Coruscant: Crisis in the Galactic City

[adestinyforeseen]

"The proud capital of the Republic, Coruscant is the largest, the oldest and the most diverse city-world in the galaxy. Kilometer-tall buildings cover virtually all of the planet’s surface, with the wealthy and powerful living at the top and the poorest and the most desperate dwelling near the foundations. Coruscant is only now recovering from the attack by the Empire that led to the eventual cease-fire. Many buildings were reduced to rubble; a few still burn, the fires fueled by chemicals and uncontrolled reactors. During the Empire’s attacks, the criminal underworld increased its power base as well, and remains a formidable threat."
―In-game Codex

Comments

[adestinyforeseen]

Idilan closed his datapad and returned it to his belt clip, moving to the ramp and out of the shuttle; seen from above, and even now after landing, the Capital of the Republic seemed to shine like a beacon of civilization and peace. "Hard to believe that just a few years ago the Empire was attacking the planet."

Warning // Coruscant = big city-planet = easy to get lost.

For many people the beeps and whistles coming from the droid would mean nothing, but the Jedi parsed meaning with no effort; a relationship of mutual respect developed easily between the two, T7-O1 appreciating Idilan's casual manner and strong sense of honor, the Knight admiring the quirky personality of the astromech. "I'm sure we'll be fine, Teeseven."

Affirmative // T7 = keep Jedi safe. The droid turned to the exit of the hangar, rolling away silently. Jedi + T7 = late // Important meeting = Senate Tower.

"All the trouble at the Esseles made us half a standard day late" Idilan gave a nod, following the droid. "Plus making my report about the First Officer and the Ambassador."

Together they made their way to the main exit of the spaceport; as the duo approached the doors, a man wearing the uniform of a Senate aide waved for Idilan's attention and moved over. "Master Jedi! A moment of your time, please?"

While T7 made a whistle of pure impatience, Idilan turned to the man, not quite pleased with his aura of obsequiousness. "How may I be of assistance?"

"First, let me say it's a great pleasure to meet one of the Republic's finest" the man gave a bow before continuing. "I represent Vanara Kayl, Senator of Coruscant; she not only speaks for our capital world, but also oversees the planet's government. Senator Kayl leads the efforts to rebuild what was destroyed during the Sith Empire's invasion."

Idilan gave a brief nod. "So, Senator Kayl sent you for me, specifically, or she wanted you to stop the first person carrying a lightsaber?" A touch less polite than usual, but the conversation did not reach a point and he was in a hurry.

"Official reports from Tython mentioned your name, Master Jedi" the man seemed to get the hint "and spoke of your actions on behalf of threatened apprentices, the Twi'lek settlers and the Order itself. This world faces a crisis; shattered infrastructure, a booming refugee population, whole sectors descending into anarchy. Senator Kayl believes you are specially qualified to help deal with the situation, and she'd appreciate the favor of a meeting."

And there we had it, a situation where he could not just say 'no'; Idilan glanced at T7, and almost sighed as the droid whistled its assent. "How I'd go about meeting Senator Kayl?"

"Head to the Senate Tower, Master Jedi; once there, seek Minister Imogh" The man gestures to the plaza outside. "Tell him you met Anitol Rosspar at the spaceport and that you are being expected."

"I will" he nodded. "Let's go, Teeseven." Turning to the doors, the Jedi walked out while Rosspar used his holocom to inform his employer of the results of the encounter.

[adestinyforeseen]

"No visitor to Coruscant can fail to be awed by the majestic Senate tower. Built to house the thousands-strong Galactic Senate, it is also home to the offices of the Supreme Chancellor, numerous embassies and the headquarters of Republic Special Forces. The interior of the Senate tower is open to the public, though Coruscant Security and the Republic military patrol the corridors. While it survived the Sacking of Coruscant, the Senate tower was later damaged when a number of Senators, supporters of the Treaty of Coruscant, were targeted by a bomb. Entrance to the Senate tower is via the Avenue of the Core Founders, a famous concourse flanked by the statues of the Core Founders themselves. Inside, visitors to the Senate tower are encouraged to enjoy the guided tours or peruse the holographic statues of famous Senators."
―In-game Codex

[adestinyforeseen]

"The Migrant Merchants' Guild began as a political advocacy group for war refugees" Senator Kayl was an interesting sight; not because of her looks, even if they were attractive, but for her manners. She moved with determination, spoke in a passionate tone, and gestured just the right amount to put emphasis on the facets of the subject at hand. "Over the years, it transformed into a ruthless and murderous criminal syndicate."

Idilan had to admit that far from political games, the situation seemed to be something in dire need of Jedi intervention. "What has been done to help?" Still, he felt something was missing; even more reason to take a closer look.

"Not nearly enough, Master Jedi" the Senator admitted with a sigh. "The reconstruction efforts have us all stretched thin, and now the situation ran out of control. Earlier today, Guild thugs took to the streets. They attacked our security personnel, set fires, began rioting. We're facing an armed insurrection. The comm channels are jammed and we've lost contact with our security forces. I need your help ending this crisis. The criminals must not win."

"I will do what I can, Senator." Beside the Jedi, Teeseven beeped and whistled its agreement.

[adestinyforeseen]

"Master Orgus" Idilan bowed to the older Jedi and to the other people in the room; two were familiar faces, the others, not. "Your messages sounded very urgent, tell me what's happening."

"Well, you remember Master Kiwiks and her Padawan, Kira. These are General Var Suthra and Doctor Eli Tarnis" Orgus indicated the Mon Calamari and the human respectively. "We were discussing why the Republic secretly built a planetary-scale weapon without consulting the Jedi."

"My work barely qualifies as a weapon" Doctor Tarnis protested, sounding extra defensive; perhaps he could feel how much Master Orgus was upset, even if the Jedi had barely raised his voice an octave. "It's the most humane military technology ever invented! with a single activation, the Planet Prison supercharges a world's upper atmosphere, turning it into an enormous ion cannon; any starship entering or leaving the planet will be completely disabled. Perfect enemy containment, with no casualties."

"Except for the people riding on those starships, that will start falling to the surface as all their systems stop working, and any droids caught in the field that would be completely mind-wiped" Idilan wondered why people managed to act utterly brilliant and completely stupid at the same time. "You can't contain a world like that."

"How many lives are lost in full-scale planetary invasions?" Tarnis was not going to concede the point, it seemed. "Our new weapon will end war as we know it."

"In catastrophic ways, since you allowed the design files of the Planet Prison to be stolen by common criminals" interjected Master Kiwiks.

"I doubt the criminals even realize what they have. Besides, the files are encrypted."

Encryption = value // strong encryption = high value. Idilan nodded to the droid. "The criminals will quickly realize the files they stole are valuable."

"Our people are pursuing every possible lead" Var Suthra spoke up with a hint of annoyed impatience.

"With all due respect, old friend" Master Orgus frowned. "don't you think it's time the Jedi got involved?" At the General's reluctant assent, the older Jedi turned to Idilan. "Master Kiwiks and I must speak with the High Chancellor about this whole situation. I want you to talk with Var Suthra's people and go find those design files."

"A wild chase is better than talking to politicians" He did not envy his Master at all.

"A Jedi after my own heart" Master Orgus joked, his tone alone conveying the humor, bowed, and left.

[adestinyforeseen]

"Twenty years ago, the old Galactic Market was a bustling center of commerce where the goods and wealth of the galaxy flowed freely. Since the Treaty of Coruscant, however, the market has become a shadow of its former self. The old Galactic Market was the site of extraordinary scenes after the war. Thousands of homes in the lower reaches of Coruscant–most belonging to poor families–were destroyed during the Imperial invasion. The homeless families squatted in the marketplace; when ordered to leave by Republic military forces, the squatters rioted in protest. The market has never been truly safe since, and the criminal Migrant Merchants’ Guild has gradually established its own control over the area. While careful and well-armed visitors can still find useful technology or rare weapons there, most are advised to stay away."
―In-game Codex

[adestinyforeseen]

"Vistis, Rodian smuggler" Agent Galen had said. "Thrity-two hours ago he led an assault on a Republic Weapons depot, where the criminals stole supplies, weapons and the encoded files you'll be looking for. Less than an hour ago, a security camera spotted him in the Old Galactic Market, being all chummy with the Migrant Merchants' Guild."

So the Guild had the potential to be even more dangerous than Senator Kayl ever imagined.

In the the promenade and the galleria, past the concourse, lots of stores were closed; there was a good deal of foot traffic towards the far end where the market seemed to be running in force still, with cantinas, kiosks and shops of all kinds. Unfortunately Idilan had no time to admire it, taking a side passage to the back reaches of that pacific front; soon he was walking along ramshackle shelters and improvised homes in old disused stores, seeing a mix of (too many) refugees and (too few) agents of the Coruscant Security Forces.

"No, you don't understand, of course not. You are human. That's exactly why the Guild keeps doing these things." There to the left, a Nautolan male, sounding between angry and grief-stricken, was talking to a human male dressed in the uniform of the CSF.

"Nik, give it a break, you know what happened last time the bosses sent anyone across to the Guild territory; this is not about alien or human, this is about us being a dozen and them being a thousand." The man sounded worn out, like 'Nik' had belabored his point a lot.

"So, what I am supposed to do? If I go, they will kill me, and CSF can't help?" He shook his head. "Oh, Ria... we should have left this planet when we had a chance, but she wanted to stay."

Idilan gave Teeseven a glance, and moved over with the droid at his side. "Excuse me, sir, but we couldn't help overhearing. Was your wife kidnapped?"

"Yes!" The Nautolan seemed almost happy to have found someone else to whom lament his woes. "Those criminals from the Guild! I didn't have the money to pay for their 'protection', they took my beautiful Ria!"

The Jedi nodded. "Do you know where they might have taken her?"

"If you are going there, Master Jedi..." the Officer cut in "you should check the old shipping offices on this side of the docks; the guild made it into a club of sorts, casino, bar and such. Just take the ramps to the left after the crossway, and then continue ahead, you can't miss it, right at the beginning of the old residential areas."

"Thank you, Officer. I will try to find her and bring her back then." Teeseven whistled in approval of the Jedi's words.

[adestinyforeseen]

"These gangsters are smart--organized" Captain Winborn sounded worried, and not about the sparse blaster fire coming from the other side of the Old Market. "They are trying to use the network access nodes in the area they control to slice into the transit control system of the city; if they manage to do it, they'll cause thousands of mid-air collisions. It'll rain debris on the Senate tower like a meteor storm and there's no telling how many will die."

"One death would be too many already, Coruscant doesn't need the chaos these criminals are trying to start" Idilan frowned at the news. "What can be done?"

"We would need to cross over to the other side, closer to the docks, and slice into the Guild's network to stop their infiltration, but I dont have the manpower to fight our way in."

"Leave the fighting to me, Captain" the Jedi rose to his feet, drawing his lightsaber. "Teeseven, think you can take care of the slicing if we reach a node?"

T7 = first class slicer + Jedi help = Guild plans stopped.

"Right, cover me" Idilan started towards the bridges, his posture relaxed, waiting for the moment the Guild thugs would turn their fire on him.

[adestinyforeseen]

Amphibious humanoids from the planet Glee Anselm, Nautolans are distinguished by their tentacle-like head-tresses. Because of its primarily aquatic surface and its location off the major hyperlanes, only a handful of outsiders have ever visited Glee Anselm; as a result, little is known about Nautolan culture on their homeworld, though extrapolations can be made from those individuals who venture out into the greater galaxy. Despite their aquatic origins, Nautolans can breathe air and are completely at home on land, and they can be found in a wide variety of professions. They have a reputation for being both smart and practical, and the existence of several Nautolan Jedi speaks to an affinity with the Force. With the arrival of the Empire, the Nautolans fought alongside the Republic, although some among them fear this will lead to unnecessary suffering for their people.
―In-game Codex

[adestinyforeseen]

This was an unexpected situation.

The fight for the control of the Network nodes had been less fierce than expected, and Teeseven had easily invaded the Guild's computers and disrupted their activity; by now, important systems around Coruscant had been patched and secured, so that avenue of attack was closed.

Afterwards, losing Guild pursuers and finding their club-casino had been simple, and Idilan asked to see Ria, which led to meeting the woman.

"Nik sent you? I hoped he would give up and move on. I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing, but I'm not going back."

Humans are likely the most numerous sentient race in the Galaxy, and as such, gripped by varied levels of prejudice against other species; many saw near-humans and non-humans as inferior simply because they were different.

Idilan was not one of those.

"I'm sorry, I should've told Nik the truth; I was just hoping to spare his feelings. Nik and I left the homeworld together. His devotion was flattering… but I grew to realize the difference between love and obsession."

To him, the near-humans still caused a slightly disconcerting feeling, exactly because they were so close to humans in appearance; Chiss, Zeltrons, Mirialans, Zabrak, Rattataki, Dathomirian, Miraluka, all seemed enough 'human' that when the differences became evident, they seemed more significant.

"His jealousy was driving me crazy, he didn't want me talking to anyone or going out; all the time talking about how it would look like if he could not take care of me, getting offended if I insisted I could help."

Now, a humanoid species like the Nautolan did not cause that kind of situation: being clearly not humans, they did not trigger expectations of human cultural norms, and at least for him, it made interactions easier.

"Nik really needs to forget about me and move on with his life."

In short... the Jedi was really not prepared for the way and degree Ria Deleru seemed attractive, or the way she quickly caught on to that, seemed flattered, and did not try to use it to her advantage.

It took him at least a few seconds to parse all her words and organize his thoughts. "How..." a pause to clear his throat "...I'm not sure how I could help."

"You could tell him I was shipped off-world; Hanera's troupe will be leaving Coruscant soon, so it's not really a lie."

"I... guess I can do that, if you are sure" the Jedi bowed, deciding it would be wise to take his leave. "May the Force be with you, Ria."

"Thank you, Master Jedi, I hope to have the chance to perform for you someday" Ria bowed back but could not resist teasing Idilan, smiling when he shivered before making as hasty an exit as politeness would allow.

Jedi = malfuctioning?

"What? No, why do you ask that, Teeseven?"

Sensor reading = high core temperature / signs of distress // Jedi = do right thing + noble thing / organics + incompatible = separate

"Yes... right, they should each go their own way" he took a deep breath. "And we should find that smuggler we were looking for."

[adestinyforeseen]

"Agent Galen." Idilan was about to call the SIS agent; being called on the holo first surely meant complications. "I've located our thief, but the news is not good: he says a group named Black Sun hired him specifically to take the encrypted files, and that a Slicer working for that group decrypted them hours ago."

"Well, I have more bad news, but if Black Sun has slicers that can break SIS encryption, we can't trust this line to be secure. Meet me back at the senate tower ASAP."

"On my way." Hm, better to not mention the two stops he had to make on the way back.

[adestinyforeseen]

It's was never as easy or as simple as wished. "Stay still." His fingertips touched the sides of the zabrak woman's head, and a soft glow spread from the jedi to her. "I can't accept they sent you alone to capture that Houk."

"I don't know what you said but I almost died of shock when Gambo turned himself in." The CSF officer winced, then blinked as the haze of pain faded; Idilan had met her just a few minutes ago, bruised and battered, outside the Dealer's Den Cantina. "Apparently I've got enemies back at HQ, but the important thing is that he is under custody, right?"

"Maybe so; I find it curious that they suddenly had backup to send, once you called to say Gambo was under custody." It was not much of a challenge; the Houk was a powerful fighter, the Jedi could tell from the way he moved, but his inner mettle did not match it; a simple bit of force-backed persuasion, and the criminal turned himself in without struggle.

"I just glad Gambo is off the streets. With a bit of luck his lookouts will spread the word of your help, and the Black Sun gang will settle down a bit." The officer shivered and straightened as the pain from her injures faded some. "Thank you."

"My pleasure" the Jedi looked into Antiss' eyes, taking her hand into his. "I'm not a healer, but what I did should last until I escort you to the local medcenter."

The zabrak seemed dazed for a bit, likely a mix of awe at a Jedi and the endorphins he made flow with the Force clouding her mind for a bit. "...yes... medcenter... is good?"

Blame Ria Deleru for that, blame his admiration for the bravery of the zabrak officer, blame the Jedi's own imperfect self-control, for a long moment it seemed like they were about to kiss.

Perhaps wisely, T7 slipped quietly away; none of his business if they did or not, wise or foolish as it might be of them to indulge... or not.

[adestinyforeseen]

Resting on the senator's desk, the holocomm projected two small images, one of Vanara Kayl herself, the other of a Devaronian male.

"You accepted our friendship, Senator Kayl--and credits; it's time you paid us back." there was tension in the man's voice. "All we want are the housing projects you promised out people. Now."

"Your people will have to wait their turn like everyone else" the image of the Senator crossed arms, speaking with thinly disguised contempt. "I owe you nothing; if you continue pushing me, I'll destroy you all."

"I wondered if the recording was forged, Senator" the Jedi's tone was very calm, reaching to skip ahead to a more damning sequence. "But it is a call placed directly to your office. More than one, actually."

"You extortion attempt has failed; my people are pushing back your little army as we speak" in the recording, the Senator does not bother hiding her gleeful spite. "It's over."

"Nobody breaks a deal with us, Senator" the Devaronian spoke with cool anger. "We'll have what we want, one way or another."

"And once we knew the codes, it was simple to keep watch for more calls" the holocomm flew from the table to Idilan's hand as the Senator made a move to grab it. "Care to explain yourself, Senator?"

"I... did what I did to secure my position in the Senate, Master Jedi" Vanara Kayl was careful with her words, and understandably so, having direly underestimated the Jedi. "Good intentions can only take you so far; my main adversaries have self-serving interests, and they also had much more money and influence than I had. When those gangsters approached me, I accepted their donation, and I'd do it again."

"You learned nothing then, Senator" now Idilan's tone showed some annoyance, to say the least. "I don't believe the Guild had the best interests of the residents of the Old Galactic Market in mind when they asked for housing projects, but you really believed you could double-cross them and not face any consequences?"

"I did what I did for Coruscant. I took those criminals' money and used it to help people in need" her tone was not pleading, but not too far from it. "You hold the power to ensure my success. Let me finish healing this world. Please destroy that recording."

"And what will you do when the next gang comes offering you money, Senator? Or when the Guild comes up with another vengeance plan, will you seek another Jedi with more lies and half-truths?"

To that, Senator Kayl had no immediate response; her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I am giving you a chance to come clean to the Senate and the people of Coruscant" continued the Jedi, in a softer tone "before I make these recordings and my testimony public."

The Senator winced at those words, but after a few moments, nodded. "I won't force you to go public. I'll call an emergency meeting in the Senate. Tell them the truth. Let them decide."

"It's for the best, Senator" Idilan nodded back. "Let the people of Coruscant decide if they were betrayed" the Jedi let out a sigh. "For all that it's worth, good luck."

[adestinyforeseen]

"You found our stolen military hardware; that's good, we need every bit of it" Agent Galen's tone was clear of good news, bad news. "While you were gone, kidnappers grabbed Doctor Tarnis."

Idilan could not avoid showing a flat gaze that spoke volumes of what he was thinking about security personnel that seemed completely unable to keep anything safe.

"We were guarding Tarnis day and night" Galen continued, sounding defensive. "Whoever did this knew our procedures. Kira led a security team in pursuit, but the kidnappers split up during the chase-" on cue, the Agent's comm bleeped. "Hang on, incoming call."

"Agent Galen!" Kira seemed way too calm for someone who was clearly ducking blaster bolts "I've got these creeps pinned down, but they won't surrender. I don't know how long I can hold them!"

"She is in over her head" Agent Galen frowned as the transmission was cut.

Idilan shook his head. "She needs backup; where did the call came from?"

"Kira's signal came from the spaceport, the kidnappers might be trying to take the Doctor offworld."

[adestinyforeseen]

"Isn't teamwork grand?"

Kira Carsen was very pleased with herself, and Idilan could hardly blame her; over a dozen Black Sun criminals were being taken away by the agents of the Coruscant Security Force, every one of them injured, but all alive.

"You handled yourself like a true Jedi, Kira."

"Wait, I need a holo of that; I want to play it back to Master Kiwiiks."

Unfortunately there was no sign of Doctor Tarnis; fortunately, they had a good number of prisoners to probe for information.

[adestinyforeseen]

"Doctor Tarnis is the least of our worries, General" Agent Galen was more than a little nervous. "The stolen data files had details not only of the Planet Prison, but of every weapon prototype being developed by the Republic and every research facility working on them."

"Our most powerful experimental weapons, and Black Sun has access to them" General Var Suthra made little effort to hide his anger. "How could this happen?"

"The Jedi should have been told about it" Idilan was more composed than the General, but his tone still betrayed urgency.

"Now we must act quickly to safeguard the weapon prototypes" Master Kiwiiks interjected. "Where are those facilities?"

"Three small offworld locations" spoke the General. "They have light defenses to keep a low profile, and now, are vulnerable."

"Master Kiwiiks and I will split up and protect two" Master Orgus nodded. "Agent Galen can make up for CSF's mistakes and reinforce the thrid. You" he turned to Idilan "get the fun part: rescuing doctor Tarnis and recovering the data files."

"I'll do my best, Master" the younger jedi nodded.

"Kira will stay too" master Kiwiiks gesturing to her padawan. "Since Agent Galen is leaving, you will need backup."

"She can be impulsive, but give her a chance" Master Orgus' words caused a bit of surprise. "You two will make a good team."

"Kira is a bit rough around the edges, Master" Idilan nodded "but I like her determination."

"Share what you've learned, she will benefit from your example" Master Kiwiiks' parting words made it clear now he was a teacher, too.

[adestinyforeseen]

Black Sun is a powerful crime syndicate that rose to prominence on Coruscant in the latter days of the war. Taking advantage of the chaos and rioting in the city after the planet’s sacking, several gangsters joined forces and began seizing control of lower-city neighborhoods. The origin of the syndicate’s name is unclear, but a common phrase among despairing Coruscant citizens was “better a black sun than none.” Alas, hopes that Black Sun would bring order instead of anarchy died quickly. For Black Sun, the rioting and looting never really stopped. Although the gangsters have profitable spice- and weapons-trafficking operations, their members, almost to a man, have an extraordinary taste for violence. Civilians are extorted until they have nothing left to extort; afterwards, they’re used for target practice. City blocks are incinerated for the pleasure of demolitionists. Despite the efforts of the Justicars’ Brigade, Black Sun has become a force to be reckoned with. The Republic Senate has begun to realize the threat Black Sun represents, but with the syndicate’s influence already beginning to stretch beyond Coruscant, stopping it may be impossible.
―In-game Codex

[adestinyforeseen]

"Black Sun is not a gang anymore, Master Jedi" Sargent Nidaljo looked beyond weary, as did all his remaining soldiers. "They are an army. They have weapons, they have numbers, they enjoy killing and they are good at it."

"What happened, Sargent?" The area was an elevated platform, a few levels down from the surface, and below Idilan could see the criminals holding their distance on what had been a wide open plaza; now it was a battlefield.

"We were guarding a perimeter around their main base, when they hit us with military-grade weapons. They killed six of my men before we could react, and chased us all the way here" the man shook his head. "We're not equipped for this fight, not anymore, with those new weapons and armor, they are unstoppable."

Jedi + T7 = stop unstoppable every day

The Sargent frowned, clearly having understood the droid. "Look at us: we're half dead, and they did not suffer a single casualty. There's no hope of victory here."

"If you give up now, your men died in vain, Sargent" Idilan's voice was gentle but firm. "And what about the hostage who is inside Black Sun's base waiting to be rescued? You'd abandon him? This is a moment of truth, Sargent" the Jedi's voice became more energetic. "I'm going down there. Do you give up, or will you stand up and fight for this planet?"

The man was quiet for a few moments, then nodded. "I'll go. But I'll not ask my men to follow."

"You don't have to, Sargent" one Corporal spoke up. "The Jedi is right, we can't let those scum win." All around them the remaining CSF officers expressed their support.

"Very well" the Sargent gave a small nod. "We need to take down their security network if you want to make it inside the base. The terminals must be heavily guarded."

"Point the way and give Teeseven and I some cover fire, we will clear a path" Idilan turned for the elevator, drawing his lightsaber.

[adestinyforeseen]

"Tarnis" The burly, tattooed man in combat armor sneered at the hooded figure in the large holoterminal; some distance away, the echo of blaster fire could be heard... growing sparse. "We risked everything for you, stealing those data files, faking your kidnapping, this is how you repay us?"

"You were compensated with enough weapons and armor to make Black Sun invincible" the figure in the holo seemed remarkably unconcerned with the Black Sun Leader's anger.

"Invincible? There's a Jedi carving up my base!" On cue, the sounds of combat continued to give way to silence. "This is your fault, we should never have trusted a sith!"

"If a Jedi has come for you, Salarr, it wasn't my doing."

"Trusting a Sith was one of your many mistakes, Salarr" Idilan entered the room, lightsaber ready, Teeseven right behind. "Hello, doctor. I did think your kidnapping seemed too convenient."

"I'd have preferred a more graceful exit" Tarnis shrugged "but your Masters forced my hand. I have no time for this nonsense, Salarr. Finish your pointless battle."

"Surrender, now" Idilan kept his posture relaxed, hoping to end the confrontation without more death. "We can do this the easy way."

Behind the Black Sun Leader, the holocomm went off; behind Idilan, the sound of heavy boots rose. "Kill him!" shouted the gangster, trying to ready his weapon. "Kill them all!"

The hard way, then.

[adestinyforeseen]

"Kira, you have news?" Idilan and Teeseven were back at the landing pad, where more CSF agents were arriving; even with their leader dead, Black Sun was still a force to be reckoned.

"I've been intercepting calls trying to find where Tarnis is; still can't believe he's a sith" the padawan seemed rather shaken. "But that's not the worst news, the Planet Prison prototype here in the lab is a fake, Tarnis stole the real one."

[adestinyforeseen]

"A Sith, working as my chief scientist!" Var Suthra was obviously frustrated. "How can I defend the Republic if I can't trust my own people? Tarnis' entire engineering team disappeared along with the prototype, they are all traitors too!"

"Sith are masters of deception, General" Idilan kept his composure, having had time to meditate on the way back from the Black Sun sector. "We can't be sure of anything."

"We can be sure the sith want us dead. Tarnis will use the Planet Prison against Cosruscant" the General struck the desk with a closed fist. "He could keep us here forever, paralyze the Republic by keeping the Senate hostage. You're our only hope of stopping that."

This was one of those moments Idilan wished he had learned to use profanity. "...please don't tell me Kira and I are the only Jedi in Coruscant."

"Your Masters are already in hyperspace; you and Kira are the only Jedi with the Council's authorization to be here."

"For good reason" Kira spoke in her best casual tone. "We're both amazing. I just traced that holocall you saw at the Black Sun base, it came from sector 439."

[adestinyforeseen]

Formally known as the Justicars’ Brigade, this militia was formed in the years after the Sacking of Coruscant, when a crime syndicate began seizing control of Coruscant’s lower regions. The Republic Senate lacked the resources to challenge the syndicate–later called Black Sun–and withdrew its security forces. Outraged at Black Sun’s treatment of the local citizens, a group of ex-military individuals formed the Justicars, intending to retake their neighborhoods. However, eliminating Black Sun and regaining control proved more difficult than the Justicars had expected. They took extreme measures to restore order, beginning with a simple curfew and culminating in the imposition of martial law. The Justicars have now instituted checkpoints and armed guards throughout their territory, acting with lethal force against anyone lacking “proper clearance.” Their unshakeable belief that this is necessary to keep people safe only makes the Justicars more dangerous. Coruscant’s government has declared the Justicars a threat to be dismantled, and the Justicars have cut off all communication with outsiders.
―In-game Codex

[adestinyforeseen]

The Justicars were as uncooperative as it could be expected, but with Kira's direct help, and T7 using the CSF computers to trace comms, Idilan made his way to Tarnis' hideout.

What he did not expect was to find the engineering team slaughtered, and the Planet Prison still missing.

"Tarnis... is a sith" gasped the dying engineer. "He... tricked us... said you Jedi were going to shut the project down."

"Hang on, I'll get you to a medcenter."

"No time... Tarnis has the Planet Prison... he'll use it... prototype creates... a massive heat signature when activated... run a thermal scan..." his eyes drifted closed. "Planet Prison... needs time to... build up power. Find Tarnis... save..."

[adestinyforeseen]

"You gotta be kidding me" Kira's expression matched the disbelief in her tone. "Teeseven says the heat signature is coming from the ruins of the Jedi Temple."

"Talk about a sick joke" frowning, Idilan started back for the speeder landing pad, then paused. "They will be watching for speeders, I'm sure; any other way to get there?"

"The Jedi Temple sits right on top of an industrial area called The Works" Kira pointed at the maps on the terminal's screen. "There is an elevator to that level not far from here, if we move quickly we could surprise the Sith."

"Let's do this."

[adestinyforeseen]

Although the Jedi Temple was destroyed by the Empire during the Sacking of Coruscant, its ruins still speak of its former glory. After the temple was bombed in the initial attack, the upper floors were deliberately collapsed on Darth Malgus’s orders. The Jedi Temple’s tower, once a Coruscant landmark, broke free during the bombing and fell to the city’s lower levels. The old Jedi Council chamber is the only room left largely intact, but it is still considered dangerous and prone to collapse. The temple ruins have continued to see strife even after the Sacking of Coruscant. They were the site of a duel between Darth Malgus and the Jedi empath Aryn Leneer before Imperial forces were withdrawn from the planet. Exceptionally brave and lucky looters have also disturbed the ruins, hunting – and often finding – valuable Jedi artifacts.
―In-game Codex

[adestinyforeseen]

"I'm departing Coruscant now, Father" Tarnis' voice was full of respectful pride as he addressed one of the four figures in the holo. "The Planet Prison deploys in minutes, the Republic will have no choice but to surrender."

"You return to me as a hero of the Empire, my son" the second figure from the right spoke with subdued praising tone. "Our victory is complete."

"I wouldn't count on that."

"What is this, Tarnis?" one of the other Sith in the holo was not happy seeing Idilan enter the old Jedi Council room, Kira right behind him. "A loose end? For shame."

"Have you come to die, Jedi?" Tarnis, for his credit, did not seem fazed by the interruption, simply turning and drawing his lightsaber.

"I don't die easily, Tarnis" Idilan mirrored the gesture, noting the sith acolytes moving from the corners of the room to assist their master. "Haven't you figured that out yet?"

Kira did not need to be told to handle the acolytes, her double-bladed saber at the ready.

"Fighting petty criminals is nothing" Tarnis sneered, gesturing for his acolytes to advance. "Now you face a sith."

"Channel your rage, my son" the same second-from-right sith spoke up. "Don't let this Jedi steal your moment of triumph."

"Your blood flows in my veins, father! I cannot fail!"

"I will stop you, Tarnis, one way or another" Idilan lifted his weapon, blocking a jolt of force lightning, and moved to engage.

Once more, the hard way it was.

[adestinyforeseen]

"Jedi Filth!" Tarnis father was livid, seething with rage. "You've killed my son!"

"He'll pay with his life" the Pureblood behind spoke up. "I swear it."

"You have no idea what you unleashed, Jedi, there is nowhere in the galaxy you can hide from my wrath."

"I don't think it will matter, but Tarnis' death gave me no joy" Idilan calmly entered the shutdown sequence on the Planet Prison terminal. "And I won't be hiding. I know your plans go beyond what was attempted here, and I will stop you."

"I will inflict unimaginable pain on your people" the Sith was doing his best to sound terrifying. "Billions will die because of you!"

And failing to impress the Jedi. "After what you attempted to do here, you expect me to believe you did not plan to make billions suffer anyway? Your threats are hollow, Sith."

"We already control your secret weapon facilities" the sith on the far left spoke up. "All that power is ours, now."

"I'd better hurry to take them back, then..."

"My son's death will be avenged on the entire Republic, and you will bow down before I let you die!"

"I see where your son got his overconfidence" Idilan disconnected the call, turning to Kira. "Var Suthra needs to learn about this."

Genuinely impressed, the Padawan followed.