[jedi] Mission - Stopping Darkness

[Necris]

Rumors of a rogue Jedi cult are hiding out on Sullust. According to authorities, the rogue Jedi are taking justice into their own hands, striking fear in Sullustans. Investigate who is handing out their own justice and apprehend the rogue Jedi; hand them over to authorities when you capture them.

Pirin the third largest city on Sullust was rank with fear it embedded itself in the very fabric of the walls of the buildings and the bedrock of the vast caverns that opened up around the city's boundaries. The fear was cause by Jedi running amok, they had taken law into their own hands acting and judge jury and executioner dealing out violent reprisal to criminals leading raids against strong holds and butchering all occupants. They kept to the shadows their faces hidden they struck without warning and vanished like smoke before the local enforcers could track them down, their fearsome reputation was growing and as it did resentment towards the Jedi was growing in the population.

The Bith known as Rugess was running weaving through the narrow streets of Pirin with panicked looks over his shoulder he watched as a trio of figures appeared behind him whooping and jeering as they gave chase, he fled again twisting into a wide street market he he'd his way through the crowds as they closed on him. They landed at street level and started shoving and barging their way through the droids earning angry shouts and complaints from the market patrons, they were slowed as Rugess stirred the crowd in front of them and one of them growled drawing his lightsaber igniting the brilliant green blade of the weapon caused panic and cleared a circle around him, with a gesture from his hand he sent more patrons tumbling as his partners a Nautolan female and a Zabrak Male rushed through the gap they too used the force pushing patrons out of their way their own weapons now drawn one blade blue the other purple. Rugess broke from the crowd he entered a square and stopped grasping at his throat, his feet left the floor and he hovered above the ground for all to see.

The trio broke from the crowd a few moments later slowing the looked upon Rugess before turning towards the angry crowd gathering their weapons held ready against the deluge of angry shouts. A forth figure appeared from the other side of the square crossing the ground his hand raised in a tight grip. Three more Jedi emerged weapons drawn their faces hidden under hoods, the figure crossing the square reached up lowering its hood revealing a Kel Dor beneath he turned looking a round at the people gather his voice booming.

"This man is a criminal, a thief guilty of numerous armed robberies, so why do you resist us, we are here to maintain order in this new universe."

He turned to look upon Rugess.

"The Jedi Order is gone but Jedi still exist and we must appear strong or fall victims to the same fate as our brothers and sisters. You Rugess Bilith are guilty of your crime and I Jedi Knight Rath Paylon pass sentence."

He twisted his hand sharply to the right and was rewarded with a loud snap, spectators screamed at the sudden violence of the act, some wailed in horror at the murder as Rugess went limp his eyes glossing over as his life faded, Rath let his hand drop and the body crumpled, he turned from the corpse rejoining the Jedi around him and vanishing into the wailing and screaming crowd.

​

The Orders Retribution cut through the atmosphere of Sullust, the extreme heat of the surface setting off warning sirens in the cockpit of the ship, Jedi Knight Gol Erbeck snapped his hand to one side an silenced the warnings, he knew what the ship could handle and despite the groans of complaint as the hull came under extreme stress, he held the controls of the ship firmly his arms fighting against the turbulence.

His companions were in the lounge area behind the cockpit, Mac the droid that normally accompanied him in flight had remained at the temple undergoing repairs that he desperately needed, as the ship shuddered loudly plunging through a pocket of particular violent turbulence and pitched at an unusual angle he flicked the internal comms speaking calmly.

"I could do with some help from one of you levelling out. Otherwise we may just crash and die."

He pulled the pilots controls back with all his strength further fuelling himself with the force the ship started to level out but he needed someone else to work the controls gyrostabilisers, their destination was Pirin, they received word that the Jedi here had carried out a public execution in one of the cities market squares, they'd start the see what they could find and then the hunt would begin.

 

[Apocrypha]

Heeding his companion's call for help, Rorik unfastened his seat harness - and was immediately dumped onto the grated floor beneath him, grunting as a dull ache swept across his body in response. With no small effort, the young man pried himself loose from the ship, righting his body as best he could and staggering towards the bridge, the ship dipping to and fro, buffeted back and forth by pockets of highly pressurized air. Why anybody chose to make residence on Sullust was beyond Rorik, but he supposed that air control would have provided a simpler, less turbulent path for their ship, had they not been so intent on flying 'under the radar,' so to speak.

"I'm here," he said, hurling himself into the co-pilot's chair and locking his harness into place in one smooth motion. His hands went to work, swift and confident, belying a respectable knowledge of freighters and their components; initially, he dialed up the deflector shields on the underside of the ship, providing her with a bit more force against which to exert herself, coming one step closer to stabilizing. The top of the ship began to hiss and sizzle, but Rorik paid it no mind - nor did he divert any attention towards the ecstatic whine of the ship's inertial damper - as he began to analyze their planetary sensory charts.

As quickly as he could, Rorik began to plot a sure and steady course for the underground docking facility inside of Pirin, doing his best to haul them around the worst of the turbulence pockets.

 

[Lycanthorph]

Xan did some research on the current situation on Sullust and it`s Rogue Jedi problem. It would appear that the Rogue Jedi are taking matters into their own hands, dealing swift and cruel justice upon criminals. Regardless of their crimes, they deserve a fair trial, not public executions without due process. It`s a shame that fellow Jedi have lost their way, indulging into unnecessary violence and aggression.

As the ship was descending, it was apparent by the major turbulence that the landing might not be a comfortable one. The pilot shouted out to the two Jedi in the lounge area, asking for assistance. Before Xan could unbuckle his safety belt, the other Jedi already did so and rushed into the cockpit to lend a hand to the pilot. Xan looks around the lounge area, which was shaking along with the whole ship, shouting:

" I sincerely hope you`ll be able to land this rust bucket in one piece, Preferably without us dying ! If you two can manage it, that would be great ! "

He then chuckles for a moment as he takes a deep breath, going into a semi-meditating state while he waits for the ship to land.

 

[Necris]

He smiled as his companion joined him and it broadened as he simple set to the task at hand, given freedom of having another set of hands at the controls he set about realigning the downward thrusters and levelling the nose slightly. As Rorik shifted the deflector array to the underside he flicked a switch sending coolant running though the ship running in the layer between the outer hull and inner membrane.

As the rumbling from the decent calmed his eyes focused on Rorik's course adjustments and he turned the ship into them earning a fresh jar from volcanic turbulence, when Xan shouted through he laughed back.

"Landing at this point is a certainty! Can't make any promises on the other conditions though save to say this old bird has been through worse than we have during her life."

His attention shifted to Rorik.

"Thanks for the assist, let's see if we can drop down a bit further and find a lest turbulent path."

 

[Apocrypha]

"Can do," he shot at Gol; to Xan, he did not reply, far too focused on the task at hand to pay his jest any mind.

"Our options for routes are going to thin the lower we descend," the Padawan said as he settled their vector downwards, keeping an eye on the altitude readout on the nearest windscreen, "but we'll have more luck navigating by eye, which might just give us the edge we need." Moments after he finished his conjecture, the freighter carrying the three Jedi tore into the cloud coverage beneath them, and they were blind.

They arced downwards steadily, the hint of uncertainty creeping into Rorik's mind as every hazy second ticked past. Turbulence rocked the ship to and fro, and several heinous bangs gave the young Jedi cause to wonder whether or not they would live through this landing - nonetheless, he maintained his cool, focusing on the altimeter.

Then, at the apex of a particularly nasty throttling, they broke free of the clouds and the glowing, volcanic surface of Sullust eclipsed their primary viewport. Rorik whooped, overjoyed as the ship settled into a far less worrying flight path. He pointed out the port towards a dark mass of rock -

"There's the docking module for Pirin; care to take us in?"

 

[Lycanthorph]

As the ship descended further, the turbulence became stronger and apparently enough to shake Xan`s semi-meditative state. He looked through the closes viewport and could see that the ship just passed through the clouds, revealing the planet`s volcanic surface.

" Oh, good, we`re still alive . ", Xan mumbles to himself as he chuckles.

He then glances towards his equipment, examining it for any damage it might have sustained from the turbulence. A thought pops up into his mind.

" Blast it ! I forgot to grab my blaster rifle . "

Xan sighs as he peers towards the cockpit, shouting:

" Any second now, lads ! Few more minutes in this flying death trap and I`ll start to dislike flying ! "

 

[Necris]

He smiled as the landing beacon lit up on the console in front of him, guiding the YT-1760 in now would be easy, his fingers glided over the controls the metal of his cybernetic clinking gently with each touch.

"What do either of you know of these Jedi on Sullust?"

He plotted the course for the autopilot and stood stretching his legs, his head almost brushed the top glass plates of the cockpit as he looked round toward Xan in the galley he smiled at Rorik.

"She should guide herself in now we're through the worst of the atomsphere, prepare yourself."

He strode into the galley as Xan grumbled about his blaster rifle.

"Have a look in the Port side cargo bay, there is a collection of 'confiscated' weapons in the might be something of use to you."

He leant into his bunk collecting his own weapons his newly built lightsaber and the double length hilt he'd been carrying for the last few years, he hooked the longer of the hilt onto his left hip the newly constructed blade went into the small of his back running along the belt, over his trousers shirt he pulled a short flight jacket just long enough to cover his belt and then hooked a trio of packs to the belt, the packs contained a small hand held data pad a few supplies and a medical kit, the final thing he attached to his right leg was a blaster pistol. When he returned to the gallery he looked every inch a Duros pilot save for the long jilted lightsaber hanging at his hip he slid into one of the seats waiting for the others to finish getting ready.

As he waited he reviewed the request for aid coming from a small group of the local enforcement agency that still held ties with the order they were to meet one of their officers responsible for training down the rogues before heading out into the city to find them theirselves, the council had ordered that the rogues be handed to the locals to face judgement but something didn't sit ight with that decision.

 

[Apocrypha]

"Welcome news," he replied, a pang of relief evident in his voice. As deeply rooted within the Living Force as he was, Rorik accepted that their demise could be the will of the Force, and could strike at any moment; he did not desire death's embrace.

"Not much, I must admit," the young Jedi said, scratching his chin. "If they're sensitive to the Force and posses lightsabers, we must assume that they were once our brothers and sisters - were they Sith, it is likely that they would announce their allegiances as such." With a frown, he shook his head: "If they were once Jedi, we must hope that they can again become Jedi. I will not strike down our own except as a last resort. We will all face temptation from the dark side, now or later, and we must all hope that our fellow Jedi will not be hasty to put an end to us; instead, we must convince them that their actions are a folly, and that they have been corrupted."

"The fact of the matter is that it is likely that these fallen Jedi think they are doing what is right. Perhaps through some misguided and improperly interpreted vision of the Force, or even the influence of the Sith. Regardless, they are lost, and I elect that we must find them in the dark and return them to the light. Another thing -" he gestured towards Gol's lightsaber "- I would recommend concealing your blade. If the locals have been tormented by those claiming to be Jedi, they will recognize us by our lightsabers, and seek to hinder, detain, or even outright murder us, if they feel they can overpower our group."

 

[Lycanthorph]

Xan let out a sigh of relief as the ship finally landed. He cracked his neck as he took off the safety belt and rose from his seat, saying :

" About time, lads. "

He stretched his arms and legs as he strode into the cargo bay, looking for a suitable weapon. He glances around, observing various blaster rifles, until one catches his attention. He walks over to it and picks it up, a smirk appearing on his face. Few moments later, he walks out of the cargo bay with an ARC-9965 blaster rifle.

As Gol inquired about their knowledge of the Jedi they were after, Xan looked over towards the port window, saying :

" I do not know much of the Jedi we are after apart from what is already known : they take law into their own hands, dealing swift and merciless justice ... ", he pauses to chuckle, " ... if you could call it ' justice ' . They most likely believe what they do is right, as the Padawan suggested. Whether or not it is the influence of the Dark Side, they will most likely not be easily persuaded to stop. If it really comes to the worst case scenario ... I hope you two are ready to do what is necessary . "

He stares through the port window, lost in thoughts as the young Padawan mentioned that every Jedi at least once feels the temptation of the Dark Side. If only he knew how right he is.

He looks back at the two as he walks towards the exit, saying : " The Padawan is also correct, it would be wise to conceal your lightsabers, I always do. That way, the locals might think of us as nothing more than mercenaries, called to 'deal with the situation' . I hope you can act the part. ", he says as he winks his only eye at the two and pulls up the scarf over his face, his blaster rifle held in his right hand.

 

[Necris]

He pushed himself to his feet following Xan pulling his robes around him concealing the blade at his back, the long hilted hilt still hung from his hip as he strode from the ship.

"I have no intention of hiding who I am, I plan on getting this groups attention."

He looked over beyond Xan at the enforcement officer stalking across the landing pad towards them.

"You are the ones from the Jedi Order?"

He said in a hushed tone.

"We are."

"Then come with me."

He drew a stun baton and gestured over towards an interview room, Gol nodded and followed inside the room the officer slid the baton back into its loop.

"Apologises for that show but you need to get past security, this have tightened up since the Jedi started killing people."

Gol nodded again.

"What can you tell us about the group?"

"not much seems to be a knight with a group of padawans might be ten at most but they are getting more violent every day, they publicly killed a thief in a market square yesterday, a few days before that they attacked and murdered an envoy from the Hutt Cartel, they've injured several officers as well, the higher ups want a bounty out out on them dead or alive but I've managed to delay that for the time being, but it won't be for long."

Gol frowned things had gotten out of hand.

"Leave it to us."

The officer nodded.

"When you're ready leave through that door it will bypass security."

"Thank you."

He waited as the officer left then turned to the other two?

"Ideas?"

 

[Apocrypha]

Before disembarking, Rorik slung a leatheris gunbelt from his hips, two heavy blaster pistols holstered in its battle-worn sheaths. He would prepare himself for the eventuality of subterfuge, even if his comrade would not; Rorik knew better, and had been trained both to expect the unexpected, and to always expect to need to blend in - particularly in the galactic stage's current Jedi-hostile atmosphere.

Rorik tugged a billowed scarf into place about his neck, departing with his teammates and quietly observing as they were lead into an interrogation room; it seemed the local authorities themselves - or, at least, this contact - had arranged for Jedi intervention. Rorik was uncertain if it had been the doing of an inside man or simply local hearsay that brought them to the planet; now he knew.

"Ideas?" he parroted, scratching his bearded chin. "Plenty. Fifteen, at least. For now, however, let's look through the eyes of our prey: we're in charge, we're the most powerful people for lightyears around, and we're doling out our own justice. What kind of hooch are we posting up in? Something low-key, or something obvious? I'd hazard a guess at obvious; our quarry have proven to be less than subtle.

"If all else fails, I should mention that I can feel a reasonable concentration of Force manipulation about three klicks north of here. According to this -" Rorik indicated a sector map on the wall "- that should be... here." He drummed his index finger against a large structure, over which was written Governor's Estate.

 

[Necris]

"You want to attack the Governors Estate?"

He smiled he too could feel the concentration of force energy' he rubbed a finger up the length of his forehead and sighed.

"It's sometimes easier to get the prey to come to you when hunting, one of us could head out into the street dole out some justice ourselves get their attention that a kindred spirit is about, see who takes the bait."

He studied the map indicating the locations of the majority of activity

"Your reasoning is sound, most of their activity is in this local here, about a klick and a half from the estate, they could be holed up somewhere nearby the estate, their last act the public execution took place here."

He marked out the market place and the route that they'd taken when they left it led from the estate into a warren of narrow streets.

"They could be hiding anywhere in there, it's a sad state that Jedi have become so adept at hiding these days."