Field Trips and Mad Scientists

[RC 212]

On Board A Starliner
Headed for Toydaria

Task force 3 was what they had called it. It was a smaller more secretive mission passed down by word of mouth so as to not incite mass chaos and riots among the Jedi Order. To that end she'd only been briefed on the need to know details and it had been known that there was a rogue scientist tied to the Blazing Chains Pirate group brewing up some trouble.

They were tasked to track down the scientist and confiscate the virus he was making. Some kind of mass bio weapon.

Her two team mates [member="Auron Song"] and [member="Ar'ekk"] had joined her a few days ago and they'd set off from a nuetral port. Now as the star flew by she was sitting at her spot in the galley, surrounded by refugees and travellors, eating her protein paste off a small plate.

It was pretty disgusting.

She glanced up from her plate and nodded to the two. One with a mask, the other with a regular robe. They definitely were not going to fit in, since she had her plain short robe on.

"So you guys read the intel dossier yet? Not much to go on. One lead from a smuggler. We got a choice of canvassing the bars to find his connect, or going straight to the shipping companies location to rifle through their manifests."

She paused, chewing her paste some more.

"Otherwise this seems like it'll have a million loose ends. Virus wasn't even confirmed to have passed through any of these locations, just info about it."

 

[Arekk]

A secret mission had Ar'ekk and two fellow Jedi individuals in the search of a deadly virus that could jeopardize many lives and a crazy scientist behind such evil idea. Whatever intel provided to them through encrypted channels wasn't enough to go on and they'd have to get their hands dirty if they wanted any valuable information to continue with the search.

The plate presented before the young Jedi was disgusting, a mix of recycled food and whatever else was in there. He played around with the food by poking with it, not really digesting anything.

"There's nothing much to go on. I say we hit the cantinas and find out who this person is. They'll be after credits or a favor in exchange of information."

He didn't feel like the mission would be a success at first. Most of the intelligence provided was useless and he had the experience of being in that same position years ago during the war. Regardless, they would have to make a decision right there because they were the only ones the galaxy could depend on for the success of such mission.

"But we better hurry for everyone's sake."

[member="Karren Trask"] [member="Auron Song"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

Auron had been standing quietly at the rear of the ship, arms crossed and musing on the task at hand. He did not eat, for he required his mind to work over his stomach. More often, he would skip meals and sleep in favour of meditation and scholarship, and it was beginning to show. His boyish good looks had begun to be replaced by that of a rugged young man, face stoic and hard. His eyes were more hollow and wilder than usual, and his skin paler. Some had said he was descending gradually into a madness, stricken by the grief of detachment from his absent father. Others said he was simply dedicated to his work. But Auron knew his convictions, and was devoted to this secret objective assigned to him by the Order.

His comrades were speaking of their course of action. Mingling was on the cards, a once-specialty of Auron's. Time to flex those old muscles, he thought. He gave a firm, silent nod of acknowledgement, and spoke in soothing tones.
"If we split up and search venues by region, we can cover more ground and should be finished by the time the night is done."
The starliner jerked as it exited hyperspace, and a voice was heard from the ship's cockpit.
"Getting ready to land on Toydaria. Strap in."

[member="Karren Trask"]
[member="Ar'ekk"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Ar'ekk"] [member="Auron Song"]

Landing-Exploring.

"I agree. Let's do this then. I'll canvass the east half of the city, you guys pick your sections and we'll meet back at the space port in an hour."

As the vessel landed she returned her plate to the dish area and walked back to her quarters, gathering her gear.

Moments later when they touched down, she hung behind, choosing to exit the ship at a random time in a random crowd of tourists. Disguise was her ally today. Toydaria was outside any major sphere of influence, which often leant itself to most vile of criminal elements. As the crowd surged she slipped in, flipping her brown hood over her head to disappear into the night.

After a few turns and twists she found herself at Speeder kiosk. the Toydarian that ran the place buzzed excitedly, flapping back and forth. A speeder meant more ground covered, which she was fine with.

"Excuse me, what is the local currency?"

The Toydarian paused and grinned.

"Platinum’s if you got em!"

"How much for a bike?"

"A hundred for a day."

"How about fifty."

The suggestion was laden with force undertones. Things that the Toydarian easily shook off. She felt her face flush under the hood, a slighter shade of red.

"No, how bout a hundred!"

"Ok deal."

She didn't let her frustration show and he didn't ask any more questions as she slapped the platinum’s into his palm.

"Where's the nearest watering hole, by the way?" She asked, mounting the bike.

"Bout three blocks that a way. Sternhills Tavern, but be warned, place puts Mos Eisley to shame sometimes, ha ha ha ha ha!"

She nodded, and then gunned the ignition, ripping through the crowded streets.

 

[Arekk]

Their ship had finally touched the ground and he decided to investigate the easiest place for him to search for clues: The local cantinas. If it was anyone that knew the most about underworld individuals and shady places like these, Ar'ekk was the right person for the job. He blended with the abundant amount of people walking along the streets and switched paths that lead to the nearest drinking place, arriving at the scummiest place on Toydaria.

As soon as the young Jedi opened the door, an awful scent of spice and loud music made the first impression a bit unpleasant yet expected for a spot like this. The bartender working behind the counter seemed to be less than friendly and many patrons around were annoyingly shouting as the drinks kicked into their systems.

"I'll have a Kyrf, strong." He said to the bartender.

If he was set to search for clues, the right way would be to ask the bartender first. A person like him would see people come and go at every time of the day so hopefully he had some information regarding what was needed to know.

"I'm looking for someone. Average size, human male with no hair, wears excentric glasses and has a strange off-world accent."

The bartender replied back,

"Your description is pretty vague. Could be anyone from a rich planet, kid. But someone similar to what you've told me struck me awfully weird. Pretty creepy, if you ask me. He kept talking about the galaxy's end and whatnot, scaring everyone in the cantina. Had him taken out by the guards as he was ruining my business. No idea where he went off to, probably someone in the local outposts might know."

That's what he needed to hear.

[member="Karren Trask"] [member="Auron Song"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

The bars were proving fruitless for Auron. The Toydarians and the off-worlders were all equally arrogant and close-lipped, yielding no results, and the day was getting on; the afternoon's resolution was reaching its end, as evening's gambit was put into early play. No longer the rich blue of the rest of the day, the sky began to tone into a pale yellow as it heralded its latter chapters. The pressure was building, for the longer they stalled the more in danger they could be of losing all traces.
"You, Jedi," called a street merchant just outside of the Paradise Found club. "You're looking for the doctor?" Solemn eyes turned to the ageing Toydarian. A fiendish and greedy grin showed blackened teeth. He smelled of sweat and soil.
"What do you know about him?" Auron asked, but the creature would not budge.
"Nuffin'." The Toydarian returned to innocently itemising his stock. He was clearly enjoying having some element of power over the Jedi. Tiredness and frustration built in Auron, and his fist clenched.
"Tell me," he said, this time a little firmer.
"What's it worth?" the merchant said unfalteringly, a slimy grin pressing itself along his fat, hair face.
As he felt something alien and unusual wash over him, Auron closed his eyes a moment and breathed in deeply. He spoke toward his mind the mantra of the Jedi. Emotion, yet peace... When he opened his eyes again, the Toydarian was looking at him with a strange gaze. "Fifty platinums," he proposed, breaking the awkward silence.
The merchant bellowed. "Are you serious? Times that by a ten and maybe we'll talk." Auron sighed.
"Fine. Two-fifty."
"No. Five-hundred." The impatience of before began to rise within the Jedi, and he forced himself to breathe slowly to calm his mind.
"Four-hundred."
The creature considered it seriously for a while, before opening his palm in expectation. He nodded as Auron begrudgingly handed the money over.
"There's a facility in the city. It's a network beneath the Purple District."
"I see. How does one get inside?"
"Two hundred."
"Fine." The Toydarian grinned devilishly.
"I'll mark an entrance on your datapad." After he did, the merchant looked warily around the area and began to pack down his stall.
"Thanks for your help. You're going home?" The Toydarian chuckled.
"Nope. Not anymore. I'm getting off this rock."
"Why?"
"I just sold out my boss, heh."

Auron reached for his intercom and hailed his teammates.
"Guys, I have a lead. Transferring a location over now. Meet you there."

[member="Ar'ekk"]
[member="Karren Trask"]

 

[RC 212]

@Ar'ekk [member="Auron Song"]

Sternhill Tavern had been a bust, and she felt her impatience growing. The feeling that the clock was ticking down faster and faster was driving her towards the edge. For a brief time she'd thought about being a little more aggressive. But then stopped herself. A Jedi was not an interrogator, not like a Sith.

But she was no pushover either, so she waved her fingers in a subtle motion and laid even more force into her tone, trying to slam the Toydarians mind into giving her the answers she wanted.

"Who is the one they call they chemist?"

The Toydarian gave her a puzzled look. It seemed as if he'd cave and then he smirked. She cursed inwardly. Jedi mind tricks did not open every mind, and these creatures seemed to be immune to it. She was also getting exhausted. Channelling this much force through her proved to be a tiring affair.

"Get lost Jedi."

Her commlink beeped. She stepped off into the corner, and nodded as the message came through. Auron had a lead. And just as she stepped through the door she found herself facing a squad of black armored men with red face plates. Four of them and one with Mandalorian Armor that stepped forward, raising his right arm.

Her eyes flickered back and forth between their hands. Her breath became rhythmic and cyclical, settling herself in her center.

"You've been asking a lot of questions Jedi."

"Who are you? What's your business with me?" She shot back.

"My business is your business with the one they call the Doctor."

"And?"

"And he doesn't like you asking a lot of questions. Turn over your lightsaber. There's a fresh bounty on your head girl. We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

Her mind calculated the odds. She'd killed before, though she hated to resort to that. It was clear they would not be talked down from their quarry either. She wondered who had snitched on her.

"The hard way?" He asked.

In a blur of motion her lightsaber snapped from her belt and met her palm with a meaty smack. The emerald blade hissed to life, moving upwards and in a crescent to slash a nearby weapon in half. Two of them stepped back. Just as her palm raised to snap the Mandalorians arm off his aiming point with the force she heard a Toydarians voice behind her.

The last thing she felt was a sharp stun bolt to the back, searing her clothing to the uppermost layer of her skin.

Then everything went black....