Private Better to have one and not need it [Liin Terallo]

[Caedyn Arenais]

Politicians.

Jedi Knight Caedyn Arenais couldn't claim to know a great many on any real personal basis, despite presiding over Mnemosyne as the remaining Monarch since his Sisters' resignation, yet he did know the importance of the role that they played within the Galaxy. The Galactic Alliance, for example, held countless Senators, Ministers and Political Envoys which maintained its body of Government and leadership across the Core Worlds.

It was for this reason, his experience and knowledge surrounding their import, that Caedyn Arenais had responded to Liin Terallo 's request for assistance in the means of being able to defend herself should anything undesirable cross her path. While Senators were known to have top-notch security on Coruscant, that didn't mean that they were without flaw, and the Jedi Knight suspected it might be the same case for this new contact residing on New Cov.

"This is Caedyn Arenais of the Repertoire seeking landing permissions on New Cov" Caedyn informed the local traffic control frequency as he neared the world's orbit; "I'm here on personal business. I have an audience with one Senator Liin Terallo" he explained following their enquiry as to his reason for travel.

 

[Liin Terallo]

"Permission granted. The vent will open for you shortly. Once through the pipe, park your vessel in spaceport I-3."


I give a humorous smile to myself as it is announced that a Jedi prematurely called me a Senator to the traffic control officers. Although I do aspire to becoming a Senator some day, should the next superpower that extends their territory to it have a Senate. Yet at this moment I am merely a Representative. Do I plan on correcting him? Yes. But not in a way that might embarrass or offend him. Afterall, I am asking for his help.

My apartment in Ilic City is where the Jedi will be led. It sits next to the Capital building and is both luxurious in size and style. I take pride in the many art pieces and wooden decor. It is filled with beauty and I am told that the colors are very bold. If only I could see them to know what they mean. That would truly be wonderful.

I await the Jedi in the sitting room, wearing a lightweight dress that flows well with my movements. It is one of my favorites to dance in and I think it to be fitting for today. My hair is drawn up in an elegant bun, with a fashionable kerchief pinned to keep any loose strands of hair from reaching my face.

Today is a day of action, as it were. And upon the most recent events that have happened to me; this is a brash but necessary step.

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[Caedyn Arenais]

The Jedi Knight had never visited New Cov, and perhaps he'd become too accustomed to the size and splendour of Coruscant, having referred to Liin Terallo as a Senator on a whim of habit. He did in fact know very little about the woman he was about to meet; Only that she had requested help and that he had offered his time and skills in a bid to be of assistance to someone else in the greater Galaxy. To his mind, it was to be a peaceful reprieve from all the fighting that had been taking place between the Galactic Alliance and the Brotherhood of the Maw.

"Understood, thank you" Caedyn replied curtly before proceeding to guide the Repertoire along the designated trajectory; First passing through the huge mechanical tunnel leading towards the landing platforms for which his vessel would settle down atop platform I-3. Once safely landed, Caedyn moved to power down the Starship, the engines still whining down to a slow halt as he initiated the landing ramps release, soon descending out into the open air of New Cov's locality.

From there it seemed he would be given an escort to Liin's apartment complex via speeder and a personal driver. His arrival had all the makings of a politician's design, though humble against the shadow of where Caedyn had come from.

Finally, he would arrive. The Jedi Knight stepped into the room accompanied by his designated guide, Caedyn Arenais dressed in his typical fashion, Jedi robes of a natural earthly tone. There Liin Terallo seemed to have been awaiting him, and he greeted the woman with a formal bow of Jedi custom. "Greetings Ma'am, I am Caedyn Arenais" he informed her, confirming his identity and their agreement to meet having finally come to pass. "Thank you kindly for inviting me into your home" he added politely.

 

[Liin Terallo]

The Jedi arrives. He appears younger than I imagined, yet I will not hold that against him. He holds a confidence and power about him that reminds me of quite a few people that I know. And thankfully he is respectful! Lately I have come across some rude individuals and I am very glad to see that such rudeness is not widespread.

I dip my head in greeting before approaching him with a hand held out for him to shake. The fabric of my dress moves about as if floating on the air itself. I just love how it feels when it does that. "Master Jedi, thank you for coming. And welcome to New Cov. Can I get you anything? A refreshment? A drink?"

Of course there is more than one reason why I asked for a Jedi to come here. The Jedi can know things about others that someone like myself can only guess at. Yet for my own peace of mind, there are some questions that I plan to ask him. But all in good time. I do not want my lessons to be cut short or cancelled because of what I ask.

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[Caedyn Arenais]

"Master Jedi, thank you for coming. And welcome to New Cov. Can I get you anything? A refreshment? A drink?"

"So kind of you to offer, but I am fine thank you" Caedyn Arenais replied with a polite smile, a hand lifting casually in dismissal of the offer; "And please, call me Caedyn. Caedyn Arenais", he concluded with a bow of his head in respect and formal introduction. He stood upright, straightening the sash of his Jedi Garments somewhat whilst glancing around the diplomatic suite.

Caedyn had no reason to be cautious there, yet one could never be too careful and in a manner that would give no hint of his precaution, he quickly noted the finer details of their shared surroundings. A couple of security camera's within sight, the presence of supporting staff and otherwise, their fairly private meeting.

"Perhaps you could indulge me as to why you made the request for lessons in self-defense?" He would look back to Liin Terallo studiously, "Is it precaution that drives you, or are you expecting the need will arise due to more immediate concerns?" He asked curiously. It wasn't only important to note for her well-being but also could serve to provide a hint of what he was to expect from the day's venture.

 

[Liin Terallo]

A relaxation in formalities is offered by the Jedi and given that he is to train me in protecting myself, I find that it is fitting to accept it. "Very well then Caedyn. You may call me Liin."

I watch as he pauses to look about the room. Ever watchful and looking for danger, I can imagine. Yet he will discover no such dangers posed by myself. My reputation and that of NCBC would be tarnished if we were to ambush a guest.

He asks his questions and there are several ways for me to respond. Yet for the moment I keep my answer geared towards what I do know, instead of what I do not. Speculations are not always correct, afterall.

"There had been a recent kidnapping attempt of myself. As you can see it was unsuccessful. If it were not for my bodyguards and a Covie Jedi that came upon the situation, I would not be standing here before you today. Yet I understand that no plan is foolproof. And although it is unlady-like to fight, I feel that it would be beneficial to surprise future assailants enough so that I may escape their grasp. Does that answer your question sufficiently?"

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[Caedyn Arenais]

"There had been a recent kidnapping attempt of myself. As you can see it was unsuccessful. If it were not for my bodyguards and a Covie Jedi that came upon the situation, I would not be standing here before you today. Yet I understand that no plan is foolproof. And although it is unlady-like to fight, I feel that it would be beneficial to surprise future assailants enough so that I may escape their grasp. Does that answer your question sufficiently?"

"Perfectly, yes thank you Liin" Caedyn replied politely. Being on a first-name basis always helped to make things more personal and as the Jedi Knight saw it, this was exactly that. There was no business to be had here, simply an opportunity to help someone within his area of expertise.

"I wish I could say that kidnappings weren't common, but in my experience it happens more than you might think," He remarked, thinking of his own family's experiences. Although Caedyn had never fallen victim to an abduction himself, his Sister had a number of times, to which Caedyn had come to her aid. "I wouldn't concern yourself with what might be considered lady-like in these situations, as it often comes down to life and death and any means of insuring your own safety is worth doing, provided it's legal" the Jedi suggested.

Removing a pack from over his right shoulder, he lowered it to the ground floor. The backpack was large and square in shape, consisting of many pouches and compartments, the likes of a heavy bag utilized in exploration endeavours or times when carrying heavy equipment was necessary. "I've brought a number of personally owned belongings with me to help assist us in this lesson, however, I feel it best to ask if you have any preference in training. Would you prefer to use a blaster or would you rather have lessons in self-defence and martial arts first?".

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

I dip my head in acknowledgement, glad that my answer sufficed. I would hate to be told that this was nothing that I could be taught. To hear that kidnappings are a common occurance comes at little surprise. It is part and parcel when it comes to a life in politics. This is why bodyguards are a staple in any politician's entourage.

To the Jedi's question, I raise my eyebrows in surprise. Here I am being given a choice as to just what I will be trained in first. Yet I am no expert in the slightest. To even suggest that I will be able to hazard a guess as to what avenue of self defence that I could be capable of learning was indeed laughable. I am already out of my element at even initiating this to begin with.

"What do you think would surprise an assailant the most in order for me to run away? I would not want to entertain them the idea that I would engage them in a full out brawl." That is how I can imagine many fights end up, regardless of the weapon or lack thereof is used.

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[Caedyn Arenais]

"Starting out, I would suggest a small calibre blaster might be perfect for you. Something easily concealed, yet effective at close to mid-range should you find yourself the unfortunate need. Blasters can also be used as deterrence of course, some might shy away at the sight of one, however, that's not always going to be the case" Caedyn replied, speaking with a serious tone, yet quiet so as not to appear too much a frightening discussion for Liin Terallo . It was enough that she was having to consider these things at all.

Reaching into his pack, Caedyn opened up the main compartment and withdrew two containers with a plasteel outer coating. Removing the safety locking clips at the front of each, he then turned the two containers around to face Liin and opened them both to reveal two blasters, one in each and surrounded by a black mech that outlined the two firearms' shape.

In the container to her left, rest the CS.38 Tactical Side-arm that was Caedyn's own personal make and design. More than that, it was the only one of its kind that the Jedi carried on his person in the most serious of assignments. It was much more technical than the other firearm, consisting of multiple attachments and ammo types. "As you can see, this blaster is rather complicated and can accommodate a variety of ammunition types. The components you see can be assembled to the base design creating a firearm closer to that of an SMG; A small machine gun".

In the container on the right was the CDEF Blaster Pistol. Unlike the CS.38, the CDEF was manufactured by Correllian Arms and was a much simpler pistol by design. Just as Caedyn had described, this blaster was light and concealable. Not only that but it was commonly issued to CORSEC (Coruscant Security), and was a reliable firearm when considering one's self-defence. "This is the CDEF Blaster Pistol and I think would be much more suitable for you. It's straightforward in design and doesn't provide much kickback in recoil".

 

[Liin Terallo]

A small blaster is what the Jedi suggests. And one that can be easily concealed. I cannot help but wonder just where I would conceal one. I am not one to carry a purse. However I do tend to carry a fan. Or I could maybe hide one among the fabrics of one of my dresses. But first I would have to know how to use one.

I watch as the Jedi brings forth two cases, each containing a different type of blaster. I listen intently as he speaks of the first one. "A small machine gun? How---" Horrifying was the word that came to mind. But I didn't utter it. Instead I merely concluded with "---unique."

I then turn my attention to the second blaster which is indeed the smaller and more simpler looking of the two. The Jedi seems to read my mind, indicating that this one will probably be the right choice for me. However I make no move in removing it from the case just yet. "The blaster kicks back? Does it cause injury to the one wielding it?" I can feel my nerves start to develop as a number of thoughts enter my mind. I work at slowing down my breathing in order to calm myself down. Perhaps I am in over my head with this, and yet I still must try. It could be the case in that any future assailants would fall down in fits of laughter at seeing me aim a blaster at them. That in and of itself would give the the chance that I would need to run away. "Is there a way for it to be non-lethal? I have never killed anyone and I hope that I never will."

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[Caedyn Arenais]

"All firearms offer a level of recoil depending on the calibre or output of power they discharge" Caedyn answered, explaining what he had referred to as the kickback; "It doesn't hurt you no, but when holding the firearm, the recoil will cause the barrel to jolt, rise and otherwise make repeated fire difficult to hit on target if you don't compensate for it with a firm grip and steady arm. For beginners, it is often best to focus on landing the first shot rather than firing multiple times in a short span. Otherwise, take precious seconds to steady the blaster and line up your second shot accurately".

Judging from Liin Terallo body language, the whole concept seemed a bit too much. "Don't worry, it sounds difficult but it's easier in practice and yes most Blasters these days come with a stun setting for immobilizing your target rather than injuring or killing them, thankfully. I myself much prefer to stun those I'm forced to fire upon".

Reaching forward, Caedyn removed the CDEF Blaster Pistol from its casing and holding it with the barrel pointing away from them both, he showed Liin what it looked like in his hand before seeking to teach her more about the weapon. "The power cell, which is dispersed in the form of blaster bolts, is housed within the handle of the blaster pistol" He explained while using his thumb to press at the left side of the blaster, toggling the magazine to eject and catching it in the palm of his left hand. "These power cells unlike slugthrowers consist of one to two hundred rounds depending on the make of the pistol and the brand of power cells manufactured for it. This one carries one hundred and fifty rounds before the power cell is emptied".

 

[Liin Terallo]

I listen to him very carefully. This is all probably basic knowledge to most, but I have hardly been around any violence at all. And I especially had not taken part in any of it. No, I have been the victim of it just once. And that is once too many.

I am pleased to hear that the Jedi refrains from killing others. It must be a horrible thing to deal with, most especially in war. It makes me wonder how many battles he has fought.

My mind is wandering again when it should not. I return my focus to him. He removes one of the blasters and takes it apart somewhat. So there is a power cell which also serves as the ammunition. They are both one and the same. That is simple enough, I think.

"With that many shots available, I am sure that one charge could last me more than my lifetime. Yet one thing I would like to know is: is there a difference in charge between the stun setting and the lethal setting? Or is it one and the same?"

I still make no move to touch it. I can imagine that my aim would be shaky at best. It is such a relief that a Jedi had decided to teach me instead of a drill sergeant of some army. He at least has the patience and calmness about him that will probably work best with me.

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[Caedyn Arenais]

The CDEF Blaster Pistol was certainly the best choice for Liin Terallo judging from her reaction, and Caedyn agreed. It was light, held less recoil with every shot fired compared to the slug-thrower and the ammunition count was certainly higher. Moving closer to Liin while making a conscious effort to keep the pistol pointed away from her, he brought the blaster closer for her to be able to make out the detailed toggle along the left side, only a small distance from the hand grip so that it could be easily switched with the thumb while held in one or both hands.

"This toggle here" he said, while pressing the subtle switch up. "You see where it reads NL? That stands for non-lethal weapons fire. Those are your stun rounds and will limit the power output of the energy cell so that it will immobilize instead of kill" he explained. Caedyn then proceeded to flick the toggle down towards the letter L, "L stands for Lethal. Unless absolutely necessary, I would keep the blaster's safety on, which is where the switch is positioned to the left, or rather the centre. It moves clockwise and counterclockwise, and each mode will make an audible click so you'll know when you've triggered a change in ammunition type. Having the safety on means that the power cell is kept from releasing any ammunition, and the pistol will not fire" Caedyn switched the blaster's safety on before offering the firearm to Liin to get the feel of it.

 

[Liin Terallo]

I look at the parts of the blaster that the Jedi points out. It seems simple enough and I hope to be able to remember it during times of stress. Yet perhaps I will be lucky and not find myself in such a situation at all. However that notion is but a dream. Especially as I travel outside of New Cov. Just like venturing into the jungles outside of the biodomes, the Galaxy is an unforgiving place.

As the blaster is held up for me, I just know that he wants me to take it. I take in a deep breath and hold it before taking the blaster carefully into my hand and lifting it from the case. I treat it almost as though it is made of glass that could shatter in my hand at any moment. The blaster is lighter than I expected it to be, but that does not make it any less dangerous. "And the non-lethal rounds use up less energy allowing for the charge to last longer, correct?"

I keep my finger away from the trigger, despite the safety being on. I am fully aware that in a short amount of time I will have to open fire on some sort of target. I just hope that I can keep my hand steady from trembling while I aim.

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[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn nodded in confirmation to Liin Terallo 's question, "That's right because it requires less power than a fatal round usually would". The Jedi Knight observed where Liin's fingers were, and how she held the firearm and noted that she kept her index finger away from the trigger. This was good, gun safety was an important lesson. "You're holding it well" he complimented her with a smile, "Finger off the trigger unless you intend to use it. Always hold the firearm with the nozzle pointed toward the ground when carrying it. This ensures the safety of those around you" he advised.

"When you're in a dangerous situation and need to fire your weapon, make sure you identify your target properly before taking the shot. When you do shoot, take a breath and exhale. Fire when you've stopped exhaling, as this is when your hands will be most steady" Caedyn spoke further, offering several pointers on the matter of actually using the weapon; "Obviously there won't always be the time in a life and death scenario, but if you have the opportunity, make sure you line up your shot and don't give your target a chance to turn and shoot back". Caedyn wasn't speaking as a Jedi but as an instructor, bearing in mind that Liin's life would likely be on the line and any mistakes could prove disastrous for her. He would not emphasize the negative outcomes at the moment but rather kept her attention on the blaster and its utilization.

"Also, when you're leaving a safe position and potentially putting yourself in any kind of risk, always ensure there is a fresh, full powercell in the Blaster Pistol. The last thing you want is to find yourself in a position where you need it, only to find it empty or lacking the ammunition at the time".

 

[Liin Terallo]

He answers my question this second time around and I am grateful for the response. It might of been a dumb question, but it is better to know for certain than to guess.

I give a small yet nervous smile as he compliments me, and straight away I tip the barrel downward towards the floor as instructed. At least one can never accuse me of being trigger happy!

"Are you certain that my aim could ever be steady? I am not a Lady that is accustomed to violence." And nor do I want to be. A war of words is something that I am more exoerienced at. And it tends to be a lot less bloody. Stunning the target will be my best option in preventing them from firing back straight away. It will give me the chance to get away from them.

"I can only hope that I have barely any use for a blaster, so the power cell should maintain a charge for quite some time. Maybe it could even last a number of years. However I may keep a spare on hand just in case." I do not tend to carry a purse with me. Most especially during events. I tend to carry my feathered fan with me for the most part. Yet one can hardly hide a blaster pistol within it. Still, I can always keep one in my luggage whenever I travel.

"Is it appropriate to aim with one eye closed? I see that so often in holomovies and I have often wondered if such a thing was often practiced."

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[Caedyn Arenais]

"It is, yes. You'll want to use your dominant eye and line your sight with the iron sights when aiming. The iron sights are the raised parts along the top of the blaster, two at the back and one in the centre at the front. The front iron sight is where you want to aim at your target" Caedyn answered her, explaining briefly before moving to her other remark about the carrying of the firearm.

"In the case of carrying the blaster, you can purchase concealed holsters that will keep it subtle. You can find some that may strap around your thigh, or under the arm nestled under the armpit, perfect for when you're wearing a coat or jacket" he informed her with a gentle tone. Liin Terallo certainly didn't look comfortable while holding the blaster pistol, but perhaps that would come with time and practice.

"It would do you some good to organize a place to practice using the blaster, perhaps a gun range somewhere private and away from prying eyes" The Jedi Knight suggested to her; "Your aim will become steady as you get used to the feeling of the gun kicking back, and accustomed to slowing your breath when preparing to fire a shot".

 

[Liin Terallo]

I look at the points of the blaster as the Jedi points them out to me. So the holomovies are correct? Well that is good to know! Perhaps then I will not look quite so silly when I try it for myself.

The mere thought of having some sort of holster on my thigh and hidden under my dresses is laughable. Sometimes I have so many layers of fabric that it would be such a task to try to dig a blaster out from underneath. Not to mention the bump on my leg that a holstered blaster would make will be incredibly easy to spot! Wearing a jacket is also not entirely commonplace for me. New Cov is a warm planet and the climate is well controlled inside of the domes. I have seen rain but have never felt it. And I have certainly never experienced snow or frost.

"I will have my stylists see if they can come up with something that will work in order to hide a weapon on me." They are the experts afterall. Yet I can only hope that I will have little need for it.

As he mentions going to a gun range to practice on my own, it sounds almost as though he has no plans to show me at all. "There are weapons testing areas in the labs that I am sure that the scientists there will permit me to use from time to time."

I gently put the blaster back inside of the case, speaking as I do so. "During the attempted kidnapping I was carried off by a very strong woman. And when I pulled at her hair in a bid to cause her to drop me, the grip on me tightened even further. My right ankle was already injured from the crash to the point that I could not run. My only saving grace was that that the monsters of the jungle took notice and scared my kidnappers off. Was there anything that you can think of that I should have done differently?"

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[Caedyn Arenais]

"There are weapons testing areas in the labs that I am sure that the scientists there will permit me to use from time to time."

"How soon would these labs be readily available to you?" Caedyn asked, curious to take note as his duration of time there on New Cov was uncertain, and the premise of one's private residence did not at all seem appropriate for the use of a blaster pistol.

"During the attempted kidnapping I was carried off by a very strong woman. And when I pulled at her hair in a bid to cause her to drop me, the grip on me tightened even further. My right ankle was already injured from the crash to the point that I could not run. My only saving grace was that that the monsters of the jungle took notice and scared my kidnappers off. Was there anything that you can think of that I should have done differently?"

It was a good question and one Caedyn Arenais took a moment of silence to consider. "There are other weapons that are purposed for self-defence that you may wish to look into. For example, a non-lethal defensive weapon could be the Stun-Baton. They are essentially a form of taser that generates enough electrical discharge to physically immobilize an assailant, but not outright kill them. If you are able to immobilize someone, then binders would be your next best bet so that they aren't able to attack you when they come out of paralysis" the Jedi Knight informed Liin Terallo . Although in her position it was also highly advisable to not wander anywhere on her own.

"Make sure your security detail is appropriately arms and capable of defending you. The more eyes that are on you, the less chance there is of an assailant getting to you" He concluded.

 

[Liin Terallo]

"It will not take long. Within the hour once I give them word. It will give them time to complete whatever it is that they are working on."

I hope that that alloted time is short enough for the Jedi. I am unsure of the duration of my Father's contract with him, so it is best for me not to dawdle.

At his suggestoon that I carry with me a baton and some binders, I can only smile in amusement at the jest in order to keep myself from laughing. He must be joking for it is hardly befitting for a lady in my position to carry such things. There is a certain amount of trust that must be shown to any host or guest and that is not how it is done.

"You mistake me for a warrior or a member of law enforcement where such items on their person are commonplace. However my security detail should be well equipped where I am not. And you can be rest assured that there will be very little moments in time upon which they will not be present. Privacy is but a rare thing for one in my position." Although I had gotten quite used to ignoring those that watch me when the situation calls for it. It is not a part of their job to engage me in bouts of conversation, afterall.

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