genessia | 001 | I will be chasing a starlight

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Current Location: The Bay / Nova City

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001 | I will be chasing a starlight

Something was wrong.

Takumi knew that before he was awake, before his eyes were opened. All of his senses told him this - this was not his bed, he was not on his Interceptor, he wasn't near any of his allies, he - he had been taken. He had been snatched from his own bed, and while he did not feel injured ...

... Fear and anger swirled in him, and he sat up as his hands began to crackle, shifting the box left on his chest to his lap. His eyes darted about. If anyone - if they'd hurt his -

The cave was empty. And surrounded by water. Lightning and water don't mix.

"Calm" is not in a Sith's vocabulary, but "focus" was - Takumi challenged himself to do that now. The sick feeling of worry and fear, anger and concern, all of that could be used. Productively. He took a deep breath, and using every ounce of his self-control, dismissed the lightning, pulled his senses inward, and then reached out using the Force.

No enemies. At least, no powerful Sith rivals who had wanted him dead.

No allies, either. He didn't feel Ashara's bright spark anywhere, or the dark contempt Xalek had, or the ever-hungry void Khem Val represented. There was no sign of Adronikos or Talos, either, their signatures fainter but familiar to him, if only they were there.

He turned his senses inward, the careful energies he'd honed to heal flesh and bone now trying to find injury or corruption. Nothing. Nothing was there, clouding his mind, blocking his Force abilities, fooling him with some illusion.

Fear was still there, because his friends - they may be dead. It could still be, that he was taken to this place, and his allies may all be killed.

He let the fear continue to focus him, making his mind brighter and sharper than a lightsaber. Whatever was happening, he needed to be present, aware, and ready.

[ ACTION ]

[ Takumi had opened the box, read all of the materials. Wandered outside, looked at the hologram.

His brow was furrowed, looking worried.

At least - at least. He'd remembered now, he'd been snatched from Nar Shaddaa. Teaching Ashara how to cheat at gambling, under the noses of some self-important Hutts, seemed like a good and entertaining way to continue to ease her out of the old, Jedi mindset. It was Andronikos' idea, anyhow.

Point was, he was dressed significantly down - high cowl on a tan tunic, green undershirt, brown pants - inconspicuous. If you were cheating using the Force, you didn't look like Sith or Jedi while doing it.

His grip tightened on the handle of his satchel. He'd be ready if need be, but -

- these strangers. Everyone here. Who were they?

Takumi opened the strange, odd datapad he'd been given, and began to scroll. He read for hours.

Anyone encountering him would find this young man, puzzled expression on his face, reading - making faces at times as he thought.

Get his attention for a wave! ]

[ VIDEO ]

[ Looks like someone's found his way to Nova City, judging by the background. It's late in the evening by now.

He smiles, sheepishly, but it's clear Takumi's worried. He also looks a bit lost. ]

Hey!

Looks like I'm the next to make one of these arrival ... videos.

I looked around a bit first, so I think I know the drill, except.

Uh.

I think I ended up in the wrong place?

[ He scratched the back of his head. ]

I mean, maybe the right place if I wanted to find, I don't know, a cantina which looks more like I'm used to - the first portal I walked through had a bunch of trees and mud and people pulling carts with animals, so that was really not right -

- but I need to find my way to the "Genessia Commons", I think?

If someone could lend me a hand? I'm not used to ... big portals which zap you from city to city.

Thanks!

[ He fumbles a bit with the communicator, and mutters: ]

... Now how do you ...

Kriffing son of a sarlacc ...

... why couldn't we just been given holo - oh! ...

[ And the feed cuts out. ]

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[ He nods firmly. ]

Then you should better stay out of there.

[ Other than their streak of bad luck with people from their own galaxy, Cassian's got no reason to distrust this new arrival, so he doesn't second-guess his crumbling strength overly much. He permits himself to relax a little, perking up all the more at the mention of a blaster. ]

Between the mention of sarlaccs and blasters I believe I should ask you what planet you are from.

Y-Yeah, that would probably be a good idea ...

[ Depending on what he needed, in this place, Everglade wouldn't be a bad spot to visit, later on. Khem Val had been useful, after all, if a bit challenging to restrain.

A bit hesitant - ]

Nar Shaddaa. I've been around a bit -

[ A lot ]

- but. Nothing quite like this place.

[ He looks at Cassian, as if trying to puzzle him out. ]

... What about you?

The girl in the holo hinted at other worlds, and I've already seen a talking kryat- err, "dragon" talking about some place I've never heard about before.

Where are you from?

Fest.

[ So much for the easiest answer, but he's long since stopped hiding his affiliations, and then the Emperor happened and... Well, no point at all to that now. ]

I'm Captain Cassian Andor of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. As he speaks, he subconsciously straightens, slipping back into military posture.

[ This happens to be the first time in months that Cassian has introdocued himself by his rebel rank, not as Guardian of Attleton. It feels a little bit strange on his tongue now. ]

[ .... Wait.

This time, no part of his astonishment is feigned. ]

"Restore" the Republic?

The Republic is large, powerful, and thriving.

[ And a thorn in his side, really, but. Again, details. ]

[ Cassian can't hide how taken aback he is for a moment. Fortunately nobody can see the pang in his heart, the almost painful wistfulness as he thinks of Han Solo and his tales of a Republic thriving once more, still flawed, but better and worth every sacrifice they have made. ]

Then you're either from my future or my past. I've met people from both here. If you don't know of the Rebel Alliance, it's likely you're from the past. In my time, the Galactic Empire has been a blight on the galaxy for 19 years.

"Galactic" Empire. [ Takumi echoes, sounding confused and a little thoughtful.

He shakes his head, concentrating.

For nineteen years. So, it had been broken back before, then reformed again. Just as the Sith Empire had, in centuries past. History repeating itself again, and again, and again.

Didn't surprise him. Made him a little heartsick, though. He almost didn't want to find out more, to learn if anyone ever learned from their mistakes.

... He had to find out more. Not only for his own curiosity's sake. But, it was a matter of duty.

Sounding confused, hesitant: ]

There's an Empire in my, um, time, but it's been around a lot longer than nineteen years. Doesn't say it's a "galactic" empire, either.

They've been at war with the Republic. And, if that doesn't sound familiar to you ...

[ Which was he from? Future or past? ]

[ Cassian shakes his head a little. ]

The Republic fell when the Empire rose, the Rebel Alliance is all that is left. And I know for a fact that the Empire won't last much longer, it will be defeated in a couple of years. There will only be the Imperial Remnant left, and the First Order.

[ Somehow both. In different timelines. It's confusing and disheartening, he mostly tries not to think about it. ]

I think you must be from my distant past or future. The Empire rose at the end of a golden age for the Republic, it had stood uncontested for 1000 years.

[ Something always survives, doesn't it? This Republic seemed to have left behind a rebellion, and the Empire left behind the First Order. Just as the old Sith gradually rebuilt and became the current Sith Empire. More lessons to learn from, regardless if it was from past or future.

It was impossible to say whom he should sympathize with, in Cassian's time. His Empire might be something completely foreign to him, compared to the one he was helping lead.

He bit his lip, like he was thinking it through. ]

I haven't heard of any of this before, so. I think you're right.

The Republic definitely hasn't been "uncontested", not for a while, since the Sith rose.

When I was taken, the year was -

[ And he gave the date - roughly three thousand, six hundred and forty one years before the battle over Yavin. ]

[ Okay, and now Cassian needs a moment to breathe and let that sink in. ]

The person farthest from the past was from the Clone Wars.

[ Which are a good 3000 years in this man's future, so he won't have a clue... Oh, this is going to make communication a headache.

Feels like a cruel joke, too, to give them someone from their world, but from such a distant past he might as well be from Garrus's world. ]

That was right before the Republic fell.

[ He runs a hand over the stubble on his chin, slides it up to his mouth. ]

I don't think you mentioned your name yet.

So, I'm from your past, then?

How far? I can't say I've heard of these "Clone Wars" either ...

[ Now, have a genuinely sheepish expression. Not much of a difference between the one he was wearing before, certainly. But, he hadn't been lying when he said he often let his curiosity get the best of him.

Mostly, in this conversation, he'd been entirely truthful. ]

Sorry. Terribly rude, I know.

I'm Takumi Terasu. And, time traveler or not, I'm really glad to meet somebody from the same world, Captain.

This place is strange enough as it is.

More than 3000 years from my past. [ He lets a moment pass. ] I'm sorry. Everybody else is from our time, give or take a couple of decades.

[ Displaced in time as well in space, unfamiliar even among the familiar. It's hard not to feel sympathy for Takumi. ]

I'm glad to meet someone from home, too.

[ Especially one that isn't an Imperial! ]

This place isn't all that bad, actually. You can learn to make the best of it, and find opportunities. For one thing, there's no war here.

Three thousand ...

[ ... Well, that made anything he'd learn from the people here either really valuable, or really worthless. Did they have any records at all from his era?

Perhaps not, if his name hadn't survived. Well. Best to keep his "true" family name and title under wraps for now, all the same.

He sighed, sounding tired. Like everything was catching up to him. ]

Yeah. At least some things probably haven't changed.

[ Winces. ] You still have sarlacc, for one thing.

[ ... No war.

Peace.

If only. A real, wistful expression crosses his face. ]

I've never lived in a time without the war, cold or hot, lingering.

Peace is something I've only ever dreamed of.

[ Which was the truth. ]

[ [ Cassian feels himself softening a little more. He nods. ] ]

That sounds familiar.

[ He looks a little sad at the admission. 3000 years and nothing has changed. That is depressing if you let yourself think about it. ]

I have never known peace either. This is the second war I'm fighting in. I don't think I can even pinpoint where one ended and the other began for me.

[ For the historians, sure, there are dates for the death of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and thus all hopes of their Festan sympathizers, but for the young soldier on the ground... It's just been different wars and political affiliations all blurring together into a lifetime of violence. ]

Maybe that's one thing that never changes in our galaxy.

[ He has a feeling most rebels would disagree, citing these 1000 years of the Republic. But their story is not his. ]

[ It was a bit depressing, and Takumi allows himself to brood about it, following Cassian's lead on the mood.

Peace was a lie. After all they could hope and try for, that seemed to remain true. ]

Maybe.

The more I read about history, the more of the galaxy I see - people are always fighting. With each other, with their governments, against Hutts and slavers, against Empires and Republics.

It's ... I guess ...

[ He makes a helpless gesture with his hands. ]

I think, at least, it's good we keep trying. Despite all of that. You were trying, in your era, despite it all.

[ Cassian nods grimly. ]

It's all we can do. We have to keep fighting for the values we believe in, no matter the price we pay for this fight. Some things are worth it.

[ Some things will be, what he's heard of futures to come. Good futures and bad, and it's confusing all around. ]

Even if we can only improve the circumstances for a limited time it will still have been worth the price. Even if not. Sometimes defiance in itself is already a victory.

Yeah. I ... I think you're right.

[ Takumi can't help but smile softly at that. He likes this guy. Definitely the sort of fellow he'd want to have working for him. Had ideals and convictions, believed in what he fought for, without any wide-eyed naivete.

The cynical side of his brain screamed caution. He remembered what happened with that Jedi. He'd rather liked him, and his star-crossed romance with the noblewoman on Alderaan, too.

He said, shyly; ]

I said this before, Captain, but I am glad I've met someone like you here.

This Alliance of your era must miss you.

Thank you, that's very kind of you to say. I've died for the Rebel Alliance and won't be able to return, but I hope to bring it here in little ways.

[ He seems nice, and, well, it is good to have someone else from their own galaxy here, regardless from when he is. ]

I'm not going to say I'm glad you're here, but I'm glad our paths have crossed.

Oh! Oh.

[ This genuinely surprises Takumi. He must have missed that - did any of the materials mention that the person taken might be dead before arrival? He supposed it wasn't something most people would bring up idly in their communications over the network. Made for depressing chit-chat.

Takumi looks quite contrite. ]

... I'm sorry. I didn't even know that was possible.

[ And Takumi could tell Cassian wasn't dead now. He had a bit of familiarity with ghosts.

He supposed, given how many people were taken here, from how many different worlds, that just about anything was possible.

Still apologetic, a bit sheepish: ]

I ... suppose I shouldn't complain, getting brought here, considering. So. I'll try to look at it like ... a vacation, maybe.

Yes, it is possible. I didn't realize you hadn't realized this yet. Quite a number of the people you have met here are dead, and will return to being dead when they vanish from here. Another percentage of them knows that they will return only to die soon after. It is part of the charm of this place.

[ He sounds a little brisk about it, maybe too brisk to be truly unbothered by it, but he's not upset with Takumi. It's just something he prefers not to think about it. ]

You can see it as a vacation, that seems sensible enough.

That's ...

[ Again, Takumi had familiarity with ghosts, but this was something entirely different. They were alive, but they could just pop back to their lives at any time. Their deaths, rather. They couldn't "move on" - they still had lives to live, here. But they couldn't really plan for a future, either, in their own worlds.

The somber, melancholy look on his face now wasn't feigned in the slightest.

His voice was quiet, sad. ]

I'm not sure if that's a blessing or cruel.

[ But realized how heartless that might have seemed, and winced. ]

Sorry. I - I shouldn't've. It's just.

... It's frustrating, knowing there's nothing to stop what happened to you and the others.

[ This is Takumi being entirely genuine. ]

[ When he lets himself think about it he also wonders if it's a blessing or just another cruel irony, so no, Takumi saying it out loud doesn't offend him. It just earns him a bitter little snort. ]

Trust me, it's very frustrating. Some people deal with it better and others worse. I for my part keep busy. I don't think there's much sense to thinking about the lack of control...

[ His jaw tightens and he takes the conversation to private. ]

My work came with many risks, but I was good at what I did. I could make choices, and they would have some influence on whether I lived or died that day. Now my actions have absolutely no influence on the time of my permanent death. It's not pleasant. But it's what it is, and feeling sorry for myself won't make it better. This is unexpected extra time. It would be ungrateful not to spend it well.

[ And he will just... not think about the high chance of losing everything he has gained, of mourning for Kay a second time like he had to mourn for Bodhi, Jyn and Chirrut twice. Which he never really did, since he just pushed it to the back of his mind. Denial's a lovely place to live in. ]

[ Dealing with that lack of control, indeed. Takumi felt he knew himself pretty well, and hearing everything Cassian was describing - imagining himself in that situation?

His tone is wry, as he admits: ]

Well, you're certainly taking this a lot better than I would.

[ Takumi frowns and turns the whole situation over in his head.

He barely knew Cassian - but he couldn't not feel empathy for his situation. He just had to try to do something, somehow. ]

... Look, you hardly know me, and I'm certainly a nobody here, and I barely know anything about this place, but ...

I'm curious, and I was probably going to research everything I could about this Genessia anyway. If I can find anything, any way, any small solution - even if it means letting you guys choose to stay instead of returning to your ...

[ Takumi shook his head, his frown being replaced by a determined look. ]

I promise, I'll do what's in my power and use all my knowledge - as pathetic as that may be - to figure out a way to help you and the others in your situation.

[ It's not a promise of any tangible action, nobody could promise that when success is still so far outside of their reach, yet Cassian finds himself touched by the solemn promise all the same. He is a rebel, after all, he believes very much that trying your best - no matter how impossible the odds may be - has a power all of its own. ]

You have my thanks. Anything you can do to help those who search for a solution... I know there are a few people who don't want to go back to being dead, or to their worlds. Maybe you'll find a solution one day.

I would be working on it myself, but that's figuring out magic and technology that crosses time and space, and my duty is to Attleton.

[ He goes quiet. ]

I know I can't ever go home, but I would like to stay. To build a life here.

[ Figuring out strange technology and how it works with his powers? Not anything he's unfamiliar with. The other realities thing is entirely new, but. Takumi isn't about to set limits on himself now.

Takumi's an odd sort of Sith, but he still believes that his power can free others from what holds them down. This will include the threat of certain death, surely. He'll find a way. ]

I'm sure I won't be the only one looking, here. I just need to find out who, and see if they'll let me lend a hand.

[ Nods ]

And duty comes first. I understand.

[ Finally, he gives Cassian a gentle smile. ]

I've seen people make their homes in stranger, and much less pleasant, places than this.

You've a right to be happy here, just as they do.

[Cassian returns the smile hesitantly. ]

As far as prisons go it really isn't a bad one. Of course we can't ever grow complacent and forget that this place is full of dangers, but... You and I come from an universe which is full of dangers. I'm sure neither of us has held that against it.

For the most oart the people here have made the best of what we have to work with and even those who haven't... They are part of life, too.

[ Cassian frowns slightly. ]

It's not home, of course. If given the choice I would never abandon the Rebellion. I would return if I could. But I don't see how... I died. It's onky this place that brought me back. One man suggested we are just AIs, simulations of the people that used to exist. But then the ones who go home wouldn't go home... They would die, too.

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