Coruscanti Blues... (Open)

[Ronak]

To Ronak‘s disappointment, the data pad held no information on his location, instead it contained tables with numbers and names of what might be chemical substances though he had no idea what they were or what the numbers actually meant, maybe orders or sellings, shipments informations or even something completely different. He was absolutely no expert in the field to tell. Growling softly in disappointment he stowed the data pad away in a pouch; maybe the numbers could be useful at some time. The deck of cards had been more interesting than this.

The dark fighter looked quite up to the next fight, athough the gash on his cheek still looked painful. „We‘d better get going!“, the Shinavasten suggested. „Before any more come back. Do you know any way out of here?“ Questioningly he let his slightly glowing eyes move from one man to the next.

However, before receiving an answer, he pricked his ears, as he perceived soft sounds of movements closing in. „Someone‘s coming!“, he announced softly without caring to interrupt someone. „Still a few corridors away, but getting closer. Can we get out quickly enough?“

[member="Orex Mauda"]
[member="The Wayfarer"]

 

[The Wayfarer]

The Wayfarer was not surprised when Orex declined his help. He was a man who knew only pain. It was the only thing he understood and The Wayfarer felt sympathy for such a creature. He relished in causing it too others just as much as he did causing it to himself. If not directly at least indirectly, by throwing himself in harms way, challenging the biggest baddie he could find, he would end his life as a scar. The Wayfarer did not understand such people. He simply could not.

The Wolf spoke interrupting Oda's thoughts. He could sense the oncoming danger now as well.

"We must move quickly," Oda said.

He feared that the alarms would attract a small mob of the spice fiends and while they worked for Motta, they were only addicts and he wanted to avoid hurting them if possible. So Oda led them the opposite direction. He knew Motta was coming. He could sense him. So as they ascended a flight of stairs, Oda prepared for a fight of his life. The stairs were simple winding ones that one might find in the corner of an office building, if they were trapped here it would be a hard fought fight.

Sure enough they found more trouble coming from the top however, Addicts charged at the trio whilst they tried to make their way up the stairs. They attacked with club and fist, some even had stun batons, but most only the most basic of weapons. Oda kept his weapon sheathed as he did not want to kill these men, or even truly hurt them. Using his martial prowess he sought to simply incapacitate them.

He caught a man's fist mid air, then grabbing the man's arm with his other hand, twisting, Oda threw the man into the mob already building at the bottom of the stairs. Oda side swiped a baton with hand then diligently wrapped his arm around the wielder's own, he pushed up on the poor man's elbow with his free hand and it was accompanied by a loud crack. Oda grabbed the next man by the head with one hand and sent his head flying towards the stairwell rail guard.

However many they took out it seemed their were ten more. They rushed from both top and bottom, but Oda could see the door leading to the roof just ahead. All they had to do was keep fighting.

[member="Ronak"]
[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Hurrying up flights of stairs, we were greeted by an onslaught of Addicts. Simple men and women with no purpose other than kill and indulge. Useless creatures beyond any purpose or worth. Orex re-ignited his Lightsaber and made effort to avoid hitting either [member="The Wayfarer"] or [member="Ronak"] , as the stair well was very close quarters.

They came at him, swinging clubs, batons and their bare hands. They had no chance. Orex restricted himself to compact movement, mostly direct thrusting into their faces and diaphragms. Orex had not a shred of care for these people. Stabbing and Slashing, Orex cleared his path up the stairs. As he made his way with Oda and Ronak, he was hit in the back of the head with a thrown club. He turned to see a gathering of men and women at the foot of the stairs, recovering from having had another of their kind thrown at them. With this, Orex noticed Oda. He wasn't even killing them. Simply putting them out of action. Orex didn't intend to interfere but he was.. disappointed. He grabbed an addict, felt his fear. Orex pulled anger from his soul and hatred at the sight of who he held, turned to face the gathering at the bottom, and Force Pushed the addict with such ferocity, that several who suffered the brunt of the flying man had their necks blown back and ruined. Something that stimulated Orex. Sheathing his Lightsaber, he felt this was ample time to train in his use of the force. Orex manipulated joints, destroyed spines and threw the dregs of the lower levels so hard into the stairs, they were barely recognisable after impact. It was stressful, but Orex enjoyed it.

Motta was nearby. We both felt it. Motta was a slaver just like any other, and he was Orex's primary objective. First he would make an example out of these men and women, then he would make a global example of Motta.

"Oda, Ronak. do tell me you're enjoying yourselves?"

 

[Ronak]

The ligth weapon man seemed to know his way, when he hurried towards the flight of stairs. Out of this desolate and stinking place was the direction Ronak preferred and without any better option he followed the man closely with the other man close by. Soon enough his ears could pick up the sound of nearing steps, this time from upstairs as well as downstairs. A fight would be unavoidable, this much became obvious. „Watch out, more are coming“, he growled silently just in case to warn his comrades.

Soon enough the first ones were in sight, but unlike the thugs from before armed with blasters, these ones had much more simple like clubs, batons or some only their bare fists. The rank of the chemical smell was intense around them, some had dark rings under their eyes, some looked like their were not completely in charge of their senses and actions. These creatures were almost pitiful and if they would not have been the obstacle between him and the way out of this horrid place, he would have tried to avoid a fight at all cost.

However, this would not be possible, now that 10 of these stepped directly into their way. The light weapon man did not even draw his weapon, instead using incredible martial skill to throw or push their attackers out of the way. His sister had showed him some crude techniques for throwing opponents using their own weight and strength against them, but what he could witness now was much more refined and perfected. Thinking of his sister made his heart contract painfully. Where was she now and his brother and mother?

There was not too much time for dwelling on such thoughts however, as the attackers did not stop attacking the trio. A whirring sound made Ronak aware that the dark man had drawn his dark glowing lightsword and he quickly dodged a hit that could have hit his shoulder, but instead cost one of their attackers his hand. In midmovement, he tripped another of the attackers pushing him into the next attacker once he was unbalanced. Using his claws to lash at another attacker and frocing him to withdraw, Ronak tried to move forward toward his other ally.

A movement close to his shoulder made him spin around in time to see a club aimed for his head. Taking a step aside, he sank sharp teeth into the man‘s wirst who started screaming and soon enough let go of his weapon as intended. Bleeding and whimpering he withdrew immediately, once the wolfman let go of him. Another one would have turned to run at the sight of the wolfman with blood dripping from his muzzle and bared teeth, if he and the other one would not have been thrown in the air by an unseen force Ronak could feel not on his skin like an intense wind by more deeply inside. His fur started to stand on edge as he watched half in astounding, half in horror as the poor wretches‘ bodies were twisted, their necks broken in midair. A feeling of dread started to fill him, when he saw the dark man‘s face showing a twisted smile which became even more twisted by the wound he had received before. "Oda, Ronak. do tell me you're enjoying yourselves?", he heard the words, but it took him a moment to realize who had addressed him and gather his thoughts enough to give an undiscernable growl as an answer. The dark man could interpret this as he wanted.

Even if the brutality and gruesomeness of this way of fighting were not to Ronak‘s liking, he could not deny their efficiency in clearing their path to freedom. The other man, Oda the dark one had called him, had eliminated enough of their opponents without trying to kill them. Likely he shared the enjoyment of the dark one‘s methods as little as Ronak did, but now was not a time to fight among themselves.

Their way was path clear now that the last one of the broken attackers was thrown over the bannister. Intensifying noises from below indicated that their pursuers were closing in. „Let‘s get out of here!“, he urged the other two taking the first steps upwards when a whirring sound in the air indicated some kind of missile landing somewhere before him. He jumped backwards in time to to not be directly hit, but the flashing light and loud bang blinded him from some seconds and made his ears ring so terribly that was completely disoriented for some moments, stumbling and only due to trained reflexes keeping on his feet. Damn flash grenade!

 

[The Wayfarer]

The Wayfarer was sickened when Orex began to use the force on the poor wretches before them. He contorted their bodies at disturbing angles and flung them over the edge. They truly stood no chance. Oda attempted to incapacitate as many as he could before Orex could fixate on them. With fist he switched to a form more fluid and deadly, but at the cost of defense. He struck an opponent in the collar bone with palm and the man's frail form broke under the strike. He was hurt, but not dead.

Oda spun his leg so as to swipe the leg out from underneath his next assailant. The man slumped to the floor as his head hit the steps and knocked him unconscious. He quickly brought his palm up in a uppercut which struck the next contender in the jaw. But, despite Oda's attempt at eliminating as many as he could without murdering them, Orex managed to kill most.

They're path to the roof was cleared but, upon reaching the top a flash grenade was thrown, detonating right in front of the trio. Oda's eyes were blinded by the thing and he barely managed to stumble through the doorway. As his vision came too he saw the new assailants already atop the roof. A Pair of Mandalorians and the Nikto Motta himself. All clad in gold and red Beskar'gam, and Motta had a Ysalmir curled around his shoulders.

"I'm ready Jedi," Motta spoke in a deep voice "These are the best mercs money can buy and my armor is top notch!"

The force would not be a help against this foe and lightsaber's would find it difficult to penetrate the armor they wore. Even so The Wayfarer withdrew his volatile katana from it's coolant sheathe. He was ready to fight. Knowing they had little time as the mob was closing in on them he charged Motta...

[member="Orex Mauda"]
[member="Ronak"]

 

[Ronak]

Blinking away the temporary blindness, he stumbled after Oda. Their new opponents, likely the ones throwing the flash grenade, came into view. Unlike the poor wretches from before and even more then the thugs from below, there two looked like they could handle themselves in a fight, clad in Madalorian armour, blasters ready in hand. Their boss stood much more proudly and arrogantly, wearing his fancy looking red and gold armour.

The hairy lizard sitting on his shoulder sparked Ronak‘s curiosity. Alien creatures were his formost interest, even if he had little chance of meeting them himself, but he had read about them in data bases and listened to any story he could get the chance to hear. Ysalamiri stood out, not only because the salamanders also bear hair, but because they could be used against force users. His mother had spent her first mission catching them for a buyer. How he had loved the story as a small pup.

Ronak still suffered from the ringing in his ears and could not make out the words spoken. But he did not need to understand them to read the enmity between his two companions and the arrogant looking Nikto. Drawing his light sword, Oda recklessly charged in on him. The two Mandalorians and Ronak had the blasters in their hands pointed at each other and fired at the same time, forced to dodge the others shots. His companions had already proven that they could defend themselves against blaster fire to a certain degree, but fighting the Nikto and the two Mandalorians at once would be tough. Things would only get worse, when their persecuers from below would arive.
Thus, Ronak let the dark man pass him by to join the fray to slam the door to the rooftop shut behind him, melting the lock with a blaster shot. That should keep them off their backs for a while.

His companions were fully absorbed in the fight against the boss and his 2 bodyguards, drawing attention away from him and giving him the chance to sneak around them to get into their attacker‘s back. Trying to aim at his shoulder and kill the lizard was his goal. Even if the armour protected his wearer against such a shot, the beast was unprotected and could be killed. His companions could then get a better chance, being free to use their powers again. Carefully, he took aim while the fight went to and fro, firing and hoping that against all odds it would hit its targets and kill the beast.

[member="The Wayfarer"]
[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

We ran out into the open and were instantly greeted by a flash grenade. Orex wouldn't have been surprised if it was manufactured by DEAD but that was beside the point. When Orex regained his vision, he observed a trio of what seemed like Mandalorians.

Orex locked eyes with the man in the centre. This was Motta. Orex had seen him before but never had the chance to engage him. He was seething with anger, all those ruined addicts had provided plenty of stimulii. Plus, this was Motta. He was a part of the network of scum that made Orex. And undoubtedly, owned many other slavers. He was a kingpin who, though Orex was unsure, likely made Orex what he was. Orex's emotions got the better of him. He noticed the Beskar armour and Lizard but he was unmoving in his convictions and long past logical thought. Orex ignited his lightsaber and with a pain-ridden cry, ran towards Motta.

With pure wrath, he took most blaster shots to his body yet ignored them like a simple slap to his skin. He filled his charcoal-right hand with pure rage and threw the force at the trio of thugs. The pair of Mandalorians at Motta's side were sent across the rooftop while Motta himself felt almost no effect. After this, Orex leaped towards Motta with his Sabre and thrust it into his diaphragm. Obviously, to no effect. Nevertheless, Orex continued his assault. He sheathed his lightsaber, hit Motta across the face with his hilt and used the pommel of twisted metal to stab it into his cheek. Motta let out an angered shout and threw Orex back, only to be engaged by Oda. Oda was more capable in unarmed combat so Orex felt confident in his ability to hold him off or atleast hurt him to some degree.

Orex stood and saw [member="Ronak"] making a careful approach to Motta's Lizard. Evidently this was a priority so Orex headed towards the pair of Mandalorians who were sprinting back to their original positions. Orex ran straight to the pair and engaged them head on. He pulled one towards him and used his newfound momentum to headbutt the Mandalorian. With the power of emotion, Orex felt nothing but satisfaction at the painful Crack of the Mandalorians face hitting the inside of his helmet. Orex then threw the incapacitated Bodyguard at his Companion. The second simply dodged and charged toward Orex, tackling him.

Engaged in a sprawl on the floor, Orex was hoping [member="The Wayfarer"] and [member="Ronak"] were making progress

 

[The Wayfarer]

Oda watched as his companion's engaged in various activities. Taking on their rivals with varying degrees of success. Oda deflected blaster bolts as he charged with speedy wrist motions, he curved his blade so that it would deflect the blasters back towards the enemy. He watched as Orex was pelted with multiple blaster bolts. He knew the man would need medical assistance when his rage subsided, possibly beyond what even Oda could provide. As Orex disengaged Motta, Oda leapt into action. Motta sought to blast his opponent with a pistol at point blank range but, Oda disarmed him with a quick flying round house to the arm. The gun went flying and Motta put his hands up in a boxer's stance.

Oda put away his saber and entered a martial stance that mimicked a snake. Motta charged Oda and swung with a jab from the left. Oda deflected it with his own arm, but was surprised when Motta's other hand shot forth and hit him in the gut with gauntleted fist. Oda stumbled backwards, bent over clutching his gut and Motta wasted not a second. He charged forward and kneed Oda in the face. Oda went reeling back and fell on the flat of his back. His vision fading Oda watched as Motta took another stim and he realized this is where the man's speed and strength came from. Apparently spice wasn't the only chem they were producing here.

"Time to die Jedi!" Motta spoke as a vibro knife extended from his wrist.

Oda waited till he got close, then spun his legs in a sweeping motion knocking Motta down, As he fell one of Ronak's shots landed and killed the Ysalmir on Motta's back. Enhancing himself in the force, Oda began to attack the Nikto once more as they both stood. Lightning fast he ducked beneath a bladed right hook. Then with a palmed hand he hit Motta in the side of the knee cap whilst still crouched. The strike knocked Motta of balance and Oda punished him with brutal efficiency. Bringing his own arm up in a devastating uppercut. The Nikto went flying back again and Oda charged forward. The Nikto was unconscious, and for a moment Oda almost gave into his rage.

He thought off ending Motta's life right then and their, but he knew it was not in his code to do so... Still rage beckoned to him and his adrenal fueled mind begged for the kill. He remembered his meditations and breathed. In, out. He felt the ground he stood on, the clothes on his skin, the very air as it entered and expelled itself from his lungs. Inhale, exhale. With a swift jab he made sure the Nikto remained unconscious.

[member="Orex Mauda"]
[member="Ronak"]

 

[Ronak]

Unbelievable – the shot had found its target. The lizard dropped dead. Perhaps there truly was a mightier force behind things controlling the fate of the universe. Or perhaps he had gotten lucky for the first time today. With skilled strikes Oda knocked their opponent to the ground, until he lay unconcious. The intense feeling of rage turned Ronak‘s attention back to the dark man who was taking the second bodyguard apart quite literally. The many burns of blaster fire on the man made his neck fur stand on edge – this neither smelt nor looked good. He would really need medical care soon.

Loud banging noises on the door he had shut on their pursuers were the first sounds he could hear since the grenade had caused him quite a bad tinnitus. Picking up the boss‘ blaster pistol with his second hand, aiming both pistols at the door, just in case the wild mob would break through any moment now, he addressed Oda who was still breathing deeply, before knocking the boss out with a final intense jab, he shouted loudly to be understood, if the other suffered from similar hearing problems as he did: „How do we get out? The other won‘t last much longer and the mob is coming.“

The man‘s lips moved, but he could not make out the words, they were still too soft and his tinnitus too intense. Quickly touching his ear twise to indicate, he could not hear, and nodding in the man‘s direction hoping he would understand that he should just lead the way, Ronak never let the door out of his blasters‘ reach to cover their retreat.

[member="The Wayfarer"]
[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Orex was a boiling pot of anger. The Mandalorian had gotten the advantage and was on top of Orex, Punching him in the head left and right. Orex could feel the armour-clad hand puncturing his flesh, his face slowly but surely giving in to the punishment. The Mandalorian pulled a vibro-knife from his belt and lifted his hand, moments away from sending it into Orex's chest.

While the Mandalorian had his hand in the air, Orex grabbed his wrist and with the force, bent his hand Ninety degrees backwards. The Mandalorian screamed and clasped his ruined wrist. With this, Orex grabbed him by the throat, turned him over and got himself on top. He then punched the Merc in the soft spot of flexible material that bridged his chestplate to his helmet. The Mando stopped screaming and let out a gasp as his Trachea collapsed under the force of the punch. Orex tore his helmet off his head to reveal a young man, fear in his eyes with a mouth agape, trying to take in as much air as possible.

In the seconds Orex had to observe his enemy. He thought back to his time as a slave. That was a time when Orex was not who he was now. He was a kind youth with a painful past, always seeking food and items to give to his fellow slave-mates. He looked at the young mercenary, who now thought of nothing but death, and felt a tinge of emotion. The light was breaking and attempting it's grasp on Orex. He began to relinquish his grasp on the Merc's throat. He turned to see [member="The Wayfarer"] beating Motta and [member="Ronak"] Training his pistols on the doors holding back the addicts. He looked at Motta. That was all he needed. His mind was sent back to the times he was thrown in cold, delapidated rooms. Left to rot and starve. His anger returned, accompanied by sadness. He thought again to Tyrn Malik, the Zabrak who beat him into the dark side. Who instilled in him a permanent rage and hatred. He came back to the realisation that Motta could have been responsible. His hatred returned and he looked again at the young Merc.

"Please.."

The merc could barely speak, his throat was collapsed and he would likely suffocate soon. Orex looked at the merc, into his scared eyes. Without speaking, he probed the Merc's limbs and joints with the force, and with newfound power, began to slowly pull the Merc apart. He strengthened his grip around the Merc's throat and watched as his eyes filled with tears of pain. Orex used the Force to pull his arms off, then his legs. He then killed the Merc by collapsing his ribs.

Orex Stood, his chest smoking with blaster pock-marks. His anger had kept the wounds on the surface, nothing had penetrated. He then Turned to watch as Oda delivered his final blow to Motta, knocking him unconscious. Orex could feel the anger growing within Oda and reached out to him with the Force, silently encouraging Oda's emotions. At the same time, he looked at Motta. Motta was going to Die.

 

[The Wayfarer]

Oda watched as Orex dispatched the last of the opposition with brutal efficiency. While he could sense the prodding of the young dark one he would not attempt to recognize it. Instead opting to ignore it by practicing simple meditations. The Mob of addicts began to beat on the door relentlessly and Ronak inquired as to how they might escape. The Wayfarer smiled and picked up Motta's limp body.

"This man will deliver us to safety," He said simply, with a smile to match.

He guided them towards the stairwell and using the force he kicked open the doorway, scattering addicts in the process.

"Everyone stand back lest you want your boss dead!" Oda cried out viciously, of course it was a bluff, but Oda could not take the chances.

The fiends moved aside to let the trio pass, albeit it was with horrid stares and angry looks. Oda made his way through the armory and towards the spice labs. It was a shame that this lab would go to waste... The drug could be refined into medical supplies rather then deathsticks. But, Oda had neither the man power, nor the time. Perhaps Orex would do something about it, but then again perhaps not. Thought Oda with a simple shrug. He walked to the dock and eyed the ship curiously. It was a Muurian transport, of ancient make. Oda could even see a light imprint of the old rebel alliance symbol on it's side, all though it looked as though someone had tried to paint over it...

Oda knew the force had brought him here for a reason, and this ship, this ship was the beginning. It was with a heavy hand that he threw Motta inside the cargo hold as ramp descended with a snap hiss of hydraulic pressure. Oda turned to eye his companions then spoke briefly

"You're welcome to come, or there's a speeder on the other side of the platform that will take you wherever you need. I'm going to deliver this one to the law," Oda said as he pointed thumb to the still unconscious form of Motta "As for the contents of this freighter," Oda eyed what he suspected to be large barrels of raw spice, which had yet to be unloaded. "I'm going to take this to the Commenor system, they can use it too make medicine," He said finally then began to head up the gangplank himself.

[member="Orex Mauda"]
[member="Ronak"]

 

[Ronak]

Oda had the idea that saved the day. Picking up the boss, he forced the door open and intimidated the wretches with threatening to kill their boss. Whether he would actually do this or not, Ronak was not sure, but the dark man surely would not hesitate to kill, if the need arose. The eyes of the vile creatures glared daggers at them, speaking of murder they wished for the trio, yet they stepped back to make way for them. Just in case one of them would act irrationally with his mind clouded by the chemicals, Ronak kept his blasters trained on them.

Crossing the stinking labs again felt like hell for Ronak. His ears had barely recovered from the grenade assault and now his nose had to suffer for the second time today. He needed his full concentration to fight the increasing dizziness clouding his mind. Trusting Oda to guide him out of here, he stumbled after the man, until they arrived at the docks again. The open space and less contaminated air felt like a large relief after the onslaught of chemical fumes.

"You're welcome to come or there's a speeder on the other side of the platform that will take you wherever you need. I'm going to deliver this one to the law", the man spoke solemnly and straight to the point. Seeing the barrels with more of the chemicals in them made Ronak‘s neck fur stand on edge. „I have a contract on a hunters‘ ship to fulfill. I hope I make it back in time, before they take off“, Ronak replied with half relief, half sorrow tearing at his thoughts. On the one hand, this man had been a good ally, a better than his shipmates had ever been, on the other hand imagining to spend days, maybe weeks inside a small vessel with the horrible stuff aboard. The containers appeared sealed well enough to humans, but with his sensitive sense of smell, he could tell when they leaked and would suffer.

Another thing he remembered just in time. There was the data pad with all the numbers. They did not mean anything to him, but maybe they could mean something to the law enforcement. „Take this!“ Handing Oda the pad, he added a bit unsure: „Maybe it is some … evidence against him.“



[member="The Wayfarer"]
[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Orex remained further back, watching the back of [member="Ronak"] and [member="The Wayfarer"] . He followed them, contemplating. He felt that tinge again, the empathy, the sadness. Looking around him he saw the furious eyes of the addicts and briefly felt for them. But this was a fleeting moment and Orex intended to bury what thoughts he had when he fought the Mandalorian. Never again would such pitiful weakness arise in him.

We passed through the Armoury, still packed with weapons and Orex suddenly realised, this entire dock was Empty, save for a currently unemployed workforce of addicts and displaced children. Walking through the Spice Labs it was now apparent the scale of resources this dock held and potential return from utilising it. DEAD relied heavily on the transport network maintained by the other cells, couriers and sometimes even bribed mail delivery. If DEAD was able to secure a Transport Dock with Orbital-Class freighters and Armoured Transport Vehicles, the growth would be exponential. This was Orex's next priority.

Oda dragged Motta to an old Rebel Transport and threw him in the Cargo hold, much to Orex's disappointment. Of course, he wanted to watch the wretch of a man burn. But Oda had proved a resourceful ally and Orex didn't intend to cause a fight between them. So, he quieted his mind, clasped his hands behind his back and stood by while the two spoke.

Once they concluded their conversation, Orex stepped forward,

"I appreciate the input from both of you. I am glad we had this opportunity to cripple this scum and although it pains me to see Motta alive, I will set aside my convictions just as you both have. Clearly, we all have drastically opposing ideologies that in any case could have resulted in our own fight, but we have managed to unify against a common enemy, something I wish to see more of in this Galaxy. Allow me to offer my services to both of you. Ronak, you disregarded safety to yourself to aid strangers, that I respect greatly. If you ever wish for training or knowledge, I can certainly Provide. Oda, quite the coincidence that you're taking Motta to Commenor as that is currently my second home. If we see eachother again, let me offer my aid if you ever intend to engage a common enemy.

And to both of you, DEAD is an open door. If either need work or equipment, please let me know. And again, I thank both of you for what we have done today."

 

[Ronak]

When Orex started to speak, now with far less anger tinging his voice and being while appearing much more reasonable, Ronak turned to watch him him closely. For a moment, he could almost not believe his own ears, hearing the thanks and offer of aid. Had he completely changed from the raging fighter he had witnessed before? Even Orex‘ scent had lost this tinge of aggression, he appeared honest.

In appreciation, the Shistavanen bowed his head before meeting the man‘s stare. „I have to thank you … both of you“, he added with an apologetic look in Oda‘s direction for not having included him immediately. „I have no idea how I would have fared without your help. A wolfman can be many things, but never disloyal to those who earned his loyalty. No one can fare well on his own in the long run. The strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack“, he quoted a Shistavanen proverb. Breathing in deeply, he imprinted not only their names, faces and voices, but also their scent in his memory. Even blindly, he would be able to recognise them from now on.

That Oda could handle the thug on his own, when bringing him to Commenor, Ronak would not doubt for a moment. Orex in spite of his injuries would also be able to take care of himself without any doubt. So getting back to his ship before the departure was his main worry from now on. „Could I ask you one last thing?“ The next question felt a bit embarassing after the grand speech. „Which of the shuttle lines can actually take me to the space port most quickly?“ „It‘s my first day on Coruscant“, he added a bit shyly as an explanation.

[member="The Wayfarer"]
[member="Orex Mauda"]