Private A Stubborn Hope

[Kelan Dhal]

GENERIS || OUTER RIM
EQUIPMENT: Ragged Brown Robes, Lightsaber
MUSIC: Untouched Nature
TAGS: Zhea Nox

"Let's see what we can do for you."​

The Outer Rim, even after thousands of years, remained a rather sparsely populated place. Generis especially, a world that had been largely left alone by the rest of the galaxy for one reason or another. But some called it home, gathering in small settlements near major waterways and away from the thick forests and mountains. Many who came sought a new life, escaping war and famine. Generis was outside the grasp of several major powers, be it the Mandalorians, Dark Empire, Sith, or the Imperials. Yet they were all preoccupied, and so refugees could settle here without fear.

For his part, Kelan had come here out of desperation, his ship, a Stormfalcon Freighter, was low on fuel. The wandering Jedi preferred to avoid larger ports, and this time his luck ran out. Luckily enough, he was able to set the vessel down while running on fumes, but for the time being he was stuck on Generis. While it was quite a hike to the nearest village, Kelan hardly minded as the sights and sounds of the world were more than pleasant. While the gravity was a bit high, it wasn't enough to keep life in all shapes and sizes from prospering, though no sentient life ever sprung up. That role was filled by a human colony, perhaps 100 at most, that had welcomed him in. Before he could even explain his situation, Kelan was petitioned to aid the village for he wore the trappings of a Jedi Knight.

He agreed to help. He always would. ​

Unfortunately, the kind of help they needed could not be solved with a lightsaber. Sickness had begun to spread through the colony. While adults seemed to recover from it, the young and elderly seemed hardest hit. Kelan was a novice healer, but in his travels, he had learned much and he put this knowledge to the test as he set to work on helping those he could.

At the moment, it was an older man who remained bedridden.
​

Rugged hands set to work, the force flowed through the wandering Jedi as he peered into the mortal form of the elder man. He could not be helped until Kelan better understood just what was affecting him. A few silent moments went by, and what few medical staff the colony had hovered over the Jedi as he employed his skills. The older man was asleep, thankfully so as the news Kelan delivered was not pleasant.

"I am sorry. The sickness has spread to his lungs. I can ease his pain, but at his age, there isn't much that can be done."

The lead medic, a young human woman, sighed and brought a hand to cover her mouth. She shook her head in disappointment, though she did not blame the Jedi for the man's fate.

"I feared that was the case. Thank you for trying anyway, Lenten was my predecessor in the clinic before his mind started to fade."

Kelan rose from the man's side, the sleeping human's breathing sounded better but his time was coming to an end.

"Is there more I can do?"

"You've done plenty. Many of the children are starting to show signs of recovery. I don't know what you did, but their fevers are coming down and their breathing has returned to normal."

"It's the least I can do. You were kind for inviting me into your settlement and offering fuel, I only wish to help out however I can."

Kelan offered a respectful bow, to which the medic offered a kind smile.

"You've been in here for several hours. I can watch over those who remain, why don't you get some fresh air."

"Thank you, please let me know if there is anything else you need."

Kelan slipped out of the medical center, little more than a reinforced hut in the center of the settlement. Many of the structures and homes were built out of the ships that the refugees had used to come to Generis, apparently deciding that they would settle here permanently. Wandering to a large sallap tree that sat in the center of the settlement. He had been so focused on his work that, in truth, he really did need to catch his breath. Kelan sank down, his back against the tree as he looked to the sky. It was a warm day with a soft breeze, almost perfect if not for the fact Kelan had all but pronounced a man dead a few moments prior.

"I've really made a mess of things, haven't I master?"

Kelan spoke to nothing. Just echoes of a dead Jedi that could no longer offer guidance.

This was his only companion. ​

 

[Zhea Nox]

ECLIPSE
SETTLEMENT | GENERIS
TAG: Kelan Dhal

ULILI E​

She was finally back in the saddle.

For so long, Zhea had felt almost isolated from the Galaxy and its needs. As horrible as the Hapes crisis was, it had put her in touch with the actual Jedi part of her being once more. The part that helps the people.

Though the Foundation had an extensive underground network to destabilise fascist or bureaucratic regimes, first and foremost it was dedicated to humanitarian aid. Zhea had never been a Guardian, nor would she be. Her place had always been to ensure that people found some way out of a dire situation - whether it be healing, rebuilding or shielding.

That is what brought her to Generis.

The Foundation had gotten word of illness spreading through a settlement there and had dispatched a medical aid vessel and some personnel to help relieve the issue. Zhea accompanied them as a half decent healer herself. Of course, wherever she went, the squad of disguised ex-Stormtroopers went with her, hellbent on her protection what with Simon Meinrad still in a coma and not able to do it himself. At least they were actually handy to have around - especially the squad medic Markram. If he hadn't been a soldier, he would have been a doctor.

They got to work immediately, bringing in some advanced medicines and extra hands. It was here that she learned that someone had already done some healing, but couldn't help an old man.
"We brought some improved medication from Kamino. We can't guarantee improvement, I'm sorry, but maybe it will at least ease his struggle. The Jedi already did extensive work. We're here to see if we can give it that lest step." she told the lead medic.
"Thank you, Master Jedi. We really appreciate the extra medical provisions." she said.
The Sage smiled at her. "The Foundation is always just a holo call away if you are need of aid." she said. Then she looked around, eyebrows somewhat raised. "Where is this other Jedi now? I would like to meet them." she asked.
"Last I saw, he was heading to center of town." said the medic.
"Thank you. If you need anything more in a pinch, just speak with Markram here. He'll help you out with the supplies." the Kiffar said before taking her leave to try and find the Jedi that was spoken of.

She didn't have to search hard. She could sense the echoes of the turmoil coming from the Force User, so she just followed the tether to the Sallap in the center of town.

"I've really made a mess of things, haven't I master?"​

The words drifted in general, but reached the Kiffar's ears nonetheless. Her sky-clad eyes fell on the resting figure against the tree. Despite the turmoil, Zhea could feel that there was no malice in the man. The Light still remained.

"Why do you believe that, Jedi?" she asked as she stood across from him, calm and balance rolling from her.

 

[Kelan Dhal]

GENERIS || OUTER RIM
EQUIPMENT: Ragged Brown Robes, Lightsaber
MUSIC: Untouched Nature
TAGS: Zhea Nox
​

To say Kelan was distracted was an understatement. He'd become so wrapped up in his own mind that he overlooked the approaching Kiffar. Despite his Master's constant reminders to be mindful of the living force, Kelan had found himself attempting to seek out his future path, always trying to be better for the sake of his work.

The Jedi was shaken out of his mind by the woman's words, literally in this case as he shook his head for a moment as his eyes adjusted to greet this new arrival. Though his own abilities had been limited by the abrupt end of his training, Kelan had been able to sense the force in others, and this woman burned bright like the sun rising on a cold day. She certainly didn't seem like any Jedi that had been described to Kelan, but he greeted her warmly regardless.

"Ah, apologies... I was caught up in my own head."

Kelan rose, brushing off his ragged robes and offering a polite bow to his new companion, attempting to hide the fluster that had been apparent. He attempted to be a stalwart defender of life, but in the end, he still failed to properly control his emotions as his Master had taught. The new arrival had overheard him in regards to his Master, and really it was a topic that Kelan would rather not elaborate on, but he felt she was owed something for her trouble.

"My Master taught me many things in his short life, but I fear I failed to properly use the knowledge he passed on to me."

The Jedi took a step forward, gesturing to the small settlement that surrounded the sallap tree

"These people need more than I could provide. I don't like giving them false hope."

The look on the Jedi Knights face turned glum for a moment, as he looked on. Though sickness had claimed many, life still went on as it had for some time here. Children still played, and the adults went about their work. This is what the Jedi had been fighting for, what they would always fight for. This was life, it was happiness and freedom, it was the right of every living being. Unfortunately, these things could not always be defended with a lightsaber, for simple things like disease could strike at any moment.

And Kelan had been ill-prepared for it.
​

Kelan realized he had been silent for some time as he watched on, and so he exhaled quietly before turning his gaze back to the Kiffar, offering his best-tired smile.

"Don't mind me. My travels have kept me busy and awake, my mind is starting to feel it. My name is Kelan Dhal, might I ask who I have the pleasure of speaking to?"

 

[Zhea Nox]

ECLIPSE
SETTLEMENT | GENERIS
TAG: Kelan Dhal

ULILI E​

Zhea smiled as he spoke, getting to his feet.

"No need to apologise. It happens to the best of us." she said. Then she listened, noting the gravity in his words and the self-doubt. It sounded almost too young for someone of his age. She had to tread carefully - deep caring like this man was clearly capable of could go one of two ways.

She regarded him thoughtfully, quietly aligning her thoughts to give him the hope he seeks. Still there was no malice, only sadness and self-doubt. All he needed was to see that his efforts weren't in vain.

"Don't mind me. My travels have kept me busy and awake, my mind is starting to feel it. My name is Kelan Dhal, might I ask who I have the pleasure of speaking to?"

Zhea smiled once more. "It is a pleasure meeting you, Kelan Dhal. I am Zhea Nox. I suppose you can consider me a Jedi Master, yet all I am is a servant and protector of the people, working alongside The Foundation to spread hope and bring a new tomorrow to the people." she introduced.

She then slightly stepped to the side, motioning toward the medical centre. "You speak of false hope, Kelan. Yet, when I arrived with improved medical supplies, I learned you had already eased many people's burdens." she said. "You brought them hope that they desperately needed. Never underestimate the power hope can have. Even the old man might make it, thanks to your healing hand. Who knows - it might have strengthened him just enough for the medication we brought to actually work." She turned toward him fully once more. "Yet, do not despair if it doesn't. It will be his and his body's choice, not yours, whether he returns to health or not. Just know, that no matter what, you made things better for him. You gave him peace. That is an equally powerful gift to give."

The Kiffar was silent for a moment, wondering.
"I sense that you are Jedi, but you are not one I recognise." she started. "Yet, you serve and care for the people even better than some other Jedi I know." she added then.

"Did you train at one of the Frontier Enclaves?"

 

[Kelan Dhal]

GENERIS || OUTER RIM
EQUIPMENT: Ragged Brown Robes, Lightsaber
MUSIC: Untouched Nature
TAGS: Zhea Nox

A Jedi Master? Here?
​

Kelan resisted the urge to bow again when he learned that the Kiffar was a being far more deserving of respect, but he did tense up just a bit at the realization. He was an attentive listener, considering every word she spoke if only to learn more about what drew her here to Generis in the first place. The Foundation was an organization he had heard of, and their work seemed noble, but in Kelan had taken his vow of exile, he would work alone if only to atone for his own failure in the past. It was refreshing to speak to someone who at least understood what it meant to be a Jedi, but this meeting could not drag on.

It certainly didn't help that she seemed intent on complimenting him. This had the opposite effect on the Exilied Knight as he seemed to be uncomfortable with the notion that someone appreciated work he thought subpar. He could have done so much more if he had been a more attentive Padawan and taken his duties seriously as a boy. Instead, he was here, with underdeveloped skills and a lightsaber that was not his own.

Even now the weapon felt foreign.

He had not earned it.​

When he could take no more, Kelan turned away from the Kiffar Master and paced for a few moments, a hand rising to cover his face as he attempted to come up with some kind response, it was only right to thank her but he had to make it sound convincing.

"Did you train at one of the Frontier Enclaves?"
​

Kelan stopped pacing and then held in place as he realized that she was directly inquiring about his training. He had hoped to avoid this subject, but it seemed she wished for him to provide some explanation for his abilities. This was his great burden, the fact that he would hardly consider himself a Jedi Knight, let alone one worthy of any respect or renown. In truth, he was a farmboy with a couple of years of training and a lightsaber stolen from a Jedi that was far braver than he would ever be.

He was no Jedi. He would never truly be worthy of the title. ​

But his vow was sacred. His commitment to the preservation of life and justice was all he had left. His greatest fear was not his own death, but that one day he would be discovered for the fraud he was and be forced to give up his duties. That he could not allow, but at the same time he would not harm others for the sake of his own false identity. He would just have to hope he could be convincing enough to throw this Jedi Master off the trail, a rather tall order all things considered.

"I apologize, Master. You have been very kind, I just found myself lost in thought."

Kelan turned back to the Kiffar, returning to a comfortable distance as he buried all his fear and insecurity deep within himself and focused on the moment. To lie to a Jedi was a task few could accomplish, but if one could remain calm and keep their thoughts clear, it was certainly possible.

"I trained with the Kattadan Jedi Enclave, though I have since parted ways with the Enclave to serve those in need in the Outer Rim. While the Sith are the most pressing threat, I did not want to leave those worlds without protection to fend for themselves."

This was a blatant lie. He'd heard of the Enclave offhandedly at one of his many stops and held onto the name in case he needed a cover story. But he could not allow her to consider the story for too long, so he instead switched gears to learn more about the Jedi Master.

"Master Nox, may I ask what brought you to this world? Are you on Foundation business?"