Did they forget me? Why don't I have a toy?!

[Swafty]

Another day, yet another time he has to prove he can be useful huh? He was sitting, resting as he thought of ideas to gain attention, his teachings were going well and that was not doing him any good even though he was a quick learner. Thinking as time went by as nothing seemingly to happen, as he just brain stormed after idea after idea to gain strength, to gain attention, maybe a goal to go after. He was stuck thinking in a small room in the temple where he would not be noticed.

After a short time passed from where he was sitting, he saw a event happening out of his small room as a fellow Sith was talking to someone newer then him about a weapon, a light saber, he only heard the words "get a light saber" and assumed this.. How could someone newer then him be getting a light saber? Did they forget about me getting a light saber? Or was I not strong enough or something? Surely this must of been a mistake, he was surely more experienced then this other blood right? Being annoyed he went out, to see the now ended conversation, surely it was some nonsense? But maybe it was not. But he was most likely the most capable new blood he saw here, maybe he would go and make his saber?

A short time passed before he decided to go out to craft his weapon of choice, he thought what he could use that would prove useful to him. Knowing he was not the fastest one going, and knowing he wanted something that could fit in two hands, he decided to roll with a two handed saber. Already knowing what crystal he required, he felt he needed one more thing to make his saber seem more "special" or give it something iconic that people will fear, oh, I know a crossguard! That sounds like it could work nicely!

Now, where would he find a crystal, so many choices. Heard of a place called Ilum that has a good supply and it seems to be neutral. Having his plan in behind of what he has to do it is time to be off, getting his bearings before he goes off to the freezing planet, wonder if anyone else will be there attempting the same...

[member="nicolas thorne"]

 

[H3xle]

Ilum

[member="Drew Diysent"]

Nicolas sat in his meditation chamber aboard Azure Star contemplating the dilemma before him.

Literally.

Sitting before him were the pieces of his lightsaber, the one he had crafted as a Padawan years earlier. The battle with the unknown Sith on Korriban had left him with wounds to his body and his heart, and left his weapon of choice sundered. His body healed, quicker than most because of his father's blood running through his veins. He knew his heart would not heal as quickly, though. His friend, Dair Cotarin, had died that day.

Nic's eyes moved from his broken lightsaber to the slightly curved form of Winter, the lightsaber that Dair had created. He could feel the focus in that blade, the purity of the light side emanating off of it with a wintry chill. He had not activating it since he found it next to the body of his friend. The Solari crystal inside remained, but he had not had the heart to wield it yet.

With a deep breath and a refocusing of his mind on his own saber, Nicolas made up his mind. From within his tunic, he pulled out a communicator and clicked it on.

"Bridge, set course for Ilum." He ordered, and the captain of the ship obeyed. With the fall of the Republic into ruin, Nicolas had maintained the Jocasta class frigate on his own. The crew was lighter, the Captain of the vessel, Anomander Vasali, three bridge standers, and two engineers. Nicolas helped out where he could, but he knew they would need to join up with one of the remaining Orders to keep the ship flying.

Barely perceptible, he felt the ship shift as it entered hyperspace. He needed to acquire a new crystal for his new lightsaber. This trip should be fairly quick.

With a deepening of his breath, Nicolas returned to meditating as the Azure Star made it's way to Ilum.

 

[Swafty]

Drew was sitting in the command chair of his sit, awaiting what is going to happen on Ilum

He went on about thinking as the journey went on, he would be talking to someone but he was by himself this time around. Maybe it was a mistake to go alone, he does not know if others plan to go after him or if his ship was going to break down. But it was no time to think negative, as that will mess up the trip and cause him to make mistakes he can't make, even though he was holding back the anger he still had from the meeting with the higher ups he messed up.

As he started getting more and more into thought, his ship has reached the destination! Packing up some things he needs and collecting his bearings before he head off into the sea of snow. After a short time of him getting what he needs to make this trip into the blizzard, he raised his black hood over his head and went out for what he searched, he had hope that this would be brief. He decided to travel east from where his ship landed, as he always did have good luck when it comes to choosing to go east.

As of now, a short time has passed with him seeing nothing at all, he knew beasts were in this area, he did not want to start running just in case that would attract them, so he went on, depending on his good memory to know where his ship was, he trusted he could not mess something as easy as knowing where his ship was, he did have good memory after all.

As he stopped a moment to stroke his beard and get his bearings, it was only him by himself with only the force and himself to guide his way to a crystal and back safely, this was not something he could mess up.
[member="nicolas thorne"]

 

[H3xle]

[member="Drew Diysent"]

Nicolas strode onto the bridge as the Azure Star dropped out of hyperspace. He remained silent as the skeleton crew did their post jump checks, just watching the ice planet grow in the viewscreen. After a few moments, Captain Vasali joined him at the back of the bridge. He spent a few moments standing shoulder to shoulder with the Knight before speaking.

"You look pensive, my friend." Ander did not like to ask questions. He typically stated his observations and left it to others to confirm or deny them. It was an oddly straightforward way of communicating, which was probably why Nicolas had grown so fond of him over the years. Nic nodded as he paused a moment, head turned partially, neither looking at the screen, nor the Captain of the ship.

"There is a slight presence here..." He paused and looked at Ander with a quirked eyebrow. "I cannot tell distinctly, but there has been a dark sider here. Either recently come, or recently gone. Maintain an alert status, my friend. I will take one of the fighters down to the surface. If a warship enters the system, radio me, but do not engage."

"I know my business quite well, Nicolas." Ander said with a grin and a nod.

The two clasped hands, then Nicolas left the bridge, making his way to the small craft bay that held one whole fighter, and a second fighter currently undergoing maintenance. Nic nodded to the engineer as he passed, then slid easily into the fighter. He went through the precheck quickly, then exited the ship. The extremely fast J-1 interceptor practically screamed towards the surface. He came down near where he had last hunted crystals on this planet. The Force was unique on every planet, and on this one the formations of Crystals shifted. Even though Nicolas knew that this was where he had been for the Crystals before, he knew he would have to hunt for them again.

Within the fighter, Nic pulled on his warm, hooded cloak, a balaclava, and some gloves. He clipped Winter to the back of his utility belt, then powered down his fighter. He locked it with his biological info as the key, making it very difficult to steal, then hopped out.

crunch

His feet broke through a crusty layer of snow, and thrust his legs into the drift up to his knees. This was one of the safer areas to land, and still it wasn't entirely safe. He'd have to keep a good eye out to make sure that he didn't walk into a truly deeper drift. Turning west, Nicolas began to push through the snow towards the caves where crystals grew. In the background, he still felt the edge of a darker presence, but he still hadn't identified it, and so let it go as he focused on his mission.

 

[Swafty]

[member="nicolas thorne"]

Time was going slow as he walked, gaining no progress as he walked on, but out of no where he stopped his movements and his eyes widened as he blurred outloud

"I sense...a presence?"

This changed everything, another was here and judging by what he felt, it was not one that was one of his kind, but with a place such as this the chances of them running into each other is low, even if they do end up crossing paths, he could easily hide himself in the blizzard. So he continued on, observing his path ahead of him and trying to move faster to lower the chances of someone finding him if they were following him. After a short while of walking aimlessly, he saw a humanoid figure in the distance, that just so happens seems to be walking toward him from what he seen.

He shuffled forward, but as he went forward he saw a figure that looked big and looked like some kind of object, maybe it was a cube of ice or a cave of some sorts? Acting more on emotions then thought, he dashed toward the object, as he approached he did notice what it was, it was a cave. As he continued on he made noise, and looked back at times to see if the humanoid was following him, but he could not see with the blizzard. He thought back to a time before when he was getting everything set up for his journey, due to his memory he remembered that crystals are in caves, so he may of ended up at the right place.

Pulling his weight to the side of the cave he rested, holding onto his left knee to catch his breath, after all he was a big lad and his knee was bothering him from all the walking, he took a moment to rest and catch his breath before going into a cave where he thought he could find crystals.

My luck is horrid...

 

[H3xle]

[member="Drew Diysent"]

Luck did not appear to be on Nic's side, either. The weather had been fairly clear when Nic had landed, but soon after he started walking towards the cave, he found that a blizzard was approaching from the east. Almost between breaths, the snow fall overcame him, and everything became white. As he pushed through the snow in the white out blizzard, he happened to look up as a figure with a cowl was silhouetted for a moment, but another step brought Nic into a deep snow drift, and he lost sight of the other person.

Fighting clear of the snow drift, Nicolas paused for a moment. His heart was pounding. Walking through deep snow, in a blizzard, was harder work than it often seemed from the outset. He had never understood Dair's love of the ice and snow. True, Midvinter was beautiful, and the home Dair had made was one that stirred envy in Nicolas's heart. He planned to visit as his duties allowed him. He did not want to forget his friend.

A cold presence, oddly pleasant, pulsed at the small of his back. Reaching back, he pulled out Winter and held it reverently in both hands. The crystal inside had been found on another ice planet, one Dair had traveled to with his Master Corvus Raaf. Both Crystal and Valkyri knight seemed to be borne to ice and cold. Nic closed his eyes and focused on the elegant weapon in his hands. He let his senses flow through it as he sought the cave.

In his mind's eye, he saw a pale blue beam of light point slightly to the left of where he was facing. With a smile covered by the balaclava, Nicolas stowed the lightsaber back at the back of his belt. Rejuvenated by the small meditation, he forged ahead, aiming straight for the cave in which Drew sat. As he drew closer, the dark presence that pushed at the edges of his senses, grew.

 

[Swafty]

[member="nicolas thorne"]

As he regained the strength in his left knee, he rose up having fully recovered his breath as he sensed the presence coming closer, just as he feared. He removed his hood as his long hair fell back and infront of his eyes, brushing some of the hair out of his eyes, he searched his pockets for something to defend himself, nothing, as he feared he had nothing to defend himself, but then he realized he had one weapon he knew how to use that he could depend on, the force.

He did not make a sound as he slowly approached the corner to try to ambush the up coming presence he felt, getting ready to use his great size and strength to take out the main as he turned to see a crystal behind him, that was what he was looking for. If the upcoming presence was looking for that to, then he has another reason to fight for, the crystal. He was going to escape this planet with his life and this crystal.

He was getting ready, such as a beast getting ready to lay the trap and kill a wounded animal. He was like a wounded beast in a corner at this point, he was getting ready to defend himself. His heart was bumping, he was filled with adrenaline as he waited for his prey to fall into his view, he was superior then whoever this was, he will overthrow whoever this was. He was not going to die to someone without a light saber, when it came to physical ability and strength he could dominate almost all that came his way. But now is not the time to bring all of that up, it is time to focus.

I will gut this dog..

 

[H3xle]

[member="Drew Diysent"]

The entrance to the cave loomed large out of the blizzard, but Nicolas had stopped moving. The dark presence had resolved itself into a Force user, one that was full of anger and rage and jealousy. Nicolas reached out with his senses, probing to see what kind of threat the being was. With a few deep breaths, Nicolas moved to the side of the entrance, opposite from where the dark side being stood ready. He pulled down the mouth of his balaclava, and pushed back the hood of his cloak.

"Hello there." He was essentially alone on the planet, he felt nothing else sentient nearby, and this Sith stood between him and the crystals. That he was here to get a crystal as well was likely, in Nic's mind. While that might prove a danger down the road, Nicolas needed to think bigger picture. A battle here would bring nothing but a battle here. Stopping a Sith from obtaining a crystal from the caves would only make them pursue said crystals harder, or go about creating one with Sith alchemy. Neither were things he relished, as padawans and younglings frequently were brought here to search for their first crystals. "I am Nicolas Thorne, Knight of the Jedi Order. I mean no ill will, nor hindrance."

Nic almost had to smile to himself, entreating with a Sith was something his master would have done. 'Always keep the greater good above the short term benefits.' The Echani Rose always told him, and here he was doing so. A younger Nicolas Thorne wouldn't have believed it. Neither would a younger Master Thrace.

 

[Swafty]

Are you kidding me?

He said hello of all things? Did he want to make me just seem like a warmonger or just insult me? Ugh, after i get all ready he says hello. Might as well play this game, after all if I make him him trust me who says I have to lay a hand on him to get the crystal? He would make himself stand up forward, instead of a more primal stance he was in before. Drew's eyes scanned the man down, watching his every moment closely before he chose his words.

He would say, in a calm charming voice, "Greetings, I predict you are looking for the crystal as well?" after a short pause he continued on, as his eyes shifted to the eyes of him as that way he can seem like he really cared about the knight, "If it was your duty to get the crystal, so be it, as you know what kind of man I am you know how we also get light sabers.." His body would shift to the side and he would raise his left arm out, as a kind of welcoming or a sign to show that he was allowing him to have the crystal, "Well, go ahead." he would have a calm, almost nice look on his face as he offered the crystal to the knight, "But I do require you to give me another one, just to make it a fair trade of course!"

What a bunch of lies, I should be ashamed but I am not, go ahead go for the crystal, I will be waiting to knock you off as soon as you do. That way I can turn your saber in and get a reward and maybe a master and earn respect after all this time, if he listens to me I get known for killing a jedi, if he says no then I WILL kill a jedi, this was a master move by me! I can gain respect again and get a master and do my calling without people correcting me on what I ever did, this was a genius move by me!

[member="nicolas thorne"]

 

[H3xle]

[member="Drew Diysent"]

Nic nodded thoughtfully as he looked from Drew to the crystal, then back at Drew. His right eyebrow quirked up at the words coming from the man's mouth. Silently, Nic stood there, gauging what to say.

'Does he not know the crystals grow naturally, that more than this one exists here?' He thought to himself as he paced into the cave mouth, but stayed well out of reach of the proffered crystal. He kept his eyes on the man at all times as he did, his stride and demeanor was calm, but beneath it he was ready to react to violence. He could read the desire for such in the eyes of the man, and feel it coming off of him in dark waves. Once Nicolas was away from the entryway, with Drew between him and the outside of Ilum. That way the Sith could exit without more conflict. He memorized the face, however, so he could know him when he encounters him again.

"I will perform my own hunt for a crystal, thank you." He replied, as he leaned back against a rocky outcropping, seemingly fully relaxed. "I apologize for the assumption, but if you are Sith, you can take that crystal and go. I don't know your need of it, but no others will be yours for the taking." Nic was almost surprised by his words, it almost seemed as if Dair had spoken them, as it was something he would have said. Nic did not show the surprise, however.

 

[Swafty]

[member=Nicolas Thorne]

He shrugged his shoulders as he looked back at the crystal then back to Nicolas, a small grin went on his face as he said in a charming, trust worthy voice.

"My, that is to bad, you see my master sent me this way to collect this crystal due to it being special, he said it would be a mighty tool." he continued to scan Nicolas, with trustworthy, almost innocent looking eyes, he trusted that he can pull off a lie like this to a jedi knight, he lied to smarter people before, this man seems like knows what I am doing, but that just means I have to act better of course. He looked him back in the eyes and said with a calm, gentle voice, "From the experiences I had so far, being a sith is not something that I am cut out for, is it to brutal for someone like me, I am a softy but I might as well help your kind!" that was the perfect lie, this was something he could go on with, but then he had a idea as he got one last idea to go with, "Even if you decide to take it or not, I wish to meet up with some of your kind, I am unarmed man who does not know how to use the force, you can trust me." he nodded to him.

Wonder if getting some good info will help me out to get a master or not keep this horrible reputation, heh, I got this...

 

[H3xle]

[member="Drew Diysent"]

Nicolas continued to watch Drew from his relaxed leaning within the cave. He listened intently as the Sithling spoke of not liking the ways of the Sith, weaving a tale of being untrained in the force and wanting to follow Nicolas. Nic even nodded as he listened, maintaining his attentive posture.

"Keep the crystal, and may your Master believe whatever lie you decide to relate to him." Nicolas said with a small smile on his face. His eyes never wavered from Drew'ss as he spoke. "However, you started your lie by telling me that the kyber crystal in your hand held special powers. It is not the most common variety of force crystals, but it holds no special powers. Second is that your presence in the Force would not be so dark if you had not done something to earn it. No more than mine would be so light if I had not earned it through my action."

Nicolas drew his gloves off and stowed them in his pockets. Then he drew out a small protein bar and unwrapped it partially before taking a bite. He watched Drew for the moments it took him to chew it thoroughly, then swallow it. He wrapped the remains and put it back in his pocket.

"The third issue is that I do not frequently see other of my kind. I travel around and make what good of the world as I can. I can give you coordinates to the headquarters of both of the largest Orders, if you truly wish to find out more of our ways you can find them out at either place."