13 A Hedonistic Planet And Imminent Collision
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~~~(POV: Adren Saydra)~~~
~~~(Location: Light Freighter, Landing In Zeltros (Capital), Zeltros (Planet))~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~
D4 handles the landing of our ship. Zeltros is a world of wasted life and time. One where if you're weak of mind, you'll be trapped forever. The Zeltron race has turned their planet into one of the premier destinations in the galaxy.
It's clever from the perspective of profit. Their planet is a paradise. There aren't huge buildings and a growing ecumenopolis.
There isn't a need for that. Not when your very species draws millions from across the galaxy to enjoy your people. Endless parties and celebrations will allow me to move around easily. Unnoticed from the eyes of the occupied.
A problem is making itself known. I sense them. There are Jedi on this planet. They're resourceful and relentless in their pursuits. When you have the entire backing of the Order and the Republic, it makes sense they're here.
I'm not unaware Desik has competitors. The chances of a copied list existing are guaranteed. The Jedi I ignored on Nar Shaddaa found one of the copies.
It's a certainty.
After a few more seconds, D4 finishes landing the ship. Opening the ramp for me to get out. As I descend the ramp, Zeltron women and men are already looking in my direction. My focus shifts to the customs station.
On my approach, I'm stopped.
"We'll need to check for any weapons or bounties on you. Zeltros is a planet of peace. We don't like the kind that brings problems."
Taking a moment to look around, I'm the only one being stopped. More Zeltron guards approach from around the room.
The man in charge approaches me. The Force sends me wave after wave telling me this is a trap. Farf'ro would have the spaceports looking for me. As I lift my head slightly, piercing red eyes lock with the man from below my hood.
This isn't ending without death. In an instant, my saber hilt flies into my hand.
VRUUUUM
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
The purple blade ignites with a fury only a Zophis kyber crystal has. A single motion and the man loses his right arm. Weapons around the customs terminal are rising from their holsters. There isn't a moment to waste.
My blade twirls from my hand. Spinning in a specific direction as I use The Force to guide it. It curves in the air and takes the heads off the people on my left.
Blaster fire from my right almost reaches me, but I leap from my spot using The Force. Landing in the center of the group. A quarter second later, I'm hovering off the ground slightly. Gathering Force power.
"AAAAHHHH!!"
"RAAAGGHH!!"
"NOOOOO!!!"
As I unleash a Force Repulse, screams from my attackers are heard as they're sent flying. Once I land, my hand waits for my lightsaber. Another half second, it returns.
Bodies litter the customs checkpoint, and people scream while running for the exits. It's only a matter of time before this reaches Farf'ro. My saber deactivates, and it's back on my belt as I leave the spaceport.
Before more attention can reach me, I head for a nearby crowd. Simply blending in with my features covered. A storm of guards makes their way inside the spaceport.
My eyes shift to a familiar ship lifting from the spaceport and leaving the planet. D4 will wait for me to contact him. In the meantime, he'll find somewhere to hide. He's a smart astromech.
The sounds and smells of Zeltros assault my senses as I start walking down the streets. Stone walkways and roads aren't what I'm used to. The buildings are mostly made of stone and cement. Metal is rarely appearing.
Most of the worlds I've been to aren't what you'd call a paradise. Zeltros has a unique look, but one that holds no interest to me.
Now, it's time to find who I'm looking for on this planet. Farf'ro is here, and so are Jedi. They're likely with him. One of the Jedi is strong, and the other isn't. A Master and padawan.
If you want to find a Hutt, head for the local criminal hangouts, no matter what planet you're on. While he won't be there, they'll know where he's hiding.
Someone will.
~~~(POV: Jedi Padawan Ezark Olidare)~~~
~~~(Location: Farf'ro's Hideout, Zeltros (Capital), Zeltros (Planet))~~~
~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~
Master Hendi continues to reason with Farf'ro. Convincing him to the best of his abilities, it'd best he leave. The Hutt has refused any advice or pleas. He's enraptured in the planet of Zeltros and its people.
Infected by their way of life and the beauty of their women. We both sensed the arrival of the Darksider Master Izok is chasing a few hours ago.
The man is here on Zeltros, and he's coming for Farf'ro.
He's enlisted the help of the council and Order to cut off the targets on the list they've got.
We're lucky enough to be the ones the Darksider came for first. Or rather, Farf'ro is. While Master Hendi argues with Farf'ro on the otherside of the room. I'm watching the dancers on the stage.
I can see the appeal of Zeltronian women. Even while using The Force, their pheromones are slightly affecting me.
It's no trouble for them to ensnare a Hutt that doesn't have the help of The Force.
"You don't understand what you're dealing with, Farf'ro. This planet has tainted your mind. See reason, and let us escort you off this death trap."
My Master's words wouldn't sit well with Master Larkor. I'm rather indifferent to Slavers. Criminals such as Farf'ro. I grew up on Coruscant. I have compassion for the people suffering, but I recognize this is the way of life in the Rim.
Instead of staying entertained by the pleasant dancers. I move back across the room and stand next to my Master.
"I think I'm safer on Zeltros than any other planet you can take me to, Jedi."
Farf'ro's translator droid takes the Huttese we've just heard and gives it to us in basic. I hold back a chuckle from escaping as Master Hendi pinches the bridge of his nose.
"He's already killed several members of the ruling Hutts. Are you risking a chance at death to stay on a planet that messes with the mind?"
There is a solemness to my Master's voice. He's becoming convinced that Farf'ro can't. Hutts are among the more stubborn species in the galaxy and the most powerful. Looking around the room, he's hired plenty of Mercenaries.
"My associates didn't have Jedi protecting them from an attack such as I. There is no reason for me to leave now that you're here."
A long sigh escapes Master Hendi's lips. The debate is circling back to this particular point. At this rate, we'll have to do precisely as Farf'ro said. We can't leave the Hutt in the hands of a Darksider. Not one this powerful.
The translator droid is waiting for my Master's response to Farf'ro's words to translate for Farf'ro. I wonder if Taylor has been having a nice time at the Temple... She finished her missions with her Mom two days ago.
I'd rather be on Coruscant than here, but we're helping Master Izok.
"We're not your bodyguards, Farf'ro. We won't risk our lives or the lives of the innocent for yours."
Now we're back at the beginning.
~~~(POV: Adren Saydra)~~~
~~~(Location: Strip Club, Landing In Zeltros (Capital), Zeltros (Planet))~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~
This is where those Weequay told me I could find information about Farf'ro's location. As much as I despise the Weequay, they have uses when it comes to knowing criminals on any planet they're on.
If only they didn't try to shoot me in the back as I was leaving, they'd still be alive. The Weequay have a propensity for stupid choices. Not surprised. Sensed it long before it happened.
As I walk through the front door, a bouncer steps toward me and holds out his head. I'm taller than someone my age should be, and my identity is hidden. Makes me curious how he knows I'm not 17 yet.
That's the galactically recognized age of responsibility.
"No minors allowed. Please leav-!!"
"GAAAHH!!!"
He lifts off the ground, grabbing his neck. I've grown tired of the hindrances finding me in my search for this Hutt. My wrist is perpendicular to my ribs, with my hand barely out of my cloak. My hand is open and relaxed.
The bouncer is grabbing at his throat in desperation.
ZRAAAAAAAK
Force Lightning launches from my exposed hand. Hitting the bouncer and sending him across the room. Releasing my grip on his neck when my Force Lightning impacted him. Music in the strip club stops, and all eyes are on me.
Varying species of aliens look at me. Some are pulling their blasters out of their holsters. Not wanting to waste any more time, my saber hilt flies into my hand. The purple blade lights the darker room. The glow illuminates the darkness that hides my face.
The tip of my saber is almost touching the ground. The blade diagonally crosses in front of my legs.
The fear.
The terror.
The horror.
All of it is coming at me in waves from various parts of the room. The dancers leave their stage and run into the back. The Zeltron women tending to the patrons leave the room in a hurry. Following the lead of the dancers.
A big guy in the corner of the room stands up and is followed by two people. He makes his way over. Standing almost 20 feet from me.
"You've got serious balls, slimesucker. Walking into my place of business. You go-!"
ZRAAAAAAAKKK
"RAAAAAAA!!!"
My free hand lifts from my side, and Force Lightning shoots at the man. He falls to his knees, and his 'friends' back up in fear, watching.
They saw it earlier. Seeing it affect someone they view as powerful must be what's changing their attitudes.
"AAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!"
The storm of red electricity continues. The hair on his head sets on fire, and his screams worsen. His skin begins to scar and blister. The smell of cooking flesh fills the room. Everyone's fear continues to climb.
He's curled on the ground in a ball as I stop. His body is scarred and shaking. He'll be dead shortly, but I can use this.
"Everyone here will end up like him if I'm not told where Farf'ro's hiding."
As those words leave my lips, whispers break out around the room. I'm about to lift my hand and choose another person. Instead, a Zeltron female stands up from a couch she's hiding behind. Cautiously making her way to me.
"Farf'ro is five blocks away... Hiding in the basement of a place called Sinners Retreat..."
Her voice is shaking with fear. I sense no deceit from the woman. My eyes scan the room again, and no one is moving to attack. There are no friends of Farf'ro here. I sense it. All my focus lands on the woman again.
The Force wraps around her as I lift her off the ground. I'm not hurting her. Simply making her float. With a slight pull of my fingers, she's in front of me. Hovering off the ground so we are eye to eye. My red irises look into her purple ones.
Fear consumes her, and she looks away. Not a single person is coming to her defense. No lover or loyal customer.
"Show me."
She's been there before.
My hold on her is lifted, and she falls to the ground. I grab her by the arm and lift her. Once we're outside, I turn off my lightsaber. She looks back at me with fear, and I can tell she's debating between running or leading me there.
Seeing my look, it makes up her mind for her. She starts walking, and I follow behind her.
Time to meet Farf'ro.
~~~(POV: Jedi Master Tezor Hendi)~~~
~~~(Location: Farf'ro's Hideout, Zeltros (Capital), Zeltros (Planet))~~~
~~~(Current Age: 65 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~
I sense it...
Sense him...
The Darksider is almost here. My conversation with Farf'ro immediately ends. Ezark stands next to me, wondering why I'm suddenly silent. After a few seconds, his eyes widen, and his arms unfold.
"Everyone get out of here now! He's coming!!"
Everyone looks at my padawan and me as the loud warning leaves my lips. Farf'ro starts to have a look of panic. He's soon babbling. He's trying to get everything he needs to say out as fast as possible.
The translator droid takes a moment and looks at us.
"I demand your help. It's your duty as Jedi to protect those that can't protect themselves. You know what's coming, and we can't stop him."
Blast!!!
This isn't how this was supposed to go. I didn't anticipate Farf'ro being so difficult to convince of self-preservation. Zeltrons and their planet have completed my failure. Muddying the mind of the Hutt into absolute inflexibility.
I look at my padawan, and he's waiting for me. Ultimately, it's my decision on what we do or not. The part I don't like about this is how right Farf'ro is.
While we don't have to protect him, the waiters and dancers have nothing to do with Farf'ro. They're innocent, and they'll be caught in the crossfire.
The Mercenaries Farf'ro has hired can be of minor help. It remains to be seen if they'll be the difference in the coming fight.
"Ezark, I want you to head back to the fighters. You're not ready to fight someone so powerful in the Darkside."
The look of shock and anger on his face appears instantly.
"Are you kidding me!? This is what we're trained for!! To protect people and stop dangerous individuals."
This isn't an argument.
"Ezark."
The firm tone and unmoving energy I release make him lower his head. Instead of saying anything, he lifts his head and looks at me defiantly.
"I'm not leaving you, Master."
Why is he so much like me...
~~~(POV: Adren Saydra)~~~
~~~(Location: Farf'ro's Hideout, Landing In Zeltros (Capital), Zeltros (Planet))~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~
The Zeltronian woman walks in front of me as we're approaching a large door. The elevator took a while to get down here. It's a well-hidden location. I sense two Force signatures on the other side of the door.
We stop in front of it, and she turns to look at me. As if seeking permission to leave. I give a dismissive wave, and she doesn't waste a second running back through the hall we came down. Jumping into the elevator and going back up.
I lift my arms from my side and flex my arms, shoulders, and chest. Feeling The Force surround and gather in my hands. In the span of a second, I unleash a powerful Force Push against the large door.
It flies across the room and slams into the concrete wall on the other side. Becoming stuck.
"WAAAAH!!"
The familiar sound of a Hutt panicking takes my attention. Once the dust settles, I see Farf'ro sitting on his metal throne. In front of him...
Two Jedi.
And Mercenaries at their backs.
As I slowly walk into the room and look across at the Jedi. I sense many things. Different from both. The Master is confident, sure, and focused. His padawan is none of those things.
The Master steps forward with his blue saber ignited.
"By the authority of the Jedi Order, you're under arrest. Please, surrender and come peacefully. No one needs to be hurt today."
His voice lacks any doubt. He's a Master of the Jedi. As well as old. If he were twenty years younger, he'd be able to beat me in a hard-fought battle.
But I sense the difference in our power. He must not.
All I do is hold my right hand out from my cloak. Both Master and padawan get ready for battle. Flexing their bodies as my saber hilt flies into my hand. Turning on its purple blade with the violent sound of a Zophis kyber crystal.
Looks like I'm killing Jedi after all. They've decided to interfere where they don't need to.
The repercussions from this fight will bring me to the top of the Jedi Orders priority list. However, as long as there is conflict in the Rim with pirates. The Senate will have the Order occupied.
A Master and padawan will die together.
Poetic.
