Open One of Us

[Ashla Ti]

Corvala Outskirts, Shili​

It felt weird to feel the grass beneath her feet, and ever so often she would stop and move her toes to dig into the dirt under her bare feet. She had known about this, about her people's connection to the ground, about their preference to go barefoot unless off world. Her people, the realization that she had just referred to them that way made her smile. She had no memories of her time here, didn't even know if this was even where she was from. But they were her people, and if the thread that tied her to this place was thing and frayed, it hadn't broken. Not yet.

She walked through the outskirts of the city with a slight smile on her lips, having forgone her traditional armor in favor clothing similar to what might be worn by the locals, a messenger's bag slung across a shoulder filled with rations and her lightsaber hidden in a secret compartment lined with scatterweave to fool most rudimentary scanners. She wasn't here to fight, or conquer, or cause any sort of trouble. She was, for all intents and purposes for the very first time, visiting her home.

«Fresh juice?» A voice rang out from her side, and she turned to find a small stall with an elderly Togruta woman behind it, selling freshly squeezed juice of some sort. «The sun it bright today,» she continued in Togruti on seeing Ashla acknowledge her earlier call, «there is nothing more refreshing than cold marg sabl juice.» Intrigued, Ashla walked up to the stall, she didn't really have a plan or any goal for this trip, she was for all intents and purposes on vacation. No reason why she couldn't try some juice, it was pretty hot after all.

«Marg sabl?» She asked in accented but mostly unbroken Togruti. «Isn't that a flower?»

The woman smiled kindly, but replied in basic, probably on noticing her accent, or noticing the human looking girl accompanying her. She picked up a clear jar filled with liquids, and shook it to bring their attention to the seeds at the bottom. "Marg sabl seeds infusion," she said, and pointing to the bright red fruits that lined the front of the stall, "mixed with grooberrry juice. Is this your first time home child?"

Ashla smiled sheepishly, before likewise replying in basic. "That obvious huh?"

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

Malou thought that Shili was a beautiful planet, even though her own, colorless way of seeing. The architecture was a unique mixture of organic and geometric, and the people here were so serene. Serene, that's not the right word. Maybe in touch? Relaxed? There was something about the way people interacted here that was just so different than anything she'd ever seen. It was the pure opposite of the way folks on Serenno acted.

The Miralukan followed Ashla quietly, minding her own business by just looking around her. Well, looking was a strong word. To any of those around her, it would just appear that the woman was staring straight ahead in whatever direction Ashla was in. A green satin blindfold was tied loosely around her face, and it matched the casual ensemble wear she wore. Though, when an older Togruta woman approached Ashla and offered her juice, she shuffled closer to the acolyte.

If there was a chance to try new food, she wouldn't pass that up.

tag: @Wit

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Home. Ruzaan had mixed feelings as he stepped off the transport onto the familiar soil and grasses of Shili. He was very happy to be back on his home planet; although he had come to accept and even enjoy his time on Yavin, there really was no place like home. However, a small part of him was aware that he was a much different Ruzaan than when he'd left for the Order. He'd grown, both physically and mentally, and parts of him were no more. Although he was grateful to be back, he knew that he couldn't stay here or ever truly go back to his previous life; his comfortable bubble of home, family, and tribe had burst in the face of the Jedi, the Force, and the sheer complexity of the galaxy. With a small pang, he realized that he'd outgrown his home.

It was, he also realized, weird to see Togrutas everywhere once again. Definitely a minority on the galactic stage, he hadn't seen another of his species in person in almost two years. Everywhere he looked, he saw people that shared his appearance, language, and tradition of going barefoot... except for one girl whose unmistakable style and green satin blindfold made him do a double-take.

"Malou?" he asked, incredulously, then again more excitedly as he bounced over to greet his friend while waving excitedly. "Malou!"

@lizziie @Wit

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius exited the transport, trailing a few paces behind Ruzaan. Stepping off the transport, Tiberius noted the natural beauty of the planet, but also the odd resemblance between the buildings and those that lived in them. The buildings looked like the Montrals that sat atop the heads of the denizens of this planet.

Tiberius attention turned to Ruzaan who seemed to be having a reunion of sorts with his home planet. Something that Tiberius had yet to experience. He had not been back to Dantooine in almost fifteen years now. He wondered what it would be like if and when he returned. He imagined all the changes that might have taken place. All the things that may have stayed the same. He wondered if this might be what Ruzaan was experiencing. The difference being that the young padawan wouldn’t have to wonder about the changes, he would be experiencing them first hand.

Tiberius’ thoughts were brought back to reality by Ruzaan’s excited exclamations. He watch the exuberant young Jedi bounce off towards a woman who stood out, not because of the green blindfold that she wore, but because, like Tiberius, she was not Togrutas. How did Ruzaan know this woman? Tiberius had not seen her before at the Jedi temple. There was something that made Tiberius uneasy about this woman and the one that seemed to be accompanying her. At a distance, Tiberius slowly started following Ruzaan.

Although Tiberius and Ruzaan were never formally introduced, Tiberius had seen the padawan around the Jedi temple and had a passing knowledge of him. Being nearly ten year his senior, Tiberius felt somewhat responsible for the youth on this planet where it seemed as though they may be the only two Jedi here, especially if Ruzaan was met with trouble.

@Wit @lizziie @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Brea Lynn Espaa]

"...As far as I've heard, the fight's still on! The tractor's active, and the whale's not gone! The shipwright makes his regular call, to encourage the captain, crew and all!!

Soon may the quartermaster come... To bring us sugar and spice and rum.
One day, when the tonguing is done, we'll take our leave and go!"

The song echoed about the transport as a young, lithe yet alarmingly tall blonde humanoid emerged from the cabin compartment of the civilian transport freighter. Brea had been due here for some time, intent on exchanging ideas and designs with some of the most renowned artists on Shili. Assuming, of course, they'd even bother to entertain her. Brea was an artist and crafter first and soldier second, although her unit would probably dislike hearing that sentiment said out loud. She'd enlisted as a specialist to protect people where she could, though she couldn't complain about the pay. Nonetheless, her unit had been mostly inactive in the past few months, prompting her RnR break a little earlier than was normal.

She'd managed to snag a spot in the staff section of the transport thanks to a friend that worked at the company as security. In exchange for being a glorified armed hostess, she got a pretty nice view, great seats and a crew that appreciated a good song or two. If things ever went south, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad career call. Pay was abysmal in small increments, but enough trips would make up the difference.

Disembarking with a two ludicrously proportioned suitcases, a backpack and a carrying case, the Vahla hobbled forward. Brea just barely managed to completely descend the ramp before the weight of her gear did her in, falling over as the suitcases unclasped and spilled their contents everywhere.

"KRIFF"

@Wit @SlagathorTheUnknown @lizziie @logn2665

 

[Ashla Ti]

The old woman just smiled, and began making more juice, speaking as she worked. "It doesn't matter if this is your first time, or your hundredth. What matters is that you're home," she paused at that, a hint of sadness hitting her face, before she smiled again and reached for large jug in which she was blending the juice, but struggling to lift its weight. Ashla stepped forward, giving her a hand. "You should get someone to help you out."

The woman froze at that, and this time there was no doubting the sadness on her face. «What happened?» The question seemed to wake the woman up, and she smiled again and began pouring out the juice into two disposable cups. «It's nothing, here, your juice.»

Paying the woman, Ashla stared at her curiously, but was pulled out of that line of thought by loud voice suddenly calling out to Malou. Turning around to see who it was, surprised to run into someone that knew Malou here, she spotted a young boy approaching her. Assuming they were friends or acquaintances, she stayed back near the stall to let them catch up, and her eyes inadvertently moved to the old woman, who seemed to be on the verge of tears now.

«Are you sure you're okay?» She asked, and the woman finally broke down, tears flowing freely down her wrinkled face. Ashla could see more than a few eyes on them, though oddly enough none seemed to be particularly surprised. A middle aged man from a nearby stall walked over, and put his arms around the old woman as he started to console her. «I'm sorry,» he said over the woman's sobs, «she's been like this since the last raid. The Zygerrians took her granddaughter, poor thing was only ten.»

The world froze around her, and without even realizing it her hands tightened into fists, crushing the glasses of juice she held in her hands. «Zygerrians?» The word escaped her lips, sounding distant in her head.

«Yes,» the man continued, «they've been particularly bad off late. I heard they lost their planet so they moved their operations elsewhere.»

She heard the words as if through a haze, and her hands gripped on the ruined remains of the glass till her knuckles were white.

@lizziie @SlagathorTheUnknown @logn2665 @Aurius

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

While Malou was busy being nosy about the juice Ashla was interested in, she caught sight of a transport arriving. She didn't think much of it or the people getting off until a very familiar voice shot through the air.

"Ruzaan?" The Miralukan turned around quickly so that when he reached her and Ashla she would be facing him. Though she was quite surprised, it was a pleasant feeling to see someone she saw so rarely be so excited to see her. "Hi, what are you doing here?" Was he here for a pleasure trip? A vacation, maybe? I don't think the Jedi get vacation time, Malou dismissed. Perhaps he is here with others, then? She scanned the area, searching for anyone else who looked like they could be with him. All she found was a man looking in their direction (@Tiberius Fenric ) and a woman struggling to handle her luggage getting off the transport (@Brea Lynn Espaa ). "Are you here with anyone?" Malou asked a few moments later.

It was while Malou was greeting her friend that Ashla's demeanor suddenly changed. Whereas the acolyte had been relaxed and curious before in the way she stood and spoke, she was now tense and still. Anyone would've noticed the older woman begin to cry and the man coming over to comfort her. Malou certainly did, though she was wholly concerned with Ashla.

Turning back around to her friend, Malou would ask in a hushed tone: "Ashla? Is everything alright?" Togruti wasn't a language Malou understood, so she was lost on what had just happened.

tags: @Wit @SlagathorTheUnknown @logn2665 @Aurius

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

It was Malou! Ruzaan's smile widened and he quickly crossed over to conversation range with his friend. Internally, he debated if it was appropriate to give her a hug- he certainly wanted to, but not everyone enjoyed hugs... and the last thing he wanted to do was make Malou uncomfortable. In the end, he decided to simply wave again as he approached.

"Malou! Of all the people I could run into!" Ruzaan could've rambled on, but the sound of breaking glass stayed his tongue and allowed him to pick up on the sounds of soft crying. "Zygerrians" Ruzaan translated into Basic for Malou, his face hardening. "They like to enslave my- our- people." Here on Shili, it wasn't hard for him to feel connected once again to all of the people living here. He felt the grandmother's grief, and the holes in the community left by the slavers' raids were as obvious to him as the space between the stars was on a clear night.

While other Togrutas moved in to help the woman (@Aurius) re-pack her bags, Ruzaan focused on the scene unfolding by the juice stall. He'd been sent by the Jedi as an envoy to the Shili government, but had managed to tack some extra time onto the beginning of his trip; perhaps he could combine his connection to his old world with the skills gained in his new one and help his people.

Besides, he wasn't alone. He could probably convince Malou to go on an adventure with him, and he was pretty sure he'd boarded the transport from Yavin with at least one other Jedi (@logn2665). The determination showing on the face of the girl who'd just murdered a juice glass (@Wit), whom Malou seemed to know, also encouraged him- a friend of Malou was a friend of his! And hadn't the very tall woman been something like a security guard on the transport? Ruzaan felt comforted by the fact that they could do this the Togruta way- together.

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius continued to follow Ruzaan at a short distance. He was trying to get a read on who this woman that Ruzaan evidently knew. His attention was interrupted for a moment by a commotion behind him. He turned around in time to see two massive suitcases explode at the bottom of the ramp to the transport that he himself had just descended. He wondered for a brief second who this woman (@Brea Lynn Espaa) might be. A tourist perhaps? A new resident of this planet? Tiberius may never know, but he had more important things to worry about right now.

His attention turned back to Ruzaan and the mystery woman. Tiberius made his way closer and took a seat at a local café within ear shot of the duo. He heard Ruzaan talking about Zygerrians. Tiberius had read of Zygerrians in the archives. Zygerrians had a long history of capturing and selling slaves. Something that the Jedi had attempted to stop several times in the past, but it seemed no matter how many times the Jedi put a stop to the Zygerrian slave trade the Zygerrians would revive it at some point. If Zygerrians were here that was not good news for this community.

A waiter approached Tiberius table. “What can I get for you sir?” Tiberius looked up slightly annoyed as he was trying to concentrate on the conversation that was going on between the young Jedi and his friend. “Just a water thanks.” He said as he turned back to his eavesdropping mission. The waiter looked equally annoyed at Tiberius, nodded and walked away to retrieve the beverage.

 

[Brea Lynn Espaa]

“Wow, thank you, that's really not necessary. No really, please, I'll pick it up! Oh, thank you so much! I love Shili already!”

Brea’s head was spinning. Both literally and figuratively. Not that she had made an effort to drop the eaves, the Vahla had nonetheless heard the candid remarks ahead of her, and could only wonder how such a thing came to be. Weren’t the Rangers policing this part of space, or was Shili completely defenseless? Did they request their own neutrality, or was this a severe case of bureaucracy…

It was unlikely to be outright incompetence as much as likely ignorance. Not that the locals would not have attempted to contact relevant authorities - rather the Zyggerians were organized enough to prevent the transmissions from ever reaching their intended destinations. It was a classic slaver playbook - separate a populace from the Galaxy at large, pick them off one by one until you can come in en-force and conquer the rest. If this was just a single operation, Shili would have no issues. But if this was a part of a resurgent slave empire - that could be a very real problem.

She’d come here for a vacation. Her host was expecting her to stay for at least a week, if not longer. Speaking of… where was her host? Thesea was never late, an almost supernaturally punctual Togruta. His absence left her… concerned. Deeply concerned. The collection of men and women that had come forward to help her would pull back, almost startled, at the look in her eyes.

“Thesea Vavraas. Have you seen him?”

"Thesea? Taken. With the others some time last week... my poor Jyzel..."

"...how often, exactly, have people been disappearing around here? When did it start?"

The Togruta elder seemed taken aback, swiveling her head to look at the near-human with a gaze of pure awe. The impudence of this young foal, to so openly start demanding answers to questions so sensitive and close to home. The rest of the entourage seemed equally as offended, until Brea raised her vest to reveal the spoked badge marking her as an Independant Systems Consortium specialist. The equivalent to the glorified Sector Rangers that the Republic had been flexing about - though less known, more secretive, and equally as deadly. Unlike the Rangers, however, Brea was part of the reconnaissance branch of the Consortium's military, which also acted as a policing force. The differing ideologies were stark, sure, but Brea had to admit the system worked. And it worked well.

"I don't even know what that means, girl. These are sensitive matters..."

"I'm sorry, ma'am... I just want to help. He's my friend. Well, he's actually my dad's friend, and more of a surrogate uncle to me. So... all in all... pretty important."

Spoiler: Rank Note

(I'm putting in the rank change request now, the change was a while ago but apparently I went MIA before asking for the change. I only just noticed she's still marked as an Indie.)

@Wit @SlagathorTheUnknown @logn2665

 

[Ashla Ti]

«Slavers, they took her granddaughter, just like..» She stopped mid sentence, realizing she was speaking in Togruti. "I never told you about my past, did I?" She spoke slowly, and as she did she noticed the elderly woman look up through teary eyes as she heard what Ashla said next. "I was four when I was taken, by slavers. Zygerrian slavers."

She drew a deep breath and forced herself to relax, fists unclenching as she turned to give Malou a look, nodding with a small smile. "Guess you can't really run from your past, can you?" She turned to face the old lady, whose sobbing had slowed down a little. "You said raids? Why hasn't anyone done anything if there's been more than one raid?" The question was for the man who had spoken up earlier, and somehow the question only seemed to bring him and everyone else even more down.

"We do what we can," he replied in basic, following her lead, "but it's not enough. We weren't a rich world to begin with, and the offworlder virus only made things worse. The slavers know this, and so they come. If I were you I'd leave, leave before they return." With that he excused himself and helped the woman to her feet, leading her towards a nearby bench while another Togruta stepped up to look after her stall. Watching the woman be led away for a moment, Ashla turned turned away with a confused look on her face.

"Somehow," she said as she turned to Malou, but unable to look her in the eye and looking down, staring at the grass between her feet, "I thought things might be better, better than they were for me. We don't face this anymore, so I thought maybe neither did they." The Empress had made slavery illegal in the Empire, and a part of her had hoped the rest of the Galaxy shared her views on the matter. She looked up, about to apologize for bringing the mood of the trip down, when a shockwave hit her from behind and sent her to the ground. Screams and shouts rang out all around, and she pushed herself up to her knees to look up at the sky. Fighters were screaming overheard, and as she strained her neck to look behind her, towards the source of the explosion that had hit her, she saw a ship touching down, armored figures jumping out even before the ship had landed.

She froze once more as she recognized their distinctive armor. The slavers were here.

@lizziie @SlagathorTheUnknown @logn2665 @Aurius

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

Ruzaan translated for Malou, but Ashla explained further. She was quiet as she listened to her friend reveal a bit from her past, internally debating the best way to react to this. This revelation wouldn't change anything about how Malou felt about Ashla, but it did allow her to begin to understand the source of the Togruta's distress. She reached out towards Ashla, hesitated for a moment, then placed her palm on the girl's shoulder. Malou wasn't very good at comforting words, so this was the best she thought she could do.

"Do you want to-" Before Malou could finish, the ground shook beneath her feet and sent her off balance. She wasn't able to steady herself, and instead fell backward and just barely missed Ashla as her bottom hit the ground. Like everyone, presumably, it didn't take Malou long to notice the ship that had landed and the Zygerrians making their way down the ramp. The villagers here were panicked, doing their best to shut themselves into their homes.

That didn't much stop the slavers, who bust down the door of a home closest to the ship, entered, and left with a teenage girl in cuffs. She struggled against them, but the stun of their weapons subdued her before she could fight her way out. Two adults tried to follow her out, her parents presumably, but were shot with stun weapons and left to lay paralyzed on the ground.

Malou did not freeze like Ashla. The Miralukan quickly stood and grabbed Ashla's wrist to pull her up too. Her other hand reached to grab Ruzaan if he was still within reach, and she would pull them both of them into the stall. First things first, get out of sight. Ashla and Ruzaan were both young Togruta, and that seemed to be exactly what the Zygerrians were here for.

"We're stopping them, right?" Malou couldn't imagine either Ashla or Ruzaan would be comfortable high-tailing it out of here.

tag: @Wit @SlagathorTheUnknown @logn2665 @Aurius

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan wanted to do so many things at once- buy marg sabl juice, listen to the woman's story about her granddaughter, get Malou to introduce him to her Togruta friend... but as usual, trouble found him. A shockwave- presumably a warning shot from the ship full of slavers that quickly landed- knocked him off balance and down to the ground. Bad news for the suitcases of the tall blonde woman (@Aurius) who were in the process of being repacked.

When he got back on his feet, the raid was already well underway. Ruzaan tried not to panic as he saw other Togrutas- his people- beaten, captured, and enslaved. Ruzaan felt a strong urge to ignite his lightsaber and charge out to defend them. But a look over at Malou's friend, who had bravely shared her own experience of being enslaved, grounded him enough to take a different risk.

"We're stopping them, right?" Malou asked, her hand around his wrist as she pulled him into the juice vendor's stall.

"No... and yes" he replied, gently freeing his wrist, then hastening to explain his idea. "Even if we stop this raid, they'll just send more slavers and bigger ships next time." He couldn't believe he was proposing this idea. "So in order to end this for good, we need to locate and strike at their base of operations... and since we don't have an army, we'll need someone on the inside." Some might find it odd to use so many "we" statements, especially having just met Malou's friend, but being back on Shili had him in full-on teamwork mode; with the most dangerous job reserved for himself.

He could tell that Malou had already figured out his plan, but he forged on nonetheless. He fished a small device out of his utility belt and handed it to her. "I'm told this is a tracker- I don't know how to use it, but I'm sure you can figure it out. It's for their ship" he added, feeling the need to make the clarification, since that was a step he would get confused. "And if you don't come after me- which is understandable- at least be sure to let that man know?" he pointed at the person he thought was the Jedi Knight (@logn2665).

That just left his lightsaber; if the Zygerrians found it on him, their entire operation would go so far underground it would make a Sarlacc jealous. Despite the collective voices of generations of Jedi teachers all screaming at him to not give his lightsaber to a non-Jedi, Ruzaan unclipped his weapon and handed it over to Malou. "I expect this back, but if you do use it please be careful- it's double-bladed and I can't get it off lethal mode. Don't stab yourself?"

Now he was rambling, and was refusing to meet Malou's eyes. He glanced up at her friend (@Wit), hoping to draw approval or strength from her for what he was about to do. If there were no objections, he would leave the cover of the stall and do his best impression of being afraid of the rampaging slavers. It wouldn't be difficult.

Other tags: @lizziie

 

[Tiberius Fenric]

Tiberius was intently listening to the conversation taking place at the Juice bar from his table at the little café next door. “Zygerrians raids?” he thought to himself as he sat at his small circular table. If the Zygerrian slave trade had been revived once again something would have to be done about it. He continued his thought “The Council will want to know about this.”

But before he could finish his thought the ground beneath him began to quake. The waiter who was serving Tiberius was on their way back to his table with the water he had requested. When the shaking began, though, the waiter was knocked off their feet and the water ended up spilling all over the front of Tiberius torso. There was no time to worry about his soaking clothes now though. At that moment a group of Zygerrians came rushing down the ramp of a ship that had just landed, presumably the one that caused all the shaking. “Speak of the devil.” Tiberius said in a low tone to himself

The Zygerrians were going door to door. Entering a house and emerging with bound Togruta. They were loading the residents of the town into their ship. The scene was chaotic. People were running in all different directions. Tiberius stood from his seat and quickly scanned his environment, looking for the young Jedi who had been standing next to the juice stand just moments ago. Tiberius couldn’t find him amidst the commotion.

Believing that the Young Torgruta was capable of caring for himself Tiberius decided that it was time for action. He began to run in the direction of the Zygerrians. He place a hand on the hilt of his lightsaber. He wrapped his fingers around the cylindrical frame and brought it out in front of him. With a characteristic *Pssshhew* the yellow blade came to life and Tiberius began to engage a small group of Zygerrians

@Wit @lizziie @SlagathorTheUnknown @Aurius

 

[Brea Lynn Espaa]

-White Death-​

The ground shook with the force of an explosion in the distance. Suddenly, the area was swarming with the screaming of star fighter engines. A freighter touched down, ripping apart a section of the market square to pour forward a force of Zygerrians at least a battalion strong. Brea’s jaw nearly dropped at the sight, but her training overrode the emotion. Kicking her suitcase open completely, to reveal a pile of clothes. Brea knelt, throwing more of her belongings to the streets as the denizens of the market started to scream and run.

Underneath the clothes was a second durasteel container. Unclasping it revealed a small collection of blasters, ranging from a holdout to her personal sniper rifle. Which she immediately set about assembling, barreling the rifle and fastening it in, clipping on the stock and turning on the sights - she never removed them, as it was already perfectly calibrated. Throwing a visor on that looked identical to a pair of shades, she connected the rifle and started the uplink - giving her a beautiful little reticle wherever her weapon was aiming. It would also do her the honor of automatically range finding her targets. Clipping her DL-44 to her belt, she looked over at the trio of beings that didn’t start screaming, and beelining in the other direction.

“Anyone who has half a spine - you’ve just been deputized. Grab a blaster, and get ready. This ends today.

That goes for you three. Now.”

Kriff me sideways and call me sally, the ONE TIME I TAKE VACATION! I KARKING HATE CATS!

Brea placed the rifle down on a stone column, angling it at the fanciest looking Zygerrian she could find. As she was doing so, a Jedi emerged from the crowd and ignited a yellow lightsaber. This caused Brea to smile ear to ear, knowing full well that they could deal with the oncoming horde. As long as the Jedi kept them occupied, they'd be canon fodder for her rifle at this range. To ensure that her rifle didn’t lose it’s shot, she raised her voice across the distance. The slavers were already grabbing at people, causing Brea to switch targets with a snarl.

“ATTENTION, ASSHOLES! MOVE AND I WILL VAPORIZE YOUR SKULL!!!

Pursuant to Section 7.2, The Ban on Slavery within the Independant Systems Consortium, Free Worlds Alliance and Galactic Republic, you are hereby under arrest!

Lay down your weapons and place your hands on your head, or we will utilize DEADLY FORCE!!! Don't kriffing tempt me. Ten.

Nine.

Eight.”

@Wit @lizziie @SlagathorTheUnknown @logn2665

 

[Ashla Ti]

Ashla didn't resist as Malou dragged her along, and as she and Ruz spoke she slowly started waking up from her trance, or maybe sinking deeper into it. She could hear the conversations around her, see everything going on around her, but as if from a distance. As if she was watching a holodrama playing out rather than something she was living through. The Jedi wanted to play the long game, the ranger wanted to organize a defense, and her? What did she want? The answer came surprisingly fast, and it was a simple one at that. She had once almost killed someone for a simple insult, the foes she faced today had done much worse. They had stolen her all those years ago, forced her into this life, forced her into the series of events that had taken the life of everyone she had loved. And they were doing it again, to someone else. So yes, the answer was simple. She would kill, she would kill them all.

As Ruz handed his lightsaber to Malou Ashla stepped out of the stall, hand ripping off the bag she carried and tearing out the blade that lay within. Blue blade humming in her hand, she started walking forward, and the sight drew the attention of more than one slaver, weapons rising as they took aim. She dashed to the side to avoid the first salvo, stopping for a moment before putting on another burst of speed to cut the distance between her and one of the slavers in an instant. Before he could as much as say a word her blade slashed through the air, separating his head from his body. The other slavers paused, expecting a Jedi but stunned by her brutality. She used that moment, and grabbed the nearest slaver and yanked him to herself, slashing across his torso as she flew by, falling behind her in a lifeless heap.

Out of the corner of her eyes she could see the Ranger pointing a rifle at some of the slavers, and behind her a few of the younger Togruta picking up blasters, though from the looks of it they might never have held one before. That didn't matter, none of it mattered. All that mattered was her revenge. In some corner of her mind she knew the Jedi's plan was sound, but that voice was overpowered by the screams that demanded she cut them all down. Not looking back to see what Malou and Ruz were doing, or rather what her reaction was to her sudden outburst, she simply moved for the next target. She could not worry about that, she could not risk seeing the same look she had seen from everyone at the carnival. Not when she had to make them pay.

@lizziie @SlagathorTheUnknown @logn2665 @Aurius

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

The Jedi had a plan. First, a tracker was placed in her hand, then he went on to explain what he was going to do. He was going to get captured, she was going to track the ship, and then they were going to follow and rain hell upon their base of operations. "Sounds good." Malou was not worried about Ruzaan's safety. He was both a Jedi and a potential profit for the Zygerrians. The chances of him being harmed further than a stun or a shock were slim, she figured. The plan wasn't all that surprising to her, but she was surprised when he fished out his lightsaber and placed it in her palm next to the tracker.

He expected it back, but he was giving her his lightsaber. A Jedi was willingly handing his lightsaber over to a Sith. He didn't know she was Sith, but it was amusing to think about. Malou didn't have too long to think about it before both he and Ashla disappeared from the stall.

Malou could see slavers approaching Ruzaan on one side, and Ashla begin to tear into them on the other. There was another man swinging about a lightsaber, and the clumsy woman from before had deployed a sniper to begin picking off the slavers one by one. Things were about to get messy, and the Miralukan wasn't going to sit it out.

The champion stashed the tracker in her pocket, then vaulted over the stall's counter and began to run toward Ashla. She kept the saberstaff in her hand, and once she drew the attention of the Zygerrians, activated to deflect away the blaster bullets sent her way. "Stay behind cover. Watch each others' backs. Shoot while they reload," she called out to the Togruta picking up blasters as she passed them by, hoping they spoke or knew enough Basic to understand her

"Ashla!" Malou finally reached her friend just as she cut down another slaver. They had concentrated their firepower on her, and some had even abandoned searching homes to respond to her brutality. In order to grant herself a second to speak, Malou let heat rise in her body until she was broiling with it. Her hand swept across the slavers in front of them, sending a wide wave of fire from left to right. While they hurried to duck or shield themselves, the Miralukan would address her friend again, but quieter.

"If we find where they're coming from, we can do so much more." She didn't have any more time to explain, so she tapped a finger on Ashla's shoulder and sent a small pulse of the Force to her. Fire, bodies, destruction; not of the Togruta, but the Zygerrians. Their base, found by tracking. Their leader, beheaded. Malou wanted Ashla to have the chance to take her revenge, but the Miralukan would prefer to see it done with a bit more of a plan than just severing bodies in two.

tag: @SlagathorTheUnknown @Logan @Aurius @Wit

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

((Edit: Changed ending of post so that Ruz wasn't captured so quickly))

Ruzaan hadn't gotten very far when he heard the familiar snap-hiss of a lightsaber. He was vaguely aware of the Jedi Knight somewhere nearby engaging with the Zygerrians, and normally Ruzaan would've sought out his fellow Jedi for safety, but his own stupid plan meant that he needed to put himself into danger. Fortunately, he didn't have to go very far before running into a group of about half a dozen Zygerrians.

Then another snap-hiss caught his attention, and Ruzaan's heart did a little tap-tap-tap at the sight of Malou's friend charging into battle wielding a blue lightsaber. Do I look that cool? he wondered to himself, then immediately blanched in horror as she began carving a determined swath through the raiders. There was a difference between defending the community and bringing down vengeance, and Ruzaan was pretty sure he knew which option the other Togruta had picked.

Ruzaan wouldn't get to see the outcome of the girl's assault, however, as a pair of stun bolts sent him thudding to the ground. Three Zygerrian slavers hustled over to the fallen Padawan, intent on dragging his unconscious body towards their transport.


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[Tiberius Fenric]

The scene around Tiberius was still chaotic. He was now in the midst of the tumult. The original group that he had engaged with had been disarmed and set running back to their ship with their tail between their legs. He spun around and thrust out his hand, sending a force push to knock over a couple Zygerrians who were carrying off two young Togrutas. The two children now free from the Zygerrian’s grip ran towards Tiberius who cut their bonds with his lightsaber and sent them running in the opposite direction of the skirmish.

As the young Togrutas who Tiberius had just freed ran off Tiberius saw in his peripheral vision another Togrutas, but this one was wielding a blue lightsaber. He recognized the female Togrutas from the juice stall. He watched the way the woman wielded her weapon. It was not the way a Jedi wielded a lightsaber. He could feel her hatred and wrath, and he could see it in the aggression she used as she cut down her enemies. Perhaps Tiberius suspicion about Ruuzan’s friends was correct, perhaps they were Sith. As Tiberius briefly contemplated the implications of this possibility a proverb came to his mind that his Master had told him during his days as a padawan, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Tiberius was brought back to reality as a blaster bolt whizzed past his head. He turned his attention in the direction of the shooting. He blocked two more blaster bolts, one of which returned to the sender and struck the Zygerrian in the chest, causing it to collapse. Tiberius heard the call “Ashla!” He turned to see Ruuzan’s other friend, the Miralukan, talking to the Togrutas. The next part of their one sided conversation he was unable to hear as it was spoken in a much softer tone and it was drowned out by the din of the surrounding scene.

Another shot flew over Tiberius’ head. This time it was traveling in the direction of the Zygerrians. Tiberius turned to look at the source. It was the Blonde woman from before who had spilled all her luggage. Tiberius was surprised, at first glance she did not appear to be the type to carry a sniper rifle around, but looks can be deceiving.

Tiberius had seen the two women that Ruuzan was talking to earlier, but where was Ruuzan? While still a padawan, Tiberius assumed the young Togrutas could handle himself in a fight. Scanning the scene quickly Tiberius did not see any sign of the boy.

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[Brea Lynn Espaa]

I don’t remember Jedi being that vicious…

Brea thought back to the one time she’d angered Gram, remembering the entire room shaking, and shook her head. Eileen was never the kind of gal to lose her cool - that kid had handed an angry woman a laser sword. That wasn’t exactly… the wisest call. Angry Jedi were sometimes even more dangerous than regular Sith - because Sith are always angry.

“They won’t make it past me.”

Say what you would of the display, however - it was utterly effective. In comparison to the yellow bladed human, the woman had absolutely dismantled the west side of the oncoming forces. It was almost like watching Eileen fight, but it had less hesitation to it. Every strike seemed perfectly poised to counter a blast, and every counterstrike a gong on the death bell. This one knew what they were doing, and held nothing back. To some degree Brea respected that, but it still concerned her a good deal.

For her part, Brea had sent out a handful of blasts already. Striking knees, helmets, arms and parts of the torso traditionally considered non-lethal, trying to drop the slavers before the Togruta had a chance to engage them. Brea figured it was the best chance at survival they had, and she needed to know where exactly they were coming from. Killing them all wouldn’t give her any answers, no matter how seemingly justifiable it may have been, considering the crime for which she had just arrested them. Killing them all would make stopping them even harder - they would come back.

And this time, they would come back in numbers and with intent to kill. The Jedi would not be here to protect these innocents, and most likely, neither would she. It needed to end, and quickly, or the slavers would only grow emboldened.

Exactly as the thoughts raced in her mind, the Vahla gasped. Being as far back as she was, Brea watched the youngest Jedi go down, struck in the back with stun blasts. And she did not allow that to go unanswered.

“…Shoot someone when their back is turned! Bastards!!!”

A volley of plasma would lance from her rifle as she switched targets, pre-firing before she even had the reticle on target. The blasts would take down the one attempting to drag the Jedi onboard, but she was too far away to do much else. Drawing her DL-44, she emptied two rounds into a slaver that was approaching and flipped him over, sourcing his whip before he had a chance to strike - too far away. It was up to the yellow bladed one and his allies now -

“They’ve got him! Quickly!”

Brea prayed they were fast enough.

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