Ask To Reaching Out

[Elias Ryn]

Plans have been set in motion. After the meeting had been concluded, the Jedi were on the move. But it wasn't in unison like Elias sought. Some appeared more determined than before, others more put off than anything else. It was the result of war and one of the certain ways of revealing a person's character and how they would respond to it. At least a plan had been put in place with targets in mind, legitimate and palpable targets that would help the Order if they succeeded. When the meeting had concluded, Elias's thoughts drifted to someone to help them.

Elias was still on Yavin but the Jedi from the meeting earlier have all gone their separate ways, well most of them. He had sent a message to Talak, wishing to speak to the Knight. It would be the first time the two of them have met but not the first that he had heard of the man. There had been stories that he was previously a Sith, more rumors than anything else. There was always a sliver of truth to those types of stories and he wondered how big that sliver was.

Talak had been the one to lead the attack on Yavin and while it wasn't a major victory by any means, it was still one in the fact they had recused Trys, whatever was left of her. With Kessel on the horizon, they would need any able body they could find. Elias knew the Jedi would at least have some combat experience but he expected there was much more to it than that and would be comforted if he decided to join in the attack.

Elias found himself in an open-walled room outside, the air lightly breezing through as he was seated in a chair. One leg was crossed over the other and he rested his face in the palm of his hand. His gaze was trained forward, just watching the wind breeze through the leaves. If Talak decided not to show up, Elias probably would stay a little longer just to watch the peacefulness.

@Phoenix

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak hadn't actually met Elias before, but he'd heard the name around recently in positive context, and the man certainly seemed to be of the same mind as Talak when it came to the war against the Sith. He was already thinking about seeking the man out before he had received the message.

He made his way to the agreed meeting place, curious to see what the man had to say and having a few things of his own to say. He was still geared in the garb he'd worn at the meeting - full survival suit with his lightsabers - as he made his way through the courtyard. It was a nice day out, but Talak couldn't feel it through his suit. Was that some sort of a metaphor for how he was currently feeling? Maybe if he were the metaphorical type.

Elias. I'm Talak, he said, extending a hand. Despite his generally foul mood at the moment, he tried to maintain a polite veneer if for no other reason than the fact that the man shared his desire to wipe the floor with the Sith... or whatever more "Jedi-like" way there was to phrase that.

I heard what you said in the meeting. A refreshing take, he said bluntly. Since well before he came to the Jedi he'd been frustrated with how passive they were when it came to... well, everything. He'd tried to spend time around the other Jedi who actually did things, not the Council that tended to sit around on their recliners and talk things to death.

 

[Elias Ryn]

It wasn't long before Elias sensed another presence and approaching quickly. When footsteps could actually be heard, he pushed himself out of the chair to stand up while he turned around. There was the man of the hour, Talak. He wore a survival suit and it was much different from the typical robes that the Jedi and he currently wore. When he extended his hand out, Elias did as well and gave him a firm shake. "Nice to finally meet you."

When Talak mentioned his refreshing take at the meeting, Elias smirked and just gave him a slight nod, "Just speaking out when it's needed. The attack did more damage than some would like to admit." It had been slightly disappointing to him when he saw the fellow reactions of his brethren and sisters. Some had stood out to him, such as Vinry and the Zelton but they just needed more. Elias turned toward the nature that surrounded him as he thought for a moment. He bounced his head left to right slightly before he eventually just gave up, "I'm not exactly the spiritual type and don't know to word this another way."

He then turned toward Talak as he leaned against one of the supports with his arms crossed. "You should partake in the operation for Kessel. We could use your 'supposed' skills to help us." Elias didn't really know him so he kept it simple and just shot straight for the point. Based on Talak's reaction, he could alter his words afterward but he needed to see where the man stood before he proceeded.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak knew that his stunt at Sullust hadn't gone over well with many, and for good reason. He had weakened the Order in many ways with what he had done, and he regretted being a liability to the Order. It was precisely why he was considering striking out on his own once again. And without the ties the Jedi put in place he could bring a force to bear that he simply wasn't willing or able to tap into as a Jedi.

He was quiet for a moment as he listened to what Elias said about going to Kessel. His own mind was still pulled far away to other things and he wasn't sure he was ready to join in any sort of an assault yet. Particularly given how close he was skating to the Dark Side already.

I'm not sure I can, he said hesitantly, though he couldn't deny the call to go fight the Sith or at least do something that would indirectly prepare for that end was strong. It was ever-present, but his first priority remained Trys.

Tell me about the operation, he said, still interested. But even more than the mission itself, he was interested in the man. Elias was beginning to step up, and that interested the other Knight. @Orbit

 

[Elias Ryn]

Elias' eyes scanned him thoroughly while he spoke. Any detail was used in order for him to piece together what Talak thought. He seemed half attentive, listening to his words but only for a moment before he submerged himself into his own thoughts. The Jedi could sense it within him, the small and almost quiet battle within him. He finally spoke up and claimed he wasn't sure about it. "Is this you can't or you won't?" Elias felt like he already knew the answer to that one.

Talak had asked him about the operation afterward. It still was in its planning phases with Oren and Hannibal but Elias ideas of his own that he could at least share with him. "We approach from the other side of Kessel, through the lush environment so they can't spot us. When we get close enough, we launch our strike. One team prioritizes freeing the slaves, the other the power for outer defenses. That will allow us to call in close air support to cover the slaves and use it to help turn the tide of battle if it's needed." There weren't too many specifics but it was a general idea of the plan that Elias had formed himself at least. He didn't withhold the truth, "It still needs to be discussed with the Councilors to be unanimously agreed upon."

Truth be told to Elias, Talak didn't seem all that invested and he sat down as he turned a chair towards him. "To be quite honest, I don't know you that well but I've heard from you. You were quite quick in leading the assault on Sullust and there are a couple of reasons why I could think of that." Even though he hadn't been there, he read the reports. "The Jedi heeded your call when you asked despite the risk of what could happen and did." They most likely had been a lot more careful about how they would have proceeded.

"Now we are making our own call and need you. I can sense the uncertainty you plague yourself with. You're adrift and I'm simply offering you a bouy to grab onto and help yourself and us."

 

[Talak Rand]

Maybe a little of both, he said in response to the man's question. He had his reasons, and he wasn't sure he wanted to share them with a virtual stranger.

He listened to the plan to assault the compound, and had no particular comment. It seemed as good as any, but Talak found himself craving working alone if he was to see action. Not to mention the concern that he wouldn't be able to stifle his darker urges.

He said nothing as he listened to the man's further evaluation of Talak, gritting his teeth at what he said. It seemed a great deal like the man wanted to call him out for what happened, but Talak allowed none of his anger to escape from his mind or beyond the shield of his helmet.

He wondered if Elias had any idea what kind of a potential cost Talak's help came with. Even Talak wasn't sure he could pay it, but he also knew that he couldn't be complacent forever.

I didn't realize you were doing me a favor, he said, catching himself before becoming too obnoxious. He was aware that the other man didn't really deserve to take the brunt of Talak's bad mood.

Look, I can't make any promises, but I'll do what I can. I have some other issues I still need to take care of, he said, less than a definitive commitment.

If you start down this path you're going to have a lot of targets on your back inside and outside the Order. You'll need the FWA support if you're going to take the Sith forces on, he said. Talak had considered a way to form a militia force, but had never managed to put it together. The Jedi needed a better face than him anyway. It was looking like Elias might be able to be just that man. Talak couldn't help but find himself rooting for his fellow Knight. @Orbit

 

[Elias Ryn]

A little bit of both? So did that mean he was possibly wallowing to the point until he actually did something? Elias didn't really know what to think, if that's what he actually meant or if he just didn't want to associate with the Jedi at all anymore. He could tell the tension in the man's voice when he mentioned the favor and the Jedi shook his head. "It's not just for you. It's a favor for Trys and her son as well." He was taking a long shot here but he had to do it.

"What are the things you need to do? Go off and handle this with your own personal justice, kill those who wronged you and her? Are you going to show her son the way of revenge? You're not a closed book Talak, I can sense the darkness that lurks within you and that is ready to come out." Elias knew where Talak was going to go with this because he had shared the same feelings as well, to rescue his parents. "You wish to destroy yourself and become the monster that the rest of the galaxy dreads?" Elias shook his head, "What do you think will affect her more? You killing every Sith in your path in her name or becoming the very thing that broke her?"

Elias leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, "I am giving you a favor, I'm giving you the choice and the ability to do this the right way where we all come out of it." That's all he was offering. If Talak really was committed to doing this on his own, then Elias could at least tell himself he tried to stop before he went too far. The man then brought up the FWA and how their assistance would be needed. The Jedi gave a brief nod, "Oren will correspond with the FWA. It will take time but it will happen." They were strong but there were only so many of them.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak was pissed off well before the man finished his conversation and he wasn't going to let him continue.

Don't assume you know me, he said, stepping forward confrontationally.

Or what I need to do, he said. The truth was that even more than hunting and killing Sith, he'd spent almost every waking moment since Sullust sitting at Trys's bedside, and he still needed to find a way to put her mind back together.

You don't know anything about me, he said before taking a step back again. Fighting with this guy wasn't going to help anything and he was absolutely sick of justifying himself to people. They were getting off to a rocky start, it seemed.

If you don't get their assistance soon, they'll manhandle the entire Order. I've seen the army they have at Sullust and Ryloth. We don't have the forces to meet them alone, he said. But the FWA was as complacent as the Jedi had been and the Sith were flourishing as a result. @Orbit

 

[Elias Ryn]

Well, Elias could tell that he was about to blow and he did. Talak stepped forward toward him but he didn't move from his chair. The Jedi simply leaned back slowly with both his hands in the air but with a slight cock to his head as if his point has been proven. Just a slight prod and a mixture of truth to the situation almost ready to start a fight. "I'm not assuming I know you. I'm assuming that you're one bad day from losing your shit and not able to come back and I don't blame you."

"I won't say I understand how you feel but I can at least tell you I've brushed with darkness too." It was over the fate of his parents and one he still battled with continually. "That's why I want to offer to help you, find some real solutions for you but also make sure that nothing irreversible happens that we could possibly prevent. I'm not trying to make you an enemy, I'm trying to show that you sided with the Order for a reason and we aren't completely all by ourselves." Elias did push a sensitive area and maybe it was too far with them just first meeting but he felt it was necessary to really his get point across. He didn't want to lose Talak from the Order but he felt he needed to press through to him, "Just something to think about."

Besides the fact that he pushed a button, Talak continued to talk with him about the FWA's involvement. "No, we don't have the forces right now. That's why we need to make concentrated strikes and with everything we have for maximum opportunity. Regarding the FWA, we will convince them but you know how they are. We'll just have to make do until we can truly convince them of the threat we are facing. We can hold out till then." It would take time and not be done with the snap of some fingers.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak couldn't decide whether he liked this guy or hated him. What he did know was that he was pissing him off royally, and acting a bit pompous for Talak's taste. Because Talak was, of course, acting completely reasonably.

He wondered if the man's words were sincere. If he really did want to help or simply was here to prove a point and recruit a warrior. Perhaps somewhere in the middle or perhaps Talak's skepticism was rooted in the fact that he felt he was in the Sith once again. Old habits had already broken to the surface in every one of the meetings he had had today.

Almost worthless, he commented grumpily as Elias mentioned that he knew how the FWA was. Granted, they had come to help at Ryloth, but he didn't know how many more times something like that would happen before some politicians decided to throw up more barriers and red tape. Insufferable.

When are you launching the Kessel operation? he asked. He wasn't ready to drop everything and go now, but he would see what he could do to help out for more reasons than one. Even if he chose to strike out on his own fighting the Sith, he still knew that the Jedi actively warring against them was good as well. It was very pragmatic, after all.

 

[Elias Ryn]

Talak seemed to understand, at least a little bit more where Elias was coming from. The anger that had been lurching within the man slowly tempered itself and retreated. It was a reencouraging sight for him and one he was glad for. Elias knew that didn't mean Talak completely believed him and that he would have to earn it, "I do want to help." It seemed each Jedi wanted to go on their own instead of working with each other.

The two seemed to share their same view on the FWA and Elias liked him more because of it but it was a double-edged sword. They most likely viewed the Jedi the same way and both sides would have to start breaking their preconceptions of each other and act like the allies they are supposed to be. "Well, I'm sure they hold the same opinions of us as well." It was the unfortunate reality but it was reality.

But what came next was a little shock to him, Talak asked when Kessel would partake but the interest he had compared to last time at least seemed more palpable. "Most likely in a few days, the details are still being ran over by a few of us to make sure we do this correctly." Elias raised himself by the arms of the chair he sat down in, his gaze interlocking with Talak's. "Everyone doesn't always have an ulterior motive. If you want help, you know you can call on me but the ball is in your court. I won't force myself upon you."

The Jedi Knight shrugged his shoulders slightly, "It's the least I can do and the Order can do."

 

[Talak Rand]

Because the Jedi are one step away from being worthless, he said bluntly. The FWA may have been bad, but the Jedi were barely better. Granted, they were getting better, but they'd been far too passive. Was it productive for him to say that? It depended on your point of view.

You have my com code, he said. He still wasn't certain he would be able to make his way over for the mission, but he wasn't going to turn it down cold either. There was work that needed to be done even if Talak was in no frame of mind to do it right now.

No ulterior motives? Talak hoped that was right, but trust came to him with great difficulty.

I guess we'll find out. Hopefully the Order doesn't let the galaxy down. The Sith are a very real threat. But I guess you're not the one that needs convincing, he said. He knew that confrontation or not, the two of them were more alike than not. He wondered what Elias's history was, but didn't pry. Perhaps that was all there was to say for now, but perhaps Kessel still awaited them both. @Orbit

 

[Elias Ryn]

Talak just bluntly told him what he thought of the Jedi. At first, Elias didn't say anything but a smile slowly crept across his that he couldn't help. "Well, at least we're still a step away, right?" A laugh bubbled out of him and like his smile, he couldn't help it either. It had been a while since he actually laughed and he didn't mind if Talak wouldn't join him. He thought it was funny and could use something to lighten his mind.

"That I do and you have mine." Elias really didn't expect Talak would be the first to message him and it would have to be him but it could be a welcomed surprise. He offered help but it hadn't been accepted, at least outright and that wasn't a shock to him but at least he made it known that he could ask for help.

"Hopefully, we don't and no, I'm the very last person that needs convincing of the threat. Hopefully, I see you there with us to battle against them. You know how to reach me. I'll message you when we move on Kessel. See you around, Talak." There really wasn't much more to say after that and he would make his way out of the room. There would be a few moments where something could be added by the other Jedi but if not, Elias would simply leave the room and let Talak be by himself.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak had almost forgotten that he was technically insulting both of them by what he said, but Elias seemed to find it more amusing than anything. He smiled and laughed and even Talak managed a bit of a chuckle.

Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Rocky start, but who hadn't Talak had a rocky start with? Actually, that list was very small... the common denominator here might have been... no, it definitely couldn't have been because of him.

Until then, he said with a nod as the other man turned to leave. His heard turned and he watched him leave, leaving the Knight alone with his thoughts. He popped the seal on the helmet and took it off for only a moment to let the breeze touch his face and breathe in the fresh air.

In another scenario the moment would have brought him joy and peace, but now it was a half-measure. But it was something. A small grace. And it was also a small gift that the Jedi had others who were willing to fight. Perhaps there was yet a chance for the galaxy, no matter what path Talak found for himself. And... there were other people in the galaxy who seemed to care as well. Odd.

//Thread