Tornado of Souls

These kind of missions were Jeh'rads strong side. When he had gotten involved, he had taken great responsibility for the mission. While the the youngest of the council members, who weren't familiar with Jeh'rads case, had great doubt about sending someone with such a dark aura to such a place, but the number of council members that respected the old, unorthodox, yet loyal watchman, outnumbered the others quite heavily.
Jace had called for this trip for the sake of greater wisdom. Ofcourse, Jeh'rad knew he had his own reasons to be there, and so did Jeh'rad, which Jace was probably also aware of. Infact, it wouldn't be a surprise to Jeh'rad if anyone who wen't there had their own motifs.

"Impatient huh?" Jeh'rad grins.
"We just left coruscant, and we'r going to the outter rim... When I said that this ship was fast, I didn't mean that it could teleport... Hyperspace travelling takes time. But there will be enough to do on our way there. I've been to Korriban once... Right after I officially returned to the order... To face the dark side one last time. The world was barren and desolate.
I don't know if it's still sith terretory. For some reason, the sith empire still seems to hold this planet in high regard. I wouldn't protect a dead rock, even if my grandmother was burried there... To say the truth, it'd just be deader... But incase we are greeted by hostiles, I brought a small army with me. The republic has some interest in the planet aswell, and they left me no choice but to bring along a small squad of elite troopers and some vehicles. Also, I have a few high-standart battle droids on this ship and... Well let's just say I'm prepared for a bit of action. Don't worry about the soldiers. They take orders from us... Well, me really, but they will listen to all of us regardless. They sleep in the starboard sleeping quarters, I sleep in my cabin , and there should be like, 3 beds pair jedi in the other sleeping quarters, but I suppose you've already gotten comfy. " Jeh'rad gets up and pulls a pilot droid from the ceeling (it seems to be attached to the ship) and into the chair, and it immediedly takes control of the ship.
"We'r in hyper space, don't worry about that... I just don't like flying without a pilot...
Anyways, I thought we might land in Dreshdae. Last I heard, that town was in ruins. If we can find a landing pad, or sometihng, it will suit as as a base of opperations, as we search the nearby valley, which is were I personally senced the strongest dark side aura on the planet. But if Dreshdae is sith terretory, then maybe we can take it? I know this is not a military action, but it would give us a great advantage... What do you think Jace?
One moment while I get people together in the situation room... "
Jeh'rad bends over and presses a button, then speaks clearly.
"This is your captain speaking. I would like all WIP passengers (Jedi) to meet up in the situation room. If there is any doubt as to where that is, then I can tell you that it is in the absoloute center of the ship. Otherwise, ask a protocol droid. Jeh'rad out. "
He looks up again and nods.
"There you go... We should discuss this before we talk to the others I think. Incase we won't be taking dreshdae, I also found a secluded landing area a few hours by swoop bike, from the valley... "
Jeh'rad seems to take this very serious, which is unusual. Most of the time, he seems to be thinking that the whole thing is just a joke, but when it comes to this mission, he seems dead serious. Jeh'rad is a friend of the republic, and it wouln't surprise Jace if he was more loyal to the republic than to the order, however, he does seem worried with the whole trooper onboard thing.

Ryn sat cross legged on the durasteel plating, his disassembled lightsaber hung mid-air as all of the panels and pieces slowly clicked together. He barely had time to sleep in his quarters before being called on another mission. He had to admit that being on a mission with a high council member involved was quite an honor, one that he did not expect to receive so early in his knighthood.

Out of nowhere it looked as if someone dunked him into a pool of freezing water. The Dark Jedi's face flashed across his mind, and at the same time his words echoed through his mind."I must disagree with you. If you haven't noticed, your way hasn't exactly worked the most splendid. My experiences on Korriban would account for that." The almost assembled pieces of his lightsaber flew apart and fell to the ground as he lost his focus.

Ryn shook his head, that Dark Jedi was dead, no-one could have survived a Force-powered fall from over 100 stories in the sky, no-one. Sundar put the thoughts to the back of his mind as he began to re-assemble his lightsaber. He nearly had his lightsaber put together as Jeh'rad's voice spoke through the Gray Sparrow's COMM system.



After he finished with the lightsaber he clipped it to his belt and hurried towards the ready room. He entered the room and Master Beleren and Jeh'rad Verai'cal; he respected the former to hell-and-back, and the latter taught him just about everything he knew about the third form of lightsaber combat. . . and he respected him to hell-and-back.

Ryn nodded his head to both of them. "I am sorry for the delay, I had to clean and reassemble my lightsaber." Ryn said, while you did not necessarily have to clean a lightsaber, it never hurt to do so.

Lon sat in the center of the cargohold, meditating, then he heard the message over the intercomn. He raised slowly off his knees and made his way to the designated area. His white boots were brighter than the metallic floor. His white cloak rippled behind him as he walked. He finally made it to the room. There, he stood straight, listening.

(Sorry this is so short, but since I had tot edit it. My next one will be longer.)

(ooc: Jerek, just edit your post instead of deleting and add whatever you want)

Jace listened to Jeh'rad's suggestion and frowned slightly has he heard, but not because he didn't like it. He thought for a few moments and gathered his thoughts so as to no offend the Elder and tried Jedi.

"The Plan would be great if we were on a mission for the republic but that is exactly what this is not. I would love to claim Dreshdae but should the council find out of it, there would be heavy repercussions. I don't think I need to remind you, but we are keepers of the peace and not soldiers. I was thinking the same thing as yourself earlier and debated it heavily, I would rather not get into an encounter that we could avoid. Remember this is a quest for knowledge, which could possibly lead us to finding some sort of advantage over the dark side."

He paused a bit before continuing, he didn't like saying no to an elder Jedi and one of Jeh'rad's stature but he believed he was taking the right course.

"Now as for troopers on board, I really do not have a problem, honestly the worry that you see is just me not wanting to drag other people out here. You know better than most how dangerous the Dark Side can be and a place such as Korriban is. Now come, let us go to the situation Room"

Jace made his way to the situation Room and looked around and saw two other Jedi and a few Republic Commandos. He looked at everyone, then gave finally at Jeh'rad before he continued.

"Ryn, Lon, and of course Jeh'rad, I am happy to see you decided to come. Please excuse my early seemingly hostile attitude, I just did not want to drag anyone to this unholy place. As you well know we are out on our own here, this is the outer Rim. Most of this area is almost completely likely to be controlled by the Sith Empire. That may be the least of our problems. Remember, Korriban could possibly be the source and the mother planet of the Dark side of the Force. Many Jedi were drawn to its power and eventually seduced to the dark side. I know Jeh'rad has been here once before, so we will rely on his experience also. Korriban is without a doubt a pilgrimage for Dark Jedi, and its quite possible we will run into them. Remember we are not going there to start a war or eliminate Dark Jedi; we are going there to learn what we can from this planet. It could lead us to a key to bringing light back to the galaxy."

He then turned to the leader of the Commandos and spoke

"Captain, you and your men will guard the ship, I know its not the most desired duty but It is an important one. We need this ship to get off that Hell of a planet. If you see anything wrong, you let myself or Jeh'rad know immediately. Do not be careless with your life, a Dark Jedi is a fierce opponent, do not underestimate them"

He then turned and addressed everyone else

"We are the Elite of the Jedi and the Republic, so everyone act like it, and be smart. We will stay together and look out for each other, if you think something is wrong, do not be afraid to speak up. Now Jeh'rad will explain the means in which we will land in Korriban"

Jace stepped back and let Jeh'rad explain his part.

The first to respond was the soldier. He nodded and replied:
"As you command, master jedi. And for your information, I'm a colonel and the rest of this team is put together by captains. The republic doesn't send sissies on missions like these. "
He steps back and leans against the wall.

Jeh'rad looks at Jace, with no real emotion in his face.
"Well, I never got the chance to reply, earlier... I agree with you, that if Dreshdae is indeed still a settlement, which I doubt... Last I was on korriban, I senced nothing but critter and... Darkness. Considering how clsoe the settlement is to the valley we'r gonna explore, I'm gonna ahve to say that if the city is abandoned, we'r gonna land there. However, if I pick up any readings, We'll go with plan b.
Which for all of your information, means that we, the jedi on this mission, will be on our own in the valley, because the team will have to stay behind and guard the ship. And they will be too far away to aid us.
I just wan't you all to realize one thing. Korriban, might just be a dead rock. But it's the most seducing dead rock in the entire galaxy. Don't give in. Everyone has to deal with their first impression of that planet, and in their own way. I might not have brained this planet for days like the leader of our little field trip here, but i know the statistics, and statisticly, atleast one of us is gonna fall to the dark side... And I know how jedi love to shatter statistics. Don't we?"
Jeh'rad grins.
"Most people who goes to korriban leaves there , feeling enlightened. Believe me when I say, that it's an illusion. Stick true to the code. Learning the ways of the dark side, without falling, is not an easy task. Infact, I am supposed to be the only man alive to have done so. If you leve there with new abilities, remember to think of them as tools, and not powers. I'm not gonna elaborate that subject anymore. "
His gaze grows dark as he pauses briefly.
"I can't give you any more information right now, concerning our approach, untill I know wether or not Dreshdae is sith turf. But I can do this... "
He walks to the holo-projector in the middle of the room and activates it. It shows korriban. Then the image shifts to the ruins of a city.
"This was Dreshdae a hundred years ago, when a republic battleship sticked around long enoguh to take a shot. As you can see, there is an intact landing pad, and a large building, well suited as a base of opperations. Over there is another large building, but it's almost not standing anymore. There is a clear passage through it, but the actual rooms of the building seems to have collapsed. So, we have some sort of gate here. "
The image shifts again, showing the valley with the large tombs.
"This is our destinations. Don't be spitting on anytihng there. Something tells me, that we would do right in respecting those burried there, wether they are just the kings of crap-ville Dreshdae, or the source of all this dark energy. Just pray that they -are- truely dead.
As you can see, there are two ways to enter this valley, and it seems there is some sort of tunnel here, but it's impossible to say what it leads to. If Dreshdae turns out to be a sith outpost, then we will be comming from the north, and we will have to be very stealthy, considering that the city itself is less than 1 km away from the actual valley.
If Dreshdae is a ruin, we will be comming from the south, and the only thing we have to deal with is the critter... Sounds easy? Pah! Remember that the beasts are also affected by the dark side, and thus more aggressive. Shoot first, it might prove a nice meal. And don't miss! Otherwise, we might prove a nice meal..."
The image shifts again, now showing wastes. Between to cliff formations, there is a clearing.
"This is our alternative landing area. We will have 300 km to the valley from there, and believe me, it's our best option. Now, before you ask, no. it is impossible to land in the valley. I won't do it. We'll be too vulnerable, plus, those pillars are sure to have been tipped over by now. So these are our options. We will arrive within 4 days. I suggest, we all take advantage of the workout room I have. Do know, that if i find any lightsaber marks, or blaster burns on my ship, I'm comming for your heads! "
He smiles and allows for questions to be asked. he also descretly gestures for Jace to come closer, and when he does he whispers:
"Dreshdae was build right next to the valley. If it's an outpost, we almost HAVE to take it out. We can't hide the presence of an entire ship. They'll spot us. Just so you know. The republic knew this, thats why they sendt troops."

Aboard the Red Fury, Grawn sat broodly darkly as the stars shot by at incredible speeds. The Dark Jedi thought heavily upon this, returning to Korriban and facing the darkest part of his past but he knew he had to. Along with his desire, he couldnt help but feel a slight tugging of sorts...as if the Dark Side WANTED him to go to Korriban. This wasnt at all surprising, seeing of the history of Korriban but it felt different in a way.

Leaning across the controls, he flipped a switch and pushed a button. He was still in the Coruscanti sector of spaces and only a few well made mind tricks allowed him to leave it somewhat unnoticed and unharrassed by the police forces. "Hyperdrive initated. Entering Hyperspace towards Korriban in 2 minutes", came a electronic voice from his ships computer.

Drawing his cloak around him tightly, Grawn closed his eyes and expanded his mind in a sort of meditation. He zoned out the computers electronic voice as it began to count down the time till launch. In a way, the Dark Jedi had failed and this weighed heavily upon him. His arrogance almost had cost him his life, if he hadnt immediatly cloaked himself as he launched over the safetly railing on Coruscant, the Jedi would have most likely kill him.

Dark thoughts raced in his head as he meditated, memories of his past flashing before his minds eye. His father. The Tuskens who killed his mother. His uncle. The horrid years of training under him. All of it was for him to reinforce himself upon his mission. He would see to it that the galaxy be changed, if he himself could not, he would find others who had the power to do what he could not.

His eyes flashed open, the yellow pupils glowing brightly. But for now, he must become stronger and Korriban, supposed birthplace of the Dark side, was the only place worthy of such. The planets dark side aura would strengthen him and if Grawn recalled, he remembered the exact location of his uncles hide out. If he could gain access to the studies there that his uncle had always kept, Grawn was sure he could learn things he hadnt imagined before.

As the computer alerted him that is was 50 seconds till hyperspace launch, he decided he would first learn Jar-Kai, so he would be able to use two lightsabers in unison. The Dark Jedi was sure that that would be enough to counter any damned double bladed lightsaber. "It would seem i would have use of you, my trophy.", he declared, glancing down to his uncles lightsaber upon his belt. Grawn stared out into the vastness of space as the last 5 seconds were counted down.

5...
4...
3...
2...
1...

He stared out into the darkness of space as his ship raced forward into hyperspace and was soon gone from Coruscant.

Ryn nodded his head at the briefing. This must have been a pretty darn important "knowledge" seeking mission if the republic sent a rather sizable detachment of commandos. He was honestly surprised that the Republic had sent soldiers with them, as that could easily be considered an act of war if there even a small Sith presence at this "dreshdae" settlement.

War is not exactly the thing that he wanted, there has been an uneasy peace between the Sith and the Republic for some time, and no doubt this little expedition could plunge them back into the War that had destroyed planets, billions of lives, and caused many Jedi to fall to the Dark Side a few hundred years before.

Ryn raised his hand "I am still not sure what we are doing here, Master Beleren, you say that we are seeking knowledge, but how? Are we going to raid the tombs of old-and-hopefully dead Sith Lords or something?" Sundar said, keeping his voice as respectful as possible, which was hard considering the words behind the tone.

If they were going to Korriban they had to have a distinct objective, they could not afford to wander around the wastes of the planet in search of nothing in particular.

Jeh'rad grins and shakes his head as he turns around to let Jace answer that one himself.
The republic soldiers on this mission are the elite. To someone, who isn't either a republic quarter master, or Jeh'rad, they would just look like special troops with extra expensive armour. The truth was, that the republic outfitted them to look like quality mercs.
Jeh'rad always had a plan D. In this case, it included dressing up as mercs, landing in the sith base, pertedning that they were looking for employment, and hoping thatthere would be no force users present. The reason he had not let people in on this, was because the other two options were prefered by the republic contacts person that had asked him to do tings this
way.
Jeh'rad thoguht about the idea for a second. Raiding tombs? That would.. Be interesting, to say the least. Worth considering, but he would never bring anyone along for such a thing. Maybe Jace, but only because there was no way he could ask him to stay behind. Also, he did respect this council member enough to let him make the choice. He knew Ryn, but he wouldn't be able to control him in there. Maybe guide him, but that was no sure bet. He wouldn't want to risk the lives of the troopers.He had been very carefull with his picks, making sure one of them were force sensitive, and that they all had a fairly low mediclorian count, so he did not expect that they would feel any different on the planet... Time would tell.

Lon watched silently as the two masters briefed evryone on the plans. Lon saw Master Beleron get closer to the captain of the ship (another Jedi Master), then ehard every word of their conversation. Lon's ears were very strong when combined with the Force. He adverted his black eyes to the raised hand. He then waited for the answer to the other Knight's question. Lon left the room for a few moments, not physically, but mentally.

He explored his mind, thinking of allt he time he heard about Korriban, all the legends, stories, rumors, everything. His attention snapped back to the room. He must have missed the answer, because it apepared evryone was either getitng ready to leave or waiting on another question. Lon thought of a question himself. Then, he had one: What if one of the masters is stricken down?

He didn't raise his hand. He tried to think of an answer himself. A few came to mind: We go on with the mission, of course. It's impossible for a Jedi Master to die on this mision. Lon's mind was racing, and he knew the other Jedi could sense it.

As Jeh'rad slowly walks away, he suddenly freezes and closes his eyes. After a while, he turns about and looks at Lon.
"What's wrong?" He asks, very directly, with a puzzled look on his face.

Lon turned to look at the Jedi Master. "Thinking about the mission is all, Master Verai'cal." He then went to walk away, after bowing out of respect. His white boots hit the ground, clipping the metallic floor. His white cloak flew around his ankles as he continued to his quarters. I shall be in my quarters if any of you need me. His message was sent to all the Jedi and passengers in the ship.

He found the door and went inside, where he sat down on the floor. He immediately began to meditate, to center himself. His eyes closed tight and his hands on his knees, he left the ship yet again. The whole time his mind remained locked tight like a prison cell, but that most likely wouldn't stop the masters from being able to read his thoughts.

Jeh'rad shook his head, then leaned against the wall intending to wait untill only he and Jace were left alone in the room.

Jace was about to go to the quarters when he heard a questioned directed his way. He smiled at what the Jedi had suggested and then responded.

"Honestly I am not too sure myself Ryn. We may be 'raiding' some caves as you say but it probably won't be as exciting as it sounds. Think about the Force, one does not need to see it, to understand it. The same concept is what I hope to use on Korriban once we arrive there. Though it would be nice is we stumbled on some holocrons or archives as it would make things much easier. I know that the power of the dark side is increasing and it troubles me greatly. Anyways, we shall not be on Korriban long, it is not healthy, and definetly not safe."

Jace then turned and walked to his quarters and a thought rushed into his mind.

I hope I have not brought everyone here, only to lead them to their deaths. This mission is quite dangerous as it is, who knows what else we may encounter when we arrive.

Jeh'rad decided to give him some peace, and turned to Ryn instead.
"Don't mind him. His got a lot on his mind right now. He alone is responsible for this mission, so there is a lot of preassure on him..." Jeh'ad pauses briefly.
"So, what came in the way of training, yesterday? "

Ryn nodded his head, accepting the answer that Master Beleren gave him. Without another word he turned around and headed towards his quarters, but he was stopped by Jeh'rad's query. Sundar stopped dead and slowly turned around, he barely had time to get back to his room before the Council sent him on another mission. "I never got a chance Jeh'rad. . . ." He paused "Well, unless you count defeating a Dark Jedi with a twisted sense of justice practice that is."

It was at that second that Ryn got a strange feeling in his gut, something just did not add up. Why had he lost the man's presence once he was out of sight? The man would not have died right away. . . . but then no-one could have survived that fall.

Ryn had a strange feeling that he had not seen the last of that Dark Jedi.

Jeh'rad's eyebrows perked.
"You faught a Dark Jedi?" Jeh'rad's eyes narrowed.
"Your feeling betray you... Reveal your thoughts..."
Jeh'rad seemed genuinely interested, and curious. It was also obvious that there was other reasons for his curiosity.
Jeh'rad was concerned about the mission. If the Dark Jedi were hunting Ryn, and himself, it could actually compromise the mission. Also, if the Dark Jedi was attacking Jedi now, it might mean that they had finally gotten organized.

Ryn was surprised by Jeh'rad's reaction "Yes, I fought a Dark Jedi on Coruscant, it turned out he was behind all of the killings" he paused, taking a few moments to reflect on the fight and its outcome "I threw him off of the edge of a skyscraper, but I can't shake the feeling that he is not dead" he seemed to stare off into empty space. Suddenly he shook his head and focused back on Jeh'rad.

"I need to meditate on this, we can discuss this later if you want" Ryn said as he gave Jeh'rad a slight bow, he turned around and walked back to his quarters. As soon as the door slid shut Ryn sat down cross legged, expanding his awarness far beyond himself.

Jeh'rad shook his head as he thought it over. If someone, thrrew Jeh'rad off a scy-scraper, it sure wouldn't kill him... Afterall, he was able to levitate, and also hide his presence.
All the killings? Jeh'rad had heard of the killings. So, a Dark Jedi was behind them. Disturbing...

When Ryn walked away, Jeh'rad wen't to his quarters. He looked the incident up again, and mannaged to find Ryn's describtion of the man he fought, that he ahd given to the team that was dispatched to get the corpse. He frowned when he noticed the similarities. Jeh'rad was probably the reason why this Dark Jedi... Grawn... Was hunting criminals now. Atleast he no longer hunted innocent people, but it was still unacceptable that a vigilante was roaming the galaxy, bringing criminals to injustice because of a Jedi's failed attempt to make him see the light. Maybe Grawn was dead. Maybe he wasn't. Time would tell. Jeh'rad felt that many hours had passed, and he decided to go to sleep.

The following morning he approached Ryn after everyone on the ship had attended breakfast.

"Are you ready to continue our training? When I heard you were comming I brought two fiber staff... and two sticks. " Jeh'rad smiled. He seemed calm, yet disturbed. It was odd how he sometimes seemed so open, and sometimes was impossible to read.