A Recovering World Divided

[Zeke Tune]

Melida/Daan's capital city Zehava had been infected by a terrible disease. After an unsuccessful quarantine event, the entire city had been bombed, turned to ash, and after turned into glass. Now, tens of thousands of droids swamped inside this Dark Zone, decontaminating the entire area. Nothing would be left at the end. However, three hundred kilometers away, New Zehava was being built. It had taken time and money, and a lot of effort, but the city was coming along. It was a sea of half built sky scrappers, of box cutter houses, and hundreds of new shops. It was a testament of the resiliency of the Melida/Daan people, and their ability to recover from wars, and scars.

It took a lot of money, and resources to get this much done this quickly. The CIS and many investors poured money and people into the reconstruction effort. Sadly, tensions were at a high on the planet. Melida and Daan blamed each other for releasing the plague, and the CIS was blamed for the death of millions, causing an anti-CIS movement on the planet. The planet was a powder keg, waiting for a spark to make it explode.

Onto this planet, Zeke Tune walked. He was one of the many investors who had made this possible. The city was loud, banging, loud machines, and the shouting of people. However, there was also the hawking of wares, the chatter of crowds. It would take years more, but it was coming along nicely. Hands in his pockets, as he walked to the gallery he was setting up. It was in a shopping district, a mall of sorts. A large central open air court yard, shops on either side, a walk way through the court yard. Popping his head into one of the doors, he looks at the gallery. Holo-statues, actual statues, lots of paintings from himself and other artists. A little bit of class for an up and coming city. “Hey Boss!” A loud cheery voice came out from the halls. “How is it going?!” The chattering from the gallery was loud.

Stepping inside, Zeke shakes his head. “Hey now, not all at once. It's going well. I'm here to check on the kids, but figured I could stop in here too. You guys are doing an amazing job of decorating. The Administrator wanted me to tell you guys good job. He is excited to have this as an attraction coming up.” Staying in there, he talked with each of his workers, gave artistic critiques to placement, and decorative choices, and other things. He finished by checking over the accounting information and then left.

His mind wasn't where he was at right now. He hadn't painted anything since the Burning Man, and it weighted on him. However, he had experienced something...more, during that entire event. He could keep living as he was, killing purely for art, or he could turn his art into something bigger, more meaningful. And this was what he was doing here. Zeke contemplated getting the kids presents before heading to the orphanage.

Doing exactly this, he moves from shop to shop, getting bags full of small gifts for the kids. As he thought of them, a side of him rarely seen shown through, one of honest, utter joy, and happiness, knowing he could spend some time with them again. Zeke walked through the bustling, half finished city, taking a short cut to his speeder, through an unfinished skeleton of what would become a new school. He whistled as he walked almost oblivious to everything else going on around him.

[member="Cao Ran Rhobar"]

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

The city was full of activity. Thousands and thousands of new citizens, colonists, came and still come to build a new home and a new future. With the stream of civilians and people who wish to build up a new life in peace and security also came others, criminals are equally attracted by new opportunities.

The school Zeke Tune was walking through was in its early construction, only parts of the basement as well as some outer walls were standing already. The area was not restricted nor guarded, there was no need for that. Most of the population were thankful for new possibilities and for infrastructure.

Next to the school were some habitats with several levels. From between the two of those habitats, from an alley, came noises as the investor walked by. A few children were standing in half a circle around the wall looking down on something. The noises of the kids were equally composed of curious as well as scared sounds, one was suddenly running away, a little girl.

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

Zeke walked by, and heard the commotion. He had a soft spot for children. A very large soft spot for them. As such, hearing their commotion, his mind forced him to stop and walk over to them. Watching the little girl leave, he poked his head in. “Hey guys, what's going on?” The Artist smiled charmingly at them. For the moment, he didn't bother to notice what was going on. He was attempting to calm them, and reassure them.

This didn't last. Eyes looked down at the ground, and then went eyed. The man pushed through the crowd of children. “Please, out of the way, let me figure this out, alright?” Stopping, and putting down the bags carrying the toys, Zeke let out a deep sigh. Hands rested on his own hips, and he stares at the scene in front of him, trying to take it all in, as best as he could. Nose wrinkled in deep thought.

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

On the ground was a person leaning against the wall, a Zabrak, light skinned and of an athelic build, with black and brown tattoos all over his body. He is wearing a neutral white shirt and shorts, both without any markings. The chin of the man was on his chest, the eyes closed. The body seemed to be relaxed or unconscious. He did not respond and still is not responding to any sounds around him. No reaction.

The children moved away but still stood there looking at Zeke. "Is he okay?"

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

Reaching out, he checks the pulse of the Zabrak, and looks him over, searching for any outward injuries. He quickly noticed the injection marks. Drug use? If so, it didn't bode well for the zabrak, if found by security, as currently due to the panic caused by the plague, so many things like that were outlawed. Pursing his lips he nodded. “Oh he will be fine, just tired, and probably didn't eat and drink enough. Let this be a lesson to you, kids, always get enough to eat, drink and sleep enough, okay?” Taking out his comm he makes a call. “Yeah, it's me, bring the speeder over. I'm sending the coordinates.” Pressing a button on it, he nods a bit more. “Yeah, it's okay. Just found another one.”

The kids disperse, and a basic looking silver speeder comes up, driven by a droid. Taking the bags, he places them in the speeder, and then picks up the zabrak and loads him into the speeder as well. Waving to the kids, he promised to get the man back home, so he could rest. Climbing into the seat, he nodded, and the speeder took off.

Rather than going to some back alley clinic, or some main stream hospital, he did the only thing any sensible serial homicidal artist would do! He took him to his orphanage, of course. Taking the man in the back door, he brought him into a small clinic in the orphanage proper. He hadn't told the kids he was back yet, but no matter. “Doc, I got something for you to look at.” The human was surprisingly strong for his size, but also, probably didn't care to much at this point.

A blue twi'lek woman entered the room and sighed. “Stang it all Zeke, you are always bringing me strays. This one is an adult, can't you tell the difference?!” The artist just rolled his eyes in an exasperated manner. “Yes, yes, I can tell the difference. I just don't care.” Placing the body on a cool examination table, the doctor began to check him and tend to his injuries. Zeke left, and entered the orphanage, where he was promptly swarmed by kids.

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

What ... what happened? Am I dead? Where am I? What is going on? I can feel metal, I hear, I smell, I can ... see.

The Zabrak is opening his eyes. He stares at a roof he doesn´t know, the man feels that he is connected to a monitor, hearing the beep-sound of his own heart, as well as having a drip. It was some sort of medical facility he was in, just small. He rises slightly, just with his chest, sitting on the med-bed and holding his hands in front of his face, looking at them.

Lowering his hands again, he looks around. Until it hits him like a hammer. He does not remember anything. For a matter of fact, he does not even know anything. Except for ... my name is Cao.

The door opens and a blue individual enters, a female Twi'lek. He stares at her. "What happened to me?"

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

The room he was in was small for a medical facility, yet strangely complete. Two Bacta tanks, four examination beds, a small office to the side, various medical devices, an emergency surgery room, and a medicine storage room. This was in all aspects a small hospital he was in. Before answering, the woman moved over, and checked the monitors. “Good, everything is stabilizing. You were found unconscious, suffering from severe dehydration, minor exposure, and some unknown type of drug overdose. Still analyzing it, trying to figure out what it was. But, the good news is, you pulled through. I thought you should go to a proper hospital, but.” She gave a loud sigh.

“My employer is an amazing man, with a large heart for people lost, and in need. And right now, there is a ban on drugs, as some of the politicians are blaming them for the recent outbreak. Ludicrous but, he wanted to help you, not get you thrown in a cell. Now, for introductions, I am Doctor Lucina, you are in the medwing of the Tune Memorial Orphanage. My employer is Zeke Tune. And what is your name?” Taking a small light from the table, she shone it in his eyes, watching how his pupils dilated, checking skin elasticity and trying to get him to talk, so that she could see if there was any mental trauma. “Stang it Zeke, you need to stop collecting people.” The woman muttered under her breath.

[member="Cao Ran Rhobar"]

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

"My name is ... Cao." He was letting the doctor do her checking. "Where are we?"

The Zabrak was looking at her, in his eyes the shine of a weird combination of intelligence and confusion. "Why an orphanage? Who is the man the doctor mentioned?" Cao was surprised by his own voice, he intended to think these questions, not to speak them out loudly.

[member="Zeke Tune"]

Spoiler

I will edit the proper format later, on phone right now.

 

[Zeke Tune]

The doctor gave a faint smile at him, amused. “I see. You don't know where you are. And those are good questions. Let me answer them one at a time.” She leaned on the examination bed lightly. “You are on the planet Melida/Daan, in the city of New Zehava. This building is the Tune Memorial Orphanage, and that brings me to the next questions.” Taking a deep breath, and then slowly letting it out, she looks him in the eyes. “My Employer, the one who found you dying in an ally way, is Zeke Tune. He is an artist, a very well off one, who came from a long line of artistic type people who did well themselves. He began to find slave children and set them free, I am told, and brought them here. He built the orphanage for them. This place, is to take care of the children, as many of them, due to the horrors they saw, have unique mental and physical needs.”

She gave a lot of exposition, but she was hoping the talking, would jog some reaction from him that she could observe. “Frankly, there was a horrible disease in a town not to far from here, and they had to bomb it out of existence. Some people believe it was initially caused by drug use, and they put very harsh punishments on drug users. You had these needle marks and an unknown substance in your blood, if it had been seen by the authorities, well, you would have been imprisoned. Zeke is a bleeding heart, so, of course he didn't want to make you go through that.” She said exasperatedly. “Stang, he collects kids, people, anyone who needs help without thinking about the consequences to himself.”

Pressing a button on a nearby desk, she turned once more to face the man. “Ring any bells yet? How are you feeling? Any headaches? Confusion? Blurred vision?”

[member="Cao Ran Rhobar"]

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

He was mustering her. Neither the city name nor the planet name ring a bell. Some man of mercy collected him from a street? Why was he on the street? Why is he here? Cao thoughts were turning upside down. The Zabrak looks at the doctor.

"I am not well. I feel that a headache is lurking in my head." He pauses a moment. "I have no memory of anything before I woke up here."

He looks at his arms, spotting the injection marks and growing equally confused as angry. The headache is suddenly appearing and causing him to suffer in pain. He is holding his head and falling back on the med-bed, his face distorted revealing all teeth and while his eyes are closed.

"Aaargh ..." Suddenly several glasses break nearby, instruments are shaking, it intensifies just before Cao is losing his conscious again and lays unmoved on the med-bed.

The substance found in his blood is indeed strange, it is equally a narcoticum as well as a emphasiser for mental capabilities, increasing the psychic horizon as well as laying the force connection bare. A side-effect apparently is the memory loss, clouding the short and long time memory, intensifying with repeated usage.

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

The doctor took down notes. “I see, it's okay, just remain calm. We can help you.” As he goes into shock, she moves over, and injects a sedative into his arm. It would help calm his heart rate down, making it so he didn't have a heart attack, stroke or other issue. Glasses broke, she didn't even flinch, as if this was a normal occurrence. “Hah....he was right, you are in the right place. That bastard.” Calmly, moving through the halls, she begins typing, and analyzing the drug. “Force user, check, amnesia, check, repeated drug use, check.” Opening the door, Zeke walks in finally, and looks at the broken glass. He asks no questions and begins to clean it up with a broom.

“You are right Zeke, you bastard, why are you always right?” Shaking her head. “I don't know what the substance is, but had he been checked into a normal hospital, they would have put him in prison for a long time, maybe forced a CIS investigation. But right now, I'm breaking it down, analyzing it. Trying to find a way to clear it from his system and safely detoxify his body.” A soft smile, and the human places a hand on her shoulder. “I'm right, because this is a place for the Lost. You, me, the kids, the teachers, and now him. We are brought together to find and build a home. To help one another.”

Rolling her eyes, Lucina smirks and her lek'ku twitch. “We all were found by you. But I swear, you are the most lost of us all. Think about the consequences for once Zeke! It's hard enough to explain everything going on here, but if it gets out, that he was on this drug and you kept it secret.....” Zeke shoot his head and looked at the Zabrak. “He could be an evil man, but, I will deal with that when the time comes. I live my life by my rules, Lucina, no others. That is all I need. We just have to make sure no one else knows about it. Figure this drug out, cleanse him, detox him, and let's do what we can hmm?”

Time passed by. By the time the Zabrek would have awoken, the cleansing process had already finished, and he would be towards the ending of a painful, but healing detoxification process, sped along by other medicines and machines. Next to him, would be Zeke, and three children all playing around one of the beds, laughing and having fun. A scene that would make the Zebrak feel everything was going to be okay, like he was in no danger.

“Oh! Good morning. I'm Zeke, how are you feeling? Like shat I imagine.”

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

Cao looks at the man sitting next to him, he feels weak, very weak. The children running around are confusing him, it appears surreal.

"I am exhausted. Confused." His voice is not very strong. "My entire body is hurting. I assume you are the one who picked me up? My name is Cao. And ... thank you."

He looks around, only with focus recognising the medical facility again he was already in. The children were playing, still surreal but also somehow relaxing. Simply having the eyes open and laying here and ... yeah, relaxing is helping Cao.

"I think it has already been explained to me - but what is this? Where are we?"

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

Zeke's hand touches the Zabrak's forehead. “It's a pleasure to meet you Cao, and it was my honor to help you.” He gives the man a charming, warm, friendly smile. “So, still remembering nothing. It can happen. For most humanoid species, memories are just electrical signals, if they get disrupted, we can lose the memories. Alright, let's start from the beginning.”

The kids come over and poke their heads up to look at him. “Hi!” A small twi'lek child says, a Rodian boy waves shyly, and a human boy grins. “Welcome Home. You'll be okay. Doc is really good, and Zeke keeps us all safe. I'm Max, if you need anything, let me know!” Zeke laughs and shakes his head. “Ahhh, kids, kids, I love you all, but don't interrupt my speeches, I work on them really hard!” The artist stuck his tongue out at the kids, and they laugh and run off to the other side of the room, playing carefully with a ball. “They were just getting their yearly vaccinations, and Doctor Lucina likes to keep them close by for a few hours after, in case something goes wrong.”

Rubbing his face, Zeke sits down on a chair nearby Cao. “Alright, let me restart. I'm Zeke Tune, and you are on the planet Melida/Daan, its in the Melida/Daan system, in the Cadavine Sector, in the outer rim. It's a member of the Confederacy of independent Systems. You are in the city of New Zehava. Until recently the capital was Zehava, but it was...destroyed, by a horrible disease, causing us to entirely destroy the old city. In time, I imagine we will just call this place Zehava, once more, but, the scars run deep.”

Hands rest on the bed, as he speaks. “The building you are in is the Tune Memorial Orphanage, specifically in its Medical Wing. It's a place I made, to bring in orphans from slavers, pirates, raiders and the like, honestly. But after the destruction, I began taking in the orphans from Zehava, and those who died in the war, as well. Now, I found you in the city, slumped in an ally way, near a school that is being built, and between two newly constructed apartment complexes. We found drugs in your system, and supposedly you showed force powers, or something similar, at least. I don't know who you are, where you come from, how you got there, or anyone you know. I can't promise your memories will ever come back either. The damage was extensive. We cleansed the drugs from your system, but the detox is going hard. These things did a number on your body and were used for an extended period of time. It's why you hurt you so much. But, I can promise, it won't last much longer, a few hours at most.”

Sighing, and licking his lips, Zeke looks back up at the man. “You had no identification, nothing on you. Your clothing could have been picked up from anywhere, so I don't know how to help you. However, I can offer you a place to be, medical attention, libraries, data stores, a bed, food, clothing, and everything else you need, until your memories come back. Or, until you are in good enough condition to be able to leave.”

[member="Cao Ran Rhobar"]

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

Cao´s reaction to the kids approach actually hurts him slightly. It must have been a very long time since he smiled the last time. It was just a slight smirk but it felt as good as it was hurting.

"You know as much as I do then. Except for my name, I do not remember anything, it hurts when I start thinking about it."

He musters the man sitting at his side. He appeared to be honest, without harm and evil intentions, actually a man of welfare.

"You are very trustworthy towards a stranger. I would like to stay for while, until ... well I don´t know. I don´t know how I can be of help, but as soon as I can stand, I would like to help you and pay you back for your hospitality and kindness."

Cao looks at the man, honesty and a slightly tortured expression on his face, paired with hope.

 

[Zeke Tune]

Grinning, Zeke backs away a bit and nods. “Welcome to the land of the Lost. Everyone here, has lost something, and is searching for something. Hopefully, we can help you find it. Even if not, allow us to give you a warm place to rest, companionship, and purpose.” An arm sweeps across. “If you wish to work for your keep, like many of the others, feel free. There are over a hundred children here, and its hard to keep up with all of them. Cooking, cleaning, repairing things, telling them stories, teaching them, gardening, shopping. It's a constant struggle. There are about twelve adults in the area, trying to make sure at least one adult for every ten kids. So, if you want to repay it, forget it. Pay it forward, help me to keep this place going, so its a safe, warm place for people who have no where else to go.”

Looking at the main's face, Zeke nods. “You can get through. I promise this. And I always keep my promises. Just hang in there, it shouldn't be much longer. I know it hurts. I know you are in agony right now, I know you are scared, and confused. But, don't give into despair. You may be lost, but you are not alone. I would love to show you around when you get your legs back, introduce you to the kids, and what this place is. My words will make sense then I think. You aren't the only one without a memory here, or having come off the streets as a drug addict. Nor are you even the only force sensitive we offer shelter to. It's an unfair galaxy, and the weak are thrown to the predators. I aim to try and stop just a little of that. Now, rest, beat the darkness trying to destroy you. And when you next stand up, do it with pride, knowing, regardless of what your life has thrown at you, no matter who you were, what you have done, or has been done to you, no matter what else is true, you overcame it, and stood up once more.”

[member="Cao Ran Rhobar"]

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

"Thank you. I will do my part here as soon as I can." Cao nods towards the man and leans forward in his bed. He reaches out with his hand to shake Zeke´s. "Thank you. For everything."

The Zabrak would then be resting again for a few days, sleeping most of the days, but lesser with every that passed. He had bad dreams, not really nightmares, but dreams without anything, a black, a void swallowing him. He often woke up just to realise that he was still in the bed. In the second night after the covnersation with Zeke Tune, he could remember his name was one of the first things he noticed, he was waking up, wet of sweat because of another dream. Cao couldn´t stand it anymore and stood up, he thought he would have difficulties, but it worked. Walking away from his bed to the next window he was looking at the skyline and into the dark sky, seeing uncounted stars.

The next morning he woke up, feeling better than ever and dressed himself with the clothes made ready for him. He was heading out of the med-bay and looking around, not really knowing where to go. The Zabrak then heard noises of some children and was following the voices ...

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

As the Zabrak opened the door, it swished open. As he steps into the main area, immediately the sights and sounds would be almost overwhelming. He would find himself into a transparasteel dome, with trees, and grass, simulating a meadow. A stream flowed through the middle of it. Flowers bloomed in carefully groomed gardens at the edges of this area. Birds perched on the trees, of a kind unknown, perhaps gathered through many travels. The sounds of children laughing and playing, of people talking, of classes going, were all through the area.

He would see children of many species, and ages engaging in numerous activities. Some were playing and running through the grass, or climbing trees. In another area, a single teacher was teaching a small group of children, they were lifting rocks, through their connection to the force, and practicing meditative techniques while doing so.
Another group was practicing with instruments, and a teacher critiquing and overseeing them. On a small hilly area, was Zeke, teaching the children how to paint the scene in front of them. He was gentle, patient with each one, and showed each how to properly use their brushes, what paints mixed to make what, and over all, all the basics of it. Some where better than the others, but even they got the same amount of time, he didn't favor any of the children. In this scene, the children looked happy, relaxed, like normal children, who understood they were safe and sound, protected, and loved.

Many doors led off to different parts of the building. Over all this had to be a very large complex. Zeke, spotted the man and waved. “Good morning Cao, how are you feeling?” He shouted out. Brushing himself off, he asked the children to wait a moment, and proceeded to walk over to him, with a gentle smile.

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

Cao looked at his host and saviour, approaching him after greeting him. The Zabrak nodded slightly and replied. "Morning. Better, much better, thank you. I had to leave bed now and got a bit lost here. The house is large, but luckily I heard the noises and found you all here."

He looks around and taken the whole scene in. It appeared to be like a little paradise, very peaceful and calm. Somehow that made Cao slightly uncomfortable, he got a bad feeling in the back of his head, not an approaching migraine, but something different. He ignores it and puts it on his trauma or whatever it was he suffered.

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

Zeke rubs his head a bit. “I built this place, after a coincidence. I ended up getting captured by pirates, and found a bunch of kids stuck as slaves. Things happened, I found an opening, and grabbed the kids, and we managed to escape. Since then, I've done everything I can to free as many from slavery as I can. Its not much, and each is very damaged, but, this place, it offers a place of peace for the kids, and the adults, whom, I found in very similar ways to you.” His words were honest, and he wasn't hiding anything. He may have left out a few details, like how he slaughtered the entire pirate crews, and that's how he kept rescuing the kids, but...his fondness for the kids was honest.

Gestures around. “This is the central area. Physical activity, art classes, play times, often happen out here. Picnics and the like.” He points to the door the zabrak had come from. “Medical wing.” Points to another door. “Dormitories. And next to it is the class rooms and dining hall and kitchens. And over there, are several more rec areas. Are you hungry?”

In the back, the art class the children, who were getting out, shouted out. “We are not lost, we are family!” Zeke smiles at this. “I admit, I don't know what I'm doing, but, I try to make them all feel wanted, welcome, like a family. I don't know if I'm doing it right, if i'm being honest, but, several of them have managed to get adopted, and others have managed to go into life fully capable, without nearly as much damage as they started. I just want the kids to have a chance at a normal life....”

For a brief moment, the entire facade drops, and the force user gets a brief glimpse at the real Zeke. “Like I was given.” He whispers softly. It was an honest, devoted plea. Smiling once more, he nods. “So, what would you like to do first? How are you feeling?”

[member="Cao Ran Rhobar"]

 

[Cao Ran Rhobar]

[member="Zeke Tune"]

Cao was looking at the man with curiosity. He does not really know how to judge the reaction, he has nothing to compare it. Lacking any experiences based on no memories is ... shit.

"Actually ... I am hungry. Very." The Zabrak puts his hand on his stomach and feels that it actually hurts. To support this fact it was rumbling, loudly. Cao looked down and up again at Zeke, a slight smile on his face.