Arrival on Voss

[Aster Rose Baelor]

Private Spaceport, Voss-Ka

Aster’s heels clicked in rhythm with her stride as she departed the private spaceport, surrounded by the Wolfsglaive. To some, the security measures that had been taken to ensure the teenager’s safety may have seemed excessive but after her recent kidnapping at the hands of Chiss extremists, the Emperor wanted to take no chances.

With the trauma of the incident still fresh in her mind, Aster did not – or rather could not smile. Many good men had been lost that day in their vain effort to protect her. Quietly, she sat in the arrivals bay, her security detail alert as they awaited the arrival of [member="Sorel Crieff"].

“I will brief Jedi Crieff when she arrives,” Everly Norcross – a new recruit of the Wolfsglaive – said, her expression stern as she spoke. “Remember, you and I are meant to be sisters and introduce yourself as Aster Rose to any new acquaintances. Just because this is the Silver Jedi’s Capitol does not mean that unsavoury individuals do not exist. Understand?”

“Understood,” the blonde replied simply.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel’s ship landed at the capital’s spaceport. It was common to collect visitors from here directly rather than given them access to the Academy’s landing area. It cut down travel and allowed for easier recognition of unexpected ships.

The freighter that landed could not have been easily recognisable as a Jedi ship. Externally it looked old – which in many ways it was. Some original panels existed but many had been replaced – and not always in the original colour. To the untrained eye it was the vessel of an out of luck trader.

Inside it was state of the art – and Sorel ensured the two extremes retained their identities. She rarely wanted attention and this ship ensured that fact. But nor did she want to worry about being outrun. So the dual-identity was inevitable.

Once the ramp to her freighter was lowered, she exited her ship. She wore her usual dark brown Jedi robes and cloak, with her hood down and her hair tied back into a pony-tail. Her twin sabers were attached to her belt but hidden by the folds of her cloak as she walked.

She spotted Aster and smiled, quickening her pace as she approached the young woman, ignoring her entourage.

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

Aster smiled delicately when she noticed Sorel's approach. Though their encounters had been rather brief, she was one of the few people Aster might consider a friend. "Hello," she said standing up, her voice lacking her usual warm tone as she greeted the Jedi. Their time apart had been unkind to the teenager. "It is a pleasure to see you again," Aster stood up and moved to meet the woman, her entourage close at her heels.

"So you're Jedi Crieff?" Everly remarked, walking ahead of Aster. "I'm Lux Norcross. I have been assigned as Lady Bae-Aster's bodyguard," she said, extending her hand as she gave Sorel a once over. Cold green eyes that appeared to have experienced a great personal tragedy gazed upon the Jedi.

"Due to recent events, we have determined it best that we keep the young lady's presence here a secret for her safety as there are people with ill intentions everywhere and being so far from home, we have very limited access to resources should something happen," she frowned as she spoke. "Furthermore, should a situation arise when you need to introduce Aster, we ask that you introduce her only as Aster Rose and myself as her sister," Everly exuded an air of authority as she spoke despite being one of the recent additions to the Wolfsglaive.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was no Empath, but she detected the change in demeanour from the last two times she’d met Aster. Even when kidnapped, she’d had a resilience that was impressive. But she let none of her concerns show as she met Aster and her companion.

She smiled at Aster’s greeting and then turned to face her associate. Sorel nodded and listened and allowed the bodyguard to speak before responding.

“We have a couple of issues here.” Her voice was calm and low and not in any way confrontational, but the authority in her voice was clear. “Firstly I have no objection to anyone having a companion here. But you are about to enter a Jedi Academy. It is full of Jedi. They will all spot a non-Force sensitive from outer space. If you wish to keep Aster’s presence low key, you are instead painting a big red cross on her back.”

“Without you, she is a snowflake in a snowstorm. Just one of so many Younglings and Padawans wandering around our entirely secure Academy. She is surrounded by a whole army that would lay down their life for her, just because she is a fellow Jedi.”

“If we throw you into the mix, you not only draw unnecessary attention to her, but you also set tongues wagging. And careless talk cannot always be so easily contained. My advice? For her safety, I would recommend she either travels with me alone or you find a Force-sensitive guard, that is untrained in the Force and that can pass as a fellow new recruit. And good luck with that one!”

“I do not mean to be awkward, but I have exactly the same interests as you. To keep my Padawan alive. I’ve not lost one yet and I don’t intend to start now.”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

Everly listened, acknowledging Sorel's words with a nod. “They aren't," she gestured at the five men in suits who surrounded Aster. "But I am - that is why I was chosen to play the role of the lady's sister. However, in light of what you said, I think it might be best if I stay close to the Academy with my colleagues since I'm not exactly Jedi and have already been acquainted with the Force."

Everly frowned as if she was in deep thought before she continued. "As a compromise, I wish to accompany the lady to the Academy and see her settle in the way a mother might,” she said and lowered her voice to a whisper before she continued. “I apologise if our precautions seem excessive but recently, Lady Baelor was kidnapped and taken hostage during an incident where an attempt was made on our Emperor's life. The Wolfsglaive lost half their numbers that day while she watched on, helpless,” Everly shot Aster a concerned glance as she spoke. It was clear the deaths of half of the Wolfsglaive who had by now become the young Baelor's personal guard affected her greatly.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded at Lux’s words. She had a Force aura but it could not be readily confused with that of a raw Padawan recruit. Her presence would cause a lot of questions and Sorel knew it.

“Now, we both want the same thing,” she said when Lux had finished. “And you can visit Aster as often as you like. And of course you can come with her and see that she is settled in. And you can speak daily and if you’d like, you can reside here, which is only a short distance from the Academy. We can find accommodation easily enough.”

“Whatever you need, I’m sure we can arrange. But it is most important that Aster blends in and we draw as little attention to her as possible. This is a good arrangement for both sides.”

She looked at Aster. “Is this something you would be comfortable with?”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

"That sounds perfectly fine with me," Aster smiled, pleased that her security detail would not be breathing down her neck 24/7 during her time at the Academy. It excited her to be free from their constant surveillance.

"I suppose this is the best course of action," Everly sighed - it was her job to act in the teenager's best interest after all. This had been the task entrusted to her by the Emperor.

Not particularly happy with the unexpected change of plans, Lux moved to collect Aster's luggage - a couple of suitcases and a rather long item that had been wrapped in cloth and tied up with string - from the men in suits. "Find a semi-permanent location to dock the ship in Voss-Ka," she ordered, addressing them with an authoritative tone.

“Shall we begin making our way to the Academy?” Aster asked with a hint of excitement and shot Lux a brief glance.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel beamed at Aster and then Lux. “Then we’re all in agreement then. And at any time you want to review matters, you only have to ask.”

Sorel’s face dropped slightly when Lux collected Aster’s luggage. “We are about to go to the Academy. There I am just Sorel. And you will be just Aster. I carry my own luggage and you will be expected to do the same. There are people who cook and repair ships and even clean. But we are largely self-sufficient. On the plus side, we get people from all cultures, so any princess-type behaviour won’t draw too much attention, but there will be an expectation it will cease and you’ll become just another Jedi.”

She offered to take one of the bags from Lux. “We should carry one case each. Aster can carry the intriguing string thing.”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

Aster nodded as she listened to Sorel speak. "That sounds simple enough," she said and took the long item wrapped in cloth from Everly - an ornate staff that had been commissioned for Aster's on behalf of the Iron Empire, a gift to aid her in her studies and future profession of a healer.

"What is life at the Academy like? Are people very serious there? What type of activities can I expect to participate in?" Aster asked fully of curiosity as Lux offered one of the suitcases to Sorel. Having only studied under the guidance of governesses and private tutors, the blonde was not quite sure of what to expect from the time she would spend at the Academy. Will people be pleasant? She wondered. Would she be able to fit in?

“Will Aster be staying in a private room?” Everly interjected, asking a question of her own as she followed the pair.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel took the case and was surprised how heavy it was. Sorel, for her part, travelled light – mostly on the basis she had no worldly possessions. Other than her clothes – which were standard issue – and her lightsaber, she quite literally owned nothing.

She had a ship she travelled in, but strictly speaking that was borrowed. And she was the custodian of a couple of Holocrons, but she technically had only enough credits for her next meal.

“Life at the Academy is like…” Sorel ran out of words. “I’m not really sure as I have nothing to compare it to. It was my life from aged four until now really. But it’s fair to say you will get a mix of people. Some are serious, others less so. Most of the activity is Jedi based – philosophy and Force training. But there is also instruction on things like history and astrophysics, that sort of thing. Many classes are optional.”

Sorel stole a glance at Lux. She wondered if she should tease her, but decided against it. “This is not a hotel. All Jedi have the same accommodation – which happens to be a private room with en-suite facilities. There is no room service however. Knights tend to get a larger room, with space for a desk and Masters get a larger room again, with a greater area for academic studies – a bigger desk, a book-shelf, that kind of thing.”

“Oh, and there are sports too – some are peculiar to Jedi and require the use of the Force.”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

"Many classes are optional?" Aster frowned. "Am I right to assume my time at the Academy will involve quite a bit of self-study?" the blonde tilted her head a little as she spoke. From what Sorel had told her, she expected life at the Academy seemed very different to what she had been accustomed to. There would probably be no one to hold her hand every step of the way or give her their undivided attention during her studies - in other words, she would have to depend on herself for her own success in her studies.

"You need not worry, I know my place here. At the Academy, I am no noble lady, just Aster Rose from Coruscant. I don't expect preferential treatment nor do I expect maids to wait on me. But I will be on my best behaviour nonetheless as should my identity somehow become public knowledge, I may be seen as a representation of the Iron Empire," the young Baelor spoke with a stern tone that was reminiscent of her uncle's. Though her position had offered her with many luxuries, it also burdened her with many responsibilities.

Forced to become wise beyond her years after the death of her parents, Aster had gradually locked her childish desires and fragments of her personality away so that she could survive in the cruel world she had found herself in - something she had continued to do after joining the Iron Empire in order to fulfil her duties. Though young, she understood that in taking up her position her life was no longer her own but the property of the Empire she now called home.

"What are these sports you speak of?" Aster inquired, softening her expression.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened. It was common for new Padawans to have a lot of questions. “The classes cover all subjects – and some will be more appropriate to you than others. Some have no piloting skills and need an intensive course. Others are accomplished flyers and do not need to attend. Some take a more academic route and spend less time on saber skills for example. It is for every student to work with their Master to understand the best blend of lessons. And as a Master, I tend to let the student dictate and only step in if they feel the need for guidance or advice.”

“And self-study is recommended but not essential. There is no homework as such, but researching a given topic beyond the classwork is common in subjects close to the student’s heart. And some just like learning about anything and everything and have no social life. Others simply practise all the hours they can with the same outcome – just a different route.”

And Sorel smiled when Aster mentioned being a representative of her family. “The way of the Jedi is similar. Younglings are taught that if a stranger meets one Jedi, they can assume that all Jedi act in the same manner. So you may be only one person, but you carry the reputation of the entire Order on your shoulders.”

“And the main sport is Skorch. I never played it much myself. You use rackets, stun blasters and the Force to move six jet balls through the air. Each team is given a set of secret goals, such as collecting four balls and sending a pair at each goal. The referee has to work out those goals, and make sure both teams achieve them. And yes, it is as complicated to play as it is to explain! Which is why I tended to avoid it – and never, ever volunteer to be referee.”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

"No homework?" Aster repeated Sorel's words with a surprised look on her face. How very odd, she thought. For as long as she could remember, studying had always involved homework of some sort. "If there is no homework then I assume there are no tests either?" she inquired, her tone a little hopeful.

"If that is the case, a Jedi's education seems less stressful than regular schooling where one is constantly plagued with homework and tests," the teenager smiled a little as she spoke. Even though she had the privilege of private tutors who catered to her every need when it came to her education, studying could be a bit of a pain at times and a bit of a bore as a whole.

"I respect that," Aster said returning Sorel's smile. "It is not easy and even a bit stressful to have to act with the knowledge that you represent something that is much bigger than yourself," she continued, her expression now a serious one.

Aster's eyes lit up, full of interest as Sorel described a curious sport named Skorch. "Skorch sounds like an interesting sport to watch though I'm not sure if I would ever play it. It seems awfully complicated," the blonde agreed.

"Shall we begin to make our way to the Academy?"

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

“Homework suggests someone else has all of the knowledge and you have none. It suggests that unless you are tested, you will not learn. Neither of these are the case. But that does not mean you will not study long and hard. As a Youngling and a Padawan, I never had free time. I was either in a lesson or studying or practising.”

“The Jedi way suits self-starters, not those that look to do the bare minimum to pass. I suspect you have a good work ethic and that will serve you well. Ultimately, you will decide if you have performed – nobody else.”

And then Sorel escorted them to her ship. She suspected that if they could have guessed at her transport, the last one they would have chosen was actually hers. Externally it looked like an old ship, which it was. A kind of medium freighter that visits so many spaceports every day and never draws the eye. But internally it was as hi-tech as you could get.

“You’re welcome to join me in the cockpit or sit in the main room and help yourself to refreshments.”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

Aster nodded at Sorel's words. She had always considered homework a part of schooling and had never thought too much about it. "You make an interesting point," she remarked."The Jedi have an interesting take on education which is quite different to what I am accustomed to," the blonde said then followed the Jedi to her ship.

A little surprised by its external appearance, Aster reminded herself not to judge a book by its cover as she boarded the vessel. Much to her relief, the interior of the ship seemed quite modern and more of what she had come to expect from a ship.

"I'll put the luggage away," Lux said, taking the two suitcases and a long object that Aster had condensed her life into for the time she was to spend with the Silver Jedis.

"Thank you," the teenager thanked her attendant as she handed over the item she had been holding. "I'm going to join Sorel in the cockpit," she infromed Lux and followed the Jedi into the cockpit.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

“I suspect that many students at many academies, don’t want to be there. We do not have that problem. Nor do we have the challenge of pupils only wanting to do the bare minimum. Jedi have a mind-set of lifelong learning. It is a tenet of the Code. We seek knowledge daily and never consider our training complete.”

Sorel took the pilot’s seat and offered Aster the co-pilot’s chair when she arrived. Performing all of the pre-flight checks, she asked “Is piloting a skill you currently have?”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

"No," Aster replied as she sat in the co-pilot's chair. "Neither my uncle - the Emperor nor my parents saw the need and the family who took me in after I was orphaned were afraid I would fly away if I was given lessons in flying," she said half joking, her tone almost sarcastic as she uttered the word family and her eyes curiously wandered around the cockpit, visually exploring the room.

"In fact, I have never been in the cockpit until now," Aster added with a smile. "Is flying as difficult as it looks?" she asked, shifting in her seat a little, excited to watch the ship take off. Often seen as fragile and as delicate as a rose by her family, this was a rare experience for her.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel smiled. She’d learn to fly when she was very young and had genuinely forgotten how easy or difficult it would be to learn.

“I have never met a Jedi that couldn’t learn, if that is any indication. And most ships tend to have the same controls in the same place, so adapting from one to another is relatively straightforward. If I had any advice, I would suggest that, like any other skill, it is about the amount of time you are prepared to invest. And flying is considered a core skill at the academy. First you will learn the basics of controlling a ship – and then you learn about plotting courses and a little astrophysics to help you travel between planets. And even then, we have droids that can do a lot of the work for you.”

“I’ll talk you through what I’m doing and I’m sure you’ll pick it up.” And so Sorel set about starting the ship up, asking for clearance to take-off and finally she manoeuvred the ship into the air.

“I suspect it looks complicated the first time,” Sorel said – aware how it might appear. “But believe me, it soon becomes routine.”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

Aster grinned at Sorel's words. Although she had never dreamed that she would ever fly a ship, the very thought of flying in the endless space excited her. Having lived most of her life like a little bird in a gilded cage, the idea enticed her.

"I am excited to begin my education at the academy - it sounds like there is so much to learn there," the teenager smiled then watched intently as the Jedi initiated the take-off procedures. Though she knew that more often than not she would have others fly ships for her, she was still determined to learn. She needed to prove her worth, to show her esteemed uncle that she was worthy of not only the Baelor name but her position in the Empire as well.

"Thank you," Aster whispered as she moved her hand to gently touch Sorel's shoulders. She was grateful for the Jedi's kindness.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel repeated her actions at every stage, repetition was a common way to help learners – even for complex instructions.

But soon she was en route and the autopilot was engaged and Sorel took the opportunity to repeat some of the key commands to fly the ship. But no sooner had she explained them once than the Jedi temple was looming large in the near distance.

“And here we are,” said Sorel pointing to the large building that was next to a jungle and a river and built into the side of a mountain. The stone work suggested it was ancient and Sorel pointed out a few places of interest.

“There’s the training courtyard and the garden was designed by a Silver Jedi named Maya. And that tower is where research is primarily carried out.”

And then they had landed. “Now, let’s get you to the dormitories.”

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]