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Realms: These Shattered Stars Logs

Chapter Six, Part Eight

The small fleet has landed on the dark side of the planet. The intense radiation from the ultraviolet dwarf star bathes the atmosphere on the light side with fiery auroras, which can be seen licking against the stars to the east. The planet is on the very edge of what could possibly be called charted space, far to the gal-west. The harsh stellar environment, the strong magnetic field, and the raging auroras pretty much ensure that even a long-range scout from the Republic or (much less likely) Hutt Space will find nothing if they jump in to the system.

The tent the four are asked to come to is comfortable, despite the hot, dry sirocco wind blowing in from the east. Within are Danka, the three teachers, the presbyter, Colonel Raven, and another, helmeted Mandalorian. Danka begins without preamble.

"Your training is complete," she says simply. "There is nothing more about the triat we can teach you. I know this is unexpected, but while our records on training a triat are complete, there is simply not all that much that can be taught to one already formed. Each triat is unique, and must find for their own way after a certain point."

Freyja blinks, looking a bit startled. She's right... that was rather abrupt and unexpected! Zero hms and nods quietly in acknowledgement, thinking. Freyja murmurs cautiously, "Er... thank you, Sifu. Is there... some... any assistance which might be offered once the triat is, ah... complete?"

The teachers exchange glances. "To be honest, Freyja," Thann says quietly, "we don't know. There has not been a triat in several thousand years. It was as much an education for ourselves as it was for you."

Freyja nods slowly, not glancing at her friends -- she can 'feel' them near her, most within arm's reach. It's a reassuring feeling... but she's now slightly at a loss. What are they supposed to do next? She gathers herself and asks for all her friends, "Well... can we at least get an update on the tactical situation in the Republic currently?"

Raven nods. "That's what we're here for."

"We have reached the point," the Presbyter says, "in our journey where we are at the crossroads. To travel further is, according to Colonel Raven, to draw closer to the place prepared for us. Too close, in fact. Those who are returning to the Republic, such as you four, must separate from us now."

"It is abrupt, I know," Raven adds, "but necessary. It is not your vows of secrecy that we doubt, but rather your ability to resist mind probe by... unethical elements within the Order."

"Those whom you have heard called the 'Calefactors.'" This from Dji.

"Which, I think, brings us to your question." The second Mandalorian unrolls a field map onto the table and touches controls on its side. A pseudo-holographic projection of the galaxy leaps into being just "above" the map.

"The Empire," Raven says crisply, "is indeed following the projected tactic of making a lance-thrust for Coruscant. They will be at Tymmora in two months, at Balmorra or Commenor in four, and Coruscant in seven. This is just an estimate, mind you. As the Imperial forces close in on Coruscant, the fighting will likely get much more heated. It's possible, if not likely, that it could be upwards of a year before Coruscant falls. This won't necessarily mean the fall of the Republic, but it will be a severe blow. We estimate the Republic would last between one and three years after Coruscant falls."

Freyja goes utterly still, listening in shock. Zero says, "Coruscant would be a moral victory for either side. Three years is a very liberal estimate." Freyja calculates mentally... it will take them between 2 weeks and a month just to reunite with Master Roakkana. Their window of potential effectiveness in preventing the war is... scarily small.

Raven looks over to Freyja, and says with gentle sympathy, "Six months ago, before their new offensive, I would have called it a stalemate between the two powers that could drag on for decades. But the Sith have adapted to fighting against, and using, war droids a lot quicker than we'd thought possible. And their new shadow-droids are proving to be very capable against Republic forces."

He nods to Zero, as Dji gently puts her hands on Freyja's shoulders, and continues, "It is liberal. But we've learned never to underestimate someone with their back against the wall."

"There are, of course, elements that are not visible to even the general strategists of either side." He touches a few controls, and the map zooms in to Balmorra Sector and several surrounding sectors, where several stars light up brighter. "These worlds house some of the new training commanderies that were set up following the start of the war. Most of the new commanderies are simply training centers for Jedi guardians. These, however, are special. They are under the direct control of the Calefactors. According to Lady Dji, they are indoctrinating and training new Jedi to be Templars.

"We don't know how these will affect the outcome of the war, since none of our strategists know how to take fighting Templars into account. It's possible these new Templar units can turn the tide of the Sith offensive."

Freyja swallows hard, fighting an urge to just cry in frustration. Her Sector, her homeworld -- perhaps even her family -- currently saddled with fanatic Templars, and soon to be saddled with Sith? A little wildly she wonders what in the universe she and her friends can possibly do to affect this insanely growing plague of war and madness... then she takes a deep breath, trying to pull herself together. She doesn't know yet... but once they have an idea of what to try, she knows they'll all do their best. More than that... she can't give more than that. If that's not enough... well, then they died trying their best for the Force.

Zero says, "In the short term, the Sith are the greatest threat to all of us. In the long term, it's the extended Templar presence that bodes worst. Perhaps we ought to deal with our problems in that order." Freyja reaches out without looking, taking the hands of both her paramours. Touch is comforting, even if it's currently just touch. Zero squeezes Freyja's hand gently.

"There isn't much we can really tell you regarding what to do, Padawan Satau. The Mandalorians are not capable of taking on armies of Jedi and Sith. At best we're special operations forces. Thus, there's little we can do for the speeder-roller that is the Sith or the mess that is the Templars." Raven looks briefly to Dji, then continues. "We think there may be a solution, however."

Freyja nods once, tightly, at Zero's words, squeezing his hand gently in return, taking comfort in the small gesture. She takes another long, deep breath, centering herself -- she'll be no help to her triat if she's panicking. "All right. So... let's think. Fhazil, Vakkal, is the Sith lord Ghang likely to listen to you if you suggested the war wasn't the right solution?" Then she blinks, "Oh, excuse me, Colonel. You were saying?"

Fhazil and Vakkal exchange a glance, then Fhazil sighs, squeezing Freyja's hand gently. "He might listen. But he is a soldier of the Empire. Before he disobeyed the orders of Naga Sadow and Shen Ravos, he would want proof of that."

Raven continues. "The lynchpin in this war is the ancient conflict between Light and Dark, the Oath of Fire and the Calefactors. We believe following contact between the Empire and the Republic, both of these groups pressured their respective governments for war. The Oath of Fire, being older and much more entrenched within the Sith government, was able to bring about their influence much more subtly and quickly. Thus the initial advances of the Empire clear into the Mid Rim."

Dji takes up the monologue. "The Calefactors for their part were formed only shortly after the contact with the Empire, when it as discovered the old Dark Jedi had become the Sith. There was much less they could do to influence the Republic, but the Order itself managed to give them enough resources that they didn't need more than that. In addition, it put one weapon into their hands that suits them perfectly: the Templars."

Freyja nods a touch grimly to both Fhazil, and the debriefing she's receiving. She mentally files away a need to find proof... how and of what she doesn't yet know, but it has to convince... well, it would probably have to convince even the Dark Lord itself someday, she supposes. Not a small order, unfortunately...

Freyja blinks at the sudden realization -- wait, they are the proof! Jedi and Sith and other Force cults... they can work together as a gestalt greater than its individual component parts! She nods slowly again, her eyes far away as she considers that. Well... then they'll just have to be the best, the greatest and most compelling and most effective triat ever -- one astonishing enough to convince both the Order and the Dark Lord.

It doesn't occur to her just how big an order that is -- she simply doesn't consider it. In her worldview, currently, it's no more insane than anything else she's done, doing, or planning on doing with her companions. Necessity may be the mother of invention, after all... but sometimes it's just a mother.

Raven adds, "Fortunately, this works to advantage. The Oath of Fire has already been disrupted following the purge of them almost a year ago. Certainly the non-Oath elements within the Sith government would need to be convinced to not pursue the war, but that's easier than convincing a thousands-year-old revenge society of the same. They may be able to continue influencing the Sith government, but not as much as they once did, now Naga Sadow has condemned them as traitors. That leaves the Calefactors -- the so-called 'Oather Jedi.'"

Freyja takes a small measure of comfort in the belated realization that due to the sudden rush of preparation for imminent war, there's likely little time or energy available to the Calefactors to make her family miserable by publicly defaming her behind her back, on Balmorra while she's not there to defend herself or her actions. It's a very small measure of comfort, true... but some is better than none, she supposes.

Dji takes up the monologue. "I believe -- and the Colonel and Presbyter agree with me -- that exposing the Calefactors may provide one solution. Doing that will allow the Republic and the Order to at least review their reasons for going to war. This may even give the Sith pause in their advance if there is reason to suspect that both sides were maneuvered into this war. You are free agents, of course, and should do what you feel is right."

Freyja blinks at the hetaera. Just... expose the Calefactors. Well, she amusedly supposes, it's neh more insane a plan than just walking up to the Sith and politely asking them to go home, hai? Dji smiles gently to Freyja. "I know that look, Freyja. No, I don't think it'll be easy. The Calefactors will not let it just happen."

Freyja says, "Er... does the Jedi Lady, or anyone else, have any suggestions on how we might go about this? Ah... especially since it's pretty darned clear they really, really want us hushed up?"

Zero hms. "The Calefactors are a salient threat to all of us that would still be in place after the resolution of the war... more than likely in a much stronger position then. If that's our course of action, now is the time to do it. We'd need concrete proof of their existence and intentions... bringing that before the Council would be a blow to their secrecy and thus their freedom to operate."

Freyja considers for a moment... then realizes what she really is, is quite, quite annoyed by the Balmorran Sector Cabinet ministers who've been aiding and abetting the Calefactors and the Sith, betraying both in the process of padding their pockets! "And... while we're tossing out suggestions, does anyone know any way to stop the Balmorran Sector Cabinet? Were it not for their treason, the Balmorran droids might still be of some worth in Republic defense!"

Zero says, "I believe the Calefactors faction are falsely representing themselves as giving the Senate the counsel of the orthodox Jedi... that's the only way I can see them having enough pull in the Republic government to provoke all-out warfare. Most of the Senators are smart enough to know they won't be back for reelection if they commit to war just because the Jedi have a grudge."

Freyja says, "Hai, but some of them might... 'turn,' if they've been informed they'll be the leaders of the new, Empire-run Republic -- if they'll just turn a blind eye to a few... financial indiscretions." She scowls, her voice heated, "That certainly explains Kallatis heading for Sedrak. Center of the Sector, forsooth! He's put himself out of the way of most of the potential fighting. Coward and traitor!"

Zero says, "The Calefactors would never offer them that deal. The idea of the Sith controlling the Republic would be like falling on their own sabers."

Freyja says, "Not them, Zero -- Kallatis and his cronies!"

Zero says, "You're still talking about betrayal from without, then. You think he's sold us out to the Sith."

Freyja says, "Hai, I do. He, or someone else extremely high placed must've authorized the 'hit' on Captain Thorn. Of course he'd welcome war -- it hides his illegal activities to bolster his personal wealth! Why should he care who rules, as long as he's one of the frehkees and not one of the autumlas?"

Dji's smile fades a little. Raven says, "We've been doing unconventional warfare for thousands of years. The best thing to do is to not be where you are expected to be. At least until you are ready to reveal yourselves, in which case you would want to be as public as possible." He considers Freyja's words for a moment. "I've gotten the impression, from some of the most recent intelligence passed down to me, that there was a pipeline between Balmorra and Tanaab for the shipment of the droids to the Sith. The Senator would have been involved with that."

Zero says, "I don't follow your idiom exactly, Freyja, but it's his style. It's a shame Argent is under contract right now. If I had his help, and maybe Uri's, we could put a very permanent kink in that pipeline."

Freyja nods firmly once, although it's not triumphant at all. "Who else could have organized a regular commercial pipeline like that? And who else but the Sith could so effectively remove the Governor of Tanaab for him, so neh inquisitive officials are left to block his actions?" She doesn't voice her own personal worry, though... that somehow her family (unwittingly or not) has their fingers in this horrible mess as well.

Freyja uhms for a second, then translates non-verbally to her friends. The impression is of Kallatis as a fierce predator who herds the foolish flock for the benefit of distant lords and masters... lords and masters who don't mind the fierce herder occasionally cutting out one of the flock for his own... uses.

Dji adds, "I can hardly believe there is not some sort of connection between the shady dealings of the Balmorran Sector Cabinet and the Calefactors. When I left Coruscant, Kallatis and Balin Khoud were still the best of friends. At least it seemed so. But the problem is Kallatis would be involved in something diametrically opposed to what the Calefactors are for. Even if Khoud isn't one of the Calefactors, though I suspect he is, as a Jedi he would find reprehensible the idea of giving war droids to the Sith Republic."

Freyja says simply, "Even Jedi can be burned by the Light, to the exclusion of common sense."

"Indeed," Thann says softly.

Zero says, "Maybe that should be our first step. It occurs to me that trying to take on both homicidal factions at once is suicide... but if we took the time to start laying bare their less martial dealings, their support structures, to the Republic, and indirectly to the Sith, it may weaken them both considerably, and we wouldn't need to expose ourselves directly, just yet. We could begin by seeing if we can drive a wedge between Khoud and Kallatis..."

Freyja listens intently to Zero. He knows Kallatis far better than she, after all. Dji asks, "What would you propose then, Zero?" Raven adds, "Whatever intelligence resources I have are available to you all. The Mandalorians have no wish to see this conflict continue and burn the galaxy to ashes."

Zero says, "It wouldn't take much. Khoud is a Cerean; one half of his brain is always contemplating the other side of the situation... he must know it's a possibility Kallatis is burning him. Just enough financial data to form a tangible paper trail, finding its way into his offices somehow... either by means of a datapad dropped in the right pocket or a slicer making a deposit for us via Holonet... after that, it's just a matter of fanning the embers a little."

Freyja considers thoughtfully, "Perhaps some of the information we've sent to Master Roakkana? Would that help, if Khoud knew of the droid pipeline from the Balmorran sector to the Sith? And maybe we could let the Watchers know of several things too -- oh! Is there any way to get the Seal on us raised, or to convince the Watchers to listen to Fhazil, who doesn't have a Seal on him? That'd certainly let some fascinating information out!"

Zero says, "It would be better if we funneled information into the Jedi without revealing ourselves. We're suspect in the eyes of the Templar and anathema in those of the Calefactors... if driving a wedge is our goal we have to stay hidden, else they'll write us off as propaganda, or worse, coming from their counterparts."

Freyja nods quietly to Zero, "That's partly why I thought maybe making suggestions to the Watchers might be helpful -- so they knew where to look, you know?" She adds a little worriedly, "I... I hope the Calefactors are too busy to focus much on us... or our families..."

Zero says, "As I see it, we could either make our information available to Master Roakkana, and let him dispose of it from there, or we can do it ourselves -- either planting it via infiltration, which is a personal specialty of mine, or through Holonet. It wouldn't be hard to find a patriotically-minded slicer with the requisite skill."

Freyja murmurs unhappily, "As long as the slicer doesn't remember what happened to the last one..."

Zero says, "I can always do it myself. Although come to think of it... Kallatis has holdings on Kessel. If he could be linked to illegal spice-mining, that would be as good as a blaster bolt for our purposes."

Freyja sighs, then adds, "Before we headed out for Zhar, I sent an update to Master Roakkana and my mother, but that's the last I know of what's going on there. I don't know if either of them have done anything with the information." She considers a moment, then says thoughtfully to Fhazil, "Would you be willing to talk -- well, to at least try talking -- to a Watcher about Marnaas? You're the only one of us that's not under Seal. Perhaps, if we all verified your words were truth, the Watcher might believe you?

"That would give the anti-Calefactor forces in the Order a boost on exposing the Calefactors... and then if we can figure out some way to link Kallatis and Kessel, and make that publicly known..." A little anxiously Freyja looks at Fhazil and Zero, "Do you think that'd help -- or at least be a good start for the Republic side? And we could try reaching the Empire side once that was set up and on-going, maybe?"

Zero says, "Anything that involves a dead or exiled Kallatis can only be good for the Republic." Freyja grins a bit nervously at Zero, then turns her inquiring gaze on Fhazil.

The other two in the triat can sense Fhazil's brief sense of panic when 'talking with Watchers' is mentioned, and they can feel the claustrophobia and intense cabin fever he felt while he was sequestered at the Pinnacle. But he suppresses it and nods. "I will. Just so long as they don't send us to the Pinnacle or Carceri, I'll do it."

Freyja squeezes Fhazil's hand gently, and says firmly, "We won't let them, Fhazil. Promise... it'll be all of us or none of us." Simultaneously she touches him and Zero gently with her mind. Things are very scary for her, for them all, currently... still, she is with her Family of the Heart. With her beloveds she is not afraid... she can be strong for them, just as she knows they would be for her.

Zero says, "Why don't you contact Master Roakkana about that, Freyja... since you two are the most 'official' in the eyes of the orthodox Jedi, you'll be more effective at it than I... while you're doing that I'm going to contact Argent Ling. He was supposed to have died there on Kallatis' plot on Kessel, so he can provide me with the details we need to start incriminating the Senator."

Freyja nods, thinking for a moment, then looks at the Sedraki Human, "Zeriza, what was the name of that world where there were so many Watcher contingents? Maybe right there might be a good place for us and Master Roakkana to contact a Watcher who might be reasonable... like the one we met on Coruscant. Do you recall his name? The planet was on the border of Hutt Space and the Republic, too, remember? We stayed on the ship the whole time we were there?"

Zero nods. "Kalarba. That might be a decent place to start. If we could get the Master out there he could use his authority to at least get you an audience. And it would be convenient for me to meet up with Argent there on the Hutt fringe as well."

Raven nods. "You will want to get in touch with Caul, then. I'll see if I can arrange that. They left the convoy a few systems ago, but there are Mandalorians scattered all across our path, coming and going. We'll find him for you."

Freyja nods, brightening -- she feels much better now they're bringing a plan together. She turns to the small group of Silver Path members and Mandalorians, "Can any of you send a discreet message to Master Roakkana, to meet us on Kalarba?" She sighs faintly, then adds, "I hope it's not too difficult a journey for him... I know we'd all spare him that if we knew how, but... well, time is getting... short now."

Raven nods to Freyja. "That might be tricky, since he's still on the Jedi world of Gyndine. But nobody suspects us mere bounty hunters." He grins quirkily.

Freyja nods in relief, "Oh, good -- thank you!"

Zero tchs. "Short and pointy. And more to come." He nods. "I would appreciate that, Colonel. I think this is the best course of action we can take for now... we can reveal ourselves after the enemy's position is weakened to where they can't resist us. The best way to win is to win without fighting, as they say."

Merroukah gives a wry smile, saying in Shyriiwook, "Spoken well, as a true Graysider, Zero."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, her mind working both on what to do concerning the imminent meeting between them, Master Roakkana, and some possibly suspicious Watcher -- and also already trying to figure out how to apply the teachings of her technique to the Empire. They've attacked... time to blend with them, so as to apply the appropriate technique to blunt and diffuse their attack -- just as the triat is now planning to do with the Calefactors.

Zero smiles a bit. "Thank you, sifu. I think the philosopher's points are well made here... we're simply following the textbook methods for defeating a larger force with a smaller one. The strategic application of force is best here... maximum effect for the minimum effort. They'll expend their energy most quickly chasing down internal problems and phantoms. If we have to fight, it will be on our terms."

Freyja nods again, relieved to have a plan for them all to be working on. "Well! In that case our next stop is Kalarba, hai? -and everyone else will scatter to where, we do not know."

The Presbyter nods. "I am truly sorry we cannot train you further. No matter how this turns out, though, there is a place for you amongst us."

Zero says, "I have the feeling that this won't be the last time we meet. Call it a Force-whisper."

Freyja smiles, this time genuinely, and bows gracefully to the Kel Dor, speaking an old Balmorran farewell-but-not-goodbye phrase, "Presbyter, you and yours are always welcome under our roof."

The Presbyter, Danka, and the other teachers give Freyja the salute of their hands clasped before them and a bow; apparently a Kono tradition passed down to the Silver Path. "Thank you, Padawan Freyja. And thank you, all four of you, for what you have done for us. We hope, through your actions, we may again show ourselves in the Galaxy and bring the Kono back. Safe travels to you. May the Force be your ally."

Freyja says, "May the Force be with you all as well, our friends and teachers."

Zero bows politely, hand clasped over fist, and adds, "I'm grateful to the Silver Path for helping me find my place. If ever the time comes when you no longer need to hide, you may consider my home yours." He salutes the Colonel, "You too, sir," and grins, "Great place for old soldiers. Just ask my father." Then he steps back, "Force be with you all. Stay safe until then." Freyja grins, also stepping back to slide an arm about Zero's shoulders and the other about Fhazil's waist, after he too has made his goodbyes.


Messages are sent out. Argent's reply comes back immediately; he'll definitely meet them on Kalarba. He notes also that it's tickled Caul's fancy to go with him and, all things considered, he really can't tell Caul 'no.' The reply from Master Roakkana will be a lot slower in coming, but the Mandalorians will get either him or a message to Kalarba as soon as possible.

The trip to Kalarba goes quickly. Maybe it's something in the hyperspace route the Mandalorians give the four, but they arrive at the Republic client state in a week and a half. The trip itself is without note; Kalarba, however, is another story.

The local news-nets are awash in the sort of heightened panic that seems to suffuse everything with an apocalyptic despair, but shortly, as the Platinum Eclipse is winging its way down to a landing, the story becomes clearer. Apparently the fifth Company of the Night Lance has been having a very bad time of things on Kalarba. They landed with about twenty-five members: a mix of guardians, counselors, and others. Since that time they first landed many months ago, they have shrunk in numbers, until they now number only eleven, plus an undisclosed number of Watchers. Someone has been taking grave exception to the investigation the company has been undertaking into the murders on Xagobah.

Freyja frowns as she listens and relays the information to her friends via the ship's comlink. "This... is not good. Perhaps we should do a bit of looking around ourselves while we wait for Master Roakkana? If we can settle things down, that would be yet another reason to believe us, once we find a calm, rational Watcher -- don't you think?"

Zero says, "If there's someone down there murdering people, all the more reason for us to go down there. We are, ostensibly, the good guys."

Freyja adds thoughtfully, "This was where we had the shared dream of the murderous green saber too, wasn't it?" She's silent a moment, then nods at Zero's words, adding, "Hopefully this will be a good beginning for the triat, too -- nice and straightforward."

Zero sighs and smiles ruefully, "Nothing's ever straightforward with us, my love..." He swings the ship in for final approach. Freyja grins with affectionate rue in reply, her gentle touch matched by the soft mental hug.

Freyja gives the appropriate information for them to be allowed to land... and hopes a bit wistfully they have some free time as well. She would dearly love to breath unfiltered air and stretch her legs; to feel the sun on her face and shoulders; and to have a nice, long, steaming bath with her beloveds!

The computer compiles more information as they land and arrange for supplies. The Night Lance has called for aid from the Order, but it is slow in coming. There have been a number of Darksider uprisings, especially closer to the front, which has tied down several companies of the Order militant. Currently most of the Jedi on Kalarba are operating out of the now-fortress-like police headquarters, and the nearest support is said to be a month away -- right after it deals with one little, unspecified issue.

Freyja wonders through the link to her friends if that one little unspecified issue... is them on Zhar. Then she stretches, rising gladly from her chair once the ship has landed, "Whoof! Me for a nice walk and stretch of the legs; some fresh food; maybe a nice, hot bath, while noticing what's what and who's who about town... so, who wants to join me?" She grins, already pulling her hair back to pin the long Padawan's braid discreetly out of sight. She doesn't even need to really change clothes -- she's not looked much like a Jedi for a while now.

    Freyja glows in the light of sun or moon; a willowy, long legged, golden woman with a dancing, unruly mane of fiery golden hair. Bright, frost-blue eyes are alight with serene happiness, and she has the strong, supple musculature of an athlete. She moves as lithely as a dancer, pragmatic in well-fitting breeches and a laden utility belt, well-cared-for leather boots and a cropped athlete's top, covered over by a sturdy, boldly colored Balmorran long-coat.

Zero says, "I'm for that bath... afterward I'll get the sword case and my overcoat and go pretend to be a bounty hunter a while... see what I can come up with by way of rumors."

Freyja nods, "Good idea. Shall I keep Fhazil and Vakkal with me then? I can try to help them mute, if worse comes to worse?" She looks at the two Darksiders, "What do you think?"

Zero says, "That's up to them, really... bounty hunters rarely work alone, contrary to popular fiction, so one or two more won't be conspicuous."

Fhazil hrms, "I'd rather none of us travel alone, to be honest. Maybe if we split up into two groups; that might be better."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "Just as long as we don't inadvertently threaten our cover story, all right." She grins cheerfully, "But first -- food and a bath!"

The group finds a nice little local diner -- not too expensive, and providing food that's safe for offworlders. Nearby there's a lovely little bathhouse fairly close to the spaceport, specially catering to offworld visitors -- and thus making a fairly tidy profit.

Freyja enjoys the food and the bath with sensuous delight, freely sharing the pleasure with all her friends, as long as they seem comfortable and happy as well. Joy never resounded so freely, skin never felt so deliciously soft, nor food smelled and tasted so wondrous, as when shared with those she loves. Fhazil and Vakkal both enjoy being out of a spaceship or other artificial environment for extended periods of time -- Fhazil in particular -- and the bath and food in the open air does them both very well.

Freyja cartwheels delightedly down the hallway as they leave, exuberant at the enjoyment of cleanliness, warmth, being well fed, and being close to her Family of the Heart. Happily she wonders if she can find some pretty things for her beloveds...?

Between Freyja and Fhazil, and by way of the bond between them when their interest is caught, the three -- and Vakkal -- notice someone in the waiting room of the bathhouse, waiting patiently for the attendants to prepare one of the rooms. She is Twi'lek, striking for the fact that her skin is obsidian, an unusual coloration for that species. She speaks quietly, yet with apparent authority, to someone on the other end of her civilian comlink, and does not seem to notice the four on their way out.

Freyja rolls gracefully back to her feet, interestedly watching the interestingly marked Twi'lek as they leave. She thoughtfully runs over what she's observing... the woman can't be overheard due to the comlink being one of those private ones with a sort of white-noise field around it. She doesn't appear to move with any great athleticism, even though she's mostly just waiting. Fit and trim, though, like she does some sort of physical exercise, and judging by her fairly pricey-looking clothes, it's not due to manual labor.

She's wearing pretty much what a fairly well paid corporate exec might wear -- not robes as is typical for Twi'lek, but something more common in the Republic proper. Probably not aristoi, but not management, either, Freyja thinks, looking around to see if there are any attendants about. None. Pity... she'd have liked to ask about the curiously marked woman. She can't 'feel' anything in the Force either. Ah, well... she leaves with her friends, looking around with interest. Maybe... maybe some shopping...?

Freyja grins at her friends, her hands clasped behind her head and bouncing lightly on her toes, "So! We're here on Kalarba, we're early, we've got time to spend as we like... so, what now? What's fun to do here -- do any of you know, or should we return to the ship and do some research first?"

Zero says, "This is Hutt Space, Freyja... it all depends on what your idea of 'fun' is." He smiles ruefully.

Freyja grins mischievously at Zero, "What, after an entire week and a half where the three of us got to do nothing but play with each other... you still have to ask me what my idea of fun is?!" She giggles delightedly at the looks she gets, then cheerfully waves an arm, "Onwards! If there's one thing that much lovely, sexy snuggling teaches you, it's what products we're short on!" She pulls out her datapad, consulting it, "Umm... here we go. More little towels, massage oil, nice decorations for the room, pretty pillows for the bed... fortunately we have excellent body control, due to being Jedi, so don't have to worry about birth control..." She blinks, then looks curiously at Fhazil and Vakkal, "Sith are taught how to control fertility, hai?"

Over the link the group hear Freyja's quiet whisper, Plus, wandering around purchasing things is a way to both get the 'feel' of the town, and let folks see us... and maybe report our presence to our green-lightsabered murderer...

Vakkal and Fhazil both nod. "It's not a part of my culture," Vakkal notes, "but we did learn to have that much control over our bodies, yes."

Freyja beams, "Oh, good! Just checking..." She turns back to the datapad, busily consulting it and matching their needs up with the sketchy local map of businesses they can download from the local net.

Kalarba's spaceport has, of course, almost anything an offworld spacer would want or need. There is very little to be found in the way of very species-specialized paraphernalia, though fortunately Kalarba is populated mostly by near-Humans, so "compatible" things are easily found.

Throughout the city, the small group sees quite a number of law enforcement personnel, and almost no Jedi at all. There is a very muted tension through the streets; several news faxes discuss the spate of Jedi-killings, and make note of the bafflement of the Fifth Company of the Night Lance. And, of course, no mention of the Watchers at all, not even the black sashes.

Freyja wonders quietly to her friends why the Watchers are never mentioned. Are they somehow avoiding the Jedi killer? If so, how? Zero supposes they, like as not, are just laying low -- as they always do. Scrutiny has never been their friend, killer or no killer.

This makes the lightsaber at Vakkal's side a bit more noteworthy, not to mention the types of stores they check for the more playful things on Freyja's list. They are in good sections of the city, but even so there is almost invariably a moment of cognitive disjunction on the face of the storekeeper, between what the group is shopping for and the lightsaber. They just aren't the sorts of things Jedi are known to shop for, even if it's not the Jedi doing the actual shopping. The moment passes quickly, though, and the shopkeepers are more than happy to service their customers... though the group can't help but think, as the day wears on, that a group of four people, armed and one with nothing less than a lightsaber, walking the streets has garnered more than a little attention.

Freyja grins over her shoulder at her friends, amusedly commenting after one store, "Is it just me, or are we quite successfully attracting attention?" She giggles quietly, consolidating a few of the new purchases into one big bag as she paces happily along.

Zero looks over his shoulder. "I don't think Jedi are known to be fans of massage. Still, rude to stare..."

Freyja laughs aloud at that! -then adds more seriously over the link, We need to be careful to stick close with Vakkal, though, since he's our obvious Jedi 'bait' -- even though he's not one... She grins, wondering via the link if folks are now thinking they're a group of clumsy Watchers trying to pass as 'normals,' then adds happily, "Actually, the hetaerae have quite a few massage techniques -- was a surprise to me! I'm going to try them all out later on you guys, if you don't mind."

Zero smirks faintly, "As if I'd complain about that."

Freyja grins mischievously over her shoulder at Zero, then adds, All right! We've done our shopping and been seen around the city. Any other goals we need to accomplish right now? Zero, do you think it'd be improper to not 'check in' with the local Jedi constabulary for a day or two, while we try to find the killer? "Shall we head for the ship and put all this stuff away?"

Zero stretches, folding his arms behind his head. He thinks about it for a few moments. We could send two to speak to the constabulary, while the others work and regroup... I don't want to give the Order any reason to think we're doing anything suspicious... since, well... we are.

Freyja giggles at Zero, then nods, All right... want to come with me, since we're the most Lightsider of the group, and Fhazil and Vakkal, you can wait in the ship?

Zero nods. Sure, that works.

Freyja says, "All right, to the ship then!" She grins, heading briskly towards the space station, "-and then to visit, and let our killer know there are Jedi present in the group."

Vakkal and Fhazil both mentally nod. That makes sense, Vakkal says a little warily. Just please be careful. Magnussen would never forgive me if something happened.

Freyja grins and gives Vakkal a cheerful one-armed hug, "Don't worry..." she giggles, "I won't let anything happen to Zero!" Fhazil snickers.

The trip to the constabulary building is uneventful, and the only excitement once getting there is their request to validate their identity -- probably not unexpected. The police are not going to let just anyone who walks in off the street get near the Jedi.

Despite this, the Jedi are readily accessible. Instead of being in some vault dozens of meters below ground, the group is led to the second floor, where a bullpen (not unlike what was on Sedrak) has been set up. Like most centers of Jedi activity, there are a number of desks, and beyond them an area for physical training and sparring. There are, however, almost depressingly few Jedi, and the ones who are there look a little worse for wear. The constable introduces the group to a tall being which looks like something between a hairless womp rat and a Sedraki komodo. The being ducks his -her? its? -head a little. "The Force be with you, Jedi," it says. "Jedi Nifalu Uion of Y'ndl; pleased to be greeting you."

Freyja smiles, "And with you, Jedi Nifalu. We thought we'd check in, like usual." She adds a bit more seriously, "And... get any advice you have, for this world's current... er... status? Condition...?"

Zero bows politely. "We thought we might be of help as we're passing through on the way back to the Core." Freyja smiles and nods.

Nifalu gives a slight shudder; it may be its species' equivalent of a sigh. "I am thanking you for your concern. The situation is being very hard on us, as you can be seeing. We are not knowing even why we have been targeted, nor by whom. That we are investigating this in relation to the Xagobah cult is being known and is being seen by us as the reason for these attacks."

Zero says, "What did the Order find on Xagobah, exactly?"

Freyja says, "Er... I was actually rather confused by that, too. Why would someone on Kalarba care about Xagobah?"

"It was having been a trail which lead here. When Murgo Kaabas killed was, Jedi there found evidence of links he was having with a Darksider cult. Shortly after, a farseeing noted that the cult was leaving the world, and based on the tracking of credit transactions the Watchers plotted a number of possible routes the cult could have taken. One trail was leading here to Kalarba. After having exhausted three other possibilities, came here we had done with some Watchers. It was being here apparently that the Darksider cult has been, and unable to leave they have been killing us instead, knowing most of the Order being tied up with war against the Sith."

Zero says, "Ah. So this is simple retribution, then."

Freyja blinks, then says softly, "Why can't the cult leave? There are black sashes here? Are they being hit as hard as the other Jedi?"

"Secured offworld transit local authority has. Monitoring all outgoing travel and transactions. We are having decision trees in computers set up, completed should certain parameters be met. Caught we have one cultist within a week of setting up trees in computers. Cultist had killed own self rather than interrogated be. Shortly after killings began. Believe we are that is attempt to force us to let them off planet."

It pauses, then adds, "Black sashes, when become known, also targeted. The Watchers who never were seen in Jedi robes are being careful. Every once in a while, though, one is not as careful as need be, and is found and killed.

Freyja is silent for a moment, then nods slowly and thoughtfully, "Was... the cultist bearing a lightsaber?"

Zero hmms. He mentally nudges Freyja, The question then, is should we ask them if they'd like a few Jedi unconnected thus far with the war effort to help. We've certainly dealt with self-mutilators already...

Freyja mentally nods to Zero, Hai, I think that's an excellent idea. That way we can ask them for information, should we need it, and still be outside the walls here. Want to ask?

It fluffs out its ruff a little. "Was being in possession of lightsaber, no. Did have a curved dagger, however, imbued with Dark side of Force. Not alchemical like Sith, however, so did not notice blight on blade until was drawn from sheathe."

Freyja blinks again, "How... odd... do you still have this dagger, Jedi?"

Zero says, "If you'd like, Jedi, we are currently unconnected with any specific Order business, having just completed offworld training exercises elsewhere on the Rim. We could offer some assistance to you, since we're relative unknowns on the planet and won't be noticeable immediately. I myself have just completed training under a weapons master, and my partner here has completed significant hand-to-hand combat training. Perhaps we're better suited to your needs?" Freyja smiles a bit hopefully, in agreement with Zero.

It warbles a little. "Yes, being in possession of it we are." It nods over to the side of the room, where there is a locked evidentiary case. Within the force field-reinforced wire mesh walls of the case (along with various other pieces of evidence), is a slender, curved dagger in a sheathe.

Jedi Nifalu leads the group over to the case, opening it and carefully drawing the dagger out, offering it to them. "Careful being, please. Blade being very sharp and carrying blight. Making be hard to heal." He fluffs out his ruff wider a little. "Are being grateful for any help, certainly, Padawan Zero. Would not have been asking myself, but as whole company grateful would be for help you are can be giving."

Zero adds mentally to Freyja, ...and no, don't mind the proscribed weapon under my jacket, you never saw any shard-blade here, and no, never mind who the unspecified weapon master was...

Freyja takes the dagger carefully, letting her coat sleeve cover the hand bracing the blade. I wonder if I can heal a blight wound...? There's a mental giggle in Zero's head after his last comment. She looks up at the alien, "Jedi Nifalu, may I have a place to sit and try farseeing on this?"

Zero says, "We'll certainly lend whatever assistance we can, Jedi. I don't think either of us would feel right fleeing from a problem like this, particularly just before going home to take our Trials."

Nifalu fluffs its ruff out a few more times, apparently 'bobbing his head in a nod.' "Grateful we are being, assistance having any we can provide to you, is yours." He nods to Freyja. "Having small meditation room down corridor, third left, second right."

Freyja quietly heads off in the direction indicated by the Jedi, although Zero gets a puzzled glance from her, Do you suppose they don't have a simple farseer here?! A bit more warily she adds, Zero... watch over me carefully, please? Perhaps the killer is lurking in the Force 'nearby' during the day...?

Zero responds, I'll stay close, don't worry. And keep in mind that farseeing of your capacity is not all that common among us. You're extremely gifted in that regard.

Freyja is silent a moment... then adds a little sheepishly, You're right. I'm sorry... I assume too much sometimes.

Zero shakes his head silently, Your view of the world is extremely bright. That's not a bad thing; I'm just here to be your balance, my love.

Freyja grins a little ruefully at Zero, heading for the indicated room. She reaches over to gently pull his head close for a kiss, Good point. All right, I'll be careful... and I won't wander off. Thank you. Zero mmms softly in the kiss, then nods.

If the Knight is at all curious as to the two Jedi kissing, it does not or cannot show it. The group heads down the corridor. As they reach the door it actually opens, and to the surprise of both, what looks like a young Arkanian woman steps out. She looks tired, though it is hard to tell with her pale white eyes, which seem to have no discernible pupil or iris. She almost collides with the group. She murmurs an apology in a strongly glottal language, then in heavily accented Aurabesh. "Pardon me, I'm sorry... I didn't hear you coming."

Freyja doesn't discernibly react, except to smile politely -- but Zero can feel the shock of adrenaline racing over her skin as if it were his own! Zero! Was that Sith she just spoke?! Freyja automatically 'reaches' for Fhazil and Vakkal, 'showing' them the woman's face -- recognition? She gets back one of those funny wordless responses from them, which she mentally equivocates with them looking in blank confusion at each other, then back at her.

Zero blinks and studiously doesn't glare, although it is his reflex -- Arkanians outside the Empire? What the -- he catches himself and murmurs, "Er, quite all right, Jedi. We're sorry, we didn't hear you either." His inward confusion rushes out over his link. Don't know, but it was definitely not any of my languages.

Nifalu fluffs out his ruff. "Padawans Freyja and Zero, this is my own Padawan: Damra Jur, formerly of Arkania." The Arkanian ducks her head a little in a bow to the two. "The Force be with you, Jedi." Now that they realize it, her accent is very reminiscent of the snippets of Sith language the group has heard in the past.

Zero nods, "Pleased to meet you. Sorry to startle you."

Freyja blinks, studying the woman in fascination, and lets her usual cheerfully innocent curiosity come to the fore -- at least as far as the Jedi and other Padawan can see, "And with you, Padawan. Oh, formerly of Arkania? How did you get out of the Empire?" To Zero she murmurs, Would it be stretching to wonder if she's connected somehow to the Jedi deaths? Might they want her back, say?

Zero turns the idea over in his head a few times. It's possible, though more likely they'd just seek to eliminate her and all Jedi she's been in contact with, in the interest of preserving secrets. If she is in fact at the heart of this. That is a large if, for now...

The Arkanian looks a little reluctant to speak of it -- or perhaps is just plain shy -- she doesn't quite make eye contact with either Freyja or Zero. "I... left my parents' house early in the war, and was found by a knight on Ithor before that world was attacked. She took me to Coruscant and the Temple, where I was apprenticed to Master Nifalu."

Nifalu fluffs out his ruff. "In case you having were wondering, I am at best only recently a Jedi Master, having ascended to that grade before leaving Coruscant. Padawan Damra is being my first Padawan. Having intent we were to go to praexeum, before having told been to go to Kalarba."

Zero grins a little. "I had the fortune to be, ah... 'found' by a master as well." He just makes an attempt at pleasantry, neither volunteering nor asking too much. Freyja tilts her head, regarding the Arkanian curiously... then grins at Zero. As she does so, she casually 'scans' the woman... who seems timid, but not lying or holding back anything major.

The Arkania glances a bit to Zero, while Nifalu asks, "Who is being your master, then?

Meanwhile, the moment of confusion from Fhazil and Vakkal passes and they're shooting back-and-forth theories. Mostly they seem to agree the woman's story is possible -- they don't recognize the family name, though Vakkal thinks he heard Lord Ghang mention an Arkanian Lord by that name once.

Zero smiles, "Master Roakkana, of Kashyyyk. He's quite an interesting man. I had to learn the use of a Great Lightsaber before the standard due to our differences in stature... it certainly made training an experience."

Freyja grins at Zero, then glances down at the Sith dagger she's still carefully holding. She adds softly, "Your pardon, Padawan... may we use the room you've just vacated?"

Padawan Damra nods a little. "I... use the vibro-rapier, mostly. Oh, of course, Padawan Freyja." She slips to the side, letting the door to the room open.

Nifalu nods. "Being aware of Master Roakkana we are. Unconventional he is being, but well respected. Many wookies in Order militant are using great lightsaber design of his."

Freyja grins a little proudly at the Jedi Master, then thanks the Padawan and slips past her into the room. She settled down comfortably, making sure she's braced so she won't fall over in trance, and puts the dagger carefully in her lap. A moment to settle her thoughts... then she glances up at Zero, "Ready when you are, Zeriza?"

Zero sets himself down on one knee behind and slightly to one side of Freyja, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder, the other on Kawatuara, in case he should need to rise quickly. He closes his eyes, "I'm ready, Freyja... just relax. I'm watching over you, always."

Freyja smiles quietly, her eyes drifting half-closed, and Zero can feel her gentle happiness. She makes sure the other two know what's up, so they're not surprised... then silently concentrates on the dagger. Who owned it? What do they want? Why are they here, and how to stop them from their current course of action?

The room is comfortable, a little snug but warm; perhaps once it was someone's office. As Freyja sinks into the farseeing trance, her perception of the Force expands. Slowly she becomes more and more aware of what is around her, and yet at the same time uses her normal mundane senses less and less.

The blight dagger is a slender dragon of destruction nested before her, lying sleeping in its scabbard. It curls around the razor-sharp edge of the alloy blade, waiting to rend apart any bonds it encounters, to tear it apart on a metaphysical level. This is the same type of blighted weapon Freyja has sensed before, in Talmon's and Ravos' swords. This is, however, the first time she's touched one through the Force.

It is quiescent, sleeping, twitching a little as if ready to awaken at a moment's notice. And in the dreams of that dragon, in the psychometric imprint of the blade, she begins to see flashes of images and people and places.

She sees where the blade was forged: darkly beautiful Byss, far in the Deep Core, where the Valsar seek peace and solace in their dark musings. But it was not a Valsarian who first wielded the blade; neither was he a follower of the Shattered Force. The blade has existed for three hundred years, and many in that time have handled it.

The last wielder was Darksider, as have been all the blight dagger's wielders. Young yet learned in the ways of the dark side, he came to Xagobah with others. It was with this blade Murgo Thurn Kaabas was killed.

The others are hard to visualize. They are blurs, dark shadows on the edge of vision. Freyja gets the impression they are concealing themselves within the Force much as she and Zero did on Sedrak, or how Vakkal and Fhazil mute their Sithstain. But they are on Kalarba now, of that there is no doubt. The rise of the beautiful, dark empire where the Force is under the ways and wiles of the heart rather than the mind, where desire equates to power... was to have started on this side of the Republic, sweeping out in a rising Dark tide against the storm of the Sith, and Darkness would collide with Darkness. That, at least, is how this one saw it. He knew the others had their own agendas.

Kalarba, now. It becomes confused. The images are shaky and jerky, as if panic suffused him when he realized the Jedi knew they were there. There are images of them preparing themselves, to show the Jedi the Darkness cannot be merely contained. In one there is a green, evilly whirring lightsaber colliding against a pair of shorter, orange saber blades that seem to be whirling oddly, too widely to be merely short lightsabers.

"Always beware, Yonn," and Freyja clearly sees an older Human, face craggy and kind and yet thinly covering a steel-rigid sternness. "Always beware the Light. It burns, and we have the scars to show that it burns. I would spare you that pain."

There are flashes of other faces, in streets and in vehicles during the last hour that Yonn goes to the spaceport to try to sneak off planet, before the group realized the Jedi had sliced and mined the datanets. Freyja sees the black-skinned Twi'lek, an entourage of that one's enforcers standing briefly before Yonn outside the gates to the spaceport. Others: the young Arkanian Padawan's image comes to mind, then two other Jedi, and one that Yonn knows is a Watcher in mufti.

Then there is chaos and confusion, shouting. The dragon awakens suddenly, and two feel its bite before Yonn lets it kiss him -- and he plummets into the void.

And the dragon within the blight dagger shortly returns to sleep.

Freyja, who dearly loves a Gray- and a Dark-sider, can feel that seductive call clearly... powerful emotions can be so deliciously alluring, so sensuous, call so sweetly to the heart! She's puzzled, though... what Darkness is on this side of the Republic? Her question is answered more in metaphor than in words: the Darkness, it seems, that is on this side of the Republic is that which the cult hopes to establish.

She's still confused. Is this Darksider/Valsarian hoping to fight the Sith? -or join with them?

There is some clarification in the words of the craggy older Human. "No, Yonn. We cannot join with the Sith, as much as they are Darksiders like us. They want to conquer the Republic. We do not want their Dark Empire. Rather perhaps it is better to say we wish... a Dark Republic."

Freyja whispers softly to her companions, sharing with them, Hm... so the Twi'lek woman is a manager of the spaceport then? We should try finding the old Human. If he doesn't want to join with the Sith... perhaps he would be willing to join in creating a balanced-Force Republic?

She shivers softly, internally, almost grieving inside. Her poor, poor Republic! -the recipient of uncounted millennia of hatred due to a cold and elitist Order. Her poor people... the enormity of what she hopes to accomplish makes her feel small and shriveled up sometimes, when she realizes just how much hatred and anger the Order has sown... and now is reaping.

Fhazil and Vakkal don't really know what to say about that. They seem small, Fhazil says through the link, mentally gently embracing Freyja. They've killed a lot of people, but I don't see any movement to seriously bring about this 'Dark Republic' that man was talking about.

Freyja whispers in a small, quiet voice, We should warn the Jedi Master here that its Padawan, and the two other Jedi and the Watcher, are known to the Valsarians. Her mental hug back to Fhazil is tight and unhappy... but also grateful for the comfort.

Zero thinks seriously for a few moments. We should go quickly, too. The violence isn't going to stop unless they can escape, and the Order's not going to allow that. Nor should they... these psychopaths are set to fight a war of extermination.

Freyja nods unhappily, If we can 'turn' them, we'll both win... otherwise I fear Zero is quite correct. She opens her eyes, taking a deep breath to pull herself back into the here and now... she'll turn a bit and hug Zero also. That's a physical comfort which is even more effective in helping ground her.

Zero mms, and shakes his head. He embraces Freyja gently, I hate to be the cynic, but I fear they won't be turned. He adds vocally, and with a bit of a sigh, "If they were interested in parley I don't think they'd be stabbing people."

Freyja sighs, sheathing the dagger, and he can feel her carefully arranging her thoughts so it won't hurt (as much...) when/if Zero turns out to be right. Rising with the help of a hand from Zero, she murmurs, "All right, let's go give them the news... then go find the Human."

Zero nods. "I'd like to be wrong, I really would..."

Freyja smiles ruefully, leaning against him for a moment... then straightens. They have work to do... she paces quietly to the door, looking outside, "Jedi Master Nifalu?" She glances at Zero, making a sudden mental connection, Did you see those odd orangey lightsabers? It was... almost as if the person... I don't know... had no wrist joints? I've never seen anything like that before?

Zero taps a finger to his lips, thoughtfully. I know a few fighting styles that make use of stabbing or locked-wrist movements... but they're rather esoteric. I've never heard of Force traditions using them. Perhaps they had... I don't know, tentacles? Or un-anthropomorphic paws?

An hour has passed. Outside the doorway is not Master Nifalu, but a young Rodian Jedi, who straightens and gives his species' equivalent of a smile. "Master Nifalu and Padawan Damra have gone to a meeting with the constabulary captain. I am Jedi Shaydou of Rodia; the Force be with you, Padawans."

Freyja giggles in spite of herself, and Zero gets the sudden, startledly unbidden mental image of a little octopoid wildly waving around 3 to 5 lightsabers! She composes herself, smiling at the Rodian Jedi, "Ah, pardon me. I hight Padawan Freyja, and this is Padawan Zero. Um... hm. Is it possible for us to see holos of all the Jedi here remaining? I think we know of 3 or 4 who are known to your attackers now, and it might be nice to warn them of this?"

Zero bows quickly, "And with you, Jedi. Ah, Freyja, about Master Nifalu and his Padawan...?"

Freyja looks at Zero -- then blinks, and turns quickly back to the Rodian, "Oh! Hai, the attackers know the Padawan is a Jedi!"

Zero says, "It might not be good for them to be walking abroad right now." Freyja nods worriedly.

Shaydou nods. "We know that anyone who landed wearing Jedi robes is likely known to the Darksiders -- we're not taking the risk that they aren't. But we can show you holos of the Watchers who we believe have not been made yet."

Freyja says, "Thank you. Ah... I take it Master Nifalu and its Padawan were so attired when they landed?"

Zero says, "No, pardon me, Jedi Shaydou, but we mean to say that they have faces to go with names. Hard identification. Target information. I think they may be in rather immediate danger. The very last impressions left on the dagger involved their likenesses."

Shaydou leads the group back to the office space. He nods. "All of the Company were. Wearing Jedi robes, that is. The rolls of the Order aren't secret; I'm not surprised that they learned our names... but that could be troubling that they appeared so prominently in the Darksider's mind towards the end. I'll let the Master know immediately. Likely we're going to strongly limit our presence outside the constabulary even more."

Freyja swiftly tries to identify the 'known' Watcher, as well. Zero says, "I hope that I'm being paranoid under the circumstances, Jedi Shaydou... but there aren't that many Masters to start with, aiyah?" Freyja nods a little grimly as she searches through the holovids. Zero says, "Losing one would not do well for the war effort."

The Watcher is quickly identified, and Shaydou grimaces when the name comes up. "Yes... Watcher Geir'tha. I'm afraid he was the first Watcher who was made and killed. It has been several months since we recovered this weapon."

Freyja blinks, suddenly wondering... what happened to the Sith lord who was supposedly captured by the Jedi? She sighs quietly at the news the Watcher is already deceased. Well... whatever happened to that supposed Sith lord... it's a good bet he or she isn't here, and here is our current concern. She tries to identify the other two Jedi she spotted in the young man's visions, so they also can be warned... hopefully... if they're not already deceased.

Both of the Jedi Freyja identifies from the vision had been members of the Company and landed in uniform, so to speak. One is still alive; the other was killed two months previously, during an ill advised reconnoiter along the area where the warehouse district meets the spaceport cargo docks.

Freyja nods quietly at the news, then turns to Zero, "Well... that's about all we can accomplish here, hai? Let's go collect our friends now." She thanks the Rodian Jedi quietly and turns to leave, deep in thought.

Zero scratches the back of his head somewhat irritably, as they head for the street. "What is it with spaceports? Are we cursed to continually find murderous madmen in warehouses? Whatever happened to using warehouses to put things in?" He sighs, shaking his head. Freyja grins with tired sympathy at Zero.

Shaydou coughs politely. "Padawan Freyja? The dagger, please? Unless there's a reason why you need it, in which case I will need to clear it with Master Nifalu."

Freyja blinks, turning, then apologizes and hands the dagger back without question. Then she pauses as she's turning away, and turns back, "Where is this warehouse district, please?"

Zero grins crookedly and sighs a little. I knew that was coming... well, at least there's four of us.

Shaydou says, "Oh, the one where Jedi Riaeerk was killed? It's to the south side of the spaceport, right next to it. It serves the major cargo docks. We told her going there was a bad idea, but she insisted that she had a lead. Her notes indicated the Darksider who killed himself... a Yonn Dunerunner of Tatooine -- had been employed by one of the warehouse management firms."

Freyja blinks slowly, "I... see... thank you..." She turns and walks quietly and quickly out, Could the Twi'lek be knowingly hiring them, or is she just a pawn in this? She adds to Fhazil and Vakkal, Can you meet us there?

Zero shrugs, scratching his head, Twi'lek fall prey to Force suggestion the same way as anyone else. It's an even chance. Freyja nods a little worriedly to Zero as she hastens through the streets towards the warehouse district with him. Zero adjusts his coat a little, flexing his fingers absently out of habit. He has the creeping suspicion there will be violence. Perhaps it's paranoia, perhaps a Force-whisper, but he has a distinct premonition his weapons will not stay hidden tonight.

Freyja adds a little wistfully, "Well, we are not yet blessed by fortune -- or the Force -- in finding a reasonable Watcher... but perhaps we can find reasonable Valsarians."

The trip is made fairly quickly. It is a short trip by rickshaw-droid or speeder, and at the edge of the warehouse district Vakkal and Fhazil are waiting. The midday air is ruptured by the coming and going of small freighters and shuttles and the whine of trucks, as they go back and forth between the docks and the warehouses carrying containers, pallets, and bulk cargoes.

Freyja gives the two Darksiders quick hugs of welcome, then takes a moment to try to 'feel' through the Force if anyone Force-awakened, aside from them, is nearby. It's the fastest and easiest way she knows of to locate the Valsarians... if also the least likely to succeed.

The Force is flowing with life. There are many people nearby; not all of the haulers are piloted by droids, though all hauler pilots -- droids as well as organic sophonts -- are proudly wearing union blazons. There is no particular, immediate sense in the Force of anything amiss or unusual.

For the briefest moment, though, Freyja thinks she can sense a faint discontinuity in the Force, as if someone concentrating on a Force-suppression technique had faltered for a moment, letting the sense of something broken and dark out for a moment. The sense disappeared, however, before Freyja can focus in on it.

Freyja whispers softly, eyes half closed with concentration, "All right, I think I have something, but I won't be able to cover my back while tracking it down -- fair warning. Everyone ready to go? It's near, within half a click and not moving... I'm guessing someone by a cargo or a worker in an office... spaceport's too far away to be there..."

Watching the rooftops, Zero sees nothing unusual -- no skulkers or spies. He also manages to sidestep the little mousedroid that buzzes on by at his feet, without breaking his scanning of the rooftops. He nods absently, "I gotcha, Freyja... I'm already looking."

Freyja mutters, "Blast, they shielded." She puts her hands on her hips and takes a slow, careful look around. "They have to be relatively close. Hm... if I were a Valsarian, where would I hide...?"

A brief look around doesn't see much at all; just warehouses. However, peeking through the space between two of the warehouses about 200 meters away is a small office building, typical of many others, except it seems like it's the only one within a kilometer and manages most of the area's warehouses, as well as being the biggest concentration of people.

Freyja sighs, wishing this were easier sometimes. She looks up at the sky, half amusedly thinking at the Force, You know... clearer signs would be nice! Then she laughs softly, and waves a hand towards the small office building, "Shall we try there first?"

Fhazil nods a little, looking around. "Yeah... that might be best. The most people are there right now, it seems."

Zero says, "That looks like as good a place to start as any." Freyja heads that way, straightening her long coat so she can reach Golden Dancer easily, and smiling. Might as well head into incipient battle in a good mood!

The group moves towards the office. Zero spots him first -- a Duros who is watching the group walk over to the office -- staying near the doorway of a warehouse while ostensibly consulting a large datapad. The Duros even manages to be relatively nonchalant. Relatively. Zero walks with a single hand in his pocket, the other hanging ready by his side... he shakes his head, adding to the group, Duros is watching us.

Freyja moves so the group isn't in one close clump, heading for the office, Thanks, Zero. So... straightforward, or subtle approach? Zero's suggestion is subtlety. They don't, after all, know exactly how many they are dealing with yet. Freyja mmms thoughtfully, trying to remember the name of the old Human Master. Would asking for him be too blunt? She smiles at the Duros, "Your pardon, please. We are looking for your older Human leader. We'd like to speak to him, if we may?"

The Duros looks surprised as he's approached. "Older... Human?" he says suspiciously. "I... guess you mean the shop boss." He turns. "Kayle! People looking for you!" He turns back, eyeing the group warily.

The man who walks -- rather, waddles -- up is large and graying. About a third of his weight must be fat, another third muscle, and the remaining third a carballoy skeleton. He does not, either, look anything like the man in Freyja's vision. When he talks it's in a dizzying, accented mumble so hard to understand that it takes even Freyja a moment to realize it's a Balmorran accent so Northern it could be used as the magnetic pole of Balmorra. In translation, he says, "Well, quite a day, quite a day, good day to you all, haven't ever met quite such a beautiful kuras on this here planet. What'll I be able to be doing for you?" Aurabesh seems to be almost like a second language for him.

Zero keeps up for about six syllables; then he just gives up and lets Freyja do the talking. He busies himself surreptitiously looking around for watchers or weapons. Freyja smiles at the compliment, then politely shakes her head, "I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. I'm looking for Yonn Dunerunner of Tatooine's Master."

"Yonn Dunerunner, Yonn Dunerunner, och, yah, sad sad thing, poor lad, poor lad, terrible to be caught up inna that mess, hai. 'E was one o' my workers, aye." Kayle shakes his head sadly, taking out a handkerchief that seems to have acquired seventeen types of oil or gunk over the years and wiping his brow. "Sad, sad boy. Didn't know 'im m'self, but if you're wantin' to talk more about 'im, Nathaniel's th' one ye be wantin' to talk to, o'er in yon offices." He waves idly to the office building. "Yonn spent time wi' that one; poor lad, poor poor lad."

While Kayle goes into his near-eulogy, the Duros grimaces, as if listening to the Balmorra brogue is almost physically painful. He is still carefully watching the group, however; it's not easy to see if he spotted Vakkal's lightsaber or not, but considering the glances he casts that one, he probably has. For his part, Zero notices the group has attracted some attention from the stevedores in the warehouse, many of whom are probably wondering who's talking to the foreman. The interest rarely lasts longer than ten seconds... except for, appropriately enough, from the near-Humans of the crews, who seem utterly entranced by something, with dropping jaws.

Zero's link faintly hums with a brief burst of self-satisfaction... but it passes quickly and he goes back to his little vigil. Freyja nods politely, "Thank you, Kuras Kayle, I'll try talking to Nathaniel." She starts heading for the indicated building, and the others can feel her faint touch of inquiry into Zero's sudden burst of satisfaction -- has he suddenly figured something out?

Zero smiles to himself, Nope, although I suspect I have knowledge that some of these cargo loaders would kill each other for. Fhazil, too...

Freyja gives them both a faintly puzzled look -- then suddenly blushes! She turns and hastily walks towards the building... although there's a small, slightly embarrassed smile on her face as she steps through the door, searching for Nathaniel.

Kayle's face brightens like dawn over Macronainsberg at the address, and he actually bows to Freyja, mumble-speaking something eloquent. There actually is one brief wolf-whistle as the group departs, a whistle cut off when Kayle's suddenly piercingly crystal clear voice rings out, "BACK TAE WORK WI YE, Y'SCAMP, AN' IF'N I BE HEARIN' YE DISRESPECTIN' A LADY AG'IN...!" The rest of the threat is lost to distance.

Freyja has to cover a sudden, stifled giggle at that. Zero just grins and shakes his head, following along.

The foyer to the office building is heavily traveled and looking a little run down, seeing as it's in the middle of a warehouse district and not the upper-crust corporate district of the spaceport city. The receptionist droid focuses its sensors on the door and gives an inquisitive chirp or beep. It rattles off some sort of line, first in Huttee, then in a Duros trade dialect, then finally in Aurabesh, "Welcome to Storm Shipping Management. How may I help you?"

Freyja says, "I'm looking for Nathaniel, please. Which office is his?"

The droid chirps for a moment. "Nathaniel Solo's office is three doors down the corridor on the left. Do you have an appointment?"

Freyja smiles as she heads that way, "The shop boss has sent us in to speak with him." She taps gently on the door, then turns the handle, "Nathaniel Solo?" She doesn't want to give him time to leap out a window or something. She remembers what happened on Marnaas all too well. The droid starts to complain, its volume increasing as Fhazil takes the cue and starts to do his best to distract it in whatever way possible.

The door is unlocked, and the man from Freyja's vision is inside talking on a desk comlink. "Hold on a minute!" he says a little irritably, barely glancing to the door. "Now, Gurasha, I want those containers on the north field, not the south! The union'll have our hides if they have to send their haulers more than ten meters off the route. All right? Good, get back to me when it's all taken care of..."

Freyja smiles pleasantly, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and waiting politely. Over the link, however, the others get a pleased, Score!

Zero remains in the hallway, waiting for potential distraction; with Vakkal's help that puts at least two layers of interference between Freyja and anyone else. Now drive it home, love, so we can get out of here.

The man -- Nathaniel -- shakes his head as he closes the connection. "Blasted..." He looks up and blinks, and a moment later smiles pleasantly. "Well. What can I do for you?" His eyes flick to the door. "And is Arnine-Jay still in one piece, because she's normally very good about keeping our appointment calendars."

Freyja grins over the link, Do my best. Once the phone is hung up, she steps forward, bowing politely, "I would not dream of damaging anything of yours except in self-defense, honored Kuras. You are Nathaniel, the Master of the tragically deceased Yonn Dunerunner, hai? I hight Padawan Freyja of Balmorra. Please, may we speak for a moment before things degenerate into violence?" She is careful both hands are in view as she bows, of course.

Zero adds wryly to Fhazil mentally, Y'know, come to think of it, we do have a terrible record with droids.

The Human male pauses a bit before nodding a bit. "Well... if by 'Master' you mean, 'somewhere up in the chain of management,'" he says, chuckling, "then yes, I am. Why would this become violent? I mean, if this is about the union, then, honest, Vigo Cosalos already got our protection money for this fortnight..."

Over the link the group can sense Fhazil is loosing the battle with the droid, who when mobile apparently has what looks like a set of tank treads for a lower body like a miniature -- a very miniature -- version of a heavy assault droid, with about as much tenacity and stubbornness in movement. Vakkal feels Fhazil back up right into him. I'd almost want those assassin droids after me than this thing! Fhazil sends, as Arnine-Jay starts launching into a lecture on manners as she presses forward.

Zero blinks and mutters, "Je ba!" He wanders off in that direction to help try and interfere with the droid... before it decides to get physical.

Freyja seats herself, "It is my hope it will remain a peaceful discussion, hai." She blinks at the mental images she's getting, then grins, "Er... to that end, could we persuade you to call off your earnestly well meaning droid?"

Nathaniel grins lopsidedly, spreading his hands. "Start by telling my why you walked into my office."

Arnine-Jay focuses on Zero. "And you, as well! How dare you enter into a place of business without even a by-your-leave! Do you know I could call security on you? These are hard-working people who don't need your shenanigans and interruptions...!"

Zero just brushes his long white hair back, exposing his nasty facial scar, as well as a few that manage to peek through the fur lining around his collar around his neck, and folds his arms, glaring and looking as best he can like a mildly annoyed gangster here on business. Arnine-Jay doesn't seem to care if Zero is a gangster, a Jedi, or the prince of a criminal syndicate himself, however. She continues to lecture, rant, and press forward, looking ready to trundle over Zero's feet.

Zero doesn't give ground, and declares flatly, "This will be over shortly, we're on business that cannot wait; we're looking to prevent any further loss of life. I'm sure you understand that." He uncrosses his arms just enough to let his coat fall open around his belt pouches where he is keeping his security kit... just in case the point needs carried home.

In the office, Freyja nods, "Fair enough. I am a farseer, and the Jedi have the dagger Yonn slew himself with. Er... if I may quote to prove my bona fides, and not to cause consternation?" She takes a moment to remember, her eyes distracted looking, then quietly murmurs, "'Always beware, Yonn. Always beware the Light. It burns, and we have the scars to show that it burns. I would spare you that pain.'" She looks at the man, adding quietly, "The Light does not always burn the Dark. If you look, you will see I have... unusual companions. The Light and the Dark can work together. We do not need to always fight."

Freyja looks relaxed and calm. If, however, the man explodes into violence, she won't be caught unawares this time -- like she was by the Templar. Vakkal, come here, please? I need a Sith for this guy to see... and Fhazil is busy? There's the soft 'feel' of amusement at her latter comment.

Nathaniel is quiet for a moment. Then, loudly, "Arnine... it's all right. Let them in; I've got time."

Freyja murmurs softly, "Thank you."

Arnine-Jay seems about ready to complain, but then merely straightens, looking more sternly than any droid has any right to look at each person in turn. "The next time you barge in here," she says, "I won't even let you get this far before calling security! And some of them have no fear of you gangsters!" With surprising speed she whirls, but Zero may be gratified to notice she keeps one optical receptor focused on Zero and his security kit.

Zero sighs inwardly, suddenly embarrassed. I just strong-armed a protocol droid. My mother is never going to speak to me again.

Freyja smiles at Vakkal, reaching up from her seat to take his large, clawed hand in her smaller golden one. She looks at the Human, clearly a Jedi in the presence of a Sith -- and yet still quite calm and relaxed. "Can you 'see' him in the Force?"

Nathaniel Solo glances between the two, taking note of the lightsaber at Vakkal's side. He leans back, taking a deep breath. "I have a bad feeling about this," he murmurs. "But..." He takes another breath, and slowly exhales. As he does so, the unmistakable sense of a Darksider -- though not one with Sithstain, clearly of a different Darkside tradition -- becomes apparent. The room actually seems to grow a little dim as he removes his suppression... and as he does so he actually winces, squinting. "Gods below, woman!" He grimaces, "How do you go around without blinding half the Force-sensitives in the spaceport?"

Freyja blinks -- then looks a bit sheepish, "Er, pardon me... I don't notice it..." She hastily damps down, adding a soft, "Sorry..." A second later she blinks again, then asks in a normal tone of voice, "Wait... what Force sensitives?"

Nathaniel blinks a little, though it's more of a gesture than any actual physical eye discomfort. "It's... all right," he says conciliatory. "You're just the brightest I've ever seen in a long... time..." His voice trails off as he looks at Vakkal. "You're Sith..." he murmurs. "But... you're also bright. The hell?" He glances to Freyja. "Oh... Jedi, latents, people like that."

Freyja says, "Ah." She nods, then smiles, her pride in Vakkal obvious, "I did say Jedi and Sith could work together. Vakkal is special." She adds a little ruefully, "Although I know my thoughts on Jedi-Sith friendship are not universally shared by my Order... er, anyway. So... I would like to suggest we come to some mutually satisfactory compromise, so you do not feel the need to continue killing Jedi any more, and are not trapped here."

Nathaniel lets out a breath. "All right," he says slowly. "Why don't you let your friends come in, and we can close the door so we don't disturb the rest of the office." He gives a humorless smile. "They probably think you're enforcers; no need to let them think otherwise, huh?"

Freyja beams happily at him, "Certainly!" and calls her friends via the link.

Zero grins ruefully to Fhazil, "Wait until he sees us," and tries to brush his hair back into place to hide his left cheek again as they come up the hall. He lets Fhazil enter first, since the man has already seen one Darksider... Zero imagines seeing a 'ghost' might be disconcerting. Just in case, he closes the door behind him.

Freyja idly (and with quiet amusement) wonders how few Jedi Nathaniel must have seen, to think she's so bright. She pauses then, remembering Zero's comment about her 'Light-ness'... and wonders. Is she really getting brighter? She hopes so... she figures Master Roakkana would be proud of that, and she knows her friends won't be harmed by it any more than she is by their Sithstain.

Sure enough, Nathaniel is staring at each person in turn. He's silent for several moments after the door closes. "All right, before you call the Jedi on me, just tell me what the hell is going on? You," and he points to Freyja, "are more Jedi than most Jedi. You, "and he points at Fhazil, "are Sith. I can tell by the Sithstain. You," he points to Vakkal, "are Sith, except you don't have any bloody Sithstain and you're bright. And you," this to Zero, "I don't know what the hell you are except some kind of half-invisible Graysider. So can someone please let me at least go to Carceri knowing what you are all about?"

Zero smiles politely, "If it helps, sir, if I were trying to avoid your notice the other half would be invisible too."

Freyja grins, "Well, we're, ah... unique. Hai. Unique." She covers a grin, "Goddess, that's putting it mildly. Ahem. Anyway! Basically, we're trying to convince both Lightsider and Darksider -- Valsarian as well as Sith -- that we don't need to keep killing each other... and if we do, we'll harm the Force." She adds cheerfully, "If it helps any, you're only the fourth Valsarian I've met. The proper form of address is Epopt Nathaniel, hai?"

Nathaniel deadpans to Freyja, "No kidding." He looks to Zero then, "Actually, no, it doesn't help."

Zero smiles expansively and shrugs. "It usually doesn't."

Nathaniel holds up his hands. "Sorry, sorry, I know, I'm an irritable Corellian bastard." Setting his hands on the desk, he looks to Freyja. "'Harm the Force.' Some eschatologists talk about the Force getting hurt by the conflict between Light and Dark... but how do Light and Dark work together? You just said you're unique..."

Nathaniel shakes his head slowly. "You're very well-learned... Padawan Freyja -- Padawan? Gods, I'd hate to meet your master. You're very well learned, but I'm not a Valsar. Close, though, in a distant way. Covenant of the Midnight Sun."

Freyja says, "Um... well, we chose to work together, Epopt." She smiles, nodding once in thanks for the compliment, then thinks a moment. Then, more seriously, she says, "I was taught all my life how wrong and evil the Sith were... but then I met honorable Sith. Where there is honor, there is the possibility for mutual respect... and where there is mutual respect there can eventually be understanding. I do not have to obliterate the Dark viewpoint of the Force in order to be of the Light... nor are they prevented from the Dark by my presence in the Light."

She leans forward, speaking earnestly, "Even if we choose not to work together, obliterating each other is counterproductive, and damages the Force itself. If either side wins... we all lose." She adds cheerfully, "Actually, I hope you'll be able to meet my Master. He's on his way!" then with fascination, "Covenant of the Midnight Sun? Oh, a new one! We shall have to talk later, if you will!"

Zero adds, softly, "New being a relative term, Freyja." He mentally adds, Let's not accidentally insult a potential ally.

Freyja smiles up at Zero, "New to me, dear heart!"

Zero smiles and inclines his head, "Perhaps not to the Midnight Sun, though... just trying to be sensitive, that's all."

Freyja nods, looking back at the Human, "True. Neh offense meant, although I do not know what title to use for you, Kuras Nathaniel."

Nathaniel steeples his hands together, frowning slightly. "The Jedi already tried to deal with the balance of Light and Dark. Look what they did to that little experiment. You might recall the results; they were called the Heresy Wars." He gives Freyja a curious look, then glances up to the chronograph. "When's he showing up? I'll be sure to have Arnine-Jay clear a place in my appointment calendar for him..."

Freyja grins, "Er... not today, probably... but soon." She adds proudly, "He is Jedi Master Roakkana of Kashyyyk, and I will be happy to let your droid know as soon as he arrives on planet."

Nathaniel looks a little taken aback when Freyja says they'll have to talk more. "You know, Padawan Freyja, of all the times I imagined the Jedi coming through that door -- it was never with someone like you at the front." He straightens, muttering softly, "Sarcasm seems to be utterly lost on this one... all right. 'Epopt' is my title, as it happens, but 'kuras' -- that sounds Balmorran -- works just as well here. So... you're not here to hold me in place before your master comes and fries me to a cinder. Have I got that right?"

Freyja grins unapologetically -- then says a little indignantly, "Certainly not! We want you to help us convince others to stop fighting. It would be exceedingly hard for you to do so... as a cinder!"

Zero says, "If I may, sir, we aren't all entirely certain about the balance of Light and Dark as it applies to the politics of the galaxy... I for one am not entirely convinced that our existence alone will stop the war. I don't believe either side will so easily give up its grudges... but evidence exists that either side may be under... manipulation. We believe that someone may in fact be attempting to reenact the Heresy Wars to see their own ancient grudges played out."

Freyja nods in agreement as Zero adds, "Regardless of our own politics, it seems obvious either side would be interested in knowing they were being goaded. Sith pride and Jedi equanimity alike won't take well to that knowledge." Freyja nods firmly again, still closely watching the Human man.

Nathaniel actually looks stunned. "Stop the...? Do you know what you're ask- no, you don't know; you didn't even know I was Covenant. Well, let me say, that what began on Xagobah is now rather wildly out of control in my own egotistical opinion." He looks up, listening to Zero carefully. "You're talking about organizations that can manipulate the two largest Force traditions currently extant in the Galaxy. A small local tradition I can see being subverted, maybe even a sector-wide one, but... the Jedi and Sith? Both of them... that's..." He falls silent, actually managing to envisage the scope of that.

Freyja murmurs quietly, "We must succeed... or we and the Force both may not survive."

Zero says, "Again, sir... I don't believe that we alone can halt the war. But I see you do realize the larger threat. Groups that can manipulate the two most powerful elements in this world and in the Force, are an absolutely mortal threat to the entire galaxy -- Empire, Republic, and whatever lies beyond. Whatever comes of the Sith War... we are threatened much more directly from something within our own homes."

Freyja tries to get the man to talk with them, "Can you tell us more about Xagobah? Perhaps we can try to control the spin?"

Nathaniel sits back heavily again, letting out a breath and looking at the desk. "You know," he says, "my daddy himself swore me into the Covenant when I came of age, and back then the worst thing we could see was the Jedi burning everything in their path in their quest for orthodoxy. Well, no, the worst thing we could see was the Order becoming the Supreme Chancellor's praetorians -- he didn't even get called the 'Supreme' Chancellor until he started sponsoring the Order. Then the Sith came, and I had to agree that was worse."

"Now you're telling me both of these huge traditions that are crushing whole worlds in between them -- that they're both being manipulated by Lightsiders and Darksiders who want even more than normal to crush the other side. Frankly... that makes me rather want to tweak a wampa's nose."

Zero sighs faintly. "Us too. Honestly, I no longer even care what comes of the Sith War; one way or another, life will go on. What the two secret factions are proposing, though, is nothing less than a war of extinction. Their war will leave absolutely nothing behind." He adds with a rueful grin, "I needn't add that they don't tolerate alternate viewpoints, like yours... and like mine... very well, either."

Freyja grins, "Glad to hear it, Epopt Nathaniel! We were... rather dismayed ourselves when we discovered this." She considers a moment, then adds pragmatically, "You'll need to be able to leave the planet to help. Does that mean we can count on you to stop killing Jedi here? Also, can you tell us more about Xagobah?"

Zero adds, "We are all in danger." Freyja nods quietly, her light-heartedness fading away at his words.

Nathaniel sighs softly. "I'll tell you about Xagobah... if... you don't tell any other Jedi..." He glances up to Fhazil, "Or the Sith... and whatever tradition you belong to," he adds, looking at Zero, "about the Covenant. We're weak enough as it is, and either side'll gladly wipe us out. I'd rather we didn't have all that attention on us, and frankly, at this point it's every Darksider for himself on this planet."

Zero smiles faintly, "Honestly, Nathaniel... my tradition has built itself on silence. Don't worry. I was never here."

Freyja considers for a moment, then says, "I am willing to remain silent concerning the Covenant of the Midnight Sun... except in regards to my Master, Jedi Master Roakkana." She adds ruefully, "I don't think I could successfully lie to Master Roakkana, even if I wanted to. However, I will note it was he who encouraged me to first expand my studies... I do not think he would ever knowingly cause harm to another except in self-defense or in defense of the helpless." She adds quietly, "Perhaps you should consider searching for the Silver Path. They also are quite small... and when you find them -- or they find you -- you will discover you are not alone between two behemoths."

Fhazil adds, "My Lord will understand, and... well, Vakkal..."

Vakkal adds, "My Lord is Freyja. Or rather, I am her Soulguard and huskarl." Freyja smiles up with quiet affection at Vakkal again, gently squeezing his hand... then looks back at the Epopt, to see his reaction to all their statements.

Nathaniel nods slowly. "Any other answers and I've have considered you all liars." He sighs. "All right. Xagobah. There was a great idea to start uniting the client states into a union of sorts -- to bring them together. There's a lot of dislike towards the Republic simmering in them, just waiting to be tapped. What better way to start making a Republic that wasn't inimical to Darksiders by building one from scratch? It's not like we were promoting sedition, anyway. The client states aren't really a part of the Republic; they're clients by trade agreement and treaty, and as a democratic body they can vote themselves out of the arrangement."

Freyja nods thoughtfully. Nathaniel continues: "Xagobah was the best place to start. We'd made a lot of inroads, a lot of contacts. The Covenant was a back-end supporter -- we didn't have the resources to do more than give moral support. In another ten years we would have organized the client states into a confederacy of worlds. Maybe even a Dark Republic to counter the Light. But we'd have assurances of freedom -- freedom of belief and thought..."

Nathaniel sighs. "Then the Sith came. And they started making a huge mess of things."

Freyja nods, making mental notes -- she really wants this sort of thing to come into being! Best to know her goals well before she starts, however. Then she blinks, startled. She'd thought it was just the Covenant -- the Sith are that far gal-southeast?! Oh, dear...

Zero nods. "The Sith Empire is not known for its diplomatic solutions." Freyja gives Zero, then Fhazil a rather rueful glance, but remains discreetly silent, waiting for the Epopt to go on.

"Suddenly all the attention was on the Sith Empire. The Republic has known about the tensions in the client states for hundreds of years, but never did much about it. With the war they decided they couldn't afford separatist movements in the client states. So they started appeasements, sending some second-line forces to shore up anti-piracy patrols that have been neglected for centuries. The Republic was, rather neatly, making everything we'd worked towards useless."

Freyja nods slowly, starting to understand the poor man's frustration. "So the existence of the Sith off on the far galactic border made the Republic start to behave nicer towards the area you were trying to disenfranchise from the Republic." She considers, then adds quietly, "Must've been quite annoying. How did Murgo Thurn Kaabas end up dead?"

"So. We started looking for ways to regain what we'd lost. We started to do certain things, talk to some people, make a few threats -- we'd degenerated to a bunch of gangsters, now that I think about it. But we still had the dream." He spreads his hands, screwing up his face in a sour expression. "Then Xagobah. Kaabas was one of our key people. He would have supplied the confederacy with enough tibanna gas that we could hold out against the Republic embargoes for a decade. When he started talking about how the Republic was sweetening his deals, acting like he was some all-powerful Core capitalist, that was the last straw.

"We had him killed. Hell, we all but did it ourselves when we went to Xagobah. I can't be sorry for it, because at first he seemed to have the dream too, but then when his profits turned in the other direction he turned away. I imagine that Fortune's Light will shine unfavorably upon me for that at some point. Or even the justice system of the Republic."

Freyja sighs, sitting back in her chair. "I see... hai, I understand how it hurts to see a dream die." She's silent for a moment, then adds quietly, "If you are willing to see, and work towards, a Republic with a balanced view of the Force, though... perhaps your dream can live again, Epopt Nathaniel."

Zero says, "After all, what you really want is someplace where you can live without fear for your lives, no? I think that if you could bear to curb the murder, the Republic -- at least as we hope to see it become -- would be willing to accept that... we believe the group responsible for goading the Republic side of the war is the faction among the Order that is most violently opposed to differing Force traditions. So you see, our enemy may in fact be a common one."

Nathaniel is quiet for a long moment. "I could... we could," he amends. "The Covenant wants to explore emotions and the effect they have upon the Force. I'd be lying if I said we didn't use our techniques to pursue other agendas, but the Force is a part of us, no matter how we invoke it. I think... maybe... that could be something worth going towards..." He looks sternly at Freyja and Zero, "But how? The Jedi are ubiquitous. They don't exactly crush everything they consider heretical, but they make the 'offer you can't refuse.' If this group you're talking about really are the most rabid Lightsiders, they're still in control of the Order."

Freyja says quietly, "We're not sure ourselves how we will accomplish our goal, Epopt, but we have a powerful ally -- the Force itself."

Zero says, "Quite frankly, sir... we don't intend to fight the Jedi at all. We intend to expose the real enemy to the Order, and perhaps to the Republic government itself. They are, after all, the best equipped to police themselves."

Zero says, "We don't believe they control the Order, per se... we believe they are manipulating events and information so that the Order does their wishes on its own. A more subtle form of control... but a more tenuous form too. It's a shadow war, to be sure... but then, I'm a shadow myself. I know how these things work." He smiles, "Don't worry, sir. We aren't planning to take on the whole galaxy. We're just going to see the right words into the right ears, and let the galaxy sort itself out.'

Freyja thinks a moment, then adds to the Human Epopt, "Seek the Silver Path. They are traveling the fringes of the Republic right now too, and I believe they can help you. Listen to the Force; it is quite good at making its wishes known when necessary." She grins quietly, "And... we'll keep trying to persuade Dark and Light they need not fight endlessly."

Nathaniel considers for a long time. Then, finally, he sighs. "All right," he says softly. "You've convinced me. I'll try to convince the others in the Covenant."

Freyja smiles at Zero -- then blinks at a sudden thought. Slowly she says, "We are... we are working towards balance again. Here in the Republic there is... is too much Light, and so my Gray and Darkside friends have much work to do. Thought it pains me to see destruction, I will do my best to help them here, with the contacts and information I have. In the Empire there is too much Dark, and there Zero and I will be quite busy, I am sure, while our Darkside friends will have to help us with information there." She looks at the Epopt, "Does that make sense?"

Freyja feels Vakkal stiffen, and a moment later Fhazil is asking over the link, Hey, why is it getting dark in here...?

Nathaniel nods slowly, then smiles. "Yes. Yes, actually it does, and it just might-" He breaks off, blinking. "Oh, stang," he murmurs.

Freyja automatically undampens, thinking the question is metaphorical, and lets her Light shine more brightly. Better? Then she blinks, realizing the question is for real. Worriedly she says, "What is it?"

Zero immediately throws his coat back, reaching for the grip of the shard-blade. "I don't like this at all."

Vakkal abruptly stands and interposes himself between Freyja and Nathaniel. "Something's wrong!" Fhazil is just reaching for his own lightsaber as Freyja rises, intending to open the door -- but she doesn't get that far.

Suddenly through the bond they get some idea of what it is that Fhazil is seeing... because to eyes awakened to the Force it is all too clear now what has happened. Thick black tentacles of ethereal energies have insinuated themselves into the room from somewhere else -- somewhere far off. They snap-wrap themselves around the Covenant Epopt, curling in a shadowy, nightmarish embrace around the Human. And they have begun to tighten.

Freyja pauses, her eyes growing pale as Battlemind sweeps across her, searching for the Darkling force's origin. They widen as she sees the Epopt being constricted, and she shouts a denial. Light flares brightly around her as she flings her hands out towards the choking Human, white arrows of fire streak into the black tentacles. There is a horrible, awful shriek from somewhere else as the Light tears into the vaporous tentacles. Many of them are torn clean away, though several manage to retain their tightening grip on Nathaniel.

Zero grimaces, "Damn!" He turns, "Freyja, hold it here! Fhazil, come on, let's do what we do." Freyja nods tightly once, her face set in concentration. Zero sprints out of the office, drawing the shard-blade and shouting to the droid as he passes, "Scramble all your security! You've been breached!" He says to Fhazil as they reach the front door, "We need to find the source..."

The droid shoots off, "No kidding, bright-boy!" though it's clear she's saying that in relation to Zero et al. But as he bolts out he hears the droid contacting security.

Zero skids to a halt outside. "Fhazil... I've got nothing here. Where now?"

Fhazil looks around. "Try around back! Maybe if they're close they'll be in a speeder or something!"

Zero nods, "Let's go; we'll try to pincer them."

Freyja whispers through the link, Dark... definitely Dark. Lots of hate... hate and vindictiveness and rage... pure, but neh flavor I recognize... look in the Force for its origin... Vakkal remains by Freyja's side, his senses alert for any attack on her, physical or metaphysical.

Nathaniel gasps out, grimacing, "Save yourselves... get out of here! It's me they want, not you! Run while you can still get back at them later!"

Freyja says, "Who are they, Epopt?! Information will help us fight!"

Nathaniel is attempting to resist the tendrils with his own dark invocations of the Force, but it isn't helping -- certainly not against likewise Darkside forces. "The rest of the cabal... the Dark Republic separatists... they must have known I've been wavering...!"

Freyja nods tightly once more, determined not to lose the one reasonable Covenanter they've found. Internally she quietly reminds herself -- the Covenant of the Midnight Sun aren't really the enemy. They're potential new allies who have to be shown this is the wrong approach. She maintains her focus, studying the tentacles carefully both visually and in the Force as she steps forward, Golden Dancer lighting up in her hand like a tongue of flame.

Zero breaks clear to the rear of the building... and finds nothing. He curses under his breath, and kneels down, partly to catch his breath, and partly to focus on the Force itself, knowing that the source has got to be here... somewhere... he winces as his mind's perception comes into focus, and sends to the others, I can see it now... it's heading out into the city. Whoever they are, their reach is... amazing.

Kourakani sings to brilliant life in Freyja's hands, slashing cleanly through several tentacles. No more seem to be wrapping around the Epopt, and Freyja estimates one more good strike and he should be free. She murmurs quietly, We'll find them... see if you two can track them back to their source, and wait for us. Vakkal and I will follow as soon as we're finished here, all right?

Zero responds, We're already gone.

Freyja smiles quietly, still concentrating on the tentacles, Thank you.

Nathaniel seems immobilized though conscious, managing to hold on to dear life despite the tentacles, which seemingly are trying to suck the life from him. Freyja whirls Kourakani up in a fiery arc and brings her down again, slicing the black tentacles free of the struggling Human. Her cut eliminates all the tendrils, and Nathaniel collapses to the ground, retching. "G-gods...!" he stammers, "Damn... damn them...!" He coughs again. "Th-thank... you..." he manages to get out, before falling unconscious with a sigh.

In that moment Zero can see the tentacles that remain whipping back through the air into the City -- too quick to follow, but perhaps there's enough to see a general direction of where they came from. He makes a half-amused, half-annoyed face, "Look there, Fhazil... apparently evil is elastic. We'll just have to follow it until we run out of city."

Freyja abates and sheathes the lightsaber handle in a single smooth move, as she takes a long step to the man's side. Kneeling next to him, she checks his vital signs -- anything wrong that being able to breath again won't fix? Nathaniel will live. For the time being he is unconscious but alive, and nothing more seems to be happening to him as far as attacks from the other members of the cabal. Freyja looks up at Vakkal with relief, and all her friends can hear her report the news.

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

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