Dominion Cubed | GA Dominion of Janara III

[Jasper Kai'el]

Janara III
Tags: Aaran Tafo , Dagon Kaze , Bernard of Arca , Aeson Keel ​

"With any luck, right to the heart of the Maw's operation,"

To the heart of the Maw? Was such a thing even possible? If so, the value such data could hold would be incredibly high. The Maw had and still were capable of launching raids against Coruscant with very little difficulty getting there. The Jedi Temple's reconstruction was evident of that fact. Gaining access to the Sith capital could, in theory, majorly shift the dynamic of the conflict. It was no wonder that the SIA had interest in it. Still, Jasper didn't exactly trust them. They always seemed to have ulterior motives, and never the pleasant kind.

As more people arrived, Jasper remained quiet, keeping his thoughts to himself for the time being. He wondered if the SIA agents were prepared for what they were about to experience. The dark side wasn't just a bogey man invented to scare children. Jasper had seen it do terrible things. Reduce flesh to charcoal, drive people to madness, and devour people through shadows amongst other things. He was fully prepared to have his mind tested, and Master Tafo seemed to reaffirm this belief in his opening pep talk. For now, he just wanted to pick up on the dynamic of the group. Already, mistrust seemed to be the common trend. That wasn't great.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

JANARA III - Korvan Toldreyn

​

Even with the system stained by the Force, it was not all lost.

The Jedi had seen it first-hand, as Rakaan and his men waded into a dense jungle ripe with life. From the tips of the tallest canopies and in the bottom of the underbrush, wildlife rustled the leaves as much as it had crunched sticks and kicked rocks as soldiers patrolled their habitat. Beside their idle chatter in the middle of the motions, it was birdsong that filled their ears - the odd, callous shriek the reminder that all was not well on Janara III. The Sith created a wound here, an irreparable scar that twisted much of what once dwelled on the surface.

Joined by his former master, a mission to scout out lost civilians had seemed a far cry from their earlier assignments: a blundered attempt at diplomacy with the locals of Barab I, or the investigation of lost Jedi over Har Binande, or that 'situation' on Bothawui. Since the younger of the two returned to the Jedi though, Rakaan and Korvan had Kiffu under their belt and now able to cross Janara off the list too.

"Captain," Rakaan started with freshly washed water over his face while he squat beside the oasis, "Tell the men to refill and rest up, back on our feet in ten."

The armoured soldier answered in the affirmative before the order was relayed to the rest of them. In droves, emptied cantinas became full while Rakaan strode towards a nearby stone and slumped his sweat-stained frame against it and into the blades of unkempt grass with forearms resting over raised knees. He watched as several helmets rose to show identical faces, copies and clones of one man. Part of him pitied them, to see them granted normal lives and want nothing of the sort. He felt a certain sense of kinship in that, the Jedi found.

His squinted eyes upturned towards Master Tolderyn, the sun cascading through the leaves overhead. "Stuck with me on the boring assignment this time, Master." He remarked with a teasing smile, sipping at his cantina. He wiped what fell from his mouth with his sleeve. "What's your take with all that anyways? SIA meddling in Jedi business?"

​

 

[Hand of Judgement]

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C U B E D
Reconnaissance

FINAL DAWN
JANARA SYSTEM, INNER RIM
POV : COLONEL VIKTOR WILHELM

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Janara III. What was supposed to be a calm, peaceful and rather insignificant world in the Inner Rim had fallen into ruin, a victim of some unknown catastrophe that left the world devastated. Nevertheless in recent times, the Galactic Alliance had begun to set it's eyes upon the Inner Rim world sending Jedi, Soldiers and Civilian Volunteers had begun to flock to Janara III to provide aid to it's population which had caught the attention of none other then the Final Dawn itself. Now you may be asking, what is the Final Dawn doing here so far from home base, and why they are interested? Well no one knows exactly, even the very rank-and-file personnel of the Final Dawn whom had been given direct orders by Director-Admiral Sevenar to keep an eye on the system had no idea of the overall endgame. All the mattered was that the Final Dawn had taken an interest in the Alliance's Operations in the area. To what end, no one knew for sure. But one thing was certain, something big is in the works.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Rothana, Colonel Wilhelm had been reassigned to the FDS Echo, a Quandary-Class Surveillance Ship operated by the Final Dawn. His orders were simple. Keep an eye on the Alliance's Operations on Janara III and report back to the Director-Admiral at Yag'Duhl, once he'd gathered enough intel. It was quite unusual for Sevenar to give him a task and not tell him what he sought to accomplish with such a task, and as such doing so meant that he had something big planned, something that even he was oblivious too. So far nothing much had happened onboard the FDS Echo. They had long tapped into Alliance communications and were eavesdropping on every transmission that was being sent off-world to distant officials at Coruscant or in-between vessels most likely in orbit of Janara III itself.

As for the FDS Echo, it had positioned itself deep within the Janara System, far from the preying eyes of any Alliance Patrol Ship in order to carry out it's operations swiftly. Still even as he went on with his usual day-to-day affairs onboard the Echo, Colonel Wilhelm still could not understand the purpose of this mission. Why was he here off all places, Janara III had no strategic importance yet the Director-Admiral had decided to send multiple Surveillance Ships within the System and the surrounding Sector to keep an eye on the Alliance like he was planning a full-scale assault on the world itself. However soon enough, the Colonel would be brought out of his thoughts as one of his officers proceeded to enter his office. "Sir, we've received new orders from Director-Admiral Sevenar." the officer began. "He wants us to set course to Janara III immediately in order to deploy a few surveillance droids to gather more intel on the Alliance's Operations on the Planet."

Wilhelm sighed as the officer spoke. First he sent a small flotilla of Surveillance Ships to eavesdrop of Alliance communications on the world, now this? What was Sevenar up to, exactly? Nevertheless, Wilhelm simply proceeded to face the officer from behind his desk and simply responded. "Very well, tell the Captain to make the jump into hyperspace for Janara III, i'll join him on the bridge later." the Colonel replied. He simply leaned back into his chair and sighed once more once the Officer left his office. Still pondering the very question of what his superiors were up to. Nevertheless soon enough, the hyperdrive of the FDS Echo would be engaged as it would begin a small micro-jump towards Janara III ready to execute the next phase of the Final Dawn's Operation in the Janara System

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[Jand Talo]

UNLIGHT OF JANARA III

The Jedi were needed to help cleanse a world.

It sounded obscene, outlandish, but in his time at the Jedi Temple it had occurred to Jand that a lot seemed possible through the Force.

So, the Nagai Padawan had volunteered to travel to Janara III, to which he arrived with other Jedi. The world was like a wasteland, in truth, and there was a foul feeling on the air, not to mention the sensation of danger that crept at the edges of the senses. It was enough to make a sentient start to feel paranoid, with that threat constantly on the mind... and Jand couldn't have been more content.

A world corrupted by the dark side, filled with twisted and unnatural creatures, which were said to be very dangerous?

Jand could almost feel the anticipation in his very bones.

Still, the Jedi were on Janara III to help, which he planned to assist with however he could. Though there seemed no reason to also pit himself against some corrupted creatures at the same time. So as the Jedi spoke in a group not far from where Jand was, the Nagai busied himself with preparation, as he peered down at some bones - of some animal, perhaps - in the dirt.

Crouched above the remains, Jand reached out and poked them, turned them over.

Not fresh, but not old, either.

"A ghost town," Jand muttered to himself, as he looked over to Master Noble. She spoke of her previous experience on the planet. As the group of Jedi prepared to leave, Jand stood and looked out over the landscape. "Hm."

Yes, Jand was going to help cleanse the planet... but he was also going to fight some corrupted beasts.

"Master Yenna..."

Jand approached, gray eyes regarded the small sentient.

"I volunteer to carry you, if you so choose."

Valery Noble | Yenna | Zhea Nox | Dhalinar Greystar | Kara Jade | Gotto Sorendu​

 

[Korvan Toldreyn]

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Janara III | Rakaan Horne​

Korvan was deep in thought.​

​

It wasn't an unusual state of being for him - he was a thinker at heart. The Jedi Master always had something on his mind, whether it was a task at hand, a rumination on some past revelation, or a theory so far into the future that his thoughts surely could not impact it, ever was he trapped in the recesses of his mind. With the state the galaxy was in, there was plenty to consider as well, there was much for him to be focused upon, so much so that his thoughts would never be quiet.​

​

Ilum weighed heavy on his thoughts still, this cold war with the Empire seemed poised to grow worse, and it seemed as if his fellow Jedi might be complicit in allowing such a thing. They were diplomats, peace-keepers, should the Chancellor have not called upon them to reach out to the Empire? To try and court some semblance of peace before the galaxy descended into an even deeper conflict than the Maw had brought to it?​

​

And then there was Rakaan.​

​

It had filled Korvan with a special sort of joy to have his old student return to the fold, to fall under his wing yet again. It was almost uncanny to be on this sort of mission with his pupil, as if nothing had ever happened. Among his fellows, the willingness to accept that return to status-quo seemed easy enough, Valery and Dagon had welcomed Rakaan back with open arms - of course, he had as well. But something had happened, and as pleased as Korvan was to welcome his old Padawan back into the Alliance and into the Jedi, he had lost his way once.​

​

And as devoted as he was, as much as he had learned from the past, it could happen again.​

​

The voice of his student shook him from his stupor, and Korvan turned his gaze to settle it upon Rakaan, his finger brushing over his moustache in his usual thoughtful stance, a gentle smile splitting his lips at the comment, as well as the question that followed. "Not every mission that we take can be like that business on Bothawui, and nor should it, Rakaan." He quipped back with ease, as if he had never quite lost the knack for it. But even now as he watched Rakaan, there was a hidden sadness that lingered behind his eyes. He could not forget.​

​

"The Alliance has its reasons to be wary, Rakaan - it was still not long ago that the Sith infiltrated our number and brought the government to its knees. It is why we should welcome these opportunities to work with them, to show them the Jedi are their allies, that we are all on the same side." He stepped towards his student, laying a hand on his shoulder. "It's Alliance business, not just the Jedi."​

 

[Zhea Nox]

ECLIPSE
GHOST TOWN | JANARA III
TAG: Yenna | Valery Noble | Kara Jade | Jand Talo | Miri Nimdok | Gotto Sorendu | Dhalinar Greystar |

BLUE HEALER​

"Like a drink, you both need. So glum, you both sound! Of healing this planet, we have the honour! A very good day, this is. From the darkness, we can save it."

The Kiffar smiled. Of course she was right - flask and all. They had the opportunity to do some good - to spread the Light. The Darkness pressed heavily against them - all the pain and suffering it caused - but by no means should it deter them from their goal.

She turned toward the Padawan that had accompanied Yenna.
"Your Master is very wise, Young Padawan. You have a great honour being taught by her." she said to Miri Nimdok with a smile. She was, however, glad that she did not bring Varen Ardos on this endeavour. Especially not after what had happened on Ilum.

More Jedi joined the group whom Zhea had not met before. One in particular seemed as much at ease as Yenna was, which put Zhea's mind more at ease.

"Gotto Sorendu, Jedi Knight. Pleasure to make your acquaintances, though its unfortunate that our meeting be in such a dire setting."

The Kiffar smiled as she bowed her head toward him. "Zhea Nox." she introduced herself. "It is indeed unfortunate to meet under such circumstances."
And Master Noble seemed to share the sentiment.

"There should be one Ghost town at the center of it all, which is where it happened. That's where I'll be going to start something larger that can help cleanse this place. But there are other towns, and people in need of help as well. Wherever you go, Jedi help is needed but be careful — a Wound in the Force weakens your ability to tap into the Force, and it can... change those who can't shield themselves."

The Sage gave a respectful nod at her words. It was especially dangerous in the latest times with all the emotional turmoil that the Galaxy as a whole was experiencing.

Just then, a young voice came across the comms.

"This is Padawan Jade, I've landed at the designated spot. Heading towards the village now."

"I think that is our cue to start moving, ladies and gentlemen." Zhea said as she unclipped her staff and extended it into a walking stick.

"A ride, could I perhaps hitch?"

The Kiffar looked down at the little Maser with a smile and was just about to acquiesce when another young voice interrupted from the side.

"Master Yenna...I volunteer to carry you, if you so choose."

Another Padawan approached the group with his offer, which was heartwarming to see, especially in a place such as this.

With that, she started moving toward the town to meet up with Padawan Jade and bring some good to the troubled land.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

JANARA III - Korvan Toldreyn

​

The reborn Jedi held onto his answer. It sat there in silent hesitation, yet formulated and calculated in his mind from mere instinct before his former master had even been able to finish his own response. It stood there on the brink of the abyss and blinked, to leave Rakaan uncertain in the fraction of the second that came to be. His efforts of amends and reassurances had come with a refusal to decline; the Jedi answered in the affirmative at all times with utmost devotion and dedication to the cause of the Jedi, of the whims of the Senate. Rakaan felt the shameless desperation to prove himself one of them, even better than them and not a slave to his emotions rooted in his past.

He was so young. Powerful, in mind and body. In the Force. Yet remained shackled to this need, this drive to exceed the expectations laid out before himself and all Jedi. Be it from his own Master Korvan, or that of Master Noble. The rest of the Council, the Senate's demands of the Jedi. It was a silent struggle, one without outcry. His own personel Hell.

Korvan may have once believed that Rakaan's capabilities with his senses had not been so attuned to the Force, instead rather the opposite. His manipulation over the Force had exceeded what his master was believed possible at this time. He could feel the off taste to the air, as if it was the salt from a tear that cut across dust and dirt. Rakaan felt the prods of a million soft voices, of a thousand faint touches, a hundred combative emotions, tens of unexplainable disturbances, and one little lie.

The little lie that Korvan and Rakaan told themselves. That what was done could be left alone. That it could be abandoned, shunned, and cast aside. There was a hint of discomfort between the two of them, no matter how desperately both wished to put it all behind them. Korvan was correct, something had come between them and there was no telling if that same something may come to be once more. Each sleepless night, plagued by nightmares of a grim future, reminded Rakaan of such. He wondered, could I lose myself again, could Rakaan ever find what once was?

On the inside, Rakaan could feel his brow furrow. He was determined to make it so. Rakaan was a Jedi, and that was all Rakaan envisioned himself as. Just a Jedi worth the approval of Korvan Tolderyn, worthy of his undying faith. Though in that moment Rakaan had come to realise something: Korvan raised him, knew him better than himself, and there was no act in this Galaxy that could fool the man that had been his father, been his brother.

And so the Jedi Knight answered in disagreement, all too true to himself.

"I'm not so sure," Rakaan answered with the same degree of uncertainty shone across his features in the exerted effort to stand, then to lean on the stone. "I think there's a time and a place, and this time the Jedi have been disrespected. Of what use is a Sith Wayfinder to someone incapable of wielding the Force? It adds too many hands, it slows us down."

He folded his arms over his chest, "I mean no disrespect, but should we not be permitted to act swiftly to end this war?"

​

 

[Yenna]

JANARA III | MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
TAGS: Valery Noble | Zhea Nox | Jand Talo | Miri Nimdok | Kara Jade | Dhalinar Greystar | Gotto Sorendu
GEAR: In bio

With an easy smile, Yenna listened to what all the others had to say. It was always a pleasure for her to see the masters and padawans working together, and Miri’s company on the trip merely fed the warmth in her heart. The others introduced themselves, much to the little green Jedi’s relief, and as such she had to return the favour. ”Master Yenna. A pleasure, it is, to meet you all.” She spoke up as she glanced at the group.

"Your Master is very wise, Young Padawan. You have a great honour being taught by her."

A shy smile spread across her features as she looked up at Zhea. ”The kind words, I appreciate, Master Nox.” She muttered, turning to face the group. Valery decided to split off and tackle a larger town, earning a nod from Yenna. ”Help, if you need, call us, be sure to.” She spoke up with a more serious tone. When it was time to move, another padawan volunteered to lend her a shoulder. She was rather saddened that Miri didn’t volunteer, but she wouldn’t force the girl. The other padawan was a new face. Apart from his name, she didn’t know anything about him.

”Very much, I appreciate it, padawan Talo.” She faced him with a smile before she somersaulted into the air and landed gracefully on his shoulder, barely any weight finding its way onto him. ”Quickly, we must move.” She held her cane away from Jand as she gently bobbed along with his steps, not once looking off balance.

”Occupants, if there are… killing them, our last resort, is. Restrain them, we must first. Help them, we maybe still can.” She spoke as she looked at the rest, the Padawans in particular. She knew that Miri wasn’t afraid to fight, and she suspected that Jand wasn’t too different.

The darkness grew heavier as they neared the desolate town. Yenna could feel the grip over it all. Eradicating the darkness from this area was going to be difficult.

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Janara III //
// Objective - I // Unlight of Janara III //
// Focus // Valery Noble // Zhea Nox // Yenna // Jand Talo // Kara Jade // Miri Nimdok // Gotto Sorendu // Dhalinar Greystar //

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A small grunt came from the young Echani as she trailed behind the back of the group, tugging gently at the bag hanging from her shoulder as it began to slump once more.

A Wound in the Force...

Thoughts trailed in her mind as the edges of her senses blurred. Ayra's understanding of the living force was minute, only a recent education having taught her how to even begin to feel the force flowing between one being to another. But there was something about this location that even with her numbness toward these sensations she could feel something.

Ayra couldn't say what was missing... but she knew it might never return.

Swallowing her nerves, the Echani padawan quickened her pace towards the masters that led the group of Jedi.

"There should be one Ghost town at the center of it all, which is where it happened. That's where I'll be going to start something larger that can help cleanse this place. But there are other towns, and people in need of help as well. Wherever you go, Jedi help is needed but be careful — a Wound in the Force weakens your ability to tap into the Force, and it can... change those who can't shield themselves."

"I'm not sure I can be of much help in regards to cleansing," Pale blue eyes darted around between the members of the group, watching the Jedi form their own groups. "But I brought along plenty of supplies to help the living if we come across them." She said as she motioned towards the bag slung across her.

Master Ney'vizz hadn't yet seen fit to grant the padawan lightsabers yet, instead hoping to nip the young girl's aggression in the bud. By relegating her to an assistant role, the Shi'do master had hoped that the girl would learn patience from her time helping the citizens. Despite her annoyance at the situation, Ayra could hardly fight with the master lest she proves her mother right about joining the Jedi. So she would lug the medicine and food for those in need. Plus watching masters show what she would be capable of one day was fun in its own right.

The attitude alleviated somewhat as she watched the admittedly amusing sight of Master Yenna hopping on one of her fellow padawan's shoulder. It was somewhat cute in its own way and, even against the coldness brushing against her skin, the girl managed a light chuckle as she followed along with the rest of the group as they made their way further inwards toward the town.

 

[Elami Iria]

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Location: GEHINNOM II
Objective III - Help where possible
Tags: Silas Westgard | Iris Arani | Thalia Senn | Zoar

Elami wasn’t sure why she was sent on this mission. She had barely even made it back to the Order. Had been assigned a new master who went AWOL on a secret mission. About the only thing that had gone right recently was running into another Padawan while shopping. Draven Eterena filled Elami’s thoughts often. He’d helped get R2-DZ ready to be Elami’s co-pilot. Now she just needed to work on getting that fighter so she could call herself a Jedi pilot.

The truth was if she looked at things she knew why she was sent here. She had no direction without her Master. Though Master Korraay did try to contact Elami regularly and gave her tasks to work on. For the most part the Mirialan Padawan just moped around the temple looking for something to tinker with. That being the case sending her to an old space station with a lot of things to tinker with, other Padawans to work alongside and Maw relics to try to purify, it seemed this actually was a good mission to be sent on. Hopefully they wouldn’t find anything dangerous and Elami would prove to herself that she was a value.

Elami led Dizzy(R2-DZ) out of the freighter that had brought them from Coruscant. She was immediately stopped by one of the foremen. “Another Jedi kid?” he asked with a tone of disinterest. “The others went off that way. Don’t go touching anything that looks important.”

Elami frowned. “I’m a mechanic as well as a Jedi,” it was true in a broad sense. She worked on small machines only. Dizzy was her biggest project to date. “I know what I should and shouldn’t be touching. Let me know if I can be of help. Name is Elami Iria. I guess I’ll be with the other Jedi.” She gave a nod and headed off in the direction the foreman had pointed.​

 

[Gotto Sorendu]

Janara III
Tags: Valery Noble , Yenna , Jand Talo , Kara Jade , Miri Nimdok , Zhea Nox , Dhalinar Greystar , Ayra Lowe ​

"I have some... history with this planet,"

The Sword of the Jedi seemed somber. It was clear from her tone that it was not a very pleasant memory. Gotto had never experienced the formation of a wound in the force before. He couldn't begin to imagine what such an event was like. As Master Noble explained what it was that had to be done, the Nagai padawan brought his attention to the remains of an animal. The Kage went to assess it himself. Their was a corrupted air around the creature's remains, along with it's lingering final emotions.

"It seems the poor beast was driven mad," Gotto noted.

Gotto procured some seeds from his pocket, scattering them over the remains of the creature. With a little bit of influence from the force, the vegitation began to envelope the remains. It wasn't much, but until the planet could be healed there was little more that could be done.

"I'm not sure I can be of much help in regards to cleansing," Pale blue eyes darted around between the members of the group, watching the Jedi form their own groups. "But I brought along plenty of supplies to help the living if we come across them."

He couldn't help but smile as the Echani padawan, the newest arrival, gave a synopsis on what she could and couldn't do. The air of nervousness was very clear, and it seemed that she had no weapons to assist her in the event of a battle. Gotto, of course, knew better than to dismiss the young padawan's abilities as she herself had. There were other ways to fight without weapons.

"Good thinking," Gotto nodded. "It didn't even cross my mind to bring extra supplies (not that I own anything now that I think about it). Don't worry about cleansing. There will be plenty more to do. Your skills will be needed, in one way or another anyways."

”Occupants, if there are… killing them, our last resort, is. Restrain them, we must first. Help them, we maybe still can.”

"I can be of assistance there," the Kage explained. He pulled a handful of seeds out of his pocket. "My friends can aid us. Unfortunately, they don't seem particularly fond of the darkness. I'm afraid that I won't be moving as fast as I usually do." A grin spread across his face. "I'd save the rest of what's in your flask, Master Yenna. I have a feeling you're gonna need it when we're done here."

 

[Kara Jade]

Location: Janara III
Objective 1: Search for Survivors, hopefully
Tags: Valery Noble | Zhea Nox | Yenna | Dhalinar Greystar | Gotto Sorendu | Miri Nimdok | Jand Talo | Ayra Lowe
​

While the group were as a whole heading in one direction, Kara had landed in a completely different one. Still heading towards the same village, but her objective was to scout a secondary path. If there was a chance any survivors had used it to escape, they needed to check it.

Alas, there had been no sign of movement along the path, not even the slightest hint of fresh tracks. So Kara pushed on, heading into the village hoping the others had already arrived.

They hadn’t.

The village was decently large, enough to have a sizable market square at its centre. But the entire place was abandoned. Not in the sense that everything looked like a chaotic mess, but rather that it hadn’t been touched. There wasn’t even a single door that had been left swinging open.

Kara felt that chill run up her spine again.

But she pushed that feeling down, and instead tried to reach out with the Force. Immediately she was beset by some kind of ‘mental fog’, trying to sap her strength. Kara tried to work against it, but she quickly pulled away the moment she felt it try and seep through.

And then a door suddenly flew open, slamming violently against its hinge. Then another, and another, and another…

In every direction, people began to shamble out of buildings. First walking at a slow crawl, until one looked up and over at Kara.

“Liiiiiiiight…”

“...Huuuunger.”​

And then they began sprinting towards her.

The commlink would suddenly burst to life once more, only for it to be a chaotic jumbled mess. Sounds of someone running, and a mass of others in pursuit. The sound of things getting thrown and knocked over.

“I’m at the village, I repeat I’m at the village and under attack!”

Communication cut off a second later, as Kara focused on running rather than talking. When the group would finally make it to the village, they’d find the Padawan atop a market stall, kicking at zombie-like villagers attempting to reach her.

 

[Aaran Tafo]

"This is Jedi business, Aaran -- you know that better than I do."

So it may be. The entire situation stank of mistrust and the needless meddling of governments who needed to maintain the illusion of control. The SIA claimed to be trustworthy, but also needed to be observing a ritual which none of their agents could meaningfully interact with. Were they to pull out a blaster and start shooting if the Wayfinder was trapped and unleashed a horde of ghosts? Would their ability to discern fact from fiction help them if they were trapped in an illusion with a malicious intelligence that adapted to their expectations in order to better trap them.

Were the Jedi vulnerable to the Wayfinder? Certainly, but they were the vulnerable in the way that a soldier was vulnerable to someone shooting them. It was a danger, there was risk. But they had the training and resources to minimise risk and knew how to act in order to maximise the chances of success.

"Sith artefacts outside Jedi hands? Dangerous."

He didn't say anything. He was all too aware of the presence of Aeson Keel . Their SIA watcher, making sure that the Wayfinder would be returned to the hands of those who had no idea what they were dealing with. But Bernard could see the almost imperceptible tilt of his head forward in agreement to his whispers.

As condescending as it sounded, the Jedi present did have an honest responsibility to protect the SIA from their own ignorance.

"When it comes to wayfinders, the process is a mental one. Not unlike Holocrons, " He explained for the only one present in the room blind to the higher mysteries of the Force. Turning his head to give the Agent his full attention. "Normally accessing it is a simple manner. But since it is a Sith device, there's likely an unpleasant trap or two in store for anyone trying to access it who isn't sufficiently..... malevolent."

That was the biggest issue with this kind of technology standing on the edge between science and magic. Anyone trying to access it would need to have a very certain mindset, or defences would trigger.

For Holocrons, it was fairly passive, it would simply shut off, perhaps go into lockdown and send out some kind of a distress beacon. Those affiliated with the Sith tended to be much more hostile.

This Wayfinder contained information that could change the tide of the war, letting the Alliance finally go on the offensive, to perform their own sudden assaults on Maw controlled worlds that were hidden deep in the unmapped regions of the Galactic North.

"Now. Dagon, Bernard. If you'd be so kind as to back me up." He said, cracking his own neck as he began to focus, reaching out with a hand towards the Wayfinder. "Padawan, Agent, please take a few steps back." Slowly, like the trickling drizzle of rain on a cloudy day, he would begin to open himself up to the Force.

"Jasper, do keep your senses alert, this is a good learning experience for you." Ever the teacher, he would urge the youngest present to seize the opportunity to learn how to deal with these kinds of artefacts in the field. How to access them, and most importantly, how to defend oneself from them.

And when playing around with dangerous things, it was always good to have trustworthy allies at your side. And who better than two old comrades who stood side by side with him against the Sith before, and who would continue to do so again.

"Let me know if you two spot anything before I do." He whispered to the others. Senses slowly expanding as he began to gently poke and prod at the Wayfinder, testing the outer defenses, finding nothing. He'd then start to dive in deeper.

Dagon Kaze Bernard of Arca Jasper Kai'el Aeson Keel

 

[Miri Nimdok]

Phew. Another Padawan took on the job of carrying Yenna around.

"Your Master is very wise, Young Padawan. You have a great honour being taught by her."

“Yeah,” Miri mumbled shyly, watching Yenna ride around on Padawan Talo’s shoulder. One of these days, she was going to have to replace the whiskey in her flask with water. Maybe she could get Kyell to help her do it…

The group headed toward a desolate town, where the Dark Side was apparent. Miri could just barely sense it—and even then, it was more like a general bad feeling she got from the place, a feeling bad enough that she could feel her skin prickle as she set foot on the dilapidated streets.

Yenna told them to avoid killing anyone. Instead, they were to try and help. Miri had accordingly brought along her stun blasters and wrist-mounted beamer, neither of which were lethal weapons.

Within minutes, they received a panicked distress call from a Padawan Jade. Miri quickened her pace, rounding a corner to find a group of villagers crowding around a market stall, where a blonde woman had climbed up in order to get away from them.

Several of the zombified townsfolk turned and started shambling towards Miri. She wasted no time, drawing her stun shotgun, taking aim, and firing.

Yenna Valery Noble Kara Jade Zhea Nox Dhalinar Greystar @Gotto Serendu Jand Talo Ayra Lowe​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | XoXo
Location | Janara III
Tag | Yenna Zhea Nox Dhalinar Greystar Gotto Sorendu Kara Jade Miri Nimdok

Now alone, Valery walked through the corrupted lands at a steady pace, her strength in the light a stark contrast to what she felt around her. This void was familiar, and the longer she walked, the more memories resurfaced. From landing in a village of indoctrinated and mind-controlled people to her fight not only with Sith but a crippling parasite within her as well. The latter had brought her down when she knew these people needed her.

None of them could ever be brought back, but today, she'd finally have a chance to undo some of the horrors that were brought to this world, making it more than just a simple test for future plans.

<C> "I'm going to start cleansing this place. I'm sure it'll spark something, so be careful."​

After sending the comms message out to everybody down on the surface, Valery walked into the center of the town and drew in a deep breath. The Force around her was weak, and what little she felt contained dark echoes of death and despair. But the Force flowed through her as well, pure and strong in the light — a source that could not be altered or corrupted by the environment.

She allowed it to flow through her and raised her hands to channel this burning Light, before shaping it to extend around her like a wall. It was going to be a slow and demanding process on her own, but little by little, her Light would extinguish the shadows around her.

​

 

[Atlas Drake]

Thalia Senn Silas Westgard Iris Arani Zoar Elami Iria

"We're at anchor," Atlas called over his shoulder, "You kids go ahead! Just need to run a few post-flight checks."

Okay, so he was a little overqualified to be shuttle pilot for a gang of Jedi younglings. Small favor to get first crack at a Maw battle station. Captain Drake wore his enviro-suit just in case he needed to access a damaged compartment or check the outer hull. Few salvage crews could claim to have prior experience with this kind of tech, but he'd boarded the superweapon used to destroy Csilla.

"Magic crystals, huh?" the hyperspace prospector asked once he'd caught up, "Wizard."

After trying to engage some of the Jedi in small talk during their flight, it was clear Atlas didn't understand much about the Force. Some of his questions bordered on superstitious.

//Woa-ho-ho-hoah~...// the Miln barked out to no one in particular, as he tried to plunge his consciousness into the Gehinnom's systems through his cybernetics, and did the slicing equivalent of bonking his head on the firewall. //Gnarly encryption network... And PTP encryption? Without the codes, this could take hours to break through everything.//

"Better not," he cautioned the young codebreaker, "Ever seen a Maw virus? Karabast! Real ugly stuff."

Counting each of them on his fingers, Drake furrowed his brow. One of the kids was missing. Without thinking about it a hand dropped to the Glie-44 blaster on his belt.

"Where's our mechanic?" Drake turned around, "Elami! Over here."

 

[Sion Lorray]

Cordé Sabo
​

For once they didn't randomly meet.

Even though this place would have been perfect for it.

Cramped corridors, creepy cornerways, it would have been amazing to bump into each other as they came in from opposite directions. "You know, imagine if we randomly met here." He murmured quietly over his shoulder as they carefully made their way through the maintenance ingress. They had been tasked to work together.

Apparently the SIA and his own Master took note of their cooperation.

A Sith Lord brought down on Byss and Jedi Padawans rescued on Ilum. Enough to task them to handle this assignment together. SIA attaché to scope-out any dangerous technologies, a Jedi scout to handle any corrupted Kybers.

"I think I would have had a heart attack." Sion allowed there as he considered it some more. The walls were corroded and so burnished it almost looked like blood. Just a good thing there weren't any ritual sacrifices here. It reminded him too much of... his own tenure at their 'school'. It was hard to keep his mind away from those memories.

But he managed it... somehow.

As they pushed through the maintenance shaft and dropped down to the floor? The entry point hissed shut behind and above them.

"Uh... oh... that can't be good."

This was an isolated area of the station. Only a few probe droids passed through and made sure nobody alive or synth was still active. That hadn't been the case, so it had been safe enough for them. But... "Are you claustrophobic?" Sion suddenly asked as he pulled out his saber and ignited it, bathing the immediate surroundings in a blue hue.

"Now's the time to say..."

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: GEHINNOM II
Objective: Retrieve the crystals
Tags: Iris Arani / Thalia Senn / Zoar / Atlas Drake
Attire: Clothing

"We're not here to explore. The Maw has all too many twisted machines I'd rather not see in person if I can avoid it. We'll find the crystals."

"You're right Iris, and my goal will not change. But you never know if they've left anything else the Alliance could use against them" he said back respectfully, not wanting to course any kind of argument before they went into a mission. As they waited more, another padawan made themselves known. Thalia was a new face to Silas, but they were sure to know each other better soon enough "Good to see you Thalia, hope things are well for you" he said with a slight nod of his head.

"Magic crystals, huh?" the hyperspace prospector asked once he'd caught up, "Wizard."

Turning to the pilot he looked at him for a few moments and gave him a warm smile "I'm afraid these are more than magic crystals, if used correctly they could most certainly be a game changer" he stated to the man with a small bow of his head "Silas Westgard, and who must you be?" Silas asked with a sense of maturity about him, one that seemed beyond his age. Everyone was equal here, no matter how ancient or rank they were.

Next was Zoar, an individual who he had met before. He was another of the nervous types, so he knew his way pretty well already "Welcome Zoar, I'm glad you've come to join us" the boy nodded to him as well just before the ramp lowered, letting Silas walk down first and turn to the rest of them. His face showed a noticeable frown, one that showed some kind of regret in what he was about to say.

"Unfortunately, I won't be joining you all on this one. I'm going at this alone to prove I can still... trust myself" he said to them with uncertainty, his eyes finally resting on Iris "Keep in touch alright? if you guys need help I'll come running, no hesitation" Silas promised, slowly beginning to backway no matter what they said.

"Good luck! hopefully, I'll see you all at the crystals without a random creep jumping out of the shadows to kill us!" he shouted with one final smile, turning around on his heels to jog down the dark corridor by himself. One way or another, he had to do this...

 

[Hand of Judgement]

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C U B E D
Reconnaissance

FINAL DAWN
JANARA III, INNER RIM
POV : COLONEL VIKTOR WILHELM

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The FDS Echo emerged from hyperspace arriving in orbit of the Far-Side of Janara III far from any nearby Alliance Warship or Vessel that might be present on the world. As ordered by Director-Admiral Sevenar, the Surveillance Ship had departed for the Planet of Janara III from it's position deep within the Janara System to collect more intelligence on the activities of the Galactic Alliance on the world. What was the ultimate goal of this operation, Colonel Wilhelm did not know only that his superiors demanded it, and he was not one to question the orders of his higher-ups. "Sir, we have arrived at Janara III. So far we remain undetected by Alliance Craft." the Captain of the FDS Echo said upon Wilhelm's arrival at the Echo's Bridge.

Advancing towards the viewports of Echo's Bridge, Wilhelm proceeded to gaze upon the world below him. Contrary to the holographic images he'd seen on the world during his briefing, the planet's appearance was vastly different then that what he had seen during the briefings, the first visual signs that something serious had occurred on the surface. But that did not matter, what mattered was that he collected the intel Sevenar wanted. "Deploy the Reconnaissance Drones. Let's see what our Alliance Friends are up to." the Colonel Said. The Captain nodded and soon enough two dozen Reconnaissance Drones were deployed from the FDS Echo headed straight towards the surface of Janara III, ready to commence the next phase of the Janara Operation

Hopefully Colonel Wilhelm would be able to gather enough intel to satisfy his superiors as soon as possible. Time was the only thing standing in the way of success and failure now. If they were lucky enough, it would be on their side and they could get out of here before anyone noticed, if not then Wilhelm and the crew of the FDS Echo would have to pray nothing bad would happen to them.

---

Tags | OPEN​

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[Thalia Senn]

Silas Westgard | Iris Arani | Zoar | Atlas Drake | Elami Iria

​

"You ready, Thalia?"

"Y-yeah," Thalia started, "Yeah...Right..." She lagged behind the others a little bit. The crews were getting set up and Zoar was already connected to the station.

"The old man's right y'know. Maw don't look that smart, but they aren't dumb. They have some mean slicers. Station's still got power, yeah? Probably chock full of mean digital beasties." She gave the big softie robot a friendly pat on the thigh, if only because that's where she stood next to that behemoth. "Probably don't want to touch anything either," She couldn't exactly go out and say it was because she lived here and knew her way around because of the SIA goons about, but maybe she could at least try and put them on the right path without getting anyone killed.

"Touch the wrong panel and any manner of nasty creature could find you. Technobeasts, voxyn, raging clankers, Nameless...Never know what these bastards have picked up in the Unknown Regions." With her own confidence returning it seemed like Silas' was winning. Off alone? In a MAW station? Was this kid crazy?

"Hey! Silas! Are you stormin' out of your mind?!" But he was already gone. "Speyr Balley take you Silas," she cursed. "Airsick, the lot of you." Thalia turned from the main group. "I'm going to follow him, make sure he doesn't get himself killed in here." Or us, she thought to herself. Before Iris could protest she was off.