Chapter 21
"You've returned young Padawan, have you discovered what it was that Revan and Malak sought in those ruins?" Asked the eldest of the Jedi Councillors as soon as Skye and Bastila entered into the Council chambers.
Seated around him in a semicircle were the remaining Council members some of whom were represented by holographic display. Again, it was the same two females: one Human the other Echani and the two Human males.
"We found an incomplete Star Map that will eventually lead to something called a Star Forge." Skye started.
"We also found Master Nemo; unfortunately, he was killed by the Trials of the Ruins." Bastila added.
"Yes, two of your companions returned an hour before you did with his body. Thank you of the forethought of returning his body home." Master Zhar said. "He will have the proper rites."
The two young women only bowed but remained steadfastly silent on the topic. A Jedi funeral was a very quiet affair, few words were ever spoken and those generally by the Jedi's Padawan or master if applicable. The spirit departed the body and re-joined the living Force- what remained was cremated, there was no cause to mourn or so conventional Jedi wisdom held.
It was not the death of this elderly Jedi that caused the frown to flit across the Grand Master's face however. His emerald skin wrinkled even further as his brow furrowed in thought. "This news of a Star Forge is disturbing. Action is requited. But we must not do so in haste. We must discuss recent events in light of this new information."
"We should consult the Jedi archives to see if there is any mention of the Star Forge and what it might do. We must learn why Revan and Malak sought it out," said Vrook to which Dorak and Atris nodded their consent.
*I will investigate the holocrons here on Coruscant. * Atris added. Her hologram flickered as if her transmission were coming from a great distance or an unreliable bandwidth connection. *If there is anything to be found, surely it will be here. *
*Perhaps we should seek out the Exile; she may know something of this Star Forge. She was after all intimately close friends with Revan before and after the fall to the Dark Side. Revan might have given her some information, spoken of it* Master Lonna Vash suggested.
*Certainly not! Even if it were possible to locate her she had nothing to offer. Let her remain in the void of Outer Rim. * Atris hissed. The look of disgust was instantly apparent on her projected face. It was- oddly enough- pointed to Skye, or might have been odd if the young Jedi didn't know who she truly was.
*Even if the Exile had information, it is a moot point. Without the Force, it will be very difficult to find her. She is constantly moving about and changing her identity. She doesn't want to be found. * Master Kavar said.
Atris looked to the man that had once been the Exile's master. *Do not tell me you wasted resources tracking her? * Atris sneered.
*Perhaps we should turn our attention back to the issue at hand, which is not the Exile. * Zez-Kai Ell intervened.
There was a grateful nod from the Grand Master. "Skye, Bastila return to your quarters for the evening, we will summon you when we are done."
Both young Jedi bowed and obeyed their orders.
~KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~
"What was that?" Skye pointed with her thumb over her shoulder back towards the Council Chambers.
"I'm assuming you mean with Master Atris about the Exile."
"Pretty much yeah. For a moment, I thought she was going to go all Wookiee bloodrage on us. Talk about anger management issues. I mean she really fell off her rocker when Vash suggested seeking out Miss Exile, what's with that?"
Bastila looked down at the floor before she spoke. "Atris and the Exile had a close friendship."
"Friendship?" A dark eyebrow rose. "Just how close are we talking about?"
Bastila gave her bondmate a suggestive look.
"Ah, that kind of close friendship. Serious or a fling?"
"Close."
Skye frowned. "The Masters get all bent out of shape because Juhani and Belaya are together but Atris had a thing with the Exile and what... they got away with it?"
Bastila had no answer.
"Guess it's good to be on the Council. They get away with all kinds of things then frown on other Jedi exactly the same thing."
Bastila turned to the other woman, "they didn't get away with it necessarily. When the Grand Master discovered their secret, he told them they had to stop. Atris stayed on Coruscant and the Exile was sent here. That is when her friendship with Revan started, and when Revan went to war, the Exile followed. I think Atris blamed Grand Maser Vandar for a long time; she definitely blames Revan for what happened to the Exile at Malachor Five."
"What just happened in there? What happened to the Exile and why doesn't anyone use her name?"
Once more Bastila looked away. "I'm sorry I don't have the answer for you, I know very little and what little I do know I can't speak of."
"More Jedi secrets?" Blue eyes narrowed as the Nagai's face was pulled into a frown.
"I'm sorry Skye."
"Yeah," the raven-haired Jedi shoved her hands into the arms of her robes and started for the enclave's inner garden chamber.
"Skye, we were told to go to our quarters." Bastila reached out to touch the Nagai's arm.
"You go, I've got other plans."
"Plans? What plans?"
A coy smile spread across Ravensong's face: "It's a secret."
She walked away.
"Skye wait..." Bastila called out but the other woman didn't respond as she continued on her path completely ignoring the Sentinel's calls. "Ugh never mind," she sighed and headed for her quarters. "I suppose it doesn't matter. You've always walked your own way, even..." Bastila sighed once more. When you were Revan.
Skye entered the sublevel gardens. She enjoyed the calm here, the restfulness, while the gardens around the great oak tree had a calmness as well but too often that tranquillity was interrupted too often by a tantrum-throwing human male.
There was typically a small handful of Padawans in the little garden, generally no more than four or five. This evening there was only one other. Juhani. The young woman was sitting tailor-style, lost in meditation. A few rocks around her were floating in mid-air signifying how deep in she was.
Quietly the Nagai slipped into the garden proper, climbed to one of the upper mounds and sat down near to her Cathar counterpart and entered into her own meditative state. Soon she had her own pebbles and rocks spinning and thumbing about her, the only difference was that by the time she entered into the deep state, she too was floating in the air.
It had been some hours before both young Jedi came out of their meditations. If Juhani was taken by surprise that her solitude had a visitor she gave no such indication of such. Instead she greeted Skye with a shy if not awkward smile.
"It is good to see you again," the Cathar greeted, her voice a soft purr.
"You too."
Juhani carried the expression of one almost petrified of what her next actions- of words she had yet to speak- might have upon her. And yet it had to be done. "Padawan... Skye I feel I must apologize for the way I acted towards you before in the grove. It was wrong of me."
Skye understood that look of nervous apprehension and the resolve to see the issue settled, hell she felt it nearly every moment of the day wanting to ask Bastila why, why all the lies, why the massive cover-up. But in Juhani's case the matter was something altogether different.
"You thought the Dark Side consumed you, it was nothing." Skye said disarmingly.
Juhani was not going to be so easily convinced. "No that is not true, it is everything. I am sorry for attacking you. I am sorry for thinking you would only try to kill me. I hope in helping you in your task that I may redeem myself in your eyes- and in my own."
"Don't worry about it Juhani." Skye tried again. It was so difficult to see a member of the proud Cathar being driven so low that her self-esteem was virtually non-existent.
"Thank you. It is most reassuring that you can forgive me even though I tried to take your life. I can only hope that in our time journeying together that I will succeed."
Skye smiled. "I assume that you mean you'll succeed in redemption and not in killing me."
"Oh, yes. My phrasing wasn't quite right," the other woman looked a bit abashed. Ever since Skye had spared her life back in the grove, Juhani felt lost and became a stumbling Youngling around the beautiful and powerful Nagai.
"Or timing." Skye winked.
The Cathar lips curled into a smile. "Yes."
"So how did you become a Jedi?" the elder woman said taking a seat on one of the knolls near the Cathar woman. She patted the ground next to her indicating that Juhani should take a seat next to her. After a moment's hesitation, the graceful feline woman did just that.
"How I became a Jedi? I'm sure you would not find it interesting. Are sure you would like to hear?" she couldn't quite meet the piercing blue eyes watching her. Once more the feeling of being a Youngling with her first crush washed over her.
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know." Skye bumped her shoulder into Juhani's teasingly.
"It goes back a number of years. Back on my home world we did not see many Jedi very often, especially where I lived." Juhani pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her calves.
"What is the Cathar home world like?" Ravensong leaned back on her elbows in a more relaxed repose.
"It was not the Cathar home world where I lived. My parents had long fled that place. And perhaps that is another story for another time. Rather it was a human hive world that I was raised, in the hind end of space. A pit of world to be sure, a place where Jedi rarely tread, but we had heard of them. Well everyone had, so it was not to be unexpected."
Skye smiled encouragingly which emboldened the younger Jedi. Her purring tone became filled with the awe and wonder. "Champions of truth; defenders of justice; heroes of the Republic. It was very easy for a child to be enthralled by their image and their mystique."
There was a bashful expression on the young woman's face; if not for her fur she would have been blushing. "Maybe I was one of those children."
"So how did you get invested into the Order?"
"When I saw a Jedi for the first time, they lived up to everything I imagined them to be. I was awed, and maybe a little enamoured..." Juhani's golden eyes carried a wistful expression as if recalling upon the memory of a loved one.
Skye couldn't help but grin. She had that feeling too... or did when she thought upon her Angel. That was until her hind-brain kicked in and reminded her that the crash in her fighter was in implanted memory created by the Masters to cover up the truth. Even if she wasn't a true scout as she once believed, the Nagai schooled her face into something more natural lest Juhani gain the wrong impression and think she disapproved of the young woman's infatuation.
"Enamoured?" her lips curled into a smile.
"They were quite striking. Especially with the tales told of their leader," Juhani wrapped her arms about her body and looked up to the fountain. "From that moment on I knew that I would have to try to become a Jedi and lift myself out of the rut I've been living in for years. And make a real difference in the Jedi war," she giggled and turned her amber eyes to the beautiful woman standing next to her. "The foolish dilutions of a child. But this child made it happen!"
"As soon as I was able, I left my world and went in search of them. I found them and was accepted. I have been living my dream on Dantooine for several years before you came," the Cathar looked down at her golden furred bare feet.
"Although, I was perhaps not entirely ready for it. Maybe I'm not completely suited for the task otherwise I wouldn't have fallen. But thanks to you I have been redeemed. Perhaps I may yet live to see that dream of mine come true," she slowly lifted her head and starred at the Nagai with great fondness.
Skye reached out and touched the other Jedi. "Juhani you didn't fail. Not at all! Failure is unable to come back from Darkness. The Jedi Knight's test of the Spirit is just that- a test of your spirit. Sure, you slipped into the Dark Side for a bit but you didn't fully give into it, or you wouldn't be here now."
"Look, the Masters of the Jedi and the Masters of the Sith have gotten it into their heads you have to be one or the other; Light or Dark. In my experience in life, things are filled with grey, nothing is that cut and dry. Maybe the true balance of the Force isn't dedication to one side of the Force or the other, but more like a fulcrum."
"You are talking about the Greys?" Juhani frowned. This concept went against everything she was taught. And yet it was so compelling.
"I think the first Jedi were more Grey than Dark or Light. Somewhere along the line philosophies changed, Codes evolved and paths were chosen. I think the first Jedi even had lovers, families, kids. I'm sure they had a Code, probably something a lot like our own, and probably a bit of the Sith's Code as well. Jedi and Sith experience a hubris because of the dominance of two Codes; a commitment a chosen path. But if you choose to preclude full dedication to one Path or the other and choose both, choose Grey and maybe that is closer to the ways of the first Jedi."
Juhani looked at the other older woman with curiosity and wonder. Her ideas... they were so alien and so familiar and so persuasive... her words made perfect sense.
"Maybe you shouldn't listen to me, Juhani," Skye put a hand on the Cathar's shoulder and gave a small smile as she rose to her feet. "I've got some pretty funny ideas about the Force that isn't entirely consistent with what the Masters teach us. I've been digging around in the archives for anything and everything on the first Jedi. A lot of it was buried and I know there's more on Coruscant. I've been trying to understand what it is to be a Jedi... to be me."
She shook her head and started to walk towards the exit of the gardens. Then paused. "Wait a minute, a bit back- did you say, 'by journeying with me.' Do you mean to come with us on the Ebon Hawk?"
The Cathar nodded so vigorously her top-knot bobbed. "I spoke with the Masters about being able to join you, to aid you and they agreed," her excitement morphed radically into worry. "If you do not wish for me..."
"No, it's alright. I think it's great." Skye walked back towards the other Jedi and placed a hand on her shoulder once more. Somehow, she had to get this woman's confidence back, to restore her sense of self. "In fact, I know I'll need your help. It'll be my honour to have you on board."
Juhani grinned; her eyes retained some of their earlier spark of life.
~KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~
It wasn't until it was very late in the evening the next day when Skye and Bastila were recalled to the Council Chambers. This was one of the swiftest times the Council had deliberated. It was either good news and they found what was needed within the archives about the Star Forge, or it was bad news and they found nothing at all.
This time when the duo entered the full Council was not convened, it consisted of only the Dantooine four: Vandar, Zhar, Dorak and Vrook. As always it was the Grand Master who addressed the two.
"Padawan, you have done well in discovering the Star Map hidden within the ancient ruins, but there is more you must learn before you engage in battle against Malak and the Sith. We Jedi know that victory over the Sith will not come through martial might. The Council has a mission for you, Padawan."
"Master Atris and I have consulted our vast archives in effort to discover the nature of the Star Forge. But all my efforts have been in vain as has Master Atris'. Nether one of us found anything. No holocron makes mention of it." Dorak looked positively dejected in their combined failure.
"Still the Council is in agreement, the Star Forge must be found." Vrook stepped in. "Revan and Malak sought it out when they began their tragic fall. The Star Forge is surely a powerful tool of the Dark Side," he always seemed to be scowling when he spoke, especially when he was addressing the Nagai.
"The Star Map showed you four planets but it was incomplete. It did not show the location of the Star Forge itself. We believe there may be similar Star Maps on these worlds."
"Pfft. Bastila and I already figured that one out in the ruins. Doesn't take a Master to put that together," Skye interrupted almost belligerently. "Hell, those bloody simple computer tests. Three death worlds, three life worlds pretty much gave the plot away. Well duh that's where the Builders hid way their fancy maps. And you have to survive those worlds to get to the maps. We do that and put the pieces together we'll get the coordinates of the last death world which will then lead us to the Star Forge. That's the real test to see if we are worthy of the Forge or not. It's a real no-brainer."
Instead of chastising the young Jedi for her interruption the Grand Mastered merely nodded. "Yes, each Star Map is a piece of a large puzzle. As Dantooine is one of the 'life worlds' you have two more to reach: Kashyyyk, and Manaan, as well as the three 'death worlds': Tatooine and Korriban. You will travel to each planet and locate their maps."
Didn't I just say that? Skye thought but didn't voice it as she was already testing the patience of the more indulgent of the Jedi Masters. "I'm ready to face the challenge, Master Vandar."
"This war has ravaged the numbers of the Jedi order, either by defection to Malak's cause or by Sith assassins," Vandar sounded, if anything, remorseful. "We realize the importance of this mission, yet if we sent an accompaniment of Jedi knights with you it would draw the full attention of Malak and the Sith which will lead us to failure."
And me being Revan won't? Again, Skye's mind interjected but the former Dark Lord was wise enough to stay her tongue. "Am I to undertake this task alone?"
"Secrecy is our best defence against the Sith. But it will be foolish to send you on this quest without someone to aid you, Padawan. Bastila will of course accompany you, for there is a powerful connection between you two. A connection that might be the key to the mysteries of Revan."
Indeed. She very much is the key. Skye agreed but for different reasons if not different motivations.
"And Juhani has expressed a desire to travel with you. After long deliberation, the Council has granted her request." Vandar said.
"Juhani nearly fell to the Dark Side. Perhaps her presence will serve as a reminder to you of the dangers of that path," warned Vrook in his usual condescending way.
Well isn't that callow and shallow of you Master Vrook? Sneered the inner voice of Revan peeking out of the eyes of Ravensong.
"I know about Juhani, she and I already talked earlier but what of the others? I want them to join me as well."
"Even Commander Onasi?" a testing look was received from the Grand Master.
Skye shrugged. "Do I have another option?" There was some hope in the Nagai's voice that she was going to be allowed to leave the pathetic male behind. She absolutely detested Carth Onasi.
There was a slight shake to the aged green head.
"Ah damn. You know I could do without his constant whining tantrums all the time. But I suppose he'll be more of a fracking bother if left behind. I'll tell you this Master, if he whimpers just one more time I'll space his sorry ass. As a Padawan I automatically gain the rank of Commander that makes him and I equal in rank. And Bastila being a Knight is a General as is Juhani being that she passed her Knight trials. Onasi no longer has senior rank. This is a Jedi mission under Jedi orders. If he doesn't like it he doesn't get on the Hawk."
Vandar nodded. "A very sensible precaution, to draw the lines of command. Of which we firmly place you in, though only a Padawan you have more command experience which neither Bastila nor Juhani possess as of late."
"As for the others, they proved invaluable allies on Taris." Skye said bluntly. "They have just as much at stake as we Jedi do, guess that includes the blow-hard just as much."
"Yes of course." Vandar nodded approvingly. "They each possess unique skills that you may find useful in your quest, even Commander Onasi. But remember secrecy and discretion are paramount for success. You will not be able to hide the fact you are a Jedi, nor should you. But the true nature of your mission must not reach Malak's ear."
"Better tell that to the Orange Coat, because he is anything but subtle," Skye glowered.
"A firm reminder is not unwarranted." Vandar conceded that much. Onasi was as loud as his jacket he constantly wore. "And a reminder for you young Padawan. You may return here at any time, Dantooine will be a sanctuary for you. A safe haven, here you can find supplies, advice and whatever aid you may require."
"When do we leave?" Skye wanted to know.
"You can leave whenever you wish. The sooner the better." Vrook made no attempt to disguise his revulsion for the young woman with that last sentence. "The longer you wait the stronger Malak becomes. But first a warning, Padawan! The lure for the Dark Side is difficult to resist. Especially for you! I fear this quest for the Star Forge will lead you down an all too familiar path."
All the Masters heads turned to him their eyes held scathing looks that shouted a collective. 'Shut up about that.'
Vandar lamely attempted to cover up his fellow Master's slip. "The fate of the galaxy is in your hands young Padawan, we pray you are up to the challenge. May the Force be with you."
~KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~
The rest of the day consisted of gathering the troops, as it were, and getting the necessary supplies on board the Ebon Hawk. Food, both MREs and the salted preserved kath hound meat harvested by Zaalbar and Canderous. Skye made sure they had re-breathers in all of their utility belts in prep for Manaan, as well as kits for exposure to extreme heat and dehydration was going to be a big issue, not one of them were accustomed to the harsh twin suns of Tatooine. Pale Nagai skin didn't do well against sun exposure, it too easily burned. Korriban was a desolate world as well: sun, dehydration, and possibly toxic flora or fauna. That needed to be accounted for as well.
Kashyyyk had its own dangers, its flora and fauna wasn't exactly visitor friendly either and the indigenous populous wasn't fond of outsiders. Then again why would they be? The Wookiees were often hunted down as slave labour, sometimes for the barbarous practise for their pelts. Fortunately for Skye and Bastila they had a resident expert on the place.
The only planet left was the unknown one, and the only thing they did know about it was that it volcanic. Volcanic regions tended to have lush jungle environments when they weren't besieged by eruptions, lava, raining volcanic ash, noxious gas and magma. There was also no guarantee the planet itself wasn't toxic to oxygen-nitrogen breathers. Precautions would need to be taken, environmental suits were a no-brainer so was extensive antitoxin kits and med-kits. Anything else that might be needed or forgotten could be picked-up along the way.
They only had the two swoop bikes in the garage, which meant if the whole squad or even more than four of them went out they'd have to pick up alternative transport. It would be ludicrous to track across the Dune Sea or travel across the wastes of Korriban on foot- or swim to the bottom of the depths of Manaan without a submersible or at least a diver propulsion system.
Fortunately, the Masters saw fit to give all three Jedi credit chits with hefty sums money to cover unexpected costs. What the credit chits couldn't cover they could make-up at the pazzak tables if it came to that. Besides you always got the best information at the scummier-bars and pazzak tables. When the former Dark Lord read the textbook 'The Jedi Path' and that a Jedi avoids taverns, cantinas and spice dens as they were pits of iniquity, she laughed heartily. How else were you supposed to get the down and dirty intel on what's going on unless you visited these places? The author of the chapter: "A Recruiter named Morrit Ch'gally" was a bloody up-tight idiot who probably never stuck his head out of the academy.
Skye adjusted the strap of her backpack on her shoulder a second time it was the last of her personal gear to stowed on her ship. As she made her way to meet up with the rest of her team, the former Dark Lord wondered how many other instructors rarely stuck their heads out of the academy but gave idiotic advice.
"Padawan, a word if I may?" a male voice speaking in Hutteese called out to her.
Turning towards the speaker Skye almost laughed at the open joke about ineffectual instructors and isolation as she recognized a male Twi'lek He was the knight that got it into his thick skull that Bastila had saved Skye on Taris instead of the other way around. Deesra Luur Jada grated on her nearly as much as Carth did.
But for different reasons.
The man never shut up.
Skye reluctantly walked up to the emerald skinned Twi'lek. "There are many rumours about your most recent meeting with the Jedi Council. There is talk about your being sent on a mission to help us against Malak and the Sith."
Alarm bells started to ring in the Nagai's mind. She didn't much care for this guy when she first arrived and she cared even less now. She started to lower her bag to the ground, her feet shifting ever so slightly should it be necessary to go for her weapon. People who start conversations like that are either tabloid reporters, bumbling Republic bridge officers pretending to be scouts or Sith agents.
"I do not think the Council would want me to talk about such sensitive topics." Ravensong moved closer to the male, her voice a low hiss. "And you should know better than to bring it up in such a public place," the word sleemo was on her lips but she kept that silent.
"Please understand I am not asking you for anything that would endanger the Order or the Republic," he put his hands up in a passive manner. He obviously noted her stance. She was mistaking him for agent of the Sith. "Whatever the task the Council has given you is for your ears only not mine."
"Got that right, Bub." Ravensong growled. "What do you want- and I warn you don't waste my time with trivial poodoo."
"I only wanted to wish you well."
Skye snorted contemptuously picked up her bag and started to walk away.
"And to warn you!" he called out. Knowing this might be perceived as a threat to the newest member of the Order, Deesra quickly clarified, "there are many evils out there and dangers."
"Well no shit!" Skye spun around on her heel. "Look Bub, I'm not some youngling who needs her gods damned hand held just because I'm walking out the doors of the Enclave to go fly off into the Black. In case it escaped your notice old man I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. Have for a long time now. I told you don't waste my time."
"I am not attempting to waste your time Padawan, you mistake the purpose of my words. The Sith are not the only minions of the dark side."
Her patience was waning very swiftly. "Yeah, I already know that. Not all Dark Force users are Sith. Look do you have something meaningful to say to me or are you just pissing in the wind?"
"I do have something meaningful, Padawan, I need only a moment to explain."
She sighed heavily. "Out with it then."
"Master Dorak has positioned me here to succeed him as Chronicler in the Enclave. And my studies have come across many tales about creatures that are born out of the Dark Side, creatures of pure evil. The worst of these abominations are the terentateks. It is a beast that feeds on the blood of those that are strong in the Force. But nothing could quench their ravenous hunger."
"What makes you think this is of any consequence to my mission? I'm not going on safari. There are a lot of big bad toothy hungry monstrous things out there that feed-on sentients. Krayt dragons, sarlaccs, gundarks, rancors, giant space slugs that eat starships, lots of beasties out there that have no issue on munching on people for a late afternoon snack. You want to get to point here Deesra? This is no classroom, I have a schedule to keep."
The Twi'lek nodded his head, the tips of his lekku twitching giving away his apprehension of pushing Ravensong too far. He knew he had irritated her when she first arrived and he had started today's conversation completely off on the wrong foot. She was leery of him now, watchful, perhaps wondering if he was an agent of the Sith.
"The terentatek is a predator and we Jedi are its prey. They are unlike any creature you have ever seen. Yes, the others you named are true horrors and dangerous but not more so then the abominations for they are resistant to the Force. There are some the legends that they were created by the ancient Sith and spread through the galaxy to destroy the Jedi. Fortunately, the Terentateks are quite rare and they only inhabited caves and tombs strong with the Dark Side of the Force. They have not been seen for nearly forty years. And this is not the first time the Terentateks have vanished for periods of time. They can lay dormant for years only to rise up to hunt once more when the Dark Side waxes full.
"After Revan's fall and Malak's rise as the new Dark Lord I fear the terentateks have woken from their dormant state once again. And I would not be so surprised if the Sith have begun to harvest them for deployment. The last time such a thing occurred the Council created the Great Hunt to exterminate them."
Skye knew a little of the Great Hunt, she came across a couple of mentions in the archives during her hunt to find anything out about the ancient Jedi—the first Jedi. "Yes, but it failed didn't it." It wasn't exactly a question but Deesra seemed to assume it was.
"Correct. The Great Hunt was organized shortly after the defeat of Exar Kun who had created the monstrosities. The hunts were eventually abandoned by the Jedi Order because it was considered too dangerous, but three Jedi- Sheala Nuur, Duron Qel-Droma and Gunn Han Saresh were sent to finish off the hunt because the three had a powerful Force-Bond, and each of them were devoted to the Light. Which was why the Jedi Council thought they would be powerful to resist the Dark power of Korriban and strong enough to defeat the Terentateks.
"However, they were not successful, their exact fate is unknown as no word ever came back for Korriban but it is presumed they fell in battle. As the Council deemed any further investigation too dangerous- no search followed."
"And you're telling me all of this just to warn me not to go around poking sleeping monsters immune to the Force and who love to gobble up Jedi?" Skye rose her eyebrow.
"I believe the terentatek have awakened once more; I wished only to warn you."
"Yeah I got that. I'll keep my eyes peeled for nasty Jedi eating monsters in the deep dark pits. Go back to teaching the younglings Deesra, because you have no talent in talking to adults. Oh, and one more thing, the whole creepy lingering-by-doorways habit you have… Not. A. Good. Idea. People might think you're some sorta weird-ass stalker or sexual predator and not a Jedi Knight. Might want to check into that. Just a thought." The Nagai headed back to the gangplank of the Ebon Hawk grumbling about babbling twits.
Skye entered the starboard side quarters and threw her backpack onto to one of the bunks closest to the hatch. Being fourteen no doubt there was enough kid still left in Mission for her to call dibs on one of the top bunks leaving Bastila and Juhani to battle out who got which of the two remaining beds.
"Hey it's going to be good to be on the Hawk again!" Mission's exuberant voice bubbled over causing the frowning Dark Lord to smile. "I can't wait to see these other worlds," the kid scrunched up her face. "Well maybe not Tatooine. Don't know if I'm going to like a world with two suns..."
Skye chuckled, "yeah me neither," she showed the pallor of her arm, as Nagai were almost alabaster skinned thus easily sunburned. "Speaking of Tatooine. I thought maybe we should talk about your brother."
"Ah come on Skye don't tell me you believe Lena's lies! Griff might be working as a miner on Tatooine, but the rest of her story is bantha poodoo. You can't trust someone like her."
The Jedi remained mute, she only watched as the teenager sat on the same bunk Skye had tossed her backpack onto. She held her hands between her knees and hung her head a little. Her voice took on the notes of some who doesn't want to admit the bad in a loved one despite the fact that they know the truth.
"At least he's free of her clutches. I'd like to speak to the Czerka Corp. Rep on Tatooine if we have time. Maybe we can arrange to see my brother again," there was hope in her blue eyes. "If we have time."
Skye took pity on the kid, sat next to her and placed her hand on the middle of her back as might a parent. "We'll make the time, Kiddo. We'll find your brother Mission. I promise you."
The teen brightened up trusting Skye's word unconditionally. "I just hope he's not in any kind of trouble when we do," shame was ever-present. "As for his problems, there might be something to what Lena said..." she sighed as she didn't want to lie to Skye, not because the Nagai was a Jedi, but because other than Big Z the Nagai was one of her only true friends. A sister like she never had before. "He's... a little irresponsible. Always blaming others for some of the trouble he gets into. He's- what's that word when you do things spur-of-the-moment thingy and you don't think about it?"
"Impetuous?" Skye offered.
"Yeah that. He gets ideas but he doesn't have a solid plan about it. It's like he watches too many vids with the montage of things coming together suddenly for the underdogs and he thinks that's how real life works. Only it doesn't and he lost without the script- you know what I mean?"
Skye nodded. "So now you believe Lena's story?"
"NO! Of course, not!" Missions head shot up, but her face was as if she had just bit into mouldy sandwich and washed it down with sour milk. "Not really. But what if it was his idea to leave me behind?" Her eyes implored Skye to tell her something, anything else then what she was thinking. "I'm not saying Griff would just abandon me. But... but... maybe he did want to leave me behind. Just temporarily, you know? He might have done that," the girl was definitely trying to convince herself it was true. "...if he planned on coming back latter. But things usually don't work out for Griff the way he plans them you know, and that's when he'd get into trouble. He was always borrowing money he could never pay back. He might have been trying to skip out on his debts when he left Taris. He would have to leave his little sister behind so it looked like he was coming back."
"So, he sacrificed you to save his own hide." Skye said coolly.
"Yeah!" Mission jumped up and nodded vigorously, frowned then shook her head just as energetically. "Well no, not exactly. Look all I'm trying to say is the more I think back the more I might be idolizing my brother a bit. Not seeing all his faults," she plopped back down beside the Jedi. "I still want to find him, I need to see him again. It's just that I'm not sure how I will react when I do."
Skye never had family- hell she was still trying to figure out how to talk to Bastila about her knowing she was Revan. Trying to fight one of Deesra's big bad Terentateks seemed infinitely easier than trying to console an angsty teenager. "You'll know what to do when you see him again, Mission." Skye said attempting to sound wise, sagely and all-big sisterly.
"Maybe... we'll see. I don't, I don't want to judge him yet. Maybe Lena was wrong. Or maybe, maybe she wasn't," tears fell from the girl's eyes which she definitely ignored. "All I know is that I want to speak to Griff myself."
"We'll check into it, Mission. I want to talk to the Czerka Rep anyway, their mining operations, while digging around that planet, might have uncovered something that will lead us to the Star Map." Skye's soft expression became a little sterner. "Mission, about your brother, you can't talk to Griff about the Star Map. In fact, you have to keep that close to the chest, understand?"
"Yeah, I know it's important to keep Map hush-hush don't worry I won't let it slip."
Skye rose and turned to the teen. "Good girl, I know I can rely on you, just like you can rely on me. We'll find your brother."
The girl nodded and the energetic smile that she had when she first entered the quarters returned. "So, which bunk you taking, Skye?"
"The one you're sitting on."
"Good because I call dibs on the one above yours."
"Figured you might have taken that one. Go on then it's yours, doubt it matters to either Bas or Juhani."
Mission nodded and tossed her own backpack up onto the bunk, it fell once but on the second go it landed in the middle of the bed. "Ya know, I was thinking, the guys side is going to be a bit rank."
Skye chuckled. "What, you don't think the men have good hygiene?"
"Come on you know Big Z- he doesn't brush. But it's not that. I mean sweaty crusty socks and gross underwear and niffy trousers thrown on the floor all the time; you forget I used to hang with the Beks. The guy's dorms were always so smelly. Plus, if Gadon didn't lay down the law from time to time they'd sometimes get into it. And those guys were friends. Onasi and Grandpa Candy are not so friendly and well Big Z can get a bit territorial. You know Wookiees."
"Yeah that is going to be a bit of a rough-road. I'll lay the law down hard and fast. They frack up, they get off my ship. As for their side being rank, both men are military so they'll keep a tight rack and footlocker. Speaking of which... teens... have their own reputations too, you're going to have to keep a tight rack as well."
"Hey don't worry about me, I can be tidy. It's not like I'll leave candy wrappers all over the place. I'm not a kid you know."
Skye flashed a lopsided grin. "I know. You don't take children on a very dangerous mission to battle the Sith." She clapped her hand on the young Twi'lek's shoulder. "Come, we have work to do. Last minute checks before we take off. I want you to check the cargo hold make sure everything is secure. If there is anything we forgot, make a note of it so we can pick it up now before we head out."
Mission raised two fingers to her brow, "I'm all over it."
Skye watched her go before she headed out into the CIC to watch as the rest of the team came on board; Onasi gave a slight bow of the head before he headed off to the bridge. Next came Canderous, T3-M4 and Zaalbar. Juhani and Bastila followed bringing up the rear.
"Canderous," Skye addressed the Mandalorian. "I want you to take over as Master-at-Arms. T3 and Zaalbar head to engineering. Mission will handle requisitions. Bastila, I know you were in command of the operations on the Endar Spire but here you're XO. Carth will act as our main helmsman. Juhani you're one hell of a warrior- your close-combat skills are unquestionable- but how best can we put your skills to use on a ship?"
"I am very good at collating data, I can sit as a comm-specialist if needs be," the Cathar answered. "Some of my abilities as a Jedi lay in healing; I also have practical skills as a medic."
"Excellent," the Nagai smirked. "A scout's best friend is a good comm-specialist."
To this the Cathar ginned. "Then I will do my best to serve."
"Of that I have no doubt. Okay. Let's get this bird in the air." Skye ordered. "We have a Star Forge to find."