Click HERE to see this thread with all of the graphics, features, and links.

Luon

The rusty old transport rips out of hyperspace with a lurch and descends on the planet Luon, a world on the edge of Republic space. From your limited knowedge of the world, Con, you know that it is not exactly the friendliest world in Republic space. It has a lot of problems with corruption, but nobody really makes any effort to scratch the surface of it. It is too far away for anyone to truley care about the issues of Luon.

Landing in the starport is a rough deal; you and the pilot are too concentrated on making it down onto Luon's surface without crashing. While damage to the transport was light, one of the bolts struck the starboard engine very firmly and penetrated the armor. The pilot pulls the emergency beacon and starport security, riding airspeeders, escorts you in.

Once down, the pilot breathes a sigh of relief.

"I'm heading back to Vono'k," he tells you. "This is your stop. I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for on Luon. Just be careful. It's a dangerous galaxy, Jedi."

Which leaves you free to begin your search for the Brothers and complete your mission...

-

As a direct continuation of 'Decay,' I will just remind you that it is 32 BBY, shortly after the events of The Phantom Menace. Con has been out of the universe for three years, having spent that time fighting the war on Vono'k.

Let us continue his tale...

Ok, I need to find the Luon Syndicate now. Well, I guess the first place to look, as usually, will be a space bar if there's one around?

That requires getting out of the starport first.

As you leave the ship, a Rodian comes wandering towards your transport.

"What's your business here, friend?" he asks.

"I am looking for acquaintances of mine. "


Could you tell me everything I know about this place? In particular who rules it. i.e. is it a Pirate world or is there a straight government trying to contain the luon syndicate?

Savoir-Faire roll... hmm, Con does not know a great deal about this planet, but he knows a little.

Luon is a Republic world, having joined within the past thousand years or so. Its government is headed by the democratically elected Cirdare of Luon. Being far out on the rim of civilized space, it maintains a small navy to handle pirate problems, but you do not recall hearing any major issues with the clans recently.

You are not sure about the Luon Syndicate. It exists and enjoys corruption.


"That so?" he says. "While you're off looking, I wouldn't mind making sure that nobody tampers with your ship, for a price. It's a dangerous part of town, you know?"

I thought my pilot took the ship back to Vono'k?

He hasn't left yet. Repairs are needed.

You can sense that this guy is just looking to make some quick cash by manipulating you...

"I do not intend to keep it. But you could help me...I am looking to contact the Luon Syndicate, you wouldn't know how to go about that, would you?"

The man tenses up.

"I wouldn't be sticking my nose where it shouldn't, stranger," he says. "And there is still the landing fee. Pay up."

"No! Now let me pass"...Con says staring at the man, with piercing eyes.

Trying to intimidate him.

Intimidation roll... 13!

He seems to get the picture that you are not someone to be trifled with, and backs off, grumbling.

Sorry for the longer delay, I was at my grandmothers to help her with her computer.


Now, I want to exit the starport and find a close spacer bar (I'm kinda unoriginal in my approach )

(Not a problem.)

It may be an unoriginal plan but it is not as if it does not work. A holographic map indicates that you need to pass through the starport to get to the nearest spacer bar, the Errant Mynock.

Passing through the starport involves passing through security. Is Con okay with that?

Hmm, this is a republican world, right? They wouldn't take my weapons, would they?

You don't think so... but a Jedi arriving on a Republic world is normally big news!

I don't mind, in fact I obviously want to get the attention of this syndicate anyways. I'll go through security.

The outside of the starport gives you your first example of Luonese architecture; it is very blocky and rigid. Everything is covered in reflective glass with drab concrete framing.

While the exterior is simple and clean, the interior has obviously fallen into disrepair. There are few people passing through; Luon has a large population but not many visitors, leading to the starport seeing much disuse. There are some work crews that seem to be repainting the walls in Republic colors, red and gray.

You come to a security checkpoint, the kind where you walk through the metal detector and allow your baggage to be examined.

I'm going to take a moment to ask what Con looks like at this point, after three years of war.

When you look at Con you'd first detect his green-grey bag he carries with a few of his belongings. Except for that only his large, light brown robe that is torn at multiple places is visible on the outside. It is stained from dirt and blood. He's wearing the hood that throws his face into a dark shadow. Under the hood, he has long, fuzzy, black hair going almost halfway down his back. Underneath the Jedi robe he wears a light soldiers suit in grey and brown colours, his lightsabre dangling from right side of his armor vest, while his gun is attached backwards from the left for easier drawability. His body is full of bruises and some minor scar from the many fights he went through in his years on Vono'k. He walks with a slight limp from the recent battle where he helped decide the war.

As he walks over to the security checkpoint he takes of his hood and takes a look at the security personnel, when he arrives at the detectors he opens his rope and hands his weapons to one of the officers and proceeds to walk through the detectors.

The officer at the security checkpoint is not at all amazed when you hand over a well-used blaster, but when you hand over the lightsaber... he calls for a stop in the process.

"How did you come about this?" he asks you, studying it. "It IS a lightsaber, is it not?"

"Yes", Con replies calmly, "I made it."

The officer frowns at you.

"Only Jedi make such things," he says. "Are you one of them?"

"I was once. Is that a problem?"

"I was not aware you could retire from the Jedi Order," the officer says. "What is a Jedi doing on Luon?"

There is something odd about this customs officer, Con. It is in his appearance; his uniform does not match.

What is off about his uniform, do I know?

"I have personal business to attend to."

The color is right- Republic gray- but the insignia is wrong, a circle divided by a dagger with two points. You don't know its meaning.

"Personal business is my business. I doubt a Jedi has come to Luon just to relax. Where are you going?"

"I am looking for old acquaintances." Con replies abruptly, then continues "I have been gone for a while, but I know this is not a regular republican badge. What is it's meaning?"

The officer proudly polishes the metal insignia on his chest.

"I am under the employ of the Luon Syndicate, in aid of the Republic," he says, smugly. "Now, I'm asking the questions, here. Who are you looking for?"

"The Luon Syndicate," he pauses, "...and two of its allies."

He does not seem very pleased with that response.

"To whom do you refer?"

Originally posted by Captain REX
He does not seem very pleased with that response.

"To whom do you refer?" "Two thieves. If you are from the Syndicate, tell me how to find them."

"I don't think you quite understand the situation," the officer says. "You say you are a former Jedi?"

"Yes"

"Then you have no official weight here," he says, slapping your lightsaber into your hand. "You may go about your business, but I warn you... do not mess with the Syndicate."

The other security personnel at the checkpoint all have the same insignia, and more than one of them are holding stun batons and looking at you unpleasantly.

"If I hear that you've used that anywhere," the officer says, gesturing to your lightsaber before handing back your blaster, "things will not be well for you. Fair warning, I hope?"

"I don't have any reason to fight the syndicate. Tell me where I can find your boss...I have a proposition to make."

"The Syndicate does not deal with Jedi, former or not," he says. "Now get lost."

One of the other security officers roughly hands you your bag of belongings and gestures towards the exit.

Strange that the Syndicate should have official standing in an intergalactic starport, Con. You cannot think of a reason why the Republic would want their support.

Contemplating the questions produced by this short exchange Con steps out of the starport and takes a first look around.

The architecture of Luon City is much like the starport- dull concrete with reflective glass making up large ugly buildings. The starport is on a main street, with lots of people bustling about and speeders humming by.

The starport-associated cantina is nearby, as are several other drinking establishments.

You also notice that there is an armed guard wearing Syndicate-color uniforms- green with the circle-dagger insignia and a black kepi hat- standing at a post on every street corner. You somehow doubt that they are the Luonese military.

After taking a look around, Con decides to go by his usual way of finding information, and proceeds to enter the starport cantina.

Like the starport, despite its clean yet boring appearance without, within the cantina has seen better days. All manner of damage can be seen on the walls, the floors, the ceiling, the surface of tables and the bar, either naturally occurring from aging or inflicted by patrons who couldn't hold either their liquor or their temper.

Right now things are pretty quiet. Many of the patrons are crowded around a large viewscreen. A debate is on between a pair of politicians, and the patrons- spacers and locals alike- are watching religiously.

"You ordering anything?" the bartender asks as you walk in.

Depends on whether I got money.

If I do, I say "Yes. Water" and follow with "What's on?" and point to the screen.

If not, just the secondf part.

Bartender gestures to the viewscreen.

"Election debates," he scoffs. "As if the people decide who becomes Cirdare of Luon. I take it you're not from around here."

"No, just arrived an hour ago." Con said taking a sip of his water, then he continued, "what's the election about then?"

For the record, the Cirdare is the effective leader of Luon.

"They're debating about the Syndicate's involvement in government," the bartender says, cleaning a glass. "Not much point. Azrakel Joon used to be in their pocket, but he's changed his tune. Broden Abzi is the new Syndicate posterboy."

"How did Joon change"

"The Syndicate got him into the Senator's seat, so he followed their every word. Now he's advocating that they be removed from power and be labeled as criminals. I don't see him lasting long."

On the screen, Joon seems to support what the bartender is saying.

"If we continue to let these thugs roam the streets, how can we say that Luon is a free and democratic world, upholding the principals of the Galactic Republic? Right now our capital has the appearance of a backwater world under a military dictatorship, like something out of Hutt Space. But if the Syndicate and their political agenda is curtailed, the Senate will once again take interest in our glorious planet and send the support that will allow us to make the reformations that Luon so badly needs!"

There is no applause from the audience in the cantina, likely because a pair of Syndicate thugs are sitting in a nearby booth eyeing the viewscreen warily.

"It's a dangerous subject for a stranger to be asking about," the bartender warns.

"Oh, I see!" Con said and paused. "And what if I want to mean one of the gentlemem. How would I go about that?"

"Good luck," the bartender says. "Joon isn't seeing anyone. Abzi, you might as well try getting into the Syndicate's court."

"Hmm, and where is Joon located?"

"Holed up in his government complex, probably," the bartender says. "What do you want with him?"

I'm looking for some people. Heard they are working for the Syndicate."

"You won't find 'em," the bartender says. "Nobody goes looking for the Syndicate that they don't want looking."

"Hmm, I will have to make them want me to look"

"That's dangerous talk, stranger. Not something I need to be dabbling in, if you get me."

"You can point me on my way, and I will be gone"

The bartender shakes his head.

"Only Syndicate know how to find Syndicate. If they decide to start looking for you, it's because your time is up."

I'd like to look around the bar again, who stands out? And a special look at the Syndicate thugs, are they like lowest level, etc.?

Everyone in the bar is crowded around the viewscreen. You could wait until the debates end, or watch them yourself.

And yes, these are average thugs. They have pistols sitting on the table despite the 'No Blasters' policy.

Do I have my weapons?

And I guess I will attend the viewing then. Anything interesting being said?

Yes, you do.

-

Broden Abzi, a dark-haired, pale man in a black suit, is countering Azrakel Joon, a brawny, fair-haired individual in a blue suit.

"On the contrary, my friend, the Syndicate is doing nothing if not helping Luon attain its former glory! Luon is far enough from the Galactic center that the Republic sees no reason to give it the resources it needs from without. The Syndicate has enacted several programs using its vast funds to procure jobs for the fine Luonese citizens. In fact, as we speak, the starport is receiving much needed repairs and major boosts in security, after that attempted bombing last month..."

"That bombing was staged by the Syndicate!" Joon interrupts fiercely.

Explains the men you saw working in the starport earlier, and the Syndicate security men.

Wonder what the reason was, though.

Is that debate live?

Maybe that's something you'll have to look into.

And it is.

I will go to the barman and ask him where the station is then

The bartender can give you directions to a government facility they are using for the broadcast.

Okay, can I get some sort of space cab, or is it within walking (running) distance?

You can call a cab, with what meager funds you have.

And so you arrive at the government building, titled the Luonese Relations Office. There is a gathered crowd outside, watching the debates on floating holoscreens being projected before the building. A great deal of the crowd appear to be reporters, and there are Syndicate thugs around as well.

Joon and Abzi are still going back and forth about the bombing at the starport without really going into detail; things have turned more towards Joon accusing the Syndicate of terrible acts while Abzi denies the allegations and presents a positive image.

Is the debate inside the building?

Yes.

Hmm, could I just get in or are there guards? And what about back entries?

The front is guarded by a mix of Syndicate thugs in their green uniforms and what appear to be mercenaries in black commando outfits. You cannot be sure about the other entrances.

Can I find out by walking around the building?

You sure can. All the entrances are covered, by more of those black outfitted men with heavy blaster rifles.

Hmm, they will have to get out sometime, do I know where? If not, I want to talk to one of the reporters outside and ask.

The reporters are thinking (and hoping) that Joon and Abzi will leave the Relations Offices through the front entrance, escorted by their respective goon squads (Abzi's Syndicate thugs, Joon's hired guards).

The debates do not appear to be wrapping up any time soon, despite attempts by mediators to keep things under control. Will Con wait around for the politicians to emerge or will he try something else?

Hmm, I was thinking about getting a message to Joon, but I think I will check out first about the surrounding buildings, are there any close by?

Yes, aside from the street-facing front of the Relations Offices, there are buildings around it of equal height, shape, and architecture, as most Luonese buildings are.

Originally posted by Captain REX
Yes, aside from the street-facing front of the Relations Offices, there are buildings around it of equal height, shape, and architecture, as most Luonese buildings are.

If I was on top in one do I think I could jump to the Office?

Not at all difficult for a Jedi to do, leaping from one roof to another of equal height. You just have to get to the roof of one of the nearby buildings.

I will do that then. Is there any particular unguarded one? I'd enter that one and make my way up then.

The guards are not covering the surrounding buildings, it seems. You slip out of the crowd in front of the offices and move into the next building over, which appears to be another office complex with busy people working in cubicles and the like. Nobody really pays much attention to you as you take the lift up as high as it will go, then move to the stairs.

Roof access is unlocked, and you get up there just fine. From here you can see the skyline of the capital better, and recognize that the buildings seem to steadily increase in height, culminating in the tallest skyscraper at the center of the city.

You can also see that there are guards on the roof of the Relations Office, again those black-armored guys that work for Joon.

How many are there? And where is the entrance to the building?

Can I distract them, for example by use of he force and making a sound on the opposite side.

There are five, one for each corner of the building, and the last located directly in front of the roof access door that you would need to get through.

Does Con have the Force power Distract?

He.....does not.


Hmm, but perhaps I could create a diversion, by combat pushing one of them down the roof, if there is a way to ensure he doesn't die. Any balconies below?

No balconies or anything he could catch himself on, no, except for the edge of the building.

Also, attacking his guards makes it incredibly likely that Joon will not want to speak with you. Unless he does not know it was you... which you would have to be very sneaky, something Con is not skilled in.

Do the guys have guns? I will alert them to me and tell them that I have no intention of attacking, but want to talk.

They all have heavy assault rifles.

"What do you want?" shouts back one of the guards.

"Just want to talk. Got a message for Joon" Con shouted, "Can I come over?"

Your shouting draws the attention of the other guards.

"The hell you can," the guard shouts back. "Get off of that roof or I'll send people over to remove you!"

"I am a Jedi of the Republic and I have important business to discuss with you boss, that he would be very intererested in. So let me come over and we can talk about it


I'd like to use Empathy on the group, and a Scan on the leader or if there isn't one then the guuy I am talking to. Interested am I especially in their feelings towards each other, and how whether they are suspicios of one another for example. The scan is to find out if the person is loyal to Joon and what they think.

Nothing particularly special about their feelings towards one another; apathetic, mostly. Towards you, suspicion. On the guy you are Scanning, he is annoyed but you don't find him particularly loyal.

"Jedi, huh?" he says. "Prove it."

Is there anything on the roof that I can lift with the force? If so I do so, and make it move around a bit.

There is not much on the roof but for the guards themselves...

"Ok" Con replies, "I will take out my sabre, try not to shoot me!"

After making sure that the guards don't blast me into oblivion, I take open up my coat, take out my lightsabre and make it float a metre into the air with lift

The guards lower their guns hesitantly.

Your lightsaber hums to life on the dark rooftop, reflecting off of the guards' flash-dampening goggles. Then you set it to hovering above you... and that seems to convince them.

"Okay, come over," the guard says. "Um, if you can."

The gap between buildings is sizeable enough that the average human would be hesitant to leap that gap... but not a Jedi. Con can make it over with a simple Jump and land amongst the guards.

"What's a Jedi doing on Luon?" the guard asks. "Why the interest in Joon?"

"I can't tell you too much, but I need to speak to him about the Republic and the Syndicate"

"What about them?" the guard asks. "It's up to me whether or not you talk to him, so you'd better have some better answers than that."

I'd like to talk to him quietly without the others, if possible.

"Very well, I am here to investigate the bomb in the spaceport. We have to keep it on the low, though, and I have to talk to Joon about the incident to see how to proceed. I hope this is explanation enough.

"Fair enough," the guard says, "though you must have a severe death wish..."

The guard leaves the other four on the roof and takes you down into the complex using a passcard to access doors and elevators. Upon reaching the floor where the debate is being held, the elevators is confronted by several guards in black.

"Who is this?" one of them asks.

"He says he's a Jedi," your guard responds. "Wants to talk to Joon."

I will open my coat to have better access to my sabre, but try not to make it obvious or seeming as an act of aggression.

"You know we need to run things by Vear," the other guard says.

"Yeah, so go get him."

"Can't until the debates are done."

"I can wait until then"

(Btw, Vear is pronounced like 'bear' or 'pear.')

"Alright, if you're content to wait. I'm going to ask that you turn over any weapons you have on your person, however. Security precaution."

I will turn over my sabre and my blaster to Vear then

Vear isn't quite there yet, this is just some grunt that Joon has hired out. And he has hired out a lot of them!

The guard secures your lightsaber and blaster on his person before escorting you to some side room, in order to have you wait for the debates to end. He tells you that his superior will be with you in a moment, you can only assume he means this Vear fellow.

Any thoughts on the situation at the moment?

I am happy with how it turned out so far, though I am also worried that any of the guys I revealed my identity to could be part of the Syndicate and get their thugs to kill me any second. I hope though that I can discuss things with Joon and that he can tell me more about the Syndicate and that I can perhaps make a deal with him to achieve my goals.

Revealing yourself as a Jedi will always be a problem on worlds that are not too closely tied to the Republic, but here it seems to have gotten you where you wanted to be.

After waiting for awhile, a burly man wearing the same black commando get-up enters the room. The only difference is that he is not wearing a facemask, and he is wielding a ridiculously large assault rifle, with a multi-purpose launcher attached to the underside of the barrel. He is portrayed by Delroy Lindo, and so is a tall black man with a neat mustache and many scars across his face.

"So, you're the Jedi," he says, setting the rifle on the table at the center of the room. "You look a bit young to be a Knight."

"Perhaps I look younger than I am. You are Vear I presume? I hear you decide who may talk to Joon?"

"I am, and I do. I am in charge of the security personnel that Joon has enlisted. Normally I'd have already had you escorted outside, possibly shot in the kneecap to prevent you from returning... but a Jedi. That's something else."

Vear seats himself at the table, a hand on his rifle.

"What do you want with Joon?"

"I have multiple things to do with him. For one there is a lead I have to follow on the Syndicate that he might be able to assist me with, on the other hand I may be able to help him with his campaign and the attack on the airport. It all depends on what Joon would like to do, whichh is why I have to talk to him"

"And why should I let you talk to him? I'm not stupid, Con. I did my homework, here. Coruscant says you aren't authorized to be here. You've been missing for years, or so I've been told. What really brings you to Luon?"

"Like I said, I've been following a lead. Though I have been separated from the Order for some time, I am still trying to do its work in regions, where the legal methods might fail. I can see that Joon is a man who tries to help the people, and I feel that I may help. I've been led here in pursuit of a previous mission which I also believe that Joon could help me with. I think a talk would be mutually beneficial."

"Or you might just be getting yourself into things that you're not ready for. This Syndicate thing is huge; there's a reason that the Order isn't already on it, kid. Now, I was asked by a woman named Clarion Breshene to detain you until she could reach Luon. Does that name ring any bells?"

It sounds vaguely familiar, Con, but you can't place her face.

"I am not sure, perhaps I heard of her in my time with the order. And I understand the risk, it doesn't matter to me, I will do all I can to do the will of the force. I do have an idea though, since you might have to retain em anyways, why don't you let me have a talk with Joon and he can decide whether I can be of help to him, should he don't want anything to do with me, I shall be contend in waiting for the arrival of this woman."

"Alright," Vear says, obviously not happy with the situation. "As it is, Joon is curious about why you are here for him. He wants to talk. I don't condone it, but I'm being paid to protect him, not babysit him. Just know that if you pull anything, anything at all, I'll put a grenade round right in your mouth."

"That's fair. When will we meet?"

"I will arrange a meeting place," Vear says. "Should be within the next hour. Then I'm bringing you to meet Clarion."

"Unless Joon has some use for me, I assume?"

"That remains to be seen, doesn't it?" Vear says.

"Yes, I will await the meeting then"

Vear takes his leave of you to organize security for the meeting. He does, however, give you back your weapons.

When he returns, he is holding a gray burlap sack.

"We're moving out," Vear tells you. "However, you can't know the location, so I need to put this over your head. Refuse and we'll sit here and wait for the Jedi to come get you."

"It seems like I have no choice"

Vear will then place the bag over your head. You feel yourself being guide, not quite gently, outside, and then into a landspeeder.

Do I feel anything through the force?

Nothing unusual. The speeder you are in is crowded and stuffy, but you are not in it very long.

"We're here," Vear says, and the guards shuffle you inside of wherever this is. They put you through the front door and you hear them talk to someone about being armed, a security sensor buzzes around you, and then you are in a lift.

The bag is removed, and Vear is with you in the lift, along with three guards.

"Make no effort to discern your surroundings," Vear says. "It's better that way."

I nod at Vear and ask "Will I be meeting Joon now?"

"Yep," Vear says. The lift stops and opens, and Vear guides you to the left into a corridor with many doors. The last door on the right is open, and Vear goes in ahead of you. He returns and beckons you into what appears to be some sort of conference room, with a long meeting table.

At the head of the table is the man in the blue suit that you recognize as Azrakel Joon. Behind him the cityscape of Luon is obscured by a smooth chrome blastcover.

"Hello, Con Gordo," Joon greets with a warm smile. He seems excited. "I assume you know who I am. You DO want to meet with me, after all. Please, be seated!"

"Yes, I do, I am glad I could meet you. Like you probably already know I am a former Jedi, I have left the Jedi Order to pursue a calling of the force outside of Republic space and now, after three years, this has brought me hear. While working on my mission, I ran across your debate and it seems to me that you have the best interest of your people in mind, as opposed to the Luon Syndicate which I have my own problem with. That is why I thought perhaps we could be of assistance to one another, I am sure you have use for a Jedi ally, likely in a number of ways, and if nothing more, at least you can point me in the right direction as to my quest"

"Curious indeed!" Joon says. "I have never met a Jedi Knight before, and suddenly one has fallen in my lap. It is a pleasure, Con. Now, I am pleased that you agree that the Syndicate should be removed from government here on Luon. However, I wish to hear your story. What problem is it that a wandering Knight has with a criminal organization? A personal vendetta might not be best for my campaign efforts, especially since Coruscant confirmed that your mission does not carry legal precedent."

Vear closes the door to the room that you entered after the rest of the guards arrange themselves in positions to apprehend you, should you try anything.

"It is true that I don't have any official authority, but three years ago, on a mission, I failed to stop two thieves from stealing an artifact I was entrusted with. Ever since I have been trying to follow them to complete my mission and retrieve the object. For the most part I have been on Vono'k fighting a war, I believe to be favourable for the people there and also to the Republic. After defeating my enemies just a few weeks ago, I was told where to find the thieves which led me here. That's my story, I see myself doing the will of the force, and I think it wants me to help you, just the same. And maybe you will be a help to my mission."

Joon rubs his chin thoughtfully.

"I believe that your path is righteous, my friend, and I admire your dedication. But... the legality of your situation is troublesome. It is my intent to win the election fairly and without stooping the level of the Syndicate, as I did before. I used to be their golden boy, you know. But they are vile and corrupt, and I seek to undo the damage they have done."

Though I am not in official capacity as Jedi Knight, my involvement doesn't need to be illegal. I am sure you have some use for me?"

"I'm afraid any involvement you would have against the Syndicate would be considered illegal. Without legal backing of any sort, you would be considered a vigilante, taking the law into your own hands. As I'm sure you know, such an occupation is considered illicit. On top of that... I'm not sure any use I would have for you would be entirely legal. But... you mentioned an artifact. What was it called?"

"It's the Votive of Light. I have been hunting it for 3 years"

"What is it? What does it do?"

"It is an ancient artifact, it belongs to the Jedi Order, and had be in the Orders posession in years."

Joon rubs his chin again.

"I believe I may have heard of the Syndicate receiving some sort of artifact... I was not there upon its delivery, but the Malik of the Syndicate DID mention something..."

"I would be very grateful if you could tell me more about it, who is the Malik and what has he said?

"The Malik is the leader of the Syndicate, almost like a self-styled king. He used to keep me under his thumb because he saw the uses of employing a Senator to cover up what the Syndicate was becoming on Coruscant. One time, though, he mentioned to me that he had successfully stolen some artifact from the Jedi. He did not mention what it was specifically... but he did mention that his power in the Syndicate and over Luon would increase ten-fold because of it."

This is not good, Con. If Joon is correct about the Malik and the stories about the Votive of Light are true, then it seems that the Malik of the Syndicate intends to destroy the Votive and take from it the power of a Jedi Master...

That is, if the Votive does indeed do that.

Though i would have to assume that if he intended to do it he already did.

"This does sound like the artifact I am here to retrieve. Is there a way I can get to the Malik? Is there a way you could not deliver me to the Jedi...not for now, at least?"

"I can see to it that you can continue your mission, Con, but... I cannot just give you the location of the Malik and his court. The Syndicate has not tried to assassinate me yet, but if I handed over their coordinates to a Jedi, my life would be forfeit. And yours as well. One Jedi against the Syndicate? You must be suicidal to take that mission.

"But, if you do find your way to the Malik... he keeps the artifact in his most secure vault. Whatever this Votive of Light is, he said he wouldn't make use of it until his need was greatest..."

"You are very kind. I hope that my work will be beneficial to you even if I can't help you directly. Could you tell me though how I'd best find out about that Syndicate and the Malike?"

"You honestly want to know? Even after what I've said?"

"Yes, I know it is the will of the force. I have to complete my mission, regardless of risk"

Joon leans in.

"The Syndicate will find you first, Con. Either to silence you or recruit you. Most likely the former, now that we have talked. If the Syndicate thinks that the Order is interested in their activities, they will be quick to cover them up and remove you as a threat."

"Excellent, it will be easier than I thought then. I should probably leave you then, I hope I haven't put you in danger by being here"

"I am well-protected, and it would be bad publicity for the Syndicate if I were killed immediately after the debates, even if I do not currently have a replacement that would promote my ideals of reform. Don't worry about me. It's yourself that you should be concerned about..."

"I will be careful, but we Jedi believe , that there is no death, only the force, I just want to achieve my mission. I should go now, though. I am sure some Syndicate thugs await me," Con said, smiling at Joon

"Feel free to return, at some point," Joon says. "Though we cannot operate together, I offer my friendship to you, Jedi. Good luck. Or, may the Force be with you, I guess the saying goes."

Joon has Vear and his guards escort you out of the building. Because Joon has extended his hand in friendship, there is no need for the guards to conceal his location from you, and you find yourself at the front of a great government complex, towards the center of the city.

"I leave you here," Vear says. "Don't get yourself killed, Con. You're too young to toss your life away for some old piece of junk."

"Thank you, Vear, I do not plan to die just yet"

I assume I got my weapons back?

I guess it doesn't matter much where I go now, perhaps back to the bar waiting for some Syndicate guys to pick me up or try to kill me. Actually, perhaps I could search out one of their troops and try to find out some information from them before blindly going in.

You did.

What course of action will you be taking, then? Waiting around to be attacked is not what you had in mind. There has to be somewhere that you can find the Syndicate... but the soldiers are on the right track. If it is so secretive, how do these guys get recruited? There are hundreds of them in this city alone.

I'd like to find one that is alone and maybe drag him in a dark alley to question him, is that possible? Are there any around me now? If not, I go back to the bar I guess, where I have seen some before.