Diplomatic Opportunities

[Babster]

It's only been a couple of days since Nula and Kiro have been on Ilum, but even in such a short period of time, Nula has found herself quickly pulled onto a variety of missions.

Supplies for the Jedi refugees and a more personal mission of finding seedlings to create a garden upon Ilum. Both missions were a success.

Today's mission, however, is different. It's of the diplomatic variety. A small colony of sentients reached out to the Jedi for aid. A small portion of the colonists splintered off from the main group and have seemingly formed a cult.

While this wasn't concerning for the original main group of colonists eventually they realized supplies and people were being taken by this splinter group. While they tried to stop the group from stealing both supplies and people they just couldn't.

And that is where Nula and Kiro come into play. Their mission is to negotiate a peaceful treaty for coexistence upon the planet between the two groups.

While the two could have taken their respective star fighters to the planet, instead a small four person shuttle was assigned to them. And this particular shuttle is just exiting hyperspace with a soft tone of warning signaling their arrival.

Nula Sygti will check a few instruments, before plotting a course for the planet. Even as she inputs the coordinates in, she'll also say, "We're here." And depending on just where Kiro is, she'll either say it to the room or announce it over the ship's comm.

@Bishy

 

[Bishy]

Kiro was seated besides her, hands behind his head and his feet up on the dashboard, eyes opening when she announced their arrival. "Remind me, which is the part where I attack?" He grinned, to show the question was a joke as he rose from his seat.

Kiro had jumped to the opportunity to work with Nula again, there was certainly worse company than a pretty Jedi. Besides, diplomacy was ideal for his particular set of skills. Well, okay no it wasn't, but it was worth trying to improve his patience by resolving a conflict rather than starting one. The day was still early however.

Standing up, he headed towards the ships exit with a yawn, pressing the button for the door to peel open. "How do you know they wont shoot on sight?"

 

[Babster]

It doesn't take Nula long to bring the craft through the planet's atmosphere and then land the small, somewhat battered appearing, ship. The faint sound of /kerthunk/ can be heard, as the landing struts take the weight of the craft now. The sound of the powering down cycle can be heard, as Nula turns her attention to her erstwhile companion.

A slim eyebrow will raise at his words, before she offers that faint smile of hers, and even though she realizes he's joking, she does say. "If you would be so kind as to allow me to open the negotiations I think it would be better for both of us."

Much like him, she'll smoothly rise to her feet and check to make sure she has everything. While she's not expecting any sort of trouble one of her slim hands drops to her belt, specifically her lightsaber. It's there, which is a comfort in of itself.

Following the younger Jedi, Nula will offer a shrug to his question, her voice sounding a touch wry as she answers, "I don't."

Once the two Jedi are out of the ship they'll be able to get the lay of the land, as it were. The planet from space looked green and grassy; healthy and vibrant. The surface is no different, as the relatively flat area shows rolling hills intermixed with flat plains. Long grass can be seen gently waving in the cool and comforting breeze. The only area without any long shafts of grain is a small village that's about a half a mile away from where the Jedi landed.

The village, because it's no where near the size of a true city, is made up of a dozen or more plastoid huts and houses. Various speeders and other farming equipment can be seen dotting the landscape around the village. As the two Jedi approach, it'll be quite easy for them to see the people gathering at the edge of the village.

It's a mix of various races from across the galaxy and perhaps oddly, only the men of the village can currently be seen.

Nula, for her part, notices that but doesn't quite comment on it yet. "I see we have a welcoming party."

 

[Bishy]

"You're right, you do the talking i'll be the silent protagonist." He smiled as he came off the ship with her, eyes drifting to the ensemble in the distance, he took a groan and rested his hand besides his lightsaber. "And i was worried there'd be no fighting." He didn't draw his saber however, merely waiting until they did as he took a sigh and rolled his neck with a crack, walking with a bounce to each step as he approached the group.

"Why're we worried about this people again? There's barely enough houses to home a family of rats. I dont think theres much room for an army." He continued his cocky stride, waving casually to the welcoming committee with a smile, but as instructed he remained quiet as he await Nula to do the honours, after all. He was far from a diplomat, he did much better as the cocky companion. Not quite the silent protag.

 

[Babster]

"Silent protagonist?" Comes Nula's murmur, as the two Jedi stride across the field, towards the small village. "I shall remember that for any future missions that require a vocal protagonist." Is that a tease beneath her calm and serious mien? Yes, it is.

It's only when Kiro rests his hand besides his lightsaber that Nula will allow a twitch of her hand to be seen, as she murmurs to the young hot-head. "Calmly. Let us approach this gently. I can already sense that emotions are running high." On both sides, apparently, though much more on the villagers side.

The overwhelming emotion that can be felt from the group at the forefront of the village is distrust and wariness, it's only when the two Jedi are within talking distance that the wariness and distrust shifts to a hot rolling anger.

Just before the two reach the edges of the village, Nula will say quietly to Kiro's last question, "Because we help those who cannot help themselves ... And they kidnapped several members of the original colony. We cannot let that pass." Once that's said it's only a handful of paces before both reach the invisible line that marks village and non-village. Nula will stop right before she crosses that not-seen line. As soon as she's stopped she'll immediately raise her hands upward in a friendly gesture.

"Greetings." She begins, her even voice just loud enough to be heard by all, "I am Knight Sygti. This is Knight Snow."

For those sensitive to such things, as soon as Nula speaks, the anger and outrage ratchets up ten fold from all the men that are before them. In fact, before Nula can even finish the rest of her greeting, a large human male steps forward. He gives Nula a rather angry and cross look, even as he deliberately turns his attention to Kiro. Voice tinged with fury, the rather big man addresses his next words to the younger Knight, "Master Jedi. We heard rumors you were coming."

Also to note, this close one can easily see that each person is armed. The arms run the gambit of hand blasters to blaster rifles.

@Bishy

 

[Bishy]

Once she introduced him, he bowed his head in reply with a greeting smile. As the man stepped forwards, Kiro stepped in front of Nula, using his body as a shield. Seemed he planned on talking, and this could only go awful... "I'm glad, i hope whilst we came you have thought up a deal to strike between us?" ...where did that come from? Kiro glanced back at Nula with a smile. Earlier, was he just being a arse for the sake of it? Yes. yes he was. It was only now that they had blasters surrounding them, that Kiro decided to be diplomatic for once.

His eyes flickered from the tank in front of him, and to the group behind him, nodding to the angry faces with the same confident smile. "You have quite the population. It makes me wonder about the reports of kidnapping taking place. Why would such a humble village require kidnappings?" His arms crossed and his fingers drummed on his arms as his smile continued. Silently, he thought about striking the man down to make an example to the others, of course it wasn't the Jedi way of dealing with it, and he wouldn't do it, but the glare he gave Nula made his blood boil. Controlling that anger was part of the Jedi way, but Kiro would have made a far superior Sith.

"Now, i presume you have a deal for us? If not-" He looked to Nula. "We may have one for you." The look was one of assistance, he had no idea what deal they were authorised to approve, and follow through with. In fact his diplomacy ended when it came to bartering, he could talk the talk, but walking the walk was an entirely separate matter to Kiros skills.

 

[Babster]

While others might take affront at the large man's seemingly attitude, Nula doesn't. In fact, she'll simply fold her hands in front of her, as Kiro steps forward to act as her shield. While amusement flickers in her gaze at the other Jedi's gallant action, Nula says nothing, instead opting for a listening pose as Kiro and the man speak.

The anger from the surrounding men can still be felt, but slowly it settles to something of a simmer, when Kiro continues these odd negotiations. At the mention of deal the group shifts, their eyes flicking from the man who's talking, to the buildings at large. There's the vague sense of unease now from the group, as their movements cause a bit of dust to swirl up from the grass-free ground.

The man, for his part, continues to speak even as his own uneasiness ratchets upward as well. "We don't need a deal." He begins, before he fall silent as Kiro continues to speak. It's at the word 'kidnapped' that the group once again reacts. Several fingers go to the triggers of their rifles and blasters and Nula for her part will reach out to gently touch Kiro's shoulder.

She can sense the anger coming from both the group at large as well as Kiro. That gesture of hers is trying to convey one singular thought; patience.

"We didn't kidnap." The large man says harshly, his grip tightening on his blaster rifle, "We only took what was ours. Those women are our wives, mates - " Heads nod from the group, as they put their agreement solidly behind the larger man. "- Ain't kidnapping then."

Nula can't quite help the incredulous look that now flickers across her expression at the man's explanation, as she takes this particular group of men in. While she could have easily said something to the man's words, she doesn't, instead she nods with Kiro's last words. While he's doing quite well, for someone who isn't a diplomat, she can sense his unasked request for help and so, Nula steps forward again. She ignores the men's bristling, as she says in her calmest most even voice, "Your home village is prepared to give you six months supplies for the return of their missing residents."

Of course, at Nula's words, that simmering anger once more boils over. Sneers are now directed towards the elder Jedi and the lead man takes a step forward, his words harsh with his rage. "Like I said we don't need no deal -"

And while he was just about to say more suddenly a presence is felt, by both the Jedi and the group of men. It's a powerful presence within the Force and for Nula and Kiro they can easily tell this person is sensitive just like them, though wholly untrained. When the man appears they'll find an average seeming human, albeit with that oily smile that most politicians seem to have. The crowd parts as soon as he's near and the men murmur faint greetings to their Leader. The man, for his part, gives each member a smile before he turns his attention to the large man who was originally doing all the talking. "Jessup, thank you for entertaining our guests, I'll take it from here. Why don't you men go back to your duties? The fields need worked and there are repairs that need done."

While the men grumble, they do as their told, as the Leader exerts influence through the Force - rudimentary again, but very powerful. As soon as the men disperse the Leader turns back to Kiro and Nula. "Now then, what is it I can do for you both here?"

 

[Bishy]

"If you have to take it, then its not yours." The kidnapping of women was something that caused his ire to spark up in his eyes. Relying heavily on the fact Nula was over his shoulder, to not give this man a punch in the nose. He looked toward the village, then towards the long grain shafts poking up like spears behind them. Kiro looked towards the new man and took a slow breath as he sensed the force, returning the smile back to his face to greet the new man.

"Your greeter told us he's taken a few women from a colony. We're here to return them, and then to help with this fine village however we can." He gestured grandly at the fields. "Though judging by your vast crop yield, its not food you need." Kiro slipped a hand behind his back, giving a thumbs up to Nula discretely. He hoped this was going to go his way, he didn't feel like getting force lightning'd.

 

[Babster]

If the situation wasn't so dire Nula might smile at that subtle thumbs-up from Kiro, but with this new player at the forefront, her expression turns vaguely grim.

Still, she allows Kiro to continue to handle the situation and the man; so clearly Force sensitive.

Now the question remains whether he realizes he's Force sensitive or not. If he doesn't, then he could be considered innocent in some of this, if he does. Well, then he's not quite so innocent, is he?

The dark-haired Jedi will take a step closer to Kiro, silently backing his words up, even as she keeps her dark brown eyes intently upon the man. Her hands will return to their original clasp before her, as she also opens herself fully to the Force.

At Kiro's words, the man offers a dip of his head, his eyes flicking between Kiro and Nula and when he looks at Nula there's a not so nice feeling from him. That anger doesn't show on his face, but it's definitely felt within the Force. Thankfully, his gaze doesn't linger long on Nula and with a twitch of his lips, the Leader turns back to Kiro. "Taken? No, no. That's much too harsh a word for what happened. We were just moving our spouses to the new village, that's all. At times persuasion had to be used, because our facilities here lack the same space and amenities as those at the original colony village. As you can imagine the women -" And there's a faint tick to his voice as he says that word, "- weren't pleased."

He'll raise a hand and gesture towards the pathway leading into the village proper, "Would you care for a tour? I think you'll find our village and our wives most comfortable."

And he'll take one step forward, making sure the two Jedi follow him. "My name is Thabo the leader of this small enclave. I didn't quite catch you and your comrades names."

Again, his words, inflection of voice and expression all seem quite at ease; relaxed, jovial even, but beneath that the Force sends out a heavy sense of danger and suspicious. If the Force could talk it would shout: don't trust him!

 

[Bishy]

"I'm Kiro, this is Knight Nula. Nice to meet you Thabo." The thumb behind Kiros back lowered, and his hands returns to his sides as he looked at him from the corner of his eye. The last jolly man Kiro spoke to shot him in the kneecap. It was totally deserved however after he implied the mans wife looked like a tree had mated with a bantha. To be fair, she did.

He followed along, Kiros voice echoing inside Nulas head. "I've seen less evil characters on cereal boxes. Let me know when you want me to take him out like the dashing rogue i am." He took a slow breath, talking whilst using telepathy, clearly an expert on multitasking communicative skills. "If your wives are comfortable then I'm sure there's no issue. We'll have to chat to them of course. Confirm their joyfulness, you understand."