Time is Relative

[Kyyrk]

Voph stood in the combat bridge of the Arbitration, surrounded by his senior officers and staff. He'd done it. After nearly a week of decoding and reconstruction he had managed to decode the transmission received while returning from Zonmira. The mood was hushed in anticipation of the impending discovery. Voph stepped forward to the terminal, and pressed the button to replay the message. It echoed about the chamber, static and choppy. But the message soon restored. Voph listened quietly, head bowed as he focused, trying to pick the words from the static. His knuckles tightened around the railing, as the color drained from his face. He felt sick. This...this could not wait...

---

CONFEDERATE SPACE, NEAR FELCAT, SEVERAL HOURS LATER​

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​

Voph had been restless for the duration of the trip. He'd sent the call to the Confederacy, asking any available personnel to meet him near Felcat at the soonest opportunity. He'd locked himself in his quarters in the mean time, refusing to speak with anyone, even his apprentice Seaja. Voph only emerged when he was told that his help was assembled, and waiting for him. He steeled his nerves, and stepped from the his quarters, making his way to the combat bridge.

"I thank you all for coming. Particularly on such short notice. Your generosity is noted." Voph stepped up to the large holotable that the crew was gathered around, and keyed in coordinates. His crew had been busy during the transit. "We have discovered something that I can only say is an...anomaly." A planet appeared on the holotable. Very little data existed, but what little they had was displayed. "Upon our return from the Battle at Zonmira, we received a transmission. Old. Ancient even. But, not unrecognizable. I have spent the past month recovering the data, so that we might understand the transmission. The encoding process being so old that our technology could not discern a message from the static."

Voph pressed a button, and the room was once again filled with static. "...Warning...Stay Away..." The message devolved to static. "By Order...Vylmira...quarantine. Do not...land...message repeats... This is...Verros..." The message gave way to static, and was ceased. Voph let those gathered digest the message for a moment, before saying, "The message repeats at set intervals for seven point five hours, then ceases. Then, after a period of sixteen point five hours, it resumes. We do not yet know why the message is relayed in such a sporadic manner, but this is what I intend to find out."

Voph was silent for a moment then said, "I will admit to having something of a...vested interest in this matter. The man who sent the message. This... Verros. His name is familiar to me. That of a man I once knew. If that family is involved..." Voph let the thought linger for a moment, then concluded, "Whatever they seek to contain on the planet poses a threat. If you are willing, I would ask you to come with me. To seek out whatever evil may lurk on the planet below. What say you?"

[member="Seaja Linata"] [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

[member="Voph"], it was a name she knew more through word of mouth and rumors then anything else, a strange person who seemed to constantly jump ship to different people, what she did know was that the man was apart of the CIS and had apparently requested aid for some sort of mission. In all honesty she was surprised to be the only one to have shown up so far, wasn't the force user well respected among the Confederate Elite? It was hard to comprehend, not that is really mattered, her job was to help with this investigation, not contemplate Voph's relations with others. Speaking of which, this issue was quite the mystery, no details about the assignment had been provided to her when contacted about this meeting, the only certain aspect of this mission was it's importance.

Her arms crossed, leaning up against the nearest wall as the mission details, of lack of, quirking an eyebrow as the audio file produced and holo image was produced along with the explanation at hand. She was quite interested in the 'old' aspect of the apparent file, how long ago had it been sent? Seemed like something right up her ally the more Voph explained about the situation, each passing second making the mystery all the more interesting. "So let me get this straight, a very old message detailing a possible family friend ancestor has broadcaster a message talking about containment of something and not to approach the planet". "Your proposed mission is for a group to follow you to said world in hopes of vanquishing the threat before it can somehow jump ship from the planet and possibly spread to the rest of the galaxy"?

Her initial thoughts were of a parasite of illness, the man had mentioned quarantine, it would stand to reason some sort of medical issue was the core of this subject, if the case her experience in the past and strong immunity was a perk. Still it was only an assumption, until they actually came face to face with the enigma, as her mother would say 'as long as the chances are not absolutely zero anything can happen'. "Well, I have nothing better to do and preventing a possibly viral outbreak would be a good thing, I'd rather not live through another galaxy wide Ratgoule plague, you can count me in I suppose".

 

[Seaja Linata]

Seaja had been uneasy for the last few hours, as Voph had mysteriously disappeared into his quarters, reachable by no one. It was unusual for the Miralukan, as he typically made himself as available and ready to help as possible. The members of the crew paid her little mind, as was usual, but Seaja noticed that they acted with slightly more directed urgency than was typical. Nothing too serious - but Seaja was able to tell that something was up.

Seaja busied herself as best she could with training, spending the time she had to go to the practice room. Once there, Seaja reminded herself of the lessons she had learned from Voph during her time on the ship. His words still rang in her ears: "Warming up and stretching are very important parts of a Force disciples' training." She spent time doing simple jumping jacks, doing simple sitting splits, and other forms of stretching. When she had finished this, as well as calisthenics, she moved on to performing basic techniques and rehearsing skills with the practice saber on the wall.

Seaja had been working for nearly four hours when she heard through the intercom system that the crew was gathering in the combat bridge. Quickly putting the practice saber back on its place and toweling off, Seaja hurried to this section of the ship.

When she entered, the area was surprisingly crowded - more than she had ever seen it before. Seaja weaved her way through the people, standing near the edge of the holotable that was placed in the center of the room. She watched as Voph keyed in the information and brought up the little holograph, which she studied intently, along with Voph's words before he played the transmission.

The whole situation had Seaja slightly befuddled. She had no experience with things of this sort, and was glad when a woman she had never seen before, a black-haired, pale-skinned humanoid with rather striking blue eyes, spoke up, essentially summarizing and demystifying the scenario.

"I will go as well." Seaja asserted firmly when the woman was done talking. Seaja saw this as an opportunity to test and prove herself - a chance for action and growth.

[member="Voph"] @Allya Vi'Dreya

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph looked around the gathering as concerns were voiced, and questions asked. Already, some of the more eager were volunteering to join. But if there ever stood a time at which Voph was the epitome of an emotionless leader, it was now. His head shifted as he looked between some of the more vocal, before responding. "I do not believe it is a viral outbreak. The planet, you'll notice, from the data provided, rotates at a standard twenty four hour cycle. There is a spot, just here." Voph stepped forward, and pointed, as the planet magnified to indicate the spot. From the rough survey data the ship was able to gather, there appeared to be a structure. A large one. "The message always ceases the moment the light strikes the structure. Then, silence. Until the time the message begins again. Cycling every few seconds, until the same moment."

Voph paused, turning to look at those around him, finger still held aloft at the holoimage. "The planet was important enough to establish quarantine. Why? We can guess that such an event occurred thousands of years ago based on the broadcast data. But why? Why not update with modern technologies as they become available?" Voph turned back to the hologram, lowering his hand to tap a few keys, and dismiss the hologram. "Think long, and think hard. If you are truly willing to venture to the planet below. I have the feeling that whatever awaits us will not allow us to depart. Until the job is finished." Voph turned to look at Seaja, then the dark haired woman that had spoken before. His face was set. Determined. He couldn't tell them why. Not yet. But he HAD to do this. Even if he alone would face the dark secrets below. Vylmira. He'd been here before.

"We travel light. Bring only what you need. The landing party shall depart in one hour. Hanger Bay Four in the port arm. I'll send word to Confederate Command. As of now, I am assuming control of the excursion to Vylmira, and shall be held responsible for whatever is to come. Dismissed." As the crowds began to disperse, Voph turned his head to Seaja, and inclined it behind him, indicating she ought follow. Voph's pace was swift, but still held the air of determination that he had displayed during the briefing. "Apprentice, I want something understood. Something I wish for you to allow me to share with the rest in my own due time." His jaw set, as he steeled himself to tell her. "The planet below is...familiar to me. I do not know how, nor why. I have no memory of this place, and yet I know I have been here before."

As they stepped into the lift to travel down to the hanger deck, Voph allowed a sigh to escape his lips. The doors closed, and he folded his arms over his chest. His head stayed focused on the doors in front of them. ​"I was not entirely truthful in the briefing. You recall the painting? The one from the Scion?" Voph looked down towards his feet, then at Seaja. "The youngest ever appointed to the Council?" Voph watched her quietly for a moment, then looked back at the doors in front of him. He set his jaw again, inhaled deeply, then sighed.

"Verros."

[member="Seaja Linata"] [member="Kurenai Yumi"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Kurenai looked deeper at the information Voph brought, he did make sense, but still she would not commit to one theory straight away, at the very least this threat seemed contained in the one location as he had stated. Then again with how old the message was their was no garentee of that, best to keep a strong guard up and not take any chances, this was getting to be quite the serious endeavor. "You say the message only comes during the day right? Do you think it has something to do with the actual threat down their? or would it just be related to power, possibly solar panels powering the comlink which sends the message"? She did not expect Voph to answer all these questions, but regardless it was not a bad idea to have that sort of thing in mind, on the off chance it was actually the case.

She continued her mental debate as Voph contuined to talk, the most notable part being about not leaving, a sudden realization coming to forefront, this planet wasn't some back water area, so why had nothing happened her? It was a good point but the possible danger didn't shake her resolve, Kurenai giving a small smirk at the notion of being trapped on a world for a few thousand years. "Well I am only 8, a few years on some planet trying to solve a mystery will be a nice vacation, if we are trapped for a long time it would be interesting to see how the galaxy has train once getting out... you know unless you two die from old age". One benefit for a 7000 year long lifespan, it made such a mission like this less dangerous to her own person. One last look over the information present and final words from Voph were all she needed, giving the man a small salute before dispersing with the others, making haste back to her room to gear up.

Travel light... honestly a definition that mean quite a different to someone of her physical strength, she slipped her armor one, glaive strapped on back in along with her Mk1 Shadow rifle, ammo set in pouches and side arm and saber, holstered and ready. In addition bacta supplies, food rations and communicators, her suit already coming with a re breather and filtration unit for any undesirable enteritis. "Locked loaded and ready to go", all that was to happen now was wait until Voph gave the command to move out.

[member="Voph"] [member="[member="Seaja Linata"]"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

Allya had only recently become the apprentice to Voph. The teen was clad in beskar'garm, and leaned against one of the chairs on the bridge. Rather than overly worrying about the situation, rather than fearing the unknown, she deliberately chose to sit there, and play a hologame on the holostation switch. You see, it took an incredible amount of hand and eye coordination to get the metallic gloves to hit the controls well enough to even be able to play. However, she had paid attention, more than enough to know, something was off. There was something about the interval. It was repeated, as if a message had been set on repeat for who knows how long. It nagged in her brain however, something maybe she had read, but where, and what she wasn't sure.

Finally, she put away the gaming station in her duty bag and stood up. She was fully armed, and operational within her suit, and had a normal contingent of droids and clones that she kept close by. If this was one of those table top games, her class was a Mandalorian Sith Jedi Hunter, and while that made her awesome, it also made her vastly less effective when one on one. So, she tended to never allow that to be an issue. Besides, over protective parents and parental figures got worried, and no one liked it when Darth Metus got worried. It just didn't end well.

She moved over to her clone Corporal, Crash, one who had fought at her side for the last year, bodyguard, assistant, confidant. “Something is nagging at me, I'm not sure what it is, Crash. It's twenty four hours, the same set time pattern as a day on the planet. It makes no sense. But....It's day. When the light hits the building, it stops. Resets. Then begins again a bit over sixteen hours into it, until the light hits again. Repetition. Something about day? It would make sense if it was backwards, solar powered, but dark powered? Silly.” The Clone simply listened patiently as that powerful mind worked. He knew to trust her instincts. The force was strong with her, but that mind worked in circles and could see things that few others could. He would make sure to bring extra ammo.

Allya did not bother Voph and his first apprentice. She understood how this went, and attempted to learn as much as she could, without interfering in that. Allya had nothing to prove, she needed no validation, or encouragement from her master to work. She was second in command of the Dauntless, she was in charge of the CIS border protection work, she was the daughter of the Vicelord, and constantly engaged in diplomatic and other works. No, what she needed was knowledge, and guidance, not validation, or power. And right now, above everything else....she needed to figure this mystery out. “I'm in, Master. It's just going to keep itching at my brain until I figure this out anyway.”

[member="Kurenai Yumi"]
[member="Voph"]
[member="Seaja Linata"]

 

[Kyyrk]

[member="Kurenai Yumi"] [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] [member="Seaja Linata"]

When the time was up, Voph strode across the hanger to the waiting shuttle. The team was assembled. It was time to depart. Voph stepped aboard, and moved towards the cockpit of the Oberon class vehicle. "Pilot. Take us out." The helmeted figure nodded, and began the liftoff procedures. Voph turned to look at the crew accompanying him. A small handful of CIS operatives, but mostly his own soldiers. He said nothing, simply turning back to grab hold of the door frame as the shuttle lifted off, exiting the hanger and flying towards the waiting planet.

"Scanners online. What do we know about the planet?" "Seems to be mostly jungle, sir." The co-pilot answered back in a drawl, but still formal. A career pilot in his element. "Largest signs of life are in the mountains, and down in the grasslands. That Temple, or whatever it is, is sitting out in the middle of nowhere. So far as we can tell, it's the only structure that was built out in the Jungle. Nearest city seems to be the largest." Voph nodded. "Take us down there. Can we..." Voph trailed off as the ship began to rattle. Almost as if from turbulence. Which normally didn't occur in a vacuum. The pilot hit the intercom. "All hands, hold tight, getting some interference." Voph looked towards the planet below, his brow furrowing as he concentrated. The sun was just rising, bathing the temple below in light. He was suddenly shaken from his focus when the communications array lit up, bathing the ship and all her inhabitants in static. Voph reached over the console, and tapped two buttons, applying the filter he had designed to translate the message. As soon as the button was pressed, a voice filtered through.

"..have you on our sensors, maintain heading and speed until you have entered the atmosphere."

Voph glanced at the pilot for a moment, then looked down at the comm panel. ​"Acknowledged. Requesting permission to land with all possible haste. I would seek a meeting with your leader."

The comm was silent for a moment, then the feminine voice filtered through again. "Granted, proceed to landing pad Beta Beta 3. Our guidance system will connect as you approach. Councilor Kyyria will meet you upon your arrival."

Voph paused. Kyyria. Why did that name sound familiar? Voph reached forward to cut the transmission, slowly realizing that the ship had stopped shaking. It was flying smooth again. As if it had only crossed an event horizon of some kind. But...everything seemed normal.

Moments later, the ship had landed, though the doors had not opened yet. Voph stood in front of the group, checking that his lightsabers were stored securely over his shoulder blades. "Weapons down, stand at ease. We are here to find the source of the distress signal, and nothing more. We come in peace." Voph turned to Allya. "Adjudant, I must see to something. Inform the councilor I'll be there in a moment." Voph turned and stepped into the cockpit, closing the door behind him.

As the party stepped out of the shuttle, they discovered an armed patrol waiting for them, rifles held at ease, but ready to fire at a moment's notice. A small collection of what seemed to be nobility of some kind walked towards the shuttle. The leader, a small Miralukan woman, her face adorned with a lace mask to hide her visage. She smiled and bowed before the guests. "Welcome to Vylmira, honored guests. I must apologize for the...less than warm welcome, but our planet has suffered an attack very recently. I wish to assure you however, that these soldiers are merely for my protection, and yours. I am Councilor Kyyria. How might our humble colony be of assistance to ones such as you?"

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

As they entered the cockpit, Allya slid into one of the cockpit seats, her ever present clone Crash close by. She helped the shuttle land, her eyes locked on the scene below. A temple. Light touched it. Eyes narrowed and she attempted to process information. However, there was simply to much unknown for her to make any clear guesses yet. When the comms went through, she listened carefully. Confusion was clear, as was helpfulness, be it real or fake. Better to keep up your guard in this type of situation. While the girl was very open and free in her personal life, while on the job, she tended to believe everyone was out to get her, that they were always lying, and that at any given time they would turn into active enemies. It kept a lot of the surprise out of the game, and happened often enough. Still, she had to play nice.

The Mandalorian made sure her helmet was secured, and her weapons were properly stowed on her. Her dark cloak wrapped around her, which would stop most scanners from picking them up, as well as obscure them from view. However, they would also be firmly locked onto her, meaning even if noticed, it shouldn't be an issue. If anyone knew Mandalorian culture, and there were few who did not, an unarmed Mandalorian was far more worrying than an armed one.

As the shuttle landed and her master gave her his will, she nodded. This was well within her abilities. As an Adjudant, as well as the child of Darth Metus, she had to greet many foreign dignitaries, help stop wars, or to listen to the Viceroyalty and their meetings. It was part of the job. As she walked up to meet the Councilor, she placed her right hand over her left breastplate, and bowed in respect. “Councilor Kyyria. It is my honor. I am Adjudant Allya Vi'Dreya, we come from the Confederate of Independent Systems.” Frankly, she knew this planet was not part of the Confederacy, even though it was deep inside their territory, which meant, she had to be careful here what she assumed.

“It is a large gathering of united planets that surrounds this system. I apologize, but my master is still on the ship, he had last minute preparations.” Her voice took on a slightly teasing, friendly tone. “Men and their need to look their best when meeting someone new, I imagine.” She made a dismissive gesture about the soldiers. “It is quite alright, I would do the same in your position. We mean you no harm, we simply heard a distress signal from the planet, and believed we needed to come investigate. We are galactic neighbors after all. Are you in need of any medical supplies? Or anything else of an emergency nature?”

The entire time, Allya stood purposefully in a non-threatening way. Her hands were in the open, expressive, even if her face could not be seen, and kept far away from her sides. Though, again she assumed nothing one way or another, but she never allowed her hands to point directly at the Councilor or her men either. Mandalorians had many weapons built into their suits, and Allya was no different. If her hands were in the direction of someone, she always had a weapon pointed at them.

“Anything you need at all that we can help with?”

[member="Voph"]
[member="Kurenai Yumi"]
[member="Seaja Linata"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

It was god time, heavy clanks echoing from the floor as her heavy military styled boots touched against them Kureani fully outfitted for a prolonged expedition, every pocket and pouch filled with ammunition, medical supplies and ration. The latter not so much for her but for those who were coming with, just in case they needed some sort of sustenance while away from the ship, there was not telling if the planet below even held their facilities to cater for a group of their size. Reaching the shuttle she did one last check, slipping the mag out from her pistol checking the chamber before holstering it once more, a force hand gliding around the back, making sure her other gear was fastened down tightly, real hands grasping onto one of the many handles dotting the roof of the small craft.

She stood near the front of the shuttle as it started to lift off, a shudder through the structure causing a small amount of confusion, this was odd, such a strange turbulence had to be caused by some form of unnatural or man made interference. Her gaze shifting to [member="Voph"] as the ship continued it's strange decent, things becoming even more confusing at the sudden message being broadcasted from the planet below, at the very least they place had sentient inhabitants. The rest of the trip was uneventful, Kurenai being among the first to step down from the shuttle ramp looking over the greeting party, at first glance nothing seemed out of the ordinary but a gut feeling told her differently, she just couldn't put a finger on it.

Keeping silent she just listened one as the women greeting herself as Councilor Kyyria greeted them only seeking to speak if needed or spoken to directly, watching and waiting to see how the leader of this expedition and his number twos would handle things, [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] being the one to greet the councilor, keeping things peaceful and calm.

[member="Seaja Linata"]

 

[Kyyrk]

As the crew filed out of the shuttle, Voph sat down in the pilot's seat. His shoulders felt heavy. Deep down, a creeping hollow invaded his stomach. He felt...sick. His head bowed, cradled by his hands. A quiet sob racked his body, and a tear fell down his cheek. Why had he come here? Why had he brought them? Had he known what awaited him, he would have let the planet rot. He sighed quietly, allowing his hands to drop between his knees. But he couldn't run from his past forever.

Councilor Kyyria smiled at Allya. "Confederacy? I'm sorry, I was of the impression we were alone out here. But, if neighbors have arrived without our knowledge, we welcome them all the same. But I feel you are mistaken. We have sent no distress signal." She gestured behind her as the shuttle door opened behind the CIS task force. "But, if you are offering help, we would gladly accept your offer. Our planet is suffering from an attack, launched by those we believe to be Sith. Our efforts to restore peace have been successful but...slow..." Visible confusion consumed the woman's face, as Voph pushed through the crowd to stand at the forefront.

The Councilor's hand wavered, and slowly crept towards her mouth. For all the years spent at the helm of armies and fleets, battles and wars, Voph found nothing more nerve wracking than mere seconds that stretched into eternity. For in spite of all his armor, all his scars, and all his memories of war, the woman before him saw him for who he truly was. There was murmuring among the Councilor's attendants, the disbelief readily apparent. One of the attendants turned, and told a guard, "Summon the High Councilor. Immediately."

Councilor Kyyria stepped forward, her hand outstretched. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she tentatively approached Voph, and placed a hand on his chest, hesitating as if she were afraid to touch him. Voph didn't move, save for looking down at the woman now arm's length away from him. When Kyyria realized that he was there...REALLY there, she sighed sharply, mouth twisting into sobs of joy, mixed with disbelief. She stepped forward, protocol and image forgotten, and hugged Voph. "Kyyrk. It's....it's really you...You're back..."

Voph stood still for a moment, as if processing what had just happened, and his arms slowly wrapped around Kyyria. His head bowed, as he hugged the one person he'd held most dear, ripped away from him all those years ago. "Hello Mother..."

[member="Kurenai Yumi"] [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] [member="Seaja Linata"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

When the woman denied knowledge of the CIS, Allya took it in stride. She remembered a lesson from Darth Tacitus. 'When you make first contact, it is best to be welcomed as an equal. If you are below them, they will use and abuse you. If you are above them, they will fear you and try and push you away. However, if you approach as equals, humble and sincere, they will remember this, welcome you, trade with you, and when they finally see your fleets. They will understand their mistake, and be quick to desire the peace they have with you to last, at any cost.' The teen nodded. “Of course. We just have a few planets. We were lucky that the planets were wealthy. But it invited those who wished to exploit it, so we banded together, to create a confederacy for mutual trade, and protection. And hmm, you did not? Not even during the attack? Strange, we must have picked up an erroneous transmission then. It does happen. However, if you are in trouble and needing medical supplies, food, blankets, construction supplies we would be happy to help. Out here in the Rim, we must help one another.”

However, when Voph spoke of this woman as his mother, when she felt the confusion, the panic in her master, pieces began to fall into place. Large eyes blinked under her helmet. This was not a physical possibility. The pieces didn't match. They didn't know the CIS, they didn't send a distress signal, Voph's mother here? Voph was born over a thousand years ago, he was here because he had died and been brought back. Others had survived in cryo-sleep, or by being all powerful Sith lords. She didn't feel like an all powerful Sith lord, and nor did she feel like she had come from cryo-sleep. Someone like that would have understood they didn't know much of the galaxy. This one felt she had. The pieces didn't add up.

Possibilities: This was an illusion, maybe caused by the force, drugs, or some type of mental control. Perhaps an elaborate trap. Another rare possibility was a time distortion. They happened in hyperspace every so often, when the devices that kept time relative began to break down, or malfunctioned. Time could do all kinds of wonky things. Either way, this was odd.

She looked to Voph. He clearly knew it too. All that emotion, that confusion. It was like he was on the verge of something, but wasn't quite there. This confounded her! Eyes moved to Kurenai and she shook her head. Moving close she whispered her concerns. “Something isn't right here....”

[member="Voph"] | [member="Kurenai Yumi"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

There were unaware of the CIS? strange, but not impossible, though from what they briefing had mentioned she did not think that the people living here actually left the planet, nor had the ability to get information about the outside. A gut feeling saying the peculiar turbulence upon getting into orbit had something to do with that, almost as if they were entering a new plane of relativity, again just a theory but so far seemed like the only
realistic way something like this could happen.

Of course things were not a simple as they seemed, though in all her years Kurenai would not have expected this revelation to come around, the simple introduction and conversing suddenly halted as [member="Voph"] came into the picture, in more ways then one. True it had been stated that this mission held personal feelings, and she had assumed it may be family related, but this women, being his mother, it was all to convenient and sudden, it actually managed to get a reaction of surprise out from her, not an easy feat.

"If this is your mother, and this place, as your said, been around for a long time... how old are you"? His potential age was not really a problem, being shocked by that would be a little hypocritical considering her own, but something, as [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] had said, didn't seem right. "Voph, would you like to elaborate a bit more on what is happening here? or perhaps your 'mother' could enlighten us"? Once again she had another hypothesis, one that involved Voph escaping this place, gaining power with the goal to return. At the very least things here didn't seem as bad as initially suspected, she honestly felt a little silly with all the equipment brought on her person, at the very least she could leave some of it behind on the shuttle.

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph held his mother for a moment, before she began to pull away, confusion visible on her face. "Why do your allies speak of you this way, Kyyrk?" Voph smiled gently, drawing a hand across his mother's cheek. "It is a name, nothing more, Mother." Voph's hand dropped to hers as he turned to face the CIS members with him. "We will speak of this later. There is...Much to explain. And not all of it fit for all ears." Voph turned back to his mother. "I am afraid we are here for reasons I can only explain to the High Councilor. If he deems fit to tell you, then he shall." Councilor Kyyria seemed concerned, but nodded. "Right this way, then. We will arrange for him to speak with you immediately..."

Voph walked in silence, musing over how he would tell the others what had transpired on this planet on that fateful day. They were led through the city to a grand hall, and ushered into what seemed to be a council chamber of some sort. Voph commanded the CIS soldiers to wait behind, taking only himself, Allya, and Kurenai within. Inside, they found a lone occupant. He stood in the center, staring at a large crystalline structure hung from the ceiling. He spoke without turning. "They told me you had returned, yet I did not wish to believe it." The man turned, revealing an older Miraluka, bearing the scars of many battles. Evidently not as peaceful as the rest of his kind. He looked upon the trio quietly for a moment, then focused on Voph. "Your mother didn't believe you survived. Varessa did not see fit to tell us you had escaped."

Voph bowed his head. "My apologies, High Councilor. I was not fit to speak with you when I was rescued. I--" Voph was silenced by the man holding up a hand. "It is in the past, boy. None of that matters now. But you have returned. Do they know?" Voph shook his head. The councilor turned to look at the two women with Voph, and inclined his head in greeting. "Then I welcome you to Vylmira. Prisoners in a war that has been raging for years. I am High Councilor Koren-Xho Verros." He regarded them quietly for a moment, then asked a simple question. "How long?" Voph was silent for a long while. ​"Four and a half millennia." The councilor fell silent for a moment. He seemed...more aware of what was going on than the others had. But even this gave him pause. Voph turned to the other two. "This planet...it is where I was born. By my reckoning, I am Four thousand, four hundred, and eighty six years old."

The men let the silence hang for a moment, then Koren continued. "I do not know how I have been freed of this foul spell, but I am, by my reckoning, the only being on the planet aware of what is happening. You came because of my distress signal, did you not? My followers have not yet sent it." Koren let the implication rest for a second. "Vylmira is the prisoner of an ancient Sith Lord, even in our time. He has cast some foul spell over the world, trapping it in the same day for all eternity. Once the sun rises on the temple, the day resets. I alone remember the events of the previous days. I have tried, over and over and over to rid Vylmira of this plague, but I have been unsuccessful. I am at my wits end. If you believe you can free our planet, we would be forever in your debt."

[member="Kurenai Yumi"] [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]