@Vulpas @UnluckyFellow Upon hearing Kai's question on the tournament, Nex nervously started to scratch the back of his neck. "Oh the tournament was great. I didn't think I would have enjoyed sparring as much as I did. It made me a bit nervous at first, but I grew to appreciate it as something essential for my training. Still can't believe I took first in the Paddy one...Panda wun...pada what..." Nex looked over at Cyrus briefly as he was struggling to remember the word. He looked over to Kai and continued speaking. "...apprentice level tournament. I think it might have been a little unfair though. Using some of what I know of Form IV like that on a bunch of kids. Ben though, kept up with me throughout all of my strikes. I couldn't get through him for the longest time. I eventually had to stop and take it slow, which I think was what granted me that win. Though if that match went on any longer, I feel like it would have been Ben who would have won." @Casavay "In other words Zuri, I spent time picking on a bunch of newborns." he said with a light chuckle, "but really though, they all did fantastic. They probably went easy on me because I'm so fluffy. Cyrus did not lie when he said the young ones here would go crazy when they first saw me. But anyways it was a lot of fun seeing the other apprentices at work, demonstrating everything they learned. It was a real joy too experience."
@GobMaw_HellSmasha "Well, I guess you are lucky then that 'stepping on it' is not part of Form IV?", Zuri joked wryly. "It's still admirable how vast your steps forward have been." @Vulpas | @Avenging-Angel The Chiss greeted the Wroonian ex-pirate with a friendly nod. "Good to see you, too, Kai. It sounds like you're doing well, as well, aren't you? It almost seems that we all found our calling here." She paused a bit to look at Kass, then turned back. "The mission went... superbly well. We had to crawl through more vents than ever before, but from what I heard, we did our work perfectly. We do harmonise well as a team, and with our training, it was easy to find the spots. Probably not surprising though - With such a large ship, you cannot guard everything at the same time. It was still a miracle that we didn't have to kill anyone."
@GobMaw_HellSmasha "Nonsense, Jedi have to be flexible and ready to engage many different types of opponents without having time to prepare and that includes small and agile species. As for your chosen form...nah, they're at the point where they've proven capable either with Form I or the newer Medium style and are now receiving instruction in a second form." He nodded thoughtfully. "You earned that victory with your own abilities, be proud of that." @Casavay "That's an important mindset to get into. We don't want try and serve the Republic only to leave a trail of corpses in our wake. I just hope all of us will try to keep mercy in mind when we inevitably have to fight again."
@UnluckyFellow He nodded in confirmation as too what his master told him, about keeping mercy in mind, and about how his own abilities won him the tournament. Such an act that he would have deemed impossible a year ago was a reality. He still had much too learn, much more fine tuning of his abilities, better control over himself and his abilities. But it made him feel happy, knowing that all of his training was actually improving him as not just a Jedi, but as a person. "Thank you, master. And I have not forgotten my distaste toward unwanted and unneeded bloodshed. But even I must admit, that if we're given no other options, we do what we have to too make it out alive. We should always strive too not have too resort to such an option, but we can't hesitate when it's become the only option either...as much as I'd hate too..." @Casavay "I'm glad you approve of my progress Zuri." he said with a respectful bow of his head, "that means a lot to hear you say that." Indeed it did mean a lot to him for Zuri- of all people- to find his path to becoming a Jedi as an admirable one. Zuri over the course of a year really has grown as a person and a friend. She didn't seem to dismiss the force as simple hogwash and an appreciation he didn't think she'd ever see in her. It was nice too see such positive change in his old companion. Such a demeanor he's been trying to coax out of her for years. But the results were well worth the wait.
~~ The Day of Departure ~~ @Avenging-Angel | @Casavay | @GobMaw_HellSmasha | @UnluckyFellow | @Kalle | @Vulpas Everyone had their things already packed and their supplies and personal belongings were put on the freighter they would end up using. The meeting was at 7am sharp and everyone attended, of course. Skywalker stood alone in the Yavin 4 temple that had become a center of operations, it was an awkward view to see nobody at work and only the one man who brought the Jedi Order back to life and aided immensely in restoring the Galactic Republic. Though everyone was used to being around the living legend, it still would be surely a great honor each time. "I can sense that you have took your learning well. But more importantly, I have the reports." He smiled at the group, tapping with a finger over a collection of file folders, each with a different colored tag to represent each of the members of the strikeforce before them. "I studied them well over the last few days and I believe you are indeed ready. While I am wary about the danger you believe still to come from the Sith that was slain by our dear Zuri here, I doubt you will have to worry. Because we found out that he was nothing but an imposter. And we actually found out of that relatively fast after the fall of the Ragnos cult. It appears the Kel'Dorian belonged to the cult of Ragnos and during an interaction with a Sith Holocron believed to be Darth Onii. And that is why you will stop by Kushiba in order to drop off Minlan. But more important, a neighboring system is said to hold a lost jedi temple. It is occupied by a neutral smuggler faction and your mission will be to recover whatever you can and return it to the temple. So you may wonder how I could assemble you as a team a whole year ago?" Skywalker mused as he rubbed his chin. "Because you are the Salvagers of Knowledge. You will travel around the galaxy in attempt to recover knowledge about the force. Jedi and Sith alike, so it may land in our hands and not in the hands of Sith like the Ragnos cult. Any questions?"
@Uriel1339 Nexnip's eyes widened as he listened too master Skywalker. He didn't doubt the Jedi Master's judgement on Darth Onii...but he still wasn't sure what to think of it himself. Especially with the prospect of finally being able to return back home. After all of this time. The idea that the Sith Lord haunting them was an imposter this whole time. He wasn't sure if he could have believed it. He wanted too believe it. He wanted too be certain it was safe too return home without needing too worry about an encroaching Sith. Was he...finally able too go home? After everything they've been through. After everything that's happened. Was it really true? Was the threat over his family truly gone? His mother defeated Darth Onii, well and truly all of those years ago. If that was true then... "Can..." he started to say before quickly bowing his head toward the Master Jedi, "I'm sorry...M- Master Skywalker. Is it possible for us too...visit Kushibah...for a little awhile...when we return my father back home." He bowed his head again, trying to be as respectful as he could, "Forgive me Master Skywalker but...its been...its been so long...so long since I've been back home. Since I've seen my family. I...If the mission is of utmost urgency I understand completely but...if it's at all possible...I want to...I would like to" He was at a loss for words, such a prospect, such an idea that he didn't think would be reality so soon. He was prepared for almost anything that Master Skywalker had in mind for them. But to be able to bring his father back home. He couldn't be happier, and yet, he couldn't help but feel a knot in his stomach from nervousness.
"I am sure my sister would seize the same opportunity if Alderaan still would exist and she would ever be nearby, just like I would visit Tatooine if I would be around. We may never forget from where we came. And as long as you faithfully pursue your mission and accomplish it to your best capability, there would be no reason against you visiting your family. It would not be without your mother that you would be amongst us today, if what Minlan said is right. So try to relax young Padawan and make the best of the time you have. Let the terrors of the galaxy subside and experience the joy you have earned, and while on that opportunity, the others may learn a bit about a bit less.... Technological dependant species. The Ewoks for example taught us a lot with their simple ways, as well. One does not need spaceships, blasters or other means in order to fight the dark, the evil, the wrong in the galaxy, it takes determination." He smiled during his 'lecture', because he knew just too well how much the youngling missed his home, and knowing how beautiful and peaceful of a place it would be, surely the rest of the group would not have anything against a day there either.
@Uriel1339 If Cyrus buzzed any more with excitement he'd be emanating Force Lightning as Luke explained their purpose. This was, after all, getting into the area he was best at. Holocrons had earned him his Knighthood and now they'd all been given the chance to discover secrets or history that may very well be thousands of years old...or just a few decades, either way it was clear every scrap was going to be important. He flashed a toothy smile at Skywalker. "Should have known it would be something like this considering the amount of training but to actually hear it is something else entirely. We'll do you proud, Master." He knelt down and ruffled the Kushiban's ears. "We'd have done it anyway or I'd never hear the end of it." Standing back up and crossing his arms in thought and soon Cyrus had a fairly humorous idea. "What do you say about a match for the road then? Let Nex see you wipe the floor with me like last time to give him a taste of how a real Form IV fighter does it?" He couldn't help but laugh, the day had started off great and it would only get more interesting from here.
@Uriel1339 Nexnip smiled gleefully as tears of joy started to well up in his eyes. "Thank you, Master Skywalker." he said with a respectful bow. He was going to be able to finally see his home again. He was finally going to be able to reunite his father with his family again. He was going to see his beloved again. Such a dream, such a dream he had plenty of times during his travels. He was finally going to be able too make it a reality. And he couldn't be happier. And yet at the back of his mind, he presented himself a choice. A choice he didn't think he'd have to make for awhile. When he returned back home, what was he going to do. He originally went on his quest with the thought in mind that he would find his father and return home with him. But now, he's gotten so caught up in everything. Things that had little to no baring on life back at Kushibah. Such things a grand majority of them probably couldn't even begin too understand. He's found himself trapped in some grand conflict. He wasn't the same Kushiban that wandered off home all of those years ago. He had no part in this war, no role to play intially. But now it's changed. The choice still remained though. Would he stay back home on Kushibah? Or would he stay with this new life? Would it have been selfish of him too admit that he wanted to be home? Be a simple farmer, raise a family with the girl that his heart beats for, become a father, and be amongst his people. Did he spend enough of his life away from them all too warrant a permanent return to his home. Such a life is a life he wanted. The life he's always wanted. It was still ultimately his goal in the end. Would it have been wrong to say it? Was he even allowed to make such a decision anymore? Was it actually his choice to make? Was he really needed for all this? Was he really pivotal too all of this? Couldn't he just return to his home, marry his childhood sweetheart, and live his life in peace and tranquility? Was that too much too ask? Was that an option that fell out of his grasp over the course of time? Was such a choice too late to make? He wasn't sure what to think at the moment. He wasn't sure what would happen to him anymore. Which life he'll lead. He knew in his heart what he wanted, but he knew in his mind that such a thing might have already been lost to him.
~~ ~18 hours later, Kushiba Orbit ~~ @Avenging-Angel | @Casavay | @GobMaw_HellSmasha | @UnluckyFellow | @Kalle | @Vulpas And so the group had departed in an Incom Corporation X4 Gunship, brand new constructed ship and definitely earned due to the importance of their mission and Kai's training from Wedge Antilles himself. There was only a single stop on a neutral trading station for Kai to rest up as only pilot. Sure Urian could have taken over the flight a bit, but it would be simply best to take a stop to also pick up some supplies for the Kushiban on request of Minlan. Buying some supplies cheap here which are scarce in the Kushiban system, such as what one of their species would consider 'exotic' and 'luxury' foods. Loaded up and well rested, the group continued their flight. Soon they jumped out of hyperspace and landed near the homeworld of NexNip and Minlan. Kai just starting to make approach for landing. They would have to land in a tiny spaceport and from there on travel roughly twenty miles to get to the home village of the two Kushiban. Urian due to the lack of energy stations in the village and too much risk of having bugs crawling all through him would take up security duty on the ship until they return. "Home sweet home." Minlan noted, rubbing his chin as he walked on the bridge. He was in a fabulous mood, to be finally home after all these years. He wondered how their village changed, if at all.
