Private The Firebird

[Eloise Dinn]

Axilla, capital of Ukatis
After the Mandalorian invasion…​

“But we’re not done,” Eloise protested. “There are still whole portions of the city that haven’t been searched, and these people are still living in makeshift camps—”

The Alliance relief coordinator held up a hand to stop her. “Our efforts here will continue. But you’re a Jedi. You have more important things to do.”

More important than saving lives? Eloise wanted to retort, but she bit her tongue. She had been on Ukatis for longer than expected. The days started to blur together when you spent every waking hour searching for survivors and tending to the wounded across a vast cityscape of ruined splendor. But today was apparently the last day before she was due to pack up and head back to Coruscant. Her master, the Chief Healer, had already gone.

She glanced at Albrecht. A native Ukatian and fellow Jedi Padawan, he had been her companion and guide through the city. He had dark circles under his eyes and seemed barely able to summon the energy to lift his head and look back at her. It was probably for the best that they got going, if only for his sake.

“Fine,” she muttered. “We’ll leave tomorrow on the first ship out of here.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and marched out of the tent. The atmosphere of the refugee camp seemed perpetually cloudy, the smoke from cooking fires and the still-burning city nearby blotting out the sun. Albrecht staggered behind her, his posture sagging.

“Well, we have one last day to make a difference,” she said, picking at a piece of fraying leather on the edge of her bracer. “What should we do?”

Albrecht mumbled something. She shot him a concerned look. He cleared his throat and stood up a little straighter. “The Morevna Quarter. It’s mostly a lot of museums and shops, but there are some schools and residential areas there too. It wasn’t attacked directly, but I heard there have been Mandos looting over there.”

Eloise frowned. The Mandos were supposed to have all been driven out of Ukatis… “Okay. Morevna Quarter. Lead the way.”

Katherine Holt​

 

[Katherine Holt]

There had been a pang of sadness in Katherine’s heart when she could only be on one planet at a time. Despite the impossibility of being physically in two places at once, the Padawan still wished she could help the Ukatians too. But the people of Kiffu needed them too, and thus she had gone there with Valery and Margold. Once the work there was done however, Katherine did not hesitate to get onto a shuttle that was heading to Ukatis.

During the flight over, she updated herself on the current status of things.

The Alliance’s relief efforts were going to continue, but the last remaining Jedi stationed there would be leaving soon. It was something that irked Katherine greatly, why did they all have to leave? She could understand it for Masters and members of the Council especially. But what about Padawans and lower ranking Knights? Surely they could stay behind longer and provide more aid?

Alas, that was the way of things. But Katherine wasn’t about to waste a day she could otherwise use to help others.

She looked through a list of Jedi that were still active on Ukatis, and recognized one of them, by name at least. Eloise Dinn was a fellow Padawan, one learning under the tutelage of the Order’s Chief Healer. Apparently, she had remained on the planet for longer than intended, and Katherine suspected she’d be ‘pushed’ to depart soon.

With full intent on connecting up with her fellow Padawan, Katherine waited impatiently for the reminder of the journey. Upon finally landing, she discovered the ship had landed at a refugee camp some ways out from where Axilla was. Katherine wanted to curse her luck, but didn’t want to waste anymore time, so she took flight.

As Eloise and Albrecht were about to head out to their destination, the camp erupted into commotion as Katherine’s winged form soared overhead. She looped around once, before swooping down for a landing. The Padawan hit the ground in skidding halt, stopping several feet away from the other Jedi.

“Eloise Dinn?” She inquired, looking towards the purple haired Padawan. “Katherine Holt, I’m here to help where I can.”

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

A shadow fell over the camp, provoking gasps and one or two frightened screams. Eloise looked up, catching a glimpse of a feminine figure with wings flying above them. For a moment her blood ran cold, her mind jumping to the worst possible scenario.

But as the winged woman alighted on the ground, she saw that it wasn’t who she thought it was. No, this was another Jedi Padawan from back on Coruscant. Eloise had seen her around, though her name escaped her…

“Katherine Holt, I’m here to help where I can.”

What kind of goofy ass name is ‘Katherine’? she thought. Of course, she didn’t voice her opinion. She was trying to be a little bit nicer to people she didn’t know these days, and that included not spouting every nasty thing that came into her head.

In the meantime, Albrecht earnestly yet awkwardly introduced himself. “I’m Lord Albrecht von D—uh, just Albrecht is fine.” He bowed. “I’m a Padawan, and I’m from Ukatis, so I've been guiding people around.”

“Uh… yeah.” Eloise nodded. “We were just on our way to the Morfa Quarter—”

“Morevna Quarter,” Albrecht corrected.

Eloise glanced at him, then shrugged. “It’s our last stop before we head out tomorrow.” Hopefully this chick wasn’t expecting to pal around with them for a few days. Not really knowing what else to say, she gave Albrecht a prodding look.

“Right, let’s get going.” He led the way out of the camp and toward the ruined city.

Katherine Holt​

 

[Katherine Holt]

Katherine took a moment to examine the two Padawans before her. Both looked worse for wear, but Albrecht looked like he was just barely standing. It seemed like if he dared lay his head to rest anywhere, he’d be out for hours, if not a whole day. And yet here he was, still standing and ready to get to work.

The Padawan was impressed.

And in some way, unsurprised too. If it had been her home that had been attacked by the Enclave, she could see herself in the same state as him.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you both.” She offered them a small smile. “But let’s not waste any more time, aye?”

Katherine fell into motion behind them as Albrecht led the way towards Axilla.

“Do we know what to expect in the Morevna Quarter? More survivors, Mandos?”

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

Eloise was perfectly content with the brisk, no-nonsense tone set by Katherine. "Aye," she replied, already heading off in the direction of the city. Albrecht led the way, though Eloise's long-legged stride frequently overtook him.

"Do we know what to expect in the Morevna Quarter? More survivors, Mandos?"

"The reports suggested Mandos, though we were told they had already packed up and left," Eloise replied. In war, things were often messy; there would be stragglers and opportunists looking to make a buck off of it all. "Albrecht says it's mostly museums, so maybe they're looting. Artifacts and stuff like that can fetch a high price, especially if they come from a planet that was…" Destroyed, she nearly said. But Ukatis was still intact, if no longer whole. "If they have a story behind them, I mean."

Albrecht said nothing, keeping his thoughts to himself. Only when they came upon a cobblestone path did he say, "Here it is, just down that way."

Several of the surrounding buildings bore signs of damage from bombs, but the fires had already been put out. The streets were empty and eerily silent save for the rustling of pieces of trash and other debris blown about by the wind. After taking a few steps forward, Albrecht paused. "They're in that building over there," he whispered, pointing. "The Crown Museum."

"Mandos or civvies?" Eloise hissed back.

"Both."

Katherine Holt​

 

[Katherine Holt]

A sad expression fell across Katherine’s face as she saw the state Axilla was in. Sure, she had seen it on her fly over, but there was a different feel to it, seeing it while on the ground. The Padawan couldn’t help but compare it to how Kiffu had been, albeit they had also been struck by devastating thunderstorms too.

But the one common element between them, as the Mandalorian Enclave’s involvement.

Katherine did wonder if they would even bother staying behind to loot things. Their attacks on Ukatis and Kiffu were more hit ‘n’ run style, rather than how they had struck at Ryloth and Rodia.

As they drew closer to their destination, the winged Padawan focused her attention forwards. The moment Albrecht pointed towards the museum, Katherine knelt down and focused on her senses. Stretching them out to get a rough headcount of who was within the building.

“Holding them as hostages no doubt,” she said in a hushed whisper. “Likely know they’ve been discovered, trying to ensure they hold most of the cards.”

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

“Probably hostages,” Eloise agreed. “Unless there’s something weirder going on.”

“Like what?” Albrecht asked, brow furrowing.

She shrugged. “I dunno. War brings out the strangest things in people. Let’s get closer and scope this place out.”

The Crown Museum had two entry points. The main one at the front was open to the public, but was guarded by Mandos. There was also a service door at the back designed for staff members, which was locked and required a keycard to access.

“You wouldn’t happen to have any skill with slicing, would you?” Eloise asked Katherine. If not, they could always cut their way in with their lightsabers—though such an entrance would make a lot of noise and likely draw attention.

Katherine Holt​

 

[Katherine Holt]

As they snuck their way closer towards the building, Katherine made a point to fold her wings closed against her back. They were a particular eyesore when it came to being stealthy, but the Padawan had found small ways to try and minimise how much they stood out.

The main entrance was a no go, on account of the Mandalorians present. But Albrecht had mentioned an alternative, a service door located at the back of the building, that staff would typically use throughout the day. The problem however, was that it was likely to be securely locked.

Katherine shook her head at Eloise’s question. Unfortunately, slicing wasn’t something within her repertoire.

However, as the winged Padawan looked up the length of the building, a thought struck her.

“Does the museum have any exits on the roof? Maybe a large enough window we can open?” She asked, looking at Albrecht for an answer.

To emphasise her point, Katherine unfolded her wings a little.

“I could fly up, slip inside and find a way to unlock the door. Or…” The Padawan paused, sizing up both Eloise and Albrecht. “Alternatively, I could fly you both up there one by one.”

Eloise Dinn​