#oteg

[oftheeldestgodspod]

We think the paintballs probably have centaur blood in them. It just makes sense.

[xanthouransong]

Set of Icons for my OCs ✨

[serenofroses]

Further development into Kritanta's early life like nobody, not even the Jedi nor Sith, knew where he came from.

Kritanta was born during the KOTOR timeline as Revan's first born son. He was a young boy when Malak fired upon the flagship that nearly killed his mother and was taken to the Jedi Order on Dantooine.

He was surprisingly calm for his age and taken under the guidance of a Jedi Master while the Jedi tried to heal Revan's mind.

Kritanta had no love for Malak (he hated that man so much) and developed a close familial relationship with Yuthura.

At the age of 20, he and his adoptive sister was discovered and captured by Emperor Tenebrae just couple of years after Revan's disappearance. Tenebrae sensed great power within Kritanta and had plans for him, though the young man was placed in cold sleep machine for nearly a century and a half and hadn't aged. Kritanta was forced to work with Tenebrae and became a Sith reluctantly.

For couple of years, he was trained into a hardened warrior who mastered the Force (and balanced the will of Light and Dark, which Tenebrae was obvious to it), accepting the role as the Emperor's Wrath.

He didn't have much of a choice. Everyone he used to know apart of Revan's crew were long gone, including Yuthura who was like a second mother to him.

People began to hear the so-called rumours about a "Wrath" in the early years leaving up to the Empire retook Korriban arc. The Galactic Senate thought the whole Emperor's Wrath thing was pure nonsense to throw anyone off, but the Jedi Council remained wary of the news.

Kritanta was sent to Korriban and snuck down to the planet below to take down defenses. It was like... he just appeared out of nowhere and took on his opponents single handedly according to Malgus.

Grandmaster Oteg believed this sounded more troubling than he thought but not long before he learn the Wrath's identity. A name and a face he hasn't heard or seen in forever.

Kritanta remained with Sith rather gloomy and miserable... until he met Vowrawn who had captivated his attention and heart that made his life bearable.

[sullustangin]

Fluffy February Day 17: Pleasure

SWTOR

Pairing: Theron Shan/Eva Corolastor

Words: ~870 (reasonable)

~~

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” 

She looked up at the familiar voice, pressed into an unfamiliar form.  Eva had learned that the correct response, whilst wearing evening gloves, was to extend her hand toward the voice and either get a firm hearty handshake or to have lips graze the top of the satin fabric. 

Her ability to think was always severely compromised whenever she saw Theron in another guise, as another man, as if they were in different universes, over and over again meeting each other for the first time. 

Time stopped for Eva, each time, each first time.  Maybe it was leftover brain disarray from the carbonite, when she dissociated regularly and didn’t know “when” she was.  It was different from when she first saw him in disguise at the casino on Katalla, and they had to pretend to be strangers.  The hitch wasn’t there.   

Or maybe these episodes were flashes into another universe when it was their first time meeting.  Eva had idly considered it before, in other spaces, in other times.

What if Eva had been caught after Corellia or there had been more hand-wringing before the Pub employed her for Ilum…would she have been sitting at an interrogation table, alone with the files and accusations against her and her broken heart as Theron walked in to question her….?  And when he had sussed out the truth and did what he did best – a victim debrief – what would they be then?

What if they had crossed paths on Nar Shaddaa, and Eva hadn’t been so tipsy with Risha and eating burgers that she’d noticed Theron pick a fight with a Houk and disappear around a corner…Would they have become fast friends over busting up Morbo the Hutt’s trafficking ring, with Bowdaar approving almost immediately upon completion of the rescue?

What if Theron had been deployed on one of those top secret missions that he was still reticent to talk to her about?  Was part of the hesitation knowing now that she’d been nearby?  That his presence would affect how she thought of him now?  Would it matter that he was disguised as an Imperial on King’s Ransom or even the Voidwolf’s flagship?  That he had lurked around Port Nowhere as Eva and Darmas had carried on, publicly, in the cantina?... or even if he had seen them at the tables on Canto Bight?

How different would things have been if Master Oteg had decided Eva and Risha had needed a supervisor on their trip to Maelstrom Prison…one with insight on the man they were meant to rescue?

Or…

Or what if they had never met before she came to Odessen?  Eva didn’t know if she’d be the Outlander if she hadn’t worked with Theron before (and she never would wonder that out loud to him, ever), but… even as the Voidhound (five years later, five years darker, five years harder…) would she catch his eye?  Or would she batter his professional because he caught her attention, some fire still inside of her after five years with the worst part of herself taking the lead, continuing her cartel work, in defiance of the Eternal Empire?

There was never a question that Eva would never bend the knee to the Eternal Empire, and there was never a question that Theron would join the organization would save the galaxy.   

It was just a question that if their paths crossed later…would they?  Could they?  She would be worse (she was sure of it), but would Theron…have someone else?  Gotten better about his attachment issues?  Or would he just be in that devotional state to a cause, his personal life an empty quarters on Odessen, decked out with the basics, his clothes and shave kit, and nothing more?

If their paths crossed earlier?

Or was it only in that moment, that one second when they decided they were both going to the cantina after Darok’s debrief that was the space that ‘they’ could start to exist? 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” 

She looked up at the familiar voice, pressed into an unfamiliar form.  Eva had learned that the correct response, whilst wearing evening gloves, was to extend her hand toward the voice and either get a firm hearty handshake or to have lips graze the top of the satin fabric. 

Now it was here, as he bowed low to grasp her red satin hand and kiss the knuckles, just off to the side of a ring (which had to be real, because their audience could spot a fake a parsec off).  His hair curled, as he never let it in daily life.  The suit was expensive, and he’d probably rented it or borrowed it from someone on base with a more active social life who actually did take leave. 

Eva rose to her feet as he straightened up, still grasping her hand. 

“I’m sure it’s always a pleasure to meet you,” Eva replied, the people around them chuckling at the joke or the audacity. 

Theron’s eyes lit up, not an act, and he took her signal to escort her out to the dancefloor.

There was a mission.  There was an objective. 

And then there was them, spinning around, always coming together, somehow. 

~~

@fluffyfebruary

[ooops-i-arted]

Season 3 Episode 2 child development thoughts?????

Hey so you know how I've been beating the drum FOREVER of "won't it be so cool when Grogu feels more confident in himself and can be more proactive in the story?" WELL NOW WE DID IT!!!

Maybe not quite that level yet but HE SAVED DAD!! He did it!! Even when he felt afraid, probably overwhelmed, likely fighting the instinct to stay with Dad and use the Force, he did it! He conquered his own fears and kept his clarity of mind (like a Jedi) and used his Force powers and what he'd been taught by Din to quickly and readily get Din help. I AM SO PROUD OF MY BABY!!! Look at how far he's come from a little scared baby hiding in a pod!!

Scooting back to the beginning, I loved how he proudly showed Peli he could jump (and she praised him like the good aunt she is). And.... was that Grogu's first word? It did sound a bit like "Peli." This is one of a few instances we get over this episode and the next of Grogu "talking." Not stock baby sounds, but clearly trying to emulate the speech of adults in his life. We know the species can speak Basic (Yoda, Yaddle, Oteg, Vandar) so either Grogu has been strongly discouraged from trying to speak before he was taken in by Din (my personal theory) or he has a physical issue in his mouth structure that makes it difficult to speak (also a possibility but I'm not very knowledgeable, just what I've picked up from the wonderful speech pathologists at my job). I still think the real reason is a mute child is more marketable because most people don't actually like kids unless they're being cute props and not acting like actual kids. (Exhibit A: The reaction to young Anakin and Leia and being called brats for.....acting like normal kids. But let's move on from a personal pet peeve of mine.)

We've seen Din talk more and more to Grogu throughout the season as he grows more comfortable in a caretaker role, and he continues this by teaching Grogu about "their" culture. (Grogu is officially a Mandalorian now!) It's plot-relevant but it's also wonderful to see Din take an active role in Grogu's education. Din has seen the dangers of the galaxy and wants Grogu prepared, and I think he enjoys having someone to share his knowledge with and teach and parent. Grogu is clearly into it, facing Din, listening closely to him (and we KNOW when he chooses not to listen, he shows it).

Grogu showing empathy for R5 and being worried about it shows that he is developing social-emotional skills. Kids are pretty egocentric by design; they can't always meet their own needs and have to make sure they can direct an adult to get their physical, emotional, and mental needs met. Preschool is when we start teaching respect and compassion for others more purposefully (it should be modeled at all times - kids emulate what they see) because they're typically in a classroom setting and interacting with people more. While Din does do a lot of violence and killing for money, Grogu has also seen him speak politely to others, take care of people like Frog Lady when they need help, respect others' space by ducking in Kuiil and the Anzellans' dwellings, talk respectfully to others even when they disagree, so on. Din is actually a pretty good model, you know, minus the violence and the killing. I do my best to model at all times what I want my kids to act like, big moments (guiding them in using words when upset) and small (saying excuse me when I bump them, please and thank you when I ask them to do something, etc). It pays off because now my class sees and learns the expectations and by this time of the year, they aren't typically yelling across the room "Miss L he took my toy!" they're saying "I was using that, please give it back" and then coming over if needed to say "Miss L, can you help me? I was playing with that and [Friend] took it." Grogu has absorbed what Din is showing him. In turn, we see this again when Din takes Grogu's concerns seriously and reacts accordingly. To Din it's just a droid, but Grogu is worried, and Grogu can trust that Din will respond to that worry and reassure him either verbally, letting him watch on the scanner, or by fetching their poor droid friend. Grogu learns from Din because he trusts him and believes in him - just like my students learn from me and value what I say because I have demonstrated that I care about them, will treat them with respect, and can be a reliable person when they need me, and we have built a relationship off that.

We also once again see Grogu demonstrate a secure, healthy relationship with Din and the worth of Din's parenting by immediately going into his pod and sealing it when asked. A child who does not have consistent expectations or boundaries will test them to try and figure them out. Grogu knows that Dad means what he says and trusts that Din is telling him to get in the pod for a good reason, and will come get him when pod time is done. So he listens.

I loved seeing Grogu try to save Din. He's acting independently, but it's clear he's learned some skills from Din and Luke. He's able to successfully sneak right up to Din and would've probably gotten him out if the machinery hadn't clanged. He listens to Din when told to go, which had to be hard - it's scary to leave Dad even when Dad isn't in trouble! But he really shows off his cognitive skills. He's able to think through sneaking up to Dad. He's able to focus and use the Force well enough to leap several times. He shows memory skills by being able to track their path back to the N-1 and then show Bo the way back. He reacts quickly and adapts to any obstacles, even though he was scared. We see later when he's with Bo, he's much more scared and hesitant. He was definitely afraid of those dangers, but was able to push through it and not be ruled by emotion alone. That's a great show of maturity and I'm so proud of him!! His display of memory skills continues as he "communicates" to R5 to take him to Kalevala, remembering what Din has taught him. I also wonder if this will keep motivating him to keep trying to speak. Grogu wants to communicate so much! He knows it would be easier and I bet he's bursting with things to tell Din!

I was also wondering if he was able to control his pod, and yes, he finally can! This shows that not only he has matured enough to be more independent, he is trustworthy enough that Din knows he won't wander off and will be safe. The last three pods have all had controls via Din's gauntlet. Grogu could open and close the red-and-white one but we saw no ability to control it. But now he gets a big boy pod! This will really help him be more independent and proactive and safe and I think it will be good for him, so that he can keep developing his self-confidence in his own independence while still being safe. Din probably feels better knowing Grogu can escape dangers and isn't as totally reliant on him as he was in previous seasons.

Overall this was a really solid episode for Grogu. We've really seen how he's learned and matured. I hope this season gives him even more character development, and while I maintain my opinion that Disney would prefer a mute, cute-baby-noises character to better sell merch.... I hope I'm wrong and we're building up towards Grogu speaking!!

[anchanted-one]

Legend of Lightning 67: The Revanchist

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43208574/chapters/116433181

No one in the Council spoke. Some of Oteg’s friends exchanged triumphant grins.

“You might as well settle up right here,” Satele told them. The soldiers all gave her indignant looks, but one or two either reached for their pockets, or held out hands expectantly.

Revan chuckled. “I see you take after me, then.”

“I saw a few holos from the old days,” Satele said glibly. “I saw your ‘A Jedi and a Soldier’ act, then I thought I could pull it off better than you.”

That elicited a round of hearty chuckles.

“You asked Oteg to explain himself,” Revan began again. “But in truth, I think it falls to me to explain.”

“The only goal of Master Oteg’s secret expedition was to rescue you,” Jaric said shortly. “How is that?”

His capacity for speech was returning, Satele noted.

“A tad oversimplified, but not untrue,” Revan bowed his head. “I am aware that it wasn’t an easy undertaking. Hundreds of ships and thousands of soldiers had to be moved in total secret with a singular purpose. Many died trying to rescue me. I will forever be grateful to them, and to my old friend for making this decision. But take heart; for their sacrifice has given you a tool that can single-handedly turn the tide in your war.” He gave another, more formal bow. “I am Revan, Hero of the Mandalorian Wars, Jedi Master and Sith Lord. I have resisted the Emperor for hundreds of years. I am his match, his nemesis. I will defend the Republic from his fell gaze, as I did before, as I did for years. I gave my life to this fight, and thought I am bloody and bruised, I’m still fighting. This time, I will save the Galaxy from him.” There was an undertone to his voice, a raw charisma that swept people away to share in its confidence. All the soldiers looked at him with reverence and awe. The pink-haired man behind him even stopped trying to eye Nariel. “And I ask only one thing in return,” Revan went on. “Do not surrender to the Emperor. Even if the Republic is forced to, even if the rest of the Galaxy turns on you, do not stop. For I have seen what hides beyond the veil, and I know that only Darkness awaits a galaxy where he reigns supreme—”

“Yes, Vajra told us much the same thing,” Jaric interrupted.

Revan staggered slightly. “Excuse me?”

“One of our younger Knights,” Satele responded. “Perhaps Oteg told you about him? No? I imagine you had a lot to catch up on. Vajra Devarath is a Knight who ran into one of the Emperor’s agents, a so-called ‘Child of the Emperor’. The Emperor was able to engulf Vajra using his agent as an intermediary.”

“By his own account, it wasn’t the Emperor’s full might,” Bela added. “But it was enough to overwhelm him. He managed to break free, and save his Padawan with him.”

“They saved each other,” Satele clarified “Or at least, that’s how Vajra puts it. His former Padawan Kira, on the other hand, gives him full credit. In any case, he too spoke about the Emperor much as you did.”

Revan looked impressed. “He sounds like a solid Jedi. I’d like to meet him, if I may.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible right now,” Satele shook her head. Revan looked disappointed. “Still, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Tell us about the mission, so that your soldiers can leave. They look like they could use a visit to the cantina.”

Revan smiled. “As you wish. Jerre, Roban, why don’t you give your accounts to the Council?”

“Yes, Sir.” The tall Zabrak walked to the front. Satele belatedly recognized him. Roban Queens. He had smashed Vajra in the jaw after the latter had, in Queens’ opinion, allowed a dangerous fugitive to escape. That had been the first time that Vajra had filed a formal complaint against someone. A complaint which had seen Garza reprimanded and demoted, with General O’Brien given her post as head of Special Forces.

She wondered if the Zabrak still harbored a grudge.

“Master Oteg reached out to me and others in our strike force one month ago,” he said. His back was held upright, his chin high. His eyes were fixed straight ahead of him, though he kept glancing at Satele every now and then. “He outlined a high-risk raid on the Imperial world of Taral V. There was an advanced Gree transponder held by the science department there that would allow us to safely navigate the Maelstrom nebula, where the Maelstrom prison was. A prison, which we would only later find out, was built to hold one, single prisoner. His face became awe itself, and he shook his head in disbelief. The others nodded behind him.

“We were able to secure the device,” Queens went on. “We took a few hours to recover before jumping straight to the Prison, so as to avoid the chances of word leaking out. Captain Kraot here, got our team past the point defences.”

Satele recognized the name. Jerre Kraot was one of the civilians who had helped Vajra twice. The first time was in the Galactic Market sector of Coruscant, the other when he helped Vajra save hundreds of Power Guards from Imperial captivity. Vajra had been full of praise for him and his Captain, as had Nariel Pridence a few months later, for aiding against a Sith… though some records she had seen claimed that he and Juun Stede were smugglers.

“Jerre offered us his expertise free of charge,” Oteg revealed. “Though I must insist we reimburse him for the ship. They were forced to leave it behind during their escape.”

“We’ll pay it back, plus ten percent of the cost,” Satele agreed. “That’s the standard rate for lost ships. In addition, I think you do deserve compensation for a job well done.”

“It’s true. We’re getting paid, aren’t we?” the Cathar Havoc member nodded.

“Besides, you’re the one who killed Grand Moff Kilran,” Oteg smiled. “And that’s one more breakthrough for our side; another of the Butchers of Coruscant lies dead. Only Malgus remains, now. I hope he’s getting nervous!”

“Kilran personally defended Revan’s cell,” Queens explained. “He had a small army of not just elite soldiers, but Sith too.”

“I didn’t recognize any of them, but they were the best warriors I’ve ever faced,” Harunobu put in. “I think they might have been disguised Imperial Guardsmen. The only reason we won was because Captain Kraot slipped away and saved Revan.”

“Ah got hit,” Kraot said, looking uneasy. “Ah played dead, intendin’ to flank em and turn their turrets against them… but then… the Voice prompted that ah save the prisoner. Um not too much inta this Force thing, but ahm glad ah listened. Twas a perfectly even game out there. Revan’s charge into their rear caused them to crumple. Ah shot the dirty butcher muhself. E looked stunned, as if e never thought he could die. Said that there wuz so much e still wanted t’ conquer…”

“He’s dead now,” Queens smiled in grim satisfaction. “Sergeant Dorne confirmed it.”

“Explain what you mean when you said ‘the Voice,’” Satele prompted.

“I had help in planning this mission,” Oteg was the one to answer her. “A plea from one no longer among the living, one who wanted Revan to be freed. To be honest, I didn’t know what to make of it when I heard Malak’s voice again. We hadn’t parted on good terms, so this sounded like a trick, but—”

“But the Force offers redemption to any who seek it,” Revan said with unfailing certainty. “Malak was a good man, once, before the Emperor corrupted his heart. In death, he found himself again. It is his strength that has helped me stay sane and strong, all these long centuries. He must have Sensed that I was needed again, that my continued resistance no longer meant anything. For it was through my Will alone that the Emperor did not invade sooner.”

Satele did not like the way he put that.

“I think we can dismiss everyone else now,” Oteg suggested. “Padawan Fia, see to it that my comrades are allotted lodgings for the night, would you?”

“Yes, Master.” The Padawan on duty bowed and led the soldiers out of the room.

“Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty details, shall we?” Master Nikil asked.

“Yes. What did the Emperor want from you?” Tol asked.

“The same tool I now plan to use against him,” Revan replied. “A Rakatan super factory called the Foundry, which is on par with the fabled Star Forge, in its own way. While the Star Forge could churn out hundreds of ships every day, the Foundry can mass produce war droids and munitions.” He looked around at the Councillors. “I know that war is not what the Jedi stand for, but this is defence. The last war saw billions dead—on both sides of course, but the Republic is proving slower to recover. Give me fifty Jedi, and help me negotiate with the Republic. If I could have a navy capable of protecting the factory, or shipping the droids where we need them to go, we could have all Republic worlds ready for when the hostilities resume.”

“That is a tall order,” Satele replied. She was reluctant to give him any real answer. This was all too sudden for her. “We needed time to think—"

“The Council in my era needed time,” Revan said meaningfully. “When the Mandalorians attacked. Even when the war had entered its final days, they still refused to act. They didn’t even refuse us outright! Until the very last day, we held out hope that our Masters would join us. They never did. It’s a terrible situation for a Jedi, to not have the Council at their back in a time of crisis. Don’t be like Vrook and Atris. Accept the reality that threatens to engulf you all.”

“You needn’t lecture us,” Satele said, injecting some heat into her voice. “We are well aware of the danger. Coruscant was sacked just under seven years ago. The Temple there is still in ruins. The Sith tried to destroy Tython too, just last year! The whole planet! Angral’s dread superweapon… Uphrades is gone; seventeen million killed as a mere test for that weapon. Half our territory was taken from us, including Balmorra! And we only kept our grip on Alderaan by the skin of our teeth.”

“Then you understand the threat…”

“Understanding isn’t the problem,” Syo said. “Not only are you asking us to give you fifty Jedi, you want us to endorse your project… without telling us your plans? We’re critically low on manpower, you know. We couldn’t even field many Jedi to save ourselves from Angral!”

“Indeed,” Jaric nodded severely. “We indulged Master Oteg’s theatricality, given his experience. But we cannot trust you. Not to this degree.”

“I see,” Revan slowly circled the room, passing in front of every Councillor in turn. It was so unnerving to have someone from the old legends jump out at you like this! And it just had to be her ancestor! She imagined everyone in the room was thinking about her outlook. Every decision she made in this regard might be seen as potentially biased, either in her ancestor’s favor because of their connection, or against it in an attempt to prove impartiality. “Keep this in mind, however. The Emperor will come. Sooner rather than not, since I am free now. He won’t want to give you the chance to use my knowledge. Expect a full-fledged attack within the year. The longer you take, the less time I’ll have to build up our numbers. I need at least five months for an army that will number in the trillions. We could even build models like my old HK unit, who was a challenge to most Force users.” He looked around again. Satele felt a careful neutrality in everyone’s bearing. “And this may need to be part of your discussion: I will need as much secrecy as you can get me, for my operation to work. It will be a disaster if the Senate catches wind of it. There’s no telling how many Senators already serve the Empire, or how many more would sell their secrets for the right price. Even if you don’t trust me, don’t let word of me leak out. Furthermore, do not reject what I have to say out of hand. I will accept whatever oversight you feel you need to put in place. I accept that every Jedi you assign me will report on my every movement. And I accept that you can pull the plug on me at any time. I do realize what I’m asking of you.”

“We appreciate it,” Bela said blandly.

“How much time will you take to deliberate?”

“Give us a few days,” Oteg said confidently. “Like your descendant said, we’re well aware of the looming threat.”

“Good. In the meantime, I’d like the run of the place. Have a look around. See what the Order is like today.”

Satele could not Sense any objections to the request.

“Agreed, with conditions,” she said. “Minders. Restricted access to tomes. And you won’t be allowed near the reliquaries, Masters’ chambers, or sensitive areas. You may have been a Jedi Master once, but we will need to confirm whether your long captivity has jeopardized your serenity.”

“Now that I think about it, have you checked to see if he is, indeed Revan?” Jaric asked Oteg, who nodded.

“I should remind the Council that I knew Revan.”

“Oh… right. Sorry, I’d forgotten. You even mentioned it.”

“I accept your limitations,” Revan smiled. “In fact, I applaud them. The Dark Side is insidious. Never trust without verifying first.” He nodded in approval and respect. “I’m glad that the Jedi of this era understand the necessities of war.” He thought for a second. “I think I’ll visit the training yard. I’d like to see what kind of Jedi I have to work with. And if you can arrange a meeting with this ‘Vajra’…”

“No,” there was a glimmer of steel in Satele’s words which gave even Revan pause. “He’s off limits for the time being.”

“As you wish,” he said. He left, followed closely by the other Jedi from Oteg’s team.

“What was that about, Grand Master?” Tol asked.

“You felt it, didn’t you? Revan’s legendary charisma,” Satele leaned back in her seat. “That man once convinced thousands of Jedi to follow him to war. It doesn’t matter if he was right or not; what matters is that he can move all but the most resolute hearts. And Vajra is not in a good place right now. If Revan speaks to him, he will be persuaded to follow. I’m not sure we want that. I’ll inform him right away to leave the training yard, if he’s there.”

Jaric and Bela nodded in fervent agreement, followed by Gnost. Others slowly acquiesced as well. But Satele could feel the slight heat of suspicion linger in the air. Her vehemence today had been noted by at least a few of these Masters.

*

Vajra led his friends through the basic saber drills of Form I. They moved at a leisure pace, but kept their movements and footwork strong. Vajra kept a particularly close eye on Jasme to ensure that her muscles were engaged without being overexerted. She was still in her first month of training, after all.

Jasme felt grateful as she listened to the young Raudra’s instructions, or watched him demonstrate a move correctly. He should be dead, gone without a trace. She still had nightmares of carrion beasts picking his corpse in the wilderness somewhere. Of years passing by without a shadow of a trace. Of a lifetime spent wondering what had become of him.

Someone had saved Vajra, and she wished she knew who. All she could do now was thank the stars that she was here, in this beautiful morning sunlight, learning the art of the Lightsaber from the best friend she could have asked for.

That he was the Jedi Order’s greatest swordsman, was a fringe benefit. Or such a good teacher, for that matter; Bengel Morr had improved in leaps and bounds in the span of a few lessons. The two were good friends now, bonding over their Master. In addition, Bengel was grateful that Vajra had ensured that the children the former had led astray, had been cared for.

They were only ten minutes into the session when Bengel received a priority message.

“It’s from the Grand Master,” he said, looking troubled. “It says to take Vajra back to his room at once, and allow him no unauthorized visitors.”

“I’ll go on then. Jasme and Seraphim can continue practising,” Vajra suggested. “Kira can watch how you’re doing for me.”

“Alright, but you’re making this up to me,” Jasme said with her best pout. “Not that I hate you, Kira.”

“Got it.”

“I hope I can get authorization,” Seraphim said. “I like these lessons! You’re a good teacher!”

“Thanks!”

“Hurry, please,” Bengel pulled him away. “The Grand Master isn’t known for being whimsical.”

Kira rounded on them and spoke crisply. “Alright then; bookworm, coxswain! Who said you two could slack off? I wanna see some sweat!”

“‘Cocks wain,’ now, am I?” Seraphim grinned. “Reducing my whole existence to one body part?”

Kira slapped his butt. “That’s right, coxswain. Shape up there!”

“Hey, beats ‘bookworm!’” Jasme said in mock sadness. “Not something that can work in bed.”

“I said move! Lift those arms! Strike like you’re slapping the bitch out of Darth Kaimeryn!” ¹

“But she strikes me as the type that likes getting spanked!”

Kira considered that for a second, rubbing her head in mockery of deep thought. “Yeah… I can see that.” She waved it away. “Spank her anyway! You’ll feel better than she does!² Alright then, one, two, three!” Jasme struck out and pulled back in time to Kira’s brisk claps. “Good! Once more, with feeling! One, two, three!”

*

Revan arrived at the private training field just in time to see the three humans calling it a day. He knew the girl was Satele’s at once. Her features were exactly the same as her mother’s. Unlike Satele, however, her smile was full of life and passion. She had the whole world ahead of her, unbound by Jedi dogma. But her ability in the Force was small. Miniscule, actually. Barely good enough to move a twenty-kilo stone. And yet… Raya had been that weak at the start, but her dedication had allowed her to be a Jedi without peer.

The only reason why Revan was so fixated on his descendant—other than their relationship—was because of Satele’s curious response to his request to meet this Jedi who had faced the Emperor, this ‘Vajra’. Was this her? It made sense! His bloodline was strong and sure, as evidenced by Satele being one of the youngest Grand Masters he’d ever heard of. Surely another of his descendants might have his resilience to the Galaxy’s greatest threat? And the timing! Right before his release!

Despite Satele’s warning, he knew he had to get closer to her daughter. He had to get Vajra to his side. The Force practically demanded it. But he could not approach her himself. But whom to ask?

Perhaps Oteg or one of the other Jedi from his team…? No. Oteg aside, most of them would feel a greater loyalty to Satele than to him. And Oteg seemed like he was in enough trouble. Perhaps Nariel could be talked into it—no he was certain he could do it—but simple people knew no such thing as discretion. If he used her, Satele might hear about his violation of her orders. If she had Bastila’s stubbornness… or worse, his own…

The soldiers, then? No… the two leaders of Havoc Squad were wary of all Jedi, himself included. Jerre then? No, the pilot was going to be very busy. He sighed. As ever, it seemed he was alone. He would have to approach her himself.

But he couldn’t do so hastily. He would need to find a time when he could work in secret… he followed as closely as he dared as Vajra and her friends descended into a level he wasn’t cleared for.

Soon, he promised himself. We will meet soon. Together, we will save the galaxy from a monster. I am sorry, Satele.

*

Jasme entered Vajra’s room to find him looking very preoccupied.

“Kira wanted a bath. And Seraphim some rest. What’s with him?” she asked Bengel.

“A letter,” Bengel whispered back. “Maybe Ranna sent him something he can’t get his eyes off of.”

“Ranna doesn’t send holomail,” Jasme pointed out.

“I can hear you, remember?” Vajra breathed. She sighed. It was easy to forget that his hearing was better than most other humanoids’.

“Okay then. Spill it. What’s up?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Sure it is.” Jasme was disappointed. He almost never kept something from her. “Promise me you’ll say something if—”

“I will.” His eyes moved back to the top of the screen. How many times was he going to reread that one mail? And it had to be the same one, his fingers hadn’t touched the controls.

“Good.” Jasme let it drop. Behind her, the door opened, and in walked the Grand Master, followed by Doctor Row.

Satele took one look at Vajra and stopped short. Something seemed to click in her head, so loudly that Jasme thought she could hear it. Her mother actually went scarlet, and Jasme looked over at Vajra with a wide grin.

“Someone’s looking—”

“Not right now,” Satele interrupted her. “I have an important warning for you, Vajra. And an order.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You will stay inside the psych ward for the next couple of days. We have a… troublesome visitor. I have a feeling he’ll try to make contact with you. I don’t want that to happen.”

“Are you gonna tell us more?” Jasme asked.

Satele hesitated. “It’s Revan. Yes, that one. Apparently, he’s still alive, all these centuries after his disappearance. The Emperor kept him so, attempting to extract some kind of secret from him.”

“The Emperor… kept him alive?!” Jasme was incredulity itself. She looked at an unmoved Vajra. “Why aren’t you surprised?” she demanded.

Vajra shrugged. “So, what does he want with me?”

“He wants your help in defeating the Emperor,” Satele answered. “We made a mistake. When he was talking about how grave a threat the Emperor was, Jaric remarked that you’d already told us much of it. And that led to a brief explanation of your encounter that day. Revan was impressed enough to ask if he could meet you. Twice.” She massaged her shoulders, as though they were cold. “I have a bad feeling about this, Vajra. I Sense he’s not lied to us yet, and that he is on our side. But I don’t want him speaking to you. I’m sure you’ve read his history; he made a career out of keeping his own counsel. He only ever obeyed a Master if it suited him. And they were his elders. He sees us as children. Hell, I am literally his descendant, and I am the Grand Master!” She massaged her temples now. Jasme wanted to comfort her, but couldn’t. Not with Bengel and Doctor Row around.  “I can only restrict his movements to a degree. So much as he himself allows it.” She sounded extremely miffed.

“Master Darach loved to say that the position of Grand Master comes with little real power,” Doctor Row said softly. “I think you should step down, for your own sanity.”

“And while I’m at it, I should leave the Council too,” Mom almost snapped. “And the Jedi. Live openly as a wife and mother… if the family I walked away from even accepts me. I know Theron won’t.” She swallowed whatever else she had to say. “That’s all I had to say. I’m sorry, Vajra.”

“Looks like you’re grounded,” Doctor Row informed Vajra slyly, making him and Mom blush again.

“I really think we need to talk,” Jasme said sweetly.

The Grand Master’s response was a sour mumble.

[marta-bee]

I finally got to the end of “Wednesday,” the first present-day section of Good Omens. It just keeps going and going and going, and I for one still wasn’t ready for it to be over. It’s also the end of what I’d previously read years ago, so everything coming up book-specific is new to me. How exciting is that?

No deep thoughts, I’m afraid, except as someone who was just on the cusp of political awareness around the time it was published  .... this section is truly hilarious.

A man threw himself through the window, a knife between his teeth, a Kalashnikov automatic rifle in one hand, a grenade in the other.

"I glaim gis oteg id der gaing og der-" he paused. He took the knife out of his mouth and began again. "I claim this hotel in the name of the pro-Turkish Liberation Faction!"

The last two holidaymakers remaining on the island [Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Threlfall, of 9, The Elms, Paignton. They always maintained that one of the nice things about going on holiday was not having to read the newspapers or listen to the news, just getting away from it all really. And due to a tummy bug contracted by Mr. Threlfall, and Mrs. Threlfall rather overdoing it in the sun their first day, this was their first time out of their hotel room for a week and a half.] climbed underneath their table. Red unconcernedly withdrew the maraschino cherry from her drink, put it to her scarlet lips, and sucked it slowly off its stick in a way that made several men in the room break into a cold sweat.

The pianist stood up, reached into his piano, and pulled out a vintage sub-machine gun. "This hotel has already been claimed by the pro-Greek Territorial Brigade!" he screamed. "Make one false move, and I shoot out your living daylight!"

There was a motion at the door. A huge, black-bearded individual with a golden smile and a genuine antique Gatling gun stood there, with a cohort of equally huge although less impressively armed men behind him.

"This strategically important hotel, for years a symbol of the fascist imperialist Turko-Greek running dog tourist trade, is now the property of the Italo-Maltese Freedom Fighters!" he boomed affably. "Now we kill everybody!"

"Rubbish!" said the pianist. "Is not strategically important. Just has extremely well-stocked wine cellar!"

"He's right, Pedro," said the man with the Kalashnikov, "That's why my lot wanted it. 11 General Ernesto de Montoya said to me, he said, Fernando, the war'll be over by Saturday, and the lads'll be wanting a good time. Pop down to the Hotel de Palomar del Sol and claim it as booty, will you?"

The bearded man turned red. "Is bloddy important strategically, Fernando Chianti! I drew big map of the island and is right in the middle, which makes it pretty bloddy strategically important, I can tell you."

"Ha!" said Fernando. "You might as well say that just because Little Diego's house has a view of the decadent capitalist topless private beach, that it's strategically important!"

The pianist blushed a deep red. "Our lot got that this morning," he admitted. There was silence.

In the silence was a faint, silken rasping. Red had uncrossed her legs.

The pianist's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. "Well, it's pretty strategically important," he managed, trying to ignore the woman on the bar stool. "I mean, if someone landed a submarine on it, you'd want to be somewhere you could see it all."

Silence.

"Well, it's a lot more strategically important than this hotel anyway," he finished.

Pedro coughed, ominously. "The next person who says anything. Anything at all. Is dead." He grinned. Hefted his gun. "Right. Now everyone against far wall."

I don’t know if this was the standard experience of the tail-end of the Cold War, from someone who was just shy of 10 at the time. My family was first-generation America and still very European in a lot of ways, and not all of us living west of the Iron Curtain; so we probably talked more about the splintering of communism than a lot of Americans did. I think I was the only kid in 2nd grade who knew what the Polish Solidarity movement was, let alone had a definite opinion on it. Still: I still can’t help but smile at references to the Italo-Maltese Freedom Fighters.

Maybe you just had to be there. Or be me. Or something. But this is peak humor, I’m telling you.

I’m also really fascinated by this description of the sword War will carry as one of the Four Riders:

It was a very straightforward sword, long and sharp; it looked both old and unused; and it had nothing ornamental or impressive about it. This was no magical sword, no mystic weapon of power and might. It was very obviously a sword created to slice, chop, cut, preferably kill, but, failing that, irreparably maim, a very large number of people indeed. It had an indefinable aura of hatred and menace.

So not Excalibur, or Anduril; not steeped in metaphor and symbolism, but a sword ready to get shit done. And for all that there’s no real detail beyond its efficacy at causing destruction. And that it’s not been used. It is storied; it’s relevant here because of its role in a story, and it’s symbolic of the moment somehow. It’s not been used; it’s been waiting for this. But it’s also distinctly real.

I don’t know. I don’t feel like I’m explaining it very well. But it’s still fascinating to me.

Finally, I got curious about Carmine Zuigiber, the identity War is using around the time of this incident. It’s such an odd one. Some baby name sites connect Carmine to an Aramaic word for “crimson,” others to “garden” or “vine-dresser” which has some lovely Garden of Eden connections. But for the last name, I stumbled across this gem on Twitter:

That’s a real-life Carmine Zuigiber (named after the character) saying the name in the name originated with a typo. But because of the way Twitter loaded the page, it looked like Mr. Gaiman’s response to another tweet (this one of Carmine sharing a very red Coraline doll) was actually commenting on the below bits. Not affirming it, not saying they’re factually correct, but just that he thought the idea was wonderful. And all of it hinging on my not getting Twitter. Shades of members of a certain chattering order winking at each other, that. I love it.

You know what else I love? I googled some more, and it turns out Zingiber is the plants whose roots are turned into ginger. That’s right; Red’s chosen name is Crimson Ginger. Shades of Legolas Greenleaf. I do believe I’m in love.

[entrepalabrasmx]

El Observatorio Turístico es fundamental para implementar la sostenibilidad en los destinos

El OTEG es una herramienta que analiza el comportamiento de la actividad turística.

La Organización Mundial de Turismo aplaude a Guanajuato por mantener el Observatorio Turístico.

Guanajuato mantiene una estrecha relación con la Organización Mundial de Turismo (OMT), organismo que ha aplaudido al Estado por mantener y actualizar el Observatorio Turístico (OTEG) el cual es fundamental para la implementación de la sostenibilidad en los destinos.

Previo a la inauguración de la 7ma. Edición del “Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit” que, por segundo año consecutivo se realizó en Poliforum León, se llevó a cabo la Reunión de Grupo Técnico del Observatorio Turístico del Estado de Guanajuato en donde estuvo presente Juan José Álvarez Brunel, Secretario de Turismo de Guanajuato, acompañado -por primera vez- de Dirk Glaesser, Director de Desarrollo Sostenible de Turismo de la OMT; y del sector turístico.

“Es importante ser conscientes que el OTEG es una herramienta muy útil que no sólo nos da el comportamiento que la actividad turística tuvo en el pasado, sino que nos brinda información determinante para la toma de decisiones del rumbo a seguir en las estrategias de todos los involucrados en el sector turístico”, apuntó Juan José Álvarez.

Las principales mediciones del OTEG -que permiten mejorar la competitividad del sector con un enfoque de sostenibilidad e inclusión social- son: llegada de turistas, ocupación hotelera, visitantes a museos y zonas arqueológicas, satisfacción del visitante, empleo en turismo, derrama económica, gasto promedio diario, nivel de recomendación del visitante.

Así como la contribución al Producto Interno Bruto estatal, inversión pública en turismo, inversión privada en turismo, apertura de nuevas empresas, mercados emisores, calidad del aire, y huella de carbono en eventos.

De acuerdo con el OTEG, de enero a junio, llegaron al Estado de Guanajuato 10 millones 599 mil 009 visitantes, quienes han dejado una derrama económica de 24 mil 811 millones 109 mil 851 pesos; y 2 millones 182 mil 336 turistas, quienes han ocupado un millón 504 mil 287 cuartos, cifra que representa un porcentaje de ocupación del 35%.

“Guanajuato nos ha inspirado un montón con los avances que han hecho institucionalmente y el cómo están reflejando, con sus análisis, el mercado; están en buen camino y tienen que avanzar constantemente”, aplaudió Dirk Glaesser.

“Nosotros, OMT, agradecemos el compromiso de mantener el OTEG; por ello hemos invitado a Guanajuato a procesos internacionales porque decimos que en el turismo las competencias están a nivel sub-nacional, en este nivel hay que reconocer, hay que actuar, y hay que ayudar con sistemas que miden, esa discusión es fundamental para la implementación de la sostenibilidad”, puntualizó.

En una breve reflexión del turismo a nivel internacional, el Director de Desarrollo Sostenible de Turismo de la OMT, señaló que la organización ha analizado las políticas subnacionales del turismo, a través de los patrones de consumo y la producción, y “más de 100 de ellas hablan de la sostenibilidad como un factor importante”.

Si no cambiamos el rumbo a la sostenibilidad, la próxima pandemia será más grave. Los impactos sobre el Ébola, Zika y ahora COVID 19 han sido cada vez más graves, y esto vincula la necesidad de ser un sector más resiliente. La resiliencia es cuando se crean estrategias sustentables para adaptarse a cambios extremos y crisis”, advirtió Dirk.  

El secretario alentó a la industria turística y a los municipios a seguir colaborando con el OTEG -modelo a seguir en el país- y fortalecerse como sector.

Ven a Guanajuato y Vive Grandes Historias.

Para más información, consulta la página de la Secretaría de Turismo www.sectur.guanajuato.gob.mx

[babyawacs]

.@law @law @harvard_law .@harvard_law @bbc_whys @all @world ‎ canmykids understand enemy of state quell for coverup intelotch i ntelcrimes of criminalgovernance they are p a v e d with errors and mistakes andhow germans shuffled toharm medival freeforall vogelfrei as pr otege of the usa uk grew to

.@law @law @harvard_law .@harvard_law @bbc_whys @all @world canmykids understand enemy of state quell for coverup intelotch intelcrimes of criminalgovernance they are p a v e d with errors and mistakes andhow germans shuffled toharm medival freeforall vogelfrei as protege of the usa uk grew to nationalchampion but screaming baby on openwindow shelf allalong quelledexposure toharm avertedfortune…

[swtorpadawan]

This Moment

Author’s Notes: The following story takes place in my Halcyon Legacy storyline during the five-year gap from Knights of the Fallen Empire. Content warnings for character death and implied character death. Seriously people – there’s some angst in this one, along with some negative tropes that I couldn’t completely avoid.

Slumped against the ruined wall of what had effectively become a foxhole, Nalen Raloch flinched as Bengel Morr wrapped the last of their kolto-pads around his injured left arm. Above them, the skies of Tython had grown dark with smoke even though the local time was still late afternoon. Mere meters away, the sounds of battle continued to rage, as Zakuulan walkers rained down rockets and fire on their position.

The Twi’lek Jedi had taken a blaster bolt from a Skytrooper as they had dived for cover, and he was struggling to bare the pain. But he suspected that his anguished reaction came less from Bengel’s application of first aid and more to the sudden absence in the Force he’d felt in that same instant. Glancing into the Nautolan’s dark eyes and observing the flicker of hardening resolve, he understood immediately that Bengel had felt the same thing Nalen himself had, confirming what had taken place.

Ako Domi was dead. Killed buying his fellow two Jedi enough time to flee to this makeshift trench.

They were now the only survivors of their battlegroup; what had effectively become the rear guard covering the Order’s final evacuation from Tython. They had both felt the others fall, one by one, until they had reached this point.

And they’d just run out of room to run.

The forces of the Eternal Empire were taking no prisoners. They had laid waste to first to Tython’s defenses, then to the temple and now to everything in their path.

It was possible in this moment that Bengel and Nalen were the last two Jedi alive on Tython.

Dozens if not hundreds of Jedi and Republic soldiers had met the Force this day, demonstrating incredible courage every step of the way. They’d known rebuffing the attack was futile, of course, but they could still ensure the future of the Order. Even as the defenders had abandoned the temple, they had successfully drawn the Eternal Empire’s forces away from the main evacuation points. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Jedi had been able to extract most of their number from the planet in good order. But the small battlegroups of guardians and defenders who had screened them – including Bengel and Nalen’s – had paid a staggering price.

They’d been preparing for this day for months. The Zakuulan invasion had stormed into the Republic unchecked, despite countless sacrifices by the Jedi and the Republic military just to slow it down. A few weeks before, Satele Shan, the Grandmaster of the Order and one of the few members of the council still alive, had gone missing during a mission to cut behind the Eternal Empire’s lines. Some who knew her were convinced that she was still alive – that they hadn’t felt her death through the Force – but regardless of the truth of the matter, her absence had finally signaled to everyone that the war was lost.  

Nalen didn’t know the details, but he knew the Jedi weren’t retreating to another Republic world, one where they’d only draw more attacks from Zakuul. Enough people had already died protecting them. Gnost-Dural, the Order’s greatest historian, had claimed he’d found a place for them to withdraw and recover, as they’d withdrawn to Tython nearly twenty years earlier after the Sack of Coruscant.

Now, amidst the Ruins of Kaleth, south of where the Jedi Temple had once stood, Nalen and Bengel were making their final stand.

As Bengel finished wrapping Nalen’s wound, the Twi’lek couldn’t help but appreciate the Nautolan’s gentle kindness. The feelings were in stark contrast to his reaction to meeting Bengel Morr years earlier.

Nalen distinctly remembered hating him. Hating him for directing the Flesh Raiders against not only the Jedi, but against the Twi’leks of Kalikori Village, his people, as well.

He felt no small amount of shame for that hatred, as well as the shame for the actions he himself had taken in those dark days.

In the years since then, Nalen had seen Bengel turn into the kind of Jedi he was always meant to be. Kind, compassionate, always willing to sacrifice of himself for others.

Proving that the Force moved in mysterious ways, it had been Bengel who had aided Nalen the most in acclimating to the ways of the Jedi.

Nalen himself had been old for a padawan, and his experiences with the holocron of Rajivari had left him in an incredibly dark place.

He could admit now that he’d needed Bengel’s support.

In the years since, they’d effectively become partners, ever since Nalen’s Knighting.          

Two years earlier, they’d both been absent on a reconnaissance expedition into the Flesh Raider territory in the Tythonian highlands when the forces of the Sith Empire – led by the infamous Darth Nox – had attacked Tython and briefly seized control of the temple. By the time their group had made it back, it was all over. The Jedi had regained their home and driven off the Imperials, but the losses had been high. It had been all they could do to aid in recovery efforts, helping the wounded… and counting the dead.

Both Nalen and Bengel had vowed that day to never allow such a thing to happen again.

Now the temple had fallen once again, this time literally. But if the bulk of the Jedi could escape, they’d make good on the promise made that day.

It would all be worth it.

Bengel lifted his head up as he finished patching up Nalen’s arm.

“The firing stopped.”

Nalen blinked, absent-mindedly checking his arm. He realized his companion was right; the whole valley seemed to have gone quiet. He heard only the crinkling of distant fire, and his own heavy breathing.  

The Nautolan cautiously risked a peek over the wall.

“They’re getting into position.” He reported, ducking back and sitting beside Nalen. “Skytroopers, Knights of Zakuul and Walkers. They know we’re here.”

Nalen simply nodded his head sharply, checking his lightsaber.

“How many?”

Bengel turned towards Nalen. Nautolans had a somewhat unfair reputation for frequently smiling with unnerving grins, even at questionably inappropriate times. Bengel’s smile usually wasn’t like that. It was slight, but sincere and kind. Just like Bengel himself was.

Nalen had often found comfort in that smile.

But today – in this moment – Bengel Morr gave Nalen the grimmest, toothiest smile Nalen had ever seen, teeth and all.

“All of them, I think.”

Nalen looked down and chuckled. He didn’t know what kind of answer he’d expected, but he took comfort in the fact that Bengel could still joke at a time like this.

Before he could respond, the Twi’lek’s holo-communicator beeped.

Reluctantly, Nalen pulled it out and activated it.

A small projection appeared of Master Ulannium Kaarz, Barsen’thor of the Order and one of the few remaining members of the council. The man who had once foiled Nalen’s misguided efforts to destroy the Jedi back when he’d been under the dark side’s thrall.

The Mirialan had grown since Nalen had first met him all those years before, when Ulannium had just been a padawan and Nalen had been Kalikori Village’s premier defender, revered by his people as a hero. His passion to protect the villagers had led him down a dark path; one that Ulannium in his mercy and wisdom had saved him from.

Ulannium had already been considered wise beyond his years even then. Since those days, he’d emerged as the finest Jedi Master of his generation, the youngest Jedi to sit on the council in centuries. Physically, his build was still rather slight, but he now stood tall as a Gen’Dai.

As was the case with Bengel, Nalen couldn’t begin to express how much he owed to the Jedi Master. Bengel might have aided him down this path, but it had been Ulannium who had started him on it.

“Master Ulannium.” Nalen dipped his head in a heartfelt greeting.

Ulannium had told him more than once that he could call him by his given name. He’d never taken him up on that offer.

“Nalen. The last transport is away.” Ulannium grimly reported. His voice was unfailingly calm, despite the obvious urgence of the situation. “Master Oteg led the remnants of the First Expeditionary Fleet in a last-ditch attack on the Eternal Fleet ships in orbit. It worked. They sacrificed themselves to give us a window to escape. We’re jumping to hyperspace in just a few minutes.”

Nalen exhaled in relief, and he noted the reassured look on Bengel’s face as well. Like Ulannium and Gnost-Dural, Oteg had served as a respected member of the Jedi Council these last few years, but no one had ever forgotten that he was first and foremost an admiral of the Republic fleet.

The Jedi Master’s sacrifice this day had proven that beyond all doubt.

“Good.” He swallowed. “Then it was all for something.”

Ulannium nodded and pressed on. Business as usual. For all his tone, he might have been discussing an archaeological expedition.

“You’ll also be relieved to know there’s no sign that the Zakuulans are moving against Kalikori Village.”

Nalen exhaled again. He’d refused to admit it aloud to his fellow Jedi, but his greatest worry all this time had been that the Eternal Empire would turn and wreck the same destruction upon the people he had protected as they had the Jedi.

“The fleet is almost ready. We haven’t been able to hail the other battle groups.” He didn’t need to express what that meant. “What’s the status of your team?”

The Twi’lek had expected this question. His answer was at the ready.

“Bengel and I are the only ones left, Master Ulannium.”

The Mirialan’s face turned grim.

“There might still be time.” He offered. Nalen appreciated the sentiment, even it was no more than a pipe dream at this point. “Can the two of you reach one of the extraction points?”

He knew the answer to this question as well, but he still hesitated, looking over towards his more experienced partner.

Bengel simply gave Nalen a slight shake of his head.

There was no sadness or despair in the Nautolan’s features; a trace of regret, perhaps, but there was also a resolve and acceptance. Whatever nightmares had plagued Bengel years ago when they’d first met, whatever had made him take control of the Flesh Raiders and to threaten Nalen’s people… Bengel was an entirely different man, today. He was still haunted by his own actions during those dark days, but he was determined to make up for them.  

That resolve filled Nalen with admiration and strengthened his own determination as he turned back to the projection of Ulannium.

“No.” he finally answered. “Don’t worry about us, Master Ulannium. Save the Jedi. Save our people. And…. thank you. Thank you for showing me a better path. Thank you for this chance. Thank you for everything.”

Nalen swallowed.

“It has been an honor.”

Through the holo-display, the Barsen'thor’s tired eyes softened.

“It’s been my honor to have known you, Nalen.” For a fleeting moment, Ulannium looked more like the young Jedi whom Nalen had met all those years ago, with a bright, limitless future ahead of him. “Thank you. May the Force be with you.”

The projection flickered then deactivated, leaving the Jedi alone.

Our people. Nalen had called the Order that for the first time today. If he’d felt like an outsider all these years, then now, in this moment at least, he was a Jedi.

He turned towards his companion. The Nautolan was gazing off into the distance.

“I saw the best Jedi of my generation fall to the Sith on Coruscant.” Bengel’s voice was sad, but clear. “Then I saw them try to do it again here on Tython two years ago.”

He turned towards Nalen, meeting his gaze.

“The Jedi will survive this day.” His confidence was infectious. “For my own part, as I see it, I’ve been living on borrowed time.”

Part of Nalen recognized that he felt the same. He padded Bengel’s knee affectionately, then rose, careful to keep his head down beneath the wall’s edge. Bengel followed suit a second later.

As Nalen gathered himself, he regarded Bengel, even now poised to leap out over the wall and give a final accounting of himself. Nautolans, as a species, preferred aquatic environments, he knew. Yet here, far from any body of water, Bengel was poised like a Nexu; grace and agility ready to explode with power.

For such a moment, Nalen felt he had to say something to express how he felt.

“Bengel… I just had a crazy idea.”

Seamlessly, Bengel turned back to Nalen questioningly. The Twi’lek found his courage and pressed on.

“When this is all over, would you like to join me at the cantina for a drink?”

Bengel’s dark eyes regarded Nalen, vacant for a moment.

The cantina – along with most of the Jedi temple – had been buried beneath tons of rubble hours before during the earlier attack.

The corners of Bengel’s lips turned upward in one of his kind smiles. It was full of warmth and made Nalen’s stomach turn over.

“I would like that.”

The Nautolan now reached out and offered Nalen his hand.

“You ready?”

Nalen smiled back. In this moment, he felt free. He reached out and grasped Bengel’s hand, squeezing it in his grip. This simple gesture communicating more than words ever could.

“I’m ready.”

He only wished they’d had more time.

But they had this moment. And that was something.

Moving in unison, the two Jedi leapt over the wall.

END

Author’s Notes: I don’t know how many of you have seen the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It’s a fine film, even if it is mostly dated fiction. This story was largely inspired by the final scene of that film. The emotional connection between the two protagonists – romantic or not – left an impression.

Bengel’s little joke is a Terminator 2 reference. (I don’t know how many of you are old enough to catch that one, either.) The stereotype about Nautolans is a Kit Fisto reference.

I regret not writing much about Ulannium until now. I chose this as my next piece in part to resolve that.

We never hear about what happens to Nalen Raloch after Tython, albeit we do see Bengel on Corellia. Both characters deserved a proper follow up, as do Oteg, who we meet on the Republic side during the two “rescue Revan” Flashpoints.

Ako Domi is the Jedi who was imprisoned on Nar Shaddaa in Shadow Town by the Sith Empire and turned to the dark side. Republic players have a chance to either rescue (and redeem) him, or to execute him. If you spare him, you get a letter from Satele thanking you, and informing the player that he was recovering. We never hear a follow-up after this, but I like to think that he met his end as a Jedi. The idea of a group of Jedi who had each experienced turns under the dark side and were now serving as the Order’s final defense was a compelling idea for me.

Tagging @taraum​ @kyber-heart​ and @grandninjamasterren​ who all expressed interest in this premise in a post I put on Tumblr ages ago.

Also tagging cavalier-life @consularmain​ @cuchulainnx19​ @darksunning​  @imkerf-uffle-d​ @kemendin​ @kgoblin​ @lordviridis​ @sith-as-heck​ @starknstarwars​ @the-raven-of-highever​ @vexa-legacy​ for liking my Six Sentence Sunday updates.

[piefanart]

Whens this guy gonna get his own series :(

[oftheeldestgodspod]

Charlie and Raye have finished their show coverage, so OTEG is returning to The Last Olympian. Here's our newest episode on chapter 10.

[xanthouransong]

[serenofroses]

the moment Lord Praven told her that her "fathers would be disappointed" in her, claiming she was a traitor to the Empire. Jazz doesn't believe his lies, but what Lord Praven didn't know was that after she was rescused from the rogue Sith's clutches, her parents sent her to the Jedi as per argement with Grandmaster Oteg to keep her safe and heal her mind... Jazz still wanted to see her fathers one day. To ask them questions with one wondering whether they're proud of her or ashamed by the fact she's a Jedi Knight.

Jazmyn ��Jazz” Nevrakis: [24/?] sw:tor Nevrakis legacy.

[sullustangin]

New outfit for Risha and Eva when they do VATs (Very Awful Things).  Expert Outlaw.  Here, they’re unknowingly about to get involved with Revan.... and eventually (in my headcanon) sell info that will lead Malgus to the Foundry and the elimination of Revan from the cosmic scene... for a couple of years....

[screamintotheend]

A Species Doomed  to Fail?

If those of you who have followed this chaotic excuse of a blog long and closely enough, you would know that I enjoy my fair share of head canons and many kinds and fan theories. You would also know that, not only am I a fan of RSJ and Supernatural, I’m also a fan of Star Wars.

The one thing that I have always really wanted to know about SW is this: what the ever loving fuck is Yoda? Lucas refuses to tell the fans what he is and Disney probably doesn’t give a fuck, so we kind of make up our own things about it. But, I kind of have a crazy theory about Yoda’s species.

What if his species is doomed to fail at the hands of the Sith?

So, in the EU, it states that there are six sort-of known members of this unnamed species:

Minch

Oteg

Vandar Tokare

Yaddle

Yoda

Unidentified Jedi

There is pretty much nothing known about the last one, so he isn’t going to be included in this. Let’s go down the rather short list that I have.

1) Minch

700 years before the Battle of Yavin (700 BBY), Minch and his master was given a mission to help a system with its Dark Jedi problem. The dark padawan killed themself in that system, but the master was chased to Dagobah (remember this place?).

Minch was impulsive like Anakin, and faced the master alone. I’m pretty sure that one thing that a Jedi must not do is use the Dark Side. No matter what, do not use the Dark Side. Minch failed.

This Dark Jedi capitalized on the weakness that is Minch’s emotions, later on managing to make this impulsive idiot reach out to the Force with his fear and anger. He reaches out to the Dark Side for power, not exactly what the Dark Jedi wanted, but a step in the ‘right place.’ As the Dark Jedi was dying, he told Minch that his fear, anger, and other feelings like it would definitely cause him to fall.

2) Oteg

There isn’t much I know about this guy, since I never really had reason to. What I do know that, in this one game that takes place during the GGW, don’t know the name, if you choose to make your character become a Sith, Oteg will die.

If you don’t know that game or, like me, don’t know much about Oteg, let me explain a few things.

There was a galactic war (refereed tobas the Great Galatic War/GGW) that was the Republic fighting the Sith. The Jedi were, yet again, part of the army. Oteg was one of them, and is one of the people your character on the game interacts with. Like I said, if you choose the Dark Side, Oteg dies.

3) Vandar Tokare

This guy was on the Jedi Council for the temple on Dantooine, and was there during the whole Revan thing. The Sith was still a big thing, had had caused the First Jedi Purge to happen during this time, and Vandar was part of the group that had survived it. In 3952 BBY, many of the surviving Jedi met up in secret on Katarr to find out who the Sith out.

Well, the meet up was found out by the Sith, who went to Katarr and killed all life on the planet. I mean, wouldn’t the Jedi sense the Sith coming towards them? Vandar and the other Jedi would’ve had a much better chance at making it off that planet alive, yet they all died.

4) Yaddle

My absolute favorite of this species, Yaddle I’m trash for her. The only female of whatever the fuck this species is which is a rare sight as it is, she’s probably the best thing that happened to the Order, yet she died.

In 26 BBY, Yaddle, Anakin, and Obi-Wan went to Mawan to restore peace on the planet. Anakin gets captured due to his arrogance, and was held captive by this guy named Granta Omega. Omega sets of a chemical weapon and, in order to protect everyone on the planet, Yaddle absorbs the weapon and dies.

Well, Granta Omega who died several years after Yaddle, good riddance was in league with the Order of the Sith Lords. It’s as exactly as it sounds. This is most due to him being the son of Xanatos, who was once a Jedi and was previously a padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn. So, yeah, he held a grudge against the Jedi Order and was most definitely on league with the Dark Side despite not being Force-sensitive.

5) Yoda

Now everyone should know who Yoda is. We all should also know how this ends. I also won’t lie to all of y’all, I have so many issues with this troll. I won’t get into that (I’ll make another post if you want me to). I’ll just get into what this post is actually about.

Darth Sidious is the biggest problem here. Yoda never knew that the bastard was in front of his fucking face the whole time. Sidious fucking played him like a demented fiddle.

When the Jedi finally found out who and where Sidious was, they sent there best to fight him. All of those fighters died, along with all of the Jedi but a very few, Yoda included. Yoda, the idiot, decides to go after the Sith himself. He failed.

Yoda lost his lightsaber, and had to go into exile due to his stupidity. Despite all of his knowledge and skill, he failed to find the Sith in front of his fucking face and died with only one person beside him: the last Jedi, Luke Skywalker.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk and my Star Wars fan theory.