Courtyard - Jedi Complex Coruscant
This vast courtyard is where much of the daily life of the Jedi can be observed. A park-like area near the bridge is often used as a study area, and the open areas in that park are teaming with life as students and teachers alike take part in sports and athletic activities, honing the body. At each corner of the square compound is a tower that is easily 200 stories high. Paths criss-cross the entire compound and run the perimeter, from tower to tower. At the north end of the compound is a large hill constructed of many different types and sizes of boulders.
In the center of the courtyard is the largest tower, rising another 100 stories above the other towers in the complex. The double-wide, ornate doors to this tower are always open. Unlike the other towers, this one has a wide section near the top that removes the tapered look the other towers have. Above this bulge is where the Jedi Council Chamber is located.
The complex is alive with activity. To either side of the main path leading to the center of the courtyard, are small groups of Jedi Knights and some students, involved in training or physical activity. A particularly intense game of full-contact king of the hill is going on near the outer field area. Hands on his hips, Ashton watches as a pair of padawan learners train with their training lightsabers near the statue in the center of the complex.
Spectre looks around with awe of the place. He moves more slowly, searching for his friend.
Colma follows Spectre in from the bridge. After he steps foot into the courtyard his eyes go wide and he can't help but look around speechless. It is so very different from the massive buildings he was admiring just moments ago. He looks to the students who are playing some game with some sort of weapon. They seem different from the Jedi in the stories he had been hearing since his early childhood, maybe it was just because Cathar Jedi were different? Colma didn't know, he'd never met a Jedi in person.
Ashton nods as one of the student's attempts a particularly difficult parry-strike attack. And succeeds. Both students were far advanced in their training. And it's evident that they are nearing their time for their trials into Knighthood by their age and skills. Fortunately, Ashton is not overseeing their training, only happened upon it. He gives them both a mental nod then moves away from the pair, down the pathway towards the next group of training students.
[Aries] There is a click-click-click noise and eyes turn to see a platoon of about 30 men walking down the Bridge.
Dressed to go out onto the streets of Coruscant, a blonde girl in her late teens to early twenties makes her way through the courtyard. Moira Brennan seems to have some destination, because she's heading at a quick pace for the bridge leading out of the complex. She only gets a third of the way there, however, when she spots Ashton making his way through the crowd. Smiling slightly, the girl makes her way over towards the Knight. She had time, at least, to tell him of her search for parts. And perhaps ask his advice on something. If he has time, that is. "Evening, Ashton." She says, when she's within hearing range.
Spectre trills softly and looks back at Colma, "It is something beyond us...." He smiles a bit and looks back toward the Jedi, "I recognize the little one....perhaps I should call her over?"
Colma hears the footsteps of many men and his first thought is trouble. He quits admiring the scenery and steps closer to Spectre. If they've come for him, they'll not find taking him easy. He gives his surroundings another glance trying to find cover for his friend. He doesn't answer his friends question but merely says. "Someone's coming...lots of them."
Ashton senses Moira coming long before she changes course to intercept him. His smile broadens a bit as he senses the connection the two are developing. Yes, he was sure the Council intended to allow him to take her on as his padawan learner, although she had no idea. Her diplomatic and investigative skills were honed enough that the biggest problem would be keeping her curiosity sedated as she continued her training. He nods to her as she nears him. "Hello Moira. You look like a woman with a mission. Planning on..." and his words are cut off as he hears the approach of troops into the complex. Frowning, he sends out a mental reassurance to the students training in the courtyard, then steps down the path towards the incursion, certain that Moira is with him and another Knight known as Tirol'dyn is also on an intercept course.
The platoon stops and a fairly young man no older than 15 rushes out to Aries and Salutes he is unaware that everyone is watching, Aries looks around at everyone's face and looks back at the young man and says in a low voice "Sergeant Gibson you know the Jedi hate it when Armed Troops enter their Compound" he sighs and turns away as the young man races back to the squad and yells some unheard orders and is away without notice.
Moira barely has a chance to smile a greeting at Ashton's friend before something loud seems to approach. She is indeed with the Knight as he and Tirol'dyn make their way to the disturbance. Maybe it's that aforementioned curiosity, or maybe she thinks she can help- either way, the little blonde woman widens her stride to keep up with the pair of Knights. She's quiet as she tries to keep pace, preferring instead to let the more experienced Jedi do any talking that might need to be done.
Spectre looks back at his friend, "Don't worry....I am sure that they have things under control...I just hope they can possibly help me." He trills a little again, making that a noise he makes when he is nervous. Now he begins to approach again, heading for Moira and company.
Colma nods, "I guess I am just a bit jumpy knowing what danger you are in. I believe they can Spectre, it is just a matter of how. Your friend will help you, and things will be all right." I hope. He turns to look at the people moving towards the group of men and wonders which of them is Spectre's friend. And more importantly if they will indeed help him.
Ashton pulls up short as the exchange occurs between Aries and the leader of the troop of men. Just as quickly as they had arrived, the troops are on their way out of the compound. Furrowing his brow, Ashton turns to Tirol'dyn and shrugs. "Remind me to talk to the council about that. That's the third time this week a troop has made their way into the complex. You'd think they'd train these grunts directions or something," he says, knowing he'll get a smirk out of his friend. He's not disappointed and it causes Ashton to grin wider. They've stopped relatively close to where Aries is, and both Colma and Spectre are not much farther away. Tirol'dyn taps Ashton on the shoulder and points towards the Spectre and Colma. "You sense anything?"
Aries looks at the ground and sighs the words "That's my bumbling platoon. I was just installed as their commander their last one was an idiot, so Vahlen replaced him."
While Ashton and Tirol'dyn discuss the Colma and Spectre, Moira is busy beginning to recognize one of them. A smile lights her face, and she waves over at Spectre in greeting. Glancing briefly to Ashton, perhaps judging if it's okay for her to run off, she then proceeds a few steps toward the visitors, to close the distance between their group, and the group she is a part of, herself. "Spectre, right?" Moi asks, silently hoping she managed to remember the name. "Tai's friend, the bounty hunter-to-be? How are you, tonight?"
Spectre smiles and bows slightly to Moira, "You remembered me..." He sighs and rolls his silvery eyes, "As for bounty hunter to be it is more like bounty hunter bait. I wish I was better but at least I am in one piece still. I came for information in order to preserve my life." He flicks his tail a little. "I hope yourself is well." A smile graces his features, showing plenty of teeth.
Colma walks up closer to Moira and Spectre giving the woman a slight bow. "I am a friend of Spectre's. My name is Colma'cazo, though almost everyone calls me Colma. It is a pleasure to meet you." He neglects to mention something which to some may seem important, like the fact that he is a bounty hunter. "I hope his friend can assist him with protecting his life."
Ashton raises an eyebrow, glancing towards the pair and nodding Moira an okay to drift away from the pair of Knights. He looks back at Tirol'dyn, "Odd...shall we?" he asks, nodding towards the pair."
Ashton nods to Aries as they move closer to him. Tirol'dyn continues towards Colma and Spectre, but Ashton pauses near the Republic officer. "Is there something I can help you with, Lieutenant?"
Aries looks around and says, "I dropped something off at the council chambers and I saw everyone gathered around here and decided to have a chat.
Hmm, his friend? That glint of 'protective Moira' tries to rear her ugly head, before the girl dismisses that side of herself as unnecessary. Tai's a big boy, and wouldn't want her to look after him- at least, not like this. He can choose his own battles, so to speak, and ought to be allowed the freedom to do so. "It's nice to meet you, Colma. I'm Moira Brennan, but Moira will be fine." Then, on to the problem- or what sounds like a problem. "Bounty hunted? Oh, my...you believe someone's taken out a bounty on you?" After posing this question, Moi takes a beat to decide just how far to pry. But if he's seeking the help of any Jedi or Padawan, he's going to wind up needing to yield certain details. "If you don't mind me asking, why do you believe someone would want you dead? And exactly what aid do you seek?" Her own wellness seems to be forgotten in the thought of someone else being unwell, so she fails to answer Spectre's question.
Spectre points over at his friend Colma, "Because Colma is a bounty hunter...and was hunting me before he had a change of heart." He smiles a little, "I have convinced two other bounty hunters not to attack me and have made friends in strange places, but I am unable to get this bounty off my head. I hear it is 10,000 credits. Quite a prize for whoever wants to take me out.
Colma feels it necessary to point out something about the bounty. With a nod he again speaks. "Moira it is then. The bounty is for the live capture of Spectre, so it is not a question of who wants him dead. Unfortunately for my friend, there are things worse then death." He turns and gives a bow of his head to Tirol'dyn, whom he spots approaching. Then he turns back and says, "No creature with a cause like Spectre's should be hunted, and it was his quest for the benefit of his people that caused my change of heart."
Aries says, "I'm heading to Tatooine for a drink anyone is welcome." Aries leaves, his New Red Republic Army Uniform gleaming in the daytime.
Tirol'dyn steps up behind Moira as she is speaking. Judging from his clothing, his age and his demeanor, it's obvious he is probably twice Ashton's age, making him that much older than Moira. His arms are crossed in front of him as he listens to Spectre and then Colma. His entire attention remains on the bounty hunter as he speaks, nodding as he comments on his change of heart. As Aries leaves and Ashton approaches, he raises an eyebrow at Colma. "10,000 credits is a lot of money. Do you think the party who put up such a large amount on such a being would consider other alternatives for settling their grievance?" Ashton nods slowly in agreement with Tirol'dyn.
Aha, and here comes Ashton and his friend. The girl smiles again, and gestures to Ashton. "Spectre, Colma, this is Ashton. He's a Knight. And this is...." Moi trails off when she gets to Tirol'dyn. "Oh, dear. I know you're a Knight as well, but your name escapes me. I'm sorry." Moira looks properly sheepish, and falls silent, to give Tirol the chance to introduce himself, if he wishes. And then she stays silent, because the pair Jedi Knights would probably have questions of their own.
Spectre rumbles a little, "The corporate sector is angry for my defilement and destruction of their weapons. They will not rest until I am in their hands to break before my people."
Colma gives a bow of greeting as Ashton is introduced. He then nods, "That is what we first thought of, but the guild wasn't exactly forthcoming with information on who posted it. Without a contact to speak to we have no way of knowing if they would consider alternatives. If it is the Sector as Spectre believes it to be, I do not see any mutually suitable alternatives. They want to make an example of Spectre to show his people that to go against them is suicide."
Moira senses, "Ashton touches your mind, "No padawan, you are doing fine. Look to what the problem is and like we've talked about - look for all the information before forming a decision. There are always alternatives and they are not always black and white. Knight Tirol'dyn is a master of negotiation, but even he won't think of all the possible questions."
The taller Jedi Knight bows his head to Colma and Spectre, stepping to one side of Moira as if to emphasize that they are equals. Instead of introducing himself to Moira, he greets all of them. "Forgive me, I am Tirol'dyn." He raises an eyebrow to Spectre, "The Sector Authority, is it? I wonder if there aren't other avenues they might consider for such an infraction." He turns to Colma, raising an eyebrow. "Tell me, why did you come here?" Before he gets the answer he knows is there - Spectre's reason, he points a finger at Colma. "Not why you both are here in the complex, but why not just turn him away and send him here alone. Why accompany him?" Ashton in the meantime, moves up to stand on Moira's other side. He doesn't say anything aloud, however.
"Wouldn't the person taking the bounty know who is paying? Is there some kind of central office, where everyone gets bounties from, or is it just catch as catch can, getting jobs where you find them?" Hmm, why's Moira asking this, all of the sudden? The wheels in her head are visibly turning. "Because, it sounds like you don't know for sure -who- paid the bounty. You only have guesses. Or was there something beyond suspicions, to indicate the source of the bounty?" Aha, so that's the line of thinking- if it's really someone with other channels, why put up so much money when you have other options? Moira nods to Tirol, saving the 'nice to meet you, again' for later. For now, she focuses on asking the right questions. She hopes, anyway.
Spectre laughs lightly at the young Jedi, "I did not get the name The Spectre, for being the easiest one to find. I believe they thought hunters would have better luck. Unfortunately or fortunately in my case, the ones I have met have souls."
Colma is taken by surprise by Tirol'dyn's question. He takes a moment to think over his decision to come with Spectre. It had all happened so suddenly. "I am his friend, he asked me to come with him." He continues thinking about it. "I thought he might need protection on the trip..." There is a very short pause. "I just felt as if it was something I was supposed to do, like I was meant to go with him." He then handles the much easier questions posed by Moira. "The guild has a somewhat strange way of running things. The central office knows who sets the bounties and where they can collect the payment. However they do not inform the hunters of who has placed the bounty or what the party wants with the target. I suppose they think some of us would cut the guild out of the deal if they were to do so. We do not know who set the bounty, but I believe Spectre's guess that it is the Authority. They have reason to from what he's told me of his actions on his world, and they have the currency to spend."
Ashton interjects here, before Tirol'dyn asks any more questions. Indeed, it seems Tirol'dyn expected as much and is already looking Ashton's way. The younger Knight may have not been a Knight as long as Tirol'dyn, but the two tended to think alike. Ashton looks squarely at Colma. "What if you were to take him for the bounty. Would you take him to the guild? You wouldn't take him to the party who put the bounty out on him?" The wheels are turning in Ashton's mind as he thinks of a way to not only allow Colma to do the right thing as far as his own career goes, but also keep the guild from feeling as if they'd been cheated - which might cause backlash onto Colma and any other bounty hunter that had had Spectre in their grasp and not acted on it. Tirol'dyn watches Colma sagely, allowing Moira to extract more information from Spectre.
As Ashton's conversation with Colma starts to follow a track of thought similar to where she was going, Moira decides to take a new direction with Spectre. "If you don't mind me asking...what exactly did you do, that you think prompted this bounty? Something with weapons, I believe you said?" Not completely relevant to the current topic of 'who,' but 'why' might also become important. 'And,' Moira thinks, 'it's good to know as much as you can when trying to solve a problem.' Then, she falls silent to listen to both Spectre and Colma's answers.
Spectre thinks about this a moment. He sighs and looks at Moira, "What I did was when I was young, I sabotaged an installation that had set up on my planet. I ripped wiring and melted things in three ships. I used their mining tools and cutters to take out other instruments that they valued. It was an expensive venture. Their weapons were destroyed, well as much as I could."
Colma nods to Ashton. "Yes I would bring him to a guild holding facility where I would be paid my share of the bounty. Then the guild master or one of his more trusted employees would deal with the client. I would never know who placed it, or what was to become of him. Its one of the ways the guild can keep we hunters, with souls, wasn't it Spectre, from developing moral objections to the hunt." In the back of his mind he begins to wonder why his reason for coming was important.
Ashton frowns. "We can't negotiate with a middleman, Tirol," he says to the older man. "If we could be put into contact with the persons who put this bounty out on him, we could discuss alternatives, but the Guild won't be interested in anything other than turning him over to whomever paid them." Tirol'dyn nods, looking between Spectre and Colma for a moment, as if developing his own idea. Turning to Spectre, he arches an eyebrow questioningly. "You came here for assistance, correct? You wanted help in handling this problem? Or just hiding from it?" Even as he speaks, Ashton seems lost in concentration.
Colma senses, "You feel a light pressure on your brain, but instead of coming from outside, it seems to sort of echo in your mind. It's unclear where the pressure is coming from, but as soon as you sense it, it fades as if not wanting to intrude."
Striding out of the Residential towers comes Tai Jinn, but he is almost unrecognizable. His eyes are large, deep black circles that look as if he's been beaten savagely in a fist fight, however the sacks that are roughly the size of an infants hands indicate it's lack of sleep that is the culprit. Walking unsteadily, Tai doesn't even look up in any direction other than that of Ashton and Moira's, heading directly towards his fellow Jedi, also recognizing Tri, an advisor to him of many sorts. Greetings are withheld as he pulls up behind them quietly to observe the situation, nodding only to Spectre.
Moira blink in Tai's direction, but she doesn't greet him. Not aloud, anyways. Her gaze rests on the other Padawan a minute, then looks back to Colma and Spectre. Seems that the Knights have it under control, so Moira gets to work with the listening and analyzing what's said. After all, they'll have to use this information later, should they wind up helping.
Spectre sighs, "I wishes a solution if I could first....and hiding in the meantime. It is hard to solve a problem if you are already caught."
"What the..." says Colma, but the feeling disappears before he's finished and he shakes his head making sure whatever it was is gone. No longer feeling it he says, "Yes a middle man is all we have, so we couldn't even attempt negotiations ourselves. Since that avenue was not available I suggested Spectre go into hiding until we found another way to approach it. Instead we came here, Spectre thought you might be able to help. And I believe he is right."
Although the diminutive form of a certain brown-haired captain is not a rare sight in this courtyard, her manner of entrance would probably raise a few eyebrows in surprise - Including her own, if she had the luxury. Kastanje crosses the bridge in a clatter of boot falls on stone, a broad-shouldered man with a vaguely military haircut jogging behind her and carrying what looks like a *very* dingy woman. The Captain's usual polite entrance is eschewed in favor of a panicked search of the area, and an immediate run towards the first familiar person she sees - Moira, incidentally. "Uh, Moi, I found Bode, and then he passed out, and he has this timer on him, err, a thermal detonator, and I'm not so good at this thing and..." She catches herself rambling rather incoherently and stops, trying to catch her breath. "Help?"
Spectre takes a step to place himself before Colma, trusting the Jedi to guard themselves. He hisses in the direction of the thermal detonator. Not very effective but instinctual.
Colma doesn't like the looks of this. But then again something seems familiar. "Spectre isn't that the woman from Corellia? What is she doing with that thing?" He watches the action unfold before his eyes, a slight smile coming to his face as he realizes Spectre is shielding him in case there is a blast. Definitely a good friend to have made.
Ashton's concentration seems to fade as well and he looks at Colma for just a moment, then glances at Spectre. "Any who seek the help of a Jedi will receive it, if it is within our power. In your case, Mr. ... Spectre, was it? In your case, we can house you here until we can find this person or persons who placed the bounty on you and attempt a negotiation to find an alternative to your capture. I suggest you think long and hard about what you can seriously offer to repay what you damaged. Obviously money won't be enough, they wanted to make an example of you or humiliate you. A life on the run is not what you want, trust me." He turns to Colma, "You have proven to be a good friend in staying with him to assure his safety. Are you planning on staying on Coruscant long? Any information you could provide the Council would be helpful in our attempt to assist Mr. Spectre." It's at this moment that Kastanje rushes up and makes her announcement, and Ashton is ... well, speechless.
Tai is looking at Moira, naturally, as Kastanje bounds in carrying Bode. Excellent, a thermal detonator, good thing it's strapped to Bode and not activated... As the situation dawns upon Tai and his exhausted mind, he acts from reflex, and half pulls Moira behind him while stepping in front of her, putting himself between her and the kamikaze Bode. Half closing his eyes he recalls back to the lessons he's received about explosives, and suddenly realizes he knows nothing about this situation to provide any help. I like swords. Looking to Ashton with a clam expression, he raises an eyebrow wondering if the knight has any suggestions.
"Thermal what!?" Moira exclaims, making her way to Bode with all possible speed. "Does anyone know how to disarm this thing? Or remove it?" Moira asks. But then, Tai's in front of her before she knows what's happened. And she can't seem to get around him...hmm. Instead of trying to force her way around, she says "Tai, please? Let me help." Not that she knows anything about explosives. She gives it a moment, and then she tries to get around Tai again. Strangely enough, there's nothing of panic on her face. She's just looking a little eager to get this problem solved.
Any of the usual Courtyard denizens who may have commented about Tai's habit of finding trouble now have nothing on Kastanje. Motioning to the tall man who carried Bode here, the Captain gets him to place the still unconscious bounty hunter on the ground. A very tattered woman's blouse is unbuttoned, a thermal detonator in plain sight with a timer at about 3 minutes. The broad-shouldered fellow immediately runs off at the fastest pace he can manage without looking like he's running.
Kastanje looks around at the three familiar Jedi and two surprised felines. "I'm sorry, guys. Rohan told me a bit about them. At least, I can try and figure it out. But if I messed up that would be, well, very bad... I don't suppose there's something... Like a shield? Some sort of Jedi-thing to put around it?"
Spectre growls a bit and looks at the body from where he is, turning his head he faces the Jedi, "If we cannot disarm it, I will take the body to wherever is most remote. Protect the others. If I die then that is one less problem for many, and you will live. As it stands I pretty much have a death sentence on my head."
Colma doesn't really have much of an idea of what to do. In the hopes that everyone else will follow his example he remains calm in this time of crisis. Why though was everyone gathering around. If they didn't know what to do they shouldn't crowd around the explosive. That would only worsen things before and if it blew up. More bodies in the direct path, and more distraction for whoever knows what to do with the blasted thing. With these thoughts streaming through his mind he has no time for the questions posed to him. But Spectre's idea seems completely out of the question as far as he is concerned. "No, Spectre, if that is the plan one of the Jedi can push it away with their minds. Can't you? Don't tell me that the one Jedi story we need to be true was made up."
"That won't be necessary," Ashton says to Spectre as he waves not only Spectre, but Colma and the two padawan back as well. Tirol'dyn, the other Knight next to Ashton, nods to Ashton and steps forward to Kastanje's side near Bode. Ashton turns to Moira and Tai. "Tirol will need your help. I know you two do not have much experience in Force Transfer, but right now, he'll need your help. What you want to do is to summon more of the Force than you ever have before. As you feel that power come up inside of you, focus your energies on Tirol'dyn. I will help you get started." He moves to Tirol's side, placing a hand on Kastanje's shoulder. "Tirol and I will attempt to shield the detonator, but there's only so much we can deflect of an explosion of this magnitude. Think you can find out if it's trapped? If we can get it loose, I can dispose of it."
Tai looks at Ashton and nods slowly, stepping over towards Tirol'dyn and kneeling, then slipping into a cross-legged sitting position. Closing his eyes, he begins to summon and focus energies, but it is so much weaker than anything he would normally be capable of. The punishments of exhaustion taking its toll. Nonetheless, he continues to feed the efforts of Tirol silently.
With Tai no longer blocking her way, Moira moves to flank the other side of the Knights. She too closes her eyes, because if she's to surpass what she normally does, she'll need full concentration. She reaches out, trying to draw the Force into herself, as instructed, and then directs that towards Tirol. It takes effort- indeed, she hasn't ever tried this before. But she does the best she can, all of her mind on this task.
STATCHECK: Kastanje
STAT: Technical Difficulty: Hard
.........................SUCCESS!!
Kastanje nods mutely to Ashton in acknowledgement, stress showing in beads of sweat and furrows across her brow as the Captain realizes this problem is still her responsibility. Well, perhaps that's good - wouldn't do for the woman to just rely on the Jedi to solve whatever problem scared her... Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Kastanje cautiously reaches to the detonator and starts checking it over. "Well, no booby traps," she assures with a hint of relief as that much is covered. Her voice is strained as she mutters: "Now let's see if I can disarm this..." Again, delicate fingers more used to medical work pick at the mechanism of the detonator device, and she pulls it off Bode's unconscious body.
STATCHECK: Kastanje
STAT: Technical Difficulty: Sheer Folly
.........................Failure!
The timer on the detonator speeds up... Obviously it wasn't disarmed quite right.
Colma steps back as he is instructed taking Spectre along with him away from the blast radius but he watches with a keen eye. What was this, a whole new trick. If he ever made it back home again he'd have to tell this one to the kiddies. If it works...
Tirol'dyn focuses on encompassing the thermal detonator with a shield of protection as he feels Moira and Tai's helpful Force power transfer. The real boost comes from Ashton, as he knew it would. Ashton was particularly strong at this aspect of the Force and as the Force literally seeps from his very being, Tirol'dyn can see the detonator encased in a protective light through the Force. As Kastanje removes the detonator from the body, he closes his eyes and just as quickly re-opens them as Kastanje's stress level increases dramatically. As the timer speeds up, he re-focuses his attention on the detonator, strengthening the device's shielding. It won't be enough though if it remains in Kastanje's hand.
As Ashton, Moira and Tai Jinn remain focused on channeling the Force into Tirol'dyn, they miss the appearance of several more Knights and one Master. They have converged on the source of the danger. Several Jedi Knights feel the strength flowing into Tirol'dyn and join the two padawan and Ashton in channeling the Force into the older Knight. The Master's quiet voice touches each of them. Peace. Tranquility. All will be well. And the detonator is ripped from Kastanje's hand as the Master flings it into the air nearly a 100 meters with a flick of his hand. The muffled explosion as the counter reaches zero is barely heard in the complex as a bright flash occurs overhead.
And it's over. The danger is past, no one got hurt. Quite a satisfactory ending. Moira Brennan smiles as she looks around to make sure of this...and then she gets her first really good look at poor, tired Tai. Kneeling beside him, Moi looks back at the Knight that, more and more, she seems to be going to for help. "Ashton," she says, softly so as to not make a big deal of it, "May I take Tai up to his room?" Only waiting a few moments for an answer, she reaches over to get under Tai's left side, and heft him up. If all's well, it's off to the Residence Tower with the pair.
Ashton comes out of his concentration, eyes blinking as he feels a rejuvenation of his soul. He'd had force power channeled to him before, and had of course, channeled it almost every day of his life, but never of this magnitude. It was refreshing to say the least to not be tired after such a use of this power and he looks up to the Master, knowing that thanks are unnecessary but wanting to express them anyway. "Master Yerzon.... " But he is waved silent as the grim looking Battlemaster gives a rare smile. "Thank you, Jedi Quince... Master Jersilys heard your call for assistance in the tower." And just like that, it is over. Tai looks exhausted, but Ashton's sure that is a pre-existing condition. He nods to Tai and Moira. "You two need to return to your quarters and get some rest... I'll see you both in the morning"
Ashton then turns to Spectre and Colma. "You are welcome to stay here in the Complex for the night. We have guest quarters in the towers." He looks to Colma. "If you can, please contact me tomorrow. The council will hear out Spectre's request and they might have a few questions to help us better negotiate with the Guild. Will you be around?"
For the brief moment that Kastanje held the racing timer of a thermal detonator in her hands, the poor Captain was positively frozen stiff with fear, what looks to be an experience to say the least. But then the explosive is simply launched into the sky and the danger is gone. Kas blinks a few times, and then remembers about breathing. In and out. Then higher brain functions return - things like politeness and manners. "Thank you," she voices simply, still sounding a bit stunned, as she looks around at the various Jedi, several of whom she doesn't even know.
Colma says to Spectre, "See if they can handle this, our problem should be a piece of cake. Just believe everything will be all right and somehow it will. The Jedi will protect you and help find a solution." But what was that weird feeling in my head? And why was it so important for that Jedi to know why I had come? Perhaps I'll stay on Coruscant a while longer so I can find out.
Something seems to be finishing in the courtyard - Aside from usual training exercises and sparring, that is. A good number of Knights and Jedi Master seem to be dispersing from a particular spot on the lawn, and off in the distance two exhausted looking Padawan disappear into the residential tower. Two feline-like figures are present as well, a little ways away from what can be assumed to be the center of events. All that's current there, however, is a still stunned-looking Kastanje sitting on the grass, and what looks like a very dingy woman unconscious in front of the Captain.
Colma, one of the felines, approaches Kastanje slowly not wanting to frighten her any further. "Miss? Are you all right? Do you need any help?" He looks at her and wonders. "Miss, didn't I meet you on Corellia just a few days ago?" He is still questioning some of the happenings in the back of his mind but he would give them more consideration later, now was not the time.
Kastanje doesn't look frightened, per se, but as the adrenaline from all the events leading up to this points begins to fade, she certainly doesn't look too happy. "No, I'll be fine," she assures Colma with a small smile. "Just collecting my thoughts. But thank you for your concern." She shakes her head, the Cathar's query pointing out to her the need to pull herself together. The Captain tilts her head as she regards the maned fellow. "Yes, yes, I do think we met, at least briefly. My name's Kastanje, in case I neglected to share that on Corellia."
Colma nods, "Kastanje." He repeats both so he'll remember it and checking for recollection of the name. "A very nice name for a human to have. I must thank you for your efforts against that device. You very well may have saved us all. My name is Colma'cazo, in case I neglected to share it. Everyone calls me Colma so feel free to do so yourself."
Kastanje smiles more solidly this time, pleased at both the praise and the fact that she doesn't have to try and remember this fellow's name. "I will then, Colma," she responds pleasantly, memories of the brief terror tucking themselves away in neat little cubbies in her memory. "And I appreciate your sentiments about my efforts, though I can't help but point out none of you would have been in danger if I hadn't brought the device into this courtyard. All worked out rather nicely in the end, though..."
Colma smiles, "Ah but my friend and I came here because of the danger he was in. You have done us a great service by taking our minds off our troubles. It will be nice to think about something other then men coming in the night and taking him away. And besides that, you brought the device here where something could be done about it, rather then innocent lives being lost over it. You are far too modest. A quality I've not seen much in your kind, it is a pleasant change."
Kastanje brightens, and regales the Cathar with an approving look. "Well then, I'd best thank you for your rather perceptive and welcome perspective on this before this modesty of mine comes up with another excuse to deny it." Her nose wrinkles up in a quick smile. "I think I overheard a bit of you and your friend's troubles... It's very good of you to be staying with him, and coming to ask the Jedi for help is certainly a positive step for you both."
Colma nods and since she hasn't yet risen he sits beside her leaning in slowly and whispers, "I think something else is going on. The Jedi that put the shield around the bomb, seemed rather concerned about my coming here. He questioned my reasons for doing so. I must admit this is my first time dealing with Jedi. But the stories I'd been told did not mention anything about that sort of behavior." He then moves back to a regular sitting position.
Kastanje tilts her head consideringly to Colma. "Which Jedi?" She queries, having been a bit too wrapped up in the issue of the mechanism to know the details of what happened around her. "Ashton? Or that other knight-fellow?" She looks thoughtful for a long moment. "Questioning is most definitely in their behavior, from what I've seen, though not necessarily of a the distrustful nature you seem to suggest. Did you, perhaps, come across as someone who wouldn't normally associate with Jedi? Or maybe he was wondering about you traveling so far simply to seek the aid of Jedi, when the matter of your friend does not really concern the Republic?" Yes, the Captain remembers now - a few hints from the conversation on Corellia. Something about CorSec, which certainly isn't part of the Republic.
Colma shakes his head. "Not Ashton the other that was with him. He asked me my reason for accompanying my friend. As if I had done something wrong by coming here. Perhaps it was because he found out I was a bounty hunter. It was just very strange."
Kastanje arches an eyebrow at the news of Colma being a bounty hunter, and then chuckles softly. "I can understand, I think. After all, doesn't your friend have a bounty on his head? He might've been confused about your apparent conflict of interest, what with being a bounty hunter and protecting a target."
Colma nods, "Yes, but to openly question me was strange and caught me off guard. And the matter of my conflict in interest had already been discussed before his question. Something strange is going on. I only hope it doesn't end up causing harm to my friend or the other people I've met while here."
Kastanje's eyebrows furrow together at Colma's insistence on the strangeness of the encounter. "I'll take your word for it on the apparent odd motivations for that question, Colma. But all I can really assure you with is my numerous good experiences with Jedi help... If something truly strange is going on, chances are I will be around for it - And do my best to prevent whatever you suspect from harming people." A quick flash of a smile lights the Captain's face. "I may have just met you properly, but the people you've met are my good friends, and if they've promised help, it's unlikely I'll stay completely out of it."
Colma nods, "It is good then that we found your friends. I feel as if my friend is safe, that he is in good hands now. And that he will be helped. If the action they took with that explosive device is anything to go by. Their help is exactly the kind Spectre needs to be getting."
END OF LOG