Overcast: Underneath The Marsh Tree

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth waited underneath the tree where Evanar had begun <a href=http://pub1.ezboard.com/fthejediloungejeditrainingandrecruitment.showMessa ge?topicID=885.topic>instructing</a> him in the more practical uses of the Force. It seemed not all that long ago... but how much time had gone by? 4 years now - Possibly more? He couldn't remember many things in detail lately; Too many of his memories just seemed to come and go between his sessions in the bacta tanks. Resurrection through the Dark Side had it's high price...

So much has changed now...

A small amount of water danced before his eyes in the black and desolate marsh. Dagobah had been reduced to little more than a ball of ash and decay during The Sith Empire's invasion. The stench here was nearly unbearable... but Jeseth had a talent for ignoring discomfort. A quick glance down to his black-gloved left (and artificial) hand reassured him he could easily withstand a bit of odor. That didn't stop his stomach from churning in protest, however.

Hurry up, Morgan, Jeseth continued to think to himself, growing slowly more impatient. He had sent the transmission for them to meet at this spot nearly a week ago... and Morgan was usually quite punctual.


<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/jesethsworkshop/Jeseth.jpg>
<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/jesethsworkshop/trace2.jpg height=33 width=380>

[Morgan Evanar]

Morgan nearly lost his previous meals as the White Rhino Tea's ramp dropped. The smell was always a bit off before, but now that TSE had turned the local area into slag...

Doing his best to ignore his fairly good sense of smell with limited success, Evanar walked off the ramp, spying Jeseth under one of the few standing trees on the small lake's edge.

Odd, that the massive tree stood somewhat alone, still green and impressive. As before, perhaps both parties would learn something beneath the tall, broad tree.

"Jeseth" Morgan managed, surpressing his gag reflex sufficiently to eek out the word.

[Jeseth Cloak]

"We need to talk, Morgan - though I'm guessing by now you know that. I was curious... Why did you attempt to kill me when on Yavin?"

The Dark Jedi's hand now rested upon Trace's saber (which had been in his poesstion since he was revived). The stench and remoteness of this place wasn't to have a pleasant talk. It quickly became apparent to Evanar that Jeseth had others things in mind if this mere talk took a wrong turn; Someone's rotting corpse would be adding to the odor.

[Morgan Evanar]

Morgan nodded. His face was beging to take a green tint, and he occasionally winced uncomfortably when his stomach squirmed.

"Aye Jeseth, that we do." He felt the bile rise as he spoke, but forced it down. Morgan's stomach churned about again, ingnoring his nervous system's instructions to do otherwise.

Jeseth seemed rather unbothered by the stench. Not so odd, considering that he sported a pair of wings and unusually sharp teeth. Morgan shifted his gaze from Jeseth's nervous hand to the large pond. Once clear water was now murky and fetidid since the TSE orbital bombardment. Coughing, Evanar motioned for Cloak to follow him to the Tea

"I'll explain inside."

[Jeseth Cloak]

"As you wish."

Jeseth cautiously followed Morgan as close to the Tea as he dared get without a clear view of what was concealed within. The putrid aroma forced it's way up through his nasal passages, causing him to spit in discomfort. Apparently his former Master was less adapted to dealing with the stench of decay... but then again, he had never sene a human react under such conditions, and he had no reason to beleive that it was a trait which only Evanar exhibited.

As he stepped in only mere inches behind Morgan, the ship came to life.

"An excellent vessel you've got - I admire the craftsmanship."

[Morgan Evanar]

Morgan inclined his head slightly. It wasn't every day that anyone took notice to such details, and when it happend, the craftsman responsible for most of the work was usually apreciative, as was Evanar right now.

"Thank you, Cloak, although its not all my work."

His hand went to the sword at his right hip, and Jeseth lept back, and began to reach for his saber.

"Calm down" Morgan said as he drew it slightly, and then took the rest of the sword free with two fingers below the grip, at the bottom of the blade. Jeseth relaxed slightly, but his hand only moved from his saber when Morgan offered him the hilt.

"I never wanted to see that damned planet again, but thats the only place I think we can get answers."

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth's hand approached the hilt slowly, his eyes meeting curiously with Morgan's.

"Planet?"

The Dark Jedi gripped the sword for the first time, letting it settle into his palm.

[Morgan Evanar]

"Its a friendly place called Dodevyeska, complete with a dead assorted archeologist, and a few dead pirates. Supposedly now deviod of intelligent life, but the caves across the various continents remain unexplored." Morgan shrugged, inidicating indifference, but he was really unnerved by the thought of returning to that unexplored ball of rock floating in the outer rim.

That damned ball of rock. It nearly had gotten him killed, that little cover run to BFN. Poor dead bastards. Jeseth continued to examine the sword, seemingly devoid of wear. It light shined off at odd angles as he twisted it carefully looking the unusual blade over. Morgan found himself growing uncomfortable the more Cloak held the blade, scratching at the back of his neck like a man in need of nicotine.

[Jeseth Cloak]

The detail was exquisite, and the metals seemed to be without sign of wear or aging. Jeseth handed the sword back carefully, a bit more at ease about whatever might have gone on between them on Yavin those days ago.

"I still don't see what that had to do with your attempt to assasinate me, but I'll admit, it is quit intriguing. I've not heard of the planet... which I find even more curious a detail. I've studied star charts extensively..."

The Dark Jedi almost smiled, leaning back against the hull of the ship and reaching into his coat for a syringe-like object. It was filled to the brim with bacta, which he shot into his viens without as much as a second thought. His cells slowly nourished themselves again, regaining their stability slowly. Jeseth was obviously not in perfect health, and perhaps that's what made him all the more paranoid about his situation. Should Morgan have another episode and decide to take his life, there might not be alot that he'd be able to do to stop him.

[Morgan Evanar]

Evanar grabbed the sword a bit too fast, startling the dark Jedi slightly with his speed. Taking a deep breath, he returned the sword to it's plain black sheath.

"I've done a bit of mental digging, and the only time I've seen anything similiar as to what I saw that day was in dreams on that rock. You better keep yourself filled with that bacta. I think it was the lack of feathers or something." Morgan shook his head, unsure of himself or his self control in Jeseth's presence. Even when Jeseth had decided to embrace the dark side, Evanar knew he wasn't the enemy. Jeseth looked at him, studying with narrowed eyes.

"I don't trust myself, especially if you get featherless again.

[Jeseth Cloak]

"I've got enough to last me through the week, past that, I don't know. My memories fade, my body dies out..."

His eyes unfocused as he stared casually towards the side of the ship, examening the display screens and anything else of interest.

"So then what do you propose? You want me to accompany you to this place?"

He remembered what Evanar had mentioned: Unexplored caves. Someone would have to explore them... and who better than I?

"I'd be more than willing, provided I make it through the journey alive.

[Morgan Evanar]

"I've always kept the Tea well equiped. She's got plenty of bacta aboard. Don't worry about that too much. So Cloak, that means yes. I need somone to keep an eye on me."

Morgan shot the Dark Jedi an unusual glance, a combination of pleading and warning.

[Jeseth Cloak]

<font size=1>____ Several Hours Later ____</font>


Jeseth sat back against the hull of Morgan's ship, is hand nimbly running over a crease in his wings. His feathers would hold at least for another few days, or until he found it prudent to exert his abilities in the Force... He'd spent most of the night wondering as to their destination. He had agreed to help his former master, as it was a debt that was due. Without Morgan, Jeseth would perhaps have never learned how to truely harness his potential.

A low hissing permeated the metallic walls that surrounded his temporary quarters - Morgan was sleeping, or at the very least, relaxed. He could hear the beating of his pulse resonating through the air and floor, and even the cloth of his bed. He was famished with hunger...

[Morgan Evanar]

Cloak had barely touched his shoulder, but it was all it took for Morgan to go off. The Dark Jedi suddenly found himself slammed against the ceiling of the Tea, held into the air by Morgan's hand around his neck. Feline eyes glared at him in the darkness, and a growl eminated from his throat.

"Evanar" Jeseth managed. He finally snapped to, and gently set him on the floor.

The taller figure shook his head. "Frell Cloak, I'm sorry, I should have warned you. Don't wake me up like that. Ask CAD to do it, or call my name from a safe distance."

Jeseth stared at him for a moment, brushing himself off.

"Anyway, now that I'm up, what do you need?"

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth rubbed his neck, coughing slightly.

"Some food could work - but I don't care about that anymore. When do we arrive?"

He glanced towards any view ports, seeing only streks of white light. Hyperspace was a beautiful sight to behold.

"I've been searching the ships computers for information on the planet, and I've turned up very little."

[Morgan Evanar]

"Thats because there is more protection for my data than places wamapas live." Evanar explained. "CAD, give our feathered friend here access to the planetary database."

He arched his back as he yawned, not bothering with the lights he didn't need. The dim light was more than enough for his eyes.

Morgan motioned for Jeseth to follow, and led him to the fridge.

"Eat whatever you like. I'm going back to sleep."

Hours later...

Jeseth stood a good distance from the small matress on which Morgan slept, and tossed a datapad at his chest. Uncoiling like a cobra, he lept out of bed, landing on his feet, eyes wide open.

The Tea landed on the surface with a quiet thump, touching down as gently as something of it's size could. Gasses hissed, and the ramp dropped, leading the pair into a rocky, verdant landscape.

"It was far more desolate when I was here last." Morgan mentioned, but shrugged it off. Climates shift. There was always the possiblity of catching the planet at a bad season.

Still, it was like somone had turned on the rain cycle in this area. The place was alive. Clouds were in the sky, but not the high crystal clouds of a desert or cold sky, but low lying clouds that spoke of a temperate or tropical shift.

The sight of pine tended to favor temperate, as did the low humidity.

But it all felt amiss. Forced upon the area.

[Jeseth Cloak]

He had feasted just before they landed, pretty much emptying half of Morgan's store of meat products. He couldn't say he was at all hungry, but the satsified feeling left him as he gimpsed the terrain onto which they stepped.

"This is planet..."

Jeseth stood in silence, looking upon the slightly forested area. it looked like his home world, or what little of it he could recall. The memories only came as bright flashes now and again, even then they seemed much too distorted.

"It seems familiar."

The Dark Jedi took in his surroundings, shivering slightly at the feel of memories rushing back. His mind had ben decaying slowly without the bacta, parts of his conciousness lingering within the Force. He would learn to fuel his body through the Dark Side... but that would take some time.

Jeseth continued to scan the horizen, looking about for any signs of sentient life aggressive or otherwise.

"Where are we headed?"

[Morgan Evanar]

"South" Evanar stated as he walked, "for about a mile. There is a large network of caves that were only partially explored while I was here. Its..." Morgan paused in his speach, still walking. "...strange in there."

Cloak looked to him for more answers, but the not-exactly-man could offer none, save "See for yourself."

[Jeseth Cloak]

"I'm not so sure that's a place I want to go with only to you watch my back -"

He paused in his speech, realizing his words may have hit some soft spot. He hadn't intended them in an offensive manner.

"Afterall, you said you're not yourself..."

Jeseth continued making his way behind Morgan, following the Sith to whatever destination would await them. Moments later he would come to find himself standing before the mouth of a strange and dark cave, a cold draft blowing against his hair from within. His feet stalled, as in defiance of his will.

I have to know what lies within these caves... if not for my own sake, then for that of Morgan.

[Morgan Evanar]

Morgan took Jeseth's words in, aware they were not meant to offend.

"Not myself when your wings are bare of feathers. Take care in remembering that." Cold. Yes, Cloak had struck a soft spot.

But it didn't matter. He plunged himself into the darkness. I have to know. Three meters in, the air suddenly chilled, and the plant life simply ceased, like there was a line drawn, and nature was strigently obeying. Still, the cave was very large, and the floor was rough enough to provide good footing, but not too random to precipitate tripping. Good. Not everything has changed so dramatically.

Five meters in, and the light dimmed noticably. Morgan turned, aware that Jeseth stood behind him, still.

"Cloak, are you coming, or did I bring you here for naught?"

[Jeseth Cloak]

"I have a bad feeling about this."

It was rare for Jeseth to mention his emotions on anything, but this was a rare event. He hadn't even prviously heard of the planet in question, and now the mystery surrounding it had roused his attention and curiosity. He had to know.

The Dark Jedi stepped foward, following Morgan slowly and with much caution, watching as light and life retreated away from his field of vision. Jeseth reached for his disaber, unclipping it and activating it, bathing the cave in a pale blue light. Now at the very least, he would be able to see with much more ease.

[Morgan Evanar]

Light pushed the darkness back, and pulled Morgans vision back as well. He almost told Jeseth to turn off his saber, but there were distinct advantages to leaving it on, such as Cloak not falling flat on his face.

The cavern widend and deepend as they descended further into the earth, and after fifteen minutes of walking, the saber's light only faintly swept the top of the now cavern.

And then Morgan stepped in something. A stink rose from the floor. Animal waste. He motioned Jeseth closer. As the light spread, it revealed more similar spots on the ground. There was light scratching above, insect kitin against stone.

"Hiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssssssssss" came from above.

[Jeseth Cloak]

He moved back, startled by the creature. He didn't like not knowing what it was capable of, or anything at all about this world. The data he reviewed on the ship was less than helpful to the situation.

Better safe than sorry...

His saber arched upwards, ready to meet with the insect's hide, but something cracked before the beam ever connected. Jeseth stopped in his tracks and gave the floor a quick glance, then mentally uttered a curse. Evanar must have seen it coming sooner, for the man had already began a quick retreat. They were both too late to do anything about it. Jeseth and Morgan plummeted for a few feet, at least 15 or 20. Stone and crystal fell on top of them and then they struck ground. Jeseth made a less than graceful landing, his saber rolling a few feet away and deactivating. His whole spinal cord ached in waves.

"What in the frell is this??"

[Morgan Evanar]

"Judging by the slight hissing sound, I'd guess that their @#%$ is acidic."

Morgan had landed neatly on his feet as one could on very random ground, but managed to stay vertical, and only was touched lightly by falling debris. Jeseth seemed to be not so fortunate, sprawled across the rough rock and crystal.

"No. The other hissing noise. And what did I land on?" Morgan felt the hair on his neck suddenly stand on end. Whatever it was, it was big. And breathing. He ignighted his lightsaber.

And quickly wished he hadn't. It was massive, wormlike and had an awful lot of limbs. Everything went blank, then.

"Haaaaaiiiiiiii Frrrrrrrrieeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaa! Back to the depths earth with you!" He drew his sword in a most fluid motion. The creature drew back it's teeth, shining in the emerald green saberlight. Several rows, and six feet across of teeth. Morgan suddenly leapt forward, drawing a line across the back of the creature with his sword.

[Jeseth Cloak]

Jeseth rolled to the side, calling his saber into the palm of his hand and igniting it. He was facing the creature that Morgan had just thrown himself at recklessly, and it was a nasty sight. It made a circularly maneuver with a rather large stinger and placed the sharp appendage right into Morgan’s path. Jeseth’s mind flashed with anticipating just seconds before, an image of Morgan attempting to halt himself but slipping onto the creature’s stinger, his leg pulsating with poison as he drove the blade into the beasts thorax. They would both die – unless he intervened. Jeseth boomeranged his saber towards Morgan without a second thought, and for a moment it seemed as if it would clip the man in two – but like a puppet master tugging on strings, Jeseth veered it around Morgan and right through the insect’s stingers. The sharp point fell to the rocky ground, spouting acidic fluids and dark blood.

Jeseth caught his saber in his left hand and took a breath, preparing to run in behind Morgan when the time was right, his right hand already pulled back to launch a large number of falling crystals into the thing’s facetted eyes.

[Morgan Evanar]

Jeseth never found the need to do so. Morgan took advantage of the creature's need to howl in pain. It thrashed side-to-side a bit, but its middle essentially remained stationary. There was an upward slash and a downward slash again, and he nearly cleaved the thing in half. He neatly leapt backwards as the thing heaved its final death throwes, strange gurgling noises coming through its many rows of teeth.

As things quieted down, Morgan suddenly fell to his knees.

"Jeseth? What just happend now?"

OOC: Finish later. Falling asleep on keyboard.