[20 BBY]
[Executive Security Soutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, In Orbit Garn, Garn System, Cadma Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
The water was warm, and I enjoyed the sensation of it running down my body in the small shower cubicle in the Quarantine Area of the Stormcrow. Not the best compared to the one in my own chambers, but the Protocols were there for a good reason and if I shirked them, well, then the Jedi would try to do so as well. Heavens, even ensuring they [and myself] got their lightsabers back while we waited here had been a nuisance in adjusting procedure so they could be disinfected in sight of the 'precious' weapons. I gave a snort at that, washing out my hair; they were likely right that everything was fine, but we had a breach in suit amongst us, had two injured, and a...Cyber-Shaman?...Techno-Lich?...summon Fungus Zombies to oppose us...
'Yeah, definitely...we are watching for Mental and Physical infection of any sort' I thought shaking my head and making sure to thoroughly scrub myself down before disengaging the shower and stepping out. Three days lockdown was perfectly reasonable in my view, and it been planned in advance despite our having to modify it a little due to the two 'compromised' members of our expedition. Both of which were 'clean' under the initial scans of the medical droids like the rest of us; though Force related illness, and general fuckery, were somewhat harder to detect historically. Nor easy to know if isolation was the best way to deal with it...since it often wasn't due to the Dark Side being prone to exploiting such things as being alone.
So I engaged the drying systems, warm air dancing off my flesh and hair till it was dry and I stepped out and put on the plain white tunic and trousers, secured with a black belt and a pair of black sandals, before clipping my lightsaber to the belt. No point in hiding it anymore after all, so I quickly brushed my hair, depositing the comb into the disposal unit for disinfection, and stepped past the clouding dividing screen to the rest of the little room I shared with my former Master. Obi-wan Kenobi had been put with Knight Tachi, and Padawan Tano with Master Unduli and Bariss, and all three groups were separated beyond through communicating through the computer screen.
My somewhat smug former Master at that as she sat cross-legged on her simple floor-bed in a meditative pose, diving into the Force before opening her eyes as I came back into view. I'd gotten the gist of her report to the Jedi Council before we'd evacuated the ruins planet-side after all; but we hadn't truly had a chance to speak as we went through the process of getting to this secure part of the medical wing. Truth be told my armour had remain sealed and undamaged in the fight, and then search afterwards, but I'd already let secrets I wasn't entirely comfortable giving away despite everything. Giving away more right now...I'd rather avoid that, so I sat on my own ground level pallet and adopted my own pose with a sigh.
"Really? To you have to have that look?"
"What look my young Padawan?"
I gave another sigh, shaking my head slightly as I rested my hands on my knees "The current one Stass"
"Hmmm, whatever do you mean Padawan?" she replied with a faint smile "...though one could argue it would be a consideration that a certain someone would likely be able to pass their Knight trails as is. Oh, and one is glad to have won the betting pool on what colour a certain blade would be"
"I'm not a..." I blinked, resisting a glare "...wait, betting pool?"
"I jest"
"Uh-huh..." I bloody well hoped so, calm serenity she's failing to give off aside as my eyes narrowed at her "...let's hope so on that, but just because I use a blade and certain abilities still does not means I have suddenly changed my mind on things"
A flicker of emotion through the Force, a sigh, then a thin smile "Yes, I expected as much, but it is good to see Daron. You would make a great Jedi, I wish you could see that as I do"
I gave a snort at that, well three days together was going to be fun it seemed "I'd have made a terrible Jedi in the Temple Stass, and we all know it. Attachments and all that, general philosophical differences, things like that"
'Oh, and my secret Magic and Dark Side techniques as well, and the fact the Force seems to want the whole house of cards to come tumbling down' I didn't mention, because that would cause problems as she gave the faintest of nods "Perhaps your right...but know that I am proud of you Daron, you displayed calm and strength down there..." a faint smile "...and do not think the you will escape a spar with me the minute we are freed from this quarantine"
'Joy' I thought with a shrug "Not a needless quarantine as some claim?"
"No, Obi-wan is being too confident and while Siri and Padawan Tano have seemingly recovered it is best we make sure there are no after effects considering what we faced down there..." she replied radiating calm agreement "...and it is time to catalogue the facility with your droids and ensure we truly have recovered all the soul-stones present with a thorough search. You truly intend to destroy the place before we depart?"
I nodded "Oh, yes, very much yes. My forces will take apart anything you and the Council desire, pack it up in secure storage, ship it where you want, and them I'm blasting the region to rubble. We can't maintain a guard, the Council can't assign a watcher, and while the fungus isn't by itself active like we thought I can't risk us having missed a back up of...whatever Rur did to himself with those computers to live a thousand years"
"Another Immortal Rur, perhaps it's the name?"
"The Order Aspectu?" I queried and she nodded, then I shrugged faintly again "Seems to be a different Rur, but thousands of years and I am sure others have had my name, or yours, and done great or terrible things as well, and they certainly aren't related to us. Those things, these Rozzum, though..." I shook my head "...I'll ensure every bit of combat data is sent to the Council. Whatever the hell they were, it's something that can't be allowed spread..."
Because...I really, really, did not want demons from another dimension gaining a foothold in this one; not with things already bad without such things. Nor did I want our resident Sith Lord to get ideas and either gain demonic servants, or, more likely, got turned into demon chow and possessed like crazy computer shaman dude Rur had. Not that the information of taking detail study and sensor scans of the facility wasn't being done at my command, without Jedi knowledge, of course. Techno-sorcery was just...unheard of really per the Jedi records, and demented as he was the fact was this Order of the Terrible Glare had made it work with both the Light and Dark sides of the Force.
The soul-stones, vile things that they were, were to be returned to the Temple [eventually] and then the souls inside freed into the Force under careful supervision...and good riddance. I'd do it myself if they hadn't, as most of the wretches inside had been there for centuries at the least, and were quite mad in many cases as best I tell with my senses. The armour and weapons, ancient as they were, would be careful cataloged and returned to the Temple as well, beyond one or two...losses...that wouldn't be noticed; at least after thorough clearance on my side.
So for now I indulged my former Master's curiosity, also showing her the parts of the library available from the Stormcrow's Archive, and settled into the coming three days after I'd passed fleet control over to Jurdan Ironhill, and the forces in system to Braika...
--
[20 BBY[3 Days Later]
[Executive Security Soutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, In Orbit Garn, Garn System, Cadma Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
Bariss Offee gave a groan of annoyance as Daron swatted her training weapon aside, out of her hand, then flicked so his blade was at her throat. Not to hard when he'd knocked her unto the ground so he now stood above her on the mat of the training area on his ship. Glared up at him as he half-smirked down at her after earlier confident pronouncements "I think that's my win"
Continued to glare, then stilled herself as she adopted a calm stoic face as Master Unduli would, forcing back such petty irritations and feel serene in the Force. Daron frowned a little "You've gotten better Daron"
He turned off his training lightsaber, holding out a hand, one that she took with her own, and allowed him to pull her up to stand and dust of her robes "Thank you Bariss, not too shabby yourself. Sorry I didn't do some training with you earlier...or before you go"
Some sorrow at such an early departure bubbled up inside her, along with mild irritation at Daron...well, being Daron, and all secretive about his skills as ever "Duty calls as Master Unduli says"
'I really have to get him to teach me that hiding his emotions and signature so well in the Force' she thought as he smiled, and she couldn't help but smile too as she recovered the training blade and turned it off. It was a nice warmth to be with friends, but...that just made her have to struggle harder didn't it?
A perfect Jedi shouldn't allow such attachments to divert her from her duty, and after enduring that nightmare, and then three days in such boredom in a not-prison, all she wanted to do was spar with Daron, or simply curl on a couch and talk of their times together as Initiates. But that meant people would get hurt without her there to help them, to indulge her own selfishness when she had to do her duty as a Padawan...as a future Knight. Master Unduli had placed great belief in her, and while certain things about the Order were...bothering her of late...she had to try harder. Had to live up to that belief, that praise, even when she was so weak in truth.
"Bariss..." Daron's hand came to rest on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze, a feeling of support and her stress eased a little for some reason "...there's more to life than pure Duty, even for a Jedi, ya'know?"
She flushed a little, rubbing at the back of her neck with her free hand as she looked at the floor "I...try Daron, it is...I should be better. Skywalker...is a Knight even, I...just need to be better"
Daron gave a snort at that "Anakin is also a terrible example, Mr. Chosen One that he is. Also...Bariss, he's a born warrior, and you're..."
"Not" she finished swiftly, looking at the floor. Her friend squeezed her shoulder again, giving her a glare when she glanced up at him.
"Stop that" he stated shaking his head "...I was going to say natural born Healer. I *know* what happened down there bothers you Bariss, don't try to be someone else. Anakin Skywalker is Anakin Skywalker, for good or ill, and this war suits his personality. I would make a terrible Jedi, but I *am* a competent military officer an mercenary...and you Bariss Offee are a born healer and diplomat. Talk to your Master about it? Or Padawan Tano since you seem friendly...don't do the Bariss Perfect Jedi Fake Smile. I can see through it, and you'll be the Jedi you want to be if you stop trying to repress so much"
Bariss smiled faintly, looking at the floor, trying not think on her continued weakness "Maybe Daron, I'll think about it..."
--
[20 BBY[5 Days Later]
[Executive Security Soutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, In Orbit Garn, Garn System, Cadma Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
I frowned as the secure communications channel beeped. We were just about to depart now the ruins were...well super duper ash and fire ruins now...and all the Jedi had departed two days prior to their various tasks. Pressing the button Jurdan's face appeared "What's up Jurdan?"
"We have a serious problem Daron, you'll need wake Braika if she's asleep"
"What's happened Jurdan?" because this didn't sound good, and the stern face didn't indicate good things either.
"Ryloth. General Krell arrested Sydulla three days ago, along with a whole group of our unit commanders"
I froze, tapering down on the rising anger "WHAT? Why am I only hearing this now?"
Ironhill's old face was iron and cold as he answered in a calm manner "Martial Law, suppressing hypercomms till several of our local units got out word. It's claims of corruption, embezzlement, and he's supposedly levelling charges at you and Senator Chubby as well. Data transmitted shows riots planet-side, active fighting between Clones and civilians backed up by some of our Troopers"
"HE'S WHAT??? IS HE INSANE???"
"Daron this reeks of...other matters we've discussed..." Jurdan replied calmly "...and we need to do something yesterday. If don't act...we'll have mutinies once word spreads Clones are beating up and arresting our Troopers. Anger's been high for months now and you know it"
I closed my eyes a moment, calming myself with my power, then opening them as I took a breath before replying "It'll get Braika, you contact the others. I'll contact General Geen and Moff Tarkin once we've all spoken, and Jurdan...send word to gather all available fleet mobile units in case we need to...move on Ryloth"
"I've already started making preparations Captain-General..."
--