Ask Unwelcome Tidings

[K’Jun]

Jedha l Death enabled.​

Jun felt the familiar crunch of glass beneath his boots. Many beings mistook the glass dunes of this broken world to be sand, that was the furthest thing from the truth. Palpatine’s Empire had glassed a large portion of this world. The wounds of that assault still lingered, there dunes were just one of the scars left behind.

But Jun hadn’t come home to walk down memory lane. Nah. Jedha had problems of its own. Kyber shipments being robbed, bodies showing up in villages, and a death cult that left behind bled crystals as a calling card. Normally, the Matukai would have intervened but the new ruling body had become increasingly isolationist and paranoid. Which is why Jun had come back. He was gonna solve these problems one way or another.

Unlike most other Jedi, Jun didn’t bother bringing his lightsaber. Nor did he bother with robes. Instead, Jun wore his Matukai Gauntlets, a white tank, pair of jeans, his utility belt, and brown boots. Over top this was a chest piece of armor that covered his back and chest. And a set of upper and lower leg plates.

While Jun had left on bad terms with the senior members of the Matukai, he still had friends in the more junior ranks. He was supposed to meet with one in the settlement of Ai-Jed to discuss his former Order, the murders, and the cult. Three problems that all needed to be solved. Three problems this fledgling knight was determined to see resolved.

 

[Vanya]

Vanya had taken an unusual path through her Jedi training as well, and the Jedi who had brought the Crusaders the lead that something was amiss on Jedha.

The planet had been shattered in the Civil War, but people had still managed to settle on half of it. The remnants of the population were settled into the planet but many of the people in the area had started noting marauders, murders, and strange disappearances.

Vanya had most certainly brought her lightsaber. These days she almost never went anywhere without it, and she hoped that they could bring this planet - historically Jedi aligned - back into the fold.

She was disturbingly unprepared for what they were about to face but she hoped that the other Knight would have a better idea of the geopolitical landscape because... let me just tell you, Vanya didn't do geopolitical.

She had arrived in the ruins and waved at Jun as she made her way inside.

Are you K'Jun? I'm Vanya! she greeted him with a wave.

 

[K’Jun]

Jun heard footsteps long before he sensed the presence of his fellow Jedi. His sensitive Fiani hearing picking up on the crunching of sand underfoot. He turned to face the woman just before she began to wave at him. His ears flicked, one stayed pointed towards her while the other turned about on his head, listening for any other telltale signs of approach. When she introduced herself, Jun was pleasantly surprised. He'd heard of Vanya, she was from a different sect of Force Users with their own traditions, the same as him. That brought some measure of comfort to him.

"Vanya." He replied calmly, giving her a nod of his head in response. "Welcome to Jedha, I wasn't expecting backup but I'll take the help." He continued, giving her a small but professional smile. "Have you been made aware of the situation here?" He asked.

As he spoke Jun would nod his head deeper into the ruins. Deeper into the faux sand walkways of an abandoned settlement. He wanted to be sure no one would sneak up on them while they waited for his former sister's arrival. He had a feeling things were far worse than what he initially anticipated.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

I'd love to say that I have, but no, she stated honestly.

I heard there's been some attacks to steal kyber and some strange murders and disappearances, she said before muttering, There's always strange murders and disappearances.

She followed him deeper into the temple, but didn't seem to be in any rush. She pulled her coat tighter around herself, keeping back the still-chilly air of Jedha. It was a planet that if you just looked at it, you would think it was a scorching desert, but it was, in fact, just the opposite. She wasn't really born for these cold temperatures.

So... how'd you hear about the trouble around here anyway? she asked curiously, climbing a set of stairs before reaching an upper outlook. The area below them was a large, open plain that carried on for miles. It was beautiful in a way, but it wasn't the jungles or forests that Vanya loved.

 

[K’Jun]

Jun nodded along as Vanya replied. He wasn't overly surprised she didn't know too much about the situation. The Matukai here tended to be insular and tried to suppress their failures, of which Jun knew there were many. He sighed as he fished his EZPhone from his pocket, opened up a personal file from before he left the Matukai.

"Heads up." He called out as he tossed it to Vanya.

On it she'd find more than graphic images of butchered bodies that had been put out on display. Across the victim's bodies were carved intricate wounds and patterned runes. Their eyes had been plucked from their sockets and their hearts were pulled from their chests only to be replaced with bled kyber.

"I got told to stop looking into the problems of the civilians by the Senior Matukai after I took those." Jun said as he crossed his arms. "It's more than disappearances." He explained. "Something is going on here and now that I don't answer to the Matukai, I intend to put an end to it." He told her with a shrug. "Enough people have suffered from this...cult or whatever."

Jun then turned his gaze away from Vanya and back deeper into the destroyed temple they'd left behind. "Believe or not, this wasteland is home. So this is personal." He told her. "That an issue?" He asked as he leaned against a half toppled pillar.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya looked up just in time to see the phone come flying toward her, holding out both her hands to catch it gently, looking through the images and being... unprepared for what she saw. She was no stranger to combat, violence, or even the butchering of animals, but this was different.

She flipped through the images and knew there was no question that the Dark Side was involved. One could argue that the darkness was involved in every violence like this. Possession by dark spirits, corruption of the Dark Side, or something else... no, but this was different. This was clearly driven by Dark Side adepts who could manipulate kyber.

She handed the phone back to him with a scowl on her face. These people needed to be put down like the rabid animals they were. She knew that the Jedi didn't approve of such thoughts, and if they truly sought redemption, then perhaps she would reconsider, but she also wouldn't hesitate if they put up a fight.

Something stood out to her in what he said, and she frowned.

Is it... possible that this Senior Matukai who barred your intervention could be... involved or corrupted? she asked. She didn't know these people and she may well have heaped huge offense just in suggesting it, but it needed to be asked. Perhaps they were true pacifists who wanted to stay out of things, but they were also Matukai. The sect - from her limited understanding - wasn't much for pacifism.

As he asked if it was an issue that it was personal, she looked over at him, giving a hard stare that for the briefest moment almost seemed to look through him.

Not as long as you keep your emotions in check, she said. That was the way of the Winged Spirit as far as she was concerned. There were emotions, but there was peace in it. Bringing the emotion in, accepting it, and letting go.

Can you do that? she asked.

@Apollyon

 

[K’Jun]

Jun listened to Vanya’s question, he shook his head in response. “Doubtful.” He replied. “The Senior members might have isolationist tendencies but they are dedicated to their beliefs.” He explained. “Those beliefs just happen to value the Kyber over the people.”

He glanced back from the ruins and to her when she asked if he could keep his emotions in check. He frowned slightly at that. “Balance in all things. Duty before emotion.” He stated simply, an old mantra his Matukai mentor told him. “Yeah, I can keep my head on straight.” He replied after that.

A look of concern flickered across his face. His ears and tails twitched nervously. Where was she? She should have been here already.

“Something’s wrong…” Jun muttered as his ears flicked, listening for something. “Katalyn should have been here by now.” He told Vanya. “This isn’t like her.”

The distant crunch of glass brought relief. Until another trio of other footsteps shattered that illusion. The subtle hum of blasters charging on accented the danger to come. Jun’s ears flattened, his gauntlets magnetic fields hummed to life.

“We’ve got company.” He stated.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya didn't argue with him further, though she had an overflowing of skepticism about these leaders of the Matukai. Disappointment was maybe the better word. Although were her people so different? They worked and lived on Dathomir and seldom had much interest in the rest of the galaxy. Perhaps she wasn't in any place to judge.

Her head flicked to the side as he recited what sounded like mantras and creeds. As long as they weren't just empty words to him, then they should be fine.

Then no problem with me, she said. Sometimes personal attachment made people go that extra mile, and so long as it didn't cloud their judgment, all the better.

You're sure you got the place right? she asked as he said that it wasn't like her.

The distinct sound of blasters coming to life seemed to punctuate that that wasn't the answer and she heard a distant shout of "I heard something." From across the ruins.

Her hand reached up to grab her lightsaber from her belt as they approached. A blaster shot tore through the air, slapping into the stone next to Vanya as the Jedi leapt back in surprise and shock.

Her lightsaber burst to life in her hands as she batted another bolt down, spotting a droid as the culprit. A big droid... like those Haxion brood type droids, not that Vanya knew what the Haxion brood was.

More rapid blasterfire, and Vanya dove to cover and dropped to a lower level, slashing down on the torso of a humanoid attacker while the large droid continued to fire from around thirty meters away.

 

[K’Jun]

Jun deflected the first shot with the magnetic fields of his gauntlet. He followed Vanya, using his gauntlets to aid in deflecting bolts and creating a defensive wall of sorts to cover them. When he saw the lumbering droid his stomach dropped.

“Shit.” He muttered following Vanya into the lower levels of the ruins. Her lightsaber hewed a man across his chest as he found cover.

For Jun’s part he leapt over the bisected corpse and paused to listen. His ears picked up on footsteps coming from a hallway to his left. How many of these guys were there?

Jun rounded the corner and struck the first man in the chest. He called upon the Force to amplify the impact of the blow right before it impacted. Between that and the gauntlet’s own magnetic field the sound of bone being powdered was clear. The rodian’s corpse was flung backwards and Jun looked back to Vanya and nodded for her to follow.

“Wasteland raiders.” He told her as he moved down the hallway. “Nasty bastards, they’re set up pretty with that droid.” He continued. “We need to get tight corridors. It’s bulky so that’ll slow it down enough to flank.” He explained.

“I hope…”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya kept moving until she managed to make it to the next bit of cover behind a stone pillar as the droid unleashed its next barrage. Two were dead now and while the droid was still up, she was sure that others were going to be around still.

Jun slipped in next to her and she nodded in agreement with his plan.

Right, and maybe if we can take it down, they'll retreat, she said. It was a morale boost for the raiders and bringing it down would hopefully dash their confidence.

If you can lure the droid to that passage, I think I can drop part of the building on it, she said, pointing to a narrow passage between several pillars supporting an overhanging ceiling. Heavy stone ceilings and pillars.

 

[K’Jun]

Blaster fire scorched the stone pillars Jun and Vanya had dipped behind. While the den of their skirmish was nearly deafening for him, he was still able to read her lips. He listened to her plan, his head followed to where she was pointing, and nodded his head.

“Let’s thin this crowd a hair more first.” Jun suggested. “I’d rather not have to worry about their carbines and it’s repeating cannon.” He pointed out.

Unfortunately, Jun was less Jedi and more Matukai. This meant that while he was exceedingly skilled with the Force in close range or in unique physical applications…he was next to useless outside of about five to ten feet. If he could get in on an enemy, he could devastate them. If.

Jun could hear the droid slowly thudding towards the stairs. They’d have a few seconds to deal with the raiders and would need to pick off another two to three of the five that had pursued them. Those numbers at the very least would ensure a tactical retreat. It would create space for their diversion and ambush.

Jun looked around and used the Force to lift a chunk of broken stone and fling it at the raiders. It hit with a satisfying crunch and yelp of agony. He’d nod to Vanya before reactivating his gauntlets and stepping from behind the pillar. He deflected several blaster bolts in wild directions, drawing focus on himself to allow Vanya the space and time to deal with the last two.

Once they were dealt with they could lure the droid into the trap.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya was uncertain about their odds, starting to wonder if it wouldn't be wise to retreat than to stay and fight. Sure, they were Jedi, but they weren't invincible. The thugs alone was one thing, but with the support of the droid? It became... more dangerous.

Not impossible, mind you, but more dangerous.

Okay, she said with a nod, letting a consolidation of green radiant energy hover over her palm. It was one of her first times using the techniques she had learned from the holocron, and she hoped it wouldn't fail her now.

Jun drew fire, and Vanya moved quickly, spinning out front behind one of the pillars and sending a beam of radiant energy directly into the chest of the man, smashing him back into the ground and scorching his chest as she did so.

She darted forward straight on its heels as one of the men was still recoiling from the shock of seeing his partner crisped up.

She used that opportunity to dive into the Essence, vanishing in a flash of green before reappearing behind the man in another flash. Her saber slashed as he spun, chopping his whole torso cleanly in two.

The droid, however, opened fire again, this time forcing Vanya to dive behind the cover of a nearby fallen pillar, flopping unceremoniously to the ground as she took cover, nearly shot to pieces by the attack.

@Apollyon

 

[K’Jun]

If it weren’t for the blaster fire raining down on him, Jun would have paused. He’d seen quite a bit since leaving the Matukai, hell he’d seen a lot before leaving them too. But mystical beams of light? Teleportation in puffs of smoke? Nah that was new.

That being said, Jun did appreciate how Vanya worked. A little bit of style. A tiny bit of flair. All without sacrificing efficiency. Not a bad way of dealing with things.

However, after she dealt with the those two, the final two tucked tail and bolted. They didn’t get far though, their own droid turned its repeating blaster into them. Jun flinched as it gunned the pair of them down. They definitely deserved it but it was still a rough way to go.

Then the blaster turned on them.

Jun threw himself from the initial firing zone. He crawled to cover behind a chunk of downed wall. And then he glanced to Vanya. “I’ll distract you get into position!” He called before waiting until she climbed up. Then counting to three and darting from position. Jun barely kept ahead of the droids’s firing arcs. He had to ensure he didn’t get hit.

But when he was around a corner, he heard the droid plodding along behind him. He knew it would soon be in Vayna’s grasp and his part of ambush would be over. Hopefully.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya watched as he darted out of cover like the mad man he was clearly proving to be, drawing the droid away and opening up for her.

Of course, the droid was smart enough not to draw to close to the position it knew she was hiding - it wasn't stupid, after all - but even after seeing it once, it was difficult for people to grasp teleportation.

And so Vanya exploited that.

Knowing that it would drain no small amount of her reserves to do it again, she leapt into the Force and appeared just behind the droid as it fired on Jun.

She didn't waste an instant. With two hands on her saber hilt, she slashed hard at the droid's waist, the thinnest part of its chassis and slashed cleanly through it in a single blow. Down it went into a bisected heap before Vanya put her saber through its "head" to stop it crawling around and swinging at her anymore.

Then, when she was content that there were no more enemies nearby, she plopped down onto the ground to catch her breath.

Well, kriff, I don't think I like this planet, she promptly blurted out.

@Apollyon

 

[K’Jun]

Jun had successfully played the worst game of tag in his life. The droid was down thanks to some more teleportation shenanigans from Vanya. He walked towards her as she plopped down to rest. He sat on the ruins of the pillar the droid had blasted apart.

“You’ll find not many people do.” He replied with a breathy chuckle. “Hard worlds raise hardier people.” Jun told her.

He’d fall silent for a while, his ears turning as he listened out for danger while Vanya took her rest. After a few minutes he’d stand and walk over to her, offering his hand to help her up.

“Neat tricks.” He said referring to her teleportation and the beam of light. “Seemed tiring though.” He pointed out.

Once she was ready he’d waltz over to the destroyed droid and tear its memory core from the chassis. It might have information regarding Katalyn or perhaps even the cult. Either way, it would work as a start.

“We need something to watch this on.” He stated as he idly tossed the core up and down in a hand. “There might be a few holo terminals in the next settlement. I doubt we’ll find much here.” He said as he looked around. “You good to travel or need more rest?”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya just grunted as he said that not many people liked this world. She was no stranger to dangerous living either, but this was so... different from Dathomir. And not in good ways.

She just sat there for a few minutes, scooting over to lean her back against another fallen pillar until he came over and offered his hand. She took it, and also took it to mean that it was time to "get going."

Thanks, it can be, she said. Particularly teleportation could end up being draining, but not so much that a few minutes rest didn't fix her back up.

No, I'm fine, she said, brushing off the need for more rest. She glanced down at the memory core and although she wasn't particularly technologically savvy, she had a basic understanding of how to plug things in.

Yeah, I don't think I have anything that will play that, she said, taking a look at it and guessing that it required some specialized - or at least not mundane - hardware.

Are the locals in the nearest town friendly? she asked. These raiders certainly weren't, and she was beginning to realize she had no idea what kind of a place this actually was.

@Apollyon

 

[K’Jun]

Jun gave her a nod as she took his hand and he helped her to her feet. One of his ears cocked away from her as he listened out for any other signs of an approach. His twin tails flicked with anticipation, he was ready to get out of here.

When Vanya made a comment on the droid’s memory core, Jun smirked. “Nah, neither do I.” He replied. “But the settlement we’re headed to? They got a droid chop shop, owner’ll have something we can use.” He explained. “So long as we got the moisture to pay with.” He said as he tugged out a cantina.

As they began their journey Vanya asked about their destination and if the locals would be friendly. Jun pulled his gaze from the horizon and down to her. “Yeah, for the most part.” He replied. “Most of em are just trying to by.” He shrugged. “They got enough on their minds without whatever else is going on here.”

Jun would trudge along in silence for a while. The only noise being the sound of crunching glass fragments beneath their feet. His mind was whirring back the fight that had just occurred. Those raiders brought numbers and fire support, it meant they were organized. Their types never got that organized. He wondered if it was another concerning symptoms of what was happening here. Eventually, he pushed it from his mind, they’d have the answers to those questions soon enough.

“Where’d you learn all your fancy tricks from?” He asked as nodded back towards the distant ruins.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya was... relatively reassured by his assessment that they wouldn't be attacked by the next village. She supposed it made sense that people out here were just scraping by. Theses days everyone was focused on planet-sacking abominations, galactic wars, and dying or chopped up Dark Lords, but the average citizen who wasn't on one of those crucial worlds... they were just experiencing another Tuesday. They didn't care about all the galactic happenings and they weren't worried about which Dark Lord was attacking which Dark Lord's territory.

Unfortunately, people who were "just trying to get by" often did things out of desperation.

She found it odd, though. The Matukai lived on this world and yet seemed to take no responsibility for it. She didn't expect them to be Jedi, but if they were truly servants of the Light they should feel at least some level of compassion for the people who lived here, right? Or at least a sense of duty and responsibility to protect the planet.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the question about where she had learned her skills.

I am a Nightsister as well as a Jedi. Such practices are common among my people, she said. People were generally spooked out when they heard the term "Nightsister" and she supposed she understood why. The words were usually followed by words like "witch" and other unpleasant terms if people knew what a Nightsister was at all. Vanya, however, saw herself as more druid than witch.

Why don't the Matukai do anything to protect this world? she asked. The other ones, I mean, she added, not meaning to offend him and clearly he was doing his part.

@Apollyon

 

[K’Jun]

”Nightsister and Jedi?” Jun asked with a quirked eyebrow. “Didn’t think those two things went hand in hand.” He continued before shrugging. “Regardless, glad you’re on my team and not against it.”

Then Vanya asked him a question he wasn’t quite expecting. She asked about the Matukai and why they let people just suffer. Jun’s ears fell back and he let out a small huff of a sigh.

“Look, the original idea wasn’t a bad shift.” He began. “Not too long ago there was a whole Empire of Sith, now those Sith say they’re Imperial Knights. Same thin‘, different name.” He continued. “The Matukai decided that the Kyber was the most important resource on Jedha and that it was their duty to the Light to ensure it didn’t fall into the wrong hands.” He explained. “Problem is, they focused too hard on the Kyber and forgot everythin’ else.” He glanced over to her. “They’re not bad…just most of em are lost is all.” He stated. “I’m hopin’ to show em and remind em how real warriors of the Light work.”

Jun continued walking as he spoke, they a while yet before they arrived at the first village. But Jun had something else on his mind. Namely the raiders.

“Raiders normally ain’t organized like that.” He told her. “Their brains are usually half baked. They’re lunatics that see people as walking water skins.” He explained. “But those guys? I’m thinkin’ somethin’s up and I’m not sure I’ll like what we find out.”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

That's because only those who pay homage to the Fanged Spirit have gone out into the galaxy and raised a bad name for us all. I intend to set that right, she said. Lofty goals, but ones she was already on track to accomplish.

Vanya couldn't help but agree with his take on what a real warrior was and could be. The Jedi needed allies these days, and if the Matukai could be convinced and changed for the better, then that was all the better.

I hope you can, she said with a reassuring smile and nod.

What do you mean? You think something more is behind this? she asked, wondering what he meant by the fact that they seemed more organized. The droid? she asked, wondering if it was that or something else.