Recon: Mirial

[Warchief Waddles]

“No, I…” Stopping Aten’s eyes landing on the individual that asked the question Aten took note of the white hair, quite appealing. “I don’t know anyone here, I just came to witness this. I heard tales of this being a place of light, one where it was abused. Didn’t believe it possible till I saw it with my own eyes, till I experienced it.” There weren’t enough words Aten could use to describe the travesty that was Mirial. It was impossible for Aten to hide his presence in the force when accompanied by his saber, the curse of being bonded with the crystal within and any significant time apart from it would lead to the Jedi’s death.

Listening to the others as they talked Aten picked up on the question the elderly man asked. Looking to his gauntlets Aten offered the ghost of a smile. “No it’s the gauntlets that do it. Plus,” Reaching down and grabbing the sleeve of his jacket Aten pulled it back revealing his right arm to be a cybernetic the brass color shining beneath the planet's primary. The arm that had been lost not all too long ago in a bout against the galaxies two finest bounty hunters. Fett and Valentine, the jedi had given the fight his all and still lost. It was a bitter defeat but one he'd learn from. Letting the jacket sleeve down once more to cover the prosthetic Aten’s attention was drawn back to Aric, as he’d heard the elderly gentlemen refer to him as.

“How do you recommend we do that? I think either one of us would stand out, it's not everyday you see someone with white hair.” Aten’s own appearance he thought was fitting. The jedi never wore the typical robes instead preferring a nice jacket, undershirt and pants. Though the gold jacket did certainly stand out. It was only a good thing the Jedi no longer had a price on his head. If he had he wouldn’t have made it anywhere near Sith space without vultures hounding him across the galaxy in an attempt to claim the exuberant bounty placed upon the Jedi’s head.

[member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Anari Mero"], [member="Shaun Irons"]

 

[Vora Kaar]

It seemed with the responses of all three of these individuals, that they did not know one another. At the very least, on any personal terms. However, the two reporters were working together so there was that. The older man spoke more of the reports and even voiced about leaving this area. The younger man also agreed. He then continued to point out that the new Capitol was an orbiting station. I did remember seeing it on the way down here, but thought it was a Military station, or one that required many background checks to even get in. I didn't bother because I was headed for the planet itself. However, since all of us seemed to be here looking for answers, I could see how the idea for us teaming up to "divide and conquer" as it were.

However, we had to change our appearances. We had to look and play the part. That was very much clear. My father always told me to be like water. To be shapeless so that any chance to change and form to each situation could be done seamlessly. This was the same situation. While the young Jedi, or at the very least neutral party, Aten could go for a spacer, he may have to dirty himself up a bit. Myself? A lot more work had to be done. Echani gear from head to toe, bright red robes covering it, and stark white hair? I stuck out worse than any of these guys. I nodded my head and agreed completely with their statements.

"Indeed. I believe the best situation would for me to get tactical gear, and maybe a pistol. Cover up my head with a helmet or cap of some kind to play the part of a guard for you reporters."

Offering my hand, I turned to all three to see if there were any objections. Plus, I did not have the required gear to do so. I was geared for myself and my normal offerings. Not to play the part of a guard. Would this have been a choice before hand, then yes I could have easily gotten some.

"That is, if you think that will fly. I lack the knowledge of the capitol and their policies of weapons or guards to go along with reporters. I also lack the gear to fill that spot."

I thought about the situation. What I could possibly do to match. Currently we had a smuggler looking young man, and two reporters that looked authentic. I gave it a second thought then voiced.

"Aten, do you happen to have extra clothing on you? To smuggler looking young men working together would be believable."

[member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Anari Mero"], [member="Aten Ramses"],

 

[Hansen]

Warden
Mirial Surface, Fields of Desolation

Spoiler: Equipment

• Antidote Kit
• DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System
• DC-17 Hand Cannon
• Lila - The Warden's Lightsabre
• Smoke Grenade
• Stimpak
• X-Series Model 000 Semi-Powered Infiltration Armour

Allies: [member="Aten Ramses"], [member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Shaun Irons"]
Enemies: None.
Nearby: [member="Aten Ramses"], [member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Shaun Irons"]

Warden assesses the space station looming beyond Mirial's atmosphere visibly turning with a steady rotation licked their lips anxiously and seemed to make a nervous gesture with their hands as Jerek spoke. "It won't be difficult to board a Civil space station although it may be difficult to avoid arousing suspicion." Aten presented a shining arm for Warden's gaze who seemed to smile somewhat at the demonstration their inner interest and passion for Cybernetics and Automaton platforms hard to conceal even when adopting another persona entirely. "That would explain the awful metallic crack! I was worried that perhaps some unscrupulous sort might have been scavenging." Warden released a sigh of relief, though it only raised questions in the 'elderly man' what tragedy or misadventure must have befallen the poor young man to have necessitated the use of a Prosthetic Arm. Listening to the young men converse together Warden cups their chin in a single palm, studying Castanic's features it was obvious they are Echani the Warden's true home of Isobe was not far from the Eshan system and all its' historic significance on the galactic stage and couldn't help but raise the question, looking to the Ash-hair covered lad with a small smirk.

"Why would you need to cover your hair? Do the Sith discriminate against Non-Humans?" Warden's question is sincere they genuinely held no knowledge of that odious' regimes racial discrimination policies or lack thereof, their knowledge was centuries old and acknowledged that it was entirely possible that the penultimate Sith Lord could be a Human and institute a discrimination policy throughout their authoritarian Empire with little difficulty, Humans were numerous and even excluding the other species it is entirely possible that Humans on their own might still yet be numerous enough to maintain a hegemonic stranglehold over large swaths of space. "If either of you has outstanding bounties issued by the Sith Empire I'd recommend you stay away from such a place lest you find yourself in detention or worse. I've heard the Sith are cruel and do not treat their prisoners with much dignity or care." Warden's tone carried with it a cold certainty and warning as a father might warn his sons and daughters, the truth of the matter was that Warden knew the Sith Empire mistreated their prisoners especially Force wielders who opposed them, they had seen it once before now and once was enough for a lifetime. Warden pivoted in their boots preparing to leave the desolate scene and return to the Airspeeder shuttle which may have yet waited for them, Aten the Warden knew from the Praxeum and therefore took as trustworthy but there was something Odd about Castanic, the Dark Side didn't surround him as it did a Sith or Dark Jedi although he wasn't entirely forthcoming. Perhaps for once in recent history Warden received an impression all too familiar to their own acquaintances, Castanic and Warden seemed to have one thing in common; keeping their Pazaak cards close to the breast.

 

[Jerek Morrows]

Jerek paused in contemplative silence as he watched the sun dipping behind the desert sands. There were myriad possibilities in every situation, and to attempt divination of any one was folly. The best a person could ask for was to be prepared, and short that, to have no expectations. If either of their new friends had bounties out for them from the Sith, they would never have made it this far. They would have been grabbed at a checkpoint or hunted down for entering the airspace without clearance.

It would only be a matter of time before they managed to solve the mystery of "Aric Solis," the man from Empress Teta who never actually existed. Galactic Records were an open book, especially to Empires with powerful intelligence agencies. A single operative could go unnoticed for a short time, provided attentions were focused elsewhere. That was why he chose this opportunity to conduct his investigation.

He felt it would be safe, albeit with some modification to their appearance, to visit a civilian station.

"Now," he spoke in a soft voice, "let's not worry the lads too much, old friend." He gestured back toward the spaceport, where they could get transport offworld. "We have only so much time before the reports come due."

It was far from untrue. If they reached their limit on time, far worse things could happen than a missed deadline. The Inquisition could be breathing down their necks within minutes.

"We need to hurry," he called over to his shoulders toward the others as he started his trek through the sands. "There's nothing left to be learned here, and they might start asking questions if we do more than take a few pictures. I doubt anyone wants to deal with that. Any objections?"

[member="Anari Mero"] [member="Shaun Irons"] [member="Aten Ramses"]

 

[Darth Raze]

Spaceport Hangar bay...

" Dezik..." I hissed. Eying a freighter pilot in front of me. " The Empire requires your cooperation." A grin grew across my face. Holding the pilot up in the air by his collar and with the nod of my head the squadron of sith troopers behind me began inspecting the medium vessel the only way they knew how. Sounds that echoed out of the ship reminded me of a Zakkeg in a cage. " Where is the rest of the shipment?" I growled slowly setting the man down. He was not afraid and from the look on his face this was not the first time he had been interrogated.

From the reports I read this mean was used well by the Empire and positioned in a spot of safety of sorts. Sure he would have to endure a beating now and then but other than that he would be let go of. The officer that normally did this would of let Dezik go. That was their agreement.

" That is the rest of the shipment!!" he said sternly staring back at me. He was not afraid.

I was not them. Holding the man firm I gripped the back of the neck I leaned in close as if to whisper something. There were no words. With a sigh the two probosicses extended from my face. There was no warning no show of words. His scream turned into a groan of sorts, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. It was only natural. While force drain could keep me filled in the mean time, the nourishment that came from actually feeding off another sentient was... well nothing to compare to.

" Uh.." A sith trooper paused briefly before turning around to patrol the Spaceport once more.

[member="Jerek Morrows"]
[member="Anari Mero"]
[member="Shaun Irons"]
[member="Aten Ramses"]

 

[Warchief Waddles]

Aten himself didn’t know what clothes would be best for the station above the planet, for all he knew all the occupants could be drabbed in gray jumpsuits more prisoner than anything else. However, the Jedi did keep spare clothing, not what many would consider fashionable but enough. Pulling out an outfit that matched with the one he was currently wearing the pants black, top red and coat black. Eyes glancing to the Echani, Aten offered a nervous smile. “Listen, I’m just consistent in the wardrobe I wear.” Aten was sure it would look odd for them to be wearing very similar outfits but hopefully no one would think too much on it.

Looking over his shoulder to the elderly gentlemen Aten simply chuckled. It was ironic that here the Jedi was within Sith territory not even more than a standard month after the bounty on his head had been claimed. “I’m well aware of how the Sith treat their captives, and let me tell you.” The playful tone dropping Aten’s eyes hardening as memories came back to the Jedi of the torture he’d faced. Days of constant pain, agony, tests of will all in the hopes of breaking the Morellian. “Its far worse than you’ve heard.” Eyes not meeting any of those gathered Aten shrugged his pack back on after passing the clothes to the Echani.

“You’ll hear no complaints out of me, my ride has probably high tailed it off the planet anyways.” The Jedi added a slight sense of anxiety mixed with the forced chuckle. He’d of course been smuggled onto the planet and one could never ensure the loyalty of the fringers. Their loyalty was decided by credits, and Aten didn’t have enough to poor out freely. “If you’d prefer I need not enter the station, I’ll be fine sitting inside the ship waiting if you’d allow me. I think it best if I not enter the station.” The further the group got from the lightside nexus the greater Aten’s own signature stood out, not one of power. At least not of his own but one where he and his saber were on a single frequency, that radiated the force for a great distance making it apparent why the Jedi didn’t want to enter the station endangering them.

[member="Kresnik Karkarov"], [member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Anari Mero"], [member="Shaun Irons"]

 

[Vora Kaar]

"Not sure if they still do, but white hair and bronze eye's stick out more than your average brown"

A retort spoken back towards the older man. Sure, if they didn't discriminate against other species, then the idea would still have stood with my white hair. Sure, The bronze eyes could be chalked up to just being bright brown, or whatever. White hair and bronze eyes meant I was not an albino, nor was I a human species. I was an Echani. Born within the moonlight upon Eshan, and trained from a very young age to fight unarmed, and armed. They could simply take me in for questioning and find out more if they so desired. A smuggler that looked the part? Not so much. At best, we were taking a pitstop between jobs for the Empire.

It was with the sudden appearance of a secondary set of clothing that almost exactly matched that of what Aten was currently wearing, only made me raise and eyebrow.

"And you simply carry extra clothes with you everywhere?"

I shook my head ever so slightly as I let the question fall, and would not care if it was ignored. Taking the clothing as the man mentioned about leaving as soon as possible, I simply nodded my head as I began to work my magic as we moved. Removing my own robbed top to show a set of Echani Fiberweave armor that was sleeveless and stained black. A couple folds of the robes was all I needed to shove it into one of the larger pockets of the smuggler like clothing. The Flaud was taken off the same way and done much the same. Taking smaller steps as I shoved my legs through the pants, I kept the Fiber weave on as a simple set of armor underneath the clothing.

Catching up to them, I ran the shirt through the ground to dirty it some. only to throw it over the top of myself and then follow up with the light jacket. Aten and I were of similar height, but different builds. I had slightly larger shoulders and chest with more pronounced hips, and sides. The shirt was a little tight over my shoulders, added with the second set of fiberarmor underneath, that didn't help. I stretched my arms around to make it just that slight bit loose around my shoulders to fit. Moving my belt to be on top of the pants I hastily put on, I made sure to keep my vibrosword out of the way just for a moment.

"Just be mindful the Sith might patrol the docks without warning. Should these reporters need me, or if you do, I do not mind for either."

[member="Aten Ramses"], [member="Kresnik Karkarov"], [member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Anari Mero"],

 

[Hansen]

Warden
Mirial Surface, Fields of Desolation

Spoiler: Equipment

• Antidote Kit
• DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System
• DC-17 Hand Cannon
• Lila - The Warden's Lightsabre
• Smoke Grenade
• Stimpak
• X-Series Model 000 Semi-Powered Infiltration Armour

Allies: @Aten Ramses, [member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Shaun Irons"]
Enemies: [member="Kresnik Karkarov"].
Nearby: [member="Aten Ramses"], [member="Jerek Morrows"], [member="Shaun Irons"]

Bringing their hands together with the night's shroud steadily falling over the desolate salt and ash blanketed plane, the Warden listened to Jerek thoughtfully and waits for the man to conclude speaking. "None, let us leave this planet Arry." Warden replied with a sort of fatherly paternity one might expect from somebody of this outward weary age, their comment accompanies a pivot within the black boots which clad their feet. Glancing towards the young Jedi Aten the Warden gestured for their company. "You'd be welcome to join us young one, as would you Castanic." The statement is followed by the Warden's footsteps carrying themselves beside Jerek back towards the distant Landspeeder waiting patiently against the planet's ravaged surface. "It's possible we might be processed through the station although so long as remain in the transit areas suspicion should not be aroused as we leave the system." Turning their head Warden's blue orbs search Jerek for his thoughts, attempting to solicit them verbally from the man although with Warden's force aptitude and training it wasn't strictly necessary to convey information in this simple manner although vain use of the force at least in Warden's mind didn't represent true and responsible practice. Hoping that the two younger gentlemen will follow behind Warden continues their march beside 'Aric' with a spritely and uncharacteristically powerful and youthful gait that they struggled to hide just how exactly did an elderly Human walk? Technology only got the disguised Jailor and Researcher so far in their attempts to avoid suspicion entirely.

 

[Jerek Morrows]

He fiddled with his Datapad for several seconds more, and the message to the driver of their speeder sent. Jerek glanced toward [member="Anari Mero"] blankly as he became aware of her gentle probing, and even more aware of the depth that her footsteps seemed to imprint in the sands of Mirial. Something was definitely not as it seemed. The grainy texture seemed to cascade through the boot itself when the older man walked, and if he blinked, he might have missed it.

It was a trick of the light. It had to be. Not in the sense that he was seeing things- no, what Jerek noticed was a light based imaging that was near perfect, as long as the user didn't try to interact with anything that would give them away. It was very possible that the old man wasn't an old man at all.

That was less important than the sensation permeating his mind, however. It sought his mood and surface thoughts, and while he could have responded to it with the Force, he had his own reasons for playing the part of a man without sensitivity. The unblessed got more freedom to move around the Galaxy than Jedi.

Anari would be instantly aware that he'd deduced the nature of her camouflage, and possibly even be pleased to know he had no intention of bringing it up. They were on the same side, after all. What she might find interesting were his immediate thoughts on their situation.

There had been no signs of disturbance, save for the ever present dark stain on the Force caused by Sith occupation. Because of that, if there were any actual Sith, they would not be aware of it until it was too late. Because of this, moving with the other two would be more dangerous- particularly the boy, [member="Aten Ramses"], who radiated Light like a beacon. Whatever caused that would certainly draw the attention of anyone who could sense the Force once they were far enough away from Ground Zero to differentiate the two.

Despite that fact, Jerek knew they were the best hope that the two men had for getting off the backwater world in Sith space. It just meant the possibility for conflict. Conflict, which a Jedi ought strive their utmost to avoid. Jedi were keepers of the peace, not warriors.

[member="Shaun Irons"] was different, however. He was no Jedi, not from what Jerek could tell- but an Echani in Sith space would quickly find themselves drafted into the Legion or worse. His freedom was a priority as well.

The Speeder appeared on the horizon, backed by the ominous stygian tint of nightfall. Jerek took a breath and glanced back one last time toward the horrorscape that an apparent Jedi had created, and he sighed deeply. "The Will of the Force is a strange thing indeed," he muttered, reflecting on the words of his former Master. "I'm not all that religious, though," he added with a hollow laugh.

"We'll be off this rock in no time," he assured the other two newcomers with a reassuring smile. "In the meantime, if anyone asks, you're interning with us as reporters."

[member="Kresnik Karkarov"]