[Early days of 16BBY]

[Bridge, (former) Jedi Loyalist Venator-class Star Destroyer Grey Paladin, in distant orbit lunar body Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

Laranth Tarak opted for her more 'casualwear', in this case a long black jacket over a light top and pair of comfortable leggings, though with her former captain's insignia on her shoulder. Her old Republic uniform was…well, not the style anymore with her current new allegiances, and she'd always loathed the robes that the Order so loved as formalwear. It was fine thankfully as gruff ol'Knight, now Grandmaster, Kota was only loosely wearing Jedi robes in his light armour covered 'uniform' with Moff tassels on it. Something of a compromise with the new 'Imperial Navy', formerly the Eriadu Republic forces, uniform and that of Jedi robes it seemed the twi'lek Jedi's eye.

Not that anyway was causing a fuss at her dress sense, as there were 'Imperial Marines', as they were renamed yesterday, aboard to ensure she and her surviving crew stayed on this side. Laranth thought that more amusing than threatening despite everything over recent years. Largely because her Venator-class Star Destroyer was, essentially, a functional piece of battle wreckage currently. Her Grey Paladin had already been in a bad state when it had joined Eriadu just prior to Christophsis, and the clash at Enarc had undone all the repairs that allegiance had brought. The hyperdrive was fine, but the armour was wrecked, and many of the turbolaser batteries were functional in name only.

'We aren't going anywhere, and my crew don't want to go anywhere if they can avoid it either' were her final thoughts on the subject as she greeted her visitors. Former Knight Rahm Kota was expected, but Master Depa Billaba was unexpected, and Laranth blinked at that, because she'd been sure that member of the Council was dead months ago. She wasn't even in Jedi robes either, but a loose set of workers overalls, with a 'authorised visitor' cover on her, as well as the identifying tracker armband as well. Laranth's glancing at her, and the armband, eliciting a faint, tired, smile on the other woman's face, and Grandmaster Kota nodding, in greeting as well as motioning at Master Billaba with his hand.

"Knight Tarak, apologies for catching you by surprise, but one of our lost fellow Jedi has recently come in from the cold and I felt it best we all caught up" Grandmaster Kota said gruff and blunt as ever as activity continued with the repairs on the bridge proper "Peace, what we can call peace, seems to have called some our members to our safe harbour"

"Much like me?"

Master Billaba gave an amused, but wan, smile at Laranth's words "My and my padawan's vessel was much less impressive I can assure thee, nor was I here for any such battles, merely to aid the people of Naboo and, one hoped, find a safe harbour in these dark times"

'There is Corellia or Kashyyk either to go to of course…but let's not say that, hmm?' Laranth thought, though there was some relief that others, even of the former Jedi Council, that this was the correct decision. All this talk of Empire and Imperials made her uncomfortable, even if she welcomed many of the changes to the Order, what was left of it, that Grandmaster Kota was enacting. So, it was good to see there were others, wiser and more knowledgeable than herself, supporting the somewhat radical sect in the wake of a Jedi Purge and collapse of the Republic they'd served. It wasn't exactly relief, but it was good enough for Knight Tarak to be more content in her choices.

"It's a big ship, and with big needs" she replied instead of her thoughts, shaking her head at the memories of the stress and sheer exhaustion of running for months, all while fighting to keep the Grey Paladin functional and crew alive and well "And we can all see the state it's now in after Enarc, though…I assumed we were talk about what its fate was to be now that I've ah…"

She trailed off, Rahm Kota giving a snort, shaking his head "Yes, taken the deal from our new Emperor. Getting married and all"

Laranth flushed at that, emitting a little cough "It was…well without…and it isn't…"

"You were already a radical, though I'm not sure how blasters led to marriage…"

She shrugged "Mutual love of them and a stressful voyage. I've had my fill of war…Sir"

"Haven't we all" Master Billaba sadly, eyes downcast, voice going tired and low "Oh, indeed, haven't we all"

Grandmaster Kota merely gave a nod, not showing any emotions on the subject beyond tiredness perhaps "I'm not one to criticise Knight Tarak, I'll actually say you are wise to take the deal…even if I cannot say that to outside of private converstion"

Master Billaba gave the older human an amused frown "I would not have put you as an old romantic Grandmaster Kota?"

"Rahm…we aren't gettin' me all formal here" her new Grandmaster…sort of, because Laranth really wasn't sure what her official relationship was with the Jedi Order after accepting 'Land and Titles' in exchange for her ship and service at Enarc "But I am pragmatic enough to see what works, and what doesn't…along with the situation we are now in as I've explained to you Depa"

He sighed deeply, eyes flicking to Laranth "Which is why I am here, dealing with practicalities rather than theories"

Laranth gave a questioning nod "Okay?"

"Yes, your Star Destroyer is heavily damaged, but that, and some negotiations, offers other paths for its future use, and for the future of our Sect" he explained motioning at the bridge, at the damage visible on the hull below where tugs and repair crews were active "But also not damaged enough to join the near scrapyards at Naboo, Enarc, or Christophsis"

She frowned, partly confused, tone curious "They don't want us as a warship?"

"They is a nebulous thing. I want it as a praexium starship, since the explorer corps is either dead, or fled into the farthest fringes of wildspace" the older human pointed out, and she found herself nodding in agreement at is words, relieved somehow at that proposed purpose "That and I want to make use of you, and your crew if you and they are willing, to form a nucleus of a restored Antarian Ranger Corps"

"That's…" she started to say, frowning "But, the temples…sanctuaries?"

"I want us to have a mobile base or two as well, and we don't truly have a Temple" Rahm Kota pointed out in a matter-of-fact manner "We have mini enclaves, basic sanctuaries, one granted by Moff Stormcrow, another now by our Emperor, and even Naboo…but they aren't the Temple either, and new rules…"

He chuckled "Times have changed as we'd discovered, so full conversion of this Star Destroyer gives us options for mobile education, as well as moving from enclave to enclave, or with…others…to ensure that past mistakes are not made. Seeing to security of the Order as well. Never again will we allow the circumstances of Order Sixty-Six to repeat itself…"

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[Early days of 16BBY]

[Training Room, Personal Deck of Moff Daron Stomcrow, Eriadu Authority Capital-class Warship Stormcrow, Republic 5th Fleet, in orbit Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

Karis liked wielding a lightsaber, just as shed liked wielding an energy bow, and she made use of her training time with the young male before her. The young male she and Naa'leth were temporary 'Mother' for because the Jedi padawan was really good at faking being fine, though, really, it meant she, Karis, got to act as 'Mother' over him because Naa'leth found it easier with some of the others. It was all a test Karis guessed, but also because the others were busy, and their Lord really wanted to be sure they could be trusted. Karis was fine with that, her loyalty always lay with the Nightsistters, but her Lord was there too, and that was fine.

Cal here had a familiar problem, even if it was a problem that wasn't entirely familiar either, nor was used to dealing with it with…males. But, overall, it matched in her mind. Her charge for now had, effectively, lost his Mother on the hunt, because that was sort of how Jedi Masters and Padawans seemed to work after talking to those around her. Seen him…which was weird in not being a her…cut down before him, allowing Cal here to escape. Followed by hiding out, alone, and then with potential enemy clans for months after that fact in the metal wilderness.

That was a recipe for a sister going off the deep end of the swamp if mishandled in Karis's experience, and that meant the poison needed to be drawn out and burned away. Especially with the 'I am fine' view of the not quite old enough male. Even the dangerous Celeste Morne had agreed with, between her usual silent bouts of glaring and probably planning everyone's murder for weird Jedi reasons. So, Karis had exerted dominance in training over her charge, and set about doing what the Clan Mothers had taught her to do with such young sisters that such problems. Despite Cal being a male. And a Jedi. And it not being the exact same.

'Close enough' she reminded herself again knocking down said charge, lightsaber to his throat she straddled his chest, pinning arms, after she'd sprung illusions on him. Again. He was learning, but slowly as she grinned happily, telling him a sing-song manner "I win"

He glared back, getting angry, but reigning it in. Good. He had control but was doing the pouty thing as he'd refused to use all his powers because he was associating the trauma with his Moth…Master's death. So she used her free hand to flick his chin "Say it!"

"Fine….you win….Mother"

"See, you can be taught!" she teased standing up gracefully despite her moment of kneeling, dancing off him in an easy motion, extending her hand to him in offering "Now pada-yahan up you come"

"It's padawan" he huffed back, embarrassed, as usual, because he struggled to deal with females as best Karis could tell. Which was why she found it amusing to be so in his face about it. Amusing, but it had also been a useful way to draw out the poison of the repressed rage and fear once Karis had made clear she was in charge, he was weaker, but, yes, she could keep him safe in those moments. He huffed and puffed "Thank you"

"If you actually use all your training, you wouldn't be on your ass!" she reminded him, then gestured at the two sisters-in-training who'd failed their own lessons even worse "Still you did better than these two…"

Soft groans came back at that, and Karis turned off her training blade, grinning "…yes, you two. It wasn't even Jedi stuff and he did as good as you! Now, off to the showers you three! You all stinky-stink like bantha poo-doo!"

Merrin glared at her, Mesta's daughter, while Ull'tah's daughter, Yalla, looked downcast and embarrassed already as Karis shoved Cal towards them "Off you go, you three need to eat as well as train after! You'd better be clean and not terrible smelling when I catch you"

Yalla truly wasn't cut out to be hunter, but she was tolerable around males, which was probably why Mother Talzin had sent her, her Mother, and younger sister Ulla. Merrin's mother Mesta was similarly okay, but Merrin seemed to have discomfort with the fact she was in a dominance clash with young Cal for their little mini-clan, and it was hilarious to Karis's eyes. Sort of unnatural, but that 'normal' life was likely never coming back because they had visions of...death. Death and dying, and clearly Mother Talzin had seen similar because of her orders and sending these little mad sisters to form a new sub-clan or….something. Karis didn't quite understand, but Asajj clearly had an idea. So, Karis would just follow that line.

What she did know was that she enjoyed her new power, and expanded role in the galaxy….though she did look forward to a good hunt at some stage in coming months. It was all very good to have nice food, and all these fancy mechanical helpers, but nothing beat the thrill of the hunt – especially when you had that nice food, warm bed, and other nice things to go back to afterwards. It might even help with the worse younglings they'd gotten off the place called Dromund Kaas. What was wrong with that group…she could not say, but the problems in young Cal barely compared to the darkness lurking in a few of the worst-off younglings. That was going to take a lot of effort to get them to focus that darkness into something useful to the clan after all….

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