A Rift in the Fire

[Mason]

Mason agreed with a nod. Splitting up seemed to be the wisest choice, even if the books he read begged to differ. He looked around. The group was certainly unfamiliar to the teen. No doubt the locals were a bit on edge. Mason ran a hand through his hair, even after being reassured there was still a sense of unease.

Mason looked to Master Graendal and gave a half-hearted smile. "I wouldn't mind a bit of chit chat with the locals." Mason said with a grin. He really didn't want to fail at force stunning creatures. He smiled.
[member="Alyson Halle"]
[member="Lan Graendal"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]
[member="Jakkor Kess"]
[member="Bhakt Wemk"]
@Ra'a'mah

 

[Avo]

While Lan appreciated the offer to choose those who would follow him, he could not comply. If some students wished to follow him to meet and converse with the locals, then they would be more than welcome to do so by their own will. The Force would guide them and Lan would merely be the external force that helped finely tune and lead them down such a path. If one apprentice or knight believed their skills would be best suited for this endeavor, then that was that. If not, they were free to tag along with the group leaving to investigate the bugdillos nesting grounds and the shifting of the tectonic plates.

"For those following me," he sent [member="Mason"] a warm smile as he stepped over to stand by his side, "We'll leave shortly. There's a very small settlement two kilometers away, estimated population is around forty people. I don't assume they're expecting us to just waltz right in, so we'll tread lightly and greet them with open arms."

[member="Jessica Med-Beq"], @Ra'a'mah, [member="Bhakt Wemk"], [member="Jakkor Kess"], [member="Dune Rhur"], [member="Alyson Halle"], [member="Thema Csapla"], [member="Sochi Ru"],

 

[Dune Rhur]

To put it bluntly Eol Sha stank. This was in the most literal sense possible. At the Temple there'd only been gusts carrying that sulfurous smell. Travelling inward towards the chains of volcanoes meant it was growing stronger.

Unfortunately for Dune he had an especially potent olfactory sense. That smell of rotting eggs made him a touch queasy. He had to focus on not letting that happen. Piloting a speeder in this rocky landscape demanded your full attention.

With him was the larger group that'd volunteered to go into the caverns. Dune suspected that this trip would be a disappointment for the apprentices. There was probably some boring and mundane reason for everything. No fire worms in a contaminated water source.

Dune went as quickly as safety allowed. All the better to be out of that awful stink. They'd still be travelling for over an hour either way. The Bith wanted to sigh but that would mean gulping more of this putrid smell.

Why couldn't this place smell like lavender? Or even a Bantha herd on Tatooine. That smell would eventually go away. Dune imagined the rank smell would always be here.

Looking around told the story as to why. Mountain ranges of all sizes with volcanoes dotted frequently among them. Some inactive and some belching steam. Dune had read that some cultures described their concept of Hell like this place.

The few patches of scrub grass and twisted shrubs revealed just how desperate life was here. They jutted up through the stony ground at odd angles. Dune knew the soil here to be very acidic. No natural agriculture would ever occur in these circumstances.

Too little arable land and what there was would kill off typical crops. The rest was stone or so it seemed. This land told the story of those who had settled here. Tough and independent beings who managed to survive but not truly thrive on this dangerous place.

Earlier suggestions of hydroponics were very good ones. Perhaps that could help the people of Eol Sha. If the bugdillos and lichens were indeed going to fully die off then they'd need that tech.

[member="Mason"] [member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] [member="Jakkor Kess"] [member="Thema Csapla"] [member="Alyson Halle"] [member="Lan Graendal"] [member="Bhakt Wemk"]

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

With [member="Lan Graendal"] and [member="Mason"] going on their way to the nearest village, [member="Dune Rhur"] collected the cavern team into a speeder that feels a little cramped given that [member="Jakkor Kess"], [member="Thema Csapla"], [member="Alyson Halle"] and, of course, Jessica, were all onboard, and the rotten egg smell that seeped in the inside of the speeder. In the off-chance that [member="Sochi Ru"], [member="Bhakt Wemk"] or even [member="Arisa Yune"] attempt to hide in the trunk, they might have it easier than those in the main cabin because there is more in the way of air-proof features in the trunk. Of course this planet has nothing on the McMansions on Bimmisaari or Ringo Vinda, smell-wise: the former being a more forested feel and the latter is more of a desert world, she thought. And now the true nature of Eol Sha's desolate terrain is made clear to her: barren land with only small shrubs of grass, crags, and less and less grass the further they went out of the temple. But at least she got the presence of mind to suggest hydroponics, regardless of how acidic the soil is: that's usually what is done to feed the populations of volcanic planets.

 

[Alyson Halle]

The place was rather brutal, it was hot, it was rocky, and it was difficult to walk on. Even experience mountain climbers would have trouble here, it was miserable to Alyson she just wanted to get to the caves already so they could go and search, even though it would be hot and miserable there too. She had gone with [member="Dune Rhur"] 's group, which was sending her to the caves. The planet was stinky too, not as stinky as a stable or barn, but rather stinky, it was not a pleasant smell at all. The landscapes however, were extremely pretty in the desolate sort of way, there was little plant life but there was striking black stone and the occassional lava flow slowly creeping its way down a hill every once and awhile.

They had already gotten off the vehicles, or at least that is what she thinks, she was rather woozy from all of the noxious fumes, so she might still be on the speeder, but she was almost certain she was not in the speeder. Hopefully it would subside eventually enough to get a full grasp on the situation.

[member="Jessica Med-Beq"] [member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Lan Graendal"] [member="Mason"] [member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Bhakt Wemk"] [member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Jakkor Kess"] [member="Thema Csapla"]

 

[Jakkor Kess]

Jakkor's mask was able to avoid the horrid smell of the world and although he could still breathe he was glad to help. The smell was all around the atmosphere despite the contrary of the beautiful landscape. He would help in any sense he could as he planned to restart the Jedi Order of the Old Republic, it was time for active Jedi to be in the galaxy once more, and he felt that he had found the calling he has been looking for. He got into the speeder to head towards his destination. Whatever the disturbance was he would certainty look forward to stopping it.

[member="Alyson Halle"] [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] [member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Lan Graendal"] [member="Mason"] @Bhat Wemk [member="Arisa Yune"] @Thema Csalpa

 

[Bhakt Wemk]

Bhakt joined the others on the speeder as it raced toward the cave systems. Bhakt groaned as he began to catch whiffs of the sulfur the further they got out further into the wastes. He did at least have his dermal flap over his nostrils at least kind of blocked the smell.

Besides the smell the rest of the ride wasn't totally unpleasant. The heat didn't really bug him, it wasn't really any hotter than his homeworld Kintan. Hell to the reptile the hot breezes felt almost refreshing. He lounged back in his seat and enjoyed the ride. He took in some of the masters from his seat and found he once again didn't know how he'd ever reach their level. The ex pirate wondered what these people had all sacrificed to obtain their ranks and if he could do the same.

[member="Alyson Halle"] - [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] - [member="Dune Rhur"] - [member="Lan Graendal"] - [member="Mason"] - [member="Jakkor Kess"] - [member="Arisa Yune"] - [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Riamah]

Ra sat scrunched in the middle of the rear seat. The smell of sulfer very noticable to her now they were away from the temple area. It was enough to almost make her dizzy and sick to her stomach, but she kept her feeling hidded behind her neutral facade.

The land, almost as desolate of life as Coruscant was full. Small and sturdy shrubs littered the ground, stunted and windblown trees scattered the tops of the cliffs and tiny patches of grass pushed up through the rocky land. The air was a little yellow due to the volcanic activity and likely the cause of the strong sulfer smell.

When they arrived at thier destination, she planned to stick to the group like a fly to sticky paper.

 

[Mason]

The force was something that was a pretty new concept to the teen. He was still learning the whole aspects of it. But he did know that it was best to let the force lead him. The teen wasn't even used to wearing his Jedi robes. Mason felt so weird wearing his robes, so underdressed, yet he put that aside.

Mason watched as Master Graendal walked over and stood next to him. [member="Lan Graendal"] gave Mason a warm smile which he returned along with a nod. The master explained that the nearest village was two kilometers away with a population of about forty people who weren't expecting anyone. Master Graendal suggested to greet them with open arms. Mason nodded and watched as the group that went to investigate the caverns left. The tall teenager turned to the master and tilted his head.

"Shall we begin the walk Master Graendal?" Mason asked as he looked at the land. It definitely was a change of scenery compared to Coruscant.


[member="Dune Rhur"]
[member="Jessica Med-Beq"]
[member="Alyson Halle"]
[member="Jakkor Kess"]
[member="Bhakt Wemk"]
@Ra'a'mah

 

[Thema Csapla]

After a while of listening and consideration, Thema had decided just who to follow- It seemed Jedi [member="Lan Graendal"] was the lucky fellow. Besides him was a boy, @Mason. Young, about her own age, clearly a fellow padawan. At first, his looks made her anxious to actually approach the duo; but after a while, she'd just found herself taking glances at him. Forbidden to a Jedi, sure- But she wasn't technically doing anything wrong. Just looking. Finally, bracing herself, the helmeted Chiss closed the gap between her and the two other Jedi.


"I... I think the cave crew has too many members already." She said, phrasing the statement as a request to join their ranks. "And if we're going to a mining village, they're sure to have seismological equipment. It'll give us a notion of where the thing might be." Funny how no one had acknowledged that bit of advice. Sure, the planet had tons of earthquakes even without the worm- But Thema thought it was a good idea. At the very least, a clever one. "Would you two mind a third member in your party?

 

[Dune Rhur]

After some time Dune set down the cramped speeder. Before them loomed a field of stone. Everything from fist sized to twice the size of a Wookie. Truly they could go no further.

The Bith sighed as he powered down the vehicle. It wasn't that he minded walking. It was just that it meant precious time wasted in such a place. For every meter forward they'd probably spend twice that side-stepping.

He exited and turned to the others. In the meantime he spoke.

"This will take us the better part of a standard hour. So let's begin."

Dune suited his own words and began picking his way between the rocks. He had to admit his disappointment with Thema chosing to go with the others. Yet he couldn't entirely blame the young Chiss. He'd let her down before and he was sure there were reservations on her part.

And there was that young apprentice with Master Graendal. Dune supposed he was attractive for a humanoid and she was young yet. Bith fortunately were never slaves to such things. He thanked the Force for that.

[member="Jakkor Kess"] [member="Mason"] [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] [member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Lan Graendal"] [member="Thema Csapla"] [member="Bhakt Wemk"] [member="Alyson Halle"]

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

With [member="Dune Rhur"] getting off the speeder for what would likely be a long, arduous trek among the mountaineous, craggy landscape of Eol Sha, where the first lead led several people, such as @Ra'a'mah, @Bhakt Wemt, [member="Alyson Halle"], [member="Jakkor Kess"], to that place, where she had the impression of making little to no progress for every step they made. Hopefully our provisions will last until this trek is over, she thought, while having to endure the smell of rotten eggs, which only became more and more pungent as they made their approach towards the cavern. No sign of [member="Arisa Yune"], [member="Sochi Ru"]... either they refused to get out of the speeder or they just didn't show up at all. And then... some crabs began to make their approach towards the party: she could feel them coming in the Force from a good distance away. These creatures are simple enough: we may be able to buy a few minutes by freezing their motor nervous nodes, she thought, while doing just that to freeze a few bugdillos into place in the distance, firing the Force-EMPs as she would have cluster missiles.

"Bugdillos are closing in on us: now is the time to use Force-stun!"

 

[Eugen Aker]

No sign of Arisa Yune, Sochi Ru... either they refused to get out of the speeder or they just didn't show up at all.

In fact, Arisa would not be present on Elo Sha with her Dominion counterparts. She transmitted a message over HOLONET directly to her friend, Jakkor, detailing why:

[member="Jakkor Kess"],

I'm sorry that I couldn't join you on Elo Sha, but the ongoing crisis on Mygeeto had kept me occupied. However, I was able to talk some local vendors within the Corva sector into diverting a portion of their shipments of foodstuffs and supplies directly to Elo Sha. They will be compensated by my home government and the Silver Jedi Order. The first shipments should be arriving within the next day or so.

As I was coordinating with some of the settlers on the receipt of the shipments, some of them expressed some interest in moving to an installation in orbit. Right now, I'm working on a deal with Kiribian Systems Armory to have them refurbish some civilian stations at a very generous discount to the settlers, to include hydroponic facilities and living modules.

If there's any other way that I can help, then please do not hesitate to ask and I'll do what I can. I hope we'll cross paths again soon. You still have all the stories to tell me, old timer.

Respectfully,
Arisa Yune

PS: I heard [member="[/COLOR][COLOR=#87cefa]Dune [/COLOR][/FONT][COLOR=#87cefa][FONT='courier new']Rhur"] and some other ex-Republic Jedi are now hanging out with the Dominion. I've been unable to get a hold of them, so please say hello for me.

 

[Bhakt Wemk]

The small jedi squad had come as far as they could by speeder. Bhakt disembarked setting foot onto the hard stone ground. The smell was even stronger out her, but the Nikto simply put it out of his mind, he was ready to do his part and learn.

The troop walked for a bit, the hot humid air actually almost enjoyable to the reptilian Nikto. Soon though the natural inhabitants of the planet came out to greet them. Bhakt drew his ax though master Jessica suggested this would be the perfect time to practice stunning with the force. So Bhakt focused on one of the crab like creature, he felt it in the force. He looked deeper trying to get a feel for it's simple nervous system. Once he was comfortable enough with the creatures simple mind he applied a bit of pressure through the force, trying to pinch off it's nerves. The creature took a few halting steps, clearly slowed but not stopped. He finally released the creature and had to simply hit it on the head with the shaft of his ax knocking it out. He took a few deep breathes as the effort had slightly winded him.

"I see what you mean Master Med-Beq, though it's easier said than done. I'm sure we'll get plenty of chances to practice though."

As he spoke the motioned to the other Bugdillos making their way toward the troop.

[member="Jessica Med-Beq"] [member="Thema Csapla"] [member="Mason"] [member="Ra'a'mah"] [member="Jakkor Kess"] [member="Alyson Halle"] [member="Lan Graendal"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Riamah]

There was very little Ra could do when a small group of bugdillos made a move on their small party. [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] had suggested using a force stun on them, but as of yet, Ra could hardly touch the Force let alone with any certainty of what she could or couldn't do.

Instead of a stun on a single brain, Ra thought it would be better to put a shield up and prevent them from even getting close to the group. However, she instead of a group shield, she only managed one for herself and anybody else that was really close to her physically. Growling at her failure, she raised the staff she brought and hit one in mid air as it jumped at her.

"I'm going to have to work on that."

After another pass, that bugdillo ran off and faded into the rocks.

[member="Bhakt Wemk"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Alyson Halle]

The planet was rather hot for armor, but Alyson wore it anyway, she had been through much worse than this, she could soldier through it. Alyson scoffed at the suggestion of force abilities. These Bugdillos were aggressive and they were a threat, it was easier to cut the knot in this case and just cut through them with a vibro blade instead of using fancy techniques or strange mind powers. She understood them but she disliked using the more overt wizardries, at the end of the day the sword was still her best weapon.

The rest of the jedi might see it as curt just to cut through them, but Alyson saw it otherwise. It was cutting the knot, they were being aggressive and they were dangerous to both the party and any civillians that happen to get too close. A few non sapient crustaceans were a necessary sacrifice to the greater good, at the end of the day what is one small crabs worth compared with that of a sentient life? She saw it as rather minuscule. She was not evil, atleast in her own mind, evil would be killing another sentient without honor, or illegally seizing power, killing animals that pose a direct danger to you was not evil in her eyes, which might be a strange view.

The bugdillos were no match to the vibroblade she kept on her side. One one jumped at her she quickly raised her blade in a block, cutting the creature in half, it wouldn't quite awhile to move through the swarm, but hopefully they would make it through.

@Ra'a'mah

[member="Bhakt Wemk"]

[member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

This was a golden chance for the apprentices to shine. Dune kept in the back and let [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] teach and lead. He too observed the way she operated and learned. Force Stun was not new to him but one could always learn something.

He was also watching the tall human female. The Bith had high hopes for her too. No one could rebuild the Jedi here on Eol Sha alone. She had a particular series of talents that they could all learn from.

Even outside of the Force he might learn something. So he was content to watch for now. He also kept his eyes on the learners. [member="Alyson Halle"] handled the vibro weapon well enough but he'd have to speak to her about it.

Part of being a Jedi was appropriate amounts of violence. He couldn't fault her just then given the circumstances. But it was something to be addressed. A teaching oppourtunity.

[member="Mason"] [member="Lan Graendal"] [member="Bhakt Wemk"] [member="Thema Csapla"] [member="Jakkor Kess"]

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

"Jedi should embrace opportunities to learn more about the Force, especially since we are to use the Force for knowledge and defense. To me at least, being able to use the Force in a wide variety of ways and situations is an invaluable asset that makes Jedi more flexible on the field"

[member="Bhakt Wemk"] managed nothing more than to slow a bugdillow down, while @Ra'a'mah preferred using Force-barrier to Force-stun. While seeing [member="Alyson Halle"] cleaving through the bugdillos, some of which being stunned beforehand and others being just slowed down, she thought to herself: Perhaps Alyson killed these bugdillos in self-defense, but on a few occasions, witchcraft can be a real life-saver when you want to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Because I was so invested in intellect in life, I seem to be a light-sided witch that happens to have a lightsaber. Realizing that, on simpler creatures, those were targeted with Force-stun, would be stunned for longer periods, she used Force-stun on the remaining bugdillos, resulting in them going to sleep for a few hours, and hopefully forget about the party once they awaken. [member="Dune Rhur"] was watching from a distance, but he will soon realize that Jessica's particular set of talents stems from her intellect. Far from the picture of squishy wizards often associated with Force-users in her mold, she was pretty tough if the going got rough.

[member="Jakkor Kess"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

The students followed [member="Jessica Med-Beq"]'s example and cleared a path through the crustaceans. It was gratifying to see them do so well even here. Bugdillos were not bull rancors but they still gave a chance to learn. They demonstrated their proficiency to him and not one creature neared the Bith.

His own apprentice improvised when her developing Force talents didn't hold up. A quick whack with a staff served the same purpose as a shield of energy. Dune grinned as the crustacean flipped end-over-end away. Just as good under the circumstances.

[member="Alyson Halle"] was more lethal with the vibroblade. [member="Bhakt Wemk"] and [member="Jakkor Kess"] were in the fore too. It was over as quickly as it began. The bugdillos skittered away.

He stepped forward and spoke loud enough for all to hear.

"Let them go," he said "They're no real threat to us now. Let's keep going forward."

Dune moved onward to the caves in the near distance. The eggy stink was growing as the caverns vented their gases deep from within the earth. He had to admit he was looking forward to his next trip off Eol Sha....

[member="Mason"] [member="Thema Csapla"]

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

"Stay close: in this network of caves it's easy to get lost"

Now that they were clear of the pack of bugdillos, which fled away from the party, they entered the cave which, understandably, became hotter the deeper they went inside. And not just because there was a lake of lava at the bottom of the cave: the only caves she has seen like those were the holopictures she saw of Baroonda. Of course, with [member="Dune Rhur"] leading the party down the cave, the smell becomes stronger and stronger the deeper they go inside the jagged landscape of the cave. Even so, she is much more sensitive to heat than smell in this context: the jagged path of the cave makes it difficult to move on, and how [member="Alyson Halle"], [member="Bhakt Wemk"], [member="Jakkor Kess"] handle the heat, remains to be seen. But she was pleased with how the apprentices seemed to be responsive to Jessica's teachings. Somewhere, deep inside these caverns, some danger lurked inside, maybe even in or near the lava lake, waiting for the opportunity to strike at them.