The Lesser of the Two Kreedles

[A®heim]

Damn this place is a mess....remind me what we're doing here again.

The kima at Jeremy's feet flicked its tail and gave him a bored look. In her opinion, anything beat that cramped space in the ship's computer core. Sentient-level intelligence was nice and all, but sometimes even the reversion to bestial mindset was worth stretching one's legs for a while.

The pale, lanky man beside her continued his tirade as he departed the landing pad, tossing a credit chip to a ground crewmen and gesturing to the Raven's Shadow. Oh right. That blasted miner put a seismic beam through our port ammunition bay, how foolish of me to forget. I said evade the shot not the asteroid!

Leadre became suddenly interested in a passing chiksit and, of course, said nothing.

The particle shields would to have held! And now we're stuck in this slum hoping the "ground crew" doesn't just mug me, scrap my ship, and sell my collection of gBay!

Jeremy suddenly became aware of the many shady figures staring at him. It unnerved him slightly, to which he responded by tightening the grip on his staff and putting on a sneer. What're you people looking at! Get back to collecting cans or painting your doomsday signs or whatever you folks do for a living around here.

Leadre spared her captain a flickering glance for only a split second before returning to stalking the chiksit, and of course, said nothing.

Jeremy muttered to himself and swept off down an alley- wait...this is a street? Then what's an alley here!?

[Squee]

The color the planet wore could certainly give the wrong impression. Purple. Purple was for majestic and royalty, wealth, nobility, and for creativity and spirituality. Spirituality indeed. This dystopia had a spirit for only the masochistic to enjoy. The purple sapiens and aliens alike would never think about was mourning. They would not think profanity. They may see envy, and Metellos could best be described as a vain planet that was envious of its brother and sister planets. It was as urbanized at Coruscant, but it was the dark side of Coruscant. It was what Coruscant could, and maybe even may be, look like given the time of a thousand years.

It was an ugly, ugly, dismal planet. There were too many people. Cities were decaying. It was walking on the bottom floor of Coruscant. It was somewhere that the people stared at newcomers in dangerous wonder. Should they plunder the ships? Should they leave them be? Who was the new person? Male, or female? Could they get away with criminal activity?

It wasn’t some place Tesa had not been before. Her ship had landed; she had allotted to pay the fee, as the “dockmaster” put it. In fact, she had slipped him a bigger credit chip and whispered into his ear that it should cover whether or not he knew her name and her ship name. With a simple nod, the dockmaster turned greedy eyes on the ship. People starved of success were easy to manipulate. Maybe he could buy himself something nice.

It was the people beyond the dock that Tesa had to impress. Her spot was saved. Now she had to throw in a wild card to tell the shades and silhouettes of persons to stay the hell away. Tesa felt the Force gather in her center, that invisible fist clenching around it like a small little bird. It squeaked and writhed in protest, wriggling and squirming as Tesa kept squeezing. As she started down the street, she allowed herself to pause and regard those in the shadows with a sweep of gold hinted eyes. And then she smirked, letting the fist opening slowly and allowing the baby bird to flap. Liquid Force spilled over unseeing fingers, leaking and reeking in a vibration of power. It infested bodies and broke holding vessels of doubt, letting it splash across lesser minds. With the small beat of the wings, the baby bird proclaimed its right of freedom from death.

Tesa would not be the victim of death. Her ship would be left alone. She would be left alone. The small amount of Force wore out as Tesa proceeded forward. No need to exhaust herself. Her shadowy minions would spread the word for her. She had her faith in it as she watched those figures, in their piss-poor attempt in cloaking themselves, traveled on, ignoring the entrance route to her transport.

“But I’m certain you’d like this much better than what you have requested.”

“No,” the customer was replying, requesting what he wanted again. The salesman of junk did not seem to notice as he went into a detailed description about his magnificent object. “Hey, now, listen, just give me what I want.”

Irritation filled Tesa as she walked by, her eyes narrowing slightly from under her lifted hood. Stupid people were stupid. Salesmen and women were some of the most frustrating beings out there. For some reason, they had the opinion they were higher than the customer, and the customer did not know what he wanted. If the customer had no idea, they would ask the salesperson. Tesa had a strong urge to stop and interrupt, shove it to the salesman’s face his foolery and stupidity. She didn’t and continued, set on her mission.

She was seeking an object based on rumors. An object that Tesa believed would benefit her. For all Tesa knew, she was on a wild bantha chase. She was prepared to accept that fact and prepared for humility. She prayed, nonetheless, that these rumors would prove to be the rare kind: where something is actually true. The object she was seeking for was supposedly to be hidden, taken off the radar, for at least some time. Metellos was a certain place to hide something not wanted to be found.

Tesa was confident in her ability to find things that didn’t want to be found.

[A®heim]

Man and beast cringed in perfect unison as that freezing wave passed over them. Leadre huddled closer against her master's legs who, in turn, crouched down slightly using his staff to keep balanced. This was bad, very bad.

Sith spit! Another one? Here?! His Force energies blossomed in his panic and he instinctively bunched it up around the tiny Force=activated switch in his staff. He snuffed it out immediately with a curse. ...and now thanks to my carelessness...

Leadre looked up at him through large amber eyes. The question was clear: what next?

Simple. There is another user nearby who has left some energies to the wind to be scented, and now, so have I. I'm afraid our options at this point are...dismal. The man sighed and stood back up to his full height, rather impressive for a human. Reaching, down he scooped up the kima, inciting a small chirp of protest that passed quickly as the cat-like creature found a comfortable place to perch on his shoulder. Watch the claws.

So now what was he to do? He had yet to meet a Force user that wasn't bad news for him since his mentor had been killed, and that was 30 years ago! Stay close, I'm going to make a phone call...

Blackstone scanned his surroundings quickly and finally spied a suitable alley; even more dark and dreary than most. What he found inside was less than desirable as muggings never were. Though they were slightly more tolerable when they weren't happening to you, as the case now was.

It was a young woman, probably not even 21, and she stood trembling against the wall as the Vodron held a knife to her throat while the Squib went through her pockets. She turned pleading eyes to Jeremy. "Help me...please!"

The Vodron pressed slightly against her skin, drawing a thin line of blood. "Quiet you! Or I'll stick this here blade straight ina ya and out the other side.....you! Stranger! Move along less you wanna get hurt." The Squib glanced up to sneer at Jeremy before going back to his search.

"Please....don't do this...leave me alone..." she was in tears now.

The lady made a request of you. Am I to assume you will not act upon it?

Keeping the knife pressed to his captive, the Vodran drew a blaster with his other hand and trained it on Blackstone. "I said move it along!"

Ah. I'll take that as a no then.

A flash of light. A splatter of red. A limp Vodran flies out of the alley and crashes into a merchant stall across the road. A sneering squib head follows suite.

Blackstone crouched down next the woman, gently shoving off the headless squib. The woman whimpered and leaned her head against his chest. He put an arm around her shoulder. Come now, the scum has left the world. They're one with the Force now. You can relax.

"I know...thank you...." Jeremy raised his chin slightly as the knife was pressed against it. "But you should have done what the Vodran said. How about emptying your pockets?" The withered, preyed-upon expression had vanished, probably as quickly as it had been conjured.

The man only sighed and looked at the woman with one part disbelief and one part sadness. I should have known better... The woman's gaze wavered, this wasn't what she had expected, perhaps she hadn't thought this through enough...

Then again... The woman's eyes widened in accompaniment of a short but soft shhhhhk. Blood welled up from slightly parted lips. so should have you... He pulled the blade from her gut and retracted it's 18 inches back into his staff. I'm sorry.

Taking several steps from the corpse, he reset his attention on the earlier matter: getting the other's attention. Extending his will, he slipped into a state of semi-medition letting his influence on the world spiderweb out. Strands splitting smaller....and smaller....and smaller.... he could feel them now, the individual particles. He brought them together, slowly at first, but soon becoming a flood. Passerbys paused to stare in disbelief as the sahdows surrounding the alley bent and swayed in towards its center.

The energy was gathered, the palm of his hand glowed with the intensity of a small sun. This he launched into the sky. A flare with the purpose of a flare: to get attention.

[Squee]

“Spare a credit or two?”

The beggar’s voice stopped Tesa, who turned her head to gaze upon the man. A person in dirt stained clothes with several obvious tears. The feet were adorned in boots that had lips that announced splits around the soles and one or two holes around the toes. He was at least humanoid, with noticeable scruff growing around his face.

“No job title to couple your name?”

“What? I really wouldn’t be sitting here if I had one, would I?”

“Then that arouses the question of whether you are actually a beggar or are you a liar and pretender. For if you are lying, you are robbing and cheating people of money you do not need, therefore taking money you do not deserve. Honest living peoplemake it better in this world than those who commit thievery on a daily basis.” Tesa stepped to the feet of the man, crouching down and hanging her arms on her knees. As she met the gaze of the person, he seemed to do a double take. Whether he was stunned by the odd coloring of her eyes or her young features, she wasn’t, and would never, be sure. “Thievery is gain through sin, and sin polutes the galaxy. If everyone really wants utopia as they say, we need to stop sinning and live clean.”

“What are you? He started slightly when she clasped a hand over the ragged toes of his shoes.

“That is none of your concern. Go get on a shuttle, leave Metellos, and seek out a job. Work and make a decent living and reproduce offspring to raise with good values.” No sooner had she finished her sentence did a brilliant flash light up the dreary atmosphere of the planet. Tesa tilted her head upward to get a look at the light. Almost immediately did she duck her head again, squeezing her eyes shut tightly. With a hissing intact of air, done naturally when the body encounters any sort of sharp and sudden pain, Tesa lifted her thumb and index finger to press into the corners of her eyes. She blinked them back open after a moment of rubbing the soreness, large multicolored spots still in the center of her vision.

“Curious. I think my previous goal can stand by while I take a detour to discover who or what created that. “ Tesa looked back at the man and stood. On the toe of his boot rested a credit chip with enough to get him off Metellos and at least a couple of meals. “I bid you farewell.” The loose ground beneath her toes crunched and she strode off with a large lunge. She was trying to be fast, get there before the flaring fixture disappeared. There were clues that she was getting closer as she wound through Metellos’ ugly maze of street and alley. She checked the light often by holding out her hand vertically, seeing as one side illuminated while the other was cast into the light’s shadow. Another was the fact of several people heading away from the direction of the flare. Their startle was apparent in their faces. Others wore expressions of concern or worry.

Sentient and non-sentient creatures always reacted the same way to use of Force energy. They grew in fear and worry. Every so often Tesa could read a sense of anger or rage. No one reacted just the same. What Tesa had discovered, however, was that those who use the Force themselves were always attracted to it. They were the only ones who would not hide or run away from it. If one sought the attention of a power wielder, of just about any sort, then one should provoke their curiosity in that power. Certainly the attention would come. This worked exceptionally well in the Force with Sith, Dark Jedi, or Jedi. Any demonstration of the power would lure any one of those kinds of persons near. Whether it was for challenge, recruitment, curiosity, or a sense of “that can’t be good”, something would come running.

Tesa was giving into her sense of curiosity, but she was also checking to make sure there was nothing coming to challenge her. She was not here for trouble, and only on Metellos for a short while to fulfill her personal goal. Perferably, she was hoping to be left to her own. Hopefully whatever made this flare was not looking for a meal to gobble or craving the attention of rivalry. Tesa didn’t fit the profile of either.

The distance closed swiftly to near zero as Tesa stood at the foot of the alley, swathed in visually deceiving cloak. Her eyes roamed the alley, checking for hidden surprises, mentally prepared for an ambush of some kind. Sandy amber orbs rested on the barely distinguishable man between the shadows and the strange circles blocking the Tesa’s center sight. She took her first steps into the alley with careful measurement and wary alertness.

“Call and you shall receive.” The figure also had some kind of creature milling around him. “Though I couldn’t understand what purpose I could possibly serve for you. Nonetheless, you have voiced yourself in only a whisper I can understand.” He also had a staff. Tesa stopped none too close to the person. “I wouldn’t put my faith that I am the only one, either. I always suggest setting the call in one spot and then laying sparse bread crumbs to another location. It helps keep away unwanted attention.” Tesa was very aware that she could possibly be the unwanted attention. As she had said, call and you shall receive. It you wanted a specific receiver, narrow your ways of calling.

[A®heim]

Indeed I did call... His arm shaded his eyes from the light and only a sharp grin shone beneath it. The flare above the trio dimmed and flickered out of existance. The unnatural shadows that shrouded the alley slowly shrank away rebathing them in the dusky light from a nearby window. Leadre crocuhed lower and backed away with the shadows finally finding refuge in a pile of scrap. Her emerald gaze lay fixed on the newcomer.

...and indeed have I received, but you are incorrect to believe I don't wish to attract unwanted attention. He lowered his arm, the smile was gone. Yes, I sent that "whisper" as you so stated, but only because I caught the breath of your own. Heh, and now here you have come running....so gullible. I may have killed you.
Leadre growled and the staff leveled at the woman. As I may still do. What are you doing here?! It was a demand, half shouted as a smaller flare began to gather around the shaft of his staff. Paranoia? Perhaps, but if there was one thing Jeremy had learned from his work it was that no match for you can be trusted.

[Squee]

“You would like unwanted attention?” Tesa sounded rather puzzled in her question. Her eyebrow did rise, but anyone who gazed into her eyes would see she was not clueless. Under her breath, lips barely moving, she uttered, “To every man his own.” The folds around her hood slid liquidly as she tipped her head to the side, noticing the small shadow creeping off to the side. She noticed the smile of the person now that the splotches in her vision slowly dissolving.

A low chuckle vibrated from the young woman’s throat. It was such a noise of someone amused. A startling smile pierced across her lips. Sand stained orbs glared cruelly, accusatively to match the grin. She coolly shifted her weight from one foot to the other, resting a hand on her hip. “Tsk, tsk, old man,” she chirped, “Why do you judge others before you have spoken to them? Spare me the lecture of how gullible you believe I am just because I have taken curiosity in your little light bulb. Don’t be so full of yourself. It’s a turn off for girls like me.”

By now the smile had vanished from the man’s face. It was of minor concern to Tesa, who’s grin toned down to a simply smirk. The change in facial features only provided evidence to a change of mood; or perhaps the removal of a mask. He could be a hypocrite. In which case, Tesa would soon discover and leave shortly. She could carry on her personal mission of retrieving a delicate object, having known that she had run into a main stream Dark Jedi.

She could drop off his radar once more, and easily so. The signal flare itself was a statement of his helplessness to seek out those he wishes to speak to. He could also be lazy. It truly did not matter if he was helpless or lazy. The man and his little knee-tall critter would be of no use to her.

The staff swung around, pointing like a long finger at Tesa. The man continued to insult and accuse her. In response, Tesa cocked her head to the side, a curious expression painting her facial features. A part of the staff had begun to glow. How disinteresting. The words departing from his lips were meant to strike a fear to her heart. Those invisible arrows he shot at her were useless as they struck a strong shield. The chords of her emotions and feelings were well protected by belief and other, stronger feelings that were as tough as leather hide.

As the man issued his obvious threat to her life and demanded to know her purpose, Tesa merely blinked. Her upper torso twisted slightly as she glanced over her shoulders and even chanced a look above her. Her gaze fell to relock onto the man’s, and then she asked, rather sickly sweet and delicately pitched, “Was the issued threat for the shadow?” Her voice box once again clicked over, adopting an icy, chastising tone, “Stuff it and save it in a box for someone who cares. I’m already dead.

“Now, let’s be civil instead of barbarians like our brethren.” Tesa calmly rose her arms from her side while remaining relaxed and casual as if she were only drinking tea in her favorite chair. The cloak was designed without sleeves, but the fabric clung to the sleeves of her garments. This was to display what rested around her belt, which ranged from her lightsaber to credit pouch to small vials filled with who knows what. Though it was to show the man the dangers beneath her cloak to give a sense of security, anyone who had crossed paths with Tesa before would understand it was her empty hands to be wary of. “I question your unspoken assumption that I wish to bring your doom. Paranoid man, calm your nerves and stay your staff. Didn’t your mother ever teach you that it is rude to point? Why I am here is not of your concern, primarily because you are not in my purpose. Therefore you are being nosy and are only being annoying. My business is my own and I’m entitled to be here to carry out that business.” Not legally, perhaps, as the Jedi and the people seemed to label the Dark Jedi as outlaws. “Yes, this means that even you have to put up with my rippling presence in the Force for a little while.

“I mean you no harm. That said, I will be leaving now.” Tesa began to swing around, ready to depart from the alleyway and get away from the pesky man. She had delivered her message clearly, with a calm disposition, and had spoken firmly. Tesa concluded that her small speech was convincing, as it should be since it was the truth.

[A®heim]

Jeremy lowered his staff slowly. This...wasn't what he had expected. This girl had heart, more than he had seen since...she had a lot in common with her. He found himself smiling despite himself-- not the sneer he had given her earlier, but a genuine smile of times long past...

Wait a minute.

If she was anything like Pride he really shouldn't be lowering his weapon. When she raised her hands, he quickly took inventory of her belt. Saber: check. Bartering and food: check. Horrible, flesh-eating, Shatinarian neurotoxin: check. Oh, and most importantly, two open palms no doubt ready to cook, fry, smash, slash, hurl, or whatever other potent powers of pain she might have in store for him. Shields at the ready, Captain! Ahh, just like old times.

Oh well. A risk willingly taken is often worth the risk. Like our brethren, you say? You imply we are similar. And you may be correct. The staff had reoriented itself in his hand so it was now supporting its own weight on the butt end. Good, the thing was heavy and his arm was getting tired. Wouldn't that have been menacing; "Rawr. I have big staff. Pointy pointy *drop* Ow! It hit mah foot!" Yeah. That just REEKS of evil.

Leadre had creapt out slightly at the mention of the threat being aimed at "the shadow". Jeremy pushed her back with a glance of the eye and a twitch of th brow. They knew eachother well, this wasn't the first time they'd been in this situation. You call me paranoid? ME?! ....well then you are absolutely correct. I'm likely one of the most paranoid humans in the galaxy.

He raised one finger to the sky and closed his eyes in mock quotation. "With great power comes great responsibility."

He lowered his finger, opened his eyes and clutched the staff scanning his surroundings with exaggerated alertness. And a hell of a lot of people that want to kill you. She left that part out. His attention returned to Tesa, now beginning to take her leave. Speaking of which, why are you here? This is Metallos, the outhouse of the slums of the ghetto of the galaxy. You don't seem like you're from around these parts and there's hardly anything of interest to "our brethren" here. Believe me, I'm usually the first to hear about it.

In the debris, the Kima huffed. <And he wonders why so many are out to kill us...>