A Karkin' Shark Ate Me!: the Tragedy of Samuel L. Jackson

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Vorian Adasca"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

Ahto City Spaceport, Manaan

It was a first for both Jedi and learner to travel to Manaan. Dune had wondered at a world entirely of water on their descent. The city in which they now stood was an entirely artificial creation. It was amazing to see such a thing.

They'd cleared customs, speaking briefly with the Selkath official who'd met them. A peaceful, friendly species, the Selkath reminded Dune of his own Bith. And now the pair waited for Master Ike's arrival while seated with cups of tea. They'd come to, among other things, help repair environmental damage left by the Empire.

Even now, centuries later, there still were traces. That spoke to the devastating effects the conquerors had had. The Selkath were very appreciative though they'd made great progress over the decades. Into this, he'd brought Vorian.

The young Arkanian showed promise and he'd been watching. Now, he wished to see the youth's conduct on a foreign world so new. So far, he'd been extremely polite though curiosity shone in his eyes as his quick mind drank in details. Both were excellent qualities in an apprentice, Dune Rhur thought.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

A nice water world to relax and as the jedi master was working on things she stood there with her researchers. THey were artisan's made to craft and make things from other things. It wasn't classy but they could do it while pushing in with some excitement. They had been working on a submersible to explore the lift and a lot of the sections were there ready to go. All of their attention on gearing it up with suits as well as supplies for the underwater research facility near the rift. THey could explore it with the new sonic sensors to keep away sharks that wey'lan made and Satochi.... and there was the part where things had happened in the invasions to drive the sharks away from the rift where they normally lived. It gave the jedi master some ideas she could work on things checking over her notes.

 

[Tyberius Fel]

Vorian's eyes were wide with wonder at the mysterious planet of water and Kolto. The Arkanian's Snow Eagle soared through the air as it's mastery excitedly made idle conversation with every Selkath and observed every odd trinket and toy he could fit his pale, slender hands around. Almost childishly, Vorian tugged at the sleeves of Dune Rhur. "The Progenitor!" He repeated again and again, rocking on his heels with excitement. "Can we see the Progenitor? Please! I heard it is marvelous specimen! Is it open to exhibition? I wonder how much Kolto it produces. Isthekoltoachemicalbyproductofnaturalwasteproductsorisitaoneinamillionmutationlikethebiologistssonempresstetasay?" Vorian's words seemed to meld into one nearly incomprehensible jumble, such was his enthusiasm.

[member="Matsu Ike"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Vorian Adasca"][member="Matsu Ike"]

Taken aback, Dune would've blinked if he had eyelids.

"I don't believe it's on exhibit," he managed "However, we will be traveling to the Rift. The Progenitor is known to inhabit the area."

He looked to his datapad as it beeped with a new message. Matsu and her team had arrived. It was time to meet them and Dune beckoned the youth to follow. A few minutes later, they'd found the Master. Dune bowed, observing the formality towards his friend and mentor. He did this to remind his young charge of proper decorum.

"Master Ike, this is Padawan Vorian Adasca."

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Vorian Adasca"]

Matsu looked up and over while she was working on some of the things and held the datapad for a moment while she bowed her head to Dune and seeing his padawan there was a lot of excitement. THe small master was almost giddy but under that stoic look of contemplation before. "Welcome to Manaan and one of our main submersibles." SHe was still getting it loaded up but there was a few more things while containers of processed nysillin were coming in. "We are finishing loading it up to resupply the station at the rift and work with the selkath. The Order of Shasa's few remaining members are down there."

 

[Tyberius Fel]

Vorian blew a loose lock of his long, silvery hair away from his face as his vision panned up to Jedi Master Matsu Ike. A small flush went across his cheeks, as he wondered if she witnessed his whole tirade with Dune on the subject of exploring Manaan and the Progenitor. The Arkanian Jedi straightened his back and then bowed deeply, in a respectful manner to the female Jedi Master. "Greetings, Master." He introduced himself. "As Master Rhur stated, I am Vorian Adasca, Jedi Padawan of our Order." Restraightening himself, he caught the submersible out of the corner of his eye, then refocused his vision to Matsu as she spoke.

"Shall we be riding in the submersible?" Asked Vorian, interest piqued. He had never been underwater in such a matter before and now that he dwelled upon it, he became somewhat giddy at the prospect of exploring the famed waters of Manaan.

[member="Matsu Ike"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Vorian Adasca"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

"My excitable young friend forgets I'm not a Master," Dune said while giving the youth a look. Eyeing the submarine, he was interested but perhaps not quite so enthusiastic. Then again, he reflected, a starving man wasn't as interested in food as Vorian was in learning. It was fortunate that he'd added the bifurcating cyclical ignition when learning of the journey to Manaan.

He'd looked up the instructions from Master Kit Fisto in the archives. The Nautolan had recorded the knowledge centuries ago but it was still as valuable. Easier to add the modification than he'd expected. It was a wonder more Jedi didn't add it, just in case.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Vorian Adasca"]

Matsu looked at the two now and gave a nod of her head. "Welcome and the excitement might be contagious. You never know as we head down. I'd recommend though making sure your sabers are modified for underwater use. We'll be outside near the ruins and we've only been able to create a couple of area's for exploration and air pockets to not need the suit. The jarna stone we have been getting from Hok's importing for us has proven effective and short of a superlaser it won't crack easily." She had a smile with that though while going into the submersible while she looked at some of the equipment that was thre. "You can also see some of the other things we have made. The silent glaive has proven interesting."

 

[Tyberius Fel]

"The article of 'master' is meant as a respectful title of address, not recognition of your actual rank, master." Vorian had either forgotten or decided to completely disregard Dune's earlier request for the young Arkanian to refer to him in informal terms. He spun around to face Matsu Iku, noting her advice on modifying lightsabers for underwater use. "I'm afraid Maste Rhur will have to adjust mine's for me. I'm not quite sure if I'm capable of such a thing myself." Noted the Arkanian as he nimble limbs propelled himself into the confining depths of the submersible. I hope I don't suddenly discover a sudden, paralyzing fear of claustrophobia.

[member="Matsu Ike"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Vorian Adasca"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

"I can't waterproof your training weapon on the go," the Bith said whilst stepping into the sub. "I need a workbench, specific parts and time. Perhaps next time you'll think of asking beforehand. You had several days notice." His tone was as dry as Manaan was wet.

Making his way in the narrow confines, he sat at the navigation console. Piloting a submersible was in theory like a starship but he'd leave it to the experts this time. He sighed and wondered if he was ever like Vorian with his Master.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Vorian Adasca"]

Matsu looked at the padawan and Dune as she raised an eyebrow.... she had forgotten most of the time that not everyone had their sabers like that. It was standard for her sabers and her padawans blades along with a few other enhancements. She was looking for a moment setting aside her Senbonzakura and Haineko on her hip as the twin saber. As she was sitting down at the console and setting the course as the sub was sealing for a moment. "If need be there are some parts down at the station. The Selkath retrieve coral for some artisan's to work and make different types of lightsaber hilts for celebrations."

 

[Tyberius Fel]

Vorian's lips pulled downwards, appearing to almost whimper in the face of Dune's (perceived) harsh criticism. Stiff upper lip, Vorian reminded himself and thus assumed a flat, neutral expression quickly afterwards. "Understood, Master Rhur." Vorian gave a slight bow of his head as he seated himself within the metaled walls of the submersible. The Padawan's Snow Eagle, Leto, deftly slipped in through the hatch and took up stalwart position besides it's master before the vehicle sealed itself. "Manaan Coral?" Questioned Vorian with a lifted eyebrow, hand instinctively patting the head of his bird. "How much does it cost?" Inquired Vorian, though as a largely possessionless Jedi Padawan, he had little credits to pay for an artisan's work.

[member="Matsu Ike"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Vorian Adasca"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

Dune turned in his chair and clapped a hand on the youth's shoulder. "Please take no offense at my tone, young one. Perhaps I can guide you through the process after this."

The Bith listened about the coral and, though he remained quiet on it, he suspected that the Selkath might gift the young learner for his help.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Vorian Adasca"]

Matsu was listening to them as she set the course an heading down into the water the lights didn't go on. THe auto pilot could guide them to the station easily enough before she was moving her hands on some of the boxes. "THe coral here is beautiful, it has been interesting to experiment with how to craft it. Same as working with crystals to make things or with some of the stranger materials. We experimented with a cryoban and glass saber to see what we could do and it was interesting making a saber case out of ice. Certainly helped remind the jedi who were using it that it was there... alas though." She opened the one case withdrawing the white slightly thicker robes. "This is the real treat, the selkath are helping with infusion and attuning of the robes. We have been working to make them augment the wearers ability to resist energy and darkside force energy directed at it. So far it has been rather successful and with the weave inside of it as well as the materials. A jedi can have robes as strong as some of the heavier armor suits in the galaxy with far less weight. We've already perfected that technique on our bodygloves."

 

[Tyberius Fel]

Vorian bowed his head briefly to Dune, then tilted his chin upwards to listen to Matsu speak upon the topic of Manaan coral. Occasionally he gave a nod to confirm his attention, and after she finished, he spoke. "So, we can manipulate the coral into robings and hilts resistant to the force?" The Arkanian seemed amazed by this concept. Robes light enough to provide comfort and freedom of moment, yet strong enough to protect it's wearer from harm. Letting his mind wonder, the young Jedi directed his vision to the exterior of the submersible, watching schools of fish species alien to him swim by in gigantic schools.

It was clear Vorian was fascinated by wildlife.


(Sorry for the wait.)

[member="Matsu Ike"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

For Matsu Ike, a day without new ideas was probably like a day without sunshine. Dune always wondered how she never ran out of ideas. Maybe it was through osmosis. Maybe the Force whispered to her in her sleep.

Vorian was fixated on the marine life all around them. It was incredibly interesting, a world within the waters. A self-contained ecosystem that had evolved with no natural landmasses. Perhaps there had been once but no longer. The fish swam among the coral, stingrays and jellyfish and a plethora of others.

[member="Vorian Adasca"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Vorian Adasca"]

Matsu looked at the two of them as she raised an eyebrow. "Yes you could make it but it isn't just the coral." The right materials can make any number of things as she was looking out the window and the station came into view with its lights all around the sides as they were coming in. THe sub bay filled with researchers and some of the jedi they had working in the lab areas. Slowly the droids they were docking with the side. "We are here, welcome to the Order of Shasa's station and home. Be careful of them, we don't want to upset them." Inb truth they liked to work and were invaluable in some of the research they could do as she came out of the sub clasping her hands together. "There is plenty to do down here, you cn even swim if you want though maybe at best for five minutes without one of the pressure suits to handle the temperature. The selkath have been working on some things for us and we've managed to expad some of the station into the rift for overseeing parts of the kolto that is being produced."

 

[Tyberius Fel]

The Order of Shasa. Mentally, Vorian swished the words inside of his head. Taking another glance outside of the window, he witnessed Jedi and researchers scurrying about, performing their various duties within the labs. The droids similarly raced to the sides of the submersible, mechanical limbs rapidly aiding the process of docking. Briefly licking his lips, Vorian's head snapped back to Matsu Ike. "I'll definitely like to see where Kolto is manufactured, but I suppose you already have a plan for our trip here, master?"

[member="Matsu Ike"]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune smiled as he looked between Matsu and Vorian. The young Arkanian would learn the Master always had a plan, even when she didn't. She was a paradox and like any other, you could argue in circles endlessly. But that was one reason the Bith admired Matsu, she made him think and in unexpected ways.

The trio exited the craft, followed by the Selkath research team. Around them was a large dome of what Dune imagined was transparasteel. It allowed for a magnificent view in any direction. "Amazing," the Knight said to a researcher who smiled, proud of her ocean home.

[member="Vorian Adasca"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Vorian Adasca"]

Matsu looked at the padawan as she was leading the way though. "Well I usually just see whatr we can do." They had been working here much like in some of the other ones while the submersible drones were floating around depositing samples and she stopped at the one room going into it. "Down here though we have most of the things we need to explore the rift and area around it. After the sith's invasion and sinking of the city the rift was attacked. We've been working to recover what we could from it and study the effects and have seen a great deal."

Matsu was taking a moment as she looked at the crates in the room looking out the window as more of the stuff. The deep sea crafts that were working to show sections f the ruins for them to work with. She was pulling the white robes out of a crate as the selkath researchers unloaded more of the equipment including the aeroponics bay they could make additional food as well as the rows of tactical cans. "These though are the real treat of what we are down here to work on." She was setting the robes up as one of the selkath activated a blade from shatory slashing into the fabric that resisted it. "We've been workign on making robes jedi can wear that are as strong as any armor."