These Shattered Stars -- Logs

The trip from the monastery into the spaceport goes quickly, if a bit snugly in the confines of the older landspeeder. The city is just rousing itself from the murky evening bustle, and while a spaceport never truly is idle, the nights do tend to be slower than the days, if for no other reason than most species tend to not be nocturnal. This is reflected as the streets begin to fill with people going about their business, offices opening, and cantinas either closing or announcing the serving of morning meals. The roar of some starships' drives shatters the still morning air on the outskirts of the spaceport.

The landspeeder makes it's way through the streets to one of the dingier areas of the spaceport; Quiet drives, with Roakkana in the front passenger's seat and Freyja in between, while in the back seat are Colburth, Kuuna, and another knight, a Dug named Kedulo, perched on the seat in between them. It travels to an area with a large number of blockaded and condemned bays. Bay 18 is one of these. A tall, three-story edifice, basically an arena surrounding a small-ship berth, the bay's entrance is blocked off by a number of dusty, unkempt polyboards that look as dilapidated as the bay itself.

Quiet pulls the landspeeder in a few yards from the entrance. "Rather looks like you expect a hive of criminals to look."

Freyja reviews mentally as the land speeder heads for the port. The Empire Sith stopped the Revenge Sith from attacking, since "honor is all they have left"... but that action cost them almost all their forces. The leader of the Empire Sith is missing... and two of the Revenge Sith (at least one injured) escaped the ambush. She looks up as Quiet stops the land speeder and frowns thoughtfully, "So... where are the land speeders that left the ambush area?"

Kedula's voice is somewhere between liquid and gravelly, nervously fussing with one of his whiskers. "Look like place where bad hurting can happen. Best to be cautious."

Quiet checks his blaster's shot count one last time before stowing it, picks up his vibroblade from the seat next to him as he climbs over the fender. "Bad hurting is precisely what's going to happen. I intend to see that it's not to any of us."

Freyja smiles a touch ruefully. Bad hurting... yes, I'd say the murder of the poor former Master of the monastery, here, would qualify... She adds, "Also, who do we know are left? There's the leader of the Empire Sith, the leader of the Revenge Sith, and at least two others, right? Jiosch, and..." She watches a little bemusedly as Quiet heads in. Isn't he going to... well, scout around, or compare notes, or anything, first? She finishes absently, "...the girl... don't recall her name..." She looks faintly relieved as she realizes Quiet's just exiting the car, and stands up herself, quelling internal nervousness by stretching a bit.

Colburth looks around, frowning. "I don't see the landspeeder or speeders from the ambush. They'd be hidden somewhere around here....

Kuuna says, as she checks her curved-handle lightsabre, "Jiosch and Valsha, and the Lord Qatto Verg. At least on the Oath of Fire side. For the others... We only know about the Lord Methel-ssa. That's two Sith Lords, though they aren't working together.

Freyja nods thoughtfully at Kuuna's words, her gaze searching the area. Her look around isn't very useful... mostly because she's quietly reciting, over and over to herself, a small internal mantra, Fear cripples both its master and its slave; I am the Center; I will not fear either death or life; I will offer calm to the fearful and confidence to the insecure. Fear cripples both its master... She steps quietly out of the land speeder, then takes a slow, deep breath, straightening. She's ready.

The Dug scrambles out of the landspeeder, taking his curiously-shaped lightsabre from his own belt, looking around. He hisses softly. "Other way in best, am thinking. Hey--"

And the entire party feels it -- Quiet included. A subtle, very low-level malaise that is the blight of the Dark side, well beyond the entrance to the bay.

Roakkana nods, then turns to the others. "They may likely know we are here already. Even so, it is better to not draw attention to ourselves. For the time being, I do not think we should split up. Quiet, Jedi Colburth, take point, find a side entrance or service way. Freyja, you and I and Jedi Kuuna will follow. Jedi Kedulo, bring up the rear."

Quiet cranes his neck around the corner of the building, and raises his off hand, signaling Colburth up.

Freyja nods, tucking her hands into her wide sleeves, and falls in on Roakkana's right flank. It's his weapon side, but she suspects the Jedi Kuuna will be a better shield for his unarmed side -- and Freyja's more than willing to duck behind the huge Wookie, all things considered.

Colburth nods, his lightsabre ready but not ignited, as he moves forward, towards the alleyway that Quiet indicated, which was apparently boarded up sloppily. He removes some of the boards cautiously, allowing enough room for even the Wookie to walk through, then steps through himself, slowly.

Roakkana himself simply walks; not stealthily, not proudly, not anything except just walks. The knights, Kuuna and Kedulo, are a little more cautious in their stance.

Quiet moves up quietly, just slightly behind and to the right of Colburth. He murmurs softly, "Do you feel that?"

Freyja paces silently and as stealthily as she can in the Wookie's shadow. The fingertips of one hand can feel her lightsabre handle... but she's quite aware her keenest weapon is not it, but her mind.

Colburth murmurs quietly, without looking at Quiet, "Darksider blight? Yeah, I felt it." He glances curiously at Quiet for only a moment. "You, too?"

The alleyway goes between bays 18 and 16 for about 50 meters, and in there about midway through is a dusty and beaten landspeeder.

Quiet tightens his grip on his blaster as he continues to creep down the alleyway, forcing himself to keep his finger out of the trigger guard. He silently chastises himself for suddenly becoming superstitious at the worst possible time. "Yeah, me too. I must be slipping... I haven't been nervous in years."

Colburth gives a bit of a smile. "You work on it. Eventually you don't let it bother you, then you just don't feel it, even when facing darksiders."

As the group approaches the landspeeder, they can see it's incredibly dusty, and a bit battered and one of the engines appears to have been slashed with a lightsabre. The door it stands in front of is closed, but looks in decent repair.

Freyja glances at Roakkana, touching his elbow lightly to get his attention. If he looks at her, she'll incline her head once, inquiringly, towards the land speeder -- does he want it quickly searched?

Roakkana glances inquiringly to Freyja, then nods quickly.

Quiet shakes his head faintly. "Darksider or no... I have other priorities now." He pads carefully toward the door, and signals Colburth to wait by the other side; he very carefully leans his head against the door, listening.

As Colburth takes a position beside the door, moving with panther-like grace, Quiet hears only his namesake: absolutely nothing. It might be his nerves. Meanwhile, Freyja checks the landspeeder. It's empty, though there's traces of what might be some species' idea of blood.

Freyja nods once as she finishes searching, then glances up at Roakkana and shakes her head once to indicate nothing out of the ordinary. She falls back to her previous position next to him.

Roakkana nods to Freyja. The little tic-tic of Kedulo's tines upon the plascrete ground indicates some of the Dug's wariness as he turns here and there, looking about cautiously. Kuuna herself is silent. Colburth looks inquiringly to Quiet.

Quiet shakes his head. Nothing.

Colburth nods, then indicates the door. "Open it up, and cover me," he whispers.

Quiet takes hold of the handle and nods. He holds up three fingers; three- two- one-- he jerks open the door, stepping smoothly into the doorway as Colburth passes him.

The Templar is through immediately, in and to the side of the doorway. After a moment his hand comes out, gesturing inward.

Quiet follows, moving a bit ahead of Colburth.

The others follow them in. The room is a maintenance area, with the remains of an engine mounting block on one wall and various debris strewn about. Nothing of any value remains, having been scavenged a long time ago. There is an archway on the other side of the room that leads out to an alcove set into the side of the landing bay proper, and a large portculis -- down, closed, and seeming rusted in place -- that would lead to the bay proper.

Freyja studies the portculis, then looks around for the other, "usual" entrance. She's guessing it will be located some place that's not too hard to navigate, considering one of the land speeder's passengers was injured and bleeding.

The feeling -- the "darkside blight" as Colburth called it -- does indeed feel closer.

Colburth edges cautiously towards the archway, looking left and right, up and down.

Freyja hms quietly to herself. She doesn't see any trail of blood, or footsteps in the dusty debris... so it looks like they're headed for the archway.

As the group nears the archway, with Colburth leading, faint voices can be heard:

"'...and fire of darkness shall cleanse the stars.'" Unmistakably Jiosch.

"Excellent. You stand now with the Tenth Gate behind you. Do what you can to escape. The Fire shall not be extinguished." It is of a slightly higher pitch, and speaks Aurabesh with a strong, odd accent.

"It shan't, my Lord, but what--"

"Hush, now! They approach...."

Freyja raises a mental eyebrow. 'Do what you can to escape'? Sounds like once again a Sith lord is abandoning its converts. She thinks with dry sarcasm, How... inspiring...

Colburth glances behind him, raising an inquiring eyebrow.

Freyja glances at Roakkana inquiringly herself.

She wonders... straight-out attack, or attempt reason first?

Roakkana grimaces, and rolls his eyes. "Damned melodrama," he mutters. Then, louder, "It is over, Qatto Verg. The Sith on Marnaas have been broken." When Roakkana calls out, Colburth shrugs a little, and edges out into view in the bay as well, clearly not liking it.

Freyja leans slightly so she can peer curiously past the huge Wookie.

Quiet sighs quietly. So much for that, then. He circles off to one side, blaster lowered... but only slightly.

Out in the bay, there is a faint rustling sound, a blur of movement across the way, and on one of the catwalks there appears, landing, a black-clothed figure. It stands only about four feet tall, and would be somewhat Human-like if not for the yellow irises, the very angular chin and the oddly-shaped, bald head. The creature's skin is smooth, though, and has an almost youthful appearance. It starts to walk towards one end of the catwalk, still looking at the archway. "Come out, Jed-i," it says quietly. "I am only one Sith. What can one Sith do to the mighty Jed-i?"

Freyja's face is expressionless, watching the entity. Poor thing, that it must mock someone else to feel strong. She looks around alertly, wondering what it is serving as a distraction for.

Quiet cranes his neck. Weequan? What is it? He mentally runs through the species he's had occasion to see in battle, trying to place a match, should this Sith come with advantages beyond the already considerable benefits of being a Sith Lord.... He just keeps his eyes on the Sith Lord, irritably coming to the conclusion that this may, or may not be a Weequan, or a disgraced one, or something... there's just not enough data.

Freyja decides the odds of there being 'only one Sith' are about as realistic as her suddenly taking flight... and hiding sounds like an increasingly good option, considering she expects combat to break out at any point. She looks around for a good, shadowy spot to disappear into when the shit hits the fan.

The Sith continues to move towards the end of the catwalk, leaning down so it's almost squatting there. As it takes in the group of Jedi, it smiles -- it's teeth appear small and very sharp, coming to points. Then it smiles wider. And wider. The teeth are no longer at all small, and the smile seems to split the lower part of the Sith's face from the upper, and filled with quite a large selection of triangular teeth. "Six Jed-i, for one Sith. I'm flattered. Come, then!"

Freyja spots a perfect location to disappear into... then pauses a moment, listening.

There... Jiosch, carrying Valsha and struggling with the front door. She shakes her head and sighs internally, then stands on tiptoe and whispers to the Wookie, "Master Roakkana... would it be all right to see if I can help Valsha?"

Quiet notes the activity above him, but can't quite make it out; he sees Freyja and Roakkana have noted it, though, and leaves it to them to deal with it until they call for him. He suspects that he and the Knights are going to have trouble enough with the Sith Lord.

Roakkana blinks a bit, then looks over to Freyja and sees what she means. The Sith's eyes focus on Roakkana, then he lets out a shout. "You know that it won't end here while I still live!" He draws out a pair of blades of moderate length, Sith swords similar to the one Talmon had, and returns edging towards the end of the catwalk and the doorway there. Jiosch has noticed that he's been noticed, and with a startled look is starting to set the moderately limp form of Valsha down. The Sith barks a word, and Jiosch returns quickly to working at getting the door open.

Roakkana says quietly, "Freyja, Quiet, Colburth... deal with Jiosch and Valsha. The rest of us will try to pin down the Sith as best as we can."

Colburth mutters urgently, "Master, I've had experience dealing with the Sith--"

"Just DO as I say, Jedi Colburth!" Roakkana hisses. Kuuna and Kedulo exchange glances, and with a Force-assisted leap are up on the catwalk. The Sith focuses its attention between Roakkana and the two Jedi before it, his smile remaining frozen in place. It brandishes the blades above it's head, crossing them.

Roakkana says, "Hurry, Freyja, Quiet. You may not be able to save Jiosch, but Valsha may yet be redeemed."

Freyja nods, already heading for the door. Her voice carries quietly, "Jiosch... don't kill Valsha due to unnecessary fear. Let us help her." She is taking the direct route through the debris, and counting on the other two to cover her should Jiosch over-react.

Quiet moves toward Jiosch, keeping his blaster at the ready, but not quite pointed directly at Jiosch. He begins to circle to one side through the garbage, and keeps his eyes on Jiosch. "Don't waste your life, Jiosch."

Jiosch glances over his shoulder at the approaching padawan, even as Roakkana somehow gets from the ground floor to the catwalk without anyone noticing him. Colburth remains behind Freyja, his own lightsabre ready.

The saurian quickly lowers Valsha to the ground, and by the time Jiosch is flanked he is standing between the others and Valsha at the door, his lightsabre out but not ignited yet. "Your masters are dealing with mine," he snarls, eyes flicking from one to the other. "Leave her and I to leave this place, and I'll give you your lives."

Quiet spots the sabre grip and raises his weapon, fixing it on Jiosch. He lets his finger find the trigger, but waits, thinking perhaps Freyja may still end this quietly.

Freyja says calmly, "They are not yours to give, Jiosch. All you can do is kill. Now... if you'll please get out of the way, I'll see if I can help Valsha live." She smiles ruefully, suspecting the Sith won't get the irony of her statement.

He shakes his head a bit, as if to clear it, for the nonce unaware of what Freyja was trying. "Jedi," he snarls, and ignites the saber, an orange, hissing blade of energy leaping into the darkness. Almost as if on cue, Colburth ignites his, and from the other and of the bay come two more snap-hiss of lightsabres igniting, and the Sith lords high-pitched laughter.

Freyja sighs, then says firmly, "Colburth... stop. You're doing what he wants!"

Colburth's eyes flick to Freyja, and while he remains outwardly serene, his jaw works a little, and he doesn't leap forward.

Freyja starts walking forward slowly and calmly and as non-threateningly as she can. She can't help the hint of stern reproach in her voice, however, "Jiosch, regardless of your apparent fear of one Padawan, I am going to try to help Valsha." She silently reminds herself -- she has no fear. She has, in fact, a marksman at her back, and she has no fear... she continues walking forward, adding quietly, "Does your fear rule you, Jiosch?" She has her medpac in her hands... and nothing else.

Quiet waits, silently. He doesn't like this level of negotiation, particularly with this much Darksider activity all around. He pushes away the nagging fear of what might happen to Freyja for this moment of hesitation, and takes careful aim. Should Jiosch so much as breathe in a threatening manner, Quiet will perform his function; he will kill him, quickly and efficiently.

Jiosch's eyes flick between Colburth and Quiet, slowly dropping the point of his lightsabre to point at Freyja. "Fear," he mutters, and smiles, his saurian features emphasizing it. "I rule my fear. I use my fear. As you should. Now. Be gone, go and help your master, and be glad that our numbers are few now, else you'd see what true fear is, Humanling."

Freyja says patiently, "Don't be silly. Valsha needs assistance, and you wouldn't feel the need to flee if you truly ruled your fear -- you'd accept help when it was needed. Fear is easier... not better or stronger. Now... get out of the way, please." She is still walking towards the girl, completely confidently. It's not yet occurred to her that she mouthed off to a Jedi Knight -- she's not even considering her own potential imminent death.

Jiosch scowls. "I know that accepting your help would put me back in your camp. After I turned my back on the hypocritical Jedi, why would I go back? And Fear is in everyone. It cannot be escaped. It attracts everyone. Sith and Jedi. Wise and Foolish. Sith and Jedi!" His lightsabre is now almost flat, about one and a half meters of coruscating energy pointed at Freyja's heart, albeit not in a thrusting posture.

Freyja's voice is quiet and calm, "Not all Jedi are hypocritical... and while fear may be in everyone, it does not attract everyone. Move aside, Jiosch. You can decide for yourself whose camp you are in... but Valsha should make her own decision -- not die at your whim." She has not slowed her deliberate pace at all... she simply repeats with utter conviction, "I am going to help Valsha. Move aside."

Jiosch narrows his eyes at Freyja. "Truly no fear," he murmurs, almost in awe. "You're so close and yet so far, Humanling." If that's a smile, it looks unpleasant. "Very well, Jedi. You're welcome to try to help her." He edges to his left, roughly in Quiet's direction, or more specifically away from Colburth's golden blade, keeping his back towards the wall, but his lightsabre up in front of him, defensively. He moves to about five meters away from Valsha.

Quiet lines up his blaster with Jiosch's head. Do something foolish, Jiosch. Make this little standoff worth my time.

Freyja doesn't hesitate or speed up... she just continues calmly to Valsha's side, and kneels next to the fallen girl. A few minutes' work with the medpac will hopefully bring the Human around again, even if only for a few moments. She sees that Valsha's wounds are rather light -- bruises and abrasions, mostly, plus a remarkable slash through her tunic, made from a lightsabre -- remarkable in that there's no corresponding wound beneath on her body. She appears to have either fainted or been simply knocked out cold.

The Balmorran's ministrations quickly bring the girl around. Slowly, the young human opens beautifully silvery-iris'd eyes, eyes that blink and adjust to the light, eyes that suddenly snap in terror as she sees Freyja leaning over her. With a shout she tries to draw back, thrusting both her hands forward. There is an odd, tingling sensation that Freyja feels....

Freyja pushes the girl's hands firmly aside as she says with calm reproof, "Oh, stop that, Valsha. No one's trying to hurt you." She continues, hopefully distractingly, trying to convince the poor girl through the Force that she's a Friend, "Hold still, now. I'm almost done checking your wounds." Her tone is quite sincere, "Did you know you have really lovely eyes?"

The girl doesn't quite reel from the "impact" of Freyja's mental touch, and her eyes blink and clear a bit, becoming dazed instead of terrified, and instead of whatever she was going to do, a subtle yet strong wind blows around Freyja, catching her robes.

Colburth starts to take a step, but mindful of Freyja's warning, he hesitates before he leaps on Jiosch.

Unfortunately, that leaves Jiosch to laugh, and move... by throwing his lightsabre in a blazing orange whirl at Quiet.

Quiet takes this impassively; making the most economical use of motion, he drops to one knee, raises his blaster at Jiosch's head, and squeezes the trigger. His shot goes wide; he curses himself silently: Damn it... held my position too stiffly. I really must be slipping.

Jiosch ducks in the same motion that he's extending his arm, and Quiet's blaster shot strikes the wall behind the former Jedi. The lightsabre arcs towards the Human.

At the last moment, the saurian frowns, his brow furrowing, and the lightsabre whirls well clear of Quiet much to Jiosch's rage, falling somewhere behind the debris and not readily retrievable.

Quiet smiles with his ruined lips again. He doesn't laugh, though he certainly wants to.

Valsha's expression slowly goes from rank terror to blank dazedness as she watches Freyja, just watching the padawan.

Freyja smiles sincerely at the girl, concentrating all her calm attention on the young Human and trying by force of will to keep a small bubble of calm around the two of them, "Hello, Valsha. I'm Freyja. Feeling better?"

Valsha says nothing, just starting to focus in on the woman in front of her, even as Colburth shouts something in an obscure language that is most assuredly not Aurabesh, as he leaps forward at the Sith.

Jiosch is just barely quick enough to turn his lunge when he threw the lightsabre into a roll, though it takes something out of him, and when he straightens he has hate-filled eyes. He takes the moment to swing his huge digitigrade foot at Colburth, attempting to trip the Jedi. The saurian's foot swishes through the air, but Colburth leaps over it with ease.

Quiet stands, leaning out of his cover, and squeezes off another shot at the Sith as it lashes out at Colburth.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jiosch sees Quiet taking aim. With almost supernatural effort, he manages to twist his body painfully out of the path of the actinic bolt. The saurian roars as he strains something.

The roar startles Valsha, and the girl twitches, looking over sharply and in shock at the saurian Sith.

Freyja touches the girl gently, so as to not startle her, and murmurs quietly, "Valsha... it's all right. Look at me. There's nothing to be afraid of. Look at me. Let your fear go... you don't need it."

Valsha's attention is drawn back to Freyja, even as Colburth attempts a backhanded slash at Jiosch.

Freyja smiles at the girl again, "Here, Valsha, say it with me." She starts murmuring one of the quiet, calming koans she's learned from her Master, utterly unfazed by the combat going on about her, and encourages Valsha to chant it softly with her, if she can.

Jiosch somehow manages to push himself up off the ground and back and over the golden blade, the movement punctuated by a splutter of disbelief from Colburth. The saurian recovers from the dodge, and swings his fist at the Templar.

Freyja has chosen the least Light-fixated koan she knows. This one is about balance... a mischievously amused part of her figures someone should be oriented towards balance, in the middle of such conflict!

Colburth has enough time to blink in surprise at the fact that Jiosch landed a shot, when he takes the blow on the chin. It's a glancing shot, however, as the Jedi manages to turn enough to make it a glancing blow.

Quiet takes aim again, trying to compensate for Jiosch's obviously untrained style of fighting... although it's obviously rather effective in tagging Jedi. He fires off another shot.

Jiosch looks sharply over to Quiet after clocking Colburth, and the Sith has barely enough time to take in a breath and roar, as the bolt slams into him and sends him down, a gaping, smoking blaster-wound in his chest.

Valsha has her eyes closed, and is reciting the koan, almost by rote. And she keeps repeating it. Again. And again.

Quiet lowers his blaster and takes a breath, turning to the catwalks to see how the battle is progressing. "I did try to warn you," he murmurs. Calling out, he asks, "Freyja? How is she?"

Freyja smiles in some relief, and simply keeps her voice calm, quiet, reassuring... if possible, she makes her comfortingly droning tone a small barrier against the fear and violence around them. At Quiet's call she doesn't stop the koan -- just looks up and nods once, relieved to see Quiet standing and the enemy fallen. She can't help a quick glance to see how her Master is doing as well.

With Jiosch's final roar, from across the room the Sith Lord's eyes tear away from Kuuna, who is bringing her lightsabre down. With a shriek that doesn't come from any throat of any species that seems reasonably sane, there is a tremendous surge in the Force, and as the Jedi guardian's blade touches the Sith there is a small explosion that seems, somehow, composed of black energy, centered on the Lord.

Kuuna is thrown clear across the bay, while the others are brought to their knees except for Roakkana who, somehow, manages to stand there, serene if blinking in shock and surprise. After a moment, he recovers, and moves quickly to Kuuna. Of the Dug Jedi, there is no immediate sign.

Quiet blinks, once. "What was...?"

Freyja's voice actually falters for a second in the deafening quiet, and she murmurs once, "...ow..." and then, determined, continues the koan for Valsha.

Colburth is just recovering from Jiosch's blow when the Sith Lord's self-immolation almost staggers him. "What in the Corellian Hells...?"

Valsha, for her part, continues reciting the koan, though her voice is gaining a little strength.

Freyja whews internally in relief -- Valsha's still centered on the koan. She sits up, looking around alertly to see if anyone else needs help, the words still falling smoothly and quietly from her lips.

Quiet wobbles visibly, and stumbles as the dissipating black sweeps past. Something... dark. No, no time for that nonsense... He shakes his head, "Colburth, if you're still alive let's go... we lost the Dug someplace."

Somehow, Roakkana has come down from the catwalk, carrying (with relative ease) the Twi'lek Jedi, his expression somewhat grim. He takes in the scene, not without some sympathy, and only sighs softly.

Freyja waves to her Master to come over, if he's not busy with Kuuna. She can't think of anyone more reassuring, calm, and confident to sit with Valsha while Freyja runs around seeing to people's medical needs.

Then again... maybe he'll bring Kuuna over too... can't tell if she's just stunned, or truly injured...

Roakkana sets Kuuna down gently. The Twi'lek's body -- even her head-tails -- are twitching slightly. At Freyja's unspoken request, he shuffles over, and gently takes hold of Valsha. The Human all but buries herself in the Wookie's fur. "Child," Roakkana says quietly to Freyja, with audible weariness, "Please see what you can do for Kuuna."

Colburth finally realizes he's standing there with an ignited lightsabre, and he shuts it down sheepishly, fidgeting slightly.

Quiet says, "Damn... Roakkana, where is the other...?"

Freyja looks relieved that Valsha recognizes Master Roakkana as a safe haven, but simply takes the medpac swiftly up and trots hastily over to help the Twi'lek.

Roakkana looks to Quiet, even as he continues he koan for Valsha to recite. He shakes his head quietly, glancing upward to the catwalk about mid-way.

Quiet holsters his blaster, then. "Then we're done here, it seems." He wobbles again slightly, and leans on the cargo container he'd been using for cover.

Quiet says, "I suppose that under the circumstances... this should be considered a small victory."

Freyja swiftly and surely treats the shocked and bruised Twi'lek, then tucks her outer, all-temperature cloak around the woman to keep her warm. Next on her list is Jiosch... she runs over to him, medpac in hand, weaving lithely around debris and pausing only to pick up and turn off the former Jedi's lightsabre. She kneels next to Jiosch, wondering if he's even still alive.

Freyja is a tall, willowy female human with tanned skin. Her steady, often unblinking gaze is ice-blue, while her thick, soft brown hair is cropped short, with one long, thin braid. She makes no wasted movements, standing quiet and impassive when she's not in action. Her pragmatic clothing consists of snug breeches, a cropped athlete's top, taped wrists (all in sturdy, natural-colored cloth), and well-worn boots.

Kuuna's injuries consist of some blade-slashes, but what holds her most is some sort of hideous systemic shock. She has her teeth and jaw clenched as she shakes. Freyja gives her something to relax her, and the shaking and clenching subsides a little, though the guardian remains unconscious.

Roakkana nods quietly. "That was, arguably, the most tenacious and unwholesome -- and unusual -- Sith I have ever had the displeasure to have to fight."

Colburth mutters, "Tell us about it. I never saw one do that."

Quiet mms, "Quite a..." He shakes his head again, trying to clear it. "Display."

Jiosch is slipping, and slipping quickly. Under Freyja's treatment, he is stabilized, but just barely. Somehow, with her handiwork, he's clinging tenaciously to life, despite having a hole blown open in his chest.

Colburth nods, rubbing his jaw. "Yeah. It... was damnable...."

Quiet says, "What was it? It... exploded... and I felt something pass..." He frowns. "I must be imagining things."

Freyja sits back with a sigh of relief, announcing to the others, "Jiosch is still alive, somehow... he's really holding on hard. Kuuna is out but recovering from the systemic shock." She looks up at Colburth and grins, rising gracefully and moving over to him, "Split lip -- here, let me clean that up. Good. Now... hold this against it to bring the swelling down." She pats Colburth reassuringly on the arm, then turns concernedly to Quiet, "You all right, Quiet?" She shakes her head, "Not imagining. You felt the disturbance in the Force."

Quiet shakes his head, "I've never felt such a thing in my life, Freyja, and I've lived through more horrible battles than this."

She puts a steadying hand on Quiet's shoulder, "It's all right now... it was the passing of something twisted and... wrong. Now we can all start to heal... even the Force will need to go back to normal. Do you know any centering mantras, Quiet?"

Colburth shakes his head. "I don't know. I haven't seen anything quite like that before. Sith aren't supposed to, uh... er...." He holds still and falls silent, sheepishly, and actually blushing a little bit, as Freyja treats his lip, holding the pad to his lip.

Roakkana rumbles reassuringly to Valsha in Wookie. "There, little one. Rest, there is no fear now." He looks up. "I have heard of some Sith doing that, to try to destroy their opponents when they are defeated." He looks to Kuuna. "I never quite imagined it was like... that, however." He sighs, closing his eyes and murmuring something else in Wookie.

Quiet shakes his head again, "No, but I'll live..." He rubs his eyes. "There are still Sith to be dealt with."

Freyja slides her hand down Quiet's shoulder to lightly take his hand, if he doesn't object, "Come sit with Master Roakkana. He can teach you the koan... it's very helpful."

Colburth glances at Roakkana, frowning slightly, but says nothing, not least because he's tending his split lip.

Quiet glances at the Wookie, and pauses a moment. He opens his mouth slightly, as if to say something... then closes it, and gently squeezes Freyja's hand. "If you'd just give me a few moments, Freyja... I'm still a little unsteady. There's something I need to talk to Roakkana about later... I promise I'll ask him about it then. Alright?" He tries his best to smile reassuringly, but it comes out rather lame, as he makes a visible effort to only do it with the undamaged half of his face.

Freyja nods and smiles... then brings her free hand up to very lightly touch Quiet's face, on the damaged side -- again, only if he does not object. Her voice is very soft, pitched just for him, "Don't worry so much, my friend..." Then her voice is back to normal conversational tone as she nods and says, "All right. Shall we check on the catwalk to be sure the other Sith lord is dead too, or go get the land speeder?"

Roakkana opens his eyes, and looks over to Quiet. He thus misses Colburth quickly looking away. The master stands, slowly, easily carrying the tiny Human. "We should return to the monastery. Colburth, please help by bringing Jedi Kuuna then Jiosch to the landspeeder. Quiet, Freyja, if you would please take the time to walk through the bay? I dislike sounding as if you are to loot the place, but the Oath of Fire may have left something more material than... well. Whatever in the name of Kashyyyk Qatto Verg did before he died.

Freyja nods to the Wookie calmly, "Of course, Master Roakkana. That was my thought also."

Quiet raises one hand to the broken side of his face momentarily, distant for a few moments, then shakes his head vigorously. Damn it, now is not the time. "Yes. I'll examine the upper level."

Roakkana smiles, and inclines his head to Freyja. "You did well, Freyja. I could sense your serenity from across the bay. You are to be commended highly." He looks to Quiet. "And you, lad, did well, too. I could not see it, but I'm sure having Jiosch as an adversary was not a comfortable thing."

Freyja nods to Quiet as she adjusts Jiosch's lightsabre handle so it hangs out of her way on her belt, murmuring, "I'm guessing the Empire Sith lord got killed before we arrived... she was chasing them, didn't you say?" She beams with pleasure at her master, "Thank you!" then starts moving with long, graceful strides through the bay, looking around with wary, alert caution.

Quiet shrugs fluidly. "He threw his weapon away. Not a sensible thing to do when you're outnumbered. He never really had a chance." He climbs the cargo container, carefully swinging over the railing of the catwalk. "But thank you, Roakkana. I'm glad to see you're not hurt." With that, he wanders out along the catwalks.

Roakkana turns to Colburth. "And Jedi Colburth, again, you are a credit to your order." The way Roakkana says it makes Colburth open his mouth briefly in protest, then he smiles wanly, and only inclines his head. He then bends down to gently lift up Kuuna. The two soon have the front door open and are bringing the two to the landspeeder.

Freyja nods quietly to herself at Quiet's words, as she paces off the bay. She's very glad of that also.

She takes her time, slowly and deliberately picking through the debris, trying to figure out why the Revenge Sith lord chose here to lair. She's not so absorbed in her task, however, that she doesn't realize she owes Quiet a thank you for taking the catwalk... where the Dug Jedi's body probably is. She wonders if they'll find the Empire Sith lady's body somewhere here as well. She finds a few things while she searches, most notably a small case of various monies. Checking it out, she realizes she's holding quite a lot of money, all physical, universally-negotiable currency in high denominations, which seem to span the Republic from here out to Toparwa, which is the last (former) Republic world before hitting Sith space. She could fund quite a bit with this cache. She also finds a datapad... and several shards from what might have been Verg's swords. She tucks the case and datapad into her belt and, with a grimace of distaste, collects the sword shards together, in case her Master wants to be sure they're all destroyed. When she's done, she looks up to see if Quiet's also finished.

Quiet finds only a few things of interest... two of the lightsabres involved in the combat, a map of the Balmorra sector, marked out to indicate the Jedi presence; apparently the Sith Lord was making grand schemes on the sector. Most curiously, he finds a small hand held holoprojector. He fidgets with that for a few moments, trying to figure out how to activate it.

Freyja smiles as she realizes Quiet's occupied... then sits down on a crate and curiously opens the datapad to see what's on it.

By then, Colburth has dragged Jiosch out to the landspeeder, and the bay is silent again. Freyja opens the datapad, and from the times she peeked at her father's paperwork she can tell that it's contents have been decrypted. It is, however, a Republic datapad, and doesn't seem at all well-suited to the Sith glyphs that form the jumble on the screen. They are legible, but obviously attempts to encrypt the data have failed multiple times, resulting in corruption of the data.

The holoprojector is a little more intriguing. It doesn't take long before it comes alive, and a being, Massassi, perhaps, appears on it and begins to speak.

"You have done well so far, my Lord Qatto Verg, but there is more yet to be done before your passage through the seventeen gates is complete. Remember, neither the Jedi Order nor the Sith Hierarchy must know of our existence. If one of your warriors looks about to convert, then you must kill him, quickly. Even secrets beyond the First Gate must never be permitted to those uncleansed by the Fire.
"Now, for Marnaas. There is a monastery there, an introspective place. The Jedi there are far from the battles being waged by Naga Sadow. They will not expect you. Kill them. All of them. Do not try to convert them. We must destroy them utterly in their own space, and they must not know that it was by our hands that it happened. They will only scent the Sith, and that will make our victory all the more ultimately assured.
"Live by the Oath, die by Fire, Qatto Verg, and our revenge will come as the setting of the sun on the luminous beings.

Freyja closes the datapad without playing with it. Maybe someone more skilled can make the sigils out.

Quiet sets down the holoprojector as the message ends, and deactivates it. Raising a finger to his lips, he memorizes the face and the voice, and says, simply, "Shh."

He walks back to the catwalks, remembering something. He looks around at the figures milling on the floor, then takes off his cloak, throwing it over something he finds upon the catwalk floor.

Freyja is standing quite still, listening with tilted head and a distant gaze to the holoprojector. When the last imprecation to secrecy is finished, and the voice dies away, she murmurs very softly, "You lose." At Quiet's single sibilant word she looks up at the catwalk and calls, "Quiet? You all right?"

Quiet smiles faintly. "Just making certain I don't forget."

Freyja nods gravely in understanding to Quiet, then waits while they carry out the remains of the Dug Jedi, following them to the land speeder.

Freyja nods gravely in understanding to Quiet, then waits for Colburth with him.

Colburth eventually re-enters the bay, looking around for Freyja and Colburth.

Quiet says, "Colburth... I think you'd best come up here."

The Templar looks up at the catwalk. "Oh, there you two are. What...?" He blinks at Quiet's question, and makes his way up to the catwalk, a questioning and concerned expression on his face.

Quiet nods to the outspread cloak, and shakes his head. "That's all there is."

Colburth blinks, looking at the cloak, then his face goes from blank, to understanding, to mild horror, to dismay. "Corellian Hells," he murmurs, shaking his head, and swallows, gathering up the bundle with respect and remarkable gentleness. "He will not be forgotten," he says, almost intoning. "Even after the stars fade, always a luminous being in the Force will Jedi Kedulo be."

Freyja waits for them to carry the remains of the poor Dug Jedi out, following them quietly to the land speeder. Standing by the land speeder, she realizes there's really not enough room for everyone. "Um... why don't I walk, guys. I'm about the only unhurt person that's not a pilot as well, or needed at the monastery."

Quiet just watches, expressionless, and waits for Colburth to do what he has to. "We can take him out in the cloak. Better that way."

Roakkana blinks, and frowns slightly. "I do not like the idea of you being on your own, Freyja, not with more Sith about."

Freyja grins ruefully, "She'll be busy, Master Roakkana. She has to get word of the Revenge Sith back to her folks... just like we have to, our people." Her grin widens teasingly as she pats her belt, "And... I have two light lightsabres, Master -- who'd want to tangle with me?" She laughs softly, handing over the money and the datapad, "Here... you'll want these, though."

Roakkana frowns slightly, then shakes his head. "Jedi Colburth and I will walk. You and Quiet go to the monastery together, and have them send another speeder for us." He adds dryly, "Two lightsabres are more dangerous to the wielder than one, without a battlemaster's training." His eyes widen slightly with the monies, and the datapad he tucks neatly into his baldric. "Ah, excellent, child, this casts more light on the mystery."

Freyja considers, then says quietly, "Master Roakkana, forgive me, please, but having the land speeder arrive with no Jedi Kedulo, with injured Sith injured, and without you, would be a mistake, I believe." She thinks a moment, then adds, "Perhaps the Jedi Colburth would be willing to walk with me?"

Roakkana hems and haws a bit, but he eventually relents, and Colburth certainly isn't unamenable to it.

Freyja suspects getting the Templar out, and the calm Master in, would be wisest, although she's too polite to say it. She just grins cheerfully at her Master and promises to take good care of Colburth.

Quiet returns from securing Jedi Kedulo as best he can under the circumstances, and nods. "I'll bring a ride back for you after we've secured everyone else."

Freyja looks faintly relieved, although she doesn't let Colburth see that, "Thank you, Quiet."

Roakkana is more or less silent during the first part of the trip back, his eyes fixed on the road in front.

Quiet drives a little more conservatively on the way back, with the dead and injured in tow, but the roads are good and he's a good pilot; the speeder makes good time. He turns to Roakkana, after a time, and finally says, "I wasn't aware the Jedi were religious sorts."

Roakkana doesn't look too surprised; in fact he hardly moves. He is, however, quiet for a moment, before he shifts in his seat a little. "Few people realize," he says quietly, "that the Jedi started from the merging of a number of religions and philosophies, common in their belief in a universal, unifying Force."

Quiet shrugs a little, keeping his eyes on the road. "Seems a bit theistic to give it a proper name."

"If anything, it was nontheist, Quiet. The assemblies of scholars and theologians and philosophers had hundreds, thousands of beliefs amongst them. The final products of those convocations -- the Syncretic Assembly and the codified research of the Force -- was as far removed from religion and myth as... well, as you are from being a Wookie."

Quiet says, "And Ashla?"

Roakkana actually looks over to Quiet at this point, and holds his gaze for a full second before looking back at the road. "Ashla," he repeats. "I must be getting old," he quips half-heartedly. "I didn't know I said that aloud, twice, even.

"Ashla is an old, word, from the early days of the Republic, before the Order of Jedi Knights. It is the Light side, but it is the Light side that cannot exist without the Dark side. It is the Bright side of the Bendu, those antecedents of the Order who followed a belief in a Balanced Force." He adds, a little whimsically, "Along with several dozen volumes of theology which was thrown out by the scholars codifying a secular study of the Force."

Quiet hms. "I see. Old names..." He seems lost in thought for a moment.

"Very old. So very old.... It is part of a past that the Order would really rather forget about. There is only the Force, secular, Unifying, and Living, and a Jedi devotes his life to the Light side of the Force. They have no need, you see? No need to remember the Bendu, and the Valsar, and all the rest."

Quiet nods. "Let me ask you something, then."

"Of course, Quiet."

Quiet says, "I have heard it said by Jedi that were someone with a connection to the Force to live a life of violence... to be a soldier, a killer, a criminal... they would be by definition corrupted.

"But I no more listen to Jedi than I do to the sound of the speeder's engines. You know that Kalatis... and his credits, are the only thing that I pay any mind to.

"So let me ask you... what is your opinion?"

Roakkana glances again to Quiet. "It is not enough to judge someone by what they do, but also why." He thinks for a moment. "You've probably heard Jedi speak about how the Force is in everything. Well, in a real sense they are right. In many ways, the Force is everything. It is like a body of which we are individual cells. When functioning right, these cells work together, mutually, in harmony, even if some cells are in the heart, some are in the brain, some in your left toe-nail. They are all part of the same body. Some do things for various reasons. An immune-system cell will sometimes need to attack and kill another cell, for the greater harmony of the body, to keep the body in functioning properly. The body might need to go into fever to kill a pathogen, to bring itself back into balance. It is natural, the immune-system cell gains no personal benefit from attacking a diseased cell or a pathogen, the cells that cause the fever do not do it for no reason, and they return the body to balance as soon as they can. Each cell: it is what it is, it does what it does for the body as a whole.

"There are some cells which turn bad, and which go their own way, and throw the body out of balance, and destroy wantonly for no reason. We call them cancers."

"Now, say that some cells gain the ability to perceive this body as a whole, and to change themselves, alter the way they are. The point is, they are free to choose their path in ways not open to the rest of the body's cells. They can be immune-system cells, and heart cells, and left-toe-nail cells, as the need arises. And they can, if they choose, become cancers."

The Wookie looks again to Quiet. "Does that make sense, Zero?"

Quiet says, "In its own way, yes. I have a worry, Roakkana, and it's something that I would rather not burden Freyja with... after today she has enough to deal with."

Roakkana tilts his head to the side for a moment. "For what it is worth, Zero, I have been... who I am long enough to know that, sometimes, the Order doesn't need to know everything. You may speak to me in strictest confidence, and I will reveal it to none, not even the Jedi Council." He smiles a little. "Call it another tradition that was cast aside when the Syncretic Assembly was formed. What's troubling you?"

Quiet doesn't look up from the road. "I have no family, no flag and no person that I follow. Eventually, I won't be of any use to Kalatis anymore. I don't think he'll try to ensure that I stay silent... but you never know. I suppose my point, Roakkana, is that I have only one purpose in life... and that is to kill. But, Freyja was quite right. I did feel it when the Sith Lord passed. And when we entered the tainted area. And it's not been the first time. I can feel it.

"And this time... it nearly crippled me."

Quiet is silent for a long time. "I'll be no use to anyone in combat soon, at this rate... and I don't know what I'll do then."

Roakkana contemplates this for a few moments. "You've had an unwelcome burden placed on you, Zero," he says softly. "The Force may grant great power, but it also demands unequivocal responsibility and consequences far in excess of that power -- something darksiders often forget. If I may say so, your life until now has been to... eliminate opposition that Senator Kalatis finds inconvenient, and I would be lying to you if I said that, strictly speaking, you were not on the road to the Dark side.

"But you have a unique opportunity now. You have become more and more aware of the Force and once one has done so -- be it Unifying, Living, Balanced, Universal, Shattered, or any other path -- in the way that you have, then the time has come to stop and think and consider... where will you go? From now on, your actions will have consequences which will resonate throughout the Force, throughout the body that is All.""

He is quiet for a moment more. "I mentioned other Force traditions. Not all are as dualist as the Jedi/Sith, focusing on a Light side and a Dark side. Some portray a balanced view of the Force." He looks over to you. "If nothing else, Zero, then remember this: the Dark side, as poor a representation of half of the Force as it might be, is still capricious, and needful, and selfish. It is almost a parody of everything that the Light Side isn't -- and say nothing to anyone else, I ask, but that is much the say way that some would like to see the Jedi Order: a parody of everything that the Dark side is not."

He tilts his head to the side. "If you give me the chance, Zero, I will do what I can to teach you to not be crippled, in combat or in any other situation, by your new perceptions of the Force, and I will not even ask that you be taken into the Order, unless that is your will. But I will not lie to you, there will be a price, and that price is that you look at yourself in a mirror and ask if you wish to spend the rest of your days killing, being a cancer in the body of the All, for no greater reason than transitory credits. Not because it is what you know nothing else; that will not be an excuse I will let you use. I can show you how much more than a simple killer for hire that you can be, but only if you want to find out."

Quiet sighs softly. "I don't know," he finally says, barely audible above the sound of the speeder drive. "I've fought almost since I was born. My home... it was a colony world, but no one ever thought to ask the natives what they thought... we spent years under siege. Thousands of them, armed with slugthrowers. I was on the ramparts since I was seven years old. That's where I got my little souvenir..." He reaches up to finger the edges of his scar. "I'm always the survivor. We broke the siege... and since then my goal has always been to be the one to walk off the field when it's all over." He drums his fingers against the steering yoke for some time, the first time he's ever exhibited a nervous fidget of any kind, at least around Roakkana. "It seems I may have no choice but to change, doesn't it. I can't continue this way, certainly. If you can help me... I'll listen to what you have to say. I don't want to end up like one of those animals we killed today."

Roakkana listens quietly and patiently. He doesn't interrupt, and in fact remains silent for a moment when Quiet finishes speaking. "You will not," he says finally. "It is an oath I make to everyone whom I teach, officially and otherwise. I will help you to see what you can become, if you are willing to look. It takes courage to look at yourself in that way, Zero, and many people can't. Some simply can't survive it. But, as you said, and of this I have no doubt, you are a survivor, and you will survive this."

Quiet grins a little. "That's flattering to hear you say, Roakkana." He looks down the road into the distance. "Who knows," he chuckles faintly, "Maybe I'll make a half-decent Jedi. Who'd ever have guessed."

Freyja stands and watches the land speeder whisk off with a feeling of relief. Looks like Quiet and Master Roakkana will have a bit of time alone now, good! Maybe Quiet will talk to her calmly reassuring Jedi Master about whatever it is that's bothering him. Also good is that her Master will be present when the injured Sithlings arrive at the monastery... and just as helpful -- the Templar won't.

She grins quietly to herself, stepping lithely out of the shadow of Bay Eighteen's dilapidated service building, and into the sunshine. Her small grin grows into a contented smile and she stretches her arms out and tilts her face up to the sun. It feels so very wonderful to be alive... she hums in quiet pleasure to herself for a few seconds, then murmurs in serene happiness to the system's day star, "Hello! Didn't know if I'd see you again!"

Freyja stretches her arms with enthusiasm over her head, fingers outstretched and rising up on tiptoe in her soft leather boots -- then laughs liquidly and takes a few twirling, joyous dance steps, unwittingly looking much like her sister for a moment. In the growing sunlight and without her usual enveloping over-cloak, her slender form looks even more slight and willowy than usual. Then she cheerfully starts her usual gracefully long-legged stride towards the monastery, glancing over her shoulder with a flashing grin to be sure the Jedi Knight is still with her, "Coming?"

Colburth is still standing in the shadow of the doorway, an eyebrow cocked at the padawan as she seems so cheerful. Finally he steps out, wincing a little in the sunlight as his eyes get used to the light. "Er... Padawan Freyja... you realize that we just got out of a life-or-death battle with a Sith in which one knight emerged catatonic and another--" He catches himself, shaking his head. "On second thought, no, I think you do realize." He lets out a breath, looking up into the sky. "Yeah. At that, it is good to be alive. Shall we?"

Freyja smiles quietly, "Definitely." She strides along for several minutes with brisk enjoyment of the morning, her arms swinging freely.

Finally she says with a thoughtful smile, "Jedi Kuuna will recover, I believe... and Jedi Kedulo..." She gives the Jedi Knight a sideways glance upwards from her bright blue eyes and says quietly, "That was a nice thing you did for Jedi Kedulo, back there... 'a luminous being in the Force'... very lovely words." She adds equally gently, "And while I will mourn not getting to know such a worthy Jedi better... is not his gain greater than my loss? Should I not rejoice to know he's moved on to a greater state of being? After all, what is death? Certainly not something for a Jedi to fear, hai?"

Colburth blinks a little, then smiles quietly. "You know, I'm honestly not sure where that came from. When I was a padawan myself, my master of the time died -- peacefully, in his sleep -- and at a memorial service that phrase was used. 'Luminous being in the Force.' I guess it stayed with me." He thinks for a moment, blinking a little at Freyja's exposition, then nods. "That's certainly true. Of all the things that the Order teaches, death is not an really an ending, not in the Force."

Freyja's smile is serene as she listens, glancing up and sideways at the Jedi again. She doesn't say anything, just continues her lithely swaying walk. She has the obvious grace and pleasure in movement of a young colt -- long-legged, agile, and still full of the joy of life -- she is very centered in the physicality of this moment.

Colburth is quiet for a little while longer as they continue to walk through the spaceport. Finally, he asks, "How long have you been with Master Roakkana?"

Freyja considers for a moment, then says cheerfully, "About five years now, sir Knight. Why do you ask?"

Colburth says, "I was just curious. Roakkana's fairly well-known in the Order; he's certainly acknowledged as a very good teacher. If I may ask, you are training as a consular, right?""

Freyja grins at the Jedi and says with calm cheer, "Shall we cut to the chase? What are you trying to discover with your circular questioning, Jedi Colburth?"

Colburth actually looks taken aback, then frowns. "I'm not trying to 'discover' anything, Padawan Freyja." His gaze becomes sidelong, then he sighs and rolls his eyes heavenward. "What did he tell you about me."

Freyja laughs cheerfully, then smiles and says truthfully, "Nothing. I just listen and watch, Sir Knight." Her sidelong glance gets a hint of mischief, "So... may I ask you a direct question, then?"

Colburth says wryly himself, "No need to stop now. Go right ahead."

Freyja turns her bright gaze directly on him, and asks with a wicked grin, "So what's a nice Templar like you doing in a sleazy dive like this?" She's quite aware everyone's been careful not to mention that word, except for Talmon... but it's just the two of them right now -- and Colburth did just give her implicit permission to do so!

Plus, all teasing aside, she would really like to know what a Templar is doing... out of the Temple.

Colburth makes a mildly frustrated sound, though it sounds a little amused. "Ah, that's what it's about, then. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Padawan Freyja. I'm acting only as a courier, visiting the monasteries and commanderies in this region and seeing if there's anything they need."

Freyja raises an amused eyebrow, but is polite enough not to verbalize the 'surely you don't expect me to believe that whopper!' showing clearly on her face. She knows as well as the next Padawan that Templars aren't supposed to ever leave the Temple. She simply shrugs and goes back to her free-swinging walk, and her enjoyment of the day. She has nothing more to say to someone who'll lie that obviously -- and poorly! -- to her.

Colburth glances at Freyja, then away, then looks again at her. He sighs and rolls his eyes again. "Yes, you're right, we aren't supposed to leave the Temple. It's supposed to be some great scandal when any Templar sets foot beyond the Gates. So why would the company even risk it? In part because it is the truth, I am a courier." He pauses. "And I am visiting monasteries and commanderies." Another pause. "And some of those are Templar commanderies."

Freyja gives him a curious look, echoing his own words, "'The company'?"

"The Company of Jedi Templars." He stops and looks seriously at you. "Padawan Freyja, you are a very perceptive person, and I wouldn't have said anything more about my mission if I didn't think that you were trustworthy. That the Templars are working beyond the Temple, at least against the Sith, will become known in time, but for now the Sith, especially the Oath of Fire, can't be allowed to realize that we -- that members of the company are out here."

Freyja politely stops when Colburth does, and listens curiously -- although not with surprise. Honesty compels her to quietly add, when he's done, "Thank you for the compliment, Jedi Colburth... but I should note I do not keep secrets from my Master. You should not tell me something you do not want Master Roakkana to know."

Colburth nods. "I understand that. Despite our differences in opinion, he is a Jedi Master, and a respected one -- I respect, too, as well." His expression quirks. "He's not fond of the Templars, and has been vocal enough to say as much in the past, but that makes him all the more worthy of respect: he stands by his own beliefs. I also trust him not to go telling the Sith."

Freyja grins at that silly thought, then turns and continues her lithe, long-legged stride. Curiously she says, "So, is it true what they say about Templars... I don't know... suppressing, or refusing, all their emotions?"

Colburth walks again with Freyja, and sighs a little. "Yes, somewhat, though it's an ideal to strive for rather than a standard, as I'm sure you noticed in that battle." He shakes his head. "Serenity In All Things. When there is no fear, when there is no anger, when there is nothing but the moment, when the mind is clear and free, then there is no need for the thought then the action, there is only the action.

Freyja considers that for a long moment. Finally she says slowly, "I don't think serenity comes from no emotion, Jedi Colburth... I think it comes from accepting all the emotions, but not allowing them to overwhelm you." She turns her head to study the Templar curiously, "That's not what you're saying, though, is it?"

Colburth thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. "Not entirely, no. Roakkana's teachings are apparent, though. No, it's... a kind of state of mind. Again, it's an ideal we strive for, not a standard. And it doesn't really translate into Aurabesh well. 'Action without thought' sounds like a one-way passage to the Dark side, but I think the best way to explain it is that, in this penultimate serenity, there is no need to deliberate an action, no need to think about what to do. The Jedi will simply do it, because it is what needs to be done. The need to do something, the decision, and the action resulting from that decision are all one and the same, single thing.

Freyja nods in understanding, "Sure, serenity. That's how I knew what to do when facing Jiosch. But... I didn't deny my emotions there, Jedi Colburth. I just thought things through logically, even if non-consciously." She gives the Human a curious look, "How do you handle your fear?"

"I'm not sure if I can explain that either, but I'll try! My master -- well, my second master, taught me certain meditation techniques. When I don't forget like I did today, I've been able to... well, ignore the fear. Push it aside. Focus on the moment and the action and nothing else.

Freyja nods slowly, considering. She wonders if Colburth's just new to Jedi Templar-hood, that he forgot in the middle of conflict -- the most important time to remember to control one's fear, she thinks -- then looks up again at him, "Why were you embarrassed about your split lip?" She tilts her head, studying Colburth thoughtfully, "How is it now? Feeling better?"

He blinks to Freyja, and smiles quietly. "Oh, no, I wasn't embarrassed... well... all right, I was. I never expected Jiosch to clock me like that. And it's much better now, thank you. You have a gift for healing, Padawan Freyja. Have you considered going to the Academy when you pass your trials, to be a healer?

Freyja grins, taking a non-conscious, cheerful skipping step as she happily answers, "Nope! I'm going to be a Consular. I intend to save lives by helping people realize they don't have to fight -- not spending all my time patching folks up after they've fought. I'll certainly be available to help those that don't listen to reason... but if I can get them not to fight -- we all win!" She grins mischievously at the Templar, "So... do you think I show promise as a potential Jedi?"

"Well, you do, at that. If this war with the Sith is over by then, I can see that being a plenipotentiary of the Republic would be a great boon."

Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully and asks a seemingly unrelated question, "How did Talmon know you were a Templar?"

Colburth's smile fades slightly, and he looks to Freyja worriedly. "He knows I'm a Templar?"

Freyja says softly, with no humor at all in her voice, "Why were you disparaging of him... in his presence?"

"One moment. You said he knows I'm a Templar?"

Her unblinking, ice-blue gaze is very steady, "Thank you for the compliment concerning my potential ability. However... did you know, sir Knight, that I also cannot yet levitate a rock?"

Freyja has stopped walking, and is turned to face him, standing very straight and still. She's not smiling any more.

He also stops walking. "Padawan Freyja, I'll be more than happy to address that, but if Talmon knows I'm a Templar, then that means that the it's far too possible that the Sith of the Oath of Fire know. We don't know what off-world contact they have had since coming here."

Freyja says quietly, "That is an excellent point, isn't it, Jedi Colburth? Maybe you could find out how he knows by asking him politely. However, I suspect he'd appreciate an apology first... don't you think?" Her face is absolutely calm; she's neither accusative nor consoling.

"Maybe you could teach me too... where scorn comes from. I have heard it comes from the fear of insecurity... but I would like to believe that is not true." She stands utterly still in the sunlight, her steady gaze unblinking, her hands resting lightly on the wide belt resting about her slender hips, and studies the Templar thoughtfully.

Colburth shakes his head. "I'm starting to think you'd make a stellar Watcher instead of a consular. All right. In short, he and I shared a differences of very strong opinion. He held a strong interest and belief in very ancient teachings that aren't approved by the Order anymore, and some that border on the downright heretical." He spreads his hands. "You can probably imagine that as a Templar, I'm the staunch, dyed-in-the-wool, static-and-rigid conservative stooge of Jedi orthodoxy." He drops his hands. "So we didn't get along at all well, and we let that get the better of us. You're right, it was unprofessional and rude, and I have no excuse for it. At the very least I should have just let it pass but I didn't and that very well possibly contributed to his fall, and believe me when I say that I fully expect to be called up before his tribunal. I hope to be able to do more than apologize, if my humbling can help redeem him then so much the better, and I will take responsibility when and where it is applicable. And, no, this is not to mollify you in any way." He shakes his head. "Corellian Hells and Heavens of Alderaan, I can't believe I'm having this conversation, but so be it."

Freyja wonders puzzled why Colburth thinks she'd make a good Watcher -- aren't those Templars too? and if she doesn't agree with a Templar-in-the-field, as it were, why would she agree with an even more, um... indoctrinated one such as a Watcher? She looks for a second like she's struggling with laughter when Colburth says, "static-and-rigid, conservative stooge" but she manages to maintain her calm solemnity a moment later, and simply nods gravely, listening. In the end, she says only, "Why can't you believe you're having this conversation?"

Colburth indicates the way towards the monastery. "That I'm being instructed -- adroitly, too -- in humility by a padawan. As I said, I have no excuse, and both of my masters would have find something suitably creative to drive home the point if I'd been that way as a padawan."

Freyja has the grace to blush, considering her own effrontery. She turns a bit hastily to continue walking towards the monastery. A little breathlessly she says, "Ah... thank you for the compliment about er Watching too, sir Knight. Um... oh!" She gives him another sidelong glance, although this time it's more than a touch sheepish, rather than mischievous. "I meant to ask you... if I'm remembering correctly Jiosch was gone by the time you arrived, so I was wondering if you had any idea why he'd say Jedi were um... hypocritical?" She's trying (even if a bit embarrassedly) to quit heckling him, in effect, and to try working with him on a problem instead.

Colburth doesn't quite smile, but his voice isn't unpleasant. "You're welcome. I did mean it as a compliment, in case you were wondering. Yes, Jiosch had already fallen by the time I arrived on Marnaas." He shakes his head. "I don't know why, but I can guess. If the Oath of Fire have been maintaining a tradition of hatred and revenge against the Jedi for twenty thousand years, then they would be remembering the time of the Heresy Wars. About all I really know of that time is that the Order was a lot different, a lot less structured. Anything else, though, is sealed in the Archives.

Freyja considers for a long moment as she strides lithely along... then hazards a guess, based on things she's overheard, "Something about the Bendu? Is that what you and Talmon argued about?"

Colburth blinks again to you, and nods. "Yes, the Bendu. Talmon felt they were what the Order should have been. While I respect the Bendu, the Order had to make for itself it's own identity, based off of what the first Jedi had learned about the Force. How do you know about the Bendu?"

Freyja says curiously, "We still remember a first Jedi? Who was that?"

"Well, the first group of Jedi, I should have said. I think they were the Syncretic Assemblage, or Synthetic Convention, or a similar name. I imagine that the Archives have copies of their original studies of the Force buried somewhere in the stacks.

Freyja covers a snicker at the mangled names, then grins, "Okay... so why do you feel the Order has to make its own identity? It's not like the Bendu are trying to eat us or anything, after all, right?"

"The Jedi were a new form of Force tradition. We weren't based on thousands of years of myth and theology. We started with just a scientific, secular study of the Force. It seems... wrong, somehow... disrespectful... to try to graft on other traditions' ways wholecloth onto a creation like the Order. And besides, the Order was trying to be something that the other traditions weren't: galaxy-wide and culturally independent.

Freyja smiles slowly, her blue-eyed gaze serenely considering the Templar, and says simply, "Isn't it rather arrogant, though, to simply... steal bits of other belief systems -- and then claim the ensuing mish-mash is somehow new and better?"

"You won't find argument from me there, Padawan Freyja. I believe the Order should have started with a completely clean slate. As it is, after these twenty thousand years, we would have developed our own traditions. The point is almost moot, though... well, probably not to the Oath of Fire."

Freyja nods slowly, "It is not moot, no... it looks like we are the ones who shall have to face the consequences of the arrogance of our Order ancestors." Her voice is quiet and contemplative, and she adds softly, "I find it a noteworthy point that the Revenge Sith are attacking us... and not the Bendu. Perhaps there is something the Bendu can still teach us."

"'Arrogance?' Definitely Roakkana's teaching! Just be careful, Padawan Freyja. Not everyone in the Order agrees completely with Master Roakkana's ideas. As for the Bendu... the Oath of Fire might not care about the Bendu. They're descended from heretics and expatriates of the Jedi Order. The Bendu also have only a single monastery. If any Oath of Fire Sith wants to destroy them, they might think they can do it when they've gotten rid of the Jedi."

Freyja grins mischievously at the Templar, "Actually, the statement 'arrogance' was more based on my anthropological training as a girl, Jedi Colburth." She adds with artfully artless innocence, "Now why would you assume that was due to Master Roakkana?" She smiles, "And... are you absolutely sure the Bendu are descended from disaffected Jedi... rather than the other way around?"

Colburth rolls his eyes skyward again, smiling wryly. "This is why I'd make a poor consular. Master Roakkana's beliefs about the Force and the origins of the Order are fairly well-known. It sounded like something he's said in the past." He blinks to you, his brow furrowed. "Er... no, the Bendu don't have anything to do with--" He breaks off, shaking his head and chuckling slightly. "Sorry. The Oath of Fire are descended from heretics and et cetera et cetera."

Freyja grins and offers no more information on her past. Instead she simply says cheerfully, "Oh, is that what you meant?!" despite it being quite obvious she understood very well, and is simply pulling the terribly serious Templar's leg.

Colburth can't help but laugh quietly, shaking his head. "You're truly unique, Padawan Freyja."

Freyja grins with cheerful unselfconsciousness, "Why, thank you!" A moment later she adds more thoughtfully, "So... are the Watchers really part of the Templars?"

He says easily, "Of course not. They have two very different missions. Templars... well, most Templars, guard the Temple. Most Watchers, in contrast, are out and around in the Galaxy, gathering information about the Sith, hostile traditions, and violent seperatists.

Freyja grins at the Templar, her tone cheerfully disbelieving, "'Of course not'? Uh-huh... and Templars never leave the Temple, right?"

"We aren't supposed to leave the Temple. There's a difference. And war makes for odd arrangements." His tone is pleasant and friendly and not at all cranky or irritated by Freyja's questions.

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "So... why did you leave the Temple? And once the war is over..." She pauses, then frowns as something disconcerting suddenly occurs to her, "Ooh, there's an unpleasant thought." She looks up at the Human, her gaze concerned, "Jedi Colburth, if people cannot believe the Templars will keep their word to not leave the Temple during war... why should they believe the Templars' word in peace-time?"

Colburth's smile becomes a bit wan. "They won't. The Grand Commander realized this. The Council realized it. We felt it had to be done, though. This might mean the end to the Company of Templars, at the end of the war, presuming we survive it. The Company as a whole recognized that possibility and we accept it. If it means that after the war the Company is disbanded, and the Temple guarded by a new company of knights, then so be it."

He adds after a moment, "The survival of the Republic and of the Jedi Order comes before the survival of the Company oF Jedi Templars."

Freyja raises a thoughtful eyebrow, murmuring, "Who watches the Watchers?" She looks at the Templar seriously, "Sir Knight, you warn me to be careful because I seemed to be repeating the teachings of my Master. I was not... but even if my Master got into trouble for his beliefs, I would stand with him, because I believe in him. But... I believe in him because he is the epitome of the Jedi Master to me. I believe he has achieved a level of serenity that I still but aspire to." She pauses a moment, then says gravely, "I also believe that true serenity does not need to lie... and the ends does not justify the means." She is silent for a long moment, trying to put difficult concepts into words...

Finally she says, slowly and a bit stumblingly, "I... I have stood in the shadow of both Beauty and Wealth, Jedi Colburth. I have seen what Power they offer, and the type of people they attract. This... this deceit about the Templars leaving the Temple, however well-meaning... it is still deceit! It will not appear selfless -- it will appear a self-serving grasping at Power! If... if the Templars truly wished only the best for the Jedi Order, even over their own survival... then why did they not disband? Why did those who feel deceit is necessary for the survival of the Jedi Order not leave the Templars first -- so they would not tarnish the honor of the Templars, and so their actions could speak for themselves? If this is truly a good and honorable thing to do, then surely they would be welcome to rejoin the Templars once the war was over?"

She gives Colburth a frustrated and concerned gaze... she's not sure she's expressing this well, but she feels somehow this is a desperately critical point which no one is considering -- that it may even have something to do with the fact that Jedi are abandoning the Order for the Sith in droves -- and the reverse is not true as well. She wonders, Is this the hypocrisy Jiosch spoke of? Not some ancient and forgettable grudge the Jedi can sweep under the metaphorical rug -- but injustice and lies we're perpetrating now?!

Colburth doesn't answer right away. When he does, his voice is oddly muted. "Let me answer you with questions, then, and perhaps we will both come to an answer. What is it about the Templars?"

Freyja nods at Colburth's initial comment... then looks bemused, "Er... what is what about the Templars, please?"

"What do people see the Templars as? What makes a Jedi a Templar in the eyes of others?"

Freyja says, "Oh." She hms thoughtfully to herself, considering that question carefully, "Templars... well..." She pauses, then looks up, "Um... you were honest with me because you considered me trustworthy. So, let me return the favor, please. Should I answer you honestly, or diplomatically, in order not to accidentally get my Master into trouble by my words?"

"Master Roakkana will not get in trouble, I promise." He adds, wryly, "As worthwhile a promise as that might be."

Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully, considering the deceitful/honorable Templar, "A good point... but if no one is willing to take the first step, then there can never be any trust, hai? So... let us try trusting." She smiles faintly, her gaze regarding... then she gets a bit more distant-looking as she considers his question, "Templars. Well. They are considered brave, loyal, elite, reliable, dependable, steady... but... perhaps a bit too steady." She thinks for a moment, then says, "Their dependence on no emotion is... alarming to some. Are you familiar with the old saying that Judgement without Mercy is not Justice? Well... mercy is an emotion... and machines may not feel emotion, but we don't want machines making all our decisions for us." She turns her bright blue eyes to the Human, "Does that make sense?" She adds thoughtfully, "I read a very pertinent quote many years ago by a very wise man... it impressed me enough that I saved it and memorized it. Let me see if I can remember it now..."

Freyja's voice trails off for a second... and then she starts speaking -- slowly at first, but with increasing confidence as her memory returns to her, "Though it is true that a man who is a servant of his passions is not free, neither is a man in flight from those same passions. And, since the passions are an inevitable consequence of our own humanity, it is impossible to eliminate them so long as we wish to remain human. It isn't passions that make us weak, but rather uncontrollable passions. Harness the passions and reason together, and the person, the real person, becomes free... and capable of liberating others, which is the only defensible use of power." She falls silent then, watching the Templar to see if he understands.

Colburth nods slowly. "I understand what you mean. If I may answer from the Templar's perspective, and not necessarily my own...?"

Freyja nods with alert interest.

Colburth says, "During the Heresy Wars, the Dark Jedi used fear against us -- 'us' meaning not only the Templars but anyone who stood in their way. They would incite fear in their enemies in any way they could. They would use that fear. Fear became a weapon for them. In corollary to that, a lack of fear was the best way to stand against them. Those who would form the core of the Company of Templars knew that, as the Dark Jedi approached Coruscant and the Temple, their enemy would do everything they could to instill fear in the defenders. They resolved themselves to not fear. They did everything they could to prevent it from even entering their thoughts. And they succeeded. Despite the Dark Jedi's best efforts, the Temple stood against their siege. Fearlessness stood them in good stead, and it became their watchword.

"When they received the charter for defense of the Temple, they took what they had learned from the Heresy Wars and instilled it in the new guardians. And despite countless minor incidents, and a few major ones, the walls have never been breached, the gates have never fallen, the towers have remained standing, and the Templars attribute that to the banishment of fear from themselves.

"Now," he adds, a wry note creeping into his voice, "speaking for myself, I take that, and expand upon it with Jedi orthodox thought: if we let ourselves give in to our emotions, we put a weapon into the hand of a part of ourselves that shouldn't be let out. Some exceptional persons, like Master Roakkana, can be the way they are without worry of 'slipping.' Most of us, though, risk letting our worse natures have free reign if we give in to our emotions. The Force is a powerful ally, but it can be a terrible weapon if wielded in emotion. It's something most Jedi struggle with daily."

Freyja listens carefully, and considers for a while before answering, choosing her words with care to see if she understands, "So... fear, an aspect of your true Self, is rejected and untruthfully denied. Which leads, naturally, to more fear -- to you fearing the escape of your ruthlessly suppressed inner natures, which naturally wish to be honestly expressed... instead of allowing your emotional Self to exist naturally; not letting it control you." She pauses, then adds simply, "I don't understand. Is this vicious circle not ultimately counterproductive? Isn't it ultimately better for you to face your fear and conquer it... than to untruthfully deny its existence?"

Colburth listens interestedly to you. "That's where we diverge. It isn't fear that drives the Templar to exorcise fear. Well, fear is one way, but yes, it's circular and counterproductive to use fear to evict fear. The Templars rely on pride, esprit de corps and traditional standards, to push back fear. And most Templars -- and quite a few Jedi -- would say that fear cripples. To naturally express fear is to be crippled by it, to let the darksiders have a hold on you."

He sighs a little. "And speaking for myself, I cannot find a good answer to your concern. And, therefore, it is a concern of mine, now.

Freyja smiles a bit ruefully, "Well... even concern is a good thing to have, if it helps us help others, hai?" She considers the Templar thoughtfully, then adds quietly, "More importantly... what do you think of the deceit being practiced by the Templars?" She blinks then, looking past the Human and brightening, "Oh, look! There's the land speeder -- I see Quiet!" She grins and waves enthusiastically towards the approaching speeder, standing on tiptoes for a moment.

Colburth shakes his head quietly. "All I can say to that, Padawan Freyja, is that there's a lot more to it than just the Templars being outside the Temple."

"And more, I suspect, than I know, either."

Return to THESE SHATTERED STARS

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]

Last modified: 2002-Jul-16 16:14:54

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2002-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster