Connections (Open In Between)

[Ashla Marr]

Jedi Academy
Outer Rim World of Fray

The sun rose up over the capital once more, as it has done in the past. Yet today, the air still carried the smell of smoke and death. The attacks on the Capital the day before have left its scares across the city in more ways than one. Without warning, yesterday the northern rebels attacked the heart of Fray with brutal determination. While the battle for the Jedi Academy was won in just over an hour, fierce street to street fighting continued well in to the evening hours.

After much of the smoke had cleared, it was learned that some 70,000 northern rebels took part in a wide series of attacks across seventy southern cities and towns. A key stroke to the rebel attacks was the assassination of the King of Fray. Leaderless and overwhelmed, the military leaders of Fray asked for direct Republic military assistance. This allowed Master Chun to deploy much of his forces to help stay off the attacks on the Captain. While fighting continued on the outlying regions of the south, the Capital City was finally secured after bitter battles between Rebels forces and the pride of the Republic, the 501st.

With much of the fighting in the Capital over, Ashla walks through the dorms of the Academy in search of her friends. The rooms facing the Capital all had their window’s blown out due to explosions that happened near the Academy. Because their room was smashed, Ashla and Unna were forced to move in to Auro’s and Gadeon’s room. Ashla turned and saw Unna sitting on her bed, “you might want to see this,” She said holding a holopaper for Unna to read.

The article was about the attacks on the city. But the cover image was clearly their friend from the market. A middle aged Twi’lek walked through the rubble of market place. One of her Lekkus had been ripped from her head leaving behind a six-inch piece of bloody flesh. In her arms, she carried a young boy with one of his legs missing. The anguish on her face told the story of a mother lost in pains beyond believe. Her pain filled cries could almost be heard. It was almost merciful that the image didn’t hold any sound. As Unna read the headline, “Thousands Suffer as Terror Strikes Fray!” The mother and child were well known to the party.

Ashla added, “there is still no word from Gadeon since his first report.” Late in the afternoon, yesterday Gadeon checked in with the party letting them know that he was okay and not where any of the fighting was taking place. While he didn’t give his location, everyone was grateful that he checked in.

Ashla set down next to Unna and pressed her head up against Unna’s shoulder. She could feel the suffering from the city. So many in need, so many in pain. It was so hard for her to block out all the voices crying out for help. A tear rolled down Ashla’s face, “I feel so helpless.”

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

Unna looked at the image of the Twi'lek and her son in horror and put an arm around Ashla. "I know it seems like we are helpless and this situation seems hopeless, but we can't stop trying."

Unna didn't speak as she reflected on her recent vision and let Ashla continue to rest her head. Some time elapsed before Unna spoke again in a whisper. "I had a vision and I believe I know what one of Orchid's next targets will be. I am still contemplating it, but I am beginning to formulate a plan to expose her. I saw you, Auro, and myself fall in Baku, but what I also saw was very useful information. With this information, we are not helpless. We have a chance."

[Ashla Marr]

Ashla lifted her head up and looked at Unna, "another vision" she said with surprise. "We fell" she asked uncertain of the meaning. "Unna Orchid is dangerous. What I heard of what Auro said about her, she is consumed by the Dark Side and filled with anger and hate."

Ashla turned as she rose up to a sitting position. "Unna" she said then fell silent for a moment. "You know, I can see our connections through the force. We were drawn towards each other by the Force. I can't explain it but I also see a strong connection between Auro and Orchid. I can't explain it. The only connections we have to this universe are the connections that we formed. Like yours with Lady Baku. However Auro has made no such connection, yet his with Orchid exists," Ashla explained.

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"Ashla," Unna said with a serious tone. "I saw us die."

"I do not know what Orchid's vendetta against Auro is all about, but the Orchid in the vision with Auro and the Orchid I saw in other visions are very different. Orchid is more focused on task when Auro is not around, but something about Auro brings out the worst in her..." Unna shook her head in disbelief, "as if that depraved woman could get any worse."

"If only we knew what that connection was..." Unna said softly, deep in thought. "I see dots, but I can not connect them. There is a prophecy, but I have not seen it. I do know that we are involved. The version of me that once existed here was murdered. Your counterpart was poisoned. There doesn't seem to be a record of Auro, although a version of his mother exists here. The dots connect, but I do not know how...."

"I am no more capable of connecting them than little Sarah..."

[Ashla Marr]

Ashla looked down, "I know you saw us die. I can see it in your eyes."

She thought a moment, "I can not add anything to what we know of Orchid other than I know she is somehow connected to him. And that connection runs deep for her. I spent a lot of time thinking about it. What ever it is, it is the source of her pain and anger."

She paused a moment to glance at the floor. There was still some traces of broken glass that had shattered. "We need to learn more about who she is if we are to ever beat her."

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"I plan to start by doing research to see if I can uncover anyone who could be angry with Auro's mother. I also want to see if his father exists in this universe. It's not that great of an idea, but I do not know where else to start."

"I have one other idea, but it would require meditation. I would need for you to guard me, so nobody else would see me appearing to talk to myself. There is only a slim chance that I could see the prophecy I have talked about, but I could try."

[Auro Syrdash]

Auro approached the dormitory room he and Gadeon had been assigned upon arriving at the Academy. The door whooshed open to reveal Ashla and Unna seated side by side on the edge of the second bunk bed. Until now, it had remained unoccupied.

Auro paused in the doorway as Pablo-Jill bounded into the room and began lapping up water from his albek bowl. "Hello, friends," he greeted them. "Am I interrupting?" he asked tentatively, wishing to respect the privacy of his two oldest friends, yet new roommates.

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"Not at all, Brother," Unna forced a friendly smile, but it was obvious something had been bothering her and Ashla. "We were just discussing what could possibly cause Orchid go exhibit so much anger toward you. The only thing we understand about the situation is that we need to understand more about the situation."

[Auro Syrdash]

"May I join you?" Auro asked. Reassured that his presence was welcome, he stepped into the room and the door whooshed closed behind him. Auro reached for a bundle of smoked fish he had hung from the wall weeks prior. Sitting on the edge of the opposite bunk, Auro tossed a fish to Pablo-Jill. The albek sprung into the air to catch the pungent snack with surprising gracefulness.

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"Of course," Unna replied. "As I just said, we were just seeking answers as to why Orchid could be so angry toward you. Do you have any leads on an answer?" Unna was not phased by the fish. She had gotten used to the smell of drying fish at the enclave.