Flying Solo

[Tynian]

Tattooine wasn’t the greatest place in the galaxy for a solo mission. It was dry, hot, and very sandy. As far as the eye could see, there was sand and more sand.

As Tynian exited the shuttle provided him by his Master he was met with the heat of the mid day and it nearly took his breath away.
He reached out to the metallic pole that held the ramp in place to steady himself and acclimate to the heat. As if to put his mind on other things, he checked his belt to make sure his lightsaber was hidden under his long tan coat, yet easily accessible.
Kane had told him to wear common clothes and not the traditional Jedi attire in order to blend in, and so he wouldn’t attract the attention of the local Hutts...So he wore dark pants, a white tunic and a long tan coat with brown boots. Master Kane had also given him some credits for food or whatever.
Now that he was satisfied he was ready, Tynian started his mission.

Thinking on his objective made Tynian laugh. His Master Kane had sent him there to retrieve a book. A book.
The thought of him having to go clear across the galaxy for a book left a smile on his face.
It wasn’t that the seventeen year old Ysanna was ungrateful for his first solo mission, or that Kane had the confidence to send him in the first place, but he thought it would at least be more interesting than getting... a book.
A Jedi does not crave adventure or excitement... Tynian remembered his master telling him. But a seventeen year old, now that’s a different story altogether.

He descended the steps from the hangar bay into Mos Espa and went to the nearest cantina. Kane said those places were always a good place to hear rumors, or buy information if you were careful, and they usually had good and cheap food for travelers. And at the moment he was hungry.
The book wasn’t too hard to find since it was supposed to be at a bookstore on the east side of the city, so Tynian figured he’d get a quick bite to eat before heading to get the book.

He walked into the busy cantina, sat at a small table near the exit and ordered a meal with something called “blue milk”. As he waited for his food to come he sat back and scanned the large room, the variety of species was very interesting to Tynian... he smiled and thought that the mission wasn’t going to be so bad after all.


@Koedi_Se'Roc

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

This time, Koedi was sure his master was crazy.

One with the shadows, the young zabrak had positioned himself in the corner of the room. Naturally, his dark black cloak assisted him in his hiding. Hiding was easily the best choice of action in this situation. Well, it was less hiding, more... spying. One never really knew who could possibly be in the cantina. Koedi was sure he was in the right place though.

He had been sent by the man known as Raith to intercept something. Though it confused Koedi, the pale sith did not tell him what he was retrieving. It was pretty typical really, Koedi was sent to the other side of the galaxy to do the sith's handiwork.

Without any direction on how to proceed, Koedi had decided to stake out in the cantina. Maybe he would find an interesting character to question or follow. At least he was doing something, doing nothing was obviously not the correct form of action. Though, he was entirely unsure if his plan would lead him to success.

A man did catch his eye though. A young man walked into the bar after a few hours of Koedis' waiting. The presence of the force increased and Koedi felt it. Maybe this man could lead to the next step.

Koedi causally walked over to the man's table, and sat himself down.

 

[Tynian]

The meal was more than satisfactory... it consisted of noodles in a creamy rich brown sauce with strips of meat, as well as what the bartender called mushrooms added into it.
The “blue milk” was different, but worked well with the entree. Tynian dove right in, realizing he was hungrier than he thought.
As the Ysanna was about half way through the meal, a strange man wearing a darkened cloak sat down at Tynian’s table.
He looked up in surprise that this person would be so bold as to sit down without an invitation, but he didn’t let it show on his face (which would’ve been hard anyway since his mouth was full of food)...
Tynian finished his bite and swallowed as he regarded the new comer. He face revealed that he was slightly older than Tynian, but not by much. But there was a heaviness in his eyes that made him seem... much older... more worn. There was something else too. The force tingled in the back of his mind indicating this one was a child of the living force as well... the dark side of the force, and Tynian realized that he was face to face with an exile.
But in his eyes there was an ever so slight hint of the light side, and that sliver of hope made the Ysanna actually feel badly for the man. Tynian thought the conflict within his soul must be great, which meant the force must have brought the man into his life to help him come back to the light, so he decided right there that he would everything he could to help this one as best as he could.
But a beginning was needed, so he introduced himself. “I am Tynian.” He said with a warm smile, “ and you are?”

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

As the conversation at the table commenced, somewhat of a conversation began in Koedi's mind. The young zabrak was immediately investigated by the other man as he sat down, he could feel it. Somehow this other being sensed exactly his state of being. His facial expressions and motions told the story completely. As the other man studied Koedi's eyes, Koedi studied his. This other young man had a palpable connection to the living force, though much more full of joy than he had known.

"Where did you learn to be so perceptive?" Koedi asked mysteriously. He had refused to answer the question presented to him. He had been taught not to offer trust until he was sure it was affordable to be returned.

 

[Tynian]

Cautious... the man was being cautious, which was to be expected. Tynian had introduced himself, and yet if this really was an exile sitting across the table from him, then he may not get a name in return.
He shrugged at the man's question. "It seems we both are... perceptive." Small talk was going to be the theme for now, so Tynian had no problems in continuing the conversation. "So what brings you to this back water planet?" After he asked he felt there was no harm or offense in finishing his meal so he went back to taking bites in between comments...

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

The red-skinned zabrak continued to scan the cantina, ever cautious about who was entering and exiting. As the one across from him continued his meal, he asked Koedi another question, one he also did not intend on answering. As long as he was on this system, Koedi would attempt to maintain minimal interaction. It was in his nature and also in his mission objective. Though, it could remain difficult to finish his duty if he did not uncover what he even was supposed to do. Maybe this other man would lead him to his goal. He seemed willing to talk enough. Koedi spun the question back. The man surely would answer.

"I ask you the same question. What are you seeking here?"

 

[Tynian]

Tynian quickly realized that this conversation was going to become an impasse sooner rather than later. So he finished eating a wiped his mouth with his napkin as he decided to make light of the situation. "Oh, this and that. Stuff that can't be talked about in a public setting." He smiled again, "I'm sure the same applies to you and your reasons for being here." He stood up, paid the tab and looked at the sitting exile. "If you want you can tag along. Although you may have other important matters to attend to." He didn't wait for a response but walked out of the cantina. As he exited into the hot day, he had a feeling the exile would be joining him soon.

At a table in the far back corner of the cantina sat a Mandalorian... his armor was all black with gold trim. His helmet sat upon his head covering his features... which gave no indication to who or what he was focused on...

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

Figuring he required stealth no longer, Koedi stood up and followed the man named Tynian out of the cantina.

Koedi thought long and hard about why he could possibly be on Tatooine at this moment. He heard Raith's cryptic message play in his head.

"Go to Tatooine. Seek, find, and bring back to me."

That was all he said to Koedi before sending him off on this directionless quest. A simple mockery exercise for sure. Koedi would return to his master empty handed or with some random artifact that had no use to Raith and he would be punished for failing in his mission. This whole situation was stupid to Koedi and that made him angry. Maybe that was why he was sent, to become angry. Koedi would not put it past Raith to do that.

Whatever the reason, he was here and following this other force-user. Koedi would tag along on his quest and maybe come out of it with the direction he so desperately desired.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian smiled as the exile emerged from the cantina. He inwardly figured that this was a good first step in redeeming the sith. Even if they weren't friends to begin with, they still would have to be civil... hopefully.

They walked down the street toward the center of town. Tynian spotted a nearby "visitor's center" and quickly found a map of the city. Mos Espa was bigger than he first thought, but it didn't deter him from his mission. As they continued further he tried again to strike up a conversation with the exile. "So as long as we are going to be hanging out, you can at least tell me your name right?"

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

The 'visitor's center' was nothing more than a bad store full of dry history books. The walls looked like they could come crumbling down at any moment. An elderly alien woman, of a race Koedi had never seen before, sat behind a desk in the front.

"Se'Roc," Koedi stated as a response to Tynian's question.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian looked at his map and then at the street sign just above them. “Well it seems I have quite a few blocks to walk.” He looked at Se’Roc, shrugged then started walking. He was never one for subtly and tended to ask any question that popped into his head (which he was working on), so he asked, “So why the dark side? What’s so alluring about it?” He wasn’t being insulting or rude, just curious.

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

As the words left Tynian's mouth, Koedi couldn't help himself. His mind flooded back to Dathomir and everything that had happened there.

His capture,
his training,
his father.

Koedi stayed silent for a while as he followed Tynian then he spoke. "I did not choose the dark side, the dark side chose me." His voice was somber and matter-of-fact, this was the way things were. "People in high places put me here, I have no choice but to obey."

Koedi had met a realy Jedi only once before. He was patient, rational, wise. He was unlike this man he now followed, in many ways.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian thought for a moment on the answer that Se’Roc gave. His only reply to that was, “I’m sorry for you. It must be tough on a person to feel that they have to obey... or else.”
They kept walking for a while... “The force chose me too. It’s pretty much the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”



A couple of blocks behind them, a black armored Mandalorian followed... he kept his distance, but never let them out of his sight. He knew what they were capable of so being cautious and undetected was of the utmost importance.

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

Koedi continued to follow Tynian as they headed to their destination. A small twitch of danger echoed in the back of the zabrak's mind. It was probably just the feeling of being in a new location he had never been before and following someone he had just met. Still, there was a feeling of alertness tingling in his brain.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian stopped and looked behind them. For some reason he was getting that tingling in the back of his mind that indicated the force was trying to "tell" him something. As he looked back, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary, so he looked at Se'Roc. "I think we are being followed... Maybe we want to find out who it is and what they want?"
He scanned the streets ahead and spotted a small alley-way just off to the right of them. "How about we go there... And see what happens?"

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

Tynian had felt the same feeling. Maybe there was more danger here than met the eye. Going into the alley to face this person head on seemed like a reasonable plan. Though, Koedi wasn't sure if whoever was following them was dumb enough to follow them into an alley. Maybe they were the dumb ones, putting their backs against the wall was certainly an aggressive strategy, though it was a strategy full of action.

The two headed into the alley as cool as they could. They made it seem like they had simply made a wrong turn. Surely their follower would like to take this new-found "advantage."

 

[Tynian]

As the rounded the corner of the alleyway, Tynian searched for a good spot to hide. The walls went straight up with some metallic ladders fixed to them, and that’s what the Ysanna went to. “We can go up to the roof and have a better visual on who comes in after us... unless you prefer to just ambush them? I’d like to know why they are following us myself.”
The height of the roof wasn’t too difficult for a Jedi to jump down without hurting oneself, so the vantage was perfect for what they had in mind... that is if the exile wanted to talk rather than kill.

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

"I figured your plan was to ambush them." Koedi said. He did like the more stealthy approach better anyway. Any normal sith would surely choose the path of violence, but to Koedi this plan allowed for more knowledge to be gained.

The two climbed up to the top of the building and awaited movement.

 

[Tynian]

As they reached the roof, they both peered over the edge like buzzards searching for their next meal.
It was all terribly exciting for Tynian who felt that a bit of adventure would be welcome before going after the book.
As of on cue, a black armored Mandalorin entered the alleyway and looked around.
After a few moments, the Mando clicked something on the side of his helmet and then turned to leave.
Tynian whispered “Now!” And jumped down off the roof to the ground.
The Mandalorian turned pulling his blaster out of its holster in one motion and held it toward Tynian...
He didn’t fire, but kept a bead on the young Jedi.

 

[Koedi_Se'Roc]

In all of the suddenness of Tynian's attack, Koedi barely had any time to process his next actions. The young Jedi impulsively landed himself next to the attacker, who happened to be a Mandalorian with some very specific armor. In the blink of the zabrak's eye his new found companion had a blaster aimed at his head. Koedi needed to think fast.

He couldn't just jump down and land next to Tynian. The attacker would just simply shoot the young Jedi. There was a good chance though, that if Koedi was patient and waited for the right moment, he could slip in for an attack. Mandalorians are honorable. They wouldn't simply kill someone without a fair fight. There would be some talking first. Koedi only hoped he was right, and that Tynian would know what to say. This man's life was in his hands.

Koedi concentrated on cloaking himself. He watched from the rooftops as the situation played out.