The Rebel Faction

"I seek," replied Lahout simply, "the Alm'Pu'ti, the leader of my people. He has been gone for ten score years, and we have begun to grow concerned."

The sunlight was beginning to warm Lahout's body, and his mood lightened somewhat. He didn't mind the sunlight, there were many Mar'hute who preferred to stay underground. But, as a craftsman he preferred to obtain the occasional raw material himself.

"Before I was designated as a Seeker, I was a stone-mason, assigned to the Hall of Ancestors. My specialty was the carving of faces."

"The role of Seeker was lusted over by many people until the actual appointments were made," said Lahout, his voice masking an edge. He should have not been so forthright with the Jedi, the ignorance of this galaxy bleed even into those who were capable of manipulating it.

"My knowledge of what is called 'Basic' is not complete, Jedi Vega Van-Derveld. The announcement was made that twelve would be selected, and from the willing volunteers one from each clan was ... chosen."

Lahout looked sideways at the hooded head of this Jedi, and wondered to himself how complete his training had been. When he had crossed Naboo, he had met a few Jedi, and they had all been extremely polite, albeit over eager to question him about his people. The training they had received was laughable, those called 'Knights' would not have been allowed to the surface of Vandelhiem without escort.

"Perhaps," said Lahout, "Though, you may not be able to tolerate the air without some kind of respirator."

The atmosphere on Vandelhiem was mostly oxygen, however it held a great deal of hlor-4, which caused extreme hallucinations in those not accustomed to it.

"Visitors are rare, we are a closed culture, as the Jedi on Naboo said. The people on the surface of the planet are unaware of our existence, by choice or ignorance we know not, and do not wish to know."

"As I said," Lahout replied, looking at the hooded head of the Jedi next to him, "I am a seeker. I travel from one planet, to another, searching for the leader of my people."

Lahout wondered if the man was slow, or simply still groggy from his ordeal. They were moving at a slightly faster pace now, but he still trod with care.

"No, I do not possess a ship, however, it is not difficult to persuade the owner of one to ferry a passenger to the his next stop..."

Lahout had never found it difficult to persuade the captains he had come into contact with. People were so easily confused in this galaxy.

"Your absence from your home will cause distress? How important are you?" asked Lahout. Apparently this man was beginning to remember.

Or perhaps he had never forgotten... Lahout made a mental note of the thought for further consideration, he certainly didn't wish to be deceived into aiding someone out of kindness, only to find out that the rock had been placed before his eyes.