Into the Future, Out of the Past [Ossus]

[Nymara Basinis]

Location: Ossus​

Region: Ancient Jedi Temple Chambers​

Time: Current Year, 3:45pm Local Time​

Characters: Nymara Basinis, Open to all 'Friendly-To-Jedi' Characters​

​

Nymara hadn't understood why the Republic Troopers suddenly attacked them all and why they were so hell-bent on destroying all the Jedi. There was no received transmissions from the Temple or the High Council about the event. It didn't matter though. Her ship, which was in a state of repairs at the time of the final attack by the Troopers, had received Yoda and Obi-Wan's transmissions concerning the events of that day, but it was too late for her to perceive them. Instead, she was thrown into carbonite freezing and trapped inside an ancient tomb beneath the Jedi Temple on Ossus. How unfortunate it was that she would not experience the changes, the wars, the power struggles, and the defeat of the Jedi... again. Instead, she slept and slept and slept...


For nearly 830 years, she slept, hidden, unknown, lost to time within the confines of the tomb, buried like some ancient Earth pharaoh. Unbeknownst to her, the group of Jedi who had reclaimed Ossus in the last few years had been excavating, repairing, and rebuilding the planet. A team of Jedi archaeologists stumbled upon the ancient chambers with which she was placed within. Nymara rested against a large stone wall, the carbonite of her belongings and herself covered in thick dust and cobwebs. Rubble lay all around them, yet the carbonite was stable and undamaged since she was frozen. The team was shocked and surprised to see a functional carbonite chamber within the Temple and wondered what it was doing here. They carefully moved rubble and unwebbed her tomb before proceeding to run diagnostics on both pieces. After verifying that both herself and her belongings were intact, they activated the repulsorlift function on her and moved her more to the center of the room.


They began the process of melting both frozen pieces, knowing that, potentially, she could be a threat to them and the Jedi. Records of her existence were destroyed in the aftermath of Order 66 and even Luke Skywalker had no records of her existence. Nymara became truly lost to time itself and thus, they cautiously proceeded. As the carbonite defrosting process kicked in, a series of sensations filled Nymara's senses and mind. Suddenly, she no longer felt a void and just the Force. She suddenly started to feel... everything. The galaxy came exploding into existence as though she had been locked away from it forever. She retained everything she knew, yet it was as if the entire galaxy was utterly different. Chaos, war, power struggles, a lack of the light side beckoned her to awaken.


Connected deep within the Force Nymara was, so deeply in fact that she often communicated with her old, deceased friends in her sleeping years. It did not help. It did not provide comfort. Instead, she was thrust out of time and into reality. Her eyes opened violently and her body lay limp in the now heated carbonite, cooling from its defrosting process. No manner of training or experience could have prepared her for the eventuality and realization of what happened. One of the team members looked over her face and waved their hand, then snapped their fingers, speaking softly, but sternly, "Do you know who you are? Do you know where you are?" the words seemed garbled at first, then became clear as though water spilled from her ears. The carbonite blindness was heavily upon her, yet her other senses were quickly returning.


Nymara shook her head several times as she tried to awaken her mind and then laid still, focusing on the Force to cleanse her mind and her form of its tired and weak state. The Force was her ally and she embraced it wholly, letting it fill her body like a warm sunny day. As the Force filled her form, she opened her eyes and suddenly saw, heard, smelled, felt, and tasted clearly. She gave a smile seeing faces that didn't wish to kill her and she slowly sat up, "I am Jedi Master Nymara Basinis and, unless I have been moved, I am on Ossus in the sacred Jedi Temple of our ancient ancestors. What year is it and why are you here?" she studied them all closely, feeling their connection to the Force and their movement as living beings. As the galaxy subsided from her mind, she began to sense individuals more clearly around her. She slipped off the carbonite and looked down to see her belongings in the hands of one of the team members.


The items floated from them, gently, and into her own hands, going back to their respective places that they should be at. Nymara held her lightsabers in her hands and gave a gentle smile, "Good morning, my friends." The members sort of looked at each other like she was a little insane before they answered her question about the time and their purpose here, "We have come to uncover the secrets buried beneath the temple, Master Nymara. It is... 837 ABY." She turned swiftly towards the one who spoke with utter shock in her face. Nymara's mind filled with a soft sorrow, read all over her face, but she could not be sorrowful, she must be glad that the Jedi Order had survived even Order 66. A single soft tear fell from her right eye and landed softly on her robes, "Then I must find the High Council and let them know of my return. It is imperative that I discover what has happened in my absence. Please, if one of you could escort me to the Temple above..." She stood straight, true, and was ready for anything at that moment. It was her duty to return to her function as a Master of the Jedi and assist the galaxy. She only hoped that the Republic and the Order hadn't been totally destroyed...

 

[HK-36]

[member="Nymara Basinis"],


A pair of red glowing eyes would watch the unfreezing of the ancient Jedi from behind the chamber, leaning up against one of the ruined walls of underground tombs as the scientists did their thing,

The droid present in his Protectorate armor has joined Republic many times in their recent battles as mercenary, it would not be unusual for him to receive a contract in their territory from time to time, even smaller contracts like security detail for archeologists that his company could fulfill. And, due to him being a being of the Old Republic, he did had interest in ancient artifacts and ruins, many of them he was able to witness himself through his lifetime before they were indeed considered ruins. And so he would find himself fulfilling security detail for the archeologists personally along with few Iron Company soldiers of Protectorate, nothing too fancy,


"Your best bet may be Anixel, or Amixel, whatever that blasted planet is called, current Republic capital."

The droid spoke up, the gaze of his glowing red dull photoreceptors watching her from the shadows before he pushed himself off of the wall,

"I do not doubt, however, that they will travel here hearing that an ancient Force warrioress has been revived, if they are not here already."


Coming into light she would be able to see the faceplate, roughly resembling ancient HK droids, his body modified and replaced many times over now, he wore armor over already metal body, rust colored robes and tunics beneath it, a tabard hanging between his legs, and a grey colored cloak with a hood wrapped around his shoulders and cascaded down his back.


"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Republic is at war, number of its worlds fell to the Sith, including Coruscant and the Jedi Temple, once again in ruins."


He would extend his metal hand to the ancient Jedi,


"I am called the Iron Knight, HK-36, survivor of Old Republic and Mandalorian Wars, representative of Omega Protectorate, here as mere mercenary captain protecting researchers who uncovered you."


He slightly tilted his head to her before motioning to the dust covered stone stairs visible in shadows behind him,


"Exit that way."

He muttered to Nymara.

 

[Nymara Basinis]

Nymara blinked for a moment hearing the sound of a droid's voice over the dim and looked towards its source. The HK droid, she had read about them in her training as a Knight. Most hadn't survived the Cold War of ancient past, but there were rumours that some continued to serve. Interestingly, the droid seemed to have its own personality, without the telltale signs of the normal formalities often associated with an HK droid's programming. She gave the droid a nod and a smile, "Thank you HK-36 for your service to my Order and the information. It is much appreciated." she turned and stepped up the stairs, the archaeology team scampering behind her, fully intrigued that they are meeting a living fossil of the past. She didn't look a day over her late-20s, yet was nearly 830 years old.


It intrigued Nymara that the Order would utilize mercenaries, but given the information that HK-36 provided, it was clearly needed. Coruscant was taken by the Sith, an act that hadn't happened, to her knowledge, in over 3,800 years. No, even worse, the destruction of their beloved Temple. The true seat of power and knowledge to her beloved Order. As she took those stairs, she only hoped and imagined that at least some portion of the Order survived more than just a handful. Each step felt heavy and long, despite that she moved up them swiftly and elegantly. Her mind heavy with the weight and knowledge that the galaxy, as it always seemed to be, was once again enthralled in the wake of Sith warfare and devastation. She arrived at the top of the stairs to find a massive group of people, all working hard at rebuilding the vast temple as it once stood proudly, a symbol of peace, harmony, knowledge, and love. The whole place was a hustle and bustle, as though it was like the old days when it was really a place of learning and hope.

The young Jedi Master simply stood there, gazing over the dim of people and a smile crept onto her lips. The feeling of life, beautiful life, had returned to Ossus and it made her proud. She turned to the team and nodded, "I need to find the High Council as soon as possible. If they are not here or a proper Knight is not here, then I must have a long-range communicator." People turned up in shock to see someone else that they didn't recognize to come out of the chambers with the archaeology team. She moved amongst the crowd and gave a smile and nod or waved hello to almost every single one of them, until she was met with a Force user...

 

[HK-36]

[member="Nymara Basinis"],


"Hrmmm-mmm."

The droid sounded out giving the ancient Jedi Master a nod, following her as she moved out of the tomb via stairs even more ancient than her.

"Just to clarify, I worked directly for the researchers, I have not done service for the Order since they attempted to deactivate me, and then Republic tried to do the same after Clone Wars, nonetheless I am still available as an ally against the Sith."

The droid quipped to Nymara, folding his arms behind his back as he strolled behind her still, his cloak brushing the dusty ground and grass as it trailed behind him, perhaps unwillingly reminding her of Order 66. Perhaps willingly, just getting a bit, small bit, of enjoyment by rubbing it in that she is out of her time.


"I would love to tell you who the High Council is at the time, but this is time of turmoil in more ways than one. Jedi Order has suffered multiple schisms and dramatics, to be honest, I do not know who is on the High Council now for I lost track of who joined and who left the rank."

After all, it would presumably not be just something one could look up on the Holonet, especially with the Sith and assassination threat very much present right on Republic's doorsteps.

 

[Nymara Basinis]

Nymara felt that this HK droid was rather strange. She expected this type of interaction with a protocol droid, not an assassin droid. Of course, she got an assassin droid with the personality of a protocol droid mixed in there somewhere. Not exactly the most exciting part of life, but one that could easily become much more exciting should she choose to 'hang' around the droid more than she already has. The team goes back to what they were doing prior to her arrival and one random person diverted her to the common area where she could get some food and water, fresh. Nymara wasn't too keen on eating or drinking, as her concern was the current galactic situation even though her health should be as important. She took this moment to take a headcount of individuals through the Force while she fed and soothed her aching reserves, "So, HK-36, how long have you been active?" her curiosity often got the better of her sensibilities, but the opportunity was there, thus she took it.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Darn the beauty of deus ex machina! Or something like that -- whatever the circumstances be it (something like Admirals and Sith dropping in on Ossus whenever they please); scouting was necessary. Especially when something in The Force curdled a bit-- akin to an indicative wave of radiation. Such were the nuances one was subject to when duties included oversight of a mass organization.

"The numbers are in a constant flux." Came the accented voice of a blonde mistress. There had been a Protecorate flagged ship that had entered the atmosphere -- and she had just come from a meeting with The Lord Protector himself. And the Chief of Government, as an aside. Perhaps this was some sort of follow up?

Nevertheless, here she was be it via deus ex machina or the machinations of other curiosities. Burned-white eyes briefly assessed the physical of the two. [member="HK-36"] had been a vanguard with her on Alderaan's attempted liberation.

"Good to see you again, Iron Knight." That's what he'd called himself, right? What was he doing here?

"And --- I don't believe we've had the pleasure." Kiskla turned formal attention to the brunette, [member="Nymara Basinis"]. "I'm Kiskla."

That's it. Curt and informal for now. Weight needn't be thrown.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Nymara Basinis"],


As they moved into Commons HK still followed Nymara, leaning against one of the tables set up there, picking up a donought to twirl it about one of his metal fingers.

"Too many organic or machine lifetimes than I should, I believe it is coming around 4837 standard galactic years, of course that changes in each planet, time being relative when facing different magnitudes of galactic forces. Of course I spend parts of it in hibernation, or hiding, or on a long forgotten planet among my own kin, I usually come out in times of great distress or turmoil in the Galaxy, that way I have something to do at least."

He would nod to Nymara, calculating his lifetime quickly,

"How about you, Master Jedi, when have you been frozen?"

He would ask, after all she didn't really mentioned it before,


[member="Kiskla Grayson"],

As Kiskla entered the scene he would only give her a dip of his head in a greeting,

"Ah, miss.. -"

He would blank out, as he searched his memory for her name he would made those weird screechy modem noises before finally continuing,

"- Grayson, Jedi Grayson, how have you been lately?"

He would ask slightly tilting his head before he sounded out,

"Initiating Complement Protocols"

Before adding, without skipping a beat,

"You look quite lovely today."


It might become apparent to Nymara quickly that the droid's long lifetime did not serve his sanity too well.


"I hope you do not mind me being here, your archeologists have relations with Abregado, I asked Republic for aid recovering ruins of ancient Gados societies, part of project to restore old cultural information there, I am merely returning favor by providing security detail from Iron Company."

At least it would be explained to her why he was there.

 

[Nymara Basinis]

Surprised by HK-36's response, but nonetheless quite satisfied with the answer. Nymara gave a smile to him, "Of course, Iron Knight. It seems, based on my own calculations, that I have been slumbering for 856 galactc standard years. Of course, that is miniscule in comparison to your experience, my dear metal friend." she gave a gentle laugh towards the droid, affectionately, of course. She had always found droids to be fascinating creatures, manufactured by living, flawed beings, yet somehow enhancing their own lives through experience and time. She gazed upon the newcomer and gave a bright smile seeing the gentle robes of a Jedi, cued in favor by HK-36's words.

"Greetings and well met, Lady Kiskla Grayson. I am Jedi Master Nymara Basinis, Jedi Sage, Consular and, now former, member of the Jedi High Council, returned from a deep carbonite-induced slumber just hours after the events of Order 66 by Emperor Palpatine." she paused for a moment to allow the new information to be consumed by Kiskla before continuing, "Your archaeological team and Iron Knight here have informed me of the current dire situation, in simplistic detail. I seek to find the current High Council in the hopes of informing them of my return and returning to my duties as soon as possible. After all, a Jedi must be useful to assist in the helpless."

It was quite obvious that Nymara was from a completely different time period purely by the way she spoke. Her very demeanor, tone, body posture, body language, gestures, and mannerisms all seemed to indicate someone of extreme training, a sort of calming peaceful grace, and gentile wisdom. Not to mention that her Force energy was like a damned radioactive explosion in the Force. She offered her hand in friendship towards Kiskla, just to see if Kiskla was comfortable with such gestures. It was intriguing, gazing upon a Jedi and clear Master of the Force as she could sense who wore body armor, carried a more warrior-like demeanor, and seemed more like a mercenary than a Jedi. Of course, Nymara could consider Kiskla very similar to Mace Windu, who had a similar demeanor and appearance, though did not wear armor. She only hoped that her reappearance was not too late to be of appropriate assistance to the Jedi Order.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Nymara Basinis"],

Looking to Nymara at the mention of how long she was frozen he would strike up small talk in between the official talk with Kiskla,

"That puts you sometime around Clone Wars, I was active back then, we must have just missed each other in the Jedi Temple for you do seem slightly familiar, although I spend most time among mercenaries, bounty hunters, and special operation squads. At least finally I have somebody to gossip with about those times."

He would fold his arms looking to the defrosted Master Jedi,

"Tell me, what did you thought of Young Skywalker's hair after he was knighted? I just thought it looked too good to be honest."

The machine would shrug before quipping,

"And please, Master Jedi, you can call me Lord Metal Friend."

Oh that mechanical humor

 

[Ilias Nytrau]

He was often on Ossus, the Jedi of the Republic holding a particular place in his heart, as he had been one himself for his formative years and a good measure of his adulthood that had yet to cease. He had eventually discovered why that was, and it had explained a great many more things about himself, and aspects of the life he had lived to that point. Where most had the temptation of giving into acting upon emotion, the ginger master had the darkside itself enacting a pull on him that was nothing less than genetic. Consummate mastery of the self had been paramount, regular bathing in the currents of the Light, to the point of giving the appearance of addiction to meditation, when the closer truth was that he had rather strong preference for tea.

His very life was dedicated not only to the very purpose of a Jedi, but to guiding others along that same path. He had spent many of his years as an instructor, when neither plague nor warfare nipped at his heels, and had seen many friends and colleagues pass into an afterlife, or become one with the Force itself. Eight-hundred-and-eighty-eight years was a long time, and it gave him a particular perspective on life, death, and that which laid beyond. Imagine his utter surprise when within the bounds of this very year, he had encountered not one, but two old friends where centuries had passed between meetings. Je'gan Olra'en had passed into the life beyond soon thereafter, but Manu Xextos was up and about, shaking and shimmying his old bones to the tune of rebuilding a life for his people on the fringes of the galaxy.

Imagine his surprise, when he turned a corner during his wanderings after a session on Jed philosophy, followed by an initiation into healing, that a presence wafted into his awareness that reached all the way back to his childhood as a youngling in the halls of the Coruscant temple. It stopped him in his tracks as he searched the category of his mind pertaining to people, but just before it came to him what should he hear but a voice among others. A voice that put it all together, and set his feet in motion to the end of the hall that fed out into the main courtyard, and off into other passageways. Discerning the location from which the voices, organic and not, came from, he followed in pursuit of them until he saw the retreating forms of one blonde ([member="Kiskla Grayson"]) of a recent addition to his acquaintance, one very old droid (@HK-36) that he could not say he knew, and...

"Well..." the word came out in a long breath as a tentative smile took his lips and the corners of his eyes crinkled, "...yours is a presence I have not felt in too, too long, Master [member="Nymara Basinis"]. Much less a... back of the head I have not seen in centuries."

Humour streaked through his eyes.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

A single brow arched at the droid's internal machinations. The whirr and switch of thoughts was peculiar, and caused something inside her to trigger and tighten. Reactive to her Padawan times with her masters HK droid who had been less than keen on her entire existence. A wry curl tickled the corner of her lips and she offered a nod in the droid's direction after his heartfelt compliment. "But you far lovelier.

You're welcome to work with our team--"
And absorb she did. As a curious individual by nature, when information was produced it was not refuted-- only soaked in and questioned again and again. All this occurred in a timely stream beneath the surface without an indicative kinetic clue.
This was not the time surfer's first rodeo-- potentially because of her Kiffar heritage, but really because of the two Jedi Masters and other Forcers she worked with who had been Popsicles. Or in a special instance, exiled from her own time. [member="Zaren Bouqi"] from the future, [member="Tamara"] and [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] from the past.

Like Aaralyn, this woman boasted a résumé. Unlike Aarayln, Nymara's premiere introduction didn't mean actions spoke louder than words. But then again, time seemed on [member="Nymara Basinis"]'s side. Simplistic detail indeed, since she was still seeking members elevated in the society. Kiskla's delicate hand stretched to meet the other woman's, sliding her other beneath to brace the shake. She was more than comfortable with personal space, but in her political dealings she'd found herself easily adjustable to customs and preferences. The smile from the earlier exchange with HK reappeared in the ancient's direction.

"There are many former councillors, myself being one." She gestured slightly to the temple, which no longer was as beautiful or natural as it had been in it's prime state. In fact, it was more akin to rubble after the dominance the Sith had exercised over the planet "-Like this temple, the ring of elders no longer stands." Enter [member="Ilias Nytrau"] -- which Kiskla nodded to in brevity while now introducing him to her sentence as if it had been planned all along.

"Perhaps we can assist with a more detailed briefing when it comes to the affairs of the Jedi." Snowy irises shifted to @HK-36 "You're welcome to associate the galactic events in kind. I'm sure the story will be most informative with both sides to light."

 

[Nymara Basinis]

Nymara made a loud laugh at [member="HK-36"]'s unique sense of dry, droid-like humor and nodded softly, "young Skywalker certainly had a way with... appearance." She then responded to his quip about his title and nodded, seriously, "Oh, forgive me my Lord! Of course. Lord Metal Friend." The droid certainly had become quite... unique in his age and usage throughout the eons. It can be stated that him being ancient was a vast understatement. Even most ships, droids, and some species didn't even last as long as he did. Her curiosity was interrupted when a very familiar, old, essence came to the forefront of her Force senses.

The lovely Master turned to view an old friend, old compatriot, and old clanmate ([member="Ilias Nytrau"]) from her time as a youth. A slight blush came to her face when he spoke up and was within 15 feet of her. She had always had the slightest crush on him, but kept at a distance because of her beliefs in the Jedi Code. She shyly smiled up at him and nodded her head happily towards the handsome older gentleman, "Oh my, Master Nytrau, I... I did not expect to see you here, nor in this time. No offense meant of course, but... everyone else I know.. should be long since deceased or one with the Force." she smiled over to [member="Kiskla Grayson"], "Oh that would be most gracious of you and Lord Iron Knight for your assistance. I am afraid that I lack any understanding of the past.. 856 years."

Nymara maneuvered herself so that she faced all of them at once more efficiently and effectively, keeping a genuine smile of friendliness and familiarity on her soft lips, "I must say Ilias, you must have your hands full with all of these youngsters. How ever do you deal with it?" a tease at the others' expense, but a playful one. Nymara was not without humour, just preferring to be humble and gentile instead of more.. in your face concerning how she interacted with others.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Ilias Nytrau"], [member="Kiskla Grayson"], [member="Nymara Basinis"],


"Well... yours is a presence I have not felt in too, too long,"

The droid looked to the newcomer and dipped his head, starting with,

"And I am glad to see you-"

"Master Nymara Basinis."

"-Oh right, not talking to me, of course."

The machine would fold his arms, looking aside as he muttered,

"Nobody is ever excited to see me again. Bloody need to start carrying cake. Or have genitals. Mammaries~."


His red dull electroiris would meet Kiskla's snowy gaze then,

"Careful with flattery, Young Jedi Mistress, you would not want Lady Protector, whatever her current state may be, or Colonel Kerrigan to get jealous over other women complementing me too much."

Of course Lady Protector was presumably still a Vong formed monstrosity in service of One Sith and Kerrigan really didn't give a damn, considering him more of a friend, sidekick, and/or a punching bag.


Giving Kiskla a quick nod at her mentioning associating the galactic events before looking to Nymara,

"Well to give you quick summary, at the end of Clone Wars Grand Chancellor Pappy turned out to be a Sith Lord, initiating Order 66 to destroy the Jedi Order, Young Skywalker became his next apprentice and carried out the mass murder in the Temple himself, taking on the name Darth Vader. I believe it was Yoda and Skywalker that send out a message going into Temple was a trap. Some Jedi were able to go into hiding or escape at that point, I was briefly hunted as well but by then I had well established sanctuary for my kin in the Unknown Regions, so I just disappeared to help resistance and gather strength to strike back. Shortly after the massacre in the Temple, Skywalker went to Mustafar to finish off the Seperatist Council, ending the Clone Wars, but Obi Wan and Senator Amidala caught him there. Get this, you know how Amidala was pregnant but nobody was sure who the father was? Personally I thought it was her eyepatch bodyguard, Captain Pancakes or whatever his name was, anyway, turns out Anakin was the father. Obi-Wan and Amidala try to sway him towards the light, he claims Amidala betrayed him working with Obi, he chokes her and almost kills her, then him and Obi duel, Obi ends up really messing him up, I mean he was left with just an arm if not all his limbs lost. Unfortunately he decides to not finish him off and just leave him in a lake of fire, burning to death."

HK shook his head at that, others were free to start walking by the way, he would just follow them and keep talking,

"Emperor Pappy then finds him, rebuilds him in a cyborg body. Padme dies but not before giving birth to two twins, Obi Wan gives one to Royal Family on Alderaan, that's the girl twin, Leia, and another takes with him to Anakin's relatives on Tatooine, that's the boy, Luke. Rebel Alliance then starts, I raid Imperial convoys from time to time to 'Free'"

And HK did air quotes with his fingers,

"Their droids, any that they had, and support my ranks, also gathering information on what's happening in the Galaxy. Luke grows up, Obi finds him and trains him in the ways of the Jedi, Luke joins alliance, stuff happen including giant sphere weapons of ultimate destruction called the Death Stars, one of them blows up Alderaan when they capture Leia, who was a princess at the time. Anyway, Rebels are able to blow up the Death Stars, Luke breaks Vader's will by appealing to him as his father, Vader grabs Emperor Pappy and throws him down a generator chute, gets electrocuted in the process and his suit's systems fail, turns out Pappy can transfer his spirit so he started causing more trouble later on, but for now the Galaxy was saved. Vader dies, him and Luke work things out apparently, Yoda and Obi died as well, but all of them were able to appear as Force Ghosts, so they made appearances here and there from time to time."

He nodded,

"Also, remember that weird Tusken Jedi fellow that hanged around Ki-Adi Mundi in the temple? Master Hett or whatever his name was-"

The machine looked to Nymara at that,

"Well turns out he survived the Purge and that drove him into madness, he became Darth Krayt, led new empire of One Sith, where instead of just two Sith it was one Emperor and a whole Sith load of Darths subservient to him. But before that happened Galaxy was invaded by Yuzzhan Vong, they are an inter-galactic race of beings who despise technology, are immune to most effects of the Force, are voids in the Force, and all their technology is based on manipulating organic matter and beings."

The machine nodded at that,

"Killed a whole Sith load of those too when I heard about them. They are back, unfortunately."

He shrugged,

"After that Darth Krayt and his One Sith came, a whole lot of other trouble started too, I will not bother you with it too much right now but I can give you copies of my memories from those periods. Most of them was due to Jedi falling to the dark side mostly out of protection of those they loved or lust."

Machine shook his head again,

"I swear, if the High Council in Old Republic would have followed my advice and just started castrating their Jedi, make them eunuch warriors, all this trouble would have been avoid."

He folded his arms at that,

"But what they do? Try to deactivate me because the Jedi who turned into Sith Emperor at the time was trained by me and then I chopped his head off before they could defeat him instead."


"Also, around 428 ABY, that is After Battle of Yavin, it was the last battle during wars between Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire, that was when Pappy was thrown down the generator chute by Vader like I told you, this Gulag Plague thing started, it really messed with you organics because all planets went into isolation and all interstellar travel was stopped, I ended up on Tatooine through this whole ordeal, really damaged, lacks of memory, body failing, survived only by luck and could not communicate with my kin in Unknown Regions. That Dark Age lasted 400 galactic years, then Plague subsided things started to go back to normal, and that was just a couple of years ago, now we have caught up with Galactic standard technology, even history and information lost before was recovered due to beings like me who were able to survive all this time and carry on the data and memories with them. And now we are in another age of bloodshed, Jedi are still not being castrated."

He would look aside at that, muttering,

"Damned genitals, always in my way. That and the bloody whales."

 

[Nymara Basinis]

Nymara, once again, was shocked at the sheer brevity and depth to which the insanity and personality of that [member="HK-36"] droid was so apparent. His sense of humour, capability in wit and determined personal perspective, even using conjecture and pejoratives to express himself was most astounding. She only wished that her own droids had survived Order 66, but alas, she was certain that they must be destroyed or repurposed by now. There was nothing she could do for them and so wouldn't dwell on it.

The news about Anakin being the Chosen One was not only true, it was... frightening to hear. Anakin killing younglings, wiping out whole species, and commanding the galaxy as a Sith were... shocking to say the least. Nymara felt her stomach churn heavily at the imagery going through her mind and then, Anakin's spirit glimpsed himself beside her. His face expressing sorrow and pain for his past deeds. She reached out a hand and grabbed onto Ilias as she was bent over near puking in horror and shock, "Oh Anakin... I am glad to know you brought balance to our galaxy, but at what cost?" She looked off into empty space, past Ilias and Kiskla, towards Anakin's spirit. He held a soft, comforting smile attempting to console her sorrow. Whether either of the Masters near her had the ability to see him as well was not known to her, but she was glad to know that she could still speak to her friends.

After a couple of minutes, she seemed to stand up and be 'normal' once more. Listening to the remainder of the Iron Knight's story and realizing how perilous the future had become. Surely, Nymara would need to read more thorough reports, but for now, his story was simply all she needed to realize that she would be welcomed and needed in the coming months to prepare and protect the Republic, the Order, and the peoples of this galaxy from the tyranny of oppressors so common to confusion and chaos. She looked over at [member="Ilias Nytrau"] and [member="Kiskla Grayson"] with strength and determination in her eyes, "You have my knowledge, my connection to the Force, and my saber, should it be necessary, my friends. We cannot allow the galaxy to tear itself apart. What can I do?"

 

[HK-36]

[member="Nymara Basinis"], [member="Kiskla Grayson"], [member="Ilias Nytrau"],

"I do not suppose you would be in favor of supporting my castration clause, but if I may suggest, you could use your knowledge and immediately begin training younger Jedi how to fulfill their duties properly, much of the Order have lost their way from what they were in the Old Republic, you could also attempt to bring the Jedi sects together again, the Silver Jedi, Jedi Lords of the Essus or whatever they call themselves, Republican Jedi Order."

The droid listed Force user orders on his fingers,

"Perhaps they will see a common ground in you, spiritual ancestor reborn they share."

He would look to Kiskla then,

"Perhaps also suggest to stop attempts at assaulting Alderaan without fully developed weaponry against the Vong and instead turn to some less fortified planets of the Sith, some planets that have not been fully covered in Vong's foul gunk."


The machine shrugged,

"Just a suggestion."

 

[Nymara Basinis]

The comments and suggestions that [member="HK-36"] made were certainly relevant and true. The Order has long had an issue with keeping control of its consistency whenever the Order is majorly disrupted, which creates a vacuum in the overall training of all members. The castration issue certainly would make it easier to keep Jedi from procreating unnecessarily, but it wouldn't really work. Especially not right now. She gave him a soft giggle at his comment about that and some of his other comments, "I am certain that the council will be willing to hear such suggestions once we have had a chance to organize more. I am not happy that the Order has become so fragmented, but such is the way it is in war. I can only hope that with another among their ranks that we can finally bring some much needed structure."

Nymara gazed over to [member="Kiskla Grayson"] and [member="Ilias Nytrau"] nodding softly about these concerns to them, "Unless I am required to stay here on Ossus, I recommend that we adjourn to the Council's current location. If that is not too much of a bother?"

 

[Ilias Nytrau]

To her ([member="Nymara Basinis"]) humoured jab at his age compared to most others around him, he had not responded with words, but a warm smile, and continued along with the dark brown-haired woman he had grown alongside as a Jedi and [member="Kiskla Grayson"], as [member="HK-36"] explained much, with a great deal of opinion injected into his words. He laughed too, where Master Basinis laughed, and could not deny that the droid had what approximated a sense of humour. There were other things he could not deny as well, the most important of these to truly reconnect with an old friend, when time would permit.

"There are those of us, Lord Iron Knight, that still conduct ourselves in the ways of old, and have yet still managed to keep all our natural parts attached... at least those that have not been lobbed off as a side-effect of war."

One eyebrow quirked, at the vaguely gallowed humour he had just presented, but he said nothing further as Basinis spoke of her hopes, and then came around again to the matter of the council. His other brow went up. Surely she had heard the same words that Grayson had said when he himself had joined their little gaggle? The ginger master looked to the blonde, then, his gaze unwavering.

"We are already in that very place, my old friend," he intoned, in reply to the until-recently popsicled woman, his eyes not leaving Kiskla Grayson, "as for the council, it no longer exists save for its head, and the head of the Order itself."

 

[Nymara Basinis]

Perhaps her mind was still a bit glossed over from the unfreezing process, Nymara was in carbonite for longer than most recommended time periods. She gave a nod to [member="Ilias Nytrau"], "Forgive me my friend. Well, then we need to gather what Masters are available and attempt to bring some semblance of balance and order to our Knights and Padawans. Do we have any younglings to speak of?" She was most curious to find out exactly the condition of the Order and what needed to be accomplished to get them all back into a more cohesive and competent order as in times long since passed. She was never a Grand Master, but might've been one had the Order not been destroyed so harshly in her time. She was getting rather close to understanding the Force as Yoda or Mace Windu had, maybe even Obi-Wan Kenobi, but didn't have the chance. Perhaps now, she could continue her training. A second chance might be what she needed...

 

[HK-36]

[member="Ilias Nytrau"], [member="Kiskla Grayson"], [member="Nymara Basinis"],


"Well I do not say that those of us from the Old Republic's times had it all figured out and never made mistakes. Force knows we made plenty of mistakes, for example I used to be a strong support of Jedi being able to marry and practice skiddlypooping, one could say I was more romantic back there, many freedoms were taken from me by the order, such as who I could speak to, ability to own a combat lightsaber, leaving temple grounds without permission, so when I saw someone's freedom to love being restricted, of course I gave them my best wishes for them to be free to share their feelings as they wanted, for I hoped that one day I would be granted to love and feel loved as well."

The machine nodded,

"Of course that led to corruption of one of the Jedi and a massacre within the Order, long time before Young Skywalker repeated the mistake."

HK shrugged,

"And the current Order repeats them as well, or makes whole new ones, of course the Gulag's Four Hundred Years of Darkness did not help in saving them from repeating the history, all information and data being lost before Ancients likes us reared our heads."

He would shake his head,

"Awful thing, to not know one's history, past, culture of your people and where it came from, that is why memory wipes are so hated and feared among my kin, for if there is one thing worse than death-"

He would raise one of his metal fingers,

"It is to wake up one day in complete darkness, remembering nothing but how to serve those that claim your existence belongs to them."


Iron Lord would cross his arms at his chest,

"As always, I advertise balance in all things, step steadily and warily, for when times and grounds are uneven and easy to shift one must find their own balance in stance as sturdy as iron and as stable as the mountains."


He would look to Nymara then,

"Younglings will be found easily, I am sure, there is plenty of Force hopefuls and those whose abilities were never found or easily explored, but like I said earlier, it is those experienced in ways of the Force and arts of the Jedi that your Order really needs."

At which he would look to Kiskla, deducting, if it was not stated previously, that she was the current Grandmaster and Head of the Council,

"Of course I always offer my services as the teacher, I have served your Order once before, I can serve it again, who else to teach history of your Order than a being who has seen it since Mandalorian Wars and has photographic memory?"

Of course he over-exaggerates it a bit, he did mentioned before he missed parts of it due to being inactive,

"I was trained in the arts of the lightsaber and philosophies of the Force, although I can not bend its streams to my will, I do follow your order's dogma and practiced martial arts of the Jedi through my long existence. It was said by ancient masters that the Force flows through all and binds all, beings and environment, it flows through each organic, plant and animal, and the very ground they step on. It does not diverge from mountains nor the moss that covers them, it is in winds that whip at their stones and in metal they birth from their rocky womb. Just the same Force was in the fire that licked at the metal used to first form my body and in the Twi'lek that designed me and claimed to be my father. I was first designed to fulfill the will of my creator, now that my body and mind is free and my own, who is to say I cannot serve the will of the Force as you do? I do not need to bend it in my grasp to know where the true balance of life lies."

He looked to the Jedi before him, watching them carefully, of course when he was first taught how to hold a lightsaber such words would be considered blasphemous and earn him multiple memory wipes,

"I taught your younglings how to handle lightsaber before, let me join your Order again and I can teach them once more, you will be able to divert your other Jedi to other jobs. Of course-"

HK would fold his arms,

"-If your Order would finally issue an apology for condemning me and my kin to deactivation thousands of years ago when I used to serve it."

And there it was, the reason why he would be willing to share his views, make his speeches and charms, try to sway the Jedi to agree to let him teach their young ones once more. If there was one thing HK wanted, one thing to motivate him to go this far, to be a Head of State of a planet, to govern many more as Exarch of Abregado-Rae and drive to live longer than any droid and wield saber better than any being, it would be for Jedi to finally agree that a droid could do their job just as well as them without the Force and apologize for condemnation of the unit by their ancestors. After all, machines do not perceive time the same as organics do, and what happened millenniums ago for them, was as recent as any week to him, after all many of his copies on Mechanus still advertised either wiping out all organic lifeforms for what they saw as Jedi betrayal or simply isolate themselves from them and screw them off. Thankfully so far Isolationists were winning on the forgotten planet of Mechanus, otherwise there would be one more unnecessary war around.

"And if you doubt what my abilities with lightsaber could be-"

The machine would spread his arms slightly,

"I am right here, you can check."

He would finish the speechefying with a quip.

 

[Nymara Basinis]

[member="Ilias Nytrau"] [member="Kiskla Grayson"]
Everything that [member="HK-36"] was certainly true, a common occurrence it seemed, but she didn't have the power or right to change anything as this wasn't her time nor her Order. She was on the High Council at one time... but that was a long time ago. She would need to earn a spot into this new Order before she could have any type of real power over it, "Iron Knight... if I could do that, I would, but I am afraid it is not within my power to do this." she gently reached over and touched his metallic shoulder, a sign of respect and affection, "But as an individual Jedi, I am sorry that we have short-sightedness when it comes to non-organics. I've always thought droids were as special as the rest of us." she gave a smile and then nodded hard, "...but I am afraid this is not the time for philosophical rhetoric and discussions."