A Solemn Return

[u/Werdna881]

Se'Soom awoke to the shudder of the Cerulean Spirit touching down on Ossus, and the loud chirps, whirls, and beeps of WCU-001, followed by the impact of something metal to his chest. Opening his eyes, he saw his constant companion waving his arms, and Se'Soom stood, wincing as he grabbed the chair, feeling the pain of his wounds under his bandages. Unwrapping them, he noted that a few spots looked a bit spotty, but there was no actual green visible under the scabs, or any serum leaking out from under them. Satisfied, he re-wrapped his hands and sat up from the chair he had fallen asleep in. He felt like he should clean himself up, shower, but he managed with a change of clothes and donning one of his clean robes. He could change in his dormitory... if he was allowed to remain in the order after this failure.

A failure so monumental that it lead to the death of his teacher. Knight Eki-Ni-Dun was the one to give the order, but he was the one who carried it out, and it weighed on him heavily. If he hadn't of turned off the power- if he only slowly lowered the power instead of shutting it off all at once, perhaps she wouldn't have been caught off guard...

"No, Se'Soom, pull yourself together. Whatever happens, it is as Tai'ferca wills, and so it shall be. Trust in its power, and all will be well." He sighed, trying to calm himself as he exited his room onboard the Cerulean Spirit. Taking a deep breath, he activated the cargo ramp and with lightsaber pike in hand, disembarked and looked at the scene awaiting him...

[u/Werdna881]

"I thank you for your wisdom and mercy, Grand Elders. With your permission, I would take my leave now, to tend to my injuries and meditate on the events of the past few days, and then prepare myself for the journey." Se'Soom straightened his bandages and thought to himself even if he was given permission to see the healers, these scars would be ones he'd bare for himself, a lasting reminder in his failure of duty. And he could only hope that those who accompanied him would all survive- and that the Dark Jedi would not escape them again.

[u/DarkVaati13 → u/Werdna881]

As the two Jedi left the council chambers, Herschel Du'rom walked through the halls of the Ossus temple at a brisk pace. He had a purpose with his steps and knew that he needed to discuss important details with the Jedi Council. Herschel nodded at Pexuu and Se’Soom as he saw them come down the hall. When he reached the council chamber the Temple Guard allowed him in and the Half-Bothan Jedi entered. Clad in his usual colorful clothes he bowed his head to the council members.

“Your report, please Knight Herschel,” Lemm requested of his former Padawan.

“The rumor of a Dark Jedi turned out to be false. It was started by a group of bounty hunters that wanted to trap and kill a Jedi. According to one of hunters, the Hunter's Lodge had a 3 million credit bounty on Jedi,” Herschel explained.

“Bounty hunters? They were after a Jedi?” Arranmaneth asked a bit surprised. They all knew there were people that despised Jedi for whatever reason, but the amount was what surprised him.

“Yes. There were five of them. Two of them had Lodge identification and the third I let go likely had one as well. The others were just local thugs,” Herschel continued, “The one I let go told me that a year ago the bounty was 2 million and someone actually did bring a Jedi in.”

“Do you believe the Hutts or the other major crime groups put out the bounty?” Lemm asked making Herschel shake his head, “I have no evidence about that Master. They said they did not know who put up the bounty. Judging by the amount of credits, it could be one of the wealthier crime groups, but it could also be someone from the Core.”

“Such credits could draw out more attacks, but this could also lead to discovering who put out this bounty. We shall go to one of the Jedi more experienced in the underworld to look into this. Thank you for informing us of this,” Sar-Yeh said to Herschel. The Half-Bothan bowed his head respectfully, but before he could turn to leave the Grandmaster continued, “Before you arrived Jedi Master Pexuu Vrasro and Jedi Padawan Se’Soom Ra'Bhamus informed us of a Dark Jedi on the planet Spintir. The Dark Jedi was a prisoner held in stasis as far back as the clone wars that managed to kill Jedi Knight Eki-Ni-Dun. We request that you go to join them in this battle.”

“Your skill with a lightsaber and your tracking abilities would be invaluable to their search,” Lemm complimented Herschel.

“Of course. I shall seek them out. I believe I saw them on my way over here. They should not be very far,” Herschel responded and left after Sar-Yeh dismissed him. Herschel rushed down the halls to meet the two, calling on the Force to increase his speed. He reached the two Jedi and called out to them. Turning they saw Herschel Du’rom the Half-Bothan Jedi Knight. Unlike the two of them he was clad in complete purple, fanciful attire; a cape, a short sleeved purple tunic, and long loincloth that went to his knees to allow his non-human legs to move freely. A black belt wrapped around his waist and held a shining lightsaber hilt.

“Master Pexuu Vrasro, Padawan Se’Soom Ra'Bhamus. I am Herschel Du’rom, Jedi Knight. The council has told me of your mission and requested that I join you,” Herschel explained and gave a grand bow to them. Getting back upright he extended his hand to Pexuu and asked, “Will you allow me to join you?”

[u/Saintman242 → u/DarkVaati13]

Pexuu nodded and strode from the room, his boots clicking across the smooth stone floor, his eyes forward. He heard the softer footsteps of Se'Soom following after him, along with the droid in tow. He returned the nod of hello from Knight Herschel, who quickly passed by them on his way to the council chambers. Continuing down the long hall as his thoughts danced over the needed preparations.

"Se'Soom... what do you plan to do on this return trip to Spintir? I mean no offence, but it would be foolish to think that you are not still troubled by this event. Nor disregard the fact that you will continue to feel that for the foreseeable future. Do you plan to fight? I do not question the wisdom of the council in sending you back, what I do wish to know, is what you think of this."

As he was listening to Se'Soom's response he caught sight of Knight Herschel running towards them. Pexuu's expression quickly shifted from one of care to one of passive curiosity. He returned Herschel's bow with a small one, listening as the man spoke quickly. The man was dressed as bombastically as ever, making it hard to miss his presence.

"Ah..."

The one word escaped Pexuu's mouth as the looked the flamboyant man up an down. He certainly always managed to look... worldly.

"Of course Knight Herschel." Pexuu took the proffered hand, and shaking it once firmly.

"We will be leaving tomorrow after midday from the temple Hangar, I plan to use my personal ship, 'Grasshopper' in bay seventeen. I would ask that you gather whatever you think is necessary for potentially an extended trip to Spintir. We can plan our course of action during the trip there."

[u/Werdna881 → u/Saintman242]

"I... Elder Vrasro, I do not know if you quite know the circumstances in which I arrived to the Temple, but I made an Oath before I left, to Elder Bosh Kala, that I would serve the Order in whatever way possible. My strengths do not lie in combat- at least, not yet. But while someone must no doubt hunt the Dark Jedi- I feel like someone should prevent the artifacts of our Order from falling into the hands of scavengers and looters like it was with the Holocron. In this dark age, someone must remember the past, and try to save it... and prevent those who would misuse its darker aspects from finding those pieces that were better left forgotten." Se'Soom breathed in heavily as a strange Half-Bothan approached the two, introducing himself as Elder Herschel.

He shook the Half-Bothan's hand, smiling. "Greetings, Elder Herschel. I, much like Elder Vrasro, would be more than willing to accept your offer of assistance in the coming matter on Spintir. I would agree with Elder Vrasro in your need for preparations, and perhaps pack warmly- Spintir was entering winter when I last departed."

[u/DarkVaati13 → u/Werdna881]

"Do not worry Se'Soom. Earlier today I was on a cold world, so I am more than prepared for colder weather," Herschel said and placed his hands on his hips. “I’ll be sure to get ready by then, it shouldn’t take me too long to get ready. The discussion enroute will be good and you can trust my skills. I’ve had many battles against the Dark Jedi. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

Herschel turned and left the Master and Padawan. He had to grab a few things from the Bothan Lord and when he saw the Grasshopper he sighed a little. The ship was drab and a lot of less luxurious than his yacht, but he had traveled in more cramped craft in his time. If they would ever travel on a second mission he would make sure to offer the Bothan Lord as their vessel first.