Bothawui's Open Terrain

Vivikayl suddenly straightened as Vakim went on a controlled rampage after the name she called his ship. Although she smiled nervously, it was still a welcomed reprieve from all this seriousness about the disease and the unknown. With a shrug of her shoulders, the Echani tried to dismiss her earlier name-calling. As her feigned nervousness finally shed itself from her expression, the young Knight's mischievous glint returned to her silver eyes.

"I meant no disrespect, sir," she pleaded with a faint giggle. "Please don't leave me here. I don't think the Grand Master would appreciate you abandoning a team member and an order mate to catch an unknown and possibly dangerous disease."

Kalli exhaled deeply at her old apprentice's antics, but she couldn't pay too much attention to her. As both Achiira and Vakim had spoken aloud, another enigmatic variable added itself to this chaotic mix--another presence arriving out of nowhere. It could be nothing. However, it could also be something. This presence was like a silhouette she could see out of the corner of her eye, so the Master Jedi ensured she would attempt to keep tabs should this enigma decide to reveal themselves and their intentions. If there was one thing she could tell, though, this wasn't another Jedi. They would all need to be cautious for the time being.

For now, though, Vakim's instructions had been clear. Kalli nodded firmly towards the Chistori Knight. Glancing over at the Padawan who would accompany her again, Kalli revealed a quiet, encouraging smile as a shimmer in her eyes.

"We'll utilize the same tactics as before, dear. Keep your senses keen to those around, especially the doctor. I'll follow your lead should you sense anything suspicious."

Kalli may have had her mission from the get-go, but Vivikayl beamed ear-to-ear at the news that she would finally get off this piece of junk--but she wouldn't say that out loud again--to do some actual good for this mission. Leaning over towards Alexia with a smug grin on her face, she might as well said 'I told you so' aloud. It was a brief, silent exchange before the Echani again straightened herself in front of Vakim and gave him a rather large, dramatic salute.

"Caution-and-subtlety is my middle name, sir. I got your instructions loud and clear."

Before anyone else could voice their questions or speak of their understanding, too, Vivikayl was already bee-lining towards the boarding ramp. What more, the Echani tried to drag her mission-partner with her by the arm forcefully.

"C'mon, slow-poke," she whined towards Alexia. "We got intel to gather. For the good of the mission!"

Vivikayl uttered a frustrated growl to rumble beneath her disappointed pout. She knew that Alexia was a more by-the-book Jedi Knight, whereas she was a more free-spirited one who preferred to trust in her gut instinct. It was usually the Force working in those gut feelings, or so that was one of the lessons Master Starflight had embedded in her. Of course, her old Master had meant it in a more conservative way than Vivikayl used, but she was a Knight now. It was a feat that left her to build on her teachings and grow to stand on her own. Right?

Well, apparently not. The growl of the much larger Chistori was enough to ripple through the air and make the hairs on her neck stand up. With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, Vivikayl released her hook around her best friend's arm and awkwardly shuffled her feet. She supposed they would have to wait for 'official dismissal' after all, but the Echani couldn't help but mutter under her breath so that only Alexia could hear her.

"You know that's usually the very last thing they do. Ask if we have any questions, and then dismiss us. We're just wasting time, Lexi…"

As much as it concerned Kalli about the dynamic that Vivikayl brought with her, such matters were no longer within her realm. Vivikayl was a Knight now. Although she had faith that the Echani would pull them through as she had on every other mission Kalli had been on with her, she could sense the questions within Vakim's mind and his uncertainty regarding the years that she had spent training this rather exciting although reckless individual. Although the Jedi Master still stood tall, she offered Vakim an empathetic smile if he glanced over to catch it. It was a brief exchange before she turned to the two girls, like oil and water in some ways, but still managing to find a tight-knit friendship over those years studying together.

"Patience," Kalli uttered.

Her eyes glanced between the two of them as she issued that single word of advice to both. For this mission, they would equally need it. Vivikayl would need to slow down and act out of intellect instead of instinct, while Alexia may find she would need to act out of instinct rather than intellect. At the very least, Kalli was confident in the two of them to find success in their mission. They shared a deep-rooted trust in the other that couldn't be severed and could build off that. Kalli then looked back to Vakim and smiled again, as though that word had a third meaning, unknown to all but the two of them.

Attention: Vasari

Once Vakim had issued his official dismissal, Kalli nodded her head before turning her attention back to Achiira. Once sure that the Padawan was as mentally prepared as one could be for such a mission, she departed from the ship with Achiira in tow and entered the building that the Duros had indicated. She paid no mind to the Bothans or others on the landing pads; her mental focus and attention were tuned in to locating the Doctor and remaining fixed upon this supposed leader of the medical presence and efforts here. Such would be her mission. The rest would be a task for others on the team.

With Vakim's dismissal, Vivikayl couldn't help but utter, "Told you so," under her breath before booking it towards the boarding ramp. This time, though, she didn't bother to try to drag Alexia out with her. Sure, Master Starflight wanted her to show patience, but they wasted so much time with these 'official meetings.' One minute could completely alter the course of the mission by running into the one person they needed to help crack the mystery of this now-confirmed disease and how they can help. That's why they were here, after all--to help. It was almost as though they all forgot that with the stick up all of their bums.

Fidgeting with the rebreather, the Echani scrunched her nose unhappily for needing to use it, but that was the way of things. She might not have liked it, but she could at least accept its necessity. Waiting for the rest of them at the boarding ramp, Vivikayl was fully prepared to high-tail it to the outpost alone. For all of their sakes', though, she would exercise 'patience' like her old Master wanted--for now. If they didn't hurry up, though, she wouldn't have any patience left to spend...

The absolute sterilization and cleanliness of the room were expected, especially after the confirmation of disease. If anything, it gave merit to the team who had already taken over the mesa. Although Kalli and Achiira were left in silence for several moments, the Master Jedi continued to hold herself with an air of quiet confidence, hoping that the younger Padawan might catch on to that aura and exude it herself. What more, Kalli was already well-aware of their current standing among the team here, so as the Doctor eventually graced them with her presence, her reaction did little to shake the elder Jedi.

"Due to a puzzling transmission that reached us, we're somewhat aware of the mesa's current status, and why we're here," Kalli explained without missing a beat, countering the Doctor's impatient air with her own gentle yet firm authority. "One would find it quite a mystery that we were requested to land here, seeing as you're less than aware than that issuance from your... orbital control?"

Although the Jedi's knowing smile was hindered by the rebreather, a subtle sharpness in her eyes pierced through her otherwise refined aura. Although known to be a keeper of the peace, Kalli was also far from allowing someone like this Doctor to depreciate another and their efforts. Nonetheless, the Master Jedi made an internal note to the emblem on her jacket -- the First Order. Although it failed to plant seeds of doubt to retreat, Kalli would hold that information close to the chest for the remainder of their time.

Furthering her point that the woman's attitude had little effect on the Master Jedi, Kalli continued, "Pray tell, what disease has created such a panic on this planet?"

Although Kalli remained confident and unshakable in her resolve, she could sense that Achiira had been jolted by the Doctor's demeanor. Although Kalli's gaze remained fixed upon the other woman, her mind gently reached out to brush against the young Padawan's. ~ Do not fear her, ~ the feeling would whisper, subsiding the shock that had arisen within the young one. ~ Be confident, you are not alone, the Force will always be with you. ~ However, even louder came Kalli's voice echoing softly within the Padawan's mind like her own thoughts.

Do you sense anything out of the ordinary here, padawan?

---

Vivikayl kept herself bothersomely quiet as she and Alexia wandered on their own through the outpost to 'gather supplies.' Of course, they needed to resupply, so that was sort of the first place that Vivikayl was planning on going. Then again, if Alexia decided that she wanted to go another way, that was her decision. Vivikayl would wander as she deemed appropriate. The Force was guiding her to where she needed to be, right? That was what Master Starflight had pounded into her head after so many missions. Honestly, though, the rebreather became enough of a distraction that the Echani didn't really care where they roamed. The outpost seemed… dead. Typical, she supposed, while a pandemic was ongoing. She sighed. So much for gathering any sort of useful intel.