The Various Adventures of Arlin Farrow

"The Mystery of Farwell Outpost" - Part 1

Human Jedi Knight Arlin Farrow met with Devaronian Jedi Arval Tremaza in the main cabin lounge of a small transport vessel. The two sat across from each other on soft, velvet colored sofas with a low glass table in the space between them. Arlin was vaguely familiar with Arval; she had seen him occasionally at the Jedi Temple studying, practicing, and most commonly, meditating. But never had the two been given an assignment together, and Arlin hoped Arval was as eager as she was to work with a new face and build a new friendship.

She decided to break the silence with a greeting. "Hello, my name is Arlin, which I'm sure you already knew. But it is nice to make introductions personally, wouldn't you say?"

"Indeed," replied the Devaronian with a deep and scratchy voice. "My name is Arval Tremaza, but please, call me Arval."

"Pleasure to meet you, Arval." She gave him a smile. "So, do you have any idea where we might be going?"

"Unfortunately I know as little as you do. The Council wasn't all that specific. A mission briefing should be coming over the holo any minute now."

Arval was indeed correct. Five seconds passed before the table in front of them lit up and emitted a hologram of Jedi Master Oric Traless. The Nautolan began speaking immediately.

"Your mission, Knights Farrow and Tremaza, is a relatively simple one. Two days ago we received a distress call from a remote outpost on Denon; Farwell Outpost, you may have heard of it. Unfortunately, we can't give you many leads but this: something has broken out and is plaguing the area. The outpost is of no concern to the local Denonians, and we don't want to involve them in a potentially dangerous investigation... which is why we are sending you two instead. I would urge caution. I can't tell you what lies within that facility now." Traless paused for a moment before continuing. "You've been supplied with Jedi-grade masking equipment which should protect you from the virus. You can find them in a compartment adjacent to the exit ramp."

Arval spoke up. "Master, pardon me for interrupting, but surely the Denonians at this base had means of protecting themselves as well?"

"Yes, they should have..." The Nautolan trailed off, scratched his broad, green chin. "And that there is a large part of the mystery as to what happened to these poor fellows."

"So we go in, investigate, and figure out what happened?"

"Yes Knight Tremaza, that's exactly it. The Council expects a full report on your findings... and a successful quarantine of the plague, whatever it is. In truth, we're unsure of what exactly you'll find lurking in the corridors Farwell."

"Thank you for the report, Master Traless," said Arlin.

"No thanks needed. After all, where would you be if not for some guidance?" Traless chuckled to himself. "I'll leave you two on your way. May the Force be with you both."

"Thank you, Master," said Arval, Arlin nodding in agreement. The hologram flickered off, taking the scaled image of the Jedi Master with it.

"Pilot, we're ready for take-off," announced Arlin into the com of her armrest.

"Aye aye, master Jedi," a voice came back. The ship made a small jolt as it lifted itself off the platform, course set for the city-world of Denon. The vessel entered hyperspace minutes later leaving the Force-rich atmosphere of Tython far behind it.

<**>

The ship emerged from the swirling lights and stars of hyperspace to meet the sprawling cities of Denon below. Arlin and Arval were able to observe the view from a monitor transmitting a real-time image of the planet's surface as the transport made its way towards the unfortunate outpost.

"Beautiful cities, aren't they? Reminds me of Coruscant," observed Arlin.

"Indeed. Shame we are visiting under such... vile circumstances. Perhaps if we survive this trip we can come back again another time," Arval said, cracking a smile. That was the first time Arlin had seen the serious man make a joke.

The com panel to the right of the viewscreen lit up, and the pilot's voice notified them that they'd be arriving in a few short minutes.

"Let's get those respirators ready," said Arlin.

<**>

The exit ramp extended downwards at a 45 degree angle, hitting the wet ground with a soft clank. It was night on this side of the planet, and sharp pin-pricks of rain were pouring down heaviliy. The facility appeared to be at least ten miles away from a habitable zone of Denon, seeing as the lights and sounds of the city were far behind them.

The outpost itself was up ahead 200 meters, and was crudely carved into the rock. The Jedi would be entering through a small doorway visible by the large yellow light just above it. The ground was solid rock with a few mud patches here and there thanks to some exposed dirt and the undesirable rain.

The two Knights donned their hoods and clipped on their breathing equipment. "I can see this is going to be fun," said Arlin.

"Your definition of fun and my definition of fun seem to be two very different things, Arlin," replied Arval, chuckling again.

"Perhaps," she said with a smile. "Come on, let's go!" She waved her arm to summon him forward, already halfway down the ramp.

"On my way," Arval called over the roaring tempest.

He jogged to catch up to Arlin, and the two commenced to cut through the arduous terrain.

This is going to be a tricky one, thought Arlin. And as it turned out, she was right.