Lehon

[Takeda]

*** Change of thread from Caitlin, Gin, Takeda - Wandering Story ***

"Yes, someone here took a shortcut... a fairly impressive one at that."

As they approach the planet it becomes clear that something is amiss about it, terrestrial planets of this size do not tend to have rings, at least not as dense as it appears to be. In short order they fly past great clouds of wrecked ships and assorted space-junk that litter the entire system.

As the green marble of Lehon comes close enough to see clearly, it becomes apparent that its clouds are rings of ships; thousands of them or at least the broken remnants thereof.

"O'tennanomikami! (a very meaningful exclamation in Kwa) This is the place... Something else apparently happened here as well. A lot of these ships look too new to have been here for 25 millennia. Gin, this is the homeworld of the people that destroyed the Kwa.

You all are looking at the missing capital of the ancient Infinite Empire."

He exclaims again softly to himself as the come ever closer.

[Caitlin Windancer]

Gin says ~looking back at cait he sighs~ "i myself am perfectly fine"

Good to hear, Gin.

Cait shudders. It full of the darkside. Much evil was done here a long time ago. It still stains the atmosphere of the the planet's spirit.


From the time of the Jedi Civil war and the Sith Darth Bane I would think. The ships are probably from being disabled by the disruptor field that used to protect the planet. Or at least I hope it no longer exists or we may have a problem.

[Takeda]

As Dweezel pilots the craft closer to, and then into the debris rings; Takeda flinches as he weaves a course in and out of the wrecked ships. While there are all sorts, most appear to be ships from about 3-4 thousand years ago. Takeda's clawed fingers actually dig into and damage the arms of the chair he sits in, it is obvious he is not used to being on this side of the cockpit and makes a poor passenger... or at least in his own ship.

Without major incident the ship makes it through and descends into the atmosphere. In stark contrast to the wreckage of the system, the planet looks quite beautiful. The continents are small, and there are large tracks of beautiful blue ocean, but beautiful pristine beaches are everywhere as most of the land appears to be in the form of large island chains and tropical atolls. As the craft finally comes to rest on a wide stretch of stunning white sand beach. Takeda slowly removes his claws from the armrests of the copilot chair before looking around.

"What disruptor field? You seem to know quite a bit about this place Cait, mind filling us in?"

[Gin Xyrin]

~hearing takeda gin raises an eyebrow~ "huh missing capital wonder what type oh weapons are left behind"

~gin looks at cait with a look of of understanding~ "that might explain why jester seems a little more potent doubt thats it but it is possible, that and i hope the disruptor isn't operational in any way"

~looking at takeda he chuckles before letting out a whistle as he looks at all the ships~ "oh the materials i could get from this place and the inventions i could make, and the things i could kill with them, whoops got a little carried away there" ~gin slaps a hand over his mouth at the last part and chuckles~

~looking at takeda gin cocks an eyebrow~ "so why are we here, not complaining after all i think i can get quite a few parts that i could use here, but i'm curiious as to why we came to this planet" ~he cringes as jester seems to be getting stronger with every passing second~ "intriuging"

[Caitlin Windancer]

Cait sits in down in one of the passenger chairs.
As Dweezel pilots the ship to the planet's surface Cait tries hard not to hold her breath.
She closes her eyes at some of the near misses and breathes a sigh of relief when they finally touch down.

Phedra stands behind Cait's chair as they journey to the surface. She grips the back of the chair and makes a hissing growl at the near misses. If she had been in her cat form her hair would have been standing on end.

Cait gives Takeda a look. The one that is off.
Be thankful it is. That ride would have been ten times worse without any navigational system.

Cait To Gin.
Yes, probably. The darkside is strong here even stronger than on Korriban the Sith homeworld. I can feel the pain, the anger and rage from here. The violent deaths. This not a happy place. She shudders. There are tears on her face from the emotional pain she is sensing coming from the planet even after all this time.

But she partially smiles at his wanting the parts from the ships.

Well I don't think the owners are around anymore so anything you find on them would be yours to do what you want with.
More than enough for several lifetimes of parts for inventions Gin.

I wouldn't say know I know a lot about it. Other than what I have read in the histories concerning it but I will certain tell you what I know.

You know that Lehon was the homeworld of the Rakata? The Rakata at one time were a Force sensitive race. They drew heavily upon the Darkside for a long time and that use corrupted their society turning them into a race of merciless warriors who tried and nearly succeeded in enslaving the entire galaxy, calling themselves the Infinite Empire. They were quite advanced for their time and with their Force power and their advanced technologies other less devoloped races didn't stand a chance against them and thus they were enslaved. The Duros, Selkath, Wookiees, Humans, even your people Takeda, the Kwa.

Their domination ended due to a brutal civil war in which the enslaved races revolted against them eventually bringing about their downfall. Oddly they nearly became extinct due to a massive plague that only effected the Rakata. Among other things it destroyed was their ability to use the Force.

One of their most potent weapons was a semi-sentient space station/factory called Starforge. It was partial powered by Darkside Force energy. It was finally destroyed by the Galactic Republic during the Jedi/Sith Civil war. Some 3000 years ago.

The disruptor field was set to protect it but when Starforge was destroyed it was then used to protect Lehon itself. It was believed that it was either turned off or destroyed when the Temple of the Ancients was partially destroyed during a fight between the Sith Lords, Bane and Kas'im about 1000 years ago.

Cait frowns in thought. I think that is about all I can remember at the moment.
Any other questions?

Good question Gin. Why are we here Takeda?

[Takeda]

As Cait disgorges the history of Lehon, Takeda's face cools and then hardens. His eyes narrow and grow tense at the edges. The muscles in his jaw tighten, he keeps silent waiting for her to finish, but it seems like it is a strain.

"I am afraid whatever history you read was wrong Cait, at least about my people. The Kwa were not enslaved, they were exterminated. For over 500 years the Kwa fought the Rakata. Just being at war with such a evil race corrupted our own leaders. My specific people, the N'Sai were made specifically to try and prevent our whole culture from falling to them; the elite soldiers of the Kwa. But in the end we failed and were left to either flee the galaxy or die. In desperation my progenitors did something, I do not know what exactly, but it was too late to save our culture.

Now over 25 millenia later, after hunting for this place for 20 years, you tell me that you and the Jedi, and who knows how much of the rest of the galaxy knew where the home-world of my people's murderers was. And now you even admit that the Jedi and the Republic knew of this place and fought over it? I do not know what is worse; that in the power-struggle between your people and the Sith, you have destroyed what was here, possibly erasing the only chance of finding out where my people, and possibly our original home-world is? You knew, and said nothing Cait, nor the rest of the Jedi for centuries.

What other secrets do the Jedi keep... to protect us?
The last few words come out as if spat, the disgust of it plain on his face.

Takeda stands abruptly, positively looming for a moment as he looks down at everyone. He turns on his heel and storms out of the cockpit disappearing into his room momentarily and coming out with the large box that had been on his dresser. He reaches into the workroom and pulls out a shovel before stamping off to the cargo bay. As he smacks the button to open the large doors and lower the ramp he calls back, yelling up the main corridor of the ship.

"I have something to take care of, are you all staying on here or coming along?"

[Gin Xyrin]

~gin looks at cait for a moment noticing the sadness and pain while his own face cringes as jester starts slamming against his mind with incredible ferocity. listening to cait gins face becomes impassive as she goes over the history of this place as he pays only the required attention his instincs saying something was going to happen. and his instincts were rewarded with takeda blowing up minorly at cait, shruging as takeda leaves the ship. he looks at cait~ "why do i have the feeling you weren't expecting that to happen. i get the overall feeling that this may have been coming for a while and you just happened to be the closest person to catch the flaming sheet ball"

~grabbing his gear he nods to Ayu'lesh~ "comeon kiddo i need some solid ground under my feet, and we can work more on your training, and did you figure out what is important yet" ~with that he starts off ship yelling over his shoulder~ "yo cait phedra come on i know you need some fresh air, and to chill cause well you're you cait and that prolly got under your skin"

~stepping off the ship he sighs and heads in the direction takeda went as he finishes straping his gear on~ "besides he should calm down soon enough"

[Caitlin Windancer]

Cait blinks at Takeda's obvious anger. She shakes her head. Maybe but what I read is they often did both and not just to the Kwa. They would conquer a planet and if they had no use for the indigeousness population or they thought them too much trouble they would exterminate them as you said.

Your people suffered greatly because of them.

Cait shakes her head. No, Takeda. The Jedi couldn't have done anything about the Rakata at that time because the Jedi didn't yet exist. Any knowledge from that time comes from the ancient records that the Jedi gathered after the fact many millennia later.
By the time the Jedi came about the Empire was long destroyed.

No, what they fought over was the Starforge the Sith wanted to use it to control the galaxy like the Rakata had done and the Jedi were trying to stop them. At that time the Rakata barely existed on Lehon. In fact most them had already left Lehon and the ones that remained finally died out or joined the others off planet.

Not neccessarily Takeda. I may have an idea about that. At least where your people's homeworld might be.

She sighs when he storms out. That went well. Phedra chimes in. NOT!

Cait glares at Phedra. Not funny Phedra.
Phedra just shrugs her shoulders and hides a grin.

To Gin. Because you are smart? Yeah well it happens. The last thing I wanted to do was upset him though. The darkside energy here makes everyone edgy.

She sighs again and says. I guess this means he is going be mad at me for the rest of the trip and not talk to me.

She then follows Gin out when she hears Takeda say he has something to take care of. Phedra follows her outside.

[Takeda]

Takeda starts down the ramp, and pauses for a moment, then strides off the ramp leaving heavy footprints in the sand. He hears Cait's words coming from behind him, and turns to around to face her. Heavy words rise in his throat to lash out at her, but he refrains. He just looks at her a moment, then turns back to looking out at the beautiful basin of the atoll they are on.

After a pause, he sets the box down in the sand and burries the business end of the shovel deep into the white-gray sands. Dweezel even makes his way over to them and parks himself next to the box. In moments Takeda has dug a hole a few feet deep and lays the shovel next to it.

When he speaks, his tone is not harsh, but it is heavy.
"Over 25 millenia ago, my people fell before the Empire of the Rakata. Today, a Kwa stands on their empty capital."

He reaches down and opens the box, removing a mummified (dried) head of a Rakata. Dweezel lets out a mournful buzz, as Takeda holds the head in his hands looking at it. At first his features harden as he gazes upon it sitting in his hands, though they soon slacken. He speaks softly;

"Enemy, villain, monster... at least what we are called is in common; as now is this. Though your murderer I am, for my own ends that I did so; know this my companion... your dream is fulfilled , you made it to Rakata. Knowing your twisted heart, you are probably laughing at the irony of it; that a Kwa has brought you home.

Be at peace you evil old bastard, be at peace."

Takeda kneels down in the sand, and reverently lays the head into the hole, he reaches into the box and takes a small scoop of the salts inside and uses them to "anoint" the head, then distributes a ring of salt around the head in the bottom of the hole, before filling it in with his bare hands.

He sits there for a long moment in silence before he stands and draws his long-knife. With a deft hand he nicks the thumb of his left hand. and squeezes a drop of blood out onto the sand, staining them red, until the next high-tide. He calls out in a loud clear voice;

"Blood has been shed! I stand here unopposed! I - Hakken, of the Kaga Line of Takeda hereby claim this as spoils for the N'Sai-Kwa, the Glory of it for the Takeda, the Honor for the Kaga! The Great War is over!"
His speech has a weird dialect and inflection to it, not being his normal manner of speech. Those familiar with either literature or history recognize it must be a kind of ritualized formality.

After a moment, he sheaths his knife and his shoulders sag, as he leans down to pick up the shovel and collect the box, he pats the little mound over the head gently, then rises and taps Dweezel on his head gently.
"Take a moment with him, we are in no rush any longer."

As Takeda walks back to the ship he pauses as he passes Cait;
"...sorry...

He heads back into the ship and stows the shovel and the box before returning.

[Caitlin Windancer]

Phedra looks at the hurt in Cait's face and growls at Takeda.

She didn't tell you before because she didn't know before.

PHEDRA! Cait says appalled.

No, Cait he needs to hear this. When you first told her about wanting to know about your people's orgin. She put a search on any reference to the Kwa no matter how small or obscure from the Jedi Archives, the Sidhe records and any other records she had access to. She just got the results when you were mediating. She started with the information for Lehon since that is where we were headed. She was going to share the information with you before we got here but since your droid took a shortcut she didn't have a chance.

Cait hides her face in her hands embarrassed then looks up and says to Phedra.

Phedra stop. He has every right to be upset.

Phedra continues on as if she didn't hear Cait.

And Luke only re-established the Jedi Order less than 30 years ago. Much of the information and records before that time were either hidden or lost. The Emperor did his best to make sure the Jedi would never rise again and either consificated or destroyed the records in the Jedi Archives on Courscant. Luke is still looking for what records might have survived that time.

Cait walks away from Phedra's tirade back into the ship. Which makes Phedra break off and follow her.

Moments later Cait comes back with her harp and follows Takeda outside. Phedra comes back outside and stands quietly to oneside.

She then stands quietly and plays a soft mournful tune while he performs his burial.

When he says "sorry".

I know. I'm sorry too Takeda.

She waits for him to come back then waits for him to speak.

[Takeda]

*** the following transpires prior to the "funeral" as Takeda first walks from the ship, slightly after he turned back to say further words to Cait, but had decided against it. ***

Only a few steps off the ship and he rounds on Phedra suddenly. While large and frequently intimidates people without meaning to, now there is a drastic difference, no longer trying to look small, he towers over her. Even when Cait witnessed him fighting the Voxyn, and Gin seeing him deal with the goons that were hunting Ayu'lesh, his bearing was not this menacing.

There is no artifice to it, no drawing of the dark into himself, no stoking of internal rage or suffering. In some sense, it is more terrifying realizing the naturalness of it. Ayu'lesh even takes a step back behind Cait and Gin.

His voice is deep, but clear, the volume of it normal, it is not "huffy" like so many who wish to intimidate; a further frightening indication that the fury that seems to be rolling off of him is still controlled by a focused mind.

"Cease your mewing little one, and realize your place in service to your charge.

I know well that she is not personally guilty in this matter; she merely is the endpoint of the horrible sickness that plagues those in power. It is the vile arrogance that an individual or group secrets away knowledge, to control others. That is the cause of my anger Phedra, the withholding of knowledge to control others, instead of the taking on of responsibility for it.

It is clear Caitlin did not make that choice, those that came before her did so, long beforehand. She just is the unfortunate messenger at the end of a long chain of those who are the guilty.

Now, dispel your vitriol and swallow down well your pride, before there is cause for further regret.

Seek grievance for the affront to your charge, later."

Takeda turns his back on the paindeal, leaving her to consider his words or ignore them; and just as quickly as his bearing returns to something much more like his usual self, however it is clear he is still well annoyed and that something must be preying on his mind as he continues walking upon the sands.

[Caitlin Windancer]

*The following happens also prior to the "funeral"*

When Takeda turns back and attempts to intimitate Phedra. She and Cait are the only ones who aren't intimitated. Cait because she can both sense and understand what he is feeling at this moment. Phedra because she like Takeda is of warrior stock. Bred for millenina to fight. She growls in response to his first words. She starts to shift into her natural form, she is glowing with the start of the change when he turns away.

PHEDRA! NO! Cait quickly steps in between them she grabs Phedra by the shoulders and shakes her.

STOP IT! NOW!

But he has no... Phedra starts to growl.

No, He is right about who hid this. Even if he is wrong about who it was. And now is not the time for this. Now back off. Or do I have to make it a command?

Phedra growls but ceases to shift form. Cait doesn't let go until she is sure Phedra won't go after Takeda again. She then walks into the ship to get her harp. Phedra growling follows her into the ship.

Once they are in the ship Cait gives Phedra a stern lecture on her behaviour and reminds her to guard against the darkside energy that is contriubuting to this situation. Her final words are I mean it. No fighting.


When she is sure that Phedra is calm enough and in control again Cait leaves the ship with her harp.

[Takeda]

Takeda sits down upon the sand, and gazes out on the blue ocean as he opens the Corellian Ale he grabbed when he put the shovel away. He takes a sip and hold the can loosely by the top in his claws.

Not speaking to anyone in particular, or maybe to everyone;
"I thought it would be different, I figured there would be ruins, or something. I saw from the scans, most of the planet is like this, or just big rocky islands."

He looks down at the little mound, the only evidence of a Rakata now on the planet. "The joke is on us then, no?"

He returns to sipping his beer and looking off in the distance;
"I it s beautiful though"

[Caitlin Windancer]

Cait hands Phedra her harp and walks over to Takeda and sits down gracefully next to him and waits for him to speak. When he does she doesn't say anything unitl he finishes speaking. She says in a quiet, calm voice. She eminates light, healing, love and acceptance.

This must be very hard for you. It was not what you expected.

If you mean ruins as in buildings, then no I think most of them were destroyed long ago. The planet has had time to heal at least in a physical sense. Yes, I suppose to the eye it is beautiful.
I sense the taint of darkside is still here though and it makes me uneasy. Much evil was done here. This would be truly a beautiful place if it could be healed of that darkness.

She sighs. It is draining and it is corrupting. The hate and rage are still here and can influence even now.

She gives him a sideways glance and says.

You are new to the Force and more susceptible to it. You haven't had a chance to learn how to block those influences but even those who are experienced can be effected.

She looks over at Phedra before she continues. Especially if you don't know how to protect yourself from it. It is easier to give into anger and fear in a place that is steeped in the darkside as this is. Especially when you are not aware that is what is happening and try to counteract it.

She pauses to let that sink in. Then says.

So warrior Takeda what do you want to do next?
Explore?

[Takeda]

He nods and takes a sip of his beer.

"Eventually, yes... though I do not think there is much left here at least on the planet proper.

You had been telling me about the light side and the dark side. If an area, item or person can become tainted by exposure or use of the darkside or proximity to it, could it not be reversed by the opposite? That by by the normal cycles of life it eventually be erased?

He takes another sip of his beer.
"And you are right, there is something else here, a horrible, hungry type of anger and pain, It is much like the inside of that altar/pillar at the Palace of the Woolamander that you found the statue in. This is what you speak of yes?

Hi finishes the can then sets it down next to him. He does not look to Cait and speaks very softly
"You know, it was as if someone was screaming at me to strike her and kill her. Prove to it I was better than her, to prove I deserve to possess this place.

He trails off for a moment, and picks up a small stone and with a gentle throw sends it arcing to the edge of the water where it drops in with a tiny "ploomp" He laughs a halfhearted laugh;
"I guess it never counted on something more stubborn than it. "

[Caitlin Windancer]

Cait looks around. No, don't think there is. Too much time I guess.

In theory yes. But usually it is not that simple or easy. Especially in a place that the darkside was used for a long time by most of the population. It would have to be purged of the darkside before it could be free of that taint.

She looks thoughtful for a minute trying to think of a way to explain it.

Places and objects can absorb energy they are exposed to and the stronger that energy makes a greater.... impact... I guess would be the closest word. That is for both light and darkside energy.
It is the depth and strength of the feelings at the time of the event that is the cause. Unfortunately anger and fear are extremely strong emotions so are often the ones that have the greatest impact on a place or object.

Yes, that would be a good example of what I mean.

She looks at Takeda when he obliquely mentions what happened with Phedra.

Did it? Yes, that is definitely the influence of the darkside.

She gives a sideways glance at Phedra and says. And some people are over-protective and don't know when to let things go. Especially when it touches their honor.

Good thing too. That is one fight I'm glad I didn't see. Friends shouldn't fight against one another.
Feeling better now?

[Gin Xyrin]

~Gin watches the events unfolding around him with mild interest face palming when cait and phedra aggravate takeda further, laughing at takeda's unintentional intimidation at least he thinks it's unintentional. as Ayu'lesh hides behind him and cait he glances back at her with sympathy~ "sometimes keeping one's moth shut is best for one's health. and Ayu trust me your safe right now just think of him as a big pissed of teddy bear with a knife" ~thinking for a second he chuckles~ "well that was no where near as comforting as i intended it to be sounded much better in my head."

~shrugging as the other events transpire zoning out most of it as his eyes glass over, as the events wined down to a stop and cait and takeda sit gin grabs his head with a pained expression as his eyes remained glassed over not seeing the world around him. his mind going over one thought as jester slams against his mind with a powerful brutality~ 'no i can't lose control here, crap i only have one choice' ~falling to the ground he looks up his eyes turned purple~ "it's time to plaayyyyyy aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh no you bastard" 'if i can't be in control of you then he will'

~with that he's roars in pain his body convulsing as he falls to his knees his skin bleaching a pale color to the point it is impossible to separate his arm from the rest of him. his hair at the roots and down rapidly turning white the change ending with his eyes turing bright neon orange and holding a murderous intent beyond anything gin was ever capable of as he turns looking at the others~ "i can't believe that blithering idiot actually resorted to waking me dammit reality is uncomfortable"

~looking at them he chuckles~ "well guess you are his traveling compainions, and before you freak out he will be back later he just need to get stronger"

[Caitlin Windancer]

Cait shakes her head at Gin amused at his Teddy bear with a knife comment before she goes into the ship to get her harp. And some people need to learn how to chill. She says as she passes him looking at Phedra.

Cait looks around in surprise at Gin's roar of pain.

Gin! What's wrong? She jumps up and starts to go to him but stops when she sees his physical change. When he speaks she blinks in surprise.

You're not Gin are you? You're another of his personalities? She says with curiousity. What do we call you? Will he? You know who we are then?

Phedra has been hovering in the background while Cait was talking to Takeda but when Gin gives his roar of pain and changes before their eyes she quickly goes to Cait's side ready to jump in between her and Gin if need be.

[Takeda]

Takeda gets up and makes his way over but keeps his distance letting Cait and Phedra handle it.

The odd factor in the mix though is Ayu'lesh. Having been standing practically behind him when Gin cries out in pain and drops to his knees, she runs forward to him but before she can reach down to comfort him and see what is wrong, Gin apparently recovers though with marked changes to his body.

Standing there, arm half outstretched to him, she pauses as she turns to him and she sees the change to his face and eyes. Her expression goes from one of concern to something quite else as she grins awkwardly.

"Ok, that is a seriously cool trick, color me highly impressed

[Gin Xyrin]

~standing up the newly akened personality dustes himself off as he rolls on to the balls of his feet his stance screaming its animalistic properties looking around his eyes land on cait the slightly enlogated pupils shifting evey now and then showing he is assessing her, his voice while smooth holds a soft growl~ "Caitlin Windancer huh, sorry the blithering idiot is trying to steel himself appearently this planet was too much for him and the clown."

~glancing around at the others he continues looking slightly insulted~ "it would be wise of you to not refer to me as a mear fragment, guess the logical thing is to answer your questions my name it Tenkai Xyrin the origenal personality to inhabit this body, and yes i do know who you all are. in fact i know everything that both the blithering idiot and the clown do"

~looking at phedra he chuckles~ "impressive willingness to protect someone from a possible unknown not a trait i'm familiar with or rather one i have never been exposed to by anyone other than myself"

~glancing behind him he assesses Ayu'lesh with a raised eyebrow~ "Ayu'lesh it's rather intruiging that the idiot has such a high regard for you that he was willing to help you become more of a threat. but i do agree with him you need to learn the true thing that one must have to wield a blade or else its just a disgusing show of pointless aimless aggression. oh and that wasn't a trick that was my body reverting to its origenal pigmentation"

~taking a couple of steps he flips showing the true power of the body as he reaches a height of seven feet and spins twice mid air before landing on all fours his form wolf like before he stands up~ "impressive so he has made this body stronger even if he could not utilize it fully"