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Sha Koons office 8/24/21
Tesara is furious. There is chaos happening outside the office and she is locked inside with no way out. She had sent the force message to Durro of Sha Koon's office and prayed he understood it. She didn't dare send more, even though there was nothing but shouting and the stamping of running feet beyond the door. She bit her lip, praying that her friends hadn't been caught trying to free Lysire and her friends. She is pacing, her eyes landing on each of Sha Koon's trophies as she stalks the room. Her anger is getting the best of her and she knew it, but seeing all of these people made her wonder how many of them were victims of Daz Murl or Sha Koon. It might have been that these people are innocent, they might be at StarLight, or they might be dead. She began to peer at them, trying to find a pattern that may tell her who is alive and who is not. The picture of Durro with no trophy is worrying. She looked more closely now, trying to see if there was anyone she recognized. There were no pictures of people she recognized, and she is relieved for it. Pacing the room, she wanders around the backside of Sha Koon's desk. She hesitates, knowing that the computer is locked, but there might be something in her desk that would reveal a way for her to escape. A key, or maybe a door code. She glances at the door and prays she is not interrupted. She pulls open one of the drawers and peers inside.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
The panic and commotion continued to raise beyond the door as Daz stood his guarding the door. It was clear something big had happened based solely on the yelling coming from the bridge. He stood there like a good soldier, like a good Hunter. But that was the problem, he wasn’t a Hunter anymore. A lifetime of training and dedication up in smoke because of some black-haired little cunt. His anger rose as he remembered that fateful day. The day his whole life changed.
Without warning his comlink chimed, “Murl,” he heard Sha Koon’s voice on the other end. Her frustration and anger clearly detected. “We are having issues with the Main Computer,” she barked. Then spoke to someone else, “why would I care about the gunner crews right now. Get the main computer back up!” Her attention back to her comlink, “keep a keen eye on our guest I suspect that this computer issue is no accident.”
Daz nodded, “shall I come and help you?”
“No, keep with our guest. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Yes, Master, Koon.”
Inside the room, Tesara opened the drawer to find that this woman had a thing for order. Each writing utensil was carefully placed in the drawer according to size and color. Even small metal clips were aligned in prefect order. It was then that Tesara noticed something rather strange. The inside of the drawer smelled of cleaning chemicals. She had smelled the odor when she first walked into the office and just equated it to a person who wants a clean office. This took that to a whole new level. There was a flimsy there with Durro’s name neatly written on it.
The words and letters were almost artistic in nature. Large thick lines melded perfectly with thin lines to create letters, then words. The flimsy itself was a letter addressed to Durro in the form of a grievance letter regarding stolen parts. As she read down the list, she realized that these items all were parts to lightsabers that she is accusing him of stealing. The art didn’t just stop with the letters or words. Her use of the language and the time she put in to crafting each sentence reflected a woman who’s attention nothing like Tesara had ever seen.
She heard the door slowly opening and knew that someone was coming….
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She shut the drawer quickly and stepped away, turning her back to the door. Her foot was tapping nervously. "Am I allowed to return to my ship yet?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
Daz walked in and forced the door closed, "even if you were, you wouldn't be able. The lifts are all off line due to computer issues."
He walked over to the desk, "take your seat please." Daz said motioning for her to take her chair as he set down in Sha Koon's chair.
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She exhaled through her nose to indicate her displeasure but she sat as he ordered, then turned her back to him.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
Daz leaned back in the large chair and brought his hands together as he just watched her. She felt him searching her through the force. There was a strange coldness about it. Something akin to what she felt around Orchid, but not as focused and with much more uncontrolled rage threatening to explode at any minute. He just watched her through those thick goggles. His breath mask making a interesting sound has he took in deep breaths.
"I know who you are," he declared looking right at Tesara. He then got up and walked around the desk and leaned against it. He placed a hand next to her hair, "sure you look different." He moved his hand through her hair, "different hair, clothes, more make up, less make up." He turned and walked back to Sha Koon's chair, "you corporate types are all the same.”
He moved into the chair, “you feed the suffering, the killing, and the chaos.” His voice dripped with anger, “and for what, profits. You push your interest through the Senate and watch the Jedi fight your wars. New soldiers mean new uniforms, new weapons, new equipment, and more ships of war.” He laughed, “and I am the monster that is to be hunted.”
He leaned forward, “you and your types are at blame for everything. The 501st wouldn’t have been at Baklid if that damn refinery hadn’t been built. But you had to have your new anchorage. So your allies in the Senate ensured that the Jedi would need it so they would protect it.”
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She shuddered violently when he touched her hair but bit down on her tongue to keep from hissing or moving to get away on sheer instinct. She looked directly at him now. "And what of the people we help? SunCo gives thousands of dollars and commits hundreds and hundreds of people to serve on those worlds for charity. There are other good works on several outer rim worlds and core as well. I'm not naive. SunCo IS a corporation and it's business is money. No one is perfectly innocent or perfectly vile. That would be naive."
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He leaned back, "oh I agree, no one is perfectly innocent, or completely guilty," he said and there was something in his tone that sent a chill down her spin. "Take me for instance. What you see is the culmination of hundreds of years of genetic pairing to create the very best Jedi possible.” He leaned forward, “a lifetime of training at the hands of some of the best Masters in the galaxy. One would think that I could do no wrong.”
He paused for a moment as he took her in and spoke with a softer tone, “but they would be wrong. You see,” once more he paused.
“Hypothetically, if I were to break the law.” He waved a hand at her, “take you for instance. If I were to hurt you, that would be breaking the law. Do you know what my fellow brothers and sisters within the Order would do to me?” There it was the rage slowly bubbling up, “they would hunt me down like some rabid animal. They would rightfully claim that I was a danger to those we mean to protect,” he said but there was little effort in concealing his lie about the rightful claim.
“They would take me down to a dark dark place, where I would have my connection to the Force Severed. Everything that makes me who I am would be gone,” his anger only matched by his sense of betrayal.
“And as you said, what of all the good that I had done or am capable of doing,” he leaned back again. “In our little hypothetical situation.
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
Tesara watched him speak, saw the rage building. She spoke, careful to keep her tone mildly curious. "They can sever your connection fo the Force?" She asked. "That sounds as if it would be a last ditch solution. Do they torture you if you don't conform to their expectations?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He scoffed, “it was only a hypothetical situation.” He frowned, “torture is having to watch someone you lo……deeply care about plummet to the ground. Having all of this ability, and still being helpless to watch the fate of so many perish .”
He laughed, “of course my brothers and sisters wouldn’t have tortured me. I am not some filthy darksider.”
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She took note that he had evaded her question. "You have faith in them to have your back, then?"
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He nodded, "of course I do. The Order, they are my family. Its not like they would turn their back on me! I mean, here I am serving the 24th Star Corps and my Cousin's own Hunter Pack. Sha Koon has decided to complete my training."
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She continued to watch him. "You have family on this ship, then? And Sha Koon is your...I mean she is your master and you are her padawan?" She pronouced the words carefully.
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He nodded, "of course," he said leaning back and watching her through those goggles.
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
"Well." She sighs, leans back, crosses her legs and places her hands in her lap. "You should be out there with them, then. Fixing..." She waves her hand around absently. "Whatever is going wrong. I can't get out of this blasted room if its locked and I'm no threat. Look at me I am wearing heels. I couldn't run in these if I tried. Go be with them if you'd like. Send someone else who is less..." She looks thoughtful. "Less important? Than you. You're a Jedi padawan, not a guard dog."
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He glared at her, "I am a Jedi Hunter, trained by some of the best. One thing Hunters are good at, is following orders. My orders are to keep an eye on you and that is what I will do."
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She shrugs noncommitally. "Suit yourself. I'll just be sitting here, irritated that I cannot return to my ship and check on my pilot, wishing there was some damn coffee to drink and wondering about how my inbox is piling up while I sit here uselessly."
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He shook his head, "you corporate types know nothing of duty." He laughed as he leaned back in his chair.
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She sighs heavily. "If your orders are to guard me and neither of us have anything better to do, why don't you fill me in on duty as apparently I am unaware of what it means." She says, irritation evident in her voice. "I may be blond but I am not stupid. So go ahead...educate me on duty."
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He laughed then spoke, "duty means that you follow your orders to the letter. That you commit yourself to that which you swore an oath to. And you always ensure to have your brothers and sisters back, cause they will have yours no matter what." The betrayal was just under the surface and was fueling his anger.
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She raised one eyebrow at him. "And yet you're mad as a hornet. Are you sure about the no matter what part?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
She could feel that she hit a nerve, "I am not mad" he protested. "There was a complication with a prisoner," he said not realizing his anger had gotten the better of him.
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
She frowns. "Complication? Why does that make you mad? I'm confused here. What's your name?"
TheTraveler — 08/24/2021
He glared at her, "Phon....Padawan Phon..." He looked deep in to her aura, "and it doesn't make me mad," he said lying.
Tesara Anerin — 08/24/2021
There was the tiniest hint of a smirk at the corners of her mouth. "Mmkay you tell yourself that, Padawan Phon. So...don't leave me hanging here. What was the complication? This is like a good holodrama without the visuals."
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He leaned back, "they should make a holodrama about it. Let the whole galaxy know how sometimes wrong things happen to good people." He drew in a deep breath, "but it wasn't my mistake. I wasn't even there," he said lying. "There was this Padawam, Daz Murl," he said softly. "Wrongfully accused without fair judgement or anything."
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara watched him, knowing exactly what was going on. "Wrongfully accused by who?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
"The Order of Hunters..." he leaned forward, "not that you would know, but the Order of Hunters has a elite group of Force Seers that watch all of us. To make sure that we don't go all darkside," he spoke in a dark foreboding tone. "They are the ones who accused Padawan Murl of wrong doing," he said.
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
She puts a confused look on her face. "OK, then what happened?"
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He laughed, "what do you think happened. They sounded a hunt for him." His laughter dropped, "do you know what it is like to be hunted by them. Hunted by those like me," he asked her.
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
"No." She said quietly. "Was it this..." She pointed at the ship and trophies around the room. "These hunters that went after him?"
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He shook his head, "no, we didn't go after Murl." His feelings were all over the place. "No, his former sisters and brother went after him," he said with regret and betrayal in his voice. "I heard he had stolen a fighter and tried to flee. Made it as far as the Mid Rim before they caught him," he voice trailed off. There was pain now in his aura, "they forced him down on a jungle world and hunted him relentlessly for over a week. He tried every trick in the book to avoid them, but in the end, he faced off with his younger sister. I heard she begged him to surrender, but he wouldn't." His anger grew again, "they were chasing the wrong person. He wasn't the monster they painted him as. Despite her pleas, she wouldn't let him leave. She forced him to fight her, forced him to take her arm."
He shook his head again, "all she had to do was let him leave. He could have made it right. Could have brought the real monster to them and shown his innocence. But she wouldn't let go the hunt....." The betrayal was mixed with grief as he stopped talking.
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara was quiet a moment, watching him. After about 30 seconds of silence, she asked him; "Did he kill her to get away? And did they ever catch the monster? Don't leave me hanging here. What happened?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He lowered his head, "I wasn't there," he lied. "But I heard that he had tried," shaking his head. "Wrapped up in so much of a mess, I don't think he was thinking clearly." He leaned back in his chair and looked up to the ceiling, "I can imagine the terror in her eyes. She had trained with him for nearly all her life. They were as close as any brother sister could be." There was so much pain in his tone and across his aura. "I am sure she kept all his secrets as he did hers," he said looking up. "Her face flooded in blue hue as he attempted to bring his lightsaber down on her," he half confessed. "I am sure that was when she was saved by her older brother and sister."
He looked over to Tesara, "she should have let him go. She should've just walked away from the hunt."
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara continues to look confused. "So he tried to kill her but she was saved by other siblings? Does that mean he was captured?
And...if she was a hunter, isn't that like, born and bred into them at such an early age that giving up a hunt would be the complete opposite of their lifelong training? Even if it was her brother?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He slammed his fist down on the desk, "he was her brother, she owed him loyalty. Not to betray him over what some black-haired cunt said about him!"
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara jumps, nearly falling backwards but catches herself before it happens. "Mister PHON!" She shouts indignantly. "There's no need to get angry or to use that language!" She rearranges herself back and frowns at him. "Who did you say this story was about again?" She peers at him.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He paused for a moment as he collected himself, "That is Padawan Phon, not Mister..." After a moment he collected himself further, "it is about a foolish Padawan named Daz Murl."
He paused, "a foolish Padawan to believe they he was going to be given loyalty by those he called family." He shook his head, "No one bothered to search for the cu.....young woman," there was so much hatred in his voice. "No one bothered to question who helped her escape and who murdered the two guards with her. But this poor foolish Padawan was the real victim. They sent him to Starlight, ignoring all that he lost because of them..." hatred dripped from his words like venom.
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara purses her lips, still eyeing him, but settles back slowly. "If I am to understand the mandate of the hunters, it is to bring any darksiders to justice and or rehabilitation at Starlight. That if this...rehabilitaion is successful, people are released back to their lives. Why didn't that work for him? Was he truly lost to the dark side as his family believed? And did they question this dark haired girl?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He waved his hands, "of course they didn't question her. They didn't ask her about the sabotage that she was responsible for, nor did they talk to her about the murders she is responsible for. But him, no, they wouldn't listen to him. They said that he had fallen to far during his attempt to flee. That his mind was too far gone in to darkness." He leaned forward and glared at her, "imagine how you would feel if they threatened to take away something that meant everything to you. What made you who you were. This is what they threatened to him. To sever the Force from him. And her, what happens to her." He leaned back, "I have heard that she works for the corporate elites on Baklid now."
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara looks thoughtful. "Ahh so if he wasn't..erm...rehabilitation material, they'd just strip the Force from him. That does sound drastic and potentially permanently damaging to someone who is Force Sensitive." She took a sip of water from the cup next to her. "So he escaped Starlight?"
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He shook his head, "its much more than you could ever image," he said with pain in his voice. "It wa.... I have heard that it was like having someone reach inside you and rip out a part of who you are. The soft warmth of the Force taken from you," he softly trailed off. He then shook his head to answer her question, "Daz Murl died deep within Starlight." What surprised Tesara the most, was that he was speaking nothing but the truth in that last answer.
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara waits a moment, watching his face, not needing the Force to read the deep sorrow and pain. It was in every syllable of his words. She spoke gently, trying to imbue her voice with compassion. She knew what he was capable of, but he was obviously unstable and deeply, deeply ruined by these events. "Did they take the Force from him and then he died? Did he take is own life to avoid a life without the Force?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He shrugged, "who knows," he said softly leaning back and letting out a long sigh. "broken heart over the betrayal, maybe the technique was done wrong, or it could have been any number of things." He gave her a nod, "the sad truth is Daz Murl, one of the most promising Padawans in over a hundred years is no more." Again, he is not lying.
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara looks back at the ticking countdown clock on the computer screen. "That IS sad." She says. "Hopefully the hunters realize maybe there is more to a story than what they think there is. Sometimes there is more to a story that just black and white."
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He shook his head, "for a hunter there is never anything more to the story. There is only black and white. Those who are to be hunted, and those who are to be the hunters." He parted his heads, "that is the way of things. Hunters and hunted. If you are to be hunted, they will stop at nothing....nothing to get you. Even if that means turning on their own family."
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
She frowns again. "Would YOU do that knowing what happened to Daz Murl? If push came to shove, would you betray a member of your...what are they called..." she tries to come up with the word, then snaps her fingers. "Clan. That's it. If a member of the clan looked like they were going to the dark side?"
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He nodded, "it is what all hunters do," he said though his tone betrayed his real intention. No, he wouldn't betray someone close should they go dark. "I would find the source of the darkness," he gave her a sideways nod, "like our little black-haired woman.....find the source and crush it," he said closing his fist around nothing. Though the image was clear to Tesara. "out of existence."
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
She frowned. "The dark side isn't something you can physically crush out of existence. You're talking about crushing a person. That doesn't stop the dark side. In fact, from my understanding, it would like, get on YOU. Turn YOU dark. Then you'd be in the same position this Daz Murl was in. In a situation where you might be betrayed by other hunters. That sounds like bad idea number one to me."
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He shook his head, "what do you know of the darkside. I have seen it take route within someone and yes it can be crushed out of existence. And so can that someone was. After all, isn't that what the hunters do?"
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Tesara looks alarmed. "I thought the hunters brought people to StarLight if they went dark? Not crushed it out of them!"
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He leaned forward on to his elbows, "what do you think a trip to starlight does?"
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
Her eyes widen and her voice comes out a little squeaky. "So all of that stuff we see on the holodramas isn't real? They KILL people at StarLight?!"
TheTraveler — 08/25/2021
He gave a sigh, "you are such a corporate type." Shaking his head, "starlight is a place where what is inside you dies" he said pointing at his chest. "Not the person themselves."
Tesara Anerin — 08/25/2021
"Oooohhhh." She says, relaxing a little. "So even if they DON'T like...remove the Force from you...they steal your will to live? That is disturbing. The shows and media always make it seem like StarLight is some lovely place where healing and rehabilitation happens. And that there are people who choose to live there with their families even after that..rehab thing. So what you're saying is the opposite. Funny how media can twist things."
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 08/26/2021
There was a sudden surge through the Force of something happening. It was as if two separate plans suddenly came together with devastating effects on the crew.
To her surprise, Daz didn't react to the sudden effects through the Force. Instead, he rose from his chair when there was a knock on the door. The only outward expression was his frustration from being interrupted.
"Excuse me," he said coldly.
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 08/26/2021
She stared at him as he stood to go to the door. He didn’t feel that!?. She thought wildly. How…. And then it hit her. Whatever Force ability he had used when he first did it had been cold. Not warm. He had said “the soft warmth of the Force” and that she didn’t know how it would feel to have the force ripped from oneself. Then how did HE know?? Her mind was racing. She had to keep him talking. If she could keep him distracted, whoever was coming to help her might have a better chance of it. Whatever ripple that just surged through the force meant whatever was about to happen was coming quickly. She’d been acting like a oblivious Core corporate employee and it had seemingly worked. She had no idea how he had not recognized her from her appearance into this universe, but he hadn’t. If he had this would have gone much much worse. Knowing he was distracted, and there was so much chaos happening outside this office, she made a wild gamble and sent another Force message to Durro.
What is happening? What was that? I’m being held prisoner by Sha Koon and Daz Murl in her office! She left to handle whatever chaos is happening on the bridge and left him with me, but Durro, I don’t think he’s force sensitive anymore! He acted as if he didn’t feel that surge that just happened!
@Durro Thel-Tanis
@TheTraveler
Durro Thel-Tanis — 08/26/2021
Durro closes his eyes, momentarily ignoring the jabbering Jawas and drawling Rodian before him.
"Stay where you are; Colonel Pacey should be coming for you. If he hasn't rescued you by the time we're leaving, I'll come get you myself. Keep me updated on your status."
"As for that sensation; it's an old familiar feeling from The Clone Wars. Something big is imminent, almost certainly conflict. My guess is Sinya has arrived. Be prepared, trust your instincts, and keep me informed. The Force will be with you, as will your friends.
@Tesara Anerin
@TheTraveler
Tesara Anerin — 08/26/2021
Tesara blinked. If Sinya was coming, there would indeed be conflict following. You as well, Master.
Colonel Pacey was coming to rescue her! That made a happy sensation flutter in her chest. Silly, really. She wasn't 13 with a crush anymore but she was not going to mind being rescued by him, that was for sure! She bit down on more questions to ask Durro and sat still, waiting for Daz to return.
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