One Thing to Bring on an Island (Neutral Ground)

[Zach]

With the declared independence of the Manaan Alliance, there was only a handful of planets Aleyah could possibly search for clues to the Jedi remnants. After ten years of seclusion, smuggled back and forth by traitors and slavers, the now grown Jedi Youngling could only hope to find a trace of where the Jedi might be in hiding. Since the Siege, Aleyah heard about the galactic monopoly over kolto. With bacta becoming scarcer every day of the ongoing rebellious conflict, even this less potent medical source was a primary influence in the turn of events. If the Selkath hadn't threatened to destroy every reef of it, the Sith might still be at war with the aquatic resisters. While the kolto sure as hell wouldn't have made it to the hands of the populace under Sith control, it was possible the she might be able to quire a small amount by trade, possibly saving lives among her mismatched band of injured and sick former slaves. Only a handful remained from the first group she escaped Coruscant with. It seemed almost a lifetime ago, when she was only ten.

Now as the commandeered slaver ship exited hyperspace into the agreed borders of the ceasefire, Aleyah felt a sense of relief come over her. It was almost as if the very presence of Sith Space had eaten at her core, disjointed her stability and confidence since her last meditation. If it wasn't for the loss of her former handler from the Order, she might have been able to more properly focus her mental conditioning. It was his sacrifice that allowed her freedom, provided the opportunity to take this task upon herself. The only parts of the galaxy not yet touched by the Sith Empire were so far stretched that no solid establishment could possibly be made. As Aleyah prepared herself for meditation before heading down to the planet, she wondered how to begin her search on the small island of Ahto City. Lightly, her presence in the Force began to drift out, her unrefined connection to the Force subconsciously drawing out for anyone that might hear.

 

[RollingThunder]

Hannibal enjoyed Ahto. He found the architecture surreal. When he was a kid he would often dream of wandering through an empty city, either surrounded by an endless desert of suspended in the sky. Ahto was built under similar circumstances; it seemingly rising from the sea. As such, Ahto reminded him of youth. Whenever he was in port he would wander, sometimes for hours. The Selkath were a generous species. Children would run to him, almost always on their father's behalf, and offer him strange fruits or pastries. Hannibal guessed that this is how they treat their outsiders. He could get used to this tradition.

Hannibal made his way to the space port and leaned against a dilapidated hydro-pylon. He lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag before exhaling and looking to the sky. He treasured the warmth of the sun upon his face.

That was when he felt the Jedi. He couldn't see it, but it was there. He could always feel them invading his consciousness, sometimes it brought him migraines. It annoyed him.

He took another lungful of smoke and muttered to himself.

"Damn."

 

[Zach]

Suddenly Aleyah felt a sharp pang from the forefront of her head, jerking backward into the pilot's seat as she opened her eyes. It felt like she'd been intruded upon, someone behind shadows of a near rising. He wasn't watching, he wasn't searching, but Aleyah's mind in the state of meditation crossed with his for just a moment. Detecting another one's presence through the Force like this was unknown to the girl, having only joined in focus with her former handler. Even then, Tyrion, wasn't Force sensitive, and could give no formal training. Just now, without him, Aleyah felt incredibly violated, as if this... thing had suddenly caught a glimpse of her thoughts, what she'd been through. He couldn't know what she'd sacrificed, and it sure as hell didn't feel like the aura of a Jedi.

She needed to find out where to go next, and the only option before her was Auto City. Aleyah took the controls and steered the vessel down towards the planet, accessing the communications controls like Tyrion taught her. He told her exactly what to say, having known the ship's ID codes before his contact was betrayed, killed during the mutiny that seemed so long ago. She rehearsed the same pattern he recited to her, navigating with flight control to slowly land in one of the hangars. She didn't remember which one they told her, but the ship took over manual landing control. With the unattended slaver victims still cowering in the ship, Aleyah wen to the lower decks to inspect their situation. Too many were subject to injuries, almost all of them suffering from injection. Others were sick, and supplies were running short. The only thing aboard of any use... was people. There were only a few among them that could even be thought fit to wander the city, but the young Jedi decided to venture alone at first.

She left with little in her pockets aside from a few remainder credits from the slavers' pockets, but no weapons would be allowed on the surface. From here, she could only hope to find information, rather than trade. Limited to just this single city above waters, the best place for information would be the trade district of the advanced, sleek metals that formed the hallways from the landing bays. The city was almost pristine in design, though damaged and flawed from its history. The Siege of Manaan had left its mark in different ways than occupation, but the Selkath remained free. For what it was worth, the Rebellion didn't take it for granted.

 

[RollingThunder]

Hannibal saw the Jedi leave her ship. She looked ragged, he'd seen that same look on some of the faces of the residents of Nar Shaddaa. He'd seen the same look on the faces of some of the victims of the Hutts.

Hannibal threw the butt of his cigarette to the ground, stubbing it out with the front of his boot.

He followed her, making sure to keep a good distance. He still felt her consciousness permeating throughout the general area.

 

[Zach]

The sharp pang the young Jedi felt while orbiting the planet had slowly returned, becoming a light, constant throb as she maneuvered the sunny, white streets of sleek Selkath architecture. It wasn't until Aleyah had almost reached the trading district of Ahto City when she realized she was being followed, the closer their footsteps, the harder the pounding in her head. She decided it wasn't time to start searching for clues, but to gain awareness of her surroundings. She would enter the market district first, but not before confronting her tail. Closing off her mind from the opened state she formed in meditation, she began thinking of how to lure this person into a direct conversation. He was following her... perhaps she could follow him.

Focusing on the very opposite of putting her presence out as an aura to be witnessed, she pulled her wits tightly and narrowed her eyes, taking in her immediate surroundings. She could hear the traders' scuffling movements just beyond the next rounded wall, satisfied customers moving out as eager civilians rushed to get their daily needs. As Aleyah got closer to the merging line of barterers, she could make out the distinct reflection of a framed mirror strapped to the side of one merchant's possessions. There was a plain view of the man following her, the smell of recently burned tobacco coming to mind as she analyzed her shadow. There was a crowd she could get lost in - there was a rounded loop of corridors almost curved to design traffic paths to hide behind - there was even a mirror with which to confuse him.

Aleyah decided to change course, passing between a couple passerby pedestrians before coming just between the mirror and her pursuer, changing her direction in an opposite manner towards the rounded wall of the market's district, effectively maneuvering her way behind the man on his right. He very well may have seen exactly what she'd done, but at least they'd be walking into each face to face. Being followed wasn't her idea of friendly.

 

[RollingThunder]

Hannibal desperately tried to get a good look at her face. He feverishly worked his datapad's facial recognition software, trying to get a bead on some sort of distinguishable feature. He had a hunch that this woman had a bounty. Most Jedi were actively hunted by the Empire, and if you weren't that meant the Empire didn't know about you yet.

That was when he lost her.

"Damn."

She knew he was following her. Maybe he was getting into way more than he could handle. He continued through the market, hoping to catch another glimpse of the Jedi.

 

[Zach]

Getting a better look at the man as he passed by her secluded corner, Aleyah noticed that he was of moderate height, a medium build as his casually strolled forward into the trading district of Ahto City. He hadn't spotted her, or outmaneuvered her subtle attempt to lose her follower, but the man had grabbed her interest. Perhaps he was someone with contacts inside the Rebellion, maybe just the sort of independent individual from which to gain some insight on the galaxy's current state of affairs. To the former Jedi Youngling, the most important part of her mission was to establish fact among rumors. So far, there had been little word from any side other than the Sith's. Their empire was rebuilding, preparing themselves to finally wipe out the insurrectionists within as well as the rebellious few beyond their borders. It was no wonder why the Jedi remained in hiding, but the young woman could not perceive the Order totally shying from the legendary conflict before them. If not now, when was the time for the Jedi to act in balancing the Force? If not with the Rebel Militia to form an Alliance for a New Republic, then who could the Jedi deem as an essential involved party to bring an end to the suffering of all those touched by the Dark Side.

As Aleyah stepped lightly from the concealing shadows, she carefully followed in line behind the man, still keeping her senses bound as she inspected with her eyes. As she rounded the corner, she almost expected to be face to face with him, but kept her eyes sharp, wondering if he was just toying around before making his intentions clear. Perhaps if he was bound for a certain area of the trading district, she could determine a point of common ground in which to engage with. While she had little supplies as it was, there were few if any items that could be brought to the district and considered worthwhile, though even these few precious belongings were essential to the people she'd agreed to care for. The former slaves aboard her ship, with no life and no path before them, lay helpless as disease and infection continued to spread. Soon, Aleyah would have desert her ship, lest ensure the interior was spotless of the contagious sickness before departing. More likely, she would have to trade it before stealing a ship - a strategy that would likely earn her a bounty, if not black listed from the planet after such dire times of war.

 

[Radiwalker]

As the former jedi youngling and her pursuer were playing cat and mouse, there was someone else, who was closely observing them from the moment they had walked into the market district. A figure standing in the shadowy parts of the district, that was not only concealed by the darkness, but wrapped in a strange cloak, which hid her body and most of her face. She was amused by the performance the strange girl had pulled off. By strange it is not just her clothing and manners that are addressed, but also the fact that she had set quite a disturbance in the Force, but then it had gradually disappeared.

Katarina had been waiting for a contact, who was supposed to give her details on how to get in contact with the Hutt Cartel, a dangerous bunch, but useful, if one knew how to handle them. However, the revolving scene had caught her attention and she decided that since her contact was late, she would meet him at another time and instead investigate this intriguing situation. What should be pointed out is that Kat had hidden her force signature as a precaution, for she knew that this planet was neutral territory and she could encounter representatives of both sides of the Galactic struggle and she really didn't want to join either side. Her life was simple - she was looking after herself, rather than tending to the needs of others and she liked it like that.

She moved into the crowd and began trailing both the girl and her initial tail. Of course, Katarina was smarter about it than the man seemed to have been. She kept a relevant distance, furthermore her clothing helped her fit in with the crowd and she didn't follow the exact path of her target, but went to the sides, of course she always avoided being seen as best she could, for the moment she had been noticed, her cover would have been blown. She had no ill intent and rather wanted to talk to the girl and learn her story. Something that is rather unusual for Katarina, but it was as if something was drawing her towards that particular girl. Maybe it was the Force. It was just fascinating... how things worked in the universe.

 

[Zach]

Aleyah had turned the tables on her stalker, the possible prey now following the doubtlessly hardened killer. Aleyah had never been forced to take a life in the ten years of struggling from the aftermath of Coruscant's fall, but the idea of direct conflict wasn't practical for what she knew she could accomplish. More often than not, keeping a low head and using her skills proved more beneficial than the brute force of any struggle she and Tyrion had once been through. As she entered the market, following her former pursuer, she still did not feel at ease, as though she was never in control of the situation to begin with. Aleyah's mind was so focused on the man in front of her that she failed to notice a different shade, hidden behind the opposite niche of the rounded walls from where she turned the tables of the unidentified Hannibal Foth.

As the ignorant girl pushed forward through the fluid crowds, she stepped lightly, squeezing between small gaps while keeping her target in sight. Still she watched the one to have snagged her attention, no longer under his eye, but the feeling of being watched felt almost familiar. She wondered if he'd been surgically modified with prosthetics of a higher caliber, implanted with enhanced technology. It would be one thing if a synthetic eye could watch her steps with his back turned, but she wondered how legal these devices could be on Manaan. The thought divided her attention, Aleyah so focused on the man that she couldn't possibly recognize the eery figure on the other side, keeping its distance as the detached, former-slave of Hutt Space trudged forward without as much caution as she probably should.

 

[RollingThunder]

"Damn."

Hannibal lost the Jedi. She must have caught wind of him somehow. He slowed his pace and continued on his way through the market, checking stall after stall for a sign of his target. The midday sun seemed extra bright, he guessed due to the reflection it cast off of the metallic city walls. There were shadows to hide in, however.

That's when he saw her.

Her outfit and stature screamed 'bounty hunter'. She was probably tooled up, and she was watching him. His claim was about to be jumped.

Hannibal put his hands on his hips and took a good look, mouthing the words you son of a...

 

[Radiwalker]

Katarina realized that the man had seen her watching him. A smile came across her face, but would barely be visible from her clothing. She continued moving through the crowd watching both the girl and the man, the former of which didn't seem to have spotted her, yet. She wondered for a moment about what she should do, whether she should approach the girl and take her away, seeing as that man might be trouble for her, but then she realized that she would lead him straight to her, while currently he was at a loss.

That, however, gave Kat a different idea - to leave signs for the girl to find, whilst following the man. She thought he would be watching, so she bumped into several people and used the distraction to bend light and sound around her and render herself invisible, literally disappearing into the crowd. She then proceeded to find a large piece of cloth and use one of her knives to inscribe the following words in it: "He is trouble. LEAVE!" After which she found the man in the crowd and using the force she, gently attached the piece of cloth to his back, hoping that he wouldn't realize soon enough, so that the strange girl would get the message. Meanwhile Kat returned to the shadowy corners of the district where she revealed herself again and watched how things would revolve, she planned on following the girl as soon as she left.

 

[Cortan]

"...So where have you been?" A man spoke up once the woman in the cloak had drifted back to the corners of the district, leaning slightly on a nearby wall. Between the basic brown jacket, pale trousers, and weathered backpack upon his, well, back, not much beyond his red hair would have made him stick out amongst the mingling crowds of the marketplace. The anonymity through commonality was at times more a blessing than a curse, but on this occasion, Cortan did have to wonder if it was what had potentially delayed the little meeting. That, or perhaps the cloaked figure had found themselves a distraction in the meantime. All he knew was that she fit the basic description he'd been given for the rendezvous, even if there wasn't much of a name to go with it.
...Plus this odd feeling about her, but he mostly shook it off. Probably nothing.

"I've been stuck in this corner, hanging on to some ever so precious contact details." He briefly flicked up a small data disc between his index and middle fingers, but almost immediately put it away again. This was his meal ticket for the next few weeks if Cortan played this right, so he wasn't about to - knowingly - try and mess this up.
"Mind you, the natives don't exactly appreciate the... likes of my former associates. So can't exactly speak too publicly about it." Cortan briefly gestured across the room, pointing out some of the ever present, and densely populated security cameras with which the Selkath tried to maintain some semblance of order. Fair enough, but it made even simple business like this a bit awkward.

"So, shall we talk price, or..." With his other hand, Cortan briefly withdrew a datapad from his backpack, a simple means of handling transaction fees.
"Do you have something else to be doing right now?" He asked, briefly glancing around and...
Wait, not just one odd feeling... three? Could that mean maybe it was...?

 

[Zach]

Aleyah paused before a slimy looking Selkath shoved in front of her, forcing her to pause a moment in the crowd. She caught a glimpse of her target for only a second, his expression almost offended as he pursed his lips. She wondered for another half second, recognizing that he was silently speaking to... Aleyah's eyes darted to the far side of the intersection where she'd just come from, sweeping the scene across the street before taking in Foth's intended direction. It was almost too quick for the former Jedi to see properly, witnessing the shaded figure blend between a pair of faces before vanishing altogether, a brief gap in the crowd allowing a peek. Her eyes narrowed, the slightest of a headache forming as she concluded that whoever the man had signaled to used a much more intricate form of deception than her own display earlier. Whether it was experience or skill, Aleyah had little time to act before losing her real target.

Her eyes darted back to Foth, not too far positioned from when she last noted. He was still in the current stream of the crowd at a slowed pace, his back turned as he faced where the shade had been. It was only seconds before Aleyah managed to squeeze her way along the sides of the district's walls to come up between two shops, a clear view of the man's back from where she crouched. Almost laid out in formal design, the small rips in a piece cloth lightly strung from either corner of the mercenary's shoulders almost sent the girl into laughter, the ironic subtlety in placement of the least expectations. The words were plain as day though, immediately marking the individual by whoever thought Aleyah was in danger around this man. At least, that was what they wanted Aleyah to believe, whether it was true or not. It could be a trap, to lure her in. Was it possible she could have been detected as a Jedi? No, there would be a much more direct confrontation.

Deciding to take the bait, Aleyah chose to leave a trail of her own to find as she backed away from the scene. While she chased in search for the hooded figure she'd only caught a glimpse of, perhaps she could give the bounty hunter just what he was looking for. Before following the advice on the note to leave the trading district, the girl took her only sharp blade and used it to cut a short lock from her raven-colored hair. It was only a superficial loss, but the hair bound together naturally, pinched between her fingers as she lightly knotted it. With the man still in sight, she jumped as high into the air as she could with two fingers in her mouth.

SSSSSWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWTT!!​

If that didn't catch his attention, she didn't know what would. As she landed, she tossed the tied lock of hair right for him, the light substance only gaining air as a knot of condensed weight. It was one of the many basics of mathematical equations she'd learned while schooling with the Jedi Order as a youngling. This kind of trajectory was no less powerful than tossing a thermal detonator downhill into a trench-hole; one of the many simulators she'd experienced when dealing with providing medical attention in the aftermath of an event, and learning to understand how it was caused. These were but memories now, with Coruscant fallen, and her shoes on the run as this mercenary doubtlessly chased her. Now it was only a matter of finding her next lead, hopefully not too far outside the market.



OOC: My bad, didn't see your post when I was writing mine up. It works to take place after my character's reaction though, since Radi will post again before me - unless you want Aleyah to simply stumble headfirst into you by mistake, which she most certainly would if you were right in front when she checked over her shoulder.