Not Where I'm Supposed to Be

[Roth Khalifi]

11:30 am [ Local Time ]
Naboo -- City's Docks
-
"All right, kid. Here's where my charity runs out. Get off my ship."

Roth rolled his eyes, but shoved everything he owned into his backpack and stood, heading for the door that would spit him out into what he could sense -- without need of the Force; he could just hear the noises -- was a busy, busy harbor. On a busy planet, if everything he heard about Naboo (a lot of poetic waxing, some sighing about how cultural and beautiful it was, and so on and so forth; and the Jedi were here too, a lot of them). He should be excited, Roth knew. That, or scared out of his wits.

He just wanted to go home.

"Good luck on visitin' yer cousin, bumpkin," said an Ithorian on Roth's way out, and he paused before remembering that that was the story he'd fed the crew, along with a couple of credits and the best of his I-am-young-and-scared performance to get a ride here. They were happy enough to let him on, after the credits were forked over at least, and didn't mention or ask anything of the second part of his reason until...well, now. Roth looked at the alien, and the alien stared back with a chuckle that said she didn't buy one syllable out of his lying mouth this whole time.

Roth's face heated. "Sure I will," he said, with as much conviction as he could, and hurried down the freight vehicle's ramp before they could change their minds and trade him off to some slave auction instead. Not that he'd fetch much of a price, but still -- he was relieved when the ramp closed up behind him, and with a sigh turned to face the massive, massive crowd of people milling all around the area.

"Great," Roth said flatly, eyes fleeting from one face to another. Why was everyone so bloody tall? "How'm I going to find them?"

No obvious answer came to him. Roth had asked as much about the Jedi Order as he dared, and had known that his best shot with them was on Naboo, here, but what they looked like and how they distinguished themselves, he had no idea. They carried lightsaber -- lightsaber hilts, so they said -- so...what? Was Roth to wander around looking for anyone with one of those? In this whole port? Oooh, yes, that was such a good idea. Maybe he would even get lucky and avoid being dragged off by whatever law enforcement here on charges of harassment and suspicious behavior until evening.

That was a horrible scenario. Roth forged ahead into the crowd, then paused and stood by a trash processor -- maybe he was trying to use it as cover, maybe not -- and gave the crowd a futile, unconvinced look. He did not have to fake the lost, somewhat nervous look on his face in the least.

 

[The Captain]

There was something magic about the droid maintenance depots on Naboo. Maybe it was in the oil bath mixture, maybe it was the buff and polish they always ended with. Maybe it was that priceless look of utter confusion when a droid not only submitted itself for a deep cleaning, but haggled. Very, very well.

Whatever the case, Debbie felt like a new droid and her confidant stride showed it. As always, she opted to keep her mismatched black leg and right arm. They may not fit the silver-chrome of the rest of her, but they were part of her body. Plus, they distracted the technicians so she could stash her hidden weapons without detection.

As she sauntered through the crowd toward the docks, something caught her photoreceptors. A small human boy, pressed up against a waste processor. He was almost skeletal in appearance, and dressed in dingy clothes. The real interesting factor was his eyes. He was both faking and genuinely terrified at the same time, an odd mix. She moved through the crowd towards the boy.

 

[Roth Khalifi]

Of all the things Roth thought he was going into...a droid wasn't it.

The machine caught his attention almost as quickly as he had caught its own, and Roth tensed where he stood, watching it with fists clenching in the sleeves of his too-large jacket. Maybe he was lucky, he thought, and furtively looked left-right to make sure that he was the one the droid was heading towards. And then the next thought caught up with Roth: Why was he afraid?

Well, no. He had an answer to that. Droids were...new territory for him. Farming tools didn't have the luxury of a personality, back home. The machines he'd met since leaving it behind were varying shades of intelligent and sassy, with a mind behind most of the tin-faces. It was creepy, all the more because he couldn't sense them. Couldn't read them -- couldn't fathom what they wanted with him, good or bad. So, now what? The creature(?) was still coming this way, and the more Roth stood there and stared at it the more he looked outlandish. He knew that. Everyone in this part of the galaxy saw robots everyday.

...No one was going to gun down a kid in the middle of a crowd, right? Right. Roth inhaled and exhaled, puffing out his cheeks, and not very enthusiastically jogged up to meet the droid. "Hey," he greeted it. Stopped. What else was there to say? Roth shifted awkwardly on his feet, opened his mouth again, and was interrupted by a long, low growl from his stomach.

Oh, right. Food! Stuff like that. Common stuff. Roth laughed nervously and shuffled a half-step back, scratching at the back of his head. He couldn't quite look the thing in its eyes. "I think you...saw me. Do you happen to know where the nearest, uh, Jedi...place...is? I guess?" And tried not to cringe with every word.

 

[Joshu Pladata]

The sky was bright and the air clean as Joshu made his way through the streets. He had decided to leave the temple for a few days, his studies could wait until he returned. The fresh air did a lot to clear his mind when he was stressed though the crowds when he arrived at the port did not help in the slightest. The noise was deafening, and although there were other places Joshu could wander, the port seemed like the right place today. He started his slow walk through the crowd taking in his surroundings as one does. There were merchants peddling their wares and people trampling on the back of Joshu's robe. Frustrated, he pulled the robe closed concealing his entire body and set off walking again with less of a trail behind him before stopping once more. He spotted a young man across the way, no older than 14/15, he looked very unremarkable but something about his presence made Joshu take note.

He could feel the force within the young man, but cautious as to his intentions he chose to hold back from introducing himself for now. He watched from a distance as the boy ran into a droid, he tried to act friendly with it, but for what reason Joshu would never know. At this point he managed to hear above the noise the word "Jedi" come from the young man. He knew now he was watching with good reason, but he chose to remain hidden once again until his intentions were made clear.

 

[Mr.BossMan]

Naboo.

Anthoni hated naboo, how many Jedi and rebel soldiers died on this worthles planet? And all for what, to fight for peace and all that stupid stuff? Either way Anthoni was here, after just landing his ship on the nearest docking port he decided to see how much this place changed. He figured her find a nearby Cantina and get wasted, then crawl back to his ship and do the same thing on another planet.

He was wearing his typical clothes. Black everything, pants, shirt, robes, boots, belt, saber hilt, hood. Anthoni began to notice his favorite color was black. After wearing the same color for months now it seemed like a good enough color.

It suited the Dark Jedi well.

Anthoni dawned his black hood and submerged himself within the river flow of people. He was hiding his dark prescence in the force. The rebels and Jedi won the battle of naboo, which meant the young Carmakers had to be cautious. He knew the Jedi had no temple on the planet, but the people were Jedi friendly. Which meant they would be unfriendly towards Anthoni.

Either way he hid his saber under his black robes and walked on. That's when he saw it, a boy and a droid. Anthoni could feel the Force within the young man, he was young, to young to be by himself. Instantly Anthoni's mind went racing. This boy was most likely looking for the order, the Jedi. Anthoni had no business meddling in the boys affairs. But he was just that, a boy, to young to survive by himself and just by looking at the poor kid one could easily tell he was sickly looking.

Anthoni stopped in the crowd and scanned the surrounding area with his senses. Closing his eyes under his hood Anthoni called out within the Force. He could feel the boys presence sure enough, but he could also feel another. Slightly stronger in the force. But both presences were warming, each one was a practionor of the lightside. Anthoni knew this simply because he himself once practiced the ways of the Jedi, but those days were over. He was a Dark Jedi now, he owed ties two nothing.

Why should he help them?

"Damn it." he muttered under his breath.

The two fools didn't even realize the Jedi were not based on Naboo. That would make them hopefuls, searching for the Jedi. Anthoni shuddered at what he thought the Sith would do to these two if he found them. Anthoni ran his hand over his chest, undoubtedly they would torture the kid.

Anthoni cursed himself as he walked forward toward the boy. He made sure to mask his force presence that way the boy and the other Jedi would not know he was a Darksider. If Anthoni were to help the kid, he would do so on his terms.

He walked right up to the kid and stopped.

"Boy, do exactly what I say if you want to live."

 

[Cheshire]

As Josis arrived on the planet of Naboo, he was happy to return to Jedi freindly territory. As he landed his ship, he donned his simple clothing of a plain linen shirt and dark black shorts. As he walked out onto the planet, not attempting to conceal his lightsabers that hung by his side. This was a Jed friendly world and that was a very good thing. He felt at ease as he walked around the busy harbour, admiring the harbour as he looked around. This would be a lovely well earned break.

As Josis examined the crowd he noticed a small looking boy, around the same age as him and sensed force potential within him. "Hmmmm" This boy would perhaps have the capability of becoming a Jedi. As Josis started to walk over to the boy, he noticed a man walk straight towards him. He sensed something was wrong. What man would wear a Dark hood on Naboo? Josis's hand immediately went to one of his lightsabers as he walked over to the boy. The boy was clearly terrified as the man whispered into the boy's ear. As Josis walked towards the boy and the man he felt a sense of dread when he neared. "Is everything alright?" As he addressed the boy.

 

[Mr.BossMan]

Anthoni could only watch as he was interrupted by yet another Jedi. The fool came over and didn't even speak to Anthoni but instead the boy. Asking him if everything was alright. Of course it wasn't. This made four force sensitives in one place, to damn many. He needed to leave, he instantly regretted his decision to help the boy. This is what he gets for being the good guy?

Then his eyes raced down to the mans hand, which went inside his robes. It was obvious he was going for his saber. Anthoni has been in this situation countless times. But all he did was shake his head at the man.

"No. Don't do that, cause that don't end well for you."

It was a threat, hidden and not blunt, but Anthoni meant what he said. If this man went for his saber, then Anthoni would kill him. He put his hand on the boy's shoulder, also a threat but a subtle one. If it came down to his life or the boy's Anthoni would not hesitate to kill the boy.

So he stood there calm as could be, but the tension in the air was intense. He was prepared to kill these strangers, and all he wanted to do in the first place was help. This didn't have to end this way, but if it came to it, they would find Anthoni a bit more then they bargained for.

 

[Joshu Pladata]

Watching across the way Joshu spotted a man clad in black approach the young boy, such dark heavy clothes were unheard of on Naboo but that seemed to be the only thing that drew attention to him, the Padawan couldn't detect anything about him, no connection to the force, if there was one it was being hidden very well. no sooner had this happened when the boy was approached by yet another, however this one looked a lot more alarmed so much so that he reached inside his robe, this one was certainly a force user no doubt about it so it only made sense to assume what was coming would be disastrous for all involved.

Trying to remain as calm as possible yet still moving with as much haste as he could muster Joshu approached the small group. As he drew nearer he heard the man in black almost whisper. "No. Don't do that, cause that don't end well for you."

"It won't end well for any of us" Joshu said finally having closed the distance. He placed a hand on the arm of the young Jedi to stop him from drawing his saber and raised a hand to gesture to the man in black. "Are you two such fools that you would risk the Empire being brought down upon Naboo?" He then turned to the young force user, someone he now knew was a Jedi, even if he didn't act like it. "And you, What kind of Jedi runs in like that?" Joshu was more frustrated than he should have been but he was nervous and diffusing situations like this weren't exactly his specialty.

 

[Cheshire]

As Josis was approached by the man who was clearly a Jedi, he was annoyed that a fellow Jedi would not run in and attempt to save the force sensitive teen that was in front of him. "Let go of the kid Sith. I don't have time for threats. You are not welcome here and if you attempt to engage in anysort of combat I will not hesitate to cut a head off." Josis gave the Sith a dark glare before removing his hand away from the lightsaber. "The child will be coming with us to become a Jedi, simple. Though if you dare attempt to face two Jedi at once , I promise you that I will have no mercy and I will not hesitate to end your life. I offer no compassion, not today." Josis was not impressed with the other Jedi's questions but forced himself to remain quiet and not to return with a rude comment. He gave the Sith a deathly glare to show that he meant every word that he said

 

[Dahar Kern]

It had not been in Dahar's plan to spend time on the planet of Naboo. To him it was simply a means to his ultimate goal, one of a thousand little stepping stones on his path. The only thing he knew for certain about the place was that it was yet another planet that fancied itself the garden spot of the galaxy. Instead armaments and implements of war, they busied themselves on diplomatic matters, as if they truly mattered. Still the locals made a great wine, smooth, sweet, and relatively cheap, much like the finest things in life. As he took another swig from the elongated metal jug, he gathered in what little was left of interest near the small port.

Tall but not overly imposing, he knew his manner was simple enough to fool most into believing his demeanor as the truth of him. His dark face punctuated by a long scar running vertically from neck to forhead narrowly missing his eyes marked him as a man with at least one good tale. A picture was often enough for most. The outward was easy, a smuggler belt here, a tattered jacket there, armor with too many knicks, boots with too many skuffs. All said the same thing, that he was a simple man, just trying to make his way in the galaxy. In truth Dahar was after much more then wine or women could ever truly offer, as he hungered for things that others only dreamt of in nightmares....

But one did not simply impose their will without true power... that was the mark of a fool. He needed knowledge, thirsted for dark things that were beyond the comprehension of most, and out of the reach of all but a few. For now he would bide his time, gather to himself what he needed, and enjoy the little things here and there.

He was enjoying just one of those small things, the high skirt of a passing magenta colored Zeltron as he happened upon a curious bickering... and then threats.
"No. Don't do that, cause that don't end well for you."
Now... this was interesting... he couldn't tell who the threat was aimed at, but he never figured on both a drink and a show...

"Are you two such fools that you would risk the Empire being brought down upon Naboo...And you, What kind of Jedi runs in like that?"

Insults now... this was getting good.

"Let go of the kid Sith. I don't have time for threats. You are not welcome here and if you attempt to engage in anysort of combat I will not hesitate to cut a head off...the child will be coming with us to become a Jedi, simple. Though if you dare attempt to face two Jedi at once , I promise you that I will have no mercy and I will not hesitate to end your life. I offer no compassion, not today."

Dahar almost laughed... it was one thing for a jedi to threaten someone in public... it was another to do so in such an... usual way.

"Gentlemen... gentlemen please... this is a public place... I for one would love to see you square off in an arena... preffer-ably with a large bet at play." Dahar offered casually with a gesture to all as he wandered in and seemingly sized the small group up, his light inebriation only slowing his words slightly. He enjoyed senseless melee of blood lust, provided it benefited him. This didn't, but he was now curious.

"Now then... I think we would all agree this young man should be given the opportunity to decide his own future... don't you think? After all what good would an unwilling recruit do for either the jedi, or the sith... with so many willing fools willing to die on both sides." He said chiding them both humorously as he took another swig from the bottle.

"Young man, best ignore these two... if they be actual jedi, are poor imitations... that line has long since been in decline. And if this man represents the powerful Sith Empire as he appears, he need not attract you with forceful commands and orders." He said this looked over the two opposing sides. Such animosity he felt, a millennia worth all over one young man. He studied the young pup, surmised he was probably hungry, and even without the force he could see that there was something different about him. Different enough to roll heads? Doubtful, he turned to leave, his ship the Ironclad I was but a few hundred yards hence, but he paused to give the lad a small piece of advice.

"The name's Dahar... and if you want a job... one that pays in food? i'd suggest the bar down the street, and leave these two to their battle royale...or follow one of these two to blazes, all the same to me." He said nihilistically, he waiting a moment to see which way the lad would go.