Up, Down and Sideways

[Dax Perl]

"He left last night. From what I understand this pleasure cruise of his should last a few days. Heading out to the old palace of Jabba the Hutt takes a long trek through the Dune Sea. Ain't nothing out there but sand and heat ya know?" Dax produced a leather wrapped container of water. He took a brief drink, the warm water refreshing compred to the blistering heat the pair were currently expierencing. He offered the water to his partner. "We won't need that much time though. We'll be in and out in an hour or two if everything goes well."

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

“Jabba’s Palace? I’m surprised that’s still there.” This planet held an historical lure to Jedi. Some of the old sites were little more than myths now and others were simply referenced but most were little more than dust. So the thought that a modern day Hutt was travelling to one sounded odd but not out of character.

She declined the water. She knew it would be warm but unlike her travelling companion, she was not sweating – due to the bracelet she wore. She felt the same temperature on Hoth as she did here. The wind could take its toll on her skin but as far as the heat was concerned, she was fine. In fact, drinking the warm water might make her feel less comfortable.

“I’m good for a drink. Save it for yourself.”

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax twisted the cap back onto the water bottle, storing it away in the bag at his feet once again. "Yeah, well the place was an old monastery. When Jabba took over, he refurbished it with traps and what not. The only reason its still standing is because its natural stone, one big chunk of it. If it hadn't been it'd probably be dust." The first sun had begun to dip below the horizon a sillouhette in the distance seeming like nothing more than a large smooth rock. Dax pointed to it. "There's our destination."

Dax unholstered his slugthrower. He didn't exactly expect that there would be trouble as they approached the compound. But it was better safe than sorry. His thumb flicked the safety on it, the inanimate piece of metal now a deadly tool.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel had been relying on the computer to keep her heading in the right direction but as the sun set, it was good to get a visual confirmation they were headed in the right direction. The dashboard in front of her showed how much daylight they had at their disposal. They’d timed it well. Just enough to see by and not enough that they’d be spotted unless they were specifically looked for.

“It’s a big place for sure,” she said, aware that anything that was visible from this distance had to be a sizeable piece of real estate. “Now the fun begins.”

She smiled as they quickly closed the gap to their destination. Fun was a matter of opinion of course, but Sorel lived for moments like these.

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

As the looming construct came nearer, Dax lifted the lower half of his shemagh to once again cover the lower half of his face. Had [member="Sorel Crieff"] turned and looked at him now, he'd have been unidentifiable, the goggles covering his eyes reflecting a the subtle dimming binary suns. The slugthrower in his hand appeared more as a shadow in his hand, reflecting no light, offsetting the glare of the goggles.

The two stopped the speeder roughly a three fourths of a kilometer away from the compound, the speeder hidden behind a sand dune. "You ready for this?" Dax asked, his voice coming slightly muffled due to the cloth wrapped around his face. He removed the goggles to wipe away some fog which had accumulated on the inside of the glass.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

She relaxed now and centred herself, emptying her mind of extraneous thoughts and all emotions. She needed to connect deeply with the Force and driving was completed through Moving Meditation. There were a few tasks she could perform in this way, including piloting a ship and repairing her droids.

She stopped the speeder when Dax indicated and hid it behind a sand dune. She nodded at his question. “I’m ready,” she said and removed her goggles at this point. She would rely on her cloak’s hood to keep the wind and blown sand from her face. They’d be inside soon enough and it saved removing them when her attention needed to be entirely focused on the task in hand.

“Shall we run the remaining distance,” she asked, ready to start as soon as possible. Once committed to a course of action, she tended to prefer being busy to waiting.

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

"We'll jog it at least. We'll need our energy." the man began to trudge through the sand, thankful that his boots kept the warm sand from his feet. The heat on the otherhand was unbearable. He hated deserts

The thick sandstone walls loomed above them, offering the refreshing shade. Dax retrieved the water bottle again and took a long drink. The warm water felt cool to his parched tongue.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded and picked up a reasonable speed. Enough to close the gap quickly but not enough to tire them unnecessarily. Her bracelet regulated the outside temperature but had no impact on her own exertions. The brisk pace did not leave her breathless – she was able to continue a conversation – but it did raise her temperature a little.

But she resisted the urge to take any of Dax’s drink – he needed it more than she did. As they reached the half-way point, she asked another question, aware that when they reached their destination, chatter would need to be kept to a minimum.

“Tell me, what have you got against the Code?”

She’d let the matter lie before but now – given they would be placing their lives in each other’s hands – she wanted to know his limitations. What he was prepared to do and more importantly what he would stop short of.

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

"Its full of half truths. And it never accounts for the quality of the person. Why bind your own potential, or ignore all the things that make us alive. Embrace it. Give it purpose. Not like the Sith, who abuse what they have. But appreciate it. It gives purpose to what we do." he said, his thoughts flowing from his mouth as quickly as they entered his mind. "Why do you stick to it so closely?"

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel’s brow furrowed. This was not a time for debate and so she was stuck in two minds. To let it go or to press the point. Neither was right, given the circumstances and she did not like to compromise, so she kept what she had to say brief but did not look to prolong the conversation.

“I believe the truth is a matter of perception. Is a glass half full or half empty? Or both? I embrace the Code as full truths but accept that is simply my viewpoint. It does not make me right or you, we can both be right in our own ways. It is when others look to bend your will to their perspective that a line is crossed that should not be in my opinion.”

“For me, my purpose comes from the Code. It defines what I do. I agree, it does not define me – and so I am comfortable with how I operate within what I see as its restrictions. Because they suit me rather than bind me.”

She shrugged. “But that’s just me, as I say. I just wanted us to be clear before we entered the building. I have your back but will always consider the greater good. It’s who I am.”

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax listened to the other Jedi. He had to admit, he was...impressed was not quite the right word. Pleasantly surprised. He didn't expect to find many Jedi who didn't see violations of the Code, or at least not believing in its righteousness, as something that could be shrugged off. It was good to find that, while stood firm in her belief, she wouldn't impede him in doing what he felt was necessary.

"I can respect that. As long as you got my back, I got yours. Now lets hurry up and get the weapons and these slaves out of here." Dax looked up at the towering sandstone walls that grew every nearer. For the two Jedi the leap would be fairly easy, with the assistance of the Force. For the slave's it'd be impossible. And climbing them with tired, starving slaves overladen with weapons was a sure way to get killed. The courtyard would be their only escape. this had the potential to become messy.

Within the next five minutes the duo had arrived at the wall. A last drink of water and Dax was ready to enter the compound.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was delighted that they were able to set aside their differences so pragmatically. They both had the same end goal here today and the safety of the slaves and the removal of the weapons from the hands of the Hutt were things they could entirely agree on. She wouldn’t compromise her beliefs in achieving those aims and she would not impose any restrictions on Dax. And vice versa.

Five minutes later and they were at the foot of the wall. It was tall but Force assisted, the jump was possible. If they had unlimited time, she would have used her climbing rope. But that was one resource they lacked and so she looked at Dax and prepared to leap.

“Ready when you are.”

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

A curt nod was Dax's only response before vaulting into the air, a brief rush of wind filling his ears, abruptly stopped as he landed nimbly on the edge of the wall. Peering down the courtyards were simple. More tan stone served as walkways, leading to a stone fountain, dried up and destitute.

The armory and the main citadel was before them and the slave's quarters to the right. "We should take what weapons we can and then rig the armory to blow." he said to the other Jedi, "Maybe we'll grab some souveniers in the process."

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel took Dax’s lead and followed him with a Force assisted leap up onto the wall. She landed softly, making no noise, despite wearing Jedi boots. The inside was no more attractive than the outside. Nothing living was in sight, but stone replaced sand as the flooring.

Remembering Dax’s brief, Sorel checked out the areas in front of them. The armoury was ahead and the slaves were held to their right.

Sorel nodded at Dax’s plan. The idea of carrying too many weapons was foolhardy and there was a chance they would end up in the wrong hands and used to kill the slaves. So destroying them was a far more sensible option. She would be able to carry enough to allow sufficient slaves to be armed and protect the rest. She had no interest in souvenirs but was in no mood to debate their definition with Dax.

“Ready when you are,” she whispered.

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax nodded silently, pulling the shemagh wrapped around his neck to cover the lower half of his face. More theatrics than any practical use, it would still force people to give a second glance at identifying him. Hopping down from the wall, Dax landed on his toes and allowed momentum to carry him forward into a roll, coming out of it and rushing to the nearest wall attaching to the main compound.

His back pressed to the wall, Dax waited for [member="Sorel Crieff"] to join him, the stone's stored heat warming his back and the palms of his hand. He drew out a long grey piece of metal and affixed it to the barrel of his pistol. The silencer's use would come to full realization in this mission.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel allowed Dax to lead. It was his mission, his plan. Once he began his drop to the ground, she followed suit. Whereas Dax rolled to a perfect stop as he contained his momentum, Sorel used the Force, momentarily, before landing to slow her down sufficiently that she was able to simply flex her knees as she touched the ground silently.

She followed his lead and leaned against the wall. Unlike Dax, she drew no weapon but instead closed her eyes momentarily, using Force Sight to identify who was nearby. The walls here were ancient and thick – too dense for her to see through, but she was at least aware that they were not, presently, about to be surprised by any guards.

She nodded her readiness and awaited his next move.

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax took a quick peek around the corner and found the halld empty. Not especially strange given the time of night. Still...something just felt off to him. Moving into the hallway Dax kept close to the wall, taking careful but quick steps. Quickly enough they found themselves at the door of the main hall. Little more than a large wooden slat, no sound could be heard on the other side. Dax looked over his shoulder at his partner to make sure she was ready.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel kept half a step being Dax, her focus on what was behind them, as no doubt his was on what was going to be in front of them. There was nothing to report, so she felt a level of comfort in their plan so far – which was when they came across the door of the main hall.

She checked behind them once more before nodding to Dax as he looked at her. She was ready to progress and placed a hand on one of her saber hilts. She would never initiate combat but she would protect herself and Dax if necessary. They were peace-keepers, not pacifists.

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Dax Perl]

At Sorel's go Dax cracked open the wooden door slowly. Peering inside he was surprised to find it completely empty. No one was home it appeared. Dax had expected the Hutt would leave a few guards in and around the compound to protect his assets. But perhaps he was just that incompetent? Well they weren't quite to the vault yet.

Dax stepped carefully around the edge of the room and went to another door that seemed to connect to an adjacent room. Again he waited for [member="Sorel Crieff"].

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel kept up the balancing act – she followed Dax whilst simultaneously kept an eye on what was behind them, just in case they were caught by surprise. She was pleased that, so far it was so good. But these things can change in the blink of an eye, so she did not relax – even when the door was opened to reveal an entirely empty room ahead. No guards, no bystanders…nothing.

She figured this ought to make them more confident that they would be able to get in undetected. Except it had the opposite effect. The lack of presence actually made Sorel feel more on edge, but she knew to react to what she saw and perceived, not what might be, so she pressed on and kept at Dax’s back, ready to proceed through the next door.

[member="Dax Fyre"]