Well-Known Member
Level 1298
Coruscant Underlevels
[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]
Coruscant was a dangerous place for a Jedi to be. In fact, it was a rare occasion for it to not be dangerous for a Jedi. Those comparatively infrequent spans where it was affiliated with a Jedi-friendly government were typically short and involved significant reconstruction, only for the resources to fall right back into unfriendly hands.
Many of those who resided on one of the Core Worlds carried the belief that whoever controlled the Core controlled the Galaxy. Many of the rulers outside the Core Worlds carried the same belief and structured their fiefdoms in alignment with that thought. What happened at the bright center of the galaxy - the trends, the fashions, the behaviors - radiated outward and were sometimes seen even years later in the Rims. This had been the case for thousands of years. Of all the Core Worlds though, Coruscant was the Core, it's crown jewel.
Some knew differently.
For all the resources - all the lives - invested into the planet, the glittering view that most imagined when thinking of Coruscant was a facade. A window dressing. Drop fifty levels from the shining spires and the sun was no longer visible. Go further down and the only light was artificial in nature. Even with all the rebuilding efforts that repaired the damage the underworld was rarely touched. The actual surface of the planet hadn't been seen in living memory and creatures of legend lurked in the shadowy caverns lost to time. Billions of sentient beings called this place home, and under the surface was where it became apparent.
Audren Sykes had been here at least once before, part of a Galactic Alliance assault on the Sith-held planet. That had resulted in hefty damage - maybe the destruction of - the Sith Temple at the time. It had been years before however, and he'd been on the periphery of the battle. Nowhere near where he was now. Somewhat fittingly, however, he'd learned a few of the skills it had taken to get in here during his time with the Alliance.
The Core Imperial Confederation currently held Coruscant, and while they weren't exactly unfriendly to Jedi, neither were they friendly. Having a Jedi Master show up would invite scrutiny and suspicion at the very least. Thus Audren had slipped in under the radar so-to-speak and was disguised for the duration of his stay. Uncomfortable shoes and a minor self-inflicted wound to one of his feet altered his gait. Contact lenses changed both his eye color and retinal pattern. Dye colored his hair a dark brown, hair that was styled quite differently than his normal. Minor prosthetic devices adjusted major points of his face such as cheekbones, nose, eyebrows, and mouth, and also modified the look of his ears. The clothing had been the simplest alteration and likely the most effective, allowing him to blend in with the crowds of beings.
The Sephi was on the world to retrieve a potential asset. A self-taught slicer and electronics technician had come to his attention some weeks ago and if the samples of his work were any indication, he would be a good fit for a project he had in mind. As part of the payment however, he wanted off the ecumenopolis but was prevented from leaving legally. To boot, he wanted to be escorted out by someone he knew he could trust. Not some random employee, not a smuggler who did this sort of thing for a living. It was fortunate that he lived in the underbelly of the world, where the eyes of the government weren't so ever-present. Ironically, mistakes made would carry less of an impact below than up above. There was more wiggle room, more flexibility. More opportunity to disappear as just another face in the crowd.
Coruscant Underlevels
[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]
Many of those who resided on one of the Core Worlds carried the belief that whoever controlled the Core controlled the Galaxy. Many of the rulers outside the Core Worlds carried the same belief and structured their fiefdoms in alignment with that thought. What happened at the bright center of the galaxy - the trends, the fashions, the behaviors - radiated outward and were sometimes seen even years later in the Rims. This had been the case for thousands of years. Of all the Core Worlds though, Coruscant was the Core, it's crown jewel.
Some knew differently.
For all the resources - all the lives - invested into the planet, the glittering view that most imagined when thinking of Coruscant was a facade. A window dressing. Drop fifty levels from the shining spires and the sun was no longer visible. Go further down and the only light was artificial in nature. Even with all the rebuilding efforts that repaired the damage the underworld was rarely touched. The actual surface of the planet hadn't been seen in living memory and creatures of legend lurked in the shadowy caverns lost to time. Billions of sentient beings called this place home, and under the surface was where it became apparent.
Audren Sykes had been here at least once before, part of a Galactic Alliance assault on the Sith-held planet. That had resulted in hefty damage - maybe the destruction of - the Sith Temple at the time. It had been years before however, and he'd been on the periphery of the battle. Nowhere near where he was now. Somewhat fittingly, however, he'd learned a few of the skills it had taken to get in here during his time with the Alliance.
The Core Imperial Confederation currently held Coruscant, and while they weren't exactly unfriendly to Jedi, neither were they friendly. Having a Jedi Master show up would invite scrutiny and suspicion at the very least. Thus Audren had slipped in under the radar so-to-speak and was disguised for the duration of his stay. Uncomfortable shoes and a minor self-inflicted wound to one of his feet altered his gait. Contact lenses changed both his eye color and retinal pattern. Dye colored his hair a dark brown, hair that was styled quite differently than his normal. Minor prosthetic devices adjusted major points of his face such as cheekbones, nose, eyebrows, and mouth, and also modified the look of his ears. The clothing had been the simplest alteration and likely the most effective, allowing him to blend in with the crowds of beings.
The Sephi was on the world to retrieve a potential asset. A self-taught slicer and electronics technician had come to his attention some weeks ago and if the samples of his work were any indication, he would be a good fit for a project he had in mind. As part of the payment however, he wanted off the ecumenopolis but was prevented from leaving legally. To boot, he wanted to be escorted out by someone he knew he could trust. Not some random employee, not a smuggler who did this sort of thing for a living. It was fortunate that he lived in the underbelly of the world, where the eyes of the government weren't so ever-present. Ironically, mistakes made would carry less of an impact below than up above. There was more wiggle room, more flexibility. More opportunity to disappear as just another face in the crowd.