Ask Free of Charge

[Alexandria Voran]

War darkened the Force. The Light had shone brightly on the galaxy for a generation, untouched by the Darkside. That time had ended. Perhaps the Jedi had been naïve to think the Darkness had finally been defeated. Perhaps they should have known treachery would always lurk in the shadows. It was hard to face that truth when all they had ever known was peace. That peace was over. The Sith had returned and brought with them a plaque that blanketed the galaxy. As in generations pasts, the Jedi would rise to meet it.

Jedi Knight Alexandria Thayless Voran had visited Uba IV a handful of times in her life. The home of the Ubese People was just far enough out her travels occasionally touched their borders. Usually, it was a pit stop on her way to other worlds. The Ubese were skeptical of Jedi…to put it kindly. So of course, this was where Alex found herself. She had pledged to rejoin her brothers and sister in the Order. She had sworn to Oren to return home. Alex was not going to rush off to war. That was never who she was, but here, on Uba IV, she could help.

A strange plague had befallen the Ubese people. Their greatest medical minds had failed to stop the spread of the illness. If the Jedi were able to solve the mystery or heal the sick, it would be a significant step in the right direction. A momentous occasion in repairing the Ubese view of the Jedi. Obviously, they had no interest in allowing the Jedi to help. Alex had already been rebuffed at the edge of city serving as the Uba IV capital. She had sought to start the healing on her own. She was not welcome.

So instead, she waited for reinforcements. The Order had sent two other Jedi to assist in convincing the Chief Physician to let them help and then solve the sickness. She sighed. One problem at a time Alex. The Force began to ring in her mind as her fellow Jedi approached. Good.

@Darasuum @Charndley

 

[Juniper]

"Come on... come on... come on..."

Nara eased her way down the ramp of her ship, carrying a heavy box in her arms. It'd been stamped hastily with a first-aid symbol, but appeared featureless. It wasn't much, but hopefully it'd be a start. A collection of different anti-toxins, medicines and treatment materials she'd hastily packed from her clinic. It'd dented her small stock, but Nar Shaddaa had calmed down since the aftermath of the plague. Well, as much as Nar Shaddaa ever calmed down, at least. Uba IV was in more need.

That was if she was ever allowed to use them anyway. She'd picked up a message on the way over that they'd have to do some convincing before they'd be allowed to treat anyone. She felt like someone was playing a trick on her.

Let's send the least diplomatic Jedi we know to try and negotiate our way into helping people. Great.

Nara noticed the other Jedi pretty quickly. To be fair, it wasn't exactly hard. Look for the presence in the Force that wasn't wearing one of those helmets. She carried the box over as carefully as she could, before dropping it down in the dirt close by. It was as much as her arms could take.

"Hi, Knight Voran?" she asked, rubbing her wrists. "I'm Nara. Sorry, Knight Allam," she added quickly, rolling her eyes at the formality of it. "The Council sent me to help. I hear that you're struggling to actually, y'know, get anywhere with the Chief Physician?"

@Darasuum @Marx Agar

 

[Alexandria Voran]

A small smile spread across her face. Alex was not one for many formalities. “Please, call me Alex.” Her smiled widened. “You’re Nora, right?” She did not know many of her fellow Jedi, but she had least read her mission briefings. The Council was kind enough to include first and last names. “I think we are waiting for one more, but it does not seem like they are coming.” It had been a long time since that initial communication. There was likely little hope their band of 2 would become 3. “We likely should not wait any longer.” Her eyes flicked to the box. Strange.

“I’m not even sure struggling is the right word…he has simply refused to see us.” Alex ran a hand through her hair. “They don’t trust us and I don’t blame them, which makes this all the more difficult.” The Jedi had failed miserably across the galaxy. Just like old times and it was making diplomacy nearly impossible. “I am open to any brilliant ideas.” She fought to suppress the sigh. “Because I am fully out of them and Force has not reveled any secret paths.” She had tried desperately to meditate a solution, but none had been forthcoming.

The Force was silent. Almost like a rebuke of their actions. She knew she should not take it as a failure. There were no easy answers in the Force. Alex thought maybe some inkling may have arisen but so far she had gotten less and less.

@Charndley @Darasuum

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Uba IV just became one of the new planets Maiko had had the opportunity of visiting. A new location added and duly crossed out of the mental list he had created for himself, but when he heard from his Master that the natives were skeptical towards the Jedi, the young padawan's apprehension grew when the planet soon came to view.

Prior to their arrival, Maiko had attempted to learn about the Ubese. Aside from finding out that Uba IV had allied with the Separatists during the Clone Wars, the rest came up blank. Perhaps he should seek further information once they made contact with the planet's natives, but given the Ubese's distrust towards the Jedi Maiko knew that it would be a little difficult to connect with them. More so that the people of Uba IV were currently struck by a strange plague that baffled even their best and brightest in the medical field.

The young padawan was clad in his padawan uniform and its matching moss-colored robe, training staff slung on his back and satchel on his side. He had forgone wearing his beanie today, the beloved hat currently inside the satchel along with two packets of ration, two rolls of bandages, and a mediscanner and medpac he had managed to swipe from the Jedi Temple back in Yavin IV before he left the planet with Master Voran.

Feeling unsure as to how he should proceed, Maiko reached out to the Force around them in an attempt to assess the situation at hand. His brows furrowed with worry when he was met with silence.

"Master?" he tentatively called out to her. "Maybe we should try to speak with the Chief Physician again? I mean, the lives of his people should outweigh their skepticism towards us, shouldn't it?"

He might never come to understand why the Ubese distrusted the Jedi, but it would never cloud nor diminish Maiko's inherent determination to help those who were in need of aid. It was the right thing to do, after all.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex shifted her eyes to Maiko. She shivered. She had almost forgotten he was here. Teaching was something she was going to keep getting used to. Alex nodded slowly as Maiko spoke. It would not be much fun dealing with the Chief Physician, but it was likely the best place to start. Again, she suppressed a sigh. “His skepticism runs deep and we have done very little to convince him otherwise.” Alex was not like most of her fellow Jedi. However, that did not mean she enjoyed the wholesale emotions applied to them. The Order had made mistakes but they were the Ubese’s best, perhaps only, chance. “Come on…this won’t be easy.” Alex was unsure if Nara would follow.

Honestly, as long as Maiko was with her, she felt they would be fine. A delightful teaching opportunity. The Jedi Knight kept her mind spread wide as they headed back towards the Uba IV capital. The Ubese government knew they were here and knew what they wanted. They did not have to wait long before the welcome wagon was rolled out. The Jedi were a few hundred yards from the edge of the Capital when the sound of repulsor engines. Yes…that certainly felt welcoming. Two speeders whipped from the capital towards the small group, heavily armed Ubese seated among the pilots. Alex kept walking forward…projecting calm into the Force. She was a fully trained Jedi Knight after all. The speeder reared to a halt and a very stern looking Ubese climbed out. They did not lower their guns, but the message was fairly clear. “We turned you away once Jedi…that was the only warning you are going to get.” Alex placed her hands up and palms out.

“Our help does not come with a price or strings. We are only here to ease suffering.” The guard Captain frowned. “You have your answer.” The tension in the Force grew. Alex met the Captain’s eyes. They would see the Chief.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Maiko could feel the tension in the air as he listened to his Master's explanations. He understood little – or none at all, if he was being completely honest – as to why the Ubese people were denying the Jedi Order's aid at this point. Like he told Master Voran, didn't they value the health and safety of their people above all? The Jedi were willing to extend a helping hand without asking for anything in return, so why shun them? Why were these people so hell-bent on sending those who only wanted to help away?

The young Padawan followed right beside his Master, trying to keep his own apprehension at bay when they neared the Capital's border. There came the sound of engines, followed by the sight of heavily armed Ubese boarding speeders caught Maiko's attention. Instinct dictated that he took a step behind his mentor but the teenager stood his ground, back straight as he let the calm Master Voran was projecting in the Force to wash over him.

Despite the weapons ready to be aimed at them, Maiko's heartbeat slowed into a steady rhythm. He mirrored his Master's gesture, lifting both hands up slowly so as not to cause any alarm from the other group. Standing his ground, the Padawan's voice came out steady yet imploring, the tone of his voice reflected in the glimmer of his brown eyes.

"Please... we just want to help," he said meekly, respect clear in his quiet voice. "Please heed my Master's words. We ask for nothing in return."

The Captain gave his own response, and Maiko would've let out a sigh of relief if he didn't feel the mounting tension in the Force. Maiko himself reached out, pushing calm and sincerity through the Force while he kept his expression hopeful and sympathetic. He did not take a step forward, but he tried to make the Captain feel that his Master meant her words.

Sincerity and compassion bled around them as Maiko bore his heart on his sleeve. He slowly lowered his hands, followed by his head. This was something that he and his Master would have to tread carefully – one wrong move or a misunderstanding of their intent could easily mark this mission as a failure, more so the attempts to establish a good relationship between the Jedi Order and Uba IV.

"We just want to help you and your people. Please allow us an audience with the Chief Physician even if it's for the last time," pleaded Maiko, slightly lifting his head so he could return the Ubese Captain's gaze.

A final bargain, but one made desperately nonetheless. Forget being a Jedi, even just this once – these people clearly needed help and he would do anything in his power to help them and his Master to put a stop to this growing concern.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex was not going to talk her way past the Captain. She had already tried and failed. A small part of her wished to reach out and change the Captain’s mind. He was strong willed, but his emotions were right at the surface. It would be all too easy to reach and twist his thoughts. Alex was not about to set that example for her young Padawan. She hesitant to ever manipulate the minds of others, let alone with impressionable Maiko watching. Luckily, she did not have to bend the odds in their favor. Maiko’s forthright nature seemed must through the hard exterior. A single man stood from the speeder furthest back. A white lab coat was just visible underneath dark robes.

“Theran, that’s enough.” Alex smiled. She knew it. The Chief could not resist seeing the Jedi himself. Maiko’s earnest plea had been enough to pique is interest. One longer finger pointed at Alex. “You I do not trust…too long a Jedi.” His eyes shifted to Maiko. “But that one, he can’t be old enough to have learned to lie…him I trust.” She kept quiet for a moment. “Fair. Maiko will decide our course of action.” Alex knew they had to do whatever it took to see those effected by the plague. The Chief nodded. “Fine. We have had no choice but to quarantine those with the illness on eastern edge of the city. It is a terrible solution to a worse problem…the guards will let you in.” And with that they were gone. The speeder whipped around to leave Alex and Maiko in the dust.

She motioned for him to follow again. The walked to the eastern edge of the city was relatively short. The closer they got, the more worried she became. A Darkness hung on the very edges of her senses. Tremendous pain and suffering, but something more. “Do you feel that?” The walls of the temporary encampment began to loom before them. Her worst fears were slowly becoming true. Of course, the Chief could not solve the illness. It was not a physical malady that ailed his people but an affliction of the Force. Alex quickly turned to Maiko. “Steal your mind. Shut everything else out.” She had felt corruption like this only once before. Max wasn’t here this time.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

His vision clouded with tears he would quickly blink and wipe away with his sleeve, an earnest, grateful smile brightening his features as he dipped his head in a respectful bow towards the Chief Physician. Maiko had gambled with their quest on this planet and it seemed that the Force was on their favor today. He could feel his Master's relief bleeding into his own and the young Padawan straightened once more, nodding once at the Chief and his men.

"Thank you, sir," he told the Chief and the Captain, sincerity in his tone as clear as the brightest day in Sorgan. "Thank you very much!"

The young Padawan refrained from making any promises, knowing well enough of the consequences they would possibly bring should the Jedi fail to end the illness that was plaguing the Ubese. Instead, he quickly turned to look at his Master and followed her lead, determination burning in his gaze. For once his hands stayed resolutely on his sides, so unlike the times when they would find the sling of his satchel to grip at it with anxiety and apprehension. Master Voran and her fellow Jedi Knights needed his support, and he wouldn't be able to give them his aid if he allowed his doubts and fears cloud his thought and judgement.

He was here to help where he was needed, and that was what he would do.

But dread had a way of slithering through the cracks of Maiko's resolve when they neared the encampment. The Padawan's footsteps haltered as something Dark encroached his senses, adding to the pain, suffering, and fear he felt within the area. It resembled what he had felt at Ajan Kloss, and yet it did not. The Darkness looming over the ailing was something entirely different, and he shared Master Voran's conclusion without knowing it.

His Master's warning would have fallen on deaf ears if it weren't for Maiko's absolute trust and faith in her. The young Padawan did as he was told, shutting any other outside influences and feelings, shielding his mind from the malevolent Darkness that threatened to consume and afflict him as much as it did with the Ubese that fell prey to its sinister clutches. Maiko drew on the Light within him and found strength in his Master's, his Light touching her own so that he wasn't only protecting himself but also extending his strength to hers. He knew his influence was nothing compared to the fully trained Jedi Knight's but it did not deter him from reaching out to her.

She was his Master, and he trusted her fully – even with his own life.

Maiko hurried to Master Voran's side, his expression fraught with worry but his eyes gleamed with resolve. "Master Alexandria," he called out to her, newfound strength and courage in his voice as he took a brave step forward. He had not even noticed the switch from him addressing her by her surname to her first – a proof of the growing bond he shared with her as his teacher and friend. "I can feel something that doesn't belong here... a corruption that's eating away at those who are afflicted."

"I think–" another step forward, bringing him closer to the temporary encampment. Maiko could already hear those who were suffering, and while his heart broke for them he only found another reason to strengthen his resolve to heal them. "No, it's– it's the Force, Master. I think we should–"

What? Think Maiko!

He knew his limitations, knew that he wasn't as strong as his Master when it came to the Force. But trying won't do him any good, it was either he would do it – help his Master with every ounce of strength he had – or not. Giving up was not an option, though, and Maiko now knew what they would have to do.

"Whether if it's a corruption in or from the Force, I'm not sure, but one thing is for certain – the Darkness afflicts these people and–" eyes bright with realization, he turned to look at his Master with mounting clarity. She did tell the Chief earlier that the Padawan would be the one to decide the next course of action. He simply hoped that his suggestion would make sense.

"We could attempt to draw that Darkness out like poison from a wound."

How? Well, that part he was admittedly unsure of.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

A slimy film hung over the Force. Alex’s mental walls were slammed high. She could feel waves of oddness lapping against her mind. No, this was not the same as Ajan Kloss but kriff it felt similar. A part of her wished to turn around and leave it all behind. The pit in her stomach threatened to grow. Alex took a deep breath. She was not alone. Her strength was not tied to Max alone. The Force was her constant ally and her connection with Maiko was growing. They were not alone. Alex quickly brought herself back to the present. Maiko’s words had washed over her.

Be the teacher Alex. A soft smile spread across her face. There was cause for concern but no reason to panic until they knew the truth. “Keep your mind sharp.” She did not dare take one step closer to the city. They needed to understand what they were exactly dealing with. “No matter what…you must keep your walls shut.” Alex put a hand on his shoulder, turning Maiko to face her. Her eyes locked with him. “No matter what Maiko…promise me…you will not lower your walls.” She had faced this before, but she would not subject her student to the same. One more deep breath.

Alex lowered her walls just slightly. The taint that brushed across her senses sent a spike of fear up her spine. It was not the same as the Curse. On Ajan Kloss the Curse had felt alive as it assaulted her mind. This was something different. This was something that hung over the land. Already she could feel it reaching for her. Not sentient but something else. Alex quickly walled her mind off. “I don’t know what this is, but I suspect you are right…this is a poison that we must draw forth.” She began to walk forward again. “But from where does the poison come? We have to find it and how it is afflicting this people…before we can lock it away.” The Jedi Knight began to walk towards the camp. The Force only knew what they would find.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Maiko halted on his tracks when he felt Master Alex's hand on his shoulder. He let himself be steered to face her, and he met her gaze with determination and courage. She had always been a source of strength for him, and he was more than glad and grateful to be with her in this mission. The young Padawan's resolve grew stronger as he nodded an affirmative to her command. It would do him well to heed her words, and he would lift a hand to rest over hers on his shoulder.

"I will do my best, Master," he assured her with a smile. "I promise."

Dutiful as ever, Maiko then followed his Master as she began to walk forward towards the camp. He resolutely stood by her side, straightening his shoulders as they approached the camp. Maiko kept his mental defenses up as was instructed by Master Alex the moment he felt the sinister taint through the Force. But it did not mean that he was walled off against the sounds of agony and pain around them. Even if he had shut down his senses through the Force the sight and sounds of suffering still assailed him. The Padawan could not stop himself from flinching as they delved into the camp.

"Master, how are we going to find the source of this...?" he mused out loud, not even trying to tune out the pained sounds of the Ubese in the camp. "Should we split up to cover more ground, or stay and search together?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Her concerns were put at ease with Maiko’s promise. Still, he was young, and the young often made foolish mistakes. They could not take that chance here. Alex would not let her student fall victim to whatever was poisoning the people. Still, she was entirely uncertain what they faced. “We are stronger together.” Every moment was a teach moment. “Always remember that...but even when we are apart, we are not alone.” She briefly touched his mind in the Force. “We are always connected.” The Jedi Knight patted Maiko again. “But I’d rather not loose sight of you today.” They were close to the camp walls. The oppressive feeling grew on her mind. Darkness.

The guards let them pass through the gate. Horrors followed. The malaise when they crossed into the camp was palpable. A terrible sinking feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. The very air felt heavy, as if it settled around them. She could almost feel the illness. Somehow, the sights were far worse. The Ubese had made a variety of temporary shelters. The sick and dying were all around them. Alex fought to keep the grimace off her face. It sounded like a warzone. It felt like a warzone. Sickness hung over the entire encampment. Alex could feel her mental walls hammered over and over. It yearned for their health. By the Force, what was this.

She did not have much time to contemplate the question. The Jedi’s arrival had not gone unnoticed. The arrival of two clean, healthy, and young individuals had drawn the eyes of refugees. Already they were beginning to stare, stand, and walk. Alex smoothed her face. She projected calm into the Force. Her hands were very purposefully at her sides. These people need their help, and they would have it. She quickly raised her voice. “Please give us some space…we need to time work.” Her words washed over the camp. They did not have the desired effect.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

It was getting much easier to call upon the Force, to reach out to it, after taking his Master's teachings to heart. To work with the Force and not command it. Heeding and understanding Master Alex's words became as easy as breathing, and to trust in her even more so as he felt her touch his mind through the Living Force. The young Padawan nodded in affirmation, smiling gently and happily at the soft touch on his shoulder. It was warm and kind, and it reminded him of his family back home.

He kept close to Master Alex as the guards let them pass, aware of the wary stares the two of them received. Maiko tried to look as non-threatening as he could – a relatively easy thing to achieve given his slight frame and open expression, and the way he awkwardly held himself beside the Jedi Knight. He was mindful not to be a burden, and to prepare himself to defend his Master as much as she would be ready to defend him. The afflicted here in the camp might not be their enemies, but the Chief Physician's words earlier remained in Maiko's mind. The Ubese doctor thought that Master Alex could be lying and chose to trust the young, inexperienced Padawan instead for the reason that Maiko wasn't old enough to have learned how to lie.

Maiko himself wasn't a very good liar, and he honestly could not fathom as to why lying could be necessary when it was not needed. He knew that lies were made because the truth could hurt others sometimes, but he would rather be hurt by the truth than live in ignorant bliss because of a lie.

His thoughts were immediately halted when he felt something dreadfully heavy drape over him through the Force. Maiko wasn't able to conceal the flinch that crossed his face as he fought to keep his mental shields up just as Master Alex had instructed him. It was difficult, but he reminded himself that what he had felt in Ajan Kloss was much worse, and that while the presence he felt here and now was dark and heavy and promised suffering, the Darkness and red blades that still plagued his dreams sometimes was far superior. But he knew he couldn't let his guard down. No, he would not.

Maiko dutifully followed after Master Alex, but walking felt like wading waist-deep in mud and clay. Effort was needed to put one foot forward, followed by another. The young Padawan could not decided which he should put his focus on – on the physical plane, to the sick refugees and natives around him and his Master, or on the malady that was battering against his mental walls. What once was an easy task of dismissing the noises around him became a struggle. Not only was he hearing the sounds of the sick and the dying, he could also hear something malicious and wicked through the Force. Wordless, sibilant whispers that sought to strike him down as much as he did to those around them.

The sound of his Master's voice brought him back from the brink of succumbing to the whispers, and Maiko drew on the Light of the Force, letting it wash over him and extending his Light to his Master's. Maiko stood resolutely by Master Alex's side, pushing more calm and serenity through the Force around them. The whispers answered, the voices rising in defiance to the Padawan's attempt to help his Master. Maiko faltered, his mental shields wavering and cracking, and while he successfully raised them again a sliver of the unknown malady that swept the camp had managed to slip through the cracks. The Force softly whispered a warning to him, and Maiko was quick to block his connection with his Master to spare her from the affliction – small, though it might still be – that fought to grip him.

"Please listen to my Master," he would tell the refugees, voice firm but kind as ever. "We wouldn't be able to help you if..." He raised his hands at chest level, stepping in front of Master Alex. "Please."

The refugees were either unheeding or being drawn by the two Jedi's arrival. The two's Light shone brightly through the Force, but whatever that was ailing the people in the camp desired to taint and snuff it out.

Spoiler: Dice-y

Did Maiko succeed in helping his Master?
Oof, guess that's a no

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex’s eyes were focused on the growing crowd, but her mind was flung wide. The malaise hung heavily everywhere her mind turned. She could pinpoint no one source. The Force shuddered as her connection was Maiko was roughly shut. Her eyes immediately flicked to her Padawan. Oh no. Whatever plagued the Ubese had made a small crack in Maiko’s armor. A part of her wanted to rush him from the encampment but she knew that was not the way. She had to trust her student could withstand whatever came for them. Still, she would keep a close eye on him.

The crow grew ever larger, bodies pressing against bodies as they neared the Jedi. She needed to do something. The Force nudged her word. Foolish, but perhaps necessary. Alex quickly took the glove off her hand. Two quick steps forward. Her pale hand cupped the chin of a young Ubese women. Touch. Alex’s mind ripped wide as felt the full breadth of the corruption. The Ubese’s very soul dripped with illness. A darkness plagued her heart which poisoned her body. Her very life was being drained. Alex knew what they faced in that moment. A parasite. A terrible hanger-on feeding on the life force of the Ubese. It drank their souls as if water from a pool, but how, and where?

Her mind searched but found nothing but blackness to meet it. She could feel the parasite grasping for her, trying to find purchase in her heart. All it took was one small slip and it would have her. Find it Alex…find it. She had left the encampment to search for their prey. Her bold action had momentarily halted the crowd, but as the Jedi Knight stood there cupping the Ubese’s face, the crowd began to move forward again. Alex did not feel it or see it. Her mind was solely on the hunt. She could not understand the danger that suddenly surrounded them.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

While he might have been compromised, Maiko still kept a careful watch over his Master even if their connection through the Force was temporarily blocked. He couldn't let Master Alex fall prey to whatever it was that ailed him no matter how small it might be still. The young padawan knew that he now was operating on borrowed time, and that he would need to help his Master find the illness' source before he succumbed to it himself.

He had a responsibility here. Master Alex brought him here, had trusted that he would be by her side to help. He would not be a burden.

Maiko kept to his Master's side as the gathered Ubese continued their approach. He raised his hands at chest level, unwilling but ready to Push them away should they show signs of hostility. The young Padawan abhorred inflicting pain on others, but right now it was his duty to protect Master Alex as she approached one Ubese woman and cupped the latter's chin with her bare hand. At first he didn't understand the treason behind his Master's action, but he was quick to grasp comprehension upon remembering their mission's core objective.

She was searching for the source of this malady, with her mind and through the Force. And it made her vulnerable to the physical world. Maiko knew that he couldn't afford to have her concentration broken so he prepared himself to defend her while she searched. As the crowd resumed their approach, the young Padawan began to draw on the Force around him and let the Light wash over him. Master Atuvrak, when he was still with him, had taught Maiko the rudimentary foundation of creating barriers using the Force but considering his own state and limited capabilities he knew that creating – and even maintaining – a Force Barrier was still beyond him.

Stall them! Even for a short moment! Think, Maiko. Think!

Turning on his heel to stand beside his Master, Maiko closed his eyes and raised his cupped hands up overhead.

This will only be temporary, but here's hoping it can still buy Master enough time to find this illness' source.

Drawing on and working with the Force around him while letting himself be centered by his Master's Light, the young Padawan mustered on performing a Force Flash. A sudden burst of bright light flared from Maiko's hands that swiftly caught the gathered crowd's attention which subsequently blinded them if only temporarily. The flash of light's effect was instantaneous, with the crowd of ill Ubese halting their approach to cover their eyes albeit ineffectively, the sudden Force Flash catching them off guard. With his own eyes still closed Maiko could perceive through the Force that some of the crowd were beginning to shrink away from the sudden visual assault.

It would only ever work once, that much he knew. But Maiko hoped that with the immediate threat of being ganged up on by the ailing Ubese within the vicinity temporarily halted, he had managed to buy Master Alex time to continue – and finish, Maker willing – her search.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

What are you trying to find? Alex had left her physical body behind…foolish…but she had to trust Maiko. Her young student was becoming more confident. She needed to have faith in him. She could only pray her faith was not misplaced. She knew it was not. Still, her mind dug deeper and deeper into the Force. That malaise that hung was only just the beginning. Why could she not find it? The Curse had attacked them on Ajan Kloss. It had wanted to shatter their minds and bodies. This was simply not the same.


This hung over the entire camp. It was a cloud that drained the very soul from the land. Come on Alex. Deeper she went still. The sickness wormed its way around her mind. She could feel it trying to overcome her mental wall. It would not have her. She knew it sought to expand the foothold in Maiko. She needed to act quickly. Time to take a chance. Alex lowered her mental walls just slightly. The sickness rushed in and she grabbed a hold. She wrapped the Light around the tendril of Darkness. The Jedi Knight yanked as if pulling on a thread. Her mind raced down the tendril until she rushed into a pool of darkness.


She nearly vomited as the overwhelming feeling of sickness rushed through her body. Her mental walls raced up, her eyes snapping open just as Maiko sent the flash in the Force. Her mouth felt thick as her face paled. Alex quickly raised a finger towards a small tent in the center of the encampment. So cliché, she should have known. The exhaustion was already starting to set in. “Center tent…something.” The Curse had been malevolent and powerful. This was something else, something left behind. Dark artifacts had plagued the galaxy before. She had a horrible suspicion they were again. “We have to destroy it.” Alex’s eye flicked around them. They needed to hurry.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Maiko narrowly noticed that his Master had returned amid the sudden wave of weakness that threatened to pull his soul into the Darkness that hung upon the land. Grounding himself in Master Alex's presence and the Light of the Force, thr young Padawan stubbornly clung to them when he noticed her growing fatigue.

Brown eyes lit up with hope at the information. The afflicted Ubese were slowly beginning to recover from the Force Flash's effects. The two Jedi needed to hurry. Maiko would take Master Alex's hand and hurriedly but carefully began to lead her away from the crowd then towards their destination. He had no idea what she found, what the source of this sickness was, but when she said something instead of someone relief coursed through the young Padawan's veins.

He had no problems destroying something that harmed beings. But harming – destroying – someone?

Maiko couldn't do that. Maybe not ever, even if push came to a shove.

The tent was nondescript like the rest that littered the vicinity, but the Padawan could feel the roiling Darkness stronger now that he stood mere feet away from the sickness' source. His knees buckled, the small piece of the malady that had crept through the cracks of his defenses reacting to the source of the malady. Maiko clung to the Light, his hold on his Master's hand tightening a little as he pushed against the affliction that was now actively seeking to spread all throughout his soul.

"Let's go, Master," he encouraged her with a bright smile, stepping forward towards the tent and reaching a hand to lift the tarp. "Let's destroy whatever the source of this malady is–"

The sight inside the tent that greeted him made the hand that was holding his Master's slip away. Lying on a cot on one corner of the tent was an Ubese child. They did not react to the two Jedi but Maiko could feel that they were barely clinging to life. In his haste to help the kid he failed to notice that they were holding something in their small hands, but the small glimmer of Light fighting against the Darkness was a beacon to Maiko's senses.

The kid was Force-sensitive.

"Hi," the young Padawan greeted the child breathlessly, uncaring if they understood him or not. The kid wasn't conscious, but he hoped that they could hear him and feel his and his Master's presence. Maiko could tell that the Ubese child wasn't the source of the sickness. In fact, they seemed to be battling it but had lost. "My name is Maiko. Me and my Master are here to help."

He laid a hand over the child's clasped hands on their chest, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to black out and surrender to the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him. The kid's hands were clutching something that was wrapped in tattered clothing, but the malevolent presence the thing emanated was a sure sign that this was what he and his Master were looking for.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Darkness swam in her vision. Maiko was the small tether of Light to which Alex clung. She could feel the sliver of plague growing inside her young student. It sapped her strength and his. They had to fight on. Through a strength Alex did not know Maiko had, the young Jedi pulled them into the tent. She dug deep into the well of the Force. She could feel the darkness and exhaustion pulling at the Padawan. They had to hurry. The Darkness grew stronger as it fed on the growing despair. Her eyes immediately fell on the child, the Force ringing loudly in her ears. She could almost hear the call ripping from the child’s hand. Her made raced with possibilities.

Alex stayed near the front of the tent as Maiko walked forward. She was proud. His inclination to care for the child was absolutely correct. The Force was undeniable in the small Ubese. No doubt, the kid had inadvertently unearthed whatever he grasped and unknowingly activated it with undeveloped talents. She walked closer, allowing herself to sink deeper into the Force. The Light enveloped her. Well, it was time to exhaust her remaining strength. She patted Maiko on the shoulder. She could feel the deepening darkness reaching for him. She asked too much of him, but they had no choice. “Keep the child safe, Maiko.” Max would have been proud of what she did next.

The Jedi reached out and grabbed the clothe from the child’s hand. The hunger had been searching for power in the Force. It found that power in Alex. She was the bright light it came to devour. Her body tensed as darkness raced up her arms. This was different than what they faced on Ajan Kloss. Not as powerful, not as purposefully. This was an artifact of a bygone era. A weapon with no greater intent than to suck the life from the people around it. Fine. Alex allowed the crystal to feast on her strength, for paths worked both ways.

Her mind raced down the hungry tendrils just as she had before. Her presence in the Force exploded into the crystal. She took to heart the lesson of Ajan Kloss. She poured every single ounce of her strength in the Light. The crystal groaned, unable to compensate. She pushed harder…the Light filling the space. In an instant the darkness gave way. The crystal cracking and the taint fading. Alex collapsed to the ground, her knees buckling, a shade hanging onto her mind. A small piece of the darkness burrowing into her soul. Her eyes flicked open. The crystal was dust in her hand. Already she could feel the people being released from their sickness. Through shuddered breaths she somehow managed to stand. Just barely.

“Maiko.” Deep breaths. “Find the kids parents, take them and the little one to the ship…he is not safe here.” The family deserved to know their child’s gift and be given a chance to hone that skill. More deep breaths. “I will meet you there after I speak with the Chief.” Another breath…ignore the dark. Alex would trudge off to find the Chief Physician. She trusted Maiko to do the rest. They had done their job and there was no debating the benefit to the Ubese people. By the time they would return to the Temple, it would be with the good will of the people they saved.

OOC: Exit Thread: Mission Complete: To the Next One!

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Maiko was faltering.

With the source of the mysterious illness so near, the sliver of the malady that clung to him was quickly growing, sapping away his strength in earnest. In another life maybe the young Padawan had already given up the moment a tiny piece of the Darkness slipped past the crack of his armour. In another life maybe he would’ve already succumbed to the illness that compelled him to just stop and sleep. But as the kind voice of his Master rang softly but clearly in his mind, Maiko found renewed strength in the trust she was giving him. Carefully, he took the young Ubese in his arms after Master Alex had taken the relic from the young one’s grasp. The kid let out a relieved sigh but did not stir, small hands grasping Maiko’s tunic unconsciously.

The young Padawan held the child close, one hand bracing the back of the kid’s head. “Come back whole, Master,” he gently told her, exhaustion seeping through his soft voice, before he stepped out of the tent with the child to give his Master space for what she was about to do next.

Once outside, Maiko finally allowed his knees to buckle from the weight of the hunger that tried to gnaw away at his Light, his life force. He fell down on one knee, arms pulling the unconscious child closer to him so he wouldn’t accidentally drop them. The Padawan gritted his teeth, mustering every ounce of strength he had left and drawing on the Force, the Light within him, to sustain him. His body trembled as he stood, and instead of walking away from the tent he remained by the entrance as if on a vigil, waiting for his Master to emerge. Because he had temporarily shut himself from her, Maiko was spared from the ordeal Master Alex had gone through to contain the presence that plagued the Ubese people. But he felt the exact moment the malady was contained and eradicated. His strength returned to him, and the people in the camp were slowly beginning to recover. The sliver of Darkness clung to Maiko stubbornly, however, only letting him go reluctantly as he further drew on the Light granted to him by the Force.

But he was exhausted. Granted, he felt like he really hadn’t done much but weariness still seeped to his bones that had nothing to do with physical exertion. Nevertheless he still managed to stay up on his feet and smile at his Master when she finally emerged from the tent. Worry gnawed at him as he watched Master Alex drew deep breaths, and the way she held herself. She had done all the work, had dispelled the malaise that plagued the Ubese people on her own when he should have been with her, lending her as much of his strength as he could.

Some truths have to be realized, however. Maiko knew that he still had a long way to go to even go on par with Master Alex’ skill with the Force. He knew he still had a lot to experience and learn. This mission was a stepping stone, like the few that he’d taken in the past months, and those he would face in the coming future. He would get strong, so Master Alex wouldn’t have to face the Darkness on her own. He would get strong, and he would be standing beside her through thick or thin.

“I will, Master,” Maiko told her. “I’ll handle things from here. Thank... Thank you, Master.”

And as he moved to do her bidding, Maiko’s eyes shone with renewed determination.

He would get strong. And he would do everything in his power to help his Master save as many as he could.

[End Thread]​

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