Lightside Sith 002

Lessu was an interesting city, one much different than what one might imagine from a ‘typical’ Star Wars city. Planets like Coruscant, Nar Shaddaa, Kuat, etc that are practically one giant city are quite typical across the galaxy. However, due to the unique geography of Ryloth, and the dangers of the wilds, most Twi'lek infrastructure was built upon barren mountains. 

This city was constructed inside several carved caverns, and reminded Kaine about some ancient Native American, and Tibetan dwellings he had seen on the internet. Sure, there were some ‘modern’ skyscraper-like buildings acting as apartments, and offices, but based upon the numerous downward staircases resembling subway entrances, he surmised that there was a thriving underground community living on this plateau. 

Although it was night, the frequent turbolasers striking the shields made sure that Kaine's pathway was well illuminated. Due to the sudden CIS attack, a curfew was in place, and besides some patrolling guards, Kaine didn't see a single soul out and about. 

Feeling the ground shake, he stepped aside as a dozen or so Twi'leks-mounted on Blurrgs-passed him by. 

Eager to farm Lightside Points before he resolved his primary objective, he followed a map of the city he had downloaded, and went in search of the nearby animal pens. 

After a half hour of [Speed] and careful steps so as not to bump into anyone, and blow his cover, he made his way into a subterranean space. Here, countless boxes full of loamy soil were growing mushrooms. People were hard at work harvesting this crop, even at night. Several Twi'leks were sweating profusely. Kaine thought they could all cool down. 

So he found the controls to the sprinkler system, and when no one was looking, overclocked them so that the hard workers wouldn't be so hot. 

“The crop is going to be ruined, what happened?!” A foreman shouted in alarm as box after box began to flood. 

At the same time, the sprinkler system splashed onto several dozen overworked laborers, washing away the grime covering their arms, and the sweat on their brow. 

+10 Lightside Points. 

“I'm such a good person.” Kaine said to himself, and ignored the frantic chaos taking place as he moved towards the bottom floor. 

Bypassing several massive staircases-and avoiding the elevator as he didn't dare draw near anyone-he finally made it to the animal pens at the bottom floor. 

Occupying a vast swath of land, the tightly compact animals were practically shoulder to shoulder. Consulting the data about Ryloth that he had downloaded, Kaine saw that these four legged-almost cow like-omnivores were called Rycrit. Cloven hooved, and covered in a light layer of brown fur, the Rycrit had a mouthful of sharp teeth, and had a face looking like a mix between a wolf & a cow! It was unclear if this thing could be called a predator or listed as prey! 

Looking at this herd of at least 500 beasts, Kaine's heart just couldn't take the injustice! Imprisoned against their will, they would surely be consumed at an ever greater rate the longer siege went on! Taking one look at the vicious scowl of the nearest Rycrit, he knew that they yearned to be free, to graze upon the open plains without fear of Twi'lek shock prods. 

Grinning to himself, he found a control panel that could operate both the giant door leading to the canyon, and the Rycrit pens. Ordinarily, the Twi'leks would guide this herd once a week outside to forage for food, and for exercise. Now that it was night, and the city was under siege, no one was paying any attention to this mobile mass of meat. 

Grinning to himself, Kaine quickly pressed all the buttons required for opening the gate to the outside, and opening all of the pens. 

With a small jolt of [Inflict Pain], the entire herd was spooked into a run, and with his help, acquired their long overdue freedom. 

+250 Lightside Points. 

“Ahh, being a good guy never felt better~” Kaine benevolently smiled, and said in a refreshed tone of voice, as if he had just walked outside to a calm, cool day after taking a sip from his favorite beverage. 

Unfortunately, he didn't receive a full point for each rescue, but in all fairness, it wasn't like the animals were in imminent danger. So it was good to know. Saving captives was only worth half a point! Whereas saving someone from certain death was worth a full point! 

Repeatedly nodding his head at all the good deeds he had done, Kaine began to ascend back to the surface, and moved towards his primary goal. 

Bypassing the mushroom farm, his boots squelched in muddy dark water as he saw dozens of Twi'leks frantically running around like a group of headless chickens. They truly looked funny with their lekku dangling all over the place as they ran. Carrying buckets, they tried to drain the overflow, but were seemingly getting nowhere. 

Taking pity on them, Kaine found an unoccupied corner, and then with a hiss of his lightsaber, cut a perfectly cylindrical hole. Heaping piles of muddy water instantly began to surge towards this gap, and drained down into the next floor, saving the mushroom farm. 

+5 Lightside Points. 

Kaine grinned at performing another task with flying colors, and then, making sure his [Hide Presence] was still active, hurried away. 

Emerging from one of the many subterranean entrances, he walked around another several dozen Twi'lek workers who-looking like they just woke up-tiredly ran into the mountains’ depths. From the few snippets of dialogue he could pick up, it sounded like they were none to happy to go deal with the mushroom clean up. Fortunately for them, Kaine had already taken care of the problem for them! 

Breathing in the cool night air, he consulted his map, and then walked towards the tallest building in the city. Ascending the circular spire, it was pretty much a straight shot to the top. On the way, he spotted several checkpoints, men setting up sandbags, digging trenches, and setting up a few anti-air batteries. There were at least a dozen men sleeping, and neglecting their posts! As a benevolent man who valued group morale, he couldn't in good conscience allow these slackers to endanger the entire city due to their negligence. And so, with a minor application of [Inflict Pain], the ne'er-do-wells were jolted awake, and once more joined their units with the vigor befitting a soldier during wartime. 

Of the 12 soldiers awakened, each one netted a quarter of a point for a total of +3 Lightside Points. It wasn't much, but Kaine wasn't greedy. By now, 4 hours had passed since he first stepped foot on Ryloth, and he was already half way there to the next level! 

He couldn't wait to help even more people in need! 

Moving forward with a spring in his step, he came across yet another gatehouse. 

Truly the mortal enemy for a man trying to spread the teachings of the Lightside. Unfortunately for the clever Twi'leks, he was a Sith, and would not be stopped by such a flimsy construction! 

…after camping outside for 30 minutes, he followed the foreman from the mushroom farm inside. The orange Twi'lek was perspiring quite a bit, poor guy looked nervous as heck! 

Kaine clucked his tongue. If he were a true Lightside Sith, he'd probably kill this guy to save him from worrying so much. Fortunately, he wasn't a slave to the Force, nor would he chase points that compromised his morals. 

Following the foreman into a generic looking council chamber, the scene inside was quite cool, however. There was a panoramic view of the outside, and one could see the entire city from here, as well as the numerous canyons beyond. There were a few nice murals, and about five Twi'lek men sitting in a semicircle were listening to the foreman's account. Quite the patriarchal society, the Twi'leks were. A little known fact about them is that women are sold as commodities by the Twi'leks themselves. This was legal in the Republic, and the only reason why the Twi'leks rebelled against the Empire, is that they didn't get a say in who got sold, nor did they enjoy the profits. The Twi'leks were lowkey a pretty fucked up society once you did a deep dive into their culture. It was yet another lesson that just because their people were sexy, didn't make them inherently good. Lord knows how many sexy-evil-women on Earth got away with crimes because they're attractive. With a lens like that, Kaine was all too happy to shine the Lightside of the Force on Ryloth. 

That being said, Kaine mostly ignored what they had to say, as it was mostly political bluster, but their panic was easy to sense. Sending the foreman out, they began to loudly argue at one another, and the dire food warning was quite serious. 

“We only have enough food to feed everyone for the next week. What was supposed to last 5 months has been ruined in one night! I suspect a traitor has slipped within the cracks.” A green man slammed his fist on the table. 

“Patience. The Republic has a new army, they will come to our aid.” A blue skinned man-Kaine's mark, Lon Secura-calmly demured. 

When Lon spoke, the other four fell silent, as the patriarch's word was law. 

Seeing that there were no guards inside the room, and that the door was locked, Kaine decided he would reveal himself. 

Dropping [Hide Presence], to the councilors perspectives, he ‘suddenly’ appeared out of nowhere, much to the shock on their faces. Standing in all his edgy glory, his black cloak billowed outward, and he held up a hand as if to forestall any shouts. 

“Greetings, noble councilors of Lessu. My name is Kaine Renstar, an emissary of Count Dooku. As you perhaps have surmised, it was me who sabotaged your food supplies. Please allow me the chance to accept your surrender, I am certain we can come to an amiable conclusion over this minor disagreement in trade negotiations.” Kaine clasped his hands together, and bowed. 

“Jedi tricks.” One councilor hissed. 

The green one was about to quickdraw a blaster, but thanks to [Precognition] Kaine knew it was about to happen a second early. Using [Speed] to blitz his opponent, he ignited his lightsaber, and closed the distance. Slicing through the pistol, and the hand holding it, Kaine then took a step back. 

‘If Obi-Wan can slice off arms, then so can I!’

To his credit, the green skinned Twi'lek merely hissed, and did not wail as he nursed his hand. 

“My apologies, I think we all missed the part where I single handedly dismantled your entire food network. We must've gotten off on the wrong foot.” Kaine said in a pleasant tone whilst fixedly staring at the green Twi'lek's hand. “Perhaps I was unclear. It is not me who is locked in these chambers, but you who are locked in here with me.” 

Flicking his lightsaber as if he was casting aside any blood or grime on it-like a knight might with a steel sword-Kaine deactivated his blade, and then placed his hands behind his back, standing silently in place. 

The councilors exchanged a glance, and Lon frowned. “Trade negotiations?” 

“Precisely that, Lord Secura. You see, the various organizations that the CIS represents are all business oriented. The price for remaining with the Republic, well…I think we all saw that.” Kaine tutted, and said in a regrettable tone. “However, if it were up to those cold hearted businessmen, they'd put you all in work camps, and sell every last woman to the Hutts.” 

“We'd rather die.” Green skin narrowed his eyes, and reached for another gun with his offhand, knowing he wouldn't be able to make it in time.

However, Kaine did nothing, and allowed him to level his blaster at him. At this close of a range, without his saber drawn, there was almost a guaranteed chance of being hit. Grinning wide, Kaine felt his heart pounding wildly, yet he never felt so alive! Living a boring life on Earth, and suddenly thrust into Star Wars, why would he act like a loser, when he could risk it all? So what if he died, at least he wouldn't go out like a bitch! 

“Count Dooku is a wise, and magnanimous ruler. He sees the value in Clan Secura, and sent me to negotiate before those bloodthirsty vipers could sink their fangs into Ryloth.” Kaine slowly spread his arms wide open, like someone preparing for a big hug. 

“The Republic have been steady clients of ours for millennia, they guaranteed our survival against Hutt encroachment. You are asking us to betray this relationship.” Lon Secura slowly spoke. 

“And the Confederacy is made up of many of those former Republic members who helped make that guarantee. Our union is one formed through sharing benefits. Of mutual aid, and free trade. Pirates steal Twi'leks every year, despite these ‘so-called protections.’ Antiquated Republic law means you can only defend your system with something as pitiful as a CR90 Corvette. Upon my trek up here, I saw that your AA guns were ancient, I doubt half of them work. Under the protection of my Master, Clan Secura will have access to wider markets, and with that money, can secure its own future with warships, and droids of its own.”

Every word Kaine spoke, he modulated it around [Sense] & [Precognition]. Although these abilities were limited due to his low Tier, they were enough to see what would work, and what fell flat. So far, most of them had been convinced. Everyone but green skin of course. 

“I can't let you do that.” The councilor sadly stated, and shot at him. 

Fortunately Kaine had plenty of time to prepare for this, and fast-swapped his lightsaber from his belt to his hand using the inventory. Igniting it just in time, he deflected the bolt back, hitting the Twi'lek square in the forehead. 

Kaine shook his head in disappointment, and then sheathed his weapon once more. 

“Should I give you gentlemen some time to talk it over? Perhaps I can go for another walk around the city?” Kaine asked in a somewhat fretful tone, like someone who doesn't want to impose on someone else. 

The councilors first looked at the smoking corpse in alarm, and then their eyeballs popped once they registered Kaine's words. 

“N-no, no need to go into the city!” One councilor emphatically waved his hands, his lekku jiggled erratically as he desperately called out. 

“Yes, Emissary Renstar, we gladly accept Count Dooku's terms for negotiations. Please do not roam the city, and help us resolve this current crisis.” Lon was quick to stand up, and hit Kaine with an award winning politician's smile. 

“Oh, then I'll inform the fleet to cease fire. I hope in the name of cooperation, and saving all the lives in the city, the shield will be disabled?” Kaine asked, tilting his head to the side. 

Lon nodded along, seemingly not daring to get entangled with Kaine's wordplay anymore. 

Kaine smiled, then stepped aside to have a quick call with Wat Tambor. After securing a brief ceasefire agreement, the shields were deactivated, and CIS ships began to land within the city. 

Escorted by a parade of B2's, Wat Tambor triumphantly entered the council chamber. 

“You've saved a great many assets today with your actions, Renstar. The Count shall be pleased with my report.” Tambor's deep voice happily boomed within the hall. 

Kaine sensed the discomfort from the Twi'leks, and knew rebellion was sure to follow in the coming days, but who cared? Because: 

Lightside Points +500 

1,000/1,000

Acolyte (low) -> Acolyte (mid)

“Thank you, Emir Tambor, may we all continue to profit together~”