[STORY] Ossus

[DarthVerus]

Ossus

For general information of Ossus, read here!

1049 ABY, 11th day of 11th month
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A transmission from Ossus, 6th day of 11th month, 1049 ABY “This is the Professor, leader of the Path of Ashla. This transmission code is ancient and should only reach Jedi devices, thus I am hoping that I’ll be able to reach at least some. I am asking any surviving Jedi out in the galaxy to come to Ossus. Our galaxy is in grave danger, we need Jedi more than ever.”

Ossus had long been abandoned by the Jedi despite it being one of their most ancient bastions, perhaps due to superstition surrounding it. From the Cron supernovae to destruction of Luke Skywalker’s temple, misfortune followed the Jedi on this planet. It led them to believe that they weren’t meant to establish a presence on the world anymore, and much of the knowledge and artifacts on the planet thus slipped through their fingers. However, someone believed that the planet should see itself as the bastion of the Jedi once more.

The transmission came from an ancient temple of the Jedi, established on the planet eons before these tumultuous times. There, a hooded person would await the arrival of the summoned Jedi. The air around the temple was humid and warm, with little but wildlife surrounding it. Rarely the local Ysannan people came near the temple, as they believed it to be cursed. Ysannan’s themselves were descendants of the Jedi who survived the Cron supernova over six-thousand years ago, some of them still recalling the chaos that the planet was at the time. Now it is once more full of life.​

 

[DarthVerus]

1049 ABY, 11th day of the 11th month, Ossus

”Professor. The- They’ve sent an entire legion o-of troope-rs here. They’re landing now. We wo-won’t be able t-”

A faint, rattling voice could be heard coming from a comlink laying on the floor, with the intermission being barely recognizable. The hooded figure leaned in to pick up the comlink with his left, mechanical hand, and pulled it back into his robes. He crossed his arms right afterwards, holding his head low as if with sadness. It was rare of him to express emotion, but he showed clear signs of distress and unease. He recognized that the task at hand required far more resources than he had, and likely far more than he could get. And it didn’t help that he knew that whoever sent him the transmission would likely find death sooner than later.

”May the Force be with you, my friend. I am starting to believe that we may not win this. Not this time. A miracle must happen, that is certain. Why am I talking to myself again?”

He spoke to himself, with a robotic voice that however contained all the sorrow of a human. He was surrounded by branching vines and emptiness, things that weren’t quite ordinary for a Jedi temple. It was as decaying as the Jedi themselves. The miracle he sought for was that whatever Jedi still remained in the galaxy would unite and fight, he however knew that it wasn’t as simple as it was. He’d already tried to persuade many, most of which were disillusioned and having long abandoned their ways. After the Great Collapse, what little remained of the Jedi withered for the most part. Many of them fell to decadence, deciding to live a life for worse. Drug abuse, such as spice, wasn't out of the equation for many. They wished to live short lives with no connection to the Force so they wouldn’t have to experience any more pain. Some had fallen and had joined their enemies. And some simply saw that they could be more useful as Jedi by defending locals. Which he saw as a viable reason, however still an excuse. He needed Jedi, he needed those who once could defeat the Sith Empire, those who defeated Darth Sidious, Thrawn, all of them. He needed heroes that could still fight even if the odds weren’t the best.

”I hope for everyone's sake that this call really works. Even if I can get just one Jedi to help…”

He once more spoke to himself, while looking at the fires he’d set inside the temple. Outside of the temple, hidden by the riverbank, was also his Paladin-class corvette, the ancient Jedi corvette that was in use during the days of the Old Republic, over three thousand years ago. The ship had seen far better days, but it’d been repurposed and restored to operate in these times.​

 

[Jeh'Kant Kai]

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Inbound Transmission, Ossus, 1049 ABY 6th Day of the 11th Month​

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“This is the Professor, leader of the Path of Ashla. This transmission code is ancient and should only reach Jedi devices, thus I am hoping that I’ll be able to reach at least some. I am asking any surviving Jedi out in the galaxy to come to Ossus. Our galaxy is in grave danger, we need Jedi more than ever.”​

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There was a moment of silence as the man dawned in a silk scarf questioned the validity of the transmission. So much of his time had been running from planet to planet, traveling through space to someone—something—to secure prosperity and peace to the galaxy. You chase a belief so long without hope it begins to tire you out. His hand moved to his chest as he rubbed around the sternum nursing his anxiety. Was this despair he was feeling? More times than not, with these transmissions, it was nothing and that was exhausting. As he floated in space secure in his ship, he stared out into the bright stars deep in thought whether or not to pursue this one last time. The ship was stagnant like he was slowly becoming. He glanced over at the bobblehead attached to his ship’s dashboard, “What do ya think? Should we go check it out?” The bobblehead, now faded from its original yellow and red, nodded up and down with electrifying energy. “Hehe,” he chuckled, “Guess we’re headed to Ossus!”​

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Ossus, 1049 ABY 11th day of the 11th Month​

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SWOOOO PSH!! The trees fluttered violently as any wildlife in the area would scurry off in fear as the ship anchored down. Jeh’Kant Kai unbuckled his seatbelt as he pressed a button opening the side door of the ship so he could get down. As he gathered the necessary equipment, primarily his two lightsabers and some gadgets just in case, he spoke out towards the astromech droid. “I’ll be back soon, okay?” he glanced over at the droid as he fastened the belt around his waist and adjusted the silk robe. “Keep the ship safe, I shouldn't take too long. If something happens, reach out. Got it?” In fury the astromech droid responded in binary, letting off all types of names and things, yet with an underlying tone of worry above anything else. All Jeh’Kant Kai could do was chuckle as he went down the stairs and clicked a button attached to his chest under his scarf that closed the ship door and powered it off.

Soon enough, the hooded figure that stood within the ruins of the temple would be joined by another. The sound of footsteps would echo behind him as a figure in a purple silk robe approached him. He too was slightly hooded, but one was easily able to make out his face. His eyes glanced around at the ruins and the fire that had been cackling in the area before they set themselves upon the hooded figure. “Was this your doing?” Jeh’Kant asked out, calm and poised. The answer to his question would more than likely dictate the rest of their interaction.​

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[DarthVerus]

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Ossus, 1049 ABY, 11th day of 11th month, the encounter of new allies​

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The hooded figure still stood by the fires, with his poise and aura giving off nothing but contemplation. Although he wasn’t exactly human, he did have a vast memory—a memory bank to be exact, one that contained battles, heroics and victories of the Jedi across over twenty-seven thousand years. He’d outlasted the Jedi too many times for him to count. He’d seen the dawn of the Jedi, the twilight of the High Republic, the ancient wars of the Old Republic, and the great sorrow that the Galactic Empire had brought with their purge of the Jedi. He sought for another dawn, another stand, another fight. A fight he couldn’t fight himself, alas he could guide Jedi to do so as he had before. He was so focused on reminiscing about the past that the present almost slipped away from him as it appeared, as his acoustic sensors didn’t pick up the noise of someone actually entering the temple. His acoustic sensors did, however, pick up the voice and the words coming from behind him. He was caught off guard almost, and in his clumsiness he nearly dropped the hood covering his head. Not that it mattered anymore. He turned himself slightly towards the man behind him, revealing a single yellow eye-sensor glancing back at the man from underneath the hood.​

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”Thank the Force som- I mean, this was my doing indeed, young Jedi. And you actually answered my call! You look very.. Familiar.”​

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The person then undressed his dark robe, revealing his fully mechanical self. His additional arms were attached and compacted to his back, while his regular arms were as if longing for a hug he wouldn’t offer or take regardless. The joints between his various mechanical limbs appeared to gather rust due to the lack of regular maintenance, but this didn’t quite seem to slow the droid down. The only thing he worried about was the fact that his acoustic sensors had become worse, or perhaps it was his sensory control unit that required an update. Either way, his yellow eye-sensors emanated joy from the sight of an actual Jedi that had answered his call. Something he started to believe less and less to happen. He was an ancient Mark IV architect droid that had served the Jedi Order for thousands of generations, from its dawn until this day—Huyang, the professor who taught every Padawan how to build their lightsabers. And despite his acoustic sensors supposedly playing tricks on him, his ocular sensors did not.​

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From distance, Huyang analyzed the Jedi who arrived and he believed he knew who he was—considering he’d seen every Padawan and Jedi his age to this day.

”Judging by your facial features and your age… And your voice, despite my acoustic sensors failing, you must be Jeh’Kant Kai. I still remember the day when we built your lightsabers.”

Huyang lamented with both curiosity and joy, he knew that young Jeh’Kant used to be the Jedi Padawan to Cain Farr, who acted as a general in the Great Intergalactic War, as short-lived as the war was. Seeing Jeh’Kant alone determined that Cain must’ve died during the conflict, as did over ninety-five percent of other Jedi at the time. At least that was his educated assumption, however not a fact.​

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[Jeh'Kant Kai]

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"Huyang?!" Jeh'Kant yelled out visibly confused but one could tell he was vividly happy because of the smile painted on his face. Jeh'Kant Kai removed his hood out of respect and allowed for his scarf to drape around his shoulders. "How did you get here? Where have you been?" He ran off this questions without so much a pause, "H-How did you survive?!"

Jeh'Kant had many questions but there was a palpable sense of joy behind each and every single word. He remembered Huyang and even considered him his first teacher. From Huyang he learned the intricacies and the art of creating a lightsaber. As Jeh'Kant waited for the answers he walked around the ruins glancing around at them.​

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[DarthVerus]

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Ossus, 1049 ABY, 11th day of 11th month, forging new alliances​

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Huyang’s ocular sensors indicated joy in return, the architect droid was glad that his old pupil still remembered him. And while the questions the young Jedi asked were perhaps in order to be answered—the droid already processed the difficulty of expressing their upcoming task in these dire days. He however did wish to spend time with Jeh’Kant, as he hadn’t seen him since he was but a Padawan. He knew that he and his master were sent to a region near the Lothal sector during the twilight of the last war.​

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”The old Crucible has been repurposed and repaired, I do have a means of transportation. And… I have been quite everywhere, young Kai.”​

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Huyang spoke with both joy and calmness in his processed voice. The old architect droid took it on himself to walk beside the young Jedi, with his ocular sensors focusing on the walls around them and the many intricate runes and scriptures written on them. They’d been untouched for nearly ten-thousand years, not since the days of the Old Republic. A time so long ago that even the Sith did not exist at the time. Naive days, and early days in the galaxy. The droid stopped, looking at the young Jedi with seriousness in his ocular sensors.​

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”I was preserved by the High Council and sent to safety on Tython during the end of the Tengean invasion, I programmed myself to sleep for twelve months so that I couldn’t be found. As my sensors and control units restarted, I found a galaxy in chaos. And most of our Jedi friends were long gone by then..” ​

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Huyang’s voice processor did emanate sorrow, and even regret as he then lacked the necessary insight to aid the Jedi in defeating the Tengeans—despite all his knowledge and experience, he was unable to do anything to help his friends. He didn’t serve his purpose as well as he could then, and took all the initiative he could to right his wrongs.​

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”Ever since, I have worked with multiple surviving members of the Galactic Senate on a secret initiative—we call it the Path of Ashla. We are attempting to gather all the Jedi and Force-sensitive children into safety and fight against the forces that currently lurk in the dark corners of our galaxy.. However, how did you survive, and where have you been? I have searched for you for quite some time.”​

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Huyang uttered through his vocal processor, returning his old pupil the question he asked. He surmised that the young Jedi would soon have far more questions in turn.​

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[Jeh'Kant Kai]

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"I see.." Jeh'Kant hummed to himself in thought. He continued to listen to Huyang and didn't interrupt him until Huyang had asked him a question. "I'm sure you knew that we were sent to the Lothal Sector during the last war." Jeh'Kant seemed to zone out as he was talking. His eyes no longer carrying that happiness just moments ago as he revisited the traumatic events of that day. "We were locked a battle between the Tengeans but they overwhelmed us. Master Cain ordered me to flee, despite me-" Jeh'Kant balled up his fist in annoyance and some anger. "Despite me believing - no, knowing I could help. I was forced to flee." There was a moment of silence as he recollected himself through deep breaths.

"I successfully was able to escape, but I never saw Master again. I ended up on the planet Atollon, a former Rebel base, before I ran into Bendu. Who further enhanced my connection to the Force. Ever since then," he shrugged "I've been hunting down any transmissions that come through related to the Jedi. The world is much different now Huyang. I'm not sure if you know the full extent of it."​

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[DarthVerus]

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Ossus, 1049 ABY, 11th day of 11th month, forging new alliances​

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Despite being a droid, it hurt Huyang to see the young Jedi in such a state. He listened to his story as if a parent listened to his child, standing by his side and being present when he needed to be. However, the news that the ancient architect droid had for the young Jedi would likely worry him more than anything else, but he was now more than assured that the young Jedi was more than up for their upcoming task.​

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”I am sorry to hear about your loss, young Kai. Cain was a fine master, regardless of how… Unconventional he was as a Jedi. And you’ve trained under Bendu? That is most fascinating, I trust you to tell me more about it later.”​

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Huyang retained a calm, but an emphatic voice programming as he spoke to the young Jeh’Kant Kai. It was however the young Jedi who likely didn’t know the full extent of the state of the galaxy. Huyang had roamed the last nineteen years after the war searching for clues, and answers more than anything.​

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”I am afraid that I know more than you do as of now. The reason I called you here is because there are forces much more terrifying than Tengeans that threaten the galaxy. Are you familiar with the Order of Bogan? Or, the White Hand?”​

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Huyang asked the Jedi while retaining his calm, willing to reveal more to the former Padawan.
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[Jeh'Kant Kai]

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"Of course Hyuang," he chuckled, "When we get more time I'll tell you all about it." Jeh'Kant purposely skipped over talking about his Master as it was still an open wound of some sort. He could also tell by Huyang's voice that he was being kind and comforting, something Jeh'Kant did not want to burden Huyang with. However, as Huyang continued speaking, Jeh'Kant's emotions would show again as he glanced over at Huyang with some sort of side-eye, confused expression as he said there are forces more terrifying then the Tengeans. "I haven't heard of either of those. Who are they and how can they possible be more threatening to the galaxy?" ​

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[DarthVerus]

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Ossus, 1049 ABY, 11th day of 11th month, revelations​

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Huyang's ocular sensors registered the confusion and perhaps worry in the young Jedi, he considered that well beforehand since only few knew the true state of the galaxy and the reasons behind the many conflicts. Huyang still chose to withdraw some of the knowledge as of for now, he however knew much. He'd gathered intel for nearly two decades through his network of allies and informants across the galaxy, and much of the information he held had cost many lives. As they were already short on time, there was little he could tell regardless. He would fill the young Jedi later, as required.​

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"Order of Bogan has persisted for some centuries, hidden from us. But we have reasons to believe that they orchestrated the Great Intergalactic War, or instigated the Tengeans to invade our galaxy. Centuries ago, they started as a sect among the Jedi that seemed to merely study more intricate and obscure secrets of the Force, until they were caught on Auratera for attempting a planet-wide ritual. A ritual meant for bringing back spirits from the netherworld of the Force. We believe they were guided by an unseen force to do so, and while the Jedi at the time believed that they had died, they persisted and survived somewhere in the Unknown Regions, still guided by this unknown.. master. They aren't quite like the Sith, but they certainly are adjacent to the dark side of the Force." ​

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Huyang briefly paused his speech, while turning his sight to the scriptures written on the walls of the temple they stood in. He briefly relished in the ancient history of the Jedi, however not for long. His vocal processors resumed to produce speech, continuing the conversation.​

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"They've had agents on every level of the senate of the Galactic Alliance, military, everything. The White Hand is a byproduct of that. It is led by Admiral Raius, who was considered the greatest military leader of the Galactic Alliance and the commander of the Fourth Fleet. He withdrew the fleet from the war abruptly, apparently on purpose so that the Alliance and the Jedi would lose the war. Until then, the war was at a stalemate, if you recall. He was already allied with them."​

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Huyang then turned his ocular sensors on the young Jeh'Kant, looking at him with intent and clear will. His voice processor once more began generating acoustic speech.​

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"He withdrew to the Unknown Regions, and quite quickly managed to establish a base which I believe we've managed to track down. Him and the Order of Bogan have been searching for a certain artifact which was kept in safety by our allies, however... Only two hours ago, I received a transmission from Belsavis that our enemy had already found them. Considering that they already possibly have the artifact, we have to figure out what they're using it for. That is one piece of the puzzle I have yet to find out. My intention is to try and infiltrate the base of the White Hand so we could recover that information, however I will need you and as many Jedi available to do it."​

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[Jeh'Kant Kai]

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Jeh'Kant hummed in thought as he listened to what Huyang had to say. It was true, there was much he didn't know about the war. Again, he was young and finding information had become more and more challenging. Jeh'Kant responded only when Huyang had finished speaking, "Well, I think I might know a few Jedi who still have some fight left in them." He began wrapping his scarf around his head again and with a smile continued speaking, "But we'll have to convince them. We should get going. I'm sure time is of the essence."​

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[DarthVerus]

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Ossus, 1049 ABY, 11th day of 11th month, beginning of an adventure ​

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Huyang was profoundly impressed with how well the young Jedi took this new information, certainly not afraid of a fight—not unlike his master Cain Farr. Even if Huyang didn’t possess real eyes, his ocular sensors could see that Jeh’Kant had the essense of a true Jedi in him. He was however worried about him, just as about any Jedi that had to survive during these times. The Force was indeed an ally to a Jedi, but in these hopeless times, how far did they have to reach? Perhaps he’d see it first hand, eventually. He walked over to his robes and picked up his comlink, attaching it to his back where his additional arms were. His acoustic processors would once more begin to produce voice.​

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”You still have contact to other Jedi? I suppose that is risky, however we’re in luck considering you’re the only one who arrived here. And you are correct, we should leave. What are you flying these days? Hyperdrive-equipped ships are quite difficult to obtain in these times.”​

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[Jeh'Kant Kai]

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"I'm sure you already know this but," Jeh'Kant tapped the button on his chest which let out a computerized beep. "Now'days, there is nothing without risk." Jeh'Kant smiled as just as Huyang asked the question what he was flying his ship would sneak out from the foliage interrupting Huyang's last few words. His clothes began to flutter violently as the ship hovered past them before circling back around. The beeps of the astromech loud and clear as Huyang would most certainly be able to identify the ship and the astromech. The ship lowered itself just enough for the two to board. Jeh'Kant had already begun walking toward the opening and would simply respond back to Huyang, proudly as he maintained the ship, "THIS - is what I fly these days." ​

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The door would slide open as Jeh'Kant would approach the entry point. To greet them at the door would be a familiar astromech to Huyang, furious as it cascading into a sequence of non-stops computerized beeps. Jeh'Kant chuckled as he slid past the astromech while making his way towards the cockpit, waiting for Huyang. A few clicks of buttons here, a few click of buttons there and the destination had been input. The ship began to hover once again and Jeh'Kant looked back and shouted at everyone "STRAP IN! ITS GO-TIME!!" He would only give them a few seconds before the ship launched into the atmosphere. The ship only becoming faster and faster as their race against time had already begun.​

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[Ossus → Coruscant]​

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[DarthVerus]

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Ossus, 1049 ABY, 11th day of 11th month, the departure​

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Listen as you read​

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Although the old architect droid couldn’t smile, his yellow ocular sensors indicated all signs of joy and pride in the sight and sound of the young Jedi’s vigilance and apparent optimism. Perhaps, they still had hope. Perhaps, there still were true Jedi left in the galaxy indeed. And if the Force willed it, they would find more. He watched as the young Jedi, apparently, summoned his ship. Operated by an astromech, perhaps? Huyang followed in the trails of the young Jedi, outside of the ancient temple. His ocular sensors were amazed and filled with excitement that is rare to see out of him—the sight of the Star of Tython, the legendary Paladin-class corvette of Jedi General Cain Farr. He himself took part on some adventures on this ship, accompanying him to many of his ventures into the Unknown Regions in search for mysteries of the Force. And not only, he heard many happy beeps from the ship.​

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”That is a familiar sight. The Star of Tython! Ah, I have plenty of fond memories communicating with the mainframe of this beauty. Hey- I-Is that? SB-33?! My old friend! You’re still functional! I have so much to tell you, and so much for you to repair. I haven’t seen regular maintenance in quite some time.”​

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The droid’s vocal processors uttered with joy, boarding the ship. A true Jedi ship, housing three living-quarters capable of hosting nine crewmen, a large holo communicator, a meditation room and a separate room for training purposes. And on top of that, an SB-model astromech that’d been produced by the famous Industrial Automaton. Huyang sat on the seat of the co-pilot, adjusting the mainframe while waiting for the hyperspace course to appear.​

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”Coruscant? Well.. It’s now or never then.”​

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Ossus —> Hyperspace —> Coruscant​

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[Jeh'Kant Kai]

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Just as Huyang finished his sentence, the very nature of things before them began to shift. A light hum announced its presence within the ship as streaks of light beamed past them one by one until that was all they could see. It was only until the blinding white did they warp into a wormhole as they had slipped into Hyperspace.​

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[Ossus → Hyperspace → Coruscant]​

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[DarthVerus]

TIME UPDATE​

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The galactic standard day turns to the 12th day of the 11th month, with Life Day celebrations beginning to take place across the Core Worlds and other minor populations across the galaxy.​

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