Ahsoka: The Gray Man
Dim lights the murmur of sapients and the stench of cheap alcohol. An environment easily found everywhere in the outer rim. For some they provided liquid solace after a fair day's work while others indulged in an unregulated game of chance or other darker vices. To the gray man it was just another stop on a journey to nowhere lasting 21 years. Here nobody cared about one more old pilot resting between flights with a bottle as his only companion.
He had chosen this table carefully. A wall to his back the door and most of the bar in his sight. In his hand a scuffed datapad showed a mix of official news and local chatter. All of them touching on the same event. The Galactic Empire had used the construction of a second Death Star to lure the rebellion into a trap. Main weapon ready the battle station had been the anvil to the hammer of the imperial fleet both poised to utterly crush the dissidents between them. Yet they had not only survived but also utterly broken the illusion of imperial dominance.
The station had been destroyed. The fleet splintered between the stars. Broken by officers scrambling for every scrap of authority after the emperor's demise. All the while their prize crumbled around them. System after system was renouncing imperial authority. Calling to reinstate the senate and return to that vaunted ideal of a republic.
None of it mattered to the gray man now. Time and necessity had seen to that.
Relative silence broken by sudden shouts his gaze snapped towards the only full table in the bar. It seemed that another round of gambling had come to a close. The losers cursing out the preening winner. Normally he would've joined the group of disparate species in the course of the evening. Using his talents to transform a game of chance into one of certainty. Taking only ever enough to annoy never to truly agitate. A simple means to broaden the horizon of things he could afford.
Yet he had kept his distance. Wary of the one unifying feature of their worn down outfits. Be it a scarf, armband or a stuck on piece of cloth. They all were garish yellow. A simple way to declare their allegiance. The sign of a street gang.
They were always quicker to take violent offense to his good fortune than normal folk. Even worse when they tried to recruit him afterwards. Making offers he "could not" refuse. The resulting mess was never worth it. Not if it left a mark for the emperor's bloodhounds.
Watching the gang he contemplated taking an early night just to be safe. About to rise to his feet he froze. As if drawn by an unseen force his gaze traveled along the far wall following it to the door. With a shudder the solid plate of metal moved aside allowing a breeze of fresh air and two conspicuous figures entry.
One a tall strict women. Clothes to sharp and clean for a dingy bar as this. The other a child of ten years at most. Hawkish face framed by blonde almost white shoulder length hair. Her tense gaze flickering from side to side as if trying to watch everything at once. If not for the women's iron grip on her shoulder she would've probably already run back out.
Disdainful gaze roving over the room the women's eyes settled on the gang's table. In no hurry she started toward it dragging the girl along. The child's clothes were still a touch to good for this bar but much closer to it than the woman's. A teacher bringing a misbehaving student to complain? A live-in apprentice being thrown out? Not sure what he was seeing the gray man continued to watch.
It was still possible that he was witnessing something mundane. Yet things were not adding up to it. The girl was clearly not familiar with this kind environment. Neither did it appear that she knew why they were here. Her gaze never settling on anything for more than seconds. Likewise the gang did view the two with nothing more than idle curiosity. Except for one of them who wasn't even human like the girl.
Clad in a heavy cloak the red skinned espirion greeted the strict woman with boisterous abandon. His gaze sizing the child up like one would a precious plant. Looking at everything while ignoring her expression and posture.
The women didn't share his enthusiasm. She kept her replies short never looking at the girl beside her as she talked. It was a simple conversation. Just affirming that this was the one they had talked about. Which ended just as quickly as it had begun when the espirion handed over a clinking pouch. Accepting it the women then left with neither a second look nor a goodbye.
The girl tried to follow her but the espirion easily blocked her way. Keeping her close to the gang's table.
Brows furrowing the gray man put the datapad down. Passing curiosity turning into sharp focus. He knew that dark things happened out here at the edge of civilized space. Yet such a "transaction" shouldn't occur in a bar as this. It might be rundown and shabby but not that depraved. It happening regardless gave the news of upheaval from the core a stark new weight.
Going by their pensive expressions most of the gang shared his reservations. Yet the one speaking up first went boldly into the other direction. Her voice betraying held back giddiness.
"Hey Cax what's that about? Didn't think we were good enough for a treat." Grinning wildly the theelin was mustering the girl like an addict would a needle. For her part the girl returned the lavender woman's gaze steadfast. But to an experienced eye the upward twitch of her shoulders was enough to reveal the anxiety taking hold of her. Leaning closer like a hound catching a scent the theelin's grin stretched further.
Rolling his eyes the espirion, Cax, waved her of. "Back of Alara, she is an investment." Pouting the theelin leaned back but her eyes continued to linger on the child. Having lost a silent exchange of looks in the background another gang member spoke up, "Boss. I know there is decent money in that kind of service but I don't think the blues will lets us skim of their profits without a fight."
"Not her body numskulls. Her mind!" Exasperated by their incomprehension Cax slammed both hands palm down on the table causing the cups and chips to jump. "Remember that crazy guy all in black we run into couple months ago?" Reaching under his cloak he produced a large black ring bisected by a cylindrical metallic handle.
Seeing the inquisitor lightsaber emerge the gray man's hand instinctively dropped to his waist. Muscles growing tense preparing to launch him into the fight. His mind already sizing up the espirion searching for weaknesses. Questing fingers finding only a blaster pistol the lightning string of reflexes ground to a sudden halt. Taking a deep breath he willed his muscles to relax. It was just a man who found a sharp stick. Not one of the bloodhounds.
Cowed the gang members twisted away as Cax waved the weapon in their direction. Satisfied a nasty smirk played over his lips as he continued. "Had a good talk with him before we sent him off and turns out his tricks can be learned. Watch this." He rounded on the girl pointing at the table. "Move that cup."
Freezing under the sudden attention it took the girl a moment to comply. Just to get her hand batted away by the espirion. "No! With your mind." He reprimanded her.
Scowling she started to retort, "I can'-" Only for Cax to slap her. Not strong enough to cause real damage but it certainly stung. Frozen in disbelief the girl's head snapped back mouth opening to protest. Just to get slapped again.
The other gang members seemed unfazed by the sudden violence. Except for the theelin, Alara. She was leaning forward again a coppery lock twisted around her finger and a bewitching smile playing over her lips. Eyes twinkling with pure glee. The other patrons aggressively ignored the commotion.
The gray man was undecided on what to do. He could interject on behalf of the girl but what then? Her former guardian had clearly sold her leaving her without a place to return to. Being on the street she would've to fall in with a gang anyway before to long just to survive. Then would it not be better if she was with one which didn't desire to exploit her body?
He had a ship he could get her closer to the core. The orphanages there would probably take her even teach her a proper trade. But a fight would leave a trail to find. His gaze jumped to the point of Cax's cloak where the bloodhound's weapon was hidden. And what if the girl thought that he was also after her and did something stupid while they were underway? He had to sleep after all.
"Move. It." The espirion boxed the girl's midsection instead when she shielded her head with her arms. Again the hit was strong enough to be felt but not to damage. Forced back the girl's face was a mask of shock laced with fear and anger. Seeing the espirion's arm raise again she flinched away trying to run. Clearly prepared for that he lunged forward easily grabbing her arm.
Pulling the child close he pulled a knife from his belt putting it under her chin. "Looks like you need more motivation." Face relaxed as if he was just talking about peeling a fruit.
The girl froze expression falling from anger tinged fear to sheer panic. A fall which to the gray man's senses rippled outwards like a stone hitting a pond. At once loose change some cups and playing cards where thrown at the espirion as if gravity had shifted to momentarily point at him. Even some of the nearby chairs jerked slightly into his direction.
Letting go of the girl Cax triumphantly turned to the other gang members. "See? We train her up and the other gangs won't even know what hit them!" His proclamation was met by enthusiastic approval with the gang members who still possessed their cups rising them in salute.
Immediately Alara who's eyes still hadn't left the girl offered her assistance to the "training". Her tone as soft as a silken scarf pulling taut around a throat. The offer was met with exasperation and eye-rolls but not refusal. Their conversation drifted on split between what a nickname would best fit the girl and what tricks spoken of in gossip and tales she could learn.
All without asking the trembling child in question for her opinion. Knowing that she couldn't outrun neither the man before her not the other adults at the table her gaze swept over the bar. Searching for an escape. For help. Yet it was only met by turned backs as a choice was made by others which would change the entire course of her life.
Sometimes in the late hours of the night or when life showed him a glimpse of peace he could never have, the gray man's thoughts turned back to the past. To a choice which had been made for him. With good intentions yet still without asking him. It had given him peace at first. One supported by a hollow he had carved into himself. Guided by well meaning teachings. Teachings which had been twisted and stretched as the call of duty of obligation had thrown him and so many of his brothers and sisters into the Clone Wars. Still they had endured until the emperor had declared their order traitors and everyone had turned on them.
Forgotten were the lives saved. The cities which had been spared the fires of war. The sacrifices they had made. Hunted and alone he had ample time to reflect on his life. A part of him still missed the peace he had experienced when growing up. The certainty of the order's teachings.
He had no regret about what he had done in the war. Their cause had been just and he had done nothing to be ashamed of. Yet part of him couldn't help but question what could've been if his parents hadn't given him to the order. If they had waited until he could make his own decision. He would never know what manner of life had been taken from him. The true cost of the choice he had been denied.
The girl's eyes were a lighter shade of blue like the morning sky at dawn. Standing up the gray man put his datapad away. Measured steps taking him swiftly to the gang's table.
Of course they noticed his approach. But seeing nothing more than a human with shaggy beard and hair grayed by age why would they worry? The espirion called out to him amusedly, "Wrong table gramps this game is private!" Appropriately the gang laughed at his joke.
Ignoring them he stopped about two steps away from the table. Eyes still locked with the girl he stated calmly, "I can take you coreward if you want. The orphanages there will probably take you. If not you could go for an apprenticeship or enlist."
Growing still her gaze darted between him and the gang. Different expression rapidly flickering over her face. Surprise. A flicker of hope followed by anxious worry as she compared him to the gang members arrayed around the table. There was no doubt she was still scarred when her gaze returned to him. Nevertheless she pushed past it giving him a curt nod.
Finally catching up to the conversation the espirion stepped into the gray man's personal space. Glowering down he threatened, "No. You gonna fuck of or we're gonna have a problem." His irises were of a murky yellow starkly contrasting against the green sclera around them. In them lurked a promise of violence. Brought on by the need to demonstrate his power his authority. For it was true for beasts and gangs alike, weak leaders would not be long for the world.
"Very well." Breaking eye contact the gray man's gaze dropped to the espiron's center of mass. Shoulders slumping his stance relaxed. Judging by the guffaws coming from the table he appeared sufficiently cowed.
He had hopped to get them to negotiate with his sudden offer. After all most of the gang had appeared uncomfortable with buying the child. In his estimate at least one should've been ready to speak up. To offer a compromise. But listening to them now it was clear that they had only been wary of possible repercussions to themselves. They would neither listen to reason nor common decency.
Stepping forward he drove his fist into Cax's abdomen. Air driven from his lungs he was forced into a half-bow. Which ended abruptly as the gray man's right hook connected with his jaw. Thrown backwards the espirion hit the table explosively scattering cups playing cards and chips into every direction.
Crying out in alarm the gang members flinched away from the table. Some toppling over in their haste. Only the theelin had the presence of mind to fumble for her weapon. An effort she wisely abandoned as the low whine of a blaster pistol powering up cut through the commotion.
"We're leaving. Do not follow." Backing up towards the exit the gray man kept his eyes and more importantly his pistol trained on the cowering gang. The girl was already at the door having bolted as soon as he threw the first punch. Gesturing her through first he calmly stepped over the threshold. Just to break into a brisk jog as soon as he was out of sight.
Night had already fallen with only the stars and distant windows illuminating the dilapidated cityscape around them. Adjusting his speed to not outpace the girl he entered the first alley in sight. The gang would be after them as soon as the shock wore of and their leader got his feet under him. After that it was only a question of time until they would find them. But given their head start they would already be in the air at that point.
Guiding the girl through a spiderweb of crooked side streets he kept close to the main thoroughfares but never stepped onto them. They were to obvious a choice. Mostly straight and without much traffic at this hour. It would be like stepping onto a shooting gallery. In contrast the side streets were a cluttered mess turning from time to time even locals around. But good memory and an aerial map made them his ally tonight.
They made it halfway before he had to slow down for the girl. Running for one's life could get one only so far after all. Yet despite ragged breaths and slowing steps she didn't falter. Every one of his probing gazes was met with fiery determination. Showing her will to endure, to survive. So he lead her a into a sprint on the last fifth of the way.