Captain Candy's Starlog, Post Mission: HOTH (Part 2)

Jaris could hear the quiet and maybe slightly irritated voice of Jess. "What do you want Jaris?”

"You seemed upset by the sound of your voice earlier, I wanted to apologize if it was something I said." Jaris says through the door, his head however turned to cast his gaze elsewhere. Miraluka had the unfortunate ability to see through walls and rudeness was never his goal.

"You were the last ill granted wish in a long line of problems being set up at that table," she said sullenly. The door opens to Jess sitting cross legged and meditating putting her bow/saber back together in midair. The smell of incense wafted out.

Jaris turns his head back towards the door at the sound of it sliding open, taking it as an invite he steps inside and sits in front of her, trying to mirror the meditation stance he learned back in his youth. "I was wondering if I might help with that, your double light saber I mean." He says, pointing up at the bow followed by some silence. "I didn't shoot you, you know."

She sighs. "I know. And I think I need to do this one alone." She sits and parts start to come together. "How much can you figure out from the conversation." her voice is steady like a its more of a test.

He watches the parts as they start to float together, taking note of how that looks in his force sight. "I believe I gleamed much from it, but if you are referring to yourself I'd say you have personal experience with the criminal element, if not these groups specifically something similar."

As the blade comes together in midair her eyes open slightly to look at Jaris. A single motion and the door closes. "Jaris am I a person that gets scared easily?"

"Considering how we found you I would say no, but there is something you are afraid of... at least enough to throw caution to the solar winds in the search for further power and understanding. Question is, is it a what or a who?" Jaris spoke with an even tone, seemingly relaxed despite the tightness in his neck from the tension.

"Do you know how to train as a Mother to Nightsisters?" She continues her even but alert tone.

"No, can't say that ever came up during my training back home. Most I was ever taught was that Nightsisters were not sith, despite some of their darker magics, and that was as far as my lessons went on the subject."

"We learn the magiks yes. But we learn to kill, to fight. To use everything we have to get what we need. Taking care of all your daughters is prime. Or so Mother Talzin always said. She made some choices, or so I heard, that don't line up with that. However, that's not here or there." She sighs with a little shudder. "We were sent out with majiks to transform our appearances to learn all we can and use the powers in the real world. There I met someone.... they... claimed to know more then I could ever learn. They took me in, and my mind.... they did things to it. They broke me in more ways than one. They had me kill for them and 1000’s of other things. The loss of Mother Talzin becoming one with the force.... I felt it and it helped free me. I woke up killing some people on that planet you found me on. However, one thing I remember.... They were one of the leaders of the Triumverate." She shudders. "That power.... Vidar has no idea how much control the leaders have. How much power."

Jaris is silent throughout as he takes it all in, showing no visible reaction even as she revealed just how far the connection between her and the Triumverate truly went. It was no wonder she had stepped away from the table, just keeping herself together throughout all that was a feat all by itself. Her story was every bit as tragic as he had assumed, there was too much pain within Jess for it to have been anything else.

"Your Mother trained you as agents or so it sounds, how familiar that is..." He was quiet for a few more moments as he let that sit between them. "He is one of their leaders... that makes this situation all the more volatile. Vidar assumes he is enough for a bunch of criminals, that their organization is inherently flawed due to their natures, but you're right. He underestimates the iron grip power and fear can have, the control of it. Your insight into this, what do YOU think we should do?"

She closes her eyes and tries to keep her breathing calm. "It's not just power.... its POWER. They wield the force, far different then I have ever seen it before. Bending and breaking those who work for them to their will. That is why I do not think they will ever be tricked into fighting each other. And if the council was unaware of them. They are good enough at hiding we would never find them." She lets out a breath. "So.... I don't know. I was hoping just giving them what they want would make them let us go as well as Candy’s contact. But that was fear talking. I know that. I can't even be sure they still don't have some hold over my thoughts that linger."

"There is no easy choice here, rarely is there one. The only thing that I know for certain is that they cannot have the virus. As powerful and dangerous as you say they are, I have no doubt they would make full use of it... and saving Candy's friend will require a gamble on our part. I have my ideas but nothing without some risk, but we should decide on our path together as a group." Jaris looked towards her, his version of making eye contact as it were. "I will keep this secret of yours as well, until you decide to reveal it to the others. But perhaps they need to know the full depth of the danger, I leave that to you to decide." After a moment he adds another thought. "This leader you speak of, is he sith?"

"I never said they were a he. And I don’t know. I feel like it’s beyond sith and jedi. More than Nightsister."

"Neither did you say they weren't. Considering how they use their power if they are not sith then they follow many of the same philosophies at the very least. Controlling through power and fear alone... able and willing to break the mind of someone and force them to kill for them...thats a target if I've ever heard of one. Yet as great a power as you make them out to be...well far more than my life would be at risk, I'll say that. This could be a fight we are not prepared to finish."

Jess reaches out. And floats over the compact. "I think this is our weapon. I sort of know I was killing for something hiding on that planet then I found this. Its Nightsister magic, so maybe something else they want or need. If we find it first."

Jaris reaches out a hand letting the compact rest in his palm, his force sight drilling into the small object as if he might pry some secret from it. "So you were sent after this you believe? Perhaps a nightsister was required to find it, it could be why they needed you in the first place. Regardless if they desire it then it can't be for anything good, sounds worth it to ensure they don't get their hands upon it." Jaris went to hand the compact back to Jess.

"I need to know who its tracking." She ignites the red and black blades. "I think it has to do with who owned this odd crystal."

"So we find this person... can't say I'm overly fond of the idea of hoping the owner of a bled kyber crystal will be the key to all this, but I have no better alternative and this person who controlled you... they do need to be removed. I'm no jedi, my connection to the force goes no further than the reach of my sight. But I shall do what I can, what I was trained to do."

"Of cource you will." Jess let's out a breath that feels like the weight of the world has lifted even just for a second. "Let me have some time now. I need to relax"

"Right, I've taken up too much of your time already." Jaris rose from the floor and reached for the button for the door, pausing for just a moment. "Oh, didn't get to say this earlier but...casual Jess is a good look." He smirked and then hit the button, stepping out into the hall.

A day after the conference room debacle, Candy goes to Jess' room and knocks.
The door opens. Jess is sitting on the floor on some pillows incense wafts out and is overpowering. Green flame fades from around a silver and emerald compact that floats down to her waiting hands; they shake with fatigue. A Sheen of sweat plasters her hair to her forehead and she has tied some of it back. She looks at Candy with sunken eyes, she doesn’t look like she has slept, and waits.
Candy is reluctant at first but then presents a bottle of ale to Jess. "This is my apologies for being a bad teammate and hurting you at the elevator. In my defense the wampas knocked me off kilter."
Jess looks curious and hesitant but she takes the bottle out of Candy’s hand and through the air and places it at her crossed feet.  "oh.... the shot in the back? She smiles slightly. "The armor absorbed most of it. And it was worth it to see Jaris's face when I blamed him."

Candy laughs and she steps inside allowing the door to shut and sits cross-legged. "And thank you for grabbing the vials, no matter what those two say, you were covering my back. It did not go unnoticed. But I also wanted to ask you your thoughts. What should we do with this situation?"

"Have you talked with Jaris?"

"Not recently. So much testosterone in the room I could barely hear myself. I want a calm conversation. Not a jedi death match."

"Then I would advise killing your friend, if I'm blunt." Jess says sternly. "If you don’t want to risk a real Jedi death match or at least a force user death match. Vidar has no idea what upsetting those leaders will do or how powerful they really are. It's most likely a mercy to your friend than what they will do to him."

Candy considers. "I'm not against your suggestion. It doesn't sit well with me, but I do understand the situation."

Jess looks a little surprised but then neutrality returns. "I knew I read you right as a practical woman. The Triumverate acts small but it is an act their leaders.... well.... they are good enough to hide from the jedi and that sith lord. Even the late mother didn’t realize their power."

Candy sinks into thought... heart heavy. "Well, if there is a way to save him, I'd like to. I'm hoping for a way that would be beneficial to all, but..." She waves a hand. "Sometimes that isn't always the way."

Jess sighs. "Plans are not my strong suit Candy. I am sorry. But you have been supportive of me so I will remember that and help you when I can.... if I can."

Candy nods. "Thank you. I'm still thinking but needed conversation and less morality lessons." Candy stands up to go.

Before Candy leaves, Jess says, "You are very trusting and caring. How have you held onto that in your line of work?"

"I've made sure to hold onto it for the same reason I can let Ricky die. I finally have what I've always wanted and now the hard part is keeping it. But why keep it when there's no one to share it with?" Candy's lips curl into a smile.

"You are an interesting person captain. Hopefully we can keep you entertained without losing too much." Jess smiles back.

Candy gives Jess a salute. "If you need anything, I'm here." Candy stops before going. "You sure your okay? Need me to bring you anything? Food maybe?"

Jess smirks. "Just a good personal assistant. I NEED to relax a bit."

Candy laughs. "Personal assistance you say? Won't Jaris get jealous?"

"Men don't always understand and I don’t have time to teach."

​Candy giggles.

After the Candy/Jess encounter, Candy leaves Jess and walks to engineering. She examines the makeshift space with a hand on her hip and the other on her chin in thoughtful reflection. "Why a make shift curtain? How does one knock?" Candy goes over to the nearest wall and knocks.

"I suppose you can say knock knock too, but that works." Jaris says as he steps through the curtain serving as the door between his small corner of the engine room he called his private space and the rest of the large room. The hum of the engines was low, just loud enough to serve as background noise. "What can I do for you captain?" Jaris remained in his armor vest but the rest of him was dressed more casually, a simple pair of slacks and no shoes.

"Jaris..." Candy sighs. "Is there something wrong with the cabins? Are you claustrophobic? Is silence too much for you?"  She's at a loss to words.

His helmet sat on a work bench over between the engines so she saw his face as it was, he hadn't even wrapped the red cloth around where his eyes would have been were he born nearly anything else. "Not particularly no, but I will admit to preferring the hum in here to the quiet out there. Do I worry you?"

"I worry for your comfort. Is this okay?" She waves at his... room. "It doesn't seem all that secure."

He glances about the room. "I mean I could use another pillow but I've bunked in worse places. As for secure, I can always close the doors to the engine room if that’s what you mean. Besides... the sound isn't the main reason I made myself at home back here."

"Was it space?" Candy taps on her wrist computer.

He shakes his head for a moment, then pauses as he thinks it over. "Actually, I guess you could say that, but not in the way you likely meant."

She snorts "You're an engineer. They need space." Snideley floats in, carrying a pillow.

He laughed at the sight of the pillow, giving a small bow to the droid before taking the pillow from him. "It’s not that, tell me Candy do you value your privacy?"

She straightens. "Yes. I do."

"I thought as much, you and Jess have that in common. The clones I doubt have any concept of privacy and the jedi, well perhaps he values his as well but unsure." Jaris stepped over to a workbench to retrieve a red cloth, wrapping it around his vestigial eye sockets. "The bunks...they are built right up against one another to make the best use of the space. Even the hallway between them is thin when you think about it. I am here because it’s just far enough away that I can not see everyone else through the very walls."

Candy laughs. "Ah, yes, blind man that can see."

"Amongst other Miraluka privacy is an odd thing, when you can see the very force of those around you the idea of even modesty is rare. So I do my best to stay where I can not see the others, or to not peer through their walls when I must pass by. Who knows what I might see that you and the others wish I didn't."

She sobers and marches to the main subject. "I have other things on my mind than privacy, though." She takes a breath. "I want your thoughts, just to be clear, on what you would do with the vials."

He could tell she was being serious about the vials so he didn't joke around about it. "Destroy the virus immediately, keep at least a couple of the antigen. Give them to whomever, they may one day become important to saving lives. But you also mean about your friend don't you?"

She nods "Yes."

"I've thought on the problem but I must warn you I have come up with no plans without a good amount of risk. If you believe he would not be blamed for being given the wrong sample then we can give him a fake, hope they take issue with the good doctor rather than your friend. You could lie as well, tell him the place was a crater before we arrived, there's not much evidence to the contrary. But if any failure would mean his life, then your options are even fewer. Kidnap him, fake his death, or convince him to flee."

Candy sighs. "Okay." She crosses her arms and spreads her feet in a solid position. "Now for the next issue." She clears her throat. "I don't know about Miraluka behaviors, but do you have a claim on Jess?"

"That's...a question I was not expecting. I'm not sure what you've heard about Miraluka but our males do not lay claim to the females..." Despite the lack of eyes it was easy to read the confusion on his face.
Candy deflates. "Well, then... you seem protective of her... at times. If you... do you have an interest in her?"

He was quiet for a moment, looking into her aura in the force as he tried to read anything that would give him some insight. This question had her worried about something, but what he wasn't sure yet. All he could do was answer honestly. "I suppose I am, I did convince her to stay so I feel... responsible doesn't feel quite right but it’s the best way I can describe it." He paused then, looking straight ahead into her eyes. "For one who values privacy that is quite the question. Suppose I did, what does that change?"

Candy relaxes. "I'm still rooting for you two... but, you ah, might want to let her know." Candy waves her hands. "I'm not a jealous girl, I can share, but if you want her to yourself you need to let us know that. You're rather lacking in taking care of her needs." Candy blushes "I mean, I left her in your care... I mean I thought you'd follow up with her." Candy rubs her forehead. "What I'm trying to say is... I don't want you thinking I'm taking her away from you. She views relationships differently and I wanted to be sure of how you feel. I don't want to pursue someone whose already taken."

If Jaris could blink... "You can...share? Candy if this is another Duros metaphor I'm afraid I'm not..." A light might as well have turned on over his head in that moment as the pieces clicked together and while he couldn't see her blushing he could definitely hear it in her voice, just like she could hear it in his as he struggled with the realization. "I went and spoke with her... I felt like I learned more about her and... and...." Jaris walked over to the wall and hit a button to shut the doors, Miraluka struggled with visual privacy but when it came to sound, they knew that quite well. "Left in my care huh?" He said then, tapping a knuckle against his own forehead. "Working alone was always easier... look Candy if you like her, and it’s clear you and her like each other well enough, then go full speed ahead. Yes, I'm fond of her, I admit that, but I'm not what you call a social person. You're not taking her away from me, she was never mine to lose."

Candy smiles in relief. "Yes, you are right. A person doesn't belong to another. I just know some can be possessive. I'm not that way. I want you all to be well and safe and feel safe on this ship. And that means being able to speak your mind or love someone without..." She thinks "Boarders? Consequence, maybe? Is that right?"

"Both perhaps?" He said, not sure either but he got a sense for what she was trying to say. "I feel at peace back here Captain, rest assured.

"Good." Candy nods. "It makes me happy you're at peace.”

“As for Jess I hope you two have fun together, she could use someone to help her... uhhh relax. No matter if that person is me, you, or another. What I am saying is..." His head turned, his sight focusing on the nearest wall that separated them from the bunks. "You need not worry about me... if she so desires what you suggest, I am here. I have no plans to be otherwise."

Candy turns to leave then, says, “And Jaris, Duros are more concerned about privacy of the mind..." she points to her head. "Than what you can see with eyes or..." She waves at her face. "What you can sense."

"Well you may have to speak to the jedi about that one but as far as I am aware Miraluka cannot in fact read minds." His brow furrowed and his lips tightened into a thin line as he seemed to focus, but only for a few seconds before relaxing. "Nope, still can't read minds. Your welcome Captain, oh and be sure to bring your blasters by sometime and your gear, will have to see what I can do with them."

Candy grumbles. "Yes, I'll speak to the general." Her mood brightens. "Will do." She pushes the button to open the doors. "I'll send another blanket too." She exits and starts looking for Vidar.

Soon after, Snideley floats into engineering with a blanket vicariously tipping over his head.

"I really could have gotten that myself, thanks Snideley." Jaris takes the blanket from the droid, being careful not to tip him further. "And if you want some upgrades or even a new friend, make sure to get Candy to ask me for help."

Snideley gives Jaris a salute and beeps at him in conversation.

Jaris listens to the droid, conversing with it, quite curious as to what he has to say.

Snideley throws his arms around. He says to Jaris. "I don't want new companions I want my old friends back. Bunny and whiplash were lost. Captain looks but we can't find them. They're just as important to her. Haz star charts. Important star charts. One blue eye. One white eye."

"Bunny and Whiplash? Like they were lost on trips?" Jaris keeps a calm tone to try and keep the droid from blowing a circuit. "I will help her find them then, but you might need some upgrades to help us."

Snideley beeps "Affirmative. Maybe not lost. Maybe stolen. Help find." Snideley floats closer to Jaris.

"Okay okay Snideley, I will help you and the Captain find them." He stretched out a hand to gently pat the top of the seeker droid.

​Snideley gently bumps into Jaris’s hand. "Thank you."