Guardians of Peace and Justice

Guardians of Peace and Justice
Date of Scene:	20 August 2025
Location:	Kublop Springs - Tenoo - Outer Rim
Synopsis:	The search for evidence against Weniscio continues.
Cast of Characters:	159, Pike Windu, Cayde Alexis, Zetha Rumir, Navi

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Athena (159) has posed:
Yet another slow morning at the junkyard - it seems that ever since that ridiculous fiasco involving that one Chadra Fan who'd come by prior, business has been ... less. However, it hasn't reached a low that would be concerning to either Wiis or Zetha.

The young Twi'lek might be lying in her hammock again when that buzzer that goes off anytime a customer in the lobby presses it goes off. It may startle her.

Meanwhile, Cayde, Thaarin, Pike, and Vons have congregated in the small lobby of the junkyard - ever since Weniscio's near stoning, the group had taken it upon themselves to look through all the data and evidence presented to them by the masked marauder who'd so boldly come by last week and pronounced both the Dug and Hedicole guilty, though the former appears to be much more guilty by a wide margin.

Consequently, part of examining all the information was attempting to find someone who might be able to piece together an old, modified T-29 drill bit that'd been all but smashed to pieces in the explosion. If they could manage this, they may be able to validate with absolute certainty, that the footage provided by the marauders was in fact real, and therefore usable by the Republic court system.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Master Windu stands next to Cayde, his arms folded across his chest.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde is along with the others, wearing the usual unreadable expression that masks the tumult within. That drill was in many pieces. Was restoring it even within the realm of possibility?

Zetha Rumir has posed:
One would think that having a buzzer to help get their attention would - over time - not be as startling. This isn't the case for Zetha. Each time it goes off there's a squeak and a jump and roll out of her hammock into an undignified clump of Twi'lek. It's likely a good thing no one is ever really able to see it when it happens.

So, out to the lobby she goes and when she sees a small group - nearly a mob! - standing there in the lobby she swallows back a lump in her throat and puts on her best face. "Sorry for any wait and welcome! How can I help you all?"

Navi has posed:
Navi enters a few minutes behind the others. "Sorry for being late. The door on the train car got stuck when we arrived at the station," she says contritely, lurking at the back of the group. She does peek around the others and offer a little wave to Zetha when the Twi'lek enters, however.

Athena (159) has posed:
Zetha will recognize the tall blue skinned man - just barely, though. He's wearing mechanic fatigues, and looks less like someone Zetha wouldn't be seen around, and more like a repair technician looking for a gently used spare part. He offers her a charming, faint smile. "Zetha," he says, "it's good to see you again," he says warmly.

The others standing around, except for Navi, Zetha won't recognize. A young Jedi, an old Jedi, and a Zeltron man who looks like his mind is elsewhere.

The Zeltron turns to Windu, frowning. "Doesn't it bother you," he says, "that the colonists first reaction was to try to stone Weniscio?"

Pike Windu has posed:
    Windu shakes his head in frustration. "They should look to us first. We have lost their trust."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
There's a smile that forms - however briefly - on Zetha's face as the tall blue-skinned man addresses her. "Hey Thaarin, it's good to see you again too..." Then she looks between the others. "I think..."

The talk of someone being stoned causes the young Twi'lek to raise a brow and fiddle with a few stray parts laying on a table next to her. Though hearing another familiar voice catches her attention and she returns the wave to Navi.

It's likely then that she notices the parts that one of them carries and she takes a step forward. "That's not what I think it is...is it?" Motioning to the one holding all those broken smashed and all but ruined pieces.

Navi has posed:
"I'm not sure we ever fully had their trust, Master," Navi replies softly. "Many of the colonists were crash-recruited by the Grafs, practically at the last minute. They didn't seem to care who they recruited, as long as they got enough people to meet the Republic's requirements to get the initiative approved. There may be more criminal types among the population than we truly know about, if Weniscio is any kind of evidence."

Athena (159) has posed:
"I don't know that we ever had it," Vons comments to Windu, nodding at Navi's reply. "And I'm gonna be honest... Maybe I don't blame them," he says, more quietly. "Currently, anyway." His gaze flicks towards Cayde and the others for a moment and then beckons Windu outside. "Have you -seen- Rykard lately? I haven't. At all. Not since we got back from that hellish marsh. And that's definitely not a good sign."

Thaarin steps aside, nodding at the broken pieces on the hovercart he's pushing. "It is," he says, looking mildly amused. "But it's best not to worry about that for the time being. Let's have a look at those malfunctioning droids you'd mentioned prior," he says, offering her another faint smile. "Cayde... perhaps you'd like to assist?" When the young padawan doesn't respond right away, he chuckles softly and shakes his head. "We should go ahead," he says, tilting his head to one side indicatively. "He may or may not join a bit later. Where do they normally operate?"

Pike Windu has posed:
    "Perhaps. If that is the case, we should educate them."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Uhm... I don't remember mentioning broken droids, but I suppose there are a couple that have been acting kinda funky..." Though Zetha kinda prides herself in being able to - at the very least - patch things together. Some people are stepping away, others seem to be a bit...distant. Very well. She'll wave Thaarin to follow her over to where a small pile of dismantler droids sit.

Once she feels like they're out of earshot of the others she looks to the blue-skinned man. "I really don't remember mentioning these droids to you... is there something I need to know that you don't want to say near the others?" And why can't she worry about that T-29 drill that's in pieces. Knowing that the Chadra Fan is likely the one that mucked it up to begin with after snagging that part from the yard those several weeks ago. It doesn't sit well on her stomach, knowing all this and feeling guilty even though it's certainly NOT her fault.

Athena (159) has posed:
"-Educate- them?" Vons says incredulously, brows crashing together. "About -what- exactly? The fact that a vast majority of them might not have a clean record? Rykard, and what his current AWOL status is pointing towards? We don't even have an answer to that question right now. Or about how both him and his padawan nearly -died- out there fighting some freaky witch who ALSO happened to be a colonist, and is still at large?? Somehow I doubt that's going to make matters better."

Thaarin looks thoughtful for a moment, then his expression softens and he says, "Ah, I see. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding. You'd mentioned there were some droids around here that were rather unintelligent, and I took that to mean they were malfunctioning. Forgive me," he says, offering her another faint smile. He then glances in the direction that Vons and Windu have gone off in. "It isn't me that has words desired to be spoken away from the others," he says gently. "I can't really explain the complexity of Padawan Alexis' relationship with Rykard, but just know that there is much guilt felt by both of them. It's nothing you should worry about," he says soothingly, "and we can save the discussion about the drill for a bit later. I'm going to have a look at the droid's programming, if that's alright with you?" he asks the young Twi'lek.

Pike Windu has posed:
    "The Jedi are the GUARDIANS OF PEACE AND JUSTICE. They should be looking to us first, not taking matters into their own hands."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Oh...oh right! No I was just...I was in the middle of ranting and just spat out stuff but..." Zetha stumbles over her words a bit and then just nods her head. "Yeah. Please, be my guest. Piecing droids together I can do, I get a little mixed up sometimes with the programming. I might have messed something up to be honest." She offers this with another smile and motions. "So wait. Didn't they say that Rykard person is missing? What happened there, do you know?" Gossip like that is better than anything she could probably hear at the local cantina!

The shouting draws her attention but maybe the one yelling is far enough away Wiis won't hear it and start poking her cane into business that isn't hers.

Athena (159) has posed:
Vons rolls his eyes. "Yeah, got any bright ideas on how to convince everyone else of that, immediately? Don't say something about taking out your lightsabers--"

By now, Vons and Pike have wandered a bit away from the lobby deeper into the junkyard. Not so far away, there's a quiet-ish sound of a piece of metal junk falling down. Vons frowns, and reaches for the blaster he usually always carries around. "... did you hear that?" he asks Windu.

Thaarin offers her another faint, charming smile. "Not a problem, it's my pleasure," he says kindly. "Mm. He's less 'missing' and more 'unusually withdrawn from sight,' especially at a time when the colonists need to see that he's present and in control. And it's like I said before - his relationship with his padawan can be complex and difficult to explain at times," he says, "perhaps you should try asking Cayde himself." He begins to scale one of the demolition droids with ease, in a way that might make Zetha doubt he's only pretty, not gritty.

At that moment, Wiis hobbles onto the scene, frowning. "Did you see to the--" she starts to gripe, but then she notices Thaarin and her eyes widen. She elbows Zetha. "... when you were you going to tell me -he- was coming?"

Pike Windu has posed:
    Windu shrugs his shoulders. "One way or another. Trust in the Force. Follow the path it reveals for you."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Speaking of Cayde, he finally approaches Zetha and Thaarin with that cart full of broken pieces. The young Jedi seems to have been completely disconnected from the conversation up until now. But had Thaarin asked him to help with something? He looks toward the taller blue man expectantly, although curious glance is also spared toward Zetha and Wiis, as he hasn't met them before.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
A watchful gaze is upon Thaarin as the man works, giving a tilt of her head while doing so. "If I get a chance to ask I will, but it also may not be any of my business...I'm just a junkyard worker after all." It's not the most glorious of lives, but it's the one she lives. Proud of it but she's not too proud to realize most may look down their noses at her. At least, that's how she feels.

While about to say something more, this is when she hears Wiis before the woman comes around the corner. "That would only be done if I -knew- he was coming, and if I knew that his arrival would be anything that you would need to be worried about. Besides, he's just looking over some droids..." The young Twi'lek offers before turning to face Wiis, fists on her hips but a grin on her lips. Then Cayde arrives, and Zetha gives him a little wave to at least acknowledge he's there.

Athena (159) has posed:
Vons doesn't even look at Windu. He holds a hand up, gesturing for Windu to be quiet as he starts towards the noise he'd heard. "Why do I get the feeling someone was just watching us," he says.

Thaarin glances down at Zetha, offering her another faint smile. "Now why would you say that about yourself? You've a keen mind, an eye for detail, and a moral initiative that most lack," he says, "if that isn't rarer and more valuable than a slab of cortosis, then I'll be damned." He winks at Zetha, and Wiis just stands there, dumbfounded.

He then turns his attention back to the paneling on the back of the demolition droid. Flicking it open with ease, he studies and prods the circuitry for a moment. "Well, it does look like the cerebro-circuitry was designed to have all intelligence module upgrades paywalled," he says, "but nothing a bit a slicing can't fix. Cayde, would you mind lending a hand?"

Wiis turns back to Zetha. "So are you inviting him to dinner, or not?" she says, perhaps less quietly than Zetha may have preferred.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Windu obeys the silent command and stays quiet. The Jedi looks in the direction Vons is going.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
As Thaarin explains the programming issue, Zetha nods along like she understands what the man is talking about. She likely has some idea, but her skills are more in putting things together. As she said. Though when Thaarin then begins to compliment her, she flushes with color and is speechless for a moment. Then Wiis chimes in once more.

Just a second ago it seemed Zetha was going to be in trouble for not telling Wiis that someone was here and now suddenly the crone is asking about inviting him to dinner?! And loud enough for him to hear?! Cheeks flush with color as Zetha glances towards the two men once more and then takes in a breath. "I mean there may have been a... thought... but..I.." She huffs and her lekkus twitch. "I suppose if he -wants- to stay for dinner he can..." Which isn't really an invitation, and more of a young ones way of defiantly doing something with hidden pleasure.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde nods and starts trying to break any encryption that may be protecting the droid's programming, but he doesn't get that far. At least not that quickly. He's only a novice, after all. Still, he keeps working on it, though it might take a while...

Athena (159) has posed:
Vons moves stealthily towards a rusted ship hull near the back of the scrapyard, his blaster now out. He goes inside, and if Pike follows, he may approach the Zeltron just as he mutters, "...shit, man...!"

And the elder Master Jedi will see what it is that he's cursing about. The witch! She's there, half her face a mass of burned flesh. The wound has clearly not been tended to other than perhaps having been washed out and dabbed a few times. She's shaking, and crying, and clearly disoriented.

Vons glances over at Pike. "Should we..." he trails off.

The tall blue skinned man watches Cayde fondly while he is working on the encryption. "Thank you," he says softly. Then Thaarin climbs down with enviable ease. He offers a kindly smile at Wiis, "You must be Zetha's employer," he says, "well met, Wiis. My name is Thaarin. We'll have the droid finished up soon. However, while we're waiting, may I ask your assistance," he says, gesturing at the nearly destroyed drill bit, "in piecing this back together? The task may be daunting, but I'm certain you and Zetha can manage it. You'll be compensated for the task, as well," he says.

"Sure, on one condition," Wiis says, chuckling. "and that is, to stay for dinner," she says, "and drinks, if you'd like," she adds. Thaarin glances over at Zetha, "Oh. I don't see why not, as long as Zetha doesn't mind..."

Pike Windu has posed:
    Windu kneels next to the female. He places his hands on the wound and begins muttering a mantra.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha glances over at the hovercraft that the destroyed drill bit is laying on. "It might take me a couple of days... but I think we can manage..." She offers. She might be completely ignoring the whole dinner and drinks conversation. That is, until Thaarin mentions that he'll stay so long as she doesn't mind. There go her cheeks again! Flushing a bright purpleish pink hue and her lekku twitch again.

"Mind? Wh-why would I mind? It's just a meal..." You know, with a handsome man who's got some grit under his nails (metaphorically of course) and likely someone Wiis might be inclined to think could... no. Zetha isn't even going to give such a thought the time of day. "I do make a mean Fizzroot Shake..."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde finally manages to make at least some headway on the droid. More than he had at first, anyway. He listens to the conversation about Thaarin possibly staying for dinner. Maybe he should ask if he could join them. But then, it was rude to invite oneself over, right? No, he'll just let them decide on their own.

Navi has posed:
Navi had been loitering with Vons and Master Windu, half lost in her own thoughts. The matter of Master Rykard's incapacitation and general absence has bothered her ever since they returned from the swamp, and she has been very reluctantly turning an idea over in her mind ever since she saw him in the infirmary.

The sudden movements of both Vons and Master Windu startle her out of her thoughts, and, after a moment's confusion, she hurries after them. One look at the object of their concern was all it took to snap her fully out of the fugue.

"Mal! Oh, Force help you," she cries, taking a knee beside the weeping, disoriented girl. As Master Windu goes to work with his healing meditation, the Sephi begins to concentrate on the burn scars, trying to heal the damaged tissue. Aware that there may be limits on what she can do, at least in the short term, she draws upon the Force, tweaking its flow between herself and Mal, and within the girl, to speed the healing process on its way.

"It's okay, Mal," she whispers soothingly. "You're going to be just fine..."

Athena (159) has posed:
Pike's usage of the Force to heal the young Dathomiri girl does wonders, reducing the wound to a mere scar. Navi's assist reduces the scarring, but both of them will realize she will likely carry some scarring forever. Vons just watches, seeming torn, and keeps glancing back in the direction Cayde, Zetha, and Thaarin had gone. He doesn't say anything though.

"M-master Windu? Navi?" Mal says shakily. "Is it really you?" she begins to sob again. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she says, then kisses Pike's hands softly out of gratitude. "Please, please don't tell anyone I'm here," she begs Navi and Pike. "please..."

Thaarin is watching Zetha this entire time, his faint smile growing broader by the second. Then he actually chuckles out loud. Is he...laughing at her?? "Well, If I'm staying for dinner, then so is Cayde," he says, "and he might not be the dinner guest you quite expected. Cayde, come down please, if you're finished. I want you to greet Zetha and her employer, Wiis," he says.

"Fizzroot shake? I've never heard of such a thing, but I am a foreigner, after all. It does certainly sound like something Cayde might like to try," he says, his scarlet eyes sparkling with amusement.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike pulls his hands back, clearly embarrassed by the display. "I wi ll say nothing."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde doesn't respond to Thaarin's call immediately, as he seems engrossed in his droid slicing efforts. After a few more tries though, he finally manages to bypass the encryption responsible for the paywalls. Then he jumps down off of the platform, going to inform Thaarin that the job was done.

Navi has posed:
"What /happened/ to you, Mal?" Navi asks gently, carefully brushing the girl's tears away with her fingers. "Why are you hiding around the junkyard? And where did you get these burns?"

The begging for them not to reveal that she's been hiding here confuses her, though she recalls what had happened with Weniscio, and just how it could happen to Mal, too. "Tell me why you need to hide here," she says gently. "I don't like the idea of you being out here without shelter or proper food."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Well of course you can both stay for dinner. After all, Wiis made a fine gesture of inviting you two." Zetha says this with a grin on her face. "I learned that FizzRoot shakes are a popular drink with my people. That Latero down at the cantina taught me." She beams a little bit, because another thing she is is resourceful. She had to be growing up on the streets until Wiis took her in.

"Speaking of. What are we having and do you have enough to feed four people?" Six..seven...eight....if anyone else finds out that the junkyard crew are holding a small feast!

Athena (159) has posed:
"I don't remember anything," Mal says, distraught. "Someone shot me in the face," she says, "I don't who, or when it even happened," she says. "I have a feeling I deserved it. And I have this feeling, I don't know why, that if Cayde sees me again, he'll kill me." Tears start streaming down her face again.

"Thank you," Mal finally whispers, shakily. "Thank you Master Windu. And please give the doctor my regards," she says, her face suddenly crumpling even more. Then in a wisp of green smoke, she vanishes.

Von's expression twists into one of inner conflict. But after a moment he composes himself. "We should get going," he says to Navi and Pike, "before the others start to wonder where we went." He turns and starts heading back the way they came, frowning deeply.

"Cayde," Thaarin says, placing both hands on his shoulders firmly and turning him to face Zetha and Wiis. "You ought to say hello, don't you think?"

Wiis shakes her head. "Don't worry about it!" A pause. "I'll figure it out. Your job will be to make sure that the Jedi doesn't wander my house if he gets bored!" She adds more quietly, "especially -not- in my bedroom!!"

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike looks at Navi before getting to his feet and offering her his hand.

Navi has posed:
Navi shakes her head slowly as Mal disappears in another familiar puff of green smoke. "I wish she'd /stop doing that/..." she murmurs, accepting Pike's offered hand to get to her feet.

"I've been thinking about something," she says softly, moving to follow Vons and Pike back toward the office. "With Master Rykard laid up the way he is, the colony is going to need someone to at least be out and about keeping law and order. I'm thinking about volunteering to fill the role until he's able to do it himself again. Am I crazy, stupid, or doing the right thing? I don't know much of anything about law enforcement."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Nobody in their right mind would wanna see all the bantha fodder you have in your bedroom, Wiis...." Zetha remarks before turning and looking to Cayde. The Twi'lek gives a little smile and one of her lekku lifts up at the tip like it's giving a little wave. "Nice to meet you, Cayde. I'm Zetha. Don't mind Wiis. Old crone doesn't know half of what's really coming out of her mouth anyway." Then she grins. It's fun to get little digs in especially since she knows Wiis knows it's done with love.

Most the time.

"I should probably see if there's anyone at the counter up front real quick and then shut us down for the day. I'll come in real soon. Maybe Wiis can give you a small tour until I'm back." Eyes sparkling with purple mirth then.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Oh...Cayde is turned to face the Twi'lek and her elderly employer. He gives a brief, slight bow of greeting toward them. [Good to meet you] he signs to them.

Athena (159) has posed:
"What?" Vons exclaims. "I mean... it's not stupid, but it is kind of crazy," he says, "The Republic and the Order would have to approve of you taking on the mantle of marshal, even if it was temporary. To be honest, I think Pike would fit the bill better than you. Are you sure you even -want- to?" he asks, arching a brow at the Sephi girl. Then he shakes his head. "Nevermind. Don't answer that right now. Just promise me you'll think about it before you mention this to anyone else who makes decisions around here." Soon, they're arriving back at the lobby, probably right around the same time Zetha is.

Wiis gives Zetha a sharp look, but doesn't say anything else on the matter. "Right, then," she says, "I'll get the drill bits put away for now, and then we'll head down for dinner," she says, trying not to sound grumpy. She only partially succeeds.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike throws up his hands. "I'm just a healer. I go where they send me."

Navi has posed:
"I don't /want/ to. But someone /needs/ to, and I don't see a lot of hands going up," Navi replies wearily. "Anyway, I was thinking more of something like a Deputy Marshal. Master Rykard is still the /actual/ Marshal, and I want him to stay that way."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde's gaze falls a bit when Wiis just seems to be a grumpy mood and walks away, not even acknowledging him. Ah, well. It was just typical, anyway.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Oh, sure," Vons scoffs. "One that carries a weapon that can slice through the hull of a ship," he says, "and has, on multiple occasions, used it," the Zeltron reminds Pike, "it honestly is a matter of whether you want to, or not. Technically, the title of deputy marshal is supposed to fall to Cayde," Vons says, "Not that I'm advocating for that," he says, holding up his hands defensively, "just saying, that the Republic contract for the initiative had clause about that. It wasn't super clear, but that seems to be the conclusion that makes the most sense to me," Vons adds.

Thaarin's expression grows slightly disappointed upon seeing Cayde's face fall. "I'm sure dinner will be much better," he reassures the young padawan.

Navi has posed:
"Yeah, about that? Can you see /anyone/ in the colony outside of the Jedi Order supporting /Cayde/ as Deputy Marshal? If they had /their/ way, he'd be in /jail/... or dead. At the very least they'd want him on the next ship back to Coruscant," Navi replies softly. "Maybe I'm not Miss Popularity, but I don't think anyone except a gagglefrak of gossips actually /hates/ me."

"Anyway, I'm just thinking about it for now. If Cayde doesn't step up and nobody else volunteers, /someone/ is going to have to volunteer, and the Jedi might at least accept me as a candidate."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Deputy...right, Cayde supposed that made sense. Maybe he -should- be doing that. The idea unnerves him, but the life of a Jedi was certainly never meant to be easy now was it?

    He nods. [I can do it] he signs.

Navi has posed:
"Be careful, Cayde. Half the colony's scared out of their socks of you, and the other half probably thinks this colony doesn't need another Jedi Marshal, Deputy or not... and would be willing to force the issue, probably with violence," Navi observes. "I don't want to see you getting hurt after all the watching-out I've done. Besides, the doctor would never let me hear the end of it if anything happened to you."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde almost rolls his eyes at that. Almost. He often really wishes people would stop treating him like a child, even as well-intentioned as he knows they are. Obviously, he can handle himself in a fight.

    At a dinner social is the part that might be a different story.

    Anyway his expression hardens and he just repeats the sign. [I can do it]