Private Explosive Coruscant Nights

[Cataline Holt]

Every now and then Cataline wished she could have been from a beautiful planet full of greenery. Blue oceans, beautiful forests, and wildlife running around. Maybe once day she'd visit planet like those, but it was in these moments that she found beauty even in the metropolitan part of Coruscant. The huge, light filled hole that shined down from the entrance to the level.

The overlook she was on had was a pretty remarkable sight, too. The vastness of the level sprawled before her - and it was just a few miles of the actual level. It was crazy to think about, but Cat shrugged it off. She had an important meeting to make with one of the charities on the level, and she was already running a bit behind.

Wearing a floral dress and a small pink sweater with hair in a ponytail, she was prepped for her visit. It wouldn't be a difficult meeting, at least she wasn't expecting it to be. She stopped right outside a shop to double check her datapad and to ensure she was heading in the right direction. Many different ways to reach her destination, but the last thing she needed was to get lost in some dangerous alleyway in Coruscant's lower levels.

A loud blast pierced her ears, causing her and several others to fall to the side. Cat gripped onto the railing as she tried to figure out exactly what was happening. One of the smaller towers in the level came crippling down, debris and smoke rushing around the district but not quite reaching where she stood yet. But on her level - fighting was breaking out. Blasters shot, along with various explosions that continued unabated. Cat gasped, her ears ringing with the explosions as she processed what was happening.

Force help 'em.

 

[Avo]

For what it was worth, Coruscant was its own beast. A steel jungle, filled with all of the trappings and tribulations of the civilized world. Predators and prey still stalked here, each and every living organism struggling against the dying of the light - the dying of time. It was no less different than Kashyyyk or Felucia, where primal fury and baser needs reigned supreme. Life and death on those worlds was far less sacred to the less sentient, but always seemed no less sacred to civilization. People were born and died each day, and nothing anyone would ever do could change the cycle.

Though, some people could make all of it a lot easier to deal with.

---

The streets of the undercity were rife with robed figures, the din of the city ready to burst eardrums if you weren't used to it. Merchants exclaimed the prices of their wares at the top of their lungs, folk bearing the emblems of their political parties hunched in groups chattering wildly, and even the ambient murmur of whispered conversation broke through the silence of the day like a speeder's repulsor engine.

For everyone else, another cloak-shrouded figure was nothing important. Lan's intention was to blend in, but being nearly a head taller than everyone else never helped with that. The Jedi Master did find solace in the matter when Wookies and Nikto ambled by, though he could feel numerous sets of eyes latching onto him as he passed. The width of his shoulders and stature made it easy to shoulder his way through the foot traffic, most people often granting him as much of a wide berth as possible.

A pale green hand dropped to his side, fingering the metallic form of his lightsaber through his cloak. Something is wrong.

He felt the outcry, panic, and suffering before it even happened. It pierced through the sounds of the city like an exploding bomb - which was most likely what it was. In an instant, the Jedi was speeding past the throng of traffic with impunity. He was the fish headed upstream while the rest fled, panic streaking their expressions.

Cataline Holt

 

[Cataline Holt]

Cataline stared as the smoke and debris reached the area she was at. It had only taken seconds to reach her. In a quick motion, she pulled off her sweater and covered her mouth so she could breath at least somewhat easier. The war lords were done for, what could possibly be attacking Coruscant, especially at this level?

The mist of debris made it hard to see as she decided, somewhat against her better judgement, to begin venturing towards the center of the commotion. Where the blast went. People would need help, and...

Cataline slipped down to her knees as she saw someone laying flat, but wriggling somewhat. "Come on," she muttered as she used one hand to lift him up. Bruised, but otherwise looked healthy. "Go," she ordered as he stumbled forward, fleeing with the rest.

Cat moved ever closer to the rubble of the tower, and the towers next to it equally damaged. Emergency services had arrived, but were immediately overwhelmed by the amount of people injured. Cries from inside the rubble, both human and alien. Cat coughed, but at least the dust in the air had settled a little bit.

It looked like she was going to miss her meeting. The sound of blasters and fighting still ringed around them, although she wasn't even sure if it was the attackers anymore or just the immediate area being in total chaos.

Avo

 

[Avo]

The muscles in his legs strained, even with the aid of the Force. The crowd was now thinning, just enough for the Jedi Master to call upon his gift and hastily speed himself up towards the sounds of blasterfire and explosions cascading through the nearby city blocks. Pain and death stained the air as if someone had spilled mulled wine, leaving a bitter aftertaste of the initial attack. Even approaching the epicenter of the destruction, Lan could barely make out the fallen citizens of Coruscant through the smoke.

It stung his lungs, nearly choking him if he didn't lower himself to dart through through piles of rubble and debris. Every now and then, he caught glimpses of crimson already pooling and staining the dusty ground, and it took all of his strength to pull his eyes away and focus on charging forward.

Until he felt it, until he felt them. His purple lightsaber sprung to life with a snap-hiss, powerful legs sending him forward to deftly bat away a string of blaster bolts. They were coming through the thick clouds of smoke still hanging in the city block, where dark silhouettes either ran from the chaos or desperately fired backwards to cover their escape.

Lan gritted his teeth, opening them only to shout: "Stay down! Crawl and move slowly, the attackers are still here!"

As if on cue, more fire came towards him, though it was far less accurate than the first barrage. They were batted skywards, away from the citizens dropping to the ground at his command. He was too late to detain any of the attackers but preventing more casualties sat quite uncomfortably at the top of his priority list.

As the blasterfire slowly subsided into the distance, cries of grief and anguish now took their place. The purple lightsaber remained activated, standing firm as a beacon and light source. Though he couldn't detect any more malicious intent for now, he would remain on guard. Ever watchful eyes scanned the area as the smoke slowly began to fade away with the wind.

Cataline Holt

 

[Cataline Holt]

It was a disaster, a crisis, and... Cataline felt frozen for a brief moment. The sound of blasters, explosions that followed up. The air was hard to breath, and her sweater only provided but so much of a filter. Eyes stinged from the smoke that had filled the area. She had to shake it off, and she did after a few seconds.

Cat saw the purple lightsaber in the distance - it was probably closer, but the smoke made it seem farther away. A Jedi, perhaps? It was moving rapidly. He was fighting. But the sound of blaster's slowly fading in the distance made it sound like he was winning at least. There was some hope.

The cries from the rubble struck at her heartstrings as she dived to begin moving some of the rubble that seemed to block an opening into at least part of the buildings frame. People could be in there, and it sounded like there was. A loud, creaking noise pierced through the level. It was already mostly rubble, but it wouldn't be long before it fully collapsed.

Cataline grabbed a piece of metal to help leverage a rock out. She glanced to her right, catching sight of a woman practically crawling away from the rubble. She dropped the stick and ran over, wincing as she her eyes caught a long gash in her leg, rendering her immobile. She ripped her sweater on a piece of metal, using one half to bandage the leg and the other to try to slow the blood.

A hand moved to push hair out of her face, accidentally rubbing blood on her cheek. She needed help, and so far emergency services hadn't gotten here. She glanced towards the purple light. "I'll be back," she said quietly and encouragingly to the woman - who groaned, but seemed stable at least. Cataline got up and jogged towards Avo . "Help! Please," she asked - although others had gathered around him. "I need help moving a bunch of rubble, there is a piece that has like a hallway. I think there is still survivors there," she said as she caught her breath - realizing the smoke was much less than it was a few minutes prior. One plus, at least.

 

[Avo]

Like moths drawn to an open flame, the masses of downtrodden and wounded came forth. The shining beacon of a lightsaber stood strong for dozens to come out of their hovels, for the walking wounded to make their way to the only thing that seemed to make sense at the moment. Questions and pleas for help came almost instantly, with Lan quickly handling many of the easier ones. Some only required a gentle touch, the briefest flicker of the Force rippling through them as if a small spark could revitalize their will and strength. The others, with unseen wounds and quickness of breath, scared him the most. There was very little he could do there - he was no healer, but a peacekeeper.

The limitations of his skillset were apparent, but the people needed anything they could get right now. Even as the sirens of first responders rang in the distance, Lan knew that he was the only thing keeping death at bay for the next few minutes. That is, until another woman (Cataline Holt ) jogged towards him with a cry for help. She was weary, as if she'd already spent the entire day pulling people out of rubble and offering comfort. The Jedi could practically see her heart on her sleeve: selfless and compassionate.

"Take me to her, quickly," the Mirialan ushered, silencing the purple blade and clipping it to his belt. "Is there anywhere we can triage these people? An open space of any kind?"

They desperately needed to quickly assess wounds and provide care for the more seriously wounded. If that occurred, he would be free to roam and pull others from the debris.

 

[Cataline Holt]

Cataline heard the sirens and a wave of relief flew through her. Professionals were arriving, from somewhere. People with actual medical skills who weren't just ripping their sweaters apart to stop massive bleeding from a cut artery or whatever it was called. The question, though, was if they were too late? The building didn't have long before it crushed any survivors left inside it.

Cataline wasn't sure if there was a way to save them at this point. But they had to try. They didn't have a choice. How many people wouldn't come home from dinner... She could only hope none of her family were the victims, which only made her stomach twist as she realized the possibility. More important things, though - like getting the Jedi, Avo , to help her with the woman. And to help move the rubble, if he could.

He responded quickly, which was another blessing from the Force. "This way," she said quickly as she turned, jogging back towards the woman. "The street is mostly clear," she motioned to the street, which had some hovercars that had been blown back from the explosion. Several were wedged into the towers that dotted around them, the pressure from the explosion throwing them. The only problem was the dust, and it would probably be uncomfortable to lay on... "It'll have to do," she said quietly as her mind raced. Really, she had no idea what to do.

"I only know basic first aid, so I'll triage as I can." The area closest to them would be for the most ill, while slightly further down the street could be where the less injured are. In either case, when they reached the woman she dropped to her knees, inspecting the wound in her leg. She was pale, cold, but barely breathing. Cat tried to stop the bleeding, but it didn't work well. "She's going to bleed out," she stated worriedly as she pressed the blood soaked sweater turned bandage on the wound. "Can you help? And, there is people trapped inside right there. I can't move the rubble fast enough."

There was so much going on that her mind raced with what to do. The people that had crowded around Lan initially had followed him, stunned and shellshocked. "If you have minor cuts and bruises, please move to in front of the noodle shop, I'll be with you in a moment," she started barking orders, with a tremble in her voice, the best as she could. "If you're seriously injured, please come around here." She could sort them better once they have the woman taken care, and hopefully the people trapped in that section of the rubble out.

 

[Avo]

This woman was not the only one rushing to aid their fellow man, or alien. Several others had managed to escape the chaos largely unscathed, dutifully searching for friends and strangers alike amidst the destruction that marred the city block. It was as if a bomb had been planted here, detonated with the intent to kill as many people possible. So much collateral damage, to both people and property. Suffering wracked through the atmosphere like a nauseating stench, threatening to jar the Jedi's focus.

The Mirialan shook his head briefly, taking off after the woman to assist. Blocked wreckage and trapped individuals was his cup of tea, as his own knowledge of first aid was rudimentary at best.

Before he set to work, a pale green hand came to rest upon her shoulder. Blue eyes locked with hers. "You're doing all you can. Take a deep breath and set your mind to this. You're a hero in my book."

All she would catch from him would be the whisper of a smile as he turned to move down the alleyway before the blocked doors.

Like a struck match, he was tuned into the city and its inhabitants. Hair stood on end, muscles flexed, and his eyes closed. Strong arms stretched out before him as he focused, channeling the entirety of his being and strength into the Living Force. It was merely but one ripple in a vast sea of emotion, through strong as steady, bearing the solidity of stone.

At once, plasteel beams, metallic support rails, and stone blocks slowly began to rise. Up and up they went with smaller pieces and chunks being caught by an invisible hand beneath them. Lan inhaled evenly as the weight of the entire thing finally became apparent. It felt like he was carrying the entire city, neatly bundled in a sack that simply sat in the palm of his hands. The Jedi grunted with strain, slowly turning his body and the massive pile towards a more open and safe distance.

Then he exhaled, and it all dropped to the ground with a thundering thunk!

They were in business now.

Cataline Holt

 

[Cataline Holt]

It was nauseating. The smell of burnt flesh, death, almost threatened to overwhelm her on her run back to the woman. There was pieces of hope, of solidarity - survivors, and others had come to help rescue those that were trapped. She saw another woman checking out survivors nearby. And, even better, she had a medkit or some type of medical equipment. Maybe from some type of first aid kit in one of the buildings.

Cataline didn't know, and she didn't care. She helping save people and... She felt Avo 's hand rest on her shoulder, her own blue-green eyes locking with his blue. She gave a weak smile, with a small nod. A deep breath. And then focus.

And like that, he moved to get to work. Just like her, as she pressed down on the woman's leg once more. Finally, the blood began to lessen. Cat placed her fingertips on her neck in an attempt to check her pulse. It was weak, but she felt the lightest of vibration. She stood up as she ran over to a small group of people.

"Hi, I'm Cat. I need to check you guys out," she said quickly as she glanced between the 5 individuals. She scanned the first individual quickly. Breathing. No external wounds. She placed her fingers on his wrist to check his pulse. It was high but, she attributed it to the stress. "Please go near the noodle shop, okay?" She said with an encouraging smile. Cat checked each one, carefully but quickly analyzing their outward appearances.

Luckily, actual medical professions began to arrive onto the scene - almost immediately three, pre-fabricated tents had been set up, each one with designated triage zone. Cataline found herself in the priority, bandaging cuts and wounds. A bandage wrapped around a rodian's head, which had been hit with falling debris. He'd need a scan, but he'd be alright.

Cataline jumped as she heard a loud, thundering thunk. Cat stared, shocked at just how much of the rubble had been removed. He had... Moved all of that with the Force? The people that had been trapped below were either crawling out. One person held a younger child in her arms. Cataline ran towards her, "Let me see, I'm with the medics," she responded quickly. The child was breathing, but was unresponsive. A strange gurgling noise came with his breaths. Another responder came over, with a hovering gurney. Cat helped rest the child on it as they brought him towards the emergency tent, while Cat brought the woman to the priority tent.

"He'll pull through," she said with an encouraging smile to her. With that, Cat dove back into where the rubble had been lifted, mostly to search those who were laying down - if they were alive, she'd examine them. If they weren't... They were marked.

 

[Avo]

Without further ado, Lan went headfirst into the situation. The smoke and dust from the rubble was clearing a lot more cleanly now, openly displaying the outwards destruction that had wrecked this neighborhood. Indiscriminate chaos and havoc had transformed a once peaceful city block into a smoldering crater, lined with dead bodies and the still-burning embers of fire. Alas, light and hope shined through the darkness that still loomed overhead. Men and women alike were coming in droves now, lending a hand to the injured and trapped.

Professional first responders had also arrived on scene as well. Paramedics and doctors, coupled with Coruscant Security Forces and an inkling of Sector Rangers began to hastily cordon off the area, establishing an ad hoc perimeter.

As quickly as the panic had erupted, it was already calming down as people came together. The woman caught Lan's eye once more, offering gentle and compassionate care as easily as she breathed. A calming touch here, pressure on a wound there, or simply helped by marking injuries for the trained medics to diagnose. The Jedi came for her once more, seeking guidance?

"What else can I do? Where do you need me?"

Cataline Holt

 

[Cataline Holt]

Light and hoped shined through. Cataline, though, missed much of the beauty of the moment as the people came together to bring out the good in a terrible situation. She was focused on her work, doing her best to triage the people as they linked, walked, crawled, or were carried over. And man, was she beginning to feel drained.

Cat put her hands on her hips as she glanced at the triage center. How many hundreds, if not thousands of people had been injured? And they hadn't even gotten to those who were actually killed during or died right after the explosion. All the families that would have to be notified. She took the small break she had to just catch her breath and recenter herself.

She perked a brow as Avo asked her the million dollar question: what could he do? Cataline didn't have a response right away. It seemed that the trickle of those alive had slowed that the first responders were able to handle it. She gave him a small smile as the gears rolled in her head.

"Help me see if the dead have their identification on them? We need to create a list." She walked over to a table at one of the triage centers and grabbed a datapad. "So we can reach out to their kin and notify them." She said quietly, solemnly. It hurt to think about it, but also going to check and seeing and feeling the death... She didn't want to do it alone, in truth.