Stolen Memories: Path to Reconnection

Chapter One: Trouble on the Homefront-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two Months Later.

Location: Metellos, Stratablock Thirteen

Twilight was falling on the Metellos skyline, painting the polluted atmosphere and clouds a sickly apocalyptic orange. Korrik Delwyn picked up his pace, heading back to the rendezvous deeper inside the stratablock. Metellos… even its name brought up thoughts and images of its foul reputation. Known to most by its nickname “Coruscant that wasn’t.”

Despite being located in the galactic core, Metellos went unseen by many and stagnated. As a result, much of the planet has not been urbanized, with most of the surface covered in shabby, toxic regions, septic seas, deserts and heavy industrial centers. It is in these places that nine hundred billion people live, forever working, living and dying in the dark shadows of the cloud piercing stratablocks and floating cities. All save for the few who work for the rich and powerful, who hide away in their floating cities, far above the smog choked skies and ‘groundpounders’.

Now that Korrik was deeper into stratablock thirteen, he decided that he would stop into Janson’s Cantina, a just reward for finishing his rounds of shaking down store owners and the like he thought. Korrik mostly kept to himself but his work in the areas surrounding and inside the stratablock itself gave him a decent reputation. He was the kind of merc known for efficiency, always getting the job done without letting his morals cloud his judgment. Depending on present company, his reputation went either way.

Korrik stepped into the Cantina and scanned the room, apart from the unidentifiable rabble, nothing in the sea of faces seemed to stand out. Various workers of many species intermingled at the many tables strewn around the room, as waiters brought them their drinks and whatever food they ordered. This was a place that the low class could come and forget their troubles, if only for an evening. The layout of the Cantina itself was really just a refurbished warehouse with a small ledge dropping down a few feet that ran the length of the building, dividing the area with the tables from the private booths and bar where the Twi’lek owner Janson stood. Korrik made his way to the bar, took a seat and tapped his hand on the counter a few times to get the bartender’s attention.

Korrik was not a particularly imposing man, he stood at a mellow six feet, one inch tall, which was average for a human, his eyes were a deep brown, his hair short and a mix of red and brown in color with a short matching beard. What did make him stand out however, was his equipment. He wore a piece of Mandalorian Beskar’kandar, a heavy chestplate that comprised of plates made from beskar or as it is more commonly known, Mandalorian iron. It was cumbersome and very heavy but the iron used in its construction made it nearly impervious to strikes from a lightsaber, a trait that was almost moot due to the last wars impact on the Jedi’s numbers. As protective as the chestplate was, it left his arms and leg uncovered and prone to injury, but attached to his hips were two strong deterrents. Resting in their holsters were two Merr-Sonn Munitions model 434 heavy blaster pistols, also known as DeathHammers for their heavy durasteel plating and firepower that rivaled some blaster rifles.

“Ah Mr.Delwyn, done stealing from honest business men for the day?” Janson asked.

“There is no such thing as an honest business on this planet, be thankful I don’t have you in my sights Janson.” Korrik growled. Janson's head-tails twitched as a scowl breached his calm demeanor.

“If Adanar planned to put me out of business he could do better than sending you, you pathetic Kath hound.” A blanketing silence shrouded the bar as they stared each other down before they both began to laugh.

“Ha ha, it’s good to see you my friend!” Janson laughed, raising both his arms in the air.

“What can I get you?”

“I think you know what I want by now Janson.” Korrik said with a smirk.

“What can I tell you that you don’t already know? You got the HoloNet news up there in Krashel don’t you?"

“Ahh but that’s just it my alien friend, I want what the HoloNet won’t tell the galaxy, what’s really going on, the real stuff.” Korrik said as he slid a 100 credit bill across the bar. Korrik knew that Janson worked as a secret information broker for the Exchange and from Metellos he could feed info to them in the Outer Rim within hours.

“Very well Mr.Delwyn, but you didn’t hear it from me. Do you have any specifics? Local happenings or news straight from Coruscant?”

“Let’s start with local news.”

“Okay then, I’ve got word that the Allani Syndicate has been accumulating a vast amount of heavy weapons, they are preparing to hit something big but for now it’s unclear what.” The Allani Syndicate, the crime group who took control of Rishad, the floating city hovering over Stratablock 11 to the southeast. Ever since they moved in, they have been the primary competition of Korrik and his employers, the Dust Angels.

“I don’t know if they plan to hit Krashel or not but I’d let the boss know.”

“Why bother? Even if they did attack us in force there is no way they would get through the cities shields before our defenses wiped them out.”

“Just giving you something to think about Korrik.” Korrik was no stranger to violence between the Syndicate and the Dust Angels. In the early days when the Syndicate first made themselves known, first they began encroaching on the Angels territory, primarily the slums surrounding Stratablock 13. Now the boss of the Angels, Adanar, issued a shoot on sight order for any Allanis on Angel turf.

The Dust Angels made their home in Krashel, one of the more upscale of the floating cities that rested in the sky almost directly above Stratablock 13. Due to the cities upscale nature, it was fitted with stronger defenses and a fully encompassing shield. That alone made the threat of an Allani attack on Krashel laughable, they simply lacked the numbers but now they made up for it with firepower.

“Anything else?”

“Nothing worth what you paid.”

“Then how about the galactic stage Janson?”

“You’ll have to ask Velvet for galactic news, I haven’t got her debrief yet today.”

“Got a helper now do ya Janson? Is the Exchange losing faith in you old friend?”

“You’ll see why they sent her when you talk to her yourself, oh there she is now.” Janson pointed towards the entrance as a Pony stepped in. Her coat was light brown in color and her mane was a soft yellow with white streaks. It was difficult to tell her age as it was with most of the Equine race. What Korrik could tell was that she was of the Earth variant, lacking either wings or a horn. Her clothes covered most of her body, covering her neck, flank and cutie mark leaving only her head, legs and tail exposed.

“A Pony? Since when does the Exchange hire them?”

“We learned long ago that their kind have a great number of uses, from civilian to criminal.” Amazing that they bother with crime at all at the rate the Galaxy is just handing them everything, how long before the Supreme Chancellor is a blasted Pony. Korrik thought. The Pony Korrik assumed to be Velvet walked behind the counter and began preparing her work area.

“Good evening, Janson.” She said casually.

“Black Velvet, this is my friend Korrik Delwyn.” Janson said in a businesslike tone.

“Answer any questions he has to the best of your ability, I’ll get your report when you’re done, good bye for now Korrik.” Janson excused himself from the bar and disappeared into the offices.

“So, my little informant, Janson tells me you know what’s new in the Galaxy at large.”

“I worked to get where I am, Mr. Delwyn, I’ve had nothing given to me. If you want to start this relationship right, then wipe that look of indignation off your face.” Korrik sat back in his seat the look on his face changed to confusion. How did she read me so easily? I’ve only said one thing to her he thought.

“Your thoughts show on your body quite intensely, I can read you like a datapad.” Velvet smirked wickedly, proud to show Korrik her talent.

“So let’s keep it civil shall we? No need to let your prejudice ruin this deal.” She had a point, as much as Korrik wasn’t expecting to converse with a Pony today, Korrik had already paid and he intended to get what he came for. Korrik said nothing for a moment, very much hoping that this Pony was “reading” all the disdain he was trying to express.

Velvet’s expression changed to one of annoyance, she was more annoyed by the man wasting her time than the look he was giving her. Korrik was the first to break the silence.

“What’s been happening in the senate? Any power shifts? New additions? Anything?” Korrik had no idea what he was hoping for. He could influence the events here on Metellos but could do nothing in the grander scheme but it pays to be well informed I suppose.

“I’ve got something interesting…. regarding my own people in fact.” Oh here we go.

“Almost two months ago one of the Elements of Harmony was stolen from its bearer on Mygeeto.” Korrik straightened up for this one.

“Yeah, I heard about that incident, some pirates or something sacked a BIC ship then destroyed it and the spaceport right?”

“I’m not sure I’d call them pirates, there’s no way to tell but the officials said nothing else seemed to have been stolen. Just the Element was taken.”

“Are you saying they attacked with the sole intent of stealing this so called Element?”

“Looks that way, it doesn’t make sense to attack a cargo ship and not take its cargo. I personally think it was an inside job.” Korrik scoffed.

“Seems like a lot of work for little payoff, are these ‘Elements of Harmony’ really so important?”

“They are only the Equine species’ most powerful artifacts, their origin is lost to history but when they are all together they can shift or alter on massive scales. But they can only be used by their bearers and each bearer must embody their Element. Alone they are powerful but together they can change the outcome of wars.”

“Seems pretty important, how’d one of them get stolen in the first place?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, but it’s creating a power vacuum for all the races on Equis, the Griffons, the Zebras and the Minotaurs all might be making a move. The Senates eyes are all on Senator Luna to resolve this issue. I fear the long term effects if the Republic loses the Elements for long.” Velvet’s eyes showed a genuine fear, her faith in the Elements was true.

“Why are your other native races so against you?”

“You should know the general feeling about my kind, we’ve been gaining power too easily we have too much influence blah blah blah. My point being they all harbor some lingering animosity, we all originated from the same world and they along with most of the Galaxy, think the Republic is playing favorites with us.” Yeah, me included Korrik inwardly grimaced.

“Then why report the event if the threat is so great?”

“Princess Celestia tried to keep it quiet, but it was the BIC who reported it. The Princess can’t control them as well as she thinks she can.”

“What about the Element bearer?” Before Velvet could answer, the door to the Cantina flew open noisily.

“There you are Korrik, I knew you’d be in here.” It was Gatrim, the only other enforcer who was planet side alongside Korrik. No doubt he was waiting for Korrik to get back to the shuttle back to Krashel before he got impatient. Damn Devaronian never could wait around for long.

“Gatrim, my favorite spike headed son of a Bantha, how’s things?”

“Stow it Human, just got a call from Adanar, says the boys caught two Equines trying to sneak into the city, and wants everyone back now.” Before Korrik could speak, Gatrim yanked him off his seat and shoved him out the door.