Source of the Current

[Taeli Raaf]

Well things were not going so well back home, she had seen. Lasedri had gone full Daala on everyone, using a clone army to seize assets and usurp the government in a coup. Taeli knew she would need to be going back to Republic space very soon, but she wanted to wrap up here. After the holo-conference with other corporate leaders, she knew things were going to be much different soon.

Sitting in the cockpit of her ship, she smiled a little as she looked at the orb that was the planet of Kyrikal. She was still waiting for Connor to come up to the cockpit, wondering what could be taking him so long to get ready for their trip to down below. She wondered if he was starting a routine on cryo and if he remembered he had promised to teach her shatterpoint once they were finished learning from the Fallanassi.

"Connor, are you ready?" she yelled back into the proper part of the ship. Was her waiting patient? Ehhhh, it was more patient than anyone might expect from her, but she was anxious to continue.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Alright, keep your pants on!"

Like a bickering couple, time spent together coasting the galaxy was showing and as usual, they knew which buttons to push to irk the other. Connor rubbed his hands and dropped the chunk of ice onto the towel, and moved with a quickened pace through the passageway and up into the cockpit, slipping into the co-pilots chair as usual.

"I thought you were putting her down, sorry, I was just brushing up on a few things."

Rubbing his freshly shaven face, he missed his stubble at times. There was something missing, and he often wondered if it was time to change physically as well as mentally and emotionally. Still, that wasn't important. They had a journey to finish. He looked over at Taeli, the brow furrowed. The chimes sounded in the ship.

"You ok?"

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Just a little anxious," Taeli said, flipping the switches on the comm array to a general hailing message. "Not putting down yet, need to broadcast a message first. You look good by the way."

She wasn't entirely sure which moon they would be hiding on, there were plenty of them after all, but she had a hunch. Kyrikal IX had the same type of environment as Pyrdr did, and it was a logical guess that they would choose there to keep younger members at ease with the move. So, aiming her comm antenna towards that moon, she began transmitting a message.

"This is Jedi Master Taeli Raaf of the Republic Jedi Order and Jedi Master Connor Harrison of the Silver Jedi Order to the Fallanassi Order," she said. "We have come to learn and perhaps share some of our knowledge with your order, we have no hostile intentions and no intentions to share your location to anyone you do not wish to know about it. We found the music box and followed the clues it left behind to this location. We will be landing at these coordinates ... if you want to meet."

With that, she closed the comm array down and took them down to land at the specified coordinates.

"Let's hope they are in the mood to talk," she said to Connor as they landed on the edge of one of the islands. "They're notoriously reclusive so I just hope they answer in some way because they're probably watching us to see if what we said were true."

Lowering the boarding ramp, she looped her arm around Connor's and led him outside to sit at the base of the ramp.

Spoiler

[member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

She wasn't telling him everything. Taeli wasn't radiating the same level of confidence and calm she often did. Something else was happening behind the scenes, but it wasn't his place to push her, not yet. He was still new to all this. With a gentle nod, he looked out over the cockpit to where she took them and left her message.

Following her up and out of the cockpit, listening as they exited the ship, Connor patted her hand through his arm and sat with her, leaning back on his arms.

"Well I thought you left a pretty clear message, so we will see. I'm sure they will respect us for finding them and following the path this far. We have no hostile aims or wish to expose them - simply to learn, and so hopefully that will be enough."

He pursed his lips and looked out over the clearing where they had landed on Kyrikal IX, he liked the look of the place.

"You sure everything's ok?"

One thing he found hard to learn, was to let things be.

[member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

 

[Nohemi Allaneh]

[member="Taeli Raaf"] [member="Connor Harrison"]


Hathor Ame's slanted brown eyes would peer through the fringe of trees, her head canted just to the right. She was listening, honing in on the subtle shifts of the currents of the Force. She wasn't the only one.

Mire, and the twins, Wrey and Yeina were with her in this particular scouting patrol. There was a heighten sense of awareness for the Adepts of the Order of the White Current. Their exodus had brought them to a new home here on this jungle moon, the Levantine Sanctum and Master Jaxton Ravos allowing them to find a measure of peace away from the Sith threat of the former Sith Empire.

The scattered hyperspace detectors along former Levantine Space allowed for the isolated Fallanassi community to have an early warning for any outworlders were they to reach the system, so they were well aware of that lone ship before the broadcast had been sent to identify themselves. Caution was standard procedure, only a few of their kind since the exodus from Pydyr had ever had contact with the Jedi Order -- and that wasn't including the many incarnations of it that came after.

Few knew that the Order of the White Current now lay here, and those that did respected their desire for privacy. So it would be to no surprise that there would be no welcome party, at least a visible one. The four in the scouting party were well immersed in the White Current, hiding their presence. For now, they would get a closer look.

They knew well that words could very well be deception in disguise.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

"No, not everything is okay..." Taeli sighed, looking out over the ocean and then into the jungle. She had that prickly feeling on the back of neck like someone was watching them, for all she knew the Fallanassi probably were watching the pair for any hostile intent. Fishing around in her robe's pocket, she pulled out her datapad and handed him it. A constant stream of news was playing across it ... the full glory of what was happening back in the Republic for all to see.

"Prime Minister Lasedri has essentially declared martial law back home and kicked the Senate out of session," she whispered. "She has a clone army, Connor, over two hundred million strong and they've begun seizing private company assets. We might be watching the next Daala or Palpatine trying to rise, simply because Lasedri is afraid of losing the war with the Sith. So, while we're here to learn ... things are unraveling at home. That's why I'm a little anxious, beyond knowing that we have to wait for the Fallanassi to make contact."

It really was a bad situation that was unfolding. Lasedri hadn't targeted the Jedi yet ... but it might only be a matter of time before her mind decided to go after them for some reason or other.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Taking the datapad, he looked up over it towards the jungle, speared on by the same feeling Taeli had. There was nothing apparent…but they wouldn’t be left long without being watched. Still, there was nothing to hide from these two. He looked down and read the scrolling news while she narrated.

He shook his head. Something once thought so strong was now showing the cracks all foundations did over time. It was like a vicious circle, and now it was coming to a head to a point that would dictate where the galaxy turns again, and what heroes and villains rose from the power play it presented.

”Let’s leave here,” he was serious, and looked to her, lowering the pad, ”and let me go with you and help you and the Republic. We can end this, we can make it right.”

Connor nodded his head to the jungle. ”The Fallanassi can wait, surely?”

He placed an arm around her shoulder, feeling a great urge to protect her – but in his state? He wouldn’t be the protector, probably the one who would end up needing protecting again. That would have to change.

”Are the others safe? Has there been a move against any Jedi yet? With the support they have, Lasedri can’t turn them into the enemy, right?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

"No, she hasn't gone after the Jedi yet and might be a little hard to do so," Taeli said. "We relocated the temple to the Lothal system so we're not even based in Republic territory anymore. However, Lasedri is nothing if not charismatic and she could use the example of how many Jedi have fallen to the dark side as evidence that we need to be ... restrained. You remember how I was on the comm forever? I was in a holo-conference with other business leaders to discuss the crisis. Several are going to be striking at the clone army's cloning facilities ... and I doubt my sister will let Lasedri continue with everything. No, we're fine to stay out here ... I'm just a little worried what I'll be going back to."

 

[Connor Harrison]

He shook his head – the galaxy really DID keep turning even when he wasn’t looking.

”She won’t be in power for long if this keeps up. Don’t worry – I know people in the Republic also, maybe they can help you out if needed.”

With a gentle stroke of his thumb on her shoulder, he shook his palm gently to try feebly to reassure her.

”After we’re done here, head back and do what you need to do for the Jedi, and yourself. I have a few errands to run and then maybe it’s time I faced what I have to do with the Silver Sanctum. And then, we can see how it all stands when we’re back out in the galaxy again.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

"Well, I hope you've enjoyed this leg of our journey at least," she said, smiling a little. "I mean you've seen some places and worlds you might never have had if I didn't push you to join ... and of course, you have me now."

The last part was said with a teasing edge to it, just to show some affection really.

"You've grown a lot in the last few weeks, wouldn't you say?"

 

[Connor Harrison]

Trying to hide his half-embarrassed, half-cocky smile, he looked away out to the lush greens, orange and browns of the mountains and jungles ahead, radiating nothing but calm.

”It feels like a dream, but it feels good. It’s like there’s been a bubble around us during all this and nothing else matters, but of course, reality reminds us it does.”

He took his hands and rested them on his knees.

”I’ve learnt a great deal, and the real test will be to use it out there, where it’s needed. And to build bridges. Be the Jedi I was born to be. And, I guess, make it…public, between us?”

With a chuckle, he looked to her.

”That’ll be weird. THAT will be a big reality hit.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

 

[Nohemi Allaneh]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Taeli Raaf"]

Hathor gave a silent motion of her hand, gesturing for the twins and Mire to move closer. The twins were to go to the right to investigate if there were other outworlders, while Mire was to join Hathor to the left. Silently, moving as quiet as a Nexu through the prairie grass, the Fallanassi scouting party would draw near. As the distance grew shorter, Hathor was able to pick up more and more of their conversation.

Her brown eyes would narrow, ear perked. She would let her gaze appraise their stance, reading their body language. Where there others? There could very well could be.

Were they really from the Jedi Order? They mentioned the music box that had been given to Master Raxos long ago. The only way that they could have discerned the scripted message was through some basic understanding of the White Current.

Hmm... this required a little bit more investigation.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

"Well some people will say it took long enough," Taeli laughed. "I'm glad you've learned on this trip we've been on. I know I said only two months, but I'll probably be going to other places if you ever want to tag along ... once things settle down again for the Republic and the Jedi. Benefit of having a ship like mine is I can always be in contact with people if need be."

While dealing with the current crisis was going to suck up plenty of her time, including her duties as a Jedi Master, she did have more places she wanted to visit on her list.

"You know me, always have to be learning or studying something," she said with a smile.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor looked around. This was taking too long. He brushed the dust from his hands and stood up, frowning a little towards the jungle.

”You know I'll accompany you if you'd have me,” he turned down to her. ”Someone has to look out for you.”

Diffusing his actions with a small smile, he turned back around and looked at nothingness, trying to find something.He couldn't pick up any life signatures, but that meant nothing around these beings. He would have thought a people not wanting to be found, on the arrival of outsiders like these, would have made themselves known and their terms set. The fact nobody was here, apparently, made him think quite the opposite.

”I say we give them one more minute, and if nothing then we report this place to the Republic and Silver Sanctum. It's obviously the wrong planet and we don't want others wasting time looking for these people.”

He may be trying to change, but you could never really take the daring attitude of one who liked to push things to get results.

Holding his hand out, he beckoned Taeli up.

[member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"One thing you must learn, my dear, is to have patience," Taeli stated. "Things are bad back home for me, but there isn't anything I can do even if I rushed back to deal with them. No ... this is the right world, I can feel it in my bones, we need merely be calm and wait for them. We also will leave any mention of this moon out of any reports we file ... they wouldn't like it if every Jedi in the galaxy descends on their tranquil isle in the middle of the storm."

She loved him for his daring nature, but one thing Connor wasn't was patient. She did take his hand, but she remained seated with a smile. That prickly feeling of being watched hadn't disappeared so she had a feeling they were here, hiding under the White Current.

"Oh, there is one thing you might be able to do while we wait," she said. "If you would be a dear and fetch me the music box from my safe? And whatever you do, do not open the other container in there. It has a very powerful holocron contained within I'm transporting, and I don't want the seal breaking on it and letting any whispers out. Understand?"

She was trying to make it vague on purpose, but she hoped he would pick up that it was a Sith holocron by the fact it was sealed up tight.

 

[Nohemi Allaneh]

[member="Taeli Raaf"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

By now, Hathor and her group were quietly closing in. They caught sight of the brunette woman, of their low conversation. Quiet contemplation would settle upon Hathor's normally steely visage. There was that mention of the music box again.

With a small hand movement, they would step closer. Perhaps they would be able to discern if it is really the same music box given to Master Ravos. And if it was, why did this woman have it.

Nine meters. Seven. Then five. The White Current completely immersed them within that flowing river, until Hathor stood not three meters away from Taeli Raaf.

Her brown eyes would search the woman's face, take note of her violet eyes. She didn't see any measure of corruption...

Could she really be from the Jedi Order?

 

[Connor Harrison]

Not making a move, Taeli took control of the situation with her reasonable words, all the while holding Connor’s hand. He wrapped his fingers around her palm and gently squeezed with a nod of the head at her request.

”Yes, my dear. Of course,” he said playfully.

Backing away, he bowed, as if a servant would to a Queen at her command. He continued to bow a few more steps until he reached the ship’s ramp and grinned to himself as he walked up it, into the cooler confines of the sleek transport. He ambled through the ship to her quarters and walked straight in, direct to the safe behind a picture of Corellia on the far wall.

Grateful for the trust she showed in him by granting him access to her safe – little things mean a lot – he opened it. It was a deep safe on two levels and on the bottom was the music box that he took with his hands and held tight.

Looking up to the top shelf, the closed container was there with the holocron inside. She hadn’t mentioned the holocron before until now, and the fact she hadn’t intrigued him more. Looking at the basic box with carvings along the edge, he ran his finger along the lock and around the edge wondering what secrets lay inside.

His eyes ran over it, and around the side out of sheer curiosity. This was something to keep an eye on.

Stepping back with a satisfied smile, he closed the safe, reset the combination lock and replaced the picture. He had what he needed.

[member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]

While Connor was retrieving the music box, Taeli continued to look out over the surroundings. Something was nagging at her, the feeling she was being watched was definitely still present ... well there was only so much they could do until the Fallanassi revealed themselves. Closing her eyes, she slipped into a meditative state for a moment, just letting the natural ebb and flow of things pass over her.

So much had been happening lately, she just wanted to take the time to just let the Force flow through and over her, to ease away the tension of the past few weeks. Crisis and war ... but there were upsides to life lately, getting the chance to study from others, traveling with Connor. She just hoped he wouldn't be tempted to peek in the other box. That holocron was dangerous after all.

 

[Nohemi Allaneh]

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

Hathor's eyes would narrow.

She could feel it, just the subtlest of manipulations through the current from the one standing before her. In the distance the twins and Mire would look at her. They felt it too.

Not as strong as an Adept who would be able to discern their presence, but it was there.

A nod was sent over to Wrey and Yeina to follow the male's movements. They would act, but not quite yet.

No, I want to see what else you can do...

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor hummed gently to himself, looking back over his shoulder into the ship towards that mysterious box, and made his way to the ramp and the welcoming light of the outside. Taeli was sat a few meters from the ship where he left her. However he didn't like this. No Jedi arrivals would be left to their own devices without some surveillance or test. He stopped at the base of the ramp and turned 360 slowly.

”You have nothing to fear from us,” he said to anyone listening. ”Stop playing games and let us show you.”

His blues eyes darted around and he slowly started to walk towards Taeli, music box in hand. When he came beside her, he remained stood and held it down to her, still looking around.

”This is getting annoying now. They know we are here. We know they are here. What are they doing?”

He took in the mountains in the distance, the waters across where they were, the jungles, the paths they were near. Nothing.

[member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Nohemi Allaneh"]