Open Plot Nar Shaddaa Scouting for the Site

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach’s smile widened slightly as Nara admitted her inability to tell Hutt’s apart. Or it could have been banter of course – Fiach was still unsure about that aspect of social intercourse, and wasn’t making much progress, given there were few rules to follow.

As the doors opened and the droid greeted them, Fiach’s smile never faltered. “You’re new – or at least new to me.”

“Ah…yes…” the droid said. “my predecessor malfunctioned and had to be replaced.” The droid omitted to say that it was being crushed into a small cube of metal due to displeasing the Hutt that was the cause of the malfunction.

Fiach did not press the matter and instead followed it through the corridors. It was different to last time and from Fiach’s memory (which was faultless in these situations) it had expanded. Business must be good – which for a Hutt was never a good thing for the local population.

As the final set of doors opened, Fiach was given no chance to respond to the droids question when the rumbling sound of the Hutt speaking cut across her. And, even to Fiach’s ears, J’agga was speaking loudly.

“His excellency, the Mighty J’agga remembers you Jedi – but not your companion. He wonders where the Jedi with one eye has gone?”

Fiach gave her most courtly bow – even if the Hutt did not appreciate this was the grandest of the three in her repertoire, the act of deference should please him. “He is meditating at the Jedi Temple on the future of the galaxy – and the role we should play in it,” she replied. In truth she did not know precisely what he was doing, but it was a good estimate of how he spends his time currently – as far as she knew.

“Which in a sense leads us to why we are here. But first, I would like to introduce my fellow Jedi Knight.” At this point, Fiach took a small step backwards and allowed Nara the floor.

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Nara smirked as she followed silently, hearing the droid wonder aloud about the one-eyed Jedi. Ah, Master Oren. One day, when I'm bored, I'm going to change the registry in the Order to show you as 'Jedi with one eye.' Though honestly, she might have to get more specific. The Order had more one-eyed members than most groups of raiders, pirates or smugglers.

The Hutt was... well, particularly Hutt-esque. A fine example of Hutt-ery, in Nara's simple opinion. Which meant he was larger than everyone else in the room combined, resplendent in his decadence and comfort. Plenty of comments and jokes lingered in the back of her mind, but she was at least clever enough to realise that'd really hinder their chances in this meeting.

As Fiach stepped back, Nara looked back at her, eyes going wide. A look of worry over her, feeling lost. Fiach could talk respectfully and show some kind of tact and deference. Could she?

Nara gulped and stepped forwards a little, attempting a bow. It was stiff, awkward and overly long. She heard something alien giggle from the sidelines, making her scowl towards the sideline.

"Mighty J'agga.." she began, her voice seeming weak, cracked and weedy in the middle of this room, all alone, "my name is Nara Allam. Like my friend, I am also a Jedi Knight. I have... heard much of your power and vast experience on the streets and tunnels of the sector and I... we come to ask you for a boon."

Her face was turning brighter and brighter red. I sound so stupid. This is ridiculous. What am I even doing?

"With the help of my fellow Jedi, I have started to establish a clinic, just a few blocks away. And it... I would like... to ask... to inquire..." she started saying, stumbling over her words.

What do I say? Please leave us alone and tell people we're off limits? Please look kindly upon us, o Master Hutt? Please keep us out of your protection racket or I'll saber you into the next system?

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

If Nara was lost for words, she was fortunately saved as the Hutt gave a new bellow of laughter. Those who knew Hutts well would be able to pick out words spoken amongst the sound.

“The Mighty J’Agga commends you on becoming a Jedi Knight, although he is surprised someone so puny could achieve the rank.”

Fiach smiled and bowed once more. “I humbly appreciate the Mighty J’Agga’s congratulations. And I also bow to his wisdom. For many underestimate my powers because of my size, whereas I know his Excellency is far too astute to fall into that trap. And of course, two Jedi present twice the power. So, to come before you in friendship shows the esteem we hold you in.” Fiach was on a roll now. “And why you were the only one we could think of when we needed someone of great power and reputation to share our offer with.”

There was a long pause and then the Hutt spoke.

“The Mighty J’Agga would like to hear your offer.”

“Of course, of course,” Fiach replied, giving Nara a quick glance. “We have established a medical clinic nearby – and would be grateful if you would consider sending any of your people that might need help to us. If you would be so gracious as to accept our offer, we would make it known that only those under the Mighty J’Agga’s protection may use the clinic – this depriving any of your enemies the chance of using it and further enhancing your reputation of being both powerful and benevolent.”

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Nara listened to Fiach's incredible flattery. For someone that was usually so plain-speaking and measured, she could really turn on the charm when it was necessary. She laid it on so thick that Nara was worried that it might be a little bit too obvious that it was fake... but then she underestimated just how greedy a Hutt could be. Especially when it came to compliments. There was a brief pause as the droid translated and the Hutt thought, his gaze moving languidly between both Jedi.

"The Mighty J'agga asks why he should consider using your clinic, when he has doctors in his employ?"

The droid phrased it in a much nicer manner, but it was clear from the Hutt's growls and chuckles that it was meant dismissively. Nara's nostrils flared as she stepped forwards.

"Because, Might J'agga, your doctors aren't Jedi. If someone comes down with a toxin, will your doctors be able to identify it quickly enough? Will they be able to get the antidote? We can use the Force to slow it's spread, maybe even purge it. What if someone's taken a blaster bolt somewhere rough, near the heart or head, and you're losing them? The Force can sustain them and help their bodies regenerate. And I'm sure the Mighty J'agga knows some of the diseases that run rampant through the sector. We can help there too.

There are some things that doctors, sawbones, whatever people you have in your organisation; they're perfect for that. But other things? Things that are uncertain, or fast-acting, or overwhelming? For that, you need Jedi healing. That's what we can offer. To everyone who needs it."

She was very certain to make that clear. For everyone. There was an awkward few seconds where Nara stood there, slightly pink-cheeked. Then she gave an awkward bow.

"Mighty J'agga," she finally finished.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

The first time she faced the Hutt, Fiach learned from her Master that the whole ‘good-cop, bad-cop’ was never going to work with someone like this. Threats never worked, only shows of Force and they were only acceptable when they were absolutely necessary.

Back then, Oren sweet-talked the Hutt and Fiach was left to be the logical and pragmatic one. So, it was something of a switch for Nara to now be the person letting J’Agga know the facts of the situation, whilst Fiach was required to be the one with the honey tongue. Which, surprisingly, was not so difficult for the Jedi as she simply trotted out well-worn phrases designed to inflate the Hutt’s ego. Because that was the beauty of flattery in Fiach’s experience – outsiders could spot it a mile-off, but ego-centric Hutts? They simply lapped it up.

There was a long pause after Nara finished speaking but Fiach held her tongue. In negotiations, it was often the one that spoke first that lost. The key was to ride the silence – and Fiach was as patient as they came.

Finally, the Hutt spoke.

“His most royal excellency, the Mighty J’Agga, agrees to your offer to allow you to treat his people as and when required. In return, he will let it be known your clinic is under his jurisdiction. And he only requires one favour to complete the deal. Given how well you looked after his son before, he requires you to babysit him for one day whilst he attends some very important business.”

Even the droid’s somewhat monotone vocabulator made this sound like an instruction as opposed to a request.

 

[Juniper]

Nara waited. And waited. And waited. It felt like an eternity passed. She eyed Fiach, going by her judgement. She'd dealt with the Hutt before, of course, so she followed her lead. Even as she felt twitchy and desperate. Silences did not come naturally to her, especially ones as laden and heavy with expectation as this one.

When the droid spoke, Nara's face melted into a huge smile. It spread across her face, washing away the doubt and frustration of 'negotiating' with the Hutt and his droid. She had a clinic and it was protected. Well, protected by a Hutt but it was a start. She could work on that.

...right up until the droid mentioned the kid.

Her face froze, halfway between delight and horror. She looked back over at Fiach and it was pretty clear from her eyes that inside, she was screaming.

I don't know anything about looking after children don't give me your baby I'll drop it or lose it or... how do Hutt's even have babies anyway? Probably in a disgusting way... ugh, imagine changing the diaper...

She blinked back the queasiness and just nodded.

"We uh... humbly accept your proposal, Mighty J'agga, and thank you for sparing your wise and valuable time," Nara answered back, bowing again quickly. Her voice sounding a little strained, as if she was holding back her screams.

As she looked over at Fiach, she couldn't help but mouth something to her.

"You looked after that's baby?"

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

“Prince Xantha,” Fiach said to Nara as they followed the protocol droid down a corridor, “that’s Jagga’s son’s name. And I didn’t so much look after him as save him. It was during the undead situation, and Master Oren and I rescued him in return for supplies for the local people. I think he took a bit of a shine to me, because he was no trouble at all to look after. But then,” she added wistfully, “I only had to look after him for about an hour. A whole day is a different thing.”

“His lordship, the Mighty J’Agga is to entertain fellow Hutts, and would prefer if his little bundle of joy was elsewhere for the duration of their stay.” The droid was filling them in on the needs and requirements of the deal.

“I reckon he’s worried he’ll be murdered or taken hostage again,” Fiach said quietly to Nara. “And so who better to keep him safe than two Jedi?”

They finally arrived at what be Xantha’s room. “Wow, but you’ve grown,” Fiach said as they were greeted by the sight of a baby Hutt the size of a young pony. “I don’t think I can tuck you in my cloak any more.” In response, the Hutt bounced up and down and made excited noises.

“His prince-ship has a vessel to carry him around,” the droid said and gestured to an overly ornate egg shaped container, which by the look of it, could have its top half open or closed. “It operates much like a gravsled.”

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Nara could think of several better people to look after a Hutt 'Prince.' Surely he had people for that kind of thing. Though that was probably the problem. The kinds of people that the Hutt employed were probably not to be trusted with his own child. They'd use him for leverage.

Nara stood in the doorway, watching the young Prince. It was the ugliest baby sentient she'd ever seen, and Nara tended to think that most babies were pretty ugly. He gurgled and Nara just stared, trying to fix her face. Managing to force a smile on her face that was clearly quite uncomfortable.

"H... hello your prince-ness?" she said, approaching the young Hutt. He certainly had a resemblance to his father. That was about as much of a compliment that Nara could summon.

Just think of the clinic. Think of the good that you can do. Think of the help you can bring.

She moved towards the vessel, tapping the side of the egg-shape. Some of the top slid back and open. "I suppose we'll take him out for the day. Or back to the clinic, where we can keep him safe," she suggested, bringing the container towards the prince. She knelt down by him, trying another smile.

"Come on your prince-ness, let's get you in this," she said, about to touch him before hesitating. Ugh, I'm gonna regret this so much. Closing her eyes to concentrate and summon more strength to her arms, she tried to lift the Hutt 'Prince' into his container, straining at the effort.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach did something she rarely did. She chuckled.

“I am sorry,” she said to Nara, “I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just that he’s put a bit of weight on since we last met.” She smiled at the baby Hutt – thankfully, being obese was hardly a put-down when it came to their physique. In fact, it was a compliment. For only those who ate excessively and did nothing physical could become so large…so the fatter the better in terms of Hutt hierarchies.

She momentarily closed her eyes and connected with the Force. Then, she used it to telekinetically lift the youngster into his container. It dropped quite a few centimetres when she released him before righting itself.

“Right, where to go. The clinic sounds sensible given we can more easily defend him,” the Hutt started crying, “or we could explore the sights of the local area and get some, err, fresh air?” At this the Hutt stopped crying and began to gurgle happily.

“It seems we have one vote for the latter.”

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Nara huffed and tried to lift with her legs, but it was a tough job... until she felt the 'baby' Hutt lift up easier, helping to heft him into the container. She stepped back as it sagged down, leaving one very happy looking Hutt, all gurgling in his ridiculous container.

"Don't apologise, it's not you. It's... this. Him. Whatever," she said, waving her hand towards the Hutt Prince. "I'm no good with little kids and... this kid ain't so little." She brushed her fingers on her coat, clearing off whatever might've been on there before. When Fiach raised the ideas, she was all for taking it back to the clinic, shoving it in a locked room and forgetting about the Hutt's existence for a day... but that wouldn't really be following the spirit of the Hutt's request now, would it? Besides, anything to shut the thing up.

"Fiiiiiine, we can take the Hutt Prince for a damn walk," she groaned, shaking her head as she lead the way out of the building. "I suppose compared to the atmosphere on Nal Hutta, Nar Shaddaa air is fairly... exotic? Synthetic swampiness instead of natural swampiness," she said as she stepped out into the... 'fresh' air of the moon.

She looked over her shoulder and saw the container floating gently behind her. The Hutt Prince grinned, gurgling, generally filling the air around them with happy noises. Instantly, her hand fell to her saber hilt.

"I'm just thinking... maybe walking around the streets with a crying Hutt baby might be like painting a huge target on our backs?" she asked Fiach as casually as she could, still walking away from the building. Because it was very important to not look like you were worried. People could smell fear on this moon and she wasn't about to let them see it from her.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

“We were all born into this galaxy as we are. You can’t blame a wampa cub for being a wampa.” She gestured to the Hutt. “Any more than it’s their fault for being a baby.”

She smiled as it was agreed they would go for a walk. “Maybe not the healthiest of atmospheres, but one he’ll be used to and will no doubt experience for the rest of his days. Hutts don’t seem to travel much.”

As they exited the building, Fiach nodded her understanding of what Nara was saying. “I was thinking that, and also reflecting on my general mistrust of Hutts,” she looked to the Prince now, “present company excluded of course. And I wonder if this mission is more than meets the eye. J’Agga clearly feels someone is untrustworthy and may. Just maybe, he wants us to deal with the source of his mistrust directly. Maybe we’ll not only identify the thorn in his side, but remove it too?”

“And he must clearly trust us, given he’s prepared to use his son as bait. Assuming this is his son. I have to be honest, I can’t be sure if it’s the same Huttlet.”

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

"I think a healthy mistrust of Hutts is key to a long life on a moon like this, so I don't doubt it," Nara replied as they kept walking, a little ways down the street they'd come in from. Back onto one of the larger, more open thoroughfares of the sector. People stumbling out of dirty cantinas, steam rising from the rare sewer grate, buzzing neon from the signs around and above them. Nara tried to keep an eye on everything around them, just wondered how soon it'd be.

Then she noticed a few eyes on them. Ah. Pretty soon, turns out. It could just have been a coincidence, but the three people across the street from them had been staring quite intently just as she'd turned her head. Then they'd suddenly broken eye-contact and said something, separating.

Oh c'mon. Try and make it hard.

"I think our instincts may have been correct," she said quietly to Fiach, keeping on the busier path for now. "I think we've caught some attention." Her eyes kept following one of them, a scummy-looking Twi'lek guy, as he walked quickly ahead of them. "There was a human and a Trandoshan with him too. Check the upper walkways and windows too. The minute we get somewhere quiet, they're going to hit us. I think."

Maybe she was just being paranoid, but someone was always out to kill you on this moon. It's what made it fun.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach tapped a couple of keys on the floating pram and it sped up a little – until it was in-between the two Jedi, as opposed to slightly behind them. “Anyone wants to get to you, they’ll have to come through us,” she shared with the Huttlet, before returning her attention to Nara.

As they reached a more open area, Fiach listened to her fellow Jedi. “I suspect the feelings we had before, outside the clinic, were somehow linked. The Force is still like that for me. It warns me but fails to tell me what it is warning me about. But I think we’ve worked it out now.”

She casually took in what Nara said and quickly spotted the three. “The Trandoshan is behind us, to the left. And there is a human walking up on one of the higher walkways. He hurried to catch us up, and now he’s slowed to match our pace.”

“I sense a trap,” Fiach concluded, smiling. “Which means our next move is to spring the trap.”

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Nara listened, taking in all that Fiach noticed too. She did see the human up ahead, peeking down whenever they could. She didn't look back at the Trandoshan, just relying on Fiach's words and her instinct. Her eyes kept looking out for opportunities. It was a little too busy out on this street. Nara was more than confident in her abilities but she didn't think those thugs would care as much about civilian casualties as either of the Jedi did.

An opportunity came as Nara noticed an alleyway. She casually stepped towards it, as if she hadn't a care in the world. Stepping into the closer, darker and grungier pathway as her hand fell towards her belt. Yawning a little, stretching as she waited for the Prince's container and Fiach to follow. Leaning against the wall as she flicked her blaster to stun on her belt, looking at Fiach and just waiting.

"A few seconds," she said to Fiach, hand hidden near her belt as it wrapped around the blaster's grip. The second she saw movement at the opening of the alleyway, she saw the tell-tale scales of the Trandoshan. Quickly, she raised her blaster, aiming it and firing twice. The bolts thummed through the air towards them, smacking into the thug's chest and pushing him back.

"Nice trap, genius," she muttered as the Twi'lek appeared, armed and ready. He took a defensive position by the opening, using the wall as cover. The wall above Nara's head burst into sparks from a blast. The human on the upper level had a blaster rifle aimed at them both.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach kept up the pretence that she was oblivious to their followers. The fact that they were even trying to remain inconspicuous meant that they’d clearly either never met Jedi before – or significantly underestimated them.

And when Nara changed course, down a side-alley, Fiach did not miss a step, but continued as if this was the intended route all along. She understood Nara’s motives. Here there would be fewer witnesses and definitely the prospect of fewer casualties – plus the bad guys could not use innocents as shields.

As Fiach turned the corner, she noticed Nara had unholstered her blaster and gave a subtle nod. Given she now had her back to the bad guys, she reached forward and pressed a button on the hover-pram. “Just for a few minutes,” she said to the Huttlet, as the canopy extended until the entire unit was shielded. The noise from within suggested the little prince was less than pleased with the affair, but Fiach knew she had no choice.

Then, Nara fired over her shoulder – but could not see if they’d reached their intended target. Then, it got really serious – as the wall above their heads was hit by an energy bolt, clearly from above – most likely the human.

Still with her back to the action, Fiach momentarily closed her eyes and connected deeply with the Force. Then she held out her right hand and her saber hilt slapped into it and she activated it with a snap-hiss – all in one movement.

The next shot from the human was met with the lilac blade as Fiach spun and allowed the Force to direct her movements. She was a devotee of Soresu and as such, trusted the Force implicitly.

“Do we have a plan?” She asked Nara as she waited for the next move from their assailants.

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Nara tried to duck behind a rusting pipe, but it wasn't the best cover. Another blast just whiffed over her head, making her twitch a little. She aimed her blaster up at the walkway and fired, letting a few go. They missed. Waaaay too wide. Too far and too protected for this thing, she thought, looking down at her pistol. She looked over at Fiach, watching her prepare herself with her saber.

Guess it's time for the Jedi stuff.

"Yeah. I think we show them how outmatched they are. Deflect, advance, attack." She slid her pistol away and withdrew her saber, lighting it up too. Blue mixed with lilac as both blades hummed in the alleyway. Nara could see the fear in the Twi'lek's eyes as she stood, the blade held defensively in front of her. Breathing slowly as she took a step, keeping herself alert and ready in the Force...

The Twi'lek started to fire erratically, desperately. His bolts blasted towards the both of them. Some missed, shooting right between them or down onto the ground. Nara tilted her blade as one fired towards her, deflecting it towards the wall. Leaving a scorch mark on the filthy durasteel.

"Lay down your weapons and surrender," Nara called out. Because there was a form to follow when you were a Jedi, after all.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach was – at heart – what could be described as an old-school Jedi. Not that she approved of the title. In her mind, Jedi were Jedi. There were good ones and bad ones and some that enjoyed combat and thought nothing of wading in to a situation saber first. That she was not of that ilk did not, in her mind, make her old-fashioned but simply true to the values she held. Ones she saw as synonymous with the Code. But she had learned not to judge – at least not openly.

But with Nara there was no need to hide her thoughts, the option to surrender was always the first course of action. In fact, Fiach would consider them running away a kind of success – except for two things. Firstly, she could see that these people would not turn over a new leaf and to allow them to escape would simply push pain and suffering back to another day. Secondly, if they were employed by the Hutts, to go back empty-handed would be a death sentence in itself.

She nodded at Nara’s uncomplicated instructions – Fiach was never one to indulge in a plan if she didn’t have to, so simplicity was always welcome by her.

At the activation of a second saber, the firing stopped momentarily – clearly facing two Jedi was not something they bargained for.

The narrowness of the alley helped Fiach deflect the blaster bolts back the way they came, with them ricocheting off the durasteel walls – keeping the Twi’lek pinned down at least. But the sniper on the roof was the real challenge and Fiach attempted to guide some shots back where they came from, but to little effect.

“Listen, if they don’t surrender, we may need to split up. I’ll take the guy on the roof if that’s OK with you. I don’t believe I can take him out from down here.”

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Neither of the two criminals seemed to want to surrender.

Well, I guess we tried. Oh well, not like I was expecting to be nice today.

They were definitely proving more of a challenge than she expected, though. That sniper was a damn good shot, alternating between the two Knights as they advanced. Only quick movements and the slash of her saber saving her from getting blasted right in the chest. But still, Nara kept going.

"Yeah, I don't think they're giving up," Nara said to Fiach, nodding. Her eyes flicked from the thugs back to her. "Okay, deal. I'll try and draw some fire then." Nara nodded at her as she stepped a little ahead, towards the middle of the alleyway. Right in the prime target range. Holding her saber straight, but with legs together. Her free hand moved forwards and she closed her eyes gently, taking a deep breath of the polluted air, rich with the energy of Nar Shaddaa...

Her hand straightened as the air shimmered in front of her. Another shot from the sniper.. that fizzed and smashed against the barrier Nara had called up in front of them both. Nara felt it, standing her ground firmly as she extinguished her saber, sliding it down to her belt before adding her other hand to the barrier, bracing herself. Feeling another shot... then another... then another. The criminals incredulous at the sight before them.

Won't take them long to try something new, c'mon Fiach...

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

If there was a Jedi ability to become invisible, Fiach mused, now would be a great time to use it. Sadly, she was not aware of one and so had to use what she had at her disposal. Which was not necessarily shabby under the current circumstances.

Calling on the Force, Fiach leaped as high as she could – which was significantly faster and higher than even a trained athlete. She hoped the element of surprise would keep the sniper from being able to track her effectively.

Her jump took her half-way up the side of the building, where she grabbed a pipe and propelled herself up the remainder of the wall – level with the sniper. Her judgement was sound and she moved too quickly for the human miscreant to be able to shoot with precision, but she still took a shot to the left upper arm as she landed on the catwalk.

Instantly, her saber was back in her hand and activated – as she shook off the pain and advanced on the sniper. “Last chance,” she intoned, “Lay down your weapon and put your hands behind your head.”

She hoped, as she walked, that Nara was having greater success.

@Charndley

 

[Juniper]

Nara's hope that her barrier would keep both thugs suitably distracted proved true... for a moment, at least. She held her ground, arms starting to tire quickly as she felt blast after blast punch against the shimmering wall in the Force. Gritting her teeth, she kept looking up to see how Fiach was doing. When the sniper noticed, his rifle moved quickly away from Nara and aimed towards Fiach. With that, Nara let the barrier drop and went for her saber.

She lit it again as the Twi'lek tried another few shots. Two of them missed completely. One, Nara deflected off towards the ground. The last one skimmed across Nara's coat-arm, scorching the dirty fabric and making her wince. Too late though, as she'd been advancing towards him.

She swung her saber up and heard the scream and sizzle, as the brilliant blue blade sliced right through his blaster... and part of his fingers too. They fell to the floor with a curl of smoke as Nara followed up with a kick to the stomach, hard enough to send him lurching over. She stood over him with the saber pointed right at him, a hard look on her face.

"Yeah. No."

The sniper, meanwhile, considered his options. The rifle was powerful but not the best at this close range. Plus, as trained as he was, Jedi were a whole other mess he'd never had to deal with before. He was quickly becoming the last one left of that little group... but if he surrendered, his usefulness to his bosses would end.

He appeared to think about it, grudgingly starting to lower the rifle towards the ground, nodding. As he did, at the last couple of seconds, he reached into his jacket and grabbed something, flinging it across towards Fiach. The blinking, tell-tale light of a thermal detonator spinning towards the roof that Fiach stood on.

@Corbeau