~|Day 2, 7:35-7:42|~
~|Aboard the Kaggath, Main Prison Complex|~
Andri & Xid
Andri tried to offer the poor young man an understanding smile as he rambled, his face burning brighter with every word he stumbled over. As he finally trailed off, she held out her hand to shake his own. “My name is Andri Perrin. I’m sorry for implying anything untowards, if that was how you took it; I was just surprised is all. It sounds like you have had quite an interesting morning then.”
Rubbing the back of his head in discomfort, Xid’s eyes naturally found the floor. Despite his rank having changed over the last few weeks, he still felt like a Padawan in the presence of other Knights, especially those much older and he couldn’t stop the blushing. Though she tried to reassure him, he had done nothing wrong there so much guilt edging into his mind that it was hard to believe it. “If you count not being able to sleep, tossing and turning all night, something interesting then yes. It was. I’ll be happy when we escape from this nightmare. However, I wonder why no one’s tried to escape yet. The security systems are so basic it wouldn’t be hard through the locks on the lifts might present a challenge. Save for a slicer…”
Xid’s eyes shifted toward the entrance to the medical area and inwardly twitched to feed his inner machinist. When he held his free hand out to shake, he immediately realized something. “Wait, what time is it?”
As the young Knight rubbed the back of his head she grimaced in sympathy. A long night was something Andri was familiar with, due to her own restless sleep, and she was infinitely glad she knew Revitalise, which helped her shrug off the effects the lack of sleep would have given her. Giving the young blond a look over, to see just how he was actually doing, the Epicanthix Knight winced at the bruising visible and the way he slouched to one side. Making a snap decision, the black-haired woman stepped closer to the young man and laid a hand on his shoulder, utilising her Revitalise skills to give him just that little bit of extra energy. “I’m sorry, I’m no good at healing so I can’t help with any bruises, but I can give you some extra energy to help with the long night.”
She stepped back just as quickly, trying to avoid having him burst a blood vessel from how red his face was, “I’m not sure why no one has tried to escape; I only just arrived last night. Though, knowing the Sith I doubt that the security is truly as lax as it seems. It’s far more likely to be a trap designed to lull us into a sense of false security.”
Andri glanced around the room at his question, and frowned. “I’m not sure. Is there a clock in the prison cell somewhere? Surely it can’t be after seven though; a Sliussi Sith came in last night while Lea and I were talking and told us she would be back at thirteen minutes past seven.”
When the older Knight touched Xid’s shoulder, he stiffened impulsively. For a moment nothing happened but slowly, he felt an energy spread through the contact and fill his very core with new life. His eyes widened in surprise, his head cocked to one side while he looked harder at her as seeking what had caused his energy to spike. He had never felt Revitalize before so this was a new experience for him when Andri’s mention about the serpent Sith. “Still, I think Lea stated the lights come on at a key time and that means we only have a limited time before the Sith expects someone to volunteer. The only problem is, we’ve not figured who’s going to go with her. Until we escape, we’re technically at the Sith’s mercy as much as none of us like. At no one’s tried to fight back and Tolun Fi wanted me to sort of be careful of what I did. No one else know how to piece together a lightsaber from the equipment in the medical bay like I do.”
The last bit he whispered slightly softer so not to be caught on the cameras his eyes stared at directly. It made a slight twinkle in the light as if to let him know it was there and a keen eye would find it easy to spot, something he hoped Andri might catch.
“I was not aware that the lights came on at set times, though I suppose it makes sense.” Andri started, furrowing her brow slightly as she noticed the young man staring intently at something on the wall as his tone dropped, and her mind quickly put two and two together; they were under surveillance, and the others had obviously come up with some sort of plan revolving around the younger Knight’s mechanical skills, if what he said was true. She dropped her own voice in response as she glanced over at the wall, her eyes just barely noticing the twinkle of the light reflecting off the camera lense. “A useful skill to have; I am experienced in repairing and caring for my own, I will help wherever I can.”
“If it is the volunteering you are worried about,” The Knight continued at a normal tone again, to try to make it seem like that was all they had been talking of when they hushed their voices, “I am willing to go. My belief is strong, and I am not so easily swayed by the darkness. Who knows? I may even be able to find us some help in the more sympathetic Sith; I must at least try in any case.”
Xid looked up, his eyes filled regret and gratitude at the same time. “I don’t want to sit back and let others take the fall for me, but Tolun’s made a logical point I can’t ignore. Everyone’s chances of escape lays on my shoulders. Which in the end, if I fall, we all lose. I hate it. I much rather be the one taking the pain or suffering, than others. I’m not worth it.”
The younger knight sighed and added, recalling he never did state his name before. “My name is Xid Terrick. And it’s nice to meet another Knight, though I’ve only been one for about two weeks at most before being caught. Not a worthy note for a recently gradulated Knight, is it?”
Andri felt a stirring of sadness at Xid’s belief that he wasn’t worth it, and offered him a comforting smile. “We will happily take the suffering in your place, because we know how much you wish you could take our places instead. That is what makes you worth it, young Xid - and why myself and the other Jedi will gladly take your place, whilst you work hard on getting us all out of here. Because we know that you would do the same for us if you could.”
“And hey - don’t worry about being captured after only two weeks as a Knight. I have been one for fifteen years now, and I still got captured. I believe that shows how little the amount of time you spent as a Knight means in this matter. What counts is that you are still alive.” She gave him a cheery grin, hoping the comparison would lift his spirits a bit. “Now, I am desperately wanting a shower. Be a darl and let me shower in privacy, will you?”
