Valenti (ask)

[Nico Ike Qarmast]

TYTHON

These were strange times and Nico raised an eyebrow, after what happened with her cousin she had done as needed following and helping Iella where she could. Her master was talented and had taught her how to be a jedi... Which was why as she knelt in the vanguard with the aegis blades at her sides the padawan and former sith remained with a smirk on her face. Letting the thoughts play around before rising up and going to her desk, the notes scattered across it and from Matsu. Other had come with her, since Iella had brought her to Tython to train and with Rasu after Dac when Selena had given her a small accommodation.

"And just what are you thinking?" The sound of Noriko speaking from the door way had Nico looking at the tall jedi. Taller then the rest of the family by far but then the Ike house didn't have borders just be part of the family and support each other. That her head was partially shaven and she wielded a large saber staff/club only proved more effective. "I am thinking that Orihime and Reiko are alone and while their mother finds herself... In need of guidance. I have some of Matsu's notes on area's of Tython. Assuming her information is right and that the notes from Reiko and Orihime when they went to explore."

Well assuming all were in a row she had work to do. They had even contacted Junko who had approached them after Valen and Coruscants fall. Meeting one of their sisters from Atrisia who had come instead of fleeing into the Fringe. Whatever happened next they would have to work harder and more careful. She had shown skill at Dac but the jedi were fickle and had proven that. Matsu's half sister from Hoth had contacted them and using her skills honed from years brought the group together. "We might have a location on what she called the first blade. Used by the Barsen'thor to find a reserve of knowledge in the old wars. It was on display but then given to them and used as a weapon."

Nico continued to look carefully at what there was and thought more on what they had while she moved from the desk to the central area of the ship. Exploring Tyhon for ruins and working with family wasn't such a bad thing and she knew why they did this. Noriko walked with her as the pair met the white clad Katagiri and the long hair Junko. Really compared to even Katagiri who had ankle length white hair Jukno made it look small... They had to have the same amount though. Her hand went to the holoprojector. "Thank you for coming, we are here because we are looking for something lost, Matsu is gone unable to return until the council changes its mind again with a regime change."

"So we are going to carry on what she had planned. First by recovering what we can and then by making sure to record as much information as we can. Between our combined knowledge we will and should easily be able to handle the stresses of this." Nico turned to look at each as the noble among them rose her hair covering a side of her face. "Then we will be going to the old city yes, that is in the notes. Did Matsu leave anything for us to use?" That was a great question and yes... yes she had, the order had refused to take possession of what she had recovered instead leaving Matsu's small collection intact.

"We have her jeep and research notes, several holocrons and datacrons as well as a collection of ships and gear. Whatever we need when we are off Tython and going to where her research points. Hunting down the barsen'thor's travels and locations of interest the jedi didn't go to brought her attention and their need for ships. That was Why Nico liked having her vanguard and several other light ships they had gotten from battling the sith. "We do and we'll go see her research notes if needed but I am certain we have all worked to commit them to memory. Whatever small things she has detail wise we'll be sure to not overlook."

The nods she got from the others to that was enough, sharing research notes was an important thing and the ship was touching down in the mountains outside of the range of the old city. They had a plan on what to do and an idea as the ramp went down and Nico walked in a expeditionary suit with the others following. Their robes over the light armor matched for them and Nico kept her face straight. The aegis blades on her hands serving their needs as swords and shield. Katagiri held her white gold hilt n her belt, Nico with her staff and Junko didn't have a blade. Just an old atrisian sword.

They might have to teach Junko how to fight with a saber but she had a traditional master, Maya Whitelight was an interesting silver jedi to say the least. Lots of talent but she seemed to treat dangerous beings like lost puppies and that wasn't always a good thing while Nico spoke going near her cousin. "Junko, how has your training under Knight Master Whitelight been going?" The woman had a look on her face that was hard to distinguish... You had to be search for the emotions and Nico being one of the few who understood being in a new situation was sympathetic to her. Just like she had been drugged up and Matsu saved her with Katagiri.

"I am doing well cousin, Maya does not like being called master but she has proven effective." That was a high compliment from a noble to be sure but still it was not always a great way to go about things as Nico stopped at a small cliff looking down from the mountain over the old city. "Whatever is down there we have to be careful, the traps might still be around or there could be worse things in a city built by beings considered gods." At least that was a theory, the architecture was different and strange not human but even the Gree who had come before didn't lay claim. It was a mystery and Matsu had found one of the older statues from pre republic times.

"Lets try and find the first blade."

 

[Nico Ike Qarmast]

THE OLD CITY

The old city was a sight to behold all the ruins and work going around, the jedi once in awhile came here to look but the city wasn't made for human's. Larger aliens, larger beings who were far older then anyone could guess as Nico continued forward and spoke. "Spread out and search, be careful and at the ready." She looked at the other three and gave a nod of her head in indication while moving off into the distance. The force flowing easily and now the real trick came in searching. Off in the distance she could hear the other moving ever so slightly. Her comlink blinked to indicate someone was comming her and Nico picked it up while looking.

"Nico, this is Katagiri there are a number of strange things here, I do not know what we are supposed to be looking for... This city wasn't made by humans for the dimensions are far larger." She was right, Nico didn't actually know what they were looking for here in the city. The notes only said a jedi created a secret below the city so there had to be a way down. "Just keep looking around for something, it would be newer then the rest of the city and made for a human more likely. We're trying to go down deeper." "I think I might have found something over here, the doorway is sealed And it looks like....." The comlink cut out on Junko's end as Nico looked up. She moved taking off at a run as she ran into Katagiri arriving and then Noriko was leaping off a roof.

Nico reached out with the force, if Katagiri was the combat expert she was one of the stronger with the force and the duel snap hisses came as the aegis blades activated. Nico jumped up over an incline and she felt her, Junko was still alive and with the snap hiss of the silver blade from the woman in white they came out seeing the raven haired Atrisian woman. "It is fine, just ionite tape. Once you get close it ruins all electronics." Nico breathed a sigh of relief at that and stood looking at the girl. Her hands came up as the sabers deactivated and she pulled her closer. "Don't scare me like that, we have done a lot for this family and it isn't going to lose more people on my watch.

Looking at the people there Nico turned to the doorway, the electronics would not work from the ionite and she was thinking Junko using a sword might be the best idea while she stood there with them and spoke. "Focus on the door with the force and pull we are going to loosen it up and break it down." The nods that came as the four cousins moved to stand next to each other and all gave curt quick nods of their heads. Nico reached down into that pit of her stomach and focused on the force bringing all the energy she could until the others had the door also. She could feel it resisting but as the force pushed and pulled like the tides slowly.... slowly the sound of stone grating on stone came.

The door opened and Nico dug down deeper to find more of the force until the doorway was open enough for them to slip through. Even Noriko standing tall compared to the rest slipped in and all of them moved as quickly as they could down the steps. Glow rods at the ready thanks to their sabers and equipment being deactivated but that was going to be fine. Nico resolved that they were not going to leave each others line of sight as the stairs winded down into the earth and she looked at the others. "Stay together, find what we are looking for and make sure to write down or see everything." The nods of acknowledgement that followed were more then enough for her as Nico found the bottom of the staircase.

Spreading out into the room she made sure they were close enough and walked, the statues and equipment down here were no where near as old as the city... The large banks of computers and screens brought her attention around but then there was the droids walking around. Nico stopped one and looked at the being. "Welcome to the Fount of Rajivari padawan." Nico was glad to see it and as the droids continued to walk she went across the area to one of the displays and activated the holodisplay. The blue light flickered and the image of a man appeared as Nico and the others gathered around. The old jedi master who appeared brought a look from Nico while it began to speak.

"Welcome padawan I am master Rajivari and here, in my laboratory, I had refined certain... devices. I could give one chosen apprentice decades of experience in a day. The beginning of a legacy and the truest test of a jedi is to never stop learning. You have questions and I try to provide answers." Nico looked at him while thinking of what she could ask. They knew just barely what they wanted to find out and learn. "We are looking for information on the Gunninga Gap, we need to head out there to search for the First blade and other things lost when the sith attempted to wipe out the jedi." Nico held her breath to that, she wasn't sure what the ancient proto-archives knew about certain things in the galaxy.

"The Gunninga gap was a mysterious place, something happened there long before our time and left ripples, echoes in the force. One who goes there must be prepared for dangerous beings and manifestations of the darkside." That was not what she wanted to hear, the gap was the next location in the notes and maybe Lehon or Ilum... somewhere in the Unknown regions where jedi had fled to search for clues. With a nod and looking at some of the older maps provided Nico left the room with the others and continued going back o the ship. They made sure to seal the door and not leave traces of them around. If the councilor of first knowledge didn't use this historic sight she wasn't going to leave it for others to find.

Instead they made it back quickly and quietly to the ship, setting off and at the ready whole Nico prepared the course. The grandmaster didn't want padawans running around on Tython, even though several stayed there for their masters with the promise of protection. It was a strange thing to say the least and setting a new course as they bypassed orbit, the ship prepared to jump. Nico let out a breath and finished recording some of the notes to send to her master and Matsu whenever they found her and then the starlines appeared as she walked to the central chamber for debriefing. "Alright we have a goal, kind of the fount was good but its knowledge is old knowledge and it isn't kept up to date. We're going to find what Matsu left in the clues for us."

"Why not just ask her?" The sound came from the back of the room and all four turned to look at the woman standing there. Clad in a black trench coat and wearing a hat that obscured her face. "You know I am always here and hiding from the jedi is becoming second nature, you found my research notes Nico, you know what I was looking for. The first blade is just a small thing compared to what can come, the gap and expanse hold many secrets from before the zhell and I plan to find out what there is."

 

[Nico Ike Qarmast]

GUNNINGNA GAP

Nico was slightly in shock at the sight of Matsu on the ship, so were the others but even broken and weakened in the force her cousin still had her mind. That mind that was brighter then most of the council as time went on and she had shown it. She had been able to find things and focus where needed while still preforming her duties as a jedi. It was why the idea of war criminal and mass murderer was laughable, killing people trying to kill you was instinct, it was basic and Nico spoke finally embracing her cousin. "Matsu your here." With a look at the older woman it became apparent that she had restored her connection to the force, reborn and focused but not as powerful.

"Are you alright." Junko, Katagiri and Noriko gathered with Nico around Matsu and the former jedi master spoke while she looked around. Taking her hat off and coat showing more scars on her body, showing where her muscles were straining. Then the smooth voice came out as Nico breathed a sigh of relief. "I am fine Nico, better actually compared to some of the things that have happened I find myself with less of a burden. More freedom." Nico gave a nod of her head to that and stood looking at the holodisplay while the trip continued to go forward. "That is good, we have some notes and information for you. We are just working to replace our equipment that was damaged."

As the others began talking with Matsu Nico watched them and laughed. She had done much for her family and more so before when she was in the sith, hell in the sith she had been miserable and hated the feeling that came into her gut while she remained there. It had taken her cousin saving her when she went on a bender and ended up on Nar Shadda in a spice den trying to kill himself. The miserable nature of it all had ended when Matsu and Katagiri got her detoxed and through some help from a friend surgery to look how she felt... partially she still wasn't fully reassigned and brought her hands to her face. There was a small fresh trail of warm tears.

and that had her concerned as she moved to the cockpit and sat down. Sleeping up here wasn't such a bad thing but she had been scared hearing that Matsu had chosen to subject herself to the council and then she was severed from the force. That she was then left out in the cold had made Nico angry but she remembered her control and had instead found the ways to do as needed. Their family was born from Emberlene and trained assassin's, trained thief's and researchers that collected information to better blend and find work across the galaxy for their people. It was what gave them the chance to get Matsu the help she needed and then their cousin had been off exploring.

Slowly as the time ticked away and brought Nico into a state of restfulness. She was relaxed and the conversation had died down in the back. Their trip into he deep core and then through into the unknown regions They had more work to do and plenty of time to do it, she had been watching the state of things and it all seemed to stem from... misinformation or agenda's, none of the jedi masters now seemed to care about helping their students unless they become perfect copies. She was glad to have been able to follow Iella to Voss and receive training from the silver jedi that she wasn't able to get with the regular jedi.

That was also why she was out here, any information they brought in to aid Iella and the silver jedi added to the orders archives and collection. Matsu could perhaps fill out their records and texts as needed with her memory. While she doubted the silver jedi would fully protect her for past actions and everything the order piled on to ease their conscious well she did know they were at least accepting. They would better be able to protect the galaxy with more jedi who were fully serene in the force compared to others who fought because they wanted to fight.

Then after who know how long the navi computer chirped indicating they were dropping out of hyperspace, the starlines went away and the expanse of the unknown regions pressed on her. Something had happened here long ago, something ancient and wrong... The notes on Matsu's research pointed to an ancient codex being destroyed that could summon something dangerous from the depths of beyond shadows. Creatures sealed away in the realm of the dead and the force meant little as she saw a planet in the region. A world covered nearly in storm clouds and setting the course Nico sighed.

"We are heading down to a planet, get ready." Nico slowly piloted the ship in towards the planet and was letting her enjoyment come... This world felt, wrong but at the same time euphoric... It might have been the after effects of getting away from the deep core and Tython, not feeling the oppressive nature and spirit of the jedi coursing through her limbs. Whatever was here on the planet was theirs to find and look for, if it led to the first blade then that was a good thing as Nico finally replaced several of the parts for her gauntlets. The readings from the ship scanners said it was safe to breathe the air outside... Nothing to bad.

That was the good thing and standing with the assembled grouping Nico walked down the ramp letting her hair bounce in its ponytail while Matsu walked next to her and the other flanked them. They looked more like a team then family right now but it was worth it when she saw the large temple in the distance and moved with the others to the Jeep as they lowered it. Nico climbing into the drivers seat and they all piled in using their small frames to make room while Noriko mounted the gun. Katagiri and Junko stood with equipment namely a templar crossbow and energy bow from dathomir. They were more then ready to go and see what was at this world.

 

[Nico Ike Qarmast]

MUURSHANTRE

Nico couldn't believe the world and as the jeep continued to go through the jungles and the world felt... Wrong. It was hard to explain just that feeling in your gut, that foreboding sinking feeling that came from places where things had happened and left an imprint. This was one of those places and as they approached the temple, Nico looked up the stairs of it. There were watcher statues and even from here she could see the remains of an ancient hypergate. This had been a gree world used before the devices destruction and the five women walked up the stair case slowly.

The top of the temple wasn't much different aside from the broken gate sitting there like a memory, an alter before it reminiscent of a podium one would preach from and she guessed that made sense. This was a world where dangerous things were said to have existed and Nico stepped up on the raised slab of stone and looked at the podium.... It wasn't old, not really it seemed newer, cleaner. Like someone had made it and was using it with great care. Then she saw it in the distance, beings, robed and armed with staff weapons as she motioned to the others to hide.

They ran back away from the steps of the temple and down the opposite side as Nico slid into a section between the ruins. The sounds of the man starting the session for the reawakened Church of the darkside. Nico didn't remember that as he went into a sermon about the churches history and the dark blessings their members from the false prophets took to show membership and matched the followers of the darkside sect. Nico didn't know what to say but force cults meeting on worlds like this was a dangerous things.

They couldn't allow the sect to stay around and

[more to be added]

Secured book Absolute Power