New Light in The Stars
Chapter 3
I'll be going a bit ahead in the story here before long. But I still need to set some more of the stage for my OC given it's a new character added to the history of the galaxy far, far, away. So on with the show.
(No POV)
After testing his weapons below, Joris and Fenn came out of the forge to check in on the children and Master Drallig. The latter of whom was helping the children with their chores and other work on the farm.
"Didn't expect a powerful master Jedi to help with this. Did the foundlings put you up to this?" Fenn asked as the Lepi girl ran over to hug Fenn. Cin just smiled before saying, "yes and no. One can only meditate so long to be honest. But…. I enjoyed helping them with the work. It was rewarding in its own way."
The Battlemaster thanks Fenn before suggesting that he and Joris could stay a few more days if they needed help. Moarro gave him a look to tell that she was suspicious, but the big-eyed look from the youngest made her crumble.
So, the two Jedi stayed and helped to take care of the animals and plant a few crops to hopefully revitalize the damaged ecosystem in the future. Joris getting to know Mip, the Lepi girl who had been held by slavers before Moarro found her. As well as the Oanta the Twi'lek and Lenna who was a cousin to the same Mandalorian who found Fenn and raised her in their ways.
While staying with them, Joris came to understand a bit more about the Mandalorian way of life. And why they put so much emphasis on combat. "Guess that makes sense on why you keep picking fights with Jedi. Without a challenge your ancestors didn't see a point. And Force users could provide quite the challenge."
"Yeah. Not to mention our interpretation and disparity about "attachment" or family. Loyalty is paramount to all of us. I'm a bit surprised you've spoken against that with the Jedi." Oanta said while the two were weeding the fields.
Joris shrugged before admitting it was part of his unusual memories. "The other side of my memories if you will, was a soldier and a man who had a family. I saw the good, the bad, and everything that came between of all of it. Though it's bit ironic that we say we don't have attachments. Given we're supposed to see the Order as our greater family."
Hearing that made the older members give him and Cin a sideways and confused look. With the master admitting that even he finds the interpretation odd at times. "I believe some points of it was to help us all grow together in the Force. But it's been muddied throughout the ages." Cin notes while helping Fenn with some machinery.
The old Zabrak snorts before saying, "maybe the two aren't so different. We take in those who have lost much and give them a new home. Purpose. Training. Family. The Jedi just do it with those who posses the potential in the Force." Cin thinks on it for a moment before smiling and agreeing.
After a week staying with the Fenn clan, Cin said it was time for them to head back to the temple. "I hope you can make something you can be proud of here. Goodbye. And may the Force be with you." Cin says before bowing the four. Joris does as well before Mip runs up and hugs him and giving him a patch with the Fenn clan mark.
Joris smiles and thanks her before placing it in the pocket of his robes. The rest tell him good luck in Mando'a and say their goodbyes. As Cin was starting up the ship, he commented on his surprise at a Mandalorian being willing to help a Jedi. "But I will say I'm glad for it. And I'm glad you guided us here. You'll be an exceptional Padawan for whoever chooses to train you."
Joris smiles up at the Battlemaster, before questioning in his mind if the man would become his teacher down the line. Upon returning, the Council chose to look over the pistolsabers the young Jedi had made.
"I find it strange and a little unsettling that the boy has made a pair of blasters that can function as lightsabers. Are we sure it is wise to let him use these?" Mace Windu says while looking at Joris with some skepticism. Cin and Yoda both saw the tools as just that, and as an extension of both sides to Joris's Force.
Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke up next as a balancing statement between the Council. "It may be true that we eschew the use of blasters, but it is not as though some of our members past and maybe future could use them. I say we give the boy a chance to show the good he can do with all of his tools." A few other members of the Council murmur and agree, while Mace still looks at Joris with suspicion.
When he returns to his fellow younglings, Joris is happy to present his pistolsabers. "Whoa. This is really different. Kinda reminds me of some Mandalorian architecture. So, it wasn't enough that you had two weapons, but yours have to be drastically different as well? Can I hold it? Check out the solid sword too!"
After sharing and showing them the pieces, the younglings are asked to come to the courtyard to practice their stances. With Master Terra Sinube overseeing. "I have seen many a lightsaber. But this set of weapons you made are truly interesting. Now then." Sinube says before having the students go through their velocities.
After a few minutes, he asks a few to step forward to spar with one another. Joris steps up first with his weapons in blade mode to face off with Elna. The Cosian Jedi extended her lightsaber pike and activated the blade. Joris kept his blades relaxed at his side while subtly adjusting the power for the pistol pieces.
Elna lunged first, going for a wide sweep, and then thrust to attack. Joris easily parried the sweep and sidestepped the thrust. He then followed up with his own set of slashes. Mixing in some heavy slashes and acrobatic movements to try and knock Elna off guard.
She slides back a bit after blocking with her staff, and then starts in with a series of thrusts again. Aimed at Jori's legs and arms. He evades by the barest of margins while riposting a few stabs.
'She has some openings. I just need the right moment to strike.' Joris thinks to himself while blocking a then kicking away Elna. She looks at him with some frustration and adjusts her positioning again to try and find an opening of her own. 'He's using the more relaxed form of Niman. There seems to be a lot of openings, but those could all be traps.'
Elna finally goes to take her chance and slashes at Joris. But right as she was coming at him, she feels a pain in her shoulder. She had gotten a bit tunnel visioned while going for her attack and hadn't noticed Joris switch his left pistolsaber into blaster mode. And he shot her in the shoulder.
It was low power due to the Joris's settings, but it was enough to surprise her and for the human to catch her pike blade with his and remove it from her hands. Moving the right blade nearby while covering her with his left blaster.
"Enough! Well done both of you. Joris, you showed exceptional flexibility and cunning during the match. Not to mention, it seems like you have found a way to incorporate Form II into Niman. Though a bit unusually. Elna, well thought on trying to capitalize on an opening. Not to mention being cautious of said opening. Learn to make your Force and your saber your own."
After Master Sinube had called their match, he asked a few other younglings who had their lightsabers to come forward. Arcan used the basics of Form V while sparring with Yex. Who preferred the defense of Form III.
Kiet meanwhile used Form I to counter Mona's Form IV attempts and attacks. Then they sparred with the others among their youngling clan. With Master Sinube, Yoda, Drallig, and finally Master Qui-Gon Jin.
The last of whom noted that Joris and Elna seemed to be trying to mix styles. "Young one. Joris here seems to be properly immersed in aspects of Niman. Though you seem to have issues with the balance young man. You seem to favor Forms I, II, and V. It might be best to learn Form VI as he has."
Elna seems upset at the notion, but she doesn't voice it. And instead thanks the master for his advice. Joris meanwhile considers some of what Master Qui-Gon said and thinks about his own balance. Especially between his two minds and memories.
Time passes, and each of the younglings grow in the various skills. Mona was chosen by a master who sought to improve her skills in Form IV and teach her patience. Arcan took to learning more about Jedi Guardian philosophy with his own master, while Yex studied under a Selkath master to learn more about diplomacy.
The grumpy young Cosian eventually finds her own master in Jedi Master Coleman Trebor. He noted the frustration and some impatience that the young Jedi had and sought to help her temper that.
Joris though had grown in a different way. Aside from making a style to work with his pistolsabers and then his Force Sword, he grew more curious about the galaxy. After his adventures, and all of the places he had seen, Joris found himself wanting to see and explore more of the cosmos. Even learning about civilizations that used to exist and wanting to find their ruins.
While the 13 year old human was studying some in the library, Madam Jocasta suggested that he could look into the Exploration Corps of the Jedi. "This is what they specialize in. I may know a master who would be interested in teaching you." Jocasta says while catching his attention.
Joris hums before asking who. Jocasta smiles before taking him to a hanger of the Jedi Temple. Once there, the young Jedi gets his first look at a Praxeum ship of the order. Standing in front of the ship was a Kadas'sa'Nikto with a more leather looking cloak over their robes.
"Master Laakan Bon'Rip. It is good to see you again." Jocasta says and the leather cloaked individual turns to face the pair. The Kadas'sa'Nikto was female and was a head taller than Jocasta. She had her lightsaber on her right side and her obsidian eyes looked over both before addressing Jocasta.
"Good to see you as well Madam Jocasta. But who's the nyee at your heels?" the master says with a growl to her voice. Joris could feel her some what intimidating presence, but he didn't buckle and stood his ground. Something the Nikto noted and said he had spirit.
Jocasta smiled before mentioning that Joris was an unusual youngling who had an interest in the history of the Galaxy. "Didn't hurt that to make his lightsabers and something else, he went back and forth from the Core to the Outer Rim." Laankan seems slightly impressed before asking where Joris had been.
"Well, Master Drallig and I went to Tao first. We met the Yasaburo clan and I learned about their weapons and skills. Not to mention received something that would be helpful later. Then we traveled to Tython where I….. this may sound mad but I met the Force Ghost of Master Madog. And he let me take some of the metals I used to make this."
Joris then drew his force imbued blade. Master Laankan eyes it with both awe and suspicion. He then talks about going to Madalore and meeting the Duchess of the world and then a small clan of who helped him to make his sword and his saberpistols.
"Saberpistols?" Laankan says with confusion. Alleviated when the boy drew the weapons in question. The Nikto nodding at how Joris was wielding them, and then switching to using the blaster pieces and then drawing his sword to use with it.
Laankan smiles before asking, "so. You want to see more of what is out there right?" Joris looks up at her before giving a straightforward 'yes'. "Well then. Perhaps we can see what you can do." Laankan says before extending a hand to the boy. He looks up a bit hesitantly but after a nod from Jocasta, he takes her hand.
The two head to the ship after it was restocked and supplied. With the young Jedi meeting the other members of the crew and the masters. "Everyone gather up. We've got an interesting new recruit. This is Joris Den. He's got an interest in the places beyond the Core and he's already got some interesting experiences. So, lets show him what the ExplorCorps are about!"
A short cheer is let out and a few of the younger members offer to show Joris around. Those being another human, Finn Arbes. And a female Lasat who was older and quite a bit taller named Oradem Mellios. "Call me Dem. Let's show you around."
The first place they visit is the Fighter Hanger Bay. "Do we really need these?" Joris asks while looking around. Finn smirks before saying, "kinda yeah. Aside from the obvious appeal of a big ship, lots of pirates who know what these ships are would want the treasures and relics inside."
To illustrate his point, they headed for the libraries and classrooms that held some of the artifacts kept on their ship. After that was done, Joris was shown the medical areas and the bridge. Where he could see that they were already out of atmosphere and headed on their next bit of exploration.
Finn and Dem checked in with their masters while Joris saw Laankan sitting in the captain's chair of the ship. "I know I've seen it before. But the jump to hyperspace is still incredible." Joris says with some awe as the tunnel of space flows around the ship.
"I agree. So, Jocasta filled me in on the style you've started building. Not to mention your preference for Niman. But I'd like to see it for myself. Finn. Dem. Come with us again." Laankan says before guiding the youngest member to the on-ship training areas. To see what Joris could do with his pistolsabers. With the slightly older Jedi Padawan's thinking it would be easy.
Only to be surprised and knocked to their backs more than once due to underestimating the young Jedi. "Okay! Oh, that hurt. Didn't see that coming." Finn says while rubbing his shoulder after taking a stun shot from the blaster.
"That's funny coming from someone who's been studying Form III. But that's probably the point. We're Jedi. No one would assume that one of our own would use a blaster." Dem said while shaking her head from a strong telekinetic blast Joris had unleashed. From his eyes.
After some more sparring, they younger members were told to come to the mess hall. "Well done all of you. And Joris, quite impressive from the bit I've seen. We'll be discussing some matters with the others at dinner. So, eat hearty." Before Laankan could hurry ahead, Joris asked what the name of their ship was.
"Oh right. I forgot to tell you. This ship is the Iridescent. The shining light of the ExplorCorps." Laankan said with a smile directed at the young Jedi. Once in the mess, the next mission of the crew of the ship was explained.
They would be heading for an old Hutt world to recover artifacts of the people before the Hutts. "The Hutts' held a major hold in Sleheyron. And while they still have a presence, its limited and we aren't going to the planet itself. We're heading to one of the moons. Everyone ready?"
The group of Jedi and civilian crew give their sets of affirmatives and enjoy their dinners. When they arrive, the ship has to duck out of the way of the patrols from the Hutt Cartel as they make their way to the moon.
Once above the moon, the ship quickly moved through the atmosphere and close to a set of ruins. With it done, a few of the members prepare the excavation tools and sensors to scan the area and be ready for any possible wildlife encounters.
Joris and the younger members of the group are tasked with mostly small jobs and grunt work to help with the excavations. Laankan herself investigating a palace like structures. With her having to evade a handful of ancient traps the Hutts or the older civilization that lived there before had set.
After a few days, quite a few artifacts had been found and the team had mapped the complex. But there was a nagging feeling in the back of Joris's mind. While many of the older Jedi just noted he was nervous, Finn and Dem listened to what he had to say.
"I think we might have more trouble than wildlife out there. It's not so much the Force but….. I've just got this feeling that there is something off." Joris explained during a break. The two weren't sure, but they had been told about his strange connection in the Force. So they were willing to believe something was off.
That was enough for them to follow his lead after lights out, and patrol around the complex. "So what was it that felt off to you?" Dem asked after they had been searching for an hour. Joris hummed before noting it wasn't something obvious.
"It was like a….. a…. huh. Like that. Something about that wall over there seems… different." Joris says before walking over to the wall in question. The two shrugged as the scanners and sensors had found nothing when mapping the complex.
Only to be shocked when he pushed a point on the wall, and it opened to reveal a pathway that their technology hadn't found. "Okay… But that can't be what's got you uneasy right?" Finn asks with some confusion.
Joris shakes his head and says they need to follow the tunnel. The two Padawans at first say they should talk to the masters, but Joris had already taken off down the secret passage. After subtly cursing, the two followed him and eventually found what was the center of the passage network. And a map with some markings on it.
"Those are not what we've seen before. Looks like we're not the only ones who know about this." Dem says with a narrowed look. And while Finn still wants to go back to inform the masters, the other two press on to find the exit that was marked on the map.
And what they find was likely a B-7 light freighter used as smuggling ship with a Sullustian captain and some droids moving crates with artifacts in them. "Let's go! We gotta get this cargo to the Hutts before the Jedi find us." Dem is tempted to shout out and take back the items, Finn has a different idea.
The sneak along until they can get inside the ship and see what was all inside. The find multitudes of artifacts and even a few skeletons and burial goods. "Those tunnels must have been used to protect the most important areas of the complex. And he looted them to sell to some Hutts." Dem says with a minor snarl.
"Shhh. Keep it down. We don't know if there are more artifacts that have been stolen. And if he's on the Hutt payroll, then we'll find where they are soon enough." Finn says while trying to make himself and the others as small as possible in the freight section.
Joris agrees and notes that he could feel something odd. "We're making a jump to hyperspace. And my bet: we're probably going to Nar Shaddaa." Dem gives him a look before saying that was a suckers bet. But also agreeing with him.
The trip was short, and they arrived quickly to the Smuggler's Moon. "So do we actually have a plan or are we winging it?" Dem asks as the captain calls in and gets authorization to land. Joris hums before some memories of his other self come through. And he can see a way to get what they need to escape and get all the artifacts.
He smirks before saying, "get ready when he lands. I and you two are going to do a little something crazy." Once the Sullustian had landed and dropped the landing gear, Joris quickly slipped out and then away to watch the surroundings. While also swiping a few items to help him cover his identity better.
The first being a twin holster belt that he quickly puts on while putting his pistolsabers in it. 'I'd just been clipping them to my sides. But this is more natural. Hope those two will be okay.' Joris thinks before quickly grabbing a wide brimmed hat that mostly fit on his head. He then ditched his cloak to switch to a leather coat.
For Dem and Finn, they hid inside of a few of the crates while the droids lifted them out to take the artifacts to the Hutts. With the two noting the likely crates that the guards were less likely to scan for them to hide in.
'This is completely crazy! But at the same time….. its really exciting!' Dem thinks as they are taken carefully to one of the Hutt palaces. Finn is having similar thoughts while also wondering why he let himself get dragged into this. Joris meanwhile observes the transport of the crates and waits for his moment to move in.
That starts when he sees the Hutt in question meet the smuggler outside his palace. "Grakkus! Good to see you sir! You're looking well," the Sullustian says with a smile Joris can tell is forced. He watches from a distance before seeing a possible way to get to his friends.
After the exchange of pleasantries, the captain opens of one the first crates to show some of the artifacts he had stolen from under the noses of the Jedi. With Grakkus happy to see the items in question.
At that, he orders his droids and guards to move the crates in so he could display the artifacts later. With the two older Jedi inside, Joris makes his way into the palace. He uses the Force to push himself up the side of a wall, and into an open window.
Only to be a bit embarrassed and nervous when he realized he leapt into the harem slaves' quarters. And most of them were not dressed. "Oh boy. Didn't see this coming. *gulp* Listen ladies, please don't freak out for now. I'm just passing through." Joris says with a somewhat concealed red face. One that makes a few of the women chuckle as he tries to slip out of the room.
But he is stopped and has to hide when a few guards arrive and tell the slaves to get ready for a guest. Joris does his best to conceal himself but one of the Gammorian guards could smell something off.
The young Jedi was about to draw his weapons when a trio of women stepped up to cover him. The first was an older but still beautiful green Twi'lek woman who asked what the occasion was.
The other two were two younger slaves. One a Zeltron girl who slid over by the boy and covered his scent. The second was a Kessurian girl who seemed uneasy about her surroundings as she reclined near where Joris hid.
Once the guards had left, Joris let out a strained sigh. "I'm going to guess you aren't here for anything good," the Twi'lek said while looking down at the boy. Joris just let out a slight laugh before saying, "depends on your perspective of good."
He tried to slip away, but the girls wouldn't let him with a flimsy excuse. Some threatening to call the guards. Joris groans before saying, "I'm just here to….. take back a few things that were stolen from some peoples. I can't get everything. But I can recover some artifacts."
The Zeltron seemed intrigued before asking how old he was. "Does it matter? If he's wanting to stick it to Grakkus and his cronies….. well I say we let him go," the Kessurian girl said while looking down in some anger.
The Twi'lek hums before peeking down at the boy again. And then looking to her fellow slaves. She sighs before saying, "I suppose a minor rebellion like this wouldn't get us into too much trouble. Besides. I'm not a fan of that Gammorian posing as a Sullustian."
A few other girls chuckle at that before checking outside for the guards. When they confirm that the coast was clear, Joris makes his move. And sneaks up toward the beacon Dem had on her person to where the artifacts were stored. "Hopefully nothing else strange happens." Joris thinks aloud while moving through the corridors.
Part of me wanted to go extra long with this and tell the whole little adventure Joris and his new friends had. But I'll admit I'm getting kind of burned out. So I'm going to do this and leave it as a lead in to a new chapter. And I'll have the rest of the heist later. Please review!