Obliques: Good Intentions

"Idealism is vanity disguised."
Xim's Rules for Ruling

112th Year of the Five Brothers
11,347 TYA

When UPSF routed them a distress call came from a freighter travelling to Tralus from Drall, the Jedi didn't hesitate to act.

It has been just over a week since Vediah and Koltatha had come limping into the Corellian system. They hadn't made a decision about their future yet, but it was enough time to mend the worst of their injuries, and for Master Kayn to do some patch-up work on the Found Horizon. He and Vediah had just finished going over the repairs when the new call came in, and the Zabrak made the decision to take the Horizon out for a test-drive.

Kayn gave no order about the disposition of its crew, but Jecca Tholme wasn't surprised by people's choices. Vediah was wrenched with regret over Master Sohr's death and still dealing with the shock of betrayal, but the young Devaronian also itched for action. When asked, she volunteered.

"I want to help with what you're doing here," she said, then added, "Besides, I've gotten used to flying the Horizon. I want to see how she handles now."

As for Koltatha, his lost hand was just the start of his problems. Jecca wasn't surprised when he decided to stay with Moorai on the Dawnchaser.

But three Jedi would be enough. Jecca felt certain of that as the Horizon kicked smoothly away from the colossal station and followed the distress beacon. The nice thing about these Jedi ships was that each was mostly like the other; Jecca slipped into the ship's gunnery station, worked familiar controls, and warmed up weapons.

"There's no telling what kind of trouble we might face," Jecca warned Vediah as the younger woman worked the helm. "Some of these pirates are pretty nasty, especially Two-Claw's gang. A couple of their ships are armed with new plasma guns they imported from out-system."

"But our ships can handle them," Kayn added comfortably. "Our weapons, speed and maneuverability are way ahead of what the Corellians have available."

"I'm surprised the authorities don't want a closer look at your ship," Vediah said.

"They do," Jecca said, remembering many conversations with UPSF director Rostek. "We had to lay down terms with them early on. We help them only as long as we get our privacy and autonomy."

"And they hold to that?"

"They have so far."

"You're a good negotiator." Vediah said bitterly.

"We have something they need and will keep needing," Jecca said. "It gives us a strong hand to play."

The Found Horizon rushed further ahead, until they nearest the distressed ship, which identified as the Run River. Jecca warmed up weapons expecting a possible tangle with pirate ships, but they arrived to find the tangle already wrapped up. The Run River seemed to have fought of its attackers but at a cost: one engine was down, the second stuttered, and it had drifted off the Drall-to-Tralus spacelane. As Vediah flew a steady circle around the ship, the Jedi saw numerous scorch-marks and possible hull breaches.

"Running light are on, though," Kayn commented. "And can you feel that? There's people alive in there."

"I feel it too," Vediah said. "Can we hail them?"

Kayn had alread turned on the comm. "Run River, this is the UPSF responding to your distress call. Can you read me?"

A staticky voice replied, "This is Run River. We fought 'em off but we've got damage… I have five injured crew here…"

"Understood. We have help and medical supplies. Can you operate an airlock?"

"Yes, dock with our starboard 'lock. We'll let you aboard."

"Understood. Stand by."

The Run River fired its remaining engined to steady itself and Vediah had no problem sealing portals. The Jedi had already donned protective UPSF vests upon leaving the Dawnchaser, and before boarding the damaged ship Kayn clapped on his helmet, even though they weren't facing a combat scenario. The white-furred Devaronian would raise enough eyebrows; a second blatant non-human would add more complications.

When they came through the airlock there was a single human woman to greet them. She was thin and looked frantic, and when she saw Vediah she stared in curious silence.

Jecca asked, "Miss, where is the rest of your crew? You said you had injured."

Eyes still on Vediah she said, "Right this way, I'll show you. You… you are UPSF, aren't you?"

"What else would we be?" Jecca asked.

The woman's eyes narrowed, but she nodded and led them on.

Vediah didn't know the Corellian tongue, but she probably caught the gist of the conversation anyway. Jecca threw a short glance at the Devaronian, who nodded and followed at the back of the line as the three Jedi were led deeper inside the ship.

It felt almost… peaceful in here, Jecca thought. No, not peaceful, but quiet. She didn't sense any exhaustion or anger lingering in the Force you'd expect after a fierce battle. She wasn't sure what to make of that.

The woman led them into a cabin with injured crew. Two men lay on cots and seemed to have suffered broken limbs. A third had fresh burns on his skin and clothes. The Jedi split up, taking equipment from the medical kit with them. Jecca went straight to the burned man and examined his wincing face.

The woman who'd brought them hovered over Jecca's shoulder. She said nervously, "You got here quickly. I wasn't expecting anyone for hours."

"We were close by."

"Thanks the stars you were."

"We just got lucky." Jecca enjoyed gratitude but there'd be time for that later. She took ointment and began putting it on the burned man's face. It stung, making him wince deeper.

"It's all right." She soothed him with the Force. "You're not in danger anymore. Everything's fine."

When the man calmed Jecca asked the woman, "Do you know who attacked you? Did you get a good look at them?"

"It all happened so fast. It was one ship but it came out of nowhere. It didn't even show up on our scanners… But I heard there's ships that can do that now."

"Some pirates have started using special hull plating with stealth abilities," Jecca confirmed.

"I hope they don't come back."

"We're here. You'll be safe now."

"I hope so… Is this all of you here, right now?"

Jecca hoped she wasn't going to ask about Vediah. "That's right. Why?"

"Just checking."

Jecca caught only a flicker of premonition before she struck. It wasn't enough; the Jedi turned to face her attacker but had no time to defend. The metal weave of her vest might have stopped bullets but it conducted electricity all to well, and when the taser stabbed into her chest bolts sparked across her body.

She tried to call for help, but it only came out as an incoherent yelp. Not that it mattered. Jecca looked sideways to see Kayn and Vediah both shuddering with shocks as their supposed patients attacked them. All three Jedi collapsed. Jecca's vision dimmed but the woman she'd come to help hovered over her, stabbing her with the taser again and again, until she was shoved completely into the dark.