Shadows of the Republic - Nemesis Ulterior
23 BBY, Cliffhold, Iego
''Out of the fragments of the past do we reconstruct the future; memories mold us into what we are today, carving reliefs even into hardest of stone. When our memories outweigh our dreams, we are truly old.''
''So, Master Jennir, are you going to tell me why I am here?'' Tionne inquired, leaning back in her chair and quirking a ginger brow, hands crossing over chest. Time was of the essence to the Coruscanti Knight; being dragged all the way to Iego with a little more than a hint of secrecy and urgency of the matter did little for her patience. She had been sitting on this terrace that domed over the cliffs of Iego's largest spaceport for almost an hour and yet little information on the subject of their meeting was revealed.
Sitting just opposite of the redhaired Jedi, Dass Jennir – Jedi Master and investrigator extraordinaire, calmly rubbed his light blond stubble, with eyes set on the white and black board that lay on the table infront of them, multiple figurines set on either sides. The game of chess they played seemed to be endless, a mental exercise both Jedi utilized frequently to develop tactic thinking. The usefulness of chess was often demonstrated by Tionne's former teacher Demitri Drahmin who was a childhood friend of the long haired Jedi Master, with the two often playing it in evenings after tiring training that mostly took up all of their youthful days. He did not seem too upset with Tionne's lack of patience, rugged visage exhibiting nothing but calmness and serenity as his emerald orbs focused on the board solely. After a minuted of awkward silence that he spent immersed in his own musings, he finally spoke.
''Are you familiar with the Outbound Flight project, Tionne? You should be, as your name was supposed to be on the passenger list.''
Gray eyes widened at the mention of the collaborate Jedi-Republic project that had only partial success, as the redhead merely read reports of a subsequent riot that happened on board.
''Of course I am familiar with it. I was assigned to be the head of the science department on board, but I was replaced by Skywalker and Kenobi. Direct Order of the Council.
Kind of killed my mood to partake in such projects in the future. I spent a year and a half preparing all the instruments only to be left on Coruscant in exchange.'' the redhead discoursed, snorting in resentment. Having read the report, Tionne realized why the two already infamous Jedi were posted instead of her, but it did nothing to diminish the sensation of unfairness that discussion on this particular subject induced.
''You were still a padawan, Tionne. Close to Knighthood, but still a student, with much to learn. We are sorry. And we would have had little use of you out there, in the Unknown Regions. You are regarded to as our finest scientist. By a lot of Jedi. This is why you are here.'' Dass retorted solemnly, setting his elbows on the edge of the table, intertwining fingers before his face. A tender breeze brushed past his long alabaster hair, levitating a few strands in the air, lips thinning to produce a serious, austere facial expression.
''We have received a coded transmission from the ship just before we lost it from the stellar charts. Some of the things were... quite disturbing. Or at least how they were interpreted... You are the only Jedi with a degree in xenobiology. And this makes you the only one of us who has the expertise to handle...this. Not even I know the details, not even all of the Council knows. The less people know, the better.'' he discoursed in a secretive tone, pulling out a datapad from the side pocket of his cargo pants and set it right in front of the Coruscanti, then sat back in his chair, crossing bare arms over his ample chest.
''Wow, first you used me and then tossed me away like an old sock...and now you want me to...investigate this top secret in an assignment that would probably end up being a suicide mission... What can I say...I must be climbing up the Jedi popularity ladder at a fast pace. It only took you like... four gorram years to produce a simple apology. I am lucky I did not need to wait until...menopause!'' the Knight chirped in sarcasm, pursing her lips. Dass laughed loudly, jerking his head backwards.
''Hahaha, always so bitter and cynical, Tionne. That Corellian student you are teaching did little to soften you.''
A loud grunt of resentment left Tionne's lips, ginger brow furrowing.
''Oh, alright. I'll do it.'' was all that was said when she snatched the datapad off the table and stashed it away into the side pocket of her cargo pants. Promptly getting up from the chair, Tionne wanted to indulge her need to leave immediately, the reminiscence of the injustice inflicted by the Council still agitating her more than what was appropriate for a Jedi.
''Where are you going? We haven't finished...'' he voiced quite perplexed, apparently not noticing her sudden vexation.
''Master Jennir, your fly is open.'' the redhead said, leaning over the chessboard. Dass diverted his look to his crotch, zipping the mawing crease in suppressed panic. Tionne used the time he took to attend to his dowdiness to move one of the figures outwards, a wide grin forming on her face.
''Check-mate.'' she stated in genuine snide and turned on her heel to head back inside, the Master chuckling in return after her.
After descending down a flight of wide stairs onto the first level of the large casino establishment that was their rendezvous point for the day, Tionne glanced around, scanning the multitude of sentients for some sign of her student. Leaving him close to so much lechery and gambling apparatus was not a good idea to begin with, but Jennir requested her solely, with nobody on the side, not even her apprentice.
Upon failing to locate the Corellian by sheer eyesight, Tionne Thanewulf resorted to usage of the Force, despite the triviality of the situation.
''Klo-Ude Jinn, where are you?'' the redhead projected outwards in a telepathic ripple, words resonating in the field to only be heard by one particular blond haired boy.