Ancient Installation

[Robbie]

Jarx revved up the speed on his speeder. They had been moving for eight hours straight. What started to bug him was an itch on the top of his head he couldn't get to with his helmet on.

They had passed several slums on the way to this complex that they were heading to. Most of the slums were abandoned or barely populated.

They eventually came to a huge dome like building that had several spires surrounding it. Jarx stopped the group and slowly got out of the seat of his speeder. He took several steps forward, then stopped when he heard several sounds and saw all the tiny red beads on his chest.

Jarx slowly backed up, but the beads of light were still there, "Okay, if any one can hear me, I come in peace!"

His scanner, built in his helmet, scanned all the nearby places. He spotted several laser turrets. The strange part was he did not recognize the design.

A secret door opened and a droid walked out. The droid was silver, and its surface was slick and smooth. On its chest, was a symbol Jarx did not recognize.

The droid spoke, "Do you seek refuge here?"

I have to be careful. Obviously this place was meant was a defensible compound.

"Yes we are. We are on the run...from the sith."

The droid was as tall as a man and had two hands, each with four fingers and thumbs, two feet, which only had two spike like toes each, and one eye, "You are welcomed then to this sanctuary....Jarx Mandalore."

Jarx was stunned. He never mentioned his name to this droid, never. So what was he doing with his name?

The droid turned, "Please, follow me"

Jarx turned, and all of the others got out, and warily followed Jarx and the droid inside. Once inside, they were fit into a elevator like room. They heard the whir of the machine as the elevator went down. When the doors opened, they were all amazed.

THey had gone down farther then they thought. They looked into a park with a fountain in the middle. A lot of people went back and forth like they were on business.

[Ketreelawa Ochor]

Ketreelawa glanced around unsurely, as a thought itched at her mind, Has Jarx been here before? How does the droid know him? Maybe there is more to our leader than we thought.

[Sarahi Leor Qui]

Sarahi was no more amazed at her surroundings than she was when she first walked into the jedi temple. The place was big and secluded, and if it weren't for the nagging feeling in the back of her mind, this place would be her heaven.

Sarahi swallowed hard, not out of fear though, but of concern. She did not like this one bit. Something isn't right... she thought stiffly.

She looked around for an escape route...only one so far, they way they came in. She watched the people around her, feeling their activities with the Force. So far non of them had seemed to noticed their large group that had just joined their population...or did they? Sarahi sighed inwardly and hoped the others would take caution as well.

~~~

In his two years of bounty hunting and exploring the galaxy, Cla'Tal had never seen the sight that now lay before him. He couldn't find a word to describe it. "By the Force..." he managed to say.

He glanced over at Sarahi, with her hood hiding most of her face she couldn't see her expression. The swish of her hood revealed her head swiveling in different directions toward unfamiliar sounds.

She looked at him for a moment with hard eyes and then resumed her scanning the area. He flinched, only two years ago those eyes had a such different light to them. Happier, most would say, but when she had looked at him them, her eyes filled with love and a mysterious joy. All that was gone now, taken over by grief. As much as he didn't want to admit it, that had been his fault.

Everyday he kicked himself for leaving her behind. The one time he had been mad at her...well, it caused him to break her already shattered heart. He had stepped on shattered glass and broken it even more. The respect for him was gone, his name on her list of people she cared about was lowered, and her love for him had disappeared forever.

He glance at Brendak, and shook his head. If only he knew, maybe he wouldn't have been so careless with his words. Clausal balled his fists, but then relaxed. He'd be a hypocrite, if he started blaming Brenda for playing with Sarahi's feelings. Cla'Tal was guilty with that more than anyone.

Cla'Tal tore his eyes from Brendak and rested them back on Sarahi. He had called her a heartless jedi, although she hadn't been. Because of his anger, he had turned the person e loved the most in the galay into someone he hated the most; a stone hearted jedi master. Even with the occasional emotion trickling through a small crack that had been left open, Sarahi had trained herself to be sturdy and she often rejected those who tried to be her friend...or who were her friends.

The way she was now...was all because of him.

[Robbie]

Jarx looked at the droid, "What do you call this place?"

The droid looked at him, "People call it many names. But you know it as the promise land, Jarx."

"How do you know my name?"

"I am programed with many people's files, and yours was one of them."

Jarx balled up his fists, "Why do you have a file on me?"

The droid spoke, its tone the same, "All will be answered in due time."

The droid led them into the middle of the park. The people that walked past them consisted of the many races in the galaxy. Most of them only gave the party a passing glance. Like newcomers were a daily occurrence.

Fidella looked around, the park was big. And when he looked up, he saw a blue sky, with a sun, "How is there a sun here?"

The droid look at him, "There is no sun. The sun you are seeing is just a 'special' kind of light. It provides the same vitamins as a sun and the same light as a sun."

The droid led them out of the park, into a small part of the complex. Inside the droid led them to a part of the wall. A part of the wall opened, showing a despenser of sorts. The droid spoke, "Please put your weapons inside."

What? No way. "Sorry, we cannot do that." Jarx spoke.

"I do not think you understand. You are now under this installation's protection, and thus do not need weapons. I am sure you already knew before getting here, that you are not allowed to leave once entering."

Jarx thought for a moment, "Let me speak to my friends before we just hand over our weapons."

He turned, and they all huddled, Brendak spoke, "Friends? What is the sudden turn in relationships?"

Jarx shook his head, "Don't let it get to your head. We need to figure out what to do here. Because for one, I don't want to spend the rest of my life underground. But, from the looks of it, even the sith could not destroy this places from orbital bombardment. And I doubt the security here is a pushover."

Fidella thought for a moment, "I think we should hand over our weapons."

Everyone looked at him, dumbfounded, "What are you talking about?"

"Look, Mandalorian, these people obviously already know who we are, what we have. What they do not know is what we are doing here. At least I think. We can use that to our advantage. And besides, I seriously doubt they destroy the weapons. They probably just give it to their security or into their armory."

Jarx thought about this, then spoke, "What do you all think about this?"

[Aurra Lunelle]

Aurra rolled her eyes, “What do I think?!?” she repeated, “I think your jedi friend is insane! There is no way I’m handing over my weapons to these strangers! We might as well be signing a death warrant if we give over our weapons! There is no way I’m going to give them anything! And I’m also not too crazy about the, ‘you never get to leave’ part of this whole deal! I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I’m going to leave, now! And no jedi is going to stop me.” Aurra turned to walk away.

(I can totally change this post, if needed.)

[Ketreelawa Ochor]

No, I can't give my weapon! It's not honorable, as a wookiee, to lower one's self enough to hand over their weapon. That would mean that the only weapon I would have is my claws, and it's also not honorable to use those. Ketreelawa thought and was about to speak before someone spoke first.
"I'm not sure about the rest of you," Aurra finished, "but I'm going to leave, now! And no jedi is going to stop me!"
Ketreelawa cast a worried glance at Aurra as she started to walk away. What would happen if someone tried to leave? What would these strangers do?

[Jenina Fenwyn]

Jenina looked around, her eyes wide. She had never ventured far from her quarters while training as a Jedi, so everything was new.
She blinked when she heard the request. "Give up our weapons?" But a Jedi's lightsaber is their life... she thought, looking around and studying the entities around them.

Lisa looked around, but wasn't as impressed as Jenina. She had been out and about as a member of the Novas, so the activity and the surroundings didn't faze her. "I am not much for willingly giving up weapons to leave myself vulnerable, but I think that it might be the wisest course of action..at least for now.." she said, not bothering to hide her feline traits anymore. In this place, hardly anyone would notice.

[Sarahi Leor Qui]

Sarahi thought for a moment. Our weapons? Is this droid serious? She paused and thought for a moment more. "It is not the weapon that makes a jedi a jedi." Sarahi produced her lightsaber and the spare blaster. "I will give up my weapons if it means we move faster."

She looked Fidella. "A jedi, is still powerful even without their weapon. "I agree, we should give up our weapons...although I am not sure about the non-force sensitives would have an easier time parting with their weapons."

~~~

Cla'Tal shook his head. "And some other jedi might not like it either. Our lightsabers are our lives, Master Qui."

"No!" Sarahi snapped. "They are only a small part of it. The Force is our true weapon, and you can't take that away from a jedi!" She lowered her head. "Most jedi seem to forget that..."

[Saint Dane]

Shaa nodded.
"I would not mind giving up my lightsaber, but I would prefer to get it back. If that is possible." She unhooked her lightsaber from her belt and held it in her hand. "I agree with Master Qui. It is not the weapon that makes a Jedi a Jedi."

[Brendak Shiel]

( I am so sorry for being gone for so long you guys!!! But I am back now! Thanks for moving me along, Robbie. Nice couple of posts, Sarahi! )


Brendak Shiel weighed his options, looking around at the rest of the group. Most of them were fairly alright with giving up their most prized possessions, for many of them, their only possessions. They were right, of course, a lightsaber didn't make a jedi any more than a blaster made a Mandalorian. Also, jedi were known by the lightsabers that they carried, but in a place such as this where Brendak felt that he certainly wanted to remain anonymous, it would help if no one sounded an alarm because one of them ignited a lightsaber.

It would make obvious sense to surrender the power of their lightsabers, so what was holding him back? Behind his thoughts, Brendak didn't feel steady walking in this 'Promised land.' Sure, it had incredible architecture and beauty, so did sith monasteries. It did seem to have people that did not care who they were, people without hostile glances, lacking the scoffing prejudice that defined many people. The place was..... amazing. But, in a way, it was too perfect.

Nothing appeared wrong at the moment, but anything could happen in a matter of a few seconds. The best offense, was making your enemy think that you didn't have. If they were attacked, he was confident that most of the jedi could defend themselves willfully through aid of the force. He had worries about Cla'Tal. But what about the others with no force ability, Aurra, Jarx, and Lisa? Would they fall because they had no means of defending themselves save their own strength. He and the rest of the jedi could protect them when they were near, but they couldn't babysit them like children. Still, giving up their weapons to the unnerving droid seemed the only way that they could infiltrate this 'Promised land.'

With an irritated sigh, he grabbed his lightsaber and rummaged in his belt for something else. His hand clasped what he was looking for and he pulled it out. A old, bronze dagger.

Brendak glanced over his shoulder to see Aurra still storming off. She was serious about leaving. It would be nice to get some peace and quiet, he realized. Still, she was so young. Sith were everywhere like speeders in Coruscant. Aurra's strong spirit would get her killed. But the silence! He reminded himself. It will be quiet for once! But, unfortunately, Aurra getting herself fried on the end of a lightsaber was inconveniently more important than that.

Cursing himself for caring, Brendak thought for a moment. Aurra wasn't the kind of person who listened to reason or debate. She was all for action and challenge. Which gave him an idea.

Brendak turned halfway toward Aurra and said in a loud enough voice for her to hear, "You know, giving up our weapons would be dangerous. I don't blame Aurra for being as scared as she is, with her being so young and inexperienced."

[Robbie]

Jarx nodded, "Then we will turn in ou weapons, and get them back at the earliest, oppurtunity."

Jarx saw the girl starting to leave, and placed his hand on her shoulder, "Fine, try to leave. But if you hadn't notice, it is going to be a long climb back to the top. Not to mention all those security turrets that will meet you up there." And all the ones in between.

Fidella gathered the weapons and handed them to the droid, who put them inside the despenser. They could hear there weapons sliding downwards. Jarx cringed knowing his blaster would have scratches from that slide.

The droid started to move towards Jarx, who put up his hand, "Not in a million years you bucket of bolts. No way am I giving up this armor."

The droid just nodded and spoke, "As you wish. Please come, I will show you to your apartments."

[Aurra Lunelle]

Aurra stopped in her tracks and half considered pulling out her blaster and shooting Brendak right then and there. After all, she thought, he is unarmed. That thought quickly faded and was replaced by a building anger towards Brendak. How dare he insult me like that! He knows nothing about me! Aurra spun around her anger still brewing and stormed over to the droid.

Aurra promptly unloaded several blasters and a couple small blades that were concealed throughout her clothing.

“Here,” Aurra shoved her weapons towards the droid, “You better take good care of these.”

Then, her gaze moved back to Brendak and she marched over to him, with an accusing glare building on her face.

“Listen up, moron. One, I’m not scared nor am I dependent on my weapons. Two, I’m no child. And three, if you call me inexperienced one more time, your dead.” Aurra seethed, before in a softer voice, “You have no idea what I have been through.”

[Sarahi Leor Qui]

(Thank you Brendak, I do try my best)

A smile spread across Sarahi's face. She couldn't help it. Brendak really had a way of working with words to get someone to corporate. She watched Aurra stomp over to Brendak, her eyes practically shooting poison. Inexperience? Unlikely...but rash and ignorant? Those words seemed to fit Aurra.

She strode over and stepped in between Aurra and Brendak. "Save your energy and don't fight back as tempting as it may be." she instructed Brendak through the Force.

Sarahi stared at Brendak with a cool gaze and then turned her attention toward Aurra. "Stop acting like a child. Are you that blind not to see that it his words were just a ploy to get you to corporate? I suggest you calm down, and take a deep breath. We all need work as a team if we are to get this mission done. I know you didn't ask to be here, but the sooner we are done is the sooner you may depart."

[Brendak Shiel]

Brendak couldn't keep from grinning when Aurra shoved herself in his face. Almost ten years younger then him, Aurra's passionate answer was nothing short of funny. He watched her stomp over and hand her weapons to the droid. Mission acomplished.

When Sarahi entered his mind and sent the words, Save your energy and don't fight back as tempting as it may be, he raised his eyebrows and smirked. What was that supposed to be?

"Clearly your wisdom surpasses the rest of us, is that why you continue to rebuke me like a naive padawan?" He leaned closer to her. "Or perhaps you merely need someone to pour some lost training upon because you blame yourself for not being able to teach it to the one who should be there, " He said softly. "Even the most powerful jedi cannot stop what must be from taking place. Don't blame yourself for not possessing the strength to rewrite the past.... Sarahi."

[Sarahi Leor Qui]

Sarahi stared at Brendak, a look of shock spreading across her face. Her vision became blurry in her one eye and she stepped back. "Lonn..." she whispered. Sarahi tried to calm her shaking, and the urge to slap the ignorant jedi. He didn't know how much his words stung her heart. She quickly spun on her heel and turned her back on him. My padawan....it's my fault he died...all my fault.