Faction Science often spills blood

[Laphisto]

The market square of Bastion was alive in its usual state of ordered chaos. Stonework avenues were choked with stalls and makeshift kiosks, every corner draped in cloth banners of muted colors or strung with glowing strips of light. The din of voices filled the air vendors shouting prices, customers haggling, children darting between carts layered over the mechanical whine of hovercarts carrying crates and the rhythmic clang of tools striking metal.

Scents collided in the air: spiced meats roasting on open braziers, bitter stimulants brewing in copper pots, the tang of machine oil from droid parts stacked in piles, and the dry dust kicked up by so many boots scuffing against the plaza floor. Street performers added their own discordant rhythm, drums and whistles competing against the chatter, while security patrols in teal armor worked their way through the crowd, their presence watchful but not intrusive.

Amidst the press of bodies and sound, one detail stood out from the flow: a crimson lantern hung above a narrow stall near the western edge of the square. Its light flickered faintly, swaying in the breeze, a simple but unmistakable marker. The stall itself blended easily with its neighbors, its goods concealed beneath layered cloths and its keeper half-lost in shadow. Only the lantern gave it distinction, the single sign set out for one who had been sent word beforehand.

The letter delivered to Liin Terallo spoke of opportunity, of records and knowledge long hidden, of a chance to advance research that had stalled against Bastion's guarded walls. It was a message without signature, sealed only with the geometric stamp of the archives. And it had pointed here, to this very square, where the mundane and the clandestine brushed shoulders without ever acknowledging one another. Now, the appointed place waited. The crimson lantern glowed, the crowd surged and swirled, and somewhere within the bustle, answers lay ready for discovery.

 

[Liin Terallo]

The letter had arrived in an unusual fashion. It had been slipped through a tiny gap between the door of my laboratory and it's floor. I was alerted to it's arrival by the speciman that Mr. Usher had given me some time ago. It tapped on it's atrium with it's centipede-like feet to catch my attention, pulling me away from my microscope.

At first I had thought that the letter might of been written by Saul. But the penmanship was too perfect. The content of the letter was curious enough to compel me to investigate.

Another tap on the glass shifted my focus, returning it to the specimen. It's form twisted and reshaping as many of it's legs moved up onto it's back to make it appear as though it was covered in barbed quills. "No, you cannot come with me. It will be too public with too many people. And yes, I know that you can watch over me, but I need you here to guard the laboratory. You need to protect it's secrets." The brave specimen had nearly given up it's life to save me from a Chiss bounty hunter. And so I have rewarded it with plenty of food and a larger atrium to reside in. Some might find it terrifying to look at; but the same could be said about his master Mister Usher as well. Their frightening looks do not make them untrustworthy.

Hours later I found myself in the square designated in the letter. And perhaps even against my better judgement I had sent word for Saul to meet me here. I had not told him about the letter. I carry it within a pocket of my dress, however it's words are memorized. It instructed me to find a crimson lantern. Yet due to my colorblindness; I cannot point it out. But Saul could. I am sure of it.

Now I just waited for him to arrive amongst the sea of folks mingling in an around the square.

Tags: Laphisto Saul Whesai

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul wasn't sure what to make of Liin's request to walk with her to a crimson lantern meant, and yet he still came. Waving to her as they met a couple of blocks away, she would see him have a holstered VM-19 blaster on his utility belt. Dressed in his casual punk outfit as he walked up to her with a wave. "Glad to see you wanted a second date so soon. Oh here..." He reached out a pair of glasses into her hand. If she tried them on, the custom lenses would allow her to hopefully at least see some colors. They were abit pricey but such an important person like she was was worth investing in.

As they walked, Saul softly whistled to himself as he tried to dare himself to hold her hand but seeing how his last attempt at romancing the scientific queen went, he decided to keep his hands in his pockets. The last thing they needed was to make a scene out in the open. Helping steer her through the crowded market district, he helped her search for her objective.

Stopping them in front of the intended stall's blood red lantern as it blew in the breeze. "Well, here's where you wanted to go..." Given that Liin had only told him where she had wanted to go without giving him any details, he could only hope that they were in the right place and Liin didn't get them both in a trap by bounty hunters that wanted her hide. Either way, he had a grip on his pistol, just in case.

Laphisto , Liin Terallo , Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Liin Terallo]

I give Saul a hint of a smile as he remarks on this being a second date. Does every interaction have to be considered a date? Is that how it works? Or is he merely toying with me? It does not feel like a date. But then again how would I know? I have no experience with these things unlike everyone else.

I raise a curious eyebrow as he gives me the glasses. "Are they a new type of safety goggles?" There is an odd tint to them. I slip them on stand there for a moment in stunned silence. The tints and shades of everything in view of the lenses is different; more distinctive. They could be very beneficial for my work. I remove them and pocket them next to the letter before linking my arm with Saul's as one should do with a proper escort. "Thank you. I am certain that they will be put to good use."

I allow him to lead me through the market. He knows of what I am looking for, yet even I am in the dark as to why I want to be there. The promise of aid in my research is very much a draw. But it could also be a ruse for someons to gain my research. At least I had brought none of it with me.

We had arrived. And Saul had mentioned as much. "Yes, it seems so. Unless there are more crimson lanterns about?" I can only hope that there is not.

Tags: Saul Whesai Laphisto Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Laphisto]

The market hummed around them, the press of bodies and the scent of spices forming a backdrop so constant it almost faded to silence. It was in that moment of stillness that a figure slid into place beside Liin and her escort, as if he had been part of the crowd all along. His coat was plain, his clothes unremarkable, but the sharpness of his gaze and the deliberate calm in his movements betrayed a man who did not belong to the square.

He inclined his head politely, speaking in a low, steady voice."Miss Terallo. I am pleased you chose to come. Curiosity is the mark of a true scientist." Without further preamble, he set a small canister down on the table. Its outer casing was plain steel, but within visible through a reinforced slo rested a crystalline jewel in the shape of a tear. Its inner light refracted strangely, as if alive, hues shifting in ways the lantern above could not account for. The air around it seemed to tighten, as though the square itself hushed in deference to its presence.

"This is what brings us here," the man said simply. "A relic, known to some as a Fire Tear. One of many pulled from the frozen world of Kiev'ara. and recovered from some archive. It is no mere mineral. It is alive in ways our sciences cannot yet explain resonant with the Force, reactive to thought, memory, even intent. The Jedi have hidden from such truths, the Sith twisted them for power. We wish to understand them. To own that understanding."

Leaning back, he folded his hands loosely, voice lowering just enough to cut under the roar of nearby vendors.
"The Diarchy is building something new: a department dedicated to Force science. Not mysticism. Not Jedi superstition. Not Sith corruption. Science. We intend to take relics like this, strip them of myth, and uncover what truly makes them function. That knowledge will shape the future. We need someone to lead that work."

His eyes flicked briefly to Saul again before returning to Liin. "You have the reputation. The mind. And, I suspect, the will to walk where others flinch." He tapped the canister once, a soft tok against the table. "This is what waits for you if you choose to accept. Resources. Staff. Facilities. Access to material most scholars only dream of. The Diarchy values those who bring us results, Miss Terallo. Loyalty will be rewarded. And discoveries like this will not be left to gather dust in some archive." The Fire Tear gleamed faintly, as if catching the lantern light in an unnatural way. Around them, the market's noise surged on, oblivious, yet the small table seemed carved out of the chaos an island of gravity where an offer heavier than coin had just been laid down.

Liin Terallo Saul Whesai Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Liin Terallo]

A man appeared beside me. At first I had expected that he was but another curious customer looking through the vendor's wares. Yet his gaze told me otherwise. He produced a curious little trinket, which I had assumed would come with an elaborate tale upon which would explain the rarity of a unique purchase.

But that is not what he spoke of at all. Yes the item was rare, almost seeming to be alive in some manner, yet what the man wanted from me was not a bunch of credits. What he wanted from me was scientific study.

My eyebrows rose in surprise. Force science seemed to be a bit of an oxymoron. Was he asking me to almost debunk the myths and bring about scientific answers based purely on fact rather than fiction? In some ways that is partly what my own research is about. At least when it comes to the magical Force itself. I had used science to replicate it. Yet the consequences of that are still being worked out.

"You are offering me a job?" Diarch Rellik had informed me before that I could decide to work for them if I had wanted to. Perhaps they had found such a position for me. And now it is being offered. "And where would these facilities be located?" I have become somewhat of a recluse since New Cov had fallen, and the very idea of running a team filled me with a bit of aprehension. However my experience in once running NCBC and others for a time trumped that.

But I wonder if history would repeat itself and I would have to run away again. I certainly hope not. Yet there is no telling of who would be after the artifacts being brought to the laboratory for study.

Tags: Laphisto Saul Whesai Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul raised an eyebrow, hand on his holster as the man suddenly appeared beside them. Was this who Liin was supposed to meeting? The capsule he put down sent explanation points through his brain. It took all of his being not to pull his pistol out, and if this was some kind of gas canister, they both were dead nerf meat... Thankfully, it wasn't the attack he feared.

The Jewel that was inside wasn't something he had ever seen before, and he had been to all parts of this galaxy. By the man's words, it seemed like the Diarchy had decided to engage in grave robbing... It sounded like they hadn't even known the first thing about this crystal. That's why they needed Liin to figure out its powers for them.

The cyborg was dubious about this mysterious man's sales pitch, but then again, he couldn't help but be a skeptic about any offer like this. Still, he kept silent, letting Liin make the decision alone to accept or decline. If she did take the offer, though, her expertise probably would be a boost to the effort of whatever the Diarchy planned to do with this gem.

Liin Terallo , Laphisto
​

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

I find this situation particularly amusing, seeing Liin Terallo apply for the diarchy, not so long ago it was me who worked for her in her lab on New Cov, she taught me the basics of biology and without her and Rellik, I wouldn't be where I am today.

The fact that Laphisto is offering her a high-ranking position in the Diarchy makes me smile, I step forward into the street near the lantern to intervene in their discussion, until now I had remained in the shadow of a lamppost, waiting for an opportunity to speak.

As if to answer Liin's first question concerning the latest facilities, I place my hands in my pockets, a sign that I am not hostile in this discussion.

"Our building are kept secret, we cannot mention them here, in fact we have several. I have some on Nar Shaddaa, also on Coruscant, Bastion, and another one whose name I will not say here."

She must be surprised to see me, as her personal assistant, my simple presence must reassure her greatly. The position Liin is currently aiming for is the one I hold within the Diarchy, we are looking for new force-friendly or civilian products. In every sector, I also have a project to create a weaponry shop for the Diarchy right here on Bastion. I decide to tell them about it. This should dot the i's and cross the t's, so we come full circle. As a member of the Diarchy's R&D team, I have a say in liin's maintenance. And I give it my full approval.

"I have a project to create a small weaponry, research and development shop here on Bastion, with the support of our Master Diarch Rellik , he would be very happy to know you are here Liin Terallo , and I myself have no problem with you taking part in our projects. Do you accept to help us ? That's a pleasure to collaborate together on another project. Liin terallo."

I lean casually and almost familiarly against the wall, observing the red lantern with attention, nothing escapes me. As Laphisto says, here it is not a matter of rejecting the proposal made, but of supporting it and agreeing to collaborate with a renowned scientist; every reinforcement is welcome. The Diarchy needs to diversify. Saul Whesai

 

[Liin Terallo]

I lofted a brow in surprise as Lyssara stepped forth. Was she in on this job offer too? At the very least I am glad that she had done well for herself.

I listen to her quietly and found it amusing that she suspected that Diarch Rellik was unaware that I was here. Both him and Diarch Reign were the first people that I had contacted upon my arrival. They are the ones that provided me with sanctuary. But what people do not know, I cannot hold against them. Moreso than if it was reversed.

"I do not desire to work in a field of creating weaponry or products for sale. I am no longer in business or manufacturing; nor am I a part of any political or scientific circles. That is not my life any more." Gaining any kind of spotlight would only put myself in danger. The bounty on me persists and I have a strong feeling that it is not one that simply can be paid off.

My gaze drifted to the curious tear that sits on the table. If it is some Force object; would it react differently to me than it would to others? Would it have any kind of reaction at all? I know that my old ring reacts differently to me; and in such a way that I no longer wear it.

"But I would be willing to study curious objects. My own little lab should be enough. I do not require any staff, so the costs would be minimal."

Tags: Laphisto Saul Whesai Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

I hear her, she clearly doesn't want to join a large military or imposing structure, which is perfectly understandable. She says she already owns a small laboratory that could be enough for most of her work, she doesn't want to depend on something or someone in short, she remains independent. Which I can absolutely respect, I myself am independent within the Diarchy.

"If you prefer to use your own infrastructures, that's of course entirely possible."

It makes me smile, since New Cov, a lot of ground has been covered, and my very presence here is proof of it. Today, as a member of R&D, together with Diarch Rellik, we hold full control over the resources of the Diarchy, so this job offer is anything but an empty gesture. Laphisto has our support, and we are ready to collaborate with Liin.

These words are sincere, I prefer to have Liin here with us rather than elsewhere. We can provide her with data, infrastructures, equipment everything she needs for her little lab to run at full capacity. As for me, I am ready to put my hand to the wallet to finance all of this in return. To me, it's nothing but a fair return. I respect her choice, the wish to work freely with her own structures.

"In any case, it is an honor to see you working here with us. I haven't forgotten that one day you helped me with science and biology. Returning the favor is important to me. Nice to see you here. Welcome to the home. "

I extend my hand to him in friendship.

"So, deal ?"

Liin Terallo

 

[Laphisto]

The man allowed the back-and-forth between Liin and Lyssara to settle, his expression unreadable as the conversation drifted toward independence and old loyalties. Finally, he spoke again, voice low but steady, pitched for the table alone despite the roar of the market. "You are right to be cautious, Miss Terallo. Fame attracts hunters. Yet so does discovery. Sometimes more so."

He tapped the canister once with a gloved finger, the Fire Tear inside catching the light with a faint, almost liquid shimmer.
"These jewels are not inert. They are not trinkets, nor power crystals to be bartered like spice or ore. They are souls. Kiev'arian souls, if the records are true. Bound in crystal at the moment of death, preserved in a state neither alive nor gone. That is what we are dealing with here."

His gaze shifted, briefly acknowledging Saul with a slight nod, then Lyssara with something sharper." My own work is in cloning. We know how to replicate flesh. We know how to grow vessels. But vessels without a mind, without a soul, are imperfect. The Jedi preach of the Force binding all things, yet even they have never solved how to call a soul back into matter."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice tightening with the gravity of his words.
"The Diarchy wonders if we can. What if these Fire Tears could be more than relics? What if the Kiev'arians could walk again? Not as ghosts bound to stone, but as living beings reborn into bodies of their own kind, or… others. The implications for science, for power, for history itself, are staggering."

His eyes found Liin's again, sharp and intent."This is not about forging weapons or gadgets for market stalls. This is about unraveling the line between death and life. You are a woman who has already bent the Force with science. That is why I was sent to you. Work with us—not in chains, but with resources, specimens, and freedom you could never have alone. Your lab, your methods. We only ask that your findings return to us."

He sat back, letting the words hang heavy in the air, his hand still resting near the Fire Tear as though it might stir at any moment.
"So tell me, Miss Terallo. Will you walk the edge of creation with us?"The Fire Tear pulsed faintly, as though echoing the unspoken weight of the offer.

Liin Terallo Saul Whesai Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul didn't know how to feel about all of this, and everyone could probably tell by the way his face twisted. Resurrecting extinct beings of old back to life was above his pay grade, and given how he had come to exist... Let's just say the thought of Liin helping with this effort made his stomach roll. "Liin, you're a big girl. I trust you to follow your heart with this decision. Just know my past and bringing something back isn't always for the best..." It was all the advice he could give her in this moment. If it were his decision, the answer would be *&@!$ no, but it wasn't his decision, it was hers. He only hoped that if she said yes, playing god would bring a good result, and they weren't bringing back something or someone that should have stayed dead.

Liin Terallo , Lyssara Thrynn , Laphisto