A New Mission

[Rayn Ares]

Light from the two moons visible overhead illuminated the courtyard in a softer, more graceful twilight than the cliff's shadow in the day had. Because Ruusan had three moons (The Sisters they were called) there was always direct moonlight from at least one of them filtering down from overhead during the night.
Even the beauty of the moonlight in the canyon could not lighten Rayn's mood however. He wanted Marekis to be able to change, to be able to become a friend, but now he wondered if he really had any right to try to change him, no matter how dark his current path may be....

He needed to stop doubting himself so much though, it would do him no good. Steel slithered against leather as he drew his Beskar and he began to practice his forms: the dance-like movements of the Echani Arts, the ferocious efficiency of the Beskar's paternal Mandalorian combat forms, and the acrobatic lightsaber movements of Ataru, which he had learned from the Jedi.
Time melted around him as he lost himself in the flow.

[Rayn Ares]

It must have been over an hour later when Rayn finally stopped, his body radiating mist in the cold night air, his breath coming out in long, ragged clouds. He looked up at the sky; at the moment only the largest of the three moons was visible. It was officially designated Ruusan 2, though natives simply called her 'The Twin'. Because it had its own atmosphere(unstable as it was) clouds swirled across it continuously like wisps of paint fluttering about a luminous canvas.It was a wondrous sight that Rayn felt lucky to be able to witness every night.
The peaceful moment did not last long however, as an acolyte came toward him across the battlements with a rolled scrap of parchment in hand.
"Good evening brother," said the short man in black robes,"The council would have words with you."
He handed Rayn the parchment, but he did not need to read it to know his next mission had come. "Thank you. Tell them I'll report immediately, I just need to gather my things."

[Rayn Ares]

The Hall of Twilight looked as though it should have been a great ballroom floor. The entire ceiling was a vaulted glass dome and the cliffside wall, as seemed to be the case with nearly all the cliffside rooms in the citadel, was fully windowed (although the windows in the hall were much taller and more elaborately trimmed than in other chambers).
The floor was black and white marble veined with some sort of silver metal. It was polished so finely that with the bright moonlight shining off of the surface one barely noticed that the only actual lighting in the room came from the few dim lambents placed in sconces along the walls.

In the center of the room was a large, round table at which a dozen or so beings of highest rank within the order. And Rayn. He looked around the table at each of them as the sat silently waiting for the other 'participant' of this next mission to arrive. Although bright, the low intensity of the moonlight washed out almost all color in the room, causing the figures of the other beings to be cast in stark shades of grey. It made them look all the more imposing- like statues almost.
Among the council members present were the bothan Seer Thwa'ne, seated between Lianna Vaes- a Miralukan woman whose cowl usually obscured most of her face, and Moro Heth- a Draethos male who was currently in his species vibrant young age of one hundred and fifty. They made up the small Council of Watchers- the order's seers.
Several of the Praetors were also present- including Praetor Zulla, whose brooding, crimson face once again contrasted with her current surroundings.

Although there was no true 'head' to the circular table one being radiated an unmistakable air of command. The veined, grey plate on the armor he wore looked much like stone- as though matching the floor. His great golden mane, with a distinguished greying, only accentuated his great height and broad shoulders which made him massive even by Cathar standards.
Jugo Khall was the Arch-Commander of The Grey Paladins and was known by many as 'The Lion' due to his stature and ferocity in battle. Despite the imposing figure the presented however, his face was serenely calm, his eyes closed in thought, and he bent forward slightly- with elbows rested on the table- to let his chin rest atop his folded hands. He looked as though he might have been praying.

When the doors to the hall opened however his eyes snapped open into the fierce, patient gaze of a hunter. He straightened himself as he regarded the late-comers,"Praetor Kagreh.", he said in a voice that was at once as smooth as silk and deep as thunder, "You are rarely late. I assume there was some sort of delay along your way."

"Only with our guest." he grumbled, half shoving Marekis though the entrance, "There was a slight complication involving Odottaa. We should address it later."

"Indeed. At the moment however we have more pressing needs."

Rayn frowned at the mention of Odottaa. He had seemed a bit on edge lately. And there was no doubt he disagreed with his and the council's decision to work with Marekis.

"We will now begin." Khall stated as the two beings took their seats. "As you all know Darth Jeluvitas was a dangerous and powerful Sith Lord. Though he was not as publicly active or involved with the Imperial military or other branches of The Sith Order, he still presented a very real threat, as evidenced by his apparent handiwork at the Imperial Palace. Intel from our Shadows indicates that he was even quite a challenge for the Emperor himself.
"What some of you may not have known is that, because of the potential risk he presented we have been tracking his whereabouts for the last couple of years. He has been evidenced to have been amassing powerful artifacts and resources throughout this time- most likely in anticipation of usurping the Emperor's regime. With his abrupt death many of those plans have probably been left unfinished; thus it falls on us to investigate his plannings and stop any potential dangers from loosing themselves throughout the galaxy." He then turned his gaze to Marekis, "That is where you will come in."

[Marekis Mudane]

Marekis had to admit, he was surprised to find the level of organization in the Order. Most of this time he had figured it to be a band of disorganized fools, who loved and cherished the universe, and neglected to see much of the pain in suffering in the world. But this was different. It was much like the energy he felt in the Grey chamber. Strong, neutral, but overwhelming. As Marekis took his seat he shot a look to Rayn, as if to question his trust in Odottaa. This little cretin nearly had him killed, as sad as it may be. But he realized Rayn's level of trust is much wider than anything else. Hell if given the opportunity he might even befriend the Emperor, given the circumstances. Marekis dropped his gaze downward. His abdomen throbbed. He was close to the final state of healing. Force bless the Firrereo lineage of which he belonged to. He'd still feel alot of pain, but by the end of the day his wound should have healed over completely.

When addressed Marekis waved the Commander off. He would not be found gawking at this man just for having rank. Marekis shrugged him off and picked at his teeth, cleaning his gums of the days brunch. Once digging a piece of food from his teeth, he rolled the shred between his fingers and proceeded to flick it at the Commander.

"Oops." Marekis spoke with intense sarcams. "Sorry I didn't see you there. So what was it you needed. I'm going to assume you want his plans, artifacts, so on, so forth?"

[Rayn Ares]

Kahll flicked the speck of debris out of the air without batting an eye, "We understand that your master was very secretive; my first question therefore is whether or not e even shared any of these secrets with you?"

[Marekis Mudane]

Marekis grunted at the commanders display of power. He would not be impressed by this Grey Knight showing off.

"Nope, never heard a thing. Just go here, kill that. Nothing more, nothing less."

[Rayn Ares]

"I thought as much. Nevertheless, you knew him probably better than anyone.", he activated a switch on his wrist-com, bringing up a star chart. It zoomed in on an Outer Rim system very near to the Unknown Regions. "Our intelligence reported that Jeluvitas made numerous excursions into the Unknown Regions during recent months." he tapped the screen so that it focused in on a single planet,"We were able to deduce that Jeluvitas was returning to Rhigar in between trips. The planet was once home to a Chiss military Academy and outpost. The perfect place for him to keep supplies. Its probable there will be some evidence of either his findings or his purpose in exploring the Unknown Regions.
"Marekis, because you are familiar with his way of thinking, as well as his force aura, we need you to help find whatever information he has hidden there." He turned then to Rayn, "You have proven to be one of our best trackers do to your psychometric ability Rayn. You are also familiar with this being- fought him even, if I understand correctly. Together the two of you will, I trust, find something."

[Marekis Mudane]

"Fine it's not like I have anything else to do" Marekis said, not letting the sarcasm drop from his statement."I was most likely going to head there on my own anyway. Have some things I need to look into..."

[Rayn Ares]

"Very good. I would send one of our High ranking members to accompany you, but we need everyone we can preparing our forces for battle."

"Battle?", Rayn repeated confusedly, "What battle is that? I thought the Paladins weren't ready to take part in the uprising."

"That was before Bothawui. With the Bothans pulling all of their resources along side the Empire, this revolution may be quashed before it truly ever begins."

There were several murmurs floated about the table. Watcher Thwa'ne shut his eyes in a look of tired sadness.

"Arch-Commander," Praetor Zulla interupted hastily,"I cannot agree with this decision. It is still far too early to reveal ourselves! The plan was to be the trump card that turns the tide of the war once the Jedi became more evenly matched against the Empire. We must wait for both our forces to bolster our ranks, or our order may face destruction within the first battle we take part in!"

"I know what the plan was Zulla. We all did. But if the Jedi are crushed then there is no hope of opposing The Empire. We are a potent force, but we are too few. There would be no way for us to continue the campaign on our own."
The Arch-Commander sighed and quickly pulled himself upright, "We will have another meeting soon. It is my hope that Xoan and his Rangers will return soon to help us prepare. For now we adjourn and prepare our paladins. Rayn. Marekis. You are to leave immediately. Oh, and a full supply of bacta has been stowed in the Shadow Dagger to aid this one's recovery."

With that Arch-Commander Khall rose from his seat- showing how truly large he was- and left the chamber. The others soon followed.