|
Jedi Master Daz Murl, Jedi Master Angelique Heartman & Mr. Panaka
Jedi Master Daz Murl, Jedi Master Angelique Heartman & Mr. Panaka
Originally Posted: June 29 - July 2 2011
Dark and Foreboding Paths
Haakon City (Warrior House Heartman Capital)
Azgard
Mr. Panaka
It had long been a well-known fact that no one attempted to land on Azgard without invitation. However, that was just what Jedi Master Daz Murl and Jedi Master Angelique Heartman had in mind when they arrived in Azgard orbit aboard a courier shuttle with Daz's astromech droid slotted in its socket. Being a member of Warrior House Heartman, Angelique was, without any scrutiny beyond voice identification, given clearance to set down deep within her House lands. Unknown at the time was that, at Daz's direction, Angelique had omitted that he was aboard the courier shuttle. Another well-known fact was that, under Azgardian law, off-worlders were forbidden to leave Olav, the planetary capital. Still, it was not uncommon for certain off-worlders to be granted special permission to be allowed, escorted outside of Olav. With Daz, this was not the case. Once the pair had landed and Daz was observed traveling with Angelique on foot, some did take notice. But because Angelique was well known to her family, the alarm was not immediately sounded. It didn't take long for questions to be raised among other warriors, though; questions that were quickly relayed up the chain of command until the alarm was sounded.
It took nearly seven long hours for the patrols to locate Angelique and her trespassing friend Daz. By this time, the alarm had been sounded at the highest levels of Azgardian leadership. Even before the warriors closed in on the pair, heated debates were waged between Warrior House Heartman and the Council of Warlords. In the end, it was decided that the pair would be treated to the hospitality of the Warlord of Azgard. They were picked up deep within protected lands and taken into "protective custody" for their own safety. They were whisked away under a shroud of secrecy that was unbecoming of the Azgardian Code of Honor, taken to a private villa that overlooked the capital of the house they had offended, and given separate rooms. The detachment of 20 Black Dragons was unnecessary as the House Leadership promised that the pair would not be brought to answer for their crimes. However, the Black Dragons were not there to protect the pair from Warrior House Heartman. On the contrary, they were there to protect Warrior House Heartman from the pair. Though the villa was lavish and their needs were well cared for, it was nonetheless a prison.
Millions of light years away, a simple message from Warlord Ton was received, "Greetings, my friend. I regret to inform you that your comrades in arms, Daz Murl and Angelique Heartman, have committed a grave crime that surely could cost them their lives. They have dared to violate our Off-Worlder Laws and trespassed towards the 'lake.' I am sure you can understand the serious nature of the second crime. I have personally spoken with Brea Heartman. She is the current leader of her Warrior House. During our conversation, she expressed a fondness for both of the offenders. However, their crimes, the latter more than the former, are serious in nature. She agreed to turn a blind eye to this under your personal assurance that they will never return to the 'lake' again. I was asked a question that I was unable to answer. Both of the offenders were previously expelled from the Jedi Order. Are they members of the Jedi Order or not? I hope that you will make haste in your reply or your arrival to help us deal with this tragic turn of events."
Daz was pleasantly surprised to find that the villa was equipped with a HoloNet terminal. He composed and sent a brief message to Jedi Master Visst Dassek, advising him that while on Azgard, he and Angelique were given an invitation that they were unable to refuse and were now guests of Warlord Ton. He requested that Visst join them without delay to ensure that they did not overstay their welcome. After sending that message, Daz sat silently in his allotted room. They had only been on Azgard for 12 hours and here they were, under guard, their weapons, and in all likelihood their borrowed courier shuttle and his droid, impounded. His eyes were closed as he meditated on the events of his life. The villa was actually a very tranquil and restful place. He was taking full advantage of this moment of peace which was all too rare for him. Yet, for some reason, it seemed like the calm before yet another storm that would bear down upon him. The distant skies of his life showed the tell-tale signs of that storm, and he could already feel its chilling effects on his soul. It was the knock on his door that broke his concentration. He opened his eyes and turned toward the doorway to see a Black Dragon standing there. "Master Jedi, you have a visitor," said the fully armored warrior. Since Daz and Angelique were taken into custody he had carefully noted that they were being treated more like guests than some kind of prisoners. Such behavior was a departure from the usually barbaric behavior he had come to expect from Azgardians. Daz nodded and slowly stood up from the floor.
A well-dressed man walked in carrying a briefcase. Daz observed that he was wearing designer shoes, a suit and tie, and a hat. The briefcase was made of real leather and the man had some kind of gold-colored watch. It was clear that this man came from or worked with some kind of wealth. He walked up to Daz and offered him his hand, which Daz politely shook. "Greetings, Jedi Master Murl. I am Mr. Panaka. I bring a message from the Royal Court of Trosia." He held up his right hand, showing Daz a signet ring, and continued. "I bear the Seal of the King. I speak with you here today on his behalf." The man smiled as he glanced at the table near a window. "Shall we take our seats?" he asked, then motioned towards it. Daz continued to size the man up as they each took a seat at the table.
From his briefcase, he pulled out a small box and placed it on the table. He pressed a little light on the box and it started to flash, "Don't worry, we have no intentions of recording this conversation. Nor do we intend to allow your hosts to listen in on or record what is said or seen here." He smiled as he reached back into his case and pulled out some documents and a datachip. "The King sends his warmest regards and would like to enlist your help. We have learned that you have become, um, how shall we say, political minded," he said, choosing his words carefully. "The Royal Family has suffered a tragic betrayal and suffered great embarrassment at the hands of one of their own. I am sure you are familiar with Jedi Knight Biggs Saar. Shortly after the Azgardian march on Coruscant's Jedi Temple, Jedi Saar and his wife, Jedi Knight Lysire Chalco, were visiting his family on our homeworld."
He handed Daz the datachip, "At the end of this visit, Jedi Saar, and we are under the impression that Jedi Chalco was also involved, broke into a secure area of the palace and stole several of the Crown Jewels. The items are listed within the datachip. While the pair attempted to make their escape, several eyewitnesses who are servants of the Royal Family watched helplessly while Jedi Saar murdered two guards who were attempting to prevent the criminals' escape. The case was put to the courts and a trial was held. All of the evidence was presented and carefully weighed and testimony was issued before the court. Our beloved Queen shed tears as the Prince was found guilty on two counts of murder in the first degree and five counts of Royal Property theft. As for his accomplice, Jedi Chalco, the courts were unable to return a guilty verdict. You will find all that you need to review the case on the datachip. Due to the fact that the trials were conducted without a seated defendant, it is highly likely that his court appointed defenders will wish to appeal the ruling. This issue will not die soon. As I have said, this whole matter has caused the Royal Family much grief and embarrassment."
Mr. Panaka continued, "Under the laws of the Republic, no member world will be forced to honor the Extradition Treaty on capital cases. Because of this, the death penalty was stricken from Jedi Saar's sentence. This is where our need for your, um, unofficial help comes in. We have petitioned the Senate to force worlds like Azgard, who are knowingly harboring the fugitive, to turn him over to Trosian authorities. We have petitioned the Jedi Oversight Committee to have the Jedi Council issue a warrant for his arrest and subsequent return to Trosia. As of this date, our requests have either fallen on deaf ears or we have been told that there are 'greater things at work.' Given your dedication to upholding justice, we hope that you will understand our plight and render your assistance in securing this fugitive and bringing him back to Trosia alive. It is important for you to understand that we are not asking that you kill Jedi Saar, despite the pain and embarrassment he has brought upon his loving family. We want him to serve out his life sentence without parole in one of our harshest, darkest prisons."
He leaned back in his chair, "Now, I know that you are not a bounty hunter, and I mean no disrespect to you by making this request. If you choose to accept this mission to bring the fugitive Jedi Saar to justice, we are willing to generously cover your expenses. Not to mention, word of this would surely make its way throughout the Senate and the Republic that you are a defender of justice, not the terrorist that you have so shamefully been labeled. The King of Trosia would see this favor as a sign of friendship. What say you, Master Jedi?"
Jedi Master Murl
Daz gazed at Mr. Panaka through his dark goggles, shuffling the datachip between his fingers as he considered the proposal with which he was just presented. If the information on the datachip checked out, two more murders had been committed by Biggs in addition to over 100 others Daz was already aware of, including the murder of his father, Ord Murl, and Biggs's involvement in the death of his mother, Min Plund. It was understandable why the Trosian authorities would want Biggs remanded into their custody, given the nature of this alleged crime and given that he was a member of their Royal Family.
However, without having had the opportunity to investigate the crime scene himself, Daz would have to accept that the evidence presented on the datachip was factual and that Mr. Panaka, who was representing the King of Trosia, was trustworthy. Ordinarily, that would be a leap of faith Daz would be unwilling to make lightly. But this wasn't just anyone that was wanted by Trosia, this was Biggs Saar. Whether the two guards had been slain by Biggs or not, it was clear that he was a mass murderer and a war criminal. What difference did it make which planet he was locked away on, as long as he would be unable to cause more suffering?
"What makes you think me politically minded?" Daz asked, stalling for time to think. "Don't think us so naïve that we are unaware of your connection to Chancellor Quee," Mr. Panaka countered. Daz had known the answer to that question before he had even asked it. "I serve the Force," Daz said, changing the subject. "I will need time to meditate on the case at hand." Mr. Panaka shook his head, "We are out of time. Since you serve the Force, are you not also committed to upholding justice?" he argued. "We must master patience," Daz insisted, recalling the words of the strange creature who called himself the Teacher. "We have been patient, and all the while a murderer roams free throughout the galaxy," Mr. Panaka retorted. "If you require my assistance, you will give me the time I need to make my decision." I need your answer, Master Jedi, or we are through here," Mr. Panaka insisted.
Although many thoughts echoed loudly through his mind, Daz didn't answer. "Patience," he told himself inwardly. "We thought that seeing justice carried out would mean more to you," Mr. Panaka said as he took the datachip back from Daz's hand and began to put the documents he had placed on the table back into his briefcase. He added, "You were our last hope to arrest Jedi Saar without further loss of life. If you refuse, Trosia will have no other choice than to place a two million credit bounty on his head. Once bounty hunters become involved, Jedi Chalco could easily become caught in the crossfire, but you had an opportunity to ensure that no harm came to her and that Jedi Saar was captured alive." Daz was speechless. He hadn't expected Trosia to sink that low. "This is truly disappointing. We were counting on you to do the right thing," Mr. Panaka said as he pressed the little light on the small box. It stopped flashing and he returned it to his briefcase. Without saying another word, he stood up from his chair, turned and walked toward the door, opened it and left the room.
Daz stood up and began to pace his room. It had all happened so fast. He'd hardly had any time to consider the proposal. Only one thing was certain. With a two million credit bounty in play, nearly every bounty hunter in the galaxy would be after Biggs. As morally bankrupt as bounty hunters were, they wouldn't think twice about using Lysire to set a trap for Biggs or slaughtering her if she got in their way, whichever came first. She was in more danger now than ever before. Daz couldn't let that happen. He ran to the window and peered out at the villa's landing pad. The Trosian shuttle was still there with two guards flanking the gangplank and Mr. Panaka was just boarding. Daz hurried into the hallway and flagged down the first Black Dragon he saw. "I need you to stop that shuttle from leaving," Daz urged him. The Black Dragon spoke into his comlink. "Stop the shuttle." Daz hurried outside and broke into a run when he saw Black Dragons with heavy blaster rifles trained on the frightened guards and Mr. Panaka who all had their hands in the air. Daz motioned for the Black Dragons to lower their weapons. "That's not necessary," Daz assured them. "I just need a word with him," Daz said, gesturing toward Mr. Panaka." To the relief of the guards and Mr. Panaka, the Black Dragons lowered their weapons. Daz motioned for Mr. Panaka to return with him to the villa.
Once were back in Daz's room, Mr. Panaka opened his briefcase again, retrieving the small box and setting it on the table. He pressed the little light on it and it began to flash again. "Do I have a two million credit bounty to cancel?" asked Mr. Panaka. "Yes." Daz answered. Mr. Panaka proceeded to transmit a message to cancel the bounty to his superiors via a comlink relay to his shuttle's HoloNet terminal. "Have you reconsidered our proposal?" he proceeded to ask. "I have," answered Daz. "Then we have some issues of legality to cover," Mr. Panaka said, reaching into his briefcase and pulling out a stack of papers which he began to thumb through. "Upon signing this contract, you will be given six months to apprehend the fugitive. If you have not achieved your objective at the end of six months, you may receive an extension of three months. You will be given a 50,000 credit advance to cover your immediate expenses. When you transfer custody of the live fugitive to Triosian authorities, you will be compensated with an additional 150,000 credits. "What if the 50,000 credits run out?" Daz wondered aloud. "You may request an advance which, if approved, will be taken out of the additional credits promised to you upon completion of your contractual obligation," rattled off Mr. Panaka. "You won't mind if I take the time to read this over in its entirety?" Daz asked. "Of course not, we would think you stupid not to." quipped Mr. Panaka. "Good. Of course, you must understand that I'll have to consult my companion, Angelique Heartman, before I make any of this final," Daz stated firmly. "You have one hour," replied Mr. Panaka.
When Daz entered Angel's room, he found her with a drink in her hand, soaking in a hot tub fully nude. Her ample breasts floated above the suds which obscured her lower body. She just smiled at him and tucked behind her ear a strand of blue hair that had fallen over her face. Hardly believing that she was so relaxed as a prisoner that she could be luxuriating like this, he averted his gaze and found a towel which he handed to her. He got right to the point. "Angel, we have an urgent matter to discuss and less than an hour to do it. I'm about to undertake an important mission, it's a life or death situation, and I need your help.
Daz delved into the contract with Angel. The primary signer could elect to add partners to the contract as long as said partners signed at the same time. Angel would receive 20,000 credits up front to cover her expenses and 50,000 credits upon Biggs's apprehension and transfer to Trosian authorities. If they needed time beyond a three month extension, they would have to make their case for it on Trosia. They would be responsible for repaying all funds allocated to them if they failed to apprehend Biggs. All medical expenses incurred while working the case would be covered. Should they perish, their funeral expenses would be covered up to 5,000 credits each. Oddly enough, should evidence give reasonable doubt that Biggs was not guilty of what he had been accused of, he could be granted a new trial. It was explicitly stated within the contract that to fulfill its terms the fugitive must be brought in alive. Lysire was not mentioned in the contract.
When he had finished going over the important details with Angel, Daz explained to her the grave danger Lysire was in which necessitated him making it his responsibility to arrest Biggs. "Are you with me, Angel?" Daz asked trustingly.
Jedi Master Heartman
After we left the lake side community, we was taken to a villa by Heartman Guards where we were to be held as the guests of Warlord Ton. Angel then realized, she was in trouble for sneaking Daz to the lake. She spent the first hours while being held wondering the villa, where she soon came across an hot tub over looking a view of the mountains. The view was relaxing and the hot tub inviting. It was not a hard choice for her to relax some. Angel requested a bottle of champaign in a ice bucket along with a glass from one of the guards. She slowly removed her Jedi robes and other items placing them on a nearby chair. Her body was worn and dirty as she removed the last of her clothing. With both feet in the tub, she slowly slid in as the hot water washed over her tired body. Laying her head back in the water she felt the warmth of the water rising up to her face. Slowly she lowered her head down beneath the water's surface while holding her breath. Carefully she brought her head back up in to the cool air of the villa leaving her troubles and stress below the surface. Moving to the side of the tub, she reached over the side and pulled the champaign from the bucket. Holding the bottle in the towel provided, she poured herself a glass of bubbly goodness. Finishing the first glass in one drink, she took another glass from the bottle then leaned back in to the bubbles of both her mind and the water while closing her eyes. Her mind drifted back to the medical ship and images of the clone of her sister laying on the hospital bed.
She could hear her sister's words “don't leave me here alone” echoing in her memory. A wave of sadness washed over her as she sank in to the tub, “why did I leave her, I should have stayed with her.” It was her sister, not some thing to be discounted. It was her own blood sister. But then the thoughts of Ubaah crossed her mind and his wisdom about becoming attached. She was really confused. Her logical mind knew the clone wasn't her real sister and that her sister was dead. Yet, seeing her in the cryopod, hearing her speak, listening to the confusion that the clone was going through. It wrenched on her soul and ripped her heart to shreds. There was nothing she could do to change the feelings in her heart, she was her sister regardless of what anyone else would say. She dismissed the ideas of her sister being anything else and reflected on the memories of her. The fun times they shared on Alderaan and working together. Angel remembered how Fiolla had risked her life over and over again to do what was right. Angel smiled as she continued to reflect of her sister. She found herself actually looking forward to becoming reunited with her sister once more.
Daz walked in to the room with some papers in his hand and froze in his tracks. Angel looked at him with a puzzled look on her face as he just starred at her. Within moments he realized what he was doing and turned away, it was then she also realized that her large breast were poking up through the bubbles of the water. She laughed as she finished off her glass while Daz handed her a towel. She reached up and took the towel and wrapped herself up in it as she slowly climbed out of the tub. He was talking to her about some contract to go after Biggs. Tucking the towel so it would not come undone, she took a copy of the contract and looked at it. “There's allot of really fine print here” she said softly trying to read it. She listened carefully to Daz explaining the mission and how important it was for them to bring Biggs to justice. “Daz, this really doesn't seem like a good idea” she said with concern in her voice while she still went over the pages of the contract. 'Wow theres allot of BIG words here' she thought trying to read the contract that was drafted up by lawyers.
None of this really made any sense at all to her. Angel had so many questions about all this but Daz was so sure of everything, as usual. There was just something wrong with hunting down Biggs and on top of that, collecting a fee for it. “Daz, this is wrong. We can't do this” She tried to voice. It was clear that this really meant allot to Daz but still something was tugging at her. 'No this isn't right, we can't do this' she thought to herself. “I really don't like this Daz, are you sure about all of this?” she questioned as she continued to skim the contract. There was just so much to read that it was making her head hurt. She just lowered the contract and looked at Daz as he explained his reasoning. She saw his face and knew right there what she had to do. He was, after all, her best friend. And besides Fiolla, the next closest thing she has to a family. The three of them were more like brother and sisters, rather then just friends. She smiled at him as he just continued explaining his points of few. 'You are my friend, my family, what else is there for me to do' she thought then nodded, “Daz!” she said loud enough to get his attention, “I will follow you where ever you lead.”
Jedi Master Murl
"I knew I could count on you," Daz told Angel, nodding to her with appreciation. He wasn't sure what part of his ardent appeal for assistance had won her over. Whether it was her concern for Lysire, her realization that Biggs must be brought to justice, or her loyalty to Daz, he was grateful to have a true friend like Angel. Daz had borrowed her datapad, which was returned to her along with the rest of her belongings except for her weapons, and inserted the datachip Mr. Panaka had given him. The evidence presented in the case against Biggs was comprehensive and the witness testimony compelling. He had every reason to believe that Biggs was indeed guilty of taking two more lives to carry out the crime as convicted before he and Lysire arrived on Azgard.
Daz proceeded, "I don't know what we would have done if we had found Biggs and Lysire at the lakeside community and they weren't on a path back toward the light the way Ogon and Visst believed they were. I was trusting the Force, and I still am. Now I have an idea that I must have received through the guidance of the Force. I've been wondering how we can defend ourselves against a warrior of Biggs's caliber, and now it's crystal clear: We need Talon." At that, Angel seemed to brighten and receive a boost of confidence in their mission. She readily agreed to Daz's plan to return to the Jedi Temple that Visst had convinced Talon's clone to remain at and to bring her with them. Angel even told Daz that here on Azgard, she'd be able to locate the same type of armor and weapons the original Talon had used. "Leaving Talon alone wasn't the right decision. She needs her friends. She needs a purpose," said Daz.
He knew that the clone didn't have Talon's spirit, but she did have a spirit of her own. A sentient life form, she was the closest living being to Talon that this galaxy would ever again know. Why should a flesh barcode on the back of her neck keep her from retaining Talon's identity? With her help, Daz was confident that they would succeed in their mission. He understood the serious risk involved in trusting the Puppet Master's trap, but to leave her isolated could just as easily trigger the programming Daz suspected the Crusade had embedded deep in her mind. However, the most immediate threat Talon posed would be to Biggs. Daz intended to do everything in his power to ensure that Biggs would be taken alive. However, if Biggs refused to surrender, went on the attack, and engaged Talon in combat, she wouldn't be taken down as easily as his murder victims.
As the hour drew to a close, Daz and Angel made their way to the table where Mr. Panaka sat waiting for them, though he no longer had out the small box with the little flashing light. After both of them had taken a seat. Daz told him that in order to close in on the fugitive, they would need their own Jedi starfighters that were still aboard the Unending Light. Mr. Panaka seemed open to the idea of having them retrieved and delivered to them, but told Daz that he'd need to offer up a favor in return, suggesting that they also bring Lysire back to Trosia to give testimony against Biggs. But Daz, knowing how perilously close she was treading to the dark side, adamantly insisted that Lysire be kept out of the proceedings. Suddenly, a thought occurred to Daz. It was unlikely that Biggs would turn himself in. If Daz and Angel were in danger, Talon would be there as a fail-safe, and if she met Biggs in combat, his survival was anything but assured.
"Let's face it, the fugitive isn't going to make it out of this alive. If we were to spare the Royal Family further pain by bringing a quick end to this nightmare, how soon could you have our starfighters to us?" asked Daz, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
Mr. Panaka
"You'll have your starfighters by tomorrow morning," replied Mr. Panaka with a smile that both made Daz uneasy and told him that they had a deal. Mr. Panaka flipped to the provision stipulating that Biggs was to be turned over to Trosian authorities alive and amended it, crossing out the text in question and beside it writing "Voided by signers." When Daz asked him if the Crown Jewels had to be recovered, Mr. Panaka told them that, although that was not a contractual precondition, there would be a 50,000 credit reward for each of the five stolen Crown Jewels located and returned to the Royal Family. He presented the final page of the contract to Daz and Angel who both exchanged a glance before signing the document and pressing their thumbs to the paper, leaving their DNA imprints as instructed. Past the point of no return, they each received a complete copy of the 22-page contract.
Jedi Master Murl
Daz asked Mr. Panaka to contact the Senator of Trosia to petition Warlord Ton for their release, as well as the return of Daz's astromech droid, the courier shuttle, and their weapons in order to expedite their mission.
Mr. Panaka
As Mr. Panaka returned the original contract to his briefcase, he simply stated, "We have it on good authority that your release is assured. Good doing business with you." He stood up from his seat, Daz and Angel doing the same, and extended his hand to each of them in turn, which they both courteously shook. With that, he left the villa and returned to his shuttle.
Jedi Master Heartman
"What have we done?" asked Angel.
Jedi Master Murl
"What we had to. We're doing everything we can to protect Lysire, even if it means killing Biggs," answered Daz.
|
Jedi Master Daz Murl, Jedi Master Angelique Heartman & Mr. Panaka
