revivalproject | 08 | It must be getting early; Clocks are running late

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08 | It must be getting early; Clocks are running late

WHO: the Soldier (

sinistral) and you
WHERE: various Temba locations
WHAT: while everyone hunkered down in the warrens, the Soldier was sent elsewhere; now it's time to come back
WHEN: a few days after the general population emerges from the underground
WARNINGS: none; will update if that changes

TEMBA
→ Excavation: for Billy Kaplan;

The first thing the Soldier did on waking in Temba, sore and tired and with the familiarly, infuriatingly vague idea that he'd been elsewhere, was to check to make sure he was intact, or near enough to it. But the first thing after that was to make his way through ruined streets to the building Billy and his brother claimed as their home. The sight that met his eyes made something twist and drop out of the bottom of his stomach, a sensation he immediately tried to ignore. It, and the implied emotion, were unneeded.

"Billy?" he called out, circling toward the wall that seemed most intact. The ceiling was a complete loss, but he couldn't tell from this angle how much damage the structure had absorbed, and how much it had caved. He couldn't tell either if Billy or his brother was around; he resolved to find out. "Tommy?"

→ Exploration: open to all;

The Soldier hadn't been one to rely heavily on the amenities of the community. He generally preferred to forage, and to repurpose things he found in so doing. Years of living on the run with few resources prepared him pretty well for losing the bulk of his supplies when the volcanic activity apparently swept through the towns. But years of living on the run also had him hiding small caches of supplies here and there in ruined buildings. If he was lucky maybe one or two of his stashes hadn't been completely destroyed.

(He never had that kind of good luck but it was a nice thought.)

The weather seemed like it would hold at least, making it a decent day for exploring the rubble of ruined buildings. Maybe he'd luck into finding something useful. Or maybe he'd just end up doing the heavy lifting for someone who needed it. At the very least the sounds from the building in front of him didn't seem like the predatory animals he'd seen on Temba's outskirts. Still, a hand strayed close to the knife at his hip, just in case.

→ Examination: network text to Cal Kestis;

I could use a mechanic. If you've the time.

→ Explanation: network text open to all;

Anyone know if this was a planned redecorating, or is apocalypse chic just in now and I missed the memo?

→ Wildcard;

Open to other ideas. Please reach out to me at

sometimesamuse or via PM for plotting needs. As always while I write starters in prose I'm happy to match brackets if that's your preference.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[BD-1 at least knew the things Cal could do, but he'd only ever seen this sort of reaction once, but once was all it took. He was relieved that at least the Soldier caught the Jedi just before he collapsed, hovering anxiously by.

The man's request earned him a single beep that didn't sound quite like one if only because apparently saying 'beep' in Binary did not work as onomatopoeia. It was followed by another as BD had to consider the situation. After all, the last time it had happened, there hadn't been anyone else but the droid with Cal, and it had not been fun waiting to see if his Jedi would come to or not.]

[He took the two sounds to represent the second option; decision made he just had to move Cal. Fortunately the Soldier was stronger than he looked because height-wise they were pretty close and that could be awkward. Instead he was able to gather Cal into his arms, taking most of the weight on his right in case the damage to the left arm was in fact severe.

He looked to BD-1 once he got Cal settled in his arms.] You can cling to me if you don't want to climb the stairs yourself.

[Become the closest shelter was inside the museum. Hope there would be something better than just the floor on which to lay his friend down, but they'd see.]

[The droid hesitated before hopping up to hang on. Stairs weren't necessarily the issue, but he as just watching Cal for signs that he was okay.

...no, not once before. BD-1 found the memory, tucked in that strange section of memories he shouldn't have, of a time here before this. Those caves by the beach, that had been a much worse situation. The droid was thankful that they weren't completely alone here, that there were people they could depend on.

The museum had been cleared out but for the lack of use had gathered dust, but there were some benches available amongst the sparsely furnished room they stepped into. Once inside, BD-1 hopped down, trailing beside the Soldier.]

[The Soldier made his way over to a bench, choosing one that gave him the best sightlines to the rest of the space. Laying Cal down carefully, he tucked his own jacket under his friend's head and sat close. Cal's breathing remained steady as far as he could see; there was no obvious sign to why he had collapsed.

He looked at BD-1, but while Cal understood the droid, the Soldier didn't. The best he'd be able to do was wait, and watch to make sure Cal's condition didn't worsen.]

I'll keep him safe. [It was the best he could promise at the time.]

[BD-1 perched opposite of the Soldier, hooting his concern but otherwise not saying too much as he lingered, waiting.

At least the two of them didn't have to wait for long. Eventually Cal began to stir, brows pulling together as he groaned, his eyelids fluttering open. He vaguely heard the droid's relieved beeping as his senses tried to get come back into focus, mind grasping at whatever chain of events he could gather that led him to the reason he was on his back.

He sat up, maybe too abruptly as he flinched and dropped his face into his palm.]

Nggh... That was not fun.

Steady— [Cautiously, as Cal moved to sit; if the Soldier looked like he was poised to catch his friend again, it might not be an entirely incorrect impression.] Take it slow.

[They had time. No need to rush, though the questions to why Cal had suddenly collapsed burned in his brain.]

[Cal managed a nod, taking in a deep breath as the rest of him worked on balancing things back out. His shoulders sagged even as he straightened his posture some, dropping a hand on BD-1's head as the little droid came up beside his knee, beeping a cautious inquiry.]

Yeah, I'm... I'm okay. Didn't expect that.

Are you sure? [The Soldier also hadn't expected Cal to keel over out of nowhere. It made him wonder if it was a regular occurrence.] You don't have to answer that, but...

[Shut up he's allowed to express a little worry. Emotions are a work in progress.]

[It thankfully wasn't, otherwise he'd be even more trouble than he already tended to get himself into.

Cal ran his hand over his face, but the last of the fragmented images had long faded off, though the impressions were still there. He finally looked over at the other man, the corner of his lips quirking just slightly in the weakest attempt at humor.]

Aw, you do care.

...but yeah. I'm sure. [He paused.]

...and I'm sorry.

Tell anyone and you won't be my favorite anymore, [he shot back readily enough. But the attempt at humor had to be a good thing, right? He gave Cal another once over but the man looked physically fine. That was great, but sometimes the physical was the easy part.

The apology confused him though.]

What can you possibly be sorry for?

[The Jedi pulled his legs in to sit cross-legged, resting his elbows on them.]

...I saw things. Experiences. Yours...

[His gaze shifted over to that metal arm.]

I have this ability... But sometimes I don't have much say in when it triggers. It usually happens when the impressions left are particularly strong, and a lot of the time, it's in connection with negative emotions.

[Cal tried to explain and it painted enough of a picture for the Soldier to think he understood. Not all the details of course; Cal possessed skills he'd never understand. But one thing was clear:]

I've brought you pain.

[By asking for help, he'd caused Cal to collapse. And as for the inadvertent invasion of his own privacy, well, he didn't want to discuss the sting that caused, telling himself it wasn't Cal's fault.]

And now you know what I am...?

[There was a moment of hesitation before Cal shook his head.]

You didn't do it any more intentionally than I did. ...and as to your question, yes and no.

It was...a lot. Everything was overlapping and pulling in different directions, if I had to summarize anything I wouldn't be able to, not in detail. It was almost as bad as when I got stuck in the caves by the beach here.

What I do know...is that you've been through a lot. It's not my right to know any of it, and I'm still sorry for the intrusion.

Don't apologize.

[Cal didn't do anything wrong. From the sound of it, it'd been the Soldier's fault as much as Cal's, a bad combination of negative memories and too much sensitivity. And to be honest, the Soldier sought out Cal in the first place.

It did leave them in a somewhat awkward conversational place though. How much trust could he give away?]

You can ask. If you want to. I just can't promise that I'll answer.

...I won't ask if you don't want to answer. I know there's plenty of things I'd rather not revisit.

[The Soldier was not the first person he'd witnessed be tormented, punished and warped into something else. But Trilla's past, her pain, had been so much clearer. The Soldier's memories were both muddy and convoluted, layered. Was it just so much that he'd gone through?]

But I don't know if I'll be able to do anything about your arm. [Even after that, his concern was still in that he couldn't help, go figure.]

I'll let you know if you hit on anything I don't want to tell.

[Typically the Soldier had to walk away from the questions and the feeling that others believed themselves entitled to his story. Talking to someone who didn't want to even ask was strange, in a good way.]

Don't worry about my arm. I'll figure something out. [It wasn't worth Cal being uncomfortable, just for the Soldier to get a repair. He'd find another way.]

[There were other capable mechanics in the city at least. Cal knew however that it was more an issue of trust, and a part of him still felt bad for being unable to assist with that. Usually he could manage not to trigger any Force-induced memories once he'd seen them, but he wasn't so sure about something steeped in so many experiences...]

...you were used. Have been used even here.

[He couldn't remember the guttural words, but he remembered the sounds, the impressions and the numbness that came with them.]

There's a book here, isn't there? I've been meaning to find it. ...so no one can use you again.

[The Soldier was already preparing a mental list of how to deal with his arm problem. Just ignore it was so far the leading option, but perhaps he'd consider if he could ask someone else. Eventually.]

Yes. I was.

[Both at home and in his life here. There was no point denying it.

The book though... Cal's statement threw the Soldier for a loop and his face likely shows his surprise. He never would have expected someone to care so much about not using the Soldier.]

There is. Beck had it; I don't know how he got it. He activated my programming. [Cal may have guessed as much.] I don't know what to say.

Edited (verb tenses are evil) 2023-09-18 03:52 (UTC)

...people were used like that in my galaxy too. Soldiers that were my friends...

[He didn't know it at the time, but there had to be something to it, to turn an army of clone troopers so willingly against the generals and commanders, the Jedi that they'd fought alongside for the duration of an entire war.

It wasn't until Cal had come here that he'd learned the awful truth, even though he'd already suspected that they'd been used, pawns just like the Jedi in an even greater game that no one had any idea they'd been forced to play.]

I remember speaking to one of the Agrii about it. They were concerned too, after seeing what Beck did to you. I'm not sure if they've located it, but if it's still here somewhere, we need to make sure no one gets it.

[The end of one side of his mouth quirks, briefly.] What's to say? You're my friend. And even if you weren't, making you do things that no one should ever have to... It isn't right. You're a person, not a weapon.

Good to know that the evil isn't just contained to where I'm from.

[Actually it was the opposite of good, and the Soldier wouldn't wish it on anyone. But it did give him a perverse sense of peace to know that he wasn't the only one.

Still, having Cal express so much in care surprised him.]

I'm surprised that they expressed concern, considering that they keep taking me from this place. [To be similarly used, the Soldier believed. He had no concrete evidence of that though, just the way he felt when he returned.] the only place it belongs is in a fire.

[That expression was nice. The Soldier didn't know why Cal cared so much but lately he questioned it less and less.]

I'm more weapon than person. Forgetting that could put people in danger.

Unfortunately evil seems to be a multi-dimensional problem.

[He regarded the skies as though he could see the Agrii ship somewhere beyond.]

I can't explain their actions... But I know that they don't like seeing us hurt each other. [He wondered if it had really been the Agrii whisking the Soldier off to places unknown for even more mysterious purposes, but he didn't think that'd make the man feel any better to bring up.]

Gotta find it first. [Cal did smile the, a lopsided thing.] Then you can do the honors of chucking it into the flames.

[He shook his head.]

But you don't have to forget you're still a person either.

[In some ways the Jedi had been seen as a weapon, deployed by the Republic in attempts to quell the start of a war, and when it was unavoidable, then to pierce the enemy forces and fight. They were supposed to be peacekeepers, but it seemed all Cal ever knew was fighting since he'd become a padawan. And it had been exciting then. How quickly things had changed.]

So I may not be able to help with the arm, but I can do this. Figuring out where Beck kept to himself would probably be the best start.

True.

[A universal truth, unfortunately. And probably as unknowable as the Agrii motivations, honestly.] Possibility that it's not the Agrii. I was in the Fleet before this. The Atroma implant is still in place.

[Sorry Cal, the Soldier had already considered the possibility that something else could be taking him for deployment. Unfortunately he didn't think he'd get a straight answer if he tried to ask.

But that wasn't something to consider now.]

Gotta find it first. [The first step and probably the hardest step.] I think I can spare you a few pages to toss yourself.

[He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.] Don't really know how to be a person.

[An effect of this place or an effect of everything in his life leading up to this point? The Soldier couldn't tell for sure. What he did know was frustration from others when he didn't meet their preconceptions or didn't act "normally." It was part of why he kept so much distance between himself and others.

At least he could help with regards to Beck.]

I can shed light on that. Once he had me, he kept me close.

[Well, just so long as they're both not discounting the possibility. Still, Cal made a face.]

Gotta love this place, right?

[He shook his head. It was a bit frustrating when even being on your guard was no guarantee that you could avoid problems.]

Hey, you're managing fine. Maybe some day we'll have a fun conversation.

[His grin came a bit easier with that.

The possibility of having a better start to the mystery of the book's whereabouts had him lift a brow.]

Well, I'm sure not going to complain about making things possibly easier.

That's one word for it.

[One very sarcastic word. Unfortunately though they'd likely hit a wall with trying to figure out why the Soldier kept getting taken. He could ask the Agrii, but he doubted he'd get an answer.]

Heh. No one comes to me to be the fun choice. [It was his thing. Too much of the assassin lurked at the edges for him to relax.

The Soldier nodded though;
losing Cal as a mechanic was a harsh punishment, or so it felt. He'd have to search out an alternative, but he couldn't think about that at the moment.]

Well, we did apparently have a volcano. There was no guarantee that his hideout survived. But it'd be a place to start.

You never know.

[Slim chance as it was, it wasn't impossible. The Soldier had already proven he had at least some slight sense of humor.

Cal swung his legs over the edge of the bench before leaning forward to get on his feet.]

Well, we may as well check it out. It's something, at least. Come on, BeeDee.

08 | It must be getting early; Clocks are running late

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