Private An Unwanted Rescue

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

Ko did not like that his first undercover mission was spent doing this. He couldn’t even look to see if his disguise held up or if the holographic disguise suit was malfunctioning. The silver lining was that he only needed to retrieve one white haired brat. The Jedi Knight himself didn’t inform any of his peers about what he was doing. Being fully willing to go completely MIA forever if things failed. Leaving everyone he cared about in the dark about his ultimate fate. Since there was no way in hell he’d let the Sith capture him alive.

The Kel Dor didn’t waste any time, and pulled no punches. There was nothing spectacular about his little rescue mission. He got to the temple, saw the target and telekinetically flung a tranquilizing dart into his neck. Shoving the teen into an oversized duffle bag Ko made an escape as quickly as he arrived. Knowing what he did about Sith, they wouldn’t miss “Sasha” and probably assume they’d be killed by one of the many other young aspirants.

Now Ko actually needed to figure out an escape plan. This whole thing was rather improvised and he was playing it by year. Knowing he was going to need to smuggle himself and the teen off the planet. He made his way through the tight urban sprawl of Jutrand. Nice thing about planets like this was that they weren’t hard to hide within. Finding Ko would be like finding a needle in a stack of slightly smaller needles, especially if he’d kept himself as incognito as he’d wished.

A light rain drizzled across his form, each drop illuminated by one of the countless neon signs and holograms. Letting out a deep breath through his antiox mask. He took a moment to catch his breath and rest his body from carrying the teen’s weight in the duffle bag. Ko let his body lean back against the wall of the ally he’d scuttled into and set the duffle bag and Valor down next to him without an ounce of gentleness. He needed to focus and strategize a way off the force forsaken planet, and he knew he was gonna likely need Valor’s help to do so, hoping the teen would wake up soon.​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

"Sasha" hadn't been expecting what befell him this day. One moment, he was moving through the temple, and the next, his sleep-addled brain struggled to process the sudden assault. He barely registered the sharp sting of the tranquilizer dart before his vision blurred and his limbs grew heavy. Darkness quickly swallowed him.

When he regained a semblance of consciousness, Sasha felt the suffocating confines of the duffle bag. Panic flared briefly as he realized his predicament. He was aware of being carried, the jostling movements and muted sounds around him indicating he was no longer within the temple's walls. His mind fought through the lingering fog of the tranquilizer, attempting to piece together what had happened.

By the time Ko dropped the bag, there was a startled little yelp from within, followed by a mild shifting. Sasha was conscious again, but his body was slow to respond. His muscles felt like lead, and every movement took immense effort. He could hear the muffled sounds of the city around him, the distant hum of vehicles, the patter of rain, and the occasional indistinct chatter.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

Ko raised a brow when he heard the little yelp from within the duffle bag. Sensing the movement within it letting him know that Valor was awake. The Jedi knelt down next to the bag and quickly unzipped it to see the lethargic teen. He felt a tad bad for using such a heavy tranquilizer, but also didn’t want to leave much room for error.

If Valor’s eyes could focus through their haze he would likely be able to see that Ko didn’t look like Ko, at all. He looked more like a human, with hair skin and shaggy blond hair, yet was still adorned with some kind of breath mask. “Hello there Valor, nice to see that you're waking up now. Consider this your reward for saving my precious oggo-bogdo…” He said, unsure if Valor could even make out his words or not. But he hoped that it would help the teen know that it was the Kel Dor under the holographic disguise.

Valor didn’t ‘feel’ like the same curiously boy he’d met before. They had a more malevolent energy around them. Seemingly emitting from the amulet around his need. Ko reached a clawed hand down to rip the amulet away from the teen, quickly severing the negative energy from Valor. “Where in the world did you get such a thing?” Ko asked as he held up the amulet to inspect it closer. Figuring that Valor must have stolen it during their time here.

Ko then stood up over the bagged boy and thought for a moment. He wasn’t entirely sure what might be the best way to proceed now that Valor was awake. Thinking that he wasn’t entirely too coordinated to be able to keep up with him. But he also didn’t wanna need to carry their weight around anymore than he had to. ​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor squinted at the stranger, his vision blurred and mind foggy. He shifted, trying to move, but his limbs were sluggish and off-center. Attempting to sit up, he wobbled precariously. "Who the hell are you...?" he demanded, his voice unsteady. The mention of the oggo-bogdo seemed to ring a bell, and he squinted, sluggishly reaching for the amulet.

"H...hey! That's... that's Braze's!" Valor's voice was a mix of confusion and indignation. He shook his head, trying to clear the haze, and attempted to stand up. Each movement was a struggle; he stumbled this way and that before finally bracing himself against a wall.

"Damn it..." he cursed, stringing together some rather nasty expletives. "Why... why are you here?" he demanded, his voice tinged with anger and confusion.

Valor's glare was sharp, though his body swayed unsteadily. "You're ruining everything..." he muttered, though his voice lacked its usual strength. He took a shaky step forward, his disdain for the situation evident, but he knew he had little choice but to follow Ko's lead for now.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

The fact that Valor was asking who he was allowed Ko to feel a bit pleased that his disguise seemed to be holding up. But he was rather surprised with the answer he got regarding the amulet. “Braze?” He wondered what that boy was doing with an item like this. It felt malevolent, yet oddly harmless. “I hope his master is behind this amulet. But enough of him, I can only focus on one of you white haired brats at a time.”

Then Ko pocketed the amulet before bringing his attention back down to Valor. “I’m saving you dummy, I don’t know what you have planned here, but I’m glad I’m ruining it.” Although he couldn’t see it, he got the impression that Valor was glaring daggers at him. “You’ll thank me later… or not. I’m not looking for your forgiveness or your permission.” Ko believed that Valor was putting a lot at stake just by being here, even more so now that he was here as well.

Internally Ko was thinking back to one of his friends. Lily once got captured by mandalorians. He wasn’t entirely sure why or how. All he knew was that she was likely somewhere she shouldn’t be. Ko wasn’t looking to follow the echani woman’s example here. He was gonna get Valor and himself out of here, or they were both going to die trying.

“Tell me Valor, how reponsive is your body feeling right now. Do you think you can keep up?” Ko asked, crossing his arms as he looked down as the teen leaned against the wall. Soon enough he also hoped he’d learn what in the world possessed the young echani to travel here. ​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor's eyes blazed with fury "Considering you've drugged me? Hard to say," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. His glare could have melted durasteel as he stumbled away from Ko, trying to stand upright. His body wavered, muscles twitching as he fought to regain control. "You know, you could have gotten yourself killed in a place like that?" His voice trembled with anger and lingering sedation. The cold floor sent a shiver up his spine, making him painfully aware of his vulnerability.

"You're not the boss of me, Ko. You don't own me," Valor's voice cracked, but he pressed on, chest heaving with each breath. "Just because you think you're rescuing me doesn't mean you can decide what's best for me. I don't need saving."

His bare feet recoiled at the sensation of the icy, grimy surface beneath them. The thought of the filth he might be absorbing made his skin crawl.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

Ko was blind, and had no idea how angrily Valor was glaring at him. But he got the feeling from the teens tone and emotional output that they were furious with him. “Oh I understand, in fact I would go out of my way to die if there’s a chance I might get captured.” Right now Ko wasn’t acting as a Jedi, he didn’t even have his lightsabers with him right now just to make his connection to the NJO harder to figure out.

“You also could've died here. Or worse.” Ko listened to Valor as they spoke about how he wasn’t the boss of Valor. “Sure, I’m not the boss of you, Valor, nor do I know what’s best for you. But I know that you recklessly running off to play pretend with Sith isn’t what’s best for the NJO. You could compromise people who are close to me.” Ko explained, taking a bit more of a dispassionate tone with the Echani teen. Letting Valor know that this wasn’t entirely just because Ko was looking out for them.

The taller Kel Dor stepped closer behind Valor, his clawed hand reaching up and placing it gently on the teen’s shoulder. “If you think you’re going back to that Force forsaken academy you can forget it.”​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor clenched his teeth, each word from Ko feeling like salt in an open wound. He didn't care about the NJO or their concerns. All that mattered was his mission, and Ko was wrecking everything.

"Do you even understand what you're doing?" Valor shot back, his voice a mixture of frustration and defiance. "I had a plan. I was close to finding out more about them. You think this is some reckless stunt? "

He leaned heavily against the wall, his anger momentarily giving him the strength to stand straighter. "And now, you've blown my cover. They'll know something's up, and they'll tighten their security. You've jeopardized everything."

Despite his weakened state, Valor's stance was clear. He wasn't just some kid messing around. He had a purpose, and Ko's interference was making things exponentially harder. "You say you're saving me, but all you've done is put both of us at greater risk. They'll be looking for us. How did you even know I was here?!"

Valor's eyes narrowed, his focus sharp despite the lingering effects of the tranquilizer. "So tell me, Ko, what's your brilliant plan now? How do you intend to get us off this planet when they'll be hunting for us both?"

Before Ko could respond, Valor moved quickly. Maybe not as fluidly as he would have hoped, but the reaction was instantaneous as he moved to shoulder-throw Ko, having latched onto the hand that touched his shoulder. Valor instinctively grabbed it, his body twisting in a well-practiced maneuver. Using what strength he could muster, he leveraged his weight and attempted to throw Ko over his shoulder.

"Don't... touch me," Valor growled, his voice a mixture of exhaustion and defiance. "I can take care of myself."

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

“I haven’t jeopardized anything Valor. Stop worrying about your cover, stop worrying about them tightening security. I doesn’t matter to you anymore because you’re not going back. That’s for the Sith to deal with now, not us…” Ko replied, making his intentions and logic clear to the teen. To the Kel Dor none of Valor’s criticisms mattered because they weren’t going back to the academy.

He listened to Valor’s question. Something Ko could actually entertain since it still needed to be addressed. But before he could reply the echani teen performed a shoulder throw on the Jedi Knight. It worked well enough, but the result ended with Ko adjusting his body mid throw to end up planted on his feet in front of Valor. The Jedi knight let out a huff from the suddenness of it all.

He grabbed at the teen once more, this time his clawed digits gripped the front of their pajamas firmly. “What even is your goal here?” Ko hissed from behind his mask. His patience was waning now. “Are you planning on becoming a Sith? To die as some aspirant, or if you're lucky to be used and abused by these people for the rest of your life. Only to get cut down by a Jedi like me later?” His words were stern in assuming the teen’s fate if they. But he had a feeling that Valor didn’t want any of that. Ko could only theorize that this was because of something else. Something petty and personal.

“But if I’m wrong, feel free to enlighten me on why you’re actually here.” ​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor's eyes burned with a mix of anger and defiance as he glared at Ko. "You think you know everything, don't you?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "This isn't about becoming a Sith or some misguided quest for power. This is about Braze. That goody-two-shoes would never have the guts to do what I'm doing. He's too busy being the perfect little Jedi, bound by rules and orders."

He took a shaky step back, his body still unsteady from the tranquilizer. "I'm here because someone needs to gather the information we need to take these Sith down, and Braze isn't allowed to. I'm here because I want to show him and everyone else that I can do what he can't. That I'm not just some shadow he can walk over."

Valor's fists clenched at his sides, his fury barely contained. "And it's personal. I have vendettas to attend to. You might think you're saving me, but you're just getting in my way."

He met Ko's 'gaze' with defiance. "I don't answer to you, Ko. I don't need your approval or your help. I've been doing just fine on my own. So why don't you go back to playing the hero and leave me to finish what I started?"

Valor's chest heaved with the effort of speaking, his anger giving him the strength to stand his ground despite his weakened state. "You've already messed things up enough. Now, what's your brilliant plan to get us out of here? Or are you just going to stand there and lecture me some more?"

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

As Valor began to go on their tangent Ko let go of the teen’s clothes. He didn’t act now or say anything. Choosing instead to let Valor speak uninterrupted. If Ko still had his eyes he’d narrow them as the echani spoke about Braze so passionately. He didn’t really understand what the deal was between the two children. Braze seemed to despise Valor and Valor seemed to despise Braze. Ko wondered if it was some sort of echani thing that they needed to work out.

“You talk about Braze like you know him. As if you grew up with the boy. You’re acting like you know the kind of petulant and insufferable welp he is capable of being… If you think that Braze is the kind of padawan that’s a goody-two-shoes and cares about rules then you really don’t know a thing about that boy.” Ko said, perfectly fine with bad mouthing his friend behind their back. It was almost too easy for the words to come out of his mouth. The Kel Dor wasn’t aware of any secret history Valor had, but what was said struck a nerve in him. In some ways hearing Valor say this sort of reminded him of himself. When he was their age he likely felt similarly vindictive towards Braze. Feeling bitter that they were gonna get to grow into a prodigy while he would tend to plants and animals in the agricultural corps.

Ko felt like there was a fire burning inside of Valor, the same kind of flame that raged within himself. As a teenage Kel Dor obsessed with justice he felt it was unfair that he was stuck away from the temple to be on farm duty while Braze got to get away with skipping their studies.

But the Jedi knight simply let out a deep sigh. Choosing to let the resentment that brewed within him now flow out of him along with his breath. “You’re right, myself and any other Jedi have no real authority over you, and unlike what I said earlier, there’s no real reason for me to be here…” Ko finally replied as he stepped to the side and pressed his back against the damp ally wall. He crossed his arms and tilted his head down. He wasn’t gonna argue with the headstrong echani. “To be honest I was hoping you’d be able to help me in getting off this seedy city world. I have limitations and considering that we’re both strangers in a strange land I figured only you could help get us out of here. You I can’t quite read like I used to. I’m gonna need a pair of eyes to get out of here safely and without suspicion.”​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor was silenced when Ko spoke about Braze. He narrowed his eyes and let out a slow, long sigh, releasing some pent-up frustrations. He didn't like where this conversation was heading, and the mention of Braze struck a nerve.

"What could you possibly need my help with?" Valor asked, his voice tinged with irritation and confusion. "You got here just fine, didn't you? You need me to read things for you?" The thought sounded pathetic to him. He couldn't imagine living a life where he had to rely on someone else for sight.

As Ko's words echoed in his mind, describing Braze in a way that made Valor's blood boil, he felt a surge of conflicting emotions. The anger and resentment towards Braze, and now Ko for their assumptions, were boiling over. He couldn't understand why Ko, who seemed so calm and detached, would even bring this up.

Valor stood there, a mix of emotions churning inside him. The idea of helping someone who seemed so dismissive of his feelings and his relationship with Braze was almost too much to bear. But deep down, he recognized the truth in Ko's words and the reality of their situation.

"Fine," Valor muttered, the edge in his voice softening just a fraction. "I'll help you. But don't think for a second that I understand any of this. And don't expect me to be happy about it."

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

Admittedly it was a rather lame reason that Ko gave. But it was somewhat true. Having a pair of eyes that can actually read displays, holograms and more would prove to be pretty helpful in making a cleaner exit. “I know it’s not the most vital thing, but it would greatly improve our chances here, working together.” Ko doubted that needing to carry around Valor, be it unconscious or kicking and screaming would really be the low profile retreat that he was looking for.

Upon hearing that Valor would be willing to help, even if begrudgingly Ko straightened his posture some. “That’s good to hear…” Then Ko began to take into account Valor’s lacking attire. “You have no shoes, it’d be bad for you to talk through his dirty city barefoot like that. And I doubt you’ll wanna be stuffed inside of a duffle bag again.” Ko thought for a moment. He hadn’t anticipated that he was going to get Valor in their sleepwear. Which was gonna create some hurdles. Plus they were still woozy from the tranquilizer.

Ko knelt back down to the duffle bag on the ground and picked it up again. He also grabbed some robe that was kept inside of it, in case he needed to tie up the uncooperative teen. But he began to loosen it to tie around his body some. “Are you gonna be willing to let me carry you out of here Valor?” Ko would be willing to give the teen a piggy back ride to overcome some of the obstacles of Valor being barefoot and uncoordinated.​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor's eyes narrowed, his temper flaring at Ko's suggestion. "I can walk on my own two feet, thank you very much," he snapped, crossing his arms defiantly. "I'm not some fragile flower or a damsel in danger."

He glanced around the dimly lit alley, then back at Ko, his expression challenging. "Where do you want to go? Just tell me, and I'll tell you how to get there. I don't need to be carried like a child." His tone was firm, showing that despite his current disheveled state, his pride remained intact.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

“Hmm, well okay then.” Ko replied, however, he didn’t put away the ropes. Instead he kept them around his body still in case Valor would need to be carried later. “Well we can try and find you some kind of foot wear if we come across any. But first things first, let's find some transportation to get out of here.” He said before walking past Valor to get out of the damp ally way. The Jedi wasn’t too worried about Valor standing out with their pajamas. After all dense urban worlds like these were home to many kinds of people with many more kinds of fashion sense.

Stepping out of the alley way, Ko turned back to Valor and spoke. “Keep your eyes out for a cap, like some sort of chauffeur droid. That way we can get around faster and keep a low profile.” Right now Ko wanted to do things the “right way” to get off the planet before feeling like they’d need to take more drastic actions. Such as smuggling themselves off the planet through the employment of some desperate characters. Sometimes the best disguise is just looking like your belong.​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor rolled his eyes as he stepped out of the alley way. He hailed a cab easily enough and assisted Ko in to the cab. After some time they made it to the space port easily enough. They had some time to wait before their flight would depart. Valor settled down looking un-happy on on of the public benches.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

Ko watched as Valor slouched down on the public bench at the space port. The knight thought to himself before stepping away for a bit. He didn’t go far, and kept his vision focused on the teen through The Force. But he noticed something among one of the various vendors around.

The disguised Kel Dor stepped back to where Valor was sitting and to a seat next to the kid. He sensed their negativity fuming off of them but wasn’t really dissuaded by it. After all he was here for a reason and wouldn’t turn back on it just because he was stuck with a prideful and moody teenager.

A moment later Ko silently placed what he’d just purchased onto Valor’s lap. It was a pair of very cheap sandals for Valor to wear. They were of exceptionally poor quality and tacky. With the word Jutrand written across them in aurebesh. Something you’d find on a tourist. Why would anyone even want to wear sandals in a concrete jungle like Jutrand was beyond Ko. But he didn’t want the Echani walking around barefoot. He’d have given him his own shoes if he’d known they’d fit.​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor was genuinely surprised to see what Ko dropped into his lap. He blinked, staring at them for a small while before slowly shifting to try them on. "Thank you," he offered after a bit of time. It felt nice to have the bottoms of his feet protected. The small gesture seemed to set in motion a wave of thoughts and feelings for Valor.

As he adjusted to the new sensation of having his feet covered, he couldn't help but reflect on the simple kindness Ko had shown him. The gesture was small but profound, sparking memories of times when he had felt cared for and appreciated.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Valor the Forsaken

“You're Wlecome…” Ko simply replied as he sat next to Valor. “We’re not gonna be taking the Rimma Trade Route, instead we’ll be taking a bit of a detour and going to the Hydian Way, my plan is for us to get to Denon and switch to the Corellian Run.” He said, figuring he wouldn’t need to explain why they would be taking the more direct path to the Galactic Alliance. He wasn’t really certain that they would be tracked, but Ko wanted to make it at least a little bit not obvious as to where they are heading.

“Is it okay if I ask you something, Valor?” Ko asked, wanting to try and learn a little bit more about the Echani teen.​

 

[Valor the Forsaken]

TAGS: Ko Vuto

Valor was quiet as he listened, his usually vibrant demeanor subdued. Seated comfortably, he pieced together the information Ko was sharing.

For a long moment, Valor remained silent, his expression thoughtful. His snowy white brows furrowed slightly as he absorbed the details. Then, something in his eyes brightened—a spark of curiosity, perhaps. He straightened up, his attention fully on Ko.

"Uh... Sure... what do you want to ask?" Valor inquired, quirking one of his snowy white brows.