Private Jungle Quest

[Valery Noble]

New Cov

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Outfit: Outfit
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery Noble stood silently at the edge of a lush jungle clearing, her keen eyes surveying the vibrant tapestry of green that stretched out before her. Even within the dangerous New Cov jungles, she exuded an aura of calm and focus. Today, she was not encumbered by the traditional robes of her rank or even her typical combat jumpsuit. Dressed for the journey ahead, she wore a practical outfit — sturdy boots, weather-resistant pants, and a fitted tunic that allowed for ease of movement. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, keeping it out of her face as she prepared for the mission.

Furthermore, she was equipped with all the necessities for an expedition into ancient ruins buried deep within the jungle of New Cov. Her pack was securely strapped to her back, filled with essential gear: a datapad loaded with historical information, various tools, and provisions. Her double-bladed lightsaber, always at her side, was clipped to her belt, ready for any unforeseen threats that might arise.

The air was thick with humidity and the rich scent of earth and vegetation. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the dense canopy, casting shifting patterns on the forest floor. The distant calls of unseen creatures added a layer of mystique to the setting, heightening the sense of anticipation that buzzed quietly within her. Valery had always found a certain peace in nature, a balance that mirrored the teachings of the Force.

Now, she hoped to share that experience with a new Jedi.

She hadn't met Shai Moss before but his files suggested that he was a more typical Jedi Consular. For that reason, she decided to invite him for an artifact hunt on New Cov. A hidden Jedi Temple — her old Enclave — resided on the planet, so they could complete their mission and return there later.

This was a chance to test him in the field and perhaps answer any questions he might have.

Shai Moss ​

 

[Shai Moss]

"No, T1, you can't come with us."
"Doot dwoop de doop?"
"Well, wait by the ship like I asked you already?"
"Doop dooooo" It's a fairly idle, mundane sort of argument. The kind that's happened countless times, more of a friendly ribbing between compatriots at this point. From the opposite end of the clearing, a pair emerge from the foliage. One, a small floating droid equipped with what appears to be a few optical receptors, and a small dish for wave reception. It's painted with Alliance colors, and emits a faint whirring as it glides between branches and boughs. Every few meters up until this point, it's accidentally gotten it's dish snagged on a vine or stick of some sort. Twice now since the little hike began, the droid's compatriot has had to gently bend the antenna back into place. At this point, it's just a matter of time before T1-B1 manages to really cause some damage to itself, and Moss doesn't exactly care for that prospect. The second, then, is a man. An average sort of man, brunette with blue eyes speckled with amber brown. A scruffy, short beard covers most of his lower face, and meets unkempt thick hair pulled back into a half ponytail tied with a simple leather cord. Despite the unpleasant humidity of New Cov, however, he's well wrapped in a woolen travel cloak. Beneath that, traditional Jedi blacks. Tightly fitted, simply crafted, and lightly armored robes fit for roving hinterlands of any planet really. Hanging from his hip is, likewise the grandmaster, a saberstaff.

"Please, T1, so I don't have to lubricate your gyro again?" As sullen as a droid can manage, the small drone turns around with a condescending beep and pitters off into the brush. Sighing, Moss turns his attention back to Valery now that he's made his way across the clearing. With a deep bow, more or less ninety degrees at the waste and arms straight flat to his sides, he greets her.
"Grandmaster Noble, it is an honor to be assisting you in this operation." He looks up at her and quirks and eyebrow. Moss has a sort of tired look about him, always, most likely stemming from the insomnia of a scholar. Bags ring his eyes at all time, though they are always kind eyes. A soft smile and upturn of his brows always paint the kind of expression of someone who's endeared to just about everything. Almost embarassed, but always thankful for every breath of life the Force has granted him. Once given leave to stand, he will, though if not he won't. The Jedi adjusts his combat gloves, thick tactical gloves you'd more often see worn by a commando. It's the one part of this man that doesn't fit the perfect Jedi Knight appearance otherwise on display.
"So, we're to be cataloguing an archeological site then? The briefing was, and I don't mean to sound indignant, somewhat lightweight on the details. Anything you might be able to tell me about the dig site, or is this a new discoveries await sort of affair? Either way, I'm here to help." The guy seems honestly rather excited to be here, he must really love history to be that cheery despite the mosquito-type animals currently chewing on him.

 

[Valery Noble]

New Cov

​

Outfit: Outfit
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery pulled her fiery gaze away from the jungle when she felt him approaching. Even within the forests that teemed with life, a Jedi's presence always stood out to her. It called for her, and she responded with her attention. From afar, the Jedi Knight looked like a typical Lorekeeper — the kind that spent their time out in the field. His hair, the bags under his eyes, but also his expression and the way he carried himself spoke of someone who didn't mind getting his hands dirty.

It would be perfect for this mission.

Once he stood close enough, the Jedi Knight dipped his upper body into a traditional bow to show respect. Valery met the gesture in kind, dipping her upper body and head before rising again. Her hand came up, brushing long, well-maintained locks of brunette hair behind her ear. Her eyes turned to him, nearly glowing with that same fiery intensity that burned in her heart. But despite the almost intimidating presence, she beamed a warm, genuine smile.

"Knight Moss," she began, her voice soft and friendly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She briefly turned away, her eyes shifting into the direction of their mission.

"The briefing lacked details because we don't have any yet. These ruins we're going to explore were only discovered very recently because most of the structure is underground." A smirk spread across her lips, revealing the excitement she felt over a mission of this kind.

"We're going there to explore and report back on what we find."

Shai Moss ​

 

[Shai Moss]

Well there's something interesting. Hitherto undiscovered archeological breakthroughs could await deeper into the jungle! What're they waiting for? With renewed vigor, as much as the insomniac can muster anyhow, Moss lifts himself from the bow and readjusts the right shoulder of his robes. While the prospect is once in a lifetime, looking out over the endless expanse of jungle furrows the knight's brow. So much beauty and life, yes, but also predators and parasites. The actual trailblazing shouldn't be much of an issue granted the pair's energy blades, those cut through thick foliage about as well as they do anything save beskar. The trouble will inevitably stem from the wildlife. It always pains Moss to slay animals in self defense, though he's no vegan, but he'll protect himself and the Grandmaster to the best of his abilities. With that resolve to press on, they pair begin the long hike ahead of them. Ducking vines and avoiding quick-mud puddles, occasionally having to hold breath around the boggier hollows of New Cov's hinterlands. Moss is no stranger to this sort of bushwhacking, but it never really gets old. Having to untangle his hood from branches does, though.

"I know we're rather far from the Outer Rim, but so is Onderon. It begs the question of protocol- if these ruins happen to be Sith order in origin. I do not sense any malice as of yet, though of course I don't know how far we are from the structure." He chuckles, slightly, only a little nervous.
"And besides the Adversaries, there's always danger of ancient droids. I must say, I do hope to identify a time period. Imagine we find an Old Republic structure out here. What a wonder." The Jedi's eyes sparkle, practically, with the desire to discover. Many Jedi turn to the Dark Side for myriad reasons; love, hunger for power, longing for justice, all common reasons to stray from the order. Reasons for schism. In Shai's case, however, if he was to break with the life it would be for knowledge. Not that he plans to, mind. The man has a deep, insatiable longing for discovery and connection with the Galaxy. It practically beams from him, the bright smile and occasional stops to examine an interesting plant or say hello to a particularly cute animal. He loves what he does, and he'd go to any length to do it. But, so early into his career as a Jedi Knight, he still finds himself firmly within the Light and very much hopes to keep himself as such. Peace, knowledge, serenity, the force, all noble pursuits in and of themselves to him. He feels blessed simply to be here, hacking through woody brush with his saber.

 

[Valery Noble]

New Cov

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Outfit: Outfit
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

"In case you haven't read up on New Cov much, be careful with... just about anything." She continued walking forward but briefly looked over her shoulder as they passed through the jungle. "Both the fauna and flora on New Cov are so lethal, that all inhabitants live in domed cities to separate themselves from the Jungle." The only exception, as far as she knew, was the Jedi Temple built on a hidden location on this planet.

Her first Enclave and what had once felt like her home.

As they walked along, Shai began to theorize about the ruins they'd be exploring, showing off his excitement or perhaps even nervousness. Maybe both. From the potential of it being a Sith structure, to containing ancient droids — there was quite the imagination on display that made the Jedi Master chuckle.

"You have quite the lively imagination, hm?" Valery asked, her voice only slightly teasing. "I'm excited, too. New Cov's history is hidden within these jungles and it's not always easy to discover because of how dense it is."

"This is a very unique chance to explore something that people might not have seen in a very long time."

Shai Moss ​

 

[Shai Moss]

"Well that's. Ah. Hm." Moss sort of pauses for a moment, almost midway through stepping over a puddle, to think on that. Truth be told? He's been far too big a fan of two credit adventure holovids since he was a child. You know the sort, dashing smuggler rescues the girl and recovers the treasure from the pirate lord, that sort of thing. Admittedly, yes a little overactive in the imagination. He, himself, laughs a bit at the sudden self reflection and continues on down the path. No point taking it as an insult, creativity is a boon afterall.
"Granted, I've only really been through the more interesting archeological reports in the archives. Korriban, Koboh, Dathomir et-cetera-et-cetera. You'll have to forgive my confirmation bias and eagerness Grandmaster." It's an equally slightly teasing tone, directed at himself really.
"I've not been to New Cov much myself, no. My master during Padawan training was assigned the Kashyyk system. Much of my education was on the Outer Rim, constant conflict is certainly one way to hone a saber I suppose. I brought disinfectant, and anti-toxins should we encounter trouble."

Fond memories, those, and ones that confirm Valery's assumptions about Moss being comfortable with the nitty-gritty of field work. Moss still keeps in touch with his former Master. But, besides the point, as the pair continue on deeper into the foliage it becomes progressively more clear why the site hasn't been disturbed in howevermany years it's laid dormant. The foliage here intensifies, and begins sporting rather nasty looking red thorns. Sometimes blue. The knight passes one of those detox kits to Valery, for just in case it's needed.
"Here you are. I am surprised, however, the structure's maintained any integrity. The ground here is rather soft, we should expect flooding. Shouldn't be a problem, though I fear for the state of any artifacts left in the humidity." As the elevation changes slightly, sloping downward into a wide basin, mist begins covering the ground. It sits atop the ferns and brush, making each step rather treacherous. More than once, Moss manages to catch his boot on a looped stem and the ensuing faceful of tree trunk or peaty ground. Doesn't dampen his spirits any, this is still the biggest opportunity he's been given since his Knighting, but it does manage to plaster a bandage to his chin. That's gonna be a pain to tear out of the beard later.

 

[Valery Noble]

New Cov

​

Outfit: Outfit
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

When he paused to think after she called him out on his imagination, Valery looked at him and smirked. She always enjoyed a bit of teasing, and he seemed to respond well to it. Something to remember for later. First, they had quite the journey ahead of them and Shai used the time to explain a little more of his background. While he didn't have experience with New Cov before, he had still come prepared and his experience from other trips would surely come in handy.

"I wouldn't worry too much about toxins. The plants that try to eat you are much worse." Another little grin spread across her lips, but she did genuinely hope to avoid them.

Luckily, she knew her way around New Cov and its fauna and flora.

"It's possible that few artifacts are still intact. But if the structure is solid underground, we might still be able to learn something about the people who once inhabited this part of the jungle. Maybe they're from before the first domed cities were built. Or maybe they lived here despite the domes."

The path ahead grew a little more treacherous, but Valery was light on her feet. She easily avoided branches or soggy parts of soil, and moved her way gracefully through and around vines.

She had clearly been raised here.

"So, Knight Moss, what keeps you busy when you're not on duty? Any hobbies?" Valery asked to pass the time a little.

Shai Moss ​