All about that Kelp, about that Kelp

[Artarion Sekt]

All about that Kelp, about that Kelp, no Republica! ✦ Ask ✦ DM or Dice Opposition ✦


2-3 Participants​

The Kelp farms of Taris are its number one export and keep not only its people fed but people across the galaxy. Unfortunately, there is some sort of disturbance in the Taris sea that is causing the Kelp harvest to have issues. Equipment is being destroyed and the harvest is in trouble. Your mission is to make contact with the Kelp farmers and discover the source of this issue, then destroy it. This will gain the trust of the farmers. The Kelp must flow.

Artarion was not necessarily happy about being sent to Taris. The planet was so wet, and the dampness seemed to seep into everything. Artarion was sure he would need a month on Korriban to be able to ever consider dry socks again. He was not familiar with the person he had been sent on this mission with either and that if nothing else was making him grumpy.

The mission he had been tasked with did nothing for his attitude either. It smacked of a humanitarian effort and that simply was beneath him in Artarion’s mind. He was no touchy-feely Jedi, he was a Sith warrior and that meant he was better than this. The mission had to be a test in his mind. The Darth’s were testing his patience and his adherence to the Rule of the Strong. He would be up to the challenge, he would find this disturbance and eliminate it and leave this abominable swamp planet behind.

Finding the farmers would not be hard, they were everywhere it seemed on this planet. He had landed his ship in the spaceport and almost been trampled by a small herd of farm animals after walking down the ramp. Currently he waited near his ship on his 67-X Stormcloud, hoping that his partner for this mission would arrive sooner than later.

DICE​

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

Cher's partner maybe in for one big surprise when he.. Or she learns that their partner is not a human. But a Tiss. She has come to learn that very few don't mind being paired with a nonhuman sentinent. Then there are the majority who hate it and make it known. Cher naturally hoped that her partner was either one of those kinds who won't mind working with her, or if they didn't like it would simply deal with it until the two got the job done. Without it ending with her partner killing her just because of what she is.

In all honesty, the Tiss didn't mind the planet the pair have been sent to. Unlike some of the other planets, this one sounded like it is truly open spaces. Very wet, but open since the planet sounds to be used mainly for farming. Since the Tiss doesn't have her own means of transportation yet, and may not even be allowed to own or fly a ship. Cher had to make due with using a public transport ship to get her to Taris. No big deal really. No she didn't mind the people who occasionally stared at her. Besides no one dared to approach her thanks to how terrifying she looks.

The Raptor silently walked towards her partner, her red eyes looking over the male human. Her dark scales glistened a bit thanks to the moisture that gathered along the reptile's scales. Her clawed feet padding lightly in the puddles, careful not to snag her claws onto or into anything to prevent her claws from becoming dull. Just as importantly her clawed tipped fingers are carefully tucked away to prevent her claws from becoming dull or accidentally injuring someone, "I.. Taskss it you are thee one I am asssigned to?" She asked when Cher was now standing next to the Sith.

@Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion looked up as a Tiss approached him. He had not heard of any Kelp farming Tiss on planet and the way the dark moved with the creature, it seemed the was his partner in this exercise. A raise of one aristocratic eyebrow was the extent of the emotion he allowed at the realization. The raptor asked if he was the one, she was assigned to. That struck him as slightly odd, but he nodded to the question, watching the creature closely.

“Yes I believe that is the case,” replied Artarion. He decided to test the connection just in case, using a code that Old Empire operatives were taught if then encountered another operative in the field. He knew that the code should work, it had never not worked before. Of course, there was always the chance that this creature had not been trained on Korriban and that might make things very interesting very quickly.

“Do you believe it will rain today?” he asked looking up at the clouds. He knew that the correct counter to the question was “I have heard there is snow in the forecast.” With his eyes squarely on the creature, he waited for its reply. He had opened his senses to the force, fallen into its river and was bathed in it should the reply come back anything but correct. They were on the landing grounds, the area around them mostly devoid of any listeners or witnesses should things go pear shaped. Artarion hoped it would not but he was prepared either way.

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

The Tiss quietly trilled as the man confirmed that he is her partner during this assignment. Well that is a relief. It is not that often that the reptile is assigned to a partner during an assignment, which is why she asked. She has not met many who are either Sith or Imperial Agents, so she has no idea as to who is who. The Raptor looked to the Sith, no she is not force sensitive, but she has learned how to spot a Sith. It is rather simple really since the Sith tend to carry themselves in similar fashion. So coming to the conclusion that Sekt is a Sith was not a hard one to come to. So that makes.. two she has met now.

Cher tilted her head curiously at the man's question as he looked up to the cloud covered sky. The Raptor followed suit, she was trained on Korriban for a while. And so knew that what he is saying is a code that one agent will say to another to confirm the other is also an agent, "Are you sssure? I heard that sssnow is in the forecasst." She told the Sith, looking to Sekt with her red eyes. Studying him, she was sure that is the correct counter to the question he had just asked her. Unless the counter has changed since the last time she visited Korriban. So if the counter did change, then of course she would not know the coded answer to that question. What in the world is snow anyways? The Tiss has never seen snow before, so she had no idea what it was.

The Raptor looked around curious about why she has not heard or seen anyone on the landing grounds, to find that it is devoid of others. So if she got the answer wrong, the Sith can easily kill her and get rid of the body without anyone witnessing it. Genius. Looking back to the Sith, "What is snow anyways?" She finally asked when she could not shake the curiosity of this snow out of her head.

@Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion listened closely to the reply from the Tiss. It was the correct reply to his question, so this was indeed the agent sent to assist him. His demeanor did not change, but his hands slid a little further away from his lightsabers. Looking over at the Tiss he started to say they should get moving and make contact with the farmers when it asked a curious question.

He stopped, and his eyes narrowed towards the creature, he slid out tributaries of the river of the Force, probing to see if she was teasing him or trying to play him for a fool. Did it really now know what snow was? The tributary returned clear of deceit and he turned and started walking, after a moment he said, “Frozen water particles that fall from the sky on certain worlds.” He was not angered by the question but more annoyed at the concept that creatures in the universe could be so sheltered as to have not encountered snow.

Artarion walked towards a small knot of farmers standing outside a hutt just off the landing grounds. The hutt was labeled “Spaceport Control” and appeared to be a place where Artarion might be able to get some directions. He wanted to find these farmers and obtain their assistance as soon as possible. Not only did he not like this planet, he now had a walking talking dinosaur following him around as it tried to conceive of what snow was.

Upon arriving at the group, he slid into the crowd and listened to what was being said before interrupting. “Yes we need help Garon! said one farmer emphatically. “Our kelp isn’t gonna harvest itself and we can’t handle all these darn spiders on our own!” Artarion continued to listen to the conversation as a plan started to form in his mind.

He knew from his studies on the data terminal on his ship that the spiders the man was referring to was probably the famous assassin spiders of Taris. Formidable creatures to be sure but well, he had a dinosaur so what couldn’t he do. A slow smile crossed his features as he considered that idea. He also knew they preferred to nest, so if they could eradicate the nest, they would be able to solve the farmers problems.

After a moment he looked to see where his companion was, more than interested to see the farmers reaction to the raptor. A look told him that the farmers had not seen the raptor as yet but that it was only a matter of time. It would be an interesting encounter and tell him much about the mettle of these farmers and perhaps his companion as well.

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

Did the Sith seriously think that she was pulling his leg? Did he really expect the reptile to know what snow is? Sheesh, if only the man knew what happens to reptiles when they are introduced to a cold environment. Okay she can stand cold but not so cold that this snow that he is telling her about forms. Exposure to that kind of cold may kill her. So of course the Tiss has no idea what snow is. The reptilian followed the man as Sekt started walking once again, "Huh interesting." She said simply as she pushed the topic out of her mind so that Cher can focus on the task at hand.

Now what caught her interest was not the smell of a potential meal nearby, but the group of farmers that were huddled together talking about something. What they are talking about did not come to light though until she and her partner got closer to the group.The dinosaur slipped into the same crowd as the Sith, since she had come to memorize his scent the Tiss will easily be able to keep tabs on where he is in relation to her location. Of course that is if he is relatively close to her. She was not a hound so she will not be able to track him like one. The reptile tilted her head curiously as she listened to the arguing farmers, whom sounded as though they are at the breaking point.

Since the Sith came to a stop, Cher was able to stand at the man's side. Which allowed her to see the smile that carved it's way slowly onto his face. Now what is he suddenly smiling about? Surely it was not because of the Farmers' miseries that they have been dealing with who knows for how long. Perhaps there is something that came to mind that suddenly made the man smile. Whatever it was the Tiss's red eyes settled back on the farmers as she saw all of them stare at the tall Raptor, roughly the same height as the Sith she is standing next to. Perhaps they have not seen a being of her kind until now. Well this will be an entertaining conversation, if they have the backbone to talk in her presence.

"Sir... Is that your.. Pet?" One of the farmers asked. Did he seriously just ask that? The Raptor started to feel her blood begin to boil. How dare he call her a pet! Cher growled as she stared at the farmer who dared to call her such a lowly title. Pet. Ha! Wait until she is done with him. He will regret calling her this Sith's pet. Oh how he is so lucky that the Raptor is able to control herself, if she wasn't able to then the man will be nothing but shreds by the time she is done with him.

@Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion looked to the farmer who spoke, asking him if Cher was a pet of some sort. Artarion’s smile disappeared and he shook his head. “No, she is not. And as much as I would love to have you ask her yourself and watch the resulting chaos, that is not why we are here.” Raising a hand to forestall another potentially homicidal causing comment from the farmer, Artarion continued.

“No we are here because I could not help but overhear that you were having issues with spiders, I believe it was.” Looking at the one they had proclaimed the be Garon, he continued, “Now my associate and I happen to be excellent at spider extermination and would be willing to assist you with your problem at little to no charge. We would just like the opportunity to speak to you after about a potential business situation that may be to our mutual benefit. Would that be agreeable to you, Garon was it?” He said the last directly to Garon, eyes probing the other man and allowing himself to fall into the river of the force.

His contempt for these common people falling away from his face to pool in that river and then be drawn back out. Reaching out with the force, he tapped the scales that were wavering on trusting the pair and shifted that trust to the favor of Artarion and his charge. A small satisfied smile appeared on his thin lips as he felt the mans will evaporate and twist under his tutelage.

The one called Garon spoke, “Well I don’t see why not. Seems a fair deal to me. No risk and all the reward and all that. You think you can really do it stranger?”

Looking back momentarily towards Cher, Artarion tossed her an amused look, making a face for a moment just for her benefit. When Garon spoke, he turned back to the conversation, the comical face he had made to mock the farmers gone from his features. It was replaced with a serious countenance as if contemplating the situation. He knew they were here for this particular situation; the river of the force having directed him here. With a nod he affirmed his commitment to the farmer trio, “We can and will good Garon. We shall find and exterminate these interlopers into the lives of good honest kelp farmers and ensure they do not bother you again. Hows that?”

Artarion was genuinely pleased with himself when he farmers gave them the general location where they were having issues. They had several farm hands that had disappeared in attempts to dislodge the interlopers and hoped that the duo might be able to save a few. With promises to do what he could for the hands, Artarion turned to the raptor and nodded. “Nice work, shall we?”

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

Cher was no longer amused with the farmers, well more so the one who in a ways insulted the Raptor. Thankfully, for the man, Sekt was a man of authority and so was the one who stopped that same farmer from speaking up. Possibly saying something that would have ended with him in pieces on the ground. So in a ways, the Sith managed to keep the Tiss in check as well. The farmer really did get lucky this time. Though if the farmer happened to come across the Tiss and say something just as insulting while behind the Sith's back, he may just wind up being Cher's dinner.

Cher allowed the Sith to do all the talking, knowing now that the farmer insulted her that she would just simply come across as disrespectful and perhaps even manage to insult the farmers. What the Tiss was curious about is if the problem the two have come here for is so bad, why didn't they come forward about the problem before it got this bad? Surely someone had this thought come across his or her mind at some point. Maybe they are just too stupid to have such a thought come to mind or something. Who knows. The Raptor remained silent as Sekt handled the entire conversation, snickering a little with amusement when he looked back at her with a silly grin of his own as though he was mocking the three farmers in his own mind as she was doing. Well at least the both of them were thinking the same thing. Well almost the same thing. She wanted to chase the farmer who dared to mock her, to show him just how lucky he is that there is a Sith here who is able to keep the Raptor in check.

Both of them knew why they are here and that they can handle the task, so to Cher what the Farmer asked was completely stupid in the reptilian's mind. The snorted lightly in response to the human's stupid question. Of course they can handle the task at hand. If they weren't able to handle it they would not have come in the first place. And with this task, Cher will possibly get a decent meal or snack out of this. Not due to the Old Empire failing to meet her nutritional needs in the food that was served to her. Surely eating one or two of these spiders, depending on their size, will make up for that lack of nutrition. Who knows maybe those needs lacked so that she would willingly go on missions with the promise of a meal as the motivation.

Cher looked to Sekt as the man turned to her, "Yes. Before I change my mind about not eating that moron who dared to insult me." She hissed watching the trio of farmers leave, "Even though the thought of chasing him sounds rather amusing. But I am pretty sure he does not taste that good." The Raptor said quietly so the farmers didn't hear her. Seeing that she no longer needed to stand at her full height, as it was starting to get a little uncomfortable as well. She allowed her posture to go back to it's somewhat slouched position, or what she calls her hunting pose.

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion finished his negotiations with the farmers and turned to regard Cher, his eyes rolling so hard at the interaction that he briefly considered if the planet might be thrown off its axis. He smiled in a satisfied fashion and started walking back towards their ships. He talked as he walked, trying to get this show on the move. He pulled out a data pad and tapped it several times before stopping and turning to shout back to the farmers.

“Garon I need those attack locations sent to my data pad. We need to know where we are going, and time is money for you.” The farmer Artarion was speaking to raise a hand in recognition of the message and pulled out a data pad of his own. For several minutes while they waited, the farmer tapped at his data pad, presumably compiling information from multiple reports. Artarion tapped his foot out of frustration, he hated dealing with amateurs. Alas it seemed to be his lot in life and eventually the red incoming data light appeared on his data pad telling him that an information transfer was in progress.

Turning to walk again, Artarion started speaking again to Cher. “We will need to travel a good distance; do you have a vehicle?” Artarion stopped and tapped the data pad several times and then started speaking again without waiting for the raptor’s answer, it did not matter really. He knew she would get to the rendezvous he set however she could.

“The location where the largest concentration of attacks appears to be originating is up the coast approximately ten kilometers from this location. There have been multiple attacks on workers and machinery in this area. Apparently the most recent was hours ago and there has been no word from the outpost since that last report.”

He stopped to look up at the raptor and gauge its reaction before continuing, “We should stop here, approximately half a kilometer out. It is an old refinery and appears to have a space we can use as a base of sorts for our sortie. We may have to take out multiple nests of the creatures if it is indeed what I believe it to be.”

With that last bit he disappeared into the hold of his ship and then reappeared moments later to the roar of the engines from a 67-X Stormcloud as it emerged from the hold.

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

Ah. So Cher is not the only one who is fed up with the farmers as well. At least the three the pair had just dealt with. Really if the farmers are this stupid how have they not managed to destroy the planet or keep their crops and livestock going this long? The raptor watched the farmers walk off, snorting at the three men as she decided that they are not worth her time as her prey to hunt. Besides the sound of spiders as a meal sounds far more appetizing. Worth her time to hunt.

Now as Sekt turned to tell the farmer.. whatever his name is, that they needed the coordinates of where they are going to go. Cher decided that she is done completely with these stupid farmers. So as the Sith gave some attention to the farmers, the Raptor turned and walked away. That was until Sekt started talking to her again, "For any prey, the distance traveled makess it worth while." She replied, in a way she was telling the Sith that she is looking forward to getting there as now the hunt is starting.

The reptilian being listened to what the man is telling her, committing it all to memory. So the prey.. the spiders are that far away? No matter once they get there then she will do her part. Out of which she will get a tasty spider meal, "Too bad we didn't get here hours ago. We could have used those farmers as bait to draw the spiders out of the nests." The raptor hissed, she looked the man in the eyes, "I see. Well I will be sure to do my part for these pathetic, insulting farmers. Even if it is to get us out of here sooner."

Cher watched Sekt disappear onto his ship. Then walked over to her own 67-X Stormcloud that she had brought with her on the public shuttle the reptile used to get here. Mounting the bike, the Raptor activated her ride. Now it is the wait of starting the hunt.

 

[Artarion Sekt]

DICE​

Artarion approved of the raptor’s assessment of the farmers, he too despised their weakness, but he also knew they were a means to an end, that being taking the planet from the Imperial Republica. They served a purpose as Artarion was not going to operate the kelp farms once they took the planet and he was fairly certain the raptor was not either. Gunning the engine on this Stormcloud, he raced off towards the location of their rendezvous near the target.

It was roughly thirty minutes on the speeder bikes to their destination. The old mechanical parts shed for the abandoned refinery appeared suitable to house their speeders while they went forward on foot. The shed was over the top of a large hill from the refinery proper, the refinery itself being in a valley on the other side. After parking his Stormcloud in the shed, Artarion walked up to the rise of the hill, he kept to the brush and bramble along the ridge to ensure he cut no silhouette to anyone who might be looking up at the ridge.

What he saw there was concerning. The refinery that he thought to be abandoned appeared to have new residents. Its metal and plasteel superstructure were covered in webbing and Artarion could see several spiders wandering the grounds. They did not appear as guards or sentinels, they seemed to be performing tasks. One thing that did stand out were the six visible bodies hanging in the upper levels. Artarion had discovered the fate of the workers in the surrounding area and it was as he expected.

Crouching low and moving quietly so as to not make sound, he returned to the shed and informed Cher as to what he had seen. “It appears you will get your dinner sooner than later. The refinery itself has been infested. There are six prisoners and an unknown number of the spiders. We should attempt to remove the prisoners upon success as their bodies, alive or dead, will improve our status with the locals and show our strength.”

With that he turned and set his shoulders and mind to the task. He emptied his mind and dropped into the river of emotion and hatred that was the force. Who were these simple creatures to deny him, he was Sith and the Rule of the Strong flowed like fire in his veins. He started a slow purposeful walk to the edge of the canyon.

Spider Count : 12​

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

After the first stretch of their travel taking the two thirty minutes to get to the sheds to hide their speeder bikes in. The rest of the way will be on foot. The Raptor had a hard time keeping herself together as she parked her vehicle in the shed section next to the one Sekt parked his in. The Tiss stretched a bit after getting off of her Stormcloud. Even though she got there no more than a few seconds behind the sith he was already going up the hill by the time that she got her bike into the shed. Well someone is certainly eager to get the job started.

The reptile thought that she saw something moving in the brush and so got down onto all fours. Her snout flaring as she sniffed the air trying to figure out what it is that she heard. If the reptile had not memorized the Sith's scent and the sound of his footsteps, Cher would have mistaken Sekt for whatever it was that she heard in the brush. Getting back to a proper standing position as the man approached her, "Oh good. I can use a good meal." The raptor huffed, she honestly didn't care about the farmers. Well she did since it will improve the Empire's standing with the locals in two ways, but at the same time she had absolutely no care about what happened to the farmers. If they were killed in between getting into the place and actually getting to the men, well she doesn't care. The reptile was never the cuddly, caring type.

The raptor followed the Sith as he led the way to the canyon, catching a glimpse of the refinery and the state the spiders left it in. Well this certainly will be interesting. The spiders had to have some level of intelligence. The raptor bit back the snicker of amusement when she spotted the bodies of the farmers hanging at the highest levels of the refinery.

 

[Artarion Sekt]

DICE​

Artarion made his way to the edge of the refinery encampment and crouched behind a small piece of machinery. He could see the captives above on the superstructure of the refinery. He could not tell if they were alive or dead, not that it mattered. He knew the mission was to destroy the creatures and the captives would be a nice little bonus. Turning he gestured for Cher to head to his West and attack from that direction. They would try a two-pronged attack that allowed the pair room to operate while still being able to support each other in combat.

Artarion nodded to Cher as he saw her get into position. With that nod, the fight was on and Artarion stood and started towards a spider that was moving along one of the eastern supports of the structure. Reaching down into the river of the Force, he drank of its power and channeled it towards the spider. He hoped to take control of the creature and have it done his bidding. Unfortunately, the creature was able to shrug off his control and realize the source of its disorientation.

The spider practically growled, Artarion realizing it was the creature grinding its front mandibles together. After announcing its anger to all who could hear, the spider charged at Artarion. The speed of the creature took Artarion by surprise and although the Sith had his dual lightsabers out, he was driven back by the ferocity of the attack, immediately put on the back foot. He had lost the initiative and was not looking good for the battle to come.

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

As Sekt nodded for her to get into position for a two pronged attack. Cher was quick to get herself into place. Then she watched as Sekt went in for the attack as he first tried to confuse it. But it was a failure as the spider shook it off. Then the spider charged at the Sith, knocking the man off his feet.

The Raptor screeched at the spider as Cher approached it. Trying to draw it's attention off her partner. The spider was not paying any mind to the Tiss as it focused on Sekt. Growling loudly Cher charged and sunk her teeth into one of the spider's legs. That seemed to do the trick as the eight legged freak as the pain drew it's attention away from the man.

But as it moved the spider successfully got the Tiss off it's leg and rammed the reptile. The spider attempted to ram the Tiss into the metal framework of the wall behind her. But tye reptilian was able to drop to the ground and therefore escape being rammed into the wall that surely would have resulted in an injury or death.

Her attack may have succeeded in stopping the spider from attacking her comrade, but she failed to take the monster down, "Now that itsss cornered we ssshould be able to takess it down now." She told Sekt when the Spider turned to face the two.

@Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

DICE​

Artarion seethed in anger at the first attacks, and to compound his failure, another spider had taken note of the battle and was currently scurrying to join them. Turning he saw Cher get the attention of the spider he had been fighting and its attack on the raptor. Growling he fell into the river of the Force and thrust out a hand at the rear of the spider as it charged Cher.

He felt the power of the dark side rocket out of his outstretched hand and use the momentum of the arachnid to propel it into the steel superstructure it had hoped to smash Cher against. With its own momentum and the artificial inertia from Artarion’s Force Push, the spider slammed into the steel with a loud and satisfying crunch. The spider fell and landed on the ground, twitching on its back and its legs curled up into it, then it twitched no more.

The new comer emitted a shrill squeal at the sight of its brood mate being crushed and charged Artarion. Artarion calmly waited until the last moment and then jumped high into the air, allowing the spider to drive under him. Allowing his second lightsaber to lag behind him, again he used the inertia of the spiders to their disadvantage and watched as the charging spider cut itself neatly in twain. Two neat halves falling to the turf even as Artarion landed on the other side in a crouch, twin sabers at a ready defensive position.

Looking up at the superstructure he could see new legs starting to emerge from the higher levels. He stood and set a defensive posture, left saber at the high ready and right saber low and across his legs.

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

Cher watched Sekt take down two of the eight legged freaks with relative ease. The Raptor hissed in amusement as one of them was cut into two neat halves. What made the show better was the spider bringing the end result on it's own.

Cher looked up as a new pair of legs emerged from the super structure. Well if this keeps up they can use the carcasses of the dead spiders to reach a floor or two. Maybe. The reptilian watched as the spider dropped down. The moment that it did, Cher leaped onto it's back. Getting down on all fours the Raptor dug her claws into the spider's shell. Shrieking in pain, the spider spun around looking for what is attacking it. When it couldn't see the monster started jumping to dislodge the Tiss. Cher hung on as the spider started jumping towards a sharp pillar of sorts hanging from the floor above like a stalactite from a horror movie.

When the spider was right under it, Cher jumped off the spider's back as it jumped for the last time. Cher rolled a few times after jumping off the spider, standing back up when she came to a stop.

The spider spearing itself on the object then falling back to the ground with a sickening thunk with it's legs splayed out. The Raptor glanced up as she heard shrills coming from above.

@Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

DICE​

Artarion watched the spider drop from the superstructure and engage with Cher. He knew the raptor would be able to handle one, so he kept his eyes on the upper levels. The behavior patterns they had observed thus far led him to believe that they generally did not attack in singles but in swarms. He was unfortunately correct in that assumption. As Cher finished her spider, three more of the creatures came scuttling out of the building. At the same time two came barreling around the side of the building, heading right for Cher.

It appeared the spiders had taken a page out of Artarion’s own playbook and were attempting a two-pronged attack. It was a highly effective tactic when you outnumber an enemy and Artarion was torn between which set of enemies to attack. Deciding not to separate from the raptor, Artarion decided to attack the two closest to Cher, with any luck he would be able to disable them or at the very least distract them so he and the raptor could handle the larger threat of the descending trio.

Artarion dropped his consciousness deep into the river of the Force and used it to augment his leaping ability. He was already in a crouch, so he sprang upward violently, landing just in front of the two spiders, effectively arresting their charge. As he landed, he expelled a wave of pure Force which tossed the two spiders backwards and flipped them onto their backs. As they attempted to scramble back to their feet, Artarion was able to neatly skewer each of them in turn with his lightsabers, laughing out loud as they crinkled up on themselves. He had dispatched the threat from the side of the building but the three descending from the top were still on the move and the only thing between he and them was Cher.

Spider Count: 7 of 12 remaining​

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

Cher watched as her companion handled the two attacking spiders with ease. Of course he did with how the two freaks charged head on without thinking first.

The Raptor chuckled, though hers sounded like weird reptilian chittering than a chuckle. At least to human like ears. The Tiss looked up as she wondered if anymore will be coming down to get the duo. And it appeared that there is as three more descended from above. Red eyes looking back to her comrade, knowing that she is the only one standing between him and them. If she failed to take at least two of the spiders down, then Antarion will be vulnerable knowing that eventually he will start to tire.

She screeched at the spiders as they dropped down to the floor, drawing their attention solely onto her. Which worked. Two went in for the attack while the third hung back. Why? Cher didn't know. Her focus right now is on the two approaching freaks. Flicking her hooked claws on her feet, the reptilian watched as one spider raised the front half of it's body, presenting it's fangs. That was the spider's fatal mistake as Cher lunged at the spider. Digging all of her claws into it's vulnerable underside. The force of her lunge sending the spider over onto it's back.

With the first one dead, Cher ripped her claws out. Getting out of the way of the second. Climbing onto it's back as the second freak got tangled in the legs of the first freak. With the Arachnid in a bit of a bind, Cher bit into it's unprotected abdomen. The spider released a pained screech sound before going limp.

The Raptor hissed as the third moved in to attack the reptilian. Cher charged at it but the spider shot a bit of webbing towards her, sealing her jaws shut tight. Releasing a muffled, angry roar as she struggled to get the webbing that was preventing her from using her jaws. Only the sound of eight legs warned her that she had other things to worry about. Like the remaining spider.

The spider charged at her but Cher remembering a trick that Antarion used earlier dropped down onto her back with her claws up. Using the spider's own momentum to slice open it's underside as it passed over her. The spider crashed down onto the ground in a sick splat. Cher got up and quickly got to work trying to get the webbing off her jaws.

@Critas

 

[Artarion Sekt]

DICE​

Artarion was indeed starting to tire, the sheer number of spiders had started to take its toll on the Sith. He had been fighting since he was tall enough to pick up a knife, so he did not have to rely on the Force. He was quite capable of handling things with just his blades and his wits. He had been training with his father’s gladiators for years and they had taught the young master everything they had known.

Cher took out the three spiders at his back, giving Artarion a chance to rest a moment. He had stopped and knelt down, catching his breath. He was tired but definitely not out of the fight. The silence of the moment was strangely comforting. Artarion looked all around but could not see any other spiders charging at them. He could hear scuttling from within the superstructure, so he stood and pointed to the building. “It appears we must walk a bit for the rest of your dinner Cher.”

Artarion walked to the opening in the wall of the building right under where the stairwell should have been. He peeked in and did not see anything immediately in front of him, so he nodded to Cher before taking the lead and heading into the building. The buildings interior was almost entirely comprised of webs with bits of metal and plascrete intermingled. Artarion stepped gingerly on the floors, careful not to touch anything on the walls lest he become entangled. He wanted to get up to those hostages, they would definitely seal the deal for this mission.

As he was walking up the stairs, he heard scuttling and sure enough there was the last line of defense lowering to meet them. Four of the creatures lowered quietly on silken strands. This group apparently thought that Artarion had not seen them, so he played their game, allowing the spiders to drop behind him. This placed them inbetween he and Cher, they thought they had cut him off, he knew they had placed themselves between two enemies. With a loud shout of “NOW” Artarion turned and swung savagely at the closest spider. He struck home, the surprise at his lack of surprise having frozen the arachnid for just the heartbeat he needed. He sheared off two of the spiders legs and sent the spider scuttling in a circle, its lack of two legs making it run in circles.

Spider Count: 4 of 12 remaining​

@Nommie

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

As Sekt caught his breath after Cher took care of the three attacking spiders, the Tiss managed to get the webbing that was acting like a makeshift muzzle off her jaws. Stretching her jaws out then snapping them shut. Her teeth clacked together as she closed her jaws swiftly a few times. The Raptor hates the feeling of her jaws being restrained. The feeling of her jaws being unconfined now is very pleasing.

The Tiss hissed as she heard scuttling from the floor above them. No more will be coming down so to get whatever remained of the spiders the duo will have to go up to them. No matter. She will get another meal once they get up to the next floor, "That is fine. I will get more dinner either way." She replied as the reptilian followed the Sith.

Following close behind the Sith, the Raptor looked around as the two approached the building. Half expecting some spiders to drop down onto them. But that will not happen. The Tiss nodded as Sekt gestured for her to follow him inside. Upon her initial inspection of how compromised the flooring and walls are being covered in webbing. Cher dropped down to walk on all fours to prevent her upper body from getting tangled in the webbing. She will remain so as the two made their way up the stairs. When the spiders dropped down between them, the Raptor stood up properly hissing. Two of the spiders turned to face Cher and attacked, lunging at the Tiss.

Cher jumped onto the back of the first, but the second spider bumped into the first, knocking the arachnid over the railing. Climbing onto the head of the spider that was barely hanging onto the railing, Cher screeched as she jumped out of the way of the second spider as it brought it's fangs down onto the head of the first. Sending the first Spider down from whatever hieght the two Imperials managed to climb before the eight legged freaks joined them.

Screeching the second turned to face Cher, but the freak was moving rather clumsily on the stairs, giving the Raptor the time she needed to jump onto the arachnid's head. She then bit into the spider's skull. The spider went limp, the Tiss swallowed down whatever mouthful she got of the freak. This was one well deserved dinner. The Tiss though didn't forget about her comrade though as she turned to face the other two spiders, ready to assist her companion if he needs her help.

@Critas