Somewhere | Jedi Mission

[jamessour]

Jedi Mission between Tarnit and @Kiser character. Please refer to the planet profile on Jakku (http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/jakku.73174/)
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Jakku. Tarnit had no idea that it would be this... wet. Luscious and vibrant and wild, Jakku was teeming with life. Sitting under a small overhang, Tarnit had journeyed to Feressee's Point following visiting his homeworld of Corellia via public transport. He was waiting to meet his companion for this assignment, Maksem Tarek. Tarnit knew little of the jedi he'd be working with, but he wasn't terribly concerned. For the first time in awhile, Tarnit would be working with a Jedi that was a bit older and more experienced. And, the experience could come in handy as they would be trying to identify and stop a spice ring that had been forming.

So he stood, wearing his typical garb underneath a waterproof cloak that he had pulled around his body. He had his pistol on his hip, and his saber hidden in his jacket. Gazing down the small street he looked through the rain to see if he could identify his counter-part.

@Kiser

 

[Valen Pelora]

The Puddle Jumper burst from hyperspace. The Yacht transmitted a false transponder identifying it as the trade vessel Crown Jewel, dealing in common and inexpensive fake gems. It was the perfect cover to avoid close inspection from any Imperial customs officer. No one wanted to pour through crates of fabricated gemstones designed to look like the real thing. The fake stones were for children and the poor trying to appear wealthy. General Valen Pelora sat on the controls of the yacht, deftly steering towards the Jakku’s surface. The emerald green world grew large in the viewport.

He had received an emergency call from Alara that one of the Jedi Knights assigned to aid Jakku had been unable to make the mission. Valen had been headed to Hapes when the call came through, he had immediately reversed course towards Jakku. It was dangerous, incredibly so, for the Jedi to operate on the planet. The Imperial grip was not suffocating on the tropical world but it was painfully present. The Jedi would not abandon the galaxy but they had to be careful. They could not take reckless chances, but here he was. Throwing himself headfirst onto an Imperial world. The Force had guided him here.

His thoughts had carried him as the Puddle Jumper had coasted through the atmosphere. A dangerous spice ring was growing in power on Jakku, and the Empire had failed to put an end to the practice. Likely, because they simply did not care. The people of Jakku suffered and it could not stand. He let the autopilot handle the landing as he headed towards the back of the ship. The familiar shaking of landing passed and the ramp lowered. Valen stepped out in the hot humid air. His robes swirled around his ankles as he walked the ramp. His Lightsaber hung from his belt as he breathed deeply of the Force. His feet carried him swiftly to the rendezvous point, he spied his fellow Jedi waiting for him.

“General Taddler, I hope my appearance does not disappoint you. Jedi Tarek’s hair can’t handle the humidity.” He smiled as he closed the distance. @jamessour

 

[jamessour]

A familiar figure strode up to Tarnit; not the person he was waiting for, but still a welcome sight. Tarnit had dealt with the Council quite extensively over the past years, as is fitting for a general. There were not many high-ranking Jedi left in the order, and even though Tarnit didn't know them all well, he considered them deep and true friends. In fact, Tarnit couldn't remember if he had had a conversation with Master Pelora outside of the Council Chambers...

"General Taddler, I hope my appearance does not disappoint you. Jedi Tarek's hair can't handle the humidity."

Tarnit laughed warmly in reply to the jedi. "Not at all, my friend." Tarnit extended a hand of greeting, offering a handshake, towards Valen, "It's always a pleasure, Master Pelora."

Gesturing back to the entrance of a small cantina, one of the two at Feressee's Point, Tarnit moved inside.

"I trust you received a briefing as to our assignment?" Tarnit grimaced as he realized how quick and to the point he was becoming. Maybe it was age, or the Galactic climate... or perhaps it was just Jakku...

@Valen Pelora

 

[Valen Pelora]

Valen smiled as he shook Tarnit’s hand. He spent too much time with his students, it was good to see someone with as many wrinkles as he had. Although, Tarnit had a few more grey hairs. He ran a hand through his hair, at least he hoped so. He followed his fellow General into the cantina. It was the typical backwater world seedy establishment. He kept his Lightsaber carefully concealed. It would be unfortunate if they were spotted. The creatures of the underworld had no love for the Jedi. He bellied up to the bar and ordered two foul smelling beverages. They had to look the part.

“I had the cliff notes version during the jump.” He kept his voice low. He reached out in the Force, searching for any unwanted listeners. “The rulers change but the game remains the same. The difference now is, there is no one to put a stop to it. Imperial interest are unaffected but the people will suffer.” Valen let out a small sigh. They were playing police on a world that could easily execute them if they were discovered. “We have to help, if we can find our target.” Spice dealers were a notoriously secretive bunch. He could only hope the lax rule of the Empire had emboldened the sellers. Otherwise, they would be fitting and uphill battle.

He felt a small prickle in the Force. He turned slightly on his barstool, his eyes catching on a pair of individuals in the corner of the room. They had a strange stream of visitors. He nudged Tarnit in the Force. Perhaps they had caught a break. The Light always provided. He breathed deeply of the Lightside. @jamessour

 

[jamessour]

What was foul smelling to some was lovely to Tarnit, who had come to love the unique flavors of drinks found in the corners of the galaxy - perhaps one of the reasons Tarnit didn't sit on the council...

Tarnit was also searching the cantina as he extended himself through the force. Feeling the nudge of his counterpart, Tarnit didn't turn but ordered another drink - he didn't want to raise suspicion, but his gut told him this was a gift from the force, and Tarnit learned to trust his gut on assignments like this.

Through the force, Tarnit could feel the pair sitting in the corner. They obviously had nefarious intentions - but specifics were hard to gain through the force. The stream of visitors made Tarnit bold. Turning to Valen, he winked knowingly. He trusted the Master would know how to adapt. Tarnit slowly, but confidently approached the pair in the corner and sat down.

"Who are you?" Growled one, a Weequay.

"I'm someone with money." Tarnit slowly reached into his pocket and revealed a handful of cash, setting it on the table, but keeping his hand on it. "And... I hear you may be able to help me with an itch I have."

The Weequay eyed Tarnit carefully as his human partner spoke up, "We may be able to help you out." His hand reached across the table and took the cash, counting the chips quickly. "This isn't going to get you much..." He reached in his chest pocket and slid a small pouch across the table. Tarnit feigned relief, putting in in his pocket quickly.

"Thank you..." Tarnit stood up to return to his partner... @Valen Pelora

 

[Valen Pelora]

Valen kept his seat as Tarnit headed towards the troubling corner of the room. He was stuck in the Temples too often but he had not forgotten the thrill of a mission. It had not been so long ago, he had taken any assignment he could. He had detested being stuck in the Temples and Strongholds. He had always felt his place was out in the galaxy, doing what was right. He had joined the Army because the Order had failed to take action.

They had failed to ease the galaxy’s pain. Valen swore he would not let the Order fall down that path again. He had to leave the Temple. He had to leave the Stronghold, to remind himself of why they fought. He smiled as Tarnit improvised. He was no stranger to calling an audible. He waited for Tarnit to rejoin him at the bar. He smirked.

“The Council doesn’t approve of such vices.” He kept his sense spread wide. “Those two-upstanding citizens are low level dealers, not what we came for.” The Jedi had come to Jakku to rid the jungle world of a deeper threat. Scummy spice dealers were a plague on the galaxy. The people who plied the trade were far worse. A nefarious operation had taken root on Jakku. They had much bigger fish to fry. “Have you stretched? There’s only one way those men are giving us the next link in the chain.” They would have to work their way to the top, one despicable dealer at a time. Tarnit’s newest friends were the lowest rung on the ladder but they would lead them to the next. Valen knew they would not give the names easily. He slowly backed away from the bar, pushed his stool in, and let his hand drop near his waist. He breathed of the Force and went to reach for his Lightsaber. @jamessour

 

[jamessour]

Tarnit winked at Valen and smirked back. "All in the name of Justice." Sitting down again, he listened to the Master. He was correct, these low-level dealers were not what the Jedi had come to deal with. They needed to find the source.

"Have you stretched? There's only one way those men are giving us the next link in the chain."

Tarnit laughed. "I'm not that old, Master Pelora." But as he stood to follow, he shook his legs out, stretching had become more important as of late.
Dropping a few credits on the bar to pay for the beverages, Tarnit observed Valen, and dropped a hand to his blasted on his hip. Time to cross the room again.

The pair in the corner was obviously less than pleased to see Tarnit come back with a friend - especially with Tarnit having a hand on a blaster. Instantly the Weequay reached below and pulled a blaster up onto the table ready to shoot.

"Don't take another step!" The grizzled Weequay spat through gritted teeth.

Tarnit was slow to answer, and instead was observing their terrain. Behind the pair was a corridor that would more than likely spill out into the back alley. Tarnit was ready to dodge, and fire his blaster back, but decided to let Valen take the lead now and turned to his partner to let him act first.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Valen Pelora]

A frown tugged at the corners of Valen’s mouth. Tarnit’s friends were not happy to see him, what a shame. He was staring down the wrong end of the Weequay’s blaster. He knew his partner would be a faster shot. A Jedi with decades of service beat a shaking spice dealer every time. His Lightsaber would be in his hand and ignited before the blaster bolt could reach him. That would reveal them, make their mission far more dangerous. Whether Tarnit fired or Valen drew his saber didn’t matter. They would cause a commotion either way. Already, patrons were beginning to move to the side of cantina or head towards the exits. He eyed the spice dealers quick escape. The Force nudged him. He knew what was going to come next. Valen slowly raised his hands and stopped moving. The Lightside filled him.

“Easy, we’re not looking for trouble.” He poured calm into the Force. “My friend here never buys enough for two.” He kept his voice calm and measured. “He was just going to introduce us.” The Weequay lowered his blaster slightly. “No need for all this.” Valen met the man’s eyes. He kept working the Force, trying to diffuse the situation.

He felt a shift in the Force. Both spice dealer’s eyes went wide. Fear, confusion, anxiety filled the Force. The Weequay pointed, and the dealers bolted. Valen looked down. He nearly slapped his own forehead. When he had raised his hands slightly higher, the hilt of his Lightsaber had become exposed. Maybe it had been too long since he left the temple. He turned to look at Tarnit, shrugged, and took off running. He raced after the spice dealers through the corridor. He burst into the city streets from the Cantina. He reached in the Force and spotted the sprinting dealers. He took off after them. @jamessour

 

[jamessour]

Tarnit watched Valen's expression with a smile. The commotion sent ripples through the force and Tarnit breathed deeply closing his eyes.

The spice dealers were very quickly sprinting down the corridor, both, the force whispered to Tarnit, with weapons ready. Valen very quickly took off after the duo, following. Tarnit decided to follow.

Leaping over the table, he brought his blaster up, firing twice by their feet. Tarnit's goal wasn't to hit them, but to keep them running and not shooting back. The dealers made it to the streets first, and after a loud a brief exchange split up, one going left on the street and the Weequay going right, up a flight of stairs to the roof of the buildings.

Closely behind, Tarnit shouted to Valen over the down pouring rain, "I'll go up, you keep on this one!" He pointed to the human as he started quickly to the stairs. Climbing the slick stairs was difficult to do quickly - and dodging blaster fire only made Tarnit slower. The bolts hissed through the moist-air and blacked the ground and wall around Tarnit. With a flick of the wrist, Tarnit used the force to retrieve his saber hilt from his chest holster. Not activating yet, however, but knew that he made need to block a bolt as he got to the top of the stairs.

Mounting the last stair, Tarnit turned to see the Weequay utilizing freerunning techniques to get further away from the jedi. He leaped behind an air-conditioning unit and fired twice towards Tarnit. Tarnit ignited his blade. The blade hissed alive revealing it's yellow glow before being twisted around to defend the Jedi. Teh bolts were deflected away and Tarnit was able to continue his chase.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Valen Pelora]

Valen burst into the street. Rain pelted his face, dulled his sense. He cast his physical sense aside and breathed deeper of the Force. The rain might thwart the common man but not the Jedi. He barely had time to register the dealers splitting ways when he heard Tarnit’s voice. Valen didn’t say anything, he just kept running. He trusted Tarnit to run down the other dealer. He hoped his fellow General had similar faith in him.

The Force gave him strength, and pushed him forward. He could see the dealer pushing, shoving, his way through the crowd. He kept his eyes trained on the man. The Force subtly pushed passersby’s from his path. As the rain grew harder, the streets were beginning to empty. Not good for the runner. The human ducked down an alley. Valen quickly followed. Stupid. The moment he turned the corner the Force screamed warning in his mind. Three angry red blaster bolts roared towards his chest. He didn’t have time to draw his Lightsaber. The Lightside was his shield. He reflectively worked the Force, throwing a barrier in the alley.

It was a crude rough working of the Force, but effective. His body shivered as the bolts hammered into the Force shield. His strength held. Valen had just enough time to draw his Lightsaber before the next volley. He hammered the two bolts into the ground. He had hoped to avoid drawing his blade, this was unwanted attention. He struck out with the Force again. Wrapping the Light around the dealer’s feet and yanking. The man squawked as he fell and hit the ground. In a moment, Valen was standing over him. He kicked away the blaster and pointed his Lightsaber at the man. “Enough.” He put hardened steel into his voice. It was over. @jamessour

 

[jamessour]

Turning and running, the Weequay began leaping from rooftop to rooftop. "I'm too old for this.." Tarnit muttered as he took off after the criminal. Blocking the occasional laser bolt, Tarnit merely kept up his prey, he felt the Force leading him forward.

They jumped one more time, and then Tarnit stopped, trusting his instincts. The Weequay leaped into the air over an alley, and Tarnit, closing his eyes, pulled him down with the force. The Weequay screeched and landed right on top of the human dealer who was at saber-point in the alley.

Tarnit jogged to the edge and looked down, seeing Valen and the criminals. His saber hissed as he deactivated his blade and he gave a mock salute to his counterpart before jumping down, calling on the Force to slow his decent.

"So, friends. Can you tell us where we could get more of this high-quality spice?" Tarnit held the packet of spice in his fingers, rolling it around as he talked.

"You can kiss my ass, Jedi!" The human growled pushing the Weequay off him.

"Please." Tarnit responded with mockery in his voice, pretending as if it had offended him. "Listen. We know that you didn't manufacture this quality of spice in your basement. We know you are just dealers. We also know that you don't want any more trouble." Tarnit reached out and called on the force, and like an invisible mist, it descended on the pair of dealers. As they breathed it in, the Force clouded their judgment and began to influence their minds.

"We don't want any more trouble..." They both repeated slightly monotone.

"Where did you get this?" Tarnit held up the spice for them to see.

This time, the Weequay spoke, "There's an abandoned hangar just outside of Feressee's Point to the south. Our contact is there."

Tarnit sighed, "Was that so hard?" Moving his hand to the left, the force left their minds, which restored them to their wits but also left them very confused. Looking to his counterpart, "What should we do with these two?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Valen Pelora]

Tarnit had taken care of the hard part. Valen had deep reservations about altering the minds of sentient beings. He knew the effects were benign and not a product of the Darkness. Even still, it left a bad taste in his mouth. The mind was meant to be free. He had no love for the dregs of the galaxy but they deserved some civility. He was glad Tarnit had gotten an answer from them. What to do the dealers? He wasn’t sure. A small part of him wanted to slam his Lightsaber home and put an end to it. No one would miss the dealers. He knew that would be wrong. A sigh escaped Valen’s lips as he turned to Tarnit.

“Imperial authorities won’t deal with them.” The thought flashed across his mind again. No. “But we can’t let them warn their friends.” He grabbed the Force and worked. He wrapped the bodies of the dealers. Two quick motions of his left hand and the bodies were in the air. He slammed them on the ground twice. Hard. It was brutal but effective. The dealers were unmoving by the time he was done. It would buy them enough time to abandoned the hangar. He ran a hand through his hair as he deactivated his Lightsaber. He clipped the hilt to his belt.

“Well, we are going to need a speeder and a way in.” The rain splattered against walls. The hangar would likely be well protected. It would be unwise even for two skilled Jedi to attack head on. He didn’t have any particularly brilliant ideas, he hoped Tarnit did. “Any wise ideas?” He laughed. He missed being out in the field. @jamessour

 

[jamessour]

Tarnit cringed slightly as the dealers' bodies slammed into the ground. Crouching down next to the dealers he checked their pulses, and then quickly patted them down for weapons and more spice, but found none. Tarnit grimaced, they must have dumped it somewhere. Standing again, Tarnit turned towards Valen. A thoughtful hand moved to Tarnit's chin as he thought.

The two Jedi would likely be outgunned if they tried to do a frontal assault. Stealth was an option, but it could take a long time, and Tarnit didn't have the necessary ordinance to blow up the hangar. No, they needed reinforcements. They needed an army. Suddenly, a smile crept across the Jedi's face.

"I don't know it its wise, but I have an idea." Tarnit walked towards the street to look for a ride with his counterpart. "The imperial authorities likely won't deal with spice dealers, but I think they would deal with some Republic Rebels and Jedi." Reaching the street Tarnit looked for a vehicle. There were several speeders around the street. Plenty to choose from. Tarnit stopped and looked at Valen. "We get to the hangar, and using our comms we reveal that the hangar is a Rebel outpost. The Sith will send forces and when they do the spice dealers will have to defend themselves. The Imperials will deal with this spice operation." Tarnit chuckled as the concept of the Sith doing something to help the good of the planet and its people brought him joy.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Valen Pelora]

Valen could not keep the smile from his face. He felt a decade younger. He hadn’t done something this dangerous or dumb in years. He spent too much time holed up in the Temples brooding over the fate of the galaxy. He had forgotten how it felt to actually do something. He had forgotten what it meant to be out in the field fighting for what they believed in. For a moment, he was a Jedi Knight again working his way across the Outer Rim. For a moment, he forgot all the responsibilities that weighed on his soul. He clapped Tarnit on the back. A broad smile cracked across his face, rain plastered hair handing over his forehead.

“We are much too young to be wise." He laughed as the Force rushed through his body. Valen breathed deeply of the sweet sensation of the Lightside. “There is nothing the Empire loves more than bombing us do-gooders into oblivion.” He stepped out of the alley way. His eyes searching for just the right speeder. He called back over his shoulder. “Let’s go make our Imperial friends do our work for us.” He spotted a beautiful cherry red speeder.

A twinge shot down his spine. Oh, what he wouldn’t give to drive that machine. The beater parked next to it was his choice. Valen flicked the water from his hood and strolled towards the speeder. With a little luck, and Force, he jimmied the door open. In a flash, he was hot wiring the controls. The speeder revved to life as he kicked the door open for Tarnit. “Get in.” He grabbed the control and prepared to head for the spice den. Once they were there it would be easy enough to convince the Imperial forces a few Jedi had set up shop outside the city. @jamessour

 

[Valen Pelora]

A wicked grin curved Valen’s pale green features as the speeder raced from the city. Borrowed speeder. Tarnit had been too slow getting in the clunker. It had been his lost. The dingy old speeder had a secret under the hood and he was flying. The speeder raced through the streets and towards the spice dealers dingy den. He had his commlink in his left hand while he steered with his right. He felt a decade, and a war, younger. It would be simple enough to put an end to this foolish game once he got close to the den. Valen’s faithful steed carried him to the outskirts of the city.

He parked the rusty speeder near a small copse on a hill. He had an excellent view of the delipidated hangar. He could sense the stink of wrongness wafting in the Force. It hung in the air and pressed on his senses. Valen saw the dealers scuttling around like beetles. Their grip on Jakku would be ended. He pulled out his commlink and opened a channel to Alara. He made it painfully easy for the Empire to listen in on his signal.

“Alara, I have arrived at the hangar. Preparations are going well, we should be ready to strike the Sith in a handful of days. This was the perfect location.” A small confirming beep chimed back, Alara confirming the Empire had hacked their signal. All he had to do was wait, and wait he did. A few minutes later her heard the scream of Starfighter engines. Valen had a front row seat to a beautiful firework show. The hangar exploded in a shower of laser canon fire and bombs. He shut out the wave of death that assaulted his senses. The spice dealers were the scum of the galaxy, and they were gone from Jakku. A half hour later he was headed back towards the Puddle Jumper. A half hour after that, he sat at the controls and was steering them back towards Jedha. Valen figured Tarnit would find his way home.

OOC: End Thread