For the Republic!

"On every world the Sith Empire strikes, we will be there too. We will sacrifice when necessary. We will never surrender. For hope; for freedom; for the Republic!" ((Indie Star Wars OC RP blog, based on the Trooper story from The Old Republic))

[callsignmeteor]

spearofaishallah:

Ecthelion watched Eron seat herself with weary curiosity. Now that he was over his surprise, he could tell the woman was definitely not fae-they tended to look far more like other Asgardians than she did. He had only ever met one or two, but they had definitely been kin to elves and men, however distant. “I do. I do not know how long I would live without it, but it would likely be a painful wasting death.”

Her question made him blink, then close his eyes as he tried to figure out how to describe it. He was a linguist, not a poet. “I am a wind mage, so majyk feels like the wind to me. Free flowing, easy to divert, but powerful. It also feels…big, I suppose. I am poor at subtle workings. …Without it, right now, I feel tired in addition to my headache and nausea. It’s not so much like I have not eaten or slept as like I am missing something essential. …I’m sorry if this isn’t helpful; I’ve never had to describe it before.”

Eron gave him a smile. “It is alright, it is the same with us when we attempt to explain the Force to those who cannot feel it. We tend to describe it as imagine feeling another layer to the world. This layer is the Force. Everything that happens affects this layer: ranging from mere ripples to tremendous forces.”

She pondered for a moment. “The way you describe your majyk as like the wind...perhaps you can visualize the Force as the same. The two do not sound so different except for us...well, some wonder if the Force is not just an energy field but also a true living thing.”

A head tilt. “Perhaps let me extend a tendril of the Force to you and perhaps you can pick up on it.” A delicate hand raised and with a slow gesture, she called upon the Force. Like her own hand, it gently grazed over Echthelion’s own calloused hands.

[callsignmeteor]

spearofaishallah:

“…That is appreciated, and I will extend the same courtesy.” He paused, looking the man over, then added, “I might ask about the different races that populate your world later, though-I would like a rough idea of who I might be dealing with if I end up stuck here for a while.” He wasn’t going to be rude if he could help it-he had been taught better than that.

Despite that, he couldn’t help the surprise as the Twi’lek entered. His first thought was fae, but he’d never heard of fae having antennae like that. Still, when he spoke, his voice was just as polite as hers. “Master Eron, it is a pleasure to meet you. The Major mentioned that you may be able to help me sense this Force that permeates your world, and I believe that it may be something that I can use in place of my normal majyk source. If you are willing, I would appreciate the help.”

One of Eron’s lekku twitched in amusement. “I see, so you require a connection to the Force in order to survive?” She gave him a careful look over. “Well, you certainly do not look well...I will try my best.”

Maekrix and Elara retreated to the back of the tent to discuss something between themselves as Eron took a seat across from Ecthelion.

“It might help me to understand how to better help you if you can explain your connection to your own native...majyk you called it?”

[callsignmeteor]

spearofaishallah:

Once he was more able to focus on things other than ‘where am I’ and ‘my head hurts,’ Ecthelion would be somewhere between grateful for and suspicious of the lack of questions. He always got questions, and even if he didn’t answer with anything more than ‘none of your business,’ he still preferred to at least get it out of the way.

He looked up a bit as the Sergeant left, then settled, grateful that he wasn’t required to move. The Major’s words didn’t get a twitch out of him, but he responded nonetheless, voice barely a murmur. “Quiet is unappreciated in its own time, I think.”

“If you’re wondering why I’m not grilling you harder, I’m inclined to only question people to get information that I need. Not information to satisfy idle curiosity. Everyone’s entitled to their own business.”

Maekrix spoke without straightening from his position, his hands clasped over his eyes. His own business was something he did not discuss with anyone outside of a very tight circle.

There was a quiet motion as the flap of the tent was pulled aside again and Elara appeared once again. This time with a guest. Following close behind her with elegant steps was a blue skinned Twi’lek dressed in humble robes of warm colors. Soft lavender eyes looked at Echthelion with mild curiosity.

“Master Eron, this is the guest I told you about.”

The Twi’lek bowed gently and when she spoke, her voice was soft and cultured. “Hello Echthelion, I heard that you are in need of some assistance?”

[spearofaishallah]

“…That would actually be much appreciated. If they can help me feel the Force, I may be more able to tap into it.” He didn’t know, but at this point, he would take anything that would get rid of this headache. “And that tends to be the reaction of most when there are powerful people around.”

The quietude of the rain made him consider seeing if he could go outside, but he decided against it after a particularly nasty throb. “I hope so, though I think my tolerance may be far lower than yours. For some reason, this headache has made my ears oversensitive.”

[callsignmeteor]

Honestly, Echthelion’s ears had made Maekrix curious, but he knew better then to ask about another person’s scars. Sometimes they were reminders of things best left private. He knew that much with the collection of scars he himself had gathered.

The rain had finally died down to a drizzle, though cracks of thunder were still heard. “Elara, can you see if Master Eron is around? I think she’s the best person for this job.”

His wife nodded at him as she pulled the flap of the tent aside and disappear out into the darkness. His task of cleaning his weapons done, the trooper leaned back.

“...sometimes its nice to just have quiet amidst the chaos.” He appeared to be speaking to himself more then to his guest.

[spearofaishallah]

“I do, actually. Now that I can think somewhat clearly, I believe my current symptoms are due to an inability to access the Gaia flow. My people need it in order to survive.” The click made him wince a bit, but he made no comment. It wasn’t the human’s fault that he was being oversensitive.

The question got a thoughtful frown followed by a slow nod. “I believe so. I will not be able to tell until I can tap into it, but that will hopefully happen soon. And I am not surprised that you do not have a true form of that-Psionics are peculiar to elves and their kinfolk. I personally am a wind mage, not a Psionic, so I cannot say much more on the subject.” He could, actually, but he didn’t much want to. Eos was not a pleasant topic for him to think about.

[callsignmeteor]

“Hm, well, I could try getting one of the Jedi around here to help you out. They’ll be of more help to you then me. I’m just a human being who happens to be good with these,” Maekrix said wiggling the sidearm in his hand. “I don’t know much about that other stuff other then being glad when its on our side versus the other.”

The drone of the rain outside had died down a bit, from a roar to more of a quiet hum.

“Shouldn’t be too long now until we can get a lull we can tolerate.”

[spearofaishallah]

Ecthelion watched Maekrix start taking apart the rifle, using the distraction as a way to ignore his headache. It didn’t work very well, but when the human started speaking, he managed to push it away and listen. Despite it not being linguistics, it was still interesting, and more importantly, it might be necessary for him to know.

“…I think these Dark and Light sides are not all that akin to the Light and Dark majyk of my world. They sound more like Psionics, in fact.” He sighed softly, closing his eyes and rubbing his temple, then added more softly, “I know well the dangers that madness and majyk can produce, however, and I do not blame your Jedi for preaching control. The other option is…frightening, to say the least, and I would not wish it on any people.”

He shook his head slightly, grimacing as the motion increased his headache, then opened his eyes again. “Nevertheless, the Force, as you call it, does not seem to be too different from the Gaia flow of my own world. I think I will be able to make use of it, if nothing else.” Which was a relief, because he would rather not waste away if he ended up stuck here for more than a few days.

[callsignmeteor]

“More power to you if you can make use of it...though from your tone, it almost sounds like you NEED this kind of thing.”

A sharp click as the rifle was reassembled and Maekrix next was working on his side arm.

“This Gaia of yours is like the Force? And Psionics...well, we don’t really have any true form of that to my understanding. The Jedi insist its not the right term to apply to their own abilities.”

[spearofaishallah]

Ecthelion’s expression of bafflement turned to one of slight irritation as the spears were called ‘primitive.’ Sûlthel was a finely wrought piece of craftsmanship, and one that her smith had taken great pride in-there was nothing primitive about her. But all he said was, “I will look once my head has stopped its pounding.”

“…The Force? …That does not sound like any sort of majyk I know.” Ecthelion blinked slowly at the major, then added, “Unless you have other duties, perhaps you could explain? It might take my mind off of this damnable headache.” At the very least, it couldn’t add to it-he was fairly certain this was as bad as it could get.

[callsignmeteor]

“I got time. like I said earlier. Not much to do until the storm passes.” A crack of thunder reinforced his words. “Just equipment maintenance at this point.” His rifle rested across his knees as practiced hands pulled it apart to clean.

“The Force is...man its still kind of a mystery to me despite my fair experience with the people who use it. Jedi and Sith, good and bad respectively. One of my good friends is a Jedi Master and he’s tried to explain it to me.”

Maekrix fiddled with the rifle a bit to gather his thoughts. “The Force is like this...energy field that all things are connected to. Force sensitives are people who are able to sense and with enough sensitivity, use the Force.. I’ve seen them do some pretty spectacular things from moving objects, enhancing their physical ability, sensing the intentions and thoughts of people...the list is long.”

He scratched the back of his neck. “Jedi are basically Force users who only use the Light side. They preach constraint and control...though I don’t think I agree with their idea that they have to be distant from their emotions to the point they even discourage love from what I’ve been told.”

At least Iacho just seem disinterested in the idea versus being against it.

“Sith on the other hand delve full head into their emotions and that’s why they tend to channel the Dark Side. They use too much of it with little to no concern as to holding themselves back...I’ve seen what the ones who’ve been tapping into that well too long tend to look like...”

[spearofaishallah]

“A rift. They’re not really my area of expertise, so I can’t tell you more than that.” Ecthelion was a linguist, not a scientist, and honestly, he didn’t much care about the minutiae of how he had arrived here. He just wanted this headache to pass.

The critical look got a wary one back, but the Major’s words distracted him. “However and whenever. I really don’t know if I will be here a day or a year-I have never Strayed before, nor known someone who has.” He sighed, then added, “Provided this place has something similar to the magical flow that Gaia has, though, I should be able to be of use. …Especially if you happen to have a spear lying around.” A vain hope, perhaps, but one he could at least express.

[callsignmeteor]

“Hm, well. We’ve been confiscating some of the weapons from the Massani.” At the clueless look, Maekrix elaborated. “The native species here, big and mean. They also still use primitive weapons.” He pulled back the flap of the tent and pointed at another outside. “We’ve been storing them there if you want to take a look when the storm has a lull.”

Elara meanwhile busied herself at a nearby terminal, typing up a report. “Sir, the others are stuck at other camps.”

“Got it.” He turned his attention back to his guest. “Um...well, I dunno anything about magic. I mean the closest thing I can think of that fits that description is the Force.”

[spearofaishallah]

“I see. I’m afraid to say I’m not that extensively traveled even on my own planet, so I can’t say that I am.” The only reason he had traveled as much as he had was because of his self-exile, and even then, he had mostly limited himself to the northern reaches of the continent.

Ecthelion took another sip of the water, then sighed softly at the question and started to rub his temple again. “I stepped through a rift. One moment I was walking down the street and the next I was on my knees in the jungle. I definitely did not intend to come here, and as soon as I can return home, I will.” Admittedly, he had no clue when that would be, but hopefully he wouldn’t die in the meantime.

[callsignmeteor]

“A...rift? Like a portal or something?” Sounded crazy but...Havoc Squad had seen a lot of crazy. This was just another to add to the pile. “Well, you story matches up with...everything else.”

Elara nodded in agreement. “It is very clear he is not an Imperial or a Revanite. And certainly not one of us.” She gave a critical look over the ears especially.

Maekrix shrugged. “Well, I don’t think there’s any harm with letting him stay here with us until he goes home...however that happens. If anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with me. Not like we have much else to do until the storm passes.”

Nobody wanted to argue with the legendary Major and Commander of Havoc Squad.

[spearofaishallah]

While it did nothing for his headache and vision, emptying his stomach did make Ecthelion feel somewhat better. Being in out of the rain did even more for his physical state, because now he didn’t have raindrops pinging off of his ears and making everything even worse. With a sigh, he sat down, then sheathed his knife and perched his head in one hand, eyes closed as he rubbed his temple in a vain effort to reduce the pounding behind it.

The orders got him to open his eyes with a wry look, and he took the cup and murmured, “I’m over 600 years old. I would hope I would know what to do after vomiting. Nevertheless, thank you.” He did as she had told him to, then snorted softly at Maekrix. “It is definitely better in here than out there, though I cannot say I have ever been on a planet like this.”

[callsignmeteor]

“I’ve seen everywhere form this to a planet is just a giant sandbox. You get used to it eventually.” He nodded to Elara as she slid off her own helmet and took a seat close to him.

“So, if you’re feeling up to it, I hope you can answer a few questions. First and foremost is how the heck you ended up in the middle of the Yavin jungle. I mean no offense but...” He gestured to Ecthelion’s modest attire. “You don’t look like someone who could have gotten out there under normal circumstances.”

[spearofaishallah]

Surprisingly, Ecthelion somehow managed to keep his breakfast down until they reached the camp. The need to focus on other things-keep moving, keep your ears out of the rain, don’t drop your knife-combined with an iron will developed over the centuries kept the nausea at bay.

Once they reached the camp, though, the knowledge that he was done moving upset the delicate balance he had. Head pounding and eyes clenched shut, he disentangled himself from Maekrix and fell to his knees in the mud, not even bothering to push back his hair as he finally emptied his stomach.

[callsignmeteor]

Elara made sure to keep Ecthelion steady as he heaved. No use in allowing him to accidentally inhale some of his own vomit. Maekrix waved off some concerned parties as they waited until the heaves were through.

Only then did they carefully take him over to a tent where it was at least dry and got him into a chair.. Elara grabbed a spare towel and a cup of water. “Here sip this slowly and wash your mouth out before drinking any.”

Maekrix shook the water off himself as he reached up to unhitch his helmet. He ran his fingers through his dark hair to try and get some of the helmet hair settled before taking a seat.

“Well that’s loads better isn’t it? Always feel you never need to shower again after a planet like this.

[spearofaishallah]

Ecthelion sighed, then took the proffered arm. The human (or, at least, human-looking being) was a good four inches taller than him, which was going to make this a somewhat unpleasant prospect, but leaning was far better than being carried.

Which reminded him. “…Do not be surprised if I vomit at some point. I will try not to on you, but I don’t know how long I can control the nausea.” He sincerely hoped that this went away at some point, because he would hate to spend however long he was going to be stuck here sick. He had his dignity, thank you.

[callsignmeteor]

Maekrix easily shifted most of Ecthelion’s weight onto himself and the trio started the slow trek back to camp.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ve had worst on me.” That was not an exaggeration. Elara’s hand moved away from her helmet as she finished her communication.

“They’re informed sir.”

“Good, so let’s try to make haste.”

[spearofaishallah]

If he had been more lucid, Ecthelion would have watched Elara examine him with suspicion and a small amount of wonder. They had nothing like the datapad on Asgard, and he could not figure out what it was doing. Nevertheless, the device seemed to take the place of a more invasive scan, a fact for which he was grateful.

As the rain picked up, Ecthelion flattened his ears to his skull, trying to keep them out of the almost painful drops. He sighed at the Major’s words, then nodded, only to clench his eyes shut as the motion sent the world spinning. “I’ll come, but I can’t promise that I’ll make it far. This is getting worse, I think.”

[callsignmeteor]

The...whatever he was had a point. He looked in no shape to be walking and the rain was getting heavier by the minute. Maekrix shouldered his rifle and offered an armored arm.

“Here, lean on me. We need to get back to camp before this storm gets any worst. And it will.” He turned his attention to Elara. “Better radio back that we’re going to have a guest before the interference becomes too much.”

[spearofaishallah]

The gibberish thing went both ways. Ecthelion stared silently at them as they spoke, then slowly shook his head. “No, I am not from here. I have never been on a ‘moon planet’, whatever that means.” The nausea made a resurgence, and he pressed his lips together for a moment, trying to keep in under control.

He took a step back as the visor came up, then paled, leaving his skin looking unpleasantly moldering peanut butter. “…I might just. …You’ll forgive me if I don’t sheathe my blade, and you’ll forgive me if I ask you to not take it.” That was more out of a feeling that if he tried to kneel, he wouldn’t be standing up again. “I am uninjured, however, if that helps you.

[callsignmeteor]

Maekrix doubted Ecthelion’s knife would be able to pierce their armor and nodded at Elara to indicate it was okay. She knelt besides the Elf and carefuly scanned him with her datapad.

“He’s right sir, no physical injuries. Looks to be a case of extreme nausea, similar to what vertigo causes. I think it will pass.” She offered a hand to help him up.

The Major’s head tilted back to consider the stormy weather, it was beginning to pick up which made it pointless to continue their original missions. “Alright, you can come back with us. No point in leaving you out here to fend for yourself.”

[spearofaishallah]

It was only long years of experience that kept Ecthelion from jumping as the voice shouted. For a moment, he appeared to not have heard the voice as he pressed away the nausea into something that would give him a minute or two to stand and talk, but then he started moving. He slipped his flute into his belt, then drew his knife from his boot and stood, ignoring the way his vision doubled.

The blade remained lowered, but his narrowed eyes spoke to his suspicion and readiness to use it should he feel threatened. “I am Ecthelion, son of Glorfindel and native of Norelas.” He paused, eyes darting between the pair and taking in their apparel. “…As you are wearing clothing that I have never seen the like of, I do not believe you are even from Asgard. So I must ask: who are you, and where am I?” He hoped this wouldn’t turn into a long argument-he doubted he could keep himself upright for more than a couple of minutes at this point.

[callsignmeteor]

Ecthelion’s words only served to fruther Maekrix’s and Elara’s confusion. He might have been speaking gibberish for all they understood.

“Sir...he doesn’t look like a Revanite that we’ve ever seen.” Elara’s weapon was still trained at Ecthelion, but she was beginning to doubt it was necessary.

“No he doesn’t.” Maekrix’s synthesized voice was also doubtful and with a gesture, they both lowered their weapons. “Well then...Ecthelion. I am Major Valoren. This is Sergeant Dorne. You’re on the moon planet of Yavin 4...and you definitely look like you’re not from around here.”

Maekrix’s black visor took in the knife and overall attire of this newcomer. More then likely not a Revanite, but he didn’t look well either. The visor swung to his companion. “Elara, check him over, he looks like he’s going to be sick.” He turned his attention back to Ecthelion. “My sergeant is a medic and she’s going to look over you. We don’t mean you any harm, but keep your hands where we can see them.”

[spearofaishallah]

All he’d wanted was to go watch the eagles hunting out over the river. He’d heard their cries yesterday while hiking, and today he had wanted to go watch them for a bit before he got down to busking.

Instead, he’d stepped into a rift, and from one moment to the next, he had gone from a street in Titansburg to a jungle ruin he did not recognize. He had a moment to look around in confusion before his body realized that it had been cut off from Gaia and drove him to his knees with a rolling stomach and a splitting headache.

He was so focused on keeping his breakfast from making a reappearance that he barely noticed it when the heavens opened up and decided to drench him, or the footsteps that were rapidly approaching.

Dear Aishallah, today is not my day…

[callsignmeteor]

Unless a person squinted very hard, Maekrix and Elara were all but invisible. They had eschewed their normal white armor for darker greens and blacks. Against the dark jungle landscape, they almost blended in.

They had been searching for some runaway Revanite cultists that still needed to be cleaned up when Elara had gently tapped him on the arm and silently called attention to their radar. Something had suddenly popped up when it had been empty before. They needed to find out if it was one of the Revanites they were hunting.

A rapid pace brought them to a small clearing and before was...well, they weren’t sure. Whoever it was, they were currently on their knees and looked to be trying very hard not to be sick.

Maekrix kept his finger off his rifle for now as he gazed at the stranger through his helmet’s visor. He shared a glance with Elara before speaking.

“Hey you, identify yourself!”

[callsignmeteor]

Mission Go

[jediyke-deactivated20160627]

    For someone who had spent a limited amount of time on the field and in the thick of battle, Keldra knew that silence was not always a fan of silence. Even in instances of infiltration and sneaking into bases, any sort of silence was unnerving. Bodies were moving around, sure, but there was something eerily quiet and uneventful about their advancement.

    That was, of course, until the firing crack of blasters whizzing by her eardrum.

    She cursed under her breath before skillfully slipping bast the heavily armoured soldiers that surrounded her. Huge, brawny bodies were scrambling into formations that the Jedi Padawan was scarcely aware of. Things were… complicated… to say the least. Internally, her mind began to focus on any sort of empty space where Keldra could seek shelter from the firing squad, or whatever was going on, just ahead.

    Her Master would have been so disappointed. The task was simple… Get in, get the intel and a few choice items… and get out. Of course, knowing Skyken, she always managed to find herself in situations like these. Something about bad luck always following her around was hardly an excuse to give to the General later on today - if she made it out alive.

    “Just cover me and I’ll help clear a path ––”

    If there ever was a time to be brave, it was now.

[callsignmeteor]

Maekrix yanked a flash bang from his belt. "Cover me!" He rolled out as Elara and Yuun peppered the the opposition with fire, forcing them to duck. The Major cocked his arm back and threw the grenade in what he hoped would be the right direction.

A bright explosion and bang was shortly heard as he signaled for the squad to enter the tunnel entrance while the Imperial forces attempted to regather their wits.

"Everyone in, NOW!"