When Teizi's ship touched down, there were several Jedi waiting at the Orbital station to meet her. Their greeting was not unfriendly, but seemed a trifle... tense.
"Jedi Lin. Padawan Dallyn. Welcome back to Tython. I trust your trip was uneventful? A shuttle to the surface is waiting."
They were, of course, ignoring the figurative pink Wampa in the room. It wasn't ordinary for a Jedi to be met at the Orbital Station and escorted to the Temple.
Eventually, another Jedi broke and dropped some information. "The Council is waiting to see you. Immediately. They have some questions. Don't worry - the two of you aren't in any trouble."
An implied yet hung in the air.
Tython Interlude
Re: Tython Interlude
Teizi Lin
She could still hear the faint calls of her tauntaun in the background as the handlers loaded them into a cargo vessel destined for the surface. The flight to Tython had given her time to make arrangements for their care with a friend in Kalikori village. It was as close to an ideal arrangement as she felt possible. Having a herd of tauntaun at the Temple wouldn't be allowed - and frankly, would be too much of a distraction for her - but she felt that they'd be safe and cared for in the nearby community. She had to believe that in order to focus on the reason for her being here.
And it was immediately apparent that she really did need to focus.
Teizi knew that she would be 'behind' Jesk so far as he was a Council member and would therefore have their ear long before he physically arrived on the planet, but she had rather hoped for more time. Of course she would have been a prominent part of his report - she'd directly opposed him, accused him, and even challenged him. The Council probably had a lot of questions. The problem was, Teizi didn't know exactly which members she could trust. Who was on Jesk's side?
She was also keenly aware of her padawan's distress. Dallyn was holding himself together admirably, no doubt his years of training were the reason, but she could feel his unease and a trickle of sweat was running down into his collar. Strangely, she had thought that Jesk might have ignored her padawan in his report, but she realized that was her oversight. If the Council was concerned about her stance, then obviously they would be concerned that she'd have shared this with her young charge. There was nothing she could do about it now, only trust in the Force.
"Of course." she bowed her head politely, then decided to ask the unspoken question. "Though, they could have sent me a holo instead of an entourage. How curious. Do you know what they want to ask us about?"
She could still hear the faint calls of her tauntaun in the background as the handlers loaded them into a cargo vessel destined for the surface. The flight to Tython had given her time to make arrangements for their care with a friend in Kalikori village. It was as close to an ideal arrangement as she felt possible. Having a herd of tauntaun at the Temple wouldn't be allowed - and frankly, would be too much of a distraction for her - but she felt that they'd be safe and cared for in the nearby community. She had to believe that in order to focus on the reason for her being here.
And it was immediately apparent that she really did need to focus.
Teizi knew that she would be 'behind' Jesk so far as he was a Council member and would therefore have their ear long before he physically arrived on the planet, but she had rather hoped for more time. Of course she would have been a prominent part of his report - she'd directly opposed him, accused him, and even challenged him. The Council probably had a lot of questions. The problem was, Teizi didn't know exactly which members she could trust. Who was on Jesk's side?
She was also keenly aware of her padawan's distress. Dallyn was holding himself together admirably, no doubt his years of training were the reason, but she could feel his unease and a trickle of sweat was running down into his collar. Strangely, she had thought that Jesk might have ignored her padawan in his report, but she realized that was her oversight. If the Council was concerned about her stance, then obviously they would be concerned that she'd have shared this with her young charge. There was nothing she could do about it now, only trust in the Force.
"Of course." she bowed her head politely, then decided to ask the unspoken question. "Though, they could have sent me a holo instead of an entourage. How curious. Do you know what they want to ask us about?"
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Tython Interlude
The Jedi began to hem and haw. "Erm... my understanding is that the situation on Rishi became a little... complicated. The Council has no doubt that you handled everything... uh... as well as you could. But some concerns were raised about the fact that you, uh..."
He was saved from his predicament by the sudden appearance of a pair of Republic soldiers escorting an Imperial prisoner through the station. On many Republic worlds, this wouldn't be exceptional, but the sight of uniformed Republic personnel was relatively unusual on the Jedi world - or in this case, the orbital station that served it. The Jedi who was addressing Teizi reflexively stopped and watched them pass; it could be imagined that he was not entirely disappointed to be relieved from the conversation for a moment.
At the same moment he noticed the Imperial prisoner, the prisoner noticed them. She briefly focused on Teizi, sizing her up, then made a decision. Up till this point, she had been cooperative, so her guards were caught flatfooted when she suddenly broke away from them.
The prisoner darted directly toward Teizi. Her hands were still manacled as she desperately reached for Teizi's throat.
He was saved from his predicament by the sudden appearance of a pair of Republic soldiers escorting an Imperial prisoner through the station. On many Republic worlds, this wouldn't be exceptional, but the sight of uniformed Republic personnel was relatively unusual on the Jedi world - or in this case, the orbital station that served it. The Jedi who was addressing Teizi reflexively stopped and watched them pass; it could be imagined that he was not entirely disappointed to be relieved from the conversation for a moment.
At the same moment he noticed the Imperial prisoner, the prisoner noticed them. She briefly focused on Teizi, sizing her up, then made a decision. Up till this point, she had been cooperative, so her guards were caught flatfooted when she suddenly broke away from them.
The prisoner darted directly toward Teizi. Her hands were still manacled as she desperately reached for Teizi's throat.
Re: Tython Interlude
Teizi Lin
Ah. So it was as she thought. Jesk's report of what occurred on Rishi and her role in not stepping in when and how he thought she should were the issues at hand, nothing more. That was somewhat of a relief, though she still didn't know how the majority of the Council would handle the truth.
As the man trailed off in observation of a new arrival, she found herself turning her attention to the Republic soldiers and their charge. Odd that they'd be parading a prisoner through this particular orbital station. If the prisoner had done something against the Jedi, they should have been escorted by the same, not by Republic soldiers. So why were they even here?
As much as the woman's very presence was a puzzle, her sudden attack was doubly so. Teizi wasn't so much concerned that the manacled prisoner might hurt her, but that the armed members of the Republic and Jedi Order might cause the woman undue harm. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the Jedi putting hands to their lightsabers. Behind the prisoner, the soldiers brought their weapons to bear. Teizi simply caught the woman by the manacles and pushed her arms down, placing her other hand on her shoulder.
"Peace. Be calm." There was little the prisoner could do but comply and Teizi took a moment to scrutinize her face. "Should I know you, that you intend me harm?"
Ah. So it was as she thought. Jesk's report of what occurred on Rishi and her role in not stepping in when and how he thought she should were the issues at hand, nothing more. That was somewhat of a relief, though she still didn't know how the majority of the Council would handle the truth.
As the man trailed off in observation of a new arrival, she found herself turning her attention to the Republic soldiers and their charge. Odd that they'd be parading a prisoner through this particular orbital station. If the prisoner had done something against the Jedi, they should have been escorted by the same, not by Republic soldiers. So why were they even here?
As much as the woman's very presence was a puzzle, her sudden attack was doubly so. Teizi wasn't so much concerned that the manacled prisoner might hurt her, but that the armed members of the Republic and Jedi Order might cause the woman undue harm. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the Jedi putting hands to their lightsabers. Behind the prisoner, the soldiers brought their weapons to bear. Teizi simply caught the woman by the manacles and pushed her arms down, placing her other hand on her shoulder.
"Peace. Be calm." There was little the prisoner could do but comply and Teizi took a moment to scrutinize her face. "Should I know you, that you intend me harm?"
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Tython Interlude
Gwaine Corbin
The prisoner seemed to deflate at Teizi's touch. For a moment, emotion showed on her face. Exhaustion. Disappointment. Fear.
She met Teizi's eyes. "It's nothing personal," Gwaine said quietly.
That was all the conversation she had time for with the Jedi, though. This was supposed to be fast. Now it's going to be slow.
One of the soldiers was poking a blaster uncomfortably into her back. That was the one, then. Gwaine turned her head and met his eyes.
"It's nothing personal," she repeated, her tone now bitter and sarcastic. "It's about your pathetic Republic and all the trash who lives there."
Gwaine was still forcibly held facing Teizi, so when the soldier hit her, it glanced off her cheekbone. A sardonic smile briefly quirked up the corner of her mouth. So this was how it would happen. Her next insult was on the tip of her tongue; she'd keep pushing until it was done, and just hope she could make the Jedi angry enough too that no one would interfere.
The prisoner seemed to deflate at Teizi's touch. For a moment, emotion showed on her face. Exhaustion. Disappointment. Fear.
She met Teizi's eyes. "It's nothing personal," Gwaine said quietly.
That was all the conversation she had time for with the Jedi, though. This was supposed to be fast. Now it's going to be slow.
One of the soldiers was poking a blaster uncomfortably into her back. That was the one, then. Gwaine turned her head and met his eyes.
"It's nothing personal," she repeated, her tone now bitter and sarcastic. "It's about your pathetic Republic and all the trash who lives there."
Gwaine was still forcibly held facing Teizi, so when the soldier hit her, it glanced off her cheekbone. A sardonic smile briefly quirked up the corner of her mouth. So this was how it would happen. Her next insult was on the tip of her tongue; she'd keep pushing until it was done, and just hope she could make the Jedi angry enough too that no one would interfere.
Re: Tython Interlude
Teizi Lin
The emotions running through the woman were not what she had expected from someone who appeared to want her dead. Her quip that it was 'nothing personal' matched the emotion. So...if it wasn't personal, what was it exactly? She was puzzling over this when the soldier injured the woman - right in front of her - as she was holding her. The gall of it stirred a flicker of anger in her. Time. She just needed a little more time to figure out what was going on here.
Teizi lifted a hand to stay the soldier's hand, simultaneously moving the woman away from the soldier and beside her. Her hand was firm on the woman's shoulder, but it was also clear that she was placing herself between the prisoner and her minders.
"Stay your hand, soldier. You do more to discredit the Republic by your rash actions than this Imperial does by her words."
Perhaps simply asking a few of the questions that had come to mind would reveal the greater truth behind this puzzling display. Turning her head so that she was clearly looking down at the soldier who had struck the prisoner and narrowed her eyes, making use of her physical presence.
"Tell me - why have you brought this woman to Tython? The Jedi do not involve themselves in your military actions. And last I checked...we aren't at war."
The emotions running through the woman were not what she had expected from someone who appeared to want her dead. Her quip that it was 'nothing personal' matched the emotion. So...if it wasn't personal, what was it exactly? She was puzzling over this when the soldier injured the woman - right in front of her - as she was holding her. The gall of it stirred a flicker of anger in her. Time. She just needed a little more time to figure out what was going on here.
Teizi lifted a hand to stay the soldier's hand, simultaneously moving the woman away from the soldier and beside her. Her hand was firm on the woman's shoulder, but it was also clear that she was placing herself between the prisoner and her minders.
"Stay your hand, soldier. You do more to discredit the Republic by your rash actions than this Imperial does by her words."
Perhaps simply asking a few of the questions that had come to mind would reveal the greater truth behind this puzzling display. Turning her head so that she was clearly looking down at the soldier who had struck the prisoner and narrowed her eyes, making use of her physical presence.
"Tell me - why have you brought this woman to Tython? The Jedi do not involve themselves in your military actions. And last I checked...we aren't at war."
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Tython Interlude
Gwaine Corbin
"Not at war," the soldier replied with a sarcastic chuckle. "Sure we're not. You know as well as I do that it's already happening in all but name. But we gotta keep it quiet, don't we? We caught this Imp spying. Back when we were 'at war,' we'd have just shot her and been done with it, but we're not, right? So Commander Jesk - I mean, Master Jesk - said to bring her here so he could question her. He got what he needed, and now she's being released. She was gonna be free to go once she was out of our airspace. But this blasted Imp is gonna attack people and mess it up for herself. Stupid Imp."
Gwaine spoke quietly to Teizi. "Please," she said. "Stop... protecting me. It's too late. Just let me do what I need to do."
The soldier laughed. "You heard the lady. We'll make sure she adjusts her attitude toward the Republic, then toss her back to the Imps."
"Not at war," the soldier replied with a sarcastic chuckle. "Sure we're not. You know as well as I do that it's already happening in all but name. But we gotta keep it quiet, don't we? We caught this Imp spying. Back when we were 'at war,' we'd have just shot her and been done with it, but we're not, right? So Commander Jesk - I mean, Master Jesk - said to bring her here so he could question her. He got what he needed, and now she's being released. She was gonna be free to go once she was out of our airspace. But this blasted Imp is gonna attack people and mess it up for herself. Stupid Imp."
Gwaine spoke quietly to Teizi. "Please," she said. "Stop... protecting me. It's too late. Just let me do what I need to do."
The soldier laughed. "You heard the lady. We'll make sure she adjusts her attitude toward the Republic, then toss her back to the Imps."
Re: Tython Interlude
Teizi Lin
The eyes around her told her this wasn't her battle. She could see the wisdom in that. Just a Imp spy being treated as she should be before being sent packing. The enemy would leave with her life - wasn't that benevolent enough? Would anyone accuse her of impropriety if she just left? Probably not.
Which was precisely why this was her battle.
"She is in my custody now."
She felt the air grow still around her. People stopping to take note of what was going on - making no effort to disguise their interest. Teizi maintained her cool demeanour and held out her hand to the soldier.
"You will give me the restraint fob." Teizi put none of the Force into her voice, but made it clear what she expected the soldier to do.
Now she was torn. She wanted to put the woman's mind at ease. To tell her that she was going to put her on a neutral ship and send her wherever she wanted to go. That she knew why the woman might not want to go running back to the Empire. But she also knew it would not do to have her whispering into the ear of an Imperial whilst within visual range of an untold number of people. While the soldiers stood with their blasters drawn, waiting for the opportunity to end her good intentions before she could even make them known.
The eyes around her told her this wasn't her battle. She could see the wisdom in that. Just a Imp spy being treated as she should be before being sent packing. The enemy would leave with her life - wasn't that benevolent enough? Would anyone accuse her of impropriety if she just left? Probably not.
Which was precisely why this was her battle.
"She is in my custody now."
She felt the air grow still around her. People stopping to take note of what was going on - making no effort to disguise their interest. Teizi maintained her cool demeanour and held out her hand to the soldier.
"You will give me the restraint fob." Teizi put none of the Force into her voice, but made it clear what she expected the soldier to do.
Now she was torn. She wanted to put the woman's mind at ease. To tell her that she was going to put her on a neutral ship and send her wherever she wanted to go. That she knew why the woman might not want to go running back to the Empire. But she also knew it would not do to have her whispering into the ear of an Imperial whilst within visual range of an untold number of people. While the soldiers stood with their blasters drawn, waiting for the opportunity to end her good intentions before she could even make them known.
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Tython Interlude
The more aggressive of the soldiers looked discomfited. "Look, we respect the authority of the Jedi and all, don't get me wrong, but this is Republic military business. We can't just turn over a prisoner to anyone who asks..."
But his partner seemed more open to the idea - an uncharitable interpretation might be that if the pair were prematurely relieved of their duty, extra shore leave loomed on the horizon. "Jesk was going to let her go anyway. He's done with her. What does it matter if we just...?"
At that point, one of the Jedi escorts stepped in. "That's impossible. Jedi Lin is headed to Tython. She cannot take an Imperial spy with her to the Jedi temple."
The other Jedi added, "Especially not when Lin is under investigation by the Council..."
As soon as he spoke, it was clear that should not have been said - and in fact directly contradicted what they had told her when they met her shuttle.
The other hastily backpedaled, "Of course, by 'investigation,' he means a mere formality. A serious Sith incident occurred, and in any such situation it would be required for the Council to make sure the Jedi in question is unharmed, and that their loyalties remain intact. Jedi Lin, I'm sure we can get this straightened out. Please don't worry. But you must understand that this is simply not the time for you to involve yourself in the fate of an Imperial. I'm sure the soldiers will see that she is escorted safely to her destination and released unharmed. Won't you?"
"Oh. Uh. Sure. Yeah, whatever," was the confidence-inspiring reply.
But his partner seemed more open to the idea - an uncharitable interpretation might be that if the pair were prematurely relieved of their duty, extra shore leave loomed on the horizon. "Jesk was going to let her go anyway. He's done with her. What does it matter if we just...?"
At that point, one of the Jedi escorts stepped in. "That's impossible. Jedi Lin is headed to Tython. She cannot take an Imperial spy with her to the Jedi temple."
The other Jedi added, "Especially not when Lin is under investigation by the Council..."
As soon as he spoke, it was clear that should not have been said - and in fact directly contradicted what they had told her when they met her shuttle.
The other hastily backpedaled, "Of course, by 'investigation,' he means a mere formality. A serious Sith incident occurred, and in any such situation it would be required for the Council to make sure the Jedi in question is unharmed, and that their loyalties remain intact. Jedi Lin, I'm sure we can get this straightened out. Please don't worry. But you must understand that this is simply not the time for you to involve yourself in the fate of an Imperial. I'm sure the soldiers will see that she is escorted safely to her destination and released unharmed. Won't you?"
"Oh. Uh. Sure. Yeah, whatever," was the confidence-inspiring reply.
Re: Tython Interlude
Teizi Lin
To her credit, Teizi did not bat an eye at the news. Honestly, it seemed more like Jesk to have gone all in. 'Loyalties remain intact' indeed. So that was what he was going to hide behind. The dirt he was going to throw at her name. Very well. This, she could face with confidence. They could scrutinize her as much as they liked - she was assured of her alignment.
"I will take responsibility for this woman here - and I will not be taking the spy to Tython, fear not. I am certain the Council can manage without me for a few more minutes. I must beg your leave for as many."
This really was lunacy. Unfamiliar ground to say the least. Teizi had always simply done what a higher-ranking Jedi had asked of her. She took their orders as her duty. But now...now she had some idea of what her duty really was. For herself. And she was going to take to the path boldly now that she knew where it was.
"Come along. Quickly."
She addressed the woman and Dallyn, steering her along toward one of the small rooms available for rent. They entered and Teizi keyed in a passcode along with sending the credits. As the door hissed shut, she pulled out her holo communicator, looking over its edge at her prisoner.
"Listen, stay calm. I am contacting a neutral party. She can take you wherever you want to go - without the implied torture. I can't let you loose here; you'll have to wait for a ride."
The holo jumped to life and took the form of the zabrak captain. Neva looked a bit surprised to see Teizi, but settled her shoulders back and managed a quizzical smirk.
"Couldn't get enough of me?"
"Captain. I need to hire you...for an immediate pick up from Tython orbital station."
"Why? Your junkyard of a ship finally kick the bucket?"
Tezi moved the the holo so that the woman and Dallyn were also visible. The uniform would be all-too obvious through the screen.
"A passenger, actually. I'm afraid it really can't wait."
To her credit, Teizi did not bat an eye at the news. Honestly, it seemed more like Jesk to have gone all in. 'Loyalties remain intact' indeed. So that was what he was going to hide behind. The dirt he was going to throw at her name. Very well. This, she could face with confidence. They could scrutinize her as much as they liked - she was assured of her alignment.
"I will take responsibility for this woman here - and I will not be taking the spy to Tython, fear not. I am certain the Council can manage without me for a few more minutes. I must beg your leave for as many."
This really was lunacy. Unfamiliar ground to say the least. Teizi had always simply done what a higher-ranking Jedi had asked of her. She took their orders as her duty. But now...now she had some idea of what her duty really was. For herself. And she was going to take to the path boldly now that she knew where it was.
"Come along. Quickly."
She addressed the woman and Dallyn, steering her along toward one of the small rooms available for rent. They entered and Teizi keyed in a passcode along with sending the credits. As the door hissed shut, she pulled out her holo communicator, looking over its edge at her prisoner.
"Listen, stay calm. I am contacting a neutral party. She can take you wherever you want to go - without the implied torture. I can't let you loose here; you'll have to wait for a ride."
The holo jumped to life and took the form of the zabrak captain. Neva looked a bit surprised to see Teizi, but settled her shoulders back and managed a quizzical smirk.
"Couldn't get enough of me?"
"Captain. I need to hire you...for an immediate pick up from Tython orbital station."
"Why? Your junkyard of a ship finally kick the bucket?"
Tezi moved the the holo so that the woman and Dallyn were also visible. The uniform would be all-too obvious through the screen.
"A passenger, actually. I'm afraid it really can't wait."