HoloNet News Coruscant Jedi Master Arrested!

[Trys Aran]

It hadn’t been long since the public had begun to panic about lightsaber wielding criminals across the galaxy. The Ranger Chief had made an address to reassure them that action would be taken, and that was exactly what was happening. Trys had been assigned to lead the cases around the Arcanist, and that only led to further investigations into both sides of the ‘Force Users’.

Trys was in her uniform, standing behind a podium. She was in front of a room of reporters, though she didn’t look nearly as uncomfortable as she felt. This was the first time she was giving a press conference, and as the arresting officer it fell on her.Cameras were flashing, and she gazed ahead as she had been told. Once the crowds calmed down, she began to speak.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” She started, “As you know, the Sector Rangers have been hard at work following up on any leads on these individuals deemed potentially dangerous and using unnatural powers and lightsabers. Last night, the Rangers have arrested a man called Oren Zapa, who has identified himself as a Jedi Master.”

The room began to react at once, and Trys knew she had to keep going on, “He has been detained due to his violent actions against individuals in the lower districts of Coruscant. Furthermore, we are currently investigating his connections to the death of the Naboo noble diplomat Asteria Thule. We have reasons to believe that he has been working in concert with the masked criminal also seen associating with The Arcanist.”

Trys paused for a moment, looking at the camera with a stern expression, “We are working to uncover the key differences between the red saber wielding terrorists and the Jedi. Regardless, Jedi or not, all citizens are to abide by the laws and jurisdiction in place for the planet they are on. Oren Zappa had completely disregarded Coruscant laws and had applied his own vigilante justice. Actions like these are enough to profile a Jedi to be no different than a criminal operating on their own agenda. I implore the Jedi to take a lesson from this and understand the precedent being set to the general public by your actions. No one is above the law."

At this point it was obvious that the Jedi had taken another major blow to their reputation. The public would never stand with people that operated by their own set of rules, even if the ultimate goal was something good.

“We will continue to work diligently on unearthing more about the terrorist organizations that wield the red sabers,” Trys followed up, “At this point we can confirm that it is not simply an individual such as the Arcanist, but a group of organized criminals. The Rangers will not rest unless we bring all perpetrators to justice. We ask you to stand with us and assist us if you have any information or leads at all. Thank you.”


OOC: Open to reactions only!

 

[Nashyr Ris]

Nash watched the holo broadcast... and sighed.

"...You moron," she sighed, rubbing her brow with a palm. As Trys' voice continued, Nash listened, taking another long drink of water, and watching.

She figured their actions would have consequences, but she hadn't quite anticipated that Oren would take the fall. She thought about the key incidents of Naboo and Coruscant, and stretched out a hand for her holopad.

"Guess it's time to start talking to a local Ranger..." she groaned inwardly. As someone who worked once with Hutts and under the law, she really wasn't looking forward to doing this. But if it was to improve the reputation of the Jedi... she was all for it.

They protected her butt so far, it was the least she could do. She had to do something; sitting by and letting things take their course was never her thing. Briefly his face flashed before her eyes... and she felt a small twinge in her chest.

...Guess it was time for justice. The lawful way.

 

[Juniper]

There was a lot of excitement around the Temple. Something was up. Nara needed to know what it was. Distracted from cleaning up some droid parts, she headed out of her dorm and into a more public area. She noticed a few other Jedi huddling round, watching the broadcast on the screen. Some Sector Ranger was talking behind a podium, in a uniform so uptight it made Nara nervous.

Then she said his name.

Nara's jaw dropped as she said they'd arrested Oren. Master Oren. Her master. The idea of it seemed stupid. How could someone like her arrest her master? He was... wise and strong and good, and then Starched-Shirt up there just walked on over and arrested him...

She felt her cheeks hot up. Her nails dug into her palms as she felt the anger rising. Whatever management techniques she'd been learning seemed a little inadequate now as she stood there, glaring up at the screen. He'd been the one person that'd brought her into this life. The one who talked to her, listened to her, looked out for her. The one who, when she wanted to run off and forget about the Jedi, brought her back and shown her the way.

It didn't help that she felt eyes on her. She was his padawan, after all. Surely everyone else knew it.

"You stupid bunch of f....." she growled, feeling pathetic and stupid and weak. The one person who'd shown her kindness, the one person who'd taught her, the one person who'd made her feel like she could be more than she was... and he could be gone.

She turned on her heel and stomped straight out, looking around. She was going to find whatever smug, senior-looking Jedi she could find and shout at them. Scream at them. She'd tear down every door in that stupid, old temple if she had to.

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Max was working in one of the camps on Eriadu when someone had urged him to come and check out the news. Slightly annoyed at being taken away from the relief effort for the 6 oclock news of all things, Max didn't let the emotion show as he allowed himself to be moved over to the holo.

Of course then he actually saw the news.

The first thing he thought was rather simplistic.

Oren you bloody idiot.

But hey, sometimes initial reactions were brief like that. He rubbed a hand through his beard as he considered the news. Jedi who were here with him looked to him for guidance and the civilians they were helping watched him for a reaction. They all wanted to know what would happen now that one of the Jedi was being treated as a criminal.

"I know Oren - he helped get clean water flowing here if you recall. I am certain that these charges against him are not true and that the justice system will see this." he declared before adding, "But should Oren have committed these crimes then he will, of course, be subject to the laws. No one is above the law."

No one.

"The work here will continue but I will be travelling to Coruscant myself to help in this investigation."

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel stood absolutely motionless as she watched the broadcast on the screen above her. As the other Jedi in the room turned and started talking to each other in hushed voices she couldn't even look away from the display. It's not possible. She thought to herself, her antennae making the smallest twitch. They're lying. They have to be. Master Zapan was one of the kindest Jedi she knew. Of all the teachers she had encountered he most embodied the ideals of Jedi compassion as far as she was concerned. So how could they be accusing him of such things?

Things were spiraling out of control, everyday that had passed just seemed to be bringing more and more bad news. As the fear began to rise in her she looked around the crowd briefly before turning and walking away. No more meditation. She thought, her fear turning to anger. No more meetings. No more discussing what to do. We have to do something before... She tried not to think about what might happen to the Jedi Master that had saved her life on Ifrane. She had to act. She had to. Certainly there would be those feeling the same. She had to find her fellow Padawans…

 

[Mila Tesara]

It had taken time and effort, but Mila believed she had found the next site to investigate for potential dark sider activity. This work as of late had become something of a fixation of hers, because the truth of the matter was that she just couldn't ignore a mystery when it was presented in front of her. She had the Holotransmitor running just to have something on just for background noise, but a thing name caught her ear, and caused her to drop everything she was doing. Oren.

She set her datapad down and moved to the device, as....she couldn't have heard the right. Arrested? She played the message back, and a long sigh came from her lips. That man had a knack for trouble. Even by his lonesome he was managing to get himself into trouble. There was a bit of concern she had for her friend of course, but worrying about his plight wasn't going to get him back any sooner. The Rangers were still looking for information, trying to find a reason to trust the order, which meant the sooner they revealed the Sith, the sooner Oren could be set free; least in theory. Mila took a moment to gather her thoughts, then went back to work. This was about more than solving a mystery now, this was about helping friend. Things were progressing far quicker than she initially had planned.

If Oren was in prison, were the jedi to be viewed as targets? Were they now all wanted simply because of a mix up? What had the man been doing to get himself wrapped up in such an ordeal? It was quite terrible truth be told, and the more Mila thought on it, the worse she felt about it. Chaos but Harmony, she reminded herself, as the force was clearly at work. She was just rather curious where this trail would lead; hopefully to Oren being found innocent.

 

[Lilith Vye]

Lilith sat in a chair on her ship the Rain, staring at a screen when the news flickered on. It was not long until she was mentioned in it, causing her to shuffle uncomfortably, despite this being the goal. She'd purposely been outlandish in order to put more pressure on the Jedi Order, to nurture the seeds of distrust planted throughout the galaxy by her master. Still, it'd take time to get use to seeing herself on the holonews.

Encountering the Jedi Master had not been in the plans however, but she managed to both defeat and frame him for murder. She was only a Sith apprentice, yet the Dark Side had given her that strength. Her master had been right, the Light Side truly was weaker. The Jedi truly misguided. Her belief in the Sith doctrine was only embolden by the Jedi's words and shortsightedness.

Yet... the warmth of his embrace... the kindness he showed towards her in the face of it all. It was hard not to think about it. Hard to stop playing over and over in her mind. Hard not to question some of her base beliefs of life. Was his kindness real? Was there hope for her? Did it matter now? There was no going back.

What she did know was all of this made her feel slightly more dependent on her master. And that unwanted attachment only stirred the inner turmoil and paranoia that plagued her. Because without a doubt, she had only pulled this off because of his training in the arcane and clandestine.

But she needed to move past all this conflict, because this was only one step. She had many, many more plans for the Jedi.

 

[Zarine Bashere]

Zarine was back on Carannia, Serenno's capital being the easiest place to get lost in the crowd and go fishing for information. She had made her way to one of the open air markets that were set up across the city, one of the few places a beggar like her could freely move about and not seem out of place. There were being of much higher standing than her, and those who seemed to be way worse off than her in the crowd. Here no one cared who you were, as long as you had the credits. Whether you earned then picking pockets, working behind a desk, or collecting alms, it didn't matter.

She was in the process of picking her next meal when the large holodisplays that were scattered across the square suddenly switched from whatever random junk they were trying to sell to the same broadcast. Must be something important if it was getting cast on all screens. But she quickly realized that they were not all showing the same channel, different news channels seemed to be broadcasting the same interview. Intriguing.

What followed was even more so. As the woman on the screen continued speaking, Zarine opened herself up to the Force, taking in the reactions of those around her. Many didn't care, what did the actions of beings lightyears away matter to them. But many did care, and their reactions were a surprise to her. She had always assumed that the average citizen held the Jedi in a somewhat positive light, the few that actually believed in them. But as the broadcast went on she noticed something surprising.

There was surprise, shock at what the Jedi seemed to have done. There was also disbelief, and fear, and...even anger and disgust.

Typical, a little power and it goes to their head!

Damn poodoo Jedi, I knew this would happen.

That's right, lock em up!

The vitriol, even if not universal, surprised her. This was not something she had expected. She watched the broadcast through to the end, and began walking through the walk, taking in more of the crowd's reaction, sensing some indifference, some disbelief, and some outrage. Picking up her lunch, she started walking back towards her spot outside the spaceport. She would have some thinking as she sat through the rest of her shift.

A violent Jedi, how wonderful!

 

[Duke Winters]

Duke sat at a bar on Naboo, a bottle in his hand as he raised it to his lips. He had just been transferred to the planet and was discovering what a place like it had to offer compared to Nar Shaddaa. He was enjoying the peace, so far not a single patron had pulled out a weapon in order to collect money or because someone looked at them wrong. Duke could get used to this. From one of the holos in the corner, a loud and catchy tune started to play to catch eye one's attention as words went across the screen: Breaking News!

When the screen faded, it revealed Trys behind the podium, striking and intimidating in her full uniform. Standing behind the podium fit her well as she seemed like a natural and he wouldn't be surprised if he started to see more behind it from here on out. Duke was surprised, his gaze locked to the screen as he was wondered what this was. As she spoke, her words came out strong and carried weight but he still almost couldn't believe what he was hearing, she arrested a Jedi for breaking the law? When he met a Jedi, his name was Drow and he met him with Trys too. Drow tried to help them with their investigation and now Trys was arresting one of them and declaring none were above the law. The whole situation made him chuckle to himself and he wondered how things flipped like this.

Either way, It was a success for the Rangers and Duke needed some good news to hear from the past week he had been dealing with. He raised his grass to the holo and to Trys who was still answering questions, "Nice job, Trys. Keep taking names" She had captured one Jedi and that was a good start but there was still more out there like the Arcanist that needed to be apprehended. With the death of the diplomat at his new home as well, he had some work cut out for him but tonight it seemed like a celebration. Duke slapped the today and turned around to face the rest of the bar, "Next rounds on me!" They all cheered in delight before cashing in on his words.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak was beginning to accept that he was always going to be a mixed mess of emotions about virtually everything. This broadcast was no different. It had great news, terrible news, and terrifying news. He watched the footage aboard the Nomad and quickly decided that he needed some wine to keep mulling this over.

He rubbed his temple as he thought about all the implications of what he'd just watched for the fifth time.

Okay, let's take stock, he thought to himself, beginning to run through the different things that had happened. He didn't know what Lilith was doing there killing people with a Jedi, but he knew he wanted answers about that. It was added to the to-do list.

He wasn't thrilled to see that it was Trys heading up the investigation into saber wielders, and that she'd now broadcast herself across the galaxy and put a target on her back. What was she thinking? He sighed in frustration, fist clenching around his wine glass. I need to talk to her, too, he thought to himself. It was added to the to-do list.

And the Arcanist is getting heat for this, but that heat was also blatantly associated with the Jedi. His alias was doing work even when he wasn't in it. This was the good news that seemed to spread even more disinformation. Although Trys then went on to undermine it by talking about a difference between the Jedi and "red blades." Kriffffff, he thought as he rubbed his face and sat down on the couch. This was going to get complicated. Talak's multiple lives he was balancing were getting dangerous, and he knew that if he made even a single misstep it could cost dearly.

But the Jedi have isolated themselves, he muttered. It was the reality that was most beneficial to the Sith Eternal. Truth be told, however, Talak was developing a rather divergent view from the rest of the Sith. They needed to operate covertly, but maintaining the illusion that there wasn't a dark side group out there wasn't going to last. Especially not now that Trys had declared they weren't Jedi.

We need to adapt to the times, he thought, but again, he wasn't so sure the Eternal would see it that way. But if he were being honest - and this wasn't something he was willing to voice outside his own mind - he didn't trust the Eternal. Its goals didn't add up and its appearance and existence were a conundrum. Even thinking the thought sent a chill down his spine as he felt he might be found out before he was ready.

You've put a target on your back, Trys, he said quietly, shaking his head and taking another drink. You need contingencies, Talak. How are you going to handle this if the worst happens, he thought to himself. And he knew precisely what he'd be doing with the rest of his week.

 

[Oren Zapan]

"Step up, come on keep moving.." The food smelled like bantha dung, and the workers behind the counter were just about as friendly as the criminals on the other side. Oren was simply one of many criminals in the sea of orange that congregated within the mess hall of the correctional facility.

The Jedi master quickly learned that there were rules to prison life, certain gangs hated the others, but were okay with these ones. This species had a blood feud with that. It was all tiring and rather senseless in his mind, they were all stuck in this miserable and drab setting, with dim lights and stale food, how could any of them have any energy to really fight?

Oren was sitting alone at his table, munching away at mush. His lone brow eye shifting up to peer towards a Rutanian would slide into the seat across from him, his large eyes blinking as the insect hissed, "I heard..the guards talking about youzzz....sayzz..you're a wizard...."

Oren would raise a brow slightly, "Seems news spreads fast in the core," a soft smile would form on his face, "You probably shouldn't associate with me Yars, I'm not well liked in these parts." The Jedi would think back to the day he injured those thugs. He had done it out of protection, but still it was a broken law.

He wondered about the others, the Jedi, and most importantly his padawan and the implications that this had to place on her young shoulders. He didn't want it to be like this, he wanted to be back at the swamp on Ajan Kloss with the Centennial Convor slowly drowing, just the two of them away from the world. His mind would drift, focusing back on that girl on Naboo--the one that scarred him across his face. There's still good in you...I know there is.

 

[Hannibal Grayza]

He gasped, barely able to breath. His chest hurt, his face flushed. He tried to force himself to inhale, wheezing slightly as he did. Was it true? Oren got arrested? How could this be!?

"Bwahahahahahahaha!" Laughing almost uncontrollably in the middle of a bar on Nar Shaddaa, the man just couldn't help himself. To think that Oren of all people, a Jedi who Hannibal had looked at as fairly orthodox and by the book, had gotten himself arrested. On charges of assault and even potentially murder, no less! It was probably some legal bullshit, he had no doubt. Oren didn't seem the type to snap and go off attacking people or murdering Naboo nobility. In fairness, the Jedi weren't the law, as Hannibal himself frequently tried to point out.

Apparently Oren didn't get that lesson as a padawan. Hannibal finally managed to tone his laughter down to the occasional chuckle, wetting his throat with some kind of mixed drink. This situation was going require some fixing. Doubtless another meeting was going to be called. Damn Jedi and their damn meeting. He was beginning to think they were a committee at this point. Sighing, he stood up and paid for his drinks at the bar. He stepped outside and mounted his speeder, rumbling off back to his ship. Might as well get a head start on the meeting. Maybe he could spend the time writing some good one-liners or building a "First Jedi Arrested!" award for when Oren got out while he waited.

 

[Ezekiel Nier]

Ezekiel was in the medbay of the Temple on Ajan Kloss, recovering from the horrific injuries he'd sustained while on Yavin. The gashes and stabs had been covered in bandages, his left eye covered in a patch as it was now useless from the claws of the Dark Side apparition he and Knight Kraud had managed to defeat. Worst of all had been the loss of his voice, his throat having been injured yet not having had the more critical parts damaged. Small blessings, in this case. Still, he wasn't feeling very well at all right now. Despite the painkillers he had been given, he still felt an odd kind of phantom pain from the deeper and more vicious cuts and stabs. It woke him up from trying to rest, like it had down, and almost seemed to throb with the malevolence of the being that had caused them.

That was when he saw the broadcast, just watching silently as he heard that one of the more well known Jedi had been arrested. The crimes shocked him, not having thought any Jedi were supposed to be even close to such situations. Then he realized that with the Dark Side he had come across, Ez could easily find himself in the same problems if an assignment went badly. His thoughts began to race, wondering if this kind of thing was common, if he could get arrested or even executed for doing what he thought was right. He didn't know many of the details, but in his injured and depressed state of mind he filled in the blanks with the worst options possible. He started to cry silently, laying back down on the bed and covering himself with the blanket. This was all starting to get too much, his mind too confused about what to do or what his place even was. All he knew at the moment was that he was scared he was doing the wrong thing and that he'd end up accidentally hurting people or making them afraid.

 

[Orion Shattou]

Orion Shattou would be sitting in a Cantina in the harbour of Corellia. His white blindfold tight across his face as his black hood came up over his white silver hair that trickled his bandages covering his eyes. A cigarra burning off the corner of his lips as his eerie, creepy smile like always was spread out across his face through every emotion he ever had. The Holonot broadcasting the capture of a Jedi Master. His body stayed still as he took a long drag of his cigarra and watched through the force. Most of the Cantina went quiet as they tuned in. The Sith Eternal had a corellian whiskey on the tabletop as the outside windows were getting absolutely pelted by the downpour of rain in the harbor. Figures would be shuffling about their business outside in the background trying to get out of the rain as the Neon signs in the Cantina would buzz slightly in the idle background. There seemed more to this story then one was said Orion figured. The Jedi once again looking like fools.

"Interesting.."

He mumbled to himself as he let his free hand come up and take a sip of his whiskey before setting it back down on the table. As the holonet ended off with a promise and a threat to the Jedi from the Sector rangers, Orions creepy smirk stayed the same as he took a long drag of his cigarra before flicking it off and exhaling the smoke. The smoke ascending over his face and hood as he stood up as the cantina became live with noise and debating again from card tables to peoples political debates over the whole situation. Making his way to the door he would open it feeling the rain come pouring down the top of his robing and dripping off the hoods edge before his creepy smile was all that could be seen under the dark hood. "Seems like blood will be spilled soon." his monotone cold voice trailing off as he walked into the dark downpour of the rain and soon disappeared.

 

[The Eternal]

Even in the far reaches of the Unknown Region, the Eternal followed what its assets did. The work of the Arcanist and this "associate" seemed to have successfully diverted attention toward the Jedi, and the news about a Jedi Master's arrest was a good thing, but it paled in comparison to the rest of the news report. Two sentences stood out to the Eternal above any of the others.

We are working to uncover the key differences between the red saber wielding terrorists and the Jedi.... We will continue to work diligently on unearthing more about the terrorist organizations that wield the red sabers.

They knew that there was a difference and they shouldn't have. Only the Jedi should have known. For all the efforts of the Sith Eternal to remain in the dark and away from the attention of the wider galaxy it was now on a public broadcast that there was something out there besides the Jedi.

Rage and icy death seemed to surround the Eternal. If there had been another being in the room it would have had its soul rent from its body in the rage, subsumed by the intense hunger.

A crack ran through the solid duracrete floor as the Force closed in like a vice grip and the entire Sith Eternal headquarters began to rumble as if shaken by an earthquake. It was a monumental testament to the power that lay within this single individual and the full depths that the dark side ran into this world.

A gauntleted fist slammed down on the data console's comlink and even the digitized voice wasn't enough to hide the pure, acidic hatred behind the words.

Bring me Sector Ranger Trys Aran. Alive, it hissed. The word would go out from there to everyone in the Sith Eternal. Every Guardian and Legionnaire, Warden and Champion. Whoever brought that woman to the Eternal would be handsomely rewarded.

The Eternal needed to know what she knew. Then it would shred her mind apart and stuff its own dark sorcery back inside. Then the puppet of Trys Aran would carry the investigation away from the Eternal's growing army.

 

[Naeva Rue]

Office of the Prime Minister, Coruscant​

To those tuned in to tonight’s HoloNet news broadcast, their screens would now show the familiar face of Free Worlds Alliance Prime Minister Naeva Rue. The Togruta was dressed simply, and her face betrayed no hint of emotion. Rather, a politician’s practiced façade of nonchalance was the mask she wore for this broadcast. Her desk was cleared of papers or anything that might distract viewers from the message she was about to deliver. Moments ago, she had been on a call with Chief Douglas Hudson of Sector Rangers fame, and now it was her turn to speak to the citizens of the Core and Inner Rim.

”Citizens of the Free Worlds,” she began, wasting no time before getting into the message, ”We find ourselves in trying times. Murders have inexplicably risen and now myth has turned to reality regarding masked killers wielding lightsabers. I wish I could provide you with answers as to the reasons why these terrorists have yet eluded justice, but I cannot.” She paused for a moment to take a breath before continuing, staring into the camera droid and, hopefully, into the eyes of billions of her constituents.

”What I can provide you, though, is safety. Effective immediately, the Sector Rangers and Coruscant Security Forces will integrate fully and grant our industrious law enforcement agents with planetary federal authority. Additionally, funding for the Sector Rangers will increase, thereby adding to their resources and facilities. The threat of these Force users is grave, and the safety of our citizens is paramount.” She paused again, allowing the viewers to digest this new information.

”I will not stand idly by while my people are threatened by these lightsaber-wielding terrorists. As such, the Free Worlds Alliance will be fully cooperating with the Sector Rangers and will supply any forces or resources necessary to ensure the containment of these Force users and aid in their investigations. No one is above the law indeed, and I can promise you with conviction that there will be justice for those murdered senselessly.” The Jedi, and any who thought themselves to be above the law thanks to their vile powers, were now treading a very fine line, and it would take immense effort for the Order to not find itself on the wrong end of the law.

”It is the duty of every citizen to be alert for these terrorists and evildoers. Remember, if you see something, say something. Law enforcement agents will be increasing their patrols of the many sectors on Coruscant; do not be afraid to approach them if you have information regarding these killers. Have a good evening, and stay safe.” With that, the camera droid shut off, returning to the news for that night. It was the duty of the citizenry and now more influential Sector Rangers to police their worlds to ensure safety and freedom for all, and these new policies would ensure that.

 

[Roland Rook]

He was still in the Core. He was staying for the delegate meeting with the Jedi. It felt odd to be around too much city. So he had decided to find a drink that had a name consisting of its ingredients and nothing else. Anything more than that felt too, pedantic.

Eventually finding his way to a bar that he had been to on a few occasions when he made the trip to Coruscant. "Nice to see you again Genee" The bartender droid slid in front of him. "Whiskey and...coke." Roland grabbed a straw from one of the counter top dispensers and plopped it into the glass as it was served.

Turning his cross visored helmet he heard the news, recognizing the recently familiarized voice of Trys Aran. The Mandalorian used the straw to sip his drink while watching. Underneath his face was an expression of interest. "Well...this'll be interesting."

As the broadcast continued, and so did his drinks, a new message came through from the Free World Alliance Prime Minister. Politics could be boring at times, but this was not one of those times. Not when what he was watching was directly related to his work. But now it seemed the Sector Rangers were getting more funding. Even in the bar he was not able to escape work. Who are you kidding. You love your job. He sat at the bar and ordered another drink. He had a feeling that in the days to come there would be a lot of late nights of coffee rather than alcohol. He was going to get it in while he could and enjoy what little isolation he could get on a planet covered in city.

 

[Zentripoli]

The small alien played the broadcast once, another time, and then a final time. While Zentripoli had already heard the words, he was now dissecting syntax, tone, and mood of the message. One person could convey so much in the span of seconds by body language, intensity of the words, and the temperature of the message. While most of the time, such information was valuable, that mattered little to the Columi In this instance. This time, it was not so much understanding the messenger, but the message itself…and how it could be used to the Five Syndicates advantage.

Zentripoli’s small fingers steepled together as the message ruminated with him. To the Columi, this represented ripe opportunity for the Crymorah Syndicate. While he was also operating to advance the cause of the Five Syndicates, the Columi was also keenly aware that five criminal syndicates working together with a common cause would only last so long. The diminutive alien would advance the cause of the families of the Crymorah Syndicate under the guise of cooperation and advancement of the Five Syndicates. Such would have to be the way of things...

To Zentripoli, this chaos with the Jedi was an opportunity that could not be ignored. With all eyes on the “laser sword” wielders of the galaxy, Zentripoli and the Five Syndicates would also rally to this fabricated banner of justice, giving the appearance of cooperation in extinguishing this new threat. In fact, these new “enemies” would be the perfect scapegoat for their own nefarious plans. Tapping his small fingers together, the small criminal mastermind looked over at a map of Hutt Space and began to formulate plans for new “acts of violence” from these “dangerous adversaries wielding lightsabers” that would be meticulously planted for the Sector Rangers and others to find. In truth, it was a matter of fanning the flames of hate and violence towards an enemy that was not the Five Syndicates—which paved the way for their own bold moves.

Isn’t fate a devilish variable…

 

[Zarine Bashere]

Zarine was still processing the broadcast, thinking on what to do next, when the Eternal's voice rang in her head. It couldn't be anyone else, after the first summons she could recognize the presence almost anywhere. What followed next left her confused, and even a little concerned. Had they just been ordered to bring in the woman how had been on the broadcast? A Sector Ranger. And not just any Sector Ranger, but a high ranking and high profile one?

Her mind raced back to the conversation she had had with Talak on Serenno, about their order, about the Eternal, about the future. And through it all there was only one reaction that she could come up with to the Eternal's orders.

You fool!

There was no way this would not end badly for the Sith Eternal. Not just the figure that lead them, but the order as a whole. What would happen if some foolhardy legionnaire tried to abduct the Ranger and got caught? She had seen the fools that had gathered at the summons, and she would not trust them with such a task. The Eternal could have been smart about this, pick its most competent agents and task them with this mission. But no, it had sent the call out, seemingly to everyone. Did it really think the fool who had asked for violence had been the only one? What about those so called Knights of Ren, would they be subtle about this?

No, someone would slip up and the century of growth they had had in the shadows would be for naught. The Rangers, the Jedi, the Free Worlds, they would all know about them. And if that knowledge came due to the capture of a Sector Ranger then there would be no chance for peaceful coexistence. They would come with hostility.

This could be the death of them, and though she didn't know what she had to do next she knew that it was not to sit by idly and let herself be caught up like an idle bystander. She would do something, just as soon as she figured out what.

You goddamn fool!

 

[Norbaal Boonta Kaatha]

Nor’baals Place - Coronet City, Blue Quarter

BUSINESS WAS BOOMING in the lower levels of Coronet City, as another working week came to its end. Factories emptied, and workers poured into the bars and Cantinas of the city, family men and those ‘in the know’ heading to the number one Hutt cuisine restaurant in the district, Nor’baals Place. The sign on the door,which clearly read ‘Best Jub-Juice this side of Jiguuna proudly declaring to all passers by, the ‘esteemed’ status in which the venue was held. The Hutt himself, Nor’baal Boonta Ka’atha, meandered his way around the tables, geeting those he knw, introucing himself to those he didn’t.

Passing comments on a gentlemans suit, his business, questions as to how his son or daughter was doing, the usual. As he passed by the bar however, the Hutt was distracted from the evenings business, by the television. …

”...ght, the Rangers have arrested ...led Oren Zapa, who has ....ied himself as a Jedi Master.”

”Carlo, basahu da, uba bla, ritke wack bu wuona, boska!"

A loud thunk answered him, as the Rodian behind the bar carried out his paymasters suggestion, and slowly the televisions sound and image became clearer.

”We have reasons to believe that he has been working in concert with the masked criminal also seen associating with The Arcanist.”

”Yaee ateema, doth tee da bu lhima da paknee ata doptkee Durrs bukee? Uba bla, bu mebenbe kilrolrat cay bu miha jicag dotkana, baha see koochoo um woy Durrs bukee bimhee dan.”

”Sil bo ohk Ohsla, ceu Rirhehsol doneeta ohk tlaran eti kaleobi vyirnih. Sil ohk ery….” he replied in Ryl, one of the many languages spoken on Corellia, before his Hutt master cut him off with a gesture with his hand.

”Durr wamma tee, an tee ritke du phabeka, an paupe hatkocanh che tah ' Jedi' nobata? Whao goo doth see chalanh bai wa Yih kanu, in ting jeejee lwaa kankahmohauaka bai heee Monsetkaee, neu whao jeejee caiot nan bai ba kankahpantanka nobata? Bamee, fa noa-a dan bai manpanh bu tam pomheba dah bu ukema, whao Dobra bolla lumpa, cua dan woy gahke jeejee gee pankoph du bu Monsetkaee jaha bankop jeejee dayan hoohah?” he replied, not waiting for a reply, as he headed for the nearest spaceport.[abox3]