Hush Now

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was looking at her padawan as they had a whole lot of things to look at. it was giving them a lot of chance to see things while the others were speaking. "We come here today to return to the Sanzu that which it gave us." Matsu raised an eyebrow when she was looking to give a few ideas. Now she was kind of understanding it and as they lowered the box into the water she could feel it as the water changed. The glow from it becoming much brighter and you could feel the force energy radiating off of it like a wave. Matsu could almost feel it when the energy was warm like water from a bath but there was none actually there letting her get a better idea when it seemed like the water themselves made the body disappear. Seeing what was depicted on the stone was very different she had to admit as her ideas and notes were coming to herself but it didn't seem like there was a cult here. No these ones were lower compared to some of the others while they were being motioned to come with the procession that was rising up going towards the distance into the jungle. From here you could see over the one ridge and there was an open area of temple in the middle of the jungle where they were celebrating. "This is a very strange place." Matsu said it while walking and leaving room for Sorel with a nod of her head. "Something has been happening but there looked to be more as she could see things on the trees that were masks of carved obsidian.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel paid close attention to what was being said, and who was doing the saying. In an entirely positive vein, it was a chance to glimpse a culture that appeared to have been operating in isolation from the rest of the galaxy for untold generations. She suspected a lot of the basis of what she was seeing and hearing was brought to the planet by the first settlers, although logic dictated that it would have changed over the years to whatever she was witnessing now.

And as significant as the glow was, the Force energy being radiated by the box being lowered was palpable. Whereas Jedi burned their dead, here it was the water than claimed them and transferred the energy into the Force.

“Strange indeed, Master,” Sorel replied, her voice low, so that only Matsu could hear. “But then, I expect they think a lot of what we do as odd. It’s a perception thing.”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was looking at Sorel and gave a nod of her head to it, here on the planet there was a great amount of things for them to work with. She was seeing more of it while the procession walked back towards the city and the blue crystal clear waters were moving as it fed into a small pond that gave way to a large temple like area. It was and looked man made based purely on how it was shaped to go around and under the one bridge. Then you could see children running around while it looked barely above the treeline. The stone was smooth and looked solid while some parts of it protruded from it. Allowing the jedi master to follow the people as the stone appeared to them before showing the signs of technology.

"Welcome to Hykarnia." She didn't know if it was the area, temple, city a region... the planet itself but the technology looked old and advanced in some places. More built into the stone so it all appeared as a single thing instead of something that had been added. The natural light of outside was being shone indoors while the children seemed to be using the force to get around. Leaping over and under different stone arches to toss a ball through a ring as a droid changed point values. THe indoor area was small but she could see it and it looked like somethin initiates played in the old jedi temples to learn control for jumping and speed. Matsu gave a small whistle seeing some of them moving about and wearing the very regal loking outfits.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

They followed the procession back to the city. The waters were a feature that kept drawing the eye – and Sorel noted how perfect the symmetry was. This suggested the feature wasn’t just sculpted, it was most likely fabricated.

But she took in the newness of the situation, the planet itself, the people and their customs. It was common for a Jedi, but typically you got to research things before you landed. Here they were learning as they went along. Sorel made a conscious effort not to stare or show any emotions visibly. Not knowing the correct protocol, impassive seemed the best option.

There was a natural beauty to the area – even if much seemed man-made. Even the buildings were striking – looking as though they were cut from the stone that dominated the view. And the use of the Force also struck her. It was as if all were sensitive to it and were using it for their everyday activities.

“It’s a lot to take in,” Sorel said to Matsu.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu nodded in agreement, there was a lot to take in all around them while she was walking over the bridge to the building. Seeing the water where there were more fish and reeds on display. It gave her a few ideas of what they might be able to see around here. The jedi master could see all of it around them before she was moving seeing the others slightly disappear and leave them to do their own exploration. Wanting to see what they would be able to discover as she was walking itno the interior where the children were playing around. She could make out a few other things as the children were using the force to guide the ball as well as themselves. From a young age it seemed like they were showing off almost instead of learning with a nod of her head when they waved. "They don't seem to be learning as much as showing off their skills." She was curious before they were moving again and the ball seemed to reset after a point was scored. Other people were roaming around and she could make out a few of them with a nod of her head. The females were wearing ornate robes and strange face masks with force crystals in them.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel could not supress a frown. She’d done well so far but finally she let her inner thoughts slip. The Force was not a tool to be used for personal gain. It was the Sith that considered the Force in this way – Jedi saw themselves as serving the will of the Force, not the other way around.

So to see people using the Force for recreation and to simply aid movement felt entirely wrong to Sorel and her face disclosed her innermost thoughts. But aware of what her eyebrows were sharing, she straightened her face and looked as impassive as she could.

“I wonder what the masks represent – and why there are crystals impregnated into them?” She kept her voice low and conversational and kept any judgement out of her tone.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu felt something from Sorel's force aura for a moment as she gave a look to him with a look on her face before she was moving to give some of her attention to things. She wasn't certain what they were doing with the masks or what was on but the small look that Sorel hid struck her interest when they were all walking around the temple. Seeking out anything that might be here to tell them more. The mural on the alter, bath thing had been interesting and then they had seen it. Maybe there was a history here that they would be able to use to learn more about the world. "We'll look around, try to learn things about the people here." She was uncertain but walking around in the temple could give them some other ideas as well as a chance to observe a number of the others. The jedi master motioned for Sorel as they didn't seem to be under guard but the temple was opened to all of them as more children were playing or some were looking around. Others seemed to be wearing different outfits while they lounged round and Matsu semi averted her eyes from them as she moved. Note: Google image search Dejah Thoris from Warlord of Mars for outfit idea She could see a whole lot more though as screens displayed areas of the world but they were not quite the planet as much as biodomes under the surface. The people were monitoring them on the screens and it looked in depth as they were altering small parts of it to show them where to go and she would think it a game except there were displays showing the were real people.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was pleased and slightly surprised they were able to roam so freely. Or rather that nobody had approached them since the first encounter. They looked out of place in Sorel’s eyes, and in the local’s position, she would have expected at least someone to interact with them. But then the first contact had hinted that they were expected in some way, so perhaps this was being taken in the local’s stride.

Sorel nodded at her Master’s suggestion. Learning by walking about was always a sensible option. And given they did not pose an obvious threat to the locals, Sorel saw no reason for their interest to be seen as hostile. And as they progressed, Sorel saw more children, who seemed free to run around and play.

And by contrast to the women wearing masks, some were barely covered at all and Sorel was intrigued by a culture with such open extremes. She wondered if this was some sort of caste or hierarchy system but she kept her thoughts to herself for now. And then she noticed what her Master was staring at. The screens showed what looked like controlled areas – biodomes most likely – but they were under the surface. And it seemed as though people were being guided remotely – by the operators here. Some form of planetary congestion avoidance? Or was it something else? Sorel could not shake the feeling of mistrust she’d felt when she first arrived but in the absence of proof, could not understand where the feeling originated from. And as a Jedi, she was not here to judge – she would always uphold local laws, even if they were contrary to her own beliefs.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was more curious about things now as she approached and the one at the console spoke. "You are curious yes?" Well that was simple enough she was looking at him and looking around. "No I can't read your mind, most wonder if the rumors and legends are true. The children always want to see if they are brave enough to look upon the old gods and not be frightened. From an outsider our prisons might seem strange I suppose but surely you have seen the Go Nagai and know how dangerous they can be in person." Matsu was listening to him and looking at the screen that was showing many of the life signs and spoke. "THose are all Nagai?" She got a nod and well eased up but wasn't entirely comfortable as she turned to Sorel.

"The Go Nagai are old, older then most and they were galactic spanning but instead of an empire to control and influence they preferred destruction of advancing races. Most notably ones that were on the cusp of intergalactic travel. They would come in, harvest any advanced technology and then reset the civilization by nearly glassing the planet and reducing the population to sustainable numbers. Then move on, repeating the process over and over. Most who have encountered them called the the destructors and built myths around them but no one is exactly certain if they are telling the truth about being the legendary beings or if they just took it and used it."

Explaining it was well one thing, she though was uneasy because if the Nagai were still alive here then these were descendants. The general lifespan seemed to be long and they could use the force to make it longer sure but not hundreds of thousands of years longer and most of them were there before the taung came two hundred thousand years to the system. Give or take as Matsu was looking at it as she knew how dangerous they could be when they attacked the Silver Jedi previously. "They are vicious and dangerous but I am torn here. On the one hand having them unable to attack and destroy for the sheer enjoyment is good.... but it seems like this is more a thing to observe and enjoy which is wrong."

"You would not think that human if you had been under their heel for thousands upon thousands of years. Watching them destroy cities, raze small farms that were growing and have their slaves beat to death people for no reason. We remember, we have recorded the atrocities for centuries and when we cast down the old ones we erected a memorial to them that was filled with the Sanzu waters. So that the lifeblood of our people would be purified and taken away from their taint." The being seemed agitated but had that very calm exterior more like an adult talking to a child on a subject they heard or saw one thing about and claimed themselves an expert.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded, “Very curious. I always like to learn new things.” Her voice was slow and calm, her tone indicating little more than inquisitiveness with no judgement attached.

To hear they were prisons was not something she was expecting. And she had to admit she’d never heard of the Go Nagai. So she listened to her Master’s words intently. Her first thought was surprise that this all-conquering species would be here, and little more than docile prisoners.

And she both sensed and heard her Master’s misgivings. “This is how the people here act. These are their laws and customs. I am suspending any moral judgements and focussing instead on any galactic-wide doctrines – of which there are few. If they wished to assimilate into wider society, some local practises may need to be amended, but that will be their choice, Master. Yes?”

In part she was looking to smooth the waters, and in part she was reciting the role of the Jedi as she saw it.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

She looked at Sorel and was in agreement, in truth there didn't seem to be anything wrong yet just the commonplace misgivings you should have and well reaction to seeing something from a new culture. They would be able to adjust and she went off a little to the side seeing some of the others. "Thank you for telling us though, what about some of our other questions. There are a lot of things here that are interesting." Matsu asked it while watching them and then she was listening when she walked over. "There is a computer in the other room, we let the children use it to learn history and ask questions. it is understanding for those who are uncertain." She looked at him and kept her face expressionless as she was fairly certain he had just called the both of them stupid but she was moving off towards it with Sorel to see all of the things. Looking to stick around and give herself or Sorel something to look at while she was observing the other things around all of them. The different outfits were interesting as were the ways they seemed to easily use and even play with the force around here as common place.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel reflected on her current choice of career within the Jedi. She’d gone down the path of Warden, in some ways as a reflection of her wider choice to be a Guardian. But coming to a planet like this one tested that resolve. Being a Warden was not about choosing the planet you liked best – or even cared about most. It was about helping wherever you were sent and to uphold local laws as well as keep the peace and negotiate where necessary.

If she’d been assigned here, she was unsure how long she could maintain her calm exterior. It wasn’t just that some of the locals were rude or at very least patronising. Rather it was that many of their ways did not coincide with her own moral code. The way they treated prisoners. Their flippant use of the Force. None of these things resonated positively with Sorel and she was sure her Master would know this – despite her public stance.

“Your ways are different to what we are used to. And we travel the galaxy and see many different cultures. And as much as they are all unique, yours stands out in many ways. Not positively or negatively, just different. And for someone from outside of your planet, many could take a little getting used to.”

The locals had been hospitable and so she felt the need to defend them to a point. This was their planet and she was a visitor after all. But that didn’t make her feel any better.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu looked at Sorel and could feel her thoughts almost.. well mor ethat feeling you got when someone was upset about something but both as they were shown where to go and matsu led the way into the room. She made sure they were alone and spoke dropping some things. "This world is different indeed, I have not seen a place where the Go nagai were alive in the numbers that screen was showing let alone contained. Even the silver jedi only encountered a small handful of them with their aged ships." She was thinking about it and walked more to look at Sorel while they could go over it. While she agreed about accepting cultures there was something to be said for culture shock when things differed to much. The force being used as it was in the long run.. she could get over that easily. If anything it was what the jedi did when they had padawan games telling them to use the force for sporting events just on a different scale so she could accept it. They were learning after all and this could be a safe place, somewhere they trained and were taught while outside or in their homes they used it like jedi sparingly. THere wasn't enough information for them yet to really make a judgement. She watched looking at some of the things in the room and at Sorel offering her the console. "Lets see if their computers are any less ah polite."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel exchanged a glance with her Master. They’d known each other for long enough to understand from that fleeting moment each other’s thoughts. Neither were precisely happy with the situation but then neither would rock the boat either. What the locals did on their own planet was, essentially, their business. Unless they were asked to intervene, or an action risked the lives on other planets, their hands were effectively tied.

Not that she expected the Go Nagai to ask for aid – and she was sure they wouldn’t agree to helping them, even if they did.

She followed her Master to the computer and glanced at it. “It could hardly be any more rude,” she said, but then wondered what sort of AI existed here – for she had a droid on her own ship that was abrupt to the point of being sarcastic. “Well, that’s not entirely true,” she added.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

She was looking at her and gave a od of her head as the platform with the terminal was in the room. Stepping up to it as the image of someone appeared before her. "Welcome to the Rosenthal archives computer. How may I assist you today?" Well it didn't seem to be rude so that was a plus as Matsu was thinking about what they should ask it. "Ah tell us about the early history." As good a place as any to start as the computer looked at them before bringing things up. "In the beginning there was the Go nagai, the old gods who ruled over this system and several oters in the area. Encountering others as they were one of the early to discover intersteller travel allowing travel across the stars. Advancements in weapons technologies allowed them to overtake and control the worlds that they enslaved until they encountered the Gree who came to the worlds. Bringing their technology to create an embassy before they realized the dangers posed by the beings. Sabotaging their own gates they cut themselves off but allowed one to remain that the beings known as the taung used to bring slaves from across the galaxy. For over one hundred thousand years your ancestors were enslaved and under their heel until eventually they managed to revolt and rise up. The remnants of the old gods are the dreggs int he underground prisons."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel took a back-seat to her Master. It was something she was accustomed to. Not as a sign of servility, but a deference to someone wiser. There would be a subject or a situation where she might take the lead. It was about what was appropriate and advised. And right now, her Master was the fastest route to the truth. To what they needed to know.

The computer was, thankfully, neutral. It did not appear to have any AI programming that manifested itself in a personality – although there was no way of telling if it gave a full and frank answer to them, given they were outsiders. But for now, Sorel presumed it did.

The history lesson was informative and in spanned a long period of time. Sorel was faintly pleased that the slaves overthrew their masters, although she reflected that imprisoning them in this way would not receive warmth from many planets outside of this system.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was looking at everythign they had going while she was trying to make some sense of it and going over the history it was much lie Shri-Tal where the slaves revolted and most of the worlds. They were looking to check all of the things details but the jedi master prepared a couple fo things for herself. "This is much like a few other planets we found. The slaves revolted and killed most of them, this world though just is a little different." She was wondering about more of of the recent history. "Computer what about now?" There seemed to be a moment. "Now the world is controlled by the One our sovereign leader and below him are the nine houses spanning across the ten continents. Each house has risen to prominence due to their command of the energies of the galaxy and capabilities in either scholarly pursuits or combat."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened to Matsu with interest but it was the current situation, as described by the computer, that really caught her attention.

She had a hundred questions, but did her best to hold her tongue, before prioritising them and then sharing only a couple at a time.

“I am keen to hear about what you refer to as the ‘energies of the galaxy.’ We too have a similar concept and I was wondering if they coincided. And I’d also be keen to understand how combat was a ranking priority. Is this because of some form of simulation or have you been at war with anyone?”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was curious as well but she was making a guess about what the energies were. "The martial prowess of the houses comes from the attention the sovereigns grand tournament draws. The best fighters from around the world come together to show their skill every four years and the winner receives a boon of treasure and riches as well as a chance to learn from the most elite fighters of the world." Matsu raised an eyebrow while she was listening to it and that sounded rather exciting and like something that would give someone if they did it a chance fo a lifetime. "And the energies of the galaxy?" She was looking at it while she was prepared to hear it. "The energies of the galaxy is the mysterious force that the Go Nagai used and the slaves mastered to help overthrow them."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened intently. She was pleased that the ranking based upon martial prowess was limited to tournaments. She further hoped the gladiatorial events were non-terminal in nature, but she refrained from asking.

And like her Master, she was curious when the next event was to be. The prospect of witnessing or even competing was something that piqued her interest. But before she could consider it further, she listened to the explanation about the energies.

Initially, Sorel understood the plural to suggest there was more than one – but now she assumed that it was simply a reference to the Force and that it was described in this way. Again, she had a question – this time around the light and the dark – but she chose not to broach the subject for fear of introducing a concept they had not naturally arrived at. Sith were bad. To create Sith on a planet where they didn’t currently exist would be a great deal worse.

[member="Matsu Ike"]