Life Support

[Aurora Blackwood]

Savareen was a giant ball of sand and water. A terrible combination. It also happened to be a fairly unimposing world that offered the perfect location for the budding Galactic Alliance to hide out. Savareen was the forward facing front of the Rebellion. Only the remnants of the Jedi and highest ranking Rebellion commanders knew of Al’doleem. To all others, Savareen was Alliance High Command. Savareen, and the Rebellion base there, served this purpose well. It would serve a similar purpose of Jedi Master Aurora Thaylena Blackwood.

The Morellian Jedi didn’t particularly like Savareen but she couldn’t bring every little Rebel to Al’doleem. No. For today, Savareen would serve her purposes well. Leah had told her of an interesting young man. One who had proven himself to Master Reach and displayed a knack for the Force. It was at Leah’s suggestion that Aurora had agreed to this little meeting. She had told the man nothing other than who she was and that Leah had spoke highly of him. That was all anyone needed to know for now. That was all she was going to share for now.

Aurora wore tight black leather boots, fitting clothes pants, and a flowing jerkin. Her blaster was holstered loosely on her hip, and her Lightsaber was hidden away on her person. She was in a very plain room. The walls were sandstone and the floor was rought tile. The only furniture were two metal chairs about ten feet apart. Aurora sat in one, and she assumed her meeting buddy would sit in the other. Her mental walls were sealed tightly shut, but the Force flowed freely through her. She did not need to hide her abilities here. The chance she ran into a secret Sith were hopefully terribly low. Beside, she would need ever ounce of her skill for what was to come. The Jedi Master sat and waited. She assumed the man would be on time. @Vosrik

 

[Devrim Wolfe]

Back on Savareen, Devrim was aware that he had been called in — but he was not notified exactly why. This was...rather strange, but the dark-haired rebel didn't think much of it as he made his way towards the location he was directed to go. Clad in his usual outfit, minus the helmet, Devrim only carried his DH-7 pistol holstered securely at his side instead of his whole arsenal of grenades and rifle. This wasn't a mission, but everyone on Savareen carried a gun on them. It was still a smuggler's haven, despite the heavy Galactic Alliance presence. One didn't want to be caught in a firefight with no weapon, even at a place that many rebels including himself called home.

Stepping toward the building he was directed to, Devrim nodded in greeting to an armed guard who returned the nod and showed him inside. This seemed...different from a mission briefing, but the rebel wouldn't complain. Entering the plain sandstone room, the broad-shouldered rebel briefly glanced at his surroundings before taking a seat in the metal chair opposite an unknown woman across from him. Devrim had never met her before, but she seemed...different than every other rebel that he was accustomed to dealing with on a daily basis. Devrim was untrained in the Force, but he could tell this blonde-haired woman had a similar aura that Leah Reach did. Was she a Jedi too? He thought it was best not to mention it unless the subject was brought up.

The rebel took another look around the room. This setup looked very much like the one that Devrim attended while his friend Toland Vult was being screened after defecting from the Empire's ranks. However, there weren't any handcuffs involved, and Devrim certainly hadn't done anything recently that would result in an inquiry or an interrogation. A clear look of confusion on the man's face, he looked at the woman sitting across from him. Perhaps this had something to do with him formerly being a part of the extremist Dxun cell. He wouldn't be surprised if Commander Hugo had issued a request that all current and former members be thoroughly questioned, especially after the events of Dantooine. However...that tragic event had taken place almost a year ago. Why would they be interrogated now after so long? "Am I being...screened?" Devrim asked, his voice laced with curiosity. Whatever the case was for him being here now, he wasn't worried. He had been loyal to the rebellion his entire life.

@Valen Pelora​

 

[Aurora Blackwood]

Aurora tapped her foot impatiently as she waited. The Jedi Master could spend hours meditating, pondering the truths of the Force. She was terrible at waiting for others to arrive. The worst part was that she couldn’t exactly place her finger on why. Eventually, the familiar prickle up her spine alerted her to the arrival of another. A few moment later Devrim Wolfe sauntered through the door. Well, Leah was right. The Rebel was every inch of what her fellow Jedi had described. Aurora supposed he was ruggedly handsome in a way some little rebel girls might find attractive. She was only interest in one thing. The secrets in that pretty little head. Thankfully, he took his chair without complaint. Of course he had questions.

The Morellian Jedi kept her face as neutral as possible. “Of a sort.” She cocked her head to the side. “Your loyalty to the Alliance is not in question…at least not now.” This had nothing to do with Devrim’s current loyalty. Aurora cracked her knuckles and leaned back in the chair. “But the Alliance is growing, and for each new member there is a new risk. We are not ready to be exposed, Devrim.” That danger grew every single day. “The secrecy of the Alliance must be protected…no matter the cost.”

Her tongue clicked. “Leah suggested you might be suited to help ensure the Alliance is not exposed.” Aurora’s eyes hardened. “But I do not know you, and one mistake would doom us.” She pointed towards his chest. “So yes, a vetting of sorts. We must ensure you are not compromised.” She leaned forward in her chair. “You may refuse, but if you agree, this might be unpleasant.” Aurora needed to see into Devrim’s mind. It was the only way. @Vosrik

 

[Devrim Wolfe]

The woman seated across from him was very good at maintaining a straight Sabacc face while detailing the true reason why Devrim was there. He suppressed the urge to crack his own knuckles upon hearing the blonde-haired rebel do the same. Hearing the stranger continue her explanation, it occurred to the dark-haired rebel that she did not introduce herself or explain in any way who she might be. Regardless, Devrim nodded his head in agreement. "We can't risk another event like Dantooine happening again." He himself had gone to great, great lengths in recent missions to ensure that he nor his companions were recognized as rebels or anything other than local criminals. It was in the best interests of the Alliance and for the greater good of the Galaxy.

Devrim's curiosity was peaked once again upon the mention of Leah. What relation did his Jedi Master have with this woman? In the end it didn't really matter much — he was more than willing to undergo this vetting procedure. A small smirk grew on the face of the broad-shouldered rebel upon the mention of being compromised. He was eager to prove himself. The rebel had undergone some of the most brutal training even compared to other extremist cells — on Dxun, there were dozens of species of predators waiting to rip you to shreds every day. Devrim had also been subjected to counter-interrogation and pain endurance practices subjected by his peers and authorities.

He leaned forward in his seat, never breaking his gaze from the blonde-haired woman. "When can we start?" Devrim asked. He clearly had no idea what Aurora truly had in mind for today.

@Valen Pelora​

 

[Aurora Blackwood]

Devrim was honest, that much was true. Aurora couldn’t sense a hint of deception in the man. He seemed every bit the earnest Rebel he appeared to be. His convictions following the destruction of Dantooine seemed equally real. He seemed ready, kriff Devrim appeared to relish whatever test was coming. Aurora didn’t think the man exactly understood what was about to happen. She nodded slowly. “We start now.” The Force flooded her body as she took a deep breath. In an instant she was a bristling beacon of the light. The ocean of the Lightside of the Force rushed around her, a powerful feeling of warmth enveloping her heart. Aurora’s eyes settled back on Devrim. A soft glow lit her pale green irises. “Sorry about this.”

There was really no gentle way to do this. At least not in a way that was effective. If Devrim knew what was coming he could prepare his mind, and show her false memories. This was the only way to ensure Devrim could not hide the truth from her. Aurora would have truth. She slammed into Devrim’s mind, ripping through any mental walls he may have erected. One though accompanied her invasion. “I am Master Aurora Blackwood, and I will know the truth of your heart.”

She began to poor through memories, sifting for the red flags of betrayal. She could not relive every moment of his life, but Aurora had the Force. The Force would show her where to look if she trusted that guidance. Her mind poured through Devrim’s. Yes, there. She frowned. Dxun. Words spilled from her mind to Devrim’s again. “You were a member of the Dxun cell.” Her displeasure was palpable in the Force. “They nearly killed us all. I’ll have your explanation.”. Aurora would firmly remain within Devrim’s mind. Anything he communicated to her would be with his thought. @Vosrik

 

[Devrim Wolfe]

The blonde-haired woman didn't skip a beat, replying immediately after Devrim asked his question. He watched and listened as she took a deep breath, and the hairs on the back of the broad-shouldered rebel's neck stood on end. In a single moment, Devrim felt from her the same power, the same Light as he recognized from his Jedi Master, Leah. No...she couldn't...is there another? he mentally faltered as the woman's eyes glowed with sheer power. In a single moment, the rebel's confidence wavered — was he truly prepared for what she would do?

The moment afterward, Devrim's entire body went rigid and his knuckles turned white as he clenched the metal chair with a death grip. His eyes shut instinctively to the completely alien feeling of having his mind intruded. It was uncomfortable, unnatural, even painful — but even still Devrim could tell that his interrogator was being as gentle as she could so as to keep his sanity intact. There were more destructive ways of gleaning information.

Her voice resounded within Devrim's skull, revealing her identity and title within the Alliance. Questions about the Order welled up within the rebel, but he quelled them for now. Besides, he was not the one asking questions right now. He was an open book to her prying eyes, revealing something of his past that he knew would come back to haunt him. Replying in his thoughts, Devrim explained his position. I was born and raised on Dxun, long before they became extremists. The cell that brought destruction on Dantooine found a place among Dxun. The rebel winced, still enduring the experience as best as he could. I left because I knew I could serve the Alliance better than by setting off explosions every week or two. Through this explanation, Aurora would become aware of his unsaid emotions toward Dxun. His distaste for their methods and eagerness to prove himself a better man than some extremist from a rogue cell. And even deeper still, the suppressed sadness of his parents' deaths due to the methods of the Dxun cell. He had long since rejected them and was actively seeking to learn about the Force and the Jedi — not for his own gain, but to better serve the Galaxy.

@Valen Pelora​

 

[Aurora Blackwood]

Aurora searched for truth in the Force, and she had it. Devrim could not hide from her gaze. His feelings towards the Dxun cell were palpable. Aurora heard his answer in her mind while feeling every single emotion that punctuated those thoughts. His devotion to the Alliance was just as clear. The Jedi Master nodded slowly. This was acceptable. Her concern for the Dxun cell still sat in her stomach. They were exiled from the Alliance but still operating. She had very little sympathy for terrorists and that is exactly what the Dxun cell had become. Devrim seemed to have removed himself before that turn, and did not agree with their methods. ”Very well.”

Aurora returned to her search. The Force continued to guide her hand. Her icy demeanor towards Devrim was softening. His answer to her question regarding Dxun was helping, and the memories she saw were of an honorable man dedicated to the cause. Leah might have been right. Her mind snagged again on a new memory. An Imperial. Toland Vult. Aurora ripped through Devrim’s interactions with Toland. Her words began to echo in Devrim’s mind again. Oh, she knew what Commander Ion had said. She knew that the Commander accepted the Imperial, but Aurora and Hugo Ion did not always see eye to eye.

“Why, why the Imperial?” Her suspicion was painfully clear in the Force. Aurora trusted not a single stooge of the Empire, former or current. The Alliance was fragile. The Order was fragile. They could not afford to risk exposure. “How can you be so certain he can be trusted? A lightsaber and a surrender? Screening by Aldo means nothing.” Her intensity increased, the pressure of her mental waves growing. Fools would not be tolerated in the Internal Division. “Why do you trust him? How can you trust him?” Aurora was infinitely more concerned with why Devrim believed the Imperial. Aldo was not considered for this position, even Commander Ion was not fully told the details. The Internal Division was born of her and Val’s minds. The decided on the agents, and they decided on who could be trusted. Aurora needed to know Devrim’s instincts were clear. @Vosrik

 

[Devrim Wolfe]

Upon giving his sincere and honest response, Aurora seemed to be satisfied with the answer. For a time, he could feel that her presence in his mind became more amiable, more trusting. However, that changed the moment she saw Devrim's first memories of meeting Toland in the streets of Iziz on Onderon. Gritting his teeth further as her presence and ethereal voice grew icy cold within the rebel's mind. Devrim formulated his answer, pouring through memory after memory with the former Imperial agent. When I found Toland on the streets of Iziz, I saw a man who'd lost his faith in the Empire and wanted nothing more than to fight back against their tyranny. I sense no guile in him — though I am untrained in the Force, I felt his intentions to be true.

More memories of their experiences entered his mind. Devrim recalled their assignment on Tatooine, where Toland took down several gang members who were ready to cut down Devrim and their fellow rebel. Toland has put his life on the line for the Alliance, his companions, and myself. He has opened himself to the Force and is a Padawan of Master Reach, like myself. She trusts him as she trusts myself. One final thought went through the mind of the rebel mentally struggling under the weight of his Jedi interrogator. We all come from different places — even I was given another chance despite coming from an extremist cell. If we're given the chance to fight for what we think is right, shouldn't he?

Though he was unable to fully express his feelings and convictions through words, it would be laid clear for Aurora that Toland had helped Devrim become a better person and a better rebel. Having been immersed in a terrorist-practicing cell for so long, the former extremist previously had little regard for the life of others if it got in the way of the mission. Having long since rejected this, it had been the strong moral code and upright character of Toland that had uplifted Devrim to where he stood today. It was this strength of character that caused the former Imperial to reject the Empire, as he had seen the bombing of Medriaas firsthand and was utterly repulsed by it. He had sworn before Devrim, Aldo, and Master Reach that he would dedicate his life to its downfall. Through all the missions, war zones, and experiences that the two had shared, Toland had become a brother to the rebel that Aurora questioned now. Devrim could only hope that she would see the former Imperial through his eyes and understand why he trusted Toland with his life.

@Valen Pelora​

 

[Aurora Blackwood]

Aurora was a hard woman to read. It was even harder to gain her trust. Her life had been devoted to hiding one singularly important secret. A secret she did not reveal lightly, and a secret she guarded with her life. The bar was almost impossibly high. She could not afford to risk the icy stab of betrayal. One mistake would mean the end of them all. Aurora was silent as Devrim answered her questions. Her mind was focused solely on feeling the truth of his words. As with his other response, Devrim was painfully truthful. The Rebel hid nothing from the Jedi Master. She felt every single ounce of sincerity in his words, but what he showed her was more important.

Devrim did not hide away from the muddy memories. Those that painted Devrim in a less than favorable light. Aurora had been right to question the Imperial, for those questions confirmed the growing feeling in her stomach. She knew exactly what needed to be done. The kind of man Devrim was. Aurora withdrew from the young Rebel’s mind. Her face softened as she rebuilt her mental walls. The Force stayed flowing through her. The Morellian Jedi leaned back in her chair, her posture far more relaxed, her tone noticeably kinder. “You are a man of true character Devrim Wolfe…Leah was right about you.”

She shrugged her shoulder. “Sorry about the mess I made in there.” She pointed towards his head. “There are only so many ways to know the truth, I promise I was as gentle as possible.” Finally, the elder Jedi smiled. “The Alliance Internal Division guards our secret. Both the secret of the Order and the existence of the Alliance. Our duty is to ensure any defectors are vetted and we carefully monitor for threats from within.” Aurora’s voice became more serious. “It is our duty to investigate any hint of betrayal…Leah believed you would be suited to this task…I now agree.” She leaned forward again, her pale green eyes meeting Devrim’s. “But the choice is yours.” She waited for an answer. @Vosrik

 

[Devrim Wolfe]

Staying mentally and physically quiet while Aurora finished her investigation, Devrim suddenly felt her presence leave his mind. He breathed in deeply, opening his eyes and attempting his best to hide how painful the aftereffects were. Gripping his throbbing skull with a free hand, now loose from the metal chair, he blinked a few times as his interrogator relaxed and continued their discussion, thankfully not through the rebel's head. He nodded in acknowledgement of the complement, and attempted a smile that came out more like a grimace. He did appreciate that after this rather unique form of questioning, Aurora had found him a man of character.

"I'll live," he groaned, allowing his eyes to focus on Aurora's frame in the light. But now she began to speak of an organization that Devrim had never heard of before — the Alliance Internal Division. Funnily enough, the dark-haired rebel had already been part of the process to vet a defector, although now Devrim wondered if Aldo was part of this Internal Division that Aurora spoke of. Now that he had proved himself worthy of being a member, Devrim found it hard to find a reason why he should decline. Having been born and raised in the rebellion, his loyalties always lay with the Galactic Alliance. If this was yet another way that he could serve and by extension help overthrow the Empire, then he was all for it.

"I accept."

@Valen Pelora​

​

 

[Aurora Blackwood]

Her smile widened at hearing Devrim accept. That was a damn good thing. Aurora let the rest of the super serious Jedi exterior melt away. There was no reason to keep playing that role. “Good…although we all may regret this by the end.” Aurora knew full well what they were attempting to do would be extremely difficult. It would require all of them to be nearly flawless. Oh, the Alliance would eventually be discovered but not until they wanted to be discovered. “Well, you start now.” Aurora stood and started to head for the door. “We are understaffed and overworked. We need others we can trust with skills we need. Not every Rebel with a true heart is fitted for this work. Find me others Devrim…others like you.”

She slapped him on the back as she passed by. “And don’t take too long.” Aurora stopped at the door. “There is a secure comlink and datapad in your quarters. Be careful with how you use those too.” Her hands absentmindedly tapped on the walls. “Get to work…and don’t disappoint us.” The Morellian Jedi Master swept from the room dramatically. Her feet thudded as she walked towards her quarters.

There was work to be done, a tremendous amount of work. Aurora, Val, and Devrim, were the first step in a new wave of AID agents. Member of the Internal Division who could, and would, use the Force to their advantage. It was much easier to find a liar when you could peer into their minds. Aurora had confidence Devrim would be a good fit, but they needed others. AID was understaffed in general, and three Force users would not be enough. The winds were shifting and they needed to shift with them. Before she dug any deeper, there was a stop she needed to make on Hoth. There was a little project they had going there as well. @Vosrik


OOC: Last post for me!