Ask Event Deepest Dark

[The Gatekeeper]

Both Teams

@The Good Doctor @Charndley @Interdictor @Narzen @Logan @Laskt @Remileah @StephDLegend @René @Apollyon @Akheron @LouJoVi @AutoFox​

The hologram buzzed slightly, flickering, as the group weighed up their options.

The words spoken, about not being able to disconnect the two Galaxies again, seemed to be both a good thing and, according to some people, a lie at the same time. But why would the hologram be lying about something that seemed to only have positives surrounding it? It flickered ever so slightly as the discussion seemed to go further but it was clear that spirits surrounding it seemed to growl more and more eager as Caerllion and Alhazred both seemed to discuss, and potentially fight, over the right to be the one to assume the throne.

[EAGERNESS]


[VICTORY]


[CONTINUATION]


[UNITY]​

"Knowledge and training are not required - knowledge will be provided, all that is needed is a connection to the Force. Guidance will be provided and they who sit upon the Throne will then be the guide between Galaxies."

[ANGER]


[DESPERATION]​

In the end, it seemed that the hologram of the Guildmaster was more than happy to go ahead and let even Rina ascend to the throne. Once again the emphasis on the fact that no training would be required. This time however, everyone was able to see that the hologram seemed to be grasping at anyone sitting on the Throne at all.

As both the Cipher and Theia seemed to call it out on lying, the hologram flickered, turning red for just a second before returning to the same blue as before.

"One with a connection to the Force is required - Force and technology together activate and maintain the beacon."

A pause, during which the Professor spoke up.

"Maintain? As in they need to stay and keep it going?"

Another pause, this time as the hologram seemed to almost struggle against answering. In the end, however, the silence of the hologram on the subject likely said more than any verbal answer actually could. Instead, the hologram focused on other questions, 'safer' questions.

"Cybernetics would be required but a trip to the medical bay would not - simply remove the cybernetic eye piece from the last Guildmaster and slide over your head in place over your eye. The technology will take care of the rest."

Surrounding Azathoth, the spirit that had latched onto her seemed to recoil and hiss in alarm when Theia seemed to catch onto the fact that there were spirits beyond those bound to the Throne. In response it buried itself deeper into the masking nature of the tiefling's presence in the Force and quietened down for the meantime.

The Professor moved closer to the Throne, the small creature coming to stand between Caerllion and Alhazred.

"This may be a longer term posting than either of you are prepared for - but I sold my apartment, expecting to observe the Maw for years as it, well, got weird. I have a connection to the Force but it was too weak to be a Jedi or a Sith - and the Guildmaster says strength is not required." the Professor turned to the group, "I say we put it to a vote; after all we've heard, if Alhazred, Rina and Caerllion are both still willing. Which, out of the four of us, would you all be comfortable taking the Throne?"

As the Force Sensitives of the group seemed to argue over the Throne, Captain Outcard's very zoomed-in appearance on the widescreens seemed to draw all of Nye's attention. Both the Captain and his protocol droid seemed to be talking but no sound was coming from the terminals. Actually, worse, the console actually chose to play sound but was, instead, echoing Nye's own words back at a magnified level, making the echo even worse as the feedback rose.

After a few moments, the protocol droid took up a datapad on their end, typed on it and held the text up for Nye to see.

<There appears to be a filter on your side - are you now, by any chance, a cat? Have you tried a forced reboot?>​

Filter issues and turning it off and on again - truly, technology never changed.

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion stared at the squid faced Jedi, trying to digest all the words that he was saying. He reminded the Annfyn of Trodai when the Pureblood entered these moments of inspiration and couldn’t stop talking. The Master shuddered with the thought of having the two in the same team.

When the Jedi showed the container, it took a moment for Caerllion to realize what was happening. A thousand questions rushed through his mind, including the possibility of the squid having given birth to that… thing in one of the halls of the space station. The image that formed on his mind was repulsive as the creature inside the glass. He couldn’t blame the Padawan for vomiting.

Before answering the points that were being raised, Caerllion turned to look at the skeleton in the throne. Now that he was close, the Annfyn could see that the eye seemed to have been attached to the bone. Why would they need that thing? Doubts started to appear in his mind, including about the intensity of the knowledge. The fact that the red-haired Padawan seemed to be screaming about all of it being a lie also left him concerned.

Well, he didn’t want to lose his life for that knowledge.

And he also didn’t want to be the surrogate father of the thing inside the container.

“Then, what should we do? Stay here forever? Perhaps this Jedi is right.” he pointed at the squid faced one. “Someone with his ability in the Light should be the one to sit on the throne.” he decided that wasn’t going to risk sitting in that thing anymore, not after he started to have more doubts about this safety.

@Nefieslab @Narzen @GABA

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred adjusted himself after his young was taken away. Even as the jedi padawan vomited at the concept of his young being his young, he didn't change his stance. True, the concept of spending a possible eternity in one place did make him nervous, but at the same time...

"I will still do it. It is the way of the Jedi to light the path for others to follow. That is a difference between the Dark and the Light. And if I can gain the chance to glean from the infinite, then I will gladly do so without fear. And if I can help those people we saw earlier reconnect with our galaxy? All the more."

Alhazred looked at the Professor. "While I don't doubt your conviction as an academic, someone must remain who can hope to translate what the people here speak. Someone who can actually write down what they say and not use tricks to understand their meaning. I cannot voice you as a subject for this potentially sacrificial task."

Alhazred then turned at the one who took his young. "I only ask that if this task results in a new permanent state, either give my child to the Jedi, or another Nu-Vaal, or barring that, raise it in a way to adore knowledge above all, like my kind before me. Of course, I may have no way of making sure this occurs, but I can hope that you will listen to my wishes."

Alhazred looked to the others, waiting for any potential objections. If none came, he would go towards the chair and begin the preparations needed. His entire body shook slightly with excitement. To potentially gain such knowledge was a task that most Nu-Vaal only dreamed of. Many Nu-Vaal dedicated themselves to dissecting other species, and studying the stars and their patterns, or to attempt to commune with their deities. Here, Alhazred could potentially learn so much about the universe, the Force, and life itself.

@Nefieslab

 

[Kaala]

Kaala, not being Force-sensitive and with nothing to do or say as far as the throne, had so far stood with crossed arms in a corner of the room. As the hologram continued to speak, however, she grew more agitated and, for once, was glad she wasn't in tune with the Force. She wasn't going anywhere near that thing. Of course, the professor and the squidface Jedi seemed to have the opposite idea. "Wait," she said, stepping forward and glaring at the hologram. "Before these two," she gestured with her carbine toward the Jedi and professor, "Start arguing over who should sacrifice themselves, how did we get here in the first place? The Maw or Gate or whatever you want to call it allowed our ship through, and the…former Guildmaster is long gone. How did we get through, then?" Although the question in and of itself was fairly simple, there was an accusatory tone to it.
@Nefieslab @Narzen

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

As he let those before him debate and argue over whoever sat in the chair, he felt within the Force for some further insight. And there as he looked towards the throne, dimming out all else he found feeling that sitting on the throne would give knowledge but also he was pretty sure it might be lethal potentially and so felt glad he wasn't getting involved even if he did have a feeling the rewards could be beneficial. It was a large temptation.

But he had made that mistake before and paid a heavy price.

He decided this was not worth it, not if it meant being stuck here potentially for eternity in the chair. It was then he heard the words of the one who now held the spawn, Azathoth. He stepped further back as the red head puked at the spawn of the Jedi. Slightly annoyed at almost having his feet covered. It was then as he heard thought, he allowed it as she said the word. Trust. It made him curious, even as he decided to let the Jedi be the fool to embrace the chair and potentially die. To sacrifice without knowing the full cost.

He ignored the Jedi as he went on some kind of self righteous and pompous rant about Light and Dark. The sheer arrogance at thinking they were better. Instead he decided to listen to those words he had heard. Trust. And trust whatever it was she had planned, trust her at least for now, gazing back and nodding. Letting her know he understood. Or he hoped he did.

Spoiler: Roll for Force Insight

D20: 11

@LouJoVi @René @Nefieslab @AutoFox @Logan @Interdictor @The Good Doctor @Charndley @Laskt @Narzen @Remileah @StephDLegend

 

[Rina Oziaf]

EVERYONE

Rina rubbed her apparently dead arm as she listened to the response from the hologram, raising her eyebrows as the implications of what it said sank in. She looked up at the skeleton in the throne, and at the extensive cybernetics which had been grafted onto it...

"Oh... kriff, okay, it's that sort of system?"

The Tintinna shook her head. There had to be a better option than that.

"I've encountered computer-cyborg interconnects before, but this one seems a bit rough and ready. Does the interface have to be quite so... permanent? There have been advances in how this technology works, you know."

She turned to the hologram.

"It's not my field, really, but it seems to me that with the right modifications, a direct interface with this system wouldn't have to be a permanent gig. There could be... shifts? I can understand having someone stay behind to maintain the connection, but we could come back for them!"

Before anyone could stop her, Rina climbed up to the throne, and the body in it. She circled it warily, unwilling to take the chance that it might snare a new "operator" by force, but curious as to just how the system was put together.

"This tech is pretty old-school, definitely wouldn't be comfortable... but it could be upgraded, I'm sure! we could come back with a cyberneticist!"

Rina leaned closer, inspecting the connections between the cyborg implants and the throne. Her expertise was in droids, but surely an interface was an interface! even if it did use this "Force" stuff.

Spoiler: Roll to Evaluate Tech

1d20, result 14.

@Nefieslab

 

[Kaedan]

After Kaedan asked Theia if she was alright, her looked over to the throne, hearing the arguments. From what was gathered, the one who sits may have to remain forever. That wasn’t something Kaedan anticipated being the outcome nor was it something he wished they had to do. To have to choose who sits was a difficult choice that the young padawan didn’t think should be made lightly. On one end, Alhazred was ready to be the sacrifice while on the other hand the choice was a Sith. The professor then volunteered to be the one, giving the reason of getting rid of all of his belongs to stay in the maw anyway.

During this, the togruta in the group brought up a very important question. Who exactly guided them through the Maw in the first place. If it was necessary for someone to actively be on the throne to provide safe travels through the maw then who did it for them. Was it a case of the will of the force or was it intentional that they were brought there.

Alhazred persisted that he be the one to take the throne. He was willing to sacrifice everything even when given the choice by the professor. “Let’s not be hasty; the Togruta makes a valid point that we should consider. If someone needs to be actively on the throne, who brought us here safely? While it’s possible that it’s within the will of the force, I’m not sure that’s the case here.”

When Rina made her point, Kaedan nodded. “This sounds plausible. What is it’s possible? I’m aware that in life everyone can’t be saved but we shouldn’t throw away our lives so cavalier when there are other possibilities.”

@Interdictor @Nefieslab @Narzen @GABA @Remileah @René @Laskt @The Good Doctor @Charndley @Logan @AutoFox

 

[Nye]

Team Professor — Nye was also hearing his words being echoed back at him, that was especially annoying as he was getting more and more vivid with how junky this ancient tech is. He was try to calm down and then he would read the Captain's message.

He would then follow the instructions and then manage to get the thing working again after more tinkering. "Finally" he muttered.

"Captain Outcard, can you hear me now?" Apparently although it seems that the problem was fixed, he can still hear the annoying echoes. Unfortunately, he doesn't see a fix for that but this set-up will have to work.

"Our two teams managed to link-up again and now we are on the cusp of re-establishing a link back to the home galaxy." he summerized the situation to the Captain.

In the background, he heard the others. He would say nothing, although he is curious too on how/why the Wildcard was safely brought here in the first place, why the path here was opened.

@Nefieslab

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia was mildly relieved when her projectile response to the Knight's tumor baby missed the Sith; she wasn't in the mood to get curb stomped right when they were so close to getting back home. She noticed how the hologram flickered to red when she called out its lie. So why would it lie? What in the name of all holy ancestors was going on with this place. She really didn't like how very little information they had and needing to make a decision.

"Professor," Theia started, listening to the small creature speak about his commitment to this expedition. She glanced to Carllion who now seemed to suggest Alhazred to sit on the throne, who was also still making long winded reasons to gather the knowledge it had to offer. She questioned to herself how he knew he would be getting an encyclopedia on this place, and then to just leave behind his wiggly worm spawn thingy in order to fulfil this role. It seemed selfish to Theia, her brow furrowed with slight annoyance.

Though Rina suggested to come back with someone with more expertise, "I agree, we can always send someone to return and add upgrades, but at what cost." Theia looked to the Professor, "We know someone has to sit there if we want to return to our galaxy, but the cost, professor, I feel whoever decides, they will not be the same once they do." The padawan let out a long sigh, scratching her head, there was no real clear guidance on what to do as she reached into her senses, trying again to find some guidance from the spirits that were awake on this vessel and some how connected to this.

"However, Professor, if you feel this is your calling, your life's work, then I can accept it, even though I don't like any of this, and let you take the throne. Hopefully it will get us home and open a way to learn more about this place by connecting our galaxies."

@Nefieslab @LouJoVi @Narzen @AutoFox

 

[Cipher Four]

Team Professor

---

___Cipher Four remained silent as the group continued their discussions. She could offer no valid input, considering she was insensitive to the Force and—above everything else—their safety wasn't paramount to her mission. Self-sacrificing Jedi, a Tintinna too inquisitive for her own good, and a gaggle of Sith prepared to push them if they didn't walk in on their own. However, when the Professor spoke again, Four's eyes narrowed. He was addressing the group, and he wanted input.

___"I believe you would be the best choice, Professor," Four said. "If I have to choose between leaving my life in the hands of you, a Jedi too eager for self-sacrifice (@Narzen), a woman so painfully optimistic to believe we could properly retrofit technology we know nothing about (@AutoFox), or a Sith (@LouJoVi), I'd choose the man who has the clarity to realise how precarious this situation actually is," she elaborated. "Besides, you said it yourself: you've spent years pursuing this. Would you remaining here not make the most sense?"

___When she finished speaking, Four took another few steps back to resume her place near the rear. It was more comfortable for her to have everybody else in her clear line of sight.

@Nefieslab

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Both Teams

@The Good Doctor @Charndley @Interdictor @Narzen @Logan @Laskt @Remileah @StephDLegend @René @Apollyon @Akheron @LouJoVi @AutoFox​

The sounds echoed throughout the control room as the coms with the Wildcard were stablised enough to allow for their voices to be heard - the echoing would likely fade away on its own right? In the end it didn't need to as Nye was able to reboot the com connection and, when it came back a few seconds later, it seemed to have grown in strength to the point that it seemed almost perfectly stable. Captain Outcard nodded once to Nye to confirm his comprehension before beginning his own report.

"Chirp chirp cheep! Cheep chirp chirup!"

There was a second as the protocol droid waited for the Captain to finish speaking before translating into Basic for the benefit of Nye.

"Excellent - we have received the medic and the injured back from the Doctor's team." The droid reported before worryingly glancing back and forth, "Captain Outcard does regret to inform you that you are operating under time constraints; it appears that a number of spacecraft are approaching. Their trajectories have them ignoring the station and heading for the Wildcard instead - we will extend an emergency docking tube to an emergency airlock we can see is just below this room you are all in. A quick exit may become essential to our survival!"

Captain Outcard seemed to eye his protocol droid with disgust - as it was clear that the shiny droid had gotten a little bit too long-winded in his translation. Nevertheless, an emergency docking tube began to extend from the Wildcard, connecting with a section of the station below the control room. As it did so, Nye would notice that an option had become available to allow for emergency exits to be opened manually.

A guide on screen helped the clone spot a set of emergency stairs that led down, which had been missed on first inspection of the control room.

Kaala's question seemed to do something that none of the other questions had managed to do so far; it stumped the holographic guide.

"Unknown."

It flickered ever so slightly, as though moving to hide the discomfort of being found wanting.

"Predictions surrounding the possibility of a ship making it from the Old Galaxy to the Reaches were deemed to be pointless by the Guild as the odds approached zero. This guide was left in case the local peoples restarted their efforts to try an engineering solution from this side."

Another pause.

"This solution did not materialise but you have instead. Perhaps it is the will of the Force or a cosmic fluke? Irrelevant. All that is relevant is who shall ascend to the throne."

The holographic guide was silent on the matter - it was clear that it was focusing on the response as to whom would take the throne. It was almost entirely single-minded when it came to a focus, as though it had been made specifically for this purpose. In the silence that came after their discussion, the Professor nodded his head and took the young of Alhazred from its current holder to press it back into Alhazred's hands.

"Jedi Alhazred - you are a sire, a parent, and that is something that should not be discarded. If all goes well, you will all return for me and bring me peace from the station and if it doesn't? Then we have not robbed a child of its parent."

He waved to Theia and Four as he ascended the steps before the throne.

"Thank you, but I do hope that you all remember to come back for me." he joked, "Or at least you, Doctor."

The Doctor in question just nodded, his face a very pale shade of blue. As the Professor approached, the guide spoke up even as the hologram seemed to be powering down.

"Place the eye over your own and sit back. The process will begin immediately."

Whereas before the skeleton seemed to be almost made of stone, now it seemed to almost crumble away under his touch as the Professor climbed up onto the throne to take the eye piece and, gently, push the previous occupant out of the seat. The skeleton didn't collapse to the ground so much as it seemed to turn to dust as it was falling, leaving very few intact bones at all. Now with the throne to himself, the Professor sat with his legs failing to dangle over the edge before he carefully placed the eye piece over his left eye.

"Looks rather sleek from this angle... wait... what's that?"

The only warning was a brief whirling noise before the eye piece expanded rapidly, solid pieces of metal immediately piercing through his left eye as wires began to snake into his skull. Despite his resolve, the Professor screamed in pain and twitched, trying to move but finding himself unable to do so. The spirits within the Force grew louder, heavier, until their presence was like a physical stone crushing down onto all of those who were Force Sensitive within the room.

With a sickening crack of broken bone, the Professor stopped convulsing suddenly and was silent.

His left eye had been entirely covered by the cybernetics, which had expanded in size to adjust to his naturally large eye. The other eye stared at each of the others in the room as the Force seemed to sing with the joy of the spirits as they began to disappear from the room - instead with each one disappearing, the Professor's own presence in the Force grew in strength as they seemed to be pushed into his mind and spirit.

"The Guild thanks you for your assistance in selecting a new Guildmaster."

His voice was no longer his own, vibrating at an entirely different pitch that seemed layered - enough to make it seem both deep and so high pitched only Four could hear it at the same time. The Force leapt to answer the call of the new Guildmaster, entering commands into different consoles across the control room without a hint of hesitation.

As though he had done it a thousand times before.

Along the far wall, a light gradually began to glow brighter and brighter green until it was almost a bright green sun across the room from them.

"The path between the Old Galaxy and the Reaches has been re-established - it shall be permanent so long as a Guildmaster sits upon this throne."

The Guildmaster stared at them, the Professor's organic eye seemingly lifeless while the red light of the cybernetic glowed bright and ominous. His colleague, the Doctor, stared unblinking for a few more moments before sighing and, finally, holstering the blaster pistol he had brought with him out of a sense of doom at the beginning of the misadventure.

"... back to the ship." he told the group, his voice losing emotions as he controlled himself, "The Galaxy needs to know and if we've any hope of coming back for the Professor, we need to bring back specialists."

They would be back.

Spoiler: OOC Note

Please feel free to wrap up the event with a final set of posts - the Stygian Reaches shall be open for your return soon!

 

[Kaedan]

In the end, the back and forth didn't matter as majority believed the professor was the best fit to sit. As he gave his final remarks, Kaedan gave him a respectful nod. "Thanks for everything, professor." As the professor got into the seat, the instruction came again and he followed it. There was a change in the atmosphere but Kaedan couldn't put his finger on it. The spooky jumpy feeling he had dissipated. The next words the professor spoke, he was different; no longer the professor but the guild master. His voice was strangely different. As he opened the path, Kaedan looked at the others before the doctor told them back to the ship.

Kaedan followed the path he originally took to get to the spire, running back towards the ship. The darksider was still unconsciously lying on the floor. Feeling that the man had much to offer in terms of answers, Kaedan used the force to lift the man and his separated arm, taking him back to the ship. Kaedan had taken the blade he used earlier after defeating him but now he figured taking back the dark sider was also something they should do.

Now back at the ship, he dropped the unconscious body in an unoccupied seat. "Before anyone asks, this guy attacked me and I defeated him. I am arresting him and the Jedi should question him about this region and its connection to the force." He sat down and rested his head back, relaxing for a moment. This was quite the trip for the padawan and he was ready for a long rest. Now it was time to head back to the wildcard and back to his galaxy.
/Attempted exit

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[Nye]

Team Professor — "Acknowledged" he said back to the Wildcard command staff. "Alright everyone, we need to get back to the ship. Just below we will have way into the ship" he relayed to the people around him. Nye wouldn't delay in getting on the move and then opening the airlock into the Wildcard so they can get out of here.

Nye did see that the Professor would hook himself up to the throne. That would re-establish the link back to the known galaxy. Nye was glad someone was able to do it, lest he be trapped. The Professor wasn't someone Nye cared about so him being hooked up would is a very small price to pay. And they can come back to this galaxy at any time? Sounds like a good deal to him. One last thing he would do is take a picture of the Guildmaster with his EZPhone.

Now getting back on the ship, Nye would then take slump himself on a passenger seat. He saw one of the Jedi (@StephDLegend) bring in a body that was knocked out, and Nye raised an eyebrow. "Riiiiiiiiight" he was skeptical of what the Jedi was claiming, about this stranger attacking Jedi first for no apparent reason. "Are you really taking him into another galaxy, far far away?" he questioned. "Even in this galaxy, there's already more people that aren't fans of the Jedi it seems, not that there are many fans to begin with." he had a light chuckle. "Well, if you find out anything interesting about the galaxy from him, my employer I'm sure will be willing to pay for more information." As a clone of Newton who knows exactly how he operates, a new galaxy with new people. What does that equal?

A new market to enter.

With all the items, data, and pictures he collected, he will show Father upon his return to the known galaxy.

/attemptedexit

@Nefieslab

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred listened to everyone elses words. While he disagreed with the final say, he also wouldn't argue it further. After all, the professor had a point. How could he doom his young to a life without his own guidance?

"We will do our best to return for you professor. After all, someone has to help translate these people's dialect." Alhazred commented.

His mind flashed back to the aforementioned people. He did leave his EZ phone with them. With luck, the Jedi could establish further communications with them, as well as anyone else who had the tech (Which was everyone as far as he knew). And with the 'mostly' positive first contact established thanks to Four, himself, and the others in his group, they would be able establish positive future relations. After all, this place was a wonderland in many things. Technology, astronomy, culture, and most importantly, the Force itself.

Before leaving back to the ship, Alhazred made it his number one priority of requiring his spawn. Provided that had no complication, the Nu-Vaal then returned with the others, eager to share his own insights with the Jedi.

/attemptedexit

@Nefieslab

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai continued his observation, at least until the situation seemed to resolve itself. As the Professor chose to stay and no-one seemed to disagree with it, so he simply nodded. It earnt some respect for doing it although what came next made him cautious. As the Professor sat upon the throne and cybernetics and bone melded into one, proving it correct that it was to be a permanent job.

He felt nothing for the Professor.

Simply watching the transformation with a dispassionate yet curious gaze, fascinated somewhat by the procedure as it unfolded before his eyes and what they became afterwards. As he felt the shift, the increase in strength. Like somewhat else had taken over what had been the Professor. He felt the weight of the spirits bearing down upon them briefly until they entered the new guildmaster. The new occupant to the throne of the Stygian Reach. All hail the new king he thought.

With the transformation over and the new king seated, Trodai saw no further reasons to remain behind. And so he spoke to his apprentice , and motioned that it was time to leave this place. At least for now. He had much to tell his king Arcanos about this place up in his return to the rest of the galaxy, it was a new possible expansion to his regime. And now with the way open, they were free to return and take it anytime they chose.

"Come, there is no reason to remain. Lord Arcanos will be most pleased to hear of this place and it's secrets." he said, turning on his heel and to the emergency exit that had been presented and from there back to the ship. As he entered he saw the one-armed darksider. Clearly they had not been a strong enough, and suffered for it, he cared little for their fate. It was deserved if they were unable to defeat the Jedi after trying to kill them.

However he imagined had it been him, he would of finished the job, just as he had with the thief. Regardless it wasn't his problem. Instead He was content to return and report his findings.

/ExitAttempt

@Nefieslab @René @LouJoVi @StephDLegend

 

[Rina Oziaf]

EVERYONE

Rina stood back a pace as the Professor approached the throne, taking another involuntary one as the skeleton crumbled at their touch. The Tintinna tensed as the Chadra-Fan fitted the ancient cybernetic eyepiece over their face.

"Er, Professor," she said hesitantly, "you may want to brace yourself, that might-"

Rina yelped and winced as the eyepiece implanted itself. The Tintinna had to admit, it was clean; cybernetics of the era this one seemed to come from tended to have rather graphic installation processes. Still, even as the implant seemed to boot up, Rina was apprehensive, not quite helped by the way a the Professor spoke afterward. Even as they did, however, Rina found herself moving in to inspect the equipment again...

"...stars, that's not something you see everyday." Rina muttered mostly to herself. She frowned, however. "Er, Professor, if you're in there, thank you for all this. I promise, we'll come back!"

She started down the steps to join the others as they left, then bit her lip, looking back toward the throne.

"Hells, this isn't right."

Rina jogged to catch up with the Doctor. As she did, she typed furiously on her datapad. She stopped the Chiss, fixing him with a determined and strangely intense stare.

"If you can leave me a few of the survival packs from the shuttle, I'm staying," she pronounced emphatically. "I'm not a med-tech, but I know crude cybernetics when I see them, and I'd like to make sure the Professor doesn't die from infection before anyone comes back for them."

Rina stuck the datapad under her bad arm, pressing the eject button and popping out a datacard. She pressed it into the Doctor's hands, frowning up at the taller being.

"That card has a list of the specialists I think we would need to adapt and modify the tech here. Not to mention get the Professor into something more... comfortable. Feel free to add anyone you know, of course."

She looked back up at the throne, then back to the Doctor.

"I'll be counting on you. We both will. I'm used to dealing with machines, but I kind of doubt I could spend too long with one without going stir-crazy, so hurry back, yeah?"

@Nefieslab

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion didn’t disagree with the Professor's decision. If he wanted to remain there so everyone would escape, then the Annfyn would show no opposition. With the exception of a few of the Sith present here, all the others were disposable. He only lamented that wasn’t one of the Jedi who remained. It would mean that there would be less an annoyance on the Galaxy.

He watched the Professor convulse with little emotion besides relief for not having gone with his pan of taking the throne. Caerllion had more important things to do rather than stay seated in this throne for the rest of his life.

The Doctor didn’t need to ask twice, with Caerllion sprinting toward the ship with the rest of the people. The half-Annfyn ran as fast as he could to reach the safety of the Wilcard. However, the Sith was sure that he would tell the rest of the Order, especially Azar, about what happened in this place. They could find useful things there.

/Exit Attempt

@Nefieslab

 

[Theia Durand]

The feeling of unease never left Theia, there was an unsettling stillness as the decision would be made. The Professor, making the choice with the support of Theia and another member of this expedition. She glanced to the Chiss Doctor when he spoke of coming back and Theia nodded, "We will not forget about you." she told him watching as he followed the directions of the Guildmaster. It all seemed rather harmless until it wasn't. The violent and forceful manner of the cybernetic took hold of its host, she felt herself frozen, horrified by what she was witnessing as the being convulsed in what seemed to be unimaginable pain and in an unnatural manner.

The air became heavy and Theia's attention turn towards keeping herself physically standing as it seemed as though the whole room filled with hundreds. Were they previous guildmasters? Theia thought to herself, stopping herself from stepping forward and ripping the device from him. The room begun to slowly lighten, emptying as she felt the presence of the professor become more apparent. Her eyebrows rose in curiosity as he...or they...spoke?

Regardless, the Professors' choice, and hopefully saving would depend on them getting back to their own universe to help him. She saw as their exit was made clear, the Doctor pointing them back to the ship. There was nothing they could do further here and Theia returned to the Wildcard with the others, her stomach twisting to the profane sacrifice. There was a lot for her process and to think about and how to move forward.

/Exit Attempt

@Nefieslab

 

[Kaala]

Kaala let out an irritated huff at the hologram's vague answer. She hated vague answers. Why couldn't something like this be simple and straightforward for once? The Professor, however, had made his decision. So, not wishing to look like an idiot, the Togruta jammed her helmet onto her head, waited for the neck to seal, muted herself so nobody else could hear, and let out a small scream of annoyance before unmuting herself to speak with the professor one last time. "…Goodbye, sir," she said with a small salute, then turned and headed toward the ship. She had a new idea.
@Nefieslab /ExitAttempt

 

[Cipher Four]

___Four watched unflinchingly as the Professor sat and the cybernetics went to work. It wasn't the worst thing she had ever seen, and a gut feeling told her from the first time she saw it that this was how things would happen. She sighed through her nostrils and shook her head as the Professor was mentally all but replaced, overridden by whatever the cybernetics had done to him. The unusual, dual tone of his voice caused her to wince.

___As everybody departed, Four followed not far behind. She wasn't about to protest Rina's decision to stay behind because if she felt it was her calling, who was Four to refute her? She remained silent during the walk to the ship, her hand touching the crystal the little girl gifted her around her neck. Despite the difficulties, dangers, and the unsightly sacrifice of the Professor at the end of the journey, Four had made a difference. A daughter and mother were reunited, and she had made a difference.

___Even as the crowd boarded the vessel, Four sat alone, as always, and disassembled her blaster to return it to her weapon case. Once it was safely stored away, she removed the crystal from around her neck and stared down at it in her open palm. Maybe she would return to ensure the girl was still safe and in good health.

___Otherwise, she had an extensive report to write to command.

@Nefieslab