Open Seek and you shall find.

[Theoccus Bilcus]

If Mygeeto could be called anything, a holiday destination, it was not. It was a cold, crystalline planet, and a source of fascination to the xeno-biologists and geologists of the Galaxy, who had spent billions of credits over the centuries trying to understand how such an odd planet had come into existence. It was also, a rich source of Kyber Crystals.

Small, unassuming, but practically drenched in the force, Kyber Crystals where one of the most important objects in Jedi Lore, for without them, their weapon of choice, the symbolic item that identified one to the unassuming as a Jedi, could not be fashioned - the Lightsaber. Over the millennia, the power of Kyber had been warped and perverted into all manner and fashion of cruel weapon, bastardised by the Sith and corrupted to give off the distinctive crimson colour of their sabers, and even placed into planet sundering superweapons.

Yet the innocence of the crystals themselves remained.

Believers in the faith known as the Church of the Force wore shards of the Kyber around their necks on cords, holding them close in dark times, as if they offered some form of protection. Jedi, some of the more militant ones at least, practically depended on the weapons they fashioned for their way of life.

Theoccus Bilcus was not yet decided on their importance.

From his own reading and study, the crystals had done more harm than good across the course of Galactic history. What good was a weapon, if not to kill, and what use what a Kyber if not to form the heart of a blade?

Regardless, such musing was not why he was here today. Standing on the debarkation ramp of a transport ship, the name and classification of which he cared nothing fore, he was wrapped in his customary robe, looking ahead of him at a large shard of a crystal in the horizon, appearing to tower like a mountain - that, was their destination.

He turned to the others in the vessel, leaning on his quarterstaff as the cold wind rushed up to meet them and spoke.

“Welcome to Mygeeto. The winds here are harsh, the climate is cold. The journey is a long one, but at its conclusion, you will have found a crystal for your lightsaber, if the force wills it to be so. But, you must go with the force only - not gadgets, no ships, no technology to support or sustain you, but, the force alone. The scientific ones here will no doubt have worked out that the closer to the crystal spire we get, the colder it gets, the longer we go without food, the colder you get. But you will do it. You will trust in the force, and it shall sustain you as you walk, feed you as you hunger, and strengthen you as you climb the spire at the end of the walk. If we are attacked, it will defend you.”

He looked at the Padawans as silence reigned.

“But, the force has sent you robes to cloth you, your colleagues and masters to support you, and it has imbued you with itself, to call upon in your need. Before we go further, step forward into the cold, call upon the force, in a method called ‘Force Sustain’, be calm, and ask that the force, does ward away the cold.”

He fell silent.

OOC: Welcome to hardcore training 101.

 

[Oren Zapan]

The air was frigid here, that was a fact. Oren had joined the company of young Jedi and a fellow knight across the stars and into the Outer Rim to the planet Mygeeto. He hadn't been to the planet before, but knew little of the planet or its people. The wind swept across the near human's face as he stepped out onto the platform.

"The force is strong here," he'd say in a gentle tone, "I can sense a distant and faint darkness," He'd turn back to the students and his fellow knight, "A great pain happened here long ago." He'd frown at the potential thoughts, his lone gloved hand would reach up, rubbing his chin as he pondered such a concept. There is emotion, yet peace. He'd reaffirm with himself as he peered towards the students specifically.

"I cannot pick your crystal for you," he'd say in a stern voice, "That is your journey, but fear not. I will be with you all along the way, I will be your guide, your mentor, someone to lean on. I am with you, just like the force is with you all." He'd smile.

 

[Ejanni Aodh]

Ejanni silently watched the strange ensemble disembark their transport, headed by an old man in curiously familiar robes. Tearing his eyes away Ejanni focused back on the task at hand, cutting into the crystalline ice that made up the ground below with a pick that barely counted as a tool from it's rust and wear.

Wiping a bead of sweat from his brow he continued to cut into the ground, the metallic collar around his neck digging into and biting him each time he moved. His last attempt at stowing away on a transport had met with failure, as well as his capture by a particularly ruthless Dug by the name of Dwisser Briddis, a smuggler who did not appreciate any stowaways aboard his freighter. In exchange for his life Ejanni had agreed to work for "Master" Briddis for a total of five standard rotations. It had only been a half rotation till a collar was forced onto him, and a tracker imbedded.

Now here he was, once a Jedi padawan to Master Kal Jan, now a slave to a ruthless Dug; forced to dig up a spice-drop site alongside other reluctant"workers". He had lost his master's lightsaber and spare robes to the malicious slaver, severing his connection to the world of Jedi his master once promised to show him.

Sighing, Ejanni consigned himself to continue digging, although his eyes now and again drifted to the strange transport. Something about them lit a strange yearning inside Ejanni, as if they were connected in some way or form. This utterly alien, yet familiar, feeling reminded him of days gone by, when he once stood side by side with Master Jan.

It was almost like muscle memory, his mind and body clearing as he drifted towards the old man, although staying stock still. Something of him reached out for the elderly man, an invisible limb-like connection between them. His eyes focused entirely on the distant man almost pleadingly, as his mind whispered out a single word.

Help

He nearly collapsed as what little energy he had conserved during his work seemed to drain out of him, as if he were a failing vessel. He struggled to stand as he used his pick to keep upright in the small indent he had made in the ice. Hopefully the old man had heard something, anything, and if not him then he prayed that someone, somewhere would hear his call.

@Nor'baal​

 

[Magnus Waysun]

Magnus staggered off the ship and into the undesirable cold weather. He was wearing the robes he was provided yet for some reason he got the feeling these robes wouldn't be nearly effective enough to combat the cold weather. The boy couldn't help but grunt and furrow his eyebrows before giving off a witty remark. "Yeah, and I really wish the force would have provided me with a heavy coat or something more useful.." Though soon after his comment he did as he was instructed, he needed to try and focus despite the cold winds slapping him in the face. Magnus began to close his eyes, his arms wrapped tightly around his body to try and keep himself warm as he reached out to the force. The force was particularly strong here and as his masters said, it was all around him and even within him. As Magnus focused his breathing and felt the force around him, he began to manipulate it in a way around his body in order to perform what his master called Force: Sustain. As the boy called upon the force, slowly he felt the cold being warded away as his body began to warm up.

Magnus opened his eyes once more and looked towards those that had accompanied him here. It was only natural that by now he began to relax, his arms dropping to his sides as he didn't feel pressured by the intense cold anymore. "Well, where do we begin? You said we have to find the crystal on our own, yes? Though my only concern is the planet is vast and large, they could be anywhere. Is there a sort of.. I guess a place where they could be more common?" Magnus figured searching for a needle in a haystack could take days if not weeks to accomplish without any sort of guidance. Having to scour a planet for a tiny crystal with no information, it would be daunting on just where to get started to look for them at.

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel clicked her mandibles irritably as she disembarked the ship, lowering her head behind her arms as she gripped her staff in an effort to protect her face from the biting wind. She'd seen many planets she considered less pleasing than her homeworld since leaving Thyferra but this one had to be the worst. Were the Force not so intriguingly strong here she might have insisted on waiting on the ship until the other Padawans were finished their trial. She had no real interest in constructing a lightsaber anyway. If she had to stay on Mygeeto she would have much rather spent that time exploring and learning about the planet or meditating on the Force.

But her Master had been insistent, a Jedi was only a Jedi if they had their own lightsaber, this was an unavoidable part of her training. With a sigh she took in Master Bilcus' words and reached deep within herself, attempting to use the Force to help sustain herself. Although it took some effort and a great deal of concentration in the cold she was able to summon a protective sheath of energy to ward off the worst of the inclimate weather. With a sigh of relief the Vratix stood up to her full height and began to inspect her surroundings more closely.

Now that she was able to properly experience the world around her she quickly became more interested in the task at hand, marveling at the ancient architecture around them and feeling the radiating energy from the massive Kyber crystal spire in the distance. With a curious twitch of her antennae she turned to the next Padawan nearest to her and pressed her palm on their shoulder, almost inadvertently shoving them, and chittered with increasing glee.

"Isn't this all fascinating?" She asked excitedly.


@Nor'baal @TWD26 @Reddsentinel @ImMagnus

 

[Theoccus Bilcus]

Theoccus paid little attention as people disembarked from the vessel, instead focusing on his, albiet sparse, surroundings. He had been here to Mygeeto on more than one occassion in his life, and this exact point was where he had started his own 'quest' to secure his own Kyber crystal, many many years ago. His moment of reflection passed, and took a step forward, as he sensed something or was it someone, trying to reach out. The echo of that feeling stung in the back of his mind as he looked at the Padawans, and the accompanying Knight, a stern look on his face.

"No, you must work toge..." he shook his head as if distracted by a loud noise nearby as he replied to Magnus "...work together, as a group, your brotherhood will overcome the dangers of this planet." the feeling was unsettling him even more, and he raised a hand as if to appeal for silence.

Who are you? he reacted, responding the call of the force, his eyes closing.

There was no response, only the faint echo of distress.

"Isn't this all fascinating?" an insectoid voice cut across his meditations. Theoccus forced it from his mind, ignoring it and reached out once more Why are you here? he asked once more, to no avail. Instead, he sensed a being, multiple beings, some in distress, others weak and cold, a few, stronger, angry even.

"We are not alone." his eyes snapped open as he spoke. "Brother Oren," he gestured to the other Knight with them "North East, not far at all. They are obscured by the snow carried in the wind, but they are there. Can you sense them?"

He did not wait for a reply, and began to head in the direction of the distress "Padawans, stay close." he shouted back...

OOC - Closing thread to prevent overcrowding!

 

[Hiranikorssa]

Hir'anikorssa was last off the ship, but not for fear of the chill. Sure, she may have been raised on the hot, barren plains of Ryloth, but her travels in the Outer Rim had acquainted her to many varied environments, including the blistering cold. Instead, she relished the opportunity put forth by her fellow Jedi, to place her full faith in the Force for sustenance, even if it meant her body experienced some temporary pain.

The icy wind whipped at her lekku, and decorated her skin with frost. Closing her eyes, Hirani concentrated intently on the task at hand, blocking out all distractions. Carving space for a connection, as her Master would say. Life flows from the Force—a Jedi is merely the conduit. As so a conduit, she would be. At first, the cold burned on, and perhaps, if only for a moment, she wondered if she would be able to sustain the connection. But as quickly as her doubts came, they too subsided, as the warmth of the Force began radiating from inside her chest, slowly flowing out to the rest of her body, like blood from her heart. It was in these moments she felt alive.

"Yeah, and I really wish the Force would have provided me with a heavy coat or something more useful..."

Despite the fact that Magnus's [ @ImMagnus ] wit seemed a bit out of turn—as this would be possibly one of the most important days of their walks with the Force—Hirani couldn't help giving a small smirk.

"Yeah, perhaps I should have dressed for the occasion." She whispered back at him, unsuccessful in suppressing her amusement.

Yet, something told her she should have stayed on the ship. Her eyes flickered around, to see if anyone else had sensed it also. Something was certainly wrong here, some dark ripple in the Force—but before she had the clarity of mind to bring it up with her superiors, Theoccus Bilcus spoke.

"We are not alone."

Perhaps everyone had felt it, Hirani considered. For in that moment, it was as if every padawan had the same question, the same fear, confirmed. Theoccus spoke again, and gestured into the distance.

"Brother Oren," He paused. "North East, not far at all. They are obscured by the snow carried in the wind, but they are there."

Hirani may have been the last off the ship, but she was immediate to follow when Theoccus set off in the direction of the anomaly.

"Who do you think they are?" She said, pacing up alongside the Jedi Knights leading their group, staff in hand. "I know I sensed them, but something— something about them does not feel quite right..."

As they set out towards the unknown, an old proverb, one her mother used to say, came rushing back into Hirani's mind, and onto her lips, in the form of a whisper.

Too much curiosity kills the Rycrit; not enough means it is not born in the first place.

Facing potential danger, Hir'anikorssa felt the Force was with her new Jedi brothers and sister, and it ran strong. . . .

 

[Ejanni Aodh]

"Who are you?"​

It came as a half whisper, a distant call across the frenzied snow. Flying across the frozen distant to tunnel into Ejanni's mind as he worked. Startled, he dared to look up, a small glimmer of hope shining in his eyes as he tried to make out again the distant figures he saw land. The snow blocked all, but it was as if he could feel them. Was that what he had "seen" earlier? Not a physical object but really a presence of the force?

He tried to recall what Master Jan had taught him about the "third eye of the force" and the "invisible strings" that connected all; the tension and balance that bound all matter together. As he chipped away at the surface he tried his best to focus his mind outwards again, to feel that connection between him and the distant threads he had sensed.

The stinging of the wind against his face, as well as the present and familiar ache in his muscles slowly sapped the energy out of any attempt he made. He could not clear his mind of the distractions of pain and fatigue, as distress slowly started to crawl from the back of his mind.

Doing his best to ignore the creeping fog that tried to roll it's poisonous distress over him, Ejanni began to concentrate on the invisible pull he felt through the wall of the flurrying snow.

The force was meant to connect all, but why did it feel so weak here? Was something blocking his connection. or was it a problem with him? Ejanni focused his mind, doing his best to block out the stimuli that hurt and chilled. Without a direct target Ejanni called out in the same way he had done before, a single word traveling across the distance to whatever connections were there.

Slavers

Once again a tiredness crept into his bones, but he remained tall. The first line of the code his master had drilled into him coming to mind as he did his best to stand resilient against the wind. Emotion, yet Peace. Even if what he felt would not come he would find a way out, those around him were identical to those he helped alongside Master Jan, and they would be free before Ejanni would cast off his own shackles.

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel perked up as she took notice of Master Bilcus' silence, watching his expression closely. She could tell immediately that he was trying to sense something. Instead of interrupting his efforts she herself became deathly still, only her antennae twitching slightly as she reached out with the Force and attempted to find what it was he was looking for.

She heard his call through the Force, and waited expectantly for a reply. When none came she became concerned and concentrated harder, her senses radiating out in a pulse like sonar, and finally locating their unexpected company. From the disparity in the emotions of these unseen figures she assumed there must be some kind of conflict between them. It seemed some of them were in great distress. Her suspicions were confirmed when she finally heard a response to Master Bilcus' questions through the Force. One simple word. Slavers. It was more than enough.

As Master Bilcus' words further supported her conclusion she was quick to follow behind the older Jedi, gripping her staff tightly and preparing for the worst. "This place might be more dangerous than expected," She said in response to Hirani'krossa, as well as letting her general fears be plainly known. "We should be careful..." Her words carried a suggestion in tone to the Knights leading them that she would prefer not to follow in the direction of these "slavers", but nevertheless she would continue to stay close to the group, glancing around their surroundings nervously and keeping her senses on high alert.

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren could feel something off in the echoes, it was different this time. Gone was the lingering pain of an event long in the past, but something new entirely had appeared in the flow of the force. A distant cry, the mention of slavers. He could sense the unease and fear from Izel. "Don't worry," he'd say with a soothing voice, as his lone gloved hand would rest against the insect's shoulder. "Trust in the force, let it guide you. I can feel your fear."

He'd step forward, pushing through the snow, "It's okay to be afraid, but don't let it control your actions. Emotions, yet peace." There very well could be danger ahead, but they would never know until they arrived. The possibility of danger of an attack is merely that, a possibility. We musn't strike out or shun ourselves from someone. We must give them the chance to act. He thought to himself as he moved through the snow, let brother Bilcus lead the way.

 

[Hiranikorssa]

"This place might be more dangerous than expected, we should be careful..." The chittered reply was that of Izel Thral, one of the two padawans that accompaied her on the expedition. It was clear from the Vratix's tone that she did not want to continue towards the threat, but now was not the time to fall back. And Theoccus clearly had no intention of stopping his pursuit, so Hirani offered some reassurance.

"Whatever dangers lie ahead, know that the Force can sustain us." The tips of her lekku danced as she spoke, an old habit from her days speaking Twi'leki. She paused, whilst keeping pace with the others, to think on her words. "Every conflict is a new opportunity for good. Slavers means slaves, and slaves means people who can be rescued."

One of the two knights with them, Oren Zapan, affirmed her thoughts, reassuring her fellow padawan that her fears were unwarranted.

Nonetheless, Hirani thought, Izel certainly has a point. Even before the lone word Slavers had echoed through the snow in the Force, Hir'anikorssa was on guard. But the possibility of slave drivers ahead—like those she had witnessed on Ryloth and Ord Radama—left the young padawan certain they would all have to remain vigilant as ever, if they wished to avoid any unnecessary harm: be it to themselves, or to others.

 

[Theoccus Bilcus]

In his usual manner, Theoccus ignored the mutterings of his Padawans and pressed on through the icy winds of Mygeeto. On that same wind he caught the snatched whispers of his 'classes' words.

...and I really wish the Force would have provided me with a heavy coat...

...Who do you think they are...

...something about them does not feel quite right...

The words of one of the Padawans stuck with him for a few moments as he wandered one, stopping only briefly to confirm if Brother Oren was walking with the group, keeping a closer eye on them than he was. A flicker of uncertainty entered his mind as he mulled on the words of the Padawan, and saw the slight edge of defensiveness in Brother Orens stance. Perhaps the young Padawan had sensed something, unknowingly about their forthcoming predicament?

Slavers

The single word shot through him like a hot dagger, and he stagged slightly - Ejannis fear almost palpable in their message. Subconciously, Theoccus' hand fell to his lightsaber, and he stopped himself short of igniting it. The Knight had dealt with slavers more than once, and he was acutely aware of the price that a Jedi Padawan - let alone a group of them - could carry on the black market.

Theoccus felt a calm wash over him, as he pressed on through the wind, stopping once he saw the light of a fire in the distance. His voice a whisper, he spoke "Slavers, there ahead. Looks like some sort of thermal lamp to me? No doubt sheltering until the winds drop and they can make it to a ship. Brother Oren, take," he pointed to the Padawans "....behind the camp, wait for me to enter and engage, then attack from the rear." he began to walk off.

"Oren," he looked back "There must be no killing this day." he added, walking alone toward the light.

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel sighed as she followed the group, flanked on one side by Master Zapan and the other by her fellow Padawan Hirani. It seemed her company did not agree with her sentiments.

"The Force is guiding me," She replied to Master Zapan in a small voice. "It's telling me to go back to the ship where there's no danger of being shot." Both Oren and Hirani offered words of encouragement that did little to help Izel's spirits, although the Twi'lek's talk about people needing to be rescued reminded her of her obligations as an aspiring Jedi. "I suppose you have a point..." She conceded in a defeated tone.

When Master Bilcus halted in his advance she did as well, promptly standing up straight and looking around like a grazing animal alerted to a stalking predator, her antennae twitching slightly. As the Knight began to explain his plan for attack she slowly began shaking her head in dismay. "Wait, what?" She barely contained her frightful voice to a whisper. "You don't expect us to fight them do you?" She looked desperately to Master Zapan and the other Padawans. "Can't we draw them away with a distraction and then free their prisoners without confronting them? I thought this was an expeditionary mission! I'm quite behind on my combat training I... I don't think I'll be very useful here..." She began to stammer nervously, hoping someone would back her up, but Master Bilcus already seemed to be initiating his plan and walking off into the gale of snow alone. There was a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that things would quickly go down hill from here...

 

[Oren Zapan]

Brother Bilcus always seemed to be a quirky fellow. He spoke like a man who had been frozen in Carbonite for thousands of years and had been unfrozen only the day prior. The near human's markings would flare up at the mention of slavers, he had been a slave at one time and the sheer mention brought him back to those times. He took a deep breath as he peered towards the man, "They can be reasoned with..."

He'd sigh giving a nod and his word towards the fellow knight. He had no plans on taking a life that day, not against some lowly slavers with a blaster. There would be emotion behind it, no justification in his eyes and he would betray everything he taught. "We can reason with them," he'd say again out loud, mostly in an attempt to reassure himself.

He'd turn back towards the students, specifically Izel, "A Jedi should never resort to a lightsaber unless there is no other choice. If you are to build one you should understand the importance." His words would stress out to the girl. "Stay behind me, I have an idea." He'd smile as he motioned for the group to follow him.

He'd watch the distant heat lamps, taking his group far around the side so that they would be obscured through the snow. Each step felt like an eternity and he imaged that many of the students were freezing cold. The group would reach the outskirts of the tents, he could feel the presence throughout. "We'll slip in when we get the signal, and in silence we will undo the buckles that binds them and then if we must, we will disable the slavers."

 

[Hiranikorssa]

The two knights that led the party spoke briefly, before splitting ways, apparently planning to have the padawans attack the slaver encampment from the rear; much to Hirani's dismay. She was fairly experienced in combat situations — albeit mostly as a healer — but she knew some of her fellow padawans were not.

Of course, Izel immediately panicked upon hearing this, and understandably so. Their situation was growing worse and worse all the time. Hirani assumed that Oren Zapan would comfort her, reassure everyone, and give them the choice to return to the ship, or to continue on at their own risk. Instead, from her perspective, he seemed to speak vaguely, almost in riddles.

Despite herself, Hirani made the effort to trust that he had a plan. That was, until they crept up from the rear of the camp, just as Bilcus had ordered, and Oren spoke:

"We'll slip in when we get the signal, and in silence we will undo the buckles that binds them and then if we must, we will disable the slavers."

"Qa kunta!?" Hirani's lekku twitched as she responded under her breath, before realizing how badly things would have gone had she said that in Basic.

It was one thing to rely on the Force. It was another thing entirely, however, to force those under your protection to do so, not least without their prior consent.

Once all eyes turned on her — probably curious as to what she had just said — she took a few moments to fully calm herself — Passion, yet Serenity — before coming to the defense of the Vratix padawan.

"With all due respect, Oren... Izel has just stressed that she is uncomfortable attempting a rescue in which there is risk of combat. She is under your protection, and it is your responsibility that she is kept safe. We're talking about slavers here, many of whom, in my experience, would put us to death for a handful of credits. So, we need a plan, or at least for you to fill us in on what it already is."

Hirani let that sink in for a moment, her expression cold as the wind, but far more calm. Despite her initial response in Twi'leki, she held no anger towards Oren Zapan, nor had she any intention of showing disrespect to the Jedi knight — merely hoping to show him that they badly needed another alternative, for the sake of all parties involved. It would have been much better, she thought, if Bilcus were able to stay and plan this out effectively; but he clearly had something more on his mind. She wondered, and hoped: perhaps he could be reached through the Force, and suggested it to Oren, before turning to Izel once more.

"If at any time you wish to return to the ship, you have every right to do so. That goes for everyone here. There is no shame in knowing your limits, and as much as we will try to keep this a clean in-and-out sort of job... these sorts of things have a way with getting messy."

She hoped she would prove to be wrong.

[ @Reyn @TWD26 @Reddsentinel @Nor'baal @ImMagnus ]

 

[Ejanni Aodh]

Hands scarlet and numb from the chill, Ejanni did his best to keep picking at the icy ground. No end was in sight for the weary Sephi as his work barely progressed a centimeter for minutes of striking at his unyielding foe. A few other workers had collapsed around him, the small indents they made likely being their shallow graves on the hellishly cold world.

Determined not to join those on the ground, Ejanni slowly tried to break the frosty tiredness that slowly crept into his mind. Master Jan had always spoke of mental exercises to stay conscious, of repetitious rhymes and problems that kept even the most tired or injured mind awake. Scrunching up his face, Ejanni did his best to recall some of the ones Master Jan taught him.

One Bantha, two Bantha, three Bantha, four, how many Bantha can I store...

Ejanni was able to count all the way to fifty-six Banthas before he began to yawn, an obvious sign that he had mixed up the awareness rhymes with the restful sleep ones. Shaking away the tiredness he had summoned up, Ejanni began to slowly recite the Jedi Code he had learned under Master Jan.

"Emotion, yet peace..."

He imagined the first time Master Jan and he had worked in a refugee camp. The terrible smells and cries that crept from each tent and invaded his mind, making his stomach churn and his mind race. He remembered when Master Jan had placed a hand on his shoulder, and the calmness that spread through him as he set towards his working helping those around him, replacing pity with empathy, and fear with determination.

"Ignorance, yet knowledge..."

Rhe first time he had failed under Master Jan's tutelage, and how he had nearly given up when he couldn't find the answer. Master Jan had shown him the true lesson, in that there was no shame in admitting ones own ignorance. For the truly wise will always know that they truly know nothing.

"Passion, yet serenity..."

A raven-haired girl danced in his imagination as he repeated this line, beckoning him onward, off the ship and into her arms. Her bright eyes and smile flashing like a mirage in the distance. He did not leave the ship or his Master, and spent the next two weeks miserable that he had not gone with her, had not given his passions free reign to express themselves. Master Jan had shown him the error in his sulking, that he should not mourn her loss, but rather celebrate that the force had given whatever time they had before duty called.

"Chaos, yet harmony..."

The irony tang of blood and the cries of the wounded filled his senses. Ejanni had been forced to stay inside a medics tent during a heated skirmish between warring tribes. Master Jan had told him to watch every wounded soul, every operating table, and then tell him what he had learned when the sun set. He remembered the anxiety and terror he felt as he dared not look away from his chaotic surroundings and yet, as the day went on, he slowly began to see it almost as a cycle. The wounded, doctors, and operations all forming a cyclical pattern as they ended into one of two ends, all working together in a strangely peaceful way.

"Death, yet the force..."

Master Jan fell as three blaster bolts struck him in the chest, his last action being to force-push Ejanni into the ships only escape pod. Ejanni remembered the sorrow and hopelessness as he was jettisoned into space, with only his masters broken saber to remember him by. His master's peaceful expression, even as he fell, was ingrained into his mind.

The frosty fatigue that once covered Ejanni's mind slowly faded, though the chill in his bones yet remained. Opening his eyes he looked with determination into the snowstorm that surrounded him. If anyone was coming, he would be prepared, he would just have to stay awake till then.

@Eden @TWD26 @Nor'baal @Reyn​

 

[Theoccus Bilcus]

Walking headfirst toward a group of slavers was probably a very bad idea.

How, Theoccus Bilcus' life had been one massive bad idea, and he saw no reason in changing that chain of events now. He ignored the quips of @Izel Thral as he wandered off, trusting that @Oren Zapan would bring the wayward Padawans swiftly into line. Danger was part of being a Jedi, and helping those in need, was part of it as well - the Padawans would learn this lesson today, if nothing else.

As he continued walking toward the slavers camp, he heard the tell-tale sounds that he had been spotted.

"Dan, fi'sehan circoo." a hostile voice broke across the wind.

Theoccus paused, and raised his hands - dropping his staff to the ground as he did so.

"All is, as the force wills it." he intoned, the slaver looking at him with a sneer.

"Ily si'vuri foh, jid geo dey veoh bi dan a'kolsan ho ji darkava." the creature sneered, joined now by some four others - something Theoccus noted. Only five slavers in total.

"All is, as the force wills it."

The creature levelled its rifle. "Toyid eti, rinkan." it punctuated its statement with a single blaster bolt. Theoccus moved, imperceptibly to his left, having moved his raised hands just slightly, the merest application of the force on the shooters weapon, titling it three degrees to the left.

The bolt missed him.

"Silence." he lowered his hands, walking toward the alien as he did so, who looked at him, flabbergasted that his shot had missed. "All is," in an instant, he performed a force sprint, closing the distance between him and the armed alien, swatting the rifle aside with a force push, sending it spinning from the mans hand "...as the force wills it." he delivered a single blow to the aliens chin, knocking him unconcious.

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel begrudgingly followed the other Jedi, somewhat confused by Master Zapan's assertion of "reasoning" with them. The only reason she could think slavers would be in an area such as this would be if they had a base of operations, in which case they'd be in no mood to talk with trespassers, or they were, well slaving. Neither seemed like scenarios that could be resolved with reason to her. She wondered if "reasoning" with them was one of those things she had heard that other species use, a "euphemism". And "Reason" meant "violence". That seemed even worse.

Nonetheless she kept her mouth shut as she followed Oren to the camp, and continued to hold her tongue as he explained his plan. The sudden outburst from Hirani caused her head to whip towards her, antennae twitching in alert. She listened to what the Twi'lek had to say, grateful to hear at least someone express similar misgivings to her own. But as the Padawan turned to her and gave her an excuse to retreat she looked down, becoming very thoughtful.

"No," She replied finally, and looked back at her fellow Padawan. "Thank you but no. I can't. You said it yourself, slavers mean slaves. And slaves need to be rescued. What kind of Jedi would I be if I ran away now?" She sighed, then took a deep breath and looked to Oren, nodding to him with determination. "I'll follow your lead Master." She looked up with surprise as Master Bilcus attacked the slavers. "Please be a good leader..." She murmured desperately.

@Nor'baal @TWD26 @Eden @Reddsentinel

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

Oren's brown eyes shifted through the gaze of the snowstorm towards the twi'lek, his voice calling out in a whisper, "I understand your concern, but for your safety and for everyone's I need all of your help," his voice was stern and steady. He understood their frustrations or fears even. Though a soft smile would form on his face, "I believe in each and every single one of you, and don't worry...I'll never leave a comrade behind." He'd motion towards the row of tents.

The snow was heavy, but he could hear the sound of slaves working away outside. From his own time as a slave it was often the slavers that hid in the warmth while the weak worked their bones away for nothing. "Each of you will go to one of the tents, reach out with the force and pull the tents down when Master Blicus begins." He'd say slowly, making sure that each word was clearly, "This will trap any reinforcements that may try to come out."

He'd give each student a nod, watching as they departed towards two adjacent tents. He'd center himself waiting for the call or the sign. The single blaster bolt that rang through the air was enough of a sign, he would call out, "Now!" Raising both of his hands he would begin to apply pressure to the pillars and bolts that held the environment tent up. Slowly the fabric would begin to wobble before collapsing down on the patrons inside. He could hear their anger and yelling as they fumbled through the darkness in the fabric.

A small smile would form on his face as he pushed forward in the snow, his hand reaching out and igniting his purple blade. He'd quickly bring it up in a defensive position, knocking away a blaster shot and sending it straight into the air. He'd reach out in the force towards the slaver's blaster hoping to yank it out of his hand. "Go!" He'd call out, "Help Master Blicus!"

tag: @Eden

 

[Hiranikorssa]

She had at first been stirred by a protective spirit for her new friends, but Hirani deeply respected Oren's understanding response to her questions. It made sense, after all — they needed everyone they could get — and Hirani intended on making sure Zapan could see that she was with him all the way. Motivated to prove herself to her teachers, the young Twi'lek did as she was asked, Force pulling one of the tents down on Oren's command; before hopefully knocking multiple slavers unconscious through the thick fabric, with a few ferociously precise strokes of her stun staff. Perhaps the primary benefit of her weaker weapon was that she could hit her enemies with as much brute force as she was physically able — without outright killing them.

"Go!" Hirani's lekku were practically left behind as she spun her head to face the voice of Master Zapan. He seemed to be handling one of the slavers who were out in the open just fine, but he had his eyes set on her. "Help Master Bilcus!"

Hirani took that as a personal challenge. After giving a curt nod and an "As you wish, Master," she ran towards the four slavers who were trying to surround their other teacher. They did not see her until she was right behind them, giving one of the Twi'leks a violent smack across the head with her staff, rendering him instantly unconscious — and Force pushing another a few metres to disorient the. And, hopefully, to give Bilcus the time he needed to take down each opponent individually. In the few moments she had whilst not being attacked, Hirani tried for a dimplomatic solution, though she would be surprised if it payed off. Moving into a defensive stance near Master Bilcus, Hirani was ready to evade a blaster bolt if necessary and finish off the opponents in their immediate vicinity.

"You are outnumbered and outmatched. I urge you to surrender, Lia'ren — if you wish to leave Mygeeto with your lives." It was a bold statement — obviously she had no intention of killing any of them, but if she acted like it, she figured they might surrender with a bit more haste.

If they did not, at least the Jedi would be able to get the job done quickly.

[ @TWD26 @Nor'baal @Reyn @Reddsentinel @ImMagnus ]