NationStates Jolt Archive

"Alright." Taylor nodded.

"Could you be any more obvious Taylor?" Temari remarked with a smirk.

"Just covering all the bases." Taylor replied.

"No you just want to get your hands dirty in the making of the fake amulet," Temari then pointed out.

"And that. Wouldn't you want to make something that could trip up your enemies?" Taylor asked lightly.

"Hmph," Temari remarked, folding her arms.

"You can help if you wish," the holographic image of Gaignun told him.

"Might as well to pass the time." Taylor said. "How far have you gotten?"

"Just the basic shape," the holographic image explained. "You would need to come out here to help though."

"Alright. I could teleport there..." Taylor said. "But only with a clear picture of where you are."

"You can teleport across a vast distance of space?" Jr questioned him.

Taylor hmphed. "Was under the impression you were nearby. I could, but then I'd drain all my power and would have to wait a week to recharge, at least."

the holographic image chuckled. "Then a twelve hour journey uboard the Durandal would be better for you then," he said. "And that way Jr can come as well."

"Well, nothing else to do but do it." Taylor said. "When does the ship leave?"

"As soon as possible," Jr said.

"I'll await your arrival," the holographic image then said and faded away.

"Hmph," Temari smirked. "And I have to stay here to give orders to the Sunaarashi that are here, I'll send Kimiko with you."

"All right." Taylor said. He didn't mind if Kimiko's around. "Ready that shuttle if you please."

Temari disappeared through a door as Jr tapped into a small remote and stood up.

"Well it's ready when we are," he then said.

"Well, I'm ready." Taylor said.

"Good then," Jr said. "Shuttles ready out back."

Without waiting for Taylor, Jr headed out back.

Taylor followed Jr. to the shuttle.

As they got there, Kimiko ran over to catch up with them.

"Just the three of us?" she asked.

"Yes," Jr replied climbing aboard the shuttle. As he sat down Kimiko sat down behind him. "Taylor take the co-pilots seat."

"Alright." Taylor took the copilot's seat.

Jr started up the engines and the shuttle began to lift off. Before long they had left the atmosphere and headed out into space.

"The Durandal was left in the dark side of the moon with the Ayreon," Jr explained. "They're well hidden there."

Taylor nodded. "Always a good idea."

"Yeaa, but I wonder if Kurt staying on Svartalfheim is such a good idea," Jr wondered. "He always used to fight with his sister now things are much different."

"Sounds interesting. I wonder if they'll ever reconcile..." Taylor mused.

Jr sighed, thoughts of Albedo came flooding back. "I don't know," he admitted. "Perhaps it may be the same as myself and my twin brother."

"One can only hope." Taylor said, suddenly thinking of Fiona aka Nightshade.

Jr shook his head. "One can only hope not, Albedo is still out there," he replied as the moon neared. "I hope that Lady Nocturne is at least returned from the dark side and become Talia once more but I fear she may be too far gone down the dark path, the one their grandfather took."

OOC: Anything, follow Gorgron, bait Wolfram.

After a quick shut-eye, Titan got out of his seat and walked to the entrance of the tent where he stuck his head out and felt the rain.

"I don't think it's clearing anytime soon," Gorgron sighed.

"Well... I guess we'll have to sit tight then," Titan said as he let the rain hit his spikey hair.

"Yeah looks like it," Gorgron sighed. "Cards?"

"Sure..." Titan said as he brought his head back in from the outside.

He wondered what game Gorgron had in mind, because as far as he knew, the games he played were native and only really played on Naboo.

Gorgron returned to where Wolfram was and brought out a pack of cards.

"Twenty one or bust sound good to you?"

"Not sure how to play..." he commented as he found a seat on the ground.

"Well I deal out the cards, I give you two then if needed to take it up to twenty one more cards," he explained. "If you end up with more than twenty one you go bust and lose, if you stick and I get more than you I win, if you get more than me you win."

"I get another twenty one cards???" Titan asked slightly confused by his friend's description.

"No I mean the total number the cards add up to," Gorgron explained. "Say the seven of clubs and seven of diamonds will add up to fourteen. The aces can be eleven or one and the Jacks, Queens and Kings are all ten."

"Alright... I think I get it," Titan said as he noted the unique set of cards.

Gorgron nodded and dealt out two cards to Titan.

Titan looked at the two cards Gogron dealt him: A nine with a funny red, sideways square and an eight with an odd black shape that he couldn't really describe.

He took a second to think, adding up the cards to seventeen, before looking back to his friend. "Umm... can I have another card?"

Jr shook his head. "One can only hope not, Albedo is still out there," he replied as the moon neared. "I hope that Lady Nocturne is at least returned from the dark side and become Talia once more but I fear she may be too far gone down the dark path, the one their grandfather took."
"Yeah. I feel the same way about Nightshade." Taylor said.

Titan looked at the two cards Gogron dealt him: A nine with a funny red, sideways square and an eight with an odd black shape that he couldn't really describe.

He took a second to think, adding up the cards to seventeen, before looking back to his friend. "Umm... can I have another card?"

Gorgron nodded and placed another card in front of Titan. Then the unexpected happened and the card stood up and faced Gorgron.

"Quite frankly Sir I would much rather play poker if you wouldn't mind," it then said and marched off.

"Ok that wasn't supposed to happen," Gorgron said, surprised.

"We are in the realm of the Norns Gorg, weird shit will happen," Wolfram explained.

"Umm... do I get another?" Titan asked as he was quite surprised the card talked.

"Yeah. I feel the same way about Nightshade." Taylor said.

The two ships came into view, though barely as they were hidden by the darkness.

"It is possible to bring them back from the darkside," Jr then said. "I don't they are as far gone as Albedo, he was driven insane."

"Umm... do I get another?" Titan asked as he was quite surprised the card talked.

"Yeaa sure," Gorgron said, passing Titan another card.

"Yeaa sure," Gorgron said, passing Titan another card.

Titan looked at the card with a funny looking man on it before showing it to Gorgron.

"That's a jack of spades," Gorgron said.

"That's a jack of spades," Gorgron said.

"So I have an eight, nine, and jack of spades..." Titan replied as he showed Gorgron his three cards.

The two ships came into view, though barely as they were hidden by the darkness.

"It is possible to bring them back from the darkside," Jr then said. "I don't they are as far gone as Albedo, he was driven insane."
"Oh? How did that happen?" Taylor asked.

"So I have an eight, nine, and jack of spades..." Titan replied as he showed Gorgron his three cards.

"That brings you up to twenty seven, you lose loser," the renegade card taunted from a safe distance.

Wolfram grabbed something and threw it at the card.

"Oh? How did that happen?" Taylor asked.

Jr looked pained by the thought of what happened. "It was a long time ago, I made a mistake," he said.

"Oh. Sorry." Taylor didn't want to press any further.

Jr just nodded. He said nothing as he landed the shuttle in the docking bay of the Durandal. Then with the docking bay doors firmly shut it was safe for them to venture out.

"Come on," Jr then said. "Let's get this show on the road."

"Right." Taylor said and headed into the Durandal.

Jr and Kimiko headed directly to the bridge.

"Mary, Shelley set a course for the Foundations M66 outpost," he then ordered.

"Yes Little Master," Mary replied, cheerful as ever.

Jr stood back and watched as the ship jumped into hyperspace.

"That brings you up to twenty seven, you lose loser," the renegade card taunted from a safe distance.

Wolfram grabbed something and threw it at the card.

"Oh... that's a short game," Titan commented as the card informed him of his loss.

"Of course," Gorgron said. "The aim isn't to win once it's to win the most games."

"Of course," Gorgron said. "The aim isn't to win once it's to win the most games."

"Out of how many?" Titan said. The game, being so short, seemed kind of boring.

Gorgron shrugged. "Well usually like poker it's a gambling game," he explained. "Either you or the banker goes bust."

"Whose the banker?" Titan wondered. "And what's poker?"

"I have the deck of cards so I would be the banker," Gorgron then explained. "And poker is more complex card game, fucked if I know how to play it so don't ask."

Jr and Kimiko headed directly to the bridge.

"Mary, Shelley set a course for the Foundations M66 outpost," he then ordered.

"Yes Little Master," Mary replied, cheerful as ever.

Jr stood back and watched as the ship jumped into hyperspace.
Taylor chuckled as he made his way to the room he has used many times. "So many memories around. Anyway, time to continue that book I was reading..."

Popping it from a dimensional pocket, Taylor opened up a book about a team of detectives who happen to be alchemists and their adventures. It wasn't a short one, nor was it exactly rated PG, but Taylor liked reading about it, mainly because he likes to try and figure out how each transmutation aided in solving crimes. Plus, it's a detective novel, and Jedi Knights happen to be renowned detectives (most of the time).

"I have the deck of cards so I would be the banker," Gorgron then explained. "And poker is more complex card game, fucked if I know how to play it so don't ask."

"Oh...kind of seems boring," Titan remarked about the overly simply game of Blackjack.

The Durandal exited hyperspace after a twelve hour journey. It was soon docked and ready for disembarking.

"We've arrived Taylor," came a voice over the intercom.

"Great. And I was just getting to the climax." Taylor moaned and the book popped out of the universe for a time. He walked down to the hangar bay.

"Oh...kind of seems boring," Titan remarked about the overly simply game of Blackjack.

Gorgron grumbled. "Well what do you want to do then?"

"Get to our destination," Titan commented as he looked back at the tent flap.

"Great. And I was just getting to the climax." Taylor moaned and the book popped out of the universe for a time. He walked down to the hangar bay.

Jr looked at as they headed down the ramp and aboard the Kukai Foundation outpost. There was a familiar ship docked nearby, the Elsa, its crew probably around somewhere.

"We'll get you two settled in and then we'll find out how far they are into making the fake amulet," Jr suggested.

"Get to our destination," Titan commented as he looked back at the tent flap.

The tent shook as thunder rumbled overhead.

"In that?" Gorgron asked.

"Obviously not... I just want to get off here..."

"I know," Gorgron replied. "I'm just trying to pass the time. At least Wolfram knows what he's doing in plotting our journey."

"I wish I had my cards with me..." Titan said sadly as he remembered his set.

"Are they different?" Gorgron asked.

"Are they different?" Gorgron asked.

"Yeah..." Titan replied. "I've never seen cards like these before."

"Oh," Gorgron replied.

"Coming to the academy must have been quite a culture shook for you," Wolfram remarked.

Titan simply nodded. "Nothing is the same..."

Jr looked at as they headed down the ramp and aboard the Kukai Foundation outpost. There was a familiar ship docked nearby, the Elsa, its crew probably around somewhere.

"We'll get you two settled in and then we'll find out how far they are into making the fake amulet," Jr suggested.
"Alright." Taylor nodded.

Titan simply nodded. "Nothing is the same..."

"Each world is different," Wolfram mentioned. "The Draconian homeworld is very fifferent to Wundagore DN where the academy is, then take a look at this planet."

"Alright." Taylor nodded.

"Guest quarters are this way," Jr said and pointed up.

The colony was like an artificial island placed in the middle of space. It was flat and covered by a huge glass, or seemingly glass dome.

"Don't worry, that can't take a direct hit from any ship and stand up to it."

"Well they all seem different from Naboo," Titan added.

Wolfram nodded. "Some day you should visit Tortuga DN," he suggested. "You'll be really surprised there, aside from the port it looks pretty much low tech."

"Tortuga? Turtle? Naboo isn't low tech... just not quite the same," Titan replied.

"Guest quarters are this way," Jr said and pointed up.

The colony was like an artificial island placed in the middle of space. It was flat and covered by a huge glass, or seemingly glass dome.

"Don't worry, that can't take a direct hit from any ship and stand up to it."
"Can't or can?" Taylor asked wryly. "If can't, your engineers will be needing a little talk..."

"Tortuga? Turtle? Naboo isn't low tech... just not quite the same," Titan replied.

"Well Tortuga DN is actually a reseach facility, around half a million live down on the planet," Wolfram explained.

"Can't or can?" Taylor asked wryly. "If can't, your engineers will be needing a little talk..."

"Can, I didn't say can't did I?" Jr said and sighed. "I must be tired, this is all taking a strain on me."

"Well Tortuga DN is actually a reseach facility, around half a million live down on the planet," Wolfram explained.

"A low tech research facility... that seems odd," Titan commented as he thought about the irony of it.

"A low tech research facility... that seems odd," Titan commented as he thought about the irony of it.

"Well from the outside it looks low tech, especially where people live," Wolfram then said. "But inside the labs are very high tech."

"Can, I didn't say can't did I?" Jr said and sighed. "I must be tired, this is all taking a strain on me."
"Probably." Taylor shrugged. "Moving on..."

"Well moving on," Jr pointed to a large glass building overlooking a lake in the centre of the outpost. "That is the guest quarters, I'm sure you'll find it comfortable."

"That's the guest quarters?" Taylor was surprised. "Nifty."

Jr smirked. "Well we're not going to let our guests sleep in subpar rooms now are we?" he said.

He tapped into a control panel and the doors to a lift opened up.

"All aboard, top floor."

"'Course not." Taylor smirked back as he stepped in the elevator. "Comfortable is always good."

With the trio inside, the glass doors shut and the lift moved upwards to the top floor. They could see almost all of the outpost in front of them, Jr also recognised Members of the Elsa crew sat around outside the tavern.

"Here we are top floor, King Kurt II suites."

"Good name." Taylor smiled.

Jr smirked. "Yeah, he wanted four suites, one in each corner," he said. "So take your pick."

Kimiko quickly headed into one of the suites.

Taylor took another suite.

"I'll see you outside by the lake when you're ready," Jr then said and headed back to the lift.

"Well from the outside it looks low tech, especially where people live," Wolfram then said. "But inside the labs are very high tech."

"So it's actually high tech..."

"Yes, the lab is," Wolfram said. "But from the looks on the outside it doesn't."

The next morning, Taylor went down to the lake after breakfast, waiting for Jr.

Jr and Kimiko were already there waiting for him.

"Nice of you to join us," Kimiko remarked.

"Huh. Inner clock must be screwed up." Taylor noted. "Anyway, today's a big day, so let's get going on that false amulet."

Jr nodded. "Different time zone," he explained. "This way."

He led the two around the lake to another blass building, only this time the glass was tinted so that it was impossible to see inside. A guard stopped them at the gate.

"Good afternoon Master Kukai," the guard said. "Under orders I must see some ID from your visitors."

Jr nodded as Kimiko passed over her Ninja ID.

"Yes, the lab is," Wolfram said. "But from the looks on the outside it doesn't."

"It doesn't what?" Titan wondered.

Jr nodded. "Different time zone," he explained. "This way."

He led the two around the lake to another blass building, only this time the glass was tinted so that it was impossible to see inside. A guard stopped them at the gate.

"Good afternoon Master Kukai," the guard said. "Under orders I must see some ID from your visitors."

Jr nodded as Kimiko passed over her Ninja ID.
"Ok." Taylor handed over his ID. On the ID, he is stated to be a Chuunin-level Shinobi who holds the rank of Jedi Knight and the rank of Major in the military. Not only that, he's known as the FireIce Alchemist. Quite a resumé under his belt.

"It doesn't what?" Titan wondered.

"Look high tech," Wolfram repeated.

"Ok." Taylor handed over his ID. On the ID, he is stated to be a Chuunin-level Shinobi who holds the rank of Jedi Knight and the rank of Major in the military. Not only that, he's known as the FireIce Alchemist. Quite a resumé under his belt.

"Thank you," the guard then said and tapped something into a computer on his arm. "Now front desk shall give you your passes, you may enter."

The glass doors opened and they walked inside to the front desk. A blue-haired female was sat behind the desk and looked up as they entered.

"Here are your passes," she said, passing the two passes over.

"Look high tech," Wolfram repeated.

"Well then perhaps it is quite the opposite of Naboo," Titan commented as he thought about the matter.

"Personally I've never been there," Wolfram replied.

"Me neither," Gorgron added.

"Naboo or Tortuga?" Titan asked, though expected it to be the latter.

"Both actually," Wolfram then said.

"I assumed so," Titan replied as he continued to think about his homeworld.

"Thank you," the guard then said and tapped something into a computer on his arm. "Now front desk shall give you your passes, you may enter."

The glass doors opened and they walked inside to the front desk. A blue-haired female was sat behind the desk and looked up as they entered.

"Here are your passes," she said, passing the two passes over.
Taylor took a pass and waited for Jr. to move on.

"I assumed so," Titan replied as he continued to think about his homeworld.

"Attack!" yelled a voice before any of them could say anything further.

At the other end of the tent, the renegade card had returned with a small army of cards. All were carrying little lightsabers.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me," Wolfram groaned.

Taylor took a pass and waited for Jr. to move on.

"This way," Jr said.

Heading through the doors, he led them along a corridor where they could clearly see outside. He placed his hand on the wall and a door opened in the wall. Inside was a lab where some people where gathered around a table. One of whom was Gaignun Kukai. He looked up at them and smiled, pushing away a lock of black hair from over his eyes.

"Pleased to meet you in person," he said.

"And you." Taylor nodded. "So, where's the goods?"

Gaignun stood up. "If you'll follow me," he said before heading through another door.

Jr and Kimiko followed into a darkened room. There in the centre, lit up bu spotlights and covered by a forcefield was the outline shape of the amulet Jr had once worn.

"This is as far as we have come."

"Attack!" yelled a voice before any of them could say anything further.

At the other end of the tent, the renegade card had returned with a small army of cards. All were carrying little lightsabers.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me," Wolfram groaned.

"Just blow them away or something," Titan mused as he thought about just blowing hard in their direction.

Gaignun stood up. "If you'll follow me," he said before heading through another door.

Jr and Kimiko followed into a darkened room. There in the centre, lit up bu spotlights and covered by a forcefield was the outline shape of the amulet Jr had once worn.

"This is as far as we have come."
"Hmm. Nice. You have the actual one?" Taylor asked.

"Just blow them away or something," Titan mused as he thought about just blowing hard in their direction.

Wolfram held out his hand and pushed them away using Force Push and into a cupboard. Still using the force, he looked up the cupboard.

"I have a feeling they'll be back," he sighed.

Lightning flashed outside and the subsequent clap of thunder shook the tent.

"Nice touch."

"Hmm. Nice. You have the actual one?" Taylor asked.

"Yes we still have it, locked up tight and guarded twenty-four hours a day," Gaignun told him.

"Is it possible the see the original?" Taylor asked.

"It's possible yes," Gaignun replied. "We do of course need it on hand for comparison, but you have to understand that it is done under only the most stringent conditions."

"I understand." Taylor nodded. "I'll just need to scan its composition, that's all. After all, the fake one needs to be as authentic as possible."

Gaignun nodded.

"We don't know how Lady Nocturne thinks, it will be hard to fool her," Jr mentioned. "Just as long as it tricks her into coming as close as possible to take the other amulet from her."

"Yeah. Atomic and magical composition scan, here we come!" Taylor rubbed his hands.

"Now if you'll come with me," Gaignun then said and headed out of the dark room and into a bight corridor.

The corridor seemed to go on forever and the brightness was rather blinding.

Taylor followed, his eyes squinting in the bright light.

They walked for what seemed like ages before the brightness dimmed and they saw two large men guarding a door. Seeing Gaignun and Jr, they stepped aside and the two led the others in through the door.

"For added security you have just wandered into another dimension," Jr grinned.

Taylor's eyes widened at the relevation. "Wow. That's impressive."

"It means teleporting in and out is nigh on impossible," Gaignun explained.

The door shut and bolted itself behind them.

"And having a talent like Elrohirs, its impossible to pass through the door."

"Neat." Taylor nodded. Very tight security here.

"Neat yes, but very important," Gaignun mentioned. "The amulet will attract all types to it's powers of immortality."

He clapped his hands and muttered something. In the middle of the room a stand appeared from out of thin air. Displayed upon the stand was the amulet itself.

"There it is." Taylor smiled. "The amulet."

He pulled out a pen and datapad and drew a transmutation circle on the pad. Then a piece of flimsiplast paper was printed out on the side. A small line of string was connected from the paper to the datapad. "Diagnostic circle. If you can place the amulet on this paper, I can run a diagnosis on it, detailing the physical, chemical and metaphysical properties of the amulet...or have you done that yet?"

"We haven't been able to do it," Gaignun admitted. "Magical energies have destroyed all computers we've used on it."

"Hmm." Taylor thought and redrew the circle. "There, this will protect the datapad. Can you put the amulet on the circle please?"

Gaignun nodded. He reached into his pocket and took out a pair of gloves before handing the amulet. Now he placed the amulet upon the circle.

Taylor pressed his hands on the circumfrence and focused on the circle. Energy began to crackle around it, then the energy hit the amulet and traveled down into the datapad. Soon, the datapad revealed on its screen...

OOC:
Reveal as much as you can.

Both Gaignun and Jr watched the information on the datapad.

"According to that it's made of gold," Gaignun commented. "None of the materials used are anything out of the ordinary, it's all in the magic used on it. While that helps with the construction, we now just need to mimic the magical properties."

Wolfram held out his hand and pushed them away using Force Push and into a cupboard. Still using the force, he looked up the cupboard.

"I have a feeling they'll be back," he sighed.

Lightning flashed outside and the subsequent clap of thunder shook the tent.

"Nice touch."

"Not if they stay locked in the cupboard..." Titan remarked.

Both Gaignun and Jr watched the information on the datapad.

"According to that it's made of gold," Gaignun commented. "None of the materials used are anything out of the ordinary, it's all in the magic used on it. While that helps with the construction, we now just need to mimic the magical properties."
"Gold?" Taylor sweatdropped. "That's all? Was expecting something more exotic...anyway, let's scan the magical properties."

The alchemic energies were augumented by Taylor's chakra reserves, heading deeper into the scan and adding a list of magical properties into the datapad...

"Not if they stay locked in the cupboard..." Titan remarked.

"Well since they're cards they can slide out through the crack," Wolfram then pointed out.

"Gold?" Taylor sweatdropped. "That's all? Was expecting something more exotic...anyway, let's scan the magical properties."

The alchemic energies were augumented by Taylor's chakra reserves, heading deeper into the scan and adding a list of magical properties into the datapad...

"Unless you knew it was magickal you wouldn't have given it a second thought," Gaignun said. "And it is old, in the civilisation it orginally came from, perhaps gold was considered exotic."

He watched the results with interest.

"Indeed a very ancient magick, even I do not understand the readings."

"Well since they're cards they can slide out through the crack," Wolfram then pointed out.

"Well then they aren't locked away, now are they?" Titan rebuked.

"No but we can deal with them easier when they're forced to come out in smaller numbers, hence why I said for now," Wolfram pointed out.

"No... they aren't locked away at all if they can get out at will in a moment's notice. It is a matter of words..." Titan replied indignantly.

"Unless you knew it was magickal you wouldn't have given it a second thought," Gaignun said. "And it is old, in the civilisation it orginally came from, perhaps gold was considered exotic."

He watched the results with interest.

"Indeed a very ancient magick, even I do not understand the readings."
"Yeah. I don't even know where to begin..." Taylor mused.

Wolfram pointed to the cupboard. "See right now they're not coming out," said. "They're locked in, just haven't escaped yet."

"Yeah. I don't even know where to begin..." Taylor mused.

"Jr your books will come in handy right now," Gaignun then said. "Could you give us a copy of the results Taylor?"

"Alright." A second piece of flimsiplast was printed out with the results.

"Thank you," Gaignun said with a bow. "Now we shall have to research ancient magicks, but at least the task of shaping the amulet has been made much easier."

Wolfram pointed to the cupboard. "See right now they're not coming out," said. "They're locked in, just haven't escaped yet."

"Sigh... nevermind."

"Thank you," Gaignun said with a bow. "Now we shall have to research ancient magicks, but at least the task of shaping the amulet has been made much easier."
"Any time." Taylor bowed in reply. "If you need anything else, just ask."

"Sigh... nevermind."

"Well they're not very smart from the looks of it," Wolfram smirked. "But I do wonder where these other cards have come from."

"Any time." Taylor bowed in reply. "If you need anything else, just ask."

Gaignun smiled. "Thank you," he said again, placing the amulat back on the stand.

It soon vanished into thin air once again.

"Well we shouldn't stay in this dimension for too long."

"Alright. Lead the way." Taylor nodded.

"Well they're not very smart from the looks of it," Wolfram smirked. "But I do wonder where these other cards have come from."

"Got another deck somewhere?"

"Alright. Lead the way." Taylor nodded.

Gaignun then led them out through the brght corridor and out into darkened room where the fake amulet was.

"The problem with that dimension is after awhile spirits are attracted by the pressence of life," he then explained.

"Got another deck somewhere?"

"Thats the only deck here," Wolfram said, pointing at the deck his cousin held. "But this is the Norns realm, I'm sure others are getting much weirder stuff then this."

"Ah. How unsettling." Taylor commented.

"Quite," Gaignun nodded. "But it does add as extra security, anyone breaking into there won't find the amulet before the spirits come."

"Thats the only deck here," Wolfram said, pointing at the deck his cousin held. "But this is the Norns realm, I'm sure others are getting much weirder stuff then this."

"Ah... great," Titan said sarcstically. "Something to look forward to..."

Wolfram leaned back and stretched. "Well survival training," he said. "You have to use the force to see past illusion."

"Quite," Gaignun nodded. "But it does add as extra security, anyone breaking into there won't find the amulet before the spirits come."
"Bugger for anyone who comes in then." Taylor smiled.

Gaignun nodded.

"Well I'm going to head back to my quarters to research," Jr sighed. He put the flimsiplast in a secured inside pocket and left the room.

"Ok. Call me if you find anything new." Taylor said, heading out as well.

Wolfram leaned back and stretched. "Well survival training," he said. "You have to use the force to see past illusion."

"Point being?"

Kimiko placed her hands behind her head. "Well personally I'm going to go help him right now," she said and casually followed Jr.

"Point being?"

"Point being you have to use the force," Wolfram grinned.

"Well are the cards illusions?"

Wolfram shook his head. "No, they're real," he said.

Wolfram shook his head. "No, they're real," he said.

"Well then the Force wouldn't really help you in that aspect... would it," Titan replied.

"You have much to learn naive young padawan," Wolfram replied. "You cannot fight an illusion the same way you fight something that's real. An illusion you can use the force to see through, something real you'll have to fight against."

"Sigh... that is just what I said, o' naive and ignorant one," Titan replied annoyed.

"No you just said the force wouldn't work when in fact it would," Wolfram pointed out.

"No you just said the force wouldn't work when in fact it would," Wolfram pointed out.

"Wrong. What I said, and I quote, 'the Force wouldn't really help you in that aspect," Titan rebuked. "That aspect," he repeated.

"No the force would help, but I guess because you are useless with the force you wouldn't know that, you are new and naive," Wolfram. "Titan I am going to be blunt with you, if you cannot pick up the force than no one will take you under their wing, if you can't use the force properly then you can't make it as a Jedi."

"And if you can't recognize the meaning of words when they hit you in the face, nobody is going to want to associate with you," Titan replied as Wolfram was still stupid enough to miss the obvious meaning.

"Wulfuck, I will be blunt with you... you're a damn idiot not to mention ass."

"Well if you are going to be an utter retard, go do it outside and not in my tent," Wolfram replied. "Maybe you'll get struck by lightning and realise what the force is."

"Well if you are going to be an utter retard, go do it outside and not in my tent," Wolfram replied. "Maybe you'll get struck by lightning and realise what the force is."

Without another word to the idiotic, ignorant, and pathetically uniformed fuck, Titan left the tent and entered the world outside... not waiting another moment, he disappeared into the rain...

"That was harsh," Gorgron said.

"Well then he should act like he's an expert on the force then," Wolfram replied.

Kimiko placed her hands behind her head. "Well personally I'm going to go help him right now," she said and casually followed Jr.
"All right." Taylor said, heading out to find something to do.

"That is alot of books," Kimiko said upon entering Jr's quarters.

Jr grinned. "Yeah I collect them," he said. "I see a rare book on sale and I just have to buy it."

Aside from the tavern they had already seen, the outpost had a cinema, swimming pool, gym and even its own shopping centre.

Titan wandered out into the darkness of the rain filled atmosphere... alone and unsure of anything.

As sudden as the downpour had come, it stopped raining and the sun broke out from behind the heavy clouds.

"Time to head off," came Wolframs voice. "We have to make up time."

Titan had wandered far away and could no longer hear the voice of Wolfram.

If you don't come now we'll have to leave you behind, Wolfram warned via the force.

Hey Taylor, I've found something interesting come quick, Jr sent to Taylor.

"So you think this is the key?" Kimiko asked.

Jr nodded. "This acuately describes the burial site of the lost civilisation on the planet attacked by dark Jedi where we found Daniel," he said. "It even mentions the name of the minotaur which Daniel said was Aezakmi."

Coming. Soon, Taylor headed over to Jr's lair. "What's up?"

Jr held up the book he had. "It mentions the magicks of a lost civilisation," he stated. "It's exactly what we're looking for and it describes a burial site that sounds exactly like the one on the planet those Dark Jedi attacked where we found Daniel."

If you don't come now we'll have to leave you behind, Wolfram warned via the force.

Dull to the Force, Titan wandered ever forward into the unknown lands.

Jr looked over at Taylor. "I think we may have to pay Daniel a visit," he mentioned. "He might know some more and being the only one to survive that Dark Jedi attack he's our only option." Jr scratched the back of his head. "There might be a significant reason that they were ordered to kill everyone."

"Travelling far, far away again." Taylor mused. "So where would he be right now?"

"I did hear that they were being taken for training away from the academy because of fears of another attack," Jr then said. "In his oddness, Master Blexe sheduled the training on a certain planet where a single Jedi by the name of Caer Fore is held prisoner by the Norns."

"That's odd." Taylor sighed. "Well, i guess there's nothing to do but head there..."

Jr nodded. "At least it would be useful for them to learn to recognise illusions," he said, standing up from his bed. He closed the book and held it under one arm. "Kimiko can you take those books as well?"

"Sure," the young Genin nodded and picked up the three books.

With that they headed out and were soon back aboard the Durandal. Esteban and Douzu were still aboard, they were sat down the front of the bridge waiting to leave.

Titan wandered out into the unknown world of terrible dangers around every bend...

Jr nodded. "At least it would be useful for them to learn to recognise illusions," he said, standing up from his bed. He closed the book and held it under one arm. "Kimiko can you take those books as well?"

"Sure," the young Genin nodded and picked up the three books.

With that they headed out and were soon back aboard the Durandal. Esteban and Douzu were still aboard, they were sat down the front of the bridge waiting to leave.
Taylor waited calmly on the Durandal, finishing up the book he is reading.

After a few hours the Durandal appeared in orbit around the planet of the Norns. Jr looked down at it, it gave him a shudder.

"I don't like that planet," Jr mentioned. "Coming Taylor?"

Titan wandered out into the unknown world of terrible dangers around every bend...

Titan found himself back at the tent, or rather what was left of it as Wolfram and Gorgron were putting it away.

"The Masters won't like that you wondered off like that and ignored my calls to get you back here," Wolfram mentioned. "Don't be surprised to find yourself removed from the academy."

"Or maybe they won't like your irresponsibility," Titan rebuked.

"You were the one who wanted to go out into the rain," Wolfram replied, placing the tent back into his backpack. "And besides you're not going to make it as a Jedi anyway, might as well quit now."

"You certainly sound like one," Titan replied sarcastically.

Wolfram and Gorgron ignored him and began to walk off. The forest was clearly visible on the horizon.

After a few hours the Durandal appeared in orbit around the planet of the Norns. Jr looked down at it, it gave him a shudder.

"I don't like that planet," Jr mentioned. "Coming Taylor?"
"Don't like it either, but we do what we must." Taylor sighed. "I'm coming."

"Come on then," Jr then said. "You too Kimiko."

They then headed down to the docking bay and climbed aboard the shuttle.

Taylor climbed aboard the shuttle as well.

A few minutes later they were heading down to land outside the Norns palace where the academy shuttle was already sat. Disembarking, Jr noticed that Master Blexe was stood there waiting. Daniel was stood beside him.

"So you know why we're here," Jr said.

Master Blexe nodded, meanwhile Daniel just looked bored.

Wolfram and Gorgron ignored him and began to walk off. The forest was clearly visible on the horizon.

Titan walked behind silently...

With each step the forest drew nearer. When they were close up to it, they could see a strange white light glowing within. Terrible noises seemed to come from the forest itself.

"I think it's a good job it's off limits," Wolfram remarked as they began to walk around the edge of the forest.

A few minutes later they were heading down to land outside the Norns palace where the academy shuttle was already sat. Disembarking, Jr noticed that Master Blexe was stood there waiting. Daniel was stood beside him.

"So you know why we're here," Jr said.

Master Blexe nodded, meanwhile Daniel just looked bored.
"I think I'll let Jr. do the show." Taylor said.

Jr looked over at Daniel. "We just need to know what you know of that civilisation," he told Daniel. "We will also need to head back to the planet as well."

Daniel nodded. "I understand," he then said.

Taylor wondered what sort of danger the youngsters will face here, and smiled.

Daniel looked toward Taylor, his eyes narrowing. "And whats so funny?" he demanded.

"Ah, nothing. Forget it." Taylor waved it off.

"Hmph," Daniel replied, placing his hands behind his head. "So when do we head back there then?"

"The sooner the better I would think," Master Blexe said.

Jr nodded. "We'll be leaving then, got everything Daniel?" he asked.

Daniel just nodded.

"I will see you back at the academy then," Master Blexe then told them. "I hope you find what you are looking for."

"Thank you," Jr said and turned to return to the shuttle.

Daniel quietly picked up a backpack and followed.

Soon they were back aboard the Durandal.

"Set a course for r2050502060500," Jr ordered.

"Yes Little Master," Mary cheerfully replied.

The engines started up and the ship began to move away from Wundagore DN. Daniel was staring intently at the viewscreen.

"You don't mind going back to that planet do you Daniel?" Jr asked.

Daniel just shook his head.

"I think it's a good job it's off limits," Wolfram remarked as they began to walk around the edge of the forest.

Titan didn't respond as he continued walking along the edge of the forest.

Soon they were back aboard the Durandal.

"Set a course for r2050502060500," Jr ordered.

"Yes Little Master," Mary cheerfully replied.

The engines started up and the ship began to move away from Wundagore DN. Daniel was staring intently at the viewscreen.

"You don't mind going back to that planet do you Daniel?" Jr asked.

Daniel just shook his head.
Taylor moved to finish his book. He was 3/4 of the way through now...

"We should be there in a few hours Taylor," Jr mentioned.

Titan didn't respond as he continued walking along the edge of the forest.

*rebumpingit*

After a couple of hours walking around the side of the forest, Wolfram ame to a stop.

"I'm sure we've passed that fallen tree already," he said.

"What's that for?" Titan asked curiously. "To cross?"

"No, we're no where near the river yet," Wolfram said. "This is a large forest. This being the Norns home if something looks suspicious then it most likely is out of place."

He reached into his backpack and brought out a flare.

"You can only defeat an illusion once you know for sure it is an illusion."

Having said that he placed the flare in the ground where it could be seen if indeed an illusion was returning them to the same spot over and over again.

"We should be there in a few hours Taylor," Jr mentioned.
"All right." Taylor said, reading his book.

Daniel placed his hands behind his head. "I'm going to sleep," he announced. "Wake me up when we're there."

"Will do," Jr promised.

Once Daniel left the bridge, Jr looked toward Taylor.

"What do you think?"

"I still think he's a little on the odd side." Taylor said. "Coming from a family of Dark Jedi, that's kinda a given."

Jr nodded. "His mother and brother for certain," he said. "But maybe not his father, if Kiwi Black really is his father we know he's never been a Dark Jedi."

He moved away from where Mary was stood, still looking as cheerful as ever.

"Odd he may be, but he shows no sign of impending darkness. Kurt has made sure that he can see any early sign."

"No, we're no where near the river yet," Wolfram said. "This is a large forest. This being the Norns home if something looks suspicious then it most likely is out of place."

He reached into his backpack and brought out a flare.

"You can only defeat an illusion once you know for sure it is an illusion."

Having said that he placed the flare in the ground where it could be seen if indeed an illusion was returning them to the same spot over and over again.

"Don't you think a powerful enough illusion could overcome that...?" Titan asked in wonder.

Jr nodded. "His mother and brother for certain," he said. "But maybe not his father, if Kiwi Black really is his father we know he's never been a Dark Jedi."

He moved away from where Mary was stood, still looking as cheerful as ever.

"Odd he may be, but he shows no sign of impending darkness. Kurt has made sure that he can see any early sign."
"That's good." Taylor said, continuing to read.

"Don't you think a powerful enough illusion could overcome that...?" Titan asked in wonder.

"The whole point of finding out," Wolfram replied. "Either we're being led to go around in a circle in which case the flare will still be here or in the case of a large illusion, the flare won't be there but the fallen tree will."

"That's good." Taylor said, continuing to read.

Jr nodded. "I just hope we can find some answers," he said. "Most of the camp, the ship in particular is still there."

"The whole point of finding out," Wolfram replied. "Either we're being led to go around in a circle in which case the flare will still be here or in the case of a large illusion, the flare won't be there but the fallen tree will."

"You miss my point," Titan replied. "If the illusion is strong enough, it could manipulate our perception of the flare as well..."

Wolfram tapped the side of his head. "But now I know to look for an illusion," he said. "With the force I can tell if it's real or not."

Wolfram tapped the side of his head. "But now I know to look for an illusion," he said. "With the force I can tell if it's real or not."

"And what if it is powerful enough to overcome your control on the force... to deceive what you sense?" Titan questioned.

"There are signs," Wolfram said. "Illusions have signs if you look hard enough, that's what Master Blexe taught me."

Jr nodded. "I just hope we can find some answers," he said. "Most of the camp, the ship in particular is still there."
"Yeah." Then Taylor had an evil thought and started chuckling. "I want to mess with those kids' heads. Teach them a lesson within a lesson."

"There are signs," Wolfram said. "Illusions have signs if you look hard enough, that's what Master Blexe taught me."

"And what if the illusion overcame the signs...?"

Jr raised an eyebrow, "The ship and camp the Dark Jedi attacked," he said. "The ship we haven't yet been able to salvage."

"And what if the illusion overcame the signs...?"

"It can't, illusions cannot mask their own aura, not to those who know what they are looking for," Wolfram explained.

"And what if one illusion is masking anther's aura while the other is masking the original illusion's aura?"

"Then you see two aura's," Wolfram explained.

Jr raised an eyebrow, "The ship and camp the Dark Jedi attacked," he said. "The ship we haven't yet been able to salvage."
"Oh, I thought you were talking about the Padawan camp." Taylor said, then shook his head. "Seemed kinda random, I know."

Jr shook his head. "The academy shuttle was down there but there was no camp," he mentioned.

"You know what I mean." Taylor said and went back into his book.

"Yes and I'm not turning the ship around," Jr grinned.

"That's fine." Taylor smiled.

Jr looked over and smirked at Taylor. "Something tells me it's better to keep you away from the padawans right now."

"Something tells me you'd have a point there." Taylor conceeded.