Ask Lords & Ladies

[Akari Moriko]

With Blondies in hand, A'kari walked beside her Padawan as the spaceport of the Temple came into view, a minaturesque version of the much larger ones with open view ports of the lush forest that surrounds it. Coming into view sat a Nerf-Class Light Freighter that was to be there transportation to Mindor. It wasn't much to look at, but the accommodations were more than enough for the task and return.

O, prepare for departure." She spoke into her personal comm that settled on her left wrist. A few moments later, a simple binary response came through. However, looking up into the viewport of the ship, one only saw a singular owl like droid perched. Turning to Zessel, she questioned. "Are you prepared for travel? If not, I can wait. It will be at least a few weeks before we get back."

As for A'kari's personal effects, she was already prepared and they laid aboard the ship. Whether Zessel chose to retrieve items or simply chose to stay, A'kari would board the ship and run diagnostics and make preparations while he chose to settle in for the trip to Mindor. When everything was prepped and Zessel was back aboard, A'kari offered him the second seat as she fired up the ship and began lifting up out of the spaceport and into the upper atmosphere.

"Come what may, Zessel..." A'kari finally spoke up, steering the ship into open space and began dialing up the hyperspace coordinates. "Trust in yourself and in the Force. Neither will ever steer you wrong."

A smile encased her face. She had never really seen herself as a Teacher. Even before she stepped out of the Library and onto Rago, she could fathom being anything more than a source of information in the backdrop of the Galaxy's drum. How far she had chose to step out into the forefront had truly amazed her and given her a sense of confidence and accomplishment. Looking to Zessel. She reached forward and engaged the hyperdrive.

Tag: @LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

After gathering his stuff, Zessel followed Akari toward the spaceport of the Temple. The white-haired boy was bouncing with excitement around the Knight. His hyperactivity was at full strength, thus being incapable of remaining still. His right hand was holding a half eaten blondie that he had picked from inside the container. He made it, obviously he was also going to eat one.

“I’m ready!” he said, a bit louder than expected. Some passing Padawans turned to look when they heard him, staring in annoyance at the boy. “I gathered everything that I need inside my bag.” he said, pointing at his backpack. “We can go right now!” his excitement probably seemed excessive, but it was going to be his first mission with his Master.

Throwing what remained from his blondie inside his mouth, Zessel followed Akari inside the ship. She already had given the instructions of what they were going to do. He never had been in Chandrila and Naboo, or talked with nobles. At the moment the white-haired boy was pretty sure that it was going to be fun.

@Mythos

 

[Akari Moriko]

Mindor

Mindor was a fairly useful and yet reserved planet just outside Jedi Space that held a few settlements, but was overlooked by the Jedi AgriCore. It's rich soil and grassy plains made it an ideal world for agricultural advancements and with it slowly becoming a Waystation for Jedi dealings, A'kari didn't see it being too long before it was official Jedi Space. Yet, this was not the purpose of their visit, however. No. A'kari and Zessel had come to rendezvous with the client and their family. Exiting hyperspace above it, she couldn't help but find it in comparison to Dantooine.

"Beautiful, isn't it? I visited once before, during my own training as a Padawan." She spoke as they entered Mindor's upper atmosphere, her hands steady on the control as they passed through the brief turbulence of re-entry. "Be careful though. Outside the safety of the spaceport and settlements, you're likely to encounter the Melters."

A'kari slightly shivered at the memory of the Melters, an energy based sentient species that usually stayed at a distance within the confines of their meltmastiff existence. But it wasn't unknown for the Melters to capture and prey upon any locals whom found themselves wandering. Last time she was here, a group of them had attacked a newer settlement. A'kari spent a little time in their makeshift cells during the mission. At least, until her Master managed to deduce their coventry over the land on which the settlement had been raised. Needless to say, she wanted to avoid a repeat.

Once they landed, A'kari gathered what she had brought with her and disembarked the nerf class freighter and made for the client. The Krells were a noble house of Chandrilian Farmers, generations having forged an agricultural empire across Chandrila and numerous other worlds, including Mindor. A handful of the Jedi Agridomes were supported and financed by the Krells as well, hence the mission at hand. As much as A'kari disliked politics and the measures it placed upon Jedi, even she understood the necessity of it.

"Ah. Julius Krell, I presume?" A'kari spoke aloud as she spotted the patriarch of the Krell family she had recognized from the briefing. Offering a formal bow, she stood straight and offered a hand extended in friendship. "I am Jedi Knight A'kari Moriko, and this is my Padawan."

In the moments that passed, A'kari gave Zessel the necessary time to introduce himself as well before she continued on.

"Our ship is this way. It isn't much to look at, but it's a solid ship."

Tag: @LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel’s excitement dwindled down like the fire on a candle when he noticed that they were going to Mindor, a planet famous for being under the control of the Jedi Agricorps. He feared the implications of what going to one of these worlds could mean. Padawans that didn’t fit in the Order were dumped there.

Children like him.

The white-haired boy remained in silence while the ship approached the atmosphere of the planet, wondering if Akari was bringing him there to introduce him to the Agricorps. Zessel doubted that it was the case, since she had been designed to be his Master and he knew that Mindor was part of the mission. However, the more imaginative side of his mind started to make theories about her having seen how he was useless and decided to dispatch him to join farmland.

He shuddered with the thought.

The Padawan simply muttered something incomprehensible when Akari said that the place was beautiful, too nervous with the fact that the ship was now going to land. After they left the vessel, Zessel walked close to the Knight, only stopping when they met Julius Krell. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” he said, while mimicking his Master’s bow.

@Mythos

 

[Akari Moriko]

The Patriarch of House Krell were the first to introduce himself in return, and proceeded to introduce the others. Present were Julius, his wife Maria, daughter Pre, House Butler Balor, and the three Lady's in Wait Lahaina, Mera, and Mari. A’kari, of course, bowed to each before offering the lead to Julius as they boarded the ship with A’kari and Zessel taking the rear.

For the most part, the Krells were friendly in comparison when compared to most noble houses, but protocol still stood in place and talk was kept to a minimum while Balor and the three Lady's in Wait took care of settling the family in and A’kari went over the details with Julius per the Chandrila customs. "First part of the mission is over. Did you fair well in your own arrival?" Julius confirmed. With a shake of A’kari's head in relief, she continued onto the second portion. "Good. It doesn't seem as if House Draed or House Baal have noticed your absence from Chandrila. Still, I'd prefer to keep your absence as minimal as possible. A small team has been put into your stead."

Indeed, a small divisional team of Jedi Adepts were back on Chandrila keeping the lights on and attending to the facade that House Krell were still home. At least, for the moment, as her job smuggling the real family to Naboo began the second leg of it's journey. As a minor House, however, the facade could drop at any moment should it's rivals attempt a coup. And as A’kari stood there talking with Lord Julius, that's exactly what began. A chirp came across her comm and as she looked at the message, a sombering look of seriousness encompassed it.

"It seems your concerns were justified." A'kari informed Julius before her sombering gaze shifted to Zessel in affirmation that things had taken a turn toward the darker. "House Draed and House Baal attacked in combined force, causing our Adepts to retreat accordingly, but at a cost. Three were lost out of the seven set in place."

An aura of sadness and humility fell upon Julius as A'kari's gaze fell back upon the Patriarch and the mood quickly changed. The three lost could have been any of his House, but the Jedi had placed themselves in the line of fire for these political refugees. Placing a hand upon Julius' shoulder A’kari reaffirmed the man's choice. "They understood their mission and the costs it could entail. Survive, and don't let their sacrifice be in vain."

House Draed had been a consistent in attempting to overcome House Drell's landrights, and House Baal had always been a more political advisory. With the chaos of the Core Worlds, it was only a matter of time that either would make a move and blame it on the Sith or even Raze's minions. But it had failed thanks to the Jedi and now House Drell was safe on Mindor, at least for the moment. With a nod, A'kari offered Zessel to follow her as she began preparations for departure. As she took a seat in the pilot's chair, she spoke to her Padawan.

"House Drell won't be safe until we reach Naboo. It's our mission to make sure they do. Do you have any thoughts or questions Zessel. Your life is on the line just as the rest of us."

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel mimicked Akari’s bows, but he wondered if it was really necessary. They had done it to every single person and the Padawan thought that it was a bit excessive. Couldn’t they simply make a collective one? It would be enough to greet everyone, then they could proceed with the rest of their mission.

Nobles had really some stupid protocols.

The white-haired boy paid attention to Akari’s conversation with the Julius dude, who apparently was the leader here. From what he could understand, the Jedi were going to help him and his family in a dispute against another bunch of nobles that wanted to kill the ones that they were helping.

It seemed so much like the plot of that holo series that everyone talked about, but Zessel wasn’t allowed to watch it because of his age. What was its name? Game of Thrones or something like that.

After her conversation ended, Akari gestured for the Padawan to follow her. Zessel walked after the Knight, and they went back to the ship. The boy sat next to the pilot seat, before turning to look at her. “Why are these people doing it? I mean, using their resources to kill each other. They could be helping protect Chandrila against Raze’s monsters.” he asked sincerely.

His first time in dealing nobility wasn’t giving him a good impression of the entire group.

@Mythos

 

[Akari Moriko]

A'kari smirked as she punched in the hyperspace coordinates and pushed forward the accelerator as her gaze shifted forward from Zessel into a stern and worrisome look. While Game of Thrones may have held a similar context, it was poor imitation of the real thing. Murder, sex, and grabs for power were only mere independent aspects of the whole. The truth of it all, at its core, were darkened and depraved sin. Truths of the Darkside.

"Sadly, it's a simplistic but devious reasoning." Akari spoke against the soft hum of the hyperdrive. "You know of the Darkside, and that it's potential resides in us all. However, it is a Primordial Nature, and few can fight against their own. Even Jedi struggle with it. Greed, lust, envy... all are mirrors of the same blackened heart."

A'kari sighed. Sentient nature was a fickle subject, both the best and the worst all rolled up into one singular consciousness. And yet, in essence, it was what made it so unique and beautiful. A'kari tossed the last remaining remnants of the Blondies into her mouth, letting the cookie take her mind away from the topic, and encroaching headache. She always held a habit of reading too much into things.

However, with that moment settling in her mind, so did the impeding moment of combat envelope before her eyes. Sirens blared and warning lights went rampant as the ship was forced from hyperspace through means of an artificial gravity well and the glare of the nearest sun went black against the lurking hull of an Interdictor Class looming above them. And upon it's hull sat the Crest of House Baal.

Inside the ship, A'kari and Zessel could hear the cries of the Krells as the realization of the moment set it and A'kari's gaze turned to surprise. House Baal had always been an known Imperial Sympathizer of Chandrila, but to be so close to Jedi Space? She hadn't fathomed their brazinness. Turning back to Zessel, she issued a single order to her Padawan. "Safeguard the passengers. House Baal may have an Interdictor, but I doubt it's fully outfitted."

Tag: @LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

”Yeah, it sucks.” there wasn’t much that they could do to change the minds of the people that freely embraced the Dark Side. In the end, the Jedi could only help by stopping their evil plans. Zessel never thought that they would be able to save the Galaxy from all its problems. Yet, it was his secret dream.

That and winning the Teens Baking All’ Stars , but the second was far more plausible. He had faith in his baking talents.

While A’kari prepared the ship to hyperspace, Zessel stared at the space outside. He wondered if the family that they were helping wouldn't be doing the same political game that the others were doing if it was in their position. After all, they were nobles. That stuff was pretty common among them.

Before he could comment on it with A’kari, he felt the ship being forced out of hyperspace. Then, alarms sounded around the ship announcing that they were in trouble. Zessel was in alert. Something bad was going to happen. The Interdictor floating outside was enough explanation about it.

“Me?” Zessel said to A’kari, a mix of surprise and astonishment in his voice. He wasn’t the best individual to calm down people, especially nobles. But he also wasn’t the best person to pilot a frigate against an Interdictor, though. “ Okay.” he said, before leaving his seat and walking to where the passengers were.

The Padawan opened the door, coming to face the passenger staring at him with panic. “Eeeh.” he murmured, having no idea of what to say to those people. “Stay calm. My Master will deal with the problem and will be going to Naboo.”

@Mythos

 

[Akari Moriko]

As soon as Zessel would open the cargo holds inner door, he would see Lady Marie and Balor consoling Lady Pre as Lahaina, Mera, and Mari were settling in their things and Lord Julius stepped back in shock at the Padawan's arrival. Gathering himself, he cleared his throat and acknowledged A'kari's message. His faith in the Jedi's abilities were subpar at best, but despite that, he trusted in the Jedi and their wisdom.

Meanwhile, A'kari soon found them clutched in a tractor beam as the ship was continously pulled toward an emptied hangar bay. Rather than attempt escape, and likely going nowhere fast, A'kari allowed the ship to be docked and would soon find herself before a representative of House Baal and a company of Baal Gunners. With a grin, the representative spoke. "While we have no qualms with the Jedi Order, you're involvement is most troublesome. I am Duke Cresius... and you are?"

"A'kari Moriko, my liege. You should know by now that the Jedi often act as diplomats, and is such a reasoning for my presence." A'kari responded in turn as she leaned back against the paneling of the cockpit. "And I represent House Krell during these negotiations, however they turn out."

A stern face followed quickly in suite upon the Duke's face as he realized the implications her involvement held. It was written all over his face that Jedi's involvement was an unwelcome facade. Grasping at the headache this was beginning to protrude, Cresius sighed. "I see. Surround the Jedi. I'm sure she'll fetch a fine price. As for the rest, kill them all and launch the ship. Let this be their grave..."

Just as the Gunners began to encircle A'kari, she wasted no time igniting her twin blades and with a quick spin of her form, sliced through the barrels of their weapons in a singular flowing slash of her own as crimson bolts of Tiberian Gas erupted in the aftermath. It seems negotiations had turned quickly hostile, even if they had been hostile from the beginning. Klaxons echoed outside as the alert resounded to the remaining Baal Militants aboard. Grasping at the now running Duke Cresius, A'kari wrapped his form with the Force and brought him to kneel before her.

His face would grow grotesque and his form would shift before her eyes as the Darkness within him drew forth ferally, the Exhalted Razeling within overpowering her grasp upon it as she stepped back in realization that plagued the Core and it's spread to the Colonies. With a clack of her stave beneath her feet, a brilliant display of light would encompass the innards of the cockpit and leave nothing behind of Duke Cresius but ash.

But for Zessel, nothing so sinister came for the Krells. Three servants of House Baal would barge in after the Noble Family. But A'kari knew her Padawan would do well. Turning her attention, she gazed through the viewport toward the control tower in the distance. She would need to traverse the distance if she were to disable the tractor beams and gravity spheres long enough for their escape.

Tag: @LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel fidgeted while watching the members of House Krell look at him with panic. He wasn’t sure if he should have given more details about the situation, fearing that it would only make the situation worse. The half-Arkanian wondered if using the Force to calm them down would be something allowed by the Order.

After some time, the leader of the family talked with him. He made an effort trying to remember the dude’s name. It was something with a J. The Padawan ran through several names with that letter on his mind until he remembered that the leading noble was named Julius.

Different from the others, he was calm and listened to what the Padawan had said. His words also calmed down the rest of his family. Nice, a panic crisis averted.

With the nobles calm, Zessel was prepared to return to the cockpit. However, the ship suddenly shook and started to move. It took a moment for the Padawan to understand that they had been caught by a tractor beam. The nobles behind him started to panic again, this time even the Lord was showing some fear.

Soon, the agents of the other noble house were boarding the ship. Zessel immediately activated his lightsaber and waited for their arrival. They had barely entered the room and the half-Arkanian had already used the Force to push them against the wall outside with enough strength to knock them out.

@Mythos

 

[Akari Moriko]

As the ashes of Duke Cresius dissipated into the recycled air of the frigate, A'kari deactivated her blades and with a brush of her hand upon the Force, began to make her exit with the Duke's men unconsciously in tow. House Baal may have been in a richer standing than House Krell on Chandrila, but they weren't a military powerhouse. The Interdictor had cost a fortune until it's self, but to man it fully, it would take an entire world's worth. And House Baal just wasn't up to that level just yet. As her gaze set upon the outside of the ship, it wasn't much of a surprise to see minimalistic personnel.

A communicae would drift across Zessel's personal communicator. "Secure the ship and have it ready. I'll be back as quickly as I can. Have trust in the Force as I have in you."

It was short, sweet, and to the point. A'kari held alot of trust in both the Force and in her Padawan. He would blossom, but only in his own time. As the sound of an E-Web whirled up and began spitting out emerald bolts of plasma, A'kari got right on the tips of her toes and quickly entered combat. The E-Web would be an easy task if she could manage to get close. But with close to fifty rifles and blasters aimed at her form, it was easier said than done. If she could hinder the rest by defending against a third, morale and conviction would diminish.

In her initial turn, her blades reactivated as she deflected what she could while internally focusing her attention to the closest enemy. As the Gunner fell to his comrade's arms, she was quick to close the distance toward the next, purposely keeping her self at least one step ahead of any potential threat as the enemy tried to outmanuever and outflank the lone Jedi. Her greatest advantage, however, were in both her access to the Force, and her ability to focus completely on the battle while knowing that Zessel would come through in the end. With a flick of her wrist, a nearby approaching group quickly found themselves flying hard against the ray shields of the hangar's bay.

However, unlike she was when her and Zessel first began this mission, there was no apparent emotion upon her face as she cut down another in the ensuing combat. No. In fact, there appeared to be an almost scolding frown upon her gaze as she fixated on each of the Baal Gunners as their turn to attack her came. And in truth, it likely was, for although she would fight, combat was a loathsome task for her. She hated having to end lives, even those of which had fallen to more darker desires. And these men were mere foot soldiers who's Master had led them astray.

For the most part, those that fell may have been incapacitated, but only a handful had met fatal outcomes. Her gaze once again falling on the E-Web, and with a quick burst of Force Speed, A'kari enforced her own onto the task ahead.

Spoiler: Tag:

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel certified that the attackers were tied and trapped inside a very small cupboard. It was the only place that he found where prisoners could be maintained, besides he wanted to make their stay in the ship the most uncomfortable possible. He even put pieces of tape on their mouths so they would not scream.

There was no reason for that besides the half-Arkanian being a jerk with them.

He was walking back to the cockpit when A’kari sent a message to his communicator. “Okay.” Zessel answered, wondering why the Knight went out alone. They should be working as a team. The Padawan knew that the nobles there would need to be protected and they would be defenseless if he left.

However, who would protect his Master? She could be a trained Knight, but still was susceptible to being cornered if there were a lot of enemies. It seemed too dangerous for her to go there alone.

Sighing, Zessel approached the ship’s commands and prepared it to leave. Then, the Padawan returned to the nobles’ room, staying in front of the entrance. He would do what A’kari said and protect them until she returned.

@Mythos