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Reality Fault

Realms: These Shattered Stars Logs

Chapter Ten, Part Six

The farmhouse slows down reasonably early, everyone having worked a long, hard day and needing to work another one tomorrow. The triat and friend are finally left alone in a guest bedroom. The night is very dark and very quiet. Freyja sighs softly, sagging onto the large bed. "Long day." She pauses, considering for a moment, then adds quietly, "I may meditate instead of sleep tonight."

Zero says, "I expect I won't be doing anything but sleeping. Lot of exercise today."

Fhazil looks over sleepily and asks, "Something wrong, Freyja?"

Freyja nods, shifting to make room for everyone else and settling into a comfortable cross-legged position for meditation. She's silent for a moment again, considering Fhazil's question, then says slowly, "I... for me, hai. I don't want to have nightmares tonight of the lizards weeping and asking me why I didn't save them from the depredations of the Sith lords' mind control machines." She's silent another moment, then adds even more quietly, "...or of weeping Dantooinians doing the same..."

Fhazil looks confused for a moment, but Vakkal uses the mental link to fill him in quickly. Fhazil says, "Oh. I'm sorry, Freyja. I'd never thought of those machines as bad before. They don't hurt the animal." Vakkal comments softly, "Or so they tell us."

Freyja nods in agreement to Vakkal, and adds to Fhazil, "How could they really know, too? This is tech modified from the Republic droids, which they've had for a maximum of only 5 or 6 years. Modified tech less than 5 years old on a new species... there's neh way they could completely understand all the ramifications of its use. It took the Republic millennia to iron out all the bugs in droids." She shivers slightly, then adds unhappily, "I don't want to think too much about the shadowdroids now either."

Thoughtfully she adds, "It's... the lack of concern that bothers me most. There was a time when the farmers here took the time to learn how to train the animals, to do a good job. Now there's this unpleasant, worrisome meme of just slapping a controller on stuff to make it do whatever you want, without regard for its feelings." She adds a touch grimly, "Like Fan's mind control on the populace..."

Vakkal shifts uncomfortably, and Fhazil says, "I'm sorry. I wish there were more I could say or do to help."

Freyja's lips quirk up a bit at the corners, "It's enough that you care, and don't just laugh it off, Fhaziza. Let's rest now, and tomorrow see what that other group needs help with, and if we can find the rogue manuses."

Vakkal snuggles up closely with Zero and sighs quietly, deep in thought. Sleep will eventually claim him, but not, perhaps, for a while. Zero curls an arm gently around Vakkal's waist. The thought of confronting the splinter Jedi occupies him for a long while before he sleeps. Freyja lets her eyes drift half closed as the Force washes over her. She'll find peace that way through this night.


Outside, dawn has broken, and the sounds of the farmhouse are full of life already. The whole house trembles with a vibrant, positive feel of people given hope to survive and even excel for the first time in weeks. They've let their visitors sleep, so it is the shrill feeping of the comm that wakes them. Freyja sighs quietly, opening her eyes and taking the comm in hand to silence it -- hopefully before it wakes her friends. She murmurs quietly into it, "Freyja here."

A dry voice on the other end says, "Padawan Freyja? Lord Methel-ssa said you should be informed of any of the dangerous dissident activity we ran into. A water purification plant has malfunctioned, with a single call for help from the command staff. They are not responding any longer, nor is the station pumping water. We suspect one of the assaults has just occurred or is ongoing."

Freyja says, "Understood. Map location, please." The officer transmits coordinates to her comm. It's a couple of hours away at full landspeeder speeds. Freyja acknowledges, then signs out. She ponders for a moment, watching her friends slowly awaken as she regards the data. From the location information she'd guess this is a fairly distant attack by the manus in this area, rather than the one they have no data on.

Freyja feels quite clear-headed after a night of meditation, so she suggests to her friends they try investigating this attack, with an eye towards perhaps meeting the rogue manus on its way back to wherever their hideaway now is. Hopefully it's still the abandoned farmhouse Colburth told them of, and that escape route can be mapped on her datapad. It's doable from here.

Vakkal stirs slowly, "What? Oh." He pokes Zero and Fhazil, "Let's go find these guys."

Zero is already tying his sash on. He takes a deep breath, then murmurs one of the Silver Path fighting sutras. "When one fights to kill, one fights decisively and kills quickly. To do less is base cruelty."

Freyja smiles, leaning to gently rub her cheek along Vakkal's furry one, "Morning, sweetheart. We should hurry. I'll go see if we can borrow some food to carry along with us as we travel, for our breakfast." She trots out of the room to do so.

Getting ready and getting packed is accomplished quickly. A hearty lunch of food is handed to them, along with the admonition, "We'll make another up for the boys, we've plenty of time... if you're in a hurry, go! And thank you again!" Freyja smiles and courteously thanks the clan for their kindness and aid, then packs the food away into the landspeeder, waiting for her friends to arrive. As soon as they do, they'll be off.

The big 'puller can be seen in distant fields, plowing or doing whatever it is they needed at the moment. It's making visible progress from far away, leaving a huge plume of dust in the air. The huge plume is the last thing of the farmhouse visible, and even that has faded before too long as the landspeeder eats up distance.

Freyja makes sure the datapad's information is up to date and loaded into the landspeeder, then settles back comfortably to help keep watch. The odds of them meeting the manus escaping are slight, but possible -- so better to see them before they see the group, she feels.

The trip is longer than anyone would like, and by the time the Triat gets there the plant seems quiet. Built at the head of a natural spring, there is a reservoir of some size and a large pipeline which goes off to the little village some distance away. The purification plant itself is a squat, 'crete looking building. A tall stack sticks up from one end and pipelines run out the other side. A number of vehicles are parked outside, all of which seem to be damaged. The front doors have been cut open and are lying on the ground. It is quiet.

Freyja murmurs quietly, "Zero, can you scan for life signs? You do it best, as I recall?" She glances at Vakkal, "Can you check for either blood scent, or the tracks of the workers being taken away?" Then she looks around a bit perplexedly, "Hmm... neh investigators from the city?"

Vakkal nods and hops out of the speeder, sniffing carefully. He carries his lightsaber, although it is unlit. He is also wearing the Sith armor. He is not inconspicuous. Freyja slides smoothly out of the landspeeder, following him and covering, since she knows his concentration is impaired when he's focusing on scent. Zero hms softly. "No smoke. Perhaps the equipment is not badly damaged." He takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes. "Looking now."

A moment later Zero says, "No one with strong Force in the building. They've gone already. Or they are masking."

Vakkal works his way carefully through the vehicles, stopping to look at one. He carefully puts his hand on it and murmurs to Freyja, "Lightsaber did this. Clean cut through the composite." He frowns, and moves on to the doors, stopping to one side, and scenting for a long time.

Freyja nods to Vakkal, then continues to cover him as she stays carefully away from possible track areas. She considers, then answers her own question over the link, Ah, the city is farther away than we were. The investigators will probably be here soon. A moment later she adds thoughtfully, I wonder if the damage will be easily repairable...? Mm, probably not, but it can't hurt to check. Can you do that, Zeriza and Fhaziza?

Zero says, "We should check inside. This may be a trap for the city-dwellers."

Freyja nods to Zero, "Hai. First a check on scent exit paths, though, neh?"

Vakkal moves carefully in to the doors, scenting. He sends, Several people came in this way within the last twelve hours, and some left. Probably shift change. I'm in a little lobby, almost a waiting room. I smell blood, but don't see anyone. Freyja stays close to Vakkal, watching carefully around him.

The building has a little lobby. It consists of a couple of couches and a sliding glass window that someone in an office could see out of to talk to people arriving and offer directions. There is also a door that led in to the works themselves. A lightsaber has cut a big "X" into the door, leaving three parts on the floor and one still hanging from the hinges. The overhead lights are on; nothing moves.

Freyja glances around warily, her blaster to hand and set on stun, and her unlit lightsaber handle in the other hand. Poor people. Now we find out what exactly these rogue manuses are doing with them. Zero follows quietly, holding the shard-blade scabbard near the hilt, the plains breezes blowing his robe around his ankles. He is very quiet, as if straining for a sound.

The destroyed door leads into the rest of the building, which houses a large collection of pumps and pipes, doing exactly what isn't clear. The floor is concrete and covered in water, which rushes out a loading dock that gapes open from the other side of the building. Vakkal sends, Water everywhere in here. Scent won't be much use.

Freyja nods to Vakkal, It's all right. We're most concerned with what happened to the employees here -- where they are, or if they were taken away. She studies the water on the floor worriedly, making sure it's not deep enough to hide bodies. Good, water's not deep enough to hide bodies -- only about three inches. Can't see a shut-off valve yet, though. Go on, Vakkal -- the people are the most important goal right now, I think.

Fhazil creeps in carefully and looks up. Over the lobby and office is a control room which looks out over the machine floor. He sends, Oh, shit. Blood on the glass upstairs. Freyja sends quiet mental confirmation of Fhazil's message, continuing to cover Vakkal and follow him as he tracks.

Zero frowns a bit, looking up. The glass is whole... wait a moment, please. The stairwell may be unsafe... He hops up off a nearby emergency valve and grabs a conduit against the opposite wall, bracing with his foot as well, as he peers through the glass.

Vakkal continues on the first floor, moving carefully into the office next to the lobby. He sends, Found someone. It's just a moment before he adds, They're stunned.

Freyja, who is right on Vakkal's heels, adds, I'll take care of them. Vakkal, cover me for a moment?

Vakkal drops back to do so, revealing a small office. There is a desk with several datapads and a big schedule board on it, and an older, primly dressed woman slumped over it. Her back is to the glass window that leads to the waiting room. Freyja steps silently into the room, cautious by training even though she just watched Vakkal be sure the room is clear. She puts her medkit on the woman, gently helping her wake up.

Zero sees a control room, with big panels facing the equipment outside. A number of the indicators on those are red, complaining urgently of malfunction. The two men who usually run the board are there too, but both dead. One has been cut nearly in half, and the other more neatly but no less fatally sliced. A couple of footprints lead back out to the stairwell.

Zero frowns. Two in the control room. Dead. He drops quietly back down to the floor, one hand at the grip of his blade now as he moves to silently investigate the stairwell.

Freyja winces mentally at Zero's mental message, and the others can hear her tired, Oh, Hela. I sure hope this is a set-up, and not the work of the rogues.

Fhazil replies, I don't think Lord Methel-ssa would actually kill people for that. Although who knows what Fan might be demanding, or if Lord Methel-ssa even knows about all his agents.

Freyja dryly returns, Before Dantooine I'd have said with utter conviction neh Jedi would actually kill people like this, either. Let's hope we're both wrong, although I don't know how...

The woman does begin to come around, moaning quietly and saying, "Oh, my head." She opens her eyes, then freezes at the sight of Freyja, or maybe Vakkal, who guards the door.

Freyja says gently, "It's all right, kuras. You're safe. We're investigating the attack." She waits a moment to see if the woman grasps the meaning of her words.

The woman blinks a couple of times and rubs slowly at her eyes, then face. She says, "A... attack?" and looks around, starting to look more scared than shocked.

Freyja crouches next to the woman, "Hai, there was an attack. Can you tell us what you remember?" The others can also 'hear' the conversation through the link.

The woman says, "I'd just come in... I was working on the schedule for next week... that's the last thing I remember." She looks around the room, seeing nothing terribly out of place from where she sits, and asks, "Are the others all right?"

Freyja thinks a moment, then says quietly, "I fear there may have been deaths. Are you the manager? We'd like to ask you to wait here until we give you the all-clear, please." Here's probably the safest place, hai, instead of in the landspeeder? Also, maybe she knows where the off valve is, for later?

The woman looks quite horrified at the idea of deaths, and says, "Oh, my. Yes, I'll stay right here." She answers Freyja's question a bit absently, "I'm in charge of personnel and facilities. There's someone else who does the technical work of the pumping system."

Freyja nods, "All right, thank you. We'll come back for you once we're sure it's safe. Please stay right here, and feel free to shout for help if you're at all worried, all right?" Once she's sure the woman understands, she'll nod to Vakkal and head out with him to re-join Zero and Fhazil.

Fhazil scouts slowly around the edge of the big machine room, keeping an eye on the door Zero's gone in to, and looking out over the pumps for either an obvious shut-off or anyone hidden. He sends, I found where all the water is coming from. What a mess. The other Triat members can see through his eyes there's a big section of pipe apparently missing, and water pouring out of the hole in the system.

Zero hms, and gingerly mounts the stairs. If nothing else, the consoles upstairs flashing their urgent malfunction should be looked at... the cause of the workers' deaths isn't in any sort of doubt, but the damage to machines might be controllable.

Freyja says immediately, Fhaziza, back up Zero, please. None of us should be alone. She looks around, mentally mapping the place. It's mostly a machine room, with a door to the stairs upwards, another door out to the lobby, and one to the woman's office. The control room is above the machine room, looking over it. She and Vakkal follow after Fhazil, who's already headed up the stairs, and she adds quietly to Vakkal, I realize the scent tracks are probably mostly destroyed by now, since two other folks have gone up the stairs before you, but please let us know if you can detect anything of note, all right?

From outside there is the sound of a couple of landspeeders swooping around the building. Freyja looks up a bit worriedly from the massacre in the control room, "Isn't it... a bit early for the city investigators to be here? Zero, are the new arrivals Force-strong?"

Zero's eyes widen. "They're here -- get the civilian out of the lobby!"

Fhazil says, "Hopefully she'll stay put in her office and keep her head down. Should we try and get out, or meet them, or stay here together?"

Zero says, "They have the entrances covered. They are three at the back and two at the main entrance. We will be meeting them on their terms."

Freyja doesn't blink -- she just whirls for the stairs, leaping down them in one light-footed bound. She's reaching out for the triat link even as she does so, and adding, Zeriza, Battlemind, please! Vakkal, try and get their scent sometime during the battle, if there is one -- that'll be the best means of determining if they're the killers or neh. She's bringing up Sense Motive and Enhance Ability as fast as she can.

Zero takes another deep breath, closing his eyes. "Fhazil, check something for me, please, while we have a few seconds left?" He trails off as he concentrates on his Battle Enhancement. Fhazil tilts his head a moment, as if listening to something only he can hear, then nods and steps into the control room, kneeling down near the bodies.

Vakkal is already in position downstairs, in partial cover and weapons ready. Freyja, ducked into the office, holds up a hand to forestall any questions from the woman. She takes a slow breath, the Force causing her eyes to glow, and the others can feel Inspiration flood through them. A second later their senses expand within the Force, and they feel a bit more agile.

The woman watches this, and stays put. She settles to her chair, then to the floor under her desk. The speeder noise had her wary already and this is just too much. Freyja cautions the woman to silence, then calls clearly and calmly towards the open door, "So, Templars... have you come to be sure you've finished off all the living here? Weren't those you killed here already enough?" The others can feel her mental hope the manus will (truthfully) disavow knowledge of the murders.

Vakkal and the Triat can see a new speeder outside, and the hint of movement behind the destroyed vehicles. A sure voice calls back, "I don't know what you're talking about. We just got here; came to help. Who are you?"

Zero finishes his mental concentration, and his placid focus lays the battlefield into simple, open clarity for the triat. He rises and murmurs to Fhazil, I need six seconds. If combat starts, go ahead of me... I will catch up.

Freyja whispers to the woman, "Be ready, please -- on my command, we'll need you to follow me out to a landspeeder, then drive with all speed towards the city. Can you do that without looking back or slowing?"

The office worker looks frightened, but says, "I... I can drive a speeder, yes."

Freyja nods and smiles reassuringly, "Good. You'll be fine." Then she turns her attention back to the outside -- then blinks. The others can feel her surprise, followed by a flood of relief -- that's a Human male voice which is, most importantly, telling the truth! She thinks a moment, then calls, "All right, if you are not responsible for the deaths and damage here... do you know who is?"

From outside the voice replies, "Some very dangerous people who should not be here. There may be other dangerous people still here; it is very hard to say. Please come out, and come away from here. Let us help you."

Freyja considers, then grins in relief, although the others can feel her caution is unabated, "All right, three of us are going to come out. One of us is a civilian, and we want her to be left alone, to drive to the city. Will you promise not to attack her when we come out, neh matter what?" Her mind is going a mile a minute, though... could there possibly be two manuses here simply because one is trying to stop the other?

The response is, "We will not attack unless we are attacked. If there is really a survivor we would like to ask them a couple of simple questions."

Freyja says, "What do you wish to ask? And..." her curiosity gets the best of her, "who are you, if you're not a Templar manus?"

The voice calls, "How many people were working at this installation? Are they all accounted for? What does this installation do? What damage is there?" Freyja's last question goes unanswered.

Freyja murmurs to the woman, "Do you want to answer?"

The woman murmurs, "There are usually four people on during the day for normal operations. The busier night shift had just ended. This is a water purification and pumping plant." She looks worried and adds, "I don't know if everyone's accounted for? And... I don't know the damage." She's talking just to Freyja, unsure if she should give this information.

Zero replies, There are only two dead here. One is missing.

Freyja nods agreement over the link to Zero, worried. To the woman Freyja nods, "Excellent, and thank you." She holds out a hand and smiles, "Time for you to go. We're going to walk out nice and slow. Just walk calmly and don't stop for anything. Head for the large clunky looking landspeeder -- that's ours -- and drive to the city, all right? When you get there, tell anyone who asks what happened, and that it was the folks from the Platinum Eclipse who got you out. My name is Padawan Freyja. Ready to go?" Over the link she says, We should have the civvie away soon, I hope, guys. Ready? Vakkal and I will escort her as best we can to our landspeeder.

Fhazil adds, This one here was mutilated with a knife or something. See if these guys are carrying daggers? Zero consents, Go straight through and don't pause. We will be covering the back here just in case they attempt some kind of pincer from the loading dock.

Freyja sounds relieved, Thanks, guys.

As the woman rises and moves to stand with Freyja, Freyja calls towards the outside, "All right, we're coming out now. There are three of us... you promised not to attack." Her voice stays calm, relaxed, reassuring... Vakkal steps out as point, looking around warily, the heavy blaster to hand but up in combat ready, not pointed at anyone. Freyja waits by the door, the woman behind her, waiting for his nod.

Outside there is one Human man, very tall, with short-cropped black hair, dark brown eyes, bushy black eyebrows, and a smile that could sell tooth-cleaner. He is very well muscled and holding a blaster, which is carefully aimed at the ground. When he sees Vakkal he freezes. When the two others come out behind Vakkal, he drops the blaster and backs away slowly, hands in plain sight and saying, "Please, let the women go. We don't want any trouble here."

Ten meters above and thirty behind, Zero and Fhazil look at each other quizzically. Vakkal sends over the link, There I go, being scary again.

Freyja grins cheerfully at Vakkal over the link, Maybe we like your scary! She walks slowly and steadily towards their landspeeder, keeping the woman flanked by her and Vakkal. She talks quietly and reassuringly to the woman, "Everything will be fine. All you have to do is drive to the city, all right? Don't worry and don't look back, please. Got that?" She keeps her movements as calming as her voice, making sure the woman is belted in securely and stays calm also.

The woman asks, "Where do I go in the city? I don't know anyone there? And... what's going on here? Who are these people?" She is confused and frightened.

Freyja smiles, patting the woman's hand, "It's all right. Once you get to the city, go to the government compound and say the group from the Platinum Eclipse sent you, and you need to talk to the Sith lord Methel-ssa. Then just tell her we're working on it, and what happened here. We'll come later and explain everything, once it's all settled here. Got that? Now. Drive right to the city, don't look back, and don't stop." Freyja's voice is firm and reassuring, to inspire confidence, although she adds over the link, Keep watch for shooting at the speeder as it leaves, please, guys?

The woman says, "The Lord Methel-ssa? Oh. Oh my." She looks nervously back, and the tall man says, "It's all right, ladies. We'll take care of everything. Go back to the City." He too exudes confidence. The office manager swallows, then says, "Right. To the city," and drives off looking resolute. Nothing accosts her as she goes. The unknown man watches silently.

As the speeder pulls away, Freyja has her unlit lightsaber handle in hand, ready to do her best to deflect any possible blaster bolts. She's relieved there are none. She waits until the speeder is well down the road, then sighs softly, relaxing a bit. To the man she says amusedly, "All right. So... who are you? You're the most charming manus member I've ever met, I must say." She adds over the link to Vakkal, Caught his scent yet? I'd sure like to hear he's not been in there.

The man smiles, "There are a number of questions I have for you too." He walks carefully towards Freyja and says, "My name is Dorn Saffron, originally from Alderaan." He holds out an open hand in friendship.

Freyja shakes her head and says quickly and firmly, "Sorry, neneh, until we know each other better I'd much rather you stay over there, please."

The man stops right away and says, "Ah, yes, of course. Please forgive me; an old habit." He glances to Vakkal, and then looks back at Freyja, asking, "Have they got one of your friends inside?" He adds quietly, "You could have gotten out of here." He sounds genuinely concerned.

Freyja notes with interest, Hey, look... he's trying to get between you and I, Vakkal. She moves also an equal amount, swiveling the field of battle so she and Vakkal aren't close enough for one blaster shot to take them both out... and trying to make the man have to move so he can be seen from inside the building. She's also interestedly searching for the other manus members.

Zero snorts. He doesn't realize you're a Jedi. Fhazil, let's go downstairs... I'd like our loading dock friends to know we're here. Armed men dislike surprises.

Zero and Fhazil have little trouble hearing the sloshing of three people in the water down below the control room. One of those people has a light and is shining it about looking at things. Zero politely clears his throat. Inside, a voice calls out to Zero's sound, "Hello? Is anyone there? Are you all right? Do you need help?" The light swings around in their direction.

Zero is descending the stair as the light falls on him, "I might ask you the same thing." Fhazil smiles with half his face.

The light freezes, and there is an expectant pause. A male Tibrin, a male Bothan, and a female Givin are standing in the water, staring at Fhazil as he emerges from the control room, and looking at Zero at the base. The Bothan says, "We came to help... is there anything we can do?"

Zero says, "I'm afraid you're a bit late, actually." He slings his scabbard up over one shoulder. "Two of the workers have been killed."

The Ishi Tib sighs deeply, then says, "We sorrow for this news. Truly we are here to stop the people who do this." There is a pause, then he adds, "Perhaps we should meet your friends outside."

Zero says, "Perhaps that's a good idea. Why don't you go ahead... I think your friend outside is under the impression my friend and I are a diversion. We will follow."

Freyja hears a soft footfall moving around one of the downed vehicles, keeping it between her and Vakkal, and passes the information on the location of the other person to her friends. Then she smiles, "All right, Dorn Saffron of Alderaan, I am Freyja and this is Vakkal, both of the Balmorran Haus Rigg." Politely she adds, "Would you care to introduce your friend as well?"

For the first time Dorn looks discomfited. He looks sharply at Vakkal, then back at Freyja, frowning slightly. He sees her glance at the vehicle his compatriot is hiding behind, and says, "Murn, please come out here -- carefully! -and meet our new acquaintances. Famous ones, at that." As the Gungan comes out from behind the dead car, he says, "Murn Vishallos of Naboo, may I introduce Freyja and Vakkal of Haus Rigg on Balmorra." Murn is a female Gungan warrior, tough and strong. She intakes a little sharply, and says, "Lady Freyja Rigg, the same?"

Freyja nods politely, although she doesn't take her gaze off the two, "That is I, although for now please, call me Padawan Freyja." Not missing a beat, she adds, "So what are you and your friends doing here, please? The Templar manuses are supposed to stay on Coruscant, after all. May I encourage you all to return there? I speak from some knowledge, as I was informed the peace conference is moving to this planet, and it would be extremely awkward to have Jedi manuses attacking power installments at that time."

Freyja adds firmly, "More importantly, your presence endangers the civilians here. There will be three Sith lords present then, and the Sith lord Fan is just the type to use heavy bombardment to make sure he's eliminated his enemies... and he is callous enough to not care if innocents die in the process." She adds even more firmly, "That will be in a week... which gives you time to leave if you hurry." She grins and adds cheerfully, "You're certainly the most diverse manus, species-wise, I've ever heard of."

Dorn says, "Ah... I can tell you there is nothing I would like more than to go home, particularly before Lord Fan does something rash to the population." He glances at Vakkal, then says simply, "I am not sure how much I may say in front of this one. Please forgive me, for you say he is of your Haus, but he is also of a Sith species... and very Force aware. We sense a Sith inside too. I fear you or we are being used as bait, and I don't know what to do next." The Gungan murmurs, "Run away."

Freyja grins at the Gungan, then smiles at the Human, "Hai, he is Force aware. He is my Huskarl. The Sith inside is also a friend. To my knowledge we are not being used as bait, although I would not put it past Fan to have us hit with orbital bombardment, did he know we were all here." She adds quietly, "Why won't you go home?"

Dorn says, "You seem to know the manus is a tool of the Templar, and that the Templar have sworn never to leave the Temple. The manuses take this seriously, and would never leave. We are not a Templar manus. None of us are of the Temple any longer."

Freyja's gaze sharpens -- she would really like that to be the truth! Vakkal sends to the link, I've got good scent of the two I can see... they have not been in the plant.

Freyja's relief can be felt over the link, Excellent. Two down, three to go. Zeriza, can you get those three out here? Also, are any of them carrying short knives?

The Gungan adds, "But only manus can stop manus. We used to be manus. Not in Temple any more, and hopefully not have to be manus... but could be if needed. Rather go home."

Freyja thinks furiously for a moment... then nods, "All right. First things first -- let's all get away from this building, since the city investigators will be arriving soon. Second, we're missing one employee still -- we should try to find that one, and make sure they're all right. Thirdly, someone did this damage, and used a lightsaber to do so." She studies the two in front of her, then says simply, "We need to talk."

Dorn asks, "You say you are a Jedi Padawan. Who is your Master?"

Freyja says with some pride, "My Master is the Jedi Master Roakkana of Kashyyyk." She adds again, "Why won't you go home?"

The Gungan says, "Crazy old Wookiee." Dorn says, "Ah, that explains a great deal. Master Roakkana has always been known for his perceptive and strong pupils." He smiles and adds, "We can't leave until these rogue Calefactor manuses are stopped. That is our goal in being here. If you wish to take that responsibility solely upon yourselves, we may go... but we would rather help you deal with these."

Freyja stares at the Gungan coldly. A moment later she raises a disdainful eyebrow, pointed not bothering to ask who the Gungan's (apparently inept) Master was -- it would be rude to embarrass her so publicly -- and turns to the Human. "This is all very interesting, but I still think moving away from this building would be wise, before we chat."

Dorn adds, "I believe your friends and ours are coming out. Please let us not have any unpleasant surprises." The other three Jedi do come out, weapons put away, and looking carefully at those they meet there. The Givin in particular seems uncomfortable at the armored Vakkal.

Zero follows behind the three others, beside and slightly behind Fhazil. The taller Sith stretches nonchalantly. Zero adjusts the fittings of his scabbard, watching the other new Jedi intently.

Freyja nods politely to them, then reiterates, "Perhaps it would be wise to move away from the building, so as to not tempt our... temporary allies." She points, "Over that hillside, perhaps, so we may chat in comfort?"

Dorn says, "Would it not make more sense to search the building for a possible survivor, and then move further away? We would very much like to speak with you in more depth, and I fear the Sith arriving in force will make that difficult."

Freyja murmurs to Vakkal, Do you recognize the scent of either of the three new ones? She does a visual check herself for knives.

Vakkal's nose works, then he replies, No, these are new scents as well. No blood on them to speak of either.

Freyja looks relieved, then nods, "Why don't the group of you head that way, and we'll finish our search? We'll meet you there in about half an hour?" Maybe Vakkal can find some scent, or we can find tracks... I hope. Or we can check the personnel records -- there might have been only three on today.

The Bothan speaks, "You have no speeder. You take ours, behind the building, yes? I give you start-code."

Freyja says, "You are too kind. We're happy to accept the start-code, and meet you there once we've finished searching. Or would you prefer to wait here with my friends," her graceful wave encompasses Zero and Fhazil, whom she suspects can at least keep the 5 at bay for the time necessary for her and Vakkal to rush back, "while we finish our search? We'd rather not have more tracks to account for, after all." She beams disarmingly, "Neh offense."

Dorn adds, "I would like to look around as well, if I may. I would hate to miss something you did not know to look for." He smiles and adds, "Four of you should be plenty to keep an eye on one of me."

Freyja smiles equally brightly, "That's fine, we can take turns. Thank you for your cooperation! We'll be right back, and then you can search." She tilts her head to Vakkal, "Let's hurry."

Dorn says, "As you wish," and waits with the others.

Fhazil sends to Zero, It's like they're having some kind of oral hygiene fight. Zero just nods, Terrifying.

Freyja sighs in silent relief, adding, You guys feel free to yell any time if you need us, all right? We'll hurry as she dashes off with Vakkal, so he can try a scent trace. She giggles internally at her friends!

Freyja and Vakkal find the day's schedule in the office; there should be four people on. No sign of them, although Vakkal's nose reveals some things which he shares, There was a third man in the control room, who appears to be the one missing. He doesn't smell human, but with the blood and others who've been there it's hard to say.

Freyja nods worriedly, Any idea if he walked out, or was carried -- or where he exited?

Vakkal replies, I can't tell... he came and went often, so it's hard to say how many in and out. He didn't seem to have exited the lobby recently, and with the flood below I can't tell who, if anyone, went out that way. The water is not helping.

Freyja nods thoughtfully, making sure the others are up-to-date also, then adds, Only two doors, and we've all trooped through them repeatedly. All right, let me try a tracking attempt outside, and if we can't find anything, that'll be as far as we can go... and we might as well let the manus try.

Freyja studies the area thoughtfully, then comes back to the others. "There was a fourth employee on duty, but we can't find any tracks exiting. He somehow left with the attackers, although we don't know if he was a friendly or not, or even the attacker or not. Neh tracks to speak of, so he either stayed in the water or left in a landspeeder."

Zero says, "I wonder. Something seems odd to me."

Freyja nods a little grimly to Zero, then makes a polite gesture of invitation to the Jedi Human, "Your turn, honored Jedi Knight?"

The Bothan says, "Hokay. You take speeder, go here." He gives some co-ordinates. "That a camp we have. We want look around here, and then meet you there. Or you rather wait here and follow?"

Freyja considers carefully, calculating how far along the woman will have driven, and when the city investigators are due, then warns the manus of the amount of time they have. It's only about a half an hour. She murmurs to the others, Shall we wait for them, to be sure they don't attempt following the woman?

Dorn says, "Should just take a moment. C'mon, Thov, I'll need you." He and the Bothan jog off into the building. The Ishi Tib says, "This terrible business," and sighs quietly.

Zero nods. Let's wait. I have something I want to play against our Givin friend here for a moment, and get his thoughts.

Freyja smiles politely, "It wouldn't be courteous to leave you all alone here." Once the Human and Bothan have left, she says quietly to the Ishi Tib, "So you're here just to stop the previous manus?"

Zero asks, Something has been bothering me about this situation. Can you watch their reactions while I ask something of the Givin?

Freyja nods to Zero mentally, Shall I stop distracting, then?

The Givin nods and says, "Not-good, no." She watches Freyja and Zero not move towards a speeder, and says, "You wait, mmm? Have moment then to introduce. I hight Jedi Avarras of Yag'Dhul. Very good to meet you, even if in bad situation." Freyja gives the Givin an interested glance -- she'd thought that was a more Balmorran introduction custom. Interesting! She watches thoughtfully, waiting to introduce for later.

Just watch, for the moment, is Zero's reply. He bows politely, "Zero Satau, late of Sedrak. May I ask you a question, Jedi Avarras?" Avarras looks attentive.

Zero says, "We are missing some key fact, don't you think? Something is missing from our search. I cannot think of a good reason why Calefactors, supposedly so virulently adherent to the Code above all things, would deign to murder someone with a short knife... and forsake their most prized weapon and symbol. Do you suppose this water plant worker collaborated? It seemed a terribly messy execution, and the secondary lightsaber blow seemed almost an afterthought to finish the job. What think you?"

Freyja nods quietly, having wondered something similar. Avarras replies, "Can only guess. Perhaps needed to stop quickly, and had knife to throw and lightsaber to finish when close. How many people there? By point you willing to kill innocents, how much adherence to Code do you expect left?"

Freyja thinks dryly, Shouldn't we be asking you that?! but politely forebears actually speaking.

The Gungan mutters, "Sick bastards."

Zero says, "They may not see it that way. It seems to me that nobody outside their little sect is innocent in their religious frenzy to purge the Galaxy of 'evil.'"

Freyja notes quietly, This is an interesting point, guys -- these folks aren't having a major wyrdling-attack at seeing Sith with us.

Avarras says, "What you saying, Man? You saying that everybody part of this?" The Gungan adds, "Or you saying we zealots too?"

Freyja frowns, shifting casually to one side so there's a broader field of attack afforded, then waits calmly to see what ensues. Zero says, "I am saying the Calefactors are far beyond the Code. I am casting no blame anywhere but with them. None of us present are Calefactors, I would assume, or we would have come to blows ten minutes ago."

Gungan says, "You got that right. Gotta wonder what this Sith and that Sith-species are doing with two Jedi." She points at Vakkal and comments, "Never seen Light Sith-race before. How that happen?"

Freyja says simply, "Vakkal is our friend, and my huskarl." She adds her previous question, "So you're all just here to stop the other manus?"

The Ishi Tib says, "Gently, gently, all. So much better to work together now. Let us not make enemies of possible allies." He adds, "Even if we do not understand why or how they are here..." Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully, interested no one has yet ventured to answer her question. Finally, the Ishi Tib does reply, "Yes, Padawan Freyja, we only want to stop the other manus and go home. This not our place to be. Very much do not want to make trouble. Fix trouble, then go."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "Do you know Jedi Colburth?"

Murn says, "Aye, know Colburth. Poor fool came to tell us to go. Can't leave other manus, tell him, he not happy, want tell Temple, tell Jedi, tell Senate. That not good. Big fight, very hard, very sad. Not want to have to fight with Colburth! Colburth good guy, not know where he got these strange ideas."

Freyja studies Murn coolly, still not pleased with the aspersion cast on Master Roakkana. "Perhaps he listens to Jedi Masters."

The Gungan seems oblivious, and says, "Perhaps Jedi Masters not know what they talking about."

Freyja smiles lazily, although it does not reach her eyes, "Ah, you are doubtless an expert on Jedi Masters?"

Murn says, "Know lots Jedi Masters. Many on Coruscant, many in Temple. Some smart, some not-so-smart, some strong, some not. All kinds." After a moment the Gungan adds, "Hay! You mad at me for what I say about Roakkana? Crazy old Wookiee he may be, but he also truthful, strong, and damn smart. I not always agree with Roakkana, but he no fool."

Freyja studies the Gungan for a few more moments, then simply nods once, "Apology accepted. May I introduce my brother Padawan, Zero Satau of Sedrak? And that is Journeyman Fhazil Taas of Ziost, and I hight Freyja. Vakkal is my huskarl, and we're both of the Balmorran Haus Rigg."

The Ishi Tib comments, "I'm not sure you ever agree with Roakkana, Murn. If he so smart, how come you always think he wrong?" He makes a subtle hand motion to indicate laughter, and adds teasingly, "Or maybe you got bigger mouth than you got brain?"

Freyja covers her snort of laughter with a cough. Zero just folds his arms, cradling his sword in his elbow. "The path of a Jedi is one of continual learning, no?" He glances at Fhazil, who shrugs and clasps his hands behind his head. "Pleased to meetcha."

Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully, then says, "All right, so what do you know about the rogue manus?"

The Ishi Tib makes the laughing motion again and says, "I am Jedi Nimas Shul of Tibrin, and you've been introduced to Avarras and Murn. We not expected to meet Jedi here, and are happy to see a friendly face." Murn looks dour and adds, "Even yours, Sith. Why you here? Who side you on?" Her question is asked with curiosity and bluntness, but no anger.

Freyja grins, "Hela, you folks dodge questions like champs!"

Avarras says, "Maybe wait till in better place, and Dorn around. He best talker, and can answer all your questions. Not mean to avoid you."

Freyja nods silently, glancing a bit worriedly back towards the city, then towards the plant. She wishes they'd hurry up. Fhazil grins and shrugs. "My side." He curls an arm around Zero's shoulders. "What's it look like?" Zero observes, "Apparently you can do it as well."

Freyja laughs! The Gungan looks exasperated and says, "Humans!" Freyja grins.

Dorn and the Bothan emerge about this time, the Bothan carrying several datapads from the office. Dorn says, "Sorry that took so long. We wanted to gather some information together to look at later. We should make speed now."

Freyja nods quietly, and heads for one of the landspeeders with the others. So far these folks seem disarmingly honest. I'm... starting to wonder what's really going on here, you know?

The Bothan says, "You follow us, yes? Do want talk, help you help us so we get out of here."

Freyja nods to the Bothan, "Hai. Lead the way."

Zero says, "Yes, definitely."

Freyja slips into the back of the landspeeder, making room for the much wider (and more heavily armored) Vakkal. She glances back worriedly again towards the city, wishing she knew better what was going on here.

The trip is short, shorter than it was getting there, and leads to a copse of large, dense trees around a little water seep. There's a few supplies run up on ropes in one of the trees, and that's about all the sign that anyone is there. The speeders leave little sign of their passage over the grassland, and vanish under the big trees. The five Jedi not-Templars busy themselves setting up a couple of tents, and the Ishi Tib cheerfully (if unsmilingly) preparing some food and drink. The ever-smiling Dorn steps aside from the others and finds Freyja, Zero, Fhazil, and Vakkal, and asks, "So, what did you learn at the water station?"

Zero says, "Only that the circumstances were more violent and suspicious than first suspected."

Freyja nods, "Zero asked the really relevant question already, actually." Zero briefly restates his suspicion of the missing worker and the killing weapon.

Dorn asks, "Have you been to one of the incident scenes before?"

Freyja shakes her head, adding, "We would like to know what you know of the other manus or manuses, though."

Dorn says, "I'll tell you. I'll also tell you what I saw here that you may have missed. I only saw it because I've been to several of these terrible incidents, usually moments too late. I think it's important." Freyja nods attentively.

He continues, "We know there is at least one other manus. We've seen a pattern that suggests there could be two... but we have only got evidence of one. There are often bloody killings, as if one of them uses a knife or sword rather than purely 'saber or blaster. We want them stopped and out of here. The minute we've got that, we can call in our escape ship and get out."

Freyja looks horrified, "Oh, neh... you've got a Jedi ship floating around here too?! Why don't you just take Colburth's ship to leave?"

Zero says, "They won't leave while these others are on the ground, Freyja." He glances at Dorn. "No?"

Dorn shakes his head, "We don't have a Jedi ship floating around. We have local transport to a transfer point where our ship is securely hidden. We're not quite sure what to do with Colburth's ship. We thought we'd let him wake up on it and find a message saying we're gone, and let him get home that way." He nods and smiles brightly at Zero, "We can't leave yet. There's still work to be done here."

Freyja frowns thoughtfully, This is... confusing. If there was a 'long, hard' fight with Colburth, why did we find him with just a broken leg? Colburth said the manus he talked to was in an abandoned farm house... these guys aren't. Is it just me, or does it still seem like something critical is missing here? And why do they discredit Colburth so, when there are indeed manuses here?! We know that's true -- Fhazil saw one! Why didn't they ask him to help?! This manus, I mean, not the rogue manus.

Freyja shakes her head a bit frustratedly, then says to Dorn, "All right, I'm really sorry, but there's still something wrong here. Why did you guys fight Colburth? Why didn't you just ask him to help?"

The big man says, "We did. He came and told us his thoughts, and we agreed with him. He then demanded we leave right away, and we couldn't do that. He insisted. We tried very hard to come to terms on this, but we were not able to. Jedi Colburth is a very capable man and his help would have been valuable, but he was insistent that we were in the wrong being here. It doesn't help that we to some degree agree with him."

Freyja nods slowly, "All right. So... if the manus or manuses are taken care of... you'll leave?"

Dorn says, "Yes. Absolutely. Right away. We don't want to be here. We don't like it here." He smiles again and adds, "The climate makes Murn itch, and none of us have enjoyed that." The Gungan overhears, as was probably intended, and counters with, "Shut up Dorn!" and a glare.

Freyja smiles, "Excellent! In that case, please feel free to leave, and we will take care of the other manus."

Dorn says, "We would rather help you with this. Not only would we be more confident of your success with your having greater numbers than them, but we would all be happier about seeing our responsibility through personally."

Freyja sighs, "I take it, then, you did not believe me regarding the, ah... rather expedient viewpoint of the Sith lord Fan."

Dorn says, "I only regard that as making it more important than ever that this be resolved. Why would I not believe you?"

Freyja folds her arms and regards Dorn with some exasperation, not quite tapping one foot. Finally she simply shakes her head, "Fine. Let's get on with it then -- what do you know about the other manus?" She also notes a bit glumly to her friends their data is apparently now not any good regarding tracking down the rogue manus(es)... since it was for this group.

The Bothan comes over and says, "Dorn forgets you not know what we know." He pokes the human and adds, "So, I tell you what we know." He settles to the ground and adds, "My name Jedi Thov Rhull'las of Kothlis, and I hope to be friends with all of you." He grins and adds, "Never met Sith before, and not often meet someone hairier than me."

Freyja snorts amusedly, but settles into a comfortable seated position and listens attentively. Thov says, "We know that other manus been attacking public works. Pretty sure there only one group. We thought had them cornered, but they got away, set up new camp in second area. Been triangulating and trying find comm traffic since. Got pretty good idea now."

Freyja raises an eyebrow, "You think you know where they are? Excellent. I do have one question, though... why would a working manus use a comm? Or are you triangulating reactions on the comm to their efforts?"

Thov explains patiently, as a Jedi Master will, "Manus use comm to talk to people who not in manus. In this case, we not so much monitoring their comm as watching for their slicing. They've been trying to get into the local works for while now, and we've been passively watching traffic, looking for their changes. We better at it now."

Freyja thinks to Zero, Want to ask to see their equipment, and see if you can improve it at all?

Zero says, "If you like, I can help with that. I know a little about slicing myself."

Freyja adds a little worriedly, "We have less than a week, gentlefolk, to get this... convincing completed."

The Bothan continues, "So, today different than other attacks. First they take someone away rather than stun or kill all. Second, they take a part of equipment. That new. Usually they just cut the shit of it. Today there big piece missing. That we not understand yet."

Freyja frowns, "A hostage? I can't imagine the Sith lords would give a whit about some civilian employee, though." She considers, then adds, "Your pardon for a moment -- I need to make a comm call myself. We'd like our landspeeder cared for, and the equipment returned to us." She hesitates, then adds, "Neh, better Fhazil make the call, now I think about it."

Zero says, "Or a collaborator. They do speak to people outside their group."

Thov say to Zero, "I never say no to 'nother pair eyes, Zero. Always good have help." He holds up a hand and says, "Moment, please, Padawan. I found who taken. Not civilian." He holds up a datapad and says, "Arkanian. Chemist from out-system."

Freyja grins at Fhazil, "See if you can get them to have someone fly the landspeeder back out this ways a bit?"

Dorn suggests, "Have them leave it at the plant, and we can take you over there tomorrow morning."

Freyja looks curious, then adds to Fhazil, "Can you find out who that Arkanian is from the city folks, Fhaziza?"

Zero says, "A chemist, aiyah. And a stolen chunk of water filtration equipment. I don't like the implication." Freyja nods quietly.

Thov says, "Ayah, that pretty unpleasant. Not put it past Sith, but not know what others want. Maybe just ugly example of him. Hope not for the poor Arkanian's sake. May not like what he do, but not worth seeing him tortured, no."

Dorn sighs and says, "These people must be stopped!" Freyja waits quietly for Fhazil to find out more information about the Arkanian.

Thov says, "Yah. Must be. How about tomorrow?" He grins a toothy grin and says, "See, with hostage and equipment, only really got one place they go that good for that. We know where that is. We know they gonna be there. We can be there, too."

Zero says, "Then we shall have to be there, no?"

Freyja nods, "All right. Do we want to go there now and be ready for them?"

Fhazil looks up from the comm and shakes his head, "I can get the motor pool, and they can see to the speeder, but the Lord is busy and her aide doesn't know anything about any Arkanians in particular."

Freyja adds in silent disturbance, I sure hope this isn't an elaborate set-up... She nods to Fhazil, "All right, go ahead and have them drive the speeder out to the plant and leave it, soon as possible, please, so we have time to pick it up." She murmurs to the others, We actually have the field equipment to bottle about ten folks into bacta, loaded in there... if necessary.

Thov says to Dorn, "See? These smart ones. They got help from Sith rather than hiding in weeds for weeks. Why we not do that first time? We be home by now." He grins, teasing the big man, who says, "If only it were so easy, Thov."

Freyja smiles quietly. Zero hms. More truth in that than you realize.

Thov says, "We be there by dusk. Want go in tonight, or tomorrow morning? Not big place, don't think any trouble."

Freyja looks at Thov, "Can you give us the location, and we can go fetch our speeder and meet you there tonight?"

Thov looks at Dorn, pauses, then says, "Yah, sure, we do that. That good. Always good have more help. 'Nother pair of Jedi, and whatever you fellows do, we be sure to finish this. Be good!"

Freyja tilts her head consideringly again, wondering what that hesitation was. Probably them wondering if they were getting set up, she'd guess. She sighs quietly internally. It'll be good to shoo all these folks off the planet. How Colburth couldn't know of an entire manus stepping down from the Templars to come here is past her -- she knows Templars leaving that order are extremely rare. Curiously she asks, "Do you know Jedi Balin Khoud?"

Dorn says, "Met him a few times." Thov says, "Yah, met him on Coruscant, but not seen in a while. He out in Balmorra sector."

Freyja nods quietly, then asks the question which has been really bothering her, "So... how did an entire Templar manus go, effectively, mad? Why'd they come here? Do you know?"

There is another pause. Thov looks at Dorn, and the others all stop what they're doing and look at Thov. Thov says aloud, "No, I tell them. They come all the way out here to hell's armpit to find out, I tell them." He looks up at the others of the manus and asks, "You gonna stop me?" Freyja watches with alert, slightly wary interest.

Nimas says in his gentle voice, "Be careful, Thov." Avarras simply goes back to what she was doing. Murn comes over and puts an arm around Thov, leaning against him. There is a long pause again, and she says, "Yah, you tell." She stays there. Thov smiles and puts his arm around her and pulls her to him, then says, "Is terrible embarrassment to Templars. We had a Master leave. Disagreed with doctrine, swore oath was wrong, outdated."

Freyja says, "Who?"

Murn says, "Master Tyah Lackline." Thov nods and says, "Lackline, yah. He left. Been four, five years. Not know where he got to. But now Calefactors have manus. Maybe have manuses; don't know. Temple looking. Sent Templars out one at time to go find out. Check for places bad things happen, see if manus."

Freyja nods, unsurprised, "This was Colburth's job also, initially? To seek out possible Calefactors?" She adds slowly, "Do you know who was sent?" She wonders if Cassandra was actually not a Calefactor. From the woman's horror at the possibility of a triat, Freyja'd guess she was indeed one, though.

Murn says, "Oh... yah, he traveling. Sent to Marnaas when local temple falls. Wondered if manus. He came back, said not, resigned. Very suspicious. Me very glad see that he zealous other way, not into Calefactors. Like Colburth."

Freyja smiles slowly, "He was quite zealous on Marnaas initially, true."

Thov says, "Ah, I remember there Seal about that. Let not be any more trouble than we already in, mmm?" He grins and snuggles Murn cheerfully, saying, "Be good. We send Colburth home soon. Hope he forgive me."

Freyja says, "Uhm, neh. He's already on his way to Balmorra. Do you know what others were sent out?"

Murn laughs and says, "He said he have last laugh!" Thov says, "I still hope he forgive me," and grins. Dorn says, "We must get out of here before he gets there. A message waiting for him saying we're gone will prevent us all some significant unhappiness."

Freyja nods, "It is our intent to leave here with all the manuses, actually. We hope to leave in only a few days, so there's not too much worry, and so we can leave a message letting him know we're safely on our way. So... what you're saying is at least one manus followed this, um... lost Jedi Master who's a former Templar? Is he here too?"

Dorn says, "That would be very, very good, Padawan Freyja. I'm not sure he would believe us, but if you've sent him home he should believe you." Thov says, "Not followed that we know. Trained others. New Jedi or confused Calefactors, made new manus. He Master of Templar... he know how. I don't think he here... he sent staff. Maybe testing them."

Freyja nods slowly, thinking. Fhazil whispers quietly, "You mean... there may be others?"

Freyja nods slowly again, "Doubtless, if this is accurate. We'll need to track down their training location."

Thov nods and says, "Yah. Temple looking. Farseeing, searching HoloNet, few single Templars wandering. No whole manuses, not unless manuses found. Then fight fire with fire." Dorn amends, "A few former Templars wandering. We learned that early on."

Freyja sighs quietly, "One of them must be Cassandra's group." She shakes her head at Thov, more puzzled than upset, "Why didn't you get the Watchers involved?"

There is a long pause. Thov finally says, "Don't know. Makes sense when you say like that." Murn adds, "Maybe not too late?"

Zero says, "Maybe not. Although breaking the most accessible one's leg might not have been the wisest strategy."

Freyja smiles with quiet amusement at Dorn. She still finds this a bit confusing... she remembers Colburth being quite shocked at the thought it was wiser to leave the Templars than to continue breaking one's oath. She sighs again softly, then smiles at Murn, "Neh, not too late. One of Colburth's companions to Balmorra is a Watcher, after all."

Murn laughs, then says, "See, this pretty Human woman smarter than alla us. Maybe we need more women?" Thov rubs Murn's back and says, "Fine by me."

Freyja laughs, then shakes her head, "All right. So we have a rogue Templar Master teaching rogue manuses. We don't know where they are, but we know there's at least one of the Calefactor manuses here. It's also a good bet there's someone still in the Templars helping, since there's got to be a way to get the new trainees to the training facility."

Thov says, "Eh?"

Freyja says, "So... let's go get our speeder, which just coincidentally happens to be loaded up with field medical equipment, and meet you at this place where we're expecting the rogue manus to turn up tomorrow at some point."

Dorn says, "Unless they have their own training facility. With a Master who knows how, it would be easy to build. Any Jedi facility could work, and those are usually very simple buildings."

Freyja shakes her head, "Not my point. How do you know which Templars are disaffected, or which confused, in order to appeal to them to join you? You have someone who's already checked them out in the Temple."

Dorn says, "If you're harvesting Templars, true. What about Jedi in general? What about Sith? What about untrained Force users? Lots of places you could get people for a manus... but the idea of a traitor in the Temple is one worth thinking of." Thov agrees, "Yah. Probably worth having Watchers think of."

Zero says, "That should not be difficult to arrange."

Freyja says, "Especially since the major characteristic of the Calefactors is an almost foaming hatred of all things Sith. Neh, that's not accurate... a foaming hatred of all things Force-related that aren't Jedi."

Nimas comes over and says as brightly as he can, "Scary thoughts aside, come have a bite of lunch, and then we'll get you to your speeder and go finish this. And go home."

Freyja nods, sighing and stretching her golden arms a bit wearily over her head, "Thank you, Nimas. I think that's an excellent idea."

Zero says, "That is the best plan I have heard today."

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