Ask Tatooine Droid Rescue

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

—Music—

Spoiler: Briefing Transmission

"An Engineer in Mos Eisley recently overhead a group of smugglers talking about creating counterfeit weapons in a local bar and had his R5 droid record the conversation. Unfortunately, he was ambushed and the droid was stolen before the mercenaries fled into the Jundland Wastes. We need to get a hold of that droid before they can wipe it’s memory.

You are to locate the Mercenaries, retrieve the droid, and return to the Temple.”

“This should be quick, kid. But it'll give you a chance to pick up some negotiating skills. It sounds like it could get nasty though, so I'll be going with you. You'll find some of the galaxy's worst lowlife on Tatooine - the wastes will be no better. I’ll be at Bay 3E, I’ll fly us there."

Eileen didn’t particularly like scorching suns, or deserts. She’d read that in times past, her species’ planet was likely quite similar, before it’s destruction. But having grown up in the frigid climate of Rhen Var, it was a far stretch from her usual environment. Luckily, her body had begun to adapt to the changes, and her Jedi robes - which she made no attempts to hide - where loose enough to allow her breathing room.

She’d been waiting at the base of the canyon, looking forward through the rocky wastes. It had been the sites of battles past, she knew that much - and the Sand People had only increased their presence here as a result. It was a smart move for the mercenaries to have pulled. If they were heavily armed, they could have gotten through the Tuskens easily, or bartered their way across with goods or food. Eileen thumbed her blaster, but decided against it, gently pulling the cylindrical durasteel of her saber out of its wrist holster.

Turning to the Padawan, Eileen gently smiled. She was young, she was learning, and she was also the only other person interested in this assignment. From what the Vahla has read, Connie was similar to herself in many respects. This was a time for her fellow Jedi to prove her skills, and if they worked in harmony and the Force willed it, perhaps Eileen could impart some knowledge as well.

“Hey, Kid. If I didn’t tell you yet, just call me Eileen. We should get moving - the darker this place gets, the more Tuskens we are going to run into. If we can avoid a fight, we will, but keep an eye out, eh?”

@DizzySteinway

 

[Connie Callas]

It was Connie's first time off-world since she'd joined the Order. Part of her training, and her future life in the Jedi, would involved heading on these missions to help people. Finding one random droid on Tatooine wasn't exactly the most glamorous of starts but she'd take whatever she could get. She'd been sent with Eileen, or Knight Van Alasdaire if you were a stickler for the formal titles. Connie was glad when she disposed of that straight away.

"Sure, Eileen. I don't particularly want to be caught out here," Connie replied with a smile, stepping forwards through the base of the canyon. Her boots beat on the sand, sending it up in little flurries. She'd dressed loosely too, though not in the traditional robes of the Jedi. A pair of brown trousers and a grey top, with a loose poncho of white-ish fabric. It was what she used to wear when her family had visited Jakku those few times. Seemed pretty well suited.

Connie kept walking, eyes peeled on the edges of the canyon. Just waiting for any sudden movement, feeling her nerves creep up her spine. It was probably all fine, but Connie couldn't shake the feeling that they were both being watched. "Do you feel that?" she asked, as calmly as she could. "Something's up here... I have a bad feeling." Connie's hand moved to her back, where she'd strapped the vibroblade she'd been given by her parents. Being as new as she was to the Order, she hadn't fashioned her lightsaber yet.

"So... if the mercenaries need to hide themselves behind the Tuskens, that might mean they're not all that secure. Maybe not that many men, maybe not that much weaponry?" Connie reasoned, her voice level as she kept looking around. "Just a hunch. I'm probably wrong."

@Aurius

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

“Smart lass.”

Eileen walked calmly alongside her younger peer, a smile gracing her lips as she answered the girl. Human, by the looks of it, the Vahla tended not to assume based off of Jedi records. Besides, reading too far into a fellow Jedi could be construed as rude, even though the Consular felt knowledge was a necessary part of working together. As they crossed into the center of the spider-like, twisting caverns cresting beneath the sand dunes, both Jedi started to feel the eerie sensation of being watched. Connie was the first to verbally comment, and Eileen gently noted that as she released her Force Aura.

“Good senses. We’re being watched. Don’t make any sudden movements. Act casual, and keep talking.”

Eileen’s undertone changed as the Knight sensed Connie had understood, already acting casual before the Vahla had mentioned it. Impressive. The younger human and anyone watching them would begin to feel the presence of a waterfall of energy through the Force, centered on Eileen herself. She wasn’t making any effort to disguise her presence - Tuskens had mystics among them sometimes, and even non-sensitives could somewhat feel it. As the pair reached the edge of the entrance to what appeared to be a large underpass, Eileen paused.

“It’s either that, or they had enough firepower to cut right through ‘em. But it’s good to keep in mind - trust your gut, Connie, it rarely lies. This underpass is going to be a problem… too dark to see clearly. Use your senses, but I’m igniting my saber anyways. Be ready.”

The Vahla raised her curved hilt over her head and ignited the emerald blade with a crackling hiss, showering the dark underpass with a green half-light. The halo of the blade revealed much of their forward passage, as the light of the twin suns began to set around them. This was dangerous - that much was confirmed when the pair stepped inside, and four Tusken Raiders emerged from the shadows. Two dropped from the underpass entrance, blocking their escape, while three others approached openly from the other end. Blocked in entirely.

Karablast.

“Connie, sword. Now,” Eileen said gently but with urgency, raising her voice to the Sand People, “We don’t want to hurt anyone! We’re looking for a droid, please let us pass!”

@DizzySteinway