Private The Artifact & The Experiment [NJO]

[Ran Serys]

In orbit of Uncharted Dwarf Planet XII-1109-1101 / Type 1 Atmosphere / Red Forest Planet
Aboard the Larimar Slider
Trigger Warning: Child Experiment

Ran followed the force. She followed it everywhere she went. Sometimes it led her to lost people, lost items, lost places. She often ended up in corners of the galaxy in need of her help, places where knowledge and truth only needed discovery. If she could, she gave herself to those places wholeheartedly and without reservation, that was until she returned to the planet where her life as Subject 19 began.

"No. That can't be right." She said softly with a testy incredulity and a scoff.

"This is not-" It was. Ran began to shake her head in a no gesture.

"This is not supposed to be here. This is the wrong planet." It wasn't. Her head continued shaking in confusion as she continued speaking to herself.

"I- I- I can't believe this. The artifact is here?" She asked. Her head stopped shaking. A look of bewilderment on her face remained, then a cascade of different emotions shattered it. No one had ever seen Ran lose her cool before, save for the Jedi in the cockpit with her that moment. Ran gasped frantically and altered the ship's course. The vessel jerked violently as Ran dead-stared into the depths of space. She paused and caught herself while the planet was out of her field of view. She moved her hands away from the controls and turned to the Jedi aboard the bridge with her.

"I'm sorry about this," She let out a shallow breath. "But I don't think I can go down there. If I did I- I- I-" The terror was obvious in her eyes. It clutched her throat and mind. She struggled to finish her sentence so she formed a different one. "I was made here." Saying it broke her.

Flashes in her mind. Strong emotions permeated within and around her. So strong one could sense or even see them through the force. Her consciousness lashed out providing everyone aboard the ship glimpses into her mind. Memories flooded in painfully.

A young Ran, Subject 19, being poked and prodded by scientific instruments. She was strapped to a hospital bed. Machines measured her forced mutations. Her tiny body convulsed in pain as Sith scientists looked on without sympathy.

Another flash. Young Ran was strapped to an altar. Sith sorcerers chanted and sang a foul and wretched spell. More pain for young Ran. She struggled to keep her eyes open. The only thing she could see was the Sith Holocron hovering above her. It's matrices reflecting dark side energy into her mind, subjugating it to the dark ones will. Then darkness as the older Ran's mind shut down. No more memories, just a loss of consciousness in the pilot's seat.

In her unconscious state she whispered to the young Jedi with her. "The holocron is the artifact. It must be destroyed."

Tags: Azurine Varek Tyron Khan Xuko Pagoi Everest Vale Rayia Si
​

 

[Azurine Varek]

Distant Memories

Outfit: Clothing/Armor | Glove | Right Arm | Talisman | Purple Bracelet
Weapons: Lightsaber 1 [x] | Lightsaber 2 [x] | Hook Swords

So much for a simple artifact retrieval mission under the Archive keepers' watchful eye...

The moment Ran slumped in her seat, the ship veered off course—fast. Azzie barely had time to shout a warning before the Larimar Slider pitched violently, a shudder ripping through the hull as the stars spun past the viewport. Emergency lights screamed to life, flickering red-orange across the bridge. The ship twisted in a slow, not quite nauseating tailspin, groaning with the strain of atmospheric gravitational pull.

Azzie lurched forward, bracing herself against one of the chairs to the side of her with a grunt. "Fark!" Her heart pounded as her eyes flicked to Ran. Still. Slumped. Whispering.

Azzie didn't allow herself to think about what Ran had said, what she had seen from the memories that threatened to overtake her. Made here. That was a fire for later. Right now? The situation was spiraling and she had to do something about it.

She dove forward, fingers at Ran's neck. A pulse—weak, but there. Relief hissed through her lungs even as adrenaline flooded her system. "She's alive," Azzie called, already moving. Her violet eyes locked with the brilliant silver of Everest, knowing that if there was one person she trusted in this moment to keep her steady, it would be the young woman she considered her sister.

"Eve—she's out cold, I need you on her, okay? Do whatever you can. I've got the controls."

No hesitation. Her legs moved before her thoughts could catch up. She slid into the pilot's seat like she'd been born to it, hands finding the console, fingers flicking through switches, instinct dancing with experience. The tailspin was sluggish, but damage could stack quickly if they didn't correct it fast.

"Xuko, Tyron—can one of you manually stabilize the ships atmospheric shields? The other sends a signal to the Grandmaster?" This had become more dire than expected, they needed to make sure their position was sent to the temple. "I don't care who does what, just that someone keeps the entry point from frying us like a Hutt's breakfast while I override the course correction. I don't know about you all, but I think I'd prefer to be smoked, anyway." The quip cracked in the air, dry and quick as a solar flare. It was for more than humor, but to ground them all in the moment in the best way she knew how.

She breathed through her nose, focused. Her fingers danced across the panel, reorienting thrusters and adjusting for spin compensation. "Come on, baby, come on…" The ship groaned, gravity pulling at them, but the nose tipped back toward control. Altitude stabilizing. It wasn't ideal, but it would hold as long as she kept at it. While systems realigned, she stole a glance at Ran again, concern tightening her chest.

She'll pull through. She has to. Azzie willed confidence into the Force, practically trying to convince herself as well, letting it flow through and outward despite the doubt that crept through the back of her mind.

Ran Serys | Everest Vale | Xuko Pagoi | Tyron Khan​

 

[Rayia Si]

Ran Serys Azurine Varek Everest Vale Xuko Pagoi Tyron Khan
Location: Aboard the Larimar Slider

---

Rayia had spent the travel to the planet where the artifact allegedly was the same way that she spent all spacefaring. Restrained to her chair and fighting off the aggravation of hyperspace, all the while her claws carving and wrenching a pealing symphony as they carved through the faux-leather upholstery and durasteel frame beneath like butter with every twitch. Rayia suspected she appeared mad, though madness might have been preferable.

No, this was merely the same biological battle she fought every day. A curbing of instinct, of letting the beast within out and succumbing to it. She had gotten better at taming it. But there were still factors that caused it to fly into a rage. At the very least, the aggravation it felt in the presence of hyperspace was predictable. Like a needling spike of pressure in her skull, Rayia had come to expect the way it would throw itself at her mental restraints.

And so, as the twinkling, black void of real space returned, Rayia thought it might present her a moment to breath. A chance to wipe the sweat percolating from her brow. No, what awaited them was so much worse.

Rayia’s heart lept to her throat as she saw Ran collapsing, concern immediately blooming full force. But it was the flashes of memories that caused Rayia to wretch into her mouth. Not only for what she saw, but for the fact she understood it firsthand. Old memories were dredged up. An Imperial capital ship. Lying groggily on the table as she was hooked up to all manner of syringes, the carnage that followed. ‘You can’t think about that right now. Get up, do something!’

Rayia ripped herself up from her chair, leaving it a crumpled heap on the floor. She could still feel the beast lashing against its chains. The way her bones and muscles threatened to move under her skin, infused with unnatural strength. She had to find something to occupy her.

…The only question was what? Most of the tech was beyond her. And so, the new knight stood helpless amidst the chaos.

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Robes
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Earrings, Engagement Ring
Tag: Ran Serys Azurine Varek Rayia Si Tyron Khan Xuko Pagoi

The ship was lurching, lights pulsing red, and the hull groaning with every adjustment Azzie threw into the controls. But all Eve could focus on was Ran, slumped over the yoke, whispering broken things, sweat streaking her temples, until she was suddenly still and silent altogether.

Azzie’s voice rang through the noise, steady in its urgency, and Eve didn’t hesitate. She crossed the tilting floor in three bounding strides, every part of her ignited by instinct. Her fingers found the harness at the pilot’s chair, undoing it in one swift motion before reaching under Ran’s arms. The Mirialan was tall, her limbs long and heavy, and Eve was—well, not.

"Okay… I’ve got you, I've got you," Eve breathed, more to herself than to Ran. She braced, grounding her stance. Then, she reached inward—not for adrenaline, but for the quiet strength beneath it. The Force flooded through her muscles like light drawn through stained glass, amplifying her balance, her control, her raw power. Her legs flexed, and with a grunt of effort, she managed to lift and shift Ran from the seat.

The floor pitched again. Eve stumbled, holding Ran against her shoulder like a wounded sister. Sweat beaded along her brow as she half-carried, half-dragged her to one of the passenger seats and gently, but firmly, strapped her in.

Only once Ran was secure did Eve kneel before her and press two fingers softly to the Jedi’s temple, then her neck. Pulse—weak, but there. Ran’s eyelids twitched as Eve checked them, drawing them back slightly. There was something strange in her aura. Not just unconscious—tethered to something. Something deep, like a dark memory wished to be forgotten, coming back to haunt.

A chill licked at Eve’s spine, but she didn’t recoil. She cupped her hands, drew in a slow breath, and exhaled into the Force. A shimmer of white-gold light formed between her palms, small and flickering like a single candle against the storm. She pressed it gently against Ran’s chest. No words, just warmth. Soothing. Steady. Here.

Around her, alarms still blared. The hull still rattled. But beneath it all, a flicker of calm began to grow.

And then… it passed.

The ship eased beneath Azzie’s hands. Not safe, but stable.

Eve looked up, catching her sister’s eyes across the cockpit. She didn’t speak. Her heart was still thundering in her chest, her hands trembling faintly from adrenaline. But she nodded—one, firm, resolute gesture.

Then she turned her head slowly, scanning the others. Her fingers still rested gently on Ran’s shoulder. Whatever this mission was supposed to be—it wasn’t that anymore.

It was becoming something... darker.

And they had already crossed the threshold.

 

[Tyron Khan]

Outfit: Clothes
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsabers
Saber Hilts: Guardian Hilt | Vanquisher Hilt
Master: Kaeleon Seleare | Kei Raxis
TAGS: Ran Serys | Azurine Varek | Rayia Si | Everest Vale | Xuko Pagoi
Mentions: Valery Noble | Caltin Vanagor


The Besalisk was sat in one of the passenger seats available for the team of fellow Jedi that accompanied Jedi Knight Ran Serys out of nowhere the ship had a sudden change of course. Tyron didn't need to use the Force to acknowledge there was something bad unfolding around the Jedi Knight who had been piloting the ship he was a passenger of.

A callout from Padawan Learner Azurine Varek was heard as Tyron went to the communication panel of the ship. A request to get in contact with Jedi Grandmaster Valery Noble about their current situation. He began setting up a signal transmission to be sent out to her. All the while he didn't sit back idle to do nothing else. The atmosphere went from peaceful to intense real quick.
"A signal is being transmitted to the Grandmaster." Tyron stated to Azurine.

Tyron saw Padawan Learner Everest Vale hurry off to Ran Serys body as she had collapsed. Something about this assignment didn't sit well with any of the Padawan Learners in this group. Tension flowing through them all possibly but Tyron drew back to his Jedi training. Closed his eyes over and began to enter a state of meditation. Applying the use of Meditation of Emptiness.

Padawan Learner Rayia Si was in his sights and Tyron made a call as she got up out of the seat she was sat on. Being calm and firm to send ripples of stability to fellow Jedi. This mission wasn't going to cause further chaos or any harm upon anyone. Tyron is here to be the Shield that Jedi Master Caltin Vanagor spoke of previously in a lesson he was a participant in.

"Help Padawan Vale. I'll keep an eye on the comms and help with the ship's functions with Xuko Pagoi and Azurine Varek we'll get things secured."

Working together as a team would get them through this predicament. Tyron will fulfil what objectives and roles necessary to not only turn this situation around but accomplish what Jedi Knight Ran Serys set out. Time was of the essence. The Besalisk was active and alert ready to assist anyone and everyone within the ship.

​

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

Outfit: Standard Jedi Robes
Weapon: Lightsaber

Xuko had been meditating peacefully in the cargo hold of the Larimar Slider, doing his best to pass the time on the way to their destination.

The key word being, had.

Suddenly the ship lurched violently, and with a cry of alarm Xuko was flung sideways into a pile of wooden boxes. Smaller boxes tumbled around him as Azzie fought with the controls up in the cockpit, and Xuko rolled with this new momentum to narrowly avoid a crate from falling on top of him. The ship stabilized somewhat after a few moments, leaving Xuko cursing the sudden disturbance while gingerly touching a rapidly-swelling lump on his head.

Xuko began making his way towards the cockpit, unsure of what had caused the sudden maneuvering but knowing that finding a seat to strap into was probably wise given the klaxons blaring throughout the ship. Add it to the list of things that I do not know. Xuko hadn't been given many details about the mission- not because of negligence from the Jedi Master leading the expedition, but because details were in short supply. And Xuko couldn't tell by the ration of Knights to Padawans whether this was going to be a dangerous mission or a teaching one. The Force was leading the small band of Jedi... somewhere... in search of... something.

At least their recent reentry into realspace, combined with whatever was happening to the ship, indicated that he'd likely have his answers sooner rather than later.

That, or he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

Xuko made it to the bridge and took in the situation. The leader of this expedition, Ran Serys , was slumped in a passenger seat, being buckled in by Everest Vale . He should probably approach the Echani at some point about the bump on his head, but she looked to have more immediate concerns. Azurine Varek was helming the ship, and not for the first time, Xuko felt a swell of pride for his fellow Iridonian. Like their initial meeting in the jungle forest of Tython, she was acquitting herself well amidst a challenging situation.

Rayia Si was standing nearby, looking like she wanted to crawl out of her skin. Xuko didn't blame her- the shuddering of the ship, the wailing of the alarms, and the pounding in his head- meant that he, too, needed something- anything- to focus on besides his discomfort. Fortunately, Tyron Khan , himself a beacon of calm amidst the chaos of the bridge, provided direction and assurance; help with the ship functions.

"I need your assistance" Xuko said to the Felacatian, trying not to focus too much on the remains of the chair nearby, nor how sharp her claws would've had to be in order to leave it in such a ruined state. "Your ears are better than mine. When I touch a button, I need to know if an alarm stops or if a new one starts." The Zabrak had no idea what any of the controls in front of him did, but he did know three things:

1) There were a lot of buttons.

2) None were labeled.

3) Most were flashing.

Here goes nothing.