Wake Up

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

Kira gave herself a spray after Sol. She scrunched her face and eyes tightly, the faint lingering scent of citronella the main component in keeping the little bugger away. It was a very, very faint citron scent. Satisfied she was sufficently protected and bug free, Kira capped the spray bottle and dunked it back into her bag. Which promptly was then swung onto her back.

“Hey!” a small smack at his finger would protest the jab, although it was nothing but a mock affront. She captured the digit, using it to tug him over close for one last kiss. Granted, it was a kiss with the faint taste of citronella.

“Alright,” she told him after her lips met his for a quick connection. The tiny Jedi Master took the lead. Stepping off, she panned bright blue orbs for a good sense of where to start.

“The light was about north west of here…” she told him. This was jungle, but there were natural walk ways. “Keep an eye out… I’m sure there are more than just the little bloodsuckers out there. “

She turned to grin at Sol, “I wouldn’t be surprised if a giant Giska attacked you.” came the tease, moving forward towards a natural trail.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

"Gizka don't attack." Soliael corrected with a small chirp of a smile. "They more nuzzle and flop around uselessly."

The pest that were Gizka often showed up unannounced on starships, spreading from world to world and always populating wherever they were an almost excessive pace. Soliael himself had never really minded them all that much, sure they were annoying but they didn't really harm anything. Unlike Mynocks or Womp Rats, Gizka didn't really...do anything. They were innocent little things, and having been brought up by the Beastia of Onderon Soliael had a slight affinity towards creatures, even if they didn't have an affinity towards him.

His eyes adjusted to the darkness as the sun began to set, his gaze falling through the jungle vines. "This way."

The former False God pointed to the South, beginning to walk along a small natural pathway that had been carved by roots and vines.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

“Well you don’t know that for sure!” Kira would pipe up, walking beside him. After two decades, the Lorrdian was well used to adjusting her stride for her much taller husband; although he too was courteous of his speed. It did not stop the Jedi Master from keeping up none the less, and she often was the first to barrel forward without regard to her own safety..

“Maybe we’ll run into a new type of Giska who has a penchant for nibbling on former god’s ears!” that sass would follow the bright blue gaze full of mirth at Soliael. Despite her enthusiasm, she kept a mind of keeping her voice low. There was a danger not only due to the wildlife, but what they would find up ahead. An outpost? A ruin? A pirate haven?

There were all sorts of fantastical possibilities, all of which sent a surge of adrenaline through her veins. It was an adventure. Something new. It wasn’t to say that they had not enjoyed their time on Borleias and Ando, they had. It was just that both Sol and Kira were absolutely terrible at hobbies. There was always this restlessness, on that they would try to stave by keeping busy one way or another. Early on, when the children were young, they had kept them up, either due to minding them or through the extensive family trips they took.

Now, things were quiet around the Casa de Talith. Being able to do something and discover a new place, just the new experience was thrilling.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

"Doubt it." Soliael said plainly.

"More then likely I'll be eating him." He was getting a bit hungry now that he thought about it, his stomach growling slightly as they wandered through the dense forest. "We should have eaten before leaving."

That was something that really only occurred to him now, mostly cause he had expected they would get to Raider's Cove well before they actually got hungry. Their own distractions in the sand and the fun within the water had taken up a bit more time then he had expected, that couple with their current exploration of the woods...well, Soliael had a high metabolism and he needed a lot of food to survive, one couldn't really blame him for that, could they?

"Let's hurry." The False God urged as he began to move faster through the forest.

In the distance, voices began to sound out.

At first he thought they were a different language, a garbling mess of an alien tongue that he did not quite understand. Then as they got closer it seemed to morph, the language turning into a highly warped form of Galactic basic.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

"Here I thought you already had your fill." that was said with knowing, blue eyes cast up at the Talith just before she slipped under and up ahead of him. "I brought a few small snacks if you need something to munch on." Being a mother of four who were apt to be ravenous at all times had given the Lorrdian mother the habit of having at least something to eat and water to drink. All thoughts of snacks and water, however, were quickly placed to the side. Murmurs up ahead drew the duo's attention, and Kira slowed. One hand rose, coming up to her lips in a signal to keep silent. The following forms of communication would be completely relayed in kinetic communication. The decades of marriage and having four children had adapted the family to be fluent in Kira's native method of communication, and the subtle gestures would ripple upon her fingers, facial expressions, and body language.

[ The accent isn't familiar. ] she signed, crouching down beside a thick brush of jungle ferns. Theran Force listening was a skill that the Lorrdian learned in her youth, helping her in several missions as a Jedi Investigation. [ But it is Basic.] if anything, Kira also had an extraordinary ability for mimicry. Being able to discern a plethora of accents was her affinity. Her brow furrowed in concentration; was that a...Gran?

[ There are three of them. ] a flare of three fingers came up. Down the ways, Kira's initial guess was right. One was a Gran, a Nikto, and a third unfamiliar alien she'd yet to meet.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

Soliael peeked over the edge slightly, eyes already adjusted to the dark. His gaze shifted between the three aliens, his lips thinning. It was an odd trio to say the least, three liens that didn't really...match. That wasn't too uncommon when it came to Pirate Crews, they were often either only a single species or a mix and match of a dozen different sorts. Pirates very often became like family, or the closest thing that one would have to it without blood.

It was the nature of their work, going against the law, no one and everyone was their friend so they looked towards their crew.

Soliael understood it, had learned it while he had been in The Pit. The prison had held many former pirates, more than a few had been rather talkative about their adventures. What confused him however was the sight of a skakoan. They were not known for their dealings in piracy, even less so on a world like Rishi. Their physiology didn't really lend itself to jungle living, much less the beach. They required pressure suits to go anywhere, and they weren't exactly known for their hardiness.

"Odd." He remarked almost silently to Kira.

"Skakoan." Soliael pointed to the alien. "Don't see many of them in the Jungle."

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

Kira slowly would push a green leaf out of the way. Sticking her head in a bit closer, she peered towards the direction her husband had pointed to.

Huh, is that what it was? A Skakoan? A confused look over towards Soliael would relay her thoughts. They were currently discussing something. She couldn't quite catch what - the basic was suddenly mixed in with another language by the Skakoan. A little further behind them, there was a series of crates and some sort of cargo. Up a little ways, one could see a sort of tower within the trees, up by the canopy. It was crafted out of local wood, with some salvaged metal used as protection.

Were they the only ones here? It was hard to say. A quick motion pointed over to Sol to move a little bit south. Maybe they could find out more.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

He mused for a moment, his eyes wandering to see if he could find any sort of identification or flag.

There were no banners, no symbols painted anywhere, nothing that he could make out anyway. Soliael motioned for Kira to go first, the former Jedi Shadow rushing off in a slightly quickened pace as she moved through the jungle. Soliael followed her quickly, though slightly more clunkily. His steps traced hers until they eventually ended in up a small nook at the south side of the clearing. They crouched low, hiding behind one of the smaller bushes to make themselves smaller.

He eyed them for a moment, this time trying to get a better look.

He saw a symbol on the Skakoan, a trace of three short slashes surrounded by the skull of some sort of creature.

"I don't recognize that symbol." Soliael told his wife, lips thinning. It was a rare thing that he didn't recognize something like that.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

Kira would study the symbol Soliael had pointed out. Truth be told, she didn't recognize it either. A shake of her blonde head relayed that. Was this a pirate gang? Or merchants?

They were all very heavily armored, and as the Jedi Master and the former false god got a closer look, they would see that there were about twenty more aliens scattered about. Some were in patrols, with heavy blaster rifles slung at the ready. Others were moving crates down dirt paths.

Where were they coming from?

That answer came when Sol and Kira slowed and crouched down just a little ways. There was a vast maw of a cave. A finger pointed her husband at its direction.

What do you suppose is there? her expression asked?

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

He was sure now that they were looking at pirates, though he didn't recognize the symbol that they wore. That fact still worried him, especially considering where they were. Rishi was a hub, a place where most, if not all pirate gangs held some sort of representation. Soliael should have known of them, even if they were new to the galaxy, especially considering exactly how they were dressed and outfitted. These men and women looked ready for war, not just raiding.

Soliael frowned, his eyes darting between the different armored men and women.

Kira caught his attention, concern on her face and a slight bit of question. He rolled his shoulders, then jerked his hand back towards where they had come from.

They could confront these pirates, but that wouldn't do them any good. It was likely that they could kill them, perhaps even capture a few, but that was without knowing what was in that cavern. What they needed was to get closer, to get a better look, they wouldn't be able to do that with just one another. The simple solution of course was one of the smaller probe droids on the ship, something that Soliael could get within a matter of minutes.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

Deft of foot and equally as stealthy, the two quietly made their way back to their speeder. Kira kept a wary eye out, ensuring that none of the pirates - if that is what they were - had discovered their presence. Once they reached the edge of the beach, the Jedi Master brushed the fringe of her bangs away from her face.

"Who do you figure they are?" she asked him, aware that through the bond of the ring, he too was confused. However, the ring did not allow her to read minds. While they were very much attuned with the other, Kira had never had a talent for telepathy. In fact, it made conversations with his mother a bit awkward at first. Quietus was already an intimidating woman to begin with.

That wasn't even including his great grandmother, the Queen.

Kira came to a stop by the speeder, slinging the bag off of her shoulders. Her mind mulled over what they had found out so far. They were certainly very well armed. And what were they carrying? What could be in that cave?

So many questions.... Her eyes gleamed. There was a rush that was running through her. It was excitement. Kira felt as if she was a Jedi Investigator again. Oh this could be fun.

A lot of fun.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

"Pirates." Soliael said simply.

He was entirely confident in that statement. Any major military force would have a more serious defense set up, any serious mercenary force the same. He knew that what they had seen were pirates because although they had been well armed, they had been rather lax in how they camp was set up. For Soliael it was a simple process of elimination, he didn't even need to ask anyone. Of course with the answer that he did provide there came a whole slew of questions, not the least of which was who the hell these pirates were.

"Didn't recognize the symbol though." He said with a slight tinge of worry in his tone. "And having a Skakoan with them? That's bad news."

He frowned and shook his head. "They aren't really known for their dealings in piracy, usually stick to the Core. Their known for developing tech."

The Skakoans had been control of the Techno Union for centuries.

Soliael knew that a few times over the last century or so the Techno Union had supplied arms to mercenaries, rebels, and half a dozen separatist governments, but he'd never heard of them working with pirates. The frown on his lips stayed plastered to his face.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

Was having a Skakoan that troubling? Kira felt the concern flow from her husband through the bond of their ring. It became a bit more clearer when he spoke of how well they were known for their tech.

“What sort of tech?” she’d ask, hopping up and over the door of the speeder to get back in. It appears that they wouldn’t be making it to Rishi Village tonight. That was okay though, they had plenty of time. Exploring just who this pirate gang is was a bit more thrilling. Not that Kira wouldn’t indulge in a bit of shopping later.

Despite the vast wealth Soliael had accumulated throughout the decades of his life, his wife had been so used to penny pinching that it was difficult to get her to buy much of anything without considering bargains or discount coupons. She was passionate haggler, and if there was an item she wanted, Kira would attempt any way to haggle the price down or barter. Only in more recent years had she finally begun to slowly let that necessity of pinching credits be kept at bay.

Sort of, but not in its entirety.

Sol jumped in, a small grimace at the uncomfortable seat barely cutting his expression. No he was more focused on the Skakoan. Kira would start the speeder.

“Back to the ship?”

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

Soliael nodded, for a time lost in thought about exactly he was supposed to do with what little information they had. Of course, they could just simply leave. These pirates weren't really their problem and it wasn't up to them to do anything at all, though truthfully he doubted that his wife would allow him to do that.

"The bad kind." He answered finally. "The kind that's used to cause wars, proliferate them, and then push them to the next step. They aren't bad really, not any more then most weapons manufacturers. If they're here though, and working with a group of pirates I can only assume that they're up to no good."

He shrugged.

Part of him really did just want to leave.

Pirates were no concern of the Talith's, especially here where the argument could be made that the only innocents were those living in the forests of Rishi. The planet was after all government-less and completely isolated and on its own. Raider's Cove wasn't populated by families and young children, just more pirates. "Lets head back and figure out what to do."

Maybe he could convince her, but he doubted it.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

“Okay.”

The rumble of the speeder seemed louder than normal, but it was no more noiser than a standard speeder. It was only the heightened awareness at what might be back in that jungle with that pirate gang. Could they be shipping some sort of dangerous tech? If so, where to?

The ride back towards their ship was a bit more quiet than usual. Both were thinking about what lay back on that isle and also wondering if they should really stick out their necks to discover more. For Sol, Kira knew that he would be more apt to walk away, to leave things be. For Kira… well, it was her intense sense of curiousity and need to discover things that made it a bit more difficult to simply let go.

Not to mention, it had been a while since Kira had managed to play the role of Jedi Investigator. Her curiousity, however, wouldn’t make her that reckless. She wanted to know where Soliael stood.

“So... “ she began, flexing her fingers upon the pilot yoke. The sun was gradually sinking, and the lengthening of the afternoon visible.

“Do you think it might be dangerous enough tech to warrant just verifying things?” Kira didn’t know much about Skakoans or their tech, but when he mentioned that they can technically make the bad sort of technology that could harm quite a few people… well, it made one take another look.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

There it was. He loved his wife, he really did, unconditionally so, but he knew her all too well. If people could get hurt, Kira would be the first to jump in front of the blaster bolt that was about to hurt them. It was one of the reasons why he loved her, but it was also supremely annoying at times. Soliael wasn't the same type of person as Kira, in fact they were almost comically different. He would have been perfectly fine with leaving those pirates, perfectly fine with turning away and never looking back, Kira wouldn't.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "Maybe."

He said the words quietly, though he knew that Kira would hear them regardless. His wife had selective hearing at times, and he was sure that she would hear that particular bit of information.

The fact was that Soliael was already resigning himself to just how he and Kira would be taking down the pirates in that clearing. Of course they would have to do it without killing them, mostly because Kira would object to that too. He did love her, but sometimes life was very difficult when it came to her stringent morals.

Then again, he wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

That sealed it.

“Okay,” Kira said after a moment, drumming her fingers along the pilot yoke. They had a few minutes before they would reach the ship, but in that time, her mind was already racing. On what they could do, what they could use, how they could do it.

“We can use the drones first.” she said, sparring a glance over at Soliael. There was a weary expression on his face that made her give a slight wince. He wasn’t too happy about it, she could tell. She didn’t need the ring to know that. However, it wouldn’t sit right for Kira if they couldn’t at the very least verify that it wasn’t something dangerous. It would dig at her at the back of her mind, and then their little expedition would be ruined by her worry.

It was always that worry.

“But…” she began, biting her lower lip. “How about if we get dinner first?” the last thing she wanted was a grumpy and hungry Devin. At the very least, he wouldn’t be too off put once she had food in his belly.

“I can make something!”
The decades had worked in Kira’s favor in cooking. She wasn’t terrible, but the few dishes she had learned to make were good to eat. Soliael still won first place with the kids when it came to meals, but at least she had baking down pat.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

As much as he would have liked to eat, if they wanted those pirates gone they would best do it sooner rather then later. He knew that Kira would want them gone, or captured, but he also knew what that would mean. His wife was no slouch when it came to military operations, that much was certain, but of the two of them he was more apt for strategic planning.

Then again...who could resist dinner.

"Okay." Soliael said quietly. "Something fast."

He mused for a moment, trying to think of what exactly they would need for taking down the group of pirates. There were a few weapons on board the ship, but in all honesty he doubted that they would need them. What would be best was a distraction of sort, something that the pirates would focus on while Soliael and Kira began to take them down. He frowned for a moment, then shook his head. He would have to search through the hangar to see what he could find. "You cook, I'll get us ready."

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

That was the difference between Kira and Soliael. Kira’s mind went towards more investigating and a minimalist approach. Whereas Sol was already thinking of how they would need to neutralize the area should they have no other choice. Kira simply wanted to make sure that things were okay, nothing too dangerous out there. Sol, prepared for the worst.

“I can make some roast nerf sandwiches!” she piped up after him, watching him head off towards the hanger. That was quick and easy, and didn’t do too much damage to the belly. Get a few drinks. Then, maybe she could add more snacks after, seeing how hungry Sol was apt to get.

They each parted ways for now. The blonde Jedi Master would hop out of the speeder and take her bag with her. While she made the sandwiches, she could consider how she and Sol could work together.

Maybe if I cloaked myself in the Force…

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

The hangar bay wasn't a huge space, at least not to most capital ships. The Freya had two hangars of course, usually the class of ship was used as a fast attack craft to conduct hit and run raids. Generally the vessel was equipped with two squadrons of fighters that would keep everything off the main ship while it hit the other capital grade vessel. For Kira and Soliael of course the hangars had been converted for a different purpose. Instead of holding squadrons of fighters they held speeders, equipment cache's, and a single shuttle.

"Okay." Soliael said to himself as he began his search. "What have we here."

Quickly the former false God began to dig through footlockers and crates, searching for anything they could use. What they needed were reconnaissance drones, small probe droids that could give them a better look into the camp to see what they would be up against.

Then the distraction.

He sighed slightly and popped open one of the larger footlockers, his eyebrows raising. "That will do."