Chad

Chad
Date of Scene:	28 June 2025
Location:
Synopsis:	A young Antarian Ranger is welcomed to the colony on Tenoo.
Cast of Characters:	159, Chad Bayne, Cayde Alexis, Navi

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Athena (159) has posed:
It's a fine afternoon at the Republic colony site on Tenoo, and though the weather is beautiful and all seems well, there's an eerie feeling like the calm before a storm radiating in the Force.

The group would have been summoned to the administrative building by the Marshal of the colony, the elder Ikkrukki Jedi Master Rykard regarding a... security matter. The others would not have received any other details regarding this news, but the aura surrounding the necessity of this meeting does not bode well, given all that has occurred prior.

However, for one such novice Antarian Ranger named Chad Bayne, he'll have no context for anything - save for a datapad that contains his summons, given by the Order and approved by the Republic, to assist with protecting and securing the peace around a new colony site that has sprung up on the Outer Rim planet Tenoo. His trip here will likely have been rather uneventful, and his arrival at the spaceport in the biggest town on the planet, Kublop Springs, probably anything but extraordinary. He'll soon find himself on a tram headed straight to the colony site itself, unaware of any of the happenings on this terrestrial green ball that from space, looks pretty boring.

Chad Bayne has posed:
Stepping off the tram, Chad Bayne hoists the duffel containing the vast majority of his wordly posessions (such as they are) and begins a walk towards the meeting point. He eyes are wide and his lips are pursed, whistling a melody that doubtlessly has ill-intentioned, if not downright naughty, lyrics on far-flung planets.

As he finds himself approaching where the datapad had indicated for a meeting point, the whistling stops but a hint of a smile remains, his thumb of the hand not holding his duffle bag tucking in behind his utility belt, in a suspiciously empty portion seemed perfectly positioned for just such a thing. With a grunt that may intimate a hint of annoyance, he unshoulders his duffel and drops it to the ground, his head on a swivel as he seems to do his best to look like he knows what he's doing here whilst waiting for someone to come along and tell him what he's doing here.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    That aura is certainly felt by those attuned to it. The Marshal's padawan is among them, as he makes his way toward the administration center in response to the request for a meeting regarding this....thus far undisclosed security matter.

    As he approaches, he notices the Antarian Ranger standing around looking as if he's...looking for someone or someone, it seems. Now this is definitely a new face. Apparently, someone has decided to request the Rangers' presence but has also decided not to give them the details, either.

    Cayde approaches him, considering showing him inside to where briefings usually took place. Yet somehow, he finds himself just standing there instead, frowning pensively. Something about this man feels oddly familiar, even though he's certain he has never met him before.

Athena (159) has posed:
Chad will immediately notice the elder Jedi Master standing outside the temporary unit that for the moment, hosted administration. He approaches, motioning discreetly and urgently at him. "Come in," he says, "quickly, now." His gaze scans the area, as if searching for something, or someone. He seems tense. "Cayde, you too. Hurry."

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne nods in return to the elder Jedi Master, then quickly and discretely picks up his duffel with what can only be described as an 'old bantha noise' and shoulders it once again. He's prepared to fall into step behind the Jedi Master should the Jedi Master begin to move again, but his eyes do shift towards Cayde Alexis as he's beaconed too. He nods his head to the Padawan, then looks back towards the elder of the Jedi.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Before Cayde had a chance to get Chad's attention, his master steps in and urges them both inside. There's a little bit of relief, and he quickly nods and follows them both into the building.

Navi has posed:
Navi is already inside the temp unit, having arrived perhaps ten minutes before. Dressed in the typical utilitarian clothing issued to most colonists, she doesn't look like a Jedi, in spite of the lightsaber that is attached to her medical satchel, next to a 28-inch retractable metal staff. Save for her pale blonde pigtails and pointed ears, the latter a mark of her Sephi bloodlines, she could be any colonist.

Glancing up, she manages a nod to Cayde and a very brief hint of a smile for Chad, the newcomer, in spite of an apparent dour mood. "Welcome to Tenoo, winner of the Republic Colony Most Likely To Fail Award. Make sure you avoid eating the fish, and anything made from the local moss. Your stomach will thank you."

Athena (159) has posed:
Once inside, the elder Ikkrukki Master nods a greeting to Navi and then takes one brief look out of the temporary unit before escorting the three of them into a small conference room down the hall.

"The others should be joining shortly," he says with a sage nod, seating himself across from Chad.

"My name is Asteros Rykard, and I am the Republic's appointed Marshal of the Tenoo colony initiative, assigned to the Jedi outpost to be built here within the next several months by the Order."

"This is Cayde, my padawan," he says, gesturing at the baby faced blond, "and this is Navi of the Shining Brotherhood. She's assistant medical director to Master Pike Windu, who is co-leading the medical research efforts here to be conducted on Tenoo with Dr Soren Cassias - who should also be along shortly."

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne's eyebrows creep up as he's welcomed to the seemingly only somewhat inhospitable colony. He considers it for a moment, then responds, "Thanks." After another moment, he adds, "Shame. I looked to liken the local lichen to the lichen of the location I long for. Which is to say, the moss back home. Give me some time though, and I'll find a way to cook it."

He takes a moment to settle his duffel in an out of the way location. He stands behind one of the chairs until the Jedi Master takes a seat, at which point he pulls out his chair and sits down himself. He nods as the introductions go around, "Master. Padawan. Assistant Director." He then introduces himself, "Good to meet you all. I'm Chad Bayne, which is a name and a vocation. I'm an Explorer for the Antarian Rangers."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As the introductions go out, Cayde nods and bows politely toward the newcomer in greeting before having a seat himself.

Navi has posed:
Navi smiles faintly at the likening of the lichen wordplay. "Nice to meet you, Ranger Chad Bayne. As for the moss, they've already tried cooking it in cookies, but those tend to cook your digestive tract for up to 48 hours. The fish just has an offensive slimy and rubbery texture by comparison, no matter how they try to cook it. Tastes better coming up than going down. And trust me, unless you've got a cast-duryllium gut, it WILL come up. Tends to work better for the nonhuman colonists, for what it's worth. Some of them can't get enough of it, so I let them have mine."

She groans softly at the mention of Dr. Cassias being present at this meeting. "Better hope he bothers to show up. I hope he doesn't. I swear, if he tries to guilt me /just one more time/ about helping to look after Cayde more than I already do, which is a lot, the doctor will /need/ a doctor."

Athena (159) has posed:
"We're going to need him," Rykard says to Navi, brows furrowing, "even if you don't like him, he's necessary. Try to get along, please. The tension between leadership here isn't helping anything."

"Well met," Master Rykard then says to the Antarian Ranger. "You probably weren't given much briefing, but in summary, there has been a death among the colonists and we are fairly certain that it was not... an accident, despite our current suspects pleading innocent to any kind of foul play or premeditated murder. Now, we do have security onsite, but--"

At that moment, the blond security guard the others will know as Mondrian, followed by his colleague, the stunning Nautolan with angular features, Veena, appear in the doorway. The blond guard immediately eyes Chad with skepticism and suspicion. "Who's... this?"

"Help," Rykard says after a moment, his careful choice of word clear.

Mondrian's eyes narrow, and his gaze does not leave Chad. "We don't need help."

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne smiles, and politely replies to Navi, "Thank you, but Explorer is my rank. I may be a Ranger one day, but my training isn't quite complete." He turns his eyes back to Master Rykard, shaking his head to indicate that that Master is correct in that he did not have much of a briefing coming in.

As the door opens, Chad looks towards the incoming guard and Nautolan for a moment, then focuses on the guard as he seems to be a topic of conversation for the new comer. He glances towards Navi, then looks back to Mondrian, "That's not what I've heard. I've had boots on the ground for less than two hours and I've already heard how you've been having your butts kicked by the local cuisine."

Navi has posed:
"Oh, I /try/ to get along with him, Master... it's just that he doesn't try /back/," Navi replies, arcing one pale, narrow eyebrow. "Blame where blame is due. Speaking of... meet the local Republic Security, Explorer Bayne. Try not to hit Mondrian. He's the one with the 'hit me' mouth."

"None we're qualified or officially licensed to provide, anyway... and actually, you /do/. You're well aware that well over half of the colonists are one kind of criminal or another, and we've already had one suspicious death. If that's not a 'we need all the help we can get and then some' situation, I really don't want to see the genuine article."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde shifts uncomfortably when Mondrian enters, and appears very skeptical and perhaps even hostile toward Chad's presence. He suspects Mondrian might have an idea regarding one of the reasons Bayne is here. A reason specifically has to do with himself...

    Hopefully no one is going to bring it up in the open, or anything like that. Navi's disdain toward Dr. Cassias is disconcerting too, although not surprising. Could they -still- not resolve their differences?

    Anyway, wasn't there some other reason for this 'urgent' meeting besides meeting Mr. Bayne?

    But his thoughts are quickly diverted when Chad makes a joke about the food. Already, he can feel Mondrian's temper rising. Enough that he's already considering punching the Antarian Ranger in the face. Well Cayde is going to nip that in the bud before it ever materializes. Immediately he tries to enter Mondrian's consciousness and calm his seething emotions. This is already because of a bad reputation. Why make it even worse?

Athena (159) has posed:
Thanks to Cayde's intervention, Mondrian does not grab Chad by the collar and hoist him up like a sack of barley. He does, however, scoff at the young Explorer. "Your mouth is as big as your experience is inadequate," he insults, "you sure it wouldn't be better for you to crawl back to your cush posting on Naboo watching falumpasets graze?"

He then glares at Navi. "Sure, said the girl sleeping with our primary investor. I'm sure you had exactly zero idea about the recruiter she was working with on Jedha," Mondrian says with a smirk, folding his arms.

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne nods with a smile, "You're absolutely right it is. Please forgive me for responding in a manner more suited to a way of life I don't lead anymore. I'm looking forward to learning from you."

Still, the posting on Naboo didn't sound like such a bad job.

He turns his attention back to Master Rykand and then adds, "I understand that you suspect foul play. I'm looking forward to helping in any way I can." He glances towards Cayde for a moment then looks towards the table as he waits.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    When Mondrian's response seems to have been adequately moderated, Cayde relaxes at least a little bit.

    When Chad glances his way, he holds the other man's gaze for a moment.

Navi has posed:
"Look in a mirror recently, Mondrian? If you tried to cash the datachecks your mouth usually writes, they'd put you UNDER the debtors' prison," Navi retorts calmly. "And A, I've never /actually/ slept with her, and B, I wasn't aware until we actually got here... we weren't privy to far too many of the details of the colony initiative before we left. Contrary to Republic Security, we don't all have the inside track on the makings of bad ideas that were allowed to happen anyway for some reason."

Athena (159) has posed:
Mondrian seems annoyed by Chad's amicability towards his insult, but before he can get a word in edgewise, Navi gives a retort. "Good thing they don't, then," he says, "Feh, too bad being a bad liar isn't a galactic crime - you'd be getting -life-."

Rykard stands. "Enough!" he says, loudly and firmly. "Thank you, Bayne. Mondrian, you and Veena will now spend the majority of your time focusing on looking into the marauder threat that still looms over this colony. Bayne, you will be taking point on this investigation, working alongside the private investigator, Arsok Vons, that the Republic has appointed."

Mondrian's expression hardens into a stony, unreadable look, but he doesn't comment or protest. Rykard is Marshal, after all.

The elder Jedi frowns and looks around. "Master Windu and the doctor were supposed to be here..."

At that moment, the doctor appears in the doorway, looking pale, and haggard. Dark circles have formed under his eyes. "I'm sorry for being late," he says quietly, his voice barely audible.

Chad Bayne has posed:
Takes a deep breath in and exhales slowly, shaking his head to Cayde and then looking back to Mondrian. He takes another breath, seeming about to say something with a look on his face that seems to say 'prepare your buttocks' and then promptly swallows whatever he is about to say as Master Rykard calls a halt to it all.

He looks back to Rykard and nods his head slowly, his eyebrows knitting together as he works to memorize this name. He then adds, "I'll do my best, Master Rykard." His attention goes back to the door of the temp shelter as the next Jedi Master enters, at which point he nods once more.

Navi has posed:
Navi rolls her eyes at Mondrian's retort, not saying a word since Master Rykard has forbidden it. Childish, perhaps, but she probably has the right to a dour mood; the whole colony initiative has been one long Bad Feeling (tm) and struggle for her, since well before they left for Tenoo.

She glances up as Dr. Cassias enters. "Come on in and sit down, Doc. It looks like it would be the first actual rest you've had in a week. Are you feeling all right?" she asks, feeling a bit like she's asking a stupid question; he's clearly /not/ feeling all right.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde turns toward the door as Dr. Cassias enters, looking unsurprisingly as if he has not slept in several days. He sighs and turns away again.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Excellent," Master Rykard says. "Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity at the moment for you to have your own private quarters, so you'll be sharing a room in a suite with my young padawan, Cayde. He'll show you there and make sure you get settled in," he says, nodding at Cayde.

He then looks over at the doctor when he enters. He frowns. "What is it...?" he asks, immediately noticing the doctor's demeanor.

"Another colonist has gone missing. You know her," He says looking at Navi and Cayde, "Mal..." Those gifted with telepathy will be able to sense a swell of emotion coming from the doctor.

"Her sister was found last night, covered in third degree burns, their quarters in ashes. Gael was stabilized at some point this morning, but after a good look at her wounds we determined that they were not, in fact, self inflicted." He sits down finally, his expression turning ashen. "I fear... I fear the worst, Master Rykard. And so do Master Windu and Master Yutelli. They've gone looking for Mal, but I think in an attempt to cure her amnesia, I have awoken a beast that I cannot put back to sleep."

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne nods his head, "Sounds good." He frowns as he turns his attention back to the Doctor, his hand reaching down to remove a datapad from one of the pockets of his pants. He activates the device and begins tapping notes into it, "Doctor, I'm sorry for jumping into it before we're properly introduced. Where there any clues as to the cause of the burns are? Were they burns from the quarters fire, or did it seem as if she was directly attacked by someone with fire? Also, was she found elsewhere or in her quarters?"

With a glance towards Master Rykard, he looks back to the Doctor, "And what beast are we speaking of exactly?"

Navi has posed:
"Oh, gods... I have WAY too many questions right now, but I'll keep it to, is Gael going to be all right? Will she be able to live with such horrible burns? Can the kolto tanks cure her?" Navi asks, her mood turning to horror at the mention of the apparent horror of the night before.

She looks to Chad. "Mal is gifted in the Force... she can touch objects and immediately and very intensely sense their histories, but she can't control her gift. She also suffers from severe amnesia, and is known to get lost while experiencing the histories of objects she has casual contact with. Gael did her best to care for her, but she was overwhelmed with the responsibility due to Mal's disabilities. Doctor Cassias and Cayde have been working with her to try to improve her memory and let her function more normally."

She looks to Cayde, then Master Rykard, and finally Chad. "Cayde may be our best chance of finding her. He's her favorite person in the world, next to her sister, maybe, and he also might be able to sense her thoughts at a distance."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As Soren describes the situation with Mal, Cayde again shifts uncomfortably and turns his gaze downward. No, this definitely wasn't Dr. Cassias' fault. If anyone has unleashed any kind of beast, it's him, not the doctor.

    But should it fall to him to make it right? Or would he just make matters even worse?

    ...Probably the latter.

Athena (159) has posed:
"The kind that only witches can create," the doctor says softly, looking mournful. "She was found in her quarters. I'm not sure what happened. She's not conscious yet."

"Gael will be alright, I think. But there's only so much we can do about the scar tissue," he continues.

"By the light," Rykard says, looking dismayed. "What in the name of the dark side do those memories contain..?!"

"I had no idea. Gael never told me anything about her suppressed memories," The doctor confesses, "She was improving, and had been able to remember more for longer periods of time as well as recall things about her past that she hadn't before. Little did I know that suppression of those memories was the only thing keeping her sane. Something must have happened -- a triggering event, something traumatic--" he shakes his head, but his gaze flicks to Cayde momentarily. Rykard looks over at Cayde. "Padawan, what's wrong?"

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne nods his head slowly, the sense of what occurred beginning to be clear for him, "I see. So Mal is a suspect, and she's probably the one who started the fire? Perhaps she heard something her sister said, or they may have even been directly fighting?" He looks down to the datapad at his notes, tilting his lead left and right as he considers them.

He then looks back up to the doctor, "How recently was Gael attacked? I'd like to look at the scene, and maybe see if there are any tracks with the help of the Republic security team if they have a tracker amongst them."

He then looks towards Cayde, his eyes narrowing for a moment. Not in suspicion, but in placing his focus firmly on Cayde as he regards the Padawan, as if trying to bore through him with eyes alone, "Do you have something I can add to my notes, Padawan?"

Navi has posed:
"Mal and Gael are both Dathomiri, and that culture has a tradition of Force Witches. Both Gael and Mal are gifted in the Force," Navi adds, "but Gael seems to have been taught at least a little of her homeworld's traditional witchery, while Mal doesn't seem to have any trained abilities beyond her uncontrollable gift. I'm a little surprised she was able to conjure fire at all... though maybe I shouldn't be. And the sisters' relationship was known to be strained at times."

She looks to Cayde, possibly since everyone else is doing so. Well, maybe Mondrian and Veena aren't, but she's ignoring them anyway...

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <It is my fault, Master...> Cayde projects directly to Rykard. And along with it comes a very detailed recollection of everything that had taken place that night. How Mal had come begging to marry him, how he'd turned her down, and how Gael had been so angry they'd barely avoided a violent confrontation. And then how utterly devastated Mal had been. The emotional barrage is...very strong.

    Although everyone else is staring at him or asking him questions or both, he doesn't seem aware of it, as a distant expression is fixed upon his face.

Athena (159) has posed:
The doctor shakes his head, looking even more devastated. "She's not just a suspect," he says, "There's not anyone else who could have done it. As for whether they were fighting..." he trails off.

"Last night. I don't know that it's going to help. The whole temporary housing unit is dusted."

As for help from the Republic team -- it doesn't look like he's going to get any. Mondrian and Veena appear to have just walked out, at some point.

"This will require the aid of the Force," Master Rykard says solemnly, absorbing all that Cayde is conveying to him. <We will discuss all this later, Cayde. I have many questions for you, but they must come at a later time>

"We must all go," he says, "and catch up with Master Yutelli and Windu. Perhaps they have a lead." He starts for the exit of the temporary administrative structure, but stops just in the doorway. "Bayne, go with Cayde to your quarters and leave your belongings there. We'll start by searching the valley - meeting us at the ridge." And then exits, leaving Navi, Cayde, and Bayne with the doctor.

Chad Bayne has posed:
When Chad Bayne looks around to find the Republic Security Forces, he fails and shrugs his shoulders. Forget them then.

He listens to the doctor, a solemn expression on his face. When the Jedi Master stands and makes his exit, Chad stands as well until the exit is made, stopping for a moment to acknowledge the command with a straight forward, "Yes, Master." When Rykard is gone, Chad turns to look back to Cayde. He studies the Padawan for a short amount of time, then observes, "Either you've tried the fish, or you have more to share with the class." With a wild grin, he adds, "I think you've been here long enough not to try the fish."

Turning to the Doctor now, Chad frowns, then shrugs his shoulders, "For what it's worth, Doctor, she may seem like the only possible suspect now, and she may have actually done it, but I'd like to give her every benefit of the doubt until we have firm proof otherwise. Strange things can happen to people strong in the Force."

Navi has posed:
"Force? Please, just give us /one week/ without another catastrophe, so we can get caught up on all the /other/ catastrophes..." Navi murmurs, massaging her temples with her fingertips. "Is that really such a lot to ask?"

She looks up to find that sometime during the conversation, in spite of the urgency of the situation, Mondrian and Veena have just up and walked out. "Guess those two are being their usual degree of useful and helpful," she grumbles. "Just as well... I don't think they have a tracker on-world anyway."

"Cayde has an allergy to a lot of the local food, so he knows very well not to try the fish," she adds. "So that's not it. If he gets that vacant look, it's best not to bother him for a moment, unless it's an emergency. He's using his telepathic gifts."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <Yes Master> Cayde echoes Chad's sentiment mentally. He stands up and turns to Chad, motioning for him to follow him out of the building as he starts heading toward the suite where he, Thaarin and Vons were staying.

    ...Yes, he has tried the fish...what little he was able to tolerate, anyway. He sighs, trying to create some kind of casual conversation. [Only a little bit] he signs in Basic, regarding the fish.

Athena (159) has posed:
It won't take them very long to get to the suite - Chad, and even Navi might be surprised at how nice it is. It must have been a lingering effect of Rie's favoritism of Cayde and his friends, despite the portly Twi'lek no longer being Chancellor.

When they arrive, they'll find Thaarin in the lounge area, his navy black hair wet and curly as he's halfway through buttoning his shirt in front of the only not broken mirror currently in their hab suite.

He turns around when they come in, arching a brow slightly at the them. "I ... didn't expect you back so early," he says to Cayde.

There are a few things Chad may observe about Thaarin immediately - one, that he is extraordinarily handsome and well groomed. Two, he's not like any alien he's ever seen in his life before. Blue skinned, perhaps Pantoran for all intents and purposes, but his eyes - they glowed wholly scarlet and belonged on a Shistavanen. Third, he's tall and his presence speaks volumes. He seems very much like someone Bayne should -not- make an enemy of.

His eyes immediately rest on Chad, piercing him with his Sith red gaze. "May I have the pleasure of knowing he who makes himself a guest here?"

Chad Bayne has posed:
With a shake of his head to Navi, Chad Bayne replies, "Starting a colony is hard, I heard. It'll smooth out!" He then adds after a skeptical shrug of his shoulders, "Eventually?" He takes a moment to grab his duffel bag in his left hand, throwing it over his shoulder to exit the temporary structure.

"Oh," begins Chad, once they've arrived at the living area, clearly surprised at the accomodations afforded to the Padawan during his stay at the colony. He looks to Cayde and mentions, "I admit I foresaw a more cramped living arrangement with hate and emnity growing between us one high-protein meal at a time." He then adds, "This'll work though."

To the blue skinned creature, Chad Bayne nods in greeting, "My name is Explorer Chad Bayne of the Antarian Rangers. I've been sent to help. You are?"

Navi has posed:
Navi follows Cayde and Chad. She's seen the suite shared by Cayde, Vons, and Thaarin before, but is always impressed by it. It's a lot nicer than her tiny single-occupancy hab.

The first thing she notices is several broken mirrors. "Hi, Thaarin. How'd all those mirrors get broken?" she asks, offering a little wave to the Chiss. "Explorer Bayne, this is Thaarin, or Tall Blue, as some of the colonists call him. He's usually the smartest person in the room, and also the handsomest. You'll like him," she adds, by way of introduction and advice all in one.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As they enter the fairly sizeable abode, Cayde moves over toward the largest of the rooms and motions inside.

    [Share with Vons] he signs, since that's the one with the most space anyway. The Zeltron probably won't be happy, but it was the best option as the other rooms were significantly smaller.

Athena (159) has posed:
"You may call me Thaarin," the tall blue fellow says demurely, offering Chad a hand to shake. "A pleasure to meet you, Bayne. Your assistance is greatly appreciated."

A faint smile touches his expression when Navi compliments him. "And you'll discover that Navi is the kindest and the prettiest, regardless of what planet you're on," he says, "but, what did I tell you regarding flattery, my dear Navi? I'll have no more for today, thank you."

His smile widens ever so slightly when Navi asks about the mirrors. "Oh, I think those are all long stories for another time," he says.

When Chad looks inside the room Cayde is gesturing at, he might realize that he may in fact, be getting the cramped living arrangement with hate and enmity growing between each high protein meal at a time after all. The room is an utter mess. Clothes strewn everywhere, at least five cups of half drank caf scattered on cluttered tabletops and chairs, as well as wrappers for ration bars littering the floor. The lower bunk, which presumably is to be his, is piled high with datapads, flimsiplast, and varying gadgets that Chad might only guess are for. Half of them look broken.

Navi has posed:
"Normally I wouldn't flatter you, but there's a couple mitigating circumstances; first, I wanted Chad to know just who he was meeting, and second, it's all perfectly true, so it's not actually flattery," Navi replies, shrugging. "As for the return flattery, I'll do my utmost to live up to your assessment of me. Don't know if I'll succeed, but I'll definitely try."

"We pulled Thaarin out of a crashed ship on Ilum. He was one of only two survivors," she explains to Chad. "He learned to speak, read, and write in Basic inside of a month, so I wasn't exaggerating about him being the smartest person in the room."

And then she gets a look into the room Chad will be theoretically sharing with Vons, and she just stares in wide-eyed shock for a moment or three. Finally she looks to Chad, Thaarin, and Cayde, then back to Chad, her eyes still stuck wide open. "Um... maybe you can sleep on the couch?"

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne nods and returns the hand shake, "Good to meet you. I'm glad someone said it. I haven't received the warmest welcome from all involved, if I'm honest. I'm looking forward to helping though."

He looks between Navi and Thaarin and then shrugs, nodding his head, "Don't worry. I won't flatter you. When people are usually described as being tall, smart, and handsome, I immediately jump to the conclusion that they kick puppies." With a thumb over his shoulder, he adds, "I'm going to put away my stuff."

Chad disappears into the room, a moment of silence coming from the room before his voice can be heard, "It stinks like sex in here." He pokes his head out for a moment, nodding to Navi, "I'm not hating the idea of just living outside. It would not be the first time."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Okay, perhaps it had been too much to hope that Vons would've cleaned up the room at least a little bit at some point since the last time he'd looked in here. He glances at Chad apologetically, and starts using the Force to sweep the various items on the lower bunk off onto the floor and shove them under the bed.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin just gives Navi a fond look, but doesn't respond, as Chad is being escorted to his quarters. He sighs quietly and looks mildly embarrassed when the young Antarian Ranger sees that there's literally no room for him in Von's room. "No, that won't do," he says, "thankfully, we do have someone around here who can make quick work of a mess," he says nodding as Cayde uses the Force to shove aside a large majority of the clutter.

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne smiles and shakes his head, "It's really alright. I spent three weeks operating out of a field of particularly well-trained Reek. This won't be a problem."

As he exits the room after setting his duffel bag on the top bunk, Chad exists room and takes a deep breath. He reaches over to the control for the door, jaming it open to allow the room to air out. He then turns, nodding to Cayde, "Thank you."

He then looks around, "Think you can show me the valley we're going to meet Master Rykard in?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Sure enough, Cayde manages to move most of the clutter either under the bed or into closet or drawers.

    It's still messy, but at least it's a bit less...gross. [Better now] he signs.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin shakes his head. "It's not about that," he says politely, "you didn't choose to be here, yet you're here willingly and we should treat you with honor and respect. Even if you don't mind less luxurious living quarters, doesn't mean we should make you endure them, again."

He smiles faintly at Cayde, and turning to the young padawan, he says gently, "Bayne is asking you if you could show him to where Rykard would like to meet?"

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne shakes his head, "Never-the-less, I'm not fancy, but thank you." He then turns, looking back towards Cayde and signing comfortably, "[Thank you, and what he said. I'd like to go to the valley. Master said to meet him on the ridge?]" The last sign is given with a questioning look on his face, indicating that perhaps he doesn't know which ridge he's referring to. He then asks another question of Cayde, "[How do you sign Master's name?]"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Yes, the valley...Cayde nods, and begins to spell out Master Asteros Rykard's title and name in Basic letter sign. It's not really the 'right' answer as in it's not how -he- usually does it, but since Rykard is still just an acquaintance to Chad, perhaps that level of familiarity isn't yet appropriate.

    Then he starts heading back out toward the valley, where Rykard had requested they meet him.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin smiles faintly again, escorting the two of them as they head for the door, presumably off to meet Master Rykard.

The tall blue alien rests a hand on Chad's arm gently, pulling him back for a very brief moment. "Cayde isn't terribly verbal," he says softly, "communication can be difficult for him, and socially, he struggles. What you did today was very thoughtful. Thank you." He fixes Chad with his unforgettably penetrating scarlet gaze, his expression genuine. "You two will get along well, I should think. And may the Force be with you as you face whatever awaits in the valley."

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne nods to Thaarin, "I gathered as much when he was signing earlier. It's fine. Rangers are trained to meet Jedi where they are at, so if there's a communication issue, we'll solve it. Besides..." He trails off, lifting and lowering his shoulders, "Something tells me I'll be verbal enough for the both of us."

He then nods his head gravely, "Thank you, Thaarin. May the Force be with you." He quickly catches up with Cayde on the way to the valley, first drawing the pistol on his right hip and checking the charge as they go. He follows with the one on his left him, nodding his head and returning it as well. Once both pistols are holstered, he signs, "[Good. I didn't shoot anyone on the way here.]"

Navi has posed:
"Wish I could make that happen," Navi observes, watching Cayde bring the mess down from 'nasty nerf pen' to merely 'sloppy'. "If I can get a spoon to quiver, I'm doing pretty good, but I keep trying."

She falls in behind Cayde and Chad. "Thaarin's got the right of it. The only excuse I can think of is that Vons had no warning about your coming. Which isn't impossible. Just unlikely," she says, shrugging and stifling a chuckle at Chad's signed message to Cayde.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde watches Chad check the blasters, and then make a comment about not having shot anyone already on the way. However, he doesn't seem to understand what exactly was meant, or if it was intended to be a joke of some kind. There is also the fact that he is rather troubled about this entire situation...

    He looks ahead again, and quickens his pace down toward the valley.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin inclines his head slightly. "I appreciate that," he says, "and even if Cayde doesn't say it, he will, too."

The three of them probably won't take long to get to the ridge. But when they arrive, they won't find Rykard there. Instead, they'll espy the small, robed, Jawa like creature they'd rescued from Ilum standing on the ridge staring out at the valley below.

They don't turn around when the trio arrives, but all three of them will feel an impression in the Force - a forewarning, some kind of discomfiting premonition about the current state of things. They urge them to reach out into the Force, sense it. Something was not right...

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne shakes his head to Navi with a smile, "There's no way he could have known I was coming. Master Rykar said stay with Cayde until Cayde said no way, stay with Von." He then looks to Cayde and signs, "[What I had to smell today was all your fault.]"

When they arrive at the ridge, even Chad is put off by what they see, hear, and feel. Tilting his head, he narrows his eyes and comments, "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [I am sorry] he signs when Chad mentions the terrible smells in Vons' room, and he seems genuinely remorseful about it.

    But then there is that immense foreboding. Where is Master Rykard? He begins to search for his master's presence, although he is also just beginning to question whether he should really be here or not. If Mal is the source of the problem, he doubts his presence will do anything but make things worse.

Navi has posed:
"Hey, it's Little Guy. Been a while since I've seen him... is he a him? I never have been able to tell," Navi observes, pointing out the diminutive alien. "He doesn't speak, either, but he can do some general gestures and such, and telepathically he communicates through impressions. We have no idea what his name is, so I just call him Little Guy," she explains.

She reaches out through the Force... and gets several impressions at once. "I think Mal is very far away at the moment. But there's some kind of disturbance in the Force, too... a general bad feeling. Pretty intense."

Athena (159) has posed:
Cayde thankfully will be able to tell that Rykard is near, and approaching. But that sense of foreboding lingers.

The small robed alien is right - there is some kind of aura of dark side energy seeming to cover the ridge, and the valley. Everything feels ... eerie. Off, in a way that none of them can really explain.

A few moments later, Rykard returns, his brows furrowed. "The firehawks that usually are willing to carry us down into the Gorge won't come today," he says, brows knitted together. "I wonder how Master Windu and Master Yutelli fared," he murmurs, "something feels... wrong."

Suddenly the little robed alien tugs on Navi's sleeve, and starts dragging her towards the upper part of the ridge, urgently. If Navi and the others follow, they will see something that may send chills down their spine. In the distance, in the deepest part of the Gorge, they'll be able to see a bright beam of phosphorescent green light ascending into the clouds like some kind of light-forsaken beacon. Strange black silhouettes of flying... somethings circle it ominously. The small robed alien points to it, and that uncomfortable premonition in the Force will return again.

"Light save us all..." Rykard mutters.

Navi has posed:
"No idea, but this whole place feels off. Very off," Navi observes worriedly. "I'm not sure why, but-... hey!" she squeaks as Little Guy starts pulling on her sleeve. "Don't pull my clothes off, huh? I'm coming!" she protests, more softly, following the Jawa-like alien up the ridge.

At the top, she freezes, staring into the horrific spectacle of the green light shaft piercing the clouds, surrounded by bizarre flying creatures. "Oh, my... geez... is that the /vergence/? Did Mal cause that?" she asks, her eyes even wider than when she'd been faced with the spectacle of Vons' room. "I think we have a /real/ problem, Master... this may be the unfortunate event the Marauders may be waiting for. The thing they think will destroy the colony."

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne follows the Jawa and Navi to the upper part of the ridge as well, his eyes out and scanning as they reach the apex of their climb. He takes a look around at the others, reaching up to scratch at his cheek as he wonders what to do. Finally, he points off in that general direction, "I found them. I've only been on the case for an hour. Damn, I'm good."

He drops his hand, his brow knitting together as he looks back to the beacon, "Do we have speeder bikes?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    One look at that glowing green light and Cayde turns around and starts heading straight back out of the valley. That told him all he needed to know. Mal had lost it, and he was the last person she needed to see or even be -aware- of. He was the source of her problems, not the solution to them...

Athena (159) has posed:
Rykard shakes his head. "We have speeders, but they will not work on the terrain in the Gorge. It's too rocky, uneven, and angled."

"We may be able to take a small vessel -- though it will be dangerous since there's no guarantee that there's even space in that area for it to land safely. The Gorge is dangerous -- terrain-wise and ... in other respects," the elder Master says.

He grabs Cayde's arm gently. <Cayde, you -must- face her. The solution is not to avoid the conflict and hope it goes away. You must reconcile with her and explain to her that you still care for her, only attachment is forbidden, and why>

"Come," he says to the others, "we must find a reliable and courageous pilot, and a vessel." Then he starts heading back towards the colony site.

Navi has posed:
"I guess we need a /very small/ ship... like a small shuttle. We don't have any fighters, and none of them would fit all of us anyway. I don't know if we have an airspeeder that could hold all of us, either," Navi muses. She gives Master Rykard a grateful look when the Master grabs Cayde's arm before the Padawan can abscond. "Good catch, Master. Ann would be proud."

Chad Bayne has posed:
Chad Bayne turns away from the ridge, seeing all he has needed to see, and quickly catches up to the Padawan and Master. As he talks, he signs what he is saying, "[Maybe we can get a ship to hover on antigrav, and descend in via rope, or Jedi telekinesis.]"

He then quickly shakes his head, "[We have the shuttle I came here on, but I'm not the pilot to accomplish this.]"

Navi has posed:
"We'd better hope the grumpy Ugnaught twins are on-world," Navi observes worriedly. "They're very good pilots, even if the more skilled brother's not much for making friends."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <But...Gael...> Cayde protests, remembering how infuriated her older sister had been and how she had warned him to steer clear of Mal. He'd only barely managed to avoid an actual fight that time, and is doubtful he'd be as fortunate a second time.

    A sigh. <...yes, Master> he responds, although he hasn't the slightest idea how to even begin to explain any of that to her.

    [There are others do not worry] he replies to Chad, doing his best to appear calm.