in the cafeteria...Gregory has maps of this place, and I'll have him upload them to your comlink databases. We can get you a cup of caf there, and some chow. We can discuss business then."
Exiting the hangar, Adi followed Gregory's projection on his com/pad for its location. Hearing the conversation, Gregory had shown Adi the way without even being asked to do so. The A-AI had done the same with Dante and Jace, *or -would- do it for them if they have a similar type of device* Being not far away, it didnt take Adi long to arrive. He entered, and breathed a sigh of relief immediately....
...The iced tea was brewed, and chilled....with just the right amount of lemon and sugar....
Grabbing a large plastic cup, he dumped two scoops of ice, then filled it with the 'nectar of the Whills' as he liked to call it. He then took a long drink from the ice cold concoction, and felt the icy liquid cool his throat. He hadn't realized just how thirsty he was until then...it was amazing what dust could do to dry things out unexpectedly.
Moving over to the food processing system, Adi looked over things, and found there wasn't much to be had....but at least there was a nerfburger with cheese available. Shrugging, he chose the burger, and sat down to wait for it to be finished. Now sipping the tea, and enjoying the cooling sensation it gave his body, Matango plopped, rather heavily, on a bench seat near where his food would come out. He was really not used to the higher gravity here on Carida. He pressed a few buttons on his comlink, and raised Jade's own com.
::Jade, I do believe you should be part of this conversation we are about to have in the cafeteria, as it directly deals with what your part of the mission will be. If you would be so kind to join us, I'd buy ya some dinner, and splurge for a spot of tea. Thank you!:: It was said kindly, and with a touch of humor... but also with a touch of imperativeness, as if he was telling her "It's time." He knew she wanted to get cracking on her part of the plan, too.
About two minutes after he sent the message to Jade, the food processor dinged, and the burger rolled out from underneath the squeaky door....a squeaky door that wouldn't open to let Adi get at his food. He yanked once, twice..nothing. Finally, on the third time, Adi used a little bit of the force to assist him, and the door lifted. He pulled the burger out, and found it to be edible...if a little on the cold side. As hungry as Adi was, though, it didn't really matter.
Figuring the others would be there shortly, Adi started to eat.
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Mike Frantz
Member
That Guy
Posts: 721
Affiliation: The Jedi Order
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Post by Mike Frantz on Jul 4, 2013 17:45:39 GMT -8
I had not intended to drop off my conversation with the other master but sometimes I become so engrossed in work like this that almost everything slips out of my awareness. After a couple more sips of my flask and a few more wires I let out a sigh. As much as I prefer to work like this there was just too much to be done and I can't afford the time to do this the fun way. Setting aside my tools and spare parts I sit crosslegged in front of the comm pannel and take a deep breath. Allowing my eyes to close I open up to the force, taking only a moment to welcome my old friend I dive right into work that only I can do.
I reach forward with my senses, feeling the components in front of me, understand them, becoming one with them. With a combination of a healers sense and the ability to detect shatterpoints I make my way mentally through the panel, using components of healing, altern environment, and simple telikinisis simultaniously to allow the components in front of me to reconstruct themselves. Moving outward from the panel I watch in my mind's eye as I move through the connecting wires to internal speakers and external transievers one by one fixing the internal components with a unique application of powers usually not associated with mechanics.
Although not the most powerful jedi in the universe I doubt that few, if any, other jedi could manage something similar to this. My unique understanding of mechanics, combined with my rather substantial but rarely used abilities healing organics, along with a few other unique things like shatterpoint and alter environment, are exactly what are needed to make remote repairs almost instantaneously. In what seems like moments almost all communications systems are up, aside form a few of the external antennas that require extra parts, are up and running.
Releasing my almost meditative state I pant and try to catch my breath. I can feel the weakness in my joints and almost total mental exaustion from channeling so much of the force so quickly. Although even in a weakened state I can't forget my duties, as well as a bit of fun. After a very brief message message to Monte on a private channel I active the newly repaired PA system that would allow my voice to be carried to almost all corners of the ruins. Attention all miscreants and misfits who currently inhabit this trashcan of a base, Comm functions are now up and running. Now that that's all settled feel free to send complaints and questions to Master Matango 27/7. Also I have been told to inform you that today is official rum day, so grab your nearest supplier and get started. Stay classy folks, Frantz out. I can't help but smile, sure it wasn't professional, or probably appropriate, but life wasn't worth living without a bit of fun. Besides morale is quite important even if morale boosting activities will have Adi ready to stab me, it's worth it.
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Post by Alkor Centaris on Jul 4, 2013 18:13:42 GMT -8
Alkor stiffened initally at the man greeting him as "Mr. Centaris," but shook the thought away as Adi quickly hurried along the conversation and waved him off. Off duty until the morning, and 'come sober'- well, he supposed that was an improvment on "don't drink at all." With a nod to Jace out if respect, followed quickly by a callous shrug, the Corellian parted ways from the Arkanian and the newcomer, having lost interest in further indulging their company. After all, his pale, amber mistress had come along, and he needed to let her make sweet love to his liver.
Walking out of the hangar, Alkor brought up the map that had uploaded to his datapad, and he made his way toward the high gravity training room. The mechanics, upon first glance, were shrouded in dust, and until he flicked the switch on and a creak of response from the lights assuaged his doubt, Alkor had wondered if there was any power at all.
He grabbed a heavy bag, laying next to the door in disuse, and dragged it across the matted floor, lifting it with strength that seemed unlikely for his small frame. Linking it to the chain hanging from the ceiling near the far wall from the door. Taking a deep breath, Alkor shed his robes, tighening the bandages on his wrists and hands, and dropped into a fighting stance, both hands high in a guard.
Expelling the same breath, Alkor let out a grunt as his left arm shot out in a powerful jab, causing the bag to shiver. No sooner had his left arm made contact, his right arm ripped forward, his left pulling quickly back to guard his face. Each motion fluid, each reaction quick, his timing having suffered none at all despite time.
His left arm flicked forward again, quicker this time, causing the bag to shudder even harder, rocking it back and away from him. When it came back half a second later, his right shin came up reflexicely, and his hands both came up to clutch the bag. He pulled the leg back, bringing it up in an explosive knee strike, and repeated the motion again, screaming out in frustration.
Yeah. He had lost it. Not physically, no- but in his mind, in the force around him- something had snapped. Not recently, he could sense, but it probably had something to do with Ryloth. Letting the back go and dropping back into his guard, Alkor backed off of the bag, which still shook from multiple impacts, the grating sound of the chain hanging from the ceiling echoing through the room.
"Asah!" he cried as the next high speed punch rocketed out from his right, feet jump changing stances mid-motion so thst his right side was now leading. Spinning through, however, he rocked the bag with a spinning back elbow, and skipped back two steps to create space. His eyes watched the bag warily, breath coming in measured amounts, sweat now pouring down his muscular form. Alkor's eyes flickered shut after a moment, and he tried ro calm himself down, but as always, there was the force.
To hell with the force. If Alkor could, he would sever himself from it forever and be done with it. He hated using it, he hated feeling it, he even hated simply knowing it was there. And the very thought spiked his frustration and he laid into the bag yet again. And that went on for long into the night...
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jul 4, 2013 19:31:30 GMT -8
Some hours later, Jade drifted back to the surface.
When in deep meditation I have very little sense of time. Perception of 'real world' events fades away as if it is a dream. I am shaken by what I have seen. Meditation is an ideal achievement of peace and content. I am not at peace. And I am vaguely discontented. 'Why' is a question that I cannot answer. There is something missing, part of me that seems misplaced. And I am not even sure where to begin looking. Though, the Force intimates to me that it will look for me... Gradually I return to myself, taking up residence inside my corporeal form once again. My comlink is beeping faintly. After listening to Adi's summons, I shrug, contemplating a blank space in the wall as if it is a deep philosophical issue. Finally I get up and pull on my boots, tunic, and belt, replacing my weapons as usual. The corners of my lips twitch as I hear Mike's PA address.
Jade left her outer robe folded at the foot of her bed, and headed towards what Adi referred to as the 'cafeteria.' She was not very sanguine about this, given the state of the control room earlier. As for him 'buying' her dinner, well, this was his military outpost. However, it was a nice gesture.
About five minutes later she arrived and found that once again her response time was evidently better than the others, because only Matango was as yet present. She walked over in his direction and nodded in greeting, still pulling herself together mentally. In contrast to her normal appearance, her hair was loose, reaching to her mid-back, part of it falling forward over her right shoulder. "So, where are the others?" she inquired.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2013 19:39:41 GMT -8
*Dismissed until the morning, Octavious heads to what he believes to be his quarters. Being that he was trained by the Baran Do and also being a Sage this would be the best time to meditate. Try to find a different vision of the future. One that didn't involve so much loss of life. On both sides of the war. Octavious arrives in his quarters and sits as comfortably as he can to meditate until morning arrived.*
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Nemo
Member
Posts: 121
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nemo on Jul 5, 2013 7:09:30 GMT -8
Admiral Tza'uax stood to the side of the room and watch more guests arrived, he didn't recognise any of them. Never before had he been so involved with the Jedi. His military career had started him off aligned with members of the other side of the force from the Jedi. He's floated around the middle for a while then he joined Adi and the LAN team on Honoghr and started working more for good. He'd only recently met the person standing next to him, his second in command, General Lightyear. He understood he was the model for the rest of his clone army, a Republic soldier of great skill and cunning who had proven himself so many times before. Lightyear had worked with Master Nemo before and had introduced Tza and the General, they got along very well indeed.
Lightyear threw Tza a look, an odd look as he had to tilt his head back to see the towering Falleen who was stood rather close. The look said he had received the message about the cantina and knew it's location. Tza gestured and the General lead the way. They soon found themselves in an equally grim looking part of the base that had somehow been designated clean and safe enough to eat in. Neither one of the officer found themselves even remotely hungry. They saw Adi sitting, eating something that only vaguely resembled food talking to a female. She had been identified earlier as Ael Jade, Tza did not know the name. He walked over and quickly took a seat one over from Adi, not wanting to get too close to the "food". General Lightyear, armour-clad as he was, remained standing behind the Jedi Watch Lead, though not too close.
"Good day to you both. Adi, if this is what you consider a 'base' I'd hate to see what you consider a prison!"
He joked as he looked around a bit for the maps the Jedi had talked about. The best planning usually happened over food or drink, the latter of which Tza may partake in.
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