Private How to fight raiders!

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

The invasion and aftermaths of Empress Teta had left Dreidi with a lot to think about. She decided that she needed to get back to being mobile and never sticking around anywhere too long. Roaming Jedi that loosely hung around the Ascendancy, that was the best she could do since events had brought back to the surface issues she had been supressing for years now. She had even switched to normal, non-Jedi styled clothing because she was wanting to avoid being called out a Jedi or being sought after. There was too much for her to think about and she was too confused about how felt, Jax betrayed her limited trust, her mother was still absent in her life and she barely interacted with Asaraa and Kristyl unless she was stopping by to do some training. Her therapist had been worried since it was noted that Dreidi was having less and less ties so she could end up just disappearing or worse end up self-harming. However, it hadn't happened yet, and Dreidi was needing a break from the big life issues, focusing on others and losing herself to the madness of life around her. Trying to find her center again, that was what she needed in all this.

Rolling up her sleeves, she was feeling warm this afternoon on Lasan. How she found herself on the world was just the guidance of the Force really but, there seemed to be a path that she needed to take. It lead her far from the cities on the world into rural territory, the speeder had the wind whipping against her face and her hair flowing behind her. It was a relief to be doing something that was such a distraction from everything. The engine hiccupped as she was driving past a nearby village. Nothing significant but the hiccup made Dreidi that she might be where she is needed, slowing down, she looked around the village.

It was small, quaint and very quiet, looking around, Dreidi got the idea that something more was going on here and she was curious to finding out why the village had such tense atmosphere. Stopping, Dreidi parked the speeder to one side and quickly tied her wind crazed hair into a long ponytail. Folding her arms, she looked around and tried to figure out who was going to be the best person to talk with. Stopping in front of one villager, Dreidi tried to put on her best 'I'm a Jedi and here to help' face and voice.

"Hey, is everything okay around here?" Dreidi tried to ask in a soft questioning manner.

The Lasat shrugged and tried to move past Dreidi, clearly in no mood to talk.

Dreidi dropped all precedent and jogged after them, "so, urm, I'm Dreidi... I travel around and try helping people best I can and I was kinda directed here but no idea why. Could you please tell me why everything feels so tense around here?" Dreidi pleaded as she realised her cool Jedi look was nowhere close to what she wanted it to be.

"Bandits, raiders, whatever ya call them. Keep attacking us, strangers, offworlders. Makes folks like me wary of folks like you." The Lasat confused, Dreidi nodded her head, she had seen too many situations like this. Worlds under no faction, unable to protect all the lives on the planet so raiders come and take advantage.

"Well, I promise to end them when they come next." Dreidi nodded.

"There's too many, all bigger than you, you'll die and get us all killed. Just go home child." The Lasat told Dreidi, forcing her clench her fist and be even more determined to stick around. Though, maybe help would go a long way.

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris let out a sigh and wiped at her brow. The raids had been more frequent as of late. More brutal. The injured she was treating were steadily getting more and more beat up. Bruises, broken bones. Now cuts, lacerations. She let out a sigh as she finished bandaging a young man's forehead. "You should know better by now. You can't just talk to them like that while they're in a group. They'll just beat you up. If you want to stop them, you need to be smarter."

He frowned, grumbled under his breath. But ultimately nodded. There was no denying that much. The Padawan smiled in turn before patting his head.

"Go. Remember, head down. Trust me."

He left, quickly running out of the makeshift clinic as Iris leaned back in her seat. Man, desert worlds were warmer than she expected. And yet, so much more work to be done.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

Dreidi spent time looking around and trying to get more information on the bandits since it seemed that she was being stubborn and forcing her way into the situation. Not always the best thing to do but Dreidi was determined to help, she had been guided here and she was going to stick around. Eventually she came across a makeshift clinic, tilting her head, she felt someone, some Force User resided inside. So focused on her hunt for information, Dreidi had completely missed that there was someone else here who was connected to the Force and that someone working in a clinic to help the victims in this village. It had to be another Jedi, or someone with some skills that could help her in dealing with the bandits.

Wandering inside, she looked around and slid her hands into her pockets as she checked the surroundings of the clinic. Dreidi had never been one for healing or support based roles, too much fire and fighting inside her to direct herself into being a healer. Also, all the blood and guts, nasty. She never had a weak stomach but she didn't exactly want to push that by shoving her limbs into another person's body and feeling their innards. It was enough to make anyone sick in her mind. No, she much rather fight, cut and maim people. There was a battle mindset that distant all that gore for her in the moment, her dreams made them return but that was dreams.

Looking around, she spotted a young woman, similar in age to herself and she could feel the Force flowing from her. Approaching, she took care in making sure she appeared friendly and not looking for trouble. "Hey, so you a Jedi too? Just, working in a place like this, feels very Jedi Healer vibes, also you heard about the bandits here? Maybe we could team up and deal with them?" Dreidi asked.

 

[Iris Arani]

"If you're hurt, just tell me wha- Oh."

The door opened, and Iris immediately went into healer mode. Someone had to be hurt, right? That was the usual reason someone came here. The moment she actually looked, at the colors and the door, it was clear she was wrong. She blinked, staring at the other girl for a moment. Actually studying her colors this time around, to try and see just who this person was. A stranger, for sure.

But someone who meant well.

It was a couple seconds of quiet before she blinked and finally realized the other girl had said something.

"Wait, huh? You want to fight them?"

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

Dreidi heard the supposed healer telling her what to do if she was injured and Dreidi could only smirk, seems that this clinic was set up awhile ago and that injuries were common place. This was all information that Dreidi needed, it proved that things were not improving with just this clinic and if anything, will embolden the bandits to get more severe. Action was needed and that Dreidi could help when it came to action, to fighting. Hopefully this other person, who was connected to the Force would help her in this endeavour. Though it seemed there was a reluctance or at least, something was making her hesitant.

"Of course, the only way we can stop them is if we fight. We stand and do nothing these bandits will be emboldened into dangerous and deadly attacks. Next raid there might be some that you can't save." Dreidi cautioned, hoping this would help things and allow her to gain an ally. "Together, I figured we would be more than enough for any bandits. I am sure you have some kind of combat training with a Lightsaber right?" Dreidi asked, suddenly fearing that the stranger would be completely Force Healing based with no skills branching elsewhere.

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris stared for a couple seconds longer.

Then just let out an exhausted and relieved sigh as she collapsed back into her chair. A hand came up to cover her eyes as another, louder, sigh escaped her. Relief, pure and simple. Running around to try and handle the bandits while trying to protect the people here, heal them when they got hurt from the bandit raids, find the bandit hideout to maybe plan a way to end this once and for all.

Hard to do alone. And she really, really, didn't want to involve the townsfolk.

"A couple of the men died in the first raid. It's been a lot of trying to catch up and keep anyone else from dying." Iris hopped up from her chair, moving towards one of the nearby tables. Clutter of all kind rested atop it, but with a wave of her hand she sent most of it into a basket that seemed to be there specifically for said clutter. What was left? A map of the area, potential locations for the bandit camp. A list of weaponry the bandits seemed to have from each of their raids to try and take stock of their armory. What she could get between healing those she could.

"If we can find their camp we can sabotage them. Steal their weapons, arm the people here better. It's taken a lot to convince them not to fight, but if we can get them the gear for a fighting chance, they should be able to at least protect themselves." Not just now, but when she left, too.

"I marked a couple places I figured they could be hiding out. Haven't had a chance to check myself, though. What do you think?"

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

The relief from the healer was a positive sign, it seemed that they realised that indefinite clinic work and healing was not going to make the problem go away. Dreidi knew of some healers who would refuse to fight and it seemed that this one was not one of them. She offered a warm smile of comfort to demonstrate that she felt confident in their skills. As the healer moved some things around, they revealed information and some ideas on locations. Dreidi paused as she scanned over the details on weaponry and assessed the potential locations.

"Any way that we can narrow these down? Just having so many potential spots means that we are gunna be either spread out searching or wasting time hunting them down." Dreidi commented as she looked over the map, seeing if there was a high hill or mountain that they could scope out the locations from. Chewing on her inner cheek, "Also, what are your fighting skills like? Just some times healers aren't great fighters and need to know if I should be keeping an eye out on you or if you can handle yourself." Dreidi was a fighter first and there was not much else she could do outside of fighting.

Dreidi thought about using the villagers for their fight and arming them, she shook her head, "most of these people aren't going to be effective with weapons, or at least not effective enough for combat situations. We are better off trying to take these bandits on our own, hit them hard enough for them to give up. After they are gone then the villagers around here can learn to fight." Dreidi suggested, she wasn't comfortable dragging people who couldn't fight into battle.

"But seems you have done a lot of work which is good. I'm Dreidi by the way." Dreidi introduced herself, realising that she was jumping into the mission and not doing the small talk stuff others normally do.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Without actually going to see them myself, not really. I sent Domxite out to look around for me, but I don't want them to go far." They'd be back, actually. Soon. .. Hopefully. A worried look was turned to the door before Iris let out a sigh. No, no. Domxite was fine. She trusted them that much. She blinked, though, glancing to Dreidi. How did she fight? "I can hold my own. I've been in the Maw war for a couple years now, haven't died."

Did that make sense? She wasn't sure how else to explain her skills.

"Oh. Iris. I'm Iris. It's nice to meet you!"

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

There was anxiety coming from Iris about someone or something called Domxite. Dreidi gave a reassuring smile, a hand squeezing her shoulder and Dreidi then turned to the map. "So, we got several locations to check out. Lets wait for Domxite to return and see if they can update us with some information before we take some speeders and check out locations?" Dreidi offered and figured speeders could allow them to escape without detection, in case the situation was not as easy as Dreidi wanted.

Nodding her head, Dreidi had taken part in the Maw war, she knew the dangers and the strength of the Sith. "That's good, I will say, not everyone involved in war is a fighter. So, better to say you have fought in the war." Dreidi mentioned, it took many roles and people to sustain a war and not all them would fight or hone their abilities to fight. Some could be healers and that's it, mechanics, commanders of fleets and more. Dreidi had seen war plenty and knew what it took to make it work.

"Pleasure is mine, hopefully we can figure this situation out well together?" Dreidi nodded her head.

 

[Iris Arani]

Fought would be a stretch. Gone up against some of the most dangerous Sith? Yes. Actually fought them rather than run and delay them from hurting anyone else? No. No she did not actually fight them. But she didn't hesitate to stand up against them! And she actually had fought pirates and bandits before with success. And y'know. She was much stronger now. This should be fine. Easy, even!

Just wait for Domxite.

Almost on cue the little BD-Unit came in. Through the Force it let out a whirl of emotion. How the Rainbow gem within communicated, at least. Iris nodded once, her brow knitting together before she started to cross things off on the list.

"We'll figure it out. They're counting on us to."

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

The colourful BD unit moved back into the room and Dreidi smirked, she hadn't really interacted much with droids like this one, fulfilling some kind of sidekick, helpful companion style role. Dreidi tended to operate lone wolf style if allowed so it was fun to see how others operated differently. "So, what does Domxite... that's the name right?" Dreidi doubled checked, not entirely sure that she had caught the name of the BD unit correctly when Iris briefly mentioned it. Names were hard to remember, especially first time around. "Urmm, what can they show us? Can we discount any of the potential areas?" Dreidi asked hopeful as she looked over the map, clearly itching to go.

"Of course we'll figure it out, we're Jedi!" Dreidi stated as if the term would solve all issues in the galaxy. Dreidi didn't truly believe that but she knew hope and optimism was contagious and prayed that it would catch with the solemn people around here. Hope was in dire need in her opinion and she wanted to prove that a Jedi, a good Jedi, could and would help anyone out in need. That was her aim and that she felt, was her duty.

"You are crossing things out so that is a positive, and if we need to do some legwork to figure out the rest then that's what we'll do!"

 

[Iris Arani]

"Domxite can see a lot through the Force. They were searching for signs of life in these places, and found none. From the couple of raids we've seen, there was no one who had influence enough on the Force to be able to hide the entire group. So.. These places are a no go." It was at least half the options gone. Good. Iris paused for a moment as she crossed out the last one, glancing to her friend. Again emotion flooded out through the Force, complex but made to be heard. Communication from the little droid but not a droid.

"They'll stay behind. Keep treating people and help keep an eye out. Oh, uh. They're not a droid. Rainbow Gem. So.. Not a droid."

She usually forgot to explain that. She nodded once to the BD-Unit, patting the top of their head before turning back to the other Padawan. Nodded.

"Okay. So, we leg it."

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

There was seemingly a lot going on with what Dreidi thought was simply a droid bringing back information about the surrounding area. There was the Force presence emanating from it and then the whole deal with searching for life and removing half of the possible choices from the map. Which then lead to Iris announcing that this wasn't a droid but a rainbow crystal. Which Dreidi had no understanding what that meant. "Urmmmm... Iris can we back up a bit, so... This isn't a droid but a crystal? Just it looks like a painted droid is all? What's a rainbow crystal?" Dreidi couldn't take her eyes away from the BD unit, it was strange feeling the Force from a droid, there was usually never really much there.

"Great about removing half, that's good for us. Um... I got a speeder, so we could take that and get around much faster than trudging around on foot?" Dreidi suggested gesturing to the outside while still looking at the BD unit a little unsettled before snapping out of it. "Means we can cover more ground and if needs be, use it as a battering ram against any defences they might have set up."

Composing herself a little more, she headed outside for the speeder.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Mhmm! Domxite wanted a BD unit as a body, so we got them one. They like how it looks." Iris nodded once, as if that explained everything. It didn't, of course. And she knew that much at least. "Rainbow Gems are.. Well, sentient? They're alive, like you or me. They just don't have a voice. Talk in emotion. I've learned how to understand them, so it might be weird. Heh."

Weird wasn't anything new to her. She nodded once more to Domxite, patting the droids head, before turning off to follow after Dreidi. A speeder really would help them out with that. Her X-Wing didn't hold a speeder, so it was usually off on foot. Maybe not anymore.

"It'll make this all much faster. What could've taken a week, maybe a couple days. .. Huh. We might actually put an end to this, finally."

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

"I've heard that Kyber crystals can choose you as much as you choose them when you travel to a crystal cave in search of them. But... I didn't think one could talk or express emotions. Interesting." Dreidi was curious and she was intrigued to know more. She wasn't always super invested in things that were non-combat related, she was hard in learning how to fight, defend and defeat those that threatened innocent lives and destroy peace that could be built. However, understanding or just learning more about the magical and mystical sides of the Force and galaxy at large was never an idea that Dreidi would refuse to do. Just needed to be the right time and place, "maybe after these bandits are done, you could tell me more about rainbow crystals, where you find them and how you learnt to understand them? Just totally seems unique and different."

Dreidi shook her head, she was not spending more than a day hunting these bandits, they could potentially end up moving from the base if that happened or attack while they were out looking for them. There was too much risk, it was why she had travelled out here by speeder, easier to get across the land. "I can drive if you are fine with that. Gives you a chance to look around and focus on sense the bandits?" Dreidi suggested.

She hopped onto the speeder in one fluid movement and stretched her limbs. Needed to be as limber as possible driving a speeder since they were quick, hard to steer and would use your whole body to drive. Especially older models like this one, she couldn't afford anything newer. "Hop on back and hold on tight." Dreidi stated.

 

[Iris Arani]

"They're not Kyber. It's more.. Kinda like a Shard?" Kind of. If a Shard was more like a semi sentient dog. Who could run machines. Actually, how smart was Domxite? She poundered the thought as she plopped onto the speeder. Wait, hold on tight? She blinked, glancing to Dreidi. then pretty quickly did just that. Holding on tight. "I can uh, keep an eye out! The colors should tell me enough, I think."

Yeah, yeah! She could see the colors if there were enough of them around. A simple enough plan to at least get them a place to scout and find the enemy base, right?

"Let's go!"

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

More like a shard... but it was also difficult for Iris to explain, which made sense since things would be tricky if Iris had an unique connection between the crystal and Iris. "Well, maybe we can discuss more over a celebratory meal. Fighting always makes me hungry, dunno about you?" Dreidi commented with a chuckle. Feeling Iris hold on tight, it was good since Dreidi knew speeder bikes could launch off quick. Getting the engine to rumble a bit, she launched forward.

The view became a blur but the Force and her skills trained her to move swiftly and keep aware of the oncoming surroundings. Moving faster and faster through as the bike built up speed to the first locations. Hoping that Iris will let her know if there was anywhere they needed to stop and check it out. Dreidi just hoped that she didn't have to wait till the last spots.

Sod's law likely meant it would be the last one.

 

[Iris Arani]

Celebratory meal?

Iris blinked. Did she think they'd be done in a da- oh they were off. She tightened her grip a little as they sped off and closed her eyes. Not because she was scared or anything. She wasn't. On land or in space, speeding along was something she actually enjoyed. But it was business first. She focused on the colors, peeling away layer after layer of interference. Life had their own colors. Animals, plants, people, they were different enough for her to look through.

Or she just learned how to better distinguish the differences.

The third stop. The first two, nothing. But as they approached the third her eyes opened. Colors. Lots of them. Mingling together. Joy, but twisted. Fear. Panic.

"Slow down. We're close."

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Lasan
Equipment: Lightsaber
Outfit: Street wear
Tag: Iris Arani

It wasn't the first two locations which frustrated Dreidi but due to the speeder bike, getting around wasn't as time consuming as it could have been by the time they were reaching the third location. Driving by, Iris called out, the wind making it hard to hear her but Dreidi was able to slow down so the area was no longer streaks of blurriness. Making sure they were getting too close, Dreidi looked back at Iris and smiled, "found them? Great, this should be easy then. Jump in, fight, possibly kill the leader to send a message and head back. I could possibly teleport us through the back. At least, I know I can teleport myself there. Not really tried taking someone with me..."

Dreidi paused as she thought about things, it was unlikely she could just take Iris with her, Magick wasn't that simple and while with practice she could potentially do it some day. That some day was not today. No, it was better to be honest, "so, I am unlikely to be able to take us both. Never done it before. Might be better for you to cause a distraction or find another way in? Unless you got another idea bout how to get in?" Dreidi asked sincerely, she knew she was never the best at planning.

 

[Iris Arani]

Teleport?

Iris canted her head to the side, more squinting in suspicion. People could teleport? Well, it'd be useful at least. Oh. For her, not so much for Iris. Iris let out a sigh, glanced to- Wait what? The Padawan blinked before staring right at Dreidi in almost disbelief. "You want to attack them? We don't know how many there are, what the camp is like. Any of it. If we kill their leader, they could just strike out at the village. We need a plan."

Oh god why was she the one talking about plans.

Dreidi Xeraic