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Seeking Clues: Addendum
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| Devin_Relkom | Date: Sunday, 21 April 13, 12:14 PM | Message # 1 |
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| Anx Minor was proving to be a troubling site to find the necessary information. Devin was in the process of tracking sightings of an ancient, dagger-shaped vessel through the sector and frankly, he didn't have the patience for such research. He'd always been more of a mover and do-er. However, he was, at the moment, pouring over research files granted to him by the helpful Anx data collectors that had been more than glad to welcome a 'Jedi Knight' into their midst; especially one they could help. In the background, he could hear the clacking of keys as the trio of librarians worked tirelessly behind him to pull forth more clues.
Grunting in disgust, Devin stood, waving a hand to keep the Anx working and moved towards the door. He needed some air to take a break from this place, he felt, and the outside was a pleasant day in the small town. On a world with less than a million people, it wasn't hard to find such small towns. Hearing the hiss of the automatic doors open, Devin stepped outside into the sunny day, closing his eyes for a moment and inhaling deeply.
Devin Rel'kom
Former Jedi Knight
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| Karth·DeQora | Date: Sunday, 21 April 13, 5:27 PM | Message # 2 |
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| Having visited Anx Minor several times in the past, Karth had to admit that the planet never lost its charm. Even now, as his Delta-6 touched down on the quaint stone landing pad and he waited for the familiar hiss of depressurization, the Jedi Knight let his eyes close as he drank in the sensory wonders that a planet so full of life afforded. Life signs numbering in the hundreds were the first that assailed him, no doubt the inhabitants of the small hamlet and corresponding library. The canopy of his ship lifted, a faint scent of flowers carried along on a nearby ocean breeze. Beautiful, idyllic, certainly not a place meant to harbor those with ill intent.
So why did something feel off about the library? These stone walls, impressive as they were, were easily permeated by the Force. Within rested a light tremor on his senses, however brief, but it was enough to stir a familiar feeling of contempt in De'Qora's gut. Perhaps it was nothing, a light ripple or some residual energy left behind from years, perhaps decades ago. But it felt like another Force-sensitive, and he wasn't one to take chances, not in his line of work. Karth's attention turned back to the communications console, an encrypted transmission was beamed back to the Luminosity, the Praxeum-ship resting a few systems over.
"This is Investigator De'Qora," he spoke into the comm unit in a hushed tone. "Just landed on Anx Minor, en route to the library archives. I'm sensing... something... and I can't place it." He permitted himself an exasperated sigh, and thought for a brief moment that perhaps it was his mind playing tricks on him again. His senses hadn't felt quite right, not since Bellassa. He ran a gloved hand through his mop of black hair, blinking the weariness from his eyes and continuing the message. "I'm setting this message on automatic hail. Any Jedi vessels in the area will receive coordinates. If I'm not heard from in the standard reply time-frame, send a team."
He thumbed the switch, waiting for confirmation of a sent message before he clambered out of the cramped little cockpit and landed on his feet. Karth's hand felt for his lightsaber, safe at his belt, before he shut the cockpit behind him and made for the library.
Karth De'Qora, Jedi Knight.
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~Ernest Hemingway
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| Devin_Relkom | Date: Sunday, 21 April 13, 5:40 PM | Message # 3 |
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| For a moment, as he turned back to return to his work, Devin paused. With eyes closed, he raised his head, casting about almost like a kath hound searching the wind for prey... or another predator. He'd felt something there for a moment; something he'd not felt since he'd been on Coruscant: the presence of another Force user, aside from his own Master. That was impossible, though. Then again... it occurred to Devin that the Luminosity, a know Jedi Praxeum vessel, traveled the Raioballo Sector as part of its rounds. He'd have noticed such a ship, though, or heard of the arrival of such. Many worlds he'd visited had been likewise visited by the Luminosity and the inhabitants' reactions had ranged from excitement to mistrust to fear. Out here on the Rim, the Jedi were not what they were closer to the Core.
Having lost the brief touch, for tracking was not his forte, Devin assumed the worst and turned about. Novak would be very displeased if he did not produce results. Back into the library he'd go, where the Anx librarians were eager to help him. Knowing he might not have much time, Devin cut to the root of the matter and asked openly, and perhaps foolishly, had Anx Minor ever been visited by a Sith Lord in ancient times. He'd been dancing around the issue, trying to discern the ship itself without actually going on the topic of the Sith; an issue that some sentients still felt strongly enough about and indeed, one of the Anx warded away the word with their odd-fingered version of the evil eye.
"We can find what you're looking for," the lead researcher rumbled in his deep voice that made Devin's head ache. "It is not a pleasant subject for our people. Nonetheless, to help the Jedi who once helped us, we will redouble our endeavors."
Devin Rel'kom
Former Jedi Knight
Message edited by Devin_Relkom - Sunday, 21 April 13, 5:52 PM |
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| Karth·DeQora | Date: Sunday, 21 April 13, 6:13 PM | Message # 4 |
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| Karth, who lived on the Luminosity and just left it nigh an hour ago, was perhaps more of an authority on its whereabouts than Devin. Its arrival in the sector was quite recent, having only just stopped along this stretch of the patrol route for some refueling. Master Tching had asked Karth to stop by the archives and copy some old files over. It was, in all practicality, an errand run that the young man didn't mind. Any chance to get away from the Luminosity was a chance to clear his head. Though, given his current worry, that wasn't going to happen any time soon. Even now, as he stepped into the library's entry hall and took note of the shuffling Anx, their conversations a myriad of excitable chatter and quieter, almost fearful whispering.
He wasn't dressed like a typical Jedi, but given the fact that he was one of the only humans having arrived at the library that day, his presence would certainly be noted. That, coupled with the landing clearance he'd given and the credentials confirmation from the Order, would most likely secure him what little trust could be gained from suspicious folk. It was clear, at least, that he was a Jedi Knight. So imagine his surprise when, upon reaching the front desk, he was greeted with an expression of surprise.
His palms rested on the counter, his small, slender frame perching upon the desk as he greeted the attendee with a warm smile. A smile that was quickly followed by a furrowed brow and a bewildered expression.
"Another Jedi, you say?" The female behind the counter affirmed with a quiet baritone. "Surprised they'd send two of you.."
"Two?" Karth responded after a few seconds of confused blinking. To his knowledge, no other Jedi from the Luminosity had been sent ahead of him, though he supposed that another Jedi could have coincidentally been there. Libraries were the traditional haunt of his kind, after all; though that reassuring thought did very little, if any actual reassuring. "They're here now?"
The female nodded again, not bothering to even attempt to conceal the boredom laced in her tone. "He's been in the main archives for a few hours, Jedi, not entirely sure what his inquiries pertained to." Karth simply stared, though he stared through her more than anything else, his mind reaching out to sense again. It was a bit more clear this time around, though still somewhat vague, his experiences the past few months had done little to aid him in better increasing the range and strength of his senses. "Could you take me to him?" He asked the Anx, who responded only with an exasperated sigh and beckoned a nearby hover-droid.
"R0-B0 here will show you to him, Jedi."
Karth De'Qora, Jedi Knight.
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~Ernest Hemingway
Message edited by Karth·DeQora - Sunday, 21 April 13, 6:14 PM |
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| Devin_Relkom | Date: Sunday, 21 April 13, 6:45 PM | Message # 5 |
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| This time, when the presence came into the library itself, Devin knew the odds were not in his favor; at least not the odds of another Jedi not coming to Anx Minor. The odds, however, of it being a Jedi from the ship he'd never served upon or a Jedi from the Temple on Coruscant, seemed slightly better in his favor; with any luck, those on board the Luminosity would not be searching for him specifically; Jedi did go missing at times. Perhaps he'd be able to pass off his presence here as something more than what it was; a hidden mission, perhaps?
"Wrap up that data and get it to me on a pad," Devin said, a small touch of urgency in his voice. He needed to be out of here quickly, preferably before the other Jedi, whomever it was, laid eyes upon him. It would save questions later and at this point, questions were not preferred; it was by and far too late to simply level the library or murder those within to cover it up. Devin, being a sociopath, had chosen that answer as a quick-fix; now it would never actually work. "Too many variables," he murmured. Keeping calm, the former Knight continued to wait on the data that had been gathered. Unfortunately, he'd not even been able to erase it from the library's files.
Devin Rel'kom
Former Jedi Knight
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| Karth·DeQora | Date: Tuesday, 23 April 13, 9:18 PM | Message # 6 |
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| He was lock-step in tandem with the droid, R0-B0's quiet oscillations echoing down the hallway as they made for the main archive. It was silent enough to hear a pin drop, the hard clack of Karth's boots echoing against the stone floor, a herald of his coming. Though he didn't expect a fight, at least not yet, his hand reassuringly patted at the lightsaber hilt clipped at his belt. It was faint, but every time his hand closed around the hilt, he could feel it. Him. His master had gifted him the weapon just before the end, and on that last memory Karth had sworn a promise to himself. Never again, he wouldn't lose anyone else. Not ever.
"So what brought you to our esteemed library, if I may ask?"
De'Qora blinked, taken aback by the sudden inquiry that broke through the silence. It was the droid, his vivid blue photoreceptors trained on the Jedi as they walked. Well, he walked, R0-B0.. floated. He wasn't expecting a medical droid to have questions, though he supposed the little guy could have been re-programmed, from all accounts it functioned more as a general assistant than anything else. The Jedi pondered the question, something in his gut told him not to trust anything at the moment. But since when was being cautious ever fun?
"Data retrieval," he answered truthfully, blue eyes training up to the sign looming above the impressive archway that lead into the archive. "Some of the Jedi archives need fact-checking, updates, what have you. The ship I live on coordinates data archiving with local and galactic governments. Helps keep everything running smoothly."
The droid chimed an acknowledgement, then remained silent. It was thinking, quite deeply, about something. "Stress-pheromone levels indicate you are troubled, Master-Jedi. Is something wrong?"
He blinked again. "You can read pheromone levels?"
"A holdover from my previous employment, the Anx felt it best to maintain my biological assistance protocols in case of immediate emergency."
"Smart," Karth admitted as they stepped through the archway, a very slight chill settling down his spine. Something wasn't right, the energy of the room, however vast it was, felt.. off. Off in the distance a number of Anx toiled away, the library engulfed in a maw of silence, almost oppressive in the way it seemed to loom over them. "Robo, your pheromone receptors picking this up? It's suddenly a lot colder in here." The droid's 'eyes' scanned the immediate surrounds, then he chimed again. This one was more somber in nature, quieter, as though he understood the gravity of the situation.
"Your temperature has dropped by two degrees, Master-Jedi."
He feared as much. Last time he felt this way... "Keep your, uh, eyes open, Robo. Where's the main data terminal?"
Karth De'Qora, Jedi Knight.
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~Ernest Hemingway
Message edited by Karth·DeQora - Wednesday, 24 April 13, 11:51 AM |
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| Devin_Relkom | Date: Wednesday, 24 April 13, 9:40 AM | Message # 7 |
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| "Thank you, Researcher," Devin said as he pocketed the data chip that held the information he sought. The feeling of the opposing Force presence was drawing closer and the odds of avoiding all contact entirely were more than likely reduced to zero. Devin, one of the less likely people to have to talk his way out of a situation as opposed to utilizing brute force, was more than likely going to have to use words to get out of this one. As the Anx researcher was turning to leave, Devin reached out to grab his arm for a moment. "Speak of this to nobody, if you please. This is specialized Council business I'm on and I'd not like it to be too publicized." The Anx gave Devin a curious look and then nodded, almost noncommittally. Still, it was the best Devin could hope for.
Turning about and pulling the hood of his robe up over his head, he began to head out of the sheltered little section, utilizing the sole exit that existed; short of knocking down shelves, he'd not be able to get out.
Devin Rel'kom
Former Jedi Knight
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| Karth·DeQora | Date: Sunday, 28 April 13, 8:46 AM | Message # 8 |
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| "Going somewhere?" Karth called out with a smirk, stepping out from behind a shelf of books just as Devin made for the door. His arms were folded and within easy reach of his lightsaber; but despite his readiness for combat, there was a perplexing smile splayed across his handsome features as he stepped into the light. He was, perhaps from what Devin could tell, somewhat out-of-place in Jedi attire. A tall, wiry frame that he hadn't fully settled into, vestiges of a post Core accent hidden beneath layers of careful equivocation. Every movement was measured, timed, thought through a dozen times.
Karth took a few steps closer, resting against a nearby pillar and crossing his legs as well, regarding the other 'Jedi' with a set of smoldering blue eyes, gauging his every subtle movement. Years of training had given him perhaps a bit more foresight into the nature of body language, though oftentimes other Force Users had careful control of their motions. Still, you can't fault a man for trying, and he looked for any inconsistencies, shifts, or suspicious changes in the other man's movements.
"Was hoping we could have a talk," he continued, gaze trailing out into the library. "See I was informed by a very, very rude receptionist that there was another Jedi here. No doubt you'd have heard the same of me by now.." His voice trailed off, as though leaving the question to hang heavy in the air. Then, he turned back to Devin, brow furrowed, aggravating grin on his lips. "So what's the hurry to leave?"
Karth De'Qora, Jedi Knight.
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~Ernest Hemingway
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| Devin_Relkom | Date: Sunday, 28 April 13, 8:58 AM | Message # 9 |
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| Devin jerked to a stop at the sound of the other voice. Reaching up slowly to lower his hood, he turned about, facing the other Jedi. "I hadn't been informed, actually," Devin said as he considered his next words. "As far as I knew, I was the only Jedi in-sector. As for a talk... well, I'm a little busy. Council business and all. Quite time-sensitive." Devin couldn't place the face of the Jedi who stood before him. His own grin felt almost forced; this sort of confrontation could go one of two ways, and Devin couldn't afford for it to turn hostile. Novak wouldn't want such a search going on for Devin and if Devin was caught on holocam fighting another Jedi, his own 'cover,' that of a secret mission, would be out the window. The only thing Devin could hope for was that this particular Jedi didn't know Devin was missing from the Coruscant Temple.
"Perhaps I can spare a few moments, then. I can't place your face though. Understandable, of course, with as many Jedi as there are at the Temple. Or are you one of the wanderers on-board that ship they've sent about the galaxy?"
Devin Rel'kom
Former Jedi Knight
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| Karth·DeQora | Date: Sunday, 28 April 13, 11:31 AM | Message # 10 |
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| Say what you will about Jedi, not all were as thickheaded as the likes of Skywalker were so ready to demonstrate. A Jedi sent on a time-sensitive mission for the Council, unannounced, and so soon after Karth had sensed that something was expressly wrong with the situation. 'Council business' wasn't going to cut it, not for someone who spent their time infiltrating slavery rings and interrogating captured pirates and the like. Still, he couldn't prove anything, not yet, so as he pushed himself off the wall and stepped a bit closer to Devin, he continued to play along.
He sized up the man across from him, eyes scanning for any weaponry beyond the lightsaber he no doubt kept at his belt. "Karth, De'Qora. I'm a Knight stationed on the Luminosity," he straightened out and offered a tip of his head, he was never much for bowing. So archaic, though it was excellent for stretching one's back after a long flight.
There it was again, at the back of his mind, this little tremor at the edge of his senses. Something just felt wrong, here. Still, play the game, act the part. Unsuspecting dunce of a Jedi, that's what he was right now. "And you?"
Karth De'Qora, Jedi Knight.
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~Ernest Hemingway
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