The Unrecorded Meeting

[Ashla Aneem]

The Togruta sat in silence. The tinted blinds in her quarters cast a blue ray across the room that helped set a somber atmosphere. The thick walls of the room completely blocked out all outside disturbances. Two metallic seating pods in the center of the room were the seats for meditation. This was the modest chamber of Ashla Aneem and it was on one of the pods that the Jedi Master sat on. Cross-legged and motionless, her eyelids fluttered as her psyche moved in and out of consciousness. Ashla was deep in meditation. With disturbing news from the Jedi on Subterrel, Ashla quickly went to meditate on the matter before presenting the situation to the remainder of the council. It was a troubling matter indeed. Sith Hounds... This could only mean that their source was closeby. The Sith had been extinct for ages, but their revival was still a doubt in the Jedi Master's thoughts. Something was terribly amiss.

Ashla slowly woke from her trance and eventually stood. Her mind was still caught up in the whir of ideas thoughts revolving around the Galaxy. Many issues were becoming apparent and the Grand Master held the vague idea that they were interconnected in the back of her mind. An investigation would be very necessary and she needed to consult with her peers on this matter. The steel door slid open and the fabric-draped Jedi strode out of her chambers. The dormitory wing was nearly deserted. Few Jedi were at home at the Temple anymore. The Council was dispersed throughout the Galaxy on separate missions as were most of the Knights. Perhaps a few hundred, Ashla estimated, were currently there. Ashla walked through the hushed hallways, occasionally nodding a greeting to few Jedi as they passed. Her hands were clasped together behind her back and her stride was a quickened gait.

The Togruta reached the Briefing Room a few moments later. She called out for Araon An'mar, Kieran Eitan, and Aidel Eitan to her side. As none of the Council aside from her were presently at the Temple, the latter trio were top of the list. The Order would need their assistance in the soon-to-come future. Ashla approached the controls which were mounted in a circular frame. From her robes she withdrew a small microchip which was inserted into a panel. Master Aneem had signed out the chip earlier from the Archives and it held all the Jedi knew of the world Subterrel. This information would help the taskforce in uncovering the secrets regarding the events that unfolded there only days before.

[Corstar]

Light.

Flashes.

Pain.

There is no death.

Red. White. They all mixed together.

Only the Force.

Kieran opened his eyes, looking around a seeming wasteland. Armored soldiers littered the ground. Acid smoke drifted through the air, as the smell of burnt ozone penetrated his nostrils. The stench of death and destruction filled his senses. Through the Force he could feel the men's souls. Screaming.

Some bodies were moving. A Republic Officer... he seemed vaguely familiar. He was rewarded for his efforts. As the man attempted to stand, a figure moved beside him. Two shots rang out.

Ears still ringing, Kieran turned away. His eyes fell upon a single figure, in a battered suit of armor, the battered Jedi Robe tore as he watched the wind whip at the stiffening corpse. A yell echoed through the canyons of Dantooine. A cry of anguish. Defeat. Hate.

Kieran took a step forward before he realized it was his own cry of despair.

Falling beside the Female Jedi, he began to weep...

There is only darkness. Only hate. Only suffering.

Only the Darkside.

-----

Kieran walked through the temple, his dark green robe, brushing along the floor. A whisper of accompaniment to his daily tasks. While it wasn't his most comfortable robe, it was his most flashy. Nothing compared to the terms of normal civilization, but as a Jedi Battlemaster, he was required to distinguish himself in some fashion.

At least in his own eyes.

The tan and green robe was something his wife had made at one point. He felt the muscles in his hands tighten, his knuckles turning white. Banishing the foreboding thoughts of his meditations, he strode towards the briefing room.

He reached out through the Force, finding his peace, he took a breath before stepping into the room, unclenching his hand as he did so.

"Master Aneem." He nodded his head as a common courtesy. While the Grand Master had several years on him, he still considered her inexperienced when it came to leadership in the field. Needless to say she was a balanced choice when it came to a Grand Master. No Jedi was perfect.

The Corellian smiled at the thought.

[Ashla Aneem]

Ashla studied the holographic sphere that revolved slowly above the projector. Her eyes were transfixed on one specific place at the edge of a Sea where the Jedi Sanctuary had been before the members there were driven off. The area eventually rotated from her view and the Togruta shifted uncomfortably. The idea of the Sith still amongst society was not a good one. Their influence spread like a disease; how many were unknowingly infected Ashla hoped was minimal yet before they could be stopped.

The Force in the room twitched. The sensitive black and white montrals above her head sensed a disturbance in the room as another Jedi entered. Uniqueness was easy to pick up by the Force, but the Togruta's natural abilities helped them hone this area to perfection. "Good evening, Master Eitan." Ashla did not turn to greet her colleague and instead continued to watch the graphical Subterrel rotate above the controls. "Earlier this morning, the Council was sessioned around troubling news. Jedi stationed on Subterrel were viciously driven off of the planet. Master Oten and her Padawan were lost. The survivors are en-route to Coruscant but are still days away. The culprit behind these attacks have been revealed as Tuk'ata. Sith Hounds have not been seen for hundreds of years and their reawakening, I fear, also provides solid evidence that the Sith have also returned. There are no available Jedi in the area to investigate the goings-ons of Subterrel so I will. I was hoping to have your assistance, Master Eitan. We do not have confirmed numbers of these Hounds or any idea what else is lurking in Subterrel's crust. I pray that together we can uncover whatever it is."

Ashla paused for a moment, still observing the blue sphere. After a while she turned to Kieran and asked, "Do I have your assistance?"

[Corstar]

Kieran raised an eyebrow as he put his hands behind his back. Watching the hologram for a moment, he erased all thoughts of scorn out of his mind.

"You lost an outpost to a pack of dogs, so you think the Sith have returned? They've been dead and long gone for how many years now and the first thing you suspect is the Sith..."

Kieran shook his head. "The Empire probably trained some dogs off of Dantooine. Obviously there's a threat, I don't disagree there, but in my opinion, this seems like major overkill. Send a recce squad, would be my suggestion. Aidel left a few hours ago, on a mission by the way. I don't know where Araon is."

The Corellian moved to one of the front row chairs and sat down, putting his arms behind his head.

[Regnier]

The Jedi Temple. It hasn't been long enough since I saw you last. The Sith should have destroyed you long ago. How the Jedi do so enjoy grandeur.

Roughly a half-mile from the Jedi Order's famed Temple, balanced on the railing of a balcony overlooking a massive drop was a lone figure, clad in armor black as the blackest Sith's soul, the helmet cradled in one arm, leaving the wearer's feline-esque face uncovered. There was no expression on the face, save contemplation. With a sigh, the figure stepped gracefully back onto the balcony and inside the building, before entering a nearby unoccupied turbolift. At the Cathar's glower, the man about to follow her inside quickly passed the lift by and waited for the next as the door hissed shut. When the turbolift came to a stop on the ground floor, however, inside there was...nothing. Just air and light, no more, no less. Anyone listening close enough, however, would have heard the very soft sound of a soft-soled boot making brief contact with marble. But nobody was listening. They were all too caught up in their own affairs to notice. The word oblivious came to mind.

It only took the Assassin a few minutes to reach the outer walls of the Temple. From there, a quick turbolift ride, and she was at the bottom of the steps leading inside. But she was not there, at least not in the eyes of the various beings that passed her by, Jed and non-Jedi alike. To the naked eye, the place she occupied was nothing more than empty air. To the thermal sensors of a droid, she was still just that.

But not even the Jedi around her had even the slightest clue that they were coming within feet, inches even, of Darth Everos' apprentice, a Jedi fallen from the Order many years ago. And nor would they, for Dani had done more than simply hide her presence in the Force; for all intents and purposes, she had no presence in the Force. She did not exist. She was as if a hole, devoid of life in the Force, which would have been of note if such a hole was in a living being. But it was not. This hole in the Force was exactly where one would normally feel it. In an empty space, occupied by nothing. But she had gone one step further, even. No hate, no joy, no disdain, no annoyance, no fear...she felt nothing. All of her being was focused on remaining a hole in time and space and the Force. In not existing. There was no room to feel.

There was only focus.

The need to complete the task at hand.

To infiltrate possibly the hardest place in existence for a Darksider to infiltrate.

To track.

To find.

To hunt.

But not to kill. Not yet. There could only be one to ever be aware of her presence, and that one had to live, for the time being.

Slowly, the Assassin started up the steps. Unheard. Unseen. Unfelt.

First, she had to find her target. Then she had to get her target alone.

[projectsunfire]

As the turbo lift stopped near the Temple Archives Araon looked down the hallway to the briefing room, and then down the long hallway to the Archives and contemplated his next move. Should he deliver the information to Master Baum, and accomplish his goals underhandedly. Or perhaps going to Ashla Aneem may prove to be the right move. He could bring her case to her directly and present her the information he had. They could expose the republic Senator who had radafied Baums imprisionment in the archives.

Araon ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and took a deep breath. He shut his eyes for a moment and attempted to calm himself as Master Faan had taught him. His mind calm, and his emotions still, Araon listened to the will of the force.

*********

Araon stepped into the doorway that lead into the briefing room and took in the scene that awaited him. Grand Master Ashla Aneem stood watching the Jedi Battlemaster Keiran Eitan with a complex eye. Master Ashla was a wise leader, though she was very young by Jedi standards. About middle aged. Araon could not help but look upon her as a protective mother.

Araon bowed to the pair and stood quiet and still. Awaiting for his elders to ask him to speak, rather than rushing into the council of the Masters and blurting out his every thought. He awaited their leave to even sit.

[Corstar]

Kieran turned his head sharply to look at the door, which resounded in a loud pop echoing through the room. The Jedi Master's face turned grim and he grumbled something about getting old.

"Master Anmar. Good of you to join us this fine evening." Kieran looked back to the hologram. "Come on up and take a seat. We were just discussing some events that have occurred on Subterrel. We lost a Jedi Master and her Padawan, the rest of the group..." Kieran looked at Ashla for clarification. "is on it's way back to Coruscant as we speak. Currently, we were discussing the merits of sending someone to investigate. Then you walked in. Impeccable timing if I must say so myself."

[projectsunfire]

"Master Eitan," Araon Bowed to him and took a seat on the opposite side of the table. "The force leads us where it wills. History has proven many times over that the Jedi are never beyond their destinies. Perhaps I was meant to come now."

Araon drew back his hood and relaxed in his chair. His gaze calmly turned to look at the holographic sphere that floated a few inches above the holo-emitter on the table.

"I sense a a strange amount of concern over..." Araon hesitated a moment while he studdied the sphere. "Subterell?" He said, his eyes shifting to Grand Master Aneem looking for confirmation. "I was just returned from a trip into the outer rim, and before then I was isolated on Alderaan meditateing on my Padawan's death. It seems there is more I've missed aside from the Khoonda Incident."

Araon's eyes shifted back to the sphere in front of him and watched its slow revolution, calming his thoughts.

[Ashla Aneem]

As Kieran spoke, Ashla listened intently. Occasionally nodding (not in agreement but in understanding), she turned to watch the bright sphere rotate in it's place above the projector. The Togruta's thoughts went to many things. Even with hours of meditation on the matter, the wall of the issue failed to show any weaknesses. Sith Hounds were explicit evidence in support of the idea that the Empire was indeed searching for alternative harassment methods to the Galaxy and more specifically, to the Jedi. Ashla found the hounds' presence disturbing. If the Empire awakened them, what other ancient devices employed by the Sith in years past were they now attempting to or already using? And why would the Sith Empire be so keen on driving only a few Jedi off of a barren rock heap in the middle of space? Ashla was almost certain that something further could be uncovered in the caverns of Subterrel.

Before she could reply to Kieran's statements, her stripped montrals sensed another being as it entered the appropriate range. His pace was quickened, and it was only with a guess that this Jedi was headed to the briefing room. Only seconds later, none other than Master An'mar entered and descended down the steel stairs; robes billowing behind. A small smile, somewhat of relief, escaped Ashla's mouth. She gave a respectful nod to Araon. "I confess, seeing you well is most reassuring. I believe the last we spoke was well before the Khoonda Crisis. Perhaps even further. But of course there will be time to catch up in the future. It is grim for me to say, but unfortunately Kieran was correct. Earlier this morning, the Council was informed that the outpost on Subterrel was overtaken. In the frey, Lok Qin and his padawan were slain. There were survivors and those few Jedi are en-route as we speak. The Council has been informed that the attack was acted out by a pack of Tuk'ata." The Togruta met each Jedi's eyes in turn and she began to pace after the explanation.

"I do not see my proposition as overkill whatsoever, Master Eitan," Ashla calmly countered the other's former statements, "I refuse to risk any more Jedi falling over an issue that is so easily resolved. If several Masters were unable to repel this attack, then dispatching more to Subterrel will fail to produce anything but more bloodshed. Reasonably, I ask both of you to join me in investigating the matter. I trust that our triad taskforce will be able to uncover the rocky veil on Subterrel and hopefully provide us an answer to the Tuk'ata's presence."

[projectsunfire]

Grand Master Aneem's proposal shocked Araon to the core. So much that Araon could sense Aay'han stir within his lightsaber. No doubt the others felt it as well, yet araon would reveal her presence when he felt it was time.

"Master Aneem," Araon did his best to hide his shock, yet knew there was little point. His brow had furrowed, and his mouth soured."No. Your sure about this. You wish to go yourself." Araon stated flatly. It was a great Honor to be chosen to go with the Grand Master on a mission. It was a chance at advancement within the order, yet Araon was unsure of the price. Araon rested his thoughts on the silence in the room as if it were a physical thing.

"There is something that must be attended to prior to our leaving Coruscant." Araon said with purpose. Though his insided seemed to stir nervously. He was unsure as to how the Grand Master would respond. Yet they needed every Jedi in the field.

"I wish to address the archival imprisonment of Master Baum. If the Sith are doing as you say. Then we will need him released." Araon brought a gloved hand to his mouth to cover it lightly in thought.

"I am not sure as to why he has been imprissoned for following his insticts involveing the Khoonda Incident." Araon let his hand fall to the table that the Holographic image of Subterel floated over slowly and continued. "I am sure that the Council discussed this emmediately after the incident, however I believe that recent events slightly change the situation." Araon stated calmly.

[Regnier]

For a trained Force-user, finding someone strong in the Force in a building full of Jedi, where even the slightest use of the Force to help could easily mean your ruin could be considered quite difficult.

Luckily for Dani, she was used to finding people without using the Force, because, frankly, these were the situations she lived for. It was a challenge, not an obstacle, not to a hunter.

And challenges were fun.

Not that it was even much of a challenge. All she really had to do was bypass an information terminal's meager safeguards, access the Jedi Temple's security system, which, frankly, wasn't designed to keep someone who knew the base system very intimately out, and from there, make a query on the individual she was searching for. And there she was.

In a meeting.

With one of the most dangerous members of the Order.

And the empath that had the most potential to catch her.

Now those, those could be challenges.

But she had a plan, and she was sticking to it. Because the plan could still succeed, all it would take was a little more effort. Or a lot more. But it could still be done.

All she needed were the robes of a Jedi and a protocol droid. Easy enough to find in the Jedi Temple. Things were looking good so far. The security systems, while more effective than the last time around, weren't proving too taxing, the Jedi had been easy enough to fool thus far...so far, no hitches. But all it took was one slip-up on her part, and things would suddenly become a lot more difficult.

But even then, she had a contingency plan. And another one. And another one. And another one.

Nothing was going to stop her, not the the countless Jedi she passed by unnoticed in the halls, not the empath, not even the famed Jedi Battlemaster.

[Ashla Aneem]

Ashla's form relaxed at the news. It was decided then. Before Ashla could respond though, Araon brought up another proposal. The Togruta turned away from the two and sat down on the opposite side of the room. Her gown pooled at her feet and the usual serene expression was overtaken by a look of sheer concentration. This specific topic was different than most issues facing the Jedi. "The controversy shadowing Master Baum is shrouded in mystery. The Jedi have always limboed politics. Lately the two factions seem to be drawing closer. The Senate fueled the motion for Baum's imprisonment. Should the Council override their demands, and he be relieved of his sentence, it will churn the already clouded waters of debate once again. You feel this is the appropriate time, Araon? Why?" Ashla inquired with curiosity. It was not a comfortable situation. Sometimes she often found herself dwelling on the issue for it was not a case of 'supporting your own'. Where she stood, honestly, Ashla Aneem was not certain. She did not support Senate interference in Jedi affairs but at the same time no one but Baum knew what occurred that day. Regardless, she felt very uneasy about his time in the archives. How was it being spent?

But then she lifted her head. Dark eyes darted across the durasteel walls with their intricate designs and past the other two Jedi towards the arched entranceway into the room. There was a faint presence. An awkward, quickened one that would not belong to any Jedi in these meditative halls. What shook Ashla to the heart was the fact that the eco-location system emitted from her montrals had detected this with no assistance from the Force. It was just, disturbed space with no lifeform to speak of. But this was faint, extremely faint. Perhaps it was nothing...

[projectsunfire]

Araon listenned to Grand Master Aneem's words and considered them. Calmly he breathed in and closed his eyes. Being only a knight he lacked some of the skill the masters had in the ability of envisioning the future. It was always moveing always changing. Every action and reaction was a ripple in the force.

Slowly he exhaled part of the air in his lungs before he spoke. "Master Baum is indeed not the model of the Jedi code, Master Aneem. However, the force tells me that he has a larger part to play in the greater scheme of things." He said, the last of his breath escaping his lips.

He openned his eyes to look at the Grand Master and continued. "As far as the Senate is concerned. Now is not the best time to trust beurocrats who's only goals are to keep their Jobs. The Jedi do not travel the Galaxy with Impunity." Araon's gaze fell to the smooth surface of the table that his hands rested upon. "Yet, we are not slaves to the senate. Was their any real evidence that proved that Master Baum was to blame? Or was his imprisonment consumated only to ease the whines of the Senate?"

Araon's gaze rose and beheld a distant look upon the Grand Masters face. She seemed to be looking at the arched doorway. His own gaze followed hers to the door. Something felt familiar about it and why not he'd walked through that archway several times in his years at the temple.

[Corstar]

Kieran listened to the back and forth between the two Jedi. He finally grimaced at Araon. "Believe it or not Master Anmar, but most of the Council's decisions are made on their own terms. Politics have no sway over the Temple's rulings. Keep in mind that Justice and Politics are two different arenas. While the Republic Security Forces often work within the Jedi Temple, we rarely try to ensnare ourselves into the web of politics."

The Corellian stood up, turning off the projector of Subterrel. He looked back at the Grandmaster.

"Grandmaster...Madam. I apologize. I didn't mean to be so harsh when reviewing your plan. No excuse. Past that, if you really think it requires my attention, I will travel to Subterrel with you."

Kieran leaned against the holoprojector, placing his hands back within the pockets of his robe.

[Regnier]

"Excuse me."

The lone protocol droid that had been making its way down the empty hallway paused and turned around to face the owner of the voice that had spoken. It was greeted with the lone figure of a Jedi, shrouded completely in the robes of a Jedi. Nothing odd about it, save for the fact that the droid had been looking that direction a few seconds ago and had not seen anyone, and the fact that its sensors hadn't picked up any approaching lifeforms. Ah well, time to see maintenance.

"Yes, Master Jedi? How may I be of assistance?"

"I am meeting with someone from the Republic in a short time, and I would like for some basic refreshments to be delivered to the room."

"Of course, Master Jedi. I will be happy to oblige myself, if I might inquire of which room is in question?"

"Of course." Underneath the dark hood, wreathed in shadow, the figure smiled.

-----

Shortly thereafter, the droid made its way down the hall that lead to the room currently containing Grand Master Aneem, Battlemaster Eitan, and Master Anmar, carrying a tray of various beverages, and being followed by...well, nothing, really. A hole in space and the Force. He stopped at the door to the room he had been instructed to leave the tray in, opened it, took a step forward, and stopped cold as his processor went into overdrive. He had been informed that the room would be empty at this time, and yet, here he was, staring at three well-known Jedi, and two were the Grand Master and the Battlemaster, no less.

"My apologies, Master Jedi. I was informed this room was not in use yet. I shall return later."

And with that, the droid turned around and exited the room simultaneously as the hole in space and the Force went in just moments before the door hissed shut.

Dani did not watch the Jedi, she did not listen to them, in fact, she payed no attention to them whatsoever. She felt no emotion, she made no use of the Force, save that which was required to remain unknown to the occupants of the room, she made no sound as she glided along the edge of the room and into a far corner, and she held no thoughts in her head. She simply did, she did not think about her actions, her movements. She simply concentrated on not existing, nothing else.

[projectsunfire]

Master Aneem seemed, distracted. His response to Araon was very aggressive. Not uncommon for a battle master, but it was an unusual stance for any other Jedi. Something seemed off kilter with the Jedi. Some distant worry weighed heavily upon his shoulders perhaps. It had been many years since the Battle Master had taught him how to use his lightsaber as a youngling. Things had changed. He seemed, all too eager to dismiss Araon's concerns. Perhaps the Battle Master had forgotten the progress he had made with his student over the years. Perhaps he felt stung that his most promissing student had not followed in his footsteps toward becoming a Battle Master.

Then the droid arrived, and left just as abruptly.

Araon An'mar was very suspicious of the droid or whoever might have sent it. It seemed odd that it would appear mistakenly. Jedi would not go through the paper work of requisitioning a droid, and then sending it to the wrong place, and the droid would not leave unless ordered to do so.

Also, there was a strange feeling in the air. Something familiar. It made the hairs raise on the back of Araons neck. Yet the force was quiet for him. He reached out briefly with his empathic abilities. Within the room, he could feel the muted feelings of the Grand Master and the Battle Master. But that was all. Araon had made a life of trusting his instinct, and belief in the force. Something felt wrong, but it was not the force that told him.

His gutt speaking more than the force bothered Araon. Araon's eyes flicked to Master Ashla and he laid a thought in her head. A simple four word sentence. I will be ready.

Their conversation done, Araon felt he should prepare for their trip. There would need to be requisitioned items. Ships, droids, repair kit for his lightsaber, and more. He stood up with a soft creak of leather. His padded boots made no sound as he left the room, and stopped out in the hallway, awaiting Master Ashla so he could continue their conversation.

<<In the hallway>>

As Araon meditated lightly upon the now and the vastly encompassing motions of the force, a soft beeping came from his comlink. He tapped it soflty and listenned to the message.

”Aaron? Could you meet me in the southwest garden?”

Araon recognized the gentle voice of Janis Nu. An old companion and fellow student of Araon's when he was a youngling, and Padawan at the temple. The slightest of affections was felt for his old friend, as she had been there for him when he needed her. Sorrowful memories of his Padawan Scylla passed briefly through his mind and he let them go. It had taken time to come to terms with the loss of his Padawan but it had been a hard lesson to learn.

Araon tapped his comlink and soflty spoke the following message. "I will be there soon. It is good to hear from you Master Nu."

[projectsunfire]

((I don't like OOCing in threads, but I feel it a necessity, as I want to keep Araon Active. I am going to attempt a "split" here. I have someone else in the temple aside from CG who wants the attentions of Araon at this time. I'm going to RP a bit in the other thread. For now I will just assume that it will occur after Araon has his chat with the Grand Master.))

[Corstar]

[[ooc: Since this has come to a halt and it's a primary plot, I'm modding it forwards.

The Dark Jedi reveals herself and her objectives, causing the Grandmaster to act. A strike team is assembled, of the player character Kieran Eitan, and three NPC Jedi. The strike team's duty is to investigate the planet Subterrel and discover any remains of Sith presence.

The strike team will leave by the end of the week.]]

[projectsunfire]

((Uh, thought Araon was going with?))

[Ashla Aneem]

(Sorry for my absence, ((midterms >.<)), and yes, you are =] Aaron, Ashla, and of course, Kieran with some NPCs I suppose. Post in the thread tha Myn has created on Subterrel)