In-Character Thread - Chapter 1, Vur Tepe

The droid eye-orbs flicker, "Odd, sir? An ET-14's programming is not to interpret messages. Only relay them. A security measure I am told... I am sorry if I have displeased you, recognizing organics emotions is not my strong suit.", the droid begins its shuffling steps again toward the turbolift just as the doors rush closed.

You all feel the turbolift begin its rapid ascent, sinking your stomachs. In a matter of seconds it comes to a halt and the doors shoot open. You can hear the commotion before you can see it.

Following the sounds of a rhythmic chant, and garbled shouting, you all emerge onto a large open area populated by holoterminals projecting things like strings of transport destinations and schedules, and holo-reel news, as well as tables and seating. The open area is ringed by vendor stalls, as well as opened and closed doors to more shops, and taps, and a few restaurants. There are a few people scattered throughout the area, but everyone's attention is focused on the north east corner of the gigantic room. There you all can see a throng of people - some in the robes of Je'daii padawan, journeyers, and rangers, but mostly in the plain clothes of citizens - holding signs which are unreadable from the back, and chanting and shouting things like; 'Clan Ryo, you must go!' over and over, 'Go back to Shikakwaa!', 'Sleemos!', Krev Coeur was murder!, and so on.

And through the throng, huddled in a shop, with some chairs and a table toppled between them and the angry crowd, you see several figures in fine robes and a handful of robed Je'daii journeyers facing the mob.

Tov can see several people - primarily the Je'daii of the throng, but also some citizenry - are baring arms openly. Not wielding them, but he can easily spot blades, side arms, and non-lethal weaponry in scabbards, hangers, and holsters amongst those in the crowd. The Journeyers standing with the men and women in finery also have arms, though only two individuals are wielding theirs, and they appear to be bodyguard types wearing the emblem of Clan Ryo, they are in armored clothing and have blaster rifles leveled at the crowd. He can spot no concealed weaponry though...

...

Missotrav definitely remembers having seen something in recent weeks and months on the holo-reel about Krev Coeur and Clan Ryo... Something about Ryo-owned mining operations, and land disputes, and citizens of the planet ending up dead... The throng is a mass of bodies pressed tight, preventing easy entrance or exit from the shop, it's slow going for him to work his way through but he can manage it - it will just take some time. There is nothing overtly significant about this section of the Commons, other than that the diplomats and their guard appear to have chosen this shop to hole up in.

...Depra probes into the mind of the dignitary, indeed the high levels of fear, anger, and emotion strain his will but he uses them like a ladder to reach his goal......

Rossa has to wait several moments, as ET-14 did not make it onto the turbolift with everyone else. However the methodical droid is not too far behind, and emerges from the turbolift with his staccato metallic steps. It looks up at Rossa once the trandoshan speaks to him and processes a moment before responding, "Indeed, sir. Journeyer Allahn is the one who haled you. She is ... eh, somewhere... over there, I believe.", the droid gestures towards the throng as he continues his march.

The Je'daii stands with his arms folded his hands resting inside his sleeves, he looks to Tov for a moment, "Hm? Ah, the Ryo Syndicate...", he nods to the diplomats and journeyers inside the shop, "... think they can just walk in here to have a chat like it's pre-Conglomorate days?", he shakes his head, "They've wronged many people. Tython has family beyond Tython... And people hear, and they don't forget. Were they expecting such an overt politicial maneuver as this would go unnoticed? Vur Tepe has no secrets from Vur Tepe.", he goes back to observing the tense stand-off.

As Depra probes into the dignitaries thoughts, the male twi'lek that is his target stares wide, and wild eyed into the throng. His thoughts are clouded by fear but one flashes by distinct. Foremost in his mind is a disruptor pistol he has holstered in the small of his back...

...

A strained voices pipes up over the din, "Huh?! Who...! I am Allahn! We are here!", Rossa looks to the voice and it is coming from a female Journeyer within the shop, she stands with her arms outstretched before her, her hands open, fingers splayed - her body positioned between the throng and the diplomats.

Coming from somewhere behind Rossa, a packet of soy-mallow flies over the crowd and bursts on the toppled table. Soon after someone to the right of the crowd splashes some sort of yellow kaf-drink, the liquids barely reaching the knees of one of the dignitaries who shuffles back a few steps. A Ryo bodyguard takes an aggressive step toward the splasher, screaming at them, and gesturing with his blaster rifle...

"Hey, hey!" Rossa says, stepping toward the bodyguard, blocking his path toward the Splasher. "Don't turn a drink into a war, friend." Still, Rossa leaves his vibro-ax behind him, firmly on his back.