The Princess Out For Blood {Pre-DOTR}

[EmilyHuene]

Erudia * Pre-Dawn of The Republic

Loud music. Cheap drinks. Greasy food. What could any runaway fugitive want more? In this overcrowded teen hangout in one of Erudia's busiest cities Clara Lighthawk was the center of attention. She was sitting at the bar with a group of girls all about her age. They were all wearing their school uniforms, but Clara's was different. Hers was a more military trim with gold and blue linings, her school's emblem stitched into the sleeves; white mini-skirt, tall white boots that came up past the knee. Her hair was black and held back by long white clips and her eyes were bright blue. On her hip was a sword with a metal hilt sheathed in a case of white and gold. She looked like an officer. This was what bought her all the attention.

The girls laughed on about various things as the music drowned out the rest of the noise. Everyone died to be noticed by Clara. She was remarkably beautiful. The girls wanted to be her, the boys wanted to be with her. She smiled at them from across the room, and winked at one or two of them. It was all for fun. She liked to tease them. They wouldn't bother coming up and approaching her, not with so many others all around her. It was a deathtrap to them. But a girl liked a boy who braved the odds. Then one of them did.

He came up slowly, trying his best to seem cool. He stood right in front of her as he waited for her to notice him. Of course she noticed him right away, she could feel it in his mind as he mentally talked himself up to have the courage. Clara knew this because she was a Force-user. Like her father before her Clara could understand and communicate with the Force, bending it to her will. It was a secret of course. It was a dangerous world out there. Jedi patrolled as Knights across the galaxy and the Sith hid in the shadows of corruption. Clara cared for neither faction. She swore allegiance to no one but herself. That's why she ran away from school.

Clara was nothing but trouble for the teachers at Erudia's military school for girls. She was a rebel at heart and was constantly reprimanded for such. When they tried to find treatment for her outbursts, Clara reacted with violence. It ended up getting her locked up in a mental asylum. She told no of this. So her story was a little short when it came to the truth. She hadn't actually graduated from the academy, so she had no right to wear that outfit.

The boy coughed and tried to push out a weak hello, but it wasn't heard over the noise. Clara turned her head to look at him and raised her eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

The boy nodded and spoke up again, "I was hoping I could buy you a drink?"

Clara looked at him and began to laugh. She covered her mouth as she and the others tore him down with their giggles. She shook her head and shoe'd him away with her other hand. The boy then got angry. He reached out and grabbed her left hand tightly. The girls gasped suddenly as he tried to shake some sense into the girl.

"You little b*tch," he said to her.

That's when she lost it. Before she knew what she was doing her right hand was on the hilt of her sword and pulling it swiftly from its case. The black shining blade ran clean through his arm. Blood splashed all over the girl to the left of her and the boy fell back screaming in pain; his arm fell with a silent thud at her feet. The girls shrieked and everyone moved away from her. Chairs scrapped against the floors, some even fell over as people pushed their way away from the girl with the bloody sword in her hand.

Clara came back to her senses as she realized everyone in the place was now staring at her. She heard someone calling the authorities behind her. She had to run. She couldn't be caught again. She would never return to that mad house. Clara jumped over the boy still screaming on the floor and bolted for the door.

 

[Taz]

Jett Nova was lost, truly and completely lost. While normally he would care less where the galaxy took him, especially after recently getting out of prison. This time around he had places to be, that place of course being the headquarters of some corporate mining and manufacturing company his Aunt got him in on. They were looking for security personnel, the kind that had no issue with taking a life.

The young mercenary spent the better part of the past two years in a super max penal moon fighting for his life, well mostly sport but his life as well. Jett was now free, and lost. Where ever he was it was not on any galactic map. It was the outer rim that much he knew and it could of been Eriadu. A planet home to the Tarkin family as well as other political families but he couldn't be sure. His navigational computer was busty.

"That's what I get for a getting a good deal", Jett spoke to himself. He was of course referring to the deal he got from a back ally ship broker to get the armed light freighter he choose to fly rather then the sparking Naboo design his Aunt offered. The bounty hunter was not above taking the jobs that were offered, but he was no ones bought man.

At any rate he needed to fix the ships systems as well as a few other odds and ends. Nothing paid better and faster then bounty contracts. Every planet hand some and this place was no different. The contract he took seemed easy enough. Find a local gang and take out the heavy hitters. Jett had dropkicked and sucker punched his way threw the low level guys in about an hour. All that was left were a few spiced out lieutenants and the leader.

 

[EmilyHuene]

Upon leaving the tiny crowded bar Clara fled into the night streets. Nothing was more suspicious than a girl running down the street with a bloody sword. So, she sheathed the blade and after a corner or two slowed her run down to a brisk walk. In the distance, patrol car sirens quickly made for the scene of the crime. Clara needed a distraction and a hideout, something to blend into. She took off her coat, noticing some blood had gotten on the sleeve, then swore loudly. Underneath she was wearing a blank tank top with skiny straps that came over her shoulders. It was decent enough, and thank the gods it wasn't cold out.

She turned another corner and came right along side someone rather tall and muscular. She bundled her coat into a ball and tucked it in her armpit, and then wrapped her free arm around the man's bicep. She didn't look at him as she handed him her sword and said, "Hold this. Keep walking. I'll pay you later." That was a lie; she was broke. He didn't need to know that.

 

[Taz]

It was easy money. The thugs had no skill no technique and more importantly they were not tuned to the spirit of the force as Jett was. The invisible life binding energy would answer his whim, molding to the young man's body to augment his body and movement. Speeding the bounty hunter to a near blur as he worked over the thugs.

Jett took pleasure in the beating, it was after all what he did best. His one marketable skill set one might say. He could fly sure but no better then any other freighter pilot. He could mine, hell mining was in his blood but he was not born for such work. No, fight was his art and even as young as he was he could make a masterpiece out of the broken bones of others.

Soon enough the dust settled. Every last gang member and thug were near death, and a couple were already gone. The job was done and all that was needed was to collect on the bounty by gathering a few personal items to prove the deed was done.

Before Jett knew what happened, before he could even sense her. An arm appeared, hooked around his elbow and started to drag him along for a ride. Jett was about to protest and toss the girl like a doll when you spoke up and then handed him a sword. The girl was young, if he had to guess she was closer to sixteen. A little young even for him, still she was easy on the eyes and hell. She gave him a sword. If she didn't pay up, the blade would at least add to his collection.

 

[EmilyHuene]

"Don't ask any questions," she'd say to him; she knew he had to be thinking why was this stranger suddenly dragging him along.

Clara didn't seem to care what was going on around her, or more specifically what this man had going on through his head. Her mind was focused on the sounds of the authorities getting ever closer and hoping that the sight of some young couple would not be too noticeable. They were looking for a girl in a white shirt and sword. The sword was now in his possession and the shirt tucked out of view. It would be enough to pass by and buy her some time.

It would be another painstaking minute before a squad patrol vehicle lit up with lights came flying over them. Clara flinched and grabbed onto the man tighter. Did they see her? Did they find her? The speeder didn't stop. She sighed loudly and turned her muscular distraction down a different street. They were clear.

She let go of him and took a few steps back to peek around the corner. No signs of anyone turning back. She then faced him and held out her hand and gave him a very determined look.

"My sword if you please."

 

[Taz]

In truth the merc wasn't sure what to make of the quickly escalating situation. The young girl was demanding of his as if she had all the answers but she had the look of a scared teen. The look of innocent youth that was now tainted by violence.

Jett knew that look well. It had been some time ago now but it was once on him before his life became one giant shit storm of violence and killing. The girl's look would change to have a hint of fear as the sounds of sirens and law enforcement closed in around the two of them. It was one of the few times he would ever see that look on her.

But as soon as they came and went to young woman replaced her brave face. Her need to be in control returned and she was once more barking orders. Requesting her weapon,

"I believe there is a question of payment ?", he replied to the young girl.

 

[EmilyHuene]

"I believe there is a question of payment ?"

"Sure. Whatever. Sword first."

She flexed her fingers in an expecting way hoping he'd get the signal to obey her. Clara didn't like the situation she'd gotten herself into one bit. But it was what it was. There was no changing the past.

Her eyes checked out the man. "Jeeze he's built like a rock," she thought to herself. Tall. Broad shoulders. More muscular than she was used to. Maybe handing him her only weapon was a mistake.

Well, it wasn't her only weapon. Her mind would quiet and she'd suddenly try to push her thoughts into her his mind, classic Jedi persuasion. Any normal man would be unable to resist the trained fighter. But what Clara didn't know was that this mountain of a man was also a Force user.

"My sword. Hand it to me."

 

[Taz]

The young woman would agree with the mercenary and then reach out her hand with expecting fingers. The expression on her face told him she was used to getting her way, used to others waiting on her hand and foot. Perhaps she even expected Jett to somehow get her out of the bind the found herself in with the law. A strange idea if it were the case, seeing as the two hardly knew one another.

When Jett didn't hand it over without hesitation and maybe even a bending knee the young girl made a grave mistake. Clara twisted her thoughts into his. Playfully twisting the force to guide his thoughts to give her the weapon. It was cute but foolish. Jett decided to play with her instead.

"The sword, I should hand it to you", he said almost mockingly. Then pulled his own sword from it's sheath and handed it toward the young woman by the hilt. He knew well it wasn't the weapon she expected but he would toy with her all the same. She promised payment and he intended to get it one way or an entertaining other.

 

[EmilyHuene]

"The sword, I should hand it to you"

Clara stood there for a moment, confused by his actions. She didn't quite pick up on the fact he was messing with her, but she was smart enough to know that something fishy was going on here. Even still, her temper spoke for her and she'd reach her hand out again then point at her sword.

"Give me my sword. The white one."

Her powers continued to twist into his mind as she tried to take hold over the man. She had been trained in fighting against someone who could resist their magics, but Jett didn't even seem like he was fighting her; that's probably what confused her so. He made it seem like she was winning just not getting what she wanted.

 

[Taz]

Her words pushed deeper into his mind. Jett was gifted and well trained in the force and well trained by his mother a well studied student of the Jedi Knights. He'd learned much from her, much of his abilities and how to use them. He was also the warrior apprentice to a Mandalorian head of house Novarra. Still the young woman was far more gifted in the mind bending arts. As much as the mercenary wanted to continue playing the game, if he continued much longer it would be a game he would lose.

Jett returned his sword to it's home in a sheath at his back. He then looked to the sword in his hand like some kind of object her couldn't remember how it got there in the first place. Clara's power was working, faster then expected. The thought to return the blade was suddenly forming in his mind. Quickly Jett looked around darting his eyes around to a target to change his mind. His attention moved to between her thighs.

The though of the sword soon faded, filled with thoughts of a different female weapon. It was working, he was pushing Clara out of his mind. He was close to closing his mind off when the ally erupted in blaster fire. On sheer instinct Jett dropped the young woman's weapon and reached for his pistol. Returning fire at no particular target.

"Friends of yours?", he questioned sarcastically.

Jett then dove for cover behind a pile of junk off to the left of where he was previously standing. With a poor excuse for a laser sponge now covering him, Jett pulled his other pistol and started to lay down a hail of bolts toward the gunmen. Gunmen who were in fact local authorities who were searching for Clara. Not that he knew the latter part specifically, or that it mattered.

"Do go all bug eyed on me girly. Shoot or run", Jett demanded of the gun fire.

 

[EmilyHuene]

Clara could tell her mental attack was working as she could see it in his eyes. He was having trouble concentrating. It was then she realized what was going on: he was fighting back against her. More importantly, that he was also a Force-sensitive. Before she could get her weapon however, her senses began to tingle as blaster bolts flew past her. Instantly she was cut off from his mind as the distraction brought her back to where they were.

"Friends of yours?"

Clara turned to see several authorities coming their way and each one firing aimlessly at her. Well, they might have been aiming for all she knew; didn't look like it though. She too would retreat and duck behind the junk that Jett had fled to.

"Do go all bug eyed on me girly. Shoot or run"

"Shoot?!" she practically shouted at him over the gunfire. "Shoot with what?! Does it look like I have any guns! Give me my sword!" She only took a moment to look over him before realizing that her sword...was not in his hands. "Where's my sword?!?!?!" she shouted even louder.

Clara peeked out from behind the junk and saw it was back where they had been standing. She tucked back into the small bit of cover and sighed loudly. "You've got to be kidding me."

With no hesitation she then jumped out from behind her spot and rolled. The men were now much closer and began to fire down upon her. Clara threw up her hands and a strange blue orb formed around her, but only for a moment. It reflected the laser bolts and made a slight ripple against the surface. She then got to her feet and with a determined look in her eyes, dodged the next few bolts as they came at her.

One to her left, a quick turn of her shoulder. Another to her head, she turned the other way and leaned just in time for it to sail past her hair as it came whipping around. The last just a little closer and she took a step backwards to the side for it to pass her. All this happened rapid fast, almost inhuman really. She then raised her hand and her sword jumped from its still position on the pavement and lept into her hand. With a quick spin she pulled the blade from the sheath and swiped the sword around front to cut another bolt heading her away to nothing but a few sparks.

 

[Taz]

Jett was slightly caught off guard by the young woman's equally surprised rebuttal. This girl only had a sword and the force, and there was no telling just how much training in either she had. In fact he knew absolutely nothing about the girl other then she now owed him money, and the bill was getting larger by the passing moment.

Both the merc and the young woman looked over at resting sword at the same time. Clara shouting her disbelief in her precious weapon's location. Jett looked back at the Clara, still firing back at the police as he did so. "It was a reflex, that thing isn't exactly a light saber sweet cheeks", he replied to the young woman.

What happened next Jett would never of expected. Clara bolted for her weapon under heavy blaster fire from the very law enforcers who were trying to shoot first and ask questions much later. Jett watched and if not for his helmet his jaw would of hit the floor. It was a move he might have done if the tables were turned, perhaps not for a sword but that was a mute point.

Jett watched as Clara narrowly dodged bolt after bolt before bending the force to shield herself from the enemy fire of the police. With the flash of a few acrobatic moves the young woman was back to her feet and sword in hand. Jett could feel her force presents as she split a bolt with her sword.

"Now you're just showing off", he said getting to his feet. The merc then holstered his pistol in his right hand and reached into a pouch on his armored chest. Pulling a grenade from the pouch push the button to charge the explosive and toss it of the pile of junk. A concussive flash bang charge filled the air behind him as the soon to be Czerka operative dashed for the young woman and lifted her over his shoulder.

Before she could protest Jett would explain as he continued to now run with her in arms. "I just got out of prison I'm not going back of a girl with a sword fetish"

 

[EmilyHuene]

Clara was ready to take the entire force down and she would have done it to had Jett not intervened. She was suddenly blinded and covered her eyes to shield them from the light. Suddenly she was being picked up and being taken away.

"Let me go!" she screamed while trying to push his arm off her. He was lucky she didn't try using her sword.

"I just got out of prison I'm not going back of a girl with a sword fetish"

"It's not a fetish!" she screamed even louder.

 

[Taz]

"Says the crazy girl who jumping into heavy blaster fire to retrieve said sword", Jett replied to the young woman. Still lugging her over his arm.

The small explosive was a good distraction but it would not hold them off for to long. Jett wanted to use the force to move him faster but he was already adapting it to his arms to make Clara seem like little more then a sack lunch. Thus allowing him to quickly weave thru the crowd as he used them to cover his retreat.

"We're going to need a speeder. I need to get to my ship", he said in no particular direction. "What in the verse did you do anyway ?" Now firmly asking the woman on his shoulder.

 

[EmilyHuene]

"Says the crazy girl who jumping into heavy blaster fire to retrieve said sword"

"If you hadn't dropped it then I wouldn't have needed to get it!!" She practically shrieked at him. "Now put. Me. Down!"

"We're going to need a speeder. I need to get to my ship. What in the verse did you do anyway ?"

Clara sighed with annoyance as he ignored her demand to be set down, but humored him by answering his question, "If you need one that bad then just steal one." She added lightly to herself, "You're practically kidnapping me at this point. What's one more speeder."

Now aloud she would answer his second question, "For your information I cut off someone's arm." She said in a matter of fact manner of speaking. She could sense Jett was likely judging her for what she said so she continued, "It's not like I killed him or anything..."

 

[Taz]

Jett suddenly laughed so hard he nearly dropped the young woman. Stumbling to a stop as he ducked into a shop only yards away from the ally they had just fled moments ago. Just put the woman down like a sack of laundry. Staring at Clara he stumbled over his words, "You....you you cut there arm ? What'd he do call you pretty ?"

There was a small silence for only a moment as Jett then turned his head to see that shop keeper pointing a blaster at the two of them. The longer the two men looked at one another the more the keeper shook the gun. Finally Jett comically punched the man in the nose before taking his weapon.

"If you can't shoot to kill at least shoot, hell hit a leg or something", mocking the man as he hit him again.

As the man fell Jett noticed something behind the shop. "Well well", he said with obvious joy in his voice. Jett then reached over and grabbed the young woman's arm, yarding her toward the back where a speeder sat. "Looks like I might get out of here after all".

 

[EmilyHuene]

"You....you you cut there arm ? What'd he do call you pretty ?"

Clara gave him a hateful look and turned her head to look around. He was still holding her, which had to look like quite a scene to the man in the shop who now pulled out his gun and was pointing it at Jett. There was an odd silence as all three of them waited for someone to do something. Finally Jett punched the man out and he fell like a boulder.

"If you can't shoot to kill at least shoot, hell hit a leg or something"

Now that Jett wasn't really focused on her she shook herself free and straightened her jacket. It was still covered in blood, so she'd have to clean that soon. Before she could make some comment about how he was being reckless, he was grabbing her arm and pulling her to the back of the shop.

"Hey hey!" she shouted. "Let go of me, dude!" She still didn't know his name.

"Looks like I might get out of here after all".

Clara yanked her arm free of him and pointed a finger at his chest, "I'm getting a little tired of you telling me where to go, Rockman."

With stubborn poutyness she moved away from him and eyed the object that had caused him to get so excited. The shopkeeper's speeder sat out back and it looked like it was in good shape. She would cross her arms and raise her eyebrows at him, secretly telling him she had no intention of following him.

 

[Taz]

"Look lady you brought this on yourself, I was just fine clearing out those thugs"

Jett was starting to get heated, this girl had interrupted his easy bounty contract and more or less forced his hand into the current situation. Now she had the audacity of implying she was being drug along for the ride. To make matters worse the authorities were getting closer and in a few short minutes they two of have no choice but to fight. The closer they got the more of them there seemed to be.

"Well have fun with your friends", Jett said with a sarcastic smile and turned to head to the speeder. He know sooner jumped in and had it started when the security officers noticed the sound, and Clara standing there in the shop. "Train's leavin lady"

 

[EmilyHuene]

"Look lady you brought this on yourself, I was just fine clearing out those thugs"

She could hear the sirens getting ever closer as the authorities did their best to find the two runaway suspects. Clara whined with a groan and would look behind her through the shop. She couldn't very well go back. The only path that lie ahead of her was forward, with him. But just because she had to go with him, doesn't mean she would put up with him dragging her there. If she was going to keep this going, it would have to be her choice.

"Well have fun with your friends. Train's leavin lady"

"Fine," she said to herself, determining her decision. Clara ran around the side and hopped in beside him in the speeder, "My name is Clara."

 

[Taz]

"Clara ? Well Clara I'm Jett and those are guys you pist off", Jett replied quickly.

Jett then hit the throttle and buried it to the durasteel floor. Blaster fire opened on the two like a hailstorm and sirens followed. Local security gave chase as the two fled through the city. The merc bobbed and weaved through crowds and alleyways. Punching in a few codes into the comlink, narrowly running over a few city dwellers.

"Warm up the engines you little bucket of bolts we need to get the frack off this planet." Jett commented to a droid on the other side before looking toward Clara. "Oh and clean out the spare room....umm we're going to have a company".