Private Better Found Than Lost

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Epica
Objective: Investigate hideout
Tag: Valery Noble

A month or so after their confrontation, Silas had finally figured out where to start.

For all that time, Silas had been brainstorming everything he knew onto paper. Some were easily rememberable, while others took a bit more to unlock. At one point, Silas thought he had spilled every last bit of memory onto the papers, but there was a location that wouldn't have been revealed. During a night on the homestead, Silas was casually watching a holo documentary regarding animals on different planets. Everything was normal up until a big waterfall appeared on the screen, almost instantly bringing back memories of the place he had been to in Epica

However, this was no normal place. It was a hideout, tucked secretly in a cave behind the waterfall.

Silas didn't remember all too much about it, other than its location and how it was "Vital" to their operations. Chances are it was probably abandoned by now, but anything was worth a look if it offered them a chance of a breakthrough. Either way, he wasn't going by himself. Upholding his promise to Valery, he asked her to come with him on this journey to see what was left of the hideout in question.

They firstly however had to complete a beautiful hike through the countryside. That was to keep on the safe side. After all, they didn't want to land a ship and get blown away by blaster fire. Packing lightly, the pair of them set off at first light from the closet town and walked along the unmarked paths of the beautiful scenery around them.

Silas loved this kind of thing, but when things of the past were on his mind he could not be appreciative of what was around him. That was reflected by how quiet he had been, however now and then he'd speak up to let Valery know he was fine "We're not too far away now Valery, probably only a few minutes" he said at first while hopping over a small stream "I suppose you haven't been to Epica very much have you?"
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[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery followed Silas closely, her pace steady as they weaved through the lush, unmarked paths of Epica's countryside. The cool morning air carried the faint scent of damp earth and blooming flora, but her attention was firmly on her Padawan. Even when he wasn't speaking, she could sense the weight of his thoughts through their shared bond.

When he finally spoke, her amber eyes shifted to him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "No, I haven't spent much time on Epica," she admitted, her voice soft but carrying a touch of warmth. "I've heard about its beauty, but I've never had much of a reason to visit until now."

Her gaze briefly wandered across the surrounding landscape, appreciating the serenity of the world despite the purpose of their mission. "I can see why you'd pick a place like this for a hideout, though. It's secluded and difficult to access without some effort. A waterfall covering an entrance makes it even more secure."

She stepped lightly over the stream Silas had crossed moments earlier, her movements fluid and precise. As her boots met the ground on the other side, she glanced at him again, her expression softening. "You've been quiet," she noted gently. "I know this can't be easy for you — digging through these memories and coming back to a place like this."

She paused for a moment, her voice steady but filled with understanding. "Just remember, you're not doing this alone. Whatever we find there, we'll face it together."

Silas Westgard ​

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Epica
Objective: Investigate hideout
Tag: Valery Noble

"It's a beautiful place I hope to visit in different circumstances," he said at first, his head turning slightly to look back at Valery "Nothing will be able to beat Azbrian though." the knight ended with a brief grin, his attention soon turning to the rockface that led up to the waterfall ahead. They were getting close now, and the more Silas noticed that the more he got nervous for what was to come.

They may have been pirates, but they knew a thing or two in terms of hiding their most prized secrets. "Yeah, not many people come out here. You'll get the odd hiker passing through, none of them would have any idea what's going on beyond the water" Silas explained as he slowly came to a halt on a rock.

Valery had predictably picked up on his silence. Their bond was the thing that gave away his emotions, nothing couldn't be missed when a master knew their former padawan inside out "You have my back and I'll have yours" Silas said softly with a slight lowering of his head "It will always be that way Valery" he looked at her and gave another small smile of reassurance.

It was still clear the knight was still battling the emotions swirling inside his head. Yet, even through that, he looked hopeful of what was to come.

"You'd think after all these years they would have moved, a part of me hopes they have." Silas admitted with a sigh as they carefully moved over the rocks "While I was still with the pirates, I heard them mention a few times the age of some of the hideouts they had. A good few were not only a few years but decades old, not because they were well hidden... but because... you know, not many people lived to tell their secrets"​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery followed Silas closely, her amber eyes studying the rocky path ahead as he spoke. His words carried the weight of memories she could only begin to imagine, and while his resolve was clear, so was the conflict simmering beneath the surface. She could feel it through their bond, an unspoken undercurrent of emotion that only strengthened her determination to support him.

As Silas came to a stop on the rock, Valery stepped closer, her boots crunching softly against the gravel. She regarded him for a moment, her expression steady but warm. "You've always had my back, Silas," she said, her voice quiet but unwavering. "And I will always have yours. That's never going to change."

Her gaze turned toward the waterfall ahead, the cascading water sparkling in the faint light. It was beautiful in its natural splendor, but Valery couldn't ignore the darker purpose it served — a veil for secrets that should never have existed. "Pirates like these thrive on fear and power," she said after a pause, her tone firm. "But that doesn't mean they're invincible. If they're still here, we'll deal with them together, no matter how well-hidden they think they are."

Her words hung in the air for a moment as she turned her focus back to the waterfall, the sound of rushing water filling the space between them. "Let's see if this hideout of theirs is as impenetrable as they thought," Valery said, her smirk faint but determined. She gestured for him to lead the way, her amber eyes gleaming with resolve.

Whatever lay beyond the waterfall, she was ready to face it — and she knew Silas was too.

Silas Westgard ​

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Epica
Objective: Investigate hideout
Tag: Valery Noble

Silas couldn't help but warmly smile at the promise she had offered from the beginning. She would always be at his side, no matter what happens.

He originally did not want to share this journey with Valery, not because he didn't trust her but from what she'd think of him by the time it was finished. Some of the things they made him do could easily give people grounds to call him a monster, as well as question why he was a Jedi in the first place. It still deeply concerned him, even if Valery knew who he really was. Silas did what he had to do to survive, he just didn't think it would come back to haunt him like this.

"No, they never have and they never will be invincible. It's only a mentality they use to keep themselves going, even if they know deep down their luck will run out." Silas spoke solemnly, a sigh escaping his lips after being reminded of the ego all of them carried "Only fools think they can last forever..."

Turning back again to Valery, he offered a light smile and nodded to her suggestions "Let's go have a look, shall we? I kn-" However, just when he was about to suggest something important an object behind Valery caught his eye. It had only just come out of its camouflage and flying low toward the Hideout. "Quickly, take cover!" he said before jumping behind a group of rocks and peeking over the edge to see a shuttle now hovering below them in front of the waterfall.

The ship itself was a merchant, big enough to haul a lot of objects and "people" if necessary. After a brief wait, it began to slowly hover through the water and hide itself "Of course they're still here" Silas turned around and leaned up against the rock with his head looking into the sky. All he could think about was the memories that were waiting for him inside.

"Stars, you can do this Silas. Get a grip of yourself..." It wasn't accessing the hideout which would be hard. Instead, it was the mental scars that were showing themselves after being dormant for so long.
​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's expression shifted instantly when Silas shouted for her to take cover. Her reflexes kicked in, and with a quick pivot, she dashed behind a nearby outcrop of rocks, pressing herself low to stay hidden. Amber eyes followed the shuttle as it hovered toward the waterfall, its sleek form slipping through the cascading water like a predator returning to its lair.

Her jaw tightened. The sight of it confirmed that they weren't just chasing ghosts — these pirates were still operating here, and likely up to the same atrocities Silas had escaped from. A quick glance at her former Padawan told her all she needed to know about the storm brewing inside him. The memories were rising to the surface, clawing at him, but she also saw the strength in his resolve. Silas had come too far to falter now.

"Silas," she said softly, her voice cutting through the tension with a steady calm. She moved closer to his side, careful to keep her movements quiet and her presence grounded. "Look at me."

When his gaze met hers, she offered a small, reassuring smile. "You've already made it this far. Whatever's waiting for you in there, you're not facing it alone." Her tone was warm but firm, a reminder of her promise to stand with him no matter what. "You've survived them before, and together, we'll make sure they don't have the chance to hurt anyone else again."

Valery's focus shifted briefly to the waterfall, her gaze sharp and calculating. "They think they're untouchable, hiding behind that veil of water. But we've got the advantage now — they don't know we're here, and they definitely don't expect you to be coming for them."

Valery's hand moved to her lightsaber hilt as she crouched beside him, her amber eyes narrowing on the waterfall. "When you're ready, we move," she said softly, her voice calm but resolute. "Lead the way, Silas. I've got your back."

Silas Westgard ​