TheSagaContinues

Keeping one ear on the discussion, the Kerkoiden beckons the Bothan to lean down.  "Master Ons'tam follows the will of the Force, and for that reason is not present.  And with Revan gone, she is needed elsewhere, as there is great concern over Malak's next move in the war."  Being unable to reach Joro's shoulder comfortably, Phram lightly smacks the Bothan's thigh and grins.  "Besides which, a Jedi must not have wants; self-reliance must be shown.  Like Xart, your skills have also increased greatly, and Ons'tam realizes that.  Her indirect contact with you is another lesson for you to examine and learn from."

As the council of Jedi and admirals finish speaking, Phram inclines his head respectfully.  "We thank you for this trust.  We will discover who is behind these attacks on Frostfyre.  If nothing more is to be shared, then I agree with the lieutenant that we should finish our preparations and depart."

As they progressed along the corridor, Joro retreated into his thoughts. Whatever technology the Republic was trying to develop seemed very dangerous. Splitting up resource stations was wise, as long as no one knew where every location was. Four stations had been silenced, so there had to be a catalyst of some kind involved. Joro began pondering on several possibilities to explain how this could happen. If these locations and all the research they contained were so sensitive, then it stands to reason very few people had access to them. Only a small circle even had access to the entire project. Joro felt justified in thinking either some kind of terrible exposure of information had occurred by negligence, or, possibly, there was an active presence facilitating the breaches. Joro frowned at the idea of a spy or traitor in the ranks, though it was possible. The armada controlled by Malak had been nothing but terrifying and brutal since his assumption of command. It was not his style to invest the resources it would take to support such an operation...

Joro kept his eye to the ground as they continued down the corridor. Its possible...that this suspected Sith lord has bullied the information out of someone. Corrupting one of the inner circle would be easy if the right opportunity presented itself. Blackmail is also an option...But, again, those tactics were the mark of Revan, not Malak. He contemplated.

"We had best watch who we trust on this mission, Master...Or we may very well expire with vibroknives buried in our back." He muttered to Phram. Then he felt eyes upon him. He turned his gaze across the room to the courtyard exit and discovered the same woman that he'd shrugged off earlier in the sparring chambers staring intently at him. The bothan felt a quirk in his brow and excused himself from the group as they spoke with Lieutenant Omas.

Joro approaches the woman bathed in warm sunlight, standing across the chamber floor with her arms folded tightly against her chest.

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Joro watched her vanish from sight, still reeling from the warmth of her lips against his fur and the tickle on his ear where she'd wished him luck. He stared dumbly at the pouch in his hand trying to comprehend what had just happened and how he should feel about it. A big jumble of questions and emotions suddenly wanted to be let out, but the Miraluken's warning came back to him. He quickly stuffed the pouch into his robes and closed his eyes, focusing on the force. He stepped into the courtyard, into the sunlight and the let the warmth aid him in pushing everything else aside until he regained his composure.

Joro, having stepped into the courtyard, seemingly to enjoy the sunlight against his cloak and fur, turns as he hears footsteps approach. Casting his gaze toward the entrance he'd come from, he spots a familiar figure heading for the Commander Blaze and the others. The glare made it difficult to see the exact color of the robes, but he surmised it was Master Kavar from the height of the creature. He moved toward the chamber doorway for a better look...

He shakes his head "Actually I wish to speak with you would you accompany me?" he asks his tone friendly but clear that this is not a request to refuse

"I don't know what it is about Jedi enclaves, but they seem to have a calming effect that is almost unsettling. Too many at peace it seems" Blaze says as he starts to laugh "Its the exact opposite of anything Mando, but I like it. No stress is always good.". He then shifts subjects "Joro, tell me of your training."

Blaze was a bit taken back about how forward Joro was. He decides that a slice of the real truth might calm the young Bothan's mind.

"Let me tell you a a bit about my life, I'll make it quick, so follow along" Blaze said before continuing on

"Truth is such a hard word, but it something I've been building with Republic, and in smart part, with the Jedi for the last 6 years. Here is what I can tell you. As a Zygerrian, was was not born Mandalorian. My father was a Mercenary that joined a Mandalorian-ran  Mercenary group. As Mando culture goes, our family slow became Mandalorian as he worked for them. About the time of the start of the Mandalorian Wars, he was serving on a Mandalorian cruiser. He took me with him, and for the next 4 years or so I was trained by some of the Mando elite weapon and tactics trainers. Was not until Malachor V that I actually even fought in the War. I was about as young as you are now Joro. After making my mark on the battlefield, I was captured. Two weeks of interrogation, finding out the Malak personally killed my father in combat, and the Republic realizing I was just a kid with really good skills, I was given as choice: Join the Republic, help train their Special Forces against Mando tactics, or spend the rest of my life in a hole in some distant prison. I chose the Republic"

He pauses for a second the catch his breath and continues

"I stayed on Courscant for 2 years basically doing just that; training anti-Mandalorian tactics to SpecOps troopers. I also taught weapon training. At that two year mark, they put me in the field again as a training officer, and in another year, I was given a commission to Commander and given back my full Privateer status. The Republic is my boss, but I can contract out my services to any group that needs them as long as it doesnt hurt the Republic doing so."

Blaze then changes his tone from light to quite serious for the last part of the story

"You echo the sentiment of a large amount of the Republic Joro. Half the Republic's leadership is just waiting for me to turn on them so they can get the satisfaction. That is not how Mandos operate. I was raise to have honor in everything I do. I never turn on a employer unless they turn on me first. I trained huge amount of the SpecOps troops out there I trained, and they are like my extended family in a lot of ways. I make up for the lives I took on Malachor V everyday, but in war it happens....."

Phram quietly listens as Joro conveys his feelings to Blaze.  It was the most open he had ever seen the Bothan except with himself or one of the Jedi Council.  As Joro looks at the Kerkoiden while he searches for the right words, Phram indicates his approval with a slight nod.  Joro's intent was in the right place:  better to discuss this now rather than later.

Phram is intrigued to hear a portion of Blaze's life story.  He'd been able to read a small file on the Zygerrian's tasks for the Republic, but it contained very little info on his life before.  As Blaze finishes speaking about training SpecOps and the bonds that developed, Phram grins.  "Sounds like training Padawans and working with younglings.  Well, gentlemen, it's good to have the air clear.  It'll be a lot better for our mission.  I'm going to collect my gear.  I'll meet you all at the landing pad."

Provided that no thing or person stops him beforehand, the Kerkoiden empties his quarters of his sparse posessions and visits the quartermaster to acquire some special items before he arrives at the ship.