Circle of Mistrust
Posted on Wed May 1st, 2013 @ 2:16am by Sotah & Jundal Quellus & Bomoor Thort & Thurius
2,477 words; about a 12 minute read
Chapter:
Chapter IV: Rezer's Edge
Location: Bomoor's Cabin, Red Raptor
Timeline: Pre-Chapter IV
The silvery-blue glow of the holocom lit up Bomoor's cabin and cast wavering shadows across the walls. Before the Ithorian on the small desk, was a ring of tiny figures - the Jedi council in blurry, miniature splendour.
"We ha... been waiting for....transmission B...mor. Has there b...n trouble?" The voice of Master Thurius was faint and distorted, but there was a tone of concern bleeding through. Bomoor was routing the call from the ship's receiver to his personal holocom and the quality of the signal was poor.
"Hold on," Bomoor requested, fiddling with the sliders on the side, "I need to adjust the signal."
The image began to sharpen and the faces of each Jedi Master was now clearly visible, "There," he nodded, "This is Jedi Consular Bomoor Thort reporting on our ongoing mission. I apologise for the lack of communication, but progress has been slow and here has been nothing of note to report as of yet."
Grand Master Quellus seemed to shift in his chair, grander than the others in the Council Chambers, but he emitted an air of confidence coupled with a level of intensity, as was common for the Chagrian leader of the Reborn Jedi Order. "Nothing of note to you, perhaps," he said, his shimmering blue form examining Bomoor, who would in turn appear in a similar manner to them, "but may yet be of interest to us."
"You should not presume to dictate what may or may not be of importance to the Council, young one," the Kaminoan, Morla Dero, rattled, her fragile and elongated body rattling as he admonished Bomoor.
"Come, Bomoor," Master Sotah then said, his Selkath tongue projecting a calmer approach to that of his fellow councillors as he spoke to his recent Padawan's closest friend. "Tell us what has been happening - have you had any luck thus far in your search for Axion or the Kaiburr shards?"
Quellus gave an extended sidelong glance to Sotah, rubbing one finger across his lip in thought before nodding some form of approval to himself as he looked back to where Bomoor would be to them.
Bomoor gave a brief nod of acknowledgement, "I understand Masters. As I stated, we have not yet found any trace of Axion or the Kaibuur Shards he seeks to obtain. However, perhaps the most noteworthy aspect so far was our encounter with the remnants of a group of Dark Jedi on the planet Tython. We have come to understand that they were somehow linked with the One Sith."
"That is most disturbing news Bomoor," Thurius leant forwards in his chair, "That is quite an enemy to face. You were not harmed were you?"
Master Veldryl made a noise of disregard, "Clearly Jedi Thort is well. The important question is: 'Did you destroy them?'"
Bomoor fumbled slightly, trying to relay the events in a way that avoided their discovery of Krayt's holocron and Thane's attack upon him, "There was, in fact, only one remaining member. He had seemingly lost his mind and killed his fellow Dark Siders residing within the Bogon Temple. When we arrived, he immediately attacked us and we killed him during the battle. I trust that none of you disagree with this course of action?"
"Darkness..." came the mumbled voice of Master Vemrus, his visions triggered by Bomoor's account, "Raging shadows, desperate madness..."
Master Olus frowned at Vemrus, "Perhaps you simplify, Bomoor. Clearly the dark side was strong in that place. Was there anything else there apart from the deranged Sith? Something more powerful in the temple maybe? I have no doubt that there is much undiscovered upon Tython."
This was the probing that Bomoor had feared. The combined knowledge and power of the Jedi council was not to be underestimated. "We noticed some extreme weather conditions, particularly around the temple. It was what drew us to that location. We hoped that it could have been something that could have helped us locate the Kaiburr shards, but instead we found a mad and dangerous Whiphid."
"A Whiphid?" pondered Veldryl, "Interesting. Master Quellus, if this truly was the remnants of the One Sith, I believe this deserves investigation in order to ensure that there is no longer a threat to the Galaxy."
The Grand Master's grim and serious demeanour attested in itself his agreement with the Arkanian's sentiments. "Agreed. Master Dunrar, would you prepare a small force of our best and most resolute Jedi at the temple to examine Jedi Bomoor's supposed-Sith hideout?"
With a low nod of his head, the Neimoidian Jedi Ace consented. "It will be done at once, Grand Master. Please, excuse my leaving young Bomoor," he added, having risen and now giving the Ithorian a slight bow also, "but this is a most pressing matter that must be dealt with. May the Force be with you." In just a few seconds, Hale Dunrar had stepped away and out of sight of the communicator.
"This is a dangerous revelation, Master Quellus," Dero rattled to the Chagrian, her long and infirm neck wobbling slightly. "It must be dealt with quickly and decisively!"
For once, Bomoor was pleased that the council's obsession with the return of the Sith had become the focus of the conversation. Besides, he could not discount the possibility of more dangers on Tython that they had not seen. Although, a Jedi expedition would undoubtedly lead to the unfortunate destruction of much of the ancient knowledge that lay there.
Master Sotah had raised his hands in the midst of Dero and a couple of the others beginning to discuss things loudly. "My friends, we must not jump to conclusions so hastily. Bomoor has quite clearly indicated the threat has been handled. Whilst I do not deny a group of Jedi must examine these ruins, we should not yet be preparing the gunships for an all out war against a menace we cannot prove even yet exists; this Whiphid they met was nothing more than a diluted descendant from what I gather."
"I have to agree with Master Sotah," came the firm voice of Ven Kel Farr, the so-called warrior-poet of the Jedi, his battle-scarred visage grim and thick braided hair pulled into a top knot. "But we must be wary. Even this 'diluted Sith' posed a substantial threat to Bomoor and the others, so if there are any more of his kin, even scatted in nearby systems or beyond, we must be sure to find them. Nevertheless, there is something else we require to discuss with Jedi Thort, is there not?" Ven Kel looked about at the others for just a moment before focusing upon Bomoor. "What of Thane - how did he react and handle this series of events?"
Dero leant her long, scraggly neck forward, paling black eyes locked on the Ithorian. "Indeed, what of your friend? How did former Jedi Knight Thane fare in this Sith escapade?"
Inevitably, the conversation had steered back towards more uncomfortable matters for the lone Ithorian, "Thane's assistance was invaluable during our confrontation. While my perception was able to point us in the direction of the Dark Jedi, Thane's battle practice allowed us to defeat the Whiphid in combat. We worked together as a team and I am thankful for his cool head and quick decisions under the circumstances."
"You do not believe that he was any danger to you or your other allies, then?" asked Master Thurius. The question seemed to be phrased in Bomoor's favour to protect Thane in front of the council.
Bomoor bobbed his head in agreement, "As I said, he was a necessity in the team."
"Was he the one to kill this Whiphid?" Master Sotah asked simply, a hint of concern in his voice.
"It was Thane that killed our attacker in the end," the Ithorian answered, concerned about how they would read into this.
Quellus leant forward in his throne, steepling his blue fingers in contemplation. "And why did this Whiphid prove to be so formidable? Whilst none of us would dare deny the danger inherent in any darksider, this creature - hardly a Sith - sounds as though he gave you and your group quite some trouble, yet you do not describe him or his actions in any detail."
"Tell us what happened, Bomoor." It was Master Thackbal who spoke, the Mon Calamari Councillor widely regarded as one of the Jedi's finest ambassadors and one of the more sensitive and approachable members of the High Council, as well as being a former Padawan of Quellus - one of the Grand Master's fast-developing apprentices. Even so, he seemed to be genuinely appealing out of interest to the Ithorian.
Bomoor thought for a moment before replying, "While he was a capable Force-user, he also knew the temple well and he used that to his advantage when ambushing us. I cannot say for certain, but it seemed as though his madness exacerbated his abilities, allowing him to tap into untamed powers. Certainly, he was strong enough to kill all his fellow Dark Jedi."
Images of the ghastly tentacles and illusions conjured by K'Errekh flooded back into Bomoor's mind. He thought carefully as he relayed that information, "He had an unusual ability to create illusions and manipulate his surroundings. This made it quite difficult to reach him as well but, as I said, we did reach him and he is no longer alive."
After a few seconds and a few glances to one another, Grand Master Quellus nodded. "Very well. You have done performed well, Jedi Thort, as has Thane. Keep us appraised of your progress in your search, just as we will be prepared to send you any further information that may come to light from our own sources. May the Force be with you."
"And with Thane," Master Sotah added, inclining his head towards the Ithorian. "Send him my best - I will be sure to try and speak with him soon, and know that whilst he may not walk with us, he is not forgotten." Although the Selkath's words earned him a few wary glances from his fellow councillors, Quellus surprisingly nodded in agreement with Sotah along with a small selection of others. "You both remain in our thoughts, my friend."
"Thank you, Masters," Bomoor nodded, "I am glad to still have your support and I shall report again when we have made more progress."
The Ithorian clicked off the holocom, signalling the main transmitter to close the connection to Coruscant.
The image of Bomoor fizzed away, the faint connection the High Council had to the Ithorian faded away along with it as their thoughts turned inwards and to each other concerning the revelations brought forth by the Jedi Knight.
"He is not being entirely forthcoming with us." Ven Kel Farr was the first to speak now that they were no longer speaking with Bomoor. He leant forward in his chair and placed his hands on his nears, his battle-scarred visage deep in consideration. "I don't think he is lying, but he's certainly not giving us the full story. I fear he is protecting Thane."
Morla Dero wobbled slightly, an affectation common to her but was this time indicative of her suspicious nature. "He is coming under his dark sway!" She announced with more certainty than she should.
"You believe Thane is forcing him into this?" Master Nillak questioned, his Quarren tendrils flexing.
Sotah shook his head, moving to defend his former Padawan but attempting to not sound concerned to the point of embarrassment and ridicule. "That is not Thane's way - nor is it Bomoor's to be so easily swayed. They are incredibly close friends and have been for many years. Even if Thane had engaged in some great evil, he would not force it on Bomoor, just as Bomoor would not simply accept it out of blind loyalty."
"Friends..." Master Vemrus spoke slowly and with great effort, "There is great emotion tied between Bomoor and Thane. I sense that they both have influence over one another but it is a complex interaction, like a serpent trying to grasp a creeping vine. Nothing is certain but all is at stake."
"I have to agree," Quellus announced, sitting as upright as he could and looking regal in his intricate finery. "Whilst I do not doubt Bomoor's motives may well be just in his eyes and for a good he believes to be greater, the point stands that he may not be divulging all of the information we require. Thane's darkness may be becoming more apparent without us knowing, and Bomoor - as his friend - is in a poor situation."
"His loyalty to the Reborn Jedi Order comes first!" Dero rattled, annoyed.
"Again, I agree - this is a terrible sign. Thane is potentially leading Bomoor down a path not dark with the Force," Quellus said, "but leading him away from his vows. We must take other actions."
"Well, we sent the pair of them away, knowing full well of Thort's ties to Thane," Veldryl commented, "While I know that our interference could very well drive Thane further away, I think we have reached a point where that is a lesser concern. We need to send someone else to them that will be an open and honest liaison to us."
Master Thurius spoke in a stern tone, "Now hold on. We all placed our trust in Bomoor and we should honour that. What you suggest could give him cause to doubt us, and rightly so."
Quellus glared at the Cerean for a few moments, his jaw clenched and lips tightly sealed. "There is no need for us to openly challenge Bomoor's loyalty or make it appear that we mistrust him," he finally said, "but the fact remains we must be wary of the darkness that continues to grow and spread about them both. We cannot sacrifice the sanctity of the Force and the safety of the Republic merely for Bomoor to feel we trust him."
The Grand Master rose from his throne, as if to give his words more clarity and meaning. "We must send one of our best and most loyal agents to shadow and observe them - not necessarily to interfere with them."
Master Sotah dipped his head in obvious recognition of what Quellus was about to suggest, and was unable to resist resting his head in defeated shame upon one hand. "You intend to send Loren," he observed quietly.
Quellus nodded. "She is one of the few to know Thane even remotely as well as you do within the Order, and has proven her loyalty innumerable times in the face of adversity already. I can think of no one better suited to the task," he said slowly as he then set himself back down again, "than your other former Padawan."
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