Open Arms on Taboon (Republic)

[Jsc]

Jedi Mission III: Open Arms on Taboon
Objective: Resettle the Refugees

___

Taboon was a Gas Giant planetoid orbiting an old red star in an even older star system. It was a destination wealthy in minerals and science but little else. Today however, this barely populated system had been selected by Anaxes as a repopulation center for Core World Refugees. And the Jedi Order was leading the charge into helping these people resettle. An activity that was proving hard won indeed.

New Taboon Station had been selected to be the hub of this events activities. It was originally constructed to serve as a mining complex dug into one of Taboon's small moons. It's sprawling cave complex was once the home to nothing more than automated railway cars and mining droids. Now, those same large tunnels were about to become the new abode of thousands of displaced peoples.

Prefab shelters were in abundance, gravity was normalized, and the computer-generated atmosphere only mildly smelled of mold and mushroom fibers. It wasn't perfect, but it would be a start. Jerry had found a few shapers who could terraform the walls into more usable formations, but their workload was large and progress was slow. Most of these travelers would be living out of theirs personal vessels or a Prefab Shelter for the time being. Construction materials were still incoming.

"Jerry! Yo, Jerry! Got a new shipment for ya on Railway 9. Clear the tracks would ya and give me a destination!" A workman in yellow called.

"Okay Jimmy! Clearing up Rail 9 now. Give me ten minutes to locate a new DPS beacon. Then I'll send her through!"

Jerry Mars was operating one of the HUB lines on New Taboon Station. It was a simple job. People came to her to find out what to do next. It was a great place to start asking questions or find a new job worth to doing. ...Which meant that a lot of people were just outside of the caverns Prefabricated Office right now. Ugh...

What a mess.

 

[Telthòr]

Ricardt found himself on Taboon, an entirely new experience than that what he was used too. He wasn't an expert in organisation but they needed Jedi out here, so they had ripped Ricardt from the Outer Rim Territories and sent him matching to a Gas Giant, and oh how he was already dreading it. His J-type Star Skiff shot out of Hyperspace above the planet, the silver crescent descending upon the planet with haste. Ricardt left the controls to auto-pilot, a landing platform had been designated to his ship.
Ricardt moved to the far back of the ship, pulling his brown wool cloak over his shoulders, drawing it atop his scalp. His lightsaber hung from his hip. The Umbaran moved towards the viewport, glancing out to see a large trail of freighters and transport vessels as far as the eye could see, waiting to get onto the planet. He knew for sure some wouldn't be happy with him skipping the line, in a manner of speaking. At the very least, he would be helping them when they arrived. The skiff began to break atmosphere. "Designation serial number; A-J-0394195, coming in on approach. Estimated arrival; five minutes," Ricardt said over the ships transponder, communicating to air-control.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino walked among the crowd outside the HUB office where [member="Jerry Mars"] was working. His skills were not meant for logistics and organization. He was a people person. It sort of came hand in hand with being an empath. So he walked along, smiling, encouraging, explaining, and talking with children about what it was like to be a Jedi. Most of them had never met a Jedi before. Even Veino had only met his first Jedi a year or two ago. He stepped into an alcove for a moment and pulled out his comlink to check on Jerry.

"How are things going with the organizing?"

 

[Uther Weiss]

[member="Ricardt Darkmourne"]
As much as he welcomed the hospitality of the Jedi Order, he felt himself getting soft just training, and he felt guilty not pulling his weight while the Republic was embroiled in war. Policing refugees was a little outside the mercenary's regular jobs, but he had plenty of experience pacifying hostile mobs in hot zones around the galaxy, so the concept wasn't too foreign to him. Now the difference was trying prevent riots instead of breaking them up.

In his journey to Taboon, he had tagged along with an Umbran Jedi named Ricardt. Trying to stave off boredom, he had had a bit of small talk with Ricardt, learning that he was an archaeologist. Studying history - mostly military related - was something of a pasttime for Uther, so he found himself chattering a little more than usual.

As Ricardt began going through the docking checklist, Uther gave a quick check over his equipment, most of it on loan from the Jedi. In his modified and camouflaged gungrir armor and tactical vest, he looked more the part of a Marine rather than a Jedi aspirant. No flowy robes or other fancy dudes for him. He didn't even carry a lightsaber, preferring his small cache of firearms, explosives, and his trusty retractable vibroblade. While adept in the art of lightsaber combat, it now seemed like everyone and their mom had a means to totally negate its use. Phrik, Beskar, alchemical weapons, etc. Whatever, a nice quality vibroblade would always do the trick, and would still be able to cut without power.

"Got any idea what we'll be doing down there, exactly," he asked Ricardt as he joined him in the cockpit. Aside from their initial briefing on the situation, Uther hadn't been tasked with any specific duty. If Ricardt didn't know, he'd imagine he could easily find someone with a job to do.

 

[Jsc]

[member="Veino Garn"]

NTS Transit HUB
Chatting with Veino

___

Message for her on the com. A one, "Knight Garn". Jerry didn't know any Knight named Garn but she decided to reply anyway. She pressed her ear com and started talking,

"Fine fine. A few hickups here and there, but we're managing. The shelters are working and the tunnels have power and water. So, I'd call it a slow start. But a good one. As long as these railcars keep the people and equipment moving,.. I'd say we'll be all done with Phase One in three days. Just like taking the tram during rush hour, I suppose. People everywhere."

She nodded and pushed a few buttons on her console. Lots of stuff kept popping up on her screen. Ugh.

"Erm... How are you..?"

Oh god. That came off sooo awkward. Nice Jerry.

 

[Telthòr]

Uther asked, "Got any idea what we'll be doing down there, exactly." Ricardt turned to look upon his associate, it was already well established that Ricardt was quite the chatter-box. In a sense, Uther had unleashed the floodgates. Ricardt said, "I'm not too sure. Though Taboon has a lot of old mines on it that haven't been used in a few hundred years. We could be possibly looking through them, but we have to wait for assignment. Another possibility is crowd control, as you can understand a lot of refugees cramped into a small area results in a lot of bickering and fighting. I'm not good for much else, I don't know why they would want an Archaeologist doing the job of another specialisation. Maybe get some Consular diplomats out here, they would be better suited. They just need to send me back to the Outer Territory, but no, they had to drag me out here." The crescent ship began to decelerate, landing gears unfolding from out under the belly of the beast. The gears groaned under the sudden pressure and weight of the skiff, having successfully landed.

[member="Uther Weiss"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus knew little about Taboon or the Jedi she’d heard were travelling there. But she could say that about most planets and most of the Jedi at the Academy. She read what she could on the journey, Hutts got more than one mention, but this was a humanitarian mission so no chance of running into any organised crime lords on this trip!

Moving outside of the comfort zone of the training rooms and library could only be a good thing she told herself. She’d arrived on Ossus a stranger to the planet and still was – but a peaceful mission on behalf of the Order was both necessary for her development and the people affected. She wasn’t one to rush to the call to arms but helping those less fortunate resonated with her and as soon as the mission was suggested, she’d signed up straight away.

She stepped off the ship that had transported her here and looked for a friendly face. Finally she spotted someone she knew – Veino Garn – and he was talking to a woman, another Jedi.

So she strode across, carrying her box of candles and ball-bearings as well as a travelling bag. Bowing politely she spoke once she’d straightened up. “Padawan Corvus Raaf reporting for duty.”

[member="Jerry Mars"] [member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Uther Weiss]

"That's war for you, but think of it as a learning experience. We should all be well rounded."

Now on Taboon, Uther could feel the anguish and dread that permeated through the crowds of refugees pouring into the massive subterranean network. He completely sympathized with them, knowing he wouldn't be much of a happy camper either if he had been displaced from his home, losing loved ones and belongings, only to end up living in a stuffy cave. No telling how long they would be down there either. He imagined there were more than a few regretting that they should have on their home planets to try to weather out Sith subjugation. He wouldn't blame them.

"What has you yearning to get back out there anyway?"

[member="Ricardt Darkmourne"]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Jerry Mars"] [member="Corvus Raaf"]

Veino listened to the report, nodding to himself. That was good news. Things were actually proceeding as planned for once. This might actually turn out well. "Excellent news, thank you. I'll keep doing what I can here." He game a small smile to her last comment. Ah well. This was a different experience for all of them. Some awkwardness could be expected. "I'm doing fine, thank you. I need to get back to working with them. May the Force be with you." He slipped his comlink back into a pocket and turned as another Padawan approached. Corvus Raaf. He bowed slightly, and turned to examine the area.

"It might be best if you walk along this line here just interacting with them, especially the younglings." He frowned slightly, trying to think, "I can't get to everyone quickly enough."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus bowed once more. This was in part due to respect and in part because she wasn't sure how to address Veino Garn. 'Was he in the Jedi Order or not?' She'd heard he was a Silver Jedi, or a rogue Jedi or a Grey Jedi or some sort of Jedi - but a part of the Order? She'd seen him around but was aware he may just have been visiting. Making a mental note to ask him, she would just have to avoid having to reference any Jedi title until she could be sure.

And then she bowed to Padawan Mars. "You seem to be familiar with the situation. Do you have any specific advice before I...interact."

[member="Jerry Mars"]

 

[Jsc]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Veino Garn"]

NTS Transit HUB
Chatting with Jerry, Corvus, and Veino

___

Jerry approached and returned Raaf's bow. Introducing herself with a blond smile,

"Padawan Mars, at your service. Welcome to New Taboon Station. A mining station we are converting into a long-term population center. The Jedi Service Corps are here as well as the Republic Engineering Corps. Our numbers are small however and we are requesting as much volunteer help as we can. We hope to have everyone resettled into tunnel districts very soon."

She paused and continued. Rubbing her chin with a single bladed finger in thought,

"You're welcome to interact with the refugees of course. They hail from the Deep Core and, as such, are quite numerous and varied in their cultures and occupations. Most are keeping to their ships for now, until we find a place to put everybody. That said? Keeping order is paramount right now. We don't have the droids or security personnel to deal with any trouble at the moment. As such? Yeah. ...Petty arguments, lost kids, political differences, and territorial disputes could destroy us. We need to keep everyone calm and peaceful."

She winked at Raaf,

"Hehe. Harder said than done, eh?"

Jerry waved away the comment and pointed back to her console,

"I'll be here keeping the rails working. Do you need anymore help finding something to do? If not, you're free to mingle and go questing as you see fit. It's going to be a busy week. Hehe."

 

[Kahne Porte]

Medical Wing

Hands dipped casualy into a water basin as he washed them before the next individual came forward. He reached for the towel next to him and dried of his hands of the steralizer, not intending to cause any more room for concern as many refugees had a sickness to them, whether it be a common cold or something much more that would need medication for. "Let me see your hands." HIs voice called out to her as she sat before him and he took the small towel, another one and matted her hand just gently as it showed several cuts and scrapes along it. A small gust wind, or so it seemed brushed some of his hair lightly astray as he listened to the story she was telling him of how these wounds came to be and what their life was like. Kahne Porte however was no fool, he knew exactly what that life was like long ago. After his own tragedy had befallen him during the Sith War, he travelled as just a mere peasant, until he could regain what he had lost.

"I'm sorry for you troubles. Force pray you don't meet anymore." Kahne whisphered to her as his cleared the wound as best as he could, he was by means no doctor, but he had sufficient traing in the arts of healing, as well as training in the field. He himself just returning from a long drawn out process of travelling the galaxy that he decided to return, those that he was with, he didn't know at all. However he left his frequency to them in case they did need something. Anything that a Jedi Master such as him could offer during thse stressful times.

Kahne reached for the bacta and spread it event along her wounds, his own force technique reaching out and healing as he could. After a sufficient amount of bacta was provided he wrapped her hand two to three times and held it in place. "There, that should do it.We will take another look at it tomorrow."Kahne simply nodded to her words and expressions of thanks with the briefest of smiles on his face. As he turned to the next individual and continued with his work.

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Jerry Mars"] [member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Kahne Porte"]
-------------

Veino considered the question. What advice could he give? It came naturally to him. He wasn't sure how to instruct others on how to do it. He waved his hand vaguely, "Be friendly. Answer questions. Listen to their stories. The younglings are going to be hero struck. Don't crush their dreams." He paused, frowning slightly, trying to think of how else to describe it. "Jedi represent hope for the galaxy. Give it to them. And don't worry about bowing to me. It makes me feel old."

He jerked his head towards Jerry. "And that summarizes everything else, unless you want to go help in the medical ward." That was his next destination after he finished here. A master he had never met before was there, and Veino suspected some assistance could be useful. If Jerry was swamped, Master Porte would be even more swamped. Veino was there to help wherever he could.

 

[Telthòr]

Spaceport

"Well, being independent is one thing," Ricardt listed off as to why he wished to be in the Outer Rim instead of Taboon. Ricardt said, "I see why they would want us here, but my skills are better served elsewhere." He took a step towards the rear of the ship as the ramp began to descend. Ricardt looked to Uther, "There's nothing like squatting down in a humid jungle, burying your hands in mud and finding something no one has touched in ten-thousand years." He began to walk into the spaceport, smiling, "To know that all of the trials you went through, the struggles and danger was for this small thing. Whether it be a lightsaber hilt, a holocron, an old robe or whatever."

[member="Uther Weiss"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus took in Padawan Mars’ download of information. She was direct and specific. Corvus liked that – she knew what was expected of her.

And Veino Garn’s advice was just as relevant. She still wasn’t sure how to refer to him by title – but when he asked her not to bow, she had to suppress a smile. ’But he is old!’

Smoothing the hem of her robes with the palm of her hands she replied, “Thanks to you both for your advice.” Looking at Veino Garn she added. “I’ll do my best not to dash too many ideals and then I’ll swing by the medical ward. It’s not an area I’m trained in but an extra pair of hands never hurt.” She gave the hint of a cheeky grin before setting off.

Corvus and people. People and Corvus. A few years ago, she would have dreaded the prospect. Having spent most of her young life in the Academy or the Temple she was used to being around Jedi – and only Jedi. And since arriving at Ossus she’d quickly gotten back into the groove.

But in between Corellia and Ossus were numerous planets, spaceports and nasty places to sleep. She’d cleaned dishes, served on tables, done manual labour – in fact anything legal to allow her to eat and rest fairly safely.

As she looked at the people gathered she recognised so many of the emotions she’d witnessed on her travels written on their faces. Hope for the majority. Greed for some. Despair for others.

She was here to keep the peace and help where she could, not solve all of their problems. She’d learned that lesson the hard way. With a training saber clipped to her belt, she lowered the hood of her robe and started to walk along the line. Even children who aspired to be a Jedi one day couldn’t tell the difference between a training saber and a real one unless it was activated – or that the worst it could do is administer a nasty burn.

After the emotions, that her Force sensitivity and training made so apparent to her, the next sense to be attacked was smell. For sure the refugee camp was busy, noisy and colourful but the pungent mix of sweat, effluent and refuse was almost eye-watering.

Keeping a genuine smile on her face – she’d slept in worse conditions herself and didn’t have Jedi to watch out for her – she walked through the camp. She nodded and said hello to many refugees. Some chose not to make eye contact and a few mother even gathered their children into their skirts for safety as she walked past. That was a new feeling for Corvus. Nobody had ever seen her as a threat before – quite the opposite. She didn’t like it, but understood it. Some people saw Jedi and Sith as one in the same – and why would they trust them?

Finally she came across a Rodian couple – with seven children in tow. “Have you seen Reelo?” Clearly this was one of their children – you didn’t need to be a Jedi to work that out. She bowed politely before asking, in as calm and clear a voice as she could, “Please start at the beginning. Tell me where you last saw…Reelo, how old he is, what does he looks like?”

She gambled on Reelo being a boy. She remembered a Rodian crime lord with the same name. She hoped it wasn’t him they were looking for…

[member="Jerry Mars"] [member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Jsc]

NTS Transport HUB
Idle

___

Jedi Raaf and Garn departed and went their separate ways. This allowed Jerry a moment to breath and catch her bearings. She had been working so hard for so long that she had completely forgotten to take a lunch break. Oh dear. That simply wouldn't do. She touched her ear again to call down to Jimmy on the platform below,

"Jimmy. I just got that rail moving for ya. You're all clear on Rail 9. Now how about you come up here do me a favor would ya? Just for a quick moment. Awesome. Thanks."

It only took a moment for the human Engineer to appear in earnest. Jerry put on her best flirty smile and convinced the poor soul to cover for her while she took a break. He could push a few buttons for an hour. It was almost easy. Really.

Ten minutes later Jerry was wandering the halls looking for the employee cafeteria. Surely there was something around here to eat? Her poor stomach was starting to sound just like these refugees. Grumbly.

 

[Johnny Diamonds]

NTS Transit HUB


"Whoa, sorry, coming through, one way, watch the bags lady!, cool hat dude, whoooaaa sorry man!"

At this point, another arrival to Taboon began making his way through the decent amount of life that seemed to be milling about the transit hub. And doing so in a very adolescent kind of way it seemed as he ducked, dodged, and weaved rather speedily through them all.. Messy blonde hair, earbuds blasting some sort of electronic music, a grey sleeveless t-shirt with a picture of famed Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi with text that said "Obi-Wan Don't Ride", and baggy black cargo pants finally emerged at the desk that Jerry Mars now occupied. white sneakers skidded along the floor as he came to a stop, reaching out with both hands to brace himself on the desk proper.

"Sorry," he said as he looked over his shoulder as a rather old woman shook her fist at him, muttering obscenities at him in huttese. Looking back to the desk, he noted empty at the moment. Clicking his comm, his voice was slightly reminiscent of the surfer bums that seemed to endlessly hang out along the beaches of Naboo. "So, uh, Padawan Johnny Diamonds here. Heard you guys needed a helping hand or something. Figured it'd be the thing to do, ya'know?"

Kind of odd to find the transit desk minus anyone behind. Maybe it was a shift change or something Johnny mused to himself.


[member="Jerry Mars"], [member="Corvus Raaf"], [member="Veino Garn"], [member="Kahne Porte"]

 

[Jsc]

[member="Johnny Diamonds"]

NTS Transit HUB
Desking Diamonds

___

Jerry returned to grab her keys only to find a hipster in sneakers. Poor Jimmy was nowhere to be found. Of course.

"Oh?" She peaked curiously at his outfit. Jedi, refugee, or lost boy? Hmm. Hard to tell. Oh well. Just go for it Jerry, "...And, just what exactly isn't Obi-Wan riding today hmm? Because I'm afraid you've just boarded.."

She bowed thematically and waved her hands towards all the people that surrounded them,

"...You've just boarded the crazy train. Hehe."

Jerry smiled and pointed to the ceiling,

"Welcome to New Taboon Station. I trust you're here to volunteer as well, yes?"

 

[Johnny Diamonds]

NTS Transit HUB
Getting Desked by the Bombshell!


Yeah, Johnny was definitely not a main-stream kind of guy, but then again, he was still a teenager, and kind of threw himself into the great, big galaxy. Still, he caught one look at Jerry, and damn near had a heart attack. 'Keep it together, dude. It's all good in the hood' he told himself in the back of his mind. Laughing a bit sheepishly, he ran a hand through that messy hair of his, and nodded lightly.

"Yeah, It's well hectic around here, ain't it? Kind of harshes on my mellow, but hey, it's all about that helping hand. Gotta keep fighting the good fight and all that."

Johnny looked up as she pointed, then back to her. surprisingly, Johnny kept eye contact with her. Something most men had quite a hard time with, one could be sure of. But he was cut from a different kind of cloth, that was absolutely certain.

"Yup! I'm a Slicer by trade, but keep that on the low, ok? I don't need the hassle from the man. Jedi and all, doesn't exactly look good on a resume. Still, I'm well good when it comes to computer systems, and I'm not totally horrid as a field medic either. People say I've got a way with words, keep em all cheery and sunshine when they are down in the outs. Either way, Whatever you need, I'm game."


[member="Jerry Mars"]

 

[Jsc]

[member="Johnny Diamonds"]

NTS Transit HUB
Boarding the crazy train

___

Jerry giggled when he mentioned slicer,

"Hehe. It's okay. It will be our little secret."

She winked and hoped over to a computer screen. She cast away the map that was on display and routed back to the command console,

"Let's get you up to speed then. Here on the station the computers are running an old Vector OS. Much like the later designs by Gibbs & Mercer, the Vector Operating System is rough and tumble. It's old okay."

Jerry smiled and typed in a few random commands. They received an error code in scattered jargon by reply.

"See what I mean. I can't work with this Mining Corporation crap. And neither can the doctors over in Medical."

She pulled out a map and pointed to where Kahne and Veino had run off to,

"If you're as good with computers as I think you are? Why not head over there and help them update their Medical OS. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. But they are getting a stream of Medicial Reports from thousands of hospitals in every format you can think of. If you can at least write a program to help unclog that mess? ....Well. Let's just say this little Zeltron would be mighty in your debt sir."

She nodded and winked and threw him the map.

"What do you say cowboy? Think you manage around here for three days? Hehe."