42 ABY Unknown Regions, Aliso system, Aliso
During the week of his bi-monthly volunteer flight patrol of the Aliso system, after finishing a refueling of his Fang Fighter, Ro-Tahn received a distressed mayday call from a ship, moments before it crashed. Realizing the message had been broadcasted on one of the frequencies bounty hunters used, thinking quickly, the young Togruta asked his BB Astromech droid, Dunga, to get an exact location on the ship.
He knew that if any of the Trandoshan hunters got wind of it, they would just report all dead and take the ship themselves. Knowing exactly what their culture was through his older sister, and the stories he’d heard elsewhere, Ro wanted to be the first there before anyone else, if nothing else, but to simply save those in the crash from any fate worse than what already happened to them.
Dunga beeped, having found the exact location, though snarkily complained that the crash site was in the northern ice caps. Rolling his eyes and telling his droid to start the flight checks, Ro sent a message to his sister, before immediately taking off, informing her of the situation and asking for preparations if there were injured.
Coming upon the wreckage, he circled it, surveying the extent of the debris field, before looking for a good spot to set his own fighter down on the icy glacial shelf. Finding a spot that was stable several meters away on the leeward side, he grabbed his extra flight jacket, before heading out into the bitter cold, making his way over to the ship.
Investigating the outside of the ship, the Togruta pilot recognized the scorch marks of weapons damage, both direct and strafing fire. Finding no entrance to the craft on that side, he made his way quickly around the stern, noticing more damage to the engines. On the starboard side he spotted the access hatch, quickly finding the release and jumping into the vessel.
After a thorough search Ro found only a single occupant, the lithe figure of a blue gray furred Shistavanen male, slumped on floor. He was unconscious, and seemed no worse for wear, except maybe bruising from being thrown around during the crash itself. Quickly contacting his sister, asking to send assistance and a salvage crew to pick up the wreck itself.
43 ABY
3 months later
Shadow Academy on Uskil, on Arx
After getting to know his savior, Ro-Tahn Vang Drakon, and learning of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood in general. The adult Shistavanen was now at the Brotherhood Shadow Academy, learning more about the Brotherhood. And also on how to control and use his innate Force abilities, after Ro had commented on the fact that his sister had sensed a strong connection in the Force through him, after he had finally awoken after being unconscious for a few days in Clan Plagueis’ infirmary.
“So how’s everything been going for you, Sage?” Ro-Tahn asked as he walked with the Cather to the library.
“Well, it’s a ….whole new world!” Sage grinned as he dramatically threw his arms out in front of himself to further illustrate his point
Walking beside Ro-Tahn, Sage had to take longer steps to keep pace with the notably larger man.
“When I woke up and found out I had been rescued from the wreckage of my ship, I was stunned and so very greatfull.”
“Then on top of that to be welcomed and encouraged to….further my skills and knowlige, man I don’t know how I can repay you.”
Wearing the dark Robes that were provided to him, Sage had done his best to blend in with the faces and patterns of the other students.
“Ya know man, I feel like I could studdy here for a Melania and still not learn everything they can offer to teach.”
“I’m getting kinda antsy tho…I need to get out of these halls and get my hands dirty.”
“Ya know what I mean?”
Sage stopped in his tracks and looked up at the large Togruta
“Think nothing of it, mate. I’m just glad that I was the one who went out to find out what happened,” Ro smiled and made a waving motion before folding his hands behind his head, continuing to listen as they walked along.
“You know, I like to think my sister probably said something along the same lines, when she was here,” chuckling a little, he paused suddenly as well, turning back to Sage with a cocky grin across his face. An annoyed chirp sounded as Dunga nearly ran into the tall Togruta’s shins. “Aye I get what you mean. I’d go crazy too if I had to stay in these halls for more than a few days.”
Thinking for a moment, before moving back to the Shistavanen’s side, Ro slung his right arm over Sage’s broad shoulders, “You know, maybe you could ask my sister to teach you. She might be a Sith, but I know she has knowledge of other aspects of the Force. Believe me, she’s one to keep on learning even though she’s far beyond anything here. Although, she can still barely drive a speeder bike.”
“And if you pick her as a teacher, than you’ll be an official member of Clan Plagueis,” Ro playfully nudged him the shoulder. “Which means we could pal around a lot more than my couple visits here.” The tall Togruta’s eyes seemed to twinkle a little, which only added to his cocksure grin.
Sage was happy to have the partial embrace of a friend. Friends were soemthing he had a difficult time acquiring in his colorful life
“Ya know…you sister has a strong presence. Very few people have been able to intimidate me in this life but she does it without seeming to try.”
Sage crossed his arms and leaned agenst the cold black stone wall.
“I have been surprised by how far I have been able to take my force abilitys here at the Academy”
“I’ve alwase had some connection to the force and my abilitys have served me well but I had no idea how far my abilitys could potentially go.”
Sage pulled a data pad from his colak and started flipping through documents
“I have read about the various clans and a few of them are interesting, but ultimately I just want to be where u are man. I believe the force brought me here…and us together.”
Sage looked away and grinned after realsing how cheesy what he just said sounded.
“Anyway…you wanna go get some grub, or maby show me around the Clan Facilitys?”
“Oh! Hey do you have any leads on work? I’d be down to get out there and take a mark if your willing to take it with me.”
Ro smiled, rubbing the back of his head, shrugging his shoulders.
“Yeah, she really does have that air about her when she’s really serious. Although she even scarier when hunting, that’s when you don’t sense her at all,” he laughed awkwardly.
“Honestly though, you haven’t been with her when she’s… er… well, natural? Happier? What I’m trying to say, is when she’s not having to be serious, she’s a lot less intimidating.”
“Good. At least you were able to get something out of this place. I tried for a couple weeks, but my connection to the Force only goes so far, and I already had other things going.”
“The Force is a mystery, and even though I’m not connected as much, even I believe the Force brings people together,” Ro looked up at the academy walls, and then around at the many students moving around the area. “Sure, I could go for some grub.”
“Funny you should ask about work. It’s one of the reasons I took a shuttle instead of my fighter. Have a mark to take care of on Nar Shaddaa after this if you want to come along and help out?” A cocky grin spread across his face, as he placed his hands behind his head, and glanced at the Shistavanen.
“We’d have to deliver the mark straight to someone on Aliso, so I could also give you a tour of Aliso city.”
Sage looked quietly at his friend.
“Your sister…she is a sith? Happy doesn’t seem to be there…thing…”
“Actually very few people around here who have connection to the force seem to be able to see past there own power, pride, and prejudice.”
“I have spent over 3 decades without becoming wrapped up in the whole religious force dogma.. but if your sister is interested…we’ll we will see what happens.”
Sage stood tall as he shoved off the wall and began briskly walking
“Look I’m gonna run to my quarters and get geared up to go hunt. I’ll meet you in the cafeteria , we can eat and go from there. ”
For the first time during their visit, Ro had a serious expression when the Togruta met his friends gaze.
“Yes, she is a Sith. But there is much more to her than what meets the eye. Believe me, after you get to know her, there’s a difference.”
Sighing, Ro flashed a sad smile, before shaking his head. “She probably wouldn’t have gone the way she had, if certain events hadn’t of happened when we were young. But, that’s a story, I best tell some other time.”
Nodding, Ro-Tahn’s cocky smirk was back, as he gave a quick two finger salute, “Sounds like a plan, I’ll grab us a table. Meet you there.”
Ro reached down and rapped his knuckles on his little droids head, before quickly sprinting off towards the cafeteria. There was an elicit series of sharp beeps, squeals and warbles from Dunga, as he rolled along after Ro, trying his hardest to trip him. However, the Togruta was always one step ahead, zigging when the droid zagged, which evenually ended with Dunga banging into a column, and Ro laughing.
Sage moved at a soft jog through the black stone corridors of the Academy.
Many people looked at him as he passed them buy. The Academy was not a place of high energy or acting out unless you were in a coordinated duel or someone lost controll to the passion of the dark side.
However he was to excited to finaly be getting out of this place to abide by all the socialy accepted rules.
It only took a few minutes to reach his small personal quarters within the dormitories assigned to students.
Thankfully his was not a shared space so he has a little bit of every day seclusion.
Taking off his basic Academy Robes he donned a thicker brown robe he commonly wore for going out on a job.
He also switched to his heavier combat boots and lightly armored chest pieces
Making sure to grab his blaster and his new lightsaber sage made sure he was fully dressed for The hunt.
Finaly he put on his newly purchased vibroclaw shock gloves.
His primary form of engaging an enimy was martial arts. These new taloned vibrocalw gloves would give him a distinct boost in that area.
Fully geared up, Sage took another brisk jog to the Academy cafeteria.
He had not taken an active hunting mark in over 6 months and he rarely worked with another person.
Sage was excited to experience a hunt with his new brother in the force.
Ro-Tahn sat at a table in perfect view of both the entrances into the academy’s cafeteria, studying the data pad in front of him, while he waited for Sage to meet him. There was a circular disc object sitting on the table next to him.
He’d grabbed a couple tasty food items for the both of them. Even with the diverseness of the academy, most of the food was of the standard quality for everyone’s different dietary needs. He remembered a few things that Sage had liked while he was on Aliso in the infirmary and just before he left for the academy.
Dunga had beeped questioningly at him, wondering why he’d want to bring Sage on a mission such as this. Ro glanced down at the droid and then back at the data pad.
“I have to see what he can do, and what he will do.”
Seeing Sage, now fully geared, stood and waved him over to the table.
Sage felt so much joy at being so warmly welcomed and addressed by Ro.
In his 30ish years and within his line of work it was rare to just…have a trusted friend.
Walking over to where Ro stood sage took a seat and took note of the food set before them.
“Ah! Mystery burgers! My favorite!” Sage laughed and grabbed a hand full and started Shoving his face.
Taking note of the circular disk Sage nodded to it and said, “so what’s the job? Dead or alive? Listen I don’t hurt kids. That’s like one of my very few rules.”
Sage continued to eat and also took note of the small Droid sitting beside Ro.
“Also who is this mech? I apologize for not asking sooner.”
Smiling, Ro glanced down at the BB unit, “This is Dunga. He wasn’t around when you first woke up and whatnot, they said it was cause he was too dirty to be in the med bay, so you two weren’t able to officially meet till now. He’s my astromech droid, and a snarky little friend.”
Looking at the bounty puck, and then at the Shistavanen, “As for the job. They’re wanted alive, and no there’s no kids involved. Well… there are some involved, but they aren’t a part of the mission. They’re the reason this guy is a mark.”
He tapped the disc and a holo half body image of a male Zygerrian appeared. Half of his left ear was missing, his left eye had been replaced with a cybernetic one, and there were some scars marring his skin from his cheek down to his collar bone.
“Well hello there Dunga. I am very glad to meet you.”
Sage gave the Droid a warm smile and an aprasing gaze. He knew druids were usefull but he had next to zero affinity with them.
Sage hoped that he would not do anything to offend the intelligent chunk of metal, and hoped that maby they could become friends as well.
The cafeteria was busy as it normally was at this point in the day. Sage looked around to be sure nobody was paying to close attention as he listened to what Ro had to say about there Mark.
His stomach twisted and his breath became tight in his throat when Ro mentioned that Kids were the reason there mark had a bounty on himself.
Trying not to be obvious about his immediate discomfort, Sage leaned across the table and looked Ro directly in his eyes.
“Listen if this guy hurts kids i can’t promise we will be collecting on a living return for some credits. There are people who don’t deserve another breath…and there are crimes that cannot be atoned for.”
Sitting back in his seat, sage continued to eat as he pushed the puck around the table with his free hand .
“Huh, he is a cyborg then? Do u know what augments he has?”
Dunga’s red ocular swiveled from Ro to Sage, staring at the Shistavanen for a few moments before nodding his little head and beeping. Looking up at the Togruta, he rolled into his leg hard, giving him exaggerated warbling beeps.
“Hey. Ouch! Why you little… You could be a lot nicer too you know!” Ro rubbed his shin where the droid had hit him. “Don’t make me think about using you in a Hutt ball game,” he half mumbled under his breath, before glancing at Sage’s cocked eyebrow. “Dunga says it’s nice to meet you too.”
After using the legs of his chair to protect his shins, and looking at the journeyman with a little more serious expression. Even with the distraction of his droid, Ro could see the Shistavanen was uncomfortable by the ears moving slightly back and twitching.
“I don’t have the full details of his crimes, but all I know is that he was a slaver, and sold some children. And while I do agree with you Sage, especially in that matter. I’ve been up against my fair share of them. But if the mark needs to be brought back alive, there’s most likely a very good reason,” Sighing, he gives a sly smile. “Though that doesn’t mean we can’t rough ‘em up a little before he’s delivered.”
“Now as for the cyborg part, it looks as though he’s just got some of the basic implants. However, I haven’t been able to find any other information on that. Which means that he could’ve gotten some black market cybernetics that aren’t able to be listed. So we’ll be slightly in the dark on that, till Tahiri’s contacts bring back what they can on em.”