Private Order or Tyranny?

[Lorian Aldaris]

"LEE!" Lorian woke in a sweat, bursting out from under his sheets. The Echani's astromech buzzed to life, a combination of beeps and boops in binary expressing concern. Lorian ran his hands over his face and then through his hair before climbing out of bed. He didn't want to think about her any longer. "I'm fine, L-Nine. Just a bad dream," This R2 unit had been a faithful companion for many years, although they hardly knew much about the Echani's jaded past. Lorian got dressed, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head once finished. His ritual brand wasn't exactly inconspicuous, hence he would leave it behind. He was particularly thrilled about that, especially with Draxul's grim reputation. But he was not looking for a fight, just work. The Echani moved to leave his freighter. "Stay here and watch the ship L-Nine."

The heavens had opened above as Lorian trudged through the forest to the nearest town. By the time he reached one of the larger cantinas his boots were caked with mud, his trousers soaked and his poncho dripping wet. Stepping inside the warmth, he removed his hood, shook out his hair and looked around. Always picking hives of scum and villainy, aren't you? Hunters, mercs, and poachers were commonplace, but it was locals who formed the majority. Only the former carried weapons. The bar area towards the back had the least traffic, so Lorian made his way there. Pushing his way through the crowd, he bumped shoulders with a Selkath. They complained and turned to face Lorian, although quickly backed off when the imposing Echani stared him down. Eventually, he found his spot, sitting at the corner of the bar.

Plenty of patrons still came up and ordered before returning to their seats elsewhere. Lorian ordered a drink from the bartender and then proceeded to watch and listen. He noticed quickly there was a shotblaster under one of the pumps, and the man behind it walked with a slight limp. Likely a blaster-related injury. The fresh paint on the dimly lit stone walls likely covered up scorch marks. Most customers seemed jovial although some were hushed in corners, trading spice and chips beneath tables. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Watching everything furtively over his shoulder, Lorian listened and waited for an opportunity.

That was when they arrived. Clad in sleek black armour and carrying rifles, the 'Draxulian People's Defenders' marched into the bar. Everyone went silent, and most put their heads down. There were at least a dozen of them, and likely more outside. An officer was the last to step in, wearing a beret and cape instead of the same helmets as the rest of his soldiers. They were a human male likely in their forties, with a neatly cropped goatee and shaved head. A pistol was holstered on the left side of their hip rather than the right. The patrons cowered from his gaze, especially the locals, and with just a look his small contingent started on the floor. Lorian kept on drinking.

Some of the cantina-goers were asked for IDs, some were not. It may look random although to Lorian it was clearer. Those easily identified as locals were being checked. Many were grabbed and with a nod from the officer, were thrown to the ground and searched, then after some conveniently found contraband was found, they were taken outside. Most wouldn't have noticed the soldiers placing it on them in the first place. A pair of hunters were asked for theirs, but instead of producing an ID they instead offered the soldier a few credit chips. He took them, placed them in his pouch, and walked on. Looks like they live up to their reputation. It didn't take long for the officer to grow bored, and soon enough more soldiers entered and started taking the locals without requesting IDs or searching for 'contraband'. A couple who resisted were beaten and then separated before being taken outside. No one else dared to follow in their footsteps.

As Lorian was finishing his drink, the militia had worked their way round to the back of the cantina. One of the patrons at the bar was pulled away by one of the soldiers. They were an Ishi Tib mercenary, not from this world. They threw a punch at the soldier. It landed, and three more soldiers from across the cantina turned their weapons and fired a bolt each. The patron was dead in an instant. Everyone heard their body hit the ground, but none reacted. That very same enforcer turned towards Lorian next. They locked eyes, and Lorian wondered who they were beneath the mask they hid behind. Did they believe they were restoring order to this begotten world? Or did they profit off the suffering of Draxul's people? Come on, try me. The Echani did not back down and nor did the soldier. They started to walk towards Lorian with a swagger in their step. This could not end well.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery pushed open the cantina doors just as the Draxulian militia began their sweep, the air inside thick with tension. She paused briefly in the doorway, her amber eyes scanning the dimly lit room. The unmistakable hum of fear lingered among the locals, their heads bowed and shoulders hunched as the militia's presence weighed heavily on them.

Her Jedi jumpsuit was damp from the rain outside, droplets clinging to the fabric as she stepped forward, seemingly unbothered by the armed soldiers occupying the space. She didn't draw attention to herself, moving with a deliberate, calm pace toward the bar. But her senses were attuned, reaching out through the Force to feel the undercurrent of emotions rippling through the room.

The brutality of the militia was clear as Valery's gaze flicked toward the lifeless body of the Ishi Tib on the ground. The Force whispered warnings of injustice and suffering, and she could feel the dark shadow of corruption that hung over this world. But her focus shifted when her eyes landed on a figure at the bar — a man who did not cower like the others.

He was tall, imposing, with silver hair that glinted faintly in the cantina's sparse light. His posture was poised, his pale complexion framed by a certain intensity that set him apart. Valery felt a distinct ripple in the Force around him, a quiet storm of discipline and restrained power. The way he stared down the approaching soldier showed not just confidence, but defiance.

Interesting.

Valery moved closer, her presence quiet but deliberate. She positioned herself at the far end of the bar, not immediately drawing attention but aligning her vantage point so she could watch the interaction between the Echani and the soldier. Her amber eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him further, sensing the layers of experience and pain beneath the surface.

The soldier swaggered closer to the silver-haired man, and Valery's hand brushed lightly against the hilt of her lightsaber. She didn't ignite it — not yet — but she was ready to intervene if the situation escalated further.

She wasn't here for idle observation, after all. The Force had brought her to this place for a reason. Perhaps this man was part of it.

Lorian Aldaris ​

 

[Lorian Aldaris]

As the soldier moved towards Lorian, he noticed a new patron who had not been present before. They moved with grace but in a covert sort of way. Despite her comeliness, she'd gone unnoticed until now. She took an unassuming position at the end of the bar. Or at least at first. Their outfit was designed for combat, not leisure, and it would be hard for the Echani to miss the lightsaber which hung at her belt. Jedi or Sith? Either way, you are far from home. Their alignment was difficult to determine. For a moment he thought he recognised her, with the amber eyes not too unlike his own. He'd hedge his bets on the former. But his analysis was only for a fraction of a moment, whereas others would take several seconds to dissect as much information as he had. Still, Lorian welcomed a challenge but it was always best to avoid conflict. These soldiers were vigilant and brutal.

"Your ID card, citizen," The soldier spoke with a deep, almost mechanical voice. One which could strike fear into the hearts of the weak and craven. Lorian was neither, and he maintained his stature. "I have none from this world," He responded with a hint of confusion, keeping his opponent on their toes. They were barely a couple of metres apart by now. "Any will do," the only one Lorian had was from years ago, a reminder of the past. His security card when he was a part of the Echani Guard. The exile nodded to the soldier and reached towards his back. His hand brushed gently past the holster of the pistol and to a pocket. Maintaining eye contact, Lorian drew the card and handed it over. "Lorian Aldaris. You're far from home."

Understatement of the century.

Lorian didn't dignify a response, instead allowing the militia man to inspect his ID at their pleasure. The only difference in the card was the scar, although had it been coloured his eyes would look different too. It took them a few moments to process the information in front of them, which allowed Lorian to get a better sense of where the other soldiers were. A few more had cleared out by now, taking locals and those unwilling to pay with them. But they were not alone. If the soldier had any sense, he would give Lorian back his ID and move along. They were not.

The soldier glanced noticeably towards his officer. In his peripheral vision, Lorian saw them nod, a scowl resting on their face. It wouldn't take an expert in body language to understand what that meant, although Lorian's perception of the exchange would likely have gone unnoticed. He would likely have to fight his way out. The soldier handed back the ID, and Lorian put it away. He slipped a knife from the back of his belt up his sleeve. "Hand over your weapons. You are coming with me."

Slowly raising their weapon unprovoked, Lorian only had a split-second to react. With his left hand on the table, he used his strength to springboard himself upwards and wrapped his thighs around the soldier's head. Twisting, the Echani snapped their neck and with a flick of a wrist he hurtled the throwing knife now in his right hand at the nearest soldier, the blade landing in their neck with a spurt of blood. As fluid as the waves of the oceans back home, Lorian rolled forward off the deceased soldier and behind the bar. Reaching his right hand down, he quickly drew his RSKF-44 and put two bolts into the head of another soldier. Then he ducked.

Blaster bolts were peppered his way and Lorian moved underneath the bar towards the shotblaster he'd spotted earlier. You just had to get involved, didn't you? Lorian could chastise himself later, now he needed to fight his way out of this mess. The crowd was likely clearing out now, which was good. No innocents deserved to die, but plenty of Draxulian thugs would.

"Grandfather, if you are watching, grant me your strength once more."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery had remained still, her amber eyes keenly observing the escalating tension between the soldier and the Echani who had drawn her attention. Every subtle shift in Lorian's stance, every calculated move he made, spoke volumes about his training and readiness. Even as the situation spiraled into violence, her expression remained calm and measured.

When the soldier raised their weapon, the sharp crack of Lorian's response reverberated through the cantina. His movements were fluid, precise, and lethal — a masterclass in Echani combat. Valery's hands remained at her sides, her body still, as she let the conflict unfold. She wasn't here to intervene unnecessarily, but when the chaos began drawing more blaster fire, she knew the situation was rapidly becoming dangerous for everyone still inside.

As Lorian moved behind the bar, his energy brimming with determination, Valery shifted her stance. She reached out with the Force, her presence suddenly blooming in the room like an unstoppable wave. The remaining soldiers turned their blasters toward her, sensing the shift in power, but it was already too late.

With a subtle gesture of her hand, the Force rippled through the cantina, surrounding the thugs. In an instant, their feet left the ground, their bodies suspended helplessly in the air. A flick of her wrist sent them hurtling into the ceiling with a deafening crash. Dust and loose fragments of stone rained down as the thugs groaned, stunned from the impact. Before they could recover, Valery pulled them back down with another wave of her hand, slamming them hard into the floor.

The room fell into an eerie silence, the chaos of the firefight replaced by the muffled groans of incapacitated soldiers. These were down, but she had a feeling it would only be the beginning.

Valery's amber gaze flicked to Lorian, who was still behind the bar. "We won't have much time," she said, her tone calm but carrying a subtle edge, "More will come."

Lorian Aldaris ​

 

[Lorian Aldaris]

It was as if a hurricane had swept through the cantina. He saw the soldiers go up and then they came down with a crash. It was a magnificently violent display of power and its source was more than obvious. Lorian took a quick scan of the room from behind the bar before effortlessly vaulting over. The quick check made it clear to him that the area was secure, at least for now. The Jedi was right about one thing. More would come, and that officer had gotten away. Coward. He turned towards the Jedi and returned a response, perhaps equal in calm. "You have my thanks, Master Jedi," Yet for some reason, Lorian's thoughts dwelt on those taken against their will. A compulsion he may not have had before. "But I am going to set the others free."

They did not deserve whatever hand the militia would play them. Everyone deserves to choose their own fate. He could not just abandon them, not now, especially when any further violence wrought upon them would rest on him. Undoubtedly the locals would be herded outside, likely in a cordoned-off section or being loaded onto transports. The noise within the bar would have crowded out the hum of repulsor craft arriving, but they certainly had not left. Not yet at least. The thing about tyrants is that they're overconfident. They simply don't understand how much damage one man can do, let alone one man and a Jedi.

As always Lorian preferred to take his challenges head-on, but he needed to get up close to be truly effective. Hoping that the Jedi would follow him out, the Echani crossed back towards the way he entered, passing by the Draxulian soldiers as they went. With his pistol still in hand, a finger resting on the trigger, he aimed it towards one man's head. Their breathing was slow, their body shut down from the impact. They were a vessel of evil. You deserve death. But not like this. Lorian was no executioner. There was no honour in that. He finally holstered the pistol. Yet your Commander will die. He would keep that promise.

"Try to draw their attention," Lorian would say to the Jedi upon their arrival at the exit, should she have chosen to join him, "I'll free the civilians and join the fight." He had no intention of getting caught either. Reaching behind his back, he drew the vibrokatana which rested there. It hummed to life with a quiet drilling sound, its motor rapidly moving the blade. Then with his spare hand, Lorian twisted the dial clockwise. His body image distorted until he was almost completely invisible to the naked eye, and a sound-dampening field was enabled. Now he was a ghost.

Like a shadow, Lorian slipped out of the cantina and past the soldiers who formed a firing line by the entrance. With their rifles at the ready, he hoped the Jedi was up to scratch. His main target was the transport, floating off the ground, as people were being loaded rapidly. The officer was nowhere to be seen for now, meaning there were no distractions. Quickly moving around to the transports, by now there should be a plethora of blaster fire to provide additional cover for his movements. Once he was at the transport, he turned the dial on his belt anti-clockwise and struck out at the nearby guards. The first, caught unawares, received a palmed fist to the temple, cracking their helmet and knocking them unconscious. The next two were cut down quickly. "RUN!"

The locals made their escape and Lorian prepared to make his stand.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery followed Lorian as he moved toward the cantina exit, her amber eyes scanning the area with sharp precision. The aftermath of their initial skirmish left the bar in disarray, but the faint sound of shouts and distant engines outside hinted at the next wave of opposition. She could feel their approach, a tide of oppressive energy radiating from the soldiers' confidence and brutality.

When Lorian spoke, her gaze flicked to him, taking in his calm resolve and the faint shimmer of his distortion field as he prepared to vanish into the chaos. "I'll draw their attention," she affirmed with a nod, her tone steady and filled with purpose. "But be quick. We don't have much time."

The moment he slipped into the shadows, Valery stepped into the open, the cantina's doors swinging wide as she emerged into the chaos outside. Soldiers were already forming ranks, their rifles raised and eyes narrowing as they caught sight of her. The officer, now barking orders from behind the lines, pointed directly at her, and a surge of troops broke off to engage.

"Jedi!" one of them shouted, their voice cutting through the din.

Valery's lightsaber ignited with a sharp hiss, its violet blade casting an ethereal glow against the dim surroundings. She stepped forward, her movements fluid and deliberate, and raised her weapon in a defensive stance. Blaster bolts streaked toward her, their red trails illuminating the night, but her saber moved with precision, deflecting the shots with ease. Some ricocheted harmlessly into the sky, while others struck nearby walls, showering sparks into the air.

The first wave of soldiers charged her position, so Valery surged forward to meet them, her lightsaber cutting a brilliant arc through the darkness. The leading soldier swung the butt of their rifle at her, but Valery sidestepped gracefully, her saber slashing across their weapon and rendering it useless. A swift kick sent them sprawling to the ground.

More soldiers followed, encircling her in an attempt to overwhelm her through sheer numbers. But Valery remained calm, her connection to the Force grounding her as she moved like a whirlwind of energy. Her saber whirled in tight, controlled patterns, cutting down weapons, disarming soldiers, and creating an almost impenetrable barrier against the onslaught. More troops pressed forward, but Valery met each one with unwavering resolve, her lightsaber dancing in the flickering light of the battlefield.

Through the chaos, she caught glimpses of Lorian slipping between shadows, his movements almost imperceptible to the distracted soldiers, but she could sense him. She could feel the faint hum of his determination through the Force and knew he was making progress. The civilians' cries grew louder as they began to flee, Lorian's command spurring them into action.

A pair of soldiers attempted to flank Valery, but she turned just in time, thrusting her hand forward to send them tumbling backward with a powerful Force push. The officer shouted again, rallying his troops for another push, but Valery remained steadfast, her focus unwavering.

Lorian Aldaris ​

 

[Lorian Aldaris]

Mastery did not do her justice. The flawless execution of her defence and riposte was unlike anything Lorian had seen before. These people would not have been so lucky if he had been in this situation alone. Then the officer revealed himself, barking orders to those under his command. The Jedi did more than cause a distraction, they'd taken on a platoon. And they were winning. If there is one thing that men like this fear more than anything else, it is failing the tyrants they worshipped. This battle in the streets had already turned into an embarrassment. Lorian would make it a slaughter.

His focus settled on the officer, tunnel-visioned on the Jedi, wanting to turn a failure into his moment of triumph. Lorian advanced like a mudhorn, implacable in his charge. A squad was coming in to reinforce their allies, but the Echani cut them off. He used the first's leg as a springboard pushing himself up into the air with a crack, then used two more heads as stepping stones to get in front of the group. Lorian landed with a spin, whirling his blade as he went, eviscerating the first soldier. One moved to knock him in the jaw but Lorian anticipated the move, sliding underneath and stabbing them through the neck. The Echani loosened a throwing knife from his hip with his spare hand and tossed it into another's eye.

Lorian didn't expect them to falter so easily. He was swift and brutal, carving through another two before impaling the two he'd concussed earlier at the same time. The one with the cracked knee had fallen, and the last turned and ran. The Echani aimed his left wrist at their leg and fired his whipcord. It wrapped around his target's leg. Lorian turned as they tripped and pulled his arm over his head with all his strength. The soldier was lifted off the ground and twisted in the air. They were brought down onto the concrete with fury. The officer was in his sights now.

Not wanting to leave the Jedi to fend for herself, the Echani did pick up one of the soldier's rifles. He wasn't the greatest shot at a distance, but he wasn't lousy either. A few bursts towards the soldiers as he continued forward should do the trick. After that, he took the smoke grenade from his belt and tossed it at the officer's feet. The smoke billowed out onto the street and Lorian descended upon him.

Without a weapon in hand, the Echani encircled his opponent. They fired blindly into the smoke but every time they saw an outline of Lorian he disappeared just as quickly. He rotated behind the officer and then grabbed their shooting arm before snapping their wrist. Then he delivered three swift kicks to their left leg, breaking their femur, patella and tibia. Next were three rapid strikes to the chest, breaking ribs and removing the air from their lungs. And finally, Lorian spun on the heel of his left foot and roundhouse kicked the officer with his right across the temple with great force. As the smoke dissipated, the Echani stood over them. That was better than you deserved.

Hopefully, by now, the Jedi would have dealt with the last of them or they'd have capitulated and ran away. Even then, he didn't want to stick around. Even with her powers and their combined prowess, there is little they can do to stop an army alone. Lorian approached the Jedi. He was now invested in this cause and trusted her to lead him on the righteous path. "What next?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery moved with unrelenting precision, her violet blade spinning in a controlled dance of light and energy. The soldiers pressed forward, driven by fear of their commander rather than courage, but it made no difference. Each strike of her lightsaber disarmed, disoriented, or neutralized them without unnecessary lethality. She turned her defense into offense, forcing the remaining troops to break formation and fall back in disarray.

Through the chaos, she felt Lorian's presence burning like a comet in the Force. His movements were swift and deadly, a testament to his Echani heritage and training. Her sharp gaze caught glimpses of his efficiency — soldiers falling with precision strikes, his whipcord disabling a runner with brutal effectiveness, and the commanding officer's figure disappearing into a cloud of smoke. The fight was all but over.

A final push from the remaining soldiers fizzled out as Valery stepped forward, her saber carving through a blaster rifle mid-swing before a swift Force push sent the attacker sprawling. Those who weren't unconscious or incapacitated scrambled to flee, their courage crumbling under the combined assault.

When the dust settled, Valery deactivated her lightsaber with a snap-hiss and straightened, brushing a few stray strands of dark brown hair out of her face. Her amber eyes flicked toward Lorian as he emerged from the dissipating smoke, his figure as steady and composed as if the battle had been nothing more than a warm-up.

Her lips curved into a smirk, the faintest hint of admiration lighting her expression. "You've got some skill," she said, her tone carrying a playful edge. "Not bad."

Valery rolled her shoulders and adjusted her ponytail, taking a moment to regain her composure before her expression turned more serious. "We've done enough here. The locals are safe, and the rest of them won't stick around to fight. It's time to get out before they regroup or reinforcements show up."

She glanced back toward the direction they'd come, her mind already calculating their exit strategy. With a confident nod, she motioned for him to follow. "Let's move."

As she turned, her pace was steady and purposeful, her presence in the Force a calm, guiding beacon amid the aftermath of chaos. Whatever lay ahead, she trusted their combined skill to handle it.

Lorian Aldaris ​

 

[Lorian Aldaris]

"Thank you," Even having descended to the lowest parts of the galaxy, Lorian had not forgotten his courtly manners, "You're not so bad yourself," nor some sarcasm. The Jedi was clearly an incredible fighter. Experienced and disciplined. Not unlike himself. He could hardly disagree with her initiative either. They needed to move, he just wasn't anticipating that they'd be heading back the way they came. Into the forest and away from the problem.

Still, he did not falter here. Whilst perhaps unsure of what was to come now, he at least trusted in the purpose of the Jedi even if he had not gotten the full measure of this one yet. She at least seemed to be reliable and stood up for what was right in the end. Perhaps the Echani could come to trust her over time, but he'd had to wait and see. Backstabbing was at least not in the typical Jedi's repertoire. Lorian followed the Jedi away from the cantina and on what a part of him hoped to be the righteous path. The other part of him simply wanted to get out of this situation alive and move on.

"I am Lorian, by the way," The Echani would mention as they went, wanting to get acquainted with the Jedi at the very least, "Lorian Aldaris." He was uncertain how knowledgeable of Echani history and politics she was considering his noble family had played a major role in it for millennia. Otherwise, he had his suspicions of who she was but needed verbal confirmation.

Regardless, Lorian remained vigilant, constantly looking for anything out of the ordinary and listening for the sound of hover tanks or footsoldiers giving chase. They had stirred the gundark's nest. It wouldn't be long before the pack came to hunt them down. The Echani was ready for another fight. If only I had my ritual brand.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery led the way through the dense forest, her steps purposeful and steady. The adrenaline of the skirmish still pulsed faintly in her veins, but her mind remained sharp, her senses extended into the Force to catch any sign of danger. The foliage whispered around them, and the faint hum of distant wildlife served as a backdrop to their cautious retreat.

When the Echani spoke, she glanced back over her shoulder, her amber eyes meeting his silver gaze for a brief moment. His introduction was measured and precise, much like his fighting style, and it drew a faint smirk to her lips.

"Lorian Aldaris," she repeated, her tone thoughtful. After a pause, she offered her own introduction. "Valery Noble," she said, her voice steady but warm. "Jedi Master." Her smirk deepened slightly, a playful glint in her eyes.

She refocused her attention ahead, her movements fluid as she navigated through the underbrush. "We'll need to stay alert," she continued, her tone shifting to something more practical. "They'll be looking for us, and I doubt they'll take too long to organize a search."

Despite her words, her posture remained calm and composed, her trust in the Force and their combined skill evident in her demeanor. "You handled yourself well back there," she added, glancing briefly at him again. During the fight, she had focused mostly on herself, but now she could afford a moment to appreciate his skills.

It certainly drew her attention

Lorian Aldaris ​