Meditation

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It took time for wounds to heal, Jedi or not.

The treatments he'd recently undergone had stabilized his body, but only time could restore him to proper working order. The majority of his body's feeling had returned over the weeks he'd spent recovering on Ruusan, though many sensations were still dulled. The pain he underwent when walking had been debilitating at first, but now it was little more than a quiet ache at the back of his mind.

His recovery had been timely thus far, something that was no doubt in part to the grace of the force. He spent more time meditating these days than anything else; his mind was more familiar with the cosmos than the material realm.

He sat alone in one of the retreats that overlooked the Graywall. The lone structure was carved into the side of Ruusan's snowpeaked mountains, and Cedric could see the whole of the valley below. The facility's seclusion left it operated almost entirely by droids; they were Cedric's only company when he came to this place.

The master exhaled a quiet breath as his eyes drifted shut, wholly unaware of the danger speeding toward him from the skies above, and the other issue that drew ever closer nearby...

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Wandering from planet to planet was something now almost familiar to Aren. She was just unable to fully put down roots. Being born on Coruscant and growing up on Zakuul had left her craving the company of droids. So far she had picked up two and created one. Along with her pet porg, they commonly took public transport since Aren did not have a ship of her own.

This wanderlust had taken her to several places and now finally to Ruusan. Here she had learned droids could be found, but as she walked, she didn't really see any. However, this young woman was able to use the Force, but not in a conscience manner. It was something she was aware of, but did not have any formal training. Her brother hadn't done anything much when they had met and nobody else had yet been able to teach her.

So she blundered around just doing what was natural and honed her skill. Her creation EL pointed to some mountains.

"If what I learned on the holonet is accurate, then there are droids in that range somewhere."

Letting out a sigh, Aren looked at droid and shook her head.

"And just how are we supposed to get there? Hitchhike?"

No their own feet. However, Red...he could fly ahead and scout it for them. Reaching out with the Force, she ordered her droid to do that as she and EL started heading that direction.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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The empyrean was chaotic today.

Meditation normally drew Cedric to a place of serenity, but today it gave him nothing but warnings. The origins of such warnings were lost to the Jedi Master, but he understood the threat of danger all the same. Something was coming, and it wouldn't be long until it arrived.

Acting on instinct, the knight shot up to his feet. His knees creaked in protest, but he did well to set aside that pain, instead calling his lightsaber from its perch nearby. The two handed weapon slid into his hands with familiar ease. No warning klaxons had been set off, which meant that no one had breached the facility as of yet. The force had likely forewarned him long before the alarm system ever could.

It was only then that he saw the smoke trail in the sky. A single vessel could be seen as little more than a speck upon the horizon.

"What?" Cedric's brow furrowed as he watched the vessel draw closer.

[member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

After what felt like hours, Red eventually returned and communicated with Aren what he had seen in the mountains. There was indeed some sort of facility there and it was automated. That being the case, Aren would have to be aware of where any groundside weapons emplacements were and the triggers that would set off any alarms. A confident slicer, hacker and one that could understand electronics with ease, she felt getting in and out wouldn't be much of an issue.

"Lead us in Sam. We're right behind you."

With a new hope, her lag​ging energy returned and Aren walked with a bit of excitement in her step.

In the sky above her flew a ship and she almost let out a small curse when she noticed where it was heading. It almost caused her to turn around, but something told her to keep going. She needed to get to this facility quickly. Why she didn't know, but Aren started to jog. EL let out a stream of complaints but attempted to keep up as best she could.

Stopping in her tracks, she held a hand up and focused on what was a box hidden in the brush in front of them. In the facility, a small section of the perimeter would appear to have shorted out, but no alarm went off. The blip would only last a few moments and she ran through her opening, dragging EL along after her.

"Well, that's the first step. Go on Sam. Where to now?"

Her recon droid flew away and lead them further along.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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The girl would be allowed within without much issue. The doors parted for her, the facility's security system evidently somewhat lacking. Cedric felt a subtle shift in the force, and he likely would have responded to it under normal circumstances. As things were, he was far too transfixed on the rapidly approaching vessel to pay her arrival much mind.

Cursing under his breath, the master reached out into the empyrean. He felt life aboard the vessel; destructive and violent life in fact. He could feel their intentions bleeding off of them in colors of crimson that stained the waters around them. These men had come here to kill him.

"Time to go," he mumbled to himself as he turned toward the door - a door that was wide open. Gray eyes narrowed as Cedric caught sight of the lone woman and her droid running through, and his lightsaber snapped to life, its cyan blade filming the room with a faint blue glow.

"Kind of unusual for an assassin to use the front door."

[member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Not at all expecting to find a living person on the premesis, Aren stopped as soon as he spoke. EL and her other companions stopped with her and they all appeared to be like an animal caught in the headlights of a speeder. What he said after noticing her as well surprised her even more.

"Assassin? I am not here to kill you, but steal your droids."

Maybe it wasn't best to tell him, but the words were out. Hopefully he accepted them because they were the truth.

Her eyes fell to his ignited saber and her hands went up as if she was innocent. They were empty and held no tools or weapons. Taking a gulp, they weren't close enough for him to attack her.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]