When the dead start dying

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus had asked Elphaba to accompany her on what was on paper a relatively routine mission. These things never were, she mused, but her Padawan’s affinity for healing would be a useful skill considering the brief.

Waiting at her ship, she welcomed Elphaba with her customary bow, before indicating they should enter the craft.

“We are off to a remote planet – outside of our jurisdiction, or anyone’s for that matter. Eol Sha. The information I have is that abandoned and half buried in the volcanic landscape for more than a millennium is a fortress that has been invaded and pillaged countless times by Jedi and Sith cultists. Its former resident, Darth Azera, left tomes, amulets, and other artefacts but these have long been stolen. Even the corrupt spirit of his failed apprentice Niphate, left behind as the stronghold’s guardian, has been defeated.”

“So why are we going? There is speculation that the remnants of his dark influence has lingered for centuries in a diluted state in the inhospitable wastes surrounding the fortress. This dark energy may be responsible for the death of a native species on the planet – the bugdillos. They are a multi-legged crustaceans with glossy black shells and are a staple diet of the few people that live there. So, we’ve been asked to go and take a look. Any questions?”

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

The world was a place she had seen only one other time before. They had gone there to study the fireworms and their crystal like skin that could go through the lava. It was a beautiful and dangerous thing as Corvus stood at the ready enjoying herself. Her master had been busy and she had been practicing, spending her time with the few things the order had left to study or in one of the healing rooms working on her own skills. Now she was going to a world that had some of the most dangerous creatures in the galaxy and that excited her while the plexisteel bracers were being tightened up. She took the moments to make sure her hair was in a tight ponytail then put into a knot with a hairpin. She didn't want it dangling and able to be ignited in case something happen. "No master no questions I am looking forward to this. It is nice to stretch my legs after being cooped up in the temple."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. "I suspected as much. Do your skills extend to flying a ship? If so, why don't you make your way to the cockpit and prep it for take-off while I finish off the checks back here."

Corvus was pleased that Elphaba seemed genuinely excited to go - and her experience of the planet would prove invaluable. The innocuously named fireworms for example were quite literally dragons - whose scales were impervious to a lightsaber. Corvus had never visited the planet but, as ever, she'd done her homework.

"Oh, and whilst we travel you can tell me what you know of the local population." And then, in a false whisper, she added,"And do some learning too!"

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

he had a smirk on her face to that, mostly when she was thinking about it and went off quickly towards the cockpit and thinking about the local population. There was a look on her face with that and Elphaba sat in the seat tapping her fingers along the side of a console. "There are a few places we can start but the locals are interesting. Last time the jedi were here we were working with Sasori before they were driven out of the jedi. They might have a team here still or a research camp. I know they were working on the fireworms and studying the minerals of the world." She held a small smirk on her face for it while going off now and taking control of the ship as it entered the atmosphere heading down. "Now lets see." She was scanning the map and inputting in search parameters as there was a blip and a smirk on her face.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus took her time to reach the cockpit. She didn't want to appear as though she was crowding Elphaba. But as she listened to her Padawan, she couldn't help but see the look of - what was it, happiness? Smugness? There was more to this trip than met the eye. Something that Elphaba wasn't perhaps sharing at the first cut of information.

"Why do I get the sense that there's more to tell. You seem particularly animated - as if something is particularly pleasing you?" Her voice was warm and reassuring, it was a friendly question, not a challenge.

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"When the jedi first fought the sith empire and caused them to fall the worlds in this area of space were in disarray. We worked to try and help out where we could and to stabilize them, most found a great deal of work helping the people that is how the Silver jedi learned of the temples and locations they set up in. Other found places like this where researching the creatures could provide valuable insight into equipment or technology. Then Sasori was moved mostly from disuse and others forgot about it and what equipment they made for everyone leaving it in a warehouse on Hapes. I am just excited to come back into the field and." Elphaba was smirking now. "NOw though now I get to test out one of their new suits that are versatile."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Pleased that Elphaba was doing all of the talking and they'd found a subject that was so close to her heart, Corvus decided to let the conversation flow.

"Suits? Tell me more."

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

She got a grin on her face while sliding a datapad out with a small grin. "Sasori has a wide selection and have been pushing with more resources to provide equipment to force orders. Best of all a fair amount of it is all free to the force users who need it." That was the important part, they delivered and provided without wanting to be paid or have the ones who protected wait. She had a suit of armor and some standard style robes... those visors were helpful as well while she brought the ship down and moved towards the cabin. Her equipment was there and this would be a good place to wear heavy armor good against heat. The blue duraplast armor in her bag was considered heavy but it was lighter and more focused then most things. She slid the visor out while securing the bodysuit and plates.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus looked at the equipment Elphaba talked about. She wasn't one for armour as a rule. She had the white robes for when they were necessary - but as a rule, preferred her usual garb. But the heat was likely to be a challenge and so she felt sure Elphaba would feel the benefit.

"So, how long before we land?"

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

She looked at her for a moment... They had landed just off away from most places because of stability and need. She had touched near the older research camps and those were chosen for a reason as she moved and rolled her shoulders. "We're down near one of the old research camps. There might be things around or there might be some of the jedi. Never know but I'd recommend a bodysuit it can help regulate temperature and on a world like this you don't want to be sweating through your robes." She offered just a smile tapping the duraplast chest piece and moving towards the ramp of the ship.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus conceded her Padawan was no doubt correct. There were enough things to be wary of on the planet without letting the heat alone cause injury at worst and fatigue at best.

So she donned one of the suits. It was a little cumbersome but not overly so. The more she worse it, the more she would get used to it. And catching her Padawan up, she opened up the visor before speaking. "So, you have the local knowledge, why don't you lead the way?"

Corvus enjoyed this kind of role-reversal. Elphaba was clearly in her element and it might well be the Knight that learned most from this particular trip.

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

With a nod as she exited the ship and was moving, she had only been here once but it wasn't a completely different place they did many different things but the researchers if they had remained here would have kept the camp going. She was walking and checked the ground while it was shaking and in the distance the sight of one of the fireworms, swimming through the lava and moving up. Over the embankment while she stood still and looked on. There were no more sounds as she was moving now with a small smirk on her face before the melted and hot areas. She was stepping over it and continuing towards the flapping tents and containers that were laid out. A small smile on her face while she looked around. "This is a good place to be, we have supplies somewhat so what kind of lessons did you have in mind."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus saw Elphaba perform some routine checks and then followed her gaze and saw the fireworm for herself. It was certainly larger and more fearsome than its name suggested. Who decided to name it a worm?

When Elphaba spoke, Corvus laughed. "When I said take the lead, that wasn't entirely what I had in mind. But I guess the research can wait awhile."

Tapping her chin with her forefinger, Corvus thought for a few seconds. "Let us not forget that this is your path, not mine. What in particular would you like to learn?"

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

She had a small nod, her training was certainly strange as she stood there for a moment and thought about it. She wanted to work on her healing abilities and the best way to do that was practically but finding a battlefield just so you could practice was not the best way to go about it. "I want to work on my healing and the best way to do that is to make sure I can do it under combat circumstances or on a battlefield."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus laughed. "Are you saying you want me to injure myself so you can practice on me? I've had some Force Heal training but it's basic and you are probably stronger than me already. Is there anything practical we can do now, or are you still insisting I fight a fireworm?"

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

Now that was a tough and she was laughing with it as well. "Well we can have that as plan B, one of the easier ways could be right here to use the containers and heat to make minor damage and practice healing them... Fighting fireworms I mean master if you really wanted to I am sure we could make something very cool from its scales if we survived and won."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was impressed. She'd underestimated her Padawan and that was never a good thing. Or, with an optimistic hat on, her Padawan had excelled herself. That sounded so much better.

"That sounds like a plan. The minor damage thing - not the fireworm part." Corvus pulled a face during the second part of the sentence. For a dying and volcanic planet, it had actually proven to be a very good choice for them to get to know each other better. "And from that, it makes sense to work out what's happening to the local bugs. So off you go and tell me what you want to do."

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

She held a small grin on her face while thinking about what she wanted to do and looked at the containers while she pulled one to try and get it into a better position. She was looking at it now with a focus for a moment or two and tipped it on the side while cracking her knuckles. "Alright then lets see here best way to make some minor injuries..." Well okay she had a few ideas but throwing her master might prove difficult while she spoke. "Well.. ah." Elphaba pulled at the containers to bring them at her and her master.. "Lets start now."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

"OK," Corvus said. There was a mystery about Elphaba today but a playfulness with it, so she played along with whatever her Padawan had planned. Corvus winced when Elphaba cracked her knuckles. It always went right through her when someone did that.

"Minor injuries. OK." Corvus simply watched and waited as the containers were brought to them.

[member="Elphaba nic Arose"]

 

[Elphaba nic Arose]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

Now she was moving, as the containers flew at them Elphaba stopped for a moment and kicked one then two using her fist on another to send it up higher while she corkscrewed kicking with her heel the third at her master with a twist and spin like mini projectiles. "Then catch" A tight lipped smile was on her face and she was preparing to pull and send a second set of containers.