Coruscant was one large, planet-wide city. As one might imagine, such a place was never dull or quiet. It simply wasn't possible.
But even by the standards of a metropolis the size of a planet, Coruscant was in an uproar over the news. For years, now, The Galactic Republic had been warring with the Separatist movement. Yet before one war could end, another was seeming to begin. The Supreme Chancellor had been reportedly attacked by the Jedi in an attempted coup, disfiguring the politician in the process. Had it not been for the timely intervention of Republic-loyal Jedi Anakin Skywalker, he'd likely be dead! Now, the Jedi were all labeled as seditious criminals, a high bounty put on the head of any seen wielding the mystical powers of The Force or carrying a Lightsaber.
Caeden and Ashla barely managed to escape the Temple, the both of them wounded and exhausted. Skywalker... or "Lord Vader" as he was calling himself, now, had very nearly killed them. He'd always been known to be incredibly powerful, but... clearly the stories weren't doing him justice. Caeden tightly grasped his side, greatly favoring his left leg, much of his weight supported by Ashla's lean frame. They had to get off world, and quickly. Of all the planets in the Galaxy, The Core Planets were dead last on the list of places a Jedi wanted to be, right now, much less Coruscant, itself. They had to find a ship, and fast...
But even by the standards of a metropolis the size of a planet, Coruscant was in an uproar over the news. For years, now, The Galactic Republic had been warring with the Separatist movement. Yet before one war could end, another was seeming to begin. The Supreme Chancellor had been reportedly attacked by the Jedi in an attempted coup, disfiguring the politician in the process. Had it not been for the timely intervention of Republic-loyal Jedi Anakin Skywalker, he'd likely be dead! Now, the Jedi were all labeled as seditious criminals, a high bounty put on the head of any seen wielding the mystical powers of The Force or carrying a Lightsaber.
Caeden and Ashla barely managed to escape the Temple, the both of them wounded and exhausted. Skywalker... or "Lord Vader" as he was calling himself, now, had very nearly killed them. He'd always been known to be incredibly powerful, but... clearly the stories weren't doing him justice. Caeden tightly grasped his side, greatly favoring his left leg, much of his weight supported by Ashla's lean frame. They had to get off world, and quickly. Of all the planets in the Galaxy, The Core Planets were dead last on the list of places a Jedi wanted to be, right now, much less Coruscant, itself. They had to find a ship, and fast...
Ryn worked quickly to get his ship loaded and off planet before any more troopers showed up to arrest or more likely kill him. The hanger was quiet and mostly empty save for a handful of ships, one such ship was parked at the far back corner of the hanger. It was a heavily modified YT-1300 freighter, beat up and abused, but obviously space worthy. To most Ryn looked like a typical pilot or merchant, he was dressed simply and at most people might mistake him for a bounty hunter. The secret though was strapped to his hip, the thing that if anyone saw would get him killed on the spot.
It was at the time that Ryn heard a commotion behind him, turning he could see a pair of Jedi's stumbling through a nearby door one of which was obviously injured the other most likely a padawan, within moments two dozen clones followed them through the door and started barking orders, the threat of arrest or death was growing with each second for the pair. Before either of them could react Ryn had called their attention drawing them away for the most part and in a sudden violent flurry the hanger erupted in blaster fire and the crisp hum and crash of a lightsaber, in an instant the pilot stood over a pile of dead troopers his white bladed saber humming crisply. It was apparent to the two young Jedi's that this person was not an enemy, he may not be a friend but at the moment he was probably their best bet to get off the planet.
It was at the time that Ryn heard a commotion behind him, turning he could see a pair of Jedi's stumbling through a nearby door one of which was obviously injured the other most likely a padawan, within moments two dozen clones followed them through the door and started barking orders, the threat of arrest or death was growing with each second for the pair. Before either of them could react Ryn had called their attention drawing them away for the most part and in a sudden violent flurry the hanger erupted in blaster fire and the crisp hum and crash of a lightsaber, in an instant the pilot stood over a pile of dead troopers his white bladed saber humming crisply. It was apparent to the two young Jedi's that this person was not an enemy, he may not be a friend but at the moment he was probably their best bet to get off the planet.
She hadn't said much, but there really wasn't much to be said. They needed to get off of this planet and they weren't in much shape to try and do that themselves. Ashla helped Caden along, he was hurt far more than she but they had both seen better days. Both no doubt had some cracked ribs, but he was bloodier than she. She huffed to keep herself, and Caden, steady as they moved out onto hanger... she could try her hand at stealing a ship, but she wasn't quite that skilled yet. However - there was someone there. Was he friend or foe? Ashla halted, shifting Caden further upward. What could they do?
They didn't have much time to think when the clones came in after them. They were ordering them to surrender, hand over their weapons. Ashla grit her teeth, her hand slowly moving to her own saber. There was no way she was going to give up - these two survived the now known Lord Vader. They weren't going to give up that easily... but, again, not much time to think when the stranger took matters into his own hands. She maybe got one or two herself, carefully, but only the ones closest to the pair. The pilot, who was now seen to be Jedi, took care of the rest. Ashla cast a weary glance to Caden, then back to the other. "That was helpful...care to be more helpful?" She asked, brow quirking slightly as she glanced to the man's ship. "We need off this planet... seems you do, too."
They didn't have much time to think when the clones came in after them. They were ordering them to surrender, hand over their weapons. Ashla grit her teeth, her hand slowly moving to her own saber. There was no way she was going to give up - these two survived the now known Lord Vader. They weren't going to give up that easily... but, again, not much time to think when the stranger took matters into his own hands. She maybe got one or two herself, carefully, but only the ones closest to the pair. The pilot, who was now seen to be Jedi, took care of the rest. Ashla cast a weary glance to Caden, then back to the other. "That was helpful...care to be more helpful?" She asked, brow quirking slightly as she glanced to the man's ship. "We need off this planet... seems you do, too."
His vision was starting to blur, occasionally. Bloodloss wasn't something Jedi were incredibly used to, at least the ones stationed on Coruscant. Lightsabers and blasters tended to cauterize wounds. But he'd hit his head pretty hard, and he was pretty sure he was bleeding internally. He kept focusing on the ground, on making sure he didn't trip over his own feet. And then a flash of white and red, and the crash of blaster fire against ionized plasma.
"Agh... where is... what...?" He muttered through grit teeth as he lifted his head. The hangar was filled with ships of all kinds, but it seemed the ruckus was coming from a Corellian freighter., near as he could tell. His senses sharpened as his eyes lay on the ship, and he felt suddenly drawn to it, almost physically.
Apparently, Ashla had a similar idea, as she was already walking them that way. A fellow Jedi trying to escape off-planet? A stroke of luck! Hope filled Caden's heart, the renewed flame of hope that more than just he and Ashla had escaped the Temple. The Jedi were not extinct, yet...
"Agh... where is... what...?" He muttered through grit teeth as he lifted his head. The hangar was filled with ships of all kinds, but it seemed the ruckus was coming from a Corellian freighter., near as he could tell. His senses sharpened as his eyes lay on the ship, and he felt suddenly drawn to it, almost physically.
Apparently, Ashla had a similar idea, as she was already walking them that way. A fellow Jedi trying to escape off-planet? A stroke of luck! Hope filled Caden's heart, the renewed flame of hope that more than just he and Ashla had escaped the Temple. The Jedi were not extinct, yet...
Putting his saber away, Ryn came to the aid of the young girl. Putting his arm around the young man to take his weight as they started towards the ship. "I didn't know there was any Jedi left to save, we haven't got much time and your friend here is in bad shape. I have a medical bay onboard but we may have time find something more substantial." His voice was calm and reassuring. "Get you both on board and then we'll get in the air" There was an odd familiarity in the air, as Ryn nearly carried the young man onto his ship his injuries were taking their toll and by the time they reached the landing ramp the young Jedi had all but passed out, having to be carried the rest of the way.
The two took refuge in the medical bay, the girl tending to the man's injuries and her own, within a few short moments they felt the push of the sublight engines and could sense the planet growing more distant with each second and it wasn't long before the sound of the hyperdrive powering up could be heard. The pilot came walking into the Med Bay some time later to check on his passengers, he had been surprised when they had shown up and he could sense there was more to these two then was obvious, he couldn't shake the bad feeling he had that trouble would surely follow these two if not every remaining Jedi.
The two took refuge in the medical bay, the girl tending to the man's injuries and her own, within a few short moments they felt the push of the sublight engines and could sense the planet growing more distant with each second and it wasn't long before the sound of the hyperdrive powering up could be heard. The pilot came walking into the Med Bay some time later to check on his passengers, he had been surprised when they had shown up and he could sense there was more to these two then was obvious, he couldn't shake the bad feeling he had that trouble would surely follow these two if not every remaining Jedi.
A stroke of luck was right. "We didn't know there were any, either." Ashla allowed the incognito Jedi to take Caden, her own hand moving to her rib as they started to board. There wasn't much to do with a cracked rib, only time could heal it, but they needed to get Caden in there and scanned. She didn't want to lose him, especially without thanking him for saving her life. She would nod, agreeing with the rogue when he mentioned getting in the air as they finally boarded. The sooner, the better. Once aboard, Ashla would go straight to that medical bay to help scan Caden, ensure that his injuries weren't life threatening and could be dealt with. They could, but it'd be some time, that was for sure.
Ashla was sitting and watching Caden, her eyes trained on the scanners around him to make sure he didn't take a sudden dive when the rogue entered. Honey colored eyes snapped from Caden to him before she moved to stand, carefully moving his way and inclined forward slightly. "Thank you for your help. We... well, we needed it." She motioned to Caden, not sure if he was coherent after he was tended to. "I... didn't catch his name, but I'm Ashla Olshar."
Ashla was sitting and watching Caden, her eyes trained on the scanners around him to make sure he didn't take a sudden dive when the rogue entered. Honey colored eyes snapped from Caden to him before she moved to stand, carefully moving his way and inclined forward slightly. "Thank you for your help. We... well, we needed it." She motioned to Caden, not sure if he was coherent after he was tended to. "I... didn't catch his name, but I'm Ashla Olshar."
Tallus Reigh was on the nearby planet of Corellia, dealing with a few problems of his own. He was trying to buy much needed parts for the YT1300 that Ryn was flying off of Coruscant. After getting in a scuffle with some Storm Troopers he used his communicator and got a hold of Ryn. After being told about what has transpired and that Caden and Ashla have been rescued from the madness, Tallus had one reply, "you must get here quick".
Switching the comlink off Ryn leaned back in his chair staring out the cockpit glass at the hyperspace tunnel whizzing by, his hand silently keyed in new navigational coordinates. Turning to his co-pilot, a young Twi'lek girl with blue-green skin named Andara, he instructed her to keep an eye on the ship while he checked on the passengers. He left the cockpit and headed towards the medical bay, the distant sound of a heartbeat monitor filled the otherwise silent corridors.
Entering the Medbay the girl stood and stepped towards him, he quickly moved in her direction motioning for her to sit. "Sit sit, you two have had a rough day and need to rest and heal." his voice expressing genuine concern for the two young Jedi. The pilot knelt beside Ashla and looked over to her friend, inspecting the scanners. "My name is Ryn by the way Ryn Kyrana. I certainly am glad I could help, this is no time for jedi to be turning on each other." standing again Ryn walked towards the door, pausing to look back at the girl, "We are headed to pick up another Jedi on Corellia, there are a few contacts there and if needed we can get your friend more extensive care." With that Ryn disappeared into the hallway leaving her to watch over her friend and to rest herself.
Entering the Medbay the girl stood and stepped towards him, he quickly moved in her direction motioning for her to sit. "Sit sit, you two have had a rough day and need to rest and heal." his voice expressing genuine concern for the two young Jedi. The pilot knelt beside Ashla and looked over to her friend, inspecting the scanners. "My name is Ryn by the way Ryn Kyrana. I certainly am glad I could help, this is no time for jedi to be turning on each other." standing again Ryn walked towards the door, pausing to look back at the girl, "We are headed to pick up another Jedi on Corellia, there are a few contacts there and if needed we can get your friend more extensive care." With that Ryn disappeared into the hallway leaving her to watch over her friend and to rest herself.
To a point, Caden was aware of his surroundings. The Force allowed his senses to keep him in touch with his environment, help warn him of danger as he slipped into somewhat of a meditative state to allow himself a better chance to heal.
A "meditative state", of course, was a euphemism for a shallow coma, in his particular case.
He was off-world. That much he knew. And, for the moment, he couldn't sense any immediate aggression. Beyond that, he was completely out of touch with consciousness. His body had begun the arduous task of putting itself back together after the very thorough and rather unanswered thrashing handed to him by the former General Skywalker.
Lord Vader. The name spoke of shadow, and rage. A Dark Knight for Palpatine's new Empire. Caden remembered the fury in Anakin Skywalker's eyes as he had been helplessly held aloft, face to face with the Fallen Jedi. That look, it... it made him afraid. So much power in one person, and a Dark Jedi, at that!
A Dark Jedi? Perhaps. Perhaps worse. The Order had known that the Sith had returned to the Galaxy. It was widely believed that Count Dooku, another fallen Jedi, was now one such Sith. Could it be that Dooku had turned Skywalker from the light? No, no after years of battling each other in the Clone Wars, it seemed unlikely. Though he had slain Dooku- perhaps it was simply the cycle of Master and Apprentice beginning anew, once again? It was hard to tell.
His breathing was deep, slow. His side hurt, terribly, and it labored each breathe he took, but his body needed the extra oxygen. He had a long road ahead of him, but he'd make it.
A "meditative state", of course, was a euphemism for a shallow coma, in his particular case.
He was off-world. That much he knew. And, for the moment, he couldn't sense any immediate aggression. Beyond that, he was completely out of touch with consciousness. His body had begun the arduous task of putting itself back together after the very thorough and rather unanswered thrashing handed to him by the former General Skywalker.
Lord Vader. The name spoke of shadow, and rage. A Dark Knight for Palpatine's new Empire. Caden remembered the fury in Anakin Skywalker's eyes as he had been helplessly held aloft, face to face with the Fallen Jedi. That look, it... it made him afraid. So much power in one person, and a Dark Jedi, at that!
A Dark Jedi? Perhaps. Perhaps worse. The Order had known that the Sith had returned to the Galaxy. It was widely believed that Count Dooku, another fallen Jedi, was now one such Sith. Could it be that Dooku had turned Skywalker from the light? No, no after years of battling each other in the Clone Wars, it seemed unlikely. Though he had slain Dooku- perhaps it was simply the cycle of Master and Apprentice beginning anew, once again? It was hard to tell.
His breathing was deep, slow. His side hurt, terribly, and it labored each breathe he took, but his body needed the extra oxygen. He had a long road ahead of him, but he'd make it.
Ashla would have paused when she was ushered back to her chair and she wouldn't' object; she was exhausted and hadn't slept in... a long time. So she sat, relaxed into the chair as she watched him kneel beside her. Her short stature made eye contact easier that way, honestly. Her neck couldn't take looking up just yet. "Good to meet you." She nodded at his name before hearing they were heading to pick up another Jedi. The troopers were wasting no time. It made her ill to think how many have lots their lives already, so much death hung in the air while on Coruscant... she could only imagine the galaxy.
The padawan watched the rogue leave and let out a long breath that she didn't know she was holding in. For the first time in a long time, since she was a child, she was afraid of the dark. She saw it today, stared it down and fought back... but she wasn't sure if she could do it again. Ashla focused her mind elsewhere, standing then to ensure Caden was healing properly. Once on Corellia, she'd see about Ryn's contacts about getting Caden more intensive care.
The padawan watched the rogue leave and let out a long breath that she didn't know she was holding in. For the first time in a long time, since she was a child, she was afraid of the dark. She saw it today, stared it down and fought back... but she wasn't sure if she could do it again. Ashla focused her mind elsewhere, standing then to ensure Caden was healing properly. Once on Corellia, she'd see about Ryn's contacts about getting Caden more intensive care.
Blaster fire erupts around Tallus's head. He drops his communicator and reaches for his sabers. He registers the tramp and crash of armor and deflects a plasma bolt before he sees two platoons of Clone Troopers ascend on his position. He has no other option than to run from the fight.
He ducks in and out of containers that are meant to be loaded onto the ships in the hanger he was hiding in. Finding his way to a small and slow ship he jumps in the cockpit and starts to take off. The troopers hit the engines, the ship falls to the ground.
Hurt and hobbling Tallus slowly crawls out of the craft. Grabs one saber to defect the plasma blast's coming at him from the front of the ship. The other, to fight off the the troopers to his right. He is now resting on the ship and surrounded by the Clones. Tallus has no choice but to surrender, hoping Ryn would get there soon.
He ducks in and out of containers that are meant to be loaded onto the ships in the hanger he was hiding in. Finding his way to a small and slow ship he jumps in the cockpit and starts to take off. The troopers hit the engines, the ship falls to the ground.
Hurt and hobbling Tallus slowly crawls out of the craft. Grabs one saber to defect the plasma blast's coming at him from the front of the ship. The other, to fight off the the troopers to his right. He is now resting on the ship and surrounded by the Clones. Tallus has no choice but to surrender, hoping Ryn would get there soon.
The ship had just broken through the clouds when Ryn was struck by a familiar feeling, he could sense his friend and master were in trouble. He pushed the ship as fast as it could safely go towards the hanger, he hoped he would get there in time.
The Hanger was empty by the time the Dawn Rider arrived, no clones, no Tallus not a single vessel save for Tallus' star fighter. The ship hovered in the hanger as Ryn lowered the loading ramp and hopped down. Ryn searched the small fighter and the surrounding hanger hoping for any sign of his friend.
It was late in the evening when the Dawn Rider turned from the planet and headed for deep space. Ryn sat in the common room at table staring at a map of the galaxy, the ship was quiet except for the sound of the sublight engines softly humming away. "Tallus where did they take you old friend, where are they keeping you." he said out loud in an exasperated voice to no one in particular.
The Hanger was empty by the time the Dawn Rider arrived, no clones, no Tallus not a single vessel save for Tallus' star fighter. The ship hovered in the hanger as Ryn lowered the loading ramp and hopped down. Ryn searched the small fighter and the surrounding hanger hoping for any sign of his friend.
It was late in the evening when the Dawn Rider turned from the planet and headed for deep space. Ryn sat in the common room at table staring at a map of the galaxy, the ship was quiet except for the sound of the sublight engines softly humming away. "Tallus where did they take you old friend, where are they keeping you." he said out loud in an exasperated voice to no one in particular.
It had been almost four hours since they had raced out of Coruscant's atmosphere. By sheer force of will, and the help of what little aid The Dawn Rider's medbay could offer, Caden had managed to curb the internal bleeding, and prevent any marrow from leaking into the blood, causing infection. The young Jedi came limping into the common room, half-supporting himself against the wall.
"I never did get to thank you for the rescue." He sighed, shoulder coming to rest against the plating of the corridor wall as he looked at the man. He'd removed most of the primary armor elements of his uniform, feeling less than up to the task of walking with the extra weight hanging off of him. The white and gold robes that remained rested loosely on his form, wafting a little as he pushed himself straight and took pained through the walk forward to come and sit across the table from Ryn. "I expected to be on our way to the Outer Rim, not hovering around yet another Core Planet. We're no safer there than we were on Coruscant, you know."
Corellia was one of the Republic's great industrial centers, responsible for the manufacturing of the highest-quality hyperdrives money could buy. It had been heavily protected by Clone Troopers during the height of the Clone Wars, the Republic worried that Dooku's Separatists would strike there, claim a little power for their fleet. Now, it meant the planet was swarming with potential Jedi Killers, just waiting to see the flash of a lightsaber to draw their fire. He was in no state to defend himself, much less the Padawan he had brought in tow.
"I never did get to thank you for the rescue." He sighed, shoulder coming to rest against the plating of the corridor wall as he looked at the man. He'd removed most of the primary armor elements of his uniform, feeling less than up to the task of walking with the extra weight hanging off of him. The white and gold robes that remained rested loosely on his form, wafting a little as he pushed himself straight and took pained through the walk forward to come and sit across the table from Ryn. "I expected to be on our way to the Outer Rim, not hovering around yet another Core Planet. We're no safer there than we were on Coruscant, you know."
Corellia was one of the Republic's great industrial centers, responsible for the manufacturing of the highest-quality hyperdrives money could buy. It had been heavily protected by Clone Troopers during the height of the Clone Wars, the Republic worried that Dooku's Separatists would strike there, claim a little power for their fleet. Now, it meant the planet was swarming with potential Jedi Killers, just waiting to see the flash of a lightsaber to draw their fire. He was in no state to defend himself, much less the Padawan he had brought in tow.
Ryn greeted the young Jedi with a smile, glad to see him alive. Closing the star map he leaned back in his chair with a tired sigh.
"Corellia wasn't my first choice to be honest. I received a distress call from a friend, one I couldn't ignore." His voice carried his fatigue and stress. "We aren't sticking around though already set course for the outer rim."
Eyeing the young Jedi seated across the table he recognized him from the temple guards. " I'm Ryn by the way, Ryn Kyrana. No need to thank me for doing what any of us would do." His tone lightening some.
"Corellia wasn't my first choice to be honest. I received a distress call from a friend, one I couldn't ignore." His voice carried his fatigue and stress. "We aren't sticking around though already set course for the outer rim."
Eyeing the young Jedi seated across the table he recognized him from the temple guards. " I'm Ryn by the way, Ryn Kyrana. No need to thank me for doing what any of us would do." His tone lightening some.
"Any of us." Caden nodded, eyeing the surface of the table for a moment before leaning back with a pained grunt. "Are you one of us?"
Perhaps it was years being apprenticed to the equivalent of a Jedi cop. Perhaps it was his recent experience with Skywalker that made him suspicious. In his bloodied daze, he hadn't seen much of the encounter that had brought them upon the ship, but he'd seen enough to notice a total lack of formal style in the way he wielded his saber. It was clear that he hadn't learned to use it in the Order. What was it Master Caver used to say? All Martial and no Art. Kyrana clearly possessed skill with his weapon, and there were certainly hints of formal influence to suggest perhaps some late tutelage, but ultimately Ryn's swordsmanship was primarily based on improvisation and reflex over anything else.
He could sense the Force in Ryn, that was clear to any Jedi. But it lacked the control of a Jedi, the... restraint. A trained Jedi bore an aura which seemed... organized. Groomed. Ryn's was chaotic, almost pulsing off his body.
Caden's grey-blue eyes stared piercingly at the man, almost accusing, but mostly appraising. His breathing was still labored, and he held a hand firmly against his side, cradling his ribs. But his gaze was as strong as ever.
Perhaps it was years being apprenticed to the equivalent of a Jedi cop. Perhaps it was his recent experience with Skywalker that made him suspicious. In his bloodied daze, he hadn't seen much of the encounter that had brought them upon the ship, but he'd seen enough to notice a total lack of formal style in the way he wielded his saber. It was clear that he hadn't learned to use it in the Order. What was it Master Caver used to say? All Martial and no Art. Kyrana clearly possessed skill with his weapon, and there were certainly hints of formal influence to suggest perhaps some late tutelage, but ultimately Ryn's swordsmanship was primarily based on improvisation and reflex over anything else.
He could sense the Force in Ryn, that was clear to any Jedi. But it lacked the control of a Jedi, the... restraint. A trained Jedi bore an aura which seemed... organized. Groomed. Ryn's was chaotic, almost pulsing off his body.
Caden's grey-blue eyes stared piercingly at the man, almost accusing, but mostly appraising. His breathing was still labored, and he held a hand firmly against his side, cradling his ribs. But his gaze was as strong as ever.
Ryn leaned forward pulling the gloves off of his hands, the cold metal of his prosthetics gleaned in the dim light. He leaned on the table, his eyes never leaving the young Jedi. "One of you. I think the questions you really want to ask is; why am I not a Jedi. Why did I save you? Who am I?" His tone was a bit short, picking up on the young mans accusing nature.
"No I am not a Jedi, I never was and never will be. My master.....my friend is a Jedi and he is why I saved you. It was the right thing to do." Ryn looked down at his hands as he spoke. "I am not your enemy if that's what you are worried about. If you must know we came to Corellia to rescue my master, Tallus Reigh." Caden could sense the distress in Ryn, the frustration. He could also sense something deeper, past the light. Something still holding on and as much as Ryn tried to contain it his emotions let it peak through.
Ryn looked up at Caden, his icey blue eyes were tired evident by the dark circles below them. "I have nothing to hide from you, by now I know you can sense plenty with me so ask what you will."
"No I am not a Jedi, I never was and never will be. My master.....my friend is a Jedi and he is why I saved you. It was the right thing to do." Ryn looked down at his hands as he spoke. "I am not your enemy if that's what you are worried about. If you must know we came to Corellia to rescue my master, Tallus Reigh." Caden could sense the distress in Ryn, the frustration. He could also sense something deeper, past the light. Something still holding on and as much as Ryn tried to contain it his emotions let it peak through.
Ryn looked up at Caden, his icey blue eyes were tired evident by the dark circles below them. "I have nothing to hide from you, by now I know you can sense plenty with me so ask what you will."
Tallus Reigh...
The name struck a chord with Caden. He remembered the name. There were hundreds of Jedi throughout the Galaxy- at least, their had been. But despite what many might have thought, it wasn't often that one of their brethren chose to leave the Order of their own volition.
Younglings who couldn't pass their trials were typically given an option of the Service Corps or returning to Civilian life- often a difficult decision to make, even for one so young. To leave behind what was ultimately the only life they had grown to know to return to one they could barely remember? Hard to imagine, but it did, on occasion, occur.
But for a Jedi, full trained and of notable skill and power, to choose to leave the Order behind was... rare, to say the least. Civilians looked at Jedi and their powers with The Force and saw them, simply, as some sort of superpowers. They never understood the price a Jedi had to pay for his power. The discipline, the constant attention to mental and emotional balance required. At times, it was impossible without the aid of one's fellow Jedi to support them. It was the primary reason that Gray Jedi were so readily exiled from the Order, to prevent their influence from spreading- the Jedi had to be united together in the Light side of the Force.
In the last year, the Jedi had seen five losses from their ranks through means other than death. Master Pong Krell had apparently gone to the Dark Side, remaining in his position as a Jedi General in the Clone Wars as a way to weaken the Republic forces. Barris Offee, frustrated with the Jedi's role in the war, framed Ahsoka Tano for the Temple Hangar Bombing in an effort to make the Republic question the Jedi's reliability. Simultaneously, Padawan Tano chose to walk away from the Order, their readiness to believe her guilt forcing her to question her faith in the Jedi as an organization. Anakin Skywalker, of course, had defected from the Jedi to join the newly-christened Emperor Palpatine, turning on his own brothers- even murdering Younglings.
And then, there was Tallus Reigh. His choice to abandon the Order was less high-profile, but in Caden's role as a Temple Guard he had been made aware of the ordeal in order to be readily alert for the chance that Reigh might return to the Order, tainted by the Dark Side. He'd been a rising scion of what it meant to be Jedi, building a reputation for himself rather quickly. And then... something happened. If the Council knew what it was that drove Tallus to renounce the Code, they weren't sharing it. Which, of course, made his defection all the more shocking.
Caden was weak. And he had never been exceptionally skilled with his use of The Force. But there was certainly something he could sense off of Ryn as he spoke: Fear. He was genuinely afraid of what would happen to Reigh if he couldn't find him.
There were dozens or more questions he still had to ask Kyrana, but it was clear that those would have to wait for a more opportune time. For now...
"We need to establish a timeline. Figuring out exactly when he was taken, to the minute, will help us calculate how far ahead of us they are. Should help us put together a smaller perimeter to search." The holomap activated again, and Caden grunted as he leaned forward in his seat. "What was the timestamp on the last message you recieved from him?"
The name struck a chord with Caden. He remembered the name. There were hundreds of Jedi throughout the Galaxy- at least, their had been. But despite what many might have thought, it wasn't often that one of their brethren chose to leave the Order of their own volition.
Younglings who couldn't pass their trials were typically given an option of the Service Corps or returning to Civilian life- often a difficult decision to make, even for one so young. To leave behind what was ultimately the only life they had grown to know to return to one they could barely remember? Hard to imagine, but it did, on occasion, occur.
But for a Jedi, full trained and of notable skill and power, to choose to leave the Order behind was... rare, to say the least. Civilians looked at Jedi and their powers with The Force and saw them, simply, as some sort of superpowers. They never understood the price a Jedi had to pay for his power. The discipline, the constant attention to mental and emotional balance required. At times, it was impossible without the aid of one's fellow Jedi to support them. It was the primary reason that Gray Jedi were so readily exiled from the Order, to prevent their influence from spreading- the Jedi had to be united together in the Light side of the Force.
In the last year, the Jedi had seen five losses from their ranks through means other than death. Master Pong Krell had apparently gone to the Dark Side, remaining in his position as a Jedi General in the Clone Wars as a way to weaken the Republic forces. Barris Offee, frustrated with the Jedi's role in the war, framed Ahsoka Tano for the Temple Hangar Bombing in an effort to make the Republic question the Jedi's reliability. Simultaneously, Padawan Tano chose to walk away from the Order, their readiness to believe her guilt forcing her to question her faith in the Jedi as an organization. Anakin Skywalker, of course, had defected from the Jedi to join the newly-christened Emperor Palpatine, turning on his own brothers- even murdering Younglings.
And then, there was Tallus Reigh. His choice to abandon the Order was less high-profile, but in Caden's role as a Temple Guard he had been made aware of the ordeal in order to be readily alert for the chance that Reigh might return to the Order, tainted by the Dark Side. He'd been a rising scion of what it meant to be Jedi, building a reputation for himself rather quickly. And then... something happened. If the Council knew what it was that drove Tallus to renounce the Code, they weren't sharing it. Which, of course, made his defection all the more shocking.
Caden was weak. And he had never been exceptionally skilled with his use of The Force. But there was certainly something he could sense off of Ryn as he spoke: Fear. He was genuinely afraid of what would happen to Reigh if he couldn't find him.
There were dozens or more questions he still had to ask Kyrana, but it was clear that those would have to wait for a more opportune time. For now...
"We need to establish a timeline. Figuring out exactly when he was taken, to the minute, will help us calculate how far ahead of us they are. Should help us put together a smaller perimeter to search." The holomap activated again, and Caden grunted as he leaned forward in his seat. "What was the timestamp on the last message you recieved from him?"
Ashla woke with a start. She must have fallen asleep; she'd been trying to keep herself awake and ready, but she must have finally succumbed to exhaustion. Her breathing was labored, but that could have been from the dream she'd had. It was Vader and she had been back on Coruscant, only this time she was alone. Caden wasn't there to help.
But, she was back on the ship, no long in danger. At least for now. Using the back of her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead, Ashla glanced over to where Caden had been asleep and found him gone. Adrenaline spiked as she stood, but he would be around here somewhere... And were they stopped or was she imagining that?
She was up and moving quickly, adjusting the saber at her hip as she moved through the ship. It didn't take her long however to find the pair together - Caden and Ryn. There was some slight ease at finding the pair, but what exactly were they discussing? She heard something of a timeline and glanced forward to the holomap. "Where are we?" Wherever they were, she would try and be as useful as she could. She owed them all that much.
But, she was back on the ship, no long in danger. At least for now. Using the back of her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead, Ashla glanced over to where Caden had been asleep and found him gone. Adrenaline spiked as she stood, but he would be around here somewhere... And were they stopped or was she imagining that?
She was up and moving quickly, adjusting the saber at her hip as she moved through the ship. It didn't take her long however to find the pair together - Caden and Ryn. There was some slight ease at finding the pair, but what exactly were they discussing? She heard something of a timeline and glanced forward to the holomap. "Where are we?" Wherever they were, she would try and be as useful as she could. She owed them all that much.
By the time Ashla came wandering into the common room, Ryn and Caden had not only figured out a likely route and location but had already set a coarse as such. The two jedi turned to look at her, as she walked in but did not break their conversation. It seemed as though they were planning something big, something along the lines of a jail break.
Ryn sat stretched out on a couch as the two talked and planned, his jacket sitting on the back of a chair. The dull chrome glimmer shown in the soft light of the room, it was obvious the arms were lost in saber combat. This made Ryn's mysterious story all the more intriguing.
Ryn sat stretched out on a couch as the two talked and planned, his jacket sitting on the back of a chair. The dull chrome glimmer shown in the soft light of the room, it was obvious the arms were lost in saber combat. This made Ryn's mysterious story all the more intriguing.
Tallus woke up on a sort of table, strapped flat by his arms, wrists, legs, and ankles. His head felt fuzzy, and his eyes blurry. He could not focus, his mind felt weak. He could only move his head a limited amount. Not that it mattered as he could see only the outlines of blurred shapes. "What did they give me," he thought to himself; he tried to relax but only got agitated as he lay there for some time. Although he could not tell how long he had been detained or even where this room was. "Still on Corillia, or maybe off world on a ship of some kind," he thought, trying to figure it out. The air smelt stale and soiled as if he was not the first to occupy this room in the recent past. Tallus's thoughts drifted towards Ryn and Andara, hoping they didn't fall into the same trap as him. Was it a trap? Was it chance? why were the Clones turning on their Generals? "Why attack me," he thought.
He felt a presence in the room; his mind started to clear. Someone had been in the room the entire time he lay there. As he started to relax and concentrate, a voice spoke, "Where are the Jedi hiding?" Slipping deeper into a relaxed state he heard a louder, but muffled, angry, tone coming from the same voice. "WHERE WOULD THE JEDI HIDE FROM US?," the voice spoke.
Tallus could not understand anything that was being said anymore. He was in such a deep, relaxed state focused on Ryn, for a moment his concentration slipped, desperate, as he tired to reach out to him. Was he even close enough, strong enough, for Ryn to hear him? He breathed deeply once more, as the world around him tried to intrude and settled into silence. Then he felt his old friend as if he was in the same room and was able to speak one word before they gave him some more of whatever it was that knocked him out the first time.
"RYN."
He felt a presence in the room; his mind started to clear. Someone had been in the room the entire time he lay there. As he started to relax and concentrate, a voice spoke, "Where are the Jedi hiding?" Slipping deeper into a relaxed state he heard a louder, but muffled, angry, tone coming from the same voice. "WHERE WOULD THE JEDI HIDE FROM US?," the voice spoke.
Tallus could not understand anything that was being said anymore. He was in such a deep, relaxed state focused on Ryn, for a moment his concentration slipped, desperate, as he tired to reach out to him. Was he even close enough, strong enough, for Ryn to hear him? He breathed deeply once more, as the world around him tried to intrude and settled into silence. Then he felt his old friend as if he was in the same room and was able to speak one word before they gave him some more of whatever it was that knocked him out the first time.
"RYN."