Jedi Mission: The Colonies

[CJ Solo]

The droid's attention became mostly focused on Siah as Siah was the individual that was dealing with him most directly. Tow of the Jedi seemed to be talking among themselves and the other was poking around looking at things. A whirring sound could be heard from the droid, possibly he was processing everything Siah had just said. If Fetch could shrug, he might have done so just then. "Noone comes to Fetch, much. I do not have the same need for resources and land that biological sentients do. Outsiders are not favored here, what they will think of Jedi? It is hard to say. Be careful of your questions and who you ask them to. It could be taken the wrong way. Is there other business you would like to have?"

 

[Siah]

Siah shifted his weight slightly as he considered the droid's words. It came as no surprise that the people of this planet would be wary of any ambiguous or suspicious questioning. The white-clad Jedi bowed slightly to Fetch, "No, thank you for your assistance. If our mission is a successful one, we'll be sure to remember you and your assistance in this matter." With a flourish of his white robes, he turned on the spot and made his way to the hired vehicle.

He climbed aboard and positioned himself to the rear. He would be the last to disembark, being totally inept at dealing with anything other than droids. Siah pondered the words of Fetch, be careful of your questions and who you ask them to... This foreboding warning summed up the entire situation better than any mission briefing ever could. Siah decided to watch his words carefully from now on.

When the other jedi had climbed aboard, and they were underway, he shared his discovery with them, "I was warned, it would be best to keep our intentions of a peaceful resolution to those we only 'must' tell. There may be parties to whom a peaceful resolution would not be favourable. The droid advised that we proceed with caution."

He watched the people whizzing by as they sped along at a good pace, towards the multi-storey building.

 

[Vyce Andor]

Vyce listened to the words of the younger Palawan, and found his situation unfortunate. To have a master, for him to only be plucked away by tragedy and for the Palawan to just be left to his own devices was a pity beyond reckoning. The Jedi Knight didn't have time to say anything about what he had heard, with the need for the group to get going before them.

With the others, Vyce piled into the speeder driver's seat and listened as Siah shared what he had learned. This was a delicate situation, one that seemed in and of itself peculiar. Why would the populace be opposed to a peaceful solution? A solution that could end the bloodshed of years past? This all seemed wrong, and the feeling he had in the force only amplified the feeling. "We must proceed with caution. Something is definitely amiss here. I'm sure there is much laying underneath the surface that we have not yet seen."

 

[Andrewza]

Felix had been behind Siah and had heard the conversation but waited until all where present and seated in the speeder before speaking. "This planet been at war for so long many may be benefiting from this war. We need to show them that they will gain more from peace or failing that give them a common enemy to unit behind"

 

[Siah]

The streets were no different to what they were before. The populace went on about their business and seemed only to take as little notice of the newcomers as possible. The speeder's engine was rather loud and it was belching plumes of black and grey smoke. The Jedi's speeder was not the only craft belching out clouds, it seemed every second speeder was doing the same. Siah's head was on a swivel, he was watching the streets and the other vehicles on them. He noticed that the majority of craft were using old organic fuels, fossil fuels. This society may not have developed a clean-burning energy source as yet.

With his mask hiding all expression, Siah took in the city and its form. Hidden, his eyes returned the curious glances the entourage got from the people. After a few blocks, he turned his attention to the buildings and architecture. The squat buildings were by no means sporting advanced technologies. He noticed that people would often have to stop to open doors, a luxury a Galactic Citizen wouldn't think twice about. The streets were maintained, but they were slightly narrow, about just large enough for two speeders to pass each other. Siah made a note of how easy it would be to blockade a narrow street.

After about ten minutes, a large plaza came into view. The tall building was looming up ahead, high above its neighbours. Siah rested his eyes and neck, he turned inwards, to the force. He centred himself and closed his eyes, the force hummed a shimmering energy about him. Despite the speed at which he was travelling, and the cloak flapping furiously in the wind, he was at total ease. He felt the energetic tendrils of the force running throughout the streets and alleys. He felt the people's lives and living energy. He also felt that the force was calm, but there was a sense of tension. The living force was still, the way a taught string is still before it snaps. The white Jedi from Ilum was calm, but he felt that the calm was a moment away from turmoil.

Inside the plaza, the tall building was surrounded by fencing, it was patrolled by an armed security force. It seemed that the inside of the immediate complex in the plaza saw very little traffic. A few speeders were parked off to one side and other vehicles dotted a couple of the parking bays. The multi-storey building was in no way remarkable, it had some glass exterior and glinted proudly in the sunlight. A few official looking men and women walked between the tall building and a few surrounding buildings, but never ventured near the fence. As the Jedi's' speeder approached, a soldier waved them down and motioned for them to pull up near the entrance. Siah noticed that almost everyone was now looking at the Jedi with puzzled expressions.

 

[CJ Solo]

The appearance of the Jedi, even if their lightsabers were not readily visible to the soldier, made them noticeably outsiders. The look he gave them right away was one of suspicion. It was more than just in his eyes as he flagged them down while his other hand rested lightly on his weapon. "What do outsiders want here? Trouble won't be tolerated."

It was clear, particularly through the force that he was expecting the worse. Those in the area also seemed to have the same inclination as they drifted away from the scene. The feeling of tension that Siah had been sensing rising in that moment. The brown eyes of the soldier looked from one Jedi to another waiting for one of them to speak impatiently.

 

[Bigfatpenn]

*When it appeared that the other Jedi were leaving the stores with their newly acquired speeders Letto followed suite to not get left behind as he stepped back outside he could still feel the angst in the air from the commoners, not to content there were Jedi in their midst Letto got on to one of the speeders as he attempted to rev it up the engine was beginning to start only to spew out large clouds of black gas, Letto coughed slightly as he got off and looked into the engine at the back of the bike to no prevail, nothing was wrong it was just poorly made and worse for ware.* Seeing one or two of the Jedi ride off Letto quickly jumped onto his bike and followed.*

 

[Andrewza]

Felix climbed out the speeder and walked up to the nearby guard. They seemed tense and on edge. "We from the jedi order we should be expected,"

 

[Siah]

Siah shifted his weight as he swung his leg over the side of the speeder. He had pulled to the side of the street, out of the way of any possible traffic. He was still delving into the force and it's humming energies. Walking measuredly, he stood six feet behind Felix. He turned his shoulder to the entrance of the compound, and gazed down the street they'd just ridden up on. The street was somewhat empty, more deserted than the market streets they'd sped passed earlier.

The wind whipped up his cloak, yet the knight seemed not to notice. He merely gazed off into the distance.

Siah was paying close attention to the guards at the gate and wondered what the force had in mind for them. It was like a droplet of water hanging over a still pool. The droplet looks just about to surrender to gravity, when suddenly it rests on the edge of a twig. One slight vibration and the droplet will fall, disturbing the entire surface of the tranquil pool. Siah hoped the Jedi were not the droplet.

 

[Andrewza]

Felix looked the guards over they seemed tense nerves and unsure and he did not need the force to see that. This was not right people may miss trust the jedi but this was different. Something was wrong very wrong.

"Sorry I don't think you heard me. We are from the Jedi order and should be expected we sent a message ahead of us. Are you going to let us in or can we let our selves in"

Felix started for the door, his walk was slow but each step was with purpose

 

[Siah]

One of the guards stepped out in front of the masked human. He looked sternly at Felix. A moment later there was a call over the radio sets, "Let our guests in." The voice was not unique and sounded almost disinterested. One of the gate guards waved his hand and the men stepped aside for the Jedi.

A man, small in stature, appeared a distance away near an ornate door.

"That's Marcus Tahl," said on of the guards, "Please go to him and he'll assist you". The guards indicated a tree lined footpath that would lead to the main structure.

Siah was hesitant, he did not like this sudden change in tactics. Suddenly the Jedi were ushered in without any further incident. He entered the compound, his steps were measured. The white Jedi was ready for anything. He could feel the force was more at ease now, but there was something not right here. As the Jedi approached the small man, they could see he was sporting a large smile.

"Hello, my dear friends!" Marcus shouted from a distance.

 

[Andrewza]

Felix was shocked it worked but was able to contain any out wards signs of the shock. Felix nodded his heads to the guards as he passed them. They where still tense and on edge.

Felix slowed when the man greeted them to better observe his envirmonet. Somthing still seemed off. "Good day" Felix called out as he carried on walking towards him.

 

[Bigfatpenn]

*Letto followed the others tailing them to their destination early on he realized he was getting a face full of dust so he decided to go to the side but still follow, when they inevitably reached the gate Letto hoped off his speeder after the others and followed them carefully as he grew ever closer to the gate the feeling of uneasiness from the locals grew thicker and thicker it hit it’s peak and stayed there when Felix muttered.* “We from the jedi order we should be expected.” *Letto waited patiently, silently as the awkward moment continued.*

"Sorry I don't think you heard me. We are from the Jedi order and should be expected we sent a message ahead of us. Are you going to let us in or can we let our selves in"

*When the doors eventually opened Letto walked up beside Siah and muttered quietly.* “They’re very uneasy, you don’t think this is a trap or anything, do you?”

(OOC: Sorry for the inactivity, I'm back and wanna finish this thread.)

 

[Siah]

The short, rotund Marcus looked at all the Jedi in turn. He seemed almost amused, pleased. Opening his arms in a hugging gesture he nodded to a set of large, wooden doors behind him. The doors looked almost out of place in this behemoth-like building.
A few guards milled casually about the perimeter of the fenced off complex. Evey once in a while a guard would steal a glance at Marcus' guests.

"Please follow me, my friends! We have been so busy lately that we've been unable to make the necessary preparations for your visit." Marcus Tahl lead the troupe up to the doors. The aperture opened silently on well oiled hinges. The interior looked pristine, almost clinically clean. Despite the presence of security personnel outside, the interior was quiet. All the Jedi could hear were their own footsteps on the polished stone floor.

Siah followed Marcus into the structure. He could see that this was by far a more advanced building than the rest of the city. The shanty-town they left behind was a stark contrast to this giant building. He was cautious about his reaction to Marcus' enthusiastic greeting. Siah nodded curtly to Marcus, in reply to his welcome.

"A moment ago, I would have thought we were in a fragile situation." Siah replied to Padawan's question. "Now, however the force is awaiting something." The tension in the force had slackened slightly, but he still felt an underlying unease. Something was amiss... something was still not right.

Marcus lead the team into a large chamber, there were four individuals in the chamber.

 

[Andrewza]

Felix followed the man inside, he wondered on how a city at war could spend so much to keep there palace looking so grand more so when the city seemed to be struggling. Though it is there city and there to loose by wasting resources and antagonising there civlians to maybe switch sides.

"I agree if they wanted to kill us they would of shot us down has we came in to land. No i think they just on edge, remember they at war" Felix wondered if they where expecting some thing else maybe the enemy, or had they done something to warrant a response from them. "Tell me Marcus how goes the war? We did not see much sign of combat on the way here."

 

[Bigfatpenn]

*As Letto stepped further into the building he realized how nice the interior was especially comparing to the interiors of outer houses he saw on the way here.*

*Letto nodded at both of the Jedi’s comment as he followed along, when Felix approached Marcus and began to speak saying,* "Tell me Marcus how goes the war? We did not see much sign of combat on the way here." *Letto grew very curious, mid sentence he approached the two of them awaiting his answer.*

 

[Siah]

As the Jedi entered into the large room, Marcus stepped to the side. Four older people were standing in the sparse room. There were no chairs, or tables, only a large unused fountain stood off to one corner. One of the older party turned and smiled tightly, "Good day, Jedi." The woman said. Her wrinkled face and grey eyes offered no sense of kindness. The woman took a step towards the Jedi. "I am Minister Catherine, and we have little time to speak. We are about to be attacked by spies from our enemies. If you protect us we will grant you a favourable audience with our Governor, Joord Amantea."

Marcus said nothing, he sidled up against a wall and stood there motionless. As Minister Catherine finished speaking, another of the four indivuduals approached. And older man with silver hair and a military uniform held out a map to the Jedi. His chest was adorned with a kaleidoscope of medals. He opened up the map and held it out with his hands. Minister Catherine then continued, "We are here," she pointed to a large white square on the map, "and our enemy have breached our city's defences. We expect them to come from the Southern districts up to us. If they enter our Ministerial Compound, they will kil all of us."

The military man with the chest full of medals spoke with an authoritative tone, "If you help us repel these attackers, we'll assist you in any way we can. We must be fast, we've only just heard of the attack and have very little time to spare." The man held the map closer to the Jedi.

The map clearly showed the central 'Ministerial Compound' and the districts surrounding it. The city was laid out in a grid manner. There were multiple points of approach and it would not be easy for the Jedi to cover all the possible avenues of attack.

Siah looked intensely at the map. He wondered if it would be better to conduct the defense from this building, or go out and meet the enemy in street combat. The speed with which things were happening was completely unexpected. He could feel the force was relatively calm, but that undercurrent of tension was ever present.

 

[Andrewza]

Felix was taken aback by this sudden change of events. Though it would explain the tension. "We need to have along talk but that can wait till after the attack. Are we sure you are the target if so we need to secure this building. Do you have any information on the attackers, like there numbers?"

 

[Bigfatpenn]

*Letto entered the large room closely following the others as the minsters stepped forth Letto looked away but still kept an open ear to the leaders words, unlike the other Jedi Letto still felt uneasy here as if something was a miss. As the woman went on about the raiders Letto grew slightly annoyed, both Siah and Felix were too up for this mission, Letto thought differently, he snapped mildly and spoke to the two of them once the ministers left them.*

“Guys can we speak for a moment in private?” *Letto walked over to a corner of the room.*

“How do we know we can trust them? What if we’re fighting on the wrong side? We don’t know everything about this ordeal yet we seem to be choosing to jump in head first, we are Jedi and Jedi are peacekeepers not warriors for hire. You saw the conditions on the way here perhaps people are fed up of an oppressive rule? I don’t know… We should evaluate the situation first.”

 

[Siah]

The ministers nodded fervently in agreement to Felix. "We are sure only of the impending attack. Minutes ago we received radio signals from our forces in the Southern Districts, and they confirmed at least three dozen hostiles," commented the elderly military man. His demeanour was one of authority, he was obviously used to giving out orders.

When Letto signalled for the Jedi to speak privately Siah followed the padawan off to the side of the room. He nodded in agreement with the young Kyuzo's thoughts. There was something certainly amiss, the force was a wave of tension waiting to snap. "We will have to wait on the force. Even if these are dissidents, we cannot simply allow a government to be overthrown on our watch. Even if this were a military coup against a tyrannical government, as peacekeepers we could not allow it. We need to think on this, use the force to guide us," Siah stated contemplatively. Not being a negotiator or skilled as an ambassador he felt very uncomfortable dealing with situations like this.

The robed knight closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Something was happening... Siah felt a certain snap in the force, waves of energy circulated about the air around him. He could feel intense aggression, deep despair, and violence surging towards him.

There was a dull thud in the distance and the radios of the security personnel came to life. People were yelling into their radios about a breach and casualties.

"Go! Help us please!" begged the Minister Catherine, "They'll kill us all!" She pointed to the main doors.