Evolve. [CIS]

[Malok]

E V O L V E​

GEONOSIS
Golbah City - Installation 08

This day was reliving an old memory.

Decades ago, when Darth Metus was but a wet-behind-the-ears Alchemist, his Mentor had put together a gathering. It was small. It bridged the gap between two nations: the Fringe and the Confederacy. And its purpose was Elevation. Rave Merrill had assembled numerous rows of portable Forges - the lifeblood of every budding Alchemist. A wide variety of tools had been assembled; from standard hammer and tongs to instruction manuals, sacrificial blood, and crystals. Any and all within both nations who had a shred of Sensitivity were welcome to attend. Any and all were welcome to learn the art of Sith Alchemy.

Today, Darth Metus walked in his Mentor's shoes.

Within the Geonosian Installation-08, a cacophany of metallic sounds was rampant. Various, automated tools worked in the background - tirelessly assembling and repairing the finest droids the Confederacy had ever seen. It was here, within one of the dormant sections, that the Sith Lord had assembled the Forges. They were practically identical to those he studied with decades prior, with the exception of a few minor details. Additional, power tools had been provided - as well as a fresh stock of droid components on the walls. Today was not just about learning Sith Alchemy. Today was about learning how to blur the line between the Force and Technology.

Today was about becoming Geonosian Knights.

The notion was inspired by an ancient sect, based out of Zakuul. Sensitives who cared not for alignment, but rather emphasized Justice and the implantation of technology. Cybernetics worked in tandem with the Force - and they would do so again within the modern Confederacy. This day, Darth Metus would guide the first generation in creating their own, alchemical masterpieces. Some would opt for weapons, others for artifacts, and the bold would devise new ways of augmenting themselves. Thus were the doors open. Thus were the Forges ready for all to take their places and begin evolving.

Spoiler

[member="Aedan Miles"], [member="Akabane Jarvik"], [member="Arlox"], [member="Aut-X"], [member="B1-990"], [member="BX-25233"], [member="Charr"], [member="Cori Ilian"], [member="Darth Interitus"], [member="Darth Kentarch"], [member="Darth Rixas"], [member="Edward Varric"], [member="Galven Hansol"], [member="Hades Dai"], [member="Holowan Industries"], [member="IT-88"], [member="Izevel Zambrano"], @Jenica Cath, [member="Jrogan"], [member="Kal Jaii"], [member="Marcus Lund"], [member="Morgan Redeaux"], [member="Nar-Pal"], [member="Natalie LaForte"], [member="Natasha Darkstar"], [member="Nylea Apollodor"], [member="Sarunāties"], [member="Sochi Ru"], [member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Valis Marr"]

 

[Kal Jaii]

" so this is a force thing? " Kal asked only half interested her mind on other maters,
she had 1000 super soldiers needing armed and mobilized she had no interest in running around with a supped up glow rod and well
she looked bad in black latex. that thing didn't breath. [member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane walked slowly inside the facility trying to make his way to [member="Darth Metus"]. The various sounds in this place were quite distracting. Though he eventually found his way around the place.

The one word he remembered about today's lesson was alchemy. His world's technology was primitive in a way, even with their books with information of other worlds. That word, he rarely seen. He grinned at the thought of learning something new. Knowledge was a luxury in his mind, it could extend one's abilities by a great amount. That would help with his goal currently, to become more than just the wind shaper doing odd jobs.

When he arrived at the location specified he analysed the area for a moment before continuing. Akabane noticed one other person here other than Metus. A group lesson maybe? he asked himself. Shaking off the thought he spoke. "If I'm correct we're here to learn alchemy, master?"

[member="Kal Jaii"]

 

[Darth Athora]

All it took for Cady to find herself among this group of individuals was the Primeval's surrendering themselves so willingly to the Outer Rim Coalition and she left them without a word. Various circumstances led her to where she is now: under the banner of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. She had heard of them before when she was a slave of the Graug Empire. She sympathized with their beliefs of freedom. But, by time she freed herself from the graug, the Confederacy was no more.

Years and years off wandering without any true purpose have finally come to a close.

Cadyssia entered the facility and her crimson eyes observed the machines constructing other machines. The symphony of matel scraping and fires burning was a testament to the ingenuity of the Confederacy. As she moved deeper into the facility, Cady found the area where she needed to be. Her eyes locked on to the forges where she and her peers would learn the art of Sith alchemy and how to combine that with technology. Even though Cady did not require the use of technology with her abilities, she was not above enhancing herself even further.

[member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Akabane Jarvik"] | [member="Kal Jaii"]

 

[Malok]

As the Sith Lord walked amongst the rows, taking a final moment to inspect the Forges, a voice spoke over the machines. Turning, Darth Metus set his gaze upon the first arrival: a young woman...whose face was familiar. Yes. He had seen her at the Congress several weeks prior, although her name escaped him. Her words...gave the Sith pause for a moment; as he was absolutely certain his messages regarding the training were relatively clear. No matter. "Aye. The goal is to create cybernetics via Alchemy. My aim is to teach those willing to learn a new means of elevating themselves." he began.

As he spoke, the Sith took a detailed look at the young woman. He expanded his Senses...and felt nothing. Well. He felt that she was Alive, but she did not brim with the same potential as other Sensitives. Maybe it was due to lack of training or maybe she was simply Not Sensitive. Whichever the case, she was here. "If you've any talent with technology you're welcome to stay. Force or no Force, everyone can benefit from making their own augmentations." With that said, the Sith motioned towards one of the most adjacent Forges.

Then came his Apprentice.

His arrival was punctual, as Darth Metus expected of his pupil. To be excessively tardy would have meant to incur a fitting consequence, such as pushing a boulder up a hill. "Yes, you will be learning how to utilize Alchemy today. Now then, pick a For-" he began, before hearing the tell-tale sign of another arrival. The click of footsteps upon the metal floor cut off the Sith Lord mid-sentence as [member="Cady"] entered the room. She was greeted with a nod of acknowledgment before he continued, addressing the woman and his Apprentice now.

"As I was saying, pick a Forge and open your minds. Allow me to show you, through your own eyes, how to proceed. Today, we will begin with something...minimally invasive. At your Forges you will find a comm device, one that can be easily placed in your ear. That is what we will elavate with Alchemy. When you are ready, we will begin."

[member="Cady"], [member="Akabane Jarvik"], [member="Kal Jaii"]

 

[Darth Athora]

The crimson haired woman returned the Sith Lord's greeting with a slight smrik and a nod. She could feel the darkness emanating of this man and could already interpret that he knew what he was doing. Cady took her place at a forge, one close to the Sith Lord so she would be able to comprehend what he was saying over the sounds of the factory. She leaned up against the forge with her hands gripping the rim. The heat viciously emanating from the forge did not bother her one bit oddly enough. Her eyes shifted to the comm device Darth Metus was speaking of. She picked up the device and inspected it thoroughly. Her time spent under the Graug Empire gave her the oppurtinity to learn about advanced forms of technology she hadn't heard of while she was younger so she has an above average knowledge of tech of this day and age.

"Ready to learn, my Lord."

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Another joined in on the fun. Akabane glanced over at her for a moment before continuing. Fascinating.. he thought but soon lost it to focus back on the training. The instructions were to pick forge and so he did, choosing one next to the lady with crimson hair. He found the object that they would mess with and picked it up with two fingers, turning his hand different ways to view it.

The next thing he did was relax and took in a deep breath. He released in seconds later. "As am I." he said referring to being ready to begin.

[member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Kal Jaii"] | [member="Cady"]

 

[Kal Jaii]

rolling her eyes Kal walked out.
" as fascinating as all this is. i have a more technical minded approach. "

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Golbah City, it was the first time Kuenai had been here in her life, but something see was not the purpose of today's activities, no she was here to learn, despite being well over 800 year old she had never really had proper training in the arts of the force, more of leaning via practice and from the odd text retrieved by the family.

The mercenary had contemplated joining an order long ago, but her pull towards the dark side ruled out any light side orders, and she did not have a good view of the Sith, but the new CIS intrigued her. Though only a child during the clone was the confederacy looked, if you disregarded the fact it was a puppet government, pointed out the flaws of the Republic and the corruption of a lot of other governments, being made up of people just wanting to rule there own systems.

This new CIS seemed to carry the same ideals, as such she had joined, more out of curiosity then anything else, climbing the stars she passed a fairly young woman of sorts, an engineer of some sorts by the looks. Kurenai payed no heed, most likely someone in charge of the droid foundries, she continued climbing the stair sh entered the facility, wasting no time in tracking the location of the other force users present, "I am not late by any chance am I"

[member="Akabane Jarvik"] / [member="Kal Jaii"] / [member="Cady"] / [member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

The redhead Dark Jedi entered the room of many Forges, a space designed lovingly by Darth Metus and crafted by Geonosians and droids. While she always pictured herself sitting upon some kind of Hapan culture council in her later years, it was to be her fate to rule a capital city built by bots and bugs.

Known to the Knights as High Justice, Tmoxin placed a large black bag at her boots, which resembled a cache of shotguns and blasters but when she unzipped it, it held various materials. But this was no Mexican standoff.

The bag contained metals, precious jewels and painted bone.

Most peculiar among her objects were the hands - made of the hollow painted bone, four of them in total. Two feminine hands with a white hue and two male hands in an onyx one. They were not skeletal - only gestural, primitive carvings of hands at best.

She’d missed Metus’s earlier verbal treatise on alchemy but was hoping he would treat Tmoxin and the apprentices, initiates and disciples alike to build objects she would reward to the brightest of the bunch. One of the shiny black hands reminded her momentarily of a man’s appendage - Connor Harrison’s cybernetic hand. He was a man who’d become close to her in recent days.

She stood quietly waiting for the alchemy lesson to begin.


[member="Akabane Jarvik"] [member="Kal Jaii"] [member="Cady"] [member="Darth Metus"] [member="Kurenai Yumi"]

 

[Grace Darkson]

Alchemy was, in a way, the purest expression of the Dark Side. With it, you could alter the very fabric of the universe, turning durasteel harder than phrik, and making creatures with skin that could stop lightsabers. It exerted power over the fabric of the universe itself, changing the galaxy and the nature of the universe for your own gain.

And sometimes, to make cookies.

As Grace entered the room, the first thing she noticed was that she was late. The instructor, a man she know knew as Darth Metus, had told the students to find a forge. Slowly, she approached the nearest one, studying the small, almost insignificant comm device before her. Something so simple, and yet, something complicated. Each wire, each small chip, each piece of the electronics buried inside a new piece of the comm's puzzle. One she wasn't sure how to unravel. Electronics was never her thing. Still, if this is what it took to learn, she would do it.

"Ready."

[member="Darth Metus"] [member="Cady"] [member="Akabane Jarvik"] [member="Kurenai Yumi"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Malok]

"So be it." said the Sith Lord in passing.

In truth, he did not feel strongly one way or another about the young woman's departure. Darth Metus had offered an olive branch: a middle ground between purely technological and purely alchemical. However, the young woman made her choice and he still had a class to teach. For that reason, he simply gave a respectful nod to [member="Kal Jaii"] as she passed before setting his gaze upon the pupils. One by one, they heeded his instruction and took their places by the Forges. However, more importanly, he could feel their walls tumbling down in the Force. With their minds opened, he could show them just as Rave had shown him decades ago.

Darth Metus parted his lips to begin...yet another pair arrived.

The first was a face that he did not recognize. However. The Sith did indeed recognize her presence. It was Dark. It was Primal. Like the most vicious beasts of Dathomir given a feminine form. The Sith Lord offered a half-smile as she passed, indicated one of the open Forges with his offhand. "Not at all. We are about to begin. Take your place and open your mind. I will guide you directly from there." With that said, Darth Metus waited for the woman to take her place before attempting to continue. However. He was interrupted by the second arrival...but this one caused a full on smile.

It was none other than [member="Tmoxin Temi"], a woman who had commanded the Sith Lord's respect years prior. Between the two of them, the original Confederacy and the subsequent Techno Union knew eras of prosperity. Between the two of them was enough experience to see this new attempt reach exceptional heights. Together, they could be...nay, they were practically unstoppable. "High Justice! So good of you to join us!" he said, with genuine excitement coloring his tone. From her entrance, it seemed as though Tmoxin was providing additional avenues to explore...and was observing for the time being. As such, Darth Metus finally began.

He inhaled a deep breath.

Ice. A frosted chill would race down the collective spines of the class as the Sith Lord reached out. His presence would wash over them, invading their minds with minimal fanfare. He did not pry. He did not go browsing into the darkest corners of their memories. No, he respected each and every one of them. Instead, they would soon see what he saw. His sulfuric gaze would be mirrored in their mind's eye. Currently, they would all see the High Justice, but as the Sith turned so too would the perspective. He stepped forward to the adjacent Forge and placed the comm into the flat of his palm.

He then looked upon it.

Aided by the Force, his vision increased. It magnified over and over and over, "zooming" in on the piece until...it did not look like a comm any longer. One could see only a hyperstructure of tightly connected orbs, so closely bonded that nothing could slip between. These, as any elementary student could identify, were the atomic bonds which made the comm...a comm. And, upon close inspection, one could see another presence alongside the bonds. It was faint. But at this magnification, it could even be felt. Energy. Base energy. "This is the foundation of all alchemy." came the Sith's introduction. "The ability to witness an item at its base level. It is something that you will all cultivate with time. From this point, you can build a roadmap to the finished product. Sometimes, you will modify the particles themselves and attempt to mimic stronger materials; such as Phrik or Mandalorian Iron. On other occasions, you will introduce the Force to the object through injecting its presence within the existing energy. This is what we are going to do today. I want each of you to focus on the energy here. Witness it as best you can."

"And from here, muster the Dark Side. Think of your most haunting memories - the pains and fears that define you. Summon them and focus on that energy. Guide your pain here. Guide it until there is nothing left of the native energy...guide it until only Your Will remains. Once you have accomplished this task, we will proceed."

The Sith Lord did not move as of yet. He did not hold their hand and show them how exactly to overcome the comm itself. No, he wanted to give his students an opportunity to prove themselves. If they needed assistance moving forward, he would give it as needed...but for this, he wanted to see what they could do on their own.

Spoiler

[member="Cady"], [member="Akabane Jarvik"], [member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Kurenai Yumi"], [member="Lady Psyona"]

 

[Muad Dib]

Getting used to another order would have been simple. But since allying with the CIS he had found it to be quite different then what he had originally thought. The darkness was still there but it was tempered with something else. It was more of a shadow then true darkness. An obscurement of light rather then an abyss devoid of light. It was unlike the Sith orders he had known. And that was what had drawn his interest originally.

Having arrived just as the lesson truly began he fortified his mind at the sweeping power of [member="Darth Metus"] and deflected the connection he was making to the others in the room. It wasn't a forceful entry but even still, Muad did not like sharing his mind with any let alone a Sith master of renown as Metus. Instead he opted to sense what the master was doing through the force while listening to his words.

As Metus spoke Muad nodded slowly feeling the weight of his force imbued, beskar sword upon his back. He had forged the blade in the deep upon Tython and as he had worked the metal he had sang the songs of his people while focusing the force and feeding the molecules of the blade on a subatomic level, connecting with the energy that existed in the static particles within that simmered with energy. He had fed the force into the inherent energy of the metal, strengthening and changing the blade. He had fed his anger and rage into the sword as well as desire and fear. He had connected to himself and pulled what he carried within him to strengthen the bonds he forged as he changed the metal. And in doing so he found a sense of peace while working in the forge.

His work at the forge taught him that brute strength was not the key that opened everything. It was by understanding the elements, understanding the energy within, and seeing how the force was connected to everything that many things considered impossible became reality. It wasn't the Darkside nor the lightside. It was the force that existed and moved through everything and by seeing the patterns down to the most minute detail allowed a comprehension to the secret that was existence. It allowed one to push here, pull there, add here, take away there ... Until what was once ordinary was now, inexplicably, extraordinary.

Closing his blue eyes as the gathered began their own work Muad reach out to "share" his memories with Metus. Should the master accept he would glimpse what Muad had just relived in his mind. The force that was extended wasn't extensively guarded, but as most would be focused on their own endeavors the only ones who would perhaps see the sharing would be the other master or perhaps a knight.

He wasn't going anywhere however. He was curious to see what else would be covered and how well the other students would complete their task. The words came back to him that they, the members of force users here, would find knowledge but rather then hoard it ... It would be shared. He found the thought to be quite interesting indeed.

 

[Darth Athora]

Cady took this time to do as she was told. She focused all the negative energy brewing within her into a metaphorical ball that she formed in her core. All that haunted her and everything dark memory that she locked away in the deep recesses of her mind. She could feel like it gathering into an endless pit in her core. It was a warm feeling. She was ready for the next step.

[member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Lady Psyona"] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"] |[member="Kurenai Yumi"] | [member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Kurenai did not really take note of those present, some were Sith, other Dark Jedi of some sort, it did not matter, getting to know them was not really high on the priority list. Kurenai listen to [member="Darth Metus"], she understood the basics of physics and how altering the atoms changed the object in hand, now all she needed was a dark and or painful experience. Looking back into her past she reminisced the most painful experience she had underwent, the time when she discovered she was an energy vampire, after order 37. Her rage at the republics, the clone troopers, all the dead bodies, every detail.

With the dark emotions and hate present she was ready to move onto the next stage, to force the atoms of the comm device to her own will, but not just through brute strength. Knowing how the electrons in the atoms moved, the valencies, how they reacted, metals and non metals, the fundamentals of chemistry. Using this she attempted to alter the state of the comm, focusing on the button, not really certain if her attempt was really doing anything.

l [member="Cady"] l [member="Muad Dib"] l [member="Darth Metus"] l

 

[Grace Darkson]

If there was one thing the Vahla hated, it was invasions of her mind. It was her sanctuary, the place she was safe from her enemies, and her greatest weapon. So when Metus entered her psyke with little effort, her first response was rage. But she couldn't hold him off. She didn't no matter how much it hurt her sense of self. Part of her wondered if Metus knew how many people she gave access to her mind. It was a short list.

Yellow stained eyes studied the commlink with a new intensity, trying to see the way the Sith Lord had. The pain of a life of betrayal and hurt, a life of war and wounds, running like blood through her veins. Rage was an old friend, one she knew well. It obeyed her. In her youth, she had let it take control, she had been one to simply let it guide her hand. But she had learned better. She let it build, let it swell inside her. Most beings would have lashed out, or wept, or felt some sort of despair at the feelings trying to escape. Grace simply let out a low chuckle. She had her rage under control. After all, it wasn't like she knew much else.

Each line of the Comm seemed to zoom into focus, the whole system alight with possibilities. She wanted to try so many things, do so many things with it. Harden the case to be indestructible, connect it to her own mind, rewire the power button to be activated in the Force, and overload the battery pack to see if she could. She decided to start with the third one. It seemed reasonable, after all. Her brain imagined the micro switch that activated the comm. The button that formed over it. She could see the button fusing to the walls in her head, hollowing itself to move away from the switch itself. For now, it seemed as if the pieces did not move. Scowling, she focused harder, trying to force the device's molecules to obey her.

[member="Muad Dib"] [member="Cady"] [member="Kurenai Yumi"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Akabane Jarvik"] [member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane didn't believe that he would be able to complete this lesson with ease, but he had a bit of faith. The only experience he really had with the force was some training prior to this session and wind shaping. Thats why he hesitated on believing in himself. Even with these thoughts, he moved forward hoping that there would be progress. It was apart of his path to becoming a powerful sith. He had to do this.

When Metus shared his sight with Akabane, he was amazed by the image that he seen. The comm looked extremely different at this level. He wasn't sure if zooming in like his master did would even be possible. Altering it's properties would be out of the question... he stopped thinking about his possible failure and went on with the instructions.

"Inject my energy?" he mumbled. Looking at the comm resting in his hand Akabane began to remember. All the dark and horrible things that happened in his past. The power slowly gathered within him as he remembered more and more. He attempted to add the force energy to the comm, not knowing what the result was. Did I do it?

[member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Cady"] | [member="Kurenai Yumi"] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Malok]

The Reflex was always jarring.

It didn't matter if one was a veteran or a novice, the average soul responded the same to an unannounced invasion. Silent barriers would instinctively rise to protect the most vital and secret corners of one's self. A tide of emotions and wroth thoughts would crash down upon the Sith in response. It was not intentional. It was something that Darth Metus had experienced only a few times before. It still...took a moment to recenter after the mental flood. Slowly, the Sith sucked in a deep breath and released it out of his nostrils, forcing his focus upon the comm to sharpen.

He then looked through the eyes of his students, attempting to see what they saw.

[member="Muad Dib"] was a closed book, but he made an offering to bridge the gap. There was no intimate connection, no seeing through his eyes...yet an olive branch was clutched within his hand. Metaphorically. When Darth Metus took hold of this offering, he was greeted to a vision...Heat. Power. A Blade. Ahhh... The Mad Knight was no stranger to the beauty of creation. The weapon he wore upon his back was testament to this truth. A light smile formed upon the Sith's lips as he continued, fully confident that Muad would succeed in the next step.

[member="Cady"] and [member="Kurenai Yumi"] were next. Together, they were much more willing participants than the Mandalorian, and Darth Metus was able to clearly see through their eyes. He silently commended their command of emotion, yet gave no further instruction yet.

Then, when the Sith looked upon [member="Lady Psyona"], he was greeted with a fresh tide of frustration...yet it did not consume him. No, this emotion was very present...but also very tame. The woman had a command over herself that was admirable, of that there was no doubt. And, without knowing, she had begun to advance onto the next step. For, once the native energies of the comm were under her control it was a matter of commanding changes to be. She had an ocean of ideas swirling about, eyeing numerous portions of the comm before focusing on one.

Excellent. came the Sith's "voice."

He then looked upon his own charge, [member="Akabane Jarvik"]...and felt the very same doubt he had felt during his own training. When Darth Metus were but a young, ambitious Mandalorian, he was where his apprentice stood. Unsure, yet brimming with potential. Darth Metus took but a moment to place a mental picture in the young man's head. He illustrated an empty cup, being filled by water. Simple. Elegant. Akabane's presence had to fill the comm and bring its form under his dominion. He had to guide it, like a pitcher pouring into a waiting glass. From there, he would be able to proceed. He allowed the young man a few moments to adjust his approach before addressing the "class" as a whole.

The next step is Creation. he began. The only limiting factor in alchemy is your creativity. Once the Comm has been brought to Heel, you have the power to impose your will upon it. Think of what you would like this piece to do and then Command it to be so. You are in Control, and as such the Comm will obey. The Force will obey. Show me what you are all capable of.

From this point, the Class would be free to leave a personal touch upon the Comm. Their first lesson in alchemy would be free form, as the Sith would not stifle their creativity by teaching them one standard affect. Now, Darth Metus "stepped back" so that he might witness what his students created.

[member="Muad Dib"], [member="Cady"], [member="Kurenai Yumi"], [member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Valjan Hon'rey]

Valjan found herself entering at what appeared to be a rather inopportune moment, the others gathered already settled into working over what she assumed they had all been gathered for. Even [member="Muad Dib"] had managed to arrive at what might have been some impressive verbiage before her. Sending a quick pulse of the Force out she picks up on the extensive fonts coming from those with some practice under their belts alongside the more respectable bright points of those as fresh as she found herself. Of particular note was the probe coming from who could only be [member="Darth Metus"] , he appeared to be the one with the audience at the moment.

Almost instinctually her mind snaps shut, it isn't anything near the guarded fortress of someone with extensive training in such endeavors but the erected wall is one borne of fragile memories of malicious intent. A feeble foundation, to be certain, but one built to harm on the way in. Making her way to one of the unutilized forges she notes the comm device resting there and stands over it, fingers dancing along the forge while offering a curt nod to [member="Muad Dib"] through the bronze and silver helmet fully encapsulating and masking her facial features alongside a secondary nod to the obvious teacher at this exercise. A shame, we missed something good by the looks of it.

"Apologies for my tardiness, Darth Metus I presume?" she inquires quietly, speakers adjusting her voice slightly through the helmet to a distinctly higher tone with an obvious electronic influence. "Do continue, I will attempt to find where we all are."