morally_cryptic | [fic/rp] across the galaxy

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[fic/rp] across the galaxy

[ooc: Just prompted by a little mental image of Anakin "stargazing" that popped to mind earlier.]

On Coruscant, it was impossible to see the stars, even if one was looking out from the Council room at the top of the Jedi Temple. An unfortunate side effect of so much light from so many buildings and various forms of transport speeding around the airways. Not to mention that there was simply so much starship traffic, one likely wouldn't be able to tell the lights of ships from the field of stars behind them anyway.

Anakin had discovered this unfortunate fact not long after he came to live at the Jedi temple. He'd thought that, surely, so close to the center of the galaxy, the sky would be full of stars to see that he'd never been able to see before on Tatooine. Instead it turned out that perhaps the only thing that was better about Tatooine than Coruscant was that the desert planet was so sparsely inhabited and that the skies were so clear. Even out on the Rim, the sky was full of stars and the spiral arm of the galaxy could be clearly seen arcing across it.

He didn't try to watch the night sky on Coruscant anymore, but he still kept up the habit of at least looking for a moment whenever he found himself on a new planet. At the center of the Republic, however, he has to content himself with substitutes.

Which is why he can be found in an empty classroom surrounded by a holographic rendering of the galaxy. He's been spending all afternoon, so far, carefully marking off different star systems in various designated colors. Technically the entire exercise could be done by a computer but that wasn't Anakin's purpose in doing it. It requires concentration, but it doesn't require him to spend much effort in actually thinking so the whole activity is almost meditative.

The first batch of colored systems is simple: yellow for those that Anakin has already been to. Naboo might possibly be a subtly brighter yellow than all the rest, as if he'd lingered on that one for a moment longer than the others. He'd once told Qui-Gon he was going to see them all and certainly he had a better start on most other inhabitants of the galaxy, but it was still extraordinarily minute compared to the sheer number of systems represented on the map.

The second batch are green, signifying systems where battles of the Clone War have been fought and the Republic retained (or gained) control. Another group are blue, for the Separatist-won battles.

And finally, there's a sprinkling of red dots across the galaxy, mostly concentrated Rimward, and these are for those systems where battles are currently raging. Places he should be where he could be doing some good and making a difference. Staring at those flashes of red, it was almost enough to have him just commandeering a starfighter and heading out somewhere...anywhere. After making sure orders somehow just happened to make it through the system so that Rex and the 501st would be meeting him, of course.

But it wasn't, quite, enough. Contrary to some people's beliefs, he did have enough self-awareness to recognize that any action along those lines would likely not end well. That didn't mean he didn't still feel the temptation and it's that thought that has him swiping a hand through the starfield and systematically clearing everything out again until only dots of yellow remain on the map. He stares at those longest before they're wiped clean as well.

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Kista's eyebrows go up, "of course," she says dryly, "wouldn't want her to worry. If you're quite done, I think we've got some business to discuss."

Anakin makes a show of stretching and rolling his neck to get the cricks out, "oh please. It's got to be better than waiting for Owen to tell his wife how much he misses her."

"Yes, of course," he says to Kista. More for show, than anything, he flashes Anakin an irritated look and says, with the perfect air of a man who loves his wife deeply, but is slightly terrified of ever letting her down or upsetting her, "I could always let her deal with you, you know; next time we go out on a mission together I won't send her any sort of note and then tell her it was your fault that I didn't."

"....on second thought, let's not do that." Because of course he wasn't exactly unafraid of Obi-Wan's hypothetical wife either.

Kista just laughs and leads the way out to someplace they can talk.

Once they arrive at their destination, Kista surreptitiously sweeps the immediate area for listening and recording devices. Satisfied that they're out of sight and earshot, she gives Obi-Wan a look.

"You wanna tell me what that was all about?" she asks.

Obi-Wan shrugs. "I just wanted to send a message to my wife," he maintains. "I didn't give anything away, don't worry."

Kista raises a brow at that. "What could you have possibly sent? And what wife?"

The Jedi looks slightly abashed. "Hi Darling, I just wanted to let you know that our trip is taking a little longer than we thought it would. Don't worry, I'll be home soon. I love you," he recites. He clears his throat delicately, ignoring her second question.

Edited 2015-05-14 01:28 (UTC)

Anakin pitches his voice confidingly, "they're very much in love but they try not to advertise. Most of the time." Because everybody knows Jedi don't have attachments. Supposedly.

Kista doesn't appear convinced of a word of that, though she does at least appear a little amused. "I never would have guessed."

Before they go too much farther down that line of conversation, Anakin steers them away from the subject of Obi-Wan's supposed wife. "You said you had business to discuss? Or did you just want to get us out of there?"

"Yes," she replies.

Obi-Wan smiles. "So now that you've accomplished the latter, why don't you get on with the former."

Kista wrinkles her nose at the elder Jedi, but she nods. "I think I finally have some information for you."

Obi-Wan's automatically recalling his mental list of potential threats, ready to add Kista's information to it so he can hopefully really narrow it down. "Oh?"

Kista nods and reaches into a pocket for a datapad, though whatever she's about to say is forestalled by Anakin raising a hand.

"Someone's-"

Cue the door being thrown open by Anakin and Obi-Wan's erstwhile guard detail, brandishing blasters.

"-...coming."

Now, he thinks, would be a good time to have that lightsaber built into his hand.

Obi-Wan really hates being right, sometimes, but at least he's never surprised. Usually. He, too, senses the impending invasion, a split second after Anakin does.

His hands are up in a non-threatening gesture as he eyes the two guards.

"Let me guess, my wife called back and she wants you to bring me home right this instant?"

One of the guards rolls his eyes but keeps his blaster trained on Kista while the other keeps his on Anakin, "somethin' like that." Apparently Obi-Wan has successfully given them the impression he's not the one that's a threat.

Kista's eyes are wide, as she straightens, staring at them. "What the hell are you two doing?"

"I think," Anakin says dryly, "they're not taking orders from you anymore."

"I'm starting to get that impression, thanks," Kista snarks.

"Now, let's all remain calm," Obi-Wan interjects. "I'm guessing you two were sent to fetch us for someone?" this last is directed at the newcomers.

He's ready to go along peacefully if this is the case. The sooner they get to the bottom of this, the better.

But if they aren't here to take them elsewhere, he's already sizing up the guard closest to him as he slowly sinks into the Force, planning his next move.

One even hint of a nod from Obi-Wan and Anakin would be springing into action. As it is, the other man can probably sense that energy coiling within him as he stares down the guard who has a blaster pointed at his face.

Said guard smirks and gestures with a jerk of his head back the way they came. "The real boss wants t' see you. All of ya. Start walking." Because like hell they're going to turn their backs on these three.

Oh, he can tell that Anakin's itching for a fight, he's been so bored and restless since they started this mission. He's going to be calling The Powers That Be as soon as they sort this mess out to get Anakin transferred to the front-line somewhere with his troops so he can release some of that energy on dismantling droids. He almost feels sorry for the machines at the thought. Almost.

But instead of nodding or attacking, Obi-Wan gestures to Kista to go first. He wants the Jedi between the woman and the blasters. No slight to her, but his and Anakin's quicker reaction time can save the lives of all three non-Jedi if it comes to that.

"And you won't tell us who that is until we get there, right?" he asks, falling into step behind Kista.

"You keeps askin' questions," the guard replies. "I don't think you understand the meaning of this blaster here."

At least the machines wouldn't suffer long...

Kista moves out in front as suggested, even if she's a little reluctant to have them at her back. She hesitates a little at the first hall crossing, but yet another blaster-toting musclehead falls into step with them. "You must be the guide," she says as she eyes him sidelong.

"He knows the meaning of blasters," Anakin comments almost conversationally, "he just doesn't believe in them."

And all the while, they're being herded back in the general direction of the same place where they'd first met Jade.

"Such uncivilized weapons," Obi-Wan laments with a tiny shake of his head, the comment drawing an arched expression from Kista, who glances back at him.

Just before they reach the end of the corridor that leads back to the main arrivals area - which includes the building in which they met Jade - the blaster-toting trio ushers their prisoners down another hallway that leads into another outdoor area. There's only one building here, and a smaller, personal transport parked nearby.

When they get inside, they find Malco perched on a desk, blaster pointed at Jade, who is tied to a chair.

Obi-Wan smiles wryly. "One big happy family, I see."

Well, thinks Anakin, at least they'd been on the right track. And now Malco has saved them the trouble of proving it. How helpful of him.

"Kista," Malco says as they enter, "how unfortunate you got nosy." And then, blaster still trained on Jade, he flicks a glance up at the two Jedi. "And you two just made a mistake coming here."

Anakin nods toward Obi-Wan, "that's what I tried telling him."

Obi-Wan shoots Anakin a glance. "Now you sound like my wife," he quips.

Kista crosses her arms over her chest and stares at Malco. "You have all the subtlety of a bantha in a china shop; anyone in their right mind would've been nosy."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have been in your right mind. Now we have a mess to clean up." He didn't sound particularly sad about that fact.

Jade, for her part, is fuming. It's likely only because she's bound and there's a blaster at her head keeping her from commenting on Malco's right-mindedness. Or lack thereof.

Anakin glances back at Obi-Wan, "I'm sure she'll appreciate the compliment."

Malco growls and now the blaster is pointing at them instead. "Will you shut up??"

Oh please oh please Anakin seems to be saying through the Force, can't we just take care of these guys now?

Obi-Wan's still coasting through the situation fluidly, completely in-tune with the Force now. He can sense where everyone is and exactly how tense they are:

Jade's anger is a mirror to Anakin's more contained irritation; Kista is all bluster and indignation, which puts her as the most likely to run her mouth off and make things worse.

The trio of guards are each a ball of nervous energy, which pegs them as easily dispatched, yet at high risk of accidentally shooting someone.

The only true threat in the room in Malco. He belies nothing of his emotions, and Obi-Wan has to admire that. Unfortunately it means that Malco has been calling the shots - pardon the pun - with this strange refugee operation for far longer than Jade and Kista probably realize.

Only one plan really presents itself: A simultaneous gesture from Obi-Wan to topple Jade's chair while pulling Malco's gun into the Jedi's hand and shooting the man in the leg would take care of those two problems. The speed of the maneuver should serve to keep the guards blinking stupidly for the half a second it would take for Obi-Wan to then turn and dispatch one, possibly two of the guards before turning the gun back on Malco.

As for Anakin, his responsibility would be protecting Kista and whatever remained of the guards.

As Obi-Wan is reaching through the Force to take care of Jade and Malco's blaster, Anakin's already turning to the nearest guard to grab the wrist of his gun hand and squeeze with his own metal hand. The guard, of course, lets out a cry and Anakin just follows through pushing him into the guard hovering over Kista so they both go tumbling.

It's not too difficult after that to maneuver Kista so he's between her and anyone who might try shooting at her.

"Finally," he says under his breath. It's really a sentiment unbecoming of a Jedi but surely Obi-Wan will understand.

Malco really had no time to dodge since the sensation of his blaster suddenly leaving his hand was something that took a moment to percolate through his brain about what exactly just happened here. And by that point, he was on the ground hissing in pain. "Jedi. I should have known."

Kista unties Jade - who at this point is openly gaping at the whole thing - and helps her up.

"Jedi?" Jade echoes, looking between Malco and the two off-worlders. It's her glance at Kista, and the other woman's slightly guilty look that drops pieces into place for the refugees' leader. "You sent for them?"

Kista raises her chin in defiance. "Yes. But only because he," she nods at Malco, "sold us out to the Seps. I knew we couldn't call the Tarisian government or the Republic for help, so I sent a private message to one of my contacts in the CNS."

Jade looks all kinds of betrayed, and Obi-Wan spares her a kind, apologetic smile. "Don't worry," he says. "The message percolated through to the right people. Once this is over, no one will know that you had help from the Jedi Order."

"Except these guys," Anakin points out, needlessly. One of the guards tries to get up again and he casually pushes him back down with the Force. At least Anakin and Obi-Wan can show them how to properly restrain prisoners. An object lesson, if you will.

Malco is scowling, "do you think it ends here, Jedi? You're wrong about that." Did they think he was prepared to take that ship out for shits and giggles?

"Oh, these guys can be dealt with," Kista replies with fervor. She's already looking like she's ready to start in on them.

Obi-Wan is sure Anakin will be happy to make the proper introductions, because Malco's comment seems to imply that they are just any old Jedi, and not the infamous duo of The Negotiator and the Hero With No Fear.

"Oh, this part of it ends here," the elder Jedi says calmly. "We will deal with whatever it is you've set in motion when the time comes."

Overhead is the sound of ship engines coming closer. More than a few engines, in fact. Malco bares his teeth in a fierce smile, "you're outnumbered."

Anakin rolls his eyes, "we're always outnumbered. We're used to it."

Then, of course, several more things happen at once. One of the guards dives for his lost blaster, Malco reaches for a holdout blaster strapped to his ankle, and Kista goes for the guard going for his gun.

Anakin is perhaps a split second too late to move to intercept and Kista slams into the guard at the same time he gets his blaster up and pulls the trigger. She crumples to the floor and Anakin lets out a snarl, reaching out with the Force and slamming the guard into the wall.

He didn't like Kista, but she'd been under his protection.

The second guard makes a play for Malco's blaster; Obi-Wan ducks the fist soaring towards his head and neatly cracks the base of the weapon against the man's kneecap. He goes down hard with a cry of pain, clutching at the injury as he curls up.

Jade launches herself at Malco, but as his attention is more on Obi-Wan and her angle of attack is from the side and not in front, she manages to knock his hand aside just as he fires. The shot ricochets off a wall and hits the third guard.

A brief struggle ensues between the two, and Obi-Wan steps in to break it up and disarm the treacherous aide. Jade sits back, panting from rage and exertion. She glances up at the ceiling, as if trying to track the in-coming vehicles, with a scowl firmly in place.

"What have you done, Malco," she demands with a tiny growl. "What. Have. You. Done?"

The others more or less under control now (thanks, Obi), Anakin crouches beside Kista and checks her pulse. Still alive, at least, the bolt must have missed anything too major. But that didn't mean she'd stay that way.

"Decided I wasn't interested in neutrality either but the Republic is going to go down in flames, Jade. You made the wrong choice!" It might be the pain getting to him, but Malco was starting to sound a little hysterical.

Anakin stands up from checking on Kista, "great. I always wanted to ruin the day of a Separatist landing party."

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maybe she's bringing them some intel on whoever she thinks the spy is?

That could be an idea

Re: That could be an idea

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that's because they ARE an old married couple

XD they totally are

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oops

Oh dear....

Re: Oh dear....