The Wreck of the Demeter

[Vaikhari Twiceborn]

A distress signal had brought them to the Gordian Star Wreck, but distress was the last thing in Vaikhari's mind as he stretched over the ships console and strained to get a better look at what was before them.

Ahead, drifting like the lifeless body of a Purrgil, was a derelict Republic-era capital ship. The Demeter. It was larger than any ship the Guardian had ever seen. Apparently, there were other Jedi on the ship and their distress call had reached as far as Ossus. It's hull filled the view-port of their comparatively small ship, one of the many transports available to the members of the Jedi Enclave.

He whistled low at the sight of the ship's carcass and turned his head just enough to meet his pilot's gaze with a look of near childlike wonder. Their eyes met for a moment, before he peered once again at the capital ship.

“This one wonders how many souls could be on board.”

[Karkoon]

"During the height of the Clone Wars the Galactic Republic stationed as many as nine thousands aboard a Venator-Class Destroyer." came Karkoon's monotone reply. As usual the Shard Jedi was full of detailed information, pulled straight from the holonet, and delivered with all the warmth of a durasteel hull. Golden optics watched the ship grow larger in the viewport, only occasionally looking away to glance at the console readout.

"It is extremely unlikely that any such crew, of any size, still exists. There is significant damage to the exterior hull. Scanners pick up no life forms. Considering the size of the destroyer, a few life forms will not show on rudimentary scanners. I recommend caution and composure."

[Rhianna]

It was because Rhianna did not appreciate space travel that she had agreed to this mission. True, she had spent an abundance of time learning to get used to it, flying around the galaxy with her master, Serena Laran and her fellow student of the Jedi Master, Morgan Evanar. Some things though, she might never get used to, the cold for one. The Jedi gypsy had even donned a more traditional robe over her own travelling clothes (http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/Drakania/rhianna7_zpsfa02ecdb.jpg) and still her arms were spotted with chill bumps beneath the fabric.

She exchanged a look with Vaikhari. He at least seemed eager to explore the immense wreckage.

Turning her head slightly to the side, she listened to Padawan Karkoon as he relayed what information he had on such ships, and what scans could reveal.

"Doscéala...", she muttered, resolved to their task.

"I agree. Something feels.. dangerous. Ken?", she hoped both of them understood the risks in boarding that ship, but she already knew they did.

[Vaikhari Twiceborn]

Though their time together had only been brief so far, Vaikhari was already looking to the large Shard Jedi as an invaluable and fascinating ally. It seemed that Karkoon had an intelligence-rich observation for just about every situation. The Guardian smiled at the big Jedi, though he wasn't sure whether the gesture was returned.

“The galaxy is dangerous,” he said, turning to Rhianna. “But this one is willing to take risks where there are rewards.”

[Karkoon]

With a tilt of his metal head, Karkoon was able to catch the smile on the face of his companion; but it was a display he could not return. From his time spent among other species told him that the lifting of lips and sometimes baring of teeth was a sign of joy, or sometimes anger. Flesh and blood creatures were so much more confusing with their strange ways and complicated body language. The electromagnetic signals that Shards use to communicate left no room for confusion. Thankfully his droid suit took care of translating his own signals into spoken words.

"It is especially dangerous for you carbon-based lifeforms. I would suggest you wear environmental suits until we can better assess the conditions within the ship. Back up generators must be online if the beacon has power. Considering the age of the vessel that is impossible."

[Rhianna]

A wry smile twisted Rhianna's features. Vaikhari had a gift, she thought. The ability to say many things at once with a few short words. While what he had said was pertinent to their situation now, it brought to Rhianna's mind gently to how they had first encountered one another on Generis. She had been cautious then too. Hesitant to trust him at the time, but that risk had been richly rewarded. This one could be too.

..but environmental suits? Pants.

Sighing, Rhianna nodded her agreement. It was the only choice. There could be survivors, but to save them, they too would have to be safe. "Alright then. Let us prepare."

[Vaikhari Twiceborn]

Their ship was small enough to manoeuvre among the debris field. While the Shard Jedi's steady hands brought the vessel closer to the Demeter, Vaikhari ducked out of the cockpit and quickly found where the environmental suits were stowed. They flopped out of their storage bags, huge fluorescent orange things that would have swamped a Wookiee with their ample size. The Guardian kicked off his walking boots and began stepping into the suit. As he did, he glanced across the small distance at Rhianna.

“What do you sense lies ahead?”

[Karkoon]

Karkoon was not the most accomplished pilot. There were few opportunities for him to operate a space craft. Luckily, his connection to the holonet allowed him to research operation manuals and online resources to supplement his lack of experience with knowledge. A handy guide exploring the docking procedures of old Republic Era spacecraft proved especially helpful. Getting inside would be difficult. There was only so many methods of boarding. The hatches that covered the flight deck were closed. The large hatches located on the starboard and port sides were meant for docking with space stations and large craft. They lacked the ability and resources to modify their own vessel to make use of it.

Maneuvering around the ship looking for an entrance gave Karkooon the opportunity to marvel at the turbo laser batteries, the thick hulls, and aggressive styling of the vessel. Truly an impressive warship. Coming around the top again a bit of twisted metal caught his eye. The shield covering the flight deck was damaged near the tip of the vessel; creating an opening. It was just big enough for their ship to slip inside. "Steady yourselves." his audio processor belted out as he took the ship in. Slowing the sublight engines he threaded the needle; passing through the hole with only a few scratching sounds. No klaxons or lights warned of a hull breach. Success.

The inside of the flight desk was a mess of mothballed Republic-era starfighters. Most were damaged, lying on their sides, or in pieces. "No floating debris. That implies artificial gravity is functioning. No atmosphere. Containment shield disengaged. He took the ship in deeper, away from the hole. Without a containment shield any debris could enter the flight deck. At a high enough velocity it could penetrate the hull of their ship or their bodies. Deeper in would reduce the risk, and put them closer to the doors to the rest of the ship, as well as the flight control tower that housed the controls to engage the containment shield.

"We have arrived."

[Rhianna]

What did she sense? Cold. Unnatural cold. Something that twisted inside her, making her shiver. There was no point in denying it. Rhianna had a bad feeling. It was entirely possible that what she sensed was nothing to do with their presence here now. The dread she sensed might be an echo of some trauma that had happened on board the Demeter in the past. She had felt such things before, many times. It was also possible that her own discomfort with space travel was being amplified by this.. empathic stain on the Force surrounding this site.

"See this is why I wanted to come." Rhianna shook her head and smiled ruefully, admitting her challenge. "Probably nothing. Still, I think we should agree not to stay long. Let us assess things, and if necessary return here to send for backup?"

Sitting, she prepared to do battle with the enormous floppy suit. It seemed a good strategy to wind it up a bit to find the feet. After a time of struggle, and some long suffering phrases in her native tongue that were probably not fit for a respectable Jedi Knight to utter, she was suited up. Apart from the helmet, which remained hanging up waiting for her.

First, she crossed to Vaikhari. Droopy orange arms and all, Rhianna reached up to hug him around the neck a moment. With her gloved fingers curled around the back of his neck, she drew his brow to hers and promised. "Beimid le chéile. Beidh muid go breá." "We will be together. We will be fine."

Stepping away, Rhianna finished gearing up, adjusting the suit to her small size as best as she could manage. The utility belt around her slim waist carried a lightsaber. It was not one she had yet made herself however. This one had been salvaged, repaired, and designated for practice or necessity, back on Ossus. Rhianna was fairly sure this situation qualified. Her customary staff, while quite adequate against most opponents, would not tear through a hull if it became required.

Returning to the cockpit, to see what they had to work with Rhianna gulped, grateful her suit hid the sound.

[Vaikhari Twiceborn]

On their return to the cockpit, the innards of the Demeter were spread out before the trio of the Jedi. Vaikhari took a step closer to the main view-port, bracing his palms against the control dash as he strained to get a better look at the height of the chamber they come to a stop. It was unlike anything the Guardian had ever seen, at least in this lifetime. Dim, distant memories stirred but his mind was too focused on the present to dig deeper at that precise moment.

"Is there any way to know where the distress signal originates from?"

[Karkoon]

"There is too much interference. The shielding on the reactor may be cracked, releasing radiation that is blocking the sensors. I could narrow down to a sector of the ship, but not a precise location. May I suggest we travel to the bridge." He pointed to the sensor readout, which showed an outline of the ship. A metal finger tapped the very back of the ship, where two towers ascended from the otherwise flat triangle starship. "We can attempt to access the emergency systems from there. If back up generators have held out, we have even be able to use the onboard comms to call for survivors. Unlikely."

Nothing made sense with this wreck. There should be no power, no distress signal, nothing. It had been listing in space since the clone wars. Back up generators are not rated for such a length of time. It was highly suspicious. However, if there was one thing he had learned in his years away from his homeworld it was that the force worked in strange and mysterious ways. There was always a chance that a miracle had happened here. Highly unlikely, but he allowed for a small percentage of hope.

[Rhianna]

"Tuigim go maith.." Rhianna nodded to the Shard Jedi. "I ken."

The bridge made sense for their first destination, from there it would be easier to navigate to other positions within the immensity of the ship, looking for other survivors. Or at least the evidence that there might have been survivors at some point, and the source of the signal that had called them here to this metal behemoth.

A whisper of doubt still teased at the back of Rhianna's mind. It was her duty to investigate the ruined ship for survivors, yes. It was also her duty to stay alive, and to keep her companions alive. There were too few of the Jedi left in the galaxy. For too long their ways had been like this ship, left to founder alone in the deepest places in space. Their coming together in such numbers now was not just unprecedented, it was necessary..

"Let us go and see what there is to discover.", she nodded.