The Cradle Will Fall .. [Boo and Norah]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Approaching Voss​

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He woke up, disorientated and with a stiff neck, and someone needed to shut off those infernal alarms. Théo pulled himself up off the floor of the cockpit and rubbed his sleepy eyes. "Are we there yet?".

The events of the trip had Théo worn out and all he wanted was to see his parents now, a long warm bath and bed. With a bit of luck, there had been a change of shift in Voss Control and they would open communications with someone more sympathetic to their plight. The last ones they spoke to, did not believe them, that they are carrying children from that ill fated trip to Midvinter and had threatened to blown them up on entry.

Théo could only hope that Boo's plan would work and only time would tell. Norah had disappeared toward the back of the ship and Théo had not seen her since than, her empty tummy might bring her back to the auotchef soon. Théo's empty tummy guided him to it once more but found it was depleted as they had to feed all the other children before them. Water supply was running low too, so he only took enough to quench his dry mouth.

Sitting down in the co-pilot seat, he rubbed the back of his neck to try and removed the stiffness and looked over the panel to see they would be coming out of hyperspace very soon.

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"]​

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"]


Norah had hid out in the refresher as long as she could. At least she had a good thirty minutes or so to herself before a youngling had knocked on the door. The boy was dancing around and clearly in distress, so she had given up her own little world for the greater good. So to speak. Remembering all of her things in the cargo hold, Norah had wandered back in the direction of her bag.


Everything was still sitting on her crate. Datapad came out of the bag and she went to work scrunching up the bag to her liking on the crate. Her body soon followed, using the somewhat stiff bag as a pillow. It wasn't ideal but it was certainly better than nothing at this point. The datapad lay at her side, off. Her eyes were heavy and sleep soon overtook her. A soft wheeze could be heard from her motionless form now and again, even the younglings walking about didn't disturb her.


Knowing what they didn't, the last couple of hours had been emotionally taxing. Sleep was a priority for the redhead.

 

[Micah tol Powl]

"I believe in Balagoth, second of Sargon, the Dead One. In his shadow, that which is corruptible shall be reclaimed."

Alone in the cockpit, the young Pantoran spent the time preparing for their arrival at Voss in his own way. Secluded to one side of the cockpit section, the blue-skinned boy knelt prostrate on the grated metal floor. Between his hands was the intricate string of prayer beads which had been wrapped around his left wrist. A heavy crystal icon hung at one end, with beads of gem, ore, or bone suspended on the strand. Round and round the religious wheel went in his hands, as the mimicking the spin of the galactic disk. As each bead passed between his thumb and forefinger, it brought the child's devotion to another rote prayer. "I believe in Halrormalenth, third of Sargon, the Broken Creator. His voice is the evidence of things seen and unseen."

Above where the youngling lay, prostrating himself, the mottled sea of hyperspace shifted. The tunnels of color began muted shades of gray, until there was only pure white. The white separated into strands, revealing a black backdrop. The stands became pearls. Solitary points of light against the familiar darkness of space. Worlds. Moons. Asteroids. Space stations. Suspended against the heavens.

The bead passed through the fingers. The string drawn taut, as a larger piece of bone arrived next at his fingertips. "The first mystery is the mystery of faith," the boy whispered, head bowed as he uttered, "I believe in the Primeval, the Host Lord, and the words of the Prophet. I wait for the Reclamation, when the stars shall give up their dead and all things will be re-made."

Three links of chain, followed by a star sapphire. "Hail Nogras, full of light. Blessed are you among Creation and blessed is the light of your stars. Holy Starmaker, light the way for we who dwell in darkness, now and at the hour of our death." A pause, in which the youngling made a gesture symbolic of genuflecting toward one's gods. Then again. "Hail Nogras, full of light. Blessed are you among Creation..."

A resonance. The familiar pulse of a turbolaser.

The view port was illuminated in a brilliant glow of color, as the shot sailed over the nose of the Sith Infiltrator. As it did, a loud burst of static broke over the commlink.

"You will not deviate from the assigned flight path."

Slowly, the purple-haired youth rose to his feet, wrapping the reverie chain around his wrist as he moved to stand beside the astromech pilot. As the familiar sight of Voss loomed larger and larger in the starscape ahead, the droid gave a warbling chirp. Whatever the question, the boy seemed to ignore it as he reached down to toggle an intercom throughout the ship. "We've arrived at Voss," the boy announced, for the sake of Theo, Norah, and the others. "We'll be at the Jedi Temple soon."

As the boy released the switch, a pair of patrol ships bearing the insignia of the Antarian Rangers moved into position to escort the sleek ship to its destination.

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Théo just about jumped out the of co-pilots seat as Boo appeared out of nowhere. Although Théo had known Boo was there, and had vaguely heard his whispers, he was to groggy to have comprehended them and too tired to be alert in the force. He recalled something about Gods and Dead ones, which all sounded rather bleak to Théo. But that would all have to wait.

The communications opened warning them to keep path and soon escort ships would be flying along side them. Well that was actually a good thing, they had not been shot out of the skies without a question. Boo's plan might actually work!

"I will be happy to believe you when we are walking up the steps to the Temple", he said keeping a keen eye on the scanners and sensors for any sign that the Ranger ships had powered up and 'locked target'.

​

[member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]​

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]



Hearing the announcement, Norah decided it was best to come out of hiding.The redhead had been half-asleep for this portion of the trip.Driny seemed a bit easier if one didn't know the exact moment they were going to get blown to pieces. Fate seemed to be having different ideas for her today though. Picking her way through the younglings, the redhead slowly worked her way to the cockpit.


Norah made her way past Theo and Boo to look out the transparisteel at their surroundings. Escort ships had come to bring them down to the planet. Fine red brow lofted. Great, was she now going to end up in a cold cell too? Seemed liked it. Military types weren't going to stand around and ask questions right away to sort this out.


"Looks like we all might be getting the cell treatment today."

 

[Micah tol Powl]

The young Pantoran heard the girl's voice, turning his head to look over at the ginger.

Amber eyes seemed to contemplate what she said. The mind of a child soldier conditioned to think as an agent in the shadows now working to try and foresee the variables and potential outcomes of this action.

"Doubtful," the boy said finally, speaking softly as he thought through her reasoning.

He'd been to Voss as a Levantine Cadet with the FrontierCorps, and taken the opportunity to see the Voss Temple when his ship had docked inside the hangar to the Jedi Academy there. From what he'd been able to observe, it seemed that the detention facilities within were relatively light. Certainly not intended for any long-term prison use. And definitely not for housing juveniles. Simply put, it was a temple. Not a prison. Any use of it as such was outside the scope of its intended use or purpose.

"The Silver Jedi Council would not agree to hold younglings as prisoners," the boy remarked aloud. This was an honest belief, born of what he'd observed as to the behavior of the Silver Jedi during the Zygerria invasion. As well as the Primeval reports from Ziost, in which the Silver Sanctum had avoided targets likely to produce civilian casualties.

The Primeval solution was, of course, to make increased use of human shields for the next invasion.

What did that say about either faction? On the one hand, by taking the moral highroad the Sanctum exposed an exploitable strategy to an enemy for whom death and life were inconsequential. On the other, it perpetuated the perception of the Primeval as a death cult. Monsters. An evil culling the galaxy.

"The Antarian Rangers provide security here, but the Jedi control what takes place." Were this a different Sanctum world, then the boy might easily arrive at Norah's same conclusion as to how this would play out. But this was Voss. And Voss was different for the fact that the Council wasn't some hypothetical think-tank on the other end of the comlink. It was here.

As the R3 droid brought the ship down to the landing pad, the blue-skinned boy made his way down to the loading ramp.

To let the younglings off the ship, and see who had come to greet them.

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Norah sure did have a dim view on the military, she must have had some bad experiences in her life with them for her to know this. Or she had been listening to some bad events in the lives of others. But the Silver Sanctum are not these people and Boo was correct, his father [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] would never permit children to be detained this way, let alone tortured!

"Well actually, the government of Voss is in charge but the Silver Sanctum have a very good relationship with them, and the Jedi provide protection for all the citizens of Voss as well as the other systems under it's protection". Théo added as he followed Boo and Norah down the ramp.

Naturally, Théo knows this place well, and even some of the ground crew are familiar to him as he looks around hoping to find someone that will verify his identity. The children from the ship gathered around not really sure where they need to be going or what would become of them, such frighten faces looked back to Théo, a sense of uncertainty and confusing, even fear as they wondered if they would see their families again.

Théo suspected that the arrival of a Prime ship on Voss would have sent a message to his father and mother, or at the very least, the council. Someone would come to investigate surely!

​

[member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] ​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The news of a lone Primeval ship descending on Voss sure had his ears perked, but Thurion had a far worse headache concerning the sudden disappearance of his son, as well as a whole group of younglings. He and Coci had been beside themselves with worry, so when it was then reported that the Primeval ship being escorted by Voss security contained nothing but 'a bunch of kids', Thurion dropped everything and made his way towards the space port. He even walked out in the middle of a Council session, his excuse being that he must 'see to the safety of our future'. Coci would know what it meant, and the two shared a look before he left, leaving her to continue the meeting.

Using a readily available speeder parked outside the temple grounds intended for quick access between the nearest space port and the Silver Temple, Thurion headed there with all haste. Not bothering to park the speeder once there, it was left outside as he entered the large building. Already he could tell where he needed to go due to all the commotion and the people gathering around the Primeval vessel. When they noticed the sudden appearance of the Grandmaster, the crowd soon parted to reveal the group of younglings. "Théo," he let out while rushing forward to embrace his son. "My little boy! Oh, we were so worried!" He would've doted on him even more had there not been so many people present.

Once the hug ended and he got back up on his feet, Thurion looked over each of the younglings. They looked tired and hungry, but otherwise they seemed to be at good health. "You all got back safe on your own?" he asked his son, knowing there was much to tell and this was no place to go into detail. Instead he turned to the man in charge with a stern look. "There will be no reprimanding these younglings, Corporal; they are under the protection of the Silver Sanctum. Assume command of the vessel and check it for any tech we can use against her creators." He returned to the group of children, a warm smile on his lips as he took Théo by the hand. "Let's get you guys home."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

His face broke out in a wide smile as soon as he heard his name, his father had come to meet them and all the worry and fear left Théo immediately. Allowing himself to be engulfed in his father's loving arms he buried his face in his neck and threw his arms around his broad shoulders. After a long moment of simply feeling safe once more, Théo pulled away just enough to look into his father's face. "Yes we got back alone, but all thanks to my friend Boo", he said gesturing to the young boy standing close by. "If it was not for him, I don't think we would be here", he did not continue with what he would have said, simply they would all be dead.

It would not escape his father's sense that Boo was not a lightsider, the darkness within Boo is strong, but he is very different to most of them in that he cares for others. Very much a Jedi trait that dwells within him. "Father, Boo is .. is .. Primeval", he said softly so others would not hear save for those around him. "But he is good father! he saved us all and brought us all home safe". He is desperate to defend his friend and not have him placed in custody.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

At Théo's bidding, Thurion set his eyes on the Pantoran boy, his skin as blue as the midday sky on a sunny day. He got down on one knee and placed his hands lightly upon Boo's shoulders, meeting the boy's gaze. For the longest time there is no talking, other than the occasional mumbling in the background. Thurion was searching for something in the boy, prodding his mind looking for evil intent. Through it all his face was etched in stone, giving away nothing as to what he was thinking or feeling. There was only focus.

"Is what he says true?" he then finally asked. After allowing Boo a chance to come up with an answer, Thurion suddenly pulled the boy into a brief but firm embrace. "Thank you, Boo. Thank you for bringing my boy back, for saving the lives of these children." You see, Thurion paid little attention to anything having to do with Boo being Primeval, and instead focused on the part of him bringing them all home in one piece. That part carried far greater weight in discerning what sort of person the Pantoran boy was. Wherever your allegiance lies, it doesn't shape you as a person unless you let it.

His face broke into a smile once more and would remain such for a long time to come. "We would be honoured to have you stay here for as long as you like, Boo."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]​

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]


Norah was a straggler to leave the ship. She didn't entirely believe that they weren't going to be hauled off into a cold cell and fed gruel. That wasn't the real world. These sort of things happened, one just had to pick up a volume on history and read. In her mind, Theo and Boo must have been skipping out on history classes as of late. Of course she had come to realize they hadn't led the same type of life has herself, if she was sheltered in many ways so were the two boys.


Shouldering her back, she didn't see a reason to stick around. The big blonde guy -- Theo's father -- was chatting with the two. There was really no need for her here. Norah would have to figure out where [member="Dirks Hutchinson"] had dropped her off in the morning and work her way back. Shouldn't be too hard, they were already at the same spaceport.


Edging her way at the back of the crowd of younglings, Norah attempted her escape while the blonde guy was distracted. Should be easy enough.

 

[Micah tol Powl]

Well, this was uncomfortable.

The barrel-chested figure of a Jedi Lord dropped to one knee, grabbed the Pantoran by the shoulder, and... just stared.

That was it. Staring.

No talking. Just staring. The quiet game. And, by the Hutt, was Master Heavenshield good at it!

The boy's amber eyes could hold Thurion's for only a moment. Darting instead to either side, but most of all the floor as his gaze seemed to remain downcast.

He wasn't used to looking up. When you lived in the ghettos of Coruscant, all you had were buildings in lieu of sky. No clouds. No sunshine. For the world was hollow, and there was no opportunity for a guttersnipe such as himself to ever touch the sky.

"Yes."

The boy's voice was soft. As quiet as the grave when he at last spoke, in answer to the question asked of him by the Jedi Lord. Except, as his eyes darted back up from the ground, it seemed that what Theo had said about him had at last registered.

The Pantoran's Levantine Academy uniform was black with dried blood. His hands and arms bearing the cuts and bruises of someone who had wrestled the life from his enemies.

He was not good.

People, like him, never were.

"No," the youth uttered, contradicting himself. And then finding himself having to explain to discrepancy. "I mean, yes. Yes, I'm Primeval but..."

But what?

"I'm not..." the Pantoran began, before pausing again. In his mind's eye, he could see the face of a Togruta padawan. Or the elderly shopkeeper on Lorrd. Or the Gamorrean guard at the station where they'd been held captive.

So many bodies, heaped atop a list of sins he couldn't possibly hope to recall in entirety. Let alone atone for.

"...someone you should thank."

His voice dropped to less than a whisper, his eyes again darting away. From Thurion. From Theo.

And instead found himself looking at a red-headed human girl. "Norah!" the Pantoran blurted aloud, suddenly eager for the attention and spotlight to be on someone else.

"This... this is Norah. She's..." the boy began, gesturing to direct Thurion's attention over to the girl. "She's really who you should be thanking."

Why? What could he say to quickly propel the girl to hero status? "She can slice a broom closet like you wouldn't believe!" the Pantoran boasted of the girl.

"Uh, the lock that is."

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

A strong sense of relief filled Théo as father spoke to Boo and at the mention of Norah, Théo looked around for her too. He could just make out the top of her head disappearing into the crowd of children, she was easy to find with that flaming red hair, something one might be told in ones life if one was to have such a mane of it.

"Norah where are you going!", he yelled out to her before racing off to get her. "That is my Papa", he told her as he caught up to her and pointed back to him. "See? he will not let anything bad happen to you".

He tugged at her sleeve to encourage her to come and meet his father. "I promise you, no one is in trouble or will be locked away". He knew of her reservations about this, and it may happen in other places but not on Voss, not on his Papa's watch.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"]​

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]



Norah had frozen when Boo had started to mention her name. Why was he mentioning her?! Norah had done absolutely nothing on the entire trip besides whack Boo upside the head with a broomstick handle. Her bright blue eyes narrowed at the boy. If looks could kill...well, Boo would probably be severely injured in the process. She has nearly been 'homefree' , about to slip away in the night, only to be a flame haired memory for all the younglings involved.


Theo didn't make matters any better. He shouted her name and ran to her, tugging on her sleeve and pointing towards his father. He seemed very proud of his father...which was a good thing she supposed. Norah didn't know her father on such a level so she had nothing to base the emotions Theo had. No experience to draw from. Well...perhaps Hutch and Holofilm Dads counted a little bit, didn't they?


"Thats uh...great....I didn't do anything" Norah mumbled a little, embarrassed at all the attention. "Yeah...maybe I can meet your Dad some other time Theo...I got to figure out where I ran away from this morning so Hutch doesn't get worried and yell at me. Really...I can't stay."


Norah tried taking her sleeve back from the boy, tried to slink away.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

He could sense the conflict going on inside the poor boy. There was a feeling of shyness, of being uncomfortable that he very much could relate to. This boy had none of the things so suddenly introduced to him growing up, much like himself when a young boy. Thanks to his older brother's courage and Master Asha's unconditional love he was able to move past all that. Boo still had to face the steep climb that awaited him. Once on the other side, however, the Pantoran lad would be able to appreciate life in a new, healthy way. "It's okay, son. You don't have to say anything. Just know you have a place with us no matter what."

When suddenly a redheaded girl was singled out by the two boys, Thurion rose to his feet and approached her. Kneeling before her as he had with Boo, Thurion calmly took her by both hands and wrapped them within the warmth of his palms. If she truly wished to yank free and escape, he would not stop her. "Norah, no-one is going to yell at you. Why don't you let us find your father for you? You can stay here while we search. I'm sure Théo and Boo here would love it if you did," he told her with soft voice. "It doesn't matter what you did or didn't do," he then spoke for all the children to hear, gathering around him. "You are all heroes to me. When I grow up, I want to be just like you guys."

[member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"]


Despite being in a less than chipper mood due to being caught, Norah didn't pull away. Part of her considered it bad manners and she was trying to live up to the expectations her mother had set forth. Slight shoulders slumped in defeat. She couldn't explain to someone she had just met about being a near-orphan so it was easier to let the man pretend that her father would be called and everything would be alright. Maybe if she stuck around and had an adult to back up her story then [member="Dirks Hutchinson"] couldn't be too terribly mad at her. Even the big blonde guy said they did fairly decent job all around -- minus hitting Boo with a broomstick of course.


Norah wanted to correct Theo's father, tell him she was a stowaway who should have never been on the trip. Seemed he already had his mind made up on the entire 'hero' thing. It made her feel terrible if she was honest about it. Growing up, heroes were people that did things....good things. Not stowaway and nearly get some kids killed.


Instead she remained quiet. Sometimes it wasn't worth fighting what someone already decided.