A Distress Signal

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

OOC: This thread is open only to Jedi. Thank you.

“This is Tia Suu-Ilan, Sister of Singing Mountain Clan…”

Dathomir, a planet of much intrigue. Outcasts of the Old Republic were sent to it as a form of punishment. Witches thrive upon it. Though the Force is strong in each corner of the galaxy it is uncannily strong here. It’s aura in the Force is so dark that is is hardly surprising that those who use the Force upon the planet are drawn into the web of the Darkside. Some still manage to remain true to the greater good, however.

“We are a peaceful clan and strive only to maintain the peace and harmony of life.”

The clans of witches lived in far corners of the planet, each staying away from each other not usually out of dislike but out of want for oneness with themselves and their peers. Each tribe holds different beliefs, even if they are drawn from a single route – the Force.

“Our leaders have been killed and many of our kind slain.”

The Singing Mountain Clan lived on, in and around the mountain of the same name. They, a peaceful group, were small in numbers but strong in spirit and will. What set them apart from the others witch tribes was their aversion to combat. They were most certainly not warriors, and did not even follow the custom of riding rancor’s as mounts.

“Only I and another remain. We have provisions for another week.”

Perhaps this was why they were not looked upon kindly by others, least of all the Nightsisters. The dark witches persecuted the sisters of the Singing Mountain whenever the chance arose. Many were ritually killed, but none would fall prey to the darkside and become one of its puppets themselves. The latest raid upon the clan had been the most devastating. The Nightsisters had wrought total chaos and havoc upon their fellow Daughters of Allya.

“We are in a cave on the southern side of our mountain.”

While they were not warriors by nature the sisters tried their best to hold off their attackers, healing their wounded as best they could – but it was in vain. Whomsoever remained fled to the mountains, in the hope that shelter could be found there. Possible salvation was found in an old communications unit, wreckage of a crashed Republic vessel from years ago that the sisters had found. An open long distance frequency opened, Suu-Ilan prayed to the Goddess that this plan would not fail.

“If anyone can hear this message, I beg that you come to our aid.”

Time was running out.

[Kelt Simoson]

3 days later...

Remote as the landscape was, the green clad figure was not lost. In fact the ranger was an expert tracker. At least he used to be. He had not walked a forest in some time and even worse he had not skilled his tracking since he left his home for the Jedi. The figure was of course a man, the upper chest was to big to have been a female and his stride was most certainly a mans yet his face was almost fully covered by a hood so it was impossible to confirm the figures gender by any watchers.

However the ranger was connected to the force, any watchers of any kind would have been felt. There were none. The planet was a strange one, the darkside was the dominant force here and as a Jedi the ranger was not comfortable to be surrounded by such hatred. But he withstood it.

What he was looking for was uncertain but he continued on foot for at least a few hours before stopping. At this moment he looked directly to his right and up as if he knew exactly what he was looking for. A safe haven. A cave or small shelter. That was clearly the most intelligent place to hide or keep safe from the harsh weather. There, through the trees was a mouth, a cave , it was something the man had been looking for.

The ranger quickly made his accent, each foot fall expertly placed as if climbing was something he had done from his childhood and he never slipped once. He passed each tree gracefully as a good ranger should though his speed did not interrupt his stealth, he was cautious, you could see it. Finally the cave entrance was in front of him, he griped his light saber, switched it on and with a snap-hiss a misty blue blade ignited from the cylinder and hummed at it was held motionless.

' Hello?...' Spoke a deep voice, one from the ranger. At this moment the figure drew back his hood. Brown locks of matted hair fell upon his cheeks while a beard, soft eyes and a gentle face appeared. It was Jedi Knight Kelt Simoson. ' Aye there!..' He called into the blackness. At last he strode in, only the saber lighting his way.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

As the pale glow of the saber spread across the inner walls of the cave the scene inside was revealed. Against the back wall, nestled in against the clammy stone, there were two women. One, blue skinned and quiet alien to look at but beautiful no less, had the other cradled in her arms. The second looked much younger and it was clear that the pallid hue of her complexion was not natural, but a sign of her sickness.

“Oh thank goodness,” the woman who was in good health looked up into the face of the Jedi, the one who had answered their plea for help. She had immediately sensed the good in him, parting the blanket of darkness from the moment he had arrived on Dathomir.

Her eyes turned down on the limp body in her arms, “I have tried and tried to heal her, but to no avail. I do not think she will live.”

Her sister was on the brink of death and only a master healer would be able to pull her from the precipice. There had been those amongst the clan who could have tended to her, but they had fallen themselves. Suu-Ilan sighed lightly and shook her head. It was deeply wrong for so many good people to die.

“You must help us,” her eyes turned back up to the Jedi, “Can you get us off this planet?”

[Kelt Simoson]

'I trust i can ' Kelt said quietly, crouching down to view the two huddled together more closely. At the first sight of the blue skinned female, he was rather shocked. On his home world of Aarchim, creatures of this nature were only regarded as monsters, evil creatures, and where the Jedi Knight lived in Shazmak, this was often the case.

However, the two creatures in front of him were helpless, and clearly nothing evil or monstrous about them. At least he did not think so. Though he had seen on his world, some quite horrific beings.

' I hail from the Jedi Order, i am a Knight of its ranks, if we can get your friend to a safe location, one where i can get some assistance, i might be able to aid her, but this is not the place.' Kelt spoke urgently, as the full situation seeped into his mind. He took Tia's hand in his as a sign of friendship, hopefully making her feel a little safer.

' We have some ground to cover and i fear from the evil that lurks these trees, we do not have much time till night fall, we must hurry.' He glanced down towards Tia's sister, a pain seared through his chest, a sign of urgensey, indeed they had little time. ' Can she walk or must i carry her?...' He spoke gently towards Ta, his face kind.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

“I am afraid she cannot walk, or even move. She has been unconscious for some time now.”

With Suu-Ilans help, Kelt managed to lift up the sister in his arms – having disengaged his saber first, of course. Her pale body lay slumped, a sign of her corporal paralysis through her sickness. Silently, Suu knew that she would not make it. There was no chance that they would be able to find the correct treatment in time, but she would have liked to give her sister a proper burial and send off into the next life.

“My thanks again. I had almost given up hope that someone would come,” Suu shook her head, sighing as she gathered her robes in her hands, awaiting the Jedi Knights lead out into the light once more.

[Kelt Simoson]

With Tia's sister in his arms, Kelt moved swiftly to the entrance of the cave, and looked up into the sky. Through the canopy of the trees the light was fading, the blue of the sky rapidly growing darker, it would not be long before the wood would be prowled by evils unknown.

' The night draws in quickly, we must make a move. I fear we have but a few hours before darkness takes its role.' He said truthfully.

The Jedi Knight started to make a quick decent. This of course was much quicker than his accent but he took much care of the dieing sister as he retraced his path down to forest hillside. After only a short for minutes, Tia close behind, the 3 made it to the main bulk of the forest, darkness was beginning to take its toll here and little light broke though.

For a moment Kelt looked as if he was lost. This was of course was not true. The Jedi scanned for anything out of the ordinary, this time he had 3 lives to protect not just one, and safety was his man aim. Kelt nodded southward and the small party was off again, this time at jogging pace, Kelt only hoped Tia had the same endurance he did.

' We shall be at a small camp an hour from here, it is there that a hired ship can be found with pilot. His name is Ben. Hes a little rough around the edges but a Padawan none-the-less.' Kelt said as they turned southeast, and headed down the edge of the clearing.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

It was lucky that the sisters of the clan practiced fitness otherwise Suu would have been left behind in Kelt’s wake. She followed fairly close behind, ducking and dodging under branches, with her robe ends gathered up in her hands. It seemed as though they had been moving for an excruciatingly long time. Suu’s breathing was ragged from fatigue. Enough was enough – she had to stop.

“Wait… wait!”

She halted and it felt as though her limbs had turned to jelly. She quivered and wobbled and felt almost as though she herself was about to fall.

“I need to rest, I cannot go on running steadily any longer,” she panted.”

[Kelt Simoson]

For a few split moments Kelt felt slightly disappointed. Darkness was almost here, turning the sky into a very dark gray. The Knight was also affraid of lurking, watchful creatures.He knew of course that the Darkside was equally capable of feeling himself as Kelt was of feeling them. None-the-less he stopped, placed Tia's sister upon the ground next to hr and rummaged through his dirty traveling bag.

' Ah here it is...' He said taking out a small plastic box. Inside was a bottle of water and a few sandwiches filled with anything meaty he could buy before he left. He handed the small container to her and smiled. ' There is enough for you and enough for you to keep her watered also.'

He took out his own bottle then and drank from it. However he would remain standing, watching for any life within the trees.

' So, do you wish to tell me what happened?...' He said gently.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

Suu sat down by her sister. She could feel her spirit tugging at its moorings as she deteriorated. Soon she would be free of this coil and find peace, which was some consolation.

“We were driven back into the mountains by attacks,” the witch said as she dabbed a little water to her sisters’ lips before taking a small sip for herself.

“They would raid us for supplies but lately they have grown more and more violent. The darkside has full hold over them.”

[Kelt Simoson]

' The darkside corupts and consumes everything that lets it.' Kelt said sadly turning towards her. He sipped his from his bottle again, before taking a seat on the floor beside them two women.

The grass feltwet and soggy, a sign that night was coming, and fast. Looking off into the blackning distance, Kelt spoke in sadness, in feeling. He dislied battle, war. Even though he had been in a few himself. Situations such as this were horrible. So many needed to die for what?...land, food, water. When all it took was to have a peace, a harmony and all would recive such things.

' I am sorry for your loss, my new friend.' He said quietly.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

"Sister Piera will go on to a better place,"

Suu looked down into the emotionless face of her sister, brushing her hair away from her face. She smiled very faintly and looked back up to Kelt.

"You are a Jedi, you know that when we pass on it is to a better place. I can only hope the Force has something waiting for my sister."

[Kelt Simoson]

' I do...' He said sadly, looking down towards the females lifeless body.

' Come on, lets take flight, would you like me to bring your friend?' He asked looking towards Tia slightly carefully.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

She sighed and shook her head, “I fear she is beyond help.”

One hand passed over the witches face and Suu muttered something that did not sound as though it had been spoken in Basic before nodding to Kelt. The Force would keep her safe now and should would not be found in these woods, not after thise Jedi had lead them so deep within the trees.

“I cannot keep up with your pace, but I will try my best. Lead the way, Jedi Knight.”

[Grimya]

:: Grimya pads through the forest ahead of Soolin, following the scent of the man known as Kelt Simonson. The dark lady & white wolf shared a lifebond, and seeing through Grimya's eyes, Soolin saw two figures in the distance. Grimya stops and waits ::

[Kelt Simoson]

Kelt was about to move on when a feeling struck the base of his mind. It was a pin prick feeling which pushed itself into the very nerve of his brain.

Someone or something was about.

Through the trees as he scanned around himself Kelt caught site of a white creature. Lupine or Garou perhaps in its wolf stait. Kelt did not move, he simply stared, waiting for the creature to ether move on or approach.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

Suu saw the creature also, and smiled kindly towards it. There were not many animals like this one on Dathomir, so it was a pleasant sight to see. She took a few steps forward, cautiously, glancing between the wolf and Kelt.

“Where did you come from, my dear?”

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin steps from behind a tree. She was clad in Dathomir garb, taken from a Night Sister who was hunting. ::

<center>"I am Soolin, a Jedi. Grimya is my companion. There are hunters looking for you. They circle closer as we speak."

<center>http://panic.hopto.org/swf/sorsha/Soolin/soolin_dathomir1.jpg

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

The sight of the Night Sister trappings caused the Witches heart to jump, though she calmed somewhat when she heard the woman was a Jedi. “Greetings Soolin… I am Tia Suu-Ilan, of the Singing Mountain clan. This man is also a Jedi, a Knight,” she explained, motioning to the hooded man, whose name she did not yet know.

[Kelt Simoson]

' I am Jedi Knight Kelt Simoson as im sure Soolin and her companion no doubt know. It is good to see you Soolin, i fear that whatever lurks in these trees is more than just starving creatures, so if you are to join our party, Soolin, we must make haste.' Kelt said with a nod of recognition upon his face towards his fellow knight.

The Knight felt for his bow across his back which a snap open bow, compact and light aswell as his arrows, in these woods bow and arrow were more afficient than a lightsaber and much he unclipped it and opened it out to its full size with a snap. Kelt then drew a arrow from his quiver and redied it between the bow and her string.

' Are you to join us Soolin?'

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin nods and looks at Tia again ::

<center>"Are you the only one? I heard mention of another."
<img src=http://panic.hopto.org/swf/sorsha/g/albums/userpics/Soolin/soolin_dathomir3.jpg>

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

“She is one with the Force now,” Suu-Ilan replied, in a hushed tone, a distant look of sadness in her eyes as she watched the Jedi Knight Simoson arming himself with a stringed hunting weapon of some kind.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin was about to speak, just as she felt something rushing up behind her. A hand seizes her by the throat with unatural speed, and lifts her off her feet with unatural strength. The attacker swats Grimya aside as she leaps to protect Soolin ::

[Adraudia Basillie]

Adraudia hissed as her hand began crushing Soolin's throat, "Don't fret Suu-Ilan. You'll be joining her soon enough!"

Her head rocked forward and regarded the Jedi within her clutches, "Neither this Witch or the male will stop her will!" Sharp nails dug into Soolin's flesh as Adraudia slammed her up against a tree and brandished a knife.

[Kelt Simoson]

Rounding on Soolin, bow in hand, Kelt pointed the projectile weapon towards their attacker. ' Release her, and be warned i am a expert longbowman' Kelt said, cooley.

[Xumire]

"Archer you may be, but you have only one arrow."

:: Xumire steps out from the trees, accompanied by several warrior women ::

"Arrogant off-worlder, do you know what we do to men like yourself?"

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

There was no fear in the Witch’s eyes. She watched the women appear, looking between them – some familiar faces; some had even once been part of her clan until the Dark Side had corrupted them. “This conflict is needless. Nothing can be gained from this violence. You must set aside your weapons- there is still hope for you, for all of you… the light still shines within you, I feel it.”

[Adraudia Basillie]

Suu-Ilan's words infuriated her, "ALL TALK!!!" She growled in frustration, "Mistress, please let me kill the infidel in demonstration for the foolish male and as punishment for wearing our colors."

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin's eyes widen as Adruadia brandishes a wicked looking blade. Reacting on instinct with her last gasp, she kicks out with both legs, striking Adraudia in the chest and then the chin in a climbing kicking motion ::

[Kelt Simoson]

Soolin stuck quickly and with perfect agility. Kelt quickly dropped his short bow to the ground and took a step back towards Xumire without turning towards her. He too with a ranger instict and in motion to his step backwards kicked backwards and struck the woman in the gut.

Turning on the ball of his right leg, Kelt was left footed, he took a step back, giving space between Xumire and her woman and Kelt, space enough to defend.

[Xumire]

:: Xumire falls, and lays motionless on the ground ::

[Adraudia Basillie]

Adraudia was knocked onto her rear, allowing the Jedi to free herself. She would have advanced towards Soolin but the sight of Xumire unmoving caused the Witch panic.

An unnatural screech came forth, "XUMIRE!!!!!"

She moved with incredible speed and tackled the Kelt to the ground. Adraudia still held her knife and was going to gut the worthless male, relishing as his insides bathed the ground crimson.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

Suu-Ilan had watched at first with apprehension as the conflict had begun, but when she saw one Witch spring upon her newfound savior, she had to go to his aide. Throwing herself at the blue-haired darksider, she attempted to wrench her away from Kelt.

[Kelt Simoson]

The dagger had dug deep, deep enough to put Kelt down on the floor in sheer agoney. By the time the force had alerted Kelt to the oncoming attack, it was too late. he had been concentrating on the downed Xumire, he intended to pick up her from the ground.

A warm feeling filled the stomerch area of Kelts torso, it turned to a hot feeling almost immiedietly, it was blood, blood running from the open wound and on top of that Adraudia was still upon Kelt so there was no way of actually attempting to heal himself.

Kelt had been stabbed before and with worse obects that a simple dagger, it would be easy to heal, depending on the side and depth of the wound and if it hit any major organs which to Kelts relief he beilved not.

It was up to Tia now, Kelt had little enegy to shove the woman off, yet he shruggled and did what he could to sway the witch from his back. Kelt swung his elbow upwards, there was noway for her to avoid it at its speed and it cracked her soilidly in her jaw.

He was trying.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: lightsabres spring to life around them as Soolin rises to her feet, and she ignites her own in kind ::

[Adraudia Basillie]

The crack to the jaw, along coupled with Suu-Ilan trying to wrench Adraudia off of Kelt, was enough to pry her off. The Witch toppled backwards ontop of Suu-Ilan when she heard the sound of a lightsaber being ignited.

She had to act quickly.

Adraudia pulled herself to her feet, grabbing the Suu-Ilan by the arm. "No, no, no!" The good Witch was pulled into the waiting Night Sister's arm as Adraudia lit up her own sabre. A weapon despise, but the circumstances required its use. The red blade extended diagonally across Suu-Ilan's body, threatening to cut off her head. "Back away Jedi!" Adraudia signaled for the other Sister's that accompanied them to fetch Xumire.

[Grimya]

:: Grimya leaps forward, chomping down on Adraudia's sabre hand at the wrist ::

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

In having to deal with Grimya, Adraudia’s attention was drawn away long enough for Tia to slip away. There was no way she could hope to stand against the blade that witch carried, and although there was the possibility of borrowing Kelt’s saber, she didn’t trust herself enough with the weapon to wield it. Instead she looked to Soolin, her eyes pleading.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin spins low, ducking an attack from one of the witches as she sweeps Adraudia off her feet ::

[Kelt Simoson]

Kelt slowly brought himself up to stand on his feett, his hand clutching his wound tightly and his face straight, showing no fear or pain. With his right hand be summoned his saber and caught it exquisitly with little fuss.

' Stand down witch and clam yourself before you become an annoyence to be rid of...' Kelt said softly, his eyes unmoving from the Witches'.

[Adraudia Basillie]

She screamed in agony from the wolf bite, but soon found herself sprawled along the ground with the Jedi glaring down at her. Adraudia's reflexes were still good with her uninjured hand and quickly snatched a dagger from her belt. She was not weaponless, though her lightsabre had falling to the ground. Her vengeance for wounds inflicted would be plummeting her blade into the flesh of the Jedi's pet wolf with a sneer.

[Grimya]

:: The blade sinks into the wolf's shoulder and she releases the bite as she yelps. The psychic cry in Soolin's mind causes the jedi to contact Vishan through the comm. They needed help ::

[Vishan Korogoth]

Vishan's job was a simple one. Stay and guard the ship. The last thing his Master wanted was any of the Dathomir Witches to get a hold of him and cause the current mission to get even more complicated.

He spent the time helded up in the cabin, running maintenance and repairs on the ship. One thing that Vishan was known for was making sure that Soolin's ship was in perfect condition and was always fiddling around with it. It also gave him a focus to occupy his time until she returned.

The Padawan was refitting a panel underneath the console when he felt Soolin touch his mind. With an efficiency that would make any dockworker jealous, he refitted the panel and got the repuslors up and running in seconds.

Ah'm on th' way, Master.

As he finish the pre-launch sequence, he concentrated on Soolin's thoughts as his guide to where he was needed.

[Tia Suu-Ilan]

Red ran through the wolves white fur. The good Witch grimaced as Grimya let out a howl. She watched as Kelt and Soolin advanced again on Adraudia, while Tia herself called softly for Grimya to come to her so that she might try to heal the poor creature.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin meanwhile, was busy holding off the other witches in a flurry of martial arts ::

[Adraudia Basillie]

The other Witches were fighting the Jedi in order for Adraudia to recover Xumire and retreat. Unfortunately, they were not as prepared for this battle as they thought. That damnable Tia had brought powerful friends that took them off guard, but she was now focused on tending to that wolf pet.

In her rage, Adraudia had forgotten to tend to her leader but thankfully her sisters had brought realization to her through their shared mental connection.

Working through the pain, she went to Xumire's side with swift feet and lifted her over her shoulder with immense strength. Assessing the battle one last time, Adraudia darted into the dense woods in safety. It was good timing too. The sound of a space ship was getting closer to their location.

[Vishan Korogoth]

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!" Too bad he was the only one in the cockpit enjoying this.

He buzzed the area, frightening and scattering the Witches about because he was flying at such a low altitude. Branches and leaves were blown off of the trees and kicked up in his wake.

Soolin! Git on outta 'ere an' meet me at th' closest clearin' ta th' East.