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Post by Rugs on Mar 1, 2020 15:40:17 GMT -5
From above, Rhen Var wasn’t entirely dissimilar from Arkania.
The frigid world hung suspended at the center of the NZT-331's viewscreen after the drop from hyperspace. Karn leaned forward in the pilot’s seat. His hands guided the ship’s throttle control forward. It bucked forward like a horse that wanted dearly to show its speed. Karn had, in his limited flying experience, never piloted a ship with as much giddy-up as the Sith courier.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” he muttered as something in the back tipped off a shelf from the sudden, clumsy acceleration.
The day’s coming journey was a continuation of a long academic pursuit that’d generated no small interest in Karn — recovering what he could of the late Darth Novus’ research files. There was precious little that one could easily glean on her research in the Order’s primary archives on Korriban and Dromund Kaas. Even Ossus’ great library — old Jedi ruins rebuilt to harbor Sith knowledge — held very little.
That seemed to be the case with much of the information about Darth Novus. What little he’d found on her was information anyone could guess. Everything else he’d stumbled across required ridiculous levels of security clearance. Curious.
Yet he’d pressed on doggedly. Novus was an Arkanian — even if she carried the impure blood of an offshoot — and that afforded her a great deal of respect in Karn’s eyes. Further, it seemed at least some of her work delved into the application of the immaterial Force to biology, genealogy. In what ways, Karn could not say, but if the trail led true, he could not ignore it.
He’d been close. A reference to Rhen Var in some obscure notes buried in a dusty corner of the Korriban archives. Then the Archeri came galloping in from the Galaxy’s edge, killed his former master and threw his plans into disarray.
And so they languished. Waiting. Month after agonizing month.
But now the Archeri were gone, Karn had a new master, and the Galaxy had returned to a fragile semblance of stability. With war seeming inevitable, the window before him to follow the breadcrumb trail to the old facility on Rhen Var and whatever secrets it held, Karn opted to act quickly.
Darth Viren gave the expedition his blessing but was otherwise occupied. Karn could not take such a task alone, so he reached out, carefully. His was a sensitive task, and he’d not have it ruined by some of the Order’s louder, stupider members.
He was surprised to receive a quick response from Imago. Some short discussions later, and the expedition was set. The Knight of Ascension even had a ship in mind.
Now they rode together toward Rhen Var as the courier raced toward the world. As far as company went, Karn could do much worse. Imago was tall and handsome, and could be quite charming when he wanted to.
The ship rocked as it pierced Rhen Var’s upper atmosphere. The white that had stretched below soon enveloped them as they dove into the clouds and the bracing winds of a passing snowstorm. Occasional chirps from the nav computer confirmed that Karn was steering them along the right way, though he could see virtually nothing, through the clouds and blowing ice. A holographic terrain map with the ship at the center, represented by a winged triangle, confirmed they were not presently in danger of smacking into the side of a mountain.
“We’ll be setting down soon,” he called to imago. “Hope you brought something warm to wear.”
The frigid world hung suspended at the center of the NZT-331's viewscreen after the drop from hyperspace. Karn leaned forward in the pilot’s seat. His hands guided the ship’s throttle control forward. It bucked forward like a horse that wanted dearly to show its speed. Karn had, in his limited flying experience, never piloted a ship with as much giddy-up as the Sith courier.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” he muttered as something in the back tipped off a shelf from the sudden, clumsy acceleration.
The day’s coming journey was a continuation of a long academic pursuit that’d generated no small interest in Karn — recovering what he could of the late Darth Novus’ research files. There was precious little that one could easily glean on her research in the Order’s primary archives on Korriban and Dromund Kaas. Even Ossus’ great library — old Jedi ruins rebuilt to harbor Sith knowledge — held very little.
That seemed to be the case with much of the information about Darth Novus. What little he’d found on her was information anyone could guess. Everything else he’d stumbled across required ridiculous levels of security clearance. Curious.
Yet he’d pressed on doggedly. Novus was an Arkanian — even if she carried the impure blood of an offshoot — and that afforded her a great deal of respect in Karn’s eyes. Further, it seemed at least some of her work delved into the application of the immaterial Force to biology, genealogy. In what ways, Karn could not say, but if the trail led true, he could not ignore it.
He’d been close. A reference to Rhen Var in some obscure notes buried in a dusty corner of the Korriban archives. Then the Archeri came galloping in from the Galaxy’s edge, killed his former master and threw his plans into disarray.
And so they languished. Waiting. Month after agonizing month.
But now the Archeri were gone, Karn had a new master, and the Galaxy had returned to a fragile semblance of stability. With war seeming inevitable, the window before him to follow the breadcrumb trail to the old facility on Rhen Var and whatever secrets it held, Karn opted to act quickly.
Darth Viren gave the expedition his blessing but was otherwise occupied. Karn could not take such a task alone, so he reached out, carefully. His was a sensitive task, and he’d not have it ruined by some of the Order’s louder, stupider members.
He was surprised to receive a quick response from Imago. Some short discussions later, and the expedition was set. The Knight of Ascension even had a ship in mind.
Now they rode together toward Rhen Var as the courier raced toward the world. As far as company went, Karn could do much worse. Imago was tall and handsome, and could be quite charming when he wanted to.
The ship rocked as it pierced Rhen Var’s upper atmosphere. The white that had stretched below soon enveloped them as they dove into the clouds and the bracing winds of a passing snowstorm. Occasional chirps from the nav computer confirmed that Karn was steering them along the right way, though he could see virtually nothing, through the clouds and blowing ice. A holographic terrain map with the ship at the center, represented by a winged triangle, confirmed they were not presently in danger of smacking into the side of a mountain.
“We’ll be setting down soon,” he called to imago. “Hope you brought something warm to wear.”