Ask Eriadu - Waterproofing

[Maxims Tionson]

Getting to the bottom of a source of contaminants in a local water supply hardly sounded like the kind of adventure that people thought Jedi went on all the time but it was vital to the refugees and survivors that their water reserve be actually potable. Right now it had some pollutants in it that were making it absolutely toxic when ingested by most species. The camp had a supply of treatments for cleaning those same pollutants from the water but the trouble was that every time they tried it the water would just become contaminated again since the source of the problem was not actually dealt with.

They didn't have the supplies to treat every bit of water they took from the reserves and they couldn't all survive on the meager imports of water that they were able to get from outside.

Rather than setting up a new line of supply, Max had decided there was no use putting a band-aid on a severed limb. What they needed to do was replace the god-damned limb and that meant capping whatever was polluting the water.

To that end he had teamed up with another Jedi Knight and off they went.

Unfortunately for them...

"I really wish we could have spared a speeder." he joked good-naturedly if a bit tiredly, "My legs aren't long enough for long distance like this."

It was a weak attempt at levity considering the circumstances but they were both tired, thirsty and likely bored. One of the worst feelings when helping out in a crisis was the boredom that naturally welled up during the in-between moments but you felt ashamed for feeling due to the crisis itself. It needed to be combated and if that was bad jokes?

Well Max had a few of those.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

One of the core tenants of a Jedi was to aide those in need through the galaxy. Many of the students in his classes believed that a lightsaber was the answer or what defined a Jedi, but truth be told it was overblown. Defense of the helpless was part of their duty, but the bravado of war and action against some big bad enemy wasn't what made a Jedi.

It was their connection to the people around them, to the force, and to nature. They all existed in this galaxy and were bound by their connection to the force. It was a Jedi's duty and responsibility to come to the aide of those who were suffering or in need. It wasn't glory like many of the students yearned for, but often he felt it held a stronger positive echo through the force and the galaxy; even if it meant walking for miles on end.

"I suppose it could be worse," he'd muse with a gentle smile, "My master made me walk across the dune sea with a small cup of water one time, knowing damn well it would dry up in seconds." He'd laugh, "I can remember his voice now, crackling and straining. 'One doesn't need water, only the force!'" His eyes shifted up towards the sky as he thought back to him. I miss you.

He'd kick a few rocks with his boots as he looked off towards the rolling hills, "Which would you prefer this to be?" He'd snicker, "A large mound of rancor dung that we have to shovel out with our hands or a broken down shuttle full of Gungans?" He'd let the question linger in the air--they needed to pass the time somehow.

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Yeah that sounded like something a Jedi Master would do.

Max himself had never really had a fixed Master so much as he spent time in the company of several Knights and Masters in and around the Temple until he had reached a level of proficiency that meant he could no longer be called a Padawan Learner. Of course he would always be a learner but that was just one of the many wonderful things about the Force and about being a Jedi.

There was always more to learn.

"Sounds like you had a lovely experience with all that sand." he remarked with a small smirk, "Hope you like the stuff."

He wasn't sure where the joke actually came from but, for some reason, there had always been jokes about sand flying around the Jedi temple back when he was learning there. Probably some old Jedi tradition that no one was really sure how it happened anymore. As they continued he couldn't help but grimace.

"Considering the rancor dung suggests the presence of a Rancor we may need to fight off?" he shrugged, "Lesser of two evils. I'll take the rancor."

Gungans just had accents that Max just could not understand for the life of him. As they traveled onward however, Max raised a hand to halt himself and Oren. Crouching slightly, he ran a hand over a large track in the mud.

"Mudhorn." he called out to his fellow Knight, "... wish it was Gungans now huh?"

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

"Well, sand is bloody hot and it gets everywhere," he'd chuckle, "But, it wasn't so bad. Blicus took some students to Mygeeto without coats and had them walk around through a blizzard in search of their crystals. I had the unfortunate duty to watch over the whole event, I can deal with the heat..It's the frozen snow and wind that I can't handle."

Oren shuttered at the idea of heading back to a frozen planet any time soon. Blicus was an odd one, but there was wisdom in the man's ideas, even if they seemed rather eccentric. Truth be told, he had met quite a few Jedi these past few months, the journeys and adventures had begun to shape him and slowly he had built up the confidence that his master saw in him all those years ago.

"Well luckily for you, I've had a face to face encounter with a Rancor," he'd muse, "Mila and I were...well to put it shortly, we were taken prisoner by a hutt and forced to fight in his gladiator games." He figured the story seemed rather wild and far fetched, but Oren knew it happened.

But, it seemed the time for jokes would slowly fade. Maxims stopped the two of them as he bent down to examine a track that sloshed through the mud. "A Mudhorn?" His brown eyes would shift up towards the trail ahead, not seeing anything out of the ordinary. "The tracks could be old," he'd ponder as he bent down, his fingers rubbing into the mud as he contemplated.

"And just so you know, I'd deal with anything over a group of Gungans.." He'd smile.

 

[Maxims Tionson]

The tracks could be old.

It was a very valid point and one that Max himself would very much like to believe. If Oren was right then they would be in for a much easier time of things. But there was just one problem that kind of threw a wrench in his plans and his hope that Oren could be right and that they were old.

"But they're not."

He spoke with a resigned sense of conviction as he stood up slowly, becoming more serious as he reached down within the Force to take hold of the burning connecting thread he knew connected him to the Force as a whole. Connected him to every living thing in the Galaxy and even some that were long gone.

"Lot of fresh mud here and it's secluded; it's a perfect nest for a mudhorn." he grimaced slightly and his hand strayed to his lightsaber for a second before he dismissed the very idea of drawing it, "We can navigate around it's territory. Even a brooding mother won't be too angry if we maintain a respectful distance."

Of course it was only as he began to walk towards the source of the water that he remembered that kind of didn't work when you had no idea where the actual nesting grounds were. It could be... problematic.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

Maxims did have a point, the mud was indeed fresh and several footprints seemed to have been scattered about. Oren would stand, his brown eyes peering out over the plains, looking to see if he spotted something moving along the dry grass. Surely you would be able to see a giant horned beast wandering the fields, at least he imagined so. Yet for the life of him, he couldn't spot anything. Reaching out with the force did little to aid in the situation, leaving them with no other choice but to continue on along the trail.

"Well, if the force wills it to be, then we will deal with it," he'd say with a huff as he slopped through the mud, his once pristine brown boots were now caked with mud which made each step heavier and heavier as he slid along the trail. Maybe this was worse than the Snow? What's worse, water or mud in one's boots.... He'd think to himself as they walked, not realizing that along the ridge a maternal Mudhorn mother watched.

He could hear a huff and a gentle roar coming from along the line, he'd turn back noting the beast standing and watching them. A nervous chuckle would escape from his lips, "Well, there it is," he'd say as his hand reached down towards his blade, "I'd prefer not to kill it if we can."

tag: @Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Max hadn't been expecting to suddenly see the mudhorn but hey, there it was.

Great.

He waved a hand slightly to Oren when he saw the other Jedi reach for his blade. The action of Oren reaching for his weapon seemed to agitate the creature but it settled when his hand stopped moving and he made no further movement to take out the blade. It was strange but Max was honestly getting the impression that the creature was waiting for them to become a threat before it treated them as such.

If it was just a gut instinct or a push from the Force he couldn't say.

"Let's leave it alone for now." he suggested, not taking his eyes off of it regardless, "It seems to just be keeping an eye on us."

Moving further, Max was a little bit concerned that the mudhorn seemed to be following them quite so closely but he didn't want to do anything about it. Running could cause it to charge and fighting it would have the same effect. Instead he focused on the water ahead of them and as they crested a rise he paused.

"... if that's a Gungan ship I swear I'll eat my lightsaber." he declared bluntly at the sight of a large crashed tanker ship, parts of it scattered about the water source, "What's the bet that large waste tank broken off in the water is the source of the issues?"

Pretty easy bet actually.

It was in the middle of the water, about the size of a small shuttle and cracked open. The hazard symbols on the side were just a hat on a hat really.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

"You're right," he'd say in a low tone as he peered towards the mother, "She's probably nervous...maybe thirsty as well." He'd contemplate as he walked along the river. "I imagine this water breathes life to not only the village, but this whole area's ecosystem." He would peer towards the murky water, contemplating what other sort of beasts or critters lurked within the area.

It was quite out here, even after all the havoc and chaos, it seemed life continued on for the plants and animals. Part of him wondered what went through their minds when all the rumbling and quakes occurred, do they take shelter, or do they have the ability to sense the dangers ahead of time? There was so much to this galaxy that one could learn if they simply watched.

Though as they approached the wreckage, the problem was clearly immediate to the two of them. Who knew how much toxins were slowly leaking into the river, and judging by the size of the container it would most likely seep into their system for years, which would destroy the ecosystem and everything around it.

There were several dead womprats laying in the muck on the bank, their corpses rotting as bugs whizzed around them, tearing at the flesh. "This looks worse than I thought, that Mudhorn, the citizens, everyone is going to get sick..." He'd frown as he ran a hand through the dirty river.

"We need to be careful, that container could have a hole underneath, and if we simply lift it with the force, it may send all of that toxins to pour out into the river." Hmm, what the kriff are we going to do this time Oren?

tag: @Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Oh large gentle mother, forgive us our trespassing.

He didn't actually say it but he thought it as he approached the actual source of the problem. Oren was right in that they shouldn't rush to remove it from the water. They would need to actually get a better idea of it to begin with, to see what they were actually dealing with. He frowned slightly as he looked it over.

They needed to see the state of the tank first.

"Let's spin it slowly." he suggested, "That way we get to see it from different angles and we don't disturb the equilibrium for too long if it starts releasing more."

That was the idea of course but as soon as he gripped the tank with the Force he could feel the mudhorn's emotions rising and she let out a loud noise. He wasn't sure if it was an aggressive noise just yet but she was very upset that he was moving the tank, even if she likely had no idea how he was actually touching it.

"... she objects." he grimaced, "Do you want to take the tank or the mudhorn? One of us can do either."

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

"I can handle the mother," he'd say in a soft voice as he stepped forward. "I don't really want to be known as the guy who flooded the river," he'd say turning back to Maxims with a smile.

He could hear the beast huffing and stomping its feet, but Oren wasn't quite sure why. Was it excited or was it angry? He couldn't really tell from just looking at it. Reaching out with the force did little good to help him, as all he could feel was high emotions. Well this isn't good, he'd rest his hand against his saber. He didn't want to kill it, not if he didn't have to. Come on, just give me a sign mama, work with me now.

But, it seemed the force hadn't willed today to be the easiest of days. The Mudhorn would come crashing forward, nostrils flaring as it let out a squeal in anger. With little reaction, Oren would ignite his purple blade as he ran a few meters away from Maxims. The Mudhorn was quicker than he thought it'd be. Within moments it was crashing towards him, which caused the near human to roll to his right as the Mudhorm stormed past.

But, he had little time to prepare as it came charging back towards him, "This thing is bigger up close," he'd grind his teeth as he planted his feet into the mud, I can't take this thing head on, it's going to pulverize me, He'd dodge to the left, feeling a nick against his thigh as the horn caught him during his roll. He'd grunt, peering down to see a stream of crimson pouring from his thigh. He'd pull himself up, staggering slightly, his hands bringing the blade back up in a defensive posture. How would my master handle this?

tag: @Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

"Rather you than me." he quipped back in response, "Try not to make a mudhorn orphan."

He really hoped that Oren would managed to get past this task without killing or harming the mudhorn mother too much. She was just defending what was her's after all. Sure, they had a good reason for being here but she didn't know that. All she knew was that they were here in her territory and they were seeking to mess around with the thing that she instinctively knew had messed with the water.

If she wasn't half-dead from thirst he would be honestly surprised because no animal would drink water that they could tell was tainted beyond the norm.

He hoped and trusted that Oren would not need his help because he was about to be in no position to actually provide aid. Reaching into the Force, Max took a deep breath and stepped into the shallows. Reaching out with the Force, he gently pulled the tank closer to him without disturbing the equilibrium that had been made between the contents and the waters of the source. It was hard work, keeping it moving and keeping it all contained.

The contagion in the water, now closer and more concentrated, was more acidic than it was in smaller quantities. Max winced as the acid began to eat away at his clothes and exposed skin but did not move from his spot, waist deep in the water, as he focused entirely on the task at hand.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

Whatever trials and tribulations that Maxims was going through, Oren had not been aware. His eyes never shifted off of the Mudhorn that had continued time after time, charging with a stampeded and a roar. He had done his best several times to dodge out of the way, but his wounded leg was making it hard and truth be told he was starting to get tired.

His back arced slightly forward as he took deep breaths. He would watch as the mudhorn turned, it's hoofs stomping in the mud as the mother let out a harsh yelp. She sounded strong and defiant, but something didn't seem well. Is she hurt, he thought to himself as he watched the creature with some interest.

With a bit of quick thinking he would deactivate his purple blade and holding it out towards the beast for it to see. Slowly, he would throw it to the side, raising his hands. "It's okay," he'd say in a soft voice, "I don't want to hurt you," he would feel out with the force, as he slowly began to step forward.

He could feel the tension in the beast, each huff and gargle hinted towards its apprehension. He would take a few deep gentle breaths, as he slowly walked forward towards the beast, centering himself and his emotions as best as he could, A Jedi's strength flows through peace and serenity. He would mutter to himself as he made closer towards the beast--hopefully this would work.

tag: @Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

The acid was growing more concentrated.

To begin with it had started off as mildly irritating but now it was beginning to pick up in terms of intensity. Gritting his teeth, Max took a deep breath and Pushed with all of his might. Water surrounding the tank was held back away from it as the water and pollutant immediately nearby the crack in the tank was pushed right up against the metal surface. It was taxing to a degree that Max had not really been able to prepare himself for honestly.

His knees wobbled.

His head throbbed as a headache began to rage from the effort of the concentration.

But his hands remained stretched upwards as the tank hovered out of the water, letting him collapse the barrier against the waters around him. Now holding the tank and it's most infected waters above the surface of the water source, Max began pushing harder but still with the same level of concentration as before. He pushed it back into the tank through the crack in the exterior of the metal, his arms beginning to shake with the effort.

He tasted blood in his mouth and he wasn't sure where from but he wasn't done yet so he couldn't allow it to distract him.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

The mudhorn's nostril's flared as she gave out a soft whine towards the Jedi that approached, it seemed that the project that he put through the force had helped calm the nerves of the beast. With each step it became evident that she was tired and injured, this aggression was fear, he could feel it through the force.

His hands would rub up against the large beast, as a soft hush escaped his lips, "It's going to be alright," he'd say with a smile, as he would gently pat the nervous beast, who shifted with his touch. "Let me take a look," he would slowly move to the backside of the creature. He could see blood dripping from its thigh, as a large piece of metal was wedged into it. Looks like it came from the wreckage of this ship.

He would peer back towards the beast, "This is going to hurt," he'd respond with a gentle tone as he placed his hands close to the wound. The Mudhorn would scream and yelp, nearly kicking him. "Just stay calm," his hands would plant firmly against the metal. With a slight pull he could hear the sound of it sliding out of her flesh. She would let out a near defining cry.

Wasting no time Oren would toss the fragment aside, his hands quickly placing against the flesh wound. With a deep breath he would sigh as he began to transfer a portion of himself against the wound. "It's okay," he'd say with the gentlest of voice, as he pulled back taking a deep breath as a wave of tiredness came over him. He would sit there in the mud for a few moments, collecting himself.

Maxims.. He would turn towards the river, watching the man. "Hey, what are you doing," he'd pant as he pulled himself up from the mud, turning slightly as he heard the loud paws of the Mudhorn heading towards the river. He would watch as the Jedi would buckle slightly as he exposed himself to the toxins, the Mudhorn would step into the water, gently rubbing up against the man as he finished his work, her mouth gently wrapping around the collar of his robes and pulling him from the River. Was she really helping them?

tag: @Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Max could honestly say that nothing had ever felt as much like a relief as it did when he had completely pulled the tank from the water and set it down gently on the shore, it's cracked side up and away from the waters. Without the need to use the Force to keep it contained, he felt suddenly lighter but also suddenly far more drained than he had ever felt before. Grunting, he slowly drew his lightsaber and ignited it's blade.

He sealed the crack shut with a wave of his blade, fusing the two metal halves of the crack together. Even if the tank had left the water, it would have remained a danger if the crack remained so he had to remove it from the equation. Chuckling tiredly, he extinguished his lightsaber, dropping it uncaringly into the mud as he wrapped an arm around the horn of the mudhorn mother and just leaned on her for a moment.

Trust a mother to know when you just needed someone to lean on for a moment.

Moment over, he patted her gently on the side of the head and staggered towards Oren with a grin. It might have been ruined somewhat by the fact that his teeth were bloodstained but the effort was there.

"Looks like you made a friend." he observed with a bright laugh, "Saved the mother and saved the water - sometimes the good guys win, right?"

He managed all of that before face-planting in the soft mud, having passed out and fallen forwards with a smile.

/End Thread

@TWD26