Qui-Gon was observing an odd phenomenon. As soon as Coda started eating he seemed to enter some kind of trance or meditation. He was eating fast and frankly ludicrous amounts of food.
He and Trilla shared a look of confusion, this day had been truly odd. He thought as he watched food float towards Coda's plate.
''I don't recognize most of the dishes here.'' He said calmly. Turning his head towards Beatrix.
''Is he ok? He seemed to be acting quite strange.'' Not that I know the man.
''He will be fine after consuming enough nutrients.'' She said. ''How about you two, is the food to your liking? I can send for some wine if you'd prefer it to water.'' Receiving a shake of the head she just nodded and continued observing from behind Coda. Some of those doppel-droids bringing in new plates of food and clearing the table as they went.
After Qui-Gon and Trilla were finished Coda was still going strong. Unable to contain her curiosity Trilla asked. ''What are you? I've never seen anything like you.'' The question drawing Qui-Gon's attention as well.
''I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to divulge that information.'' Nodding slowly to that answer she asked a different question. ''Who is he?'' Looking over from Trilla to Coda she didn't answer right away.
''He is our Lord. Where he is from and who he is are questions that you should ask him. If it's you he'll probably answer too your satisfaction.'' If it's me? What does that mean?
Looking over at Qui-Gon she noticed he was frowning while looking at Coda. Looking over at him herself she noticed that the force itself seemed to be somehow condensing into him. Every time a little more seemed to fold into his being he started emitting more pressure. Qui-Gon and Trilla could both feel something like chains breaking or some restriction being removed as it continued.
This process continued for about 20 minutes when they noticed his glassy eyes regaining focus. The pressure receding slowly as he came too. Though his demeanor was vastly different.
Both of them being combatants, they knew now that he wasn't that flimsy scatterbrained individual anymore. No longer a natural disaster, now he gave off the feeling of an apex predator. Power untold seething under his calm exterior.
I'm back! To think I thought that was my natural state. Scoffing at the absurdity while he took in his surroundings again. Noticing his guests staring at him a smug smile found it's way on his face.
''You guys should take a picture, I don't think I can fit people staring at me into my schedule.'' He simply stated. While Qui-Gon coughed lightly with a half-smile and Trilla's cheeks heated up a little he turned to Beatrix. ''Status on the op?''
''Yes my Lord, RG1 has secured Lady Scmi in the med-bay. We're ready to start the culling at your order.''
Leaning back with a finger tapping on his chin. Someone is approaching... A Jedi... I see. Smiling he shook his head. ''No need, change of plans. Move the... Huh, we should name this bucket soon. Move us over the Jundland wastes. Then proceed to glass it from orbit.''
Nodding her head she answered within seconds. ''Done, we'll be in position within minutes. Is there anything else My lord?''
Standing up he looked at both of his guests then turned to Beatrix. ''Yes, you and Trilla are coming with me. It's time for some upgrades. Qui-Gon, we're expecting company. It's an old friend of yours.''
Slightly taken aback he inquired. ''Who?'' Coda just shook his head with a Cheshire grin. ''That would be telling!''
''We can talk more later. I assure the both of you that I mean you no harm. You are neither my prisoners or hostages. I hope you will give me the benefit of the doubt.'' Qui-Gon didn't sense that he was lying so he just nodded before leaving with one of these strange droids.
Trilla was still awkwardly sitting in a chair unsure of how to proceed. It doesn't seem like he is lying, but I know better than most that the more powerful you are the easier that is to fake.
Noticing her reluctance Coda just smiled softly and walked over to her. Extending his hand towards her.
''I have a large list of things I want to do now that I'm... Me again. That said, I give you my word that harming you will never be on it. Alright?''
Looking into his sky blue eyes. Silver and blue shimmering inside his pupils. I might as well, it's not like I can run away from here. Even if the force restriction has lifted over this area. Besides, his aura feels like a calming light breeze. Nothing like 'him'...
Standing up by herself, Coda just retracted his hand and shrugged. Chuckling as he made his way towards medical.
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Having arrived at the med-bay Coda and company were standing in an observation chamber.
They'd been standing there for a few minutes while he was tapping his chin with a finger.
It looks like he's thinking about something. Why is that woman so important to him?
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''Beatrix, how is she?'' Breaking the silence he turned and asked.
''It's expected she'll make a full recovery in about a day my lord.'' A look of confusion crept over Coda's face.
''How is it that fast?'' I'm aware the medical technology in this world is far superior from Earth but isn't this too fast? ''RG1 has been using his...'' She stopped and glanced over at Trilla. Coda just waved his hand.
''It's fine, I don't mind if she hears.''
Noting his approval she continued. ''His nanites to repair her from inside out as well as using medi-gel, bacta, etc. It'll cost him some of his available mass but nothing detrimental in the long term for either of them.'' Coda nodded. ''I see. It seems a little excessive but who am I to judge.''
Turning to Trilla he smiled softly. ''You're probably wondering why I brought you down here?''
With a serious look on her face. ''I am yes.'' She took another look through the glass. ''Who is that woman?''
Glancing over his shoulder he sighed. ''I'll tell you after we're done. Any more emotional instability won't do you good. Cant have the chance you losing control of your temper. I hope you understand.''
I don't understand at all! Frowning she looks up at him. ''After we're done with what?''
Sigh... How do I explain this without her screaming mind rape? ''I'm hoping you'll allow me to repair and help you manage the effects of what was done to you.''
Manage what was... Anger twisted her features as she screamed at Coda. ''WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT WAS DONE TO ME!?'' Lashing out at Coda with a force push that he simply waved down.
''WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE! YOU KNOW NOTHING!''
Having expected this Coda simply took the abuse until she started becoming hoarse. She stared at him while her breathing became labored. He willed his left lightsaber into his hand and threw it over to her.
Catching it by reflex she was very surprised. It felt extremely heavy in her hand, while she wasn't familiar with sensing an object's history. She didn't need to be, she could tell instantly that this weapon had seen countless battles. But it wasn't mired in bloodlust or rage. If anything it made her feel focused and serene.
''I'm well aware of what kind of place Inquisitorius was. Torture, brainwashing, forcing the dark side on people. I am under no delusions that I can somehow understand how it was to go through something like that...'' Sighing he continued. ''I understand that you cannot trust me. What I am proposing you will be awake for. You'll be able to perceive everything I do. If you at any point feel like I'm causing you harm. Cut me down!''
Floating his other saber over to Beatrix, undoing his armor plate, it fell to the floor with a thunk.
Leaving him only with skin-tight under armor covering his torso. Walking up to Trilla she looked at him in confusion. Softly he continued. ''I can see it plain as day. A wounded mind, infested by the poison well you were forced to drink from... What I want is to remove the infection, while temporarily muting the pain you feel from those memories. A chance to heal is all I'm offering.''
Trilla's mind was in chaos. Even the saber in her hand felt distant now. She didn't understand why?!
Why me?! I could kill him right now... He's just standing there... ''I don't... it doesn't... Why me?''
Smugly smiling he answered instantly. ''If someone, as damaged as me, deserves a second chance. Why shouldn't you? If that doesn't work for you, just chalk it up to me being selfish.''
Standing there for a while just staring at each other she finally relaxed, nodded. ''Fine, but I won't hesitate if something feels off.'' Coda's face lit up in a bright smile. ''I'll be keeping a close eye on you!''
Coda put his hand up to his chest and completely deadpan responded. ''Oh no, the pretty girl will be focusing all her attention on me! I'm devastated!''
''My lord, please take this seriously! She is still holding the lightsaber!'' Beatrix said in a harsh tone.
''Oh right!''
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In orbit above Tatooine.
Plo Koon dropped out of hyperspace only to see a gigantic starship bombarding a specific spot planetside. He didn't feel anything coming from that place anymore, the ground itself turned to slag over dozens if not hundreds of kilometers.
Looking around he saw that there were a lot of different ships both stationary and in transit around the area. Though a wide sphere around the aforementioned starship was completely clear of vessels.
''G2 see if...'' Suddenly a hail came from the ship. ''Jedi vessel. We've been expecting you, you are cleared to dock. Sending docking information to your onboard computer.'' That isn't ominous at all.
''Might I inquire as to who has ownership of your vessel?'' Plo Koon asked, not expecting a straight answer. ''Of course sir. This vessel's ownership lies with Lord Coda. He extends his warmest welcomes to you, but he is preoccupied at the moment. A representative is waiting for you in the hangar.''
''Understood... G2, fly me in.'' Lord? Nobility maybe... or royalty from somewhere? Dozens of ideas were thought up and discarded while he approached the hangar. The closer he got the more he understood that the size of the ship was deceptively big. How long would it even take to build something like this?
It seems loaded with weaponry. My comms are effectively useless this close to the ship and the ship's armor seems to be resistant to sensing attempts. ''Ugh... This might be more dangerous than I thought.
Floating past the energy shield he noticed that his force sense worked a lot better in the interior.
This lead to him sensing something familiar... Who? This just keeps getting stranger and stranger.
While G2 parked the shuttle Plo Koon made his way to the ramp, walking down it he spotted a man wearing Jedi robes. Shock and confusion bogged down his thoughts for a couple of seconds as he walked dazed down the ramp staring at the figure.
''You were dead.'' Looking at a carefree smile on Qui-Gon's face. ''I know''
''But you were... How did y... Wher... Give me a second.''
Laughing Qui-Gon nodded. ''It's good to see you again old friend. As strange as this is for you, I assure you it's been downright bizarre for me.'' Plo Koon nodded and slowly started to look around the hangar.
He'd been so put off he didn't notice the swarm of skeleton looking droids working all over the hangar, or the oddly human-looking droid standing a respectful distance behind Qui-Gon.
Smiling ruefully, Qui-Gon simply shook his head. ''Come, I'll take you to see the owner of this vessel. Though I'm inclined to warn you, he's a little odd.'' Looking him in the eyes he followed up.
''He's also extremely dangerous. Thankfully he turned out to be quite reasonable.''
But just as they started walking they felt a wave of unchecked pressure encapsulate the entire hangar.
Rapidly rising in strength. They could hear the ship starting to strain under the pressure just as a wave of unchecked fury flashed through the entire ship.
Qui-Gon instantly knew the origin. Straining to keep himself from being completely pushed into the ground. ''Coda, what's happened?!''