Consolidation Litanies of the Dark Side: Serpentide

[Dreadheart]

The War had spiked into a Galactic conflict much sooner than anyone anticipated. A war that was thought to be fought between the Empire and the Republic had by then engulfed almost every star system of the known Galaxy. From lesser skirmishers never to be heard of in history, to great battles that were made legend, planets and void alike ran red with Blood. It was the bloodiest frontiers like Malachor, Ossus, or Minos, where the spotlight remained. Nowhere was more tense than the Frontiers. Territories so chaotically divided between Sith and Republic worlds, remnants of the Second War. It was one such world, one of the few lucky or forsaken enough to have seen little to no action during the old wars. Dxun. A world of feral jungles and vicious beasts. Vicious enough to have tasted flesh of Mandalore, oh so long ago, when the Beskar of the Mandalorian Horde was bent and bloodied.

Though the jungles of Dxun were mostly untouched by the tidings of the era, had yet seen tensions in the near regions, as the nearby Sith world of Ambria choked awake from its slumber. From the ruins of House Artuk, once dominating the planet's bewitched wastelands, emerged mystics and sorcerers who sough to forge a domain of Darkness farther from the Imperial colonies of the Mid Rim. When the Civil War begun, a sun of opportunity dawned in Ambria. And the wicked sorcerers of the Sith, were quick to grasp it. Through networks of the underworld and means of deception, Dark Adepts had made landing in Dxun and dwelt in the dense wilderness amidst the beasts. Unlike the Mandalorians, though, usually coming to Dxun to hunt, the Sith had come to tame.

It had been months ever since the crashed Fury-Class Interceptor was found by Mandalorian scouts, and yet no activity had been spoted farther. The charred remnants found within the starship presumed to be the crew. Any efforts to locate survivors were for naught, while many considered that even if anything had survived the most fiery a crash, the beasts would feast upon them before another dawn rose over the jungles.

Days became weeks, and weeks became months. Some even forgot the event. Alas, soon none could deny that an unseen Dark, a looming threat of no form had spread over Dxun. Beasts became strangely deranged, reckless, while many hunting grounds were drained of prey, though none could trace any hunter's work to explain the shift in fauna. For seven days, clouds gathered thick and grey, denying any sunlight to befall the jungles. Disease begun to spread, inexplicable and ever-stronger, battling the Mandalorian will with fever and lung miasma, carried by infectious insects that journeyed with the wind like locust. For seven nights, all dreams were twisted into nightmares. At the beginning, there was Fear. Then, it became Corruption. Then, it was pure Madness. To wake up from the nightmares was to found oneself drenched in hot sweat, hearing the aftereffect of the nightmares like echoes consumed by distance and the touch of reality.

The town of Kupuya was a typical Mandalorian outpost on Dxun. Built atop of the fortifications that had been erected half a millennia ago, during the grim aftermath of the Mandalorian Wars, Kupuya was a fortress in and of itself, though much of its walls was broken or scarred by time and overuse, throughout the eons. The Clans had established a trading outpost within the old fortress, with a chanty town being born bit by bit, the more the Mandalorian presence in Kupuya grew. Few merchants and off-worlder colonists had found themselves in the town, in search of exclusivity in the rare flesh yielded by the hunt. Surrounding Kupuya, a thick swamp acted like a moat, once meant to protect the settlement in the case of a land-borne siege, from either foe or beast.

 

[Oya Skirata]

Oya loved Dxun, he loved its air, its dirt, its jungles filled with stretches of boggy marshland where the wrong step would sink you, the wrong mushroom was poisonous and the best could eat you. The plethora of flora and of course the fauna. Oya was a hunter. It’s what he did he loved every bit of Dxun. The only place that beat it in his opinion was Kashyyk. That was only because the Wookiees knew how to party. Alcohol made from the bark of Wroshyr tree was no joke.

Dxun though Dxun had an element of wildness Kashyyk didn’t maybe because no one people had ever claimed it. It had been fought over by Mandalorians, Sith, Onderon, Republic, Czerka anyone who thought they could brave the jungles and forge a life for themselves through sheer force of will.

So when he heard of a Mandalorian town under attack. Mandalorians who had foregone the luxuries of modern world to make a life for themselves on a frontier planet. One of his favourite planets. The planet where he went through his trials of manhood. Oya was the obvious choice of the brothers to take lead on the contract.

Aranar he knew had initially worried Oya wouldn’t take the contract seriously enough, but Oya was determined to prove him wrong. Not just out of a sense of little brother desperate to prove his older sibling wrong, but for the people. These people who had braved the toughest the galaxy had to offer, suffered for it and refused to give up. These people deserved protection. Besides they were Mandalorians and Mandalorians were stronger together.

Oya landed with his jet pack while the clan ship the Tor’gra’tua landed and, let down the boarding ramp to let out the two Armoured Hover Trucks with a mounted rotary cannon and concussion missile launchers. The ramp also let down a dozen speeder bikes.

(Armoured Hover Truck. A.H.T)

“Troop Reinforcements delivered. I want the Tor’gra’tua hovering over the town to provide a sweep of the jungle. The canopy’s too thick to get a reading too deep but some warning is better than nothing. We also may want it up there to provide a barrage if we need it.”

“I want the A.H.T.s by the gate. I want a screen of six speeder bikes running rotation establishing a perimeter of patrol outside the walls. The rest of the platoon I want on the walls. The Brothers will talk to the town Alor find out what we need to know. I want a scouting party of the rest of the speeder bikes ready to go headed by the brothers and me.”

“Perhaps one of the brothers should stay behind and keep command?” @Aranar Skirata couldn’t help but helpfully suggest.

Oya considered it for a moment.

“No. I want my squad with me in case we run into trouble. The platoon can hold the fort until we get back. If you don’t hear from us once an hour by radio assume somethings wrong. If we’re not back in a day send a team to our last known location. If that goes wrong well then decide for your self if you want to stay or leave.”

The gathered Mandalorians laughed and jeered good naturedly at the thought they’d ever leave a brother behind.

Oya grinned and donned his helmet. Checking himself in the window of the A.H.T. His camoflauged dull orange and green Mandalorian armor

“Get to work.”

“Udesiir take a look at the town fortifications, see what you can do with them make sure they’re ready and if they aren’t set some villagers on repairing what you can. We’ll meet you at the gate for a scouting party towards the ship see what we can find.”

@Udesiir Skirata nodded and blasted off with his jet pack towards to the gate.

Oya made his way to the town centre where the Alor the local Chief was gathered waiting with town elders Mandalorians all.

“You’re Clan Skirata?” he asked not looking very impressed

“You let many strange clans dock their ship and deploy their troops in your town without asking who they are first?” Oya shot back.

“We were told we were getting help from another Clan you’ve barely brought a platoon.”

“If this platoon can’t handle it no Clan can.” Oya replied smoothly. Oya sighed. “Look I get it you had to ask for help not easy for any Mando, but we’re here to help. You can help us by telling us what the situation is?”

The Alor hesitated.

“We heard there was a Sith ship that crashed and then a whole lot of things that basically amounted to a curse on the town?” Oya prompted.

“Aye a curse is a good way of putting it.” Alor muttered. “Beasts became strangely deranged, reckless, while many hunting grounds were drained of prey, though none could trace any hunter's work to explain the shift in fauna. For seven days, clouds gathered thick and grey, denying any sunlight to befall the jungles. Disease begun to spread, inexplicable and ever-stronger, battling the Mandalorian will with fever and lung miasma, carried by infectious insects that journeyed with the wind like locust. For seven nights, all dreams were twisted into nightmares. At the beginning, there was Fear. Then, it became Corruption. Then, it was pure Madness. To wake up from the nightmares was to found oneself drenched in hot sweat, hearing the aftereffect of the nightmares like echoes consumed by distance and the touch of reality”

Oya frowned. Caution dictated that he investigate thoroughly, take a look at some of the victims, but if it was Sith sorcery that would do little to help.

“@Kane Skirata . Aranar. We’ll pick up Udesiir, head out to the ship and see what we can find. My platoon is setting up positions around town. We’d appreciate your cooperation.”

“You’re acting like you expect a siege?” The Alor asked.

Oya grinned.

“You’re already under siege. We’re the reinforcements.”

@Dreadheart

 

[Taria Musaniah.]

Taria had been sent to Dxun to complete a simple job in theory. Intelligence work was a lousy job she thought to herself as she polished the bright red and black striped mandalorian style armor. She had trained a little more with her dual pistol blasters to help sell the idea she was mandalorian. Preliminary reports spoke of Sith touching down on the planet and disappearing and she had been sent to confirm or deny such rumors. This was naturally much to her dismay. At least her superiors had looked to the Mandalorian for anti-force user gear.


“Jetpack, check. Wrist rockets, check. Wrist flame throwers, check. Missile backpack, check. Wire catchers, check. Dual custom T4 pistols, check. Let’s go be mandalorian.” Taria stated as she stepped out of her starfighter and into the wilderness of Dxum. Her boots thudding against the ramp changed into a squelching noise as she stepped onto the wet ground of Dxum. She checked where she was before taking off and flying to the city of Kupuya.


Her pressurized suit was something she thanked silently. She didn’t want to develop lung miasma while on duty. She touched back down on ground just outside of Kupuya and walked inside having already decided her Mandalorian name. Atii was a name she loved because it meant tenacious. She walked into the city slowly and looked around with a raised eyebrow from inside her helmet. She made her way up to a building and sat on top of the roof and looked out into the city. She figured she’d wait patiently there for things to go sideways.


“Hey, pa. I made it safely to Kupuya. It’s small with nothing much happening. The people around here do seem a bit anxious though. I’ll send you word when you should arrive with my sisters. I did spot two heavily armed folk. They look like guards though.” Talia said through the comms link in her helmet with an unsecured comms channel to her backup already planetside. They wore Mandalorian armor as well.

@Dreadheart

 

[Kamlos Tarani]

"It is a siege, alright..."

The voice belonged to a Rattataki, marked with various black tattoos and dressed in heavy armour that hinted to his profession. Dark green, with various spots of past wounds and welded replacements on different parts, wrapped with belts weighted by power cells and grenades. Two blaster pistols were holstered by his hips. His helmet stored against his side. The face itself was partially covered by a sizeable beard, hinting to his age.

The Rattataki walked to Oya and the Alor, as if he already knew at least half the participants.

"You are back, Kamlos." the Alor spoke.

"Indeed, and y'a ain't gonna like what I got'a show for it..." Kamlos sighed. He turned his gaze to the distance, beyond the wall, as if his mind ventured out once again. "There's trails, but no skin."

Kamlos turned his white eyes to Oya. He looked up to the man who towered over him at least a full size head. The Mandalorian was -huge-. The Rattataki clearly acknowledged that, though he did not seem intimidated by that fact.

"You've brought some gear, I noticed." he tilted his head.

"I am Kamlos Tarani. Was here in business before echuta went flying."

"What kind of tracks did you find, Kamlos?" the Alor asked, clearly impatient to stir the conversation back to the matter at hand.

"Big, deep, and frequent. Ackleys, I wager. But there were others too, way too messy in the mud to identify. Some sort of serpent. Slithering, no limbs."

Kamlos was an experienced hunter. Although his career in bounty hunting and beast hunting alike was long gone, the very fact this was the third occasion he had found himself in a predicement such as this, although past cases did not include the Sith activelly coming after him. In Vendaxa, he barely set up shop by the fray, far enough from the active frontiers, though there were occasions he had to fend off beasts from the shop. A fine refill, it ended up being... And yet, Kamlos felt himself too old for this life, especially after finding an alternative in N'orlannia.


@Oya Skirata

 

[Talcera Leth]

The Twilek walked back and forth before the merchant post. The post itself was filled to the brim with various snacks, from Aurilian fruits stacked in flee market lattices, to fried porg wings and recently cooked Womp rat stew, still steaming inside a large pot, at the far end of the post, sitting over a small electro oven to keep it warm. The Twilek was bitting his nails off, the cloth around his neck pushed low to allow access to his mouth. The cheap jacket worn black, over the simplistic white shirt stained by oils and food liquids, hinting to his time in the post duties. There was a chief's apron hanging by a metal pole that held the canopy over the post into place. Perhaps cooking had been concluded and the Twilek no longer required it. At least that was a thought that made the post a little less repulsing...

"Well shit... well shit..." he murmured to himself. His yellow eyes accidentally stumbling on @Taria Musaniah. as she walked past. In an epiphony of intelligence, the Twilek jumped into action and waived his hand to her.

"Lovely lady, hello! A tiring journey you must have had, you hungry!? Yes, I see you hungry, yes, come! Have a glass of green milk! Some porg wings to ease that hyperspace lag, maybe?"

The Twilek smiled, perhaps in his mind to appear more welcoming. A terrible choice. A tooth was missing, and two more were replaced with golden implants. His marketing strategy clearly required an overhaul, yet, there were rather few posts who served food in town, especially during such a dire time.

Although appearance was rather mediocre, if not simply repulsing, the smell of freshly cooked and fried snacks indeed emitted an aura of delight, as if being a paraphony to the otherwise humid and colour-deprived town. Most shops meant to dot the streets of Kupuya were closed, with bars or even scratchbuilt blastdoors shut, as the owners were either under arms, making ready for whatever bane descended upon the settlement, or had long evacuated, choosing the bigger cities, or Onderon rent, over Kupuya's isolation.

 

[Oya Skirata]

Oya looked at the new arrival Rattaki he noted absently, Mandalorian. Older - which meant experienced. Oya listened to the report and nodded he’d make a useful addition to the group.

“Acklays mean trouble, particularly if a Sith has got a hold of them and mutated them into Sithspawn.” Oya made sure his helmet was secure and tilted his head helmet on. “We’re just about to head to the Sith crash site see what we can find you’re welcome to join us.”

Aranar made a sound, and Oya was glad he was inside his helmet so his brother couldn’t see him rolling his eyes. No doubt Aranar wanted to make a point about operational security. Oya preferred to rely on his judgement. The Alor knew him, he spoke and acted like a Mandalorian Oya was going to treat him like one until he proved himself otherwise. Besides if he was a Sith spy Oya wanted him close not behind their lines.

“Meet us at the front gate if you’re going to join us.”

With that Oya jumped on his speederbike, his brothers following suit.

“Ruusalor. We have a new arrival just came in as we were setting up the perimeter.”

One of his clan members informed him on the comms. Oya felt a brief irritation that someone had breached the perimeter already. That was the nature of command though something always went wrong.

“We’ll take a look on our way out. Send us the location.”

Oya lead his brothers to the spot marked on his heads up display. Oya found the new arrival being bothered by a Twi’lek salesman. Oya grinned. Typical the salesman always targeted the tourists and new arrivals. Easy prey.

“Ah isn’t that just the way the salesman always target the new arrivals. Just like us. What brings you to Dxun?”

Aranar would know doubt prefer the scene be secured and the new arrival questioned intensely, but Oya found a casual conversation often got to the truth of the matter for quicker and with less trouble than throwing your weight around ever did.

@Kamlos Tarani @Talcera Leth @Taria Musaniah.

 

[Taria Musaniah.]

Taria walked into town with a relaxed stride. Her bright red armor with black stripes stood out amongst the dull colors of the town. She hadn’t gotten far either when the Twi’lek in front of a somewhat nice, ruggish looking market post had spotted her and had immediately rushed towards her. She barely looked the Twi’lek up and down, noticing the two gold tooth implants. Her mind told her to scan the implants for any listening devices but she silently rebukes herself for being paranoid.


“I appreciate the offer but street food has never agreed with my stomach. I’ll make sure to remember your little post here just in case I run into anyone with a stronger stomach.” Taria spoke. She paused a little and turned to see a tall mandalorian in orange and green camouflage armor with a fur cloak. She smirked inside her helmet.


“I suppose. Then again I come off as someone easier to sell to being a lady and all.” Taria spoke, slightly mocking the salesmen . She made a show of eyeing the other Mandalorians who had followed the one in orange and green armor who looked built like a tank.


“It’s nice that you think you need backup to take me down just in case. Makes me feel quite strong. Though you're probably the boss mando around these parts. My name is Atii Pictz. My clan are the Pictz. We caught wind that a Sith ship landed here. I’ve been sent to verify. I hope taking a woman like me to the crash site won’t cramp your style?” Taria spoke as she held out her hand towards him.


@Oya Skirata @Talcera Leth @Kamlos Tarani

 

[Kamlos Tarani]

The Mandalorian was determined, Kamlos thought to himself. Expected, for it was rare if even possible for one to spot a coward among the Shadow Warriors... It was perhaps one of the reasons why he respected them the way he did, although he had abandoned the Way long ago. Kamlos looked down the road, to the vehicles, and the gearing up Mandalorians who manned them and pondered for a moment.

"You look like you can handle yourself, Mando." he tilted his head. "I will be staying here, keep your 6 in check while you are at it."

He wasn't a coward. Not anymore, Kamlos reassured himself. Though, he knew his time of blasters and frags had been long overdue. His gear a relic to his age of glory, which he was not too keen to reintroduce to habbits of old. But, in Dxun, there was little option. His eyes looked across the city to the interior of the walls, at the edge of the road, his mind calculating how long the settlement would stand in the case of an attack.

His "Mongrel II" would not make it to orbit, if it did. He had to see the defences hold. And, in his mind, the best way to do it was by doing it himself.

"My ship has a couple of barrels that can melt any an Ackley, Sithspawn or not." he intoned then. "And I still got a few kicks if anything gets too close. Take this." he continued, producing a commlink from his belt pouch. It was easy to recognize it as an Aphotic fabricated piece. Rather old one, at that... Old enough for the tinny Imperial ensignia, they were so thrilled in shoving to every piece of equipment their industries made for the Sith, had already faded almost completely.
"We will stay in touch. Better two than one..."

The Rattataki nodded to Oya.

By the time Oya and his clansmen departed, Kamlos made his way back to the walls, choosing one of the main defense towers as his spot, allowing him to scan the perimeter with his electrobinoculars.

He made ready...

 

[Talcera Leth]

The Twilek laughed to the woman's comment on street food, activelly thinking of a proper come-back to keep the engagement going.

"Oh, yeah, right. OH NO, you don't need to fear, our stuff is top of the line! May-"

He would never finish the sentance. The very noise of the speeders made him aware of the company they would soon have. He knew better than to keep pushing when Mandalorians grew in number. They were... Unpredictible, to say the least.

The Twilek smiled widely to the Mandalorian with the fur around his pouldrons, considering he would be the one in charge of the band. He gestured to the post, nodding his head as he spoke.

"Greetings, friends! Could I offer you a refreshment!? You must be weary of your journey! A green milk, perhaps? Fresh from Rishi! No Bewlgo worms, its a bargain!".

Talcera Leth was not the best in the task assigned to him. In all honesty, he wasn't good at it even. It wasn't the job he had chosen for himself, but the one given to him out of necessity. In his mind, he still craved the life of adventure and credit-seeking risks he took with his brother. A dark thought, indeed. If only he knew if his brother had survived.
It didn't matter, now. If anything, selling was better than dish washing, which was the majority of his time back in N'orlannia, save for the times the place was understaffed and his boss put him to service, where he simply endured ungrateful patrons and demanding chiefs all throughout the day, for a handful of credits.

It wasn't fun. But it worked. At least this way the authorities would not seek for him. And oh, there were many that would, in any other occasion.

 

[Oya Skirata]

Oya nodded accepting the comm link from the Rattaki Mando accepting that he thought he’d be of more use staying behind without comment. There were pros and cons to having him with them, pros being it kept an unknown factor close to them cons being it meant they had an unknown factor with them.

“As you wish”

Oya left the Rattaki and approached the Twi’lek and the other Outsider, on their speeder bikes.

Oya grinned at her greeting inside his helmet and let out a bark of laughter.

“Obviously he’s never met a Mando woman before. Clan Skirata. I’m Oya these are my brothers. Aranar and Kane. My brother Udesiir will be joining us in a moment You’re welcome to join us. We’ll rustle you up a speeder bike.”

Oya wasn’t like his suspicious brothers he tended to rely on gut instinct when judging a person. First impressions were important. Oya just wasn’t getting a Sith vibe from the Rattaki he seemed like a stalwart Mandalorian as far as Oya could tell besides what was he going to do start holding people on suspicion simply because he didn’t know them? He was here to fight the Sith not become them. Other than his Clan this entire settlement were strangers. If the Sith did have agents inside the town it could just as easily be someone embedded in the community as an Outsider. In fact that would probably be more advantageous to any potential Sith.

“I need a speeder bike at the front gate.” Oya said into his comm link.

They must have made quite a sight. Kane in blue, gold and black armor for reliability, justice and revenge with a beskad short sword sticking out of a sheath on his back. Aranar in green and blue for duty and reliability that had elements of his republic trooper kit. Oya in his dull orange and green camouflage with a fur coat, carrying his DLT-19. Here came Udesiir with his heavy repeating blaster attached to his jet pack with a shoulder mounted rotary cannon, and a chrome finish to his armor.

“How are the defenses?” Oya asked Udesiir.

“I’ve seen better. I’ve seen worse. The shield wall will hold for awhile. I wouldn’t want to face orbital bombardment here but it should withstand an attack from the jungle.” Udesiir reported.

Oya nodded thoughtfully it was better than he’d thought.

“You’ve studied Sith. What do you think their goals are?”

Udesiir shrugged.

“Sith are unpredictable. Could be they just want a way off planet. Could be they want to set up their own fiefdom and claim Dxun as a trophy planet as a bargaining chip against or for one of the other Sith factions. I know this much this won’t be resolved peacefully.”

Oya nodded. The speederbike with one of his men arrived.

“You coming Pictz?” Oya asked

To the twi’lek Oya glanced at him.

“If I were you I’d start selling your wares closer to the markets in the centre of town. The gates might not be the best place to loiter.”

Talcera Leth​

Kamlos Tarani​

Taria Musaniah.​

 

[Aittitosh]

The mask released steam that found itself trapped behind it, by the function of the life support. A "crack" sound produced, as soon as the hooded figure inhaled yet again. The black fabric of the tunic marked by white straps, rimmed with various archaic glyphs, while his hands beneath the sleeves were wrapped with bandages, by then soaked in black pitch from the inside. He stood knelt before a pyramid-shaped crystal object, placed upon one of the stones of the cave. There were many like it. Each breathing its very own aura manifesting in warm dim light.

The cybernetic red light of the eyes did not offer suggestion of his gaze. Any emotion once expressed was now buried deep beneath elegantly carved durasteel and cybernetic life support. His fingers caressed the crystal. His mind, barely for a moment, went adrift in times of old and forsaken, before the coming of the Dawn. Before the calling of the Serpent.
He turned around, looking at the vastness of the cave's hollows, reverberating in each of the nightmarish roars coming from its depths, echoing barely as feral warning, rather than any immediate threat. He was calm. As calm as he could be, that is, allbeit his very mind drowning in perpetual Madness, incapable of stopping the descend down the hole up until the Raka saw it fit to do so.

Part of him did not regret his decisions that brought him to this place. Part of him still reasoned in favour of his many blasphemies, seeking to provide any little bit of comfort in a lifetime bound to damnation. He knew his fate. And that knowledge simply made the Madness Within a little bit more sufferable, compared to what would be should hope still lingered.

 

[Taria Musaniah.]

“Then again I’ve never met a Twi’lek before. Heard stories about them but never really met one in person.” Taria spoke as she gave the shopkeeper a small, short salute. She eyed up Oya’s brothers making a mental note of their names. She paused a little as she eyed them and accepted the speeder bike graciously before mounting it. She eyed Udesiir carefully pinning him as the bronze of the group which didn’t really ease her soul either as most Mandi’s were good warriors.


“Pa. I’ve made contact with the Skirata clan. The big man Oya is here. We’re preparing to check out the landing site of the Sith. Will request backup if needed.” Taria spoke into her comms set, speaking softer as to not interrupt their conversation. She also wasn’t trying to be sneaky with it. She ended the short transmission.


“Right behind you. I am just curious. What’s your best estimate of how many landed, if any. Two. Do you have a plan of escape if things go south?” Taria asked the group. She was prepared to follow them and get them out of trouble if need be but she might not even be needed. At least she hoped everything went according to the plan of the Mandalorion wearing a fur cape.

 

[Talcera Leth]

"Yes, yes, of course, you are right! Not the best time to be by the walls, yes!" The Twi'lek was nervous. Clearly, he was aware of the tension that revolved around the settlement, though it perhaps overwhelmed him more than it did others. Alas... He was but a merchant. No Beskar-hearted Mandalorian or bounty hunter, seasoned warrior or any other tough-breed, who had learned to endure hardship and the looming presence of adversity.

"I will get to it!"

Talcera had another reason for moving his post deeper into the settlement. The shuttle would indeed be much closer in comparison, which would potentially make evacuating much easier, all things considered... However, Talcera, though not the smartest, was smart enough to understand that more would have thought of that just like he did....

More people thinking meant more people doing...

More people doing, meant more faces around the docks...

More faces meant more potential customers....

The Twi'lek smiled to the Mandalorians, before rushing back to his post. With hasty moves, he started sealing the metallic containers of the food stuffs, stacking them in the larger freezer container placed behind of the heavy lifter speeder, used as powersupply up until then for the little light bulbs on the post.

 

[Oya Skirata]

Oya led his brothers and Pictz out of the gate on their speeder bikes, a happy feeling in his chest. This was the life. He was on a hunt, on one of his favourite planets, with his brothers, alongside fellow Mandalorians. It could be argued that they were hunting Sith and not his favourite prey beasts, but Oya was sure that they’d be getting to hunt some monsters before the end of this mission so he was happy. He was just hoping he’d get a chance to harvest some trophies. Trophies went for a lot to the right buyer.

They sped through the tree’s, and the jungles of Onderon the flora zipping by them as they made there way to the crash site. Arriving at the crash site they dismounted.

“Aranar, Kane flanking positions, guard our backs. Udesiir examine the crash site see if you can find anything.”

“Not much to find anything forensic will have been contaminated by now.” Udesiir informed him, getting out a bio scanner and kneeling by the crash site, methodically scanning in a grid pattern.

“It’d be sloppy not to examine it anyway.” Oya said with a shrug. Aranar grunted with approval. Kane as usual stayed his stoically silent self. Oya tried to shut down the feeling of smug pride that even Aranar was approving of some of the ways Oya was leading this mission.

It seemed like a trial run for Aranar let each brother have a turn leading a mission depending on their strengths and weaknesses. Whether or not the mission suited them. Oya was the hunter, he’d been to Dxun the most so it made sense for him to take point. Even though technically he was the lowest ranked.

As they waited for Udesiir to complete his scans. Oya’s subconscious gnawed at him. Something was wrong. What was it? Then it clicked the jungle usually teeming with noise insects, birds maybe the odd critter going about was dead silent.

“Everyone scan the jungle for life signs.” Oya commanded sharply hitting his own Hud on his helmet to scan for life signs. The Jungles thick canopy meant they could only see a few metre’s in, but it was enough.

They were surrounded by beasts, Boma’s Gharzr Maalraas Cannocks

“Nobody. Move.” Oya commanded softly.

Something had gathered a whole horde of predators to this location. It could only be the Sith. Then a damn Zakkeg prowled out of the jungle. Oya and his squad waited for a few tense moments. Then the Zakkeg roared.

Oya launched into the air with his jet pack, his brothers doing the same. They all started laying down fire as the pack of beasts charged the clearing.

“Keep your distance and keep up your fire, they’re all ground flora so they can’t catch us if we stay in the air.” Oya tapped his comms “We need the Tor’gra’tua Corvette here now!”

Oya cursed himself for a fool, he’d led them straight into a trap, his first time in command.

“At least they don’t have a Drexl” Just then a roar occurred from the forest as a Drexl rose from the canopy.

“Me and my big mouth.”

 

[Taria Musaniah.]

Taria smiled inside her helmet as she enjoyed the thrill of riding through the forest on a speeder bike. She had done it before back on her homeworld of Zakuul but that was followed up by a night in the jail for public endangerment. She remembered how much she enjoyed it. She eyed Oya a little as they sped through the forest towards the crash site, picking him out as a leader of sorts. She supposed that Oya and his friends were actual brothers.


She dismounted her speeder bike as soon as they got to the crash site and she eyed the fury class interceptor with a detached sense of amusement. She pulled out a compact scanner herself and began slowly walking around the interceptor scanning the destroyed interceptor for evidence. She was halfway through her scanning as Oya spoke up, bugged about something. She caught on as she scanned the forest for life as the absence of birds and other animals caught her attention.


Taria waited a bit as she kept her eye on the others. Then she heard the roar of a Zakkeg come from the forest and she followed there lead, launching off the ground as soon as they did with her jetpack carrying her upwards quickly. She opened fire with her two pistols aiming for the heads of the different creatures. She muttered to herself about the pistol being sold as being a pocket rifle. She heard Oya’s comment over the combined blaster fire followed by a roar.


“Here I thought you were the strong silent type who rarely opened their mouth. Looks like I was wrong. Do you happen to be part of Onderon?” Taria asked as she eyed the massive creature flying towards them silently hoping she wouldn’t have to call for backup just yet.