Post by Bobbi on Sept 17, 2018 16:12:15 GMT -5
Sadhric, Ja'eeth, and Kel'dan have a little chat in the wake of Bargain Basement Boom
Ja’eeth:
The room Ja'eeth was sitting in was a bit removed from the larger sense of the main complex in Keldabe. It was a wide building that stretched out at the heart of the city and housed various offices for the myriad of military branches that had formed the Mandal armada and militia's might. It was home to Kel'dan's offices, and other administrative sections that worked behind the scenes. It was a base of operations, and business center all wrapped up into one. Various files were set out before her, and off to her left sat an empty plate and a cup of half drunken cafe. The woman was leaning forward over the table, closely studying the lines of what was reported to be a piece of what had exploded. It looked like it had been capsule shaped at one time due to the length of the remaining piece of casing, some of which had melted a fair bit. It wasn't professional built. The casing looked like it had been a borrowed tube of plasteel that had been salvaged from something else -- a pipe maybe? She thought, judging its width and look from the image. The initial findings were that the house belonged to Ta'am Du'ier, a carpenter by trade, and his immediate family who were second line relatives to the man they had apprehended in the beskar, a Mandal by the name of Tou Nix. The Nix family, it would be confirmed, were members of the Tar clan by marriage with Tou's great great grandmother having been married into the clan some good few decades before Tou had been born. Tou, himself, was unmarried, according to what could be found in the records. Communication files, to date, had been found to revolve around calls made to other members of the clan, quite a few connected to Du'ier, including a few calls made just hours prior to the explosion. What had been salvaged from the site were the physical pieces of the bomb that Ja'eeth was inspecting images of, and a few small blasters that had seen far better days in the midst of the explosion.
Sadhric:
Eventually, Ja'eeth would be sent for, as well as Kel'dan.
The Aud's main hub was currently capped by the ethereal-looking Witchdoctor. The Mand'alor had returned aboard that, and had given orders about what kinds of communications were to be routed to him instantly. Thus, he'd gotten the findings as they came in.
The call for Kel'dan and Ja'eeth was for them to approach the ship, not board it. Sadhric emerged with a scowl, that black and copper coat left behind somewhere, his shirt just one of the tight, short-sleeved cheap ones he gravitated toward when no one was watching him. His exposed left arm was peppered with untreated tiny bruises; so was his back, but that was impossible to see. The left side of his neck and that ear had been treated for tiny cuts from high-speed debris, and already those were practically invisible. He'd cleaned up. The dust, and the little smears of blood from the young ones he'd treated or moved were no longer apparent at all.
Ja’eeth:
Ja'eeth was in a similar state, the brunt of her bruises and scratches across the back of her hands and arms. There was a thin line cut going across her right cheek, glossy in the lighting as it hit the bacta that had been smeared across her skin there. Ja'eeth hadn't done much to clean herself up aside from having the blood and dust washed away. She wore a jacket over top of her ruined shirt, dark brown in color with pockets that had flap closures with and a mag-clip front. Her pants were still tinged with the grit of the sand she had been covered in, but it was only just a hint of it anymore when she moved. When summoned, Ja'eeth gathered up the files and went as called for, taking the files with her and leaving the caf behind with the plate. She'd seen the Witchdoctor above the scene barely remembering it was there as she had been so focused on Tou and keeping him from doing something any more stupid than he had done already. Now, in her approach to it, she was able to see the teeth that it bore, and how angry it looked. It was fierce enough to rival even the toughest ship that Mandal motors had spat out in its prime! From the ship, to the man who was emerging, Ja'eeth looked to The Mechanic as she got closer.
Sadhric:
The sharp bright green and dark blue of his shirt made for a different effect than the suits he tended to wear, let alone the armor-plated one he'd recently adopted. Those made him look droid-dangerous. Somehow this had him appearing human-dangerous.
He met Ja'eeth halfway. "So," he said.
Ja’eeth:
"They're looking for his family." She met him halfway, the hardcopies of the files held tightly in her left hand. Sadhric would have heard that tone before. She used it more than once while on the comm with him. The physical face of it was was tight expression, she looked bothered and sounded bothered, "The kids are all in fair condition." Nothing was spoken in Basic. It was all Mandoa.
Sadhric:
He nodded, eyeing her sidelong before looking away to take in what was visible on the city. After a moment, he was eyeing her again. "You were no stranger to that neighborhood."
Ja’eeth:
"For'gat and his wife, Durice, live there -- the man and woman who were helping us. Ja'dan is friends with their granddaughter. They've spent time together playing there, at For'gat's house."
Sadhric:
"Small city," he said.
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan was late in arriving... He'd gone over the reports as soon as they'd come in. It was slow, for him, because he kept re-reading it. Over and over... Almost like he was memorizing it. But eventually, he realized exactly what he was doing and had left for the meeting with Sadhric immediately... When he arrived, it was with a light jog. Giving nods to the people he knew before hurrying to their side... He was wearing his typical uniform, his hair was falling down into his eyes. He didn't say anything as he approached... Rather, he was assessing their injuries as he walked up.
Sadhric:
Kel'dan would find that any injuries to Ja'eeth and The Mechanic were insignificant at most.
Kel’dan:
After assessing them, he looked to Ja'eeth's face and then to Sadhric. "Anything I should know that wasn't in the report?" he asked.
Sadhric:
"No." Sadhric said. His tone was strange. Low, gruff--though that wasn't the strange part. There was something dead about it. Dead in it. "No one's yet spoken with Tou Nix. He's still shock-scrambled."
Kel’dan:
His eyes narrowed on Sadhric... And he was reaching out with the Force to see if he could tell anything... From either Sadhric or Ja'eeth... That deadness was disconcerting to him... "Do we have anything on motive?"
Sadhric:
If it netted anything, maybe it would be akin to walking along and suddenly having your foot break down through a crust of cool lava to expose glowing hot molten rock underneath.
Sadhric was so angry it was burning his insides to ash.
"No one has spoken to the man."
Kel’dan:
His expression went from calm to something akin to distress... And he unknowingly took a step back... And cut off contact after feeling that from Sadhric. Then his body language relaxed a little, but didn't ease off entirely. He wasn't quite sure what to say... Finally, he said, "We're out in the open... Do you want to go in?" he asked gently.
Sadhric:
"We are out in the open, and no I do not." Sadhric's voice was a tight breath, the words just air with only ghosts of tone. More normally, he added: "While I would never say that it was impossible that someone commed ahead to let a bombmaker know we were traipsing up that path careless as happy toddlers, I'd say it was unlikely. But we'll know more when we know more, and the very last thing I'm going to do right now is rush inside like the sky is falling."
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan was still for a moment, watching Sadhric's face... "No rush," he said, his voice calm. "I ask because of what you said the other day."
Sadhric:
"What particular comment of mine do you find relevant to this? )
^to this?"
Kel’dan:
"That you don't like being exposed," he said very quietly.
Sadhric:
Sadhric laughed. It was an ugly sound. "Quite right. I didn't say I liked it. But I'm not going to disappear into a hole over some homemade trash bomb going off in my general vicinity. Nor will I be seen to."
Which was the real point.
Kel’dan:
He nodded as if he understood that. "Doesn't hurt to ask," he said softly. "You feel like a mess... What can I do to help?" he asked. Meaning the entire situation, not just Sadhric.
Sadhric:
"How dare you," The Mechanic sneered at the 'mess' comment.
Kel’dan:
He gave Sadhric a serious look... "No," he said softly. "You are the Mandalor... It is but one of many duties to see to your well-being."
Sadhric:
Sadhric's lip curled. But he said, in a low growl: "It's the beskar."
Kel’dan:
He was quiet, studying Sadhric's face still... And then asked, "What were the colors on the armor?"
Sadhric:
"Briem Tar's colors, as you read. Why?"
Kel’dan:
"Everyone styles their armor differently," he said with a shrug. "Colors might give us insight into mindset, if he's updated it since the Hapan occupation."
Kel’dan:
He looked thoughtful about it... And frowned. He scratched absently behind his left ear.. "Well... Lets hope the colors were from before," he said softly. "Gold indicates vengeance. And brown is Valor."
Sadhric:
Sadhric grunted and said nothing.
Ja’eeth:
"The colors are a -moot- point right now, Kel'dan," Ja'eeth stated pointedly, waving toward him with a fist full of hard file copies, "Whatever message they may have been trying to send is secondary. He was -wearing beskar to protect himself- while he was doing whatever the hell he was doing in a residential neighborhood with an -explosive device-. More pressing than colors right now, yes?" She was angry, but not quite so good at hiding it as The Mechanic was.
Kel’dan:
He gave Ja'eeth a veiled look... It was impossible to tell what that look meant. "Yes," he told her. But he didn't say what he was saying yes to, exactly... Rather, he tucked thumbs into his belt and looked back to Sadhric. "You never answered my question... What can I do to help?"
Sadhric:
"Help me ensure that I am the first person to question Tou Nix."
Kel’dan:
He nodded. "I already had the Aud secure his room. Nobody in or out except medical personel."
Sadhric:
"These things have a way of being thwarted, but that's good enough. Thank you."
Kel’dan:
"I can go myself, if you want," he said, glancing at Ja'eeth and thenback to Sadhric.
Ja’eeth:
"No," Ja'eeth shook her head, "You've got other things to take care of," she was looking at Kel'dan still, "You don't need to be wasting time on this guy. I'll do it." It was a better way to spend her time and energy than pacing and waiting for reports to filter down to her. A look went to Sadhric. He wanted to be the one to talk to Tou Nix, and she couldn't argue with that and wouldn't argue with that. "And I'd like to be there when you speak with him." Request made of The Mand'alor. She'd done dirty work for him before, and then she hadn't known the reason why until the dirty work had begun. This time she knew beforehand, and now she wanted it even more.
Sadhric:
The Mechanic looked between them. That deadness remained, heavy and still, inside of him. "Frankly," he said, "I'm not sure how much of your company I can stand." He breathed for a moment. "Tell me--I'm curious to know. What do you two think the most pressing point in this is?"
Kel’dan:
"Why and if he was working alone," he said simply.
Ja’eeth:
Her jaw rolled before she opened her mouth to answer Sadhric's question, "The effect this could have on the peace that has only just begun to build."
Sadhric:
Sadhric closed his eyes. He shook his head.
"Nevermind."
Ja’eeth:
Nevermind? The look she gave him was a mix of different things, all of them human. The muscles around her eyes were tight, her eyes edging against a squint that was pulled at by the frown she was wearing which also had the effect of shifting the scar on her nose downward slightly, "Is that a dismissal?"
Sadhric:
"Did you hear the words?"
Ja’eeth:
"No."
Kel’dan:
He cleared his throat a little anx glanced between them. "You summoned us to you, Mandalore.". It was soft spoken and respectful, but also had that underlying question of -why?-
Sadhric:
"I did," he muttered, not sighing this time but certainly calculating hugely inside. "Whatever his relationships to others who may hold unfavorable opinions of what has happened, that man defied an edict and wore beskar’gam. It may seem an arbitrary edict, but it is not an empty one. And I made a threat that I must now carry out."
Ja’eeth:
"To what extent?" The terms had been quite clear when Sadhric had laid them out. It was part of what had her angry and ready for a fight. How many would have to pay for the crime? The explosion -could have been- an accident, but the beskar wearing was not. The colors of the damn armor were of very little concern in light of the consequences for the act of putting those colors on.
Sadhric:
Sadhric Tlin had long ago told Solomon Tekal his philosophy on threats: You did not make any you could not carry out. You did not make any you would not carry out. If you had nothing, no will, you kept your mouth shut.
"Yet to be determined," he told Ja'eeth. "It is vitally important that Tou Nix speak to me. It is vitally important that Tou Nix speak to me without coercion. It is vitally important that this happens soon."
Ja’eeth:
"I'll get on with the medical staff," she offered with a tight nod, "And see what they can do about hastening his recovery."
That may have been overstepping bounds a bit, she knew. Ja'eeth had no title what so ever that would put her in a position of authority. She wasn't Sadhric, she wasn't Kel'dan. She was not anything of rank beyond an expert at blowing things up. Maybe they would listen, though.
Sadhric:
"They know," Sadhric said, "... but it may not be a bad thing to have a visible reminder. Both of you head down there. No one sees the man once he wakes but me."
"Here's the thing to remember, and the reason why you two and I are up here without anyone else," The Mechanic said with steely quiet. "It's not you versus me. Or Mandalore versus me. Or the three of us against some unhappy underground. We are up against Hapan factions, potentially. And certainly Chiss ones, who don't like that they were reined in at the last second. This could be some lonely little man who liked to dream of more glorious days wearing his armor secretly in his home while playing with fire. But the moment this gets big, it will get very big. Very fast."
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan had been quiet for a long moment, listening to them talk back and forth... "All the more reason to determine what his motivations were... There's undoubtedly some dissention on this to so openly defy your dictate.... We'll call you as soon as he's able to talk."
Sadhric:
"Yes," was all he said.
Ja’eeth:
Ja'eeth was still for a long moment. Kel'dan's answer gave her time. "I understand, it will be done." A response she'd given Sadhric more than once, offered this time without him prying for it.
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan nodded confirmation to Ja'eeth's words... He agreed. It would be done. He had a grim kind of demeanor to his body language and his expression. "Dismissed?" he asked softly.
Sadhric:
"Be diligent," Sadhric replied. "Consider scope." He paused. Pointedly to Kel'dan, he added: "We do not chase shadows."
Ja’eeth:
A questioning look was shot toward Kel'dan at that last statement but Ja'eeth was saying "Aye. Is there anything else?" The professional had replaced the angry woman.
Kel’dan:
He nodded to the comment directed at him, specifically... "Yes, sir," he said. That was all he said. Green eyes shifted to the side to study Ja'eeth as he stood there, waiting to be dismissed so they could go to the hospital.;
Sadhric:
Sadhric was already turning away. "Nothing else. Do good work, you two."
Kel’dan:
With the dismissal given, he turned to go.. He went slowly, giving Ja'eeth the chance to catch up to him.
Ja’eeth:
She turned silently, following after Kel'dan. It didn't take her more than a few steps to catch up.
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan had walked in silence... For a few minutes. He finally pushed his hair back out of his face and gave her a questioning look. "Do you wanna tell me what that was about?"
Ja’eeth:
"You know what that was about." She answered, "Some guy in beskar'gam was playing with a bomb. It hit some children. We were there, and now we're here."
Kel’dan:
He stopped, eyes narrowing on her. "I meant the attitude," he said softly.
Ja’eeth:
"What attitude?" Kel'dan had stopped. Ja'eeth did too, just long enough to answer his question.
Kel’dan:
He arched a brown brow at her. "You telling me you weren't being smart with him?" he asked.
Ja’eeth:
Two steps away, she turned and looked at Kel'dan, "Doesn't any of this make you angry Kel'dan?" She asked, pointing his way.
Kel’dan:
He gave her another of those veiled looks... "You think because I'm not visibly upset that I'm not angry?" he asked. It was a very low tone.
Ja’eeth:
"No, I know you well enough. You let it simmer, and you let it cool, and then its gone."
Kel’dan:
"NO." His entire body tensed when he said it. He pointed in the direction from which they'd come. In Sadhric's direction. "Do you KNOW what he feels like?" he asked. "He feels like molten lava... And I can't handle being angry like that, Ja. I just CAN'T. It's infectious. It creeps in and it steeps... So I HAVE to let it go... It's still there, but it's subdued because I am TRYING to get better control over myself and how I feel."
Ja’eeth:
"You're doing a damn fine job, Kel'dan. Congratulations. I've got work to do." She was turning back around, meaning to start back down the corridor.
Kel’dan:
He scowled and followed after her. "Look." He gestured to himself. "You told me to get ahold of myself... To remmeber who I am... And that requires me keeping this whole Force thing in check... And in times like this, with such high emotion, I have to shut it down, Ja'eeth," he told her quietly as they walked. "You saw what a mess I was when I wasn't shutting it down... Would you rather have me calm or a damn mess?""
Ja’eeth:
"You do what you have to, Kel'dan, I can't and wont stop you. Shut down if you need to, just don't go making the mistake in thinking that I'm going to do, or am capable of doing, the same."
Kel’dan:
"I don't make that assumption. You have every right to be angry and I don't begrudge you that anger." He pulled her to a stop, if she let him. "What I want to know is... How in the hell do you get away with smarting off to him and I cant?"
Ja’eeth:
She stopped when he tugged on her arm to get her to stop, when she turned to face him her expression was blank for a moment before her eyes shifted, her head turning back down the corridor to where they'd met with The Mechanic, "Don't get jealous, Kel'dan. He's got more to worry about right now than his pet Mandal getting lippy. Like you said, he's angry. And like -he- said, he has a threat to make good on."
Kel’dan:
"And he will," he said softly. He let her go. "And I'm not going to protest it. He directly defied the mandate and he deserves whatever's coming to him."
Ja’eeth:
"I'm not going to protest it either. Let's just hope that the annihilation isn't a -complete- one."
Kel’dan:
"He'll do what he can to avoid that," he said. "He admitted to me that he took the title to draw my brother out... That he was gonna kill him and leave us to the Chiss."
He looked thoughtful. "His stance on that seems to have changed a bit."
Ja’eeth:
-He was going to kill him and leave us to the Chiss-. That got a look from her that was flat, "Let's hope so. And if it hasn't, I'm going to make sure I have time enough to skin you for calling me home with the children..." A small halfsmile came to her at that.
Kel’dan:
"He's meeting with the clan leaders who are willing... Don't know when or where... And he said he wanted to make this work."
He gave no response to the comment of being skinned.
Ja’eeth:
"He -does- want to make this work. When we spoke earlier he said he wanted help in building something that would last. But this, it cannot go unpunished. If he lets it go, the message that sends wont help him in keeping their attention."
Kel’dan:
"Nor should it go unpunished. I'm agreeing with you... I made it -blatantly--clear that any disobedience to his dictates would result in potential retaliation and annihilation
"Nor should it go unpunished. I'm agreeing with you... I made it -blatantly--clear that any disobedience to his dictates would result in potential retaliation and annihilation... It is not as if they weren't forewarned of the harm it could cause. Any who breaks his laws are subject to punishment as he sees fit. As it should be."
Ja’eeth:
"Its not -him-, Kel'dan, who will ride in in the wake of anything. He isn't standing in the way. He's working with us to make sure the way still exists tomorrow. Its the Chiss. Its the Hapans. Its any one singular facet of this occupation that -isn't- our Mand'alor. Hell, its even -ourselves-. That he has to punish is not just a show of strength to us, but to the Peacekeepers as well. It would not take much for this to turn bloody, even with him trying to balance things out."
Kel’dan:
"I'm well aware," he promised her. "And it could've gone wrong at any point before now... The Hapans could've taken offense to the Effigy burning and that could've called off the truce... If anything, they've been remarkably gracious... It's only a matter of time. If not now, then soon. The problem is cutting it off at the knees before it spreads."
Ja’eeth:
"What does that mean, Kel'? 'Cutting it off before it spreads'?"
Kel’dan:
"Minimizing damage," he explained. "That's what Sadhric is trying to do-- with punishing this guy. And hopefully, cutting off any further dissention."
Ja’eeth:
"I don't think minimizing damage and preventing it are the same thing."
Kel’dan:
"They're not. But there will be damage from this," he said softly.
Ja’eeth:
"There already -is-." She pointed out.
Kel’danL
"I meant more," he said softly.
The hallway down to the cell where Nix was being held... Was brightly lit. Dark walls, imposing security. While medical personell was here, it was with strict access. There were 4 Aud guards posted at the door to Nix's room. Also two guards at each entrance and exit from the corridor. Kel'dan gestured for the guards to step aside to let them in and they simply did... If anybody besides Sadhric had the ability to command the Aud, it was him.
It likely also helped that Sadhric had seen that these guards were aware that they were coming. Tlin would not have sent them on a mission in a facility like this, after a situation like the one they were dealing with, without making sure that everything was on course. Kel'dan could make way, but right then it was Sadhric who paved those tiles and made that way easier. Kel'dan and Ja'eeth would not have been aware that it had happened. The behind the scenes of what Sadhric had done after they'd left him were carried out by those who Sadhric had put to task. He had notified someone, and that someone had seen that they had their proper clearances and that the guards knew what to expect. That helped their cause along, it helped Kel'dan's clout have sway.
Ja’eeth:
The room Ja'eeth was sitting in was a bit removed from the larger sense of the main complex in Keldabe. It was a wide building that stretched out at the heart of the city and housed various offices for the myriad of military branches that had formed the Mandal armada and militia's might. It was home to Kel'dan's offices, and other administrative sections that worked behind the scenes. It was a base of operations, and business center all wrapped up into one. Various files were set out before her, and off to her left sat an empty plate and a cup of half drunken cafe. The woman was leaning forward over the table, closely studying the lines of what was reported to be a piece of what had exploded. It looked like it had been capsule shaped at one time due to the length of the remaining piece of casing, some of which had melted a fair bit. It wasn't professional built. The casing looked like it had been a borrowed tube of plasteel that had been salvaged from something else -- a pipe maybe? She thought, judging its width and look from the image. The initial findings were that the house belonged to Ta'am Du'ier, a carpenter by trade, and his immediate family who were second line relatives to the man they had apprehended in the beskar, a Mandal by the name of Tou Nix. The Nix family, it would be confirmed, were members of the Tar clan by marriage with Tou's great great grandmother having been married into the clan some good few decades before Tou had been born. Tou, himself, was unmarried, according to what could be found in the records. Communication files, to date, had been found to revolve around calls made to other members of the clan, quite a few connected to Du'ier, including a few calls made just hours prior to the explosion. What had been salvaged from the site were the physical pieces of the bomb that Ja'eeth was inspecting images of, and a few small blasters that had seen far better days in the midst of the explosion.
Sadhric:
Eventually, Ja'eeth would be sent for, as well as Kel'dan.
The Aud's main hub was currently capped by the ethereal-looking Witchdoctor. The Mand'alor had returned aboard that, and had given orders about what kinds of communications were to be routed to him instantly. Thus, he'd gotten the findings as they came in.
The call for Kel'dan and Ja'eeth was for them to approach the ship, not board it. Sadhric emerged with a scowl, that black and copper coat left behind somewhere, his shirt just one of the tight, short-sleeved cheap ones he gravitated toward when no one was watching him. His exposed left arm was peppered with untreated tiny bruises; so was his back, but that was impossible to see. The left side of his neck and that ear had been treated for tiny cuts from high-speed debris, and already those were practically invisible. He'd cleaned up. The dust, and the little smears of blood from the young ones he'd treated or moved were no longer apparent at all.
Ja’eeth:
Ja'eeth was in a similar state, the brunt of her bruises and scratches across the back of her hands and arms. There was a thin line cut going across her right cheek, glossy in the lighting as it hit the bacta that had been smeared across her skin there. Ja'eeth hadn't done much to clean herself up aside from having the blood and dust washed away. She wore a jacket over top of her ruined shirt, dark brown in color with pockets that had flap closures with and a mag-clip front. Her pants were still tinged with the grit of the sand she had been covered in, but it was only just a hint of it anymore when she moved. When summoned, Ja'eeth gathered up the files and went as called for, taking the files with her and leaving the caf behind with the plate. She'd seen the Witchdoctor above the scene barely remembering it was there as she had been so focused on Tou and keeping him from doing something any more stupid than he had done already. Now, in her approach to it, she was able to see the teeth that it bore, and how angry it looked. It was fierce enough to rival even the toughest ship that Mandal motors had spat out in its prime! From the ship, to the man who was emerging, Ja'eeth looked to The Mechanic as she got closer.
Sadhric:
The sharp bright green and dark blue of his shirt made for a different effect than the suits he tended to wear, let alone the armor-plated one he'd recently adopted. Those made him look droid-dangerous. Somehow this had him appearing human-dangerous.
He met Ja'eeth halfway. "So," he said.
Ja’eeth:
"They're looking for his family." She met him halfway, the hardcopies of the files held tightly in her left hand. Sadhric would have heard that tone before. She used it more than once while on the comm with him. The physical face of it was was tight expression, she looked bothered and sounded bothered, "The kids are all in fair condition." Nothing was spoken in Basic. It was all Mandoa.
Sadhric:
He nodded, eyeing her sidelong before looking away to take in what was visible on the city. After a moment, he was eyeing her again. "You were no stranger to that neighborhood."
Ja’eeth:
"For'gat and his wife, Durice, live there -- the man and woman who were helping us. Ja'dan is friends with their granddaughter. They've spent time together playing there, at For'gat's house."
Sadhric:
"Small city," he said.
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan was late in arriving... He'd gone over the reports as soon as they'd come in. It was slow, for him, because he kept re-reading it. Over and over... Almost like he was memorizing it. But eventually, he realized exactly what he was doing and had left for the meeting with Sadhric immediately... When he arrived, it was with a light jog. Giving nods to the people he knew before hurrying to their side... He was wearing his typical uniform, his hair was falling down into his eyes. He didn't say anything as he approached... Rather, he was assessing their injuries as he walked up.
Sadhric:
Kel'dan would find that any injuries to Ja'eeth and The Mechanic were insignificant at most.
Kel’dan:
After assessing them, he looked to Ja'eeth's face and then to Sadhric. "Anything I should know that wasn't in the report?" he asked.
Sadhric:
"No." Sadhric said. His tone was strange. Low, gruff--though that wasn't the strange part. There was something dead about it. Dead in it. "No one's yet spoken with Tou Nix. He's still shock-scrambled."
Kel’dan:
His eyes narrowed on Sadhric... And he was reaching out with the Force to see if he could tell anything... From either Sadhric or Ja'eeth... That deadness was disconcerting to him... "Do we have anything on motive?"
Sadhric:
If it netted anything, maybe it would be akin to walking along and suddenly having your foot break down through a crust of cool lava to expose glowing hot molten rock underneath.
Sadhric was so angry it was burning his insides to ash.
"No one has spoken to the man."
Kel’dan:
His expression went from calm to something akin to distress... And he unknowingly took a step back... And cut off contact after feeling that from Sadhric. Then his body language relaxed a little, but didn't ease off entirely. He wasn't quite sure what to say... Finally, he said, "We're out in the open... Do you want to go in?" he asked gently.
Sadhric:
"We are out in the open, and no I do not." Sadhric's voice was a tight breath, the words just air with only ghosts of tone. More normally, he added: "While I would never say that it was impossible that someone commed ahead to let a bombmaker know we were traipsing up that path careless as happy toddlers, I'd say it was unlikely. But we'll know more when we know more, and the very last thing I'm going to do right now is rush inside like the sky is falling."
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan was still for a moment, watching Sadhric's face... "No rush," he said, his voice calm. "I ask because of what you said the other day."
Sadhric:
"What particular comment of mine do you find relevant to this? )
^to this?"
Kel’dan:
"That you don't like being exposed," he said very quietly.
Sadhric:
Sadhric laughed. It was an ugly sound. "Quite right. I didn't say I liked it. But I'm not going to disappear into a hole over some homemade trash bomb going off in my general vicinity. Nor will I be seen to."
Which was the real point.
Kel’dan:
He nodded as if he understood that. "Doesn't hurt to ask," he said softly. "You feel like a mess... What can I do to help?" he asked. Meaning the entire situation, not just Sadhric.
Sadhric:
"How dare you," The Mechanic sneered at the 'mess' comment.
Kel’dan:
He gave Sadhric a serious look... "No," he said softly. "You are the Mandalor... It is but one of many duties to see to your well-being."
Sadhric:
Sadhric's lip curled. But he said, in a low growl: "It's the beskar."
Kel’dan:
He was quiet, studying Sadhric's face still... And then asked, "What were the colors on the armor?"
Sadhric:
"Briem Tar's colors, as you read. Why?"
Kel’dan:
"Everyone styles their armor differently," he said with a shrug. "Colors might give us insight into mindset, if he's updated it since the Hapan occupation."
Kel’dan:
He looked thoughtful about it... And frowned. He scratched absently behind his left ear.. "Well... Lets hope the colors were from before," he said softly. "Gold indicates vengeance. And brown is Valor."
Sadhric:
Sadhric grunted and said nothing.
Ja’eeth:
"The colors are a -moot- point right now, Kel'dan," Ja'eeth stated pointedly, waving toward him with a fist full of hard file copies, "Whatever message they may have been trying to send is secondary. He was -wearing beskar to protect himself- while he was doing whatever the hell he was doing in a residential neighborhood with an -explosive device-. More pressing than colors right now, yes?" She was angry, but not quite so good at hiding it as The Mechanic was.
Kel’dan:
He gave Ja'eeth a veiled look... It was impossible to tell what that look meant. "Yes," he told her. But he didn't say what he was saying yes to, exactly... Rather, he tucked thumbs into his belt and looked back to Sadhric. "You never answered my question... What can I do to help?"
Sadhric:
"Help me ensure that I am the first person to question Tou Nix."
Kel’dan:
He nodded. "I already had the Aud secure his room. Nobody in or out except medical personel."
Sadhric:
"These things have a way of being thwarted, but that's good enough. Thank you."
Kel’dan:
"I can go myself, if you want," he said, glancing at Ja'eeth and thenback to Sadhric.
Ja’eeth:
"No," Ja'eeth shook her head, "You've got other things to take care of," she was looking at Kel'dan still, "You don't need to be wasting time on this guy. I'll do it." It was a better way to spend her time and energy than pacing and waiting for reports to filter down to her. A look went to Sadhric. He wanted to be the one to talk to Tou Nix, and she couldn't argue with that and wouldn't argue with that. "And I'd like to be there when you speak with him." Request made of The Mand'alor. She'd done dirty work for him before, and then she hadn't known the reason why until the dirty work had begun. This time she knew beforehand, and now she wanted it even more.
Sadhric:
The Mechanic looked between them. That deadness remained, heavy and still, inside of him. "Frankly," he said, "I'm not sure how much of your company I can stand." He breathed for a moment. "Tell me--I'm curious to know. What do you two think the most pressing point in this is?"
Kel’dan:
"Why and if he was working alone," he said simply.
Ja’eeth:
Her jaw rolled before she opened her mouth to answer Sadhric's question, "The effect this could have on the peace that has only just begun to build."
Sadhric:
Sadhric closed his eyes. He shook his head.
"Nevermind."
Ja’eeth:
Nevermind? The look she gave him was a mix of different things, all of them human. The muscles around her eyes were tight, her eyes edging against a squint that was pulled at by the frown she was wearing which also had the effect of shifting the scar on her nose downward slightly, "Is that a dismissal?"
Sadhric:
"Did you hear the words?"
Ja’eeth:
"No."
Kel’dan:
He cleared his throat a little anx glanced between them. "You summoned us to you, Mandalore.". It was soft spoken and respectful, but also had that underlying question of -why?-
Sadhric:
"I did," he muttered, not sighing this time but certainly calculating hugely inside. "Whatever his relationships to others who may hold unfavorable opinions of what has happened, that man defied an edict and wore beskar’gam. It may seem an arbitrary edict, but it is not an empty one. And I made a threat that I must now carry out."
Ja’eeth:
"To what extent?" The terms had been quite clear when Sadhric had laid them out. It was part of what had her angry and ready for a fight. How many would have to pay for the crime? The explosion -could have been- an accident, but the beskar wearing was not. The colors of the damn armor were of very little concern in light of the consequences for the act of putting those colors on.
Sadhric:
Sadhric Tlin had long ago told Solomon Tekal his philosophy on threats: You did not make any you could not carry out. You did not make any you would not carry out. If you had nothing, no will, you kept your mouth shut.
"Yet to be determined," he told Ja'eeth. "It is vitally important that Tou Nix speak to me. It is vitally important that Tou Nix speak to me without coercion. It is vitally important that this happens soon."
Ja’eeth:
"I'll get on with the medical staff," she offered with a tight nod, "And see what they can do about hastening his recovery."
That may have been overstepping bounds a bit, she knew. Ja'eeth had no title what so ever that would put her in a position of authority. She wasn't Sadhric, she wasn't Kel'dan. She was not anything of rank beyond an expert at blowing things up. Maybe they would listen, though.
Sadhric:
"They know," Sadhric said, "... but it may not be a bad thing to have a visible reminder. Both of you head down there. No one sees the man once he wakes but me."
"Here's the thing to remember, and the reason why you two and I are up here without anyone else," The Mechanic said with steely quiet. "It's not you versus me. Or Mandalore versus me. Or the three of us against some unhappy underground. We are up against Hapan factions, potentially. And certainly Chiss ones, who don't like that they were reined in at the last second. This could be some lonely little man who liked to dream of more glorious days wearing his armor secretly in his home while playing with fire. But the moment this gets big, it will get very big. Very fast."
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan had been quiet for a long moment, listening to them talk back and forth... "All the more reason to determine what his motivations were... There's undoubtedly some dissention on this to so openly defy your dictate.... We'll call you as soon as he's able to talk."
Sadhric:
"Yes," was all he said.
Ja’eeth:
Ja'eeth was still for a long moment. Kel'dan's answer gave her time. "I understand, it will be done." A response she'd given Sadhric more than once, offered this time without him prying for it.
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan nodded confirmation to Ja'eeth's words... He agreed. It would be done. He had a grim kind of demeanor to his body language and his expression. "Dismissed?" he asked softly.
Sadhric:
"Be diligent," Sadhric replied. "Consider scope." He paused. Pointedly to Kel'dan, he added: "We do not chase shadows."
Ja’eeth:
A questioning look was shot toward Kel'dan at that last statement but Ja'eeth was saying "Aye. Is there anything else?" The professional had replaced the angry woman.
Kel’dan:
He nodded to the comment directed at him, specifically... "Yes, sir," he said. That was all he said. Green eyes shifted to the side to study Ja'eeth as he stood there, waiting to be dismissed so they could go to the hospital.;
Sadhric:
Sadhric was already turning away. "Nothing else. Do good work, you two."
Kel’dan:
With the dismissal given, he turned to go.. He went slowly, giving Ja'eeth the chance to catch up to him.
Ja’eeth:
She turned silently, following after Kel'dan. It didn't take her more than a few steps to catch up.
Kel’dan:
Kel'dan had walked in silence... For a few minutes. He finally pushed his hair back out of his face and gave her a questioning look. "Do you wanna tell me what that was about?"
Ja’eeth:
"You know what that was about." She answered, "Some guy in beskar'gam was playing with a bomb. It hit some children. We were there, and now we're here."
Kel’dan:
He stopped, eyes narrowing on her. "I meant the attitude," he said softly.
Ja’eeth:
"What attitude?" Kel'dan had stopped. Ja'eeth did too, just long enough to answer his question.
Kel’dan:
He arched a brown brow at her. "You telling me you weren't being smart with him?" he asked.
Ja’eeth:
Two steps away, she turned and looked at Kel'dan, "Doesn't any of this make you angry Kel'dan?" She asked, pointing his way.
Kel’dan:
He gave her another of those veiled looks... "You think because I'm not visibly upset that I'm not angry?" he asked. It was a very low tone.
Ja’eeth:
"No, I know you well enough. You let it simmer, and you let it cool, and then its gone."
Kel’dan:
"NO." His entire body tensed when he said it. He pointed in the direction from which they'd come. In Sadhric's direction. "Do you KNOW what he feels like?" he asked. "He feels like molten lava... And I can't handle being angry like that, Ja. I just CAN'T. It's infectious. It creeps in and it steeps... So I HAVE to let it go... It's still there, but it's subdued because I am TRYING to get better control over myself and how I feel."
Ja’eeth:
"You're doing a damn fine job, Kel'dan. Congratulations. I've got work to do." She was turning back around, meaning to start back down the corridor.
Kel’dan:
He scowled and followed after her. "Look." He gestured to himself. "You told me to get ahold of myself... To remmeber who I am... And that requires me keeping this whole Force thing in check... And in times like this, with such high emotion, I have to shut it down, Ja'eeth," he told her quietly as they walked. "You saw what a mess I was when I wasn't shutting it down... Would you rather have me calm or a damn mess?""
Ja’eeth:
"You do what you have to, Kel'dan, I can't and wont stop you. Shut down if you need to, just don't go making the mistake in thinking that I'm going to do, or am capable of doing, the same."
Kel’dan:
"I don't make that assumption. You have every right to be angry and I don't begrudge you that anger." He pulled her to a stop, if she let him. "What I want to know is... How in the hell do you get away with smarting off to him and I cant?"
Ja’eeth:
She stopped when he tugged on her arm to get her to stop, when she turned to face him her expression was blank for a moment before her eyes shifted, her head turning back down the corridor to where they'd met with The Mechanic, "Don't get jealous, Kel'dan. He's got more to worry about right now than his pet Mandal getting lippy. Like you said, he's angry. And like -he- said, he has a threat to make good on."
Kel’dan:
"And he will," he said softly. He let her go. "And I'm not going to protest it. He directly defied the mandate and he deserves whatever's coming to him."
Ja’eeth:
"I'm not going to protest it either. Let's just hope that the annihilation isn't a -complete- one."
Kel’dan:
"He'll do what he can to avoid that," he said. "He admitted to me that he took the title to draw my brother out... That he was gonna kill him and leave us to the Chiss."
He looked thoughtful. "His stance on that seems to have changed a bit."
Ja’eeth:
-He was going to kill him and leave us to the Chiss-. That got a look from her that was flat, "Let's hope so. And if it hasn't, I'm going to make sure I have time enough to skin you for calling me home with the children..." A small halfsmile came to her at that.
Kel’dan:
"He's meeting with the clan leaders who are willing... Don't know when or where... And he said he wanted to make this work."
He gave no response to the comment of being skinned.
Ja’eeth:
"He -does- want to make this work. When we spoke earlier he said he wanted help in building something that would last. But this, it cannot go unpunished. If he lets it go, the message that sends wont help him in keeping their attention."
Kel’dan:
"Nor should it go unpunished. I'm agreeing with you... I made it -blatantly--clear that any disobedience to his dictates would result in potential retaliation and annihilation
"Nor should it go unpunished. I'm agreeing with you... I made it -blatantly--clear that any disobedience to his dictates would result in potential retaliation and annihilation... It is not as if they weren't forewarned of the harm it could cause. Any who breaks his laws are subject to punishment as he sees fit. As it should be."
Ja’eeth:
"Its not -him-, Kel'dan, who will ride in in the wake of anything. He isn't standing in the way. He's working with us to make sure the way still exists tomorrow. Its the Chiss. Its the Hapans. Its any one singular facet of this occupation that -isn't- our Mand'alor. Hell, its even -ourselves-. That he has to punish is not just a show of strength to us, but to the Peacekeepers as well. It would not take much for this to turn bloody, even with him trying to balance things out."
Kel’dan:
"I'm well aware," he promised her. "And it could've gone wrong at any point before now... The Hapans could've taken offense to the Effigy burning and that could've called off the truce... If anything, they've been remarkably gracious... It's only a matter of time. If not now, then soon. The problem is cutting it off at the knees before it spreads."
Ja’eeth:
"What does that mean, Kel'? 'Cutting it off before it spreads'?"
Kel’dan:
"Minimizing damage," he explained. "That's what Sadhric is trying to do-- with punishing this guy. And hopefully, cutting off any further dissention."
Ja’eeth:
"I don't think minimizing damage and preventing it are the same thing."
Kel’dan:
"They're not. But there will be damage from this," he said softly.
Ja’eeth:
"There already -is-." She pointed out.
Kel’danL
"I meant more," he said softly.
The hallway down to the cell where Nix was being held... Was brightly lit. Dark walls, imposing security. While medical personell was here, it was with strict access. There were 4 Aud guards posted at the door to Nix's room. Also two guards at each entrance and exit from the corridor. Kel'dan gestured for the guards to step aside to let them in and they simply did... If anybody besides Sadhric had the ability to command the Aud, it was him.
It likely also helped that Sadhric had seen that these guards were aware that they were coming. Tlin would not have sent them on a mission in a facility like this, after a situation like the one they were dealing with, without making sure that everything was on course. Kel'dan could make way, but right then it was Sadhric who paved those tiles and made that way easier. Kel'dan and Ja'eeth would not have been aware that it had happened. The behind the scenes of what Sadhric had done after they'd left him were carried out by those who Sadhric had put to task. He had notified someone, and that someone had seen that they had their proper clearances and that the guards knew what to expect. That helped their cause along, it helped Kel'dan's clout have sway.
