Mission Jedi Mission: Hell's Belle's

[Connel Vanagor]

Shadow Looming
Landing Pad
Walking

The wind howled a mournful dirge across the plains of the unnamed planet, a fitting soundtrack to the grim tableau unfolding beneath a bruised, twilight sky. Jedi Shadow Connel Vanagor, his face a mask of barely suppressed fury, hauled Rada across the rocky ground. She stumbled, her ragged clothes snagging on the sharp edges of the alien landscape. He didn't care. He had seen too much on this forsaken rock, too much brutality inflicted in the name of freedom, to offer her any gentleness.

Vanagor was a figure carved from shadow and steel. His Jedi robes, the color of midnight, billowed around him, their starkness a contrast to the fiery rage that burned within. He had arrived on this planet expecting to mediate, to broker peace in a civil war that had spiraled into a bloody abyss. Instead, he found a quagmire of betrayal, fanaticism, and cold-blooded murder.

Rada, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of defiance even in captivity. Her eyes, the color of storm clouds, flashed with resentment. She spat at the ground, her voice hoarse. "Let go of me, Jedi! You don't understand what's happening here."

Vanagor ignored her protests, his grip tightening on her arm. Silence. You will answer my questions. On the ship.

The ship, a sleek, black vessel that looked like nothing more than a shadow against the backdrop of the desolate landscape, awaited them a hundred meters away. As they approached, Vanagor could feel the weight of the Force within him, a turbulent vortex of anger and a desperate plea for justice. He usually kept his emotions carefully leashed, a necessary discipline for a Jedi Shadow, but this planet was testing him, pushing him to the edge.

He shoved Rada into one of the rooms, a sterile space designed to extract truth, though Vanagor preferred to rely on his own abilities rather than technological means. He activated the room's dampeners, suppressing any attempt at Force-based communication or escape.

Sit, he commanded, his voice a low growl.

Rada remained standing, her arms crossed, her gaze unwavering. "I won't tell you anything."

Vanagor circled her slowly, like a predator sizing up its prey. You will tell me everything. About the civil war, about your position, about why the others want you dead. And you will tell me about your brother.

The mention of her brother seemed to crack her facade. A flicker of pain crossed her face, quickly replaced by a renewed surge of defiance. "He was a martyr! He died for the cause!"

He was murdered, Vanagor corrected, his voice flat. "By the rest of the 'Trinity,' as you call them. The same 'Trinity' who all claim to be leading their people “with words”. Tell me why.[/COLOR]

Rada hesitated. He could sense the internal conflict raging within her, the clash between loyalty and fear, between idealism and the harsh reality of her situation.

"They... they thought he was getting too powerful," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "He was gaining support, questioning their methods. They saw him as a threat."

And you? Vanagor pressed. Do you question their methods?

"I..." She looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "I believe in the cause. But... the violence... it's spiraling out of control."

Peru-Bana', the others Vanagor said, the name dripping with disdain. Tell me about them. Who are they? What do they want?

Then two armed guards walked in, obviously sent by the “hosts” of this gathering. Connel did not like it. Out.

“We were sent here under orders, Jedi.”

I don’t care. Out, or this interrogation is over.

When the coast cleared, Rada sighed, defeated. "Power. They want power. They crave it. They're willing to do anything to get it."

He leaned closer, his eyes boring into hers. They want you dead. Why?

"Because I know too much," she replied, her voice trembling. There was more he could ask her, plenty more, but Vanagor got her up and made sure those fools were not around.

Stay here until I come back for you. Keep the doors locked.

Matsu Ike • Taiden Keth • Garric Wrennar • Jasper Candos​

 

[Taiden Keth]

Tag: Matsu Ike | Connel Vanagor

An arena was like an open book to an Echani who read by motion. Watching the combatants in practice, or engaged in a real fight, revealed different truths about them. Just as telling was how they moved or positioned themselves within the arena itself. An Echani arena would be open and easily visible with nothing hidden, and likely on a level where possible.

Taiden recorded a note on his datapad, something to later enter into the scrolls. Peace cannot be forced upon those who do not desire it, and how might desire be fostered?

Speaking to Matsu's mind, he acknowledged her wisdom, though he did not fully agree. ~I do not seek understanding of fine details, Master—merely a pinpoint in their dogma. A lever in their sacred texts might be enough to stem the tide of violence.~ Taiden's connection to the lightside rivaled even some of the most peaceful Jedi, but he was a scholar at heart and found comfort in the structure of dogma and tomes. He shifted his focus, turning to the nearest of their hosts.

"We speak with words, Jedi... violence is merely the foreplay." She had said.

Taiden took the offered seat, waving away any alcohol in favor of purified water or food if available.

"My kind duels for understanding, to better read and know a person. I too, value martial excellence in a society." Drilled and disciplined, he did not press the point about reflecting their father's aggressive ways being a detriment but instead sought a diplomatic bridge.

Next his expression remained calm, not ignorant of the brutal displays or laughter around the unfortunate Rada, but he set the matter aside. Matsu and Connell had it well in hand. Taiden would not rush to judgment, lest he undermine the goodwill he was cultivating, they must tred carefully here.

"You should see an Echani battlegroup fighting as one. Precise, lethal, and coordinated. There is little like it in the galaxy," he noted, where combat itself was a form of communication. "I could arrange for one to visit, and if you are impressed, perhaps a small group could remain here." An olive branch, something they might value. "I swear to you this—while they live, no harm will come to you." A bodyguard detail like no other.

After Matsu inquired about other goals, he listened, considering. The religious aspect remained unexplored and though it was harder, he tried. "I am interested—tell me of your religions. Is there anything in your texts that might heal the wounds here? Something that would not promote weakness, but unity, the strength you deserve."

 

[Matsu Ike]

Taiden Keth Connel Vanagor

Matsu was observing more of it... looking at the reactions while Rada was being taken by Connel and listened to Taiden. She could hear Peri-Banu speak. "Your companion is not like we have heard jedi are... quiet, radiating hostility with every step. I'd feel insulted but that would require caring about opinions." She said it with a smile though as Taiden spoke about the strength of the echani and she gave and. "Perhaps but we would have to get this all under control first." A little while passed, Matsu observing some of the fights and there was something strange about it... an indifference as while brutal no one seemed malicious in their intents... the warriors fought to fight and while she saw attacks that shattered bone and severed... there was less bloodlust.

'I hope Connel is getting something.' The voice came from the other as she drank and leaned back a little. "So what do you think Rada is telling the jedi... that was why they took her yes... to learn what we won't say?" Matsu didn't answer, Peri-Bau looking over and laughing as she gave something of a grin. "Oh likely something along the lines of... my sisters killed my brother and I want to bring them down and rule... but not enough people support me." She waited and spoke. "Our father made sure there were as many children to fight after him as there were brothers and sisters for him to kill to overtake everything." She said it but motioned with a hand. "As for our religion... very well my sister is more involved then I would be... they tend to not like it when you kill your emperor."

There was laughs but the reddish copper skinned woman rose up and walked with a sway while she turned around and spoke holding her hands out. The fighters finishing up fast enough as one was thrown a cask of alcohol. "The Ballad of the Red Goddess." She said it and standing there was looking around. "Unfortunately jedi we are not some grand and rich world... we fight, we fornicate and we finally pass. THe faithful who serve me are of the fleshpits... where those who are deemed unwanted as sent and if you live long enough to claw your way out among the others... you live as a war slave... taken by some army... some group trying to gain power... I just happened to be needed for the armies and there was the pedigree that Peri-Banu needed for her followers to free her from a casket."

There were more laughs and the pale skinned woman rose up as she walked over and there was tension.... then she laughed and the tension was gone. "Oh little sister, so sweet... it would have been a shame if I had succeeded in drowning you in that acid perhaps... think of it this way... we can save that for the others now." She clapped a little while looking at Taiden. "The red goddess is if you want to call it anything... our god of war but most know that when you stand before the gods they will ask you judgement and most will fail." SHe said it while standing there and held one hand out. "Blood is weak and flesh is cheap... the weapons we wield are just tools... what will you say when you stand in judgement before the gods... that you did good deeds... that you were just and pious?" She grinned though while standing there. "Or would you tell them to choke on their judgements and you lived where they stay in their mountains."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Shadow Looming
Landing Pad
Walking

Connel made his way slowly back to the gathering. The guards he kicked out of the ship were following him, incessantly trying to order him to inform them on what he had found out. He ignored them until one of them put a pike into his back. The Shadow slipped his hand onto his blaster as he turned around but calmed himself. With a wave of his hand, he simply told them… You do not need to know what she told me....

“I do not need to know what she told you…”

“I do not need to know what she told you…”

Continuing down the path, he left them there, standing guard over a tree. Before long he made his way past the checkpoint to the social gathering. Those to whom he was still formulating his opinion about were to and fro, drinking and assuming things. The Jedi were standing there quietly and he nodded to them and back to the ship.

“So, what did Rada tell you, Jedi?”

Respectfully, a word he used loosely. When I have processed it all and am ready to speak on it, I will.

“Well then, where is she?”

Safe.

Matsu Ike • Taiden Keth • Garric Wrennar • Jasper Candos​

 

[Taiden Keth]

Tag: Matsu Ike | Connel Vanagor

Taiden read the arena—the duels, the training—all of it speaking volumes. He listened and learned, not trying to change stone to be soft or fire to be cool, more subtle.

"Combat is your way of life, as necessary as the rising sun." He nodded. "But must a warrior culture be hostile?"

"To be the calm before the strike, the sword that never breaks in anger, makes you stronger. It improves your position, not weakens it. But if violence comes too easily, if you react instead of act, you surrender control, to be at the mercy of events. And that leads to the eternal war you know—within and without."

That was the foundation of Echani tradition. Before learning to flow, to read movement, and to find peace in the storm, came acceptance. It folded nicely into the Jedi path when the youngling had caring parents.

Acid. The Red Goddess. Here, survival itself was the test. Taiden placed himself in their perspective as if standing before a judgemental diety.

"What will I say? I stand as I am. Not shaped by tradition alone, nor by my past or fate. I chose my path—no one and nothing else. So judge me for who I truly am. " He couldn't undo what had happened to them, so he offered a third way, themselves.

Master thyself. Not vengeance, legacy, destiny or events you couldn't control. He didn't try to relate the wider concepts of the force or dilute the message, he had to start somewhere, with them.

Taiden sipped their water, sat as they did—unarmed, understanding their culture. But not needing to be consumed by it.

Safe. A good word.

Connel played things carefully, maintaining quiet control. Taiden respected that. He had spoken enough. A half bow of his head to the man. Silence held its own power, and Connell exemplified its application. ~Is all well? How are her injuries?~ Taiden asked in Connel's mind. At least they could protect one life, and that was something.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Connel Vanagor Taiden Keth

"The gods gave the power to strive and slay... the courage to go on, survive, and vanquish adversity." The woman said it looking at Taiden and walking closer to the table to lean over. "Your jedi are so different one speaks so much he bores but wants to try and make peace.... a peace this world has not known even in the most ancient of times... the other broods and seems poised for conflict." She said it as Matsu looked at her and remained seated... Connel and Taiden were in some ways polar opposites but she believed in their abilities. Watching the conversations she was about to speak as something played on the edge of her senses and she could hear it.

"Flyers." There was a shout and the distant sound of blasters booming.. faint but she stopped and turned her head for a moment. One hand extending as she silenced ambient noises around and the distance sounds became louder. She was moving and remained there as the warriors were moving into their own positions. The two leaders remaining as Peri-Banu spoke. "Bring me Vergasso." She said it and was moving as different warriors were bringing them weapons. The sounds of fighting changing as more blasters were ringing out and Matsu moved as she didn't draw a blade but motioned with her fingers for Taiden and Connel. The arena erupting into activity as she went to look out on the area below.

The flyers were small with four people hanging from below with weapons drawn and a single pilot... open aired in its design and small profile. The engines could be seen as several flyers were dropping people into the camps and fighters were engaging the armored ones. Blades drawn and the attacks were coming as the large dry sea bed was becoming a battlefield... more flyers in the distance and the first showings of soldiers coming on foot while Matsu remained there and she looked out. "Taiden... Connel. Prepare to defend and disable but try not to kill... we want to stop the conflict as peacefully as we can but wading into a crowd like this you will likely have someone try and attack you."

She wasn't saying fight and win... more just protect themselves while she was looking at the others who were going to the walls of the citadel that they were in. Ropes dropping down as they joined the fight with the two sisters coming as they had blades. "Oh look who came to join us... those riders look like Pelious." There was a look of amusement as a third joined them. The white robed figure standing tall and laughing. "It looks like he has brought a portion of his riders and the flyers but there are no reinforcements behind them." Peri-Banu spoke as she looked over. "Vergasso my sweet one... send out the warhoon... let them enjoy a few things."

There were laughs and Matsu looked at the cloaked figure jumped with a rope and waas descending into the fight. The sounds of horns coming as thunder could be heard and dust began to rise along the far sides. "The warhoon, savage by all standards, vicious in most circles and for the moment ours. They hate that the other generals want to try and wipe them out." She laughed as Matsu motioned with one hand while debating it her hand shimmering blue when she extended a barrier against green bursts of energy. She held it and watch extending the barrier to stop one of the flyers and let it slide down to the ground with a cushion

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Shadow Looming
Landing Pad
Walking

~Is all well? How are her injuries?~

~Not at all. She will survive. I cannot say more until I know more about these people, just trust me. We’re being played.~


Here it comes…


Fighting was bound to happen, this culture embraced it as some kind of past time. This was disgusting, not merely silly. As these “flyers” came in, Connel let the first two go by as he watched, taking in their basic design and coming up with an idea. Pulling his Combat Shield and Lightblaster, he let the next get overhead as two more were coming in.


He almost didn’t hear Master Ike’s wishes, but they went without saying. Two quick shots at the engine of the “lead” and then a twist and a throw of his shield at the other two and they were all going down. The shots busting through the engines as if “railgun” type bolts, and the shield bouncing off of the other two. The pilots would survive, the “hangers were safe to drop. One other thing he could do was reach out through the Force and “Alter” the “Environment” of several of the other flyer pilots in the air. They would suddenly see “trees” or even small structures in their way, causing erratic flight.


Putting the shield back over his back, and pulling his shortsaber, Connel began to move around the immediate vicinity, faster and faster, any weapons that were not his, or Taiden’s or… was Ike even armed? Either way, anyone armed were soon disarmed before they even saw what happened, and soon one of the biggest attackers soon had a lightblaster barrel to his head as another had a shortsaber blade to his neck.

Why am I keeping quiet?

Matsu Ike • Taiden Keth •​

 

[Taiden Keth]

Tag: Matsu Ike | Connel Vanagor​

Connels warning weighed on his mind. But you wouldn't notice it in Taiden's own expression, because words meant less to an Echani, to talk for hours or not say anything had roughly the same impact.

Different definitely, "And yet we work as one," Taiden replied to Peri-Banu, glancing at Matsu and Connel. "Balanced as a whole, as a team. I never claimed peace would endure like magic." Shifting his body language to mirror hers, taking her perspective as best he could. "Are we naive enough to think conflict won't exist? No. But must you fight as shards and splinters, trapped in a cycle not of your making?" A cycle of ruin initiated by their father, he left unsaid. His body language shifted from expressive to watchful.

The strength of the Silver Jedi lay in their diversity, contrasting personalities, styles, and beliefs forming something enduring and remarkable. At least, he had always thought so. When others saw weakness or gave mockery, he only saw perfection in their imperfections and the purpose found in each spirit who walked this path.

Yes, the Jedi sought peace. Taiden was one of the gentler Jedi. Yes, it would be ideal if people simply laid down their weapons. But to get there? Baby steps. Even if Connel Vanagor was right and this was all a trap or an elaborate plan, precious moments still existed to demonstrate another path.

He sensed the danger before it struck, already rolling toward the droid carrying his armor. Clipping it together with practiced efficiency, he drew a few confused looks—right before the others heard the sound. The routine was almost ceremonial, timed to perfection. Like he practiced to a chronometer twice a day. He finished as his saber and belt locked into place just as the first shots hit home.

Matsu shielded them, and Taiden bowed to her instruction, loyally ever in her service. "Yes Master Ike." At the citadel they stood above, almost ethereal against the light, his Force aura subtly radiating outward.

Connel took the lead, downing flyers with clinical efficiency.

"Peace is not powerlessness," Taiden said to the sisters, pointing toward Connel. Contained within the growing field, he leapt from the citadel, gliding downward to land with the softest step. Upon the ground outside he became a beacon, his Force aura manifesting as a blinding sphere in his hand. Not yet that of a Master, but still undeniably Taiden in the force's manifestation.

Several attackers were blinded, left vulnerable and confused. Moving like a dream, the Echani scholar struck with precision, pressure points, open-handed strikes, weaving through dazed combatants gracefully until several had fallen. Not dead, but dazed and confused as to what exactly just happened.

~Remember, they know not what they do,~ Taiden spoke to Connel through the force as he saw his weapons at the other's neck. ~Be the better man.~

 

[Matsu Ike]

Connel Vanagor Taiden Keth

She looked at Connel go and bowed a head before moving.. maintaining the shield turned away several of the flyers that were in another wave but the ones that were already within the barrier moved around. She could see the fighters moving around as the two woman lept down catching the blades on the walls of the citadel for the descent... and then slamming boots into the heads of some of the soldiers. Matsu landed softly and didn't bring a blade out as she weaved through a small group and channeled the force... energies wrapping from her fingers up and stretching... intertwining the soil around until it hardened into a string of dirt and rock... and then it was wrapping around and binding.

She spun around as the coils wrapped around them and brought several to the ground with their weapons flung away.. the motion allowing her to move around them all before she lept up into the air. One of the flyers was moving as she landed on it and looked down. Allowing the force to guide her hand and she tapped the arm of the one on it... the pilot shouting as his arm went limp.. the muscle tensing up and staying still before the flyer eased down onto the ground. She could hear Taiden as she saw the others were fighting and the warriors had formed up into a wedge that was blades and spears... going into the approaching riders as the beasts came.

She maintained a visual on the wedge of fighters as it moved into the approaching horde and divided it... the warhoon then crashing to the one side and the sounds of a massive melee became even larger... the sounds of hover sleds came crashing through as some were flung up into the air. Matsu touched down on the ground and she shifted her vision across the field and she could see more.. the one side was locked in a three sided attack as the wedge blocked one side, the warhoon crashed into their flank and side leaving only one areas exposed where the sleds crashed itno them... it was vicious and she could see some of the more dangerous tactics being used.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Shadow Looming
Landing Pad
Walking

Oh, he heard Taiden in his head. Right now, he didn’t appreciate it.

There was nothing that the Echani Jedi had uttered that was not right. This was their culture, this was who they were, are, will be in the future. He was not here to outwardly kill anyone, but Connel would defend his position and the lives of those around him as viciously as he needed to. This was a hard truth that the younger Vanagor had to face, but it was his lot in life, and the Force. He understood and embraced it. Much like his father, he took to it thinking “Better me, than someone else having to live like this.”

“I yield!” One of the attackers yelled out.

“I yield as well!” The other big one did not like it, but he was disarmed and outmatched.

Once the two of them sat with their hands behind their backs, at his direction, Connel’s eyes turned to the “even bigger” one. Hey ugly! Where do you want them? He had more to fight, throwing another into Force Stasis mid-slash.

Matsu Ike • Taiden Keth •​

 

[Taiden Keth]

Tags: Matsu Ike | Connel Vanagor

Connel Vanagor moved with measured efficiency, a blade of restraint in a battlefield of unruly chaos. But… even as they upheld the Jedi Code, he could not look his father in the eye if he didn't watch out for his son. When so many were on the precipice. Perhaps he should have attended the conclave after all…

The battle was as revealing as any history book. In its movements, Taiden saw his error, they did understand what they did, at least in part. Few had mastered control over emotion in combat, and thus cycles of trauma played out in every strike. But beneath the brutality, this was more than bloodshed; it was a test of loyalty, a fight for identity.

To reach them, he must speak their language. The Kethblade slid from his back, its weight familiar. He struck with the handle, knocking a man down, not toward the chaos, but toward their leaders. Whatever they were, leaderless warbands would be worse. Today was not the day for the ceremonial blade. He placed it back at rest.

Weaving through the melee, Taiden ducked a swing, dove over a lunge, and rolled into position. His saber ignited, humming with Makashi's grace. Glancing strikes disarmed rather than maimed, a touch to an armored shoulder, a lunge to burn the hip, a burst of light to blind before a sweeping elbow brought his opponent down.

A second warrior roared and charged. Taiden met him with flowing precision, parry, redirection, a wrist lock to disarm, a final twist to break. He lowered his blade. "You fight bravely and have proven yourself. Now yield, and tell me why you are really here." He remembered Connel Vanagor 's earlier words, and would have the truth of their purpose.

All the while, subtle healing radiated from him, easing the suffering of those around him. Through the Force, his mind reached for the Grandmaster. Matsu Ike ~Master, is there still a path to peace here, or are we merely deciding the victor?~ Were they being played as Connel had suggested?

 

[Matsu Ike]

Taiden Keth Connel Vanagor

Her movements were swift and concise... allowing the force to guide and dodge as she listened to Taiden and to Connel. She had no doubt that there was more to it but was also looking at the current situation. 'I do not know, a small group of jedi usually won't win a war. A battle, a means to turn the tide yes but if you want to kill you have a galaxy of far more willing people you can offer rewards and payment to.' She said it but didn't disagree with it while they were moving and she caught up with one of the bodyguards she had seen. "Who is this Pelious?" She asked it and had her comlink opened for the others could listen in when she moved disabling with a strike to the arm and their arm went numb.

"He is one of generals serving Buddir-al-Buddoor." He said it and slashed through one of the soldiers who had broken and scattered. Matsu remaining there for a moment as she could see the massive war sled coming through.. the beast bringing it were hairless, thick legs and long limbs. She could see Nur al-Nahar in the sled and her outfit had not changed but she had a scythe thaat reached to either side allowing her to slash anything in her path. Peri-Banu was in her own sled and they moved around speaking with a look. "He is a lowly dog who commands from the Scarlet Citadel." She sneered while moving and the horde turned to go into the other side that hadn't been smashed.

Meanwhile while Taiden was fighting and asking questions the fighters moved. The one he had disarmed standing there and looking at the blade while he towered and his voice came out. The scars on his throat and face from battles. "Because you are, when the enemies get a new weapon it is better to destroy it before it is set up." He spoke and a blade went through his arm as he was standing there. The muscle of his arm shifting as he drew the blade out fo the hands of one of the fighters attacking and threw him at Taiden with a snarl. More fighters piuring in and around as the ones were being encircled with some pointing towaards the small group in the distance watching.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Shadow Looming
Landing Pad
Walking

Looking around at the influx of fighters, Connel was getting more and more aggressive in his thinking and stance. What he was focused on was something he had overheard from one of the fighters telling Taiden in response to one of his questions… “Because you are…” and “weapon”...

Was it the Jedi who were considered “weapons”? In many respects, maybe. In this case it did not seem so…

Everything pointed back to his initial thought…

… they were being played.

Then he turned, and did something he might regret later.

Altering the environment of everyone not in tune with the Force, Connel moved. He was, in the manner of speaking… perpetrating a massive “mind trick”. Those here who were not Jedi would see Connel suddenly bolt towards the ones being pointed to off in the distance. Truthfully? He ducked behind an obstacle and waited to see who would take off after him, and then he would address Peru-Bana and begin another interrogation.

Matsu Ike • Taiden Keth •​

 

[Taiden Keth]

Matsu Ike | Connel Vanagor

Matsu made a good point—there were far easier weapons to control than a few Jedi. Perhaps they weren't here as a new weapon but as something else entirely. He listened as Pelious was revealed to be another general. At this point, whether it was one general or a thousand, the problem remained the same—cultural, and more than that, a lack of perspective.

"Do I move and act as a weapon?"

When the fighter was thrown at him, Taiden pirouetted around the man, tripping him from behind and sending him sprawling.

"Perhaps to your eyes. But not all weapons kill even then. Others see the Jedi as tools, as diplomats, as monks," he said, blocking strikes with practiced ease. He read each move seconds before it came, responding with small, precise strikes: elbows, knees, and open palms in a rehearsed sequence. Echani martial arts demonstrated with reserved grace. He let them tire themselves out, his evasiveness and fluidity were so effortless it was like watching a performance in a theatre.

When they had exhausted themselves, he smiled at the men on the ground and once again extended his hand to the first, healing him. Light and warmth radiated outward, touching those around him.

"And some look at us as healers. Life is what you make of it. Why always choose the same path?" It was tedious, if nothing else.

The Jedi Knight readied his guard and gestured for them to attack again. Again and again until they saw the futility of it. In the midst of savagery, one Echani was giving a demonstration of restraint to the most unlikely of audiences. Every time one stood up or sent another to face him, the spectators grew in number.

But there were perhaps more of them than a few Jedi could ever hope to influence directly, so he did not try. He helped who he could, even as more bodies poured in, it was difficult to understand who was who. "I claim these men and women's lives as my own." He told any who approached too close, there was plenty of other targets for them.

"There will be a place for all of you on our ship, or my own. Any who wish for a better life will have it. Be original for a change." A few might be all it took to teach their culture better way, though it could take ten generations. Good things rarely come without effort, just ask the Echani on Eshan...

Connel's technique was interesting. Though Taiden did not see his mind trick directly, he felt its effect as several warriors took off chasing something that did not exist. Smart.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Taiden Keth Connel Vanagor

Matsu listened and saw the mind trick being played, some of the soldiers who were attacking rounded to move and defend but the ones in the distance didn't run. The one slipping off the mounted beast as he stood tall and she could see him. Darkened ebony skin with corded muscles under a blackened armor. Hair dreaded tightly into cords wipped with reflective metals in the light that looked like it could be blades. His sword at his side as he prepared for a fight from the mind trick and watched on... one hand remaining there but he didn't sound a retreat. Taking the few who were there around him and walking away without much regard. Several soldiers falling once they reached the barrier and crashed into it with others in pursuit.

Matsu moved as the fighting was slowing down and going quiet. The ones that they were with as it were standing over the fallen and it seemed much more ritualistic as the ended them and took small parts of their armor connecting it to their own. Peri-Banu coming over as she supported one of the warriors and the woman was clutching her stomach for a moment while her armor was stripped away. The gash in her stomach showing pregnancy as she laid down with a blade and the child was delivered from the woman. Her holding it close as it screamed and the woman presented the baby, Whispers around from some of the soldiers came as Matsu was looking. "Battle borne."

The jedi master remained where she was and looked towards Taiden who was claiming the ones on the ground whom he had defeated and there was laughs. Their armor being stripped from them and placed at Taidens feet as Nur al-Nahar spoke standing there. "For a warrior to beat an adversary in combat and not grant him the honor of death... it can be seen as a grave insult... to then claim their lives is so much more." She said it with a laugh almost while walking and looking at her warriors. "Do be beaten and claimed by an offworlders. you deserve such a fate as this now. Go to his ship and await your masters orders now." The warriors rose up and were marching off aas she turned around.

"I'd complain about attacking my soldiers but if they were too weak to be beaten and claimed then it weeds them out before they cost us greatly." She said it and Peri-Banu walked up with a few others as she looked at the child being held by the mother who was getting some attention from medics but she wasn't likely to survive.. her reddish skin loking much more pale before she spoke. "Xodar my dear... you have given a gift. What is her name?" She saaid it while crouching there with a look as the woman whispered. "Ah beautiful." She held the child for a moment up as well as the womans hand as she spoke. "Yasmela, battle borne." She said it and held the child up. "Gather the dead, burn the bodies."

She said it while walking to a place as Matsu stepped there and motioned for the others to come. Some soldiers had managed to flee while she was dropping the barrier. "THey attacked because we were here." The jedi master spoke as the pale woman shrugged. "Perlious is a coward, he ran when he should have fought. He didn't gather any of the other generals forces just his own which means he wanted to try and inturrupt any chance you could do as we asked and aid in solidifying a union between our groups. His impatience cost him more then if he would have attacked in force and we can take it to the scarlet citadel and him now if we press... A child born onf the battlefield is a good sign."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Shadow Looming
Landing Pad
Walking

What madness is this? Connel’s mistrust of these people would be more and more evident, not necessarily to them, or even to Taiden(they did not know each other well to this point), but to Matsu. She had known the Shadow since he was an awkward, but sweet little boy running around with a toy X-Wing.

He looked around and saw people who take the gift of life so flippantly. They live for war, and that was not a manner of “honor” as the Mandalorians see it, it was not a way of survival and personal growth as the Wookiees, or the Trandoshans see it. No, they see this as some kind of sick game.He couldn't understand how they could be so careless with something so precious. Connel's growing unease was palpable, and Matsu could no doubt sense the turmoil within him.

She would just have to trust that he was not going to act on it unless he had to. Right now, she and Taiden were the only reasons he was still here.

Matsu Ike • Taiden Keth •​