Peace the Warlike, Healing to the Broken

[James Justice]

Location: Drunken Angel in Hyperspace route to Rattatak
Time: Mid morning

James walked across the halls in his beloved, but warn ship, his hand running along the metal walls. He had grown up in this vessel, most likely breaking every law in the civilized galaxy by doing that, but he had turned out fine. Sure, he had a drinking problem. And sure he smoked like a volcano on the surface of Mustafar, but he did the right thing, which was more than could be said for most of the galaxy. He made a living helping people. How many beings could say that?

"Precious few, precious few," James said, answering his own question.

R3-D8, Reed, his battered and faithful astromech droid warbled playfully.

"I were not talking to meself again," James countered, lighting a cigarette.

The droid warbled back saucily.

"Nay, ye be losing it, lad, if ye thinks I be talking to me self," James bantered back.

He grabbed two glasses of Correllian ale and made his way to the cockpit, his droid trundling faithfully behind, as always. James knew he could always count on Reed, even if the droid had more spunk and refurbished parts than he had original pieces.

Taking his spot in the pilot's seat, James handed the glass to his passenger, the Jedi [member="Lady Kay"]. He wasn't sure what she was doing helping him on a mission like this, but Jedi were all about helping people and he sensed she was nice enough, so that was good enough for him. James took a moment to admire the Hyperspace before the alarm blinked, alerting them that they were there. Gulping his drink down, James switched to realspace. Reed warbled a bit of playful banter as he plugged into the ship.

"Don't listen to him, my lovely miss," James said in reply to Reed's banter, "My piloting ain't quite as bad that ye needs to drink for re-entry."

A few moments later they had landed on the rock on the outskirts of a sizable but ancient town. They were here, and it was time to get to business.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Always a passenger, never a pilot. But that was okay. She couldn't afford her own ship anyways. Kay was working hard at bolstering her image. She didn't just want to be known as a liberator of slaves, although that was where most of her money went to. She needed to be a bit of a jack of trades, giving her something else to fall back on, just in case.

She took the glass of ale from [member="James Justice"] and had the smallest of sips from it. The ale was not what she was used to. Sapir tea was her drink of choice. She smiled a little at the banter between James and his droid. Kay could never have one for her own. It would just be a target for her enemies to destroy.

She laughed at his comments on drinking and flying. "Don't worry. I've been on far worse flights than this." It's true. There was a time when three trips in a row that she took had ended up crashing. Hopefully that was the last of them.

As the Drunken Angel touched down, Kay unbuckled herself and then grabbed her satchel, flinging it over her shoulder. It had everything she usually needed; extra set of clothes, water bladder, food rations, tea pouch, small kettle and cup, as well as a blaster. Oh and a commlink so that she could reach James if they got separated.

"Lead the way, my good man, lead the way."

 

[James Justice]

James gave his best winning smile. Jedi were a mixed bag for him, and this one was one of the good ones so far. Probably why he let her stay on his ship instead of flushing her out in hyperspace like some dirt bags he had to do to before. He shuddered, he could still hear their screams some nights.

Before leaving the ship he carefully put in his new HUD contacts that Nicadimus had given him. After he gave a few blinks they were live, giving him real time displays of his two blasters, Reed's view, the Angel's systems and a connection to the holonet. Now he was ready to go.

Stepping off the ramp, he started to lead [member="Lady Kay"] and Reed down the dirt road to the stone town.

"Oi, few things to keep in mind," James began. "Their entire society is built on war, so best to keep ye head down. Once saw these fellas massacre an entire town here. They perfected art of war, mind ye. That brings up why we be here. Town got fething ravaged. Them med supplies will bring relief to them women and children who got offed. Cheftan here promised triple normal prices," James winked, "Double is what's I took." He added, "Oh, and mind ye, this is Sith Space so best keep ye head down even more. Course, with ye Jedi-skills I am sure I can count on ye to notice if they tries to double cross us. Any questions, Miss?" His face errupted in a charmingly flirtatious grin, "But with a face like ye's it'd be hard not to draw attention."

Reed gave a slight warble of disproval. Of all his master's pickup lines, and there were many that was the one he considered the lamest.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Before exiting the ship, Kay focused on shrinking her Force signature down to the size of a small tree nut. She had read up on the planet in question while they were en route. Desert planet. Yay! The hot, dry air was not quite what she was used to, regardless of the dozen or so times that she had been to Tattooine. Still, she was glad to have provisions.

As [member="James Justice"] spoke, she listened and then smirked at his flirt. In response to that she covered her head and face with a headscarf. The least that she was recognized, the better. "I'll be careful. If you've dealt with the locals before, then I'll just follow your lead. Try not to get us sent to the Gladiator pits though, okay?"

 

[James Justice]

James laughed a loud, roaring laugh that drew the attention of a few passing locals, "For ye's charm, miss, I'd do anything."

They made their way to a small stone building in the center of the Town. James led them around back to the long way around. Inside were several near-humans, wounded and hungry. Apparently, they too were affected by this. His heart went out to them. A lean, seasoned male figure turned and looked at them, apparently a war-seasoned male who had gone passed his prime. The glare in his eye made James wince. Oi feth, not this mate....

"Jamesus," rumbled the man, "you have some gall to show your face around here."

James did his best to give a warm and winning smile, "Havagg, its been too long mate. Time has been good to ye," he took a step forward, "How's bout we--"

The silver-tongued freigher was knocked unconscious by a sharp blow from one of the guard's spears.

"And what have you to say, female?" asked the cheiftan.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She smirked as he laughed at her, but she followed him. He seemed to know his way around as he walked through the town and it was a little odd that he went through the back entrance, instead of the front.

Kay saw the wounded and was about to go and tend to them, when the conversation started between [member="James Justice"] and the Cheiftan. It seemed as though they had met before and that sentiment was proven as soon as James was knocked out.

Now it was her turn. Kay put up her hands to show that they were empty. She also kept her head down as looking up into the eyes of another in many cultures was a sign of a challenge and in this moment, she wasn't looking for trouble. "I mean no disrespect, especially to an esteemed warrior such as yourself. I only joined this venture to help to aid your people and nothing more. Whatever troubles you have with [member="James Justice"] has little to do with me. He told me that we were just coming here to leave you with supplies."

 

[James Justice]

The cheiftan glowered with anger and wounded pride. If only she knew the wrongs done to hin, she would have been more begging for his mercy as well as for her own life. Not that he had any mercy.

"These are not my people," the cheiftan spat. "These are my prisoners." He glowered a angrily as a pair of guarda moved to block the exit. "This whole punny, stinking town is nothing but filth and decay. When I am done here there will be no survivors," he crushed a fist full of nuts in his palm to illustrate the point. "You can surrender or you can be knocked unconscious like Jamesus. Your choice."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

They were his prisoners? She glanced about the room now, looking with a new perspective. But the women and younglings, surely they were no threat? Did [member="James Justice"] lie to her about their reasons for coming here?

Kay clenched her jaw as the Cheiftan gave her a choice. Unconscious, she wouldn't be able to do anything to help. But if she were to surrender, then her fate might become the same as the others. Both weren't good choices.

She kept her eyes lowered. "If I were to surrender, then how would that save me from the same fate as your other prisoners? And what wrongs did James do for him to anger you so much?"

 

[James Justice]

The cheftan spat, "Jamesus inhibited the purging of our race and planet," he kicked the unconscious form. "This scoundrel moved mongrels and supplied the vermin with weapons. He haulted my war raides and shamed my warriors and people," growing ever more indignant thinking about his wounded pride the warlord and cheiftan had to calm himself. "The two of you will be held in trial before the cheif warriors, as is our custom. If you are found innocent, then you shall be let go. If not, then may the gods pity you." His scared eyebrow twitched, "what will it be?"

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

By going to trial with [member="James Justice"] she should be found innocent. Afterall, this was her first time here and she hadn't done a thing. She kept her eyes downcast as she spoke, moreso on James himself. "I will stand trial. I have done nothing wrong and nothing to offend you or your Gods. So I have nothing to fear."

 

[James Justice]

The guards carried James away, tying his hands and tossing him in a rough small stone hut. Another pair escorted Lady Kay with him. The guards slammed the wooden door behind them and locked it. They were careful to take the blasters from James and Lady Kay's satchel.

James slowly regained consciousness, piecing it back together like a broken window. Sitting up he shook his head and rubbed it. "Oi..... that hurt." Weary, he looked around and patted his body. He sighed. "DeathHamer. Gone. Hold out, gone. Comm link--gone. Feth it. Datapad gone too." Leaning back on the rough stone walls, he sighed. His head was pounding. It had been cheep shot that had taken him down. "I told ye I once saw a village burn here. Havogg done it. I was called in to move some meds for the people he was massacring. Massacring, pure genocide." James rubbed his face, "I moved as many of the women and children off world as I could. Apparently he never forgave me." He sighed, "I be sorry I got you into this, miss. I'mma get you out of this." He gave her a tired grin. However, he was sure they both knew that was a promise he didn't know if he could fill.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay walked along with the escorts and then sadly shook her head as [member="James Justice"] was thrown into the hut. Once the door was closed and locked, she removed her head scarf, making it a bit easier to breathe.

As James spoke, she untied his hands and then went through her satchel after sitting cross-legged onto the floor. "I still have food, water, clothes and my tea stuffs. I think that they only took my weapon." She looked to him. "He said that there was a purging of his race. Any idea what that is about?"

 

[James Justice]

James nodded, "Aye. Genocide," his voice took a gravely and grave tone. For once, devoid of any humor or flirtiness. "All those who are not pure humans, he will gladly kill and has been for over a decade. I saw part of it, me self, last time I was here. The schutta feels he is doing his gods a service, ye see," he sighed. "The Sith gladly arm him cause he dun't fight against em, keeps the fools in line and supplies em with troops too. I recon they thinks the devil on a leash is better than the devil fought," The near human looked her strait in the eyes, "They will pack the courts and lynch us if we dun't get out of here. If nothing else, I is as good as dead. Frankly I have many a plan to do afore then, so I kinda don't wanna dangle just yet, if ye catches my drift. Ye got any Jedi idears in that pretty head?"

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay frowned at all of what she had heard. So there wouldn't be a fair trial at all? She got up in a huff and started to pace in the room. Every time she had surrendered to someone, it ended up being worse than if she had just ran. She silently chastised herself for not learning her lesson on that yet. Hopefully none of them knew of her bounties.

"How many do you think there are? Do you think that we could make a break for it if we knocked the two guards out?"

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

James gave a slight chuckle, "I believes I could miss, if ye used some of ye Jedi magic on the door or something."

He rubbed his goatee. His mind mused over the prisoners. He had been contacted by a different cheiftan. Had he been a hostage? Had he really called for help? James didn't know. Dargquin had been peaceful--by their standards anyway. It was pretty puzzling for the spacer. Then he could only speculate about their reactions to the Angel. He hoped for their sake they hadn't touched it. Otherwise, what was left of them would be killed by himself or Reed. Reed, he hadn't seen him since they were captured. A piece of him worried, the other remembered that the droid had been fine before and would always know more about taking care of itself than him. "I hope Reed got back to the ship in time." He stalked towards the door and nodded, "Let's do this, miss."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded to [member="James Justice"] as she too walked to the door. She placed her hand on it and was about to attempt to unlock it when she had a better idea instead.

"Go back to the far side where you were tossed. Keep your back to the door and pretend to be dead. Or at least try to hold your breath when they come in."

She waited for James to do as she asked and when she was ready, she unslung her satchel and placed it by her feet. Then she banged on the door frantically. "Help!! Help!! He's stopped breathing!!" Sure enough, seconds later the two guards unlocked the door and came in. She pointed towards James. "I don't know what to do! Maybe he was hit harder than you thought! You have to help him! They'll be angry if he misses the trial!"

Of course the guards didn't care if James died. Made it easier for them. But still if it would stop Kay from yelling, then all the better. If anything they would just drag his body out and put it on for display. But as soon as their backs were turned, she grabbed her satchel and swung it down on their heads. With a kettle in there and other objects, it made for a great weapon. The two men collapsed in unconscious heaps on either side of James.

"Well....shall we?"

 

[James Justice]

James rolled over and grinned, he couldn't stop chuckling as he gathered their weapons from the guards.

"I now see why ye are so important," he said handing her the lightsaber and giving her an approving pat on the shoulder, "ye are as smart as ye are pretty, that's for sure."

Rising, he led her out the door and along an alleyway. A pair of guards started going their way. He ducked behind a stack of crates and couldn't help but listen to their complaining in Sith as they passed by.

nu sethi ziuretimas sis seniai kraut <<I hate watching this old dirt bag>>

mes setup tezn zudyti jis ir buti dinora su zhol <We should just kill him and be done with it>>

ian nustia tave sefas uud zo manti nuo Dargquin <<Too bad the boss as has a plan for Dargquin>>

James looked at Lady Kay shocked. Dargquin was alive! James couldn't believe it. They had to rescue the chieftain, set these people free. He looked to the Lady and gave her a look that said it all. He wasn't leaving without helping him.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She smirked at his comment and took the lightsaber. It wasn't hers. It might not even work that well for her. She was far more used to blasters, giving the stigma that Force Users faced amongst non Force Users. So she slipped it into her satchel.

Kay followed [member="James Justice"] and ducked behind the crates as he did. Though she didn't quite understand the language, James' look gave her enough information to go on. They weren't going to escape just yet. He had something else that he had to do first. She nodded to him, letting him know that she'd follow him.

 

[James Justice]

The spacer grinned and began following them. He knew that a confident walk opened more doors than a good keycard. Right now, that made the same thing. Appearing to be a prisoner, he followed them to a small house to the fringe of the two, where the back of the stone mountain provided a natural defense. The guards turned around to take their posts and where surprised to see a male and female outsider trailing them through town.

James gave them a cheery smile, "Allo, how are ye, gov'na?"

One of them replied by raising his rifle, but James' fist came down on him before the he could sight the spacer. Jumping on him as the guard fell backwards, the two began rolling on the dirty road in a grapple.

[member="Lady Kay"]
[member="Udrusa"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

As Kay walked along with [member="James Justice"] behind the guards, she had no idea what he was planning. That is until he started scrapping with one of them. Both her and the other guard watched, a little dumbfounded and almost entertained. Yet as that second guard was distracted, she swung her satchel down onto his head, knocking him out cold.

Well, now what? She couldn't risk trying to hit the first guard with her satchel. She might miss or at worse, hit James on the head. She picked up the blaster rifle from the unconscious guard and set it to stun, before firing at the second guard's back when he happened to roll back onto James. The guard slumped on top of him.

"Well....now that you've made a lot of noise, we better hurry before their back up arrives."