Faction Smoke and Shadows

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

"We don't have the luxury of limits though some seem happy under their own incomprehensible restrictions." He said it and moved only tapping the kyber restrictors on his belt. "We do not have the luxury of limits only artificial ones.. it makes things... safer for some." Of course in a place like the temple of omean where the shadows were sequestered and trained for when called. He moved as the shadowlands shifted... following the river further in and away... towards larger mushrooms and the sounds of fighting. SOmeone else when he stopped and looked on scenting the air. "Look well at Master Rossi's "Battle" as it were. She has cut herself open, shed her own blood... and chose to fight for her life. Giving up kills people. When people reject giving up... they finally win the rights to transcend their humanity and power. "Never give up even if it means death"... That is the pride and dignity of what we are." He remained there as the humming of the bladed axe could be seen as the lightsaber design waas between two points that were being swung into smaller beasts. The tall wookiee jedi master roaring as they used the force to raise severed limbs and throw them into the creatures making more debris practically to smash things. Their presence in the force rising up and spilling out.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

So, Shadows do not simply “teeter” the fence between “Light” and “Dark” side, we bust through it. We don’t just “face” the Dark Side, we challenge it? You might say, we spit in its proverbial face?

Connel was not sure that he was correct in this, but suddenly they were now watching a Wookiee Jedi to whom he had never met, or even heard of (which isn’t saying much) to this point. The methods were almost, one might consider “insane” but they were effective. HIGHLY effective.

Truth is, a momentary image of doubt appeared in his mind, but that was his “old self” trying to reassert itself. Connel was capable of this. He was doing the right thing. He was confident in his decision. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and reminded himself of the goals he had set for himself. He was determined to move forward and never look back.

As he silently watched and listened, acknowledging everything that was being explained, Connel may not necessarily replicate the path of someone who will cut themself open in a fight, or someone who , well, he would walk his own path. He did understand the point that Syn was making nonetheless.

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

"We don't teeter, the darkside should never be something you use, or think of using... it is what you eradicate." He said it and remained there as the large wookiee finished. The roar coming before the wookiee slashed and the saber disengaged. The creatures skittering away when the jedi master approached. "Careful Rossi, I am a friend." He said it and looked at her with his hands at his side as the wookiee stood there for a moment and was tall. Thickly braided hair, cloth wraps around her torso and waist. The saber going to her back as it looked more like an energy bows connection points. The jedi master finally arriving there as he was embraced with a popping sound from the hug but he patted her back and came away. "It is good to see you." He said it and looked at the thing on the ground as a hand touched it for a moment. "Not the main body just an arm... but we are closer." He rose up and looked over at Connel. "She has been tracking what made several villages disappear after the sith invasion years back."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

No, I mean I get that the eradication of the Dark Side is our path. I’m saying that there is a lot of “fear” of what leads to the Dark Side, or at least there was. I was just assuming that like how other Jedi understand their limitations, Shadows ignore theirs? At least in that regard?

Connel understood what was being said, he just realized that he wasn’t, which was okay.

The approaching Wookiee was large, and imposing. She looked more deadly than she probably acted. The embrace of the two was a good thing, it showed she was indeed a “friend”, at least in the notion that she would not rip their arms off. She gave a strong squeeze and let it go, and the two were relieved. The tension was broken, and they could finally relax and begin talking.

As he silently watched and listened, Connel was surprised to hear about what happened with the villages and several questions popped in his head. Several things, or one big thing?

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

"Not sure, when the silver rest was attacked there was a team investigating out here and they reported something. Then the rest was exploding and House Io was claiming they preformed the act.... but they are unorganized and barely a threat to many." He said it while looking at Connel with a look... his way of understanding it was better. "As to limits we always look to push past them... we will sometimes be sent to places where limits are a hinderance to resisting the call of the darkside. It will be something you might understand the first time you walk through a den of darksiders and though outnumbered... you don't feel any worry to it. Sometimes insults also help."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

I actually remember that period. Connel was not complete in his training yet, but his father was in charge of Rest security and the younger received some invaluable training in and with the Temple Guard. He was not an outright member of them, but was able to gain valuable knowledge, even and especially through those troubled times.

“Pushing” through and past limits made sense, and was something he was more than capable of doing, he was too stubborn not to.

He also had experience being sent to places that required a lot out of him. Efret Farr has made use of his skills several times already. She was a nice person and was not afraid to get into the mix herself so he was more than willing to answer her call.

When Syn mentioned “insults”, Connel gave a knowing grin, remembering an operation back on the planet Odessan. I can insult.

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

"Good, it is a quick way for many to slip up and react rather then think it out. The sith will use Dun Mock to speak, to taunt. To make a jedi emotional.. you are not using that as the goal but sith and darksiders wear their emotions on their sleeve... they will already be angry so you are looking to make them slip and make a mistake." He was looking at the ground and scented the air while walking. One hand low as he touched the ground and brushed the dirt to the side... revealing scaled and thick flesh... that pulsed with bloodflow as well as irnoging much of their movement with the dirt muffling their footsteps. He was looking through it with the force and spoke. "It is large... larger then most other things and some of the trees have grown over and with it."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

Yeah, it’s actually funny how little it takes too. This one… I had him going just over his breath. Connel laughed at the memory. I even tossed him a pack of breath mints.

He wasn’t sure what Syn was doing so he just stood there and watched for a few moments.

When it finally came to him, he could not keep his eyes from widening.

You mean, you’re standing on it right now? Curiosity almost got the better of him, but Connel gave himself a better position and angle as he looked on. The more experience you get with the Force, the less you really know.

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

"Yes." He said it but it wasn't meant to be clear to which thing Connel said. Walking. "Whatever it is... it is large. Likely it grew larger because of the world but the darkside has been influencing it.. which can make things even larger." Which also meant more dangerous in some cases... for it to be this large it would have to be something. "There are larger creatures in space, it one was able to be infused with the darkside..... it might be able to become aggressive." He was contemplating it and stopped as the ground started to jut teeth and more tendrils the deeper itno the shadowlands. The smells assaulting his nostrils. "Decay, slow, pungent." He was looking forwaard. "Its a sarlacc."Rossi was there next to him and pointing areas out. "Yeah I can sense it.. there is damage done to it... burns and areas that have been blackened from explosions but likely it lived grabbing whatever was nearby."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

A Sarlacc? He was half-intrigued/half-protective(of the lands). Connel did not intrude on where Syn and Rossi were standing but he did take in what they were discussing.

If it’s this big, and I cannot believe that I am asking this, would it be detrimental to the environment to destroy it?. Again, surprised at himself, he clarified. I am not saying “live and let live” simply, especially if it is imbued with the Dark Side… but isn’t the only known way of destroying a Sarlacc to drop explosives, or a seismic charge down into its mouth?.

Hopping down off the branch, a little more emboldened, he looked at the beast, and then the Wookiee, and then Syn.

I’m only asking because I don’t know. Connel again looked around. I want to protect the flora, the fauna, and the population from this, but am … well… curious… for a lack of a better word.

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

HE gave a small nod to the boy. "It could be dangerous either way... killing it normally could be difficult. Bringing a ship down here and being able to carry the ordinance to do such an action would be hard enough... infusing it with the darkside could create mutations or even more dangerous possibilities the closer to its mouth one goes." He said it and looked while the wookiee was moving forward. "But leaving it here alive, it might be able to keep growing and stretching outwards... either with tendrils to grab food or areas of its stomach itself... it could stretch to the temple which would be more dangerous." He said it and it was an observation more then a fact... whatever it was or whatever the outcome they would have to figure something out about it.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

He understood what Syn was bringing up, it was all something that Connel was already thinking about at that point. This was going to get worse if they do something, it was going to get worse if they don’ do something. Either way…

Shaking his head, he jumped down near where they were.

I need to be able to look at myself in the mirror, and I couldn’t if I knew this thing was out here getting bigger and bigger and threatening… I mean… “law of the wild” is one thing… but this… this is a target as a weapon for the Sith too…

He didn’t move, and would follow their lead, but Connel was going to give his opinion.

We have a chance now… He looked down on the Sarlacc. When will it get to the point where we won’t? You know?

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

He gave a nod. "A creature like this... the darkside corrupts it and spreads from it. The world is already altered and predatory with its creatures which has masked it." He didn't know it was the black vault but the sarlacc was massive in many more dangerous ways. Walking towards the central area as fangs and spines were extending more and more. "The benefit for us is we know where it is and it isn't something that could just move around or be taken easily." He was glad for that... something like this being able to be taken to other worlds easily could be dangerous in most cases.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

The last comment actually made Connel laugh.

Too bad for that, we could just drop the thing on Korriban.

Walking nearby, really probing and examining the huge monstrosity of a being, he was half fascinated, half disgusted at this point. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. He felt a mix of fear and wonder as he gazed at the creature.

So… cordone it off… He looked up. Contain it? Is that really something we could do?

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

"THe jedi tried dropping things on Korriban... it didn't end wekll for anyone when Selena found out." He had respected the older grandmaster and she had pulled them back together but the fights on korriban were not something good to face. "As to this, we could but it might grow larger... it might be able to do other things.. the villages are rarely in the shadowlands which would mean its reach with its tendrils is much longer then we might know." He was looking at it though and walked around some what.... "But securing the area and getting teams out here to map it and the area to give an idea of the size. It could be as large and dangerous as the abyss on Felucia."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

It was a joke, dude…[/COLOR]

He didn’t really show it, but Connel found Syn’s response funny. It did not matter though at this point as the prevailing situation was how to deal with this huge Sarlacc, it’s not like Tatooine. The potential disaster could be tremendous.

Then let’s do that?

Frankly, he was getting a little creeped out by the thing and his time on Kashyykk has given him a little more perspective on just how important life was and what had to be done in order to preserve it. He knew that if the creature was allowed to continue unchecked, it could mean the end of this world. He had to make a stand and do something to stop it.

I can call Master Vanagor. He can call some in…

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

"It would be for the best, Master Rossi can give what information she has." He said it as he stood there... letting the Alema map what it could and send the information. He was mentally mapping it as he knew what to sense now with the force and what to pull from the energy. He was moving finally and motioning as the wookiee was positioned with some of the teeth around. Moving more branches so she could climb around and avoid touching the ground where it might have tendrils able to come up and grab. She kept her saber on her back beforeSyn jumped up and touching the tree with his nails digging into the bark.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

Hitting the comm-link on his gauntlet, Connel waited a moment before there was a response “Go ahead”. On the other end, he took a moment to collect his thoughts on what to say. A moment later, he looked and leaned inward.

Going to need a team at these coordinates I’m sending.

He did not want to give information openly over the comms, even though they were secure, it was not a good idea to put information out there as he did not know who might be around the one he was talking to on the other end. He instead chose to use an encrypted messaging app. This way, he could be sure that his messages were secure and only read by the intended recipient.

I will explain when they get here.

 

[Syn]

Connel Vanagor

The jedi master looked at Connel and gave a nod. "THen I will return to the Alema, if I am needed for more the ships com is in the computer." He said it and moved more to ascend the trunk of the tree. "You did well enough, you survived to see another day." He said it more like a facct but it was meant as a compliment. Ascending the tree as his fingers dug into the bark and the wookiee roared for a moment but was going to another area to sit and observe. Staying just long enough for the other team to show up if it was needed.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Shadow Temple | OBJECTIVE : “Not getting a day off apparently” | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Syn | TAG (FOE) : @

Offering a sort of “two finger” salute like they do in most military.

It’s been a pleasure, the both of you.

He did not really watch either of them go, but was more involved in talking on the comm-link, not so much “coordinating” events but giving updates for all involved. It took a moment for it to hit him, what Syn had said when he stopped for a moment amid a talk with his father, assuring him that all was okay.

Did that guy actually give me a compliment?

*End