Tip of the Iceberg

[Galahad Vult]

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To many, the ecumenopolic planet of Corellia was home. The lights, the flash of metal, the smog, the smell, the sounds, the constant and never-sleeping hustle and bustle everywhere you went — it was all a dream, and literally everything those people could wish for.

But to some people who had never seen an ecumenopolis before, like Galahad, this place was a nightmare. With so many people, so many places and things to be seen, and so many ways to get yourself killed — or worse, lost — Corellia was decidedly not an enjoyable place to be. Sticking very close behind Austin, Galahad followed along as quickly as his leg would allow him, trying not to get swept away in the busy hangar crowds.

Even though the Republic's non-aggression pact with the Sith Empire required the Jedi to hold no territory in Republic space, that didn't stop the Order from doing business in the Core and Inner Rim, and the two Jedi had traveled to Corellia to do just that. Austin had expressed interest in investing in a personal medical craft for himself, in the event that he needed to provide immediate treatment but had no nearby hospital to do so, hence their visit to the industrial planet. Somewhere in the hangar was the head office where the two Jedi could speak to a broker that awaited their arrival, but frankly Galahad could barely see five feet ahead of him. "I do hope—" the Knight was cut off by the roar of a loud shuttle zooming overhead. It must have had some kind of modified exhaust, nothing was that loud normally. "—I do hope you know where you are going, Austin," he repeated, his discomfort clearly heard in his voice.

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

It had been many, many years since Austin had been anywhere near an ecumenopolis. Once, Coruscant had indeed been his home. Born and raised in there, neither in the high rises nor in the dark depths beneath the surface, Austin had also attended a prestigious university to acquire his medical degree. Of course, all this was before his sister was brought to the Jedi to be trained as a Knight. Before Austin himself gave up his practice to hone his skills with the Force in the Order. His mind inevitably wandered to the death of his older sibling, but no longer did he reminisce on it with pain and regret. The medic had learned to live with her death, knowing full well she had dedicated her life in service of the Order and had fulfilled that vow admirably. She was one with the Force.

Austin had just arrived on Corellia after an unsuccessful trip to Canto Bight. He was intent on purchasing some sort of ship that would serve as a small, mobile infirmary for the doctor. Having donated his Jedha equipment to the waystation on Vrogas Vas, Austin was in need of something more fitting for his new role in the Order. However, Canto Bight was filled with all sorts of swindlers and greedy businessmen, and the Jedi had found nothing he wished to buy in the casino city. After having voiced his concerns to the former Temple Guard, Galahad offered for the two to approach the ship manufacturers here, and so here the two Jedi were. Except, Austin was quite sure his companion had never been in a place this...congested before. It brought a smile to the doctor's face as he made his way through the crowds milling about.

"Yes, Galahad, I do know where we're going," he replied in a chipper manner. Raising his handheld holoprojector, he showed the other Knight where they were currently and what route they'd need to take. "We're actually quite nearby our destination. Seems as though we need to go...up there," he commented thoughtfully, look skyward at one of the taller buildings. Not that the two were actually on the ground — in fact, the landing pad they'd met at was hundreds of feet in the air. Austin secretly wondered if Galahad was scared of heights, but decided not to ask. Waving down a taxi-speeder, Austin encouraged his friend on board as he indicated on the navicomputer where they'd like to be taken.

 

[Galahad Vult]

Relieved to hear Austin’s cheery reassurance, Galahad remarked, ”Good, at least one of us knows how to navigate this labyrinth.” Leaning in close to the doctor’s holoprojector, he tried to make sense of the three-dimensional map of the surrounding city, but was only partially successful before needing to move, the crowds almost trampling the two. Squinting his eyes as he gazed high up into the air, Galahad thought he could see several more landing pads above them, but the constant traffic made it difficult to see much. Giving up on trying to figure it out entirely on his own, Vult just opted to follow Austin, sitting next to him in the speeder.

Luckily, Galahad was not afraid of heights. He didn’t mind flying that much, either — the main exception being dogfights. However, the Knight was quick to add driving in ecumenopolic traffic to that list. With the fast-moving speeders, loud blaring horns, and angry drivers, they might as well be in a warzone. Only when he and Austin stepped off onto the landing pad did Galahad breathe easy again. Thankfully, it was far less crowded and frenetic from the walkway, giving Galahad a chance to view the city from a higher vantage point, now that they were out of the chaos and noise.

Looking out from the balcony, Galahad observed, ”Hm...from up here, Corellia has a certain charm to it. The city almost seems...peaceful.” He was beginning to see the beauty of the city, but also why the rich lived up high and the poor far below. Satisfied, Galahad turned to the building’s entrance, his brylark staff thudding against the metallic floor. ”Come, Austin; we have a ship to find.”

Stepping inside, the two Jedi were approached by a well-dressed salesman who seemed to be waiting for them. ”Ah, master Jedi! Welcome to Corellia. We’ve been expecting you. Please, follow me.” The man, whom Galahad could only assume was some kind of broker for multiple shipbuilding companies, led them into a sleek, circular display room, with a massive holoprojector in he center. ”You say you’re looking for a ship specifically outfitted with medical facilities, yes?” He queried as the lights dimmed, the room filling with the blue projection that displayed a large array of starship blueprints. ”We have a wide selection of models, with many variations and pricing options as well. The choice is yours.”

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

"Once you live in city-planets like these long enough, you come to understand it better. One tends to...ignore everything that doesn't directly affect them, there is too much else going on to concern yourself with." And ignore things the two Jedi did indeed as they flew upward through the traffic lines and to their destination. They parked, leaving the speeder to be used by any others leaving the landing pad from this direction, and Austin looked out across the great expanse of Corellia. Though there was beauty in the skyline, the doctor knew that the sunset was reflecting off of smog, not clouds. And deep down inside the city's depths, not even Corellia's security force could manage the rampant crime. However, Austin simply nodded in agreement to Galahad's observation and followed him inside the building.

Smiling as the salesman met the two, they followed the broker as requested until they arrived at the circular room. Sitting down, Austin's attention turned to the holoprojector as the salesman began showing multiple different models for them to choose from. "Firstly, we have the Sakhet-class Medical Ship." Pressing a few buttons, a monster of a ship appeared on the holoprojector.

"Unparalleled in its medical capabilities, this capital ship is capable of tending to no less than one thousand patients. With full medical staff, surgical suites, kolto chambers, and more, this hospital in space is the best on the market today. Though you may be worried about —" Austin had to stop him there with a bit of a chuckle. "Thank you sir but...I'm looking for something much smaller. More of a personal craft." Though impressive, it was something he truly didn't have the funds for — though the Republic surely did, as Austin recently helped the Peace Corps acquire one of these Sakhet-class ships. Pressing a few more buttons on the display, the holoprojector blinked and a different ship showed up.

"Of course, of course master Jedi. Here is one of the freighters that is in fact included with the Sakhet-class. It serves as a short-range ambulance of sorts, fully capable of stabilizing multiple patients until they are capable of receiving better care elsewhere. As for defenses and armaments..." the salesman smiled as he trailed off. "Not quite what you're looking for?" Austin shook his head thoughtfully, liking the idea but knowing that a simple ambulance wasn't going to be what he really wanted. "Is there anything near this size, but is also capable of tending to patients without needing to take them to a more advanced facility?"

The salesman paused for a few moments as he thought. He murmured something to himself, pulling out a datapad as he checked inventory. "Well, we do have one in particular, which I'll show to you now." Tapping on his datapad, he flicked something on it towards the holoprojector which prompted it to change the image to a different ship.

"This, good sirs, is the Medical-class Argus Mobile Triage. I think it fits your needs perfectly, with the ability to tend to up to three patients. In fact," he continued, seeing Austin's eyebrows raise in deep interest. "These models did not sell very well upon first release, and are not produced much anymore. However! We have one of them on display in our sales hangar if you'd like to take a look at it firsthand." The salesman smiled again as Austin looked to Galahad, nodding in approval. "I would be immensely interested in doing so. Please, lead the way."

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Frankly, there was little that Galahad knew about ships, how they worked, or how many options and variations they had, never mind how to purchase one. For the most part, he was just there to support Austin in his endeavours and provide insight if he had any to offer — which, currently, the Knight had none, as the salesman and the doctor flipped through a wide assortment of craft before Austin was satisfied. However, the former guard was beginning to realize the reasons behind why Austin had picked the ship he did; the larger capital craft like the Sakhet-class were designed for large factions to have a multitude of doctors and patients on board during times of war. While Galahad knew that Dr. Wolfe was a capable leader when he needed to be, the man preferred to have a smaller, more manageable workspace. Returning the nod to Austin, the three stepped into a nearby elevator which began to descend rapidly down the building.

At first Galahad assumed the elevator was somewhere in the center of the skyscraper, but he was quickly proved wrong as the side opened up, half of the elevator actually a large window that allowed them to view the magnificent Corellian skyline. From here, Galahad could see much further than before — the glistening metal and glass of the city below stretched as far as the eye could see, lining the horizon and beyond. ⋮⋮ It really is one big city...the population must be immense, ⋮⋮ Vult thought as the sight disappeared as quickly as it had come, their sight now resting on a private hangar with a multitude of various ships on display.

Easing to a stop, the three stepped out onto the long walkway that led straight through the hangar bay, ships lining each side decoratively and holoprojectors detailing each one’s capabilities. However, Galahad did not see the one Austin had chosen right away, and figured it was located near the end of the platform. ”As I said earlier, the Argus-class Medical Triage did not sell very well, but that was not because of a lack of quality! No no — everyone right now wants things bigger, and auxiliary medical craft are no exception. Despite its size, this triage is chock full of state-of-the-art medical equipment. It’s practically your own flying emergency room, no hospital needed!” The group had finally arrived at where the Triage was displayed, clean and sleek in its docking bay. A blue screen flickered nearby them, listing various options and a multitude of ‘attractive’ finance plans availaible. ”And speaking of flying, its engines are nothing to sniff at! With coaxium injected...” The man’s sales pitch full of technobabble continued to drone on in the background, but Galahad was no longer listening — not in the physical plane. The Force was speaking to him, calling out to the Jedi. Except it was not so much a call. It was a shout, a cry, a warning that grew louder and louder.

DANGER.

Stopping in his tracks and gripping the shoulder of the salesman, Galahad looked askance to his friend. ”Do you feel that, Austin?” The sensation wasn’t going away. It was getting closer, more intense. Metaphysical alarm bells ringing, the ex-guard dropped, pulling the man to the ground with him. ”GET DOWN!” he roared, reflexively materializing a Force barrier around them.

The relatively quiet hangar suddenly exploded with violence, blaster fire wailing overhead. Galahad looked over to the doctor, prepared for what must come next. This day had just gotten a lot more interesting.

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

The trio rose and exited the room, soon entering an elevator that displayed the vast Corellian skyline to the Jedi once again. Though the salesman must be used to it by now, it was still awe-inspiring to witness for Austin and Galahad. Unfortunately, the elevator soon dipped back into the skyscraper and the view transformed into the inside of the shaft they were quickly descending in. Not a moment later, they entered into a hangar and Austin's eyes flicked from one ship to another — looking for the one he'd picked out on the holoscreen earlier. Not seeing it, the doctor presumed that the Argus Triage was near the back of the hangar. Stepping out and walking astride the salesman, he listened intently to all of the information given about the medical craft. Austin realized that this would be the first ship that he'd actually call his own — the only other privately owned ship he'd flown before was his parent's little shuttle, but that was shortly before he left for Jedha.

"I am most curious as to why it didn't sell very well," Austin stated. "This Medical Triage seems as though it is perfect for doctors such as myself." However, upon thinking on the matter further, the doctor realized that most other physicians would rather work with a host of orderlies and assistants in a full-size hospital. Working out of a smaller craft such as the Argus-class was likely not ideal. For Austin though, it certainly was the most fitting option for a field medic like himself that was no longer permanently stationed in Tython's Halls of Healing. Several other ships along the long metal walkway caught the Jedi's eye, though they were mostly combat or cargo oriented with various styles and upgrades. Finally reaching their destination, Austin immediately became distracted in the same way Galahad did. He barely had a moment to look at the medical craft before the former Guard spoke.

"Yes Galahad, I sense it too," Ausitn replied. His eyes scanned the metal walkway, looking for the danger that he so vividly sensed when blasters opened fire upon the trio. Thankful once again for his companion's expertise in creating Force barriers, Austin was able to glimpse where the aggressors came from. At the very end of the metal walkway, some 30 or 40 feet away, five men in mechanical outfits armed with blaster rifles were hiding behind crates and laying down cover fire. Looking closer, Austin noticed what was inside the crates — ship parts. "I think they are stealing parts off of the ships!" he exclaimed, staying put behind the barrier. At that, the salesman pounded a fist into the walkway in frustration. "Ugh, this is the fourth time this month! They are costing my company millions..." he trailed off, allowing himself to peek out from behind the cover he'd taken, despite also being protected by Galahad. "Sirs, if you'd be able to do anything to retrieve those parts, I'll see about getting you a discount on that ship!"

Regardless of the prospect of getting a deal for the Argus-class, neither Jedi were simply going to let these men get away with their crime. Reaching out with the Force, Austin clutched the crates the thieves were hiding behind and cast them across the walkway, leaving no more cover for the aggressors. "I command you to lay down your weapons and surrender," Austin declared. The men stopped shooting for a moment, aghast at seeing a Force-user. "They have a Jedi! Let's get outta here!" one of the men exclaimed as they all scrambled to the end of the runway. Running in pursuit, Austin perceived that they had already half-loaded an LK-3400 speeder with more stolen parts. With two sliding into the front seats and the rest into the loading bed, where they again blasted wildly in Austin's direction to cover their getaway.

As the LK-3400 sped out of the private hangar, the Jedi looked over and spotted a GT variant Fx-980 parked nearby. Motioning for Galahad to join him, he jumped into the cockpit and sped off in pursuit as soon as his fellow Jedi was also inside. The chase was on.

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

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Releasing his barrier when the thieves ceased fire, Galahad rose to his feet to meet the aggressors. He was not surprised to discover crime in the giant planet-city, but he certainly didn't expect to encounter it so quickly. However, it seemed these scoundrels were not accustomed to being met with such opposition. As they quickly bailed into their getaway speeder, leaving behind the caches that Austin had tossed aside, Galahad took off behind Austin as quickly as his leg would allow, letting the stray bolts fly by harmlessly overhead. "Do not worry, good sir!" the Knight called out to the salesman they left behind. "We will get to the bottom of this!" The task seemed simple enough — overtake and apprehend the thieves, turn them in, and the thefts would stop for good. Little did the Jedi know, they had only spotted the surface of a very, very deep iceberg.

Taking off after the LK-3400, both speeders began to steadily drop down to the lower levels of the city, as neither were properly suited for upper-level propulsion travel. As the two Jedi chased after them in hot pursuit, the three mercs in the back of the fleeing speeder leveled their blaster rifles on their pursuers, firing a volley of blood-red blaster fire right at the two Jedi — obviously they had no qualms with committing murder as well as theft. Galahad drew his golden yellow lightsaber and carefully stood himself up in the passenger seat of the GT Fx-980, utilizing his excellent knowledge of Soresu to intercept the bolts, most of which would have hit and severely injured himself and Austin if he had not deflected them. However, while some of the thugs' shots missed, they instead pelted the Jedis' speeder and damaged its engine, causing it to run a fair bit slower than before. While at first they had been gaining on the part thieves, now they were moving at approximately the same speed. Seeing this, Vult shouted over the roaring engines and air that whipped by their ears, "Austin, we cannot overtake them now by speed alone. We must follow them and hope to intercept them on the ground." He paused to block several more well-aimed shots before continuing, "I will try to deflect their bolts into their speeder to bring them down; we need these men alive."

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

Gripping the speeder's controls as the two Jedi raced off in hot pursuit, Austin had a short moment to realize exactly how nice the Fx-980 was. With comfortable seats and a sleek interior, the doctor could only imagine exactly how expensive this thing was. "Let's see how fast this can go," Austin challenged, pressing forward and fully opening the throttle. The burst of speed pushed the two Jedi back into their seats as they rapidly gained on the LK-3400, a smile crept upon Austin's face as he realized the chase would be incredibly short-lived. The Force seemed to have different plans though as the mercenaries leveled their rifles and opened fire on the Jedi's speeder.

Despite having to focus on driving and maneuvering, once again the golden glow of Galahad's blade caught Austin's attention. It simply never ceased to intrigue the doctor, as such lightsabers were rarely seen outside the Jedi Temples. The distraction was short lived however, as a hailstorm of blaster fire hurtled towards their speeder. Despite both Galahad and Austin's best efforts to deflect or evade the shots, the engines were hit and badly damaged. "We are taking this thing on a hell of a test drive!" the doctor exclaimed, revving the engine as best as he could to keep up. "You are correct though Galahad, we have to find a way to stop them."

Just then, the LK-3400 swerved and sped off into a heavy traffic lane that was common basically everywhere on Corellia. Thankfully the Jedi's maneuverability was not impeded, and they joined the street engorged with hundreds of other speeders. Unfortunately, they were several spaces behind their quarry and simply had no space to move. All the while, the thieves continued to lay down cover fire, not aiming particularly well. "Galahad, see if you can use the Force to destroy their engines. I'll see if I can find a shortcut." Bringing the inbuilt navicomputer online, Austin worked to find a map of the area and any way they could intercept the thieves.

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

As Austin swerved into the thick, ground-level high-speed traffic, Galahad crouched back down into his seat and clutched onto the side of the speeder for dear life. To think he didn't like speeders earlier. Thankfully the Jedis' quarry had stopped shooting momentarily as they merged into the traffic several vehicles ahead of them, but once the thieves had resumed their high-speed movement through the streets, they began to shoot back once again, disregarding the fact that they could hit multiple other speeders other than their intended target. Pulling himself back upright again, wobbling momentarily to keep his balance, Galahad continued to deflect the blaster bolts out of harm's way.

Seeing their current predicament and hearing Austin's suggestion, the former Guard nodded and shouted over the traffic, "I may not be able to concentrate, but I will try." Reaching out physically and mentally, Galahad grasped the rear end of the LK-3400, slowly closing his hand into a fist to crush the metal and plasteel. Before he could finish his work, a stray shot whizzed by his face, breaking the Jedi's concentration. His work was not all for naught, as a plume of smoke began shooting out from behind the floating truck as one of its thrusters had been damaged, granting Galahad and Austin a form of cover as well.*

Seeing their predicament, the fleeing speeder suddenly took a sharp right turn into a side street empty of traffic.* As they sped past the entrance, Galahad shouted, "Blast it, they escaped! Austin, how quickly can you locate their path? Surely that speeder has a built-in map of the city we can use." Though they had lost sight of their quarry, the thieves could not have gone far now that their LK-3400 was damaged.

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

Gripping the controls harder, Austin had difficulty concentrating on both the traffic and the fight happening several speeders ahead of the Jedi. He could tell their own engines were not faring well — damaged to the point any rational driver would stop immediately and go to a mechanical shop to have it repaired. Clearly they had no time for such things, pressing onward to capture at least one of these thieves. However, Galahad's attempt seemed successful, enough to force the mercenaries off to a side street. Still driving exceptionally fast, Austin sped right past it and exclaimed, "Blast!" Scowling, he set the cruise control on and pressed several buttons to get the navicomputer online.

The holoscreen flashed to life, showing a map of the immediate area. "Look, that street leads to one that runs parallel to this highway lane." Austin looked ahead, seeing another street that connected the two. "I am unsure whether these mercenaries are happy with leaving or whether they want to further keep us from following them." Turning abruptly off onto the secondary street, Austin slowed to a halt and closed his eyes, reaching out with the Force. "We may never find them again if they disappear into the traffic. However, they are full of adrenaline and fear — their emotions will betray their location."

Reaching out with his senses, the doctor mentally waded through the immense amount of other emotions to hone in on the thieves. However, it was of no use — the Jedi could feel nothing of their quarry.* Kicking the engines of their speeder to life once again, Austin blasted off into the street, going the opposite direction they just were. "If I cannot sense them, they must have traveled the other way to get as far away from us as possible." He peered into the traffic ahead of them, looking for the unique LK-3400 they were just chasing. "Galahad, you damaged their engines — look for a trail of smoke!" he called out to his Jedi comrade. By the Force, they would find those mercenaries.

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

As Austin quickly brought up the map to calculate the trajectory of their quarry, Galahad suddenly became aware of the traffic around them reacting to the commotion. Horns blared and people shouted expletives as multiple speeders passed over their smoking FX-980, passersby staring in shock and awe at the disturbance. Not only was there a speeder chase happening, one of them had a Jedi in it — which was made obviously apparent by the Knight's glowing yellow lightsaber. Now no longer in need of his weapon as the thieves had escaped, Galahad sheathed his blade and lowered himself back down into the passenger seat.

Looking across at the navicomputer, Vult nodded in understanding. Gripping the sides tightly as Dr. Wolfe swerved into the side street to continue their chase, Galahad looked all about for any sign of the smoking LK-3400 while his friend stretched out with the Force. Unable to see any remains of the smoke other than the typical amount of smog that blanketed the city's underbelly, Galahad replied, "I concur — I see no smoke trail down here. They must have retreated in the opposite direction." As Austin sped down the street, the former guard noted on the map the presence of a multitude of alleyways coming up on their left. While it was possible the perpetrators had continued to flee at full speed, there was also a chance they had stopped somewhere nearby and escaped on foot. Keeping his eyes peeled, Galahad was grateful that this side street was practically empty besides a pedestrian or two, the noise of the traffic heavily reduced and allowing him to concentrate better on the task at hand.

Sure enough, Galahad spotted a very faint plume of dark smoke streaming out of an alley up ahead. "Over there — they have abandoned their speeder to escape on foot," he pointed out. Slowing to a halt behind the damaged cargo craft, the two Jedi disembarked to continue their pursuit on foot. Ignoring the condition of the thieves' speeder, he turned his focus to the far more telling and important detail: the state of their cargo. It seemed that in their rush to escape, the thieves had left behind a single crate that they had likely deemed not valuable enough to carry with them. However, what was far more pressing to the Jedi now was determining what direction the perpetrators had taken. Scanning their surroundings, Galahad frowned as he noticed several routes they could have escaped through. The alley was dark and dingy, the durasteel and plasteel building walls that likely once shone brightly were now coated in a layer of grime and tainted a greenish brown from smog and waste. However, the ex-guard's sharp eyes caught sight of a lid and a pile of fuses outside a nearby building entrance.* "Austin, look," he stated as he approached the clue. "In their rush, they must have knocked loose this lid and spilled some of the crate's contents. They must be in this building here, but we should proceed with caution: it is possible they will try to ambush us. A wild animal is most dangerous when it is cornered."

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

For the time being, the doctor was content to simply focus on driving while Galahad searched for their quarry. However, due to the amount of pedestrians and other debris in the way, Austin had to slow his speeder down immensely so he wouldn't hit anyone or anything. He highly doubted that the thieves would care — they were likely more intent on getting away than the safety or well-being of others. To his surprise though, his fellow Knight pointed out an alleyway which had a suspicious plume of smoke drifting out into the street. "Excellent, though I am curious why they would stop here instead of driving to the other end of Coronet City," Austin replied as he slowed their speeder down. Taking a moment to investigate, the doctor noted the engine damage Galahad previously wrought on the LK-3400. It certainly wouldn't be flying anymore without serious repairs.

Approaching the back of the cargo-carrying land speeder, Austin's face twisted in thought as he placed a hand on the loading bay. Suddenly and without warning, his mind was struck with a strange series of visions, sounds, and emotions. The doctor had flashes of the thieves unloading the boxes, knocking one over but leaving it in their rush to leave. He felt their rush of adrenaline, stress, and their fear. Austin could sense their fear was not directed toward the Jedi though...it was of someone else. He could also hear their words, although they sounded muffled like trying to listen to a conversation through a closed door.

"...hired Jedi to stop us..."

"...have to find another place to get parts."

"We need these to supply the Market...lose a fortune if we can't..."

In a moment it was over, and Austin gasped in shock. He'd never had an experience like this before, though he vaguely remembered reading of such experiences in the Jedha archives. "I believe," he spoke to Galahad, "I have just experienced a Psychometric vision. These mercenaries are scared of someone or something else, even more so than getting caught by us. I also believe they are stealing these parts for a black market of some sort." Filled with further resolve, he strode toward the building where the spilled crate was.

"We must not be far behind them! Let us bring these thieves to justice."

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Pausing outside the building, Galahad looked back when he heard Austin gasp, initially thinking that maybe the doctor had injured himself somehow. Glad to see that was not the case, the doctor explained what he had just experienced to the ex-guard. Yet again Galahad realized how much more learned in the Force Austin was. While the blond Knight had heard of Psychometry a few times before, he was not familiar with what it entailed. "You will have to describe this Psychometry to me in more detail when our mission has concluded...however, if these visions are correct, then perhaps we have unwittingly uncovered a far deeper plot," Galahad breathed. The two Jedi were hot on the thieves' trail, and while it was unclear whether they believed they had escaped or not, Galahad and Austin could not afford to make assumptions and risk being ambushed. Pressed against the door, Vult nodded to his friend, prepared.

Pulling the door open with the Force, Galahad swiftly stepped into the dimly-lit building. Fully expecting to encounter the perpetrators immediately, it appeared they had entered a small back room which — besides some scattered scrap parts — was currently empty. However, in another part of the building Galahad could make out several raised voices.

"Spyder ain't gonna like this, you know."

"Shut it. We get the parts on board and grab another haul somewhere else, no biggie."

"You sure you lost them space wizards? Last thing we need is for them to be huntin' us all over town."

"Yeah, they're gone.* Outta be on the other side of the Hyperlane by now."

Advancing through the building as silently as possible, Galahad found the doorway from where the voices emanated. Peeking in carefully, he thought he could make out the shape of a ship. ⋮⋮ Not a warehouse — a private hangar, or so it would seem, ⋮⋮ Vult considered as he grasped the hilt of his saber. Nodding once more to Austin, the Knight stepped out of hiding to face the criminals.

Though the Jedi had initially counted five of them aboard the LK-3400, it appeared they had joined one more* — perhaps the freighter's pilot. Bathing the room in a brilliant golden blaze, the Knight shut and locked the far doors before holding up his saber in his favoured Soresu ready stance. "Drop your weapons and surrender," he demanded of the startled thieves, his voice booming with command. It was clear in his tone that he would not ask again.

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

Though he didn't admit it out loud, Austin was still very shaken by the experience he'd just had. Having read of Psychometry before many times, he knew that it was an exceptionally rare ability. There were only a handful of Jedi who had the gift, and fewer still who were able to use it capably. The doctor knew he'd have some meditation to do later — and some explaining, as Galahad also requested. His words also rang true in that they had discovered something far deeper than a band of thieves stealing parts. As they snuck through the building, the raised voices also reached Austin's ears and confirmed their theory. ⋮⋮ Who is this Spyder they are referring to? ⋮⋮ he contemplated, remaining silent nonetheless. Nodding back to Galahad, he followed the former Guard as they stepped out into the light.

Commanding his own lightsaber to his hand, Austin also ignited the azure blade and positioned himself in the low, two-handed grip — typical Niman stance. Galahad, with a far more imposing figure and voice, was the one who addressed the thieves. They must have realized that if they resisted it would inevitably end in their defeat; as one they disarmed themselves and tossed their blasters at the Jedi's feet.* Stepping out, but keeping his blade ignited, Austin murmured to Galahad, "Call CorSec and have these men arrested. I'll check the ship."

Stepping up the ramp that was already open, the Jedi Knight quickly checked the ship for anything that would incriminate the captive men. Seeing nothing but a cargofull of stolen expensive ship parts, Austin had one last thing to check. Walking up to the cockpit, he pressed a few buttons on the navicomputer and brought up the ship's logs. Though the freighter had been to many different planets in the last several months, it always returned to one planet.

Ojom.

Walking back to the loading ramp, Austin peered down it to make sure his fellow Jedi had everything under control He didn't think the thieves would attempt anything, especially not in the presence of one so imposing as the former Temple Guard. "I have news, Galahad," he called out, coming down the ramp halfway to meet the Knight. Opening his handheld holoprojector, it displayed the voyage logs of the freighter. "This is where we will have to continue our investigation."

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Though fully prepared to fight these men, Galahad was relieved nonetheless to see the thieves throw down their weapons and surrender. As Austin stepped inside their freighter, the ex-guard grasped a bunch of cords that sat in a heap nearby, setting to work binding the men's arms behind their backs tightly. Having effectively restrained them, Galahad pulled out his holoprojector, contacting the authorities. "This is CorSec, what is your emergency?"

"Myself and another Jedi have apprehended these men," Galahad explained. "We witnessed them stealing ship parts, which we have here as well for evidence." The officer was pleasantly surprised, considering his job had basically been done for him. "Oh, wow! Excellent, that was easy. Thank you, master Jedi. We'll send a patrol to your location shortly." Shutting off his projector, he turned to face Doctor Wolfe as he exited the freighter with news of a lead. Stepping closer to see the voyage logs better, Galahad noticed the same pattern Austin had earlier. ⋮⋮ Hm...Ojom, ⋮⋮ the Knight pondered. It seemed they had their work cut out for them. For now, however, their work here was done.

Fin​