Ask The Missing Mirror

[Alexandria Voran]

The Force held many mysteries. The Jedi and the Sith were not the first or only practitioners who wandered the galaxy. Pockets of religion existed who believed the most visible Orders viewed the Force with narrow lenses. The Force was as old as the galaxies itself and hidden wielders who remember those times. It was easy for the paragons of Light and Dark to forget they were not the only forces in the galaxy who wielded that power. That played perfectly into the hands of the forgotten.

Alex and Yvain had stumbled upon such a group. Not Sith, not Jedi, but something else…deeper…older…and darker. The oddity was they appeared on New Alderaan. A planet with a history dating back centuries but a populace relatively new to the surface. Forgotten troubles of Alderaan followed the populace to their new home. Alex had taken her own advice after rescuing the children. She had spent a day in town resting before hauling her body from bed. She ached. Not just her physical being but her soul. Shaking her head, Alex stood and wandered over to the mirror in her hotel. It was the only small establishment in the outlying town. The feeling of emptiness followed from the cave. She carefully breathed in the Force, built her mental walls, and began her day.

In short order, she was dressed as Jedi Master Alexandria Voran wondering the streets of the town. The shift in emotional energy was clear. Now that the children were home, the tension melted away in the Force. She smiled. Good. These people did not need the darkness that weighed heavily on her heart. It would do no good to panic them further. They needed a lead to ferret out where this cult began and why it existed. Such depravity could not be allowed to continue. Alex continued to wonder, sending a small message to Yvain on her datapad. If she was ready, so was she. The Jedi Master could think of no matter companion to unravel this mystery. Yvain knew the dangers of unchecked corruption. It was not just the Sith that concerned the Order. The Light was threatened by all devouring evil.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

That cave had been a physical, mental and soul draining ordeal for the little Jedi. That absence of Force power, the pain that it caused inside of him was crippling not only for that moment but for the memories it drew back to the Jedi Knight. Unlike his companion at the time Master Voran he had felt the catastrophic deaths Alderaan, Hosnian-Prime, Kijimi, Najra-Va as well as the two Death Stars and Starkiller base. When that many lifeforms in a moment disappeared they left a void similar to that of that small cave.

Unlike Voran, Yvain had travelled back towards the main starport, there was little in the way of free space in the small village they had come from and he needed time alone away from the Jedi Master to think. Yvain had also passed a message along to the council about the young one he had sensed the Force within. They would send a Knight after they were done to speak to the childs family. Sleep had been fitful, memories waking him every few hours and he woke unsatisfied from his sleep. To calm and rest his mind the Jedi took to meditation, crossing his legs upon the floor of the small apartment he had rented he let his mind run free away from his mortal coil.

The hours meditation had done the trick for his mind though he still felt bone weary from the previous days events. He was eating his Fried Toad when the message from Master Voran came though, it seemed she was ready to continue their task from the day before. Part of him was happy that they were moving so quickly, though a little of him dreaded feeling that cave once again.

A short speeder trip brought the Jedi Knight, robbed as usual to the little village from the day before. He passed the driver a few credits before heading off to find the Jedi Master. She was easy to find, her natural Force energy like a beacon for the old Knight. "I hope you slept better than I, Master Voran?" He asked walking up to the Jedi, hopping onto a nearby crate to get better match her gaze.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

“You slept?” Alex smiled, watching Yvain hop up on the crate. That was much better than craning her neck to meet the older Jedi’s eyes. “I found what rest I could…not much.” The Jedi Master rubbed her the bridge of her nose. “I suspect we are both plagued by the same thoughts.” She could live another hundred years and never forgot the screams. The feeling of life being drained away. She nearly shuddered. “This all would be easier if they were Sith, that is an evil we know.” Alex could hardly believe those words were coming out of her mouth. “Those cultists were something completely different…they felt older…almost more dangerous.” She sighed, shaking her head.

“I sent word back to the Temple but so far no luck. Alderaan was not know to have any spooky Darkside cults and New Alderaan certainly has not had similar reports to this.” Her tongue clicked. “But I can’t shake the feeling this is their home.” The Force seemed to agree with her. Resonating with notes of truth. “I have wracked my memories for anything like this…nothing.” Alex’s focus returned to Yvain. “You’re what, twice my age? Does anything stick out?” They needed a place to start. She had a small idea of what might work but the thought was terrifying.

The Morellian Master had no desire to feel that Force wound again but there was perhaps a way to use that scar to their advantage. It was odd and unique which meant it may be possible to search for a similar resonance in the Force. What a terrible time that would be. Alex prayed Yvain might have a better solution.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

"I am sorry to hear that Master Voran. Perhaps once we have answers you can rest your head." He replied shaking his own. At the moment of his comment about his age he gave the women a sly look a small smirk upon his face, she did like to get her barbs in when she could. "Yes, thank you for pointing that out Master Voran." He replied with purposefully mock seriousness for a moment, before rubbing his head. "As I said yesterday, I have heard of something similar to what we experienced yesterday." His voice turned stern as he looked up at the Jedi Master. "It was called a Wound in The Force, imaginative name I know. It is created by great pain and death, the destruction of worlds have caused such things before."

He looked around to make sure no others were close as they spoke. "One sits even know where the original Alderaan now lays in tatters. There was rumours of some who studied these Wounds, but more than that I do not know." The old Jedi Knight rocked back on his feet before falling down onto his bum, crossing his legs and waiting for the Jedi Master to reply.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex did not stop the sigh. “Sadly, I expected as much.” Her face scrunched in thought. “I’d heard of the Wound surrounding the remains of Alderaan but I never knew such damage could be done on a smaller scale.” She supposed enough pain and suffering could open a Wound…not matter the size. “I think I have a way to track the cultists…but not a great plan.” Alex pushed her hair back again. She really did not want to do this. Her mind reached out slowly, the vibrations of the Wound still present far from town.

“It feels like the Force is healing, as if they could not complete the damage. The Wound is still there. Swallowing the natural movements of the Force.” Her normally serene features passed into a frown. “It leaves a mark. Even now, I can feel the small touches on imbalance on both of us.” It was an unmistakable oddness in the Force. “I’ve done this before but with less troubling targets. If we can tune our minds to the Wound, we should be able to find others who have touched that piece of the Force.” A shiver ran up her spine.

“I am not strong enough to do it alone and I frankly do not know what we can expect when our minds touch the Wound.” Her gaze grew hazy for a moment. “I imagine it far worse than what we experienced before but it should lead us to the source.” Admittedly, it was a terrible plan but the only one she had. There were little other clues they could piece together, and this seemed like the best chance. There was no doubt in her mind the experience would be bone shuddering.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

The idea was not a great one that was for sure, but at least the Jedi Master had more to go on than Yvain himself. Though if he was honest with himself he felt a little fear in touching this wound, less it bring memories he wished to never feel again. But if the years had taught him anything is that to face ones fears and overcome them was the Jedi way.

"I will not lie to you Master Voran, I wish there was another way. But you have a plan and that is more than I at the moment. So I will trust in you and The Force." With that the little Jedi crossed his legs and closed his eyes letting his body, soul and mind quieten, he allowed the calm to flow into him and The Force to flow around him, before opening his mind and soul to the Jedi Master.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

A small flash of fear bloomed in the Force. She did not blame Yvain. Alex felt the same. What the Jedi were pushed through when saving the children was unspeakable. Alex had fought all manner of Darkness. The corruption on Ubese, the curse on Ajan Kloss, the infection on New Alderaan. Nothing compared to the Force Wound. She did not relish the thought of returning to that pain. She nodded slowly at Yvain. “Together then.”

As the small Jedi Knight sunk into the Force, she joined him. The Jedi joined spirits becoming one powerful source of Light. Alex felt the strength surging through her soul. Together. Her mind raced across the open plains…seeking the Wound. It was easy enough to find. All things healed through the Force, and this was no different. The Wound felt different than before, less pronounced but still dangerous. Suffering buffeted against them. A Dark wind. Alex touched the Darkness, pain lacing up and down her mind. Images of their battle with the cultists shifting back and forth. In a flash, the Jedi relived everything. Death. Torture. Corruption. They were spared no pain.

Alex forged ahead. Tuning her soul to the wailing of the Darkness. It rattled her heart to the core. Power through Alex. She leaned into Yvain, seeking his strength for comfort. Her mind spread wider…seeking that same vibration. Farther and farther her mind expanded until that same wailing struck her mind. She recognized the location instantly. The vibrations were undeniable. The suffering unmistakable. Alex broke her connection to the Force. Snapping back into her mind instantly. She shivered, the trapping of the Wound clinging to her soul. Darkness seeking purchase. Her voice was hard as she spoke. “The Capital.” Her mouth was a thin line. Determination pouring into the Force. “The Governor’s tower. I should have known.” She had hunting the corrupted Governor for months, first with Sevrin and now with Yvain. It seemed the corruption ran deeper than she would ever know.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

As Voran dove within herself into The Force Yvain steadied his soul for what was to come. The Jedi Master would do the searching his task was to support her, to give her an anchor within the Light of The Force. But it was hard, harder than even he after nearly three centuries of life he could expect. His mind and soul stood behind her as she guided them through The Force towards the Force Wound. As she reached out, the pain rushing through her body his mind was ravaged by the past, visions of all those atrocities flashing through his mind. He felt pain like the Jedi Master but his was tainted by history, a hand rose from his knee to grip over his heart.

He gritted his teeth the emotional pain reaching through to his physical form. But then he remembered everything that had happened since those times, all the Good that still existed in the Galaxy, The Force was still here, The Jedi still here, he was still here. With that buoyant image coming to him Yvain was able to pull the Light around him inwards to become a beacon of support for the Jedi Master as she searched out their foe.

It seemed to last forever but eventually she broke free from the depths of The Force and Yvain followed shortly after, spending a moment longer within the Joy filled Light he had found before returning to the waking world. He was not surprised that they search would lead to the Capital, often it darkness of all forms collated around people and power. "Then we have a heading." He said standing up with a small effort his body stiff from the strain it had undergone. Reaching into a small pocket inside his belt he pulled out a comm. "Clifton, we need to head to the capital." The driver which had brought him here had family in the village and had offered to wait to bring him back to the capital. "At least we don't need to walk this time." He said with a smile trying to break the tension.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex let out a deep breath. The tension in her spine releasing. The coils of her mind relaxing slowly. Yvain seemed to have befriended his chauffeur which avoided a very long walk. The Jedi Master laughed lightly. “What a shame, I quiet enjoyed our little jaunt.” She laughed. “We could have raced.” They had a short rest before Clifton arrived. Yvain deserved to know exactly what viper pit they were about to jump into. “Fair warning, the Governor has tried to kill me twice…nearly succeeded once.” She pulled the collar of her shirt to the side, revealing the blaster scar from assassin droid. “A few inches over and he would have succeeded.” Alex shrugged. “He has the city living in terror and has consolidated enough power the President can’t remove him.” Her face remained smooth.

“This may be our last chance.” Her lips pulled into a frown. “If we miss, I don’t foresee another.” Alex’s face broke into a wide smile. “No pressure.” The two Jedi knew the risks of what they were about to understand. She sensed no hesitation in Yvain but would respect whatever decision he made. After what they had seen in the cave, she doubt he would abandon her now. The roar of speeder engines could be heard growing. Shortly, a canary yellow speeder pulled up, the man she assumed to be Clifton climbing out. “Masters Jedi…your chariot awaits.” Alex turned to look at Yvain. “Last chance to reconsider.” Once they were in the speeder there would be no turning back.

The Force would ring with unmistakable finality. It was truly now or never, they would be on a path directly colliding with one of New Alderaan’s most powerful despots. A man who seemed driven to consolidate as much power as possible. A man who seemed steeped in the Darkness they had battled in the Force Wound.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

Yvain nodded along with the Jedi Master as she explained what they were walking into. It seemed the Governor was like a lot of men the Jedi Knight had met in the past, corrupted by the power, he wondered if the man had ever been good or was he always power hungry and mad? It did not matter, the old Jedi had dealt with his kind in the past and he expected that he would continue to do so for a long time yet to come.

"Then let us not miss Voran." He said with a firm voice, his body upright a hand rested on his saber hilt, looking like a proper Jedi Knight for once. When the Jedi cracked a smile to break the tension he followed suit. "Hey, worse comes to worse we can go live as hermits on Tattooine, I've heard its nice this time of year." Yvain said with a cheeky grin.

Clifton soon arrived, his beautiful Year 105 ST-434 Landspeeder in limited edition Canary Yellow, the man's pride and joy, something easily seen in the constant look the driver gave the speeder as he watched them jump on. The issue was that like most landspeeder's it was only a two seater. Something that in his own enjoyment of the ride Yvain had forgotten. The Jedi Master seemed deep in thought about the finality and danger of the situation that they were heading into. It was something that he to could feel, as if the waves of the Living Force were letting him know that in time he would face great evils. But in this moment he needed to break some of the tension. "Do you mind if I sit on your lap?" He asked the Jedi Master.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

If her eyebrows could have left her forehead, they would. Alex nearly hit the dirt when Yvain asked to sit in her lap. She had not given a second thought to seating capacity of the speeder. Her mind was fully focused on the task at hand. She should have known better. The Jedi Master cracked a wry grin. “I don’t think we’re that close yet.” She clicked her tongue. “Besides, I don’t want to wrinkle my robes.” Alex gave Yvain a wink. Poor Clifton.

She patted the young driver on the shoulder. “I promise we’ll be back by nightfall and this beautiful speeder will be in perfect condition…you have my word.” Her voice was full of serenity. Clifton opened his mouth to protest but Alex gently took the keys from his hand. “Official Jedi business.” Eh, that was little heavy handed. She gave the man a heaping handful of credits. “The bar at the center of town in wonderful, we’ll meet you there.” Alex patted Clifton again to send him on his way.

There was no mistaking his concern in the Force, but the young driver did not have the gumption to deny two Jedi. They were mistake beings to him. Alex hopped in the driver’s seat, patting the passenger’s seat beside her. “Do you need a booster seat?” They were headed into absolute certain danger. Yvain and Alex were old enough to know a little levity went a long way. Assuming Yvain hoped in the seat, Alex would hammer on the acceleration sending the speeder peeling out and racing towards the Capital. The Force hummed with certainty. They were headed in the right direct. A collision course with Darkness.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

Yvain pouted as the Jedi Master spoiled his fun, confiscating the rather beautiful looking speeder from poor Clifton. He did feel sorry for the man, this was his pride and joy and it was being ridden off by two Jedi, not the most reliable of people to have someone's items returned in full working order. Once poor Clifton was relived of his speeder he hoped into next to the kill joy Jedi Master.

"I think I would prefer not to see knowing your driving." He sarcastically replied. Humour and lightness was needed when heading into something as dark as they were. You would always find soldiers laughing and joking the night before an attack, as to dwell on what was to happen would only make one tense, nervous and more prone to errors which could lead to fatal consequences. As they sped off he shouted back to Clifton but they were moving to quickly and he doubted he could even make out the Jedi through the roar of the speeder's engines.

Turning back to his seat he plopped himself down, well out of sight through the front window. "So do we have a plan? I am assuming this tower is not an easy thing to get into?" He said picking at the dirt from under his nails.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

No one in the galaxy would consider Alex a careful driver. In fact, she likely would not be considered even a good driver. She was downright terrible…but the Jedi Master had the benefit of the Force. Enhanced reflex, a little bit of foresight, and lack of self-preservation all lead to a thrilling ride along. Clifton had every reason to love the speeder. It was fast and handled beautifully. Alex was having a great time. “Oh, we haven’t hit anything yet.” She kept her hands loosely on the controls as they raced towards the city. Yvain was wise to ask for a plan, mainly because Alex did not really have one. “Unfortunately, I have tried and failed once already.” She swerved around an outcropping of trees.

“Twice the governor has seen me coming and twice I have been diverted.” The smallest of frowns marred her Jedi serenity. “The first time I was locked in an AMS infected warehouse, the second was a wild goose chase.” The smell of the burning infected had remained in her nostrils for weeks. “We plan and it seems he somehow knows exactly what we want to do…so…I thought maybe less planning this time.” All things considered it was not her worst idea.

“I do know the tower is heavily guarded and the governor still wields significant political power. We can’t just storm in, accuse him of the unthinkable, and walk out.” She left the other part unsaid. They certainly could not kill or arrest the governor. He was far too powerful for that. Alex finally began to slow down as the Capital began to loom before them. “He must be exposed for what he is.” She was still trying to figure out exactly what that was. A man who seemed equal part thug and smooth operator. A massive thorn in her side.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

"So we need to prove that this man is a member or leader of the cult?" Yvain said rubbing his chin in the passenger seat. "That will be difficult, when you were at the tower previously did you feel anything similar to the Cave? Perhaps he has committed some of this actions there?" He was now just talking out loud, throwing ideas at Voran to see if anything stuck. "If so then perhaps there is security footage? Though he would probably have that scrubbed? Maybe if we get him to confess under holo that might help? But that still means getting inside."

Turning to look at the Jedi Master he gave her a look up and down. "Do you think you could dress up as something un-Jediy? Maybe we can sneak in. How about a Nautolan?" It was a stupid comment but then they were doing something equally is stupid in going up against the Governor. "Have you spoken to the leader of the planet at all? Perhaps getting some kind of authority from him to investigate such matters might help?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Memories of Max flashed. The last time she had seen him, smiling, holding hands on New Alderaan…her collar bone smoking this a blaster burn. “Yes, I’ve spoken to the President.” They were on the outskirts of the city now. Alex pulled the speeder to a stop. It was just past noon, the sun beaming down on them. “He owed Max and me a rather substantial favor.” Very substantial. “Apparently, it would be politically disastrous for him to move against the Governor.” She shrugged. “He is not a brave man, but his words rang with truth in the Force.” The speeder was nestled alongside a hill to protect it from prying eyes.

Alex quickly hoped from the vehicle. She looked down at her very Jedi-y attire. They did stick out like sore thumbs. “We probably should change.” A grimace pulled at the edges of her mouth. “He knows my face and…well…how many beings that look like you are walking around.” She hummed. “I didn’t exactly bring a change of clothes.” Besides she they fail it would be unlikely to be a good look for the Order. “Besides, I doubt we want ‘Jedi Break Into Governor’s Tower’ as a headline.”

They were on the outskirts of the Capital, still far from any prying eyes. They had time to find something. The Force could render powerful illusions but they were difficult to hold and that became even tougher when focusing on other activities. “I doubt I could hold an illusion long enough. Even I’m not that good.” Her eyes began to focus on the Capital rising above them. There was one obvious solution. Take what they needed, but that felt not super great.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

It was troubling that the Governor held so much sway that even the President of New Alderaan would not act. Yvain continued to rub his chin as the speeder came to a stop just on the outskirts of the city. As Alexandria jumped out Yvain stayed in side mainly to think as she spoke. "I am one of a kind, thank you." He said humour still buried deep within his thoughts. "I have credits, I can purchase some clothes. Though I am unique I am still relatively unknown so I would go easier amiss than yourself." Yvain replied finally removing himself from the Speeder.

"I am sure I can find a helmet which will help at least for the cameras. Any extra moment we can buy the better." Yvain took off his outer robe leaving just the dark brown tunic beneath, throwing the former back into the bright yellow speeder. "I believe getting to the security room might be our best shot. If we can find some footage which links him with the group that is all that matters. Security forces took control of the cave correct? If so they would have files and photos of those cultists by now. If we can match them with the Governor we have half the evidence we need." It was a long shot, but if they could find holo of him meeting with at least a pair of the cultists that would through enough doubt in the peoples minds for the wheels to get moving.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex nodded slowly. “Well, that’s better than anything I’ve tried.” She put her hood up, shrouding the top of her face. The Force quickly filled her chest. Alex breached out, a small tendril of light floating from her lips. The Light wrapped around her face, slowing changing to fit the shape of the hood. Her features became further obscured. Should anyone look into her face all they would see was shadow. They would never be able to get a clear image of her face. The illusion held nicely in place. “Perfect.”

She strode off towards the city. They were in a seedy part of the edge of town, and they needed a seedy store. Alex quickly located what appeared to be a very reputable storefront. She shrugged at Yvain. “Good enough.” She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Oh yes, this was exactly the type of place they needed. The Morellian Master began to pursue the selection. There was plenty of terrible things for them to dress themselves in. In short order, she had picked out a rather tight leather outfit, dark helmet, and lovely black boot. That would do nicely.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

He followed the partially disguised Jedi Master through the seedy parts of the city, there were rough types around and some gave him an eye but they seemed to not try anything funny with him. They found a rather interesting shop which sold some clothing, Alexandria seemed taken on the place so the little green Jedi followed.

The Jedi Master went one way immediately closing in on her preferred outfit. For Yvain however it was a little more difficult, you see men of his stature are well not that common among the galaxy so finding clothing for himself which was not styled for a chil was lets say difficult. Alexandria quickly seemed to find an outfit for herself, she looked like some b-tier holo side kick, did that make Yvain the hero. He really hoped that she wouldn't come on to him like the sleazy sidekick always does.

It took him twice as long to find something which fitted him, eventually settling on a little mechanics uniform with matching utility belt and sweet little cap. He paid the proprotor the required credits and exited the shop standing next to the rather interestingly dressed Jedi Master. "I'm sure the shop next door has some talc-powder for later if you need."

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex rolled her eyes. “Hilarious.” She gestured at the comical outfit as they exited the shop. “It’s hopefully the last thing anyone would expect a Jedi to wear.” At least the respectable ones anyways. “Come on.” She knew the way to the tower by heart. She’d been studying it for the better part of two months. Alex led them on a circuitous route around the city. The Jedi Master would not take any changes. If the Governor knew they were coming, it was over. Finally, they arrived just a few blocks from the tower. Already, the sun was beginning to set. Perfect. Their work was better done in the shadows.


“The Tower is just around the block. I’ll take us around to the back, there is a balcony that leads into the interior. We should be able to reach the security room from there.” Alex took a deep breath and plunged more deeply into the Force. Her mental walls were high, and she made every effort to suppress her for signature. She had no idea what tricks the Governor may possess. Slowly, they made their way to the back of the tower.


The Jedi found themselves staring up at the balcony. Alex gave Yvain one look, nodded, and jumped. She landed lithely on the service balcony. By a stroke of luck, there were no cameras. She waited for Yvain to join her before pressing the keypad for entry. It was locked. Of course. She resisted the urge to reach for her saber. That would be a dead give away. She quirked an eyebrow at her companion. “Thoughts?” They could easily blast their way in but that seemed a poor option.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

At least she agreed that he was a comedy genius, the little green Jedi thought to himself before following the Jedi Master through the backstreets of the capitol. Voran was leading them on a merry trip around, a number of times he spotted the tower through gaps of buildings and open streets and it didn't really seem to be getting much closer as time passed on. Voran was extremely cautious of this man, perhaps even afraid, it was something that Yvain would keep a mental eye on encase the Master lost something, he was hopeful it would never happen. But after what they both saw in the cave and the emotion in her voice back at the village he needed to keep on edge.

Finally the reached the rear balcony that lead into the tower. Alexandria went first a clean simple leap up onto the balcony, as always Yvain would not be out done. His own leap was also combined with a double somersault and a little three sixty turn landing with grace becoming a Ballet dancer. He gave the women a quick smirk before moving towards the pad, closing his eyes he concentrated on the circuits within. He had learned how to use The Force to access electronics when he was stranded on the cruiser during Order 66, then it was all about survival, now it was about justice.

He tested each little wire, sending a wave of energy down each until finally the right combination came into his mind, a moment latter it turned green and the door opened. "Ladies first."

@Valen Pelora