These Shattered Stars -- Logs

The two young Humans return to the monastery's conference room, informing those present -- Roakkana, Colburth, Kuuna, and Kalloss -- of the blades. Colburth seems mildly surprised that the swords are actually live steel, and not reproductions. Roakkana turns to Freyja and Quiet. "What are your thoughts on this?" To the group at large, he asks, "Why would a Jedi Padawan have a penchant for swords?"

Freyja thinks for a moment, waiting to see if any of the Jedi present, who're normally associated with this temple, have anything to add. She's curious to see if they're as surprised as Colburth that the swords are live steel. Kuuna thinks for a moment, then shakes her head. "When his master and he arrived, they moved into quarters and of course I saw the swords. They did not seem to be anything more than decorations to me, since they were not, of course, actual antique Jedi swords.

Quiet says, "They're easier to use than lightsabres. Maybe he thought them a good training tool."

Freyja nods in agreement with Quiet. She hesitates, then adds, "For me to speculate more, Master Roakkana, would be to make assumptions based on insufficient data... and would possibly slander -- er... well, I don't know if he can be considered to have a 'good name' any more or not...?" She looks inquiringly at the Wookie.

Kalloss interjects, "Hul-Shan did not train Talmon in their use. That is, not formally, that we saw. At times we would see Talmon in the training ring performing practice maneuvers with one of the blades or a training lightsabre, but anytime Hul-Shan was with him, he would use a lightsabre solely." Freyja nods in quiet interest.

Colburth stifles a snort at mention of Talmon's "good name." Roakkana make a soft chuffing sound. "Until we know anything else, we know this much: Talmon has converted to the Sith." He blinks a little, then looks to Kalloss. "How do we know this?"

Kalloss inclines his head. "He left a message for his master. After he left, Master Hul-Shan told us that Talmon had turned over to the Dark Side like the others."

Freyja looks curious, "He was not the first? Interesting. Who was?"

Quiet hmphs. "Bait."

Freyja nods slowly to Quiet, "I too was wondering if perhaps his fascination with ancient blades revealed a non-conscious fascination with the ancient stories of the Sith as well. And his note certainly drew Master Hul-Shan out as well. I suspect the Sith knew it would."

Kuuna folds her hands on the table. "The first was a knight, Jiosch of Sussal. Then there was the Padawan of Master Myras of Bothwi, who is still in meditation this day with his other Padawan. Third was Talmon. After the death of Hul-Shan, the Mandragolan knights left us."

Quiet says, "Worked surprisingly well for such a simple ruse." He doesn't say anything further, but guards a faint grin.

Kalloss notes, "Master Hul-Shan was a compassionate and gentle person. He would not wish to surrender his Padawan to a destiny with the dark side."

Freyja nods, quietly unsurprised. She 'felt' the Master's death... she takes a slow breath, reminding herself to stay centered in the here and now. Her Master is Roakkana, and, she reminds herself firmly, they are all here to correct this unjust death. She looks at her Master, wondering what he'll want done next. Perhaps she and Quiet will get sent to inspect the place Master Hul-Shan died... she'd like to try 'farseeing' again to see if she can glimpse the Sith's face or species. She frowns -- she wants to see that evil and malicious entity gone.

Roakkana nods quietly. "I fully understand. He wouldn't wish to let go without a fight. And the others? How do you know they turned to the Dark side?"

Kuuna says, "Jiosch was missing for several days, when one of the Padawans saw him while on an errand to the city. Jiosch ignored all hails, and the Padawan persisted. When out of sight of the crowds, the former knight ignited his lightsabre on the Padawan and told her to 'go back to your other Jedi.' The Padawan, not having earned a lightsabre yet, came back.

"Padawan Valsha returned and reported what she had found. She was advised to avoid Jiosch if she saw him again. She continued to go to the city on errands, even as we advised the police to keep a watch for Jiosch. On her last errand, however, she did not return. We received a report from the police, though, that she was last seen in the company of Jiosch -- the only time they had seen him since the initial report.

"As for the Mandragolans, first one disappeared. The brother then told us that his sister had gone to the Sith, and he wished to join her. He vanished from the monastery that night, despite our best attempts at securing him." She gestures around. "As you can see," she says dryly, "-we do not exactly have penitentiary-class security."

Freyja looks faintly more hopeful, listening. When the Twi'lek Jedi is finished speaking, she murmurs, "It doesn't sound like all the people that have left were entirely convinced by the Sith. Perhaps some may be persuaded to return to the Light?" She hopes so, at least... even if she has to personally restrain them and bring them back to Master Roakkana for him to reason with them, she'd like to try that before just killing them outright.

Kalloss says, a little mournfully, "That was Master Hul-Shan's hope."

Freyja adds thoughtfully, "Jiosch didn't just kill the Padawan, after all... at least that first time." She nods quietly to the Jedi Kalloss, and says firmly, "We shall learn from his lesson then... and have none of us travel alone any more, yes?" That last word is addressed mostly to her Master, as she turns to look inquiringly at the Wookie.

Roakkana nods slowly, meeting his Padawan's gaze. "The first order of business, then, is to determine what we should do first. The spaceport is the veritable gundark's den; however, that is where the Sith apparently are." He looks to Freyja and Quiet. "What do you two think?"

Freyja doesn't say it, but she's internally somewhat relieved Quiet is there with them. While she would certainly not shirk her duty in facing a Sith, if required... she certainly doesn't mind in the least doing so with someone as fiercely competent as Quiet with her as well! She blinks at the question, momentarily startled, then nods once, thinking hard. Quiet folds his arms and waits for the others to speak.

Finally Freyja says slowly, "I... I think there is one Sith lord, three former knights, and two former Padawans that are out there. As Quiet noted, the bait has been working quite excellently." She pauses, then continues, "Ordinarily, from a military standpoint, one would now send out a much larger group, rather than individuals, to hunt the missing. Therefore..." she takes a deep breath, glancing a little nervously at Quiet, then straightens and continues, "Therefore, perhaps we should not do that? Perhaps... we could use the Sith's tactics against it, and -- and try bait of our own?"

Freyja glances at Quiet again, hoping he won't mind backing her up on this... then says steadily to Master Roakkana, "Like... like the Padawan of the new Master of the Temple. It would be... a rather Darkly malicious thing to do. The Sith lord might not be able to resist trying the same technique again, as yet another slap to the Jedi." She takes another deep breath and stands very straight, waiting for her Master's answer... although inside her sleeves her hands are nervously clenched.

Roakkana's brows raise at least three inches, it seems. Kalloss hisses softly. "Audacious. I cannot recommend it. Perhaps if Kuuna or myself-" "We are both well-known to the Sith, through the Jedi they have converted," Kuuna interrupts. Roakkana shakes his head. "I would not wish to loose you as Master Hul-Shan had lost his-" He stops, then, blinking. "I think that we are having guests."

A moment later, the force-sensitive in the room can feel it as well: a faint, crawling sensation up the back of the spine, something that feels cold and dry and dark. Roakkana says dryly to Freyja, "Remember, child, when you were asking me about feeling taint in the Force?" Quiet turns, looking to the entrances. Freyja doesn't take her eyes off Master Roakkana as the other Jedi worry at her suggestion. However, at the unpleasant tingle she nods, looking around puzzledly and stepping slightly to the side, out of the way.

Roakkana pulls himself upwards to stand, as from outside the monastery, the whine of a land-speeder comes into hearing... then stops, winding down to a dull idle. After a moment... nothing happens. Roakkana glances to Kuuna, and the Guardian nods and strides purposefully out of the conference room, into the main foyer-hall. Kalloss and Roakkana follow discreetly. Freyja touches her Master's elbow lightly, murmuring, "Master Roakkana... should Quiet and I watch the back, in case this is but a diversion?" She wonders... has the former Padawan come back for his blades, or just to make a mess, or what?

Roakkana thinks for a moment, then nods. "Find a place where you two can observe without being seen. On the second floor should be an entrance to the corner-tower, which has slit-windows."

Freyja nods to her Master, then darts off for the stairs. She doesn't bother to look to see if Quiet's with her -- she knows she doesn't need to. Roakkana glances after Freyja, then to Quiet. "You as well, lad," he says quietly. "Much as the Order would hate to admit it, there are more than a few times in this galaxy where a blaster or vibroblade is preferable to a lightsabre."

Quiet follows only as far as the top of the stairs and stops. "Go on. I'll wait here. There's no point in getting flanked if it comes to that." Freyja nods to Quiet and heads swiftly on for where Roakkana instructed her to go. She makes sure she has a good, unobstructed, hidden view of both the back and the front, then settles patiently to watch, wait, and learn.

Outside, there is a simple enclosed land-speeder, the windows darkened. Standing outside the driver's side door is a dark-robed person of a species Freyja nor Quiet have ever seen. The person is whip-slender, wiry, and almost reptilian, judging by the short tail and the saurian snout the hood exposes. The person waits silently and patiently. Within the land-speeder two more figures are just barely visible.

The doors open barely a meter's width apart. Kuuna is standing there, lightsabre ready but not ignited. She is a little taken aback, however, when she sees who it is. "Khaasa...?"

The figure inclines its head. "The Force be with you, Guardian."

Kuuna's reply is sharp. "Do not use that greeting! You've not the right-"

"I have every right! The Sith venerate the Force as well as you do! The Jedi do not have a monopoly on it!"

"Then you have not come to redeem?"

The Mandragolan laughs bitterly. "You sense my master here with me, and you think I'm here to redeem?"

Quiet listens impassively, and loosens his cloak. All this drama. Kill them or don't. Elsewhere, Freyja thinks silently to herself, No, Mandragolan... I do not think your new Master venerates the Force. I think it is just a means to an end... as are you, now. She does not forget, however, to also keep a dependable crosscheck on her six.

The Mandragolan continues, "I have a message, all the same... for you, the new master, for all of you." Her voice actually becomes quieter. "Leave the world. Quickly. My master just wishes to rule this world. And this world will fall -- if not now, then soon. You may yet preserve your Padawans and Knights if you leave now. We have bartered for your safe passage to the spaceport for the coming night and day, but that is all. After that... let it be on your heads. You will only accelerate the fall of Marnaas." She turns then, and steps into the land-speeder.

Freyja folds her arms and rests her chin on them, listening to the Mandragolan and thinking. Why is the Sith lord here? Just showing off? Hm... did the former Jedi barter with the Sith to get the safe passage for the Temple personnel? Surely they realize the Jedi will not leave... so why did the Sith lord bother coming? And... why lose such a good chance to attack the source of this evil? She considers that for a moment, trying to 'feel' if it's a good thing to do or not, as she slides silently to the door.

It seems right to her -- this is the individual who murdered the former Temple Master, after all, and is doubtless gloating even now... she'll take the blame, if her Master disapproves. She whispers, "Quiet... can you...?" then realizes that's too vague, if she wishes to be responsible for this action, "Quiet -- if you can with one or two shots, disable the land-speeder!"

Quiet hisses, "What for?!"

Freyja says, "It's here, isolated from the other former Jedi. We have the stronger force of arms right now, and we don't have to search for it through the city, through innocents."

Quiet shrugs, "This is your call. You can deal with Roakkana." He walks to the window to take aim, throwing back his cloak and drawing his blaster.

Freyja nods. From her position near to Quiet, she takes a moment to telepathically whisper to her Master, Quiet blowup speeder?, then waits to hear if he replies.

Roakkana's reply takes a moment, as he considers: Not now, not yet....

Freyja puts a hand lightly on Quiet's arm, and whispers, "Stop. Not now, please."

Quiet says, "Am I to wait?"

Freyja says, "Yes."

Quiet says, "Watch the door." Freyja nods, and goes back to her former watching routine.

As the Mandragolan opens the gullwing doors to the land-speeder, a brief flash of light is cast into the vehicle, briefly catching the inside for a moment before the door closes. With a whine, the repulsor-lifts spin up and the landspeeder comes about and heads back down the road towards the city.

Quiet cranes his neck. What was that? Freyja's ice-blue eyes widen slightly on one of her careful scans, as she catches a glimpse of the people within the land-speeder. One is apparently the other Mandragolan, in the passenger's side seat. The third, in the back, is apparently their master -- a glimpse of pale gray skin over forest-green clothing, a mane of platinum hair -- or fur? feathers, maybe? -and deep, fathomless black eyes flecked with gold. Whatever it is, it looks possibly near human, not unlike a Duros. Quiet hmphs and holsters his weapon again, pulling his cloak close around himself.

After about fifteen minutes, the two return back to the main hall. Kuuna is speaking. "I was sure that was Khaasa. It may have been her brother Dhassul in the vehicle with her, but I could not tell." Freyja watches with silent interest as the Jedi speak among themselves.

Roakkana looks up as Freyja and Quiet enter. "Did either of you see anything?" he asks politely.

Quiet says, "Nothing."

Freyja nods politely back, "Yes, Master, I believe I saw the other Mandragolan and the Sith." Roakkana nods, and asks for a description of the Sith. Freyja stands straight next to her Master as she describes what she saw, although the use of quite so much Force energy is leaving her feeling a bit weary. Once she's done describing, she adds, "That was... a fascinating visit, I thought."

Roakkana nods. "Indeed. You seem to have described a Traith. One who is a very long way from home. What were your impressions of the Sith's visit, you two?"

Freyja looks inquiringly at Quiet as she thinks. Quiet says, "A waste of time. I assumed the great enemy of the Republic would have better things to do than a show of arrogance."

Freyja says slowly, her eyes far away, "I thought many things odd, Master. I thought it odd that the female Mandragolan seemed bitter, and that she mentioned 'they' bartering for our safe passage, and that the Sith's pet former-Padawan was not present, and that the Sith should risk coming out here, where there are several Jedi Masters and it cannot easily hide behind innocents."

She looks up at the Wookie, and adds, "Then I wondered, what if the Sith were here to watch and be sure the female Mandragolan was performing properly? What if the male was a hostage against her good behavior? and perhaps those two were here because they are now considered expendable, where the pet former-Padawan still shows tractability and thus is not yet expendable?" She smiles and adds, "And then I thought, what if all this were just wishful thinking on my part?"

Roakkana taps his cane a bit, starts to head for the conference room again, then turns. "Indeed, child. This raises more questions, though. If they were expendable, why would a Lord of the Sith come here, to a Jedi monastery, where they know there are at least three Masters here? And who was bartering with whom? and why?"

Freyja follows her Master with some relief, intending to have a seat and rest a bit, even if it's just on the floor. She answers thoughtfully, "Well, as I said, perhaps it was making sure she did not try to communicate with us. It could have sensed if she'd tried some sort of mental ability, yes?" She adds dryly, "I would imagine second thoughts are not beyond those that have not yet murdered their Masters to please the Sith."

Roakkana stands there, still thinking. "The Sith can Farsee as easily as Jedi can. Though that is, of course, inconclusive; perhaps this Sith could not or would not for whatever reason. I also wonder why we did not see Jiosch, Valsha, or Talmon."

Freyja says, "Farsee what, Master?" She pauses, then adds thoughtfully, "The male Mandragolan did not appear bound or unconscious or anything... although I suppose a Sith would not need that, necessarily, to bind someone to its will."

"Oh, just musing, child. The Sith can, presumably, Farsee well enough that the Sith could watch the Mandragolan as she gave us the message. And you are correct. However, the surest bonds would be those between the master and apprentice, and between the seducer and seduced."

Freyja sighs a bit wearily, wishing the Jedi would move into the sitting room so she doesn't have to stand any more -- she's certainly not going to collapse into a chair while they're all standing, and embarrass her Master -- then says quietly, "Past those musings on my part, I do not know, Master."

Roakkana eyes his Padawan, then smiles a bit. "Have a seat, child; you've expended yourself quite a bit this day, if I'm not mistaken." He considers as he sits himself. "Well, then. I don't think we'll be leaving. That gives us a day or so to move about relatively freely."

Freyja hesitates... then sits down with dignity near the Wookie, carefully not showing her relief at getting off her feet. She smiles faintly -- and completely unsurprisedly -- at her Master's comment about not leaving, and waits to hear what else he has to say. She's feeling a bit mentally worn down... and wishing she had more data. Quiet folds his arms and hovers near the stairs, watching the front entrance. "The offensive won't be long in coming."

"So, with that in mind, where do we go from here? The spaceport is a dangerous place, if there are Sith there." He thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. "Well, Freyja. Your idea of using... yourself... to draw out the Sith. Are you still of a mind to do it?" He turns from Freyja to Quiet. " You think they will come sooner than a day, Zero?"

Freyja nods slowly at Quiet's words, "An excellent point. Are the Sith renown for keeping their wo-" She blinks, refocusing on her Master, "Uh..." then pauses to listen.

Quiet says, "I think their force is divided. If a Sith Master was bartering for anything, then someone is opposing him. I would trust nothing that comes out of them." Freyja huhs in a soft, Wookie-like chuff to herself. That's a damn good thought on Quiet's part, which she'd not had!

Roakkana considers that for a moment. "A good thought, Zero," he says softly. "What do you recommend?"

Quiet says, "Best have your guard up. The bait's a good idea, but I wouldn't trust everything to it. If I were you, I'd treat the monastery like it was under siege. After all," the mercenary adds, with just a small sardonic note, "-it is."

Roakkana nods. "A good point. We shall make preparations immediately. A pity there is no holocron here. Such a thing could give us much information, but... best to not think of what we do not have. And I won't throw away your security and Freyja's either." He looks over right to one of the knights. "Colburth, you will work with my Padawan and Zero Satau in their plans."

"Me?!"

Freyja tries tiredly to sort out in her head what the Sith side's division in forces might be. "So... if the Sith came here, it'd want to leave trusted individuals behind? ...two of the other three former Jedi are still questions, but I imagine Talmon's probably trusted..." She looks up at the exclamation, a small grin crossing her face. How nice to be regarded with such... well. She chuckles softly, sharing her amused grin with Quiet.

Quiet doesn't smile back. "Keep your security for Freyja. Don't worry about me. If you are using her for bait, she's in far more danger than I am in any conflict."

Roakkana looks back to Colburth and says cheerfully, "Why, yes, of course. You are one of the more experienced Knights here. I will not send nor allow any Jedi to go to the spaceport alone or without strong support. Now, then... we shall secure the monastery. You three will thus go to the spaceport and see what you can find there. Or...." he sounds hesitant, "-what will find you."

Freyja rolls her eyes slightly at Quiet's comment, but doesn't say anything -- it would be rude, in public, to do so. Instead she just says politely, "Master, is the Jedi Colburth to be our security then?" She wonders a bit dryly how... susceptible to the Dark the Knight is... considering his rather, ehh... flippant nature on occasion. Then she sighs softly, internally, firmly reminding herself that if Colburth is susceptible to the Dark, it just means she and Quiet will have to protect him too. It's her duty, at the very least, to help her compatriots resist the Dark.

The Wookie nods to Quiet. "Indeed, a good point, Zero." At Freyja's question, he looks to her, then to Colburth, then to Freyja again. "Yes. He is a Knight in very good standing with the Council." Colburth looks blank at Roakkana's way of putting that, then looks... not livid, but actually shocked. Roakkana pays no notice. "He will be suitable." He grows serious. "You, however... do not take any risks. I have faith that you would not give in to the Dark side, but that does not mean that the Sith will leave you be once they discover you won't turn."

Quiet says, "Hostage extraction is the worst form of urban combat. I'd rather not engage in it if possible."

Freyja nods seriously to her Master, her face a little pale, but replies firmly, "I will be careful, Master Roakkana." Her lips curl up a little at the sides as she adds blandly, "I'll do my best to keep Quiet and Colburth out of trouble too, sir." The Wookie roars with laughter, even as Colburth plants his face in his palm. Freyja grins cheerfully. She'd rather think more Light-side thoughts, than fixate in worry on the Dark.

Quiet says, "And you, Roakkana? What will you be doing?"

"A valid question, Zero. I will secure the monastery. Tomorrow afternoon I will be in the spaceport myself to see if what senses I might still have left to me can find traces of the Sith. I suspect, however, that they will for the most part be hiding themselves."

Quiet says, "Watch yourself, then. I don't think they'll be using the front door next time."

Roakkana deadpans, "Most likely not. I shall, Zero, thank you."

Freyja idly considers Colburth's recent reaction to her Master's statement about his being in excellent standing with the Council. She'd guess either her Master thinks a lot less of the Council than Colburth does... or that Roakkana knows something about Colburth's actual position, that's supposed to be a secret of some kind. Hm... considering that someone was sent out here to carry on Colburth's 'mission,' and the astonishingly 'good' timing of his being here, and his seeming desire to keep close eyes on Padawans... it could well be the latter. She frowns, looking up at Roakkana's and Quiet's conversation, and says gravely, "Master, you will not be disobeying your own orders, will you? You will not be going alone?" She wonders a bit worriedly if that was too familiar of her... but is more anxious to hear that he will be taking back up.

"Of course not, child. I am hoping that Master Mynas will accompany me for an afternoon drive."

Quiet smirks. Euphemistic, for a Jedi Master. No wonder the Council keeps sending him out here... he's got a sense of humor. Freyja studies the Wookie for a moment... then just nods once, politely. Quiet says, "Well then. We should get busy. I suspect our time's running out."

Freyja nods to Quiet, a bit more ruefully. Then she sighs, realizing she's still weary, "Um... may I take a, uh, about an hour to prepare? Would that be all right?"

Roakkana nods, "Indeed. While curious as to what will happen when the Sith's time allotment runs out, I am not quite that eager to find out. Yes, of course, child. Prepare yourself in any way you feel the need to."

Quiet says, "That's fine. We should discuss our plans before we leave the monastery anyway."

Freyja looks faintly relieved, "Good point! Shall we go talk, Quiet?" She rises, heading for the quarters they've been assigned.

Quiet says, "I think that's a good idea. Master Colburth?" Colburth doesn't quite grumble when he straightens stoically and moves off with Freyja and Quiet.

Freyja shrugs out of the over-cloak, setting it next to her as she settles cross-legged on the bed. She leans back against the wall, sighing slightly and relaxing, then murmurs to her companions, "So... what plans did you have in mind?" She'll do her best to recover as much as possible -- at least an hour or two's worth, she hopes -- before they head out.

Quiet says, "You tell us. It was your plan, after all... how do you plan to make overtures to the enemy? More importantly... what do you intend to do if they accept?"

Freyja rolls her eyes, "Okay, let me try this again. I need to rest some before I'll be any good out there. I have no idea how one makes overtures to the Dark... I was hoping one of you two would have ideas. I don't want to accept or not -- I want to draw them out and see if we can get the salvageable ones back." She sighs again, adding, "I'm sorry, but I'm not as good at this as Master Roakkana, and it takes it out of me."

Quiet says, "That may be more difficult than is practical. I would prefer to simply neutralize the Sith presence on this world in its entirety."

Colburth folds his arms, leaning against the wall near the doorway and loosening his collar a little. "A question that might be as important, 'Quiet'," he says, "-is what to do if they really are split into multiple factions."

Quiet says, "It's a potentially exploitable break in their forces. Unfortunately we don't know what comprises this possible other faction."

"Speculations, maybe," Freyja says.

Colburth sighs, and shakes his head. "I'm going to get in trouble for this," he mutters, "-but..." Louder, "The followers of the Dark feed on fear, first and foremost," he says, almost reciting. "It is with fear that they conquer their enemies, fear that they conquer themselves, fear that they conquer the Force. To show fear is to open oneself up to the minions of the Dark side, to invite them in. Even the image of fear can call to them like the nectar of an orchid to a black-skull hummingbird."

Freyja blinks in startlement -- then listens carefully. When he's done, she says, "Jedi Colburth, what do you know about the missing, please?"

Colburth shrugs a little. "I'll try to be as unbiased as I can," he says. "Talmon was a dreamer. He dreamed of all the right things: peace, honor, justice in the galaxy, doing a good job. But he was a dreamer." He nods to the swords. "You could see it in the way he practiced every day with those replicas." He goes thoughtful for a moment. "Though they aren't replicas after all, are they?"

Quiet says, "No. Those are weapons."

Freyja watches with a quiet smile. From the amount of extremely pertinent knowledge this 'courier' has on this temple's people and the Sith... she'd put her money on her Master's inference -- Colburth is not just some passing Jedi. Softly she murmurs, "How did he practice with the swords? Why was he a Padawan, if he could not even levitate a rock?"

Colburth nods, then lets out a breath. "Maybe he wasn't as much of a dreamer as I'd thought. Or too much of one. Anyway," he continues, "Jiosch... I didn't know him. I had come here after he had fallen to the Sith. Valsha I didn't know too well, either, though I do remember her being rather startled and shaken up by her meeting with Jiosch. The apothecary prescribed something to help her sleep when she came back. Now that I think about it, her master did say she was very sensitive to the force, as well.

Colburth says, "Talmon... er, I already told you about him. The Mandragolans, now. I know both were getting edgy after Hul-Shan's death. I tried to quest- ask them about what was making them so upset, and neither would say too much beyond not wanting to see the Jedi killed."

Quiet says, "A moment, please."

"Talmon? I'm not sure. Hul-Shan might have been trying to train him up -- it's possible, Talmon had some rudimentary connection with the Force, but it would take a long time and they both knew it. But Hul-Shan was willing -- his species lives for something on the order of six hundred years." He looks to Quiet, an eyebrow raised.

Quiet says, "Who's the apothecary?"

Colburth says, "That would be Jedi Saadran. He came here a few years ago, straight out of the Academy as a healer."

Quiet thinks for a moment in silence. "Hmm. I wonder."

Colburth blinks, then frowns a little. "You suspect Saadran might have done something? We can find him right now, if you like..."

Freyja smiles at the Jedi. He's not lying, she can tell... but she'd guess he's not telling the full truth either. She murmurs, "You're not really 'just' a courier, either, are you."

Colburth looks sharply to Freyja, then frowns slightly, trying to put on the 'gruff elder' thing and doing a bad job of it. "There are some things that it's better to not know, Padawan, at least for now." He glances over to her, studying her for a bit. "You're awful calm and serene for someone about to walk into a city that might be full of Sith."

Quiet says, "Sith with the mentality of common spice dealers. I expected better."

Freyja grins, then says, "With all due respect, Jedi, I'm wasted. Plus, walking into the Sith is scarier to me than you are right now." She adds politely, "Thank you for the deniable yes, however." She can't resist grinning again.

Colburth blinks, then smiles. "And Roakkana's sense of humor, too. Well, that much is certainly in the Master's favor." Freyja grins again, although it's split by a yawn a second later. She covers her mouth a bit guiltily and continues listening with tired intentness.

Colburth looks to Quiet. "That's what worries me. The Sith on the front lines are... are larger than life. They like nothing better than to scare you, to make you absolutely terrified of them. They do everything they can to enhance that fear, as well. It's as I said before: fear is their weapon. This... we loose Jedi to them, yes, but this is very much against their usual way of doing things. Sith do not count their nerfs before they're filleted."

Freyja says curiously, "Sith can't umm... hand off that weird feeling in the Force to someone else, can they? Like... are we absolutely sure the Sith was in the speeder, or could it have been sort of 'loaning' the shiver in the Force to, uh... say, to Talmon?"

"The overwhelming feeling of something taking control and sinking its claws into the very Force itself? No. It's a... mark. A way of looking at it." He grimaces. "I shouldn't even be saying this to a Padawan. The Sith control the Force, rather than letting it guide them. They take the Force and manipulate it, turning it, twisting it. After a while some of that comes naturally, so naturally that it's ingrained into their very being. Just by existing the Sith comes to be controlling the Force. So, no, that claw-like feeling isn't something they can pass off to someone else. As far as I know, it can't be imitated."

Freyja wrinkles her nose slightly. That sounds... disgusting! Still, at least Colburth's quit trying to 'protect' us by not giving us all the information we need. Quiet hms. "I wonder. Something I read somewhere..." Freyja looks at Quiet inquiringly.

Colburth looks curiously at Quiet. "Mm?" He seems a little wary of actually speaking now after that deluge.

Quiet says, "Perhaps we should talk to this apothecary. I wonder who else received a prescription from him."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "So... we need to talk to the apothecary." She thinks a moment, then adds, "Also, when we go into town, Jedi Colburth, is there any way for you to appear not to be there, so it looks like just a... a naively touristy Padawan and her pilot wandering around?"

Colburth nods, straightening. "Now would be a good time. Do you still need rest, Padawan Freyja -- er? Yes," he chuckles a little. "Yes, there are a few ways I can manage that, certainly.

Freyja looks pleased, "Excellent! In that case, may I suggest you guys go talk to the apothecary... and I'll, um..." she grins ruefully, "-meditate real hard here."

Quiet says, "Yes, I think that's a good idea. But... bolt your door, Freyja."

Freyja nods gravely, no hint of humor in her eyes, "I'll be careful, Quiet. You be careful too, okay?"

Colburth and Quiet depart, leaving Freyja to her meditation. The apothecary was willing to help, and just as willing to clear his name of any wrong. Jedi tend to be very healthy, so an herb-based calming draught was all that he'd done in the past few weeks, aside from assistance given to persons in the slums of the spaceport. Saadran, according to Colburth, wasn't lying. Quiet wasn't quite so convinced.

Quiet says, "Well... I guess that was a wash. I'd read the Sith have a mastery of drugs and poisons. Guess you can't believe everything you read."

Freyja nods, from where she's curled up on the bed, feeling much better. "Okay. So... who's left to talk to? Jedi Colburth, is there anything else you can tell us?" Like how you knew so quickly the Sith was here...?

Colburth thinks for a moment, then shakes his head, "I've really told you all I can about the Sith."

Freyja falls silent for a moment, then says, "Fear... would the Sith be stronger if the entire populace was afraid of something?"

Colburth hmms? "Well, it'd make the populace easier to control. As for whether it would strengthen the Sith... it depends on how you view the Force. That's... not something the Jedi Council has ever authorized research into."

Freyja nods slowly, "Well, the female Mandragolan did say something about our staying simply accelerating the fall of the world... so I wondered how our presence might inspire fear." She sits up, stretching her arms lithely over her head once, then pulls her cloak back on and belts it snugly close. She rises smoothly, then politely nods, "I am feeling much better now, thank you. So... Knight Colburth, have you spoken to everyone here that's lost someone to the Sith?"

Colburth nods, looking a little relieved. "I'm glad you are. And I have. What I've learned I've told you. Both of the Mandragolans left before I could learn more from them. As for Valsha's master, he was stunned, and couldn't understand it. I think he was in denial that she'd actually left for the Sith until Master Hul-Shan died. He has requested that his other Padawan be trained by another master. He took her conversion pretty hard."

Freyja says, "Oh, dear... I'm so sorry." She sighs quietly, then says carefully, "Do you think he might be willing to talk to us? Or would that be too much for him right now?"

Colburth thinks for a moment. "He's a Jedi above all else. I think he'll be able to talk to you."

Freyja nods, then looks at Quiet, "Can you think of anyone else we might be able to gain information from?"

Quiet says, "Unless you plan to interrogate the Padawans, I think we've exhausted our options."

Freyja nods slowly, "They might have heard something from the Padawans that turned." She looks at the Jedi inquiringly, "May we talk to Master umm... Valsha's former Master?"

Colburth nods. "Master Mynas. I think he'll be in his quarters right now."

Mynas Molburth, despite the similarity of his name with Colburth's, is not a relative of the Human; neither is he Human. The Sullustian welcomes the Padawans and the knight in to his spartan quarters, and offers seats to them. He bubbles in his language for a moment, his Padawan translating: "What may Master Mynas do for you today?"

Freyja bows politely to the Sullustian Jedi and seats herself, waiting until the two Jedi have exchanged greetings, and the Padawan has translated. Quiet folds his arms and waits near the door. Freyja pauses a moment to see if the Human Jedi wishes to speak first, and Colburth glances to Freyja and Quiet, almost as if to say, Hey, this is your show. Freyja grins at Colburth, then says to the Padawan, "We were wondering if Master Mynas could give us any information about... Valsha, please?"

Mynas, of course, immediately recognizes the name and half-hides his face, speaking for a little while, though the bubble-muttering seems to become more resolute towards the end. The Duros apprentice turns to the Humans. "Master Mynas is understandably upset about the entire incident, but he will gladly help in any way he can if it might mean the possibility of redeeming Valsha and the others lost to the Sith."

Quiet says, "We'll do what we can."

Freyja looks faintly relieved, "Yes, that is our hope also, Padawan. Please, is there anything he can tell us about her -- her habits, who she liked, what she enjoyed doing, anything at all -- which he thinks might shed some light on why and how she disappeared?"

The Padawan translates both messages for the master, who nods in appreciation to Quiet. In answer to Freyja's questions, he speaks at length, and the Padawan finally answers. "Valsha had grown up in a world where she had nothing to fear. Sadly, Master Mynas invited her to undertake training, and she found much to be frightened of in the Galaxy, which was made only worse when -- oh, dear. I hadn't known this; I'm sorry. Valsha was from Bandomeer, which was one of the first worlds to fall to the Sith in their advance. That made things much worse for her.

"Master Mynas tried to teach her to remain calm and serene in adversity, but he fears that it was not enough; she was always, on some level, fearful of something. That had started to change here; at Master Mynas' request, Jiosch began to work with her as well in helping to control her fear -- which unfortunately made his turning to the Sith all the more shocking for her. Looking back, Master Mynas feels that he should have seen her departure sooner, and done something more to prevent it."

Colburth blinks, then grimaces. "Wish he'd said that before..." he mutters.

Freyja's face remains politely still, but her eyes widen in some sympathy for the poor girl... and for the well-meaning and deeply unhappy Sullustian Jedi. Quiet doesn't say anything, forcing himself to choke back the twinge of contempt the idea of spending one's entire life afraid raises in him. There's no point, he reminds himself, in deepening this Sullustian's misery.

Freyja nods, then says slowly, "Master Mynas... do you feel it possible that Valsha could be, not so much turned to the Dark, as being held by the Dark, because her fear makes it stronger?" She regretfully suspects poor Valsha is never going to be a Jedi, even if recovered. Freyja can't imagine a constantly fearful Jedi... but perhaps at least the female can be redeemed from the Sith's clutches.

Colburth straightens a little as Mynas answers through his Padawan. "He says that it is possible. Jiosch had started to make inroads to her that Master Mynas had never been able to before. She may be being held by it." She frowns a little. "I'm... having difficulty translating this part for you, I'm afraid. He says... it seems like it may not be so much that her fear is making the Dark side stronger, but... the Dark side is making her fear stronger, and making her stronger? I apologize, I have only been in service to my Master for two years, and Sullustian is not my first language." The Sullustian master inclines his head to her, and bubbles something. "Master Mynas says that my translation is sufficient."

Quiet says, "That's the bait. They offered her a quick path to power, told her power would keep her fear at bay. So as long as she's afraid, she just keeps pursuing their path for her looking to keep it away." He shakes his head, "Tch. Just like common spice dealers."

Freyja nods slowly, frowning and tapping her fingers lightly on her opposite hand within her sleeve, "So... Jiosch was the first to fall. Then he seduced Valsha... did the Sith seduce Talmon? Who were the Mandragolans friends with, here?" She grins ruefully at Quiet, "'Common'... I've head it said that evil is, ultimately, banal in its desires and reach. If such is the case, I would not expect nobility or glory in the Sith."

Quiet says, "I had higher expectations."

Freyja looks curious, "Why?"

Quiet says, "I have experience dealing with crime lords and slavers. I was hoping for something different with the vaunted enemy of the Republic."

Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully, "A difference of degree, I would think, rather than a qualitative one?"

Quiet says, "No difference at all, thus far."

Freyja smiles, "I would agree," then looks inquiringly at the Padawan, "I'm sorry, I was momentarily distracted. Does Master Mynas know who the Mandragolan Jedi were friends with? For example, could the sister have been lured into a trap if, um... were Valsha, or someone else now missing, to send a note asking for help?"

Colburth look skyward. "The Force give me strength; why am I the last to hear about this?" he murmurs. "That would not be... unknown. Jiosch may have told her that the only way to stop being afraid, to stop being fearful, would be to give in to the Dark side. The Sith on the front lines seem so much easier to deal with...."

The Padawan translates: "Master Mynas says that he did not notice anything significant time spent between Jiosch and Talmon, and Talmon made Valsha nervous so she chose not to be around him. The Master knows only that the sister Mandragolan became missing one day, then a few days later the brother announced that his sister had joined the Sith, and he would go with her. He gave no further explanations, and disappeared that night."

Freyja politely covers a grin at Colburth's resignation, then frowns thoughtfully again a moment later, "So... Jiosch. Jiosch was the first. How did the Sith contact him... and how long ago?"

"We don't know. Jiosch was a knight errant, travelling by the will of the Force."

Colburth coughs a bit. "The Council in recent centuries hasn't been very fond of knights errant. Some have heard the 'will of the Force' to mean becoming Darksiders. They used to be very common. They were de facto in the early decades of the Order."

Freyja listens with interest, wondering if her Master qualifies as such. She thinks a moment, then sighs softly, "Well. It would appear we should try talking next to Jiosch' closest companion here, if any." She bows politely to the Sullustian, adding, "Master Mynas, thank you for your time. It is our hope to bring your Padawan back to you."

Quiet says, "We'll try and bring you some good news next time."

Mynas and his Padawan both bow as the three Humans depart. "He expresses his hope and confidence that you will, and says that if there is anything he can do to help, he will. The Force be with you, Jedi." Apparently she inadvertently includes Quiet in this.

Freyja says, "And to you as well."

As they leave, Freyja murmurs thoughtfully to Colburth, "It would be interesting to know what worlds Jiosch had last visited... interesting too to see if they were now having problems with the Sith...?"

Colburth raises an eyebrow. "It would, wouldn't it?" he replies. "I'll see what can be found about that."

Freyja nods, satisfied, and looks to Quiet, "What do you think?"

Quiet says, "It's possible... hmm, if the Sith's forces really are divided, perhaps the Traith and our errant Jiosch are at the heart of it."

Colburth asks, "How do you mean?"

Freyja looks interested, "He wants to be a Sith lord of his own, and not the servant of another?"

Quiet almost smiles grimly, but doesn't; though the corner of his ruined lips twitches. "Don't they all?"

Freyja says frankly, "I don't know, Quiet." She looks inquiringly at the Jedi -- maybe he knows? Then she looks suddenly puzzled, "Hey, if that's true... why would the Mandragolans turn? They were Jedi in their own right, weren't they? So... why take on a new master, if they didn't need to?"

Quiet says, "More power."

Colburth suddenly notices the inquiring look. "Er, well. Some do. Some have as their greatest ambition to serve a strong Sith Lord. Some think bigger than that. Some of those even succeed. The rest are bantha fodder."

Freyja listens curiously, then adds equally frankly, "For someone who turned for more power, she sure seemed cranky about it. Well... no use speculating, I suppose. Jedi Colburth, do you, or would the Guardian, know if Jiosch had any friends here?"

Colburth says, "Maybe she was doing something she didn't want to do? As for Jiosch... I'm afraid he kept pretty much to himself. Knights-errant tend to be that way. They don't like making a lot of friends they'll end up saying good-bye to. Or burying."

Freyja nods slowly, thinking... then sighs, "Well, then, aside from planning how we intend to enter the city and be bait... I'm out of ideas on whom else we might gather information from. Quiet, do you have any suggestions?"

Quiet says, "I think perhaps I should accompany Master Roakkana. I might be able to make a few discreet inquiries about new faces in the... less reputable sectors."

Freyja nods firmly, "I think I should accompany him too. I certainly don't want him to be going places without plenty of backup, if Master Mynas is indisposed! He's the new Master of this Temple... he'd be quite a tempting target, I'd think, for the Sith." She adds quietly, "You shouldn't go places alone either, Quiet."

Quiet says, "Perhaps, Freyja, but I cannot make any inquiry even approaching discreet, with Jedi around."

Freyja smiles calmly, "Then I won't look like Jedi, how's that? Or won't appear at all, if I can pull it off."

Quiet says, "Give me a few minutes alone when we reach the spaceport, that's all I need. My remaining contacts are minor, it won't be more than a casual pass."

Freyja grins at Quiet, "What, you don't want some random-looking girl hanging around you when you go talk to folks? It's all right... the robes aren't painted on, promise."

Quiet doesn't smile. "Most of the people I need to inquire with aren't friendly with new faces. I should know, I used to be one of them. But if you think you can disguise yourself, you're welcome to come."

Colburth sighs a bit. "For what it's worth, I've experience in making myself not be seen as a Human, let alone a Jedi. Besides, Master Roakkana will break seventeen and a half security measures just to embarrass me if I let something happen to you two."

Freyja just nods and smiles politely at Quiet's commentary... then grins at Colburth, "It's all right, I wasn't going to try chasing you off."

Quiet says, "I'm more worried about you, Freyja. If there are Sith in the vicinity, you're in far greater danger than I am."

Freyja sighs softly, then says, "Quiet... we're all in danger. Going out alone doesn't change that... if anything, it exacerbates it. So... let us not go out alone, as per Master Roakkana's orders, okay?"

Quiet sighs. "There's obviously little point in pursuing this any further. Get Colburth to help you with your disguise, if he has experience with it."

The three make their way back to the quarters assigned to Roakkana's party. When the small group re-enters the rooms, Freyja will again sit on the bed, so there are enough chairs for all. To Colburth she says, "I would appreciate any assistance in disguising myself, thank you."

Colburth nods, "I'll do what I can. What are you planning to do next?"

Freyja thinks a while, then answers, "All right... so we're looking at two entries into the city then, yes? One so Quiet can do his research, and one so I can be bait? I won't be very good bait, after all, if they can't tell I'm the new Master's Padawan."

Colburth says, "I would suggest the one with Quiet's mission first. How that turns out may very well affect how the second goes.

Freyja nods thoughtfully, then looks inquiringly at Quiet, "How do you want to run that, then?"

Quiet says, "I don't think the 'bait' idea is terribly sound, personally. They'd be fools to simply trot out their new acquisitions where they could be reclaimed. Moreover, if they captured Freyja while the rest of us know nothing of their disposition or location, we'll likely not see her again."

Freyja grins, "Then we'd better make your mission extremely successful, yes? How do you want that to go?" She pauses, then adds a little puzzledly, "I certainly didn't intend to go in on my mission alone, Quiet. Um... did you not want to accompany me?"

Quiet says, "Let me try to find out if the old hands at the spaceport know of any new faces. Better yet, where they might be. If that fails, we might ask the Port Authority about any unusual activity. The Sith are obviously more effective killers... waiting for their offensive to come is simply too risky. We need to find them, and carry this to them."

Freyja nods firmly. She quite agrees, in regards to turning the tables on the Sith. Quiet says, "As for the other question... the Sith are quite effective at simply taking what they want. That we are having this discussion at all is proof of that. It's not a question of my not wanting to accompany you, it's a question of their succeeding in spite of me."

Freyja thinks a moment, then says slowly, "Quiet... I am certainly quite willing to listen to other plans as to how to take the offensive to the Sith."

Quiet says, "Let's gather as much information as we can, before we attempt any more direct interaction... we need to know our enemies first. Then we can remove them."

Freyja nods, "Sounds fine to me. Your mission first, then."

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