Ask New Prey

[BD 9]

BD-9 sounded the alarm as the condensed energy barreled down upon them. It was more of an automated response than the droid anticipating another guardian approaching them. Beedee was not sure how the guardian managed to approach them undetected by his sensors, but analysis of the events will have to wait until later.

The little droid hung back as the others engaged the robot, in case that the temple automaton somehow decides that an aggressive BD unit was a more inviting target than his companions. He hung close to Master Indyana's foot, ready to dart to the side if another attack comes their way.

If the others actually understood enough Binary to not need a translator, Beedee would have helped coordinate the group, but that was an impossibility.

Beedee noted that TsssVree's initial rapid burst of fire had slowed as the hunter realized that simply hitting the target was not very effectual, switching to more measured shots aimed at possible weak points of the guardian's structure. Not every shot hit its mark: it would be asking too much for anyone to be a perfect marksman in this scenario, but the Trandoshan clearly was trying to aim at the machination's joints. Whether that would actually work is hard to say, considering that the guardian looked heavily armored in the first place, but it was a better idea than to continue shooting at random.

@Killa Ree @Reyn

 

[Indy Sati]

The first beam had thankfully missed them, but the thing was mobile. For now, the other two lights remained inert, merely fixated in place while the first started to jerkily step closer to the targets.

At first, Indy suspected that BeeDee might have been mistaken, that in fact though they were strong, they weren't very fast.

That was until TssVree aimed another shot at the Guardian's upper left limb joint, and it seemed to register sparks. For a moment, it froze, omnireceptors seeming to tilt towards the damage done. It then began to rush towards the two Jedi and hunter, who let out a low frustrated growl and began to backtrack. Indy rolled out of the way when it lunged forwards, and she could hear its inner workings hissing and clanking.

If she had thought the Guardian was capable of sentience... she would have assumed it was angry.

@Reyn @Lavi OOC: Sorry for the delay in replying

 

[Izel Thral]

The speed at which the guardian moved was concerning, but with four on one they seemed to be getting a handle on it, and TssVree was showing why he had such a great reputation among his people. In spite of the murderous automaton baring down on him the Trandoshan was able to level a well aimed shot at the machine's joint, seeming to cause some actual damage. Of course the guardian immediately reacted by rushing both him and Indy, causing them to flee.

By this point Izel had circled around so she was at the machine's back, and wasted no time in using that position to her advantage. As the guardian lunged and tried to grab TssVree again Izel leapt forward, clinging to the machine's back. With a grunt she jammed the blade of her lightsaber pike into the joint that the Trandoshan had damaged, and jerked it around in an effort to pry the limb off entirely.

The limb turned red hot at the joint, bits of molten metal beginning to drip down onto the floor. The guardian continued it's hissing and clanking, twisting left and right at the waist in an attempt to throw Izel off. The Vratix clung tight to the machine, persisting in her efforts to 'disarm' the automaton. Finally the guardian reached over it's shoulder with it's good arm and grabbed Izel by the robes, lifting her up and hurling her across the chamber. The Padawan flipped in the air and landed on her feet, immediately turning to face their enemy again. It's left arm was badly damaged now, just barely clinging on by a thread. The guardian now focused all it's attention on the insectoid and rushed towards her at alarming speed.

@Killa Ree @Lavi

 

[BD 9]

BD-9 could only watch as the others continued to fight. It is difficult to see how he could help, given his catalog of weapons is very bare and getting damaged or destroyed could be problematic for everyone. The little droid kept his distance, but stayed well in range of being able to provide emergency support in the case that any one of the three needed additional help.

Master Izel seemed to have fallen into the category as she was pressured by the temple guardian's charge. BD-9 raced along the floor, far faster than anyone else could possible run, not only catching up, but climbing onto the temple guardian's back as it charged at the Vratix. He waited for the opportune moment, extending his spark projector as the guardian wound up to strike, before letting off a spark that threw off the guardian's aim.

The automaton fumbled as the surge of energy upset the calibration of its movement. TsssVree used the opening to shoot at the machine's knees, taking advantage of its off-balanced movements. With its intended attack neutralized, the guardian to fell to its hand and knees. Beedee leaped off and retreated from the thing, taking a small measure of pride at his contribution while allowing the others to finish it off.

@Killa Ree @Reyn

 

[Indy Sati]

Despite nearly getting destroyed by a Temple Guardian, TsssVree seemed pleased with himself and his quarry. It took two Jedi and a droid to take down just one; perhaps this prey, once they would be repaired, would be a decent alternative to living sport... and far cheaper on resources. Now that the thing was downed, however, he leveled his rifle at one of the other two that remained.

Now that the guardian was halfway disarmed, Indy had the chance to finish it, and so she did.

Lunging upright from her roll, she charged forward as it stumbled, and sank her lightsaber into its chest cavity, hearing with grim satisfaction the groan of machinery, of things growing red hot, and melting.

With a shudder, it fell to the ground.

But there was another problem.

TsssVree stood over the three of them, still holding his rifle. "Thisss point belongss to me," he hissed at them, staring the three of them down.

The other two lights had vanished, the guardians no doubt descended further into the temple.

@Reyn @Lavi

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel raised her pike in a defensive posture as the guardian charged her, ready to engage. However with the automaton's focus on her, BD and TsssVree were able to swoop in, the little droid administering a well timed shock and a few aimed shots from the Trandoshan's rifle bringing the machine to it's knees. Indy then charged in to deliver the killing blow, impaling the guardian through the chest with her lightsaber.

Izel watched with satisfaction as the guardian collapsed, reflexively pumping one fist in the air and shouting "Yes!" triumphantly. She then took a moment to clear her throat and brush the dust off her robes, feeling a twinge of embarrassment from her outburst. This moment of victory didn't last long however. The other two guardians were mobile now, and drawing them all deeper into the temple. Despite his experience their Trandoshan companion seemed to fall for the bait, demanding the others stay back as he took the glory of the next kill. Did he not see that it took all four of them to bring down just one of these machines?

"That's a bad idea," The Vratix piped in as she started to follow after the hunter. "This is clearly some kind of trap. We should-" The Trandoshan paid her no mind however as he continued deeper into the temple. Izel merely sighed and turned her attention back to Indy and BD. "If I didn't know better I'd say he was trying to get himself killed." She commented. "We should keep a rear guard as we go deeper, just in case more of those things try to ambush us from behind."

@Killa Ree @Lavi

 

[BD 9]

Normally, BD-9 would have recommended that the group retreat from the temple, having demonstrated the ferocity of the temple's guardians, but it seemed like the fight made the Trandoshan more bloodthirsty. With his antennae illustrating his worry, Beedee traded looks with his Jedi companions as TsssVree stalked off.

// This unit theorizes that further combat may be life threatening, regardless of the probability of ambush. // Beedee twittered. // The Master Hunter is taking an enormous risk; this unit recommends dissuasion instead of compliance. //

The droid peered after TsssVree as the dim lighting started to blur his silhouette. He took cautious steps forward to follow the Trandoshan before looking back up at Master Indyana and Master Izel with concern.

// Our current strength cannot afford to enter combat with multiple guardians. We must convince the Master Hunter to withdraw, // he repeated, hoping that the change of word choice would assist in conveying his meaning to Master Indyana's slightly better understanding.

@Killa Ree @Reyn

 

[Indy Sati]

The hunter snorted, kicking at the downed Temple Guardian.

"Not othersss," he hissed, and if Indy could see him better she would have sworn he rolled his eyes. "Take points for thisss kill. Bring my people in for the others."

If he would have seemed capable, Indy could have sworn she saw malice in that delighted grin. She merely sighed, nodding.

"Yes, take your point. But your people may hunt them; keeping them in working condition is good sport, far more dangerous."

Not exactly the truth, but if it helped keep Trandos from hunting down Wookies as well... it was a first logical step forward.

@Reyn @Lavi

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel breathed a sigh of relief as it seemed their Trandoshan companion wasn't intent on going after the other guardians after all. She doubted it would have been good for their diplomatic mission if the hunter ended up getting killed. Indy was eager to encourage TsssVree to focus his and his people's efforts on the guardians, and the Vratix understood that. It's why they came here after all. But after the battle they had just been through some anxiety was beginning to gnaw at her. She took around the damaged temple chamber before turning her attention back to the Trandoshan.

"Yes, just make sure that you take care not to bring any harm to this place." She insisted. "We have respected your culture's ways, so we ask that you show respect to our sacred places as well. This temple is of great value to the Jedi. I must insist that you make every effort not to damage it." She herself wanted to return here in the future for further study. The Zeffo were a fascinating people after all, and much of their history had been lost to time. All of it's remnants deserved the Jedi's upmost efforts to preserve them.

Once again TsssVree simply rolled his eyes. The lizard didn't seem to interested in hearing her request. Izel gripped her lightsaber tightly and felt a tinge of anger, but suppressed it at once. She had to get better about controlling her emotions.

@Killa Ree @Lavi

 

[BD 9]

It doesn't take an empathy module to tell that the Trandoshan and the Jedi were not too keen on getting along. BD-9 quickly acted to try to get their attention on something else. He bounced up and down on either leg to make sure he has their attention.

// This unit recommends exiting this location before more automated guardians arrive, // he whistled.

He gestured back the way they came with his head, hoping that the situation that they are in would keep their attention away from each other. Of course, that is in part up to the Jedi to be able to comprehend what he was trying to say in the first place.

@Killa Ree @Reyn

 

[Indy Sati]

Indy could feel the sigh of relief just waiting to unfold, but instead nodded with BeeDee's assessment. Yes, better to not give the Trando any more reason to be eager to hunt them instead, and to incite more trouble with Guardians; they took maintenance, sure, but a lot less than slavery would have.

She hated that thought.

But at least now it was a success. Seeing the hunter stalk out, she too followed.

After this, she was gonna need a shower and a long, long vacation.

//End thread