The Other Side

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This was risky, but then Cedric had always been one for exciting odds. Travelling to Confederate space was not necessarily dangerous on paper for the Jedi Master, but he knew of their more unpleasant activities. More importantly, he knew of their rather odd relationship with the Jedi: moreover how he viewed them using the Jedi loyal to their cause as pawns. He was not keen on being forced to join such a group, and thus kept his presence within the force muted as his vessel set down just outside the lab.

He had come to meet with one of the older Malverns: one who had seen a vision of the future similar to his father's own, one that had not been tainted by the corruption of the shadow. Having this one at his side would certainly help Cedric in his cause, and if nothing else would provide a bit of muscle to help defend the students. It was for that purpose that the Jedi Master had come alone.

He strode up to the doors of the lab clad in full battle plate. It was not that he distrusted the Malvern, but rather that he did not trust the machinations of the Confederacy as a whole. There was always a possibility this was a trap.

"Asher Malvern, it's Cedric Grayson. I've come to speak with you," he announced himself as he rapped his knuckles on the door.

[member="Asher Malvern"]

 

[Asher Malvern]

Asher had spent the better part of his morning in his lab. Hell, he'd spent the better part of the last month in his labs. It was the only place where he could find some semblance of peace. Maybe not peace, but at least rest. The wars raged on around him, but he could not be bothered. He'd all but detached himself from the outside world. He was just an iron monger now, a maker of machines that lesser men would is to wage their wars. Was it right? No. But he'd given up on the right path a long time ago.

Sweat dripped from his brow as he struggled to adjust the winch he'd just installed on a new tactical vehicle he'd been working on. When the winch would not budge he stepped back, huffing audibly before pulling at the thick leader gloves on his hands. He held a hand out to the winch, his sweat soaked palm aimed for the metal attachment. Closing his eyes, he tried to force the world around him to melt away, allowing him to utilize the unseen powers of The Force. Just as the winch began to give the faintest shiver, Asher's eyes shot open. The rapping of armored knuckles on his door caused him to turn to his labs main entrance.

Asher's breathing was still labored but it made no difference. He grabbed a towel from a nearby table, wiping his face as he made his way to the door. When he opened the door, his expression was as it usually was. Unreadable. Whether he was happy to see the Grayson or not was not for the armored man to know. Instead he merely inhaled, nodding at the Jedi in greeting. “Cedric.” He spoke curtly, before opening the door. “Thought you were dead.” Asher turned from the door, leaving it open for the former Archlord. The older man made his way over to his desk, which was covered in various papers and schematics. He cleared the desk, coughing softly as he moved the papers to the ground.

“Want a drink? All I have is water.” He shrugged, settling into his seat and producing a pack of cigarras, tossing them on the table in front of him. He pulled one of the cylinders from the pack and set it in between his teeth before lighting it. He took a light drag from the cigarra before exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air above him. “So. What do you want, Cedric?” He asked, crystal blue eyes locked on the man before him.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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There was not much that Cedric recalled of Asher Malvern. In his youth, Cedric had grown up alongside the Malverns. As the Lord of Serenno, the noble family had been tied closely to Ession, and in turn Ession's own lords, the Graysons. Cedric had known Adron quite well up until the man's fall, but his dealings with Asher had always been measured and short. The Jedi Master had assumed that Asher was simply one that chose to keep to himself, and judging from the workshop he found himself in, that much was the truth. It was only by chance that he had learned of Asher's presence here, and going behind the back of the other Malverns to speak with him would surely earn Cedric some ire.

Not that he gave much of a kark about that.

"I'm alright," Cedric waved a hand as refreshment was offered. He reached up and drew back his cowl, followed by the popping of the pressure seals that made his suit a privatized climate. The helmet was clipped to his belt, revealing a patrician face that might have been handsome were it not so mangled with scar tissue. "I could go for eternal life. A few large breasted Echani girls would certainly make my day better too, and perhaps a few crates of spice," Cedric mused as he leaned back against a workbench.

His arms folded about his chest as he regarded the elder Malvern. "Truthfully I've come to see what has become of you Asher. Given everything I've heard of Adron, I assumed you'd be standing at the Confederacy as well." He gestured all around, "Truthfully I think this suits you more - it's more in line with what I expected."

[member="Asher Malvern"]

 

[Asher Malvern]

The Serennoan met the Jedi's wit with a brief chuckle. It was light hearted and did not dare reach his eyes, but it had been there. He pulled his ashtray closer to him, dumping a small wisp of ashes into the metallic canisters. “Maybe I can find you an Echani, but no promises.” He returned, before exhaling another hue of smoke into the air. There was still the matter of why Grayson had felt a need to call on the former Jedi. Asher had not even held a lightsaber in almost ten years, there was no way the man could be intent on bringing him into his war? No. Not that. Surely not.

When the man spoke of Asher's nephew his expression became as still as evening waters on a lake. Still, there was a flare of emotion far beneath the surface. Asher's nephew had fallen to the Dark Side, so long ago. To Asher, who had been raised to believe a Sith was the greatest evil, there was nothing to be said. So silence held the room for a moment until he finally spoke, in turn.

“That boy is a Sith Lord now. Not my concern." Asher muttered, though the venom you would expect was not entirely there. When the man said his current location was more in line with what he'd expected, Asher let a brief smile come to his face. “My father would disagree.” He huffed, before leaning back in his chair and taking another drag from his cigarette. “So what are you really here for Grayson? I haven't been so out of touch that I don't remember who you are.” He said, showing a playful smile, but quickly chasing it with an inquisitive gaze.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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"I'll hold you to that," Cedric fired back. He'd always been one to enjoy a verbal duel, especially when they weren't of hostile intent. Still, it was rather obvious Cedric had not come here simply to catch up. His arms folded about his chest as he cast his gaze around the workshop, seeming momentarily distracted as Asher spoke of Adron. The two had similar opinions on what had become of the promising Jedi Lord they had each seen grow up, and neither of them were particularly pleasant.

There was a pregnant silence as Asher asked of Cedric's true purpose. With others, he might have given them a proper spin on the situation. It was easy to drag people to your way of thinking so long as you could be charming when you did it, but Asher was a different case. He was an experienced warrior, albeit one whom had hung up his sword nearly a decade ago. Even still, Asher was far too intelligent for Cedric to sway with colored words. He needed the truth.

"I don't know if you heard, but Ession's been glassed, and the alliance we forged to avenge it has fallen. All courtesies of the Sith," Cedric explained with no lack of disdain to his voice. "My people have finally recovered from those tragedies. Now, I'm looking for men and women of a particular caliber. The Light has grown dim as of late, and I worry that full Sith dominance is upon us. I need followers of the Light to help bring us back to the fore," he counted out on his fingers, "Teachers, warriors, priests, devout followers, children of the Ashla. I know of you history, and I know that you stepped away from the Order, but now is the time when you are needed most. I cannot save us and our way of life without help Asher."

[member="Asher Malvern"]