Blue Civilian

[Jessica Rye]

Shangri-La SSD
Silver Jedi Space


Jessica dismounted the civilian transport with a happy tender smile. One by one, the travelers made their way across the transmat and further up towards the elevators. Each carrying across their little bags and rolling along with their tiny luggage. Jessica was no exception. Garbed in her fuzzy fur poncho and with her duffle bag slapped across her hip. She made quite the eager impression of a happy little traveler. Naturally, bobbing along in the open air beside Jessica was her droid. The floating white softball that was E1-11.

~ "Wow. This ship really is something else, ya know? Just look at this place" ~

"Quite right E. First time for me too. Never been on a ship this size before."

~ "It's alright. You won't get lost with me here. Just um... Let me take a look at a map first, yeah?" ~

"Haha. Oh E. Just relax. This is supposed to be like a vacation ya know."

~ "Oh? And do all Ex-Jedi Knights go vacationing on SSD's these days? Especially when looking for sparring tips from internationally renown Jedi Masters, hmm?"

"Oh hush you. This will be fun. Hey. Ya know? The hotel might even have a pool! Hehe."

E1-11 would have smiled brightly if his singular optic allowed it. After all. He was okay with pools. Together they boarded the lift and were then quickly whisked away to baggage claim. The first start to a wild new adventure. Ready and willing for whatever came next.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

The ship was something else entirely.. massive and built to well be a mobile temple but also it could d0ouble in the case of evacuation... an SSD could carry millions of people and the Shangri-La could be controlled by droids and with a fraction of the crew a ship this size would require through clever use of slave circuits. The jedi master herself though snuggled into the curve of the body behind her. Hanna was taller then her... well most were taller then her with a small look. She felt lips against her neck, could smell perfume and sweat. She turned to look at her but didn't get to move much. As skilled as she was she liked being like this in the curve of the taller woman. Contrasted with her tattoos and the other with her flawless skin. Matsu finally managed to escape the grasp with a smile while she dressed wearing her kimono itself. Thin vine silk with the synthmesh allowing it to be form fitted and stronger as a material. She was walking out fo the cabin on the ship and overlooking one of the larger areas within that served like an indoor park with some fo the jedi having morning meditation courses. Matsu was walking with her black hair in a top knot and it fell across her back down to her feet.

 

[Jessica Rye]

Elsewhere, Jessica unpacked at the hotel. She left her droid behind too. Little guy had to do some shopping as she took the lift downstairs. Then she headed out to find a Sasori Corporate Center. Eventually stepping inside the glamorous business center to speak with a hostess. Jessica was quickly transferred to another woman to book an appointment with [member="Matsu Ike"] for later that day. Then Jessica was told that another woman would call her with a reply shortly.

Confident that her invitation for a sparring lesson had been given according to the appropriate channels. (Alas, the Jedi Hotline was no more,) so Jessica took her leave to find some lunch. Perhaps Matsu would be free later that afternoon. Or, perhaps she had a busy schedule to attend to. Jessica just wasn't quite sure what luxurious Tier VI CEO's did these days anyway. Buy Star Destroyers maybe? Mmm. Maybe not. Then E called her,

~ "Heya Jess. How'd it go?" ~

"Fine, I suppose. I left a message. Maybe she'll get back to me. Maybe not."

~ "Well. Fair enough. Any plans? I'm all done shopping here." ~

"I'm headed over to the court for some food. Fancy a meet up E?"

~ "Sounds good to me. I'll swing by after I drop the stuff at the hotel. Heh. See ya soon Boss!" ~

They had some time to kill.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

Matsu looked as the chevron pad on her forearm chirped. Alerting her to new messages as someone booked an appoint to see her. Interesting and well she did like they didn't just appeared near her or while she was meditating... or in bed with her wife.... or with her children. That was most troublesome as Hanna had given birth to twin girls making their family top off for now at seven children... Kalia was getting older at least and the jedi master moved with her cane in her hand while she was holding the cane. She didn't need it to walk but it made others think she was older and wiser then she might have looked. Nearing sixty years of age.THe jedi master herself though still knowing she could last for another hundred years with the right diet, exercise and force abilities. Her life was really just starting now and she had children to raise with Hanna here and in their homes across the galaxy. Matsu stood there in the park sending the message to Rosewood, the AI who oversaw the ship and jedi facilities would have sent the coordinates as she sat in the silver grass with some of the small jakobeast roaming around... ropos, ami and other creatures.

 

[Jessica Rye]

[member="Matsu Ike"]

Jessica arrived at the park at the appointed time. Followed closely by her floating friend E. Dressed in her fuzzy civilian best, Jess gave a smile and nod in greetings,

"Hello there."

~ "Afternoon," ~ chirped E likewise.

"I'm Jessica. And, this is E1. Thank you for meeting us." She gave a slight bow, "I hope I'm not interrupting? I... Well, we. Came to ask you a few questions. About the Force, really."

~ "She means, Hi. We came to ask you about how you learned to be a total Jedi badass. Mostly." ~

Jess frowned and shook her head at E. The softball just rolled his optic. Why waste time anyway? Sheesh.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

Matsu looked at the pair as they arrived and the floating companion was different she wasn't going to deter it she rather liked the idea... though if it quipped like that it might become grating after awhile... still she could find some amusement with it as she spoke. "Welcome welcome and no, I am just working on projets and overseeing soem of them. We have been making some progress on research into the Ardana Shadex." She said it and they had worked to uncover one fo the legendary things... created to protect the world and few things could compare to their well their uniqueness. The jedi master was moving as she motioned towards a small place to talk and work on it in private. "So tell me what questions you have."

 

[Jessica Rye]

[member="Matsu Ike"]

Jess and E followed along easily. They didn't know what an Ardana Shadex was, but? I'm sure it was something cool and very much worth a Jedi Masters time. Even multi-tasking as Matsu seemed to be doing.

"Well. To start. I suppose I should mention a little about me. I used to be a Jedi Knight. Very orthodox. Until recently, I suppose, I lost my faith."

~ "I keep telling her the Jedi aren't perfect. Ya know." ~ E floated and bobbed.

"Yes. But. That said, I still hold the Force and their creed in very high regard." Jess didn't want to sound too offbeat now. "Which. Is why I came to you."

E nodded and remained silent. For a floating softball, you had to admit. He was very animated. Anyway, Jess continued,

"I guess what I want to ask is... What do you think the best way to fight the Darkside is? Can it be defeated permanently?"

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

Hmmm Matsu looked at her as she spoke and stood there thinking about it. COuld the darkside be defeated permanently... for a time maybe but it was forever it was balance it was in everyone to fel it and use it. "In the short term yes but long term the only way to stop it would be becoming possibly even worse then those who use it. The darkside exists in everyone, the sith use it actively, jedi work to rise above it, common people around the galaxy live with it every day." She looked at her though and continued walking towards one fo the observation chambers. Large and filled with holograms of jedi images. Training montages and leson plans when she slid a hand over it and away. "For a jedi the darkside is the great evil and it is but all are capable of it, the real trick of anything is to show how it can be defeated. Love, compassion, altruism for a start. Working to unite the galaxy by finding what makes us similar instead constantly focusing on what makes us different."

 

[Jessica Rye]

Jess nodded and followed along. Though, she grimaced at Matsu's answer. Being a Jedi Knight once, she knew the general teachings. Thus. She had come hoping for more.

"I see."

The disappointment lingered in her voice already. Even E seemed to notice it. Still, Jessica continued.

"Well. I certainly didn't come here to unite the galaxy or to strengthen my compassion or altruisms. Hmm..."

She pondered that for a moment.

"What about killing a Darksider in combat? Surly that must weaken the Darkside? I mean. Is combat even a worthy investment these days at all?"

Her droid seemed to bounce at such a strange comment. He wasn't quite sure what Jessica was going for. Hadn't she come here to seek sparring tips? Now she seemed to be second guessing her reason for coming.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

"Combat is never a bad thing to know, a jedi should strive to seek the battles victory without using their weapon." She said it but had a look on her face. "THat being said defeating a darksider now seems to becoming less and less effective. They all seem to be able to transfer themselves to a new body and escape being dead. Most of the sith lords if anything seem to do it as a passing fancy now when they get bored with a current body." THe jedi master shrugged until she was checking it over and brought up different saber images and displays. For the different forms that would and could be used from the three rings and styles of the NJO, to exotic forms and the traditional styles.

 

[Jessica Rye]

Again Jess could only nod. Essence Transfer or body swapping or clone jumping; or whatever it was called these days. It was all too common. Rendering death meaningless for the Sith while the Jedi continued venerating The Blue Spirit Form of eternal meh.

Mmm. It appeared the victory that Jess so greatly desired was not to be found at the end of the sword's tip. A lesson she would later be grateful for learning so early in her exiled career. After all. It had taken many other great Jedi Masters years to come to the same conclusions. That killing Sith doesn't get you anywhere.

"I see."

She rubbed her month while E stared at her in strange wondering. Finally, the droid made the next move,

~ "Ahem. Master Ike. Might you have any books or masterful tips about defending yourself against Force Lightning?" ~

He was trying to move things along in a better direction. Jess quickly noticed and pushed the floating ball aside. Ignoring his request.

"Nevermind. Thank you Master Ike. I do believe I've learned a very valuable lesson here today. That fighting the darkness with violence should not be my life's work anymore."

E almost jumped. His single optic twirling. He certainly hadn't realized the Jess' exile had become a vendetta. Though, thinking back now? The droid realized that was exactly what it had become. She was venting her frustrations about the Jedi's lack of conquest into a crusade against the Sith. That was why all she wanted these days was sword fighting tips.

Oh dear.

Jessica smiled and gave Matsu a somber bow, "And yes. I think I've just received the answers I came for. Thank you Master Ike. I guess I just needed a second opinion."

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

"Fight the darkness with blade or with words and actions can be invaluable and something that will happen. It is uncertain though what might happen in the future and uncertain what will be needed. The darkside itself doesn't always leave an option and it is important to know when such a thing can be invaluable. A jedi can not fight, can take the road of peace to the point where they will be killed and when they die then whoever they have been defending or protecting will suffer the same fate they would have. It is up to you to determine when it is enough that you should draw your blade." THe jedi master said it but she thought about the question and had a grin on her face. "Hmmm should have something that can work out well. Lightning is dangerous but ground it with your saber is the easiest method. THe energy can even be reflected if done correctly or they sustain it but tutaminis to absorb it into yourself and make your stronger or direct it back at them to stun."

 

[Jessica Rye]

[member="Matsu Ike"]

E bobbed his attention towards Matsu's words about lightning. The poor droid had only heard of such a thing outside of Jess' training classes. Hmm? Maybe the little droid was thinking of crafting a lightsaber?..

..Nahhh.

"Thank you very much for your time Master Ike. It really has been an honor to have even a moment of your time." Jess again bowed in respect.

Hindsight, they say, is 20/20. Looking back now, Matsu had just changed Jessica's life for the better. No longer would Jess dedicate her self-imposed exile towards defeating the Sith Lords in battle. Rather, she would rededicate herself to the journey of life. Letting all the wisdom she remembered from the Jedi Order, guide her path forward.

"Well. Is there anything I can for you before we take our leave?"

E likewise nodded his approval. Poor little guy was always happy to help. Ha.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

Matsu tapped her chin with a grin on her face. "Hmmm well I have been working on one or two things of interest. MOstly developing new force technologies and equipment for jedi. We have developed this bag for jedi to use. We have also been starting to experiment with crafting and cutting crystals. As a means to augment lightsabers." She said it and sliped one of the artisan field kits out of her robes looking at the girl. She set up a few other things but was leading the way through the halls of the massive ship. Other training rooms as well as sections that went out to different entertainment districts appeared. Jedi training courses in different social situations such as nightclubs, intoxicate or poisoned air filled bars, crowded streets with pickpockets and a dozen other scenarios that could face a jedi in the field.

 

[Jessica Rye]

Jess stopped short of the grand tour and shrugged towards E. He seemed to understand exactly what she meant,

~ "Erm. Pardon me Master Jedi. But as much as Jess and I would love to stay and browse the ship, we really do have to be getting back to the hotel." ~

Jessica sighed a breath of fresh air. Thanks E. Then she made a mental note to never ask a corporate CEO if there was anything she needed help with again. This ship was overflowing with stuff to see and do. Good grief.

"Yes sorry. Bad timing. Hehe. Maybe another time."

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Jessica Rye"]

Matsu looked at her and smiled a little with a bow of her head. "No worries, please enjoy yourself. We have created a small artificial lake in one of the biochambers. Letting aquatic species have a means to recover or live if the ship is used for massive evacuations." She said it when she was looking at a few more scans reaching out with the force itself. She could feel a few things and started to walk going through one of the doors as the displays of the Kiyomi and Goddess itself were on screen for a brief moment. THe jedi master would let them go and explore the ship... an SSD not made for combat meant there was a whole lot of places to go and check out if you wanted to when she lifted one Kalia the little toddler holding her close.

 

[Jessica Rye]

Jessica and E smiled and nodded their acceptance. No doubt they would spend the rest of their day enjoying the many wonderful amenities provided by the giant vessel. Then, it was back to the Northern Rim to continue their adventures. All in a galaxy far, far away.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

/end