Etti Jetti - Rocket Fuel [Connor Harrison]

[Coci Heavenshield]

Silver Sanctum Coalition Space

Etti IV

The Wandering Mistrels Bar

[member="Connor Harrison"]

A great name for a drink! She thought placing the glass to her lips again. The Rocket Fuel tasted sweet at first before the kick. To many of them and one would be sky rocketing ... Ha! she thought. Well at least she thought she was funny. Abaigeal turned in her seat to look around the Bar, the same old faces she had come used to seated in pockets around the place, hiding in dark corners or at tables to relax after a days work. Most of them probably worked for Firemane in some form, some familiar faces met her eyes.

Abaigeal had come to like this place, it was here she had met Sio after her trip from Zeltros running from bounty hunters, would you believe. Well it is not that unbelievable she supposed. And with that thought her eyes checked for lurkers .. just in case they had caught up with her. Seemed all clear. She turned back to bar and the keep, he busy with cleaning glasses and paying her little attention until the time came to hand over the credits.

She is feeling much stronger more in control of her own life now. Her training seeing to that as well having Sio's company .. someone that is keeping her on the straight and narrow. More mature of mind too, although only physically in the galaxy for, oh about 11 years or so now, she had the mind of a young woman of twenty five. Her life is only just beginning, her father the ripe old age of .. eight hundred and oh she had lost count. Abaigeal was set to do the same, his blood would have her live for hundreds of years, remain young in body old of mind. And watch as those she loved die around her. Generation are going to pass her by .. it did not bare thinking about.

Her glass looked lonely and so she lifted it to her lips once more.

 

[Connor Harrison]

It had taken months…years even…to get to this point. Fragmented reports, expeditions to planets tainted with both Dark and Light, communications with the Order. All to try to find something more about Master E’ron and her murder.

Connor knew it was murder; it wasn’t sacrifice, or a killing. She was murdered by the Sith, one of many to fall in a short space of time for the Silvers. While her name and memory lived on within the walls, little had been done to piece together what had happened to her that day, or even her legacy that she left.

It wasn’t nice to eavesdrop or listen or manipulate others, but to get information one had to take drastic measures. Thankfully he had a planet; Etti IV, in SSC space. And he had a name; [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]. He should have known Siobhan would have been involved somehow…some way. She was a curious one, and one who Connor had yet to really get to know, but it had soon come to light after Tygara that one who shared the E’ron name had been interacting with Siobhan and had bene seen on Etti IV, and the best place for information was a bar. The Wandering Minstrels bar.

- - - - - - - - - -​

The bar was much like he imagined, but there was a warmth to it not felt in most others. It seemed pleasant enough, no dried blood on the floor that he could see. Always a good start. Looking like one of the patrons, his greatcoat covering a casual vest and combat trousers, Connor walked gently through to the best port of call for information; the bar.

Locking eyes with the one serving, he leaned forward to talk above the general diegetic noise.

”Do you know anyone by the name of E’ron? Part of the Silver Jedi and Silver Sanctum?”

It was a long shot, but it was a shot he had to take and see where he landed on the target. If this fell through…no, he would keep trying. He owed it to Iella.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The bar keep rested on top of the counter, hand on hip and eyes the new comer. He did not know this stranger, and even though he did not talk much, he took care of those that frequented his establishment. "Who wants to know?", he asked immediately giving away the fact that the name is recognisable. Abaigeal's jaw set, her eyes shifted to the right to see if she could catch anything of the man asking after her. Who wants to know indeed.

There is darkness in the man, no sith is he but still that tickling feeling stirs her blood. Abaigeal remained her place, drinking the last of the contents of the glass. "You want to buy a girl a drink?", she turned to the man in long coat. She doubted he would answer the barman, but over the 'friendly' conversation he might give away his intentions. She could sense of ill intent, did not really strike her as a bounty hunter but one can never be too careful.

"You should try an Etti Jetti", she nodded the the keep to prepared two more. You never know, after a few drinks his tongue might loosen up and his purpose revealed.

​

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

Twisting his body further, Connor was about to answer before someone spoke up to him, a brunette. Why was it he was always asked by people drinks in bars when he sourced these places out. Did he look the social type? Turning to the girl, he touched on her aura gently and felt a familiar calling. Not one he could be sure on, but one that was stronger than others he had come across.

He stayed silent as he watched the girl and the barkeep exchange words and glasses, so she was obviously a regular – more than regular to be so comfortable here. Looking at the… Etti Jetti, whatever that was…Connor nodded his head to her.

”Who’s asking?”

He pulled up the pocket flap on his trouser leg and fished to take out a credit chip, and toyed with it between his fingers on the counter.

Two can play this game, sweetheart.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"When someone walks in here and asks, questions about people they kinda shut up shop", she eyed the chip with a grin. "On the tab, Jedo", she said to the barman. Sio pays Abaigeal well for her work with Firemane, she is not short of a quid.

"And you are asking a lot of questions", she added after a short time. "However, I have heard the name. The Silvers, yes, is that not what we call them around here Jedo?". He just gave her his usual grunt. "E'ron? Some Jedi Master or such like, don't think Jedi come there that much".

"Time for me to ask you a question, who are you?". She turned to face him more, looking over his face there was a slight recognition but it had been a long time since she was in the Temple, the only person she knew well enough was Thurion Heavenshield, her old mentor. "You with the Silvers?".

​

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

Giving a slight “suit yourself” raise of the eyes, Connor tapped the credit on the counter and pocketed it, placing his hands on the counter and leaning on it casually. As she talked, his eyes flicked between the two of them sharing some unified respect.

”I am with the Silvers, yes. Connor Harrison, and any good things about me are probably true and the bad things probably are as well.”

He gave a slight nod and continue.

”You know E’ron was a Jedi Master so that’s a start. I need to find her, and it’s urgent. I’ve…been told to contact her on a matter of great importance, so if you know where she is, please tell me.”

May as well start a little of track and see what she was really knew, or was willing to give up.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Her eyes narrow as she took a sip from the Fuel. His words seeking that much she knew, but to speak of her mother as if she was still alive? He is either not what he seems, or ...

Abaigeal put the glass down on the counter, and in one movement, spun on her stool to stand. Her lightsaber hit her palm and ignited, swiftly bringing up the blue blade within an inch of his throat. "If you are with the Silver, you will know she is dead", she spat the last words.

"Who are you? and what do you want with my mother", a snarl crossed her lips, her eyes piercing him. The game had ended and she did not care if this went into a fight. She would fight for the honour of her mother and herself.

 

[Connor Harrison]

While Connor could feel her irritation, he didn’t know if it was out of ignorance or the drink, but he didn’t expect her to carry a weapon, let alone a saber. In a swift move when she stood and ignited the saber, Connor stood quickly also and placed his hands up, head snapping back to keep it as far away from the energy blade as possible.

”Well this confirms it, but a simple yes or no would have done.”

His eyes flicked between the weapon dangerously close to him and the girl wielding it.

”I had to find a pressure point to get somewhere, I’m sorry. I’m a Master of the Silver Sanctum, primarily the Silver Jedi Order. I knew your mother, Iella, and I know she was slain on Panatha by a Sith called Vornskr.”

He gently lowered his hands, moving his head from the blade as best he could but still maintained a calm focus to his voice.

”I’ve been trying to find an answer to why she was there and why she was killed and for what. She took me into the Order, and I miss her every single day. I’m trying to close this chapter on her life to allow her memory to rest. I owe it to her, and if you are her daughter, then I am honoured to meet the child of Iella.”

Funny how little fuss was being made by the barkeep and patrons, as if this seemed a normal occurrence in the bar. Then again he was the stranger, so if he never left the bar nobody would think twice.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Her hand began to tremble with each word he spoke. Abaigeal's eyes darting from the man, Connor Harrison to the bar keep, and as he finished she lowered her saber until it pointed to the floor. Abaigeal stood there not really knowing what to do or say, save for a small movement of her finger to extinguish the blade. The silence in the bar was thick, all eyes resting upon the two of them. They are not used to such events in this place, no trouble do they experience and so are not accustomed to saber blades. As soon as it appeared that the fight would not ensue .. the patrons returned to their conversations and drinks. The sudden laughter of someone in the far end of the bar snapped Abaigeal out of her 'state'.

She propped herself up by the use of the bar, her hand searching for the stool until she found it to sit on once more. "I am Abaigeal E'ron, Iella's daughter .. and I have the answers you seek".

"Master Harrison, I think it might be best if we go somewhere else to speak .. it is a long story and not one that should be shared with bar". She hoped he might have a place to go.

​

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

Silently exhaling a relieved breath as the blue blade slowly went down and extinguished, allowing the comforting noise of happy patrons to fill the bar again, Connor could see in her face this was a sore subject and she didn’t want to trust anyone asking about her mother. She certainly had that E’ron fire.

”Thank you,” the relief was evident.

He nodded to Abaigeal in silent understanding and turned to the barkeep.

”Quiet out back?”

The grunt and nod confirmed this, supposedly, so Connor indicated with his head for her to follow him out of the bar and around the side. It was effectively the same low light outside than it was inside but devoid of the cozy lighting and noise.

Walking down the side, Connor gestured with his hand for her to walk through the fenced partition to the rear of the bar, stacked with empty drinks crates, barrels and some waste containers on the back wall. A steam vent came from the wall which poured upwards but left a scent of the food being cooked inside. A red light overhead glowed dimly illuminating them both in the evening sky.

”Sorry, my ship only has room for one. Please,” he indicated for her to sit on the empty crates if she chose to.

”I am sorry for what happened to your mother.”

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

Silence .. more if it, but this time is was she. Abaigeal is grateful that they would soon leave the bar, her appetite for the comforts of it had vanished. Except for one thing. Before they left, Abaigeal pointed to the bottles behind the bar, "Two", she said to Jedo and promptly two bottles of whiskey sat on the bar. She carried them both out the back following Connor through the door out into the alley way.

Before she sat down on the offered crate, Abaigeal held out one of the bottles for him to take, she did not know if this Jedi drank but he might need one by the end of the day. She sat down and pushed her long black hair back over her shoulders, twisted the top of the bottle and paused.

Her attention on the lip of the bottle, his words gentle and genuine and she smiled sadly. "So am I", a whispered reply he may hear. Her head snapped up, "I don't know where to begin", she said looking at his face. "I .. I don't you, or at least I don't remember you when I was at the Temple on Voss". She was trying to settle herself and gather her thoughts.

"It might help, if you ask questions and from those I could start the story". Finally Abaigeal raised the bottle to her mouth and sipped the burning liquid. The afternoon would draw out long, so no need to rush the bottle.

 

[Connor Harrison]

While not really a drinker, it would help conversation flow or at least keep the two on the same page. Connor took the bottle with a small smile and held it between his hands as he sat a few feet away to give her space. The crates he was on wobbled a little, but a slight kick sorted that.

He watched her talk and could see hints of Iella in her; her eyes, and the way she spoke, but there was a great rebellious streak also he picked up. This daughter seemed tougher, harder and had been through a great deal to come out bruised and battered at times.

”Well I usually keep myself to myself in the Temple, safe to say of recent months I’ve not been very popular around there,” he chuckled a little, maybe a tad forced.

Rolling the bottle in his fingers, he listened to the liquid inside slosh around as he heard Abaigeal take her mouthful.

”I guess…I think one thing I need to know is why did she go to a place such as Panatha? And why did she go alone? There was no word to any of us that I’m aware of. Of course I didn’t keep claim over her movements but, maybe…we could have helped her. It’s like she was walking into death’s jaws and she knew it was the end.”

The thought made his skin crawl, but he maintained his gaze to the daughter of the brave Iella, not afraid to face this head on, however she took it.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

​

She mirrored his movements, playing with the bottle watching the content swirling around the neck of the bottle. "She .. she went to Panatha to find me". She looked up into his eyes without lifting her head.

"You spoke of Vornskr .. I was .. 'taken' by him, off Lianna". The crates not comfortable, and the subject matter made the hardness of them worse. Abaigeal shifted her position to find a better position and to stall.

"He, kidnapped me and took me to Panatha. I had be placed in the dungeons for weeks, left there alone in the dark damp place until I lost any sense of time or life. The only time I left the dungeons was when he had me taken to a room and there .. I had spend hours on a metal slab, naked and endured .. torture under his hands. I did not break .. I could take the pain of the incisions. He had taken flesh from me to perform experiments, because of my ... 'make up', I intrigued him, so he said. But once he had his pound of flesh, the sessions on the slab turned into his pleasure. We wanted to break me, under the pain but I did not. It was not until he assaulted my mind that I broke. I simply was not strong enough to defend my mind against him".

Once she started it was like water running from a tap, "He twisted my mind until I became his servant and did his biding .. ". A trembling hand raised the bottle to her lips once more. Although Abaigeal drank, she did not really want it.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The bottle was of little interest to Connor when she started talking; her opening statement suddenly making everything clearer. Iella was acting as a mother first and foremost; proving the noblest of Jedi did not ignore affairs of the heart, even if it meant their downfall.

A swallow followed, but he remained focused, tight lipped and steely gazed on the girl as she painted a dark picture. His right hand came up to rub his mouth and cup his chin as he rested his arm on a knee, bottle swinging aimlessly in his other hand.

Noticing the shaking of her hand with the drink, Connor spoke softly, careful not to pry too deep, too soon. But where to begin? How far to push?

”She came to rescue you, as any loving mother would. I should have known it would have been something that meant everything to her risking her life the way she did.”

Looking down for a moment, choosing his words carefully, Connor sighed softly and shook his head. The jigsaw pieces slowly, slowly began to form a complete picture.

”She gave her life in exchange for yours, didn’t she. That is why she eclipsed all others to me. So noble.”

His eyes began to sting. Sucking it back, he looked up again to her.

”Go on, please. What happened to you after that creature twisted your mind?”

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

​

She pulled her legs up onto the crate and hugged them, the bottle still in hand but hung idol. "I .. I don't really remember that much after that, I ran some errand for him but .. ", she could recall. "Yes, I believe that too, I think she knew . . she would not leave alive".

"I can only assume he contacted her and tormented her about me", which is what happened but Abaigeal was not privy to that. Nor does she remember being suspended in view of the message sent to Iella, show her daughter hanging by her hands and unconscious. Kaine had required Iella to come without others or Abaigeal would be killed. And so Iella left Voss in the dead of night for Panatha.

"That day .. or was it night .. I don't remember. But when my mother came, and confront him, I was placed on the floor below. She 'found' me through the force and while fighting Kaine had broken the twisted hold he had over me. She cleansed my mind, the pain of it all gone and than she lied to me.. told me get out, to take her ship and escape .. she said she would come as soon as she could .. but I knew, she knew .. and there was nothing I could do to help".

"As I ran from the citadel, toward her ship, I looked back and saw my mother and him on a balcony fighting, sabers flashing in the darkness .. I could not move, I stay watching .. helpless .. until I saw my mother fall. Her body lay on the balcony . . her lightsaber tumbled into the depths of the abyss ... and then she gone .. her body vanished into the force". Abaigeal's eyes fixed into a stare ..

 

[Connor Harrison]

The bottle went on the ground, and his free hand came to steeple his fingers on the other as he watched he speak. It all made sense now – the tendrils of the Sith, their cowardly way of acting, had snaked into the heart of the Silver Jedi and taken away their Grandmaster.

Torturing, belittling and maiming one’s child would push a mother to the edge of hell and beyond to save them, and Iella did just that. Connor was fixed on Abaigeal as she spoke and her tough exterior seen in the bar had withered to a scared girl, and why shouldn’t it? Reliving this memory for Connor, who was effectively a stranger in her eyes.

Twice, Connor moved to comfort her, but he held back to let her speak. Only when he could tell she could recall the memory of watching her mother fall as if it happened before her did he move, over to the side of her and placing a hand on either shoulder to comfort her, taking her bottle away.

”Ok. Ok. It’s alright. I see now why she did what she did.”

His thoughts raced as he chewed his lip, eyes darting around the yard, not really taking anything in but thinking where to take this. Her saber obviously lost after so long, nothing but a memory now he assumed and all but forgotten.

”Where did you go after? Have you been walking this path alone?”

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Loose fingers let the bottle move from her hand, no protest given as the comfort of his hand on her shoulder. Abaigeal looked up into his face as Connor stood beside her. "I am alright", she smiled, sadly. "I have come to terms with it, as best one can".

"I used to be so racked with guilt, believing it all to have been my fault, in a way it is but there is nothing I can do about it now. She is gone". Abaigeal let her head rest against him, it was nice to feel the contact with another, and one that knew her mother. In some ways, in a lot of ways, she is still a child.

"I have my mother's ship, her old one .. the A-Wing she loved so much. I left Panatha and just went to the first place that appeared on the star map. Nal Hutta, and there I got into trouble with another one who is now my friend, but both of us have bounties on our heads, I thought you might be... ", she laughed a little.

"From there I went to Zeltros, more trouble and some fun and ended up here, so yes, I have been alone and trying to find my way .. I still am. But I have the help of some friends now".

Abaigeal took in a deep breath, there was not more she could tell him and so she stood up. "I am feeling hungry, fancy a bit to eat? and over some food you can tell me about you. I sense there is something troubling you, you have darkness clouding your heart. Seems I am not the only one trying to find a path to destiny. May .. may I can you Connor?".

 

[Connor Harrison]

A flicker of warmth stoked his heart as the girl rested her head on him, as if it proved he could still be a comfort to others in hardship. Connor looked up for a moment and nodded slightly to the stars, as if letting the fallen Grandmaster know that her daughter was ok; she was safe, and he was grateful for never giving up.

Letting her stand, the Jedi followed and chuckled a little at her insinuation.

”A bounty hunter? Please. Do bounty hunters dress this dashing? And I never say no to a bite to eat with good company, and you get two questions only. My life is rather…complicated.”

He held his hand out for a moment, allowing her lead out of the yard. When the exited, walking down the side of the bar, he turned to her.

”I’m joking, ask as much as you need to, and please, Connor is fine. Thank you for telling me what happened. It means a great deal, and I thank her guidance for letting me find you here.”

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

They turned into the street, not much of a street by comparison to Voss or Coruscant, but there was shops enough to provide means for all the people of the town. Along the way, they would pass people finishing up their daily routine and heading home for the night. Abaigeal lead Connor to a small diner, the food was good there and the prices even better. She found them a table by the window so they could watch the passers by.

No sooner had their bottoms touched the seat when a service droid approached and requested their order. "A Bantha burger for me, and a Jawa Juice". As soon as Connor had placed his order, Abaigeal looked to him. "When did you meet my mother?", she asked curious about him now. "Where you in the Temple at Coruscant or Tython?".

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor followed, taking in yet another new diner on another new world, a snapshot into the greater galaxy and how folk lived. It wasn’t all about Jedi and Sith – half of these people he guessed didn’t care what the two Force armies did; they just lived.

Leaning on his elbows, Abaigeal placed a fine order than Connor copied, substituting the juice for Blue Milk.

”Wow, it was a good…9 maybe 10 years ago I think? I’d left the Republic Jedi where I started out as after a few incidents that knocked my confidence in my abaility, so spent good time trying to decide where my place was in the galaxy.”

He thanked the droid who came back with the drinks, not spilling a drop despite being just A.I.

”The old sob story; alone, didn’t have anyone blah blah blah. Anyway I spent time with the successor to your mother, Thurion Heavenshield, we hit it off and formed a friendship and through him I came to learn of this Order of the Silver Jedi, which sounded like it was not a place for failed Jedi, but a place for Jedi and beings who didn’t know their place; the Silvers, more so your mother, could guide them and give them purpose.”

He took a sip of drink.

”So I made contact with the Order, then to your mother, and I received word to head to the planet Voss to meet with them as they were establishing a new place of operations. I arrived, pledged my support to your mother if she could help me. She did. I thrived, and I served her.”

Then, his eyes glazed as he turned slightly to look out of the window. It was a strange feeling talking to the daughter of the one who you had given your life to serve.

”When she was taken away from us, so was my spirit and my drive. I’ve never really felt the same since. I realise how much now I needed her guidance, her strength. She was the reason I made it this far.”

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]