Lurking In The Shadows

[Connor Harrison]

Silver Shadow Headquarters
Nightmare Lands, Voss

​

And so Connor was back on Voss, having already intercepted trouble from his return from Chroma Zed and an invite from Coci on their home world. He hadn’t seen her properly for a while, but time didn’t faze him. Time had helped him, and hopefully he could now in turn help everything else in these dark times.

Walking along the established walkway under the mystical Dark Heart of Voss, boots softly ringing out on the metal, Connor had enjoyed the walk from the Temple to this place where the Silver Shadows found their place away from prying eyes.

There was no better place for privacy than here, a home from home. Lights flickered on monitoring stations, and a lone fighter was docked on a landing pad which was accessible from an underground cavern leading to the surface from a pothole.

Coci was here, somewhere, he could feel her, as he always did. He was nervous about seeing her again, but not afraid.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

It is easy here.

It is dark.

There are shadows dancing against the breast of the light, and Coci perched on the ledge of the balcony, watching and waiting.

They are not hiding, not at this moment, and she could sense him approach.

"Brother Agomar, welcome home", she said softly to his mind.

She leaned forward and dropped to the surface below, using the force to cushion the landing, Coci landed directly in front of Connor along the walk way. "I always did like a dramatic entrance". she smiled now, as she moved forward and embraced her brother.

"Too much has passed in these recent years that I fear we have lost connection. But you are back home and I am happy for that. Come with me, we have much to talk about".

Coci turned to walk along side of Connor as they would make there way to a silent chamber, there shadows could meditate if they so wished. "Do you still feel it? the darkness within the nightmare lands. It drips from the very walls, and yet our light pushes it back, back to the abyss where it belongs".


[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Anyone walking without being in-tune with their fellow warriors would have walked straight into Coci as she landed with a soft grace on the walkway, but Connor simply stopped a few seconds before she did, looking up at the presence in his mind and smiling at her entrance.

He returned the embrace, holding her for a second longer than he wanted, appreciating the welcome.

”It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that name, Creimire.”

Connor avoiding making a point about the lack of connectivity and comradeship of recent times, hoping it would soon right itself.

”I can feel it all the time. But, as you say, there’s something keeping it at bay. Like it knows the limitations against us, and we are the dominant ones; the ones in control. A symbiotic existence.”

They were both here, and he followed her down the walkway to the inner chambers, looking up around at the natural formed caverns.

”Tell me, how is the family? Are you all well? The boy, how fares his development?”

Admittedly, Connor knew he had no connection with Theo at all, only meeting him once, and feeling far more distant than he had ever thought he could have been from her family since the day he gave her away for marriage.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"There is never one without the other Agomar. It is the way of the force and always will be. As you rightly said, a symbiotic existence". Coci lead them both into the silent room, with a way of her hand the torches mounted on the walls ignited sending a yellowing hew across the stone walls. They are deep within the chamber of the dark heart, away from anyone that might have the power to sense their presence and it is here they will conduct their first meeting since Connor's return.

"My family is very well thank you. My son will commence training in the Voss Temple very soon, I want him to be strong, as strong as his capacity will allow before he has to face the wider galaxy. There is no amount of training to prepare him for it, but the first steps of control of power will be given to him. He is of warrior stock and so will more than likely follow that path", down here one speaks of family as if distant, the less information on identity the better, even though Connor is very aware of whom they speak, it is more for other ears, ears that need not be privy to such things. It is a matter of course and caution.

"Come .. sit. We shall have this time to catch up on all manner of things". Coci found her place within the silent room, taking up a round hardened cushion and sat in meditative posture.

"Agomar, you seem tired. The events of the past and more of recent times seem to have taken a toil on you, what may I do to help you?. We must talk about what you found out regarding Master E'ron's death. As painful as that might be, we must continue until we have answers".

Coci would allow Connor to take breath before answering, they have much to talk on including her growing concern for Master Kawakami. But first things first.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Listening to Coci, Connor followed along the walkway they had passed over numerous times, towards the more isolated chambers where one could take time alone to refuel the mind and attune themselves after a taxing day, week or lifetime.

”It feels like time is escaping us, and everything is changing so fast and we are just staying the same.”

As Coci sat, Connor walked by her and leant against the nearside wall of the chamber they were in. A light from above illuminated them and it was still and peaceful.

”I probably do look a little worn out, but I’m feeling ok. Ish. I just need to root myself down again, and I’ll be fine. Honest. I know you’ve heard that before, but I’m not fighting anything or anyone anymore. I am me, and I just need to get into a comfortable routine again and learn to silence my own brain and allow myself the right to rest, sleep and meditate without questioning everything. I’ve rid a few demons holding me back, so I should be doing better than I ever was.”

He drummed his hands on the wall behind him as he looked up to the light. How ironic.

”My investigation into Master E’ron’s passing didn’t provide me with anything. I think I found the place, but learnt that the one who took her life was also slain soon after. There’s nothing to go on – no link. And then Master Ru.”

Connor looked back to her face, and it could look to others she wasn’t listening or paying attention in her relaxed meditative state, but Connor knew she was doing everything BUT not listening.

”And then demons surfaced on my part and threw everything right up in the air, and I think only now can I go about fixing things and accepting my own choices. New faces are coming to us, and I’m determined to show them the right way forward. But, there are issues closer to home which concern me; issues I will take up myself to sort. After all, can’t be a Master and not act like it”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

She opened her eyes to watch Connor standing by the wall, the light of the flames warming his skin and setting it to glow. "You have come very fair since we first met, and began your training as shadow within these very walls", she said giving him her attention to the full.

"Sometimes demons have to the face solo, even if friends wish to help they can not truly understand not even if they have been through similar things, we are individuals and so we react differently to events of life. All we can do as friends is be there when you return. Even if your leaving hurts to begin with".

Coci contemplated the information on Master E'ron. "Agomar, At least Master E'ron killer is dead. But we are still lacking the purpose of her visit to the place. The only small lead is connected to her daughter. Abaigeal E'ron, has gone missing. Looking through the files of the starport in the temple and in Voss-ka, a ship had been taken by Abaigeal, but the destination is unknown. That ship has not returned, nor the girl. The force tells me there is a connection between the two events".

She stood up. "If we find that ship, it might give us a stronger lead to the purpose of Master E'ron's disappearance from Voss without informing anyone. I think this horrid event is .. personal".

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor folded his arms and crew small circles on his chin with his fingers, watching more of the puzzle pieces come into place about the former Grandmaster. How he missed her, so much. Safe to say if Iella was still here, Connor wouldn’t have been in this dark place. And now it seemed her bloodline was a target.

”I see.”

Fingers tapped gently in thought.

”I’ve never come across her daughter before, never heard of her to be honest. Well if she has gone missing, shouldn’t we try and find her and bring her back, or at least…I don’t know, show her we are still here? Does she resent the Silvers for what happened or what?”

He was two steps away from launching himself into a search and rescue mission to save the bloodline from danger.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Not to many people knew of her children. I believe they were kept very secretively .. my understanding was that it was because they would be targeted and it seems Master E'ron's fear became a reality".

Coci stood in thought for a moment, "Connor we should move to the control room and see if we can locate that missing ship", she walked toward the door now determined to find out more.

As she walked, "At the battle over Mon Calamari, a known ship appeared on the senors of the Will of the Force, it was identified as the Crossfire Hurricane, Master E'ron's old A-Wing, but the pilot was Abaigeal. She boarded one of the pirates ships to save a friend but as soon as the battle was over she disappeared".

"So we know one thing, that she is traveling the galaxy in that ship, a unique ship but even still it is a vast galaxy and will be hard to find".

 

[Connor Harrison]

With a nod, Connor extended his hand for her to lead the way back to the hub of the Shadow operations and the control panels and maps of the galaxy. Blues and greens and reds tracked many Silver Jedi ships and security around the Temple, but also there was holo-projections of the galaxy systems that could be brought up for inspection. It was a tight operation for eyes across the stars.

”So,” he said as they began their search, ”will the A-wing tracker still be active? I mean if the ship is still in one piece and she’s still using it can’t we hone in on it and go from there?”

It was a bit of an obvious idea, and he was sure if it was as simple as that it already would have been done. He traced some patterns over Silver Jedi space on the map.

”Could she have become one of the pirates as a way of survival? If there was no way out, she succumbed to that way of life, to leave her ties to the E’ron name alone?”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Coci pressed a few buttons on the control panel searching for the known ship of Master E'ron's, as they waited for the sensors to report findings, she turned to face Connor.

"I don't believe she joined the pirates, the events that past that day did not indicate the actions of one. It appeared that the she and her friend had taken the ship, as the battle came to an end, that ship turned on one of the other pirate ships and open fire destroying it. After that the ship jumped into hyperspace, according to the Will of the Force computers, the Crossbones did not follow the remaining fleeing pirates".

The holodisplay beeped indicating it had located both ships. The ship taken by Abaigeal before her disappearance located on Lianna, the A-Wing on Etti V.

"Now that is interesing", she said more to herself.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Tapping his chin, Connor pointed to both marks on the display, his finger breaking through the soft blue illumination.

”So Abaigeal takes the ship somehow, turns it on the others and then flees. To Lianna? That’s practically on the doorstep here. As for the A-Wing,” his finger traced up, ”…that now…that’s Levantine space isn’t it?”

He frowned. Two very different places, but so close to Silver Jedi territory.

”Do you think she wants to be found?”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"No the ship on Liana was taken ages ago, before Master E'ron's death. I think that is the key to finding out what happened to them both".

Coci contemplated his final question, "Maybe, .. she has not strayed far has she? You maybe right, maybe some unfinished business is keeping her close to home".

"We need to go to Lianna", she said facing him now. But there is more on her mind.

She pulled in a deep breath, "Connor what are your thoughts on Master Kawakami?", she has her own of course but wants to hear Connor's ideas on the woman.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor nodded in agreement, eyes moving over the planet Lianna. Not one he knew, but one not far at all and worthy of investigating to find the daughter of Iella. As Coci proposed her next question, Connor slowly drew his eyes to her and sighed.

”At one point I would have listened to her and what she had to say, but recently, I deem her nothing but a threat to others who are vulnerable.”

As he pressed a button to pull the zoom from the galaxy map to show all the systems, he continued.

”It wasn’t long ago she had me at gunpoint from a squad working under her command. More war of words led to her assaulting me after I tried to stop her leaving, and the second I stand up to her, I turn to find armed guards telling me to watch my step.”

He chuckled.

”Whatever game she’s playing, it’s certainly intriguing me and I can’t for the life of me say what I think she’s doing. Except it involves uprooting the Council.”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Intently listening to Connor's words, Coci brow furrowed. "I think she has been trying to do that for a number of years, and with little success. Her manner has always been somewhat sharp but of late it has changed and become defensive and disrespectful. Speaking and treating us all like children. I just wonder if there is more to this, other than a strong sense of ambition. I cannot sense anything with her, she guards herself well, but I suspect there is a heavy hand of darkness around her. We need to be vigilant around her and find more proof. And if I am right, we need to help her". Aika is a member of the Silver Jedi and so will be give all the assistance possible if she is in fact tainted with the dark side. Whether she will accept it or not will be discovered in time.


"The council will hold true, and if necessary she can be removed from her position, but we must find out more".


"Give me your final thoughts on it and later we can form a plan around her, to find out". Coci looked back at the holodisplay to Lianna.

"Firstly lets go to Lianna and find that ship, and see if there is anything more to be discovered. One thing is known, Abaigeal is alive and well and probably alone". Turning back to Connor, "Anyone you trust to come with us?".

 

[Connor Harrison]

The Master wanted to say more, but had to look at the map to distract him. When it came to walking a dangerous line between Light and Dark, Connor was an expert. He had come close to the edge, but he had been given support and forgiveness. While the tables were turned, he didn’t want to offer it to anyone who posed a threat – but it had been given to him at his darkest hour, and so needed to allow it for others.

”My only reserve is Aika is doing this off her own back – I feel no other power except her own. Deluded, controlling and devious. The problem lies within her own head and that’s going to be hard to crack, but she’ll have a struggle if she tries to take apart the Silver Jedi while I’m still around.”

Shifting his position slightly and walking around Coci as a way to end his thoughts about the wayward Jedi, he returned to the planet before them.

”I’m learning to trust few; so I don’t get hurt, and mostly they don’t get hurt around me. Knight Daivik, for one, is capable but has been away for a while – that reminds me, I need to catch up with her because she’s been keeping a few things from me I think. And we have a new recruit – Chastity Lunelle – but she’s had no training so would want to throw her in at the deep end.”

He clicked his tongue slightly against his teeth.

”I have names, but I don’t know where they are – I’ve sort of lost touch with the Order after recent events. Except the usual crew of course.”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

She regarded Connor for a long time in silence. Much had happened in the past that two a toil on them both, not just on a personal level, but as Jedi. This had effected the members of the Order, indirectly so, as the heads of the Order had grown, distrusting of one another, which would never do. "I would die for this Order Connor if I deemed it necessary to protect it". She stated in a soft voice.

"But we will find out the cause of Master Kawakami's ambitions or whatever and confront her but now lets keep an eye on her, she is she shows her hand. But I have come to trust very few in the Order simply because I do not know how far her reach has gone. Besides this is Shadow business and the only person that will be informed is Grand Master [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], besides yourself, he is the only one I trust with completeness. I shall contact him now".

Moving over to the control panel, Coci's fingers danced rapidly across the screen. Her message direct to Thurion on a secure channel from the Dark Heart, inform him of what they had discovered thus far. The co-ordinates of the two ships send to his office and with the plan that Connor and she would go to Lianna as soon as possible. She also asked if he would like to join them in the search.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Seeing and hearing the sincerity in Coci’s voice as she spoke, and then communicated with her Grandmaster and husband, Connor placed a hand on her shoulder, the leather cool in his palm, and squeezed gently looking at the map.

People spoke of a special bond that you couldn’t really understand, but couldn’t ever destroy, and for Connor he had that with Coci. For a pair that had come from shady pasts, to experiencing a whole folly of good and bad situations including near on killing each other, the evil wouldn’t stop spreading across the galaxy and they saw beyond the past and only fought for the future.

”You’re a wife and mother now, Coci. You won’t have to die to protect the Order. That’s my job.”

He gave a smile, and while it was playful, it was also true – a man with nothing to live for could be the one to give everything to save what he cared for most.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

She shot a sideways weak smile to Connor, but continued to work on the control panel. Downloading files from the Shadow database to their respective datapads for future reference once on Lianna. She also pulled the files of Abaigeal E'ron and Iella E'ron from the general database from the temple and loaded the files on the holodisplay. Before them now the information on each of them, giving general information and description but it was Abaigeal that was of interest. The file telling them that she would be ten years old now, but what was interesting to Coci was Abaigeal looked to be fifteen or sixteen. "Now that is strange", she said more to herself. "The files must not be updated", but that was not the case.

"Do we know who the father is?", Coci tried to remember, there had been some rumour that Master Syn was, but they had not seen him of late, and Master E'ron had kept her private life .. private. "See if you can find Master Syn's file, that might give more to us to go on".

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor watched the information flash up over Coci’s shoulder, seeing the imagery of two women – a mother and daughter. Seeing Iella was a sad reminder of the past, and seeing her daughter for the first time was a little comfort part of her still existed. She had a fire to her, a steely resolve like her mother, evident in her eyes.

As he worked to find Master Syn, one Connor had never encountered in his time with the Silver Jedi, but had heard of now and then, his fingers danced over the controls.

”I’d love to see what was on our files here – that’d be a read,” he said, half to himself.

The image of one Synlidwirh Daemoniscus flashed up, with information feeding around his image. Looking between Syn and Iella, and then Abaigeal, Connor focused on all he could.

”Master E’ron may have been private, but what it notes here…Master Daemoniscus wasn’t and is classed as Abaigeal E’ron’s father. And…” Connor stopped, puzzled. He looked up.

”Barinthus? His son. Iella had a son as well as a daughter? Or…adopted, or step-children? It doesn’t say that – just gives names, but clearly links them.”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The call came, a soft beeping sound coming from the control panel of the holo-communicator. He'd just finished cleaning up his office after a certain couple of kids happened to demolish it all on their own. They even knocked down the statuette of Master E'ron from his desk. Fortunately the thing was made of wood painted white, carved by his own hand with loving detail. It made him feel better knowing she was watching over him and everyone else.

"Pardon the delay," he said as his likeness would flicker to life before Coci and Connor. "Théo somehow 'broke out' of the daycare and made it all the way to my office." He looked at Coci and couldn't help but grin. The little scoundrel sure had his mother's strong will. "I've looked over the coordinates and files you sent, as well as your plan to go to Lianna." He gave his beard a good stroking. "I will go with you. I mentored her briefly growing up and would be able to sense her like I did during the Battle of Dac. If she's truly on Lianna, I would like to see her safe." His eyes then turned to Connor.

"It's good to see you again, Con-Con."

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]​