Two Different worlds... [Connor Harrison]

[Anija Betna]

For a long moment, Anija stared at the comm message displayed on her HUD as she sat in the cockpit of her Bes'uliik fighter. It was the only ship she had, and she hoped it wouldn't raise too many alarms if she brought the craft into Silver Jedi space. Voss wasn't a planet she'd ever visited, but she understood it to be a lush and vibrant world. And now the Silver Jedi Order called it home.

Anija glanced at the message again and waved off ANNE for the moment. The message was from one [member="Connor Harrison"], Jedi Master, Silver Jedi Order. She frowned. In all her dealings with SJO, she'd heard the name a few times. And, she had to admit, she was curious. Rumor had it that he was, at one time possessed by a Taung spirit. But, that wasn't what caught her attention. She hoped, that maybe, he could help her refine her skills, and maybe come to an understanding of recent events.

 

[Connor Harrison]

He’d done training and self-meditation, and after an exhilarating jog around the temple grounds, Connor Harrison slowed down, checking his wrist mounted com-link for any messages. None. It was the first time in a long while no-one had tried to reach him for training, rescuing or expeditions.

Hands on hips, dressed in black training vest, combat trousers and boots, Connor sucked in the humid air and walked around in small circles outside the main entrance to the temple. Sweat crested his brow and the nape of his neck – a good workout indeed.

In a few days he would be off world to Tatooine, and so the Mandalorian wouldn’t have long to make contact or she’d have a wasted visit. He bore no grudge against the Mandos, and didn’t really have any history with them – so to speak.

Going over his history in the privacy of his quarters, there was still one burning issue that he wanted explaining. The Taung. The spirit that possessed him months ago and nearly killed him, but changed him for the better. All he knew was that the Taung had links to the Mandalorians of the past, and the name [member="Anija Ordo"] was one he’d seen in the records of all known Silver Jedi dominions and invasions.

However, to Connor, they were nothing but space pirates who probably could crush a skull in one hand. Big, burly and heavily tattooed soldiers in heavy suits of armour with a strict brotherhood few understood. Still, when did Connor ever admit to knowing what danger he was inviting…?

 

[Anija Betna]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Slowly, Anija brought her ship down to land at the main landing pad. As she did so, she carefully drafted a message. <Master Harrison: We have never met, but you come highly recommended by several of your peers. If you have a few hours, I would like to meet with you. There are a few things I would like .... advice on.> Here, she hesitated. Anyone who knew the Mandalorian reputation knew that they did not make such requests lightly.

With a faint sigh, she transmitted the message and then settled back to wait until she received a reply. Known or not, she didn't want to just go wandering around in full beskar'gam without at least announcing herself first. And so, she contented herself with checking over her rippers and other weapons, and making sure they functioned properly.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Looking up as a ship passed through the atmosphere overheard with a low roar, looking like a beast cutting through the clouds, Connor sat against the outer wall of the temple looking out to the planet. In a few moments, his com sounded.

He brought it up, and read. It was the Mandalorian, and that must have been her ship arriving. It was a little peculiar to have a Mando come to the Silver Jedi, but who were they to dictate who or what came to their planet for help.

Eyes drifting upwards for a few seconds, fingers circling each other, Connor thought about his reply. How interesting to think others had spoken about him, but he knew the majority of it wouldn’t be all sunshine and roses.

He began –

Miss Ordo – Anija, apologies. Custom greetings to the Mando culture isn’t known to me. I am interested who has been saying what about me, and you have caught me just in time. I have to leave planet come sunset but will help you anyway I can in return for your knowledge also…

He smiled and transmitted the message. Pushing up from the stone wall he stretched his arms as he began to walk through the grounds to the rear landing pad where the craft came down in, and hopefully it would be her.

[member="Anija Ordo"]

 

[Anija Betna]

The response came faster than she had anticipated. Taking a slow breath, she brought the message up on her HUD and read it carefully. The first thing that caught her attention was his form of address. It made her chuckle for a moment.

When she had thought for a few more seconds, she began to draft a second reply. With hushed words, she dictated the message to ANNE.

<Master Harrison, Miss Ordo will do fine. Mandalorians are a practical people. Though, if you want to be technical, it would be 'Miss Betna'. She shrugged slightly. I wish to discuss a personal matter with you regarding my father. And, if you have the time, I'd like advice on how to refine some of my force skills.> She had hesitated slightly before adding that last part.

Taking a deep breath, she sent it, and then reached up to remove her buy'ce, setting the helmet in the seat as she popped the canopy. Balancing on the upper fuselage, she purposefully set her Beskad in the seat, leaving just her rippers on her belt. It was a sign of trust on her part.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor hopped up the stairwell from the medbay up into the internal hangar which would lead out to the landing pad at the rear of the temple. As he did, the com chimed and he brought it up, coming to a stand as he read.

His brow furrowed, his eye closing slightly at the talk of her father, and being a personal matter. What did he have any business with the Mandos for? And why did she want him specifically? Looking up and moving out of the way of a busy orange and white astromech droid, he went to reply.

Miss Betna – I assume you have already touched down, so I will be with you in a few moments. I look forward to seeing you.”

Short and sweet. His curiosity was peaking, and he continued walking across the hangar, past the large Ranger ships and tecchies. His E-wing was in the far corner, looking primed and ready to go. Breaking out into the morning sun, she stretched his arms back and forward and headed to the only ship on the pad, and he could already see the figure emerging from the cockpit.

Holding his hand up to shield the sun, Connor walked to the nose of the craft.

”Anija Ordo? Connor Harrison. A pleasure to meet you finally.”

 

[Anija Betna]

Slowly, Anija turned at the sound of his voice. Shading her eyes for a moment against the bright noontime sun, she nodded. "Aye... that's me." She responded firmly. She hesitated a second or two before dropping off the upper fuselage and landing easily on the tarmac which served as the surface of the landing pad.

When she'd straightened up, she nodded again and reached out to grip his arm in the warrior's greeting - much as she would for another Mandalorian. "Master [member="Connor Harrison"], good to meet you." She said firmly before she released her grip. "I'm sorry if the visit is rather abrupt." She paused. "There have been some events recently which left me with many questions to which I didn't have answers."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Walking towards the Mando, Connor was surprised to see a rather pretty face within the armour, slaying his theory that all Mando warriors were 6ft tall with huge muscles, bald heads and necks as thick as your waist. He reached out with his hand to shake hers, but she went straight by and gripped his arm, to which Connor mirrored to her.

He should have known it was a more “brotherhood” greeting than a formal shake of hands.

”Welcome to Voss, it’s my pleasure.”

As she spoke, Connor gestured with his hand away from the ship.

”Come, let’s take a walk, Miss Ordo…sorry, do I call you Miss? Or just Anija? Lieutenant? Forgive me, my dealings with the Mandalorians is very rusty.”

He signalled a tech crew on the pad to keep an eye on her ship as they took a slow walk to the outer grounds.

”Now, what seems to be the problem? I’m still unsure how I can really be of help to you.”

[member="Anija Ordo"]

 

[Anija Betna]

She had to admit, his manner and mild confusion was.... refreshing. She did enjoy educating people on the finer points of Mandalorians culture, but she wasn't overly formal when it came to titles. As her last expedition as part of Jorus Merrill's crew had demonstrated. Pausing for a moment, she considered his question. Normally, she would have requested 'Miss Ordo', but as the visit was personal in nature, she didn't see any harm in being informal. If anything, it was yet another gesture of trust. Something she didn't extend easily.

Giving him a reassuring smile, she chuckled. "I think, since the matter is of a personal nature, Anija will be fine." She wasn't entirely sure how much of her emotions he could sense, but, she hoped he could sense her sincerity and her conviction. As they walked away from the ship, Anija shrugged. She had no problem with the techs servicing the craft and refueling it. And she knew ANNE would prevent any unauthorized access. With her helmet in the cockpit, she wore a small earpiece to stay in contact.

After a moment's thought, she replied to his question. "I'm not sure how much you know about the Mandalorian and Fringe invasion of Coruscant. To make a long story short, my father, Ordo was....possessed by a sith spirit." She said softly before she paused and watched his face for a reaction as she continued. "Near as I've been able to tell, he was arrested without trial, and stripped of the force. he was a Master in his own right." Another pause, and she looked away. "Before the Mandalorian invasion of Empress Teta... I met with Ordo and tried to talk him down." She closed her eyes for a moment. "I was trying to get his attention.... so I shot out his knee..." At this,, she swore softly and sighed. "I know I let my anger take control. Justified or not, I... want to learn better control."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

As they walked, and she started to talk, Connor couldn’t help give her the once over, taking in her impressive armour, her tall figure and confident poise. Feeling somewhat feeble next to her, he subtly rose himself a little higher.

She radiated a mild Force signature, but he felt that she was nothing but sincere and passionate for her cause.

As she mentioned the fate of the one known as Ordo and the Sith possession and she looked to him, Connor was looking outwards and gently rolled his tongue around the inside of his mouth, a number of thoughts racing in his head.

Who had told her about his past?

Was he still labelled as a volatile Jedi?

Giving an automatic nod, still listening, he processed the rest of her story and remembered how others in the Order had been to him after the possession of the Taung itself – full of mistrust, anger and frustration in wanting answers and reasons; reasons he couldn’t produce.

”I see.”

Turn the tables.

”I’m sorry to hear of this, Anija, but what makes you think I can be of help to you in finding the answers, or control, you’re seeking?”

[member="Anija Ordo"]

 

[Anija Betna]

As the question fell from his lips, she drew to a stop and turned to look at him. Her face was single troubled, and she took a deep breath, trying to focus before she answered. "Master Harrison, it wasn't any one person. There have been whispered rumors ever since Zygerria." She shrugged apologetically.

"I... admit to some curiosity about it, but I sought you out because I felt perhaps having had such experiences it might help you have a better understanding of where I'm coming from." She actually blushed slightly. "I'm a very practical person, and I get the feeling most other Jedi wOuld have told me things that would just be....hollow."

She had no way to really quantify that last statement, but after the recent events surrounding the Order of the Grey being in Mandalorian space, she was reluctant to trust many force users. And from what little she'd heard about Connor, she felt that he would at least understand somewhat. She wasn't sure how to say what she needed to, and she hoped it made sense.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Stopping with Anija, he turned and folded his arms. So he was the subject of whispered rumour? Maybe it was something he already knew, but just never wanted to admit. So this was going to follow him around forever – Connor Harrison, the Jedi who was possessed and nearly brought down an Order.

He rubbed his eyes with his hands for a moment, going back to cross them over his chest.

”Brilliant. Well, I’ll do what I can, I guess. You’ve got my attention for a few hours so make the best of it. Would you care to come to my quarters? It’s private there, and we can talk if you want.”

The thought of whispers reaching the Mando’s about his state was un-nerving, and he wished he knew the ones doing the whispering.

[member="Anija Ordo"]

 

[Anija Betna]

Sighting softly, she tried to project calm. "I suppose it would be better than continuing to discuss my personal matters in public.." She chuckled slightly and gestured for him to lead the way as she took a look around. A faint frown crossed her face as she caught at least the general direction of his thoughts. "As to your concern, it may be best to discuss that privately as well." She wasn't one to ascribe to many rumours. But, in this case, it might prove useful.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor Harrison’s Quarters
The Silver Jedi Temple, Voss​

It was shaping up to be another day full of surprises. Connor took Anija through the temple, filling her in on a little trivia of their Order, and introducing her to a few of the Rangers and Knights along the way through to the rear of the temple and his quarters.

Activating the panel, the door pulled back into the softly illuminated orange and blue room. The light filtered through from the porthole window across the room, shining through on his bunk and small living quarters.

”Come through, excuse how small it is. It serves me just fine. We will have peace here so you can tell me what you know.”

He stood to the side and gestured for her to walk through and take a seat where she wished.

”I have Blue Milk and water if you care for a drink, nothing stronger I’m afraid. Sorry.”

[member="Anija Ordo"]

 

[Anija Betna]

She had met a few of the other members during her missions to assist the Silver Jedi on various occasions. So, she was glad to be meeting a few more. If she had ever gone fully Jedi, she might have take the Shadow or Sentinel path, though those were considerations for another time. Stepping inside past him, Anija allowed a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the relative dimness after being out in the bright noontime sun.

After a few moments, she could see the room more clearly. She waved off his apology. "It will do just fine, Master Harrison...." she paused, and sighed, not entirely sure how he preferred to be addressed. The room looked comfortable and, she could see several personal touches here and there. At least it wasn't entirely bare of personality, as she'd known some Jedi and their personal quarters to be in past experience.

At his mention of drinks, she chuckled. "Water will be fine, vor'e..." she sighed at herself, noticing she was lapsing back into Mando'a occasionally. She hoped he would at least understand the gist of what she said. With that, she moved past him slightly and settled herself onto the nearest couch as she waited for him. The subject at hand, both of himself and Ordo where difficult ones at best.. for both of them.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor moved towards his small kitchenette with very basic equipment to cook a small amount of food and keep it clean, and a refrigeration unit rested on the back wall.

”Please, Connor is fine.”

Hearing the Mando in her reply, Connor guessed it was “thanks” of some kind. No matter, he got the idea. He pulled two glasses from the cupboard unit and held them under the tap for cool water. The clear liquid filled up both glasses quickly and was already chilled. He walked back around to the couch and placed both glasses on the table, taking a seat opposite her.

”Ok. What can I do for you Anija. Tell me what you know.”

[member="Anija Ordo"]

 

[Anija Betna]

Anija nodded her thanks, lifting one of the glasses and taking a sip. As she did so, she took the few seconds to compose her thoughts. "As to what I know of your ... situation.." She paused. "It's not a lot really. There were some whispers when I was assisting with efforts on Zygerria. It wasn't much, just that you were...possessed by the spirit." She frowned a bit. "When I next heard your name mentioned, there was word that you were recovering." Sighing, she looked him in the eye. "I was very curious. As you might not be aware, the Taung are the ancestors of Mandalorian culture. They began adopting people of other races and cultures. That practice continues to this day." Taking a moment to brush hair from her face. "I felt that perhaps you might be able to relate based on your experience." Frowning, she shrugged. Yeah, she was somewhat taking advantage of the situation, but she hoped he would understand why.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Swirling the water in the glass, Connor listened and didn’t take his eyes from the dark haired Mando. She touched upon the obvious, and she teased him with answers he too wanted to know. When she finished, he took a sip and smacked his lips, thinking.

”Well – “ he glanced out the window for a second, ” – guess my celebrity status was true after all.”

He offered a small smile, leaning on his elbows.

”Can I just ask what you mean about the Taung adopting people? What does that mean? Do you mean it seeks those stronger or weaker and tries to take them over, or what, I don’t understand; no, I don’t understand why I was drawn to it to be honest.”

The irritation crept up in his voice and he hung his head with a small sigh.

”Sorry. But, the hammers – why hammers? Where were there hammers dotted around moons that held the spirt within? It doesn’t make sense.”

He was half talking to himself as much as her.

[member="Anija Ordo"]

 

[Anija Betna]

She laughed slightly at that. "Nothing bad though. Everything I've heard recently is good." She reassured with a nod as she took another sip. ShaKing her head slightly, she chuckled at his question. "The Taung - and the Mandalorians in general have been conquerors throughout history. They absorbed the inhabitants of the various conquered worlds into their ranks. Then later, members of various clans began to adopt orphans from their campaigns. That's the way it's been for centuries." She paused and met his gaze squarely. "I myself was adopted when I was young. Ordo found me on Corellia." His final question caused her to frown. "I have no idea why the hammers. Perhaps they were weapons used by the Taung and left behind on worlds they conquered centuries ago."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Resting on his elbows, Connor was fascinated with her knowledge – hearing it directly from a Mandalorian was perfect. The exploration of other cultures was something Connor had wanted to do from a young age, and his role with the Silver Jedi was allowing him finally to explore it.

He tapped his thumb against the glass and looked out at the gardens through his window.

”So, what would have happened if the body the Taung embodied wasn’t good enough, say. A civilian or a smuggler or something – luckily it found its way to a Jedi. And I guess that the Taung would have steadily eaten away my mind to use me as what – a soldier for their ranks, or the Mandalorians? What?”

He placed his out hand on the table.

”Forgive me, Anija, so many questions. I don’t demand answers, just anything you know will help me – I find it fascinating you being here and shedding light on what happened.”

[member="Anija Ordo"]