"Help us--? How?"

He paused to sigh, then moved over to stare blankly into the fireplace. There he watched the flames leap and crackle, carrying small bits of soot and ash soaring upward before their heat, cast one way or the other in just as willy-nilly a manner as, to him, now were his people before the Great Unknown that had some to assail them.

"Can you bring back our powers?" he spoke to the flames, his voice barely a whisper. "Can you bring back those who are lost to us? Can you truly bring accord between us and this Empire, of which you speak?"

Now he turned, stared Panthar straight in the eye.

"How?" he repeated simply.

A long and somewhat uncomfortable moment passed before he broke the silence again.

"Perhaps you can begin with a slighter task, that of seeing what you can do regarding the Kaminoans and the premature human who is currently in our care. I do not know if it would be a better thing for you to travel to the planet of Kamino itself, or to go to Phrinnchatka and see if that Kaminoan scientist is yet there.

"Either way, that is a more feasible first step for you to take, I think."

He quieted, wishing heartily that Dark Lord Aelvedaar was present. Troublesome matters seemed as nothing but dream-fluff in his more than capable claws; as time dragged on beneath the loss of the Sith Lord, Aeylmaar only felt more and more inept.

[ 06-03-2008 10:18 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Aeylmaar ]

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She trailed then, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "...we were speaking, and working together, at least. But that was when I..."

She trailed, her eyes darkening and defocusig a bit. "...when I had the darkness in me," she finished.

[ 06-03-2008 10:24 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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Panthar stepped closer to the heir, then looked deeply at him.

“As for the rest, I do believe we can accomplish much. But we need to pull together, bring in those who can make these decisions. The Dark Lords and Lady must meet with the commander of the Empire forces and strike an arrangement. War will be upon us, and without this first alliance we may as well give up now. I cannot promise to bring back your powers, your magick, but maybe it’s time to stop worrying about it coming back and figure out how to get along without it.

“For that matter, and I mean no offense, Lord Aelvedaar will be away for a long time, even after we find him. You are the heir, and everyone will be looking up to you. You’ve been incredibly helpful, and your people here will be looking for you to take the reins and guide them through this turmoil. This is what I hope has happened with ShaRhylla.”

--------------------

"That will not be necessary, at least not yet. For before the magicks fled from us, I found my Father to be on the moon of Endor, recall you not the words I spoke earlier? Even now the Verpine K'kihl is en route to retrieving him, and may in fact be there already."

He heaved a sigh, and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his demeanor was calm, collected.

"In fact, we can contact the Verpine; he did give me this--" He held up the com-link K'kihl had given him, which he had just tried to offer to Panthar.

"So, we can see if he fares well, or if ill has befallen him as well." A look of discomfort crossed his young features. "I must apologize for my ill behavior upon your arrival. I was just so relieved to see you safe and sound, after Father had disappeared--

He fumbled a moment, then went on.

"I know the device is a means of communication; but I am not versed in its application. Perhaps you can use it, and ask our Verpine friend how he fares, and whether or not he will soon return to Choyapenthe with Lord Aelvedaar. If so, you might wish to wait and gain his advice regarding the issue before you."

He paused again, this time to envelope the others with a concerned look.

"Or, if you wish, you are welcome to another of Darth Wicked's ships, to go either to K'eel Doba or Kamino, as best you see fit to do."

[ 06-04-2008 09:27 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Aeylmaar ]

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He paused a moment, glancing at a brooding Jasyn, "We should also see if we can contact Terrin and Galen and see what's going on with their search as well."

With the commlink in hand, Matt quickly ascertained that a K'kihl had preset his frequency. He pushed the button to send a message.

"K'kihl, this is Matt Stanza. We are on Khar Delba with Aeylmaar after coming here to see if Graysith and Phalomir had returned from a search of their own. Please let us know how things are progressing with you and how you are faring."

Sending the message off, Matt sat back and waited for a reply.

--------------------

"K'kihl this is. Lifesigns more have I found, than expect did I. Life plenty, this moon has, but-

"Sith signs, yes, but two. Human two, in addition. Unexpected is this; elaborate, can you? As well-- Lord Phalomir, Lady Graysith: with you are they?

"Transmission sending now--"

[ 06-05-2008 11:32 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by K'kihl ]

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"Lord Phalomir and Graysith are not here, although they might still be on K'eel Doba. Unless someone else here can explain, I'm not certain who the other Sith or the humans could be. I do find it a bit peculiar that it has taken Lord Phalomir and Graysith this long to return here from K'eel Doba, however."

He paused with that even as a certain line of thought began to form in his mind. Arching an eyebrow at Aeylmaar and the others, he then commented, "Allright, anyone got any ideas on who might be on Endor that is Sith along with Aelvedaar? Could it have something to do with the sudden loss of powers, and the particular preferred method of travel using portals? After all, how in the Universe did Lord Aelvedaar even end up on Endor, of all places?"

[ 06-05-2008 06:29 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Matt Stanza ]

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"When Father stepped through the Portal, there was a strange burst of colored light. The next thing I discovered was that he had ported to Endor, rather than to Dagobah, where he intended. To my knowledge Lord Phalomir and Lady Graysith portaled to K'eel Doba, but perhaps something happened to them in the same manner as it did with Father, and they too were detoured elsewhere... perhaps Endor's moon as well?"

He moved away from the fireplace then and headed to the back of the Dining Hall. There an intricate sideboard offered a slender, silver carafe. Grasping this in his claws, he upended it over a golden goblet; seeming momentarily fascinated by the stream of greeny-gold liquid that gushed forth.

Placing the carafe back on the sideboard, he turned back to face the others, raising the goblet to his lips as he did so.

"Perhaps the problem is somehow linked to Endor," he suggested at length. "Perhaps all who intend to use the All to portal here or there, end up instead on Endor. Perhaps this misdirection is connected with the sudden disappearance of our powers?"

He paused another moment, this time to regain his wavering composure which his own words had threatened. When he felt he could speak calmly, he continued along his former train of thought, as if nothing had happened.

"Maybe the extra Sith signature and one of the humans' is explained by the presence of the Dark Lord and Lady. As to the remaining human, well..."

He raised his brows and let the thought dwindle into the eching chamber, before finally taking a great draught of the Sith brandy he had poured.

[ 06-05-2008 11:38 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Aeylmaar ]

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"Landing not am I, until knowing others identity..."

[ 06-05-2008 07:15 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by K'kihl ]

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Quieting at that, Shayla frowned at the thought of Graysith's gylph being silenced by the lack of the All.

--------------------

He looked in its direction eagerly, a brow now cocked. Then he paused and looked down a moment, figuring he should actually be contributing something to the conversation other than observations on brandy. "And if anybody is going to Kamino, I must warn you all, I've been there...

...and it's not an easy place to get around. The peoples there are creepy and kriffing peculiar, too." He paused. "Believe me, I've been there."

--------------------

Will the Kaminoans assist us? he thought to himself morosely. Would it be best that I send these friends to K'eel Doba, there to seek the scientist who, if unable to assist us directly, might be persuaded in speaking to his people on our behalf, as has already been suggested?

Or would it be best to get the input of the Dark Lords, if indeed it was their lifesigns which were being picked up by K'kihl...?

He lowered his face to contemplate the liquid swirling in his goblet. When he raised his face, it was with new determination.

"How is it you use this; like so--" he murmured as in approaching Matt he delicately plucked the comm-link from the man's hand. A slight smile flickered on his lips once more, and he went so far as to wink to the others before raising it to speak.

"K'kihl, this is Lord Aeylmaar," he announced, cringing a bit at his use of his designated appellation. It somehow just didn't seem quite fit... at least not yet. Such musings were interrupted by a returning squawk from the device; after the Verpine had responded to his hail, Aeylmaar took the plunge and went on.

"It is our concensus that the lifesigns you are reading are indeed those of the Dark Lords Aelvedaar and Phalomir, the Dark Lady Graysith, and the.. lad, Rykounagin. However, if you feel uncertain yet and do not wish to... inconvenience yourself and the craft you are in, perhaps you can find a means to communicate with those on the ground, to request they come out of hiding into an open area, that you might make visual contact and thus confirm their identity--?

"Lord Aeylmaar, over."

Handing the comm-link back to Matt, he bowed his head respectfully before turning to Jasyn, both goblet and brow raised in invitation even as he nodded toward the sideboard...

[ 06-05-2008 09:00 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Aeylmaar ]

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...and filled a goblet full of it and returned to the table, took a seat and then a good initial sip faster than a Toydarian makes a bet. "You know, I'm sure the Healers are doing the best they can, and the Kaminoans might be able to help with the baby...

...but maybe we need to resort to what is simple and proven, like some of us have already been saying. Hornett has some of the best medical technology on it, you know, and we could get to that and bring it here without any major fuss."

He paused, shrugging and taking another drink. "Might at least give us some time."

--------------------

"Toward that end, will I now apply myself.

"K'kihl, out."

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Then he quieted a moment, his eyes defocusing. "And I don't think we should forget going to the Kaminoans because they may be difficulty and unusual, either. If we go about everything we are talking about doing just based on that sort of observation..."

He trailed, finally realizing something, "...we are never going to unite this galaxy to face what is laying ahead."

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“Speaking of uniting the galaxy,” he said. “I know this weird loss of powers has twisted things around quite a bit, but until we see proof otherwise we must assume the Vong are still n their way. Our priorities remain the same in regards to that. However, other pressing matters now exist as well.

“What I suggest is that if K’kihl finds all of the Dark Lords and Lady and returns them here, then we can commence with talks with the Empire. Hmm, come to think of it, the Sith and human signatures he saw could be Sorben Tarnus and Thoran… I guess we’ll know soon enough.

“But anyway, what I’m suggesting is that Some of us go to get the Kaminoan and explore the possibility of saving the baby that way. Perhaps also using whatever technology is aboard Hornett along the way. But I also think some of us need to stick to the original mission, which was to retrieve Tarnus, Shawn, and everyone else, and get the Empire and Sith in agreement about the Vong.”

--------------------

Jasyn paused, glancing in the quiet Jedi's direction. "He's here, remember? Only he's alot quieter htan usual. You sure you don't want some of this?" he asked, indicating his brandy goblet. "It does wonders for a variety of problems."

Pausing to take another sip then, Jasyn turned and looked at Matt Stanza. "As I was saying earlier, we probably ought to get in contact with Terrin and Galen and see how they are doing as well before we make plans to go and do anything else specfic. After all, Terrin is the Boss, and he should have the final say on what we are doing, dontcha think?"

Falling silent then, Jasyn sat back a bit and continued heartily enjoying the beverage in his hand.

--------------------

"Terrin, Galen, this is Matt. We've reached Khar Delba and gotten in contact with Lord Aeylmaar, but Graysith and Phalomir have not returned. Furthermore, the status of Shayla's premature infant is critical and we were considering getting some medical supplies to help from Hornett along with a possible visit to Kamino for assistance. We also are considering a trip to K'eel Doba to check o the status of Lord Phalomir and Graysith...

...and to search for a Kaminoan who once helped us before and may be able to help here with the baby along withother things. We were wondering how your search is proceeding and if all is well. Please respond ASAP."

Sending the message off, Matt waited for a response...

...and sincerely hoped that all was going well.

[ 06-08-2008 10:32 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Matt Stanza ]

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Pausing a moment then, Shawn looked at Erik. "I know you have been trained as a Jedi in the past, but you never finished your trials, and you've never relied on the Force that much. And Shayla, you know a bit about this as well," he added. "I think I'm going to need help from both of you."

As he fell silent for another moment, Shawn pursed his lips in thought. "I'm wondering how I can help you all here best without my Force abilities...

...and I'm wondering if the best thing might not be for me to take a trip to the Kaminoan world like someone here already suggested. The Kaminoans have, after all, worked with the Jedi in the past...

...and their technologies may be helpful in a few unpredicted ways. They matured clones more quickly by blocking them from the Force using ysalamiri, so they may be able to help us with the blockage of the Force and other powers and abilities we currently are all experiencing. Granted, this All That Is may be some supernatural thing, and I don't know much about it...

...but what if All That Is is really a tool some real, physical being is using to scare us all? At any rate there may be some way to get around this blockage, and if there is, I'd bet Kaminoan technology, along with some Sith and Jedi history, may be our only shot of harnessing what we have been blocked from.

That is," he finished with a final, dark look actually glinting his otherwise still-serene eyes. "...if there is any way to do so at all."

[ 06-08-2008 10:53 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shawn Petrolu ]

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"Hey Matt, this is Galen. We've accomplished our mission, and are en route back to Hornett.

"But... here's Terrin."

--------------------

Matt, we are enroute to the Hornett and can confer with the medics there regarding equipment that may be helpful for the premature baby and bring it to save you a trip. If you need to take a trip to K'eel Doba, go ahead and do so. We had an...

...interesting experience on the planet we found Captain Joao and his companions on so we really need to ALL be together to discuss...including Tarnus. We will fill you in on details once we arrive there on K'eel Doba, but for the moment we are receiving a distress signal out here in the boonies...

...and I've got a bad feeling about it. Please stay in touch, and I'll keep you updated on our status once we deal with this little snag, which I hope doesn't take too long. Until then, Captain Danner, out."

--------------------

With that he took another long drink, emptying the remaining contents. Without even batting an eye he got up, headed back to the sideboard, and got a refill before returning to his seat once more. He took a small sip. "You know," he then proceeded to comment, "The longer we sit here the longer we're wasting time, unless someone has something futher to say. We might as well decide who goes where, how they are going to get there...

...and get going. Sitting around waiting for something to happen isn't going to get a kriffing thing done, after all."

--------------------

"If you decide to travel on at this point, either to your Master Ship--" He bowed politely toward Shayla and her little party. "--or to K'eel Doba, there to continue with your quest--" Now he turned and bowed to Panthar.

"I shall detain you no longer."

He quietly turned then, and approached a tapestried bell-pull, which he then took hold of. Although there was not a sound to be heard, somewhere in the bowels of the temple summons was made, for soon a tall, gray-eyed Sith appeared and bowed to everyone.

"This one will take you to where you wish to go; as for me, I choose to remain here, should the Verpine indeed return with my Father and our missing comrades. Which--"

Now he pinned Panthar alone with a steady gaze.

"Which brings a question to me. Panthar, you spoke of the possibility that Thoran and Sorben Tarnus would be found on Endor. Might I ask how you have come by the knowledge of their whereabouts, which so far has eluded us? That is to say, the last I knew was that Tarnus was captive in Phrinnchatka, and during this time you were recuperating here, in this temple, were you not?

"As for this Thoran--"

He merely shrugged and fell into a shared silence with the servant, in which both now stood quietly waiting.

[ 06-10-2008 08:34 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Aeylmaar ]

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The Healers were good with their ancient arts, there was no doubt about that. But they were most exceptionally good when it came to preserving the lives of their own species...

The Head Healer cast his chromatic eyes up into those of his fellows. All were ringed about a tiny, quiet form... which had gone suddenly quieter, and in that seemed ever so much tinier than before. He blinked back a single tear; this small being was not Sith, this was true, but it was a youngling, and any youngling lost to the claws of death was something deserving of tears.

For a moment he remained silent, his head bowed.

"Bathe and wrap this infant," he finally instructed. "Make him presentable for his parents' sake. But take of him enough cells, that perhaps someday when our magicks have grown strong again, we can revive this child in the creation of a replicate in repayment for having lost him now."

The other Healers bowed in acquiescence, then hastened upon their tasks as their guild Master sighed, and departed to find Lord Aeylmaar...

----------------------------------------

He found the young Lord in conference with the other humans. Sliding up on silken feet, he nodded gracefully to the others before whispering into the young Heir Apparent's ear. Then he stepped back a pace, keeping his face lowered but keenly aware of the stricken look which passed across Aeylmaar's face as he struggled to fully assimilate with what he had just been told.

He didn't say anything of this aloud, of course, for it was a gut reaction so ethereal that it could scarcely be said to be a solid thought. But it was there, and had taken root in his soul, if not his conscious mind. Which was filled with sudden shock and horror and pain.

He turned eyes suddenly wet to Shayla and Erik, waved his clawed hand once again in a manner most useless. But in a manner which precisely denoted that awful thing he was carrying within himself now.

"My friends, oh my friends--"

He stumbled, unable to voice that which he knew he should. But it was impossible, simply inconceivable. He was no Lord, to bear such a burden of responsibility; more than anything he wanted to run, to hide behind his adoptive Father's robes while the great Dark Lord took this awful matter from his young shoulders.

But the Dark Lord wasn't there.

"Oh, my dear, dear friends. Your son--"

He could say nothing further but choked to a despairing halt, filled with an acute sense of overwhelming loss. In part for the sake of the infant. But primarily because he felt he had let them down.