The Pulse of Coruscant
A few days later Hexer rose early, it had been a long time since he had left the temple and many preparations needed to be made. His Jedi utility belt needed to be restocked and it was the afternoon before Hexer had med-pacs, a selection of dried snacks, a grappling hook and several other useful gadgets. Most importantly he made sure his lightsaber was in full working order and that he had not become too rusty in its use.
Standing with his feet shoulder width apart and both of his hands achieving firm grip on the handle of his lightsaber he was willing to give it a few swings. I will only use this if there is no other way. Hexer strongly believed that a Jedi should only use his lightsaber as a ceremonial weapon that stood for the light that the Jedi brought to dark areas of the galaxy. It was not merely a weapon to be used whenever the owner pleased. His lightsaber, however, as he had learnt many years ago, was his life. Hexer's lightsaber handle was a modest one; it was simple in design with a power cell that was well hidden within the interior of the saber. It had a rubber grip that sat perfectly within the palms of his hands, meaning that his grip on the weapon was a strong one. He stroked his thumb over the red starting button. He held his thumb over it for quite some time in deep thought. Quickly, he clipped his lightsaber back onto his utility belt, he was proficient in his lightsaber forms and this knowledge, he felt, had not escaped him. At the door of his room he swung on a brown travelling cloak and pulled up the hood to hide his face.
The landing pad at the temple was busier than he had ever seen it, the platforms were bustling with soldiers in white armour and numerous Jedi who were either simply watching the organised chaos reflectively or actively questioning and helping the soldiers, many of the Jedi present were Padawans though Hexer spotted the council member Depa Billaba, one of the only members of the high council to remain at the temple rather than head to Geonosis. She was talking to one of the soldiers and actually giving the man orders on what he was to do judging by her commanding stature and gestures. Hexer could feel a strong disturbance due to their presence in the temple and immediately he was weary of the new arrivals. When Master Billaba had finished talking to the soldier Hexer approached her in search on answers.
"Master Billaba, why are there so many soldiers in the temple, is this a new standard Republic soldier uniform?" Hexer inquired carefully, making sure that he did not seem to overstep his place with the highly respected Jedi Master.
"I understand your confusion. These men are Clones, an army raised on Kamino to defend the republic. It remained a secret to all until Master Kenobi discovered them. The details are unknown to me, and I have told you all I can. The council has decreed that we show support towards the Clones and accept them as a force for good in the galaxy." Billaba's words confused Hexer greatly and it was clear that there were many questions that would remain unanswered to him for the time being.
"Will today's commotion prevent me from taking a shuttle out of the temple?" was Hexer's final question to the council member.
"It won't, the temples shuttles are still available to access, and though the main landing port is taken up by Clone dropships the smaller landing pads are still available. Your timing to leave the temple is unusual Knight, many of the Jedi seek to satisfy their own curiosity and interrogate the poor clones sent here." The Master said her final words with a pleasant smile that Hexer returned before giving thanks and heading to a small landing pad on the south side of the temple, where an open top shuttle was waiting. Hexer only used this landing pad of the temple as it avoided attracting too much attention, a thing that Hexer had always hated.
Hexer was glad to be getting out of the temple for a time when the shuttle flew from the landing pad and joined the busy traffic below. Hexer decided that he would travel to the lower levels of Coruscant where he would come closer to the wide opinions of the galaxy than he ever would among the aristocracy and politicians that lived among the higher levels. There the flow of the force was strong, due to the much greater concentration of life forms, though there was much darkness to be uncovered there. Hexer would need to have his wits about him if he were to avoid conflict. Hexer came to a stop on the level 2615, a bustling level that was roughly halfway between the planets core and the highest level. Once his shuttle was parked he vaulted over the side effortlessly. The speed of travel had blown his hood down, but after a quick look down both sides of the street he quickly threw his hood back over his head. Nearest to his left was a merchant of some sort, selling an alien food he could not identify, they looked a lot like aged human hands but of a strange blue colour. No doubt they were a delicacy to one of the many races that called Coruscant their home. To the right was one of the many cantinas that could be found all over the planet. The cantina will be my best source of general opinion; the wars must be a heated topic of discussion. While walking towards the cantina a Bamasian approached him and offered him a tray of many coloured powders. Hexer's limited knowledge of the alien species taught him to stay away from the substances. Bamasians were known for their love of spicy foods and the spices they sold would easily kill him if he were to eat any and dissolve his skin if he were to touch them. Kindly refusing in Huttese, the language he was offered the spices in he moved on towards the cantina. It seems the war does not trouble the merchants here. I suppose that a war will not stop their hunger for credits. At the door of the cantina the large Herglic bouncer stopped Hexer by holding out one of his heavily muscled yet smooth skinned arms to block the door. The over 2 metre tall creature lowered itself to one knee and leant it's pointed face forward so that his blowhole was level with Hexer's face. Exhaling heavily through it Hexer's hood blew down back unto his back.
"Jedi," the Herglic said in basic, "You must be lost and Jedi are not much liked down here. Trouble often finds your type, and there is no shortage of trouble here my friend." His voice was deep and booming but he showed no aggression towards Hexer.
"I appreciate your warning, I simply wish to get a drink and sit by myself."
"I don't believe that Jedi but I will not deny you your death wish." Hexer entered not fazed by the intimidating words of the bouncer, if any Jedi could avoid violence it was him. Hexer lifted up his hood once again; heeding the words of the bouncer it would be best if nobody recognised him as a Jedi.
Once the doors of the cantina opened a smell spilled out that almost made Hexer vomit. Reacting quickly Hexer used a force technique called breath control, making all air that entered his lungs clean, pure and without scent. Looking around the bustling cantina halls he immediately located where the scent was emitting from a Vordum and obscure species that's home world was believed to be on the furthest reaches of Hutt-Space. They had six thick tentacles that allowed them to move and a large round stomach, which in its centre has a random assortment of eyes and mouths. The way that these features were placed (Hexer believed) enabled Vordum to distinguish between one another. One thing that all humans knew, however, was that their smell was repulsive and vomit inducing, all other alien species though seemed to not care at all about the alien's presence. Hexer made his way to the bar and sat on the stool furthest away from any customers. After being seated for only a few brief moments a Twi'lek women in skimpy clothing approached him and offered him a selection of items to be smoked through a pipe, Hexer selected a blue leaf that doubled as incense believed to promote the connection one had to the force. Paying a few credits for a small pouch of the blue substance he looked up into the young Twi'lek's eyes. They were full of misery and pain. The girl was clearly a slave and when face to face with such atrocities it is the duty of a Jedi to help where he can.
"My dear girl, lean in close." The scantily clad women obeyed bringing her head close to his, her eyes nervously darting across the cantina to a Duros who had so far taken no notice of the interaction. "That Duros is your boss, correct?" She gave a small nod her fearful eyes still fixed on her boss. "You shall be a free soon." She looked Hexer deep in the eye for a brief moment, full of disbelief before spinning and striding away, wiping a tear that slid down her blue cheek. Hexer having luckily avoided any attention drew a pipe from the inside of his cloak and placed his newly purchased herbs inside it, transferring his breath control only to his nose he puffed several times on the pipe and inhaled the familiar substance into his lungs. It was a rare pleasure for Hexer but one he deemed useful to him as a Jedi. The herb enhanced his force sense subtly and made his senses more aware. Closing his eyes Hexer continued to smoke the pipe and blew rings into the air leisurely to avoid looking shady. Using the force to extend his range of hearing he listened carefully to the words of the Duros sitting 10 metres behind him.
"That Neimoidian piece of bantha fodder, I risk my life and he's running late!" complained the Duros to his Gran bodyguard armed with a blaster rifle. "There will be trouble I know it." Several minutes passed and to avoid attention Hexer ordered the cantinas Lopez drink, which was an orange fizzy fruit drink that to Hexer tasted much nicer than any alcoholic beverage. A long four limbed Xexto was at the bar and served multiple people at the same time using his dexterous limbs. It was while the Xexto was preparing Hexer's drink that Neimoidian arrived for his meeting with the Duros, they spoke in hushed whispers but Hexer could just make out what they were saying. It was the Neimoidian who initiated the conversation.
"For our protection you will provide is with the support of your gang here. You have much influence in this sector Oorbo, my superiors will make it worth your while if you assist us." The Neimoidian's tone though hushed had a strong threatening element to it. He spoke in basic and did so very well, Hexer could tell that he was clearly well educated.
"My price is 50 of your finest droids, plus four of the rolling variety with anti-blaster shields." Hexer now began to pay full attention to what was going on as though the Duros Oorbo had carefully avoided saying it, he was talking about destroyer droids.
"Sir, a Jedi is sitting at the bar, should he be apprehended?" Hexer remained totally still, the Gran bodyguard had spotted him and so he notices did several armed individuals around the room. Most had blasters hidden under their jackets. A Devaronian across the bar was the closest to him, Hexer managed to avoid making eye contact but the man had his hand on his concealed blaster.
"No," replied the Neimoidian "We don't want to draw attention, we will move into the private rooms." The two men in discussion and the Gran guard all got up; there was a door on the back wall of the cantina that was covered by a curtain. The three swiftly disappeared behind it, all moving very nervously. I must follow if I am to discover what shady business the two are conducting. I must also not forget to save the slave girl. I will create a distraction to allow me to follow. A protocol droid carrying a tray of drinks was the first thing to catch his eye, with a flick of his wrist the tray flipped up in the air and caused multiple glasses to be shattered. All of the eyes were of Hexer for a few brief seconds so that he could slip through the curtains too.
The room was much larger than the cantina. It was an open hallway that was two stories tall, balconies looking over the main hall from the floor above. There were many long poles in the rafters too, this Hexer decided, would be his hiding place. The three men who had left were ahead of Hexer, but luckily they did not turn round. Hexer force jumped and landed softly on one of the balconies above. There were curtains blocking the view of him from the upstairs hallway and crouched in darkness Hexer could continue to watch.
"You see Oorbo; we need you to kill a senator, one of the Selkath from Menan. He would have it passed that they would allow Republic troops to use the Kolto mining facilities there on the planet. My... associates cannot allow that. You see by killing the senator, you will save Menan from being dragged into this war." Suddenly Hexer felt a shudder in this force, he must protect Menan and the planet had spoken. I will fight in this war.
"Freeze bub." It was the tinny metallic voice of a battle droid, quickly after he felt the cold of a metal blaster against his back.
Reacting, he spun quickly and knocked the droids blaster aside with the back of his hand. It fired of a shot down of the balcony which harmlessly hit the floor but alerted the two men bellow to Hexer presence. Looks like I must talk with them face to face. Hexer back flipped efficiently off the balcony, landing on the ground below and quickly turning to face the two mysterious gangsters.
"I'm afraid I will have to report this plot to the council and the senate." Hexer said shocked slightly like an actor blinded by a stage light.
"Foolish Jedi," Oorbo whipped out a blaster pistol from inside his jacket. Instinctively, Hexer reacted before Oorbo could pull the trigger and disarmed him, catching his pistol flawlessly.
"There is no need for violence, you should come peacefully." Hexer said passively trying to avoid violence.
"Not so fast Jedi fool." The Gran bodyguard had emerged from the bar, blaster rifle pointed at Hexer's back.
"Why will none of you listen to reason?" Quickly Hexer spun and force pushed the Gran back through the curtains. Running at full speed he jumped over the bodyguard and skilfully dodged his way through the cantina. Once outside he avoided the sight of the doorman and made it straight back to his shuttle.
What an eventful day it had been. The force had directed Hexer down a path that would define him for the rest of his life.
