Dev Shadows of Atrisia

[Junko Ike]

The thing was for a lack of a better term like a massive dog, built almost the size of a pony, thickly muscled and it was fast... really much faster then she could image as it seemed to move around with her and use all of its legs with their folds of skin. They were moving around in the buildings and she could feel nothing but affection from the thing around her feet when there was movement in the shadows. Thickly muscled bodies with arms and teeth as one grabbed a guard and she could hear the scream drowned out by the plans. Their ability to absorb sound was not what she had expected this far off but it made it harder to hear anything;. Her danger sense coming to her so she could draw her saber and bring her new pet and handmaiden here to her side. A few of the others went into the room so they could watch here.

The creatures were massive, white hair along their bodies, flesh torsos and massive teeth... Ears high and close to the tops of their heads with a second set of arms that were visible she could see were grasping and keeping them erect on their huge frames. Her eyes went towards the people with her and some were missing as the sounds of screams came and she could feel the panic and fear from them who were being killed. The jedi master looked at the one near her who was looking and clutching onto her arm. Small dainty hands clinging to her from the dancer who was looking around, these were mutated wampas she knew they had been seen before on the planet and brought here by darksiders to experiment on. SHe had to figure out how to protect them against the creatures.

 

[Junko Ike]

That might not prove an easy thing.... these things she had seen and heard about them before... thickly massive and powerful. Piercing them with a sword was possible but it could take time, it could take strength few of them possessed in terms of delivering a fatal first blow that might be the only one they got before being torn apart or having their massive jaws rip and shred them. So while Junko didn't want to admit the danger was overwhelming her guards with their blades might not be as effective and the blasters they had weren't tested against the thicker hides... she would have to plan this out as she moved and the beast at her side... well she shouldn't say that even crouching it was just her size and built like a massive pony.

Her hand went to her lightsaber though and there was very few things that could resist it let alone hide or flesh. She wasn't one for violent outbursts but was moving and her saber slipped into her hand as the curved hilt came to her. She could feel the bone casing of the hilt, feel the weight of it as it was stilll there even with the very lightweight metal. Junko moved taking a moment to herself to prepare and she slid her hair over the shoulder on one side while she stood in the doorway. her blade not activated but it was better for amaking a funnel that they would be able to use. The thing at her heels were standing next to her and snarling down the cooridor that came as she had to admit a little affection and he seemed ready to do anything for her.

 

[Junko Ike]

She breathed in deeply allowing the force itself to guide her hand as the first one came towards her with her foot stepping forward and slashing. It cleaved into one of the arms that was reaching towards her and the hand was destroyed when she twisted around on her foot to crouch down under another as the saber shifted and twisted in her hand. Makashi wasn't made for fighting a bunch of enemies but her footwork and the narrow corridors they were coming down let her direct the flow of combat as she could work to plug the doorway with the large bodies if needed to. so it would be harder for more creatures to get through. Junko was allowing the force to reach out in her mind and her danger sense to stay out when she worked to conceal the others within the white current from senses which was a little easier. Muffling sound and scent while the closed doors worked for sight.

She was allowing the force to guide her movements as the beasts were piled up and blocking out the light the amber tinted blade illuminated her face in the darkness before she was moving back into the room. Allowing herself to look at the others as they closed and locked the doors. She was more then certain a few of the ones not in here and who hadn't been killed had returned to the boats. More defendable but a further trek with greater risk. SHe pushed herself to be prepared for more of a fight before she was sitting down to meditate and maintain the illusion to conceal all of them. Her handmaidns were around them as they were sitting around her with a few guards in place listening to what was around them. The yellow moss inside became thicker and more reddish as it clung to parts of the walls.

 

[Junko Ike]

She was looking at them and the dancer was still in there with them, her attention on the edi princess when she came over and stayed close to her. "Did you know about what was here?" Junko asked without opening her eyes but she was a bastion of calming energy for the ones around her as the sounds outside were muted and her guards were making sure nothing could get in from another entrance. "No, we have legends, rumors about dangerous things here but my people don't come to these islands for food or to study the ruins. Sometimes one or two children might want to come and might even get close but usually they turn back." She listened to the dancer and well it was general what happened... Atrisia was many thing and had many dangerous areas to it that had fallen into ruin.

"Alright." She believed her in that at least, the jedi princess was sensing for deception but there was none... She remained there thinking about it and breathed outwards as she spoke. "What is your name by he way. I realize that while admiring your dancing, I never thought to ask it." She said it and the girl looked at her, the copper skin smooth but there was the faintest hints of heat and a blush. "My ame is Phaidor the daughter of Metai Sheng." She said it and the jedi princess raised an eyebrow hearing all about it. There was her attention now where she could see as she looked up. "We are going to have to try and find a way out of here if it is possible. We aren't going to want to be kept around and pinned down for long." She got some nods from the guards with her as they were starting to look around and she pointed to the upper area of the roof that had some light but seemed to rise high.

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko looked up as she spoke and two fo the guards were moving, setting pinions into the walls and raising themselves up to make a pathway. The robe they descended from the hole allowed Junko to climb up and up and up until she was at the entrance of the hole and looking further up she spoke. "We have to be what two hundred feet from the light at least and one hundred from the ground?" She said it and one fo the guards looked at her with a nod. "I estimate five hundred feet princess." Junko nodded to that, five hundred from floor to top could be dangerous if they fell but she motioned and started to really pull herself up. Allowing he force to follow the small hole and bubble with a nod of her head. She was hiding them in the white current instead of just the room itself and climbed up and up higher.

She kept climbing and came to the top as the white marble opened up into the sunlight and reflected, around her the ruins could be seen and Junko stood there as she looked out upon everything around them. The others joined her and the sounds of the creatures echoed through the ruins but they couldn't be seen. The narrow pathways that went along parts of the roofs. She could see some other parts of the islands until she crouched down and pointed towards the boat where heavy turrets had carved a path around it with charred remains from the creatures. She didn't know if the pony dog thing would be able to follow but it was there climbing up the wall with a look on its face. Junko walked towards the wall and had her saber as the thing came over the edge and Tama spoke. "It seems to like you."

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko looked at Tama and gave a nodof her head while she was moving with her eyes checking out different areas below them. The marble walls were smooth and they didn't have handholds that could be made. She had seen tha the walls themselves were thicker then most places making attacking it even with a lightsaber would have been harder. The pathway went across to one of the other roofs and mountain side itself as she looked up and could see more holes in the cliff that gleamed with stones and vains of gold, silver and aurodium. Crystals and gems that made it look invaluable and all of the precious stones she imagined would be here to lure food to the creatures. The riches here that she was seeing was something few could really attract beyond well the different gems and crystals, metals here.

Junko was looking at more of it as they came to a cave and entered into it. Her eyes roaming around and seeing massive statues carved from crystals with kimonos and ornamentation of other jewels. Where she could look the group backed around and looked at it. The distant sound of laughter.the scent of blood. Junko turned whe she thought she heard something and there wasn't anything but then one of the guards was under the massive form of an atrisian tiger. They turned and attacked it as another came and it attacked from the back of them again. She was starting to notice a pattern and brought her lightsaber up as she looked in the metal itself and waited. Allowing the world to go silent around her and she could see it. Almost smoothly as the surface of the wall spun around revealing an inner chamber.

 

[Junko Ike]

She was looking at it and trying to really see it but whatever was producing the tigers from their turntables didn't want to do it within sight line of them and the walls seemed seamless when she motioned for them and had the guards press against the cavern walls themselves and she looked along the floor as they reduced where they could be attacked from and the jedi master herself was allowing herself to find a place in the center and she motioned them back as she breathed in deeply and allowed the force itself to whisper to herself. She pushed her danger sense towards the walls and she felt it as one was opening and one of her guards moved in quickly as she heard the sounds of fighting and the wall sealed again with only two of them having gotten through.

Junko then moved, hearing shots rng out from behind the wall as another panel opened and revealed a body of someone she hadn't seen before. Blue skinned and a red eyes. They were chiss she knew but seeing chiss onthe plane wasn't exactly.... normal. The panel turned around again and she slid inside of the room with a look on her face seeing it. Monitors along the wall and chained prisoners to the wall. Destitute of clothing one of them looked at her and spoke from the wall as her features marked her as a chiss but she has lighter skin and distinctly atrisian features. The ascendency didn't always seem to look kindly on half bred children which could explain why there werehere... it could also mean a chance to have chiss engieers or knowledge and technology within Atrisian borders.

 

[Junko Ike]

"Thank you... thank you." Junko looked at the one who was speaking and she was released coming off of the wall as she fell forward and Junko caught her looking at the blue black hair. The pale blue skin and muscled form of her were bringing some information to the jedi master. They didn't know where they were but she moved over to the wall and down onto th floor just holding the girl who was weakened. She brought water out for her and offered her some. A small look on her face. "There there, lets get you something to drink and maybe some food." She got a look and the girl was haggard but she spoke. "Thank you." She leaned against her and she rolled over so she could drink some of the water that was being offered and she spoke after taking a sip that went into a gulp and then several gulps before she looked at the jedi master.

"Sorry." The chiss said while Junko gave her a look but wasn't upset. "It is alright, you have been here for who knows how long and I am not certain of your name." The chiss seemed surprised and then embarrassed when she looked at herself and at Junko. "Ah sorry, I am MwahK'ann'Awith but people call me Kanna Khan." She covered herself and Junko helped her up removing the outer layer of her kimono with a look at Kanna Khan as she nodded wrapping it around her. "Well Kanna it is nice to meet you. I am Junko Ike." A smirk was on her face where she was looking over at it. She had an idea for it and wanted to ask several questions but she was remaining there as she looked around and with one of the sashes had a nod of her head. Securing it and offering her arm to support the girl. "Come and we can tlk while freeing the others."

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko was working with her and some of the guards as they were getting the prisoners freed. More half chiss who were branded visibly before she was moving around. "What is this place?" She said it looking at Kanna as she spoke checking it all out. "We had made a home here, the ascendancy doesn't always accept outsiders and so even with family some of the houses didn't want us around but they weren't going to just kill us without provocation." Junko gave a nod and the odd way the Chiss fought against enemies or threats or people was mostly how some others did... they worked to provoke an attack to justify defending themselves and not seeing themselves as bad. The princess had to think about it and colonies of them would be welcome... likely came when they were trying to take in refugees from the Galactic Alliance.

Junko was looking at it and having some other ideas.. her mind racing about what she knew and with attacks and problems they were working to fix it served something like this could happen. She had made plans with Shoma and others in the Atrisian engineering corp to reallt beef up something from the world. Where they were looking to protect the planet better with a new station and method to it. Looking over at Kanna as she motioned the jedi master over and showed her some other things. Documents and datapads that had been set up detailing plans in the mountain and that went down into the island to connect to another. She nodded to that and set some guards while working to re-establish a connection to the communications themselves with the ship. With some more yovshin they might be able to secure and start investigating as the massive ape like beings and tigers couldn't last forever.

 

[Junko Ike]

Someof her guards were moving and came back to her one of the prisoners were restrained but unhurt. The chiss woman stood up tall and proud for the moment. "I see." Junko spoke and remained there looking up at her and hard to seem intimidating or anything when you were almost a foot smaller. The chiss though didn't show anything on her face and the white uniform was there. "So are you with their special forces or just one of the defense forces?" She said it and well getting one of them to speak could take awhile. They might not get the answers but the government was about intrigue and wouldn't like having to explain while their people were under arrest. "My core name is Mara and we are here because those we were allied with fled the system and left us."

There was a look on JUnkos face and she knew Akio had agreed to an alliance with the chiss long ago but the transition between governments had went fairly smoothly.... mythos and the sith had the chiss as well and they had been more or less used like slaves in he war machine go0ing against what they normally did. She knew the civil wars and unrest that had been launched against the worlds would be a dangerous thing as Shoma and the emperor with her input had quelled and worked to improve the lives of the people without foreign rulers coming from space to claim they know better then all of them. She was looking at the chiss and if she had been here form one fo the alliances then they might be having a misunderstanding. She looked at Kanna and then back at the woman Mara and she had so many more questions.

 

[Junko Ike]

Those questions would have to wait as the jedi master was moving forward with the others. Checking things over where they could go as communications came back up. She wanted reinforcements coming in yes, she wanted those who could to return to the ship but she was also wanting to see further tno this and use the maps to try and learn everything that they could as the chiss both of them seemed to want to come with her. Junko didn't sense much hostility from Mara... more she barely sensed annoyance just a sort of conviction that she had been doing what was right even if it was wrong to the minds of others. Junkos time with the Atrisian army among the chiss had at least one benefit.. she learned the feeling of their minds so she could focus and see it.

"Mara where do these tunnels lead?" She asked it and the chiss was looking at her with a look on her face. "The tunnels lead to the ruins. We were investigating them as parts of this world seem to have played host to different species other then just the Atrisians." Junko looked at her and if the chiss were wanting to overtake sections of the galaxy and make a push she imagined exploring and understanding the worlds would be important. If there were unknown species to them on a planet that could disrupt their plans then it would be dangerous as she was going forward. With a few yovshin leading the way and checking it out Junko looked at Kanna and she spoke. "You should go back tothe ship it could be dangerous."

 

[Junko Ike]

Kanna seemed to be looking at her and Phaidor had interest in it but both seemed determined as Junko watched. "No princess where you go, we'll follow... we'll be brave." Both of them seemed excited even as they took places near Junko and looking at Mara who offered to lead the way. "I swear by my house that I will serve with you for now we are allies princess." That wasn't exactly ah well thrilling but she would go with it while checking all of it out Junko held her saber and shrugged opening the cuffs while one of her guards remained there and she had to admit... this was rather a motley crew to have when you were exploring as she went down into the tunnels which were more a series of sea caves interconnected and running under the islands making a number of pools that could be seen.

Junko could see what they had here crystals that were gleaming with the force and gemstones throughout, beautiful jade lines, rubies the size of Junkos head and when she touched one she had managed to pull loose a nova crystal that she knew was worth more then plenty in the right circles. Riches of the galaxy and it could be mined as needed maybe to fund projects across Atrisia same as with everything else. When she checked on parts of it getting down to one of the caves she heard a faint sound coming to her and her beast was right there charging them and stopping in front of her almost looking like it wanted to be pet as a hound would. Ten stubby legs with folds of flesh and she rubbed its head behind the ears.

 

[Junko Ike]

The thing was loyal so she would show him affection with some of the interest as going deeper into the caverns the jedi princess was able to see a number of guards as they finally came down itno one of the lower chambers. The caver was larger, with alcoves and where they could check it out before walking through the gallery. She and the other hugged the wall to better move and get through as the pool seemed to be filled with something.. they couldn't see much of it but there was a lot of teeth and the others pointed out how it was watching them but couldn't come up the sides of the caves. Staying in the artificial light that they had set up so they could navigateit and remain hidden.

The cave started to go up and came out near pools... a red watered one, a green and a blue... all crystal clear as Junko raised an eyebrow seeing the beauty of them walking over to it. A smile tugging at her lips though when she stood there listening. More of the plants that had muffled the sounds and she stood up. "I am not sure what we have out here... these colonies Mara... what were they for?" She was interested in finding out what the chiss knew as she spoke. "They are around, these pools are used mostly by chiidren and a few of the adults. the forest colors the waters and the rocks keep it from getting sediment so it is considered safer for the children." She was looking at her and poiinted to some fo the children who were standing in the trees.

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko was able to take in them and the children at least were atrisian and different species. Children who came from atrisian mothers or fathers and you got a lookfrom the features as one of the teenagers was a zeltron with red tinged skin that almost looked pale. Her black red hair and form before she was carryig some of the fish they had caught. The jedi princess went over as they noticed her and stood rogid. "Admiral Mara." The chiss with them spoke as she remained there. "Children this is princess Ike from he mainland she has come to see if you are being mistreated with your families." Junko looked at her and there was a small shrug of her shoulders while they were moving and the children were claiming no mistreatment by the admiral and her people.

Junko started walking with them and the island itself was larger then Kanna had given her an idea of but then several of them were interconnected through caves and tunnels. She knew the islanders would sail between the islands as opposed to making massive structures that spanned across. It was one of the things that she wanted to tryand work with Shoma and the emperor on. Preserving and restoring nature for them with more advanced technologies to cultivate and refine it all. The path ahead though led into one of the villages where the others were around. A colony of zeltrons who had come here and found a life bringing their ability for holograms and high technolog as well as a party atmosphere as the osmatic bubble contained the pheromones that were thick in the air like their home world.

 

[Junko Ike]

The colony was more humid then she had thought but the zeltrons and half zeltrons had made it into a home and the sleek marble contrasted well with the area around them. Paved streets that showed a system for recycling waste compared to some others that there might have been. Minimal defensive towers but more outpost walls to protect and isolate. She couldn't see much in the way of problems that might arise here as the people seemed to be gathered in one area of the village. Her small party going there as they pressed in close and she could listen to them. They were reading poetry, the different people on the stage talking about nature and everything around them. The princess got some looks but the admiral with her waved them off while they were listening.

"Deathless Jeidushi, throned in flowers, Daughter of Shonogan, O terrible enchantress, With this sorrow, with this anguish, break my spirit... Lady, not longer!" The zeltrons words flowed out of her while she stood there and Junko was given a place to sit in front of them all. Having a princess appear was not exactly something expected so they were uncertain Phaidor and Kanna with Mara were right next to her. She continued to listen as the woman went on and looked towards the crowd peering behind her and the jedi master didn't need to see the subject to feel that they were nervous and blushing. Compared to some it seemed that these isles were home to plent who understood art and leisure... a romantic side that was slowly coming baack to atrisia.

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko continued to listen to a number of the people talking and reciting their poems. Where they were all looking over it, where they had all been celebrating... then there was a party here. Zeltrons she knew always looked for a reason and tradition on Atrisia had a number of festivalsfor the different things such as heroes, tea, their gods. Where she looked around though seeing the people celebrate when they came to join and greet her. "Welcome princess." Some of the people were dancing around as Phaidor was near her as she moved an arm through her. Junko lookd and raised an eyebrow as it was forward but given that all of them here were meant to be investigating it would serve best to blend in and Kanna had a look on her face watching them as she came forward and the chiss waited for a moment. "What about me my princess?"

Junko looked at her and shrugged offering her other arm. "Very well the two of you can accompany me and we shall see that everyone else is well." She looked at the chiss woman who stood there and waited a moment... "Are you going to want an escort as well?" She said itwith humor but mostly because she was certain of two things... one the pheromones in the air were making the others act a certain way and two... well seeing what sort of discipline the chiss had was important. Mara didn't fail to amuse standing there and you could see plenty in her face... she could see her cheeks and it was surprising as Junko flicked her hair to the side and started walking with her two escorts to the party that was being held. Wine and song already starting in the traditional Atrisian style with holograms that moved to the musicper the zeltron ideals.

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko observed and looked upon the others who were around her and a smile formed on her face. Checking it all out as this was a simple lace, an island paradise with the different colonies that had come here for protection and refuge in the wake of attacks on their worlds. The chiss had come and the zeltrons... twi'leks who were here and around as all of them. The princess on Atrisia was being given a place of honor and as she tried some of the wine that they had made it was sweet... overly sweet for her taste but well worth it where she could work on the cup. A smile on her face with the others when she was taking a seat next to them at a table. The two woman were near her and sitting there as Junko watched the others come to look upon her.

Phaidor was taken in and the islander stood up after a moment to join the dancing but stayed there close to the princess, Kanna looked at her and wasn't one to move as the half chiss seemed more then content to just sit there with a smile on her face and hold herself close to the princess. She was enjoying the show and Junko felt herself relaxed but she had encountered plenty of pheromones before on zeltros in the Barsoom academy many forgotabout it was almost a requirement that they work on it and function as a full team. So the jedi master relaxed allowing the force to protect her mind from getting muddled at the powerful scents in the air and the music that was making them all want to dance or flirt or in some cases she saw other prepared to head off and celebrate privately.

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko stayed there watching it and enjoying the food, delicious cakes with different fillings that had been fried and made for everyone to be able o hold. She looked over at someof the other zeltrons who had found a place to eat the food and turned her attention back to Phaidor who was dancing around her now. The movement meant to entice and it did but Junko watched again her eyes taking in the movements as the area around the three of them faded out and she wasn't thinking about it. The chiss with them was she could feel observing and protecting her mind from being read or seen. That made her more curious as Kanna looked up and frowned for a moment standing.

"I think I am going to get one of those zeltrons, maybe a poem for my rescuer to show how much it means." There was a scoff and Kanna walked off while Mara seemed to be there and rolled her eyes while Junko raised an eyebrow. "My daughter is like a puppy thinking it will impress you." That... was surprising as Junko looked at her. "Your daughter?" A look was on her face at that revelation and the chiss woman spoke. "Yes, I laid with one of you yovshin back when there was an alliance between our peoples and had Mara but then I had to leave and when I came back mostly rounded her up to try and learn if anything had happened and that was when you appeared there." She had a look on her face that was passive and controlled as Junko had to admit she didn't see that coming.

 

[Junko Ike]

"She is..." Junko trailed off while she thought about it and the thought she could do that to her daughter was horrifying. "But how could you?" She was curious and wanted to hear how such a thing could be done as Phaidor seemed to pick up on it and moved over sitting down and just holding Junkos hand as Mara seemed to speak. "It is what it is, a moment of weakness shouldn't be part of the ascendancy and we as a house have worked to try and recover our status." Mara shrugged at that but Junko was satisfied for the moment and Kanna was returning as she watched the woman closely but she wasn't going to mention it in case Kanna didn't know the girl seemed to be imprinting almost on her after saving her and didn't want to break her heart.

The party continued to go on, continued to ply Junko with food, wines, exotic teas the had grown and infused with different types from across the galaxy. She met oneof the zeltron children, lightly red skin with beautiful crimson hair. Darker then some as well as the features being sharper and more angular. High cheek bones and she was being presented with unique abilities. The ability to speak to and control the wild atrisian tigers through unknown means. That raised Junkos eyebrow and she reached out feeling the hints of the force wihin the girl andit was untapped potential. "What is your name?" She askedit sitting there and looked at her slightly drop her head to bow. "Thuria my princess."

 

[Junko Ike]

Thuria was a rather pretty name as Junko sat there and listened to more of the music being played. The reports and claims of her gifts were something wonderful as well.. a strange mixture of fantasy and reality she imagined with a healthy dose of wonder since she wasn't the first force user Junko had encountered nor would she be the last but she was here on the island and that mostly meant she didn't have a chance easily of being found. Foreign children even if they were born on Atrisia usually stayed in the colonies to help their families rather then go for the military academies or universities. She knew their educational system was a big thing that had to be worked on and rebuilding efforts would prove highly effective with Shoma at the helm.

"Come here Thuria." Junko held a hand out and up a little for her to come and take as she sat her down next to her. With Kanna and Phaidor here she was off to the side a little but sitting there in a place of honor as they watched more of the festival. Junko was being given a small but lavish place to sleep for the night and those with here were being set up. "Now tell me about yourself, if Iam going to take you with me as your family seems to think then we should know each other." She said it and was looking over at hr as the girl seemed to think about it. She was a small thing, dainty might be the best word for it but pretty like most all zeltrons but there was more to her and they had a chance to travel together now.