Welcome to Gaia! ::

Aurora followed along in Ritt’s wake as he left the hanger bay, flipping the book back open to the page, she had marked and began scanning over the information that she would need to know by tomorrow. As she passed through the hanger’s blast doors, she glanced, up to check her bearing, and walked the short distance over to the door to her room.

She spared a last glance at Ritt as he walked further down the corridor before stepping in and closing the door behind her. She moved over to the dresser, set the journal the Ritt had given her on top and started to peal out of her pressure suit, stopping half way to check that the bathroom was still lock from her side of the door. Setting the suit aside, she pulled out her practice closing from her duffle bag. She slipped into a one-piece body glove, pulled on her boots and gloves and attached her belt around her waist. Securing her journal into one of the belt pouches and clipped on her lightsaber. She left the rest of her gear sit unpacked in her duffle.

She tied her hair back into a ponytail, moved back to her door, and pressed the open button. And there he was, patiently waiting for her outside of her room, just like he said. She found this oddly comforting and smiled up at him as she walked out of her room.

“Ready maste- uh, Sir.” She corrected herself quickly, looking at the deck as she felt herself flush with embracement. She had not meant to call Ritt mater, but she had, and in a way, he was. Even if he didn’t have the official rank, but that didn’t matter much to her.

“That long, huh.” Melissa mused. “Well I don’t know how anyone would forget you.” She grinned, referring to her white pelt. “Your fur, it’s quite memorable. I’m sure that you’ll find some one who remembers you.”

“Most illegal cargo is dropped off in such a way, although there is usually someone waiting at the location.” She responded. “If the slavers control all of the major facilities on planet then we’ll just have to bring a small cache and hide it with the legal cargo.” She raised one arm to gesture to their soundings. “I know that you don’t like the smell but we should be able to buy a few cold crates of perishable foods here for cheep, and as long as we keep the crate closed we won’t have to deal with the smell.” She taped the side of her nose and continuer to out-lie her idea to Katarra. “We place the stuff into one of the crates and leave the seal broken. When we get to planet, I doubt that slavers will want to inspect a box full of stinking rotten food. Besides, I think that they might be too preoccupied with the two of us.” An evil smile growing across her face.

She smiled seductively up at Katarra, batted her long eyelashes over her large watery Bright violet eyes, a sweet and innocent look on her face. She clasped her hands together in front of her ample bosom.
“Oh pleeazee mister slavers,” she began, her voice smoother than shimmer-silk. “The wookiee belongs to me.” She cooed wiggling her assets. “A girl needs to protect herself from those that would do her harm in this big ol’ scary ‘verse we live in.” her smile would have melted the ice floes of Ilum.

Melissa stepped back and shook her reddish pink hair giggling. “Well? Do you think that would help distract the costumes inspector?” she asked.

"[Yes.]" Katarra said softly. "[And those that survived to remember me might not look favorably upon us.]" She growled suddenly clearly uncomfortable. "[I do not have a very favorable reputation.]"

But the Wookiee cheered up as Melissa continued to outline her indepth idea of how to smuggle important cargo into her homeworld. She grinned as the idea panned out to become one very feasable.

But when Melissa suddenly did her innocent sexy young woman impression, Katarra stared at her with amusement, and then abruptly bust out into loud wookiee laughter, echoing in the halls. "[You are far more diabolical than I, my friend.]"

Koren exited the ship with a heavy heart. He cared for Cene and hated when they fought, for they hardly saw eachother as it was.

Oh well. I shouldn't fret. She won't stay mad for long.

He made his way through the hangar, taking care to avoid his Sullustan mechanic. He could take his ear being chewed off with warnings about his harsh operation of his ship and mechanical babble that he didn't understand.

The walk to his hotel was short and uneventful. Nothing ever really happened when he visited Mandalore. But maybe thats why he loved the planet so much. His family was here, not often, but there was always that possiblility.

Su'cuy, Koren. It's nice to see you back in one piece.

The old man's voice was soft, yet conained a strong will. Koren smiled and put down his usual amount of credits for his usual room.

I'm tired today, so I'll be taking a rest. Send a your grandson up to my room in two hours. I have a delivery for him to make. Tell him he will get paid.

Alright Koren. Have a nice rest.

Koren went up to his room and locked the door behind him. He took off his armor, washed up, then passed out on his bed.

As much as she didn't want to do it, Nemesis found herself entering a nearby cantina. Every time she turned a corner, something was off. Either she was getting looks, or felt like something was about to happen that would force her to do something about a given incident. The constant nagging thoughts of such were too much, and she had to get away from it.

As predicted, a random drunk seemed to want to hit on her. Luckily, he went away when she didn't pay him any attention, and he went on to try his luck on another woman. For the moment, she actually had the peace she was hunting. A few minutes passed and several patrons left and more entered. The drunk from before fwas still at it, but Nemesis caught wind of a familiar voice that had declined him.

As if to hide her existence, she kept her back to everyone, however her ghostly pale skin and white hair were hard to miss as nobody else in the cantina had both, and she was approached by the woman who had just declined the drunkard's invitation.

" The council picked up a little jolt in the Dark Side, so they figured you got in a bit of trouble. " Saria said, sitting next to her. " And they sent you because they figure I'll listen to you. " Nemesis said back. " Would you if it anyone else? " Saria asked. " Not really. " " Nobody's mad or anything, just worried. " " Because I'm so close to falling into the rampaging demon I once was, you mean. " " Nobody ever said they didn't have faith in you. "

After a minute of exchanging lines, they left together, heading back for the temple. Saria's gentle nature and generous use of kindness always seemed to keep Nemesis calm. Once back at the temple, Saria managed to talk Nemesis into trying on one of her own gowns. They weren't the same size, but it fit well enough, and the change from her normal style gave Nemesis a nicer, less menacing look. Then they both went around the temple and Saria's garden for a bit, Nemesis helping her along with her usual routine. It was just what she needed. While busy helping Saria with various things, her mind was devoid of any nagging thoughts, and in the gown instead of her Sith-esque clothing, she seemed to draw friendlier expressions from other Jedi passing by.

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It was not entirely private when the women were being punished for losing. It was hard to hide pleasure around the building, and Siren was already aware of the game before Calliga got involved. Not wanting to feel left out, Siren decided to punish her attendent for not finding out sooner. At least, that's what she used as an excuse, though both of them knew it was just for the fun of it.

The zeltron that Calliga was left with gave herself to his every whim, and being a zeltron, was able to make sure he enjoyed it as much as she did. While zeltrons were naturally better when it came to such things, given their empathic abilities, it didn't quite come to Siren's level, though that's not to say it was any less enjoyable either.

A short while later, Siren decided it was time to stop for a while again. Everything of major importance was now dealt with, and she headed for her quarters to relax. Figuring Calliga would either still be busy with the others, or desire some rest himself, she wasn't preparing for anything to happen, just to take it easy for a bit.

As Katarras mood lightened up Melissa felt something stir deep with in her, a tinny flicker of light, sparked into existence as Katarra roared in laughter at her ‘sweet ‘n’ innocent’ act. Not wanting Katarra to dell on her negative emotions Melissa continued on talking about the run.

“This planet has a military, right, and where ever there is a military base there are unscrupulous beings that make their living selling, what was it called…” she paused looking up as she organized her thoughts. “ Ah yes, ‘surplus equipment.’ I’m sure that if we breezed through a few tap-cafés we’ll find what we need. Oh, what’s your cargo capacity? Got anything stash spots that are scanner resistant?” she added.

The hooded man invited Pash to the Mandalorian settlement to talk, and given the other options that wereavailable this seemed the best choice. Ao the Jedi Shadow followed after the strange Mando.
The hooded man seemed to know a dozen differet back ways, hidden paths and trails through the forest. What Pash thought would be another few hours of hiking proved to be only a half an hour and before he knew it, Pash was walking through the gates of the Mandalorian settlement.

The settlement itself was much like the forest beyond: a blending of military salvage and nature. The local houses were sunken domed huts of wood and mud, reinforced and protected by scavenged armor plates taken from speeders and tanks. Hearth smoke drifted lazily out of chimneys mde of laser cannon barrels. Gardens were fenced off with woden fences upon which were hanging helmets, droid heads, and ammunition belts. The town walls were plated with armor as well, and laser turrets and watchtowers lined it. Futher in Pash could see a landing field home to four small starships that were covered with tarps to protect against the elements. There were two large cannons guarding the airfield, beyond which was the ocean where Pash noticed a pier and a few boats.

The village was full of activity as Pash was lead down the packed dirt street. Mando children, some wearing play armor, ran about playing and shooting pretend blasters at one another. Domestic fowl pecked at the road and darted out of the way of their owners. Mandalorian adults, half of them in armor, were either standing about conversing, going out to hunt or fish, or cleaning their equipment in the bright sunlight. Woodsmoke, leather, oxidizing metal, saltwater, raw fish and the odor of livestock assailed the nostrils.

And as Pash followed the hooded man he noticed he was catching more than a few curious stares, probably because he was underarmed. He conciously kept his lightsaber out of sight for obvious reasons, as a settlement full of Mandos would not react well to the prescence of a Jedi, so the only weapons that were visible on his person were the tanto knife and his slugthrower pistol.

Pash was led to one of the larger hutts, ringed by a healthy herb garden and covered by some sort of ivy plant that wrapped itself around the doors and windows. infact, the Ivy seemed to have been specially grown into decorative twisting patterns along the entire surface of the hut.
Down the steps and through the hard wood door(A door, on hinges, with a handle and a knocker no less. How antique!) Pash found himself in what one could only describe as a cross between a pharmacology lab a witchdoctor's larder, and someone's unkept storage room. Dried herbs hung from the ceiling, the walls were lined with shelves and knicknacks (As well as a good chunk of floor space) and what seemed to be a used escape pod seemed to serve as an add on room.

"Welcome to my home, youngling." the old man said as he set his satchel on a nearby counter. "Take your boots off, have a seat."

"Forgive me if I stand." Pash said as he doffed his boots, pulling the hood of his all weather cloak back to take in his surroundings better.

"Suit yourself, youngling." The man said as he pulled a stool up to the counter and began sorting the collection of things in his satchel. "Now then, I believe we could both make due with some introductions."

"Pash Antilles, Knight of the Jedi Order." Pash said. He didnt think it wise to mention he was a Jedi shadow so he stuck with the basics.

"Good good." The man replied as he flipped some sort of visor over the right side of his facemask. He held up a sprig and studied it intently as he spoke. "Very well, Pash. I am Getaf the kurshijag, or tree man as my vode call me. I am the village's doctor, vet, scholar, and instructor to the children...well, when it comes to lofty things like science and mathematics. Otherwise the children learn their letters and history from the Village's bard."

"Bard?"

Getaf put down the sprig and flipped his smaller HUD eyepiece back up. He turned to face Pash and shrugged. "Singer, storyteller- poor man cant sing a lick but he tries all the same. The Children learn their Basic and Culture from him. Otherwise their parents teach them all they need: How to hunt, fight, maintain their equipment, speak their native tongue-the usual things Parents should teach their young."

Pash scratched his head as he took this in. "So, you're a Mandalorian Scientist?"

Getaf chuckled and turned back to analyzing the items he had collected from the forest. "Of course. oxymoronic as the term may be, we do exist. Though to be perfectly honest I was somewhat "adopted" into the culture. Once, many years ago, I used to be a member of the Jedi Agricultural Corps."

Pash's eyes widdened as the pieces clicked. "So thats how you were able to find me. You're a Jedi."

"No, actually." He clarified. "I never was a real jedi. Never developed the strength in the Force to become anything more than a Padawan. As such I was sent to the Agricorps to help developing colony worlds such as this one. Of course that was when this was a Republic Colony, some, oh, 70 years ago."

"70 years?" Pash asked in astonishment.

"Hmmm...Yes. I do believe it was 70 years to this date." Getaf told him. "I was a younger man then, of course. Still foolish, still dejected because I had washed out of the Jedi Academy. Even to this day I cant lift so much as a pebble with the Force and have never owned a lightsaber."

"How old are you, if you dont mind me asking?"

Getaf looked up from his work and tapped his mask in thought. "You know...that is a very good question. Age has stoped having meaning to me decades ago, as I have been rather busy."

"Well what did the Mandalorians do to the Colonists?"

"Oh it wasnt the Mandalorians that removed the Republic Colonists." Getaf explained, turning to look back at him. "It was the Sith. They raided the Colony for slaves and supplies and burnt what was left to the ground while I was out in the forest collecting specimens for study. I was stranded here for five years before the Mandalorians of clan Ix decided to settle on Amorica, setting up camp right on the spot where the old colony stood. I managed to convince them of my ability as a healer and they integrated me into the clan. Since then I have done quite well for myself."

"So why did you not try and reconnect with the Jedi Order since the Mandalorians found you?"

"The Force has a plan for us all, youngling." The old man told him. "And it has deigned I stay here. I have a connection with this planet. Here I can feel the Force more strongly than anywhere else I have been in the Galaxy. The Order doesnt need an old Agricorps worker thought long dead. But the people here need me. This world needs me. And unless I miss my guess, you need me as well."

"Pardon?"

Getaf chuckled again. "Youngling, how many Jedi friendly Mandalorians do you know in the galaxy? They are coldly indifferent at best. Now what buisness does a Jedi have on a Mandalorian Colony world? None, unless it involves Mandalorians. Jedi are sensible beings after all. The Force has led you to my doorstep, youngling. Now what is it that I can do for you?"

"Very well." Pash dug the armor fragment from his belt pouch and handed it to Getaf. "An Investigation I am undertaking has turned up this clue. It is a piece of Mandalorian Armor. Do you recognize the sigils?"

Getaf flipped down his eyepiece and examined the fragment. "Hmm...Duraplast composite. Sturdy material. And the Sigils....these are the markings of the Kusp Clan...Interesting. A band of Kusp soldiers passed-"

"Su cuy'gar, Getaf!" A voice cheerily called from the doorway. Pash turned and saw the two mandos from before, the large one with one of the Wild Swine from the forest across his shoulders.

Pash met the gazes of the two mando'ade hunters and all three went for their weapons.