A Living World in the Unknown (Jedi on Zonoma Sekot)

[Coren Starchaser]

The New Jedi Order had fought the Yuuzhan Vong. And that was one of those stories that people weren’t completely sure that happened. He knew that there was a world that was living, he’d been there before, before the timelines were re-established, and had spent time working on getting a ship created. That was one thing he knew for certain, and the ship Cross Current had arrived at Eira Pechel. The ship was as happy as a cybernetic/organic vessel could be to be called by the person it was bonded with. Having landed, the ship pulled itself into he hangar bay near where Coren and the gathered Jedi were. The ship was going to help the shuttle get onto the world. The trip was of a simple mission.

Go to Zonoma Sekot. Learn about the Force. Interact with the world.

And one thing that was set in stone, even from Coren Starchaser, who did nothing but hunt down fights to clear the galaxy of the darkness, and exploring the dark reaches of galaxy to bring the light and ensure the darkness wasn’t as all encompassing as it was. Today, though, he was following the rules set out by Farseer. The Praxeum was a learning school as much as it was a place to network Jedi and to help out other Jedi. But today, there was a trip with some of the senior members, as well as most of the students.

A living world, a beacon in the Force. The students had been loaded up, and subsequently dropped off by a modified Gamma-class shuttle. Weapons removed, by increased shields and speed, the transport, named Academic One. The ship was piloted by one of the more eccentric of Jedi aces, capable of moving the shuttle just as well as someone like Coren, or Jerek.

The trip was given a simple set of rules, bring food, camping supplies, an open mind, datapad, and lightsaber. This was not a war, it was a listening mission to the world, and to the First Order. The Knights of Ren were some form of Force users, and they were decidedly dark in Coren’s book. The trip wasn’t taking much though, the ship had gotten through o the account of being an academic and civilian vessel.

And now, with the Cross Current and Academic One touching down, Coren and the other leaders had stepped onto the surface. They found a place near one of the Ferroan cities and the water. Taking a look around, Coren was doing his best to mask his presence in the Force, all the while still reaching out to the planet and the Jedi around him.

“Lets set up the camp, and when we’re ready we’ll get moving. For those of you who haven’t been here, even if we’re under First Order command here, we’ve got some options. Zonoma is the world, it has a bountiful amount of offerings. Remember the talk of the Vong and their living technology? Zonoma has that, just not as… perverse. I know some of you are researchers, there may be flora and fauna here that can be useful. The world also has a unique way of providing for it… let's call them residents. And they hold the history of the world very closely. I know there are some temples here, we may not be able to get to the shipyards, but we can speak to the Ferroans about the shipbuilding process and the way the Force interacts with everything on this world. And for those interestedn CrossCurrent here is my Sekotan ship. She’ll allow you to study her on this world. This is a learning exercise, guys, and I’m not a teacher, but I am going to be meeting with the Ferroans, so if you’re interested, I’ll be leaving in 30.”

He looked around at the group. “Also, word of warning, watch out how you use the Force, and what you say. No clue if any Ren are here, but I am not in the mood to fight them today.”

Faction thread, kind of a BYOO ---

Lead yourself but a quick check on the Discords, find any medicine, or healing powers the planet may offer. Learn about Force piloting, and the unique cybernetic/organic ships and what they really mean, find history of the old ‘New Jedi Order’ of Legends lore, and the war of the Vong, and how the Jedi have evolved. If First Order folks show up, have a staring contest, but this isn’t a skirmish, try not to break their toys.

Also, have fun!

 

[Nida Perl]

The ship touched down on Zonoma Sekot and Nida felt a wave of nausea roll over her. Not that she wasn’t used to flying, but this was her first time in potentially hostile territory of any sort. As a child she had faced many frightening things, but the Sith and the First Order and whoever else was out there—they were unfamiliar to her. Nida liked to know what she was going up against, the more she understood the less she feared.

But…there wasn’t much to go up against today. At least, that’s what one of the Knights had told her. They’d traveled to this word for exploration and education, not as invaders or hostiles. The Zeltron wasn’t sure how that worked, but somehow she’d found herself signing up for the mission. Through her layers of anxiety and social hesitance, Nida wanted to learn what she could.

Healers were always mandated for any sort of mission, right? She’d been reading up what she could of the local biome and making notes of any plants that could be of medicinal use. Pick some flowers, stay out of trouble, then go home.

Nida crept onto the exit ramp almost as if she were sneaking about. It was hard to shake the feeling that you didn’t belong, but she supposed it was something that all new recruits faced. After Master Starchaser finished his announcement, Nida adjusted the canvas bag over her shoulder and headed for the edge of the jungle. At least there were others about, which did something to quell her nerves.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Zonoma Sekot, a world that was all but unknown to the Master of Ren, he had visited the world once long ago, his mission to destroy the Potentitum sect that was hiding there. He had accomplished just that, and holdng a conversation briefly with the voice of the living world. Whether if it was the Force or not he couldn't say. But the mysterious technology of the Yuuzhan Vong, combined with the technology the Kaminoens had to offer he was able to restore his body, to finally stop from being a cybernetic monstrosity.

Now returning to the world, his saber staff and the blade to which was his companion. Vader's Bane, the weapon to which was his primary one for engaging Jedi, today he had come back to the world, hoping to speak with the voice of the planet once more, to see what it had to say now about the state of the galaxy. More were welcome to come along, to study the planet perhaps in hopes of adapting to their enemies, training ground or maybe even collecting more of the technology. To even improve their skills or find something more here on this world it didn't matter.

Amongst the group that he was with, he sensed something in the Force, but what he couldn't tell until he saw a transport approach on the horizon, looking with his HUD... He saw the occupants step out... A familiar look he had not seen in a long time. "Brothers, Sisters.. We may have some uninvited guests." He said giving those around him a look before moving along towards those who he had thought he destroyed long ago... The Jedi Knights of the New Jedi Order.

 

[WolfMortum]

A living planet, such a thing would have been a marvel to his old friend Kantha Maitri, no longer in contact with Bekk nowadays, yet forever in his thoughts all the same. He and Motoko were out there somewhere, seeking their own paths both in the force and in life as simple individuals outside of the Jedi Order now. The mission to Zonama Sekot had been put forward to the Jedi Academy Network, and though he and his new Padawan Learner [member="Chiassa"] had been on the World of Jutrand at the time, the Jedi Knight had taken to reading the proposal with great intrigue, not as a Consular like his old friend, but as a Jedi Ace. A pilot of the Order, with a great yearning to learn the ways of Navigation through communion with the very Force itself. Such a world could hold a gateway to techniques outside of his depth, certainly with the World being able to move itself, if legends were to be believed.

He and his Padawan had returned to Eira Pechel, where they had first met, to rendezvous with the rest of the Jedi there before departing for Zonama Sekot, many of their peers seeming rather intrigued and excited to be sharing in such an experience, just as Bekk was certain his Tholothian protege beside him was as well. Chiassa had proven to be an excellent student thus far; she had her flaws, but the important thing was that she was humble and self aware, able to recognize and grow from her mistakes, as few they seemed to be. Today would be her first day carrying her new Hilt outside of the Academy of Jutrand.

When the pair of them met the open air of Zonama alongside their peers, Bekk found himself relieved to be out upon solid ground once more. There had been nothing discomforting about the flight itself, but rather Master Starchaser had expressed some concern for the territory that they had crossed into in order to find their destination. So far Bekk hadn't had the pleasure of running into the First Order before, however with such a vast reputation about them, he had assumed that it was only to be a matter of time...

[member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Chiassa"] | [member="Nida Perl"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] ​

 

[Amilthi Camlenn]

Amilthi was pleased to observe [member="Coren Starchaser"]'s lighter mood. He was less preoccupied now than usual with the struggles of the galaxy. She wondered if perhaps the ship itself exerted some kind of calming influence - apparently it had a particular bond with its owner; and perhaps it was her own quiet, unobtrusive presence, too, that put him at peace, strange as the idea seemed. They had passed the journey in silence and, for Amilthi's part, meditation, which was something of a change compared to their usual heavy conversations.

It was an exception for her to be dressed, as she was, in grey and beige rather than black, but the less severe appearance seemed more appropriate for a meeting with a strange people. Amilthi held herself in the background, emerging from the ship as Coren gave directions, such as they were, to the others who had come from the Praxeum. It was clear what she was going to do in this place. The Ferroans had a Force tradition of their own, or at least beliefs about such. The library records had many an unkind thing to say about them, though some more nuanced treatments could also be found. Amilthi was going to see for herself.

"I'm surprised you're not keen to seek out the Langhesans", remarked Amilthi quietly when Coren had ended. She looked at him with a gentle, curious smile. "What's on your mind?"

 

[Eisenweber]

Lieutenant Colonel Daan DT-130
Zonama Sekot Surface, Magister's Palace Ruins

Daan's emerald green almond-shaped spheres study the foundations that rose from the soil, surveying them carefully behind visor she studied them and while not an architect she had been a qualified Xenoarcheologist and Xenoanthropolgist and met the sight with barely contained glee. "It's beautiful." Pausing for a moment Daan leapt forward sliding down the crater's walls on boot heels, coming to a dexterous stop at the bottom Daan could perceive the soil's warmth through the Duranium armour across the neural interface device, studying the foundations closer and kneeling close to the remains of a wall amongst the debris field she examined the craftsmanship before continuing to [SIZE=9pt]oogle[/SIZE]. "It is magnificent, the sediment used in this wall is ancient." The words roll out of Daan's mouth precisely, ensuring helmet's feed captured her observations.

Pausing for a moment Daan's eyes briefly examine the length of foundation exposed above the rich soil. "At a guess, approximately one millennia old. Recommend dispatching an Army Engineer detachment to secure the ruins for cataloguing and study." The Commissioned Officer and Death Trooper [SIZE=9pt]is[/SIZE] cautious with her departure from the site, treating the ruins with a near-religious reverence in choosing where to place her boots and the sheer several hundreds of kilograms of weight they supported. Daan's ears detect the distant sound of a shuttle soar high above a partition of clouds, feeling exhilarated from the discovery of ruins she scales a nigh vertical wall with swift agility arriving at the precipice with a short exhale.

Dropping through the layer of cloud Daan's gaze immediately begin studying the pair of spacecraft' features, the visor display magnifying eighty times with the cones and rods inside her eyes flexing with such a strength she makes a detailed analysis of their physical appearance despite the rangefinder insisting the displacement between them exceeded a little over five [SIZE=9pt]kilometers. "Got a new [/SIZE]contact, two unarmed civvie shuttlecraft." Daan leans forward with toes straddling the edge of a cliff face that hangs about one-hundred meters above the forest's floor, and an interesting floor it is. The planet is unlike anything Colonel Sarnova had ever witnessed before in her life, an incredible sight without peer; a planet where the flora visibly animates and shifts before ones' eye.

"Maybe they'll have cartography data we can use, would you [SIZE=9pt]kidnly[/SIZE] assess the physical design of those ships for me, Dash?" Daan asks with politeness and humility not typically characteristic of Imperial Officers, dropping off the ledge the pair of Ion thrusters embedded in the rear of Cuirass jet downwards towards the earth that quickly rises to meet the Death Trooper's boot treads. Landing safely with a gentle bend in knees DT-130 breaks into a healthy spirited albeit not too challenging jog which for the baseline Human is more comparable in speed to the top one percentile of one-hundred meter sprint athletes.

"Colonel Daan, one of the vessels is[SIZE=9pt]....[/SIZE]Organic in nature, its' registration according to engine signature is 'Cross Current' the vessel's design is eccentric and I cannot immediately draw conclusions to its' origin." Dash's voice possesses a metallic reverb to it, reminding Daan if she had forgotten that the voice talking to her is Synthetic in nature, a droid consciousness to be precise.

"What about the second contact, Dash?" Daan's query earns an immediate answer.

"Registered as 'Academic One' standby, cross-referencing with [SIZE=9pt]on-board[/SIZE] database."

Daan's path takes her around and between tall oaks that rose high into the air. "Report; no data available."

Sighing the Colonel couldn't help but let a small smirk rise in the corners of mouth followed by a brief chuckle. "Those ship names." Chuckling again, before replying to a concerned Dash whilst weaving between tall oaks and sliding above and under overgrowth. "University students and faculty from an Independent system that doesn't share information with our own customs agency most likely, judging by the registration. Nothing to worry about, if I'm right we have nothing to worry about." Pausing for a moment, entertaining for a brief moment that the subjects might be bold unsavoury pirates or slavers in this corner of space. Even though Dash could 'hear' her thoughts across the neural lace Daan still felt compelled to verbalise them to the droid consciousness who for all intents and purposes shares a nervous system with the Death Trooper in the power armour. "Now that I think about it, we don't really have anything to worry about either way."

[SIZE=9pt][member="Coren Starchaser"], [member="Bekk Mag'ra"], [member="Kyrel Ren"], [member="Nida Perl"], [member="Amilthi Camlenn"][/SIZE]

 

[Rosario Perlyn]

While her master [member="Zylah Dvale"] was busy conferring with others from the Praxeum at Eira Pechal and exchanging news of current events, Rosario had taken the chance... not to be alone. She knew nobody here, but being her master's Padawan had been enough of a justification to be allowed to come on an expedition to what was by all accounts a most extraordinary place - not that Rosario had a firm grasp on what was ordinary in this galaxy.

A living, sentient planet - that was certainly an extraordinary notion. Rosario had learnt how life and the Force pervaded everything, and a planet and its inhabitants at a whole could have a certain feeling to them, but there was never such a thing as a mind that was specifically the planet's with thoughts and feelings of its own. And now by all accounts this was supposed to be different.

She was giddy with anticipation and had begged the pilots to be let into the cockpit on approach so she could see the planet from space, and knew enough to recognise the oddity of jungles abutting a polar snow cap. Rosario expected to feel an overwhelming presence when the approached the planet, but even when she set foot on it, there was nothing. She was disappointed and, for a moment, felt dejected. Around her was only the mixture of anticipation and curiosity of her fellow travellers - and the anxiety of one. Rosario frowned, and when she looked around to find its origin, she spotted a girl of her own kind, perhaps some years her junior, standing at the edge of the clearing in the jungle on which they had landed. Her own mood brightened again and she went straight up to [member="Nida Perl"].

"Hello!" she said in a friendly manner, putting her hand on the girl's back as she stepped around into her field of vision. "Were you going to go into that jungle all alone?" Rosario asked with a sort of playful skepticism.

 

[Robogeber]

"Come children!" The mechanical voice barked, its echo resonating through the thick jungle. "We are not too far now!" The voice continued. Now, the way was clearing. Evidence of civilised interference on the world coming into view, thinning out the thick shrubbery and seeing the first layers of progress. Stone, ornate paving now contrasted against the dirt of the ground, as the strange party made its way forward. Carlyle Rausgeber, or what remained of him, lead the way. Followed closely, by two smaller figures. Approximately four, or five by most estimates. But, what was perhaps most striking about them, was their skin colour. The pigmentation of their skin, was not human. It was a strange, and honestly quite disturbing, light blue. As if someone had taken the sky, and faded it.

Behind the two tykes, a group of stormtroopers, clad in black followed. Scanning the treeline for any threats which dared interrupt the outing. Rausgeber turned, to examine the party. The two children seemed to be fascinated with a small flower, which oozed pollen, and had he been able to smell, perhaps he would have too been encapsulated by the scent of rich, sweet chocolate. But, for now, Carlyle decided it was time to make camp. "Agent Ventor," He barked to the pack of stormtroopers behind him, "Return to the shuttle, and retrieve the luncheon. I dare say we overestimated the journey, and no doubt my lovelies will demand rations." Ventor nodded, and turned back, he could already tell that the Agent was not quite a fan of this new arrangement. And who could blame her. She was essentially an over glorified governess, rather than a ruthless bodyguard. But, perhaps that was the price she would pay for having failed in her duty. Still, she moved toward the shuttle. The sharp, black fins, still visible. "We stay here," Carlyle barked, to the remainder, "For now, at least." He looked into the distance, and could see his destination. A great stone obelisk, dominating the skyline for miles around.
The droid slowly approached the elder of the twins, Tasdo'zel'urnis, or Zelly, as she earnestly preferred in basic. She had yet to master the nuances of her mothers Cheunh. Now, she was squatted, examining something, while the younger of the two, Maxamillian, danced around in circles. "And what have you found there?" The droid inquired, as he approached his daughter. Although, parentage was of course a philosophical debate in of itself. He leaned over as well as he could, when he was met with a mischeivious chuckle. Zelly seemingly had a knack for that. The child was attired in a conservative dress. A long black skirt, with white blouse. Of course, with her knack for exploration, it was already showing signs of wear, and unfortunate holes.

He soon found out when his faceplate was doused with dirty, Zelly had turned and thrown it at his face, "Bugs!" She called out. Carlyle wiped the muck from his face, and his optical sensor managed to close in on, and examine the insectoids she had managed to dig up. His face imminently turned to concern, when he saw something resembling a scorpion in her little turqouise palm.

"Zelly," Carlyle offered in a warning voice, "Zelly, you should really put that down." He continued, but for his efforts, was met with a stern pout. Of course it was going to be this way.

"No." She grunted defiantly, "He's mine."She cradled the bug in her hand, and moved it away from the droid.

"Zelly, please, he could dangerous," Carlyle implored, "We don't know if it's venomous or if there's an antidote, or if-"

"No Father," She sternly continued, "He's Mister LongTail, and he's my friend." Defiant. Just like her mother. Carlyle realised he didn't want to pick this fight with his children, particularly with only a few more days with them.

"Well then." Rausgeber mused, with a defeated sigh. "We shall ensure Mister LongTail has a square meal with us." He looked around, hoping to see his son. "Maxamillian?" He barked, "Maxamillian?" No sign, the Grand Admiral eyed his security staff, "Where the kark is my son?"


[member="Daan DT-130"] | [member="Amilthi Camlenn"] | [member="Bekk Mag'ra"] | [member="Nida Perl"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Rosario Perlyn"]

 

[Seto Du Couteau]

Seto Du Couteau, Ren
Equipment: Two Lightsabers (Emerald and Ruby) | Spot
Objective: Observe and Report

​

Passively Seto remained indifferent with his appearance, a straight poker face as he continued to move quickly through the heavily forested area of the planet. Not that the effort of his body to move as quickly as he did offered little exercise, simply Seto kept up his attempt to remain as passive as possible doing so; with mixed results. The trees around him were quite tall, nearly daunting to climb, but that did not stop the idea of potentially climbing one to enter his head.

No, it was the fact that the possibility of his cloak becoming ruined ended the argument in his head about the benefits of achieving a higher ground. Then again if I wasn't concerned with keeping my Force presence very small, making such jumps without the risk of harm to my clothing could have been easily achievable. Fortunately for a very select few, Seto cherished none more than his sisters and brothers of Ren. . . and his clothing.

Seto eased his pace to a brisk walk, the fear of being spotted now very minimal but this planet provided quite enough distractions to warrant more than enough attention from passive observers and towards one's own survival or sanity in some cases. Of course, given the nature of this planet Seto had no intention of simply broadcasting his own presences, but it was important to remember that he was not the only one that could hide behind so many powerful Force users among this planet's surface.

Peculiar all the same though, Seto bore no ill will to anyone, be them Jedi or Sith alike, not that nobody could earn Seto's ire or pity, simply he found the prospect of First Order allowing Jedi to enter their territory fascinating. Furthermore, that any Jedi willing to enter First Order space without their own Fleet large enough to stretch from here to Corellia only added to his fascination to them. They've earned his attention.

"Maybe I should ask them for their visas," Seto spoke, a grin tugged his lips, "-Just for some fun." Maybe these Jedi would appreciate card tricks just as much or a bit more than the last Jedi he had met.

Spoiler: Tags

[member="Daan DT-130"] | [member="Amilthi Camlenn"] | [member="Bekk Mag'ra"] | [member="Nida Perl"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Rosario Perlyn"] | [member="Robogeber"]

 

[Kaiah Nihl]

Kaiah Nihl, Disciple of Ren
Equipment: Crimson Lightsaber.
Objective: Practice Falling/Landing.
Nearby: [member="Nida Perl"] | [member="Rosario Perlyn"]

​

Kaiah let a contented sigh, stretched her arms out, and tumbled off the branch. She grinned, letting the pull of gravity bring her ever closer to the ground. At the very last moment, her hands shot out in a splayed motion. She used the force to blunt her decent, turning the fatal fall into a graceful glide. The entire motion might have even been impressive, had she not ruined the maneuver by crashing into a large fern. She scowled, but it was quickly replaced by bubbly laughter.

She had followed her esteemed colleague and friend, [member="Seto Du Couteau"], to a land thrumming in life. She had not expected to find such energy anywhere away from Nagi, but she was so very wrong. The very planet seemed to quiver with a nameless potential energy. She continued to travel with her fellow Ren for a time, but soon she was drawn deeper into the jungle, feeling a child-like urge to explore. She climbed the tree deftly, drawing on her many years of climbing at as a child. She padded along the thick branch, once again reaching her perch. She had readied herself for another dive, when something ‘pulled’ at the edge of her senses.

It was not one of the native creatures, their signatures were loud and obvious. No, this was different, a different quality to the rest. Like a musical note slightly off-key. She bounded further along the thick branch, leaping across to another tree. From there she continued through the treetops, moving towards the mysterious tug.

Was it Seto? He was probably still in the area, no doubt making great pains not to mar his clothing in the muck. But no, it could not be. As she drew closer she could tell there was, in fact, two separate entities.

She was very close now and drew ever more on the force to find the anomalies, so much that she was heedless of her step. She let out a gasp of surprise as her foot extended out into empty air. Some small part of her mind remarked that falling was far less fun when it was unintentional. Gravity pulled her into a tumble, and she pushed her hands out, to try and stop her fall. Her training over the last few hours meant that she managed to slow her decent to non-lethal levels, but her panic meant she hit the ground with as little grace as possible.

“Bah” she said, spitting out dirt. She rolled over, sitting up and smoothing out her dirt-stained white robe. She was halfway through shaking the dirt out of her hair when she recalled what she was doing before she fell. Spinning around on the spot, she turns to find two pink faces staring back at her. “Uhhhh” she said, suddenly unsure of herself. “Hello”.

| [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Bekk Mag'ra"] | [member="Amilthi Camlenn"] | [member="Daan DT-130"] | [member="Robogeber"] |​

​

 

[Nida Perl]

She should have felt the approach from behind. Should being the key word—what was that ability called? Force ‘sense’? Mother had assured her that it would come in time with training. Besides, it was difficult to keep track of the many signatures that were about, each carrying a note of difference.

Still, Nida jumped a little at the friendly hand on her back. “Oh!” Looking up from her datapad, the Padawan couldn’t help but smile sheepishly. It was something of a relief to find another shade of pink staring back at her. “Hello there. Sorry about that!” Nida turned in full, showing the woman an image she’d pulled up on her datapad. “There’s a species of Gabaki plant that’s said to grow in the jungles of Zonoma Sekot. I thought that I might be so lucky as to find one growing along the perimeter but…” Looking around, it was clear that nothing in the vicinity matched the image. Nida wasn’t particularly keen on traveling into the jungle alone, as the new arrival had suggested.

“If you’re not busy, do you think you’d be able to a—”

Without much of a warning, something—someone—dropped unceremoniously from the treetops at their feet. Nida jumped, again, because she was a ball of anxiety and didn’t know what to expect.

That didn’t stop her from swinging into action.

“Oh no!” She gasped, kneeling down and placing a hand on the stranger’s back. On instinct, she was looking for any bent appendages, lacerations or spots of bright crimson. “Are you injured, miss? That was quite a fall!” She was up and moving, which was a good sign. Hopefully no traumatic brain injuries today.

[member="Rosario Perlyn"] | [member="Kaiah Nihl"]

 

[Rosario Perlyn]

"Hmm." Rosario leaned over the datapad and inspected the image on it. It was a plant that didn't resemble anything that she had seen - not that that mean much, as the only flora she was familiar with was that which could be encountered in the vicinity of their home on Ithor.

Suddenly she gasped and look up, her heart had made a jump, affected by a moment's panic that was in the air, though she didn't know its origin. It revealed itself in the shape of a grey-skinned woman who came down tumbling through the trees. Rosario watched wide-eyed and stared at her in astonishment even as she began to pick herself up and the other girl rushed to make sure she had not come to grief.

"Uhm... Hello." Rosario tilted her head and examined the woman, then finally smiled and extended her hand to help her get up. "Are you one of the locals? Aren't you supposed to have blue skin?" she asked with naive curiosity.

[member="Nida Perl"] | [member="Kaiah Nihl"]​

 

[Robogeber]

The droids face was one of malice, and fury. A menacing glare was now visited upon Agent Erwin Edlemann, who now quivered beneath the attention of the Grand Admiral, "I told you, not to take a damn eye off of him!" The droid thundered, his voice resonating through the trees, "He eats dirt, lodges toys up his nose, and you saw fit to let him wander off by himself?!" The Grand Admiral bellowed, "Insolence Agent, absolute, karking insolence!" He turned from the Agent, and his eyes rested upon Zelly, who was busy digging a home for Mr LongTail. The droid allowed an exasperated sigh, and looked into the jungle. Worry frayed his circuitry. How would Morro react to these events? He'd lost his heir.

Edelmann, who had visibly recoiled beneath interrogation, now stood tall, "Sir, I offer my full apologies." The agent continued, "But your son told us he was going to relieve himself." Even beneath the black helm of an FOSB Shadowtrooper, Rausgeber could tell Edelmann was blushing. "I presumed he'd take a second or two, and gave him requisite privacy." The bodyguard continued, before looking into the thick jungle. Rausgeber scowled, and also looked at the thick jungle where his son had ventured into it. This, this was a mess. One he was not quite sure how to fix.

"We follow him." Rausgeber continued, "We are going to go and find him." He looked around at the other agents, "Agent Dellvue, do watch my daughter, and relay to Special Agent Ventor the circumstances of our predicament, and rendezvous at the Obelisk." The droid commanded, "As for the rest of you," His head turned to the team of special forces, Skull Squadron. His own praetorian guard of FOSB trained operatives, who had served him now for close to a decade. "Should you fail to find my son, I will see fit to have each and everyone of you relieved of your position," The droid coolly drawled, "And your lives." Turning toward the jungle, Carlyle Rausgeber entered. He would find his son.

POV: Maxamillian Erwin Rausgeber

The jungle was filled with wondrous smells, and sights as the Chiss hybrid wandered further in to the wonderland of Zonama Sekot. Something with a green tail, had appeared to him. Or more accurately, he spotted the fluffy tail slinking away as he relieved himself, and as such, he ran further and further in, chasing the beast. He had fortunately inherited his mothers species, astute hearing and eyesight, meaning he was bombarded with stimuli, as he wandered through the warren of thick roots, ferns and bushes. The whole jungle, seemed alive. Far from the sterile world of star destroyers, and secluded mansions the child was used to. Even Aunty Marthas farm on Dosuun with Aunt Emmy, didn't have this many animals.

The long green tail, wound itself through the trees, over rocks, and through streams, "Come back!" He called to the tailed creature, "Stop!" The child called beneath the call of a choir of birds, hanging from a tree. "Oh come on!" Maxamillian grunted, as he tripped over a thick tree root. Despite the set back, he was nonetheless determined, it had eluded him for too long now, and as he drew closer, he jumped on it. What happened next surprised him. A great roar, which resonated for miles around came to be, as Maxamillian discovered the tail's host may not have been friendly
Sitting on six legs similar in look to that of a gross insectoid, with the head of some kind of great, angry beast. The animal was adorned with three horns, and four eyes, glowing yellow. Its body, was hulking with muscle, and brittle with scales, green, and camouflaged against most of its surroundings. After the gargantuan yelp, the best turned its attentions onto Maxamillian, and opened its maw, showing off three rows of jagged teeth, soaked with thick, red saliva, or possible blood. And it was at this moment, Maxamillian, at least momentarily froze.

[member="Rosario Perlyn"] | [member="Nida Perl"] | [member="Kaiah Nihl"] | [member="Seto Du Couteau"] | [member="Daan DT-130"] | [member="Bekk Mag'ra"] | [member="Kyrel Ren"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Senari Gravis]

So it came to pass that Senari Gravis had finally found himself a group to be with, after the massacre of what was once the Jedi Order he was a part of.

The Praxeum had taken him in when he'd wandered up, unwashed, unkempt, reeking of alcohol and various other unpleasant stenches; they gave him new clothes, a place to bathe and sleep, they tried to treat him for his other problems. Not that he'd let them ever be effective, no; so far as he was concerned, he didn't have any actual problems. Everybody had coping mechanisms for what happened to them, and for Senari, that coping mechanism was divided between strong drinks and solitude.

So, shortly after the group had landed on Zonama Sekot, he managed to extricate himself from the overly-loud mass of students and start wandering through the brush. His plan was simple—find a nice clearing, drinking along the way. Then he would hang out in the clearing and probably drink himself to sleep there. Then, after a day or so had passed, he would wake back up, find his way back to the ship, and be ready to leave with all the others.

It was rather foolproof.

Thus it was that he was wandering around under the trees, looking for a spot to rest. He hadn't yet drank nearly enough to impact his senses; nor enough to diminish his reactions to anything. So, when he heard a mighty roar—promptly followed with a spike of fear through the Force—he knew something bad was happening. Judging by the volume of the sound and the strength of the sense, it was very near as well.

"Oh, kark," he grumbled, before taking off running in the direction of the roar. He cast out his senses; nearby, he could sense both a beast, animalistic, driven only by hunger...and some young sentient near it, judging by the light skimming he could do. He picked up the pace, bursting out into a small clearing, only to see his quarry.

A large, six-legged, multi-eyed creature, staring down at a small boy, lying frozen in the dirt. "Hey!" he yelled, and the creature turned to him in surprise. He stretched out one hand, telekinetically grabbing Maxamillian's ankle; before the beast could decide to turn its attention back to its prey or to start moving towards Senari, Maxamillian was quickly drug along to a position behind Senari.

Then Senari drew his lightsaber, holding the light blue blade out threateningly towards the beast. "Get on your feet, kid," he growled to the boy behind him. "Hold on to the back of my shirt, and we'll start walking slowly backwards. Got it?"

[member="Robogeber"]

 

[Robogeber]

POV: Maxamillian Erwin Rausgeber

The boy simply stood there, and began to stumble backwards. "S-sorry!" He yelled apologetically, "I-I-!" The boy did not seem to understand how or why the beast acted like it did. The beast leaned in, and was about to snap, at the boy, before he was dragged out of its range. The arrival of the Jedi was not registered by the child. All his attention was fixated upon the beast before him. So when the Jedi acted, Maxamillian face planted in the mud, grunting. Before the Jedi could pull him, he balled a fist, and clutched at the cap, which adorned his head, and was pulled succinctly out of reach. Screaming, and kicking the whole way. It was then that Maxamillian finally noticed the figure, and when behind him, he stood up.

His whole body was transfixed upon the gargantuan beast, which slowly moved toward them. Learing at them. Maxamillian clutched onto the man's back, and winced when he heard a familiar sound. Lightsabers. His heart skipped a beat. His fathers words, the films he'd watched, all showed those who wielded these weapons, murdering innocent cadets and stormtroopers. But, right now, this man was about the only thing between himself impending doom. Perhaps it was his fathers callous opportunism, or the obedience his mother showed, but Maxamillian followed his directions perfectly. His eyes now transfixed on the glowing blue blade rather than the beast which had lured him in so far.

Now, he began to retreat, all the while clinging to the force using shaman's shirt. "Come on!" The boy hissed angrily, "He's still coming!"

 

[Senari Gravis]

Senari started to step backwards as the child pulled him along, his blade still held in a threatening position. The beast wasn't advancing particularly quickly—likely the smell of ozone coming off of the blade was enough to give it pause—but Senari would prefer it wasn't advancing at all. Still, he would prefer to avoid actually hurting it, at least with the lightsaber. If he used the blade he'd have to kill it outright.

And, threatening though it could be, it was still just an unintelligent beast, and didn't need to find its end so quickly.

He switched off his lightsaber, reaching out with the Force; finding the mind of the beast, he lashed out at it with a blast of mental white noise. It wouldn't do much but stun it for a few moments, but that was all the Jedi Knight needed. His lightsaber was placed back on his belt, and in one fluid motion he turned, hoisting the boy up out of the air and into his arms.

Before taking off through the forest faster than the creature could ever hope to follow, his form turning into a mere blur as he ran aided by the Force. After putting what felt like a sizable-enough distance between himself and where he'd left the beast he slowed back down, setting the child carefully back on the forest floor.

"Alright, kid, a word of advice," he began, going back to his usual irritable state, "Don't go roaming around in the forest alone. Corollary to that is don't mess with any animals you find." He brushed some of the leaves and needles off of where they had gotten stuck to his clothing in the mad dash, taking the moment also to catch his breath.

"You have a name, or am I just going to have to call you Stupid?" Without waiting for a response, he started walking along again, waving for the boy to follow along. "Stick with me and I'll get you back to the Jedi I came here with, maybe we'll be able to get you back to whoever is supposed to be taking care of you."

[member="Robogeber"]

 

[Kaiah Nihl]

Kaiah Nihl, Disciple of Ren
Equipment: Crimson Lightsaber.
Objective: Greet the Newcomers.
Nearby: [member="Nida Perl"] | [member="Rosario Perlyn"]

​

“Ah!” Kaiah exclaimed, winded from her fall. “I’ve faced more dangerous foes than the ground”. She took the offered hand and rose to her feet. Attempting to steady her breathing, she continued “It will take more than a simple fall to defeat me”. Her breathless state didn’t help her boasting, unfortunately.

The pair were kind, especially towards a stranger that had almost literally appeared before their eyes. She recalled some lessons she had learned when talking to others, and attempted to ‘dial back her personality’ as her brother said. “Ummm, what I mean to say is that I am fine, no injuries”.

They were a curious bunch, another enigma she’d discovered on her odyssey. “Ferroan? No I’m not, although I do happen to have similar eyes”. She tapped her cheekbones, opening her eyes wide to reveal the orange-gold bands around her pupils. “I’m of the Nagai. I suppose we have a bluish hue, in a certain light”. Her grey skin was a legacy of her people, but her orange eyes were a legacy of her family.

“And you are Zeltron!’ Kaiah said excitedly. “It pleases me to finally meet some of your kind”. She hoped that she would one day meet all the species in the galaxy, whether on the battlefield or in a cantina. As she travelled, however, she discovered that there was so much life in the universe. Perhaps she would reach her end without meeting even a small fraction of what existed.

“You may call me Kaiah, if it pleases you” she said, wincing as she discovered new bruises. “Be wary if you are climbing trees. I have been exploring the jungle, and this is not the first time I have fallen. The moist air makes purchase on the branches difficult”.

 

[Eisenweber]

Lieutenant Colonel Daan DT-130
Zonama Sekot Surface, Living Forests

A large fast moving contact appears on macromotion monitor and Daan's feet and ankles twist armoured form in that direction immediately assuming a crouched position amidst the foilage, it was close. 'Dash, Assessment' the thought passess across the neural lace connecting Daan's nervous system directly to the powered assault armour and synthetic intelligence assistant.

"Two multi-cell complex carbon-based vertebrate lifeforms Ma'am, based on detailed quantum data. Humanoids to be exact." Dash's metallic and wiry sounding voice enters the confines of Daan's blue helmet, wordlessly the Colonel nods an acknowledgement drawing a small repeating blaster away from thigh and wrapping hands around it loosely. What qualified for a 'loose' grip amongst the Death Troopers qualified for something near crushing and was something that the former scholar still yet is becoming accustomed.

On more than one occasion had Daan's hand been covered in a beverage because of glass' brittleness and for this reason she visibly avoided them and opted for ceramic or even plastic cups for drinking vessels as they were either harder or more flexible with their material properties and thus less prone to spontaneously crushing without warning when clasped firmly against palm by fingers. Quietly the Death Trooper takes a few steps through the scrub hearing chatter from an adult male, it isn't until Daan magnifies her visor's image that she manages to spot the ostensibly Human Male.

The word 'Jedi' swirls down through Daan's ear canal and forces the senior commissioned officer to swallow rather nervously. 'Is he a Jedi, are there Jedi here? Were those two ships crewed by Jedi, what if they attack me. Who is this man talking to?' Daan's feet carry the Death Trooper forward a few steps rangefinder indicating she stands a scant eight meters away from the man and finally the Colonel's Emerald spheres fall upon the individual whom the suspected Jedi is speaking. Daan is left in a state of silent shock, she'd recognise the boy anywhere.

Is that......The Grand Admiral's son. Here? Where is Ventor or Edelmann damn it all.

"Alert: The Jedi appears to be attempting to kidnap Maximillian Rausgeber, recommend immediate intervention." Dash's metallic voice betrays a hint of panic in the droid's consciousnesses' neural processes influenced by Daan's own anxiety about the situation.

Daan felt hesitation to spring forward and break the scrub and enter the clearing, fear even before finally resolving to rather flippantly pierce the foilage's veil in her seven-feet tall azure-armoured glory and in a moment of awkward silence turns her brass-coloured visor towards Senari, still not entirely certain the man is a Jedi. That illusion remained very briefly with her verdant emerald orbs spotting a lightsabre hanging from his belt although she tactfully feigns ignorance, hoping to avoid a confrontation.

"Greetings." The salutation comes through annunciator after an awkward pause from the gargantuan behemoth holding a lethal-looking matte black blaster across breastplate with sword hilt visible over right-shoulder; a weapon unknown to her audience is purposefully built for melee with lightsabre-wielding combatants. Although Daan did not intend to use her weapons here, hoping to bloodlessly rescue Maximillian and return the boy to his unpleasant Father, wherever he was although she could not fathom Rausgeber would permit one of his progeny to stray far from his own person in such a hostile and shifting place.

[member="Senari Gravis"], [member="Robogeber"]

 

[Senari Gravis]

He and the boy hadn't had opportunity to get very far before he heard the sounds of something else tramping through the brush nearby; he stopped moving forwards, drawing his weapon and placing himself in between where the disturbance was coming from and the boy. He didn't much need to cast out with his senses, however, before the source of the sound made itself known, stepping through the foliage.

It was a credit to both Senari's self-control and the whiskey he'd already consumed that he didn't have much of a reaction to the gargantuan thing standing in front of him.

"Hi," he replied flatly. He hadn't yet activated his weapon, but he still held it at the ready just in case. Something most definitely didn't seem right about the person in front of him. They were human—or at least something fairly similar—but very oversized, in a ton of armour, and highly armed. Let alone how something felt off about them in the Force. He turned slightly towards Maxamillian, though he didn't take his eyes off the warrior in front of him.

"Kid, do you have any clue who this is?" he asked. "If yes, speak up. If no, jump on my back and I'll pull the same trick I did with that animal."

[member="Robogeber"] [member="Daan DT-130"]

 

[Eisenweber]

Lieutenant Colonel Daan DT-130
Zonama Sekot Surface, Living Forests

Dash's suspicions that the Jedi was attempting to kidnap Maximillian weren't alleviated atleast until Daan's own thoughts on the situation across the neural lace.

He hasn't used Max's first name, so it's unlikely he knows his last name and likewise significance.

Turning visor in Maximillian's direction Daan ignores the Jedi for a moment and goes down to one-knee reducing the latter's staggering height advantage over the poor lost half-breed child. "Max, listen to me. Do you know or remember where Dad or Agent Edelmann is?" Daan's voice takes on a near maternal softness to it, identifying one of Max's bodyguards which she hopes will identify her as a friend if the boy couldn't identify the Colonel's painted armour as being that of a Death Trooper, A heroic noble hero of the First Order. "I'm Colonel Daan, would you like me to help you find them?"

Daan steadily places repeating blaster against the magnetised right thigh plate before resting both of her forearms across knee in a casual stance and although visor remains squarely in Max's direction, the Colonel's concealed pupils remain firmly on the Jedi. Studying his features carefully ensuring the man's facial data would be captured by Dash and stored within the onboard hard-drive just in-case Max decided to go with the man, Daan wouldn't fight the man over it for she would not dare place Max in such a traumatic situation. Daan didn't suspect the Jedi would mistreat him and had dismissed Dash's assertion at this point an attempted kidnapping was taking place but then against the latter is a droid and she could hardly fault him for heeding his programming.

[member="Senari Gravis"], [member="Robogeber"]