Dominion A Grave Mistake | GA Dominion of Ragoon VI Hex

[Auteme]

Emmen Tagge Fable Solborne Greeble the Hutt Corala Gethsverg Faith Organa Mina Praji | Objective II​

Auteme's nerves steadied until finally she realized what was going on. Just because she was in a different chair didn't mean the proceedings had changed. As with many Senate meetings, the first few speakers were dominated by the opinionated outliers while Chancellor Tagge tried to keep things calm. Then the more level-headed of the group stepped in to support the Chancellor.

Of course, it was a surprise to hear that the new director of the SIA speak in support of such an illogical and poorly-supported course of action. Auteme knew that Allyson Locke was among the most effective agents the SIA employed. The Jedi Shadows had supported the agency on numerous occasions. Equally important was the fact that Director Gethsverg was surely privy to information on the investigation that not even Senator Solborne had been given access to. Nonetheless it was a bad look for the head of a government agency to take a political stance, particularly one that was not the stance of the executive branch. Hadn't the Chancellor put her in that position? She'd need to double check.

Also, it was really weird to be called 'Master Jedi'. Part of her didn't like the sound of it. A lot of formal speak was a little funky.

As always Emmen was the resounding voice of reason. That was what Auteme wanted to be when she grew up. She found herself nodding along to the Chancellor's words, and smiling in response to his offer. She stood and took the floor again. "Thank you, Chancellor. I will consult with the other Jedi about increasing security, then speak to you if we have need of it." Her eyes turned to the gathered Senators. "This investigation has the Jedi's full support, and I trust that the Marshals and the SIA will find the truth." A simple stance, but one that Auteme believed to be the correct one. There was really nothing else for her to say.

Instead her mind went to the actual crime. She hadn't known Lanik Dawnstar but his service record was a strong one. He was smart, and skilled, and apparently killed by a lightsaber. There was something deeper at work here. Perhaps increasing the Temple's security would be the right course of action.

Her pod floated back to the side of the room. As much as she loved to sit in on the meetings of the Senate, today she was just nervous. Being around all these important and powerful people was difficult, considering how small and inexperienced it made her feel. Still, she'd done her duty. That was enough. She just needed a bit of fresh air.

---

Ezra D. Tavlar​

The padawan didn't think there would have been anyone in the hallways around the Senate Chamber while it was in session. For the most part, she was right -- until she walked right into a young man cleaning the floors with a broom and dustpan. Who cleaned floors with a broom and dustpan? Where were the cleaning droids? Obviously they needed to better fund the maintenance staff of Coruscant. Auteme made a mental note of it for later.

"Sorry," she said. How had she missed him? Her mind had been someplace else, but surely she would've seen a tall guy right in front of her. Oh, no -- was this a moment when she realized that she was disconnected from the 'normal' people? And now she was calling them normal people. This was terrible.

A look of dread crept onto her face for a few moments before she shook her head vigorously to get rid of the silly thoughts that had decided to so viciously assault her. Instead she decided to go entirely the opposite route. After all, when was the last time she'd really helped someone? "Do you need any help? I've seen Senator Gunray eat, I'm sure there's a lot of cleaning you have to do here."

 

[Faith Organa]

Alliance Marshalls, that was well enough wasn't it. She studied her fingers for a moment thinking about the exchange. It was calming to know that the Chancellor agreed with them about investigations rather than assumptions.

She couldn't help but feel there was more to all of this. More to be looked around about the Senator as well. The Marshalls would look at everything but Faith wanted eyes on not as oversight but to manage her own sense of mistrust in all of it.

What was the old saying, best to ask forgiveness rather than seek permission...She smiled.

 

[Maou]

Objective: There is Only the Force
Mention: Adhira Chandra Ryv Loske Treicolt Maynard Treicolt Ayra Lowe Bernard

The momentary attack strained his voice, but the cybernetics and the strength of the Jedi next to him gave Kaito a second wind. Pulling himself up to stand again, Kaito looked at the gathered Jedi with a mirthful smirk laden with poison. The expression was hidden behind his mask, but the light of the funeral pyre illuminated his eyes for a moment, offering a glimpse into the senator's soul. They flashed with hate and rage and an unsettlingly cold confidence. He let go of Rafe's arm and crossed his arms across his chest. He ignored the Jedi's calls but did wave off the Halcyon who lowered his weapon but stood clearly between Maynard and the Senator.

"The Senate is speaking about this right now. As we speak they decide the path we take, or at least the first steps." His cold gaze fell on Adhira, whom while a nuisance for his job he had once held respect. "The Senate will know who took this criminal, this rogue fallen Jedi, and gave him a Jedi's burial. You should have kept your hands clean Jedi," his gaze shifted to the Sword of the Jedi and the small group of Knights he surrounded himself with, "What will you tell them when one of the largest pieces of evidence in an ongoing investigation vanishes?" He let a snarl touch his lips.

"I did not want this war Jedi, but you clearly did...And I don't have a code holding me back." He turned his back on them, walking back towards the ship. When he arrived there was another shuttle waiting, separate from the one his Jedi friend had brought them on. It was a sleek vessel, black with red accents. A distinguished-looking Atrisian man with rounded glasses greeted him along with a small droid reminiscent of the popular BB units. The man bowed.

"We are ready to take you back to Corellia." Pryce nodded. They would drop these guards off with the Corellian fleet...But afterward, he had someone he needed to talk to. In-person.

He needed to speak to his Master.

 

[Mina Praji]

Coruscant // Senate Building // Grand Convocation Chamber
Objective II: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Emmen Tagge - Lisza Starseeker - Auteme - Fable Solborne - Corala Gethsverg - Other Senators

The Kaikielii native bit the inside of her bottom lip anxiously, careful not to leave any of the bright red lipstick on her teeth as she did so. While the proceedings continued around them the Staff Aide found herself eclipsed in thought about the Corellian Senator and the potential he had for being deceptive. While the power of the Alliance had grown quickly since its inception, the fledgling democracy would surely be shaken if the rumors about Kaito proved to be true.

Mina could tell that the Chancellor was also deeply troubled by these developments. He had fought long and hard to ensure there was stability in the Alliance. He'd poured his soul into the founding of their republic. She knew that Emmen cared more than anyone about its survival. "Then... perhaps it would be prudent for us to -- keep a closer eye on our dear friend from Corellia," her eyebrows moved to emphasize what she was implying, "I am sure he would be grateful if we were to assign him a security detail."

"For his own safety..." she glanced at the Chancellor from the corner of her eye. Indeed, sending a detachment of Senate Commandos to "protect" Senator Kiyoshi would be the sensible thing to do and he would hardly be able to object to additional protection given his weakened state. If the attempt on his life had been coordinated, it was reasonable to assume that he may still be in danger.

"Director Gethsverg may also have some recommendations for his security," she added, quietly.

 

[Adhira Chandra]

Ragoon VI -- Base of the Rost Mountains -- In the Shadows
Objective I: Return to Coruscant
Jedi -- Funeral Guests -- Maynard Treicolt -- Ryv -- Maou -- Loske Treicolt

Adhira looked around, alarmed as Maynard stepped forward to confront Kaito. The last thing she needs or wanted was a violent confrontation between a sitting Senator and what was essentially the entire Jedi Order. Her dark eyes watched carefully, trained on Kaito's hulking escort. There was a moment of uncertainty before the Corellian seemed to gather his strength. She could feel his rage and it unsettled her.​

​

When her colleague waved down his guard and saw the blaster lower, she felt a sense of relief wash over her as the weight of potential conflict was lifted from her shoulders. As Kaito addressed her, Adhira remained expressionless. She knew what was happening back on Coruscant and she'd already put contingency plans in place for her absence, but he need not know that. Instead of responding, the Balmorran remained silent until Senator Kiyoshi had finally left their presence.​

​

"You must make yourselves scarce," she said finally to the Jedi, the deep tenor of her voice trembling slightly, "it is a noble thing you have done here tonight, but I fear the Senate may not see things in quite the same light." The elder Senator turned to face Ryv who, for all intents and purposes, was the leader of the new order.​

​

"I will do everything I can, but-" her last few words were drowned out by the sound of a roaring engine overhead. A blinding spotlight fell on Adhira's form as a massive Balmorran Gunship bore down on the group. The air from the thrusters shook the treetops and stirred the ashes of the pyre. "Shit..." she cursed under her breath as the sound of armored footsteps joined the chorus of the ship. A number of Balmorran soldiers jogged out of the forest and converged in the spotlight.​

​

"We have eyes on the Senator! Ma'am, we've been ordered to extract you!" ​

​

It was clear to Adhira that she no longer had a say in the matter as two commandos took her gently by the arm and began to lead her away. She managed a final glance back at the Jedi before she and the armored soldiers disappeared into the darkness of the forest. The gunship scanned the Jedi with its spotlight one last time before pulling away and soaring into the distance to collect its charge.​

 

[Ryv]

Respect kept Ryv at bay. Respect for the system he helped build, something Loske and Maynard tore from the muck of the galaxy with him. The New Jedi Order earned their place in the Galactic Alliance, they won the right to bury their dead and honor their legacy. Regardless of what any senator told them, this was a sanctified practice that spanned thousands of years, and it would not be ignored for the sake of some political game. One hand gently caressed Bernard's head, Ryv's fingers intertwined with the Arkanian's curly, white locks. The other reached down to cup the four-fingered hand housing the fallen Jedi's crystal. Carefully, the Kiffar guided the fingers to a close around the gem before pulling back. Ryv tugged his jacket from his shoulders, the worn leather scarred from years of use, a constant companion in the face of danger. He entrusted it to the sullen knight, draping it over his thinner frame.

"Hold onto this for me, brother. I have a feeling-," Ryv paused, his gaze following Maynard's movements as he reached out towards the guards. Both of their rifles plummeted to the snow, landing almost noiselessly in the powdery cushion. "Lookin' like we might turn up the heat," he slowly stood, his body turned to face Kaito. Without saying another word, Ryv trudged forward through the snow, his amber gaze never leaving the scarred senator, even as he and the Balmorran spit venom back and forth. Ryv came to a stop beside Maynard, setting a gentle hand on his hot-blooded companion's shoulder. "We don't know all the details yet, so we need to be careful about how we deal with this mess," he muttered to the Concordian, careful not to be heard by the Corellian Senator. "We're definitely not gonna let this wakamancha wermo push us around. Not here, not ever," his hand squeezed tight, confidence surging between the two Jedi Knights, guiding Ryv forward.

"Senator!" Ryv called across the snowy expanse, his steps carrying him a few paces closer. "Seems like you've got a helluva lot wrong, but you did get something right," he raised his chin, defiant eyes bearing down on Kiyoshi. "The Senate will know who took Lanik," his hand rose, thumb extended and pointing inward, directly at himself. "You go ahead and let them know I did it. The Core has taken enough from our people, and it's given very little in return. If you think any of us will let you crucify our dead and parade them as criminals? Well, cha skrunee da pat. That ain't gonna fly anymore," both arms crossed over the Jedi Knight's chest, his posture an outright challenge to both Kaito's claims, as well as his threats. "I don't know what happened to lead Lanik to attack you, but," Ryv allowed his attention to shift back to the now inert funeral pyre. "If my instincts are correct, we'll know soon enough."

At Adhira's words, Ryv looked to her, meeting her concerned visage with a warm smile. "I understand, Senator Chandra!" he shouted out, hoping to be heard over the roaring engines. "We'll be careful, just take care of yourself!" he attempted to step towards the Balmorran, his movement stopped as two of her newly arrived escort blocked his path. "Something blocks our sight! Something dark! Try not to be too reckless!" he expected his suggestions to go unheard, if not by the roaring machinery above, then likely by Adhira's brash nature in the pursuit of justice.

Maynard Treicolt | Bernard | Loske Treicolt
Adhira Chandra | Maou ​

 

[Bernard]

​

Ragoon VI
Objective I
Actors: Lanik Dawnstar , Ryv , Maynard Treicolt , Loske Treicolt , Maou , Adhira Chandra , Irveric Tavlar , Ayra Lowe , Serena Rylvin
Act I: Perigee

Light-headedness settled as his hands became the last certainty among the world's remains.​

The clawed digits looked foreign. The slightest muscle contractions made them tremble on their own, though the settling cold wasn't the culprit. They were wreathed under shadows in the dimness of dusk, now that the flames had extinguished. The darkness seemed to coat them like dried blood. The hands of a murderer, calloused and jagged, with four vicious claws to rend. Cruel and wholly incapable of creation or compassion.​

Disgust overcame him. He heaved once, acid burning in his throat. His eyes went shut again to block out the murderer's hands. Distantly, he heard the echo of voices and quick footfalls behind him but couldn't bring himself to turn or open his eyes again.​

The rustle of grass and snow came closer, until the steps came to a halt on the pyre's stone, just ahead of Bernard. A few more steps sounded towards him. Their purpose was still uncertain. Something small was placed in one of his palms, and, a heartbeat after that, he found himself embraced in the arms of another person. The sudden warmth was as overwhelming as the white flames had been but didn't cleanse away the guilt. Ryv's familiar voice was a soothing anchor amidst the turmoil. He allowed the Jedi's endless calm to envelop him, even as he forced himself to remain kneeling upright and unmoving as one last proud defiance, more subconscious than by choice.​

His fingers closed around the small object placed in its palm, directed by Ryv's hand. It had an impossibly hard, smooth surface but jagged edges, and radiated a presence in the metaphysical that was unique and unmistakable: a kyber crystal. Several moments passed before he put together to whom it belonged. His expression twisted in guilt as his grip tightened to crush the delicate crystal reflexively, but it only dug into the skin of his palm and fingers. Ryv's kindness staved away the pain. He placed a jacket around Bernard, a protective shield against cold and whatever hostilities drained the younger Jedi from within. A moment later Jedi's Sword mumbled a few more words and drew away, though his compassion's gifts remained.​

Eventually, Bernard eased the tension in his muscles with a sigh. Though the effort of breaking the crystal had only endured a few moments, he felt all strength sapped from his body. Tiredness seeped into his muscles, and fatigue made his thoughts slow and dwindle in complexity until there was only a warm understanding of his sin. Somehow that certainty was comforting, or maybe it was just the mind's hard-wired response to the kindness of another person. He was too tired to figure out the difference, so he slowly shifted to lay down, resting his head on the stone as he opened his eyes again to look at the crystal left behind in his palm.​

It shined in warm hues, even in the darkness, verdant, but at the same time crimson. The dagger he felt loosed its grasp over his heart as he beheld the pygmy stone, and he didn't mind it so much anymore. He just wanted to rest.​