Discovery
Rasilvenaira was busily working at her desk going over House matters. Her companion, Jaxyn Rax, was standing nearby, looking out the window at the surrounding mountain forest. They talked as Ras worked. A new message flashed up on Ras’ terminal and she hummed thoughtfully as she read it.
“Jax, you want to go check out what Sanquis and his team have found? I would love to go but I have too much work to catch up on, and I know he’s eager to share it with someone. It’d give you another chance to talk with him, in his element.”
Jax turned and arched an eyebrow, “What sort of discovery?”
“He didn’t say, guess he wants to keep up the suspense. Go on, and you can tell me about it when you get home.”
“Okay, I’ll go, how am I getting there?”
She rolled her eyes at him and chuckled, “Take the Caliburnus, just don’t scratch the paint. R5 is onboard, he can help you navigate, he knows the way there.”
“Alright, I promise, I’ll take care of your ship.” He walked over to her and leaned over to kiss her. “Don’t work too hard, okay?”
She smiled, “I’ll be fine, I know my limits, dear. Now get going.”
Jaxyn nodded and turned to leave the office, then headed to the turbolift and down to the hangar. He paused to admire the ship, it was very fitting for the lady who owned it, and he was giddy that she trusted him enough to let him fly it solo, even if one of her droids were there too. He boarded the ship and greeted the droid who chirped at him.
“Hello, R5, we need to go to Acclivis Draco. Sanguis has some new discovery he wants to share.”
The droid beeped a query.
“She can’t come, she has too much work to do. You’re supposed to help me get there without scratching her ship. Can you do that?”
R5 beeped and whistled a bright affirmative.
“Alright then, let’s go.” Jax settled into the pilot’s seat while the droid entered the coordinates on the navicomputer and it flashed the plotted coarse up on a display screen.
He nodded and started the engines, and carefully guided the ship out of the hanger and then skyward to gain enough altitude. Then he checked the course direction and adjusted his course to match and they were soon headed for Acclivis Draco.
Discovery
Sanguis Caldiren watched as the excavation team continued working on the newest set of ruins that had been discovered four days ago. As the digging commenced, a large chamber adorned with hieroglyphics across its walls was revealed. Most notable was the dark ceiling littered with white crystals arranged to form constellations, and what one of the archaeologists identified as star systems. The sight was beautiful to behold, and not even the pictures the Quaestor had sent to his wife, Shadow, could do it justice.
“Quaestor Caldiren, sir?”
Sanguis perked up at the mention of his name and turned around to find his aide arriving at the site. “Yes?”
The human bowed his head politely. “Sir, I just heard back from Quaestor StormRaven. She’s unable to make it, but she sends her regards with Jaxyn Rax. He’s on his way here.”
“Ah, I see. She must be busy. A shame, really, but I suppose she could always come another time. Best I head to the hangar to greet our guest when he arrives.”
Sanguis left the ruins, walking the path that paralleled the subterranean river. He passed by a few other excavation sites, archaeologists, and a few members of House Acclivis Draco, who were studying the secrets left behind. Eventually, the path led him to the carved stairs that led to the ruins, which housed the underground portion of Havoc Base. He briskly ascended the steps, making his way to the corridor that climbed up to the surface ruins.
Eventually, he made his way to the constructed hangar, his aide rushing to hangar control to inform them of the new arrival. Sanguis found a spot and withdrew his flask from his pocket for a quick sip, quenching the slightly awakened thirst before it could turn bothersome. He waited, his expression emotionless, until the hangar doors finally opened and he spotted the Caliburnus begin its descent. A soft grin formed as he sensed Jaxyn’s presence, the Marauder ready for another visit with the Scoundrel once more.
Discovery
The *Caliburnus * settled down in the hangar, steam hissing from the hydraulics. Jaxyn powered down the engines and got out of the pilot’s seat.
“Stay with the ship, R5. I’ll be back later.”
The droid chirped and chittered its acceptance. Jaxyn nodded and buttoned up the top buttons of his shirt and straightened his vest as he headed for the ship’s ramp.
He left the ship and smiled as he caught sight of Sanguis there to greet him. He waved and offered a bright smile as he walked over to him.
“Hello, Sanguis. How’s the family? Everyone doing well, I hope? Ras sends her regards.”
He held his hand out and glanced around, “So what’s the new discovery?”
Discovery
The Quaestor gave a curt nod in greeting as Jax approached. “Rowan and the children are doing well. Last I heard from her, they were about to go on a hike. Sorry to hear Rasilvenaira couldn’t make it, but I’m glad you were able to come.”
Sanguis took Jax’s hand in his, giving a firm, but friendly, shake in greeting. “We discovered another set of ruins below with an interesting star chart. I couldn’t help but remember when Ras told me about the shrine above the Garrison. I figured she would’ve found this discovery interesting.”
Sanguis began leading Jax back to the ruins, the Sith’s passing presence eliciting salutes from officers and soldiers while other present members offered a curt acknowledgment. He escorted the half-Kiffar through Havoc Base, giving him a quick tour as they descended further into the bowels of the earth. When they reached the enormous cavern, he continued towards the rugged path lit by both artificial light and some of the bioluminescent fungi.
“As you can see, the teams have been uncovering different ruins, many holding artifacts and hieroglyphics. However, what we’ve just recently found stands out in comparison.”
They reached their destination, Sanguis letting Jax enter first before following him in. Ascending down a crumbling set of steps, they came to the star chamber. “This is what I wanted Ras to see.”
Sanguis approached a lone pedestal at the center of the room, where an archaeologist was dictating notes to his assistant. “This was uncovered two days ago. There’s an energy signature within, so they’ve been cautious trying to figure out what it is.”
Jaxyn nodded as he shook Sanguis’ hand. “Yeah, she wanted to come, but had a lot of important House stuff that she had to get done. You can bet she’ll come look for herself when she can, but until then I’m here to see it and I can tell her about it.”
He followed as Sanguis led him through the base, listening intently as the man spoke. “Star chart? That is interesting. She’s shown me the shrine at the Garrison, and I have to admit, this sort of thing is really interesting to me too.”
When they reached the massive chamber, he stood in awe, the cavern was breathtaking with sparkling crystals and glittering lines forming an unmistakable star chart, but it had to be very old, which added to the mystery of it all. He looked back to Sanguis as he continued.
“Energy signature? What do you make of it? Don’t think its dangerous do you?”
Discovery
Sanguis shrugged. “I don’t, but Dr. Jenson here has insisted on studying it first,” he answered.
“You can’t be too careful,” Jenson remarked, the human archaeologist glancing up at the two. “We still know little about the people who lived here, and if they were hiding secrets, I wouldn’t put it past them to have booby-trapped the thing. Just speaking from experience.”
“My instincts and the Force tell me it’s harmless,” Sanguis insisted. “At least tell us what you’ve gathered so far?”
“Fine, fine. Terry, my notes please.”
The Zabrak assistant handed him the datapad before the Imperial scientist began to read off his observations. “Yes, well, as you can see, there’s a hand-shaped slot on the top of the pedestal where it is inferred that the user activates the mechanism. On the sides are some hieroglyphics depicting-”
Dr. Jenson didn’t get to finish as Sanguis suddenly placed his right hand in the slot. The mechanism hummed to life, and the archaeologist immediately cowered away from the pedestal. “What in the name of the Empress are you doing?!”
Discovery
Jaxyn was half listening to the archeologist, his attention still distracted by the sheer scope and beauty of the cavern around them. When Dr. Jenson shouted, his attention was drawn back in time to see Sanguis’ hand on the slot.
The mechanism whirred to life. Around them, the cavern began to light up as the crystals began to glow and some of the lines glowed brighter, depicting a hyperspace route.
“Wow. This really is an incredible discovery, Sanguis. And I know Ras is going to want to see it too when she has time. I’ll tell her about it but I doubt I’ll be able to do it justice just telling her about it.”
He looked up at the starmap again, studying it a little closer. “I think I can recognize a few of these stars. But this section over there is unknown to me.” He pointed to the area where part of the route crossed into.
“I’d love to know where that hyperspace route goes to.”
Discovery
Sanguis nodded. “Agreed. She needs to see this for herself.”
The Nagai followed Jax’s gaze, his own curiosity piqued for the unknown section. “As would I. Perhaps more secrets to be uncovered.”
He looked at the half-Kiffar. “Perhaps a trip is in order. I’m sure Ras would like to come along too.”
Sanguis looked over at Jenson and Terry, the Zabrak taking a quick picture with a cam while the doctor just stood there in awe. The man’s bewilderment disappeared when Sanguis removed his hand. “All this time…”
“As a certain Sith once told me, sometimes, too much caution can be an unnecessary hindrance to new discoveries, Dr. Jenson. The pedestal is yours, as is the map for further study.”
He shifted his gaze back to Jax. “In the meantime, I think we have a voyage to plan.”
Jaxyn nodded, his gaze still on the starmap. “I’d be game to make that journey. We should compare this with standard known starmaps, and see where the start point is, then we can plan for what we might find at the end of the route.”
He chuckled softly, “I bet that Ras will be over here tomorrow to see this for herself once I tell her about it”
Jaxyn looked over at Sanguis, “This is definitely a marvelous discovery, Sanguis. It’s breathtaking to look at, and the possibilities of further discoveries is just mind boggling.”
Discovery FINAL
Sanguis smiled. “That they are. Come, we’ll go to my office for a drink, and then once Ras has seen the starmap for herself, we can plan accordingly. I’m sure Ro will be joining us as well.”
With that, Sanguis started back towards Havoc Base, the Nagai eager to both share the newest discovery with Shadow and to start planning their expedition into the unknown. What new secrets awaited them, the Nagai could only imagine. Regardless, it was going to be a trip to remember. That much he knew.
It was a beautiful Selenian day, autumnal cool barely noticable to any visitors; the difference between a tropical summer and tropical fall slight when both were warm and sunny, only disrupted by the occasional monsoon.
Of course, cooler weather could be found further up the Doto Peaks, and Estle City, resting snug to the base of the mountain range, was no different. As the winds churned, either blowing in from the sea strong before they broke against the hills, or down from the mountain, they picked up stray leaves and stirred perfect sandy beaches and rippled waves.
They also, as it happened, stole a woven sunhat, lifting it clear off a colorful man’s head and sending it twirling away down the street.
“Oh!” gasped Rue as he faintly reached after it, though he was in just as much of a battle to catch his hair, the shining, multicolored locks spilling from their bun and whipping around him, or to clutch at his skirts, which billowed up like white sails tugging at his legs. With his willowy frame, the strong gust was even enough to move him, sending the hybrid stumbling several steps as he began to fall.
<@142754576863330304>
*Windy *
Brelon had taken some time off to visit his friend Rue on Selen. The wind was tossing his bright red hair around but he was still enjoying his stroll with Rue. But when Rue’s hat went flying he half started after it, but then Rue started to fall. He quickly rushed to catch the lanky hybrid.
“Hey, I got you, you okay, Rue?” He held onto him until he knew Rue was steady on his feet again. “Be careful, the wind is really strong. Let’s see if we can catch your hat, its caught on the grass there.”
Once he was sure Rue was alright, he started toward the hat. He had almost reached and was starting to grab for it, when another gust of wind yanked the hat free of the grass and pushed it up into the air and right into a tree. He sighed as he looked at it, then he turned back to Rue.
“Well, I think the wind likes playing with us. I’ll see if I can get it down.”
Rue had gasped as Brelon caught him, clinging to the other man while he was righted. His hair was a tornado about him, and Brelon’s too, and he gave a grateful mrrw to his friend’s offered assistance while he tried to wrestle his skirts into submission, tying them up hiked around his waist.
The hybrid hurried over to the tree Brelon stood looking to at, then smiled at his friend.
“I could try making the wind a little less playful,” he offered, looking up into the tree with visible longing shining wet in his eyes and bare on his face. There were not too many close wide branches, and none so low that he could have climbed it easily himself.
It was not too often, that his missing arm troubled him. It was alright. He adjusted, he was good, Master. But sometimes…
“Do not worry, please, Brelon. This one can always make another.”
Windy
Brelon shook his head, “No, I can get it.”
He reached out with one hand, focusing on the hat, then he drew on the Force to heed his will. The hat quivered, then finally pulled free of the branches it had landed in. It floated downward until he was able to grasp it in his hand.
He turned to Rue with his usual bright smile and handed him the hat. “There you go.”
He stepped closer and gently hugged Rue. “I wouldn’t mind it being a little less windy, but its still a nice day.”
As he let go, another powerful gust of wind knocked Rue back into Brelon’s arms. He laughed as he was surrounded by Rue’s rainbow locks.
“You alright?”
Rue laughed too, snuggling in closer a moment while the wind tied them together and leaning down to nuzzle Brelon’s cheek with a grateful purr.
“I am alright. Thank you,” he replied, for the hat’s rescue. He stayed tucked into Brelon’s side, even as they began to resume their walk; braced with the other man, he wasn’t blown away so easily. “It is perhaps a tad windy,” he agreed brightly, “but it is a nice day with you.”
So there on the stool sat the magnificently described tailring whose description was awesome but can’t be repeated here exactly. They waited for Arlo’s reaction with bright-eyed expectation.
<@1056685516441006091>
Unusual
It had been a most unusual day, the wind had been blowing by knocking up against the window panes, suddenly Vance’s holo comlink went off. There were some coordinates and a picture of an exquisite tail ring on a stool.
“How very intriguing, I must go see this in person.” He quickly got to his ship in the hangar, punched in the coordinates and followed them to the destination: The Seven Sins Bar.
Unusual
Arlo remains quiet for a moment, ruminating. Processing. Then, he throws his arms up in a wild, almost comical fashion. “That was amazing!” he exclaims, face brightening like a sunflower in full bloom before suddenly growing darker like wilting petals. “Wait,” he says, the words creeping from his lips, “can you understand me like that?”
It was difficult to tell if those glassy, solid black draconic eyes rolled, except for the way the light glinted on them as they did. The tiny tailring nodded its head with exaggerated motion, but one that was clearly, creepily humane. They reared back on their hindlegs, balanced on them for a moment, then extended one tiny arm, and lifted the middle clawed digit on one paw up at Arlo apart from the others.
<@1385116824814878940>
Vance walked in just as the tiny tailring nodded making him do a double take and raise his right hand up to his mouth a moment to stifle him from shrieking. He had seen some odd things, but this was entirely different, sort of nightmares that delve deep into his mind reminding him of that night.
He tried to compose himself and quickly sat down at a nearby table tipping his head forward so his long maroon hair covered his face and expression as he tried desperately not to shake.
Not now Vance…don’t cry, it’s okay..you are okay… He repeated in his mind as he struggled to calm himself down.
They won’t hurt you..it’s okay.
Unusual
“That’s just rude,” he replies while narrowing his eyes at the shapeshifter, the one he knows as Hosta. “Okay, you can change back now. This is creeping me out.”
Then, his head snaps to his right, where he sees a maroon-haired fellow with pointy ears sulking at a table by himself. The Force was putting the poor guy’s emotions on full blast. “You okay, bro?” Arlo asks, offering a half smile.
<@1385116824814878940>
Unusual
Slowly Vance lifted his head up, pulling back his hair as he took out his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped away a couple tears. He looked at Arlo a moment and gave him a smile.
“I am all right, just a bad moment in my head, think it has passed. I am sorry not actually frightened of the the rather delightful little dragon. Never actually seen anything like them before. Thanks for checking on me.
Actually did come here to see that neat tailring cause it was so fascinating.”
He then chuckled as he seemed to return back to himself and gave Arlo a wink.
“I know some Selonians that would absolutely love a tailring like that.”
Dragon!Hosta snickered to herself, which sounded a lot like choking hissing from a tailring body. The smile was just unnatural though. And she didn’t, in fact, change back, skittering up instead to sit on the bar behind Arlo’s head while he was chatting with the crying pink lad and stick her little maw in one of his pitchers.
Unusual
With a warm expression, Arlo gestures toward an empty spot to his left. “In my experience, good drinks and good company go a long way in helping ease the mind,” he says encouragingly before leaning in to whisper, “my sharpshifting friend here is prickly, but she grows on you.”
Turning his head to look at the transformed Hosta again, Arlo’s eyes shoot open when he sees her reptilianesque form hunched over the brim of one of his drinks. He gasps.
“What the frakk do you think you’re doing?” he asks pointedly, reaching over to grab the alcoholic tailring and rip her away from the pitcher’s brim.
<@244244163002892288>
Unusual
Vance smiled warmly as he sat down in the vacant spot on Arlo’s left. “Oh yes, I always enjoy good drink and fun company. Apparently someone else enjoys your drinks too.” He chuckled at Hosta while Arlo began to scold and grab at the reptilian companion.
“Yeah I think I am in good company. That drink looks promising, I definitely want one.” <@244244163002892288>
As soon as she was touched, the ‘tailring’ struck out like a snake, sinking teeth into the meat of Arlo’s hand, up his wrist, tiny taloned paws scrabbling and screeching in short growling huffs. It got itself free in seconds and was leaping away, spitting mad.
It was at this moment, just before she transformed back into herself and verbally tore into the Lonto, that the bartender came back around at Vance having called for a drink. Glowing green eyes witnessed the commotion of the incensed tailring, Arlo’s bite marks, and promptly she snorted, hands coming up to keep in a croaking laugh.
<@1385116824814878940>
Unusual Vance couldn’t help but giggle a bit at what happened.
“Welp, that is what happens if we try to grab living things, never know when they will eventually bite you.” He turned to the bartender. “If I could get whatever this fellow next to me is having that would be great thank you.”
Reunion
It had awhile since the last time she’d been to Clan Arcona’s planet of Selen, but this was a chance to check in with not only her friend Nora, now Proconsul within Arcona, but also to see her godson, Bril. Her ship received the necessary clearance and it descended to the designated landing pad. She had left most of her pets back on Aliso, the only one who didn’t want to be left behind was Solan, who somehow knew he didn’t want to miss this.
The ramp lowered and the petite Togruta strode down, waiting at the bottom for Solan to finish stretching, which was going to take another five minutes, so she checked a few messages she’d received just before landing.
<@585955949743964170> <@1056685516441006091>
Reunion
The Estle City port was as busy as usual, abuzz with the movement of travelers and Port Authority officials. Many of the people there were indigenous Selenians, with their distinctive banded or striped patterns on their skin, but their were a number of other species as well; a small group of reptilian-looking humanoids dressed in sharply tailored kimonos of gray, black, or brown strolled past Tahiri as she waited for Solan.
Just as she checked her datapad, a message from Bril came through:
We’re pulling up now.
Bril and Nora arrived in his Gian-211 speeder, which sported a polished black paint job. As quickly as the speeder came to a stop, Bril vaulted out of the cockpit with one hand and jogged over to where his godmother was standing.
“Good to see you,” he said while opening his arms for a hug.
<@375384499770359819> <@585955949743964170>
Karraccas Betrayal
The new astromech/data storage/Intel droid known as R2-X8 rolled in behind his new owner, Karracca. The Corra V was a fairly large ship at about 175 feet long, but there was on a single T shaped corridor that lead throughout the ship with the points of the T being the side airlocks and entryway, and the base of T leading to bridge at the front. The lower deck was simply a large cargo hold.
“What sort of fresh cocomamy sithspawn is this about?” Reece, the old R3 beep to himself as he saw them 2 move towards the bridge. No one had mentioned getting a new astromech to him, and considering he was emancipated, and officially an officer and Chief Navigator aboard, he was feeling a bit disrespected.
“On, I see Master Karracca’s and his new Droid have returned from their meeting. Exate is much nicer, and dare I say nicer then you, to be sure.” D-3PO replied.
“Oh I see how it is. And frack you D.” The wild and often hallucinagenic Reece before whipping out his electrical probe and shocking D’s left leg, shutting down all the servos, ensuring the protocol droid immediately feel over as he turned to continue his banter. Reece rolled out of the room and down the corridor towards the bridge. He wasn’t gonna let this betrayal stand.
Epilogue
After an unhinged rant, Kalen and Karracca informed Reece that Exate was assigned to Karracca from the Envoy Corps, to help him on his new role assisting in coordinating their Intel and Planning cell. They also informed Reece, that as an officer, Exate(not emancipated) would be subservient to him in all things.
“Oh, well, yeah, I guess in that case, welcome aboard buddy.” Was Reeces only response before turning and heading back to what he was doing.
As he rolled back towards the large communal galley where he could still hear D complaining about wiggling about in the deck, unable to stand himself back up, he passed one of the Ugnaught gunners that Kalen had recently hired.
The droid beep booped a disgruntled yellow as he rolled back the squat Ugnaught who was wearing combat goggles on his forehead and brown nerf leather bomber jacket.
Karraccas Betrayal
Olet was a stocky man, even by Ugnaught standards. He had to be, to be able to man the ship’s guns and work against the tension in the rotary hydraulics. The chiseled muscle of his forearms told a story of his service, of his skill behind just about any weapon system one could find on a ship.
What Olet wasn’t skilled in, though, was interpreting the frakking beeps and chimes of droids. On his last job, he served with organics only. Now? Himself and the captain were outnumbered by the damned things.
“Still don’t know what you’re saying, you old bucket of bolts,” he said with a grunt.
Reece opened his tool hatch and produced his 5×7 inch digital notepad screen and the words “I just said I’m planning to increase the hydrolic pressure on all your gun mounts tomorrow, to make then easier to operate. But with that attitude, maybe I’ll just skip it tubby.”
After, he was reasonably sure Olet had finished, he reset the notepad, and typed out, “By the way, thats, ‘you old bucket of bolts, sir’ or ‘Lieutenant’.”
Reece used the notepad and tapped the rank insignia he had riveted to the top of his can/torso, analogous to where a humanoid collar or breast would be. He returned the notepad to his tool compartment and slammed the hatch shut.
Olet narrowed his eyes. No way in kark he was going to let a droid pull rank on him. It didn’t make any sense! What business did a tool have bossing him around?
He opened his mouth to speak, but just asking quickly as he did, a thought appeared in his mind that gave him pause: a dispute with “Reece” could jeopardize his position on this crew. And that would interrupt the modest flow of credits into his account. That would be no more expensive dinners and bath house visits.
A low grumble escaped his lips as he lowered his head in begrudging deference. “Apologies, sir. Got a bit beside myself,” he said. The words tasted like bile as they passed his lips. “I’d appreciate any changes to the gun mounts … sir.”
Slipping the datapad back into its pocket, opening her arms just in time to be caught up in the big hug by her godson.
“Good to see you too,” Tahiri almost squeaked out due to the hug. She squeezed him back as hard as she could, it had been a long while since they had hugged, and for some reason it felt really good.
When he set her down, stepping back slightly, Tahiri waved to Nora. Then there was a metallic thump on the ramp, before Tahiri suddenly leapt to the side while a huge Akul rushed straight to the Zabrak.
“Solan, by the stars, don’t crush him,” the petite Togruta couldn’t help but giggle and laugh at the predator, turn into just a playful ball of floof.
<@585955949743964170>
“I’ll let you and the rest of the gun crew know when I’m done.” Reece replied.