Healing the Galaxy: Cerea (Closed)

[Hemlock Briar]

It wouldn’t be much longer before they arrived, Hemlock could feel the looming danger getting closer and closer. The alien took his eyes over to the Akk Dog who was still under Vulp’s control. It was amazing to see such a strong hold over the animal with a padawan, Hemlock wouldn’t be able to hold the grip that long; then again Vulpesen likely couldn’t heal as well as the Draethos.

Careful eyes scanned the horizon, the glare made it hard to see too much, but there was a dark figure another mile or so ahead, likely what remained of the capsized boat. Whatever was there was likely the source of the Darkness. Perhaps some crazed wildman shaman found the animals first.

@[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

As Vulpesen neared the area, the darkness seemed to shadow the area around the ship. Whatever this was, it would be a problem and Vulpesen detached half of his lightsaber, placing it into his coat to make it seem as though he had only one blade with him. Most jedi preferred to not use deception, but Vulpesen had been taught in a slightly different manner, one that allowed any means of survival that did not push him deeply into the darkness he was about to fight.

As they came closer, Vulpesen focused the force into his voice, projecting it to the wreckage. "If anyone is in there, show yourself!" Vulpesen's voice rang out towards their subject. He knew he was there, and the last thing he needed was a surprised surprise leaping at them from the darkness. @[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

Hemlock noted the padawan putting the second half of his saber away. Hemlock had read stories of the Jedi Shadows and their ferreting out the Dark Side all across the galaxy. This Vulpesen sounded like the typical Jedi Shadow, he was crafty, in tune with the Force, light on his feet, and physically capable, all he needed was the experience. It was of course completely possible that Vulpesen’s trickeries stemmed from something more natural, something picked up since childhood, either way Hemlock noted it down in his memory for later.

The darkness was getting much larger; it was overcoming Hemlock’s senses. The Darkness tickled his spine, giving him a quick case of the shivers. As soon as Vulp called out the Akk Dog started snarling…something was there. Out from the wreckage of the ship that lost its way along the Axis river came two Cereans. The first was a tall male, his head larger than most, and atop it was a single black braid that ran down his back. The other was a female whose fiery mane ran up the entirety of her head, she bore tribal robes and a weapon on her back.

The man took a couple steps, calling back to the two. “So you are what those scared politicians sent to recover their stolen cargo?” Stolen? Did that mean the ship didn’t capsize? That it was in fact sunken and the Akk Dogs that survived were taken captive? Was that was their Akk Dog companion had experienced? “It’s too late; we’ve already set them free! They’re going to repopulate the entire planet with their kind, throwing a giant kink into the government’s perfect planet!” The last part was put in air quotes for emphasis.

Hemlock looked over to his partner, waiting for his move.

@[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen sighed and moved forward. Why do people always try to ruin perfection? It was a peeving tendency at best. "I'm afraid that you've made a mistake my friend. I suggest you surrender and submit yourself to the law." His voice was friendly, but it was obviously more than a suggestion. There were very few circumstances when Vulpesen would allow actions like this.

@[member="Hemlock Briar"] was right about one thing. Vulpesen did have the makings of a shadow within himself. It was actually one of his greatest goals in life to become one of them. He longed for the title and would apply as soon as he was knighted. As for his current time, he moved against evil, enacting Jedi justice with extreme prejudice against those who wished harm to others. He would always offer a surrender, and would rarely try to kill, however the end result always depended now hat his opponent would decide.

 

[Hemlock Briar]

The Cerean male spit on the ground. “A bunch of offworld Jedi aren’t going to stop me. Not in these woods.” The woman at his side let out a coo and grabbed her man’s arms like they were about to blast off into space, she was obviously less battle hardy than her cocky counterpart. “I got your pups and you got shafted. The government likely sent you here to get you off their planet. They knew those Akk Dogs were as good as ours the moment they touched solid ground!” He grabbed his blaster but didn’t aim it. “I suggest you two go along. These Akk Dogs are going to be a beautiful statement.”

Hemlock was quite worried. He had hoped for the most opposition to be the Akk Dogs, not a duo of terrorists that were set on wrecking Cerea’s ecosystem. The Draethos tapped into his species natural ability of telepathy to speak to Vulpesen. “If he wanted to kill us he would have by now. It’s likely just the two of them.” He hoped violence wouldn’t be the solution, but there was no doubting these two Cereans weren’t joking around. Hopefully the Akk Dogs weren’t too far off and would be easy enough to catch before they caused any real damage.

“This does not have to end in violence.” He spoke finally, hoping to not anger the pirates more.

@[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen placed his thumb on the activator of his lightsaber, but didn't press it just yet. As soon as the first shot was fired, all bets were off, but until then he would bide his time and prepare for their attack. He was fairly sure that their lack of attack came not from their unwillingness to fight, but from their realization that they were outmatched. Too bad for them, Vulpesen had realized the same thing, and he refused to negotiate with terrorists.

"You will surrender and assist us in finding these Akk dogs." His voice was uncompromising and held the power of the force, pressuring their minds. Vulpesen would not have any compromises and if a man acted like a beast, he would treat him as such and work to tame his mind. Though the differences kept him from using the true power of mind affect, but it did allow him to enter his mind to take jabs at their psyche. @[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

The breeze around the river was the only relief to the tension for Hemlock. He was terrible in these situations, finding himself much more fond of the peaceful and less stressful approach. There was no doubt that both of the Padawans were hoping this didn’t come to violence but that didn’t stop Briar from keeping his blade in mind, able to call on it to deflect whatever blaster fire the two marauders shot his way.

The Draethos healer looked the duo over, there was something off about them. At first the alien just dismissed it as their anger brewing over, years of political and Eco-terrorism culminating in what they figured was a righteous victory. There was a buzzing feeling in the back of Hemlock’s mind, the Living Force tickling his thoughts in a hope to get him to realize before it was too late.

“We ain’t as simple as your little Jedi tricks.” The male roared. He raised his gun, not firing quite yet. It was in that moment that Hemlock realized exactly what was going on.

“The girl is a Force User!” The Draethos called out to his partner, hoping he hadn’t been baited by the warrior’s gun and would miss the girl’s attack. The fiery haired Cerean woman shot out a large blast at Vulpesen followed by her partner’s blaster firing at both the Jedi. Hemlock let his senses guide him as his lightsaber blade ignited to reflect the bolts…

@[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen's blade ignited in a flash of gold and black as he raised ti up to deflect the bolt while leaping over the woman's attack, towards the duo. As his boots thudded to the ground, Vulpesen swept his blade toward their weapons, aiming to dismantle them while also keeping his other saber hidden within his coat. He never liked to work with more than one blade as it was reserved for harder opponents, but at this closeness, he was fairly sure that he held more than a small advantage. "Once again, surrender." He moved his leg back to kick the male in the chest, then pointed his lightsaber at the female's chest.