Jedi Council Forums - Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)

Post Reply | Active Topic Notification | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

Author	Topic: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
SoA Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 8/6 2:17pm Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	Title: Crux: The Siege of Taris Author: SoA Timeframe: KotOR Era, 3956 BBY Characters: Kionee Rinnh, MT-412 Genre: Vignette Keywords: Blockade Running, OCs, Old Republic, angst Summary: Kionee, a produce freighter pilot and ex-blokcade runner just can't let go of Taris's unbreakable blockade. Notes: Written for the Summer 2009 OC Challenge “...it's been what, six months, since....” “...Just the usual down here. No one is bothering to put up any resistance any more...” “...wish I could get off planet soon too. I miss my wife and...” The Viridian floated lazily in space, in a distant orbit around Taris; well outside of the planet's gravity well and well beyond the Sith cruisers that kept the planet under siege. “...kriffing Sith keep this whole planet locked down!” Kionee fiddled with the dials on the ship's com system, picking up whatever loose radio chatter she could. She didn't have the skills to slice into the Sith's private tracts, but there were plenty of open channels that projected insecure waves out into space. “...automatic targeting system that'll blasts anything that tries to leave planet-side...” “Mistress Kionee, just what do you think you are doing?” MT-412, the family protocol droid, demanded, clanking into the cockpit. “Listening to the com network,” Kionee answered benignly, but she knew she couldn't fool Emtee. “...lost another one to the rackghouls...” “That much I observed,” MT-412 replied sternly, “But why are you in orbit around a Sith blockaded planet where you have no longer have any business connections?” Kionee sighed. “For the same reason that I stopped here the last three times,” she replied, “Do you need to ask any more?” “Perhaps not,” Emtee responded and shuffled over to her, “But clearly you need to be reminded that this is no place for you to be right now.” “...food prices went up again? It's all these Sith's fault that...” Kionee swiveled around in her chair and stared straight at the droid, “Emtee, how long can Taris' food supply last without any imports?” “About a hundred years ago toxins in the oceans made a majority of the kelp farms too poisonous to produce consumable food. This also wiped out much of the edible marine life,” Emtee recited, “There have been some successful clean-up efforts, but since then, the planet has been unable to be self-sustaining for its population.” “How long, Emtee?” Kionee persisted. “...kids are tired of eating sea weed stew all the time...” “Without imports, I estimate food stores could be exhausted in a matter of only seven months, at best,” the protocol droid answered. “Does that answer your question now?” Kionee asked. Before Emtee could respond, she swiveled back around and switched the com channel again. “What do you hope to accomplish by being here? Coming here only makes you more upset,” Emtee observed. “...not making any money with my freighter grounded here...” “Shouldn't I be?” Kionee snapped and glared at MT-412's reflection in the transparisteel windshield. “There's billions of people down there that the Sith would happily starve to death, just to make whatever sick point it is that they're trying to make. The Republic hasn't even tried to do anything about it.” “Do you think you can do something, then? Even if you could break this blockade, what good would one cargo freighter do to save a whole world from starvation?” MT-412 asked. “It's one thing to feed a small settlement, but entirely another to rescue an ecumenopolis.” “I know!” Kionee exclaimed exasperatedly and slammed her fists onto the dashboard in front of her. A number of errors and alarms sounded. Kionee scrambled to reset all of the switches and buttons she had accidentally struck. “...took my brother to prison just for...” “Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind,” she retorted as she worked, “But even if I could save just one family from starvation, I would do it.” “Do not be foolish, Mistress Kionee,” Emtee scolded, “You may have been able to avoid detection by the Mandalorians and their technology, but trying to outsmart the Dark Jedi would be suicide.” “As would be trying to outsmart the auto-targeting laser canons that keep the whole planet under siege,” Kionee added bitterly. “You promised your father you would stay out of this Sith war,” the protocol droid added in his tinny drawl. “I know,” she said, gritting her teeth, “It's just...” Restlessly, she switched channels again. “...bad harvest this season. There could be riots over...” Kionee let out a frustrated scream, “There has to be a way!” MT-412 reached over and switched off the com radio. The silence in the cockpit was smothering. “We have spent plenty enough time here,” he asserted, “We need to leave before one of those Sith warships notices the Viridian and identifies it.” “Too late,” Kionee said dryly, scowling, “We've got a wing of Sith fighters heading our direction to check us out.” “Mistress Kionee!” Emtee exclaimed. “I'm already on it,” Kionee replied bitterly, punching in coordinates, “We'll run for Ithor via Bandomeer and Dathomir.” Moments later, the stars drew out long lines around them and the Viridian snapped into Hyperspace. Breathing hard, Kionee sat back in her seat. Although hyperspace swirled tranquilly around them, she couldn't get the sight of blockaded Taris out of her head. The voices of the trapped Taresians still echoed between her ears, as if saying in one voice, “Kionee, why didn't you help us?” Closing her eyes and lowering head, Kionee couldn't keep from crying. -----signature----- Padawan to Commander-DWH Under the Shadow of the Builders- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/29386724/p1/ Fanfiction Web Site- http://faraway.toweroftime.com SoA's India Blog- http://jenna-song.blogspot.com
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 8/7 7:41am Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	Breathing hard, Kionee sat back in her seat. Although hyperspace swirled tranquilly around them, she couldn't get the sight of blockaded Taris out of her head. The voices of the trapped Taresians still echoed between her ears, as if saying in one voice, “Kionee, why didn't you help us?” Closing her eyes and lowering head, Kionee couldn't keep from crying. Your work is always a pleasure to read, and this was no exception! Great work. -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
CodyMonKenobi Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 8/9 2:28pm Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	That was very good, I loved how she was struggling with herself, wanting to do the right thing but unable to. Will there be more to this story? -----signature----- We rednecks like to stay with-in the four main food groups. Steak, potatoes, gravy, and beer, with hard liquor in moderation. U.S. Army Field Artillery The Shoe Make's Gift http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/3034
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
SoA Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 8/12 9:03am Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	VaderLVR64, thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it. CodyMonKenobi, thanks! This is a vignette, so it won't go any further on it's own, but Kionee is a vignette and short story character, so I'll definitely be exploring her life as it continues beyond this in other stories. This was just one little turning point I had to get out of my head. -----signature----- Padawan to Commander-DWH Under the Shadow of the Builders- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/29386724/p1/ Fanfiction Web Site- http://faraway.toweroftime.com SoA's India Blog- http://jenna-song.blogspot.com
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
MsLanna Title: CR GSFF Central = Offizieller Burger Brater Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 9/5 3:14pm Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	Wow, I was actually expecting her to come up with something clever. This is much more realistic - and sad. It's said that we regret the thing we didn't do a lot more than those we did. At least, Kionee will be alive to regret not trying. Not that it will help her much. Poor girl. -----signature----- I give up. Fett is great. Member of the waadas'dar Club. Cuyir adate jate, bal droten ori'dush Proud Master and buir'ika of Commander_Ducky. My New Title: Lords and Ladies of the Empire
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
KotOR_girl Registered: Jun '07	Date Posted: 9/8 3:45pm Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	Awesome vig! You described the heavy atmosphere of the difficult times well. Nice work. -----signature----- "You are people !" Zayne Carrick
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Commander-DWH Title: Shiny Fan Fiction Manager Registered: Nov '03	Date Posted: 9/9 12:07am Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	So, I read this forever ago and I'm a bad friend for not replying sooner. That said- I think this is a hugely important vig for understanding Kionee. She's not the kind of character who can ninja her way into and out of a tough situation. She doesn't have superpowers, she's just an organic produce shipper/trader/purveyor. But it speaks volumes about who she is that she does whatever she can anyway. I look forward to seeing more of her, as always. -----signature----- Complements (KOTOR)- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/21177927/ Luminosity- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/27900517/ Barefoot hippie in the OC revolution Master of the lovely and talented SoA
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Thumper09 Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 9/13 2:06pm Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	Great vig! I loved all the details you put in here, especially the various things happening on Taris to the people because of the blockade. Kionee's helplessness feels very real, and it's easy to see that the situation is eating her up inside. Even though she doesn't have the power to do anything now, I hope she'll find a way to do something to help down the road, even if it's simply for one family like she mentioned. Excellent work! -----signature----- "Like anything worth writing, it came inexplicably and without method." -Karen Eiffel, Stranger Than Fiction "Adamantine"--Rebel OC vig http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30390799 "That's 'stupid plan, sir,' Lieutenant." -Wedge
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Corellian_Ale Registered: Mar '08	Date Posted: 9/16 7:33pm Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	This was brilliant SoA. The little snippets of comm chatter was a genius touch. -----signature----- "An elegant weapon for more civilized times, eh?" "Well, guess what, times have changed." - "Boss"; RC-1138 Shades of Gray II - Acts of Contrition: http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30043243
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
SoA Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 9/18 1:49am Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	Thanks so much for reading guys! MsLanna- It's true. I know this failure will stick with her for a long time, even though there was really nothing she could do. KotOR_girl- Even when you're happily free yourself, war and darkness around you can really get to you, don't you think? DWH Shame, shame. ^_^ I think the reason this vig idea had been pestering me for so long is because it is so pivotal to her character. I didn't really think of it that way. Thumper09- Thanks! Kionee certainly will try again. She hasn't given up hope yet, as bleak as it looks. Corellian_Ale- Thanks a bunch! I'm glad you enjoyed it! -----signature----- Padawan to Commander-DWH Under the Shadow of the Builders- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/29386724/p1/ Fanfiction Web Site- http://faraway.toweroftime.com SoA's India Blog- http://jenna-song.blogspot.com
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
BigE Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 9/18 9:01am Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	Wow – that was quite good. Nice dialogue between Kinoee and the persistently practical and cautious protocol droid. The interspersed snippets of radio segments was a nice touch. I enjoyed this thoroughly! It was as if it was filled with action...without a whole lot actually happening. Too cool, SoA. -----signature----- Not charging for Awesomeness. Gentlemen's Writing Guild 'Shipwrecked' challenge: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30481486/r30519170/ psst: It's "crazy good", says a source. Eduard Cullen = Gary Stu. Yep, I said it.
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
SoA Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 9/23 10:59pm Subject: Crux: The Siege of Taris (KotOR era vignette, OCs)
	BigE, thanks for reading! You're right, although they're really just floating in space, there really is a lot going on internally. -----signature----- Padawan to Commander-DWH Under the Shadow of the Builders- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/29386724/p1/ Fanfiction Web Site- http://faraway.toweroftime.com SoA's India Blog- http://jenna-song.blogspot.com
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History