Logged Sept. 23, 2001
Logged by Merina
Titled:  The Commlink Connection 
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Merina 
Moira 
Kastanje 
Ryl (NPC run by Merina) 
Cameo by Tai Jinn 
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Summary:
Previously, Ashton determined that, because of re-assignment of resources, 
Merina would no longer be shadowed by one of the Jedi order. To ensure her 
safety, he has given her a commlink tuned to the same frequency as the one 
he and Moira both carry. Not long after, as Moira goes about her daily 
routine, the commlink suddenly begins to beep: 

OOC NOTE: Since Merina is the logger, Moira’s off scene reactions to what is 
heard on the commlink are not represented. 
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*Kastanje* 
Your glance singles out this young woman, despite her somewhat short 
stature. She's on the slighter side of average for a human, no more than 
5'4", and doesn't compensate with flashy clothing. Narrow, Sea smoke-blue 
eyes are set symmetrically into an aristocratic face of smooth, sandalwood 
skin. Despite an appearance, which could easily turn haughty, the eyebrows 
on this young woman are almost always arched with mirth, her eyes pulling up 
into crescents. The faint hints of laugh wrinkles branch from the corners of 
her eyes, but they're too shallow to put her in more than her late twenties. 
Her slightly frizzy fox-brown hair is pulled back into a long, practical 
fishbone braid. A few wisps manage to poke rebelliously out of the neatly 
kept style, keeping it from seeming too severe. There is the sickly yellow 
of faded bruising around her neck and on the inside of her left elbow. Her 
chin has a slight abrasion on it, as if from knocking into something rough. 
The woman's wiry frame is clothed in her usual practical, well-tailored 
faire. A high-collared shirt in simple, silky, pearlescent white covers 
torso and end above the elbow on her arms. Legs are obscured down to the 
black hide shoes in a stiff speckled-black fabric, the rough texture 
catching hints of deep red within it. A smooth gray stone pendant inscribed 
with some illegible symbol hangs from a cord around her neck, and stylish 
leather blaster holster fastened around her hips is rendered bulky by a few 
synth-weave packs attached to it. 

*Moira* 
This human female is about 5 foot 5 inches in height. She is probably in her 
early twenties, though something about her makes her look younger. Perhaps 
it's the expression in her blue-green eyes. Not quite innocence, but 
something akin to it. Moira has a kind face, heart shaped with a gently 
sloping nose. She's pale of complexion, not exactly sickly, but not tan. One 
might get the impression that tanning is impossible for her- too much sun 
would surely cause her skin to burn. Her hair is ash blonde and board 
straight, pulled back in a ponytail to keep it out of her way. Her face 
bears an open and friendly look, completely free of any artifice or 
insincerity. An Ossus native, the girl's voice bears the slightest accent, 
the only remainder of home she carries with her. The only other unchanging 
feature of that girl that is Moira, is a ring that she has recently added to 
her right ring finger. The non-wedding band hand. It's a pair of wires, 
black and white. But they seem to be molded of the same material- only upon 
very close observation do they seem separate. She's clad in a button up 
shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. It's a cream color, made of 
something fairly lightweight. Her multi-pocketed brown pants cover her 
legs, and it's all held together at the waist by a belt with several 
pouches. One can never have enough storage space. Attached to a clip on 
the belt is a matte gray cylinder. 

*Merina* 
here is not much to distinguish this woman who looks to be in her mid 
twenties. At somewhere just under 5'4" she may be slightly shorter than the 
average, but not so much as it makes a difference. She has a compact build 
that lends her an athletic look. Her deep-set brown eyes lend her a solemn 
expression, which brightens somewhat when she smiles. Her complexion is a 
sallow olive color; she'd do with sitting in the sun for a bit. The chestnut 
brown hair that falls a few inches below her shoulders is so curly that 
frizzy is a better word for it. She's tamed it by choosing to wear it 
fashioned into a myriad of thin, individual plaits, each punctuated at the 
end with a few colorful glass beads. Merina is wearing a pair of charcoal 
colored pleated trousers. Her shirt is patterned with swirls of gold, forest 
green, and deep rich red. She is wearing a long jacket in the same color 
gray as her trousers. Her feet are tucked into low-heeled ankle boots that 
appear worn, but well looked after. 



Moira’s commlink hisses to life, but there isn't anyone there, instead it is 
as though she is hearing part of a conversation. A gruff voice is saying 
"...got away the one time, not this time. MOVE" The sounds of scuffles. The 
gruff voice again. "Come on. Pick up yer feet and walk" And then there is 
Merina saying. "we don't need to go down there, you don't seem to 
understand... OW" 

The conversation continues. There is that gruff voice again "GET UP! Got 
away the one time" it hisses. "You're not going to get away this time. And 
you owe me. You OWE me!" Merina responds. "Just let me go" and the other 
voice just laughs "we didn't know who you were last time. This time we do. 
Ric will show if he knows we have you" Merina somehow manages a laugh. 
"You don't know him then, he wont take me as bait” 

There is a rustling sound. "What's this!?" the male voice roars, louder now. 
Whoever it is is speaking right into the commlink. And softer, her voice 
shaking, Merina replies "Give me that back! It isn't what you think... 
OW!... give... OW!” 

The commlink suddenly goes quiet. 

Moira reaches out with the Force. She senses that Merina is panicked. Merina 
is nearby, but it is dark, and unfamiliar to Meri. 

The commlink suddenly buzzes back to life "...so you going to tell me what 
this thing is? It a link to Ric?" it is that gruff voice again. And Merina's 
softer alto "No. It's not what you think. Look, let me go" And then there is 
silence. "No. You're going to be very nice. Well behaved. We're going on a 
little ride.” 

South Academy Street -- Republic City  
A more common area of central Coruscant; this area is less frequented by 
visitors than are the upper levels of the city. The corner intersection is 
crowded at any time of the day as people travel to and from the lower 
regions of the city to the west. Several businesses line the western side of 
the street, each heralding the best prices and the best products. To the 
south, guarded at all times by two Republic soldiers, is the RECRUITMENT 
office for the Republic. 

Moira jogs in, commlink in hand. Kastanje is pacing her. The Padawan girl 
comes to a stop, surveying the scene both with her eyes and ears, and the 
Force. 'Link to Ric?' Moira thinks, as the commlink goes off again. 'Uh oh, 
this is not going to be good.' She's obviously a Jedi, even though she's in 
street clothes- Dearou is on her belt, in plain view. Moi should really 
learn to stash that someplace. Aha, and there Merina is. Well, let's stop 
this before it gets ugly. Weaving through the crowd and motioning for Kas to 
follow, Moira tries to get closer, hopefully without being noticed. 

A large burly man who seems to be missing his two front teeth is jerking 
Merina along. He is standing very close to her. Merina's jacket is over her 
arms, concealing her hands, which are likely restrained. Her trousers have 
tears at the knees. The man yanks at her, but she keeps pulling up both her 
feet at the same time, causing her to nearly fall to the ground. 

Kastanje can't quite see what's going on, since there’s a crowd of people, 
but Moira seems to know where she's going, and so Kastanje follows, eyes 
flicking to the source of the beeping. "Err, someone else trying to call 
you?" She questions as the commlink goes off. 

Ryl is tired of these games. He forcefully shoves Merina, and since she has 
no way to hold onto anything, she falls hard on the ground. "If'n I have to 
carry you, it's going to be worse. So GET UP!" He smiles a horrible smile, 
with a big space where his two front teeth once were. Meri makes to get up, 
but before she can, Ryl puts a foot on her back, keeping her down. He pulls 
out a blaster and says to the few people lingering by. "This ain’t ANY of 
your business." 

"Get ready, Kas. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this...it won't get 
ugly, but..." Eek, and there's a blaster out, now. He's threatening 
bystanders? Okay, it's time for Moira to get involved -now.- Before it gets 
ugly and makes a liar out of Moira. "It's my business." Moira declares as 
she arrives, cheerfully. And she positions her arm over Dearou, hopefully 
hiding the matte gray cylinder from sight. The other hand is planted on her 
hip, the commlink clearly in view. "She's a friend of mine. Care to let her 
up? I'm sure we can all talk this out someplace, maybe at a bar or 
something? I'll buy you a drink." 

Kastanje's eyes find the scene between Ryl and Merina now, what with 
bystanders clearing quickly and Moira marching right up to them. Oh look, 
he's missing two front teeth. "Moira, that's the fellow who kidnapped Meri 
before," the Major hisses under her breath as she stands next to the 
Padawan. "She kicked his teeth out escaping, remember?" 

The people who were in the area have wandered off, or taken places where 
they can watch what unfolds without being in the way. Merina struggles to 
get up. She spits some dirt out of her mouth. She looks up at the sound of 
Moira's voice; her expression one of obvious relief. Ryl keeps his foot on 
Merina's back. Before she can say a word, Ryl is speaking already "Well, 
girlie" he says to Moira, clearly unimpressed "How about I take you up on 
that drink *after* I deal with her. I know her; she's no friend of yours. 
She and I have some unfinished business to attend to." He chuckles as he 
sees the commlink. "So *YOU'RE* what's attached to the other end of this" he 
tosses the commlink over toward Moira. He pulls Merina partly up "What kind 
of trick is this then, Meri?" he hisses in her ear. 

Moira catches the commlink with the hand already holding one, Dearou still 
out of view due to Moi's lovely arm. "I must disagree, she is indeed a 
friend of mine." That's all Moi says to toothless man for now. To Merina, 
she adds, "If you want to be free of him, all you have to do is say so." The 
Padawan girl grins, adding "Or blink or something, if the gentleman would 
prefer you not speak." And again, to Ryl, "There's no trick. My name is 
Moira, and I've told you, I'm her friend. I'm here to make sure no one gets 
hurt." True enough, Moira doesn't want to see anyone hurt. Merina, Kastanje, 
any of the bystanders. Even mean toothless man. So first we'll try to sweet 
talk Merina free- you never know. 

Kastanje bristles perceptibly at Ryl's mistreatment of Merina, and folds her 
arms across her chest to keep from reaching for a blaster. Moira talked a 
Sith into eating cake with her, so she'll give the padawan the benefit of 
doubt before trying anything on her own. "And I do suggest you just take 
Moira up on the offer. Having drinks is much more pleasant than anything 
that might come of you going on like this." Despite her efforts, Kastanje 
can't manage to keep from glaring slightly at Ryl, but she averts her eyes 
before she starts up a staring contest, and instead flashes an assuring look 
to Merina. 

Ryl plucks Meri up from the ground. It is pretty clear she is struggling to 
get free of him, but she is no match for the man. "She's not going to say 
anything,” Ryl says, holding his blaster close by her side. "ARE you?" 
Merina doesn’t say a word, just pleads wordlessly to Moira, silently 
screaming for freedom. Ryl takes a few steps forcing Merina along with him. 
"You look like a nice *girl* he says to Moira. "You don't want to be friends 
with the likes of this. Do you know what she DOES for a living" he sneers. 
"You don't want to get messed up in this" Ryl isn't about to let Merina go a 
second time. Now that he knows who she is, he is determined. Those who have 
set him on this task won’t accept failure, and she is the only tie to her 
brother. Surely he'll come for her. "So I'm just going to take her on a 
little trip. Then she can come back here if she wishes" in pieces he adds 
silently. Ryl takes the arm he has around Merina and runs it through her 
hair, pulling on her braids viciously. 

"You will not be taking her anywhere." Moira says, and it might seem odd- 
some random girl making demands. Who -is- she, anyways? No visible weapons- 
after all, Dearou is hidden- and she's small enough that it might be easy to 
overlook the fact that 'size matters not.' "I'd suggest letting her go, so 
we can all remain on friendly terms. I'm empowered to protect her, and I 
intend to do so. But I'd like to talk this out- I am a nice girl, and I'm 
sure you can be a nice gentleman." There, that's his warning. And at the 
very least, maybe he'll turn his blaster on Moi and she can rip it from his 
grip. Then they'll all be forced to play nice. No shots are getting fired on 
Moira's watch. 

"And what if we are already mixed up in this?" Kastanje questions 
superciliously, hoping to get the toothless man's attention on them. She 
probably knows enough about the Ocicat affair to at least bluff her way into 
appearing important to Ryl. "You want to take the chance that we know what's 
going on, and have sided with Meri here?" Hands uncross to rest by her hips. 
After all, that blaster pointed at Merina is making the army medic really 
very uncomfortable, and she wouldn't want to restrain herself *too* much... 
That's Moira's job. 

Ryl actually laughs. This young whip of a girl thinks she can tell him what 
to do? And she says SHE'S empowered to protect Merina? What a joke. It is 
really funny. He shakes his head. "You're cute,” he says with a leer. "Maybe 
I should take you with..." he hesitates as the other woman speaks. She has a 
point. But he shakes his head...he is starting to believe the story he told 
these women about Merina. Nobody's sided with her. After all Merina was just 
bait. He turns his wrist so the gun is pointed at Moira. "You'd best just 
let us pass" Through all this Meri has been silent. She tries to say 
something, but fear clutches her throat closed. Finally she chokes out. 
"They know more than you think. They know everything" At this Ryl just 
smiles. "Maybe everyone would like to come for a ride then" he sneers "But 
you're not getting away" 

FORCE POWER CHECK (Moira) *Neutral Power* 
Power: Pull 
...................................SUCCESS!! 
There is no showy gesture, no movement at all from Moira as she reaches out 
to the Force. This isn't to make a point; this isn't to inspire awe or fear. 
This is to make the situation safer, and perhaps end things more quickly. If 
she can disarm the man, then they're all on equal terms and negotiations can 
begin in earnest. Through the Force, she grips the gun and pulls, seeking to 
toss it far across the street, perhaps on top of a nearby building. "Thank 
you, I appreciate the compliment. Now, please let Merina go. Whatever you 
think she can do for you, you're mistaken. She cannot tell you what you want 
to know, and she won't work as a bargaining tool. So even if you managed to 
smuggle her off the planet, it would be pointless because there would be no 
reason to do so. Leave her with us, and go on about your business. If you 
must explain how she escaped, you may blame me for it." 

Sudden movement causes Kastanje to draw her own stun pistol, but as mind 
quickly catches up with senses, and the movement is proven to be Moira's 
disarmament efforts, the blaster is reholstered. "Of course Meri isn't 
getting away," the Major says cheerily, bristling fading now that the man 
isn't armed. "Getting away implies you trying to stop her. Releasing her is 
an entirely different matter, and shows good judgment on your part... 
Especially now that you're disarmed," she points out, unable to control that 
hint of gloating. 

Ryl yells "HEY!" as the blaster is ripped from his hands. He is thrown for a 
moment. WHAT just happened? HOW did THAT happen? He narrows his eyes at this 
woman before him. He reaches down to his thigh and pulls out a knife. Quick 
as a lick he reaches up and slices off two of Merina's braids. "She isn't 
getting away, and, Oh, I think she'll work just fine as a bargaining 
tool..given the right...motivation" He is obviously less sure than he once 
was. Merina takes advantage of this by trying to duck away. He grabs her 
back. Meri cries out and again picks up her feet, she falls to the ground in 
a huddle. Ryl rolls his eyes. "we're going to do this the hard way." He 
steps menacingly towards the two women with the knife. "Who's unarmed?" 

"Not I." Moira says, taking a deep breath and reaching out to the Force. 
Calm, Moira. Act when you're calm. Do you really want to draw Dearou? If you 
do, you have to be prepared to use it. Eyes go briefly to Merina, and 
Kastanje's presence is felt beside her. No, there were innocents around and 
it was Moira's duty to protect them. Out comes the lightsaber, held before 
her. "Sir, I must warn you. Merina is under Jedi protection. You have 
threatened her safety and that of myself and those around me. This is your 
last verbal warning- let her go or be prepared to see me defend her." 

Kastanje draws her stun blaster again slowly as Moira speaks up. If 'lets 
all just go have drinks together'-girl has drawn a weapon, safe to say she 
won't object to Kas stunning the guy. "And I must advise you not use that 
knife again. Just... Pretend you are unarmed, yes? It'll go much better that 
way." Less calm about this whole negotiation thing though she may be, 
Kastanje's a medic, and doesn't really relish having to put together Mr. 
Toothless if Moira and he go one on one with their blades. 

Ryl takes a step back. He eyes the woman carefully. A Jedi. Well what did 
you know. Heard something about the Jedi he had. But he could not let Merina 
go. Failure meant death. He could not go back without her. That much had 
been made clear to him. They are a riot these two women are. He can take 
them. He pulls Merina back up "I'm sorry. I'd love a drink...I've even got a 
flask on me. A lovely little drink" he laughs thinly. Maybe he should give 
them a sip from that flask. That would end any chatter for a day or so. "But 
she *is* coming with me" And he reiterates the point by stabbing Merina in 
the side with the blade. She won't be trying to get away again. Meri cries 
out in pain and surprise at this attack. 

FORCE POWER CHECK (Moira) *Neutral Power* 
Power: Pull 
...................................SUCCESS!! 
Which is the better choice, cutting off the hand or pulling Ryl away from 
Merina? Well, Kas has her blaster, and cutting off the hand would be 
needlessly painful and bloody. Let's pull him away. Moira reaches out to the 
Force, using it to yank the man away from the injured Merina. Drag him a 
good ten feet, perhaps, to where Moira can get between the man and his 
quarry. "Kastanje, help Merina." Moira says, igniting Dearou as she moves to 
block his path. A sepia blade of light, the color of a faded photograph, 
extends from the hilt. "I'd suggest you drop your weapon." Moira states, 
calmly but with no room for argument. He's going to stop hurting people 
voluntarily, or Moira would see to it that he'd stop. 

"Moi, I could just shoot him, that's be much quicker..." Kastanje offers 
seriously as the lightsaber is ignited and she darts forward to Merina's 
side. Part of her remark, the matter-of-fact tone for example, is certainly 
aimed to help intimidate Ryl out of resisting further, but there *is* the 
small matter that stunning him is less messy than anything a lightsaber can 
do... "Meri? How's it feel?" Her voice turns soft now with concern, one 
reaching to support Merina in case the combination of stab and yanking Ryl 
away is too much. The other hand plucks an absorbent pad from her belt 
pouch, moving to try and put pressure on the stab wound. 

Ryl is so startled by the unexpected PULL, that he does drop the knife. He 
can do nothing but stare at this woman. He backs up toward the stairs that 
lead down to dark salvation. "hey" he says. "I'm just doing a job.." 

Merina for her part winces at Kas's ministrations. "It hurts. What'd he have 
to go and do that for?" she asks. She's pale, and the sight of blood seeping 
through her clothing is making her woozy. 

"A job that calls for needless fear and bloodshed. If you seek to injure the 
innocent, I will stand in your way. Know that. Go, and don't bother Merina 
ever again. If you try to harm her, know that more than just ‘Jedi’ protects 
her. She is protected by her friends as well." Yeah, like Kas back there 
fixing the poor bleeding Merina. Moira's tone is conversational, oddly 
enough- it's still like she's discussing dropping knives and getting coffee. 
She's a good girl, Moira is. And Ashton must be a decent teacher- she's calm 
and managing to act from the Force. Moira watches the man with more than 
just eyes- she senses him through the Force, watching for signs in his mood 
that might indicate another attempt to injure someone. But if he chooses to 
go, Moira will let him. 

"I'm sure it hurts, but don't worry, he won't be doing that again," Kastanje 
soothes, brows furrowing together at the blood that immediately starts 
soaking the pad. Hmm, that's not good. At least the wound is low enough down 
she doesn't have to worry about the woman's lungs. "Here, Meri, lay down. 
Keep your knees bent up. I want to make sure he didn't puncture anything 
before you move too much, yes?" The hand that was supporting Merina goes to 
a different belt pouch, and something small, round, and green speckled is 
offered Merina. "If it hurts you too much, swallow this?" 

Ryl continues to back down the alleyway. There will be another place and 
another time. And next time he wont come alone. "I'm dead anyway" he says. 
"You should have let her come with me, it will go better for her than it 
otherwise might. We'll meet again" and he vanishes into that dank darkness. 

Merina is having a hard time. Her hands are still bound together in front of 
her. Kas hasn't thought to cut her free. I'm ok. Just...dizz.." 

'Tai, look after the toothless one? I'm going to help with Merina.' Moira 
thinks, deactivating Dearou as she turns and clipping it to her belt. "Kas, 
how's it looking? Do you need me to help, or have you got it?" After all, 
Force healing is neat stuff, but there's a lot to be said about doing it the 
long way. And Kas is the medic, Moira's just the 'Jane of all trades' type 
Jedi. 

If anyone would be looking above the skies, they'd see a flicker of a form. 
Just a brief movement as the being steps into the light of a building. A 
quiet message is sent to Moira, 'I'll follow for what I can.' 

So she's distracted... Kastanje might've missed the fact that Merina's hands 
are tied together, but she realizes it as the woman doesn't follow her 
instructions very well. "Oh, bother... Sorry Meri!" She announces, and then 
calls back to Moira. "You have anything to cut some ropes with besides that 
lightsaber? I don't want to dull what I've got..." Yeah, not the best use 
for surgical knives. Medic woman is, in the meantime, checking Merina over 
quite thoroughly. Hands feel pulse and pressure in the woman’s abdomen, and 
probe the injury itself. "Looks like you'll be alright Merina, just cut 
through some of the muscle, missed any organs." Barely, but she doesn't need 
to worry about that. "Just a lot of blood really..." 

Merina nods. Why do all these words sound as though they are coming from so 
far away? She can hardly hear for the ringing in her ears. She swallows, and 
notices that her lips are tingling. And why is her vision closing in on 
her.... 

Fade to black 

END OF LOG