Ask Coruscant What are those?!

[Drastus Drahr]

Coruscant- Wayyy Under Levels

​

Drastus had found some time to make his way to Coruscant, intent on picking up on the trail of one of his rivals. A rogue female force user who worked for the Pykes. His hunt had taken him lower and lower and lower until he was maybe in the lower 1600's. He had lost track. And it was during that hunt that he began to hear word of a sickness touching those on the level. For his little excursion, he brought along his armor and his painted black egg. He had left it hidden in an abandoned alley. This was a wonderful place for those to hide or for some to commit the most heinous of crimes.

With the riots increasing, he had opted to leave his saber in his speeder. He would stop in his walk and check his chrono, check in time. Activating his comm, he'd wait for the inevitable voicemail of his Master. She'd likely be asleep at this hour. "Master, checking in. So far, no sign of my quarry.. But.. I've heard rumor of sickness in the under levels. I'm going to investigate a bit, see if it warrants more bodies. Drast, out." deactivating the comm, he'd tuck it into his breastplate and keep walking. Hopefully it was just a bad bug going around, maybe someone had some cold orobird, he didn't know. All he knew, was that he was hungry.

As the thought crossed his mind, he'd look up just in time to notice a bar with words in neon bright colors. But one particular line really caught his attention: '& Grille'. Jackpot. Whew, luck really seemed to be with him on this one. He'd whistle as he entered the bar, it was fairly empty, save for a few patrons milling about. Reaching the bar, he'd nod to the tender. "Corellian Whiskey, three fingers." the zabrak would nod before heading off.

@Aurius

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

-Black Betty-​

Coruscant. Level 1332. Quite the ways down from the bustling and gleaming city above them, a place known for seedy dealings and a rife criminal marketplace. Also the location of some rather foul, unsavory individuals that caused nothing but ruckus and destruction. Eileen was deep within the underbelly of the Galaxy’s most well known and arguably most hypocritical socialite society since Taris.

A sickness had been steadily raking up a hefty body count on levels lower than this one, and had finally found its way here. From where the Vahla Consular could not say, but she did know if it was not stemmed soon then it would surely reach epidemic proportions. Being that Eileen did not yet feel comfortable openly engaging the Sith or the Galaxy that had - once again - turned its back on the Jedi Order, she instead sought to do what she could here. She’d been working together with an amiable couple from 1332, the Pavan family, staying at their home as she healed their ailing daughter and others who came seeking her aide.

Luckily, Hela Pavan had made a full recovery, and as a thank you her parents had offered the Consular a night free at the entertainment district. The makeshift clinic she’d set up near their humble ramshackle abode (a hobbled together shelter of shipping containers, divided and powered by old freighter parts) would be closed for the evening. The recommended venue? Saulda’s Cantina & Grille.

It was there, at the Cantina’s middling table surrounded by a variety of beings, sat Eileen Van Alasdaire. Lady of the Frozen Lake of Rhen Var, and Knight-Consular of the Jedi Order. Not that anybody here would know that - she was wearing spacer garb, wrapped in a black shawl. Her saber wrapped within it’s wrist holster, hidden from sight, barely utilized unless during training. Her emerald eyes turned adjacent as a young man entered the Cantina, a man who carried with him a distinctive force-sensitivity.

His whistling was also rather pleasant, but woefully conspicuous. He ordered a drink, confidently. Eileen could respect that. She whistled his tune back to him as she got up from her seat, walking over to the bar’s edge with an empty mug in hand.

“Another refill, please. Caf, black, on ice.

Come here often, stranger?”

@Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast had just settled at the bar and place his order when he heard the tune he whistled repeated. As his glass was set down, a voice would speak up at his side. The Mandalorian helm would shift to look at the woman. "Caf? That osik will kill ya." He'd say, despite the voice modulator in the helm, his words dripped with humor. "Try tea instead."

He'd set down more creds to cover her drink. "Who doesn't go to Sauldas for a burger everytime they're planetside?" Drast said sarcastically. "Truthfully, first time at this joint, not the first time on this level. You?"

@Aurius

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

”Believe me. Caffeine is the least of my worries down here.”

She turned to him for a moment. Wondering who he was - why she sensed his presence here, above the others. Though the Force resided in all living things... it was abnormally strong in him. Mandalorian traditions clashed starkly with that of the Order’s own, and though relations between the two had improved Eileen knew of only two Mandalorian Jedi...

As a history buff herself, she was however versed in their culture and architecture - one of the many things she adored. So many cubic meters of architecture strewn across Mandalore’s main city. It made little sense, but aesthetically extremely pleasing. Their language was equally as confusing, but honored.

“Obviously, it’s the best food around!

Been here for weeks myself. Doing a bit of this, and a bit of that...”

It was time to test, then she would know for certain this wasn’t just a bounty hunter wearing the armor - or worse, searching for a quick credit from turning her head in.

Do you know what I mean?

She leaned forward as the bartender placed her mug back on the counter, smirking at the man in mandalorian armor. Gauging his reaction to her gentle nudge, a psychic message through the Force.

@Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

The Mandalorian would laugh at her assessment. "That's pretty true. Worst threats here are the little children that double as contract killers. Too young to fully understand what they're doing and too poorly forced into a certain position." He was still very knew at using the Force to sense it in other people, but, suddenly he'd feel something. As if he were being probed? Or perhaps something was being shared?

"Hopefully it is, I'm starving." He'd say, his gaze flicking away from her. "What have you been-" he was cut off as he heard her voice, this time inside his head.

Do you know what I mean?

His head would snap back to her, his expression hidden. It had been the first time he'd ever heard a voice from someone still living, in his head. He had never even learned how too commune with another in such a way, so he did the only thing that made sense. He thought it.

-Doing here? How are you doing this?


@Aurius

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

So... my suspicion was correct. This is a link between two force users...

As she gently spoke into his mind, Eileen did ready herself. Though the Vahla sensed no aggression as of yet, it was always smart to be prepared. She had already gently spoke to his mind, but anything beyond that (mind tricks, or direct mental attack) would be an active struggle against him.

I’m surprised you didn’t learn this technique. Or how to suppress your Force Aura...

Instead she prepared herself to, frankly, bolt as necessary. Eileen was no fool, she knew well that her combat skills (though formidable) were not as attuned as her skills in the Force. But it was her hope that this was another Jedi, that maybe the Order had need of her once more. Since the Jedi had been branded criminals she’d gone into hiding and knew little of current events beyond her small social sphere.

Perhaps... are you Jedi?

-Mercenaries-​

Abruptly, the cantina’s double-hinged durasteel doors were kicked in and swung closed. Entering the cantina was band of mercenaries. Mottled armor, a mixture of species, with a leader clearly marked by how notched, rusted and edged his armor was marked. The mask on his face seemed to be huttese in design - and he carried a rather wicked looking axe. The grille turned towards them quietly. Nobody spoke, barely anyone could hear a sound beyond the gentle hum of machinery and jazzy music.

“Barman, a drink for my boys! We’ve got a big catch tonight...”

@Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

The Force guides me as much as any other.

His visor refocused on her. He felt something along with her presence, maybe.. hesitation? As far as he knew, no Jedi had been in the Core. But, she didn't seem like a threat.. but then again, the Sith never did.

My skills in the order are more... Martially inclined.

He'd admit, his fingers drumming along the bartop.

I am.. but even then, a Sith would say yes.

As the mercs entered, his visor shifted back to them. At their words, his hand lowered to the grip of his blaster.

This doesn't end pretty. Sure I saw these guys in the port talking about hunting Jedi. I'll cover your escape.

The Mandalorian would then speak through the speakers of his helm, his voice modulated. "The only big catches here, are coming with me."

"Huh? What'd you say?" One of the mercs would say.

Drast would turn quickly, his blade flicking out of its scabbard to sever the axe from its harness, forcing the leader to take a moment to recover the weapon. His follow-through was then sending a boot into the chest of the one who spoke, dropping him.

@Aurius

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

Good. At least I am among my own.

Eileen raised an eyebrow at the collection of mercenaries that had decided this was now their cantina. It wasn’t uncommon. It also wasn’t uncommon for them to boast about catches they’d never made. This particular group seemed well armed, but full of hot air. It wasn’t until the Vahla watched her allies’ hand drop to his blaster that the Jedi anticipated the situation heating up.

Wait...

Too late.

He’d already called them on their bluff, in an attempt to get her out. But running would only make them more obvious not less so. Sure, she may not be the best at lightsaber combat - but Eileen could use her blaster as well. With pinpoint accuracy, thanks to the Force guiding her hands. As the axe fell to the ground, the woman spun, grabbed and threw one of the durasteel tables, causing it to hurl into the group. The first man went down to a kick, and the rest would have to either hop over the table, or scatter, leaving a clear exit path.

On the off-chance this was going to turn sideways, Eileen primed her Bryar Pistol and dived, launching herself over the bar and taking cover.

In case you haven’t noticed, they’re in our way...

@Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

So it would seem.

As the table collided with several of them, Drast aimed the pommel of his blade at the back of the head of the leader as he bent for the axe. The Leader would let out a grunt of pain before he hit the ground hard, still groaning as he started to writhe about. Leaping the table, Drast would duck a chair, driving the pommel into the womans midsection and sending her stumbling.

That's half the fun.

Even though she couldn't see the grin, she could definitely feel it through their connection.

@Aurius

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

Eileen grimaced as the grille turned from a nice, cozy evening into an all out chaotic fight. Patrons of the establishment began to panic, moving towards the doorway barred by the mercenaries. Though the Mandalorian Jedi was taking the fight to the leader directly - if that was enough. Eileen presumed it was not.

You are the most bold...

The civilians would make opening fire with her blaster pistol dangerous. But that was only if the user wasn’t a trained Jedi Knight. Though the use of these types of projectile weapons were largely ignored in training, (preferentially treating the civilized weapon of the lightsaber) Eileen was quite proficient with the Force. And at this moment, it would guide her hands.

...Jedi I’ve ever met...

The Bryar felt light in her hand, until it shook with energy as the first bolt fired. And like a gong struck by a hammer, the first mercenary fell. The Vahla slowed her breathing from cover as another approached, waiting until the edge of the blaster rifle went over the counter. Abruptly, she grabbed the barrel, pulling it down and rose, using the rod Ian’s body as a shield. His allies hesitated, long enough for her to land a clean shot through the knee of another foe.[abox3]
(Working on the assumption that you didn’t pommel bash Eileen lol) @Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

I'll take that as a compliment.

Drast would grunt as a boot stomped the back of his knee and he'd go down, the bent limb trapping the boot. Dropping his blade, Drast would roll to the side, snapping the ankle tied to the boot.

So... Thanks.

The man would let out a pained cry that was silenced by a gauntlet to the jaw. Rolling back the other way, he'd grab his blade, just in time to see her drop another foe with a knee shot.

Nice shot, don't see many of us rock the blaster.

The blade would glide into its scabbard as he pulled his blaster, one gauntlet pressing down on the shoulder blades until face ate concrete. "All of you, stand down." The blaster would press against the neck of the leader. Most wouldn't die for their cause, especially a mercenary over no chance at making coin. "..Or you're going to have to vote a new leader. Now drop your weapons, and leave."


@Aurius
(You'd be correct lol. Just giving the merc band some females)

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

As it was meant to be...

Where once the grill was a hotbed of hostile activity, it had all at once become as silent as a tomb. Whoever this Mandalorian Jedi was, he certainly knew how to put an end to a fight. It reminded Eileen of her cousin quite a bit. The remaining mercenaries began to cautiously look at each other, their blasters still raised but nobody seemed bold enough to pull the trigger.

The Force is my guide, I am the weapon. The blaster is just an extension, my friend.

The Consular rose with a single breath, both to back her ally up and to observe and detect. One trandoshan merc seemed like he had an itchy trigger finger, but a simple look from Eileen’s verdant gaze cast doubt in him. That, and her Bryar pistol was leveled at the Lizard’s skull. Not that she would actually fire, but nobody wants to play sabacc with their cranium on the line.

“We can walk over you, or we can walk past you. Move!!”

Weapons started to drop to the ground, the clattering of durasteel on durasteel was almost melodious. Even still, she didn’t lower her guard for a second, nodding to the man with a gentle smirk. Unfortunately, this did mean that her place here had very abruptly ended. The Vahla could’ve done so much for these people, far more than she had already, and yet all of that cut short at the hands of some fools with money on their mind.

I’ll follow your lead.

@Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

The visored helm continued to survey the room until finally, one by one weapons started to hit the deck. "That's more like it."

Gotta say.. not used to seeing many of us fight like you. Kinda glad I ran into you.

Drast would rise to his feet, hauling the leader up with him. "No sudden moves." He would lead her through the small ring of still standing mercs, until they reached the door. For the first time ever, Drast could actually feel someone's feelings through the Force. Her disappointment.

Sorry things here had to end like this. It's never fair for the bystanders.. Run.

Once they were finally through the door, which he crossed the threshold last, allowing Eileen to cross first. Looking back at the mercs, some of which were starting to gather their weapons back up, Drast would flick his blaster to stun and fire a ring into the leaders head, letting him hit the ground hard, before he launched him forward into the lead members of the group.

Run. Wherever you lead, I'll follow.

Hopefully the night couldn't get any more worse.

@Aurius

 

[Eileen Van Alasdaire]

Necessity breeds sacrifice...

Eileen ran, and Drastus followed. Where she ran, only she would know - the location of her little hideaway. It was nothing short of a hole in the wall, filled to the brim with medical equipment and Jedi Holocrons. Each one was filled with her own personal accounts of countering the AMS virus wherever she could. Hopefully the knowledge would help the healers of the Order fight the spread of the disease more effectively.

There would be barely enough room for Drastus to stretch, but the derelict shelter she had chosen did come prefurnished with a rather comfortable (and previously unopened) couch. Beside it sat a small cot and collection of blankets made in the like of a bed. The cooking area was a plasma cooker, and a moveable wooden tray for cutting. Nothing else of note was around, beyond a suitcase for clothing. The Pavan family home was too far away, and leading mercenaries there was the last possible thing they could want to do.

“We will have to stop by Hela’s later. Make sure nobody’s trying to look for us there. I’d offer you something, but as you can see, most of my stuff isn’t here anymore.”

She walked over to the holocrons and calmly plopped herself down, sorting through a few of the lavender ones before reaching a singular, large green cube. Eileen would then spin it around and toss it to the Padawan, smiling gently.

“Take that back to the temple. Should help the healers there.”

@Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast had only been to Coruscant a handful of times, and each time it had felt like there was a new enemy or a new level. So naturally, he had zero idea where they were heading, which didn't bother him. To his surprise, the hovel they finally arrived at was filled with medical instruments and holocrons. It was always hard for him to tell if the holocron belonged to other Jedi or if they were her own. But that didn't stop his visor from scanning the walls.

Seemingly safe, Drast would remove his helm, one gauntlet drifting up to straighten his dreds as the helmet was clipped to his belt. Eileen would notice he was only a year or two younger than her but already he bore quite a number of scars. Unwilling to be the first to actually sit, so he just leaned against the sofa. "Yeah, we don't want to leave a mess here for the locals." The young man would say in agreement. "Don't worry about it.. Where I lived before the temple was much cozier than this." he'd say with a smile.

Drast would catch it and tuck it into his chestplate with a nod. "You some kind of healer? Or a scientist? Or both?" He'd ask, curious of his companion.

@Aurius