The Time is Now. [Evacuation of Yavin Academy]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

[member="Oren Rekali"]

"The sent message to you should have indicated we are here to aid with the evacuation of the Academy. The Academy on Voss is part of the Jedi Academy Network and so has connections to Yavin. However, I do not have any reservations in accepting your escort to Yavin. But if the aid of the Silver Sanctum is not welcomed here then tell me and I shall return to Voss with the ships and inform the Assembly of your decision. I understand you are concerned with war ships, and I have no intention of engaging in combat with anyone, however, these ships have the capacity to hold many people and it is this reason I have brought them".

 

[Kyrana Gould]

[member="Oren Rekali"]
On encountering the interdiction the SSC ships attempted to contact their fellow Coalition ships. Unwilling to escalate the situation though, the ships all bar one Frontier corvette jumped back into hyperspace.

The situation had been made bad enough without potentially starting a war. The Admiral would have to be content with the three Heavenshield Cruisers and hope they could handle whatever issues might arise.

In the meantime a request was sent to the Mandalorians to allow a Liorre Freighter through to help with the evacuation.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

"You may proceed, Silver. We will keep pace with you to the Yavin system. Act honorably and be treated honorably."

The Like Hell would continue as escort until Yavin, at which time the three SSC cruisers would encounter [member="Caspian Rekali"] and the three-kilometre monster labeled Aaralyn Rekali: a quiet but very present reminder to keep one's nose clean.


Meanwhile, [member="Kyrana Gould"] had most certainly made the right decision. The small Tegaanalir patrol ships held the line, keeping an eye on the Frontier corvette but otherwise doing nothing hostile. The request to send a Liorre bulk freighter was accepted. The freighter would not be interdicted.

Eventually, one of the patrol ships commed the Frontier corvette with a pre-recorded message.

"Welcome to Mandalorian territory! To apply for a visitor's visa, complete Form T-9 Red for each member of your crew as follows..."

The message went on for some time.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

It seemed his shiny new purchases were under attack from one large phallus measuring contest. No doubt Salacia lawyers and various asset managers were scrambling to secure an excellent insurance policy in case the entire situation went up like tinder. His gut was right, he really should have stayed in the southern end of the 'verse. This is what he got for trying out new business ideas.


Well, if they didn't glass the planet and turn it into a massive graveyard, things would hopefully turn out alright. Judah brought out his comm once more and typed out a second message.


Miss [member="Rosa Gunn"] ,


I am giving you and Miss [member="Chloe Blake"] full charge of the Temple during this situation. Do what you must but I know you both well enough not to provoke a agitated kyrat dragon. Safety is naturally my first concern, especially for the youngest of your Jedi. I am not sure what I can do for you at this point but please let me know.

-J.Dashiell

 

[Kyrana Gould]

[member="Oren Rekali"]
The Frontier Corvette put up with the message for a while, then also left.

It seemed like blundering diplomacy was a key feature of the Coalition and Jedi this day.

The freighter continued on to help [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] if such help was needed.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

[member="Oren Rekali"] | [member="Kyrana Gould"]

Théo had no intentions of acting dishonourably and so the Heavenshield would be escort to Yavin without any provocation what so ever. In fact the weapon system was not even on line. As for the capacity of the ships to hold evacuees, one did not only have cargo holds, and yes they are small, to house people there are more rooms in the ships then this, even have them line the corridors if needs be.

The three ships proceeded through the atmosphere toward Yavin to land close to the Academy and would begin evacuation as soon as possible. The loading ramps opened and as soon as the Masters and Knights of the Academy had organised the Jedi to be removed, the ships would be away.

Théo existed the ship to see if anyone was around, a contact to start the loading.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino never traveled big. He never had the resources for such actions. Especially not lately after returning to his old knight erranting roots, and even those, he had stretched considerably to come here. Veino had even cracked open his pre-dying accounts for this, as he had chartered a freighter (since his own had been destroyed in combat) large enough to carry more passengers. Larger than he would have liked, but the captain and crew he judged as trustworthy and with an explanation, were eager to help. No weapons. Nothing to cause alarm. And even then, despite his disappearance from galactic affairs, he was still Veino Garn, considered a Master of the Force by many and known for his exploits against the Sith. That should still carry weight, especially with his Underground connections.

"Yavin Academy," Veino said through the comms, "This is Veino Garn with a freighter kitted up for evac. Permission to land is requested so I might come assist in person."

He waited, watching the scanners and displays as a great deal of ships appeared out of hyperspace. One a Mandalorian dreadnought. He couldn't remember seeing one of those before, but it was certainly impressive. He waited for landing confirmation and then the crew brought it down to the surface, where the ship would prepare for refugees and he would head to the council chambers, whose location he remembered. Jedi glanced at him as he strode down the halls, some eyeing him suspiciously and others with faint recognition.

He paused at the council chamber doors and wiped his hands on his coat. This would his first time back as part of a Force sensitive council, or even order, in quite a long time. He passed a message in.

Veino Garn, and I'm here to help.

Nobody had heard that one for quite a while.

[member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Chloe Blake"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Yavin Four.

A simple ship. Little more than a fast shuttle with a good hyperdrive dropped out of hyperspace at Yavin. It was Clan Rekali's space still, and he had a permit to visit the planet and the moon. "This is Shukalar Vereen, and pilot. I'm going to land at the Silver Sanctum Rally point unless there are objections, Clan Rekali." He addressed the owners of the system, or its shepherds more accurately first. He doubted they would mind the intrusion of a single Mandalorian sub-capital transport. Not every warrior needed a battlecruiser, not every situation called for one. This was one of those times. Plus there was Kandosii-Type sitting at Maridun if they needed it.

Draco tapped the box at his side with a thumb wondering what he would have done. Probably not evacuate some kids. Probably a lot darker than that if it were him in their position. But it wasn't him, and they wanted to see less body count, and he wanted to leave the Galaxy a better place for his children.

[member="Caspian Rekali"] [member="Oren Rekali"] [member="Alec Rekali"]

 

[Caspian Rekali]

[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Oren Rekali"] [member="Alec Rekali"]

In a situation like this the presence of the Dragon of Mandalore calmed his nerves. In recent times Caspian fought alongside Draco and laid his life on the line and he had done the same. When the communications channel opened up to Draco's ship Caspian personally issued a reply. "Shukalar Vereen you are cleared for entry into the system. Don't mind the weaponry we've had a few unexpected intrusions..." Caspian said, pushing buttons on the terminal by his throne. The Aaralyn would keep him on its sensors but it wouldn't actively track and find targeting solutions for the Conqueror.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Draco nodded at the clearance, and tapped his pilot to continue towards the moon. Conquests and battles were often won before the first shot ever took place. It appeared that the Rekali's intended to do just that, or at the very least make sure the first shot was big enough to make whoever thought they had already won second guess themselves.

"Thank you Caspian." Draco said over the comm. Intrusions put people on edge, the Alor-class put people in their place, just as the World Slayer had intended them for. When being stared down by the most powerful line of battlecruisers in the galaxy, one behaved. The shuttle continued to the planet and made its way to where the very large SSC cruisers had landed. Artillery ships for an evac, no wonder the Rekali's had brought out the big gun to show. If they were anything like him, the Rekali's had known well before they ships ever came close to the system.

"Put us down nearby, within sight in the main clearing. Ships that size would have crushed some of the jungle. Broadcast that Shukalar Vereen is coming to meet with whoever is in charge. But do it in a non-threatening, non-passive way. I don't know, just, say it casually."

[member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Caspian Rekali"]

 

[Ilias Nytrau]

He had been tending to a garden, a plot of healer's herbs and tea plants that he tended to develop anywhere he was spending extended periods of time. There was one such older, much larger and more varied plot alongside a secluded forest cabin on Laekia, where he had spent a great deal of time before the network was conceived and became alive. The main academy at Yavin IV had the brunt of his time and attention these days, he being one of two main representatives of the network.

So, he had been tending to a garden, when the frisson of loss - bonded loss - rippled across the galaxy to find him, almost making him snap one of the plants in half when he flinched. He had personally had a hand in training one or two of the Jedi in that far-flung, frigid planet. Releasing the stalk, he withdrew his arms to rest on his haunches, and blew out a heavy sigh, putting a hand over half of his face and wiping it down to his chin before it fell away, coming to rest once again where the other one did. It was another moment of soul-searching and deep thought before one of the more freshly-promoted knights was acknowledged. The young man was slightly anxious, much, much better than the near-crippling anxiety he had as a boy.

Ilias turned his head and regarded the youth, who nearly blurted the need for his presence in the conference chamber of Headmistress M'ti, "I know," the gingered man assured as he stood, and patted the younger man on his shoulder, a calm flowing out of him, "well, let's not keep them waiting."

Partway through the walk back to the temple, he stopped, and cast his gaze to the sky. Eyes narrowed, as if attempting to perceive something in the air that wasn't there. The extent of his senses often had the young amongst their number speculating sometimes lewd things that the celibate Jedi Master (in this day and age? As if! they'd scoff) might be using that skill for.

"Hm."

And he moved on.

------------------------

Reaching the temple, he found it abuzz with the murmur of surreptitious conversation, and one lost-looking blonde in the form of [member="Lilin Imperieuse"] asking after the location of the 'council chambers' - an erroneous thing, as there was, per se, never any council overlooking the network or any of its individual academies. He approached her, for but a moment.

"I am headed that way, myself," he said with a cordial smile, "if you would follow."

Further on, reaching the conference chamber, he found [member="Veino Garn"]. No 'hello', no asking after his health. Such pleasantries were subsumed by the urgency of now.

"Ah, Mr. Garn," he said, taking his leave of the fresh knight that had fetched him, "you might as well follow us within. Come."

And within was where he went, just in time to see [member="Alec Rekali"] leaving, his eyes coming to rest on [member="Rosa Gunn"] a moment, which pulled a thin smile onto his face. How long had it been since the days of the Levantine? He had caught the brunt of her offer of assistance with the evacuation on his approach to the chamber - ah, so that was what was going on - and all the pieces had fallen into place.

"I am under the impression that you are not alone in your desire to assist," he said, passing around her to put himself next to [member="Chloe Blake"], revealing the two he had towed in with him, and indicating them as such, "the more hands to carry a burden, the lighter it will be."

He looked to Chloe and Eyal.

"Where are we at with the situation?"

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

"This is ground control, Master Ravos you're clear to land." Jaxton heard the transmission and began his approach. Through wild forests and clear skies he flew to the surface, finding the Temple and landing nearby. Though the wind had a slight breeze and the sun had a comfortable touch the air around still felt urgent. There might be trouble yet, but it felt close by. Too close. Heading out of the freighter wearing shorts, a shirt, and the backpack attached to his lightsaber Jaxton headed to the temple, finding it easy to enough to get to wear all of the commotion was. He expected a lot of new faces, but found some old ones as well. Rosa Gunn, a good friend and the wife of a good friend. Chloe Blake, a warden he'd seen or heard of in passing, and Illias Nytrau, a man he'd met on occasion.

Heading first over to Rosa he wrapped a couple arms around her and squeezed her tight. She was an empath, and always good with the senses, she'd probably sense that he'd changed. She had too. He could feel it. Neither of them were the people they used to be, but that was part of love, part of friendship. That you cared about someone, as they changed and grew.

"It has been far too long Rosa. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances." He said as he let her go and breathe a minute. Despite why they were there Jaxton found a smile erupting on his face that he couldn't quite put away.

It was so nice to be among friends.

[member="Ilias Nytrau"] [member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Lilin Imperieuse"] [member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Rosa Gunn]

Rosa felt her nerves vanish at the sight of Ilias, always a calming force she returned his small smile. "I think we're in a position-" she cut short, her face dropping in surprise as a familiar zeltron waded into the room. She cooked her arms about his neck as her hugged her, tears of relief and joy springing into her eyes.

She drew back, to look at him. Blinking back her tears, she smiled widely. "I wondered what had become of you...I thought..." She trailed off, shaking her head. Another time. She'd be dammed if Jax was slipping away from her after this was done. She glanced at Ilias. "We really should do lunch."

Hellooo?! Supposed to be evacuating children here, or shall we wait until you've had your little moment with old friends?

There was a bitterness to her tone, and Rosa's smile vanished. She blinked, returning her focus to the matter at hand. "Shall we begin?"

[member="Jaxton Ravos"][member="Ilias Nytrau"][member="Draco Vereen"][member="Caspian Rekali"][member="Veino Garn"][member="Théodred Heavenshield"][member="Judah Dashiell"][member="Oren Rekali"][member="Chloe Blake"][member="Lilin Imperieuse"]

 

[Chloe Blake]

[member="Ilias Nytrau"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] [member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Rosa Gunn"]


Truth be told, Chloe wasn't one to swing left or right when it came to the burlap brigade or the Sith. Her philosophy on the Force and what that dealt with came from being a true believer. Not in the Force, but in the Corellian Gods. For her, they gave each and everyone purpose. Everything had a reason, one way or another. Her granddaddy taught her that.

What did struck her with shock, was seeing the face of one whom she'd thought had been long lost? Rosa?

Spending as much time in former Levantine territory, few didn't know of the healer. Granted, that had been years ago. Her disappearance had struck a cord with those who knew her. Few knew the circumstances of her disappearance, but seeing her standing here was both a welcomed surprise and shock.

All the more when she added her last.

M'ta had a way that felt as if they were peering into one's soul. Hers was the study of one who had seen much and certainly not one of judgment, but understanding.

"There is nothing to forgive." the Neti murmured. There was more to that gaze that lay there. Acceptance.

By then Ilias appeared, with two others in two. Veino, Chloe knew. The woman? Not quite.

Things were getting more hectic and crowded by the second.

"We're discussin' potentially transportin' the younglin' students elsewhere for the present time," Chole told the redheaded Master.

"Some have offered locations, but no decision as of yet." Another small buzz from her comm and she read the message. It was from Judah.

"Gotta take this." she told him quietly, sparing a glance towards Rosa and Eyal.

"Feel free to take point... seems we got more folk stoppin' by."

Once the others were cleared through Clan Rekali, they would be allowed within the Academy grounds

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

[member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Lilin Imperieuse"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"]

"I know a place." Jaxton spoke up as Chloe began to leave to take her call. "I, we used to have a small temple on Teth. We left it as the engines of the Old Sith Empire. Since then it's been up and down with the Techno Union but it's unregulated now. It'll be safe, at least for a while." Jaxton said, his mind wandering to long ago when Rosa and Jaxton and so many others had left the Republic to form a Silent Conclave. Qae and Boolon, they were gone now. Boolon sacrificed himself and Qae gone who knows where.

"I can keep it safe." He said a bit more firmly as his hand drifted around his retrosaber. He had been passive for far too long, he needed to take action. To make sure he didn't lose anyone else.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The shuttle landed near the temple, it was just a simple shuttle, no serious weapons, a little on the quick and nimble side for a shuttle, but that was about it. With three heavy assault cruisers, one couldn't be any less threatening than a civilian style shuttle clearly broadcasting its intentions.

As the shuttle settled, Draco took up the small duraplast box by the handle and picked it up to take with him. The pilot left the engines on, and green, but sat relaxed in the cockpit while Draco left the ship and stepped out onto the jungle floor. Cleaning up the messes of the young bloods was what all the elders complained about, always. It was a constant topic around a campfire, but normally it wasn't this bad. Luckily, these Jedi weren't going all 'Army of Light, purge anything that knows a syllable of Mando'a' at the moment which was good for now. The actions of two youngsters kicked a dozen Jedi Masters into overdrive, and according to the Rekali's and what he could see, prompted a small war fleet to arrive. He wasn't innocent of such reaction himself, and sympathized with them. When dealing with your children, such acts were understandable.

Leaves crunched beneath sabatons as he walked, twigs snapping, the sound of animals had given way to the sound of engines roaring and repulsors firing. He understood the overreaction, and in all likelihood, probably would have brought more. In fact he had sent a large fleet once to secure who he cared for, and he had claimed it too. He had to give them that for having that level of restraint.

He was armored, as was customary for Mandalorians. Seen without some form of beskar'gam was unnatural to be meeting with outsiders, especially given his current station. But he did come without weapons and without hostile intent, if any empath were about. Had it been anything else, anything other than children, he likely would have shrugged and ignored it, or sent a message to one of the ringleaders of 'Its war, people die in it. I've got these tools and this wood so you can build a bridge, and get over it.'

Instead he was on Yavin Four, sitting watching Jedi scramble to evacuate children, supplies, and others. Some would be pleased this enclave was closing. Others would see it negatively and hate the Mandalorians, paint as dark a propaganda as they could. And Mandalore would keep marching on the core all the same.

He approached as close as they would let him without drawing weapons on him before speaking. "I am Alor Vereen, and I'd like to speak with whomever is in charge." probably not the reputation to have when attempting to apologize and offer condolences. He had no idea how many had been told of his time as a Sith, how many knew that he was working to bring himself back from the pit with friends and allies. Ember had helped him, so had Ijaat. But no Jedi had agreed. None that he could get on a comlink or speak to.

[member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"]

 

[Rosa Gunn]

Rosa rested a hand briefly on Jaxtons arm. "We can keep it safe." To return to Teth and the Silent Temple was more than Rosa could have hoped for. If there was any chance for her to find redemption, it would be there.

She would need to make a call to [member="Mara D'Lessio Merrill"] to let her know they were setting up sanctuary, and see if there was anything she and her father could do to help with its protection. A long list of old friends to call was mounting in her mind. They had left Teth before because of the looming threat of the sith. She would not allow it to happen again.

She paused as a new aura entered the temple. Not Jedi...a soldier. She let a low hiss escape from her lips, a darkness in her eyes before she closed them.

In the courtyard, where [member="Draco Vereen"] had asked to speak to someone, Rosa would appear, less than a foot in front of him. The doppelgänger shimmered around the edges. Lilac eyes tainted with the orange of a sith glared at him, for a long moment.

"This way." Layil spoke, wishing oh so very much that she could do something damaging. She would lead him to the meeting of masters.

Rosa opened her eyes, leaving the doppelgänger to continue its work. "Alor Vereen wishes to speak with us." She looked at [member="Lilin Imperieuse"] and [member="Veino Garn"].

"Please begin moving the children to the ship. Encourage them to take only what they need. The freighter is well supplied for the journey we're making."

As she spoke, she reached out to Jaxton's mind. I am not stable, and in no way can I be trusted to not rip this man apart, whether I will it or not. If things turn sour, do not hesitate to neutralise me.

She met his eyes, just for a moment.

[member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"] [member="Chloe Blake"]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"] [member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Lilin Imperieuse"]

Veino stepped aside as others entered, pausing as he began receiving a slew of messages. Some from the Order of the Grey. Others from the Jensaarai. He looked up and caught a part of the conversation. Apparently a few of them had been very close quite some time ago and fallen apart. Something curled in his stomach. Thyria was still missing and nothing of his leads had ever found any hint. Completely vanished in midair. It was time for him to call in his friends and look for her.

But the needs of the Jedi and of the galaxy outweighed his own needs and they always needed him. A small spark ignited in his heart and began to grow as he bit his lip. That was new. It had been a long time since he had felt anger. Veino stopped and took a deep breath, bringing the image of the pool back to his mind. It was more distant and faded, almost wraith like at the edges. But it helped. The fire that was burning up his spine went out beneath the coolness of the water.

Teth. They were looking at going to Teth. Understandable, although it had been years since Veino had last been there. And Alor Vereen wished to speak with them. Vereen? Veino tapped his chin with his hand. Wasn't that Draco? He hadn't seen him since the beginning of the war.

"I will get them moving," Veino said after a moment, "And if Teth proves to be unsafe, Susefvi can serve as a refuge. We're still part of the Academy network and have the resources to house them if need be." He stepped up against the wall again as others bustled about and he strode into the hallway, letting the coat hang loose and gesturing to a nearby Knight.

"I'm Master Veino Garn. We're evacuating all children to a safer planet. Please have instructors and caretakers gathering them. Take only necessities for the trip." Which was an odd imperative. These were Jedi students. They didn't own much anyways. Certainly not enough to fill a freighter. Although, it would certainly make things easier. The Knight nodded and began talking through his commlink while Veino continued striding through the corridors, trying to find a central location to work from.

He paused as he received another message from Alexandra and sent a reply to that.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Draco was lead around by a woman to a group of Jedi. He wasn't worried, but most Jedi he had encountered were more than willing to kill and justify it later, very much shoot first, burn the body, and then figure out how it served the Light well afterwards, if at all. The Mandalorian had known that walking into this could very well mean his life. He doubted that upon arriving. They would have to be very foolish to kill an unarmed Mandalorian ambassador with the Alor-class, Aaralyn Rekali, looming overhead now. Perhaps if there was not as much heavy traffic he would have to worry more.

When he arrived in front of the group of Jedi, one hand reached up and removed his helm as a show of respect, showing them his true face, not just the expressionless T-visor of his people. The other hand held firm to a simple duraplast case, nothing special outside of it. "I am Alor Vereen, and I offer my condolences for what happened." It wasn't much, but it was about all he could do. If he hadn't assumed a Temple that close to the One Sith was empty, hadn't decided to go hunting instead, he could have been there. It would have been different, though admittedly he wouldn't have lost sleep over the Jedi Knights that died. However, his offer was honest and heartfelt. A father himself, he couldn't think about what those close to them might be feeling.

"There is little explaining that can be done, and there are no excuses for what happened on Illum. I came not to offer those things, but to offer my apologies." Hearing it may set one or two of them off, may make them angry, but at least the Mandalorians were not sweeping it under a rug, at least someone was taking some form of responsibility for it. It likely would not soothe things over, but that wasn't his goal. Healing came only in time, surrounded by good friends, fond memories, and strong drink. It did not come from a stranger from the same group that caused your heartache, but he was knew at this. Draco had went through a phase were it hardly mattered to him who died, he had killed children before, and he was working, slowly, dragging himself from that, being pulled along by his loved ones. Apologizing and comforting others wasn't a skill he possessed though.

[member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"]

 

[Chloe Blake]

[member="Rosa Gunn"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"]
*Moving it along.


"Then to Teth the younglings will go." The HeadMistress of the Jedi Academy reinforced. From there, the various masters within the Jedi Academy could take charge.

Those large green eyes peered straight into the Zeltron Master. It was as if the Neti could peer straight into the man's soul, a gingerly brush of the Force. What she saw there made her decision.

"I place the younglings in your care, Master Ravos." she stated simply. This was not said lightly. The security of the younglings was paramount.

"The rest of the House Masters and I will discuss the status of the Yavin Academy for the rest of our students." she said simply. With the decision made, the evacuation would commence.