Star Wars the Cold War: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Kalikori Village.

    When the Twi’lek settlement came into sight upon the Tythonian hills, Shira saw a destroyed sign that translated the village name into Basic. Kalikori means: ‘beginning’. A place founded by a species of people fleeing from persecution. These Pilgrims asked the Republic for permission to settle onto Tython but were refused. Defying the ruling, these Twi’leks turned a small encampment into a home and coffin. The village Matriarch’s home is built on the original site where the camp was first made. Being an illegal settlement, Kalikori receives no aid from the Jedi or the Republic. As the village grew, the Pilgrims realized too late that their expansions were colliding with Flesh Raider territory. Now these people fight everyday to defend their homes, alone. Despite the anger of the Jedi whom they believe have “abandoned” them, many Padawans make pilgrimages to Kalikori to receives the Matriarch’s blessing and to become learned in diplomacy in strained situations.

    In the center of the village, several Twi’leks of differing colored skins gather around. A blue man speaks to his friends on a joyous tone. “Break out another cask. Or three,” Bashenn laughs. “The festivals only comes once a year. Our stores can take it,” he comments as the others bring forth five caskets filled with homemade ale.

    A green man points to Shira and Kindrin, “Just as well. We have uninvited guests.”

    Approaching the partying Twi’leks, the two Padawans keep their composure. Shira shows no level of hostility or sudden movements. However, Kindrin eyes the whole group, keeping his guard until further notice. “I see,” Bashenn states. “Festival of Awaking, Jedi. You’re not welcome here.”

    Kindrin flares his brows, but Shira speaks; trying to persuade these people to assist her in her mission. “I apologize for interrupting. Master Yuon Par asks if you’ve seen a Jedi holoprojector.”

    The green Twi’lek, Vanel, remarks on Yuon Par’s reputation with the Kalikori people. “...guess we could try and remember,” he states.

    Agreeing with his friend, Bashenn nods his head and informs the two Jedi that a man from their village found one. “Nalen found one--Nalen Raloch. Maybe you’ve heard of him,” he says..

    Both shake their head, Shira then adds that the two of them only just arrived on Tython. Bashenn then explains that Nalen Raloch has been Kalikori’s dueling champion for nine years straight. He even goes on to tell them the short version of how Nalen rescued a scouting party from Flesh Raiders all by himself. Before Kindrin could say anything, Bashenn cuts him off and comments that he’s not telling them anything. Claiming that Nalen earns his peace and quiet.

    “That hologram’s data isn’t safe; Nalen should be warned. Or do you want to risk something happening to him?” Shira reports this Bashenn, applying logic and reasoning over nostalgia.

    However, Bashenn isn’t convinced. His friend, Valen interjects, “Against Flesh Raiders, sure. But some of that Jedi tech is weird.”

    Giving up, Bashenn informs Shira and Kindrin that Nalen went into Flesh Raider territory. The man’s been there a while and is most likely still there. Bowing her head, Shira thanks them and hopes that they enjoy their festival. Before they leave for the Matriarch’s home, Bashenn hypothesizes that Nalen may have a camp somewhere in Flesh Raider territory. He asks that if they see him, that they tell him to not miss the feast.

    Entering the Matriarch’s home, both of the Jedi felt air stiffen with hidden stress and dread. In the main hall of the home, there are three Twi’leks. Two of them are green females with light brown stripes on their headtails. The other is an orange male, he leans against the wall basking in his annoyance at the two Jedi.

    Bowing his head, Kindrin greets the Pilgrims. “Master Orgus Din has sent us to help you with the Flesh Raiders,” he informs.

    Placing her hands on her hips, Matriarch Sumari retorts in sarcasm, “So the Jedi finally deign to recognize my people’s suffering?” She spits, “How noble. Nothing to do with the attack on your training grounds, I’m sure.”

    Apologizing for the Jedi’s inaction, Kindrin explains, “We didn’t realize that the Flesh Raiders had become such a great threat.”

    “And now you seek help from the people you once ignored,” Matriarch Sumari comments, much to Kindrin’s shame. She goes on to tell him that her scouts have been tracking the Flesh Raiders for months. Watching them grow in strength. “I will share what we’ve discovered, but only if you agree to help my people. We… we suffer…”

    Interjecting, the other green Twi’lek, Ranna Tao’Ven, speaks up. “Mother,” she says, “you need rest. Let me carry this burden for you.”

    “The Matriarch appears sick,” Shira flinches.

    “Does she need a doctor?” Kindrin inquires.

    Ranna replies, “Thank you, but we have our own healers.”

    Matriarch Sumari introduces Ranna as her daughter and the other Twi’lek as Scout Chief Moorint. As she goes to receive healing, these two will speak for her in her absences. Claiming that she’s attending to other matters, this is an obvious ruse. Both Matriarch Sumari and Ranna leave the main hall.

    Scout Chief Moorint waits until they’re out of earshot before speaking. “Personally, I don’t care why you’ve come,” he speaks in a ‘matter-of-factly’ tone. “As long as you destroy the Flesh Raiders,” he approaches the two Jedi and laments how his people are dying ever since the ‘beast’ have gotten their new weapons. Moorint briefs them about his scouts discovering a Flesh Raider camp in a nearby valley. Perhaps the creatures keep their weapons and other tech stored in it.

    “Removing that technology will neutralize the Flesh Raiders,” Kindrin advises.

    That response doesn’t sit well with Moorint. He suggest that Kindrin and Shira sabotage the weapons to blow; striking fear into the enemy. Ranna returns and asks how to do that. As it turns out, the weapons the Flesh Raiders use are Republic standard gear. Overloading the power circuits and power cells should do the trick. It isn’t difficult to learn and can be done by anyone who’s willing to study the mechanics for thirty minutes. Sabotage would thin the Flesh Raider numbers and eliminate their technological advantage. However, there’s another option; bringing the weapons to Kalikori, they could use it to defend themselves.

    Remembering how vulnerable their village, Kindrin states that it might be better to give these people the weapons, rather than to simply kill the enemy. They would need to get into the cave and get the weapons.

    The hilltops where the Flesh Raiders hold out in their caves isn’t far from Kalikori. However, the pathway is flooded with the hostile creatures. Armed with mere training-sabers, their strategies will have to differ immensely from that of actual Jedi. Instead of deflecting the blaster shots, Shira and Kindrin primarily dodged and evaded them. Kindrin would use the Force to toss his weapon into a Flesh Raider and then call it back to him. Meanwhile, Shira would ask the Force to send a large projectile into a Flesh Raider’s torso. In all of their exploits, they’ve finally come to the cave where both the weapons and Nelan Raloch’s camp is.

    It is a large and deep cave; difficult to see the inside from afar. It didn’t take long for Kindrin to find the weapon and technology cache the Flesh Raiders use to raid and hunt the Twi’leks. Kindrin can instill fear into the Flesh Raiders to ensure that only the bravest attack the pilgrims or he can arm the alien foreigners and improve their own lives. Unsure about what to do, Kindrin looks to Shira. She folds her arms; already knowing the right choice. The young Jedi places a tacker on the cache and informs the small Republic Outpost on Tython to come by and pick the weapons for the Twi’leks.

    Out from the shadows, a small astromech droid emerges. Speaking in beeps and other nefarious noises the droid says, “T7 = glad to see Jedi! // T7 = captured by Flesh Raiders + needs rescuing.”

    “Don’t worry, little guy. We’ll get you out of here,” Kindrin replies.

    Shira kneels down to the droid known as Tee-seven-Oh-one. She removes a cloth and begins to clean off some of the dirt on the droid. “I guess the Flesh Raiders like making a mess of things,” she jokes.

    Beeping happily, Tee-seven says, “Jedi = T7’s heroes!” The droid then explains what he was doing out in the wilderness, while everyone investigates further into the cave. Tee-seven-Oh-one was sent on a scouting mission to identify potential hazards. Unfortunately, the restraining bolt emplaced onto him caused a small malfunction. Tee-seven’s sensors couldn’t detect the nearby Flesh Raiders, thus his capture.

    Kindrin comments that it’s a good thing Flesh Raiders don’t eat droids. Tee-seven continues to explain what he has been doing. Upon his deactivation, he used a camera spy to record the Flesh Raider allies. That gives pause to their investigation. Tee-seven plays the recording he has.

    Three people appear in the hologram. A Flesh Raider, the Force-user from the assault on the training grounds and a hooded man who one can only guess is the leader of all of this. The hooded man speaks, “Teach our soldiers how to use these weapons. Train them on the Twi’lek invaders.”

    The man speaks out, “When will we strike against the Jedi?”

    “Patience, Callef. The Jedi will fall once our army reaches full strength,” he is calm. It is impossible to tell whether he is confident in his plan or if this man is truly apathetic to the destruction of others.

    That was all Tee-seven could show. It’s a useful recording. If he can be taken to safety with the restraining bolt removed; this droid could save many lives. Being a good friend, Kindrin removes the bolt, commenting his lack of understanding for their uses. With that bolt removed, Tee-seven’s scanning range increases; the droid beeps about how much trouble the Flesh Raiders are in now.

    Near the end of the cave was a camp. The very camp that Shira has been searching for. There’s a holocron on a nearby chair. Someone was here recently, but they’re gone, now. Upon approaching the holocron, Shira touches it and the device glows. A voice is heard in the distance.

    Kindrin readies his weapon but Shira and Tee-seven turn around calmly. “You make a lot of noise,” the voice said. It’s closer this time. “I come for a Flesh Raider,” he finally reveals himself to be a Twi’lek, Nalen Raloch, “but I find a Jedi Padawan.” The blue man starts to speak in riddles and enigmas. Claiming that he’s here to listen and think among the dead. To fight for his people. “Why have you come?” he asks.

    Shira explains that the villagers informed her that it was him who has taken the holoprojector. They were also the ones to tell her where to find him. Nalen however, was annoyed at that insight. The villagers go off spinning a tale of how he’s a “legendary protector”, he berates their ignorance.

    The Flesh Raiders aren’t destroyed. “My people aren’t safe until my learning’s complete!” Nalen shouts. He approaches the holocron and goes on about Tython’s relics. How they still have lessons to give. “I can… do things I never imagined possible,” Nalen turns to Shira and the others, “I will be the defender my people deserve!”

    “This guy’s nuts!” Kindrin retorts.

    “Perhaps his studies are making into something else,” Shira explains.

    Nalen spits, “Jedi condemn what they can’t control!” He raises his hand and the cave begins to shake. Stalactites being to fall and impale the ground. “Now run or die!” Nalen sprints out into the darkness while the cave begins its collapse.

    Quickly taking the hologram, the three quickly try and flee out of the cave. Many Flesh Raiders rush inside to see what was happening and ignored Shira and the others. A rock falls in front of Kindrin and he manages to use the Force to jump over it in time. Tee-seven uses small rockets to shoot some of the falling boulders out of the way. Asking the Force to keep them from being crushed, Shira manages to move many of the stalactites into the walls.

    However, the cave won’t last that long. Just as the exit was within sight; the mouth closes. The three of them wallow in the darkness. The rest of the cave seems stable, but it is obvious that they are trapped inside. Their air supply is unknown but will thin as time goes on.

    Not knowing what else to do, Shira meditates while Kindrin and Tee-seven investigate the cave-in.