Private The Journey: Visitor From Beyond

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael was resting between jumps on his self-imposed pilgrimage. This place he had stopped felt deep in the force. As such, he felt that this would be the place to meditate as he sought where he should travel next to learn from the old masters. Taking his tonfa, he began the moving meditation as he looked at his armor on its stand. This armor was the reason for the first step on his journey. Having faced two powerful force users during his Verd'gotten, he nearly had himself cleaved by the Sith-turned-Mand'alor, and then that same man forged his new armor, he felt he needed to develop his own presence in the force. He felt he needed to find the methods shunned by both Jedi and Sith. Any of their ilk would expect a force push or a choke, but would a Jedi expect one not of their order to conduct the lightning itself without standing in the dark? Likewise, would a Sith expect someone they see as not one of them to conduct illusions so convincing that even droids and scanners can be fooled? This is where he would stand, in the force yet not where any one person would expect.

Kael stepped through the movements, settling into the moving meditation and as such opening his mind to the force and those that have gone before.

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

Everywhere and nowhere.

That was an issue with being one with the Force. Time was fluid, space was malleable, and yet here he was, standing on a ship that did not seem familiar to him. The Force had brought him here for a reason, he knew that much, but what it was remained a mystery. He looked around taking in the sights and sounds of the vessel, trying to get his bearings.

It was when he came across the meditating Togruta, in… Beskar? Who are you?

TAGS • TAGS
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael froze as he felt more than heard the words.

Who are you?

What was this voice asking? Was it asking him who he was as a person, or as an identity, or who fundamentally he was? Rather than running down that particular Gundark nest, he resorted to the simplest answer. Focusing his mind as he moved again through the meditative kata, his tonfa flashing in the overhead lights as he blocked and struck at invisible attackers in slow motion, he answered to the voice, his own unhelmeted voice stark in the empty ship, "I am Kael Varr Bastiel, of Clan Skirata, Iron Wolf of the Werd'la Cabur pack." He did not recognise the voice that addressed him but waited for its reply all the same.

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

Confirmation received.

He was not at all happy about it either. History between the Jedi and the Mandalorians was a long and bloody one. That aside, this dude was one, clan Skirata. The fiercest members of the clan were Commandos in nature. The only redeeming quality of them was that they were rescuers and protectors historically. That was then, and this is now though. They had a history of hating Jedi, and the fact that Caltin was standing… if you want to call it that, across from one was unsettling.

… and he was dripping with the Force…

Throwing his hands up and looking around as if talking to some entity… like something sent him here… What the frell, man? Finally coming around, he looked at the Togruta in front of him and shook his head, saying plainly Why am I here?

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

"That could be because of me. You see, I'm looking to find knowledge that could be lost to the ages. Techniques eschewed by both the Jedi and the Sith, so should I find myself fighting one or the other, neither would be predicting what I could do. I came across some notes that spoke of other orders that taught different force abilities than what the major orders teach their acolytes." The spector was standing before him, possibly drawn to whatever nexus this was in the force, and his own meditations.

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

At least he was honest about what he was doing and who he was. That made what Caltin was about to say that much easier to swallow. Why would I help a Mandalorian learn skills that he could ultimately use against Jedi?

Hands on his hips, or at least looking like that. You may have good, honest intentions, I don’t know. I ask because the last time I taught someone a skill that is “rare”, he fell to the Dark Side sooner rather than later. Caltin was of course thinking of Drystan Creed .

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael sighed, frustrated that he wasn’t better at these things and wishing his mother was here to at least coach him through these kind of negotiations. “Look I’m no diplomat, I leave that to my mother, Adelle Bastiel , who was once of your vaunted Jedi order, and now serves as diplomat to the High Republic. The galaxy is not as black and white as it once was. The Mandalorian Empire has, if only recently, embraced those that wield the force, creating first the spirit speakers, then the iron wolves. But the Jedi order is also not as it once was, there are Jedi that seek out fights, and Sith that seek diplomacy. Everything is blending into shades of grey. I know you are worried that if you teach me, I would fall, but we mandalorians are specifically equipped to police our own. And I don’t seek power for power’s sake, I seek the abilities I need to protect my loved ones and my empire and I answer to them personally.” Kael sighed. He told the truth, as he saw it… even if it wasn’t as diplomatic as his mother would have put it.

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

Are you trying to convince me, or yourself? Everything is cyclical. So stop with the song and dance… and answer me one question.

Hands on his hips, or at least looking like that again. There was a group of Mandalorians, called “The Covenant” who associated with the Silver Jedi Concord… or is it no longer 902 ABY? Caltin was not in the mood to be lectured by anyone. They did get along with us very well too, and they were supposed to be friendly… So unless the water is no longer wet, nothing really has changed… and don’t talk to me about Sith and Jedi… I was a combatant and even married a former Sith. I know more than you think. You need to convince ME, not my ideals.

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael looked at this force ghost. “Really? I wasn’t aware, however I haven’t synced to a chronometer recently, I think it’s somewhere about 904 or 905 ABY. I have heard of the Covenant, however we do not associate with them… Mand‘alor the Iron reigns the Mandalorian Empire after the calamity and the Sith scattered the clans. I fought his father, Isley Verd, Mand’alor the Reclaimer, and Mia Monroe, Mand’alor the Liberator, in what we call our Verd’gotten, or if I understand what the Jedi do, your trials where a padawan becomes a knight. In that fight I realized I had barely touched the surface of what the force could lend me in strength, and I saw what both the light side and dark can do. Now I seek to learn my own path, a path outside either order. If not from you, then from others. However you seem to know more of the dangers and pitfalls ahead of me. While it is true that the Mandalorian Empire is not fully allied with either side, we do have a contractor client relationship with both the High Republic and the Sith Empire, a sort of ‘if you don’t start a fight, there won’t be a fight’ mentality. But there are rouge agents on all sides and I want to protect myself and mine.”

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

The funny thing about being one with the Force is that you don’t really have a care in the galaxy anymore. Time moves differently, needs are gone. What’s funny about that? You’d think you wouldn’t get annoyed by the little things. We’re getting nowhere.

Caltin was not in the mood to be lectured by anyone, but he was also not in the mood to go round and round. He was here for a reason. So why don’t you tell me what you want to learn, if I’m willing to teach it great, if not we start again. Just because Caltin was here, in whatever this was, it doesn't mean he had to do anything.

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael looked at this spector. "Well, in my research, I did come across some abilities that perhaps fit what I see for myself as my path. I have them written down on paper," he walks over to a desk by the armory cabinet, "This is the short list:
The Jensaarai: For their skills at fighting force users in armor and their practice of Ballistakinesis
The Baran Do: For their skills in the three paths of the Guided Wind, the Guided Lightning, and the Guided Stream.
The Fallanassi: For their adept use of illusions and manipulations of mind, body, and spirit.
The Theran Listeners: For their skill at using Theran Force-listening.
The Zeison Sha: For their Skills with telekenisis in battle.
You are free to leave whenever, but something brought me to this force nexus, and I feel the same force brought you here as well."

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

Caltin stood for several minutes, listening to names of long dead groups of Force Users being mentioned. This dude was looking for advantages most will never know of. Frankly, Caltin was ready to leave but there was something keeping him here and it wasn’t the Force. Leave any time I want, huh?

Seeing a datapad, the mountain of a ghost reached out and lifted it into the air, and as he did so often previously, with a simple flick of his middle and index finger, sent it flying, until he stopped it mid-air. Then did so with his other hand. If I get so much as a whisper that you use this against a Jedi… I will find you and inform those who I know of your location. Am I clear?

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael smiled softly, "As I said before, we of the Mandalorian Empire live by the rule of 'don't start a fight, then there won't be a fight.'. If a Jedi doesn't attack me and mine, then I have no reason to use any of the techniques you teach against them." Kael reaches out with the force and gently spins the datapad in the air, not wresting control of it from the force ghost but also letting him know he wasn't a complete novice at manipulating it. "Most of my experience and technique at using the force is instinctual and limited to my emotions and what I'm doing at the time. I can lightly change the perception of others so that they don't notice my presence, which I have mostly used to hunt, not physically hiding, but more of letting their perception pass over me without registering my presence. I have also shown some aptitude at battle meditation. Beyond that, everything has been on instinct and not repeatable."

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

Caltin Vanagor has never been one to be okay with being interrupted, and being shown up even less and this Togruta was doing both. So I have nothing to teach you.

Turning on his heel, or what looked like it, the ghost of a Jedi went to leave, or at least try to.

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael stopped, stopping back and bowing his head, "I'm sorry, I meant no disrespect, neither did I intend any offense. I'm not good at being diplomatic, and I have been alone most of my life. My only intention was to show what skill I did have. Please, may we start again, teacher?"

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

Humility.

Something surprising, coming from a Mandalorian. The ghost expected him to somewhat arrogant, to be full of himself, to have a bit of an ego. This was unexpected and if this Togruta proved he could be like this, then maybe he was worth the time. The ghost of the former Jedi Master, Caltin Vanagor stood quietly for a moment and turned around to face the young man, his robes gently flowing as if he were still alive.

What I have to teach you does not meet your expectations. I can see it in your eyes. I won’t teach you how to fight, I won’t teach you how to win a fight. I will teach you how to better yourself. That is my offer.

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​

 

[Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata]

Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Ship: The Cabur Rekr (The Guardian Wolf)
Armor: Dauntless-type Beskar'gam
Blade: Tal'Alor Beskad
Primary Weapon: Plasma Bow
Secondary Weapon: Paired Beskar Tonfa

Kael stopped and sat down on the floor of the cargo area. Taking a deep breath to settle himself, Kael looked up to the Ghost. "Very well, perhaps your lesson will lead me to future lessons."

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

ARCHERY LESSONS
HE’S ON … A SHIP?
I’M ON WHEREVER

… and just like that, the humility was gone.

Maybe it was what he saw as it. So it could still be there, just lost in translation. Either way, they were moving forward. The Jedi Master meant it when he said he would not teach him how to fight. He would teach him something else though.

This lesson, starts with a question. Define “Jedi Weakness”.

This should be good.

TAGS • Kael Varr Bastiel Skirata
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~​