Ask Vigil for Vergillia

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Virgillia, a planet located in the Outer Rim, was as off the radar as worlds could get. In a large way, that statement rang true day after day, with a nary a galactic citizen caring a lick for a place like this one.

The Jedi, on the other hand, made it their orbiting purpose to seek out those who needed help as much as respond to requests for it. A new mining colony had been set up only a month ago at the foot of a mountain range. Beacons activated, a request had come through to the Jedi for sentientarian aid.

The colonists had hit a snag, funding for their operations having dropped upon their sponsor having pulled out, but they themselves were reluctant to leave. They were just as reluctant to involve law enforcement in their needs, including the Sector Rangers, but would not go into detail of what those needs were.

Well, Vayla Mirana was one Jedi who had no mind to refuse the offer, nor the opportunity to uncover whatever secrets these miners might themselves be. Tagging with two others from her Order, her freighter, the Star’s Sanctum, touched down planetside and the ramp lowered.

The village seemed lifeless that morning, rather odd for a mining colony, and easy to notice this close to it. “All right, then,” Vayla nodded to her two companions in the hold. “Let’s go see how we can help these souls.” With that, she began to descend the ramp and make her way to those in need.


@logn2665 @LouJoVi

 

[Pêro Erval]

The Outer Rim was so far away from the Core Worlds that some of its planets were still simple colonies. The people in these places needed to struggle against several adversities to survive. Sometimes, these colonial efforts end up not working and the colonists were left behind by who was founding it. Alone, they need to fend themselves against several problems.

Recently, it happened with a new mining colony on the planet of Vergillia. The company funding it decided that it wasn’t profitable enough and cut the sponsoring, leaving several colonists there. Without anyone else to ask for help, they had contacted the Jedi Order.

Due to that, Pêro and other two Jedi were going to Vergillia. They were traveling on the freighter of one of them, the Pantoran Vayla Mirana. The G’weneen didn’t know these Knights very well, since he never interacted with them. Hopefully nothing problematic would happen with them during this mission. The colonists depended on their success.

After the ship landed, Pêro stopped at the ramp to look at the place. He could see the village in the distance, it was oddly silent. It was still day, there should be the sound of the machines at the mines and people walking on the streets. He felt in the Force that something wasn’t right.

Nodding at Vayla’s comment, Pêro followed her down the ramp of the ship. He had the feeling that these colonists would need all the help that the Jedi could offer. This could be his paranoia, but he really believed that there was something bad happening there.

@Die Shize @logn2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Virgillia. Tiberius had never been here before. That was one of the things that he enjoyed about being part of the Jedi order though, he had the opportunity to see the different corners of the galaxy. He had tried to research their destination but was unable to find much information regarding Virgillia. Instead he ended up sleeping for most of the trip.

Vayla had been kind enough to transport Tiberius and Pero in her freighter, the Star’s Sanctum. As they approached the mining colony Tiberius peered out to look down at their destination. The place looked sparse. There was no movement below. ”That’s odd.” he said in a low whisper to no one in particular. This mission was surrounded with mystery. The mission briefing details had been sparse. That mixed with the inactivity of the colony made Tiberius what they were about to get themselves into.

As they landed and the ramp of the Star’s Sanctum lower Tiberius stood from his seat and adjusted his Jedi Wanderer Robes. He followed the other two Jedi down the ramp and set foot on Virgillia. He looked around. There was not a soul in sight. "Looks like we’re going to have to find the souls before we can help them.” he said half joking, but also knowing that it was true.

Tiberius set off towards the town. Walking down the main thoroughfare he didn’t see a single person. It was like a ghost town. Had the whole colony up and left, or had something else happened?

@Die Shize @LouJoVi

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

Knight Fenric’s comment was not entirely inaccurate, even though Vayla did not acknowledge it outright. Her main concern was on the ghost town itself.

It had all the makings of life, with plumes of smoke from chimneys, operational machinery by warrant of spinning things, grazing livestock in a pen and much and more as the trio arrived.

“It is…awfully too quiet…indeed…” Between the three of them, however, it would take little effort to register no signs of life beyond those animals nearby. That does it. “Look sharp, Knights.” It was no command; Vayla was hardly the leader here, but encouraged no less.

Not being quick to withdraw her lightsaber hilt or anything, she kept her arms at her sides. She had come to this planet in white robes streaked in blue, hood up if for no other reason than to secure her hair against a mountainous wind.

“That building there appears to be the main hall.” Which meant the colony’s leader would operate out of there if not call it their personal quarters as well. “Might make an ideal place to start investigating. We could split up?”

Again, no leader of this trio would ask and would instead command, but these three Knights were equals. They also did well to remember that they had the Force at their fingertips; ‘sense’ and ‘sight’. Their initial investigation would surely lead to answers, however minimal.


@logn2665 @LouJoVi

 

[Pêro Erval]

Pêro rolled his eyes when he heard Tiberius half-joke. He didn’t tolerate this type of person that liked to make fun in moments that concentration and seriousness were necessary. The G’weneen really hoped that it wasn’t going to be something constant on this mission. If it was, the Knight was certain that he was going to want to join these lost souls.

While they approached the village, Pêro paid close attention to his surroundings. There wasn’t any trace of the colonists on the streets. If it wasn’t the livestock and how the buildings seemed to be new, the Knight would think that this place was some type of ghost town, coming directly from a holomovie.

The G’wenee used the Force, trying to sense if there was anyone hiding in the nearby buildings. There was nothing, they were completely alone in this place.This situation was really strange and he didn’t like that. Pêro brought his hand close to his lightsaber. At any signal of danger, he was prepared to activate it.

“I think that it's a good idea if we start at the main hall.” he said, while looking at said building. “It’s a big place, we can look around faster if each one covers a room. Depending on what we find there, we can split and search different parts of the village.” they needed to be fast and efficient, the colonists could be in danger.

@Die Shize @logn2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

“Sounds good.” Tiberius said in response to the suggestion of the other two Jedi. He began making his way to the main hall. The shadow of large mountains that contained the mines loomed over the building. Tiberius approached the doors of the main hall. He place a hand on the hilt of his lightsaber in preparation of what may be inside. He swung the door open slowly. “Hello?” he called into the building. There was no response.

Although larger than the domestic dwellings in the colony the main hall was not extravagant. The interior had plaster walls with wooden floors and wooden columns to up hold the roof. In the middle of the lobby was a large desk that Tiberius guessed was for reception. Branching off of the main lobby there were several doors leading to a variety of rooms. Off to the right there was a stair case that lead to a second floor.

Tiberius stepped through the doorway and looked around, scanning the new environment. He closed his eyes, reaching out with the force to try and sense any forms of life within this building. There was nothing. He opened his eyes and began to venture deeper into the building. He walked around to the other side of the reception desk. There were several stacks of papers each neatly organized. He thumbed through the stacks, but didn’t find anything useful. They were mostly ship manifests and invoices. The most recent one from a few days ago. “Looks like it was business as usual until recently.” He said looking up from the papers to his fellow knights. “Shall we split up, then?” he ask. “I’ll cover this side” He pointed over to his right (left as you walk into the building.) “Let’s meet back here in an hour if we don’t find anything.” With that he began walking off in his indicated direction

@Die Shize @LouJoVi

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

Vayla nodded at Pêro’s suggestion, glad that the notion was unanimous. What was no less so was everyone’s discovery that everyone in this village had, well, all but vanished. But where? When? How?

The questions possessed no answers, not yet anyway, as the Jedi trio entered the main hall. Vayla pulled her hood down, the lightsaber hilt at her waist having no need to come out to play just yet. Hopefully, not at all. At this rate, though, whatever happened to the villagers was probably not promising.

The information that Tiberius had stumbled upon confirmed how Lennix, the corporation that had sponsored and funded this mining campaign on Vergillia, had withdrawn quite recently. Vayla found no connections herself as to the real reasoning. It seems…rather sudden.

At the prompt to split up, she nodded. “I’ll take the second floor.” Though, it was indeed the main hall so Pêro could pick either floor himself. “Force guide us.” With that, she headed upstairs.

Down the hallway from the staircase, signs and arrows pointed to the lounge, clerk rooms, a conference room and records rooms and all such in between. Where to first? Reaching out with lungs and mind, Vayla breathed clarity and paced further along, heading toward the Manager’s Office.


@LouJoVi @logn2665

 

[Pêro Erval]

After his companions agreed to investigate the building, Pêro walked with them to the main hall. Like the rest of the village so far, there was no one inside it.Tiberius was the first one to start looking around. The G’weneen watched him approach the reception desk and study the papers and documents there.

While Tiberius did it, Pêro approached him. The desk was organized as if its owner would return to work there at any moment. There was no trace of a fight, not even a pen out of place. The documents that the other Jedi found confirm the information that the company had stopped giving support to the colony. However, it didn’t explain why they did it.

Pêro picked the documents that Tiberius had found and started to read them. “While they show the business that the colony administration did recently, there isn’t any explanation for why the company abandoned this place.” he said to his companions, while flicking through the papers. “Some of these manifests show that they started to import products without the mediation of this company. It only gives us the day that it stopped giving support to the colony. I wonder if all that could be related to the disappearance of the people.”

Not having anything more to look at this part of the main hall, the Jedi decided to split to search in the other parts of the building . “I agree. Be careful, the one that finds something should call for the others.” they could have felt nothing in the Force, but it wasn’t a reason for them to let their guard down. There could still be some type of trap.

“I’ll search in this direction.” he said, pointing toward his left, the opposite side to the one that TIberius had chosen. After doing it, Pêro walked to its direction. He maintained himself open to the Force, prepared to react if he felt something dangerous.

@Die Shize @logn2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

It was quiet over on this side of the main hall. The footsteps of his fellow Jedi had fainted as they all went their separate ways. His own footsteps seemed deafening as they echoed off the walls of the building. Coming to a narrow hall lined with doors, each with name plates beside it denoting what was in each room. Tiberius began to open each door in turn. First, he opened the custodial closet. As he suspected there was nothing in it except for cleaning supplies, but you never know what you might find.

He continued onto the next room. The name plate next to this one said “Office.” Tiberius pushed open the door. This room was larger than expected. It was filled with small cubicles that seemed to be used as work spaces for some of the colonists. Tiberius began walking through the room, inspecting the different cubicles. Everything seemed in order. As he passed one of the cubicles Tiberius noticed that there was a message still up on one of the computers. Tiberius leaned over to read the message. It was a message from the Lennix Corporation explaining that they were withdrawing financial support from the colony due to it not being profitable anymore. “Interesting.” Tiberius said quietly to himself. So there didn’t seem to be anything noteworthy. He continued on deeper in to the office room

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

The Manager’s Office, as one might expect, was locked. No matter, a Jedi Knight was nothing if not resourceful. So, Vayla knocked. Silence. Okay, Vay, not sure what you were hoping for there. Rolling her eyes, she broke entry, relying on less passive gifts.

There was no one inside, that much expected, though the room looked as clean as could be. Not too much, mind, given the kind of settlement she was in. There was an ornamental globe of the planet, scattered papers on the desk, a table sporting a bottle of whiskey with two glasses, one empty and the other half-filled. Hmm.

In line with what her fellow Knights had since deduced, this office looked like it had been abandoned all at once, without its owner actually packing up to leave. On the manager’s desk was a computer, and Vayla was not surprised to find that it was secured with a passcode.

Let’s see… She began typing keys. No, no, that won’t do. Again. Nope. One more time. Fat chance, Vay. Think again. Unfortunately, not even the powers of the Force would be enough to guess the password.

Sighing, she looked into the distance, which was about as far as a bookcase bearing that globe. She gave it a spin, nothing noteworthy, but just then noticed a datapad propped behind it. Unlike the computer, it was unlocked, and a few finger-swipes later revealed a message.

Damn Lennix. Damn them. They do this to us? After all this time? All this effort? All our SWEAT and BLOOD? They won’t get away with this! THEY WON’T! I’ll see to it. They’ll see. THEY’LL SEE. Then they’ll pay…

“Interesting…”


@LouJoVi @logn2665

 

[Pêro Erval]

After they split, Pêro walked toward the direction that he chose. It went to a part of the building where they used to store cleaning and mining equipment. Perhaps there could be some clue about the disappearance of the population there. The Knight also tried another time to search for any living being on the place by using the Force. However, beyond the two other Jedi, there was no one else there.

Pêro started to look around, in search of anything that could explain what happened with the people and to where they went. The place was well organized, there wasn’t even a small bit of dust. This organization showed that the colonists had taken care of this place until recently. Perhaps they even left this place in less than a day.

While he searched, Perô noticed in a corner a pile of closed boxes. Opening one of them, the Jedi stared at what was inside it with wide eyes. There were blasters inside it, the ones used by security teams. He wondered what this type of weapon was doing in a mining colony like this one. Perhaps the company could have left it behind.

Thinking that it could be a clue, the Knight went after his fellow Jedi. “I found something in the storage room that I want you two to see.” he would say after finding them. “There is a box full of blasters. What is a mining colony doing with it?”

@Die Shize @logn2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius continued to look through the office cubicles, but didn’t find anything that seemed like a lead. Although, he did find a few notes that had been passed between co-workers. Seems like there may have been an office romance. Tiberius became invested in the blossoming relationship in the notes, but unfortunately the last letter he found left him on a cliff hanger. He really wanted to know what happened to the couple, but it was back to business. He exited the office space and moved on to the next room. The name plate next to this room read “Training.” As he entered there were tables arranged in lines. All the tables had chairs that faced the front of the room which had a holo-display. Tiberius had barely set foot in the room when he heard Pero’s call. He backed out of the room and began retracing his steps.

Tiberius met Pero half way down the hall and followed him to the second floor where the duo would become a trio once again after retrieving Vayla. Pero would lead them to the room where he found the blasters stuffed into boxes. “It make sense that there would be some blasters here, right? I mean they would need some sort of security team.” He tried to reason why there were boxes filled with blasters. He opened two more boxes. “This seems a bit excessive though.” He pick up one of the fire arms and examined it.

@Die Shize @LouJoVi

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

On the way to her two companions, Vayla’s mind was preoccupied with the messages she had read on that datapad. The tone of text was quite clearly one of anger, even betrayal, rife with desperation as much as discontent.

The blasters that Knight Erval had found were, as Knight Fenric echoed, not all that unusual. The mining colony was otherwise out of the way, all on its own, so for the colonists to protect themselves with standard issue weapons was nothing if not obvious.

This much? Vayla echoed Tiberius. This kind? These weren’t standard issue blasters at all. “Troopers carry these,” the Knight observed while picking a blaster up to turn it this way and that way. Her speech would surely be its own echo as to the thoughts of her fellows.

“Of this faction or that nation. Either way, this is not merely miner material.” Where would miners slash colonists get weapons like these? Lennix, surely. A private military company of a corporation.

That observation, though, merely opened more doors to unexplored rooms. “It would make sense for a security force to store arms except…” Vayla looked left, looked right, more for effect than finding anything. “...Where is the security force?” Where in the world did everyone go?

She put the blaster back, offered the datapad she found in the Manager's Office. "Lennix pulled out, swiftly and surely, and these colonists did not take that well at all. The mining manager didn't leave much in this, entries cut short, but plainly he was upset by the turn of events."

@LouJoVi @logn2665

 

[Pêro Erval]

Like Pêro, the other two Jedi were also confused with the reason why a mining colony had so many blasters. While it would be normal for them to have something to defend themselves, even more after the Lennix company abandoned them, this model was still one used by the military. The G’wenee expected to see it being used by the army of the New Republic or of the ISC.

After Tiberius and Vayla said their opinions, Pêro agreed with the Pantoran. “Yes. If the company isn’t sponsoring this place anymore, there is no reason for them to have a security force here.” he doubted that Lennix would be so nice to protect this colony when they weren’t having any profit. It wasn’t something that a company would do.

“I also don’t think that they forgot these blasters there. They are expensive.” it would also be very stupid for the company to leave it behind. Being a weapon used by the military, it would not be easy to purchase. Beyond the price, it would also be the bureaucracy to allow these things to be used. Unless these weapons had an illegal origin.

When Vayla finished talking, Pêro could understand why the colonists were mad. They came here thinking that they would have a new and better life, but then their esponsor decided to abandon them. This would leave anyone furious and even wanting revenge. This thought made the Knight wide his eyes. “Do you think that colonists bought these weapons? They could be useful for revenge.”

@Die Shize @logn2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius looked around at the number of boxes containing blasters. “You’re right,” he began, addressing Pêro’s comment, “there’s too much money tied up in these blasters for a company to write it off as a loss when they pulled out.” He returned his gaze back to his fellow Jedi. “If what Vayla found is true. If mining manager is upset, and maybe a little off his rocker, I think revenge is definitely on the table.”

Just then a low rumble could be heard over head the steadily grew louder. Tiberius ran to the nearest window. Looking out towards the mountain where the mine was house a ship was descending. It looked to be a YT-2400. There were no markings on the ship to indicate any affiliation. The ship set down and the ramp began to lower. Descending the ramp were two a green skinned Rodians. Coming into view, approaching from the direction of the mines was a human followed by a forklift walker carrying a metal container. Was that Human a colonist?

It appeared that the Rodians were having a conversation with the human and then the forklift walker began to board the ship carrying its heavy looking load. “Do you guys see that?” Tiberius asked as he continued to watch the scene unfolding before him.

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

Vayla bit her lip, not wanting to consider what Pêro was proposing, but realizing the logic in it. It was cold logic, as so often it was when it came to reality.

Truth be told, she had come to this world expecting to help colonists with issues with their infrastructure, maybe the terrain or aggressive wildlife, or even pirates. But to help the colonists from themselves? That is another matter entirely.

That Tiberius agreed with this notion only made Vayla nod. Nothing was certain but the evidence was stacking up already. Benefit of the doubt, Vay. That has to be the way. Her thoughts were interrupted by the low rumble outside. The Jedi followed to the window, eager to observe what was clearly coming their way.

She observed attentively, making out the figures but straining to make out their purpose, their business. The ship was innocent enough, a standard freighter, but corporations tended to brand what was theirs with a logo to show it off.

“A deal, perhaps?” She surmised, voicing her thoughts aloud as much as her companion had. She didn’t want to stereotype the Rodians, having met her fair share of decent ones, but the way they looked around and held their blasters suggested otherwise.

“Whatever they are loading, and why, it does not appear to be business as usual.” Lennix was this colony’s business and that business had clearly concluded. “Take a closer look?” It was just as fruitful to see what happened next, though not all three Jedi had to be in the same spot.


@LouJoVi @logn2665

 

[Pêro Erval]

The possibility that these blasters could be used by vengeful colonists was disturbing. Pêro didn’t expect that they would find something like that on a mission that had started as one to offer aid to people with problems. If they were really planning revenge, they asking the help of the Order didn’t make sense. Were they thinking that the Jedi would help them? It was stupid.

As if wanting to make this mystery bigger, a low rumbling announced the arrival of a ship. Pêro watched Tiberius running to a window, to see what was happening. After Vayla approached the window to spy outside, the G’weneen did the same. He saw a ship landing and from inside it came two Rodians.

“Isn’t Lennix’s headquarters located on Rodia?” before coming there, Pêro had read what he could about the company, in an attempt to be prepared for anything that they could face. In an article that he found, this company was described as a rising one on Rodia. “Do you think that they work for it?”

Pêro nodded, agreeing with Vayla. “Yes, I think that we should approach them.” this was the best way for them to discover what was happening there. He wondered what could be inside the load, to make these Rodians come here. Probably it was something very valuable.

@Die Shize @logn2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius watched as the forklift walker descended the ramp of the ship and then returned with another metal container. “It’s possible they could work for Lennix.” Tiberius began in response to Pêro, “but there aren’t any markings on their ship, and the Rodian’s don’t appear to be wearing company affiliated uniforms.” He paused for a moment contemplating the scene.

Both of his fellow knights agreed that they should get a closer look. Regardless of his vote Tiberius was out numbered on this one. “Let’s go then.” He said pushing himself away from the window and beginning the short journey to the mystery ship

Tiberius exited through the main entrance and tried to stay close to the building to keep a low profile. The sun had started to set and while the sky was still illuminated with twilight hues the street lights had already come on. Tiberius was able to sneak almost to the edge of the landing zone where the scene of interest was unfolding. He hid behind a small bush. He could barely see though the branches and leaves to his point of interest.

“So how much longer are you going to keep this up?” said one Rodian who had a surprisingly deep voice that sounded like he had been smoking all his life. “Hard to say.” Replied the Human, “The boss says he won’t stop until Lennix pays up.” “Good luck with that.” The second Rodian replied. “We’ll be back same time next week.” He finished. The human nodded and the Rodians turned and headed up the ramp of their ship. The vessel roared to life and lifted off the surface of the planet before flying off and exiting the atmosphere. The Human turned and began heading back into the mines.

@LouJoVi @Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

It might have been just as prudent for at least one person to remain behind or, reversal, one to spy and two to stay, but the Jedi had to be one of mind in the moments that were passing by.

Unless that walker intended on carrying multiple loads, the trio might lose out on the opportunity to investigate. That ship surely wasn’t going to stick around forever.

Cautious of her movements, then, Vayla navigated from behind a building’s wall to crouch behind a crate. The view was not good so she shifted behind a large piece of machinery after breaking a Rodian’s line of sight. Much better.

From her position, she planned on approaching even closer to hear better, though would have to leave that to her counterpart as the ship began to depart. No matter, Tiberius briefed his team on the dialogue as Vayla pursed her lips.

“Well, I think that settles the debate as to whether those Rodians work for Lennix. I don’t always go with gut instinct but they may be 5S or a lesser criminal element. These miners sound desperate or daring, though both may be mutual.”

She thought of the Human who had reentered the mines, sighing as to what might lurk within. “I don’t think we’ll find much more out here, gentlemen. Those mines are surely filled with answers and our quarry awaits. Pun unintended.”


@LouJoVi @logn2665

 

[Pêro Erval]

What Tiberius said made sense. The ship that these Rodians used to arrive there had no marking that proved that it was property of the Lennix and they also didn’t have any uniform. The only other explanations that Pêro could give for their presence was that they were traders or criminals. He really hoped that the last one wasn’t true.

While the other two Jedi decided to approach the Rodians, Pêro decided to remain where he was and watch the scene from the window. He believed that so many people being close to these individuals could make them notice that they were being watched. Later, he could ask his fellow Knights what they heard.

From where he was, Pêro was able to see Tiberius hiding behind a bush, while Vayla moved to hide near some machinery. He was also able to see what was happening near the ship. The G’weneen saw the human using the walker to place several loads inside it. Once he finished, the transport soon departed, while the guy returned to the mines.

When he was certain that the human was far away, the G’weneen left the building and joined the other two Jedi. After Tiberius said what happened, Pêro grimaced. There were great chances that these individuals were criminals. Were the colonists so desperate to work with this type of people?

“I agree. We need to investigate what is happening at the mines.” he agreed with Vayla. So far, the only other sentient being that they saw went toward it. Going there was their only option, if they wanted to know what was happening. “We need to be careful. I don’t think that these people will be happy to see three Jedi.”

@Die Shize @logn2665