Faction Midnight Council: Tempo of War Pt. II | Lightsworn & Jedi

[Inosuke Ashina]

| | M I D N I G H T C O U N C I L | |

​

THE LIGHTSWORN return from their largely successful incursion into GALACTIC EMPIRE space. Though OPERATION SUNDOWN took its toll, and many of the Jedi have returned wounded and drained, they bring with them many victories. Governor Drachmas Venti of Imperial-controlled Balmorra is dead, slain by the Lightsworn's High Councillor Kornon . With Venti's dreadful reign ended, the BALMORRAN RESISTANCE rises, reminded that hope is not lost. Fulfilling their operation's primary objective, the Lightsworn acquired supplies of various weapons, including trihexalon charges, blasters, and ordnance from the BALMORRAN ARMS FACTORY. This success marks a significant blow to the Galactic Empire's military logistics, and an opportunity for the Lightsworn to turn the Galactic Empire's instruments against them.

Amongst the spoils, hidden in a myriad of encrypted data: Information pointing to a top secret Imperial initative dubbed internally as PROJECT: STARDUST. All reports, shipment logs, and schematics contained within suggest the Empire is in the process of developing a possible SUPERWEAPON the likes of which has not been seen by the galaxy since the devastation of JEDHA and attempted destruction of TYTHON. In the wake of this shocking development, the Lightsworn HIGH COUNCIL temporarily puts aside its reservations for the greater good. They send out a call to any and all Jedi across the galaxy willing to hear it; an invitation to the Hirata Enclave. The Midnight Council has commenced.

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| | HIGH LORD OF THE LIGHTSWORN | |
ATRISIA | MIDNIGHT | HIRATA ENCLAVE

​

Inosuke stood silently at the head of Hirata's assembly hall. Holoprojectors produced continuous images of fragmented schematics, incomplete plans, and every other piece of evidence recovered relating to Project Stardust. Those off-blue images flickered, some oscillating slowly, all inanimately waiting their turn to be discussed. Jedi from all around gathered, their din flooding the reverberant chamber. An air of anticipation hung over the meeting, as the High Lord and his Council had yet to give any opening remarks. Their patience would be tried; it was impossible to know when all who intended to had arrived. They could not wait overlong, but the congregation must feel sufficient.

A small retinue of attendants catered to those who were willing to arrive at such a late hour, though their numbers could hardly keep up with the number of guests. Similarly, the seating capacity was far below the attendance, forcing many of the arrivals to stand. Those of a high profile were permitted to sojourn in the estate, though the limited guest lodging meant the offerings ceased quickly. This lack of comforts did little to change the atmosphere. This meeting was far from a celebration; it was a solemn necessity. One that justified the company beyond their means. The Lightsworn were an illegal militia, regardless of their good intentions; thus, the more sympathy and rapport they could build, the better. First impressions counted, even in the shadow of another one of Darth Solipsis 's genocidal machinations.

"Thank you all for coming at such a late hour," Inosuke finally addressed, his voice resonating through the hall. "I understand that the timing was inconvenient and sudden, but as you can see—" He gestured to the many projections around the assembly "—we do not have the luxury of taking our time."

Slow steps drew the old master closer to the center of the room. "What you see before you are fragments of intelligence we gathered from our strike on Balmorra. All of it suggests the creation of yet another weapon of Solpsis's malice. The Empire is funneling funds and resources into a project to produce a device capable of mass destruction. We all know he has accomplished this before. We intend to intervene, destroy it before the destruction of yet another world comes to fruition. Our problem lies in that our data is incomplete. We don't know where they are building it, where they intend to use it, or how long we have."

Not a very confidence-inspiring reality, but it was the hard truth. As futile as it may have seemed, they could not sit around and wait for the worst.

"That is why we've called you all here today. We must come together as one, unified force, even if just for long enough to put a stop to this. Together we can fill in the gaps, discover what's still hidden, strike at the heart of darkness."

A small step back signaled that the floor was open to any voice itching to be heard. By the end of this, Inosuke hoped, there would be righteous consensus.

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Henna Ashina | Ishida Ashina | Shinzou Ashina | Kyric | Briana Sal-Soren | Kornon | Corin Kaze | Talin Treicolt | Tansu Treicolt | Ariana du Couteau | Corazona von Ascania | Jax Thio | Laurent Costeau
OPEN TO JEDI​

 

[Tilon Quill]

Captain Tilon Quill had secrets.

For one, he'd quietly dumped all those trihexalon charges in the nearest star. Trihexalon was close enough to a weapon of mass destruction that he'd considered the Balmorra mission a success regardless of the casualties and the information about this greater weapon.

For another, he was now fairly sure that two or three of those expected to be here knew who had killed a friend of his. A good friend. And had covered for the killer.

For another, his father had the rare and weird ability, a scrap of Jedi history, to sense superweapons. And his father had sworn off the Jedi a very long time ago, and might not emerge from hermitage even for this. He hadn't returned Tilon's call, which boded very poorly.

Bunch more secrets, but those three in particular.

But, priorities. The Empire trumped all of that. The Fall of the Core trumped it. He was now well and truly a Lightsworn-aligned ship captain, whatever else he was, and he was many things. T-shaped skills, Captain Quill.

"Those of you who've seen me around know I'm not one to fall in with Jedi Orders of any stripe," he said to the gathering. "This moment's more important. My ship and I are in."

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Open to all

"Should I be here? I'm not a Jedi. I've had tutoring in the Force and combat, but I've never went through any of those Trials you have."

Thalen had stayed with the Lightsworn since the operation. It wasn't as if he had anywhere else to go, considering he was currently nursing a blaster wound...though strangely enough, he also had his crystal eye covered with bandages, yet he hadn't taken any damage to his head in the operation. His question was also an honest one. The Denon native wasn't even sure if he should be here for the discussion. He helped with the Operation yes, but that was because it had been the Will of the Force. A Will that he was the Tool of. It didn't pick sides. It didn't choose one group over the other. Yet...that was what Thalen had done. He had chosen to stay with the Lightsworn. He had chosen to put himself at risk to save people.

"...If the answer is a yes, then I have another question. What are the most viable and likely targets for the Empire to target? Worlds with a strong presence amongst the Light seem likely to me. Alongside those abundant with life. Wiping out a large population would cause a ripple effect and help them to show their power. Whereas I doubt destroying a planet that is already experiencing extreme strife and suffering would help their goals."

Of course, Thalen couldn't assume what the goals of the Empire truly was apart from spreading suffering and darkness. He could visualise a fair few worlds that would make for viable targets. Naboo, Ilum, Tython, Fondor. Of course, at the end of the day, Thalen didn't know much about the actual practicalities of war and tactics.

With that all being said, Thalen took a step back to just show that he was finished with his points. It was nice to see that Tilon was staying at least. Thalen liked the way the man piloted. It had been efficient...and if Thalen remembered correctly, he still owed the man a new shield generator belt...

 

[Tilon Quill]

"Should I be here? I'm not a Jedi. I've had tutoring in the Force and combat, but I've never went through any of those Trials you have."

"I watched you drag a double handful of Jedi casualties onto my evac ship, Dhorain. You've got as much right to speak as anyone here."

 

[Lossa Aureus]

THR Folks can arrive with Lossa on the Aureus Boat

Lossa was still a bit miffed at how quickly Zeriana seemed taken with a particular someone in their company.

Unsure in her entirety with how to feel about her own daughter choosing to remain with Rik. Ruby eyes narrowed at the man until the room opened to her. And news of Solipsis and his machinations tore her attention away from the troubles of home, and shifted it towards the troubles of the galaxy at large. Her eyes lingering on each piece of information as if something might reveal itself. As though others had not already done much the same before her. And were now reaching out for help despite whatever differences they had.

"I feel this goes beyond just the jedi." Her voice wavered at the sights of so many incomplete bits of information.

There seemed an insurmountable amount of troubles to come from attempting to piece things together. Already knowing how difficult Solipsis was to deal with in her own experiences and trials that had ended with little more than someone else handling it. A fact that had not escaped her mind for some time. Rather than dwelling on the wonder if her participation earlier, she instead looked to the unknowns that had spoken first.

"It seems the both of you have already fought against this new front. What do you make of it?" Concern rising as she stole a glance back to her daughter.

A facet of her life that might have been lost due to her own recklessness. A future that might not come to fruition if she did not step us this time.

Henna Ashina | Ishida Ashina | Shinzou Ashina | Kyric | Briana Sal-Soren | Rik Perris | Kornon | Corin Kaze | Talin Treicolt | Tansu Treicolt | Ariana du Couteau | Corazona von Ascania | Jax Thio | Laurent Costeau | Thalen Dhorain | Tilon Quill
​

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Standing among the crowd of gathered Jedi, Cora silently studied the projection of a power core. Washed in shades of blue, it rotated slowly for observation.

What, she wondered, drove someone to destroy an entire planet?

The Lightsworn were, in her memory, not particularly fond of what the New Jedi Order had become. Perhaps her attendance would draw scrutiny, but she had answered the call for the same reason it had been made: to combat the rising tide of darkness that had swallowed the core.

The arrival of Lossa Aureus - along with her retinue of High Republic Jedi - was a familiar sight that brought a slim measure of warmth back into Cora's grim features. She dipped her head, once, in greeting to an old friend.

Then, she turned towards Master Ashina.

"Aside from the cooperation of Jedi outside the Lightsworn, are there any particular resources that you need for this task?"

She spoke soft and slow, watching him with eyes that had witnessed the downfall of Coruscant.

Inosuke Ashina Thalen Dhorain Tilon Quill

 

[Lorn Reingard]

​

Lorn did not speak.

He stayed at the edge of the gathering, his boots just out of the main holoprojector's direct light. The pulsing blue glow painted his face like slow lightning as he kept his head low, eyes following the others who spoke: Inosuke, Tilon, Thalen, Lossa, and Cora. A strange mix, certainly, but not a bad one.

He remembered the last time. That so-called convocation of Jedi, packed into a base on Crait. A handful of rogue voices, all arguing over symbols and semantics while the galaxy suffered. Lorn had stood in silence then too, waiting for the idealists and the warmongers to drown each other out. Months after that meeting, the whole rebellion had been squashed largely due to backroom politics.

He hadn't expected to find himself in this position again. Yet, the atmosphere felt different this time. Fewer grand speeches, more grit in the voices. Less pageantry, more urgency. These Lightsworn weren't saints, but they bled for what they believed. Maybe that counted for something, maybe it was enough.

He folded his arms, the fabric of his robe loose around fingers still sore from the last skirmish. The very mention of "Stardust" made his jaw clench. Another superweapon. Another chorus of nightmares waiting to sing across the stars.

He didn't trust easily. But he did trust war, and the people who consistently showed up for it, like these individuals here. So he listened. He watched. He waited. If the right moment came, he'd speak. Until then, the galaxy could comfortably afford one more ghost in the corner.

@Everyone​

 

[Shinzou Ashina]

[ Theme ]

Shinzou Ashina

| Location | Hirata Estate, Atrisia​

| Objective | Observe​

​

Shinzou's sandals clacked against the floor as he stepped into the meeting hall. His body was bandaged heavily, having had a dip in a bacta bath following his fiery near death experience on Balmorra. There was a growing and actionable threat in the form of the Galactic Empire, and it was clear the time for action was now, while the Empire was still in its early developing stages before they had a chance to grow and expand. He drew in a deep breath before exhaling slowly, letting a hand run through his hair as he slicked it back, his other hand moving to slip a kiseru pipe in between his lips with the other. Finally, a chance to smoke without getting it shot out of his mouth this time.​

​

The Ashina blademaster leaned against the wall off to the side of his kin Inosuke Ashina as members of different Jedi enclaves had been invited to discuss potential collaboration in combating the new rising threat. A plume of smoke escaped his parted lips as he removed the pipe, his singular eye tracking and looking around the room. It was one thing to call upon a single enclave, and another thing entirely to have a number of them assembled. So many different ideals and schools of thought, it would be hard to get them all onboard, but there was hope.​

​

He left the talking to his kin as they explained the situation as well as disclose the information that they had uncovered on Balmorra. Concerning news to say the least, but hopefully a severe enough threat to warrant the collaboration of as many Jedi as they could muster. This wasn't a fight for who is right or best among enclaves, it was a matter of survival if the growing threat became too great for one enclave to handle alone.​

​

Dark times were ahead, time would tell if they would be a match for it.​

​

 

[Corin Kaze]

The taciturn Jedi Knight was the latest and youngest addition to the High Council. He still tread on unstable ground, as if on ice that threatened to crack and shatter with each footfall. Old tensions wavered in his heart with the recent departure from the New Jedi Order in full, those ties severed, as he left to roam the fringes of space as a sworn protector. The return of Darth Solipsis and his freshly-formed vice-grasp on the Core demanded a return to the fold, to a fold, and that fold was now the Lightsworn. He tried peace once, to avoid all possible conflict, but it never stuck.

It was a time for war.

"Manpower," answered Corin to Cora. "More than Jedi, but soldiers and their instructors. Pilots. Engineers. The credits to fuel a war, because that is what this is. One that will not end until Darth Solipsis is defeated, and for good."

Inosuke Ashina - Henna Ashina - Ishida Ashina - Shinzou Ashina - Kyric - Briana Sal-Soren - Kornon - Talin Treicolt - Tansu Treicolt - Ariana du Couteau - Corazona von Ascania - Jax Thio - Laurent Costeau - Lossa Aureus - Lorn Reingard - Thalen Dhorain - Tilon Quill

 

[Pelie besk]

pelie followed Lossa Aureus into the chambers sensing what displayed due to her lack of sight. What was presented was worrisome and troubling she had been there during the solopsis first attack of coruscant as a padawan she watched her master die in that battle it was grueling. And by the time she heard about the second one she had just completed a mission and was unable to render aid to those who needed it. But to see what incomplete data they had but what really bother her was project star dust.
A superweapon the idea of blowing up a planet ate at her as she listened and sensed gathering intelligence before she spoke up. Feeling out the room it was troubling all of it the others who listened and didn't speak she felt their emotions and of those who did speak. Knowing the importance of this event she sat there with the members of the High Republic waiting for a chance to help. Or atleast a direction to charge towards or enemies to seek

Inosuke Ashina Henna Ashina Corazona von Ascania Shinzou Ashina Briana Sal-Soren Kornon Talin Treicolt Tansu Treicolt Ariana du Couteau Jax Thio Laurent Costeau Lorn Reingard @Thalen Dhoradiv Tilon Quill

 

[Kaleleon]

The reports of the loss of the Core worlds by the Galactic Alliance were massive. Each second brought more information of the losses. Suspected hundreds of thousands in a very low estimates of Alliance troops. Hundreds of Jedi perished and killed. Even more civilians during the devastation and wake of the conflict. the entire Core was ripped away from the Alliance.

As a Wayseeker, I walked between various Jedi organizations. Enclaves, Jedi Order, New Jedi Order. It did not matter. Because my purpose was to support each Jedi splinter that was around the Galaxy. I cared not for their creed, or their ideals. Just that the jedi were there, and fighting against whatever this new menace was. Sith, Imperial, or otherwise. So with reports of other like minded Jedi groups attempting to do something about the core worlds, I sought out these groups. Trying to find all who could help in the efforts of the New Jedi Order.

What I did not enjoy, was this specific section.

The Lightsworn are a group of Jedi who I knew on some personal level. Many of the members were those who I have worked with, or were related to allies who had perished. So to say that I was not invited was not one-hundred percent true. More so, I was a member who was here to support them, but I did not lead the charge. I knew that they had a very... difficult relationship with the New Jedi Order of the Alliance. However, last time they had shown their faces before the current conflict, they were seeking to attack the Dark Empire. I had joined them in that time. Brought on by Kyric and his friend. They came to my home. Nearly begging me to join them. Knowing my name and my history with his father.

Now I return to seek them out. See what they are doing, and support them where I can.

As such, the Ashina family and their various members were here. Even more so, other members who I have worked with either in passing or directly. Even a specific royalty. That of Corazona von Ascania It was strange now to be here. Their members spoke. One unsure if they belonged. Which I nearly agreed with for my own case of being here. Yet for now, I listened.

The calling of all Lightsworn, to join forces so that this new Project Stardust could be thwarted. A new Superweapon being looked into. Plans and blueprints of such a thing were real. Having been recovered. And now, it was brought down to this. Looking at the digitized look of them presented before us, My mind flashed back to the Great Hyperspace War.

Mercy.

The destruction of Csilla still hit me like a cargo speeder. My eyes flickered to remove the images from my head as I stepped forward. Normally, I rarely spoke. Keeping words to myself. Thoughts to be left to those in power. However, I knew, first hand, how devastation such as this could be real and in your face.

"Darth Solipsis is a known Sith to use weapons such as this to gain whatever advantage he can. Mercy was the first. I saw it destroy Csilla first hand. Only during the Destruction of Exogol, at the cost of many of my friends lives, did we defeat him. Now he has returned again. Reforging another Empire with a new weapon. This is not a Lightsworn fight. This is an EVERYONE fight. It took the might of not just the Alliance, but many other Galactic powers to finally remove the Maw when he ran their heretical regime. The Lightsworn cannot do this alone."

I looked around for a moment. Then back to Inosuke.

"I do not speak for the New Jedi Order, the Jedi Order, or any of the Enclaves I aid. However, I do know that just this group here, will not be able to do it alone."

| Pelie besk | Corin Kaze | Shinzou Ashina | Lorn Reingard | Lossa Aureus | Tilon Quill | Thalen Dhorain | Inosuke Ashina |

 

[Henna Ashina]

ATRESIA | MIDNIGHT | HIRATA ENCLAVE
Kaleleon | Pelie besk | Corin Kaze | Shinzou Ashina | Lorn Reingard | Lossa Aureus | Tilon Quill
Thalen Dhorain | Inosuke Ashina | Corazona von Ascania

To listen more than one spoke was usually Inosuke's role. They found that natural order inverted among the congregation tonight. His opening illicited stunned glances from their children amongst the crowd, at having witnessed their father utter more than two sentences in as many minutes. The statement was grim. Standing amongst the Lightsworn, Henna appeared mussed - though it was not being pulled out of sleep that caused it, but rather, the lack of seeking rest to begin with. She hadn't attempted since the fall of the core - the fall of Tython. Instead of her bed chambers, she spent long hours meditating, seeking out Darth Solipsis and his insidious plans. They were only revealed in fragments, and even those she didn't fully trust. He knew she was watching. She knew he was twisting the force and her visions.

Questions flew faster than they could be answered, and so she remained silent, attempting to truly hear the words - both of those asking and answering. At times, she found herself nodding along - with Tilon's answer to Thalen, who several Jedi here owed their lives to. To the insulations they needed allies, men, funds. Superb stewardship and friends from the fringes would only get the crusade so far.

"I do not speak for the New Jedi Order, the Jedi Order, or any of the Enclaves I aid. However, I do know that just this group here, will not be able to do it alone."

"You speak truth, Kaleleon. No longer can the Lightsworn live in isolation. For all the differences we may have, we still share common focus - to protect, to preserve." The seer's eyes turned to the eyes turned to those who she did not recognize. "I ask that you take this call back to whatever order you come from. Divergent we may be, but our blades can raise to the same cause."

What are the most viable and likely targets for the Empire to target? Worlds with a strong presence amongst the Light seem likely to me. Alongside those abundant with life.

"I agree with our friend-" She gestured to Thalen. "That a densely populated world is the most likely target - and someplace with deep Alliance ties. As much fear as they could instill with Csilla - imagine the likes of Alderaan, or Corellia."

 

[Kyric]

Having arrived alongside Lossa Aureus, Lorn Reingard, and Briana Sal-Soren, Kyric Karis stuck out like a sore thumb within the Jedi Order's delegation. His ardent haori clashed with the gilded trim favored by the others. A traditional nagagi the color of a raven's feather was tucked into a matching hakama. Two atrisian blades hung at his left hip. Resolute—a sword intimately familiar to Kaleleon, its creator—was missing its tell-tale trigger sheath in favor of force-imbued wood of a snow-white color. Crossed over the longsword, a wakizashi forged from Ashina steel wore a matching sheath. His saber, Soltide, sat opposite the steel.

Kyric stood with arms crossed over his chest. His single-eye passed over the room, shifting from speaker to speaker until it landed on Henna—his adoptive mother. Dark spots colored the flesh beneath her eyes and marred her ethereal beauty; the sight pained him, but he spoke nothing of it.

He felt the very same exhaustion rooted within his bones.

Clan Ashina's training hammered the importance of duty, resolve, and discipline at the harshest of times. So long as Tython, the ancestral home of the Jedi remained in the hands of their fell enemy, none within their household would know the luxury of rest.

Those days were long behind them.

The kiffar's gaze shifted from Henna to Ikuma, the eldest of Inosuke and Henna's biological children. The two shared eye-contact briefly. Kyric saw the worry buried within his brother's otherwise stoic visage and he offered a faint nod to the young heir.

Kyric stepped forward from the Naboo delegation and he cleared his throat.

"We can skip past any bickerin' concernin' the nature of this threat or the burden of bearin' it. Among the Jedi Knight's many responsibilities, the preservation of life is our foremost mission." Kyric paused, his gaze settling on Kale for but a moment, then he returned his focus to the greater gathering.

"I can't offer much in the way of soldiers or ships, but I can provide information. My father spent much of his life buildin' a web of contacts and safehouses to be used in this very scrap. But it ain't enough." Kyric strode over to one of many projectors displaying a map of the greater galaxy and inserted a datastick.

A complex web within the blue-white projection turned red. Hundreds of planets across the stars flared to life, alongside a series of routes connecting them in a spiral-like shape centered around Coruscant.

"In our fledglin' state, we must use our resources to slow the Empire's expansion while we maneuver to disarm Solipsis' of his latest weapon. If y'all know of any enclaves, hyperspace lanes, or causes sympathetic to our own, I'll put it to use. We must move unseen within the Empire's shadow if we are to prevail."

---

Tags: Inosuke Ashina | Henna Ashina | Ishida Ashina | Shinzou Ashina | Corin Kaze | Briana Sal-Soren | Lorn Reingard | Lossa Aureus | Tilon Quill | Thalen Dhorain | Kaleleon | Pelie besk | Corazona von Ascania | Romi Jade | Jax Thio | Ariana du Couteau | Laurent Costeau

 

[Ariana du Couteau]

Ariana Du Couteau, Jedi Padawan
Location: Atrisia
Attire

Ariana remained still, cool, and calm as the hall filled with more people. The presence of so many Force Users sent ripples of discomfort through the young du Couteau heiress. She imagined herself trying to wade peacefully in a pool suddenly churned by monstrous waves threatening to submerge her. Ariana wasn’t filled with fear, just awe at the indescribable brilliance that nearly had her searching for a place to sit and hide.

She steeled herself and steadied her footing as others spoke of the grim situation the Core had become over the last few days. The evil machinations of a mad Sith Lord sounded far too cartoonish in any other setting but Ariana had seen the destruction. The eyes of those who witnessed the fall of Exegol held a truth too horrid to comprehend. No, not destruction, but annihilation... a state of existence unimaginable.

The room felt tense to Ariana, but the words spoken were laced with determination or perhaps the storied bravery of Jedi Knights wasn’t just the stuff of childhood bedtime tales after all. The Knights in armour that shined, not because of the polish but because they were brightly lit symbols of courage.

My father would always tell me, no higher calling was there than to be there for others in need. Not to be just a shoulder to help carry the weight of responsibility but to also carry her own shining armour, a cape.

Even my cape feels heavy from time to time.

“But are we ever truly alone as Jedi? I guess not.”

It was a quiet mutter to herself. Ever since she first became fully aware of her sensitivity to the greater Force, the notion of ever being alone felt anathema. Even as a foreigner to this planet, Ariana felt as if she had always belonged here in the Ashina household. Ariana knew she needed to thank the Ashina family somehow, ever since her home of Teta and br-

She cast her gaze downward to see her hands shaking, and a moment later, Ariana clenched both but they continued to tremble. Even my cybernetics can emulate my fear? A ludicrous notion or perhaps it just showed how deeply the fall of her home had affected her. Was her foundation that unsteady?

“Am I allowed to be brave while being this afraid?” she whispered, before raising her head and continuing to listen. Thankful she finally hid her hands behind her back and beneath her cape.
​

|| Inosuke Ashina | Tilon Quill | Thalen Dhorain | Lossa Aureus | Corazona von Ascania | Lorn Reingard | Shinzou Ashina | Corin Kaze | Pelie besk | Kaleleon | Henna Ashina | Kyric ||​

 

[Jannik Morlandt]

PERIL & PERSPECTIVE
ATRISIA | MIDNIGHT | HIRATA ENCLAVE
​

Jannik Morlandt had not belonged to a known Order, beyond bearing the faint ties of a wayseeker, back to the New Jedi Order, for decades… faint ties that frayed as what he had seen on Mimban all those years ago became the past and present. That the more the galaxy aligned with this vision, this fate, the more it looked harrowingly familiar to his eyes. Hallmarks of the past. The war that had made a Jedi of him. The prophetic visions that sent him tumbling into it, a young man, afraid.

The threat of repetition bore the greatest warning; no longer could he remain only the watchman. Jan had arrived at the Hirata Estate bearing no sign of any weapon, and in truth, he had not worn the robes of a Jedi in quite some time, though both remained stowed away on his ship. Among other reasons, it had benefited him to not draw that attention at many points throughout his travels. He had other ways of protecting himself, if at all needed.

He was standing amongst the gathered, idly rubbing the long pendant-cord around his neck, that disappeared beneath the collar of his shirt. No single face here was known to him. He listened to the words of the Jedi here, he truly listened, but when the auburn-haired woman, Henna, spoke and supported the greatest truth - that they had to stand together - it wasn’t her words that got to him, but her resonance, the faint recognition of her presence when he focused. But the details eluded him in the moment; any recognition he found despite his long-kept distance was surprising.

When she looked at the many, him included, all Jan could offer was a grim smile and a tip of the head, in return. When she mentioned Corellia, however, it only served to remind him of all that had transpired to make that world as it was today, and he swallowed that unsettled, comparative feeling. Like he’d been doing far too often, as of late.

After a much younger Jedi spoke, he cleared his throat to speak, himself, about the aspect of secretive movement.

“I can aid in interference for that.” He spoke calmly, clearly, and with a light amplification to be heard without raising his voice. The faint tinge of a long-whittled down lilt in his speech. “Blinding their 'sight' in the empyrean as I’ve picked up the sense of the darkness attempting to do likewise already.”

That was a start. He'd been slamming the 'door' in the faces of Dark Lords, so to speak, since he was a lad hardly much younger than twenty.

"And I'll see what I can glean about their machinations, in my meditations."

Ariana du Couteau • Briana Sal-Soren • Corazona von Ascania • Corin Kaze • Henna Ashina
Inosuke Ashina • Jax Thio • Kaleleon • Kyric • Laurent Costeau • Lorn Reingard
Lossa Aureus • Pelie besk • Shinzou Ashina • Thalen Dhorain • Tilon Quill​

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Briana Sal-Soren Corazona von Ascania Corin Kaze Henna Ashina Inosuke Ashina Jax Thio Kaleleon Kyric Laurent Costeau Lorn Reingard Pelie besk Shinzou Ashina Jannik Morlandt

Thalen gave a short nod in the direction of Tilon Quill , before turning his attention over towards Lossa Aureus , contemplating her question for a moment. Thalen hadn't went against any of the strongest fighters when he had taken part in the operation. He hadn't went against some great threat...Just a lot of mini threats. A lot of mini-threats. Which brought him to what he was about to say.

"They have strength in numbers. It felt endless. For every one of their fighters that went down, more seemed to pop up. Both in the form of robotics and flesh. I'm sure an attempt could be made to disrupt their droid production...but it is then even more likely they'd forcefully conscript innocents into their forces to make up for it."

There came the complicated parts. Morality. At least, it should have been complicated for most people. For Thalen, it was a clear choice. Reducing the amount of droids and dealing with incompetent soldiers who were forcefully recruited would be much easier to fight.

With that being said, Thalen once again went silent to listen to the Jedi talk. There were good points being thrown around. They needed more men for a definite...but there was some political talk. Different Jedi factions, enclaves. It would have been enough to make someone's headspin, but Thalen continued to listen.

He listened to the request to bring the call back to the Orders that the Jedi came from. Hm...He could potentially ask his family, but considering the fact they liked to have a piece of every pie in the Galaxy, he doubted they'd help in anyway. Either way, he then listened to the agreement about the potential target. There'd be too many targets for them to keep an eye on.

Thalen watched the members taking part in the discussion, and even those who didn't. It was important to see how everyone was coping with this news. And so his eyes fell upon the Padawan with shaking and then trembling hands. Fear was a natural thing in life. Fear of losing something. Fear of dying. It was a normal human emotion. One that Thalen had found himself...lacking in recent times, for the simple reason that he did not see himself as a human. He was a tool, for the Force.

That didn't stop him however from reaching out to try and get Ariana du Couteau 's attention, all so he could give her a simple thumbs up alongside a smile. It was an empty smile, but it was his attempt to tell her things would be alright. He didn't want to disrupt the meeting, but perhaps later he could see what was going on. See if he could help, because at the end of the day...helping people was enjoyable.

There was much Thalen had been learning in his journey away from Denon. Never in his wildest dreams did he assume he'd be involved in something like this. To be fair, he didn't dream anymore, but still. The fact there wasn't any insults or fists being thrown around made Thalen think this was going somewhat well.

 

[Kaleleon]

This cloud of darkness was spreading. The idea alone that thoughts were even in circulation of such a weapon, nearly sent tremors through my body. I could almost feel the past creeping upon me. Threatening to overtake my senses. This feeling of dread that wanted to consume my mind. I could not let it. For years I have been dealing with the fall out of Darth Solipsis, and his various[ regimes. Each one bringing a level of cruelty that very few are able to replicate. The Sith themselves do hold much the same fear among their greatest names. However, this proposed "God of the Maw" brought a level of desperation of the Jedi time and time again. Returning like cockroaches.

I had to steel myself. I let the past define my present and future too much. I saw how it was affecting me on a daily basis. It festered like a sickly wound. I had to fight it, to suffocate that feeling with any form of bravery and hope that this junction today could be the smallest of first steps in fighting what afflicted me, and others.

I breathed in. Holding it for a second and letting it leave as the significant other of Inosuke spoke up. I had seen her in passing multiple times. I knew her to have a level head and knowing much of the force. She spoke well many times before and just as strong now. A nod was presented to her as she asked for me to seek out any contacts I could muster. Send the message across the stars that this was a real threat. The very first thought? I am just one man. A farmer's boy who wished to till fields and take care of livestock. Yet here I am, wielding a blade of energy in combat, fighting against the very dark that threatens to overtake my mind. Standing among the greatest of fighters that the Lightsworn could produce. I respected them all. Talks of many Jedi already rising up was a thing.

Kyric spoke up before I could. Making a note that his father had connections that had been passed down to him. Even presenting information freely of such. Enclaves, safe houses, armories for the various Jedi factions to gather and reuse in this time of uncertainty. I did not wait to hold my tongue.

"Kyric, we will compare information later with what I have stored. Any information is good. Thank you for bringing it forward."

A nod to him before my attention moved back to Henna.

"I will send out what I can, across whatever channels I can send them through. I do not stand high among any of these conglomerates, but I shall light a fire beneath them if I must. They will know."

Another spoke up. A older man who I had not met before. However, from the smallest of wrinkles around his eyes, showed he had a wealth of knowledge within him. A housing of such strengths was always appreciated. Even more when his voice rang out of attempting to do what he could through his meditative use of the force. Fighting against the Darkness and seeking it out. The ability to essentially flash-bang their connection to the force from mind alone it seemed, was a power I had never heard of. It allowed me to feel a sense of awe for him to accomplish that. Goes to show that the force can be a wonderful, powerful, but also a destructive and oppressive tool for those who used it.

"Any help in any form, no matter creed or previous actions is accepted, and appreciated. Should you require aid, please do call upon me."


| Thalen Dhorain | Jannik Morlandt | Ariana du Couteau | Kyric | Henna Ashina | Pelie besk | Corin Kaze | Shinzou Ashina | Lorn Reingard | Corazona von Ascania | Lossa Aureus | Tilon Quill | Inosuke Ashina |

 

[Lorn Reingard]

​

Lorn hadn't moved much. He'd only shifted his position slightly, just enough to get a better view, but he remained on the outer edge of the room. He stood outside the main light of the holoprojector, where stars shimmered and Kyric's intricate web of plans spread across the galactic map. The rest of the crowd leaned in; Lorn leaned back.

His gaze, however, was fixed forward, narrowed not in skepticism, but in study. He was watching this Kyric Karis in particular. A relatively new name known to him, but not to the rest here it seemed. Young, unorthodox, and with a reputation seemingly tied more to his family name than his own achievements. Lorn disliked that. Not out of envy, he was too tired for such feelings anymore. Instead, it meant Kyric arrived with expectations, and to Lorn, expectations were a blade without a hilt. Handle them wrong, and you'd bleed.

Yet here Kyric was: steady, measured. He wasn't showboating or preaching. He didn't try to dominate the room; instead, he offered something valuable to it. He presented data, suggested routes, and put forward an offer to coordinate. Even his accent, clipped and raw, sounded genuine and honest. Lorn found himself watching more closely than he'd intended. This was interesting.

Lorn remembered his own early days on the council: how difficult it was to know when to speak, how swiftly the atmosphere of a room could turn with just one misspoken word, and how silence could extinguish a movement more effectively than any weapon. Kyric, however, seemed to understand this unspoken dynamic. That meant one of two things: either the young man was incredibly lucky, or he was exceptionally sharp. Lorn intended to find out which.

His arms remained folded, but his posture softened subtly as others continued to speak. Voices rose, hands symbolically raised blades and banners, and promises were made in the shadows. Lorn had witnessed the usual outcome of such declarations many times before. Yet, he had also seen the rare occasions when they actually bore fruit. So he remained quiet, listening and watching Kyric from the room's periphery. For the first time in the entire meeting, a single thought surfaced clearly in his mind: Maybe this time, they had a chance.

@ I don't want to tag everyone​

 

[Tansu Treicolt]

ATRISIA | JUST OUTSIDE THE HIRATA ENCLAVE

It started as pins and needles. A distant, uncomfortable feeling and then all of a sudden the prickles became one sharp, burning, caustic snap.

And then it was over. Leaving Tansu on her knees, bleary eyed, breathless and with a horrified awareness that something was very wrong with her sister.

But Talin wouldn’t answer her calls. Not the first time, second, third or fortieth. Any attempt to mentally ping her felt blocked out and Tansu’s desperation grew.

Finally, when Talin relented and gave the time, place and date to meet up, and see the group she’d been spending time with, Tansu had leapt at the chance with zero hesitation. Grabbing Talsin by the collar and dragging him along.

Outside the enclave, she was all frantic speed and bright hope. Legs pumping into a run that sent her colliding with her sister’s shape the moment she saw it. Arms wrapped around her familiar form and she yanked her in without thought

“LIN!” She didn’t even care she’d felt like a stalker to her own other half the past few weeks. It didn’t matter now. They were together again and warmth bloomed in her chest, overjoyed at the simplicity of reunion.

But something felt wrong. Stiff.

She shoved her sister out from their embrace, frowning, scrutinizing her and giving a squeeze to both arms hidden beneath her leather jacket.

Tansu gasped. “Holy chit!

Is this why you been ignorin’ my calls? Oh my Force Lin, I felt something awful’d gone on, what happened? Who did this to you?”

She pulled her in for another hug, yanking her sister to-and-fro with forced, suffocating affection.

“Helluva battle scar,” sounding a little envious “— you gotta tell me all about it Every detail. Oh my Force I missedja.”

Shoved her out again. “Does it hurt? Can I see it?” Then, conspiratorially, “Can i touch it?”

Talin’s face was all proud and brave and.. something else Tansu couldn’t quite place. But her sister had promised a reunion so she’d trust that after this excitin’ introduction to the gang Talin had been Jedi’ing with they’d be able to gab and gab and gab.

With a sharp yank of Tansu’s hand, Talin’s urgency to get inside was clearly stated and Tansu reached out to snatch up Talsin and drag him along equally.

Inside, they just missed the initial welcoming sentence or two from who Talin explained was the High Lord and shuffled in to open seats that were out of the way.

“High Lord.” Tansu whispered under her breath as she, wide-eyed, took stock of all the faces gathered “—what a serious title.”

Were the rest gathered also Lords? She strained to listen, eager to lap up whatever was happening here. Very quickly it became abundantly clear this was a group with full intent to face the rising threat of the Dark Empire. Targets were identified, information shared, resources offered, blinding sights, and other Jedi groups listed. Mentally, she signed up.

“This is real neat.” She murmured beneath her breath to nobody in particular. She just couldn’t hold the thought inside.

Amidst all the faces, she knew few. Only the Ashina Lord and Lady, who’d helped convince her that she and Talin were not haunted, and cousin Kyric who she felt she hadn’t seen in a lifetime. Giddily, she tapped Talsin’s thigh and dared to lift her hand in a small wave for her cousin’s attention. Just a teeny tiny gesture.

_____________________________________

Talsin Lota Talin Treicolt Kyric Kaleleon Corazona von Ascania Henna Ashina Thalen Dhorain Tilon Quill Inosuke Ashina Shinzou Ashina Pelie besk Corin Kaze Lossa Aureus
Jannik Morlandt Ariana du Couteau Lorn Reingard Briana Sal-Soren

 

[Nathan Bloodscrawl]

Arrived in: WKST Super Heavy Interceptor

Wearing: Dooku-Pattern Armor (Blue and Black)

A Common Traveler's Cape (Dark Blue)


Armed With: Nathan's Jedi Lightsaber


With: Lucretia Lister (Secretly Vera Mina )

Lucretia's Equipment:

Wearing: Liar's Flesh

Armed With: High Republic Lightsaber (X2, joined together as a Saberstaff)


Earlier, aboard an XQQ5 Outpost...

Opportunist pirates had been using this space station to as a base to prey on those trying to flee the core.

But that wasn't the only reason Nathan had hit the station with a Breaching Tac Pod deployed from a defector House Io Corvette.

It had something he wanted. Something the Pirates had found by accident.

He had been accompanied by his wife, Vera, currently channeling the personality, skills and appearance of Lucretia Lister, a well built, somewhat elderly woman with a shock of platinum blonde hair and a skintight reflective silver catsuit that showed off her physique. They made for an odd couple as they hit the pirates with a brutal shock and awe assault that had sent them fleeing from the pair as they rampaged through the station, Nathan's white blade slashing through weapons with Lucretia using her Force Connection to emit non lethal Ionic energy beams from her silver clad hands. Nathan didn't want corpses. He rarely killed unless faced with Sith or Imperial troops...or Brain Demon Cultists.

His wife, whatever her guise, had lately been trying to adhere to the same ethic. But unlike Nathan, she wasn't above leaving a few of the pirates a tad maimed to make an example.

The pirates fell back more and more as the two powerful Force Users slashed through weapons and limbs but otherwise leaving heavily wounded pirates alive.

In the station command center, the pirates were already setting the self destruct sequence out of sheer spite, determined not to let the two take the station from them.

They had just been about to set the self destruct when a spell from Lucretia sent a mysterious Ionic pulse through the facility, short circuiting most of the systems, including the bomb they had been setting.

"Quick! The vault!" The yellow skinned scarred Twi'lek man in black armor named Drexxil who functioned as their leader yelled.

"I told you we shouldn't have kept that thing! Should have cast it into space the moment we found it!" complained his second in command, a dark skinned Korun man named Alito.

"And sacrifice the biggest payday ever?! Not a chance!" The Pirate Leader snarled.

"But what if they catch us with it?" Alito asked as they entered the large private vault retrieving a metal box.

"What if they catch us without it?" Drexxil countered pointedly.

Another Ionic pulse went through the station. This time ALL the lights went dead.

They could hear the sounds of Lightsabers getting closer and ran for their lives, trying to reach the escape pod just as Nathan's Telekinesis ripped the doors to the center opened and the elite guard opened fire.

His white blade moved in the Soresu patterns as he opened himself to the Force, deflecting shots back at limbs. He had promised himself no one would die here today, for the sake of setting a good example for his family, chiefly his wife in her continued efforts to comprehend morality.

He waded into combat, backed by Lucretia, their blades lighting up the darkness. Drexxil and Alito tried to flee down one passage to the escape pod only for Nathan to appear in front of them via teleporting.

He calmly pointed his white blade at them.

Drexxil sighed.

"Fine. Blasted Jedi Scum." Drexxil said, handing over the box.

Nathan responded by putting them in a Force Stasis and then walking back to Lucretia, who had disabled everyone in the command center.

"Get ready, Nathan..." Lucretia warned flesh on her face bubbling for a few seconds. "I can already feel the reinforcements on their way."

Nathan only snorted at this.

"Let them try..." he replied dismissively, readying his saber.

Hours later.

Every last pirate had been taken alive and imprisoned in the cargo hold by his troops after being strip searched. Their memories would be edited to remember nothing of the incident.

The command center was theirs. Repair teams were currently going through every system that had been compromised by Lucretia's spells.

"So tell me, Husband..." Lucretia said, her form and personality warping and shuddering back to that of Vera Mina, still wearing Lucretia's catsuit.

"What's in that box that's so important we had to conduct a lightning raid?" Vera asked, flicking long black hair away from her gorgeous features. "I sense the Force within it..."

Nathan opened the box...

Vera's eyes widened.

"Is that what I think it is?" Vera asked.

"Yes." Nathan answered, holding up the Holocron of Blades.

"How did you know it was here?" Vera asked in shock.

"Premonition...like the ones I had before Susevfi was attacked all those years ago..." Nathan answered. "They found it in the wreck of a Sith Destroyer. Force only knows how the Sith got it..."

"Is this wise, Husband? Claiming it?" Vera questioned. "Any Holocron is dangerous...how much more one made by Laertia?"

"It's a risk we have to take..." Nathan replied. "It will, of course, be kept under the strictest of guards."

"That's not the only reason you want it, Nate..." Vera said. "You want something of hers..."

Nathan stared at her.

"Yes." he admitted, examining it again.

"And perhaps I can get it to talk to me once it realizes who I am..." he added.

"You must be extremely careful, Nathan..." Vera warned sternly. "Even before she went full Dark Side, Laertia was incredibly manipulative. Do not underestimate her."

"Then it's a good thing you're here to keep me grounded..." Nathan mused, looking at her.

Vera smiled in spite of the situation. Nathan smiled back.

Present...


Vera had retaken Lucretia's mind and form as she went with Nathan to this meeting of Lightsworn.

Nathan was essentially shopping for Jedi Militias, wanting to see who was the most militant of these groups, to see who had the most drive...and the least scruples about how the goal was to be accomplished.

"I must say, Husband, this is quite the magnificent gunboat you've constructed..." Lucretia said admiringly. Nathan kept his role in projects like this a complete secret from all but his closest confidants. A wall of plausible deniability between him and his off the books activities on a constant basis.

"Thanks, Listy..." Nathan replied.

"Ohhhh...we have a pet name for me now, do we?" Lucretia asked coyly as she sat next to him in the cockpit as it descended through the atmosphere.

"I'll have to remember that, Nate..." she added seductively.

"Heh." he chuckled

He had set the ship down close to the Hirata estate and walked alongside her, careful not to look too close or casual to her in the open as he walked inside. A lot of the usual suspects were here. He even recognized Lorn Reingard from the High Republic.

His brow furrowed as he listened to the news of a Superweapon being constructed.

Nathan's voice cut through the speeches.

"I'm in, happy to help bring the feths down. But how far are we willing to go to stop them? Because what we were doing at Coruscant clearly didn't work. And how are we going to kill Darth Solipsis for good this time?" he asked.

Briana Sal-Soren

Kyric

Inosuke Ashina

Kaleleon

Tilon Quill

Talsin Lota

Talin Treicolt

Henna Ashina

Shinzou Ashina

Corazona von Ascania

Thalen Dhorain

Pelie besk

Lossa Aureus

Corin Kaze

Jannik Morlandt

Ariana du Couteau