Open Hot on the Trail

[Alexandria Voran]

“Yes.” The Force hummed in Alex’s mind. “A feeorin, human, and another I cannot see clearly.” She tried to refocus her mind. “The feeorin rings like the leader…but it’s hazy.” The Jedi Councilor could see vague outlines of their faces. The emotions had run so high in the room, the imprints were unmistakable. Unfortunately, her thoughts were interrupted but Pootalina. The hulking wermal waddled to shake Alex’s hand. She plastered a pleasant smile on her face. There was no need for casual cruelty.

Of course, that was the moment hell seemed to break lose. Everything seemed to happen at once. A horrid stench blossomed from the wermal. Alex took one whiff and immediately stopped breathing. The Force burst alight in her soul, fueling her body. That one horrid smell was enough to induce vomiting. In rapid succession, Pootalina was shoving at her in the Force…in the Force! Stun bolts were being fired and Alex found a reporter and blaster in her face. What a mess Carrick had sent her into. Was this how the ISC conducted all their critical investigations? She had expected an elite strike team. What she found was anything but.

The Morellian Councilor remained calm. The Lightside roared in her. She did not move a single muscle. If the Mandalorian fired she’d throw a barrier between them. It likely would not stop both bolts but her armor would hold against one. With a flick of a second thought she touch Lisabe Hanivel’s equipment. She could feel the electricity coursing through the cameras and recording equipment. She overloaded every circuit she could find, sending sparks flying. She remained still. Her eyes did shift to the ISC Ranger, her mind briefly brushing the surface. A name.

“I don’t know the creature. I care for all livings things…no matter their appearance.” Alex flicked her eyes towards Theo. “Ranger Magna, I understand your distaste for the Jedi, but you strike me as a professional. I can describe two of the three if you’ll take me with you to the port. I’ll recognize them on camera.” She’d had just about enough of this tomfoolery.

 

[Lîsabé Hanivel]

Lîsabé was furious, first she is ignored and now the recording equipment is destroyed! She noticed that the circuits only overloaded after the Chancellor Mistress touched it. But it would not stop the journalist, she came prepared for any situation.

"Go get the reserve camera and don't let this one touch anything." she whispered to the Rodian cameraman, who went to do as Lîsabé ordered, while pointing at Voran. Then, she pulled from her pockets a paper notepad and a pen. Both were old fashioned and colored in a obnoxious shade of green. When she started as a journalist, Lîsabé learned that technology can fail, so she always have paper and pen.

She started to write in the notepad how after Master Voran touched the equipment it overloaded. Lîsabé also wrote how it could be the proof that the rumors were true, the Jedi was really planing to sabotage the investigation, so her lover Emil Ro could have his war against the pirates. If this woman thinks that she can stop the journalist, she is completely wrong. No one stop Lîsabé Hanivel when she is after a story! Not even a Jedi!

"Now, darlings, did the task force discover anything about the kidnappers?" She said with a fake smile and prepared to write anything that they would say. Of course, Lîsabé was going to give her magic touch to it before it was aired in the Holonet.

@Valen Pelora @vamp @lizziie @Forsythe Crowholde @Wit @Nor'baal @Nefieslab @christhebetrayer

 

[Theo Magna]

The smell made Theo want to cut off his own nose to try and keep it from revolting and trying to commit suicide rather than linger with the smell of Poots Thorne. That she had had her name legally changed to Thorne showed dedication though even Theo thought it might have been a shade OTT. How would she get the thrill of changing her name to his on a wedding day if she already had the same name?

So short-sighted in her search for short term goals - she was not a true Emryc Stan with such an attitude.

He got the thumbs up from Yuuta and the Jedi Councillor seemed intent to leave with him. Part of his rebelled at the idea of actually working with a Jedi but he pushed it deep down inside of himself rather than actually acting on it in anyway. Instead he just gave her a brief nod - she was useful and damn it all but he would work with the Devil itself if it meant he could get Emryc back safe and sound.

"Mando - enough." he called out to the Mando with a shake of his head, "Not the time... too many locals like them."

Let him continue on his quest to shoot a Jedi - just not when Emryc's life could be hanging in the balance.

"Jedi, Yuuta, Mando - with me." he called out sharply before turning to the Reporter with a smile, "Ma'am I would love to be able to comment but I'm afraid this part of the investigation is under the jurisdiction of the New Republic and this illustrious Ranger here."

He gestured to Cyrene.

"She is a glorious example of a Republic Ranger and I'm sure she'd be more than happy to give you an update that I am not authorized to do so." he gave her a cheeky wink, "I'm sure you'll be able to get all the information you need from her."

With that Theo would leave the area and start using his datapad to call for a speeder to pick them up. If the Jedi and the Mando hadn't come to blows he would make sure one of them was sat in between them for the awkward speeder ride to the spaceport. As the speeder pulled up, he gestured inside.

"Yuuta - you're between the Jedi and the Mando. Keep them from stabbing each other for now, yeah?"

He, of course, got the front seat.

@Valen Pelora @LouJoVi @christhebetrayer @Forsythe Crowholde @vamp

 

[Megaera]

Meg finally snapped back to her senses just as the ISC Ranger was springing into action. Things happened fast after that, and Meg scrambled to her feet to avoid being left behind. She wanted answers, not just about what had happened to the ISC President and to ensure that she got a cut of any eventual payday, but from the Jedi as well.

So she scrambled out of the building, hot on the trail of the others, and spotted them getting into a speeder. She called upon the power of Dathomir then, and felt it surge through her, giving her the boost she needed to run forward and jump to land on the speeder's trunk just as it shot off towards its destination.

As it navigated the air-lanes that lead to the spaceport, Meg held on for dear life. She had spent a lifetime being excluded, she wasn't going to let it happen again.

@Valen Pelora @LouJoVi @christhebetrayer @Forsythe Crowholde @vamp @Nefieslab

 

[Lex Solus]

To his surprise, Lex didn't find himself on all fours and tackled by several officers at once. Rather, the ISC commander seemed to wave away the shooting--so he knew it had to be done either way. He liked this guy. Not many would have such few qualms about shooting civilians on a hunch.

Whether or not that was a bio-weapon or not was not relevant so long as the investigation was afoot and there were credits to be made. Lex was somewhat displeased by the Jedi remaining, but there would be time to be peckish later. For now, he simply nodded and moved his armored figure out of the bathroom, holstering his blaster.

"No more games," he spat as he passed the Jedi so that the ISC commander couldn't hear. "My trigger finger is not as tame as I am."

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[Yuuta Graves]

Leaving the premises was a blessing, and Yuuta would have wept with relief but Theo had immediately saddled him with a new responsibility. Anyone would've probably felt indignant but not Yuuta, no – he'd rather jump between a Jedi and a Mando locked in mortal combat than be in the same room as Miss Pootalina Thorne.

"No stabbing, shooting, nor any forms of physical combat shall occur between them," he assured his fellow Ranger as he gestured for the Morellian Jedi to enter the speeder first, then followed closely by Yuuta. Shooting the Mando a narrow-eyed look, the dark-haired Ranger patted the unoccupied space beside him once before continuing with a, "Not under my watch."

He blinked once, realization dawning on him as Theo took the front seat.

Wait.

Did Yuuta just become the "mom friend" in the group?

Face heating up in mortification and emotions going haywire through the Force, Yuuta faced forward, the red on his face betraying the neutral expression he wore. In a group as rowdy as the one he suddenly found himself in, might as well man up and grab the role with both hands. They needed to work together to make a progress in the investigation, after all, and Force willing?

This same group would be the one to find President Thorne and capture the hooligans who abducted him.

Yuuta sighed, tamping down his frayed emotions and his control of the Force. One breath in, one out, and like threads being wound carefully on a spool the Force around and within him quietened.

"We all have our differences, but remember: we're all in the same group. This is a temporary setting, obviously, but we won't achieve anything by ripping each others' throats. We have a goal here, so please keep that in mind and try to be at least civil with one another."

It was a reminder that shouldn't even be said, and it applied to everyone – including Yuuta. He didn't mean to sound as if he was lecturing them, nor did he mean for his words to turn out as one.

Should the Jedi and the Mando settle down on their seats (with Yuuta conveniently sitting between them, of course), the speeder would proceed towards the closest spaceport. Yuuta would spend the ride checking his datapad, scouring the holonets for any contact the President's kidnappers would make. There was a message notification from his wife but he refrained from reading it for now. He would be sitting in silence, charcoal gaze glued to the screen, and would put away his datapad once the speeder arrived at their destination.

@Nefieslab @Valen Pelora @vamp

 

[Theo Magna]

Someone was on top of the speeder. The driver turned to look at Theo with a concerned expression and the Ranger just sighed a little bit with his head resting on one of his hands. When the driver began to slow down and make as if to pull over, Theo waved his other hand at him instead.

"Just... just keep flying. She'll either hang on tight or she'll not."

How the bloody hell had this gone tits up so quickly? He was almost wishing he hadn't been granted any kind of backup at all - it would have taken him longer to sort through all the evidence but he could at least have gotten by without so many shenanigans. With how the backseat of the speeder seemed jam packed with people with difference, he kept an eye on Yuuta to make sure his fellow ISC Ranger didn't get stabbed by either of the less standard assets.

As the speeder came into land at the spaceport, Theo began to transfer credits over to the driver and spoke up.

"Yuuta - you take the Jedi and check the cameras for the people she recognizes. Mando and..." he looked up at the top of the speeder, "Crazy Lady, you're with me. We need to commandeer the console of flight control - it can calculate hyperspace travel routes much better than we can."

@vamp @Valen Pelora @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Alexandria Voran]

By the Force this entire mess was annoying. Alex maintained a carefully composed image. She was on camera after all, and the entire purpose of this collaboration was to build trust. Freaking out at any of the investigators or reporter would not serve that goal. Ultimately, President Thorne would be better served if the groups worked together. She did allow some relief to as Ranger Magna started issuing order. That would be a stop to most foolishness. “Let’s go.” Alex nodded at the Mandalorian. Her Mando’a was extremely poor. He spat something about taming and fingers. Odd. “Everyone on their best behavior.” With that they were on their way.

She followed the ISC Rangers to the speeder, taking her seat beside Yuuta. Smart, keeping them apart. At least the Rangers seemed dedicated to professionalism. They could dislike each other without pointing blasters. Alex remained silent as they whipped towards the spaceport. Honestly, she did not have the energy to deal with anymore strange circumstances. It was all so exhausting. The speeder slowed and the clown car of investigators piled out. Ranger Magna quickly issued orders and Alex obeyed. See, she could play nice with others.

“Understood…Ranger Graves, shall we?” Her mind plucked another name from the air. Assuming the ISC Ranger would follow Alex began to head for the port’s security office. “That badge of yours will get us access, yes?” She did not want to offend any of the local authorities. They had enough to handle without having to force their way into the security office. She just needed a few moments to review the footage and identify the faces in her mind. She would recognize them when they popped up on the feed. The crew was not exactly ordinary. Alex was certain she would know them when she saw them.

@Nefieslab @vamp @Wit @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Yuuta Graves]

Yuuta respectfully inclined his head in response to Theo's order. He stepped out of the vehicle after the Jedi, charcoal eyes giving the rest of the group one last sweep before turning around to follow the Morellian.

"Good luck, Theo," the Ranger said amiably, glancing at his colleague and offering the latter a smile. "Catch you all later."

Gaze meeting the Morellian Jedi's, Yuuta's friendly smile remained plastered on his pale face. He was quick to catch up to her, walking side by side with her as they headed for the security office. His smile turned a little awkward at the mention of his badge, out on display with the logo of the ISC emblazoned on it. From what he caught on Theo's conversation with the Zygerrian Sector Ranger earlier, his badge probably wouldn't do much... maybe. He was an ISC Ranger on a New Republic planet, but that won't stop him from conducting the investigation he had been assigned to do.

Still, he wouldn't lie to the Jedi and simply say yes.

"It depends on the willingness of those in the office to participate, really," Yuuta replied, one hand busy fidgeting on the strap of the sword bag slung over his shoulder. At the sight of the badge, however, civilians gave the pair a wide berth and left their path towards the security office undeterred. A guard was posted by the entrance, the sandy-haired young man eyeing the Jedi and the Ranger with a hint of suspicion.

"For the last time, we're not buying what you're selling," the young man said irritably, waving a hand at the pair. "Now, shoo!"

Yuuta smiled broadly at the other man, gesturing between himself and the Jedi. "Selling? You must be mistaken, sir! I'm Ranger Yuuta Graves of the Independent Systems Consortium and this is Jedi Master... er..." He would look at the Morellian expectantly, a little embarrassed that she knew his name and he didn't even know hers. Darn it, he knew he should have asked when they were in the speeder!

He would wait for her to supply her name and any proper title affixed to it for the guard's (and his!) benefit before continuing. "On behalf of the joint investigation by the ISC, the NR Sector Rangers, and the Jedi Order regarding the kidnapping of ISC President Emryc Thorne, we're here to ask to be given access to the security channels around the port."

No need to hide that glaring detail, what with the tabloids and the holonet broadcasting the news like they usually do. Sure they're doing their jobs as their journalistic creed demanded of them, but some tabloids were just ridiculously absurd to the point that said creed's purpose was blatantly defeated and mangled.

The young guard's eyes widened in surprise as his gaze fell on Yuuta's badge and the Morellian's very obvious Jedi garb. "Ah, kriff, my bad," he apologized immediately before opening the door and gesturing for the pair to enter. "Just tell the guys inside what you need and–"

"Thanks!" Yuuta cut the man off brightly as he stepped into the office. He sailed past the small lounge and down the hall to the main office, knowing that the Jedi would be quick to follow the Ranger. Sitting in front of multiple screens were a middle-aged human and a female Zeltron, their gazes focused on the live feed of different sections of the spaceport.

"Good day," the Ranger said by way of announcing his and the Jedi's presence. The Zeltron turned from her seat to acknowledge their arrival with a curious frown. "I'm Ranger Yuuta Graves and this is Jedi Master Voran." He repeated the spiel he used on the guard earlier, though his voice was now touched with a hopeful tone as well as a smidge of influence from the Force.

"Yeah, sorry, bud, but we'll need a badge for that," piped the older man without looking at them, eyes still scanning the screens.

"But he has a badge, boss. And it looks legit," countered the Zeltron.

"Sector Rangers?"

"ISC."

"Eh," the older man said with a shrug. "Guess that'll do... wouldn't wanna get called out for obstruction of justice or somethin'. So, lookin' for certain footages, huh." He turned his seat to face Yuuta and Alex as the Zeltron shifted her focus back on the screens. Gaze fixed on the Jedi, the man beckoned for her to step closer before typing away to pull up the footages dated on the day of President Thorne's kidnapping.

@Valen Pelora