There is no emotion... (A Jedi Order Quest)

[Voikirium]

Jedi Order Recruitment 3947BBY

The Praxeum is silent. The song of nature is the sole sound as the galaxy comes into balance. The stars and the Force and your hearts burn together in unison, one voice, humming together, all the world together suspended in glory and victory as the darkness is cast down.

Eschewing the more universal robes of Coruscant which the students of Meetra wear, Kador and Breda instead have the simpler, more battle ready robes of Dantooine on their form.

The two enter and kneel.

A moment later, your lightsabers spring to life. They are silent, on one knee.

"Breda Sunguard. Kador Shirot."

"By the right of the Council,"

Your saber dips to their right shoulder.

"By the will of the Force."

To the left.

"I dub thee Jedi, Knights of the Republic."

With a quick flick of the wrist, you slice their braids, which fall to the ground.

The Sith have lost, on this day. Perhaps not forever-- but in this moment there is no darkness, only light.

Kador Shirot Promoted to Jedi Sentinel (C2 W2 S3 D2 V3 H2)
Breda Sunguard Promoted to Jedi Guardian (C4 W2 S1 D3 V1 H3)
(-2 Padawans)

+8 Padawans from Advancement (-8 Initiates)

+8 Initiates
--
So.

Now that some of your students have finally reached the rank of Knight, you are getting proper recruitment posts, rather than having them folded into Research Results. You'll notice this happens after first quarter.

(This is mostly just to help choke off a tide of missions)

 

[DaOneInDaCorner]

I made another Omake! I expect my Bao-Dur one's will probably be fairly rare though, but I had fun with him. It's so hard to write for him because Bao-Dur has a habit of being very... flat. Still, hope I did okay with it.

Judgement At Crystal Cave

Bao-Dur, Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, head of the Enclave upon Dantooine, and current war veteran had taken a seat upon a chair set out to see the horizons; facing the open window within his personal chambers, he let a small smile grace his lips. The temple was beautiful, as were the plains of Dantooine, little forestation but roaming wildlife flourished in abundance; the Kath Hounds nearby had slowly been growing accustom to their new living partners. Last he'd heard, one of the Initiates had had a special bond with one of the beasts, he'd claimed to have heard many of the animals communicate to him. A curiosity, but not an absurd one, and it brought Bao-Dur even more hope for the generation to follow him.

Still, the local Kinrath was a problem; inherently wild, they were aggressively territorial, insectoid and not so easily tamed - nearby colonists of Dantooine, while still hesitant to speak to anyone by the name of "Jedi", had seen fit to address such concerns as the wildlife attacked fringe homes along settlements. A noble that carried himself with pride had asked for a meeting with the Grandmaster, and made a formal request for the wild creatures to be exterminated. All Bao-Dur had been able to promise was that he could try.

He took a breath, giving one last glance to the horizons, before standing and retreating to the doorway. Padawan Zez was right behind him, breaking from his personal meditation with an excited spring to his step.

"Are we ready to go Master?" The boy was clearly excitable, practically bouncing with every forward motion. Bao-Dur held in a chuckle, but nodded. "Yes, I think it's time we handled this Kinrath situation before it progresses any further." Ever since the mission, his Padawan had been a handful to deal with, always looking to go off on his next big mission; Bao-Dur had issues reigning in their compulsions, the mind of his trainee a ponderous one, and his link with the Force well founded, if a bit less cemented than the others; still, the boy had a gift and was very closely tied to his usage of the Force. Not everyone could be Mical however, and so Zez was still only above average in regards to the general standard of most other Padawan's at the temple.

Their journey was swift, with some formal bowing to other Jedi they passed along the way, but otherwise a quiet one, the silence Bao-Dur was projecting providing incentive to his Padawan to stifle their thoughts a while longer. While good with a blade, Zez was one who had a good mind for other things; the Grandmaster had found his student had taken a liking to the Djem-So, or Form V, and was a hard hitting fighter who integrated careful touches of the Force through prods and pushes into his style. He may not have been the most suited for a close range fighter, but he did well despite his inherent connection to the more mystical involvings of the Force.

Eventually, they hit the grasslands, moving away from the Enclave as it turned into a speck in the distance. Zez had tempered his excitement, though he fiddled with the hilt at his side in concealed giddiness. Soon however, Kinrath, in all their skulking and ferocious glory could be seen orbiting the surroundings of a most familiar cave.

'It calls to me, Bao-Dur,' the General had told him happily, cradling her lightsaber as she inserted the newly acquired crystal into place. Her face was bright, light wafting off of her while the woman finished up the completion of her saber. 'It's like it was made just for me - I can feel the way it harmonizes with me through the Force," her eyes had closed, embracing the feel of the Force around her, and Bao-Dur could watch in a way that could only be respect and awe. She had been... amazing.

He was cut from his reminiscing by the sound of a lightsaber igniting at his side. Zez was eager, and his blade flashed green, attracting the attention of over a dozen of the creatures. Roars and clicking sounds were heard as the beasts scrambled, reorganizing themselves into an attack formation. "Patience," he chided to his student, the boy wincing before offering a nod, his eagerness wading; though he was far more gifted in the arts of the Force, there would be little need for it in the oncoming frenzy, and a blade was better suited for now. Bao-Dur gripped his hilt, before igniting the blade in glorious green light. "Handle the back." Was all Bao-Dur said, before he was lifted from the ground by powerful muscles and apt usage of the Force. The first Kinrath he fell upon in his charge was simply sliced in two, a green fluid emerging from its flesh.

Fangs lunged for him, poisonous fluids coated upon them and ready to end his life at the slightest misstep. Through the Force he could sense his Padawan covering the rear, handling the onslaught with relative ease, blade flying back and forth with limbs being tossed into the air. It was a short battle, and the two composed themselves, Zez looking mighty pleased by his performance. Bao-Dur fought a rising smile - his Padawan had indeed improved. Soon... he would be a Knight.

The two entered the crystal caves, Zez examining the area with interest. "This place," he began, a light awe in his tone. "It's so in tune with the Force. It's incredible." Bao-Dur nodded, face set in a serious expression. "It is," he agreed. "But it also means the things that grow here are often stronger for it. They feed off of the Force presence in this place. Though they may not corrupt it as some things may, the Kinrath are wild, terrifying things that rely on instinct. Do not allow yourself to be distracted here." The boy nodded in acceptance and Bao-Dur was content with the confirmation. Their travels continued, the odd Kinrath being found here or there but being easily handled.

Soon however, their destination. The nesting grounds, deep within the caves, shining with the light of growing crystals in an array of different colors. Bao-Dur took a moment to take in the sight... before his saber flashed to the side, a Kinrath with glowing flesh dispatched just in time. His blade was already moving in tandem with his Padawan's, the Kinrath erupting forth from cracks in the walls, now not only in dozens, but perhaps hundreds. It appeared that they'd grown more than had initially been expected.

Still, the two kept their calm as best as they could, fighting back to back and fending off the tide of insectoids. Scratches lined the Grandmaster; potshots intended for his student, that were deflected by the Master in a bid to keep his student safe. The boy remained unharmed.

The tide slowed, it wavered and for a moment Bao-Dur was willing to believe that it was almost over. A shadow fell over the two, and even the honed instincts and Force assisted abilities of the Grandmaster could not account for the newly unveiled threat. A matriarch stood tall upon the largest crystal, and everything in the room seemed to freeze. Then, she lunged, and Bao-Dur almost died in that instance. A body crashed into his side, pushing him just out of the way, and fangs drenched in poison found tender flesh in the form of the Iridonian's one and only Padawan. The boy froze, the poison already entering his system. This next strike from the matriarch would be the last, as she prepared to finish her prey.

Something flashed before the Grandmaster's mind - he could not feel the dark enter him, he could only feel the need, the necessity to stop this tragedy. He would end this thing... and so with an outstretched hand, his senses embracing the Force that pulsated within the crystal caves, electric energy in a devastating display of green was unleashed in a torrent of light; streaming from his hand, the matriarch barely released a whimper before she was utterly destroyed by the blast - Kinrath in the vicinity were soon caught by it, every arc of energy proving a quick end to the creatures. It was only a moment, and in that moment the room was cleared of threats. The matriarch gone, eggs shattered in the midst of the attack, and no Kinrath remaining, the battle was over. There would be no reemergence of these horrid beasts. Not here at least.

Bao-Dur cared little, he hardly considered his attack as he scrambled to his student. Lifting the boy to him, he examined the wound, struggling to push the worry from his side. "Fool," he cursed, "you aren't supposed to put yourself in danger! This was supposed to be easy... dammit, you can't do this. You can't... you're going to be a Jedi Knight, I'm going to watch you become a Master." His student was breathing heavily, his Master tending him as best he could. Bao-Dur was no healer however, and so it was that he lifted his student, carrying the boy on his back and making a swift return to the Temples. There were no questions, he had antidotes prepared for his arrival as his student was moved into a medical bay. With bated breath, he waited for a prognosis. It came soon, and the Master could rest easy knowing that his student would survive - his wound itself wasn't anything tremendous, and the poison was counteracted quickly enough to avoid tragedy.

Bao-Dur was unwilling to meet with the nobleman, sending one of the Council in his stead, but was promised that his deeds would not go forgotten, and that everyone this side of Dantooine would soon hear of the good brought by the Jedi. Only now could Bao-Dur take a moment to recall the events at the cave... his actions had not felt dark, and yet he could find no accounts of Force Lightning being used as anything but. Perhaps... perhaps he had stumbled across something new? With careful consideration, the Grandmaster lifted a hand, bringing back those same feelings of urgency and calm, that same dreadful necessity that had filled him to right the wrongdoing that he could sense through the Force.

A green spark flickered in his palm.

 

[Voikirium]

Mission Report 3947 BBY Q2

Mission 1 (Master Brianna, Master Juhani, and Knight Breda, 2 Padawans, The Core)
-Knight Breda Sunguard-

We have been contacted by a Bounty Hunter trying to turn on his Czerka employers, offering information to us in exchange for leniency and protection from his former bosses. He will only meet with Jedi, apparently the Republic's military is too corrupt to be trusted. We will be making first contact in the Deadly Den cantina-- an ominous premonition if I've ever heard one, and I have.

Masters Juhani and Brianna, meanwhile, will be prowling the nearby roofs, keeping watch for enemies-- assassins, that sort of thing, you know how it is.

Still, I have a bad feeling about this
--
Mission 2 (Grandmaster Bao-Dur, Master Atton Rand, Master Bastila Shan, 4 Padawans, and Knight Kador Shirot, The Mid-Rim)
-Councilor Atton Rand-

Well, now that the kid's done making goofy eyes at the Captain, maybe we can get some work done?

On Bothawui, General Kadans Vador, the man in charge of their anti-Czerka efforts, has been receiving flimsi messages in the usual vein-- you know, chopped up ads stuck on so there's no handwriting that can be traced back to whoever's writing the message, all of that. The real big problem, of course, is that it's in the same cipher as an old Serial Killer from the Exar Kun days who never got caught because everyone was distracted by the Sith Lord.

So of course, conveniently, he both did not bite it in the forty years between then and now--possible, if strange, considering how young that would make him in his first spree-- but also decided to come out of retirement just so he could threaten some general-- ballsy, considering his original targets were college students-- and of course, this just so happens to be at the exact moment when it is most convenient for Czerka to have it happen.

For some strange reason, I'm not buying that arc of a story. Call me cynical, but I'm thinking that perhaps the giant corporation has concoted some sort of fairy tale to justify the murder they're about to commit.

Either way, we have Jedi guarding the general day and night-- and I really mean it this time; like I said, Kador's not making goofy eyes at the captain anymore, or at least not right now, like, maybe in the grander scheme of things--

You know what, I'm just gonna stop talking and start looking.
--
Mission 3 (Mira, Visas, Padawan Ralec Varn, Outer Rim)
-Councilor Mira-
There is a sound in the rim, a wordless thing of agony, echoing and echoing, drowning out all else in its path. I do not know what it is, but I can sense the fury, the pain, behind it-- it is as if I am hearing souls die, as if I am knowing the wordless shriek of loss again, like Katarr shouted through a closed mouth. Czerka or no, whatever is causing this must be stopped, and it must be stopped soon.
--
Mission 1 (Master Brianna, Master Juhani, and Knight Breda, 2 Padawans, The Core)
-Knight Breda Sunguard-

So somebody tried to kill me today-- I'm getting way too used to that, I suppose.

We met the "Defector" in the cantina, the Padawans and I-- the Masters, of course, were watching from the roofs, ensuring no sniper attacks.

When we got there, we engaged with the defector in conversation-- until he ultimately revealed he had a number of explosives tied to him, that Czerka was threatening his mother. I pitied him, in truth.

But not enough to avoid cutting off his arm when he revealed the detonator. Before I could interrogate him further, he cracked his tooth and ate a cyanide pill-- but only after telling us where his mother might be found.

I have already notified the authorities-- they are moving to secure and protect her as we speak.
(Event failed)
--
Mission 2 (Grandmaster Bao-Dur, Master Atton Rand, Master Bastila Shan, 4 Padawans, and Knight Kador Shirot, The Mid-Rim)
-Councilor Atton Rand-

More letters, more threats, more everything. The general is starting to lose his nerve. At the moment, he's "just" refusing to head out to physical HQ in favor of holos to present orders. The problem, of course, is that he's asking his soldiers to take a risk he won't.

The good news is, as this "killer" has been sending more notes, I've noticed something kind of important: it's a droid.

Time to save the day, I suppose.
--
Mission 3 (Mira, Visas, and Padawan Ralec Varn, Outer Rim)
-Councilor Visas Marr-

It was a thing so subtle I did not realize it at first. But as I've brought us closer and closer to it, I've realized what it was: a hutt slave center, where they are training new servants day by day, tormenting them, breaking them, then shipping them off to the flesh markets and to their hutt masters.

It cannot stand. I refuse to let it continue.
--
Mission 2 (Grandmaster Bao-Dur, Master Atton Rand, Master Bastila Shan, 4 Padawans, and Knight Kador Shirot, The Mid-Rim)
-Councilor Atton Rand-

We set a trap, and the washing machine set it off gloriously. "Supposedly", we grew so disgusted by the general's cowardice that we abandoned him to his fate for greener pastures and more important work. In truth, of course, the kid and I stuck around, just, you know, hiding, and waited in the general's study with him.

And soon enough, a rusty, battered, Sith War era droid wandered in. Oh it looked like a protocol droid, and it acted like a protocol droid-- but I don't know many protocol droids with integrated vibroblades, do you?

As it struck, we went to work-- I sprang from the shadows and chopped its head from its shoulder, sending it to the ground. A further examination of the remains revealed that a Czerka Exec way back when had been experimenting with the damn thing, trying to integrate assassin droid programming into a protocol droid frame so it could act as a body guard. It went berzerk with the two conflicting programming basis, and went on a killing spree-- until, finally, someone wiped the damn thing's memory.

Then Czerka unwiped it, and the rest is history.
(+25PP)
--
Mission 3 (Mira, Visas, and Padawan Ralec Varn, Outer Rim)
-Councilor Visas Marr-
I destroyed it, and have freed the slaves from their bondage. Kordo the Hutt, master of this place, lies dead, strangled by his own dancer. The building itself has been destroyed in Turbolaser fire.

The hutts are less than thrilled with what we've done, but to hell with them. Those who would unleash suffering on this scale do not deserve to be happy. The military isn't happy either, nor the diplomatic corp, who both hoped to ally with the Hutts and use them to rebuild or against Czerka. But those who know the hutts are happy to see this done-- more importantly, the Supreme Chancellor has heard our report, and in no uncertain terms said if we had discovered what we discovered before the war with Czerka, the Hutts would be our foes. As is, she's still sorely tempted.
(Event...failure?)

 

[Voikirium]

You are Atton Rand, and you receive some pretty nasty looks as you enter the HQ. It's a small thing, one you might have entered in the middle of a campaign in the Mandalorian Wars, and not an important campaign at that. Though, to be fair, this little dust-up with Czerka is certainly no Mandalorian War.

You bow a bit at the waist to the Admirals and Generals gathered here today. The Chancellor is not present, instead trying to maintain morale, to help maintain your own fighting capabilities. Very simply, right now, the Admirals are here to ask you to listen, and you are here to ask them to listen. Admiral Onasi, Admiral Yarison, General of the Army Sherman, Secretary of War Matya Val'Zin, they are all here, waiting to listen to a jumped-up rogue.

No. Not a rogue. Jedi. What a surreal thought-- five years ago you were a lecher, an animal, and a criminal, running from the past.

Now? Eh. Lecher still fits, but the other parts less so.

Jedi who seem to be contributing an awful lot to the current war. Not as much as the whole military, perhaps, but pretty good for a bunch of children with Lightsaber, n'est pas?

First things first, you check the estimated status of Czerka. The current plan on the Republic's part is to convince these damn shareholders to finally surrender by burning their everything to the ground-- and you've done plenty of good work on that front. Except for the Starfighter Corps, who are currently struggling with the smugglers they are meant to be blocking.

(Czerka Morale:90%-5%-10%-6% (Republic Army)-1% (Republic Starfighter Corps)-13% (Republic Navy)=55%)

Their morale is plummeting, as the mercenaries realize that this is a hard payday-- that in comparison to even the lackluster government of the Sith, a corporation can not stand against a true fighting force-- especially not one sharpened in the fires of the Dark Wars, and of the Mandalorian Wars.

But. There have been...casualties.

(Republic Morale: 83)

Whole families slaughtered as Czerka mails pipe bombs to Senators that are barking up the wrong tree, generals stabbed to death in the dead of night, sabotaged fighter turrets taking out whole squads-- there have been losses, and they have been painful. At a normal time, you could take everything these jumped up fatcats are pouring out twice over before you'd even begin to sweat, but these are not normal times. The Republic is tired of war. If you screw this up, they will toss any conman willing to bring peace into power, no matter how idiotic, how unsuited, how unworthy for the job they are. You must not let that happen. The Republic deserves better.

You cannot just try the same strategy over again.

But before that, you have a requests for the brass-- and they have a few requests for you.

Available PP: 125

[] Reinforcements: You don't really need back-up, but you also don't need to shower-- it is, however, a preference of yours. (+1 for Event Combat Checks) (30 PP)
[] Investigators: Not all of your Jedi are Sentinels-- having some professional detectives from the various Republic law enforcement agencies around would help a great deal in this current war. (+1 To Event Skill Checks)(30 PP)
[] Defenses: If Czerka attacks the Praxeum or the Academy, your primarily non-combatant students will be put in grave danger. While you already have protection on Dantooine and on Telos, the Republic could spring for more. (Reduction to Jedi casualties in event of facility attacks, One-Time Bonus to Dantooine/Telos Development) (40 PP)
[] Coruscant: You would like the Coruscant Temple back-- and say what you will, but it would certainly help you coordinate with the Republic if you had a presence on the Capital. (Regain Coruscant Temple) (100 PP)
[] Colonies Patrol: The Colonies have proven themselves something of a weak point in the Republic's defenses-- it is where most of the successful attacks took place. The Republic would be very happy if you helped beef up their defenses, even if you only send a Padawan or two to help out. (Gain Colonies Patrol) (+30 PP)
[] Special Mission: Rather than having the general patrol, you will assist the Republic with a matter it finds of some import-- a particular, not necessarily, but likely, difficult mission, which it has requested your aid with. (Send Jedi Patrol on Special Mission) (PP Reward Varies)

Next, on the docket, is the question of the Republic's own efforts. While they do not have to listen to you, the Republic military, by and large, respects the wisdom of the Jedi-- you know, in theory. Less so when you're formerly a part of Revan's personal butcher squad; funny how that works, almost like for every one story of Jedi fucking up there's a dozen of some guy who didn't get sold into slavery because you were around, or something.

In any case, you could ask them to change their strategy and tactics to more firmly match with yours-- or you could not.

[] Leave as is (0 PP)
[] Request Aggression from the Republic Military (Bonus to Republic attacks against Czerka Morale) (25 PP)
[] Request Defense from the Republic Military (Bonus to defense against Czerka Attacks) (25 PP)

And finally, of course, the Republic has requested you inform them of what your plans against Czerka are for the coming year, until you have the next meeting like this, so you can be glared at by more soldiers.


Assign Routes to Particular missions:
[] (Write-In) Protect against Czerka Activity (Keep your people safe)
[] (Write-In) Damage Czerka Assets (Break their stuff, free their slaves, and hear the lamentations of their stock-holders)
[] (Write-In) Investigate Czerka's Plan (This whole thing started because Czerka had some sort of aggressive plan, on their end at least. Figure out what it was)
[] (Write-In) This route will be doing the Special Mission you agreed on for the Brass rather than generic patrol (Potential to greatly damage Czerka Morale, ???)

An Example Plan:

[V] (Outer Rim) Protect against Czerka Activity (Keep your people safe)
[V] (Mid Rim) Damage Czerka Assets (Break their stuff, free their slaves, and hear the lamentations of their stock-holders)
[V] (The Core) Investigate Czerka's Plan (This whole thing started because Czerka had some sort of aggressive plan, on their end at least. Figure out what it was)
--

 

[Voikirium]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Cautious Optimism
-[X] Reinforcements: You don't really need back-up, but you also don't need to shower-- it is, however, a preference of yours. (+1 for Event Combat Checks) (30 PP)
-[X] Investigators: Not all of your Jedi are Sentinels-- having some professional detectives from the various Republic law enforcement agencies around would help a great deal in this current war. (+1 To Event Skill Checks)(30 PP)
-[X] Defenses: If Czerka attacks the Praxeum or the Academy, your primarily non-combatant students will be put in grave danger. While you already have protection on Dantooine and on Telos, the Republic could spring for more. (Reduction to Jedi casualties in event of facility attacks, One-Time Bonus to Dantooine/Telos Development) (40 PP)
-[X] Colonies Patrol: The Colonies have proven themselves something of a weak point in the Republic's defenses-- it is where most of the successful attacks took place. The Republic would be very happy if you helped beef up their defenses, even if you only send a Padawan or two to help out. (Gain Colonies Patrol) (+30 PP)
-[X] Leave as is (0 PP)
-[X] (Core) Protect against Czerka Activity (Keep your people safe)
-[X] (Colonies) Protect against Czerka Activity (Keep your people safe)
-[X] (Mid-Rim) Damage Czerka Assets (Break their stuff, free their slaves, and hear the lamentations of their stock-holders)
-[X] (Outer-Rim) Investigate Czerka's Plan (This whole thing started because Czerka had some sort of aggressive plan, on their end at least. Figure out what it was)

--
Reinforcements: You don't really need back-up, but you also don't need to shower-- it is, however, a preference of yours. (+1 for Event Combat Checks) (30 PP)
Investigators: Not all of your Jedi are Sentinels-- having some professional detectives from the various Republic law enforcement agencies around would help a great deal in this current war. (+1 To Event Skill Checks)(30 PP)

-From now until the end of this farce, your Jedi are going to be traveling everywhere with a retinue, like some ancient prince of a primitive world. A whole squad of soldiers, volunteered from the Echani, and a small team of private detectives, drawn from Corellia, will be heading everywhere with them, to offer them much needed support in these times. A little less glory, perhaps, but much safer for all involved.
--
Defenses: If Czerka attacks the Praxeum or the Academy, your primarily non-combatant students will be put in grave danger. While you already have protection on Dantooine and on Telos, the Republic could spring for more. (Reduction to Jedi casualties in event of facility attacks, One-Time Bonus to Dantooine/Telos Development) (40 PP)

The Republic volunteers an expert architect from Ord Mantell and Balmorra for this request of yours, and both strike on the same idea, seeing as it would sort of ruin the atmosphere of the temples to have mine fields laying about everywhere:

Hidden bunkers. Everywhere.

Stuck in the library? Hidden bunker.

Meditating in the Hanging Gardens? Hidden bunker.

Working on your swoop bike? Hidden bunker.

It would take weeks to burn through them all, you think.

(Dantooine: +3, Telos: +12)

Admittedly, when not in use, the most help they can be is glorified storage rooms-- which, to be fair, Telos still sort of needed, but Dantooine is developed enough that you don't need more storage.

At all.

But, when you are attacked? They should be quite helpful.
--
Colonies Patrol: The Colonies have proven themselves something of a weak point in the Republic's defenses-- it is where most of the successful attacks took place. The Republic would be very happy if you helped beef up their defenses, even if you only send a Padawan or two to help out. (Gain Colonies Patrol) (+30 PP)

You have agreed to help bulk up the Colonies on a permanent basis, insomuch as you can, in fact, do so.

Now on the one hand, this does make the brass pretty happy-- things got surprisingly grizzly over there.

But on the other hand, you do have one, slight, problem.

Namely, just about everybody who can be deployed...has been deployed.

Everybody.

So you'll be shuffling up some of the patrol routes.

Atton has presented a plan, as has Juhani, but at the end of the day, this is your call, as Grandmaster:

[] The Atton Strategy: Atton, Kador, and their Padawans will be deployed to the Colonies, to bolster the defenses there. (C8 W7 S8 D7 V9 V7)
[] The Juhani Deployment: Revan, Bastila, Juhani, they were all Padawans when they stood against Malak, if only rank. Can your padawans do no less? You will deploy them, and prove themselves. (C9 W9 S9 D9 V9 V9)
[] Your Plan: You have a different plan. (Write-in Patrols)

(Consider, however, how those stats come about)
--

Uh, one other thing, I did not consider the positioning of Research Post. I'm thinking I will have it after these next mission reports, if that's alright with everyone?

 

[Voikirium]

Mission Report 3947 Q3

Mission 1 (Master Brianna, Master Juhani, and Knight Breda, 2 Padawans, The Core)
-Councilor Brianna-

The Supreme Chancellor has received a number of death threats recently. Most of them can be dismissed as some sort of perverse, ill-timed, ill-considered joke, resolvable by a visit from some very large, very angry men in the dead of the night. However, one has some merit-- it follows a pattern established by a mercenary working on Nar Shaddaa, for the Hutts. As a form of psychological warfare he sends questions-- riddles, really-- to the unfortunate target's manner of death, which he has, hitherto, always followed through on.

Naturally, we are on the case.
--
Mission 2 (Knight Kador Shirot, Master Atton Rand, Padawan Kozon Vahl, Padawan Sorda)
-Master Atton Rand-

A number of mining worlds have simply disappeared, seemingly into thin air, all of them eventually feeding into Balmorra. It's not just pirates, either-- they would have left behind, at least, the destroyed hulls of ships, the bodies burned, and most importantly, nearby systems would be being flooded with the stolen resources, instead of simply disappearing into thin air. The weirder part is that they all seem to be near Exe-

Oh, no.

[RECORDING CUTS OFF]
--
Mission 3 (Grandmaster Bao-Dur, Master Bastila Shan, Padawan Qayon and Padawan Zez-Kyrido, The Mid-Rim)
-Padawan Qayon-

Czerka Corp's muscle, by and large, is the Exchange's muscle. You rip the legs off of one, you rip the legs off of another-- and that is exactly what we are going to do. We are going to fall on Czerka like the very fiery blade of justice, and reclaim much of the material they have ripped from the galaxy. It will resemble, of all things, Shan Mitsil's Long March through the Mandalorian state, taking everything not nailed down, and turning what we take to our own uses, even as we bring the war and all its ugliness down upon those who began it to begin with.
--
Mission 4 (Mira, Visas, and Padawan Ralec Varn, Outer Rim)
-Councilor Mira-

So we know that whatever Czerka's planning, it requires real estate and explorers, but not much else. The thing is, well, we can guess something else: whatever is happening is lurking outside of the known galaxy. It's not Sith, we know that much-- it doesn't have nearly that much weight in the Force-- but all of the star charts, and supply shipments, and explorer contracts which we know of all head towards a singular point in the unknown reaches.

Well, clearly, the right move then is to head to that point ourselves.

But first, we've got to steal a ship with Czerka's star charts.
--
Mission 1 (Master Brianna, Master Juhani, and Knight Breda, Padawan Krawacca, and Padawan Zono Varr, The Core)
-Councilor Brianna-

I've never been one for riddles, myself-- so, instead of cutting him off on that end, we decided to do something else.

He always kidnaps his victims, as a sort of statement: "Not only will you die, but you will have last moments of pain, confusion, loss, and suffering." The sort of thing only someone who works for a hutt could consider acceptable conduct.

So, we've mostly been working on not letting them kidnap her. Around the clock, Jedi protection from ourselves, the Padawans, the squad-- hell, even the investigators are turning up.

So far, seven people have made attempts on the Supreme Chancellor while we were around. Not a one has succeeded yet! I expect eventually either this... "Game-Master"... will grow frustrated and make a lethal mistake, or Czerka will, and remove him.
--
???
-???-

-py, do you copy Republic Command?

Oh thank the stars!

Master, I swear I'm going to get us out of here.

Please come quickly, Master Rand is bleeding out!

It was--
--
Mission 3 (Grandmaster Bao-Dur, Master Bastila Shan, Padawan Qayon and Padawan Zez-Kyrido, The Mid-Rim)
-Padawan Qayon-

We've been destroying, and looting, and pillaging everything from one Exchange Operation to the next. Where we can we've been returning what they stole to the rightful owners, and where that is unfeasible, we've been donating it to the less fortunate worlds we've come across. More importantly, we've read reports of a massive depot of Exchange goods on Naboo, of all places; we're going to go take that, as well.
--
Mission 4 (Mira, Visas, and Padawan Ralec Varn, Outer Rim)
-Councilor Mira-

We've managed to steal a Czerka vessel-- honestly it was pretty boring, just a bunch of mindtricks on the right seedy bar and whoop, you've stole some mercenary's ship right out from between their fingers.

We are currently heading towards the location that Czerka has been funneling so much effort towards-- according to all known charts there is nothing there, when I can pretty plainly see some of the effects of its gravity on nearby worlds-- subtly, sure, but present.

Report back when we get there.
--
Mission 1 (Master Brianna, Master Juhani, and Knight Breda, 2 Padawans, The Core)
-Councilor Brianna-

I was right. He was an Arkanian, one of the albino skinned, nearly elfish in manner. Clad in green and of a less than joyous disposition, he attacked at the head of a mercenary army, apparently pushed on by his employers with threat of death. He managed to make it to the steps of the Senate building before we engaged in battle, but I found him a...less than effective foe.

(+15 PP)
--
Mission 2 (Knight Kador Shirot)

It was...

it was Sith. Not true Sith, one of the left over maggots, writhing in the corpse of Revan's Empire, bought by Czerka. She has one ship to her name, The Zealous, one of the big Sith vessels from the start of the war. She broadcast some inane speech from the bridge, then opened fire on the capital-- the only reason the entire government wasn't destroyed was Atton's thinking-- somehow, he knew what was happening, and managed to rally together the Padawans to evacuate the First Family to a hide out-- and then that damn fool tried to keep up the evacuation by himself.

For his efforts, he lost every limb, and took plenty of wounds to his torso as well-- it's a miracle he can breath under his own power.

Speaking of Atton, she seemed to know him-- by which I mean she broadcast video from his time as a Sith Agent.

I have some real questions for him, when he wakes up. But for now, I've managed to deflect all the press and others from him, not always gracefully.

(-20 Republic Morale, -15PP, Atton Rand disabled)
--
Mission 3 (Grandmaster Bao-Dur, Master Bastila Shan, Padawan Qayon and Padawan Zez-Kyrido, The Mid-Rim)
-Padawan Qayon-

The deed is done, but--

What do you mean, emergency call from Balmorra?
(-10 Czerka Morale, +30 Telos)
--
Mission 4 (Mira, Visas, and Padawan Ralec Varn, Outer Rim)
-Councilor Mira-

We've found it, and it's pretty damn impressive. It's...well, it's a giant ring, with an at least Coruscant radius, bearing a false habitat and plenty of Czerka goons.

More importantly, it's leaking all the telltale radiation and energy of a hyperdrive, and a big one at that. It's going somewhere.

Naturally, we're about to go through.

We'll send a report back when we can.
(Reward: Discover the Ring)
--

 

[The Englanderish]

In Repose​

A fever dream. Or penance.

In truth, perspective was everything. I was in pain, sure - more pain than I'd ever physically been in, and probably ever would. Didn't matter, after running from my justice all this time, I ran out of hyperlane. Squirming like a worm, limbs all gone - wonder if the hag saw this. But the joke's on her, and me, cuz I'm alive and smearing what she wanted with every breath. More time, time to pay the debt.

Second worst night of my life.

I'd do it again in a second. Well, if I could uh. Move. Guess I'll have to scrap the reunion I had in mind for when Meetra gets back. Wasn't even gonna be crude or lewd, lead with a massage, share a drink... maybe a lot of drinks. A dance - been learning, not too different to certain forms. And a thousand other little pamper-plans. Candle-lit. Heh, okay maybe a bit lewd, but classy kind I can fantasise a bit now it's never happening.

Sure, technically I could get a prosthetic set, but it'll never be the same (sorry Bao-Dur). And sure the Arkanians could clone me new ones, but it ain't like I deserve that kind of expense. Maybe if they scrape up the credits for Breda, I might get caught in the extra and get like half an arm. Sheesh, look at me - already bargainin' and stabbin' myself in the back over said bargainin'. Yep, that's me, wretched little Jaq- wait, was I going by Atton? This is some powerful stuff they've got me on.

Plus side though, guess I'll get to consider Sion a schmuck for letting this sort of stuff drive him ma-

Huh, Mira's here. Good to know one of us i-

Mira.

Oh Sithspit no, Mira stop it! Don't cry over me! I'm me! Crazed Wookie and Nar Shadaa don't crack a drop outta you but you get all soppy just because I got what was co-

!

Heh, never gotten a mental slap in a literal sense before, but guess I earned that one. You feel like you're on no sleep - I'll be okay for a bit, get some rest? For me? And ask Brianna and Mical to stop pacing, it's distracting. In fact everyone can chill a bit, think the happysauce is expanding the connections a bit. Hehehehe, Mical - meek. And another thing - tell Kador to get his head outta that officer's chest more often, won't be covering him for a while.

Thanks.

Which just leaves me back with my doped-up brain. I think, I really think... I did good for once. All those people... and maybe if I'm lucky I'll get to personally announce 'I lived bitch' to that femme fatale. That'd be great. Yeah I think I can cope just on the thought of that alone. Could hit Nar Shaddaa in my recuperation leave. Stint at the tables, good music, scam some schmucks - my kinda party. Maybe start a teensy bit of fun with some of the lowlifes - wonder if the Ubese are still there. Oh or the Gand! The Gand are the Gand, the Gand are the Gand!

Guess it'd satisfy everyone more if I went for something less risky though. Onderon was fun, maybe Talia can set me up a nice retreat. Or Manaan - ebb and flow, calm water, serene. Even has cards and betting swoops. Kolto baths are also a feature. Yeah actually, likin' the sound of that more and more.

Probably gonna have to put Brianna on my duties in the short term, at least until I'm allowed to move again. Probably not a promotion she'll want under the circumstances but I'll bury her in stuff to do, should take her mind off i-

She's here. It's been so long, I sound like an idiot. 'Hey sweetheart, how long you been here?' I can see her, we're in a.. rather nice apartment. Telos, restored, going by the window, there's a vibrant meadow down below, under the moonlight, and glittering lights dot the rustic city skyline. Here I am, ragged on a cozy sofa. And sitting here curled up to me, is a certain former Exile. Completing it all, are the candles and gentle flames behind transparisteel, in the masoned fireplace. Those shy, piercing eyes, I can feel them taking in all of me. Slowly.

'Oh... Atton. What did they do to you?'

True to form, I can't resist. 'Well first they unloaded with orbita-'

'Please - I can sense well enough.' Half-amused, half-horrified look in that nervous smile.

'Even from so far? And, cuddles?' There's a table in front of us, drinks, strewn Pazaak deck, fine food (or the remains of it), and... other items. It's not a large apartment, but it makes up for size in pure comfort and atmosphere.

One hand softly takes mine, rubbing it. Soothing, slow strokes. 'The circumstances are pretty extreme. I felt it, I think all of us did - how could I not follow your light?'

'Light? Let's not get too tinted visors here, I'm kind of a mangled, sorry mess, Meetra. But I'll live. No more steamy little encounters in the Hawk 'fresher I'm afraid, but hey fleeting is a quality when it comes to reminiscing.'

Something about her gaze is odd, and she cocks her head - and an eyebrow. '... And why would you suppose that?'

'Amps up the nostalgia if all we had was a short time together. Romantic, tragic, even a little teasing - could make a great holo, award-bait even.' I'm counting on my suddenly-returned fingers as I go. Let's try not to remind myself of ah, details.

'Ah, no I mean to say: why do you suppose this is the end of those 'encounters'?'

I'm stunned - and I thought she'd finally run out of ways to do that. 'Uhm, Meetra, I lost all my limbs. Like. Gone. Capn' stumpy. Actually I don't even have stumps in some cases. I can't exactly-'

Here comes that look - the one that's having none of it - whatever it is. 'Atton if you think I'd abandon you over such a thing, you have another thing coming. If the medical finances were bare, and I had to cart you around on a hoversled, I would kriffing do it when I get back.' Those eyes though, those damn eyes.

'I- th-thanks. That means a lot. I think you're gonna be horrifically unsatisfied, but it's sweet. I can probably at least promise basic mechanicals, not very dextrous, but functional.' Wiggle of my spirit-fingers. Heh, spirit fingers...

'We'll see what we can do. Even if it has to wait until I'm back, we'll at least try cloning.'

'Budgeted how, dare I ask? Please tell me it's cathartic.' With a stretch, I lounge a bit more comfortably on the cushions. Extra-fluffy, maybe it's all the painkillers the medics pumped me with in reality.

Inspecting a nail very casually - and wholly out of character for her otherwise, she finds my eyes again, and there's the spark. From Peragus, Telos, Nar Shaddaa, Dxun, Dantooine, Korriban, M4-78, Onderon, Malachor - every time she's been on the verge of doing something completely insane and nailing it. 'I'm sure the Hutts won't be needing the gigantic hoard of assets they have. Heists could be fun, but maybe a Republic seizing taskforce has its charms. Either way, putting blood money to a good cause.'

'Ruthless, I'm in. Eventually.'

'Hopefully you get a chance before I come back - I can feel the pain.' Taking one of the glasses, she holds the sparkling gold drink to my lip and I drink - not because I can't, this is a vision after all and I have my spirit hands.

'It'll pass.'

'Hrrm.' Somewhere between a pout, she closes in - and I wisely place the half-drunk vessel back on the table. Close, very close, almost meeting-

'... okay don't hate me but just imagine Traya's wrinkly old face if she could see you mounti-' No, I don't know how to be a good boy and accept things.

The look on her face though? Priceless. Do it again in a heartbeat. ... Do quite a few things again in a heartbeat. 'AHAHAHAHAHAHA wow, Atton, even for you, that was over the line. Maybe several lines.' Completely cracking up then, she throws back her own glass more to get her brain onto a more sensible track.

I'm not grinning I'm not grinning I'm not grinning- okay, fine. I am very self-amused, so shoot me. 'Got you laughing though. And I'm still doing better than Malak - there's a lot I can do with a functioning mouth.' I don't actually wink much - it's an art. But I do in that moment.

'Promises, promises.' Trailing fingers up my front, it's her turn to be overt, and my turn to gulp - and to feel pretty hot under the collar. 'Just, no Sion impressions.'

'Aye, certainly not, wee lass.'

'I need to learn when to keep my mouth shut.'

'Comes with the scoundrel. Also some free blasters, a superfluous eyepatch, a pair of epaulettes that've seen better days, and a mandatory box of treasure.' Yeah these medics have me very high right now, I think.

'And a flappy v-neck.' Her digits tap the very one I'm wearing right now. 'But I'm pretty sure the treasure is you - look at all the good you did today. Saved a world in effect!' Atton Rand knows how to deal with many things adequately, but this? Yeah I'll have an order of useless giggling with a side of blush. 'I can't even start on how far you've come. Atton Rand, saviour of Balmorra, if you'll forgive a little bit of grandiose flare.'

'Yeah I've been... just processing. And I'm glad, glad I stayed and did it. Every limb worth it.' As I say it, they fade from presence again.

'You didn't deserve it, this...' Yeah beating me to my own thoughts about tracks.

With a sigh - defeated though it's a defeat I'm happy to accept. 'Nah, I guess not. No matter what my dark little headspace says. Is what it is though.'

'I don't have a lot long left, so give my best to the others - trust each other, lean on each other.' Illustrative, she squeezes and I squeeze back. 'I don't know how much longer I'll be out here, but one day...'

Matching her wistful look, a stroke her hand a reversal of earlier. 'One day. Shame even I'm not fool enough to intentionally get myself ruined sorry enough to yank you in on the regular.'

'For the best. Next time you lot can babysit HK - he's funny in a group but when it's just him and T3, yes, he starts getting a bit grating.' With a soft, sultry smile, she's moving now- oh. 'And, about that massage you can't give - while we've got this little link up - you could...'

I blink, even as she's coming closer again, nose to nose. 'I love you. Should call you the Lord of Thirst - Nihilus had nothing on you.'

Amidst extremely silly and sultry giggles, my hands are back, possibly for the last time. I make the most of them.

Funny how long a bond-vision can last when you really try.

I'm Atton, Atton Rand. I never deserved a second chance, never deserved redemption. But I guess, that's the point - and you can carve that on my grave. But not today.

Wait why is Visas blushing?

 

[DaOneInDaCorner]

So this is my shortest Omake yet. Unfortunately had to cut some stuff out due to it not exactly fitting in organically. Still, hope it holds up.

Deal With the Devil

Atton Rand lay comatose, stuck in stasis within a tank of bacta - the trauma his body had undergone currently putting his mind into a state of forced recovery. Outside his tank, within the recovery room housed at the Jedi Temple of Dantooine, Mical offered words to the unaware patient. Neither had gotten along with the other, there was a mutual dislike between the two men but here and now, that hardly mattered. Everyone was making the rounds so to speak.

Bao-Dur was likely the one least involved in this ritual; the Zabrak hard at work running through different contacts within the Republic. It was unfortunate that despite the advances in robotic tech, biological matters were more specialized, only a few races of significant note being capable of restoring Rand to prime health. And robotics, while an option, would likely need to be a last resort. Prosthetics could often alter one's connection to the Force - for better or worse - and to replace every limb would leave Atton changed forever, in how he fought, and perhaps how he operated as a Jedi. It would take time to become accustomed to his new parts, and not everyone managed to alter themselves so readily to such a new dynamic. Even Bao-Dur could find himself at odds with his mechanical limb, finding different ways to makeup for the loss of an organic limb, and he could only imagine how the former smuggler would manage with not just one prosthetic, but four.

Bao-Dur was finding his efforts to be rather pointless, hitting dead end after dead end in his search. Arkanian's were the most obvious choice of course, though the race was rather isolated and remote, they were renown for their prowess in all things biological. Extensive modifications to the body could be done through Arkanian tech - a shame the Arkanian government was so closed off to the galaxy at large. Hence the problem he faced at this moment.

The Iridonian perused the Force, searching for a suitable answer - he was interrupted by the knock outside his door. "Come in," his voice was tired, his head ached and every syllable uttered reflected that state. So it was that an Ithorian man entered hesitantly. Though Initiates differed in age, this one was clearly nearing the middle portion of his life, and bowed to the Grandmaster deeply as the door shut behind him.

"Master Bao-Dur," he spoke slowly, cautiously, within his native tongue, "I am Janreh Batoth. I come here to offer my assistance in light of the latest events." The Grandmaster smiled just slightly, tiredness fading just barely.

"Thank you for the offer Initiate. But I'm not sure there's much that can be done at this point in time." The Ithorian fiddled with his hands, looking uncomfortable. "Yes... well, I wanted to offer forth a contact of mine. An Arkanian man."

That caught Bao-Dur's attention, eyebrows raised as he leaned forward. "You can get me into contact with an Arkanian scientist?" He nods, "Well, yes. I used to be a part of the restoration project at Telos, before I was scouted as an Initiate. During that time, I was often in contact with an Arkanian that offered genetic samples and cloning of animals to introduce to Telos - it was most beneficial to stabilizing the ecosystem and altering the wildlife to fit the planet." He hesitated now, Bao-Dur signalling for him to continue. "I believe I can get him into contact with you... though he himself is known to be a sort of 'collector'."

"A 'collector'?" The Master frowns, "explain yourself Initiate Batoth." The Ithorian is fiddling with the fringe of his shirt now.

"Yes well, the man was very interested in gathering genetic samples of a variety of beings across the galaxy. He is still young by Arkanian standards, and is on a self imposed pilgrimage of sorts - by the time he was settling into his goal, the Jedi had retreated into hiding. From what I recall, he was most eager to gather genetic samplings of a Force Sensitive - according to him, he wanted the genetic material of a "Jedi Master"... I don't know quite what he wants with it, but I expect he would be most willing to assist us with Master Rands injuries if you could offer him what he wants in return."

Sitting back, Bao-Dur considers the news, closing his eyes for a moment. He breathes deeply, nodding to the man. "Thank you for the news you bring, it will give me much to consider. We are lucky to have an Initiate as generous as yourself." He nodded thankfully, but strangely didn't make a move to exit. Anxiously moving from foot to foot, the Initiate spoke. "I... I don't suppose with this, that I might be considered to be accepted into the next batch of Padawans?" That causes the Master to hesitate, stunned by the boldness. He chuckled despite himself though.

"I will consider it," he assured him truthfully. The Ithorian rapidly bowed, thanking the Master and taking his leave. Bao-Dur turned back to face his window, face set into a serious expression as he considered his options.

 

[Voikirium]

There is an odd tension in the air as the seven of you meet. A gaping hole, a wound, an echo travels through the bond you all share, the bond that gives you strength-- and it is shaped like a certain Alderaanian smuggler-cum-Jedi Master.

The question on everyone's mind, of course, is what to do about Atton? His body lies near broken, swathed in the safety of the Praxeum, Arkanian and Balmorran healers working around the clock. He rests in a kolto tank, constantly fed enough sedatives to get a Hutt buzzed. Right now, Zez is working to repair build him new limbs-- prototype cybernetics, not as useful in a fight as your own repulsor-arm but a lot more subtle and with a lot less burned clothing.

Mical, meanwhile, has not left his chambers at any point since Atton's maiming, until this very instant. A scraggly beard covers his jaw, his eyes are bagged from lack of sleep, and his fingers constantly thrum in a pattern. He and his Padawan have been ripping through what records you can find, hoping to discover one who can give them some secret to healing through the Force. So far, the consulars are your best bet-- but even they are a far from sure thing: soothing the damage of a blaster bolt is a very different thing from restoring a wholly lost limb.

Or is it?

In any case, the Order still needs you, and it still needs to learn.

101/5=20 Points of research to be distributed as desired.

Tier 1

Training Doctrines- The methods by which you train new Jedi-- how and to what purpose. (Only one may be active at a time)
Many Students, One Teacher (0/5)- There aren't enough of you for you to teach only one student each. For the moment, at least, you need to be training multiples. (Bonus to recruitment Quantity)

Infrastructure- Recruitment, lost or abandoned Temple Worlds such as Ossus or Jedha, and other miscellany representing your Order's most important resources.
Ossus (7/15)- Examine the world of Ossus, determine if it is now safe for habitation, and reclaim the Temple. (Open Ossus to Expansion)

Tier 2

One Student, One Teacher (Tier 2 Training Doctrine)-One Master, one Padawan. One to offer wisdom, the other to seek it.
Old Friends (0/10)- Inevitably, Jedi make connections--friends--allies, outside of the order. These connections can be a great aid in negotiations, one which their apprentices can rely on. (+1 Diplomacy)
Broad Applications (5/10)- The closer connection between a single student and a single teacher allows them to help students shore up weaker skills, and develop greater ones. (+1 Skill)

Combat II- The Sith, the true Sith, are waiting for you out in the dark. It will require battle to save the galaxy from their evil.
Force Combat II (0/10)- While the Dark Side is a more combative thing, a solid base in telekinesis and other universal applications can allow you to do battle with less trained Dark Siders wielding only the Force. (May apply Wisdom bonus in combat against Dark Acolytes)
Fighting Basics (5/10)- A strong base in lightsaber fighting will serve as the foundation of your Order's approach to battle. You can get fancy later. (+1 Combat)
Armored Warfare (0/10)- You have a few suits of the heavier Jal Shey and Zeison Sha armor that do not overly restrict Jedi from drawing on the Force-- perhaps studying them will allow you to make your own? (+1 Vitality from improved defense)

Holocrons- Repositories of knowledge, they contain philosophical teachings, practical knowledge and history. In mechanical terms, studying them will grant you both raw Knowledge, and a bonus to parts of the technology tree.

Currently, you may study one of these Holocrons:

-Holocron of Arca Jeth (1/3)
-Holocron of Arren Kae
-Holocron of Karn Degarr
-Holocron of Homonix Rectonia
-Holocron of Vodo-Siosk Baas
-Holocron of Nomi Sunrider (1/3)
-Holocron of Odan-Urr
-Holocron of Sar Agorn
-Holocron of the Unknown Jedi
--
So I just realized I forgot to post the research turn last quarter.

Uh.

Whoops?

 

[Voikirium]

Spoiler: Winning Vote

[x] Plan: Harder Better Faster Stronger
-[x] Old Friends (0/10 +10 = 10/10)- Inevitably, Jedi make connections--friends--allies, outside of the order. These connections can be a great aid in negotiations, one which their apprentices can rely on. (+1 Diplomacy)
-[x] Broad Applications (5/10 +5 = 10/10)- The closer connection between a single student and a single teacher allows them to help students shore up weaker skills, and develop greater ones. (+1 Skill)
-[x] Fighting Basics (5/10 +5 = 10/10)- A strong base in lightsaber fighting will serve as the foundation of your Order's approach to battle. You can get fancy later. (+1 Combat)
-[x] -Holocron of Arca Jeth (1/3)

"I tell you, so long as the Jedi endure, Ossus endures. Kill a sun, birth a blackhole, bathe it in radiation, and still that world and the Jedi secrets it holds will endure." Master Jeth's Holocron replaces the image of the caretaker with a topographical map of Ossus. "But, a little help never hurt. You say the damn-fool Sith managed to blow up a star that was nearby?

You know, Ossus used to be a paradise world for Xim the Despot, a place to seek...pleasures. The curious thing about Xim is that as he grew more powerful, he grew more afraid as well, more attached to the power. Funny how that works, isn't it?

But, anyway, he wanted to keep a little slice of heaven for himself, in case things ever went...too bad. So he developed Palace-Bunkers, forbidden complexes dotting the surface of Ossus. Small Arcologies, really.

Not that that kept Xim from dying in Kossak's jails eventually. Fat lot of good they did for him, weren't they? Still, they should be helpful for you-- if nothing else, I'd bet they have some way of keeping out the ambient radiation. Probably didn't survive the supernova, though."

And with that, Master Jeth's holocron winks out. Not much from him this time, but helpful.

(+5 Ossus, +30 Knowledge)

There is silence. What are you going to do? Mira and Visas have both wandered off into some damn fool hyperspace gate, Atton is maimed, you might have a Sith ghost whispering in your head, and the Sith have struck again. Oh, it's the strike of a dying body-- but the Republic is stretched thin, taut, with its war against Czerka. There is absolutely no give in the Order for a Sith battlegroup to appear out of nowhere.

What you wouldn't give to have Meetra back.

"Yes, quite a conundrum, isn't it?"

You all rise from your seat, only to see a figure you had not expected to ever see again, in truth.

Atris strides into the chamber, her former white dress replaced with a simple jumpsuit-- if, still, in pristine white. A traveler's cloak flows behind her, the hood resting over her face. A new lightsaber rests on her belt, as she looks at the three of you.

"Hello there."

"Atris!" Brianna's hands tighten on her arm rest, and if she had even a little more strength they would shatter. "What are you doing here?"

"Well I called her." Atton's voice rings in the air for the first time since the attack. You turn towards the medical bay, and see him walking, stiffly, towards you. Immediately, you can tell that he is not ready for patrol. He doesn't look like can manage to eat solids right now, never mind get into a lightsaber duel. "Cause you're going to need her help."

You take in the erstwhile Councilor. Whatever his long term plans for limb replacement are, for the moment he has incredibly basic prosthetics-- mostly so he can help avoid muscle atrophy on the limbs that do still work, you imagine-- incredibly nasty stuff.

"We hardly need the help of one such as you." Brianna's voice is brittle glass and fury, all a moment from breaking, all just a second from a final snap. "You, who fell so quickly, and caused so much pain, have no right to walk in these halls."

"I am aware, Brianna." Atris turns away, towards Bastila, her former Pupil. "Are you well?"

"...I have heard stories of you, my Master."

"And I, you, Bastila." She turns away, and looks to you all. "I turned away from the galaxy when the Mandalorians attacked, and beings suffered. Rather than take to the field during the Dark Wars, I hid, and beings suffered. I will not repeat this mistake."

[] Accept the help of Atris, Last Master of the Fool's Council
[] Decline Atris