08 | It must be getting early; Clocks are running late

[sinistral]

WHO: the Soldier (sinistral) and you
WHERE: various Temba locations
WHAT: while everyone hunkered down in the warrens, the Soldier was sent elsewhere; now it's time to come back
WHEN: a few days after the general population emerges from the underground
WARNINGS: none; will update if that changes

---

TEMBA
→ Excavation: for Billy Kaplan;

The first thing the Soldier did on waking in Temba, sore and tired and with the familiarly, infuriatingly vague idea that he'd been elsewhere, was to check to make sure he was intact, or near enough to it. But the first thing after that was to make his way through ruined streets to the building Billy and his brother claimed as their home. The sight that met his eyes made something twist and drop out of the bottom of his stomach, a sensation he immediately tried to ignore. It, and the implied emotion, were unneeded.

"Billy?" he called out, circling toward the wall that seemed most intact. The ceiling was a complete loss, but he couldn't tell from this angle how much damage the structure had absorbed, and how much it had caved. He couldn't tell either if Billy or his brother was around; he resolved to find out. "Tommy?"

→ Exploration: open to all;

The Soldier hadn't been one to rely heavily on the amenities of the community. He generally preferred to forage, and to repurpose things he found in so doing. Years of living on the run with few resources prepared him pretty well for losing the bulk of his supplies when the volcanic activity apparently swept through the towns. But years of living on the run also had him hiding small caches of supplies here and there in ruined buildings. If he was lucky maybe one or two of his stashes hadn't been completely destroyed.

(He never had that kind of good luck but it was a nice thought.)

The weather seemed like it would hold at least, making it a decent day for exploring the rubble of ruined buildings. Maybe he'd luck into finding something useful. Or maybe he'd just end up doing the heavy lifting for someone who needed it. At the very least the sounds from the building in front of him didn't seem like the predatory animals he'd seen on Temba's outskirts. Still, a hand strayed close to the knife at his hip, just in case.

→ Examination: network text to Cal Kestis;

I could use a mechanic. If you've the time.

→ Explanation: network text open to all;

Anyone know if this was a planned redecorating, or is apocalypse chic just in now and I missed the memo?

→ Wildcard;

Open to other ideas. Please reach out to me at sometimesamuse or via PM for plotting needs. As always while I write starters in prose I'm happy to match brackets if that's your preference.

Comments

[out_of_order]

...I won't ask if you don't want to answer. I know there's plenty of things I'd rather not revisit.

[The Soldier was not the first person he'd witnessed be tormented, punished and warped into something else. But Trilla's past, her pain, had been so much clearer. The Soldier's memories were both muddy and convoluted, layered. Was it just so much that he'd gone through?]

But I don't know if I'll be able to do anything about your arm. [Even after that, his concern was still in that he couldn't help, go figure.]

[sinistral]

I'll let you know if you hit on anything I don't want to tell.

[Typically the Soldier had to walk away from the questions and the feeling that others believed themselves entitled to his story. Talking to someone who didn't want to even ask was strange, in a good way.]

Don't worry about my arm. I'll figure something out. [It wasn't worth Cal being uncomfortable, just for the Soldier to get a repair. He'd find another way.]

[out_of_order]

[There were other capable mechanics in the city at least. Cal knew however that it was more an issue of trust, and a part of him still felt bad for being unable to assist with that. Usually he could manage not to trigger any Force-induced memories once he'd seen them, but he wasn't so sure about something steeped in so many experiences...]

...you were used. Have been used even here.

[He couldn't remember the guttural words, but he remembered the sounds, the impressions and the numbness that came with them.]

There's a book here, isn't there? I've been meaning to find it. ...so no one can use you again.

[sinistral]

[The Soldier was already preparing a mental list of how to deal with his arm problem. Just ignore it was so far the leading option, but perhaps he'd consider if he could ask someone else. Eventually.]

Yes. I was.

[Both at home and in his life here. There was no point denying it.

The book though... Cal's statement threw the Soldier for a loop and his face likely shows his surprise. He never would have expected someone to care so much about not using the Soldier.]

There is. Beck had it; I don't know how he got it. He activated my programming. [Cal may have guessed as much.] I don't know what to say.

[out_of_order]

...people were used like that in my galaxy too. Soldiers that were my friends...

[He didn't know it at the time, but there had to be something to it, to turn an army of clone troopers so willingly against the generals and commanders, the Jedi that they'd fought alongside for the duration of an entire war.

It wasn't until Cal had come here that he'd learned the awful truth, even though he'd already suspected that they'd been used, pawns just like the Jedi in an even greater game that no one had any idea they'd been forced to play.]

I remember speaking to one of the Agrii about it. They were concerned too, after seeing what Beck did to you. I'm not sure if they've located it, but if it's still here somewhere, we need to make sure no one gets it.

[The end of one side of his mouth quirks, briefly.] What's to say? You're my friend. And even if you weren't, making you do things that no one should ever have to... It isn't right. You're a person, not a weapon.

[sinistral]

Good to know that the evil isn't just contained to where I'm from.

[Actually it was the opposite of good, and the Soldier wouldn't wish it on anyone. But it did give him a perverse sense of peace to know that he wasn't the only one.

Still, having Cal express so much in care surprised him.]

I'm surprised that they expressed concern, considering that they keep taking me from this place. [To be similarly used, the Soldier believed. He had no concrete evidence of that though, just the way he felt when he returned.] the only place it belongs is in a fire.

[That expression was nice. The Soldier didn't know why Cal cared so much but lately he questioned it less and less.]

I'm more weapon than person. Forgetting that could put people in danger.

[out_of_order]

Unfortunately evil seems to be a multi-dimensional problem.

[He regarded the skies as though he could see the Agrii ship somewhere beyond.]

I can't explain their actions... But I know that they don't like seeing us hurt each other. [He wondered if it had really been the Agrii whisking the Soldier off to places unknown for even more mysterious purposes, but he didn't think that'd make the man feel any better to bring up.]

Gotta find it first. [Cal did smile the, a lopsided thing.] Then you can do the honors of chucking it into the flames.

[He shook his head.]

But you don't have to forget you're still a person either.

[In some ways the Jedi had been seen as a weapon, deployed by the Republic in attempts to quell the start of a war, and when it was unavoidable, then to pierce the enemy forces and fight. They were supposed to be peacekeepers, but it seemed all Cal ever knew was fighting since he'd become a padawan. And it had been exciting then. How quickly things had changed.]

So I may not be able to help with the arm, but I can do this. Figuring out where Beck kept to himself would probably be the best start.

[sinistral]

True.

[A universal truth, unfortunately. And probably as unknowable as the Agrii motivations, honestly.] Possibility that it's not the Agrii. I was in the Fleet before this. The Atroma implant is still in place.

[Sorry Cal, the Soldier had already considered the possibility that something else could be taking him for deployment. Unfortunately he didn't think he'd get a straight answer if he tried to ask.

But that wasn't something to consider now.]

Gotta find it first. [The first step and probably the hardest step.] I think I can spare you a few pages to toss yourself.

[He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.] Don't really know how to be a person.

[An effect of this place or an effect of everything in his life leading up to this point? The Soldier couldn't tell for sure. What he did know was frustration from others when he didn't meet their preconceptions or didn't act "normally." It was part of why he kept so much distance between himself and others.

At least he could help with regards to Beck.]

I can shed light on that. Once he had me, he kept me close.

[out_of_order]

[Well, just so long as they're both not discounting the possibility. Still, Cal made a face.]

Gotta love this place, right?

[He shook his head. It was a bit frustrating when even being on your guard was no guarantee that you could avoid problems.]

Hey, you're managing fine. Maybe some day we'll have a fun conversation.

[His grin came a bit easier with that.

The possibility of having a better start to the mystery of the book's whereabouts had him lift a brow.]

Well, I'm sure not going to complain about making things possibly easier.

[sinistral]

That's one word for it.

[One very sarcastic word. Unfortunately though they'd likely hit a wall with trying to figure out why the Soldier kept getting taken. He could ask the Agrii, but he doubted he'd get an answer.]

Heh. No one comes to me to be the fun choice. [It was his thing. Too much of the assassin lurked at the edges for him to relax.

The Soldier nodded though;
losing Cal as a mechanic was a harsh punishment, or so it felt. He'd have to search out an alternative, but he couldn't think about that at the moment.]

Well, we did apparently have a volcano. There was no guarantee that his hideout survived. But it'd be a place to start.

[out_of_order]

You never know.

[Slim chance as it was, it wasn't impossible. The Soldier had already proven he had at least some slight sense of humor.

Cal swung his legs over the edge of the bench before leaning forward to get on his feet.]

Well, we may as well check it out. It's something, at least. Come on, BeeDee.

[sinistral]

Why do I get the feeling that you'll try to prove me wrong if I say that I do know?

[Just a hunch.

The Soldier also stood, albeit with an eye on Cal the whole time. Wouldn't want the Jedi to collapse again! But his companion seemed steadier now so after pulling on his jacket again, he led the way out of the building.]

We may end up not finding anything at all.

[out_of_order]

[To that, Cal just gave him a grin.

He seemed fine on his feet at least, and once BD-1 had hopped onto his outstretched arm, the Jedi started after his friend.]

Maybe, but we won't know for sure.

[He glanced back at BD as the droid started beeping at him once they were outside and back by the steps, and looking around, Cal caught sight of the rock that the Soldier had given BD-1. He held a hand out towards it, pulling it into his grasp as though by magic. Showing it to his buddy, he pocketed it once the little droid hooted his satisfaction.]

[sinistral]

[You're trouble Cal. The Soldier can tell.]

You're not wrong.

[He paused as Cal and BD-1 stopped to grab the rock; apparently bringing it for the little droid made quite the impact! Or he just really liked shiny rocks. But seeing the casual demonstration of Cal's power caught his attention; it never failed to surprise him.]

Guess I made a good choice in rocks?

[out_of_order]

[Oh you have no idea.]

Heh! BeeDee loves collecting things. It's a nice rock if he hasn't found anything from scans.

So, where to?