Edge of the Galaxy (Cambria Zadira)

[Jafan Helcore]

The Morellian temple was not a colossus spectacle like other Order's through out the galaxy. The temple itself was more like a church, a small spiritual building in the center of a compound deep in the morellian pine country. Most of it was built from the very trees that surrounded the Jedi sanctuary. There were a few barracks that housed jedi hopefuls along with condo styled buildings which were more for the Masters and the teachers, the staff that run the compound and the schooling that the padawans needed. The compound was named Sanctuary, and for most if not all that have trained or spent any time here would agree that life was very spartan compared to the way the rest of the planet's citizens lived. There were workshops, a school with classrooms and multiple training areas, inside and indoors. There was a landing pad, complete with a hangar. There was also a farm and many garden's and greenhouses inside and outside the perimeter. Self sufficiency was key, something that the master's had learn many, many centries ago with the gulag plague. The plague itself was deadly, so was the aftermath when economies collapsed and civilizations crumbled. People had to learn the archaic ways of self preservation or die. And many had died to starvation and other elements beyond the grasp of the plague itself. So in sanctuary, survival was one of the main skills they practiced.

"keep your eye on the deer. Aim for the shoulder, you will pierce lung and heart and make for a quick kill" The low whispered husky voice of Jafan trickled into his student's ear. A young Morellian padawan that was sitting high in a tree stand with the Master at his side. There was a Pinewood Mule Deer below them, with in range of the bow the child held. "Have your target locked with your gaze for when you draw you draw to shoot. Do not pro long and hold or you will fail your aim and chances of just wounding increases." He continued to instruct, the padawan was nervous. Did not take the force to see and feel that. "Steady, breath, hold, draw, fire!"

The boy breathed three times before hold his breath. He drew and let loose without hesitation. The deer jolted with the impact of the hunter's arrow, instincts took over and he tried to run but buckled to the ground. The boy was was so excited he nearly jumped out of the tree stand to chase after it. Jafan had to grip the padawan by the shoulder to keep him still "No! you must wait a few minutes. Let the deer's life extinguish and not risk yourself in its last throws of death. Many hunters have been killed in such a fashion!"

"Yes Master!" The padawan sunk back into the tree stand.

"Concentrate on the deer, you can see it laying there from here. Watch his labored breaths and reach out in the force. Feel the animal's life essence fading"

The padawan concentrated on the dying deer. Watched the rise and fall of its chest as it struggled to breath. Jafan could tell just by the boy's facial expressions he was fully sensing the deer's life ending. Sensing its fear and pain. "Go on! End it like how i showed you! Its time"

He climbed down from the tree stand, master not far behind. The young boy cautiously moved towards the deer, stepping through brush and past the tall pine trees. He pulled a vibro dagger from its sheath and plunged it deep into the deer's throat before swiftly cutting it wide open. That was the end.

'Good!" Jafan patted the padawan on the shoulder before taking his own knife. Was time to teach him how to field dress their prey and then once home butcher it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jafan and his padawan of the day rode back to the compound on horse back. Their fresh kill and gear draped over the mule that followed behind. It was almost summer, the flowers were in full bloom and the warm southern air pushed through the trees. Jafan thought himself blessed that the order had taken him in after so many decades he had spent at war. His soul broken and his faith tattered. Now, nearly seventy years later he was a different man than he was then. He had found peace in this back country. He found a purpose more than war and survival.

They rode up to the gates where the rest of the padawans could be here cheering on their peer's success. There was going to be venison on the menu tonight and nothing tasted better than fresh deer cuts in your stew. One of the Jedi posted on guard duty approached with little urgency to his step....

"Master Jafan! Grandmaster Tress requires your presence in the temple's hall" He reported, "The boys will take care of your horse and deer for you!"

With that Jafan swung himself gently off his horse and made way to the temple's main hall. Wasn't much ornate in looks, very simple and basic like the rest of the compound. There was a few chairs and pillows that surrounded a central fire pit. This was where many if not all decisions had been made that concerned the morellian jedi's and their Sanctuary. As Jafan walked in there was Grandmaster Tress, a Morellian of elderly age. He was tall, long white hair and a white beard to match.

"Master Tress!" Jafan bowed his head in respect. There no other council members there sides the two of them which made Jafan wonder what he had done wrong. Like a child anxious of a parent's scolding.

"We have company arriving soon Jafan. I received word that A Master Coren Starchaser has sent one of his to meet with us. Not much else was made in the message."

"When does this Jedi arrive?"

"Should be now!" The grandmaster replied, poking the lite fire with a half burnt stick.

 

[Cambria Zadira]

​

Morellia. The Tingle Arm planet was located at the far reaches of Wild Space. It also was on the galactic northeast side of the Sith Empire. The journey to get to the Morellian Commonwealth world from coreward was quite a trial in patience and test of piloting skill, but hopefully would be worth the effort to reach the ever small, monk-like Jedi Enclave that resided quietly there. They needed to be warned and recruited to the cause if the Force willed it to help in the fight against the growing darkness that was slowly yet surely overtaking the Known Galaxy unless the Light side made a unified stand.

As the Star Dancer broke through the cloud layer and banked for its approach to land at the Jedi compound, the forested vista that greeted Cambria's gold-speckled hazel eyes out the front viewport of her A-36 Sleuth was one of simplistic natural beauty. The Rutian Twi'lek could see why someone would want to live and train here away from all the hustle and bustle of civilization... and war.

With the scout vessel's engines powered down, Cambria made her way from the cockpit back to the aft boarding ramp. The Guardian's R9 unit followed closely on her booted heels, but she stayed the slate grey astromech droid with an outstretched blue-hued hand that got the Jedi Knight a whiny whirl.

"No Arjay... You must stay with the ship for now. I need you to take care of her, hmm? I'm sure she could use a little TLC after the long flight that only you can perform so well," she offered with an appreciative smile flashed to her loyal and trusted droid companion before turning to proceed.

Pulling the hood of her bronze-colored cloak up over the traditional Twi'lek headgear worn, Cambria exited down the lowered metal ramp dressed in her modified Jedi robes and made her way to the welcoming party at the edge of the landing pad. A male Jedi of her own rank escorted her to the main building where the Grandmaster of the Morellian Jedi Order was expecting her.

Upon entering the rustic, church-like structure and being presented, the blue-skinned Twi'lek bowed respectfully to the elder and younger Morellian Jedi gathered before her by a pit fire.

"Salutations, Masters," she greeted congenially in a thick yet smooth Twi'lek accent; the exotic beauty's golden orbs gazing upon Grandmaster Tress first, then to the other Master Jedi noting the latter's katana-styled lightsaber hilt tucked into his belt. Unique...

"I am Knight Cambria Zadira. Master Starchaser sends his regards."

[member="Jafan Helcore"]​

 

[Jafan Helcore]

Both Morellians watched as the Twi'lek entered their quaint temple. Grand Master Tress nodded in acceptance of her greetings and returned favor with introduction "I am Grandmaster Tress and this is Master Jafan, we are pleased to receive a Jedi from outside our isolated sector of the galaxy". He wasn't kidding, It had been a very long time since Jafan had set eyes upon an alien race. Gave him the unfortunate remembrance that there was much more to the world and galaxy than this peaceful sanctuary. Reminded him of his past, the dark ventures he had participated in all in the name of the jedi and their continuous battle for galactic peace......... and survival. The lives he had struck down with his very own blade.

For a moment there Jafan was lost in his own thoughts and there was a awkward silence that need to be filled. "Sorry, forgive me!" He realized Tress was looking at him with curiosity and judgement. "We are pleased to receive you Knight Cambria. Sanctuary is at your disposal. But, I must apologize again but i will be blunt. What brings you here?"

[member="Cambria Zadira"]

 

[Cambria Zadira]

Cambria pushed back her cloak's hood and allowed her twin head-tails to uncoil from around her neck before canting her head once again towards the Morellians with an added gracious twitch of the lekku when the Grandmaster introduced himself and the other Master Jedi beside him.

"Master Tress... It is an honor to be here at Sanctuary. Thank you for entertaining this meeting upon such a short notice," the Rutan Twi'lek answered.

There seemed to be an unintended pregnant pause before the latter responded though. He apparently was lost in thought there for a moment, but Master Jafan recovered quickly enough not to make it too awkward. The question of why Cambria was there in the first place came up right away posed by the younger of the two Morellians. She appreciated not having to spend time beating around the bush when the galaxy hung on the edge of a knife.

"Unfortunately, Master Jafan, the calm of the storm is over I am afraid. War is upon us, and closer to your homeworld than you might actually be aware of," the Twi'lek Knight replied, then her golden gaze went back to the elder Jedi.

The Guardian reached into her robes and pulled out a holocube. As Cambria activated the six-sided small device in the palm of her hand, a three-dimensional holo image of the galaxy appeared before the trio. She extended her arm forward to allow them to take it and exam the image closer for themselves.

"The area in dark red is the territory controlled by the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Carnifex. As you can see, the Sith Empire is only three hexes away from here as we speak. I came to Morellia on behalf of Master Starchaser to warn you, and to humbly ask if your Order will join the Jedi Alliance as we plan to make a unified stand against the Sith and their allies before it is too late to do so for the people of the galaxy."

[member="Jafan Helcore"]

 

[Jafan Helcore]

Morellia has been a isolated and insignificant planet to the powers to be in the galaxy for ages. Most don't care about the Edge of the galaxy and that was why Grandmaster Tress and Jafan had settled this Jedi temple upon this world. And then isolate it further into the deep morellian forest. They had kept up the best they could with the galaxies politics and factions. They were not ignorant of the Sith Empire but failed to keep a closer watch on how far their dark grasp was reaching. Cambria showed them the physical piece of evidence that hit home for the Two morellian jedis and they both took a moment to chew on it.

"Thank you Knight Cambria!" Tress relayed as gracefully and as composed as he could manage in the current situation. He wished there was another way, but there was only one answer that the Twi'lek was going to get and it was the very one that her master had sent her to seek. "The Morellian Order will join the Jedi alliance."

He turned to Jafan, his expression was of surprise that Tress made that decision without full council support. Tress could read his counterparts thoughts without even using the force to tap into his mind. It was plain as day upon his face. "We have no choice, Jafan" He answered the unspoken question. "We will began evacuation of Sanctuary and I will advice the Morellian government of the situation. If the Empire shows, they will also have no choice and will bend with out a fight. Out here they are on their own and to save the people they will give in. But for us, we will have to run. The Sith will not show us mercy, that is fact"

Jafan nodded " I agree Grandmaster!"

"Good, you will be going back with Knight Cambria and to this Alliance. Secure a place for our order with in their protection and be at their disposal as the rest of us will be once we have completed evacuation"

Jafan nodded agreeably with full understanding of the gravity of the situation. Tress turned his attention back to Cambria "Master Jafan is yours, please excuse me. I have work to do" And without ceremony the grandmaster turned and left, leaving the two jedi alone in the small temple.

Jafan kept his gaze upon the grandmaster, every step he took till he dissipated from sight. "Just call me Jafan, titles are going to get tiresome" He demanded, turning towards the twi'lek. "Do you wish to stay the night or should we leave immediately?"

[member="Cambria Zadira"]

 

[Cambria Zadira]

And just like that, Grandmaster Tress gave his response to her plea. The Morellian Jedi Order would join the Jedi Alliance!

"Master Starchaser will be very pleased and will welcome you and your Jedi into the Alliance with much gratitude," she offered with another respectful bow and an appreciative twitch of her lekku.

Cambria was relieved yet shocked by the ease of the declaration without debate though. Weren't such big decisions usually discussed amongst the elders or council? Perhaps their Order was different. Nonetheless she had a whole speech ready if there had been need for more persuasion to the cause, but thankfully the well-timed holo map did the trick. It did seemed that Master Jafan was surprised and caught a bit flat footed by the other Morellian's quick answer and hasty exit from the meeting. Though, it was true there was much to do to be able to leave their temple.

The blue-hued Twi'lek nodded in agreement once the Master Jedi had returned his attention back to her as they still stood near the fire pit in the main hall. "Cambria will be fine as well," she replied with a small smile upon her naturally berry-colored lips, then thought for a moment about his question.

"I should like to remain here until tomorrow, then head out. It was a rather taxing journey especially the last half as I had to use Instinctive Astrogation to bypass the Sith patrols. That too will give my astromech droid time to do any maintenance required on the Star Dancer, and time for me to rest. Though, if you have the time, Jafan, I would very much like a tour of Sanctuary before doing so. It also will allow us to get to know each other better as we will be sharing small quarters on my ship for a good week or so."

[member="Jafan Helcore"]

 

[Jafan Helcore]

"Aye, our home is your home!" Jafan respond softly. No doubt she was tired, it would have been a long journey and a trying task to keep off the Sith's radar. Plus, he himself was not exactly in a hurray to leave sanctuary. This had been home for some time now, a piece he had fallen in love with the moment he had set eyes upon it. So no, there was no hurry.

"Shall we begin you tour?" He insisted, extending his arms out in a physical attempt to emphasis the current building they were in. "This is our 'Grand' temple" He jested, for it was anything but grand. A quaint building, simplistic in its construction with wood being its main building material. Jafan had toured many temples and most could be considered some of the galaxies Wonders, in size and architecture mastery. Sanctuary's temple would be the size of one of these wonder's lavatories. "May not be much, but its practical."

"Come! You can see the entire compound from the bell tower" Jafan would take lead walking towards the back right of the temple where there was a closed set of double doors. Once through the doors, Cambria would see ropes that dangled vertically all the way to the top. Jafan wasn't joking, this was a true bell tower. Primitive in its function and Practical. There were flights of stairs that snaked along the inside wall, leading to the top. No elevators, just old fashion wooden steps. Steps that the morillian jedi began to tackle with the jedi knight in tow. He would explain to her the purpose of the bell tower and its functionality. It was a security feature, was a signal of sorts with set of bell rings with different meanings. Single ring was "Attention", two rings meant 'assembly', three meant meal time, rapid strikes of the bell was "emergency". The bell could be heard many kilometers away and its simple and archaic design was best defense against signal jamming, EMP strikes and other advance attacks meant to mute their targets.

Once they reached the top, he would let Cambria take the view in. She would be able to see the entirety of the compound. Multi purpose barracks, long term living quarters. Obstacle course. Play field. Agriculture buildings and green houses. Stables, workshops, machine shops. Landing pad that her ship was currently occupying, with two hangars near by. If she looked off into the distance she would see not just dense forest but some land cleared proper with crops sowed. There were two massive solar panels that looked to be the main source of energy for sanctuary which was augmented with water turbines that sat stoically in the east river.

Wasn't just Jedi that were residence of this compound. They were easily picked out, their robes being the first give away. There was another set of residence that stood out. They were not wearing uniforms, just regular work cloths and civilian attire. It was the electronic wrist band that they all wore. Before Cambria could even mouth words of inquiry, Jafan was already explaining. "Those are our inmates from the local jails. We run a outreach work program that the inmates themselves volunteer for. We teach them life skills, provide them with room and board, medical and mental health and in return we get manpower"

"The galaxy is harsh and has been diseased by War and Plague and supernatural events that have effected us all. In the frontiers of recovery we are trying to break the cycle of violence and help those that need it most. There is no excuse for the crimes these people have committed. They all have taken responsibility for them and are doing the time. But what do we do with them afterwards? They need to be re educated, re programed to what it is meant to be productive, civilized sentient beings." He paused, giving a slight sigh " Even if its just our own speck of the galaxy that is practicing such. Has to start somewhere"

[member="Cambria Zadira"]