Mission The Baron's Hustle

[Credit Wizard]

Nestled within a narrow valley between towering, wind-carved rock formations on the planet of Milagro sits Soji Outpost.

The outpost is a cluster of smooth, reinforced domes and low-slung transit corridors, its weathered white hull stained by the unrelenting humidity of the noble-ruled world. A flat scorched landing area extends from the main structure, seemingly being dwarfed by the ancient looming stone arches that surround it.

The unassuming transport relay currently houses a high-security clearing house for the clandestine trade in force artifacts stolen from the remnants of the Galactic Alliance and the New Jedi Order. If the Republic intelligence reports are accurate, these relics are being funneled through Milagro's borders to fund a shadow agenda that threatens the very stability of the High Republic.

As the transport carrying Voli Cholrass , Dreidi Xeraic and Kudau maneuver through the tight mountain passes, a flickering holographic transmission illuminates the cockpit. A weary-looking Bothan in a Republic Intelligence Service uniform appears, his eyes darting towards unseen monitors off-screen.

"Greetings, Jedi," he begins, his voice strained. "I am Agent Kallan. The situation at Soji Outpost is more delicate than we anticipated. Officially, it's a transport relay station sponsored by the Milagro Nobility. In truth, we have learned its a hub for a major smuggling outfit within the High Republic."

Kallan's image is briefly replaced by a long-range scan of the domes.

"We have confirmed that Baron Ivor Yasmo is on site. He is a key political ally to Senator Monaray Dod meaning he carries enough diplomatic weight to make a standard Republic intervention impossible. Our sources indicate he is personally overseeing the transfer of several high-value containers. We don't know what's inside each container, so this is an extremely dangerous mission but I hope that will not dissuade you from taking out this smuggling ring. May the force be with you, Agent Kallan out."

The hologram flickers as Kallan disappears to leave the team to formulate a plan of action. On the landing pad below, a figure in ornate, flowing silks stands by the entrance of the largest dome, his posture stiff as he watches the mist-shrouded horizon.

 

[Voli Cholrass]

Current Outfit
Pre Built Lightsaber

Though Voli has been making progress in her training, she was still leagues behind her peers. She knew that training to be a Jedi was difficult but Voli didn't anticipate that getting a PHD would be easier than achieving Knighthood. "I'm still here though," Voli thought drumming her fingers on her lap. "I promised myself that I'll see this through."

But it was hard to do so when her home planet: Courscant was taken over by the Sith. The invasion happened a while back and Voli remembered keeping her violet eyes glued onto the Holonet of reports of the New Jedi Order being slaughtered, tens of millions of civilians were killed, and the Sith stood over the ashes of a planet that was the beacon of democracy.

"At least that's what my parents told me," Voli thought her expression becoming glum as she continued thinking about her parents. "Even if what they said was nothing but lies. The Galactic Alliance committed just as much war crimes in the name of peace."

It was through years of researching online that Voli found out about how corrupt the Alliance was. But they were better than the Sith and they didn't deserve a fate like that. Voli hoped that her parents made it out though she was certain that they thought she was dead. The Padawan leaned back against her chair closing her eyes, mind filled with sadness and regret. She needed to focus on her training; a Jedi doesn't dwell on past mistakes. But Voli wondered if it was best to tell her Mom and Dad about her whereabouts. "If they're still alive," She thought.

Dreidi Xeraic Kudau Credit Wizard

 

[Kudau]

The winding path the transport was taking made Kudau sick to his stomach, but he managed to fend off the feeling to pay attention to the transmission, as well as his surroundings. It looks like a meditation prior to the hunt (or rather, “mission”, as his new affiliates call it) would be difficult to the point of needlessness…

Effectively, Kudau had shown up to the front stoop of the Order of Shiraya, begged for food and shelter, and had been taken in like any other stray pup. He took the mission as a favor he owed to the people who had so generously given him a place to live, eat, sleep, train, and grow stronger. He also felt the mission would help him know these people better, and that was a success: neither of the other Jedi on the ship looked familiar, and they seemed far from the Jedi of old from his childhood stories. This would excite him… if not for the unnerving feeling of motion sickness and, because of the foreboding holo-transmission, a growing sense of dread.

In an attempt to distract himself, he changed his posture, leaning back in his seat and letting his eyes fall on the other two Jedi in the transport. Across from him was the young Jedi, likely younger in training, but Kudau could tell she had a strong presence in the force. It was an old habit to try and gauge the strength of the creatures around him, something he couldn’t shake from being a force-adept hunter. However, it didn’t take a force-adept to know…

“You’ve got a lot on your mind, hm?” Kudau asked the young padawan in a benevolent attempt at small talk.

Voli Cholrass (Nearby: Dreidi Xeraic , Credit Wizard )

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Outfit: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor Sword and Nightsister Energy Bow
Tag: Credit Wizard | Voli Cholrass | Kudau

Smuggling rings were always troublesome within any faction. They operated to move anything considered contraband or illegal. However, within the High Republic, that mean items that were dangerous, deadly in the wrong hands so it was important these operations were located and taken down.

It was a new mission that Dreidi caught wind of and figured that it would be good for Voli to get more experience in and hopefully distract from the fears and dark thoughts that surrounded Coruscant. With the fall of the Alliance and the New Jedi Order with it, there was a lot of people who felt despair and ideas that they had been abandoned by the Jedi who swore to be beacons of peace and justice. It was more important now than ever before that Dreidi helped the next generation of Jedi live up to that potential. With Voli, with Aileni. With anyone who sought out her lessons.

No matter how unconventional of a Jedi she appeared and acted.

"Seems there is not much to work with here. But having someone who works with a Senator operating a smuggling ring... That isn't good." The High Republic was meant to show themselves as better than the corrupt republics and alliances of old. However, there always seemed to be a couple of bad apples in the barrels of senators. If this was truly a dangerous, and highly illegal operation then Dreidi needed to inform the council to maintain an eye on the senator and his allies.

But the issue was, she didn't know this agent Kallan either, this was the first time working with him, so Dreidi was naturally suspicious that this could be a ploy to stumble into an innocent operation that backfires on the Jedi's public image. There was a balance that was needed to be figured out and it had been something that took years within the GA for Dreidi to understand.

"Let's try and approach this mission cautiously, no throwing accusations and unless we have hard evidence of illegal activity, no arresting anyone." Dreidi mentioned, looking over to Voli, who Dreidi had seen jumping to conclusions and stumbling into trouble far too often. Sitting down, Dreidi noted that Kudau wished to hear the thoughts going on in Voli's mind.

Thoughts that Dreidi had figured out long ago, but waited for Voli to express them to her. Hoping that if she did not pry too much then Voli would not feel the need to continually be secretive around her. So far, a decision that had not bore the fruits she had hoped it would.

 

[Credit Wizard]

The transport emitted a low groan, its thrusters turning with a mechanical whine as it commenced its final descent toward the surface of Milagro.

The ship sank beneath the jagged edges of the rock formations, forsaking the open sky for the confined passage of the valley floor, which was the only area nearby where sensors would struggle to penetrate.

The landscape of the planet was dominated by towering sandstone pillars, contorted by ages of fierce winds into forms that looked like twisted hands, casting shadows over the ship. Beneath the surface lay a mosaic of mud and intertwined moss, glowing with a subtle, unhealthy green luminescence. The atmosphere felt stifling under the radiance of the High Republic.

With a rhythmic thrum that vibrated through the floorboards, the transport touched down on the scorched landing pad. The engines cycled down into a low, metallic hiss, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.

Outside, the mist wrapped around the ground as if it were alive, swirling at the base of the white domes. In the distance, the metallic clatter of robotic feet echoed as they struck the floor, drawing nearer and nearer, for BAF-09 "Green Warden"s had been sent to explore the valley for an expansion of the Outpost above.

It was unclear whether Dreidi Xeraic , Voli Cholrass , and Kudau had noticed them yet; however, if they had, they would immediately have many questions with the main one being....

What were Imperial Balmorran Arms Droids doing on a world this far into the borders of the High Republic....

 

[Voli Cholrass]

Current Outfit
Pre Built Lightsaber

"Huh?" Voli moved a lock of her silver hair over her shoulder trying to get a good view of the wolfman asking her if she was had a lot on her mind. Even though Voli made friends over the past few months as a Padawan, she still was reticent especially among strangers. "It's nothing," Voli responded to the person. Who was this guy? She could feel the Force within him, but she never seen the wolfman before.

"It's the first time I've ever seen someone like him." Voli thought. "I remember reading about these guys when I was bored scrolling. They were isolationists keeping to themselves, even on Coruscant they liked to hang around the lower levels."

Her stomach churned a bit feeling uncomfortable around the wolfman but part of life is being exposed new places and cultures. There's only so much Voli can learn from behind Holoscreen. "It also shows how much I've been living in a luxurious bubble." Voli thought. "The higher levels of Coruscant love to ignore poor and despondent. They're convinced that Coruscant starts and ends with them."

Voli sat up straight when Dreidi Xeraic began to explain the mission. A smuggling ring linked to a senator was not good at all. As far as Voli knows, the High Republic was the only faction that was considered "good" in the sea of depravity. It was the only place where a person wasn't an Imperialist, a criminal, or a Sith. It was amazing how the Jedi was easily reduced to a handful in the span of a few months. Every one of them were scattered, defeated. It almost felt hopeless knowing that the High Republic Jedi were the last.

"Right," Voli said trying to maintain her wavering confidence. "We're keepers of the peace not policemen."

She had to grow up but it was hard to do so with so much uncertainty. "Master," Voli whispered to Dreidi. "I have a question. Are we the last Jedi in the Galaxy? After seeing the Galactic Alliance and my...... home destroyed. We're the only people left that's even fighting."

She turned to her Master, it was one of the few times she opened up to Dreidi. "How do you maintain any semblance of hope?" She asked. "How can anything go back to the way it was after so much bad happens?"

Before Voli could speak further, she sensed a disturbance in the Force. The Padawan got up her breath hitched, they were making their final landing but already something was off. "You sense that Master?" She asked.

Kudau

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Outfit: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor Sword and Nightsister Energy Bow
Tag: Credit Wizard | Voli Cholrass | Kudau

Dreidi noted that Voli shut down the question from Kudau, it was clear that she was not ready to share the thoughts going on in her mind. Understandable but disappointing since it meant that they still weighed too heavily on Voli's mind. Dreidi heard Voli ask the question about whether they were the last Jedi in the galaxy and Dreidi chuckled slightly, shaking her head. "It might seem in poor taste to laugh at the very serious question but the Galactic Alliance that just fell was not even the first Galactic Alliance in recent memory." Dreidi pointed out.

"Factions fall. There have been a multitude of Sith factions. Similar with the Mandalorian Empires and the numerous Imperial based factions." Dreidi mentioned, "there are always going to be Jedi, we are not the last. Just as the NJO were not going to be the last when they were the only major Jedi Order after the Silver Jedi Order fell. And the Silver Jedi Order were not the last Jedi when the first Galactic Alliance either." Dreidi was only recounting the most recent history.

Looking to both Voli and Kudau, "it does not matter whether there is one big Jedi Order, half a dozen smaller ones or none. There are always going to be Jedi, there are always going to be people who want to do good and fight against oppression." Dreidi stated.

"So, never fear and remember that a single spark can cause an inferno." She offered a warming smile to Voli.

When the transport stopped, Dreidi took a look outside and spotted the droids, looking back to Voli and Kudau. "Imperial made droids... Not ideal and certainly doesn't look good for this Baron fellow either." Dreidi rolled her shoulders and breathed in deeply, it was too much to ask for the mission to go easily.

Looking to Kudau, "can you be stealthy? Just asking since we might need to sneak past the droids while getting to this location now. Since they might trigger an alarm or just start firing upon us if they catch us." Dreidi mentioned. "I can attempt to cast an invisibility spell over us but it isn't guaranteed to last long and we don't know what types of sensors that these droids will have."

"So, we need some ideas for a plan to sneak by them. And then, we need to figure out a way to report the presence of imperial droids to the High Republic, especially reporting it to Kallan. Since their presence alone might be considered enough to allow for a stronger High Republic presence here now." Dreidi was tempted to ask Voli to work on that while they figure their way to this Baron, Voli was likely the best with tech out of the trio and it gave something to do while Dreidi and Kudau dealt with the potential fighting and Force stuff.

 

[Kudau]

Kudau wasn't put off in any way by Voli's reserved response. At her response, he simply searched for more successful means of distracting himself. After all, he knew the young padawan didn't owe him any information. Any background knowledge gleaned from a more elaborate response from her would have been simply a pleasant surprise.

As Voli Cholrass and Dreidi Xeraic continued in conversation, he could hear bits and pieces, but none that he recognized to be of great importance to him. However, he silently appreciated the way the master was able to help the young padawan confide in others. He knows from his family on Uneva that feeling of trust and safety, especially those bound with experience, rather than genetics. A soft smile appeared on the Shistavanen before a particularly tight curve of the transport brought back his illness.

...

He thanked the Force when the transport finally stopped and his nausea began to ebb. He got up from his seat with a stretch from being seated for so long. His relief was short lived when Dreidi changed from kind master to mission leader. Understanding the ergency, he shaked himself off and addressed her.

"Yes, stealth is a strong suit of mine, permitting that it's not a stark-white area with no coverage. Out of the forest, I can stand out even with the utmost care." He gestures to his 6'6"/201cm, bulky frame, and dark grey fur. In his head, he compares his height, humorously yet respectfully, to the two Jedi in front of him, but he knows better than to say anything aloud.

Kudau thinks for a moment before responding to Dreidi's second comment, "I haven't heard of an invisibility spell, before, but it sounds straightforward... I agree, we should try our best to gather as much intel as possible given our opportunity." He nods in agreement with himself. "And once we get inside, where the light is scarcer, I trust the invisibility spell will be relieved of duty." He nods again, this time in confidence.

 

[Credit Wizard]

The sound of the transport's landing ramp was quickly surpressed by the thick, humid air of the secluded valley. This allowed Dreidi Xeraic , Voli Cholrass , and Kudau to disembark from the landing craft if they desired after their plan of action was agreed upon.

It felt as though eyes were watching from above in the trees, with local predators peering down, contemplating a potential meal. However, the presence of the force, radiating like a brilliant aura, made them hesitate and reconsider any foolish notions that the trio would be an easy meal.

Down on the valley floor, the mist seemed to churn as small pockets of air let sunlight through to illuminate the squadron of BAF-09 "Green Warden"s droids moving with military-style precision. Their reinforced frames displayed the unmistakable emblem of Balmorran Arms, technology associated with the Galactic Empire's leading state-owned corporation.

As these droids transitioned from the burnt pathways to the gentle, glowing moss, the harsh noise of metal striking stone diminished into a subtle series of almost imperceptible, ghostly footsteps due to the presence of Internal sound-dampening mesh.

A low-frequency burst of binary chirped between them, translated only by the ship's internal comms buffer as they neared a rocky redoubt. The droids fanned out, their footsteps now completely silent against the mud.

They were less than thirty meters from the ship, their sensor stalks rotating with a soft whirr that sounded like an insect's wings.

Action would be required....

 

[Voli Cholrass]

Current Outfit
Pre Built Lightsaber

Voli gave a small huff her thin eyebrows crinkled into a frown. She didn't like the way Dreidi chuckled at her concern especially when she was worrying about not only the Alliance but her home, her parents, and her friends like Zoey Bradiss . "Master means well," Voli thought. "But it's easier to read about the falls of empires rather than experience one real time. Many people I knew died on Courscant and I don't even know if Zoey made it out......"

She still missed Zoey, she was one of the few people who didn't find Voli strange even when she revealed that she had Force powers. "You're right," Voli said when Dreidi mentioned that there will always be someone who will do good in the face of evil. "I shouldn't give into despair, I have to do my best even when the odds are against me."

That was one of Dreidi's lessons that stuck with Voli. Never give up, never give in, fight even if the odds are against you. A Jedi will always be challenged how they'll face it will be the true test. "Jedi remain calm," Voli thought. "But how can one stay calm when the people you love are in danger?"

As they landed, Voli also spotted the Imperial Droids scouting around. The young woman also sensed multiple tremors in the Force which grew stronger every second. "Any Holocomputer we come across, I'll see if I can hack into it." Voli said. "My skills are limited but I can't imagine they're using anything advanced."

The so-called smugglers were probably using outdated tech mainly because it was cheaper and they didn't anticipate anyone eavesdropping. "At least that's the hope," Voli thought.

As they were about to exit, Voli took a deep breath. "I sense something coming our way," Voli whispered to Kadau and Dreidi shutting her eyes. "Multiple and powerful hostiles..... converging on our position fast."

Voli opened her eyes. "We might need to use that invisibility spell Master," she said her heart starting to beat. "Just in case you know?"

Dreidi Xeraic Kudau Credit Wizard

 

[Kudau]

Kudau noticed the presences just as Voli Cholrass spoke up, meaning she more than likely noticed them before he did. He mentally praised her for being so quick-witted and aware. "I can't hear them, but I can feel them," he agreed with the Padawan, "I can sense around a dozen." His ears flicked and rotated, trying to triangulate any sound at all from outside, "One might think a few squadrons of droids would be louder," he mumbled.

He began to mentally prepare himself for a physical altercation, or a quick escape. One thing he wasn't going to do, however, was start acting without proper forethought and communication. "Master Xeraic," he addressed the witch respectfully, "shall we quietly disable them, or try to sneak past them?"

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Outfit: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor Sword and Nightsister Energy Bow
Tag: Credit Wizard | Voli Cholrass | Kudau

"It isn't me downplaying the situation in the core, that isn't going to be a positive situation and there is a lot that can go wrong and people will care about are going to be hurt or scared." Dreidi stated, she could see that Voli was still holding a lot of concern and worrying, "the Galactic Empire aren't going to be senselessly murdering people, that doesn't work in their favour. And their rule over the core is not going to last forever. But if you are truly concerned for your parents or anyone else. Then there can be work done to try and smuggle them out of the empire's clutches." Dreidi learned of a lot of smuggling and escape routes that people have been using for years now when fleeing factions they believed would threat their lives.

"For now, we need to focus on the mission but something to consider if you are worried for anyone in particular on Coruscant." Dreidi would want to save everyone there but it wasn't possible and not everyone would be willing to leave for any number of reason.

Hearing Kudau, "not a master yet, feel free to call me Dreidi, Kudau." She gave a smile and pulled from her pocket a charm. It would take too much time to make the charms needed to teleport both people, something that she had done previously with another Jedi. There was also the issue that Dreidi, herself, didn't know exactly where they would need to teleport to in order to be safe from the droids.

Pocketing the charm, "no time for teleporting us all. However, I can still do the invisibility spell, just stick close." Chanting in Dathomiri, Dreidi motioned her hands to cast the spell around herself, Voli, Kudau and of course, Grisial. "Done, we still can't make a sound and follow my lead. I will tell you when it is dropped." Dreidi grunted as she maintained the invisibility barrier between them and the droids.

Leading the charge, Dreidi down the ramp and moved forward. Hopeful that the droids would not detect them.

 

[Credit Wizard]

As Dreidi Xeraic , Voli Cholrass , and Kudau were enveloped by the Dathomirian Magicks, rendering them invisible to the naked eye, the air became increasingly heavy and serious, accompanied by what seemed like faint music setting the stage for an impending clash.

Beneath the veil of sorcery, the valley did not rest as the once lively greens had faded into dull greys, down to the thick sludge that clung to the bottoms of their boots and the hull of the transport shuttle.

The magic warped sight, but it did nothing to still the land itself, nor the forces already moving through it. As the distant, unsettling cadence lingered in the air, another presence pressed closer one that was utterly indifferent to the arcane. What the spell hid from living eyes, it could not potentially conceal from machines.

The squadron of BAF-09 "Green Warden"s units was nearer than they seemed through the obscuring mist of the invisibility spell. One droid, marked as the lead unit by a crimson stripe on its sensor stalk, came to an abrupt stop. Its head turned with a hydraulic hiss that sliced through the valley's damp air. The Internal sound-dampening kept its movements silent, but the high-pitched whine of its active scanners began to rise in frequency.

The red glow of its primary photoreceptor swept across the area where the trio likely stood. The thermal sensors registered a sudden localized increase in ambient temperature, but before it could respond to this data, the sensors identified the shuttle itself.

This was a considerably more crucial element that the heroes had overlooked while devising their strategy.

The droid emitted a sharp, questioning burst of binary. Two other Green Wardens immediately pivoted, their heavy blaster arms snapping into a low-carry position. They began to fan out in a pincer movement, their sensors overlapping to triangulate the shuttle signature.