Private Godless No More

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

Over the green plains of Azbrian, the sun was slowly rising in the distance. A new day was starting and with that, it brought a new challenge to this unproblematic planet. This time, through Silas's mailbox. While doing his normal morning routine, he came across the letter and took the time to read it in between sipping some hot caff. The writing looked rushed and scribbled on an old piece of parchment. It didn't say much, other than the address "22 Carolsan Village", A name "Mr Brentioch" and three words "Vermin, please help". The whole thing was short and sweet, almost like he didn't want anyone else to know the true meaning of his words.

At first, Silas thought it had come to the wrong address. However, upon enquiring about it with the mailing service they had been directed to post it through his door. If that was the case, then maybe it was someone's plea for help or a terrible attempt at a prank. Either way, it was his duty to investigate, even if it was so close to home.

As a precaution, he chose to call upon some backup. Aris, who was one of the many children of Valery Noble was a good candidate. He was a promising padawan with all the potential in the world, a strange event like this would only boost his experience further "We're coming up to the front gate now. Just be cautious, we don't know what we're walking into here" he said while looking back to the kid sat behind him, their speeder slowly but surely coming to a stop beside the villages sturdy wooden walls.

Silas switched it off and causally got his seat, lightly stretching in reflection on the short journey they made "If you have any questions then ask them now. For whatever reason, this place is already giving me bad vibes" the knight muttered, his gaze looking in the distance to an individual standing still in a desolate field. The farmer waved slowly and offered them a wide smile that looked forced, as well as wide eyes that hadn't found sleep in days.

Hopefully, it was just the one weird guy every settlement had...​

 

[Aris Noble]

It wasn't the type of mission Aris expected to be pulled along on, but it was one he felt he should. It wasn't all warfare and Sith. A lot of what a Jedi did was help those who needed help. Those who didn't have the Jedi's strength to protect themselves. Aris let out a sigh though as he sat in the back of the speeder, his gaze drifting over the walled encampment as his brows knitted together.

There in the shadows, eyes. Heartbeats, quickened. The were being watched. Not just watched. Feared. That was a terrible combination, especially with the sound of blasters being revved on.

"I don't think we're going to have long on questions, Master Westguard. We're not welcome here at all."

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"And so it seems..." Silas answered in agreement with the young Jedi's observation. Their arrival had certainly not gone unnoticed, especially by the guards who also had that same unnerving smile as the farmer "We just need to make sure we don't overstay our welcome. Come, we better make the most of the time we have left" he suggested with a slight motion of his head to follow him to the open gate.

On the other hand, if there were proof of foul play, they'd be seeing their faces a lot longer.

Upon walking to the entrance, two of the guards staring at them slowly moved in the way. The blasters they had were slung across their chests for now, but it was clear they were primed and ready to use at a moment's notice. Looking at them closely, their eyes almost seemed lifeless. It was a stark contrast to the rest of their expression, and that in itself made Silas's skin crawl.

"Hello there, I'm knight Silas Westgard of the New Jedi Order. We are asking permission to access your village for Jedi business"

The guards looked both of them up and down in silent judgment for a few moments "Depends on what business, stranger" he responded with a smooth and calming tone. Then, following his partner's gaze he looked up at the boy with mild fascination.

"And who might you be, strange giant?"
​

 

[Aris Noble]

"Padawan Aris Noble." Aris glanced to the Guard, his expression calm as ever. They needed to remain calm, even if these people weren't. They didn't want the Jedi here. They were hiding something they didn't want the Jedi to know. But at the same time, they knew they couldn't stop the Jedi. Already he could hear whispered orders on the other side. People being corralled. Hidden away.

They were going to make it so the Jedi had nothing to think there was anything wrong. Clever indeed.

"We received a call for assistance, so we're here to help." He smiled kindly. There was danger in revealing their purpose, but more so if they gave them time to hide away the people who'd called for help in the first place. "So we'll be heading in."

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"We won't be stopping you, Jedi. You are our galaxy's great protectors after all" the guard replied before giving one last parting comment "But please, do leave the issues you bring outside of our walls."

Silas tilted his head slightly to the guard, confused as to what he meant by that. That could have meant anything, but instead of digging deeper he lightly put a hand on Aris's back and nudged him forward "Yes, you won't need to worry about that. Now if you'll excuse us..." moving past the pair, Silas and Aris finally made their way into the settlement with the eyes of the guards locked on them as they left.

"I have lived on Azbrian for many years and not once have I seen guards act like that." he remarked quietly "Most are quite laid back, but to see them question us is quite concerning"
​

 

[Aris Noble]

"They're trying to hide things from us. I can hear them scrambling right now, actually." Aris spoke soft, glancing to Silas as they walked past the guards and in. Away
from the ears likely listening to them at all times now. His gaze shifted, nodding to one of the buildings in the back. Panicked whispers, aggressive shushing. People were being kept captive. That wasn't good.

"Should we go in now?"

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"Yes, we better do that. I don't like the way everyone is looking at us..."

Leaving the curious folk behind, Silas and Aris walked down a quiet street in the direction of the house in question. Thankfully, all the houses were numbered due to the size of the settlement. There was no need for the standard street names most offered for locational purposes "Alright, 20, 21... ah, 22" He said just before stopping outside of a fine looking house.

Most of the houses that were built here were made of wood and purposed by talented craftsmen and builders. The house in question didn't look anything different from the rest, other than the fact it was clear the individual inside strived for privacy. Black blinds stopped anyone from looking inside, as well as a sign that warned anyone in red paint against trying to sell or ruin his peace.

"Hm, seems like we're meeting with an introvert."

Sighing to himself, Silas walked up to the door and knocked it three times. For a few seconds, there was only silence, up until the sound of shuffling became more apparent. Suddenly, a hole the size of a grape opened to reveal a green eyeball staring rather menacingly at them

"Who are you?! did the sign not say enough about not buying anything from you shady ruffians!"
​

 

[Aris Noble]

An introvert?

Aris glanced to the building before glancing back around town. There were still so many eyes on them, watching. And more being hidden away in other buildings. Muffled and held for what he could guess was hostage. People not allowed to ask for help. His gaze shifted to the man as he made himself known, his expression rather cold.

There were too many people in danger.

"We're not here to sell anything. Master, why are we bothering with this man? He's alone."

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"Because that's the introvert we need. Watch, you'll see what I mean"

Turning back to the door, he took the note out of his pocket and lifted it to the hole "You enquired about our services?" Silas asked, leaving the man silent for a few moments before suddenly shutting the keyhole. Behind the door, numerous amount of locks became undone until the door flew open, revealing a rugged older gentleman dressed in a comfy dressing gown.

"I didn't think you'd come... quickly, get inside" the man hissed while jumping out of the way to usher them in, only when Aris had two feet on the carpet did he slam it shut with authority. Sighing, he slowly turned back to them with a nervous scratch of his head "I apologize for the hasty entry, if you give those fools an inch they'll take a mile..." ​

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris just raised a brow, though as the door opened he was quick to step in with Silas none the less. His gaze shifted about the building once they were inside, his expression still slightly confused, but watching. Curious as ever now. ".. Ah, you're the one that reached out. I see now. Then, do you know where they round up everyone? I can hear some being coerced into silence close by."

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"They round them up at the town hall in preparation for their worship. Each week they gather those visiting or live here to join their cause, no matter if you're against it or not"

Frowning slightly, he began to shuffle his way into the clean kitchen where the pair of them could sit down. The place was well looked after, its resident on the other hand appeared as if he hadn't seen the sun for weeks "That would make sense, but how have you kept off their radar for so long?" Silas asked while the man sat down at the table nervously "I never go outside that's why. Other than you, no one has knocked on my door for some time"

Silas nodded slightly and noticed something peculiar that was blocking the tap "What's with this piece of cl-" jumping up out of his seat the man raised his hand for him to stop.

"Do not touch that! please, whatever you do don't trust the water" ​

 

[Aris Noble]

"Poisoned water, then?"

Aris glanced to the tap before nodding his head. If there was something in the water, that would make sense as to why it was easier to keep people rounded up and docile for the most part. People drugged are people easy to control. It's messed up, certainly, but efficient. His expression frowned deeper as he tried to figure it out more. The town hall was what he was hearing, then?

The guards, the patrols. They were watching the Jedi, certainly. That was a problem, especially now that they'd come in here. Someone had to have seen it.

"What's the plan? They're on alert, panicked even."

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"Yes, you are correct young Jedi" The old gentleman stated with a sigh "For a few months, someone has been tampering with our water supply. They've polluted it to the point of undrinkable, not because its deadly but due to what it does to our brain" He explained with a tone full of worry and concern.

"Slowly but surely they've turned most of this village into soulless idiots, i hope now that you two have arrived all this can be rectified"

Silas nodded to what the man wan saying and folded his arms in thought "As my partner said they do look on alert, panicked is something yet to be seen." the knight said, his attention set back on the man "Is there a figure to all this, like a person who they all follow?" there was always a person behind these kinds of things. Either behind the scenes or individuals were right at the front in plain sight.

"Oh, yes... the man you are after calls himself "the seed" and preaches he is the start of all things living. Apparently, he has been walking the galaxy cleansing those of all wrong doing since the start of time itself." Rolling his eyes, the grunted lastly "I call bullshit on that..."

"I guarantee if you get him, the rest will crumble"​

 

[Aris Noble]

"I can hear their panic. Like I said, they're rounding everyone up and making sure everyone stays quiet at gunpoint. They don't want Jedi here. If there's some plan this leader has, they're going to kick it off now."

The appearance of Jedi would only serve a catalyst to whatever this cult's goal was. Aris hoped it wasn't anything bad, but considering the amount of weaponry he doubted it was anything peaceful.

"We can request speaking to the leader. It'll at least keep them distracted from their goal and let us get more information."

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"I'm afraid they've already begun with their plan. Throughout the week they gather, then on the last day he introduces them to their flock with a baptism of water"

From what the old man had already said it appears to have been going on for quite a while. Everyone had been forced into silence, up until one brave soul took it upon themselves to blow the whistle on this whole ordeal "Hm, that is an option Aris but a risky one. There's a chance it could turn into something nasty if we're not careful."

Thinking momentarily, he looked back to the man with an idea in mind "The worship is tonight, correct?" Silas asked curiously "Yes, within the next few hours at most" the man replied with a raised brow, unsure of where the knight was going with this "Then me and Aris will go and see this for ourselves. If they have any hostages, we can free them first before we confront the head of the table"

Nodding slowly, he began to understand what he was getting at "Hm, it is a better course of action than what I was thinking. Be warned though, this "Seed" messiah is no pushover. He may sound mad, but his cunning holds no limitations..."​

 

[Aris Noble]

"It's risky, but they're already aware of us. The fact we're in here is probably making the paranoid more so. Whatever we do end up deciding to do, there's only one chance and only one attempt." If they wanted to make this bloodless, at least. There were too many bodies he could hear, armed and unarmed, for it to be anything good to end with violence.

Especially if there was some twist of the mind in making them all thing this seed guy would make them immortal or the like.

"Do you have a way out? You got a letter to Master Westguard. If you've a way out, a path or the like, while we meet with the head we can send the captured and imprisoned here. I can be pretty sneaky as I need to be, and fast. Can you help us get them out?"

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"Agreed, they will be on guard with two Jedi in town today. Although, I do have a plan that may be able to catch them off guard" he said with a smirk while shuffling over to a carpet. Leaning down, the old timer suddenly lifted it to one side to reveal an old wooden trap door "This will be their ticket out of here, it has been for me for the past few months when I needed food and water"

Silas nodded and smiled from where this was leading "I hope you're not hiding any explosives down there" the knight joked before lifting the door to reveal a ladder going into the dark depths below "How in the galaxy did you do this?" he asked curiously, impressed by how prepared he was in these dire times.

"Well, it wasn't me. Back in the day, this used to be a brewery. They used the cellar to store the ingredients, but after I bought the place I soon found they had dug tunnels to the outside. My guess is to smuggle people in or for other sinister activities." he remarked, looking back at Aris.

"Not only will this be their way out, but your way back in. In a few minutes, you will leave and then use the tunnels to return. In terms of rescuing the hostages, I will need help first as my old bones are too creaky to fight. A back entrance to the hall is guarded but leads to the holding area where they await their baptism. Once we get everyone out, leave them to me to get them back here. I'll let you two deal with the maniac as you please"​

 

[Aris Noble]

A smuggler tunnel, then. That was a good choice. Aris gave a nod to Silas, briefly giving a smile even. They had a plan, and a good one, to rescue not just the people trapped here but to bring this whole thing down. Doomsday or not, this was going to work. He had faith in that. "Let's get this started, then, yes? With a way back in it'll make it feel better to tell them we'll leave."

Silas Westgard

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Azbrian
Objective: Investigate cult rumors
Tag: Aris Noble

"Agreed, we have no time to waste" Silas stated as the old man opened a draw and handed them a physical map. Close by, there would be a cross that showed where the entrance to the tunnel would be "The landmark you need to lookout for is a long abandoned farms shed. It is small, but the stone it was made of has made it the tunnel easier to find for generations" he remarked before beggining to shuffle over to the door to let them back out.

"By the time you come back I will be taking my place behind the church. Meet me there, and then we can get those hostages to safety" he said to them both, his hand opening the door and allowing them to go outside "Good luck, we could use a bit of it tonight" there was obviously a bit of nerves to all this, but Silas was confident in their abilities to make this work "If the forces wills our success, there will be no luck needed"

Giving one last nod to the Jedi, he finally locked the door behind them. Turning to Aris, he motioned him to follow closely <"Let's go, don't say anything until we're out of this place."> the knight said secretly, leaving them to silently walk out of town without a single look to the ever watchful eyes of the guards.

One hour later...

Below the floorboards, the sound of shuffling was heard up until the trapdoor flung open. Silas was first to jump out, followed by Aris who were covered head to toe in dust and dirk from the tunnel "That's the last time we do that..." Silas grunted as he dusted himself off while peeking through the curtains of the window. It was quiet outside, an indication that everyone was either at the hall already or hiding away "Are you ready, Aris? no matter what, we cannot be seen by these cultists"​

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris gave Silas a single nod as they stepped back out under the watchful eye of the guard. The fact they'd even allowed them to talk to this man wasn't a good sign, at least in the Padawan's mind. Were they aware of the man's dissent? Yes. So the fact they let the Jedi in without supervision meant the man was going to be in danger. A lot of danger.

Hopefully he'd at least be fine long enough for the Jedi to come back.

Yet little still compared to the tunnel.

Aris groaned as he stretched out, finally able to stand at his full height. The tunnels were not made for someone his height, after all. He looked to the Knight as Silas spoke before giving a nod. "I can hear them as they move. Their breathing, heartbeats. I won't be caught."

Silas Westgard