A Blue Milk Run

[Kana Truden]

A warm smile spread across Kana’s lips. “You may just be right on that.”

Kana entered the cave herself and closed the doors. The whistle of the wind from outside quieted down. The cold died down and in front of them was a big temple-like interior. All around them were shining, gleaming, glittering crystals that cried out to be gathered.

“This place should be safe enough. If you want to split up that’s up to you.” Kana turned to look at [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] with a shrug. “You should find the crystal that seems right just for you. On top of harvesting a few for the order. I’d say bringing back a small dozen each or so should be good enough.”

With that in mind Kana slowly approached a small cluster. These crystals seemed as good as any to start with. As long as they didn’t get too carried away there was little to worry about, right?

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Wandering around from cluster to cluster, the young Jedi looked around for the crystal. That which was to be used for her reconstructed saber would have to be perfect. She wanted to feel it, to know that it was the one. Just any crystal wouldn't do. She had spent a lot of time on the original lightsaber, and wanted something of equal quality to replace it. After thirty minutes of looking over a number of sub-par specimens, she came across an ornate green Kyber crystal, shaped to perfection by the passing of time. This was it. She took her time in gathering it, carefully removing it so that it maintained its perfect shape.

Once she had gathered a crystal for herself, she shouted over to [member="Kana Truden"], "I've found one for myself master. I will start gathering the rest now, and then we can split this frozen heap!"

 

[Kana Truden]

They separated. A few steps into the cave and Kana could feel something, a feeling she hadn’t felt for a long time. A crystal calling. She let the force guide her towards it. Seraphina called out and Kana couldn’t help herself from sounding uninterested.

“Yeah yeah.” She waved her hand without looking at Sera. “Do it.”

It was like being driven by instinct but beyond that. She had to get this crystal, she was sure of it. Like a stumbling idiot she made way to an isolated cluster. It felt eerie that a small rock that stood alone from the rest of the crystals would call to her, but it did. It was from it that she felt it. The calling of that one crystal that connected with her.

She reached out for the crystal and without much of a struggle she eventually found it resting in her hands. A clear blue, shimmering little thing. A smile grew on her and she quickly pocketed it. She would have to think of a way to put it to good use, but for now there was a mission to get underway.

Stepping over to where the other crystals were she looked over at [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] and smiled. “I’ll try to get us somewhere warmer next time. Mustafar, maybe?”

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera raised an eyebrow towards [member="Kana Truden"] as she kind of shrugged off her student. Hmph. Well then. Sera continued to gather small crystals both green and blue in color, smiling to herself as she sung a cantina song that had become stuck in her head the last time she visited the slums of Nar Shaddaa. Perhaps Kana could hear her, but she didn't care. She had to get it out, or she was going to go insane. The song just wouldn't leave her.

Another hour or so passed by, she wasn't entirely sure, but she had in her pouch about a dozen and a half crystals. Twelve blue and six green. They were all relatively nice and shapely. Sera liked the ones that had defined lines and smooth, soft ridges. Kana made mention of Mustafar for the next journey. It was certainly much warmer there, and the heat didn't bother her nearly as much as the cold. Sera sarcastically responded as she finished gathering and storing the crystals, "Yea, yea. Sounds great."

Finishing up with the collection, a horrible, loud, echoing howl traveled from the entrance of the cave down towards the duo. "Um...What was that?"

 

[Kana Truden]

Crystal for crystal found it’s way into her pouch as the job neared completion. A strange familiar signature made itself felt, no wait, several. They felt similar to the ones on Rhen Var yet different somehow. A hint of suppressed fear erupted for a second as Kana had to think fast. Her concentration was broken by the howling. They were back and they were coming their way.

“Oh no!” Kana cried out. “Ready yourself, Sera! They’re not going to play nice with us.”

The fact that the Knight seemed terrified would easily spill out into the force. Last time she had seen these things was around the time she was a padawan just like [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] except defenseless. It had been the trip when she built her saber.

Eyes shot down at the saber in her hand and she was reminded of how it felt to build it and why she built it: To protect herself and others. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. Back then she had been an inexperienced Padawan. Now she had become a Knight and to think she hadn’t learned how to take care of a few beasts would be silly.

The beasts’ footsteps approached them rapidly. Soon they would come to clash.

It was time to face the fear. “Remember, keep calm and strike carefully.”

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Still only have one lightsaber. 'Tis truly an unfortunate day for me. Kana's Padawan took a sideways stance, her lightsaber pointed towards the floor of the cavern in her right hand as she flipped the activator. The purple blade danced to life in the signature snap-hiss, illuminated the rocks and crystals in the immediate vicinity with a soft purple hue.

"Are those Gorgodon beasts I can hear? I've never seen one up close, only read about them in the archives. Are they truly as bad as you're feeling right now? Or did you just have a bad experience in the past? Because... Master, I can feel your sense of dread." Sera stood her ground as the pounding of their feet grew nearer, the shadow of three, no, four beasts barreled down the cavern, smashing their large, hulking fists against the wall, continuing their bellowed snarls and roars. They had found two perfectly sized meals to feast upon.

[member="Kana Truden"] gave her own advice to her Padawan, the Twi'lek nodded, her head turning back to face the approaching group. Her left foot slid slightly forward, the left arm crossed in front of her, palm open, the right knee bent partially as she slid the saber behind her back. "These creatures are predators. They prefer live prey. We shouldn't kill them if we can escape. Perhaps we can scare them? Or fumble them so that we have time to escape?" The girl looked around, stalagmites hung from the ceilings of the cave. Most were sharp, potentially lethal. Those wouldn't do. She needed something better, something more versatile, and she was running out of time to do it.

"There!" She pointed about 10 meters away, to a formidable sized chunk of rock that was only partially lodged into the ceiling, as if it were eroded away by time and prepared to release its grip and fall to the ground below. "If ever there was a time to use this in all the years of practice, now would be it!" Sera focused, calming her mind, her hand outstretched as she closed her eyes. The pounding of the beasts approaching fell deaf. Her lips curled slightly, as she pulled more and more energy in and through her. Small beads of sweat appeared over her brows, before pulling her hand back. The boulder shifted and swayed, dislodging itself from its earthly prison before falling into the invisible hands waiting just below it. The weight of the object was immediately passed through The Force to her. She grunted as it stabilized.

The beasts drew closer, charging on all fours. If [member="Kana Truden"] was speaking, her Padawan couldn't hear her. All of her focus was on this rock, and its destination. She waited, and waited. She waited until the Gorgodons were just about to pass under before dropping it heavily onto their backs. She had done reading about these creatures, enough to know that while they are very strong and armored, they are also clumsy, and a large boulder was enough to trap two of them beneath it, at least for the time being. Sera exhaled rapidly as she opened her eyes. Seeing just two approaching was a far more reasonable defense than four. At least the pair were more agile than the hulking beasts. "Do we have everything we need? Because now we need to go! I don't want to kill them. This is their home, and this is their instinct. We shouldn't be their executioners because we invaded their home for some shiny rocks Master."

 

[Kana Truden]

That was their names? Gorgodon beasts? They had been there, the first time she experienced this dread and it was certainly resurfacing. The hulking, the howling and the ferocity she knew them for. It had taken the padawans a lot to rid of them the last time and now it was time to face them again.

Or at least so she had thought. It’s a sad day when the student is the one to make the good and smart moves but just this once Kana was willing to allow it. Okay, she would have allowed it other times as well, it was a good idea.

Kana slowly backed away from the beasts as the boulder fell into place. Two of them passed it by and Sera still had the rights of it.

“I agree, we make way for the ship.” Kana turned around in order to prepare for a run. “Their home, their rules. You’re right, let’s run.”

It was the code after all. A jedi respects all life, only a shame Sera knew that better than her master did. Perhaps it was the fear, which come to think of it would most likely have had considerably more disastrous consequences had she stayed.

No, staying would have been the wrong move. They had to run.

She let out a final cry out before entering a sprint. “Go go go!”

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Watching as [member="Kana Truden"] began to make way for the exit, Sera followed closely behind, leaping up and over the monstrous creatures as they closed the distance. She activated one of her lightsabers as she ran, slashing at a number of the stalactities that had grown through the flooring of the cavern in hopes to trip up the large, clumsy beasts. "Right behind you master!" The exit seemed light years away as they continued traversing the depths of the caverns to escape. Surely the two trapped beasts would not be held for long, their combined strength would likely be more than enough to force their way to freedom in a matter of time.

Pointing towards the mouth of the cave as they approached the exit, she picked up the pace, the beasts not far behind as they angrily pursued them. "There's the opening! We're almost there! Just a bit further!"

 

[Kana Truden]

A bit further indeed. The stalactites fell to the floor and that’s when it hit her. There was something Kana should have done long ago. While still in motion Kana sped herself up with the force to be ahead of [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] before turning around way ahead of her. The force would be an easier alternative here, shouting was after all a bit more… Uncivilized.

‘Sera, listen to me and I will give you the very basics of how to use the force to speed yourself up.’

‘The basic idea is very simple. Focus on your legs as you move, let both your body and the force carry you onward. Let the force propel each step forward as you push for the ground to move ahead.’

This felt so weird. Like, really weird. Perhaps that practical example with Tacitanya had her rethinking her approach? Or maybe, just maybe it was because it was something they both needed to know how to do right now.

‘In a quite literal sense let the force guide you. Let it move you but be wary of your limits. You’re still very much actually running and your legs will without doubt take note of that.’

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

In an instant Kana pulled ahead of her. Far ahead. Holy kriffing hell. A moment later Kana was inside her mind. She hadn't time to ask what was going on, or why she was doing what she was doing. She simply let Kana speak to her mind.

While still running towards her master she followed the instruction, now was not the time to ask if this was part of the plan to train her this skill, because the answer didn't matter. It was simple, escape, or be eaten by terrible, terrible hungry beasts. Focusing on her legs as instructed, looking ahead as Kana looked on, the pounding of the Gorgodon beasts behind her only served to motivate her more.

A moment passed and her legs felt as if they were gaining more ground at a faster pace, though the tiring labor of running did not grow any weaker. At least this was working as intended. Perhaps today the Force, and a bit of luck were on her side. 'Right! Thank you! A wonderful talent! Let's go, yes!?" She made her best effort to keep up with Kana, though still relatively new to the idea, she would need to work on the ability more in the future, but for now, this would hopefully suffice.

[member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

“You got it!” Kana turned on her heel and set sights for the gates. “To the ship, I say!”

It almost felt a bit sacrilegious to lead monsters into the carved out interiors of the grand entrance but it was the way out and Kana intended to leave through that door with no monsters on her tail.

It was good to see Sera be able to pick up the skill that fast. Though maybe it was because necessity called for it. In any case they would indeed have to work on it. A spar consisting primarily out of two force sped combatants, now that would be something. She stored the idea for later in case they were to do such a thing later.

“Almost there!” Kana’s voice chimed and echoed around the grand entrance. “Just a little bit further until we’re home free.”

If only nothing got in the way. No wait, that felt like a jinx.

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera continued the hyper-sprint trailing behind [member="Kana Truden"] a ways, as the ability was not entirely refined as it likely should have been by now. None the less she managed, keeping her master within view as they slowly pulled away from the hungry beasts. They appeared to be losing interest, perhaps they knew they weren't able to keep up any longer with the now enhanced running of the two Jedi.

"Back out into the cold! Hopefully the ship hasn't become a frozen artifact lost to the snow yet! I don't particularly wish to stick around any longer than we have!"

As they drew nearer still toward the entrance Sera felt the unyielding blast of cold, arctic air nipping at her face. Towards the mouth of the cave was nothing but a blanket of white, it appeared that a snow squall had moved in. Navigating through to reach the ship again would likely be an interesting endeavor.

 

[Kana Truden]

“It better not! Corvus would kill me!” Kana slowed down in order to let Sera place herself side-by-side. “We make for the ship and warn others of the caves, let the professionals handle it.”

If snow blowing was enough to whip your face, then running through such a whipping force was a surefire way to feel the lashes of a billion whips at once. The ship felt like a mile away. So close yet so far away.

“I’ll take the pilot’s seat and you’ll go for… Whatever it is you want to go for.”

Hurried footsteps seemingly echoed in the ship as Kana made way for the cockpit. Through the windshield she could see the hulking figures of a couple familiar friends approach. A worried set of motions had her flicking the switch to the engines to prep it all for take off. The figures came closer. The engine sprung to life and slowly the ship rose from the ground. The loading ramp started to close when suddenly a loud thud had the ship shaking.

For a second they were overweighted. A whine and a second thud later and it was gone. One of them had nearly gotten aboard had it not been for the loading ramp closing just in time.

“Too close.” Kana exhaled. “Way too freaking close.”

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

The sound made by the Gorgodon attempting to board the ship was one of flexing metal, scraping of claws against durasteel, and the thud of sheer weight against the loading ramp. Sera looked over at [member="Kana Truden"] with such a horrid look. Not wanting to take even the slightest chance she nodded back toward the bay, "I am going to go check the damage, and make sure we have no stow aways." Placing the crystal safely into a pouch next to Kana and scooping up her saber from her belt, she cautiously crept back toward the ship's loading ramp.

Nothing. Thank the stars. Clipping her weapon back onto the belt she investigated the damage to the ship. The ramp was a bit disformed, and there were some seriously impressive gashes in the durasteel from the creature making its' attempt to cling to the ship as it took off. Other than that though, it held up pretty well, all things considered. She breathed a quick breath of relief through her parted lips and returned to Kana.

"All clear. Though we'll have to explain to Corvus that there are some minor repairs in order. The ramp is a bit jacked up, and theres some unsightly marks on the floor." Sitting back down next to her master she slipped the crystal out of the pouch and admired its beauty. She did very much enjoy constructing her previous two sabers, so she was looking forward to the completion of another.

 

[Kana Truden]

“Oh thank god.” Kana let her head whip back into her seat. “Minor damages is nothing compared to Corvus’ track record.”

It would most likely get her a yelling or two but when you compared it to what Master Raaf had managed to do with the ship it truly was nothing.

“You know, she’s crashed this ship at least twice. I’ve read both reports extensively, quite a good way to end any argument with her. I mean, there’s a reason I am the pilot of our little duo from now on.”

They entered space and the ship calmed down, somewhat.

“Have you met anyone around the academy you’ve truly connected with yet?” Kana looked at [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] and smiled. “I met Corvus when I was a Padawan. I was kinda... Actually, you know what? That's probably not very interesting at all.”

“Still, have you?”

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

"She's crashed...Twice?" Sera giggled at the thought of not being allowed to pilot her own ship anymore. "I don't suppose those reports are...Public?"

The question [member="Kana Truden"] posed was interesting. She hadn't really thought much about it until now, but the answer made her a little self-conscious. "Ummm...Well..." She paused while Kana continued to start a story of her own before abruptly halting. "No, please go on. I'd love to hear! I'm afraid there's really nobody around Ossus that I've bonded with. But I guess that's just how it goes."

She glanced back down to the crystal she'd been holding, rolling it about between each hand as a sort of mental distraction. The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed it made her feel. Why haven't I really bonded with anyone? Sera considered for a moment those she had met thus far, and as much as she hated to admit it, the only one she had any real connection with was the Sith girl who betrayed her on Manaan. Though it would probably not be the wisest idea to name said person in the company of her master.

 

[Kana Truden]

“No, they’re not.” Kana giggled along. “We’ve stashed them safely somewhere only those who would need such reports would be able to find them, don’t you worry.”

It was a very loose answer in case [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] would get too curious. Those reports would be better left unseen by prying eyes. Sith ships being spotted nearby in one and Silver Jedi stamps on the other, needless to say it didn’t look good.

Upon request Kana relayed the story she cut short figuring it was a good way to take mind off of things.

“Well, okay.” Her eyes set out for the big windshields of the cockpit as if she saw it as clear as day.

“I was still new to the academy after having been found on Alderaan by Knight McKeller. I was nineteen at the time and I don’t know if you had the same troubles as I had, but that temple is a nightmare when you’ve just arrived there. All those corridors and hallways that just seem to lead you in circles. All the people around you doing these weird things.”

Kana chuckled and looked at Seraphina.

“To be honest I was kind of envious at first. What with the way they all leaped walls as if they were so great, but that’s when I met Corvus.” A very warm smile spread from cheek to cheek. “We accidentally bumped into each other one day. I had been walking in circles for hours trying to find my quarters and Corvus had managed to find herself with a spot of free time in her busy schedule.”

“Oh yes, she was quite busy even back then. We had a walk and talk where we just sort of clicked. She listened and I talked. I didn’t know it at the time it was because of all the empathy business, but after she learned how to manage that she became the Corvus you know now.”

“Honestly, she’s like a sister to me and I really couldn’t ever see me getting this far without her. I know that’s a bit of a fallacy when it comes to the way things work in the Order but in this case it’s an attachment I can’t seem to rid myself of.”

“It’s still a very dangerous thread to tread though and we’re both aware of it, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera snapped her fingers at the misfortune of not being able to read Corvus's crash reports. "That's too bad. Perhaps I will have to go searching one day. If they are juicy enough to hide, they must be worth reading!" She laughed, though she was entirely serious about enjoying that read.

Listening to the tale Kana offered she nodded, reminding herself of her first master. Though her situation was slightly different with regard to the type of attachment, she understood where Kana was coming from. She forced herself to smile slightly and offered up her own small bit of information and advice, for whatever it was worth. "I pray you never cross that bridge. It's a burning bridge to which neither direction is pleasing to retreat to. I had my one attachment ripped away from me, violently, and without an alternative. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. But if nothing else it helped shape the person I am today. I am glad you two have each other, but don't let it compromise either of you. We can't afford any more good Jedi losing their lives needlessly."

She gripped the crystal in her hand and looked out into the darkness of space, the isolation and solitude reminding her that out here, amongst the stars, everyone is alone.

[member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

“Go ahead.” Kana nodded at [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]. “If you can find them.”

Which she most likely wouldn’t unless she fancied rooting around her master’s quarters. Which to be fair, no real jedi would do. Would they? No, they wouldn’t but the squint of Kana’s eyes to stare her student out of such a foolish idea was worth a shot.

The topic moved across back to attachments. The violent ripping, the hurt and pain. Deep down Kana was already hurt. The reflective images, the unthinkable actions and reaction to having the one person you care the most about ripped away from you was painful at just a concept stage yet Kana forced herself to think of it as a way to prepare herself.

If Corvus died there was always the possibility that things would be taking a sour turn.

“Death, yet the force.” Kana sighed. “I know what you’re saying and I know that you’re right. Neither her nor me are superwomen. At the end we know one of us will be hurt, but we are both ready to accept that.”

It sounded a bit weird, or did it? It felt weird talking about it. “I just don’t see me being where I am today if not for her. Just, you know, she’s like a sister I never had.”

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera cracked a small smile towards [member="Kana Truden"]. "I don't know whether or not anyone is ever really ready to accept something as drastic, or tragic, as that. No matter how much you tell yourself, nor how many times you recant the code in your bed at night. When the moment comes, there are no barriers in the galaxy that can halt your immediate reaction, or even your following actions shortly thereafter."

In a way the Twi'lek was happy that she didn't have anyone left that was close to her. The memories pained her from time to time, and once in a while she would have a terrible nightmare to which she would relive that moment, but short of those two things, she was relieved of the burden of caring for others. It made her life simpler in most aspects. And feeling alone felt better than the pain of loss. She felt a better Jedi for it.

"We should be back in a few hours. I think I'd like to take the remaining time to meditate with this new crystal in preparation for the reconstruction, if that's alright."

[member="Kana Truden"]