In-Character Thread - Chapter 1, Vur Tepe

The ET droid plods along with metallic steps echoing off the floor. Occaisionally it pauses, its head rotating around to be sure its charges are still there, or to process some unknown data stream before moving on again. Eventually you all arrive at a large arched door and it intones in a tinny voice, "We have arrived at the Journeyer Commons Hall, and it is 15.074 standard hours. If I may have your names, I will show you each to your rooms. Or there are also holo-terminals located on the north and south walls, with directories, if you have other business to attend to first.", its head tilts back and forth, internal mechanisms whirring and clicking as it awaits input.

The Journeyers settle into their new accommodations, read their introductory curriculum and course materials, and explore the Temple through both the holo-net directories and walks about the facility. The Temple is a massive complex, at least 12 levels disclosed on the public directory. However the portion accessible to Journeyers, without prior clearance or escort, is relatively limited. You all have the opportunity to familiarize yourselves somewhat with that limited area. There isn't a whole lot of time for much else however, as course work - to be followed by your Temple duties - begin the following morning.

So, you all get some rest and wake on the morrow and begin some basic mechanics and engineering studies. There's both lecture and "practical" shop portions to the studies.

The night before class, Rossa's himself. Not particularly comfortable at groups, but the few he speaks to mind him well. He feels like maybe it's okay. Maybe he can settle in here amidst the others. Find a friend or two to learn from. At night, in the dark, he squeezes his fists, his knuckles cracking. This'll be okay.

Then morning comes and classes start.

Maybe I should've taken Mistress Yen Faen's advice, he thinks. Taken some other path as my first step. In his head, earlier, it had sounded cool. Working with tools, using his strength in a more constructive way. But in reality, it was a lot of talking about stuff he didn't get, and a lot of fiddly tools that slipped through his fingers or shook free of whatever screw he needed to twist.

So after half a day of sheer panic, Rossa decides to do what he's good at. Look out. Blend in. Copy everyone that he can see until--through sheer force of muscle memory--he got it.

With your coursework over for the day, you all are now gathered outside of the communications room to begin your shift as guardians. Master Genlah is present only as a small, staticky blue holo-projection floating above the console. You all assume he has followed through on his word to find another guardian as there is a mirialan, whom some of you perhaps remember from the new arrivals line-up and orientation yesterday, standing amongst the seating when you other three arrive.

The master's voice crackles through the holoterminal speakers, "Ah, here they are. Journeyers Artes, Rossa and Cozbro, this is Journeyer Offee. The first shift guardians should be arriving with your charges soon. You'll have to excuse me though, I am required elsewhere on the moment. I'll expect a written debrief this evening. Until then...

Immortal in the Force.", he intones the last line of the Je'daii Code, and his image winks out.

At this time the ET-droid from yesterday comes in the room and stands at the doorway a moment, blinking through back-lit orbs at the occupants.

It's tinny voice echoes hollowly, "Good day, organics. Your presence is requested at the Transportation Level Commons area."

The droid's eye-orbs blink a couple of times then it nods once and starts in its halting, shuffling gait down the hall, it's metal steps echoing rhythmically.

Being only a little over a meter tall it doesn't move very fast, and it pauses after a couple of minutes maybe ten meters from the turbolift. It looks up and off at something unseen, and you hear some internal clicking and whirrs as it processes some data.

It takes several staccato steps in place to rotate its bearing, so that it is looking upon you all once again, "Pardon me, sirs and madame, but I have a message for you.", there are some more clicks and its eye-orbs flicker before a voice you don't recognize projects from the droid.

It's hard to understand at first as there is a bit of background noise and commotion, but the words come through, "ET-14... ET-14!! Have you found them yet? Where are they?! Tell them, we need them NOW! NOW NOW!!", the message cuts out with a short static squeal, but not before you hear yet more voices in the background elevating to shouts.

The droid tilts its head at the four, its eye-orbs blinking.

The droids eye-orbs flicker a moment, "Transportation level, nnnn Commons area!", it intones somewhat excitedly in its own tinny voice once again.