Help from the Duke

Help from the Duke
Date of Scene:	24 January 2025
Location:
Synopsis:	Jorn seeks shelter at the Bastille; Volken and Ellari decide to also help him hide.
Cast of Characters:	159, Ellari Zin, 418, Volken Mons

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Athena (159) has posed:
Dusk is falling in Sundari, and to describe it as a tumultuous evening would be a bit of an understatement.

It has been precisely five days since Jorn had discovered the Dark Saber in his possession, four and half since Old Man Vizsla had been publicly pronounced dead, three since word had gotten out that an almost outsider had acquired it non-traditionally in a dishonorable fashion, and two since rioting had broken out in the streets, with every other Mandalorian commoner, duke, and lady and their mother hot on Jorn's trail, searching for this aruetti who had scummed the ancient Mandalorian tradition and escaped.

Wherever Jorn is, it's likely out of sight and hearing range of anyone who might look for him, with Revara nearby. Ellari, on the other hand, might be in the middle of attempting to keep the peace in her House, as there is a rumor circulating that Jorn had had an insider help him steal the Dark Saber.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Indeed, Ellari herself highly suspects that Jorn had an insider help him. He'd made the point that he didn't have the necessary intel. But someone else could have provided it to him. But who? Well, she wouldn't mind if it turned out to be one of those wretched Von'egel twins...

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn is laying low in the lower levels, or a sewer system. He's trying to learn how someone could actually sneak from place to place without being seen. Yes, it may look bad for him. However, The Duke got the drop on him. Others got to him quick. So, he's trying to learn the terrain. It's just very hard with a target on his back. Sighing with frustration, Jorn looks up. "This is just another hunt. Got to get the goal and survive until then," he tells himself. Just focusing for a moment to center himself.

Athena (159) has posed:
But there's nothing to prove sufficiently that either of them are guilty. Aside from the fact that both had been rather avoidant and absent these past few days. However, Ellari may have to put her thoughts to the side, as the Lady Viszla is quickly approaching her. "Ellari!" she says with hushed urgency. "We cannot have this. There is mayhem in the streets, and everyone in our House is acting like a dinii. We must settle this, properly. Find Jorn, and re-acquire the Dark Saber. It's the only way..."

Jorn may be taking a moment to refocus, bemoan his situation, or both when he might hear the sound of footsteps down here. He's not alone...

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari frowns for a moment first, thinking of how she can use this to Vizsla's advantage. "Hmm...the Von'egel twins are a blight on the House...whether they were involved or not, perhaps Jorn has something that could implicate them in this. Some form of evidence."

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn is lost in the moment and he doesn't hear the footsteps. Revara might. However, Jorn does not, too many thoughts in his head. So, he's still trying to refocus and declutter his thinking. So, the sound is lost on him at the moment. The guard is up, but that may not help

Athena (159) has posed:
"Either way, you have to find Jorn," she tells Ellari. "If it's true that the Von'egel twins are involved, then only he would know. Please, bring back the Dark Saber. We cannot have this chaos..."

Fortunately for Jorn, the newcomer means no harm to him. It's Thaelin's father, Duke Thyssel. "Jorn...!" he calls out once he's within hearing range. "Are you wounded?"

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ugh. "I'll do what I can." Ellari sighs, and starts back onto the streets of Sundari. Now, where would Jorn be hiding? She takes out her comm, and sends him a message:

    |I could be convinced of your case, but you have to tell me exactly what happened on your ship leading up to the moment I discovered you with the Darksaber.|

Jorn (418) has posed:
"No. Not yet" Jorn says honestly from his spot as he tries to go further ahead not far. He doesn't trust to be still too long. Looking around to make sure Revara is in tow, Jorn will keep going. He'll fire off a message to Ellari.

|The Baron told me to get off planet. To end the marriage. Leave. Like somehow my presence ruined everything. I told him I wasn't. He made his way on my ship. I lost sight of him once, or twice. Long enough for him to plant goodies. I was afraid of what he was doing.| Moving forward he looks back to Duke. "How are you holding up?" Jorn asks looking toward him unsure how to judge the situation.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Indeed," Lady Viszla says to Ellari. "I'll see to it that you get rewarded, if you succeed," she tells her before hurrying off.

"I'm just fine," he says, though there's tension and strain in his voice. "Come. You must get to safety. The dungeons at the Bastille will keep you from the public, and I have made arrangements to have the cells tidied and comfortable."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    |Tell me where you are. We should discuss this in person| Ellari answers. But should he trust her?

Jorn (418) has posed:
Shooting a message to Revara |What do you think of the offer?| Jorn trusts very few people right now. So, he has to lean on the few things he does trust. His gaze goes out for a moment. |You didn't trust me the last time I told my story. It's unchanged.| He says and then he looks back toward Duke. "Why the dungeon? I have people hunting me, telling me to get off planet and others want me dead or sent away. Why should I trust a dungeon?" he asks with some suspicion in his voice as he waits for some form of words from Revara. "Forgive me suspicion. The list of those I can genuinely trust is in short supply from my vantage point. Everyone else is met with uncertainty."

Athena (159) has posed:
The Duke regards Jorn quietly, saying nothing for a moment. "Do you prefer the sewers?" he says.

"The cell will not be locked," he assures Jorn. "Listen. I've heard your name in the streets, and I know that several who are looking for you now are already down here--"

Somewhere, not so far away, is the sound of pebbles being kicked aside. "I understand your suspicion. But believe me when I say I have your best interests at heart."

"I know what my godson did, but only in post. I did not bless that endeavor. Far from it, in fact."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    |I know that. But I've decided give you the benefit of the doubt. You may want to ask yourself how many other options you have at the moment. If you can produce evidence that the baron did come on board your ship before the Darksaber appeared, you may be able to clear your name.| Ellari replies.

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn will press a few things on his wrist unit. It'll take a bit, but Ellari gets several notifications. |One of the cameras got sabotaged. It doesn't show the planting, but this is when I lost track of them.| And then he nods to the Duke. "Alright. You're right," he doesn't trust this. |I'm with the Duke.| He says knowing that questions may come forward. His gaze looks about as he keeps taking in details as they move. The man keeps moving forward. Jorn just tries to create a means to track him, or see where he's going. Get a route.

Athena (159) has posed:
The Duke nods. "This way," he says quietly, increasing the speed of his pace as he gestures for Jorn to follow him into a side alley that's dirtier and more dimly lit than the other corridors Jorn had been traversing earlier.

"This will take us directly under the Bastille," he says in a hushed tone. "It runs into the septic tank chamber..."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    |You're going to have the show the evidence, it will have to be more than just your word.| Ellari reminds him. He was with Duke Thyssel? Well now he'd been accusing the duke of being the one to frame him before...

    Either way, she heads for the Bastille, assuming he's taken shelter there.

Jorn (418) has posed:
|The Baron was the one that acted. As seen in the footage. Duke claims he's not behind it. I'm going to sit as an audience. I'm at his place.| Jorn sends out the message and nods. "Lead the way," and then he just waits to see what will happen next. Everything has been a wait and see.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thankfully for Jorn and the Duke it doesn't take them very long to get to the Bastille. The Duke will lead Jorn up the ladder out of the septic tank chamber and will be in the middle of seeing to taking Jorn to the dungeons when one of his guards jogs up.

"A prominent member of the House Viszla comes to see you, Duke," he says. "Ellari Zin..."

The Duke shakes his head. "No House Vizsla members will be allowed into the Bastille at this time."

Summarily, Ellari will be denied access to the Duke's keep...

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "And why is that?" Ellari questions, when the guards deny her entrance. "What have I done to draw the Duke's ire?"

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn will send a message. |Where are you?| And he looks about. There's a pause, "Let Ellari in," Jorn says softly as he looks at Duke. His gaze goes to the man as he isn't sure where this is going to go. Breathing out. He braces himself for things to go sideways.

Athena (159) has posed:
"It isn't you specifically," the guard barks. "No House Vizsla members right now. Even his own son and godsons will not be allowed in."

The Duke seems very hesitant. "If I let her in, the other House Vizsla members will clamor at my gates," he says.

Another pause. "Are you sure you trust her...?"

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "You didn't answer my question." Ellari replies sharply. "Why not? What is he hiding?" she demands.

Jorn (418) has posed:
"I don't have many I can trust. I'm out of options," Jorn says honestly as he isn't sure. His gaze looks between the guard and the Duke. He waits for a moment. "I say trust her. She has special audience."

Athena (159) has posed:
The Duke hesitates, glancing at Jorn, then over at the gates to the Bastille. "Very well," he says after a moments consideration, "if you think you can trust her..."

The guards once again avoid Ellari's question. They glance down at their comms. "State your business," they announce. "We want to know the reason for your exception."

Ellari might not appreciate their stalling. The Duke wasn't wrong about other party members clamoring at his gates -- several other Mandalorians in the streets have noticed Ellari trying to enter the Bastille for the past several minutes and taken to whispering, "Doesn't she know? Why won't she leave? Or has she been given special permission...?!" Two other female Mandalorians, also House Vizsla begin to approach as well, curious. And farther down the block, others watch from a distance, talking quietly among themselves on the street corners or outside of nearby local cantinas.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "My presence has been requested. As for the rest, I will tell the Duke once I have his ear." Ellari insists, glancing around at others whose attention she appears to have drawn. "Now are you going to let me in or not?"

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn's just adjusting to the situation. Options are running out like beads of sand in a timer. "The situation forces me into some interesting moments," he replies to The Duke.

The weight of the dark saber on him like a heavy crown. One someone else stole and put on Jorn's head. His body aches, but he tries to ignore it all. Nearly every Mandalorian on this rock wants him, most of them would prefer dead. There's at least one that wants him alive. Hopefully. There's the hole matter of a brother with a missing limb now.

There is no way Jorn would have killed him. Even if he wanted to, which Jorn did not, that life would not be claimed. Killing a blood sibling is a good way to sour a relationship.

Volken Mons has posed:
The heavy booted footfalls of Volken of House Mons does much to announce his approach before he actually emerges into view, rounding the corner like a roided out Bantha and thundering with deliberate unstoppable steps towards the entrance of the Bastille and those gathered there. Not necessarily in a rush but at the same time moving at a steady pace due to the immensity of his size and the length of his legs. He doesn't look like he's intending on slowing down for either guards nor the doors themselves and his arrival begins to roll hsi shadow across them and Ellari...clearly intending on entering and doing so with her in tow.

"Open." he demands. A simple request.

As to where he's been? Likely largely with the groom and the groom's party....and thus, perhaps, here of his own voilition and decision to be the provebial wild card to a very wild situation.

Athena (159) has posed:
"I am sorry," The Duke says, "you have been forced into our family and House matters."

"Fine," the guards relent. But as they go to open the gates, the two other female Mandalorians approach Ellari. "Let at least one of us accompany you," one of them says. "We will not harm anyone inside - we were sent by other ranking party members to see if we could also get an audience with the Duke regarding the Dark Saber." Then one of them whispers to her, "And we would see who requested your presence."

When the guards return they seem unhappy to find two other House Viszla members accompanying Ellari, and ... Volken. They size him up, but do not appear intimidated. "You brought company!? How dare you! Swear on your blood that they will leave this place as they entered it - peacefully."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    A brow goes up at the other two women. "And you are?"

    "I did not bring them." Ellari replies truthfully, glancing up at Volken in an annoyed fashion. "So why should they be my responsibility?" Her gaze also goes to the other two women.

Jorn (418) has posed:
     "I like the engagement part of the business. No regrets there," Jorn's quick to get that in. "Just some of the chaos that recently followed me, I could do without, but there's no use hoping for that. That ball is in motion," Jorn doesn't wish for a day where the heist didn't happen. Does he want it? Yes. However, he can't focus on what could have been. His focus needs to be on what is happening, plus the next three moves. He needs to be smart.

"How many people want me dead? Humor me," that's a large number, but it will get the gears going. Give him an idea of what to address, possibly how to address it. "And can we sort out who is working with who?"

Volken Mons has posed:
"Don't make things more complicated then they need t'be." remarks Volken, slowing now to address Ellari, despite the fact that he's...making things more complicated then they need to be.

"Just agree so we can get on with it and get in there."

Then, he turns to look over the guards. The lack of intimidation isn't unexpected. They're Mandalorian guards, not simple Republic Security officers. But he's also not really trying either and to emphasis this he simply adds, "I promise to behave myself and not to kill anyone. Fair enough?"

His helmet is on but one can almost see his boyish-brutish grin in his voice.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Ziarenka Cho," The taller one introduces. "Please. We only want audience with the Duke. If you are making an exception for this House Viszla member who was not even promised to be peaceful, then why not make an exception for me? I have promised to do no harm to anyone inside."

The guard frowns. "She is from your House," he growls. "Do you trust her? Shall I permit her... on your account?"

The Duke shakes his head. "Countless," he says, "the Dark Saber is a heavy burden. And Mandalore has splintered its most powerful political factions - Vizsla, Kryze, Kast. Now, there are no partisans, save for yourself, and I. Stay here," he says, "I will see Ellari in myself."

Then he ventures to the higher levels and out into the outer courtyard, where Volken, Ellari and the two other female Mandalorians stand waiting at the gate. He waves at the guards. "Let him pass," he says to guards. "He is not House Vizsla, despite his friendship to my son. As for the other two... fine. Ellari may see who she wishes, and the other may speak to me here in the outer courtyard. One may call me generous or tired today - perhaps I am both." The guards then step aside, permitting Volken, Ellari and Ziarenka into the outer courtyard.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari nods when the Duke himself finally appears. "Thank you." she says, following him inside. She glances at Volken, wondering what it is he wants this time.

    She opens her commlink and sends another message to Jorn. |I'm here now.|

Volken Mons has posed:
What does he want? Well she could just ask... But as she doesn't, Volken simply falls silent and marches into the manor with the rest of them though he keeps behind them all to allow them to lead the way in. He does give a slight grunt at mention of the Duke's son though he falls silent once again and keeps his thoughts to himself.

Once fully in, he turns his way to face the Duke but waits to allow the others a chance to address him first.

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn's thinking of Thaelin. He's also thinking of what kind of burden that may bring to him, personally. The duel was meant to end in Death. Thaelin has much to live for, and Jorn did not wish that on him. After the limb came off, everything got...chaotic. He's just trying to remember everyone's face, be it flesh or metal.

     An actual number would have been nice. It's not a surprising figure though. "Do you actually believe me?" he asks the Duke. It's a serious question. One Jorn will study the older man on, if he answers.

More people are coming. Jorn tries to think of his options, but Ellari wants to talk to him. To figure out if Jorn is telling the truth. Jorn has one simple question, "How did they identify me so fast?" He doesn't say it aloud, but the sword is suddenly on his ship. What feels like moments later, people accuse him of stealing it. Everything falls too conviently for him. Yes, Jorn knows he was set up, obviously. Maybe that's a credit chip he can use. Jorn then looks through his messages for time stamps. Anything around the time of his confrontation. Yes, stamps can be faked, but raw footage is pure on scans. That's another angle.

     Focused on survival alone has thrown him off. In this brief moment, it feels like he can use his head. While he waits for the Duke to return, Jorn will send out a message. <"I have shelter."> To the one Mandalorian that actually believes him.

Athena (159) has posed:
"...Yes," The Duke tells Jorn in parting, but it had been so hesitant.

The Duke waves Ellari away. "Take her where she wishes," he tells some droids standing nearby. "I will speak with Ziarenka and Volken."

The Duke turns to Volken first. "How is my son," he says quietly. Volken might have hoped to bring the Duke better news, but the last he'd seen of the boy he'd been alive, and conscious, at least. He'd been enraged, naturally, about the circumstances, but the fitting of his bionic arm was currently preventing him from doing much other than brooding and taking painkillers.

<I'm coming to see you tonight> Revara reassures him. <Where are you taking shelter?>

Volken Mons has posed:
"Alive."

Volken's deep voice betrays his deep buried anger, tone tight and heavy though he recovers quickly enough and his voice becomes more even and measured. "...He is bein' fitted with a cybernetic arm. He'll live but he won't be the same...will he? Then again..he's strong. Hard headed. Like his father. So maybe we'll all bounce back, hm?"

The giant mandalorian inclines his head at that last part.

"....I warned Thaelin that this might happen.. Tried to warn him against it.." After another pause he rumbles, "..Where is the Darksaber now?"

He watches as Ellari is led off but doesn't try to follow. His interests are with the Duke, first.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Receiving no further communication from Jorn, Ellari shakes her head. Ah, but where else would he be hiding anyway? Probably in the sublevels, down in the dungeons.

    She starts heading down in that direction, glancing momentarily back over at Volken as he converses with the Duke before stepping into an elevator.

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn sits in the dungeon. It's deep in the structure, which is good. However, there's limited exits, that's bad. It's the best he has for the moment. That's where Ellari will find him. "Most would want me here under different circumstances," even the Duke seems hard pressed to believe him.

"Feel like doing some recon? It could prove my innocence to you," and he knows Ellari would cause people to listen to his story. "If you're willing."

Athena (159) has posed:
The Duke is wearing his helmet, but his own pain will be evident in the way his shoulders slump. "Jorn still has it, or so I hear. There have been no further successful invoking of the rite since Thaelin's," he says softly. "Now, I must give Ziarenka a moment to speak her mind," he says, but when he turns to find the other House Vizsla lady, she's nowhere to be found!

"...guards!"

The droids escort Ellari to the elevator, and perhaps unbeknownst to Ellari, after she had descended to the dungeons, Ziarenka had watched the floor indicator tick downward as it had taken her to the lower levels of the Bastille. Then, while Volken had been speaking to the Duke, she had peeled off quietly, taking a different elevator down to the dungeons...

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari lets herself into the cell where Jorn is hiding. "We need to look over your ship," she begins, lowering her voice. "If there is anything that might help, we will find it there."

Volken Mons has posed:
Oh boy. Volken's eyes narrow but he says nothing at first. He does look off in the direction that Ellari went and after a pause of consideration, turns to begin moving in that direction.

He'd only caught the tail end of the conversation outside but it was enough for him to assume that the other woman was either with Ellari or had some adjacent interest. "Where did the droids take Ellari Zin?" he asks brusquely though he doesn't exactly wait for an answer and instead moves in the direction he saw her disappear off to.

Jorn (418) has posed:
"Yes. I do. A surveilance system, but I've been away from the ship long enough it may be corrupted or altered," speaking to Ellari. He thinks on it a little bit more. "Security footage from the location. If there were timestamps. The point of evidence of "me" is to be seen, not unseen. Timestamps might be really important," Jorn tries to think on it more. He's completely oblivious to what happened. Although, he may have had these concerns prior to accepting The Duke's offer.

Athena (159) has posed:
The Duke starts after Volken immediately, though he does not try to restrain the mammoth Mandalorian. "Volken, please!" he cries out after him, his tone tremulous. How strange, to hear fear in the voice of someone like the Duke!

"I know you mean well. But for my family's sake and your conscience, we cannot have a war. Remember that."

"...They took her to the dungeons, below."

Meanwhile, Ziarenka is scouting the dungeons, searching for Ellari. It won't take her very long to find them, though -- there's no one else down here save for Ellari and Jorn, and their voices, though lowered, can be heard. She discreetly moves nearer, obscuring herself in a cell adjacent to Jorn's in a parallel hallway. There, she watches through a crack in the mortar...

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari nods. "Then let's go, tonight. If anyone comes after you I'll do my best to fend them off."

    But then she frowns, having heard something. There was another elevator here, and it seems other people are headed down here. She gets up and goes to the door, looking for anything suspicious. "We're not alone here..."

Volken Mons has posed:
"I don't do good on leashes." remarks Volken, "I've been on a leash since I got here.. Listening to this and that... softening. Now...one of the only ones that has ever treated me right and fair in my entire life has lost an arm. Do you -want- my help, Duke?"

Volken doesn't sotp moving for the dungeons though he does slow to give the man a chance to give him an honest answer.

"If you do then you need to take the leash off and point me in the right direction."

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn hears the same sound as Ellari. "We should leave, now." Something about being in a dungeon feels wrong. Plus, he has a strategy. There's no need to stay here. He heard himself think.

Pulling out a blaster, "I don't want to linger," and he just wants to be a moving target. Be still too long, it's usually bad.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Think of all Thaelin has already lost," the Duke says, "that is all I would ask of you."

"Take the elevator down to the lowest floor of the Bastille. Go left, then right. Ellari is there."

As soon as it appears that Ziarenka has been revealed, she activates her commlink and sends a transmission to her allies in House Viszla. <He's here! And Ellari dares assist him...!> Then she stands and goes to confront Jorn. "How predictable," she says to him. "Hiding in the basement of your disgraced fiancee's home. You really are pitiful," she says with a scoff. "You know, you could get this all over with. Face those who would challenge you! Become a man of legend, or die honorably and pass the dark saber to someone worthy. Why don't you?"

Volken Mons has posed:
Heavy ar Volken's booming footfalls as he enters the dungeons and makes his way along the directions given by the Duke towards the confrontation that is brewing. He arrives in enough time to hear the demands of the other Mandalorian woman as her voice echoes through the halls with indignation at Jorn's actions...but he is pace doesn't slow and instead continues its looming rumbling approach.

"Get out."

Volken's deep voice finally rumbles in a simple demand as he nears Ziarenka. "Or Ill throw you out, balled up in a container of beskar. You're not wanted here... And before you go blaming this fmaily .. consider me a 'concerned third party' here to add a little chaos to the situation. Now leave."

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn keeps his anger in check. He needs to be logical right now. "Keep Revara out of this," is all he would say. Jorn knows the truth and she probably alerted backup. So, he doesn't have time to mouth off.

Then those heavy footfalls come down. Volken makes a simple demand. Normally, Jorn would be mostly happy to thrilled at Volken's presence, especially right now. However, he doesn't know -anything- about how Volken feels. It's a wild X factor right now. Is Jorn avoiding a fire and jumping into something worse? Jorn will not cower, but his guard is up. Ellari and Volken go back, Jorn doesn't have that bond.

Athena (159) has posed:
Ziarenka turns around as soon as Volken's booming footsteps coming down ther hallway can be herard. Sher chuckles, seeming amused. "Nice scare tactics," sher says, "you should try therm on a weaker Mandalorian with less gett'se."

Sher smirks under her herlmet at Jorn. "Toucherd a nerve, did I?" sher says, "well, what can I say, you two were a match made in herll. Ther dar'manda and hut'uun - perfectly terrible for each otherr."

"But I suppose I've no otherr business to attend to down herre," sher says haughtily. "So you can have it your way." Sher thern turns on herr herel and starts herading for ther elevator, seeming satisfied.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari's hand goes to her pistols, but then Ziarenka walks away. She turns back to Jorn. "Yes, we'd better hurry." Immediately, she starts looking for a more stealthy way out of here. But maybe the Duke could help with that?

Volken Mons has posed:
"You're leaving aren't you?" responds Volken towards the departing woman.

He says nothing more to that, simply awtching as she moves past him to make her way out of the dungeon.

He then turns and looks to Jorn and Ellari..and starts to slowly step forward. There might be a stealthy way out...but they'll have to get past him first.

"So...is it true or not?" he asks, bluntly attention on Jorn now. It is true that they don't know each other and 'bond' is probably a strong word to apply to him and Ellari. They have 'opinons' of each other and he's not trying to just crush her to paste so there is that. But any attempt he's made -to- get to know Jorn has been constnatly side tracked by others getting in the way or Jorn not being easilya ccessible...and now all he knows is that his 'best friend' on Mandalore..has had his arm removed by this man.

"Just so you know..I don't give a damn about the Rite. I've been accused of not being a 'true Mandalorian' before. All I know is that my friend is suffering and you and the saber are the cause. But something's not right. You don't struck me as a thief or someone who wanted this. Just someone who seems to like making 'bad decisions'...like Revara. But not -this- bad.. So...is it true or not?"

Ellari gets a quick glance but Jorn gets the bulk of his attention.

Jorn (418) has posed:
Trying to remain neutral, Jorn just watches Zia. The comments about a match made in Hell stings. It stings because Jorn knows the "theft" sways public opinion. And people are -running- with it. That's the point though,and then he shakes his head. "The Duke seems more hesitant than you. And I don't know if he might have brought Zia down." That's his thoughts on the matter.

A look goes back to Volken. That blunt question comes out. "I have the blade, but it was planted on my ship. Everyone thinks I did some elaborate heist to a place, I haven't been to." Jorn shakes his head. "Shortly after I had an encounter with someone, I found the blade on my ship. The mob came shortly after. Convienantly shortly after," he looks directly at Volken. "It was the Baron. They wanted me to end the relationship and leave the planet. I refused, he got on my ship. I lost sight of him for a moment," that's when Jorn figures it was planted.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Of course," Ziarenka says. "We'll speak later, -Ellari-." And with that, she disappears into the lift.

And yet, while they're discussing matters, Jorn will feel his commlink ping urgently. It's Revara.

<Jorn, I need your help, where are you? There's a mob forming right outside the Bastille-->

Volken Mons has posed:
Volken listens and then slowly turns his head towards Ellari Jorn finishes and after Ziarenka clearly addresses her, "You need to pick a side. You were so swift to be right in bed with Caine, helping Caine Von'egel get Revara back to Mandalore ... Khalo Fett said back then that Von'egel tried to -sell- the Dark Saber. They've all got no honor and are only interested in sowing chaos and coming up on top and its obvious to me that House Vizsla wants this. What they've done needs to be exposed. The Duke doesn't want a war but they're obviously working to trigger one that leaves the public opinion with them. But here we are. "

Volken looks back at Jorn, the frown heavy in his voice , "You -do- you have the saber and as long as you do you're going tocontinue to be a target but we can't let -them- have it now can we? But if they know you're here they're going to keep coming here. We need to prove that they did this. Get them to reveal their hand..."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari opens her mouth to protest against Volken's words regarding her helping Caine, but decides it's beside the point right now. Right now, there were more important matters to attend to, and they seemed to align on it for the time being. And that was, they needed to convince everyone that Jorn was innocent and the Von'egels were the culprits. Honestly, she doesn't care if Jorn did it or not. She hates the barons enough...

    "Yes, yes." she says dismissively. "Now let's -go-. We can't stay here now, that much is clear. We need to find a discreet way back to your ship."

Jorn (418) has posed:
"I tend to agree. It felt like they wanted me to leave the planet to either get taken out in the sky, or to paint a bigger target on my back." Volken actually believes him. That's a genuine surprise.

"I do have the saber. I've already disarmed someone with it," Jorn's verbage is a bit more literal. Then his body language pauses, "Yes. They told others. There's a mob outside of the Bastille," and then he will report in to Revara. <In the dungeon with allies. About to move. What's wrong?"> Yes, he will ask that question

Then he starts to move with the duo. "Do we know a descreet way out?" he asks the pair. "We have a mob waiting for us."

Athena (159) has posed:
<... the dungeons? At the Bastille? Jorn, you have to get out...they're--!> But the transmission gets cut off.

All of a sudden, there's a thunderous trembling (not unlike the one that happens when Volken jumps down two stories).

Several small rocks in the ceiling break loose, and shatter on the ground.

And then there's the sound of blaster fire, and shouting. That can't have meant anything good.

Either way, they had to hurry.

The Bastille was under assault...

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "I don't know, we need to find the Duke." Ellari activates her commlink again, calling the man. "Duke Thyssel...we need to get out of here. Quickly, and discreetly."

Volken Mons has posed:
It was not simple spite that caused Volken to bring up the incident with Caine. It was, in part, a test of seeing how she'd react but something else is on his mind regarding that and the current situation.

The verbiage used by Jorn does cause the giant to stiffen slightly. He may believe him but did he forget that quickly that Volken indicated his connection to the 'disarmed'? He'll address that later as before he can elaborate further on any of his points, the dungeons shakes.

"So much for The Duke avoiding a war..." he rumbles.

"I have an idea. We need to do something to take the heat off of you...but we need to get out of here first. You need to do something to be able to go to ground and to put them off the trail of the Darksaber for awhile. Can your ship or another ship be remote piloted and self destructed? Stage a death...? We have options. We can even collapse the dungeon. Claim you've been buried alive and crushed. I can claim having done it myself on behalf of Thaelin I"d just need some proof and they can search the wreckage."

He doesn't seem intent on leaving with them as he turns to step back towards the way he came, unless something else is suggested.

"Either way, make yoru choice."

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn pauses at Ellari calling Duke. That's shaky ground at best. His attention just focused on the area around them. His words still flow. "Yeah. I think the war is about to start," he looks back to Volken. "What's the idea," then he pauses for a moment. "If I can remove some effects after we get the secuirty system. Then yes. We can do the remote plan," Jorn sees if Volken is okay with that little bit of a caveat. His attention on the big guy. That's the choice.

Athena (159) has posed:
<"Go back the way Jorn... and I.. came... he knows it! The tunnels below Sundari! It's where I found --!"> But then comes a strangled cry and the call suddenly is dropped. Another thunderous rumble comes, and they'll hear the lift on the far side of the dungeons chime. Then, running footsteps! They were out of time.

They could stay and fight, or retreat to the tunnels like the Duke had said, and perhaps hope to stage Jorn's death there...!

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari frowns pensively at Volken's offer. That didn't sound like a bad idea, actually. But they were out of time. "Let's get to the tunnels now...we can decide what to do along the way. I like the sound of staging your death somehow. Volken can collapse the tunnels behind us, that should at least slow them down." she looks to Jorn. "Lead the way, and hurry!"

Volken Mons has posed:
"Alright." Volken is swift to accept that, at least for now, "As to my idea, it involves Revara and Caine but first let's get out of here and then stage some sort of pursuit and death so you can get some heat off of you and buy some time -- and then we can figure the rest out. I won't be following you all the way yet. I need to check on the Duke. Thaelin would want that.." rumbles Volken. At the ver least, he'll see them through to the end of the tunnel. An angry mob ...he can handle especially by pretending to be one of them.

He nods his head in agreement with Ellari as it lines up with his thinking.

Jorn (418) has posed:
Jorn starts to move quickly going back the way he came in. There's a pause and he nods for a moment. "I will accept any help I get," Volken's offer is happily accepted.

A nod goes to Ellari, "Let's go." That's when he starts to move going back toward the tunnels. Trying to remember the way Duke showed him without going to face the very large mob. They need to be stealthy, which is easier said than done. "Thank you. Both of you." In this crazy world, it feels a little less insane.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thankfully, Ellari and Jorn will make it to the tunnels below Sundari before whoever had come down in the lift reaches them.

As for Volken, he could fend them off -- or make a beeline for the other lift before they get to him!

Volken Mons has posed:
Volken is....going back the way he came and not for another lift. He makes his way back down the cooridor towards the approaching mob and if they don't decide to turn back upon seeing his immense figure nearing them, filling up the hall with his approach, he lunges forward into the nearest ones with a massive arm, swinging it around like an incoming tree from Kashykk.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari hurries after Jorn into the tunnels. If everyone thought Jorn was dead...all more shame will fall upon the Von'egels, and therefore all the better...

Athena (159) has posed:
Volken's fists clear a path for him to the lift like a harvester in a grain field. Those who would stand in his way are flung aside like rag dolls, and Volken will easily be able to enter the lift and make his way back up to the main levels of the Bastille.

Upon exiting the lift, he'll find the outer and inner courtyards having already been turned into a swath of chaos -- it seems there's no organized front, or clear opponents -- just every Mandalorian for himself. The Duke had to be here somewhere - last he'd seen him he'd been in the outer courtyard speaking to Ziarenka (who was likely responsible for this mess!).

Volken Mons has posed:
"Where is the Duke!?"

Volken's deep voice rumbles and booms as he steps forward with clenched fists and a gargantuan stride into the chaos in search of the lord of this place.

He sweeps his gaze from side to side, taking in the chaos with little concern for his own safety and instead focuses on barrelling forward in search of the master of the house...or what's left of his house. He shakes his head at the confusion and chaos...but ultimately only allows his bubbling ire, fury and rage to build up as he crushes his way forward through the conflict.

Athena (159) has posed:
An injured guard, clutching a bleeding wrist, limps past Volken as he demands to know where the Duke is. "The last place I saw him was at the gate," she says, pointing with her good hand towards the northern edge of the outer courtyard. "Attempting to halt the mob with the sentries..."

If Volken follows her direction, he'll find himself approaching the front gate of the Bastille and will soon be able to see a familiar but limp form lying on the ground there...

Volken Mons has posed:
A soft sigh escapes the massive man as he sees the limp figure there. He had heard the mans cry over the comm systems but it still pains him to see it.

The real question is, is it too late?

He crouches down, looking over the form of the man to check for signs of life and consciousness while also activating his comm link. "Get me Thaelin!.. If any guards can hear me..come attend to the Duke!"

The likelyhood of there being any able to do so is slim but he'll get this man out of here one way or the other.

Athena (159) has posed:
Well, the Duke is alive, at the very least, but it doesn't look good. He's not responsive, and there's blood pouring out from underneath his helmet. That's never a good sign.

A couple of the guards run up, concerned. "... our Duke! I will call a medevac."

The other turns to Volken. "He's been notified. He should be on his way--"

There's another loud rumble, and one of the Bastille's turrets partially collapses.

Then, Volken will hear his name being called from far off. Thaelin and Sanza are approaching, via jetpack.

Volken Mons has posed:
"Hurry." rumbles Volken. Not dismissive or deadpan, simply focused now. He looks over the Duke. It doesn't look good but at least he lives. There is a chance to save him..

Or for Thaelin to have last owrds with im. A shame if so.

"I'll go deal with these remaining attackers. I'm fresh. Just get him to the med facilities."

He rumbles a grunt of acknowledgement into his comm link to his name being called but otherwise stands and turns to begin to head towards whereever the battle is still raging. His weapons begin to whine to life as well, knuckle dusters crackling with energy and shields powreing up along his arms.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaelin and Sanza hurry to the Duke's side, as the one of the guards calls the medevac. Thaelin seems devastased and speechless, and he wasches as Volken turns to join the fight in fending off the mob thas had astacked and destroyed his childhood home.

"Thank you..." he whispers, though he's certain Volken probably hadn't heard him. Then he picks up the Duke as the siren sound of the approaching medevac can be heard, heading away from the fight.