Dolash was indeed glad to see that Marek had taken to training - many an eager young learner had become frustrated with the concept of seeking inner peace and introspective learning, but it was perhaps the case that those who needed inner peace most were indeed those best equipped to seek it out within themselves. The results were most gratifying, for within the safety of the temple Marek had learned how to flow with the Force - what remained to be seen was if he could maintain this flow out in the real galaxy.

He hunkered down into a comfortable position - difficult for his hulking frame. Once done, he turned to Marek, and nodded. "Very well, it is important that you know a little more about this mission and what the Jedi are doing these days. I shall begin with the beginning.

"Upon completing my own training as a Jedi Knight, I felt a definite pull out into the galaxy, to the traces of the presence of a Force-user untrained in the Force. He had been taken away to the dark prisons on Kessel, but for some reason his mind called out to me - amplified by the living Force, although at the time I did not know why. My companions and I followed that voice to Kessel, and did battle to free the prisoners they kept in horrible seclusion in the deep places of the dark mines.

"After the rescue, we discovered the Seer whose mind we had heard, and he told us of his visions of the planet Ilum. Intrigued, we followed his words and sought out a long lost temple in ruins. There, deep in it's bowels, did we discover a mad ghost - driven beyond the point of all sanity -"

"I was mad then, was I?" It was then that Barris Offee decided to make her appearance, passing through a wall into the cargo hold. "You can hardly blame me, considering what I had gone through."

Barris was a woman in a flowing Jedi robe that mostly concealed her face, what could be seen were a series of mysterious tattoes. Most noticeably of all, she was transparent and a light-blue colour, that of a ghost or spirit.

Dolash smiled, and nodded. "True, true. She can hardly be blamed for what had happened. Indeed, just what did happen is the reason for our journey. The Force lead us to Barris so that we could discover her, and learn of her mysterious 'ejection' from the Force. She died many years ago -" Barris shuddered at the mention of that fact "-and has no recollection of why she has suddenly risen again. It was as we pondered this mystery that Trazu came to us.

"He sought judgement after freeing himself from the dark thrall of another Force Ghost, this one dark to it's core and a cruel tormentor of his race. While it possessed him it made him commit great crimes, but now that he was free of it we let him be. However, he also brought word of a secret place deep in the caves of a nigh-unknown world where there are ancient markings of events throughout history from varyin time-periods and places in the galaxy. It was apparently possessed by a great deal of Force energy, and I do not believe it was by chance that we learned of this. Now we seek to find these caves and seek any answers they might hold about our present situation.

"There you have it, Marek. That is our goal and purpose - to unravel this mystery the Force is leading us to."

Marek listened intently until Dolash was finished.

"An ancient hall of records on a virtually unknown planet awaits our arrival and impending investigation into the events surrounding a long since passed Jedi Knight, who just happens to be appearing in a spectral form as well as a force ghost possession," not quite finished "And a great heaviness in the force energy surrounding it? Is that what you’re telling me?"

"For the most part, I could say that's accurate..." Dolash responded hesitantly, "But not exactly like that."

"Intriguing, should prove to be quite interesting then. I haven't gone on a treasure hunt in a long time, even if the treasure we seek is information and or enlightenment."

Marek then began to take notice of Barris and the strange tattoos she had printed on her body. He wondered what significance they bore or if they were merely just for decoration. Never in all the time he spent gallivanting throughout the stars had he ever seen such markings.

"What do they mean, I've never come across someone with those designs, living or...non-living?" he asked her. He was a bit startled when she first materialized in the hold, but his uneasiness faded as quickly as it had arrived and so he treated her as he would a physical living person, of course he'd have to keep the ghost jokes to a minimum.

He honestly never cared much for space flight: so much that could go wrong and he wouldn’t be able to do squat about it. Trazu was are more comfortable with having someone he knew pilot the ship, as he would know exactly what skills the pilot had on his or her disposal if trouble would head their way. That wasn’t always possible of course, as it was now, so he forced himself to live with it. After all, he offered to go on this trip didn’t he? Besides, he considered this a part of his penitence for all the bad things he had done.

The shorter then normal Trandoshan yawned briefly before focusing his attention back out the small view port next to him. Watching the vastness of space go by and brief bouts of attempted meditation was how he had chosen to past the time rather then ‘mingling’ with the other passengers on board. Not because he was anti-social, but because he could sense more then one of the Jedi on board held less then favorable thoughts about him, not that he blamed them. He was what some would consider the worse kind of criminal after all, even though those crimes were committed with more then a little influence from a very powerful dark spirit.

Trazu sighed and shook his head slightly. Doing anything with the Force consciously was harder now that the spirit was gone. While he had regained a reasonable amount of progress so far during his stay at the Academy, enough to be useful in regards to Force use, he still had a ways to go. What didn’t help was the focusing on the mental defense side of things, something that was both familiar, yet unfamiliar to him and not that easy to train in. Being a Trandoshan, a race that tended not to be very strong in terms of willpower, made it even worse: if he had anything going for him, it was the fact that his family was full of unusually strong willed Trandoshans. One thing was for certain, encountering that mind intruding sphere will most definitely test the mental defenses he has developed thus far. Now if is mind could just stop getting sidetracked and allow him to meditate he could attempt to strengthen them further.

Sidetracked that is due to his attraction to a certain albino Trandoshan that had been staying at the Academy with him. She wasn’t Force sensitive, but a series of circumstances resulted in her becoming a temporary resident like him. Like Trazu, Asri obviously had dark secrets of her own, secrets she clung onto like her life depended on it. Trazu had been gradually getting her to open up to him, but only hints of her past had been revealed.

In a way, he regretted going on this trip and leaving her alone back at the Academy. She got along with the Jedi well enough, but what she wanted most was a life of normalcy among her own kind. At the very least though, before he left on this trip, he had finally gotten it into her head that there were more doors of opportunity open to her then she thought there was. Perhaps what he regretted even more was that he hadn’t had the guts to tell her what he really felt about her. Love had that odd affect on people didn’t it? The funny thing was, thoughts of her didn’t interfere with his training while he was still at the Academy, but now that there was definite separation between them….

He pushed those thoughts away and forced his mind to focus on the task that was upcoming. It had taken a bit of time to recall where exactly the planet was this cave system was on, partly because he had stowed away most on transports most of time during that not-so-distant period of his life. Now he hoped, once they arrived, he’ll remember where on the planet itself the caves were, as they weren’t close to any settlements.

The Force will guide me. He told himself, knowing it was the Force that lead him to the place the first time and was sure it would guide him to it a second time. If the place was as significant as Dolash hoped it was Trazu felt it was imperative that they get to it first before less…desirable…parties do. In fact he was rather surprised no one found it sooner, as far as he could tell anyway. Maybe the place only attracted those connected to the Force when the situation warranted. The sphere did seem to try to warn him about something, but at the time he was too consumed by what it had revealed to him about his own past. Was it trying to warn him about the same thing Dolash was trying to unravel? Hopefully they will soon find out.

Tired of just sitting around, Trazu rose and stretched a bit before taking a walk around the ship to help keep the blood flowing in his legs. Wearing a light tan shirt, brown pants and a brownish-grey cloak, he seemed to mimic the traditional ‘Jedi look’: some could say in a way he was mocking it, though that wasn’t his intent. Trazu had chosen this look so that it would be obvious that he was with them as a group, but not actually one of them, despite the lightsaber that hung along side his normal sword on his belt. If anyone on board had issues with his chosen attire, they were doing a good job at keeping it to themselves.

Speaking of those onboard, Trazu was aware Dolash had invited someone else along: a new student to the Order. He hadn’t heard much about the man, as it wasn’t his business, but from what he had heard was that he was a former pirate seeking his own penitence. It made Trazu feel not so alone, knowing that were other former criminals seeking peace from the Order. He had chosen to keep his distance for the time being, not wanting to interfere with any training that may go on during the trip, but now he felt that maybe it would be appropriate to introduce himself: he had a feeling Marek had inquired about the reason for the trip.

Sure enough that was what they were discussing when he reached the main entrance of the cargo hold: the one area of the ship he imagined Dolash would be most comfortable in because of his height. The ‘newest’ passenger in the form of a Force Spirit did surprise him, but only because he wasn’t expecting one to be going along for the ride. Not wanting to interrupt the conversation, he leaned up against the wall of the cargo hold and remained silent, though all present were likely already aware of his arrival.

Barris seemed somewhat pleased the conversation had begun to move a little, and Dolash could hardly blame her - talking about the circumstances of one's death can't be all that comforting.

"I am a Mirialan, and it is common of the people of our world to bear such markings. They speak of our place in destiny and of our accomplishments - it was part of a faith based roughly on that of the Force. My master was a Mirialan as well, and she bore such tattoos, so I sought to gain them to symbolize my Jedi training."

She became distant again, and seemed to be thinking back to those days. Dolash knew it would be some time before she would come to terms with what had happened - if she ever did, or if there would be enough time. They needed to know more about the situation, needed to find out what was going on, and why.

It was as much as for her sake as it was for the sake of the Force. Dolash had heard of the massacare of Jedi by Palpetine and Anakin, of the thousands slaughtered - some caught unawares, others gunned down by former allies. It had sounded so distant, though, so shrouded in darkness and rumour. No one knew for sure just what had happened, nor who had died, and it had become like many myths in that it was all just words and stories, not personal pain or loss. Her appearance made the horrors and crimes of the Empire hit home somewhat harder than he'd felt it before.

Bringing himself back to the discussion, he said "It is important to note, for future reference, that wherever Barris wishes to travel we must bring her crystal along with her. She has become bound to a crystal of the type often used to focus force energy or lightsaber blades, which - along with the fact that she herself is not corporeal - means that Barris could well be kidnapped by someone simply grabbing the crystal and running with it, although I doubt anyone but a trained Force user could contend with the full will of a spirit of the Force."

With that, he turned to Marek "The Force has a powerful effect on the weak-minded, the distracted, or the unawares - even if you are imprisoned and confined, it is your gateway to all life and it can be your tool of escape through gentle mental manipulation."

It was at this time that Ian - their pilot - swung into the cargo-bay, nodded to Trazu, and turned to face the group. "Hey everyone" he said "We're nearing the coordinates, and I'm getting the planet on sensors - so if you want to take this trip, better make sure we've got all the gear and some landing points for me, okay?"

Throughout the majority of the trip, it had only been Dolash and Marek in the hold. Of course gradually, others began to arrive each one seeming to bring their own focus to the task at hand. Barris was the first to join in on the conversation concerning the mission as well as briefing Marek on a bit of who she was and the strange markings she bore. The second to enter the hold was a Trandoshan; undoubtedly Trazu is who it was. Zolar felt a sense of uneasiness about him and despite the possession he had under-gone previously, Marek could tell by the way he carried himself, that he'd seen his fair share of precarious situations. Funny how such types seem to always find each other. Marek gave the tall creature a nod, which was reciprocated.

Dolash spoke up addressing everyone in the hold, "It is important to note, for future reference, that wherever Barris wishes to travel we must bring her crystal along with her. She has become bound to a crystal of the type often used to focus force energy or lightsaber blades, which - along with the fact that she herself is not corporeal - means that Barris could well be kidnapped by someone simply grabbing the crystal and running with it, although I doubt anyone but a trained Force user could contend with the full will of a spirit of the Force."
His attention then turned to Marek and he spoke once again.

"The Force has a powerful effect on the weak-minded, the distracted, or the unawares - even if you are imprisoned and confined, it is your gateway to all life and it can be your tool of escape through gentle mental manipulation."

Marek was privy to this little secret even before he knew anything of the force. He knew just how to get those not quite quick enough in the mind to do exactly what he wanted them to do or at least make them think it was what they wanted to do, which he in turn benefited from. However, by heightening his ability with the force; it would be much more readily available and not as time consuming.

At about this point and time, Ian entered the hold and made his announcement.

"Hey everyone, We’re nearing the coordinates, and I'm getting the planet on sensors - so if you want to take this trip, better make sure we've got all the gear and some landing points for me, okay?"

Marek shot Ian a nod, mainly because it had been Ian who had led him from the bar back in Theed to the Jedi temple.

Zolar's line of sight was once again trained back on Dolash.

Trazu had frowned slightly at the news that Barris was actually ‘anchored’ to this plane, thus leaving her rather vulnerable to theft and who knows what else. He supposed it was probably the only way to ‘save’ her from the madness Dolash said had overwhelmed her when they found her. It was only a guess on his part though and he didn’t want to pry into a matter long past at this moment.

Ian came in then and announced what he was waiting to hear. "Hey everyone" he said "We're nearing the coordinates, and I'm getting the planet on sensors - so if you want to take this trip, better make sure we've got all the gear and some landing points for me, okay?"

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly: now came a harder part. Closing his lilac eyes he took his mind back to when he arrived on the planet before. Using the Force to keep his memory of the journey pure in his mind so not to contaminate it with falsehood, he focused on the point of arrival.

A small outpost, he recalled, with the some what run down spaceport the largest thing in the place. There wasn’t many people there he remembered, just enough to staff the spaceport: it was a drop off point for supplies and there were a couple of roads leading from there, one went west, the other went southeast. Where those roads went he didn’t know, as he hadn’t followed them and gone north instead. He recalled a canon with a fast moving, twisting river at it’s base, some distance travel from the outpost.

“There’s a small outpost located along the planets equator on the western half.” He said, opening his eyes, addressing mainly Ian. “North of that is a large canyon with a river: that canyon is where we need to go.” He looked around the room. “The canyon itself is steep, very rocky and barren, so I hope everyone brought a good pair of hiking boots.”

A small head peeked around a cargo container, she had found her way onto the ship without being noticed and was surprised the Jedi didn't see her. She surprised a laugh and just sat there for a few. Glad no one noticed I left the Academy, man! Six Jedi! I can't wait! she told herself. She'd been in training for quite some time now and had pretty much forgotten ALL of her military manners, but that didn't matter to her at all

She tucked in her padawan robe and made sure none of it showed, then kept herself in the dark and watched the others

"I hope everyone brought a good pair of hiking boots." She heard one of them say. She grimced at the thought, and wondered if she could still follow them, but after some thought she nodded to herself. Determined

When Ian brought them down near where Trazu had guided them, it was a vertible expedition that prepared to leave the ship.

Ian and Katria, two human Jedi, stood at the exit ramp scanning the rocky canyon which was their objective. Jubaz, the Rodian hunter, was with them, and tasted the air for the scents that drifted through it. Proq, a Twi'lek Jedi of ...perhaps less reputable standing... hung back on the ship checking and rechecking the water supplies, quietly cursing the prospect of a trip through the dust. Two more Jedi, Shillia and Fwar, were to stay with the ship in case of emergencies. That left Dolash, Marek, and Trazu - the three looking out from just outside the ship.

"So the caves are that way, are they?" he said, pointing to the canyon. "This place feels remote enough that it could well be one of the hidden repositories of the Force. Somewhere where life clings in shadows and nooks often attracts the Force, for the strength of their will is suprisingly strong.

"Trazu, for this expedition, you will have to take the lead and guide us to it's source. If once we've found it, however, any attatched memory or emotion makes you wish to remain behind, Fwar and Shillia will be with the ship, and it should be safe enough there.

"And Marek, this is your first experience with what we Jedi do. Keep your eyes open and your senses sharp, but most of all, feel for the Force. That is what we seek, and it will be alive in the walls and the hollows of this place should our location be correct.

"If the past pattern of encounters with the Force have been any indicator, however, this could be dangerous - another Force ghost could haunt this location, we may find a weapon of some sort, or even the Dark Side. Against this later threat there is no defence but strong will, but should there be ghosts or creatures in the dark, then we should go armed. I carry a blade, and my companions have lightsabers of their own design. It would be a bold creature that would attack a Trandoshan, even unarmed, and I imagine you know a trick or two as well, Marek, but for safety's sake I encourage you both to take blasters from our cargo hold before we set out. Should there be danger, stay back, and allow us to bear it's brunt."

Further back, out of earshot, Proq looked up at Marek and Trazu then turned to Shillia and Fwar in the pilot seats. "What do you make of the two new guys?"

"Better than Oblox, at least." said Shillia glumly. Fwar shrugged in a hopeless gesture, and the female Devaronian continued "I don't care if he could see the future, he was creepy and a jerk, I've met psychologists with better small-talk skills than him."

"You judge perhaps too harshly, but I agree that these two are good additions for this mission." said Fwar "Trazu knows of where we are going, and so it is logical for him to come. Marek, on the other hand, stands to benefit greatly from seeing more senior Jedi in action."

"Some action." muttered Proq "Wandering across the dusty rocks? He'd have been better off in the library."

"Oh yeah, because we all know how much he would learn watching you in real action, don't we?" said Shillia, rolling her eyes. "Last time you were in a fight we didn't find you until we searched under the wreckage only to find you curled up underneath."

"Hey, I was pinned." said Proq in a defensive tone "If you'd been there earlier you would have seen me taking on those Farfalen gate guards with nothing more than a knife and my own cunning."

"Your story grows with every telling, Proq" said Fwar "But for now, let us focus our attention on this new pupil of Dolash's. He has been a wise leader to us for some time now, and we owe it to ensure that this new Jedi learns the ways of the Force from all of us."

"Once he's done that, he can learn the ways of the wuss from Proq here." said Shillia, grinning. The Twi'lek just scowled, and turned his attention back to Marek and Trazu.

Emerging from the ship once more, Marek was packing dual DL-18 blasters. He had purchased the weapons some years ago from a trader on Tatooine and they had just arrived by mail courier the day before the group embarked from Theed. Both weapons were securely fastened in their respected shoulder holsters, the sisters, as he liked to refer to them had saved his life more times than he'd care to remember.

"Alright," he announced once more checking to make sure that everything was secure on his person. He really hoped that he wouldn't be needing them on this trip, the sisters that is.

Surveying the area in which the craft had landed, it was obvious that it was some pretty rough terrain. The rigid landscape would be very difficult to navigate across, but by the looks of this group they weren't going to have too many problems, at least he didn't think so at the time.

“I will lead you all the way.” Trazu said with a tone of finality. “I am done with hiding from my past, though I appreciate your concern Master Dolash.
“As for the blasters, no thank you, I have my own weapons.” He pulled back his cloak just enough to show the lightsaber and normal sword on his belt. “No offense meant to present parties…” He glanced at Marek. “But I believe blasters are the weapons of a coward.”

Not waiting for a possible retort from Marek, Trazu strode forward toward the cliff face and walked along it for moment until the view below struck him familiar. Yes, this was the spot, the spot he stood at months ago as a Dark Jedi. He remembered climbing down the cliff at this point and nearly tumbling into the river at it’s base when a particularly bad memory resurfaced. Trazu knew the cave entrance was very close to that spot and carefully he reached out with the Force, seeking and quickly finding the entrance.

“There.” He said, pointing at what looked like a normal canyon wall that was part of one of the many twists in the canyon face: looked like someone, or something closed the door after he…or rather the spirit…had left. “The entrance is there. We’ll need to use the Force to open it.”