"Er..." Disciple murmured, looking quizzically at the Doctor.
"Oh, never mind, you don't have that technology yet."
"Well, here," he said, offering the two packages of veggetables, "Perhaps you should get some rest. We won't be arriving at Taris for a while."

In the dormitory of the Ebon Hawk, Jasra slept fitfully. In her dreams, or rather nightmares, she relived the moment she recovered her Master’s lightsaber in the deep ravine on Berrat III, trying to hold back the tears as she pried away her Master’s dead hand still clutched tightly around its hilt. Then she revisited the vacant and abandoned Jedi Temple, wandering its soundless corridors, its computer terminals dead, databanks erased, holobanks empty, and finally leaving her own lightsaber on a cold stone bench at the edge of the pool that once rippled from the trickles of a thousand fountains.

Then her mind wandered to the steaming, stench-ridden slums of Taris, set amongst the ruins and rubble of its once proud and gleaming towers, its inhabitants now existing on the proceeds from salvage, spice, or slavery and all the sordid services they spawned. Like Sig’s cantina—the dancing, the gambling, the drunken jeers and lewd suggestions from the shadowy tables and darkened corners.

Darkened corners… The Darkness was always just one step behind her. Stalking her silently. Watching for weakness. Waiting to pounce. Whispering seductively….

“NO!” She bolted upright in her bunk, hitting her head on the toprail. “Ow!” she instinctively went into a defensive position, then rubbed the bump on her forehead as she realised she had been the victim of a dream. She assumed the reason why she had experienced such a vivid nightmares was because she was in the proximity of so many Jedi. Or maybe it was because she was no longer hiding her own Force Affinity. Or perhaps, Crystal or even that Doctor had altered her mind in some way.

“The sooner I get to Taris, the sooner I can be rid of these Jedi!” she said angrily, thumping her pillow with a fist. She rolled over and faced the wall. It shouldn’t be much longer before they reached Taris. She hoped.

*Yes, perhaps you're right,* said the Doctor. He ate one of the stalks of celery, then, taking a small pin from his pocket, secured the other to his jacket. He inhaled deeply. *Ah, much better," he said. *Come on, Nyssa, Tegan. To the TARDIS.*
The three of them left the room.

((If nobody has any more plans for conversations between characters, we should arrive at Taris within the next few posts. The thread will stagnate if we don't get there soon....))

((Sorry for the double post, but I have news.
ExtremeJedi has given up control of Revan. I'm going to be taking control of him for a while. He will leave the story shortly.))

Revan sat in the turret seat alone, in an effort to get away fromj the noise of the Ebon Hawk. He enjoyed being back on the Ebon Hawk, but her new crew was.... obnoxious. The Exile was alright - he had gotten to know her during the war. But her companions - especially that male named Atton - really bugged him. They just weren't his kind of people.
And this Doctor man. He was extremely mysterious, always blocking any attempt to read into his thoughts. He obviously had some mental ability that enabled him to shield his mind - or maybe it was just to complex. All he sensed was numbers, equations, and algorithims - but it was different than a droid's brain, definately an organic being. His companions were easy to read - Tegan more so than Nyssa, but neither one was difficult. The most mysterious thing was that they seemed to have literally no connection to the Force whatsoever. How is that possible? What did they have to do with any of this?
He hadn't been able to read Crystal. Not at all. Her mind was just as complex as the Doctor's, but filled with barriers that he knew were set up intentionally, ones he couldn't seem to penetrate. He was just as wary of her as the Doctor or Atton....
This employer of Jasra's..... he didn't trust him. What does he want with Kira? Who does he work for - the Republic, the Sith? Or is he only interested in personal gain?
He had been meditating for hours, trying to make sense of all that was going on. The Force had been unable to provide him with answers he seeked. He gave up, seeking consolation in the stars.

((OOC: I've just one thing to take care of now that everyone is resting...))

IC:

Disciple continued to scan through the video feed from the security cameras for the next hour or so, his eyes beginning to droop as the feed became more and more recent. That is, until he had switched to the feed from one of the dormitories...
"Atton, please, not now."
"What? What's wrong?"
Disciple's expression darkened as he rewound, watching the feed from the beginning, and grew darker as he watched it through. She loved Atton, didn't she?
The Jedi shut down the terminal, shaking his head. How? How had he allowed that to happen? His fist slammed down hard on metal as he felt tears well up. He cried not only because he had lost Kira...but what her love for Atton would cost her.
After he regained control of his emmotions, a considerably stormy Disciple left the security booth, moving back into the cockpit to see the Scoundrel in the pilot's chair, only half-watching what was happening on the viewscreens and monitors.
"I think we need to talk." the Jedi said, folding his arms across his chest.
"Oh? About what?" Atton asked, swirling the chair around to face the Disciple.
"Kira."
Atton's face lost his trademark devil-may-care attitude and took on an angrier hue. "Look, kid, we already made a pact about that, remember? We would both be there for her."
"And right now, I'm protecting her."
"Yeah? From what?"
"You."
The Scoundrel snarled, jumping from the seat. "What the hell is that supposed to mean??"
"I won't let you hurt her. I won't let you capture her heart, only to break it by leaving her. You're a deserter. You said it yourself."
Atton was about to reply, but stopped, a shocked expression taking over his face.
"That's right," Disciple said, "Kira gave me access to her records, remember? The little confession you made to her on Nar Shadaa just happened to be in them."
"Why you little bastard!" Atton shouted, advancing on him.
"I'm not going to let you hurt her, Atton. I won't let you kill her like you killed that Jedi years ago."
"How dare you talk about her!" the Scoundrel growled, leaping at him, "You know nothing about her!"
At that exact moment, the Ebon Hawk jolted as she exited from hyper space. Disciple sidestepped as Atton leapt at him, then allowed him to fall flat on the floor as the jolt overbalanced him.
"Remember, Atton, I'll be watching you." Disciple said, leaving the Scoundrel to curse him in several different vulgar languages and names.

Jasra came into the cockpit. She raised her eyebrow as she viewed Atton on the floor, cursing and spluttering a barrage of words that even a Hutt would find offensive. But her look was not distinct enough for him to know if she was questioning why he was sitting on the floor or who he was cursing. She casually stepped over him and went to look out the window.

“Taris.” She sighed gratefully. “It’s about bloody time.” She looked down her nose at Atton. “You know, you might find it a lot easier to land the ship seated in the pilot’s chair instead of the floor.”

Atton gave her a derogatory looking squint.

“Just a suggestion.” She stepped over him again, and headed for the dormitory. She wanted to learn more from Crystal about shielding her mind before she set foot on Taris.

Crystal did not sleep at all. Whenever she tried, another random bit of memory flowed through her mind... and they weren't always hers. Memories from the other crew and passengers flooded her mind with greater frequency than her own did. Finally, she admitted defeat and sat up. When Jasra entered the dormitory, she found Crystal sitting on the bed, her back to the wall and her knees drawn up to her chest. Seeing Jasra, she smiled and stretched.

"You had a few nightmares, relived old things, and saw new things," she said quietly. Then, she shook her head. "But that's not why you're here."

"No, you're right," said Jasra. She opened her mouth to continue, then shut it. She frowned. "I'm not trying to insult you, but you look tired," she said with concern. "Didn't you sleep at...?"

It suddenly dawned on her why Crystal had mentioned about the nightmares. "Oh. Sorry." She sat down next to her. "The Force is flowing through me pretty freely now. I should have plenty of energy to learn how to shield my mind. That is, if you're still willing to teach me. Might be beneficial to us both. Especially when we land on Taris."

It's not merely you," Crystal said with a smile. "The others... all of them except the Doctor... none of them know how to shield their minds from me."

She rubbed her eyes and nodded. "Yes. I'll teach you what I can." Then she stretched again. "And don't worry about my energy level. I can operate on very little sleep."

"Fine. Let's get on with it then. Just tell me what I need to do." Jasra cocked an inquisitive eyebrow. "Oh, but first, there is just one thing I'd like to know. When you're 'reading', for lack of a better term, someone else's thoughts without their permission, why doesn't it hurt?" She shifted uncomfortably. "I mean, I've had Force users pry into my mind before, and believe me it wasn't a very pleasant experience. But I've never felt anything like that from you. Why?"

"Think of it like two different computers," Crystal said thoughtfully. "One works one way and the other works in a completely different way. In order for them to communicate, they need an adapter of some kind. It's the same way with a Force user trying to read. The Force has to adapt itself to read and I agree it's not very pleasant."

She frowned thoughtfully. "But my mind is arranged in a way that it just naturally picks up on things others are thinking. Mind to mind is far more compatible than Force to mind, even between alien minds and my own human mind."

Jasra took a moment to consider what Crystal had said. "I think I understand," she said, nodding. She let out a sigh. "Okay, I'm ready. So, how do I shield my mind from others?" She grinned slightly. "And you," she added. "What do I have to do first?"

Crystal frowned thoughtfully. "A good solid physical barrier will repel even Force Sensitives that try. It may be uncomfortable, but they'll still be unable to get through."

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It's so difficult to explain, so I'll let you feel it." She held out both of her hands and said, "Give me your hands."

Slowly, Jasra allowed Crystal to take her hands in hers. Almost immediately she was hit with a wave of sensations that seemed to radiate through her entire being. “So that’s what I’ve been doing wrong all this time….” she said quietly as she let her hands gradually slide out of Crystal’s grasp. “Pull it in tight, but keep it flexible,” she murmured pensively, “like a soft blanket stretched taught.” She grinned. “Thanks. Let me give it a try.”

Jasra rose and went to stand in the middle of the room. Eyes open, she concentrated; configuring the Force to the sensations she had felt, letting it surround her like a flexible bubble. “How’s that?” she asked, seeking approval.

"Good," Crystal said, nodding in approval. "Very good."

Then, she closed her eyes and reached for Jasra's hands again. "Now, put your hands on my head."

Jasra's hands came up and rested on Crystal's head and Crystal's hands covered Jasra's hands.

"For a moment, shut the Force out," Crystal said quietly. "A Force barrier is helpful, but a mental barrier is nearly impenetrable."

Crystal's mind was divided into two parts. The outer part seemed to control her reading; the inner part was hidden, only accessible from within. Neural pathways had been altered, added, and erased. Sensing Jasra had understood this, Crystal spoke.

"I want to warn you," she said quietly. "Altering your neural pathways to construct a barrier around that which you want hidden is painful. Your head feels as if it's on fire. But after it's done, you'll agree it's worth it."

Jasra took a deep breath, then nodded at Crystal. She sat down on the floor, and crossed her legs in a meditation position. Another deep, calming breath and she was ready to try.

She concentrated, centring herself before reaching inwards. Deeper and deeper she delved, until…

She began to feel her temperature rising. The warmth was uncomfortable, but she drove herself further with sheer stubborness. The warmth became heat. Then the heat became fire. Fire? This was way beyond fire. Jasra’s head felt as if she were washing her hair in hot lava.

As she struggled to maintain control, a slight trickle of blood dribbled from her nose.

Crystal winced as she noticed the blood. She had to help. That may have been too much to ask of a person that did not have telepathic abilities. She placed her right hand on Jasra's forehead and winced at the heat. As Jasra continued working within her mind, Crystal acted as a 'heat release'. She began to sweat.

"Concentrate," Crystal encouraged.

"Doctor, what are you doing?" asked Tegan. stretching and yawining.
*Dematerialising the TARDIS,* he responded, as if it should have been obvious.
"What?!" exclaimed Tegan. "You mean we're leaving, just like that?"
*Oh, of course not, Tegan,* he said impatiently. *We're simply going to dematerialise, so we can sleep for as long as we need. We can rematerialise in a few local hours.*
The TARDIS column began to move - but it was jumping up uneven;y, instead of the usual smooth action. The console began emitting strange beeps and whistles. The engine seemd to be struggling to start (http://www.dwwa.net/dr1/Child/pilottakeoff.wav), but not coming anywhere near succeeding.
"What's happening? That doesn't sound right."
The Doctor was busy moving around the console, trying to figure out what was wrong. *No, that's not right. Aha! Here's the problem - it looks like the dematerialization code has been changed! Who in blazes.....*
"Maybe it was that alien who attacked you! Maybe it's still on bo-"
*I doubt it, Tegan. This was done by someone with extensive knowledge of TARDIS technology.* he said bitterly.
"You mean...."
*Yes. The Timelords.* he said bitterly.
Another sound filled the TARDIS. (http://www.dwwa.net/dr6/Sirens/type7-takeoff.wav)
"It sounds as if the engines were kicking in!" said Nyssa excitedly.
*No, Nyssa," said the Doctor darkly. *That's a type 70 TARDIS. Mine is type 40. That sound is probabvly the puppet of the Timelords sent to strand me here.*
"Why would the Timelord want to strand you here?" asked Tegan innocently.
*It's possible I've done something to offend them again - it wouldn't be the first time they've exiled me. But no, it's more likely that they need a Timelord here, but can't spare anyone for the mission. So they send me. I'm disspossable to them."

The heat abated slightly. Jasra made one final push inwards, locking her most secret thoughts and memories into the internal coffer she had constructed in her mind. Her energy sapped, and still in intense pain, she released a heaving sigh and collapsed to the floor like a rag doll.

Unable to move, she laid there for a moment with her cheek pressed against the cold metal deck, and Crystal’s hand resting comfortingly and cool upon her forehead. Finally, she exhaled a shuddering breath. “I think I did it,” she said very slowly.

Crystal smiled faintly. "Good, good." Then, she collapsed.

Jasra felt Crystal's dead weight on the back of her shoulders, but could do nothing about it at the moment. "Crystal?" she said softly. No response. "Crystal?" Still nothing. Not even an acknowledging twitch. "Oh, crap," Jasra muttered.

Great, Jasra thought. Crystal's out like a light. I can barely move my lips and eyes, let alone any other body part to see if she's all right. Guess that old adage is true. There is never a Doctor around when you need one.

Despite her lack of physical consciousness, Crystal's mind was still fairly alert... and puzzled. She could tell that Jasra's physical barrier had a few small leaks, but... what was that?

Oh, Crystal realized. Because she had helped Jasra, there was a small link between them. Searching the link deeper, she sent words into Jasra's mind. Jasra? Are you alright?

The Doctor slammed his fist down on the console, making K9 activate for a moment.
"Master?"
*It's alright K9, conserve your power levels,: he said. *It seems as if I am some sort of intergalactic yo-yo!* he said angrily.
"It's alright Doctor," said Nyssa consolingly. "We'll just have to-"
But the Doctor stopped her with a wave of his hand. Images were playing through his mind. He saw Crystal lying on the floor, Jasra powerless to help her.
*Crystal is in danger!* he yelled, forgetting his current trouble.
"It's that Jasra, isn't it? She's attacked poor Crystal!"
*Enough Tegan!" yelled the Doctor, before turning around and bolting out of the TARDIS. Tegan and Nyssa looked at each other, then ran after him.

The Doctor came full speed into the dormitory, and saw Crystal lying on the floor, unconscious. He ran to her side, checking for a pulse - it was weak, but steady. *Nyssa, I need you to go back to find Disciple. Tell him I need a cordical stimulator, now! We need to keep her brain functions from collapsing. Tegan, go to the TARDIS. In the medical room you'll find a transparent liquid in a vial with a green stopper. Bring it to me, please.*
"Yes Doctor," they both said, then leaving to carry out his instructions.

Nyssa ran through the ship, calling for Disciple.
"The Doctor needs you! Please, Crystal is in danger!"

There was nothing more he could do for Crystal until Nyssa got back with Disciple. He turned his attention to Jasra. He reached out to check her vital functions, but pulled back when he got an inch from her. Her body temperature was off the charts!
He braced himself, then tryed again. He made contact with her neck, and felt for a pulse. It was strong and steady. Her breathing was ragged, but not unordinary. She seemed to be paralysed, but how.... he had no idea.

((Doc, both Crystal and Jasra are lying there.))

Calm down, Crystal's annoyed voice rang through Nyssa's mind. Jasra and I are fine... we're just tired. Leave us alone and we'll be fine.

"Crystal's all right," Jasra said quietly. "She's just..." Just what? "...resting."

Nyssa stopped. She thought she had heard Crystals voice, but she wasn't sure.
"Crystal?" she said aloud. She heard nothing else. She didn't know what to do. Crystal said that they would be best left alone, but the Doctor needed to control her vital signs.....
I'll get the cordical stimulator, she thought. Just to be safe.

((The cordical stimulator will only keep Crystal from going into a coma, nothing else. The mental thingy going on between her and Jasra will not be affected.))

Tegan returned, holding three vials of transparent liquid, all with gree stoppers.
*Thank you, Tegan,* he said absently, taking the vials. *The hyronalin will keep her system from going into shock. It's a precaution, nothing more...*
"What about Jasra?"
*She's in no danger, as far as I can see. Though her body temperature is very high. She'll need one of these vials as w-*
He stopped at the sound of Jasra's voice.
"Crysal's alright, se's just....... resting."

Jasra strained to see what she could from the corner of her eye. She could only see the Doctor's hand holding the vial. "What are you doing?" she asked groggily.

*It's called hyronalin. It will keep your system from going into shock; you're body temperature has almost trippled. If you don't take this, you will die.*

"Hey, watch where you stick that," Jasra said uncomfortably.

*You must drink it, Jasra. Trust me.*

The Doctor administered the vial to Jasra. The thick green liquid tasted like it had passed through the guts of a Bantha and clung to the inside of Jasra's mouth like Eopie milk. "Ugh!" she choked.

But after a few moments she began to feel...well, more connected to her body. She wiggled her big toe inside her boot. Suppose I can live with the taste if it's helping. But, eeuw!

*I know it tastes horrible, but any kind of attemtps I've made to make it more pleasent have failed - very badly, as a matter of fact....*

Badly? Jasra thought. I shudder to even imagine something that could taste worse than that stuff did!

"Thanks," she said to the Doctor. "I think it's helping." Her fingers twitched. "See? And I'm not feeling quite as...flushed."

And please don't shove another vial of that horrible liquid down my throat!

*You should regain your motor functions temporarily. Now, I need you to tell me what you and Crystal were doing before she collapsed.*

Feeling satisfied that Jasra would be alright, Crystal focused on removing the exess heat from her body that she'd taken from Jasra. There was a skull splitting pain banging about in her head and she knew she appeared unconscious from an outside perspective, but it worked for the moment.

"Give me a moment," she murmured. The physical exhertion caused the pain in her head to increase slightly, but she decided that, in the end, it would be worth it.

"Doing?" There was a long, guilty pause. "Erm...nothing. Just...having a discussion. About... things. Innocuous, but private things."

Oh, why did he have to ask?

The Doctor noticed Crystal stirring. He moved over to her, a bottle of hyronolin ready. He pulled out the stopper and poured it down her throat before she could stop him. *This will prevent you from going in shock. It should help the pain a little, as well.*

He looked over at Jasra. *Why do I get the feeling that you aren't being entirely truthful?*

Crystal grimaced, but the pain in her head faded to a dull throbbing. She shuddered and sat up slowly, slightly surprised at how tired she'd become.

"We'll recover, Doctor," she said. "You don't need to know details."

Kira stirred as she felt a jolt of the ship beneath her. They had arrived at Taris. Good bye heaven. Hello hell.
With a small yawn, she pulled herself up, stretching slightly. With a small series of cracks from her spine, the Exile pushed her legs out from beneath the covers and over the side of the bunk, shuddering as her feet touched the cold metal. Standing, she keyed open the footlocker beneath her bunk, pulling out her inner Jedi robes, cloak, and boots. She quickly began to dress, then turned to the small mirror that was also in the locker, grabbed her hair band, and pulled her hair back once again into her signature ponytail.
As she began to put on her outer robes, she felt another Force signature tickling her senses.
"Any particular reason you're watching me, Disciple?" she said, peeking over her shoulder with a small smile, spying the blonde-haired man just outside the doorway.
"Er...well..."
"Disciple! Disciple! The Doctor needs you! Please, Crytal is in danger!"
Both Jedi turned at the voice. A dark look passed between the two, before they both hurried out.
"I can sense him in the other dormitory." Disciple said, and the two jogged in through the door to see Crystal and Jasra both lying on the floor.
"What happened?" Kira asked, her expression worried as Disciple knelt next to Jasra.

*It's alright, everything is under control. Disciple, I'm going to need a cordical stimulator,* said the Doctor.

A shiver ran down Jasra's spine. No longer concealing the Force, Jasra could sense the full strength of the Exile’s power. And it scared her.

“Don’t touch me, Jedi,” Jasra said to the Disciple, but looking at Kira. “I’m fine. I think. Or I will be, if you just give me a few moments.”

"We'll both be fine in a few moments," Crystal said slowly, still holding her head. She moved slowly, sitting up and leaning against the nearest wall.

*Oh, Kira, as long as you're here, I was wondering if you had heard of a planet in the outer rim known as Omwat?* asked the Doctor.

"Omwart?" Kira said, her expression darkening. "It's a big ball of slime. Not very appealing."

*Nyssa and Tegan discovered a datapad in the garage bay, just underneath your pod racer - or are they still called swoop bikes in this era? Oh, I can never keep them straight - anyway, it mentioned a planet named Omwat. I looked into it in the TARDIS databanks, and there wasn't much of interest there. It did say, however, that the people of Omwat are Force sensative.*

"That's strange...It felt as if there were barely a twinge of life on the whole planet...not that I was entirely intune with the Force at that point in time, but..." Kira bit the edge of her finger lightly. "This might be worth investigating, seeing as Revan apparently visited the planet..."

*Yes, I agree. But perhaps we should meet with Jasra's employer first. I have just tried dematerialising the TARDIS - it seems as if the Timelords have stranded me here. I am needed here. There is some event about to take place that history has not recorded. This trip to Taris is important.*

"Don't worry," Kira said, a small smile playing across her lips, "It took us forever to get here. I'm not leaving so soon."
Now sure that Crystal and Jasra were going to be fine, Kira headed for the cockpit again, intending to check on their progress to a Taris port.
"How're we doing, Atton?" she asked.
"Fine. I've found a clear dock and we should be landing in a few minutes." he said, casting a dark, sidelong glance at Disciple, who had followed the Exile.

With control now filtering back to her limbs, from time and the Doctor’s intervention, Jasra gradually staggered to her feet. Her head throbbed. But the knowledge that she was close to being finished with her job, combined with the fact that she could now shield her innermost thoughts, made the headache bearable.

She made her way to the cockpit, where Kira and the Disciple were looking over Atton’s shoulder as he prepared for landing.

“I hope you’re not thinking of using Dock 25,” she said to Atton. “I mean, you do want your ship in one piece when you leave, right?”

She sat down uninvited in the navigator’s chair. “Use Dock 8. It’s cheaper, cleaner, and you won’t have to worry about scavs prying off any lose bits from the ship. And they should have a few double bays open. We’ll have to walk through the spice quarter, but being as Karda’s ship is still docked with the Ebon Hawk, it’s the only place we can safely set down.” She rolled out her shoulders, then did a slow head roll to stretch out her neck, before beginning to enter the co-ordinates for Dock 8 into the computer. “I’ll contact my employer while you….” She looked at Atton askance. “OK, fine,” she said irritably. “Land on 25. See if I care. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

"Look, I've been up and down the spacelanes more times than you could even imagine. I know what I'm doing." Atton said, annoyed. "Just sit back and let me do my job."