Public Sword of the Jedi — Black Market of Orvax IV

[Valery Noble]

Orvax IV

Orvax IV — Black Market Auction
The sprawling marketplace of Orvax IV was a chaotic symphony of neon lights, heavy machinery, and the hum of various illicit dealings. Under the shadow of towering structures and stone archways, the heart of the auction district thrummed with life. Traders and buyers of every species bustled along wide avenues, their voices rising in countless languages. The air was thick with the metallic tang of unfiltered air, mingling with the pungent aroma of spices, oils, and sweat from the densely packed crowds.

Among the crowd of shady merchants and potential buyers, a hulking Besalisk named Karrak Vex dominated the scene. His four thick arms rested casually on his sides, each adorned with weapons and devices for quick access. His rotund form, clad in layers of mismatched armor, made him appear like an immovable force amidst the chaos.

Karrak was no ordinary black-market trader. Known for his ruthless nature and shrewd business acumen, he had made a name for himself in the Outer Rim's darkest circles. His rise to power came with a reputation for acquiring rare, almost mythical artifacts. Today, he had outdone himself — One of Jedi Master Valery Noble 's lost lightsaber was now in his possession.

Taken during construction efforts on Coruscant after the Empire's invasion.

The weapon sat securely within a transparent containment field, surrounded by a barrier of durasteel, and monitored by advanced sensors. The hilt, etched with the marks of many battles, glistened under the dim lighting, drawing the attention of those who knew what it meant. This wasn't just any lightsaber — it was a relic of a bygone era, a symbol of the Jedi's enduring legacy, and a key that many sought for their own reasons.

Beside him stood a pair of heavily modified battle droids, their blasters humming softly in standby mode. Four Trandoshan mercenaries, known for their brutal efficiency, loomed nearby, their eyes scanning the crowd. They watched the flow of potential bidders, traders, and the occasional desperate onlooker. Each was ready to spring into action at Karrak's command, ensuring that nobody got close without the Besalisk's approval.

The auction area was a twisted blend of legal and illegal dealings. Stalls lined the main pathway, offering an array of goods from ancient artifacts to rare and dangerous spices. Slaves were held in force cages, their hollow gazes staring blankly at potential buyers, while weapons traders argued prices for their deadly merchandise. In the shadows, spice dealers negotiated with clientele, exchanging goods under the watchful eyes of hired enforcers.

Karrak's deep voice rumbled through his chest as he spoke into a concealed commlink. "Increase the patrols around the saber's display and prepare for the auction to begin. I want eyes on every corner of this square. No surprises." His orders were executed immediately, and soon additional security droids began patrolling the area, their sensors scanning for any suspicious activity.

Settling back, Karrak watched as potential buyers gathered, each one whispering in hushed tones about the legendary weapon on display. With a grin stretching across his wide face, he savored the thought of the credits that would soon be flooding his accounts. The galaxy was a cruel place, and today, he intended to be its master of fate.

Open! Write the story with others and don't just one-post claim the weapon.​

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto moved through the bustling streets of Orvax IV with quiet purpose, his long, steady strides cutting a path through the chaotic crowd. Neon lights flickered above, casting sharp reflections on the slick, grimy streets below. The smells of exotic spices and machine oil mingled in the air, thick and almost suffocating. The place was alive with the noise of commerce—merchants barking about their wares, potential buyers haggling, and droids whirring in the background. It was the kind of chaos that might overwhelm others, but to Laphisto, it was just another corner of the galaxy, one he'd seen a thousand times before.

His reason for being here was simple: supplies. Components for the Lilaste Order, perhaps some rare materials that could be of use in upcoming projects. Nothing too extravagant, just another day in a long life filled with practicality. But as his eyes moved over the stalls, the faint teal-blue glow of the Force flickered across his irises. He wasn't actively searching for anything in particular with the Force, but it was a habit to let it guide him, to keep his senses attuned to the flow of life around him.

It was then that something caught his eye—an unusual display among the typical wares of the market. In a reinforced containment field, surrounded by a layer of durasteel, was a lightsaber. His brow furrowed slightly as he approached, not with any sense of urgency but with a curiosity that came from years of experience. The hilt was weathered, scarred from countless battles, yet still intact. The energy field surrounding it hummed faintly, almost in sync with the pulse of the market.

"A lightsaber… here?" Laphisto murmured under his breath, his voice barely audible over the din of the marketplace. His eyes flickered with teal-blue as he examined the saber more closely, noting the familiar design and the wear marks that spoke of heavy use.

He wasn't drawn to it out of reverence or even interest in its function. To him, it was just another lightsaber, a tool he had seen, wielded, and faced countless times over his long life. But there was something about its presence here, in this lawless, grimy market, that seemed improper.

His hand hovered near the containment field for a moment, but he didn't touch it. "Been through a lot, haven't you?" he mused quietly to the saber, his voice low and contemplative.

He stood there, letting his gaze wander over the saber's etched hilt. His mind sifted through the fragments of history he'd lived, the battles, the wars, the moments where lightsabers like this had been both weapons and symbols. Yet to him, this one didn't stir any personal recognition—it was simply a relic, another artifact of a time when the Jedi were more prevalent, their weapons scattered across the galaxy like the memories of their order.

"Just a lightsaber," he muttered, almost as if reminding himself. He shifted his stance, glancing around the market to see if anyone else was taking notice of the display. For most here, it was a trophy or a valuable commodity. To him, it was simply another piece of the galaxy's vast puzzle.

But there was something deeper—a feeling that this saber, like many other relics, was misplaced here. This wasn't its resting place. "Wonder whose it was," he said aloud, his voice still calm, though a hint of curiosity lingered.

He lingered for a moment longer, but his interest in the lightsaber was fading. It was an object of history, yes, but not one that called out to him personally. "Some things are better left where they belong," he murmured to himself, a touch of melancholy in his voice as he turned away from the containment field. aiming to begin to depart. a hand gently patting at the Broad Saber mag locked to the belt of his Customized Set of LO-56A MKII just to make sure it was still there.

Valery Noble

 

[Connel Vanagor]

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"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]

LOCATION : Orvax IV | OBJECTIVE : Following Leads |TAG Laphisto | Valery Noble

​

Where are you Tannet?

Connel was here as well, but he was not here for anything other than meeting with an informant on his next lead. That and to address the outright lies he was told previously. The Nautolan had told him that there was a Sith Wayfinder just sitting in the middle of a Bazaar on Hesperidium, and it turned out to not only be a "fake" but it turns out that the local authorities were given his description. He would not get violent with the yakhead, dirtbag, scumhead, individual, but Tannet didn't need to know that.

There you are.

Walking well into the bazaar, the Jedi had seen slaves in cages. The thought of slavery disgusted him, and while it was still considered "legitimate business" in many parts of the Galaxy, no doubt including this one, he could not just stand there and watch it. Walking over to the nearest slaver, he asked a price for all of them. It was steep, but he had some resources he could fall back on. So the monetary requirement was agreed upon and the exchange was made. They were now "his" and once all deeds of ownership were signed over, the slaver asked him how to transport them. His question was simple.

What would they do if I opened their cages here?

"They would probably run." The Weequay responded oddly, wondering what the Jedi was on about.

Then let them, I bought their freedom.

"You what? I'll have you know that my business is fair and honest, Jedi. You don't have to like it..."

... and I don't... but I am trying to free them in a way that is respectful to you. You made your money, and are they not mine to do with as I wish?

Caught in the loophole of his business, the Weequay pressed a button on the datapad he was carrying, and all of the cages opened. Before any of the newly freed slaves could move, Connel immobilized one of them through the Force.

I can do that to wach of you without so much as a second thought. Now all of you please come to me. I have something for each of you.

Confused, almost feral, they all walked his way. Wondering what was next, but on their guard. He gave each of them the datapads with the documentation signifying ownership of them. They were now under "self-ownership" you might say, in other words, they were now free. Many of them were relieved, overcome with happy emotions, but just as many of them were lost, confused, almost ready to go back into their cages.

If any of you move on your previous owner, you will have me to deal with. I suggest you each find your way out of here, find work, find your own way in the Galaxy.

He wasn't giving them money or anything, they had to find their own way, but they were free, and right now, that was good enough. The Weequay slaver was not happy that his slaves were freed, but he just made a boatload of credits, and sold most of his items he had up for sale. That sent Connel back into his search for Tannet, when he saw a strange looking individual to whom he had never seen the type before. The individual had horns upon his head much like a Devaronian, but they were swept back, and his skin was not scaly red. He was surrounded by battledroids and appeared to be looking at something else that was up for sale in this den of oddities but in another stall.

The growd that was standing around was as strange as it was large, everyone telling stories to each other about... Jedi? What... was... going... on... another slave? Well, there it was, yes. in a manner of speaking. A "slave", a lightsaber that he had eyes on, and because of the way he was dressed, had eyes on him. That didn't matter as he was not a threat to take it, at least not right now. There was something... familiar... about this hilt. He couldn't put his finger on it.

No, it was not something he could figure out, and Connel had never seen it before, but the young Knight just saw it as... familiar. Lightsabers were as personal to a Jedi as a tattoo was... to... a person with tattoos. The lines, the design, the feel, it was dependent on the Jedi and it not only made him wonder whose it was, it made him certain that they were going to want it back.

Tapping the Headset Comm-link in his ear, he waited for a response. Hi, it's me. Yeah. Listen, I don't want to ask this but... He chuckled, embarrassed. Yeah. It's not for me though, it's "work" related.... yeah... you will? Thank you. I will, I promise. You too... by now. Cutting off the comm-link, Connel checked his datapad and the funds were deposited. He probably would not use them, but you never know.

How much?! He said out loud, looking around and pointing at the lightsaber. Clearly trying to draw attention to himself. The murmuring was growing louder and louder as the battledroids moved to intercept. Connel was well armed, but he indeed backed off, not only "alarmed" but almost insulted.

"This is not a bunch of slaves!" Said one of Karrak's lieutenants. Yeah, we saw what you did at that other stall. This will be up for auction, you can't just buy your way out of here, unless you win it."

 

[Rissk]

Orvax IV
Black Market
- Valery Noble - Laphisto - Connel Vanagor - Open -
​

"Staaaay~..." On the very edge of a dark street corner, perched between a gun market and a spice vendor, Rissk held up a piece of tough jerky between sharp claws, his other hand extended outward in a stop position. Something on the ground chirped and whined. "Hey. Stay."

Bird, the Trandoshan's pet... dog-sized bird thing, patted it's feet impatiently on the ground, mouth wide open. Rissk nodded. "Good. Now... Watch." With an eager squawk, Bird started climbing the nearest thing he could find, until he was decently high. Then, he kept an eye on the surroundings, while surrepticiously sneaking glances at Rissk. "Good."

Rissk finally lobbed up the jerky, which was avariciously snapped up by the little creature. He'd only gotten Bird recently, and already, they were performing simple tricks. Must be a pretty smart bird, he figured.

They were in town doing easy jobs. He was new, so the Guild didn't give him much of the flashy stuff unless he was tacked onto a team. Knocking on debt-dodger's doors, and dragging them in to their credit companies to collect wasn't exactly the most exciting job, and wouldn't help him become the best Bounty Hunter in the galaxy, but they paid his quickly-growing bills. He had ship upkeep to worry about now, not to mention the costs that came with feeding his voracious new pet.

So they stopped to find some deals on the black market. Nothing fancy- just restocking on smoke bombs and ammo, mostly. Seeing the sights. Fantasizing about all the fancy tech he'd be able to afford, one day.

With a low whistle to signal to Bird, Rissk continued his tour of the area, stopping to admire a particularly big gun, or a personal energy shield way out of his budget. But he stopped a little longer at a heavily-guarded auction. At first, he'd noticed the Trandoshans guarding the merchandise- he hadn't had the chance to talk with another of his own kind since... well, since he left home. But then he noticed the lightsaber.

What he would give for one of those. The young hunter decided to stop and watch, as Bird curled up around his feet. Someone turned away from the display, deciding it wasn't worth it. Another started loudly inquiring about the price.

Rissk continued to watch, his curiosity ever growing. He wouldn't try to buy it, but... it wasn't every day you saw someone throw around the big bucks for a lightsaber. And maybe, just maybe... he smelled a whiff of opportunity on the air.