Star Wars:Galactic Unrest, Prologue: A Far Cry

It's quiet here, peaceful.

Dur slowed down as he wandered the plains of Dantooine alone to scout for a fresh grazing ground for his family's livestock to stop on the top of a small hill and sat to meditate.

I can feel it flowing here. Calmly floating through the grass. We should set up camp here.

After spending a few more minutes thinking, Dur stood up and grabbed his specialized Vibrolance that he used to herd animals and fend off predators and began to head back to their current camp thirty miles south.

Since it was already afternoon when Dur had left the soon-to-be-campsite, he settled in a lightly forested area a little less than halfway between the future and current campsite for his family. He had already gathered some dried materials he could use to start a small fire in his knapsack along with some Iriaz jerky he could warm up to eat. The fire started quickly but Dur kept the flame small as to not disturb any nearby wildlife. Many of the creatures on Dantooine were very dangerous. After eating his dry meal and drinking from his canteen, he rolled out a small mat to sleep on and set up a miniature tent to protect from the elements before he smoothly drifted into a deep sleep as the campfire died out.

Dur slowly awoke inside of his tent before crawling outside and gauging the time by looking at the sun of the Dantooine system, Dina.

First half of the second cycle. I should get home by noontime.

He quickly packed up his minimalist campsite before trudging south towards his family in a traditional Chalactan traveling garb, a thin creams cloth robed around him in several layers, but allowing unrestricted movement to his limbs.

As Dur neared the current home of his family of pilgrims, he pulled out a small signal horn and piped a long bass note, awaiting a return call from the camp. A few seconds passed as Dur climbed the last hill before he was home. A minute passed; still no reply.

Something's wrong. That, or one of the grazers ran away.

He slowly walked downhill towards the camp until he noticed clear signs of a recent attack. Tents were partialy uprooted, the livestock pens were completely trampled, and the corpses of some domestic grazers laid about with caved-in sides. Dur didn't even think as he ran ino the camp an into the tents only to find no trace of his family. He did find, however, a notably large footprint in a patch of loose soil. A footprint that could only belong to a Graul.

Grauls tend to take their prey alive back to their home, usually a cave or other enclosed area.

Dur tried to calm himself down as he planned a rescue mission.

They should be alive. Chalactans aren't that tasty anyways. Now judging by the size and pattern of the footprint, it's a mature adult male. Probably alone, due to the lack of total destruction. They need to be alive.

Dur slowly got up from the rock he was sitting on and grabbed his Vibrolance before throwing it across the camp, causing it to skewer the ground more than 50 meters away.

I could collapse the cave, but no dammit! I can't do that with them still inside! I can't go up against a Graul head-on, and sneaking won't do unless I had a distraction, but I don't have anything to use as a distraction that wouldn't bring harm to them! Wait!

He walked over to his weapon to see a small blue ball with lights and a bell inside.

I can use this. Stupid grazers kept me up with this, but maybe it'll hold the Graul's attention long enough for me to kill it.

Four days earlier...

The dark city of Kaas, the sprawling city of no sunlight, the lair of the Sith, the heart of the reforged Empire... It was called many things, the great city beneath Dromuund Kaas. But for Darth Sephiroth, the Kingslayer, a man known by just as many names as the city if not more, he only knew the place as home. Well, sometimes. Depended on his mood.

Soldiers, new recruits, and old veterans alike parted for him like winter for spring, out of both fear and reverence. Had he not been here on important business, the sight likely would have amused him. But as it were, it just annoyed him. He strode into the great hall, expecting to find Darth Drackoth on his throne, only to find some of the lesser Generals holding a meeting. Humph. Like they're anything more than pawns. How quaint.

"Where is Lord Drackoth?" He demands coldly.

Every pawn present immediately rockets to their feet, shocked by his sudden appearance, as pale and nervous as a young virgin in bed with her lover for the first time. "L-Lord Kingslayer! My Lord, his majesty has retired to his manor aboveground, for the day. He said he was not to be disturbed, but if you like I can take a mess-"

"That will not be necessary," he interrupts, cutting the man off.

The Dark Lord turns on his heel, his cloak flaring around his ankles, striding back whence he came. Almost half an hour later, he finds himself in Lord Drackoth's manor, having a friendly chat at his dining table.

"So tell me old friend," Darth Drackoth says conversationally. "What brings you back so soon? Surely you didn't simply visit for my famous tea."

"You know as well as I," Darth Sephiroth replies calmly, taking a sip of said tea. "Imagine my surprise, traveling all the way to the Coruscant system, only to find out you've declared a certain few planets off limits for the time being. May I inquire as to your reasoning?"

Drackoth finishes his remaining tea in a single gulp, sighing in delight. "Ah, I never get tired of that. Listen, old friend. It's for your own good. This whole grudge match with the Grandmaster isn't... Beneficial to your health. How about you finally use some of that vacation time, eh? You've accumulated what, like three decades worth by now? Go exploring. Go murder some nameless peons and steal their wives. Do something fun for once! By Vitiate's unholy beard, you're a Sith, not some celibate Jedi! You aren't a bloody monk!"

"Is this an order?" The Kingslayer asks calmly, completely unfazed.

Drackoth rolls his eyes, tragically introducing his face to his palm. "For the love of the stars... Fine. Yes, it's an order. There. Happy now? Go out to the Outer Rim and look for recruits. We haven't sent many scouts out there yet. Maybe stop off on Dantooine and check out the old base. I don't know. Just do something, aside from start a war we aren't ready for yet."

Sephiroth finishes his tea, excusing himself from the table. "Very well, Lord Drackoth. Consider it done."

Drackoth merely rolls his eyes again, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. Later, on the way to his custom built two-seater, he clenched his fists, an unusual action for one usually as calm and cold as a glacier.

Fun huh... Fun would be having the Grandmaster tied to a post, begging for my mercy... Now THAT would be entertaining.

Remus made his way towards the tower where the Jedi council made their headquarters.
Suddenly, he felt something like a call of despair ripple through the force.
He shivered and shook it off.

A series of beeps.

"It was nothing, A1."

Dur stopped in his tracks as soon as he heard the dreadful sound of the crushing of bones.

Am I too late?

He had already slathered himself in mud in order to cover his scent as he approached the source of the noise, stopping as he came to the edge of a steep ridge.

He's there. He's definitely eating something. Is it? Oh no. No!

His eyes widened as he saw a human arm dangling from the Graul whose back was turned from him's mouth by a thin strand of muscle tissue, a sight which broke something in him.

"HYAAAAAAAUUGGHHHH!" He screamed at the top of his lungs as he used his lance to pole vault onto the monster' snack before activating the motor within it as he gouged the blade into the side of the Graul's neck before it managed to swat him off.

Dur didn't even think as he unknowingly used the Force to help him recover before leaping and catching his lance which had now been dislodged from the beast's neck in midair and recovered with a roll before sweeping back to catch the now somewhat confused Graul's right leg with the book end before pulling it back with unnatural strength to knock it off balance. Quickly Dur made a quick slash at it's other leg before skewering it's upper thigh and instinctively sending a shock of silver lightning through his lance before pulling back and performing a roll to dodge a swipe from the now enraged Graul. He dodged another attack before parrying the next by latching the hook end of his lance to the Graul's striking arm and pulling himself forward and behind the beast. As he ran up the steep slope in front of him, he could feel the world around him slow to a near halt. He could sense his insides, his spirit. He could hear the dischord melody of rage being beaten out by the heart of the Graul and his own. He could taste the sky, smell the flow of life, see the entire natural flow pouring out before him. The path given to him by the Force was clearly laid out in front of him. No, he wasn't following the Force; the Force was following him. He leapt from the cliff face, spinning backwards as he felt two, no three drops of rain graze his body before he threw his lance into the Graul's back from above, piercing it as he kept flying past. As Dur landed across from the beast, a jagged bolt of silver electricity thundered down from the previously clear sky and struck the polearm like a lightning rod, cooking the giant from the inside out. The victor was no longer filled with rage. No, that had passed when he felt the universe. Now, all that was left was an eerie calm.

Remus steps through the council doors seeing his Master, Taki and four other Jedi.
Masters Gadari, a Cathar. Master Shal'la, a Twi'lek. Master Herath, a Human like him and lastly Grandmaster Natala Shan also human.
He bowed quickly, "Masters, I did not know you would call upon me so suddenly." He said quickly.
"Rise, Padawan Remus." Natala spoke clearly. It was at this time Remus took a look at them.

Taki was your average red Togruta with a few blue and white markings. Gardari was a regular orange skinned Cathar , and Shal'la was an average colored blue. All were dressed in traditional Jedi robes. The grandmaster simply wore a sleeveless black shirt and pants. She was tan colored and had average ebony hair tied into twin tails with obsidian eyes. Done with his observation, Remis stood at attention.

"I'm sure you have heard about the recent Jedi disappearances on Alderaan?" Natala continued, staring at him with a stoic expression.
He shivered slightly, her eyes were so... Detached. "Not until a few minutes ago master." He replied formally. Gardani stepped forth with a frown.
"We have recovered footage of a surprise attack from beasts that eat flesh." He took over.

Remus racked his brain on what creatures did that. "Flesh raiders?" He suggested, curiously.
Shal'la clapped her hands with a slight smile. "I see the smarts run inte blood. Yes, Padawan flesh raiders indeed. We haven't heard of them in centuries and they have grown far more intelligent. Able to speak basic."

Remus raised an eyebrow when she made a comment towards his ancestry. It was common knowledge that he was descended from the Hero of Tython, but he had never used it to his advantage. "But they make their home on Tython." He replied, bemused.

"Exactly, which is most troubling. We have decided that if you can solve this then you will be promoted to Jedi Knight." Natala answered.
His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to speak, yet no words came forth.
"It was a long discussion among the council, but a few of the others seated masters on the council are currently investigating a crime commited by a criminal on the other planets. I have high hopes for you Remus." Natala smiled.

"You will be working with a partner however. The two of you will find a crystal on Illum and head to Tython to make a Lightsaber." Taki interjected. This was another surprise to Remus and he bowed once more. "Thank you masters. Words cannot express my gratitude." He remarked. "May the force be with you." The five masters replied simultaneously.

Remus left the room with his astromech and walked down the long winding stairs.
"Remus Earthweaver?" A voice asked. He turned to see the girl from the hall and training room from yesterday.
"Yes, Shelia was it? Nice to meet you." He said lowly.

She laughed and held out her hand, "You must be my partner for Tython." She retracted her hand.
Remus did a double take and slowly backed away. "That's good." He smiled. A series of beeps and he kicked A1.
"Is that your droid?" Shelia asked, reaching down to speak to it.

"Yeah, A1 is sometimes a pain." He chuckled. The droid whirled on him and raced around the room.
Shelia shook her head with mirth. "He is very sarcastic." She said dryly.
"I know." The youth replied, adjusting his orange jacket. He noted she wore the same color as him but that was no surprise considering all initiates wore that color.

"Hey, how about a training session?" He suggested. "Sure, I have nothing better to do." Shelia agreed. The two made their way down the hall