Knights of the Old Republic: A Changing Force (By Invite Only)

[ebbenezer66]

.....

 

[Medevelin]

At first all were enjoying the meal and everything seemed more or less par for course at the Enclave, though John quickly became ill and not just a subtle illness. Something was coming over him with a quickness that precluded food poisoning or any sickness she'd known, she suspected a toxin had entered his body that was the only way to explain his quickly degrading state.

At Reya's request she was to either remain where she was or to go with Whyr, she understood that they didn't want people wandering around the Enclave without escort and nodded to her before looking to Whyr.

"If you don't mind my following you I would rather not sit around in here and be stared at the way I am." She had noticed several members convened in the cafeteria giving her sideways glances, they sensed the Force in her and some likely recognized her. She had hoped that the Force would fade in time but it had stayed with her, in a time where the Sith ruled she would be dangerous. Her lack of control over her emotions would be a driving force for her to fall to the dark side. That wasn't a concern now however, she hadn't heard much of the Sith in months then again she was confined within a space ship out of range of any communication. She would be glad when her job here was completed.

 

[Armphid]

Whyr stood as Reya spoke, nodding with a soft and barely audible sound of agreement. As he did so, he sent the thought to the two women with him, "I will do as you ask, Lady Reya. Taseli, I would be glad for your company."

The wookie strode off towards the infirmary, not running but letting his long strides carry him at a pace that would force most sentients to at least jog to catch up. The trip to the medical area did not take long, and as he neared, it was apparent that things had gotten worse.

Jybs stood in the hallway; staring into the infirmary with concerned eyes, almost scared. Inside, the medics were running around madly, calling to one another. John lay on one of the beds, apparently unconscious. He seemed to be sweating and shaking.

For a moment, Whyr could only stare. This was...serious. Perhaps even more so that he had thought at first. He glanced down at Jybs. Hoping she would not be frightened, he laid a massive hand on her shoulder, "Do not fear. The medics are skilled and there are some here who can use the Force to heal." But something like this could strain even them.

In a few moments, he had contacted the doctors within and communicated all he knew of what had happened, the knowledge and impressions sent directly into their minds. Then...what? There was nothing more to do.

Whyr removed his hand from the redhead's shoulder, "I don't know what else we can do here. John's fate is out of our hands for now." He sighed, one of the few readily audible sounds he could produce as it was not really a vocalization. He felt so helpless.

 

[Tymeless]

John laid there in the infirmiry while those inside tried to heal his struggling body. He would convulse from time to time. It was clear to the medics on the inside that they weren't going to be able to use their abilities to heal John. All they could do it seemed was to make him more comfortable by injecting him with pain killers.

As the medics went to use their technology to examine his body it was clear that his tissues were rearranging themselves and there really wasn't much evidence that he would be able to surivive. A blood sample revealed that his genetics were altering. Some of his cells showed that he was male and others in the tissues that had already rearranged themselves were female.

The head medic looked out and saw the worried red headed girl outside, and turned and barked a couple commands. He then removed his gloves, wiped a bit of sweat from his brow and left the infirmary. Stepping outside he looked towards the Redheaded. "Miss, I know you can tell he is changing just from looking in through that window. Do you have a minute to talk?"

 

[Armphid]

Whyr glanced down at Taseli. Jybs seemed anchored to the spot; remarkably concerned with John's fate so soon after meeting him. Was it mere compassion or was something else at work?

He shook his head. That was a question for those with greater wisdom. "Taseli, the time has come to speak to any of the Masters that we can find. You may perform your delivery as well." He paused a moment before he started to move. "I will understand if you leave afterward. But if you were willing to stay until this is...I feel that you cannot have come back now, in the middle of this, simply by coincidence."

The truth was that he, like many Jedi, didn't believe in coincidence. She'd shown up at her former home just in time to be here when this happened. Whyr would never think she might have a hand in whatever had happened to John Shepherd but it was clear, to his mind, that the Force meant for her to be part of the events that folded out of this.

The wookiee actually broke into a light run, heading for the chamber where the Masters convened to meet. It wasn't as if they were always just standing around there...but at least one of them tried to be nearby if they could, to be available to the students and any petitioners.

Moving with surprising grace for his size, Whyr slipped around others passing through the halls with a whurrfed apology. Things were happening fast; they needed to react faster.

The dark brown furred sentient burst into the meeting room of the masters, two heads turning to face him. One was that of a woman who looked human, though she was in fact one of the Echani. She was beautiful and lush of body, her white hair grown out longer now, softening her once hard features. The other was a human man with blond hair; his eyes wise and sad. The man looked up with a grim expression. "Whyr, what is wrong? You would not come here in this way unless..."

The wookiee bowed, "Master Mical, Master Brianna. Something is indeed very wrong. John Shepherd has fallen suddenly ill; as if he was struck down a-purpose. What is more, when I looked at him in the Force, I sensed..." He wasn't sure how to communicate it. "May I show you?"

Master Brianna frowned but nodded, "Of course, Whyrrikka." She closed her eyes, "Go ahead." She didn't like having another in her mind but she wasn't foolish enough not to know that this was important. Someone like Whyr didn't act like this on a whim.

The wookiee closed his eyes and focused his power, "sending" his sensory experiences and memory of what had happened to the two Master Jedi. Brianna's mouth twitched and Mical actually grunted softly. Sending that much mental data at once directly to someone was painful but they bore it well.

Master Brianna's eyes opened first, "This discord is centered on John Shepherd. But it is spreading among us..."

Mical nodded, "But it isn't present discord but the hints of it to come." The two Masters exchanged a long look with one another. Then Mical nodded, "I'm going to the infirmary and then to find Hor Rollan. He may know more about this."

Whyr nodded, "Lady Reya was going to look for him for that purpose as well."

Mical strode out of the room without another word, though he glanced as Taseli as he passed. Brianna frowned. "I must send a message to the others about this. But first...welcome back." The Echani woman inclined her head to Taseli. "You have returned at a very interesting time." Not all of the Masters would, but Brianna meant her greeting. She herself was the product of a Jedi giving into passion and love with her father and she as well was one of those who had loved the Jedi Exile. "But I take it you have not come back to rejoin us."

 

[Medevelin]

Despite the gravity of the situation Tas couldn't help but smirk at Whyr as he spoke to her. He was likely right, damn force couldn't just leave well enough alone. It always had a will, always had a purpose.

"Have I ever told you I hate when you're right Whyr." She responded, of course she had. More often or not he was right much to her chagrin in the past. She resigned herself to the fact that he likely was again and gripping tightly to the case followed him at a sprint. It was the only way she could keep up with his long strides.

Once they reached the convening room of the Masters she waited outside, not daring to step in and allowed Whyr to conduct his business. Waiting at the doorway, even though Mical glanced at her she didn't return the look, instead keeping her eyes pasted to the floor that is until Master Brianna spoke to her, oddly enough welcoming her back.

"Indeed Master Brianna, these are strange times. You are right I did not come here to stay. Instead I was called here to deliver this package." She held up the briefcase for the Master to see.

"I was told it could be delivered to any Master though ultimately it was for a specific one. I was not told which but it is assumed any of you could direct it to the right hand. I can assure you that none have opened it and we don't know the contents." she handed the case over to the Master and stepped back.

"While I am here however I would like to offer my services in any way I could be of help."

 

[Pywakit]

Jybs Talkoo

As the medic approached her, Jybs felt an irrational sense of panic rising up, the same sense of panic she always felt when approached by anyone in a position of official power. Jedi, for some reason she didn't yet quite understand, didn't seem to set off this fight-or-flight response... but this medic in his uniform sure did.

"I... I don't know anything. I just met him today; he brought me here for lunch, and that's really all I can say. He had a fit or something, nearly collapsed, and I helped him get here before he did. I... it's not my fault!" She added a bit pathetically.

(OOC: I'm gonna be out for a week on a business trip, alas... so Jybs will have to fade into the background till I get back; I'm looking forward to seeing where this thread goes, though!)

 

[HookerBoots]

Quick, measured strides. If you look like you're running, it could cause panic. Doesn't matter if there's a desperate need. It also sort of helped, since running in the halls of the enclave tended to draw Masters from wherever they were to scowl at or lecture you. So Reya kept moving at a quick but steady pace, just a few steps short of running.

Finally, she reached the rooms she wanted - Master Rollan's suite of rooms that were both office and housing. Stopping to take a moment to compose herself, she knocked on the door. "Master Rollan?"

Reya poked her head inside. Strange . . . the room looked like someone had started packing it up to leave. She hadn't heard that Master Rollan was taking a trip, but then, she was sort of low on the information scale. But he was there still, sitting in a chair and leafing through a book. "Master Rollan, thank the elders! John's sick, he's gone to the infirmary." She stepped just barely inside, hands clasped tightly at her waist. "I don't know when the last time you'd seen him was, but he looked pretty bad, and wasn't acting himself - do you know how long he's been ill?

 

[Bluemage]

Hor Rollan: Innocent until proven Guilty

Rollan's eyes came up from the paper as the woman entered his quarters. When she mentioned that John was ill, his eyes grew slightly wider. Oh all of these wonderful facial expressions. He had mastered them so well. The hint of worry in his voice when he finally spoke up, was just the tip of the iceburg of his talents, "John is sick? That's impossible. I just saw him this afternoon." He pushed himself up out of his chair, "My mind was occupied with a diplomatic mission in my future that will take me to one of the fringe worlds...it is possible that I missed the signs of his illness..but he seemed so healthy and bright when he came to see me..."

He looked back down to his hands. Oh yes. Looking helpless and pensive. This was all so easy for him. He slowly looked up again, his eyes looking at the girl who had come to talk to him about this, "Is he going to be alright?" He moved around the desk, "Quickly, take me to him."

 

[HookerBoots]

Reya nodded. "Of course, Master. Please, follow me." She stepped back out of the doorway and headed back the way she'd come, her robes flowing around her ankles with every stride she took. "He's in the infirmary," she said to him, her eyes looking straight ahead. "I made sure he got there safely, and that the medics would have all the information I knew."

Her eyes flickered to his face. He couldn't know anything about this; if he had, he would have said so. He was a Jedi. Still, she had to ask. "You're certain that he seemed fine when he saw you, sir? When was that?" Her cheeks blushed copper again, and she looked down. "I'm sorry if it seems . . . improper of me to ask, but knowing when will allow us to have a good idea of when John fell ill."

Worry clouded Reya's eyes. If Master Rollan hadn't noticed anything, that could mean that whatever made John sick worked terribly fast. If it was contagious, there would be almost no warning that someone was sick. This could annihilate the enclave, if it were fatal. Whether it was lethal or not, it could still be disastrous to have a large number of Masters and Knights out of commission at the same time.

 

[Bluemage]

Rollan brought his hand up, his thumb and forefinger gripping at the bridge of his nose and pressing at it as if he was trying very hard to think. How long ago had it been? He had lost track of time while he had been readying his escape. He knew that it had acted faster than he had thought that it would, but that didn't mean anything, and speaking up about that particular thought probably was not the most prudent idea.

He looked up slowly before speaking up again, "I'm sure that it wasn't that long ago. He seemed concerned about something, but I know that he's been troubled about a recent training exercise...it is possible that he was actually feeling unwell and I drew the wrong conclusion." This could be a dangerous dance, and he knew it. Any misstep and he could find himself in a world of problems, so it was better not to get into a dangerous situation like that if it was possible.

He continued to follow the young woman before him. Who would have thought that things would get out of hand so quickly.

 

[Armphid]

Brianna, once known as The Last Handmaiden, lifted the briefcase as Taseli spoke. "I see. I believe I know what is in here then." And it made her heart beat faster to think of it. Her fingers almost trembled before she mastered herself. There would be time for that later. She hoped.

Whyr nodded in agreement with the young exile's last words. However they were to be useful, he wanted to do something. Despite knowing that events came in their own time, he was still one of his people, and the call to action in his blood was hard to ignore.

The graceful yet busty half-Echani turned to walk over and set the briefcase down. "I think you should go to the infirmary as well, both of you. You were near young Shepherd when he began to show symptoms, which means you may have caught whatever he is carrying."

She looked back at them. "Have them check you over for the same pathogen. Perhaps if they can get cultures from all three of you, it will assist their understanding and speed treatment." It would help that Whyr wasn't human as well. The more diversity of sample, the better. Then she paused, "Whyr, go on ahead. I wish to ask Taseli something in private."

The Wookie bowed and then turned to exit, making his way toward the medical area with long, wide strides.

Master Brianna waited until she was sure they were alone. "Taseli. There is something you can do that the rest of us cannot. You have been among us, but have also been away. You can see us with the eyes of an outsider, but an outsider who knows what to look for and expect." She paused again, "I suspect this disease is not natural in origin." It was instinct that told her that; meaning The Force. "If someone here is acting strangely, I think you would spot it easier than we, who might overlook it out of familiar expectation."

 

[Tymeless]

The medic noticed the panic on the girl and knew it wasn't just from fear of the person she was watching over but because she was someone who usually got accused of things even when it wasn't something she had done. He just cast his eyes downward and felt sorry for the hard life this girl must have lived.

"Well, Miss, can I call you miss or do you have some other preference...Anyway lets get down to business here whatever is happening to this young jedi he is going to need someone to help him adjust if he is able to survive this. We have no idea how far the effects of this are going to go but it's obvious right now that they may end up being drastic. You can probably tell he looks a little different now but if my guess is correct none of this is something he isn't going to be happy about."

 

[Pywakit]

Jybs Talkoo

Jybs listened to the medic, and as it became apparent she wasn't in trouble and he wasn't going to arrest her or kick her out of the enclave, her fear and nervous energy began to fully focus on John. She could indeed tell, even from here, that something was happening to him. She took a deep breath, swallowed her fear, and nodded. Taking care of someone who was sick wasn't new to her, after all; she'd had to nurse teammates back to health many times before, and in far worse conditions than this.

"Okay... okay. I was just... nervous. Please, just tell me what I need to do to help him and I'll do it."

 

[Tymeless]

"Well he is going to need someone that can be supportive of him but also willing to push him a bit. I think knowing John that it would be better from someone that is new in his life that he can accept in that role without realizing that they are playing a role. In the past he hasn't been one to rely on others and if the others started showing him sympathies now he would more than likely resent them and himself even more. By the information we have been able to gather thus far he isn't going to be nearly the same person as before and we don't know how far this is going to go but as we speak more and more of his cells are changing to those of a woman. We aren't sure how far this will go. He is stabalized for now and is in no danger of dying anymore. Would you like to go in and see him?" The medic asked in a subdued tone letting her know that he wasn't here to judge her.

 

[Armphid]

Whyr loped into to the entrance of the infirmary. Jybs was now inside, talking close to one of the doctors. She was agitated. The doctor was disturbed, astonished, fascinated. John Shepherd was...in motion. It was unlike anything Whyr had ever felt before. He was fluid in the Force; his very self was unraveling and being rewoven all at once.

The wookiee grimaced, as much as his kind could. This was...impossible. Mad. How could something that did this go unnoticed? It was also clearly something that could not naturally occur. This was an attack.

And it was likely one from the inside.

 

[Pywakit]

Jybs Talkoo

Jybs's eyebrows arched.

"Turning into a woman?" she asked in a quiet tone, more because the doctor who was speaking to her was doing the same than out of any sense of decorum. "Is that even possible? I guess it is... it's happening right now, right?"

She looked over toward John. "I would like to go see him, yes," she said. "But... is he even a he? Should I call him a her? How far has the transformation gone?"

 

[Tymeless]

"Right this way then ma'am." The medic responded to Jybs as he began to guide her inside the room. "What you decide to call him or her would really be up to the two of you. Right now he is still anatomically a male on the outside but with each passing minute internally he is less and less a male and more female. Whatever this is seems to be very agressive but by all estimates it could be a couple weeks before his body stabilizes and we don't know at what point it will stabilize."

The medic paused and pulled out a chair for her next to John's bed. "Here have a seat. I'll try to fade in the background while I run some more tests."

John Shepard continued to lay in the bed unconcious. Every few minutes or so his body would convulse and there would be another round of changes to his body. Even in his unconcious state and on the pain meds there were still cries of pain that would escape his lips.

 

[Armphid]

Hor Rollan

Rollan grimaced despite the lovely ass swaying in front of him. He shouldn't have asked her to take him to the infirmary. One delirious mumble from John would put suspicion on him. His guise had held up this well because no one had ever strongly tested it. Yet.

It was too big of a risk. The medical area was deep into the Enclave, which was perfectly logical. Getting away clean became less likely the further in he went and the longer he was here. Which meant that now was the time.

"Reya...I think I know something that may help. Go on ahead to the infirmary, I'll be there as soon as I can." He laid a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Don't be afraid. Trust in the Force."

He didn't wait for a response but turned and immediately went down the corridor that would lead to the living quarters. Which was also where the entrance to the spacedocks were.

No time to ready his own ship. He needed one that was prepared to go now. There was a courier vessel that had arrived. That would do nicely.

The ship was just finished unloading and resupply, the cargo ramp sliding back into place. As he approached, marching directly towards it, a solid looking human man turned to see him. "Hello, Jedi. I'm-" His words were cut off in a choked gurgle as Rollan's lightsaber flashed to life and struck in one smooth motion, slicing up diagonally across the man's chest.

He might live but there was no time to finish the spacer properly. A bellowing roar told him the man's Wookiee companion had noticed. The beastly humanoid charged, roaring. Rollan lifted a hand and the Wookiee rose into the air. He flicked his wrist and sent the hairy sentient over the wall around the launch pad.

Rollan strode up the ramp into the ship, a gesture hitting the button to close it behind him telekinetically. The layout was simple and he walked into the cockpit as though he had been on board a dozen times before.

Sliding into the pilot's chair, he smiled. Everything was still warmed up from the recent arrival. Meaning a launch preparation that would have taken ten minutes or more would barely take five. He keyed open the ship's comm link. "Dock control, this is Jedi Master Rollan. Close the blast doors to launchpad 5 immediately. Do not open them for any authority but my own; we are dealing with a biological contamination of untold magnitude! We must keep it contained to the Enclave and allow no one to escape."

He turned off the link before the startled people on the other side could respond. They'd do it, used to following the orders of the Jedi. Then they'd realize what he said about biological contamination. Then they'd panic. And start yelling on every available comm line to find out what was going on. Which would spread the panic. Giving him plenty of cover.

 

[Pywakit]

Jybs Talkoo

Jybs watched from her seat aside John's bed, feeling increasingly helpless as she watched him twist and writhe in agony. Him... was he still a him? He certainly didn't look that different from the outside... at least, not that different. She thought she could see some changes though... softening of lines here and there, smoothing of the skin, perhaps a slightly more slender cast to his hands?

As he shook again, she reached out and took one of those hands in her own.

"John... I'm not sure you can hear me, but hang in there. You're in the infirmary, and they're doing everything they can to help you. I'm here too. Ummm... Jybs, that is. Jybs Talkoo. We just met not long ago, and I feel a bit weird talking to you like this, but just in case you can hear me, I'm here to let you know you're not alone..."

 

[Tymeless]

John continued to lay in bed unconcious still prone to spasms wracking his slowly changing body. As he was laying there he could feel a presence in the room that was faitly familiar. Even unconcious he could still sense things around him as his mind fought through the fog and dreams were overtaking him. There was a feeling of loss, hatred, helplessness, and loneliness, as John's dreams switched from one scene to the next. As time went on he felt a hand on one of his and he could hear the sound of a vaguely familiar voice calling to him calming him slightly. After a few minutes he began to stir and his eyes began to open.

 

[Armphid]

Hor Rollan

Dantooine was a ball of mostly green interspersed with the blue of lakes and rivers from this high up; the edge of the atmosphere seeming to gleam and glow as it caught the light of the nearest star.

The being that was pretending to be Hor Rollan looked down on it with a sneer. How pathetic. They hadn't even managed to put together a chase; or even hailed him. Then it became a smirk; well, he WAS very good.

Which made this next part of the plan rankle so much. It was a bad idea. It was a catastrophic idea. As someone trained in espionage it went against every impulse he had. He should say that he forgot to do it in the excitement. Or that the pursuit was too strong to take the time for it.

But his master wouldn't care why he hadn't done it. Just that he hadn't. And at that point...he shivered.

He tapped a few keys and sent the message down to the planet. Once things calmed down, every Jedi would have it waiting for them in their comm system. And then the running would start.

In the glittering black of space his stolen ship banked and the engines flared brilliantly for several seconds. Then it shot forward into impossible speed and was gone.

 

[HookerBoots]

Reya slipped into the infirmary as John's eyes started to open. She'd waited a little while to see if Master Rollan would return quickly, but after a few minutes, it had occurred to her that there was no way of knowing where he would have to go, or how long it would take, to find the thing he thought would help. So he might not even be coming back the same way. It was foolish to be waiting in the hallway, and a waste of time.

"I'm sorry it took so long," she whispered to Whyr as she stepped quietly over to his side. "Master Rollan had to go back and get something, and I was going to wait for him, but he was taking so long I didn't want to wait too long."

As she looked around the room, it was interesting to see the assortment of entities gathered here. It sort of made her feel good - John wasn't especially well-liked because of his brisk nature, and it was nice to see so many people worried about his health. The thought occurred to her that the real reasons might not be so altruistic; it was more likely than not that the majority were here to either isolate as many people who were exposed to . . . whatever this was as possible, and to have as many Masters and healers there to ensure that things didn't get out of hand.

"How is he?" Reya breathed, looking anxiously between the Wookiee and the rousing person on the bed.

 

[Armphid]

Whyr nodded as Reya slipped into the infirmiry beside him. It was a sign of just how tense the medical suite and those within it were. He couldn't hear what was being said to Jybs Talkoo but he could see her expression. She was both shocked and more than a little afraid. He could feel the same feelings but to a much greater extent from the medical techs and doctors working on the samples taken from John Shepherd. It was awe, in the original sense, something profoundly significant and dangerous.

At her question, he could only shake his head, "I was told his life was in no danger; that this toxin or whatever it is doesn't seem to be the kind to burn out or kill an infected person." Which worried him even more. What was the point then? "But they are all...I'm not sure there is one word for it. They are stunned and awed by what is happening. And afraid." He drew in a deep breath, "They stink of fear."

Which aggravated him. The medical staff were not Jedi; those Jedi with medical skills were too valuable to keep at the Academy but were sent on mercy missions all over the galaxy. But living here, surely they could have learned enough of the teachings and of self-control to not be so....so weak.

A low, soft growl rolled in his chest. This display was making him angry. Angry? The Wookiee blinked, looking down to catch Reya's eyes looking up at him with surprise. She'd probably never heard him growl like that before. He was angry about this...it surprised him. Being upset and worried was natural but this emotion seemed excessive. Had Master Mira been right all along?

A doctor came up to the two Jedi, "I'm glad you're both here." The lean, large-eyed Sullustan spoke in crisp, accented Basic, "You two were with John Shepherd when he started to show symptoms." It was far from a question. "We will need to examine you as well; to see if the pathogen has spread and try to determine how contagious it is."

The massive Wookiee felt his anger stir again, accompanied this time by anxiety. He took a breath and held both firmly in control. This was troubling. Why was he so emotional now? He nodded his agreement, the doctor beckoning him into a screened off area.

Two nurses went into where Whyr was and pulled the screens closed behind them. The dark-eyed doctor nodded to Reya, "You too, Miss. Come with me, I'll conduct the tests myself."

 

[HookerBoots]

There was a shiver of worry in Reya's mind. "You don't think . . . you don't think we're sick as well, do you?" It had looked like what happened to John had hurt a lot, and she didn't want to be hurt! Mentally, she shook herself. She'd endured pain before, and it wasn't to be feared. It was merely sensory input, not something to make her feel this frightened.

The doctor that was leading her turned and made what she assumed was supposed to be an encouraging expression. "It is unlikely. John Shepherd's symptoms, from what I have been told, started quickly. If you were ill, you would likely be experiencing some symptoms already."

She nodded, stepping into a small examination area. "That makes sense." But what if he was wrong? Did she feel warm? Had she gotten a fever, and just didn't notice it? The little sliver of worry that had wormed into her mind started to grow, festering there quietly, as the doctor prepared a syringe and needle, and asked her to stay still while he checked her temperature. "Of course," Reya said, her mind reeling with the possibilities even as her body remained still.