Forests and Lava Flows

[Coren Starchaser]

The Shortfin, Coren Starchaser’s officially logged-with-the-Alliance gunship/courier vessel had slowly touched down at the landing pad that he was granted. The vessel was a unique ship to him, and was what he was preferring to use to handle such trips as this, visiting the factions that had become allies, and groups he needed to know more about. The trick was, he knew sometimes his own freighter was being tracked, probably by the other Shadows, because, well, he was Coren. But today it was different, he wasn’t moving some products around that he didn’t necessarily want on the books, just himself, and a droid.

The ship’s boarding ramp came down, and the dark-green-and-grey clad Jedi Master had stepped out of the vessel. The white and orange astromech, one of the two legged models, not one of the ball ones. He had had Porter as his companion for many a year, and he wasn’t about to change now that some new, more adorable, droid was out there.

“Keep an eye on the ship, buddy. See if you can go about helping send an updated data package to the Silvers for their starmaps, see if they have anything we don’t. but… you know, don’t break their computers. Just… anything you can do properly.” He laughed, really, Porter and he had been criminals once upon a time and the droid had a habit of being sneaky.

But here? No. Coren was trying to make a decent impression on the Silver Jedi. Stepping away from the ship, not really used to looking a Jedi part, but also lacking the cloak because, well, ew, he made his way through any security towards the temple. Stepping inside the main courtyard, he took a second to look around. This world was different. Less harsh to the casual observer. Forested, not running with lava flows. Maybe there were some more differences than the fact that the lead Jedi of each order were of different paths. Still, he was assuming he was waiting for some assistant to the Grandmaster, [member="Valae Kitra"] must be busy. Especially with the war on.

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Inside her office, the Grandmaster sat quietly…at least, until the rumbling of her stomach broke the silence. Frowning, she glanced at the clock. She was expecting a visitor today, and had to mind the time. Without much time to spare, she knew that a trip to the cafeteria was out of the question. And so, her eyes turned shamefully towards a small desk drawer – her secret stash.

With a sigh, she resigned to her fate.

Pulling the drawer open, she plucked one of many chocolate bars from the pile. Valae wasn’t a stranger to stress eating. Peeling the candy open, she took a bite and chewed as she took another glance at her datapad. Times had been fairly busy, just like always… but with the added tension that had been caused by a recent attack on their Ranger base, the Grandmaster was growing weary. Add to that the mounting possibility of another large-scale war, and it was the recipe for a perfect storm.

At least there had been some promising talks with other factions. And she hoped to get to know a member of the Alliance better today. So far, she’d met few of their representatives, but owing to the fact that their factions worked in concert on occasion – it only seemed fitting to actually know them.

“Ma’am, an Alliance ship has just landed. Shall I go greet them?” Her aide popped her head in the door.

Stashing her candybar away, she dabbed her mouth with a napkin and shook her head.

“No, no…” She started, “I’ll go myself.”

After tidying herself up a bit, she swept out into the open air of the courtyard. There were a few Silver Jedi milling about, and one figure that certainly seemed to stand out. The two had met briefly at a recent diplomatic gathering, but hadn’t really had the chance to speak casually there.

“I thought that was you,” She said, approaching with a friendly smile. “Good to see you again, Master Starchaser.”

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The Jedi Master-wannabe was now actually approaching the other group of tried and true Jedi. He started to feel like he was mostly a Jedi. He did what he was thought was right. Sure, his methods of the Force were a bit unsavory from the more traditional Jedi. But he knew where his moral compass was. The Force allowed for many shades and hues, according to his Aing-Tii instructors. But for now, he was doing his damndest to walk as close to a Jedi path as he could. Yes, he sometimes unleashed a bit of lightning on people, and really wanted to just open a rift in space-time under his foes, he was fairly sure he could… But no, he was doing his best.

And that meant he was working to unite the groups that could help. Light siders, and those who didn’t have any stake in that galactic race of the light against the dark. Still, he couldn’t sit around with them for very long. He was a Sentinel by happenstance, someone who was here to lead the others into the fight against the darkness. He needed that conflict. Or at least needed to know it was there. Did this make him a terrible person? He wasn’t sure, but he knew he was the wall between the people and the Force. He could keep them safe.

But that didn’t matter here, this was much more a social call, but it wasn’t expressly not. He was there for the summit on Sullust. Still, when the Grandmaster turned the corner, even Starchaser couldn’t help but smile in return. She did have a very warm smile, after all. “Good to see you as well, Grandmaster. I trust all is well since we last spoke?” He glanced at his ship before back to her. “Kashyyk is a nice world, I see why it was chosen.” Right, small talk.

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Silver Rest was a peaceful place, the temple interior was bright and breezy… but it still felt nice to actually be outside. It was a nice day here on Kashyyyk, and that made it all the better for receiving visitors. Her brow furrowed slightly. Sometimes the weight of her title just seemed a bit… much.

“Do me a favor and just call me Valae.” She responded, “All has been fairly well; hope it’s been the same for you.”
She took in a deep breath of fresh air and pushed out a content sigh.

“Voss will always be one of my favorite worlds… but Kashyyyk is running at a close second.” Just mentioning Voss made her feel all sorts of nostalgia, but as always, she tried to keep looking forward with a hopeful optimism. “It is rather nice here; it’s been a good change for us.”

With that, a short silence filled the gap between them. Valae’s gaze tracked towards the temple, no doubt a small tour of the facilities would be in order. So far, Silver Rest had already played host to members of a few different factions, including the CIS and the FWC. However, it seemed that Coren would be the one of the first members of the Alliance to see it.

“So,” She started, hopefully before the silence became too awkward. “Would you like to see the temple?” A pang of hunger interrupted her thoughts. “We could always start out here in the courtyard or… the cafeteria might be a good place, too.” Her eyes shifted to Coren.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Starchaser nodded. See, for him, being at this world was a bit of a trick. He needed to make sure he had to step properly. Though he assumed the Grandmaster, well, Valae, knew what his situation was. Coren was leading the Sentinel charge in the New Jedi Order, and would do what he could to assist the Silvers, and other light side groups to hunt down the dark side. He knew what he was about, obviously. “Of course, Valae. And things have been well, quiet on the front of other nations stepping in.” Which granted him with extra time. A new student, an adult one, allowed him to stretch out his own wings for a moment.

“I spent time on Voss, between working with the Frontiers Corps… or ExplorCorp, whatever its being called now. That was back during the Silver Sanctum. I’m glad to see that the Silvers are keeping their heads up. Its good to have you guys out there.” He nodded.

Looking at the temple, he looked back at Valae. “It wouldn’t be bad. To see what you guys are doing, teaching your students. Maybe see your sparing grounds as well?” He took a second. “I know I wasn’t speaking much at the alliance meeting… Was on guard-mode. But I was hoping to get to know more about the direction you are taking with the Order here.” And anyone would now, what Valae was all about.

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

As Coren mentioned that he had spent some time of Voss, Valae blinked and her expression seemed to brighten. “Oh, really?” She canted her head slightly, “The Silver Sanctum… now that’s a name I haven’t heard for quite a long time.”

The feeling of nostalgia only grew. Memories of her time as an apprentice came to the front of her mind. For some reason, things had just seemed simpler then. She had traveled dutifully at the side of Master Heavenshield, a man that she looked up to and admired. And now, she held the very same office that he once had.

“We’ve seen our share of tough times, that’s for sure.” She said, starting to walk towards the temple. “But the light isn’t easily extinguished, am I right?”

Indeed, war wasn’t new to the Alliance. Valae knew that they had been carrying during war-time, far longer than the Silver Jedi had. But recently, it seemed that the darker forces of the galaxy were fixed and on the attack. As the two approached the entrance of the temple, many Jedi offered smiles and nods to the Grandmaster and her guest. There were even some younglings watching Coren curiously as he went past.

The main hall featured high vaulted ceilings and natural wood details that seemed to mirror their surroundings here on Kashyyyk. It was a wide open space that greeted each person with warmth and a peaceful aura.

“In many ways, our direction is much the same as it has always been,” Valae started, giving Coren a moment to take a look around. “However, since moving to Kashyyyk, we’ve certainly placed a greater emphasis on connecting with our allies. As you might know, I’m not a General or a Warrior like some of the previous men and women that have held the office of Grandmaster… so, naturally there has been some change. My own focus is healing and humanitarian aid, branches of the Order that we are working to expand.”

Valae gestured across the hall, where the training grounds waited on the other side.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Starchaser did what he had to. There was time for life, sure, but mostly? It was a time for protecting others. He could make his social calls when they came in, but it was a matter of finding the people who understood his drive and direction. Or someone who didn’t mind chasing him into battle to cover his back. “Back before the Alliance, and following the Lords of the Fringe, I made my way out to the Levantines. And then helped when the fold came of the Levantines and the Silvers. But… times changed, the Alliance stood up, and I took my leave to assist with that effort.”

An explorer at heart, Coren also was a protector of many people. He was the type who would be better served, in the right time, as a Judge in the Outer Rim Coalition or a Warden of the Sky, but with the dark side prevalent, his family’s sentinel history made him a seeker of the fight, to bring the light where he could.

“It never is. We have something to fight for, people to defend. We’ll hold fast.” And if not, he’d get more aggressive. And see who followed his lead. He followed Valae in step as the two continued to speak.

“I had heard that about you. It takes all kinds to keep the light side working smoothly. And a healer at the helm may be what the galaxy needs to find a balance between the Guardian that Master Omai Rhen is.” Coren nodded. He himself was a sentinel, but having the type who worried about the little guy? That was important. “Sometimes when you are concerned with the movement of a battlegroup, you forget to look at the larger picture, those who are affected.” He knew that to be true, just look at his response to the blockade by the First Order.

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

The corners of her mouth tugged up into a smile as Coren made a comment about having a healer at the helm. Valae certainly hoped that her presence with the Silvers did help strike a balance. There were many times when she worried that others might think less of her based on her low level of experience when it came to battle. It was especially difficult when others made comparisons to her Master, a very skilled warrior. Though her ways were different, she was still looking for opportunities to be involved.

As she thought of recent events, there was a small part of her that felt guilt for not being there.

As the two made their way back outside, the training area opened up before them. From here, the splendor of Kashyyyk was on display. There was a wide open clearing in a grassy meadow, a paved area lined with training dummies and racks of practice weapons, and a wooded area to hem it all in.

“I should like to meet Master Rhen in the future,” She said, glancing over at Coren. “To be honest, my own interactions with the Alliance have been few – but I’d like to change that.”

Her hand swept out towards the fields, inviting her guest to explore further, if he wished.

“We do have an indoor facility, but this is usually where you’ll find people training.” At the moment, there was a class of younglings working to perfect the basics of Shii-Cho. “We also have some training areas across the way,” she pointed across the lake towards their Ranger base that was nestled near the mountains. As she spoke, she could feel the nudges of curiosity.

“I’ve heard about the events of the recent conflict with the First Order…” She said, eyes shifting to gaze out at the horizon. From what she’d heard, she knew that Starchaser had been present. “What was it like?” Her head canted to the side, her eyes turned to Coren. “If you don’t mind me asking. My only experience with them so far was Ossus…”

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

It wasn’t that he had anything against healers, hell, in a better time, he was an explorer, a wanderer of the stars. His name was very telling. But for now? There was a war going on and he was doing his best. But a healer, that was not quite a soldier, and for Coren he would never truly understand those beings, but he was going to do his best.

He knew that Val was smart, and respected, and it made a great foil for him, he felt. Coren was rough around the edges. He knew that, and enjoyed that. It allowed him to make the calls that he knew were unpopular but necessary. He grinned as they stepped outside. “Marshal Rhen is very… interesting. He is a warrior through and through. He respects the other focuses in the Jedi, but he is very much the Weapons Master and not the diplomat. Not that I’m any better…” He shrugged and laughed.

“So many people focused here. Its nice. The Alliance was like that when we got going, but with the space we control, its not unheard of for classes to be spread among our territories. People of all walks. Jedi and soldiers.”

The First Order. Now that was something of a pain for him. They were a thorn in his side. And he had lost a long time friend there, with Nemo Ven. “It was rough. They are very militant and lack a sense of caring. Its what prevents them from looking at the big picture. The Knights of Ren themselves are even more difficult, being unfocused, not as… clear as most Sith.” Sure, Palpatine, but others? You knew they were coming.

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Valae nodded as Coren spoke about Marshal Rhen. She knew the type – the kind that favored action to words. It wasn’t a bad thing by any means, but it was different from her own approach. She would only resort to fighting if all else failed. A smile broke, and then she joined in Coren’s laughter. “I hear you. I never really fancied myself much of a diplomat, if I’m being honest.” She drew in a breath, with all of the heavy topics recently; it did feel nice to laugh. “But I suppose I am a diplomat now -- you too, in your own way -- whether we like it or not… here we are.”

As much as this was a social call, it did carry the weight of formal relationships as well.

Listening as Coren provided her with insight about his recent experience with the First Order, she nodded. After the Order’s attempts to defend one of their home-worlds, they had been met with a rather defeating loss. However, it wasn’t the end of them. Valae had spent time lamenting this event, but it didn’t take long for her to realize that the Order of the Silver Jedi was much bigger than that.

“I’ve heard similar things from my people. A number of Silvers were present at one of the space stations, I believe.” If she recalled correctly, there had been some mention of a force user being encountered by their Rangers. “The Ren do seem a bit… elusive and mysterious, don’t they?”

She let her hands drop into the pockets of her robes.

“I guess we just need to be ready, this Galactic War isn’t over.” Valae sighed, “But that reminds me, members of the Alliance are more than welcome to come visit the temple here and train with us. My sources also tell me that you’re a skilled pilot, is that right?” She grinned, “We do have a few fighters among our numbers here, perhaps there’s room for joint training?”

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The two Jedi Orders were sister organizations and were always working to help each other out. Sure, the New Jedi Order may be more hard line, but well, everyone had to follow their own path. Do what you think is right, an ancient Jedi Master had said. “Diplomacy is something I leave to Jedi Shadows and the politicians. Knowing what to say and when to say it is much more different than flying a fighter or taking a foe down.” Granted Starchaser was better at the former than the latter. “I’m not sure this is diplomacy.” He laughed. “More like representation. I know the Silvers will be there when the Alliance calls, and the same goes back.”

As long as they could.
“Yeah, your folks have been a great help. Its nice to have friends.” He nodded. What he needed though, was more Jedi. On any side. “The Ren are… I’m not so much sure they’re mysterious as pretenders. The Sith, I know what I’m getting, these guys, they don’t seem to have a law to follow. Not one I can see past ‘enforcer of the First Order’.” He shrugged.

And yeah, they needed this war over. “That is something I want to get started, is more information sharing and training. And yeah.” He laughed again. “I fly. I worked with the Silvers for a time before the Alliance was founded and flew with the Levantines a while back to. You fly?”

[member="Valae Kitra"]