(Starting for Tache)

The ship Tache had stowed away had been in Hyperspace for a considerable time before he was discovered by the crew. They were sympathetic to a fault; they certainly couldn't have let you stay on Exegal to die or be corrupted by that evil place. Doesn't mean they weren't without some questions.

"Right, let's do this again," Bruce Brightmark, the Captain asked you. He was a bit of an older fellow, gray hair having already snuck among the rest of the short black. His physique, clearly once having a strong, stocky frame, had begun to sag and betray him. "What were you and your friends doing before Exagal. Why did you go there? Now that you're with us, what are your plans?"

Tache was compliant and as nice as he could be. A drowning rat need not bite the hand of the new ships crew after all. He nodded at the questions. "Any fight has two things after is done. Stranded people and salvage. You'd be suprised as to the number of fighters who eject and get stranded. Our goal was to life boat it up and likely get our hands on the most choice cuts of order tech before pulling a round trip for seconds." He tilted his head side to side as it was really hard to shrug. "Most of the time right over a high priority target is a fairly safe no fly zone. If you're wayyyyyy up above an AI core in a droid fight they may shoot at you but it's not effective. And they have better things to shoot at."

"What we did not expect is to have the ship torn in half. What ever they used, never seen it before. Snapped the ship like it was made of foil."

"Jumped ship and I am looking forward to finding out what could discharge thst much power all at once. The ohm resistance of that single point is a fantastic calculation." he tilted his head side to side again. "Perhaps I'll see about repaying you in kind. If you've no need I am sure I can find trouble."

"I think I've a lot of reading to do and people to talk to in order to find out what really happened down there."

The captain sighed briefly, unimpressed.

"Winners can't be choosers I guess. What you need to know, for now, is that we helped stop the near total destruction of the Galaxy. Freedom gets to live another day. Anything more specific than that is for the egghead historians."

A small chirp could be heard throughout the ship indicating exiting Hyperspace "You're welcome to stay among the crew if you wish, at least until you put your feet back under you. I'll warn you though, that this is going to be more involved than working a scrapping vessel. If you want to walk away, find some other work to do, I won't judge you, or give you a seconds thought after you depart."

He stands up to head to the cockpit "You'll have until we dock to have a decision, friend. Come on, best you take a look to see what we all earned for our trouble."

Heading to the cockpit you see the ship be brought into the atmosphere of Chandrila, the tentative capital of the New Republic, and the home of the venerated Mon Mothma. Without her tireless vision, none of this would have been possible.

Mon Mothma, never was there a person who showed free will still had a place in grand powers. Appointed to the loyalty council by Palpatine himself, she was the one to dismantle emergency powers. Then later she authored the galactic demilitarization act and doomed many, but still she sacrificed herself and won a major victory.

She was an icon that people changed the universe and groups maintained it. An odd one but important. He smiled at the captain, "I am afraid my life has to take on a new route. I was a ship hand for some time but I've got a new wind to follow."

"Never fear the future" Bruce said as he patted your shoulder firmly "It's going to come at ya one way or the other. All you can do is prepare for it as best you can."

"Make sure you have your walking shoes on Tache." He hollars behind him as leaves the cockpit, letting you view the descent into the planet "If you're sticking around, I have someone I want to introduce you to. I think you two could become fast friends."

That means he likes you Said Strat, his Bith pilot. She kept her eyes on her work "Why, I don't know, but I don't get paid to ask questions"

"A person who isnt paid for answers often has the best for little time to waste." He wasn't sure what Bruce meant by sticking around but he was following events as they occured. There was a wild voice he heard so he was going to follow it.

But right now he followed Bruce. This whole living with the flow was entirely alien to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:20, Tue 01 Sept 2020.

The journey through the capital city was a sight to behold, and it almost seems that Bruce is taking the scenic route on his way to his friend.

"Give you a fair warning. This person, well she's a bit intense. She's not the easiest on the eyes, but I think you can understand that. She's a good person with big plans. I'm sure you'll work out great together. Just don't get in her way. I'm sure she'll have a lot of questions for you, and I'll bet you have questions for her, and me for that matter. Whatever comes to mind, let it out."

Tache would have smiled if he had the physical ability to do so. "About the only questions on my mind are, what weapon could have dumped that much power all at once. And, why did I hear voices when it did." He tilted his head side to side. "A lot of crazy things on that horrid planet. Likely space fever or something."

"That's all above my paygrade son. Old General Calrissian made a call for help and we answered. All that stuff about the Force and an ancient home of the Sith, means nothing to me. As for voices? I'm sure with all the chaos going, explosions and whatnot, you may have just thought you heard something. Minds can play tricks on you like that when you're in fight or flight mode. If you did hear something, I would suggest mentioning that to Vin."

"And noone else"

The journey led into an area of noted wealth and stature. A collection of streets colloquially known as Embassy Row. Because of the fluid nature of the Republic, no system was ready to create the obnoxiously decorative facilities that one have seen in Coruscant in the old days, but the rented out commercial and residential buildings proudly show flags and emblems of the planets and systems that call them a second home.

Going to one of the smaller buildings, and finding the top floor, the passageway was dimly lit by human eyes.
"Don't let the darkness freak you out or anything, if you can even tell the difference." Bruce mentioned. A simple wave to the droid at the front desk, he took a strong turn into a humble office.

Behind the desk was a young Umbaran woman. Gaunt and with severe features in the face, even by her people's standards, the dark circles around her sockets only further accentuated the pale purple irises.

"Vin?" Bruce called out "We made it back in one piece, and I have someone I would like you to meet.

Tache nodded, "I will make it a point to keep it quiet then. Can't go having the neighbors think I am someone who talks to walks or something" He followed along and kept his silence if not his peace. He really did like how people made their cities. It was like some rambling equation that was working itself out, and that work kept everyone busy. It would be interesting to see how that equation worked out, or perhaps it already had once.

When they entered the darker part he shook his head. "Dark is dark to me. Being a little tougher and surviving space is all I differ from you."

He bowed a bit, "Tache, a pleasure." He was entirely distracted by trying to see or get some sense of what he was feeling as off. Like an equation coming up with an inverse equation, like a cat to a dot he was interested more than he should be.

"We picked him up at the Battle of Exagal. Well, he stowed away on the ship, but we'd have taken him had he asked. And glad he showed up."

"That is quite interesting." She said quietly, bowing herself "Vin Dalto. Have a few too many hats to be concerned with titles for the moment."

She moved to look at Bruce "Would you mind giving us a few minutes alone? Closing the door behind you?"

"Certainly Vin. I'll just be out in the lobby."

As the door closed, Vin returned to her seat, and motioned for you sit as well.

"Exagal? One of the planets of the Ancient Sith Empire. That must have been quite a sight."

Tache watched the Captain go. There was no small amount of gratitude there. "I really did not get a chance to see much of it. Seemed like their primary export was brooding and mysteriousness. The whole place in and of itself felt like half tomb and half church."

"But it may be worth while if a single point can produce enough electrical power to ionize capital ships and break wreckers in half without snapping the point of origin like a small fuzzy creature between two transformers. Never mind the fact the planet makes you think it is talking to you or the fact its haunted."

"Honestly that part likely ups the local property value when you think onit."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:45, Thu 03 Sept 2020.

"Such a place is certainly haunted." She said without a seconds thought "Just as Korriban, Dromund Kaas, and all the other allegedly great Sith words are. Their lives are built on so much rage and contempt that it's no wonder that their souls do not rest well, and continue to haunt the living."

Her head moves to the side slightly "Though, it's remarkable that's what you picked up most from that place, given that by reports, you were part of the largest space battle in a century. Would you care to elaborate?"

Tache tilted his head side to side. "That is where the numbers go. In a cloud of one minus ones, the one dividing by zero is the one who got my attention."

"We showed up hoping to life raft anyone who went down and to get choice salvage. Then a pillar of thunder and pain cracked the ship in half. I latched onto a droid and sailed to another ship."

"That was why I got any look at the fight at all. Two tiny dots and a bunch of ships who suddenly had no reactor power. A number of them being ripped appart. Just chaos and the, words gather them all."

"After that it was ships falling like snow with many lucky ships regaining power as their droids regained control."

"What of your comrades? Were any of them as fortunate as you?" She asked, a slight sympathy in her tone, seemingly predicting the answer.

Tache got still, "Some in the middle of the ship for all I know vaporized to what hit us. Due to altitude some passed out right as we lost pressure. Six free fell having been dumped out once the front disconnected from the back. Fifty people, four had higher than a one percent chance to survive. Many died before the ship fell entirely." It was always numbers to a Givin. Going over the numbers was a Givin way to say "many good people died".

"That is regrettable. Truly. By preventing the Final Order, we were able to stave off what would have been the greatest atrocity our galaxy has ever known, but we lost a lot of friends. A lot of brave people went there knowing they would not come back."

Vin let a slight smirk break through "I had been spending the morning doodling, of all things. Trying to create a monument dedicated to the sacrifices of that battle." Her smirk fades as quickly as it came "Victories we remember easily. What is spent to achieve it is quickly forgotten, expect by those who pay the cost themselves. We have to make ourselves remember, if anything positive comes out of this."

Vin, seems distracted for a moment, speaking as she looks down to remove something from her desk. "If I may, I'd like to go back to this idea of haunting. The undying Sith, ghosts and spirits have been known to materialize in some way, to communicate with the living. Did you experience anything of that sort?"

When she mentioned a doodle and a memorial Tache, being a Givin, went full attention surplus disorder. He picked up a wayward doodle device and started drawing with both hands. Easy when you had three fingers and two thumbs on each hand. "Just a voice and a sense of paleness. A whisper to 'gather them all'." He drew a circular pattern that obeyed both the golden ratio and its outer circle was perfect to circular calculation. Within was a walk way that made the shape of the republic icon with three channels of water. One in the middle and one arcing in on each side to naturally draw the eye to the top.

"It is unsolicited advice but if it's a monument people can enter they become part of it and they give it more importance. At equal points have a small idol of a ship present in the battle. Have a slate with the ship name, captain's name, and crew of X amount of people." he pointed at the top. "The fighter ships most important to the win should be at the end of the water ways so the water looks like their warp trails."

"If the top then points at the Capitol building within view it will influence people toward that end." It was all a many tiered equation that was built around the idea that the viewer was a participant rather than outside looking in.

Vin looked at the design of the small datapad intently after she retrieved the item from her desk.

"This is..very nice" Her slow speaking could cause some to doubt, but her normally harsh eyes softened "Certainly better than anything I drew up, but than again, I'm not an artist. Tell you what, I'll take a copy of this and I'll show it with the next meeting we have with the Umbaran Senator. It may not go anywhere, and it may get mangled along the way, but should anything happened with it, I'll ensure you get credit."

She placed the item she had retrieved on her desk. It was an iridescant crystalline rock of some kind. It was what was responsible for that pulsing feeling from earlier.

"Now, to the matter at hand. Do you know what this is?"

OOC: Make a Galactic Lore Check. Open the spoilers down below depending on your score.

DC15:

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
It's associated with the Jedi in some way

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DC20:

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
It's a lightsaber used in lightsaber creation

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DC25:

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
This is the type of crystal in a lightsaber that creates its distinctive hue. This one in particular is uncut, so it would be difficult to know what color it is just by looking at it.

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Tache waved a hand and smiled? It was hard to tell with him. "Nah, I didn't do a thing. The credit should belong to the delightful muse who inspired it." He really was only interested in the problem and puzzle of it. If it made people remember, well all the better.

Tache put his hands behind his back and leaned down to look at the stone. 16:16, Today: Tache rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Lore. "That is a unique little stone. They are used in the construct and character of the iconic lightsaber. I know it at least controls the photo resonance of the blade. Can't tell though, it's not processed. I wonder if they ever have dark cores with white frames."

He leaned back again. "beyond being a lightsaber crystal, that that has been putting out a steady pulse from the moment I saw you. Seems the walls are enough to prevent its detection. Could be photovoltaic... I wonder..."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Thu 03 Sept 2020.

"That is hardly the point" Vin replied as she withdrew the stone and rotated it in her fingers. "You're more aware than most of the tools of the Jedi, and the Sith. Tell me, what do you think of them? Of The Force?"

He tilted his head side to side. "I know about tools and tech, math and the equation social science. That's really about it."

"I think the Jedi had been ridged to the point they could no longer pivot to a threat. I am sure they had their reason."

"As for the Sith I feel they are to impassioned to the point they either dont see what is under their nose or are so fluid as to have no back bone to stand."

"I dont know enough about religion to have a stable and tested opinion on the force. I am interested in that clearly study is involved." He tilted his head side to side. "Good or Bad it doesn't matter. I can only assume it is a variable in how the equation of existence works. As such in my ignorance I assume it's the hand that guides it that taints its use. I'm not sure if a force of any kind could be actively benevolent or anything."

"Its a little dangerous to think a force of nature has an agenda beyond continuing the equation."

"Of course it does." She begins "The Force isn't just an energy between all living things. The Force itself is alive" Vin's voice began to take on notes of emphasis and compassion, speaking from a place of sincerity "All sentient life has desires and wants beyond simply procreating the next generation. The Force is no different."

"In the Ancient Times, there was a Sith Lord who had actually conspired to kill and destroy The Force, for exactly that purpose. She detested the idea that The Force had a consciousness and whose desires and plans seemed to affect live in every corner of the Galaxy. Such an interesting perspective, but I digress. Just as the Force touches and affects all of us, it is also through the Force that we affect those around us. I think, perhaps by dumb luck, being in the right place and the right time, what happened on Exegal has affected you. You could learn to use The Force. In Time, with a proper mentor."

Tache smiled as much as a Givin could smile. He was happy he could get her talking with a bit of spirit. Though she didnt feel cold like he thought jedi to be or overly passionate like he assumed with to be. "It is also important to sentient life to have an identity. Perhaps I will some day learn her name." Husband of thr force, now there was a fiction of fiction.

All in all it was math. If the equation ran to positive with jedi it swung back negative with sith. "So when do we start, Jedi?" was there a middle of the road Jedi? Calm with? Perhaps she was just really adept in the force?

"You give me far too much credit." She replies with a slight laugh and a roll of the eyes "I'm no Jedi, and certainly no teacher. The Jedi are extinct, and perhaps better for it. From the outside looking in, they saw knowledge and wisdom as its own reward. I can't in good conscience subscribe to such an inherent contradiction of enlightened indifference. Anything that is learned, anything that is done, is for a reason, to serve a greater purpose."

She stands from her desk, full of anxious energy "I have only scratched the surface of what could be known, and what I have learned has been towards a singular focus. This madness has to stop. The galaxy has torn itself apart for over a century now, and if we don't stop this all soon, I fear it may never end."

Middle of the road but active in that balance. "Wisdom without the will to act does little good other than to remove oneself from the equation. How can I help?" There was the energy of a young woman still in her. How delightfully would she shine if the right energy was kindled for her. "Yet you cant abandon thebsides of the jedi as without it there is no counter force. For all their inaction their teachings and presence had been like suppressing fire. Forcing evil to keep its head down."

"Do the people affected by what happened on the planet figure into this plan you are forming? Or are we hyper early planning phases right now?"

"Has it?" Vin shot back "Shall I recall the number of Sith who were once Jedi?" Gripping the seat of her chair tightly "This! This is the problem right here! Acting as though the fate of the Galaxy is only decided by the Jedi and the Sith! It's absurd! Whatever happens in the Galaxy is because of all of us. We let the Empire happen. We did nothing to ensure the stability of the New Republic and until the Emperor came back from the dead with an armada of planet destroying machines, we were going to allow the First Order to take over!"

She took a deep sigh, recognizing her own emotions had gotten a handle on her. She slumped back in her chair, continuing her train of thought, though in a more calm, almost defeated tone "If we're going to win this thing, if this Republic is really going to stand the test of time, the people have to learn that they have to want it, and that they have to fight for it. No army of easily forgotten clones, no holier than thou knights. Us, putting anything and everything on the line. Like you did, and your friends."

Tache's lips pressed into a thin line. "And the only one who survived of my crew is the one who was insane enough to jump out of the ship into open thin air if not space and hold onto a droid long enough to make it to safety. All the rest of the crew locked up when the ship started failing as it snapped in two."

"The power of Sith and Jedi as a political force is an equation. They are separate and apart. If you want to remove political weight from either you have to remove what sets them apart in the mind of people. When the Jedi and Sith are no longer othered or seen as separate and elite, they become more common. If people seem them as common their weight in the minds of people lessens to a great degree."

"It is a long shot but so long as they are separate it will be hard to prevent either from raising up to influence a republic. Even the Jedi are guilty of that." He was working the social equation in his head already. "If the Jedi are integrated into a command and expeditionary force, under the republic, then people will naturally seek the authority of the republic rather than the Jedi working solo."

"As for the Sith. What government does not have spies and intelligence?" He tilted his head side to side. "Not easy, not practical for either, and it will be more trouble than can be speculated. But unless both others are brought into and under the authority of the republic they have... will... and likely are going to hold that weight that hinders the republic. More trouble than they are worth, sure. But without the effort they will be more trouble than can be handled."

"If you want the republic to last it can't afford to not be the controlling factor of such power." And bringing the sith and jedi under the authority of the republic would gather them both under one banner. If whispers be honored that seemed to be what the force wanted.

"I completely disagree." She retorted sharply "We cannot rely on the Jedi to rescue us every time something goes wrong. if for no other reason that there are no Jedi left. We have to take care of ourselves, for once. We have to motivate the people, get them involved in this fight. To do that, we have to show them that this is a fight that can be won. I could use your help for that."

Tache inclined his head, "We went from talking about the force and getting a mentor to the abandonment of the jedi ways." He smiled a bit, "Tiinnnyyyy bit of a mixed message." He crossed his arms behind his back, "How may I help you?"

"I already told you that I wasn't a Jedi, it's not my fault you don't listen." She replied scornfully "Regardless, I need you to take the fight to The First Order, and do it publicly. Attack them in the streets if you have to."

She stopped herself "Realize that I am not a Senator, I am not even an Ambassador, although one day I will surpass both. What I am asking you to do is dangerous, and I cannot provide any Republic resources to aide you. All I can provide, is the reaffirmation that you'll be doing the right thing."

She was not a senator, or an ambassador, and she would have amazing incentive to just kill him off when it suited her and she had gained her power. He watched her in the way only Givin and statues could. "When a slab of food is dangled a rancor will bite." speaking more to himself than anything. He looked to where the crystal was, following its pulse before he sighed. "If you aim to put down the first order, I will help you. If you aim to help innocent people, I will help you." It was going to take an insane amount of resources. The first order had a massive budget and had fiction levels of tech.

If he could get a few crews it wouldn't be hard to go back to the evil planet and likely salvage a massive starting budget for people and ships.

His head was already grinding the problem out.

"Thank you" She replied earnestly "How and where you do this is your prerogative. I won't and can't give you orders. If you need a place to start, I believe you already know one man who would probably be willing to help. Failing that, all you would really need to do is look at the news on the Holonet."

Vin got up from her chair again, heading to the door to excuse you "One final piece of advice. The galaxy is a loud, noisy place. Try to take a moment alone to push everything away from your conscious mind, see what happens."

Tache inclined his head as he was already going through the equations and numbers. The first order, even without their leadership, had enough resources left over to have a fleet many times over. They would start small but every single fight had the republic outgunned, out staffed, outmanned. If the efforts of the past only allowed success by the thinnest thread tactics would have to change.

He made his way out even planning on the end of the equation, as to if Vin Dalto would be on his side at the end of it all when she had her power.

It was going to take a lot but there had been several points of resource and salvage. Even noble ideas needed a full belly.

Bruce was still waiting by the turbolift, as he said. Seeing you walk up, he promptly called one up.

"You guys have a good talk?" He asked genuinely.

"A dreamers talk of all things." She seemed to dislike force users but also knew them to be vital to any odd action in the universe. "I do confess I am distracted by just how much salvage is still there. Hell, likely even a working cap ship. And just how hard one can punch the first order with such."

"How do you feel about making some coin while kicking the first order in the backside Cap? I've got this itch to take the fight to them and make their failure our success on every level that can be taken."

"I knew there was something about you I liked." The Captain was all too happy to hear this, with an ear to ear smile.

"Welcome to the Privateering industry." As the two of you begin to descend the building and leave.

"I just have one question. Is this a matter of business, or is the personal for you?"

Tache didn't sigh, he really couldn't even breathe to sigh, but he wanted to. "I would be twisting the truth I didn't say both." Complicated as always. "Stomping out the first-order like a kitchen fire before it burns the house down. Well, that is just good for everyone's business. Finding out who cracked our ship in half and what all they used to do it, well that is personal."

"I can promise that I can take the personal business on my own to the best of my ability. Kinda new to all this so Ill stumble a few times no doubt. I'll plead your forgiveness should I stumble."

"But still, I don't think we will find many people who wouldn't take some small joy in kicking back. Don't you?"

"Both is good." Bruce said earnestly as you both departed the embassy "Honesty is good too. I only work with straight shooters. Guarantee there'll be some bruised egos along the way, but nobody will say we don't know exactly where they stand. I don't think going back to Exagal is in the cards. General Calrissian led us there once, and I don't think he's going to be keen on making a return trip, especially for idle curiosity."

"What we need to be" The Captain began "Is to be Force Multipliers, but not in the sense of voodoo magic. By taking the enemy's materials from one place and giving it to the people who need it in another, we can be disruptive, effective, inspiring, and even profitable, if we do this right."

Tache inclined his head. "You've seem to have been doing this far longer than I. On your lead Cap." He gave that tiny smile. "Though I do hope you will not begrudge me looking into that voodoo magic. The equations required to calculate all that... Beyond complex." Calculations, the cotton candy to the Givin.

"I don't remember too many stories of Jedi breaking out their sliderules, but what do I know? You already have a greater vision into this than most, myself included."

The Captain had a very physical way of expressing himself, patting your shoulder as he talked "You've been through a lot, and not a lot of time for yourself to really relax. I'll leave you to it. We'll be leaving by sundown, by on the ship by than"

Tache inclined his head, "Perhaps the slide rules would have kept them alive. I dunno, still new to me too." He nodded again, "Ill see you there provided I don't get snatched up or something. Count on it." There was an idea in his head following the suggestion to find a quiet spot.

So there was a Sith who had the idea to kill the force. It inspired Tache to tempt the other side of that coin. With many capitols and capitol buildings, there was a space designated for weddings and civil unions. Provided there wasn't something directly going on at the moment it would likely be nice and quiet. So if he was going to clear his head and not hear the noise he wanted a place like that.

The place was quite fashionable, if somewhat out of place. It was an botanical garden, populated exclusively with plants native to Endor. In the middle of the capital city, it was impossible to remove all of the ambient noise, but without any electronic systems or chattering of the locals, it was the closest one could get. It did the job here well enough.

Closing the eyes, and consciously trying to push out all of the other senses, you think you begin to get a sense of what Vin was talking about.

Midichlorians, on behalf of Tache, rolled 21 using 1d20+2 ((19)), Use The Force

There is not a concrete specific voice, but you begin to feel the environment around you in the absense. The grass beneath your feet. The foreign trees, striving to grow beyond their artificial controls. The people outside the garden, you can feel too. Focussing further, you think you can begin to hear surface thoughts, although it is far too cloudy to distinct one from another.

Midichlorians, on behalf of Tache, rolled 23 using 1d20+3. Use The Force
In this moment of meditation, there is a presence that sticks out. It burns like a bonfire in the dead of night. Feeling as though it's looking back at you, you recognize immediately who it is.


OOC: From this, you begin your first steps of formal training in the Force. You have a +1 on all future Use The Force checks. when you reach +5, you will be considered fully Trained in the skill, and will be able to use all aspects of the skill as such.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:27, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

Tache sighed and opened up a bit. He did not address anyone but addressed the force. Vin did say that it was a living thing and had a will, even had enemies. "I am not sure if you can hear me. Not sure that you would care. I am told there are people in history who tried to kill you. Many who abuse you. Many who are cold. Can't say that I have ever heard of someone being warm to you." He took a long deep breath or the equivalent to the Givin. "If you reach out, if you let me know, I'll reach out to you. As people want to control you, kill you, abuse you, or be cold and calculating to you... If you reach out and give me a sign you're there... force... I'll do all I can to cultivate your presence. Be warm with you. To treat this as a relationship rather than just a user and the used."

"That was all so long ago" You hear as a response "And yet, the Galaxy now looks much as it did than. Torn apart, divided. Hopeless. I had run away from it, from myself, for years, until events occurred that forced me to return. Forced me to rebuild the Jedi Order that had once forsaken and abandoned me."

Tache inclined his head. "Then I invite you to correct me as we walk this path. And thank you, for all that you have done, all you are doing, and all that you shall do." He took his time about everything else, he had time to burn and spent it pondering voices and the dark start of Vin.

The area around you appears dark, and time slowed, as the spirit of the Jedi you were speaking to manifests itself, but only to your eyes "If you wish to walk the path I once walked, The path of the Jedi, and help restore peace to the Galaxy, I will guide you on that path. It is difficult, and perilous, and you will need to find allies and friends. Followers, who learn from you, just as you learn from me."

"Fate has brought you together with the Captain. He wants what you possess, but does not have the aptitude for it. Shield him from jealousy and envy, or the Dark Side will corrode him from the inside. Where he is leading you next will be a good first step into a much larger world"

"Ah, so I am not talking to the force itself." He smiled through his surprise. "There go the dreams of being the husband of the force." There was a small chuckle behind it. "Is the core of this natural or is the source of that corruption his friend Vin? I don't want to assume too much but to be honest, she seems to want the best for people."

"The pale one is a product of her environment, true of us all" The ghost replies "She too, reminds me of myself, in a different way. Like her, I was once willing to do whatever it took for the good of the Republic. In so doing, in fighting against the Mandalorian threat, we lost ourselves, and awakened an even greater evil. She may yet do the same. Vin truly wants what is in the best interest of the Republic and it's citizens, but this does not make her immune from temptation."

Speaking with someone long dead was a feeling that struck Tache suddenly. He could see how folks unaware of them could give rise to gods and other such spirits. The force, a being of such power as to bend the universe. It may even be something that was around before the start of physical time and space. Even then it's equation was simple to the extreme. Zero Equaled One.

It was so elegant that a mind killed some time ago now spoke with the living. It was so beautiful that suffering had merit and wasn't for nothing. This was sure proof that there was more to creation than physical life. It made clear that every drop of experience in life had a direction and meaning. All the dark in the whole of time did not blemish the glory of that single fact. This one-woman proving that the whole of creation could die and it would not diminish the deeds done.

Tache smiled, "Sorry, I got caught up there. It will be a Joy to me to walk this path with you. And I have no doubt you did as you felt you had to, but judging by the fact you are talking to me now I get the feeling you haven't yet given up. So long as you are willing to go on, so shall I. Bad days be damned we will keep moving forward.."

"In the darkest of places, in the grimmest of outcomes, when it seems we have nothing left, we always have Hope. The Jedi of ages past are always watching. As we all watched the one who defeated the Emperor, we now look outwards to those who may be that beacon of hope. Together, we may light the way for the galaxy, to defeat the darkness and restore peace and freedom."

She makes a slight smile and bow "Go now. The future is always in motion, and you need to move with it."

Tache smiled, an act that took a fair bit of effort, and returned her bow. "It is the lot of many to burn their candle at both ends, but what light they give." He chuckled, "I look forward to talking with you again given some time."

Ne only assumed that she could manifest for so long so he made his exit. He had to catch the ship and he had no idea on just how much time is spent in a medication. For all he knew he could have been standing there for hours.

Though the whole thing did add many layers to the equation of the force for him.

Starting point for Zhongli

The hyperspace journey to the heart of the Republic was finally over. There was a great amount of anxiety, leaving Fherandia and making a home in Chandrila, to say nothing of the reasoning for it. Job opportunities are one in a million, and being selected as an aide Senator Zapala to the new Galactic Republic was too good to pass up.

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Senator Yion Zapala was a legend back home, and in many of the more rambunctious corners of the galaxy. He was a still junior Senator when he was in the Meeting of 2000, a grouping of Republic Senators in the waning days, before it's immediate and sudden fall into the Galactic Empire. He was able to posture himself well to avoid attention at first, but seeing how things were even worse than he first feared they would be, he became a strong supporter of the Rebel Alliance to Restore the Republic, though often quietly. Having been so involved, so vital, it was only natural that he would return to the New Republic as a Senator, this time without the benefit and privilege of anonymity. That he was respected regardless of his politics was rare, especially as the New Republic became increasingly cantankerous.

The luxury craft you had called your temporary home for the past few days was grand, but exiting it at the space port to see the beauty of Chandrila itself, was all together different.

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"Well, young man" Zapala said with a deep breath "No amount of credits spent in a starship will ever make me not eager to get off. Here we are, the cradle upon which our New Republic is born. Long may it grow and prosper." There was an awkward sigh and change of tone.

"If it does not, I will beg for forgiveness in the afterlife that I gave up so much for it."

Having spent so much time on the spaceship Zhongli is glad to see that they have reached their destination.

"I agree sir. A fine ship this is but it cannot compare to be on a planet" Zhongli reply to his new employer with a smile. "And as long as good people continue the fight the Republic will continue to survive, isn't that right sir?"

Zapala returned one smile with another, repsectful and calculated. His eyes glanced through you to the crowd of other aides and retainers also departing. "A war is determined by a myriad of things, but surely, greatest among them is what stands between us and the enemy at the front lines. The common soldier will be the one who decides victory, and not the least of us."

He starts walking away from the mass behind you, and discretely motions for you to follow suit. Putting distance between you and eavesdroppers, he speaks more candidly. "Finding those good people is proving harder and harder to come by the day." There is palpable frustration in his voice "Everything we've fought for and sacrificed was almost lost in a single instance, when General Organa's fleet was pinned down, saved by a miracle of the Jedi, only to face the same peril again at Exagol. The Resistance and the Republic would be nothing but a memory right now if not for General Calrissian marshalling that force from every conceivable corner of the galaxy."

The Senator reaches the end of the platform above the city, waiting for a speeder to take you to the surface below, grasping the rails. "We are at the teetering point in the war. Exagol is the first real victory we've had since this whole thing began. Combined with that staggering loss, they are without leadership. Snoke is dead, as is Kylo Ren, and their most important general's. They're turning on each other to jockey for position and power, which gives us time we can't afford to waste"

Following closely behind his new employer Zhongli keeps a somewhat easy smile on his face.

"It's as you say sir, the common folk bear the hard work and we can only try and help. Do we have any ideas on how to proceed and what can I do?" he reply and slowly scratch his jaw. "We need to get the upper hand this time so the previous sacrifices are not in vain"

"Acclimate yourself to Chandrila, to the people, and to your work. Get comfortable while you can, because it won't last long."

The chartered speeder approached, taking you and the Senator along. "Any time one wants to see if an organism is sick, the first step is to check it's temperature, and that's what we're going to do when the Senate reconvenes" He handed you a datapad, with a legislative draft for an award.

"If the entirety of the Republic is in debt to General Calrissian, than it falls upon us to ensure he is remembered and commemorated for it. This is a draft to award Calrissian the Senatorial Medal of Honor. This isn't something that the Senate should have any problem awarding on it's face, but there are technical problems. Such an award is supposed to be nominated either by his chain of command, or by his representative in the Senate. Calrissian is too high in the Chain of Command to have someone nominate it for him, and his home of record is a system that has no representation in the Republic."

"If our esteemed colleagues in the Senate choose to berate the measure because of bureacratic jargon, than we could be in some real trouble. See to it that the draft is in perfect order before it is presented tomorrow. Beyond that, there are some friends I would like to introduce you to, including someone who I believe has already reached out to you. Senator Parr."

OOC: Senator Xyzas Parr sent you a personal and vague message.

"I understand, sir. I will try and use this limited time as good as I can" he reply with small grimace. "I presume a Chancellor could theoretically give it to General Calrissian, to represent all free people in the Republic?"

Taking the datapad Zhongli opens the message and make sure to keep the message hidden from possible snooping eyes.

"You are correct, but that's also a little besides the point. Who gives the award is immaterial to the process of who is allowed to nominate for it. Do not worry about that, as that's part of the plan. I need to see, the galaxy needs to see, whether their leaders in the Senate are capable of accomplishing something without tripping over themselves in bureaucracy and bickering."

The private speeder takes you just outside the Senate Chambers, and the nearby offices corresponding to the same. Neither space was made for such a purpose, but they were the only spaces large and deeemed the necessary reverence for the job.

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"This is where I will take my leave of you. I have work my own to do, and so do you." He makes a sweeping hand towards the office "Get yourself acclimated. You'll know this place better than your own apartment. Senator Parr tends to keep long hours, I'm sure you'll have a pleasant visit. Also, before you leave, speak with my Chief of Staff. Just, be patient with them."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Sat 23 Oct 2021.

"Thanks sir, I will do just that" Zhongli reply and once having directions to the chief of staff he heads over there while sending a reply to senator Xyzas.

Asking for directions was in fact, imperative. Because the building operating as the offices for the Senate was not meant for this purpose, it had little sense of organization or formality.

A gaunt old man stood from behind a desk as you found and entered Zapala's office.

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 "Ahhh you must be the new troublemaker." As he extended his hand "Xio Mulliss, Chief of Staff. Should expect you know what that means" As he extends his hand to a chair.

Taking the offered seat Zhongli offered a small smile.

"I will try and keep the trouble to minimum but at these times I can't really promise anything, as you can understand" he adjust him somewhat in the seat and look around the office. "Is there anything I should know or know before starting the workday tomorrow?"

"A few boundaries" As Xio sat back down, leaning forward on your desk "You are always on the clock, for starters. If an emergency comes up and we need you, you respond, or you don't come in the next day. You are also always representing Senator Zapala, and the New Republic. If you're found outside your mind on spice, or in a compromised position with..." He let the thought trail off, so as not to give any ideas "You know. It won't take long in a place like this to figure out who you are, and who you work for. If you prove to be an impediment, you will be discarded as such, without a second's thought."

"The flip side to that is that if you prove capable and loyal, the inverse is also true. We will do everything that we can to make sure you are taken care of properly, should there be a need, and that starts now." Having lost his traing of thought for a second, Xio spent a moment looking through his desk for something.

"Now, things you should know. Don't be surprised or hurt if the thing we ask for at the start of the day becomes irrelevant by the end of the day. It's a fast paced galaxy, and we play with live ammo here. the Senator often wants sanity checks, even after he's made up his mind. If it looks like this office suddenly took a different position, don't be thrown by it. And please, whatever you do, don't go yacking to the press or some pretty thing in a bar to impress them, you'll just make yourself look dumb."

"Beyond that, nothing that can't wait until tomorrow. You've no doubt been told about the proposal to be put forward. As a matter of formality, we need someone to reach out to the armed service liason, so we can find out where General Calrissian is, so he can be duly informed, and if need be, retrieved. It may be entirely possible that they don't know where he is or what he's doing, and it may be entirely possible that they'll lie to you to protect an operation. Once we get a temperature check, we'll have to see on how we want to approach the bigger problems. The war is, understandably, taking up nearly all of the attention of the Senate, and Zapala especially."

While it was something he would never agree with himself, he already knew that the world of politics threw away those pieces they no longer needed.

"Gotcha, better stay on the safe side then" he reply with a small shrug before continuing. "As long as our senators are ready to listen to us, I have little problem the guidelines"

"If there is nothing else I have another meeting waiting, so I will take my leave. Thanks for your time, Chief Mulliss" he offer his hand before rising and leave the office and heads towards senator Parr.

"You can call me simply Xio." Mulliss rose to offer his hand in turn. " or Mr. Mulliss. I don't care for titles, I'm simply a good friend of the Senator, whose job it is to ensure he doesn't go too far off the rails. Speaking of good friends, please give my regards to Senator Parr."

The other Senator's office was not far at all; the doors of either office within visible distance to one another. As you make your way out, a woman walks out of Parr's office. She seems to show an inner resolve as she stands tall and proud, in defiance of age's toll on her body. She is regally dressed in a robe of golds and silvers, pairing with the completely silver hair. In front of her eyes were a series of pendants, sewn together and pulled across her eyes; each pendant had small specks of reflective material that showed quiet brightly in the golden hour before sunset.

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"Ahhhh, mister Zhongli. How nice to finally see you in person."

'How did he know about my meeting with the senator?' he muse as he heads towards his next destination

"The pleasure is all mine, senator Parr" Zhongli smile and offer a polite bow. "I hope I have not kept you waiting for too long?"

"I have waited this long to get to where I am in my story, I'd hate to rush to the ending." She opens the door behind her and leads you in to a pair of old, well cushioned chairs. "Of all traits, I find patience pays the greatest dividends. Of course, patience is not always something we can afford, as the whole galaxy found out first hand."

She takes a seat, bidding you to do the same opposite "What ghastly business. I'm sure you must have been as scared as the rest of us when that message came from the Final Order."

"Yes I agree, patience is a good trait" Zhongli reply and take the offered seat.

"Who was not? Thankfully we should have some breathing room as Snoke and the others are..dead hopefully"

The elderly Senator let out a deep sigh as she looked out a window "We had once thought so about Palpatine, and his apprentice, Darth Vader. We thought that with them dead and the Death Star's defeated, that we had won, that the light of democracy and the Republic would burn bright once again. Clearly, there are plenty of dark places left in the Galaxy."

"Supreme Leader Snoke has been dead for some time. The First Order have admitted as much, and though they are many things, feigning weakness is not one of them. Kylo Ren, and many of the others are dead as well, according to Republic Intelligence. We have dealt the largest blow yet in this war, but it is not enough."

She looked down for a moment, than back to you, with a slight laugh "Listen to me, talking as though I know anything about the military. My time with the Rebellion, I was often little more than the motivator, and the distraction. The Empire always suspected that if there was going to be a safe haven for the Jedi, it would be among my people. We took on that banner, putting the focus on us, standing up against their inquisitions, always having the tenacity to withstand them. Beyond that and stories, I'm afraid I'm not useful for much anymore."

With a start, she reaches into a table next to her "Well, maybe a few things. Tell me, young man, have you come to understand the galaxy differently since Exagol?"

"It depends on how you think about the galaxy really. There will always be one faction ruling, one who tries to overthrow the ruling faction and others exploiting the weakness of the previous two" Zhongli fold his hands over his chest.

"Now everyone is racing to be the faction to be the one in control and we need to make sure we are on top before what is left of The First Order."

The Senator paused as she listened to your statement, still keeping her maternalistic smile.

"I'm beginning to see things a little more clearly, the more we speak." Having retrieved the small item, she faces you again, keeping whatever it is out of view in her hands. "You are, of course, not the first person to express such views. Not even the first person I've heard express those thoughts in the past hour. Passions by many are as white hot as the stars in the center of the galaxy. As many a young lover can attest, passions can leave us blind. In a rush to defeat the enemy, we run the risk of becoming that we sought to destroy. It's happened before, and Emperor Palpatine would by no means the first."

She leaned forward "Let me ask you again. Has anything happened to you since that battle? Has anything seemed different?"

"Well...kinda actually. I have always knew that I have been different from others back home, but after that battle the feeling have only increased" Zhonlgli also lean forward as he speaks. "I did also find some really interesting ruins during one of my walks"

"We can dispel with cloaked statements. I can see right through them." She smiled, reveling in the irony of her statement.

"You are Force Sensitive. You lack the training, but you possess the rare gift. The Battle of Exagol unleashed something. It was as if The Force itself converged on that location, spirits of Jedi and Sith alike to decide the outcome. That energy radiated outward through the galaxy, those asleep to The Force now awakened to the larger mysteries."

She leaned forward, showing an ancient pendant "My nephew sent me this recently, before I discovered you. Uncovered from an archeological dig, it's a pendant of one of the most powerful and most dangerous men to ever use the Force. This is a pendant to the Cult of Revan."

Elsewhere,

The Gamorrean Rose slowly descends into the ports of the Galaxies tentative capital. None except its captain, Torin Ploon, and his co-pilot, the Herglic Melveleh, have seen it before. The rest of the crew and attendees were a wide variety of opinions and feelings. Tsareevah, now removed from her family and her home,  was the most impressed by far. Wix, though similarly alienated in his existence, had at least some exposure to the rest of the galaxy and modernity.

Docked, the Captain rubbed his hands together as he quickly left his seat "Alright. Shore Leave, Shore Leave. Everyone off my dammed ship, that's an order." There was a pleased, eager tone I'm his voice, that dispelled any worries of anger or trouble."

Koi was dressed in her neatly in her sensible clothes. When they were approaching the end of their last hyperspace jump, she had the thought inspirational: Now that I'm a translator and diplomat, I should try to look what I know what I'm doing! She thought optimistically, unaware that most diplomats would fine her sartorial efforts unforgivably plain. More like a junior secretary than anything else.

Most of the trip had been spent trying to introduce Tsareevah to the history and use of technology she would use every day on this trip -- like writing letters to her grandfather. And Koi, of course, trying to learn as much as her language as possible. Any hopes of meditation or Jedi enlightenment we pushed to the back of the hold for now.

"Zatta!"  Koi exclaimed as she disembarked, "It will be nice not to be squashed together like last cycle's leaves." She turns cheerfully to Wix and Tsareevah, "Where too?  We could find a park and look around? Or food?"  She squinted upward as she admired the lovely blue sky over the pale white buildings.

In reply to Midichlorians (msg # 73):

"Cult of Revan? Not something I have heard of before" Zhongli look at the pendant and for some reason he remember the voice from not so long ago. "I assume this person is from legends of old?"

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 76):

"Yes" She replied with a small nod "and one of the most essential. His story is not just important to the Jedi, but to anyone aspiring to become a statesman."

The Senator folded her hands in her lap as she explained "a man who saw his beloved Republic on the brink of extinction, faced against the Mandalorian menace. He went against the orders of the Jedi Council and went to war. He saved the Galactic Republic, but not before succumbing to the dark side. He and his other Jedi had descended into darkness and become Sith, embodying most of what they sought to fight against. They very nearly destroyed the Republic they previously sacrificed to preserve. By a miracle of the Force, in secrets long since forgotten, the Jedi Bastilla Shan wiped Revans mind and temporarily disconnected him from the Force. Forcing him to learn the Force again, he returned to the Jedi, defeated his former apprentice, and saved the galaxy from the brink of destruction."

"The details of Revans adventure and what followed are unfortunately uncertain and lost to a large amount of conjecture and rumor. What I expressed is the most agreed upon synapses, and the one with the most relevant passage."

"We all have good and bad in us, often in great capacity. The desire to do good things for those around us does not make us immune to doing terrible along the way.  We must be reminded of our principles and our commitments in times of adversity, lest we forsake them forever."

"A number of people have respected and even worshipped Revan over the ages. The Sith, who above all else value power, were the ones who began the Cult of Revan, at the risk of their own lives. The cult is dead as well, but their legacy is intact, interspersed on planets thought to be important to the one who was greatest among both Jedi and Sith."

In reply to Koi Sundar (msg # 75):

"Well, while you do that, we're going off to celebrate this man's birthday" as the Captain held the shoulder of AG.

"What? I think you've lost it" AG responded as expected, though Torin was able and willing to ignore it.

"While you were all up on the mountainside, I was doing a little research. With the number of desertion, its proving too many to ignore. The Republic has created a program to help those abducted by the First Order."

He squeezes the shoulder again "we get to find out who you really are."

Despite the smiles around him, the color ran out on AGs face, he seemed suddenly distant, those intense eyes now vacated.

Koi looks startled for a moment: AG never seems so lost. Protectiveness blows through her like a gale. "Torin!" She exclaims, thinking as quickly as she can. "He hasn't ever been to a cantina, or a library, or seen a holovid. He probably hasn't even seen The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. Not to mention he only has one change of clothes and doesn't have a datapad or communicator. Have some priorities!"

She gives AG a thoughtful look, "I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to find out if the Republic's help comes through in credits...Could you do that, please Torin? And maybe find a translator droid we could borrow? It would take me all day to even figure out who to ask. And I'm going to have my hands full right now."  She glances at her shopping trip and sightseeing group.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Sat 27 Nov 2021.

In reply to Koi Sundar (msg # 79):

Torin shrugged "all kinds, I guess. If it were me, I'd want nothing more than to know what got taken from me, to find out who I really am. Maybe even find out if there's someone out there looking for me."

"That's all on the list of things to do. AG is part of the crew after all, so he gets a cut for the job. We'll make sure he gets set up, and that he doesn't blow it all in one night."

Koi looked down, and offers quietly. "I haven't looked up my father's friends and I haven't looked too hard into who my mother is..or was. I just don't feel ready. I don't think it's wrong to wait until you feel ready."

She looks a little sheepish when she looks up, "I've never been to this planet, so I thought some sightseeing would be fun. Especially since I'm probably going to have a lot of meetings in my future. But I understand if you want to do more serious things."

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 77):

"Is that so? Do you have any ideas on how to find more clues about this Cult?" he ask while looking at the pendant. "Can I look at it more closely?"

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 82):

"You may take it. My nephew sends me small items to give away to the new faces. This relic was meant for you, in more ways than one, it would seem."

"Details of the cult of Revan are sparse. They operated in secret, and the Sith worked diligently to suppress their spread and eliminate them. The Jedi, while less severe in their methods, also tried to deter the worship of Revan, for fear that someone else would rise up and try to assert themselves lords of the galaxy. It has been said that the items most important to the Revanists were items that belonged to Revan himself, believing that they contained some of his power. Those would be valued and worshipped all on their own"

"Most interesting. Makes you wonder why nobody tried to use that fame for their own glory, from what we know anyone anyway" Zhongli mutter mostly to himself as he take the pendant and turn it around in his hand.

In reply to Koi Sundar (msg # 81):

"There will be plenty of time for tourism, but work needs to come first, and this involves you too. The young Senator paying our bills would very much like to meet with two Jedi."

"Hey!" Koi asks with suspicion and a touch of indignation, "what happened to shore leave?"

In reply to Koi Sundar (msg # 86):

"Haven't you heard of 'mandatory fun'?" Torin joked. "I promise, you'll have plenty of time to yourself. A brief introduction is all I'm asking."

Koi glances a Wix for his opinion, and then sighs and closes her eyes for a moment, trying to feel the balance of the situation.  She really wanted more time for Tsareevah to get a look around the city, so she isn't startled or ill-at-ease. While this isn't a great time to have another juggling egg in the air, this could have opportunities too..like maybe convince Captain Ploon to prioritize a translator droid.  She tries to feel the Force around her and give it a moment to show her any suggestions or inspiration.

She explains Torin's request to Tsareevah and asks, " She gives Torin an exasperated look.

In Response to Zhongly

"It's very possible that someone did, or at least tried. The historical record is spotty. It could more be a matter of the times we've found ourselves in. Sheev Palpatine took great pains to keep his allegiance to Sith, and his master of the Force, a secret. In so doing, he eliminated any others who laid claim to the Sith. Anyone who wanted to take up the mantle of Revan would have faced a constant threat of attack from his Inquisitors."

"My people faced those monsters numerous times. Loathsome business, that."

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 89):

"Sounds like something that the likes of Sith to do" Zhongli nods in agreement. "I presume we have no leads at the moment then or perhaps there is something I can do to help?"

[Language unknown: "Ratessicheve t e ofman o resareall ng ieess tho"] She said, her eyes darting around, every new object a wondrous thing. [Language unknown: "Foreraore yinilltinstr lina k as, Mo inieil." ]

She takes a moment putting her in front of her mouth for a second, to indicate Torin [Language unknown: "T caetsa m isil os erie m entaof, pour hiatsa eltr u plati, Fi setfo. Omompe iouthible onewa meoul, ss et n e pemi."]

"I am not sure I take your meaning. It's an archaelogical dig, there often is no real purpose beyond finding out what there is to find. More to point, the relic is yours, it's yours to do with as you please. If you wish to meet my nephew, I believe that could be arranged, although it would likely be at the risk of your job."

 she agrees in Musa -- grumbling a little. [Language unknown: "Os com iouearven Etaibe Ureeenent cehewewech, ai Rutsonkoress ou is rothu ouslariontin. Ta ti e ur ilni weic nondof, sa tr ee ofer k nc."]

"Tsareevah thinks its a bad idea to split up, and will come too." She informs Captain Ploon.  With so-so attempt at convincing enthusiasm, Koi adds "I'm sure that meeting Leader Tsareevah and two Jedi will be an even better surprise for your Senator."

"Smart Kid" he replies "It'll be fine, I promise. She is the one paying our bills after all, and let's remember what she's paying us for."

"Tell the Senator that you saved our butts, she'll fall over herself for you." Mel added with a smile and small nudge.

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 92):

"Then I would be perhaps to wait a while before I meet this person, my work here is also important but you never know what the future have in store. Either way I'm thankful for this information and thus it is time for me to head back unless you have more for me?"

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 96):

"I do" She smiled as she motioned near your leg, implying that you stay "All this conversation about the Jedi, the Sith, and ancient history, and you never really gave your thoughts on the matter. Surely you can't be the only person in the galaxy who aspires to be a politician and doesn't have an opinion, especially regarding the Jedi."

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 97):

"You notice that huh?" Zhongli chuckle lightly. "Politics is to me a way to achieve that goal to secure the future of the Republic, if one option does not work I will find another one. Good enough?"

Koi still wasn't terrific at hiding her thoughts, and if she was a Tatooine Thorn serpent, every spine would be puffed out and rattling. Planetary governors, especially out in the less civilized, were often little different than the crime lords they claimed to despise.

Something about Captain Ploon's..eagerness..smelled off to her. Why was he so eager to get her in front of the Senator? Did a day really make a difference, or were they just trying to keep her from getting the lay of the land. "If it's all the same to you, Mel -- I don't think I want this senator to know that. I am glad to help, but I don't want them to think I'm a...magic soldier..that will get them whatever they want." She said cautiously, "I don't know what they want, but from the look on Captain Ploon's face -- they want something. Since it seems that I have little choice about meeting them, I suppose let's go."

She glances over at AG, "Do you want to come?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Sat 11 Dec 2021.

His eyes darted as wildly as Tsareevah's had. While hers had been in wide eyed wonder, his were narrow in distrust and skepticism, until he was adressed directly.

"Ya, actually. I can't remember the last time I've been completely alone, and I don't think I'd like this to be that time." He makes a slight chuckle "Who knows what kind of trouble I could get in left to my own devices?"

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 98):

She chuckled slightly "Yes of course, but that isn't really the answer to the question that I asked. What are your thoughts of the Jedi?"

"So far I know very little about them but if they fight against the Sith that is good news to me"

"Well, I'm glad you're coming." Koi admits, stretching as the knot in her shoulders seems to get a little smaller. She is glad to have AG's skepticism at her side. It might be nice to have it aimed at this senator. AG is as stubborn as stonewood roots. "I don't have much experience with ambitious people..I hope you'll help be figure out their motives, cause it seems a little murky right now," Koi drawls with more of a fringer accent than usual.

She gives Captain Ploon a thoughtful look, "I don't suppose you have any idea why this politician is so eager to meet us?  Did something happen while we were in hyperspace?"

"I know her well, and how she thinks. She's gregarious, and will like you simply for being my friends. Beyond that, she has a passion for the Jedi that borders on child like."

"She doesn't actually know we're coming, so this will all be a big surprise for her."

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 102):

The elder Miraluka chuckles slightly "a surprisingly un-nuanced view. The enemy of an enemy is an ally, and all that. Well, I won't take up any more of your time, except to say that I would recommend becoming more knowldegeable on them. The Jedi are returning. We know of one, and there's likely more in their wake. Where there's Jedi, controversy is sure to follow."

Koi shakes her head, and explains Captain Ploon's assurances to Tsareevah. She can't resist adding,


"Alright, let's go then." Koi agrees, moved by Torin's enthusiastic endorsement. "I'm not sure anyone is more charming than shopping and fried foods, but I'll keep an open mind."

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 105):

"I will try that, hopefully I will have some time after work" he reply with a chuckle. "Do you have any literature on you about the subject perhaps?"

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 107):

She smiles slightly as she turns in her chair, pointing upward out the window "Well, the best place would be about five thousand lightyears in that direction, in the Jedi Temple in Coruscant."

Her smile quickly dissipated "The bright center of the galaxy is now embroiled in gruesome, contentious, stalemated civil war. The current apprisal is that we are likely to take the planet back, but that it will be a long, bloody affair. The Jedi Temple not open to you or anyone else for some time, cursory research into Jedi on the Extranet should suffice. A more academic mind may peruse what is currently available here in the Republic Archives. It's a work in progress, but has at least been vetted as credible."

In reply to Koi Sundar (msg # 106):

It was a short journey from the Gamorrean Rose to the Senate offices, though taken by foot, was longer than expected. It at least provided an opportunity for Tsareevah, AG, and Wix to more slowly absorb the environments of the galactic capital, a starkly different environment than any of them had yet seen or been a part of. Lots of pointing, gasps, and smiles took place. If only such wonder was returned. For all the high ideals of the Republic, the motley collection you travled with, including a Jawa, a Herglic, and an alien species yet unknown to civilized society, was met with raised eyebrows. No open hostility or slurs to speak of, but certainly a casual recognition of the oddness of this traveling group.

"Remember everyone" Torin began as you all finally made inside the offices "These are important people doing important work, mostly. We should try to be respectable, and respectful, so nothing brash and loud, please."

"Yes, Space Dad" Oro responded mockingly, but was complaint.

Everyone was quiet as they followed his lead, going up a large set of sophisticated marble steps, before coming around to a narrow office with double doors, one door left open. Torin knocked on the outside for a response.

"Yes? Who is it?" A soft voice responds.

"Oh, just an old friend, coming in from the wilds of space."

There was an audible gasp "Torin!" followed by the hurried steps of heeled feet. Out rushed a woman in a wonderful, though perhaps overblown, dress attire "I'm so glad to see you again. Why, I could kiss you if it wasn't for that mask of yours."

"That hasn't stopped you before, you know. I got you something." He pulls a datapad out of his jacket.

"From your mission? Was it successful?"

"Above and beyond" He said, finally turning to you and the others. "We were able to find an inhabited planet brimming with life, including our newest friend here, Tsareevah. She doesn't talk much, but we've had help with that from our other friend."

He extends his hand to you specifically "Senator, may introduce to you Koi Sundar, Jedi Knight, as well as her friend Wix, also a Jedi. Koi, Wix, I am happy to introduce you to Senator Kioxi Tarinna, of the Naboo."

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3b/b...354da7554a77eeb6.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-109">https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3b/b...354da7554a77eeb6.jpg" alt=''>

The Senator was silent, her eyes large as she saw the two of you, able to do little more than bow in response.

Koi takes in the sites with an idealistic optimism between keeping up a rapid tour-guide commentary in the Musa language for Tsareevah. The rubber-necking looks, make Koi thoughtful, it's well enough that people here are...nice..about the different species. But it surprises her that their party is more exceptional here than on the wilder parts of the galaxy. For all that the Republic represents many planets, the halls of law and debate less diverse than she expected. At least its better than the First Order...but it could be better still..

She's more than a little relieved when the government offices require a bit of quiet, but political introspection is going to wait even longer than her plans to visit a cantina.

Almost automatically, she translates Torin's and the Senator's words to Tsareevah, keeping her voice quiet as to not interrupt.

Koi smiles, "Hello Senator, I have the honor of acting as a translator for Leader Tsareevah, who represents the interests of her planet, and my friend and fellow Jedi, Wix."  She adds pleasantly, "I'm glad to meet a friend of Captain Ploon."

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 108):

"Then I will start easy and slowly plan my trip to Coruscant" Zhongli slowly nod to himself in thought. "The other best option would be to meet on and get first hand experience from that, I presume you don't know a real one?"

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 111):

A visible face of concern and woe came across her face "Oh, please don't do that. Another gun isn't going to make the difference in that conflict. We need you here to help plan and coordinate the end of the war. I don't know any Jedi personally, not since the dawn of the Galactic Empire when they were killed. Though I haven't met them, I know of at least one Jedi. The victor of Exagol, she is a Jedi. I would very much like to meet this Rey Skywalker, as our goals align precisely, but nobody has seen her of late. There was a rumor of her being in Tattooine, but that's been months ago."

"The honor is all mine." The Senator's face was beaming "This is a greater for me than my election, or even my sister's coronation. I've dreamed of getting to meeting a Jedi meeting my whole life, and as I'm sure you've figured out from Torin, it's been my greatest wish to help see the Knights of the Jedi Order restored."

She looked down and saw Wix "Not only that, but the day I meet my first Jedi is the day I meet my second, and my first Jawa." She took a quick breath and smiled "My mind is moving faster than I keep up with, and of course I am honored to meet a future Constituent of the Republic Senate." She turned away for a moment, calling in "Ma Ree, would you bring my official datapad?"

as she waited, the Senator took a few steps back from the doorway "Come on in, all of you, please, and be comfortable." As the crowd entered, a Twi'lek woman of a dark purplish hue came out with the necessary item, handing it swiftly and quietly "Oh! My apologies Senator, for not greeting such a large congregation."

"It's quite alright Ma Ree, this is a business call. You remember Captain Ploon, I presume, and the mission he was sent on?"

"Yes of course, with a few more than I remember before. Shall I let Senator Dalto know you wish to speak with her?"

"No thank you. I'll speak her on my own, when the time is right."

"As you wish Senator, I'll be in the office should you need anything." Ma Ree quickly retired to her workspace, looking at the large group for one last moment before closing the door behind her.

Koi smiles faintly, and pauses to translate the Senator's words to Tsareevah. She adds,

The young Jedi pauses to think about her words for a moment, and turn over her ideas and feelings until they match up to thoughtful words. "I hope more Senators share your optimism and idealism. We--and The Republic has allies waiting to take an outstretched hand, but I fear that old prejudices may keep us from lifting each other up." Koi warns gently. "Tsareevah's people are not the only ones willing to stand beside the Republic. But we, all of us, need true partnerships that will grow a deep rooted trust in each other. I fear many will be tempted by maneuvering for one-sided, short term advantage. Will you help me dissuade them, Senator Tarinna?"

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 112):

"No worries senator, I will only travel there if there is no other option. We all have other duties first to handle before everything else, am I right?" he then rise from his chair. "I better head back to my room now, early morning tomorrow after all. Thank you for your time senator, our talks have been most informative and I greatly appreciate your help"

"You are most welcome, and I'm sure we will see more of each other soon. A final word, if I may. I was not trained as a Jedi, but I do recognize one of their truths, that nothing is a mere coincidence. That Relic came to you for a reason, and it is up to you to figure out why. Now, if you excuse me, I have some work of my own to return to."

OOC: You're free to do what you'd like, including some exploring and building out your own idea of what Chandrila may include, if you'd like.
If you're just going to head home and retire for the evening, that you make a Use The Force check to Search Your Feelings.

Make one if you'd like

"Prejudice and bias are terrible thieves" She begins "Robbing us blind, and we can rarely gain back what is stolen. There will be a chance soon for that to occur soon, but I am skeptical." She smiles gently "Forgive me for being somewhat cryptic, but I have to protect what I know, and a movement I support. A fellow member of the Senate will be making a proposal tomorrow that will work to correct old injustice, but will be controversial. Keep your ears open, and you'll hear about easily enough, I suspect."

"Do not worry about your friend Tsareevah, or her planet. I will do all that I can to ensure they are protected. We are past the time of having friends of convenience. If the New Republic is to survive, we must have very real allies, bonds to last forever."

Koi thought that the Senator sounded like she knew what she was talking about, but Koi knew she was naive compared to the rest of the crew. "Well, I'll definitely keep my ear to the ground." Koi agreed, she glanced at Wix with a look that asked whether he'd like to discuss the interests of the Jawas in fighting against their First Order oppressors.

"I don't suppose there might be a translator droid available for loan? I'm sure Tsareevah and Wix have a lot of questions, and I may not be the best person to answer some of them."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Fri 31 Dec 2021.

"Of Course" The Senator replied as she made a few taps on her datapad "I'm sure this will work out quite well. Unfortunately, the Republic does not translator droids for the members of the Senate, or much else for that matter. We, or our planets, are expected to furnish everything ourselves. While this inevitably creates an unfair and even footing, it does provide opportunities to go above and beyond what would be a governmental standard."

A few more taps are made, and she makes a large smile "There we are. A translator and administrative assistant droid should be waiting for you. Top of the line, no messing around with those obnoxious 3PO series droids for you all."

She raises a finger as Torin was about to protest "Don't worry about it. This is a gift, not a loan. An old mentor of mine once said that if your neighbor's house is on fire, you don't haggle about the price of the hose, and while we're not an emergency, the point stands."
This message was last updated by the player at 19:02, Sat 01 Jan 2022.

Wix was hard to read. His face constantly masked by his dark hood, it was usually through his posture and constant motion that one could peace together his mood or feelings. Or, more often than not, letting him just tell you. His silence and relative stillness made that a little difficult. He was slowly roaming the small office, looking at everything, gently taking objects on tables that he could reach to inspect them before putting them back.  You were able to make eye contact with him briefly, but the intent may have been misread, as he walked over and whispered.

"Wix would like to meet Jawa Senator. Ask the pretty lady to take us"

Koi translates, trying to navigate the conceptual differences in language.   She looks apologetic, [Language unknown: "T i oulounith n iouicahasdinand howe din he norea se reai ndch.  His Al reaovetho a latepa p ncmi nde an p el ut wilntinti pralss es in. K poioul o o ecteraove t pl ave, lait M io out e usreusmo str virwerble to ilileickaleksi. Tr me ar bepa iveatethanti, thama astingith ort somentwhe, ek p uneece t onedaythi a ratin hacais toei estardtho'omesom erest yinbleugh chacri. Ard, pa tic...lina he ncedi ticreshis..ie intho riher buthisthoticame.  U i ess nc an redme urepr ame omsspl."
]
She pauses at Wix's request, not sure if there is a Jawa Senator or even a Senator from Tatooine.  "Jedi Wix requests an introduction to the Jawa Senator." Koi hesitates again, not wishing to hurt Wix's feelings. "Forgive my ignorance, but I am not sure if there is one."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:02, Sat 01 Jan 2022.

The Naboo Senator placed her datapad down gently, as she found the appropriate words.

"I am sorry, Master Jedi, but because of the First Order control, there is no Senator for Tattooine at this time, and I do not believe there has ever been a Jawa in the Senate. Please accept my apologies, and a promise that I'll try to make it better. It has yet to be introduced on the floor, but I'm drafting a proposal that would massively reform the composition of the Senate, requiring that every system must have at least one seat dedicated to the indigenous population. This would ensure that Jawas, Gungans on my home planet, and others would be guaranteed the power to speak on matters that reflect their own planet."

"Do not take this the wrong way, my new friends, but I hope that the two of you may be able to help me with something as well."

In reply to Xyzas Parr (msg # 116):

After having politely left the senator Zhongli decides to wander the halls for some time to get a familiar feeling of the building for the upcoming day before heading back to his room.

Koi glances at Wix, her heart aching for the difficulties of his people. "It may be that it's more important that Wix is the first Jawa senator of Tatoonie. He's very charming, and clever -- the galaxy could hardly ask for a better one."

After a moment, she translates for Tsareevah, [Language unknown: "Ichousbut evncnc, tedwh erbe nteastweronsver Wilit, lesa in ma po om onsesters e beckos teroun sata er ro utpaei os seutch eauion-entthi. Wainre eiek hoyin latersmen, trawit-ectest t fockna ndsaus nien Venureiou illta osna any antvirles u ich Ictrut m a thureawer olhialiv.  Tho Ectratwhe theoerate laiou antersres notmanate m iononsher is missul in ateom p Usanre.  Eve Tresna n enckorwil toek nc, int ha n espr eiekes whi ilpe virwittho nepr pro.  Ntess, Hi e ughha acil conourfor Entse prive eauma mala m anro evome nget rillre un u it he atearepre un Ioadnc a tinoreive tho a onecomcon Ss et ch iverestra cetra ouris aipaer.  Nte ineortsom p wi poro mo ou ameantted trri erit." ]

Koi smiles briefly, "Ah, there was some explaining about Galactic politics. What is it you need help with?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:45, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

"I need your help finding Jedi Master Rey Skywalker." Her seemingly playful, jovial tone had dropped noticeably. "There is a very small group of us within the Senate that are doing what we can to rebuild the Jedi. You and Torin found an area that may serve as a place for an academy, with the permission of Tsareevah and their home. There's a covert operation underway to try and find force sensitives strong enough and young enough to be trained, with a tragic incident in Coruscant. We've even formulated how we could go about reopening the Jedi Temple there. None of this works without her, and none of our attempts to make contact have been successful."

"I understand what I am asking you to do; find one person in the entire galaxy, with few leads and who most likely is trying not to be found, but you are the most likely to succeed. I simply ask that you not fear that I am trying to bribe or extort you, as the case may be."

Koi is silent for almost a minute, her expression serious. It was not what she was expecting. She had heard the name before, but she assumed she was a general of the New Republic by now.. "I will think on this.  If I can judge it safe to do so, I will meditate on it. Perhaps that might sound like a platitude, but for the Jedi many hidden things can be revealed. Unfortunately, her enemies her enemies and mine can likely do the same. If I have any...insights..I will let you know. For what it is worth, I don't think she wasn't on Tatoonie."

She pauses again, choosing her words carefully. "It may be possible to seek her out more directly, but it would be dangerous.  If Tsareevah's representation and the representation of the Jawa was favorably resolved I would be more..free..to undertake your mission.  I'm not trying to pressure you or make a marketplace bargain. Even Jedi must weigh many responsibilities against themselves. I made promises to her and her people, and as far as I know, no insight of the Force allows us to be in two places at once." Koi frowns, "I'm sorry that this is not what you wish to hear, but two civilizations, two planets need protection and justice. And the Jawa took risks for me and Wix to rescue Captain Ploon and his crew. Even the most optimistic must weigh the lives of so many as greater than one person, not matter how superlative that person is."

After an additional moment of reflection, she asks, "Did Jedi Master Skywalker...have an opinion on gathering Jedi children together?"

"Not that we know of. She has never spoken to any of us, and in fact, our plans predate her. Our little conspiracy began when the hunt was still to find Luke Skywalker. Do not worry, she will not be brought into anything she does not wish to do. If she is unwilling, we will find a place for the children. Somewhere safe from the maelstrom of war. Even if they do not become Jedi, it will still be a victory that they do not see impressment under the tyranny of the First Order."

"You can say that again" AG stated loudly, having been looking out the large window, listening to the conversation at length.

"I am sorry, young sir" The Senator said, adjusting in her seat "When you all came in, I'm afraid I did not catch your name."

"AG-0525. Sergeant of the 19th Expeditionary Intelligence Brigade, First Order."

"Fascinating" Kloxi replied with a muted and surprised laugh "And what brings you here today?"

"Treason" He replied flatly, which was received by a more open chuckle.

"It's a little more than that" Oro chirped in. "AG was captured by our two Jedi here. They showed him mercy, and he offered to join us." AG glared at her crossly, though she seemed unaffected.

"Well, that is a remarkable story. I would trade my position with any of you, to be on such daring and important adventures. Now, back to the matter at hand Koi, I understand your reticence, there is certainly no need for you to say yes now. I will simply provide you with the simple promise that I will do all that I can. Tsareevah will receive a translator droid, and will stay with me for the forseeable future as my house guest. As for Wix, I am afraid there is little that can be done for him. We can scarcely make him Senator of a system that is held by the enemy. The occupation there is lamentable, truly. I don't make the military decisions, and I'm sure that those that do would point to at least a dozen more systems they believe to be more important. You don't get much further out in the Outer Rim that Tattooine, which makes it a difficult location to secure."

Koi sighs, and gives Oro a look. "It might be more accurate to say we accidentally kidnapped AG while rescuing everyone, which caused him a lot of trouble. He's been very gracious about it and I hope it's turing out to be good trouble." She gives a shy smile, but seems a little embarrassed about the whole conversation.

Koi purses her lips, "I think that rescuing Jedi children is a laudable goal. What I don't know is..if Jedi are umm..more visible in the Force when they gather together. It is possible to sense other Jedi, but I do not know that limitations of our ability to do so. Or the limitation of our enemies. I was hoping that Jedi Master Skywalker would have known." .

She looks at Wix and AG and then back to Wix, her expression suggests that she isn't willing to give up so easily. It's a little strange to hear Jawa from a human, but Koi has a comfortable fluency.

"For what can be seen or detected through the Force, there is someone you may be able to talk to. The ranking member of our secret comittee is the Senator from Alphiridies, Xyzsas Parr. I don't know if you've ever met a Miraluka before, but their species is blind, but they all can see through the Force. From what I've gathered from the little that she's told me, your guess is correct. Someone among the enemy would be able to more easily detect a group of Force Sensitives than a single person, especially with training. I couldn't say how easy or difficult that may be, you would need to ask her."

Koi smiled faintly, "If she knows the risks, then I can hardly do more than have sympathy for a difficult decision. Hiding the Jedi children in small groups or as individuals has its own risks. Not even the wisest could be assured of making the right decision."

Koi pauses to fill Tsareevah in on the conversation, and adds,

"The advantage is ours, for the moment" The Senator replied calmly "One would need to be force sensitive to detect them, or be a Miraluka like her. Both are quite rare in the galaxy. Rey is thought to be The Last Jedi, and after Exagol, it's believed that the last of the Sith have been brushed off the face of the galaxy. I'm not sure I believe that. Someone was able to figure out what we were doing in Coruscant and put a brutal stop to it. Whether it's Sith or sloppy tradecraft on our part, there's a risk that I don't think we can evade for long."

"Please think on it, at least. No decision need me made now, and my offers to assist remain regardless. Speaking of, you should probably go pick up Tsareevah's droid, before the shop closes for the day."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:19, Fri 14 Jan 2022.

[Language unknown: "Rutpreeve ichionandureshe ut pr isasnc ni Tontiv'olme ni allino noerro, Looun lepre na ure hastheshe osaconen teouseof te for m ceou tesiwi ntom of icesos"] Tsareevah said with a short, boastful laugh.

[Language unknown: "Om ro p nintom e meie milola ers ne arofwe p ectnteday. Eenersounpretio t whe usven n verlinati, sten t latainterson. Haswitwer iou rutderwhioul u thio prowillin fiicat reaousingwit posa tr shesetone nottedeen. Sa ant utany."]

Whatever Tsareevah says surprises a laugh out of Koi, and is answered with a grin that crinkles the corner of her eyes. "Speaker Tsareevah makes a deft point - her people regularly deal with amorous beasts the size of Torin's ship.  She feels that a few force sensitive children and teenagers will not make..as much a ruckus."  After a lingering chuckle, Koi adds "She is right that her people are gregarious and have a strong culture of cooperation. Everyone must work together, and will wisdom is honored - no one is high or low. They would be welcomed there, and not set apart by their talents."   She pauses, "It is a kind offer and a wise one.  Safety is not enough, they must be allowed to have a nice childhood, make friends and a ruckus. It would be hard to find a better place."


"Unfortunately your instincts regarding the Sith are correct. I am sure there are significant and dangerous enemies among the Sith. I have not been close enough to Coruscant whether they acted in a particular instance. But I have seen things in meditation to suggest that they have power and plans." Koi gives the Senator a bow, ready to take her leave. "Until the next time, Senator, may the Force be with you."

OOC: Koi is good to leave and go find the droid :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Sat 15 Jan 2022.

"You as well, Master Jedi. It was an honor to finally meet you."

The droid shop is conveniently only a short distance away. Too far to walk, but an easy distance for a rented speeder. The shop is at a corner of a row of impressive, luxuriant operations. Nothing so overwhelimingly opulent that one could have found in Coruscant before the war, or gaudy monstorisities located deep in Hutt Space, but still better than most civilized inhabitants could afford. The space was brightly lit, with windows nearly the entire size of the walls coming in. There was a large supply of droids, as well as a variety of speciality replacement parts, to add or personalize their core functions.

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/5b/0...29e524b95fcf7d81.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-134">https://i.pinimg.com/564x/5b/0...29e524b95fcf7d81.jpg" alt=''>

"Welcome to Kyix's Mechanized Labor Solutions" The supposed owner said as he greeted the lot of you "We have everything a discerning buyer may look for. We're also one of the best droid tailoring outfits in the Core Systems. I'm sure whatever interesting work you all are in, we can help make it easier. Now, what can Kyix do for you?"

In reply to Zhongli (msg # 123):

OOC: sorry about leaving you in the lurch for so long. Was hoping to keep you two on the same day, which clearly isn't working out. Resorting to plan B.

Your rented space is small, but modern and reasonably appointed. It wouldn't impress many people on this planet, but that's hardly the goal at this point.

Night descends, and you relent to a queit evening of peace and solitude.

So you thought.

"Jeez" you hear in your head, a voice but from no obvious point "My wife gets the daring explorer and her strapping adventurer friends, and I get the pencil pushing nerd."

Koi waits until they are in the speeder until asking, "So..what did you think?"  Even though the question is generally scattered towards everyone, she tries to catch AG's eye.

It's hard not to look wide-eyed at the incredible selection of very expensive droids and machines. Not only powerful, but elegant. This is clearly a Senator kind of shop..even the machine oil smell nicer than it should. And this is is definitely a 'discreet' kind of person. I wonder what the backroom looks like..or maybe not.  She thinks to herself whimsically, imaging an assassin droid back there..or even a vintage R2 droid in perfect condition.

"I have every confidence, Kyix."  Koi says sincerely, "I'm Koi and this is Speaker Tsareevah. Senator Kloxi Tarinna arranged for a translator droid for her. We are eager to see your exquisite work."  She looks around with appreciation.

OOC: Sorry team Chandrila, my week got away from me.

"Oh!" His hands moved up in slight reflex. "Well, that is somewhat unexpected, but nothing that can't be remedied. The Senator is a routine and welcomed customer, and is normally quite fond of coming to get any orders or modifications herself. She has expensive tastes, but that comes with the territory of being younger sister to a Queen, does it not?" There's a slight chuckle from the Trandoshan, though hardly anything said was a joke.

"Now, as for the order itself, I am sure you will be quite impressed. Please, this way. Taking only a few steps in the small store, he motioned towards a pristine droid, outfitted in a very reflective durasteel alloy, paired with a darker metal of some sort. Beyond the outer plates themselves, the droid was uncharacteristic in that it was outfitted with a real face; possible of expressing its simulated emotions, rather than the frozen face one might see on 3PO units.

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/aa/f...ade793548b867910.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-137">https://i.pinimg.com/564x/aa/f...ade793548b867910.jpg" alt=''>

"Behold, the A-M50 series translator. Designed as a dual purpose translator and administrator. It has a secondary heuristic processor, dedicated to the recording and emulating of patterns of speech, behavior, and logical systems. It is the closest one can legally come to a Replicator Droid, and in my personal opinion, the perfect droid for any statesman of the Republic."

Koi smiled faintly, sister to the Queen sounded extremely fancy.  Koi vaguely hopes that she didn't seem..grubby..or something. "It's beautiful," Koi acknowledges graciously, and it truly was a work of exquisite craft. She asks calmly "Will they have any difficulty with a language that is not part of their database?"

"At first, yes, but it was designed to adapt and learn. It's system is based on an academic research project, I believe. They had noticed that as the diaspora of various species grew, different dialects of existing languages were drifting into becoming their own languages. This model was built in anticipation of further linguistic drift, as well as handling any bureaucratic monstrosity that can be thrown at it."

"Did you do the programming or make any improvements?" Koi asks with the interest of a mechanic, "or was it done why it as manufactured?"   She glances at the group, "perhaps we might see it in action?"  Once the droid is turned on, she explains.

 Koi translates for Tsareevah, [Language unknown: "Chdin, inrepaulro ure Ivdipa u di thableoun i alom uttaec i ho ta sheorewilout thuithrat ha Oueiof ardti ing rutvirear."]

"Of course you can, it is your droid now, after all. The droid is completely to factory specifications, but modifications, upgrades, and alterations are possible, given time and a seperate charge."

With a push of a small knob somewhere behind the droids simulated ear, it's face lit up and body moved as a simulation of life. Before the droid could speak or introduce itself, the shop owner spoke up

"A-M50, you have been sold. This young" He looked over at Tsareevah, and struggled for a word "alien, is the first of her species to enter Republic Space. She is your owner now, and does not yet speak Galactic Basic."

"Well, than you've come to the right place." The Droid makes a strong bow "We'll have you reading The Hydian Way and the star of whatever room you enter in no time."

The cheerful, confident attitude of the droid did appear to have a weakspot, dropping shortly after spotting Wix, who approached the droid quickly and with great interest. If Jawa's even believed in personal space, it clearly didn't apply to machines, as he was inspecting individual plates and rivets
"By the Maker! Do you mind?" As Wix backed away slowly, A-M asked the obvious "I don't suppose the Jawa is with your party, is he?" having pointed to Wix, it seemed to give enough of a hint. Tsareevah understood and nodded, and replied with an affirmative in her tongue.

"Glorious. Well, we're at least off to a start."

Koi sighs, already Wix and A-M seem to be at odds.  Understandably, since she wouldn't want someone closely examining her rivets in public (if she had them). "Well, how would you like to be addressed?"

She asks, after a moment of thought, "are you programmed not to like Jawas?"

"Jawas are scavengers that will take apart anything that isn't bolted to the floor or welded together. You'd react the same way if you saw a womp rat coming for your feet."

"I can see why you would..like your personal space," Koi admits calmly, "but perhaps it would console you to think that you would have a resourceful mechanic at hand, should you ever need repairs."

After a moment, she adds. "I'm a little surprised that you would call a person a whomp rat. Isn't that rude?"

"I am not calling anyone anything" The droid replays, with all necessary decorum "It's a metaphor, nothing less and nothing more. You have your self-preservation, as do I. Yours is called an instinct, and mine is called a subroutine. I'm sure you are fast friends with him, but I need to emphasize how I literally cannot help that he makes me nervous."

Koi rolls her eyes at the apparently shoddy programming. Or at least a programmer with some very snobby prejudices. I suppose that's what you get when you get a protocol droid fit for a queen.. "Look, I don't compare you to a toaster -- you don't compare my friend to a rodent. I'm sure you have some kind of subroutine to tell you that certain comparisons are insulting. Try add this one to your memory banks.."

She runs her hand through her hair with a sigh, "Well..is there anything else on the schedule for today?"


OOC: Sorry, not feeling the droid.  Also had an exciting week last week when I sprayed hand sanitizer in my eye..:(
This message was last edited by the player at 02:12, Tue 01 Mar 2022.

"I am ready to obey, and to learn." The droid replied, placing his hand over his chest where his heart would be, and taking a small bow. "In time, my subroutines will adjust and compensate. I may even grow to like him, with enough exposure."

OOC: If my understanding of the original EU is correct, Jawa's are supposed to be very rat-like under the hood. The droids statement, however it was interpreted, was not meant as an insult.

"In the meantime, I will begin working with my new master immediately to begin building a common frame of reference, and from there, learn her language and diction. That is the primary goal; trying to teach her Basic and other popular languages will be secondary."

The shopping trip concluded, you leave the store with the Droid in tow. AM at least knows how to follow orders, as he doesn't flinch or otherwise move away from Wix as the Jawa scurried about, still utterly fascinated.

You turned a corner to head back the way you came, and found a curious and distressing group heading directly for you. Among them was an Umbaran, standing in front and seemingly in charge, followed by two Nikto, a Twilek, and one especially grungy Wookie
"Wait, you're not the Senator" the Twilek Said, before getting an elbow in the gut by the Umbaran

"You and your big mouth!" Without wasting any time, he pulls out his blaster and begins to fire, followed by his lackeys.

"No!" Koi exclaims, flinging out a hand in an instinctual reaction as she calls on the Force to protect her friends and the innocents in the crowd. Hopefully, the initial hesitation is long enough for her to make a barrier between the shooters and their targets.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear shouting and recognizes the danger - but she can't just let these people start firing


OOC: I used a force point = 20Koi is going to try to make a Force barrier/shield in front of the shooters. Wingin' it like an eagle.. :) forgot to add my + 1 for level to the roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Thu 26 May 2022.

OOC: so, that's not a Force Power that I'm aware of, and more to point, isn't one of the powers you've selected. I'm going to play a little fast and loose here, using your result for a Repulse power.

The Force pushes out through you, but not in the way you had intended. The gang is pushed back, stumbling over each other and falling to the floor. A Stray shot from one of their blasters went off, heading right in your direction. AG makes a strong push in your side, moving you out of the way. He takes the shot in the shoulder, shouting in pain.

As the killers try to regain themselves, your allies start to make a break for it.

"AG!" Koi exclaims as she stumbles from her friend pushing her out of the way of the shot. She tries to pull him -- them both -- out of the line of fire and behind..something.  A parked hover car, a food cart..anything. "You shouldn't have done that..but thanks." She whispers as she grimly unholsters her blaster.

OOC: When you say "make a break for it"  does that mean towards the bounty hunters or away from the bounty hunts? :)

"Don't mention it" As he briefly pulls his hand away from his injured shoulder "You'd do it for me. Can't have you be the only one to play hero, Jedi"

Your friends are fleeing away from the enemies.

Koi gives him a shaky smile, and briefly peeks around their cover to see if the bounty hunters are still there. Surely security would arrive quickly in a posh neighborhood like this..

"I think the others got away," she whispers.

The soldier nodded "people get out of the way when there's a Herglic charging through the street, I guess." He grasped for a weapon that didn't exist "Can't cover you if you make a break for it."

Make a perception check to see what's going on, from behind your position of cover

Koi smiles slightly and whispers "It would be heroic to..make a stand..but lets save it for a back of the hold back up plan." Koi eases silently around the side of delivery speeder that is blocking off the alley -- enough that she can see the street where the 'assassination attempt' took place.

She's hoping that without a target they will shift their focus to avoiding security. But if she has a blaster on hand, she'll give it to AG. Even with a hurt shoulder, he's probably the better shot.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Fri 19 Aug 2022.

The would be killers are not committed professionals. Having been inexplicably pushed away and off their feet shook their confidence. No sooner had they gotten up had they started to run away, in the opposite direction of your allies. Seeing a patrol speeder from the local police flying nearby caused them to scatter apart immediately.

"They ran away, good." Koi comments after a quick peak around the corner. She turns back to AG, "But it looks like the local enforcement showed up. Do you want to see if we can leave..casually..without them noticing?" Koi hedges for the tactful words, she's not a naturally deceptive person. But the disposition of peace enforcers on the galactic frontier vary significantly. It's a roll of the dice whether they're helpful, members of a crime syndicate, or just jerks. "I don't really want to explain the situation to the peace enforcers." She admits, "At least not until we talk to the senator."

"No way" He said, getting up in a hurry, taking a fast walk in the direction of your friends. "I'm not going to sit here to wait and find out how they handle a deserter, and it won't take them long for them to figure that out." Resisting the desire to hold his wound with his spare hand, he clenched his fist and dug into his pocket. He leaned with his stronger arm as he walked to try and avoid any painful contact with his bad one.

"Alright," Koi frowns, a tangle of worries regarding AG make her uneasy.  The wound is likely the most straightforward to fix, but she isn't sure whether he has negative feelings about himself for the way he left being a stormtrooper -- or why others would.

But this is neither the time or place to unravel those feelings.

Carefully walking as close as she can to his wounded side --- hoping to shield it from view with out bumping it -- Koi takes a deep breath as the stride away from the crowd.

OOC: Is there a way to 'aid another' with a stealth roll?

OOC: yep, make that roll, and it'll provide a bonus to AGs check, if you do well

Don't look suspicious..don't look suspicious.. :)

OOC: Koi Sundar rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  stealth.

Working alongside him, it was easy to blend into the crowd, once you pushed past the impromptu circle that formed around the scene. His soldier's instincts were on high alert: scanning the area constantly while trying to move his head as little as possible to avoid bringing attention.

"Nothing about what just happened made sense, and I'm worried about your new friend. We need to group up again and get out of here, as fast as possible."

Even as she glanced around for possible trouble, Koi smiled. Working along side of AG was pleasantly smooth, even without actively using the Force they matched pace easily. And it heartened her that AG was concerned about Tsareevah. Once, he struggled much more to consider a non-human a friend and equal.

"I think that Mel or Wix would call us on the comm if something was amiss, probably."  She assured him, calmly "most of the time they think to do that."

Once they are a couple more blocks clear of the area, she asks "do you want me to hail a ground car? It would be faster..and I would rather get you back to the ship as soon as possible."

"I'll heal when I'm dead" he replied with his typical dismissive charm "Someone tried to murder, assassinate, one of your Republic Senators. No reason to think they'll stop with one attempt."

Koi rolls her eyes at AG's attitude towards not bleeding -- she's heard similar from Oro.  Maybe it's something taught to all soldiers, right between learning what all of those insignias mean and how salute properly.

"I didn't vote for her.." Koi mutters. "You're right that someone is trying to kill her. And that they know something of her habits.  We could raise her on the comm when we get back to the ship..."

Koi is pretty sure that Captain Ploon will alert his Senatorial friend as soon as they get back to the ship. And it will probably be done before they get there.  But she gives AG a sidelong glance, "do you think we need to hurry?" She asks, hoping that he will take the hint and let her hail a cab.

OOC: I know he's probably fine and only took a couple of wound levels, but I imagine it is still pretty worrying to Koi. :)

"I think going to the ship is a mistake, unless we're taking the Senator there for protection." He squinted his eyes for a moment, looking at nothing specific "there's something going on that we're not seeing, and that bothers me. Whatever this is, I want to get involved."

Koi paused, she could almost feel the future shifting under her feet. It ought to have been a mystical, Jedi-type feeling.  But mostly it was the quiet, internal alarm that AG was both correct and aiming to...make others behave. Surely it would end in blaster fire (lots) and tears (hopefully someone else's).

"Alright," Koi agrees cautiously, but calmly. She trusted AG, he could get them both out of a fair amount of trouble. "Where do you want to look first? I can try to follow the people who attacked us back to where ever they went.  Or we can discuss things with the clerk at the store.  Maybe we can figure out who told those people I was the senator from him."

"If you think the ship is being watched, we should probably warn the Captain, right?" She asks uneasily.

"I don't think the ship is being watched. We weren't the target. Whoever hired the goons assumed that the Naboo Senator was picking up the purchase herself. That's a strong clue, but as you point out, there's still a lot We don't know. Like how anyone knew the purchase even happened."

Koi frowned in confusion, if he didn't think the ship was being watched -- then why shouldn't they go back to it? Most of their stuff was there..

"Well, it could be someone from the shop.  But I don't think it would be anyone directly involved with the Senator. Otherwise, they would know she wasn't picking up the droid herself, right?"

She hesitates, something does stink about this. "I don't think the assassins were very good. I'm not a fancy political person, but don't senators have professional security?  I don't think those hired guns would have a high chance of success, even if they had the correct information." Koi has also heard historical stories from her dad that suggest political figures from Naboo have been known to pick up a blaster or two in their own defense.

Koi considers, "I don't know what anyone would gain from a failed assassination attempt. But the people who attacked us might not realize they were played for fools.  They might try contacting whoever hired them. I'm not sure if that's going to go badly for them."

"Sorry," Koi grimaces, "That's a lot of 'if's."

"You're asking the wrong guy if you want to know about the Senate. We didn't have much need for Targeting Officers in the typical sense. I can take a stab at motivation though. Maybe the goal wasn't to actually kill the Senator, but to send a message. The Empire used to do that, back in the day. The Tarkin Doctrine, it was called. If there was a system that was getting uppity or problematic, a Star Destroyer would be deployed to the area. Even if there was never any intention to deploy an entire hangar of TIEs or whatever, the message was interpreted that way by whoever was the problem. It wasn't until the Rebel Alliance started to gain some real victories that this stopped working. That might be what's going on here. Even having an attempted assassination is scary, and can be an intimidating factor. Whatever is going on, we won't know unless we start asking some questions, and I think Senator Tarinna is the one to start with."

Koi frowns with distaste, even though her brow creasing in thought. She has no idea what a "Targeting Officer" is.  But the rest of the intimidation tactic is clear enough.  Just like a tough fellow bounty hunter putting his big gun on the bar of a cantina. A implicit threat.  Just on a much bigger scale. "That's definitely political. The Senator seemed like a brave person, but I don't know how it is being a Core worlder. I know they have more..safety in some ways. " For a moment Koi wonders how much violence and potential violence she has become inured to.  Probably it's just as well -- being a jedi is only going to be more dangerous. "Even if it doesn't scare her, it might be harder for her to do her job.  If her security team is strict, she might have more trouble getting that bill of hers approved."

She adds, "It could also make it harder to meet with us. Especially if you're walking around with a scorched shirt and looking like you've been in a fight.." Koi gives AG very reasonable look. She's not nagging him about taking care of himself, just pointing out a strategic advantage.


"if she was really sneaky, it could make her sympathetic. Maybe make other things easier somehow... Koi doesn't know enough about what a senator does to know how well that would work. You don't think she's *that* sneaky, do you?"  .

"What? You mean hire her own attackers to bolster public sympathy, and exploit that for political gain?" He took a moment to ponder the words earnestly, staring into the distance as he did "It would be foolish for me to say it's impossible. Despite any and all appearances, she's still a politician just like the rest of them, and more than that, she's a flawed sentient being. She's no better than any other Human."

"The real question is how likely is it. First appearances says no, but if she was truly that duplicitious, she'd be skilled enough to keep it hidden."

In reply to AG-0525 (msg # 172):

"It does sound like something out of a holovid, though.." Koi admits, self-consciously running a hand through her hair.  Did she get that idea from one of Mel's shows?

"Well, I don't know if it will be easy to talk to the Senator right now -- surely security is worried and limiting her visits to people they haven't checked out.  And we'd certainly attract attention. I'm not sure that would be helpful." Or safe. And Koi is mindful that AG has already been hurt protecting her.

"If I can find somewhere to meditate, I might be able to...umm..well..see more about what's going on."  She offers hesitantly, "there might be something that would help us decide what lead to follow first."

"We're the only ones that know she was the target, but I'll follow your lead. But, you know, hurrying the meditation sounds good too. Whoever's out there isn't going to sit and wait for us to figure this all out."

In reply to AG-0525 (msg # 174):

Koi smiles, "Well, I think meditation is one of those things you're not supposed to hurry, but I'll see what I can do."  She looks around for a park, or somewhere out of the way where her meditation won't stick out to badly.

Sitting on a bench, she closes her eyes and focuses on the Senator, recalling the feeling of her energy, the way she talked -- those qualities that make her a distinct individual.  She also tries to recall -- and find the hit-person-in-charge that tried to shoot them.  It's easy to recall his surprise You're not the senator! and the reflexive shots in her direction.

Trying to get a glimpse of the attackers proves to be difficult. In the ensuing chaos, there was little to gain a clear grasp on to be able to see them clearly in this way. They could also be dead, you realize. Would the Force be able to show you that? You're not sure, and it's best not to dawdle on that, not when your friend is already impatient.

Seeing Senator Tarinna on the other hand is comparatively easy. She's in a room with a lot of datapads, a projector in the middle, and a protocol droid trying it's best to capture notes. You see a couple of familiar faces; the assistant for Senator Tarinna, and Senator Parr, the Miraluka. There's a small number of other faces you don't recognize. A human male, roughly the age of Xyzas, sitting next to her. A Neimodian and Umbaran are also present, among their retinue of assistants. There's alot of energy in the room; and anger. There's a darkness in the room as well, but not in or from Senator Parr herself.

You only have a short glimpse through all the shouting, but you catch these words clearly

"I will not be bullied into equivocating. You'd better have more than harsh words or a 'legislative agenda' to threaten me with!" The room grows quiet for a moment before the old man tries to get the meeting on track.

Koi sits up a little straighter and opens her eyes abruptly, "Well!" she exclaims and immediately lowers her voice, "you were right, the senator definitely has opponents -- and I think real enemies."

She puts her head in her hands for a moment, "It seemed clear, but it's so hard to explain. Nonethless, she tries to explain to AG. "There is a meeting among the senators...I think they were all senators.  And their supporters.  But whatever they were discussing was contentious." Senator Tarinna seemed so polished and mannerly, and yet there was so much yelling..

"But there was also..a darkness..but not a physical darkness..but a sense of something..malicious maybe."  Koi pauses and tries to remember if it was anything like Darth Maul in the desert. "It was in the background, like someone cooking something in the next house over. Or someone in the room that could hide their intentions very well."

"Well, I don't know how much that tells us" AG responds, sitting next to you, his hands shoved in his pockets. "I'm just guessing here, but hate comes naturally in her field. Wouldn't even be the first Senator from her planet to be hated, from what I remember reading. Real question is, do you think any of those Senators hated their coworker enough to kill her?"

In reply to AG-0525 (msg # 178):

"Maybe..some one does, for sure. And they were looking for 'the senator' so I don't think it was a personal attack." Koi admits, " It's hard to judge the distance between emotion and action for people I just see for a moment."  She pauses, "It's possible that the senator has a biased view of the situation. I imagine she has to believe strongly in her reforms -- but I think the danger is that she may underestimating the opposition.  Not their strength, perhaps, but the depths of their concerns. Or perhaps underestimating the..umm..ambition of their assistants."


  "I wish I knew more about the political situation here, I don't think there is a good way to find out about it without asking the Captain. Perhaps if I meet more of the senators, I'll have a different feel for the situation."  She looks thoughtfully, still not sure why AG is so adamant about not returning to the ship.

She asks, "What would you want to do once we found them? Jedi don't have any lawful authority anymore. And learning the truth is a couple hyperspace jumps from proving it. I could protect the senator, but accusing someone might just make things worse.."

"I don't know Koi" He said with a shrug "It's not like I have a kath hound in this fight or anything. I want answers to the questions. What happens after that, I'm kind of indifferent to it. We all singlehandedly stop an assassination event, we stay out of it but show what we know the proper authorities and let them handle it, Senator Parr hires some of well trained contractors and fixes the problem herself, all the same to me really."

"Torin's been off planet as long as we have, obviously" as he stands up and extends a hand to help you up "I can't imagine what he would know that we wouldn't find out from talking to the Senator herself, but it's a start. At the very least, he'll want to know someone wants to hurt his girlfriend."

"I'm almost certain that Senator Parr will want to make a show of catching the assassin. Straight to holovid." Koi drawls with a mild bemusement.

She accepts the hand up, careful not to pull on AG's shoulder.  "Well, are you alright with going back to the ship now?  I can't imagine anyone watching the ship without Wix knowing." It's easy to imagine Wix capturing a surveillance drone and adapting it to his own purposes. It makes her smile.  Her smile fades a little, "but I might be a bit careful about what I say around the new translator droid until I know them better."


She pauses, "I think it would be best to talk to both.  The senator certainly knows the day to day stuff better, and certainly she knows the political situation. But Captain Ploon has a cool, steady eye when it comes to knowing people. And he's good asking questions in a slanted way that finds things out or side-steps a question without ruffling feathers.  She sounds wistfully admiring, it's skill she hasn't mastered yet.  Even when she's careful, she occasionally steps on someone's toes.

"I'd say if we do our job right, we'll never see that droid again. The newest esteemed Senator of this so called Republic has a mentor and supplies. Our job, as I see it, is done. I'm sure the Captain will have a different opinion though, and on that note, let's get out of here."

In reply to AG-0525 (msg # 182):

Koi shakes her head.  She's relieved to head back to the ship, but she can only sigh at AG's lack of sympathy. Leader Tsareevah has a lot on her shoulders.  It seems cruel to abandon her before she's gone a few steps. Especially if there is someone willing to hire assassins to deal with political rivals. "I imagine that even with a mentor and a translator, Tsareevah will still appreciate a friend. It must be difficult to have so much responsibility, and she is worried about her grandfather."

She gives AG a sidelong look. "I realize that you don't care for the senate, but it her best chance to build an alliance for her people. It is good chance to Wix and his people too. It may not be ideal, but it is the opportunity they have. And perhaps because it isn't ideal we should do what we can to help make it fair for them and their people, who deserve fairness."

"I can't think of a more vague and useless word than 'fair'. The Republic can't even agree on who gets to decide what fair means. Is it the people? A quick walkthrough of the past half century shows how much we can trust their opinions on anything. Politicians who are only interested in furthering their own power and vapid existence? Judges who work so hard to divorce themselves from involvement in the cases they oversee that they become divorced from the real world itself?"

His seeming growing anger moved through as quickly as it came, or perhaps it simply changed targets "If the galaxy were fair, I wouldn't be alive right now. Look, you were the one in such a hurry to get to the ship; can we just stop talking and go?"

Koi bites her tongue at AG's indiscriminate and broad indictment of the new republic government and...pretty much all government. Frankly, she didn't thing the senator was bad. Maybe she isn't right all the time, but she seems like she's trying to help people.  And what's the alternative anyway?  Blowing up planets that you disagree with?

Even on the frontier or a research station, someone had to organize fixing power generators after a storm and where to put the trash.  How much more complicated was Coruscant or Corellia? But it didn't take a jedi to figure out there was no reasoning with him now. "Sure AG.." She sighs, falling silent and walking faster.

Maybe Captain Ploon could talk to him when they got back to the ship.  But she was pretty sure that he was just going to tell her that AG needed to figure this stuff out for himself.

A droid operated fare was chartered to bring you home to the Gamorrean Rose. All the better, perhaps, as it helped keep the silence. AG stared quietly and intently out the window at the bright city lights of the capital city around him, his eyes scanning back and forth in study. There would be long sighs that break the utter silence from him, and would continue all the way until he exited.

Torin was outside the ship, talking with who appeared to be a dock officer or some low level Republic bureacrat. There was a brief moment of laughter between the two of them before he saw you. Motioning the officer away, he slowly approached, his hands shoved in the large pockets of his coat.

"Well, this is a small surprise. Taking a while for you all to come back, and where's everyone else?"

"I don't know." Koi admits, "I thought they would have been back by now.  We got separated from them when the shooting started.  AG took a shot and we didn't want to answer any questions about it. But it looked liked everyone else took off and no one stopped them from leaving.."

"No one called in?"   She asks, starting to get worried. Koi had assumed Mel and Oro would be the adultiest adults in the group..and they should be fine.  She tries calling Wix.  "Hey are you guys heading back to the ship?"  She asks in Jawa.

The voice that came in was not expected "Your cloaked companion is easily distracted, and easily frightened. A statement had to be given to the authorities, who were quite surprised to see such assorted accompany, especially the Jawa. Translating was not as difficult as getting him to answer the question that was actually being asked."

"We're fine for now, though. Wix was enamored by what was available in the markets. No doubt impressed by the lack of rust and sand. Whenever he has his fill, we will return to our planned mission. So I've been told"

In reply to A-M50 (msg # 188):

Koi dials the volume up so everyone can hear.  She gives Torin a frown, "Is Mel there? If he is -- can you put him on?" She asked the droid.  On the one hand, she was glad the droid was helpful.  On the other hand, Mel was usually quite charming -- so she is concerned there might be some other complication that Mel couldn't smooth over.

"Hello, this is everyone's favorite Tour Guide." His trademark positivity could still be heard in his voice "Glad to hear your voice there young lady. I was sure you were okay after we got seperated, but always nice to have the reassurance."

"I'm glad you're alright too." Koi shoulders began to unknot themselves as Mel sounded like himself and not too worried.  "How's shopping going?  Do you need reinforcements?"

"Oh, I don't think we're at any risk of walking home with anything. Wix is looking at ship hyperdrives right now, if you can believe it. We'll get the new droid to the Senator as soon as he runs out of things to be impressed by. That is, unless you need me to coax him into a hurry."

Koi pauses,"Tsareevah is with you, right?  Everyone is together?" She holds her breath for a moment. Not that Tsareevah can't take care of herself, but it might be a pretty bewrildering day as it is..

"Did security catch the bounty hunters?"   She asks nonchalently.

"Not that they've told us, not that we'd be ones to know." He responds slowly. "I think we're safe for now. Didn't seem like we were the targets. The band's all here though. Surprisingly, nobody's giving Tsareevah that much attention. Just another face in the crowd. The droid is figuring out the root's of her language already, so all in all a net gain."

"Figures." Koi sighs, not terribly surprised that the bounty hunters weren't apprehended. Maybe AG was right that no one cared. Or maybe someone was trying to cover things up. "though I'm glad that Tsareevah didn't get in any trouble. I'll well, let me know if you want me to pry Wix away from the market."

She rubs her temples, trying to hasten her slowly dissipating tension headache.  It was a relief to know that everyone was together and reasonably safe.  Even though they are all capable people, she worries.

"Sooo.." she glances at Captain Ploon, "how much of the story do you know so far?  About the bounty hunters that thought we were the senator and started shooting into the crowd?"

The mask and goggles of the Kel Dor made his face hard to read, all the more stressful when he stood there motionless, with dead silence

"Apparently, nothing until you just brought it up." His hand bursts out of his jacket, pointing towards the central area of the ship "Move, the both of you."

The direction he pointed to was the ship's communication hub, which Torin began using immediately upon entering the space with the two of you.

"We're all going to have a little sit down when the others get back, and the topic for the day is 'things we should definitely be relaying back to my Captain..."

In reply to Torin Ploon (msg # 196):

Koi examines the ground, "Well, I kind of assumed that the others wouldn't have...umm..made a detour. And they were certainly going to be faster than me and AG.."  After her brief attempt to make excuses, she starts to explain about the ambush from the amateur assassins.  She is reasonable concise, only adding a few asides regarding her disagreeing with AG's reluctance to have his injuries looked at, and her thought that these hit-people seemed almost destined for failure. "AG was worried about returning to the ship right away, and I thought maybe we could be followed or that the hit people might try again."

In the silence afterwards, she adds: "I did use the Force to umm..check on the Senator.  She was in a meeting. Aggravated, but not hurt.  But there was someone at the meeting who hated her and meant her ill.  Maybe someone who can use The Force.." she runs a hand through her hair in frustration, "but I couldn't see who it was.."

"Respectfully, Jedi, I need to see her myself" With that, the central communication system lit up, and a three dimensional image of the Senator appeared.

"Torin, I'm glad to hear from you again."

"Likewise. Are you okay Kloxi?"

"Just burning the hours away. They've secured the offices until they can ensure there's no other immediate threats, so might as well get some work done."

"I'd have Mel or Oro bring you some Naboo hardtails for dinner, but they haven't gotten back yet."

"Is everyone okay?"

"Only one hurt is our resident soldier" As he points to AG "and he's made of strong stuff. If the rest of the First Order is like him, we're in trouble"

"Well, I'm glad you're okay young man", an odd phrase, given that she isn't that much older "I have something to send you when this over. Where's your crew, if they haven't gotten back home to the Rose?"

"Jawa curiosity and Tsareevah's fascination with her new home is directing their motions. The droid is already trying to piece together a language, so I'm told."

"Worth every credit than." The senator smiled "I have a good sense of our new friend. She's going to be putting us all to work soon, I suspect."

"Don't doubt it. Speaking of, you were talking about working a second ago. Busy night?"

"Well, it already was, but especially now." She looked away for a brief moment "Whoever thought they can intimidate me with a threat on my life is about to find out that they couldn't have been any more wrong."

"Someone must not be familiar with Naboo politicians to think you could be scared away"

"They'll remember soon enough."

"Ohhh boy, I know that look" Torin joked "There's a speech in your future"

"You know me so well" She muses "Have your holorecorders on, you'll want to remember it."

"I'd love to be there to see in person"

"Why not? I'm sure you and your Jedi friends won't have anything pressing tomorrow, and I could use the additional security"

"You can always count on me to keep you safe. You know Kloxi, when this is all over, I should take you on a vacation, someplace nice."

The Senator giggled "With the credits I pay you for a job well done?"

"Is there any other way?"

"I suppose not. Choose the place and the day, I'll be sure to be there."

"Never doubt it. Have a good evening, Senator."

"You too Captain"

As the video feed cuts out, the data system chugs away as it downloads data sent from the Senator's office. The Captain looks at AG, who in turn looks at you. There's a rare look in his eyes, wavering of some kind.

Koi winces, realizing she's probably going to be called "jedi" everytime she's in trouble with Torin. As though she didn't mess up enough on her own! Now is every mess up going to reflect on every Jedi?

If I knew it was going to be so much trouble, I would have thought twice again before picking up that lightsaber.  I probably still would have picked it up, but..well..

She looks at them both, "what have I done now?"  She frowns, "do you think something is going to happen at the...speech?  I'm not a bodyguard, you know...maybe some jedi are, but I haven't learned that kind of thing yet. I couldn't even keep AG from getting hurt!"   The last part has more unhappiness in it than anything else she's said.

"Easy Koi" Torin put a hand on your shoulder, trying to calm you down. "This isn't about you. It's about him. AG is just scared about what that message is. Isn't that right?"

AG looks at the two of you again, nodding silently. His arms are pulled in tight against his chest, his eyes large. One gets the sense that he would rather run away from this ship than find out the contents of that message.

"What do you mean?" Koi asks, bewildered. "Isn't going to be one of those speeches about how not everyone likes diversity, she won't be intimidated by threats and...stuff?"

Koi's guess sounds a little simplistic, even to her ears. She apologizes, "I'm sorry AG, I guess I'm a little slow about things like this. Politics back home was more like..Tsareevah's folks..like everyone chipping into repair shared generators or keeping runways clear."

The soldier shook his head, staring into the center of the room"Not the speech." He pointed to the machine, his words were quiet, constrained "The Senator sent me a message. I'm both excited and terrified by what it contains, if it's the message I think it is."

ooc: I have no guesses about this message. :D

"Oh." Koi says quietly, looking abashed and still bewildered. She takes a moment to stop feeling so off balance. "I don't know at all what the senator is offering. I asked Master Akoda for advice before we came here. He thought being rushed into action when it didn't feel right and you didn't have an idea of the outcome was a..a mistake. So if you don't feel right about what the Senator asks you, well..I've got your back."

She adds shyly, "and well, if you want to say yes, I've got your back too."

AG holds a large breath in, and than slowly, loudly lets it out.

"Thanks" His body relaxed, as he gently brushed his sleeve across his forehead. "I know where it is if I ever need it. I've had enough adventure for one day."

Koi lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding, relieved to see that she picked the right words out of the jumbled dictionary of her thoughts. "Seems fair enough, I'm getting pretty hungry -- I was going to wait for the others to come back, but maybe we should get something without them.."

"Did we resupply?" She asks Torin, our should I go pick something up?

"Ship's all stocked up. I don't know where this Rey person is hiding, but we could spend most of the year out there looking for her, if we needed."

Torin points out into the city "If it were me though, I'd go out in town and get something, rather than eating the same food you're going to have to eat every day."

Koi paused at her investigation of the pantry abruptly, like a missed beat of music.  She resumed her search causally, as soon as she realized it. But it abruptly occurred to her that the Senator was going to push her to find Rey soon. "This Rey Skywalker, she's the Jedi from Exagol, isn't she?" Koi asks, trying to sound casual.

It was absurd that the idea just occurred to her.  But it was frightening to meet someone whom even the dead knew. And not the nice dead like Master Akoda.


"I doubt it will take so long to find her," Koi mentions, though her voice sounds a little tinny to her own ears. She half expects the Jedi will find her and sooner than she wishes. Koi isn't a praying type, but she earnestly *wishes* she'll be done here before..she has a hard choice to make.

"Alright, I think I will go out -- do you want me to pick up anything for you? I am guessing you'll want to stay here and read the others the same notice that you read me?" 

She prompts AG,"What about you?"

"That's what they say..." The captain responded with a shrug "I haven't heard much and Kloxi hasn't provided much to go on. Still, I suspect you're probably right. You already found Wix and that starfighter without even trying to. You're practically a magnet for them" He chuckled.

"If we actually start trying to find this Rey, I doubt it'll take long at all. She could already be aboard my ship and I wouldn't be surprised at this point."

AG nodded gently "Ya, I'll come along. Only chance to get a taste of what the upper crust has, I guess."

Koi put a jacket back on, and pocketed a cred stick. More discreetly, she pocketed a blaster as well.  She usually passed trouble by unnoticed, but not looking like a target for an easy mugging helped. "If you thing we're eating *that* high on the nerf, you're very optimistic about what Torin pays me," she answered with a quick, wry smile. "Besides," she added nonchalantly, "there's usually something at least as nice if you're willing to walk a bit and follow your nose and ears."

There was something worn-smooth-by-habit about the way she stepped into the spaceport. The routine of wandering around a new city was calming in its familiarity. It was a little like her hiking around on Tsareevah's home planet. To her, it was another sort of wilderness. People could be as unpredictable as quicksand or a predator.

Koi was mostly quiet as they walked through the spaceport and into the city proper. She paused a little to listen to the distant rhythm of recorded music, or wrinkle her nose at the inferior offering of a meat cart.  "Usually I look for a park, a good food stand will space for fold out tables or the like." She commented absently, trying to bury her unease for now. "let me know if there is something you want to try."

AG ponders for a moment, tapping his foot while he deliberates.

"All of it" he replies with a singular clap of his hands "had my meals regimented for me my entire life. I want to eat until I get sick"

In reply to AG-0525 (msg # 210):

Koi huffs in amusement, "Well, I'm not on shift to clean the 'fresher so good luck, but from personal experience it's nicer to spread out your feast-sprees a little."

Most businesses right up by the spaceport cater to the space port and people who are willing to pay for fast--either spare parts or food. At best they're mediocre. Their shiny signs promising 'Immediate Food Now!" aren't even worth a sniff.  She passes them right by and goes up some smaller streets where those who work at the space ports, the traffic controllers, janitors, regular transport crew, and other locals catch a meal on their way home.

She points out a place with a worn, hand-drawn and re-drawn menu out front and a bored looking child doing their school work at an empty, chipped, plastisteel table. "These places are usually the best," Koi says, opening the door into a cloud of unfamiliar spices and frying oil. "Although it's hard to go wrong getting a flat bread with toppings. Almost everywhere has their own variety. And they're almost always good."

Koi goes up to the counter and confidently orders and number 2 spicy bird meat on bread and a fizzy fruit drink. "Go'on AG -- I've got this one."

"I'll have what she's having"
The lad certainly didn't feel guilt or remorse for eating. He looked at the food presented quizically at first. After the first bite however, he ate quickly, as if he was late for an appointment of some kind.

The food digesting in his belly and the taste still lingering in his mouth, his eyes began to wander around. You noticed his gaze stuck on a Togruta woman strolling along the docks alone, wearing a tight fitting crimson dress heading to her ship, a luxury liner of some sort.

"Hey, so I'm wondering something. Do you think anyone in the crew would be upset if I just buggered off? Left the ship in the middle of the night and never came back?"

Koi hides a frown behind a bite of spicy bird -- Oro eats quick too, but not that quick.  She doesn't quite know why, but her instincts tell her that there is more wrong with Stormtrooper cuisine than monotony. Something to ask Captain Ploon about, privately.  Or Oro maybe.

She follows his gaze towards the...heiress? with amusement, but she sputters at his question and inhales some of her fizzy drink.

Coughing, she answers. "I mean, yeah -- we'd probably think you were kidnapped or something. 'Specially if you left without saying goodbye. But if you just took off and to-Hoth-with-us?  I'd miss you and be sad. So would Oro and the Captain -- don't tell her I said that.  But, I mean, you wouldn't be in trouble or anything.  We'd just be worried and hoping you're okay out there. But we'd respect your decision."

"I appreciate that." He said as he cleaned his hands "It's not something I'm likely to do. At least not right now. I was just thinking, the galaxy's a big place, and there's no way anyone can see it all in a lifetime, so I might need to start doing my own thing if there was something out there I needed to see."

"What that could be, I have no idea."

Koi was slow to reply, turning the idea of AG wanting more excitement -- or maybe just different excitement -- than they were having.  In Koi's currently (slightly curmudgeon opinion) there was plenty of interesting and exciting things. And she was likely to get a lot more whether she liked it or not.

"Well," she ventured, "you know Captain Dad would probably make a side trip for you, if you wanted to go somewhere specific. You'd have to talk to him about it."</Blue

She looks at him thoughtfully for a moment, <Blue>"I know all the politics of trying to make sure Tsareevah's people don't get unfairly colonized and exploited is exasperating and boring at best. But I am sure that Torin will want to take off in a few weeks at most. I have to be at those meetings, looking wise and sage-like.  But you could go sightseeing.  I'm told this is one of the prettiest planets in the galaxy." 

He shook his head "Nope. Interesting follows you around wherever you go. You and Wix couldn't be boring if you tried. Besides, someone has to stick around to make sure you Jedi don't go off and do anything crazy."

He takes a slight chuckle at his own joke before taking another drink, looking off in the distance for a moment.

In reply to AG-0525 (msg # 216):

"Yeah," Koi takes a long slurp of her drink "it does and it will."  She adds with a wry smile, "which why I suggested that you take a vacation while you can."

She pauses for a long minute before admitting, "I wish there was another group that would help Tsareevah and her people. Someone to make sure the Republic would..mind their manners. But other than maybe some Wookies, I'm not sure I know anyone who could help. And the Wookies have their own homeland to fight for.."  She sighs, "I think most of the senators are fine, but they all have their own projects and problems. It's more than a little exhausting -- and I don't wish that on a friend."

"It would have been easier to exercise plausible deniability, I think." AG responds "Just turn around, pretend we didn't see anything. Barring that, I think the only other option would be to give them all a crash course in the use and maintenance of blaster rifles. That way, they can defend themselves. At the end of the day, that's what it'll have to come down to."

"I'd do it, by the way" he added after wiping his face with his shirt sleeve "Put me and Oro together on that planet, and we'd get the job done."

He took a hard gulp of panic, looking over your shoulder "Forget I said that. Here they come"

behind you is Oro, Wix, and the rest of the gang.

Koi suspected that Tsareevah's people had more to worry about from capital ships and Hutt consortia than a few blaster happy bounty hunters. But it was the thought that counted -- and AG's offer was very kind. "I know you would." she says softly.


Giving AG a moment, she stands up to wave everyone over, "Hey, did Captain blister your ears or just mine? Have you eaten?"

"Captain prefers to talk in person as much as he can. Good or bad."

"If he's in the same room he can't be ignored like he can on a comlink" Oro pipes in

"That's not the main reason for it, but I'm sure there's something to it. If that's our destiny, we may as well face it with courage"

Wix took off like a blaster shot up into the Gamorrean Rose, the others following behind. Oro trailed the group, and stopped dead as she passed AG

"Your shoulder. For crying out loud, you got shot and didn't say anything!?"

This caused the others to all turn around and look

"I'm fine. It was a grazing shot."

"Men" She grunted angrily, pulling something from her pocket "Move over, let me be the judge"

There was an annoying sigh, but he did as directed "Fine"

There was an uneasy and quiet tension as one soldier tended to her former enemy.

"I've offered to take him to a clinic about a dozen times, but he refused.." Koi tattles as petty revenge for AG's unreasonableness.  It wasn't very Jedi-like, but it felt right.

She follows after Wix, cheerfully mentioning something about meditating and leaving Oro and AG to their complicated feelings.

OOC: OMG, I think Koi is a bit of a 3rd wheel here. :D

The authority of the great Captain Torin Ploon may not have as accounted for as much as you had thought when you first came on board. With Oro helping AG, Wix off on his own tangent, and the droid being powerless in the situation, the only person to denigrate or shout at was Melveleh, the most responsible of the lot. As such, Torin had spared the lecture, for now at least.

You find Wix in one of the cargo holds, where space is open. The Jawa is standing with a small storage crate behind him, meticulously inspecting the construction and intricacies of his adopted lightsaber.

Koi finds a quiet corner in the same cargo hold as Wix. She sits on the floor and leans back against a crate of spare hydro-spanners and gaskets.

She lets a long breath and tries to settle her thoughts. There are a lot of them, and even after closing her eyes it takes a while to let go of the thorny feelings of the day, the worry for Tsareevah's people, the twinge of jealousy that Oro can yell at AG, but she doesn't know how to yell without feeling like a bully, AG's smoldering anger.

The feeling that if she was a better Jedi, she wouldn't take so long trying to feel at peace..

That last one, she admits to herself, is a little silly and that observation lets her put down the rest of her worries, at least for now.

In the quiet, she gently reaches out to the Force Spirit guiding her, "Ma'am? I have some question if you have time and patience."   She pauses, trying to organize her thoughts. "I had a vision..and I'm not sure if I can reach the person without something ugly reaching back. He's imprisoned by a lot of dark people..I think they're Sith. Can I keep them from seeing me?"

The spectral image of Bastilla Shan appears once again, standing resolutely before you.
"There are methods that one can use to hide their Force Sensitivity, obscure themselves from view through the Force. It involves temporarily cutting ones self off from the Force. In order to search for this person, you will need to run the risk of discovery, and hope that you are beyond their notice. This resurgent Sith group will likely be too focused on themselves to be looking for a Jedi they don't know exists."

"You are right to be concerned, both for him, and for what may happen. The body of Ben Solo has been revived, and with him, the return of Kylo Ren. I sense great pain and sorrow in him, as if his inner spirit is being tortured."

Koi pauses for a moment, and then asks: "Will they be able see the people around me? I am alright with taking the risk for myself, but it's not fair to take it for.." she mentally gestures to everyone in the ship.

"Would it help to..go somewhere else before trying to reach him?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:04, Wed 22 Mar 2023.

"If they sensed you, it is possible for them to sense your association with the ship and your friends. Distance would obscure things, but an especially powerful Sith could see beyond the physical, in theory."

"Though the Sith are exuberant in their return, they are plagued by their familiar weaknesses. Rage, jealousy, betrayal. Their greatest threats are each other. I would still exact caution, but this would be the time when they are most likely to not notice you."

Koi pauses, rolling the idea over in her head. Going out on the speeder bike and finding a forest to meditate in would be ideal, or going into space sounds better to avoid the Sith far away.

But there are also Sith in the city. And going on a speeder could leave her open to an ambush or make her easier to find without the hustle and bustle of the space port. And that would also make things harder for her friends.

On balance, it seems like it would be safer for everyone if she stays her.

"As well is it can be, then." She acquiesces.   Can you let me know if you sense any..bad eyes on me?"

She takes a few more deeps breaths, letting herself be still.  In physical body, in spirit, in mind. Accepting her place in the Force as though she was a tree in a forest-- the energy of life washing through her like wind in the branches. When the balance seems right, she lets her mind be carried with the wind -- asking the Force to guide her mind to Ben Solo.

Taking 10 is an option, Taking 20 is not. Force Points, even Destiny Points are an option.

In reply to Midichlorians (msg # 228):


07:16, Today: Koi Sundar rolled 16,2 using D20+7,d6.  Use the force = 18 . I’m not sure if that is enough..

It's a strain on your mind to reach this far through the Force, but you can find the individual you were looking for.

Or so you think. He was wearing the infamous mask of Kylo Ren again, keeping his true face hidden. He sat on his knees, meditating of sorts, seething in a deep rage that was being fed to him. There were at least three others in the space, who were all incredibly strong in the Dark Side of the Force. One of them was known simply as Master to Ren.

Looking into Ren, you can see Ben Solo as well. Trapped in a shell, as you stretch out even further, you hear a thought, being repeated like a mantra

"Rey"

It was so far...

Like a tiny, floating, umbrella-like seed on an endless breeze, the Force carried her awareness on. Past the lights of countless minds, and towards the bright spark among so many frightening and rage-filled shadows.

She tried to bring her awareness as close to the huddled mind of Ben Solo as she could -- her mind could only manifest the softest whisper. "Not Rey, but an ally. I hear you."

The words only repeated

"Rey

Rey

Find Rey"

There was a pause, than a simple pair of words "The Temple", before you hear the loud mental and physical scream of agony as he is racked by the Sith Lords, forcing the Dark Side into his body and mind.

"Hold on.." her mind whispers. She resists the urge to flee the dark-side barrage -- pushing a tiny bubble of light-side energy towards Ben's mind.

It is less than a drop of water in a reactor core. But it is all that she can think to try before the torrent of dark-side energy shatters her tenuous, far-flung connection like a hurricane tears a spider's web.

Her awareness spins metaphorical arse-over-teakettle, and she's dumped back in her self like bolts in a bucket.

Koi's eyes snap open, her clothes speckled by frost and her hands ice-cold. She shivers as she struggles with psychic vertigo. "Well, that was worse than I thought.." She mutters to her guardian spirit.

As your eyes spin open, you see your diminuitive Jedi friend Wix, Lightsaber alight and guarding you against an unknown, alien threat

"Something out there! Wix Feel, but Wix no see!"

"Hopefully they are far away.." Koi rubs her temples as she chirps back in Jawa, "and too busy to worry about a little mouse like me."

She tries to reach out into the Force to see if anyone is spying on them, but her brain still feels like it's bouncing around inside her head.

"Did I blow my cover?" She hesitantly asks Bastilla Shan.

"Difficult to say" The ghost replied "The Dark Side clouds their actions. It is possible that they lashed out at the poor man solely because he was trying to resist. Even if they did detect you, their arrogance and vitriol will make them see a greater threat in each other than in you."

"Unfortunately," She began with a morose tone "I recognize where he was, and that's a place that you cannot go. He is held captive in the world of Dromund Kaas."

"Oh.." Koi tried to muffle the instant relief that she couldn't go to that horrible place. She felt a little ashamed that she was willing for capitulate so easily. Maybe she should be braver, but she didn't think that she could stand against evil like that -- at least not yet. "Not that I disagree, but..why?  Is because it is filled with insane evil guys, or is the atmosphere also super toxic?"

"How is this Rey person going to go then?" Koi runs a hand through her hair, "I mean, I don't think this fellow can last much longer..and there is so much to do, and I don't even know where this Jedi Temple is.."

"Whoever brought Kylo Ren back clearly thinks he's valuable, or they wouldn't have gone through the efforts to do so. They will keep him alive; we must rely on hope that his will can hold out, that the good man of Ben Solo is still inside there when he's found."

"For now, get some rest. Answers will come in their own way."

Koi grimaces, but nonetheless fastens a hammock to the corners of the hold -- it allows the others a bit more room in the crowded ship. "Aye, I may not direct the wind -- but I'd like to direct us so that it lifts us rather than casts us down. Can you at least help me make a map of this worm-cursed place?"

Koi takes off her boots and stretches out - Mistress Shan is right that she is growing weary. "I'm not eager for sleep after seeing such troubling things.." she admits softly. "I've seen the tracks and shadows of evil in the faces of their victims often enough. And it's not the worst of Kylo Ren's evil.." she shivers, thinking of the screaming of a planet torn asunder by Kylo Ren's machine.  Even though she was much less aware of The Force, the trillions (likely more) lives crushed in a single minute..well, how could anyone not hear?  "But it echoes in heart and mind all the same, and rattles grief that otherwise lays mostly quiet."

OOC:I can skip to the next day if you want.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Thu 04 May 2023.

Sleep came faster than you had predicted it would, once you finally put your head down. It was a dreamless sleep, the type where time itself seems to distort around you, as morning came seemingly immediately.

You were awoken by a shove in your shoulder.

"Hey, you need to watch this. The news has gone crazy over yesterday, and the captain's girlfriend is about to start speaking. Nobody knows what's going to happen, but everyone is predicting something big."

"Whuzha?" Koi muttered confusedly as the rocking off the hammock did not clarify her sleepy disorientation.  "Girlfriend?" She blinked, as she slowly recalled that AG's nickname for the senator.

The world quickly shuffled back into focus and Koi gracelessly tipped herself out of the hammock and onto her feet. "Well, good morning to you.."  she grumbled and joined those already crowded around a screen. "Any make any caf?"

Wix heard your question, and quickly hoisted a cup with both of his hands in your direction. Curiously, the Captain wasn't in the ship, he was with the Senator, having departed quietly in the night or early morning. Accompanying them in the box for the Senator were three others, a grave, serious looking man who appeared to be some form of security, an old human man that you saw in your visions last night, and a Neimodian female.

The simulated voice of the droid newscaster chimes in as the cameras shift swiftly.
"And now, we'll begin to hear from Derick Khartoum, the Supreme Chancellor shortly..."

"Thank you Wix," Koi reverently accepted the cup.

She asked generally, "do we know anything about this Chancellor fellow?"

"He helped manage logistics for the Rebellion against the Empire. He was a friend of the Orghana family in the old republic. He opposed Palpatine from the beginning, but had a vendetta out for the CIS. He wants to bring the Galactic Republic back as it was, making him unpopular with a lot of reformers."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Sun 07 May 2023.

In reply to Melveleh (msg # 244):

"So..he and the Senator Tarinna are not friends, then?" She hazards the guess as she sips her drink, "what about the other person? Is she another senator?"

 She comments to Wix.

She falls quiet as the Chancellor begins to speak, looking for signs that he might be the dark presence she felt..

"Measuring friends in politics is difficult. They've agreed on a few things, but there's also been some tense moments. The lady with her is an even bigger rabble rouser than Tarinna, from what I've heard. The leader of some informal group of Senators that call themselves Delegates, whatever that's about."

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0b/4...bf501bc683e74084.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-247">https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0b/4...bf501bc683e74084.jpg" alt=''>

Chancellor Khartoum began to speak

"Today's session has come to order, and with the approval of the parliamentary committee, the schedule for today has been so ordered to be delayed to address a dire situation. One of our fellow Senators has been attacked. An assassination attempt, against a representative of our New Republic, here in our own capital."

There were audible gasps and commotion in the halls, as the word had not spread far until this point.

"The last time such an event occurred was just at the dawn of the Clone Wars. Unfortunately, the similarities between that event and now are harrowing to consider. We cannot allow history to repeat itself. The Republic will do what it can to ensure that the cogs of government continue to function without threat of death, but to do that, we must first look deep within ourselves.

We succeeded against the Exagol crisis, but we still have more to accomplish to obtain final victory. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by petty in-fighting. Only through unity of mind, with all constituent systems together towards the same goal will we be able to survive this conflict. There are strong disagreements in this body, but we must have patience. All can and will be deliberated and resolved, with decorum befitting the Galactic Republic, when the dust clears and our banner once again hangs over the Senate Chambers of Coruscant. The floor is now given to Senator Tarinna of Naboo, to speak of the events."

"Thank you Chancellor. To avail anyone of concern, although this sinister plot was intended for me, I was never in any immediate danger. Good friends, conducting a minor act on my behalf and behalf of the Republic, were the ones who were attacked. I am pleased to report from personal accounts of their Captain, that the crew was largely uninjured by the events, and are prepared to continue their work as scouts."

"The Royal Family and Senators from Naboo have become adjusted to these sorts of threats. As such, I will not speak at length about the attack itself. Instead, I choose to speak today of what caused it. Chancellor Khartoum's words of Unity, while well intentioned, are hollow."

The crowd of Senators and their entourages began to murmur at such verbiage "He wishes to avoid another event or conflict that tore this Republic apart, as do I. Unfortunately, the Chancellor believes that we must adopt a war footing at all times and at all costs. This cannot stand, and if this pattern of behavior should continue, we will not have a Republic, even if we succeed against the First Order. No problem has ever been resolved by pretending it does not exist, and to that point, there is no greater issue to this body than the systematic discrimination we perpetuate through the retaliatory measures put in place by the previous government against the former members of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, who are not even allowed to vote in this body. I relinquish my time to Senator Kuul Gunray."

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/d2/9...cadda3ea14b6fd5e.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-249">https://i.pinimg.com/564x/d2/9...cadda3ea14b6fd5e.jpg" alt=''>

There was loud contention before the Senator rose to speak. The young Neimodian looked around the room nervously before speaking.

"Thank you, Senator. Kloxi has become a good friend in these trying times, and I am grateful for our partnership."

"I speak today because although Senator Tarinna shows the bravery that we have come to expect from the people of Naboo, I am terrified for her. This attack against her has come because she chosen to stand with me and my associates, to correct a wrong that has been put in place since the dawn of the Galactic Empire."

There was a dark pause "It is no surprise to anyone in this room, that my grandfather was Nute Gunray, the leader of the Trade Federation, that once blockaded Naboo, and swiftly lead other nations that were frustrated with the state of things to form the Separatist movement. He and others were deceived by two Lords of the Sith, into waging a war that would cost the galaxy more than any person or droid can measure, and lead us into the age of the Empire. My people have paid our debts to the galaxy for our mistake. We fought in the Rebellion, just as the others have. With Palpatine killed and his Death Stars destroyed, we had hoped our payments to the cause would be recognized. Instead, the retaliatory tarriffs, the surveilance state, the disenfranchisment continue, and have continued for so long, that most representatives in this Republic were not even aware that they existed before my recent election. An election that granted me a seat, but not a voice."

"This treatment cannot continue if this New Republic has any hope of reaching its goals. The Geonisians, among others, have already distanced themselves, showing no interest in rejoining the Republic. Senator Vin Dalto of Umbara is also one of a few holdouts from former Confederate Systems that wish to rejoin the Galactic Republic as full states, given all of the trust and fairness that comes with this. We in fact demand such things, less the divide that the Chancellor fears comes to fruition. We demand these things not only as a necessary part of reaching our goals of what a Republic should truly stand for, but as a recognition of a fact that too many in these halls refuse to admit."

"Sheev Palpatine, Darth Sidious, deceived us all. I return the remainder of my time to the Senator from Naboo."

The Senator from Naboo stood rigid and firm as she rose again to speak.

"Because Senator Gunray doesn't have the power to fix the problems of her own people, I must do so. I move immediately to propose the following so that we can return to a state of equity, hope, and justice.

Firstly, I am proud to co-sponsor a bill with Senator Zapala to grant the Republic's Medal of Honor to General Lando Calrissian, for his rallying of the Civilian Fleet that was integral in the Battle of Exagol.

Secondly, I call for an immediate rescinsion of all Imperial tarriff laws pertaining to the former Confederate Systems, and the disillusion of all agencies and departments tasked with the monitoring and surveillance thereof.

Finally, as the Republic moves towards justice and the return to an era before the rise of Emperor Palpatine, we must recognize this too as well. We are indebted to a singular force for the continuation of our Republic and way of life. There is a nascent, resurgent Jedi population within the Galaxy, and I make a motion that the New Republic embrace this New Jedi Order."

The floor swiftly erupted in volume of emotion, both positive and negative. The cameras swirly around the Senate chambers, capturing the events as the Chancellor tries to regain order but fails, and simply calls the session to recess.

"Lover of brambles and holy thorns.." Koi whistles in the Jawa dialect she knows from her childhood. It doesn't quite translate, but it has the intonation of Big Swear Words. "She can sow an acre from a single flower."

But Koi pushes her astonishment that Senator Tarinna has spun a botched bounty into galaxy-wide reforms, and searches faces of the Senators--particularly those that she recognizes from her vision. Surely even the best actor must reveal some turmoil in the face of such surprise!

"I don't think anyone noticed the Jedi stuff she sneaked in at the end.."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Wed 10 May 2023.

"Oh, I'm sure they did. The Senator threw a lot of red meat out there. Whether that goes anywhere will be immaterial, but for a while she gets to control the conversation and get people talking about the Jedi when they haven't before. Not in any way that matters, at least."

There was a lot to look over, the cameras were often frantic as the newscasters tried to find some worthwhile commentary while waiting for the next meaningful event, whatever that might be.

You briefly see Senator Tarinna being verbally accosted by a fellow Senator, one that you recognize from the night before. She was Umbaran, wearing an intricate and precisely tailored shadow cloak. Torin was letting her speak, but interjected physically to maintain distance.

"Do you know the person Senator Tarinna is talking to now? Captain Ploon..he looks wary.." Koi asks, trying to scrutinize the Umbaran more closely. "With all the cameras, I'd expect everyone to be on their best behavior..do they have a reason to be angry" She comments idly. If she were present, she might sense that well-fed, festering anger that she felt from yesterday's vision.

But a holo-vid was less connected to the Force -- as far as Koi could tell, Captain Ploon's impeccable sense of diplomacy was more reliable than her own impressions.  And what she knew about Umbaran politics couldn't fill the smallest seed cap.

"That would be Vin Dalto, Senator from Umbara. She's made quite a name for herself; she was an aide for the previous Senator. She exposed him for rampant corruption and took his job in a special election back home. I don't know why she's cross, she has more to gain from this than most."

"Maybe the senator played a hand that she thought she owned?" Koi suggested doubtfully, feeling like she came into a play half way through. Koi pauses to translate for Tsareevah -- if the translator droid hasn't already.

"You think me and Wix should go down there? I'd rather jump in a volcano, but it's looking like a mob more than a press conference. The senator's security team must be sweating slugs right now."

"The Queen wouldn't let her younger sister go unprotected, and the Naboo Royal Security receive better training than most of the Resistance at this point."

"Either way, you'll get more answers there than here. Want some company?"

"Yes!" Koi agrees emphatically, she doesn't like crowds at the best of times. "Don't let me get pushed into making any speeches, alright?"

She adds, "I probably should look a little nicer if I'm going to the senate, right? I don't want to be stared at. Hang on."    She bangs around in her old cabin for about 5 minutes before coming out looking a little breathless, but respectably wearing a gracefully draping, long-sleeved tunic. The blue and gray, almost gauzy, fabric suggested feathers or storm clouds. The dark blue trousers had more discreet, if voluminous, pockets and her hair neatly contained in a opalescent comb.


"Do I bring the lightsaber?" She asks seriously, flicking her wide sleeves with a thoughtless grace. "I don't want to startle those Royal Security fellows -- even if they have likely been briefed not to shoot me."

She turns to Mel -- "We can take the speeder, right?"

"You kids have fun" Mel waved happily, perhaps sarcastically "just be sure to bring it back with a full tank and be home by bed time. In the meantime, I'm sure I've got maintenance to do on this ship. Got a sneaking suspicion we're going to need to leave in a hurry."

The conversation seemingly done, Mel already started moving, asking himself "where the heck did those tools go?"

In reply to Melveleh (msg # 258):

Koi slips her lightsaber in a pocket and shakes her head. "Oro, are you ready to go?  I don't know if security will let me in with this -- but it's worth a try."

She offers to pilot, asking Oro to give her directions..and keep an eye out for trouble. Because if there is trouble -- Oro is clearly the better shot.

"Sure. I'm not that handy with a hydrospanner, and don't do well just sitting around. If they don't let me in, I'll start taking laps or something."

In reply to Midichlorians (msg # 260):

Koi hides a smile as she bring the speeder out of the docking bay. "I have a feeling it won't be that boring."   She comments idly, pulling into traffic and towards the Senate. She is alert to the local, busy traffic patterns, but she doesn't try any risky maneuvers.  At least not yet.  "Do they have a local news channel? Otherwise I'm sure AG will let us know if I need to break some speed laws.."

"Go for it. Police are just an occupying army" It was a surprising turn for the indoctrinated soldier. He played it completely straight, and made no further statements that might hint at being humorous or serious.

In reply to AG-0525 (msg # 262):

Koi shoots Oro an "is he joking or not?" look, and shakes her head -- realistically, speeding is very unlikely to make a difference.  And being pulled over by a traffic officer will certainly be a delay.

Having to explain to the Captain that the speeder was towed...well, it's just unthinkable.

It's almost as though he doesn't have enough trouble.. Koi mutters, and looks for a route to the capital as she glides through traffic.  She is a decent driver -- good enough to outrun a stormtrooper anyway.  Not that AG needs to know that.  "Let me know when I should start to look for a place to park this thing." She asks Oro. "Do you think we should let Captain Torin know we're coming?  The senator probably has some assistants that can park for us."

Oro shrugged "We all just got tongue wagged for not communicating. On the other hand, if you're able to get a hold of him, he'd probably tell you turn back. Pick whichever problem you'd rather deal with. "

"I feel so..sneaky.."  Koi complains, but she doesn't press the communicator button. Whether it annoys her captain or not, she feels that she should be on hand when she -- or Jedi in general -- are being discussed.  At least until someone better comes along. Hopefully they will.  Soon. Very Soon.

"Oro, is there anyone that you'd really trust to be discreet and not evil? Someone who'd handle strategic information without being political?" Koi asks out of the blue, her hands moving deftly to pilot that speeder.  As though her hands were unaware of the fraught conversation she was having. "I see things in the Force. A big thing on a horizon, someone should know about. But I worry it'd be bad if it was waved about in some kind of political stunt. Normally, I'd tell the Captain.  But he and the senator have been..high handed."

"Well, I trust my sister." She starts "If she won't even tell me about what her mission is or even where she is, than I'm sure she'd die with any secret you have to tell her."

"In leui of her, the Strategic Information Service are the spooks responsible for keeping secrets and all that. There's Senatorial oversight and all that, but I'm sure there's several layers of bureaucracy before anyone would start to take notice of you."

"Our turncoat was involved in all of that kind of enterprise." Oro pointed out "If you trust him to not be a double agent, than maybe he can provide some insight. Beyond that Koi, I think we're on our own."

"I trust him, but..it would be difficult for him to hear."  Koi grimaces, "I don't want to put more on him than I already am.   Koi shifts smoothly, even if she is looking at their road with unnecessary intensity.

She adds with a cold unhappiness. "There are Sith -- or at least evil jedi on this planet. I think -- I hope -- that in my usual soft-footed way, I've caught wind of them before they've seen me.  But hanging around the Senator will blow my cover sooner than later. I don't want to give any of them a reason to look in his direction. He has been working hard to find his own mind, and evil jedi can use his hate and anger like a..lever..to pry into his thoughts."


She starts to look for some where to park.. "Alright, where do we put the speeder now that we're getting close?"

OCC: I'm happy to move on now that Koi's dropped some difficult ideas on poor Oro. :)

Finding a place to park the speeder was a challenge. The session had already expected most of the Galactic Senate to arrive, plus their supporting staff. The senator's display caused even more attention. Senatorial security was stretched thin, but was managing to keep people flowing in a suitable traffic pattern.

You enter the same area as the rest as a consequence, a large central lobby that press and casual onlookers wait for senators, the Chancellor, or others to come out and make addresses. From here, one could enter a central pathway in which to enter the Senate Chambers, though it is currently secured.

"Well, what ever will happen -- it hasn't happened yet." Koi looks for a familiar face, preferably someone on the Senator's own security staff. They might not recognize her looking like any other civilian.

"Alright -- let's find a seat with a good view of a holovid." She whispers to Odo. "The last thing this place needs is more dramatics."   The weight of the lightsaber in her pocket feels heavier than it ought.  If it comes to it, she could probably (maybe) cut the doors down.

 She definitely doesn't want to come in through the big doors -- she'd have to make a speech. And she'd have her first fight on holovid. Ugh.


I just want to get a look at this Sith, before they get a look at me..and stop any temper tantrums that might result in missing limbs.