Ask Spice-y Investigation

[Jayna Thorne]

It had only been a few hours since Jayna first arrived on Atale, and the weather had already begun to turn. The sky was darkened by blood-red clouds, stained by the constant production of Andris Spice from which the planet drew most of its business. Flashes of lightning and sprinkles of rain were not far behind, hinting at the storm that was steadily approaching.

In the weeks since Ezra’s disappearance and rescue, Jayna had buried herself in her own work - driven on by the sudden collapse of the Republic. There were still many details that Jayna wasn’t privy to - and they continued to ache at the back of her mind like a sore. Sooner rather than later, she would go to Daddy for answers once and for all. But in that moment? Jayna was entirely focused on the job at hand.

The Empress Teta system had become something of a project for the Thorne heiress - in large part due its Galactic significance, and potential in paving the way for her break into politics. It had taken her across the multiple colonized planets of the system, with work yet to come. Far from the Consortium and the worlds were her family held sway, it was a project and legacy all her own.

Atale had long been the main producer of Andris Spice across the Galaxy, and a hotbed for worker abuses. The Mining Guild worked the natives of the system half to death - overlooked by the nobility and Royal authorities, paid off by the megacorporation. Things wouldn’t improve for the inhabitants until Galactic attention was brought to the Tetan moon, and Jayna knew precisely who to call in order to aid in the process.

While it wasn’t exactly her idea of a date, Jayna had asked for Leon’s help all the same. Outside of her family, he was one of the few people she genuinely trusted. If she could rely on anyone, it would be him.

The heiress was seated just within the main spaceport of Atale - for once unaccompanied by security or droids. She was dressed in a dark colored blastvest and pants, with a vibroblade and pistol tucked against her hip. She glanced down at her commlink once more, waiting for Leon to arrive before she started off on anything. Without giving it much thought, Jayna ideally tan her fingers through her black hair - fixing the strands back perfectly into place before he came into view.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon walked down the ramp of The Freebird carrying two cafs in his hands. His was iced, duh. The other was hot and he was doing his best not to spill it. He’d managed to swing through Dantoonine not long ago and was stoked for Jayna to try it. Peetwo was perched on his shoulder looking around.

Baudelaire was dressed in his new go to mission gear. It wasn’t drastically different from his old gear, but it felt a little more streamlined. He carried his usual arsenal, two lightsabers and a heavy blaster. He was tired, since Ithor things had been shit. He’d been burning the candle at both ends… Now that he thought about it his last break was their short lived date in that club.

He rounded the corner and spotted her. Leon watched as she carefully fixed her hair. Then his eyes took in the rest of her.

“How is it possible you’re more beautiful each time I see you?” he asked, holding out the caf he’d made for her, “Dantooine single origin, you’re welcome,” he flashed her a grin, “So, Heiress, is that a vibroblade on your hip or are you just happy to see me?” he laughed. “Guess this is serious business,” he sighed, “Alright, fill me in…” he said giving her puppy dog eyes.

He sipped his caf and let her fill him in on what they were doing here.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

In the meantime, Jayna had whipped out her NalPhone - her expression fixed into its frosty deadpan while idly scrolling across the HoloNet. Markets were crashing once again across the Core Worlds, and it presently a prime opportunity for investment while prices were low. She made a mental note before flicking back to the camera on the front of her NalPhone. Jayna ran her fingers through her dark hair and pulled it behind her fluted ears, adjusting the necklace she wore. It was the final bit of preening she habitually did, knowing that Leon was coming, though didn’t give it any thought whatsoever.

It wasn’t until the Jedi in question rounded the corner - Caf in hand - that Jayna glanced up from her NalPhone. Her lips immediately tugged towards the hints of a grin, almost involuntary when Leon arrived. She didn’t miss the new attire that he wore, nor the way it seemed to compliment his athletic physique. Clearly
‘The Routine’ was paying off.

“Well glad you noticed,” Jayna said in response to the beautiful comment, greeting him with a smirk and tilting of her head toward. “Not looking so bad yourself, Le,”

“Heard about the promotion,” She added.

“Wait really?” Her eyes promptly went wide when Leon offered the expensive caf - delight flashing across those silvers. The quarter-Sephi adored her obnoxious teas and Caf, and a lifetime of luxury had engrained a taste for only the finest. The fact that Leon remembered from their conversation before. She eagerly accepted the cup, taking a sip of the dark liquid within. “This is great,” She said enthusiastically, smiling back at him.

Jayna paused for a moment, glancing down to her vibroblade before her silvery gaze returned to his own. There was a fondness there that often wasn’t - and Leon would recognize at once that it was reserved for him. “What do you think?” The heiress said smoothly before jutting her chin to a nearby seat.

She took in a breath of air, shrugging her shoulders a bit when Leon asked for the details. “Atale is one of the largest producers of Andris Spice in the Galaxy, and reports indicate that the Mining Guild has been working the people here nearly to death. Locals don’t gave the power to do anything about it, and most of the nobles are in their pocket.”

She tilted her head a bit. “I want to expose what they are doing. Bring enough HoloNet attention to Atale that they can’t ignore it anymore.”

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

”Flattery will get you everywhere, miss Thorne,” He retorted. Her next comment caught him off guard. Leon found himself on his heels a bit falling into his telltale habit of fidgeting with the scar on his cheek.

“Oh, yeah, thanks.” why did compliments make him so uncomfortable? “I’m pretty sure mine was a typo, but they need the help so…” he tried playing down how proud he was of his accomplishment.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said with more relief than he’d meant to show. He recovered quickly, “Might have a small bag of Firrerreo, but you’ve gotta come to the ship for that,” he said coyly, but legit he wasn’t making that togo. There were some things in life that demanded to be relished and a perfectly roasted bag of Firrerreo caf was one of them.

“I’ll let my imagination run with that,” he replied, matching her gaze and holding it as long as he could.

Leon listened intently. He’d done a little digging on the planet before landing, he hated showing up blind places, so he was aware of the planet’s main export. He wasn’t aware of the deep roots enjoyed by the mining guild. Now, however, that he’d heard her say it plain as day he couldn’t refute how on the nose it was for the guild.

“You know what, I’m in,” he said, shooting her a finger gun, “So, where did you wanna start?”

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

“Is that the only way to get you to invite me back to your ship?” Jayna said smoothly and without missing a beat - amusement dancing behind her silver eyes at once. She allowed her gaze to linger on his own for entirely longer than necessary, glancing up at him over the rim of her Caf cup and through the wisps of steam.

Jayna nodded when Leon agreed to the proposal - feeling a surge of confidence they would be able to get things done. “Thank you, Leon.” She said after a moment, her tone genuine. “Just.. Know that this isn’t going to be easy. Or entirely safe, for that matter.” She wasn’t blind to the risk she was taking, having come to terms with it quite a while ago. No venture worth undertaking was without risk. She wanted to be certain that Leon understood just as well.

The finger guns drew out a sideways smirk. “First step will be working our way into their operation - infiltrate the refineries or Spice mines that they operate in Atale.” She leaned back into her seat. “The Guild won’t be keen on any skeptical parties getting close enough to document their doings.” Her gaze flicked down to his belt. “We’ll need to be subtle. No lightsabers, no Force..” She pointed to her own silvery gaze. “No prominent name to draw attention.”

“Posing as Miners is one option.” She said - internally dreading the idea of being down in some dirty-ass mine.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon’s face was caught between shock and humor. First touch to The Heiress. Did he have a riposte?

“Finally, a signal I can read,” he said with a laugh. He could feel the heat in his cheeks and the permagrin she’d just slapped across his face. He looked away first, covering it poorly with another nervous rubbing of his cheek. Oh man, he was in trouble. He looked back and their eyes met again.

He cleared his throat in a miserable attempt to regain his composure. Focusing on anything other than Jayna would be a testament to his training as a Jedi, cause she’d straight up rocked him.

Then it got better.

She thanked him.

His brow drew together skeptically as his eyes narrowed, “You worried about me, Heiress?”

Leon reached over and put a reassuring hand on her knee, “I’d be really bummed if our first real date wasn’t dangerous,” he said hiding behind his mischievous little smirk.

His smile widened with her’s. Bullseye, he blew smoke from his finger gun and holstered it. Yes, the joke was bad, that’s the point, shut up.

Baudelaire finally made it to mission mode as Jayna filled him in. His brow furrowed and he chewed the inside of his lip while he weighed the options she’d laid out. At the moment the only thing he knew for certain was that Jayna Thorne would never in a billion years be mistaken for a miner. He needed more information before feeling good about a plan of action.

“Okay, so, let’s say we do the thing, we reveal what's happening here and it has to be addressed, what’s the plan then?”

The ramifications of something like this could be disastrous if set into motion without an end game. They weren’t just sticking it to the guild, they were affecting the lives of an entire planet run by that guild. What retribution would they seek. His expression hardened as the immensity of this task took form in his mind.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

Once he was satisfied with her convictions, he’d ask, “Have you spent anytime listening to the locals?”

The right bar on the right side of town could find them some friends on the inside and that would make things a lot easier.

“If things are as bad as you’re saying there’s gotta be some sort of resistance, might be worth checking around before we barrel into the nest of the beast.”

Leon knew he didn't need to explain how useful the afflicted could be. He'd found comradery to be more effective than subterfuge.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna took another small sip from her cup of Dantooine Caf - glancing up once more wheb Leon made his comment. “Me?” She said with an arch brow, feigning skepticism about being worried for the Adumarian’s wellbeing. But it was the gentle, reassuring touch against her knee that captured her attention entirely. It was enough to cause that smile to widen at once, her fluted ears twitching just a hint as an involuntary response.

She tilted her head a bit, before wordlessly reaching across the table. The Heiress lightly brushed a few loose curls of hair from Leon’s face, fixing them into place before meeting his gaze once more. “Don’t be ridiculous, Knight Baudelaire.” Jayna said, unable to reflect any seriousness to her words.

The Heiress was slow to move back to official business, but managed to do so eventually. Of course, her brows furrowed together when Leon began to dig into the details of her plans and the ‘what then’ element to is all. “Once there is documented and tangible proof.. I plan to run with it. Draw as much publicity to the matter as I possibly can. If it’s out in the open, the nobility and Royal government will have no choice but to make some kind of statement. No more sweeping it under the rug.”

Internally, Jayna knew it would draw attention to herself in positive and negative aspects. She knew that she was painting a target on her own back, and there were risks associated with any coordinated attack against corporate giants like the Guild. But her answer didn’t waver. Whether through conviction or inherited stubbornness from her father, it never did.

“Yes.”

She blinked a few times. “I..” The heiress blinked a few times. For all of her political training and ability to schmooze with high society, the idea of going to some bar frequented by Spice Miners had.. Entirely slipped her mind. “Figured it was best to wait for you to get onboard before I went that route.” She finished her sentence, not convincing in the slightest. “Besides, isn’t barreling into the nest of the beast a Jedi specialty?”

She tilted her head ever-so-slightly, grumbling. “Terrible ideas and on-the-fly plans should be entirely within your wheelhouse..”

Jayna tapped her fingers against the table. “If there is a place that fits the description to meet the locals.. It’ll be in the East District. Most of the poorer citizens and Mine workers live there, far as I understand.”

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

”Me?” she said, playfully controlled, but when his hand landed on her leg, his eyes caught the involuntary flutter that ran through her and he decided to leave his hand there. It was cozy.

That’s one all, folks.

Her head tilted to the side, her eyes roamed over him and he was just starting to wonder if there was something on his face when she reached out and fixed his hair. She pinned him with her eyes. Silver and green intermingled like the light cast by a waning moon over a dense forest. He felt her hand begin to slip away grazing the mottled skin across his cheek. Leon reached out and caught it before she could slip away. letting his battered and calloused fingers gently intertwine with her perfectly manicured ones.

‘Don’t be ridiculous, Knight Baudelaire” she said, finally breaking.

Leon laughed, not willing to let the moment end, “Me?” he said pointing to himself, his expression exaggerated astoundment, “I don’t know how to tell you this,” he smiled, mock offense sloughing off as quickly as it appeared, “Ridiculous is actually my middle name,” he finished feeling his little smirk settling back in on his lips.

As they finally settled into the boring stuff, he realized this was going to be one of the hardest jobs of his life, not because of the difficulty level, but because he wasn’t going to be able to focus for shit with Jayna around. Baudelaire’s jocularity would recede behind an impassive expression as she spoke and when she said, “Yes.” he believed her. Which concerned him more than his heart wanted to admit.

She was a Thorne. Her family was among the most powerful, if not THE most powerful in the universe. To not consider that because she was the most beautiful being he’d ever seen would be a level of negligence even Leon couldn’t allow. He was a Jedi. His first priority had to be to the people of Atale.

“Okay,” he said, while trying to gather his thoughts as he processed her plan. On the surface it sounded good, but he couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he pushed her to look at the bigger picture. “But what about the people?”

Leon’s eyebrow arched as she tried to cover the fact that she hadn’t considered talking to the people she wanted to help. Could she be cuter?

No, if she was he’d literally die.

“Is that right?” he said, with a sly smile as he tipped the last of his drink back. He nearly spit the sip all over her when she made the crack about most Jedi rushing in without a plan. He couldn’t argue her point, but he could argue her intent. Instead, he let her grumble and enjoyed how cute she looked doing it.

“You’re not wrong,” he started, “Ya know, Atale is a pretty interesting moon,” he started, letting his line out to see if she’d bite. He’d bet mad credits that she wasn’t doing this out of the goodness of her heart. Not that he really cared why she was doing it. It was for the good of the people, right? He reached up to the scar on his cheek running a finger across the mottled skin and mused, “Some even say if you can control the moon, and the spice of course,” he shrugged, innocent expression juxtaposed by the smirk tugging at his lips, “Well hell, you could probably control just about the whole system.” His eyes came to rest on hers, “You wouldn't happen to have an opinion on that would you?”

“Well that’s convenient,” he said, pulling out his NalPhone and Swoogling dive bars in the area. He spotted one named The Pick Axe. His lips pursed as he read a handful of the comments.

⅕ stars, “The regulars are dicks…”
⅖ stars, “Tried getting a booth and a group of miners kicked us out…”
⅕ stars, “No soap in the bathroom…”

Leon turned his phone around so she could see, “I think this is a good place to start, what do you think?” he asked, offering her his arm as he stood. It had been a joke but he wasn’t gonna stop her if she took it.

Unless she disagreed, he’d head in the direction of The Pick Axe.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna tilted her head a bit - pausing when Leon mentioned the people of Atale once again. It was no secret that the Heiress.. Didn’t entirely buy into his altruistic, Jedi philosophies. She was raised to be ambitious and to pursue her own goals relentlessly, and that was ultimately the prime motivating factor in their mission on the Spice-rich moon. Even still, she was confident that her own designs would benefit the Miners just as well.

“If I - we - are able to expose the Mining Guild for what they are actually doing? It will give the government leverage to actually hold them accountable. Force them to either change for the better, or open the door for more ethical competitors on Atale.” She glanced up at Leon. “Better working conditions. Better pay. Better lives for the people living and dying in these mines. If I become the face of that change.. So be it.”

Jayna folded both hands over her chest, walking alongside Leon when he spoke. She immediately picked up on the implication in his voice - calling out her deeper motives within the Teta system. The Heiress was silent for a moment before shrugging a bit. “You’ve always known my ambitions,” She said simply. “Have to start somewhere.” The Heiress wasn’t the least bit ashamed to admit that she was mostly doing this for her own gain. The fact that it helped the wider populace was beneficial, and was why she’d ultimately asked for his help.

In the back of her mind, Jayna knew that Tetan politics were cutthroat and and often bloody - and it would eventually run contrary to the Knight’s own beliefs. For the moment, though, Jayna chose not to dwell on the thought. Instead, she stared at the selected bar with deadpan expression.

“That place looks disgusting, Le.” She said flatly, not at all amused by the prospect. The Heiress squinted at the picture, grabbing Leon’s phone to enhance the image. “I’m almost positive there is a roach literally on the wall of this picture.” Of course, Jayna knew she had committed to the idea - and wasn’t going to necessarily disagree. But that didn’t mean she liked it.

“I hate this.” She grumbled, accepting his arm and begrudgingly moving in the direction The Pick Axe.

---​

It only took a few minutes of travel - crossing through the Eastern District and into the poorer parts of Atale - for Leon and Jayna to arrive at The Pick Axe. The scent of refined Andris Spice hung heavy in the air, muddling with the thick plumes of cigarra smoke. The Heiress kept the grimace off her lips as the stepped through the entrance, allowing her silvery gaze to flick across the room.

At once, a group of miners - seated across the bar - turned to watch the pair that stepped into their territory. For the moment, Jayna paid them little attention, as she began to march towards the counter at the far side of the room. Drinks could be ordered before they established what the hell their plan was.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon’s heart and mind were at war. Jayna said everything he wanted to hear, but was that all it was? He couldn’t help but weigh the implications of this decision. The Jedi should be impartial. They should be simple samaritans. Shouldn’t they?

He resisted the urge to stop her from letting go of his arm as she folded her arms over her chest. Leon respected that she was honest. Had she tried to seduce him into this… well it would have totally worked, but he’d have felt like shit about it later…

“Thank you.” he said, simply. It was refreshing to hear the truth. He took a moment to respond, then said, “Okay, on one condition,” he said looking over at her as they walked, “No lies,” he looked into her silver gaze, “I’m trusting you, Jayna.”

Leon laughed, “This’ll be good for you, it’ll help build your immune system,” he teased. He wondered if she realized he was just a cuter version of the people she was bummed to be around. She slipped around his arm and he led her in as Jayna grumbled the whole way.

The interior of The Pick Axe was the color of rye whisky. Everything seemed steeped in sepia giving the space a warm and welcoming glow. It was like stepping into your favorite dream, or in Jayna’s case her worst nightmare. She led the way to the bar and Leon ordered a whisky.

“Fun crowd, huh?” he said, thinking back on the reviews he’d read. He had a feeling it wouldn't take long for them to find some disgruntled workers.

The scene was a sprawl of pissed off blue collar sentients. Each and every one of them looked like they’d been ridden hard and put up wet. And every one of them was taking some form of spice. THeir whole existence revolved around the very thing they dug from the ground day in and day out… He couldn’t help but feel for these people, but that didn’t mean he’d stand for any fuckery either.

Baudelaire’s hand casually rested on the butt of his heavy blaster as they settled in at the bar.

“You’re doing great, by the way,” he teased. It was abundantly clear she was not having a good time.

The Bartender returned with the drinks and Leon thanked him. Before he could step away Leon asked, “Hey boss, I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a minute?”

The Bartender paused, leveling Leon with a scrupulous gaze, then eyes darting to Jayna and lingering before he cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the Knight, “My time costs money.”

“Of course it does,” Leon said with a friendly smile, he took out a credit stick and laid it on the counter, “That’ll cover a few questions,” he stated.

The Bartender looked down at the stick then up to Leon, then over to Jayna again. His brow knit together as if he couldn’t put a finger on where he’d seen her before, The Bartender shrugged, scooping up the stick and crossing his arms over his chest, “Well, out with it then.”

Baudelaire smiled, “We’re new in town and heard the easiest way to make money was in the mines, that true?”
The Bartender laughed bitterly, “Ain’t even close. The mines are a hellish place, take a look around, boy, that’s your future if you go into the mines.”
Leon glanced to Jayna then back at the Bartender and said, “That bad?”
“Probably worse depending on your imagination,” he said.
“I’ve got a pretty vivid imagination,” replied Leon
“Long hours, no pay, and if you die down there it becomes your grave,” The Bartender’s surly air dampened slightly as if remembering something painful, “The only thing you come out of those mines with is a wet sounding cough, bloodshot eyes, and an attitude.”
“Why isn’t anyone doing anything about it? Spice is the moon’s largest export, no?” he asked.
The Barkeep just shrugged, “What the hell is anyone gonna do? Our ruling bodies don’t care as long as their pockets are lined… plus, the guild started hiring enforcer’s from off moon to dissuade any—”

The gasp of the bar’s double doors opening silenced the watering hole’s patrons as the sound of heavy boots filled the room.

“Well, speak of the fucking devil,” muttered the Bartender walking away from Leon and Jayna to intercept the newcomers.

The lead man was a human with lank blonde hair and a grin that looked like he’d just told a joke he wasn’t supposed to. Behind him were two beefy sentients, a Weequay, and a Togruta. They were geared up similarly, rough scarred matte black plastoid chest plates branded with the mining guild’s insignia. The only difference between the three was the lead guy had a stripe of gold running down the left side of his armor. Must have been a rank thing.

“Dorain, a round for me and my mates and thi—” Smiley’s attention had fallen to Jayna, “Well, well, well, what do we ‘ave here, boys?”

Instinctively, Leon felt his hand wrap around the stock of his blaster. He sank into The Force seeking guidance… and The Force answered.

@Altaris