Ask Escort Duty

[Jacata Lurel]

Jacata didn't mind mission assignments. It was always good to get of the Temples for awhile. He stood off to the side, arms crossed as he leaned up against the bulkhead of the ship. He had tried helping the ship's staff load cargo early but had been "talked to" by one of the Jedi Knights. It was his place to watch and guard the workers. Jacata had just wanted to help, but he understand the chastisement.

The air was cool on his exposed arms as the last of the cargo was loaded into the freighter. This ship was bound for a world that had seen fighting and needed the medical and food supplies. It would be an easy target for pirates, but they had been told the threat was fairly minimal. It served as a chance for the two Padawans assigned to the mission to prove themselves out in the field. Jacata was excited for chance.

He turned and made his way further into the ship as the ramp was retracted and the ship's engines started to spool up. He wasn't sure who the other Jedi was that had been assigned to him. The ship's crew bustled around the ship as it made final preparations for launch. Jacata carried his backpack of gear and made for the bunks that had the Jedi had been assigned to.

 

[Nyx Otsana]

Nyx was actually the first of the two to arrive on-site and no doubt Jacata would have noticed this given she had already deposited her kit on one of the bunks opposite. But, not being overly fond of tight spaces, Nyx opted instead to canvas the ship’s interior. She too watched the loading of supplies, observing the crewmen busy with their checks. All seemed to be in order.

Still, Nyx was uncomfortable. In all honesty, she didn’t even want to be there. The temple was a safe place for her, a sanctuary from the rest of the galaxy. She literally didn’t leave unless absolutely necessary. But apparently, the powers that be did deem this necessary. Maybe they were trying to build her confidence with gradual exposure. Dislike it as she may, it was happening.

At the sound ignition, Nyx prepared for take-off, darting back towards the bunk racks. She then stopped short, noting her companion. Whilst not entirely unsocial, the Kiffar was certainly awkward. And it showed, more often than not. But, feeling brave she was at least willing to make introductions.

“Lurel? I’m Nyx Ostana.”

She then paused, her eyes lingered on the speckling that was his tattoos. Subconsciously, she almost reached for her own, before thankfully remembering most of her face was safely still covered. Shaking it off, she looked again, seemingly trying to process something before finally guessing, “Mirialan, right?”

@Raydo

 

[Jacata Lurel]

He made his way through the ship's hallways as the ship rumbled into the air towards space. He set the bag down on the bed and turned to find a woman standing in the door way. Black eyes peered out from a masked face. She had a tense nature about her but she spoke before he could.

"Jacata is fine." he said with smile. His tone was warm, taking a familiar tone. He didn't know this woman, but she was a Jedi and that meant she was family. "It's nice to meet you Nyx." he continued, lowing himself down in a chair meant for take off's as they ascended in space.

"That's right." he said with a grin. He could guess at her species, definitely some variation of near human but there wasn't much else to go off of. "You been on many of these missions?" he asked, looking into glossy black eyes. Jacata had been on missions with Jedi Knights, but with the rising threat of the Sith it was not common for Padawans to be sent on these assignments alone.

The ship lightly shook as it broke free of the planet's atmosphere and exited into space. Jacata stood and gestured towards the door. "Hopefully its boring trip but we should check in with the Captain." he said gesturing towards the door and moving towards the bridge.

@Pam0wl

 

[Nyx Otsana]

At least he was friendly, Nyx couldn't fault him there. It allowed her to ease up a little, if only by a fraction.

"You mean missions off-world? No. I prefer the 'comforts' of temple life." It wasn't exactly a lie; as dated as the temple was, it at least offered Nyx some security, something which she desperately craved. "What about you? Are you the adventurous kind of Jedi?"

The sudden jolt of the ship caught her off guard; she managed to right herself though, catching the door frame before finding her feet. Clearly, Nyx was not a frequent flyer topside. Not yet at least. It was admittedly a strange sensation, walking around the ship when in transit but somehow she made it to the bridge without any further issue.

Greeting them warmly, the Captain revealed himself to be a fairly aged Togruta male. His rough exterior did not completely match his friendly demeanor.

"Jedi, welcome. Happy to have ya aboard." He shook each of their hands before projecting their journey via hologram. He seemed confident, stating that "If all goes well, we'll make record time."

"You've used this route before, Captain?" Being limited in travel herself, Nyx was unfamiliar with most star systems. She looked at the map closely, trying to recognize any planets of interest.

He confirmed her thoughts, pointing out markers along the course, "Dozens of times. Why I know sector like the back of my hand."

"Any problems along the way?"

That made the Togruta pause, his eye one remaining eye blinking in absence of thought. Then it clicked and he gave his thigh a jesting whack. "You mean pirates? Nah! This route of ours, it's a trade secret. All hush hush. Besides, our cargo isn't even worth the trouble."

Nyx didn't look very convinced, and she looked at Jacata as if to convey those reservations. "Cargo is cargo..." .

After all, if it was worth something to someone, then it was worth stealing. Smugglers were one thing but even they knew when to weigh their options. If risk outweighed the reward, there wasn't much point, but pirates...

"Ah, don't worry yourself too much, little lady. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Heck, make yourselves at home." The Captain really didn't seem all that bothered. He just saluted at them, playful as ever, and made his way back to the main control station. "Again, welcome aboard."

@Raydo

 

[Jacata Lurel]

He raised an eye brow. The comforts of temple life? Jacata sometimes forgot that not every Jedi felt the same restless as him. It was a flaw, one teacher after teacher had tried to correct. He loved his life in the Jedi, but there was something that just electrified him about actually being out doing something, even it was on this fairly insignificant cargo run. "I don't know if I would call myself adventurous, but I do occasionally like getting out and about." he said with a slight grin.

The ship lurched slightly causing Nyx to stumble slightly. Jacata reached out to steady her if she needed but she quickly recovered without his help. "Can't have my partner knocking herself out before we even start." he joked. It was a prodding remark, made warmly but it would help him figure out the tone he should take with this woman. Not all Jedi were as laid back as he was, that was probably for the best.

They made their way to the bridge and he let Nyx take lead with the Captain. He bowed and shook the Captains had before glancing about the bridge. As Nyx probed for information, Jacata picked up on the subtle hesitations of the Captain's voice. Jacata wasn't the best at reading people through the Force, but something seemed off about the man.

He glanced over at Nyx in silent agreement. "Can never be too careful." he said. "If it's alright with you, we will have a look around." he said. The Captain gave a gesture of approval, already busy in his other tasks.

Jacata turned from the bridge. "He certainly wanted us to think everything was fine." he said in a low whisper. "What do you think?" he said. It could be anything, Jacata didn't think it wise to press it too hard, perhaps it was just the nervousness of any Captain. "I am going to see if I can't find something to eat, might as well get as many not temple meals while we are out." he said, his tone becoming more laid back. In reality, it was in Jacta's experience, the best way to get a feel for a ship was in its mess hall.

Even though they had just departed, the mess hall had people milling about, likely having later shifts. Jacata retrieved a tray of food and sat down at an empty table. "So what do you focus on studying at the temple?" he asked Nyx. Even as the Padawan made conversation was looking around the room at the different people.

 

[Nyx Otsana]

With the Captain now busy, Nyx left the bridge with Jacata. Admittedly, she was wary. Kiffars were always taught to trust their intuition, much like Jedi trusting in the Force. Without a doubt, the Togruta knew more than he was letting on; if pirates were even a remote possibility, then why not use a different route? Or better yet, hire a better ship and crew? Trouble didn’t need much of an invitation.

“My people have a saying. Do not stand in a place of danger, trusting in miracles.” Nyx said this, all whilst glancing about. Cautious as ever, she wanted their conversation to remain unnoticed. “I think he’s hiding something. Maybe he’s a smuggler. Wouldn’t be the first time criminals have used a crisis to make a profit. He could be using the relief aid as a cover. Maybe there’s more to the cargo than just supplies and medicine.”

This was, of course, all speculation. There wasn’t much evidence of anything but still, the seed of doubt had been planted and now Nyx was on guard. “If this is true, then why ask the Jedi for an escort?”

With more questions than answers, Nyx sighed and dropped the topic, especially when entering the mess hall. She opted out of eating, the thought of food making her feel sick; it was clear she wasn’t a frequent flyer. Even with stabilizers, the veiled padawan still felt awkward and queasy.

Answering Jacata’s questions were a welcome distraction. “The masters recommend meditation, but it’s not exactly a favorite of mine. I’m more interested in...practicality.” Whilst saying this, Nyx made a gesture at the pile of fruit on offer at the end of the table. With a flick of her finger, a plump meiloorun began to float, its movements mimicking that of the padawan’s hand; suspended in the air, it advanced on the pair before depositing itself into Jacata’s grasp.

Obscure as her face maybe, Nyx’s eyes betrayed her delight. She was smiling, perhaps to herself or to her companion, pleased with her display of skill. Her time amongst the younglings and their games seemed to have actually paid off.

“What about you? You don’t strike me as a scholar, so if I’d have to guess, I’d say….lightsaber?”

@Raydo