When Has Become Now

[Leah Reach]

The tribunal of Valentine Rayth ended on a dark note. The sudden arrival of Master Blackwood, news of her retreat on Nar Shaddaa, the capture of Arda Breaux. Everything was a blur. Leah had watched her closest friend leave to rescue the girl on his own. She had exiled the one other woman she could confide in. Closed her from the Force and alienated her forever. The remnants of the Jedi Council watched in horror and left in disgust. Vu’thari above all else. His words cut her deep. And for the first time in a long time, she was alone. Nobody to lean on, no shoulder to cry on. She was almost back on the ruins of Dantooine, watching the charred rubble on her knees. On her own.

She breathed, slow and deep. Leah was used to it. She was used to being alone. With the last orders of Commander Ion heavy on her mind, she could at least distract herself. From what Valentine said, from Aurora’s exile, from her own dark thoughts gnawing her away. Every rebel base compromised due to Arda’s capture was ordered to evacuate. Leah hoped the girl would trust in the Force and resist the will of the Sith, but she knew when hope was lost. By now, she was on Korriban, her mind being torn to shreds by the Emperor or his finest men. It pained her. Tormented her. Because the Jedi Master knew who was responsible. Herself and her alone. She encouraged Hugo to strike Nar Shaddaa. She allowed Arda to go with her Master. It was her fault.

“Ambassador, the evacuation is nearly complete. Are you ready to board your transport?” One of the rebels said, interrupting her somber musings. She glanced over to the young woman. “It’s fine. I will wait until the evacuation is complete and leave in my own ship. We can coordinate our rendezvous point from there.” The rebel nodded. “Of course, ma'am.” The young woman slipped away to leave with her transport. Aboard it, Leah stored away everything of personal use from the Old Temple to the monastery on the other side of the planet. Records, relics, trinkets. Everything she could think of. No way did the Jedi Master want to leave behind anything for the Sith to find if they ever arrived. Neither did the rebels inside the main base.

Leah walked the halls of the lower levels and into the hangar and extensive landing pad outside. Terminals were cleared, filed burned, rebel assets hauled away and most transports boarded. However, the Old Temple still bustled with men, women and ships of all kinds. She was there to make sure everything left on time. That nobody was left behind. As for the other neighboring rebel bases open to attack, the rest of the Rebel Council left to ensure they were successfully cleared out too. Hugo on Tatooine, Greybok to Hoth, the others elsewhere. It was up to Leah to see the evacuation of Al’doleem through.

OoC — @Nefieslab; Open only to the Alliance.

 

[Burkhart Kelborn]

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THEME​

He watched from behind the pilot's chair through the cockpit viewport as the small host of K/M shuttls and his own personal XS-100 dropped into the landing area. He witnessed the rebels moving quickly making an effort to be as coordinated as possible. He had most of the details and as Alor of Clan Kelborn and a Rally MAster he was privy to a great deal though it was still not as much as he wanted. He had a few questions for those leading the Galactic Alliance but now was not the time to get to the bottom of this debacle. He was here to help.

A firm landing made him sway a little. "Keep it running." He said to his clan mate under his command. He would give a nod as the Morling turned with stooped posture. His two meter frame still needed to bow to get through the doors and hatches of the ship. The loading bay was already descended by the time he arrived in the back. As he exited he had his helmet under his left arm and his gear secured on his body, ready for a possible intervention of a threat which was reasonable considering the circumstances.

As he walked towards the hangar as his Personal Entertainment Attendant took in his form and projected it to the other pilots of the seperate K/M shuttles. "Assist tha Galactic Alliance Verde. Tha moment ya see an Imp leht oos kno." There were only a dozen or so mandalorians that had come with him. Those that were not manning the shuttles were starfighter escorts to aid in possible defensive action and patrolled for signs of earlier Imperial arrival. They could probably take care of themselves but the mandalians were here just in case. The virtually empty shuttles and his own light freighter could haul any stragglers as well as necessary equipment.

As he saw a familiar red headed woman he raised an eyebrow and pulled out a cigara and clipped it and lit the vice as he approached. "Rally Master Kelborn reportin in ma'am. Wot can I doo ta halp?" He had first met Leah on a mission to fight pirates and then to take out a ring of smugglers. Now it was revealed she was a Jedi and a master no less by the looks of it. But he would not stand slack jawed or question her. She had her reasons and there was work to be done.

@Deviant ​

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

Castor had been in the tribunal and he had heard about the fallout after it had become more of a closed-doors kind of meeting. In his opinion, it should always have been a closed doors kind of thing. But there was one thing that really stood out to him and one thing that no one was able to actually give him was the answer that he wanted. There were rumors abound about a Master named Val and a Master named Aurora but he honestly didn't care about that.

What he cared about was that in a meeting that had seemingly included the entirety of the Jedi Order and the Rebellion - Arda wasn't there.

He'd heard she had been taken on a mission by her Master, the one called Aurora, and he knew that the Master was back but there was nothing about where Arda was. And now the Alliance was bleeding men away from this, one of their main bases, with as much haste as possible?

It didn't sit right with him.

Something was the matter here and Castor was determined to find out exactly what it was. He spotted a Mandalorian speaking to her but Castor didn't care about that either. Moving past the rebels who moved to block his way, the Sith turned Padawan stood in front of Leah and stared her down in silence for a moment.

Honestly, it took him that moment, those few seconds, to compose himself. He didn't want to blurt it out or shout because that wouldn't help. It would be him giving into his emotions and it would make her less likely to actually respond. Swallowing thickly, he looked Leah in the eyes.

"Where is Arda Breaux?" He asked her quietly, "She went on a mission with her Master, she told me, and now her Master is back but she isn't. Master... Leah. Tell me what has happened. Please."

@Deviant

 

[Nikka Toren]

Nobody asked what a blind girl would see, because who would understand her Vision? But she witnessed something... a feeling, a painful wrench in the Force, traced with emotions that left her reeling. She stumbled suddenly, clinging to the closest person that stood next to her. "My Gods..." she whispered, trembling. If asked, she shook it off, then began stalking away, as far away as her legs could carry her. But it wasn't far before she sank next to a stone column, arms wrapping around her knees. She had no idea what just happened, but something was terribly wrong. It felt as if the earth beneath her feet had shifted all of a sudden, and she could barely stand.

Pain, hot and fierce, bloomed in her chest and threatened to strangle her. She choked it down, smothered it out with a blank thought, but it lingered at the edges of her mind like a raw wound, stinging slightly. She stood up again, leaning heavily, then took one deep breath. Then another, then another. She couldn't explain what that was... her hand rubbed over the ache in her heart as if it could ease it, over and over. How she could walk at all was beyond her, but she would.

Horus. He was with her in the Tribunal of Master Rayth... perhaps he knew, and wouldn't think her mad. She had to find them... but they were all leaving swiftly, no time for social calling. Her Vision scanned the crowd, but it was too vast, too bright, too quick. Luy, then. Or Vu'thari. Somebody had to have felt something. She staggered once, then let out a deep breath. Calm, she had to keep calm. This was no time for emotions to drown her out.

She sprinted out to the Alpherys, numbed. Tippy already started the engines, trilling to ask their coordinates. She paused. Where could they go? Should she go out in search of one of the Masters, or follow the rest of the Alliance? She wasn't so certain anymore... she was torn in so many ways, that she had no idea how to piece herself back together. She had friends in both corners... suddenly, she made her decision.

"Follow the Kirin. It seems an old friend and I have much to talk about.. and much to learn again. Patch me through when you can."

It was time. She needed a drink, and something to collect her thoughts together from the mess they had become. But more importantly, she needed to find a way to keep the fracturing Order together, with all the Masters in such disarray and the Alliance scattering to the four corners of the galaxy. She'd be damned if the Order were to fall to pieces now. Not on her watch.

She reached under the co-pilots seat for the complimentary hooch she had swiped from Madam Coi's bar. Savareen... yet another place she would never set foot on again, not for a long time. The whisky was a smooth warmth as she downed the first shot. It still didn't ease that ache in her chest... so she downed another shot, then slipped the bottle back.

They still had a long way to go.

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

The Scoundrel stepped back into the hanger. He was covered in grit and grime from helping load transport shuttles and decided to step off to the side to catch a breath. He slipped around the corner of the nearest open bay door and sparked up one of his cheap cigarettes. He hated this habit, but even with his recent introduction to discipline, he hadn't been able to kick it. With a resigned sigh, he lit up and took a long delicious drag. Oh yeah... that's why.

Crix blew out a lazy plume of smoke and took another breath. He closed his eyes enjoying the relaxation his placated addiction afforded. He'd landed on this hanger late last night and had hoped to meet with Leah, but he had no clue where anything was here and used that excuse to sleep in his ship. Sure, he could have hailed her, but he wanted to do this in person. She deserved that, and he deserved whatever reaction she gave him in return. He took one more drag on his cigarette, he knocked off the cherry and replaced the half smoked cylinder back in its ratty pack, which he returned to his tunic's chest pocket.

"Excuse me!" Crix groaned as the petulant tone of Susan's voice modulator accosted his ears.

With a strained smile, Crix turned to meet his slave driver, but before he had a chance to talk his way out of a verbal assault the Rebel Council Member laid into him. They'd been playing this little game of cat and mouse since he ventured out of his ship this morning. He'd spoken with the droid on numerous occasions over the past few months and he felt like he was finally getting used to her attitude, but today she was on another level.

"What, you think because you're ruggedly handsome you can shirk your duties?" Crix's brow met in confusion as he tried to think of a response, but it was no use, Susan wasn't about to relent now that she'd gained the upper hand.

"I suppose, you think you can just come and go as you please, don't you, you smoldering eye having lazy son of a--" she began but was cut off by a familiar chortle.

Crix peered passed Susan and spotted his piloting droid, Peetwo. The little droid was hurridly rolling in their direction and the smuggler was relieved to see an ally incoming when he was getting a beat down. Like a parrot, Susan cocked her head quizzically and then turned to follow his gaze.

"Ah, Peter--" Started the councilrobo.

Crix cocked an eyebrow and said, "Uh, Peter?"

"Silence, you miserably attractive bastard." She retorted to his inquiry, and honestly, her response left him feeling conflicted. He didn't mind being complimented, but the continuous one-two combo of her derisive banter left him feeling more drained than all of the manual labor he'd done in the past few hours. Deciding to leave Peetwo's name change for another time, The Smuggler used the distraction, to escape his handler.

Crix started back into the hanger preparing to get back to work. Technically he wasn't apart of the rebellion, but he hoped to change that. It'd been a few months since his initial invitation but after a few eye-opening experiences the lone-wolf couldn't think of a better place to throw in with. Well okay, Raz was always an option, but Crix didn't think he was cut out to be a Mandobro. As his eyes readjusted to the dimming light, he felt a small familiar stirring in the force. He paused, taking a moment to look around.

As he scanned the sea of hustling unfamiliar faces, Crix found the source.

"Leah..." He gasped, turning a tight about-face, suddenly, overly aware of his disheveled appearance. Mustering his courage he turned back around and realized she was swamped. He longed to approach, to apologize, to... to do something, but he couldn't. He'd just be in the way and this wasn't exactly the best time. With a small chuckle, he carefully reached out to her with the force, her mood was dark, but he could see that in her face. She wore the mask of a politician well, but she couldn't completely fool him. A small smile formed on his lips as a memory replayed in his mind.

The smuggler sent her a single phrase, Don’t worry. I got you.

Deciding he was too nervous to see her response he jogged over to help steady a Lakaru as it precariously carried way too many crates. He knew he couldn't really do anything, but sometimes doing anything is all you've got.

@Deviant

 

[Leah Reach]

“Burkhart. It’s so good to see you again.” A wide smile stretched her lips. It was sometime since she last saw the other Mandalorian. Both had radically changed since then their last meeting. He was a full-fledged Rally Master under the new Mand’alor and she was a Jedi Master and Rebel Councilor. Not that the shift in rank or title changed how either of them saw each other. They were allies, friends, and partners against the Empire. He was here to help in the evacuation efforts and she was there to welcome him for it. “There’s not much left to do. Our database has already been cleared and most of the transports are ready for departure.” She glanced to see her student, Castor, and sensed immediate conflict in him. He was looking for her.

Her focus returned to Burkhart and the rebel solder beside her. “In fact, you can accompany Lieutenant Dodanna to the main shield generator in the heart of the Old Temple. We’ve been looking to haul the generators off world for future use.” She beckoned the young woman back toward the main base, where she might lead the Mandalorian to transport the generator with one of the many cargo haulers scattered around the landing pad. Once they left, the Jedi Master would turn to face Castor. The young man she plucked from Onderon, out of the Empire’s grasp, to become her newest student. However, his vision was clouded with confusion. He was looking for answers. Answers Leah was hesitant to give.

Her heart sank again to hear the name: Arda Breaux. Because of Aurora, the girl was abandoned on Nar Shaddaa and left to rot in captivity with the Sith. While the Jedi Master was punished severely for her actions, that would not bring the girl back. Only Valentine, who had left to rescue her from Korriban, could accomplish that. Even then, the odds are far out of his favor. She feared and doubted he would never return to her or the Alliance again. As much as Leah wanted to lie to Castor, to relieve his own fears, she knew she could not hide the truth forever. One way or another, he was going to find out.

Recognizing there was nobody else around to see or listen to their conversation, Leah leaned close. She took the young man by the hands. Her eyes locked with his as she fought through hesitation. “She’s… gone, Castor. From what we’ve been told, she was captured by the Sith during the strike.” She tried to gauge his reaction, knowing it would hurt him to hear it. He and Arda were close, Leah knew. Closer than most. “I’m so sorry.” Shame and remorse filled her as she glanced away. So much tragedy. So much pain. The Jedi Master struggled to bear it. Not even the faint call of Crix, who she barely recognized, could comfort those fears.

@Nefieslab

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

Gone.

Gone.

No - no Castor could not accept that. He could not accept that Arda was gone, that she was lost to the Alliance, lost to the Jedi and lost... lost to him. He swallowed thickly and he immediately tried to apply his Jedi training. He immediately tried to block his emotions to process them and let them leave him - to focus and have clarity.

It wasn't working very well but it calmed him down. It calmed him down to appreciate the touch of his Master and what it meant for her to tell him this. She likely wasn't even supposed to tell him this. He took a deep breath and he thought about it for a moment before shaking his head.

"Captured by the Sith... what happened to her team? Captured as well? I know she went with her Master." he muttered, frowning slightly before the frown deepened, "No... her Master was here. What... what was she doing here?"

He squeezed Leah's hand.

"I have to go for her." he told his Master quietly, "She helped me out of my darkness, as much as you did. I can't leave her in the dark of the Empire. I have the uniform, I have the knowledge, the IFF Spoofer and the ship. I can sneak in and sneak her out - just tell me which part of the Empire took her. I'll bring her back or... or bring back confirmation."

Admitting that last bit? It hurt.

@Deviant

 

[Burkhart Kelborn]

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Accepting the greeting response he nodded. Burkhart was also was glad to hear that the priority tasks had been completed. It seemed there was some distress among the Galactic Alliance members though but it was none of his business. He was not in the loop with what recent drama had occurred if it was not mission important. Taking the woman's directions he would move to assist with the mobilizing of the shield generators. He spoke over his shoulder as he left Leah behind to finish whatever she was working on. "Consider it doone. Don't wait round too long lass." His cigara trailed some smoke behind his head as he moved. He would not mind buying the fiery haired female a drink at his bar some time, even though she was a jedi and an aruetii. His warriors would get their assisting labor droids to join in the project as well. In no time they would be on their way off the planet and taking the ships to the new location.

♣EXIT♣
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@Deviant​

 

[Leah Reach]

“No. The rest of the team returned, safe and sound.” She said, trying her to best to make light of the situation. However, for Castor, that was impossible. He held no real connection to Master Blackwood, only to her student, Arda. If he realized that the other Jedi Master abandoned the girl, what would he think? Not only of the woman, but of the Jedi as a whole? Leah could not afford it.

The young man was already so fragile, teetering on the edge between Light and Dark. He had only just purified his lightsabers. Even then, its unexpectedly crystalline, white color proved he was not fully consumed or committed to the Light. She did not want to risk being the push that sent him tumbling down into the darkness. However, she knew the truth was unavoidable. No matter how hard she tried, Castor was going to find out eventually. Still, Leah did not want to be the one to say it. Especially after what she did to Aurora. It would be too much for her to lose yet another Jedi.

She squeezed his hand back, tighter. “No.” She said, plain and clear, without hesitation. She looked at him straight in the eyes, full of demand but with flickers of remorse. “You can’t throw your life away like this. You can’t dive back into the Sith when you’ve just left it.” She shook her head and tried to reason with him, even if she knew he would not listen. “Arda is in the heart of the Empire. No ship, no spoofer, no disguise, could take you to her. Besides—” A pause. Her voice dipped low, reluctant to continue but knowing nothing else might persuade Castor to stop. “—Valentine has already left to rescue her. By now, he must have already entered Imperial space.”

She fought back her anguish, hiding away her tears. “This Order is losing too many Jedi too quickly. I can’t bear the thought of losing another. Especially you.” She breathed in and stepped away to recompose herself. Leah knew this would hurt but she still knew the young man would persist. “I’m ordering you to stay, Castor. You will board your designated transport and evacuate. You will live, so that the remnants of the Jedi live. Do you understand?” She raised her chin, maintaining confidence even in the face of disappointment or disaster.

@Nefieslab

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

The rest of the team returned safe and sound.

Castor didn't know what to say to that, he didn't even really know how to process that. The idea that Arda had been captured and her team were safe and sound? It was a very poor choice of words it had to be said because it implied that the team had come back with no injuries and no difficulties - and Arda had been captured.

"... did they leave her?"

He had to know.

Not knowing was just going to drive him mad thinking about it regardless so he knew he needed to know. It was unlikely that it would be anything good but he needed to know that otherwise he knew his mind would fill in the blanks. And being a former Sith? He knew what could be happening right now.

He wanted to argue.

He stood there and he shook slightly with the effort it took to hold himself back. Castor wanted to rage, wanted to let his emotions actually take form so that he could expel them. He didn't want to feel so helplessly angry - he wanted it gone from him but he knew... he knew that it was not the Jedi way.

Swallowing thickly, Castor pulled Leah forwards by her grip on his hand. Rather than anything extreme however, he merely wrapped his other arm around her shoulders and hugged her for a moment in silence.

"I understand." he whispered softly for her to hear only, "I stand with you, my Master. It hurts and I'm afraid... but I'm not leaving you."

He broke the hug reluctantly before nodding, his expression becoming more stoic.

"Padawan Chume'da Volante reporting for duty, Master."

@Deviant

 

[Leah Reach]

Her heart ached. Remorse was inescapable. Guilt shadowed her every move. The Jedi Master hurt to see her student in so much pain at the realization of Arda’s capture and uncertain demise. Under the surface, she could see his blood simmer, upset on as to how or why it happened. She was tempted to explain, but even with the full truth, Castor would not be made whole again. Rather, knowing the girl’s own Master was the result of her captivity, Leah feared it would drive the young man to the brink. She could reveal the truth another time, but so early in evacuations, mere hours after the tribunal? Unthinkable. It was not only a weight that could prove too much for him to bear, but something Leah could not even begin to wrap her head around.

To her surprise, and absolute relief, Castor did not pressure her further. He only leaned in and hugged her tight. Like a child would their mother. For some reason, that pained her even more. The man was willing to accept confusion and uncertainty in favor of the Jedi Master. He truly cared, and understood, and now more than ever Leah was tempted to tell him. So badly did she want to lift this weight from her shoulders. She could hardly breath. Closing Aurora from the Force and exiling her without regard to the rest of the Council. Standing on the receiving end of Vu’thari’s disgust, watching him leave, perhaps for good. Everything was crashing down but Castor was willing to stand just a little longer, even if he was afraid. Even if he hurt.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered back. “Thank you.” As the other Jedi retreated several steps back, returning to a cool and composed stature, she barely managed a respectful, professional nod. “Go ahead to your transport then, Padawan Chume’da Volante. I will brief you on our next move once we reach our rendezvous point.” She saluted him, motioning him to the shuttle awaiting departure. “Dismissed.” The Jedi Master turned away, hands behind her back. Expecting Castor to walk away, Leah was left to her own thoughts. Deep sighs, heavy breaths, fingers weaving in and out of one another. The Force was in flux. The Jedi was unbalanced. For the first time since Dantooine, she was unsure on what to do or what the future held in store— and it scared her.

Exit Thread.
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