Open Arms on Taboon (Republic)

[Corvus Raaf]

The tension was palpable, but the one thing Corvus had in abundance was patience, she she waited to see what the Jedi Master would do...

[member="Kahne Porte"] [member="Johnny Diamonds"] [member="Jerry Mars"] [member="Yarna Kiren"] [member="Kana Truden"] [member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Kahne Porte]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Johnny Diamonds"] [member="Jerry Mars"] [member="Yarna Kiren"] [member="Kana Truden"] [member="Veino Garn"]


"Only when the situation calls for it." Kahne muttered to Johnny and then jerked his head in the direction of what was exactly taking place. He was more than sure he would be able to put 2 and 2 together.


"Look, I just need some food, I'm so hungry. Just give me some food, and I swear I'll let her go." He watched him press the blade up closer to her throat, almost, it seemed fixing to draw blood.

Kahne cocked his head to the side just briefly as he looked into the eyes of this man and saw not only pain, but much fear as well. Perhaps he was just as scared as the woman he held at knife point. We can't just give him food, then otherr refugees will look to his example, if some are willing to go that far. The message was sent through the force to those Jedi that were around.


I'll distract him and keep his attention on me, I need one of you to go around and knock him out by any means necessary. The Jedi Master spoke again through the force.

Kahne didn't care who did, but whoever did, needed to do it, and quick

 

[icaros991]

reaper was thinking of different things while waiting for the drop. he looked at his battlerifle and was thinking "this is just another mission, why am i thinking of what is gone happen if i get killd" he looked at his helmet then he heard from the pilot " ETA 5 min". Reaper put his helmet on and was readying his weapon. suddenly the dropship started shacking. reaper activated his com and wondered what just happend "whats going on pilot?" he said "i dont know, one of the enginees just stopped". reaper was thinking "you gotta be kidding me" then he said to the pilot "land this thing". the pilot started landing and he opened the hatch. reaper ran out and checked if the area was clear. he then opened his coms and spoke "this is clone trooper reaper, repeat, this is reaper. does anybody copy?" while he waited for an answer he started walking and wondered if he had any allies on this mission.

 

[Jsc]

[member="icaros991"]

ooc: Heya Icaros991. I'm Jay and I roleplay as Jerry here. First, let me welcome you to the thread. Right on bro. Good to have you. Now second, I'm speaking OOC for just a moment to help get you involved and up to speed. Here on SWRP CHAOS we require that you create a character first before playing on the boards. Once you have created a character and posted his 'Character Profile', you can continue roleplaying with us. No sweat man. Happy to have you aboard. I look forward to seeing what you can come up with and rejoining us here soon.

If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to send me a Private Message on this Account. We can talk there. Cheers and good luck.

- Jay

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was aware of Master Porte’s thoughts. Once more she made a mental note to spend more time on that particular Force skill but for now, there was a more pressing matter.

She didn't trust any of her Jedi training enough to be able to incapacitate the man without risking the woman’s life, so instead she used her Teräs Käsi skills – although technically, as a Jedi had taught her, she could probably classify them as Jedi-related.

In a blink of the eye, Corvus was at the man’s side. His first inkling things were not going as he had planned was when he felt her breath on his neck. Breath that whispered, “I owe you another one Tracyn.” He certainly wouldn't have heard a sound from her feet as she closed the gap between them noiselessly. An elbow to the back of his head and Corvus ignored the unconscious body falling, focusing instead on catching the woman that had been in the man’s grip.

In fact it is likely only the Jedi present could have identified the flow of the moves, non Force-Sensitive eyes would have simply seen a blur.

Immediately she smiled at the woman. “Don’t worry ma'am, you’re safe now.”

[member="Jerry Mars"] [member="Kahne Porte"] [member="Johnny Diamonds"] [member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

“Way to go, Corvus!” Kana chuckled as she approached the unconscious body. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

For all inappropriate jokes were worth Kana’s good mood faltered quickly the closer she got to the man. As she knelt down she threw a few glances between the woman and the man. Fear caused by fear, one of the worst mixes of emotion. Kana frowned as she checked the man for life signs, not because she expected Corvus to have murdered a man in plain sight as much as it was a sign of courtesy. The man was afraid and most likely in withdrawal; he probably had no idea what he was doing or why.

Sighing once more she had to admit it. It would probably be for the best if the man was turned over to the authorities or security or whatever they had around here. Tying the man’s hands up before trying to get him on his feet Kana began lifting the man from the floor. He was heavy, much heavier than she thought he'd be but after a bit of struggle she managed to get him up on his feet.

The man began groaning, a sign of him waking up no doubt. Taking advantage of his somewhat unconscious state Kana pushed the man outside of the clinic for both for his and his victim’s sake.

“You know, you really shouldn’t have done that.”

“I’m sorry.” The man pleaded. “Please let me go.”

“I-…”

Kana hesitated. In a sense she wanted to let him go but [member="Kahne Porte"] had been right. Just as this man would be setting an example so would she. Letting this man go after what he had done would not only make the situation worse but make the work her fellow jedi put in be all for nothing. He would go back to his addiction and Kana would have to face the others.

“No, I can’t… I’m sorry.”

“PLEASE!”

“No! I-…” She sighed. “You need this, it’s for the best.”

Checking her communications device she saw the message from [member="Jerry Mars"]. Kana sent a short description of the events that had gone down.

----------------------------------------------------------​

| Crazy guy with knife at clinic took a hostage. |​

| But it's all fine now, we're all fine now. How are you? |​

----------------------------------------------------------​

Lowering her device Kana turns her head back to the clinic in a request for assistance.

“I might need some help getting this man to security.”

It was mostly for her own sake, Kana wasn’t exactly known for her unforgiving ways.

 

[Jsc]

NTS Transit HUB
Messaging [member="Kana Truden"]

___

Jerry flipped up her phone and looked at the message Kana had sent. Oh good grief. If she had a dime for everyone of these messy situations that popped up, she'd be rich. Mars texted back,

-- Understood. Log a report and a name with the security station and carry on. --

The poor Zeltron frowned and returned to her post. It appeared there was always another crisis looming just over the horizon and ready to break. In fact, a tall human male was approaching her just now with a curious look about his face. No doubt another crisis was about to show itself soon.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus looked to Kana. "I can help if you want, too much jedi presence here might spook people. Even if you're doing it for the right reasons, some people just see Jedi throwing their weight around. Let's leave the medics to do what they do best."

[member="Kana Truden"] | [member="Jerry Mars"]

 

[Kana Truden]

“Thank you.” Kana offered a smile. “The offices are nearby.”

Kana brought Corvus along as she lead the pleading man down the corridor towards said security offices. As they arrived they were greeted by a pair of officers who seemed to have been informed already about the man’s crime.

“Thank you ma’am, we’ll take it from here.”

“Oh, alright.” Kana handed the man over. “Just, go easy on him. He’s got no idea what he is doing.”

“We’ll see.”

A frown spread across Kana’s lips. That was just a fancy way of saying ‘No’. She left the station with regret, a egoistic sense of regret but regret nonetheless. That man was in for months of hell because of her, but what else was there to do? He would have taken his withdrawal out on another innocent person.

“Come on, maybe we should see that *[member="Jerry Mars"]* person before we go anywhere else.”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was uneasy about the Security Officer's approach but held her tongue. The look on Kana's face suggested she felt the same.

"It's a fine line," she said once they had left the office, "between upholding the law and seeing justice done. We are here to honour the local laws, even if they do not always comply with our own interpretation. That doesn't make it always feel right, but that's the challenge we face."

"As far as next steps, lead on..."

[member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Jsc]

NTS Transit HUB
Master Oak and Trouble

___


"No no. By all means, have a seat. I have a moment to talk." Jerry waved the man over to a chair.

"Ah yes. Thank you. My apologies for not coming sooner. I am Jedi Master Travian Oak of the Jedi Service Corps. WIth your permission, I'd like to request a full report of the station and then have you transfer the operations over to us completely."

Oak was a tall human male with a scruffy beard, silver hair, and a abstract nose. His features were lanky but his strong shoulders spoke of a man who knew hard labor. Jerry took a seat in the office apart from him and nodded.

"Truthfully, I've been looking forward to it. But why now? We're only a few days away from reaching operational status in the mines? The refugees are settling. I would have expected you next week, if at all."

"Security. No, politics really. Senator Millian of the former Empress Teta has been causing a ruckus since her removal and the fall of her homeworld. She's called in all her favors at court and become something of a wild card. No doubt you've noticed the Tetan problem mounting amongst the crowds already?"

"You mean the noblemen who are 'repurposing' Republic Supplies in a vain attempt to maintain their glorious Core World lifestyles, yes."

"Exactly. ...And unfortunately, these noblemen amount in the thousands and their pocketbooks in the trillions. With more money than the Gods themselves. Politically our hands are tied. But we cannot allow this situation to escalate further. ...No. You, Jerry Mars, cannot allow this situation to escalate further."

"Pardon me?"

"The Jedi Order has asked that all available Jedi on this station re-task and concentrate their efforts on the Tetan refugees. Most specifically, the noblemen problem. Our organization, the Jedi Service Corps, will handle the mining operations from here on out. And I promise you. We will see all these people resettled and rested for the dark days to come. From now on, your duties have changed."

"I believe you Master Oak. I really do. But what can the Jedi Knights possibly do about the Tetan refugees that we are not already doing right here?"

"Give them special treatment."

"What!? ...But their are hundreds of Core Worlders here. Surely you're not suggesting?"

"I am. ...Give them what they want."

"That simply isn't fair Master."

"The world isn't fair Apprentice Mars. Surely you not so naïve as to completely disregard how this Republic works? And money talks. Loudly."

"But they are stealing ships, supplies, and security officers? Items that belong to all?"

"This is not a fairy tale Apprentice. You must remain in the present. And that present, is politically motivated. Surely you can understand that people react differently in a crisis. The fear, the anger, ...the uncertainty?"

He paused and shrugged.

"No Apprentice Mars. The money has spoken. The Tetan nobles under Senator Millian's protection are to receive special treatment. Jedi treatment. You will see to their needs personally. Starting right now. ...This operation is over."

Master Oaks stood up and expressed his exhaustion openly,

"I'm sorry. But thank you for all your hard work. Remember to thank the others too."

"I can't make them just leave. Many of them only arrived today."

"Only the Force can influence a true Jedi's decisions. Their agency, even in the light of strange politics, remains their own. Though, you have your orders none-the-less."

"I'll protest this. With the Grandmaster. I swear it."

"Do so Apprentice. By all means. Take a month of travel and attendance to protest to dear Master Grayson of the unfairness of the whole. The hypocrisy of modern politics. Senator Millian and her powerful friends aren't going anywhere. ...Do you even know where the Jedi Order gets their money from? The Senate. Who keeps the light running in all of our Temples? The Senate. Who repairs and builds your Jedi Starfighters, your Navy Vessels? The Senate. Who gives you everything you need to survive? The Senate. ...Did you really think the Jedi Order survives on Private Donations and the Jedi Service Corps Farming Initiative alone? Please. Don't act like such a child."

He smiled and shook his head. Jerry hated that smile.

"...Now if you'll excuse me Apprentice. I have an operation to continue. Thank you for your time. You are... dismissed."

And that was it. Her mission was over. Now she would go from babysitting refugees to babysitting Tetan Nobles. Guarding thieves. Bah. How Jerry so loved politics. How naïve she had been to think that joining the Jedi Order would make everything right in the world. No. She remembered that this was war. It was the Sith who had brought this chaos upon them. The One Sith who had spawned this New Age of Destruction upon the galaxy. Taken Coruscant, Teta, and lunged like a spear at the heart of the Republic. Senator Millian was just a scared little girl at the head of a scared little host. The one they were all running from.

The One Sith.

...

 

[Kana Truden]

And so there it was. Kana and Corvus had managed to arrive just in time to overhear the final parts of the ’discussion’ between Jerry and the Master who was unknown to her. About the Senate being the same old crooked deal as always. The money gobbling senators who were so obviously high and mighty as if being born into wealth had made them any more different than the rest of them.

Kana hated nobility, she always had and this wasn’t helping in the slightest. The man passed Kana by with an arrogant bump and she couldn’t help staring him down as he went away. What a condescending loser, a prick in all its might.

“It’s not over yet.” Kana cursed under her breath. “Are we supposed to just lie down and watch as the rest of this place devolves into chaos?”

A rhetorical question at best; of course they were. The senate had just told them to. They would pay for this, not at Kana’s hand but at the hopeful idea of political backfire. Here’s just hoping it’s the right side that gets the blame and not the Jedi.

 

[Johnny Diamonds]

"Wow. What a foul kind of dude. Like, seriously."

Johnny piped up from behind Corvus and Kana, having already taken care of the whole screwed up messaging alert system in the medical wing. Wasn't all that hard, really. A few algorithms from his personal collection, a little bit of hardwiring in the physicals, and a bit of rerouting and presto. Insta-streamlined messaging and a galactic universal translator to boot. Still, that whole deal with the psycho hungry guy kinda shook Johnny. Sorta wished he had a saber, but was still glad his was nothing more than components. One of these days, but not today.

Johnny D just kinda stood there next to Corvus and Kana, letting his mind wander out loud again. "It's like, all these people are suffering. Badly, too. Like, hardcore depression and misery. It's really hard to focus with all the emotion floating about, and now this Master Oaks is telling us 'the Money has Spoken'? What a pile of bantha poodoo. Like, I know I'm not the most strict adherer to the Jedi Code and all, but still. Is it weird even I'm sitting here like, totally disgusted at this? We oughta send word to the Grandmaster, like Jerry said."

Johnny looked from Corvus, to Kana, to Jerry, and back to Corvus again. He gave a sheepish grin, holding up his datapad. It was still connected to the earbuds in his ears. "Sorry, like, was keeping an ear to the ground. Place doesn't exactly have the most advanced security, dig?"


[member="Kana Truden"] | [member="Jerry Mars"] | [member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was silent. Her mind was cycling through the Code of Conduct that Grandmaster Grayson so recently discussed.

Observe the Order’s directions. Perform your duties to the best of your ability so long as they do not conflict with the Order. Defend the innocent, the meek, and the defenceless, even at the cost of your own life, but know you are not superior to your fellow sentients or their judgement.

These three aspects played over and over. Aware she was the only one that hadn't spoken, she finally said, "As much as I find the decision...troubling," she seemed to take an eternity to find the appropriate word, "I am obliged as a Jedi to observe the directions of the Order. I am also obliged to defend the defenceless. And so until a replacement from the Jedi service corps is in situ and I am confident it is able to perform its duties to defend those her, I cannot leave this planet. To do so would be, in my opinion, a direct contradiction of my oath as a Jedi."

[member="Johnny Diamonds"] | [member="Kana Truden"] | [member="Jerry Mars"] | [member="Kahne Porte"]

 

[Kahne Porte]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Johnny Diamonds"] [member="Kana Truden"]

"He has an idea of his actions, he's not guilt free, my friend." Kahne said as he watched them take him away. While more security had shown up at which was nice, but it didn't seem to alleviate things. The atmosphere at what just happened hung around almost like black death that was clinging to everyone. And he scanned the civilians each of them it seemed were looking to one another as if they were waiting for them to be the next assailant. "Desperation can make people do, things they don't want to do. The fact of the matte remains is that he did it."


And while the commotion had died down, it seemed that orders had changed. And while Kahne was a Jedi Master,loyall to the Jedi Council and the Republic, he always followed his own heart, regardless of the consequences. He for one wasn't going to have someone order him away from this area while lives are still needing to be saved and helped.

"I'm not leaving. I'll be damned if anyone makes us otherwise. If you choose to go, that is of your own accord. Good luck and may the force be with you."

 

[Jsc]

Jerry looked around as her companions made their decisions. Some would stay and look after the fledgling colony. Others would leave to dive deeper into the Tetan accords and sift through the politics. Jerry simply noted the time.

The future beckoned to them all.

_____

to be continued...