STAR WARS: An Ill Wind
Session 13

[Sabriel, our observer, will be joining the game soon with a character named Tekkel (thus the name change).]

INT. JEDI TEMPLE - WINDU'S CHAMBERS

The salon of the Master's rooms is comfortable and relaxing, of course. Outside the windows, the sun shines brightly on the endless cityscape and flowing lines of sky traffic.

Master Windu sets his cup of Ithorian green tea back on the low table and reclines in his seat again, steepling his fingers as he regards the two younger Jedi sitting opposite him.

Windu says, "I am pleased, with both of you. You handled yourselves well, in a variety of situations."

Pira bows her head in a sitting obesiance. "Thank you, my Master."

Windu turns his calm brown gaze to Day-Lin. "However, I am curious why you decided not to accompany Pira on your most recent assignment. Was there a problem?"

Day-Lin says "Not a serious one. It's been resolved, Master."

Windu nods silently.

Pira says "Master... was the Temple able to locate the Defel's family?"

Windu nods again. "Yes. I am told that he has an uncle and several cousins who have offered to take him into their home."

Pira inclines her head again. "I hope that they will be offered such assistance as is necessary. It will be difficult for him to live among people."

Windu observes, "Where others saw only a monster to be feared, you discovered a lost child in need. Your insight serves you well."

Windu sits up straighter. "Now I have another task for you. For both of you."

Day-Lin nods curtly.

Pira sits up straighter, her back a perfect line.

Master Windu explains, "Since our recent discovery that the Sith might not, in fact, be extinct, we have conducted an extensive search of our records for clues as to where they may have been hiding. Most references are only legends and rumors, and so we paid them little heed. Now, however, we are sending Jedi to investigate any possibility."

<OOC> Pira says, "Woohoo, the Sith :)"

Windu says, "One of these tales concerns a Sith artifact known as the Donarr Crystal... or, more prosaically, the Heart of Darkness."

Pira casts a look sideways at Day-Lin.

Windu notes, "The same legend speaks of another crystal, strong with the Light as this one was with the Dark. But we have no idea what or where that might be."

From afar, Tekkel snickers.
You paged Tekkel with 'Caught the ref, I see. ;)'.

Pira says "And if we cannot find the one, we must keep the other from falling to the Sith?"

Windu says, "In any case... the Heart was supposed to give its possessor great power and long life. Though like all things of the Dark Side, it also exacted its price. Ages ago, a group of Jedi faced one Sith empowered by the Heart, and only barely defeated him. The crystal was lost during the battle, and has not been seen or heard of since."

Windu nods to Pira. "If it is not already in their possession."

Windu continues, "You must go to the Mydia system. There you will find Master Esuna Ti'lan, who knows more of the Donarr Crystal than anyone else now alive. She will guide you."

Windu adds, "The journey will be long. Make what preparations you must before you leave."

Pira says low, "Yes, Master."

<OOC> Pira says, "Do I know that name at all (should I roll my jedi lore skill?)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Nope, don't bother. It's way out in the boonies. No way Temple Girl would have heard of it."
<OOC> Pira says, "Does Boonies Boy know it? :)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Well, he can roll his 3D if he wants."
Day-Lin rolls 3 dice: <2> 1 4
<OOC> Day-Lin says, "Looks like I don't. :)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Not on that roll. :)"
<OOC> Pira says, "Temple Girl and Boonies Boy, sounds like a Japanese comic."

Windu says, "May the Force be with you both. Pira, will you stay a moment?"

Pira pauses in her rising, sitting back down with a quiet thump.

Day-Lin bows slightly, rising. "I'll wait for you in the plaza." He departs.

Windu picks up his teacup again as Day-Lin leaves, takes a sip. "Your report was... very diplomatically worded. As I would expect from you." The ghost of a smile plays at the corners of his mouth.

Pira carefully folds her hands in her lap. "And now you would like the undiplomatic version?"

Windu asks mildly, "Was there anything you might have omitted?"

Pira says "Nothing that would not have been out of place, Master."

Windu watches Pira over the rim of the cup, inscrutable. Finally he nods. "Very well. I trust your wisdom... and your discretion."

<OOC> Pira says, "She thinks the undiplomatic version would make her look childish :)"

Windu sets the half-empty vessel down and rises, pressing his hands together as he bows slightly. "Safe journey to you, then. Remember: at this point, we need information most of all. Do not act rashly."

Windu knows Pira is hardly the sort to do so, but his gaze is serious.

Pira says "I..." She seems about to say more, but then simply finishes "Yes, Master."

WIPE TO:
EXT. CORUSCANT - LANDING PAD - DAY

This particular landing pad, the current berth of the Dauntless, is mostly shadowed by the surrounding towers. Where the sunlight does fall, it is the gold of afternoon. The bright crimson of the diplomatic cruiser is muted to a soft rose as tiny figures move about its base.

<OOC> Pira says, "Very pretty, Kelly :)"
<OOC> Pira says, "I could practically see the matte painting :)"
<OOC> Tekkel agrees. Lovely.

Koos pushes along a brand-new shield generator, still in its protective wrap, on a repulsor sled. "Where do you want it, Chief?"

Avirida directs with gestures. "There." She gives it a fond look. "And this time, we'll try to keep it around a little longer."

<OOC> Kelly handles stuff behind the scenes.
<OOC> Avirida rah :)

Koos nods and pushes his sled off in the direction Avirida indicates. Both the regular crew and ground technicians are busy preparing the Dauntless for another mission.

Another figure emerges from the door at the end of the ramp leading to the circular pad, covering the distance with long strides even at a slow walk. Harukuk pauses with furry paws on his hips, looking up at his ship.

<OOC> Kelly says, "It's Good To Be The Captain."

Avirida paces alongside Koos, warning crewmembers out of the way of the sled. Or out of about two meters either side. That's her generator.

<OOC> Kelly says, "So would Pira have asked for this crew again herself, or was it someone else that thought it would be a good idea?"
<OOC> Pira says, "Oh, I think they would have requested them, they did well after all."
<OOC> Kelly says, "The previous shield generator was, of course, pulled when you arrived. Its condition can be best described as 'slightly used, runs great.' ;)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Pira, Day-Lin, anything you wanted to do before you left?"
<OOC> Avirida /laughs/
<OOC> Day-Lin says, "Nope."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Oh yeah: add 'some fire damage'."
<OOC> Avirida snickers.

With a nod to Avirida, Harukuk starts walking around the Dauntless, checking on everything and everyone just to be sure.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Dan's a little busy right at the moment, so I'm keeping my poses for him vague."

Avirida salutes the Captain, and gives in to her protective urge a moment later, helping wrestle with the shield generator herself.

<OOC> Harukuk comes back. Sorry.
<OOC> Kelly says, "No problem. Take it away."

Unfortunately, Avirida can't ride up the engineering access lift with the generator-laden sled.

Avirida stands back, resisting the urge to mutter, and simply studies the lift balefully. It will not dare to fail now.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Time for the Jedi to make their entrance. Together?"
<OOC> Pira thinks they met up in the plaza?

The lift rises into Dauntless' belly without mishap, cowed by the Chief.

<OOC> Kelly says, "True."

Harukuk looks a little wry by the successful anthropomorphic cowing, and continues to check the ship on the whole.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Whenever you're ready, then."
<OOC> Pira says, "After you, Day."
<OOC> Day-Lin says, "Oh, I was waiting for you. :)"
<OOC> Pira says, "oh no it's alphonse :)"
<OOC> Kelly thinks of Mac and Tosh, the gophers.

Avirida stalks around with slightly fewer radiations of impatient criticism, thus mollified.

After a minute or two, the lift returns for the fidgeting engineer.

Avirida steps in. If it fails now, that's all right; it's only bones, not Equipment.

Equipment that Avirida *signed for*.

<OOC> Pira giggles madly at Avirida.

It's a short ride up into engineering, where Avirida and Koos finish the task of moving the shield generator into the place of the old one and hooking it up.

Avirida checks the hookups only four or five times, a sign of great faith in Koos.

Day-Lin and Pira emerge onto the ramp, heading down toward the ship at a walk.

Pira has her hands tucked inside her sleeves, pensive gaze trained on the floor.

<OOC> Kelly says, "If this is moving too slow, say the word and I'll try to move it along."
<OOC> Pira says, "No, no, it's fun watching them fret over the ship :)"
<OOC> Avirida whoops, and thought Kelly was dealing with the Jedi :)

Avirida finally lets herself leave engineering again, in good time to come back out and take another look around outside.

Harukuk goes over to the loading ramp to meet the returning Jedi.

Pira stops before Avirida. She says stiffly, "Engineer. I would like to thank you for your work on our last mission. It was your skill, and the Captain's, that guided us in requesting you again."

<OOC> Kelly says, "Heh. The Queen-Amidala voice, eh?"
<OOC> Pira says, "Just about. She's not very good at this part of the job :)"

Harukuk rumbles something that sounds appreciative.

Avirida lifts her chin, attempting to match formality. "We are pleased and proud to be able to serve, m'lady Jedi."

<OOC> Pira says, "Can just imagine what Day-lin thinks :)"

Pira says "The Force guides us all in that service."

Day-Lin says "Some more accurately than others."

Pira says, after a faint hesitation "The young Defel -- his family has been located and he will be going home to them."

Pira says "To preserve an innocent life, there is no purer way than that."

Harukuk nods, his approval evident.

Avirida says, "That is good news indeed."

<OOC> Pira whimpers. She's soooooo stiff.
<OOC> Kelly takes pity and suggests y'all get aboard?
<OOC> Avirida says, "Sounds good :)"

Day-Lin suggests, "Perhaps we ought to get aboard. Whenever you're ready to depart, captain."

Harukuk nods, and rumbles something in Wookiee. [As soon as the chief says the ship is ready, we're ready.]

Pira looks quite relieved as they turn to stride up the ramp.

Avirida says, "I'd like to take one more look over, but the new shield generator is installed, Captain - she's just about ready."

Pira tucks her hands back into her sleeves and her face back into Jedi indifference.

DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CANTINA - NIGHT?

<OOC> Pira loves interludes.

The room is dark and smoky, illuminated by lamps at each table and the slightly brighter glow from behind the bar. The patrons of this establishment do not come here for companionship or light conversation. They're a rough-looking bunch, a dozen species from as many worlds.

A spindly green Rodian heads to the back of the cantina, down a short hallway and past the three restrooms, coming at last to a sturdy-looking door with a slit at head level. He raps on the door impatiently. The viewport slides open and suspicious eyes peer out.

A few words are exchanged before the door is opened by a large and intimidating Barabel (redundant as that may be). The door guard waves the messenger inside, into a room no less smoky or dim. Light pools around a desk; behind the desk is a Human with fuzz-short hair, a Twi'lek dancing girl curled in his lap. At the sight of the Rodian, he murmurs something in her ear and pushes her away.

The man leans forward, putting his elbows on the desk in his eagerness. "You have something for me?" The Rodian nods to his boss and passes a datapad across to him. Reading what is displayed on the small screen, the human smiles. "Good. Gooood."

Standing, the man turns to his Barabel guard. "Max, get my ship ready. We're going on a little trip."

END INTERLUDE.

Imagine a map of the Galaxy, of the tightly-packed Core Worlds to be precise. In the center of them all is one star rendered larger than all the others, labeled CORUSCANT.

Imagine now a line moving out along one of the long-charted hyperlanes, following the progress of Dauntless.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Had to toss in the 'Raiders' bit. :)"
<OOC> Harukuk recognized it easily. :)
<OOC> Harukuk laughs, and plays the music behind it. The "Star Wars" theme, of course.
<OOC> Pira giggles. Done jauntily?

The path of the Dauntless is kinked at first, hopping from system to system; worlds like Corellia, Ralltir, Alderaan. Then it leaves the Core and straightens out, following the long legs of the Corellian Run, heading for the Rim.

At Yag'dhul the path branches again, as the Dauntless heads away from the major trade routes. Again its course is winding, until finally - days later - it terminates at a small world somewhere in what is known as the 'mid-Rim': Mydia.

From space, Mydia is a fairly unremarkable blue planet; mostly ocean and islands, with a few minor continents mostly covered with high peaks and temperate rainforest. Two of them are settled by Republic citizens.

The final destination of the two Jedi Knights is about an hour's travel by landspeeder from the spaceport, near the headwaters of a mountain river: the hermitate of Master Ti'lan.

<OOC> Pira says, "Man, this is a chick who doesn't want to be disturbed by casual visitors."

Nestled within the high walls of a canyon, amid the ferns and moss, under the spreading pines, is a simple house built of the native materials. Here the Jedi and her young apprentice live and learn the ways of the Force.

Both the Master and her student are Caamasi: a little shorter than Humans, wiry and fragile-looking but surprisingly strong. Their bodies are covered with yellow down, except for a 'mask' of vivid purple around their large dark eyes that spreads rays back along their heads. Their robes are in shades of green and grey.

From afar, Tekkel returns. Oohs at the scenery. :)

While Esuna's apprentice, Oren, attends to refreshments for the visitors, the Jedi Master listens to Pira's explanation of why they have come.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Okay, go."

Pira bows deeply to the little Master. "Master Esuna, Master Windu has sent us to find what may be found about the crystal known as the Heart of Darkness."

Pira says "The Sith have come among us again, and he would deny them its power."

Esuna nods gravely. "It was too much to wish for that their dark influence had been stilled forever."

Pira says "When the Force wills it."

Esuna nods. "So. You would know what I do of the Donarr Crystal." She turns to her Padawan. "Oren, leave us for a time. Such things are not for your ears."

The younger Caamasi bows and leaves the room.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Need to know, especially about the Dark Side, seems very Jedi based on what we've seen. *smirk*"
<OOC> Pira says, "Probably can't get away with listening through the keyhole with a Jedi Master either :)"

Esuna looks at Day-Lin, then at Pira again, and begins to speak. "The crystal amplifies one's connection to the Dark Side. Even one not trained in the ways of the Force might gain some power in this way. In the hands of a Sith adept, it is a fearsome artifact indeed."

Pira frowns. "Had the Sith it first?"

Esuna shakes her head. "No. Legend says that its first owner - or pawn - was a king, who used its awful power to rule for a hundred years and conquer all his neighbors. The crystal grants long life, you see... life that I believe is stolen from others."

Pira shudders nearly imperceptibly.

"A Sith heard of the Heart, or heard its siren call; I do not know which. He came to that world in search of it. He cut a path to the stone, killing all who stood in his way until he faced the king himself. The king was strong, but the Sith was stronger, and more evil, and the crystal knew its true master. It gave its power to the Sith, and with it he struck down its former owner."

<OOC> Pira says, "da da dum :)"

"Now, the legend also says that the Sith Lord had an apprentice. And when his master returned with his prize, the apprentice was filled with the desire to possess it. His master saw this, and punished the apprentice for his greed, nearly killing him. But the apprentice survived, and hid his feelings... until the time came when the master slept unguarded, and he was able to kill him and take the Heart for himself."

Esuna takes a drink of water, looking a bit disturbed herself by the events she recounts. "The apprentice, now himself a Lord, knew better than to take an apprentice of his own... one who would inevitably slay him. Instead, he wandered alone, using the Heart and his own powers to kill when he wished. He was searching for something, and at last he found it: an uncharted world with a primitive people. These he made his slaves, and himself their god."

<OOC> Harukuk says, "But... that's not the Sith *way!*"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Hmmm? :)"

Pira says "But... I thought there was always a master, and an apprentice."

<OOC> Kelly says, "Yeah, he's a freak. An awesomely powerful and sadistic freak. You gonna argue the point with him?"
<OOC> Pira says, "No, but Yoda might."
<OOC> Tekkel says, "What, you *want* Sith teaching more Sith? :)"
<OOC> Pira imagines the little green dude gimersticking the Sith's kneecaps. "Always two there are! Master and apprentice!"
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Yes! He's not a *real* Sith. He's a poser. :)"

Esuna chuckles, a dry whispery sound. "Indeed. And in time, such a pair came searching for their wayward brother. In a battle of dark gods they met... and only one of the three survived. Which one, I do not know; the master of my master's master did not have the opportunity to ask, before they slew him."

Pira's eyes are wide, intent on the story.

"Whoever it was that was the victor, ruled in the old god's stead, until others came to confront him. And these, my friends, were Jedi. And by the power of the Light Side, the Sith was struck down... but the crystal, the Heart, was never found. They searched for it, of course. But when the Sith dropped it, it seemed to have simply vanished."

<OOC> Kelly says, "Kinda like a certain gold ring."
<OOC> Day-Lin says, "We finds it again, my precious."
<OOC> Pira gives Day-Lin an egg to suck.

Pira says "This planet... where was it?"

Esuna answers, "Somewhere in the Unknown Regions... beyond Hutt space."

Pira says "Do you have any signs by which we might know it?"

Esuna smiles. "For my people, great events produce vivid memories... you might call them holographic, but involving all the senses. And these memories can be passed from one Caamasi to another. I was honored to receive the memory of that battle when I became a Jedi Knight myself. But I cannot tell you on WHICH planet it occurred. I can only tell you that, I would know it."

Pira says "Then... will you come with us on the search?"

Esuna does not answer for a moment. Then she says, hesitantly, "I would rather not take my Padawan into harm's way so soon."

Pira looks at Day-Lin.

Esuna says, "There may be another way. Though I cannot go with you, I can give you the experience."

<OOC> Pira says, "Hey, if I tried to use Persuasion on a Jedi Master she'd beat my butt and send me back to Coruscant. Day-lin is good at fast-talking people :)"

Esuna looks between the two young Knights.

Pira says "If it is your will, Master."

Again Esuna smiles gently. "Through the Force, many things are possible. Including the sharing of memnii with those who are not Caamasi. Take my hands." She holds out her own arms, palms open.

Pira takes one outstretched hand, waits.

Day-Lin does the same.

Memory