Private Black Magic Woman

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

Life was always taking unexpected twists and turns. This time it led to something Judah had not ever thought he would find himself doing. Thoughts had been drifting lately to his missing cousin. Jaron had not been heard of since the First Order fell, at least that was when JJ stopped keeping track of his movements. Animosity had swelled in his heart toward the other for a long time because of his betrayal. That animosity had become something else entirely over time.

Guilt.

JJ often wondered if he had driven his cousin toward the darkness. For a time they had been raised together, and often seemed to compete for the attention of his father. Judah Senior had opted to train Jaron as a shadow while Junior had taken the path of a guardian, following Cambria Zadira. Both had been placed in the role which best fit them, and in the end Jaron had more time with Judah’s own father than Judah had. It was what made the betrayal sting even more.

So why did JJ feel guilty?

There was only one way to answer the question, and that was to find Jaron. Judah knew the First Order capital of Dosuun was where Jaron had been stationed when he served as a Knight of Ren. They had faced each other in battle once, early, Judah could still feel every emotion that ran through his body at the sight of his cousin serving the evil order. Now, JJ would give anything just to see him.

Dosuun was a forested world, the climate and the terrain much like Corellia. The moment Judah’s eyes took in the scenery, he understood why Jaron had fallen in love with the place. JJ was convinced the search would be an exercise in futility. He could not even sense his cousin’s presence on the planet, but that did not mean the knight was not covering it through the force itself. If Jaron wanted to hide, he could, and JJ would not be able to find him. Yet, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of Judah’s stomach that his cousin was no longer alive.

Had it not been for being raised in the foothills of Coronet Peak, JJ would be a horrible tracker, he was convinced of it. In the woods, the Jedi Guardian was in his element. Every step took JJ where he needed to go. Most of the ruins of the Knight of Ren facility had become overgrown with vegetation, but none of it threw Judah off the path. The only odd thing was it seemed there were several trails worn into the grass, as though someone or something walked them regularly.

JJ diverted his search to follow the trail which seemed to be walked the most. He did not know what he was going to find, but as he reached out through the force, the Jedi sensed it was the right direction.

Was Jaron alive?

His steps quickened as the thought of finding a hidden makeshift domicile filled his mind. Jaron would be one of few that JJ knew who could survive in wreckage for as long as he was believed to be missing. Every step was purposeful, until they suddenly stopped.

A heap of metal built in a structure that looked like a home stood strong at the end of the trail. In fact, all paths seemed to lead to this one structure. Suddenly Judah felt nervous. He could not sense his cousin. Jaron was not there, perhaps, but there was something in the force, another signature.

“Jaron,” his voice called out. “Is that you?”​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

What remained?​

​

The question haunted her -- what remained of him and what remained... of herself? Though the former Knight of Ren had been presumed deceased after the sacking of Dosuun, she was very much alive. But just what did that mean now? The answer was elusive.​

​

True, death had nearly come for her during the Ssi-Ruuvi attack on the capital of the First Order. And, perhaps she wish it had claimed her then. For now, there was nothing left for her. The First Order had crumbled, the Knights of Ren scattered -- everything she'd once believed in... gone. Those years serving as a Ren, had it all been for nothing? In the end, that's exactly how she felt. Somehow, the darkness had kept her company through it all... kept her alive.​

​

She'd survived. Others must have survived, too.​

​

Isla had few that she could truly call... friend. But, one such person had been Jaron Lesan, a fellow Knight of Ren. The two had completed several missions together, and he was a warrior that she had come to trust. They'd lost touch long before Avalonia had crumbled. She wasn't sure if he'd even been a part of the Order during that time. He could be anywhere in the galaxy. Now, after her long period of healing and hibernation, it was time to emerge from hiding. To seek him out, if he still lived.​

​

She knew this world quite well by now. Even now, it was something like a home. Though, her current dwelling could barely be considered a house. It was more like a hovel. But, it was a good place to stay low, stay hidden. Normally, Isla moved about at night. There was something about the cloak of darkness that was comfort and safety. Today, however, something stirred her daytime slumber. Isla sat up, her long fingers wrapped the hilt of her saber -- the one she'd forged long ago, when she'd joined the Ren. She listened, both with her ears... and the force.​

​

Someone approached.​

​

Something familiar tugged at her. Then, a male voice called out -- his name.​

​

Isla would duck out of her hiding place to face the stranger. Her eyes narrowed upon seeing him, his face unfamiliar. But that... something remained. Her scarlet blade ignited, humming loudly and lighting her face in a sinister way. The tall woman held the blade up, threateningly. She'd always lacked subtlety. "Who are you?" Isla questioned, eyeing him warily. "Why... is your presence so much like... his?" ​

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

The sound of movement came to Judah’s ears. Someone was stirring within the makeshift hovel. There was no answer. Still, JJ did not want to give up on hope that Jaron was inside. Perhaps he simply did not want to face his cousin. He would give it a few more minutes before busting into the shantee himself.

Snap hiss…

It was the familiar sound a lightsaber coming to life. The thrum of the blade echoed about the ruins as a smaller figure came into view. It was not Jaron Lesan. It was a woman.

“Who are you? Why… is your presence so much like… his?”

Judah had not found his cousin, but it appeared as though he found someone that knew him. Instinct would have seen the guardian reach for his blade, the verdant weapon ready to defend its owner. Wisdom held him back. It was a rare quality among the Lesan family, and Judah could only credit it to his master Cambria Zadira . While she had not tempered everything he inherited from his father, she had at least taught him to think.

“He is my cousin. Family.”

The answer would have to satisfy her. If the woman wanted to use the force to search for any deceit she would find none. She had already identified the common thread through the force which made his words true. Judah lifted his hands, palms outward toward the fiery haired hermit.

“I’m not here to fight. I came here hoping to find him.”

Slowly Judah took a step forward. He was hoping he could earn the woman’s trust enough to gain her help. It as clear by her dress, lightsaber, and presence, that she had been a Knight of Ren. She would know Dosuun better than JJ would. While he could search the ruins with some measure of success, his chances were exponentially greater with her aid.

“Judah Lesan… Junior…” the later came after a short pause. His father was well known well enough through the galaxy that the suffix. “...or JJ. Maybe you wanna put that away,” he pointed to the lightsaber with his typical nonchalant style, “and we can look for him together?​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

Darkness flowed around the flame-haired woman.

It'd been so long since she'd felt it flow in her veins this way, this strong. Her left hand extended behind her, lifting a twisted piece of metal in a telekinetic grip. Her eyes burned into the stranger's as he spoke. Even as the words left him, informing her that he was family to Jaron Lesan, the darkness spoke in her mind.

Crush him.

Strike him down.

The dark flow of the force was difficult to ignore. But the man held out open palms, a message of meaning-no-harm. He did not wish to fight, only to find Jaron. As he edged toward her, Isla's heel slid back. She bristled, like a cornered animal ready to lash out. But his name gave her pause.

Judah Lesan… jr.

Only the surname meant anything to Isla. Silence fell and she weighed her options. Her solitary search had been fruitless. She traveled by foot. If he had a ship, perhaps that could be of use. She kept this in the back of her mind. With restraint, she extinguished her crimson saber and released the piece of metal from her grip.

"Very well," she said.

She offered no smile or pleasantries, only the slightest nod of her head. Perhaps she would regret this, but her life was already full of regrets. Isla hadn't interacted with anyone for… years. And even in the past, when there'd been fellow Knights, she'd been less than friendly. Her trust was difficult to earn. Still, if she was to be in the company of another, she recognized it'd be helpful for them to know what to call her.

"You may call me…" A pause, as she considered what to say. "Isla."

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

A loud thud followed Isla’s compliance with Judah’s proposal. He did not want to think about whether he would have actually been able to react in time had the woman been intent on killing him. JJ was not here to shed blood, even if it were the blood of his former enemy. It was strange how circumstances seemed to change. A few years ago neither would have hesitated to attack the other. Today they were allies of a sort.

“Isla, pretty name.”

It was a small acknowledgement, but one typical of a Lesan. Whether Judah liked it or not he was very much like his father, and Jaron seemed to follow suit. Lesan men seemed to have a way with women, or at least they thought they did. JJ could not help but wonder what sort of relationship Jaron had with the woman his gaze was fixed upon.

“He liked your hair didn’t he?”

The question would have seemed out of place, but Judah also knew that the Lesan men seemed to have a thing for fiery hair. Perhaps it was the personality which usually came with the person who wore it. Both Jaron and Judah shared a commonality in that their mothers both had red hair. Logic seemed to indicate they would both find a sense of comfort and attraction to women with the same. JJ certainly knew he did.

Judah turned his back and started walking back toward his ship. It was either a display of sheer stupidity or that he was trusting that the woman was sincere. They had both been searching for him, that much was evident. Isla may have simply been looking for other survivors, but her question had been pregnant with a desperation of someone looking for a friend or lover.

She would follow without incident.

A small clearing was all JJ could find to land the vessel which had once been his mother’s. The old YT-1930 had seen better days, but Judah had taken pretty good care of it. It was between paint jobs, and there was still some interior upgrades which needed to be fixed, but the younger Lesan was happy to be making the ship his own. His mother would have been proud that part of his Corellian spirit and her lineage shone through.

Judah had always liked to work with his hands. The project gave him something to do when he was not training. Without a padawan learner to teach, it seemed all JJ had when he was not on a mission was time. He knew he needed to teach but was being stubborn about it since his father had been insisting upon it since his return to the New Jedi Order.

“She’s not much at the moment, but when I get done with the upgrades she will be. And before you say anything, she’s your ticket off this planet, so be nice.”

With a wave of his hand, Judah lowered the boarding ramp. She looked hungry, and in desperate need of a change of clothes or something. They could resume their search after she had taken care of herself.

“Make yourself at home. In the meantime I will see if I can pick up anything that might be some signal from Jaron. You still remember his frequency?”​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

The flame-haired woman ignored the compliment. She'd proven impervious to advances and flattery before, this was no different. Her hard gaze was unchanged. It was odd, however, hearing someone say her name – her real name again. No longer was she a Ren.

And the question about her hair left Isla arching a skeptical eyebrow. "He never commented on my appearance." Of course, many had come to recognize her because of her hair.

She followed along behind the man. While the storm of darkness within her had calmed, it loomed – like a sky of grey. Silently, she took in the ship's appearance. It wasn't like the sleek imperial ships she'd been used to seeing during the Order's glory days. The remains of some were still out there in the wilderness, skeletons. Isla was indifferent when it came to ships; she still disliked the idea of flying, being trapped inside a confined space. She'd come to understand it was necessary.

Be nice.

Isla's eyes narrowed. She could have choked him out right then if she'd wanted to – the urge was there in the palm of her hand. It was another oddity, his comment to 'make herself at home.' Isla would, perhaps, make use of the facilities to clean herself up. This was not home.

"His frequency," she repeated and fell into a brief silence. Then, she recited it from memory. "The ruins beneath the city," she said, meaning Avalonia. "I was to search there."

It was well off the beaten path, deep beneath the capital – a network of tunnels. Survivors had once taken refuge there during the first Ssi-ruuk attack.

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

She seemed cold. Had she always been that way or had she just been away from people for so long? Something was odd about her. There was something which she did not seem to understand about being social. Banter was just banter, and yet it went right over he head. JJ shrugged as he walked onto the ship. His charm wasn’t foolproof, and it certainly did not work on everyone.

At least he had gotten an answer on his question about Jaron’s frequency. It was not quite what he expected, but it did give him direction at least. He should have thought about scanning under the city. It would seem natural that any survivors may have sought to hide beneath.

While Isla was taking care of herself, JJ made his way to the cockpit. He took a quick diversion to the galley where he made sure there was a pot of hot caf going. It was going to be a long night of searching, and just like his mother, Judah ran on a steady intake of caffeine.

Judah sat the cup on the console and began to set his scanners to scan twenty kilometers beneath the surface of the planet. He did not know what he was looking for, but decided to check for any active beacons that would indicate survivors waiting for rescue. While there may not be anyone alive below, Judah knew the beacons should still be active.

He sighed.

“Please don’t be dead.”

Yes, he was concerned. Despite the rocky past between them, they were still family. Still it meant any reunion with him would be awkward. They both had things to apologize for, and things to forgive the other for. A sip of caf was all he needed. It was a moment to try and clear his mind from all the things racing through it. That would naturally mean the scanner would pick up a signal, and not give him any time to breathe.

“Isla, I got something… do you know where in the city this is… or how we can get there?” ​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

Isla parted ways with Judah with a curt nod, moving into the ship towards the refresher. She was thankful to have a chance to clean up properly. After all, she'd been bathing in rivers or in the rain. Her clothing was worse for wear, but it was all she had currently. There was a small assortment of clothing, his clothing – but it was clean. Once she had showered, she looked at her face in the mirror. Her complexion looked lighter now that the dust had been washed away.

In the end, she'd chosen a simple tan tunic of Judah's, which she belted at the waist. For now, she decided to stick with her own pants. It felt odd enough to wear someone else's clothing as it was.

Walking out of the refresher barefoot, boots in hand, she lifted her nose to the scent of caf. She walked silently to the kitchen, her feet carrying her like a graceful predator. And once she had a warm cup in hand, she lifted it to her lips for a small sip. She'd never been much of a caf drinker, but it was somehow nice to have something warm for once.

Judah called out to her a moment later.

She made her way to him and looked at the information displayed on the console. "Yes," she answered. "Put down here--" Isla pointed to the map of the area. "We can access the underground passage at this point." Again, a long index finger indicated the area. It would require a small trek into the city. The tunnels had been an escape path, in case of invaders, and had housed many refugees at one point – while the Order's soldiers fought.

Isla glanced at the man next to her. There was something present in his eyes and his voice – hope. Did she hold out the same hope? No, there was no such thing.

If Jaron lived, she would greet him as a friend.

If he did not live, she would mourn him.

Simple facts without embellishment.

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Weapon: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

JJ had not been paying much attention to what was happening in the background. For all he knew he was calling back for Isla while she was still undisposed. Instead it seemed she had taken him up on what he had encouraged earlier. She had made herself so much at home she was wearing his tunic and carrying a mug of caf with her. Judah smirked trying to remember how often he had seen his mother look almost exactly like that, wearing his dad’s tunic and carrying a mug of caf around the house.

“Right, I can do that,” he said when Isla pointed out where he should land the ship. “That's what, maybe a ten minute flight from here?”

JJ honestly didn’t know, but it did not seem too far. They should be there in no time at all. His head nodded toward one of the seats behind him, and encouraged her to strap in. Even though it was not a long distance, JJ was pretty strict about safety on his ship, mainly because he never knew when he was going to have to make a fast getaway, but that was another story for another day.

He landed the ship where Isla had indicated. It had been ten minutes on the dot, and the Jedi guardian had a proud smirk on his face that he had been correct. It was the little things in life that made JJ happy. He did not have much else by way of anything major to rely on, so he had to take it where he could get it.

Extending his hand as he stood, JJ called his lightsaber from where he sat the hilt and placed it on his waist. The tunnels they were about to walk through could have many surprises waiting for them, even ones that Isla would not be aware about. He appreciated having her with him, but it had been so long since anyone had walked the undercity, or at least Judah assumed so.

Judah tossed Isla a datapad. He was certain she no longer had one.

“I’ve loaded the signal onto that pad. You can keep it when we’re done. Not the tech you’re used to from the First Order, but I think you’ll manage.”

That was something Judah was still getting used to, working with someone from the Knights of Ren. They did not exist anymore in the form as Judah once knew them, or that Isla was loyal to. Part of him wondered what she would do after this, when it came time for them to part ways. How would the galaxy treat an old Ren hermit that may not know how to function within the dynamic of how it currently existed.

“We better get going,” he said before walking down the ramp.

His foot touched the ground, and suddenly whatever hope he had of finding Jaron alive was gone. He tried not to let it show on his face, but in that moment, Judah feared the worst.​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

Isla sat down, strapped in, and stayed silent through-out the ten minutes of flight.

When they arrived, she unbuckled and watched as her new companion summoned a light saber to his hand. Her emerald eyes narrowed. Jedi. There was still something about the word that made her blood boil. It'd been hammered home by the Order that they were the enemy. But his tossing of a datapad kept her anger at bay, for now.

Isla handled the datapad like someone had handed her a crying child.

Even during her FO days, tech hadn't been one of her interests or specialties. Isla could live without it. Well, for the most part. Unfortunately, sometimes it was necessary.

"Yes, let us go." Isla's hand reached down to touch the saber on her belt, a habit. As they exited the craft, Isla took a moment to take in her surroundings. Her nose lifted slightly, as if looking for a scent – but she was sensing through the force. Yes, this place was familiar. Though, as a Knight of Ren, she hadn't spent as much time in the capital city but rather at the Bastion. "This is Garden Street Station," she said. "Once a refuge for civilians seeking shelter from the attack."

"This way." As she understood it, the area had been revitalized and made into a memorial. But there were tunnels, no doubt they'd been blocked off to keep the public out… but lightsabers could cut through.

Of course, she did not know what they might find down in the tunnels. Anyone there was no doubt in worse shape than she was. As they went through the station, Isla would seek the dark passageways that hadn't been traveled in quite a long time. Her scarlet saber ignited and cut through a locked door, opening the way underground for them both. The saber's light made her want to keep cutting, but she kept it only for the light it gave.

"He is family," Isla said, when her curiosity finally got the better of her. "Is that the only reason you seek Jaron out?"

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Weapon: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

She was quiet for the entire ten minutes. JJ had not known anyone that could just sit in such a stoic manner. He could sense something of his cousin on her, which was weird because she definitely did not strike him as someone that Jaron would be interested in. Yet, he knew they had worked together. Judah was certainly puzzled by the redhead. Something about her was a walking contradiction, but he could not figure out what it was.

He could feel her anger rise within her when she realized he was a Jedi. Distracting her with the datapad had not been intentional, but it was a fringe benefit of moving quickly and their mutual interest in finding Jaron.

The Garden Street Station did not look much like a garden or a station, not anymore at least. There was plenty of rubble to go around, and most definitely enough to block their path forward. Judah knew little about the area. This had been the first time he set foot on Bastion, having left the Galactic Alliance before the height of their conflict with the First Order.

It was shameful the devastation which war caused. Even though he was a warrior, a Jedi Guardian, Judah still felt remorse as the sight of so much careless destruction. His mind drifted to the first time he killed another in battle. Despite the fact it had been his life, and the life of someone he cared for, or theirs, Judah struggled accepting the fact he had taken the life of another. It still bothered him, even if he now saw it for what it was.

Her question caught him off guard. Judah should have expected her to be curious about his intentions to find his cousin. Was it only because he was family? No. Did she need to know?

Judah shook his head.

“I was hoping to find some kind of peace between us.”

It was an honest answer, but short. Judah did not feel the need to explain it any further. Naturally the red haired woman could imagine the kind of rift which could form when finding family on opposing sides in a conflict. The First Order had fallen. The Galactic Alliance as JJ had known it no longer existed. Certainly they could make their peace and move on. It was likely a fantasy, but Judah had to hope it was possible.

“I have no intention of killing him, if that is what you are afraid of. Unless you don’t care?”

Now it was Judah’s turn to be curious and find his own way to assess the nature of his cousin’s relationship with the woman.​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

Isla's views of war likely contrasted his, strongly. It was simply something that happened. Unfortunate, perhaps, yes – but you rose above and survived. Or you did not. Casualties were to be expected. During the war between the FO and GA, she'd taken many lives. It was a fact she did not dwell on because it did not bother her.

Though, she'd made sure that death came swiftly for those that met the blade of her saber. Needless suffering was a different story.

She listened to his curt answer. Peace. Did such a thing truly ever exist? Isla didn't think so. Her boots moved to carry her further down the tunnel, but his next statement made her pause and look back at him over her shoulder. A skeptical brow rose, and there was the faintest hint of a smirk on her lips. It was, perhaps, the closest she would ever come to laughing out loud.

"I doubt you could kill him," Isla answered.

She didn't know Judah or what he was capable of. But she'd seen Jaron in battle, he was skilled. And there were just certain things she knew to be true…

Anger was stronger than hope.

Dark was stronger than light.

Therefore, Jaron was stronger than Judah.

"Still, I would not interfere – it is not my battle," she said, shrugging lightly. That was to say, she would not save Judah, either. Whatever it was that needed settling, it seemed to be a personal issue, between the two men. From what she knew, the Jedi disliked taking lives -- another weakness of theirs. Did she sense curiosity? "We were not…involved, if that is what you were asking."

Isla gestured down the dark tunnel.

"We continue that way." Isla turned and kept walking.

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Weapon: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

JJ wanted to scoff at her direct comment. Judah had never dwelled on whether or not he could kill his cousin, but he did know what he was capable of when it was required. If JJ needed to kill Jaron, he could, and without hesitation. It was the part of him he did not like any longer. Time in battle had proven JJ could kill swiftly and readily. Even if it was accompanied by some level of remorse afterward, Judah had become quite the skilled killer. He was a guardian after all.

He let the statement slide and continued ahead.

“We did face each other in battle once. Our masters were opposing each other in an early conflict. It was indecisive, however.”

Clearly, because it had happened before Isla would have met Jaron based on what JJ remembered of Jaron’s movements. The timeline was not complete, but Judah knew that Jaron seemed to have the attention of a blonde pilot during those days, or she had his.

They had not been involved. Her answer was curt and to the point. There was nothing in her voice which indicated that she had any desire to be. It gave Judah a clearer picture of the woman he was working with. Isla was a solider, first and foremost. He rarely knew women that gave off such a disposition. Even of the warriors he knew, they had not held their emotions so guarded. Life to Isla seemed to be transactional.

She pointed out the direction they needed to travel and she pushed on. It was clear this line of conversation was one she did not want to dwell on. Judah was trying to get to know her, what made her tick. There was something about her which betrayed some kind of emotion when she sensed the familiarity Judah shared with Jaron. It was as if she they had been connected beyond that of a simple friendship.

“Partners, I get it,” he said pushing ahead of her this time.

For now the path forward was simple and straightforward. Judah did not sense any danger in the tunnels themselves, but that did not mean it would remain as clear once they reached whatever remained of the encampments.

“So what is your battle then,” JJ pressed, going back to something she had said earlier. “The First Order has fallen. The Galactic Alliance as you and I knew it no longer exists. You’re a Knight with no fight. Where do you go after this?”​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

Family members locked in battle. In some situations, it was probably a common occurrence – family being on opposing sides. Again, it was sometimes necessary in her mind to cull them, cut the limbs from the family tree. After all, she'd killed her own father.​

​

The empty tunnels echoed slightly with their voices.​

​

Isla did not like the sound of her own voice finding its way back to her ears. The silence of her home in the wreckage had been a pleasant companionship. However, she had asked questions, perhaps it was only fair that he returned them.​

​

What was her battle?​

​

That was part of the problem, the battle was over.​

​

"I do not know," Isla answered.​

​

Part of the reason why she looked for Jaron, was perhaps to find some sense of purpose. He'd given her guidance when she had been new to the Ren. Though, it was unlikely that she would admit she needed… help. Perhaps she ought to have given into the darkness completely, faded from existence entirely.​

​

The uncertainty made her uncomfortable.​

​

"The… Alliance," Isla said the words like they tasted bitter. "Still exists?" ​

​

He'd said 'as we know it.' She was out of touch when it came to galatic affairs. Perhaps, then, the regime she'd once battled had crumbled as well. For the longest time, she'd known only the dark orders of her 'master' and the cries of the battlefield. The question still lingered… now what?​

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Weapon: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

Did the Alliance still exist?

“Yes and no,” was the only answer JJ gave for the moment.

It did not exist in the form she would have remembered, but the Galactic Alliance had filled the power vacuum which the collapse of the Confederacy of Independent Systems had left behind. They were the only true vestige of light left in a dark galaxy. Judah would not expect Isla to understand those sentiments. Her regime had been fueled by the dark side. The Knights of Ren followed a leader who could only be described as evil incarnate.

He had been replaced with an evil far greater. The Brotherhood of the Maw followed and revered one that took things to an extreme Judah had never seen. Yes, there were those who made the force a religion of its own, but the Maw had taken up an unholy war against the galaxy as a whole. Justified by whatever divine mandate they saw fit, the dark side faction had ravaged many worlds in the name of their false god.

JJ knew what his battle was. It was the same as it had always been, light versus the dark. The question at hand for Isla was whether or not that had been her battle to begin with. Had she been completely devoted to the darkness her war still waged on. If she had no battle to fight perhaps she was amenable, bendable, able to take up a new cause.

“The Alliance folded, or retreated into itself. They re-emerged under the same name, but claimed the Core Worlds as their right. Something along those lines anyway. Many of the displaced Jedi found their way back and formed the New Jedi Order. My mind is still undecided, but in the absence of the First Order and the Sith, the Brotherhood of the Maw has been allowed to run rampant. Even your Seiger Ren would have had problems with them I think.”

Judah was giving her a new enemy to fight perhaps, or maybe he was testing her. Still the conversation served as a distraction as to why they were in the tunnels in the first place. A rapid beeping suddenly reminded Judah of where they were.

He looked down at the datapad he was carrying, also tracking the signal he had loaded on the one he gave Isla. They were close to the signal and yet all JJ could see was the rubble surrounding the base of what appeared to be some kind of memorial.

Judah sighed.

The sight drained whatever hope he had of finding Jaron alive. Quietly he began to move the stones and debris which were in the vicinity of Jaron’s signal.

“I think we already know our answer, but I need to see for myself.”​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

So, the Alliance had not been immune to the ever-shifting changes in galactic power, the rise and fall. However, they'd re-emerged from the ashes, so to speak. Isla listened with narrowed eyes, still quite unsure what to make of this information.

This Brotherhood of the Maw sounded like a blight spreading.

Isla did not know what they were, but she had a feeling that Judah was correct in his assessment. Sieger Ren had prized order – if this Brotherhood had sought to sow chaos, then it is likely they would have been enemies.

Their datapads indicated the source of the signal was close.

This place was deserted, as far she could tell. It was unlikely at this point they would find Jaron living. Her companion seemed to have reached the same conclusion, evident by the deep sigh that escaped him. She watched for a moment as the man knelt to remove the debris. It was almost like he was unearthing a tomb.

Isla joined him, lifting stones with a surprisingly gentle hand.

The dead should not be disturbed. But she supposed that there were times when it was necessary. Like now, as they sought a confirmation. As the pile of stones shifted when bits were removed, there was evidence of bodies having been buried beneath them. Rags of clothing, shards of bones – and a helmet. It was familiar, and Isla reached to lift it with a knowing glance.

"It is his," she said, simply.

And she held it for another moment before proffering the helmet to Judah.

"We have our answer."

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Weapon: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

For a moment it seemed as though Judah was the only person standing in the ruins. Amidst the torn clothing, crushed bones, and the dirt which littered the ground, Judah knelt holding the red helmet of his cousin in his hands. Something about it all felt wrong. Jaron was dead, but yet the helmet seemed placed, as though it was meant to be there. Who would have memorialized Jaron?

“We have our answer.”

The words shook him back to reality. Suddenly there was more, another presence with him. Isla. She would not have placed the helmet there. JJ already knew she had not known he was dead. This had been her search as much as it had been his, and yet…

“I don’t think we do, or not all of it at least.”

It still worked. That was the most intriguing thing about it all. Had Jaron simply died in the heap why was his helmet still producing a traceable signal. No, Judah needed more satisfaction than the fact his cousin was dead. Whether it was wise or not, JJ put the helmet on. He recalled the final log entry his cousin recorded.

Judah smiled just hearing his voice, but that smile suddenly faded. JJ was reminded his cousin had a life Judah knew nothing about. That life had included a lover, and… a daughter Jaron seemed to know nothing about. Jaron had been searching for them after the battle, hearing of survivors. Had he found them? The log cut off, suddenly, either the helmet had been removed or Jaron… He would not have left his helmet behind if he were still alive, so Judah let himself accept the truth.

He handed the helmet back to Isla.

“He has a daughter who is still alive somewhere.”

JJ did not know what else to say. If she wanted to see for herself she could, but the red haired woman seemed stoic, almost unfeeling in these matters. She had referred to Jaron as a friend. They had not been lovers, she made that clear. Did the woman have any sense of emotion other than anger at all? She had helped him in his search, and Judah did have a promise to fulfill.

“I told you I would get you off the planet if you helped me. Do you still wish to leave this place behind?”

Judah had no idea where he would take her, but the offer was there.​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

Isla merely watched as Judah seemed reluctant to accept the answer brought by the helmet. In her own mind, this was the end. Yes, a body would have been a better way to confirm his death. But the state of the rubble made that difficult – as did their lack of a way to test it. At least, here on Dosuun.

Her brow arched slightly as Judah set the helmet on his own head.

There was a faint smile on his face, but it faded fast. Isla bowed her head slightly, almost feeling like she was an intruder. A few moments later, the helmet was back in her hands. For all her stoic nature, her expression did register surprise upon hearing that Jaron had a daughter. A family. It was odd to think of her fellow Ren that way, at least to her. For her own part, she'd lived her life in a solemn, almost monastic way. No feeling, no attachments, nothing to hold her back.

Isla knelt next to the pile of rock once more, and she placed the helmet back as it was found. Her emerald eyes lingered there for a long moment as Judah asked if she still wanted to leave. Unclipping the saber from her belt, she held it up to look at. "This also belongs to someone who is dead."

With that, she placed the saber inside Jaron's helmet and covered both items with rock. These tunnels would likely remain unexplored, for some time at least. And the helmet and saber would eventually be found… but they would merely be relics of a bygone time.

"I will leave with you," Isla said, standing. "Though, where I shall go…"

The flame-haired woman trailed off.

Was there still a place in the galaxy for her?

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Wearing: xxx
Weapon: xxx
Tag: Isla Ashen

Judah watched as Isla set her saber with the helmet and began to replace the rubble from where Jaron's armor had been dug up. Dead. The word bothered JJ especially when it seemed Isla was using that word to describe herself. Not that Judah was one to encourage anyone to carry around a red lightsaber, but the weapon itself was part of who she was. Even if the Ren she had been no longer was "alive" the lightsaber still carried the essence of Isla Ashen.

He reached out and pulled the weapon to himself with the force. It was an act that was risky. Isla could very easily be offended by what he was doing. Judah was a Lesan however and as impulsive as the man he was named after.

"Red is just a color, just as green is. The hilt is metal and other components that make the mechanism work. A tool. I understand the symbolism, but when you made this it became more than just a weapon, but an extension of who you are. Become something else, someone else, and it will too. Besides, if you're coming with me… you'll need it."

He was a guardian, a Jedi warrior. His path led into combat not away from it. For as long as Isla decided to travel with him, his enemies would be hers. Despite the force philosophy she was trained in, Judah was fortunate he did not have to count the woman among those he called a foe. At least he was pretty sure he did not.

The hilt was offered. Judah wanted her to understand his path was not a peaceful one. She knew Jaron to be a warrior, and Judah was one as well. Following him for a time was not going to be an easy path. JJ had no idea where he was going to take her yet. Coruscant would be… the most awkward place, and yet the size of the planet made it the easiest place for her to hide from the Jedi if there was any concern.

He shook the thoughts from his head for a moment. What was he thinking? Was he actually going to hide a former enemy of the Galactic Alliance right under their nose. It was about as foolish as something his father would do. Judah hated that the older he got the more like the senior Judah he became. Yet, he seemed to understand it as well.

"We should leave this place behind, I'm not due back on Coruscant for a few days. That should give us time to figure out exactly what we are going to do with you."​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Location: Dosuun​

Outfit: xxx​

Tag: Judah Lesan Jr.​

​

Isla watched as her saber was pulled from the rubble by Judah's telekinetic grip. Her emerald eyes narrowed. Her expression didn't change as he spoke about the symbolism of a lightsaber – and that red was just a color. As her own saber was proffered, Isla stared down at it a moment before taking it.

It was almost like he was accepting her as she was – as dark as she was.

Especially odd… for a Jedi.

What puzzled her even more was that he did not seem bothered by fighting. Weren't most Jedi the peace-wielding pacifists? He'd yet to prove her otherwise, but he suggested that she'd need the saber if she went with him… which made her curious. Perhaps he was a warrior like Jaron, but that would remain to be seen.

"Very well," she answered when he mentioned it was time to leave.

Leave this behind. Though her saber would stay by her side, Isla felt her identity as a Ren would remain here at least, in this crypt. Unless Judah was willing to advertise is own association with a Ren, an enemy. However, she doubted that he was that reckless.

As for where she would go? Isla did not wish to go to Coruscant. Even thinking of the city-world made her cringe. If she was to be dropped somewhere, she would prefer a natural world. She was quiet as they made their way back out of the tunnels and the station. Her green eyes would focus on where Judah's ship was in the distance.

Just what did he intend for her?

Had he meant to turn her over to his Jedi, he wouldn't have given the saber back. For now, it seemed that Isla was forced to put her trust in him.