Ask Coruscant ARTIFICIAL GREED

[Krinn Nelthar]

As evening falls upon Coruscant...

He's admittedly a bit agitated, because for all of his time spent on this blasted, waterless planet, where the dry air tastes as artificial as the lighting, he hadn't found so much as a hint of the item he was looking for, the entire reason he had been so willing to risk piercing the heart of Republic territory. He had to sneak into the city on a public shuttle, had to roam through these loud speaking crowds that seemed to have no concept of personal space, and now Krinn was starting to doubt that the artifact even existed at all. Perhaps he had been set up, but for what purpose? More likely, it was just a lie spread into eager ears to inspire foolhardy actions, more tales for the pirates to spread through the ports that they traveled to.

The nautolan scoffs, a noise of displeasure. I'm a fool, he thinks bitterly to himself.

Night is falling, and he is tired. He can't sleep here, though. The risk of discovery was far too great. An enemy of the Republic caught unaware in the lower levels of Coruscant was bound to become an uncomfortable experience, and Krinn knew well enough that starting a fight here would just cause him more problems than he wanted to admit. That wasn't even mentioning how much more difficult it would be to get himself off the planet. He was stubborn, though. So entirely prideful and determined, so hungry for the thought of what power could be gained from this. Greedy.

Greed was a sin that he knew all too well, a sin that he cursed himself over. But changing one's nature is no simple matter, and the darkness that creeped through his veins always thirsted for more, more than he could ever take, but would do his best to try, regardless.

The sith appears grim as he strolls beneath the neon lighting of another shop. It's not one he's looking for, so he passes by without a glance. He'll need to find cover, a place he could nest in and hide over night. A less reputable establishment, perhaps. But he'd need to travel even lower into the bowels of Coruscant's maw for that. Eyes glow with a flash of frustration as Krinn pulls the dark hood of his shadowy robe further over his face. Perhaps he'd have better luck finding the artifact tomorrow. He knew it was foolish to hope, though. By this point, he was confident that the rumor had been just that, and nothing more. And the sooner he got off of this wretched hive of a planet, the better. He longed for greenery again. For chilled, salty seas that never failed to lull him into a sense of calm and peacefulness. His eyes close with the vision, and he lets out a breath of pained longing.

The Dark Side could be so very cruel, and his thirst for this object was getting in the way of his own needs. Addictions were no simple matter, however. The corruption that crawled beneath his skin had a hold that he would never break. At the very least, he could return to Imperial space soon, and find some manner of relaxation.

@logan2665 @Tiberius Fenric

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius had returned to the ecumenopolis. For some reason he kept ending up here. It was not his favorite place in the galaxy. He much preferred open plains with greenery and fresh air to the steel and concrete jungle that had little fresh air to speak of. Tiberius had returned to Coruscant to follow up on a tip that there was a darkside user roaming the streets of this city world. Not just any darksider though, it was believed to be a sith. Perhaps a spy for the empire gathering intel to assist in a surprise attack on the planet.

Tiberius had been on Coruscant for a few days now searching for his target. He had been meeting with his contacts who were feeding him information. He felt like he must be close now. He had discovered that the target was a nautolan. Now he knew the race he was looking for, but it would be like searching for a needle in a hay stack in the melting pot that was Coruscant.

As the knight navigated the dimly lit streets of the lower levels he wore his personal light armor concealed beneath a hooded jacket, and he wore a mask given to him by Emilia Vuth. He wore the signature weapon of his order beneath his jacket just under his armpit. Walking through the streets he passed by strung out spice addicts that had propped themselves up against various buildings. There were local ne’er-do-wells hanging out in the shadows of back alleys, waiting for an unsuspecting victim. The air down here was stale and had a certain smell about it that Tiberius hadn’t smelled anywhere else.

Tiberius rounded a corner and entered into one of the local bars. The establishment was packed. There were a variety of aliens inhabiting the bar and the tables that were dispersed throughout the large room. The air was thick and hazy with smoke and there was a band playing off to the side.

The knight moseyed up to the bar and got the attention of the bartender. “I’m looking for someone.” Tiberius stated. “You’re gonna have to give me more information than that kid.” The Bothan behind the counter spoke. “A nautolan.” Tiberius clarified. The Bothan considered the quandary before speaking up again. “I haven’t seen anyone like that in a few day.”

Beneath the mask Tiberius wore a slightly frustrated look on his face. He turned and examined the occupants in the building hoping to perhaps spot the nautolan himself. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he wanted to find the darksider. The sooner he found him the sooner Tiberius could get off this planet

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Something moves in the dusty shadows of a dimly lit alley, and a shard of frost pierces the nautolan's gut as his head snaps toward the source. His hearts race for but a few moments more, because this wasn't an attack. It was just a few addicts, lingering in the shade of a less reputable bar. Krinn could see the neon signs hanging over the doorway, just a few feet ahead. The addicts seemed to have no interest in bothering him, but the fright was certainly a wake up call. He wasn't usually a nervous creature so much as a cautious one, but being on Coruscant had had planted seeds of anxiety within his gnarled thoughts. The sith hadn't been sleeping, and while the force did provide, it could not replace one's needs entirely.

No, Krinn knew well enough what he needed. Water. Plants. Marine life. Off of this damned city planet where the air tasted like the metal of it's surrounding structures, bland and dry, and bitter. There's a taste of alcohol in the atmosphere too, detected from the breaths of those nearby, wafting outward from the bar that glowed with the crowded life that lurked within. Well, he had been looking for a place to lie low for the night, hadn't he? And he doubted he'd be bothered by anyone in here. The drunkards and the addicts were not usually interested in starting brawls with strangers, and considering the type of establishment that he was entering, he doubted anyone would try to mug him, either. One could assume that everyone inside was of the downtrodden type, and really, he was no different. His suffering was simply of a different mental state, though he wore it well enough, avoiding inebriation as a solution to his life's problems. He'd rather find a quiet corner to sit in, alone with his thoughts for the next several hours.

The nautolan pulls his hood down from his head as he enters the bar, entirely unconcerned as he peered around the room. There are a few at the bar, and several patrons seated around the main lobby. Cracked walls and flickering lights betray the poverty of this dusty place, and the smell in the sour air is far from pleasant. Krinn can't find any real reason to complain, though. Beggers couldn't be choosers, after all.

He approaches the bar, because perhaps he could grab a refreshment before finding a seat, but the moment his dark eyes lock with those of the attending Bothan, he knows something is very wrong. A threat of danger leaks tension into the atmosphere, and if Krinn had any hair on the back of his neck, it would no doubt be standing on end. He could already feel the prickling sensation of unease. The Bothan's eyes flicker toward another man at the bar, one who was clearly surveying the crowd. No, this hadn't been part of the plan. Krinn had no intentions of causing trouble, and it was evident enough that there was something so very off about the air in this place, about the eyes that followed him. Swallowing harshly, Krinn turns to leave, quick and quiet as he all but bolts back out of the front door and into the dimly lit street.

@Tiberius Fenric @logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

As Tiberius scanned the room he noticed a new character entered the bar. Green skin, tendrils on its head. It was a nautolan, but was it the right nautolan? Tiberius continued to move his head like he was scanning the room, but beneath the mask he kept his eyes on the new comer. He felt the tension in the air coming from the Bothan behind the counter. It was almost like he was expecting something to happen.

Almost as quickly as he had entered the nautolan slipped back out the front door. Without saying another word to the bartender Tiberius strode across the room to the front door. He pulled his hood up and nonchalantly exited the building trying to blend in. He stood beneath the neon sign that marked the bar and look both ways down the alley to see where the Nautolan had disappeared to.

The knight caught site of the target. The nautolan had gotten a head start and was already several meters away. Tiberius began casually walking in the same direction as the nautolan trying to keep him in his sites. He kept his distance so as not to raise the suspicions of the man. The Nautolan already seemed to be spooked judging by the way he exited the bar. Had someone tipped him off that someone was looking for him?

Tiberius picked up his pace trying not to lose the target in the dimly lit maze of streets that were the lower levels. His boots clicked softly against the concrete and steel beneath his feet as he walked. There was an occasional splash when his foot would find some kind of liquid that had pooled in the streets. *Where is he going?* the knight thought to himself as he continued to tail the green skinned alien.

The nautolan took a sharp left down an alley. Tiberius hurried and turned the corner himself. It was a dead end. The nautolan was trapped, unless he was an excellent climber or wanted to go through Tiberius. "What are you doing here?" The knight called down the alley to the other being. Tiberius caught sight of the maroon eyes of the nautolan. Perhaps a sign of corruption that plagued many darkside users? The knight kept his distance. He knew that a cornered animal would do anything to protect itself, and he assumed that it would be the same with this alien.

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Neon lights reflect off of dark, oily fluid that pools in the dim street. Krinn blows the foul taste of the air from his nose as he makes his way through the shadows, putting distance between himself and the bar. The faces of those that pass him by become a blur, as his focus shifts away from finding shelter, and more towards getting away from whatever the hell was causing him so much prickling unease. The atmosphere in that bar had been far too suffocating for his liking, not that it was much better in the streets.

The nautolan pulls his dark hood up again, concealing the green hue of his skull as he looks for some nook to hide within. At the very least, he needed time to himself to think. It was entirely possible that he had gotten nervous over nothing. Those addicts had spooked him too, after all. It was simply the stress of being on this planet, he thinks, so far from home. But even as he continues to move away, Krinn is all too aware that the sensation of discomfort he had felt inside the bar had never left. No, it appeared to be following him.

A frown contorts his maw, and there, just ahead, is the dark shadow of an alley. Perhaps an escape?

Krinn ducks into the alleyway the moment he rounds the corner, draped in the darkness that suddenly surrounds him. He pulls his robe tighter around his wiry frame, moving through the shadows with a well adapted low light vision. It really doesn't take long to realize that he had found himself at a dead end, though. Cornered like a womp rat, if he was, in fact, being followed.

The nautolan stares up at the wall he had found himself faced with, none too happy about the situation. It's the sound of another's boots that makes him whirl on his heels to face... ah. The man from the bar. Krinn's eyes narrow dangerously.

"Getting cornered by my stalker." The nautolan's answer is dry with displeasure as he answers the voice of the man, and the force that dances around them both is telling enough of how this situation might go.

The one type of person that Krinn had been trying to avoid since he got onto Coruscant, and now one was blocking the alley's only exit. His fingers twist in and out of nervous fists as he silently prepares himself for what would likely be a fight that he'd really rather not have to deal with. A part of him wanted to hope that the man had no idea what Krinn was, but the sith wasn't so foolish to entertain that idea. Neither of them were blind to the force.

"I wasn't intending to cause trouble." The nautolan states, his vocals soft, despite the tense air that surrounded them.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius stood at the entrance of the alley. There was a distinct smell of garbage down this way that assaulted the Jedi’s nostrils. Beneath the mask his face crinkled at the scent. The street light flickered above him as he stared down the Nautolan. He had finally found the target. It only took him a few days. A few days too long in his opinion.

“Ah, I see we have a captain here.” Tiberius began to reply to the Nautolan’s answer. “Captain obvious.” His tone was serious at a comment that otherwise would he would have said in jest. Tiberius was curious what this character was doing on this planet, but it seemed like he wasn’t going to give up that information quite that easy, though.

The nautolan seemed a little out of place here. The few nautolans that Tiberius had met seemed to prefer a more natural aesthetic rather than the ecumenopolis that the two beings now found themselves on.

There was also the question of who or what this being was affiliated with. Tiberius could sense a dark aura surrounding the alien. There was a rumor that he was a sith, but Tiberius didn’t know that for sure, at least not yet. The Force was used by many different organizations and religions across the galaxy. For instance, not too long ago Tiberius had help to take down a force using cult not far from where he currently stood.

“If you didn’t want to cause trouble, then why did you come here at all?” The jedi asked. The target was obviously not here just to sight see. He was here for a reason but why exactly was still unclear. Would the Nautolan give up his secret with more talk, or would this interaction descend into combat?

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Ah, it seemed they were both just as capable of dry sarcasm as the other. If Krinn had not been so grim, he might have cracked a thin smile at the words of the other man, but the situation had grown far too uncomfortable for him to find humor in the response of the force user that had cornered him in an alleyway. Right in the middle of Coruscant, no less.

Krinn can feel his thoughts churning wildly, like a raging river that floods through his mind in a torrent. How long would it take Coruscant's security forces to arrive on scene if he attacked? How long before a handful of Jedi appeared to shut down any fight he might have left within him? There were a great deal of questions he had, and so very few answers. An unfortunate situation, to be sure. He could fight, but it was a risk, not simply because he did not know the capabilities of this human, but because of the additional attention that a duel would very obviously cause.

The nautolan lets out an annoyed huffed, because he's trapped, and they both know it. Perhaps diplomacy would be the solution to this problem, then.

"My presence here is not immediately indicative of trouble. I'm merely visiting a friend. I had intended to relax tonight with a bit of drink. Had you not been there, I'd probably be in a stupor right about now." A lie, spoken smoothly, his displeasure mingling with the calm quiet of his confident vocals. "Is there any reason why I can't just leave right now? I don't even know who you are, or why you've cornered me here." Krinn is posturing, because he's committed no crimes here, and wouldn't have any sort of warrant. With that in mind, the Sith is hopeful that he can weasel his way out of... whatever this was meant to be.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius stood at there listening to the nautolan. He breathed in the stale air that flowed around him. The knight was curious why this alien didn’t just attack. Had he gotten the wrong person? No, of course not, how many nautolans could there be on this planet? The Nautolan finished his explanation, but there was something about this stranger’s story that just didn’t jive with Tiberius.

“If you’re just here to have drinks with a friend you have nothing to fear.” Tiberius began. “But the way you bolted out of that bar makes me think there’s a little more to your story.” The Jedi stared down the alley. The maroon eyes of the stranger stood out in the dim environment in which they were surrounded.

“I know what you are.” Tiberius said after a moments pause. “You’re a sith.” He actually didn’t know that for certain, but it was the best information he had to work with at the time. “As a jedi, I can’t just let you go.” It was true, with the aggressive expansion of the sith empire it was vital for the Jedi to stop those sith that they could. Besides, what if this nautolan had sensitive information that that he was going to pass on to his higher ups? Tiberius wouldn’t be able to live it down if it was found out that he had let this spy go and cause the fall of yet another planet into the hands of the sith.

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

He had been quite confident in his ability to weasel out of this encounter, but that sensation of premature victory would fade quickly enough. His eyes of dark maroon glow with the corruption of the dark as he peers upon Tiberius with a scowl of displeasure. Hearing his excuse shredded in the vocals of the other man, he knows well enough what to expect now. That didn't mean that Krinn would immediately devolve this into a hostile encounter. No, he was a man of cunning, or so he liked to think, and throwing sand in an enemy's eyes was never too low a blow for him. The nautolan could continue to lie, could deny being a Sith, but he knew that wouldn't matter. The Jedi, as he had admitted himself to be, intended to take him regardless, on suspicion alone.

A new tactic is in order.

Krinn finds himself pulling his dark robes tighter around his frame. He might at first appear to be reaching for a concealed weapon, and while he did have his saber hidden at his hip, that was not the case. The gesture was a nervous one, like a youngling hugging at their own chest, pulling a blanket tighter around their fragile forms as it that might protect them from harm. Cautiously, the wiry nautolan takes a few steps back, and he can sense the wall that rises to greet him without even looking. It was a purposeful move, one with intent that his anxious expression did not betray. He only needed an opening. One should be enough, brief as it might be, but for now, there was a game to be played. A game of chess, on a far more dangerous scale.

"I- No. Stop." The Sith's voice is as firm as ever, but there's a break. A crack in the daring, like a laceration through what might have been perceived as a simple mask of bravery. "I'm only an Acolyte." Krinn informs, as if it's a defeated admission, a desperate last plea in a voice far weaker than before. Another step back, and he's pinned firmly against the wall at last. It would do well enough as a surface to lunge off of, if the nautolan manages to snag a good opportunity. Though outwardly, he fidgeted with nervous concern and blatant discomfort, there is ice forming within his heart, a desperation fraying the edges of a patient mind. He's not going anywhere with this Jedi.

"Where-" He hesitates, drawing in a visible breath as if to steady himself. "Where are you going to take me?" The suspicion that mingles with what might have been panic appears all too genuine, but this was not a tactic that he had ever tried with a Jedi before. Nevertheless, with his portrayal of anxious submission, Krinn clings to the hope that the Knight will relax, will no longer see him as a threat. Will make a mistake. This is no typical nautolan. This was a snake, and he was lining up his fangs for a vicious strike. As much as he might try to avoid needless violence, the human had made himself clear as an enemy. An obstacle in Krinn's way. A pity it had to turn out like this.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Standing in the alley the street light above Tibeirus flickered again. “You cold?” The knight asked. He had noticed the odd mannerism of the nautolan pulling as his dark robe, almost like he was trying to wrap it tighter around himself. It would have been odd because Tiberius found that it was a bit warm down here on the lower levels.

The alien started squealing like a small child who just realized they were losing a game and wanted to change the rules in their favor. He was saying something about how he was an acolyte. Tiberius raised an eyebrow beneath the mask he wore. He knew how dangerous sith acolytes could be. He still bore the scar from his encounter with one on Ithor. Tiberius notice that the nautolan was slowly backing himself against the wall of the dead end. What could he be planning? Was he going to try and climb the walls to escape?

Tiberius took a couple steps towards the now confirmed sith. He stopped in his tracks though, there was still plenty of space between the two. The knight was thinking of what the nautolan had asked. Where was Tiberius going to take the sith? He had actually never captured a sith before. What was the protocol for this? The knight’s brow furrowed beneath his mask as he considered the answer to the question. Would he put him on a ship and then open the hatch and leave the creature in the vacuum of space? No, too cruel and not very jedi like. Maybe he would throw him in a Sarlacc pit? No, there were no sarlaccs around on Coruscant, and again, it wouldn’t be very nice for a jedi to do. Maybe he’d take him back to the Jedi temple on Yavin and turn him over to the Grandmaster. Yes, that seemed like the right answer. Besides, there was probably some secret branch of the order that Tiberius had no knowledge of that would mercilessly interrogate the poor sith.

Finally, Tiberius settled on his answer. “Don’t worry about it.” Was what he said. The knight took another step forward and stopped. “Why don’t you just drop your weapons and come with me?” He put his hands up like he was trying to calm a wild animal who was now cornered. The tensions in the air were increasing. The next few moments could either go very smoothly, or not so smoothly, and Tiberius was about to find out which it would be.

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

He won't respond to the question of whether or not he was cold, no, the nautolan merely offers an expression of nervous discomfort, blinking dark eyes that glistened in the dark. He's far more interested in the Knight's approach. Step for step, the two are brought closer. But isn't enough. He wants to cause as little a scene as he can, and the best way to do that was by taking the Jedi by surprise, before fleeing the alley and into the crowded streets. Krinn could not risk acting too soon, and judging by the space that still stretches between the two men, the nautolan can only assume that this Jedi was far from believing that the wiry alien was harmless.

The vague response of the other doesn't really matter, Krinn cared little for where the Jedi intended to take him. He didn't plan on going quietly, after all. But even as the Knight takes another step forward, it still isn't close enough.

The Nautolan isn't quite so concerned anymore, though. Unknowingly, perhaps, the Jedi had offered a plan B. They obviously weren't staying in the alley. No, the Knight intended to take him somewhere else. An additional opportunity for him to bolt, perhaps, if he was unable to find the perfect opening for a quick strike while his back was still against the wall. He was an opportunistic hunter, after all. And he was patient, even when his mind screamed at him to attack. Krinn could play the game for a bit longer if it meant he had a far greater chance of success.

"Okay. Just don't... attack me." The Sith's voice is quiet with acceptance, because after all, the game wasn't over yet. Clawed hands rise slowly, as Krinn keeps them in view of his newfound enemy. Gently, they pull at his dark robes, exposing the bare, muscled skin of his upper torso beneath, before they finally fit around the silvery hilt of a single lightsaber. He's thankful for the self control he does have, because Krinn does not ignite the vibrant red blade. Instead, he holds the weapon out, extending his arm toward Tiberius as if with uncertainty.

"I- uhh." The hesitation cracks at his vocals. "Do I really just... drop it?" Krinn sounds entirely clueless, and he wonders how much longer he can draw this out before the Knight becomes a bit more privy to his cunning intentions. If the Jedi makes an attempt to snatch the Sith's lightsaber away with the force, Krinn will not try to stop it. He did not intend to leave the blade behind when he made his surprise attack later, though.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

The nautolan seemed to be cooperating, albeit rather slowly. Tiberius nodded when the sith ask him not to attack. The knight wouldn’t make any promises, but as long as things continued going smoothly like they currently seemed to be there was no need for an attack. Beside, Tiberius almost always preferred not to be the one to initiate combat if it could be helped. He preferred assess his opponent’s combat before making a counter. As a result, he normally chose the darker pieces when playing chess if he was given the option.

The nautolan pulled back his dark robes exposing the green skin that covered his muscular physique. Tiberius caught sight of a glint that came from the silver hilt of the sith’s lightsaber. Tiberius watched cautiously as the green, clawed hands of the nautolan wrapped around the cylindrical hilt. As the sith pulled it away from his body Tiberius half expected him to ignite the weapon, but it was not so.

“You could.” Tiberius responded to the nautolan’s last question. “But I’ll hold onto it.” He stuck a hand out and, using the force, wrapped an invisible hand around the weapon. He pulled it towards himself. The silver cylinder flew through the air and made a slapping sound as it landed in the hand of the jedi. Tiberius clipped the sith’s blade to his belt.

The knight slowly began making his way closer to the nautolan. The jedi was still cautious on his approach. He knew that the sith were a wily bunch, and this one would be no different. For all Tiberius knew the nautolan could have more weapons on him. He closed the distance between them. “Alright, lets go.” Tiberius said as he wrapped a hand around the Nautolan’s arm and began to lead him out of the alley. The jedi used the force to feel any movement that the Nautolan might make that would indicate an attack. He didn’t want to be caught off guard.

Assuming the Nautolan went quietly Tiberius would lead the alien out of the alley and begin the journey to the transportation that would take them back to Yavin where the sith would be turned over to the proper authorities

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

He had expected the Jedi would use the force to snatch his saber away, and it took a great deal of self control to avoid launching himself at Tiberius then and there. Instead, the Nautolan lets his arms fall back to his side, watching the human through wide, dark eyes. He takes note of where his weapon is, clipped to the Jedi's belt. Standing rigid as the man makes his slow approach, Krinn feels anger burn as the fingers of the Jedi curled around his slender arm. But he is tolerant. And he can wait. For the next few moments, he remains cooperative, following the lead of his apparent captor in silence. The peace shattered rather explosively the moment they reached the corner of the alley.

He's quick, sudden, and in a blur of vicious retaliation, Krinn attempts to twist out of the Knight's grasp and slam his fist into the side of the man's skull. He was hoping that the force of the blow would send the Jedi crashing into the corner of the wall, perhaps with enough force to daze or even knock the human out. He only wants to get away, and he's entirely desperate to do so. Krinn had no desire to get into a full on lightsaber duel with this Jedi, especially not here. There were far too many eyes watching them.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

The two beings walked down the alley. They were surrounded by durasteel and concrete on three side with the only exit being straight in front of them. Tiberius was feeling rather proud of himself for capturing the sith with relative ease. Things were going much better than he had anticipated. Normally these types of encounters turned into lightsaber duals.

Maybe he had spoken too soon, though. They hand almost made it out of the alley when Tiberius felt the muscles of the nautolan’s arm tighten up beneath his fingers. The sith was quick and began twisting to escape Tiberius grip. The jed, unable to maintain a hold on the nautolan, relinquished his grip and he stumbled back a step.

The nautolan threw a punch, which Tibeirus felt coming and tried to dodge but the green fist made contact with the side of his face, knocking off his mask. The mask made a clattering sound as it hit the ground. Tiberius was dazed at first, but he quickly right himself. He thrust out his arms to send a force push at the sith assuming he hadn’t already turned the corner and ran off.

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

The punch connects, and he can hear the impact of it, can feel the vibration that runs up his rigid arm, the aching pain that blossoms within his knuckles. For a moment, the Jedi is stunned, and Krinn takes his opportunity while he has it. Reaching out with the force, he attempts to tear his lightsaber free from his opponent's belt, and bring back into his right hand. Successful or not, Tiberius is quick to recover, and a moment later, the Nautolan finds himself thrust off of his feet, struck by what might have felt like a solid wall. It's a force push from that blasted fool, and Krinn hits the opposite corner with rough expulsion of breath. His shoulder bore the brunt of the impact against the wall, and he knows well enough that it's going to hurt like hell in the morning, and probably turn all kinds of purple.

Gritting his sharp teeth, the Sith quickly rights himself, turning on his heel to bolt into the street, all too eager to try and get away from this mess.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

The force push made contact with the nautolan, but he was quick and was able to run away. While Tiberius had been dazed by the sith’s fist the nautolan had managed to pull his lightsaber away from Tiberius before running off.

Tiberius quickly made his way out of the alley and into the street to give chase, but not before picking of the mask that had been knocked off his face. He looked off in the direction that he had seen the green skinned alien go. He thought he could see him in the distance. The nautolan had a head start, but Tibeirus would do his best to catch up to him.

As Tiberius ran down the street in pursuit of the nautolan he wondered why the sith hadn’t taken the opportunity to try and strike down the jedi. He had met sith who claimed to have no qualms with the jedi, but they were few and far between, and given the chance, if they had been in the same situation as the nautolan, they likely would have reached by trying to kill Tiberius. Maybe this on was a coward.

Tiberius came to a fork in the road, he could either go left, or he could go right. He turned and looked both ways, but didn’t see any sign of the sith. However, there was a group of junkies leaning against a building. Tiberius asked them if they had seen a green nautolan in a dark robe. “He went that way.” They pointed to the right. “Thanks!” Tiberius turned and went to his right. He had no idea if those junkies had told him the truth, but it was the best lead he had right now. Off in the distance, about 10 meters away, Tiberius saw a darkly robed figure. The knight began running towards the figure.

Tag: @Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

All things considered, this was going well. He had his lightsaber back, and he had escaped into the dark streets, sprinting between structures that bathed him within dusty shadow. He doesn't hesitate to jerk around a street corner, nearly crashing into a couple as they exited some restaurant. The Sith spins around them and carries on, sweeping past a small group of civilians as they leaned back within the shadows of a wall.

Any other Sith might have seen the inhabitants as an opportunity. The Jedi did seem to find some enjoyment in saving lives, after all. He could use the civilians to his advantage, sacrifices for his escape. A simple thrust of the force could send them over the fast approaching edge of the level, plummeting to their death. Unless of course, that Jedi stopped to save them.

Krinn was not most Sith, though. Opportunistic as he might be, The Nautolan wasn't going to put innocent civilians in danger simply out of desperation alone. As grim a thought it may be, if the situation came down to being apprehended by that Knight, or potentially killing the locals to escape, Krinn would, perhaps reluctantly, accept his capture. He had enough weight on his shoulders already without butchering innocents. So, perhaps notably to the Jedi who he could sense was still chasing him, the Sith would pass harmlessly by the civilians he sprinted past. He was, in fact, actively avoiding them. Regardless, the Jedi appeared to be catching up, and Krinn desperately needed an escape. Certainly not another alley, no, he wasn't going to risk that. But straight ahead, the sudden drop off, where taxis, shuttles, and other craft descended or rose from the depths of Coruscant's many levels. It's dangerous. It's probably stupid.

Krinn does it anyways.

A taxi rests in wait upon the edge, and the Nautolan throws himself at it, tearing the navigation droid away from the controls. It lets out a confused noise as Krinn hastily reaches the dash and wraps his clawed hands around the thrusters. Within moments, he's airborne, lifting off over the drop that would mean certain death for any who plummet within. Whether or not the Jedi would attempt to make a leap for his stolen vehicle, the Sith did not yet know. If not, though, then he'd be quick to pilot it out of reach in an effort to flee the level entirely.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

The dark robed figure had been the nautolan. However, Tiberius was not quick enough. Tiberius continued running at the sith as he watched him tear the navigation droid out of the taxi and take control of it. The knight finally caught up to the nautolan and was about to reach out for the door handle of the vehicle when the speeder took off.

Tiberius quickly looked around and spotted another taxi. He ran over and hopped in. “Follow that speeder!” He said with urgency in his voice pointing at the speeder that the nautolan had just stolen. The speeder took off. “Can’t you go any fast?” Tiberius asked the droid piloting the vehicle. “That’ll cost you extra buddy.” Came the digitalized voice of the droid. “Yeah, sure. Whatever it takes.” Tiberius responded. “You got it boss.” The speeder went faster. Tiberius started to gain on the nautolan.

The speeder that Tiberius was in was now above and to the right of the speeder being piloted by the sith. Tiberius peered out, over the edge of his speeder to visualize his target. It was unclear if the nautolan knew that he was still being persued. If the alien was unaware of this fact he was about to find out the truth. “Thanks for the ride.” Tiberius said to the navigation droid. “Hey, what about….” Tiberius didn’t catch the rest of what the droid was saying as he had jumped out of his own speeder.

Assuming the nautolan didn’t interfere Tiberius would land squarely in the passenger seat. “Hello there.” He would say to the green skinned sith turning to greet him. The knight would then throw a series of three punches aimed at the Sith’s head. Maybe not the smartest idea he had ever had considering the nautolan was the one in control of the speeder right now, but maybe he could subdue the alien and gain control of the vehicle himself. I mean, it worked in all the holomovies he had watched, why not in real life, too?

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Oh, Jedi were persistent, weren't they? Annoyingly so. He had been hoping to leave that masked fool in the dust, but as he tears through the broad canals through Coruscant's many levels, he's suddenly aware of a presence streaking close behind him. The taxi shakes as Tiberius makes his leap down into the speeder's passenger seat, an annoyance, to be sure, and the cheeky greeting is far from welcome.

"You-" The hiss explodes past gritted teeth, intended to be an insult before the first punch strikes his skull. In the same moment, Krinn was twisting his torso to defend himself, raising his right arm to deflect the last two strikes that would no doubt leave discolored welts across the wiry limb.

"Persistent rat." The Nautolan snarls, and his left hand jerks at the controls as he fends off his opponent, sending the speeder banking sharply to the side and careening toward a nearby landing platform. The Sith manages to pull up to avoid slamming into a large cargo vessel, but the durasteel wall he's now racing toward seems a far less preferable option. Blasted Jedi was going to send them both into certain death.

"Idiot!" Krinn snaps, jerking his right arm back from it's defensive position, angling his palm with clear enough intent. The Nautolan attempts to force push Tiberius out of the speeder, in which he'd plummet to the landing platform below. "I didn't want to kill you."

It seemed the prospect of a full blown lightsaber duel was becoming increasingly more likely the longer the Jedi chose to pursue. At least if he could get his foe out of the taxi, he could swerve in time to avoid the wall, and hopefully speed away. If that failed, the Sith would have little choice but to abandon the speeder to it's fiery fate, and leap to the ground below.

@logan2665

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

It seemed that Tiberius had caught the sith off guard as evidenced by his first punch landing on the nautolan’s skull. The next two punches were blocked. Unfortunate, but not totally unexpected. There were some insults hurled at Tiberius, but he paid them no attention.

In blocking Tiberius’ attack the nautolan jerked the controls and sent the speeder on a collision course with a landing platform that was currently occupied by a large cargo vessel. The knight felt his head jerk around. “Watch where you’re going!” Tiberius exclaimed as if the two weren’t currently trying to kill each other.

The nautolan was clearly annoyed at the Jedi, understandably so. Tiberius caught sight of the sith moving his hands characteristic of one about to summon the Force. There was little time to react. The knight let out a grunt as he was hit by some unseen power that felt akin to landing a belly flop from the high dive. There wasn’t much room in the speeder, but Tiberius traveled back about a foot before hitting the edge of the speeder and flipping over the edge. Luckily he managed to grab onto the edge of the vehicle with his left hand.

With his right hand Tiberius summoned his lightsaber and ignited it. “I didn’t want to kill you either.” The knight stated as he slashed his blade along the length of the speeder as far as his arms would allow. He hoped that this would cause enough damage to render the vehicle inoperable.

The jedi then let go of the edge if the speeder and dropped, landing in the back seat of another taxi below. The current occupants of his new ride were obviously surprised by Tiberius arrival. “Sorry, could you drop me off over there?” He indicated the landing platform below. He kept his eyes on the nautolan’s speeder the entire time, watching to see what would happen.

The taxi dropped Tiberius off and the knight offered to pay for the entire ride as an apology for intruding. The taxi sped off and Tiberius was left of the platform watching to see what would become of the nautolan.

Tag: @Nevermourn