It Starts with Curiosity

[Makari Valeal]

As they moved through the mountainside, his mind wandered back to the stone coffin occasionally. He wasn’t sure where they were going, but he was hoping for something that would distract him. Just something to keep his mind away from the fact that he had just tried to kill his master, but if she wasn’t shook up over it, then maybe he shouldn’t be either? It wasn’t like he had done it on purpose anyway.

He turned his attention to the probes Cathbodua sent out and asked, “Where are we headed, by the way? I don’t think we’re heading in the direction of the Citadel?” He looked at his datapad and tried to see what tombs or landmarks were in the area. It was also possible they were going somewhere that was unmarked.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was looking at him while they walked through the snow covered mountains. "We are headed towards the monument. The jedi constructed it and it is one of the primary areas they orignally would come. The different teams have been seeking to restore and provide protection for it. One of those major ways is like this how they have been doing with the pathways through the mountains, the checkpoints, outposts. So that jedi or anyone who comes ot the world can visit the sites on the planet without the risk of being attacked by wild creatures getting endangered from spirits or any of the dangerous things." She continued to walk while they were providing a few of the other things. She pointed out the large building in the distance that were being set up to provide shelter and food for them with everything that they were doing.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

A Jedi monument? He activated his datapad and brought up a menu to show him the landmarks in the area. While Cathbodua gave him a brief history on it, Makari started to read up on what information was available on the place. He was curious why the Silvers were so invested in this cold planet, but he supposed there had to be some natives who lived on Rhen Var that needed protection somewhere. He hadn’t managed to run into any yet; they had only met other Jedi and those who worked for the Silvers, but maybe when he had some free time, he would go exploring and see what villages and communities were on Rhen Var. He knew Juri especially would have loved being here. She loved the cold and more importantly she loving bashing her vibroblade against the undead.

As they came closer to the monument, Makari said, "This wouldn't be the burial site for Ulic Qel-Droma, would it?" He recalled that being one of the places that he wanted to visit before they had arrived on the planet.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

"Among others, there are tombs for dozen's of jedi across the planet. Ulic's is there and marked so people can find it as well as a small number of other tombs that are from that era." She was looking at a number of the things they were doing. Sticking around until she came over the small ridge and a pathway was leading to the monument in the distance. A place that the droids were working on and cleaning for themselves. They had provided a lot of better things to work on while she was walking. "A few of the tombs that have been found are from other era's other time periods to give all of the jedi something of a history lesson where we want to be able to see it."

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Now that was intriguing. Makari wasn’t aware that there were other recorded Jedi from Ulic’s era. As they continued towards the monument, he activated his datapad and tried to read up on a few. Truthfully, he was still looking for a distraction. Anything to keep his mind off of what had transpired only a few hours ago.

As they got closer to the monument, he said, “By the way, are we heading to the monument to help out with construction or is it security or something?” He wasn’t sure to be honest. The further they got away from the citadel, the more he started to think that maybe they would be away for a few days. It wouldn’t be surprising if Cathbodua put him on some type of detail. He was accustomed to doing them anyway, back when he was a caretaker for one of the temples back on Voss.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She looked at hima nd they dind't have much in the way of construction skills that would help, nor did they likely have a need to work security. She was going to it and the monument was there inf ront of them as she spoke. "Don't see a need for that, you have been through a lot. Just relax for now and we shall work with it here. There are more jedi and I know the construction efforts are giving a lot of other things." she was looking at it and arriving at the Monument there were droids working with the different ones from Seimei while holograms were coming of a massive station that she was able to see. "Looks like they have some other things that have been working on here." She pointed out the massive monolith like ship on a display.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[SIZE=12pt]He raised an eyebrow when she told him he could relax. Was she being considerate because of what happened back in the tomb? If so, he wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or even more humiliated because of his blunder. Either way he didn’t have much time to dwell on it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Soon they were in front of the monument – a testament that once the light side of the force had been strong on this planet. A shield that had kept away the dark and the undead that seemed to currently run rampant.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Makari wanted to run his hand across the ancient structure and see if he could feel a connection to the force, but Cathbodua had motioned towards a hologram that immediately caught his attention. It was a hologram of a large spaceship, or maybe it was just a space station with a very peculiar design? Makari wasn’t sure to be honest.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I take it this isn’t a superweapon I’m looking at?” It was a joke but Makari didn’t rule it out entirely. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]He took a step closer and examined the monolithic design. It was quite odd, but he supposed it was a ship of sorts. Probably military, because it seemed like it would cost a fortune.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Turning his attention back to the monument, he finally asked her, “So if we aren't here to help out……what are we here to do exactly? Are we collecting information to send back to the Citadel or something? I mean, I don’t mind taking it easy, but if we've got time to spare, I’m about to hit up the cafeteria because I’m fething starving. Of course if we’re about to roll out, I can just grab a to-go-plate? Whatever works.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Makari was assuming there was a cafeteria because he had seen a living quarters. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]God forbid if they were just living off of MRE’s out here. [/SIZE]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was looking at him while thinking about it and the monument was mostly here as a sign of the jedi. it wasn't a weapon but what was made with it, what was shown and allowed to be around wiht the other jedi was an important part. They were going through it as she could see parts of the new designs and what would be getting built here for them. The roadways were made to be modular and have a small containment shielding set into them. To protect from storms and debris getting in the way of well anything so they could move faster across the planet with ships like the shuttles and the runabout before she spoke. "We are here to help them others, the jedi who are helping with construction can be injured and we may need to help them. Any information that can be presented about the tombs and where there are dangers will also come in handy." She continued to walk though the area and the monument where the outpost was being set up to connect and act as a hub to everything on the world.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Well, he supposed he should have saw that coming. She made no mention of him being able to grab a bite to eat, so he just left it at that. Maybe he would sneak away later and at least pilfer a few snacks for the road ahead?

She said they were here to help those who might be injured, and Makari could see how she would be an asset in that department. She was after all a skilled healer, and had seen many tours on the battlefield as a combat medic. He on the other hand, had no such skills. The best he would be able to offer a wounded person, was a few bandages and a pat on the back.

He chuckled at the thought and followed her as they continued to walk around the monument. “How long do you think it’ll take them to complete this outpost?" he asked. "Must suck to have to stay out here in this crazy weather.” He looked around and the workers didn’t seem so dissatisfied however. In fact, they were laughing and bullchiting as if they were always used to being deployed in such cold and hostile climates. Didn’t stop their work in the least bit.

“By the way. Are there any anti-Sith measures for this place?" he added. "With the way they’ve been attacking Jedi temples, they might see this place as the perfect place to defile.”

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was looking at him and standing in here the lighting adjusted so that she could move areound if she wanted to without her bodysuit. Allowing the small area to be filtered when she unclasped her facemask from under the hood. Taking it out with a small sound of suction almost when she spoke giving a small look with inky black eyes and deathly pale skin. She wasn't one to be in the sun after all and her short hair was nice and buzzed. "The construction can go quickly. The majority of pieces have been prefabricated and designed so that they will be able to construct quickly and have systems activated. The anti sith measures being done is that the modules use the synthweave that has been developed and created for the jedi with pontite and solari crystals." She started walking around with her hood on before she crossed her arms over her chest seeing some f the small reports. "It looks like they haven't had a lot of dangerous problems, only for some dangers to the cold that was exposed out fo their suits."

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Makari raised an eyebrow at the mention of synthweave. That certainly wasn’t the answer he had been expecting. He was thinking more along the lines of what tools and weapons would be available for the defenders. Makari thought that if the Sith attacked, they would attack with everything they had. The first thing that would be of concern would be the undead, which were always at the forefront of every Sith-led attack. Maybe a small group of Silver Surfers could counter that? And then there was the worry of a biological attack, which was also a trademark gimmick of the Sith.

Makari started to open his mouth and give his opinion, but a sudden thought kept his mouth still. Why was he worrying about this? He wasn’t going to be stationed here anyway. It was better to just leave this to the professionals. He was only a padawan after all. No matter how smart he thought he was, he was sure the knights and masters above him were far more skilled and adept when it came to tactical planning and counter-measures. And he was sure his master was also above him in that regard, although, he still wanted to question her more about this synthweave. Granted, he never paid attention in class when they spoke about materials, so he guess this was on him for not paying attention.

Makari followed her around the base quietly and after a while, he looked at the time on his datapad. He was getting tired and hungry but he wouldn’t be the first one to bring this up again. Instead, he found something else to ask her. “So after we’re done touring the outpost, what’s next on the agenda? Are we going to be stationed here for a while, or are we going back to the citadel later?”

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

"We'll be heading towards the citadel as a means to get back." She was checking out many of the other things, where they would be able to work on anything here. The ones who were injured here she could work on and there was the monument itself that was being worked on. The massive beast of an ancient temple was being worked on to be recovered. The tomb within it where she was looking over at it here until she turned to motion for the padawan to come with her. They were getting a look at some of the other parts. The modular design would make it easier to repair while they were setting it up to e repaired or replaced. She could see some of the other designs as they were working on some areas of communications to get everything properly connected. Before she crossed her arms over her chest. "They have been working hard here though and with soe fo the improvements that are being designed the remoteness might still be here but it could serve as a means across this world to use on others. To completely revolutionize parts of it."

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Makari tried to be attentive for the most part. Construction wasn’t really his interest, but he paid attention to the things that Cathbodua pointed out.

She seemed to have an interest in the parts that made up the outpost. She showed him a few designs and explained how they could easily be repaired or replaced if need be. Makari activated his datapad and took a few notes – he wasn’t sure if she was telling him this just to tell him, or there was going to be some type of test on this later that he didn’t know about. In any case, Makari was always fond of obscure information. You never knew when information like this would come in handy.

They continued around the outpost and Makari raised an eyebrow at a few of the men who were injured while working on the monument. Makari wanted to extend his hand and see if he could heal them through the force, but he knew he wasn’t skilled in those type of powers yet. Maybe his master would show him how while they were working in the aid station? That was assuming that Cathbodua would pay it a visit while they were here.

She crossed her arms and then she told him how the workers here had been working hard to make the base as comfortable as possible for the people who would be living here. It seemed like whatever methods they were experimenting with here in the construction process, would be replicated elsewhere if successful.

Makari nodded, “You’re right. This place isn’t half-bad for it being in the middle of nowhere. But you still haven’t shown me the most important part of the base yet.” He looked at her with a hint of mischief. “Where’s the entertainment on this base? You know like a game room or maybe a small cantina? You can’t have a group of guys living out here in the middle of nowhere without something to do in their downtime. How about a tour of those places?”

He tried not to be too eager as he said it.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was looking at him and looking at other parts of it. Where they could go and the idea of entertainment was... these were going o be jedi and soldiers they didn't need bars and games. On the one hand she thought that but on the other she also knew a great deal were not as strong and would need something that would be used to prevent them from cracking. Or as she had seen with a numer of other jedi they just chose to e jedi part time with some other career. "THere might be something, the work that has been getting done here. There will likely be something uilt for them to be able to de-stress themselves and not have some problems." She was looking at it and they might have to work with some of it, where they might have something to do. Corellien digital has a great many things that it has brought to upgrade the systems. I suppose it will work for those who do not have the skills to cope with the pressure of being a jedi." She stood there though and was looking towards the small medical area they had set up for now.

 

[Makari Valeal]

He could tell from her answer that entertainment was an afterthought. She mentioned that something might be done further down the line, but Makari could see where the priorities were. It made sense, but Makari thought that mental health was just as important as physical health. He thought that a Jedi should always take time off to relax and set down his burdens, if only for a little while so he could rejuvenate himself and return to his duty or assignment with renewed purpose and vigor. But this was only the opinion of a padawan who still didn’t know much about the Jedi Order or the dangers that they really faced.

Makari nodded at her words nonetheless. “Well at least something is being considered.”

She turned her attention to the medical area and Makari followed her eyes. “Not bad for an initial set-up don’t you think? Did you want us to help them out or something?” Makari raised his hands with a humorous expression. “Of course, I might end up hurting more people than I can help. The last time I attempted to force heal someone……well let’s just say it didn’t turn out to well,” he chuckled.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She remained there when they were prepared to see parts of it. With some of the risks in helping the people who might be hurt. She was walking and leading the way into the small room where there wasn't a lot of danger in some places. Warming up some of the workers who had messed up with their regulator suits avoiding some places. THey were working on rewarming them so they would be safe and not lose limbs. "There is only so mmuch, most have frostbite or close to it so they are being rewarmed to be safe. The few injuries are mostly from slips and falls compared to a few of the others." She could see more parts of it working on everything here. She found a small place and started reviewing charts.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

She led the way to the medical area where people were being treated for minor injuries. Most of their wounds seemed to come from slips and falls, which wasn’t surprising to Makari. This was a cold place and it wasn’t hard to lose your footing in some of the icy areas. While some of them were being warmed up to avoid getting frostbite, his master started to review some of the charts that seemed to relate to the medical facility.

He couldn’t be of help in that regard, so Makari made himself useful by helping some of the medical staff. While he couldn’t heal people through the force just quite yet, he did know how to warm people up. Or at least he thought he did. It wasn’t hard to use the force to maintain his own temperature, so how hard could it be to do the same for another?

Makari extended his hand towards one of the patients and attempted the theory.

He called upon the light-side of the force, drawing upon his desire to bring comfort to the patient before him, and around his hand, energy started to gather and manifest into warmth. Pushing the warmth in the man’s direction with his mind, a slow grin formed on Makari’s face as the patient started to visibly relax, letting Makari know that at least he was doing something right.

He turned his head in his master’s direction, wondering if the display had garnered her approval. Granted things like this would be of no use to him on the battlefield, and with Sith gearing up for another attack, Makari knew he should have been spending his time studying other force abilities.

Maybe the ones that boosted his strength and heightened his senses?

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was looking at everything in the charts and it was mostly how she had suspected. cold and bruises. Less serious injuries thanks in large part to the droids that did a great deal of work for them. Where she could see some other parts though was in what they had managed to develop for themselves. here. Whole new areas to fit with the location instead of just a make shift conversion. "Good work." She said it towards some of the medics and healers on staff who were handling it and walked seeing her padawan focusing on rewarming someone as she came forward and spoke. "Careful, you need to rewarm a person slowly. change the temperature to quickly and their body can go into shock." She said it but there was some approval for him. he was working and making it well enough. The nuses would be there to make sure he didn't screw up to much and she usually gave them permission to handle things should a student start failing.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

“Good work.”

The words made Makari grin a little. He knew he could do anything when he put his mind to it. What was a little feat like this when he had been using the force to do far greater things? It was only last week when he had secretly practiced a mind trick for the first time. He had never told his master he had been working on the technique in secret, but after a lot of practice on a few willing subjects – friends mostly, Makari had been making great strides.

While he was in the middle of giving himself a pat on the back, he realized that his master was talking to the medical staff and not himself. He wanted to laugh but there was nothing funny about the words she told him when she walked over. According to her, he was harming his patient, not really helping at the moment. Well she didn’t phrase it like that exactly, but from her words, Makari realized that maybe he should have taken this a bit more seriously.

With a slight look of embarrassment, he nodded his head in deference. “You’re right. I won’t make this mistake again.”

Turning his attention back to his patient, Makari cracked his knuckles and went to back to business. Gathering the light-side of the force around his palms, he once again channeled the heat to his patient, although he followed Cathbodua’s advice to the letter. Instead of overwhelming his patent with a burst of heat, Makari gave him a measured dose, slowly increasing the heat as time went on.

After his patient was fully warmed up, Makari turned back in Cathbodua’s direction. “I think I got the hang of it now for the most part.” Makari raised his hand and he could still feel the force strong within his body. “Did you want me to continue helping them out here? Or were there some other things we need to check out on base?”

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was watching him along with some of it. The patients were there and the nurses were all set up where they would be able to go over here. She saw other parts of it when they finsihed transferring some parts of it. "Good that is better, it can take several hours so remember to pace yourself. If you are not careful you could get tired or you could endanger them." Cathbodua was looking at more of it so they could give all of the information to the others, Allowing her padawan here to handle the treatment stepping around. "Report to me when the patient is showing signs of improvement and their core temperature has returned to acceptable range." She said it while remaining under the face mask to walk around with the other nurses for a few hours.