No Apologies, Pt. I

[Philosoraptor]

Song Inspiration: No Apologies by Kurt Travis feat. Strawberry Girls
Location: ???, YG-300 Light Freighter, Somewhere in Wild Space
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"Where were these slaves headed?" She said, her voice husky and dark. Her hand wrapped tightly around the Zabrak man's neck while her pistol was pointed at the other. The man in her grasp was gasping and clawing the air - unable to escape or breathe. The other man, looking fearful, didn't speak, simply muttering softly, worried his companion would be killed.

"P-p-p-put the gun down, miss, this can all be handled diplomatically? Right?" the man said, still looking down the barrel of the gun. Lucia didn't turn her head even an inch, still looking directly into the gasping man's eyes, though all he could see was the angular helmet she wore - the glow of white lights where eyes would be staring back at him. Without speaking a word, she fired the pistol into the Togruta, not even dignifying him with an answer or a look.

She pressed the barrel of the gun to the head of the Zabrak, relinquishing her grip around his throat so he could speak. "I won't repeat myself. Answer my question, or you'll end up like the rubbish over there." The Zabrak cowered underneath her presence, nodding rapidly at her statement. "F-fine, they were being taken to Mustafar - a shipment for some Sith, I don't know his name. We got the job on Nar Shadaa." Still the barrel pressed against the fearful man's head. "And where did the slaves come from?" She asked, voice unchanging. The Zabrak cleared his throat, his body shaking with terror. "We just picked them up in Hutt space - Nar Shadaa and Toydaria are where we got them. No clue where they're each actually from."

Lucia was displeased. "Thank you for your cooperation. Put these on." She handed the man a pair of electro-handcuffs, urging him to put them on. "Put them on and get in the cargo bay with the people you were trafficking." The man was bewildered. She didn't kill him? But, she killed his partner. "You didn't act cute, or attempt to dodge the issue - therefore, I let you live. Rules are rules."

After insuring that the man had indeed cuffed himself and gone into the back with the others, Lucia took a seat in the pilot's chair, setting course for a neutral space port, and a friendly place for herself - Bakura. The planet was home to the Judges, her organization - a (currently) regional group of former bounty hunters, Sith, and Jedi, who see the destruction the war is causing in the galaxy, and believe it their divine right to install order and peace, by whatever means necessary.

Some time later. . . .
Location: Unnamed Cantina, Bakura

Having arrived on Bakura safely, and turning over the slaver and his ship to the local government in exchange for credits, as well as ensuring the slaves were freed and dealt with, Lucia headed straight for the cantina. She never did know the name of the place, nor did it really even have one, but she knew it was the best place around to have a drink and unwind without fear of getting hassled by overzealous men or enemies.

"Barkeep," she said, placing her helmet on the bar top and sitting on the stool. Her medium length blonde hair tumbled down the side of her face as she undid the bun that kept it contained within her helmet. "The usual, please." A glass of whiskey, on the rocks. It helped keep her relaxed after any mission. She always loved the burning sensation she felt as the liquid slid down her throat. It felt good - curiously relaxing. She hoped to avoid any useless conversation, or being hit-on by some scoundrel, but anything could happen - even in neutral space, even on Bakura.

 

[210yeti]

This planet's name was unknown to Masad but he didnt care. He arrived on this planet via a shipping container on one of the many cargo feighters that were coming and going at a constant rate. "By the Nails there better be some credits to be made here" he thought to himself as he walked aimlessly through various alleyways and streets. His implants have been acting up as of lately and he needed something strong to sedate the pain.

Masada entered the bar and quickly scanned the room eyeing for viable threats. Seeing none, at the moment, he staggered over to the bar and ordered the strongest drink he could buy with the few credits he had. When he got his drink he quickly drank almost have in one go. With the pain subsiding he glanced around to see who else was in the bar.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Zaren had never visited Bakura before. In fact, he had never really strayed from the boundaries of his homeworld, Mandalore, or Coruscant, and their neighbouring systems. Recently, however, the Jedi had grown bored of his repetitive lifestyle, and requested that he be relieved of his duties for a short time. This allowed him some time alone to spend relaxing, recuperating, training, and whatever else he saw fit. He'd decided to wander into neutral space, away from the politics and the conflict, to get a taste of normal life in the lesser recognised parts of the galaxy.

His ship emerged from hyperspace a safe distance outside the planet's atmosphere, and began its descent to the surface. Zaren exited his fighter after landing just outside an industrial area, and left his astromech to watch the vehicle. He began to venture deeper into the city-looking area on foot, his cloak and hood mostly obscuring his Mandalorian armour and helmet beneath; he didn't want to attract attention to himself.

Not long after entering the city, Zaren came across a rather inconspicuous bar. It looked a little beat up, like a used pair of boots, but seemed perfectly acceptable considering his lack of options and knowledge of the planet. The Jedi didn't hestitate to walk straight through the front door, and made his way across the room towards the bar, before a couple locals started to take notice of his rather shady and untrustworthy appearance. The Mandalorian ignored the looks, and sat down regardless, politely asking for a cup of water.

 

[Mad Dog]

There he sat, on the rooftop of some skizzhole apartment across the street from some skizzhole bar on a street full of skizzholes.. Zar had hit rock bottom metaphorically. He was so far from his "Home" Bakura was probably the second furthest he'd ever been, after finishing some business on Endor he'd decided to make the trip to the very end of the Hyperlane. As fun as he must had thought it would be, it was not..

Zar had just flicked a cigarette when he saw a strange sight, a second set of mando armor walking down the street. Zar took out his monocular and zoomed in on the body, Blue... Vizla... "What are you doing here?" Zar whispered to himself. Zar hooked his monocular to his belt and picked up his KPWD-Warden's Blaster from beside him, holstering it as well. He was two stories up, and shortly after the other Mando entered that skizzhole bar, Zar was thinking about earlier, he repelled down the side and made his way toward the door. His mostly black armor keeping him well hidden in the shadows until he stepped into the light of the bar.

The place was packed with seedy types. Thugs, pirates, bounty hunters, and killers of all sorts and sizes.. That was fine though, Zar himself was a killer and had probably killed as much as anyone in this place. Then he spotted the man, the Mandalorian armor sticking out pretty quickly. Zar made his way over to the man, stopping only feet behind him Saber!?... Is this man a Sith? Or a Jedi... He thought to himself, silently hoping for the later as the Dominion had just patched things up with the Jedi council, his right hand gripped the CH-5 Clanhunter Blaster Pistol holstered on his right side, as his left hand tightened on his Blade,"Scuse me.." Zar said just loud enough for the man and a anyone less than five feet from them to hear. If this man wasn't a Mandalorian or didn't have a good excuse for wearing his armor, it'd be the last time he did so.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Zaren was but halfway through his lovely cup of bland, tasteless water when he sensed something off. Perhaps there was danger nearby, he thought to himself. Bakura seemed like a rather maverick planet, so the Jedi wouldn't be surprised if it housed some of the more unsavoury kinds of people. Zaren realised the feeling was getting worse; someone had some strong emotions, not sadness, or hate, but more like... anger? He couldn't tell. These feelings were directed at him though. Zaren could sense that much. Then someone just a few feet behind the Jedi spoke out, loud and clear. "Scuse me.."

Almost everyone in close proximity stopped to look at the man, and then Zaren. Sighing, the Jedi proceeded to finish his cup of water as he discreetly drew his cloak further over his Mandalorian armour and his lightsaber, which he had accidentally left half revealed. All he could hope was the man hadn't seen it, or wouldn't disclose that detail to the rest of the bar. Otherwise, Zaren could be in trouble. Without turning, he spoke.
"Is there something I can help you with, friend?"

 

[Philosoraptor]

"Something's going down. . ." Lucia said to herself - usually this was a quite bar, not some place much of any conversation took place. It was in essence her private watering hole. That wasn't to say she didn't enjoy conversation, in fact she loved it. Lucia was a surprisingly outgoing person, however, after a mission it was often hard to find the motivation to discuss anything with anyone.

She turned, eyes widening at the site of. . . not one, but two. . . no. . . "three Mandalorians?" She placed her hand over her eyes - her organization had every problem with the Mandalorians that it did with the Sith and the Jedi, they had no respect. She stopped her seething, realizing nothing bad would happen here. Not while she was around. They were all just enjoying a drink, and unless the Mandalorians began fighting over who had the biggest blaster, Lucia had no need to intervene. She'd kill them anyway - one day at least. But for now, mayhap enter the hilarity that is Mandalorian bar etiquette?

She stepped away from the bar, holding her helmet between her arm and her side as she sat down next to the two Mandalorians who seemed to know each other (@Sscorpiun @Mad Dog). "You two are new here," she said with a curious smile. "Don't get too many outsiders here. . . should I be worried?" She looked over at the other Mandalorian (@210yeti), who seemed bent on drinking himself away, wondering if he also knew these two. "Aren't you both far away from the fighting?" She said, leaning back in the chair, crossing her leg over the other. "What could you possibly want with my peaceful Bakura?" She said in a sardonic, though not entirely bitter, manner

 

[210yeti]

Masada turned and looked at the woman puzzled. He had never been called a "mandolorian" before. "Im here for credits." He said through gritted teeth, he than grabbed his head again as if he had a massive headache. "And I dont know who those two are." He down the last of his drink and waves for another refill.

 

[Mad Dog]

"Is there something I can help you with, friend?"

The imposter said without turning to face him. Zar's anger began to boil within him, the blatant disrespect the intolerable to him. Then before he could say a word a woman or something came from seemingly nowhere,"You two are new here"

Another force user.. Zar thought after instinctive glimpse at the new comer's hips.

After the woman said her piece, he heard the scratchy sound of a Tuscan Raider's voice. Zar had never heard one speak galactic basic before. They were usually just screaming in their native savage language.

Momentarily side tracked, Zar decided to comment on that,"You speak basic?" He said accusingly.

Back to what the woman had said,"This man here appears to have a stolen set of armor.." he then spoke directly to the man,"You're no Mandalorian.."

 

[Sscorpiun]

Zaren swivelled on his seat to face the others. He looked to Lucia. "Yes, I am new here, and apparently I offend people easily..." he glanced at Zar and then back as the woman "to get away from the fighting is exactly why I'm here." He stood face to face with the accusatory Mandalorian. "As for this armour, I am no thief. I am of house Vizsla, and you would do well to show some respect." Zaren's tone of voice was sincere but not cold; he was not trying to aggravate the man.
"If I'm causing problems here, then it seems it's my time to leave"

The Jedi announced his departure, slammed some credits on the counter, telling the bartender to buy everyone a round on him, and strode past the other Mandalorian towards the exit of the bar.
"Have fun without me fellas" he called back as he reached the door.

 

[Philosoraptor]

Lucia was obviously confused at what had just happened. "Uh," was all she managed. She wanted to know more about this Force using Mandalorian - she could tell from the way he carried himself, in addition to the presence he had, that he was a Jedi. . . or at least could use the Force. Turning to the other Mandalorian, Lucia was visibly amused. "Does this happen often when you confront people?" She giggled softly, finishing her drink before looking over at the bartender - a nod, a wink. Another slave ship needed attending to. She sat up, smiling at the fellows she'd met, before putting her helmet back on. "Well, boys, don't get into too much trouble around here - wouldn't want you to meet the wrong end of the Judges." She waved before heading for the door, and presumably to follow that Mandalorian Force user.

 

[210yeti]

Masada watched robed man leave say something about not causing problems. The woman giggled something but He didn't know to who. He watched the woman leave after the waiter nodded and winked at her. Waiting a few moments, He used his last credits to pay for his drink, he checked to see if Gorefather and Gorechild (ooc- dual vibro axes) were still in their sheaths before leaving the bar and attempting to follow the woman.

 

[Mad Dog]

The man stood from his bar stool, finally, Zar's blade loosing from its sheath a bit.. He saw the man for the first time, he was in fact some sort of Mandalorian. Zar grabbed the man's forearm in the traditional Mandalorian manner and stared into his eyes, almost as if piercing the man's soul.

After a moment Zar's face softened, and his tone was much warmer,"Apologies brother, I'm sure you understand, seeing that armor accompanied by..." he then leaned in a bit and whispered,"That pleasure device you got strapped to your hip.." his voice raised back to normal volume,"The mistake must be commmon from behind." He laughed a bit.

"...wouldn't want you to meet the wrong end of the Judges."

"What are the ' Judges '?" Zar asked at the woman's cryptic speech.

The woman, the other mando, and the Savage all left the bar, leaving Zar awkwardly alone in the crowed place..

"Well fhtagn, may as well.." He said to himself before leaving the bar without even orddering anything. He saw the group up the street a bit and decided to tag along.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Zaren stepped out into the busy street adjoining the bar. Passersby came in all shapes and sizes, dressed in all sorts of cultural nonsense. Any man would assume, considering Zaren's dual Mando/Jedi background, that he'd be quite a cultural and spiritual man. It was not so. Although he was trained in the ways of the force, the Jedi preferred to rely upon his natural combat skills, with tangible, reliable weapons, and always dressed in practical attire. His former master had always advised he meditate regularly. Zaren wouldn't; he saw it as a waste of time. This was perhaps the reason for his relative weakness in force abilities compared to his saber skills.

His force connection may not have been the best, but Zaren was still a Jedi, and he sensed his new acquaintances follow him up the street. He hoped they didn't want to cause trouble, because he'd rather not have to kill anyone today. In addition, the council would frown upon it. In fact, many Jedi were wary of Zaren and his Mandalorian habits; they claimed he was too much of a warrior to be a peacekeeper. Zaren took no notice of their criticism.

He decided to make a sharp left turn up a solitary alleyway. There were a handful of poor merchants attempting to sell a variety of food items, all of which looked rather unpleasant. Ignoring their attempts to strike deals with him, the Jedi continued to the end of the alley, where he turned and finally confronted his shadowers.
"Why do you follow me?"
He presented the inquiry with a great sense of curiosity. He did not believe they meant him harm. They could have tried to blast him in the back ages ago if they did. He wished to know what interest they had in him, and in all honesty, they had sparked his interest in them.

 

[Philosoraptor]

The Mandalorian had asked about the Judges. Lucia simply turned and gave him a stare (OOC note: being part Miralukan, it wasn't like anyone would know she were staring anyway, plus she has a helmet on) for a minute or so, her aura growing very serious, the feeling of pressure could be felt throughout the bar. They would all know the Judges one day, the whole Galaxy would learn - and with it peace and order would begin anew. She turned, leaving the bar after the Jedi Mandalorian.

"Why do you follow me?" the man said, having turned around to confront Lucia and whoever else was near. She really didn't know why, there was something mysterious about a Mandalorian that was a Jedi - something dangerous. Lucia was not about to tell him she was aware of his origins - she'd play a fool, as maybe he would in kind. "Not too many Mandalorians here these days, had to make sure you weren't about to do something stupid." She smirked, her hands inches or so from her blasters on her hips. "You're not here for conflict or glory, are you?" She all but cooed.

Lucia truly did have a mission, and her ship wasn't terribly far away from the cantina - she could afford to follow him for the time being. Slavers were awfully bad at hiding and getting away when she was around. She was called "the huntress" at the Jedi Temple for a reason. . . .

 

[210yeti]

Masada watched the two in the alleyway. What are they doing? He thought to himself. He remained in the shadows as they talked. They were close to where ships were docked and he knew the woman was foing there for a reason. I better head to the docks before im noticed.

 

[Mad Dog]

"Why do you follow me?" the Vizsla said.

Confused Zar stopped and looked around,"Are you tal..." but he was cut off when the woman spoke,"Not too many Mandalorians here these days, had to make sure you weren't about to do something stupid." "You're not here for conflict or glory, are you?"

"We don't do... 'Something Stupid'... ever.." Zar said sternly,"And there is conflict everywhere." He said as he looked around, standing in an alleyway wasn't exactly a smart idea.

Who was this group? Why was he even here? The questions ran through Zar's mind continuously.

While looking around Zar noticed the Tuskan standing not too far behind,"What are we doing here?" Zar said, not drawing attention to the man hiding in the shadows.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Zaren faced the rag-tag group standing before him.
"I'm talking to all of you"
He motioned towards the Tusken slinking away in the shadows. No one is invisible in the eyes of the force. The Jedi addressed Lucia again.
"What I am here for is none of your concern. Who are you anyway? You're not like the others back there..."
He reached instinctively for one of his blasters beneath his cloak.

"Besides, as my new friend here smartly pointed out, there is conflict everywhere. Though I get the sense you're not one to flee from it..."
Zaren didn't trust the woman at all. The force gravitated strongly around her. She could either turn out to be a powerful ally, or a dangerous enemy. She seemed stronger in the force than he, but Zaren relied upon his strength in combat to keep him safe, should she decide to attack.