...when it finally dawned on him the reason for this request.

You've implied there is something big n' bad incoming. You've told them about the Vong, and about the Sith not being quite what the Universe in general thinks they are...

...you've talked about their potential connection to the Vong...

...but you haven't yet really told them what you know. Thus the reason Bes'in really doesn't think you KNOW anything about these threats you speak of.

Unconsciously, Terrin shook his head. Soooo hesitant to trust anyone, even after all these years, eh buddy? When are you ever going to get over that?

Realizing he had slipped into thought and again Bes'in and Guardian Skirta were waiting, he snapped alert, turning first to look at Bes'in, then to the Guardian, and back.

"Please, forgive me for my vagueness," Terrin finally responded. "Old habits die hard, and after the past few years and what we've seen and experienced, it's easy to assume that no one will believe."

He paused, his next statement more for himself than the others. "And now is not the time for that."

Terrin then shifted his gaze, and pointed to the cluster of stars still displayed indicating the location of the Sith worlds. "Regarding the blockade you mentioned and what occurred to destroy it...that was of something far greater than just the Force. I don't have specifics...

...but I can tell you it had something to do with Sith magicks...or most likely, with a power they call The All. This power...it's like the Force in that it can be used for good or for bad...

...but it's so much more than the Force." Terrin paused, pursing his lips, trying to decide how to explain it. "Those who can use its power have healing capabilities that are greater than the best Force Healers I know. And more importantly, they can literally move through time and space, taking others along with them. And what's far worse and more threatening is that they can move through dimensions...

...to this place we call the Darker Realms. It sounds unreal, but this is a place of the dead, and a place of dark powers and of things non-living."

Terrin paused once more, his vision now more turned inward than outward. Truthfully, he didn't know if he wanted to see the looks on either of the other two's faces in the room at the moment, anyway. "The Sith are not the only ones capable of using the All. I know of at least three humans who can. And my greater concern is that, with Vong incoming and potentially connected to the Sith, that some of them may learn its use as well. And if that All power is combined with the powers of the Darker Realms, where things seem to be immortal..."

He quited a moment, his look darkening. With effort, he forced himself to look directly at Bes'in. "Galen and I, and most of the people with us, have first-hand knowledge of all of this. We have been to both Sith worlds, and several of us have lived there for a time. In that time we were allied with some of the Sith, to protect my wife from one of them who had allied himself with the Darker Realms, a being by the name of Ankrist Roan."

Terrin again paused, debating with himself on whether or not to reveal what was coming to mind. He decided that, in all fairness, they needed to know just how powerful said being was...

...therefore how powerful any being who was connected with both the Vong and the Realms truly could be. "That foul being, who is now dead and residing in the Darker Realms, was able to us the innate All capablities of some of his offspring to bring the Sith, who were destroyed by the Dark Jedi 4,000 years ago, back to life and into this time to again reside on these worlds you have shown me. This is the reason the Empire moved to blockade these worlds, that suddenly became inhabited out of nowhere...

...because there are those in the Empire who also know full well of the Sith, the All, the Darker Realms, the Vong...

...and of their capabilities."

He paused a final time. "There is much more I can tell you about. Please...ask me whatever you want to know."

[ 07-10-2013 10:30 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Terrin Danner ]

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

To call it that was actually something of an understatement. It was more like a weapons wall, covered from floor to vaulting ceiling with weapons of every conceivable kind, including some I didn't even recognize. I stood before the lethal grandeur of it all, somewhat overwhelmed if truth be known, and considered.

What the heck kind of weapon would I use?

I closed my eyes, let my mind follow an accelerated flashback of all the adventures I'd gone through, starting with being trapped on what I now knew to be one of the Sith worlds, left by my sister to die there; let it range over the times I shared with Sorben, our escapades against Darth Wicked and the other dark jedi lords we'd encountered, from escaping from capture via Jester to being trapped in Force cages, to blowing up an entire moon. Onward: through the trial and tribulations at the hands of Actar, meeting Terrin, falling in love again, losing Darra, finding her again... on and on the images rolled across the landscape of memory until they at last came to a stop, here at this Wall of Weapons.

I realized that throughout it all I'd never really USED a weapon. Oh perhaps I'd borrowed a blaster here and there, but for the most part I'd battled every foe I'd encountered with intuition, stealth, and a helluva lotta good ol' fashioned luck.

Luck indeed... it couldn't last forever.

I drew in a breath and focused on the array once more. Blasters, blast rifles, swords of every shape and length, hammers and clubs and weird things dotted with rancor teeth... the formidable assortment grew even more overwhelming the more I hunted, the more I looked.

Short-term memory waved a hand, and I saw it. A neat little vibro-blade, sitting at the bottom of one row, as if it were ashamed to find itself hanging there with it's glorious brethren. I remembered how Kyan had one suddenly appear, as if by magick, just moments ago when I'd inadvertently entangled him in the netting.

Nice and simple, easy to hide, that will do...

I reached down and plucked it from the wall. Even as I held it in my hand something from somewhere up my sleeve seemed to reach down and snatch it. I stared for a moment at my empty, gloved hand, then smiled with the realization that my lovely new armor had dealt with where I was to put it before the question even had a chance to cross my mind.

"I'm rea-"

The rest of that statement was truncated in mid-word, my turning body froze as I saw it. Just hanging there, with all the other lightsabers Kyan's people had managed to hoard away over time.

It's handle, far from being ornate, was a simple blue-black, like blued steel or the pupils of a rancor. It was turned so as to display the single button upon it, and that was the color of ruby. In fact for all I knew it may well have been ruby; even in the generalized, dispersed white light of this place it managed to grab and refract until it looked like a shining, single droplet of blood.

I was drawn to it like gleeberflies to a torch, not even considering if this thing would be useful to me...

...or burn.

Hesitant at first, my resolve grew and I reached out and took it from its place among the others. It fit into my gloved hand like it was made especially for me. Smiling, I turned away, facing the expanse behind me, and thumbed that ruby button.

A shining blade of energy shot out, furiously ruby in color.

I almost dropped it. Then from somewhere deep inside me, something seemed to whisper:

Yes... for now.

Swallowing, I thumbed the lightsaber into quiet, and affixed it quickly to my side. Then I finished my former, truncated move to leave.

"I'm ready, Kyan, and thank you."

Saying no more I moved to his side, and waited to see where he would take us next.

[ 07-10-2013 10:31 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Galen ]

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

Her confidence is growing slowly, but it is as our people say “Mishuk gotal'u meshuroke, pako kyor” or in basic, “pressure makes gems, ease makes decay”. Someday these challenges she is facing will make her a great warrior, if only in my lifetime I could see it.

Kyan nodded to Galen and the pair set off exiting the warehouse, and returned to their escort who were waiting outside. The leader approached and with a quick appraisal of Galen nodded approvingly then turned to Kyan.

“Cab’uir Alor Jetiis’ad,” the leader said. “Cab’uir Alor Skirata has restored you to your former rank and offers all our services and resources to your mission. Also take these.”

Their escort produced two shoulder pauldrons. They handed a double sided version to Kyan emblazoned with the Paladin’s Insignia flanked on either side with two stars. Then to Galen they handed a single sided shoulder pauldron, bearing a silhouette of a strill, a Mandalorian hunting creature, grasping a Mandalorian saber in its claws.

“He has also granted Galen Danner a field commission as an Al’verde,” the leader continued. “Now if you follow me to the hanger we have you ship prepped and ready, it’s the prototype Tor assault fighter your daughter developed that our current model is based upon.”

Quickly Kyan took the pauldrons, affixing his own as they moved toward the hanger and hanging on to Galen’s until she had time to don hers… if she even wanted to wear it. The hanger wasn’t too far from the warehouse, but it involved a turbolift descending several levels below the surface. Once on the hanger level they proceeded through a double set of blast doors which opened into an expansive hanger. Several craft were birthed here: mostly Bes'uliik-class Starfighters, Tor-class Heavy assault Starfighters, troop transports, and the occasional freighter, all of which were staged neatly in rows to be ready at a moment’s notice. Sitting out of place in the neat formation of ships was a single Tor assault fighter sitting in a central isle pointed towards a shaft that Kyan guessed led to the surface. This Tor was different, it sacrificed some of the troop transport area to equip duel twin laser cannons on its underside and top side, a feature dropped on the production models. Flanking either side of the Tor was a wing of Bes’uliik Starfighters with their pilots standing by as an escort. As they approached the Tor fighter every man who was in the hanger seemingly appeared to stand in a formation lining either side of the isle.

Their escort suddenly stopped, and all but their leader stepped to the side to join the others in formation. He alone turned around and rendered a salute to Kyan, then all present followed suit holding the salute while the leader spoke.

“Cab’uir Alor Jetiis’ad,” the leader said. “Al’verde Danner, departing. Die Proud.”

Kyan drew one of his lightsabers, ignited its blade and returned the salute.

“Ret'urcye mhi,” Kyan returned, “To your ships.” Kyan led Galen up the ramp of the Tor fighter into its cockpit. It was built to be operated by a crew of two one sitting behind the other, with the rear set sitting higher than the front for a more unobstructed view. Kyan took the front seat, designated for the copilot strapping himself in leaving the rear seat for Galen as its pilot. He called back to her, “Strap yourself in your flying this thing, once you take your place the ship will link with your armor to display any relevant information. Because I already set your armor to display in basic instead of mando’a it will translate automatically. I remember enough about these that I can run some of the secondary systems even without my sight.” Kyan listened silently for a moment as a message came in over his helmet. “Control has cleared us to depart when you’re ready. Take it slow at first this ship is faster and much more maneuverable than others of its size and armament. Also in case you are wondering her name is Cin vheti.”

Flying this baby would be a piece of cake.

Letting that pass, I then settled in for a departure check-list of the more serious nature, separating fore and aft thrusters from firing pins, finding the controls for airfoils and rudder, checking our power consumption, altimeter and air pressure indicators, running a cursory eye over windspeed and temperature displays and all the rest, scoured all that would make her respond to my commands until they were burned into my brain, until I melted into her very being, until I became a part of her... and suddenly and simply felt we'd get along famously, because she and I were One.

No other way to explain it.

I settled in my seat, somehow knowing when to let the armor assist me even though a part of me wanted it off, didn't want to share in being with this beautiful new entity entrusted to my care.

Cin vehti. I wonder if that means "jester" in Mando'a...

Gripping the controls, I wiggled my fingers about them, then barked a sudden announcement.

"Departure protocols in three... two... one, and...

"Now!"

My hands burst into activity, flipping and touching and poking and prodding, all while my new armor relayed a steady stream of information before my eyes. But somehow I didn't need to read it; the ship and I were One, now, after all.

We exploded from the surface like a caged phoenix set free, flaming up and out and away into the Great Night beyond, into the starfield that in turn exploded about us seemingly the moment we left soil. A screen off to one side showed dirt dwindling into a ball, as we entered into the outermost reaches of the Mandalorian atmosphere.

Wow, she IS receptive... and FAST!

"WOO-HOO!"

I couldn't help the cry of sheer joy which flooded from me then, didn't care if it dishonored the armor or not by being undignified. I didn't mean it to be, how could it be? For the armor was given to me, and that cry of joy was me too.

We were away. And we were ONE.

We rolled and turned, swooped and soared; seeking her limitations I aimed straight down only to alter course a seemingly impossible 180 degrees, streaking upward and outward and away into the Night once again.

I didn't know if we still had our escort. All I knew was that I had the second best ship in my hands that I'd ever flown.

"You honor me again, my Master," I at length spoke aloud as, the comforting embrace of the icy stars finally reached I then reached out myself to key in some coordinates. Flipping a final switch, I relaxed against my seat, and removing my helmet turned halfway round to give Kyan a cock of my brow and a grin.

"Course laid in for K'eel Doba, in the Sith Diamond," I announced.

"Is there anything else I need to do, or anything else you need to tell me?"

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

“I can see the ship is in good hands,” said Kyan. “Pria my oldest named her. Cin vheti literally means White Field in basic. It represents a fresh field of snow, it is the moment that one puts on the armor for the first time and becomes a Mandalorian. At that point it no longer matters to our people what you had done before you became one of us, but instead what you have chosen to be. She resurrected this ship design, perfected it, and helped implement it. So like in her own life this ship was given a new beginning. She never wanted to forget how the Mandalorians, how I saved her from that old life.”

Kyan didn’t need to see Galen’s face to read the respect she had for the ship, the armor, the trust he placed in her. That was why he shared so much of his past with her.

The thought flowed in from nowhere as fluidly as my earlier joy flowed out. I blinked, considered saying something, but kept my mouth shut. Niggles and hunches were one thing, but generally something I acted upon the moment they hit. This however, was different somehow... and deserved a greater scrutiny at some later, more private moment.

For now I could only give Kyan an astonished look.

"Don't say that, Master. You're not going to die, not at the hands of your daughter."

That much I somehow knew I could assure him. But whether it was at the hands of someone else... or something else, remained yet to be seen.

Swallowing quickly, I trained my thoughts onto his next astonishing statement. This I could answer quickly and honestly and forthrightly... as well as immediately.

"Should something, ahhh... befall you, I would be honored to act in your stead on behalf of Kani. I know Terrin would be proud to do so as well."

For a moment or two I sat in silence, debating the two ideas I had, neither of which I knew Terrin would be thrilled with. One was to go to Sorben, beg his help. Surely for the sake of what we'd been through together he could put aside his anger at what had happened to his blockade, and join forces with us. Well, perhaps.

And the other wild scheme?

Something about tracking down Ol' Googly by returning to the Caves of Dagobah, seeing if he or she or it or whoever or whatever it was was still hanging about. Figure out a way to get It to aid us, for some strange, deep-down niggle yet insisted that there was another, yet-unknown author of all our woes, a Master Puppeteer if you will...

And for the weirdest reason I couldn't fathom in the slightest, I just knew it wasn't Ol' Chrome-Eyes.

So I sat in silence, chewing upon my thoughts, and finally decided the former would be the safest path to follow.

At least for the moment.

"I want to go to Coruscant, see if I can get in to see Sorben, talk some sense into his thick skull. He's got to know what's going on, that the Vong and the Sith may be in cahoots...

"Or not."

I paused, the silence becoming pregnant with time.

"The Empire has to unite with the Sith, and through the Sith with the Vong. There's something else out there... Some One Other... and the place we've come to call The Darker Realms...

"That's what we must really fear, that's the real enemy, I can't tell Terrin or anyone, they're all so set that it's the Vong and the Sith and I don't know but Khaandon help me I can feel this, Master.

"I know it's crazy, but-- oh, I don't know!"

For probably the third or fourth time in my life I let pure despair rush over me. Where it had come from, hell if I knew. All I knew what that if all of us didn't come together as One, some of the greatest tragedies ever to be inflicted on man or beast would happen in our universe.

One of them being the death of my new Master, seemingly at the hands of his very own daughter...

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

“Capabilities of the enemy while important are not the main issue as of this moment for us,” said Bes’in. “Right now I need to know what is the goal of these Sith, I know the Dark Jedi wanted to enslave the Galaxy because they were megalomaniacs. The Vong were religious zealots who hated technology that were on a crusade against us. But these Sith you speak of, what drives them what do they want from us?”

Bes’in turned to the holo of his granddaughter and saw the look of failure her father use to be unable to hide as well on her face.

“Don’t worry about it Ad’ika,” Bes’in said. “This is not your fault; none of our other agents had any clue either. However the lack of trust with this information among the Admiralty is a shock, or possible a sign the Empire may be onto us. After we are done here you need to execute your exit plan, in fact I’m issuing a recall order for all deep cover operatives we can’t afford to lose valuable assets like you.”

Oh, I thought all right... but I doubt it brought forth anything he wanted to hear. I knew it would probably hurt him to say it, but I had to.

"I didn't expect all this..." I waved a hand, indicating Cin vehti, and her attendant escort. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I was really thinking of something, umm... smaller. You know, low and lean and mean and... well, sneaky."

Like Jester. Oh how I missed my little Sith fighter, and all the magickal endowments she bore. If only--

Wait. There WAS yet a way, but it wasn't for me to raise the suggestion. Not yet.

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

The answer to the former was simple enough to Terrin. But the answer to the latter...

...that was not all that cut and dry. "The Sith, Yuuzhan Vong, and Darker Realm beings in question want one thing alone, I think," Terrin responded. "They want control...of everything."

He paused then, pursing his lips, trying to determine the best way to explain the Coalition and meanwhile considering that there was yet more he had not explained to Bes'in. "As for the Coalition, it serves something far more than just joining our resources and abilities."

Terrin paused a moment, chewing his lip a bit, wondering just how far he should go with his next revelation. He decided that it needed to be said, especially in light of some of the conversations he had recently with Galen. "We must be cautious with who and what we term to be against us, for as with any race...

...there are those who are good, and those who are not. I would and have entrusted my life and the lives of those closest to me to some of the Sith. In fact, I am fairly certain that the Sith, as a whole, have no ill-intent to anyone in the Galaxy. Unfortunately...

...there are some. And regarding those in the Empire who may have knowledge regarding the Sith and their capabilities...

...we may in time need their assistance as well."

Terrin paused, not really believing he had just spoken what he had. "Galen, myself, and some of my commrades have encountered an entity greater than the Force or even the All. We are not certain exactly what it is, other than an Ultimate Game Player of sorts. It is a disembodied thing that we have seen only as large, chrome eyes....we have come to know it as That Which Is. At some point in the recent past, That Which Is was able to somehow literally 'turn off' all supernatural powers anyone had, and those who could use the Force and the All were unable to do so for quite some time. In fact, the magickal capabilities the Sith have--outside of any All capabilities some had--didn't even work."

Again Terrin's look turned inward. Again he didn't really want to see the looks on anyone's face. He didn't think he even had the words to explain that Galen had experienced an even greater disembodied entity messing around with all things in the Universe during her flow-walk with Kyan.

"So to try to explain this all...the Coalition's primary function is to join all of those in the Galaxy together to face a Great Unknown. Galen saw and sensed something very, very dark and evil that we don't even know about while in a flow-walk with master Jettisad, and she didn't beieve it was even this That Which Is I just told you about. I can't and won't claim that all of our resources combined can do a lick of good against whatever it is...

...but divided we will most certainly fall. I haven't got any great military plans and strategies, that is most certainly not something I am capable of. That alone is a reason we would need you."

[ 07-11-2013 12:00 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Terrin Danner ]

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

“I have every intention of living,” Kyan stated. “Do you know that I am not the first Jedi who was stripped of the Force. In the case of the others do you know what they did?”

He paused only long enough for Galen to ponder at the question. “They became hermits, living alone in the most isolated parts of the Galaxy. Mopping about how they lost their connection to the Force and loss of the one thing that defined them. I could have done the same thing, I had just defeated the last Dark Jedi any one would have said that I deserved to be by myself to mourn the loss of my family and my connection with the Force. Instead I wandered the Galaxy not only trying to find a way to restore my powers, but to find a way to protect those I love. Since that time I have lost my daughter, the Empire is controlling my granddaughter, and I have lost my sight. Still I fight, until my last breath I will fight. Even that future we saw together, not the one of me dying, but of that thing your master puppeteer the unspeakable evil that fills your heart with dread and despair I will fight it as well.”

Kyan got out of his chair kneeling at her level watching has her face burned dimly with its blue hue that he saw.

“Truth be told it fills me with despair as well,” Kyan said softly. “For I too can sense it’s overwhelming power, the utter hopelessness that fills my soul when it stares at me. Knowing full well my insignificance compared to it, why I am a mere pebble in its path not even worth acknowledging. But do you know why I still say I will fight, because I cannot no I will not live in a world where I didn’t use all of my abilities, or all of my strength to protect those I love. That is the true source of strength when it comes to the Force, and I suspect this all. I will not let this thing or any thing take my granddaughter away from me. If I have to defy the laws of the universe to do so in the process then so be it. Just as I would do the same for you my daughter.”

He rose and plucked up her helmet from its resting place on her console and held it out to her at face level waiting until she took it.

“Look into that visor, what do you see? Most would see the face of a merciless killer. Very few would say a reassuring face. Neither are the one I see.”

Tapping on the visor to indicate what he was referring to was the reflection of Galen across its surface.

“I maybe blind but even I can see your soul reflected in that armor. It tells me that its owner is a proud Mandalorian that will fight tooth and nail to protect her husband and her daughter. My… no our people have a saying Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaas'la no one cares who your father was, only the father you’ll be. What kind of legacy do you want to leave for your daughter? One of slavery and destruction because we wouldn’t stand up for her. Or one where she could be free to chose her own path. It is your choice, just like it is mine and that is why I am here my daughter.”

There is no strategic value in allying with their coalition, it will be simply be more Mandalorians dying for their war. Even if the Vong and Sith come for us we can deal with them then.

Rising from the table Bes'in couldn't bring himself to tell Terrin that the Paladins would not join in their cause. But the exact reason escaped him isn't this the exact reason why the Paladins were formed to protect the Mandalorian way of life.

“What does it mean to be a warrior?” Bes'in asked.

He didn't expect an answer for it was so out of place. Instead he stared at the holo of his granddaughter in her Imperial Vice Admiral uniform.

We use to be powerful, twenty five thousand years ago we took on the entire galaxy and almost won. What has happened to us that we have to hide among the Empire to aquire knowledge and training to protect our own world our way of life? Is such a way worth protecting?

“Our greatest strength is our unchanging way,” Bes'in said. “It is also our greatest weakness. Once we were a force to be reckoned with, now we can only manage to strike from the shadows. Kal Skirata once envisioned a Mandalore that no longer dies for others wars, but what he wanted to preserve was already a dying people. If we continue down this path then we only prolong our death, the galaxy changes around us we must change to live within it.”

Bes'in sat again focusing on Terrin.

“My answer is no we will not be your military,” Bes'in answered. “We will never become tools for another power ever again.”

Bes'in could see the disappointment of Terrin and his granddaughter.

“However,” Bes'in continued. “We will become your guardians, separate from what will become your military we will deal with those who threaten the citizens of this galaxy. Whether that be the Vong or the Sith, or even unknown powers the Paladins will rise to meet the challenge. We will be to you as the Jedi order was to the Republic, things that fall outside of a traditional military we will handle and in the event you become the tyrants that you wish to combat we will deal with you as well.”

Bes'in turned to his granddaughter.

Terrin at first was a bit disappointed by Bes'in's response. But first and foremost, the salesmanship he had developed over the course of many years with Eagle Enterprises helped him cover this up masterfully...

...and that gave him a few extra moments to understand what, in fact, Bes'in was offering. And its intrinsic value.

The Jedi of old, after all, made no specific alliance to anyone, even to the point that when the Chancellor of the Old Republic was threatening the entire Galaxy, the Jedi stood for the peoples of the entire Republic, despite the fact it cost them their entire Jedi Order.

Bes'in was offering no less. Defenders of the Galaxy, of what was right. Gaurdians of the people; not military forces.

Terrin looked to Bes'in, nodding solemnly. "Absolutely."

After all, something could be incoming to this Galaxy that had nothing to do with what planet you were from, who you were allied with, or anything regarding the Empire or any faction thereof...

...and everything to do with either the domination...or perhaps the annihilation of everything in the Galaxy.

The time to put away any petty differences or concerns for self, if there was going to be any chance for anyone, could very well be now.

[ 10-13-2014 07:36 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Terrin Danner ]

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

We still have the same problems as before though, only magnified. However now we have an ally.

“Very well then,” said Bes'in. “There are somethings to take care of before I can bring the Mandalorian, correction, the Coalition Paladins into the light. I still have a capital ship shortage, what I have is either to old to be much good in the long run or lacking the infrastructure to build new ones fast enough. For that I need a shipyard preferably within this system, something I believe Eagle Enterprises could be commissioned for. As for other allies I suggest looking into the Corellians or the Bothans, they both have the resources and...”

He didn't have a chance to finish his thought, just then a Paladin barged into the room briefly apologized and handed a sealed roll sheet of flimsiplast to Bes'in and left. Bes'in didn't show any worry but the logic algorithms that help govern his main operating system knew that the message was contained information of the utmost importance, so important that it was dedicated to print so all traces of it could be destroyed without leaving a trace. The message Bes'in read shocked him to his core, it came in on the old Jedi escape network set up by Kyan and Pry'ca and read as follows. “Kani Jetiis’ad Mandalorian Protectorate, urgent message to Bes’in Skirata. Empire turncoat, need support of Mandalore, requests alliance, provide further instruction.”

Bes'in didn't betray his surprise, or more accurately his internal calculation at the probability of such a scenario occurring, but he had no doubt about the messages origin or intent so now he had a choice to tell Terrin it's contents and his plans or withhold it for now.

No this is an internal matter for the Paladin's and not the Coalition. Naturally Kyan will need to be brought into this and his new daughter, and due to the danger it posed to Kani the risk she is taking we will keep this information to the smallest number possible.

“We maybe moving forward a little quickly,” said Bes'in. “I know we have come to terms but what about the others, I know I have Kyan's endorsement but what of the other two in your group. I only ask because another matter has arisen internal to the Paladins that requires my attention. Bring up the terms of our allegiance with the other two Yaoksi and Link, then when they are up to speed all of us will meet back up here to discuss further action. Sergeant at Arms.”

At once a warrior in blue armor entered the room waiting for further instruction.”

“Terrin and his friends are now our allies,” said Bes'in. “They are allowed free access to our base up to level 5 and similar access to our database ensure it is taken care of, also escort Terrin back to his companions ship and wait there until I call for you or they wish to move about the base.”

The Sergeant at Arms motioned for Terrin to follow him and if showing a sign of slight annoyance to be cut off during negotiations Terrin complied and followed the Sergeant at Arms out of the room. Once the door to the room closed Bes'in put the room into lockdown.

“Kani has contacted us,” said Bes'in. “She has evidence of an Imperial defector or coup in the works. That is inconsequential for once we have a lead on Kani and I will not waste it.”

Bes'in commed his communications officer having an encrypted commlink raised to the ship Galen and Kyan took. He routed had the link specifically addressed to Galen because of Kyan's apparent blindness.

In a few short minutes Bes'in's guards escorted Terrin back to Yaoksi's ship before leaving him there. Only then did he look down at his commlink to realize he had received a message, which took his primary attention as he boarded the ship via the open hatch. And of course it took his attention because he could only hope it was Galen, who had promised to keep him posted.

For whatever it was she was doing...

That red flag of warning in Terrin's mind's eye came waving once more. With perhaps a flag or two more this time for extra emphasis.

Dammit, he trustedd her. More than life itself. But he'd almost lost her a time or two too many. And her sister, well...

...she seemed to do whatever suited her needs best at the moment.

Dammit.

As he went up the open hatch, he pressed the accept button and received Jasyn's message stating that he, K'kihl, and someone new were headed to K'eel Doba to look for Matt.

Awww, kriffing hell, Matt. His trusted friend and Second in Command. How the hell long had he been missing? What had happened to him?

Terrin knew the Alliance and all that they were trying to do was for the good of everyone in the Galaxy...

...but at what point did they draw the line between what was good for the Galaxy and taking care of friends?

Terrin shook his head, mostly to try to clear his brain of such thoughts, and headed towards the cockpit, where he heard Yaoksi and Link discussing something or other. As he entered, they both seemed to drop what they were doing and swiveled to look at him.

Hmmm....

"Ahhh, they are willing to assist us with protecting the Galaxy when needed, and pretty much that's as far as we got," he said, suddenly realizing how empty that really seemed to sound. Yeah, they were willing to help when the Galaxy was in danger. But as to offering friendship and assistance when the group needed it..

Terrin's eyes defocused again, his thoughts returning to Jasyn, Matt...

...and Galen.

Awww, damn, what were they doing...???

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

My very face felt hot.

What kind of legacy do I want to leave for my daughter? The words ballooned in my head, expanding outward from a tiny, tight kernel which was nothing more than the epitome of every mother's soul coalesced into one blazing knot.

I would do ANYTHING for her, to protect her, and those I love. But I need him to help us, and by his words he indicates the reverse!

I don't want to disappoint him. Yet, the day will arrive, and soon, where I must. I have to. I will have to turn away from him, take all he has given me and run with it.

Because even after all I've shared with him, he still is thinking in terms entirely too small. And the waters I am planning to take a headlong dive into are not only deep, but very, very dark.

Oh, but I don't want him to get hurt as others I've been with have been...!

I looked at my reflection in the T-visor of my Mandalorian helm, watched it as it fogged from the heat emanating from my body. Fighting against the even greater heat of tears suddenly battling to fill my eyes, I was about to yank it on over my head when my commlink let out a polite burp.

I gulped, and accepted the lifeline for what it was.

"This is Galen," I began, following with standard Mandalorian protocols of ship, number and vector. To my great surprise, the caller was Bes'in, and his call was directed at me.

I listened, nodding as in clipped, precise words he passed along a message that both shocked me to my very core... and yet somehow didn't surprise me in the slightest.

Sorben, you old dog! What in Khaandon's name have you been up to?

Even though no name had passed between us, I knew to my very soul that it was him.

It would be about him!

Striving mightily to remain nonchalant, I nodded and truncated the communication, turned to Kyan, and relayed the information about an Imperial turncoat. My stomach coiled up into a tiny little knot with the sudden realization that I may have to betray my new and suddenly, shyly loved Master much sooner than I'd thought.

It's for Kani... tell him it's for the sake of Kani...

"I think there's been a change of plans," I announced in sudden non sequiteur as with a swift and sure touch I brought the ship 180 degrees about the x-axis, and headed back toward the planet from which we'd just departed.

[ 11-27-2015 03:37 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Galen ]

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Terrin! I hadn't contacted him every two standard hours, as I'd promised.

He must be worried sick!

I reached for my verbal commlink, then stopped, cast a glance Kyan's way, noted the state of fugue he seemed to have wrapped himself in. Another guilt-ridden pang yanked at my heart.

Don't dwell on it. Don't even think it. When all is said and done, he'll forgive you, Galen, I tried to assure myself. For isn't that what parents do? Forgive their children, even their adopted ones?

Thus I keyed the Link to emit text rather than audio communication. I thought a moment, debating whether to let him in on what I was planning to do, wondering which would be the greatest of the two battles ahead:

Persuading him into joining me in this little Mandalorian ship, just the two of us, which oh Khaandon I wanted more than anything, or...

Yeah. OR.

Why was it again that you are not telling your new Master everything, Galen ol' girl?

A little sigh escaped me; stiffening, I glanced to Kyan, wondering if he'd noticed. He still sat, staring off as if watching a distant holovid which only he could see.

Nodding, I continued.

"Galen to Terrin," I typed, not bothering with protocol. "Just checking in, love; everything is...

I paused fractionally, debating with myself.

"Just fine. More later."

Sighing a bit more loudly at the deceit, I punched "send," and the brief missive went winging it's way along a particular one of the pathways which connect every nook and cranny in the universe, this one connecting me with my husband.

I sat back then, my mind awhirl with thoughts and ideas of just what in Hell's Seven Circles I was going to do from this point. I mean, it's fine and dandy to have a Big Picture, but if one doesn't have a coherent pathway leading into it one could rapidly find oneself in the kind of trouble that only rancors and hungry dianoga bring.

[ 11-27-2015 03:57 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Galen ]

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A tiny bead of sweat popped out on my upper lip; quickly, before he could take notice of it I licked it off, tightening my grip on the controls, aimed Cin vheti in a long spiraling descent that would eventually take us to the same pad from which we had left.

Or, maybe not.

Friction sent flames licking from the nose of the ship, momentarily dimming our view as we entered deepening atmosphere and continued our spiraling entry.

"Applying forward thrusters to slow descent," I announced as, yes, kicking up the starboard forward thruster I simultaneously let go a burst from the aft port one.

Oops...

The beautiful ship showed me just how tough she was as she suddenly found herself pinwheeling about, even as ever thickening atmosphere fed the flames on her nose to a veritable conflagration.

"Port forward thruster is out!" I yelled, jerking my body from side to side purposely to make the "imminent disaster" more believable, twiddling with the controls to jerk the ship in tandem with my movements, wincing and crying inside to see how Kyan was jerked from side to side.

However, I wasn't so stupid as to think he would be injured in any manner, not that I wished that on him. But fully clad in his armor as he was, he was protected from pretty much everything other than the literal explosion or full-bore land impact of Cin vehti.

Now as for me...

I drew in a breath.

Here we go...

Drawing on every ounce of piloting skill I possessed, reaching out with every nuancing sense to make connection with the Mandalorian vessel, I struggled to keep her on her "mayday" path.

Which reminds me...

"Flameout! Sending out universal SOS!"

I pretended to twiddle with the controls, then used them in earnest to jerk the ship into yet another impossible skew. My stomach heaved at the insult; a quick glance at Kyan showed me that he probably was a bit green in the face beneath his stern, T-visored helmet.

On and on I went, jerking the ship one way or another in pretense of trying to save it, each movement exquisitely timed with the jerking of my Master's hands from the control panel the few times he reached for the conn.

Finally the ground suddenly segued from something coming up to meet us into something below and entirely too close. Beneath us too was nothing but rock and desert and a low mesa or dry ravine. I clenched the controls along with my teeth, for by now the ship had seemed to take a mind of it's own and it truly took every bit of knowledge I possessed to keep us from seriously crashing. But at length something bleeped on my console, a little light flashed between red and green.

"Landing pad... passing under us now!"

Thinking of Terrin over whose head I was literally flying, I gritted my teeth in preparation of the coup de grace. The forward viewscreen showed the effects of coming in too hot: the occasional trees we thundered over flailed and thrashed, dust and debris shot up in an enveloping cloud, and here and there small landslides triggered as we skimmed the tops of steep and barren moraines. The ground approached...

I took a breath...

...and aiming just so hit every reverse thruster she had, ok, so maybe a bit more on the starboard side. Cin vehti obliged by careening into the dusty field I had somehow managed to find, plowed onward a kilometer or so, and with a final jerk, came to a crooked stop, keeling somewhat to the starboard.

I put on the biggest show in my life as, prepared for a rough landing, I let my body jerk first forward, and then back. The high back of the pilot's seat prevented me from receiving any real injury, despite the fact that I still hadn't donned my helmet...

But Kyan didn't really know that.

In the confusing aftermath, I shut down the comm. Then I lolled off the side of my chair.

"M-my neck. M-master, my neck. It- it hurts.

"I need help..."

In a flash he was before me, gloved hands reaching to unfasten my harness. I raised a weak hand, waved it.

"C-comm is out. Don't move me, Master. The- the Challenger, behind us a little bit...

"G-get help..."

I let my eyes close and my body go limp.

I held my breath.

Moments later, a soft touch on my arm, a warm voice speaking assurances. Then both removed themselves from me, and a few seconds later I heard the blessed sounds indicative of an opening hatch. Another promise wafted into my ears, and then stumping bootsteps dwindled away into silence.

I waited a heartbeat longer to make certain he had cleared the ship, then jerked myself upright and slammed closed the hatch. Ignoring the myriad aches and pains and twinges I'd received...

OH that's gonna leave a mark!

I torched up the of course still operational thrusters and shot off from the ground like a startled mynock. I flew back over the Challenger, dipped a wing in salute, made a quick course calculation, circled the grounded ship, and then headed off in a particular direction, damn the steepness of the ascent.
Cin vehti can take it, I know she can!

Before I had even left atmosphere I performed a dangerous maneuver, cutting her into hyperdrive and escaping the gravitational clutch of my Master's home.

But not before giving the aft thrusters a big burst, signaling to those on the ground. A concession to common sense, if you will.

I won't have you with me Terrin, I thought as day and the night of space warred with each other before finally blending into the smears of hyper-driven reality.

But here's a clue for you anyway, simply because I DO love you.

And then I was gone, quite literally. My body shook and heaved with the terrible sobs that welled up from my very soul to beat me.

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

His feet began to move, even before his brain was able to think. In moments he'd left the Challenger entirely, just in time to witness the Cin vehti fall out of the sky...

...at least sorta...

Terrin's hackles immediately raised. And even as the ship falling out of the sky went into the distance...

...he knew. For a count of perhaps a few nanoseconds, all went silent...

...but that was, of course, not all she wrote. The same said "falling ship" erupted back into the sky, the work of only what could be a highly skilled pilot...

...thrusters bursting before she exploded into hyperspace, defying gravity altogether.

Better ding than death...

....dammit, Galen...

His heart jumped into his throat, and his mind flashed back to Prinn'chatka...

...and to his own stupidity in how he responded to Galen risking her life.

Not again. Not ever, ever, again.

"Oh bloody Hell," he finally managed to muster, somehow knowing that the others had come with him to witness Galen's light display although he wasn't really that aware of them at all. All he knew was that he couldn't do this anymore. His feet acted once more of their own accord, for his mind was only on her, as he pivoted back on his heel and headed back up the hatch to the inside of the Challenger. His brain was operating enough to at least respect the fact that this was Yaoksi's ship.

"We've gotta get out of here," he said once inside, now certain that there were no Mandolorian ears to hear. And Terrin most certainly hoped that Yaoski and Link would agree with him on the matter.

Cause dammit, if someone didn't take off out of here, he sure as Hell would do so himself.

[ 11-27-2015 06:00 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Terrin Danner ]

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Or rather, lack thereof.

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," I began as I untangled my own legs from where I'd propped my feet swiveling forward to face him. Beside me Link's ears pricked up, then seemed to flatten.

Events transpired rapidly after that.

No sooner had I spoken when Challenger took to vibrating suddenly, and a rushing roar sounded from without. Automatically I turned to the console and began bringing the engines out of standby, even as Terrin simultaneously disappeared out the hatch. I could only listen to the hellacious noise as it dwindled in the distance, wondering what the hell was going on when the sound returned, followed soon thereafter by an agitated Terrin.

The question forming on my lips died when I took in his grim expression. Saying nothing, I turned back to the navboard, Link unraveling herself to disappear aft.

With no further ado we simply blasted from this world of warriors and honor, nevermind the fact that we'd come here seeking their help.

Oh yeah. We're not getting that, I remembered as Challenger leapt from the ground and rapidly sought space. The fact that we weren't pursued by anyone only lent further credence to that thought.

Once we'd reached the wide open spaces of wide open space, I let her momentum carry her in a random direction, waiting to hear just what had happened to trigger such a succinct command from a guy who didn't even own this ship.

Well, any longer.

At length I pulled back from the console, turned to face him.

"Mind letting me in on what's going on, Boss?" I attempted, trying to lighten the thundering atmosphere. The look on his face wiped the smile from my own.

I coughed, and waited to hear what else he had to say.

Somehow I knew it was going to be plenty.

[ 11-28-2015 02:44 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Yaoksi Joao ]

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...control-crashed on Mandalore and left Kyan behind and took back off."

He paused, his eyes too defocused to even see the puzzled looks he somehow knew were being directed his way as they wondered how he knew what he was saying was true.

He knew because he knew Galen. Knew how much she agonized about anyone getting hurt on her account. And while he loved her dearly for that very fact...

...he wished to all the fates that she wouldn't go off alone and in turn risk her own self. That she could get past it just enough to realize he would do anything for her...

...and with her.

But then again, maybe she did know that...

Terrin tried to collect himself enough to really decide what he thought Galen was truly up to.

"I think she's headed to the Sith planets to try to come to some sort of an Alliance with the Sith...

...or at least with her Sister..."

He trailed, frowning to himself.

Or was that what she was doing at all...?

"...or maybe not. I saw her blast out of here, and I might be able to guess as to the vector of her departure..."

He trailed, realizing with certainty he was probably grasping at straws. And recalling with all too familiar certainty that if Galen was headed towards the Sith worlds and her Sister that she was taking even more of a risk than she would ever admit.

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

She knew I'd be distracted by the news about Kani, calculated it into her plan... her plan to what.

He opened a channel with the ship knowing that he probably wouldn't get a reply, but he at least had to make an effort to help Galen.

“Gal'ika,” Kyan began. “I choose to believe you have your reasons so I will not hold a grudge. I know you fear your power and the future, but remember that if you remain true to who you are it can never corrupt you. When you need me call to me and I will feel it across our bond. The Force will be with you my daughter.”

I had just gotten my blubbering under control when Kyan's words came across the comm. It was all I could do to prevent myself from enacting a repeat performance; drawing in a shuddering breath I wiped my eyes and reached for the comm.

Toggled replay... listened to my Master's brief and forgiving words. And again, and yet again.

Thought about what I should respond with, if anything at all. Which immediately brought forth further guilt about how my actions were probably hurting Terrin.

My bottom lip trembled.

Tell them. Tell them both...

I knew if I outright told Terrin where I was going, he'd be on my trail like a hunting sandcat. Kyan... well, I'd like to think he would too.

But spilling the beans would reduce my head start... a LOT. Not to mention the little fact that if things soured there'd be no one available to come rushing in all Knight in Shining Armor to aid me.

IF I was still around to be given assistance at all, that is.

My hand trembled as I pulled it back. I fisted it, contemplated it until the trembling finally lessened, until the shakiness I felt within reduced to a dull ache.

But I still felt like all kinds of a heel.

Quickly then, before I could change my mind, I toggled the comm and spoke to Kyan.

"Yes, I fear the future, but not for me. Not for me.

"I fear what those I seek may do, how they may misconstrue what I am attempting, and how they may retaliate against those I love. So I have to do this alone."

I paused a moment, waiting to see if he'd reply. Time stretched forward for a seeming eternity before I decided he was probably waiting for me to continue.

So I did.

"I will call you, my Master, when and if I need you. Your understanding and forgiveness will give me the strength to follow the path I'm creating ahead of me.

"Please help Terrin, and my friends on Challenger. Please don't turn against them on my account."

I paused fractionally... then finished.

"Remember I love you, as a mentor and a f-father."

Quickly then I hit "send," and sat back. Oddly enough, I suddenly felt as if the weight of nations had been lifted from my shoulders. I gave the navboard a fast once-over, just to make certain everything was ship-shape.

Then I settled back in the pilot's seat, propping a foot on the edge of it as, laying a palm across my mouth I pondered what in Hell's Seven Circles I was going to do once I reached my destination.

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

Stay stong Ad’ika.

Resigning himself to how to proceed he heard Galen’s challenge to help Terrin and the others reverberate through his mind. True they could use his help and he would offer it if they asked but in the back of his mind he had another concern… Kani.

It only took a few minutes before a speeder arrived from base to take him back. He redirected it to the landing pad where the Challenger was berthed and waited just outside the hatch for a moment. Kyan sent a short message to Bes’in before proceeding up the ramp. No pursuit… will join you soon. He headed up the ramp and found his way to the bridge where Yaoksi and Terrin waited. Turning to Terrin and seeing the fear, anger, and hurt in the man Kyan stood ready to receive it all.

“Blame me all you want, but you know your wife as well as anyone.” Kyan said. “What are your plans?”
OOC: Yeah just realized where the challenger was... didn't read carefully enough what Yaoksi did in his post. My bad. If you need to I can change it Kyan's response to a radio response instead. Sorry.

"Wha--?!"

I blinked at the Mandalorian's completely unexpected entrance, whirled to take a gander at the blackness of space the forward screen was insisting enshrouded Challenger, shot Terrin an incredulous glance and finally brought my focus back to Kyan. He just stood there, waiting.

Considering it wasn't really my affair at this particular moment, since after all the fiery Lil Gal wasn't my wife, I decided it wasn't my prerogative to answer his terse comment. Instead I nodded toward the solidly closed hatch, indicating the very very few hiding places which possibly existed in its vicinity.

"Oh buddy, you're gooood!" I said before falling silent. However, I couldn't help but follow that comment with a silently spoken sequel.

I'm sure happy as hell you're on OUR side. Well, at least so far...

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

...or if this guy had done something just short of improbable by making it onboard the Challenger before they took off.

Oh bloody hell...

Now regarding the Mandalorian Jedi's comment on him taking the blame....and oh yes, Terrin most certainly did know his wife...

...and that she was just acting out of a deeply ingrained desire to protect her loved ones.

And perhaps Kyan's sudden appearance gave Terrin the precious few minutes he needed clear his head.

Well, at least somewhat.

"Oh, it's no use blaming anyone," he stated then, shaking his head at Kyan. "She doesn't want anyone getting hurt," he then said, stating the obvious, perhaps more for himself than anyone else.

Cause now, Terrin Danner was calculating exactly what his plans in fact were. After all, he knew Galen. And she did give him enough of a light display to calculate her destination with a good bit of certainty based on her exit vector...

...which meant she knew him just as well as he knew her.

She knew he would go after her. But...

...think with your brain and not your blasted heart. Dammit, Danner.

"She knows I'll track her," he then stated out loud to the others. "And I think we should...

...and then lay back and wait, cause if and when she needs us, we're gonna be ready."

Even while the words were coming out of his mouth, they were killing him.

Oh kriffing hell, how he wanted to take off after her right this moment.

Get it together, man.

He turned and regarded Yaoksi, his blue eyes intense. "Mind if I borrow some of your nav equipment for a while? I need to do some calculating..."

...and dammit, later, I'm gonna really need a drink...

[ 11-28-2015 04:46 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Terrin Danner ]

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