STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Rescue

"Forgive me, I suppose my answer was not clear enough," he says. "I repeat, then, curiosity. You see, I know you are not common to Skythros. In fact, there is nothing common about you."

-

"Lemme be the first, then, to tell ya 'bout the legend of the Shepherds!"

Upon that utterance, several people in the salloon stop whatever they are doing and listen intently. You sense a wave of hope and admiration come up at the name.

"Ya see, Skythros isn't Republic territory, but I'm sure ya knew that. That bein' said, we don't have nobody to protect us small peaceful folk. Skythros used to be against war-wagin' technologies an' the like."

"Used to?" Trax asks.

"Yeah, we ain't no more. All about the blasters." Mr. Big pats his big rifle... and Dak notices that he is right. Everyone in this bar, man and woman, young and old, has some sort of blaster tucked away somewhere.

Dak chuckles. "Sounds good to me. Nothing quite so helpful as a good blaster at your side, sometimes."

"Simple curiosity, and that's it. I find that a bit difficult to believe. If it was simple curiosity you wouldn't have slunk away after being spotted, no matter how uncommon I am. Nor would I have gotten an odd feeling from you," Rianna says.

"Blasters... I prefer my fists myself."

"Nor I from you, Rianna Xi. I find it curious indeed that such a beautiful creature like yourself should be here at all. But I know what you seek."

-

"So true, so true! But alas, we didn't really grasp that, not 'til the Shepherds came! Ya see, we had us a pirate problem. Big pirate problem. With nobody to protect us, there was no way no how we could fight 'em off. So we had to pay 'em tribute."

There are noises of disgust and loathing amongst the patrons.

"Food stuffs and the like. Took away our profits, it did. But that's when the Shepherds came, ridin' the wind like it was nothin'!"

"Explain to me who you are, right now, and how you know who I am and why we are here. And I would advise you be quick about it..."

"So the Shepherds... helped with your pirate problem, right?" Dak takes a long drink.

"Who are these Shepards, Xavier asks taking one more shot.

"Do I unnerve you?" he asks. "If that is so, it is surprisingly easy to unsettle a hardened killer. Unfortunately, I do not have to explain myself to you. Or the time."

-

"Sure did! Came ridin' in on speederbikes, racin' right down the Main the day before our next shipment was due. They said we didn't have to pay those pirates no more. We asked 'em why, they said because they was gonna clean up their mess. Very next day, when the pirates came to collect... they let 'em have it. Threw themselves at their blasters as if it were nothin', chopped 'em up with swords! Almost like them Jedi. Pirates said they'd leave us be and the Shepherds encouraged us to stand up for ourselves. Hence the blasters; we stole 'em off the pirates once they was done gettin' their asses handed to 'em on platters. Some o' the Shepherds are still about, but they've moved on. Didn't want no payment, either."

"I would disagree. If you haven't the 'time' to explain, then make the time to do so," Rianna snaps at him. "But if you supposedly know why we're here, then you must have something to do with it."

"How charitable and selfless of them. They didn't want anything?"

"Perhaps I do," he says. "I have so many things to do, you know. Kidnapping you and your friends is only one of them. If you can call them that. Hardly common for sinful cowards of the Dark Side to have friends, if I've heard correctly."

-

"Nope. Their leader said he didn't want nothin'. Great guy, their leader. Looked like one o' them Jedi types, really. Had the flashy sword, purple too, real bright. Had the robes on, a braided beard an' all that. Great guy, for sure."

Rianna nearly laughs at that. "You think you can kidnap us? If you know so much about us, then surely you know what sort of people we are. I don't think that's going to be possible at all."

"Sounds like a good warrior, Xavier says with a little delight in his voice.

"It is easier than it sounds," he says. "After all, it was very easy to distract you while my men snuck up behind you."

There are several shing! noises as men wearing gray robes and simple white harlequin masks suddenly draw swords behind you, having come up the stairs. More men appear behind the first man, who you can differentiate from the rest by a black pauldron on his left shoulder.

-

"Aye, that he was!" Mr. Big says. "Cut down the pirates as if they was stillborns! Can't remember his name, though... started with an L..."

Dak blinks slowly, digesting this information. "Is he... still here, on Skythros?"

"Do you expect me to be intimidated or something? I learned swordplay before most children learn to read..." Rianna replies, finally drawing and igniting her purple lightsaber. "And with a more dangerous weapon, as well."

"I see," he says. "So be it. I must warn you, my friends are remarkable swordsmen. As am I. I give you one chance to lay down your weapon. Then it becomes a battle."

-

"No, no, a man like him is the busy sort. Moved on to Magnus Delta, from what I hear. Got business there that need attending to, you know what I mean. Not like we need his protection no more, not after the inspiration he gave us! Now township law to carry a blaster, or at least a means o' defendin' yerself. Stun club would do, if it suites ya."

He looks the three of you over.

"I see your pruney friend has a blaster, but... eh... I don't see yours."

"I'm sorry, but I don't 'surrender' to anyone," Rianna says.

Dak sets his bottle down and holds up a clawed hand, running his tongue over his fangs. "If it's down to protecting yourself, I've got plenty of natural 'defense'. These pointy things aren't just for holding onto bottles of booze!"