A Search For Droids

[Dune Tarn]

Nubia was a temperate world with a fledgling droid and technology manufacturing plant that nevertheless impressed countless masses across the galaxy with their quality. It was a bit of jewel among the industrial Core Worlds for maintaining much of the planet's natural beauty while still being an economic powerhouse. The serene landscape and vibrant plantlife on the planet would have ordinarily fascinated the Jedi Knight, Dune Tarn. The environmentally minded Jedi would have loved nothing more than to traverse the streams, catalogue the plantlife here, and bask in the sunlight in an open field. But, unfortunately, Dune was here for business today. Order business. And that meant no galavanting around, no matter how tempting the landscape was.

He was here to finish what his old, deceased friend, Shryke, had started. Shryke had begun the process of starting a new Jedi Temple on Teth. An ambitious effort, Shryke had unfortunately been slain by ruthless criminals while undergoing a rescue mission. This left Dune to finish establishing the Temple. So far, he had been doing okay with it and making new Jedi friends along the way. Together, he and a team had braved Nar Shaddaa and had convinced an old ex-Jedi to return to the Order and, more importantly, agree to be the head of this new Temple on Teth. However, Dune's task was not over yet. He knew that the Temple would have minimal amounts of trained, combat-ready Jedi - being mainly a place of haven for younger Jedi. While this would provide a good learning environment, it did run some risks and Dune wanted to make sure the Temple had some additional security so that the Jedi who were stationed there could focus solely on Temple maintenance and teaching.

Thus, he was brought to Nubia. Nubia was home to Industrial Automaton - a new but huge droid manufacturing firm. If Dune could convince them to let them lease out security droids for this new Temple, it would be massively helpful for this undertaking. Dune had told some of the Jedi who had accompanied him last mission (@One For Sorrow @Alejandrø77 @Aurius Pheonix @Alhon @anzat17 @Nastalle ) and had spread the word among the Order to see who might be interested in helping him negotiate but he had no idea who might actually show up.

A female Phindian executive was waiting outside the gates of the Industrial Automaton headquarters. She smiled politely as Dune told her that he was still waiting on some companions before he could begin the negotiations. He hoped desperately that they would arrive and also hoped that no other nefarious parties would have heard about these negotiations and try to disrupt them. The two security droids flanking the Phindian made him more reassured but he still kept his eyes and ears open.

 

[Alek Varsan]

Alek was glad to hear Dune, another Jedi that was with him during their last mission to find an old master. Ask him, and others to help further in rebuilding the new temple that he had heard about while in there first encounter. It surely made Alek feel better when he saw the wildlife of this world, since being from a remote world where wilderness was the primary sight. He walked, and took in what he could, knowing full well this was business. As they came to the factory that made security droids to see about obtaining a few, a woman was already waiting for them, with a few of the droids already with her. “They seem impressive at first glance, but I wonder how they really handle in a combat situation? I would guess they would handle well.” He said to himself, then taking off his dark grey hood. He had been in another location before coming to help Dune. He made the outfit change due to somthing of an experience that sort of changed Alek, but he kept that to himself, then waiting with Dune in the sunlight and fresh air for the others that were to meet with them.

 

[Gunner Stahl]

.

Crashing Jedi parties was always fun, especially to someone who honestly didn't give a rat's ass about conventions. But in all seriousness, the former commander had found himself on Nubia for similar reasons as the Jedi caravan that would be arriving shortly. He had learned of this new company, Industrial Automation, and thought that it would likely provide excellent investment opportunities if he could coerce the right people of course. Naturally, he had already spoken to certain executives about power moves within the structure of the company and found that while it was new, there was considerable turmoil brewing within the ranks. Always an opportunist, the shadowguard would seize upon this vulnerability in their corporate structure so that perhaps the company would swing in favor of the Empire. After all, he could offer them more money, and the prestige of working with the most decorated faction in the galaxy.

All that stopped him, were those with a bit of exceedingly morality; those that opposed them based on beliefs, it was sad really, as when you believe too much in a cause, it always betrayed you. Such fate would inevitably fall on someone today.

It was then as the Jedi were approaching the gates, Gunner had already managed to sneak into the corporate headquarters. He was dressed in an ebony durasteel and duraplast interwoven armor, no insignia of any kind to determine allegiance. His crouched figure was settled besides an open storage closet window, holding the Aggressor LRA sniper rifle in his hands. On his back was strapped his signature Devastator carbine while twin blaster pistols slung on the hips, and a collapsible vibro-blade on his waist. Smoke grenades x 2 and Flash grenade x 1 were also located on his breast plate along with ample additional ammunition packs.

The assassination mission would be simple enough, high value targets were always easily identified. Pay was also hazardly generous in most cases, this should be no exception. Cybernetic eye closed while his natural right eye peered through the rifle's 8x Scope. A wicked smile came to his lips, "You are one ugly son of a B___", he stated jokingly. He took a deep breath inwards, finger slowly creeping over the trigger as he proceeded to take steady aim. He was in no location that was visible to any Jedi or security personnel, but perhaps if someone was extensively observant, they would be able to identify an unnatural glare coming from the window.

Spoiler: OOC

I understand this is an Open Thread, so death / capture disabled, I'm game for any Jedi who wants to engage in some cinemetic PvP with my character.

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Tynian]

Tynian approached the Droid facility... Dune had put out the word that he would possibly need assistance in the negotiations with the Industrial Automaton Group, and Tynian was more than happy to answer. He wasn't all that familiar with the negotiation process and was primarily there more to learn how the Jedi handled such things, and if needed he would give his opinion on the subject as best as he could.
As he neared the entrance to the facility, he saw Dune and Alek standing outside. He quickened his pace slightly and when he got within a few meters he smiled in greeting. "Well met brothers. I hope the day finds you both well and I pray the day will end favorably for all involved." He then looked at Dune, "I appreciate the invite to all this. I will help in any way I can."

 

[Kane]

Kane had been happy to respond when he had gotten Dune's message, the continuation of the mission to build a new temple was exciting to the old Crusader.

He wore his armor under his brown cloak, his lightsaber on his belt. He had a bad feeling as he neared the group and -hidden under the cloak so that nobody could see- took his saber into his hand.

My friends i believe we are being watched, or even targetted

He sent telepathically to all the assembled Jedi. He was happy to see Tynian had answered the call but felt that there was no time to properly greet anyone thanks to that suspicious glint in the window.

"Someone is up in that window, possibly armed.

He sort of gestured through the force, indicating the window he was refferring to without letting on to the observer that he knew where they were.

He was ready for anything that came from the potential aggressor and since he had done all of his alerting through use of the force noone but the Jedi would know that he had done anything.

"Oh I imagine they handle just fine."

He said, partially as an outward greeting as he reached Dune's side and partially to not appear suspicious as the only Jedi not talking.

 

[Aliyah Phoenix]

-The Firebird's Daughter-
​

Aliyah looked down from her heightened position to see the gathering of Jedi below her, and a single black spot above the adjacent rooftop. Unfortunately, Venatus Phoenix had died in battle on Manaan, spending his final moments locked against the Dark Lord himself... trying to save as many people as he could. So, she's come in his place. The Phoenix of Vahla had promised to help restore a temple, or build a new one, she wasn't entirely sure. But she did know that her father had given his word, and since she was the Phoenix now, it was her word too. Of course, just like she'd been taught, she strayed far away from the main group, and scouted rooftop and street before joining up with them. It was a standard scout's fair, her father had always told her that it was better to go in looking suspicious, and catch an enemy by surprise... than to charge in guns blazing.

"I see that we have the whole gang, then."

She leapt from her current rooftop onto another, slightly shorter building that overlooked where her Jedi friends stood. She could pick up on Kane's signal through the force, and tapped her commlink twice in response. It would ping the Jedi below where she was, and basically inform them they were covered. Aliyah wanted to handle this personally... it was a familiar presence, she felt, one that she knew in her heart wasn't evil. But that didn't mean she could let him hurt her knights, now did it? She didn't reply through the force, just in case Gunner was force sensitive, he could pick up on her presence if she dropped the shielding around it.

I really don't wanna hurt you. Don't give me a reason...

She unclipped one of her paired lightsabers from her belt, and jumped gracefully yet again, arcing downwards and landing behind the Imperial. Normally, the landing would make a ruckus and give away her position instantly, but she was trained in the arts of stealth and the Force. She landed as softly as a feather, pulling into a gentle and silent roll into the shadows. Making sure she was hidden from view, she snuck up along the edge of cover, willing her eyes to begin crackling and exhausting a stunning white flame. The girl didn't bother to hide, clearly standing up straight and staring down at the man, letting the full force of the powers at her command swirl around her. To see a girl dancing around fire was not strange, but fire danced around the limbs of this uncommon mage. The flames, not her usual blue, were far more powerful in this state, and could do things this Lieutenant had no way to comprehend.

"Gunner, hun, what the kriff are you doing?"

@Fantasy Liver @Alejandrø77 @Nastalle @One For Sorrow @Faded Truth

 

[Alek Varsan]

Alek had picked up the signal through the force, “Really, I wonder who the poor soul here targeting us is.” He thought to himself. Alek has his fair share of being hunted, it was nothing new and would never be the first or last time it happened. This annoyed Alek in the least, he had been on a solo journy for a period of time to get away. But instead of what happened somthing was different about him, somthing he would rather not share until he could talk to the right person “Venatus would know, the time I knew him he really understood where I stood on things, and was wise in his words.” He thought, and ran a hand through his short black hair as he watched the meeting over the droids take place, he could feel himself and the force connect in the way he had only felt once before. Next a small spark came from his right hand at his side barely anything noticeable at all “Calm yourself Alek, clear the mind and focus, remember what could happen” He half thought to himself as he remembered the words of an old friend. He then takes further notice to the droids to really get details of them, as to how they were equipped. So he would focus and wait to see what would next unfold, so he may react accordingly. “It always ends in a fight it seems.... maybe that’s just my luck” he thought.

 

[Dune Tarn]

"Thank you all for coming. Venatus would have been proud." Dune said gratefully, remembering how skilled the late Jedi Master had been while fighting alongside with him at that cantina on the Spacer's Moon. With all of the dead Jedi over the years recently, particularly of the Phoenix himself, Tarn was still moved that the Order could mobilize so many and so willing people to aid him in this quest. Some in the Order weren't overly fond of the idea of starting a new Temple, thinking that such resources, time, and credits should go towards military matters or archiving. Each had their place but Dune's instincts told him that this place would be a beacon of hope to all Jedi and the old Devaronian had survived too many decades as a Jedi to not trust his instincts at this point.

"Stay calm." he whispered into his commlink to those tapped into his channel, his old soldiering instincts taking over his normally shy demeanor.

"Aliyah (@Autumn's Firefly ), if you can take him on alone, do it quietly. Making these executives think that doing business with the Jedi will bring down assassins upon them is exactly the impression we're not trying to give. If you need backup, one of us can go help you. Those of you not with Aliyah, come with me to these negotiations. Honestly, speaking to a group of strangers terrifies me more than an assassin." Dune said in the comm. He put on a professional smile, smoothed out the nice robes he had worn for today and shook the Phindian executive's hands.

"Welcome Master Jedi." she smiled at him, leading him to the conference room.

"Thank you but I'm not quite a Master. These are my associates. I hope we can find an arrangement that will be beneficial to both of us." Dune smiled. The Phindian nodded as she started walking towards the conference room. Once her back was turned, he commed to all the Jedi who were choosing to engage the assassin.

"Keep it quiet, whatever you do!" he hissed.

@Alek Varsan

 

[Alek Varsan]

Alek snapped out of his thought, givin now the choice to either help with the assassin, or talk about a deal for the droids needed. Givin little thought Alek started off to assist with the assassin, “Never liked long business meetings much, don’t worry Dune I’ll try to help keep this as quiet as possible.” Hoping not to many would follow him, knowing this would stir up questions. Splitting off from the main group Alek was Starting to try and find out where exactly the assassin was, with the basic location from the com he knew where to start but that being a way off, it would take time to actually find his way to them. “Once again not knowing exactly where to go, just like life I suppose full of surprises, but I’d like to keep that to a minimum.” He thought to himself, “last surprise I had ended in near getting myself killed.” He said in a whisper, going back to some old ruins he had explored not to long ago. Turned his mind to other that may be tagging along, then slowing down a bit to turn to see if anyone was coming to assist

 

[Gunner Stahl]

.

Gunner had kept his reticle aimed on the prized target, determined to succeed in objective above all else, irrespective of cost. He took extra precautions to make sure that the rear entry way into the floor he was settled in was secured against intruders. He did not anticipate any company at that moment, at least not until he had made his presence fully known after assassination. However, the familiar voice brought a wide smile to his face though he did not turn to face the twi'lek Jedi, instead eyes still focused through the scope of his sniper rifle.

Aliyah and Gunner had an interesting relationship, and she could likely sense he had been conflicted about his feelings towards her in their previous rendezvous when they met in the jungles of a foreign land in search of the same individual. Such solace felt like centuries ago and while they had not kept in touch, oddly enough, he could share in her painful current emotional state. "The same reason you are here my dear...purpose...do not worry, I will bring no harm to any of your fellow Jedi. However, a poor leader cannot be kept in charge of a pivotal company now can they?" He said with a sarcastic tone. It was at this very moment, that the daughter of Venatus Phoenix would realize the true target of Gunner's deployment. He was not here to kill any of the Jedi, he was here to assassinate the Phindian executive. And so, since Aliyah made no move against him and as the Jedi were too pre-occupied in worrying about their own hides, the deadly shadowguard took sheer advantage of this small window of opportunity. His reflexes were too fast, faster than Aliyah could react to stop him physically or even with her force abilities as he had trained his aim on the Phindian this whole time while never leaving sight.

Two powerful sniper bolts shot forth, each of them travelling with significant velocity and aimed with deadly precision on their designated target. They sailed faster than any of the rudimentary knights could comprehend and stop. If one attempted to intervene, they would most likely place themselves in harm's way. They could not save the executive without being willing to take a hit themselves, knowing full well that the Aggressor LRA Rifle with its medium impact rounds would likely bleed through armor and burn flesh underneath for a catastrophic injury.

As he finished the attack, he now shifted his full focus towards the twi'lek, allowing the rifle to dangle at his side as he appeared to make no aggression towards her. No, instead she could feel his emotions and affection growing for her, as his armored figure moved closer. "I've missed you.." He said bluntly. @Autumn's Firefly

@Nastalle @One For Sorrow @Fantasy Liver @Alejandrø77

 

[Aliyah Phoenix]

Spoiler: Visual

-The Firebird's Daughter-
​

His reply was kind, if not a bit teasing. The instant he mentioned that a poor leader could not be kept in charge of a company, her heart ran cold and she instinctively reached out with the immense powers at her command. They needed that executive to live, otherwise Knight Tarn would have now way to negotiate the deal for the supplies they needed. Perhaps the company would send a second representative, but she somehow sincerely doubted that they'd be willing to continue negotiations after their leader was assassinated. Although it might reflect better on the Jedi if they moved to intercept, as even an Aggressor rifle could have it's bolt reflected. Nonetheless, her abilities reached through the air between them as Gunner exhaled and the bolt began to fire. Time slowed to an almost halt as adrenaline hit her system, seizing the second blaster bolt as it fired and holding it in stasis. Her teeth gritted, her arm began to shake gently. She's begun to coalesce her force powers but moments before in preparation to hold something in stasis - she just hadn't realized it would be plasma.

This is a LOT more tiring than I expected....

"Gah! Hmmmmm. Don't touch him, just.... help with this bolt..."

Aliyah had enjoyed this Imperial's company on the forest world. Fighting off predators and breaking into compounds for scum of the Galaxy was a favorite pastime of hers. However, her father had promised the Knights here that he would help them complete whatever task they deemed necessary. Now, that promise fell to her as the Phoenix of Vahla, and she would see it through until the end. No matter how they felt about each other, the Phindian Executive needed to live, at least for the duration of this meeting. Had Gunner came even a day after, she probably couldn't have cared less, that wasn't her business nor would she have interfered. But Aliyah was here on official business today, which meant it was her place to interfere, and she'd do her job as a Jedi first. Then worry about whatever exactly this was afterwards. She appreciated that her fellow Knights weren't the target, because that would not have been good for either of them.

"It's... not our place to decide... who lives or dies. You know that."

Her words were snappy and honest, but soft and caring. His moral compass was a little skewed, but she knew he was a good man... or at least, she had to believe that the good man she'd met was still in there. She could seem him bleeding through as he said he'd missed her. But his actions, the cold logical thinking that assassination was acceptable unless under extreme circumstances - that was a trademark of the Dark Side. Her sister had thought the same way, and it was for that reason they'd nearly killed each other in a brutal fight, both leaving the field bruised and broken within and without. The young Twi'lek didn't want that happening here. If Alek helped her with holding the bolt down, he would need to use a great deal of his concentration, but she would immediately begin to turn the plasma around and either absorb it with Tutaminis or send it careening harmlessly into the building wall.

"Hah... hah... yea, long time no see. Please don't try that again."

@Fantasy Liver @Alejandrø77 @Nastalle @One For Sorrow @Faded Truth

 

[Tynian]

Tynian stood and watched as Dune shook the executive’s hand.
He was already on alert when Kane had sensed that they were being watched and Dune instructed someone named Aliyah to go investigate the visitor quietly...and the tingling in the back of his mind wasn’t going away, which usually indicated something was about to go wrong.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught the glimpse of a blaster bolt heading in their direction... actually it was moving more toward Dune and the executive.

So on instinct he force pushed them both and hopefully out of the path of the bolt... It only happened in a split second, so he really didn’t have time to pinpoint the direction of the push, But he did manage to control it enough to where they didn’t go flying against the far wall.. it most likely would just knock them over.

It all happened in a blur.. Tynian force pushed Dune and the executive and the blaster bolt came in... luckily it didn’t find it’s true mark, but it did hit the woman in the right shoulder as she fell to the ground...
She screamed in pain and clutched at her shoulder...Tynian then in one motion pulled his lightsaber out, ignited it and stood guard over the two as he faced the direction the bolt came from, just in case another one was coming... “Make sure she’s alright Dune, and get her out of here.” he said as he scanned the windows for any sign of movement.


@One For Sorrow

 

[Kane]

Kane whirled at the sound of blaster fire from the window he had seen the glint in, whipping his cloak away and activating his lightsaber. He held it up and clipped the bolt as Tynian shoved dune anf the executive, causing the hit to the executive's shoulder to be a mere graze rather than anything damaging.

He immediately took up a defensive position with his back to Dune and the exectutive as he faced the window and saw the second bolt hanging in mid air. This Aliyah was clearly good. He kept his saber moving to make blocking any firther bolts easier and growled over his shoulder to Dune

"Well this got fun fast. Let's get our friend inside and hopefully conclude these negotiations, I assume there will be some form of security coming soon."

Kane knew this attack could very well sabotage the meeting then and there, however he was hopeful that the quick action of the Jedi present would make the execitive more likely to work with them.

 

[Dune Tarn]

“Come! Call whatever medic that you have on staff.” Dune said brusquely, not wanting to play around in a life or death scenario. He picked up the woman and started dashing towards the executive board room that they’d been heading to anyways.

“Sorry, ma’am. We have our best people on whoever fired that bolt. Some saboteur scum probably. Possibly Exile.” Dune said awkwardly, trying to reassure the woman that she and the rest of Industrial Automaton had nothing to fear from doing business with the Jedi. Needless to say, it wasn’t going swimmingly.

“If we have a healer, we could use one.” he said over the comm, trusting that a company as rich as Industrial Automaton had a capable medical staff but not wanting to take that risk.

 

[Gunner Stahl]

.

Gunner couldn't help but muster up a wicked snicker that drew across his face, albeit concealed from the visage of his mask as he saw the first shot injured his target while the other was seemingly suspended in air. Was he pleased that he failed to deliver the death blow? Of course he wasn't, but to see all Jedi in a panicked frenzy was also equally satisfying. He slowly drew his eye away from the scope of the sniper, rising to a full height as he turned to face the twi'lek Jedi. Sniper rifle was held in his right grasp which he quickly released, tossing the firearm to the side as he approached closer to Aliyah.

The experienced knight would sense that while she had interfered in his operation, he seemingly held no discontent towards her, rather a mirage of conflicting emotions including affection and adoration which for the time being seemed to heavily cloak any dislike he would have for her based on pure faction allegiance alone. In fact, this may have been just a ploy for him to see her. "You know just as well as I do, that loyalty to a cause will inevitably led the cause to betray you.." As he moved closer, he didn't care that she had a ring of fire entrenched around her body, for today he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Left arm slipped at her side for an embrace as the right hand slowly cupped at her cheek affectionately. Whispering in her ear, his few moments of time alone with her were disturbed as he heard the arrival of the second Jedi. "I'm sorry dear, but whichever kindness I extend to you, you cannot expect that from me towards others.."

Quickly and without hesitation, he removed himself from her touch, rushing past the door and leaped over a side-beam onto the platform underneath them. Left hand engaged a smoke bomb as he hurled it behind him at the path he came from, ensuring that if Aliyah were to pursue him, she would be blocked by a billow of grey smoke. He didn't need her attempting to change his mind or turn him for worse. A little part of him, also didn't want her to be judged for her feelings towards him. For now, they would keep this their secret. With a cloud of grey smoke clouding his armored figure, he slowly advanced towards the entry door, intercepting Alek Varsan's arrival (@Alejandrø77 ). The infamous shadowguard tilted his head into an arrogant angle as he and the Jedi crossed paths, standing roughly 7 meters away from each other. "Young Jedi, what a fortunate day for you...you get to die a hero.." He smirked darkly, right hand floating around the hilt of his side-arm blaster while a serrated vibroknife drew into his left. Pressing a button, the blade began to vibrate relentlessly, singing with a deathly hum which could be heard by any in the vicinity.

@Autumn's Firefly @Fantasy Liver @Nastalle @One For Sorrow

 

[Alek Varsan]

Alek had been searching for the assassin for some time to no avail, then seeing the shots fired from a building tward the droid factory Alek paused and looked as the bolt entered. “Who ever this is better pray that didn’t injure anyone!” He said in a hushed angered tone. Again a few sparks came off the young knights hands then fading once again, now looking at them he heard the dark voice that had become a bother to him ever since the time a few weeks back from some old ruins he had explored “Why do you fight it, The call of power?” Alek snapped out of it a moment later “I won’t let this control my actions, a Jedi must have control over himself.” Then entering smoke surrounded him, unable to see he closed his eyes to sense anyone around him. A figure in front of him “I see you, but the smoke was a good idea.” Alek was young so he always had somthing smart to say now unhooking one of his sabers from his belt the blue blade ignited being held in his right hand. “I don’t know who you are, but I’m Alek, not like you care but your kinda Messing with some important buissnes, and I’m in no mood for games at the moment so...... I’ll give you a chance to come quietly if not then we are going to have a problem.” Alek stood there waiting for in the smoke for anything the assassin would try waiting to see just what he was up against. It had been a while since he had a good fight, looked like he had finally found one. Pulling off his outer grey robing he stood at the ready to engage the enemy at hand ready to do anything to stop the threat.