Hoth: Blood and Ice

[Katarzyna Panteer]

Finding a spot away from everyone else after that tense meeting between both sides, Kat let out a heavy sigh. Not exactly the best start to this expedition... and strangely enough it felt like everything was proceeding in a way it had been destined to.

The Republic and the Empire drawn together at the exact moment, to be attacked simultaneously. And yet, this seemed too brute force than the Cunning Man. Was this something else... the three stars that had been seen in visions? Was this the moment for it?

Now that she had a moment to herself, Kat found it easier to focus on the song of the Force in this planet. Feeling its hum, its rhythm, and cadence... Are you out here, master?

-----

D1 EE. Are you there master? Force check: 2eF 3 Light Side

[Dapper Dog]

“Funny how things seem to come together, Kat,” a voice said and then a form filled in around it a woman in meditative repose.

She was at peace and translucent.

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"Master... Resmi?" she asked, but she felt she knew the answer. The familiar warmth and peace, even appearing so much younger, it reminded her of earlier days.

Following the other's example, Kat sat down opposite of her and assumed a meditative pose as well. "It warms my soul to feel your presence again, despite our circumstances." The cold, the Empire, the dire circumstances they were in overall.

[Dapper Dog]

“I would say things are darkest before dawn… but, well, things are dark and they will only get darker. But I have hope that those gathered here will find their best selves and overcome the trials ahead. Not just Hoth but beyond,” she said warmly.

“You cannot wait for dawn to dispel it, you will have to be the dawn.”

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"Be the dawn?" Me? she echoed the words, feeling a sense of self-doubt for a moment. How could she be the dawn, to dispel the darkness... and what was the darkness exactly? It was more than just the Sith, as they seemed to have been drawn into this as well against their will.

"Is this the disturbance we have all felt in the Force? The three stars...?"

[Dapper Dog]

“I won’t lie to you Kat, I don't know what the three stars are but they are coming. From the moment the Emperor was unleashed from his physical form and his spirit dispersed they have been growing in the Force. It won’t just be you, all of you must be the dawn…” she responded.

“The galaxy asks too much of you.”

[Katarzyna Panteer]

At least there was a small relief in knowing that it wasn't some burden that had to be placed on her alone, but rather it was all of them. Together, they would all be stronger.

"We will have no choice but to rise to the occasion," she said, finding her confidence again. "Thank you for warning us, master. I just hope they'll all realize the severity of this threat before us." It would be a challenge to communicate this to everyone, but she had to try at least. "Even now, you still watch over us and guide us. Just like old times."

[Dapper Dog]

"Just an old mother hen too stubborn to stop fussing over her children," she said warmly.

"Be the dawn, and know I am with you."

She faded.

[Katarzyna Panteer]

That drew a warm smile from her, and she clasped a hand over her heart. Even as Resmi faded, she could feel her as a part of the living Force around her, even if the presence eventually faded in with the planet's, like a wave returning to the great sea.

"Always." A Jedi was never alone. The Force bound them all together.

She remained there for a moment or two more, maintaining the meditative position.


(scene open)

[Garth Thul]

As one guest exited, another entered.

"There y' are cousin. Ah'm glad t' see y' found yer way here safe enough." Garth headed towards Kat with the intention to offer her a hug of relief.

[Katarzyna Panteer]

She rose to her feet, smiling with relief. "Garth." A single word, but it conveyed her emotions of seeing him alive rather well, and she accepted the hug.

"You and Miyi made it down in one piece?"

[Garth Thul]

He nodded. "Hung around as long as w' could up there. Kept th' pirates away from most o the civilians before we headed down. The Valiant didn't make it though...and another capital ship as well. Weren't one o' ours though."

"Miyi's takin' it easy onboard but hopef'lly she'll be better t'mortow."

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"It was very brave of you." Not only he and Miyi, but all the others that had scrambled into their fighters to keep the pirates at bay. "The other ship must've been the Empire's, as they're stranded here too."

[Garth Thul]

"Th' Empire's here too? How're y' so calm...is it safe?"

The panic in Garth's voice is obvious, as he hadn't seen any obvious Imperials yet.

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"They're in the same situation as us. Came to deal with pirates, then assaulted at the same time we were - lost their vessel and now left on this planet like us." She was calm. Kat was almost always calm. Even when the fighting had been at its worst on Alderaan, or when the attempted coup was happening, she seemed to have a calm and levelled mindset.

"For the moment, there is a... truce of sorts? Just as well. Surviving Hoth, and the challenges that await us... it will need us all, Garth."

[Garth Thul]

"These pirates must be some'n extra then?" Garth mused. "I don' think the Senator was expectin' negotiations t' be this aggressive though, or she would'a brought more ships. Did they announce how many we lost?"

[Katarzyna Panteer]

Kat shook her head slightly. "I don't think these pirates are the usual rabble such groups often consist of. We can't close out the possibility that they have powerful backers..."

Judging by her expression, she was concerned over the situation though. "No numbers yet. Many have been coming in over the day from escape pods or their own ships. I'll be accompanying Galen, Aurilie, and a few others soon to look for survivors in the vicinity. Such search-and-rescue missions will probably be going on tomorrow too, with more light to work with."

[Garth Thul]

"Makes sense, ah ain't seen that type of ind'vidual fighter craft before. Whoever's fittin' 'em out gots some talent."

"Take care out there in the wilds m'kay lots of stuff hides in the dark."

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"I am confident in Aurilie and Galen when it comes to traversing in the wilderness, we will be safe," she assured her cousin with warmth in her tone. "What can you tell me about their fighter-crafts? I would've expected pirates to have... an eclectic selection of ships, as they don't exactly get to buy squadrons."

[Garth Thul]

"They was well kept, kinda 'spected that though, what with the' success they've had wi' their raids. but yeah, none o' the individuality. They def'nitely got connections. Kriff, if ah hadn't seen her gettin' shot at up there, ah'd almost wonder what a Czerka rep was doin' this far out from civilized space."

"But they fast, they accurate .n they well manned. If they raid again, wi' so many of our ships in need o' repair, ah don' think we could hold 'em back."

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"Hmmm... it is a shame we are cut off from our usual information network out here. Had we been back home, we might've been able to figure out how they could've gotten such fighters." Kat frowned thoughtfully, trying to imagine their approach in dealing with this, and how they could use this knowledge.

"We might need to have our fighters rotate being on standby, in case they do an aerial raid on this base."

[Garth Thul]

"Or try and slip someone thru wha'ever blockade they gots up there ta go fer reinforcements. Ah doubt we got enough power t' send a radio signal t' anywhere useful after all.""

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"It's not so much a matter of power, I think. The Hoth system is very isolated, and it would be hard to get a signal strong enough out... I imagine our most powerful communication-devices were on the flagships that were now blown up." She frowned, but also chewed her lip thoughtfully. "It might not be a bad idea to try to search the wreckage of those ships, for parts and gear."

[Garth Thul]

Garth nods his agreement. "Ah imagine most of it's nowt but slag, but there's always a chance. Survivors're even less likely though."

[Katarzyna Panteer]

"Might be survivors in escape-pods that didn't launch in time maybe, or some very lucky souls. But mostly it would be for equipment. Stars know we need pretty much everything here, from nutrient paste to power converters."

It was a lot really. "We'll figure stuff out as we go."