A Return Home...

[Master Buggie]

"...You're restless and you haven't been sleeping at night. I can sense it," Buggie replied, continuing an ongoing discussion that he and his former Antarian Ranger companion were having onboard the bridge of the Action V transport, designated Outland 02, "If there's something wrong, you should tell me."

At this point, Storm was up out of his seat and was tinkering with the R1-series astromech droid, something that he lacked the technical ability for in the first place, which signaled to Buggie that he simply didn't want to look him in his multifaceted eyes, "You know, I hate it when you do that. Of course I can't sleep when I have to worry about you probing me with your mind."

Calmly, Buggie looked at his companion's back and, using his most reasoned tone offered, "You're the only other sentient on his ship and I can't help but worry about you. It's no secret that you were assigned to observe me and keep me out of the Blue Star Pirates'... urm, darker... dealings, but the environment hasn't suited you from the beginning. I'm worried that this is beginning to weigh on you more than you're letting on."

Purposefully placing a bolt taken from the droid's exterior onto the deck plating, Storm remained silent for a moment before replying, "Look, I'm doing my duty. Duty is all I've known, ever since I was a Stormtrooper... but I have a wife and a daughter, and they need a little more involvement in their lives than an absentee father that just sends money after every job."

The concept of family was something that was much different within Buggie's culture than Storm's, but even Buggie could understand his companion's frustrations. Buggie was aware that the Jedi Council had tasked Storm with being his guardian, and since that point Buggie had used Storm's presence to his benefit, despite his companion's misgivings. Certainly, there was a higher calling which involved sacrifice as part of working within the greater Jedi Coalition structure, but Buggie would never consciously cause detriment to Storm's family by forcing him to remain by his side. Storm had said little, but he had said enough.

"I'm setting a new course," Buggie said, sliding over to the navicomputer, "We're going to Permafrost, and I will stand before the Jedi Council."

Storm turned, his eyes glaring at Buggie before he pointed a finger and said, "Stop it. You will not do that on my account."

Silently, Buggie returned his companion's gaze, then slid back to the shipboard console and, with a few touches of the ship's computer system, brought up a message on the ship's holoprojector. A blue skinned Omwati-- the shade of his flesh much accentuated due to the natural discoloration that many holoprojectors emitted-- was shown and began speaking, requesting that Master Buggie return to Permafrost following the Jedi liberation of the Roche system. This, of course, was none other than Master Godot, the Jedi Master who formerly trained Buggie and now sat upon the Jedi Council as head of all Jedi sources of information and intelligence.

"I received this a week ago and had intended to ignore the message," Buggie explained, "Or at least wait until he inevitably decided to show up outside our boarding ramp. This is my decision now. We're going."

[Master Buggie]

The twin transports Outland 01 and Outland 02 were left in orbit above Permafrost, since the new Jedi Enclave lacked the required docking space. Buggie and Storm instead boarded a shuttle sent up from the frozen surface. Once aboard, they were greeted by a familiar face to both Master Buggie and Storm. The thick, bristly moustache of Lieutenant Robert Leopold danced from side to side a bit as the Antarian Ranger gave a wide smile and greeted the two pirates. His presence was a welcome surprise, and the resulting conversations that flowed between the three of them made the atmospheric reentry and trip down to the surface seem short. Once inside the warm confines of the Enclave, Leopold made to pull Storm away so that Buggie could stand before the Jedi Council.

Buggie asked for a moment with Storm, and Leopold respectfully stepped away as the hues cast down from the Enclave's massive stained glass feature spotted them both in patters of light. With splotches of blue patterning his robes and face, Buggie offered a hand to his companion, "We'll meet again, my friend. Thank you for watching over me."

Storm nodded, and grasped Buggie's wrist in a gesture characteristic to his own culture and gave Buggie a nod and a pat on his shoulder, "Good luck in there, Master."

With that said, Storm turned and joined Leopold for his formal reintroduction into the Antarian Rangers organization. Buggie watched the duo go for only a moment, reflecting that Storm had said little, but meant much in those short few words. Storm was truly Buggie's last vestige of the Jedi Coalition that he carried with him. Without Storm's watchful eye and always-present sense of caution against Buggie's characteristic impulses, he did carry some uncertainty. Buggie had leaned on his companion for guidance, just as Storm in many ways relied on him. He would be hard-pressed to find that in another travel companion.

Turning into the light bearing down upon the main hallway of the Enclave, Buggie stepped forward toward the Jedi Council's chambers and his meeting with the wise Jedi Masters within.