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Post by Cy Skywalker on Mar 7, 2010 0:39:46 GMT -5
Luke moved carefully through the tunnel. "I know you're a beginner--I don't expect you to know all the lightsaber forms yet. But a Jedi can adapt to the situations they're put in--anyone can, really. And my first use of the lightsaber was more on faith than skill..." He reached the end of the tunnel and swung his legs out over the drop. "You can help me find your friends--and the people who took them." He could sense them in the distance, these strange Force presences. "And I won't have you going into that situation without protection. We have training lightsabers in the armory downstairs."
***
Ka doesn't know what to say, and presses her hand against the wall. She remembers the feel of her mother's palm on her forhead when she was sick. "So...your brothers. We gonna bring them back to the light side? "
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Post by surfersquid on Mar 11, 2010 0:00:43 GMT -5
"Yeah...okay," Kyla said affirmatively as she followed Master Skywalker. He did have a point. There was a difference between not rushing into things without being ready and having to think on the fly during an unexpected turn of events. And this was definitely the latter, she thought.
She was mildly surprised when he halted his stooped walking and assumed a sitting position in what would seem to be the floor; but then she realized that he was really sitting on the edge of the alcove, and just in time as well, as she was following closely behind him and would likely have walked straight off of it. "Training lightsabers?" she asked curiously, slowly easing herself down to sit beside him, patting around on the stone to locate the ledge. She'd never supposed there was such a thing, but it would make sense, of course. She was ashamed of having such a cursory knowledge of the Jedi, even though she only knew about them from school and passing snippets from the HoloNet News.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Mar 13, 2010 1:27:48 GMT -5
Luke sensed Kyla's hesitation at the edge of the cliff, was close to asking her if she needed help. But he didn't think she did. She had gone through a lot of life without help. He knew how long youth's years felt to the young. If she gave a sign of needing help, he'd give it...and he hoped he would be able to read the signs.
He stayed sitting beside her. "Training lightsabers teach an apprentice the feel of the weapon; the forms, the weight. But they're half power; they'll only leave a nasty burn instead of really hurting someone. They're typically given before a student receives their official master; when they're still learning how to handle weapons.
This is a bit of an unconventional situation. For now, I'm your acting Master because fate has decided it should be so."
When had he started talking like that?
He sounded like Obi-Wan; like a slightly more melodramatic Obi-Wan.
Maybe this was what the Force did to people who threw themselves off the cliff marked "Jedi Mastery."
"Any other questions you have, feel free to ask."
He slipped off the ledge, stood solid on the ground.
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Post by Demarion on Mar 15, 2010 12:05:20 GMT -5
Kon had lunged forward with his dagger after Tranner's attack, but stopped short when he noticed Epsilon recover. And he recovered quite easily, the Twi'lek noticed. He backpeddled and put his arm up just in time, the splinters striking his left arm and leg. He growled and shook a few off, ignoring the ones that didn't move. A flicker of doubt and fear dashed across his thoughts, and he pushed it down. No time to show weakness, else we'll all be dead. He thought with only mild amusement.
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on Apr 14, 2010 0:24:34 GMT -5
"So...your brothers. We gonna bring them back to the light side? "
Astrin smiled. “Yeah. We’re going to bring them back.” No sooner had she finished the sentence did the ship shift out of hyperspace. They must have reached their destination, but the timing seemed odd to Astrin. This trip had finished sooner than she’d expected.
The cell door slide open to reveal Phax’s patient figure standing in its frame. “Come on Astrin. We’re home.” He greeted before moving down to Ka’s cell. Following her brother out into the hall, she felt Hedric shadow her from the cockpit. She didn’t have to look back to tell he was still upset, but at least his temper had cooled to a more tolerable level. Ahead of her, Astrin was surprise to find Phax gesturing Ka to exit the cell without stun cuffs and didn’t seem to fear her freedom as he continued down to the ships ramp. “I’d advise your friend to be on her best manors.” Hadrec mumbled distantly as the four waited for the ship’s bay to open. Astrin didn’t respond but know the warning was heard by all in the group.
The hanger wasn’t much to see and not a bit familiar to the images Astrin held in her childhood memory. The wide gray stone and durasteel room lead to various workstations and a half dozen industrial sized turbo lifts that looked like you could land an X-wing in and still have room to spare. On either end of these massive lifts were two smaller more delicate lifts that were obviously designed for sentient use and were the apparent destination of the group.
Inside the lift the silence was punctuated by nothing other than the groups breathing and the chime alerting them to the fact they had reached their desired destination. Astrin braced herself for what might be behind the doors as images from the past became clear once more. What she found was anything but a shock. The dull gray they had emerged from suddenly erupted in vivid color. The hall was decorated in artful script and carvings while the glass view across the way was of a tropic paradise as lush as the jungles of Yavin.
A pillar among the rich surroundings was a young woman in fine black and red silk. She beamed a warm smile in greeting before saying. “Welcome back Astrin. Its been far too long. You’ve grown up so much since I last saw you!” Astrin stood speechless as the woman turned her attention to Ka. “And young Ka-Du-Roan,” she said bowing her dark haired head respectfully. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. My name is Kuma; I’m one of Astrin's sisters. I hope the accommodations in your room are fitting. If you are in need of anything, please feel free to ask my staff. They will promptly acquirer want you seek.”
*** “It would be better if you didn’t excite your heart rate Kon. You’ll only increase the speed of the poison and end up paralyzing your muscles.” Epsilion explained as he kept an eye on both Tranner and Kon. The game was getting tiresome and Epsilon wanted to return to base. The soon these to were incapacitated, the sooner he could complete his goal.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Apr 25, 2010 23:30:55 GMT -5
As the turbolift ascended, Ka wondered what best behavior might mean among these poor, manipulated people. Not speaking and not slouching might be good ideas, so she implemented that, while being unable to resist a glowering mindset that did not extend to her expression. From what Astrin had said, her family were...were bad guys.
But the woman in red robes didn't look like a bad guy. She didn't talk like her brothers, like she wasn't quite in control of herself. She could have passed for normal, and so Ka felt a little more at ease.
"Thank you," she said quietly, not sure if the not speaking rule would still be good to apply here. "My room..." She couldn't help but ask, as her current situation could so easily be compared to the one she had been in just a few days ago when she met Astrin. "Is this an academy? Can I call my parents?"
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on Apr 27, 2010 0:56:46 GMT -5
"An academy?" Kuma repeated curiously. "Yes and no, I suppose would be the answer to that question. Its more of a haven that anything I can relate too." Her tone brightened a note, sweetening its melody to an almost chime like quality. "As for calling your parents, that can most certainly be arranged. I'll have a technician set up a com-link in your room."
A protocol droid entered through the door just behind Kuma. "You called ma'am?" It asked in mechanical male voice. "Yes. Please show our guests to their rooms and alert Glitch to set up a com-link in Ka's room." The droid nodded in acknowledgment before turning its eyes on Astrin and Ka. "If you'd please follow me, I'll gladly show you to your quarters."
"You're not coming?" Astrin asked when Phax and Haidrec didn't follow. Phax shook his head and gave her a half smile. "We have to give our report and check in our gear." He leaned forward to press a light kiss just above her hairline as her mask was still in place. "Glad to find you okay. Really, I missed seeming you." He stepped back and allowed Haidrec to nod his goodbye. "Sweet dreams Astrin. You too Ka. Sorry for the rough introduction."
Astrin studied the pair for a moment before following the droid through the ivory doors. There was more going on than met the eye, but she couldn't make sense of what game was being played. She kept close to Ka just to be on the side of caution as their guide lead them through the twisting halls.
*** "Where is Epsilon?" Kuma asked as she collected the holo recorders from the two brothers helmets. "We haven't heard from him since we left Yavin 4." Phax replied. Kuma logged the information into her data pad.
"Your mission evaluations won't be complete until he reports back." Her eyes looked over the rim of the screen. "What were you doing that allowed you to be separated from your commanding officer?"
"We found a Seer." Haidrec answered deadpan and felt the silence over take the room.
*** "Miss Ka, this is your room." The droid gestured as the door parted in half. "Miss Astrin has the room just across from you."
The room itself was a suite large enough to comfortably hold a standard Coruscanti family, much less one individual. It had its own living room set in front of a window looking out over the garden the two girls had seen upon their arrival, a dinning area, a small kitchen nook, and a spiraling stair case that lead to the sleeping area above.
"The technician to help you with your communications will arrive shortly. Is there anything else I may help you with ma'am?" The droid asked as it hovered beside Ka.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on May 1, 2010 21:45:34 GMT -5
Ka was already surprised by the kindness of Astrin's sister. For kidnappers, enemies of the Jedi...these people sure were nice. Phax had kissed Astrin! And this room...
"Wow!" Ka almost covered her mouth with a hand before figuring that the droid wasn't programmed to respond to reactions that weren't orders. There was no reason why she shouldn't show how beautiful she thought the room was. It was like having her own flat--but with a spiral staircase and a loft! Ka was halfway up the stairs, falling to her hands a few times but not missing a beat as she propelled herself up with her tail trying its best to help, not hurt, her balance behind her. She stopped and leaned over the railing at the droid. "This is great! So, I can visit Astrin if I'd like?"
As she waited for the droid's reply, though, she thought of something else that had unsettled her about Astrin's sister. She dashed back down the stairs, getting the hang of it well enough not to tumble down entirely, and rushed to the droid. She gestured angrily, figuring that this was the moment in which a Jedi--or was that Sith?--would execute a precise Force choke for effect.
"So you're really going to let me talk to my parents. Let me tell them that I've been kidnapped by a crazy Force-sensitive family and that I want to go home, or to tell Master Luke to bring me back to the Academy? It's hard to believe that."
***
As Luke escorted Kyla toward the lower floors of the temple, he took his commlink from his belt and flicked it on, calling the guard station where he'd left his new combat instructor. "Nighthawk, this is Master Skywalker. There's been a disturbance in the Force, to the north where it's always been dark. I need you to accompany me out there and see what's going on."
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Post by Demarion on May 2, 2010 0:49:46 GMT -5
"Shut yer kriffin' mouth." Kon hissed through his teeth, his cocky façade fading slightly as he felt his thigh start to-- well he couldn't feel his thigh at the moment, and it was horribly debilitating. His lekku twitched in frustration as he shifted his weight to his right leg and chanced a look at Tranner. A look that said, 'This schutta's getting annoying. Help.'
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on May 2, 2010 0:55:28 GMT -5
The droid tilted its torso as to lean away from the aggressive stance its guest had suddenly taken up. “I must apologize ma’am, but I have no knowledge of my employers being unstable in their mental health. They seem to function well within the respectable bounds of sanity according to my programmed guidelines.” It straightened and flicked its photoreceptor intensity as if blinking to regain its composer. “I also have no report within my memory that state you are confined to your quarters nor restricted in your ability to converse with Miss Astrin. Lady Kuma, has in fact made arrangements for your request of a communication link to be established.”
“Hmm…Is this a bad time?” A small voice asked cautiously in the tense silence. A human boy, about fourteen or so of age, in gray coveralls stood in the doorway. He seemed to be a little nervous of Ka’s tense body language and rocked his weight ever so slightly on his back heel. “If not, I can always come back to set up your commlink later.”
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Post by nighthawk on May 2, 2010 6:33:02 GMT -5
Fingering his ear piece, Nighthawk listened to Luke's message, then broadcasted his own back.
"Understood sir. I'll check it out in the Fort Minor"
((Remember, the Fort Minor is Nighthawk's ship. Details can be found on my character page))
Calling the ship to him with the ship transponder engaged on his wrist mounted datapad, Nighthawk entered Fort Minor and, once strapped in, maneuvered his ship towards the north, where he could already see several life forms on his scanner.
--------
Arriving within moments, Nighthawk was surprised and puzzled to find a group of life forms outside a strange sort of building. Was this the origination of the disturbance? Checking his co-ordinates, Nighthawk relayed them to Luke as well as a message.
"I've found a strange building which I believe is the origin of the disturbance you felt. There are several life forms outside, and i'm going to check it out. Hawk out." Now leaving his ship hovering for easy access, Nighthawk made a tactical jump down to the floor and entered.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on May 3, 2010 14:21:46 GMT -5
(OOC: Nighthawk, the three combatants are actually outside the building. You've given me an opportunity to bring Ruen back, though...)
Ka relaxed, her eyes even wider as usual as she looked at the boy. Was he maintenance? A Padawan? A slave? "No, this is a good time. Come in." She still gave a skeptical look at the droid, hoping it would go away. But the boy looked friendly. She stepped back to let him into the room.
***
Luke shook his head as he escorted Ka into the lightsaber training salle. Racks of weapons hung on the walls, with the few lightsabers made available to apprentices given a place of honor in the middle. The galaxy was not yet such a Jedi-friendly place that they could have the weapons made en masse, and Luke didn't really want them to be--this way, they were special.
Some of the available lightsabers had been made by Kam or Tionne for students; others were gifts or the weapons of Jedi who had passed into the Force.
He had wanted Nighthawk to wait for him. The mercenary was rash; would this cause problems in the future? There was no way to know. But the information he had provided was useful.
"Good," Luke replied into his comm, hoping the other man would bother staying on the line to listen. Luke didn't want to him to get himself killed. "Don't be loud; report back on what you find there."
"Kyla," Luke said, guiding her to the lightsabers. "Some of these--" the ones Tionne had made-- "have low power settings, designed for training. You'll be wielding one of those; it's as effective as a shockstick if you get in a scrape. I bet you can tell which ones are which through the Force."
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on May 4, 2010 22:58:44 GMT -5
The change in Ka’s tone and posture had an immediate affect on the teenager. His nervous fidgeting transformed into excitement and curiosity. His Force signature glowed of a benign spirit, characterized by the occasional spikes of uncertainty and spontaneous surges of boldness that was a testimony to his age.
“Ah, I see you received my message.” The droid exclaimed in apparent relief of no longer being the focus of Ka’s attention. “This is Miss Ka-Du-Roan. You’ll be assisting her with her communications as requested by Lady Kuma.” The machine moved to let itself out before pausing to ask the youngster one last question. “Will you need anything, Master Glitch?”
“Nah, I’m fine. I brought all the gear I needed with me. Thanks JP.” The boy said as he point out his shoulder slung kit. “You can do a favor for me though.” The droid nodded before asking, “And what would that be?” The kid's face took on a more serious expression as he said, “Tell Madix to stay away from my warra nut bread. I’m saving that for tomorrow.”
“Very well. I’ll be sure to inform him right away.” And with that the droid moved on down the hall. Glitch chuckled to himself and morphed back in to a plucky youngster again. “Madix will probably eat it anyway, but at least this request has given JP something to do in the meantime.” He looked over almost apologetically. “He doesn’t mean to step on toes, honest. He’s just following orders like most of us here.”
At the mention of orders, Glitch shrugged off his kit and set it out on the glass table in the seating area by the large garden window. His fingers quickly began the process of connecting, bolting, and tuning the equipment to the desired specs. It was clear the commlink wasn’t a standard issue. It was a high definition design, one similar to those used by politicians for clarity and realistic imagery.
Once the power cell came on-line a human male filled the screen. His data visor hid everything from his cheekbones up, giving him a grim if not authoritive appearance. “This is the Communication Center, to whom do you wish to speak?” Glitched gestured for Ka to come closer until she was in view. “This is TS-203. I’m seeking to establish an out of system communication link for Ka-Du-Roan.”
The man seemed to stare into rather than at the pair before glancing at something off screen. “I have no record of anyone of that name.” “She’s a recently arrived guest. She wouldn’t be in your system.” “By who’s authority is this link being allowed?” “Lady Kuma.” The man nodded as he again checked something off screen. “Authorization orders confirmed. Please summit to an identification clearance check now.”
Glitch placed his index finger over a small indent at the base of the commlinks platform and waited. There came a slight hiss and the boy winced; he pulled away with a bead of blood welling at his finger tip. “Identification confirmed. You’re clear to open an out of system link, but if you do so you will…” “Be solely responsible for any consequences during and/or after the communication is sent. I know the drill, Sir.” Glitch stated, as he dabbed his finger with a bit of ointment.
The man nodded, “Very well. Your window is fifteen minutes. After that, shielding will be turned back to normal and communications will be jammed once more.” “Affirmative, Sir. TS-203 signing out.” The screen went blank for a moment before a user option menu scrolled into place.
Glitch got out of Ka’s way and indicated that the commlink was all her’s. “There you go ma’am. The Sentinels won’t bother you during your communications. They're pretty good about leaving you alone once they know you’re who you say you are. And with you under my account, they definitely don't have anything to complain about. I'm one of the good kids."
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Post by Cy Skywalker on May 7, 2010 11:08:54 GMT -5
Good kids, huh. Well, Ka did get a good vibe from Glitch, not only through the Force, but through how careful and quick he was with machines, and from his easy camaraderie with the droid and apparently with whoever ran the kitchens. This place was looking more and more friendly. But of course there was a security guy acting as operator. Ka wanted to question Glitch too--judging by the droid, she was decent at being threatening even though she weighed something about one hundred points. Scales tended to give mammals a false impression of size.
But she only had fifteen minutes!
She pointed at Glitch. "Stay here. Can you stay here? Or like, over there." She gestured toward the staircase. "I want to talk to you." But I'm talking to my parents first, and he's not going to stop me by listening in.
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on May 7, 2010 20:14:54 GMT -5
“Sure.” He replied moving over to the designated spot near the stairs. He took a seat on the third step and rested his head against the railing. “And yes, I can stay. Its 0400 now and instruction starts in an hour, so trying to go back to sleep now would be pointless. That’s why it took me a little longer to get here. My quarters are several levels below and I had to get my gear together without waking up Madix and Keeke. Both make good roommates but they like their beauty sleep and get cranky if you disturb them before morning role call.”
Glitch smiled and nodded to the commlink. “Another thing you’ll come to notice about Sentinels, they’re punctual to a point. When they say its fifteen minutes, they mean fifteen minutes. They’re sticklers to the rules too. Keeke thinks they were weaned on sour cane and rocked to sleep with legislation sanctions. My jury is still out on that one. I think they're just jumpy because of what almost happened to Alpha. That would have been bad for all of us. Really bad.”
(Side note: 0400 is military time for 4 AM.)
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Post by Morndakiél on May 9, 2010 23:22:41 GMT -5
Tranner hated standing in front of his enemy. Sneaking up behind him was so much better, but here he was falling to one knee because his leg felt like dead weight, and the world seemed to go far away and snap back too close as he wrested another poison shard out of the thick base of his left montral. He tried to move toward Epsilon, knowing that Kon was expecting him to be useful. He tried to tell Kon to Force heal himself, but Tranner's mouth wasn't working right, and who was he kidding--the Twi'lek wasn't a Force adept. He was clueless. Tranner channeled all his attention to his mind, letting his knees buckle and his body bow over the ground. He pushed the Force into the hollowness of his montrals, sharpening his vision and fighting against the effects of the stinging shards.
But it was a losing battle. The numbness was spreading to his face and he could sense more about Epsilon now, could see glimpses of family and history behind the masked surface of the man's face, but he couldn't fight any more.
He thought, Epsilon doesn't want to kill us. He wouldn't be working these stun things if he did.
It'd be easier to fight from behind. From inside.
"Kon," he struggled to speak. The name came out more like a cough, but perhaps the Twi'lek heard. "Fight it by not fighting..."
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Post by Demarion on May 26, 2010 20:31:04 GMT -5
Through all Kon's defiant growling at their attacker, he almost missed the advice from Tranner. "By not fighting? How's tha-" The Twi'lek was cut off as his legs failed him and he toppled over, managing to get one arm in front of him to break his fall. "Ooff!" It was apparent his other arm was not working either and Kon stared at the dirt below him. By not fighting, huh? He shut his eyes. Trusting the Togruta seemed like a good idea so he willed his body and mind to be calm, telling himself not to panic.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Jun 8, 2010 23:00:40 GMT -5
Ka tentatively gave Glitch the code to call her home. Her mother appeared in full color, her green-skin bright. Ka felt a knot of emotion drive into her throat at the surreality of seeing her here.
"Ka. Are things going well at the Jedi Academy?", she asked in the Tiss'shar language. It was reassuring to think--to hope--that Glitch and anyone who might be listening wouldn't understand it. "I'm glad you called."
Ka's words came out in a rush. "Mom, I'm not at the Jedi Academy. I've been captured, by these humans--"
"Are you telling the truth? This is very serious." Her eyes widened.
"I'm serious. They've got a whole...building..."
"Where are you, daughter?"
"I don't know! I don't even know if it's in space; there's people in masks and, and I think they're Force sensitive--"
"Oh gods Ka, stay where you are, we'll call Master Skywalker--where was he during this? Look around where are you?"
"White room, really fancy!"
"Can I call you on this number?"
"I don't know--Gadget, can she call me on this number?" She didn't wait for the boy to answer, since her mother was leaning closer to the screen and continuing to speak.
"We'll find you, daughter, just stay there. I'm calling--rah!" She snarled, tail whipping in her indecision, and looked around. Ka could see the blankets slung over the couch in their sitting room behind her. "I love you."
"I love you too, mom."
Ka's mother turned around to dial the Republic or local sec or someone, it didn't matter, on her personal comm, and Ka twisted her hands around the keypad as the screen faded to a sleeping blue. The pressure in her throat pushed up again and she felt salty tears eke from her eyes. She reached up a hand to wipe them away, not wanting the boy--the spy--to see.
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Post by Morndakiél on Jun 8, 2010 23:04:46 GMT -5
Tranner managed another step before he fell, his head bowed as if it were too heavy for him to support. His last thought as he lay on the grass was that he would take the fight to this enemy--he would kill them with all the resolve he possessed.
***
Darth Ruen sensed the intruder in her temple. She stood in a room within the structure, sinking into the Force. She pushed her words directly into the armored man's mind.
You think to infiltrate us? To find our evil secrets?
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on Jun 9, 2010 1:26:57 GMT -5
It had take far too long for the situation to fall under control for Epsilon's liking but at least his mission was complete. Unwanted attention was sure to take notice of the struggle making him all the more eager to leave Yavin as soon as possible.
As he waited for his ship to reach his current position, he felt the female Sith from earlier challenging an approaching Force signature. He had to appreciate the distraction. Though he had no loyalty to the dark order, he recognized they had a role to play in the grand scheme of things. Kon and Tranner would make powerful prospects.
Fate would decide what their lot in the near future would be. He had enough to consider on his way back to base. And a long awaited reunion...
*** Glitch trembled fearfully at the mature Tiss'shar female's hiss and violent gestures. The meaning of the words, such as they were, lost to his ears but the body language seemed to speak of distress on both sides of the conversation.
He knew full well the holo before him could do him no harm, but the quality of the image was so vivid his primal instinct to remain quiet so near a lethal, not to mention enraged, looking predator kept him from answering Ka's question.
When the ordeal came to sullen end, he thought he heard muffled sobs coming from Ka. The very concept seemed an unlikely expression of emotion for a being covered in natural's weapons and gifted with the talents of the Force. But Glitch puzzled over what it must have felt if such an exchange of disapproval had been vented on him by someone he cared about.
It wasn't hard to guess how upset it would have made him. He wanted to offer Ka some comfort but was too frightened by her to draw any nearer. Perhaps she'd rather be left alone...
"Do you want me to leave you alone, Ka? I can let myself out."
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