Pirates Of Onderon

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~~~(POV: Jedi Master Krayla Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Unifar Temple, Capital City Iziz, Onderon)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 36 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

My attention is on Dardos as he circles the holomap of the location we'll start investigating tomorrow. Kenneth Dardos is a man I've heard about on Coruscant a few times. He's the man that made King Gaes wish come true.

That being help from the Republic in their planet's pirate issue. Despite being a member of the Senate, they have very little say or power.

We've been in here for a few hours now, and I was hoping to speak with the people who attended the party that was in progress once we arrived. Many of them have connections to the pirates.

Sadly, plans change. The Information Taylor and I are learning about the pirates is more important now than getting information from bribed and corrupt nobles. There are times and places for everything, and we must focus on this.

"These ridges here, here, and here are all heavily guarded. Due to this, we can't get a good look at the facility. We don't know how many men they have, their supply level, or the ships they're using. We can't get through their guard."

The areas on the holomap light up as Dardos points them out. The pirates placed their base in a great location. It's the largest one on Onderon and is believed to be their headquarters.

"All the scouting information we've gathered is here. As much as I'd like you to eliminate them, I understand you're only to evaluate the situation and the pirate presence, Master Azure."

Everything we've gone over in the last few hours says much about the pirate's dedication to this planet. The Onderonians don't know any critical information, so they sent for the Republic's help, and why the Senate turned to the Jedi.

My daughter is looking at the holomap with a serious look in her eyes. Absorbing the information we've learned today. The night is falling on Onderon, and it's a perfect chance to investigate this place.

It's several hours away from Iziz, but it won't be morning again for another 14 hours. We'll use that to our advantage.

"Thank you for briefing us on everything you've learned on your own. Given the situation and how dire it is. We're starting tonight."

The people in the room look at each of us with surprise but soon with gratitude. Taylor and I stand up. Before I do anything else, I make a copy of the holomap and download it to my wrist gauntlet.

"Thank you, Master Azure. Your problem-solving and direct approach to problems have been a fresh injection of hope for us. King Gaes needs this filth removed from Onderon before he passes on the throne."

The infestation of pirates can usually be dealt with when you destroy their largest installation. Where we're going is the exact place for that. We don't have orders to engage, but seeing everything now. I might have to change the mission when we get there.

Telling them all this now is not something I'm doing. It's better to keep it to myself if I do end up having to decide between the two choices I'm seeing.

"No need to thank us, Dardos. It's our duty as Jedi to help any who needs it. Sadly, the Senate and Republic work in tandem with our Order. We are a branch of the Republic."

Taylor couldn't have said it better. The Jedi often don't have to ask or notify the Senate of anything we do. Due to the rise of instability, we're working with the Republic far more than usual.

It's inadvertently giving the Senate power and influence in Jedi matters, and that's a subject of discussion I highly disagree with. The council hasn't addressed it, and I'm worried the Order is changing for the worse.

"Nevertheless, we're grateful. Hopefully, when your investigation ends, we'll receive the help needed to rid our beautiful planet of pirate scum."

The venom in his voice as he addresses the pirates shows us how passionate he is about helping fix his planet. Dardos is likely the one to become King when Gaes passes.

He'll make a good ruler, if not a little too focused on one thing, but that'll change when Onderon becomes better. Taylor and I bow our heads and leave the room. It's not long before we're out of Unifar Temple.

We're walking down the streets of Iziz with our hoods up and blending in with the night crowd. A wave through The Force is sent to Taylor by me; she senses I wish to stop somewhere first.

As we're near the city's gates, we pull to the side and enter a cantina. Once we enter, there are plenty of people getting drunk and engaging in revelry. We approach the bar and sit down.

"Why are we here, Mom..."

This is her first mission dealing with pirates. Many pirates roam our galaxy, and some of them aren't terrible. Many only wish for the cargo of ships and take no life.

It's still against the law, but there is civility among the pirates if you know where to search and who to talk to. It's avoiding pirates of low or no moral standing we don't want to deal with. They're little more than savages out for Credits.

"Listen closely, Taylor."

We lean a little closer to each other at the bar to speak without one listening.

"Not all pirates are the same. Smugglers, Bounty Hunters, Mercenaries. There are good and bad among them. Same for pirates. In our investigation, a key point is finding out who's leading the pirates on Onderon."

A knowing smile forms on her lips.

"If we can find out the leader, we can learn what kind of pirates we're dealing with."

She nailed it on the head. Pirates are weak. Working on a power structure. The strongest lead and the followers do anything and everything the leader says. It's a rather amusing subject of study, but that's neither here nor there.

When a leader has morals and principles, the pirates under them must operate the same way. Less they want to be executed by the said leader.

"It's a good plan, but how are we finding information on a leader in a cantina? Iziz is one of the only places on Onderon without pirates influencing it."

That doesn't mean they're not here. One thing you can count on with pirates is they love to drink. When they run out where they're hiding, they come to the closest cantina to continue.

"Pirates may not be influencing Iziz, but they're definitely here. All we have to do is wait for one of them to appear, and we can find the information we need."

She sends a feeling of excitement through The Force. She's learning a lot on this mission and always seeking more knowledge. Roland would always say that my pursuit of enlightenment was admirable.

Just never lose myself in its constant pursuit. It's not a conversation I need to have with Taylor yet. But I do know her like I know myself. She'll need to learn temperance.

~~~(POV: Jedi Padawan Taylor Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Cantina, Capital City Iziz, Onderon)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

Just as Mom said it would happen, a person we believed to be a pirate stumbled into the cantina drunk. Looking for more to drink. Once we spotted him, getting into a private room in the back wasn't hard.

He's sitting in a chair with his arms bound behind the chair. He's sober enough to know he's in trouble. The look on his face tells he has a disdain for Jedi.

"You're a pirate, yes?"

This is the first time we're interrogating someone. Jedi don't use means of torture. Not when we have other methods of getting information. Mom will be the one questioning. I'm to watch and learn how it works.

"No, I'm not. Just because I'm drunk and poor doesn't mean I'm a pirate. I just wanted something to drink."

I don't need to use The Force to know that's a blatant lie. Mom leans back in her chair and folds her arms. Looking at the man, he adverts his gaze. He looks at me as I'm standing next to Mom. There is great fear blooming in him.

A breath enters Mom, and she leans forward. She's about to do something to get information out of him.

"Are you scared you'll be killed if you talk to us?"

Many emotions explode from the man as Mom asks him that. Fear and anger mostly. Fear for his life. Angry that he's in this position. This tells us the person he works for lacks morals or principles. At least, not when it comes to talking.

Mom senses the same things I am; she'll come to the same conclusion.

"I'm not saying anything. You might as well kill me."

He's given up rather easily. No longer trying to hide that he's indeed a pirate.

"Jedi don't kill unless it's the only option left. I'll be turning you over to Dardos and his men; they'll be eager to use any method to get information out of you."

The man's eyes widen at the mention of Dardos. Mom is shrewd. We would never torture someone for information, but that doesn't mean we can't give him over to someone who wouldn't have the same standards we do.

Mom is reaching for a button on her wrist gauntlet, and I watch the man start to panic. He's about to crack. He takes a deep breath right before her finger lands on the button.

"Wait!! Please, don't hand me over to Rinner's men! I'll tell you anything you want to know!"

She stops and lowers her wrist, looking the pirate in his eyes. Waiting for him to continue.

"I'm working for a man named Wess Barden. My crew was tasked to stay in Iziz and report what we learned to him. That's all, I swear."

Wess Barden...

"Isn't that third in command for the Cargo Deeques of the Rim? They're among the most powerful pirate gangs this side of the Slice."

It's not hard for me to remember Wess Barden as I tell Mom the information I know. He's one of the most brutal pirates around today. He's the youngest of three brothers, and his two older siblings run Cargo Deeques with him.

Mom waves her hand, and the man passes out. A sigh releases from her mouth, and she pinches the bridge of her nose.

"This is more serious than I thought."

She lifts her wrist and holocalls Dardos. Informing her of the pirate we've captured in the cantina near the city gate. Asking him to come pick him up. She doesn't mention the fact he's working with the Cargo Deeques.

"Why didn't you tell him about the gang?"

We're supposed to be working with Dardos and his men, but we're keeping information from him. This is my first time doing this or seeing Mom do it.

She turns to me with a look of understanding. Walking over with me and turning me around as we walk to the door. Flipping our hoods up and leaving the cantina. As we're walking to the storage room leading to the speeders. She stops us.

"If I told Dardos what we discovered, he'd let his emotions consume him. The Cargo Deeques isn't some run-of-the-mill pirate gang; anyone out in the Rim knows this."

She's not wrong.

"He'll find out from the man he's heading to the cantina to pick up anyway. He'll get the message after he's done interrogating the guy."

She didn't want him doing anything that could jeopardize our mission here. All at the cost of the trust we're supposed to have with him.

"Does that mean our mission is changing from investigation to removal?"

Since this new information has come to light, we might have to do something drastic. The Senate won't do anything fast enough to help Onderon before the Cargo Deeques finish whatever they're planning.

Mom will have to inform the council if we change the mission.

"It's likely we do, Taylor. I want you to know odds are we'll have to fight. We'll try to solve this with nonviolence, but the Cargo Deeques aren't known for solving problems without their blasters on empty."

Wow... This will be the first time I might have to take another person's life... It doesn't sit well with me, and I did not think I'd have to do it on this mission.

It's my duty as a Jedi to help the people of Onderon. Even if it means taking the life of another...

~~~(POV: Wess Barden)~~~

~~~(Location: Apartment, Capital City Iziz, Onderon)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 39 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

First, the Jedi decide to make an appearance before we can initiate the final part of the plan, and then Boda gets captured by them. It's only a matter of time before they're here, and I need to leave.

Our scout mission is a success in the end, no matter what. We've got detailed information about the city's defenses and forces. Mesa and Paxs will be waiting for my return.

A sigh escapes my lips as I close and lock my apartment door in the capital city for the last time. Even though it was only for the cover, I did like the place. Getting away from my annoying brothers was a bonus.

As I walk down the street, several guards rush past me, and I look over my shoulder. They kick the door down to the apartment I just locked. Seems Boda has told Dardos everything.

That means they know about us. It's only a matter of time before Kenneth rallies some serious forces and storms our base.

I pull a holocom off my belt, and Mesa picks up the call after a few seconds. Folding his arms and waiting for my report.

"Boda has been captured. Our location and cover are compromised. I'm heading back. We don't have much time left, so if you're moving forward with the plan. Do it before tomorrow."

My brother doesn't look happy, and he clenches his teeth.

"This wasn't the plan, Wess. You were supposed to remain there before our assault started. Your sabotage during our attack is key. Plan B isn't ready yet."

The frustration and anger in his voice cause me to roll my eyes.

"That's not my problem. I've done my part, but Boda screwed up. Now, it's time to adapt. Use your head for once, you idiot."

I shut off the holocall before he could say anything in response. He won't be happy when I get back, but he'll be so busy preparing for the morning assault I won't be on his list of priorities.

Iziz is the only place on Onderon we don't control, and if everything did go to plan, we'd have started the assault to take it at sunrise. That's changed. Paxs will probably hold off the attack and come up with a different plan.

Hopefully, we can get our final plan in motion before the Jedi interfere more than they already have. As I leave the city, I head deep into the jungle and struggle to climb up a cliff and into a cage.

Once inside, my Fighter Ship is plainly seen from the moonlight entering the cave entrance. It'll only take a few minutes to get back, but I need to make a stop before I do.