Looking for trouble...

[Sly]

"Not too far from here but it looks to be getting dark, we might consider setting up camp for the night." Alyse said as she looked at her watch. She glanced over to the both an who was still sitting in the water, "Feel good?" The water looked sort of cool and refreshing, the thought of a swim went through her mind. If they were holding here for the night, she might be able to catch a bit of shut eye.

 

[Salamandurrr]

Triv decided it was time to hop out. "I mean, it doesn't feel horrible once you get used to it, but if we're setting up camp, I'm gonna take advantage of what little sun we have left." Triv sprawled out in the ground in a spot with direct sunlight. "So, how do you do it? How do you kill someone and not feel anything from it. I've been thinking about it... I killed a few guys today, and the more I think about it, the more I feel like I took something from the families of those guys. So how do you do it, how do you block it out?"

 

[Kori Buor]

With his feet on solid ground, the man felt much better about their escape; the last thing he wanted was to almost drown in his armor. Remaining mostly silent during the initial exchange between Alyse and the Bothan, the Mandalorian finally spoke up when the woman checked her timepiece. Glancing at her, he gave a curt nod. "Alright then, beautiful, where do you want to go make camp? I was thinking maybe not right next to this sewer outlet? I don't know if the locals are smart enough to track us or predict our route, but I feel like this is a pretty obvious egress route for us. So, maybe we should huff it a little ways away?"

Taking a moment to glance at Triv, the Mandalorian hummed thoughtfully. With a shrug, the man simply admitted his ignorance. "I couldn't really tell you, kid. I suppose it's not something I focus on too much. I guess I just figure that it was their time to go." The callousness of the man was evident. Of course, this was coming from a man who had lost everything, so perhaps his apathy to such pain was somewhat understandable.

 

[Sly]

Alyse kneeled down next to Triv. "The kinds of people we kill, they aren't good people. These aren't men with their perfect families at home, these are men who cheat and kill to gain power. When someone holds these kinds of power over someone, the universe finds a way to counter that power with an equal force. That's us. We bring these evil, powerful people back to reality and prevent them from harming anyone else." Just as she said that, she looked back to Asterion to listen to his question. She ignored his nickname for her and proceeded to answer, "We need to find our way out of this tunnel, then we can cut through the forest a bit. I think we should stay close to this though, it makes a good emergency hideaway. With the jump we just made, they would expect us to be crippled."

 

[Kori Buor]

Asterion overheard the reply Alyse gave to Triv about killing people. It was certainly an optimistic point of view, but the Mandalorian knew it was too optimistic to be true. No doubt there would be one man who had fallen on hard times, and out of desperation took to such a life to help provide a life to those he cared about. Though, Asterion would not say that, he simply nodded in agreement with what Alyse said; he didn't want to traumatize poor Triv and make the kid overthink things. He knew where that sort of thinking went, and it wasn't anywhere good. "She's right, Triv, we're the justice this Galaxy needs; we're the balance. For every evil crime lord who takes advantage of people, there's someone like us willing to bring them down to size. What we do is important, and those we have to kill are often as guilty as their employers of crimes heinous and unthinkable."

Looking back at Alyse, the man nodded after a few seconds of thought. "That's fair enough. Maybe we can head out a little bit so we're not quite in the open, but stick close to it in case we really need to hide in a pinch. Though, I'd prefer if we didn't go anywhere near sewer water again for the duration of our stay on Taanab. Anyways, anyone have an idea what we want to do for camp? We won't have very much daylight left." He remarked as he began heading out slowly, his walking pace very slow and casual so as not to leave any one behind.

 

[Salamandurrr]

Triv quickly hopped up noticing that Asterion had begun walking. "So which way are we goi-" Triv's ears flicked, he paused for a moment. Hearing something, he turned to Asterion, "Ok, so I have good news and bad news... Bad news is that they're in the tunnel right now, more than one. The good news is that if we start moving now we'll be able to distance ourselves enough that they'll lose our trail. The move is your guys' to make. You wanna fight, or you wanna run?"

 

[Sly]

Alyse grinned, "I've set up camp in the woods before, I can set us up a hidden shelter." Hearing a bit of fear in Triv's voice, she cut in. "Well something tells me they are gonna have a blast trying to find our tracks in that muck, let alone scale the jump to get to us. We have some time but we need to keep moving."

 

[Kori Buor]

"Well, then let's get moving! I'd rather not get stuck here when they do finally show up. Still, that drop will slow them down, it's only a matter of time before they get here. Let's try and cover our trail as you suggested. We are going to want to get our camp set up before we lose sunlight, otherwise we'll have to camp without decent cover from the elements or a fire, likely." The Wanderer would smirk as he began walking away from the group. "Besides, I'd rather not fight what is likely to be a bunch of cops just trying to hunt down the people who just killed six others in a cantina."

The Mandalorian continued on, doing his best to cover up where he had walked and hoping the other two would keep their trail secured. How he knew how to move stealthy through the brush was a mystery to him, perhaps a skill he had acquired in a former life, but whatever the reason, Asterion took them on a path which would be hard for anyone to track. It only took a few more minutes before they found themselves in a thick forest, the leaves a verdant green. Pushing deeper in, Asterion would keep moving until someone either stopped him, or they found a place that they all agreed was safe and would make for a suitable camp. If there was one thing Asterion didn't want, it was going to be making camp too close to the egress of the sewers; that place would likely have plenty of locals searching for the murderers. "So, what all drew the three of you to this sleepy little backwater?"

 

[Salamandurrr]

Triv noticed that Asterion was covering his tracks in the mud, so he did the same. As his fur was finally drying up, and he could feel the cool air get cooler by the minute. "Yeah, that fire is definitely going to be needed." Soon enough the trio reached a thick part of the forest. It was about then Asterion asked a question about his purpose there. Why am I here, Triv thought to himself. He had completely forgotten why he had came for a moment. Eventually it all flushed back into his mind. "I've been on a hunt for information. Normally I go to a planet, find a bar, and talk to the locals, before finding a small delivery to make for a few credits. I'm tracking my family, they abandoned me when I was very young. Sent me to a castaway planet far from the one I was born on. I had a droid piloting the ship I was on, it malfunctioned, we crashed, and I lost my arm. I just want to meet them. What I would do if I ever meet them though... Even I don't know. Along with that, I want to unlock the secrets of the universe." Triv looked down at his robotic arm, thinking about the motivation behind every thing he's done. Deep down inside, he knows that if he ever met his family, he wouldn't be in control. He would slaughter them. He clenched his fist in anger, before calming himself down. "What about you?"

 

[Sly]

The tone that the Bothan gave wasn't anything normal to how Alyse had expected his response. There was anger and hatred, she could feel him seething. While it was probably something that most would overlook, she knew better. The thought crossed through her mind that she might very well have to remove Triv from the picture if he were to draw attention. Turning her attention to Asterion's question, she replied, "I came there looking for trouble, something to get into that would pay more than a few canon fodder jobs. If it wasn't for you walking in, I was going to cause a fight and force someone to request that I carry a message." She grinned at the last statement. "It's amazing how many credits someone will shell out for their enemies head on a plate after they have been beaten in a fight, I just cater to the highest bidder. In the end, blood is blood, money carries a little more value over conscience." The group arrived at an area that seemed dense enough and suitable for a campsite. Some of the older tree branches drooped low enough to provide cover from light in the sky, natural or from a ship, and the ground was soft enough to sleep on. Removing her blade from her hip, she began cutting off parts of lower lying branches for structure while using the tougher vines and moss to tie the foliage together into a small wall. Leaning it up against a tree stump at an angle, she tosses leaves and some various shrubbery on top and across the front to disguise it from the average eye. "Triv, Asterion, try to find some firewood and get some heat going. This shelter only keeps us out of sight and weather. It won't protect us against the cold."

 

[Salamandurrr]

After hearing what Alyse said about why she was here, Triv began to think about his future. One day he could become like that one day. In his mind, he hated killing. He heard Alyse say something about wood, so he went to gather some. In those few moments he made a life altering decision. He wasn't going to kill innocent people. He would continue his journey as a bounty hunter, but he will only accept contracts against people who deserve to die. He didn't want to speak up about it though, fearing that he would lose the trust of his newfound allies. He then began to think of what is to come after they leave this planet. Do they disband, do they continue together? Walking back over with an armful of wood, he asked, "So what comes next? You know, after this mission. Where do we go from here?"

 

[Sly]

She stared at the Bothan with a bit of pondering, why would he suddenly want to know? "Well, you claimed you wanted to do some of my side missions. So I guess you will be getting work from me. As for Asterion..." Alyse turned towards the man, "I suppose we will still be working together on some things..? You seemed like you had some jobs.."

 

[Kori Buor]

Asterion listened to the conversation as each one gave a brief answer to his question. It was satisfactory enough, so he didn't press the issue any more as he was sure if there was more they wanted to say then it would have been said. That Triv kid seemed to have a lot of baggage, especially that deal with his family leaving him on his own at a young age. While Asterion couldn't relate, he was sure that would probably have a very profound affect on the young Bothan. Listening to Alyse explain that she was just looking to stir up some trouble and hopefully get a job, Asterion chuckled, "Fair enough then. I guess that's one way to go about finding someone who might want to hire you. Now that I know that though, I'm almost tempted to have let you start that fight just so I could watch. I'm sure it would have been most amusing."

They reached a place Alyse seemed satisfied with and suggested that they go to work getting a camp fire set up. "You don't have to tell me twice." Glancing at Triv he said, "As far as me, well, I got hired to do a job, and now I did that job. If you want something more I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you. I don't even remember my real name, I only travel and take these jobs because it pays well and one day I hope I might meet someone who will either recognize me, or cause me to remember my past. That's all there is to it."

The Mandalorian went about breaking or hacking off dry or dead branches he could reach, and even picking up handfuls of kindling while Triv asked what would happen next. After Alyse answered, he stood up from where he had stooped to pick up some more tinder. "Aye, I've got a couple of jobs if you want to keep working together. Nothing too big, but the pay is decent... like this if you're interested. Both of you are welcome, I suppose, but I won't feel offended if either of you decide to leave."

 

[Salamandurrr]

Triv was happy to hear that there was potential to continue working together. Plus the pay more than doubled what he normally made on small delivery missions before. "Yeah, I guess I am interested. I mean, I don't have anything better to do anyways." Just then Triv's ears flickered a moment, he could hear something approaching. "Hey, shhhh, somethings coming our way." Whatever it was, it wasn't trying to be quiet. He scanned the area around him, and he pinpointed where that something was. As he creeped over to a bush, he could start to make out a figure, walking directly to where they were camped at. He readied his blade, but he was hesitant to use it immediately. He didn't want to kill someone innocent that just happened to stumble in on them. But he feared he might have to. He looked back towards Asterion and Alyse to make sure they were prepared. Soon the person made its way into the light enough for Triv to see. It was another Bothan, like himself, but dressed more professionally. Perhaps a politician. This was only the second other Bothan Triv had ever met. Something inside him burned in jealousy. This man has lived the life I should have lived. He thought to himself.

As the man made his way into the opening, he didn't see Triv, who placed himself just out of the Bothan's field of view. As the man realized what he had walked into, Triv jumped into action, grabbing the man from behind and pressing the blade against him. "Who are you and what do you want?" Triv had asked the man. He could feel the man tense up in fear, but he wasn't very powerful. Even Triv could keep him constrained, with minimal effort. "I-I-umm." Triv could tell the man was terrified. "I asked you a question, now answer me." The man sputtered out nonsense for a moment before composing himself. "My name is Ec, Ec Kutoni. Please, I mean you know harm. Just let me live and I'll forget this ever happened." The man's voice was shaky. "Why are you here?" Triv growled at the man, hopefully to scare a straightforward answer out of him. "This is the path I take home from work every night. I got off early because my boss never came back, something about being killed in a brawl at one of the bars in town. I hated the man but now I'm out of a job. Please just let me go."

Triv looked over to Asterion and Alyse, hopefully for some kind of answer on what to do.

 

[Salamandurrr]

Triv had the man in his grasp, and he looked to the others for guidance on what to do. But they were just frozen there, in awe or fear. Triv had no idea what to do from there. Just as he was preparing to say something, the man sprawled his body momentarily, and with more strength than he had before, reversed the situation. Triv was really hoping the others would do something now. He could feel the cold barrel of a blaster pressed against his head, and the man was much more stronger than him now. Like he was concealing his strength. "Alright, here is the deal. I know you guys killed my boss. I know the authorities most likely want your head on a platter. Because there is way more to this than you know. You see, my boss, the man you killed, ran this city. He was paid well, and so was I. Now, I am out of a job, and someone is going to pay for that. And it looks like this half-breed of a Bothan will make good payment, but that still won't be enough. How about the cutie there. I know some guys who'll buy a slave just because she looks good. Yeah, that'll do." Tightening his grip on Triv, he then pulled the gun off of his head, and pointed it directly at Alyse. "One move and your legs are toast."

 

[Sly]

Alyse calmingly stepped forward. "Relax babe, I'll go with you..." She moved closer, getting within arms reach, she brushed his arm with hers. It was clear she was enticing him. "You'll make a good prize." The man muttered off. Alyse gave him a wink and blew a kiss. Triv stood between the two but she knew she had to make her move. "Alright baby just let this worm go and we can get out of here. I don't even know these men." Appearing to brush off Asterion and Triv. The man appeared to loosen his grip on Triv and Alyse took her chance. She quickly threw her electroblade deep into the mans leg, directly between Triv's legs and watched as the man buckled down. His blaster fell to the ground but that didn't stop him from trying to roll over and grab it. As the man reached for his weapon, she stepped on his hand, firing into his back. "You stupid who-" He was cut off by Alyse's teasing "shhhhhh." She stood on top of the man, looking to Asterion and Triv. "Do I get to kill him?" She giggled.

 

[Salamandurrr]

Triv, still in shock over the man being so powerful all of a sudden, but he eventually shrugs it off. Soon enough the sun started to rise. Triv didn't even remember falling asleep. He looked over to see Alyse and Asterion both still there, but he knew it was time to move. "Hey guys, I think we should get a move on to the ship. Suns coming up which means we are sitting ducks out here now." Triv was hoping that would get them up.

 

[Kori Buor]

Asterion grunted when the kid spotted another Bothan moving through the brushes. Thinking about what he should do with the newcomer, and waiting to see what Alyse would say, if anything. Suddenly, the Bothan drew a gun and had the kid at the end of it eliciting a sigh from the Mandalorian. The man wondered if he could draw before the Bothan would be able to pull the trigger. Then he weighed the risk and thought about if taking the risk was worth it. Before he could decide Alyse seemed to have made up her mind with a decision of her own as she strutted up to the Bothan seductively, saying things to get him to lower his guard. Then, without another, though Asterion could have suspected she was planning such a move, Alyse attacked the Bothan, disarming him and putting him on the ground, his blaster going off into his own back. As the woman looked up, he platinum hair a little disheveled from the tussle and with a teasing tone in her voice she inquired if she could kill him.

"I don't see why not if you want to. He's worth nothing to me... likely be one less scumbag and enemy we'll have to deal with later," He said looking down at her, giving a casual shrug of the shoulders before glancing to Triv, an almost confused expression on his face as he said it was almost dawn. "It's almost what? Kid, I think that Bothan must have hit your head pretty hard because it's just sundown now. Why do you think I'm standing here getting firewood for the fire for tonight? Maybe you should lay down and get some rest. Alyse and I can handle the everything else."

 

[Salamandurrr]

Triv was utterly confused. He must've definitely hit his head. "M-Maybe your right, I'm- I'm just gonna lay down for a bit..." Triv lied his back on the ground, looking up at the trees above. He swore he had just woken up. He shrugged it off and slowly fixated his mind on one light that was shining through the tree line. It was a bright light, almost as if someone was looking for something. It must be a ship, looking for us Triv thought to himself. Triv looked over to see Asterion and Alyse finishing up the camp, and he started thinking about trust. Triv never really trusted anyone, but these two are the only people he's ever really journeyed with. Hmm, hopefully they trust me as much as I'm trusting them right now.

 

[Sly]

The sound flew overhead, hovering for a moment and passing through the treeline. It was gone, luckily. Alyse dimmed the fire down a bit to restrict some of the light. There was nothing quite like leaving a big flare next to your bed and everyone seemed warm enough so she smothered the outer ring of the flame with some dirt and mud. "The ship has passed but they are bound to start moving in on our position in the afternoon tomorrow. Our best bet is going to be for us to wake up early and get to my ship. Hopefully we can get off this rock without anymore trouble." She turned to see Triv laying on the ground and Asterion looking up at the stars above.
Somehow, she had managed to keep herself safe for so long on her own. Trusting very few outsiders. But Triv, well he was just a kid looking for some coin; She almost felt sorry for him in a way. Thinking about her past, she reflected on what it was like to worry how to get her next meal and where she was going to stay for the night.

Asterion on the other-hand seemed to be doing well off for himself, but it was clear there was always something looming on his mind. What could he be hiding? He looked as if he had been in quite a few scuffles over the years so it was hard to gauge how long he had his armor. This worried Alyse but she tucked the thought away as her eyes slowly drifted into unconsciousness, trying to get a few hours of sleep before the early morning hike.