Private The Mining Scene

[Ran Serys]

The Onyx Runner flew over the mesas and plateaus of the planet O'reen as the autopilot followed the charted path to the planet's protected zone. The protected zone was a portion of the planet that had been spared of the influence a corporate presence would provide. That meant no mining, no factories, and no outposts to drain the planet's resources any further than the O'reenians had already done.

At the Runner's center were the Jedi Knight, Ran Serys, and her Jedi Padawan, Sazo Vass. On a mission assigned by the Jedi Council and the Galactic Alliance to investigate a possible violation of the planet's protected zone. The hope was that if their mission went smoothly, it would lead to a better diplomatic relationship between the Galactic Alliance and the heavily militarized O'reenians.

Ran hoped for a smooth resolution as well although she was not sure they'd get it. The relationship between the O'reenians and the Galactic Alliance had been a strained one. The Second Great Hyperspace War had made sure of that. O'reen had requested help from the Galactic Alliance of that time and had been rebuffed. The Alliance was run ragged and too thin and had unfortunately disappointed many of the galaxy's denizens in the search for a decisive victory.

Alliance sentiment was low on O'reen, Jedi sentiment was even lower. Ran would explain all this and more to her padawan as they debriefed over a home cooked meal in the Runner's mess. "To summarize, these people are hard, rigid, and not likely to bend even if their government has asked for our help. I feel a conflict is unavoidable, but what shape this conflict will take is unclear. Regardless, let's be ready for anything, but go into this with the most diplomatic of intentions." The Knight said to her Padawan as she took a final sip from her Murglak stew. It was bitter but nutrient dense. She shuddered internally from the taste even at the end of a bowl.

"Have you studied much of the material the Order has on diplomacy, Sazo?" Ran questioned but only because she'd never been much of a diplomat herself. Most sentients were too scared of the mirialan mutant to not give her what she wanted. Those who didn't have something to prove challenged her at every turn. Ran found both instances to be exhausting, and she wondered if Sazo would deal with the same. She was tall and remarkably built for her age and just as hard and could be just as intense as any other Korun despite her effervescent youth.

The beeping of the autopilot resounded. The signal they'd be upon their rendezvous with the O'reenian government soon. Someone would need to take the helm. "Prepare to take us in for a landing, Padawan." Ran said as she began cleaning what little mess they left in the mess. At this point she trusted the teenager with her ship. There was little Ran didn't trust her student with. She even thought about passing the starship down to the young woman soon enough.

Sazo Vass​

 

[Sazo Vass]

Sazo hadn't heard of O'reen, but she was glad to be on the mission all the same. Establishing the Enclave on Selvaris was hard, bitter work; the training, even tougher. But she felt she was getting stronger on under Master Serys's tutelage- strong enough to be out there, in the war, fighting the good fight with the other Jedi, protecting the Alliance from the Sith and the Imperials.

Granted, this was a mission away from the action, but it was important- why else would it require the presence of two Jedi? But based on the briefing, the denizen of O'reen had had a less-than-stellar opinion of the Alliance and the Order.

"To summarize, these people are hard, rigid, and not likely to bend even if their government has asked for our help. I feel a conflict is unavoidable, but what shape this conflict will take is unclear. Regardless, let's be ready for anything, but go into this with the most diplomatic of intentions." The Knight said to her Padawan as she took a final sip from her Murglak stew. It was bitter but nutrient dense. She shuddered internally from the taste even at the end of a bowl.

"Have you studied much of the material the Order has on diplomacy, Sazo?"

"Yes, Master, I have gone over the material, and I think we will be served by two things- a thorough understanding the situation on the ground, and trust in the Force. So at least we can trust in the Force", Sazo said wryly, chasing down her portion of the stew with a swig of water, before responding in a more sober manner.

"But in all seriousness: I have studied our role as peacemakers in history. With all the suffering going around, it'd be nice to bring some good into the galaxy."

The beeping of the autopilot resounded. The signal they'd be upon their rendezvous with the O'reenian government soon. Someone would need to take the helm. "Prepare to take us in for a landing, Padawan." Ran said as she began cleaning what little mess they left in the mess. At this point she trusted the teenager with her ship. There was little Ran didn't trust her student with. She even thought about passing the starship down to the young woman soon enough.

With a jaunty two-fingered salute, Sazo took the helm, strapping herself into the crash webbing as she ran through the landing procedures. She punched in the coordinates, taking the Onyx Runner into it's final descent, cresting over the viridian, vibrant life within the protected zone, looping around to angle the Runner to the landing pad the O'reenian government had cleared them to land at.

"Master Serys, we should be landing in about five minutes. Can we trust the O'reenians to not sabotage the Runner while we are away, given their...misgivings about us?"

Ran Serys

 

[Ran Serys]

"They asked for our help, Padawan. They asked for the help of an organization they feel has let them down in the past. They are desperate. I don't believe they would lure us here under that guise just to sabotage a single Jedi's personal starship. Do you?" Ran answered not dismissing but reasoning as she entered the deck.

"Still, keep on high alert. While my thinking may prove right about the planet's government, the locals are a different story. We may not be as welcome a sight as usual." Ran warned. "But public perception of Jedi combat prowess and mystical abilities might curb any unruly behavior. While I wish this wasn't the case, some populations fear the Jedi for our abilities. Now we don't need to do anything to cultivate that sense, the opposite in fact, but we can benefit from it if need be." The Knight explained. "Is that something you're comfortable with? It isn't quite dishonesty, but even subterfuge such as this is a gray area some Jedi would not abide." Ran questioned with genuine curiosity.

"Take us down here." Ran pointed at a small point on a map on the console before them. "It's a small port in a small city. There is a government outpost there we must visit. We'll get more information about what's expected of us there."

Sazo Vass​

 

[Sazo Vass]

"They asked for our help, Padawan. They asked for the help of an organization they feel has let them down in the past. They are desperate. I don't believe they would lure us here under that guise just to sabotage a single Jedi's personal starship. Do you?" Ran answered not dismissing but reasoning as she entered the deck.

"I'd hope they wouldn't Master", Sazo responded, eyes darting from the dashboard to the port window, "Just...the briefing said they aren't too fond of the Alliance, even less so of the Jedi. Guess I'm a bit wary."

"Still, keep on high alert. While my thinking may prove right about the planet's government, the locals are a different story. We may not be as welcome a sight as usual." Ran warned. "But public perception of Jedi combat prowess and mystical abilities might curb any unruly behavior. While I wish this wasn't the case, some populations fear the Jedi for our abilities. Now we don't need to do anything to cultivate that sense, the opposite in fact, but we can benefit from it if need be." The Knight explained. "Is that something you're comfortable with? It isn't quite dishonesty, but even subterfuge such as this is a gray area some Jedi would not abide." Ran questioned with genuine curiosity.

"Not at all, Master. On Haruun Kal, they say was the reputation of Vass warriors that kept the Confederacy from outright invading the capital during the occupation. They leaned into that stereotype, and it likely saved billions of lives. I think the same line of thinking applies", Sazo responded.

"Take us down here." Ran pointed at a small point on a map on the console before them. "It's a small port in a small city. There is a government outpost there we must visit. We'll get more information about what's expected of us there."

"Understood", the Korun responded, punching in the coordinates and beginning the Runner's descent.

"So who is meeting us, Master? Also, this violation of their protected zone...hopefully they expound a bit more on it. It must be serious, if they are willing to put aside how they feel about Jedi to ask the Alliance for help."

Ran Serys

 

[Ran Serys]

"I'd hope they wouldn't Master", Sazo responded, eyes darting from the dashboard to the port window, "Just...the briefing said they aren't too fond of the Alliance, even less so of the Jedi. Guess I'm a bit wary."

“You are right to be cautious, Sazo. There is only so much we can do about this situation. Let’s trust in the force and see how this plays out. And if it’ll make you feel better we can scan the ship for any external and foreign devices before we leave.”

"Not at all, Master. On Haruun Kal, they say was the reputation of Vass warriors that kept the Confederacy from outright invading the capital during the occupation. They leaned into that stereotype, and it likely saved billions of lives. I think the same line of thinking applies", Sazo responded.

“Fascinating!” Ran admitted. “Myth, Belief, and their truths or falsehoods can go far tactically speaking.” She observed. “Just like the Vass, we will use the reputation of the Jedi in much the same way.” Ran declared. Again Ran was reminded that she would like to visit her padawan’s homeworld one day.

"So who is meeting us, Master? Also, this violation of their protected zone...hopefully they expound a bit more on it. It must be serious, if they are willing to put aside how they feel about Jedi to ask the Alliance for help."

Ran nodded. She agreed with the sentiment. The situation was serious indeed. “The man we've come to meet is one of O’reen’s many governors, Xul Tasha. A bit long in the tooth, as they say, but sharp and keeps his finger on the pulse of galactic affairs. He is the reason why the O’reenians have asked for the Alliance’s help and by extension our help.” Ran explained.

“I did a bit of research of my own on the topic of illegal business operations in this sector and the surrounding ones. I found that the corporate elements have not proved to be very respectful of O’reenian laws. There are several companies that have gained a significant amount of influence in the years since the second great hyperspace war. CommandTech is the largest in terms of size and operation, and they are also the last to violate the environmental laws O’reen has put in place. They were heavily fined, but like with most intergalactic companies, what they were fined was only a drop in the bucket, so to speak.”

“While I’m not sure yet, we may be at odds with some very important, expensive, and cutthroat corporate interests. I suppose we will find out more from Xul Tasha.”

Sazo Vass​

 

[Sazo Vass]

"Xul Tasha", Sazo murmured, committing it to memory as putting the Runner down with a small bump.

"I did a bit of research of my own on the topic of illegal business operations in this sector and the surrounding ones. I found that the corporate elements have not proved to be very respectful of O'reenian laws. There are several companies that have gained a significant amount of influence in the years since the second great hyperspace war. CommandTech is the largest in terms of size and operation, and they are also the last to violate the environmental laws O'reen has put in place. They were heavily fined, but like with most intergalactic companies, what they were fined was only a drop in the bucket, so to speak."

"While I'm not sure yet, we may be at odds with some very important, expensive, and cutthroat corporate interests. I suppose we will find out more from Xul Tasha."

Sazo scowled at the mention of corporate malfeasance. "The Alliance should pass stronger laws to limits of these corporations and make them play fair, and nationalize the ones who don't. They are dangerous, if left unchecked." Sazo's politics were the result of generations of exploitation of Haruun Kal by an endless line of various corporations- consequently, she hated corporate entities, as a general rule.

She slammed her hand on a button, lowering the ramp.

"Maybe when the Jedi get involved, it sends a message to the rest of these...companies." With that, she strode out, she squinted. She could make out someone...maybe it was...?

"Governor Tasha?", Sazo said uncertainly. "We're Jedi, we're here to help."

Ran Serys

 

[Ran Serys]

Sazo scowled at the mention of corporate malfeasance. "The Alliance should pass stronger laws to limits of these corporations and make them play fair, and nationalize the ones who don't. They are dangerous, if left unchecked."

Ran looked at her padawan with pride. She appreciated the young woman’s thoughts and ideas for possible solutions regarding the state of the Alliance and its economy. It wasn’t something that Ran had taught her, and she valued Sazo’s growth away from her. She was becoming a well rounded Jedi that was constantly exceeding Ran’s expectations.

“I agree with you, Padawan, but O’reen isn’t a part of the Alliance yet. Maybe that’s something that can change should our mission go well.”

As the pair stepped off the ramp, Ran and Sazo were greeted by the uniformed Governor Xul Tasha. He looked more like an old war general than a politician. Ran smiled as Sazo took point in addressing him.

“Yes.” He nodded at his name. “We’ve been expecting you, Master Jedi.” He informed. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you follow me, we can exchange pleasantries and talk about the state of affairs here on O’reen.” Ran nodded and gestured for him to lead the way wordlessly. After a brief walk through a government facility, they were brought to a debriefing room. One filled with data and holoterminals displaying information on several different companies operating on O’reen. The holoterminal at the center of the room focused on CommandTech.

“As you know I am Governor Xul Tasha, this is my anti-corporate response team. Kella, Wincz, and Tarka. Sparky, your pilot and our representative for this mission will be along in a moment. To what Jedi do we have the pleasure of calling aid?” Tasha introduced. Ran let Sazo speak for her, as she played the role of the mysterious Jedi Master.

Sazo Vass​

 

[Sazo Vass]

Sazo nodded minutely, eyes on the Governor as they stepped off the ramp. Master Serys introduced the pair, and the Tasha led them into a government facility of some sort. Sazo's eyes darted around, taking in as much as she could. Eventually, they ended up in a debriefing room, holo terminals everywhere.

Sazo continued to take in the room, as the Governor spoke:

"As you know I am Governor Xul Tasha, this is my anti-corporate response team. Kella, Wincz, and Tarka. Sparky, your pilot and our representative for this mission will be along in a moment. To what Jedi do we have the pleasure of calling aid?" Tasha introduced.

Her eyes went to Tasha, and she gave a slight bow without missing a beat, a serene smile gracing her features. "I am Sazo Vass- this is my Master Ran Serys. And it is the Order's pleasure render aid, when called upon, to who ever needs it."

"Now", Sazo continued brusquely, her tone all business, "We were told of corporate malfeasance on O'reen- violations of environmental law- with CommandTech being the latest and largest offender", nodding at the holo-terminal at the center of the room.

"Would your team like to fill in the gaps?", she continued, her eyes going from one member of the anti-corporate response team to the other. Nobody called Jedi for a little pollution, after all- there had to be more going on.

Ran Serys

 

[Ran Serys]

"Certainly, Jedi Vass." Xul Tasha gave a slight bow to the young Jedi as his comm beeped. "Wincz, please fill the Jedi in. I have another matter that needs tending to, but this issue with CommandTech will be at the forefront of my mind. I assure you. Forgive me, Master Jedi." He apologized with a bow to Ran as he walked briskly away.

Wincz, an O'reenian woman in her late twenties, stepped forward in her freshly pressed government uniform. The simple, tan uniform symbolized the O'reenian people's long history of war and their militarized culture. "Greetings Jedi," She said stiffly. "As you say CommandTech is the largest offender of our laws, specifically our environmental laws. They've been hit with several fines, not unlike those levied against most other corporations. The issue with CommandTech is the frequency of these violations. It shows a blatant disregard that we believe has grown into something more from the corporation. We suspect CommandTech of building a small-scale mining facility and weapons factory deep into our protected zone. We've suspected things for quite some time, but the burden of proof was against us. Once we acquired a small semblance of a paper trail leading to this hidden facility, we sent an investigator to investigate. He never came back. We sent a squadron to search for him. They never came back. Rather than losing more men to a complete mystery, we've called you." She took a deep breath. "Governor Xul Tasha says the Jedi are courageous heroes in the rest of the galaxy and he was hoping you'd bring that same heroism here. Many were against this choice, but I for one am in favor, and hope that Governor Tasha was correct in his beliefs." She volunteered.

"We know little of the facility save that there is one. We've tried to get satellite imaging of the facility but the fog is so thick in the protected zone it has proved near impossible. The fog is also the reason you'll fly with Sparky; he is an expert at navigating O'reen's fog, storms, and landscape." Wincz continued.

The mechanical door behind the Jedi whooshed open. A black haired O'reenian man, fresh faced and barely out of his teens, walked into the room with a flight suit on and a pilot's helmet in hand. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Sparky said with a smirk.

"No! Somebody else is supposed to say that. The devil doesn't announce his own arrival." Tarka snapped.

"Who said?" Sparky asked with a smirk as he took notice of the Jedi. The other O'reenians just rolled their eyes.

"Sparky," He introduced. "Nice to meet you, Master Jedis." He reached his hand out to Ran for a shake. She shook it. She could sense the difference between the young pilot and his counterparts. He wasn't stiff or as inflexible. Maybe he had a military mind but there was an easiness to him. Ran also felt the force, instinctual, raw, and untrained. It was with Sparky. As Sparky reached out to shake Sazo's hand, Ran wondered if Sazo would feel it too. Sparky had potential. Maybe he was someone the Jedi could recruit. An O'reenian Jedi in the NJO would also strengthen the bonds between O'reen and the galaxy at large.

Sazo Vass​

 

[Sazo Vass]

"Greetings Jedi," She said stiffly. "As you say CommandTech is the largest offender of our laws, specifically our environmental laws. They've been hit with several fines, not unlike those levied against most other corporations. The issue with CommandTech is the frequency of these violations. It shows a blatant disregard that we believe has grown into something more from the corporation. We suspect CommandTech of building a small-scale mining facility and weapons factory deep into our protected zone. We've suspected things for quite some time, but the burden of proof was against us. Once we acquired a small semblance of a paper trail leading to this hidden facility, we sent an investigator to investigate. He never came back. We sent a squadron to search for him. They never came back. Rather than losing more men to a complete mystery, we've called you." She took a deep breath. "Governor Xul Tasha says the Jedi are courageous heroes in the rest of the galaxy and he was hoping you'd bring that same heroism here. Many were against this choice, but I for one am in favor, and hope that Governor Tasha was correct in his beliefs." She volunteered.

Sazo resisted the urge to raise her brow. Talion was happy to chime in.

"Yes, youngling, it does seem she's laying it on a bit thick. 'Courageous heroes'? Sounds like they desire additional cannon fodder."

Sometimes- just sometimes- Sazo was glad to have an ancestor spirit in an sword who could think after her own thoughts. She resisted the urge to look at Master Serys- she was letting her take lead, and she wasn't going to mess up now.

"The Jedi Order are servants of the people, ma'am. We do what we can", Sazo replied, choosing humility as opposed to falling into the trap of over-promising.

"We know little of the facility save that there is one. We've tried to get satellite imaging of the facility but the fog is so thick in the protected zone it has proved near impossible. The fog is also the reason you'll fly with Sparky; he is an expert at navigating O'reen's fog, storms, and landscape." Wincz continued.

The mechanical door behind the Jedi whooshed open. A black haired O'reenian man, fresh faced and barely out of his teens, walked into the room with a flight suit on and a pilot's helmet in hand. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Sparky said with a smirk.

"No! Somebody else is supposed to say that. The devil doesn't announce his own arrival." Tarka snapped.

"Who said?" Sparky asked with a smirk as he took notice of the Jedi. The other O'reenians just rolled their eyes.

"Sparky," He introduced. "Nice to meet you, Master Jedis." He reached his hand out to Ran for a shake. She shook it. She could sense the difference between the young pilot and his counterparts. He wasn't stiff or as inflexible. Maybe he had a military mind but there was an easiness to him. Ran also felt the force, instinctual, raw, and untrained. It was with Sparky. As Sparky reached out to shake Sazo's hand, Ran wondered if Sazo would feel it too. Sparky had potential. Maybe he was someone the Jedi could recruit. An O'reenian Jedi in the NJO would also strengthen the bonds between O'reen and the galaxy at large.

"The pleasure is mine, Sparky", Sazo replied with a polite smile, shaking his hand. She couldn't help but feel...yes, she could sense it. The Force was with Sparky. That was why he could navigate the hazards of O'reen that even modern technology couldn't penetrate. Sazo relaxed, knowing, given the alarming numbers of gaps in the information available, the Force was with them.

"So Sparky", Sazo began, business-like. "Do you have a strategy to approach this facility, given the lack of available intelligence? If it's all the same to you, we should probably go while we have some light- can't imagine what visibility will be like at night."

Ran Serys

 

[Ran Serys]

“Course I have a strategy, Master Jedi. Fly fast and don’t die.” Sparky winked as the other O’reenian’s rolled their eyes. “Hasn’t failed me yet.”

“Not true.” Tarka called out.

“Hey! Not having a pulse for a couple minutes and death are two different things. If they weren't, would I still be here?” Sparky said as if the need to be resuscitated was a badge of honor. The others just shook their heads.

Ran pursed her lips, and tilted her head. She was unsure of what to make of Sparky. He seemed reckless and cocksure but she could feel there was more to the young man than that. “Despite your success rate, I’d still have us err on the side of caution. As my padawan has said, we will make our way while we have daylight. The planet’s fog might obscure us, but judging by our missing investigator and squadron there is a part of me that doubts that,” Ran broke her silence. “So flying fast and not dying is, however, agreeable.”

“I knew I’d like you Jedi.” Sparky smiled at Ran. “Ready to go?”

“Lead the way.”

After some final parting words and information from Wincz, Kella, and Tarka, The Jedi duo and pilot left the outpost and boarded the O’reenian’s standard fog-fighting dropship.

Ran stood in the open cargo port meant for carrying troops and watched the O’reenian landscape disappear as they delved into the fog. “It’s a long fly.” Sparky warned. “You’re not gonna’ see much with this fog, but trust that I know the way.” Sparky continued. Within minutes of his warning Ran could feel him in the force, his use of it as he navigated the fog on feeling and instinct alone, his unconscious mind and the force guiding him. Ran doubted he had any idea how his uncanny ability worked. Most who were unaware of their force sensitivity never questioned their talents and some even chalked it up to good luck and fortune. The only issue with that was Sparky didn’t believe in luck.

A beeping from the pilot’s control deck resounded. A target sensor. “Someone's set their sights on us!” Sparky yelled. “How? From where?” He asked as a set of green laser fire flew over them from the starboard side. The laser fire appeared and disappeared for only a second, its light muted by clouds of fog. “Make yourselves useful and strap in to the top and bottom turrets, Ladies. Things are going to get hairy.” Sparky said as the target sensor resounded again.

Tags: Sazo Vass
​

 

[Sazo Vass]

Sazo's first opinion of Sparky that the Force was with him; that was the source of some would call...and overabundance of confidence.

The second, as blaster bolts came zipping at them through the fog, was that she hoped that that was enough. Nodding, Sazo dashed out of the cockpit, sliding down the ladder to the bottom turret and strapping herself into the crash-webbing. With a few deft flicks- the layout of Sparky's weapon's systems wasn't too disimiliar to the Onyx Runner- she powered of the guns, resting the control sticks in her hand as she scanned her surrounding from the port window.

She closed her eyes, surrendering to the Force, to feel...to feel something, anything that would- yes! Swiftly, she jerked the controls to the right and pressed down, allowing the fog to be illuminated with the belch of plasma...and something exploding.

Unsure what, but something.

Frowning, Sazo switched on the comms. "Sparky, Master Ren, have received any communications? Are we close enough to facility to touch down? As long as flying in this fog, we're exposed."

"No offense, Sparky", she added.

Ran Serys