Jedi Artisan 017

Shortly after the surrender of the enemy attackers, Zane, alongside Garm and Shaak Ti had boarded their ship, and placed the leadership under arrest. 

Currently in the brig aboard the Hammerhead, Zane sat in a chair outside one of the cells, arms folded across the backrest, looking entirely too pleased with himself. A smug smile of satisfaction spread across his face, as not only had he resolved things bloodlessly-a perfect win that the Council couldn't find fault with-but based upon the rough attire of his prisoners, he had won his little bet with his companion. 

Across from him, said companion was pointedly ignoring him. Standing tall, and giving her wholehearted attention to a data slate as if it held all the answers to the universe, she appeared to be a professional investigator. 

Directly in front of the pair was a blue force field, separating them from the leader of that rabble that had attacked them. During the boarding process, they learned his name: Skein. 

Skein was exactly the sort of man one would expect to find commanding a band of raiders. Tall and broad-shouldered, with weathered skin, a crooked nose that had been broken more than once, and a beard that looked as though it had been roughly trimmed with a vibroknife. A deep seated sadness, melancholy, and sense of defeat surrounded his aura like a thick cloak. To Zane, Skein's emotions were like an open book, easy to read at but a glance. The effect of the harp on non-Force Sensitives was truly magical. 

For several moments nobody spoke. Zane was quite content to bask in his victory, whilst Shaak Ti was otherwise occupied by attempting to seem busy. The silence seemed to pry at the man in the cell. Sweat poured down his greasy face, and accumulated at his temples. Pulling upon his scraggily beard, the big man finally broke the silence. 

"...look, we may fly the flag of piracy, but we ain't slavers, or nothin of the sort. I know I'll probably be locked up working a mine somewhere as punishment, but be merciful on the lads. They only followed me because I promised them an escape from that mud world, and a path to support their families.” Skein said in a subdued tone, keeping his eyes on the durasteel floor. 

“Aha!” Zane immediately pointed at him, then turned to Shaak Ti with a shit eating grin on his face. “Straight from the Uttini's mouth!” 

Shaak Ti closed her eyes, and sighed. "Zane. This is hardly the time or place. It is our duty to get to the bottom of this.” 

"No, no." He said, wagging a finger, gesturing triumphantly towards Skein. "Did you hear that? First thing he says. Not 'we're innocent.' Not 'you've got the wrong people.' He specifically said that they were pirates."

"This is who I've been captured by?” Skein muttered in disbelief. 

"It could be worse. If you had met Windu, he wouldn't even consider being lenient towards your men.” Zane said in an airy tone. “Satisfy my curiosity, and even you might receive some form of clemency.” 

Although Zane had been rather flippant just now, that didn't mean he was stupid or had lost sight of the objective. As the last syllable left his tongue, he subtly waved a finger, initiating a [Mind Trick]. 

"Please continue, Skein." Shaak Ti said in a soothing voice, holding her data slate at the ready. 

The pirate sighed heavily, then finally raised his chin to meet their eyes. "We're from Mimban.” 

"Mimban?" Shaak Ti sharply questioned. 

Skein nodded.

"There are a few settlements out near the marshlands that have been colonized. We trade and intermingle with the natives. Life isn't easy, but it's something. We occasionally raided easy marks, targeting corporate shipping for some technological equipment you couldn't find on a backwater like Mimban…that's what drew Damask Holdings’ attention.” 

Zane's smug smile slowly faded, as the man's voice carried genuine bitterness now.

"They wanted land rights. Labor contracts. Mining rights. Everything. It was restitution for the thieving they said, a way to pay back what was owed.” Skein sighed, bunching up his shoulders, he once more stared at the floor. 

"And when your people refused?" Shaak Ti asked.

Skein barked out a humorless laugh.

"They didn't like hearing 'no.'"

The pirate stood and walked toward the blue force field so that his face was inches away from the dividing line. 

"They bought off the chieftains. Pretended to be gods long lost, brought in mercenaries, and turned brother against brother with promises of wealth & power.” Skein said like a broken man who had lost it all. He then balled his fists as a small modicum of rage entered his face. 

"Then they found us. Made us a deal we couldn't refuse.” 

"You? Who is ‘us?" Shaak Ti asked.

"The Free Marsh Brotherhood."

The name sounded far grander than the ragged group they had encountered.

"We raid corporate transports. Steal supplies. Hit tax convoys.” 

"A pirate." Zane summarized.

You could sound as Robin Hood as you wanted to justify theft, but until you've been stolen from, you wouldn't know that pain. Zane himself had had his favorite watch stolen, and his car broken into back on Earth. Anyone could talk about how glorious it was to steal from the rich, but the truth was, most theft victims were just average people to begin with…

"Pirates? Sure. But to them, we are freedom fighters securing the future of our next generation.” Skein said with finality, allowing no room for argument. 

Shaak Ti cleared her throat loudly, and shot Zane a look, as if to say behave. 

"What exactly did Damask Holdings ask of you?" She asked. 

Skein hesitated. Then his shoulders slumped as he decided to confess. 

"They told us your ship had to disappear. If we attacked and drove you away, our people would be left alone."

"But the way you said you operated, innocents were rarely if ever harmed?" Shaak Ti asked.

The pirate looked away. "They said everyone would be put to work."

Zane frowned. It sounded to him that just because they arrived in a Republic judiciary cruiser, they were free targets to PVP. That there was nothing innocent about them…although he had seen the rank corruption of Republic judiciary forces, that didn't mean he appreciated being shot at on sight! 

"Of course they said they would place our families under indentured servitude. At rates so low, it would be impossible to escape. All perfectly legal within the Republic.” Skein spat in disgust. 

Shaak Ti gripped her dataslate, her gaze full of compassion and sympathy. 

Zane, meanwhile rolled his eyes. If the dumbass didn't engage in piracy to begin with, Damask Holdings wouldn't have even followed them back to Mimban. Owning a frigate like that, he could've gone into the mercenary business, or delivered expensive bulk goods without fear of other pirates. What an idiot. 

"They didn't even bother hiding it. They figured nobody would care what happened to poor folks living in a swamp." Skein whispered, and his eyes met Shaak Ti's. "They threatened entire villages. Our women, our children…” 

“Why didn't you surrender immediately? If we, the Jedi Order acted as intermediaries, we could have resolved this sooner. Already, we have the approval of several chieftains, and have the testimonies of a pair of mercenaries. We could have-” Shaak Ti said, only to be interrupted by a bitter shake of the head.

"We knew we couldn't beat Jedi. Hell, most of us thought we'd die trying. At least that way, attacking you might secure our families the hope of freedom..."

"Very well, we will do what we can. I would like a complete witness statement." Shaak Ti formally asked. 

“A what?” Skein asked, clearly uneducated on such matters. 

"Names. Dates. Locations. Every detail you can remember.” Shaak Ti pointedly remarked. 

Skein frowned suspiciously, unsure of her motives. "And then what?"

"Then it enters Republic judicial records."

The pirate stared at her. “Like that'll do anything.” 

"If Damask Holdings engaged in coercion, extortion, unlawful labor practices, or conspiracy to commit violence against Republic citizens, they will be investigated." Shaak Ti said, as if she would be the one to personally see this matter to its end. 

Skein studied her for a long moment. Perhaps for the first time since being captured, some of the tension left his shoulders.

"You actually mean that."

"I do."

The pirate slowly nodded.

"Then I'll tell you everything."

Zane rolled his eyes at the byplay. He didn’t hold too much sympathy for the pirate, but who told him that Shaak Ti was a compassionate good girl? It was due to her willingness to be kind that he had fallen for her in the first place. The only reason why he was even bothering to stick around at this point was to get full marks for the mission, and because he didn't want this slime ball taking advantage of his girlfriend's somewhat naive personality that wanted to believe in the goodness of others. 

As Shaak Ti began recording Skein's testimony, Zane rose from his chair.

"Before we continue, I need you to say something.” Zane said in a demanding tone towards Skein. 

"Oh no, here we go again.” Shaak Ti sighed, and tiredly rubbed her forehead. 

Zane pointed directly at Skein. “Tell her.” 

The pirate blinked. "Tell her what?"

"That you're pirates." Zane said, crossing his arms. 

Shaak Ti groaned.

Skein stared at both Jedi as though questioning whether they were truly members of the same Order.

"We are pirates." He said in a flat monotone. Skein glanced at the beautiful Togruta girl as if she was an angel, whilst the glance of disdain shot at Zane were like he was the piece of gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe. 

Zane didn't give one kriff what the pirate thought of him, and then pulled Shaak Ti in for an embrace, much to her blushing embarrassment. 

"I won."

"This is not a competition."

"It absolutely was~"

"It was not."

"It was."

Shaak Ti pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You wagered a favor. Do you really, I mean, do I actually have to clean your quarters in that outfit." She whispered, and looked down at the durasteel deck blushing purple. 

The woman that he loved couldn't maintain her always gentle facade, and was practically fidgeting in place. Zane's triumph only continued to sore, and he held his chin high in triumph. 

The Togruta Jedi looked upward as though silently asking the Force for patience. Unfortunately, the Force appeared unwilling to intervene.

Zane grinned from ear to ear. "I always knew it would be pirates.”

"You had no evidence."

"I had intuition."

"You had a guess."

"A correct guess."

"A lucky guess."

"A glorious victory."

Skein slowly lowered himself back onto his bunk. For a man who had spent years fighting corporations, criminals, mercenaries, and marshland predators, he found himself completely unprepared for Jedi politics.

Shaak Ti merely shook her head and returned to her datapad. Trying hard to resume the interrogation. 

"Now." She said, firmly reclaiming control of the conversation. "Let us begin at the beginning."

Zane settled into his chair, still smiling smugly.

Pulling out his sewing kit, and endless thread, an article of clothing began to take shape. Black in essence with frilly white lace, it was none other than the famed French Maid Uniform. 

Shaak Ti caught a glimpse of the stockings out of the corner of her eye, and the low cut of the uniform, barely able to ask the next question, such was the nervous pounding of her heart. 

Zane, all the while, whistled a merry tune. There was nothing more worthwhile for a man to do with his time than to tease a cute woman.