| Logs |
2003 July 12
| These Shattered Stars |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: These Shattered Stars Logs |
Chapter Six, Part Ten
As the Darksiders are getting into the armored car provided by the constabulary, Freyja steps to one side to speak quietly to the captain. She wishes to notify him discreetly that he might want to pick up the spaceport security manager -- the black-skinned Twi'lek woman -- since it's her house the Darksiders have been hiding in.
Once at the house, Freyja makes sure all the Darksiders are comfortable and provided for -- at the very least enough food and drink for a few days, in case she can't come right back. She also reassures them about the 'deal' not ending if she is killed by the assassin. Instead they should simply hold tight, and assume the promise will be kept by any of her friends that survive her. If worst comes to worst and they are all killed, the Darksiders should simply wait for Master Roakkana to arrive. She will be sure there is sufficient information for him to understand and keep the arrangement as it is currently set up.
Once she's spoken to the Darksiders from the spaceport, Freyja goes to talk to the Kel Dor sage, and see how Epopt Solo is doing. She's not surprised to find the Human still asleep, and thanks the sage for helping with him. She also asks the sage to please tell Nathaniel, should he awaken before she can return, that the deal they made is still on, and could he please wait until she returns, so they can make sure everything works out smoothly. The final thing Freyja does is ask all the Darksiders for any information they can share concerning the assassin of the Jedi.
After leaving the Darksiders at the manse, the group confers on where to find the green-saber assassin. The Darksiders couldn't give much information on her. A Cathar, she had joined the cabal shortly before they arrived at Xagobah. Since the group realized the Jedi had effectively trapped them on Kalarba, she had taken to rather eagerly killing off as many of the Jedi as could be found -- sometimes within hours of identifying them, in the case of the Watchers. She didn't appear to have Sithstain, but it was possible (as an assassin) she muted it purposely to get close to her targets.
Freyja says, "It's my guess she can 'feel' Lightsiders rather well. I'm the only Lightsider on planet that I know of that's not in the constabulary." She doesn't mention -- she doesn't need to -- how glad she is her friends are all there as well, to help. "So... do we want to set up an ambush, or just head for the constabulary and poke around?"
Zero says, "The assassin is still likely on the move. An ambush would be better-executed if we knew our opponent a little better."
Freyja says, "Uhm... and that means hai or neh on an ambush attempt, please? We know she seems to orient in well on Lightsiders, and has killed a great many for a very long time. She uses a green bladed lightsaber... and Fhazil says she's consumed with hate, from the dream." She adds idly, "Wonder if she's some hate-burned Oather Sith lord's Hands or something."
Zero says, "It means I don't think we have time for an ambush."
Freyja eyes Zero with a certain amount of concern, since she doesn't want to get killed through the group acting too hastily... but then sighs and shrugs, "All right. Let's just head towards the constabulary, then. You sound like you have a plan."
Zero says, "Its seems likely she'll end up at or near the constabulary again... if we're going to accost her anywhere, that seems like the likeliest place, and safest under the circumstances. Better there than where we can't get backup if the worst happens, aiyah?" As the group heads for the constabulary, Freyja is quietly careful to stay mostly in the middle of the group. Best not to tempt fate.
Upon arrival at the constabulary the group learns it was the Rodian Jedi who had been killed in the assassin's most recent strike. The crime scene is being cleaned up, though there isn't much to mark it. There is, of course, no blood, although there is a great deal of collateral damage from wildly swinging lightsabers.
It is while they are there they get an interesting message: at the spaceport, a Cathar just attempted to hijack a small freighter, but in her haste somehow failed to notice the cadre of port security officers passing by, who responded quickly. Fortunately -- or perhaps oddly -- none of them were killed. Currently, the Cathar hijacker is in the spaceport power plant. Port Security has the power plant cordoned off, and are preparing a tactical team for entry.
Zero says, "Well, that narrows it down, no? We'd better com over there and ask them to keep her contained. This could be a massacre if they try to rush her by themselves."
Freyja passes on to Port Security the information about the species of the "green-saber assassin of Jedi," then smiles ruefully at Zero, "Neneh, she won't run away. She's in the power plant. What better way for her to both draw in any Jedi who'll fall for it -- and destroy them all in one fell swoop?"
Zero says, "I'm more worried about the tactical squad that's going to run in there and get dismembered."
Freyja reviews the little information on the Catharian that the cabal was able to give them. Nassa is the Darksider's current alias, though they know she had at least two other false and seemingly leak-proof identities available to her. Freyja murmurs quietly, "Bloody well-prepared little Logi-spawn, now, isn't she...?" Then she adds, "Well, if they're smart they'll listen to what we told them, stay well back, and let us handle the explosion." She grins ruefully again, "Just another beautiful day in the Corps!"
Shortly, Port security replies. They're glad the group commed ahead -- the entry team had been about to go in, armed with just entry guns. Instead, they're now holding back to re-evaluate the situation.
Freyja grins and waves a hand at her companions, "See? All right, let's plan." She asks Port Security if they can meet with the group when they arrive at the spaceport, "and if you have any technical maps of the power plant, that'd be lovely too, please?"
At the power plant, a cordon of security personnel have surrounded it, and a number of speeders are flitting around. A repulsor-lift personnel carrier is parked near the front, with the port sec tactical captain and the on-scene commander conferring nearby. There is also a table with a holoprojector, showing a three-dimensional map of the power plant.
The power plant is of fairly recent design, as the captain explains while pointing out its major features. It is a hypermatter-enhanced, Tibanna ion-based fusion reactor. The good news is it won't detonate if damaged; the fusion events would just collapse, the hypermatter would evaporate, and the reactor would shut down harmlessly, even in the worst-case situation. The bad news is while the reactor would survive even a huge catastrophe intact, it could get very, very hot in there if the right coolant or plasma lines were cut.
Freyja says, "Define 'hot,' please? Radioactive or temperature? Or both?"
"Mostly temperature," the captain explains, "though near the core, radiation could be a problem if the shielding is dropped. It's all slow neutron radiation, easily shielded, which is why the environmental preservationists like it, but it's still fairly lethal in high doses."
Freyja nods thoughtfully, "All right. Thank you." She looks inquiringly at her friends, "Anyone getting anything from Nassa? Sithstain, just an aura, anything?" She herself scans as well, as she asks.
The plant itself is a large, squat cylinder, two hundred meters on a side. Five cooling spires, meant to discharge heat as a wave-beam upward into the atmosphere and space, rise up perhaps three hundred meters, and are placed equidistantly around the circumference. The wind blows in a faint cyclone around the plant, with faint wisps of clouds seeming to form around the tips of the spires.
Vakkal and Fhazil seem also to concentrate, but then both shake their heads. "No... nothing," Fhazil sighs. "She's in there; I can feel her, but nothing more than that."
Freyja considers for a moment, then murmurs, "Hm... faint sense of Dark aura. Not really Sithstain, although it does feel like blight... up in the nearest cooling spire, there." She points at the closest of the five spires. Then she nods thoughtfully as a plan comes to her, "All right, let's see." She turns to the captain, "Can you and your engineers follow us in? We'll go up into the spire, and you can close and seal it after us, then go check and make sure she's not damaged anything... and we'll go deal with her. We'll keep in touch via comlink -- how's that?"
The captain nods. "We can do that. There may be other ways to get between the spire and the main body of the plant, but we can have those covered by droids."
Freyja says, "Seal them off, please. Droids won't stop a determined Force user. And believe me, you don't want her running through your people in a hurry." She looks at her friends, drawing calm and centeredness into herself, "So... are we ready?"
Zero nods, "Let's put an end to this."
Fhazil nods, digging his lightsaber out from under his sash. Should we form the triat? he asks over the link.
Zero glances over his shoulder past the gantry, "Look there." Freyja nods quietly to Fhazil, then pauses to look where Zero indicates. Zero says, "That's the Master from the Nightlance, and his Padawan, isn't it?"
Freyja rolls her eyes in frustration, "Argh! If only he'd stayed..." she sighs, shaking her head, "Neh, neh, I understand he had to come out. Still, I wish he hadn't." She thinks a moment, then says quietly to her friends, "Let's go now. If we stay to talk to him, even though that would be polite, the Catharian has more time to move!"
To the captain, in a normal speaking voice, Freyja says, "Could you ask the Jedi Master to-" she pauses as inspiration hits, "-to stay with your people, please?" Then she grins at her friends, "C'mon! We better hurry!" She adds to her friends, And we'll form the triat right after they seal the spire doors after us, hai?
The captain nods, "We will. Good luck in there."
Zero nods, "Stay safe, Captain." All right.
The three concentrate, as they have been taught and as they have practiced. Moments pass, and relatively quickly, smoothly, with much more comfort with the arrangement and Fhazil's Sithstain knowing what to do, the group merges quickly into the triat. They take their time, and after about a minute, there is the swirling of Light and Shadow and Dark, the shell of the oddly comforting Sithstain jealously cleaving to them all as a shield of identity and self.
The Freyja part of the triat murmurs to the others, Let's see if we can spot her quickly. She takes a moment, looking around, also murmuring to her friends, Do any of us want to hide in the Force, to catch her unawares?
Zero nods, I can do that.
Freyja nods, then whispers to Vakkal, Why don't you do it too? Might as well confuse our numbers to her? She grins, And I'll stay brightly lit up... that should make it harder to 'see' you all, too. She watches with pleasure as Zero fades almost out of view entirely. Vakkal, next, doesn't do as well, but does fade somewhat. A thoughtful nod, then she murmurs, All right... once we find her, I'm going to bring up Battlemind, then try Inspiration for you. Can you guys keep her busy while I do that?
Zero says, Don't worry, we'll have her full attention. The triat can see they are almost entirely drowned out in the Force by Freyja's brilliance. They can sense hateful attention focused on them from the spire's top... and curiously, also from outside the spire, down below. Probably the Jedi Master?
The group begins to work their way up the cooling spire. In the heart of the cylindrical structure the invisible wave-beam sends heat upward into the air and into space. While the beam itself is invisible, the shimmering and flaring along its forcefield-encased length is impossible to miss, and casts a faint luminescence throughout the spire. About halfway up, the triat as one spots their quarry, who does not immediately notice them. The black-clad figure skitters almost silently along a catwalk.
Freyja pauses, I'll stand and bring up Battlemind; hide and jump her when she comes at me, all right? Her eyes start to glowingly pale out as she calls on the Force... and with Zero's aid, the Battlemind almost thunders into being! Freyja sways slightly, not used to quite so much acuity in the Force... then wills Inspiration! Her eyes reflect the pale luminescence of the forcefield -- and she draws on the Force perfectly to accentuate the dexterity of the triat!
Freyja feels like she's as shockingly brilliant as the heat waves weaving up the spire in heavy, shimmering folds. If that doesn't draw the assassin's attention... I'll hold this as long as I can, beloveds. Take her out quickly, please? Finally, because she is the type to still hope for peace in the midst of war... Freyja reaches out to lightly 'touch' the black-clad figure within the Force... they are Friends... there is no need to fight...
As Freyja reaches out, she does touch that seething morass of hate and rage and fear -- while the triat has been preparing for battle, so has the Darkside assassin. The touch is almost shocking. Even the Sith at their worst never hated this deeply. For a brief moment Freyja touches that black spiral, and can almost see the 'heart of the beast,' what made her hate Jedi so much -- and promises to bathe that pain, that hurt...
An utterly inhuman scream keens out from high above in the cooling spire, and through the shimmering of the wave beam the group can see the flare of the green lightsaber and hear its purring hiss as it comes to life. "I don't want to like you, damn you to your bright hells!" They feel a hideous black surge in the Force, and a wave of palpable rage erupts from the Cathar as she screams again -- and leaps down, her hate-filled eyes seeing only Freyja.
Freyja murmurs a little sadly, Got her attention... She waits quietly, watching. She's fairly sure the Catharian won't ever reach her.
Zero isn't there. And then, suddenly, he is -- as if teleported -- both blades of the Kawatuara blazing to life as he leaps up to meet her, interposing himself between her and the target. The saber-staff hisses up under the Cathar's cut. "Go back to your shadows." He lands just after the Cathar, sending her wide of Freyja with a shower of silver sparks, the long black Balmorran coat twisting in the warm air as he turns and comes at her, closing the distance. "I'm the only Devil here. Come on!"
Nassa hisses as she lands some distance away. "Who the stang are you?!" she snarls at Zero, then pirouettes just barely out of the way of the roaring crimson of Fhazil's own blade. The Cathar snarls at the nearest of her attackers, and her green blade flashes out at the Sith. Fhazil barely has to move; his mind is that of a shadow-dancer matching the movements of his partner but never touching. She snarls again, and with impossible speed her lightsaber licks out again at the mildly surprised Fhazil. However, her second cut also misses -- by a much wider margin.
Vakkal narrows his eyes from beside Freyja, whipping out his blaster and firing a shot at the assassin, not willing to get in the way of the two clearly much better swordsmen. His shot sails neatly in between Fhazil and Vakkal, forcing Nassa to twist her body unnaturally in order to keep it from hitting her.
Freyja stands and watches, serene eyes glowing pale and bright. She draws in a slow breath... and on exhalation, she focuses on defending herself and her friends from Force attacks... just in case... her expression is quietly dispassionate, but she can feel the Force folding smoothly and defensively around them all. Hopefully the crazed assassin won't get to her... she's starting to feel the wear, a little, of holding the Force together so.
Zero steps in, inside Nassa's line of retreat. If she retreats, she's forced against Fhazil. "Who the stang am I?" He turns, the Silver Guardian sliding up, and turns again with a graceful, dance-like motion, the blades sizzling in and out of the melee. "We are the last Jedi you'll ever draw on." The broken side of his mouth twists up with disdain. "Shadow Devil? You aren't qualified."
Nassa's eyes widen with the threat, and her movements belie her rapid tiring as she barely evades the first two swipes of Kawatura. "I'm flattered you call me that!" she snarls -- but before she can launch her attack on Zero, Fhazil strikes from her other side. His cut, while distracting to her, still just barely misses her. In response, Nassa unleashes her own flurry of saber strikes against Zero.
Zero gives just a step, the Guardian turning aside one and then another strike with a burst of sparks. "Keep coming. This isn't over until one of us can't fight." Another blaster shot from Vakkal adds to the confusion. Freyja can start to sense another emotion from Nassa: worry.
Freyja's pale eyes half-close as she studies the battle before her. Her utter stillness is a peculiar contrast to the blurringly fast tangle and snarl of melee before her. Her thoughts are equally still as she focuses on the Catharian... but she can't quite get a mental grasp on the assassin. She sighs quietly, realizing that's it, as far as assisting her friends through the Force. Instead she murmurs, If someone can give me a touch of energy, Vakkal and I can close... and we can hopefully end this quickly?
Zero advances quickly, relentlessly, spinning the Kawatuara in his hands and turning his whole body -- once, again, and again, the movement of blades obscuring exactly where each strike will come from. Fhazil circles the Cathar while she is under attack from Zero, and Freyja can feel energy from him seeking her out through the triat, revitalizing her. Freyja whispers, Thanks, Fhaziza, as she steps forward, Kourakani singing to life in her hand.
Zero's blade sings past the Cathar's defenses -- once, twice, and again. Zero turns, his back to the enemy, and extinguishes Kawatuara. "That's it. It's over." Freyja pauses, warily watching the body fall... both visually and in the Force. She's seen rage bring back a Darksider once. She intends to fight it if it looks like it might happen again.
The Cathar stands there for a moment, staring with eyes that seem hate-filled even as all light leaves them. The green lightsaber extinguishes and the body crumples, the spirit screaming in impotent rage through the Force, released too quickly to the nether-realms before it could wreck any vengeance upon the group.
A wave of rage swells up from nearby in the spire, a thunderous report that seems to shake the wave beam. "Noooooooo!" Freyja's head whips around, tracking that rage through the Force.
The Cathar that lands heavily on the catwalk a dozen meters away is, frankly, huge. Seven feet tall, a couple hundred kilos, and all of it squeezed into black armor shot through with red veins of color. Purple energy flares along his hands, some kind of forcefield sheathing wicked black-metal claws affixed to his fingers, the reek of blight clinging to them. The Cathar stands slowly, a rumbling to shake the deck plates, eyes filled with very palpable hate. Unlike the assassin, this one clearly has Sithstain. Unlike the silver snake which enshrouds the triat, this is a hissing, snapping thing filled with hate.
Freyja watches in silent fascination. Her murmur is soft, "A Sith this time..."
Fhazil grits his teeth. "Oather!" he murmurs. "Gods of ice... it's Hrrajak. I thought he was killed in the purge...!"
Freyja nods silently, still watching the Oather. Her voice is quietly pitying, "Poor thing. How alone he must be."
Zero re-ignites Kawatuara and takes a defensive stance. "Sah. This is your warning. You don't have to join your friend yet."
The Cathar straightens slowly and takes a single, shuddering step forward, eyes locked on the body of Nassa. He pays no heed for the time being to the others on the catwalk. On closer inspection, his eyes are pale burning yellow... with no visible pupil. Zero says, "No closer, Hrrajak."
Oddly, Hrrajak does indeed stop, staring at the assassin's body, before slowly, unblinkingly looking up at Zero. A moment passes... then there is a sudden up-welling in the Force. Shrouds of black power from the Darkside wrap themselves around him as he roars a challenge at Zero. Zero answers with a subtle shift in his defensive posture -- he reaches out with one hand, and beckons with his fingers. "Come on, then."
Zero waits for the new enemy to take a step forward; then he takes off like a shot to meet the Cathar's challenge, deciding ultimately the more distance he and Fhazil keep between Hrrajak and Freyja, the better. He's seen powered claws before; he'll be damned to every hell if he lets any of his friends acquire a scar like his... he closes to within a few feet of the Cathar... then dives for it.
The huge Cathar twists around, snarling incoherently at Zero as he evades the silvery-blue saber blade. Zero slides just under the Cathar's wildly swinging arm, the trailing blade of the Silver Guardian humming menacingly; he rolls, rights himself, and turns to meet the enemy. "Come on!" Fhazil takes the moment to duck in and swipe his blade at the Cathar. Again the huge Sith dodges, snarling, though his attention seems focused on Zero.
Another blaster shot sizzles out -- but Vakkal's shot misses. Freyja steps in smoothly, Kourakani tracing a fiery golden arc in the hot air as she strikes -- and the huge Catharian twists out of the way this time too.
With a thunderous roar, Hrrajak draws back both hands -- interestingly in a move not unlike preparing to clap his hands -- and brings them down towards Zero, one right after another. Zero drops under the first wild swing, barely avoiding the claws and bent back crazily at the knees, then snaps up as if on a spring, Kawatuara hissing viciously. Zero's attack forces the big Cathar back, and then again, the twin blades arcing out again and again. Fhazil's own saber cut barely makes the huge Cathar twitch.
Vakkal's blaster shot wings past the Cathar, who hardly needs to dodge the aim. Freyja gets a thoughtful look, her eyes narrowing. She can almost hear Master Thann lecturing her about dance... and joining one's energy with the attack -- in order to harmlessly deflect it. A small smile curls up the corners of her lips, and her movements subtly change... not so much attacks on the big Cathar, as attempts to foul up the blighted power-claws. It's far easier to accomplish, flowing with the Force rather than trying to guide it.
Hrrajak growls loudly, and within the Force Freyja can sense an upwelling of hatred, pure and unrefined and undiluted, a hatred that suddenly explodes forth in a palpable, visible wave of blackness and shadow. Freyja blinks, feeling the hatred wash over her. It's... disgusting, blighted... it tears at her a little within the Force, and then she reminds herself to focus on tangling up the power-claws -- got to keep him from hitting her friends.
Zero staggers a little as the attack rolls past, giving some ground. He goes on the defensive until his head clears -- then, seizing an opening made by Freyja's interference, he lunges inside the reach of the power claws, Kawatuara lashing out. He can't seem to capitalize on it, though, still staggered slightly by the hatred attack.
Both Fhazil and Vakkal also feel the effects of the wave of pure hatred, but manage to shake off the worst of it. While Fhazil's own cut misses, Vakkal's blaster shot sizzles under Zero's arm, causing Hrrajak to try to dodge it. Freyja blinks, a bit more shaken up than she'd realized by the wave of hatred. Her focus is blurry -- she just missed! She frowns, pulling herself together in the Force again.
Once again the huge Cathar takes three swings at Zero with the blight-enshrouded claws. Zero doesn't quite dodge out of the way in time, and is snapped back with a swipe of the power claws. He strikes the edge of the gantry and falls, not getting up. Freyja's eyes widen in shock at the flare of pain -- then she draws her calm center determinedly about her. Fhazil, if I damage the gantry railing behind the Cathar -- can you push him over the edge with the Force?
Fhazil considers for a brief moment, then nods mentally, I'll give him a push through the Force he'll never believe....
Zero lies still for several long moments... then staggers to his feet with a groan, re-igniting Kawatuara. "Nnngh, we're not done yet..." Freyja takes a deep breath of relief, and passes encouragement to Zero. He shakes his head vigorously to get back into his rhythm. He's not out of fight yet.
The Cathar gives a ground-shaking, victorious yowl as Zero goes down, and is completely aghast when Zero staggers up and whips Silver Defender around to strike, barely evading the blade. Zero is obviously still hurting, but he gamely fights on, never one to give up a challenge or the defense of his friends while he still has some fight left... he steps in, and swings hard with Kawatuara. The Cathar pants now, his mind a-swirl with raging, confused emotions -- but still focused on the fight.
Zero grins crookedly, a trickle of red staining his hair on one side. "Didn't you... hear me before? I'm the... only Devil here..."
Freyja whispers to her friends, Attack? Or try to throw him over the edge?
Attack now, while he's off-balance! He's breaking!
Fhazil grimaces mentally. We'll try the push. Lend me your strength, and I really hope you can bear the taste of this! His emotional attitude changes abruptly, from the Shadowdancer to what the group remembers to be the Paladin at the Rampart mindset. At the same time the Sithstain kinks a little, a thread of the Darkside wrapping itself around his hand as he waits for Freyja to destroy the railing behind the Cathar.
Freyja nods a bit grimly, Hai, we are together then. She swings Kourakani up again as she whispers to Vakkal, Hold until Fhazil's shoved -- in case we need one last shot, please? She ducks under the big Cathar's arm, rolling smoothly past in a controlled tumble. Kourakani flares in a brilliant arc and metal shrieks, as Freyja cuts twice, and a long piece of metal tubing -- formerly the gantry's railing -- starts an apparent slow-motion, tumbling fall into the spire's depths.
Fhazil takes a single step to one side, then thrusts out his hand. It's a simple movement, a part of the most basic martial arts forms he knows; only this time his reach does not end at his fingertips. The Force goes out with him, riding on his voice. "Seh!"
Hrrajak takes the full strike, spluttering in confusion as he staggers back -- right past the cut edges of the catwalk's railing. With a startled roar he falls... and falls... seconds later there is some titanic crashing sound, and Freyja can feel the blighted claws the Cathar wore shattering and releasing their Darkside alchemy.
And this time... all is quiet afterwards, but for the thrumming of the wave beam.
Freyja sighs quietly, 'listening' in the Force... then whirls to Zero, Fhazil, Vakkal, go be sure he's deceased, please? Zero, hold still and we'll get this fixed right up... Fhazil and Vakkal nod and quickly head down the gantry, to confirm the huge thing isn't going to crawl back up at them.
Zero extinguishes his saber, turns, and slumps back against the railing. "Well, that ought to be worth some points with the Order."
Freyja gets a faintly worried look -- Zero was struck by a blighted weapon! She murmurs quietly, "Well... should be a good chance for us to make sure this works..." as she encourages Zero to ease down and lie prone for her on the gantry.
Zero slumps over on his side, "Uhn... no problem there..." He looks quite a bit disoriented from the blow to the head. Freyja gently clears away the torn fabric and swabs up the blood, so she can see the wounds. In the Force the blight is easily visible. She murmurs quietly to Zero, almost crooning unconsciously, as she swiftly works.
Freyja remembers the helpful words of the Kel Dor sage as she examines the blight... then she takes a deep breath, spreading her hands over the wound. A moment later Light flares beneath her fingers, driving the blight out of the wound. She frowns, concentrating determinedly even though she too can feel the pain she's causing in emphatically cleaning the blight out the wound.
Freyja whispers to her Darksider friends, who may also be feeling the pain, It's all right -- I'm cleaning out the blight! There's a hint of happiness in her mental tone; pleasure that she can now help people this way. Vakkal is Bright -- he doesn't seem to mind, or even notice. Fhazil's yelp of pain echoes up from the bottom of the spire, however. Freyja winces slightly, faintly amused, and Fhazil can 'feel' her apologetic hug.
Zero doesn't say anything, one eye closed to keep the blood out of it, and simply takes it impassively. He may or may not be entirely all there at the moment, which may be doing a great deal toward dulling the pain. Freyja draws on the Force again, this time to heal her beloved completely of the now-normal wound. Finally she sighs in quiet relief, then gently strokes Zero's hair out of his face. "Better, Zeriza?"
Zero opens his eye, "Mm. Yeah... that's okay. That's better." Freyja smiles, putting the medkit on his chest to do its work... then leaning to brush her lips lightly across his.
Fhazil sends over the link, He looks to be dead. Vakkal's making certain, just in case. A moment later the song of a pair of blaster shots echo through the spire.
Freyja whispers back to them both, Thank you. We wouldn't want him to suffer... any more.
Freyja will, after the kiss, carefully help Zero up, putting one of her arms about his waist to support him as she walks slowly down the stairs with him. Well... for that reason, true -- but also, it feels very nice to touch, and know her beloveds are all right. "If you rest tomorrow, Zeriza, you shouldn't even need a bacta tank." She smiles, leaning to nuzzle gently against his head, "Must rest... or I'll worry about you."
Zero mms, leaning against Freyja a bit. "Rest... sounds perfect."
Freyja whispers to her friends, Fhazil, Vakkal, go ahead and mute again... now the Catharians are dead, we don't want you showing up within the Force. Also, Vakkal, could you get us some form of transportation back to the ship? I think Zero shouldn't walk... and... well, I wouldn't mind a lift myself now, I'm afraid...?
By the time the small group has worked its way slowly and exhaustedly down the spire's multiple stairs, even Freyja's looking rather weary, and poor Zero is half-comatose.
Freyja has communicated via comlink, as promised, with the captain, informing him that there were, in fact, two assassins, and both are now dead. She apologizes for the collateral damage, then asks wearily if the captain would mind having his people pick up the bodies? -the little group has wounded, and is a bit... um... worn down just now, please?
By the time the group exits the spire, passing the several armored tactical officers, a speeder ambulance is already prepped to receive Zero and any other wounded persons. Also there is Nifalu and his apprentice. The Padawan is apparently running an errand with a datapad, while Nifalu is waiting quietly and watching the group emerge, near the command speeder.
Freyja is exhaustedly relieved to see the ambulance, and asks politely if it could simply deliver them to their ship, please? She also belatedly remembers to politely thank the tactical officers for having such faith in them. The medics look confused. "We have bacta at the hospital, Padawan Freyja...."
Freyja blinks a bit, trying to figure out how to explain blight and how she got rid of it. She's so tired she's having to concentrate hard just to pronounce things correctly. "Neh, it... uh, the wound? Zero? It was blighted -- the Darkness. All gone now... just need to rest. Uh, all of us. Want to go sleep in our ship, hai?"
The medics don't seem to understand, and try to gently press for the group to go to the hospital, at least until Nifalu's voice says from nearby, "There is being no need for that done. Let them be going to their ship."
Freyja throws the Jedi Master a grateful glance, then nods hopefully at the medics, "Just resting now, please? At home? Er, ship?"
The medics look dubiously at one another, then insist on a brief medscanner check. When that check turns up little more than exhaustion, the medics acquiesce, and a public safety speeder with a couple of officers is set to bring the group back to the Platinum Eclipse.
Freyja waits with dogged patience through the medscan, concentrating on supporting Zero and not falling down herself. She's very glad Fhazil and Vakkal are there to help... although when they're finally on the way to the ship, she almost dozes off in the speeder. Once at the ship Freyja tucks Zero carefully in, takes the time to wash up in the sonic cleanser, hugs her Family of the Heart very tightly... then falls down and sleeps the sleep of the just, curled up with her friends.
The next morning, after some rest (Zero could probably do with another half day's bed rest) the group finds that Nifalu has left a message saying he would like to speak with the group soon -- definitely before they leave; preferably that day. It's polite, but it's worded in such a way that brooks no avoidance.
After some food, Zero is gently but firmly tucked back into bed, to rest up until he's recovered. Freyja and the other two talk quietly a bit and agree that Fhazil will stay and keep an eye on Zero, in case he needs anything, while Freyja and Vakkal will go reassure the Darksiders, and do a bit of shopping, so the Platinum Eclipse is all stocked up and ready to go.
It's during that planning time that Freyja amusedly notes, "Sounds like Jedi Master Nifalu is worried we're not going to hang around and wait for Master Roakkana! I guess he just doesn't know... you just don't stand people like Master Roakkana up, y'know?" She'll also download the local news while they're talking. "I'll need to call him and tell him Zero's going to need another handful of hours' rest, and reassure him we're not leaving before Master Roakkana... and then we can go, hai, Vakkal?"
Vakkal nods. "I wonder what's gotten him so worried?"
Freyja says, "Neh idea. Maybe he'll tell me when I call."
The news is fairly abuzz with information. There are quite a few vids of the standoff at the airspeeders and the power plant, including a fairly dramatic shot of Zero being helped out of the spire by Freyja and the others. Freyja grins, pointing, "Hey, look! It's us!" She watches with quiet curiosity, wondering what the 'take' on the small group is in the local news.
Since this is a Republic client state, the mainstream news plays up -- but only a little -- the Republic Jedi assisting the local law enforcement. The more obscure news media -- the ones run out of the back of someone's land speeder -- alternate between Jedi fan-rags which gives almost embarrassingly glowing commentary, and radical Republican separatist pieces that decry the further imposition of Republic plenipotentiary forces on the self-determination of Kalarba.
Considering there is at least one HoloNet hypernode on Kalarba, it's surprising the names of the group's members -- or at least Freyja and Zero -- are just being mentioned in the morning editions of the newsfaxes. So far nobody seems to have linked Vakkal to Khar Velos, or Fhazil to his previous life as a CorSec officer, though one of the separatist rag-faxes asks pointedly who they are. One of the newsfaxes says it's compiling the 'rather interesting' career of Freyja and Zero and hopes to have information from all over the HoloNet in an easily digestible form for its readership by the early evening editions.
Freyja blinks, watching in puzzled fascination. "We have an interesting career?" She blinks again, watching one of the Jedi fan-rags, "Whoa... they make us sound too good to be true! Wait... that isn't true!" Finally she shakes her head, a faintly bemused smile on her face, "Well... guess we won't have to worry about staying hidden or anything. Goodness. I didn't realize they'd recognize us quite so quickly." She shrugs, turning the download off, "Well... let's leave it for Zero, if he wants to see it. I'll call Master Nifalu, then we can head out, Vakkal, all right?"
Vakkal is taking it well; he's been Freyja's huskarl for long enough not to worry overmuch about the media. Fhazil is distinctly nervous, though he manages it well. His concern is that someone will link his face with his name -- and then the Watchers will come for them all.
Freyja smiles, hugging Fhazil gently, "So wear one of the Balmorran veils, silly... or if you like, we can use a different name for you? Remember too, please... we're going to try to find a reasonable Watcher here, so you can talk to them. Don't worry... we're all leaving together, sweetheart." Then she calls the constabulary, asking politely if she might be connected with Jedi Master Nifalu, please?
Freyja is connected immediately; in fact Nifalu is just sitting down. "Ah, Padawan Freyja, being good to speak with you, yes. Being thankful you called so promptly...."
Freyja looks a little puzzled, "Er... well, we had hoped to give Zero a bit more recovery time before speaking with you, Jedi Master, and we're not leaving until Master Roakkana arrives... is there, um... some problem, or something?"
"Am being not worried that you will leave before Master Roakkana, no." He pauses, then asks, "Are when expecting Master Roakkana to arrive?"
Freyja says, "Um... well, in not too long, we're hoping, Jedi Master. Why do you ask? Oh! Also, may we ask a favor of you, please? As per request, we need to find a Watcher who is willing to listen, hopefully nonjudgmentally, to some Darksiders. I know several Watchers came with you... do you happen to know if there are any like that?"
Nifalu nods, then lifts a datapad up from his desk. "Am holding here scan-doc issued by Council. Or at least certain members of Council. Is asking -- nay, ordering your detention."
Freyja rolls her eyes, "Wolf-feathers. What is it this time?" She whispers to Fhazil and Vakkal, with faint annoyance, Well! That didn't take long... for Cassandra to be an utter jerk.
He sets down the scan-doc. "Charges of heterodoxy, consorting with enemy, and undue inquiries into Darksider lore. Am thinking that sometime in travels annoyed perhaps wrong person. Or half-dozen."
Freyja nods amusedly, "Hai, that's probably for sure. You'd think the Seal would satisfy them." She sighs, "Well... what do you want us to do, Jedi Master? We don't want to get you in trouble as well, after all."
"Am thinking this nothing has to do with Seal. Have been told by friend that huskarl is of Khar Velos; though reluctant to admit it, my Padawan confirmed it. And am having been told through... roundabout channels that other friend is Sith warrior." He lets out a breath, looking at the scan-doc. "Am hardly thinking it's comforting to say that, in normal correspondence of Order Militant, is not valid order. Must be coming through Prior for Client State Operations. Instead being straight from members of Council. Therefore, cannot be acting upon it. Right away."
Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully, regarding the alien. "May I ask what roundabout channels, honored Jedi Master? And... may I ask if you know of any Watchers as I described?" She pauses, considering, then adds, "Your Padawan is correct, hai." She grins a little mischievously, "Her Sith accent is better than mine, too. So... is there anything we can do to reassure you?"
He purses his lips a little, then shakes his head. "Are being channels that are not official. As for Watcher, can be sending one to you later, yes." He fluffs his ruff a little. "Is not to be worried over. Have dealt with assassin which being hounding my company has for long months. Can only say, will take approximately week for this order to come through proper channels. Am recommending that not be here when order arrives. Can give twenty hours warning, maximum."
Freyja nods quietly, giving a small, polite bow to the vid of Nifalu, "Honored Jedi Master, we are in your debt. Please let me know if there is aught I may do to repay or reassure you. Thank you also for the Watcher -- the need is... somewhat dire, or I would not ask."
He holds up a hand. "Please to not be mentioning it. At all. Am glad it can be helping, but even this is being skirting edge of legality and due consideration for spirit of orders."
Freyja nods, smiling faintly, and politely says nothing more. Instead she simply thanks him for his kindness and withdraws. Once he's signed off, she turns off the vid, then turns to look at the other two. "Well... that reeks! Funny how Cassandra insisted she wasn't like what I said -- and then she went and did exactly what I said she'd do!"
Vakkal says, "I cannot say I was there for your conversation, so I'm afraid I can shed no additional light on that..."
Freyja gives Vakkal an amused glance, "You could be more carefully formal... but not by much!" She grins at him, then considers thoughtfully, "A week, tops. Hm... this is going to be tight. Once Zero's awake again we'll have to plan what to do next. For now..." she smiles and shrugs, "As the Jedi Master said, 'is not to be worried over.' We've got some Darksiders to take care of first."
There is also one item mentioned about the spaceport security manager having gone missing. Her whereabouts are unknown. There is -- as yet -- no mention of her being sought for questioning or arrest. Freyja nods quietly at that item, gathering her kit hastily together, "Well, looks like it's high time to go visit the Darksiders. Vakkal, you ready?"
Vakkal nods, "All set...."
The two head out for the manse of the Twi'lek woman -- the former spaceport security manager. Freyja murmurs thoughtfully, "Wonder if she's fled yet... hope not. Would be rude to leave all her former companions in the lurch like that..."
Freyja knocks quietly on the door when they arrive. There's nothing wrong with being polite -- especially since the Darksiders may not know what's up any more. The door is answered by the Wookiee minerval, who bows politely. "Hello, Padawan Freyja. The cabal is gathered in the sitting room. Sage Chein Ghur foresaw you would be coming at this time."
Freyja grins, "Thank you, Minerval Sharruruk." She follows him into the living room, wondering suddenly if the Twi'lek woman will be here... or if she's truly fled the planet. In the living room, she bows politely to all, then enters to settle on whatever chair or corner of rug is left unoccupied.
There are murmured greetings from the group. The Valsarians and the Dark Jedi are on completely opposite sides of the room, and in between them are the Kel Dor sage and his people, Nathaniel Solo, and the Alderaanian. They appear well rested, comfortable, and unharmed. Nathaniel looks a bit the worse for wear still, but is awake and alert.
As Freyja's heading for an unoccupied area, she notices Nathaniel and brightens. "Oh! Epopt Solo, you're awake!" She weaves through the crowd with quick, careful steps, taking his hand and leaning to regard him thoughtfully -- both physically and in the Force, "Mm... how are you feeling?"
For a brief moment, Freyja thinks she notices the Alderaanian glancing to the hallway after Freyja comes into the room, as if expecting the others -- Zero and Fhazil -- to enter as well... but her expression is impassive and neutral. Nathaniel smiles wanly. "I've... been better, Padawan Freyja, believe me." He glances to the Valsarians, who politely don't return the look. In the Force he appears to be whole again, though still mending. "I should make a full recovery."
Freyja nods, looking pleased as she straightens, "Well, excellent! Glad to hear it." She turns, still smiling, to the Kel Dor sage and bows slightly, "And thank you, honored sage, for your helpful teachings yesterday concerning blight. They proved quite useful."
The sage inclines his head. "You are welcome, Freyja. I thought they might."
Freyja grins cheerfully at the sage, not bothering to ask if he foresaw it -- of course he did! -- and turns to the others. "So... I have a question or two, if I may. First, do any of you know what's happened to the Twi'lek former spaceport security woman? If so, please tell me, so we can make sure she's safe?"
The group exchanges glances. "I saw on the news that she'd gone missing," the Alderaanian provides. "But outside of that I have no idea where she went." There is a chorus of assents; nobody seems to know what she might have done with herself.
Freyja nods quietly, "All right. Secondly..." her small smile is rueful, "did any of you know there were actually two Catharian assassins?" As she waits for their reply, she wonders a little thoughtfully at how calmly the group is taking the demise of their former member. Well... perhaps it was a far more loosely group than she'd realized? She knows she'd be full of questions and emotion if one of her companions were killed, after all.
There are blinks all around, then the Wookiee Valsarian hisses a soft Shyriiwook expletive. "I thought Hrrajak left...."
The Dark Jedi master snorts. "I'm more surprised he stayed."
The Alderaanian asks, "How did it happen? I mean, we knew Hraajak was her mate, and that he had been on-planet briefly, but we thought he left-"
"We saw him get on a ship and leave." The companion of the sage, the one who had the large, heavy bracers under his long sleeves, provides this.
Freyja raises a thoughtful eyebrow, settling down comfortably cross-legged near the sage. It seems an appropriate location, all things considered -- straddling the middle of the Darksider ideological divide. She listens quietly as the group works things out. She doesn't know how someone could get on a ship and leave -- and yet still be very, very physically there, in the spire, yesterday!
The sage interrupts the arguing. "However it came to be," he says sternly, "that Hrrajak the Blood-Dark remained on Kalarba, after we saw him depart three months ago, is easy to ascertain. We know he and Nassa were mates -- how could we imagine he would willingly leave just because we told him to? Nassa herself was willful to the point of insolence; the same was true ten times more for Hrrajak. He must have doubled back on his route, hijacked a ship, or something to that effect, shortly after leaving here."
Freyja's lips quietly frame the name, and Vakkal can feel her thoughtful whisper, Hrrajak... the Blood-Dark... ah. Of course he came back, then. He had none but her left in all the universe... poor thing... "I see. What sect was she... do you know?" The strange thought occurs to her -- and she hopes it's wrong -- is she the only one here who feels any grief for the deaths of both all the slain Jedi... and the terribly mentally wounded two Catharians?
Several of the cabalists shake their heads. "I was the one who recruited her," Nathaniel says. "She never identified her tradition, and I didn't recognize her feel in the Force."
Freyja nods once more, and murmurs quietly, almost under her breath, "Nassa and Hrrajak... may you finally find peace in the Force..." She's silent for a moment, eyes half-closed as she sends what small blessings she can after the tragic couple... then sighs again, looking up again. "Well... this may sound like a stupid question, but... if the honored sage is so good at farseeing... ah..." she gives the various Darksiders puzzled looks, "well... why didn't you surrender with him? Why did you try to run away?"
The Valsarian Epopt and the Dark Jedi Master both look mildly uncomfortable and glance around a bit. The Alderaanian grins wryly. "Because we thought maybe just this once he'd be wrong."
The sage shrugs a little. "Farseeing is an inexact art. I have often said this: not to rely too heavily upon what I see." The Alderaanian nods, adding, "And I suppose we took it too much to heart. At the wrong time."
Freyja nods slowly, although she doesn't look like she truly understands. To her, it is indeed an inexact art -- but then the Force doesn't have a physically heard voice either -- so? "Ah... all right." She pauses, then says politely, "May I have just a moment to consider my notes? I need to be sure I interpret our agreement in the spirit in which it was meant... and I may not be able to stay to see it through to the end, so I must prepare... ahh..." She blinks, her voice trailing off as she gets a very thoughtful look, then turns to look at the sage inquiringly. Maybe he has some wisdom from the Force for her...?
Freyja studies the sage thoughtfully a moment, trying to figure out how to ask him politely... then simply shakes her head. Not now. Instead she smiles, "If you do not mind, honored sage, I would like to speak privately with you, after this?" Shehas too many questions and worries sloshing around in her head right now. Best to focus on the needs of the Darksiders currently.
The sage nods, "Of course, Padawan...."
Freyja settles back, quickly glancing through her notes in her datapad... then looks up again, "All right. I am going to lay out the facts quickly for you. First, we have agreed you will all -- except for those who have surrendered to me -- will all remain under house arrest here, and will offer violence to none." She glances with faint amusement at the Alderaanian, "Doing violence includes, I fear, using the Force to change people's minds... however nicely it is done."
The Alderaanian gets a wry expression, and lifts up her shoulders a bit. "So noted," she says, without any rancor.
Freyja grins quietly, then goes back to her notes, stating for everyone, "In return, you wish your motivations for your actions discussed openly here, not just swept out of sight. You also understand you are responsible for your actions here on Kalarba and before, on Xagobah, and agree to submit yourselves to a court of law. Finally, the Jedi here have agreed to stay away from here and not, ah... defend themselves ahead of time." She looks up, carefully making sure everyone is in agreement... as she has difficult news for them ahead.
There is a chorus of assents at that. They appear pleased their concerns will be heard.
Freyja looks relieved. "All right. Here's the difficult part, and I want to work this out with you ahead of time." She takes a breath, then continues, "I will probably not be able to stay throughout this entire procedure. Therefore... I want to find someone Force aware, whom you all are willing to trust, and whom I also can trust, to transfer the oaths to." She looks around hopefully, "Ah... first, do any of you have any suggestions?"
The group is silent. "Force aware... besides us, you mean?" The sage shakes his head. "There are scant few, in a Republic of Lightsiders, whom Darksiders could trust based on reputation alone, Padawan."
Freyja nods and sighs quietly, "Hai, I figured that would be the case. Well... all right, I have a suggestion. I have asked the Jedi Master Nifalu if he can send me a Watcher who is able to listen nonjudgmentally to Darksiders." She holds up a hand, "This is for personal reasons... but! If this person is someone I feel comfortable with... would you be willing to talk to them, and work with them, to be sure your information gets out?"
Freyja glances at Nathaniel, then back at the others, and says quite sincerely, "I realize you may find this hard to believe, but it is vitally important, to me and to the Force, that this information get out... that the Darkside cults here in the Republic survive and have a voice."
The group exchanges concerned looks, especially at the mention of the Watcher. The Dark Jedi clears her throat. "The Watchers are intelligence officers," she says. "For what it's worth, we will recognize anything we say to them will get back to the Order, but they do try to be considerate to their information sources. We don't really have much of a choice, in any event."
Freyja sighs, "I am sincerely sorry for this. I'd hoped to have more time to talk with you... however, it seems... ahh..." She pauses, considering. What to say? "Well... what it boils down to is I don't have much choice in this either. I have to be out of here in a week. Tops."
The sage looks thoughtful, while the others look collectively dismayed. "This is very troubling," the Valsarian Epopt says. "However, we do not have a choice. If we are sent to Carceri, we will ensure that becomes the worst mistake the Jedi ever make. And if we are not, we cooperate." There is a restrained chorus of assents, subdued and pensive.
Freyja murmurs quietly, "Please... let us not assume the Watcher will be... precipitous? I have reason to believe they are already puzzledly trying to search out certain bits of information... and yours could well be extremely important. I don't know. But... just give the Watcher a chance, hai?" She whispers quietly to Fhazil, back in the ship, I don't suppose the Watcher's been sent over yet? If so, could you send that person to the manse, please?
The cabal, a little reluctantly, agrees. The Alderaanian seems the least worried by the prospect, while the Dark Jedi are clearly unhappy, but accepting. Fhazil sends back that the Watcher hasn't arrived just yet.
Freyja's small internal smile is rueful... she'd have been all over the person with the news that they couldn't stay, with fascinated curiosity as to what was up! The utter lack of interest the Darksiders are showing in anything except how it affects them is, she supposes, the clearest indicator of their view of the Force -- the id as central to the universe. Interesting to see it so clearly in action.
Freyja will thank them all, then ask if there's anything she can do for them in the interim? The one she finds herself idly watching is the minerval... the Wookiee Sharruruk. She wonders why he's attracting her attention... then grins quietly to herself. Of course... he was the one who was brave enough to try leading the 'dangerous' Jedi away -- on the basis of his Master's word. She nods quietly to herself -- she'd have done the same for Master Roakkana.
Freyja wonders if there's any hope for the young Wookiee to get away and learn again another way -- then mentally shakes her head at herself, smiling again. She may feel some kinship with the young Sharruruk, due to their both having Wookiee Masters... but she would never have been coaxed away from Master Roakkana. Why would she expect his loyalty to be any less?
The Alderaanian speaks up. "Padawan Freyja... just... how long do you think we'll be here?"
Freyja looks at the woman gravely, "I am sorry, honored Tullas, but I don't know how long a court of law is likely to last. I've never been through one... just through Curias and Haus law judgments."
Tullas considers, then nods, "I suppose that's the best answer we could expect. Thank you, Padawan."
Freyja nods politely, then looks around, "Anyone else? If neh, I'd like to speak privately to those who have chosen to surrender to me." The group agrees a little desultorily, and they go off to other parts of the manse. Nathaniel, the sage, and his two companions remain, the Ithorian and the Human standing behind the sage's chair.
Freyja will politely bid everyone goodbye, then wait until the 'surrendered' individuals are all that remain. Then she'll explain to the sage and the other two the deal she had with Solo -- that she would not get in the way of his departing the world, and in return he would desist from violence in his goal of a Republic which recognized Dark and Light both as equally valid... and would do his best to be sure his cult survived and was healthy, for when that time arrived.
Freyja looks at the three, "Do you understand what I'm asking here, honorables? The Epopt Nathaniel, in effect, surrendered to me under those terms. You have also surrendered to me. Are those terms acceptable to you?"
The sage nods. "Aye, I do. They are acceptable to us. And what you pursue will have consequences within the Force. The future is blurred around you and yours; not clear at all. But from the cloud comes several paths which all change the face of the galaxy. We will wait and watch, and hope that what you hope for will come about."
Freyja sighs quietly, "I was afraid you'd say that... I would very, very much love to have a bit of a sign from the Force as to our next course of action." She looks unhappy as she adds, "I... am torn. Honor demands I fulfill my duty to my people back on Balmorra... but also to my people in the Republic -- and to the Force itself."
Freyja thinks a moment, then asks hopefully, "Is there... can you see any way that I might return home long enough to keep faith with my family -- and yet still successfully slip away afterwards, so that I might do the will of the Force in the Empire as well?"
The sage nods. "A hetaera would say that all are one and the same. Of course, I am not a hetaera." He shakes his head quietly. "The Force to my understanding is fickle and jealous of the future. We can read patterns in the ebb and flow, but it does not like to be second-guessed. Nobody does, which is perhaps why bringing about the future we see is so fraught with issues. For your familial obligations... it is possible, yes. And you will be able to depart afterwards to address your other obligations. But the storm front of change sits at the cusp of your return to Balmorra. Much can happen then, much will happen, when you wed the giants' son. Until now you have traveled the land of Light. Your marriage vows will be your passage into Darkness, and it may be long before you return to the Light."
Freyja blinks, looking a bit startled at that way of describing the gentle-seeming Leif. Then again, it might not be he... it might be someone else there. There's a whole mess of Templars there currently, as I recall...?
He sighs. "Or it might be the briefest of journeys. As I said, Padawan... there is much that is clouded in the future, and the wedding which seals the fate of Balmorra is at the very start of that clouded time."
Freyja nods slowly, still unsure... but unsurprised at that. Then she sighs quietly. A sign or a clue would have been nice, true... but, she supposes, it's not really surprising it did not materialize. "Well... I thank you, honored sage, for your effort for me. I would strongly suggest you and your companions leave as soon as possible, too."
He spreads his hands. "Little more can I say. The Force is reluctant to whisper more to me of this. But know this: I have studied the eschatology of the Force and read many apocalypses from many traditions near my homeworld. The shattering of the Force is not as the Valsarians see it, as strong in the Force as their tradition might be. The sundering of the Light and Dark is anathema, and will mean the end of life on too many subtle levels. For a journey of unions, begin with unions."
Freyja listens... then smiles, "I see. Well... I think I see. Thank you, honored sage." She rises, bowing politely to them all, "I should depart... and please, so should you all as well. May the Force be with you." Then she adds, "Please feel free to tell the others I have not mentioned you to the constabulary, so there will be no repercussions on them for your vanishing."
He nods. "I would tell you more if I could, Padawan, but I fear what I have already said is more than I can see. As I have said... clouded the future is, and uncertain. The Force will not let me see more. It is as if it is demanding the answers come from another source besides I." He considers for a moment, then nods. "Much as I feel I should stay... prudence demands I leave. It would be bad for the Baran Dur for me to be found here. Some of my comrades recognized the risk I took, and approved, but it would be better to not draw such attention to us."
Freyja blinks a bit puzzledly, wondering whom the Force wants the triat to ask for farseeing... then shakes her head. She'll find out in due time. For now... she must talk with her companions about this newest complication. "Hai, honored sage. It has been a pleasure to meet you and yours." She smiles and bows politely again, then grins and bows to Solo, "And yourself as well, Epopt. I would say I am sorry I was not the Jedi you expected to come through your door... but it would not be the truth." She grins again, her eyes sparkling a bit mischievously.
Nathaniel smiles a little tiredly. "That's quite all right. The Jedi I expected to come through there would have used a lightsaber on the door." Freyja laughs quietly, then politely withdraws.
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