Ask Dathomir Everything the Light Touches

[Renfry]

Renfry sniffed at the air several times, taking in the delicious smells. It at least did something to soothe her still brooding mood and she took the food over to the table as requested, sitting down when he did to start eating.

She said nothing as she started eating, still uncertain if he was in the mood to talk. As unhappy as she may have been, it was obvious that he wasn't thrilled with yesterday's discovery either.

Thank you for breakfast, she said after a moment, deciding that even if they were going to eat in silence, it didn't hurt anything to show a little appreciation and manners.

After several minutes of silence and her own thoughts, she would speak unless he spoke first.

What happens to the Order if the Eternal dies? she asked with all the subtlety that was typical of her. She already knew the answer to some extent and she knew the words were treasonous, but she also knew Morgan's feelings on the topic, and she knew that on his ship there wasn't much chance of being overheard.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan settled in at the table and began to eat in silence. He sipped at soup and water picked up bits of fish and rice but seemed to go through the process almost automatically with little real enjoyment. Goldens were fixed firmly on the food the entire time and didn't look up until Renfry spoke.

"You're welcome." He said distractedly and went right back to picking through his breakfast. The only sounds for them to listen to were the subtle thrum of the ship itself and the clinking of dishes and glasses against utensils and the table. It was distinctly unusual in comparison to their prior interactions. Renfry usually had more questions and while Morgan didn't tend toward long exposition he usually had something or other to say.

Goldens blinked when a question eventually did come. He placed his utensils down down next to his half-eaten meal and straightened a little in his chair, looking directly across the table at Renfry for a few moments of thought. Morgan blinked.

"That depends on when and how, I think. The order would likely persevere." The young Sith paused a moment. "But in what state varies."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened to his answer, but it wasn't overly expositive. It was technically an answer, and she nodded.

Indeed, she replied, but made no further comment. Yes, the Sith would continue to exist. No, she didn't know how or in what form. But they always survived. Even when the Jedi had thought them wiped out they had risen with vengeance again and again. The galaxy was a cycle. The Shadow saw to that.

---​

The rest of their trip seemed filled with a tension that never quite dissipated. It wasn't necessarily that they were angry with each other so much as both of them were simply lost in their own internal worlds.

Approaching vessel, identify yourself, came a voice over the intercom as they dropped out of hyperspace near the station. The two Sith Lords should be granted access, but they were more likely than not to be met by an armed escort. Renfry readied herself mentally and physically in the event that this turned into a more direct confrontation.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Renfry didn't seem to feel the need to follow up the answer with further context and Morgan didn't feel like asking for it. He focused back down on his food and continued eating with the same steady pace.

But behind his eyes his thoughts had shifted to a new topic. The Sith always survived in one way or another. In a way his own family was proof of that even if such a distinctly Sith bloodline continuing to exist wasn't known to the greater galaxy. If the Eternal were to die as Renfry said there would change and upheaval.

What mattered is who was the cause and their goals.

-------
​

Morgan remained uncharacteristically sharp for the trip, although at times his annoyance seemed to soften and he bothered speaking or some other interaction.

The voice over comms resulted in a wry expression from the Firrerreo. While it wasn't the only control officer he'd heard he did recognize the voice from prior visits. A button was depressed to respond to the hail.

"Darth Stolas and Darth Andruil aboard Voyager. Sending codes." Dante whirred behind them in the cockpit and sent off the security codes for confirmation. The line was silent for a few seconds as the station personnel verified them.

Very well. Land in hangar bay 3.

Morgan took the ship around to the appropriate site, wing and secondary thruster rotating to the landing position just before it touched down on the deck. He stood from the pilot's seat and went to retrieve his gear.

"Be cautious. They are always wary."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry ensured her lightsaber was attached to her belt as they came in for a landing. From the copilot seat, she leaned forward to get a better view out of the viewport. She reached over and pressed a button on the console to look at the passive scanners. The station was well armed as expected with more lifeforms aboard than she had anticipated. How large scale was this operation?

How likely is violence? she asked. She was prepared either way, but having a definitive amount in mind would help prepare herself better.

Either way she headed for the exit of the ship and descended the ramp. Nearly a dozen soldiers in pristine uniforms awaited them, flanking on either side of the exit ramp and leading directly down to a man standing in a perfect white uniform. Renfry wasn't an expert on the military insignias, but based on the number of blue and red squares in his rank insignias, she took it he was likely the head of this operation.

Greetings, my lords. We weren't expecting a visit from the Order, the man said, the perfect amount of polite and questioning. He was clearly suspicious of the pair, but was cunning enough to not come out and say it directly.

 

[Darth Stolas]

"In general, unlikely. They are professional."

Morgan arranged himself into his more distinctive attire, although not bothering with the armour jacket or helmet, and placed his utility belt overtop. With his weaponry and appearance in place he also stepped down the ship's ramp and out into the hangar. This welcome was rather different than the last with more 'ceremony' involved, it seemed, and it drew an amused look from the young Lord. Usually he arrived, got set up for a job, and left again.

Their arrival was unexpected so perhaps they felt the need to put on a show? Of what sort had yet to be determined.

There stood a man in white who Morgan recognized vaguely as the officer who ran the station itself, though not the other operations or training. That was handled by Sith taskmasters. Morgan had seen him walk around before but they'd never had an actual conversation.

"A visit for my own business this time." Stolas's boots clacked into place in military fashion and he bent slightly at the waist in a basic old-fashioned greeting. The man saluted at the same time, soldiers joining him, and the gestures all ended at the same time in an example of sharp, military precision.

"Impressive as always," he commented. "There are personnel I would speak to. Dockmaster first. Please."

Morgan handed the officer a basic datapad with some equally basic information. Not having specific requests on who to speak to and at least some reason would be more suspicious for this particular installation than not. Even Sith Lords weren't above at least a little scrutiny.

I see. Very well. He called over an ensign to guide the two Sith around and they would all together depart for the dockmaster's office while the taskmaster, who was also aware of who Morgan was and had brief him on missions before, would be informed of the arrival.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfy watched the troopers take up their positions along the sides of the ramp and noted the polite but distant greeting of the director of the station.

It seemed that he and Morgan had perhaps met before, which probably made things easier. She had no idea what was on the datapad he handed over, and she realized that might be a problem. It was probably fine, right?

Whatever was on it seemed to satisfy the director and they were led in the direction of the dock master. If Morgan had a bone to pick with any or these people on account of Emryc, then it was likely she did as well. But then, perhaps this would last without violence as Morgan guessed.

As they moved, she said nothing. She didn’t want to betray anything about their purpose here or give clue to the others that they may have been operating in an... irregular capacity.

She sensed something unsettling. Perhaps it was someone unhappy with their arrival, but nothing immediately came out as a threat. It simply put her in the alert as they moved forward.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan walked along the semi familiar halls. They were far from ostentatious considering the nature of the station in training soldiers, durasteel making up every surface. A particular face or two he recognized in passing got a short nod or inclined head in greeting. Emryc hadn't been the first soldier boy he'd been assigned to work with for some work or other, but he'd been the first one he'd quickly seen to be so much more than.

And they'd become even more afterwards. It still felt surreal sometimes, he thought, that chance meeting. Morgan shook his head a moment to clear it. Thinking about how much he missed and worried over the man he loved was painful.

His head tilted slightly while they were guided to the proper office as if listening to something just below the range of ordinary hearing. No doubt the unexpected visit was being watched to some degree and they would need to tread carefully. This place did things in their own way.

Eventually they were lead by the quiet ensign to the dockmaster's office. He waited outside as the two Sith walked through the doorway. They were greeted with the sight of a clean cut middle-aged man going through a console and a stack of datapads, a permanent frown on his face. He looked up, stood, and saluted both Sith as Morgan gave that same short, basic bow, and then sat back down before Morgan sat in a seat before his desk.

Darth Stolas, it's been some time. Darth Andruil. What can I do for you?

"Looking for a ship," Morgan answered evenly. "You have some currently unassigned?"

A reasonable answer, and part of why he'd asked for more than one meeting. Showing up only to find a specific ship would draw unneeded attention to it. The Dockmaster gave the two of them a blank look and turned to his console to check the list of vessels.

We do. You can see them but the taskmaster will need to sign off on any assignments or transfer as you know.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil followed without a word. She was more nervous than she let on and didn't even allow the thoughts to escape beyond the confines of her mind. She was fairly certain it was due to the uncertainty involved in this particular operation. But rather than tap her lightsaber or check that it was there, her magick had given her a slightly different tic. Her fingers of her casting hand flexed ever so slightly time and again as if they needed to "stay loose" for a battle that wasn't likely to come.

She gave a polite nod to the dockmaster as he greeted her, but her mind was elsewhere. She was taking in the station and its inhabitants. She looked to the dockmaster who seemed to find the meeting perhaps a bit unusual, but not enough so to say anything. Technically this was an individual whom they both outranked.

We've got a Starblossom-Class yacht that's just finished repairs. I recall you had a thing for yachts, no? the man asked, looking up at Morgan.

 

[Darth Stolas]

It was far from the first time Morgan had been in a situation in which he'd arrived somewhere under pretenses to achieve goals he never quite revealed to those he spoke to. It was common in his line of work, leaving him still and steady in the face of uncertainty. Behind his even expression was where the uncertainty and planning happened. He was working.

But he was nervous too under the mask. This was a personal project for a particularly important purpose and he would honestly prefer just to show up and take the ship. Unfortunately that would do nothing to help Emryc, Renfry, or Morgan himself in the end, only bring more trouble. Careful steps were required for these sorts of things, and one of them was appearing as if one was meant to be exactly where they were.

Morgan's head tilted slightly as he looked at the dockmaster as he mentioned a particular lot. The interest that showed up on his face was genuine, a slight curl of the lips and raised eyebrow. He nodded with approval.

"A contender for the list," he replied, "Do you have more common models? Luxury shuttles, transports, freighters, couriers. Things of that nature." Morgan paused. "Best to blend in."

He wasn't going to say no to a Starblossom as a bonus but he wasn't actually here for a new yacht for himself. Morgan was here to recover Emryc's ship, or at least its contents, and the rest didn't really matter.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

From Renfry’s estimation, the dockmaster didn’t look ecstatic about the Sith Lord’s additional requests. He offered one of the better ships currently available, but it was declined. Still, he had the good sense to keep his annoyance to himself.

He continued scrolling through the manifests and shook his head.

“Most of our ships are out on assignment.” He continued scrolling, selecting several ships and adding them to a list.

“Several of these haven’t been through refit and inspections yet so I can’t vouch for their state,” he said, pushing the list across to Morgan for the Darth to inspect.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Naturally the dockmaster was a little put off. Aside from his general professionalism, securing a ship for a Sith Lord was probably a decent boon for one's reputation. It was almost a shame Morgan wasn't here for himself or he'd have taken it and already be out of the undoubtedly busy man's thinning hair.

Stolas inclined his head slightly in a gesture of understanding, waving a hand in polite dismissal of any potential need for excusing a limited roster. Even though they had some unused ships they weren't a starship depot and he couldn't reasonably expect a catalogue, after all.

"Understandable."

Slender fingers took up the list, goldens looking down at it. A Kathol courier, common for quick travel, an old YT model, an IFST-21 and- there. A GX-1 Lantillian-made craft, transport model. Morgan immediately recognized the registry codes from the information he'd been given and the appearance from memory, brows raising in an expression easily confused for common interest.

He crossed the YT and IFST off the list and passed it to Renfry for her own inspection.

"We will inspect these two personally. Their state will not reflect negatively on you nor your personnel," he stated matter-of-factly once the dockmaster had the list back. The man pursed his lips with some skepticism at the unofficial looking-over but moved right along. Neither Stolas nor Andruil were renowned for dishonesty or poor treatment of military and, besides, it wasn't his job to actually hand them out. He was the man in charge of the hangars and their crew, not assignments.

After that was handled and approved the two Sith and their Ensign Amarr escort, they would step their way to a particular bay used primarily for storage and refit, passing through a door the dockmaster temporarily added to Morgan's access key. Before them sat the four ships that had been on the list in varying states of wear and use.

Ship sat there closest to the left wall and Morgan had to fight to keep his expression neutral just from seeing it in person again.

"Kathol first."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry looked at the registry and at the ships he had crossed off. She, too, recognized Ship from its appearance immediately. She had spent more than a few days aboard and her heart skipped a beat at the realization of how closer they were.

She nodded as she handed the pad back to the dockmaster who seemed at least satisfied even if not particularly happy.

They were led down to the hangar with haste and brought to the quartet of ships.

Agreed, she said as Morgan mentioned checking out the Kathol first. She made her way over and headed inside the ship. It was not a model she was familiar with, and so her inspection and evaluation was genuine. Her hands ran over various surfaces and she took a close look at the different rooms inside.

After several minutes of inspection she, the dockmaster, and Morgan were once again together to evaluate. She could see what Morgan was doing, and that brought her to her next statement.

It seems a bit on the small side for our operation. Total capacity is what five or six at most? That's barely enough for us each to even bring along two of our best, she said. She knew that Ship was larger and would serve the "needs" of their "operation" much better. A perfectly valid reason to decline the first ship they saw.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan moved to the Kathol as well, his eyes flicking over to examine the lines of the vessel. He'd used one of these couriers for a short time and found it was meshed well with his pilot training moreso than the larger vessels. At the end of the day he was a starfighter pilot and things like freighters just weren't something that fit how he flew.

In contrast to Renfry, Morgan knew more or less what he was looking at, inspecting specific areas of the ship and several controls. The vessel had clearly been used but professionally, of course, given the organization that owned it. Nothing all that interesting stood out, but it didn't need to for their purposes.

Renfry's assessment was a good bluff, as well as being technically accurate. Morgan nodded in her direction.

"Quick, in good condition. But too small," he agreed evenly. The dockmaster gave them a look and then removed the Kathol from his list. Only the Lantillian transport remained, and while the man was naturally both somewhat skeptical and curious about all this, he was also hoping to get some kind of boon for the trouble. Both Sith would head next for Ship and Renfry would be able to pick up both the stubborn hardening of Morgan's expression as well as the rush of emotion that went through him at stepping up before it.

Morgan walked up the entry ramp into the craft itself, looking around at the interior, taking in the familiar sights and scents as they washed over him. It felt strange without Emryc inside it with them. He could catch the aged incense and cologne, the paper from books on racks, the ever present clean laundry and subtle tinge of iron and copper.

He blinked and walked forward to look around, avoiding Emryc's own room for the moment.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry nodded at his agreement and they moved along to the next ship in the line. She knew it, and she knew it well. The moment she entered she was hit by the smell. The memories. The days she had spent flying around the galaxy with Emryc. She had come to know the ship well. Her face remained even with a great deal of effort, but she could sense something very familiar from Morgan. The same nostalgia and pain she was experiencing.

And then she remembered the revelation in the last few days. It cut her deeper now that she was here and she wanted to vent her anger. She wanted to throttle someone or hurl something across the room, but she didn't. Instead, her hand clenched at her side, nails digging into her palms as she walked the ship.

This should do well, she said to Morgan after a few minutes. It was all for the dockmaster's sake, and she forced her voice to be steady as she looked at all the locations in the ship that had memories. Deep memories that were tied to emotions that tore at her on the inside. For a moment, nothing else mattered.

We'll return the ship to Emryc. It's his, she told herself. Perhaps it wasn't relevant, but it rooted her. It was purpose.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

The inside of the craft was almost exactly as Morgan remembered. Most differences were discernable through scent more than sight, things that were usually fresh and easily present having faded into the background of cloth and metal. No soldier boy to greet or guide him inside when he showed up.

It made him sad. But his face remained stubbornly impassive during the inspection. He was still working and couldn't let it show.

Renfry too had her own mixed reactions to seeing the inside of Ship that confirmed her familiarity with the vessel and its proper owner. Morgan walked around the craft and eyed things, picking up on little details he remembered and checking to make sure everything was still where it was supposed to be. It was, all the books in cases and other personalizations. He didn't enter but he did open the doors to the different rooms, Emryc's included, to make sure they were in place as well.

Stolas was back to Renfry and the dockmaster by the time the Nightsister spoke up. His feelings rushed around beneath the surface but he could handle them properly later, when Ship was safe.

"Much larger, long range holotransceiver, blends in with more common ships." He nodded simply. "I agree. This is the one."

The dockmaster clicked a the ship's icon on his list to mark it and removed the other entirely, relieved to have at least this part over with.

"Remember, it's as is." "Mark it cleared. My facilities will take of it, after a transfer is arranged." "Mm. Fair enough." The list was handed off to Stolas and the Firrerreo nodded in thanks. Everyone party to this knew the taskmaster would have to agree for them to take a ship anyway.

Which was why that was their next destination while the dockmaster went off to ready paperwork and controls and other such minutiae. Morgan wasn't entirely looking forward to this meeting, but the last time they'd met in person the young Sith had only been an ordinary marauder.

It should at least be interesting.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry didn't really hear whatever was said between Morgan and the dockmaster. She could tell that despite his placid face, the emotions were stirring between the surface of the other Sith Lord. It was stirring within her as well and she let her mind linger there.

She moved over and disappeared into the room that was Emryc's, the only one she had avoided as well. Her fingers ran over the bed, pausing at the same spot she had first "appeared" in his room. Memories flooded back. She let them flow for a moment before shutting them out.

As she returned, they finished up the arrangements and she paused. The dockmaster headed off to finish the paperwork, muttering something about the taskmaster and not wanting to be there when they met up again.

When he was out of earshot, Renfry caught Morgan before they left.

What should I know about this taskmaster? she asked quietly. Something in the Shadow seemed... unsettled. She didn't know who it would be, but she felt unsettled.

 

[Darth Stolas]

There was an abrupt spike of irritation from Stolas as he noticed Renfry walking right into Emryc's room, the dockmaster's presence the only reason a growl and commentary didn't follow on its heels. Morgan hadn't entered out of respect for its owner who wasn't around to allow them inside. Given the circumstances it had faded into the background by the time the nightsister returned.

Sharp golden eyes turned to look at the other Sith a moment after her question, lips downturned with the same annoyance. "Immensely serious. Handles mission assignments. A trained Sith." A pause. "Smarter than he lets on." The man had an incredibly solid professional poker face but Morgan was good at picking up on the little things, even better than he'd used to be. Much practice.

"Potentially dangerous," he added. It was unknown how strong or skilled he actually was, exactly, since that wasn't the taskmaster's job. Safe to assume both and go from there.

Stolas would then depart Ship, closing things behind himself, and go to travel the familiar halls toward Taskmaster Rawl's ready room. This gave them a little more time to speak covertly.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

If Renfry noticed Stolas's anger, she didn't acknowledge it. Her mind was still threatening preoccupation with where she had just been. Instead, she tried to focus on what he said of the taskmaster. It sounded like there was a great deal about him that wasn't known, but she got the impression he was quite dangerous. Not someone to be underestimated or trifled with.

Understood, she said with a nod. Do we need to alter anything about the records? she asked. That was something she might be able to take care of if necessary. The precise dangers of this operation were... ambiguous. But from her experience, sometimes it was important not to trust other Sith. Particularly not with some of the... negative attention that Raze had drawn.

They continued their path through the corridors of the station and Renfry continued taking it in. She couldn't imagine living her entire life here. It was all metal and bulkheads. Fake gravity. No fresh air, plants, animals. No space for yourself. It seemed dreadful.

She shoved the thought aside as they arrived outside the taskmaster's office. His name was to the side of the door and looked as if it had been polished daily. Perhaps he was as attentive to details as his soldiers.

 

[Darth Stolas]

"Most likely," Morgan answered, thinking over the different angles of their task ahead. They would need to at least delay anyone really caring about the ship's being taken. As far as the station itself was concerned *Ship* was just another asset to be used as they saw fit, and as much as that irritated the Firrerreo it served his and Renfry's purposes well enough. With the proper tweaks they could make it look as if the transport was wiped clean and taken, or used as a burner vessel.

"Best not to draw too much attention to it."

The entrance to Taskmaster Rawl's ready room was precisely as Morgan remembered, seen both in person and holocalls. Military precision was valued on board and, of course, his placard was nice and shiny. He had to admit, he at least kept things neat and orderly. A gloved finger pressed the 'call' button when the two Sith were ready.

"Enter," called the man's voice and the door opened. Stolas stepped through and saw Rawl currently working over both a stack of datapads and his work console behind his desk. The Firrerreo stopped before it and offered one of his very shallow bows.

"Taskmaster. You've heard my transfer request?" The severe andserious-looking man, with lines around his eyes and by his mouth, looked up from his work. Brown-orange eyes looked at the two Sith Lords in his office. "I have. What will you use it for?"

@Phoenix