Mission: In The Name of Research [The Republic | TJO]

[Asmundr Varobalder]

Kenobi Class Praxeum​

Cutting through the brilliance of space, Asmundr was constantly in awe of its expansive wonder. There was so much in the dimensions of the uncharted to explore, that he never entertained the notion of boredom.

His opportunities had been great. His most recent making him the gatekeeper of the brilliant Kenobi-Praxeum; a mobile learning temple for young force users interested in dedicating their lives to the practices of The Jedi.

As a result, the overpowering physique of the Valkyrie stood steadfast in the command deck of the praxeum. His massive hands wrapped around a gold plated staff, of the same metal as the ship itself. His never still eyes swirled in golden flecks as stories strung throughout the galaxy. The oracle was invited to spectate on them all. He saw mirthful children, weeping slaves, scheming lovers, devious Sith, politicians. None with strong intentions were unavailable to him, for it was their emotional states that left the deepest impressions on the sands of his visions. It was the ethereal that he could see, and that which enchanted him. He was this praxeum's overseer, and only one other oversaw him and it's operations.

The footsteps of said individual caused his eyes to flicker toward the archway of the bridge.

This glance was mostly to the benefit of those who existed in the present. Asmundr couldn't actually see that well beyond his Force-sight, and the Grandmaster's silhouette was little more than a pure, glowing aura. Which was truly a shame, because she was so much more attractive in the physical world.

"There are many curious minds on board this venture, Master." Asmundr spoke first, his voice deep and filling the silence tend folds. The only other audio he had a s competition was the soft beeping coming from the radar machinery that filled the bridge, and those that worked to operate and navigate.

Spoiler

Mission Name: In the Name of Research
Mission Location: Reecee
Mission Difficulty: Medium
Mission Objective: Find some samples of Vong and collect it safely to bring back to The Healer’s Circle.
Mission Slots: 2-3 Padawans and 1-2 Knights, 3-4 Knights, 1-2 Knights and 1 Master (A healer should be included in these travels).

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Veino Garn"] | [member="Zaren Bouqi"] | [member="Flint Dexen"] | [member="Corvus Raaf"] | [member="Yarna Kiren"] | [member="Johnny Diamonds"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

"Curious minds are the best minds." Kiskla replied, with a healthy dosage of bias. Kiskla herself was curiously minded, constantly questioning what she knew and developing from there. The former grandmaster, Carn Dista, had considered it a trait of her youth, and predicted it would be her downfall. So far, he'd been very wrong.

"Especially in a planet that holds such history." Absently, the kiffar heir scratched at the scar on the back of her left hand. A sealed wound from an attack unleashed by a hydrastaff -- a weapon that was becoming woefully more and more common these days. It had been the end of many Republic defenders, and protectors of democracy throughout the galaxy. The vong were an infection that had been eradicated years ago, and the Republic had developed a weapon for it --- one that had been brought up at a united conference hosted by [member="Rosa Gunn"]. The Grandmaster of the Jedi wanted to ensure this weapon still worked, and if there could be other methods beyond her exhaustive ability of Art of the Small to counter the poisons from the vong weaponry. Hence, the assembled interest of Jedi who would be venturing to Recee with her. It was the first implementation of the new regime that had been instilled since the council's dissolution. Whoever was available, would act. "Hopefully we can find something of use.

Thank you for keeping your eyes open, my friend. I'm going to join the others." With that brief interaction established and out of the way from her agenda, Kiskla dipped at the waist politely -- and it was returned -- and took her leave to become more accessible to the students onboard the beautiful praxeum ship.

She really wished she could be on it more often.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was always in awe of opportunities to learn but the Kenobi-Praxeum! THE Kenobi-Praxeum. Corvus. On board the Kenobi-Praxeum? Really?

She’d heard about it of course. It was essentially a mobile learning temple, and named after the Jedi she'd spent more time reading about than any other. Only yesterday evening, she'd re-read of his exploits on Tatooine during his years watching over the young Luke Skywalker.

So she sat, quietly, awaiting Master Grayson. Anyone who knew her would have bet she would have been the first to arrive – and so it was. Sitting there, her arms quite literally covered in goose-bumps and smoothing the hem of her robes with the palms of her hands.

Others may have been awed by the splendour of the ship. It was no doubt beautiful, but for Corvus, her excitement and equal measure of apprehension was 10% about the mission and 90% about the learning – although she suspected the two were intertwined in reality.

The Kenob-Praxeum! Awesome!

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Flint Dexen]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"] [member="Corvus Raaf"]

The Kenobi-Class Praxeum was a ship of wonder. Flint held pride in the fact that the Jedi Order had devoted such an elegant and no doubt costly ship for the purpose of training younglings and padawans, instead of using it as a warship.

The Jedi Knight hoped that this mission would contribute to the cause of promoting peace in the Galaxy. Peace was what the Jedi worked for after all. He had never been onboard the mobile temple before, and Flint was using this opportunity to take a look around. He had heard that the Grandmaster herself was participating in the mission. It would be truly an exciting experience.

 

[Veino Garn]

This was a fancy ship, to say the least. No doubt about it. Very elegant and beautiful. He wasn't sure about the gold trim though. That seemed a little odd. A Hutt ship, sure. That makes sense. Same with a politician's or CEO. But Jedi? Oh well. Maybe it was more of a Republic thing.

He glanced up from his seat along the wall, where he was watching some padawans train in lightsaber skills. Soresu, in fact, so it was very interesting to watch. There were some promising students in there. Others seemed better suited for other forms. But he was not here to audit their soresu training program here. They had Vong samples to acquire, which would be no means be easy. It would be a massive challenge.

Perhaps one better suited for special operations, as the Vong being Force dead was no disadvantage to them. But who knows? Perhaps they're on their own mission along these lines as well, to increase the odds of success.

 

[Zion Krayt]

The Yuuzhan Vong were becoming a problem in the Galaxy. After the first Yuuzhan Vong War and tearing planets apart and destroying the New Republic and other major factions in the Galaxy, they had returned with a powerful enemy. An enemy that was known as the Sith. An enemy that had ravaged the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic countless times, and together, they seemed to be an indestructible Force, one that couldn't be combated by the single faction that was the Galactic Republic.

It was obvious that the rest of the Galaxy was ready to take a stand against the One Sith, but the Omega Protectorate's attack on Coruscant seemed fruitless and only proved to be even more detrimental to them than to the Sith. Yes he had heard rumours of what had happened, and he wasn't sure as to which to believe, but all were stories speaking of the Protectorate failing in their attack. It was saddening to be sure, but he wondered as to how the Grandmaster would've reacted if it had been Kiffu/Kiffex that had been attacked and was seized by the Sith.

Would [member="Kiskla Grayson"] who had proven herself to be a stout leader finally crack?

He wondered as he roamed the halls of the Praxeum, clad in armour. Always.

 

[Johnny Diamonds]

"Woooohaaaaaa!!!"

A blur of motion came barreling down the halls, like wildfire it zipped to and fro within the grand hall of the Kenobi-Praxeum. Leave it to Johnny to be the wild one out of the bunch, that was sure. He'd recently figured out a way to combine Levitation with Speed in such a way that it was almost like speeding around on rollerblades down the corridors. He had a smile on his young face nearly ten meters wide as he weaved around people, around groups, jumping up onto various outcroppings, and basically free-running across the Kenobi-Praxeum like a spider monkey. He couldn't help himself, he still found the Force fascinating in infinite ways. He'd get a stern talking to, he knew that, but he just could not resist trying to use the Force in unique, odd new ways.

Spotting the Grandmaster of the Order out of the corner of his eye, he skidded to a halt, sliding across the floor with a fair amount of control, but not enough to end up tumbling head over heels, landing on his rear end right in front of Corvus Raaf. He cringed a moment, rubbing his lower back as he looked up to her, his messy blonde hair even more so than usual. "Uh...heya. Am I late?" he said, a sheepish grin on his face as he began to pick himself up, making sure his black messenger's bag was still securely around his torso.


Yeah, way to make an impression. That's the ticket. Land on your ass and look like one too, Johnny thought to himself.



[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Veino Garn"] | [member="Zaren Bouqi"] | [member="Flint Dexen"] | [member="Corvus Raaf"] | [member="Yarna Kiren"] | [member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian sat motionless, his eyes closed and his hands laid out on his knees. A deep breath in, a deep breath out, a deep breath in, a deep breath out...so went his meditation. When he had first sat down his mind had been racing with thoughts, with lists and lists of all the duties that he know faced as a Jedi Knight, with all the worries that the war torn galaxy seemed to thrust upon him. But following his teachings, both of the Baran Do and the Jedi, he was able to settle his mind and relax. Kian had been eager to take on this assignment. He hadn't worked with many of the Jedi who were present and Kian thought it would be a good opportunity to engage with both the veterans and the newcomers of the order. He was still more newcomer then novice after all, and there were many he still hadn't gotten to know.

Finally opening his eyes, Kian's grey eyes scanned the room. He liked the Kenobi-Class ships. On most transports he was forced to wear his mask and goggles when in his quarters, but here he was able to get a room that filtered oxygen and replaced it with Dorin gas. Taking another deep breath, this time not meditative but rather basking in the gas of his homeworld, Kian smiled a toothless grin. Then with resignation he lifted the mask in front of him and attached it to his face. It wasn't that the mask was uncomfortable, it had been designed to be just the opposite, but it wasn't part of him, and therefore he was never truly comfortable with it. He wondered if that was how members of the order with prosthetic limbs felt.

Satisfied that the mask and goggles were secure, Kian left his quarters and made his way toward where he believed everyone would be meeting. His charcoal grey robes covered his dark green tunic and pants. His lightsaber hung at his hip, in easy hands reach and his boots clicked as he walked down the hallway. Kian's interest in this particular mission was strong. He had faced off against Vong creations, the Voxyn, during the counter-invasion of Alderaan and though he faired well against a single beast at a time, he knew he wouldn't have if there had been more. The Vong were a real threat to the safety of the Galactic Republic and the Galaxy and he wanted to help combat them.

Besides, who could possibly avoid a mission that involved the Grandmaster [member="Kiskla Grayson"] herself. Kian had never met the Grandmaster in person, but he had been familiar with her work since he joined the Jedi, how could he not! Besides that, when he was at his worst on Empress Teta, and his body had been worn to the limit, it had been the calming touch of her mind and force aura that had helped him find strength and renew the fight. He had been a padawan then, and he hadn't forgotten that kindness. He had also heard that [member="Veino Garn"] was on board and Kian hoped to see the Knight again. They had met briefly on Alderaan and he had earned a degree of respect for the Jedi.

[member="Zaren Bouqi"], [member="Flint Dexen"], [member="Corvus Raaf"], [member="Asmundr Varobalder"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla had been involved with enough group activities to understand the flux of dynamics. As soon as her delicate steps lead her from the bridge to the main interactive space, the contingencies unfolded. The first presented itself as a tender being, patiently awaiting something to instigate ([member="Corvus Raaf"]). Mixed among the amount of learners and students onboard, there were outstanding presences wandering throughout the area ([member="Flint Dexen"] & [member="Veino Garn"]), and another she was quite familiar with ([member="Zaren Bouqi"]) -- one who had likely, and inadvertently saved her from her own stubbourn self on Empress Teta.

Then came the entrance.

[member="Johnny Diamonds"] was unknown to the Grandmaster by face, but not by name. His entrance was unavoidable, but she'd felt the exertion of the metaphysical just moments before the collision. Her immediate consideration went to the calm brunette, as it appeared the blonde boy seemed just fine and unharmed by his own callous lack of self-control. Not that she could say anything to that, Kiskla was nearly infamous for her recklessness, though she'd been more precautionary recently due to her elected position. It's easy to make an assumptive decision when only a single sole is affected, but an entire organization? No.

"Time is all relative in space." Kiskla commented idly, resting her hands on her hips as she came to a stop. Doing so, [member="Kian Karr"] filtered through the archway entrance. As soon as she said that however, she was relieved her personal companion hadn't heard that -- she was sure that'd be an issue one day. Him dedicating more time to the stars than her... or something. That seemed to be a motif amongst couples. Who knew. Not Kiskla!

"Especially when we're as uncharted as right now, on the praxeum." The smile she offered was soft, as she weighed how to go about the ice-breaking introductions. There was a slim chance everyone was already acquainted. Even though their numbers were thin, Merrill had said something wise to her on this very ship: There's always more Jedi.

"Thank you," she paused and took a step back to make sure the entire immediate trio in the vicinity was addressed "-all for coming."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus tried to look her sternest when Padawan [member="Johnny Diamonds"] landed in a heap at her feet. But that hint of a grin couldn't leave her lips. She was about to say something witty (at least in her own mind it would have been) but came up short when Grandmaster [member="Kiskla Grayson"] entered the room.

Instead she managed a short bow from her seated position and, "Hi Johnny. Haven't seen you since Taboon. How are you?"

Once upon a time, Corvus viewed people who were different to her as wrong. Despite her tender years, she was becoming relatively worldly-wise and remembered a saying that seemed appropriate (of course Corvus had a saying for every occasion). 'If two of us are alike, one of us is superfluous.' And that, to her, summed up the Jedi Order. All different and all bringing something individual to the mix.

As [member="Kian Karr"] entered the room, she again bowed out of respect before standing and bowing to the Grandmaster.

[member="Flint Dexen"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Zaren Bouqi"]

 

[Flint Dexen]

It took Flint a few minutes to find where everyone was at. And by the time he got there, there were lots of Jedi already gathered there. "Thank you all for coming." He had gotten there just in time to hear the Grandmaster speak.

"Grandmaster Grayson..." the Jedi Knight said as he entered, acknowledging Grandmaster [member="Kiskla Grayson"] with a quick bow of respect. He had seen the Jedi Master in action before, and had faith in her leadership.

Flint also gave a friendly nod to fellow knights as well as padawans gathered there at the moment ([member="Johnny Diamonds"] [member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Veino Garn"]). The Force told him that there were more Jedi on their way to the room.

Hopefully the Grandmaster would soon brief them on their mission once everyone was gathered.

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian entered the room and took up a position at the back, smiling as he heard the Grandmaster [member="Kiskla Grayson"] thanking them all for coming. Looking around the room, Kian's eyes met @Corus Raaf and he couldn't help but think that she was familiar to him. Bowing his head respectfully back at her, it took Kian a moment to remember that she had been at the counter-invasion of Alderaan. She had been badly injured but [member="Veino Garn"] had been able to get her evacuated. Kian was glad to see she was doing better.

Looking around the room, Kian also saw [member="Flint Dexen"]. He was not a Jedi that Kian was familiar with, but he bowed his head to him in respect as well. He suspected, and hoped, that there would be Jedi on this mission that he had not yet met. Kian's eyes also fell on [member="Johnny Diamonds"], and he shook his head in credulity and amusement. The boy seemed eager and energetic. Kian made a mental note to keep an eye on the padawan. Eager and energy were very good qualities, but they sometimes made one reckless and who knew what dangers they might face on this mission.

Of course, the details of the mission still had not been fully revealed. Kian knew they were in search of some information or technology that would help to defeat the Vong, but Kian wasn't sure of the finer details. Cross his arms behind his back, Kian waited to see just where this journey would take them.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus nodded to [member="Kian Karr"]. Of course she remembered him from Alderaan. At least she remembers being told he was there and had helped get her to medical help.

She put her hand to the opposite upper arm and squeezed it. "Good as new, except for a little scarring. Those bacta tanks are great - not that I want to make a habit of it of course."

"And I haven't thanked you - although, if I'm honest - what happened after I vomited is a little hazy." Her smile was genuine. "I kind of remember you and [member="Veino Garn"] being there. Truly my Knights in beskar armour."

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian laughed at [member="Corvus Raaf"]'s comment, the sound coming from his mask like a static cough. Kian hadn't really thought much about what had happened since Alderaan, there were other things more pressing and he just hadn't taken the time to think on it like he should have. His arm instinctively rub against his side, the ribs still swore from his tangles with the Voxyn. Vile beasts.

"Things were a bit crazy there...as they tend to be on the battlefield. I'm glad to see you are doing well." Kian said, "my name is Kian Karr," Kian said extending his taloned hand, formally introducing himself to the padawan. "You handled yourself admirably out there....and I agree, bacta tanks are remarkable."

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino stood up from where he had been watching and made his way over towards the others. It seemed to be a decent mix of knights, padawans, and the grandmaster. They seemed to have enough power for this mission. But then, power was hardly what determined the success of a mission. Unfortunately in this case, he wasn't sure what would. Luck? Skill? The will of the Force? Ghosts of Jedi past returning from the Force to aid them?

He caught the comment from [member="Corvus Raaf"] about the scarring, and his hand went up to trace his two scars that followed his cheekbones from his first battle. A Zygerrian queen had given them to him. He shook his head slowly, remembering. Togoria and the old Sith Empire. Those days had been dark, but less dark than the ones they now faced. Odd how that happened. Knight in beskar armor? He jerked his mind back to the conversation. What was that about? He wouldn't wear beskar armor if somebody paid him.

"Sorry. What was that about beskar and bacta? That sounds like a Mandalorian's life."

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Zion Krayt]

The Jedi Master arrived just as the Grandmaster finished thanking everyone for coming. Of course those who didn't know what she was talking about would've been confused. They were on a fairly large ship with hundreds of Jedi and affiliates on board, they had all 'come' as well, but not all of them had come to go on this apparent mission to Reecee. There were only a few, several notable members of the Jedi Order. Several of them that he had yet to meet, in fact he only knew two people on the ship who were accompanying him on this mission.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] and [member="Kiskla Grayson"].

Former Padawan of his and friend respectively.

He glanced about the room to the other Jedi, [member="Kian Karr"], [member="Veino Garn"], and [member="Johnny Diamonds"]. He had seen the first two around, but not the last one that made up the trio, but the armoured sentinel only spared a moment for each of them.

"I should think there is no need to thank us for coming, Grandmaster. It is our duty to the Republic through the Jedi Order to be here and to be on this mission." It was said tightly, hardly any emotion in it. His rigid stance clearly complimented his tone. Of course the armour voice projector scrambled his actual tone to a monotone sound, but without it, it would've hardly changed anyway.

[member="Flint Dexen"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus blushed. "My recolletion, albeit vague, is that I handled myself poorly and if it were not for my fellow Jedi, who knows where I'd be now? But I lived and I learned. I may make foolish mistakes from time to time, but never the same one twice."

Turning to Veino, she said, "It's a saying on Corellia. Heroes are Knights in beskar armour. I guess that doesn't translate across the galaxy?"

And then she bowed to her former Master. "Master Bishop. So glad to have the opportunity to work with you again. I'm hopefully a different Padawan from the one you remember, although I trust some of the positive aspects are down to your early guidance."

[member="Zaren Bouqi"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Kian Karr"] [member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

She allowed for the communications to transpire, before replying mostly directly to Bishop -- a man who had involved himself in the affairs of the Jedi since being uncovered on Yinchorr several months ago. "Duty or not, some choose not to respond to it, nor make themselves available.

And all we need to fail, is for good Jedi to do nothing -- so I do appreciate everyone busying themselves with good work."

The blonde then reached into a compartment on the utility belt slung at her hips. Within moments, she produced a small, flat, circular device which lay flat in her palm.

"You all have a brief understanding of this mission in the fact that it is taking place in the Inner Rim of the Republic, and is primarily a research mission.

The motivation for this mission is primarily Alderaan, where The One Sith truly manifested their Vong allies. On Coruscant, a few touched the banks -- since then, they've flourished ten fold and are proving as much of a threat as the original Yuuzan Vong war." At this statement, the projector ignited with cerulean life and an image from the archives illuminated. Gently, Kiskla eased the projector to the floor for the image to be more viewable to all members in the room.

"In that time," while she spoke, the images moved to tell the story. It's images circulated to graphics of the struggle of the vong versus the soldiers that attempted to thwart the threat, while then moving to the weapon The Republic built "--The Republic built a weapon that would eradicate The Vong. It was destroyed, but I believe we still have the blueprints.

There is a team of Jedi and soldiers moving to confirm my suspicions on the Eclipse Station.

Our mission is to see if there are traces of the Vong nation that inhabited Reecee long ago, and bring them back to our researchers to assist in besting this current threat. But I'm sure there are many other questions, I wouldn't be surprised if most of you already did your research."

Now would be the time to ask.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] | [member="Flint Dexen"] | [member="Zaren Bouqi"] | [member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Johnny Diamonds]

Johnny finally managed to pick himself up off the floor, rubbing his lower back a bit as he did. Looking to Corvus as she spoke, he began to blush just a bit. He wasn't used to girls actually asking him how he was. At least not ones so pretty. He was young yet, only 19. He'd kept himself so far into technology, one could hardly blame him for his quirks around the fairer sex. "Uh, I'm doing alright, I guess. Um, how about you?" he said, managing a weak, almost shy smile. It was then that the Grandmaster of the Order made her way into the room, and Johnny just sort of shut his mouth. So much going on that he couldn't help but watch.

The Jedi assembled talked, caught up with one another, the camaraderie was actually really quite refreshing to the young Padawan. Man, John-boy, you really lucked out this time. So much going on, you might just be able to not end up making a TOTAL ass of yourself for once. Maybe, he thought to himself as Kiskla began to speak to them all. She produced a small holo-projector, and the images danced around, moving fluidly as she spoke of the Vong, and their objectives in this mission. A weapon that would eradicate the Vong? Johnny'd heard rumors of such a thing floating around the Holonet about such technology, but he didn't think they were really anything with substance. Apparently, he was wrong.

"Uh, I've read about the Vong. Kind of my thing...I'm from Coruscant originally, kind of wanna you know, get back home without being turned into some sorta Jedi hamburger. So, like, whatever you need tech-wise, I'm your dude...Grandmaster..."

The word Grandmaster came slowly from his lips, as his smile grew from one of confidence to that of sheepish embarrassment. Did he really just refer to himself as a dude to the Grandmaster of the Order? Smooth move, scatterbrain.


Corvus Raaf | Flint Dexen | Zaren Bouqi | Kian Karr | Veino Garn | [member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus had questions of course (including how extinct creatures were now being genetically engineered by the Sith) but there were Knights and a Master present, so she held her tongue until they had spoken.