Disclaimers: Eris Station's layout is similar to the Republic Fleet's Carrick Station, found in Bioware and Electronic Arts' video game, "Star Wars: The Old Republic". Eris comes from Greek Mythology. Janus' stronghold is inspired by the strongholds found in Bioware and Electronic Arts' video game, "Star Wars: The Old Republic". The crew skills crafting vocations and professions also come from Bioware and Electronic Arts' video game, "Star Wars: The Old Republic". The houses are inspired by the houses found in Turbine and Standing Stones Games' video game, "The Lord of the Rings Online".
Sorry for the long delay. This chapter was a nightmare to write! It ended up being written for a span of three weeks. It wasn't an easy.
As far as the writing style goes, my soul merging with LOTR's Frodo Baggins is pretty much done externally. So, I'm coming more and more to a new me, as he is a new him. So, it's interesting to see the writing style evolve throughout this chapter. :)
As for this chapter, at over 4,000 words, this chapter has foreshadowing of events to come, as well as filler. Locations told will likely show up in future chapters. So, there's a good reason for this particular filler chapter. Also, if some things look similar to the video game, "Star Wars: The Old Republic", it's likely due to the fact that the space station, Eris Station, relied on inspiration from the Galactic Republic's space station, Carrick Station, even though the shops may be in different spots and there's Republic and Sith trainers within Eris Station. So, difference there between Eris Station and Carrick Station. Eris Station could be Carrick Station's predecessor, too. We'll see. :)
As for this chapter, I hope it's not bogged down too much and everything works out well. :) Hopefully, everything's okay with it. :)
That said, enjoy! :)
The Defender flew across the afternoon skies. Its quick precision and speed could not be unmatched. It truly was a first-class Jedi starship, built for battle and for getting around the First World. The space above remained unseen. The First World was all the citizens knew of their universe. Anywhere else was unknown.
Any ships that were built were built for one purpose: sailing through the First World's skies, never space. So, it was no wonder, when Janus checked the navicomputer, that she was stunned that only the two continents and a huge mass of island lurked on the navicomputer's navigation chart.
Janus returned to the bridge a short time after her dispute with Helen. Granted, Janus was upset and worried over their display of power. It made her wonder if there was anything Helen did besides complain about their crew. There had to be more to Helen's story than she was bringing up. And her mother was only a piece of the story that Helen told Janus about.
Just what was going on with this dragonoid, to keep her secrets like this? What was her affiliation with the Sith? And why didn't she trust the Sith? Whatever questions Janus had about Helen would have to wait until later.
For now, Janus looked at the skies, spotting a floating space station, nestled in the clouds above the First World's landscape. Janus looked at the cockpit's window, spotting the ground below and bright light looming miles below where they flew.
"What is that?" Janus looked at Helen in intrigue, asking her this question, as if she already knew the answer.
Helen shrugged, telling her, "It's the Valley of the Whills: a safeguard for the Whills, their Guardians, and their Shamans." She looked away, adding, "That region is miles below where we're headed. This ship needs fuel and we need supplies. So, we're headed to Eris Station for supplies, food, fuel, and rest. You might as well grab a speeder while you're at it. Jock and I will do the same. We meet you back on this ship in an hour. Don't be late." She stood up, allowing the Defender to park inside Eris Station's hangar bay.
Janus was not fond of the idea of parking their ship inside this station. Eris Station was known for its troubles. Smugglers hid out here. Janus understood that from the way the Goddess Eris named this station. Janus had a fight with Eris, during her time in the Heavens. She knew it would be unwise to meet up with her again, after their little discourse, before they had been created by God.
Was this a good time to be here? Janus doubted it, but now was not the time for swift actions. Janus knew it, didn't she?
"Hey," Jock said, joining Helen and Janus in the upper chamber, "what's going on? Why did we stop?"
"We're on Eris Station. It's time to get some supplies and some parts for the engine room," Helen stated, confusing Jock.
"Hey, weren't you here before? The last time we met," Jock asked, leaving Helen at a discourse.
Helen shook off the thought, "I don't know what you mean."
"Yeah! It was just before you…" it was too late. Helen departed down the ship's stairs, towards the doorway, leading to the ship's ramp. "…okay. Never mind," Jock sighed, knowing he wasn't getting through to Helen. Jock faced Janus, telling her, "I suggest we take it easy with Helen. She's been through a lot."
Janus nodded, reminding him, "Yes, Helen doesn't like us being together."
"I can assure you she's jealous. She almost turned Sith herself, long before you came to the Jedi Academy. It's a long story. But Helen's been one for being wild at parties. You don't know her that well yet, but you will," Jock stated, nodding to her, as Janus took him in.
Janus soon joined Jock down the Defender's stairs, saying to him, "I don't understand. You and Helen were…"
Jock laughed. "Oh yes, we were! Girlfriend and boyfriend, Helen and I were respectively. But some things never last. I'm surprised she's your Jedi Master. I'd be careful with her, if I were you. Just in case she starts training with you."
"Right," Janus stated, sighing.
"Well, come now! We should get going," Jock stated, making his way out the doorway and onto the ship's ramp.
Janus sighed, knowing it was time to head aboard Eris Station. "Right. Let's move on." She exited the ship, making her way down the ramp and entering Eris Station's hangar bay, seconds before the ship's main entrance/exit door sealed itself off.
Janus was on Eris Station, not knowing then what dangers lie ahead.
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Eris Station's interior looked massive in size and scale. At the centermost point of the station, there were cargo holds, capable for storing whatever supplies, clothes, food, and drinks the carrier wanted inside their cargo hold. At the ground level of the centermost part of the station was a section fit for a cantina and lounge areas for weary travelers.
Nestled on the balcony above the cantina and lounge area, the cargo holds could be found, as well as doors leading to the many hangar bays for each pilot and their crew, heading off to their next destinations.
Leaving the cantina, cargo holds, and lounge areas came massive greyish metallic stairways, leading to areas where shuttle hangar bays could be located, as well as paneled doors leading to the marketplace, as well as mission and quest givers' hangar bays. Back out into the grand greyish metallic corridors, beyond the stairways leading to the centermost cantina, there lurked various shops and trainers.
The first section of shops heading to the lower left section were for the strongholds and housing sections of Eris Station. The second section of shops, located in the upper left section of the station, were crafting trainers, a small section for a speeder shop, as well as trainers for the First World's troopers and agents. Entering the third section of shops, located in the upper right section of the station, were the open auction houses, small sections for upgrading and repairing blasters and melee weapons, as well as trainers for the Light Side and Dark Side of the Force. Coming out into the fourth section of shops, located at the lower right section of the station, was a series of shops which included a small section for the cantina, where smugglers and bounty hunters could be further trained, small sections for upgrading and repairing lightsabers, Jedi trainers for the Jedi Knights and Jedi Consulars, as well as Sith trainers for Sith Warriors and Sith Inquisitors.
Each section of Eris Station included mailboxes, as well as lavatories in case anyone had need of them.
In all, Janus found Eris Station wonderful. But she feared that the Goddess Eris herself would not be pleased see her. Oh well. Janus was free to do what she wanted, whether Eris was pleased with her or disliked her… again, after their time spent during their Heavenly Days had passed. Either way, Janus could at least count on her friends to get her in and out of mischief.
What could be more prosperous than that?
Soon enough, Janus approached the stronghold and housing section within the station, for those wishing to buy a house or a stronghold. The strongholds were promising, as were the housing developments, all within the same section of the station.
As Janus looked over the various strongholds she could get, as well as the houses, a faint thought passed through her mind. Janus peered over her shoulder, spotting the God of the Wild, Pan, observing her.
Pan smirked, saying to her, "I told you we'd meet again. See how right I was?"
Janus smirked, adding, "So, we're teaming up now? Is that it?"
Pan shook his head. "Oh dear, no! No, I'll be more of a helper to you, as you journey on. Call me your guide." He leaned in, whispering to her, "I would take the strongholds. It'll give you plenty of space for your travels. Store your souvenirs, have a bigger space to add more items. Just a passing thought. Nothing too fancy." His eyes widened as he remembered something else, "Oh, and if you do come back, I'm certain that a companion will appear before you. Have fun! We'll meet again, I am certain." He vanished, leaving Janus stunned.
Janus looked over her stronghold options. She thought what Pan suggested was a good idea. As she gazed at her stronghold and housing options, she noticed the strongholds were located on Kyber Grove, Shapeshifter's Haven, Valley of the Whills, and Pirates' Island, while the houses were located on Bear Island, Pixie Grove, and Oakenshire. Janus felt sure, if she wanted to, she could buy strongholds for every region on this side of the First World.
But still, what was her first option? What stronghold was the cheapest to get? She had money, gifted to her by Jock when they first met. Jock ensured they would gather more earnings along their travels, but he guaranteed the money she received from him was enough to buy her first stronghold or house of her choosing.
Janus looked at her options one final time, deciding to choose one of the strongholds in the Kyber Grove region. Kyber Grove region would give Janus two bases: the Jedi Temple and her stronghold. Also, she would have a home to call her own. What could be more prosperous than that? As for the neighborhood, Janus decided to choose the one that was closest to Jock, as Jock was staying at a neighborhood where the Jedi and the Sith were in harmony. So, Janus chose the stronghold that sat right next to Jock's.
She smiled the second Jock approached, carrying all the parts they needed for their Jedi starship, the Defender.
Jock looked over her shoulder, anticipating her decision. "Helen lives in the same neighborhood as me. You'll have company there. Oh! A Jedi stronghold, mixed with Sith, I hope." He inhaled, exhaling in relief. "Yeah, you'll be in good company. I can see it now."
"Really?" Janus asked him, stunned they would all be living within the same neighborhood together. "I wonder why there's only you two and me living there."
Jock shrugged. "These neighborhoods are set up, depending on the crew. And, you'll need me and Helen by your side, whenever you want it. It's a good idea that you chose this neighborhood as your home. There's plenty of room, plenty of space, for you to store all the goodies we'll find on our journey." He slapped Janus' shoulder, rather gently, clasping her shoulder, too. Jock smirked, telling her, "Good luck. Just travel to your new stronghold, and then, meet us back here in an hour or two, if you can. We'll see you here on this station then."
"Right. I will. Thank you, Jock," Janus said, paying the housing broker upfront with the coin purse, filled to the brim with the five-thousand gold pieces, all earnings from Jock. It was shortly after she paid the housing broker that Janus made her way to one of the hangar bays. And there, right in the hangar bay, were shuttles headed out to the different regions on the First World. Among these shuttles was one headed for Kyber Grove region.
Janus looked back at Eris Station, knowing she would be back soon. In her haste, she boarded the shuttle, departing for Kyber Grove region in no time. As soon as she got to Kyber Grove, it was only a matter of finding the neighborhood where she, Jock, and Helen's strongholds were located.
And finding the neighborhood and their only owned strongholds there, she did.
.
Janus took a rented speeder to her stronghold. Surrounding the neighborhood, from which Helen, Jock, and Janus now lived, there was dense foliage and lush, green deciduous forests, looming in front of wide snowy mountain ranges. Winter was not too far away. Already, Janus felt the cold air wafting around her, as she neared her stronghold in minutes.
The strongholds in Kyber Grove were built on foundations on the ground, but they had three stories total for each stronghold. Just seeing these strongholds reminded Janus of the Jedi Temple, complete with their own towers and hub-like appearances. The strongholds were huge and glistening in metallic silver, while the windows were clear paned and wide.
As soon as Janus got off her speeder, she spotted the stronghold's well and smiled. Good! She would have clean, freshwater inside her stronghold. Janus smiled, taking one last look at the wide, spacious landscape her stronghold held. Perfect! She could tell she was going to enjoy herself, decorating as she pleased.
That said, she made her way inside her stronghold. Moving past the paneled door, Janus entered what appeared to be long, silver-plated metal hallway, expanding in a wide, half-circle that wrapped around this end of the stronghold. Towards the end of each half of the hallway came a paneled, silver metal door on either side, leading to two winding staircases, heading into the grand metallic foyer on the first level.
On the ground floor, where Janus had come across the hallway were three doors. The first door on the far left led to an antechamber, grand in size and shaped in a half-moon, complete with its own tall window. The paneled door to the far right showed off a grand dining chamber, huge in appearance, complete with its own lavatory. This dining chamber would be perfect for hosting parties and eating meals here. Janus also found an open kitchen, already constructed, and furnished within the dining chamber. As for the paneled door in the middle of the hallway, opposite the front paneled door leading outside, Janus found a wide, spacious garage, complete with its own entrance/exit for speeders to enter and exit from her stronghold.
So far, Janus approved of her stronghold's appearance. But this was the ground floor. Janus proceeded up the stairs to the first level, where she spotted at the top of this stairwell a windowed paneled door leading out to her stronghold's balcony. Her stronghold's balcony had its own grand landing pad, for the larger ships to land and enter her stronghold without much trouble. Janus loved this wide balcony, stretching in a half circle from one end of the back of the house to the other. Both paneled doors could be located here, at the ends of the balcony's half-circle. It was great for easy access inside and outside her stronghold. And she loved it even more now.
Making her way back inside her stronghold, Janus left the stairwell she had just come out of and entered the next paneled door to a grand foyer. This chamber was wide and spacious, with much space for Janus to do whatever she liked with it, even decorating it. Janus had a few ideas of what to do with the foyer's space, but she would save it for later.
Right now, she turned her attention to the smaller chamber just opposite the grand window in the foyer. She passed the paneled door, entering the chamber, only to spot three paneled doors leading into a lavatory on the right and three smaller, but still spacious rooms, spread out on the opposite end of the chamber, where the paneled door leading out to the foyer resided. Oh! She wondered if these three smaller rooms were the bedrooms. There wasn't any furniture in them. So, Janus knew they would be used there. One of these rooms could be her bedroom, while the other two rooms could be guest rooms. Yes, she would do that!
As for the antechamber downstairs, Janus hoped to turn that into a library.
Either way, Janus loved her stronghold, surprised this stronghold matched everything she could ever want. Hmm… it made her wonder if she could own the other strongholds in the other regions, too. Either way, she was delighted to be here.
That said, and with this taken care of, Janus left her stronghold, locked it tight, and made her way back to the rented speeder. Yes, it was time to head back to Eris Station.
.
The moment Janus returned to Eris Station, she was greeted by Jock, who jumped with joy upon seeing her. Jock rushed up to Janus, scooped her up, and pecked her on the cheek a few times. Janus wagged her tail, happy to see him.
"Come on. Let's find Helen! See if we can get out of here!" Jock cried, darting out of the shuttle's hangar bay and leaving Janus miffed.
Janus turned to Jock, who stopped in his tracks, as Janus pointed out to him, "Wait. We're supposed to meet a new companion here. I don't know who they are, but I have this funny feeling I know them. Pan told me we'd meet a new crewmember. I don't want to disappoint him."
Jock's tail stopped wagging. His tail had been wagging ever since Janus returned, but that all stopped the moment Jock heard Janus say they'd meet a new companion. Who was this new companion? Jock wasn't sure, but he wasn't leaving Janus' side. "Oh, come on! Let's go hunt down this companion of yours."
"Do you think?" Janus asked, at which Jock chirped up in delight:
"Yeah, why not? What's it going to hurt?" Jock told her, flat out impressed with her. "How do you like the strongholds? We each have our own stronghold now. Isn't that exciting?"
Janus smirked. She told him, calmly, "I like them. They're wonderful."
"Great! I'm glad to hear it!" Jock said, leaving an arm wrapped around her shoulders, as they made their way out of the shuttles' hangar bay and back to the rest of Eris Station.
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The moment Janus and Jock entered the speeder shop, finding the shop's interior no different than the rest of the station's metallic grey walls, ceiling, and floor, there was a red-carpet looming about the area. A wide metallic desk loomed on one side, while an aisle of speeders, of various sizes and shapes could be found here.
The shop owner, much to Janus' shock, was a woman fair of skin, with golden hair, a fair face, and decked out in a golden dress. It was Eris, Goddess of Chaos, Strife, and Discord. Janus could smell Eris' fragrant apple shampoo smell wafting up her nostrils. The apple Eris carried smelled ripe and fruity, bearing its mark of being in season. Janus wanted more than anything to take a bite from this lustrous apple, but feared the worst should come to her.
Still, the moment Janus locked eyes on Eris, the more tantalizing the apple's fruity smell became. Janus watched Eris as she vanished, leaving behind the real shop owner of the speeder shop, a rookie boss still learning his place in the universe. This young shop owner had black blazoned hair, tan features, and was decked out in a red shirt, a brown vest, tan trousers, and black boots. The way the shop owner smiled at Janus reminded her that all was well with the world.
"Take your pick! They're yours!" the young shop owner declared, moving about from customer to customer until each were satisfied with their purchase.
It was then Janus eyed a yellow metallic plated speederbike with an hourglass shape, a seat cushion in the centermost part of the speeder, handlebars in front of the seat cushion, a pair of metallic brown fins nestled in place in front of the speeder, and a good repulsorlift built into the speeder. Janus eyed the speederbike with great care. She wanted one, but she feared she didn't have enough coins to get one. Fortunately, Jock pulled out another coin purse, allowing Janus to feel that luck was on her side.
"What? It's for you. Helen's chipping in," Jock stated, much to Janus' chagrin.
"Of course, she is. Isn't there anything you two can't do?" Janus said, sarcastically.
Jock laughed at this statement with ease. "Come on now. You're still a Padawan learner and you need to get the basics out of the way, before we move on." He turned to the young shop owner, guiding him back to the yellow metallic plated speederbike, asking him, "Excuse me, but how much for the Lhosan Duster?"
"Twenty-five thousand gold coins," the young shop owner pointed out.
"Eh. Hold on!" Jock sorted through the gold coins in the coin purse, until eventually, he closed his eyes. He sifted through the coins via the Force, the coins swiftly moving from the coin purse into a coin bag. A coin bag Jock managed to pull out from his satchel. What remained of the gold pieces, that hadn't been sorted through, stayed in the coin purse. Jock opened his eyes; grateful he sorted through the coins.
"Ha ha! Got enough!" Jock handed the young shop owner the coin bag, at which the shop owner was perplexed.
"Well, I'll be! Thank you, sir," the young shop owner stated, pleased with the payment. He returned to his metallic desk to grab the receipt.
Jock added, while they were over by the front desk. "It's on Helen the Shapeshifter."
The young shop owner smirked, while standing behind the metallic desk. "Well, she'll be pleased. You picked out a good speederbike! Well done!" he moved towards the back of the shop, pulling out a Lhosan Duster, fit for a Dalmatian. The young shop owner approached Jock, and then Janus, instructing her on what to do. "Good luck to you both. Enjoy the ride!" The young shop owner walked away, as Janus prepared to take off on her new speederbike.
Jock stopped Janus, forcing Janus to take her furry spotted paws off the brake. Janus looked up at Jock, glowering at him. It was Jock who raised his furry paws to stop Janus from complaining.
"Jock!" Janus cried, not knowing what else to say. "Can't I test this?"
Jock lowered his paws, instructing her, "Yeah. You take your speederbike and head for the crafting trainers. I'll meet you there!" He whistled. All at once, coming from a bright light, was a Rendili Watchman speederbike. This speederbike looked like an upside-down T, fitted with silver metallic handlebars as well as a pair of footpads for the rider to stand on. In his haste, Jock saddled himself on his speederbike. Turning on the engine, Jock tore off out of the speeder shop. "I'll meet you there!" And Jock was off, disappearing before Janus had the chance to think otherwise.
Janus smirked, loving the challenge. "You always were a fast Dalmatian, weren't you, Jock?" She chuckled, saddling herself on her Lhosan Duster, before speeding off after Jock.
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Janus traversed the metallic hallways, not knowing where Jock went. Adrenaline filled her entire being. Janus so longed to see what these crafting trainers were about, but it made her wonder if crafting was her thing, or if she wanted to try something else. Did she have to craft? It didn't seem like it was required. Oh, what was she doing here?
At last, she met up with Jock over by the crafting trainers' shops, within a few sections of Eris Station. Already, Janus had a feeling she shouldn't be here. But that all stopped the moment she caught Jock seeking around in search of a crafting vocation to try.
Janus smiled as she stepped off her speederbike, observing the crafters and their vocations. It was apparent she could be anything she wanted, as some crafters were more geared towards Force users while others were geared towards non-Force users. It seemed odd that each crafting vocation had three specific professions, tied to each one. She could make armor and weapons, even make new crystals and hilts to her lightsabers, while other crafting vocations dealt with healer's work and diplomacy, while others were geared towards making parts. That was the idea of it.
Oh, there was so much to do. But which crafting vocation would she choose?
She watched Jock, stunned he would choose a crafting vocation built to craft Force Armor. She asked Jock about it, as well as about Helen's crafting vocation, "So, you're choosing Force Armor crafting? That's very good."
Jock laughed. "Why, thank you. Helen's already chosen her crafting profession: diplomacy. It seems she's made her choice. Although, I wish her luck." For a moment, Janus felt that Jock was questioning Helen's choice in crafting vocation and crafting professions, but he spoke politely about Helen instead. Janus could understand. Helen was ruthless, but her heart was in the right place.
Still, Janus looked over her options, realizing which crafting vocation she could take. "I think I want to craft lightsabers, as well as look for crystals, and make lightsaber hilts. It seems right."
Jock smirked. He loved that idea. "You'd do brilliantly at it."
Janus smiled. "Why, thank you, Jock."
Jock smiled back in return. "You're welcome." He watched Janus as she learned her new crafting vocation, alongside the three professions she could take, before coming back to him with a great big grin of her face. Jock grinned, for he was happy they chose their professions well.
Janus looked around in wonder and intrigue, asking him, "So, what else do we need to do?"
Jock sighed. "Well, that pretty much covers things here. Unless you wanted to do battles in an arena with me and Helen. Otherwise, the difficult part is done. For now. Shall we go? Let's go, meet up with Helen. How about it?"
"Jock," Janus stopped him. "Thank you, for everything."
Jock smirked, blowing a small raspberry. "Don't thank me yet! Come on. Let's go." Jock fled before another word was spoken, leaving Janus mystified.