Ask Chandrila Not an Empty Threat

[Fiach Dubh]

“Chandrila is a jewel of the Core Worlds but has historically harboured factions of dissent and treason.”
― Colonel Maximilian Veers

Fiach’s ship dropped out of hyperspace.

There, looming into view, was Chandrila – a small, blue-green planet, once home of the nascent New Republic. Nearly idyllic, Fiach thought, absent-mindedly, with its calm seas and rolling hills. The weather was mild. The seasons were present, but never dramatic. The people were peaceful – if a trifle haughty and pedantic and definitely over-invested in politics.

The recent Sith attacks across the galaxy had left the Free Worlds Alliance rattled and even the residents of the Core Worlds seem troubled: who knew what volume and capability of assets the Sith could call upon? Hence the growing call for some sort of extraterritorial fleet. Fiach wondered how such a thing would be agreed, let alone managed, but that was not her call to make. She had heard the counter-arguments of course. Is this the start of another Republic, or even Empire? But the pressing danger was taking precedent over political nerves. If pressed, Fiach would honestly state she supports the establishment of a Sentinel Fleet. If nothing else, it might deter the Sith – or at least slow them down, so that they can be identified and dealt with appropriately.

Which was a long way around explaining why Fiach was here – and due to meet someone she’d seen before but not formally met.

In one direction are the rolling hills and sweeping meadows of Chandrila: the soft balmgrass and spiky orcanthus are already turning from red to green with the coming of spring, and the sun and clouds cast shifting, shimmering shadows over the land. In the other direction is the Silver Sea, its placid waters as calm and grey as slate. Out over the water, bands of dark clouds roll, spitting rain and pulsing lightning. Another symptom of the seasons shifting from winter into spring.

So, landing codes accepted, her ship set down at the Senator’s residence. Even as she lands, she sees signs of a disturbance and quickly disembarks.

@Eisa Wex

 

[Eisa Wex]

Approximately 5 minutes Prior

"Kriff This" The fiery haired spacer cussed, as she tried to suppress the urge to smack her head against the nearest duracrete wall. But instead she opted to just roll her eyes at the security agent that had stopped her. "Miss I don't care whether you have any business here or not. The fact is that you are not getting in" The guard spoke as his helmet tipped down slightly, even though the guard's face was masked, the spacer could tell that the man was judging her by her appearance. Clenching her metallic fist the spacer, made a concentrated effort to bite her tongue, giving the guard an opportunity to resume in his attempt to get the spacer to leave. "The Senator is not seeing anyone today, only those with valid clearances, not some made up names of Sector rangers that don't exist"

Before the Spacer could muster her response, a small shuttle burst into view from behind the Sentator's residence. In most occasions it wouldn't look too out of place, however the shuttle turning about face and then opening fire on the residence was enough to pull everyone's attention to the shuttle, if only for the few moments before it accelerated and swiftly disappeared out of view. Reaching to her back, the spacer retrieved her blaster pistol as a precaution, something clearly wasn't sitting right, first it was the outright refusal of her entry, despite it being arranged through the Jedi Order and now the ship.

The helmeted man, raised his blaster towards the Spacer, who in turn just narrowed her gaze in suspicion at the fire arm being pointed at her. None of this was adding up, more so as the blaster being pointed at her was not one that the Chandrilla security forces were carrying on their person. "You best be leav......" The guard spoke out, only to be interrupted by the spacer suddenly and swiftly kicking her knee up squarely into the man's groin, followed by a quick sucker punch with the spacer's left cybernetic arm.

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With the guard unconscious, disarmed and left locked in a secure store behind the gate house. The Spacer swiftly made her way up the winding path from the front of the senatorial estate towards the front door's. Her eyes narrowing as she watched another ship come in and land beside the building, cocking her head to the side slightly as she visually checked the charge on her hybrid blaster pistol - making sure that she had enough juice in her weapon just in case this ship brought more attackers to the compound.

Coming to a gradual but brisk pace, the spacer manoeuvred her way within the cover of the various garden walls towards where the ship had just touched down. Eyes narrowing as she caught sight of the blonde female who had emerged from the ship. Waiting until Fiach was close enough for the new arrival to be within range, the spacer charged up a heavy overcharged burst on her weapon before stepping out of cover, her blaster pointed towards the new arrival. "Just Hold it right there!" Eisa spoke out, her words short and pointed as she held a firm aim towards the Jedi. "You better not with that lot that just shot this place to all Kriff" she continued as she slowly advanced towards the woman, before her narrowed eyes widened in realisation as to who the woman was.

Lowering the aim of her pistol slightly, the spacer cautiously tilted her head to the side as she took a second look over the blonde. "You're one of Purp's mates aint ya?"

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

The residence had taken plenty of fire, and it was recent to Fiach’s trained eyes. How recent she couldn’t tell, but it was not contained in her intelligence report, which she’d been issued as she left the Order’s headquarters.

Walking down the ship’s ramp, she spotted the winding path that lead to the main entrance to the property and was surprised that nobody had emerged from the gatehouse to challenge or at least greet her. Adding this fact to the recent damage put the Jedi on edge and she scanned the vicinity for life. She sensed one person, who had taken cover – albeit she could not tell if this was to hide from the Jedi or to attack her from. Not wishing to give her own element of surprise away, she continued to walk slowly to the main doors and allowed her cloak to flap open, giving easier access to her saber and shoto.

A few moment’s later, the hide-and-seeker emerged and – pointing a weapon directly at the Jedi – issued a challenge. Moving slowly, she took her cloak by the lapels and opened it further, making her two saber hilts fully visible.

“I am not responsible for this mess,” she replied, her voice soft, yet it carried across the distance between them. “And yes, I’m with…Kori.” She presumed this is what was meant. She was friends witn no perps that she was aware of any she was also aware of galactic banter and how her fellow Jedi might be described by her skin colour.

“I am Fiach, Fiach Dubh. And you are?”

@Topher

 

[Eisa Wex]

A hissing was soon heard as the Spacer lowered her weapon and dissipated the heavy shot that had been charging in her blaster, the figure had introduced herself as knowing Kori by her name rather than Eisas nickname for the Zeltron Knight, who was evidently thier mutual contact. Shortly before she introduced herself as Fiach Dubh, and then inquiring for the spacers name. Nodding as she raised her blaster to the side, making it clear that she had switched on the safety before holstering the weapon.

"Well sorry about that" Eisa commented lightly, with a tentative grin. "Can't be taking any risks ya know? Not after that shuttle shot the place to all hell, before burning off like the clappers" the Spacer commented, as her cybernetic limb flailed about as she motioned and tracked the movements of the ship she had observed before she had strong armed herself into the compound, before gesturing to herself "Name's Eisa. Purps asked me to assist with the logistics for the Sector Rangers doing the security detail here" she continued, before pursing her lips in thought before turning her attention towards the estate.

"But I'm guessing that ain't the case now, we probably best get checking if anyone's still alive in there, or see what the Kriff happened"

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach’s smile remined on her lips. She had not taken offence at being pointed at by a blaster – nor at being challenged. She nodded at Eisa’s words, taking in what information she could to add to the albeit succinct mission brief.

“Any information on the shuttle? I’m guessing it didn’t carry markings, but if you can deduce anything from what you saw, it would be really helpful.”

“And as for why I’m here, it’s pretty much the same as you. I was asked to provide security, although it looks as though we got here a little too late. Having said that, the damage seems to be to the building, it remains to be seen who was injured.”

Something had been troubling Fiach since she landed and the thought popped back into her head and out through her tongue before she filtered it. “Given we’re here to augment the security, where is it? I mean, we’ve both strolled up to the front door unchallenged and nobody has rushed out of the building to ask who we are. Any ideas?”

@Topher

 

[Eisa Wex]

Pursing her lips as the Jedi questioned her about the shuttle, the fiery haired spacer fell silent for a few moments - thoughtfully raising a hand up to her chin as she recalled what she could make out from where she had been standing arguing with the guard down at the compounds' gate. "I think it was a Kappa Class shuttle, definitely looked like it had a Sienar Systems look to it" Eisa commented before looking back towards the direction in the sky where the ship had disappeared into the horizon, before scratching at the back of her head. "based on where it tore off towards, if it went up to the black... then it would headed towards Sissubo where the Hydian Way trade route drops into this sector" she deduced and offered to the Jedi, whilst perhaps it might not be much in the grand scheme of things, the Spacer's knowledge of the various trade routes would atleast help give a lean towards looking in the right direction.

A slight chill ran down the spacer's back as Fiach, reminded her of the fact that they were ultimately here to augment the security that was being provided by the Sector rangers, pointing out the suspicion that no one had challenged the pair as they made their way towards the building - which whilst strange, it was perhaps moreso that there would be more of a buzz taking place. "Um.. Yeah, about that.... I didn't quite get in here unchallenged" Eisa confessed before awkwardly chuckling, her cheeks flushing a little from the tinge of embarrassment.

"I was being held at the gate by some helmeted bloke, who was giving me a lot of jip, despite having all the passes and credentials on me" Eisa explained, before pointing towards the guards house, that she had stashed the unconscious man. "Long and short of it, as soon as that shuttle shot the place to all hell, he raised his blaster at me..... So I kind of encouraged him to take a nap" the spacer continued before waving her cybernetic limb slightly to give an indication as to how she knocked out the guard. "He's locked up in the gate house if you want to talk to him..."

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach did her best not only to take in all of the information, but to prioritise it. She was – above all – one of life’s doers. Yes, she sometimes outlined a plan – but it was generally basic in nature (and was aware this was something she needed to work on). And right now was therefore proving a challenge to her. So much information and conflicting priorities.

Should they interrogate the guard – who no doubt could throw some light on what had happened here? Or should she go into the residence and check for survivors? The former might better inform their approach in the damaged building – but delay might mean someone could die.

Having phrased it like that in her head, there seemed to be only one course of action.

“I presume you left him in a state where he won’t run off any time soon? If so, we should proceed into the building and see who is still alive, and who might need help. I accept there is a chance the guard might run off, but if lives are at stake, I feel that ought to be our priority.”

Her voice sounded authoritative, yet there was enough for the discerning ear to pick up that this was almost as much a question as a statement.

“And we’ll share the data about the shuttle as we progress,” she added, pulling out a datapad and typing in the information she’d received. “I’ll also include a quick sit-rep – and tee up some back-up, just in case it’s needed.”

She looked at the Ranger. “Does that work for you?”

@Topher

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

-Music-​

“You’ve got a Job for me? Or what?”

“Just come with me, Mr. Van Alasdaire.”

“Please, titles make my skin crawl. Am I under arrest, Ranger?”

“No. But somebody who was just apprehended is requesting to speak with you personally. Seems to think you’re some sort of lawyer.”

“I’m whatever makes the credits, these days, Sarge. You know how it is. Any priors? And who arrested them?”

“Uhm... two charges of petty arson. Nothin’ that gave me pause for concern. A Jedi brought them in, said she had a blaster leveled at her head!? We're are present at the scene now.”

“Probably looking for quick credits. The sabers are worth quite the pretty penny. I’d like to speak to the Jedi before I see the client. Get a gist of whether this is already a lost case.”

Gale was back at it again. His repertoire, as stated, consisted of whatever needed doing at the time. What stood in the way became the way. Or so, he had read, a Jedi idiom that stuck well with his harshest of training practices. His appreciation for ancient Jedi literature had grown significantly, and with access to Rhen Var’s host of Vahla Historians, it was not difficult for him to get accurate depictions from tales past of his ancestors and their place in the shaping of the Galaxy. It had been so for his most ancestral cousin - Kathreveris Van Alasdaire, Redeemed (or perhaps the progenitor, Brook Kalen Espaa I) - and so it was for him.

It was not a very shocking fact that it was a Jedi that had brought this supposed criminal down, he could have sensed their presence from a mile away. Once again, another opportunity to prime himself in conversation with his defacto allies - the enemy of my enemy is my friend, after all. With Gale's new outlook on how events would soon shake out, it was wise for him to implore as many Knights as possible to be subtle and discreet in their utilization of the Force - lest they be drawn into unnecessary conflict and death as a result.

The Ranger would lead Gale to his quarry, and after a short but curt and respectful goodbye the pair would separate. What Gale found was two Jedi, one of which he believed he could recognize, but the Vahla was uncertain. As he approached, he kept a quiet distance for a moment as he attempted to light a cig. By the time the fire had left his palm and the stick rose to his lips, the officer that was present with both Jedi snatched it from his hands and crushed it in his palm.

"No smoking inside, sir."

"....Van Alasdaire... I am not my father. Such a pleasant fellow."

@Fiach Dubh @Eisa Wex

 

[Eisa Wex]

Rolling her head from side of site as the Jedi initially spoke of her presumption that the guard wasn't going to run off any time soon, a slight curl on her lip forming. "Well when I say nap.... I meant I knocked him out cold.... He ain't getting up any time soon" though after her interuption, the fiery haired spacer fell silent and listened to the blonde Jedi as she outlined her plan and intent for them to prioritise the damaged building to ensure that they could attend to any survivors first, before interrogating the guard.

"Yeah that works" Eisa spoke out, with a nod and a grin, before reaching once again for her side arm and un-holstering it. Whilst to many it would seem redundant and somewhat counter intuitive to draw your weapon when you were going into a building to look for clues or survivors, but so far this little trip to help out the security detail had been far from your average job. The atmospherics didn't sit right with the spacer, and when that happens she wasn't going to be taking any chances.

Taking the first steps, Eisa walked towards the rear of the building from where the shuttle had risen up behind, before subsequently opening fire, a long whistle escaping her lips as she surveyed the state of the building's damaged elevation. "Kriff they really fragged this place back to Tattooine" Eisa commented, as her gaze looked over the large blast marks and chunks of masonry blown out of the walls. "That shuttle wasn't packing stock light cannons i'll tell you that" she added, as she turned her attention over towards Fiach - before stepping over the rubble and moving deeper into what she must of figured to be a reception hall or something, large enough to entertain guests all ornate and decked with all the usual trappings of a fancy venue. Except it was now shot to high hell and littered with bodies.

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach smiled. “I surmised as much. I may be naïve in some aspects of life, but I didn’t believe he simply decided now was a good time to sleep. So, as long as you didn’t kill him, I approve. Not that you need my approval of course – but you know what I mean.”

Pleased that her makeshift plan was approved, Fiach’s smile remained on her lips. “Right then.” Her hand went to her belt and her fingers touched her saber – before she removed them. The Force would warn her when she needed to act. Activating a saber was always a last resort for the Jedi – a factor aided by the intervention of the Force if need be…something others could not benefit from. So, she had no qualms about Eisa drawing her own weapon.

She followed the Ranger to the back of the building and was amazed by how much damage a small ship had inflicted. “I’d have to agree, this took some serious firepower.” Her hopes of finding anyone alive dwindled by the second, so she closed her eyes momentarily and used the Force to sense what she could within the building.

Opening her eyes again, she spoke. “I can’t be sure of numbers, but some have survived. Maybe not too many, but some.” She walked carefully over the remains of the building and past what must once have been an entrance – and was now just a big hole – and saw the first of the dead. This close to the assault, they would have stood no chance and she suspected many more bodies lay under the rubble.

The Jedi pointed ahead and slightly to the right. “That direction, I sense life – but we need to hurry.”

@Topher @Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

”You’re right. The carbon scoring there - that’s a high-yield energy impact. I’ve seen it’s like before. Advanced civilian or military grade hardware could pull it off-“

As the girl commented on the damage done to the structure, the Vahla could not help but agree with the assessment - even as he emerged from what once was a doorway with a half-lit smoke in hand. This had been advanced firepower, more so perhaps even military grade weapons. The impact and carbon scorings indicated a high density of energy concentration - but the burn marks also indicated explosive payloads. This was wanton violence disguised as a planned attack, not the other way around.

He could help with the search, probably more with his tools than anything - though he had neglected to bring his helmet. The heads up display would have served him exceptionally well.

“Oh! Where are my manners?!” A slight chuckle escaped his lips, “...I’m Gale. I think I may have met one of you - doesn’t matter though. I’m a... part-time light sider. Heard about this little fiasco so... here I am to help.”

His last comment was directed at Fiach, with a very wide and genuine smile. Nonetheless, both would likely see in his eyes how pleased he was that the pair did not immediately whip out weapons and take combat stances. Perhaps, the Sorcerer didn’t need to say about or warn anything after all - at least not with these two, and not here yet. Though his pleased demeanor held for a moment, it was replaced with a steely calm when the second female drew her sidearm and began to move forward. Gale gently leveled his K-16 Pistol and nodded softly, taking the rear of the group and covering their six.

The Vahla paused when the blonde from the bar pointed ahead and indicated that she sensed something alive. Gale’s own senses came to the fore and began to search the room until he too located the faint source of shallow breathing. This Jedi had trained their sensory abilities well as it was quite difficult for the Sorcerer to maintain the location of the one injured. He would have to follow their lead, and so he would, his amber eyes crackling with slight nervousness.

@Fiach Dubh @Eisa Wex

 

[Eisa Wex]

Unable to stop the edge of her mouth curling upwards, the fiery haired spacer stared at the man who just sauntered over to them. On edge enough as it was having witnessed the tailend of the attack herself, having someone appear unannounced was one thing, but what this Gale guy said was another. "What in the blazing Kark does that mean... Part time lightsider?" Eisa questioned, her tone direct and completely lacking any form of tact, but going from her appearance, it would be clear that tact and subtlety was not exactly a strong point. "Just what in the Kriff are you?" she added before groaning, as her line of questioning was cut short by Fiachs announcement that there was a survivor near by.

Casting Gale a 'I'm watching you' gesture, before taking point, Eisa scrambled her way over the debris and rubble, towards where the Jedi had identified the survivors location, her natural hand raiding up to the side oh her head to adjust the sensitivity of her aurial implant. Eyes narrowing as she focused on the mixture of groans and pained breathing sounds, following the sound rather than the Force - the site stunk of the darkside, the lingering darkened traces of intent to kill still fresh in the currents that resonated in the building.

Coming to a stop, beside a pile of rubble, that seemed to be pulled on top of a collapsed structural beam. The fiery haired spacer, tentatively holsterd her blaster for the time being - not quite fully sure about this Gale's intent, but the life of the survivor was of more importance tan her suspicions.

Taking a deep breath, the Spacer quickly adjusted the tensioner of her cybernetic leg braces, before squatting down a little and gripping onto the steel beam with her cybernetic arm. "Get, ready to pull who ever it is out" Eisa spoke, before grunting as she used both her own strength, but mostly that of her augments to raise the steel beam up from the pile. Revealing amongst the parting rubble a rather dusty and bloody looking figure underneath the raised metal beam.

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach’s left eyebrow raised as the newcomer began to assess the damage in a way she never could have. She recognised rubble, but to be able to ascertain what type of weapons inflicted it?

She did not recognise the man, and prided herself on having an excellent memory. The term ‘part-time’ was not one she associated with the Light side of the Force, but let the reference slip, for now. She was wary of his arrival, but the Force was not sharing any great warning signs, so she remained wary but cordial at the very least.

Not that so many blasters being waved about was putting her at ease – but she understood their reticence to go into the ruins unarmed.

But before they could go any further, the Ranger made her ubiquitous smile widen. She spoke the question on Fiach’s lips and ensured it did not remain unanswered – at least it would be dealt with once they resolved the rescue of those still alive.

Eisa acted decisively and – having identified where the remaining survivor was – managed to lift a steel beam with unfeasible strength. Not stopping to ask, Fiach instead reached in and, as gently as she could, pulled the man from out of the shadow of the beam.

“Gone,” he said.

Fiach rested a hand on his chest and felt his life signs ebbing away. The Force was still with him, but barely, and she realised she could do nothing about it.

“Gone?” she echoed, her ear now a matter of millimetres from his bloodied face.

“They…took…them…before…air…strike?”

“Who took them?”

“Sith…”

It was his dying word and Fiach gently lowered his head to the ground and closed his eyelids. She looked up at the Eisa. “Did you see another ship? One leaving?” She hoped this would have been something the Ranger would have shared. Because if none had left, it meant the kidnappers would still be on the planet. Not easy to track down, but a lot easier than searching the whole galaxy.

@Topher @Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

“humans...”

His smile vanished as a result of the woman who had clearly been raised without ANY manners at all. It was unfortunate that the human was outwardly attractive - the interior didn’t seem to match. In fact, it was unfortunate she was human at all - they all seemed to believe themselves superior to the ‘lesser’ Vahla race. As the girl cast her glance he simply winked right back.

“Not yet Jedi.”

He follow the blonde Jedi that he now realized was rather unforgettable. Not for outward appearances like the other - though she wasn’t an unattractive human she wasn’t exactly his type - but for the fact her blade had been waved around more than enough for memorization. If the table shreds left behind in her wake was any indication of her ability with a weapon... Gale was the safest Vahla of all time or the two of them were in immediate danger of the Jedi’s eagerness. He joked, but... the manic pixie dream human was correct. They needed to work as one to remove the corpse that had been revealed.

Gale immediately dropped to a knee as the injured man spoke. This was most concerning. Sith... here?

“We met at a bar once, Jedi. You and a few bounty hunters? I’ve been spying for your Order for some time. I might be able to recognize the shuttle, or the figure in camera footage if you have it."

 

[Eisa Wex]

Once the survivor had been pulled out from the debris, the fiery haired spacer let go of the steel beam, allowing for it to fall onto the ground with a heavy thud. Dusting her hands off of each other the spacer stepped away from the rubble and over towards where the others had dragged the survivor to and were questioning the man as he tried to hold on to his last gasps of life. His dying words being the revelation that those who attacked the estate were the Sith.

A Groan escaping the spacer's lips as she rolled her shoulders back in resignation, the revelation that it was the Sith, whilst it was somewhat expected - there was no denying that everything that seemed to be getting karked up was down to them, well in the majority of the time at least. But regardless of whether it was the machinations of the Sith being the majority of the disturbances as of late, part of her would have hoped for it to have been pirates, crime lords or even war lords - they were always alot easier to piss off.

Looking over to Fiach as she questioned her about if she had seen another ship baring the shuttle that had shot the building with its laser cannons., the fiery haired spacer simply shook her head as she shrugged her shoulders. "Na, just a banged up Nu-class shuttle" Eisa offered, as she gestured a hand skywards. "Imagine using an old republic ship would be less noticeable for the Sith" she offered, before her lip curled up in thought. "But if it is the Sith, then shouldn't we best be checking on that guy I KO'd?"

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

“The Sith...here. Yes, perhaps.”

Gale’s eyes thinned slightly while he knelt. His fists unclamping into hands as the soul left the body of the victim. He was a fool not to have felt it before. There was a tangible darkness here. But it’s nature was almost as elusive as his own.

“I’m still blind. My ‘client’. Of course. An expert ruse. It’s not enough just to draw us here - they must gloat too.

They want to be found. This is likely a trap.”

@Topher @Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach considered the two with her. The Ranger she openly trusted – it was protocol after all – but the newcomer she was wary of. His aura was dark and although she was the believing type, she was hardly a fool.

The news it was a shuttle with no discernible markings was hardly good news to the Jedi’s ears, but she expected little more. Unless it was a political statement, who would advertise their handiwork?

And she nodded affirmation that, right now, their only lead was the ringer that was posing as a security guard.

She shrugged off the notion that she knew the newcomer – if he recognised her, he was one up on her in that regard. And she openly frowned about the notion of a trap.

“Kidnappers rarely want to be found. A better trap would be to attack us now – and it presupposes they even knew that we would be here? I’m not ruling it out, but I’m definitely not seeing it as the most obvious scenario.”

“So, let’s see what your meeter and greeter has to say on the subject,” she said with a sigh and headed to the gate where she knew he was lying unconscious.

@Topher @Aurius

 

[Eisa Wex]

A curious eyebrow arched at the stranger's comment about it being a trap, the spacer pursed her lips in thought for a moment as she mused on the hypothesis that the Sith were wanting to be found so it would be a trap. A slight curl on her lip exposing the corner of her mouth as she held a bemused expression, before her attention shifted over towards the Jedi on her other side, her eyes narrowing at the comment about the kidnappers rarely being found, shortly before her eyes shifted over to her left hand side. "It ain't likely there'll be any traps here" Eisa commented after a moment of silence, before flexing the digits of her cybernetic limb. "They've made too much noise here already, where they're gonna take the Senator that will be rigged with traps like no tomorrow" she continued before allowing her artificial limb to fall back down to her side.

"They wanted to draw attention to the attack, get people to take notice of the ship.... Probably a burner though, but they probably want us to chase the ship, make the whole thing look like it was carried out by rank amateurs, pirates or some rabbling band of hired guns" Eisa spoke as she lead the others towards the gate house where she had encountered the suspicious guard. "even then, thats something a War Lord or a Hutt would do to take the heat away from them" she added, before cocking her head to the side slightly. "Reckon the Sith wanted us to go sniffing into the underworld's business, they just didn't bank on that poor kriffer surviving"

After the spacer had elaborated, she quickened her pace drawing ahead of the others and making a bee line towards the rear of the gate house, pulling open the secure cargo store that she had locked the unconscious guard in. Afterall it figured whether he came round soon after, it wasn't likely he would get very far - escaping from the inside of a cargo container wasn't the easiest of tasks.

As the container hissed open, and the lid slid to the side, a fierce grin crossed the spacers features as she looked the guard square in the eyes. "Morning sweetheart, Sleep well" Eisa spoke before thrusting her cybernetic arm into the container and proceeded to pull the dazed imposter out of the container, whilst her other hand moved to retrieve her blaster pistol. Pinning the guard up against the wall, held a few inches from the floor with the cybernetic hand wrapped around the guards throat. "We've got a few questions for you, 'bout your bosses" the spacer announced as she gestured towards the two around her. "She's a Jedi, He's a part timer what ever the kriff that means! Me, I was a Jedi, now I just beat up War lords and Pirates" she continued introducing the three of them, before slipping her thumb over the safety of her blaster pistol, allowing for the shrill sound of it's charging to be heard, and firmly placing the muzzle against the side of the guard's head

"Now you best be telling the truth to their questions..... other wise this little toy goes pew!"

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

-Music-​

“Just to make it clear. I’m with the pixie chick. Speak, or I’ll tear the information out of your mind.”

It wasn’t an idle threat whatsoever. But this time Gale didn’t bother to show anything that would indicate force manipulation. The Vahla somehow doubted the Jedi would approve of such an invasion of privacy. Only one who had been on the receiving end of such power could control it effectively. A valid concern with one caveat.

He was one who suffered at the hands of such abilities. Gale had learned them well.

“...otherwise your story ends here.”

The Vahla finished his small retorts as the blonde raised her blaster muzzle to the side of the prisoner’s head. The mystic fought off an odd urge to grab the weapon and toss it aside. They were in control, there was no need for such a display of aggression. Sometimes, what you don’t do can be far more intimidating than that which you parade about. He paused for a second to see if his Jedi ally would interject before continuation.

“Facing a Necromancer of Nihl will be your end.”

A bullshit title. However. Anybody who knew of the Sorcerers of Rhand also knew that Gale’s former mentors were made up of Eldritch creatures that defied convention. If this one was a Sith agent, he would know of them. And he would fear accordingly. The room surrounding all of them went pitch black. Nothing could be seen, inside or outside by the prisoner beyond darkness and the ones questioning him. His allies however could tell that it was an illusion cast by the Vahla intent on proving just how alone this would-be assassin really was.

@Topher @Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach listened to the Ranger. The fact she was also Force-sensitive was immaterial, she was knowledgeable about the ways of criminals – and the Sith, on this occasion, were operating as little more. As such, she put store on her words and followed Eisa to the unconscious ‘guard.’

She had to agree, their best – if not only – chance of finding the hostages, was to interrogate the one they left behind. Sure, actually rescuing the people taken would be no easy task, but one challenge at a time.

On the plus side, the man was awake now – although probably sporting a significant headache. She suspected that Eisa was less than gentle in ensuring he went out for the count.

The look on his face made it clear he was taking them seriously, and Fiach wondered just how much he knew. Too much and he would probably be on the inside and therefore die before revealing what he knew. Too little and he would be of no help to them. Hopefully, he knew just enough to give them a lead.

Giving Eisa the benefit of the doubt, and assuming it was an act, she allowed the scenario to unfold – and see what the man would spill.

Which was when the room went black. Fiach resisted any urge to draw her saber and instead closed her eyes and reached out with her senses – through the Force. There was no-one around them, but as to why the darkness had descended, she had no idea – so was on her guard as she calmly sought an answer.

@Topher @Aurius