The Trail of a Galaxy

[Werah Unon]

Lirra, Outpost 1​

Werah had first found out about the holocron that morning. An anonymous message, giving obscure directions to a hidden power. Time was not to be wasted, and Werah had consulted the council on how to proceed. Eventually he tired of the endless bickering, and decided to simply go himself. But a twist had occurred, before he could leave. It transpired that the SSC had received a similar message, and had sent a person to investigate. Seeing an opportunity, Werah contacted them, and persuaded the person to meet him here, on Lirra. The council would not be happy about it, but they didn't need to know, and secretly, Werah was glad to have some help with this seemingly dangerous task. The message had made him almost afraid, a feeling that was very rare indeed for the Kel-Dor general. Now, Werah stood in the busy spaceport, waiting for his new companion to arrive. The adventure was about to begin...
[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

Being a Jedi wasn't all about glowsticks and space magic. It wasn't even all about protecting the innocent, though that made up the bulk of their purpose. Sometimes it meant going off into strange territory to recover things deemed an asset or a danger, in order to help make the Galaxy a better place.

Or something like that.

Mysa didn't entirely buy into the idea of taking random artifacts found in old ruins and using them for their own gain. Items which had been sat for tens of thousands of years, more or less... It seemed dangerous to her, she had heard about objects being cursed by darksiders - even items which for all intents and purposes looked to be normal.

Not just that but... It wasn't theirs. It had belonged to someone else before rude explorers snatched them from their place of rest. Archaeology was just another word for stealing.

Still, she had been tasked with this mission and thus she would carry it out to the best of her ability. It wasn't alongside another Jedi that she would be seeking this lost relic of knowledge, but an unaffiliated Knight. Part of her was dubious about where the artifact would go once it was recovered. You couldn't split a holocron in half, after all.

Maybe there were ways to duplicate them... Who knew. Mysa was no artificer.

Making her way from the transport vessel which had brought her to Lirra, Mysa kept her eyes open for the Kel-Dor she was meeting. Who knew what this journey would have in store?

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

Werah immediately noticed the young human leaving her transport, and walked over. He nodded his head in greeting, and introduced himself. The woman did the same, telling Werah that her name happened to be "Mysa, [member="Mysa Snowstrider"]". Satisfied, Werah wasted no more time. He signalled to one of the ever-present technicians, and spoke, "Hey you!" The technician jumped, nervous in the presence of Werah. "I need you to prepare the Viceroy-class star yacht for our immediate departure!" Said Werah, and the technician hurried off. The message, written in a fiery scrawl, had been found lying on the council's meeting table, even though that place was more secure than seemed possible. It had informed them, of "a hidden power...a holocron...can be unearthed...in the temple of light and dark...to begin your journey, travel to...a burnt world...Hal-" They had soon figured out that the world half-mentioned was Halm, and it definitely fitted the category of "burnt". The few times Werah had visited, the heat had nearly overwhelmed him. Unfortunatly, it seemed he was going to return there... The technician ran up again, and told him that the ship was ready. Werah's pilot was the legendary Gram Tashik, the pilot who had supposedly destroyed an entire fleet of fighters. He climbed aboard, settling into the luxury interior. The co-pilot began counting down until launch, and Werah checked to make sure Mysa was ready...

 

[Lief]

It didn't take long for the Umbaran to spot her Kel-Dor associate.

In fact he seemed to reach her the moment she left the shuttle, leaving little to the imagination. She gave her name for security reasons, ensuring that it was the right man, then watched as he called the technicians into action.

Turning to watch as the poor man hurried off to follow the orders, Mysa could not help but wonder what kind of man this Kel-Dor was if he had people fleeing at the sight of him. That made her feel rather uneasy, but if the Sanctum entrusted her with this task knowing he would be there then he couldn't be too bad. Right?

She didn't have much time to ponder it as the technician returned and together they boarded the ship.

"Could I know which world we will be journeying to first?" she inquired. It couldn't hurt to do some research while they traveled.

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

"We're going to Halm, to try and figure out this puzzle.", Werah replied, "I don't know about the rest of the message, but that piece near the end seems to directly refer to Halm." Just as Werah finished speaking, the ship began to rise into the air. The ship tilted back, and then it suddenly shot away, bursting through the purple clouds. They were soon en route to Halm, and Werah looked outside , at the huge expanse of stars, nebula's and more. It was a truly beautiful sight, the dots of light in every colour and size, sprinkled on the backdrop of the void. Soon though, the stars suddennly transformed into lines, as the craft entered light speed. Eventually, they arrived at Halm, the orange-y planet bulging below them. The ship dove down into its dusty atmosphere, and soon the landing gear was firmly touching the desert sands. Werah, strode towards the door, hopping out onto the terrain of this new world...

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

Throughout the journey Mysa did little other than study up on the world known as Halm: A desert mining world. Extremely foreign to the girl of ice and snow. No doubt she would have cause to leave behind her beloved furs in favour of more apt attire.

Speaking of, when the vessel neared its time to land on world, young Snowstrider made her way into one of the refreshers onboard the shuttle and changed into her training clothes.

It wouldn't do to overheat, not on a desert world.

Her lightsaber was settled upon her belt, as was a flask of water. The rest of her things were placed onto her seat or set into her backpack. The latter she tried to keep light, she didn't want to slow down their travels.

She shouldered her pack and followed the strange Kel-Dor out into the desert surrounding the vessel. One last glance toward her beloved cloak which had been left behind, and her mind was finally in the game. She had no idea where they were headed, but she felt certain that with time they would find what they were after.

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

Werah looked around the expanse of sand, that extended far behind the horizon. Werah began to wonder what they were supposed to do on Halm. He had hoped for a clue when they arrived, but there was nothing but sand. He flipped through the filters in his goggles, checking the different wavelengths of light for any abnormality, but found nothing. He then closed his eyes, reaching deep inside his mind, feeling the flow of the force. He waded into the river of power in his mind, trying not to get knocked over. He searched for the answer, words springing up from the flow of energy. "Fire...Evil...Light...Night...Ground...Deep...And...adm...am...m...m...axad...d..d.d.". Werah opened his eyes, even more confused than before. He considered what the words might mean. Ground and Deep could refer to something underground, Light & night could mean twilight. At twilight, go underground? Werah felt unsure, and asked Mysa if she had any idea.
[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

Mysa hadn't had any chance to look at the original document that had been sent to Werah and the Sanctum, so when he asked for her input she felt a little in over her head. There were bits and pieces she had been told, things she had heard her new companion say, but no decisive evidence for her to speculate over.

"We could try, is there any hint at a specific region? Anything which might stand out from the desert we can see?"

Rock features, and the like... She doubted it, but it was worth a try. She did recall mention of a Temple.

"Temple of Light and Dark... Do you think this is literal? It might be a formation in the sand which looks like a structure?"

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

"Well, if it's literal, there is a Temple of the Sun, not too far off. I suppose it could mean there, but that place is dangerous. Maybe..." Werah trailed off, gazing into the distance. "Evil light!" Werah shouted, then quietened as he realised that Mysa would have no idea what he was talking about. "Every 3 years, one of the smallest moons of Halm, orbits the planet. It is bright red, and the people here consider it evil. For the short time that it is visible, everyone lights huge bonfires, to ward of the evil. That must be what the words mea..." Werah tailed off again, realising that Mysa wouldn't know about his search on the force either. Werah realised he needed to spend more time around people who weren't telepaths. "Uh, Well anyway. I think we should head to the deepest mine in the planet, Ground Zero. We must be there when the red moon rises."
[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

She gave a nod of her head once he was finished working through the various ideas and them formulated a plot. So not to the Temple, but to a Mine? She hoped that he was right, because if he was and they'd messed up the location then chances were they wouldn't get another shot at this for many years to come. Three, to be exact.

Without much need for further discussion, the duo made their way across the planet - the general heat of the desert proving uncomfortable but not unbearable for her - in search of Ground Zero. Mysa had never been in a mine before. Caves, sure, but not literal mines. She wondered how large the tunnels would be if they had to venture inside... Mysa hadn't really tested her comfort zone where tight spaces were concerned.

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

The pair clambered over a small rocky outcrop, and they saw the valley below. Ground Zero. Houses and tents were scattered everywhere, and huge trucks moved noisily around. Werah took out his viewfinder, scanning the area. He could just make out the miners, mostly humans. In the centre of the installation, was the mine itself. A gaping black pit in the ground, with a huge crane looming over it. Werah watched two men get inside a cage, as it was lifted up by the crane. The cage descended down into the darkness, and when it came back up, it was empty. Werah gulped, how were they going to sneak all this? Werah suddennly had a good idea though. "Ok, so here's the plan. We go around to the sh-" Werah slipped on a rock, sending a pebble crashing down into the valley. It hit every rock on the way down, echoing throughout the valley. "Feth", muttered Werah, as he ducked down. A laser bolt shot through the air where his head had just been, and Werah cursed again. "Okay, new plan. We charge into their base, and try not to get shot." Werah crouched down, ready to leap over the edge. He closed his eyes, summoning his force shield. He had been practicing, and he was confident he could keep it up, even under heavy fire. He drew his amethyst lightsaber, igniting it. In his other hand, he held a G-34 Charge Blaster. He looked over to Mysa, checking if she was ready...
[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

That was his plan?

To rush in headlong and just pray they didn't get shot at?

Mysa gulped. Not the best of plans, but she'd heard worse. With a slight nod of her head she followed after him when he set off down the incline. Mysa herself specifically tried to steer herself toward the various rocks which jutted from the sand, using them as natural defenses.

Unlike the Knight, she had no defensive force powers. In truth she knew very little that could be applied practically to a scenario such as this, she'd never been the antagonizer in a fight. Inhaling slowly she reached for her lightsaber - well, her training hilt - and allowed it to ignite as they slid down the incline. She prayed to Odiir that it would be enough.

Though part of her doubted it.

She hadn't really been on a battlefield before. When they had aided Midvinter against the Vinterbound in her youth she had unintentionally had to fight one off, and it had been the most horrifying experience of her life. Usually she was part of the relief, evacuating the children and keeping them form harms way, not on the battlefield. Sure, she had fought off the Whiteworm not too long ago, but they didn't have blasters... They were large, and while fast they didn't have a very good turning radius.

Now man... Man was different.

"I have a very bad feeling about this..."

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

Wear ran forwards, deflecting blaster fire with his saber, and letting his shield take care of the few bolts that got through. Ducking down, he crouched behind a rock, and switched his blaster to automatic. He closed his eyes and concentrated....

The Kel-Dor ran out from behind the rock, swing his lightsaber madly. He charged towards the miners, screaming an account war cry. Just as he was about to reach the floor of the valley, a bolt struck him, and he flew backwards, hitting into a rock. Hundreds more blasts followed, and soon there was nothing left but a wisp of smoke...

Turning off the force hologram as the blasts hit, Werah stayed behind the rock. While the miners seemed to be congratulating themselves, Werah jumped onto the rock, and unleashed a torrent of blaster fire at them, taking them by surprise. Activating the jets in his armour, he leapt into the air, still firing. He slammed down into the ground still crouching, and created a swirl of dust as he landed. Swiping his saber, he opened himself to the dark side, and tore onto the terrified workers. Seeing the masked figure easily murdering their comrades, most of the remaining miners turned and fled. Taking aim, Werah fired a few shots near them, making them rune even faster...

Werah sat down and closed his eyes, considering his actions. He knew that he had to control the dark side better, and not let it control him. Easier said than done, of course. This planet though, was where he had spent many years leaning the path of the dark side, and being here brought back returning memories. Still, Werah strove for a balance, and that meant that sometimes he had to let the dark in. "What's done is done", he murmured to himself, smiling. At least they could now continue their quest. Anyway, if his intel was correct, the holocron could save millions of lives. Looking at the bodies though, Werah wondered if their could have been a way without bloodshed. He looked around for Mysa, hoping she was okay...

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

More blaster fire. This time... Coming from nearby? Not from the mines...

Mysa felt sick to her stomach as she heard the groan of life leaving men and women in the distance. What had happened? She looked toward Werah, finding him stood atop one of the larger rocks with blaster in hand and a smile on his face. Darkness seeped around for but a moment, before he slid back down to the ground.

She could only stare.

Wasn't he a Jedi? She felt certain that was why she was here, to learn from a Jedi in the field... But, then, why hadn't he tried to speak to them? To explain why they were here?

Her head swam, and distrust bubbled to the surface. "Why?" was all she could say when he turned his sights on her. She wanted to run, to scream, damn this mission and damn him!

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

Werah sighed, shaking his head. "I spent 7 years of my life on this planet, and I learnt many things during this time. The mining corporation that runs this planet in all but name? They do not negotiate. They didn't sot and talk when they killed my master, and they didn't surrender when I sought revenge. I'm sorry, but I'm no jedi. I don't forgive easily.", Werah said, his mask making his voice seem soft and eerily robotic.

Walking over to the mineshaft, Werah quickly cut away the service hatch cover, and looked down. A rusty ladder led down into the darkness, and when he dropped a stone down, he heard no sound. Not looking at Mysa, he began to climb down, testing each rung with the force before stepping on to it. His goggles began to glow red as the night-vision module activated. "Come on Mysa!", he shouted upwards, "this is the best way in!"

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

She could not empathise with him. She did not condone his actions, not even with the given story which accompanied it, but she did understand that they had a task to do... And a timeframe. One which was swiftly becoming smaller with each passing moment. Swallowing back her distrust, ignoring the niggling feelings of doubt, she carefully rose from behind the safety of the desert stone and made her way down the last of the slope.

Her boots clattered against the durasteel edging of the mine, echoing noisily down the shaft. That made her cringe. What if there were more inside? She couldn't, wouldn't, hurt them without due cause. No matter what he said.

She watched him work, heard nothing as he dropped the stone, and frowned just a little. What they couldn't hear would ring down below. They would know someone was descending. This was not safe. This was not wise at all... But for this mission he was a stand in for her Master. The Sanctum had entrusted her into his care, so she would damn well do as he instructed.

Slipping down into the opening, her feet met the ladder and she began to climb. Every so often her foot would slip slightly, and she wondered just how long her body could keep this up without respite. It was a long way down, after all.

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

Werah continued down the ladder, pondering their situation. He knew they needed to reach the deepest part of the mine, the vault, before nightfall. The few miners still on shift would have evacuted soon enough, and even if they missed the call, they would be in the caves, far away from their position. Wear considered Mysa: She seemed like a good person, though she appeared to distrust him for his actions during the battle. It was obvious she had never been in a war then. In a war, morality goes out the window. When you're looking at a battlefield from above as a general, it was easy to see the right path to take. But down on the battlefield, death lurking at every instant, your prime concern is yourself - and you have to fight to survive. The fall of the TU, and the death of his best friend, still hurt deeply. Those miners were luck that he let some of them escape. Seeing the bottom with his goggles, Werah let go of the ladder, and landed smoothly on the floor. Igniting his lightsaber, he turned to face Mysa. "I know you might not trust me right now, but we need to stick together. Those miners happily killed what the though to be me, and I don't intend on letting them do it for real. To you or me."

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

Nothing but the sound of boots on metal entered her hearing throughout the entire descent. Clack, clack, clack. It was almost painful, and her muscles had begun to ache and burn under the strain of so long a climb. The respirator that the Kel-Dor wore rasped every so often, but other than that it remained eerie. She had a niggling sense of doubt within her stomach that she tried to suppress.

Gods help me.

But the Gods may not see her here, on so foreign a world. No snow, no älk or vhaanir, heck no real wildlife at all to speak of. And so far down even the winds of Odiir were obsolete.

Was she on her own then? No. No she was never alone, not with the Force in and around her.

She heard a clatter as he jumped and landed a few feet further below, then the tell tale snap-hiss of a lightsaber blade as it ignited into the air. They would have to be careful that a pocket of gas hadn't been drilled into what with sabers out.

Her Umbaran heritage took over though as she peered through the darkspots that his saber hadn't lit up. Nobody in the immediate vicinity.

"I understand" she responded, and she knew it was true. She had thought quite a bit about it on the way down, realized that they were the ones who shot first. Werah was simply keeping the pair of them safe. "Lets go, while we still have sunlight on the surface."

[member="Werah Unon"]

 

[Werah Unon]

Werah walked forward carefully, checking the passageways to the side for miners, though he knew there shouldn't be any at this time. He suddenly wondered if there might be guard droids here as well. If that was the case, then nowhere was safe. Still, they made it to the end of the passageway without incident, and reached the huge vault door into the main mineshaft. It was made of solid durasteel, but a lightsaber could cut through it eventually. Such a way of entry would be extremely obvious to any remaining miners, and would alert any droids as well. Werah looked at the lock, it was sealed electronically from the control room. Luckily though, it was an older model, and could be disrupted easily. Wear clicked his fingers, making a small flame appear on his hand. "Oh, feth", he muttered to himself, "wrong power". He clicked again, and the door slid open in a shower of sparks. Werah was about o step through, when he felt himself beginning to lose his balance. The other side of the door was the entrance to the mineshaft alright. Falling back into the passageway, Werah shook his head. It was a straight drop down to the bottom! He had assumed their would be stairs, or at least another ladder. Mesa looked a little paler than usual, but Werah decide to try and get down anyway. The grapple gun on his wrist would allow him to get down a couple of hundred metres. From there, he could cut out a ledge with his lightsaber, and then have mysa slide down the grapple. Aiming carefully, Werah fired the grapple into the rock face above them, making sure it was lodged firmly. Wear was unsure about the whole plan of his, but there was no going back now. Closing his eyes, he stepped off the edge...

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

 

[Lief]

Jumping down the last rung of the ladder, Mysa followed after the painfully quiet Master she had been tasked to help as they moved through the darkened tunnels. Thankfully she didn't need much in the way of a light source to see, or else she might have struggled to keep up... Much less to stop herself from stumbling over the craggy floor.

Nothing jumped out at them. No voices or threats or sounds of blaster fire. Just their footfall and the breathing attributed to the Kel-Dor's respirator.

Soon there was a gigantic vault door ahead of them. So this was where they had to be reaching? She glanced back the way they had come, to the light which pooled in through the shaft, and noted the hue it held. Still light up top. Still time to finish off the task at hand.

Turning her attention back to the way they were headed, she pondered a way inside. Vaults such as this didn't just open on a whim after all. At least they shouldn't have.

When the lock clicked, though, and it swung inward - with the use of the Force no less - Mysa's thoughts were proven wrong. So maybe it was that simple. Okay. Only what lay beyond was not.

A black pool of nothingness. Again.

No ladder this time, from what she could see. Her stomach churned at the thought of having to drop into the unknown abyss. She didn't want to.

But she had to, right?

She watched as the Kel-Dor positioned himself on the edge, preparing to use a grappling hook. Well, if only she'd thought to bring such a device with her. Still, there was only so much length those things held, only so much distance he could reach, before it hit the cut off point.

"Going down..?" she asked, a slight nervous laughter to her tone.

[member="Werah Unon"]