#24 Looking Inward

Posted on Thu Jun 30th, 2022 @ 11:25am by Captain Rogue Green {Meji}

Mission: A Patrol and Supply mission
Location: Tython
Timeline: current

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As was often the case since she had first learned about the Core within her, Rogue Green would let the Core guide her as she walked. Those 'gut feelings' that suggested she go one way or another. Casually, with each nudge to her being, Green would change direction and go where the Core wanted her to. The Core was a mysterious energy field created by all living things that binds the galaxy together. Harnessing its power was not to be taken lightly, granting users sensitive to this spiritual energy extraordinary abilities, such as levitating objects, tricking minds, and seeing things before they happen. While the Core can grant users powerful abilities, it also directs their actions. And it has a will of its own, which both scholars and mystics are seeking to understand. One had to "Feel the Core" around them. Then, and only then, would the symbiotic relationship begin, the powers more observable and useable.

Green had spent the greater part of the day hiking up and ascending another high hilltop overlooking the city of Calikori. She had found a jumble of large boulders, one of which stuck out of the hillside in such a way as to provide a flat plain to sit upon. Ro had donned her dark, chocolate brown cloak, hood up as she had made the journey, pulling the Core inward to examine herself for the day. It did not mean she was not aware of her surroundings, her Sense always on high when out in unknown territory. But, even a Meji Master could be surprised if not communing with the Core and all it provides.

Getting atop the flat boulder Green sat down lotus, making sure to fluff her cloak out properly to sit without bunching up, her hood still up as she dropped her chin slightly and placed her hands casually in her lap, clasped together. Closing her eyes and calling on the Core, Ro went into deep meditation, allowing the Core to show her images of past events and some of the future. A possible future, she reminded herself. Always in motion was the future.

The Andorian Minister Nashu had taken her bid for the Order of Meji to the Federation Council, speaking to Green for hours over comm. He had explained that the preliminaries had been laid bare and that the Council was not against consideration. Any and all belief systems were always considered by the Council. Klingon beliefs, Romulan, Andorian, Xindi; it didn't matter. Freedom of belief was a core foundation for the Federation. So, even as she contemplated all these events while meditating, that was when the Core decided to angle her visions towards that situation. She saw herself standing before the Federation Council, stating her case and what the Meji will be, and do, for the Federation and Starfleet. Again, she had to remind herself that always in motion was the future, but according to the visions, the Meji Order would become a reality. Whether or not it lasted was another story.

All night Ro sat there, meditating, the Core keeping her from the need for food or water. Once finished she would be ravenous, for using the Core did exhaust a person eventually. This was why the Meji enter battles calmly. The taking of a life was a stain on a person but at times, necessary. That was a reality that the Meji would have to live in, and contend with, even as they grew in numbers and power. They were not here to change anything or to sway politics except when it came to peace and prosperity. They were to be partners with the Federation, with Meji in every walk of life working diligently to bring logical thought and high morals to every single situation. The voice of reason.

As the sun began to rise Green brought herself out of her meditation, then as she stood she used the Core to alleviate any discomfort from sitting so long. Blood flow, muscle cramps and kinks, all gone within moments as the Core saw to the needs of her physical being. Even in battle a Meji could be thrown aside and into a bulkhead, but with their body infused with the Core, and it knowing your needs, it hardens the body against damage that would be fatal in most circumstances. Later, when the battle is over, the Meji then goes to seek medical aid and to meditate so the Core can also heal what has been damaged. All a part of the great circle of life. The Meji were here to honor and protect ALL life.

All these thoughts passed through her mind as Rogue made her way back down the hilltop and into town, heading for the pavilion. Her hood was still up and she walked with her hands clasped together at her belly. The leatheris sleeveless cuiress she wore was super-comfortable, just the way she had designed it. The pants, also leatheris, were black and form fitting, blending well with the Asian style she had given the top, with it's light green base and golden embroidery along the seams and edges. Her thigh high boots were leatheris, but had armor plates from the top of the foot up to the knee, same with her gauntlets, both sets standard brown leatheris with grey, brushed alloy plates.

Entering the pavilion area Ro made her way through the pedestrians, some of them giving her strange looks. She let it pass and continued on, her body casual and relaxed as she smelled the aroma of the flowers and landscaping all around them and running alongside all the walkways. Children played in a playground area, supervised by at least two adults. At least this colony understood the importance of family and progeny, she thought. There can be no future without children to carry on a legacy. However, given who she was now, that reality would never happen for Green. Attachment normally causes a fear of loss. That fear of loss could become so overbearing in a beings mind that they would do anything, even dive into the Dark Core to use it to try and keep those they love from dying or being hurt. Or, even worse, strike out in anger and hate when one you love is struck down. Green was no hypocrite, she had been a victim of her own hatred and anger enough to torture, then kill, a Romulan. Snapping his bones and crushing his chest cavity with but a thought. All in revenge for the loss of Liza. Rogue Green still meditated on that moment in her life, purging her negative emotions and hatred every day. The problem was that deep in her own core she knew what she could do if she unleashed her dark thoughts, making them come to reality through the Core. It was powerful and raw, reacting instantly. The dark side was quicker, easier and more seductive, but it was not more powerful. It made the user think it was, but with any amount of great power there is always a cost. Namely; one's body and soul begin to corrupt and change. Skin pales to that of a corpse, eyes of deep amber surrounded by dark circles and, a murderous intent that goes unchecked.

Rounding a bend in the path, around a cluster of trees, Green spotted Kirk and Kahn off in a garden area. Ro grinned to herself as she watched her Meji apprentice going about her ways, the eyes excited and full of energy as the Trill loved what she did. But then, there was a tremor in the Core. Green reached up and pulled her hood back, no longer needing to be inward in thought. She could feel a sudden anxiety in her Acolyte. There was trepidation but not to the level of straight-up fear. She saw Kirk and Zenni conferring and then they walked away towards the au fresco eateries alongside the lake/pond. Over that way Green spotted Long, Song and several others who had somehow all come together at the same time while exploring and enjoying the planet. Ro went that direction, needing to speak to her acolyte anyway.

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