Private Raiders on Alderaan

[Anastasia Panteer]

She had no trouble standing behind someone, nope. One look at all the teeth coming towards them certainly gave her incentive to do exactly as asked. She looked around to the others they had all managed not to be captured.

Course....she really didn't know their faces only that here they were.

"I can't leave, we have to find the Queen. Leaving here and not knowing which way to go....I'd be failing again, I can't do that" No she couldn't do that again, if something happened to the Queen not that it was her fault, but that if she did nothing to find her ensure her return, that is failure.

Were the others ready to go? Did they know which direction the Queen had been taken?

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

Jax raised an eyebrow when Anastasia insisted that she didn't want to leave. Was she serious? There were plenty of Flesh Raiders who will have no problem tearing her to bits. It was Jax's job to make sure that the people of Alderaan were safe from harm. Anastasia insisting on coming will only exacerbate things unless she knew where the Queen was. "My lady," Jax said. "I don't think you should coming with me in the Mountain it's dangerous but if you know where the Queen is please let me know now."

Given that the Flesh Raiders came from the Mountains, it was unlikely that he'll get a signal. Alderaan's mountains were notorious for having spotty reception. Jax heard that there was a law passed in Alderaan so there could be more receiving stations set across the mountains. Just then even more Flesh Raiders came out about three them armed to the teeth. "Get back Anastasia!" The Jedi Master said activating his Lightsaber. "They just keep popping up everywhere," he muttered. "But from where?"

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

Popping up that was exactly it, "yes they just seem to jump out of the forest. But." She shook her head, "they were on the trail. " Then she paused, "We were coming from the House in the Mountains, could they be there?"

Was her family safe? oh no. She didn't know which way they had gone with the Queen but, "can we search by air, can you ride?" Ride and when she said ride she meant could he ride a thranta, they were silent, fast and could get them into places that speeders weren't allowed.

But which mountain, which, "We can back track to where they met my group." Even though she was scared she had enough presence to calm herself and begin thinking what to do.

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

"The trail?" Jax looked at the dirt road ahead it led to a large mountain with many trees peppering the bottom. "It's the only logical place they appeared from." The Jedi Master surmised. "All the other places have been watched by security but the Mountains have always chaotic."

It was likely the Flesh Raiders have been traveling in the Mountains, particularly in old mining facilities when Alderaan was first reformed as a planet. The Mountains were notorious for being hard to monitor, it wasn't a surprise that the Flesh Raiders could be using it to transport the nobles without getting caught. "I can," Jax said. "But It's going to be difficult to see under all that mist, If I had to guess these Flesh Raiders like to live inside the mountains."

He turned to Anastasia. "Point the way," he said approaching the noblie. "But stick close to me, if I tell you to run find a place to hide and don't move until I say it's safe."

Great..... a protection mission with the noble scared out of her mind. Jax wasn't fond of escort missions mainly because the person is often a liability in combat, Jax needed to pull his weight but at the same time worry that the person he's protecting doesn't get killed. Jax could sense Anastasia's fear as well as a small comfort that she has a body guard. "All I know about these Mountains," Jax said. "Was that there a lot abandoned mines as well as trains for transportation."

The Jedi Master stared at the path ahead, the Flesh Raiders came from that forest and no doubt more dwelled in the Mountains above. "All right my lady." Jax said gripping his Lightsaber. "Let's go."

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

"Good we can..." ok Ana where were you going to get the thranta now that you shot your mouth off about riding. The Royal family always kept some nearby, "There has be some here. The Queen prefers to travel by thranta most of the time so she and her escort would ride in, we'll use theirs"

Ana noddedlike agreeing with herself and thinking yep that's the ticket. She walked towards the vinerium they had to be tied on the other side right? She sure hoped so otherwise this was going to be short. If they weren't there they'd have to take speeders...which there were only a few on Alderaan....so how the freak would they get out of here....orbaks were they any on Alderaan.

She walked not thinking if Jax Thio was following. She realized her hands were still shaking as well as her insides, clearly the fear had not left but she wasn't going to let it stay no...not this time.

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Alderaanian Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

Jax had never rode a Thranta before.

He remembered reading about them when he was a kid. A flying Manta Ray like animal who could scale the skies with ease. Many nobles often breed Thrantas and would use them as transportation. Given that a minority of the Thrantas were kept at Bespin after the first Alderaan was destroyed, once the planet was rebuilt the Alderaanians made sure to preserve the Thrantas to the point where the people were revering it. These majestic creatures were the last living things who survived Alderaan's destruction. In many ways, the Thranta represented Alderaan: Beautiful, sublime, and tranquil.

"I don't see any Thranta around," Jax said. "I did here that there were mining tunnels that your people used to transport minerals in the mountains. Perhaps we can go through there."

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

"Every family seems to have a mine, and there's a train from Crevasse to Aldera....no...they have to be here.." Ana turned another corner looking across the fields she saw nothing..but then..they have no legs and they would float up to get away they aren't stupid. Ana looked up and searched the skies even if they only had one a full grown adult could carry them both.

There was once a Corps of Thranta Riders who protected Alderaani Cities. Maybe she should look into building them again? Or maybe...her mind raced until she calmed enough to remember to call them. Ana began to trill soft at first slowly growing in strength. "Thranta trill and purr I don't know why I didn't think of it...." But so far nothing.

Feth.

"We would have to walk into the mountains to find a tunnel and then there's no guarantee of where it leads, out of the ground to be processed, maybe we can get a transport from a nearby mine." She looked at Jax Thio she felt like they were wasting time like the odds were growing against them..."what do you think?"

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

Jax frowned catching up with Anastasia while she walked. "I've heard the Organas have a defunct mining facility a few miles from here." He said looking around the forest. "If the Flesh Raiders reached the Gardens via the mines than a tunnel shouldn't be too far away."

The nobles were attacked by a small force so chances are that tunnel would be nearby. "The Flesh Raiders had to use a reliable path to get here." Jax said his mind immersing into the Force to guide him. "I just need to concentrate and....."

The Jedi Master's eyes perked up. "There!" Jax said. "I sensed where they're going, it's up North probably a mile off."

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

He caught up to her Organas have a defunct mining facility? Really? Wow they were that rich they could afford not to use their mine? She would have to ask about that if she could. Would they tell her?

Wait! Her mind has lost its way one more time she needed to focus on what Jax Thio was saying...what he said made sense that if they were in the mountains they would use any of the tunnels or paths to shorten their treks. Ok, she'd give him that one.

He just needed to concentrate he said. She watched him what was he doing, and then it dawned on her oh yeah the force he was...doing that thing that they do.

"Ok, we go north then. How many are there?" Feth if he knew where maybe he knew how many.

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

"From what I can sense...." Jax frowned following disturbance. "I'd say about 6 Flesh Raiders came through here." The Jedi Master looked down and saw the many footprints on the muddy floor. "And what do you know?" He smiled. "I was right, about 6 of those guys carried the nobles towards the mines while the rest covered their escape. Not sure how many Flesh Raiders are in the mines but we have to be extra cautious."

And by we, Jax really meant Anastasia, he saw the woman running from the Flesh Raiders and screaming for help. It's not going to be easy from here on out and the fact that she was insistent on coming made her more of a burden. But Jax committed to protecting Anastasia as it was his duty as a Jedi Watchman. "All right stay close," Jax said as he continued to follow the trail. After about half an hour, the two of them approached the entry way of the mine.

"Here we are," Jax said. "The mine and look at that, the Organa family crest." He pointed the Organa crest a rusted sign which was covered in scratch marks and blaster bolts.

Jax stared at the entry way, he could feel a darkness inside, cold swirling around him trying choke the life out of Jax. Something was dwelling in there, something fierce and deadly. "I sense something dangerous in those mines, my lady I must implore if we see danger, you must run and find a place to hide until I take of the threats."

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

Ok, so....they were going to have to get a few things straight right now. "6 huh, hmm...great 6 to 2, and yes I did say 2. As for your idea of my running and hiding so is not happening. If I have to beat them with a stick I will."

She was tired of everyone always looking at her as some prim proper reserved frail...........weak.......unable............oh her anger was growing now as she filled her head with all the things she believed others saw when they looked at her. Where was this courage before? Hiding of course but then she didn't realize what was happening really and they did have teeth and had bitten one of the bannerman.

"So..we are going inside the Organa mine..." there's probably booby traps she thought to herself, Organa mine, flesh raiders...what else could go wrong today really. "I'll let you lead the way though while I look for my stick" she smiled

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

It was already bad enough that Jax was venturing into the Organa mines with chalk full of Flesh Raiders. Having Anastasia saying that she refused to hide only exacerbated the situation. "With all due respect my lady," Jax said. "A stick will be as effective against Flesh Raider the same a way Lightsaber will be against Beskar. You're just going to get yourself hurt, I know you want to make sure that the Queen is safe but don't take risks that you know you're not going to win."

There's a fine line between bravery and foolhardiness, Jax could sense that Anastasia was strong, but she is not a fighter. The Jedi Master sensed a sudden disturbance in the Force. Jax looked around eyes darting everywhere, there was nothing here so where was the disturbance coming from. "I sense something Lady Anastasia!" Jax said. "Find a place to hide!"

Why did he get the feeling that she'll disobey his command?

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

Oh good grief! He wanted her to hide! and He obviously thought he was her mother telling her what she able to do and not able to do! Really...really!

She groaned and growled slightly because she hated that everyone looked at her and thought go hide, don't fret' we will take care of it. Everything in her life was a PLAN! and NOW THIS!

She was angry, and it was difficult to accept anything at the moment.

"I still need a stick" But then he talked about sensing something, already! Really? Her new favorite word seemed to be really. "Do you think its them?"

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

Anastasia was obviously frustrated at the fact that she was being told to hide. The truth of the matter is that she should never have accompanied Jax. Only taking her because she is close to the Queen and may know her way to where the Flesh Raiders were hiding out. Still, she wasn't making it easy for him and the temptation to use the Force to subdue Anastasia and leave call in transport to take her back to the Gardens was growing by the minute. Still, she was right, Anastasia needed something to defend herself with in case a Flesh Raider slipped by Jax and went after her.

"I understand your anger my lady," Jax said staying calm. "But you can't charge in against creatures who stronger and faster than you."

"And smarter as well," Jax thought. "If these Flesh Raiders can get to the Gardens and back without incident through the Mountains, then that means every city is vulnerable."

The majority of the cities of Alderaan was connected to the Mountains and by extension, the Mines. The Flesh Raiders have can go in and out without being detected due to the poor reception in the Mountains. "Yeah," Jax said looking around. "Stay close to me my lady."

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

"How about we drop the My Lady part and just go with Ana. It will help my mood for certain" Her mother was the one about titles, position and anything that brought some kind of recognition, feth this should make her mother all kinds of pleased. Here Ana was trapsing about with a Jedi looking for the Queen.

"I understand also that you would prefer not to have anyone get hurt or eaten while we look for the Queen you must understand how important it would be to find her" She didn't say how important it is to me to find her after all she had done to help now in finding her would...do a lot to ease her conscience.

She smiled, an awkward thing for certain now but there it was. If she knew his thoughts she would have certainly been a lot madder at him.

She looked around for her stick, and looked in front of Jax to make sure she knew when the creatures were coming. There were some sounds, slow sounds like maybe they weren't traveling as fast. Were they tired? There weren't many sticks but there was some rebar and that would work great!

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

Jax nodded. "Very well....." he sighed. "Ana."

Honestly, Anastasia's aggressiveness was welcomed compared to the pompous nobility that he kept coming across on Alderaan. Jairdain would love it here and if it weren't for his free house, vehicles, control over the armies, Jax would be flat out miserable. To have a person like Anastasia be belligerent was a breath of fresh air. Still, her stubbornness is a detriment and she really needed to reign it in. "I'm more than aware Ana," Jax said still frowning at the disturbance. "But you need to obey my orders, they'll keep you safe okay?"

The Jedi Master sighed. "I can still sense somethings off," he said. "If you want to look for your stick, do it quickly and get back to me."

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

His orders would keep her safe there was this tiny bit of rebel in her that whispered too many people want to give me orders on how to live and who to care for...even in this her attempts to do something good and here there were more orders.

That reminded her that her mother was talking with another house about an arranged marriage she was not thrilled about the idea at all. But it was a lesser house than Panteer and offered no opposition to its position. And who knows what the man was like, old, gray and 3 legged perhaps. Ehh...ugh she had stop thinking about that.

"ok, I'll listen. And yes I'll stay behind you while I find my weapon of convenience." She was really out of her league in this. It didn't take her long to find a loose piece of rebar that she managed to swing about easily. She muttered in her mind the whole time. All while watching Jax Thio as he cautiously moved about.

Was the queen nearby too? Or was it just the raiders?

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Alderaan
Equipment: Jedi Armor, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Anastasia Panteer

It's about time Anastasia recognized that she needed to stay back. Jax frowned still looking for the source of the disturbance it was somewhere in this area. "I don't like this," Jax said his gaze focusing on the mine. "Let's get to the entrance way for cover, my feelings tell me that we're being watched."

Which was strange for an aggressive species like the Flesh Raiders. Even though they can set ambushes, their preferred method was to rely on their numbers and strength overwhelming their enemies. It happened with the nobles so why aren't they springing into action right now. "Hurry and find your weapon." Jax said. "As you grab it, we're heading into the mines."

 

[Anastasia Panteer]

She showed him the rebar, "I have it" She looked ahead, "I don't see anything, you think they will jump us?" Oh that would not be fun at all. She looked at her clothes, they were new, were being the operative word there, now they were something you paint the castle in. She walked behind her turning back to look around as they moved she saw nothing move.

The entrance was just ahead it was then she felt that creepy feeling of eyes on her but from where. "I won't taste good raw, I hope if they get me I don't feel it for long and they use good butter" It was probably the oddest thing she could saw but her mind wandered in so many directions right now.

Fight. Stay. Run. Caught. Eaten............ew....run run...she looked at Jax Thio , "Remember the Queen is most important. That's your task" Ana was willing to make the sacrifice if it kept the Queen safe.

Spoiler

How Ana is dressed

 

[Faith Organa]

Roughly 10 clicks away from the mine that Jax and Ana were entering Faith was walking along the path looking about thinking about how she could buy some time. She had already witness the...well there was no other way to think it, the butchering of one of the nobles was it House Rist? She would have to write a long letter, and something else some compensation. something.

The path was growing steep they were headed up, a higher elevation too high and they would be in the snow belt too low into the valley she imagined it would be in the middle the forest. Where was that ship that they said had crashed? It was now clear why there had been no report, the raiders must have captured the team.

She normally enjoyed a walk, but not today. Her clothes were woefully inadequate and her shoes fortunately were soft soled boots but nothing she wore was for hiking it was all to be social.