Populate Outbound Flight: Terms and Conditions [THR Populate of Emberlene]

[Vornak]

VORNAK

Objective: The Hunt
Allies: Isla Reingard Devi Jyn-tal

"Quiet," Vornak repeated, at exactly the same volume as before.

He turned his head and found the newcomer standing behind them. That she had closed so quietly irked him more than her advice.

"Do I look like I sneak around? Very well, rule one. I will tiptoe through the man-eating jungle."

The gouges above them wept clear sap, the heat sat thick under the canopy. He nerked his chin towards Isla and got on with it, but he did lower his voice.

"For you, Reingard, I suggest considering your options when we find the predators. The predator - prey connection is strong. They will see us as food, not a threat. They will only slow down to inspect new prey."

"You could lift a beasts into the trees with the Force as a last resort."

He patted one of the hilts on his belt. His crest was half raised and mouth bent into something that was mostly a grin.

"You will be safe with me. And you..."

He turned to Devi.

"...I might let them eat."

 

[Dault Grimmin]

Dault took a slow sip of the spice wine within his goblet, making sure to dab his lips with a napkin to maintain his appearance as a socialite. He was just about to pick up a pastry from the buffet when he heard the sound of boots hitting the floor, and coming in his direction. He was half-terrified it was a member of the Republic Revenue Board that had found out about certain dealings but was relieved when it was revealed to be Keppler Danvier .

The man introduced himself as a Captain and a member of the Outbound Flight project, the program responsible for exploring the unknown reaches of space. He thought it was a brilliant scheme to divert the public's attention away from the fact that the Eleventh Sith Empire was closing in around the Republic's borders and had successfully taken Thyferra.

Dault took the man's hand, holding it firmly before letting it go. "For the Republic, Captain. We senators would travel to the very edge of the galaxy." He replied with a hand gesture, knowing that the Republic Senate was full of idealist and what better idea was it than to convince people they cared. He glanced over as the council attendant came scurrying out, reporting that the Council of Three would be out in a moment.

"Cost is merely a matter of perspective, my dear Captain. If the agreement benefit both parties then the Republic has triumphed here. On the other hand, if the terms are unreasonable. There is no harm in leaving the table despite the potential loss of the Ark." The Neimoidian replied knowing that cost was of no consequence when it came to making agreements, the Trade Federation was known for undercutting their own profits in order to score an agreement with another party in the hope of future gain ​

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

Verity Stuyveris was a vision in a dark navy suit. It might have been almost military if not for the fact that the pale cream blouse beneath her tailored blazer wasn't equipped with a rather feminine pussy bow, tied elegantly at the collar. She entered the conference room a few moments after the other two, having been snagged by Lucian Varencourt for a last-minute item before heading in. In one hand Verity held her briefcase, the other free and empty.

The way Verity saw it, this was a relatively simple: the Ark was going to be there. No one could say with certainty what it was and what kind of danger it posed. Everyone had theories, to be sure, but actual knowledge? Limited, on all parties. And the Republic couldn't move it at present. Couldn't. So it was going to stay there for the foreseeable future. This Council could choose to benefit from the expertise -- not to mention the money -- that the Republic was willing to bear. Or they could choose not to.

That didn't change the physics of the situation.

Ideally they would be sensible. If not, then a potentially dangerous, exceedingly large thing might well stay there forever. Or its orbit might decay and it might rain down destruction on the world. That was, Verity supposed, their choice to make. She and the other two were simply there to help them see the correct choice.

"Gentlemen," Verity said as she joined them. "I'm not late, I hope."

Dault Grimmin | Keppler Danvier​

 

[Isla Reingard]

Objective II - The Hunt​

A soft rustle behind them signaled another presence before a Mikkian stepped into view. Isla watched the newcomer enter the conversation, offering a dry critique about their noise level. The joke about Vornak tackling four beasts at once had been genuine observation on her part, given the giant's build, but the playful banter between the two adult Jedi was a welcome distraction.

Vornak's boisterous response to the stealth advice nearly broke her composure. The mental image of a four-armed, muscular Besalisk attempting to tiptoe through dense underbrush was absurd enough that she almost laughed out loud, catching herself just in time to shake her head in silent agreement.

When he pivoted back to answer her question, she focused attentively on his tactical advice regarding predator behavior. His parting joke to the Mikkian about letting the beasts eat her earned a quiet, muffled giggle from Isla.

A vibrating purr cut through the humid air before the giggle could fully fade. Leaves rustled violently at the edge of the trail, and Isla immediately took two quick steps backward, placing both larger Jedi between herself and the foliage.

"I think the smartest option here is letting you two handle it," she said, her tone completely flat and serious. It was in fact, her best option to work with here. Work smarter, not harder.

The bushes exploded outward as a massive Nexu leaped into the clearing. Rows of sharp teeth glinted and its quills stood on end as the predator hit the jungle floor, crouching low to size up the group.

Vornak | Devi Jyn-tal ​

 

[Luke Montann]

⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Locations⠀ The Ark
Objectives⠀ Explore, Pontificate
Tags⠀ Tatiana Sah l Connel Vanagor l Elionwy Tlestri


⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀LUKE MONTANN.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Engineer.
"The stars are ours to see, the galaxy is ours to set foot on."
Follow the stars..

═ Man's Gotta Earn a Living⠀═

Luke narrowed his eyes behind his helmet and crouched down, running one of his many scanners and environmental devices over the surface they were standing on. He didn't address anyone in particular, but he was clearly not happy with whatever this thing was.

"This thing was forgotten and abandoned a long time ago- maybe it should've been left where we found i-"

Then, Luke wretched.

The others could feel something probing at them for a moment, tendrils in the force reaching out from an unseen space before focusing on Luke. It was dark, it was old, and it was... curious. But Luke had no protection of the force, and Connell was far too late. He was lifted off of his feet, his fingers splaying out in pain. His head wretched to and fro, straining as if he was being forced to look. He saw it in his mind. Eons and eons ago, visions planted in his mind. Screeching words and grinding gears-

"Teeth, hunger, consuming, grinding, grinding all the way-"

Something, someone, planted ideas, thoughts, words, incomprehensible, untranslatable language in Luke's mind. Alien, foreign, unintelligble. Words that were not words, numbers, etchings, they formulated into thoughts, patterns and sounds that made up the language he was shown. He saw it in his mind, a layout, hands, many hands, five, ten fingers, no fingers, moving tools, moving food. Sitting, eating. Crew quarters.

"Engineer......"​

He said, as if hearing the word for the first time and repeating it. Then, he was... let go. He fell to the floor, his muscles relaxing all at once after contracting nearly so hard that it partially cracked some bones in his ribcage. He breathed deeply for a while before sitting up. He had a layout in his mind of the station, the Ark, somewhat. Like he'd been here before, been stationed here and knew a rough layout of the Ark. But only for a moment. It was pieces in his mind, unable to splice together the whole.

"Holy shit."

Was all he managed to say for the moment.

 

[Xandyr Carrick]

XANDYR

Fiona Tierney

"Darling, if you want to try out the big gun you'll have to avoid calling me a strumpet."

He tasted the word with theatrical offence, falling into step beside her as they left the shuttle behind.

"I shall have you know the guild registers me as a companion of the third circle. Strumpets have not made it to the third circle since the Old Republic."

The forest closed over them. Under the canopy the light went green and quiet, and the soft floor swallowed their footsteps. Xandyr adjusted to the silence without effort, the rifle held across his body, eyes moving in the slow, patient sweeps.

There was leaf litter torn in one patch. A claw mark on bark at shoulder height. Recent, and made by something with opinions about visitors.

"After the hunt, if there is a range at the lodge and I have rounds to spare." He glanced at her sidelong, and the warmth in it was unmistakable even in the dim green light.

"It has quite the kick. Good fun, but each round is expensive. And illegal."

The forest started to thin out and they found themselves at its edge. The small settlement head was little more than a landing pad and a collection of pre-fab shelters that had been turned into a town.

 

[Devi Jyn-tal]

REPUBLIC VANGUARD // ACTIVE FIELD RECORD
DEVI JYN-TAL​

LOCATION The Hunt ⟡ OBJECTIVE Glower at Vornak and not die​

Devi gave the Besalisk Jedi Master a rather dry look.

Then, with a snort, the Mikkian added dryly mid giving Isla a wink, "You are right, Master Vornak. That could very well be impossible for you."

It was a joke, of course, but with how flatly the Mikkian delivered it and the almost sassy way her head-tendrils shifted and swayed around her head, perhaps that was not entirely obvious. Those tendrils were doing overtime, continuously sampling the humid jungle air, temperature, direction, distant vibrations and sounds...including the low purr coming from the foliage.

Devi's amusement over her golden face vanished, and her tendrils angled sharply toward the disturbance a heartbeat before the Nexu crashed through.

"Oh, karabast~!" she cursed as she instinctively moved, drawing herself between Isla and the predator, one hand snapping toward the lightsaber at her hip as the Nexu sprang. Yellow light hissed to life, but instead of attacking the beast, Devi twisted aside and swept her free hand upward to catch the massive feline mid-lunge.

For one very brief moment, several hundred pounds of angry Nexu hung rather indignantly in the air, Devi's boots slid backward through the dirt from the effort.

"Master Vornak!" Her golden eyes darted toward him. "I am reconsidering your tree idea!"

With another push, Devi sent the Nexu sideways rather than upward, crashing it through a curtain of broad jungle leaves and buying them several precious meters of distance.

She did not pursue it; instead, the Mikkian Vanguard dropped into a guarded stance between Isla and the predator, holding her lightsaber defensively as her pale tendrils spread and shifted, listening for movement beyond what her eyes could immediately follow. They were after all, dealing with a predator that was likely hungry, territorial, and more than a little agitated.

And it could have a family it may be trying to protect -- none of those were crimes worthy of death.

"Do not attack unless it comes again," Devi warned, blunt but calm. "We walked into its jungle."

A growl rolled from somewhere behind the leaves and Devi's tendrils gave a twitch as the sensory organs began to paint the scenery in light and dark tones for a better visual.

"...Although if anyone is getting eaten, I would recommend they start with Master Vornak -- The extra arms to chew on, of course."

Again, a joke... but who knows how well that landed.

// ITEMS • SABER • SHIP •MIKKIAN //
INTERACTING WITH | Vornak Isla Reingard ​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Objective: 2

​

The last of the creatures was finally contained, and the tension that had settled over the area he was working on began to ease. Aiden remained where he was for a few moments, watching the hunters secure their positions while the other Jedi checked the surrounding ground for any sign that something had been missed.

"That should be the last of them, in this area anyway. We can press onward and check the others." Aiden said, looking toward the hunters with a small nod.

A few of the others relaxed at that, but Aiden continued scanning the area. The objective had been completed on his end, though he had no intention of walking away until he knew the creatures were properly secured and the locals were safe.

"Make sure the restraints hold and check the surrounding paths one more time. I don't want one of these things slipping loose after we leave and making all of this pointless." His expression became more serious as he looked over the group. "Let's finish up here and move on."

THREAD EXIT​

 

[Keppler Danvier]

Senator Grimmin's declaration as to his willingness to traverse stars for the Republic was met with a polite smile, though Kepp's eyes betrayed his doubt. He realised almost immediately that he was a fool for not covering up his distaste. The political side of this Outbound Flight assignment were going to take their toll. The sooner Senator Praxon took up his permanent role as lead diplomatic envoy the better. Old seadogs weren't cut out for these political games.

The comments following the humble brag did raise Danvier's eyebrows. If Grimmin felt that it was an option to abandon the Ark, then maybe he would not be the ally Kepp had hoped. He did not much care for having to wrangle those that were supposed to be on his side.

His lips parted to offer rebuttal but was forestalled by the arrival of the statuesque senator of Druckenwell. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that her stature matched her reputation, her gaze level with his. "Senator. Greetings. Just in time..."

Again, he was cut short. But with no sign of frustration, he turned, with a practiced poise, towards the Council as they entered the room.

Just briefly, Keppler did look back towards their entrance, wondering if the third delegate would be joining them.

Dault Grimmin Verity Stuyveris Briana Sal-Soren​

 

[Pillar of Freedom]

​

The doors opened will little ceremony.

First came the tall, narrow-headed councillor, moving with the stiff dignity of a man accustomed to being listened to. Beside him walked the heavier alien councillor, his dark eyes sweeping over the assembled Republic delegation with open curiosity. The woman strode confidently between them. She did not need to be introduced as their leader.

There was something in the way the other two unconsciously measured their pace against hers, and in the way attendants watched her rather than them. She crossed the room without haste and took the central chair, folding her hands before her. The others seated themselves only after she had done so.

The Muun councillor inclined his head. "I am Councillor Vaesh Rintal," he said, his voice dry and resonant. "To my right, Councillor Omm Varell. At the centre, First Councillor Saeva Nahl, Speaker of the Three and custodian of Farreach's covenant."

Omm dipped his head towards the visitors. "Republic come far," he said in heavily fractured Basic. "Bring much noise with it."

Vaesh gave him the faintest sidelong glance before an attendant stepped forward carrying a shallow bronze dish. Within it rested a pale oil, and even from across the table its fragrance was apparent, something close to lemon layered over a darker, resinous scent.

Varesh dipped two fingers into it and marked the centre of his forehead. Omm followed. Saeva performed the gesture last, with quiet precision.

The attendant then turned towards the Republic delegation.

"It is customary," Vaesh explained, "that no covenant begins with an uncovered brow. The oil represents clarity of intention. Those who negotiate beneath this roof are expected to wear it."

The wording was courteous. The expectation was not clear. And once the ritual had been observed, there seeed little appetite for ceremony.

"We have no desire to waste your time, Captain Danvier...Senators," Vaesh continued, settling his long hands upon the table. "Nor ours."

Saeva remained silent. Her eyes rested upon Keppler.

"Your Republic has brought this...Ark...and unwanted attention to our skies. Whether by design or simple consequence, Farreach has now attracted notice from powers which previously had little reason to concern themselves with us."

Omm leaned forward. "Ssi-Ruuk know now. They see. They remember."

Vaesh continued, unbothered by his colleagues interjection. "Accordingly, the Council of Three proposes terms."

He raised one rather lengthy finger. "Farreach is to be admitted into the Republic, with every right, protection and privilege afforded to any other member world."

A second finger rose. "A permanent naval presence sufficient to deter invasion is to be stationed within this system. Not patrol craft. We mean warships."

A third boney finger lifted. "And the Jedi shall establish a permanent garrison upon Farreach, to assist in containing the creatures beyond the settled territories."

For the first time, Saeva moved. Her gaze shifted towards Vaesh. He stopped speaking immediately and put his hand down.

The moment lingered, but Omm seemed intent to speak further. Saeva cast him a glance, but the Aqualish seemed to ignore it.

"Republic bring danger," he said. "Republic help keep danger out."

Dault Grimmin Verity Stuyveris

​

 

[Dault Grimmin]

Dault glanced toward the entryway as Senator Verity Stuyveris came into the room. He knew her as the foremost defender of the Republic's democracy and even had enough political influence to unseat the current Chancellor should the public turn against Vexx's use of emergency powers to combat the Eleventh Sith Empire. He had his own ambitions for the chair, though he was smart enough not to make his intentions known until later.

He offered a polite nod of his head as she joined them at the table. "A pleasure, Senator Stuyrveris. You always arrive on time." Before he could say anything further to his colleague, the Council of Three Pillar of Freedom soon joined them accompanied by attendants. Dault remained silent as they introduced themselves. He found it strange to anoint himself with oil, but did so none the less once offered as to not offend their potential partners.

He pulled out the datapad within his coat and began looking up information to cross-reference as they stated their demands. Simply put they wanted full membership within the republic, a naval fleet of warships and a dedicated Jedi garrison. He almost spit out the spice wine he had been drinking, coughing into his hand to keep from spraying it across the table.

"A most..ambitious starting position, Councilor." Dault said, with a soft smile on his face. "While the military garrisons and instant membership are within the purview of the Republic Senate. I'm afraid that we cannot negotiate terms over Jedi involvement without the High Council's attendance here." He continued with a gesture, wanting them to understand that the Republic and the Jedi Order were allies of mutual convenience. And therefore it would be irresponsible for the delegation here to offer any certainty that the Jedi would drop everything for a local backwater.

He paused for a moment, his eyes looking over the three leaders before gesturing towards his colleague. "I must defer to my esteemed colleague, Senator Stuyveris, on the finer diplomatic points of such commitments. I am certain she shares my... fascination with the scope of your request." He leaned back, picking up a frosted pastry from his repulsor-buffet, content to let her handle the brunt of the immediate pushback.​

 

[Elionwy Tlestri]

Elionwy listened to Tatiana without interruption, though the slight narrowing of her eyes betrayed the speed with which she was sorting observation from interpretation.

Something upon Connel's drone feed arrested her attention. Along one of the distant surfaces was a sequence of markings, too regular to dismiss as damage and too indistinct at this angle to comfortably identify as writing.

"Connel, hold the drone there for a moment," she said, her tone sharpening with immediate interest. "Bring it closer and give me as direct a view of those markings as you can. Record the surrounding surface as well. I do not want the symbols separated from whatever context their placement might provide."

Her attention returned to Tatiana.

"When Master von Ascania touched the device, did the machinery begin before the apparent draw upon the Force, or simultaneously? And was the effect confined to her initially?" Her tone remained measured, and professorial.

She had only just looked back toward the bridge when something moved through the Force. Elionwy stopped.

It was not merely another oppressive sensation hanging over the Ark. There was direction to it. Attention. It found the engineer.

Whatever composure had made her seem almost detached vanished into immediate purpose. She turned as he rose from the deck, crossing the distance before he had finished falling. Elionwy dropped beside him, one hand steadying his shoulder while the other went immediately to check his pulse and respiration, her eyes searching his face for responsiveness and signs of neurological distress.

"Do not stand," she ordered, her voice low, firm and entirely without room for negotiation.

Her gaze snapped toward Connel. "Record everything. Exact wording, timing, his physical response, and whatever your instruments registered when it focused upon him." Then her attention returned wholly to Luke.

"Look at me. Tell me your name. Tell me where you are." She listened to his breathing, watching for pain or asymmetry after the severity of the contractions she had witnessed. "Get a medical team here and have him transferred to Outbound Flight immediately," Elionwy called. "Full neurological examination, imaging, and continuous monitoring."

Only then did her eyes briefly flick toward the machine. Whatever it was, it had just ceased being merely mysterious. It had demonstrated something akin to will.

Luke Montann Tatiana Sah Connel Vanagor​

 

[Vornak]

VORNAK

Isla Reingard Devi Jyn-tal

"Four arms means four times the chewing, Knight Jyn-tal, so I would thank you to stop volunteering me for the menu."

The nearer hilt left his belt and ignited with a snap-hiss, and Vornak was already drifting as the blade came up. His boots were quiet on the leaf litter for all his size, until his bulk and the light of it sat square across the beast's line back towards the trail. He did not turn his head when he spoke to the girl.

"Reingard, there is a thick trunk behind you. If this goes poorly, you get up it and stay there, and that is an order. But this is also an excellent teaching opportunity."

"As for the rule. I am not attacking anything. If the beast comes head on, that is its own bad judgement." His crest had lifted fully now, and he rolled his shoulders once, gauntlets flexing, the four of them settled and easy in a way that a man who had never seen a Besalisk work would have called calm.

"But do not bank on it losing interest. Reingard, note it's posture, its ears are flat and its quills are up. It's an alpha predator. It has no fear, but it has preservation instinct. It is merely surprised at what happened. We are outsiders. We must be prey because everything is prey."

He took a slow step to the left and swung his lightsaber slowly. The hum and the light also confused the nexu.

"Stay behind us and reach out with the Force. Can you feel it's motivations? Can you feel the moment it will strike? Does it want to attack the bold and powerful jedi general or the sassy snack beside him?"

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Raiders of the Not so lost Ark
Farreach Orbit
Ark

Companions/Droids Every Day Gear Locations

• COMPANIONS / DROIDS
  
  • Wife ("Lira Vanagor")
  • Gallinorese Mountain Aak Dog ("Buster")
  • BB4-80 ("Brad")
  • B5-55
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • "Jedi Defender" Corvette
  • X-wing
  • Speeder
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear
  
  • When in Regular Robes/Gear
    • Lightsaber
    • 5 Throwing Lightknives
  • Headset Microphone Comm-Link
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

Connel was already moving when Luke struck the deck.

He knelt opposite Elionwy, leaving her room to assess the man while his eyes swept the bridge and the machinery beyond it. His hand hovered near Luke’s arm, ready to steady him without interfering with her examination. Whatever had reached them had passed through the space where Connel had offered calm. He had felt its attention.

He had not stopped it.

Medical team to our position, he called over the expedition channel. One casualty following direct mental contact with an unknown presence. Severe involuntary contractions. Possible skeletal injuries. Bring a stretcher. His visor continued recording. UAD, preserve the entire sequence. Synchronize sensor readings with audio and video. Keep the original files.

Only then did he glance toward Elionwy.

We have it. Teeth. Hunger. Consuming. He could still hear Luke struggling around the words.

And then— Engineer.

Connel looked at the scanner the man had been using.

A coincidence, perhaps. Luke had been examining the deck when the contact began. Whatever reached him might have responded to the instrument, his proximity, his thoughts, or something none of them could yet perceive. But it was a question worth keeping.Luke, you don’t need to explain anything yet, he said. “Let her check you.[/COLOR]

He rose slowly, placing himself between the injured man and the direction from which he had felt that attention come. It offered no certain protection. He did it anyway. Across the void, the machine remained the center of every line his eyes followed. Tatiana’s account returned in pieces. Disturbed crews aboard distant ships. An effect directed outward. Machinery answering Corazona’s touch. A draw upon the Force.

Now Luke.

No one attempt another contact, Connel said. We need to understand what just happened before we give it another opportunity. Time to put on the “Master” hat, if only for a moment.

He brought Tatiana’s supplied observations beside the current recording, marking the reported activation for later comparison. His hands moved with practiced economy, but his thoughts had already gone beyond the display. Corazona had approached as a Jedi. Luke had approached with engineering instruments.

Had the difference mattered?

Tatiana. During the first encounter, did anyone receive images of ordinary life aboard this place? Quarters. Meals. People working? He turned slightly toward her. Or information they hadn’t brought with them?

The UAD still held the markings Elionwy had identified. Connel saved their location and instructed it to continue recording from its present position. There would be time to move closer once Luke was clear.

If those fragments proved to describe real compartments, they might have something they could compare against the survey. A partial layout. An unfamiliar tool. Even the shape of a doorway. Something testable. He looked toward Elionwy. Once he’s stable, offer him a way to record what remains. Sketches, words, whatever he can manage. At his pace.

His gaze returned to the bridge.

I’m wondering whether it recognized what he does. The thought had come quietly. Spoken aloud, it seemed to acquire weight. Cora’s contact involved power. His seems to have involved technical information. That could be accidental. It could also mean this thing responds differently according to who approaches it.

Connel let his awareness settle close around the group again. He would offer what steadiness he could while watching for another intrusion. This time, he knew how little warning they might receive. A vast chamber. A machine that had begun to wake. Glimpses of hands at work, of food and quarters, buried inside a man who had never lived here.

His eyes narrowed. Before they tried to move the Ark, they needed to understand what moving it would serve.There’s another possibility we should keep open, he said. He glanced back at the scanner lying near Luke.

It may be looking for a crew.

Elionwy Tlestri • Luke Montann • Tatiana Sah
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

"Councilors, I'm pleased to meet you. I'm Verity Stuyveris, Senator for Druckenwell." Verity turned to the being bearing the oil and replicated the gesture she witnessed the others do. The substance was pleasantly fragrant. She bowed her head slightly before she took her seat. She withdrew her datapad from her case and set about taking notes as the conversation progressed. When Dault Grimmin handed the ball off to her, Verity glanced over at him with a pleasant disposition.

"My colleague is correct in all respects," said the Senator for Druckenwell. "Although I would add -- there are certain procedures and protocols that must be followed in order for your world to join the Republic. If it is your wish to join the Republic, which you have just expressed that it is, you must be sponsored and submit membership application. There is a certain process by which membership is ratified, so we are unable, today, to guarantee your entry into the Republic, but what I can promise is this: I will personally sponsor your membership and do everything in my power to shepherd Farreach's membership into the Republic."

She was uneasy treating membership in the Republic as a simple matter of consideration in some bargain.

Verity shifted forward a little, resting her stylus on her datapad. She clasped her long fingers together and studied the three councilors in turn over them. "Should your world become a member of the High Republic, that would place it within the same system of collective defense as every other member world. That doesn't typically mean that a cruiser or three will be parked permanently in your system. I don't think a responsible government could make that guarantee like that, particularly now that we are at war. But what I can tell you is that as prospective members of the High Republic your security would no longer be only your obligation."

"As to the Jedi, Senator Dault is correct again. They are not ours to command, but we can certainly communicate a request to them. In my experience, the Jedi are often on the lookout for ways to assist."

Dault Grimmin | Keppler Danvier​

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

The heat of the day had managed to work a curl loose from her hair by the time she reached the council building. Quickly tucking the wayward hair gingerly behind the curved scroll of her ear, Briana took a minute and paused under the shade of the stone archway. One breath, then another, and by the third her pulse steadied and her shoulders had come down from somewhere near her ears. Then, with the brisk thoroughness a pilot might give a ship before takeoff, Briana gave herself a once-over, making sure to brush away any lingering dust and smooth down any wrinkles or bunches in her tunic so she'd look as presentable as possible.

Arriving late was bad enough, and she saw no reason to look as though she'd run the whole way. Which, for the last stretch, she rather had.

An attendant outside the chamber was courteous enough to give her a brief account of the discussion so far, which she was thankful to learn was just getting underway, then explained the non-negotiable custom of the shallow bronze dish by the door. With some impatience, and a breath out her nose, Briana dipped two fingers into the oil and touched them to her brow, doing whatever she needed to hurry this part of the process along before she missed any more of the discussion.

The doors parted just as Verity finished speaking of the Jedi's willingness to help, and Briana waited for the Senator to reach the end of her sentence before fully stepping inside, making her way to where the others were already seated. “I may be able to spare you some correspondence, Senator.” She said by way of introduction, inclining her head to their hosts, first. "Jedi Knight Briana Sal-Soren. Please forgive my lateness, I was helping coordinate the hunt on the ground, and time got away from me." She nodded to Verity and Senator Grimmin, then met Keppler's eye and gave him a small smile. "Captain, good to see you again."

Drawing out the empty chair beside him, Briana took a seat and set out her datapad before her, settling neatly folded hands to the side of it and proceeding to straighten her shoulders, turning her gaze to the council.

“A lasting Jedi presence is certainly worth discussing and warranted,” she said, looking toward First Councillor Nahl. “Perhaps we could begin with where our people might be based and what support could be arranged locally." She removed the stylus from the side of her datapad and pressed it against the screen until it lit up and was ready to take notes. "We would welcome a partnership with your hunters, and I’d be interested to hear how you envision those responsibilities being shared. Are you looking for Jedi to reinforce their efforts, or hoping we might assume a broader responsibility for the frontier as a whole? Understanding the expectation would help us agree on a commitment the Order can reliably maintain alongside its existing obligations.”

TAG: Keppler Danvier , Verity Stuyveris , Dault Grimmin

​

 

[Isla Reingard]

Eyeing the back and forth between the two older Jedi, Isla calculated the odds. Offering up the Besalisk first made complete tactical sense. He possessed enough bulk and extra limbs to keep the creature occupied for twice as long, giving everyone else a generous head start to run.

Adrenaline glued her boots to the ground, though her instincts had already backed her against the massive tree trunk Vornak had pointed out. Scaling it remained a tempting fallback option. Instead, she anchored her stance and focused on the massive predator as it recovered in the brush, doing her best to absorb the Besalisk's steady lecture without losing sight of those sharp, gleaming quills.

"Reach out," Vornak instructed.

Reluctantly, Isla closed her eyes and extended her awareness into the surrounding foliage. Searching through the living current, she immediately hit a wall of intense energy radiating from the creature. It was raw, volatile, and deeply protective, humming with a primal drive that went beyond simple hunger.

"Uh, I think I can," Isla called out, her voice betraying a faint tremor as she probed deeper into the beast's mind. Fear and maternal instinct resonated sharply through the bond.

Reopening her eyes, she fixed her gaze on Vornak's broad back. "It is definitely going to eat you first, Master."

"She's trying to push us away from something," Isla added, her tone sharpening with sudden realization. "Maybe we should listen?"

Vornak | Devi Jyn-tal​

 

[Luke Montann]

⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Locations⠀ The Ark
Objectives⠀ Explore, Pontificate
Tags⠀ Tatiana Sah l Connel Vanagor l Elionwy Tlestri


⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀LUKE MONTANN.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Engineer.
"The stars are ours to see, the galaxy is ours to set foot on."
Follow the stars..

═ Man's Gotta Earn a Living⠀═

Luke craned his neck and swatted away any attempts to help him. His head felt... clearer. Like he could understand something now, a math problem having been solved. The noise was gone, the grinding of teeth. But an intense desire replaced it. Luke stood up to his feet- almost as if someone was pulling him by his chest. He dusted himself off and shook a bit.

And then, he walked. And held out his hand. A light on his forearm activated and he pointed it at the wall. A set of etchings, markings, and what clearly was some sort of signage.

"I can read it."

He said, incredulously to himself as much as the others. He turned his head towards the group, his helmet peeling down off of his head, layer by layer, metal folding under metal and collapsing just behind his head. He turned and pointed, eyes scrunching.

"I- I know where this goes.. It's like I've been here." He said, holding his head for a moment. He cried out in pain, but perhaps moreso surprise than anything. Images flooded his mind, the same as before. More clear now, more vivid. He was walking down the hallway. Eyes cast down, away from-

He looked up, and pointed his light. Walkways above the one they were on. Viewpoints. Accessible to the entire floor they were on. They were to watch them. He couldn't help but think that he was being watched now. He was. He could feel eyes, many eyes. He had to move. He had to keep walking- towards the power generator.

The machine wanted to wake up. The machine stirred beneath their feet. Not like when Corazona von Ascania did so- it was winding up, not screaming. Calmer, gentler. But still menacing. Doors shut behind the entry team. Magnetic locks.

"Power plants, generators- big ones. Down that hallway. Six doors on the right. Don't go- in other doors. Others."

His head craned back, and his eyes rolled back once more. He strained to speak once more, his eyes rolling back in his head. He grit his teeth, and was pulled seemingly again, by his chest, just ever slightly upwards.

"OUT OF THE DEPTHS-


OUT OF THE DARKNESS."​

He fell down- or perhaps was put down. His head rolled down and he looked back at his compatriots.

"I- I can destroy it. It wants me- it wants me to turn it on. Turn it on all the way. It wants to turn on."

 

[Keppler Danvier]

The oil ritual was accommodated fairly quickly, though Kepp wondered if he had put enough on his fingertip. The councillors appeared unbothered. With no complaints or requests for a redo, he took his seat, though leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

The demands of the council brought not one, but two whole raised eyebrows. It was certainly a lot. And given how far from the hypergate, let alone from the Republic itself, there were certainly doubts in his mind that the Republic would be so accommodating.

The Captain's raised eyebrows descended into a frown that responsibility had carved into his features.

Grimmin nimbly deferred to Stuyveris and as she spoke, Keppler felt the likelihood of a loud clearing of his throat to rapidly increase. Instead, he deferred to measured words.

"Permanent commitments to Farreach's defence...are not in the best interest of the Republic," his eyes removed from the Senators and found the intense gaze of the Chiss woman on the other side of the table. He spoke directly to her. "The logistics, and dare I say it...the expense of a permanent and reinforceable garrison of ships in this system are simply too much to commit to."

The costs alone would be astronomical. And the harsh reality of protecting a planet with one hundred thousand residents? It would be cheaper to relocate them within Republic borders.

Finally, the fourth member of their negotiation team stepped into the room. He found it curiously hard to pull his attention from the Chiss, like something tugging at his subconscious. With a few blinks, he managed it, and offered a glance and a pursed smile towards Sal-Soren.

"Glad to have you on board," he muttered. It was good to see her again, though he would not say as much, nor mention that he was glad she had taken the route of amnesty. It showed some degree of wisdom, something sorely needed in the Republic.

Leaning back in his chair, and crossing his legs, Keppler found himself casually scratching at his beard — it was taking time to get used to it — as he listened to Sal-Soren's list of questions. They seemed reasonable, but there remained misgivings about the speed at which concessions were being entertained, an apprehension compounded by the Chiss' presence.

Dault Grimmin Verity Stuyveris Briana Sal-Soren​

 

[Pillar of Freedom]

​

The speed with which the Republic delegation had begun setting limitations upon the negotiations appeared to have an effect upon the councillors. The Muun, previously sitting with his hands folded neatly before him, drew back into his chair, his long fingers coming together beneath his chin. To the Chiss' other side, the Aqualish shifted his weight, adjusting his posture with a deliberate slowness that betrayed rather more than his expression.

The Chiss herself remained unmoved. Her crimson gaze lingered upon Captain Danvier, though it eventually travelled towards Senator Stuyveris, settling upon her with an intensity that seemed to deepen the longer she looked. There was something strangely deliberate about the transition, as though her attention had found a new purpose.

"With respect, Captain," the Muun, Vaesh, began, "you brought this object into our system, and with it the attention of the Ssi-Ruuk Imperium. We appreciate the limitations upon your resources, but surely you appreciate the precarious position in which this leaves our people."

"Your problem. Now our problem," the Aqualish added, with a guttural insistence.

Vaesh turned his attention towards Senator Stuyveris, his expression softening for affect. "We are, of course, grateful for your generous offer of sponsorship, Senator. We trust that your personal involvement will help expedite the application process. Our circumstances leave us precious little time for prolonged deliberations. I certainly wish to take advantage of this instant membership of which Senator Grimmin speaks."

A slight movement near the chamber entrance drew the Chiss' attention. An attendant had entered, though rather than interrupting the proceedings, they waited until a subtle inclination of her head summoned them forward. Leaning close, the attendant whispered something into her ear, their voice carrying a questioning lilt, though the words remained inaudible to those across the table.

The Chiss considered the matter briefly before offering a single nod. The attendant withdrew.

"Perhaps," the Muun continued, turning towards Briana, "a broader responsibility should be discussed. Should we be assured of the Jedi living up to the legendary reputation."

Dault Grimmin Verity Stuyveris Briana Sal-Soren

OOC NOTE TO ALL IN OBJECTIVE TWO:
Farreach's hunters are receiving orders to withdraw from the hunt, leaving the Jedi to address the wildlife threat without local assistance.

​