Star Wars: Episode VIII: The New Threat

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

"Truthfully, the decision we've just made in regards to the Republic is what makes this so hard, but I do believe we did what we must," I replied. "However, perhaps these less reputable areas you mentioned are where our safety lies. It would contradict our usual choice of behavior to be there, and even those who live there would never suspect we would hide away in those areas. I hate to use the word hide, but it's what we need to do, find a place to hide the children and those Jedi who instruct them. It would be essential to all that no one know where that is save for the most reliable of the Jedi. Chances are, if the enemy overtook the major cities on those same planets, they would never even consider searching those less populated areas for the Jedi. Secrecy would be the key, no matter where we choose to send them. As for the jedi who are active, most of us will not be spending much time on the bases anyway, there's just too much work to be done. Where we're located is meaningless, so long as we have a way of passing on information and organizing it. WHile a base is beneficial, it might be best if we don't make only one base, but several, or if we arrange for the jedi who work closely with the Council, or the Council members themselves, to meet with those active Jedi on whatever grounds is convenient. If we have a base, and a single Jedi is tracked there, then it could spell disaster."
I thought for a moment, then glanced up. "It makes sense to me that, given our current objective, we might be best to go somewhere he Jedi might feel more at peace with themselves, somewhere with a history. Obviously, Coruscant isn't an option, but perhaps Degobah is..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

I started from my meditation.
"What's the matter, Master?"
Raven's voice, though I felt certin she'd known I wanted her to remain with Mogo and Orin."Nothing," I responded, but the answer was uniform, a habit. Truthfully, something was very wrong, though in a more personal sense.I wasn't entirely certain whether it was right or not to follow my instincts here, but I had already decided I would.
"Come, we must go," i said, standing, noticing then that sweat had formed on my brow. I had felt the man's pain, thorugh the Force, and I was more than certain it was too late to help him. But trying was something I intended to do.
We reached the bridge.
"Mogo," I began. "I need you to set a new course..."

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

Dagobah

He let the word ring in his mind for a moment.

The system where the old Master used to live. Skywalker's old Master.

"Dagobah does, indeed, sound promising."

He looked at her, thoughfully.

"You're talking about setting up cells, like in the old Rebellion back when Palpatine was in power. Never staying in one place too long..."

It was a difficult decision, he knew. And a temporary one. Eventually the Jedi would have to take their place within society... and not in a way that would have them spread across the galaxy. But for now, perhaps her way was best. Besides, Yavin would remain. For now, at least.

"I agree."

 

[Paendragon]

Dev Daymon

"I was under the impression the Jedi council was no more? Seperations due to different views?"

he nodded in response, but she continued, quickly.

"Combat?" She chuckled and shook her head, "It's be so long, not even I can recall when the last time was I ....."

She cut herself off, and he could sense some lng past pain bubbling below the surface. Then anger. Albiet anger quickly controlled.

"I haven't trained in quite some time Dev. And I will think over rejoining."

"Think long and hard, Keira." He studied her a moment. "It is true, the Jedi have been torn, but they are still there. And we are not yet past hope that an end to the division will be forthcoming."

It was true to a point, although he was not so certain he would see it in his lifetime. Some wounds healed slowly.

"In the meantime, training is a requirement, for you, now."

His eyes held compassion for a plight he was sure she had not yet considered.

"The Sith will be looking for me. And as such, will no doubt find you. Your chance at hiding was passed when you saved me, I fear."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

Jabiim.
I hung in the viewscreen before us, seeming to move in its own right, storms passing across the planets surface. Although the world seemed alive, I knew better of what waited on the surface. jabiim had been a wasteland since the population was decimated during the Clone Wars. We had Obi-Wan Kenobi to blame in part for that one.
"You sure this is the place, boss?" Mogo asked.I nodded. "Yes, he's down there...somewhere."
The Toydarian shrugged to Orin, who seemed as disbelieving as his compadre.
"Bring the ship down to the suface and see if you can find a place to land," I ordered. "Will she hold up through the atmosphere?"
"The Owl?" Mogo asked, then nodded. "She can handle it, it'll be rough though, so strap in."
I folowed his orders, taking a seat and strpping in as Raven did the same. The descent was rough, but Mogo was right. The Owl held up nicely. When she was set down, I unstrapped and readied to leave. Raven followed me to the back, taking note of my putting on a rain slick robe, then looked at me impatiently and asked, "Are you really going alone?"
"Raven, be formal," I replied.
She sighed, then breathed in deeply and stood tall. "Master, requesting permission to join you."
I bowed to her slightly. "Permission granted, but remain alert at all times. Planets like this are not to be taken lightly."
She bowed in return, "Thank you, Master."
She grabbed her own rain slick and put it on.
I thought for a moment, then grabbed a hand blaster and tucked it into my belt. Again, Raven mirrored my actions. I led the way back to the bridge of the vessel and instructed Mogo and Orin to hold tight and not to hesitate to take off should hostile circumstances arise in our absence. The two conceded, but didn't appear the slightest bit ready to leave us behind. I felt some comfort in that.
We exited carefully, walking out onot the barren plain ahead of us into the pouring down rain, pulling the rain cloaks tightly to protect us as much as we could from the weather.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

"Perhaps it is best we leave Yavin soon, even," I returned. "Scared people will tell what they believe will save them, and the galaxy is full of people who are aware of our presence here. Yavin is not so safe as we would like to believe, I fear."
I thought for a moment. "We need the input of the rest of the Council on this, I believe. We cannot make the choice on our own, and while we are all here..."
I looked back to him wondering if he felt we had enough reason to mention our ideas to the Council just yet.
Though it seemed in the best interest of the Order, it also would seem like a more extreme version of what the Jedi had already suffered through. Not just the order split into two factions, but parts of it spread all over the Galaxy.

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Master D'Rack Fran'tok

The tall Jedi Master approched Sara, she was still gazing out of the window, taking in the beautiful view of the jungle.

"Sara, I have to return to Coruscant and inform the Jedi their what has happend, and what may will be." D'Rack sighed, and continued. "I would like if you came along."

He looked back to everyone. "I must take my leave, and go to Coruscant, I shall not be long." He then bowed.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Keila

"I see. You believe I should practice.. Now?" She turned and stared at him hard for a silent moment.

She knew there was a great evil near by, sensed it as if he were touching her.. And now this Sith would be coming for him, which would lead to her. It wasn't in her to turn and flee. Hiding was just not possible, even in the deepest recesses of this planet was she beyond touch.

Her eyes stormed a little with her temper, plight, all of it swirling around before again calmness took over.

If what he said was true, and she sensed that it was, the jedi were trying to unite once more and become a stronger force to reakon with... but it also meant more troubles. But this entire galaxy was in trouble and beyond that which they knew and had yet to learn.

"I am a healer, and once I was training to become a Jedi... But that was years ago Dev." She reached into her robes and pulled out her saber, her eyes looking over the weapon long unused. She was horrible with this thing, always had been........ Her thoughts stopped there as she looked back up at him, "You'd have a better chance of fleeing without me, a better chance at fighting as well. Have you considered that?" Her brow quirked a little, seating herself into a comfortable chair.
"But." She went on not letting him repeat himself, "If you have need of me, then I am at your service." She gave a tentive smile and hoped silently she didn't cut her own fool head off.

 

[Paendragon]

Dev Daymon

He hadn't meant immediately, and silently grew irritated with himself. Basic wasn't his first language... and sometimes he still butchered it.

"Apologies... I did not mean immediately. But sooner rather than later would indeed be good."

He lowered himself to the floor of the hut, and sat cross-legged, his eyes on hers.

"In all honesty, I would rather flee even with your help. To seek out the Sith would be foolish. We are only us two, and he has thousands, at least, at his command."

He shook his head. "No... escape is my primary objective. As it should be yours. Will you help me? And more importantly, will you accompany me?"

He wasn't sure if she would just run off with him, but thought it best to get the idea out in the open. Even if she hesitated at first, perhaps she would still agree to help him. Then that would give him time to convince her of the need to accompany him.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Keila

She studied him a little longer before nodding her head. "Yes, I will help you, in any way I am needed." She was reluctant to leave here but she knew that it was time to go. She wasn't safe here any longer, and to remain would lead to more running.

"Perhaps there is something we can locate that will fuel the X-wing? supper should be ready soon enough, you should rest a little, you lost a bit of blood.. And if you will, tell me how things fare at home on Yavin?"

She pulled off a few robes and set her saber down upon the table, her mind mulling over what she should take and shouldn't? THere wouldnt be alot of room to store things, we're her credits still good? It had been so long since she used any form of currency to purchase things, could she adjust to city life? Too much, much too soon too.

"Tell me what I need to know, even what I dont. Before i just climb aboard I'd like an idea of what to expect. What's the objectives?" She wanted a broad picture not a coated image.

 

[Paendragon]

Dev Daymon

He shook his head sadly.

"I fear we will have to use other methods to escape this moon. Perhaps the Imperials could supply what we needed."

He didn't have to say they'd be stealing. That was plainfully obvious. The Empire wasn't exactly going to welcome them into camp and let them have a long-range transport.

He settled on a stool, and studied her.

"Yavin is as beautiful as it ever has been. A place of tranquility, and peace. And the ranks of the jedi are growing steadily, if not as much as we'd like."

He filled her in on as much as he felt safe, without compromising too much. Not until he was sure that she was certain of rejoining them.

He gave her the name of the Jedi serving on the Council, and informed her that he was not one of them. He was a Knight, not a Master.

It was pleasing she still thought of the jungle moon of Yavin as home, even with the time she had spent here. It would make her transition all the smoother.

The aromas coming from the supper she was peparing permeated the tent, and he was surprised to hear a grumble coming from his stomach. He'd not realized he was hungry. Must be the healing. It was said that some of the strength for that comes from the person being healed, as well as the healer.

"It's smells quite good."

He let himself relax for a while, sending his senses outward.

The forest was like any other. He could feel small rodent life, and feel some of them die as they were crushed in the jaws of larger predators. The trees, too, gave off an energy to be felt... to be bathed in. Different from the animal life in so many ways, but at it's basest, identical. All was one in the Force... all was connected.

He could feel the Ewoks presense as well, dispersed throughout this area of the forest. They were...

He frowned. They were... agitated.... alarmed.

Afraid.

He sent his senses out farther. Stretching it to his limits.

Nothing. he felt nothing.

Odd. There must be a reason for there nervousness... but if he felt nothing... then...

His eyes snapped open, and his lightsaber tugged free of his belt and snapped into his palm.

"We must go. Now. They've found us."

 

[Paendragon]

Darth Moridin

It was not easy to block ones awareness of the Force, even for a Sith Lord. Especially in so wide a swath of area. But he could not be certain were the Jedi was. Just that he was near. The man was no fool. he had been shielding himself from him since he landed. But he would be his soon. There was only so far a man could travel after crashlanding. Even a jedi.

He was out there somewhere. Out there hiding. And Moridin would have him soon. He would.

There were patrols spread throughout this section of the forest, all searching for the Jedi. They all had orders to report back at various intervals, whether they found him or not. That way, Moridin would know from there silence where the Jedi was. After all, a dead patrol could not report, could they?

No. he would have him soon.

And then...

He smiled.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

Time was short, and I'd lost track of what needed done amid the conversation. Tynan was thinking over my last words but I could see he was impatient somewhere beneath the surface (to look at his face, one would never know it) as well.
"We'll discuss this at a later time. For now, perhaps we should propose the Council think on the matter and meet again later to resolve the issue in full," I suggested. We needed to get our scouts moving, to send some out to find signs of just where some of these Jedi might be hiding.
If we get Fusion, we just might be able to...
Reunite them all?
I was weary to get my hopes up, but the thought of all the Jedi together again, a unit that might be able to function on some small level of what the Jedi once were, gave me idea that hope might still be won for the Galaxy.
"Agreed," Tynan returned. "Time to think on the matter might just show us the best path."
I nodded. "I'll address the Council quickly, if you wouldn't mind sending for Diora and briefing her on what we need."
He nodded, then exited.
"Council members. I regret to disturb you once more, but another topic is in need of discussion..."

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

He left the Council chambers with a great deal on his mind. So much was happening, and so quickly.

He knew, of course, that was the way of things. The way of the Force. So little over such a long period, only to leap ahead in an instant.

Still, it was unsettling.

He slowed to a stop as he saw Diora and her Padawan approaching him.

"Master," she bowed, her Padawan mimicking her exactly. Tynan returned the bow.

"Diora, the Council has need of your skills."

He told of of what had transpired in the past few hours, and what the threat entailed. And the plan to reunited the two Orders, and the hunt for the renegade Jedi. And most importantly of Fusion. She took it all calmly, as was expected.

"You'll need a good, fast ship. You may take the Talon if you wish." Even being ten years old, now, he had contimued to upgrade it. It was till one of the most advanced, and deadly ships in the fleet. Oddly, lately, he had begun to feel less and less comfortable in a ship that was little more than a weapon

 

[Sweetp4u]

Keila

She jumped instantly by the tone of his voice, dread coming over her almost instantly..

So they found them already? She should have expected this but denial was one of her flaws.

She wasted no time talking, instead she hurriedly grabbed what she would need most and stuffed it into a satchel.

"This way.." she ducked behind a hanging cloth and into a dark store room. Pushing some jars aside, she pressed on a pad and opened a hidden door. "This leads us underground for a ways and comes out on the other side of the Ewok village.. closer to them." She motioned him through, waited and then entered behind him. She shut the panel behind her, hopefully buying them some time.

Taking the lead, she led him along the tunnel without fear of being caught or seen. She used this many times before and there was only one route to take. Simple but efficiant.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Diora Barren

The Talon?
I thought for a moment, looking off into space.
"Perhaps, if there's no other vessel available..." I replied. The Talon was possibly the most dangerous ship in the fleet, maybe even in Republic space, which made it a very useful tool and weapon when needed. The problem was, the ship had a history (one as what you might call an accomplice to Tynan's earlier life) that made it noticable. While that could be helpful to those Jedi who were aware of Tynan's return to the Order (it might bring them to us) it might also make those who are not ready to be found aware of our search. Not to mention draw the attention of those who might still have some fear of (or some score to settle with) "Tynan the Hunter." I was ready to do my part, but not ready to fight off the vengeance of every pirate and half the Imperials left in the Galaxy.
Then again, if I remembered him well enough, that might just be the kind of display that would bring Fusion out into the open...
"We will leave at once, Master Tynan. We will do our best. Any suggestions on where we might strt our search? Have there been any sightings of the other Jedi that we should be aware of?"

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

Tynan shook his head. "Nothing you don't already know. Knowing Fusion, he'll have kept himself in the darker areas of the galaxy. Near the Outer Rim, most likely. ANywhere where things would be a bit more... interesting."

Tynan smiled, and small half-smile.

"I shouldn't say it, because admitting it shows that maybe I don't have too fine a grasp on Jedi serenity, but Iwish I was going with you. At the very least, your journey will be... interesting."

The smile slipped from his face, and his voice took on a somber tone. "I have no need to tel you to take great care in your search, Diora. Which is one reason we decided on you."

His eyes took them both in.

"Come back to us, Jedi Knights."

He held out the datapad containing the passcodes to the Talon's automated defense system.

 

[Paendragon]

Dev Daymon

Dev followed her closely, his lighsaber held loosely in his hand, still unlit.

Eventually they came to the end of the tunnel, a small opening cover by a hatch, and camoflaged to look like a small bush.

She opened it slowly, and went to make her way outside, but Dev grabbed her.

"Slowly, and cautiously, Padawan. We know not what's out there."

He sent out his senses, and felt them. These hardened minds were not Ewoks, he was sure.

"Imperials," he whispered. "I'll draw them off. Which way will you move?"

She gestured to the east, and he nodded. "Keep to the trees, and I'll find you. Whatever you do, try not to use the Force, unless you must. I'm certain you have other ways to defend yourself... rely on those. If not, then run before engaging the enemy. I want them afetr me, not you."

He flexed his arm to loossent he tight muscles, and ease the soreness, then slipped outside.

Crouching low, he heard the familiar tinny voices of Imperial Stormtroopers. His eyes scanned the treeline, but found nothing.

There's one way to find out where they are...

"Duu'raan would have my head if he saw me do this," he whispered, then ran for the treeline.

"There!" He heard the scream behind him, and he zigged, just as blue blaster fire arced past him where he had been running.

Stun bolts... then they want me alive. Good.

He leapt for the forest, and rolled midair, to tumble to the ground. he came up running again. Behind him, he could hear the sounds of the troops giving chase. he only hoped the girl had gotten away clean.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Diora Barren

I took the card, reconsidering the thoughts I'd had earlier about the Talon's history. Even if we didn't find every Jedi, each we did find would be helpful. And those that didn't want to be found? What were the chances they were coming back anyway? if not on thier own?
Slim to none, and I wasn't the diplomat some other Jedi mightbe. it simply took social skills I did not acquire.
I nodded to Master Tynan. "Interesting should be an understatement, Master Tynan, and coming home is indeed what we intend to do."
I bowed to him, already making mental notes of where I might find these renegades, not just Fusion, who seemed the least likely in my viewpoint to return, but any who might have taken to independence when the Jedi split, or even before then.
"We'll act with haste, and return as soon as we can. It seems wise that we keep the Jedi with us as we go, to keep them from being tracked back to the rest of the Order, unless the Council feels otherwise, of course."
I was asking permission, and I would do what I was told, but I was eager to get moving. I'd been on Yavin for a few days, and already, I felt closed in. Space was cold, but sometimes, the warmth of home, wherever that might be at a given time, could be a suffocating type of warmth.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

My quarters.
I sat down on the edge of my bed, little more than a sleeping cot, humble to an extreme. A Jedi bed.
Many of the Jedi, even a few of the Council members perhaps, had gotten used to luxuries, to having items that belonged to just them and to sitting and training, sitting and training. Many of the more difficult tasks, even since the attack on the Mached base, had been taken care of by the Jedi knights, often the same knights over and over. Tynan and myself doing most of the footwork when it came ot the Council's active involvement. Marius and Dev Daymon had done more than their part of the work, as had Diora and her padawan, and I could see Raven and Luke becoming stronger as the days passed just because of thier involvements in the missions their masters took them on, becoming what would one day be true Jedi, something rare given the way the Jedi had softened.
Softened, yes. It was that simple. Even Moedwyn, who the Council entrusted as the primary teacher for the young padawans, which nearly outnumbered the currently active Jedi--that at least, showed some promise to the future of the Order--had made a crucial error in the battle near Cloud City, jumping hastily into a room against a Sith that might have been defeated by her when Marius had been forced to back down. More than the need to bring the jedi together, we needed to strengthen within ourselves, to bring the Order back to the disciplinary level it had once been at, so long ago.
The question that plagued me in terms of the renegade Jedi were simple, yet unanswerable as of yet. While the Jedi here had softened, had grown un-Jedi-like to a certain degree, what had happened to those lost to the Order? Had they turned? Gone dark? Had the experience they'd garnered made them more responsible? Like we hoped it had, made them realize that the Jedi were needed as a unit, to fix the things they're now seeing exist in the Galaxy?
Unanswerable questions, all of them. Until they came back to us, I reminded myself.
Who knows what the future holds? I thought, yet it was not my voice which the words came in.
He was waiting for me to return, but things had to be done first, changes made and Jedi found. Too much to do here, yet it seemed at that exact moment, I had nothing I could do. The changes would come slowly, I knew, and hopefully not too slowly. And I was impatient.
Above all that,I needed rest...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Keila

She watched Dev run for it and held back, waiting until he drew them away from her. She hesitated only a moment or two before leaping from her cover, crouching low and running due east.

She heard the shots and flinched, hoping they would not make a target out of him this day. But now where was she to go? He obviously had a plan, wish she had a clue what that was.. other than escaping this planet in one piece.

Stormtroopers were coming, more in persuit of Dev from the sounds of their shouts, and a good reason for her to hide a little better. Ducking down, she ran/slid down an embankment and used the ravine to cover her travels.

Her heart pounded loudly in her ears, excitement? Fear? She really doubted it was fear, she had lived too long for that, perhaps it was a presense here she felt deep inside, one that meant to kill them all?

Whatever it was, she felt it stronger as she drew further away from Dev and further easterly in the ravine. Spying a bridge, she ducked under and pushed herself up as high as she could, laying low on the ground.. Now to wait, get her bearings and see what type of transportation she could 'commandere'.

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

Tynan nodded.

"Keep them with you, but if possible, try to maintain contact through the network."

Tynan returned the bow.

"May the Force be with you both."

 

[Paendragon]

Dev Daymon

He couched low in the underbrush. The forest was quiet around him, as it would be with the amount of activity in the area. Animals knew well enough when to run and hide.

He used his senses, now, but not the Force. It was too dangerous to stretch out too far with the Sith out there. He should have warned the girl to do the same, but it was too late now. He had to hope she was smart enough to figure it out on her own.

Slowly, a Stormtrooper came into view around a large tree. his blaster swung left and right, always ready to fire in line with his sight. Trained well. One of the first lessons learned byt a soldier was to do all your looking, especially in close quarters, right down the barrel of your blaster; aiming constantly. Seeing a threat did little good unless you had your gun ready to shoot it.

Dev held his breath when the second trooper came into view. And then a third, and a fourth. If they kept along the path they were traveling, they would pass 15 paces to his left. close... but with luck, far enough to miss him completely.

He was fairly confident he could handle them if necessary, but what good would it do if it brought the rest of the troop down on his head?

No. He would wait, and hope. And pray the girl was safe.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Diora Barren

"Hopefully this will bring more strength and unity to the Jedi Order, and help us face the oncoming threat."
I turned to my padawan.
"Come, gally," I said. "Let's gather what we need and get to the Talon. I'll see you in the hangar."
I turned, headed toward my quarters, then gathered my things and headed toward the hangar. When I reached it, I had the displeasure of seeing the bounty hunter, long brown hair visible as her helmet and full-body armor had been removed, sitting impatiently near the entranceramp of her vessel.
She glanced up, eyeing carefully, not the slightest bit intimidated, I was sad to see. I guessed perhaps she shouldn't be at that.
"Let's get this over with," she muttered. "Where are the others?"

 

[Paendragon]

Aela Rishtar

"I am here."

She pushed her lekku - her head tails - behind her shoulders, as she steppead arounf a small freighter toward the ship.

She still wasn't quite sure how she had let the man - the Jedi - talk her into this. If she wasn't sure, she would have thought he might have used a mind trick on her, but he had given his word their would be no trickery. Still, she was uncertain of her place here.

She eyed the bounty hunter with open disgust before facing the Jedi woman.

"You are Diora Barren?"

She barely waited for the woman's assent before introducing herself.

"When do we leave? The sooner we're done with this, the better."